WO2015122904A1

WO2015122904A1 - Ring binder improvement

Info

Publication number: WO2015122904A1
Application number: PCT/US2014/016417
Authority: WO
Inventors: Balakrishnan Premnath; Paul A. Whaley
Original assignee: U.S. Ring Binder, L.P.
Priority date: 2014-02-14
Filing date: 2014-02-14
Publication date: 2015-08-20

Abstract

A lever arch mechanism (10) comprises a pair of binder rings (R) selectively movable between an open and a closed position to retain hole punched sheets of paper and the like and a plate (12) to which respective ends of the binder rings are mounted. A lever (L) mounted on the plate is operatively connected to the binder rings for movement of the lever in an appropriate direction to open and close the rings. A plurality of fasteners (14) depend from an underside (16) of the plate for securely attaching the plate to a relatively thin binder cover (C) whereby the lever arch mechanism is fastened to the binder and cannot be readily dislodged therefrom. Four sets (S1-S4) of fasteners depend from the underside of the plate and are formed in a predetermined arrangement along three sides (20, 22) of the plate.

Description

RING BINDER IMPROVEMENT

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application is a PCT application. European patent application serial numbers 1 1 17941 1 .1 and 1 1 179414.5 both of which were filed 30 August, 201 1 are directed to an improved lever arch ring metal commonly referred to as a LAM. These applications are incorporated herein by reference. The improved LAM of the present invention is for securement to a relatively thin material in which fasteners formed on the LAM penetrate through the material, but in which the surface of the material remains relatively smooth after the LAM is secured to it.

BACKGROUND

Referring to Fig. 1A, a prior art lever arch mechanism M is of a 2-ring R construction and is installed on binder C; although it can be used in other binder constructions for files and folders, etc. The mechanism locks with the rings R in their closed position. In some LAM constructions, the rings are opened by moving a lever L. In other LAM constructions, the rings are opened by the user pinching the vertical sections of a ring toward each other and then rotating the ring about its pivot. Other types of opening mechanisms are also used.

In various applications, a side plate (not shown in Fig. 1 A) is secured to the binder and the LAM is installed in the side plate. Since operation of a LAM is well- known in the art, other than as set out above, it is not described.

Heretofore, installation of the LAM onto binder C has been accomplished by attaching a base plate P of mechanism M to the binder using rivets or eyelets (neither of which are shown) or the like which are inserted through openings H in the plate. As shown in Fig. 1 , there are typically four openings H in base plate P.

It is an advantage of the improved LAM of the present invention that it can be secured to a binder cover without the need of rivets or eyelets.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is directed to an improved LAM. The improvement includes integrally forming at least one, and preferably a plurality of, fasteners on the underside of the LAM at those locations where holes were previously formed for the insertion of rivets or eyelets which were used to attach the LAM to a binder. Use of the improved LAM has the advantages of eliminating the rivets/eyelets as well as making the LAM easier to install on a binder. The overall cost of the binder and LAM is significantly reduced because not only are the rivets/eyelets and their associated cost eliminated, but assembly of the LAM to the binder is easier and less time consuming since rivets/eyelets no longer need to be fed to the assembly line for use in installation of the LAM to a binder cover. Also, less expensive equipment is required to perform the installation.

A plate on which the LAM is installed is generally rectangular with one set of fasteners is formed along one short side of the plate and a second set of fasteners is formed along the opposite short side of the plate from this first set. Two other sets of fasteners are formed adjacent opposite ends of one of the long sides of the plate with no fasteners being formed along the opposite, other long side of the plate. The four sets of fasteners are arranged in a generally semi- circular pattern which insures best attachment of the LAM to the binder. The height of the fasteners varies depending upon the particular binder application. The fasteners may also include strengthening ribs.

A further advantage of the improved LAM of the present invention is that attachment of the LAM using the fasteners makes for a strong assembly in which the LAM cannot be readily pulled away or apart from the binder, either accidentally or intentionally.

