Abstract: This actuating and locking apparatus comprises an actuating shaft (1) mounted in two bearings (2) and (3) and on which is mounted a control lever (6), a second lever (25), a spring (15), a part (20) rigidly connected to the shaft (1) and an arm (45) rigidly connected to this shaft and bearing a small plate (43) intended to co-act with an electromagnet (41). The control lever (6) is mounted freely on the actuating shaft (1), while the second lever (25) is rigidly connected to this shaft. In normal operation a connecting rod (14) causes the control lever (6) to pivot around its axis, thus driving via the lateral pin (23) and the recess (24) the second lever (25) and consequently the driving shaft (1). In order to lock e.g. a paper gripper (36), the electromagnet (41) is excited, thus locking the small plate (43), the actuating shaft (1) and the lever (25) in the upper position, allowing free displacement of the control lever (6) and generating torsion on the spring (15) during each cycle.