US3908498A

US3908498A - Punching apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3908498A
Application number: US415672A
Authority: US
Inventors: Paul E Seaborn
Original assignee: Mead Corp
Current assignee: Mead Corp
Priority date: 1973-11-14
Filing date: 1973-11-14
Publication date: 1975-09-30
Anticipated expiration: 1992-09-30
Also published as: JPS585160B2; JPS5080588A; FR2250615B1; IT1023050B; CA1015264A; DE2453687A1; GB1481523A; FR2250615A1

Abstract

Punching apparatus for punching binder holes through the edge of a large count book of paper in a single punching operation. The apparatus includes a splitter for separating one edge of the book into several discrete lifts which are inserted between a plurality of stacked die plates having aligned die openings formed therethrough. Clamping apparatus clamps the lifts between the die plates and punching mechanism drives a series of punches through the aligned die openings in the die plates and through edges of the sheets clamped between the die plates.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 Seaborn 1 Sept. 30, 1975 PUNCHING APPARATUS [75] lnventor: Paul E. Seaborn, Los Gatos, Calif.

[73] Assignee: The Mead Corporation, Dayton,

Ohio

[22] Filed: Nov. 14, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 415,672

[52] U.S. Cl. 83/210; 83/29; 83/282; 83/418; 83/4401; 83/449; 83/691; 93/93 DP;

[51] Int. Cl. B26F 1/02 [58] Field of Search 83/29, 210, 418, 454, 456, 83/382, 440, 440.1, 444, 449, 450, 691, 687, 282, 685, 690, 137, 635, 637; 93/93 DP;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,278,288 3/1942 Sadlcr 83/635 X 2,776,540 l/l957 Kraujalis.... 83/137 X 3,107,567 10/1963 Lindcr 83/137 X 3,130,623 4/1964 Nesbitt 83/635 X 3,627,152 12/1971 Pfafilc 214/85 SS 3,667,334 6/1972 Brunett 3,757,970 9/1973 Pfafflc 93/93 DP FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 26,470 1912 United Kingdom 83/29 Primary E.\'aminer.l. M. Meister Attorney, Agent, or FirmBiebel, French & Bugg 5 7 ABSTRACT Punching apparatus for punching binder holes through the edge of a large count book of paper in a single punching operation. The apparatus includes a splitter for separating one edge of the book into several discrete lifts which are inserted between a plurality of stacked die plates having aligned die openings formed therethrough. Clamping apparatus clamps the lifts between the die plates and punching mechanism drives a series of punches through the aligned die openings in the die plates and through edges of the sheets clamped between the die plates.

15 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures II I ssut U.S. Patent Sept. 30,1975 Sheet 1 of 5 3,908,498

US. Patent Sept. 30,1975 Sheet 2 of5 3,908,498

FIG-4 32 26 I0 US. Patent Sept. 30,1975 Sheet 3 of5 3,908,498

FIG-8 FIG-9 RE. CELL 56 CONTROL PUNCH CLAMP CYLINDERS CYLINDERS CONVEYOR DRIVE U.S. Patent Sept. 30,1975 Sheet4 of5 3,908,498

FIG 10 U.S. Patent Sept. 30,1975 Sheet 5 of5 3,908,498

6 4: bag; I

A 4 M 45m PUNCHING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the manufacture of bound notebooks, it is common practice to form a plurality of openings along one edge of the book and then insert a binder of some type through these openings. For example, see US. Pat. No. 3,555,587 which describes a substantially automatic system for binding books of paper or the like.

Generally, when manufacturing relatively large count notebooks, the punching operation to form the binder receiving holes is carried out in a series of steps, with the book first being separated into lifts of a' thickness susceptible of being handled by the punching equipment. Then, after the punching operation, the lifts are collected into a book preparatory to the binding operation.

Obviously, this affects the productivity of the book manufacturing process since, in other phases of the process the book can be handled as a unit, whereas in the punching operation the book must first be separated, handled as a series of sub-units and then are as sembled into book form before further processing can proceed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides apparatus for punching binder receiving openings through edges of relatively large count books in a single punch operation, without the necessity of separating the book into lifts, punching each lift separately and collecting the punched lifts into book form.

This is accomplished by utilizing a plurality of stacked die plates having aligned die openings and extending in spaced parallel relationship to each other to receive therebetween the edges of a book of paper to be punched.

