US3866254A

US3866254A - Machine for perforating and for binding sheets into a plastic ring folder

Info

Publication number: US3866254A
Application number: US402910A
Authority: US
Inventors: Delso Gronda
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-10-16
Filing date: 1973-10-03
Publication date: 1975-02-18
Anticipated expiration: 1992-02-18
Also published as: GB1436870A; IT968976B; AU6138473A; JPS4973789A; NL7314029A; DE2351550A1; DE2351550B2; BR7307150D0; FR2203318A5; CH556752A; CA1007811A

Abstract

A machine for perforating sheets and for enabling binding of the perforated sheets into a folder having a plastic binding ring is structured with a perforation mechanism including a plurality of punch elements which are raised and lowered for perforating the sheets and a flexing assembly including a plurality of displaceable arm members adapted to engage the plastic ring to enable flexing thereof to a position where the perforated sheets may be placed in binding engagement therewith. The invention particularly relates to the combination of an eccentric cam adapted to engage the perforating mechanism to effect actuation of the punch elements and a helical cam which engages the flexing assembly to effect actuation of the arms whereby the ring may be flexed to a position enabling insertion of the sheets in binding engagement therewith.

Description

Gronda atent 11 1 1111 3,866,254 1451 Feb. 18, 1975 MACHINE FOR PERFORATING AND FOR 1 BINDING SHEETS INTO A PLASTIC RING Primary Examiner-Lawrence Charles FOLDER Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Toren, McGeady and [76] Inventor: Delso Gronda, Via Medardo Rosso Stanger 16,1-201 9, M'] It 1 5 a y 57 ABSTRACT [22] Flled: 1973 A machine for perforating sheets and for enabling [21] Appl, No; 402,910 binding of the perforated sheets into a folder having a plastic binding ring is structured with a perforation mechanism including a plurality of punch elements {30] Forelgn Apphcanon Pnomy Data which are raised and lowered for perforating the Oct. 16, 1972 Italy 30521/72 h t and a flexing assembly including a plurality Of displaceable arm members adapted to engage the plas- U.S. AC, tic ring to enable flexing thereof to a position where Cl. the perforated heets may be placed in en- Field of Search 1 83/467, 468 gagement therewith. The invention particularly relates t0 the combination of an eccentric cam adapted to en- References Cited gage the perforating mechanism to effect actuation of UNITED STATES PATENTS the punch elements and a helical cam which engages 2,482,218 9/1949 Sega] 83/467 the flexing assembly to effect actuation of the arms 2,638,986 5 1953 Emmer 83/467 whereby the g y be flexed to a Position enabling 2,898,613 8/1959 Frederick 11/1 AC insertion of the sheets in binding engagement there- 3,l22,76l 3/1964 Bouvier t v 11/1 AC with. 3,125,887 3/1964 Bouvier et a1 11/1 AC X 3,699,596 10/1972 Lyon 11/1 AC 9 Clalms 13 Drawmg Flgures t i V V X j 1 MACHINE FOR PERFORATING AND FOR BINDING SHEETS INTO A PLASTIC RING FOLDER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to a machine for perforating and binding sheets into a folder. More particularly, the mcahine enables sheets to be perforated along their edges and to be subsequently place into binding engagement with a flexible binding ring.

Perforating and binding machines presently known generally include a perforating mechanismadaptable to punch a series of holes along an edge or border of a sheet and an additional mechanism which operates to flex the plastic ring of a folder within which the sheets I are to be bound so as to permit rapid engagement of the sheets into the plastic binding ring with the various teeth or hooks of the binding ring extending through the holes which have been perforated in the sheet.

Although many of these machines will provide satisfactory results, they have been found to be unduly complex in structure and expensive to manufacture. Many known machines involve a very large numberr of operating elements and require careful and elaborate procedures in their operation in order to achieve proper functioning of the machine.

Moreover, in view of the large number of operating elements which are involved in such machines, their assembly during manufacture tends to be rather difficult, and consequently, unduly expensive.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a perforating and binding machine wherein the number and complexity of the operating components thereof are reduced and simplified without detrimentally affecting the satisfactory operation of the machine.

