[0001] THE PRESENT INVENTION relates to a hole punch, and more particularly relates to a desk top hole punch for
punching sheets of paper.
[0002] Many different designs of hole punch have been proposed for use in punching holes
in paper so that the paper may be mounted in a file such as, for example, a ring binder
or lever arch file. The "holes" or "chads" that are produced by the punching process
are frequently trapped beneath the base of the hole punch by a releasable sole plate
that form the underpart of the base. The sole plate is totally or partially peeled
away from the base of the hole punch from time to time so that the "holes" or "chads"
can be discarded, but even if the space defined between the base and the sole plate
to catch the "holes" or "chads" is only part full it may be difficult to control the
"holes" or "chads" so that they all enter a wastepaper bin or the like. Frequently
the "holes" or "chads" become dispersed and create a mess.
[0003] The present invention seeks to provide an improved hole punch.
[0004] According to this invention there is provided a hole punch for punching holes in
paper, the hole punch having a base plate supporting an actuating handle which is
movable to actuate the hole punch, and having a sole plate mounted beneath the base
plate, the base plate and the sole plate defining between them a space to receive
"holes" or "chads" created when paper is punched, the hole punch having a tubular
spout through which the "holes" or "chads" may be discharged from said space, the
spout being pivotal, and being adapted to move from a closed position to an open position.
[0005] Conveniently, the spout is provided with a finger grip.
[0006] Preferably, the spout is pivotally connected to the sole plate for movement between
a closed position, in which the spout is received in a recess in the upper part of
the base plate, and an open position in which one end of the spout is communicating
with same space, and the other end of the spout is spaced from said base plate.
[0007] In a preferred embodiment the space defined between the base plate and the sole plate
has a region which converges towards said spout.
[0008] Conveniently, the converging region is defined between two upstanding walls provided
on the sole plate.
[0009] In order that the invention may be more readily understood, and so that further features
thereof may be appreciated, the invention will now be described, by way of example,
with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIGURE 1 is a side view of a hole punch in accordance with the invention in a first
condition,
FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of part of the hole punch of Figure 1,
FIGURE 3 is a side view of the hole punch of Figure 1 in a second condition,
FIGURE 4 is a side view of the punch of Figure 1 in a third condition,
FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the punch of Figure 1 in the third condition, and
FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of the sole plate of the hole punch of Figures 1 to
5.
[0010] A hole punch in accordance with the invention has a base structure 1 constituted
by a base plate 2 and a sole plate 3 that is connected to the underside of the base
plate 2. A space is defined between the base plate 2 and the sole plate 3 to receive
"holes" or "chads" from the hole punch. As is conventional the base plate 2 supports
an actuating handle 4 which can move relative to the base the drive plungers through
dies to punch holes in sheets of paper located between the plungers and the dies.
The base plate 2 is also provided with a paper guide 5 to locate an edge of a sheet
of paper which is to be punched, so that the holes produced by the hole punch are
correctly positioned in the paper.
[0011] In the described embodiment of the invention the sole plate 3 is not releasably fastened
to the base plate 2 to facilitate disposal of the "holes" or "chads", but instead
the sole plate 3 has a hollow tubular spout 6 which is pivotally connected to the
sole plate, and which is initially in a closed position, as shown in Figures 1 and
2. The spout 6, in this position, is closed, and is folded up to lie within a recess
7 provided in the upper part of the base plate 2.
[0012] The spout has a finger grip 8 which can be grasped to pule the spout upwardly, relative
to the base plate 2, with a hinging action relative to the edge part of the sole plate
3 to which the spout 6 is connected. The spout passes through an intermediate position,
as shown in Figure 3, to a final, fully open position, as shown in Figures 4 and 5.
[0013] The spout has a lower end communicating with the space defined between the base plate
2 and the sole plate 3 where the "holes" or "chads" produced by operation of the hole
punch are located, and the other end spaced away from the base plate 2. The hole punch
may then be inverted over a waste paper bin, and the "holes" or "chads" will flow
out through the spout, and can be directed accurately into the bin. Thus the hole
punch can be emptied without any mess being created.
[0014] To facilitate complete emptying of the hole punch it is preferred that the sole plate
3, as shown in Figure 6, is provided with upstanding side walls 9, 10 which converge
towards the base of the spout, so that the space which is defined between the base
plate 2 and the sole plate 3 has a converging region which leads to the base of the
spout. This helps to ensure that all, or substantially all, of the "holes" or "chads"
initially within the hole punch when it is to be emptied flow readily through the
spout.
[0015] In the present specification "comprises" means "includes or consists of" and "comprising"
means "including or consisting of'.
[0016] The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or
the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means
for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed
result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be
utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.
1. A hole punch for punching holes in paper, the hole punch having a base plate supporting
an actuating handle which is movable to actuate the hole punch, and having a sole
plate mounted beneath the base plate, the base plate and the sole plate defining between
them a space to receive "holes" or "chads" created when paper is punched, the hole
punch having a tubular spout through which the "holes" or "chads" may be discharged
from said space, the spout being pivotal, and being adapted to move from a closed
position to an open position.
2. A hole punch according to Claim 1, wherein the spout is provided with a finger grip.
3. A hole punch according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the spout is pivotally
connected to the sole plate for movement between a closed position, in which the spout
is received in a recess in the upper part of the base plate, and an open position
in which one end of the spout is communicating with said space, and the other end
of the spout is spaced from said base plate.
4. A hole punch according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the space defined
between the base plate and the sole plate has a region which converges towards said
spout.
5. A hole punch according to Claim 4, wherein the converging region is defined between
two upstanding walls provided on the sole plate.