Abstract:
A punch assisting apparatus usable in combination with one of a plurality of punches includes an apparatus base and a handle pivotably attached to the apparatus base, the apparatus base being provided with a punch holder integrated therein which allows the plurality of punches having different sizes to be independently positioned and fixed in accordance with their respective sizes. The punch holder is configured so as to provide both a use position and a nonuse position by changing its posture; whereby, when a punch is mounted to the punch assisting apparatus to replace the one previously mounted, the punch can always be positioned at a given position regardless of the type of punch. Since the punch assisting apparatus is provided with a punch holder combined in one piece, the punch assisting apparatus and punch holder can always be handled together, which makes managing them easier.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a punch assisting apparatus used in combination with a punch, which is used for punching an appropriately-shaped hole in a sheet material mainly made of paper or the like to form a sheet member having the appropriately-shaped hole, or to form a patterned sheet material or other goods by adhering the cut out piece on a different sheet material. 
         [0003]    More particularly, it relates to a punch assisting apparatus which allows a plurality of punches having different sizes (outer dimensions) to be independently mounted thereon. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Heretofore, there have been known punching apparatuses for allowing patterns having different shapes to be cut out by replacing a punch mounted thereon, such punching apparatuses being composed of a punch assisting apparatus and one of a plurality of punches each having a shape different from the others. 
         [0006]    As one of the punching apparatuses described above, a punch activating apparatus is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,145,425 that includes a lever pivotably attached to a bracket on a base and allows an appropriately-shaped pattern to be punched out from a paper sheet or the like by fitting a punch into an aperture of a template and pressing the lever down on the punch, the template being detachably fixed on the base. This punch activating apparatus can be provided with a template having a plurality of differently shaped apertures and a plurality of punches corresponding to the respective apertures, and allows a specified pattern to be punched out by fitting a specified punch into the specifically shaped aperture. 
         [0007]    However, although the punch activating apparatus disclosed in the patent document allows appropriately-shaped patterns to be punched out by changing punches, since a plurality of apertures corresponding to a plurality of differently shaped punches are formed in a template, it is necessary to place a matching aperture at a target area every time a punch is changed, which brings about a troublesome process of positioning the template. Additionally, arranging a plurality of apertures in one template consequently causes the size of the template to become large; accordingly, the size of the punch activating apparatus becomes large. Furthermore, since the punch pressing portion is disposed apart from the handle pivoting portion, the length of the handle has to be made longer to reduce the required pressing force, which also causes the size of the punch activating apparatus to become large. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention addresses the above problems with the object of providing a punch assisting apparatus such that, when a plurality of punches having different sizes (outer dimensions) are used, changing of a punch can be readily carried out and each punching operation can be performed according to a routine procedure regardless of the type of punch. 
         [0009]    In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention provides a punch assisting apparatus usable in combination with one of a plurality of punches consisting of an apparatus base and a handle pivotably attached to the apparatus base, wherein the apparatus base has a punch holder integrated therein which allows the plurality of punches having different sizes to be independently positioned and fixed in accordance with their respective sizes, the punch holder being configured so as to provide both a use position and a nonuse position by changing its posture. 
         [0010]    A second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the invention of the first aspect, the punch holder is molded in one piece with the apparatus base so as to be pivotable with respect thereto through a holder hinge portion. 
         [0011]    A third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the invention of the first or second aspect, the apparatus base is provided with a punch holding portion which allows a punch having a predetermined size to be positioned and fixed, and the punch holder held in a use position is accommodated in the punch holding portion. 
         [0012]    Also, to achieve the above object, a fourth aspect of the present invention provides a punch assisting apparatus usable in combination with one of a plurality of punches consisting of an apparatus base being provided with a punch holding portion which allows a punch having a predetermined size to be positioned and fixed and a handle pivotably attached to the apparatus base, wherein a punch holder, which allows a punch having a predetermined size to be positioned and fixed in accordance with its size, is constructed as a component separate from the apparatus base and mounted on the punch holding portion so as to be detachable. 
         [0013]    A fifth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the invention of the fourth aspect, the punch holder is constructed from a holder base mounted on the apparatus base and a holder ancillary piled on the holder base, by which a punch having a low profile is allowed to be positioned and fixed. 
