Abstract: A stapler having a housing and a throat defined by the housing and configured to receive a stack of sheets for stapling. The throat separates the housing into a head portion and a base portion. A paper guide is coupled to the stapler, the paper guide being movable between a recessed position within the base portion and an extended position. Insertion of the stack of sheets into the throat does not cause movement of the paper guide.

Abstract: A powered stapler includes a housing having a first housing portion and a second housing portion movably coupled to the first portion. The stapler is actuated by creating relative movement between the first and second housing portions. The second housing portion includes an elongated trigger member, that when moved relative to the first housing portion, actuates the powered stapler to drive a staple into a stack of sheets. The stapler is configured to be held in a single hand of the user and can be actuated by the user squeezing his or her hand while holding the stapler.

Abstract: A stapler includes one or more illuminated features that assist the user in guiding the stack of sheets into the stapler's throat for stapling. The illuminated features help the user intuitively position the stack of sheets in the throat to achieve the desired staple position on the stack of sheets.

Abstract: A laser safety enclosure structure has an outer enclosure made of a formable material with a limited ability to withstand exposure to a laser beam and an inner enclosure composed of a laser beam blocking material capable of indefinitely withstanding exposure to a laser beam of a given wavelength and power level so as to prevent such a laser beam incident on the blocking material from escaping the inner enclosure.