Patents Assigned to WorkTools, Inc.
-
Patent number: 9592597Abstract: A flat clinch assembly fits upon or within a base of a stapling device. The assembly preferably includes a slot with extended resiliently biased arms or toggles, where a rest position has the arms at or near a level of a working surface. An ejecting staple deflects and energizes the arms to cause the arms to rotate and create a clearance recess whereby points of the staple legs slide inward along the anvil. A restorative bias acting on the arms causes the arms to rebound to a rest position and to bend the legs upward. The legs thereby are normally pressed flat against the back sheet of a paper stack at the working surface. The arms or toggles are lightweight whereby the inertia of a fast moving staple moves the arms or toggles.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2014Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignee: WORKTOOLS, INC.Inventor: Joel S. Marks
-
Patent number: 9522463Abstract: A compact, electric, spring energized desktop stapler having a unitized housing providing both an external movable enclosure and a support frame for internal parts is disclosed. The internal power train is preferably elongated with the motor at the rear, a gear set toward the center, and low profile lever and power spring assembly at the front. The lever engages a striker with a normal upper rest position where the power spring is deflected and energized. A cam roller mounted to a final gear holds down the rear of the lever until the system is activated when the final gear rotates and the cam roller rolls off the end of the lever. In the unitized body, the base is pivotally attached to the body at the rear. A base lever selectively links to a cam roller or equivalent structure to move the body downward toward the base during a cycle.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2013Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: WORKTOOLS INC.Inventor: Joel S. Marks
-
Publication number: 20160082605Abstract: An improved blade for use with an oscillating power tool is disclosed. A rectangular style blade includes side teeth to eject debris and allow rapid but well controlled blind plunge cuts. The side teeth are preferably asymmetric with a forward orientation to bias debris out and the blade inward. Preferably one or more openings or slots allow for additional debris removal. The side teeth also allow for controlled side cutting.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2014Publication date: March 24, 2016Applicant: WORKTOOLS, INC.Inventor: JOEL S. MARKS
-
Patent number: 9199359Abstract: A manually powered rotary tool includes improvements to size, drive direction input, drive speed, assembly, strength, and cost. A handle is mounted high in the housing to provide a vertically compact tool. A selector switch controls a spiral ratchet mechanism from outside the housing to better enclose the mechanism and provide improved access to the selecting operation. The ratchet mechanism uses a lateral moving selector bar for effective operation with the external selector switch. The spiral ratchet gears are configured for die cast manufacturing. Various components are of one-piece construction and designed for simplified assembly.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2013Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: WORKTOOLS, INC.Inventor: Joel S. Marks
-
Patent number: 8978952Abstract: Power spring configurations for a spring energized fastening device includes a compact double torsion power spring and two opposed compact single torsion springs. Simplified structures to hold the springs in a stable pre-loaded position are disclosed. Each coil has forward extending arms including an angled portion and forward vertically coincident portions. The double torsion spring has a self-locking crossing geometry to hold a pre-loaded rest position. The opposed two springs have a bridge and a mandrel to hold the rest position. A lever presses arms of the spring between a striker and the coil including a compact nesting condition. A tab of the striker extends forward to provide a release edge and a positioning torque bias upon the striker.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2012Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Worktools, Inc.Inventor: Joel S. Marks
-
Publication number: 20140203060Abstract: A flat clinch assembly fits upon or within a base of a stapling device. The assembly preferably includes a slot with extended resiliently biased arms or toggles, where a rest position has the arms at or near a level of a working surface. An ejecting staple deflects and energizes the arms to cause the arms to rotate and create a clearance recess whereby points of the staple legs slide inward along the anvil. A restorative bias acting on the arms causes the arms to rebound to a rest position and to bend the legs upward. The legs thereby are normally pressed flat against the back sheet of a paper stack at the working surface. The arms or toggles are lightweight whereby the inertia of a fast moving staple moves the arms or toggles.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2014Publication date: July 24, 2014Applicant: WORKTOOLS, INC.Inventor: JOEL S. MARKS
-
Publication number: 20140150617Abstract: A manually-powered, lever-operated, multi-hole punch device with visual alignment indicia, for punching holes in stacked sheet media such as paper. The hole punch device includes an elongated base with a top side divided along its length in approximate halves, with the front half being a lower flat surface transitioning through a step to a rear half, upper flat surface. The upper flat surface includes a plurality of peninsulas extending into the lower flat surface, such that the areas between the peninsulas include a visual alignment indicator. Punch elements and their punch pins are located on each peninsula overlying the lower flat surface, and the height of the step creates a slot to receive the paper stack. Underneath each punch pin on the lower flat surface is a receiving hole to receive the reciprocating punch pin. An optional chip receptacle is positioned at the underside of the base.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2012Publication date: June 5, 2014Applicants: ACCENTRA, INC., WORKTOOLS, INC.Inventors: JOEL S. MARKS, BRIAN E. MELGAARD