         [0014]    A sixth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the invention of any one of the first to fifth aspects, the apparatus base includes a sheet holding member for positioning a sheet to be punched at a punching position. 
         [0015]    A seventh aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the invention of the sixth aspect, the sheet holding member is molded in one piece with the apparatus base so as to be pivotable with respect thereto through a sheet holder hinge portion. 
         [0016]    An eighth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the invention of any one of the first to seventh aspects, the handle includes a pressing portion for pressing a punch, and is configured so that the distance between the position where the pressing portion contacts a punch bit and the position of handle knuckle portions is about a half of the distance between the position of a handle pressing spot and the position of the handle knuckle portions. 
         [0017]    A punch assisting apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention is configured such that an apparatus base has a punch holder integrated therein which allows the plurality of punches having different sizes to be independently positioned and fixed in accordance with their respective sizes, the punch holder being configured so as to provide both a use position and a nonuse position by changing its posture; therefore, in the case when a punch is mounted in the punch assisting apparatus to replace the one previously mounted, the punch can be always positioned at a given position regardless of the type of punch. In particular, since the punch assisting apparatus is provided with a punch holder combined in one piece, the punch assisting apparatus and punch holder can be always handled together, which makes managing the punch assisting apparatus and punch holder easier. 
         [0018]    According to the second aspect of the present invention, the punch holder is molded in one piece with the apparatus base; therefore, in addition to the effect due to the first aspect, when the punch holder is constructed in one piece with the apparatus base, it becomes possible to mold it simply through one molding process. Moreover, since the punch holder is configured so as to be pivotable with respect to the apparatus base through a holder hinge portion, the punch holder can be readily attached to the apparatus base. 
         [0019]    According to the third aspect of the present invention, the apparatus base is provided with a punch holding portion which allows a punch having a predetermined size to be positioned and fixed, and the punch holder is accommodated and fixed in the punch holding portion; therefore, in addition to the effect due to the first or second aspect, any device for positioning the punch holder on the apparatus base is not required to be separately provided. 
         [0020]    According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, a punch assisting apparatus has a configuration such that an apparatus base and a punch holder, which allows a punch having a predetermined size to be positioned and fixed in accordance with its size, are constructed as separate components and the punch holder is detachably mounted on a punch holding portion constructed in the apparatus base; therefore, in the case when a punch is mounted to the punch assisting apparatus to replace the one previously mounted, the punch can always be positioned at a given position regardless of the type of punch. In particular, even though a punch holder is constructed separately from the punch assisting apparatus, the punch holder should ideally be mounted on the punch holding portion having been constructed in the apparatus base; therefore, the punch holder can be readily positioned and fixed. 
         [0021]    According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the punch holder is constructed from a holder base mounted on the apparatus base and a holder ancillary piled on the holder base; therefore, in addition to the effect due to the fourth aspect, a punch having a different profile is allowed to be positioned and fixed. 
         [0022]    According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the apparatus base includes a sheet holding member for positioning a sheet to be punched at a punching position; therefore, in addition to the effect due to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the position of the sheet to be punched is fixed and the punching position cannot be deviated. 
         [0023]    According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the sheet holding member is molded in one piece with the apparatus base so as to be pivotable with respect thereto through a sheet holder hinge portion; therefore, in addition to the effect due to the sixth aspect, it becomes possible to mold it simply through one molding process. 
