Patents by Inventor Joel Marks

Joel Marks has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20080041912
    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: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: WORKTOOLS, INC.
    Inventor: Joel Marks
  • Publication number: 20080011808
    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: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Applicants: ACCENTRA, INC., WORKTOOLS, INC.
    Inventors: Brian Melgaard, Joel Marks
  • Publication number: 20070272721
    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: August 15, 2007
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Applicant: WORKTOOLS, INC.
    Inventor: Joel Marks
  • Publication number: 20070266836
    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: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Publication date: November 22, 2007
    Applicant: WORKTOOLS, INC.
    Inventor: Joel Marks
  • Publication number: 20070267472
    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: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Publication date: November 22, 2007
    Applicant: WORKTOOLS, INC.
    Inventor: Joel Marks
  • Publication number: 20070199424
    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: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Publication date: August 30, 2007
    Inventor: Joel Marks
  • Publication number: 20070175946
    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: January 30, 2006
    Publication date: August 2, 2007
    Inventor: Joel Marks
  • Publication number: 20070169603
    Abstract: A hole punch having one or more punch elements located above a base and having substantially upward opening slot(s) to hold a stack of papers or sheet media to be punched, and an L-shaped handle pivoting at the elbow in the L on the base, wherein one or more of the handle connectors extend in between, underneath, or along the outside of the punch elements. The punch elements include a horizontally translating punch pin having a notch hooked by an actuating end of the pivoting handle to produce the punching action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventor: Joel Marks
  • Patent number: 7240334
    Abstract: An application (e.g., a computer program) prints data by invoking a print function with a format argument and, optionally, at least one data argument. The format argument and any data arguments are saved in a deferred trace data buffer. The print function returns to the application then, sometime after the print function has returned, the deferred trace data buffer is processed and the format argument and/or any data arguments are printed. By saving the format argument and any data argument(s) to a memory buffer instead of parsing and formatting the arguments in real-time, program efficiency may be improved and the impact of the print function on a software test scenario may be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John Christian Fluke, Joel Mark Yarborough
  • Publication number: 20070125823
    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: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Publication date: June 7, 2007
    Inventor: Joel Marks
  • Publication number: 20070108251
    Abstract: A safety mechanism to prevent unintended ejection of a staple or fastener in a stapler or fastening tool. A low-start version of the stapler has a handle that when pressed pivots a lever which lifts a striker and energizes a power spring. At the release point, the striker is released and accelerated under spring bias into a staple, ejecting the staple by impact blow. A high-start version has the striker stationary in the upper position as the power spring is energized. In the safety mechanism, a movable hook or arm selectively prevents the striker, and linked components thereto, from completing an operational cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Publication date: May 17, 2007
    Applicant: WORKTOOLS, INC.
    Inventor: JOEL MARKS
  • Publication number: 20070044623
    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. The pin and/or other components optionally include electroless nickel plating to reduce friction and wear at the component or pin sliding and cutting surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Inventor: Joel Marks
  • Publication number: 20070044624
    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 an angle 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. The punch elements and punch pins may be configured so that the punch pins cut into the sheet media sequentially.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Inventor: Joel Marks
  • Publication number: 20070044618
    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: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Inventor: Joel Marks
  • Patent number: 7178709
    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 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: WorkTools, Inc.
    Inventor: Joel Marks
  • Patent number: 7118019
    Abstract: An anti-jamming design for a stapler track provides reduced force to shear a staple from a rack of staples. In stapling, a front staple must be separated from a rack of staples to eject the staple out. Conventional staplers shear the glue that holds the staples together all at once, so the peak force to separate the staple is high. In the present invention the glue that holds staples together in a rack is sheared by a peeling action. Locally progressing sections of glue are peeled as the front staple is sheared from the adjacent second staple. According to one embodiment of the invention progressive shearing is provided by an asymmetric track front end, whereby the front staples are fully supported on one side only so that the staple rack twists as the striker slowly presses down. The striker contacts the supported, higher, side of the staple first and the staple begins to shear from this higher side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: WorkTools, Inc.
    Inventor: Joel Marks
  • Publication number: 20060213950
    Abstract: A desktop stapler includes an automatic opening staple track whereby when the stapler is opened by pivoting the body about the base, the track is de-latched by ribs of the base, and the track slides out from a chamber within the body. The stapler includes a track alignment system that holds the front of the body precisely over the anvil by use of forward and rear torque arm contact areas between the base and track. The stapler also features a striker bottom edge that is shaped to follow the curved shape of the anvil so that the striker may enter the anvil recess without impacting the anvil. A staple chamber in the stapler has staple exit ribs that allow only one staple at a time to be ejected from the staple chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Publication date: September 28, 2006
    Inventor: Joel Marks
  • Publication number: 20060213948
    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: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Publication date: September 28, 2006
    Inventor: Joel Marks
  • Publication number: 20060213949
    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: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Publication date: September 28, 2006
    Inventor: Joel Marks
  • Patent number: D542613
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: WorkTools, Inc.
    Inventor: Joel Marks