FR2691106A1 - Multifunctional and removable office accessory. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a multifonctional and removable office accessory intended to bundle papers, to combine itself with other accessories in a plurality of combinations, to act as communication support, that is to say to receive all types of graphisms or inscriptions to identify, classify, direct, organize the contents thereof, to receive removable descriptive plates allowing to multiply the preceding functions. This accessory is comprised of an undeformable and U-shaped body (1) of which each internal face carries fittings (2, 3) having deformable surfaces (4) capable of clamping bundles of papers (7). Its faces (14) as well as descriptive plates (15, 16) may receive graphisms or inscriptions. Known means allow to obtain any kind of assembly with other accessories. The invention is intended to personal, scholastic, professional, commercial, advertising applications, etc.

Description

The present invention relates to a multifunctional and removable office accessory, the main functions of which are
the binding of bundles of leaves,
the possibility of joining together in multiple combinations,
the possibility of serving as labels, markers, identification, classifying, directing, organizing their content, as much by their shape and color as by their possibility of receiving inscriptions, indications and graphics of all kinds, being therefore a communication medium.

 After having been connected by pins, the bundles of sheets are currently connected by folding corners, by paper clips or the like, by spring clips or by spring clips.

 These last two exert on the sheets a clamping force of a fixed value but very localized, that is to say, on a very small surface of the sheets, which implies a non-negligible pressure. Paper clips or the like exert on the leaves a pinching force, also very localized, but whose value will decrease as the leaves are stressed - for example, by their weight - to come out of the paper clip.

 These aforementioned means all have the disadvantage of marking the sheets if not mutilating them, in addition, they cannot be assembled with each other nor are they particularly organized for signaling and / or transmitting messages.

 The known means of indexing, tracking, labeling are uniform, are not organized to be assembled, cannot be used on bundles of sheets or provided, in this case, to be removable.

In order to remedy these drawbacks at the same time as limiting the possibilities of using known means, the multifunctional and removable office accessory object of the present invention
exerts on the sheets a tightening force - by bringing together two parallel planes - distributed over a less reduced surface of the sheet - therefore, according to a pressure, that is to say, less aggression - and whose value s self-regulating according to needs, that is to say that the tightening force increases as the sheets are stressed - for example, by their weight - to come out of the accessory,
is organized to be assembled with other accessories of the same type,
is designed to signalize, identify what it links and to symbolize, constitute and / or transmit all messages and indications useful for its operation: this is the role of a communication medium.

These different characteristics are given to it by its organization which is as follows
its shell, essentially undeformable, is produced according to a very narrow U-shaped profile, with parallel branches, which forms a sort of small vice provided with deformable, even elastic, interior linings which constitute the clamping element, which is effected by bringing together two parallel planes, these linings can be, for example non-limiting, rubber plates provided with spikes or spikes and fixed face to face - with the offset necessary to allow a slight interpenetration of said spikes or spikes internal sides of the U-shaped shell.

The parallel tightening process is carried out as follows
when one wants to connect a bundle of leaves, it is pushed between the two aforementioned linings, under the effect of this push, the ears or spikes then tilt to give it passage and restore the tightening of the bundle the effort need to get their temporary deformation. When this bundle is stressed - for example, by its weight coming out of the accessory, it encourages the ears or spikes to return to their initial position, therefore, to tighten it even more, which constitutes systematic security.

 The assembly can be made of any suitable material and be formed from one or more of these materials such as, metals, wood, ceramics, leather, glass, plastics, rubber, gums, natural or synthetic textiles, fabrics of all types, glass fabrics, non-woven fibers, felts, spongy materials, etc.

 The shapes, dimensions and proportions of these accessories can vary endlessly depending on the needs to be met.

 The assembly of the accessories together can be obtained by a wide variety of means, possibly offered by their shape and / or known in n / a, for example non-limiting, one of the faces of the accessory can carry projections or tenons , while the other face carries notches or mortises, assembly by magnet / s is also possible, these assembly means being organized to leave the largest free surface possible on the faces of the accessories in order to reserve them for their optical functions.

 To facilitate disassembly, the "backs" of the accessories can be joined to the upper and lower faces, either by rounded surfaces, or by flat surfaces but inclined, for example, at 45, relative to the "back" and to the upper faces. and lower.

