US2764240A - Perforating devices - Google Patents

Description

G. D. WHITE ET AL Sept. 25, 1956 PERFORATING DEVICES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 25, 1955 INVENTORS GERARD D. WHITE 5 CHARLES H.ASHLE Sept. 25, 1956 V D. WHITE ETAL 2,764,240

PERFORATING DEVICES Filed Sept. 23, 1953 2 Sheqts-Sheet INVE R5 GERARD D. 1 CHARLES H. As Y United States Patent PERFORATING DEVICES Gerard D. White and Charles H. Ashley, Ogdensburg, N. Y., assignors to Acco Products, Inc., Ogdensburg, N. Y., a corporation of New York" Application September 23, 1953, SerialNo. 381,834 18 Claims. (Cl. 164-91) The invention relates to improvements in perforating devices and more particularly to a portable device adapted for perforating sheets of paper, or the like, with one or two holes to facilitate binding of th'e'sheets with fastening devices in files or binders.

Perforating devices of the general character disclosed in this application have heretofore been provided with a common V-sh-aped operating handle or lever, manipulable to simultaneously actuate a pair of fixedly-positioned punches for-punching two holes in a sheet or sheetsof paper.- There are many instances when it is desired to punch but a-single hole in 'a sheet or sheets and this is exceedingly diificult when no means is provided to render oneor the other of the punches inoperative. Various mechanisms have been provided in multiple-punch per-' forato'rs to afford physical disengagement and selective operation of one or more punches, but notoneof' these prior'structu-res embody mechanism readily and inexpensively adapted to a two-hole perforator. To be entirely satisfactory, such-a perforator should include' simple selective means which may be manipulated readily by'unskilled personnel,-whereby either one or both of the punches may be operated by a single strok'eof an operating lever. Because of these requirements, it has been found to be most expedient to-incorporate theselective means in the operating lever withinthe area normally engaged by the operator and thereby-avoid priorrequi'rements of physically disengaging or shifting one or more of the punch elements so as to make it inoperative. It

is, therefore, an object of the present inventionto provide Another object is to provide a perforatorof the kind having two punches with novelly constructed separate levers and novel rotatable means to cause simultaneous operation of both levers.

Another object is to provide a rugged perforator'of the character described, which is not'expensive to'm'anufacture but is easy to operate and highly efficient in use.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, arrangement and combination of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportion,

size and minor details of the structure may be made With-- out departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of our invention, we have illustrated in the accompanying .drawings preferred embodiments thereof, from an inspection 2,764,240 Patented Sept. 25, I956 ice of which, when considered in connectionv with the following description, our invention, its mode of construc-* tion assembly and-operation and many of its advantages, should be readily be understood and appreciated.

Referring to the drawings in which the same characters of reference are employed to indicate corresponding or similar parts throughout the severalfigures 'ofthe draw mgs:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a perforator embodying fea tures. of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is aside elevational view of the perforator shown I in- Fig. 1, but illustrating portions broken away.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary detail sectional view, taken on line 3--3. of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the perforator-illustrated in Fig. 1, showing. the operating levers disengaged.

Fig. Sis a plan view, similar to Fig. 1, showing another embodiment of the perforator.

Fig. dis a perspective view of the perforator shown in Fig; 5, butshowing.theoperating levers disengaged.

Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view taken on line 77 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is aplan view of a perforator embodying 'another form of the invention, showing the levers operatively engaged.

Fig; 9 is a perspective view of the perforator shown in Fig. 8; but illustrating the levers disengaged.

Fig.1 10 is a plan view of a perforator embodying still other features of the present invention.-

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the perforator shown in Fig: 10, showing one'of the two levers depressed.

In the description which follows, like numerals are used to identify identical parts of the various forms of perforators illustrated.