To facilitate inserting the edges of the book between the spaced die plates, a splitter section is incorporated in the punching apparatus positioned upstream of the die plates and incorporating a plurality of pivotally mounted knives which separate the edge ofa book into discrete lifts and direct the separated edges between guide plates which feed the separated edges between the spaced apart die plates.

A punch holder is positioned adjacent the die plates and carries a plurality of punches aligned with the die openings in the die plates. A punch guide plate is positioned intermediate the die plates and the punch holder and has a series of guide holes formed therethrough for receiving and guiding punches. The punch guide plate also serves as a clamping means and is attached to hydraulic piston and cylinders which move the punch guide plate towards the stack of die plates to clamp the separated edges of the book therebetween.

The punch holder is also attached to hydraulic piston and cylinders which drive the punches up through the aligned openings in the die plates. As the punches enter the first lift of paper, the punchings are sheared off by the sharpened edge of the die hole in the first die plate. These punchings, driven by the following punches, then enter the next lift of paper and shear it off against the second die plate. This process continues with the punchings moving ahead of the punches and, in effect, acting as punches and cooperating with the edges of the die openings in each die plate. As a result, the entire book can be punched with a single stroke of the punches.

Upon completion of the punching operation, the punches retract, the punch guide plate moves away from the die plates, and a spring loaded spacer opens the die plates and seats them against stops which hold the plates in their spaced apart relationship.

Preferably, monitoring means such as a photoelectric cell is incorporated into the system to inhibit the punching operation in the absence of a book at the punching station. Additionally, controls are provided in a preferred form of the invention to insure that the book is clamped tightly between the die plates before the punches are extended in a punching stroke. Clamping of the edges between the die plates is considered important to keep the plates flat and aligned and thereby prevent the punches from catching on the edges of the plates and damaging the machine.

In this regard alignment means is also provided to insure that the punch holder, and hence, the punches, are in alignment with each other and moving uniformly through the die plates. The alignment means comprises a stabilizing link connected through additional links at one end to clevises mounted on the machine base and pivotally connected at its opposite end to the punch holder. This linkage system prevents one end of the punch plate from moving ahead of the other end during a punching stroke.

The present invention also includes means for ejecting the punchings from the apparatus to prevent them from falling back into the die holes and interferring with operation of the machine. This includes drilled holes through each of the punches through which timed air jets may be directed.

As will become more apparent in the ensuing detailed description, the present invention thus provides a system for punching openings through the edges of relatively large count books in a single punching operation, thereby avoiding the necessity of punching the book in several separate operations and thereby increasing the productivity of the process line.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of punching appartaus in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the punching station taken along line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a book following the punching operation;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the splitter section and the upstream end of the punching station as viewed from the rear of the machine;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a pivotal knife associ ated with the splitter section;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view showing a book with the edges thereof separated into discrete lifts and directed between the guide plates of the splitter section;

FIG. 7 is a view showing a book entering the upstream end of the splitter station;

FIG. 8 is a view of the front side of the punching station taken substantially along line 88 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of the control system of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a view of the rear side of the punching station taken along line l010 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the punch holder and punches carried thereby;

FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view through the punch holder, punch quide plate, die plates and die block;

FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 2, enlarged somewhat and with portions omitted for clarity;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of a portion of the stacked die plates and lifts of paper; and

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the punch guide plate, die plates and die block and one die plate stop.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Although for purposes of illustration the apparatus of the present invention will be described in conjunction with the punching of a series of binder receiving holes along one edge of a book of paper designed to be bound in notebook form, it will be apparent as the description proceeds that the present invention is applicable to punching operations generally.

With this in mind and turning initially of FIG. 3 of the drawings, a punched book 10 is shown for purposes of illustration having formed therein along one edge 12 thereof a series of relatively closely spaced holes 14 which may receive, for example. a helical wire binder, and relatively larger holes 16 suitable for receiving ring binders of a conventional type associated with loose leaf notebook covers. Usually the book 10 will be bound by inserting a suitable binder through the openings l4 and the openings 16 provided so that; the consumer can place the notebook in a two or three ring loose leaf binder.

