Machines for punching and for closing wire binding elements

A machine for punching and, subsequently, binding, a packet of sheets into book form, said machine being adapted for use with a wire binding element of the type that must be compressed from an open loop configuration to a closed loop configuration through a series of perforations in said packet of sheets, said machine comprising

• a punch that includes a series of punches for forming a series of perforations in said packet of sheets,
• a press for binding said packet of sheets together with said wire binding element, said press including a movable press plate adapted to compress said wire binding elements against a fixed press plate from open loop to closed loop configuration through the perforations in said packet,
• a first mechanical drive connected with said punch, said first mechanical drive being adapted to move said punches through a lesser distance at a greater mechanical advantage than said press plate is so moved, said first mechanical drive comprising a pinion connected to said operating member, and said pinion meshing with a rack formed on each of said punches,
• a second mechanical drive connected with said press, said second mechanical drive being adapted to move said press plate through a greater distance at a lesser mechanical advantage than said punches are so moved, said second machanical drive comprising a link connecting said press plate and said operating member, and
• an operating member connected with said first and second mechanical drives for operating said mechanical drives when desired, both said punch and said press being operated through that one operating member,
• said punches being particularly driven to perforate a packet of sheets within said punch, and said press plate being moved in a compressing direction to close a wire binding element within said press, as said operating member is activated.