Hole punch reinforcer

Abstract
A reinforcing hole punch including a reciprocating punch member supported for movement toward a base is disclosed. The reciprocating punch member is actuated to form a hole within a sheet of paper positioned on the base. The hole punch also includes a dispensing sleeve positioned about the punch member, defining a space between an inner wall of the dispensing sleeve and the punch member, in which reinforcing members are positioned for attachment to a sheet of paper when the punch member is actuated to form a hole within a sheet of paper.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




1. Field of the Invention




The invention relates to a paper hole punch. More particularly, the invention relates to a paper hole punch which applies a reinforcing member to a sheet of paper as a hole is created in the sheet of paper.




2. Description of the Prior Art




Hole punches for creating a series of holes in a sheet of paper are well known. In most instances, the holes are created so that the sheet of paper may be securely placed within a binder. Unfortunately, however, holes made in this manner are often fragile, and may easily be torn from the binder.




Reinforcing members have, therefore, been developed for positioning about holes created within a sheet of paper. These reinforcing members are commonly applied to the sheet of paper after the holes have been formed by a hole punch. Hole punches have been developed for applying reinforcing members adjacent formed holes as the holes are created by the hole punch. These prior hole punches are generally difficult to use and do not efficiently apply reinforcing members to a sheet of paper as holes are created therein.




As a result, a need exists for a hole punch which efficiently and effectively applies reinforcing members about a hole generated when the hole punch cuts through a sheet of paper. The present invention provides such a hole punch.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a reinforcing hole punch including a reciprocating punch member supported for movement toward a base. The reciprocating punch member is actuated to form a hole within a sheet of paper positioned on the base. The hole punch also includes a dispensing sleeve positioned about the punch member, defining a space between an inner wall of the dispensing sleeve and the punch member, in which reinforcing members are positioned for attachment to a sheet of paper when the punch member is actuated to form a hole within a sheet of paper.




It is also an object of the present invention to provide a hole punch wherein the dispensing sleeve includes an open end adjacent a distal end of the punch member, and the open end includes a stopper for controlling the dispensing of reinforcing members.




It is another object of the present invention to provide a hole punch wherein the stopper includes an opening slightly smaller than the reinforcing members to control the dispensing of the reinforcing members until the punch member is actuated to form a hole within a sheet of paper.




It is a further object of the present invention to provide a hole punch wherein a spring is positioned within the dispensing sleeve to force a reinforcing member into contact with a sheet of paper when the punch member is actuated to form a hole in the sheet of paper.




It is also an object of the present invention to provide a hole punch wherein the dispensing sleeve is releasably positioned about the punch member.




It is another object of the present invention to provide a hole punch including a second reciprocating punch member supported for movement toward the base, wherein the second reciprocating punch member is actuated to form a hole within a sheet of paper positioned on the base. The hole punch also includes a second dispensing sleeve positioned about the second punch member to define a space between an inner wall of the second dispensing sleeve and the second punch member in which reinforcing members are positioned for attachment to a sheet of paper when the second punch member is actuated to form a hole within a sheet of paper.




Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when viewed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which set forth certain embodiments of the invention.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS





FIG. 1

is a perspective view of the present hole punch reinforcer.





FIG. 2

is a cross sectional view of the present hole punch in the puncturing position.





FIG. 3

is a cross sectional view of the present hole punch in the separation point of the first reinforcing member from the second reinforcing member.





FIG. 4

is detailed view showing the separation point and angle α of the paper.





FIG. 5

is a cross sectional view showing the manner in which the stopper supports the reinforcing members.





FIG. 6

is a side view of a reinforcing member.





FIG. 7

is a detailed cross sectional view showing the attachment of the dispensing sleeve.





FIG. 8

is a detailed cross sectional view of an alternate embodiment showing a flexible connection for the dispensing sleeve.





FIG. 9

is a cross sectional view of a reinforcing member stamp.











DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS




The detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. It should be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, the details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limited, but merely as the basis for the claims and as a basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to make and/or use the invention.




