GB2145033A

GB2145033A - Binding sheets of paper or the like

Info

Publication number: GB2145033A
Application number: GB08420774A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kenneth Malcolm Smith
Original assignee: MUROGRAPHICS Ltd
Current assignee: MUROGRAPHICS Ltd
Priority date: 1983-08-18
Filing date: 1984-08-15
Publication date: 1985-03-20
Also published as: GB8322292D0; GB8420774D0; GB2145033B

Abstract

A pad 20 of paper sheets is bound along one edge so as to form a booklet by means of one or a series of rigid non-resilient channels 48 clenched onto the edge of the pad. The channel is provided with inwardly-directed projections 18 which compress the sheets without penetrating them and so hold them in place. A cover 50 may be provided comprising a spine 52 and side panels 54 hinged thereto. The spine 52 is secured to the back 12 of the channel, e.g. by hot-melt adhesive. In contrast to resilient channel bindings, this binding channel does not have to be opened to receive the pad, and provides a more secure binding of the sheets. Unlike spiral bindings etc. the sheets do not have to be apertured. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Binding sheets of paper or the like This invention relates to binding paper or the like sheets along one edge to form a booklet or the like.

One method of binding sheets is to staple them; another is to stitch them; and another is to glue them. Another method is to punch the edges of the sheets with one or two holes for attachment in a ring binder, or with a series of holes which receive the teeth of a comb-form generally cylindrical resilient spine member.

Vet another method is to insert one edge portion of a pad of sheets into a resilient channel spine member which grips the sheets.

The comb-form spine member has the disadvantage that the sheets have to be prepunched. The resilient channel spine member has the disadvantage that it does not hold the sheets very securely.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a pad of paper or the like sheets bound along one edge by rigid non-resilient channel means in which the edge portion of the pad is received, at least one side wall of the channel means being formed with a series of inwardly directed projections, the channel means being clenched so as to grip the edge portion of the pad, the projections locally compressing the pad and serving to secure all the sheets together.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of binding a pad of paper or the like sheets, which comprises inserting an edge portion of the pad into a rigid non-resilient channel means; at least one side wall of the channel means being formed with a series of inwardly directed projections, and clenching the channel means on the pad so that the projections locally compress the pad and serve to secure all the sheets together.

In one form, said channel means may comprise a single channel extending along said edge of the pad. In another form, said channel means may comprise a plurality of discrete channel elements spaced apart along said edge of the pad.

The channel means preferably has said projections along both edges thereof, for example with the projections on one edge directly opposite those on the opposite edge. The channel means is preferably made of sheet metal, and the projections are suitably produced by locally deforming the edge of the sheet metal at the channel mouth. Projections could alternatively be provided by indentations formed within the wall of the channel rather than at the edges.

The channel means is preferably clenched by locating it, with the pad inserted therein, on a support so that one side wall of the channel means rests on an anvil surface of the support, and bringing a counterabutment member into engagement with the opposite side wall of the channel means and by means of a lever arrangement applying pressure to the counterabutment member to urge it towards the anvil so that the channel closes on the pad. The counterabutment member is preferably hinged so as to pivot into the clenching position. There may be provided a lever arm fast with and projecting from the counterabutment member radially of its pivot axis to enable manual pressure to be applied to the end of a lever arm remote from the counterabutment member.The counterabutment member may have an interchangeable jaw element so that a jaw element of appropriate size can be fitted to suit the size of channel means employed. The channel means may be secured to the spine of a cover for the pad for example by adhesive such a hot melt or pressure-sensitive adhesive. This may be done prior to inserting the pad into the channel means.

The invention also includes, as described above, channel means per se, or secured to the spine of a cover. The invention further includes a channel-clenching tool as described above.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, various embodiments will now be described with reference to the drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of part of an elongated channel means; Fig. 2 is an end view of the pad and channel means before clenching,; Fig. 3 is an end view of the pad and channel means after clenching; Fig. 4 is a side view of a clenching tool; Fig. 5 is a side view of another embodiment of clenching tool; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a short channel element; Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the short channel elements binding a pad; Fig. 8 is an end view showing a cover attached to the channel means; and Fig. 9 is a sectional view of another embodiment of short channel element.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 3; the elongated channel member 10 is made from sheet mild steel, and may be coated with plastics or other protective layer. The channel comprises a back wall 1 2 and two opposite side walls 14. The edges 1 6 of the channel mouth thereof formed with a series of V-shaped deformations 1 8. The side walls 14 of the channel are initially divergent towards the mouth, as shown in Fig. 2, to allow insertion of one edge portion of a pad 20 of sheets of paper 22 or the like. The channel is then clenched onto the pad, so that the V-shaped deformations 1 8 locally compress the sheets, as shown in Fig. 3, but without actually penetrating them. Surprisingly, this has been found sufficient to secure all of the sheets, including those in the centre of the pad.