 The optical functions can be further improved by the addition of removable and pivotally mounted identification plates on the upper face of the accessory so that one can read or interpret its functions without disassembling the stack of accessories, by simply rotating the nameplate, which is provided, for this, a protrusion protruding from the accessory. These plates may bear any indications, drawings or graphics of any shape or color.

 At least one of the faces of the shell may have a surface which can be used for erasable inscriptions, certain descriptive plates may also be provided to assume this function.

 Embossed and / or colored texts can also be provided both on the shell surfaces and on the rating plates.

for example, Braille alphabet, graphics for children, etc.

According to a variant, less deformable linings are mounted inside the hull on articulated supports controlled mechanically by means known per se,
springs or other elastic materials can, if necessary, be interposed between the linings and their supports and, even, constitute these said supports.

The assemblies are obviously applicable to the various embodiments, they are of three fundamental types:
superimposed assemblies in which the underside of an accessory is assembled to the upper face of another accessory, all or most of these surfaces being in contact,
perpendicular assemblies in which the "back" of an accessory is fixed to one of the surfaces of another accessory, for example non-limiting, by means of tenon / s and mortise / s,
the juxtaposed assemblies in which the accessories are assembled by their "backs" and / or by their lateral faces, for example not limiting, by means of tenon / s and mortise / s and / or by projection / s and notch / s.

According to a variant which is particularly applicable to superimposed assemblies, the upper part of an accessory has a small elevation over almost the whole of its surface capable of fitting between small flanges organized in the lower part of another accessory, the assembly taking place thanks to the elasticity of these edges,
these said flanges do not necessarily prevail over the entire perimeter of the underside of an accessory, they can be interrupted and sized and spaced regularly or not and organized, depending on the contour of the elevation of the upper part of the accessory to assemble, so as to facilitate the interlocking and disengagement of these said accessories by a relative angular movement thereof.

 The flanges can still be replaced, if necessary, by small pins of a predetermined elasticity.

 Nameplates can be made easily removable, for example non-limiting, by drilling them with a hole to fix them on a small vertical post provided with a bulge and secured to the upper face of the accessory. These nameplates are thus interchangeable, they can have all shapes, dimensions, colors, reliefs, proportions, etc., may or may not be provided with rings, hooks, magnets or other means of fixing and / or gripping.

 The accessories according to the invention may also include hooks or rings or magnets or other means of fixing and / or gripping on any of their faces, these can be articulated, pivotable, eclipsable. similarly, these accessories can be provided with means of attachment to tables, such as tips or magnets which can be eclipsed and / or pivoted and / or articulated.

 The means and elements useful for operating the accessories according to the invention can be associated with them in a removable manner, such as - for example without limitation - by fitting or embedding.

or magnetic or electro-magnetic attraction.

Without departing from the scope of the invention, the accessories may have the most marked forms det
either by a function such as, for example non-limiting, binding of a folder over the entire height of the sheets, folder binding with base allowing it to be positioned vertically, partial bindings or total bindings of a folder allowing its suspension, etc. .,
either to symbolize a brand or the identity of a company
either for aesthetic and / or advertising reasons, etc.

 Elements such as watches, daters, scented plates, etc., can also be incorporated into the accessories.

 Likewise, are included in the invention, additional elements allowing the exploitation such as - for example without limitation - bars or surfaces, of varied geometries, provided with pins or other means suitable for receiving and fixing these accessories, to use them as displays, etc., portals or other supports allowing accessories to be hung, or else storage and classification means specially designed for them.

