IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR BINDING OR SECURING TOGETHER SHEETS OR PIECES OF PAPER OR OTHER MATERIAL BY MEANS OF METAL STAPLES OR FASTENERS."
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Washington M'Gill, of the City and State of
New York, United States of America, now of 8, Southampton Buildings,
London, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR BINDING
OR SECURING TOGETHER SHEETS OR PIECES OF PAPER OR OTHER MATERIAL
BY MEANS OF METAL STAPLES OR FASTENERS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Georgo Washington McGill
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 10th September 1880.
GEORGE WASHINGTON MCGILL, of the City and State of New York, United States
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
of America, now of 8, Southampton Buildings, London.
APPARATUS FOR BINDING OR SECURING TOGETHER SHEETS OR PIECES OF PAPER
OR OTHER MATERIAL BY MEANS OF METAL STAPLES OR FASTENERS."
My Invention relates to improvements in presses or apparatus for inserting
metallic staples or fasteners in paper, cloth, leather, or the like, and clenching the
said staples or fasteners upon the paper or other material, both the insertion and
clenching being effected by one and the same movement.
The object of the said Invention is to provide efficient and simple means whereby
the leaves of pamphlets, or books, or sheets or pieces of paper, card, leather, cloth,
or other material may be expeditiously and firmly bound or fastened together.
My present Invention is designed partly to improve the apparatus described in
the Specification of former Letters Patent dated 25th February, A.D. 1879, No. 756,
and one important improvement consists in providing special mechanism hereinafter
described for automatically feeding forward to the plunger the staples which are
held in a receptacle specially provided for the purpose.
In carrying my Invention into practice I provide a. bed-plate furnished at its
front end with a clenching anvil and at its rear end with a pillar or pillars in
which is pivoted the rear end of a lever-arm, the front end of which is provided
De 1071

page_text: with the mechanism for inserting the staples in the articles to be bound or secured,
which mechanism, in connection with the anvil, clenches the staples in said
articles.
The end of the lever-arm or press-lever which touches the anvil is divided
vertically into two parts, shaped so that when they are secured together they form
a vertical chamber provided internally with vertical grooves to receive and guide
the staples in their vertical or downward movement toward the clenching anvil.
The other end of this lever is provided with a vertical arm, to which is attached
a metal drum or case furnished in its interior with a coiled spring, such as an
ordinary clock-spring, and on its outer or rear end or face with a pawl. A
cylindrical rod is attached to the rear of the vertical chamber and extends backward
above the centre of the lever parallel lengthwise with the body of the same; this
rod passes through the vertical arm and through the aforesaid drum on the other
end of the lever, and is provided on its outer end with a ratchet-wheel arranged
to operate in connection with the said pawl pivotted to the outer end of the drum.
The coiled spring in the drum is attached to this rod in such a manner that the
spring will revolve the rod for a purpose hereinafter described.
The body of the lever consists of an outer horizontal case and an inner core
or blade, both so shaped that when they are closed together they form together
a horizontal chamber corresponding in shape internally to the contour and
dimensions of the staples used, that is to say, the staples fit over the core, one leg
extending down on each side of the latter. This chamber-is capable of holding a
_large_number of staples, all of which fit over the core and lie closely together. These
parts are connected together at their-rear-end_by_the_pivot_connecting the lever-
arm with the-pillar-of-the-bed-plate, and are connected at their other end,-when-
desired, by a bolt. That part of the lever forming the case-is-furnished.at_its_top
with a slot running lengthwise thereof, in which slot is inserted a staple-pusher, of
a saddle form, the base of which is provided with arms embracing the core or track
along which the staples travel, so that the latter will be pusbed forward thereon.
The upper portion or neck of the pusher is furnished with a collar or bush which
embraces the cylindrical revolving rod herein before described, and both the rod
and the inner portion of the collar being furnished with corresponding screw-
threads, the revolving of the rod causes this staple-pusher to slido forward or
backward along the staple track according to the direction in which the rod is
revolved. The manipulation and operation of this device are substantially as
follows, that is to say-The pawl on the outer end or face of the drum is turned
over so as to operate as a stop to the ratchet on the outer end of the revolving rod.