With reference to

FIGS. 1-8

, the present hole punch


10


is disclosed. While the present hole punch


10


is described for use with a sheet of paper, the punch may be used for various objects without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The hole punch


10


applies reinforcing members


12


about a hole


14


as the hole punch


10


creates the hole


14


. This obviates the need for later applying reinforcing members about a punched hole. The reinforcing members


12


include a central hole


13


, a top wax


93


surface and a bottom adhesive surface


94


.




The hole punch


10


includes an actuating member


16


coupled to a base


18


by first and second support arms


20


,


22


. The actuating member


16


rides upon the first and second support arms


20


,


22


via respective first and second guide holes


24


,


26


formed in the actuating member


16


. First and second springs


28


,


30


respectively positioned on the first and second support arms


20


,


22


, and between the actuating member


16


and the base


18


, bias the actuating member


16


from the base


18


. In this way, the actuating member


16


is forced back to a starting position after the actuating member


16


is pushed downwardly to punch a hole


14


within a sheet of paper


32


. Downward movement of the actuating member


16


is controlled by a motion limiter


33


which controls downward movement of the actuating member


16


.




The actuating member


16


supports first and second punch members


34


,


36


for movement toward the base


18


. Specifically, the first punch member


34


is provided with a proximal end


38


and a distal end


40


, and the second punch member


36


is provided with a proximal end


42


and a distal end


44


. The proximal end


38


,


42


of each of the first and second punch members


34


,


36


is engaged with the actuating member


16


such that the first and second punch members


34


,


36


move downwardly when the actuating member


16


is pushed toward the base


18


. The distal end


40


,


44


of each of the first and second punch members


34


,


36


is free and cuts a hole


14


within a sheet of paper


32


when the first and second punch members


34


,


36


are forced toward the base


18


and into contact with the sheet of paper


32


. While the present hole punch


10


is disclosed as having two punch members, a single punch member or additional punch members could be provided without departing from the spirit of the present invention.




As with conventional hole punches, the present hole punch


10


includes a base


18


with first and second anvils


46


,


48


respectively positioned in line with the first and second punch members


34


,


36


. Each of the first and second anvils


46


,


48


includes a hole


50


through which the distal ends


40


,


44


of the respective first and second punch members


34


,


36


pass when a hole


14


is cut in a sheet of paper


32


. As a result, the paper cut to create the hole


14


is forced within holes


50


,


51


formed in the first and second anvils


46


,


47


, and into a storage compartment


52


formed within the base


18


of the hole punch


10


.




Dispensing sleeves


54


,


56


are positioned about the first and second punch members


34


,


36


to supply reinforcing members


12


that are applied to the sheet of paper


32


as the punch members


34


,


36


cut holes


14


therein. The dispensing sleeves


54


,


56


are preferrably made from metal or plastic, although a wide variety of materials may be used without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The first dispensing sleeve


54


houses a plurality of reinforcing members


12


and is concentrically positioned about the reciprocating first punch member


34


such that a plurality of reinforcing members


12


are positioned between the punch member


34


and an inner wall


58


of the first dispensing sleeve


54


. That is, the first punch member


34


and the inner wall


58


of the first dispensing sleeve


54


define an annular space in which the annular shaped reinforcing members


12


are stored.




Similarly, the second dispensing sleeve


56


houses a plurality of reinforcing members


12


and is concentrically positioned about the second reciprocating punch member


36


such that a plurality of reinforcing members


12


are positioned between the second punch member


36


and an inner wall


60


of the second dispensing sleeve


56


. As with the first dispensing sleeve


54


, the second punch member


36


and the inner wall


60


of the second dispensing sleeve


56


define an annular space in which the annular shaped reinforcing members


12


are stored. Although the dispensing sleeves and the punch members are disclosed as defining an annular space in which the reinforcing members are positioned, the dispensing sleeves and punch members may take on a variety of shapes without departing from the spirit of the present invention.