Non-limiting examples of embodiment of the present invention are given below and illustrated by drawings in which
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a set of accessories assembled and carrying bundles of sheets in different planes,
Fig. 2 is a side elevation view of an accessory,
Fig. 3 is a view from the right of FIG. 2,
Fig. 4 is a section AA of FIG. 2,
Fig. 5 is a side elevation view of an accessory provided with studs gripping a bundle of leaves,
Fig. 6 is a side elevation view of an accessory provided with linings with deformable surfaces gripping a bundle of leaves,
Fig. 7 is a side elevation view of an accessory provided with ears tightening a bundle of leaves,
Fig. 8 is a side elevation view showing the pin fittings in the rest position,
Fig. 9, is a side elevation view showing spiked linings in the clamping position of a bundle of leaves introduced from the bottom up,
Fig. 10 is a side elevation view showing a set of assembled accessories,
Fig. 11 is a top view of FIG. 10,
Fig. 12 is a detail, on a large scale, seen in section of the back-to-back assembly of the central accessories of FIG. 10,
Fig. 13 is a view in elevation of the profile of accessories assembled by embedding the elevation of one of their faces in ledges organized in the other face,
Fig. 14 is a view from the right of FIG. 13,
Fig. 15 is a view from the left of FIG. 13,
Figs. 16 and 17, are views of the two faces of the same accessory different from the previous one,
Figs. 18 and 19, are views of the two faces of the same accessory different from the previous one,
Figs. 20 and 21 are views of the two faces of the same accessory different from the previous one,
Fig. 22 is a side elevation view of accessories according to FIGS. 20 and 21, assembled and provided with nameplates,
Fig. 23 is an elevation view of the upper face of an accessory, with writing on the erasable surface,
Fig. 24 is a view of an accessory according to FIG. 23, with the addition of a nameplate with example of a raised pattern,
Fig. 25 is a view of an accessory according to FIG. 23, with addition of a nameplate provided with a ring, (company logo),
Fig. 26 is a view from the left of FIG. 25,
Fig. 27 is an elevation view of the upper face of an accessory provided with a ring and provided with a nameplate having a knurled protuberance and bearing in relief an inscription in Braille alphabet (RV),
Fig. 28 is a view from the left of FIG. 27, showing the assembly of two accessories of this type,
Fig. 29 is a side view, in section, of an accessory according to a variant,
Fig. 30 is a perspective view of the tightening linings according to FIG. 29, and their supports,
Fig. 31, is a partial profile view, in section, showing a device for opening the tightening linings,
Fig. 32 is a perspective view of FIG. 31,
Fig. 33, is a perspective view of the operating lock of the
Fig. 31 and 32,
Fig. 34 is a detailed view of another operating device comprising an interior cam,
Fig. 35 is a side view, in section, of another embodiment of the variant,
Fig. 36 is a section AA of FIG. 35.

 The accessory according to the invention (Fig. 1 to 8) consists of a non-deformable shell (1) U-shaped with narrow and parallel branches, the internal faces of which are provided with deformable linings (2), (3) which are joined by means known in n / a.

 These linings carry deformable clamping elements which are either pins (4) or ears (5) or, again, form blocks (6) whose surface is sufficiently deformable and which can be produced, for example non-limiting, in spongy material, foam rubber, etc.

 The pins (4) or spikes (5) of the linings (2), (3) secured to the internal faces of the shells (1) are arranged with a slight offset, one relative to the other, in order to allow a slight interpenetration of said pins (4) or spikes (5): this is shown in FIGS.

2, 5, 7 to 9.

 When a bundle (7) is introduced between the linings (2)) to (6) of the accessory, it foams the deformable surface of these linings (2), (3), (6) or the constituent elements (4) , (5) of this deformable surface, towards the bottom of the profile U forming the shell (1), thus reducing the total thickness of the linings by the thickness of the bundle. In the case of surface elements such as (4) or (5), interpenetrating, it is necessary to add, to the thickness of the bundle, the above-mentioned interpenetration length, which increases the total reduction of the thickness of the linings and corresponds to an increased mechanical force, during the introduction of the bundle, to obtain the inclination of the pins (4) or ears (5) necessary to allow passage to the bundle (7).

The elasticity of surfaces or surface elements such as (4) or (5) tends to bring them back to their initial position illustrated by the
Fig. 2 and 8 and restores the effort required to tighten the bundle, the effort required for its introduction into the accessory.

 This force is exerted against the bundle by the displacement, towards their initial position, of the two parallel planes formed by the clamping surfaces (4), (5), (6) of the linings (2), (3), (6 ).

 It is obvious that any force exerted on the bundle - possibly by its own weight - towards the open part of the shell (1) increases the tightness of the linings on the bundle (7), Fig. 5, 6, 7, 9 thus the effort of extracting the bundle (7) is greater than its effort of introduction.

 The accessories are assembled together, for example without limitation, by tenons (8) and mortises (9).

 The back-to-back assembly of these accessories can be obtained, for example without limitation, by removable double studs (10) with or without bulges (11).

 The disassembly of the superimposed accessories is facilitated by the profiling of their which may have, for example non-limiting, cut sides (12) or curves (13).