To form the

openings

14 and 16, the apparatus of the present invention, as generally shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, is provided. This includes a housing 18 enclosing suitable electrical and hydraulic or pneumatic equipment, a conveyor 20, and a punching unit 22 positioned at a punching station along the conveyor. As seen in FIG. I of the drawings, as books of paper are moved along the conveyor by pushers 24, lower edges of the sheets comprising the book are maintained in alignment by a rail 26 (FIG. 5) and their downstream edges are maintained in alignment by engagement with the pushers 24 riding in the slots 28.

As the books progress in a downstream direction from left to right, as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1 of the drawings, the lower leading edge of each book is directed into a splitting section 30. The splitting section 30, as best seen in FIGS. 4, 6 and 7 of the drawings, includes a series of knives 32 each of which has a knife edge 34 extending at an angle to the direction of movement of the books 10. Each knife 32 is pivotally mounted, as at 36, to allow limited pivoting movement of the knife as it engages the leading edge of a book 10 to prevent binding of the knife at the initial stage of the splitting operation. Set screws 38 are mounted in a bracket 39 adjacent the mounting 40 for each knife 32 to limit pivoting movement of the knives.

Immediately downstream of each knife is a guide member, each of the guide members being of progressively decreasing length in a downstream direction as shown at 42, 44, 46 and 48 in FIG. 4 of the drawings. The

guides

42, 44, 46 and 48 separate the lower edge of each book into discrete lifts 50 (FIG. 5) and direct the lifts between spaced die plates 52, each of which is provided with a sharpened upstream edge, as indicated at 54 in FIG. 4 of the drawings.

The movement of the pushers 24 along the conveyor 20 is intermittent and is controlled by a control unit, as seen in FIG. 9 of the drawings, in response to a photoelectric cell 56 mounted within a shroud 58, as seen in FIGS. I and 2 of the drawings. Thus, the control unit may incorporate a timer which deactivates the drive for a predetermined length of time upon the detection of a book at the punching station by the photoelectric cell 56.

Alternately, the conveyor drive may be simply deenergized by the control unit in response to a signal from the photoelectric cell 56 and reenergized by a punching stroke. Regardless of the specific control mechanism utilized, once a book 10 is positioned at the punching station the divided edges 50 of the book are clamped between the die plates 52 and the

openings

14 and 16 shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings are punched through the book in the manner described in detail below.

With reference to FIGS. 8 and 10 of the drawings, it will be seen that the punching unit 22 includes a pair of side frame members 60 to which are attached by bolts or the like a bottom cylinder plate 62 and a top die block 64.

Members

60, 62 and 64 can also be seen in FIG. 13 of the drawings where it will be noted that

bottom members

62 and 64 are provided with pin holes 66 and bolt holes 68 for interconnecting the side. top and bottom members.

The cylinder plate 62 has a pair of outer clamp cylinders 70 and an inner clamping cylinder 72 attached thereto by bolts or the like (not shown) and a pair of spaced apart punching cylinders 74 which are also attached to the cylinder plate 62 by suitable bolts or other fastening.

The clamping cylinders 70 have piston rods 76 projecting therefrom the clamp blocks 78 are provided with internally threaded openings 80 to receive the upper threaded ends of each of the piston rods 76. Set screws 82 may also be provided to fix the upper ends of the piston rods within the clamp blocks.

Each of the clamp blocks 78 is provided with a shouldered portion, as at 84, which seats a complementary shouldered portion 86 at each end of a punch guide plate 88. The punch guide plate 88 is also provided with a threaded opening 90 to receive a bolt 92 and attach the punch guide plate, adjacent each end thereof, to the clamp blocks 78.

The upper die block 64 is provided with an opening therethrough adjacent each end receiving a pair of press fitted downwardly extending guide pins 94. Each of the guide pins 94, as best seen in FIG. 15 of the drawings, is received in slightly oversized openings 96 in each of the die plates 52 and in a similar oversized opening 98 in the punch guide plate 88.

The middle clamping cylinder 72 is provided with an outwardly extending piston rod 100 fixed to a substantially C-shaped center clamping bar 102, as best seen in FIGS. 8, I0 and I3 of the drawings. At its upper end the center clamp bar 102 is bolted or otherwise attached to the lower surface of the punch guide plate 88.

With the above construction it will be seen that upon extension of the

piston rods

76 and 100 the punch guide plate 88 will move upwardly toward the die block 64 guided by the guide pins 94, narrowing the lift receiving spaces between adjacent die plates 52 and clamping the lifts 50 therebetween.

