Stapleless stapler

A stapleless paper fastening apparatus comprising:

• a base;
• a housing mounted on said base;
• a tubular member mounted on said housing, said tubular member having a inwardly extending annular flange at a bottom end, the flange defining a central aperture;
• a shaft in tubular member, coaxial therewith and slidable axially through said central aperture into said housing;
• a handle reciprocally mounted on said tubular member for movement towards and away from said housing, said handle including an outer annular member slidable on the outside of said tubular member, and also having an inner annular member slidable on the inside of said tubular member;
• a spring positioned between said annular flange and a bottom end of said inner annular member, urging said handle away from said housing;
• said shaft attached at an upper end to said handle for movement with said handle;
• a punch and chisel reciprocally mounted in said housing for movement by said shaft, said punch having a hollow U-shaped cross-section adapted to cut a tongue-shaped section from said sheets;
• a bending member pivotally mounted in said punch, said bending member including means for engaging on the bottom part of said housing to pivot the bending member;
• the whole arranged such that initial actuation of said handle pushes down said punch and said chisel to cut tongue-shaped sections from said sheet and cut a slot in said sheet, continued actuation of the handle pivoting said bending member to bend up to the tongue for insertion into the slot cut by said chisel.