CA2272498A1 - A housing for a ring binder mechanism - Google Patents
A housing for a ring binder mechanism Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2272498A1 CA2272498A1 CA 2272498 CA2272498A CA2272498A1 CA 2272498 A1 CA2272498 A1 CA 2272498A1 CA 2272498 CA2272498 CA 2272498 CA 2272498 A CA2272498 A CA 2272498A CA 2272498 A1 CA2272498 A1 CA 2272498A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- housing
- binder mechanism
- ring binder
- ring
- covering
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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- Sheet Holders (AREA)
Abstract
There is disclosed a housing for a ring binder mechanism, which housing including two longitudinal ends and two tongue members covering part of a respective longitudinal end. There is also disclosed a ring binder mechanism including an aforesaid housing for supporting two plates to which a number of half rings are mounted, and two levers movable to pivot the plates between a first position in which the half rings are closed, and a second position in which the half rings are open.
Description
R
A Housing for a Rind Binder Mechanism This invention relates to a housing for a ring binder mechanism and a ring binder mechanism incorporating such a housing.
Background of the Invention A conventional ring binder generally includes a pair of elongated plates which are engaged with each other with a respective elongated edge of the plate abutting each other. The plates are supported and retained in their engaged position by a substantially rigid upper housing. To each of the plates are mounted a number of half rings, which may be moved to engage with a corresponding half ring of the other plate to form a full ring, for retaining loose-leaf paper. At each longitudinal end of the ring binder mechanism is provided with a lever which may be pivoted by a user to pivot the plates between a position in which the half rings are open, and a position in which the half rings are closed.
Such a conventional housing of such a ring binder mechanism includes two longitudinal ends each having a relatively sharp edge. When a user pivots the levers to close the half rings, his thumb{s) may be hurt by being trapped between the levers) and the sharp edges) of the housing. In addition, the levers are situated generally between the upper housing and the plates. Upon repeated pivoting movements, the levers may be accidentally removed from the rest of the ring binder mechanism.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a ring binder mechanism in which the aforesaid shortcomings are mitigated, or at least to provide a useful alternative to the public.
c Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a housing for a ring binder mechanism, said housing comprising two longitudinal ends and at least one covering member covering at least part of one of said ends.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a housing for a ring binder mechanism, said housing comprising two longitudinal ends each having an edge, and at least one sealing member sealing at least part of said edge.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a ring binder mechanism comprising a housing according to the first or second aspect of the present invention for supporting a pivotable lower structure to which a plurality of half ring members are mounted, and at least one lever member movable to pivot the lower structure between a first position in which the half ring members are closed, and a second position in which the half ring members are open.
Brief Description of the Drawings An embodiment of the present invention will now be described and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Fig. lA is a partial side view of a conventional housing for a ring binder;
Fig. 1B is a partial top view of the conventional housing shown in Fig. lA;
Fig. IC is an end view of the conventional housing shown in Fig. lA;
v Fig. 1D is a partial top perspective view of the conventional housing shown in Fig.
1 A;
Fig. 2A is a partial side view of a housing according to the present invention for a ring binder;
Fig. 2B is a partial top view of the housing shown in Fig. 2A;
Fig. 2C is an end view of the housing shown in Fig. 2A;
Fig. 2D is a partial top perspective view of the housing shown in Fig. 2A;
Fig. 3 is a ring binder mechanism incorporating a housing shown in Fig. 2A;
Fig. 4 is an exploded view of the ring binder mechanism shown in Fig. 3;
Fig. SA is a side view of the ring binder mechanism shown in Fig. 3 in a ring-closed position and as secured to a cover;
Fig. SB is a top view of the ring binder mechanism as shown in Fig. SA;
Fig. 5C is an end view of the ring binder mechanism as shown in Fig. SA;
Fig. 6A is a side view of the ring binder mechanism shown in Fig. 3 in a ring-open position and as secured to a cover;
A Housing for a Rind Binder Mechanism This invention relates to a housing for a ring binder mechanism and a ring binder mechanism incorporating such a housing.
Background of the Invention A conventional ring binder generally includes a pair of elongated plates which are engaged with each other with a respective elongated edge of the plate abutting each other. The plates are supported and retained in their engaged position by a substantially rigid upper housing. To each of the plates are mounted a number of half rings, which may be moved to engage with a corresponding half ring of the other plate to form a full ring, for retaining loose-leaf paper. At each longitudinal end of the ring binder mechanism is provided with a lever which may be pivoted by a user to pivot the plates between a position in which the half rings are open, and a position in which the half rings are closed.