With further reference to FIGS. 8 and 10 through 13 of the drawings, it will be seen that each of the punching cylinders 74 is provided with an outwardly, extending piston rod 104 carrying a clevis 106 at its upper end. Each of the clevises 106 is received in a slotted portion 108 of a punch holder 110 positioned beneath the punch guide plate 88 and between the clamp blocks 78 and is pinned thereto, as at 112.

The punch holder 110, as best seen in FIGS. 11 and 12, includes a base portion 114 which is slotted, as at 116, and notched, as at 118. Relatively large diameter punches 120 suitable for punching the openings 16 have the shanks 121 thereof received in the notches 118 with the enlarged heads 122 received in the slots 116. The punches 120 are prevented from moving axially thereof by means of the enlarged heads 122 and are restrained against lateral movement by the fact that they are received in slightly larger sized openings extending through the punch guide plate 88, die plates 52 and top die block 64, as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 8 and indicated by the

reference numerals

124, 126 and 128, respectively, in FIG. 15 of the drawings.

With reference again to FIGS. 11 and 12, it will be seen that the punch holder 1 also includes a top plate member 130 which is undercut, as at 132, and provided with a series of openings 134 therethrough receiving shank portions 135 of punches 136 of somewhat smaller diameter than the diameter of the punches 120. The punches 136 with the heads 137 thereof received in the undercut portion 132 are suitable for forming the openings 14 in the books 10.

Members

114 and 130 are secured together by means of pins 138 and bolts 140 received in suitable openings in their opposing sur faces.

With this construction it will be seen that after the edges of the lifts 50 have been clamped between the die plates 52, as described above, the cylinders 74 are pressurized, causing their piston rods 104 to move the punch holder 110 and the

punches

122 and 136 upwardly through the edges of the lifts 50, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 14 of the drawings. As each of the punches moves through the lowermost die plate, the leading edge of the punches, cooperating with the edge of the die hole through which it is extended, that is the holes 126 with regard to the punches 120 and holes 142 (see FIG. with regard to the punches 136, will sever openings in the lowermost lift 50.

As the punches continue to move upwardly, the

punchings

144 and 146 severed from the lowermost sheet are forced ahead and cooperate with the edges of the die openings through which they are driven by the punches to punch a series of openings through the next succeeding lift. This continues, with the punchings from preceeding lifts being driven ahead of the punches and cooperating with the die openings to punch holes through succeeding lifts.

As a result, the entire book 10 can be punched in a single punching stroke, eliminating the necessity of dividing each book, punching the divided sections and recollecting the sections into book form. If desired, each of the punches 120 and 136 can also be provided with drilled

air jet openings

148 and 150, respectively, timed jets of air blown through the openings to blow out the

punchings

144 and 146 and prevent them from accummulating in the machine.

It is important that the punches move in alignment during a punching stroke. To insure that this does occur, aligning means are provided for the punch holder, as best seen in FIGS. 8, l0 and 13 of the drawings.

Thus, the punch holder is slotted, as at 152, adjacent each end thereof and receives the upper ends 153 of the legs of a substantially H-shaped stabilizing link 154 which is pinned to the punch holder by means of pins 156, as best seen in FIG. 8 of the drawings. The lower ends 157 of the legs of the stabilizing link 154 are inned, as indicated at 158, to connecting links 160, each of which is also pinned, as at 162, to brackets 163 mounted on the cylinder plate 62.

After the

openings

14 and 16 have been punched through the book, the punches are retracted and the piston rods 76 are moved downwardly along with the clamp blocks 78 and the punch guide plate 88. To provide a positive opening force on the die plates 52 once the clamping force is removed therefrom, the die plate lifters 164 are provided, as best seen in FIGS. 10 and 15 of the drawings.

Thus, the top die block 64 is provided with an opening 166 therethrough adjacent each end into which the pins 164 are slip fitted with their stepped lower ends 168 extending downwardly through the

openings

170, 172, 174, etc., through each end of the die plates 52. The stepped portions 168 of the pins 164 are complementarily configured with respect to the

openings

170, 172, etc., through the die plates 52, and the pins 164 are urged downwardly by means of a spring 176 received in a housing 177, as seen in FIG. 8 of the drawings, so that the stepped shank portions of the pins will pick up a die plate 52 as the pins 164 move downwardly when the clamping force is removed from the die plates.