The machine of the present invention features an overall assembly requiring a minimum number of parts and one which can be advantageously and simply assembled during manufacture, thereby to reduce the cost and improve the economy of production.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine which may be maintained in good working order without requiring excessive maintenance.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a perforating and binding machine which may be simply assembled from stock parts which are readily obtainable and which do not require customized manufacturing procedures, thereby enabling production of a machine which will be competitive from an economic or marketing point of view.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly, the present invention may be described as a machine for perforating sheets and for enabling binding of said perforated sheets into a folder including a plastic binding ring, said machine comprising, in combination, perforation means including a plurality of punch elements for perforating said sheets, flexing means including a plurality of displaceable arm members adpated to engage said plastic ring to 'enable flexing thereof to a position where said perforated sheets may be placed in binding engagement therewith, an eccentric cam engaging said perforation means to effect actuation of said punch elements, and a helical cam en- I gaging said flexing means to effect engagement and flexing of said ring by said arms.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the Drawings FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a machine embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an assembled group of sheets bound within a folder comprising a plastic binding ring by using the machine of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a plan view, partially broken away, of the machine according to the invention;

FIG. 4 is an elevational front view, partially broken away and partially in section, of the machine;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are enlarged sectional views showing the punches of the present invention in different operating positions;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the machinetaken along the lines VII-VII of FIG. 3; I 1

FIGS. 8a-b are side views, partially in section, showing the binding ring engaging arms of the invention in two different operating positions;-

FIGS. 9 and 10 are plan views showing the binding ring engaging arms of the present invention in two different operating positions;

FIG. 11 is aside elevation, partially in section, depicting a guide member for supporting sheets to be perforated; and

FIG. 12 is a detailed sectional view showing an alternative structure of the punch actuating means of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS formed with a longitudinal bar 4 having at regular intervals therealong a plurality of slots 5 formed on its interior face and located for engagement therein of the heads of a plurality of punches 6.

The punches 6 are actuated to move downwardly during the performance of a perforating operation and for this purpose they arev dirven by a guide element 7 which extends longitudinally in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the bar 4 and which in cludes a plurality of bores through which-each of the punches 6 extends. The guide element 7 has a substantially U-shaped cross sectional configuration, and its bores, which operate as guide means for the punches 6, are situated on each of the arms of the U-shaped section of theguide element 7. Consequently, each punch 6 extends through two bores, one each in an arm of the U-shaped element 7, which maintain the proper alignment of the punches 6.

Each punch 6 comprises at its midsection a plug 8 which, during lowering of the punches, engages a bar 9 which also extends longitudinally from side to side of the machine. I

The bar 9 is engaged by a return element 10 which is formed integrally with the longitudinal bar 4 and which operates to raise the punches 6 and return them to their uppermost position after a perforating operation has been performed.

A perforating operation is performed by placing a sheet to be perforated below the lower ends of the punches 6 and the punches are subsequently lowered and then raised again to enable the sheets to be withdrawn from the device. In the performance of this operation, the upper face of the longitudinal bar 4 is engaged by an eccentric cam 11 which is rotatably mounted upon the structure 2 and which is actuated by manipulation of a first lever 12 which extends upwardly from the structure 2. With the eccentric cam rotated into the position shown in FIG. 6, the longitudinal bar 4 is driven downwardly within side guides 13 which are formed integrally with the structure 2, and against the action of springs 14 which are located at the ends of the longitudinal bar 4 and which apply a spring force between the bar 4 and the structure 2. The springs 14 perform a balancing function in order to prevent tilting of the bar 4 and to' enable the bar 4 to be maintained in a generally parallel, horizontal position during performance of the punching operation. 7

During the descent of the bar 4, the heads of the punches 6 are brought into contact with the upper extremities of the slots 5, thereby causing the punches 6 to be driven downwardly until they perforate the sheets 15 placed beneath the punches 6. After performance of the perforating operation, the lever 12 is rotated in a direction opposite to the punching direction and, as a result, the eccentric cam 11 acting against a bridge element 16 located above the bar 4, causes the bar 4 to be raised. Consequently, through operation of the return element 10, and the bar 9, which engages the plugs 8, raising of the punches 6 is also achieved.

