Punching devices

Abstract

A punching device comprises a housing carrying a main punch body in the form of a plate mounted for rectilinear sliding movement, the punch body comprising a driving rack extending downwardly along each side, and a plurality of integral punch members projecting downwardly in a staggered array, the punch members being waisted. The device comprises an operating handle pivotally mounted on the housing carrying drive pinions engageable with the racks, so that by movement of the handle, the punch body may be raised and lowered. The punch body additionally carries auxiliary punch members, each being mounted on the punch body for longitudinal sliding movement relative thereto. Associated with each auxiliary punch member is a locking device, comprising a locking member which is movable between an inoperative position in which the auxiliary punch member is capable of longitudinal sliding movement relative to the punch plate, and an operative position in which the auxiliary punch member moves with the punch body in a punching operation. In this way, one or more of the auxiliary punch members may be taken out of operation to enable a stack of sheets of relatively small size to be provided with apertures along one side edge, or the auxiliary punch members may be brought into operation for the punching of apertures of a stack of sheets of full size.