Stops 178, as best seen in FIGS. 10 and 15 of the drawings, are mounted on the side plates 60 by bolts or the like adjacent each end of the die plate stack. The upper, inner edge of each stop 178 is of stepped configuration, providing a plurality of die plate seats 180, upon which the die plates rest when they are separated from their clamped position by the spring loaded pins To insure that the edges of the lifts 50 are aligned as they are received between the guide plates 52, eccentric pins 182, as seen in FIGS, 12 and 15, are provided. Each of the pins 182 is threadably received in the die block 64 and has an eccentric shaft portion 184 extending downwardly through openings 186 in the die plates 52. Because .of the eccentricity of the shaft portion 184 with respect to the threaded upper portion 188 thereof, turning the pins 182 about their axes will cause the eccentric portion 184 to move within the openings 186 and provide a fine adjustment for aligning the edges of the lifts'50.

As indicated somewhat schematically in FIG. 9 of the drawings, a control unit for the apparatus receives signals from the photoelectric cell 56 when a book 10 reaches the punching station. The control unit then halts the conveyor drive and causes the

clamp cylinders

70 and 72 to be pressurized. Pressurization of the clamp cylinders causes the lifts 50 along an edge of a book 10 to be clamped between the die plates 52, and the clamping action is conveyed to the control unit, which then energizes the punching cylinders 74, causing the punches and 136 to move upwardly and, as described above,

formthe openings

14 and 16 in a single stroke of the punching mechanism.

The control for the punching operation may be timer actuated or controlled in response to the accomplishment of steps in the punching operation to thereafter cause the punches to react, the die plates to be unclamped and the conveyor drive actuated to move the punched book from the punching station and move a second unpunched book into position.

From the above it will be seen that the present invention provides punching apparatus which allows a high count book to be punched in a single punching operation, thereby providing a more simplified process and permitting higher production rates.

While the form of apparatus herein described constitutes a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise form of apparatus, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. Punching apparatus comprising:

a. a conveyor adapted to move discrete books of paper past a punching station,

b. a plurality of splitter knives having edges extending angularly to leading edges of said books,

c. means mounting said knives for pivotal movement about axes extending transversely across the path of movement of said books along said conveyor,

d. a plurality of guides adapted to receive therebetween lifts of paper divided from said books along an edge thereof by said knives and maintain said lifts in spaced apart relationship as they move along said conveyor from said knives to said punching station,

e. a plurality of die plates positioned at said punching station and extending in spaced parallel relationship to each other to define a plurality oflift receiving spaces therebetween adapted to receive said lifts from said guides as said lifts are conveyed to said punching station,

' f. means defining a plurality of aligned die openings extending through said die plates,

g. die plate stop members having stepped die plate engaging seats adapted to engage stepped edges of said die plates and support said die plates in said spaced parallel relationship,

h. die plate spacer pins having a plurality of shoulders of progressively decreasing diameters received in complementary shaped openings in said die plates,

i. means urging said spacer pins toward said die plates to engage said die plates with said shoulders and seat said die plates on said die plate engaging seats on said stop members,

j. a die block extending across said die plates,

k. a punch guide plate extending beneath said die plates and having punch guide holes therethrough aligned with said die openings in said die plates,

1. a punch holder extending beneath said punch guide plate and carrying a plurality of punches received in and guided by said punch guide holes in said punch guide plate,

m. a bottom cylinder plate extending beneath said punch holder in spaced relationship thereto,

n. side plates extending between and fixed to said die block and said bottom plate,

0. a plurality of clamp cylinders mounted on said bottom cylinder plate and having piston rods extending therefrom attached to said punch guide plate,

p. a plurality of punch cylinders mounted on said bottom cylinder plate and having piston rods extending therefrom attached to said punch holder, and

q. link means pivotally attached to and extending between said punch holder and said bottom plate to stabilize movement of said punch plate toward and away from said die block.

