Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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- - - - - PATENT - -
RING BINDER MECHANISM
Background of the Invention
This invention relates to binders for holding loose leaf pages, and in
particular to an improved mechanism for opening and closing binders.
A ring binder retains loose leaf pages, such as hole-punched papers, in
a file or notebook. It features ring members for retaining the papers which
may be
selectively opened to add or remove papers, or closed to retain papers while
allowing
them to be moved along the ring members. Levers are typically provided on both
ends of the binder for moving the ring members between the open and closed
positions.
One drawback to ring binders of the prior art is that when ring members
are being closed, they snap shut with a strong magnitude of force which can
cause
injury. When ring members are fully closed, that strong clamping force is
necessary
5 to securely lock the binder and prevent its unintentional opening.
Unfortunately, that
magnitude of force is also applied to the ring members while they are being
opened
or closed, causing difficulty in opening and closing the ring members, as well
as the
hazardous snapping action.. Further, the clamping force within each ring is
not
uniform with the clamping force in other rings, causing uneven movement and
:0 potentially resulting in gaps on closed rings.
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PATENT
Summary of the Invention
Among the several objects and features of the present invention may
be noted the provision of a ring binder mechanism which inhibits injury to
operators;
the provision of such a mechanism which is easily opened or closed; the
provision of
such a mechanism which provides uniform clamping force in each ring; and the
provision of such a mechanism which may be securely locked.
Generally, a ring binder mechanism according to the present invention
retains loose leaf pages. The mechanism comprises a generally rigid, elongate
plate
having a longitudinal axis and hinge plates supported by the plate for
pivoting motion
relative to the elongate plate. Rings hold the loose leaf pages, the rings
including
ring members mounted on the hinge plates and moveable by the hinge plates
between a closed position wherein the ring members of each ring form a
substantially continuous, closed loop for allowing loose leaf pages retained
by the
rings to be moved along the ring from one ring member to the other, and an
open
5 position wherein the ring members of each ring form a discontinuous, open
loop for
adding or removing loose leaf pages from the rings. A control structure is
supported
by the elongate plate for movement relative to the elongate plate for
controllably
pivoting the hinge plates to thereby move the ring members between the closed
and
open positions. The control structure comprises a travel bar movable in
translation
10 relative to the elongate plate and a connecting link pivotally connecting
the travel bar
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3
to the hinge plates for moving the hinge plates between the closed and open
positions.
In another aspect, a ring binder mechanism according to the present
invention comprises a generally rigid, elongate plate having a longitudinal
axis and
two ends. Hinge plates are supported by the elongate plate for pivoting motion
relative to the elongate plate. Rings hold the loose leaf pages, the rings
including
ring members mounted on the hinge plates and moveable by the hinge plates
between a closed position wherein the ring members of each ring form a
substantially continuous, closed ioop for allowing loose leaf pages retained
by the
rings to be moved along the ring from o'ne ring member to the other, and an
open
position wherein the ring members of each ring form a discontinuous, open loop
for
adding or removing loose leaf pages from the rings. A control structure is
supported
by the elongate plate for movement relative to the elongate plate. The control
structure comprises a pivotally movable actuator located generally at ane end
of the
elongate plate and pivotally mounted thereto, the other end being free of any
actuator. The control structure engages the hinge plates at least at two
spaced apart
locations for controllably pivoting the hinge plates to thereby move the ring
members
between the closed and open positions.
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4
The constructure further comprising a travel bar
movable in translation generally lengthwise of the elongated
plate and two connecting links pivotally connecting the
travel bar to the hinge plates at the two spaced apart
locations.
In yet a further aspect, a method according to the
present invention assembles and operates a ring binder
mechanism having ring members for retaining loose leaf pages
and an elongate support plate. The method comprises the
steps of mounting the ring members on pivotable hinge plates
such that pivoting of the hinge plates moves the ring
members between open and closed positions. The hinge plates
are operatively connected with a travel bar that is moveable
in translation generally lengthwise of the elongate plate,
including placing at least one pivotally moveable connecting
link between the hinge plates and the travel bar such that
force is transmitted from the bar to the hinge plates to
produce pivotal motion of the hinge plates. Force is
applied to the travel bar to move the bar and thereby open
or close the ring members.
