Abstract: Apparatus for converting straight or inclined holes along one edge face of a stack of leaves into arcuate passages for convenient threading of the leader of a spiral wire binder has a locating device which holds the stack in a given position. Two rows of pivotable and retractible straight mandrels are adjacent to opposite sides of the stack in the locating means, and such mandrels are introduced into the registering holes of the stack prior to movement of the convex surface of a shaping member against the edge face of the stack. The convex surface shifts the leaves of the stack relative to each other and causes the leaves to pivot the mandrels to mutually inclined positions. At the same time, the leaves convert the holes into arcuate passages whose curvature conforms to that of the convex surface on the shaping member. The stack is thereupon clamped during withdrawal of mandrels from the arcuate passages.

Abstract: Apparatus for transporting stacks of paper sheets in a spiral binding machine has a hollow frame with a forwardly and downwardly sloping front panel which is provided with a horizontal slot extending between a first station where fresh stacks of paper sheets are placed onto the exposed side of the panel and a second station where the stacks are subjected to one or more treatments, such as making of perforations, breaking up into smaller stacks, introduction of spiral binders, or looping of end portions of the outermost convolutions of inserted spiral binders. A tongs in the interior of the frame is mounted on a reciprocable carriage which is rigid with one jaw of the tongs and supports the other jaw through the medium of a pivotable lever which is pivotably connected with the other jaw.

Abstract: Stacks of paper sheets wherein a first marginal portion of a relatively large second sheet extends beyond the corresponding first marginal portions of two piles of relatively small first sheets, wherein the second sheet is disposed between the two piles of first sheets and wherein at least some first sheets are often out of exact alignment with the remaining (aligned) first sheets are treated in an apparatus wherein an inclined first surface supports one side of a stack and a second surface at the lower end of the first surface is provided on a stop for those (second) marginal portions of the sheets which are remote from the first marginal portions. The misaligned first sheets are moved into exact register with the remaining first sheets by shifting them toward the second surface so that their second marginal portions contact the stop.