Paper guide for tape perforators with an automatic pitch-adapted threading mechanism for the feed element zone

A device for guiding and feeding punched tape comprising:

• a guide track having a punched tape support surface thereon, flange means depending from said guide track, a feed wheel rotatably carried by said flange means having a portion thereof projecting above the said support surface in the area of the said support surface, a first pivotable member pivotably attached to the feed track having a portion positioned above the said support surface, the first pivotable member having a first guide surface opposed to the said support surface, a second pivotable member pivotably attached to the said guide track having a portion thereof positioned above the said support with a second guide surface opposed to the said support surface, the said first pivotable member having a portion overlying the feed wheel, the said pivotable members pivotable towards and away from one another between an open punched tape feeding position with the guide surfaces spaced from the support surface and the feed wheel and a closed position, the guide surface of the first pivotable member urging a punched tape positioned atop the support surface into engagement with the feed wheel when in the closed position, releasable latch means retaining the first pivotable member in the closed position, abuttment means carried by the second pivotable member engaging the first pivotable member in the open position restricting movement of the first pivotable member away from the second pivotable member with the guide surfaces aligned to guide a tape through the device between the guide surfaces and the support surface, first spring means urging the first pivotable member away from the guide track, second spring means urging the second pivotable member towards the first pivotable member.