This rod is then turned by means of a key or cross thumb-piece affixed to its end.
This operation winds up the spring in the drum and draws the staple-pusher
rearward in the staple chamber. The front end of the lever is then unbolted, its
case portion is lifted up off the staple track, and the latter is then filled with
staples. The case is then lowered and the lever locked. The pawl is now turned
out of the ratchet-wheel, and the spring in the drum is then free to rotate the
cylindrical rod in a direction opposite to that in which it was wound, thereby
forcing the staple-pusher against the staples, and the staples to their inserting
mechanism on the front end of the lever, whence they are discharged in the manner
described in the Specification of the said former Letters Patent.
I may modify the means for feeding the staples to their inserting mechanism as
follows, that is to say:-I dispense with the coiled spring for revolving the screw-
rod, and revolve the same by mechanism consisting of a ratchet-wheel or lever
affixed to the end of the rod, and in connection with a corresponding lever or
ratchet affixed to the bed-plate or to its pillar, and so arranged that each time the
press-lever is raised the lever or ratchet attached to the bed-plate or pillar will
engage with the lever or ratchet attached to the end of the screw rod, and cause it
to revolve a sufficient degree to carry a single staple forward to the staple-feeding
device. In constructing the device in this form I make the neck or collar of the

page_text: staple-pusher self-adjustable by the introduction of a spring to prevent any
variation that may occur in the width of the staples interfering with the proper
action of the machine.
My present Invention further comprises improvements in the construction of the
hand feeding staple press described in the said former Specification, by means of
which improvements staples with shanks of considerable length may be driven
through corresponding thicknesses of cloth with great ense.
These improvements
consist in providing the press with a lever movement and with piercing needles
corresponding with its staple grooves, by means of which needles holes are pierced
through the articles to be bound simultaneously with or before the entering of the
staples therein.
In some cases I provide the said press with a gauge arranged to slide upon a bar
or rod between the bed-plate and the lever arm. This gauge forms a stop for the
edges of the sheets of paper or other material; therefore, when a number of
pamphlets or the like are to be bound, all of which are of the same dimensions, the
operator has only to adjust the edges of the sheets against this gauge to ensure the
staples coming into the correct position every time. The said gauge by being
movable on the bar may be adjusted before commencing the work according to the
position in which it is desired to insert the staples in the pamphlets or other articles
to be bound or united.
may also provide a small table or support in front of the press, which support
may be found useful for holding sheets of paper or other material to be bound or
united; I make this table or support in such a manner that it may be readily
attached to or removed from the front of the press by means of a thumbscrew or
otherwise.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said George Washington McGill in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 9th March 1881.
GEORGE WASHINGTON MCGILL, of the City and State of New York, United
States of America, now of 8, Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS
IN APPARATUS FOR BINDING OR SECURING TOGETHER SHEETS OR PIECES OF PAPER
OR OTHER MATERIAL BY MEANS OF METAL STAPLES OR FASTENERS."
My Invention relates to improvements in presses or apparatus for inserting
metallic staples or fasteners in paper, card, cloth, silk, leather, or the like, and
clenching the said staples or fasteners upon the paper or other material, both the
insertion and clenching of such staples being effected by one and the same
movement of the staple inserting mechanism.
The object of the said Invention is to provide efficient and simple means whereby
the leaves of pamphlets or books, or sheets or pieces of paper, card, leather,
-cloth, silk, or other material may be expeditiously and firmly bound or fastened
together.
This Invention is designed partly to improve the devices for inserting_and_
clenching metallic-staples, described in the Specification of foriner Letters Patent,
dated-February 25th, A.D. 1879, No. 756, and one-important part of my present
Invention consists in providing special-mechanism.for automatically feeding forward
to the plunger of the apparatus the staples to be inserted and clinched, the-said
staples being contained in a receptacle or chamber specially provided for the
purpose, as hereinafter described.