According to still another aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a ring binder mechanism for
retaining loose-leaf pages, the mechanism comprising: an
elongate plate; hinge plates supported by the elongate plate
for pivoting motion relative to the elongate plate; rings for
holding the loose-leaf pages, each ring including a first
ring member and a second ring member, the first ring member
being mounted on a first hinge plate and moveable with the
pivoting motion of the first hinge plate relative to the
second ring member between a closed position and an open
position, in the closed position the two ring members forming
a substantially continuous, closed loop for allowing loose-
leaf pages retained by the rings to be moved along the rings
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4a
from one ring member to the other, and in the open position
the two ring members forming a discontinuous, open loop for
adding or removing loose-leaf pages from the rings; an
actuator supported for pivoting motion by the elongate plate
for actuating the ring members between the closed and open
positions; a travel bar movable generally in translation
lengthwise of the elongate plate; a connector pivotally
connected to the actuator and pivotally connected to the
travel bar for pivoting motion relative to both the actuator
and travel bar; the connector connecting the actuator to the
travel bar so that the pivoting motion of the actuator
produces the translational movement of the travel bar
lengthwise of the elongate plate.
Other objects and features of the present
invention will be in part apparent and in part pointed out
hereinafter.
Brief Description of the Drawings
FIG. 1 is a perspective of a ring binder mechanism
of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective thereof;
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective of the
mechanism with an elongate plate thereof removed and in a
closed and unlocked position;
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal section of
the mechanism at the closed and unlocked position;
FIG. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3 with the
mechanism at an open position;
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PATENT
FIG. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 4 with the mechanism at the open
position;
FIG. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 3 with the mechanism at a closed and
locked position;
FIG. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 4 with the mechanism at the closed and
locked position;
FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective of the ring binder of Fig. I at the closed
and locked position with one hinge plate removed;
FIG. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9 with the mechanism at the open
0 position;
FIG. 11 is a perspective of a notebook incorporating the ring binder
mechanism;
FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective of a connecting link;
FIG. 13 is a section taken on line 13-13 of Fig. 8;
5 FIG. 14 is a bottom plan of a travel bar;
FIGS. 15 and 16 are a perspective and an end elevation, respectively,
of a binder mechanism according to a second embodiment of the present
invention
having rings of a first slanted D shape; and
FIGS. 17 and 18 are a perspective and an end elevation, respectively,
0 of a binder mechanism according to a third embodiment of the present
invention
having rings of a second slanted D shape.
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Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts
throughout the views of the drawings.
Detaiied Description of the Preferred Embodiment
Referring now to the drawings and in particular to Fig. 1, a ring binder
mechanism according to the present invention for retaining loose leaf pages is
indicated generally at 30. The mechanism 30 includes an elongate plate 32 and
three rings, each indicated generally at 34, for holding loose leaf pages.
The plate 32 is shaped as an elongated rectangle with a uniform,
generally arch-shaped elevated profile having at its center a raised plateau
36. The
0 plate 32 has a longitudinal axis 38, two generally opposite longitudinal
edges 40, and
two generally opposite transverse ends 42. A bent under rim 44 (Fig. 9) is
formed
along the longitudinal edges 40. The elongate plate 32 is made of metal or
other
suitable material which is sufficiently rigid to provide a stable mount for
other
components of the mechanism, while being lightweight to conserve material and
5 manufacturing costs. Two openings 46 (Fig. 2) are provided for receiving and
attaching mounting posts 48 to secure the mechanism to a file or notebook 50
(Fig.