Each of the dispensing sleeves


54


,


56


also includes an open end


62


,


64


adjacent the distal end


40


,


44


of the respective punch members


34


,


36


. In this way, the reinforcing members


12


are selectively released from the first and second dispensing sleeves


54


,


56


for attachment to a sheet of paper


32


as a hole


14


is created by the respective first and second punch members


34


,


36


. Stoppers


62


,


64


are secured adjacent the open end


66


,


68


of each of the first and second dispensing sleeves


54


,


56


. The stoppers


66


,


68


control the dispensing of reinforcing members


12


from the first and second dispensing sleeves


54


,


56


. Each stopper


66


,


68


includes an opening


70


,


72


slightly smaller than the reinforcing members


12


. As such, the stoppers


66


,


68


create a ledge upon which the reinforcing members


12


sit until the reinforcing members


12


are brought into contact with a sheet of paper


32


. Specifically, the reinforcing members


12


are brought into contact with the sheet of paper


32


as the distal ends


40


,


44


of the first and second punch members


34


,


36


cut holes within the sheet of paper


32


.




With this in mind, each of the dispensing sleeves


54


,


56


is provided with a spring


74


,


76


(or weight member). The spring


74


,


76


forces the stack of reinforcing members


12


downward to ensure that the bottom reinforcing member contacts the sheet of paper


32


when the first and second punch members


34


,


36


are moved downwardly into contact with the sheet of paper


32


.




With reference to

FIGS. 7 and 8

, alternate embodiments for attaching the first and second dispensing sleeves


54


,


56


are disclosed. Whether the embodiment of

FIG. 7

or

FIG. 8

is employed, the dispensing sleeves


54


,


56


are releasably attached to the actuating member


16


such that they may be readily refilled by removing them from the actuating member


16


and simply placing additional reinforcing members


12


therein.




In accordance with the embodiment disclosed in

FIG. 7

, the dispensing sleeve


54


′ includes internal threading


78


along its proximal end


80


which engages a threaded abutment


82


extending from the actuating member


16


′. A flexible attachment is disclosed in

FIG. 8

in which the dispensing sleeve


54


″ includes a minimal internal threading


84


followed by an internal rim


86


. The internal threading


84


is designed to engage an abutment


88


formed on the actuating member


16


″. The abutment


88


is threaded


90


along its end such that the internal threading


84


passes thereby and the threading


90


on the end of the abutment


88


is held within the internal rim


86


.




In use, a sheet of paper


32


is placed on the anvils


46


,


48


and below the paper stopper


92


. The actuating member


16


is then pushed toward the base


18


against the pressure of the first and second springs


28


,


30


. Movement of the actuating member


16


forces the first and second punch members


34


,


36


into contact with the sheet of paper


32


and the cutting edges of the first and second punch members


34


,


36


cut holes


14


through the sheet of paper


32


. At the same time, the first and second anvils


46


,


48


push the paper


32


toward the reinforcing members


12


located at the bottom of the first and second dispensing sleeves


54


,


56


. As this occurs, the exposed adhesive portions


94


of the bottom reinforcing members


12


found in the first and second dispensing sleeves


54


,


56


contact the sheet of paper


32


adjacent the hole


14


being formed in the sheet of the paper


32


. Contact with the sheet of paper forms a relatively strong adhesive bond.




When the user ceases to push the actuating member


16


, the first and second springs


28


,


30


force the dispensing sleeves


54


,


56


and punch members


34


,


36


from the anvils


46


,


48


. When disengagement occurs, the sheet of paper


32


is pulled always from the anvils


46


,


48


because it is bound to be reinforcing members


12


still held in the dispensing sleeves


54


,


56


. At this point, the paper stopper


92


prevents further movement of the paper


32


and a separation angle α is created. The strong adhesive bond between the paper


32


and the reinforcing members


12


generates force at the separation angle α which pulls the reinforcing members


12


from their respective sleeves


54


,


56


. In this way, the bottom reinforcing member is pulled from its adjacent reinforcing member and the adjacent reinforcing member becomes the bottom reinforcing member.




With reference to

FIG. 9

, a reinforcement stamp


100


is disclosed. The stamp


100


is substantially similar in function to the dispensing sleeves discussed above with regard to

FIGS. 1-8

. However, the stamp


100


allows individuals to readily apply reinforcing members


112


at desired locations without employing the entire punch assembly.