 The optical functions of the accessories require from them a sufficient flat surface (14) to write or carry the inscriptions or graphics required by their functions. These can still be exerted by nameplates (15), (16) pivotally mounted on the assembly studs (8) provided or not with bulges such as (11). Nameplates such as (16) can be provided with a hook or an operating and / or suspension ring (17) - also applied to the accessories themselves - or with a knurled protuberance (18).

 According to a variant given by way of non-limiting example, the accessory object of the invention is formed of a shell (19) which contains two linings (20), (21) composed of a rigid, metallic or other, the working surface of which is coated with a material that is not very deformable, carried and articulated by and on two supports, for example of steel wire (, 22), (23) and provided with leaf springs (24), ( 25).

 Opening levers (26), (27) can be secured to the supports (22), (23) in order to control their angular displacement to obtain the spacing of the linings (20), (21) and thus "open" the accessory to introduce a bundle (7). When the levers (26), (27) are released, the linings (20), (21) returned by the springs (24) (25) tighten the bundle (7) and the accessory is thus found "closed".

 The levers (26), (27) are controlled by manual means such as, for example, a pusher (28). They may each comprise a bent part (29), (30) and be controlled, either by the linear displacement of a lock (31), carrying maneuvering ramps (32), (33), capable of sliding in the interior of the accessory and manipulable by a striated part (34) accessible from the exterior of said accessory, or by the angular displacement of an interior cam (35) also accessible from the exterior and able to rotate between small studs ( 36), (37) inside the accessory by acting on the lever (38) accessible from the outside and secured to said cam (35).

 According to another non-limiting example of embodiment of this variant of the accessory, it comprises a non-deformable shell (39), of plastic, metal or other material, secured to a set of two elastic arms or springs (40), (41) at the end of which two fittings or release elements (42), (43) are articulated. Their spacing can either be obtained by the introduction of the bundle (7), or be controlled by an opening pusher (44) accessible from the outside of the accessory.

 The assemblies previously described, superimposed, perpendicular or juxtaposed are also applicable to these latter variants.

 The superimposed assembly means can also be constituted by a small elevation (45) of almost all of the upper face (46) of a shell (47) and by flanges (48), (49) or (50) , (51), (52) or (53), (54), (55) or (53) to (58) louse (59) with ruptures (60) of the underside (61) of the hull (47) . The shape of the elevations (45) and the arrangement, the number, the shape, the dimensions, of the flanges (48) to (60) can advantageously be jointly determined so as to allow the interlocking and disengagement of two consecutive accessories by a relative angular motion of these.

 It is understood that the invention has only been described and shown as a non-limiting preferential example and that any technical equivalence may be made in its constituent elements without going beyond its ambit, which is defined by the appended claims.

 The invention can be used both at personal and academic level as well as for professional, commercial, advertising uses, etc.

Claims (9)

