EP3090879B1

EP3090879B1 - Binding system

Info

Publication number: EP3090879B1
Application number: EP16380012.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Manero Mijangos Javier
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-03-23
Filing date: 2016-03-22
Publication date: 2018-04-11
Anticipated expiration: 2036-03-22
Also published as: ES1138308U; EP3090879A1; ES1138308Y

Description

Object of the invention:

This invention relates to a binding system for sheets of paper or any material and any size available in the stationery market, as well as architectural or industrial technical drawings. The system proposes an innovative, simple, modern and functional design, with a formal and versatile look, intended for binding academic and professional work and sketches.

Background of the invention:

There are currently different and varied binding systems, which can be classified according to the finished look that each system provides to the document, and therefore according to their proportional cost.
On the one hand there are the traditional systems typically used for handing in documents that require and elaborate presentation, such as doctoral theses and university projects, which are stitched and glued and have hand-crafted covers, or their modernised versions.
There are also more modern systems, such as binding with steel wire coils or the like, for documents of intensive use and which do not require serious presentation, such as academic notes, logbooks or notebooks.
This invention provides an intermediate binding system to those mentioned above regarding presentation, allowing a formal and versatile design, since it is suitable for both academic works and for administrative or professional documents, while maintaining a formal presentation.
ES 1 094 357 U discloses a binding system for sheets of paper or any other material and of any size, as well as for architectural or industrial technical drawings, comprising a first element (1) and a second element (2+3), the binding system being formed based on the two elements, wherein the first element is a pin with a main body having a cylindrical section, on one of the ends of which is arranged a stop, and on the other end of which is arranged a conical narrowing finished with a hemispherical tip, to facilitate its entry into the perforations made in the sheets, the second element (2) comprising two piercing elements (3E) with conical shapes that can pierce the first element (1), wherein the conical shape prevents tears, since there are no edges on the contact surface, wherein the second element further comprises an anti-return catch (3C+3D) being formed by two teeth (3D). ES 1 094 357 U does not disclose a clip as defined by the functional features of claim 1.

Description of the invention:

The binding system of the invention offers quick binding with a serious and aesthetically-pleasing presentation, which can be performed by specialised staff in stationery businesses or even by a layman due to its simplicity of use.
The binding system described herein allows binding volumes of any thickness and any paper size. Similarly, it allows the binding of folded technical drawings, maintaining an even thickness on the two margins of the document by adding stopper pins on the margins thereof.

Brief description of the drawings:

We shall describe below an embodiment of the binding system of the invention based on the figures attached, in which:

Fig. 1:: perspective view of a binding system of the invention according to one embodiment;
Fig. 2:: shows the system of Fig. 1 in its assembled state;
Fig. 3:: detailed perspective view of element 2 of Fig. 1 in its idle state;
Fig. 4:: detailed perspective view of element 2 of Fig. 1 in its closed state;

