Binder device releasably engaging aperture or notch of sheet – Sheet retainer travels arcuate path – Travel in plane perpendicular to axis of rotation
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-27
2001-03-20
Tsai, Henry (Department: 3722)
Binder device releasably engaging aperture or notch of sheet
Sheet retainer travels arcuate path
Travel in plane perpendicular to axis of rotation
C402S038000, C402S036000, C402S031000, C402S020000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06203229
ABSTRACT:
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to bolt action type ring binders, and more particularly, to an improved bolt action ring binder assembly and such an assembly integrally formed with a spine portion of a ring binder.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,975,785 which issued Nov. 2, 1999 and which is assigned to the same assignee as the present application, describes a bolt action type ring binder having, inter alia, a plurality of binder rings. The binder rings were constructed of two binder ring halves, one half being fixed and the other half being movable with respect to the fixed half. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/302,283, also assigned to the same assignee as the present application, described an improvement to this construction; specifically, a locking tab feature by which the bolt on which the movable ring halves are formed can be securely locked in a binder closed position. The invention described herein represents further improvements to a bolt action ring assembly to facilitate its manufacture, assembly, and ease of construction. In particular, there is described a bolt action construction in which both ring halves are now movable, in which the ring halves employ an interlocking construction, and which includes an alignment and improved locking construction for locking the binder in its closed position. In addition, there is described a bolt action ring metal which is integrally formed with a central, spine portion of the binder.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Among the several objects of the present invention may be noted the provision of an improved bolt action ring assembly;
the provision of such an assembly to comprise to two identically formed movable bolts each of which includes one-half section of a plurality of spaced binder rings for movement of either bolt to move one portion of the binder rings with respect to the other half to open and close the binder;
the provision of such an assembly in which respective ring halves forming a binder ring include interlocking latching mechanisms for locking the halves together when the binder is closed to secure leaves of paper stored in the binder in place;
the provision of such an assembly wherein each bolt has a locking mechanism formed at one end for locking the bolt in a ring closed position, the respective locking mechanisms each including an alignment tab for aligning the bolt in a preferred orientation when the bolt is locked in place;
the provision of such an assembly in which the bolts are made of an acetal plastic material and the cover piece is made of polypropylene, so to form a lightweight assembly which is also sufficiently strong so the binder can hold a substantial amount of paper without the weight of the paper forcing the binder open; and,
the provision of such an assembly in which the bolt action assembly and the spine portion of the binder cover are made as a single piece.
In accordance with the invention, generally stated, a bolt action ring binder assembly includes a cover piece formed of a molded plastic material. The binder includes a plurality of binder rings each of which is comprised of two interlocking ring halves. One set of ring halves is integrally formed on one bolt attachable to the cover, and the other set of ring halves is integrally formed on a separate bolt which also attaches to the cover. Both bolts are movable to move the ring halves relative to each other to open and close the binder. Each bolt further includes a locking tab formed at one end for securing the bolt to the cover in the ring locked position. An alignment finger is also formed at the end of the bolt where the locking tab is formed, and the cover includes a recess formed at each end in which a respective alignment finger is received to align the bolt relative to the cover. The bolts are formed so to be interchangeable and simplify assembly of the ring metal. In one embodiment, a base for the bolt action assembly forms a central, spine portion of the binder, to provide a one piece spine construction to which outer cover pieces of the binder are separately attachable. Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.
REFERENCES:
patent: 831969 (1906-09-01), Morden et al.
patent: 842851 (1907-02-01), Boden
patent: 854074 (1907-05-01), Bryant
patent: 908597 (1909-01-01), Morden
patent: 973452 (1910-10-01), Morden et al.
patent: 973932 (1910-10-01), Fornoff et al.
patent: 1000649 (1911-08-01), Walker
patent: 1111377 (1914-09-01), Goss
patent: 1231816 (1917-07-01), Veterling
patent: 1472301 (1923-10-01), Koepsell
patent: 1652521 (1927-12-01), Eifel
patent: 2073049 (1937-03-01), Dawson
patent: 2179627 (1939-11-01), Handler
patent: 2322595 (1943-06-01), Schade
patent: 2543866 (1951-03-01), Panfil
patent: 3132649 (1964-05-01), Gits
patent: 3153417 (1964-10-01), Newman
patent: 3255759 (1966-06-01), Dennis
patent: 3270749 (1966-09-01), O'Connell
patent: 3785740 (1974-01-01), Strong
patent: 3827111 (1974-08-01), O'Connell
patent: 3954343 (1976-05-01), Thomsen
patent: 4130368 (1978-12-01), Jacoby et al.
patent: 4624595 (1986-11-01), Ohminato
patent: 4690580 (1987-09-01), Kissel
patent: 4854763 (1989-08-01), Jonsson
patent: 5116081 (1992-05-01), Mann, Jr.
patent: 5340071 (1994-08-01), Fox, II
patent: 5393156 (1995-02-01), Mullin et al.
patent: 5611633 (1997-03-01), Whaley
patent: 5692847 (1997-12-01), Zane et al.
patent: 5692848 (1997-12-01), Wada
patent: 5782569 (1998-07-01), Mullin et al.
patent: 5807006 (1998-09-01), Cheung
patent: 5810500 (1998-09-01), Whaley
patent: 5868513 (1999-02-01), Law
patent: 5895164 (1999-04-01), Wu
patent: 5975784 (1999-11-01), Whaley
Polster Lieder Woodruff & Lucchesi L.C.
Thurston Alisa L.
Tsai Henry
LandOfFree
Bolt action ring binder assembly does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Bolt action ring binder assembly, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Bolt action ring binder assembly will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2537423