The channel may be clenched using a tool as shown in Fig. 4. It comprises a platform base 30, at one end of which there are a pair of spaced apart upstanding brackets 32, between which is journalled an elongate counterabutment member 34 on pivot pins 36. A lever arm 38 is fast with the member 34 and projects generally radially therefrom over the platform. The undersurface of the member 34 is provided with a groove 40 into which fits a rib 42 on a jaw member 44.

In use, the edge of the pad 20 is inserted into a spine member 10, and the pad is laid on the platform 30 so that the spine member lies under the raised counterabutment member 34 as shown in Fig. 4. The lever arm 38 is then brought down manually until the jaw member 44 rests on the side wall of the channel remote from the platform, and then manual pressure is applied to the arm 38 to clench the channel onto the pad.

Since pads of considerably different thicknesses may need to be bound, different size channels may be used, and to accommodate them the jaw member 44 may be removed and replaced by one which is thicker or thinner as appropriate.

Also, the top surface of the platform may be provided with a ramp surface 46, leaving a depression under the member 34 in which the channel, without the pad, can be placed. The pad can then be slid over the ramp surface until its leading edge portion enters the channel.

Referring to Fig. 5, the pivot pins 36 are housed in vertical slots 33 in the brackets 32 and are urged upwardly by springs 35. A pair of manually operable screws 37 bear down on the pivot pins and determine the level of the pins in the slots. By this means the level of the jaw member 44 in the closed (horizontal) position shown can be adjusted to accommodate different thicknesses of pad without having to change jaw members 44. A scale (not shown) on the brackets 32 can be used to show the position of the pins and ensure that they are adjusted to the same position on each side.

Referring to Fig. 6; the short channel element 48 is fabricated similarly to the elongated channel 10 and has a back wall 1 2 and two opposite side walls 14. Similarly to the channel 10, the short channel 48 has Vshaped deformations 1 8 at the edges 16 of the channel. It is clenched onto the pad in a manner similar to that used for the channel 10.

Referring to Fig. 7; this shows a pad 20 being bound by several short channel elements 48, suitably spaced apart.

Referring to Fig. 8; this shows a cardboard cover 50 having spine 52 and sides 54 hinged thereto, the spine 52 being glued or otherwise attached to the back wall 1 2 of the channel means, which may take the form of short channel elements 48 or an elongated channel 10. The channel means is suitably secured, e.g. by hot-melt or contact adhesive, to the spine 52 before introducing the pad into the channel.

Referring to Fig. 9, this shows a channel, which may be a short channel member 48 or an elongated channel 10, having inwardly directed indentations 56 located in the side walls 14; these serve to hold the sheets in place in the manner of the V-shaped deformations described earlier.

Claims

1. A pad of paper or the like sheets bound along one edge by rigid non-resilient channel means in which the edge portion of the pad is received, at least one side wall of the channel means being provided with a series of inwardly directed projections, the channel means being clenched so as to grip the edge portion of the pad, the projections locally compressing the pad and serving to secure all the sheets together.

2. A pad according to claim 1 wherein the channel means comprises a single channel extending along said edge of the pad.

3. A pad according to claim 1 wherein the channel means comprises a plurality of discrete channel elements spaced apart along said edge of the pad.

4. A pad according to any one of claims 1,2 and 3 wherein the channel means has said projections along both of its side walls.

5. A pad according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the channel means is made of sheet metal.

6. A pad according to claim 5 wherein the sheet metal is mild steel sheet.

7. A pad according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said projections are provided along the mouth of the channel means.

8. A pad according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the said projections are provided by indentations formed within the side walls of the channel.

9. A pad according to any one of the preceding claims, including a cover comprising a spine and two side panels hinged thereto, the spine being secured to the back of the channel means between the side walls thereof.

10. A pad according to claim 9 wherein the spine of the cover is secured to the back of the channel means by an adhesive.