Referring particularly to thedisclosure in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusivepthe perforator shown is of the type adapted to be used in an office for punching two spaced-apart holes in themarginal edgeof 'a sheet or sheets-so as to facilitate the binding of said sheet or sheets in a file or binder; The perforator includes a' base 11 which is-substantially rectangular in shape and preferably has its side walls converge toward the front for purposes of appearance. The base is provided with a pair of fi xed upright portions or standards .12 adjacent its rearmost edge, and each is provided, in its front portion, with a punch bearing 13 having a spring pocket 14 in communication therewith. The front portion of each standard 12 having the punch bearing 13 therein is spaced above the top surface of the base 11 to provide a space 15 into which a sheet, or sheets, is-

thrust when the latter is to be perforated.

The standards 12 also are each provided with a pivot fulcrum in the form of a transverse hole 16, each to receive a fulcrum pin 17 to pivotally mount operating levers thereto. As shown, there are two converging operating levers, 18 and 19, each of which preferably is bifurcated at its rear end to receive the top portion of the related standard 12 therein. Each lever is connected by a pin 21' to one of a pair of punches22, mounted for vertical reciprocation in the punch bearing 13. Springs 23 are arranged one around each-punch 22 within the related spring pocket 14 in such manner that its lower end rests upon the bottom of the pocket 14 and its upper end bears against the related pin 21. It should be quiteevident that the springs 23 serve to hold the punches 22 elevated, as shown in Fig. 2, and also to maintain the connected levers 18'or 19 in the upwardly angularly disposed position shown in Fig- 2. The lever 19 is provided on its free forward end with a hand-engaging portion,

preferably in the form of aknob-likemember 24. This knob-like member is formed integral with lever 19 and, in section,.may assume the dome shape illustrated in Fig. 3. The lever 18 terminates short of the knob-like member 24, there preferably being a gap 25 between the end of said lever 18 and said knob-like member, as best illustrated in Fig. 3, to prevent unintended engagement between the two elements.

Insofar as the construction has been described, it should be quite-apparent that either one of the punches 22 may be operated by manually depressing the corresponding lever 18 or 19. It is also apparent that the lever 18 is not provided with a hand-engaging portion. This omission does not, however, interfere with the operation of the lever 18, inasmuch as it is of suflicient length to afford the necessary leverage required to depress the punch connected thereto.

In order to render both levers 18 and 19 operable in unison, means is provided on the lever 19 for selective interlocking engagement with the lever 18. The means illustrated in the embodiment disclosed in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, consists of a latch, generally indicated at 26. Latch 26 is fabricated from heavy gauge sheet steel so as to be resistant to distortion, and it includes a mounting portion 27 which is suitably arched to conform to the contour of the bottom face of the knob-like member 24. Both the knob-like member 24 and the arched latch portion 27 are apertured to receive a rivet 28 for securing the two parts together, rotatably. The latch 26 also includes a portion 29 which extends outwardly radially beyond the periphery of the knob-like member 24. This portion 29 has one marginal edge portion 31 turned upwardly and then inwardly over upon itself to define, in section, a U-shaped arm adapted to snugly embrace the free end portion of the handle 18 when the latch 26 is in the positions shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. When the latch is in such position, manual engagement of the knob-like member 24 and depression thereof towards the base 11 will cause both levers 18 and 19 to be rocked downwardly to actuate both punches in unison.

In order to permit independent operation of either lever 18 or 19, the latch 26 is rotated counter-clockwise a distance sufficient to free the U-shaped clamping portion from the lever 18, such as is illustrated in Fig. 4, whereupon either one of said levers 18 or 19 may be depressed independently of the other, to cause the related punch to be actuated. The structure described is such that there are no objectionable moving parts exposed on the top surface of the hand-engaging portion 24; consequently, the perforator is not objectionable in either appearance or use.

