EP0187743A4

EP0187743A4 - Paper fastener.

Info

Publication number: EP0187743A4
Application number: EP19840902876
Authority: EP
Inventors: Armando Moises Fernandez
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1984-07-09
Filing date: 1984-07-09
Publication date: 1986-11-05
Also published as: JPS61502663A; WO1986000576A1; EP0187743A1

Abstract

A sheet fastener (1) made of resilient stock and comprising a finger tab ( 5, 5') to facilitate mounting on a thick as well as a thin sheet pile (10), and reversible for restoring the holding forces by mounting the fastener (1) from the opposite side. The fastener (1) comprises two elements (3, 4) extending from a common base (2), one element (3) looping around the other element (4), said other element (4) comprising said finger tab (5, 5'), both elements (3, 4) lying on the same plane when said fastener (1) is in its rest position.

Description

PAPER FASTENER

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention^' relates in general to a fastener for holding a plurality of objects. More specifically, an ■ improved method for holding a plurality of objects. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Paper fasteners take several forms. The most common is the kind formed with three U-shaped bends with the first nested between the legs of the third. This form of fastener is satisfactory for holding together a few thin sheets. However, when used upon a thick pile the angle between the two parallel legs is such that the legs twist scratching the paper, slipping off the paper pile and causing excess bulk when filed. Another common kind is the type having a torsion bar or an intermediate portion reversely bent upon itself from which two sections extend overlapping each other. This type elimi¬ nates most of the above mentioned problems but generates another problem. After these fasteners have been used on a thick pile of paper they lose the capacity of holding thin piles of paper. This is due to the loss of tension between the two arms. Other fasteners have been designed with the purpose in mind of reducing slippage when the fastener is used on a thick pile. These fasteners also have drawbacks. Some are difficult or expensive to manu¬ facture. Others do not consider the advantage of having a torsion bar. And yet others require too much effort to mount on thick piles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is accordingly a general object of this invention to provide a paper fastener which overcomes the afore¬ mentioned disadvantages of prior fasteners. A more specific object of this invention is to pro- vice a fastener that is easily mounted on a thin sheet pile as well as a substantially thick sheet pile. Another object of this invention is to provide a fastener that securely holds a thin sheet pile after being stretched by attaching to a substantially thick sheet pile. Another object of this invention is to provide a fastener that bears flat against the sides as well as the edge of a sheet pile and the like reducing excessive bulk when various piles are stacked. Another object of this inven¬ tion is to provide a fastener that secures firmly to the objects held and yet will be easily removed without damage to the sheet pile. Yet an additional object of this invention is to provide a fastener of the aforenoted character which is simple and economical to manufacture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of the invention which are believed to be new- are set forth- with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, although not limited to the two configurations shown in the drawings, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood, however, by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: - Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a wire fastener according to the invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the fasteners shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the fastener of Fig. 1 in use.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the view shown in Fig. 4.

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DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

These and other features will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein:

One embodiment according to the present invention is illustrated in Fig. 1 , generally comprising a single continuous length of wire 1 which is formed with torsion bar 2 from which bends 8 and 9 extend to form a looping element 3 and other element 4. Other element 4 is shaped to form a tab 5 and is shorter than looping element 3 to provide a mounting lip 7.

Torsion bar 2 is preferably shorter than the perpen¬ dicular distance from torsion bar 2 to curvature 6' of looping element 3. Moreover, fastener 1 is formed such that all its elements lie on the same plane, as shown in Fig. 2.

Tab 5, preferably formed by bending other element 4 into a loop, is shown in Fig. 1.

Fastener 1 is preferably formed of a low carbon steel covered with a rust resistant coating to prevent paper pile 10 from staining due to rust. Fastener 1 can be color coded for identifying different paper piles that have been filed or stacked.

In,use, fastener 1 is disposed upon a paper pile or the like as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5. Entry of the papers to be held into fastener 1 is achieved by placing lip 7 on edge 11 of one side of paper pile 10, then spreading elements 3 and 4 by depressing tab 5. When fastener 1 is in place, both elements 3 and 4 and torsion bar 2 lie flat against the sides and edge 12 of paper pile 10, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

An alternative form of the present invention is that illustrated in Fig. 3. As before, both elements 3 and 4 are formed in the same manner as previously described except tab 5' is formed to cover entire area 15 confined within the perimeter of other element 4. Tab 5' is

OMM detached from portion 13 of other element 4 by means of a slot 14 which causes torsion forces on portion 13 to be distributed over a greater length. Entry of the paper to be held into the latter fastener is achieved as previously described.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. Accordingly, the aim in the appended claim is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and gist of the invention.

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Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A fastener made of resilient stock which is easily mounted on a thin as well as a thick pile of sheet material comprising: a substantially straight torsion bar base? two elements extending from said common base, one of said elements looping around the inner element to permit reversing said fastener for restoring holding forces; and a tab disposed into said fastener and secured to one of said elements for facilitating entry of the objects to be held; said tab being an inwardly directed portion from said inner element; said inner element being formed into means for opening said fastener, said inner element nesting within the confines of said looping element for reducing deforma¬ tion of the sheet pile due to counter forces between said two elements; said torsion bar, two elements-and tab formed to lie substantially on the same plane; said two elements extending from the two opposite ends of said torsion bar base to provide maximum paper holding capacity and to provide a simple mechanism which is simple and economical to manufacture; said looping element being longer than said inner element to provide a mounting lip; said inner and looping elements generally being V-shaped in configuration for easily mounting and saving material costs in the manufacture of said fastener; said tab is formed to substantially cover the area confined within the perimeter of said inner element; said tab being detached longitudinally from straight portion which is connected to said torsion bar, but attached to said straight portion at end opposite of that connected to said torsion bar.

2. A fastener according to claim 1 wherein: said tab, looping element and inner element are formed of the same resilient material.

3. A fastener according to claim 1 or 2 wherein: said tab, looping element and inner element are formed of a continuous single piece of resilient material.

4. A fastener according to claim 1 or 2 wherein: the loose ends of the inner element and the looping element extend to a location near the central axis of the torsion bar for preventing damage to the sheets being held.

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