11), and six additional holes 52 are positioned along the longitudinal edges
40 to
receive the rings therethrough. Mechanisms having plates or housings of other
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. - --....~ - -- -- -- _. - - - - RA~F~IT-~~ -
shapes, including irregular shapes, or housings which are integral with a file
or
notebook, do not depart from the scope of this invention.
Each of the three rings 34 include two half ring members 54 which are
movable between a closed position (Figs. 1 and 3) wherein each ring member
forms
a continuous, ciosed loop for retaining loose leaf pages, and an open position
(Fig.
5) wherein each ring member forms a discontinuous, open loop suitable for
adding or
removing pages. The ring members 54 are formed of a conventional, cylindrical
rod
of a suitable material such as steel. Although both ring members 54 of each
ring 34
are movable in the illustrated embodiment, a mechanism having a movable ring
0 member and a fixed ring member does not depart from the scope of this
invention.
Further, a mechanism with a different number of rings, greater or less than
three,
does not depart from the scope of this invention.
The ring members 54 are mounted on hinge plates 56 (Figs. 2 and 3)
which are supported by the elongate plate 32 for pivotal motion to move the
ring
5 members between the closed and open positions. The hinge plates 56 are
mounted
in parallel arrangement and attached to each other for pivotal motion along
adjoining
longitudinal edges to form a hinge 58. Two pairs of aligned notches 60 in the
hinge
plates 56 are positioned along the hinge and define openings, the use of which
will
be explained hereinafter. Each hinge plate 56 has an outer longitudinal edge
margin
0 62 opposite the hinge which is received in the corresponding bent under rim
44 of
the elongate plate 32. The longitudinal edge margins 62 are free to move
within the
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._
- -- - - -
-----~-- - - -_ _ , _ _ _ _ r~..P
rim 44 to allow pivoting movement of the hinge plates 56 on the hinge 58. The
elongate plate 32 provides a small spring force to bias the hinge plates 56
away from
a co-planar position (i.e., toward either the closed position or the open
position).
However, the tension provided by the elongate plate 32 is substantially
smaller than
on conventional ring binder mechanisms, and the plate provides effectively no
clamping force to hold the ring members 54 in the closed position as with
conventional mechanisms. The elongate plate 32 provides a force which is as
small as it can be while still supporting the hinge plates 56. Each hinge
plate 56 also
has several locating cutouts 64 along the outer longitudinal edge margin 62
for a
0 purpose described hereinafter.
A unique control structure indicated generally at 66 is provided for
controllably pivoting the hinge plates 56 and thereby moving the ring members
54
between the closed and open positions, as well as for controllably locking the
ring
members at the closed position. The control structure 66 includes a single
actuating
5 lever 68 at one end of the mechanism, a travel bar 70, and two connecting
links 72
which are supported by the elongate plate 32 and are movable relative to the
elongate plate. The connecting links 72 operatively connect the travel bar 70
to the
hinge plates 56.
The actuating lever 68 selectively moves the ring members 54 between
0 the open and closed positions and moves the mechanism to a locked position.
The
lever 68 is pivotally mounted by a hinge pin 74 to one end 42 of the elongate
plate 32
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P-ATENT--
in a position readily accessible for grasping and moving the lever. The
opposite end
42 of the elongate plate is free from any actuator, although it is understood
that a
mechanism with two levers does not depart from ttie scope of this invention.
The
lever 68 is operatively connected to the travel bar 70 such that application
of force to
the lever produces movement of the travel bar generally lengthwise of the
elongate
plate 32. The pivotal motion of the lever 68 provides for easier application
of force
by an operator when moving the travel bar 70 than it would be to translate the
bar
directly as by pushing or pulling, and does so without the bar protruding from
the
elongate plate. A suitable rigid material or combination of materials, such as
metal
0 or plastic, forms the lever 68.