         [0024]    According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the distance between the position where the pressing portion constructed in the handle contacts a punch bit and the position of handle knuckle portions is about a half of the distance between the position of a handle pressing spot and the position of the handle knuckle portions; therefore, in addition to the effect due to any one of the first to seventh aspects, when a punching operation is performed, required force to be applied to the handle can be reduced by half. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the punch assisting apparatus provided with an A-type punch; 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  is a cross-section view taken from line A-A in  FIG. 1 , showing the first embodiment of the punch assisting apparatus provided with the A-type punch; 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the punch assisting apparatus according to the first embodiment with its handle opened to attach or detach the A-type punch; 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  is a bottom plan view of the punch assisting apparatus according to the first embodiment; 
           [0029]      FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of the punch assisting apparatus according to the first embodiment; 
           [0030]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the punch assisting apparatus according to the first embodiment with a punch holder positioned at a use position; 
           [0031]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the punch assisting apparatus according to the first embodiment with the punch holder positioned at a nonuse position; 
           [0032]      FIG. 8  is a top view of the punch assisting apparatus according to the first embodiment showing a state where its handle is removed; 
           [0033]      FIG. 9  is a bottom plan view of the punch assisting apparatus according to the first embodiment showing a state where its handle is removed; 
           [0034]      FIG. 10  is a side view of the punch assisting apparatus according to the first embodiment showing a state where its handle is removed; 
           [0035]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the punch assisting apparatus according to the first embodiment with its handle opened to attach or detach a B-type punch; 
           [0036]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the punch assisting apparatus according to the first embodiment with its handle opened to attach or detach a C-type punch; 
           [0037]      FIG. 13  is a side view of a second embodiment of the punch assisting apparatus; 
           [0038]      FIG. 14  is a side view of the second embodiment of the punch assisting apparatus provided with the A-type punch; 
           [0039]      FIG. 15  is a side view of the second embodiment of the punch assisting apparatus provided with the A-type punch, showing a state where its handle is slightly depressed; 
           [0040]      FIG. 16  is a side view of the second embodiment of the punch assisting apparatus provided with the A-type punch, showing a state where its handle is fully depressed; 
           [0041]      FIG. 17  is an exploded perspective view of the punch assisting apparatus according to the second embodiment; 
           [0042]      FIG. 18  is a top view of the punch assisting apparatus according to the second embodiment showing a state where its handle is removed; 
           [0043]      FIG. 19  is a bottom plan view of the punch assisting apparatus according to the second embodiment showing a state where its handle is removed; 
           [0044]      FIG. 20  is a side view of the punch assisting apparatus according to the second embodiment showing a state where its handle is removed; 
           [0045]      FIG. 21  is a cross-section view taken from line B-B in  FIG. 20 ; 
           [0046]      FIG. 22  is a side view of the punch assisting apparatus according to the second embodiment shown in  FIG. 20  with its sheet holding members opened; 
           [0047]      FIG. 23  is a top view of the punch holder used for the punch assisting apparatus according to the second embodiment; 
           [0048]      FIG. 24  is a side view of the punch holder shown in  FIG. 23 ; 
           [0049]      FIG. 25  is a bottom plan view of the punch holder shown in  FIG. 23 ; 
           [0050]      FIG. 26  is a perspective view of the punch assisting apparatus according to the second embodiment with its handle opened to attach or detach the B-type punch; 
           [0051]      FIG. 27  is a perspective view of the punch assisting apparatus according to the second embodiment with its handle opened to attach or detach a D-type punch; 
           [0052]      FIG. 28  is a side view of the second embodiment of the punch assisting apparatus provided with the D-type punch, showing a state where its handle is slightly depressed; and 
           [0053]      FIG. 29  is a side view of the second embodiment of the punch assisting apparatus provided with the D-type punch, showing a state where its handle is fully depressed. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0054]    A punch assisting apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 12 . 
         [0055]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the punch assisting apparatus  1  is configured such that an appropriately-shaped pattern and the like can be cut out from a sheet to be punched (not shown) by pressing down a handle  21 , the sheet being inserted into a clearance  61  of an A-type punch  5 A, which is for example fit in a punch holding portion  12  (a space formed by holding sidewalls  13 , a holding bottom wall  14 , a holding front wall  15 , and a handle support  11 ; see  FIG. 5 ). 
         [0056]    The punch assisting apparatus  1  is also configured such that when the A-type punch  5 A is attached or detached, a space above an apparatus base  10  is revealed by raising the handle  21  upward to allow the A-type punch  5 A to be readily attached or detached, as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0057]    It should be noted that, in the case when the A-type punch  5 A is fitted to the punch assisting apparatus  1 , a punch holder  3  constructed in one piece with the apparatus base  10  is accommodated in the space behind the apparatus base  10 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 . It should also be noted that sheet holding members can be integrated with the apparatus base of the punch assisting apparatus according to the first embodiment as with the punch assisting apparatus according to a second embodiment described later. 
         [0058]    The punch assisting apparatus  1  according to the first embodiment is basically constructed of the apparatus base  10 , the punch holder  3  pivotably coupled to the apparatus base  10  via a holder hinge portion  35 , and the handle  21  pivotably attached to the handle support  11  of the apparatus base  10  as shown in the exploded perspective view of  FIG. 5 . 