This part of my Invention is illustrated in Figures 1 to 16 of the Drawings, in
which
Figure 1 is a plan.
Figure 2, a side elevation, and
Figure 3, a front elevation of my improved self-feeding or magazine apparatus or
press.
Figure 4 is a plan of the bed plate, shewing the clenching anvil and gauge bar of
the same.
Figure 5 is a top view of the longitudinal and vertical staple cases and the
support of the drum, hereinafter described.
Figure 6 is a top view of the covering plate of the vertical staple case.
Figure 7 is a side view of the staple track, and
Figure 8 is a plan of the same.
Figures 9 and 10 are transverse sections of the said staple track and its case on
the lines x, x, x¹, x³, Figure 1.
Figure 11 is a front elevation of part of the said press or apparatus with the
front plate or cap removed.
Figure 12 is an end view, partly in transverse section, shewing the spring
drum and its support, the ratchet wheel and pawl, and other parts hereinafter
described.
Figure 13 is a side view, and Figuro 13ª a front view of the travelling staple
pusher or feeder.
Figure 14 is an end view of the sliding gauge.
Figure 15 shews a modified form of screw and collar for effecting the longitudinal
movement of the staple pusher, hereinafter described.
Figure 16 represents in perspective one of the staples adapted to be inserted and
clinched by the said press or apparatus.
a represents the bed-plate provided at its front end with the clinching anvil a'
and at its rear end with the pillar or pillars a², to which is pivotted the rear end

page_text: of the staple track b and its case c, which together form a hinged arm or lever.
This case c is provided at its former end with the vertical case & containing the
staple inserting plunger do, which, in combination with the said anvil, clinches
the said staples or fasteners within the sheets or pieces of paper or other material
to be bound or connected. The said case d is divided vertically into two
parts d, d, which are so formed that when secured together they form a
chamber d*, Figure 5, having vertical grooves d³ adapted to receive the staples
after leaving the staple track, and guide them in their vertical or downward
movement toward the clinching anvil a. The case c at its rear end is provided
with a support or plate el, to one side of which is attached a drum or case e
furnished in its interior with a coiled spring similar to an ordinary clock spring.
This spring is attached at one end to the said drum, and at its other end to the
screw bar or rod f in such a manner as to revolve the latter, as hereinafter
described. On the other side of the said plate e', and attached to the screw
rod f, which preferably consists of twisted pinion wire or a core having deep
spirals, is a ratchet wheel f¹ with which a pawl f2, pivotted to the plate e¹, engages.
This bar or rod f, provided with threads, as shewo, extends through the aforesaid
drum e at its rear end; to this end a winding key f* or crank is attached to
revolve the said screw in one direction to wind up the spring within the said
drum. The said screw rod at its forward end is supported with a capability of
turning in the part d' of the case d.
The staple track b, which is enclosed within the case c, is of the requisite form
in transverse section to allow the staples to be readily placed thereon with their
two legs extending downwardly on either side thereof, and the case c adapted to fit
over the same is so shaped that, when lowered upon the said staplo track, a space
or chamber c*, as shewn most clearly in Figures 9 and 10, will be left between the
said case c and the track b; this space corresponds with the form of the staples,
and within the said space the staples are free to be moved forward, as hereinafter
described. Upon the said track and within this chamber c* a great number of
staples may be arranged, as they may be placed close together and one behind the
other nearly the whole length of the said staple track. The said case c and track b
are connected at their rear end by the bolt or pin g, upon which they may be
turned upwards either separately or together. To permit the case c to be turned
up without the track b so as to uncover and leave the same in a horizontal position
to permit the placing of staples thereon, I connect the forward ends of the said case
and track by a screw or lock 6*, which, when screwed outward into the position
shewn in Figure 10, will permit such case c to be raised without the track b, as
above stated. When, however, this screw is turned inwards the said case and
track will be connected so that they will rise together when lifted, to permit the
paper or other material to be placed upon the anvil.
