Wire binding machine

Details Wire binding machine Wire binding machine

2000-01-28

2001-12-25

Fridie, Jr., Willmon (Department: 3722)

Bookbinding: process and apparatus

Apparatus

Edge binding apparatus

C412S039000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06332742

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a machine for binding together a number of sheets of paper by means of wire binding elements.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A wire binding element is manufactured from a length of deformable material such as wire bent into a series of hairpin shaped prongs on which punched sheets are hung, the machine then closing the generally C shaped binding element into a ring shape, thus bringing the closed ends or points of the prongs close to the open ends or roots. The sections of wire between the roots are referred to as blunts. This wire binding element will hereinafter be referred to as a wire binding element of the kind set forth.
There are several different machines of this type currently available, some of which also include means for punching holes in the sheets prior to binding. However, existing machine designs are generally difficult to operate and may require considerable manual dexterity, particularly in loading the binding element and in removing the bound document from the machine. Such existing machines also include manual means for closing the wire binding element as well as a manually operated adjustment mechanism to enable different sizes of binding element to be used, but such existing manual adjustment mechanisms are vague and time consuming to set up.
There is thus a need for a machine which is simpler to operate and provides a more definite adjustment mechanism allowing straightforward selection of the appropriate setting for the particular size of binding element being used.
It is therefore the aim of the present invention to provide an improved binding machine which overcomes these and other disadvantages of existing machine designs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a binding machine for binding together a number of punched sheets of paper, the machine including:
means for temporarily retaining a wire binding element of the kind set forth so as to allow punched sheets to be hung thereon,
means for closing the retained wire binding element so that the closed points come into the vicinity of the open roots,
wherein the means for retaining the wire binding element includes a flap and finger plate comprising a number of projections or fingers, the flap being mounted for pivotal movement such that the plate is pivoted away from its equilibrium position by insertion of the binding element but returns to its equilibrium position thereafter, thus retaining the wire binding element in a generally horizontal orientation between the flap and the fingers.
The closing means may be powered by a drive mechanism, or alternatively it may be manual.
Preferably, the fingers are resiliently deformable. This assists in the release of the bound document as will be described hereinafter.
Preferably, the position of the flap is adjustable with respect to the closing means. This enables different sizes of wire binding elements to be utilised in the machine according to the number of pages to be bound.
Conveniently, the closing means comprises a base plate having an edge portion facing a closing surface, these two components being mounted for relative movement towards and away from each other whereby a wire binding element held therebetween is closed.
The closing surface preferably comprises a pivoting arm, movable between an inoperative up position and an operative down position. In the preferred embodiment the baseplate is arranged for to and fro movement relative to the pivoting arm.
The position of the flap relative to the base plate is preferably adjusted (for different wire sizes) by means of a cam and cam follower arrangement. Conveniently this is driven by a stepper motor.
The degree of to and fro movement of the base plate relative to the closing surface is conveniently adjusted simultaneously with the flap position adjustment, by means of a second cam the edge of which engages a limit switch at the end of the stroke, the length of the stroke thus being determined by the degree of rotation of the second cam.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a binding machine for binding together a number of punched sheets of paper, the machine including:
means for temporarily retaining a wire binding element of the kind set forth so as to allow punched sheets to be hung thereon,
means for closing the retained wire binding element so that the closed points come into the vicinity of the open roots,
wherein upon completion of closure of the wire binding element the bound document is automatically released from the machine.
Preferably, this is achieved by means of a pivoting flap co-operating with a finger plate comprising a number of resiliently deformable projections or fingers so as to temporarily retain the binding element therebetween. By manufacturing the flap from a resiliently deformable material, the retained wire itself can be pushed against the flap from the inside, thereby flexing the flap outwardly and releasing the closed binding element from the machine.
Preferably the pivot axis of the flap is positioned forwardly of the flap, whereby outward flexing of the flap will cause the flap lower edge to lift slightly, opening a gap between the fingers and the flap into which the closed binding element is released. Preferably, the pivot axis of the flap is on the flap centre line when releasing and in front when loading.
According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a binding machine for binding together a number of punched sheets of paper, the machine including:
means for temporarily retaining a wire binding element of the kind set forth so as to allow punched sheets to be hung thereon,
means for closing the retained wire binding element so that the closed points come into the vicinity of the open roots,
wherein the machine also includes means for punching holes in sheets of paper, said punching means and said means for closing the retained wire binding element both being activated by a single drive mechanism.
Preferably, said single drive mechanism comprises a drive cam and associated drive cam shaft, rotation of which drives the closing means and the punching means simultaneously and in opposite directions.
Conveniently, the punching means comprises a die with a row of holes therein and a co-operating row of headed punch pins, each adapted to be received within a corresponding hole in the die, the paper being inserted within the die.
Preferably, the punching means includes means for selectively disabling the punching of one or more holes, to accommodate different sizes of paper, eg A5 instead of the more usual A4. Conveniently, this is achieved by means of a solenoid operated pin disable mechanism.
Preferably, the machine includes a storage container, located underneath the die, into which the confetti generated by the punching operation falls.
Conventionally, such storage containers are in the form of a shallow tray which needs to be frequently emptied to avoid the confetti, which tends to build up in conical piles underneath each hole, from clogging the mechanism.
In the present invention the container is deeper and is generally A shaped, the top being truncated to form a relatively narrow opening which widens out towards the base, allowing for a much greater storage capacity and hence reducing the need for emptying.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a binding machine for binding together a number of punched sheets of paper, the machine including:
means for temporarily retaining a wire binding element of the kind set forth so as to allow punched sheets to be hung thereon,
means for closing the retained wire binding element so that the closed points come into the vicinity of the open roots,
wherein the machine includes an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the degree of closure to suit the size of binding element being employed, said adjustment mechanism comprising an adjustment cam.
Preferably, the adjustment cam is rotated by means of a stepper drive.
In the fifth aspect

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