Such a conventional housing of such a ring binder mechanism includes two longitudinal ends each having a relatively sharp edge. When a user pivots the levers to close the half rings, his thumb{s) may be hurt by being trapped between the levers) and the sharp edges) of the housing. In addition, the levers are situated generally between the upper housing and the plates. Upon repeated pivoting movements, the levers may be accidentally removed from the rest of the ring binder mechanism.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a ring binder mechanism in which the aforesaid shortcomings are mitigated, or at least to provide a useful alternative to the public.
c Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a housing for a ring binder mechanism, said housing comprising two longitudinal ends and at least one covering member covering at least part of one of said ends.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a housing for a ring binder mechanism, said housing comprising two longitudinal ends each having an edge, and at least one sealing member sealing at least part of said edge.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a ring binder mechanism comprising a housing according to the first or second aspect of the present invention for supporting a pivotable lower structure to which a plurality of half ring members are mounted, and at least one lever member movable to pivot the lower structure between a first position in which the half ring members are closed, and a second position in which the half ring members are open.
Brief Description of the Drawings An embodiment of the present invention will now be described and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Fig. lA is a partial side view of a conventional housing for a ring binder;
Fig. 1B is a partial top view of the conventional housing shown in Fig. lA;
Fig. IC is an end view of the conventional housing shown in Fig. lA;
v Fig. 1D is a partial top perspective view of the conventional housing shown in Fig.
1 A;
Fig. 2A is a partial side view of a housing according to the present invention for a ring binder;
Fig. 2B is a partial top view of the housing shown in Fig. 2A;
Fig. 2C is an end view of the housing shown in Fig. 2A;
Fig. 2D is a partial top perspective view of the housing shown in Fig. 2A;
Fig. 3 is a ring binder mechanism incorporating a housing shown in Fig. 2A;
Fig. 4 is an exploded view of the ring binder mechanism shown in Fig. 3;
Fig. SA is a side view of the ring binder mechanism shown in Fig. 3 in a ring-closed position and as secured to a cover;
Fig. SB is a top view of the ring binder mechanism as shown in Fig. SA;
Fig. 5C is an end view of the ring binder mechanism as shown in Fig. SA;
Fig. 6A is a side view of the ring binder mechanism shown in Fig. 3 in a ring-open position and as secured to a cover;
Fig. 6B is a top view of the ring binder mechanism as shown in Fig. 6A;
Fig. 6C is an end view of the ring binder mechanism as shown in Fig. 6A;
Fig. 7A shows the operation of a ring binder mechanism incorporating the conventional housing as shown in Figs. 1 A to 1 D; and Fig. 7B shows the operation of a ring binder mechanism incorporating the housing as shown in Figs. 2A to 2D.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments As shown in Figs. 1 A to 1 D, a conventional housing is shown as generally designated as 10. The housing 10 is generally made of an elongate metallic, e.g. steel, plate, with a longitudinal axis L-L. The plate is crimped on both lateral sides to form a housing-form with a curved top portion 12 and two underlying flaps 14. Along the flaps are formed a number of recesses 16 (of which only one is shown in Fig. 1 A) through which half rings may extend.
Near each longitudinal end of the housing 10 is a circular recess 18 (of which only one is shown in Figs. 1B and 1D) for engagement with a rivet for securing the housing 10, and thus a ring binder mechanism incorporating the housing 10, to a cover. At each longitudinal end of the top portion 12 of the housing 10 is a raised portion 20, for engaging with a lever, especially when the lever is pivoted outwardly w away from the housing 10. It can be seen, in particular from Figs. 1C and 1D, that each of the two longitudinal ends of the housing 10 constitutes an edge ?2. As the housing 10 is made of steel, the edges 22 are very sharp, and may hurt a user.
A housing according to the present invention is shown in Figs. 2A to 2D, and generally designated as 100. As in the case of the housing 10 discussed above, the housing 100 is also generally made of an elongate metallic, e.g. steel, plate, with a longitudinal axis M-M. The plate is crimped on both lateral sides to form a housing-form with a curved top portion 102 and two underlying flaps 104. Along the flaps 104 are formed a number of recesses 106 (of which only one is shown in Fig.
2A) through which half rings (to be discussed below) may extend.