         [0059]    While the apparatus base  10 , punch holder  3  and handle  21  constituting the punch assisting apparatus  1  are made from an appropriate soft synthetic resin material, for example polypropylene (PP) resin, other synthetic resin materials such as polyacetal (POM), nylon  6  (PA 6 ), nylon  66  (PA 66 ), low-density polyethylene (PE) or the like can also be employed. In particular, the apparatus base  10  and punch holder  3  are constructed in one piece with the holder hinge portion  35  by means of, for example, injection molding. If the components constituting the punch assisting apparatus  1  are thus constructed from soft synthetic resin like PP resin, the holder hinge portion  35  can be thinly formed so as to be pivotable. Moreover, when for example the A-type punch  5 A is attached to or detached from the punch assisting apparatus  1 , a soft material effectively prevents the A-type punch  5 A from being damaged. Also, in the case of a B-type punch, C-type punch and D-type punch described later, damage incurred during attachment or detachment can be prevented. Incidentally, a punch is generally, in most cases, constructed from ABS resin except for the punch bit and punch base, ABS resin being harder than PP resin. 
         [0060]    The respective components constituting the punch assisting apparatus  1  will now be described below. 
         [0061]    As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 5 , the apparatus base  10  of the punch assisting apparatus  1  is partitioned horizontally by the holding bottom wall  14  in its substantially middle part, and the punch holding portion  12  is formed in the top face of the holding bottom wall  14  on which the A-type punch  5 A is to be mounted. Furthermore, an open portion allowing the punch holder  3  to be accommodated when not infuse is formed in the backside of the holding bottom wall  14 . A base opening  18  is also formed in the holding bottom wall  14  so as to pass through a substantially central portion thereof. 
         [0062]    The handle support  11  for supporting the handle  21  is constructed vertically in a rear portion of the apparatus base  10  in one piece therewith. The handle support  11  is provided with a plurality of ribs  17  in its front face, the ribs  17  being constructed vertically in one piece with the handle support  11  so as to project toward the side of the punch holding portion, and also provided with a pair of support knuckle portions  16  in the top end thereof, the support knuckle portions  16  being constructed in one piece with the handle support  11 . In each of the support knuckle portions  16 , a pivot hole  25  for inserting a pivot pin  26  described later is formed. 
         [0063]    The punch holding portion  12  formed on the upper face of the apparatus base  10  is a space defined by the holding bottom wall  14 , holding sidewalls  13 , holding front wall  15 , and handle support  11  as shown in  FIG. 5 , and is configured such that the A-type punch  5 A can be positioned and fixed as shown in  FIGS. 1 to 3 . Additionally, in the holding front wall  15 , a groove portion is formed which holds the holder hinge portion  35  of the punch holder  3  described later when the punch holder  3  is accommodated in the punch holding portion  12  (see  FIG. 6 ). 
         [0064]    On the other hand, as shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  9 , in the open portion formed in the backside of the holding bottom wall  14  of the apparatus base  10 , there are formed concave fixing portions  19  that engage with convex fixing portions  36  of the punch holder  3 , and a lug hooking portion  20  joined with a hooking lug  37 B of the punch holder  3  when the punch holder  3  is accommodated in a nonuse position. 
         [0065]    The punch holder  3  and apparatus base  10  are connected with each other in one piece via the holder hinge portion  35 , as shown in  FIG. 5 , and  FIGS. 8 to 10 . Since the punch holder  3  is formed in one piece with the apparatus base  10 , the backside of the punch holder  3  is oriented upward when developed as shown in  FIG. 5 . The punch holder  3  is accommodated in the open portion formed in the backside of the apparatus base  10  as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4  when not in use, and is accommodated in the punch holding portion  12  of the apparatus base  10  to allow the B-type punch  5 B or C-type punch  5 C to be positioned and fixed as shown in  FIG. 6  when in use. 
         [0066]    The punch holder  3  has a holding lug  37 A formed on the side of the holder hinge portion  35 , the holding lug  37 A being joined to a front edge portion of the base opening  18  of the apparatus base  10  when the punch holder  3  is held in the use position (see  FIG. 6 ), and also has the holding lug  37 B formed on the free end side opposite to the holder hinge portion  35 , the holding lug  37 B being joined to the lug hooking portion  20  when the punch holder  3  is held in the nonuse position (see  FIG. 4 ). Furthermore, the punch holder  3  has the convex fixing portions  36  formed at both sides thereof so as to project laterally, the convex fixing portions  36  being engaged with and fixed to the concave fixing portions  19  of the apparatus base  10 , when the punch holder  3  is held in the nonuse position (see  FIGS. 2 and 4 ). Note that a holder opening  38  is formed in a central portion of the punch holder  3 . 
