Abstract: The device includes an elongated electrical heating unit (20) whose length matches the length of an elongated opening in the device, and has a switching system to activate an electrical circuit at the moment when sheets to be bound are placed on the heating unit (20). Heating unit (20) is wired in series with a switch (11) in the switching system and a heating current switch (31). Means are provided to keep this heating current switch (31) turned on when the switching system is turned on. The device includes a comparator (34) whose input is connected to a temperature sensor (26); when a predetermined upper temperature limit (T.sub.max) is reached it turns off the heating current switch (31). There is also a provision so that after the heating current switch (31) is turned off it is kept off until the switch (11) in the switching system has been switched off and then on again.

Abstract: A spreading device is provided for a spreading and binding machine, to which several fixed spreading fingers are arranged at the side. These spreading fingers cooperate with corresponding spreading hooks of a movable plate, in order to move the spreading hooks from the spreading fingers in a spreading direction by moving the plate. The plate is connected through two pivotable and movable arms with an intermediate bar connected so that the arms and bar can move in both a spreading direction and in a direction perpendicular to the spreading direction in parallel movement. The bar is pivotally connected at each end with the two arms.

Abstract: An apparatus for binding page edges with heat includes a cover portion which has the approximate shape of a truncated pyramid and which has a longitudinal opening which is at least partially closed by a pivotably mounted wall is provided. The apparatus includes a longitudinal heat-conducting element of a length generally corresponding to the length of the page edges to be bound. The apparatus further includes an actuator or starting signal to activate an electrical switch when the edges to be bound are contacted with the heating element, indicating that the heating process has started and continues to heat depending on the thickness of the leaves to be bound. The electrical switch is then disconnected, thereby generating a signal indicating the completion of the heating and binding process.

Abstract: In order to drive a punching machine electrically, with the aid of a double-armed rocker (70) a translational motion for the compression beam (10) is generated on the one hand, and a rotary motion for an opposing drive on the other hand. On the one side, the double-armed rocker (70) is driven by a rotating clutch shaft (50) by way of a crank gear (60-66) and, on the other side, a chain link (73) serves to control the compression beam. The opposing drive is operated by means of a one-arm rocker (75) and, also, by means of a chain link (76). To ensure the execution of an exact cycle, an engaging and disengaging claw clutch (31, 36) is present. The cycle is maintained by a cam disk arrangement (51) on the one hand, and a coupling groove (37) on a coupling box (32) with a coupling bolt (38), on the other hand. The above provides the electric drive for a rectilinear punching machine for punching sheets of paper for mechanical binding systems.