 1) Multifunctional and removable office accessory characterized in that it comprises  - means for binding bundles of sheets without risk of deterioration or marking,  means for assembling several accessories to each other in all possible combinations,  - at least one of its faces offering a surface  capable of receiving inscriptions or graphics of all kinds as well as all labeling, tracking, means of identification, classification or orientation,  whose shape, relief, color, odor are variable, without limitation,  able to receive, in general, all means of communication and / or advertising,  -.its upper surface organized to receive the addition of removable nameplates.  2) Multifunctional and removable office accessory according to claim 1) characterized in that  the binding means of the bundles of sheets exert on them a clamping force by bringing two parallel planes distributed over the surface presented by these said planes in order to obtain a reduced pressure on the sheets therefore, not very aggressive for the latter,  in that  a multifunctional and removable office accessory according to the invention consists of a non-deformable shell (1) profiled in a narrow U, with parallel branches and provided with deformable fittings (2), (3) secured to their internal faces and provided with deformable clamping elements such as pins (4), ears (5) or also formed from blocks (6) whose surface is sufficiently deformable and capable of being produced, for example non-limiting, in foam rubber, spongy material , etc.,  in that  the surface deformation of the linings obtained by the effort of introducing the bundles of sheets, restores this in the form of clamping force, exerted in two parallel planes, by the surfaces of the trimmed  these accessories can be made of any suitable material, be formed from one or more of these materials such as metals, wood, ceramics, leather, glass, pastics, rubber, gums, natural or synthetic textiles, fabrics of all types, glass fabrics, non-woven fibers, felts, spongy materials, etc., the list being essentially non-limiting,  in that  the shapes, dimensions and proportions of the accessories can vary infinitely depending on the needs to be met.  3) Multifunctional and removable office accessories according to claim 1) characterized in that  they can be assembled with one another in an infinite number of combinations by means known per se such as tenons (8) on one of their faces and mortises (9) on the other face, or again, protrusions on one face and notches on the other side and, in the case of back-to-back assemblies, mortises on each back and double tenons (10) with or without bulges (11),  they can also be assembled by magnets,  the removal of superimposed accessories is facilitated by the profiling of their which may have cut sides (12) or curves (13).  4) Multifunctional and removable office accessories according to claim 1) characterized in that  their function of communication support is made possible by the existence, on their faces, of a free surface (14) large enough to receive inscriptions or graphics, erasable or not, of all shapes, colors, odors and reliefs, for example , Braille characters, graphics for children, etc.,  this function provides for the addition of removable descriptive plates (15), (16) pivotally mounted on assembly studs such as (8) provided or not with bulges such as (11), integral with the upper face of a accessory,  the plates (15), (16) can be provided with a hook or an operating and / or suspension ring (17), magnets or other means of fixing or gripping - also applicable to the accessories themselves same - as well as protrusions, projecting from the accessory, knurled (18), or not, to operate their pivoting.  5) Accessory according to claim 1) characterized in that  according to a variant, linings (20), (21) composed of a metal plate whose working surface is coated with a material that is little deformable, are mounted and articulated inside a shell (19) on two supports steel wire (22), (23) provided with operating levers (26), (27),  leaf springs (24), (25) hold the linings (20), (21) in the clamping position,  the operating levers (26), (27) can be controlled by a means known per se such as a pusher (28),  the operating levers (26), (27) may also each comprise a bent portion (29), (30) and be controlled by a bolt (31) sliding inside the accessory, carrying operating ramps ( 32), (33) and can be manipulated by a striated part (34) external to the accessory,  said levers can also be controlled by an internal cam (35), accessible from the outside, capable of rotating between small studs internal to the accessory (36), (37) and provided with a control lever (38) accessible from outside the accessory.  6) Accessory according to claim 5) characterized in that  the non-deformable shell (39) made of plastic, metal or other suitable material is secured to two elastic arms or springs (40), (41) at the end of which two clamping elements (42), (43) are articulated,  their spacing can be obtained either by the introduction of the bundle (7), or by an opening pusher (44) accessible from the outside of the accessory.  7) Accessories according to claim 3) characterized in that  they can be superimposed, juxtaposed or mounted perpendicular to each other (Fig. 10 to 22),  they may include on the upper face (46) of a shell (47) a small elevation (45), over almost their entire surface, capable of fitting between small flanges (48) to (59) organized in the underside (61) of the shell (47), the assembly taking place thanks to the elasticity of these edges,  the flanges (48) to (59) may include ruptures (60), be dimensioned and spaced regularly or not, organized according to the contour of the elevation (45) of the upper part to operate the interlocking and disengagement of two consecutive accessories by a relative angular movement thereof,  the flanges (48) to (59) can be replaced by small pins of a predetermined elasticity.  8) Accessories according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that  they may include hooks and / or rings and / or magnets and / or other means of fixing and / or gripping on any of their faces,  these means can be articulated and / or pivotable and / or eclipsable,  they can be provided with fixing means on boards such  that tip / s or magnet / s eclipsable and / or pivotable and / or articulated,  they can be associated in a removable manner known per se, such as interlocking or embedding or magnetic or electromagnetic attraction, with means or elements useful for their exploitation such as: bars or surfaces of varied geometry, provided with pins or other means of fixing, various supports, storage means specially designed for this use.  9) Accessories according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that  they can present the most varied forms determined  - either by a function such as, for example non-li; ùmitatif, re  binding of a file over the entire height of its sheets and / or with  base for vertical positioning, partial bindings  the or totals of a file allowing its suspension, etc.,  - either to symbolize a brand or the identity of a company,  - either for aesthetic and / or advertising reasons, etc.,  elements such as watches, daters, scented plates, etc., can also be incorporated into them.