Background of the Invention A wide variety of modern-day businesses utilize staple removers on a daily basis to effect disengagement of staples from stapled articles. Staple removers are also commonly used within the personal residence of the typical consumer. Of the commercially available hand-held staple removers utilized in both business and consumer applications, one of the most common types is the double-jawed staple remover.

The typical double-jawed staple remover is provided with first and second jaws which are pivotally connected for rotation towards one another about a single axis.

The first jaw has a first pair of spaced apart walls which move in a plane which is perpendicular to the axis of rotation and which have wedging elements for engaging a staple. The second jaw has a second pair of spaced apart walls which also move in a plane which is perpendicular to the axis of rotation and which also have wedging elements for engaging a staple. The distance between the second pair of walls relative to the first pair of walls is such that, upon rotation of the first and second jaws towards one another into a closed position, the second pair of walls are positioned between and are overlapped by the first pair of walls in close proximity.

The first and second jaws of these staple removers are typically provided with finger receiving elements which are positioned on the outside of the first and second jaws, respectively, substantially adjacent the wedging elements of the first and second pairs of walls.

To effect removal of a staple from a stapled article, the operator forcibly rotates the first and second jaws towards one another into overlapping positions, usually by applying a thumb to one finger receiving element and one or more fingers to the other finger receiving element, simultaneously driving the wedging elements of the first and second pair of walls between the staple and the stapled article and thereafter pulling or twisting the double-jawed staple remover so as to disengage the staple from the stapled article.

While the foregoing method and apparatus is generally effective in removing staples utilized in light duty application such as the binding of articles having thickness of not more than 1/8 of an inch, this method and apparatus has proven more cumbersome and less effective in removing staples in heavier duty applications where the stapled articles and/or the staples are thicker.

In these heavier duty applications, the operator must often apply substantial forces to the finger receiving elements and may succeed only partially disengaging the staple from the stapled article. In the course of squeezing, pulling and/or twisting the staple, it is also common for the staple to shear so as to leave a portion of the staple within the stapled article with an exposed tip extending therefrom. Accordingly, the operator of these double-jawed staple removers must locate a pair of pliers or other suitable means for gripping and separating the partially disengaged or sheared staple from the stapled article.

This is highly inefficient and results in the loss of valable time.

One solution to the foregoing problem is disclosed in Cheldin, U. S. Patent No.

5,354,033. This patent teaches an apparatus for removing staples which includes a pair of gripping elements for grasping opposing sides of a partially disengaged or sheared staple.

Once the staple is partially disengaged (or sheared) by the first and second jaws of the apparatus, the user then grasps the staple with the gripping elements and completes removal of the staple.

A continuing need exists for improved double-jawed staple-removers which facilitate removal of partially disengaged staples.

Furthermore, it is often the case that multiple functions need to be performed upon a stapled article. For example, an envelope may be stapled as well as sealed, thus requiring the use of both a staple remover and a letter opener. If the letter is opened by hand during such a procedure, for example by insertion of a user's finger under the sealed flap of the envelope in order to tear the flap, a user may accidentally break his or her fingernail.

It would thus be desirable to provide a double-jawed staple remover with a nail clipper.

Summary of the Preferred Embodiments In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for removing staples including first and second jaws, first and second wedging elements and first and second clipping elements. The first and second jaws are pivotably connected for rotation about an axis between an open position and a closed position. The first and second wedging elements are connected to the first and second jaws, respectively, and cooperate to pry a staple away from a stapled article. The first and second clipping elements are connected to and extend laterally away from the first and second jaws, respectively. Each of the clipping elements has a clipping blade at the free end thereof.

The clipping blades are configured such that, upon rotation of the first and second jaws toward the closed position, the clipping blades cooperate to clip a nail of a user.

In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus further includes first and second gripping elements connected to and extending laterally away from the first and second jaws, respectively. Each of the gripping elements has a gripping surface at the free end thereof.

The gripping surfaces are configured such that, upon rotation of the first and second jaws toward one another, the gripping surfaces cooperate to grasp an object as small as a partially removed staple.

According to one embodiment, the first and second wedging elements are connected parallel with the first and second jaws, respectively. Alternatively, the first and second wedging elements are connected perpendicular to and extend laterally away from the first and second jaws, respectively. In the latter embodiment, the first and second wedging elements and the first and second clipping elements can extend laterally away from the first and second jaws in opposite directions, or in the same direction. When the wedging and clipping elements extend in the same direction, the clipping elements can be located between the wedging elements and the axis. Conversely, the wedging elements can be located between the clipping elements and the axis.

In another preferred embodiment, the first and second jaws of the inventive apparatus have rear portions in which are defined first and second notches, respectively.

The notches are aligned when the jaws are in the open position, and cooperate when the jaws are rotated toward the closed position to grasp an object as small as a partially removed staple.