         [0067]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , a B-type punch holding portion and a C-type punch holding portion are each configured on the top face of the punch holder  3  when it is accommodated in the punch holding portion  12  of the apparatus base  10 . The B-type punch holding portion is formed of B-type punch holding sidewalls  39 , a B-type punch holding front wall  40 , a B-type punch holding bottom wall  41 , and the holding lug  37 B, which also serves as a B-type punch holding rear wall, extending substantially along the periphery of the punch holder  3 . The C-type punch holding portion is formed by cutting out concave portions from the B-type punch holding bottom wall  41  so as to position it inside the B-type punch holding portion. Since the holder opening  38  is formed in the punch holder  3 , the C-type punch holding portion is configured from C-type punch holding side faces  42  and C-type punch holding bottom faces  43  so that a C-type punch is placed on the four corners of the holder opening  38 . 
         [0068]    While the apparatus base  10  and punch holder  3  of the punch assisting apparatus  1  are constructed basically as described above, they can be molded in one piece with the holder hinge portion  35  therebetween as shown in  FIGS. 8 to 10  by, for example, injecting melted PP resin into an injection molding mold and solidifying it therein. 
         [0069]    The handle  21  is formed in a substantially cap-like shape having an open backside so as to cover the punch holding portion  12  of the apparatus base  10  from above as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . In a rear end portion of the handle  21 , handle knuckle portions  24  are formed in one piece with the handle  21 , the handle knuckle portions  24  being each provided with a pivot hole  25  for inserting the pivot pin  26  (see  FIG. 5 ). When the handle  21  is attached to the handle support  11  of the apparatus base  10 , the pivot pin  26  is inserted through the pivot holes  25  of the handle knuckle portions  24  and also the pivot holes  25  of the support knuckle portions  16 ; whereby the handle  21  becomes freely pivotable with respect to the handle support  11 . 
         [0070]    Additionally, the handle  21  is provided with a pressing portion  22  formed in its substantially central portion so as to project curvedly toward the side of the punch holding portion  12 , the pressing portion  22  being configured so as to contact the top surface of a punch bit head  65  of the A-type punch  5 A when the A-type punch  5 A is mounted in the punch assisting apparatus  1 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . When punching operation is carried out, the punch bit head  65  is pressed via the pressing portion  22  by pressing a handle pressing spot  23  downward, the handle pressing spot  23  being formed on the top face of a front edge portion of the handle  21 . It should be noted that the distance between the position where the pressing portion  22  of the handle  21  contacts the punch bit head  65  of the A-type punch  5 A (punch contact position) and the pivot pin  26  (handle knuckle portions) is set to be about a half of the distance between the handle pressing spot  23  and the pivot pin  26  (handle knuckle portions). 
         [0071]    A punching operation using the punch assisting apparatus  1  according to the first embodiment will now be described. 
         [0072]    First, a punching operation by use of the A-type punch  5 A will be described. In this operation, the punch holder  3  is accommodated in the backside of the apparatus base  10 ; wherein the convex fixing portions  36  of the punch holder  3  are engaged with the concave fixing portions  19  of the apparatus base  10 , and the holding lug  37 B is joined to the lug hooking portion  20  of the apparatus base  10 , by which the punch holder  3  is fixed in a nonuse position, as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 . 
         [0073]    Then, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the handle  21  is pivoted upwardly to open a space above the punch holding portion  12 , which is defined by the holding bottom wall  14 , holding sidewalls  13 , holding front wall  15 , and handle support  11 ; after that, the A-type punch  5 A is installed in the punch holding portion  12  as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0074]    In a state in which the A-type punch  5 A is thus mounted in the punch assisting apparatus  1 , a sheet to be punched (not shown) is inserted through the clearance  61  of the A-type punch  5 A into a slit  63  of the punch base  62  and is positioned. After that, the punch bit head  65  of the A-type punch  5 A is depressed by pressing the handle pressing spot  23  downward via the pressing portion  22  of the handle  21 , which allows a punch bit  64  to move downward along a guide hole  66  of the punch base  62 , and a tip portion of the punch bit  64  to contact an edge formed in the portion where the slit  63  and guide hole  66  intersect with each other; an appropriately-shaped pattern and the like can be thus cut out from the sheet to be punched. 
