Abstract: A transport table reciprocates between a collator, at which it receives a stack of loose sheets, and a stapling head for stapling the sheets together. Cam followers on the table engage cam surfaces during the reciprocating table movement to cause jogging movements of end and side retaining means to jog the loose sheets into a neat stack. The stack is delivered into a gap between the stapling head and an anvil, and the stapling head moves through a first half cycle, forming a staple and clamping the stack. A gate on the transport table lifts to free the stack while the table retracts, and then the stapling head drives the staple through the stack. The gate lowers when the transport table returns to its original position.

Abstract: A cyclical wire stitching machine head includes a reciprocating staple-forming and driving apparatus which is coupled to a wire gripping and feeding mechanism which reciprocates with it. During each cycle of the machine the supply wire is gripped and a predetermined length thereof is fed through a cutter to a holder and severed while, simultaneously, the length severed in the preceding cycle is formed into a staple and driven through the work against a clincher. On the retraction stroke, the holder is rotated to bring the severed length of wire into position for forming and driving during the next drive stroke. A guide tube positively guides and supports the unstraightened wire from a supply coil along a feed path from the input end of the head to the gripping and feeding mechanism. Guide means are also provided for guiding the wire from the cutter to the holder while accommodating rotation of the severed length of wire with the holder.

Abstract: Bypass clinching means for a stitching machine which drives a generally U-shaped staple through associated work, includes a housing pivotally mounting a pair of clinching members which are inclined with respect to the plane of the staple bight portion, the housing defining voids respectively adjacent to the clinching members to receive the excess leg lengths during clinching. A separator plate is disposed between the clinching members and prevents a staple leg from entering the void for the opposite clinching member during the clinching operation. Guide surfaces on the housing and separator plate guide the staple legs to the clinching members.

Abstract: A "loop"-type wire stitching machine head includes a reciprocating drive coupled to a staple-forming and driving means and to a wire feed means for feeding a length of staple wire to a holder and severing it. A bender forms the wire over the holder into a generally inverted U-shaped staple. A supporter with a rounded projection is then inserted between the legs of the staple and a drive bar deforms the bight portion of the staple over the projection into a curved loop portion and then drives the formed loop staple into an associated workpiece, retracting the supporter in the process. The supporter is biased to its supporting position and a guide plate guides its movement to that position. A cam positively holds the supporter in its supporting position during forming of the loop portion of the staple and effects positive movement thereof partway to its retracted position after formation of the loop portion to accommodate driving of the staple.

Abstract: A cyclical wire stitching machine includes a reciprocating driving coupled to a staple-forming and drive means, which is in turn coupled by a rack and pinion mechanism to a wire feed means, so that the wire feed means and the staple-forming and driving means reciprocate simultaneously in opposite directions. The wire feed means includes a wire gripper which grips the supply wire for feeding it, while the feed means moves in one direction, to a wire holder where a predetermined length of wire is severed from the supply, the gripper then being locked open for releasing the wire while the feed means retracts in the opposite direction and the fed length of wire is formed into a staple and driven. Thus, during each cycle, the machine feeds a length of wire and forms and drives that same length of wire so that at the end of the cycle there is no severed wire in the wire holder.