Abstract: A pedal unit for a vehicle has a sensor surface which includes at least two functional regions and is designed to detect an actuation by the driver. The pedal unit also has at least one evaluation and control unit coupled to the sensor surface and designed to evaluate an actuation of one of the at least two functional regions detected by the sensor surface and, as a function of this evaluation, control a vehicle function associated with the corresponding functional region of the sensor surface. At least one region of the sensor surface is raised or lowered and enables a haptic differentiation between the at least two functional regions of the sensor surface.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for manufacturing a book block for books, brochures, or the like, from printed sheets connected to each other at the folds thereof by thread stitching, wherein the printed sheets are transferred in a sequence astride with the side portions thereof directed downwardly by means of a conveyor in an accelerated manner onto a feeding device which interacts with a stitching device arranged at a right angle relative to the folds of the printed sheets, such that the printed sheets arrive on the feeding device in the stitching position, and wherein the printed sheets are shifted to the stitching device for sewing the printed sheets to another printed sheet to form a book block. The feeding device is moved prior to the arrival of a printed sheet into the stitching position towards the stitching device.

Abstract: A device for threading a binding thread along a transfer path between a thread spool and a sewing needle of a stitching unit of a thread stitching machine configured for binding a book in sheets at a groove side of the book in sheets has manipulation devices for manipulating the thread along the transfer path. A thread guiding device forming the transfer path is provided and correlated with at least one of the manipulation devices. A compressed air source is connected to the thread guiding device. The thread guiding device performs at least one of the functions of drawing in the thread and transporting the thread in a transport direction by compressed air supplied by the compressed air source.

Abstract: A device for threading a binding thread along a transfer path between a thread spool and a sewing needle of a stitching unit of a thread stitching machine configured for binding a book in sheets at a groove side of the book in sheets has manipulation devices for manipulating the thread along the transfer path. A thread guiding device forming the transfer path is provided and correlated with at least one of the manipulation devices. A compressed air source is connected to the thread guiding device. The thread guiding device performs at least one of the functions of drawing in the thread and transporting the thread in a transport direction by compressed air supplied by the compressed air source.

Abstract: During manufacture of thread-sewn book blocks (11) from a stack of flat sequentially juxtaposed signatures (3) which are sewn together by way of a double-stranded binding thread (9) which penetrates the folds (4) from the outside and extends in sections along the inside edge of the folds and is pulled out again, the binding thread sections (16, 17) which are inserted by a first sewing needle (5) between the legs (14) of the signatures (3) are captured by a gas jet and conveyed in form of a loop (21) to the adjacent second sewing needle (6) which pulls the loop (21) out of the signature (3) through a return stroke motion using a hook (22).

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for making books, brochures and similar products with a perfect binding. Signatures are continuously gathered in a specific sequence in a direction of conveyance, to form loose signature blocks. The loose signature blocks are collected by holders that include a mechanism that applies a compression force to the signature blocks. The signature blocks are transferred, with the compression force still applied to the signature blocks, in an approximately perpendicular feeding movement to a circulating clamping arrangement which is driven in the same direction as the direction of conveyance.

Abstract: A method is provided for attaching a cover sheet by adhesive bonding to a spine of a book block formed of bound printed sheets, wherein after a binding process a plurality of such book blocks follow one another on a transport path at regular distances. The book blocks are arranged to be in a transverse position on the transport path. The cover sheets are clamped so that each cover sheet presents a spine portion and preformed cover side portions extending from the spine portion so that the cover side portions are freed of deformation after the spine portion of the cover sheet has been pressed to the spine of the book block. The book blocks are fed, respectively, an inner side of a clamped cover sheet oriented for adhesive bonding, facing the spine of the book block. The inner side of the cover sheet is pressed to the spine of the book block and to lateral flanks of the spine of the book block.

Abstract: An apparatus in a book binding machine for binding books by gluing includes a notch cutting tool for producing notches in the back of the book block, wherein the notches extend approximately transversely of the back of the book block. The notch cutting tool is mounted for cutting notches in a portion of the book block which projects from a mounting device. A rotatably mounted abutment has a cylindrical support surface for laterally supporting the projecting portion against the cutting force exerted by the notch cutting tool. A guide plate is mounted rearwardly offset from the cylindrical support surface of the abutment. The guide plate has a groove surrounding the travel path of the notch cutting tool and the cylindrical support surface of the abutment is located opposite the groove in the guide plate.