The stamp


100


includes a cylindrical sleeve


102


having an open first end


104


and an open second end


106


. A cap


108


is applied to the first end


104


to selectively cover the first end


104


. As such, individuals may selectively refill the stamp


100


by removing the cap


108


and inserting new reinforcing members


112


within the sleeve


102


.




The second end


106


of the sleeve


102


is covered in a manner permitting the selective release of the reinforcing members


112


. Specifically, a stopper


110


is secured to the open second end


106


of the sleeve


102


. The stopper


110


controls the dispensing of reinforcing members


112


from the stamp


100


. The stopper


110


defines an opening


114


slightly smaller than the reinforcing members


112


. As such, the stopper


110


creates a ledge upon which the reinforcing members


112


sit until the reinforcing members


112


are brought into contact with a sheet of paper. Specifically, the reinforcing members


112


are brought into contact with the sheet of paper as the second end


106


of the sleeve


102


is pressed onto a sheet of paper.




With this in mind, the sleeve


102


is provided with a spring


116


(or weight member). The spring


116


forces the stack of reinforcing members


112


downwardly to ensure that the bottom reinforcing member contacts the sheet of paper when the stamp


100


is brought into contact with a sheet of paper.




Release of the reinforcing members


112


occurs in much the same manner as with the embodiments disclosed in

FIGS. 1-8

. Specifically, the second


106


of the sleeve


102


is brought into contact with a sheet of paper. The adhesive portion of the reinforcing member


112


forms a bond with the paper. As a result, when the second end


106


of the sleeve


102


is drawn away from the paper, the reinforcing member


112


is pulled from the sleeve


102


and remains on the paper.




While the preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be understood that there is no intent to limit the invention by such disclosure, but rather, is intended to cover all modifications and alternate constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.



