Patents Assigned to WorkTools, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8061252
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Worktools, Inc.
    Inventor: Joel S. Marks
  • Patent number: 8052022
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Worktools, Inc.
    Inventor: Joel S. Marks
  • Publication number: 20110233256
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: WorkTools, Inc.
    Inventor: Joel S. Marks
  • Publication number: 20110139850
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: WORKTOOLS, INC.
    Inventor: Joel S. Marks
  • Patent number: 7950558
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Worktools, Inc.
    Inventor: Joel S. Marks
  • Publication number: 20110073632
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: WORKTOOLS, INC.
    Inventor: Joel S. Marks
  • Patent number: 7828184
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: WorkTools, Inc.
    Inventor: Joel S. Marks
  • Publication number: 20100187281
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: WORKTOOLS, INC.
    Inventor: Joel S. Marks
  • Patent number: 7748589
    Abstract: A desktop stapler uses a spring to store energy to install staples by impact blow. The force required to fasten papers together is reduced. A very compact mechanism is used, including a dual coil power spring with a nested lever. A multi-function base provides a sloped front all the way to down to a desk top surface to guide paper sheets atop the base, easy access for lifting the stapler off a desk, horizontal or vertical resting positions, and integrated soft grip under-surface. The base surrounds the rear of the stapler body to provide a smooth exterior so that the device is natural to use both horizontally and vertically. A simple re-set spring provides a smooth re-set action as the handle is raised. A staple track includes enlargement features to fit a larger staple pusher spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: WorkTools, Inc.
    Inventor: Joel Marks
  • Patent number: 7708179
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Worktools, Inc.
    Inventor: Joel S. Marks
  • Patent number: 7654183
    Abstract: A compact hole punch device includes a generally vertical entry paper slot with an elongated handle hinged at one end of the punch device extending toward the opposite end of the device along side the paper slot. A chip chamber extends along the punch device opposite the slot from the handle. A roller cam mechanism concentrates forces in a small area of the device to provide a very compact, rigid action. An elongated chip tray is pivotably attached to the chip chamber including a lowered position where chips are easily emptied out an open distal end of the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: WorkTools, Inc.
    Inventor: Joel S. Marks
  • Patent number: 7648054
    Abstract: A desktop stapler uses a spring to store energy to install staples by impact blow. The force required to fasten papers together is reduced. A very compact mechanism is used, including a dual coil power spring with a nested lever. A multi-function base provides a sloped front all the way to down to a desk top surface to guide paper sheets atop the base, easy access for lifting the stapler off a desk, horizontal or vertical resting positions, and integrated soft grip under-surface. The base surrounds the rear of the stapler body to provide a smooth exterior so that the device is natural to use both horizontally and vertically. A simple re-set spring provides a smooth re-set action as the handle is raised. A staple track includes enlargement features to fit a larger staple pusher spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Worktools, Inc.
    Inventor: Joel S Marks
  • Publication number: 20090134197
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: WORKTOOLS, INC.
    Inventor: Joel S. Marks
  • Publication number: 20090114698
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: WorkTools, Inc.
    Inventor: JOEL S. MARKS
  • Patent number: 7513406
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Worktools, Inc.
    Inventor: Joel S. Marks
  • Patent number: 7503472
    Abstract: A desktop stapler uses a spring to store energy to install staples by impact blow. The force required to fasten papers together is reduced. A very compact mechanism is used, including a dual coil power spring with a nested lever. A multi-function base provides a sloped front all the way down to a desktop surface to guide paper sheets atop the base, easy access for lifting the stapler off a desk while in its horizontal or vertical resting positions, and integrated soft grip under surface. The base surrounds the rear of the stapler body to provide a smooth exterior so that the device is natural to use both horizontally and vertically. A simple re-set spring provides a smooth re-set action as the handle is raised. A staple track includes enlargement features to fit a larger staple pusher spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Worktools, Inc.
    Inventor: Joel Marks
  • Publication number: 20080308599
    Abstract: A spring energized stapler includes a “high-start” design wherein a striker has an initial 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 father than a cage front end travel distance. A lever links the striker to the power spring to provide leverage upon the power spring. The lever and cage/spring subassembly are nested in a compact assembly. A safety lock includes a two step action to restrict motion of the striker, and fits a notch in a bottom of the striker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: WORKTOOLS, INC.
    Inventor: Joel S. Marks
  • Patent number: D606825
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: WorkTools, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel Marks, Surapon Arleekul
  • Patent number: D606826
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: WorkTools, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel Marks, Surapon Arleekul
  • Patent number: D622571
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: WorkTools, Inc.
    Inventors: Surapon Arleekul, Joel Marks