Referring to the disclosure in Figs. to 7, inclusive, the perforator is constructed substantially like that shown in Fig. 1. In this disclosure, the knob-like portion 24 which is carried on the lever 19, has a latch member 32 mounted upon its upper face. This latch member is substantially circular in shape and it is domed to conform to the dome of the knob-like portion 24. The latch 32 is provided with a downwardly extending flange 33 which embraces the rim of the knob-like member 24 and is cut away, as at 34, for a purpose to be described presently. The latch 32 has a pair of radial arms 35 and 36 disposed at an angle corresponding to the angle at which the levers 18 and 19 converge. The arm 35 overlies a portion of the lever 19 when in the position illustrated in Fig. 5, and the arm 36 overlies the free end portion of the lever 18. The arm 36 has an underlying portion or flange 37 (Fig. 7) which is adapted to engage beneath the lever 18 when the latch is in the position illustrated in Fig. 5. When in this position the latch securely locks the levers 18 and 19 together, so that both levers are operated in unison upon manual depression of the knob-like portion 24 to actuate both punches.

In order to permit independent operation of either lever 18 or 19, the latch member 32 is rotated about its pivot 28 into a position to carry the radial arms 35 and 36 out of vertical alignment with the levers 18 and 19. Such an unlatched position is illustrated in Fig. 6, where, it will be observed, the lever 18 is now free to be depressed independently of the lever 19. Similarly, the lever 19 may be depressed independently of the lever 18. Rotation of the latch member 32 in a counter-clockwise direction for the purpose of disengaging the arms 35 and 36 from the levers 19 and 18 respectively is limited by the stop 34 which abuts the edge of lever 19.

Referring now to the embodiment of the invention disclosed in Figs. 8 and 9, the punch structure per se is like that disclosed in Figs. 1 and 5, with the exception that the latch member 38, while being substantially like the latch member 32, is provided with very short radio arms 39 and 41. The latch member 38 is not, in this instance, provided with any means to positively clamp the lever 18; consequently, when the latch is in the position as illustrated in Fig. 8, both levers may be depressed upon manual depression of the knob-like member 24, or the lever 18 may be depressed independently of the lever 19. When the latch is rotated counter-clockwise a distance suflicient to carry its stop 34 into abutment with the arm 19, as illustrated in Fig. 9, either one or the other of the two levers 18 or 19 may be actuated without affecting the position of the other lever.

Figs. 10 and 11 illustrate still another embodiment of the invention in which no latch means is provided on the converging levers 18 and 19. In this instance, each lever carries on its forward free end one-half /2) of a knoblike member, as indicated at 24a and 24b. It should be obvious that both levers may be depressed simultaneously by placing the hand over both of the halves 24a and 24b, and then depressing both levers, and that either one or the other of said levers may be actuated independently of the other by engaging manually either half of the knoblike member.

It is believed that our invention, its mode of construction, and many of its advantages should be readily understood from the foregoing without further description, and it should also be manifest that while preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described for illustrative purposes, the structural details are, nevertheless, capable of wide variation within the purview of our invention as defined in the appended claims.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A perforating device comprising a base embodying a plurality of upright portions, each having a pivot fulcrum and a punch bearing, a plurality of punches one in each bearing, a pair of levers pivoted at one end, one in the fulcrum of each upright portion, the levers being operatively connected one to each punch, said levers converging toward their free ends, a knob carried on one of said levers, and rota-table means on the knob selectively engageable with the other lever so that both levers may be moved in unison.

2. A perforating device comprising a base embodying a plurality of upright portions each having a pivot fulcrum and a punch bearing, a plurality of punches one in each bearing, a pair of levers pivoted at one end one in the fuicrum of each upright portion, means connecting the levers one to each punch said levers converging toward their free ends, a knob carried on one of said levers, and a rotatable latch on the knob selectively engageable with the other lever so that both levers may be moved in unison.

3. A perforating device comprising a base embodying a plurality of upright portions each having a pivot fulcrum and a punch bearing, a plurality of punches one in each bearing, a pair of levers pivoted at one end one in the fulcrum of each upright portion, means connecting the levers one to each. punch said levers converging toward their free ends, a knob carried on one of said levers, and a clamp rotatable on said knob to selectively engage the other lever so that both levers may be moved in uni son.