         [0075]    After the punching operation is completed, upon release of the force having been applied to the handle pressing spot  23 , the punch bit head  65  is lifted by the spring force of a spring  67 , and the handle  21  is accordingly raised upward to return to the position shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0076]    Next, a punching operation by use of the B-type punch  5 B will be described. In the case when the B-type punch  5 B is used, the punch holder  3  is turned from the state shown in  FIG. 1  to that shown in  FIG. 6 , accommodated in the punch holding portion  12  of the apparatus base  10 , and fixed by joining the holding lug  37 A to the front edge portion of the base opening  18 . In this state, the holder hinge portion  35  of the punch holder  3  is held in the groove portion formed in the holding front wall  15 , by which the punch holder  3  is secured so that both the B-type punch holding portion and C-type punch holding portion are oriented upward. 
         [0077]    Then, as shown in  FIG. 11 , the B-type punch  5 B is positioned and fixed in the B-type punch holding portion formed of the B-type punch holding sidewalls  39 , B-type punch holding front wall  40 , B-type punch holding bottom wall  41 , and holding lug  37 B. Detailed description of the punching process to be followed is omitted since it is similar to the case of the A-type punch  5 A. 
         [0078]    Furthermore, in the case when the C-type punch  5 C is used, the punch holder  3  is turned from the state shown in  FIG. 1  to that shown in  FIG. 6 , accommodated in the punch holding portion  12  of the apparatus base  10 , and fixed by joining the holding lug  37 A to the front edge portion of the base opening  18 , as with the case when the B-type punch  5 B is used. 
         [0079]    Then, as shown in  FIG. 12 , the C-type punch holding portion is positioned and fixed in the C-type punch holding portion that is formed of the C-type punch holding side faces  42  and C-type punch holding bottom faces  43  so that the C-type punch is placed on the four corners of the holder opening  38 . Detailed description of the punching process to be followed is omitted since it is similar to the case of the A-type punch  5 A and B-type punch  5 B. 
         [0080]    While the punch assisting apparatus  1  including the punch holder  3  as one piece has been described, it is possible to construct a punch holder  3  as a separate component and to mount it on the apparatus base  10  so as to be slidable or detachable. Also, while the punch holding portion of the punch holder  3  described in the above serves as both the A-type punch holding portion and B-type punch holding portion, a punch holding portion for one type of punch may be employed. Furthermore, while the punch assisting apparatus  1  including the punch holding portion  12  is described above, it is possible to form only the base opening  18  in the apparatus base  10  and to omit the punch holding portion  12 . 
         [0081]    Now, a punch assisting apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIGS. 13 to 29 . The punch assisting apparatus according to the second embodiment is different from the punch assisting apparatus according to the first embodiment particularly from the viewpoint that a punch holder  3  is constructed as a component separate from an apparatus base  10 , and sheet holding members  27  for positioning and fixing a sheet to be punched at a punching position are integrated in the apparatus base  10 . 
         [0082]    As shown in  FIGS. 13 ,  14  and  17 , the punch assisting apparatus  1  is configured such that an appropriately-shaped pattern and the like can be cut out from a sheet to be punched (not shown) by pressing down a handle  21 , the sheet being inserted into a clearance  61  of an A-type punch  5 A, which is for example fit in a punch holding portion  12  (a space defined by holding sidewalls  13 , a holding bottom wall  14 , a holding front wall  15 , and a handle support  11 ). 
         [0083]    The punch assisting apparatus  1  is also configured such that when the A-type punch  5 A is attached or detached, a space above the apparatus base  10  is revealed by raising the handle  21  upward to allow the A-type punch  5 A to be readily attached or detached. While, when the A-type punch  5 A is mounted in the punch assisting apparatus  1  for use, the punch holder  3  is not installed on the apparatus base  10  as shown in  FIGS. 13 to 16 , when a B-type punch  5 B or D-type punch  5 D is mounted in the punch assisting apparatus  1  for use, the punch holder  3  is installed on the apparatus base  10  as shown in  FIGS. 26 and 27 . 