11. A pad according to claim 10 wherein the adhesive is a hot-melt adhesive or a contact adhesive.

1 2. A method of binding a pad of paper or the like sheets, which comprises inserting an edge portion of the pad into a rigid nonresilient channel means; at least one side wall of the channel means being provided with a series of inwardly directed projections, and clenching the channel means on the pad so that the projections locally compress the pad and serve-to secure all the sheets together.

1 3. A method according to claim 1 2 wherein the said channel means comprises a single channel extending along said edge of the pad.

14. A method according to claim 1 2 wherein the said channel means comprises a plurality of discrete channel elements spaced apart along said edge of the pad.

1 5. A method according to any one of claims 1 2,1 3 and 14 wherein the channel means has said projections along both of its side walls.

1 6. A method according to any one of claims 1 2 to 1 5 wherein the channel means is made of sheet metal.

1 7. A method according to claim 16 wherein the sheet metal is mild steel sheet.

1 8. A method according to any one of claims 1 2 to 1 7 wherein the said projections are provided along the mouth of the channel means.

19. A method according to any one of claims 1 2 to 1 7 wherein the said projections are provided by indentations formed within the side walls of the channel.

20. A method according to any one of claims 1 2 to 1 9 wherein a cover is provided for the pad comprising a spine and two side panels hinged thereto, the spine being secured to the back of the channel means between the side walls thereof.

21. A method according to claim 20 wherein the spine of the cover is secured to the back of the channel means by an adhesive.

22. A method according to claim 21 wherein the adhesive is a hot-melt adhesive or a contact adhesive.

23. A channel made of rigid non-resilient material for binding a pad of paper or the like sheets, at least one side wall of the channel being formed with one or a series of inwardly directed projections.

24. A channel according to claim 23 which has one or a series of projections on both of its side walls.

25. A channel according to claim 23 or claim 24 which is fabricated from sheet metal.

26. A channel according to claim 25 in which the sheet metal is mild steel sheet.

27. A channel according to any one of claims 23 to 26 in which the said projections are provided at the mouth of the channel means.

28. A channel according to claim 27 wherein said projections are formed by locally deforming the channel material at the edge of the channel mouth.

29. A binding for a pad of paper or the like sheets, comprising rigid non-resilient channel means, at least one side wall of which channel means being provided with a series of inwardly directed projections, and a cover having a spine and two side panels hinged thereto, the spine being secured to the back of the channel means between the side walls thereof.

30. A binding-according to claim 29 wherein the channel means is provided by a plurality of discrete channel elements spaced apart.

31. A binding according to claim 29 wherein the channel means is provided by a single channel extending lengthwise of the spine.

32. A binding according to any one of claims 29 to 31 wherein the channel means is secured to the spine by an adhesive.

33. A binding according to claim 32 wherein the adhesive is a hot-melt adhesive or a contact adhesive.

34. A channel for binding a pad of paper or the like sheets substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

35. A bound pad of paper or the like sheets, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

36. A method of-binding a pad or the like sheets, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

37. A device for clenching a rigid nonresilient channel means onto a pad of paper or the like sheets which comprises a support having an anvil surface arranged for supporting a first side wall of the channel means, a counterabutment member movable into engagement with a second side wall of the channel means thus supported, and a lever mechanism arranged for applying pressure to the counterabutment member so as to urge it towards the anvil so that the channel means closes on a said pad inserted into the channel.

38. A clenching device according to claim 37 wherein the counterabutment member is hinged so as to pivot into the clenching position.

39. A clenching device according to claim 37 or claim 38 which has an interchangeable element for supporting or engaging the channel means so that a jaw element of appropriate size can be fitted to suit the size of channel means employed.

40. A clenching device according to claim 38 wherein the counterabutment member is journalled about an axis which is movable towards and away from the anvil surface, and means are provided for adjusting the position of the axis to a predetermined distance from the anvil surface in use.

41. A clenching device according to claim 40 wherein said adjustment means comprises resilient means urging the axis away from the anvil surface, and adjustable stop means to provide a predetermined limit to the move ment of the axis away from the anvil means.

42. A clenching device according to any one of claims 37 to 41 wherein the anvil surface is provided by a recess in the support.

43. A device for clenching a channel means onto a pad of paper or the like sheets, substantially as described herein and with reference to the accompanying drawings.