In still another preferred embodiment, the wedging elements have edges in which are defined notches. The notches cooperate when the jaws are rotated toward the closed position to grasp an object as small as a partially removed staple.

In an additional preferred embodiment, the apparatus also includes a letter- opening element.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for removing staples that includes first and second jaws, the jaws having rear portions in which are defined notches first and second notches, as described above; first and second wedging elements connected to the first and second jaws, respectively, and cooperating to pry a staple away from a stapled article; first and second clipping elements connected to and extending laterally away from the first and second jaws, respectively, and having a clipping blade at the free ends thereof; and first and second gripping elements connected to and extending laterally away from the first and second jaws, respectively, the gripping elements having a gripping surface at the free ends thereof.

According to an additional aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for removing staples that includes first and second jaws which are pivotably connected for rotation about an axis between an open position and a closed position; first and second wedging elements connected to the first and second jaws, respectively, which cooperate to pry a staple away from a stapled article and which have edges in which are defined notches; first and second clipping elements connected to and extending laterally away from the first and second jaws, respectively, which have clipping blades at the free ends thereof; and first and second gripping elements connected to and extending laterally away from the first and second jaws, respectively, which have gripping surfaces at the free ends thereof.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for removing staples that includes first and second jaws which are pivotably connected for rotation about an axis between an open position and a closed position; first and second wedging elements connected to the respective jaws; first and second clipping elements connected to and extending laterally away from the respective jaws; first and second gripping elements connected to and extending laterally away from the respective jaws; and a letter-opening element.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for removing staples that includes first and second jaws which are pivotably connected for rotation about an axis between an open position and a closed position and which have rear portions in which are defined first and second notches, respectively; first and second wedging elements connected to the respective jaws, the wedging elements having edges in which are defined notches; and first and second gripping elements connected to and extending laterally away from the respective jaws.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for removing staples that includes first and second jaws which are pivotably connected for rotation about an axis between an open position and a closed position, the first and second jaws having notched rear portions as described above, and first and second wedging elements connected to the first and second jaws, respectively, the wedging elements cooperating to pry a staple away from a stapled article.

According to an additional aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for removing staples including first and second jaws which are pivotably connected for rotation about an axis between an open position and a closed position, and first and second wedging elements connected to the first and second jaws, respectively, the wedging elements having respective edges in which are defined a notch as described above.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for removing staples including first and second jaws as described above, and first and second wedging elements connected to said first and second jaws, respectively, and being substantially perpendicular to and extending laterally away from the first and second jaws, respectively.

According to yet a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for removing staples including first and second jaws as described above, first and second wedging elements connected to the first and second jaws, respectively, and first and second gripping elements connected to and extending laterally away from the first and second jaws, respectively. The gripping elements each have an edge. The gripping surfaces are configured such that, upon rotation of the first and second jaws toward one another, the gripping elements meet along their edges and cooperate to grasp an object as small as a partially removed staple.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. It is to be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the present invention, are given by way of illustration and not limitation. Many changes and modifications within the scope of the present invention may be made without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications.

Brief Description of the Drawings The invention may be more readily understood by referring to the accompanying drawings in which FIG. 1 is a left perspective view of a first embodiment of staple remover with a nail clipper according to the invention, FIG. 2 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a left perspective view of a second embodiment of a multifunctional staple remover according to the invention, which includes a nail clipper, a gripper, a letter opener, a notched end and notched wedging elements, FIG. 4 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a right perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 3, FIG. 6 is a right side view of the embodiment of FIG. 3, FIG. 7 is a left perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the inventive staple remover having laterally directed wedging elements, FIG. 8 is a left perspective view of another alternative embodiment having laterally directed wedging elements FIG. 9 is a left side view of FIG. 7, FIG. 10 is right side view of another alternative embodiment having a clipper and laterally directed wedging elements which are oppositely directed, FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the gripper in FIG. 9, FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 7, FIGS. 13A-B are plan views of blanks used to form the first and second jaws of the embodiment of FIG. 7, FIGS. 14A-C illustrate the functioning of notched wedging elements according to the invention in removing staples, and FIGS. 15A-D illustrate various notch configurations for wedging elements useful in embodiments of the inventive staple remover.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments Related devices are described in U. S. Patent No. 5,354,033, and in copending U. S. Patent Application Serial No. 08/912,884, filed August 15,1997, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein in their entireties by reference.

Turning now to FIGS. 1-2, a first preferred exemplary embodiment of an improved double-jawed staple remover is shown generally at 10. The improved staple remover 10 is provided with first and second jaws 20 and 40 which are pivotally connected at ends 21 and 41 for rotation towards one another about a single axis 10A. Axis 10A includes a pin 100 extending through aligned apertures in ends 21 and 41 terminating in enlarged rivets or heads 101,102 as is well known in the staple remover art. A spring 103, encircling pin 100, is used to bias jaws 20 and 40 away from one another from the closed position into the open position shown in FIG. 1.

