Binder device releasably engaging aperture or notch of sheet – Sheet retainer travels arcuate path
Utility Patent
1999-01-26
2001-01-02
Fridie, Jr., Willmon (Department: 3722)
Binder device releasably engaging aperture or notch of sheet
Sheet retainer travels arcuate path
C402S070000, C402S073000, C402S076000, C402S077000, C281S029000, C281S036000
Utility Patent
active
06168338
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to notebooks and notebook ring assemblies, and more particularly to notebooks and notebook ring assemblies that allow increased flexibility and ease of use while still permitting the review, addition, removal, and rearrangement of material retained therein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The majority of notebooks currently in use today can be classified into one of two general categories: (1) the standard multiple-ring binder notebook; and (2) the standard spiral notebook.
The standard multiple-ring binder notebook typically utilizes a one-piece hard cover that is foldably divided along two longitudinal axes into three sections. The two end sections are identical in height and width, and form what are conventionally referred to as the front and back of the notebook. The third section, formed between the front and the back of the notebook, is typically the same height, but is substantially narrower in width. This third section is conventionally referred to as the spine of the notebook.
The standard multiple-ring binder notebook also includes a ring assembly which retains paper or other material within the cover. The ring assembly typically comprises an elongated shell, a pair of elongated back plates (left and right), and a plurality of longitudinally aligned binder rings. Each of the binder rings is generally defined by a pair of transversely opposed mirror image binder ring members (left and right) that are capable of pivotal movement between an open position and a closed position.
The ring assembly is usually immovably secured in several distinct places to the spine so that the concave underside of the shell permanently opposes the inside surface of the spine. As a result, each left binder ring member must be mounted to the left back plate such that each left binder ring member extends outward from the upper surface of the left back plate, and each right binder ring member must be mounted to the right back plate such that each right binder ring member extends outward from the upper surface of the right back plate. In such a configuration, both the left and right binder ring members protrude from gaps or notches in the convex upper surface of the shell.
In the open position, there is a gap between the free ends of each pair of binder ring members so as to enable insertion of either the left or the right binder ring members through longitudinally aligned mounting holes adjacent to the longitudinal edge of the paper or other material to be retained within the cover. After the paper or other material has been thus mounted to either the left or right binder ring members by sliding the mounting holes over the free ends of the binder ring members, the left and right binder ring members are moved to the closed position in which the free ends of each pair of binder ring members abut to form substantially continuous loops which hold the paper or other material within the cover, but which allow the pages to be accessed for review and writing. Similarly, the paper or other material can be removed from the notebook by moving the binder ring members to the open position and sliding the paper or other material off the free ends of either the left or the right binder ring members.
This ability to selectively move the binder ring members into the open or the closed position accounts for the primary advantage of the standard multiple-ring binder notebook over other types of notebooks currently available—the ability to easily add, remove, or rearrange material contained within the notebook. Thus, such standard multiple-ring binder notebooks are capable of being continually updated or even reused.
However, this advantage is offset by significant limitations. The standard multiple-ring binder notebook does not allow the front and back, along with the contents of the notebook, to be folded back-to-back. That is, when used on a flat surface, the standard multiple-ring binder notebook occupies, at a minimum, an area equivalent to two sheets of the paper or other material retained within the notebook. This size limitation becomes critical when space is at a premium, such as in lecture halls, laboratories, or on airplanes. Furthermore, the standard multiple-ring binder notebook's inability to be folded back-to-back eliminates the user's ability to provide the additional underlying support that is often desired when writing or reading without the benefit of a hard surface such as a desk or a table. Moreover, the size and positioning of the ring assembly utilized to retain the paper or other material within the standard multiple-ring binder notebook makes it difficult to write on adjacent sheets of such paper or other material without significant shifting of the entire notebook.
In contrast to the standard multiple-ring binder notebook, the standard spiral notebook has two separate and distinct covers. These covers are typically identical in height and width, and are conventionally referred to as the front cover and the back cover of the notebook. In addition to the front and back covers, the spiral notebook includes a wire-like spine. This wire-like spine is repeatedly threaded through longitudinally aligned holes in the covers and any paper or other material contained within the notebook in a spiral pattern.
The standard spiral notebook displays two primary advantages over other types of notebooks currently available. First, the standard spiral notebook allows the front cover and the back cover, as well as any paper or other material contained within the notebook, to be folded back-to-back. As a result, the standard spiral notebook can be used on a flat surface and only occupy the space of one of the covers. Furthermore, the ability to fold the covers back-to-back provides increased underlying support for writing and reading when a hard surface, such as a desk or a table, is unavailable.
Second, the user of the standard spiral notebook is readily capable of writing on adjacent sheets of paper or other material retained within the notebook. As a result, the user need not continually shift the entire notebook after each page. It is thus easier to record more information within a single notebook—thereby eliminating storage space for unnecessary notebooks and reducing the total number of notebooks that need to be purchased.
However, these advantages are also offset by significant limitations. Because the covers of the standard spiral notebook, and the material contained therebetween, are retained by a continuous wire-like spine, the standard spiral notebook does not allow for the addition, removal, replacement, or rearrangement of paper or other material within the notebook. Thus, the spiral notebook cannot be updated, modified, or reused.
Various other notebooks and notebook ring assemblies also exist (e.g., the stapled or stitched, permanently bound, notebook). However, like the standard multiple-ring binder notebook and the standard spiral notebook, none of these other notebooks combine all of the above-noted advantages: (1) the easy addition, removal, replacement, and rearrangement of material; (2) the ability to be folded back-to-back into a compact shape which also provides increased underlying support; and (3) the freedom to easily write on adjacent pieces of material contained within the notebook without undue manipulation. Similarly, none of the other notebook ring assemblies effectively facilitate a notebook that combines all of the above-noted advantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved notebook and notebook ring assembly that either combines or facilitates all of the above-noted advantages.
The notebook ring assembly of the present invention comprises a shell, a pair of back plates, and one or more sets of longitudinally aligned binder ring members. Each binder ring member mounted or attached to the first back plate is transversely aligned with an opposing binder ring member mounted or attached to the second back plate. Each binder ring member mounted or at
Fridie Jr. Willmon
Henderson Mark T.
Lyon & Lyon LLP
LandOfFree
Wrap around notebook does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Wrap around notebook, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Wrap around notebook will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2541983