In the top or upper side of the case c 1 provide a longitudinal slot c¹ along
which the neck or shank h¹ of the staple pusher or feeder h, Figures 13 and 13,
moves. This staple pusher is provided at its lower end with a saddle or foot h³
which fits over the staple-track b, and drives or forces the staples before it as it
moves forward. To effect this forward movement of the said staple pusher I
provide the same with a nut, bush, or collar ³ which surrounds the screw rod or
bar f; this collar hs is furnished interiorly with oblique grooves or with threads
corresponding to those of the rod f, and the latter in revolving therefore causes the
staple-pusher to slide forward or backward nearly the whole length of the staple
track, according to the direction in which the said screw rod is revolved, and thus
permits a great number of staples to be placed on the said track prior to com-
mencing work with the apparatus. h', h, represent arms to permit the operator
to control the forward motion of the staple pusher when desired, and admit of the
same being pushed back on the twisted pinion wire rod f, and thereby revolve the
latter and wind up the spring in the drum e, instead of using the winding key or
crank f* for this purpose. Instead of employing the rod having a number of
threads thereon as above described, I, in some cases, use a rod with a single groove

page_text: cut therein, and provide a collar i to which the staple pusher is connected, the said
collar being combined with the screw rod by a screw or pin which enters the
groove in the said rod, as shewn in Figure 15.
To facilitate the binding of a number of pamphlets or the like, and ensure the
insertion of the staples at equal distances from the edges of the sheets of paper or
other material, I, in some cases, provide the said press or apparatus with a gauge j
having upwardly extending arms j* which serve as stops for such edges. This
gauge is adapted to slide upon the bar k, supported at its front end in the anvil a¹
and at its rear end on the pillar or post ³, and is clamped in the desired position
upon the said bar ke by means of the screw j¹. By the adjustment of this gauge I
am enabled to ensure the insertion of the staples in the sheets at any desired
distance from their edges. I also, in some cases, attach to the front end of the
machine a table or support (not shewn in the Drawings) whereon the sheets of
paper or other material to be secured together may be placed. For this purpose I
provide the said table with projections, which, when the said table is placed in
position, fit into the grooves l' in the piece on the front of the anvil a', and retain
such table firmly in position.
The operation of the said apparatus is as follows, that is to say:- -When the
staples upon the staple track band within the case c are exhausted, or nearly so,
by the successive depressions of the staple-inserting plunger do, the staple feeder h
is drawn back-by-turning the winding key f* or crank to revolve the screw f in a
direction opposite to that which produces the forward movement of the said staple.
-feeder or pusher._ In this movement of the said key or crank the spring within the
drum c is wound up, its unwinding and the consequent-forcing-forward of the said
staple feeder being prevented-by-causing-the-pawl f2 to engage with the ratchet
wheel f. The screw b* is then turned so as to disconnect the staple track bfrom-its-
case c, which is then turned up or back and leaves the staple track in a horizontal
position with its front end resting upon the anvil. The staples are then placed upon
the said staple track one behind the other until the said track is filled or the desired
number placed thereon. The case c is then lowered upon the staple track and
locked by turning the screw 6*. The pawl f2 is then disengaged from the ratchet
wheel and the spring within the drum e is free to rotate the screw rod f, thereby
forcing the staple pusher against the staples and the latter forward, so that on
each depression of the plunger a staple will be carried down and clinched in the
material upon the anvil in a similar manner to that described in the Specification
of the said former Letters Patent.
I may modify the means for feeding the staples to their inserting mechanism as
follows, that is to say :-I dispense with the coiled spring for revolving the screw
rod, and revolve the same by mechanism consisting of a ratchet wheel or lever
affixed to the end of the said screw rod, and combined with a corresponding lever
or ratchet affixed to the bed-plate or to its pillars, these parts being so arranged
that each time the press lever is raised the lever or ratchet attached to the bed
plate or pillar will engage with the lever or ratchet attached to the end of the
screw-rod and cause it to revolve sufficiently to carry a single staple forward to the
staple feeding device. In constructing the apparatus in this form I make the neck or
collar of the staple pusher self-adjustable by the introduction of a spring to prevent
any variation that may occur in the width of the staples interfering with the proper
manipulation of the press.
