Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
- 2 - ~ ~7~7~9
I'HIS INVENTION relates to a support device for a
binder system and to a binder system including such a support
device.
The applicant is aware of various binder systems
which are in use today for binding together stacks of paper
sheets for filing or like purposes. The systems generally
include a support device, a binder strap securing means dis-
placeably engaged with the support device and at least one
binder strap which can pass through corresponding apertures in
a stack of paper sheets and which can be secured relative to
the support device by the strap secùring means for holding a
stack of paper sheets in a bound manner. In addition, binder
systems often include suspension means whereby these systems
can be suspended within a filing cabinet or the like. Cover
sheets may also be associated with such systems so that a stack
of paper sheets can be bound together between such cover sheets
forming part of the binder system.
Binder systems of the above kind, known to the
applicant, are all of a complex construction which is difficult
~'î 7~
to manufacture and accordingly expensive. This is particularly
so when suspension means and/or cover sheets are combined with
such systems in which case the support device of the system
must be specially adapted and modified. The support device is
in fact, usually of such a construction that suspension means
and/or cover sheets cannot easily be combined therewith.
It is an object of this invention to provide a
support device for a binder system which is simple in con-
struction and which can easily accommodate the provision of
suspension means for the system, and cover sheets.
According to the invention there is provided a
support device for a binder system which comprises an elongate
body member and which defines in cross-section along its length
a first channel section for supporting at least one binder
strap securing means;
a second channel section for supporting suspension means
for the suspension of the binder system; and
a flange for clamping an edge portion of a cover sheet
between the flange and an adjacent wall of the body member.
In a particular arrangement the flange may pro~ect
from the first channel section with the second channel section
being disposed along the free end of the flange. ln effect,
the flange therefore defines a web portion joining together the
first and second channel sections.
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-- 4
In the above arrangement, a cover sheet may thus be
clamped between the flange and an outer wall of the first
channel section.
The second channel section may be adapted to locate
two suspension brackets at opposite ends thereof for supporting
a binder system on a pair of spaced support rails of a
horizontal filing system. In particular, the suspension
brackets may be slidably located within the second channel
section so that they can be displaceable between a retracted
10 inoperative position and an extended operative position in
which a binder system can be suspended.
Alternatively or in addition, the second channel
section may be adapted to locate a third suspension bracket
intermediate between its opposite ends whereby a binder system
15 can be suspended from a single support rail of a lateral filing
system. The third suspension bracket may be pivotally located
within the second channel section so that it is pivotally dis-
placeable between a retracted inoperative position in which the
entire bracket lies within the channel section and an operative
20 position in which it projects from the channel section.
The flange and/or the adjacent wall of the body
member between which a cover sheet can be clamped may include a
clamping rib to penetrate a surface zone of a cover sheet
during clamping to thereby improve the clamping effect of the
flange.
~L~777~9
-- 5
Furthermore, the support device may be adapted so
that the binder strap securing means can be pivotally supported
in the first channel seetion to be pivotally displaceable
between an unlocked position in which it can project from the
support device, and a locked position where it lies within the
channel section, each strap securing means having locking means
for locking it in its locked position and each strap securing
means having locating means for locating a binder strap
thereon.
The first and/or second channel section may define
lip formations projecting towards one another from opposite
walls of the channel sections. The lip formations may co-
operate to facilitate the location of the suspension means and
binder strap seeuring means relative to the seeond and first
ehanr.e~ seetions respectively. The locking means of the strap
securing means may thus also be adapted to co-operate with the
lip formations of the first channel section to lock the strap
securing means in its locked position.
The support deviee may be of a resiliently flexible
20 material sueh as a synthetie plastics material. Preferably,
the support device may be of a plastically deformable material
sueh as a suitable metal material sueh as aluminium. The
entire deviee may thus be formed by a single extrusion
operation with few additional operations required to completely
25 form a binder system.
The invention accordingly extends to a binder system
7'~ ~
-- 6 --
including a support device in accordance with the invention, a
pair of binder strap securing means to co-operate with the
support device and a pair of binder straps, securable within
the first channel section defined by the support device, by
means of the strap securing means.
Each strap securing means may have a pivot zone to
support the securing means pivotally in the first channel
section of the support device so as to be pivotally displace-
able between an unlocked position where it projects from the
support device and a locked position where it lies within the
channel section, each strap securing means having locking means
for locking it in its locked position and each strap securing
means having locating means for locating a binder strap
thereon.
The locating means of the strap securing means may be
an elongate groove extending along the length of the securing
means and in which a binder strap is receivable. The binder --
strap may be locatable in the groove by a friction fit, or
alternatively, the groove and the strap may include complementary
formations to locate them relative to one another. The binder
strap may be an elongate flexible member.
