Spine binder

Details Spine binder Spine binder

1999-05-17

2001-08-07

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

C402S020000, C402S038000, C402S060000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06270280

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a spine binder for securing a stack of sheets of paper or the like, which allows the easy insertion and removal of the sheets and also allows the inserted sheets to be turned over through nearly 360°. More particularly, the invention relates to a spine binder comprising a dorsal part and one or more pairs of opposing finger elements extending from the dorsal part and forming finger loops.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Injection molded ring binders provide a method of removably binding paper. One such binder is provided in EP A 0 704 322 which discloses a one-piece binder made of plastic using an injection molding process. To insert paper into the binder, the loops are first spread open using a binding machine. The spring force of the individual fingers allows the loops to close and hold the paper fast.
The disadvantage of this type of spine binder in private or semiprofessional use is that a binding machine must be used in order to insert sheets of paper for the first time or any time thereafter, making assembly inconvenient. Further, such a spine binder also has the disadvantage that a stack of sheets correspondingly bound cannot be turned over completely through 360°, since the dorsal part of the binder substantially prevents such a turning over of the sheets.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is a primary object of the invention to provide a spine binder which allows the easy insertion and removal of sheets and does not require the use of a binding machine for sheet insertion. A further object is to provide a spine binder that allows inserted sheets to be turned over through nearly 360°.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention, a spine binder is provided which includes an elongated dorsal part along which pairs of individual finger elements are arranged opposite one another in two sections. The dorsal part forms a hinge whereby the free front ends of the pairs of fingers may be moved toward or away from one another. At least one of the finger elements has on its end away from the dorsal part (that is, its free front end), a first fastening element. The opposite finger element of the pair has a substantially complementary second fastening element on its free front end, which may be engaged into the first fastening element to form a closed binding finger with a releasable connection.
In this way, the user may position prepunched leaves on a series of the finger elements, and then exert pressure on the finger elements to bring them toward one another. It will be appreciated as the finger elements move toward one another, the dorsal part hinges and the finger elements close to form a closed finger element. The spine binder is latched in a closed position as the first fastening element engages the corresponding second fastening element in a positive locking.
In a preferred embodiment the dorsal part consists of essentially rectangular elements which are held in connection with one another over a thin connecting band, which forms a living hinge. Preferably, the finger elements are shaped as semicircles with the first and second fastening elements at the respective free front ends. The preferred fastening element is a push button connection, wherein a push button along the first free end engages an opening in the mating free front end.
Further advantageous embodiments are characterized in the subclaims.


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Database WPI,Week 9747, Derwent Publications Ltd., London, GB; Class P76, B42F 013/22, WPI Acc No. 97-507927/199747, Abstract of JP 9240184 A (1997).

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