Another part of my present Invention relates to improvements in the con-
struction of the hand feeding staple press or apparatus described in the Specification
of the said former Letters Patent, by means of which improvements staples with
shanks of considerable length may be driven through cloth or other materials of
great thickness or bulk. These improvements consist more especially in providing
the apparatus with a lever in combination with piercing needles and other devices,
whereby boles are pierced through the articles or materials to be connected simul-
taneously with or prior to the passage of the staple therethrough and the said
staples are firmly clinched.

page_text: Figure 17 is a side elevation partly in vertical section of my improved press or ..
apparatus.
Figure 18 is a side elovation of the portion of the press shewn in section in
Figure 17:
Figure 19 is a plan showing the operating lever in horizontal section, and
Figure 20 is a front elevation of the said apparatus.
Figuro 21 is a horizontal section of the said apparatus on the line y, y, Figure 20,
and
Figure 22 is a similar view on the line y', y', of the same Figure.
Figure 23 is a front view of the forked piercing needle, and
Figure 24 is an underside view of the same.
Figure 25 is a front view of the said needle attached to its sliding head or staplo
plunger, and
Figure 26 is a side view of the same.
Figure 27 represents in side and end view a spring bolt hereinafter described.
Figure 28 is a top view of the clinching anvil.
Figure 29 is a perspective view of one form of staple designed to be inserted
and clinched in the sheets or pieces to be bound or connected by tho said
apparatus.
In these Figures in represents an arm or standard, within the slot m* of which
is pivotted at n* a lever n whose arm or foot n' works in the said slot for a
purpose hereinafter described. Upon the front end of the said arm m I arrange a
faco plate m' having jaws m³, within which a case o is free to slide vertically.
This case is provided with a chamber o¹ designed to contain a spring of which
supports the spring bolt o³. The said case is also provided with a chamber o
within which the piercing needle p moves. This needle is inserted in a plunger or
needle holder p' provided with a projection p*, which passes through the groove or
slot o* in the spring bolt o", and in its downward movement carries the said bolt
with it. The said needlo travels vertically with the plunger when the arm ¹ which
passes through a slot 2º in the said plunger is depressed by the forward movement
of the lever n. 9 represents a spring bolt pressing against the underside of the
lever foot n'. This spring bolt when the lever n is pulled forward to effect the
insertion and clenching of a staple in the pieces of cloth or other material to be
connected descends in the chamber q' in the standard m and compresses the
spring q; when however the lever n is released, the said spring expands and forces
back the lever to its original position, as shewn in Figure 17.
**represents a door hinged at r to the case o, so that it may be turned down to
permit the insertion of a staple between the prongs of the forked piercing needle p,
prior to the depression of the latter; represents a catch or lock for retaining the
said door in position when raised; aº, aº, represent openings in the anvil a¹
through which and into the hollow interior of the said anvil the prongs of the
forked piercing needlo p pass when a staple is being inserted in the material upon
the anvil.
The operation of this improved press is as follows, that is to say :-When it is
desired to insert a staple in a series of pieces of cloth, silk, or other material the
bolt or lock is turned and the door lowered; a staple is then inserted between
the prongs of the forked needle p with its ends pointing downward, and the door
is again closed and locked or bolted. The goods or inaterial to be secured together
are now placed on the anvil, and the lever n is pulled forward and causes the
case o to descend in the guide ways m² until it comes in contact with such
material. The lever being then drawn further forward its foot n¹ presses upon
the spring bolt o³ and upon the needle holder or plunger p¹, causing the said
bolt o³ to descend and exert through the spring os and case o sufficient force to
retain and compress the pieces of inaterial to be connected firmly upon the anvil.