.It will be apparent from the foregoing description that, with a machine structured in accordance with the present invention, the raising of the punches 6 after performance of a perforating operation, is not performed by or dependent upon the action of a resilient member such as a spring or the like, but is instead performed by operation of an eccentric cam, thereby assuring a positive raising of the punches 6 under all conditions. Furthermore, in an arrangement according to the present invention, it is not necessary to compress a spring member during perforation in order to utilize such a compressed spring member for purposes of subsequently raising the punches 6. Thus, the perforation operation is less difficult than with previously known machines in view of the fact that it is not necessary to overcome such a spring force.

Additionally, the machine of the present invention is structured to utilize an arrangement, also utilized in machines previously known, wherein the slots 5 are formed with a variable depth, so that the punches 6 may be actuated through a perforating operation in a a sequential manner, thereby facilitating and reducing the effort which is required in completing the punching to prevent operation of a particular punch 6, all that is necessary is that the plug 17 for that punch be removed, thereby preventing operation of the punch 6 for which a plug 17 has been omitted.

The perforating and binding machine 1, according to the present invention, also includes a flexing mechanism for opening the binding rings of a folder, thereby to permit placement in binding position of a perforated sheet. A flexing mechanism according to the present invention is formed with a plate 20 arranged at the upper part of the structure 2. The plate 20 defines on its surface on the forward side of the machine a plurality of slits 21 located adjacent each other from one side to the other of the machine with the slits 21 extending in a longitudinal direction from front-to-rear. of the machine. At the frontal end of each of the slits 21, there is defined a widened portion 22 through which a comblike element 23 extends with a plurality of teeth 24 of the comb 23 extending one each through a slit 21 in a direction perpendicularly of the plane of the plate 20. On a side of the plate 20 interiorly of the machine, a guide bar 25 is located to extend longitudinally from side to side of the machine with a pair of rod guides 26 arranged one each at opposite sides of the machine being provided to guide the bar 25 to move frontwardly or rearwardly of the machine..A plate 27 having an L- shpaed cross sectional configuration is located'between the plate 20 and the bar 25 with a plurality of arms 28, formed as hooks or spikes, extending therefrom with one arm 28 being located to extend upwardly through each of the slits 21. The plate 27 is operatively associated with the guide bar 25 by a mounting which permits relative movement of the plate 27 to the bar 25 in a direction longitudinally of the bar 25. This is accomplished by means of slots '29 formed through the plate 27 and fastening element 30 fixed to the bar 25 with the element 30 extending through the slots 29. The slots 29 are formed with an elongated configuration, thereby to enable sliding movement of the plate 27 relative to the bar 25 by movement of the element 30 longitudinally within the slots 29. Y

The plate 27 includes a stud 31 which extends downwardly from a mid-portion thereof and which is located to engage a groove 32 which is defined in a helical configuration upon the surface of a helical cam 33.

The helical cam 33 is formed in a generally cylindrical configuration preferably of plastic material and is located with its axis extending generally parallel to the plane of the plate 20. The cam 33 is mounted for rotation by .manipulation of a second lever 34 affixed thereto and extending upwardly from the structure 2 of the perforating and binding machine.

