Binder device releasably engaging aperture or notch of sheet – Sheet retainer travels arcuate path – Travel in plane perpendicular to axis of rotation
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-15
2001-09-25
Wellington, A. L. (Department: 3722)
Binder device releasably engaging aperture or notch of sheet
Sheet retainer travels arcuate path
Travel in plane perpendicular to axis of rotation
C402S026000, C402S031000, C402S036000, C402S037000, C402S038000, C402S039000, C402S040000, C402S041000, C402S042000, C402S043000, C402S045000, C402S046000, C402S055000, C402S056000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06293722
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Binders, including those attached in folders, traditionally have opposing ring halves that may separate and come together to form open or closed loops. The ring halves are received within holes punched through a stack of paper or the workpiece to be temporarily bound by the closed loops. Traditionally, ring binders have half rings mounted on the springs that are biased against each other by a cover. The ring halves may be pulled apart from each other, targeting the leaf springs to an opened position. The ring halves may also be pushed towards each other, targeting the leaf springs to a closed position. Typically, the ring halves will snap between the open and close positions.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,179,627 discloses a loose leaf binder with toggle plates mounted with a spring back. A handle rotates a pinion to move the toggle plates longitudinally relative to each other other, together with curved sheet rataining prongs attached to the toggle plates. As the toggle plates are moved, a projection cams a toggle plate to open the rings formed by the retaining process. Upon further rotation of the handle, the toggle plates are forced by the spring back to return their relative angle or position.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A binder mechanism comprises a first ring assembly and a binding portion. The first ring assembly includes at least one first ring half. At least the first ring assembly or the binding portion are a pivitable half that is pivotable with respect to the other to a locked position about a first longitudinal axis. In the locked position, the first ring half is engaged with the binding cooperatively defining a loop that is substantially closed to retain a stack of papers or a workpiece. The first ring assembly and the binding portion are lockable with respect to each other from the locked position to prevent pivoting of the povitable half from the locked position. At least one of the first ring assembly and the binding portion is movable with respect to the other the from the locked position in an unlocking direction oriented at less than 180° from the longitudinal axis to permit the pivot about the longitudinal axis to an open position in which the loop is substantially open.
Preferably, the binding portion includes a second ring assembly that has at least one second ring half disposed generally laterally from the first ring half forming at least one ring half pair. The ring half forms the loop. Preferably, the first ring assembly is resiliently baised towards the open position. A spring may be provided connected between the first ring assembly the binding potion for biasing the first ring assembly towards the open position. Preferably, at least one first ring half includes at least one first locking half and the binding portion includes a second locking half lockable to the first locking half. The second locking half is unlockably from the first locking half by moving either the first assembly or the binding portion in the unlocking direction. Preferably, the second ring assembly includes the second locking half.
Additionally, at least one of the first and second locking halves of the ring half pair may include a protrusion and the other of the half pair may include a stop. The protrusion would be engageable against the stop in the locked position to prevent pivoting of the pivotable half about the first longitudinal axis. Further, at least one first ring half may include a proximal ring half disposed relative to the locking half such that the proximal ring half contacts the binding portion prior to the locking half when the pivotable half is pivoted towards the locked position. Preferably, the proximal ring half is not lockable to the binding portion in the locked position.
The first ring assembly may also include a first platform to which the proximal and locking portions are mounted. The proximal ring halves are preferably mounted on the platform in a pivoting direction about the longitudinal axis and are closer to the binding portion than the locking half. Additionally, the platform is preferably resiliently deformable such that in the locking position the platform biases the proximal portion against the binding portion and the locking portion away therefrom in the closed position. More preferably, proximal ring halves are positioned on each side of the locking half. Additionally, a cam engageable with at least one of the first ring assembly and the binding portion may be provided to cam the ring assemblies generally along the longitudinal axis to lock in the locked position.
Preferably, the first ring assembly and the binding portion are each pivotably connected to a base. More preferably, the pivotal connection is a pinned hinge. The binding portion may be pivotably connected to the base about a second longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis. Preferably, the base includes a first base portion pivotably connected to the first ring assembly, a second base portion pivotably connected to the binding portion, with the first and second base portions connected to each other and longitudinally movable with respect to each other in the unlocking direction.
A pivot spring may be provided to resiliently bias the first ring assembly towards the open position about the first longitudinal axis. Additionally, a translation spring may be provided for biasing the first base portion with respect to the second base portion in a locking direction opposite from the locking position. This retains the first locking half in locked association with the binding portion when in the locked position.
A lever may also be provided connected between the first ring assembly and the binder portion such that rotation of the lever displaces the first ring assembly with respect to the binding portion in the unlocking direction. Preferably, the lever has a blocking portion to block relative movement in the unlocking direction between the first ring assembly and the binding portion.
In another embodiment, the binder mechanism includes a first ring assembly pivotable along a first longitudinal axis. The first ring assembly includes at least one first ring half. A second ring assembly is provided that includes at least one second ring half disposed generally laterally from the first ring half forming at least one ring half pair. The first and second ring assemblies are lockable with respect to each other in a locked position in which the ring half pair defines a loop that is substantially closed to retain a stack of papers or workpiece. At least one of the first and second ring assemblies is movable with respect to the other in an unlocking direction oriented at less than 180° from the longitudinal axis to permit the first ring assembly to pivot about the longitudinal axis to an open position in which the loop is substantially open.
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Bargo Kenneth John
Dwyer John James
Holbrook Paul R.
Johnson John Andrew
McKeown Timothy Edward
ACCO Brands Inc.
Henderson Mark T.
Pennie & Edmonds LLP
Wellington A. L.
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