In particular, the locating means may be such that a
binder strap can be threaded into the locating means but un-
threading is resisted if tension is applied to the strap in an
axial direction. Also, the pivot zone of each strap securing
means may be provided by pivot axes slidably located in the
first channel section of the support device.
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The strap securing means may be moulded of a
synthetic plastics material.
The binder system may further include suspension
brackets located at opposite ends of the second channel section
of the support device to permit the suspension of the system in
a horizontal filing system.
Alternatively or in addition, the binder system may
include a third suspension bracket located within the second
channel section of the support device intermediate its opposite
ends to permit the suspension of the binder system in a lateral
filing system.
The suspension brackets may all be displaceable
between an operative position in which binder systems can be
suspended and an inoperative position. In particular, the
suspension brackets may be displaceable in the manner herein~
above described with reference to the support device.
The binder system may additionally include a cover
sheet located within the support device between the flange and
an adjacent wall portion of the device.
The invention also extends to a method of forming a
support device in accordance with the invention which includes
the steps of extruding an elongate strip having the cross-
section of a support device, and severing the strip at required
lengths to provide support devices.
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An embodiment of the invention is now described by
way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In the drawings:-
Figure 1 shows a fragmentary, perspective view of an
S embodiment of a support device for a binder system in accord-
ance with this invention, with the securing means of the binder
system mounted on the support device and shown in its unlocked
position;
Figure 2 shows a fragmentary, perspective view of the
support device of Figure 1, with the binder strap omitted for
the sake of clarity, and with the securing means in its locked
position;
Figure 3 shows an enlarged fragmentary, cross-sectional
view of the support device along line III-III in Figure 2;
Figure 4 shows, to an enlarged scale, a sectional
fragmentary view of the binder system along line IV-IV of
Figure 2, with the support device in its extruded form as it
would be prior to mounting on a cover sheet;
Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a binder system, in
accordance with the invention, in a first mode of suspension;
and
Figure ~ shows a perspective view of the binder system of
Figure 5 in a second mode of suspension.
With reference to the drawings and particularly
Figures 1 to 4, reference numeral 10 refers generally to a
9 ~77t7~3
part of a binder system for the storage of loose leaf computer
or like sheets, not showing its suspension means.
The binder system includes a first support device 12
for supporting a pair of binder strap securing means 14 (only
one being visible) in the binder system 10.
The support device 12 comprises an elongate body
member 13 extruded out of a suitable aluminium alloy, having an
elongated lipped first channel section body portion 16, an
elongated clamping flange 18 extending integrally from the body
portion 16 and an elongated lipped second channel section body
portion 19 disposed along the free end of the flange 18.
The support device 12 is extruded in elongated
lengths in the form shown in Figure 4 of the draw`ings with the
clamping flange 18 extending at an angle to the body portion
16.
The elongated lengths can then be cut at spaced
intervals to provide body members 13 of appropriate lengths for
use.
The body member is formed out of an aluminium alloy
which is plastically deformable to allow the clamping flange 18
to be displaced between its inoperative position as shown in
Figure 4 of the drawings, and a clamping position as shown in
the remaining Figures 1 to 4 of the drawings, to clamp an edge
- 1 o - ~7'77~q3
portion 20 of a cover sheet 22 between the clamping flange 18
and the body portion 16 thereby securely locating the support
device 12 on the edge portion 20 of the cover sheet 22.
The clamping flange 18 may be displaced into its
clamping position in a suitable press. While so being dis-
placed, threading apertures 24 may simultaneously be punched at
spaced intervals along the length of the support device 12,
through the clamping flange 18, the edge portion 20 and the
base wall 26 of the body portion 16. The punching of the
apertures 24 may clearly be effected at any time during the
manufacturing process of the binder system 10.
The body portion 16 is further defined by the base
wall 26, by a pair of opposed side walls 28, and by lip
formations 30 which project inwardly from the opposed side
walls 28. Similarly, the body portion 19 is defined by a base
wall 27 projecting from the flange 18, a pair of opposed side
walls 29 and lip formations 31 which project inwardly from the
side walls 29.
Referring particularly to the mounting of the
securing means 14 on the support device 12 and particularly the
body portion 16 each binder strap securing means 14 has a pair
of pivot axles 32 extending outwardly in opposed directions
adjacent a pivot end 34 of the securing means 14.
The pivot axles are shaped, as can be seen particu-
177~9
larly in Figure 4 of the drawings, to pivotally locate eachsecuring means 14 in the channel section of the body portion
16, with the pivot axles co-operating with the lip formations
30 to locate the securing means 14 in positionO
Each securing means 14 is pivotally displaceable
between its unlocked position as shown in Figure 1 of the
drawings, where it extends transversely to the length of the
support device 12, and its locked position as shown in the
remaining figures 2 to 4 of the drawings, where it lies within
the lipped channel section of the body portion 16.