An intermediate connector 76 is pivotally connected to the lever 68 and
to the travel bar 70 for pivoting motion relative to both the lever and travel
bar. Force
is transmitted from the lever 68 to the travel bar 70 through the intermediate
connector 76. The intermediate connector 76 has an elongate slot 78 for
allowing
5 the intermediate connector to move while receiving a mounting post 48
through the
slot. The slot 78 allows transmission of force around the post 48 while
keeping
direction of force along a centerline of the intermediate connector 76. The
intermediate connector 76 has a tabbed end 80 for being received in a slot 82
on an
end of the travel bar 70 for permitting relative pivoting motion. A hinge pin
84
0 attaches the intermediate connector 76 to the lever 68.
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- -- -- - - ~T-E~J7
The travel bar 70 (Fig. 14) is elongate in shape and disposed in
generally parallel arrangement with the longitudinal axis 38 of the elongate
plate 32.
It is movable generally lengthwise of the elongate plate, being pivotally
supported by
the connecting links 72. The travel bar 70 is housed within the elongate plate
32
behind the raised plateau 36 and has the shape of a rigid channel, with a flat
web 86
and downwardly turned side flanges 88.
Two mounts, indicated generally at 90, are on the travel bar 70 for
pivotally attaching the travel bar and connecting links 72. Each mount 90
includes
stops 92, 94 (Fig. 10) formed by punching and bending portions of the web 86.
Two
0 stops 92 are arranged on a first longitudinal side of the mount 90 and two
stops 94
on the opposite side. The stops limit an angular extent of pivotal motion of
the
connecting link 72 relative to the travel bar 70. Each stop 92, 94 has an
angled
surface configured for engagement by the connecting link 72. The stops are
directionally configured, i.e., the angle of surfaces on stops 92 differs from
the angle
5 of surfaces on stops 94 such that a maximum relative angle between the
connecting
link and travel bar may be greater in one longitudinal direction than in the
opposite
longitudinal direction. Corresponding notches 96 (Fig. 2) are formed in the
flanges
88 of the travel bar 70 at positions adjacent each mount, forming a slot
transverse a
longitudinal axis of the bar for permitting free pivotal motion of the
connecting links
0 72.
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RATF-V~-
- _ -_ _ .~= -- - . - - ~-~_ - -- - - - - - _ - - - - - - -
Referring to Fig. 12, each connecting link 72 has a tongue 98 projecting
from the top center of the link which is pivotally received in the mount 90,
between
the stops 92 and 94. The tongue 98 pivots about an axis transverse to the
longitudinal axis of the travel bar 70. An upper peripheral edge of the tongue
98 is
generally straight and configured to engage the mount 90 for attaching the
connecting link 72 to the travel bar 70 in loose fitting relation such that
the bar is
movable generally lengthwise of the elongate plate 32 while the connecting
link
pivots with respect to the elongate plate. The tongue 98 is bent at a slight
angle
relative to the center of the link 72, as shown at line 100 in Fig. 12. That
angle
0 inhibits occurrence of the link 72 becoming stopped at a vertical position
with little or
no tendency to move away from that position when force is oriented generally
vertically. The connecting link 72 has two lugs 102 for engaging upper
surfaces of
the two hinge plates 56 adjacent to the hinge 58. A tab 104 depends from the
lower
center of the connecting link 72 for being received through the opening
defined by
5 the aligned notches 60 at the hinge. The tab 104 is in loose fitting
relation with the
hinge plates 56 for attaching the connecting link 72 to the hinge plates. A
retainer
106 at the bottom of the tab 104 is wider than the opening at the notches 60
to
prevent the tab 104 from being fully withdrawn from the opening. The tab 104
is
configured to move toward and away from the hinge plates 56 while permitting
the
0 connecting link 72 to pivot with respect to the hinge plates. When the link
72 pivots
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- PA-T-FNT- to where the retainer 106 engages the hinge plates 56, the
retainer pivots the hinge
plates to move the ring members 54 to the open position.