At the same time the forked needle and the staple between its prongs are forced

page_text: down through the sheets or pieces of cloth or other material, the needle prongs
passing through the holes aº, ao, into the hollow anvil, whilst the staple legs or
shanks pass into the clinching groove a* between the said holes aº in the anvil,
and are turned by the said groove towards each other and clinched against the
underside of the material to be connected in a similar manner to that described in the
Specification of the said former Letters Patent. The lever n is then released and
is forced back by the bolt q and spring 72 when the above described operation may
be repeated.
Figures 30 to 33 of the Drawings represent a modified construction of the
apparatus last herein described. In these Figures
Figure 30 is a side elevation of the said apparatus, and
Figure 31 is a plan of the same, the case containing the staple inserting
mechanism thereof being removed.
Figure 32 is a front view of the forked needle and the staple plunger.
Figure 33 is a top view of the lower jaw with a portion of the lever arni in
Bection.
In this modified apparatus I provide the lever arms at its front end with two
jaws 8, 8. The upper jaw s¹ is provided with the staple inserting mechanism,
consisting preferably of the forked piercing needle p and the plunger p¹, and the
lower jaw with the chamber or opening adapted to receive the staple or fastener
to be inserted; this chamber may be of the shape shewn in Figure 33, to allow
staples having a suspending ring, as shewn in perspective in Figure 34, to be
inserted-and-clinched..
The.operation of this apparatus or device is as follows, that-is-to-say-The_
sheets of paper, cloth, or other material-to-be-connected-or-bound_are_placed upon
the anvil a' and the lever s lowered thereon. A staple or fastener is then inserted
in the chamber 8 between the prongs of the forked needle p, a blow being then
given to the staple plunger p', the material is pierced and the staple is inserted
and clinched as hercirbefore described.
Having thus fully described my said Invention and the manner of performing
the same, I wish it understood that I claim,-
First. In a staple inserting and clinching machine a feeder or pusher for supplying
staples or fasteners to the staple inserting mechanism, constructed and arranged to
travel longitudinally upon the staple back by means of a nut projection or collar
engaging with a twisted pinion-wire or screw-rod, revolved by means of a spring,
substantially as above set forth, and for the purposes specified.
Second. In a staple inserting and clinching machine a twisted pinion wire or
screw rod arranged to revolve and operate in connection with a staple pusher, in
such a manner as to feed the staples to the staple-inserting mechanism, substantially
as above set forth aud for the purpose specified.
Third. The combination of the staple-track adapted to receive the staples and
the case or cover for the said track, hinged upon the eame pivot and operating
substantially as above set forth for the purpose specified.
Fourth. The combination with the staple track and its case of the staple pusher
or feeder, the screw rod, the ratchet wheel, and pawl, and the drum enclosing the
spring, all substantially as above set forth and for the purposes specified.
Fifth. For binding or securing together abeets or pieces of paper or other material
by means of metal staples or fasteners, the apparatus or press consisting of the parts
constructed, combined, and operating substantially as herein described with reference
to Figures 1 to 14 of the accompanying Drawings.
Sixth. In a press or apparatus for binding or fastening together sheets of cloth,
silk, paper, and other material, the vertically sliding and clamping case o in
combination with a forked piercing needle and plunger, and an operating lever,
substantially as above set forth and for the purposes specified.
Seventh. The combination with the anvil provided with openings of the vertically
sliding case, containing the piercing needle, the plunger, and the spring bolt and
spring, whereby the several operations of clamping the material between the said

page_text: case and the anvil-face, piercing such material, inserting the staple, and clinching
its legs or shanks beneath the said material are performed by one movement of a
lever, substantially as above set forth.
Eighth. A press or apparatus for inserting and clinching metal staples in cloth,
or other meterial, consisting of the parts constructed, combined, and operating
substantially as above described, with reference to Figures 17 to 28 of the
accompanying Drawings.
Ninth. The modified form of apparatus described with reference to Figures 30 to
33 of the Drawings, wherein the lever is provided at its front end with two jaws,
substantially as above set forth and for the purposes specified.
.
In witness whereof, 1, the said George Washington McGill, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Fourth day of March, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
AWADA W RECOLT T