Each securing means has locking means in the form of
locking shoulders 36 which are shaped to co-operate with the
lipped formations 30 to locate the securing means 14 in its
locked position.
Each securing means 14 further includes a locating
groove 38 which extends the length of the securing means 14 for
removably receiving a binder strap 40 to locate the binder
strap 40 on the securing means 14 during use.
Each locating groove 38 is provided with a plurality
20 of axially spaced locating grooves 42 for co-operating with
complementary locating ridges 44 provided at axially spaced
intervals along the length of the binder strap 40 to locate the
binder strap 40 in the locating groove 38 against axial
displacement along its length.
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- 12 -
Each locating groove 38 is defined by a pair of
opposed side walls which diverge outwardly towards the base of
the groove, thereby allowing the binder strap 40 to be forced
into the locating groove 38, but combatting inadvertent
dislodgement of the binder strap 40 from the locating groove
38.
Each securing means 14 is provided with a pair of
gripping flanges 46 which can be gripped for displacing the
securing means 14 into its unlocked position.
The binder system 10 further includes a pair of
binder straps 40 which are moulded out of synthetic plastics
material, for use with the separate securing means 14.
Each binder strap 40 has a shoulder formation 48 at
its one end, and a threading formation 50 at its opposed énd,
and is of resiliently flexible synthetic plastics material.
Thc formation 50 is adapted for threading through apertures 24
as is hereinafter clescribed.
Referring now also to Figures 5 and 6 a complete
binder system 10 is shown in these drawings in two operative
modes of suspension. In particular, in Figure 5, the system is
shown in a mode of lateral suspension whereas in Figure 6 the
system is shown in a mode of horizontal suspension.
Referring generally to Figures 5 and 6, the complete
binder system 10 incorporates two support devices 12.1 and 12.2
- 13 - ~ ~77~9
as described above. The device 12.1 may have a front cover
sheet 22.1 secured thereto whereas the device 12.2 may have a
rear cover sheet 22.2 secured thereto. The cover sheets 22.1
and 22.2 have score lines (not shown) provided thereon to
enhance folding of the sheets into the configuration shown.
Both devices 12.1 and 12.2 together with their cover sheets 22
may have apertures 24 formed therein as above described so that
a binder strap 40 can be threaded therethrough.
In practice two binder straps 40 (not shown) may be
threaded through apertures 24 and corresponding apertures in a
pack of sheets 52 to be bound together. The binder straps 40
are first threaded through apertures 24 in the support device
12.2 until the shoulder formations 48 at one end thereof engage
the base wall 26 of the device 12.2 within the channel defined
by the device 12.2. The binder straps 40 are then threaded
th~ough the pack of sheets 52 and finally through the support
device 12.1 which has a securing means 14 mounted thereon for
engaging the binder straps 40 and binding the sheets 52 as is
hereinafter described.
Referring particularly to Figure 5, a first suspen-
sion bracket 54 is pivotally received within the channel
section body portion 19 of each support device 12.1 and 12.2
intermediate their ends. In their operative configuration
shown the brackets 54 project above the body portions 19 and
25 define hook formations 56. These brackets 54 are further
slightly offset from a central position between the ends of the
devices 12.1 and 12.2 and can engage a suspension bar 58 of a
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-
filing system 60 by means of thQ hook formations 56. When so
suspended the entire binding system 10 will tend to pivot in
the direction of arrow 62 so that the support devices 12.1 and
12.2 engage the stop bar 64 and thus hold the entire system 10
in the suspended configuration shown.
When not in use, the brackets 54 can be pivoted to
lie within the channel section body portion 19 as shown in
Figure 6 in which configuration it is completely out of the
way. Pivotal axes for the brackets 54 may be defined by
complementary dimple formations in the brackets 54 and side
walls 29 of the channel section body portion 19.
Referring particularly to Figure 6 opposing hori-
zontal suspension brackets 66 are slidably received within
opposite ends of the channel section body portion 19 of the
support devices 12.1 and 12.2 respectively. In their operative
configuration the brackets 66 extend from the devices 12.1 and
12.2 and define hook formations 68 whereby opposing suspension --
bars 70 of a filing system 72 can be engaged for suspending the
binder system 10. When not required for use, the brackets 66
can slide into the channel section body portions 19 of the
devices 12.1 and 12.2 into an inoperative configuration in
which they are complete out of the way. In this configuration,
the brackets lie entirely within the channel section body
portions 19 as shown in Figure 5. Complementary dimple
formations (not shown) in the brackets 66 and side walls 29 of
the body portion 19 may engage one another in the operative
configuration of the brackets 66 thus defining the correct
Lt7~7~7~L9
- 15 -
operative position and preventing the brackets to slide
completely from the support devices 12.1 and 12.2.