         [0084]    In the following paragraphs, the points different from the punch assisting apparatus  1  according to the first embodiment will be mainly described. 
         [0085]    A punch assisting apparatus  1  according to the second embodiment consists of two basic structural parts: an apparatus base  10  including sheet holding members  27  constructed in one piece therewith and a handle  21  pivotably mounted on a handle support  11  of the apparatus base  10 , as shown in the exploded perspective view of  FIG. 17 , and becomes usable by combining a punch holder  3 , shown in  FIGS. 23 to 25 , with the basic structural parts. 
         [0086]    The apparatus base  10 , which includes the sheet holding members  27  in one piece, the handle  21  and the punch holder  3  are made from an appropriate soft synthetic resin material, for example polypropylene (PP) resin, as in the case of the punch assisting apparatus  1  according to the first embodiment; however, other synthetic resin materials such as polyacetal (POM), nylon  6  (PA 6 ), nylon  66  (PA 66 ), low-density polyethylene (PE) or the like may also be employed. In particular, the apparatus base  10  and sheet holding members  27  are constructed in one piece with sheet holder hinge portions  28 , and a holder base  44  and holder ancillary  45  of the punch holder  3  are constructed in one piece with ancillary hinge portions  47  by means of, for example, injection molding. 
         [0087]    As shown in  FIGS. 17 to 22 , the apparatus base  10  of the punch assisting apparatus  1  has the punch holding portion  12  in the space defined by the holding bottom wall  14 , holding sidewalls  13 , holding front wall  15 , and holding front wall  15 . The holding bottom wall  14  is formed so that its undersurface is in the same plane as the undersurface of the apparatus base  10  as shown in  FIG. 21 , and configured so that a D-type punch  5 D (see  FIG. 27 ) can be mounted in the space formed by the punch holding portion  12  and the top surface of the holder ancillary  45 , when the punch holder  3  is mounted in the punch holding portion  12  in a state that the holder ancillary  45  is piled on the holder base  44 . Additionally, in the holding front wall  15 , a holding groove  32  is formed which holds ancillary bases  46  and ancillary hinge portions  47  of the punch holder  3  described later when the holder base  44  of the punch holder  3  is accommodated in the punch holding portion  12  (see  FIG. 26 ). 
         [0088]    The handle support  11  for supporting the handle  21  is configured similarly with the punch assisting apparatus  1  according to the first embodiment. 
         [0089]    The sheet holding members  27  are connected to form one piece at rear edges thereof on both sides (rear edges of the respective holding sidewalls  13 ) of the apparatus base  10  via the sheet holder hinge portion  28 , as shown in  FIGS. 20 to 22 . The apparatus base  10  and sheet holding members  27 , which are connected via the sheet holder hinge portion  28  as shown in  FIG. 22 , can be molded in one piece by, for example, injecting melted PP resin into an injection molding mold and solidifying it therein. On the occasion of molding, flexible portions  29  and pinching portions  30 , which hold the sheet holding members  27  at predetermined positions respectively, are also molded in one piece. The tip portions of the flexible portions  29  and pinching portions  30  are molded so as to project toward the base portion of the sheet holding members  27 , and hold the sheet holding members  27  to be positioned at their predetermined positions (see  FIG. 21 ). Moreover, both sides of the respective flexible portions  29  and pinching portions  30  are notched to allow both the flexible portions  29  and pinching portions  30  to be bendable. 
         [0090]    The punch holder  3  is constructed in a manner such that the holder base  44  accommodated in the punch holding portion  12  of the apparatus base  10  and the holder ancillary  45  placed on a holder bottom wall  51  of the holder base  44  in a pile are formed in one piece via the ancillary hinge portion  47 , as shown in  FIGS. 23 to 25 . 
         [0091]    The holder ancillary  45  is connected by a pair of ancillary bases  46  located on both sides of an ancillary opening  53  to the holder base  44  via the ancillary hinge portions  47 . A holder opening  52  is formed in the holder base  44 . 
         [0092]    In the holder base  44 , a B-type punch holding portion is formed of a holder front wall  48 , holder side walls  49 , a holder rear wall  50  and a holder bottom wall  51  (see  FIG. 26 ). Additionally, the holder ancillary  45  is piled on the holder bottom wall  51  of the holder base  44 ; whereby a D-type punch holding portion for installing a D-type punch  5 D is configured so as to be a space formed by the top surface of the holder ancillary  45 , holder front wall  48 , holder side walls  49  and holder rear wall  50  (see  FIG. 27 ). 
