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
2001-08-21
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
C402S005000, C402S026000, C402S041000, C402S052000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06276862
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to binders, and more particularly to loose-leaf binder mechanisms, which include a slider.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Loose-leaf binders include binder mechanisms for holding loose sheets of paper. Conventional loose-leaf binder mechanisms include ring segments that abut to form rings. The ring segments are separated to facilitate the insertion of paper to the binder or the removal of paper from the binder. Often, the ring mechanisms include actuators to separate the ring segments between the opened and closed positions. These can include actuating bars. Locking mechanisms protect against accidental opening of the rings, and possible damage to the papers stored in the binder that may occur should it accidently open. Typically, binder mechanisms require two-hands to operate.
Various forms of binder mechanisms have incorporated actuating bar mechanisms. U.S. Pat. No. 2,013,416 to McClure, teaches a snap-ring loose-leaf binder mechanism with a spring back plate with channels formed in its edges to receive a pair of prong plates, and semicircular rings secured to the prong plates that form rings in their closed position. An actuating bar includes cam members that receive tongue portions of the prong plates adapted to ride in cam slots of the cam members. When the actuating bar is slid, the tongue portions of the prong plates move in cam slots to move the prong plates and thereby cause the rings to open or close. The tongue portions are located distantly from the rings. The assembly includes a back plate on which the cam members slide. The actuating bar is exposed outside of the assembly and is pulled linearly beyond the edge of the binder.
Two similar references are U.S. Pat. No. 4,571,108 to Vogl and U.S. Pat. No. 4,566,817 to Barrett, Jr. Vogl, for instance, teaches a locking ring binder mechanism with a cover, a base, two hingedly connected plates located between the cover and the base. Rings are attached to the hingedly connected plates. A control slide is compressed between the cover and the base such that there is friction between their surfaces to prevent unintentional movement of the control slide. The control slide features a number of slants or incline surfaces and cam surfaces. These pass through openings in the plates. When the control slide is moved, the portions of the slide passing through the openings in the plates connect with the edges of the plates and force the plates up or down to move the rings to an open or closed position. The cam surfaces are located distally from the rings. The mechanism includes a base upon which the control slide moves and the control slide is compressed between the base and the cover to create friction between their surfaces.
Further, French Patent No. 656,338, discloses a handle that pivots to move a slider using an additional pivot arm. The construction disclosed uses an additional pivot arm.
Also, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,035,526 and 5,100,253 to Cooper et al. and Cooper respectively, disclose cleats that are used to secure the binder mechanism to a binder assembly. A plurality of plates having prongs or nail bursts are used for securing the plates to a backing or spine of a binder. An upstanding deformable rivet is mounted on each plate. The rivets secure the binder or ring mechanism with a support member to the backing of the binder assembly. Support member are used to attach the binder mechanism to the backing or spine of the binder.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A binder mechanism comprises a pair of prong plates pivotally connected by a retainer spring to toggle between a first raised position and a second lowered position. The prong plates include a plurality of ring segments affixed to the prong plates that are capable of forming loops. A cam mechanism is used to toggle the prong plates between the raised and lowered positions causing the ring segments to open or to close to form loops. The cam mechanism is preferably a slider located above the prong plates, the slider having ramps inserted through recesses between the prong plates. Preferably, the recesses are located adjacent to where the ring segments are attached to the prong plates. Cleats may hold the parts of the binder mechanism together and keep the binder mechanism attached to a binder assembly.
Another embodiment of a binder mechanism according to the present invention features a top spring and two prong plates that are held against each other by sides of the top spring and toggle toward and away from the top spring, opening and closing binder ring segments that are attached to the prong plates. Preferably, cleats of the binder have a flat base that is attached to the binder and rivets that hold the binder mechanism together. Preferably, a slider includes ramps extending through recesses between the prong plates and supported against the bases of the cleats, reducing wear to the folder caused by friction with the slider. A handle is pivotably attached to the top spring and the slider. The handle slides the slider longitudinally, causing the ramps to move the prong plates to open or close the ring segmnents. The ramps move the prong plates adjacent to the rings to minimize warping of the prong plates.
In another embodiment, the recesses of the prong plates include recess edges. The prong plates are held in place by the top spring and are wedged by the ramps on the slider. The handle is pivotally attached to the top spring and slider. When the handle is pivoted, the slider moves longitudinally away from the handle. As the slider moves, the ramps slide upon the bases of the cleats, thereby reducing damage to the surface of the binder. As the slider moves, the ramps contact the recess edges and cause the prong plates to raise up or down. This movement of the prong plates causes the rings to open and close. Because the slider wedges the prong plates adjacent to where the ring segments are attached to the prong plates, improved locking is created because the prong plates cannot move unless the slider moves.
The shape of the prong plates and the slider mechanism control the motion of the rings throughout the cycle. Further, preferably the manipulation of the ring segments to an open or closed position is performed by use of only one handle. In one embodiment of the binder mechanism according to the present invention, the user is able open and close the binder with one handle, leaving the other hand free to assist in adding or removing paper.
Another embodiment of the present invention reduces the probability of paper getting loose when the binder is dropped. The improved locking may be accomplished by the addition of a slider with ramps and cams that will prevent the prong plates from moving even if the binder is dropped.
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pate
Little David
McKeown Timothy Edward
Monson R. Hal
Snyder Michael Thom
ACCO Brands Inc.
Henderson Mark T.
Pennie & Edmonds LLP
Wellington A. L.
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