Abstract: A transport table reciprocates between a collator, at which it receives a stack of loose sheets, and a stapling head for stapling the sheets together. Cam followers on the table engage cam surfaces during the reciprocating table movement to cause jogging movements of end and side retaining means to jog the loose sheets into a neat stack. The stack is delivered into a gap between the stapling head and an anvil, and the stapling head moves through a first half cycle, forming a staple and clamping the stack. A gate on the transport table lifts to free the stack while the table retracts, and then the stapling head drives the staple through the stack. The gate lowers when the transport table returns to its original position.

Abstract: A wire stitching machine includes a head frame carrying a support, a staple former and a staple driver all reciprocally movable with respect to the head frame under the action of a single reciprocating drive bar coupled by crank mechanism to a rotary drive means. Wire feed rolls and a wire-supporting anvil are carried by the support. The support, staple former and staple driver are so coupled to each other and to the reciprocating drive bar that during a first portion of its drive stroke all three are moved to the associated workpiece and during a second portion of the drive stroke the support is arrested while the staple former and staple driver continue moving to form the staple and during a third portion of the drive stroke the staple former is arrested while only the staple driver continues moving to drive the formed staple into the workpiece. The anvil includes a forming shoe and is of integral one-piece construction movable as a unit between forming and driving positions.