The first jaw 20 has a pair of spaced apart walls 22 and 24 which move in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation 10A and to which wedging elements 26 and 28 are connected. Walls 22 and 24 each have an inner face 30, an outer face 32 and an edge 34. The second jaw 40 has a pair of spaced apart walls 42 and 44 which also move in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation 10A and which have wedging elements 46 and 48 at the ends thereof. Walls 42 and 44 include inner faces 50, outer faces 52 and edges 54.

The distance between the second pair of walls 42 and 44 relative to the first pair of walls 22 and 24 is preferably such that, upon rotation of the first and second jaws towards one another, the inner faces 30 of wall 22 and 24 slidably engage the corresponding outer faces 52 of walls 42 and 44, with walls 42 and 44 being positioned between and being overlapped by watts 22 and 24 when the improved staple remover 10 is in a closed position. As is known in the art, it is preferable that the respective walls be in close overlapping proximity to one another.

A first finger receiving element 60 is provided on the first jaw 20 to facilitate manual rotation of the first jaw 20 into slidable engagement with the second jaw 40.

Similarly, a second finger receiving element 70 is provided on the second jaw 40 to facilitate manual rotation of the second jaw 40 into slidable engagement with the first jaw 40.

The first finger receiving element 60 includes a first pair of finger tabs 62 and 64 which extend away from the first jaw 20 in opposing directions which are substantially parallel to the axis of rotation 10A. Similarly, the second finger receiving element 70 includes a second pair of finger tabs 72 and 74 which extend away from the second jaw 40 in opposing directions which are substantially parallel to the axis of rotation 10A.

First and second jaws 20 and 40 are also provided with an opposing pair of clipping elements 76 and 78 which cooperate to clip a nail of a user. Clipping element 76 is provided on the outer face 32 of wall 22, extending away from the first jaw 20 in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation 10A. Clipping element 76 has a clipping blade 77 at its free end. The opposing clipping element 76 is similarly positioned on wall 42, and is provided with clipping blade 78 at its free end.

An alternative embodiment of the inventive staple remover is illustrated in FIGS. 3-6. Staple remover 110 includes nail clipping elements 76 and 78 (see FIG. 5). As illustrated in FIGS. 3-6, nail clipping elements 76 and 78 are located on the side opposite that illustrated in FIGS. 1-2. Staple remover 110 further includes the following additional functional elements: gripping elements 80 and 90; letter opening means 200; aligned notches 23,43 at the rear portions of jaws 20 and 40, respectively; and notched wedging elements 26,28 and 46,48.

The first and second gripping elements 80 and 90 include primary gripping surfaces 82 and 92, respectively. The primary gripping surfaces 82 and 92 are configured for substantially complemental engagement, and are useful to effect removal of a partially disengaged staple or a sheared staple from a stapled article. To do so, the operator needs only to rotate the improved staple remover 110 within his or her hand 90 degree from the normal position of use and then, using a thumb applied to one finger receiving element and one or more fingers applied to the other finger receiving element, squeezing the primary gripping surfaces 82 and 92 into simultaneous engagement with the subject staple and thereafter pulling or twisting the double-jawed staple remover so as to completely disengage the partially disengaged or sheared staple from the stapled article.

The primary gripping surfaces 82 and 92 extend beyond the ends of finger tabs 62 and 72 sufficiently to ensure proper engagement with a partially disengaged or sheared staple without interference from finger tabs 62 and 72. Preferably, the primary gripping surfaces 82 and 92 are provided with discontinuities to improve the gripping characteristics thereof. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 3, gripping surfaces 82 and 92 are provided with a plurality of ridges 104 which extend in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the first and second jaws 20 and 40.

Those skilled in the art will understand that finger tabs are widely known in the art and the finger tabs of the present invention are not intended to be a limitation on the present invention. The finger tabs may be excluded or reduced in size where desired. It will also be understood by those skilled in the art that the gripping elements 80 and 90 may be positioned anywhere on the first and second jaws 20 and 40, respectively, so long as the gripping elements 80 and 90 cooperate to grasp a partially disengaged or sheared staple.

Letter opening means 200 are provided on first jaw 20 in the form of an elongated finger or insertion element 201 spaced from the main body portion 202 of jaw 20. Element 201 may taper from the front to the rear thereof and is relatively thin in thickness so that the narrower terminal end 203 may be inserted between the sealed flap and main body portion of an envelope. A sharp cutting element 204 is also provided rearwardly of end 203 in the form of a triangularly shaped blade 205'mounted on finger 201 extending into a like configured cut out portion 205 of the main body portion 202 of jaw 20. In operation, end 203 of insertion element 201 is slid between the flap and main body portion of an envelope and blade 205'of cutting element 204 cuts open the flap. If the envelope contains a stapled letter or the like, the device 10 can be used to remove such staples as heretofore discussed.