Another advantage of the improved LAM is that it is designed for installation to a thin binder material; i.e., a material that is on the order of 85 mm. thick as compared to more standard materials which are 1 10-120 mm. thick. While the fasteners of the LAM extend through the cover material, their design is such that when the LAM is fully attached, the backside of the material through which the fasteners protrude will be substantially smooth after the installation is complete.

The result of the improved LAM of the present invention is a low cost, easy to install, visually pleasing LAM/binder assembly. Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects of the invention are achieved as set forth in the illustrative embodiments shown in the drawings which form a part of the specification.

Fig. 1 A is a representation of a prior art lever arch mechanism (LAM) mounted on a binder, and Fig. 1 B is a representation of a LAM of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an underside of an attachment plate by which the LAM is attached to a binder cover;

Fig. 3 illustrates insertion of sets of fasteners formed on the plate through a binder cover material;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to that of Fig. 2, but with the outer ends of the fasteners bent (rolled) over to secure the LAM to the binder cover;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3 and illustrating the bent over fasteners securing the plate to the binder cover; and,

Figs. 6A and 6B are respective side and front elevations view of a fastener with an integrally formed strengthening rib.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description illustrates the invention by way of example and not by way of limitation. This description clearly enables one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives and uses of the invention, including what is presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the invention. Additionally, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it will be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 4, an improved lever arch mechanism (LAM) of the present invention is indicated generally 10 and is for attachment to a binder cover C or the like. Binder cover C is made of a relatively thin material. For example, the material is on the order of 85 mm. thick as opposed to more conventional cover materials which are typically 1 10-120 mm. thick. The LAM comprises at least one binder ring, and as shown in Fig. 1 B, two binder rings R. The rings are selectively movable between an open and a closed position to retain hole punched sheets of paper (not shown) and the like. The ends of the binder rings are mounted on a stamped metal plate 12. A lever L mounted on plate 12 is operatively connected to the binder rings so movement of the lever in an appropriate direction acts to open and close the binder rings. For convenience, the LAM shown in the drawings and described hereafter includes a lever. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that other LAM constructions which are included in the present invention do not use or require a lever to affect opening and closing of the binder rings R.

Those skilled in the art will understand that the height of the fasteners may vary depending upon a particular application. Preferably, all of the fasteners are of the same height with straight sides, a flat outer end, and rounded shoulders, all as shown in the drawings. All of the 14 are integrally formed with and depend from an underside 16 of plate 12. As such, plate 12 and the fasteners 14 comprise a one-piece construction. As described hereinafter, the fasteners 14 are arranged in sets, there being four sets S1 -S4 of fasteners shown in the drawings. Those skilled in the art will understand that there could be more or fewer sets of fasteners with each set including more of fewer than three fasteners. Also, as shown in Fig. 6, the fasteners are formed with a strengthening rib B.

During assembly of LAM 10 to a binder, the fasteners 14 securely attach plate 12 to binder cover C (see Fig. 5) such that the LAM cannot be readily dislodged from the binder. That is, the outer ends 18 of the fasteners penetrate through the relatively thin material forming the cover, as shown in Fig. 3. When attached to the material as shown in Fig. 5, the fasteners grip the material with sufficient force that regardless of whether the binder accidently falls or is banged by or against another object; or is mistreated by someone, the LAM cannot be readily dislodged. As noted above, the outer ends of the fasteners are not pointed, but rather are relatively flat with rounded shoulders that transition from the sides of the fastener to the outer end thereof.

As shown in Fig 5, the outer ends 18 of the fasteners are "rolled" over to secure LAM 10 to the cover. In performing the installation, particularly with relatively thin covers C, installation is such that the outer surface of the cover remains relatively smooth and presents a pleasing appearance. Because installation of LAM 10 is accomplished without the use of rivets or eyelets, there is a significant savings in both assembly cost and installation time.

