Abstract: A binding apparatus for binding pads of perforated sheets with wire binding elements is described. The apparatus has means for supplying a predetermined length of binding element to an insertion station, means for conveying a perforated pad having the binding element inserted through the perforations to a binding station and a binding device at the binding station for closing the binding element to bind the pad. The insertion station includes upper and lower vertically spaced retainer members and a front stop for holding the binding element in a horizontal orientation with the mouth facing upwards. The binding element is supported at the binding station in the same orientation by two horizontally spaced, vertically extending plates with the pad handing down between the plates. Two closing members are provided, one comprising a drive member and a pressure member which is replaceable with other differently sized pressure members to accommodate differently sized binding elements.

Abstract: A machine for binding sets of sheets with a wire binding element of the kind having a series of curved prongs with points and roots. The machine comprises a holding mechanism for holding the binding element in a predetermined position. A selectively movable guide plate is located adjacent to and at a constant preset distance from the binding element points. The guide plate is also located to receive perforated edges of the sheets thereagainst so that the sheets' perforations can be aligned with the points in order to aid in guiding the perforated sheets into assembly with said binding element. A first adjustment mechanism is provided for moving the guide plate relative to the binding element points. The first adjustment mechanism permits the position of said guide plate to be adjusted relative to the points so as to maintain the constant pre-set distance between said guide plate and the points for any sized binding element.

Abstract: A jaw for use in a machine for closing a wire binding element (8) comprises a longitudinal member (30) having a curved cylindrical working surface (32) and a grooved strip (36) located in a slot (34) formed in the working surface (32) so that the grooved edge of the strip (36) projects inwardly from the working surface (36), the space between adjacent grooves being equal to the pitch of the wire binding element (8).

Abstract: Apparatus for closing wire binding elements of the type formed from a length of wire which is bent to form a series of curved hairpin shaped prongs, the curvature of the prongs being such that the element has the appearance of an open sided cylinder with a substantially C-shaped cross section, the apparatus comprises two opposed `closing` jaws, each having a working surface which is a segment of a cylinder, the diameter of which corresponds to the diameter of a desired binding element, when closed, the jaws being arranged to rotate in opposite directions about a fixed horizontal axis or pivot center, the arrangement being such that as the jaws pivot a force is applied by their working surfaces to a binding element located therebetween to cause the element to close to a position in which the closed ends or points are brought into the vicinity of the open ends or roots, the closing jaws being set so that that edge of the working surface which, in use, is located adjacent a bundle of sheets to be bound exactly c

Abstract: A binding element for perforated sheets of the type comprising a length of wire bent so as to form curved prongs on which the sheets may be impaled, the wire being in the shape of a flat comb, the prongs of which are closed at their tips and opened at their bases or roots which are connected to their neighbors by aligned lengths of wire forming the stock or the spine of the comb, the strip being designed to be converted to a slotted tube by suitable bending of the prongs. In accordance with the invention the concave surface with part of each prong which is midway between its tip and root is formed with an indentation, which indentation assists the closing of the binding element very effectively and without any visible sign.

Abstract: A press machine for articles to be pressed has a "movable" jaw (2) which acts upon said articles, protective guard means (8) for the moveable jaw, and operation control means (16), one part (24) of which is attached to the guard means and another part (20) of which is attached to the moveable jaw, the control means permitting operation of the moveable jaw only when the part of the control means attached to the guard means, mates with that part of the control means attached to the moveable jaw.

Abstract: A new page type holder adapted to store, e.g., computer disks. A finished page of the disk holder is generated from a single oversize piece of paper in order to provide a desired finished size page with at least one disk pocket on both the front and back face thereof. The disk pockets on the page are established by the overlying relation of the oversize unfolded page's top edge or bottom edge portions in combination with a binding element that (a) holds all finished pages and covers together one with the other in book configuration, and (b) holds each folded page together to define one side edge of the pockets on that page. The other side edge of the pockets, and the bottom edges of the pockets, on the finished page are defined by the folded configuration of the oversize unfolded page when it is in the finished page form.