2. Punching apparatus comprising:

a. a plurality of stacked die plates extending in spaced relationship to each other and defining a plurality of spaced apart, lift receiving spaces between adjacent die plates,

b. means defining a plurality of aligned die openings extending through said stacked die plates,

c. means for moving said die plates toward each other to clamp portions of a plurality of lifts received between said die plates in said lift receiving spaces,

d. a plurality of punches aligned with said openings in said die plates,

e. means for moving said punches into said openings in said die plates to punch holes through said portions oflifts clamped between said die plates in said lift receiving spaces, and

f. die plate stop members having stepped die plate engaging seats adapted to engage stepped edges of said die plates and support said die plates in said spaced relationship.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:

a. die plate spacer pins having a plurality of shoulders of progressively decreasing diameters,

b. means defining a plurality of openings of progressively decreasing diameters formed in said die plates complementary to and receiving said shoulders of said spacer pins, and

c. means urging said spacer pins toward said die plates to engage said die plates with said shoulders and urge said die plates into engagement with said seats on said die plate stop members.

4. Punching apparatus comprising:

d. a plurality of punches aligned with said openings in said die plates,

e. means for moving said punches into said openings in said die plates to punch holes through said portions of lifts clamped between said die plates in said lift receiving spaces,

f. die plate spacer pins having a plurality of shoulders of progressively decreasing diameters,

g. means defining a plurality of openings of progressively decreasing diameters formed in said die plates complementary to and receiving said shoulders of said spacer pins, and

h. means urging said spacer pins toward said die plates to engage said die plates with said shoulders and urge said die plates into said spaced relationship thereof.

5. Punching apparatus comprising:

a. a plurality of stacked die plates extending in spaced relationship to each other and defining a plurality of'spaced apart, lift receiving spaces between adjacent die plates,

b. means defining a plurality of aligned die openings extending through said stacked die plates, c. means for moving said die plates toward each other to clamp portions of a plurality of lifts received be-- a. said die plate moving means comprises clamping piston and cylinder means.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said die plate loving means further comprises:

a. a punching guide plate extending across the stack of said die plates, and

b. means mounting said punching guide plate on piston rods of said clamping piston and cylinder means.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising:

a. means defining a plurality of punch guide holes in said punch guide plate aligned with said die openings.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising:

a. a puncher holder extending substantially coextensively with said punch guide plate and carrying said punches with said punches received in said punch guide holes. 10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said means for moving said punches into said openings in said die plates comprises:

a. punching piston and cylinder means having outer ends of piston rods thereof attached to said punch holder.

11. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein:

a. said punch moving means comprises punching piston and cylinder means.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising:

a. a punch holder carrying said punches, and

b. means attaching said punching piston and cylinder means to said punch holder.

13. the apparatus of claim 5 wherein said directing means comprises:

a. a plurality of knives for engaging a leading edge of a book and separating an adjacent edge thereof into discrete lifts, and

b. means mounting said knives for pivotal movement about axes extending perpendicular to the direction of movement of said conveyor.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said directing means further comprises:

a. guide means extending from said knives to said die plates and maintaining lifts separated from each other as books thereof move along said conveying means from said knives to said die plates.

15. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising:

a. means for detecting the presence of a book at said spaced die plates, and

b. means for controlling clamping movement of said die plates in response to said detecting means. =1:

Claims

1. Punching apparatus comprising: a. a conveyor adapted to move discrete books of paper past a punching station, b. a plurality of splitter knives having edges extending angularly to leading edges of said books, c. means mounting said knives for pivotal movement about axes extending transversely across the path of movement of said books along said conveyor, d. a plurality of guides adapted to receive therebetween lifts of paper divided from said books along an edge thereof by said knives and maintain said lifts in spaced apart relationship as they move along said conveyor from said knives to said punching station, e. a plurality of die plates positioned at said punching station and extending in spaced parallel relationship to each other to define a plurality of lift receiving spaces therebetween adapted to receive said lifts from said guides as said lifts are conveyed to said punching station, f. means defining a plurality of aligned die openings extending through said die plates, g. die plate stop members having stepped die plate engaging seats adapted to engage stepped edges of said die plates and support said die plates in said spaced parallel relationship, h. die plate spacer pins having a plurality of shoulders of progressively decreasing diameters received in complementary shaped openings in said die plates, i. means urging said spacer pins toward said die plates to engage said die plates with said shoulders and seat said die plates on said die plate engaging seats on said stop members, j. a die block extending across said die plates, k. a punch guide plate extending beneath said die plates and having punch guide holes therethrough aligned with said die openings in said die plates, l. a punch holder extending beneath said punch guide plate and carrying a plurality of punches received in and guided by said punch guide holes in said punch guide plate, m. a bottom cylinder plate extending beneath said punch holder in spaced relationship thereto, n. side plates extending between and fixed to said die block and said bottom plate, o. a plurality of clamp cylinders mounted on said bottom cylinder plate and having piston rods extending therefrom attached to said punch guide plate, p. a plurality of punch cylinders mounted on said bottom cylinder plate and having piston rods extending therefrom attached to said punch holder, and q. link means pivotally attached to and extending between said punch holder and said bottom plate to stabilize movement of said punch plate toward and away from said die block.