4. A perforating device comprising a base embodying a plurality of upright portions each having a pivot fulcrum, a vertical punch bearing and a spring pocket, a pair of levers pivoted at one end one in the fulcrum of each upright portion, a plurality of punches one for each of said punch bearings, a plurality of transverse pins joining the punches one to each lever, a plurality of springs in said spring pockets bearing against said transverse pins for retracting the levers and punches, and a clamp rotatably mounted on one of said levers movable into embracing engagement with the other lever for operably connecting said levers.

5. A perforating device comprising a structure like that described in claim 4, in which a hand-engaging member is provided on the free end of one of said levers.

6. A perforating device comprising a structure like that described in claim 4, in which a hand-engaging member is provided on the free end of one of said levers and the clamp is carried by the said member.

7. A perforating device comprising a structure like that described in claim 4, in which the levers converge toward their free ends and a hand engaging member is provided on at least one of said levers.

8. A perforating device comprising a base embodying a plurality of upright portions each having a pivot fulcrum and a punch bearing, punches one in each bearing, punch operating levers pivoted at complemental ends, one in each pivot fulcrum, said levers converging toward their free other ends so as to locate said free ends in close proximity for manual engagement selectively, and a rotatable latch on one lever selectively positionable to engage the other lever to connect the levers for operation in unison.

9. A perforating device comprising a base, a pair of standards on said base each provided with a punch bearing and a pivot fulcrum, punches one in each bearing, a pair of levers pivoted at one end one in each pivot fulcrum each operable independently of the other to actuate a related punch, said levers extending generally in a common direction, and a rotatable latch carried by one of said levers selectively engageable with the other lever so as to operably connect said levers for punch actuating operation in unison.

10. A perforating device comprising a structure like that described in claim 9, in which the rotatable latch is movable into and out of overlapping relationship with the other lever.

11. A perforating device comprising a structure like that described in claim 9, in which the rotatable latch is movable into a position for engaging the other lever when the first named lever is operated during a punching operation.

12. A perforating device comprising a structure like that described in claim 9, in which the rotatable latch is carried on the free end of said one lever for engagement with the free end of the other lever.

13. A perforating device comprising a base, a pair of standards thereon each provided with a punch bearing and a bearing portion, punches supported in said punch bearings, levers one fulcrumed on each bearing portion each operable to actuate a related punch, and a latch rotatably mounted on one of said levers for selective detachable engagement with the other lever to cause said levers to be actuated in unison upon operation of either lever.

14. A perforating device of the kind described in claim 13, in which one of said levers has a domed handengaging portion.

15. A perforating device including levers actuable each to operate a punch connected therewith, a domed handengaging portion on one of said levers, a latch rotatabiy mounted on said dome, an arm on said latch, said arm being U-shaped in section to embrace an end portion of the other lever when positioned to lock the levers together for operation in unison.

16. A perforating device including levers actuable each to operate a punch connected therewith, a hand engaging portion on one of said levers, a latch rotatably mounted on said hand engaging portion, an arm on said latch, said arm being U-shaped in section to embrace the other lever when positioned to lock the levers together for operation in unison.

17. A perforating device including levers actuable each to operate a punch connected therewith, a hand engaging portion on one of said levers, a latch rotatably mounted on said hand engaging portion, an arm on said latch, said arm including means to engage the other lever when positioned to lock the levers together for operation in unison.

18. A perforating device comprising a base embodying a plurality of upright portions, each having a pivot fulcrum and a punch bearing, a plurality of punches one in each bearing, a pair of levers pivoted at one end, one in the fulcrum of each upright portion, the levers being operatively connected one to each punch, a knob carried on one of said levers, and rotatable means on the knob selectively engageable with the other lever so that both levers may be moved in unison.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 634,304 Mendenhall Oct. 3, 1899 1,632,417 Roebel June 14, 1927 1,650,019 Kline Nov. 22, 1927 2,323,859 Wheatley July 6, 1943 2,436,801 Gasio Mar. 2, 1948 2,558,044 Emmet June 26, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 26,188 Great Britain of 1905 134,728 Great Britain Nov. 13, 1919

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