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: 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.