Notches 23,43 are defined at the ends 21,41 of jaws 20 and 40, respectively. When staple remover 110 is in the open position, notches 23 and 43 are aligned. Rotation of jaws 20 and 40 toward the closed position causes notches 23 and 43 to leave alignment. This enables staple remover 110 to grip an item, such as a partially removed staple, by engaging the item within the aligned notches 23 and 43, and then rotating the jaws 20 and 40 toward the closed position, thereby gripping the item.

Wedging elements 26,28 and 46,48 also have defined therein notches 27, 29 and 47,49. Notches 27,29 and 47,49 assist in gripping a staple more securely and preventing relative motion of the staple 2 along the inner edges of the wedging elements, as illustrated in FIGS. 14A-C. In FIG. 14A, wedging elements 26 and 46 (together with wedging elements 28 and 48, not shown) begin to engage staple 2. In FIG. 14B, rotation of the wedging elements toward each other causes the wedging elements 26 and 46 (as well as 28 and 48) to begin to overlap, driving staple 2 upward at the point of overlap and toward notches 27 and 47 (and also 29 and 49). In FIG. 14C, staple 2 is prevented from riding upward further along the wedging elements by lodging in the notches. Further rotation of the wedging elements toward each other results in a very tight grip on staple 2.

Consequently, the staple is gripped at two points, and thus is prevented from being removed from the stapled article by only one end.

The notches can have any desired configuration, for example, curved (e. g., semicircular), right-angled, squared, or partially straight and partially curved, as illustrated in FIGS. 15A-D, notches 47a-d, respectively.

Additional features such as secondary gripping surfaces and/or wire cutters can also be included in the inventive staple remover, as described in U. S. Patent No.

5,354,033 and U. S. Patent Application Serial No. 08/912,884.

Additional alternative embodiments of a staple remover according to the invention are illustrated in FIGS. 7-12. In all embodiments, clipping elements 76 and 78 can replace gripping elements 80 and 90, and vice versa.

In FIG. 7, wedging elements 26,28 and 46,48 extend laterally substantially perpendicular to and outward and away from staple remover 210. In FIGS. 7 and 8, wedging elements 26,28 and 46,48 extend away from the staple remover 210 in the same direction as gripping elements 80 and 90. In FIG. 7,9 and 12, gripping elements 80 and 90 are located between the wedging elements and the axis 10A, while in FIG. 8 the ordering is reverse.

In FIG. 10, another alternative embodiment of a staple remover according to the invention is illustrated. The wedging elements are positioned as in FIG. 9, but the wedging elements and clipping elements 76 and 80 extend away from stapler remover 410 in opposite directions (i. e., the clipping elements are connected to the opposite side of staple remover 410).

A preferred embodiment of opposed gripping elements 80,90 is illustrated in FIG. 11. Gripping elements 80 and 90 extend outwardly from and substantially perpendicular to staple remover 210, then bend toward each other to converge along edges 81,91. Thus, the surface area of the portions of the gripping elements which are in contact with each other is minimal. As a result, the force per unit area exerted by the gripping elements is high, facilitating gripping of the object to be removed.

FIGS. 1 3A-B illustrate blanks 19 and 39, which are shaped to form jaws 20 and 40 of staple remover 210, respectively. In FIG. 13A, walls 22 and 24 are formed by bending blank 19 along bend lines 22a and 24 a, respectively. Wedging elements 26 and 28 are brought into position by bending along bend lines 26a and 28a, respectively.

Gripping element 80 is similarly formed by bending along bend lines 80a-b. Similarly, jaw 40 is formed by bending along bend lines 42a, 44a, 46a, 48a, and 90a-b.

For most applications, it is preferred that jaws 20 and 40, clipping elements 76 and 78, and gripping elements 80 and 90 be composed of a rigid durable oxidation- resistant material such as stainless steel. Those skilled in the art will also understand that clipping elements 76 and 78 and gripping elements 80 and 90 may be integrally formed with jaws 20 and 40 or, alternatively, may be attached thereto using conventional means.

The finger receiving elements 60 and 70 may also be integrally formed with first and second jaws 20 and 40, respectively. However, it is preferred that the finger receiving elements 60 and 70 be composed of a hard plastic or other low cost material suitable for the application. In a preferred embodiment, letter opening means 200 are formed integrally with finger receiving element 60.

To clip a nail using the inventive apparatus, the operator inserts a nail between clipping elements 76 and 78, and rotates jaws 20 and 40 from the open position toward the closed position. Clipping blades 77 and 79 approach and engage each other as jaws 20 and 40 rotate to the closed position so as to clip the nail.