Near each longitudinal end of the housing 100 is a circular recess 108 (of which only one is shown in Figs. 2B and 2D) for engagement with a rivet for securing the housing 100, and thus a ring binder mechanism incorporating the housing 100, to a cover. At each longitudinal end of the top portion 102 of the housing 100 is a raised portion 110, for engaging with a lever (to be discussed below), especially when the lever is pivoted outwardly away from the housing 100. It can be seen from Figs. 2C
and 2D that, while each of the longitudinal ends of the housing 10 still constitutes an edge 111, as distinct from the conventional housing 10 shown in Figs. lA to 1D, the central part of the edges 111 is sealed by a tongue member 112 depending from the top portion 102 and raised portion 110 of the housing 100, which tongue member also covering part of the longitudinal ends. The tongue member 112 is integrally formed with the housing 100.
Figs. 3 and 4 show the incorporation of the housing 100 to form a ring binder mechanism 114. In addition to the housing 100, the ring binder mechanism 114 also includes two elongate plates 116, to each of which three half rings 118 are secured.
The plates 116 are supported by the housing 100 for pivotal movement between a position in which the half rings 118 are closed and a position in which the half rings 118 are open. Near each end of the plates 116 is formed an aperture 120 which is aligned with the corresponding circular recess 108 of the housing 100, so that a rivet 122 may be received therethrough for engagement with the circular recess 108, in order to secure the ring binder mechanism 114 with a cover (to be discussed below).
At each end of the ring binder mechanism 114 is a lever 124, which may be pivoted away from the ring binder mechanism 114 to open the half rings 118, or be pivoted towards the ring binder mechanism 114 to close the half rings 118, in the usual manner.
As can be seen in Figs. SA, SB, SC, 6A, 6B and 6C, the ring binder mechanism may be secured by the rivets 122 to an article, e.g. a cardboard or plastics cover 126, to form a ring binder. It can be seen clearly in Figs. SA and SB that, when the ring binder mechanism 114 is in the ring-closed position, the levers 124 abut the tongue member 112.
As shown in Fig. 7A, when operating a ring binder mechanism 23 incorporating a conventional housing 10, the thumb of a user can be caught between a lever 24 and the sharp edge 22 of the housing 10, and be hurt. In addition, the longitudinal end of the ring binder mechanism 23 is open, and the lever 24 may be accidentally removed therefrom during use. Such problems are, however, mitigated with the operation of the ring binder mechanism 114 incorporating the housing 100, as the tongue member 112 protects the user's thumb from being hurt by a sharp edge, and prevents accidental removal of the lever 124 from the ring binder mechanism 114.
It should however be understood that the above only illustrates an example whereby the present invention may be carried out, and that various modifications and alterations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention.
Fig. 6C is an end view of the ring binder mechanism as shown in Fig. 6A;
Fig. 7A shows the operation of a ring binder mechanism incorporating the conventional housing as shown in Figs. 1 A to 1 D; and Fig. 7B shows the operation of a ring binder mechanism incorporating the housing as shown in Figs. 2A to 2D.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments As shown in Figs. 1 A to 1 D, a conventional housing is shown as generally designated as 10. The housing 10 is generally made of an elongate metallic, e.g. steel, plate, with a longitudinal axis L-L. The plate is crimped on both lateral sides to form a housing-form with a curved top portion 12 and two underlying flaps 14. Along the flaps are formed a number of recesses 16 (of which only one is shown in Fig. 1 A) through which half rings may extend.
Near each longitudinal end of the housing 10 is a circular recess 18 (of which only one is shown in Figs. 1B and 1D) for engagement with a rivet for securing the housing 10, and thus a ring binder mechanism incorporating the housing 10, to a cover. At each longitudinal end of the top portion 12 of the housing 10 is a raised portion 20, for engaging with a lever, especially when the lever is pivoted outwardly w away from the housing 10. It can be seen, in particular from Figs. 1C and 1D, that each of the two longitudinal ends of the housing 10 constitutes an edge ?2. As the housing 10 is made of steel, the edges 22 are very sharp, and may hurt a user.
A housing according to the present invention is shown in Figs. 2A to 2D, and generally designated as 100. As in the case of the housing 10 discussed above, the housing 100 is also generally made of an elongate metallic, e.g. steel, plate, with a longitudinal axis M-M. The plate is crimped on both lateral sides to form a housing-form with a curved top portion 102 and two underlying flaps 104. Along the flaps 104 are formed a number of recesses 106 (of which only one is shown in Fig.
