Abstract: An automatic feeding station (10) for receiving a plurality of binding elements (70), packaged in a continuous bandolier strip (74), and feeding same into an inserter station (12), for the automatic edge binding of a stack of sheets. The feeding station (12) comprises a housing consisting of a pair of vertically oriented end walls (14,16), and a pair of downwardly extending, angularly disposed walls (18, 20) converging at the bottom of the housing. A first such angular wall (18) defines the feed path for the bandolier strip (74) consisting of a pair of continuous plastic films (76, 78) joined at spaced apart intervals to define plural, laterally oriented pockets or cavities (80) to receive the binding elements (70) in a spaced apart, parallel relationship.

Abstract: An apparatus for spiral binding a stack of papers together as a unit. The apparatus includes a coil feeder for feeding a spiral coil into the holes in the stack of papers, a pin extension and retraction mechanism, a coil cutter mechanism, and a paper thickness measuring and sizing mechanism. The spiral binding unit includes an aperture through which a spiral coil is inserted between a feed shaft and a rotatably mounted roller. The roller may be rotated in a pulsed manner. As the coil is inserted, the roller pushes the spiral coil into contact with the feed shaft. As the roller rotates, the coil is guided around a plurality of spiral guides that cause the coil to spiral into the holes in the stack of paper. The guides and any other surfaces which the end of the coil contacts along its path may have chamfered edges. The pin extension and retraction mechanism includes a plurality of curved locator pins that are movable between an extended and a retracted position.

Abstract: A cutting and crimping apparatus (14) for automatically cutting and finishing the ends of a spiral coil. The apparatus (14) comprises a jaw set (17) comprising a first fixed plate (20), a second fixed plate (50), a cut plate (70) and a push plate (130), each plate having a tooth extending therefrom capable of engaging the coil. The plates are substantially flat and disposed in sliding contact with each other. The cut plate (70) of the apparatus (14) is driven in a reciprocating, substantially linear motion by a linkage (100) mechanically coupled to a motor (18).

Abstract: An electric brake circuit (10) for bringing an alternating current (AC) motor (12) to a rapid halt. When the AC motor is turned on, a braking capacitor (C1) is charged to a preselected voltage. A shunt regulator (18) prevents the braking capacitor from overcharging by shunting charging current to ground once the braking capacitor reaches the preselected voltage. In a preferred embodiment, a limit circuit (20) turns off the charging current on the subsequent positive phase of the AC line voltage powering the electric brake. By shutting off current flow to the circuit when the preselected voltage on the capacitor is reached, power consumption and size of the circuit are minimized.

Abstract: An apparatus for spiral binding a stack of papers together as a unit. The apparatus includes a spiral binding unit for feeding a spiral coil into the holes in the stack of papers, a pin extension and retraction mechanism, a coil cutter mechanism, and a paper thickness measuring and sizing mechanism. The spiral binding unit includes an aperture through which a spiral coil is inserted between a feed shaft and a rotatably mounted roller. As the coil is inserted, the roller pushes the spiral coil into contact with the feed shaft. As the roller rotates, the coil is guided around a plurality of spiral guides that cause the coil to spiral into the holes in the stack of paper. The pin extension and retraction mechanism includes a plurality of locator pins that are movable between an extended and a retracted position. In the extended position, the pins extend up through the holes in the stack of papers. The locator pins are mounted on pivotally mourned levers. The levers are in turn rotated by a cam shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for spiral binding a stack of papers (24) together as a unit. The apparatus includes a punch (12) for punching a plurality of holes (23) along one edge of the stack of papers and a spiral binding unit (14) for feeding a spiral coil (36) into the holes. The spiral binding unit (14) includes an aperture (44) through which a coil is inserted between a shoe (74) and a rotatably mounted roller (72). As the coil (36) is inserted, the shoe (74) pushes the coil into contact with the roller (72). As the roller (72) rotates, the coil (36) is guided through a series of slots (86) which cause the coil to spiral into the holes in the stack of paper. The punch (12) includes a ramp (186) that presses a series of punch pins (188) through the stack of papers. The ramp (186) includes a plurality of steps (222) that incline upwardly on either side of a center step (224). The punch first punches holes in the center of the stack of papers and then punches holes outward from either side of the center.