-
Publication number: 20140130640Abstract: A manually powered rotary tool includes improvements to size, drive direction input, drive speed, assembly, strength, and cost. A handle is mounted high in the housing to provide a vertically compact tool. A selector switch controls a spiral ratchet mechanism from outside the housing to better enclose the mechanism and provide improved access to the selecting operation. The ratchet mechanism uses a lateral moving selector bar for effective operation with the external selector switch. The spiral ratchet gears are configured for die cast manufacturing. Various components are of one-piece construction and designed for simplified assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2013Publication date: May 15, 2014Applicant: WORKTOOLS, INC.Inventor: JOEL S. MARKS
-
Patent number: 8668128Abstract: A miniature spring-actuated stapler includes a tapered, flat power spring to store energy and eject staples. The power spring pivots at a rear of the stapler housing and includes three co-extensive arms terminating near the striker. As the L-shaped handle of the stapler is pressed, it acts on the center arm of the power spring to deflect it downward while the outer arms deflect upward. The arms are integral at a rear end and the outer arms are linked to the striker at the front. A tapered, flat reset spring disposed generally parallel to the power spring is used to reset the internal action. The housing includes open top and rear areas with the handle providing the enclosure thereof. A base assembly is slidably attached at a bottom of the stapler with an open position exposing a staple-loading chamber.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2010Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: Worktools, IncInventor: Joel S. Marks
-
Publication number: 20130228607Abstract: Power spring configurations for a spring energized fastening device includes a compact double torsion power spring and two opposed compact single torsion springs. Simplified structures to hold the springs in a stable pre-loaded position are disclosed. Each coil has forward extending arms including an angled portion and forward vertically coincident portions. The double torsion spring has a self-locking crossing geometry to hold a pre-loaded rest position. The opposed two springs have a bridge and a mandrel to hold the rest position. A lever presses arms of the spring between a striker and the coil including a compact nesting condition. A tab of the striker extends forward to provide a release edge and a positioning torque bias upon the striker.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2012Publication date: September 5, 2013Applicant: WORKTOOLS, INC.Inventor: JOEL S. MARKS
-
Patent number: 8464620Abstract: A hole punch device that reduces the force required to create a hole in papers or other sheet media. A punch element of the hole punch device includes a locally sloped or indented floor to create a bend in the sheet media as it is punched to create an enlarged, oval hole. The punch pin may include an expanding sleeve surround the pin that forms a larger diameter during the cutting stroke and springs back to a smaller diameter during a pull out stroke. A coiled torsion return spring is positioned remotely from and non-coaxially with the punch pin. A keyed pin and support frame arrangement ensures a predetermined rotational orientation of the pin for sequential cutting for reduced cutting force. A long lead-in surface in the frame helps installing sheet media into the feed slot of the punch element.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2011Date of Patent: June 18, 2013Assignee: Worktools, Inc.Inventor: Joel S. Marks
-
Patent number: 8453903Abstract: A spring energized stapler includes a “high start” design wherein a striker has a rest position above the staple track. A handle is pressed to energize a power spring while the striker remains stationary. At a predetermined position of the handle, the striker is released to eject a staple. A subassembly of a cage and the power spring provides a preload to the power spring in the rest position. The subassembly is separately movable from the handle to allow a handle pressing end to move farther than the striker's distance of travel. The handle includes a movable pivot location to enable enhanced motion of the handle pressing end. Alternatively, an optional lever links the striker to the power spring to provide leverage upon the power spring. A release latch may be mounted in front of the striker to be engaged by the lever or the handle.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2012Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: Worktools, Inc.Inventor: Joel S. Marks
-
Patent number: 8348117Abstract: A stapler selectively uses enhanced leverage to break a glue bond of a staple to separate the staple from a rack of staples in the stapler. The staple does not press a working surface during this operating stage. The extra leverage stage occurs through a minority of total handle travel, preferably via a pivoting lever linked to the striker at one end and the opposite end traversing between inner spaced apart ribs underneath the handle. A remaining non-leveraged handle travel stage ejects a staple out from the stapler body against a working surface. A track supports staples from an underside of the top of the staples. The track includes an outward extending bottom support for at least one staple on the track to prevent rotation of a short rack of staples.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2011Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: Worktools, Inc.Inventor: Joel S. Marks
-
Publication number: 20120318840Abstract: A spring-energized stapler having a pliers type configuration, wherein papers and like items are fastened at a front end and the stapler is normally gripped and squeezed at a rear end. A compact mechanism and independent handle linkages provide a compact overall shape in a high efficiency action. An upper handle is pivoted at a front, top of a housing with a pressing area spaced at least one half the handle length away from the upper handle pivot. A lower handle includes a multi-segment cam link to a base to provide a minimal gripping distance with a large clamping force at an anvil. A simplified front-loading mechanism provides a compact, low cost assembly. A release latch holder is located behind the striker for a compact front end.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2012Publication date: December 20, 2012Applicant: WORKTOOLS, INC.Inventor: JOEL S. MARKS