2. Punching apparatus comprising: a. a plurality of stacked die plates extending in spaced relationship to each other and defining a plurality of spaced apart, lift receiving spaces between adjacent die plates, b. means defining a plurality of aligned die openings extending through said stacked die plates, c. means for moving said die plates toward each other to clamp portions of a plurality of lifts received between said die plates in said lift receiving spaces, d. a plurality of punches aligned with said openings in said die plates, e. means for moving said punches into said openings in said die plates to punch holes through said portions of lifts clamped between said die plates in said lift receiving spaces, and f. die plate stop members having stepped die plate engaging seats adapted to engage stepped edges of said die plates and support said die plates in said spaced relationship.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising: a. die plate spacer pins having a plurality of shoulders of progressively decreasing diameters, b. means defining a plurality of openings of progressively decreasing diameters formed in said die plates complementary to and receiving said shoulders of said spacer pins, and c. means urging said spacer pins toward said die plates to engage said die plates with said shoulders and urge said die plates into engagement with said seats on said die plate stop members.

4. Punching apparatus comprising: a. a plurality of stacked die plates extending in spaced relationship to each other and defining a plurality of spaced apart, lift receiving spaces between adjacent die plates, b. means defining a plurality of aligned die openings extending through said stacked die plates, c. means for moving said die plates toward each other to clamp portions of a plurality of lifts received between said die plates in said lift receiving spaces, d. a plurality of punches aligned with said openings in said die plates, e. means for moving said punches into said openings in said die plates to punch holes through said portions of lifts clamped between said die plates in said lift receiving spaces, f. die plate spacer pins having a plurality of shoulders of progressively decreasing diameters, g. means defining a plurality of openings of progressively decreasing diameters formed in said die plates complementary to and receiving said shoulders of said spacer pins, and h. means urging said spacer pins toward said die plates to engage said die plates with said shoulders and urge said die plates into said spaced relationship thereof.

5. Punching apparatus comprising: a. a plurality of stacked die plates extending in spaced relationship to each other and defining a plurality of spaced apart, lift receiving spaces between adjacent die plates, b. means defining a plurality of aligned die openings extending through said stacked die plates, c. means for moving said die plates toward each other to clamp portions of a plurality of lifts received between said die plates in said lift receiving spaces, d. a plurality of punches aligned with said openings in said die plates, e. means for moving said punches into said openings in said die plates to punch holes through said portions of lifts clamped between said die plates in said lifting receiving spaces, f. means for conveying books to be punched to said stacked die plates, and g. means for directing separated lifts into said lift receiving spaces as a book moves along said conveying means.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein: a. said die plate moving means comprises clamping piston and cylinder means.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said die plate moving means further comprises: a. a punching guide plate extending across the stack of said die plates, and b. means mounting said punching guide plate on piston rods of said clamping piston and cylinder means.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising: a. means defining a plurality of punch guide holes in said punch guide plate aligned with said die openings.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising: a. a puncher holder extending substantially coextensively with said punch guide plate and carrying said punches with said punches received in said punch guide holes.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said means for moving said punches into said openings in said die plates comprises: a. punching piston and cylinder means having outer ends of piston rods thereof attached to said punch holder.

11. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein: a. said punch moving means comprises punching piston and cylinder means.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising: a. a punch holder carrying said punches, and b. means attaching said punching piston and cylinder means to said punch holder.

13. the apparatus of claim 5 wherein said directing means comprises: a. a plurality of knives for engaging a leading edge of a book and separating an adjacent edge thereof into discrete lifts, and b. means mounting said knives for pivotal movement about axes extending perpendicular to the direction of movement of said conveyor.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said directing means further comprises: a. guide means extending from said knives to said die plates and maintaining lifts separated from each other as books thereof move along said conveying means from said knives to said die plates.

15. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising: a. means for detecting the presence of a book at said spaced die plates, and b. means for controlling clamping movement of said die plates in response to said detecting means.