Prior to using the system of the invention it is necessary to perform in the sheets to be bound a number of perforations along one of their margins with a perforating tool, either of the domestic punch kind or of the professional drilling kind, for example as those used in photocopying or printing businesses.
As can be observed in Fig. 1, the binding system of the invention is formed by two elements, a first element (1) and a second element (2).
The first element (1) consists in a pin with a cylindrical main body (1B), the diameter of which is smaller than that of the holes previously drilled into the sheets of paper and the length of which allows binding documents of any thickness. On one end of the first element (1) is arranged a circular stop (1A) that prevents the sheets from slipping out of the binding. On the other end of the fist element (1) is arranged a conical narrowing (1C) ending in a spherical tip (1D), which facilitates the passage of element (1) through the holes during assembly. The stop (1A) of the first element (1) constitutes a visible element on the cover of the document to be bound.
When using the invention, the first element (1) shall be passed through the perforations drilled in the sheets until it comes into contact with the circular stop (1A) in the sheets and it shall be fastened on the rear part with the second element (2). Once the second element (2) is fixed, the excess of the first element (1) shall be removed, part (1E) by cutting.
In a preferred embodiment, the first element (1) is manufactured in thermoplastic polyurethane or thermoplastic elastomer, since this has properties that favour the use of this system, such as sufficient strength and resistance to endure the tension of the binding without losing its functionality, an elastic nature that facilitates reading the document once it is bound, facilitating a greater opening angle of the sheets than that provided by any device of these characteristics, and finally, an easy removal of the excess material of the first element (1) once fastened, since it is easily cut with the usual tools, such as domestic scissors or a cutter knife.
The second element (2) consists of a clip-type mechanism, the function of which is to pierce the first element (1) and hold it by the other end of the stop (1A) to hold the sheets.
The operation of the second element (2) is based on the flexing capacity of the plastic material it is made of. It allows closing when putting pressure on areas (2I, 2J). Thus, the second element (2) prevents the sheets from getting loose from the binding.
In its closed state as is observed in Fig. 4, the second element (2) has a circular shape and it its idle state, Fig. 3, it has the shape of two facing semicircles.
It is formed by two semicircles, which make up the fastening method, which in a preferred embodiment of the invention consists of two facing piercing elements (2A) with conical shapes that pierce the first element (1). The conical shape prevents tears, since there are no edges on the contact surface. The tab (2B) performs the function of a hinge, by allowing when flexed the aligning of the piercing elements and their introduction into the first element (1). To prevent the second element (2) from opening once placed, there is an anti-return catch (2C) formed by two teeth (2D, 2E) that fit into the cavities (2F, 2G) to that effect. The catch (2C) can be introduced into the cavities by flexing the tab (2H), which allows it to rise above the crests of the cavities (2F, 2G). In order to achieve the fitting of the second element (2) on the cylindrical surface of the first element (1) there are two formations (2K, 2L) that form the inner cylindrical surface of the second element (2).
In a preferred embodiment, the second element (2) is made in ABS or POM plastic or similar plastic alloys, with adequate Shore hardness to allow the functionality of all mechanisms in the part.

Claims

A binding system for sheets of paper or any other material and of any size, as well as for architectural or industrial technical drawings, comprising a first element (1) and a second element (2), the binding system being formed based on the two elements, wherein
the first element (1) is a pin with a main body having a cylindrical section (1B), on one of the ends of which is arranged a circular stop (1A), and on the other end of which is arranged a conical narrowing (1B) finished with a hemispherical tip (1C), to facilitate its entry into the perforations made in the sheets, wherein the second element (2) is a clip-type mechanism formed by two facing semicircles, the second element (2) comprising two facing piercing elements (2A) with conical shapes that can pierce the first element (1),

wherein the conical shape prevents tears, since there are no edges on the contact surface, the second element (2) further comprising a tab (2B), the tab (2B) performing the function of a hinge, by allowing when flexed the aligning of the piercing elements and their introduction into the first element (1), wherein the second element (2) further comprises and anti-return catch (2C) and cavities (2F, 2G), the anti-return catch (2C) being formed by two teeth (2D, 2E), and wherein to prevent the second element (2) from opening once placed, the two teeth (2D, 2E) of the catch (2C) fit into the cavities (2F, 2G), wherein the catch (2C) can be introduced into the cavities (2F, 2G) by flexing the tab (2H), which allows it to rise above the crests of the cavities (2F, 2G), the second element (2) further comprising two formations (2K, 2L), and wherein the two formations (2K, 2L) that form the inner cylindrical surface of the second element (2) can achieve the fitting of the second element (2) on the cylindrical surface of the first element (1).
A binding system according to claim 1, characterised in that the first element (1) is manufactured in thermoplastic elastomer or thermoplastic polyurethane, with an adequate Shore hardness that shall allow the functionality of the part.
A binding system according to claim 1, characterised in that the second element (2) is made in ABS or POM plastic or similar plastic alloys, with an adequate Shore hardness to allow the functionality of all mechanisms in the part.
A binding system according to claim 1, characterised in that the stop (1A) of the first element (1) conforms a visible element on the cover of the document to be bound.
A binding system according to claim 1, characterised in that the second element (2) conforms a visible element on the back of the document to be bound.