Implements or apparatus for applying pushing or pulling force – Staple puller
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-09
2001-07-10
Watson, Robert C. (Department: 3723)
Implements or apparatus for applying pushing or pulling force
Staple puller
C254S001000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06257554
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention is directed to storage devices and, in particular, to a device suited for movably connecting a staple remover to a selected anchoring location.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Hand-held tools are used in a variety of settings. By their nature, these tools are often small and easy to misplace. Accordingly, numerous devices have been developed to help keep tools in ready-to-retrieve locations.
In some situations, individuals wish to transport tools with them as they travel about. Several clip-mounted carrying devices allow items to be carried easily from place to place, without encumbering an individual's hands during periods of non-use. U.S. Pat. No. 5,230,117 provides an example of this type of device. The '117 device is a golf shoe and golf club cleaning device including a brush that is tethered to a golf bag by spring-loaded cable. The cable retracts into a casing that is removably clipped to a selected golf club bag. Although this type of device may attach a cleaning brush to a golf club bag, the device does not maintain the brush in a preferred orientation with respect to the bag and allows the brush to sway during periods of non-use.
In other situations, transportation of a selected tool is actually undesirable, and movably anchoring the tool is appropriate. U.S. Pat. No. 1,963,326 provides an example of tool securing device for use in these situations. The '326 device discloses an eraser and an associated retrieving device. The '326 device includes a spring-loaded winding reel having an automatic position lock that prevents unwanted retrieval of played out tethering line. The '326 device also includes a suction cup that allows the device to be removably attached to smooth, flat surfaces, such as the exterior of a typewriter. With this arrangement, the '326 allows an eraser to be removably tethered to a typewriter for use while typing a document. Although the '326 device will automatically retrieve an attached eraser and includes a position lock, the '326 device does not position and maintain the retracted eraser in a preferred orientation with respect to the anchoring typewriter.
In other situations, it may be desirable to collect a group of similar tools, such as remote control units, at one central location. Several devices have been designed to movably anchor and organize several devices in this manner. U.S. Pat. No. 4,735,377 discloses an example of this type of device. The '377 device discloses a remote control holder that includes a spring recoil mechanism to extendably tether at least one remote control unit to a movable base. In one embodiment, the '377 device includes several discrete holder regions into which attached remote control units may be placed, allowing organization of the units according to operator preference. Although the '377 device includes discrete holding regions for attached remote control units, the device does not automatically guide the attached remote control units into the corresponding regions.
Thus, what is needed is a tethering and storage device that includes advantages of the known devices, while addressing the shortcomings they exhibit. The device should movably link a staple remover to a selected anchoring surface. The device should also automatically draw an attached staple remover into a housing sleeve after each use. And, the device should automatically guide the staple remover into a safe, easy-to-grasp retrieval or dispensing orientation and maintain the remover in the dispensing orientation in preparation for use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The instant invention is a tethering and storage device that secures a staple remover to a selected location and maintains the staple remover in a preferred, easy-to-grasp orientation between uses. The device includes a housing sleeve having a plurality of walls that cooperatively form a receiving chamber sized and shaped to accommodate a staple remover. An attachment member, such as an adhesive pad, is mounted on the rear wall of the housing sleeve, thereby facilitating securement of the housing sleeve to a selected anchoring surface, such as the exterior of a copy machine, a tabletop, or the like.
The front wall of the main housing sleeve is characterized by a positioning aperture that engages a portion of the staple remover when the staple remove is at rest within the receiving chamber. The positioning aperture ensures that the staple remover remains in an easy-to-grasp retrieval orientation in between uses. This arrangement reduces the likelihood that an individual will inadvertently grasp the staple remover by one of the remover's staple-lifting teeth.
A flexible tethering member links the staple remover to the housing sleeve, thereby allowing the remover to be moved about within a limited distance from the anchoring location. In one embodiment, the tethering member is disposed on a spring-biased take up reel or spool mounted within the receiving chamber. As the staple remover is pulled from the receiving chamber, energy is stored within a take up reel biasing spring. When the staple remover is released, the stored energy is released, and the take up reel draws the staple remover back into the receiving chamber. The spring constant of the take up reel biasing spring may be adjusted to provide different performance characteristics. In an alternate embodiment, the tethering member is elastic and no take up reel is used.
Thus, it is an objective of the instant invention to provide a tethering and securing device for a staple remover that movably links a staple remover to a selected anchoring surface.
Still an additional objective of the present invention is to provide a tethering and securing device for a staple remover that automatically draws an attached staple remover into a housing sleeve after use.
A further objective of the present invention is to provide a tethering and securing device for a staple remover that automatically positions the staple remover in a safe, easy-to-grasp retrieval or orientation between uses.
Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5513833 (1996-05-01), Kirk
patent: 5974914 (1999-11-01), Belanger
McHale & Slavin
Watson Robert C.
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