Locating arms 108 extend laterally outwardly from opposite sides of the
connecting link 72 for extending through the locating cutouts 64 in the hinge
plates
56. The arms 108 attach the link 72 to the hinge plates 56 and locate the link
against canting movement, that is, movement about a vertical axis
perpendicular to
the longitudinal axis 38 of the elongate plate 32. However, ends of the arms
108 are
received sufficiently loosely in the locating cutouts 64 so as not to
interfere with the
pivoting motion of the connecting link 72.
0 Preferably, the connecting links 72 are formed of a suitable rigid
material, such as metal or plastic. It is understood that mechanisms with
links
formed of a non-rigid material do not depart from the scope of this invention.
Further, a mechanism with a different number of connecting links, greater or
less
than two, does not depart from the scope of this invention.
5 The two connecting links 72 are at spaced apart locations and
positioned longitudinally relative to the rings 34 such that force applied
through the
(ever 68 is distributed generally uniformly among the rings. As seen in Figs.
9 and
10, there are three rings 34 and two connecting links 72, the links being
symmetrically positioned in alternating relation relative to the rings to
transmit force
0 to the hinge plates 56 which is generally equally distributed among the
three rings.
That avoids problems of uneven force distribution to the rings as on
mechanisms of
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- -- - - - - - --_ --- -- ----- oP~~~ _:--- ---- _ _
the prior art. The links 72 are positioned closer to the endmost rings 34,
each at a
spacing between about one-fourth and one-third of the distance between the
endmost and centermost rings. Other spacings do not depart from the scope of
this
invention.
The components of the mechanism 30 are made of a suitable rigid
material, such as a metal (e.g., steel). Mechanisms made of non-metallic
materials,
specifically including a plastic, do not depart from the scope of this
invention.
In operation, the control structure 66 is configured to selectively place
the mechanism 30 at three primary positions:
First position: Ring members 54 open (Figs. 5 and 6);
Second position: Ring members 54 closed and unlocked (Figs. 3 and
4);
Third position: Ring members 54 closed and locked (Figs. 7 and 8).
In order to move from the first position to the second and third, an operator
applies
force to the lever 68 to progressively pivot the lever upwardly. That pulls
the
intermediate connector 76 and travel bar 70 such that they move toward the end
42
of the elongate plate 32 having the lever. As the travel bar 70 moves, both
connecting links 72 are simultaneously and pivotally moved to a more upright
position. For instance, typical angles A (Figs. 4, 6, and 8) of the connecting
link 72
:0 relative to the elongate plate 32 are about 30 degrees at the first
position, 45
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_ _ -- , -- -- - - - --- ----- --- -- -- --- ---- --._ --- _ -__;-~,:P~EI~T---
- -
degrees at the second position, and 95 to 100 degrees at the third position.
Other
angles do not depart from the scope of this invention.
The angle of the connecting links 72 in turn controls the position of the
hinge plates 56. When closing the ring members 54, the lugs 102 on the
connecting
links engage the upper surfaces of the hinge plates 56, pushing them downward
to
pivot the hinge plates and thereby close the ring members. Conversely, when
opening the ring members 54, the tabs 104 of the connecting links engage the
lower
surfaces of the hinge plates 56 to pivot the hinge plates in the opposite
direction.
At the second, unlocked position, any force which tends to open the
ring members 54 is not opposed. Because the hinge plates 56 receive
substantially
no tension from the elongate plate 32, a light finger pressure on the ring
members is
sufficient to move the ring members 54 to the first, open position, or back to
the
second, closed and unlocked position. Such force needs only overcome internal
friction of the mechanism and the small spring force biasing the hinge plates
56 away
from a co-planer position. There is no strong snapping motion as on
conventional
mechanisms. The force pivots the hinge plates 56, pushing up on the lugs 102
of
the connecting links 72, and thereby pivoting the links to a different angle
A.