Manipulation of the lever 34 operates to perform flexing of the binding ring of a folder within which perforated sheets are to be bound. With the arms 28 located in -a position forwardly of the machine and extending through the widened portion 22 of the slits 21, rotation of the lever 34 will operate to displace the arms 28 in a direction longitudinally of the slits 21. When the cam 33 is rotated, engagement of the stud 31 within the groove 32 will cause the plate 27 to be moved longitudinally relative to the guide bar 25 by virtue of the coupling effected by the fastening element 30 extending through the slots 29. Movement of the plate 27 in this fashion will cause the arms 28 to become engaged within the elements of a plastic binding ring placed at a location to be engaged for flexure. Continued rotation of the lever 34 will actuate the guide bar 25 to move rearwardly of the machine along the rod guides 26 and thereby cause displacement of the arms 28 within the slits 21 in a direction rearwardly of the machine and longitudinally of the slits 21. At this stage in the operation of the device, the arms 28, by virtue of their engagement with the elements of the plastic binding ring, will cause the ring to be flexed in an open position represented schematically in dotted form in FIG. 7. With the binding ring in this position, the perforated sheets may be placed in engagement therewith to effect the binding operation.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that a machine structured in accordance with the principles of the present invention will enable achievement of a simplified mechanism for displacing the arms 28 which flex the binding ring. In prior art device, it was necessary to utilize gears or other types of mechanisms which required relative displacement of a plurality of plates, thereby causing assembly difficulties and increased expense in the production and manufacture of the machine.

In addition to the foregoing, a machine manufactured in accordance with the principles of the present invention includes a device for regulating the distance between the border of a sheet 15 and the holes which are punched therein by the punches 6. This device is indicated by. the reference numeral 40 and includes a rod 41 located beneath the guide 7 and having at its ends a pair of arms 42 each formed in a forked configuration 43 for operatively engaging a cupped cam 44. The device includes a pair of cupped earns 44, each operatively engaged at opposite ends of an adjustment shaft 45, which is supported by the structure 2 and which extends longitudinally from side to side of the machine 1. The shaft 45 is mounted for rotation by manipulation of a knob located exteriorly of the structure 2 with rotation of the shaft 45 causing rotation of the cam 44 to engage the forked elements 43 thereby producing movement of the rod 41 in a direction across the machine in order to regulate the distance of perforation from the borders of the sheets 15. Manipulation of the rod 45 which is mounted eccentrically of the cam 44, as seen in FIG. 7 will cause forward or rearward movement of the bar 41, thereby producing precise regulation of the distance of the perforated holes from the borders of the sheets placed in the machine.

In addition, the machine 1 includes a device 50 for positioning the sheets to be perforated upon the mait is desired to block the entrance of the machine, it is only necessary to rotate the device 50 to the dotted position shown in FIG. 11. By operation of the device 50,

chine. The device includes a horizontal platform 51 I having at one extremity thereof a vertical ledge 52 associated therewith. Along a border of the horizontal platform 51, there is formed a cylindrical cavity 53 which extends longitudinally across the machine with a shaft 54 located towards the front of the machine extending through the cavity 53 to enable rotation thereof. A flange 55 extends from the cylindrical cavity 53 in a direction opposite to the direction in which the horizontal platform 51 extends. An adhesive element 56 located upon the flange 55 cooperates with a similar adhesive element 57 formed on the structure 2 to enable the platform 51 to be releasably. secured in place. The device 50 is operated by being rotated about the shaft 54 to cause the platform 51 and the associated ledge 52 to extend in a desired position. As seen in FIG.

11, with the ledge 51 in a horizontal position, sheets may be supported for insertion into the machine. The device 50 is securely held in this position by engagement between the

adhesive elements

56 and 57. When sheets to be perforated may be accurately located by bringing their borders against the vertical platform 52 and by slipping them into the machine beneath the punches 6.

In the overall operation of the machine, once the sheets 15 to be perforated are placed on the horizontal platform 51 with one of their borders abutting against the vertical ledge 52 to secure their alignment, the sheets are inserted beneath the punches 6 until they come into contact with the rod 41 which has been previously arranged in such a manner that the holes which are to be punched will be located at a desired distance from the edges of the sheets. The first lever 12 is then manipulated by rotation thereof in a direction to lower the punches 6. After perforation of a sheet 15 has been performed, the lever 12 is rotated in an opposite direction so that the punches 6 may be raised out of engagement with the sheets 15 which may then be removed from beneath the punches. Subsequently, the sheet 15 is mounted in binding engagement with the plastic binding ring whose elements are inserted into the perforations which have been formed in the sheet in the manner previously described. Thus, the sheets may be mounted in binding engagement with a folder which has been previously placed upon the plate 20 in association with the comb element 23. After all of the sheets have been perforated and placed in position upon the plastic binding ring element, the lever 34 may be manipulated to move the arms 28 forwardly of the machine, thereby allowing the previously flexed plastic binding ring to return to its original position with the sheets being held in binding engagement therewith. Upon completion of this operation, a plastic back may be applied to the sheets 15, thereby completing the binding procedure.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that themachine of the present invention is advantageously simple in its structure and function. The component parts may be, for the most part, made of plastic material by a molding operation thereby significantly reducing costs. Additionally, assembly timemay be substantially reduced over those involved with previously known machines.

