GB2344553A

GB2344553A - Staple magazine indicator

Info

Publication number: GB2344553A
Application number: GB9826858A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Benedict Chaplin Spencer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-12-07
Filing date: 1998-12-07
Publication date: 2000-06-14
Also published as: GB9826858D0

Abstract

A supply of staples for the magazine of a stapler has some staples coloured differently (2 fig 2) to the rest of the staples. The coloured staples provide a means to indicate to a user when the supply of staples has reached a certain lower level. Alternatively the stapler, having a base plate 1 and hinged top section 6, may be provided with a switch 10 acting as a sensor. The staples 3 are moved forward with use by a plunger 4 under the force of a spring 5. GB 2344554 <SDO ABE VER=1.0310> <DP N=3> A folding trestle includes first and second leg structures (10 and 11). Struts in the form of welded metal strips (23) extend from one (11) of the leg structures and are pivotally connected to the other leg structure (10). Flat surfaces (19) are provided at the upper ends of the leg structures (10 and 11) and are in abutting co-planar relationship in the in use condition of the trestle.

Description

Magazine Indicator This invention relates to a magazine indicator in which the indication is given when the number of objects remaining in the magazine reaches a predetermined or small number or is exhausted.

Many man made devices use magazines to store and keep a finite number of identical objects ready for use when required. Examples of magazine use includes firearms, photographic slide projectors and the humble office paper stapler.

A problem common to all magazines is knowing when the magazine has become empty or is about to become empty without specifically examining the magazine to check. It is a matter of common experience to staple several sheets of paper together only to find that the stapler magazine is empty.

According to the present invention there is provided a means for providing automatic indication to the user when a magazine is approaching the point where there are but a predetermined or small number of the objects remaining and the requirement for reloading of the magazine is imminent.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of two examples concerning the office paper stapler and the accompanying drawing in : Figure I shows in perspective a strip of ordinary staples, suitable for use with an office paper stapler; Figure 2 shows in perspective staples which have, at one end of the strip, a small number of the staples marked or coloured and these act as the indicator; Figure 3 shows a stapling machine complete with magazine in which a device is fitted to give an indication.

First example. Referring to Figure 1 by use of the ordinary strip of staples 1 it is not possible during use to tell how many remain in the stapler magazine without specifically checking the magazine..

Referring to Figure 2 the office paper stapler magazine is loaded with the marked or coloured strip of staples 2 such that the small number of marked or coloured staples will be the last to be used. Thus when the strip is almost exhausted, which occurs when the magazine is almost empty, the user will be alerted to this fact by the appearance of the indicator upon the staples as they are used Second example. The stapler has integral to it a sensor that detects the when the number of objects remaining in the magazine reaches a predetermined or small number of staples remaining, for example by use of a metallic switch or opto-electronic device or other means and activates an indicator, for example a piezo-electric device, a lamp, movement or by sending a signal to part of the same system or to another system or by other means.

Referring to Figure 3, the base plate 1 is below the hinged magazine 2 complete with staples 3 held under force at the front of the stapler by the metal plunger 4 and spring 5. The hinged top section 6 is shown in the normal operating position. In this example the top section 6 contains an electronic circuit 7 powered by a battery 8 capable of driving the piezo-electric transducer 9. A metallic switchlO is located within the hinged top section in the path of the plunger 4. Each time the stapler is operated the metal plunger 4 is moved forward as the strip of staples 3 becomes shorter. Eventually the strip 3 will become so short (with the predetermined or small number of the objects remaining) that the metal plunger 4 (under the force of the spring 5) will make contact with both parts of the metallic switch 10 and completing the electrical circuit 7 and the piezo-electric transducer 9 will sound thereby functioning as a magazine indicator. In this example it is the switch that operates as the sensor.

Claims

Claims 1. A magazine indicator in which the staples are provided with a mark or coloured indicator that becomes apparent to the user when the number of objects remaining in the magazine reaches a predetermined or small number or is exhausted.
2. A magazine indicator as claimed in Claim lwherein a sensor detects when the number of objects remaining in the magazine reaches a predetermined or small number and a circuit is completed thereby giving indication by sound or light or movement or other means.
3. A magazine indicator as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a sensor detects when the number of objects remaining in the magazine reaches a predetermined or small number and a circuit is completed thereby giving indication to another part of the same system or to another system.