Abstract: Apparatus is used with two binding strips, the first having at least four studs projecting therefrom which are flexible and the second having holes complementary to the studs and for each hole a groove extending therefrom toward the center of the second strip. The apparatus moves to a position aligned with holes in a stack of sheets. The second strip is deposited on top of the stack with the holes thereof aligned with the holes in the sheets. The first strip is then raised so that the studs pass through the holes in the sheets and the second strip and pressure is applied forcing the strips toward each other. Blocks then move transversely, bending down the portions of the studs projecting beyond the second strip and snapping these portions into the grooves. The steps are performed sequentially using a single pneumatic cylinder for all but the first-mentioned step.

Abstract: The apparatus is the justifying station of an automatic bookbinding machine which stages collection of the sheets of the book, justifies the side and end edges of the sheets, feeds male and female plastic bookbinding strips one at a time from cassettes, assembles the sheets and strips and then binds the book. In the sheet justifying apparatus the sheets are deposited on an originally horizontal movable jaw. The latter is then raised toward a stationary jaw until the sheets are loosely clamped. Thereupon the jaws with sheets therebetween are pivotted to vertical position. A first side guide is caused to reciprocate rapidly against one side edge of the stack of shets, justifying the opposite edge against a stationary guide on the opposite side edge. Simultaneously, a front edge of the stack, justifying the rear edge against a stationary base plate.

Abstract: Male and female book binding strips are packaged in cassettes and the respective cassettes are stacked in male and female hopper stations. Punched sheets are deposited in a staging station. The components of the book are then assembled in an assembly station. Thus the stack of sheets is fed onto one jaw and one male strip is fed onto that jaw while a female strip is fed onto the opposite jaw superimposed above the first-mentioned jaw. The two jaws are moved toward each other until the stack is loosely held therebetween. Thereupon the jaws are pivoted to vertical position, the stack resting on a base plate attached to one one jaw. The stack is jogged so that the holes in the sheets are aligned with each other and with the holes in the female strip. The male strip is pushed inward toward the stack, the studs fitting through the holes in the sheets and through the female strip.

Abstract: One type of bookbinding strip consists of a male strip with plural flexible studs projecting therefrom and a female strip with complementary holes and grooves in the outer surface thereof extending from each hole. The studs are inserted through holes in the punched paper, then through the holes in the female strip. The present invention compresses the strips toward each other with the paper therebetween and then, upon manual actuation of a lever, causes blocks carrying rollers to bend 90.degree. the portion of the studs projecting beyond the female strip, causing these portions to snap into the grooves. Since the grooves on each end of the strip extend toward the middle of the strip, two blocks are used, each moving inward toward the center upon actuation of the lever.

Abstract: Male and female book binding strips are packaged in cassettes and the respective cassettes are stacked in male and female hopper stations. Punched sheets are deposited in a staging station. The components of the book are then assembled in an assembly station. Thus the stack of sheets is fed onto one jaw and one male strip is fed onto that jaw while a female strip is fed onto the opposite jaw superimposed above the first-mentioned jaw. The two jaws are moved toward each other until the stack is loosely held therebetween. Thereupon the jaws are pivoted to vertical position, the stack resting on a base plate attached to one jaw. The stack is jogged so that the holes in the sheets are aligned with each other and with the holes in the female strip. The male strip is pushed inward toward the stack, the studs fitting through the holes in the sheets and through the female strip.

Abstract: For convenient packaging of plastic bookbinding strips, cassettes are provided. The end edges of each strip are received in channels formed in opposed side rails. The rails engage adjacent either end the depending legs of transverse spacer bars. The spacer bars have plural sockets to engage projections on the upper ends of the legs so that the spacing between side rails may be varied to accommodate strips of different lengths--e.g., 81/2 inches, 11 inches, etc. Different length legs may be used to accommodate different length studs formed on the strips. By eliminating the legs entirely, flat female binding strips may be packaged in the cassette. A detent is provided in the ends of the rails preventing removal of strips until the detent is bent out of position. The cassette is especially useful in equipment which mechanically assembles punched sheets and strips preparatory to binding a book in a binding machine.

Abstract: A combined trip actuator and accessory module for molded case circuit breakers is accessible in the field for user selected accessory options. The trip actuator includes a U-shaped stator with a permanent magnet at the end of one leg. A spring-loaded armature member extends across both legs to form a closed-loop magnetic circuit. The over-current trip coil and shunt trip coil are arranged on one leg with the undervoltage coil arranged on the other leg. The accessory module is accessible from the top surface of the breaker cover for field installation of the undervoltage and shunt trip coils to provide the corresponding undervoltage and shunt trip functions.

Abstract: A molded case circuit breaker provides both overcurrent protection as well as accessory protection function by means of a self-contained electronic trip actuator module. Undervoltage release function is provided by a separate undervoltage release assembly that includes the undervoltage coil and an electronic control circuit. Shunt trip facility is provided by the shunt trip coil and a shunt trip control circuitry. The overcurrent, shunt trip and undervoltage release coils are arranged on a magnetic circuit within the electronic actuator module.

Abstract: A combined trip actuator and accessory module for molded case circuit breakers is accessible in the field for user selected accessory options. The trip actuator includes a U-shaped stator with a permanent magnet at the end of one leg. A spring-loaded armature member extends across both legs to form a closed-loop magnetic circuit. The over-current trip coil and shunt trip coil are arranged on one leg with the undervoltage coil arranged on the other leg. The accessory module is accessible from the top surface of the breaker cover for field installation of the undervoltage and shunt trip coils to provide the corresponding undervoltage and shunt trip functions.

Abstract: An electronically driven trip actuator for multipole industrial rated molded case circuit breakers is installed within a common housing with the circuit breaker operating mechanism. The trip actuator consists of a mechanical actuator cooperatively connected with a magnetic latch. The magentic latch arrangement holds the trip actuator against an actuating spring bias. Upon receiving an appropriate signal response, the magnetic latch releases, allowing the mechanical actuator to move into contact with the circuit breaker latch under the influence of the actuator spring. The arrangement of the mechanical actuator and actuator spring provides a low latching force to the magnetic latch, while providing a large trip force to the circuit breaker latch.