A SHREDDING MACHINE

摘要

A shredding machine is disclosed which is particularly suitable for domestic or office use in shredding papers or the like. The machine comprises a feed aperture arranged above an electric cutting mechanism, the feed aperture preferably taking the form of a feed slot. The machine is characterised by the provision of an actuating element which is moveable, preferably in a pivotal manner, between a first position in which the actuating element permits energisation of the cutting mechanism, and a second position in which the actuating element prevents energisation of the cutting mechanism. The arrangement is such that the actuating element extends into the feed slot and is configured such that the part of the element extending into the feed slot will be engaged by sheet material inserted into the feed slot if the sheet material exceeds a predetermined thickness, said engagement thus being effective to move the actuating element from the first position to the second position to prevent energisation of the cutting mechanism.