In Figs. 2 and 4, plate 12 is shown to be a generally rectangular plate. At least one set of fasteners 14 is integrally formed with and depends from underside 16 of plate 12 along each short side 20 of the plate. These are the sets S1 and S2 of fasteners respectively. Further, at least two sets of fasteners 14 depend from the underside of plate 16 along at least one of the long sides 22 of the plate. These are the sets S3 and S4 respectively. One of each set of fasteners is formed on side 22 adjacent respective opposite ends of this long side of the plate. No fasteners are formed along the opposite long side 20 of plate 12.

As shown in the drawings, each set S1 -S4 of fasteners comprises a group or cluster of three fasteners at each of the above noted locations. Further, each set of three fasteners is arranged in a geometric pattern. In a preferred embodiment shown in the drawings, this pattern is a generally semicircular pattern such that two of the fasteners in each group are in-line with each other and extend parallel to the side of the plate adjacent to which they are formed. The third fastener in the cluster is located substantially midway between the other two fasteners and extends orthogonally of them. When the ends of the fasteners are upset as shown in Fig. 4, the outer ends 18 of the two in-line fasteners are rolled in opposite directions, while the outer end of the third fastener in the set points inwardly, into the body of the plate. The improved LAM of the present invention has significant advantages over current LAM constructions. One important advantage is that rivets and eyelets currently needed to attach a LAM to a binder are eliminated. This substantially reduces the cost of the assembly. Next, the improved LAM is easier to install on a binder. This is because it is no longer necessary to feed rivets or eyelets to a manufacturing station where the assembly is completed. This simplifies the manufacturing process because not only are there are now fewer parts of which to keep track, but downtime caused by the misfeeding of rivets or eyelets, or running out of rivets or eyelets during assembly, is eliminated. Not only is less expensive equipment now used in the assembly process, but assembly of the LAM to the binder is easier and less time consuming thereby increasing throughput.

Another important advantage of the improved LAM of the present invention is that attachment of the LAM using the fasteners results in a strong assembly. Once assembly is completed, the LAM cannot be readily pulled away or apart from the binder, either accidentally or intentionally.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects and advantages of the present disclosure have been achieved and other advantageous results have been obtained.

Claims

CLAIMS: Having thus described the invention, what is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1 . A lever arch mechanism for attachment to a binder or the like comprising:

at least one binder ring selectively movable between an open and a closed position to retain hole punched sheets of paper and the like;

a generally rectangular plate to which respective ends of the binder ring are mounted; and,

at plurality of sets of fasteners integrally formed with and depending from an underside of the plate for securely attaching the plate to a binder whereby the lever arch mechanism is fastened to the binder and cannot be readily dislodged therefrom, at least one set of fasteners depending from the underside of the plate along each short side of the plate and at least two sets of fasteners depending from an underside of the plate along one of the long sides thereof with one set of fasteners located adjacent respective opposite ends thereof, and with no fasteners depending from the other long side of the plate,

2. The lever arch mechanism of claim 1 in which the fasteners of each set extend through a cover of the binder when the plate is attached to the binder, the outer ends of the fasteners of each set being rolled over onto the cover to secure the plate in place.

3. The lever arch mechanism of claim 2 in which each set of fasteners are arranged in a geometric pattern.

4. The lever arch mechanism of claim 3 in which each group of fasteners is arranged in a generally semicircular pattern.

5. The lever arch mechanism of claim 4 in which each set of fasteners comprises three fasteners with two of the fasteners being in-line with each other and extending parallel to the side of the plate adjacent to which they are formed.

6. The lever arch mechanism of claim 5 in which the third fastener in each set is located substantially midway between the other two fasteners and extends orthogonally of them.

7. The lever arch mechanism of claim 6 in which, when the ends of the fasteners are upset, the outer end of said third fastener points inwardly into the body of the plate.

8. The lever arch mechanism of claim 1 in which the fasteners are integrally formed with the plate to make a one-piece construction.

9. The lever arch mechanism of claim 1 in which each of the fasteners has generally straight sides, a generally flat outer end, and rounded shoulders between the sides and outer end of the fastener.

10. The lever argh mechanism of claim 1 in which each fastener further includes an integrally formed strengthening rib.