-
Patent number: 8261956Abstract: A spring-energized stapler having a pliers type configuration, wherein papers and like items are fastened at a front end and the stapler is normally gripped and squeezed at a rear end. A compact mechanism and independent handle linkages provide a compact overall shape in a high efficiency action. An upper handle is pivoted at a front, top of a housing with a pressing area spaced at least one half the handle length away from the upper handle pivot. A lower handle includes a multi-segment cam link to a base to provide a minimal gripping distance with a large clamping force at an anvil. A simplified front-loading mechanism provides a compact, low cost assembly. A release latch holder is located behind the striker for a compact front end.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2011Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: WorkTools, Inc.Inventor: Joel S. Marks
-
Publication number: 20120132692Abstract: A spring energized stapler includes a “high start” design wherein a striker has a rest position above the staple track. A handle is pressed to energize a power spring while the striker remains stationary. At a predetermined position of the handle, the striker is released to eject a staple. A subassembly of a cage and the power spring provides a preload to the power spring in the rest position. The subassembly is separately movable from the handle to allow a handle pressing end to move farther than the striker's distance of travel. The handle includes a movable pivot location to enable enhanced motion of the handle pressing end. Alternatively, an optional lever links the striker to the power spring to provide leverage upon the power spring. A release latch may be mounted in front of the striker to be engaged by the lever or the handle.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2012Publication date: May 31, 2012Applicant: WORKTOOLS, INC.Inventor: JOEL S. MARKS
-
Publication number: 20120048093Abstract: A hole punch device that reduces the force required to create a hole in papers or other sheet media. A punch element of the hole punch device includes a locally sloped or indented floor to create a bend in the sheet media as it is punched to create an enlarged, oval hole. The punch pin may include an expanding sleeve surround the pin that forms a larger diameter during the cutting stroke and springs back to a smaller diameter during a pull out stroke. A coiled torsion return spring is positioned remotely from and non-coaxially with the punch pin. A keyed pin and support frame arrangement ensures a predetermined rotational orientation of the pin for sequential cutting for reduced cutting force. A long lead-in surface in the frame helps installing sheet media into the feed slot of the punch element.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2011Publication date: March 1, 2012Applicant: WORKTOOLS, INC.Inventor: JOEL S. MARKS
-
Publication number: 20120037684Abstract: A stapler selectively uses enhanced leverage to break a glue bond of a staple to separate the staple from a rack of staples in the stapler. The staple does not press a working surface during this operating stage. The extra leverage stage occurs through a minority of total handle travel, preferably via a pivoting lever linked to the striker at one end and the opposite end traversing between inner spaced apart ribs underneath the handle. A remaining non-leveraged handle travel stage ejects a staple out from the stapler body against a working surface. A track supports staples from an underside of the top of the staples. The track includes an outward extending bottom support for at least one staple on the track to prevent rotation of a short rack of staples.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2011Publication date: February 16, 2012Applicant: WORKTOOLS, INC.Inventor: Joel S. MARKS
-
Patent number: 8113404Abstract: A spring energized stapler includes a “high start” design wherein a striker has a rest position above the staple track. A handle is pressed to energize a power spring while the striker remains stationary. At a predetermined position of the handle, the striker is released to eject a staple. A subassembly of a cage and the power spring provides a preload to the power spring in the rest position. The subassembly is separately movable from the handle to allow a handle pressing end to move farther than the striker's distance of travel. The handle includes a movable pivot location to enable enhanced motion of the handle pressing end. Alternatively, an optional lever links the striker to the power spring to provide leverage upon the power spring. A release latch may be mounted in front of the striker to be engaged by the lever or the handle.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2010Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Worktools, Inc.Inventor: Joel S. Marks
-
Patent number: 8083211Abstract: A staple remover device having first and second opposed, elongated jaws extending from a lower end of the remover toward an upper end of the remover. The jaws are pivoted to the remover at the upper end. With the remover in a substantially perpendicular orientation above a horizontal work surface, the first jaw moves toward the second jaw, actuated by a user's finger pressure. A handle extends along the remover device, the handle being normally operationally fixed to a jaw by a link including a latch, and at a pre-determined position of the first jaw to the second jaw, a release rib of at least one jaw causes the latch to suddenly de-link the handle from the jaw, wherein the de-linked handle moves in relation to the jaw and moving the handle in relation to the jaw causes the other jaw to rise, lifting out the staple.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2009Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: WorkTools, Inc.Inventors: Joel S. Marks, Brian E. Melgaard