The device of the present invention is susceptible to being manufactured in several alternative embodiments, all coming within the scope of the inventive concept. Many of the individual structural details may be altered with individual elements being replaced with other elements which are the technical equivalent thereof. For example, the first lever 12 and the second lever 34 may be replaced with a single lever which will alternately engage the concentric cam 11 and the helical cam 33 to perform theoperating procedures of the machine previously described. Furthermore, the machine may be arranged either for manipulation by hand or by an appropriate source of motive power.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the inventive principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

l. A machine for perforating sheets and for enabling binding of said perforated sheets into a folder by engagement with a flexible plastic binding ring, said machine comprising, in combination:

perforation means including a plurality of punching elements for perforating said sheets, a longitudinal bar, slots defined at regular intervals along a lower face of said longitudinal bar, heads defined upon said punching elements and located to extend within said slots, a guide element for said punching elements arranged beneath said longitudinal bar, side guides for directing parallel displacement of said longitudinal bar, an eccentric cam, means mounting said eccentric cam above said longitudinal bar in a position for engagement therewith, a first lever for operating said eccentric cam, and a bridge element arranged above said longitudinal bar in fixed relationship therewith in a position to be contacted by said eccentric cam during operation thereof to enable raising of said punching elements, said eccentric cam having a cam profile adapted to engage said longitudinal bar and said bridge element to directly apply thereto by operation of said first lever forces to effect positive raising and lowering of said punching elements during perforation of said sheets;

flexing means including a plurality of displaceable arm members adapted to engage said plastic ring to enable flexing thereof to a position where said perforated sheets may be placed in binding engagement therewith; and

a helical cam engaging said flexing means to effect engagement and flexing of said ring by said arm.

2. A machine according to claim 1 wherein said cam profile is shaped to enableapplication of a progressively increasing force to said punching elements during perforation of said sheets.

3. A machine according to claim 1, including spring means located for engagement between said longitudinal bar and said machine, said spring means being positioned to insure parallel movement of said bar during actuation of said punching elements.

4. A machine according to claim 1, wherein said flexing means includes a plate mounted upon an upper portion of said machine, a plurality of slits defined through said plate in side by side relationship, each having a generally longitudinal configuration extending from front to rear relative to said machine, a widened portion of said slits located adjacent the forward side of said machine, a comb-like element including a plurality of teeth, said teeth extending perpendicularly relative to the plane of said plate adjacent the frontal side thereof, a guide bar extending longitudinally across said machine interiorly thereof along a side of said plate, rod-shaped guides guiding said longitudinal bar for movement forwardly and rearwardly of said machine, an L-shaped plate interposed between said plate and said guide bar, said displaceable arm members being arranged to extend from said L-shaped plate through said slits, slots on said L-shaped plate, a fastening element formed integrally with said guide bar and extending through said slots in a manner to enable longitudinal sliding movement of said plate relative to said guide bar, a stud extending downwardly from said L- shaped plate at the mid-section thereof, a helical groove defined upon the surface of said helical cam, said stud being arranged for actuating engagement with said helical groove, and a second lever for enabling actuation of said helical cam.

5. A machine according to claim 1, including means for positioning sheets to be perforated by said machine to determine the distance from the borders of said sheets at which said perforations are to be formed, said sheet positioning means including a rod extending longitudinally from side to side of said machine beneath of arms extending perpendicularly from said rod and terminating in a forked configuration, and cupped cam means located in operative engagement with said forked elements.