The dimple formations described above may be formed
into the devices 12 at any time after the extrusion of these
devices by any suitable press or stamping operation.
At least one of the channel section body portions 19
of the devices 12.1 or 12.2 may also receive an identification
support means 74 slidable therein whereby identification tags
76 can be located (see Figure 6).
It will be understood that the filing systems 60 and
72 can comprise modular units adaptable for the two modes of
suspension described and the invention accordingly extends to
mc~ular units for filing systems of the kind described above.
Thcse units 60, 72 may be securable to one another so that
ccmrlete filing systems for any quantities of filing material
can be provided. --
In use, after threading of the thongs 40 as above
described, and with the securing means 14 mounted on the
support device 12.1 in their unlocked position, where they
20 project normally to the length of the support device 12.1, the
binder straps 40 can be forced into the locating grooves 38
where they will be clamped against inadvertent withdrawal
because of the diverging shape of the side walls defining the
locating grooves 38 (See Figures 1 to 4).
- l6 - 11777~9
In this position the ridges 44 of the binder straps
40 will co-operate with the locating grooves 42 to locate the
binder straps 40 in the locating grooves 38 against withdrawal
as a result of tension applied to the binder straps 40 along
their polar axes.
Thereafter, each securing means may be pivotally
displaced about the pivot axles 32 into their locked positions
to lock the front cover sheet 22.1 relatively to the bottom
cover sheet, thereby clamping the sheets between the front and
bottom cover sheets 22.1 and 22.2 respectively.
Because the pivot axles 32 are spaced from the pivot
ends 34 of the securing means 14, during pivotal displacement
of each securing means 14 into its locked position, tension
will be applied to each binder strap 40 thereby shortening its
effective length between the bottom and front cover sheets, and
thereby providing a tensioned clamping action to clamp the
sheets firmly in position between the front and bottom cover --
sheets.
To release the binder straps 40, the securing means
14 may be displaced into their unlocked positions, the binder
straps may be displaced laterally out of the locking grooves
38, and the front cover sheet 22 may then be un-threaded from
the binder straps 40.
It is an advantage of the embodiment of the invention
as illustrated in the drawings, that the support devices 12 can
- 17 ~ 7 ~ ~s3
be readily and effectively formed by cutting off appropriate
lengths from an elongated strip of extruded aluminium alloy.
The embodiment as illustrated in the drawings
provides the further advantage that since the support devices
12 are formed by extrusion out of a suitable aluminium alloy,
the edges of the lip formations 30, 31 can be smoothly rounded
thereby preventing these edges causing damage or injury.
The embodiment of the invention as illustrated in the
drawings provides the further advantage that the support device
12 can be effectively and firm]y clamped onto edge portion 20
of the cover sheets 22, and that threading apertures 24 can at
the same time be provided at any desired spaced intervals along
the length of the support devices ~2.
It will be appreciated that, if desired, the edge
. .
5 pOI-~iorls 20 may additionally be secured to the base wall 26 and
the clamping flange 18 by means of a suitable adhesive. _~
The embodiment as illustrated in the drawings pro-
vides the further advantage that the threading apertures can be
provided at any desired intervals to suit a wide range of
threading apertures provided in computer sheets, for which the
system 10 is particularly usefule, of various types, and that
the securing means 14 can be displaced along the length of the
support device 12 to utilise appropriate threading apertures.
The embodiment as illustrated in the drawings
117'77~5~
- 18 -
-
provides the further advantage that the securing means 14 can
be locked and unlocked in a simple and effective manner, that
the binder straps 40 can be positively located in the locating
grooves 38 in a simple and effective manner, and that the
binder straps 40 can be tensioned during displacement of the
securing means 14 into their locked positions, thereby
providing a firm clamping action for clamping computer sheets
in position in the binder system 10.
lt will be appreciated that, if desired, instead of
the binder straps 40 as illustrated in Figure 1, binder straps
may be used having threading formations at both opposed ends.
In this embodiment of the invention, it will be appreciated
that support devices 12.1 and 12.2 will be provided with
securing means 14 as described above.
Although the support devices are preferably of an
aluminium alloy or like plastically deformable material they
may also be of a resiliently flexible plastics material in
which case the resilience of the plastics material permits
clamping of cover sheets 22. However, particularly where
binder systems 10 carry heavy loads, rigidity of the support
devices 12 is essential and resilient materials not preferable.
The flange 18 and/or the adjacent wall of the body
member 13 between which the cover sheets 22 are clamped may
have a clamping rib 80 to penetrate a surface zone of a cover
sheet during clamping to improve the clamping effect (see
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-- 19 --
Figure 4 only ) .