         [0093]    The punch holder  3  is constructed as a component separate from the apparatus base  10 , and the holder base  44  and holder ancillary  45 , which are connected via the ancillary hinge portions  47  as shown in  FIGS. 23 to 25 , can be molded in one piece by, for example, injecting melted PP resin into an injection molding mold and solidifying it therein. 
         [0094]    A punching operation using the punch assisting apparatus  1  according to the second embodiment will now be described. 
         [0095]    First, a punching operation by use of the A-type punch  5 A will be described. In this operation, the A-type punch  5 A is mounted in the punch holding portion  12 , as shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 . 
         [0096]    When a sheet to be punched (not shown) is inserted through the clearance  61  of the A-type punch  5 A into a slit  63  of a punch base  62  in a state that the A-type punch  5 A is thus mounted to the punch assisting apparatus  1 , an edge of the inserted sheet to be punched touches the sheet holding members  27 , but the sheet to be punched can be pushed in between the sheet holding members  27  and holding sidewalls  13  by allowing the sheet holding members  27  to be deformed and stops in a state in which it touches the front surface of the handle support  11 . Consequently, the sheet to be punched is held elastically between the sheet holding members  27  and holding sidewalls  13  to be prevented from moving, which enables the sheet to be punched to be positioned with greater certainty. 
         [0097]    After that, as shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 , a handle pressing spot  23  is pressed down to allow a punch bit head  65  to be depressed, whereby an appropriately-shaped pattern and the like can be cut out from the sheet to be punched in a fully depressed state shown in  FIG. 16 . 
         [0098]    After the punching operation is completed, upon release of the force having been applied to the handle pressing spot  23 , the punch bit head  65  is lifted by the spring force of a spring (not shown), and the handle  21  is accordingly raised upward to return to the position shown in  FIG. 15 . 
         [0099]    Next, when the B-type punch  5 B is used, the holder base  44  of the punch holder  3  is accommodated in the punch holding portion  12  of the apparatus base  10  and fixed there as shown in  FIG. 26 . In this state, the ancillary bases  46  and ancillary hinge portions  47  of the holder ancillary  45  are held and fixed in the holding groove  32  formed in the holding front wall  15  of the apparatus base  10 , and the B-type punch holding portion is formed of the holder front wall  48 , holder side walls  49 , a holder rear wall  50  and a holder bottom wall  51 . Then, the B-type punch  5 B is positioned and fixed in the B-type punch holding portion. Detailed description of the punching process to be followed is omitted since it is similar to the case of the A-type punch  5 A. 
         [0100]    In the case when the D-type punch  5 D is used, as shown in  FIG. 27 , the D-type punch holding portion for mounting the D-type punch  5 D is configured so as to be a space defined by the top surface of the holder ancillary  45 , holder front wall  48 , holder side walls  49  and holder rear wall  50 . Then, the D-type punch  5 D is positioned and fixed in the D-type punch holding portion. 
         [0101]    Although detailed description of the punching process to be followed is omitted since it is similar to the cases of the A-type punch  5 A and B-type punch  5 B, since the profile of the D-type punch  5 D is lower than that of the A-type punch  5 A, the handle  21  of the punch assisting apparatus  1  equipped with the punch holder  3 , in which the D-type punch  5 D is installed, tilts slightly downward as compared with its horizontal position at initiation of pressing operation, as shown in  FIG. 28 . For this reason, the distance between the position where the pressing portion  22  of the handle  21  contacts the punch bit head  65  of the D-type punch  5 D (punch contact position) and the pivot pin  26  (handle knuckle portions) is larger to some extent than the case of the A-type punch  5 A. 
         [0102]    While the punch assisting apparatus  1  on which the punch holder  3  is detachably mounted has been described, the punch holder  3  may be constructed in one piece with the apparatus base  10  as in the case of the punch assisting apparatus  1  of the first embodiment. Also, while the sheet holding members  27  constructed in one piece with the apparatus base  10  have been described, the sheet holding members  27  may be formed as separate members and each attached detachably to the apparatus base  10 .