6. A machine according to claim 5, including a pair of said cupped cams, an adjusting shaft having said cupped cams mounted at opposite ends thereof, said adjustment shaft being arranged eccentrically of said cams, and means located exteriorly of said machine for enabling rotation of said adjustment shaft to actuate said cupped cams.

7. A machine according to claim 6, wherein rotation of said adjusting shaft operates to actuate said cupped cams in a manner whereby said longitudinal rod may be moved to a desired location frontwardly or rearwardly of said machine.

8. A machine according to claim 1, including means for supporting and positioning upon said machine sheets to be perforated thereby.

9. A machine according to claim 8, wherein said sheet supporting and positioning means comprise a horizontal platform, a vertical ledge formed on one side of said horizontal platform, a longitudinally extending cylindrical cavity formed along a border of said horizontal platform, a shaft rotatably associated with said cylindrical cavity, a flange operatively associated with said horizontal platform and extending from the side of said cylindrical cavity opposite said horizontal platform, and adhesive means operatively associated between said flange means and said machine to releasably secure said supporting and positioning means in operative relationship relative to said machine to support and guide a sheet to be perforated.

said guide elements and having at its extremities a pair

Claims

1. A machine for perforating sheets and for enabling binding of said perforated sheets into a folder by engagement with a flexible plastic binding ring, said machine comprising, in combination: perforation means including a plurality of punching elements for perforating said sheets, a longitudinal bar, slots defined at regular intervals along a lower face of said longitudinal bar, heads defined upon said punching elements and located to extend within said slots, a guide element for said punching elements arranged beneath said longitudinal bar, side guides for directing parallel displacement of said longitudinal bar, an eccentric cam, means mounting said eccentric cam above said longitudinal bar in a position for engagement therewith, a first lever for operating said eccentric cam, and a bridge element arranged above said longitudinal bar in fixed relationship therewith in a position to be contacted by said eccentric cam during operation thereof to enable raising of said punching elements, said eccentric cam having a cam profile adapted to engage said longitudinal bar and said bridge element to directly apply thereto by operation of said first lever forces to effect positive raising and lowering of said punching elements during perforation of said sheets; flexing means including a plurality of displaceable arm members adapted to engage said plastic ring to enable flexing thereof to a position where said perforated sheets may be placed in binding engagement therewith; and a helical cam engaging said flexing means to effect engagement and flexing of said ring by said arm.

2. A machine according to claim 1 wherein said cam profile is shaped to enable application of a progressively increasing force to said punching elements during perforation of said sheets.

4. A machine according to claim 1, wherein said flexing means includes a plate mounted upon an upper portion of said machine, a plurality of slits defined through said plate in side by side relationship, each having a generally longitudinal configuration extending from front to rear relative to said machine, a widened portion of said slits located adjacent the forward side of said machine, a comb-Like element including a plurality of teeth, said teeth extending perpendicularly relative to the plane of said plate adjacent the frontal side thereof, a guide bar extending longitudinally across said machine interiorly thereof along a side of said plate, rod-shaped guides guiding said longitudinal bar for movement forwardly and rearwardly of said machine, an L-shaped plate interposed between said plate and said guide bar, said displaceable arm members being arranged to extend from said L-shaped plate through said slits, slots on said L-shaped plate, a fastening element formed integrally with said guide bar and extending through said slots in a manner to enable longitudinal sliding movement of said plate relative to said guide bar, a stud extending downwardly from said L-shaped plate at the mid-section thereof, a helical groove defined upon the surface of said helical cam, said stud being arranged for actuating engagement with said helical groove, and a second lever for enabling actuation of said helical cam.

5. A machine according to claim 1, including means for positioning sheets to be perforated by said machine to determine the distance from the borders of said sheets at which said perforations are to be formed, said sheet positioning means including a rod extending longitudinally from side to side of said machine beneath said guide elements and having at its extremities a pair of arms extending perpendicularly from said rod and terminating in a forked configuration, and cupped cam means located in operative engagement with said forked elements.