A strong clamping force is not being applied while the ring members 54
in the rings 34 move between the first (open) and second (closed and unlocked)
?0 positions. Unlike binders of the prior art, the elongate plate 32 does not
provide
significant tension to the hinge plates and rings. Accordingly, the force is
relatively
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p TT
less when the ring members are moving. That permits the ring members to be
easily
opened or closed using less strength by an operator. It also inhibits injury
should the
operator inadvertently place a finger or hand in position between ring members
54
while they are being clamped together.
When the connecting links 72 reach an angle A of 90 degrees (not
shown), which is between the second and third positions and substantially
closer to
the third position, the mechanism 30 is at a critical locked position. As
shown in Fig.
13 for the third (locked) position, force tending to open the ring members 54
is firmly
opposed by the connecting links 72 which are vertically oriented. When the
hinge
plates 56 push up on the lugs 102, there is little tendency to pivot or move
the
mechanism toward the open position because force applied to the ring members
54
urges the connecting links to move vertically upward. That motion is strongly
opposed by the mechanism because the links push up on the travel bar 70 which
is
captured beneath the elongate plate 32. Clamping force in the rings 34 is
maximized
5 because the connecting links 72 are perpendicular between the travel bar 70
and
hinge plates 56, providing a maximum spacing between those components to apply
maximum force to the hinge plates. At the third, locked position the mechanism
is
moved to where the connecting links 72 reach an angle A slightly past the
critical
position (i.e., to 95 to 100 degrees) to insure stability and avoid
inadvertent
:0 movement to an unlocked position. The links 72 engage the stops 92 at that
position.
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As shown in Fig. 11, the ring binder mechanism may be mounted on a
cover of a notebook 50. The cover is movable to selectively cover and expose
loose
leaf pages retained on the rings 34.
A method according to the present invention opens or closes the ring
binder mechanism 30 having ring members 54. The method comprises the steps of
mounting the ring members 54 on pivotable hinge plates 56 such that pivoting
of the
hinge plates moves the ring members between open and closed positions. The
hinge plates 56 are operatively connected with the travel bar 70 by placing at
least
one pivotally movable connecting link 72 between the hinge plates and the bar
such
that motion of the bar produces pivotal motion of the hinge plates. Force is
applied
to the travel bar 70 to move the bar, thereby pivoting the connecting links 72
to open
or close the ring members 54. A step of locking the mechanism 30 includes
applying
force to the travel bar 70 to move the bar and thereby pivot the connecting
links 72 to
incline the connecting links to at least the critical locked position (angle A
of 90
degrees or greater) wherein opening of ring members is inhibited.
The binder mechanism 30 of the present invention effectively retains
loose leaf pages. The mechanism does not snap shut with a strong force which
might injure a person who inadvertently places a finger or hand between ring
members as they clamp together. The ring members 54 may be moved by
!0 application of force at only one end 42 of the elongate plate, and the
magnitude of
force is less than on ring binders of the prior art. The mechanism distributes
force
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-- - _ __ _...- - - -- ------ -------------- ----- --- RA~'FtJT
generally uniformly to the three rings 34. The binder may be controllably
placed in a
locked position for securing loose leaf sheets.
A second embodiment 120 of the present invention is shown in Figs. 15
and 16. The rings 34 of the second embodiment have a shape generally in the
form
of a slanted letter D, with a first ring member 122 which is a generally
straight post at
an angle of inclination, and a second ring member 124 which is generally
semicircular in shape.
A third embodiment 130 of the present invention is shown in Figs. 17
and 18. The rings 34 of the third embodiment have an alternate shape of
another
slanted D. It is understood that a mechanism having other shapes of rings does
not
depart from the scope of this invention.
In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the
invention are achieved and other advantageous results obtained.
When introducing elements of the present invention or the preferred
embodiment(s) thereof, the articles "a", "an", "the" and "said" are intended
to mean
that there are one or more of the elements. The terms "comprising",
"including" and
"having" are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional
elements other than the listed elements.
As various changes could be made in the above without departing from
?0 the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the
above
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description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as
illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