2A) through which half rings (to be discussed below) may extend.
Near each longitudinal end of the housing 100 is a circular recess 108 (of which only one is shown in Figs. 2B and 2D) for engagement with a rivet for securing the housing 100, and thus a ring binder mechanism incorporating the housing 100, to a cover. At each longitudinal end of the top portion 102 of the housing 100 is a raised portion 110, for engaging with a lever (to be discussed below), especially when the lever is pivoted outwardly away from the housing 100. It can be seen from Figs. 2C
and 2D that, while each of the longitudinal ends of the housing 10 still constitutes an edge 111, as distinct from the conventional housing 10 shown in Figs. lA to 1D, the central part of the edges 111 is sealed by a tongue member 112 depending from the top portion 102 and raised portion 110 of the housing 100, which tongue member also covering part of the longitudinal ends. The tongue member 112 is integrally formed with the housing 100.
Figs. 3 and 4 show the incorporation of the housing 100 to form a ring binder mechanism 114. In addition to the housing 100, the ring binder mechanism 114 also includes two elongate plates 116, to each of which three half rings 118 are secured.
The plates 116 are supported by the housing 100 for pivotal movement between a position in which the half rings 118 are closed and a position in which the half rings 118 are open. Near each end of the plates 116 is formed an aperture 120 which is aligned with the corresponding circular recess 108 of the housing 100, so that a rivet 122 may be received therethrough for engagement with the circular recess 108, in order to secure the ring binder mechanism 114 with a cover (to be discussed below).
At each end of the ring binder mechanism 114 is a lever 124, which may be pivoted away from the ring binder mechanism 114 to open the half rings 118, or be pivoted towards the ring binder mechanism 114 to close the half rings 118, in the usual manner.
As can be seen in Figs. SA, SB, SC, 6A, 6B and 6C, the ring binder mechanism may be secured by the rivets 122 to an article, e.g. a cardboard or plastics cover 126, to form a ring binder. It can be seen clearly in Figs. SA and SB that, when the ring binder mechanism 114 is in the ring-closed position, the levers 124 abut the tongue member 112.
As shown in Fig. 7A, when operating a ring binder mechanism 23 incorporating a conventional housing 10, the thumb of a user can be caught between a lever 24 and the sharp edge 22 of the housing 10, and be hurt. In addition, the longitudinal end of the ring binder mechanism 23 is open, and the lever 24 may be accidentally removed therefrom during use. Such problems are, however, mitigated with the operation of the ring binder mechanism 114 incorporating the housing 100, as the tongue member 112 protects the user's thumb from being hurt by a sharp edge, and prevents accidental removal of the lever 124 from the ring binder mechanism 114.
It should however be understood that the above only illustrates an example whereby the present invention may be carried out, and that various modifications and alterations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention.
Claims (10)
1. A housing for a ring binder mechanism, said housing comprising two longitudinal ends and at least one covering member covering at least part of one of said ends.
2. A housing according to Claim 1 wherein said covering member is at or adjacent to said longitudinal end.
3. A housing according to Claim 1 further comprising two covering members, each for covering at least part of each of said ends.
4. A housing according to Claim 1 wherein said covering member is integral with said housing.
5. A housing for a ring binder mechanism, said housing comprising two longitudinal ends each having an edge, and at least one sealing member sealing at least part of said edge.
6. A housing according to Claim 5 further comprising two sealing members, each for sealing at least a part of each of said edges.
7. A housing according to Claim 5 wherein said sealing member is integral with said housing.
8. A ring binder mechanism comprising a housing according to Claim 1 or 5 for supporting a pivotable lower structure to which a plurality of half-ring members are mounted, and at least one lever member movable to pivot the lower structure between a first position in which the half-ring members are closed, and a second position in which the half-ring members are open.
9. A ring binder mechanism according to Claim 8 comprising a pair of levers members
10. A ring binder mechanism according to Claim 8 in which each or said lever member abuts said covering member when said lower structure is in the first position.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US13891498A | 1998-08-24 | 1998-08-24 | |
| US09/138914 | 1998-08-24 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2272498A1 true CA2272498A1 (en) | 2000-02-24 |
Family
ID=29709509
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2272498 Abandoned CA2272498A1 (en) | 1998-08-24 | 1999-05-21 | A housing for a ring binder mechanism |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2272498A1 (en) |
-
1999
- 1999-05-21 CA CA 2272498 patent/CA2272498A1/en not_active Abandoned
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |