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: A machine for transforming zigzag wire to the slotted tubular form ready for use as a binding element comprises means for feeding a strip of zigzag wire longitudinally, means for arresting the feed of each prong of the wire strip as it reaches a shaping station, means for clamping each prong at that station and means at the station for shaping each clamped prong. The shaping means comprises two or more forming tools mounted on rollers which are driven by drive shafts, at least one roller being angularly adjustable relative to its drive shaft. This allows the operation of the forming tools to be synchronized so that symmetrical shaping of the zigzag wire is achieved. The feed means are rotary and means are provided whereby the feed of each prong is arrested for at least one eighth of each revolution of the rotary feed means. The shaping of the zigzag strip is facilitated and improved since the strip is held stationary for a relatively long period of time.

Abstract: A machine for transforming zig-zag wire to slotted tubular form ready for use as a binding element comprising means for feeding a strip of zig-zag wire longitudinally, means for momentarily arresting the feed of each prong of the wire strip as it reaches a shaping station, means for clamping each prong at that station and means for shaping each clamped prong into the desired configuration characterised in that the clamp is operated by clamp actuation means at least twice for each revolution of rotary feed means. This has the advantage that the clamping means may be operated at much lower speeds than the feed means and the shaping means thus allowing the output ot be increased by at least fifty percent over known machines with no danger of overheating.

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 wire binding machine for accepting and closing together wire binding elements of the Wire-O type to bind a stack of sheets, the machine being controlled to present two or more elements to the closing or binding station with the option of a gap between the elements so that if required a calendar hanger can be fed between the elements prior to the closing operation, the elements being spaceable by means of a first or feed conveyor feeding up to a parallel section of a second or spacing conveyor and pushing the elements from the first to the second conveyor with an interval representing the desired gap.

Abstract: In a binding machine for binding packets of perforated sheets together by means of pronged wire binding elements, the elements being fed as an open pronged binding strip from a toothed wheel to a toothed feed chain along a path, the strip being guided between the wheel and chain by a guide having guide surfaces which converge so that the open prongs of the strip are guided without deformation of the strip between the wheel and chain no matter what size of strip is being fed.

Abstract: A binding machine for binding packets of perforated sheets together by means of binding elements, the elements being formed with prongs which are bent together by jaws into the perforations to bind the sheets, a carrier bar part of which is magnetized holds each element between the jaws while stops project from the bar to engage with the back of each packet to assist in accurately locating perforations in the packets with the prongs of the elements as they are bent together by the jaws.

Abstract: A closing machine for closing wire binding elements to bind bundles of sheets in which a press means or closing bar (1) is arranged to close onto an anvil (2) to close the binding elements (6, 7) around a bundle of sheets (10), in which a magazine (12) feeds hanger elements (16) to a translating means (15) which positions the hanger elements singly in a press position (9) between the press means (1) and anvil (2); the translating means (15) is preferably moved towards the press position by means of a camming member (44) connected to the press means.