Claims
  • 1. A reinforcing hole punch, comprising:a reciprocating punch member supported for movement toward a base, the reciprocating punch member being actuated to form a hole within an object positioned on the base; a dispensing sleeve positioned about the punch member to define a space between an inner wall of the dispensing sleeve and the punch member in which reinforcing members are positioned for attachment to the object when the punch member is actuated to form the hole within the object.
  • 2. The reinforcing hole punch according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing sleeve includes an open end adjacent a distal end of the punch member, the open end having a stopper for controlling the dispensing of the reinforcing members.
  • 3. The reinforcing hole punch according to claim 2, wherein the stopper includes an opening slightly smaller than the reinforcing members to control the dispensing of the reinforcing members until the punch member is actuated to form the hole within the object.
  • 4. The reinforcing hole punch according to claim 3, wherein a spring is positioned within the dispensing sleeve to force a reinforcing member into contact with the object when the punch member is actuated to form the hole in the object.
  • 5. The reinforcing hole punch according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing sleeve is releasably positioned about the punch member.
  • 6. The reinforcing hole punch according to claim 1, further including a second reciprocating punch member supported for movement toward the base, the second reciprocating punch member being actuated to form a hole within the object positioned on the base;a second dispensing sleeve positioned about the second punch member to define a space between an inner wall of the second dispensing sleeve and the second punch member in which reinforcing members are positioned for attachment to the object when the second punch member is actuated to form the hole within the object.
  • 7. The reinforcing hole punch according to claim 6, wherein the dispensing sleeve includes an open end adjacent a distal end of the punch member, the open end having a stopper for controlling the dispensing of the reinforcing members; and the second dispensing sleeve includes an open end adjacent a distal end of the second punch member, the open end having a second stopper for controlling the dispensing of the reinforcing members.
  • 8. The reinforcing hole punch according to claim 7, wherein the stopper includes an opening slightly smaller than the reinforcing members to control the dispensing of the reinforcing members until the punch member is actuated to form the hole within the object; and the second stopper includes an opening slightly smaller than the reinforcing members to control the dispensing of the reinforcing members until the second punch member is actuated to form the hole within the object.
  • 9. The reinforcing hole punch according to claim 8, wherein a spring is positioned within the dispensing sleeve to force a reinforcing member into contact with the object when the punch member is actuated to form a hole in the object; and a second spring is positioned within the second dispensing sleeve to force a reinforcing member into contact with the object when the second punch member is actuated to form a hole in the object.
  • 10. The reinforcing hole punch according to claim 6, wherein the space between the inner wall of the dispensing sleeve and the punch member is an annular space, and the reinforcing members are annular shaped; and the space between the inner wall of the second dispensing sleeve and the second punch member is an annular space, and the reinforcing members are annular shaped.
  • 11. A hole punch applying reinforcing members about a hole created when the hole punch is actuated to create the hole within an object, comprising:a reciprocating punch member supported for movement toward a base, the reciprocating punch member being actuated to form the hole within the object positioned on the base; a dispensing sleeve housing a plurality of reinforcing members, the dispensing sleeve being positioned about the reciprocating punch member such that the plurality of reinforcing members are positioned between the punch member and an inner wall of the dispensing sleeve, the dispensing sleeve also including an open end adjacent a distal end of the punch member whereby a reinforcing member is applied to the object as the punch member forms the hole within the object.
  • 12. The reinforcing hole punch according to claim 11, wherein the open end includes a stopper for controlling the dispensing of the reinforcing members.
  • 13. The reinforcing hole punch according to claim 12, wherein the stopper includes an opening slightly smaller than the reinforcing members to control the dispensing of the reinforcing members until the punch member is actuated to form the hole within the object.
  • 14. The reinforcing hole punch according to claim 13, wherein a spring is positioned within the dispensing sleeve to force a reinforcing member into contact with the object when the punch member is actuated to form the hole in the object.
  • 15. The reinforcing hole punch according to claim 11, wherein the dispensing member is releasably positioned about the punch member.
  • 16. The reinforcing hole punch according to claim 11, further including a second reciprocating punch member supported for movement toward the base, the second reciprocating punch member being actuated to form a hole within the object positioned on the base;a second dispensing sleeve housing a plurality of reinforcing members, the second dispensing sleeve being positioned about the second reciprocating punch member such that the plurality of reinforcing members are positioned between the second punch member and an inner wall of the second dispensing sleeve, the second dispensing sleeve also including an open end adjacent a distal end of the second punch member whereby a reinforcing member is applied to the object as the second punch member forms the hole within the object.
  • 17. The reinforcing hole punch according to claim 16, wherein the open end of the dispensing sleeve includes a stopper for controlling the dispensing of reinforcing members; and the open end of the second dispensing sleeve includes a second stopper for controlling the dispensing of reinforcing members.
  • 18. The reinforcing hole punch according to claim 17, wherein the stopper includes an opening slightly smaller than the reinforcing members to control the dispensing of the reinforcing members until the punch member is actuated to form the hole within the object; and the second stopper includes an opening slightly smaller than the reinforcing members to control the dispensing of the reinforcing members until the second punch member is actuated to form the hole within the object.
  • 19. The reinforcing hole punch according to claim 18, wherein a spring is positioned within the dispensing sleeve to force a reinforcing member into contact with the object when the punch member is actuated to form the hole in the object; and a second spring is positioned within the second dispensing sleeve to force a reinforcing member into contact with the object when the second punch member is actuated to form the hole in the object.
  • 20. The reinforcing hole punch according to claim 16, wherein the space between the inner wall of the dispensing sleeve and the punch member is an annular space, and the reinforcing members are annular shaped; and the space between the inner wall of the second dispensing sleeve and the second punch member is an annular space, and the reinforcing members are annular shaped.
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3289509 Cahill Dec 1966
3457815 Cahill Jul 1969
4028170 Savarimuthu Jun 1977
4072554 McKibben Feb 1978
4289565 Wilkins Sep 1981
4310379 Harrison Jan 1982
4746394 Sueta et al. May 1988
4822446 Hansen Apr 1989
4826561 Carroll May 1989
4909893 Lee Mar 1990
5188694 Hashida et al. Feb 1993