GB2199885A

GB2199885A - Improvements in or relating to fastening devices

Info

Publication number: GB2199885A
Application number: GB08727997A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher Raymon Chamberlain
Original assignee: LITHOPLAS Ltd
Current assignee: LITHOPLAS Ltd
Priority date: 1986-11-28
Filing date: 1987-11-30
Publication date: 1988-07-20
Anticipated expiration: 2007-11-30
Also published as: GB2199885B; GB8727997D0

Abstract

A fastening device is provided for attachment to a sheet-like material, and is particularly suitable for fastening a cheque book 10 within a cover 16. A book retainer 17 is fitted to the cover 16 by passing the head 28 of a stud 26 into a key-hole slot 20. In the embodiment shown the portion of the cover 16 between two key-hole slots 20, 21 is then flexed to enable the head of the mother stud 26 to be passed through the other hole at its larger end. The resilience of the cover then flattens out the flexed portion between the holes to retain both studs against release movement. In another embodiment a single stud is employed with an associated flexible catch which snaps into the larger end of the key-hole slot to resist release movement of the stud from the narrow end. <IMAGE>

Description

"Improvements in or Relating to Fastening Devices" The invention relates to fastening devices and particularly, but not exclusively, to devices for use in binding books or sheaves of papers into a cover. The invention is particularly suitable for binding a bank cheque book into a cover of a material which is more durable than the usual paper cover sheets of the cheque book itself. One common known form of cover for a cheque book is made from PVC or similar material, the back panel of the cover having, on its inner face, a welded strip or slits to receive the back paper cover sheet of the cheque book.

It is desirable that the means for securing the cheque book within the cover should not require the use of tools or modification of the cheque book, for example by punching holes in it, and the existing forms of cover meet this requirement. However, they do not retain the cheque book very securely within the cover and also have other disadvantages.

Cheque book covers tend to be subjected to fairly heavy wear since they are often kept in a pocket or bag, and also the spine or hinge portion of the cover is flexed many times during prolonged use particularly when, as is usual, the same cover is used for several cheque books in succession. The types of cover at present available are not very hard wearing, and the material is such that they tend to break away at the spine. The type of material normally used also places limitations on the printing of information or decoration on the cover, and more than one colour printing is at present unusual on these covers.

It is an object of the invention to provide a fastening device which may be readily attached to a sheetlike material without the use of tools and which, in one embodiment thereof, is suitable for attaching a book or sheaf of papers to the sheet-like material, as in the case of a cheque book cover.

According to the invention there is provided a fastening device for attachment to a sheet-like material, wherein the device is formed with a headed stud adapted to cooperate with a hole in the sheet-like material which is generally keyhole shaped, having a larger portion through which the head of the stud may pass leading from which is an elongate narrower portion along which only the neck of the stud may pass, the device being further formed with location means for engagement with the sheet-like material, after the neck of the stud has been introduced into the narrower portion of the hole, in a manner to restrain movement of the neck of the stud back along said portion toward the larger portion of the hole.

Said location means may comprise a projecting element formed on the device which is engageable within a hole in the sheet-like material when the neck of said headed stud is in the aforesaid narrower portion of the keyhole shaped hole.

Said projecting element may be a second headed stud, spaced from the first said stud, which is engageable with a second keyhole shaped hole in the sheet-like material, spaced from the first said hole, the narrower portions of the two holes extending in different directions whereby the sheet-like material between the holes requires to be flexed to allow insertion of the second stud into the second hole.

In one embodiment the device includes an elongate channel-shaped retainer part to receive and retain an edge portion of a book or sheaf of papers, said stud or studs being formed on the retainer part. There may be provided two or more headed studs spaced apart longitudinally of the retainer part. The or each headed stud may be formed on one flange portion of the channelshaped retainer part.

The inwardly facing surface of at least one flange portion of the channel-shaped retainer part is preferably recessed to receive and retain a projecting part on the edge portion of a book received in the retainer part. Also, the inwardly facing surface of at least one flange portion of the channel-shaped retainer part may be chamfered at one end thereof, to facilitate the introduction of an edge portion of a book or sheaf of papers longitudinally into the end of the retainer part.

The invention includes a fastening device of any of the kinds referred to above in combination with a sheet-like cover formed with one or more holes to receive the or each headed stud. The cover may comprise front and back panels hingedly connected to a narrow elongate spine portion. In this case each hole for receiving studs on the fastening device may be formed in the back panel adjacent the spine portion.

In an alternative form of fastening device according to the invention said projecting element is located closely adjacent the headed stud and is of similar peripheral shape and dimensions to the head of the stud, whereby the projecting element may engage within the larger portion of the keyhole shaped hole when the neck of the stud has been passed into the elongate narrower portion of the hole.

The projecting element may have an end surface which is inclined away from a main body part of the device as it extends away from the headed stud, to facilitate entry of the element into the hole in the sheet-like material. At least the portion of the projecting element remote from the headed stud may be undercut for interlocking engagement with the side of the hole into which it is inserted.

In any of the above arrangements the neck of the headed stud may have two opposite, straight parallel sides for engagement with the sides of the elongate narrower portion of the keyhole shaped hole, to restrain relative rotation between the stud and said portion of the hole.

The following is a more detailed description of embodiments of the invention, by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cover forming part of a binder which uses a fastening device in accordance with the invention, Figure 2 is a perspective view of the assembled parts of the binder, Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of part of the binder, Figure 4 is a view of one of the shaped holes in the cover, Figure 5 is a side view of a stud on the retainer part of the binder, Figure 6 is a side view of an alternative form of fastener in accordance with the invention, shown fitted to sheet-like material, Figure 7 is a plan view of the fastener of Figure 6, Figure 8 is an underplan view of part of the fastener of Figures 7 and 8 when fitted to sheet-like material, Figure 9 is a view of an alternative form of the stud, Figure 10 is a view of a further alternative form of stud-, and Figure 11 is a view of a still further alternative form of stud.

The binder illustrated in Figures 1, 2, and 3 is intended for holding a conventional bank cheque book which is indicated at 10 in Figure 2. Such a cheque book has internal pages 11 and thin front and back cover sheets 12, 13, all of these being secured together at one end by staples 14. A narrow fabric or plastics strip 15 is glued around the spine of the book to cover the staples, which then provide slight protrusions in the surface of the strip, as seen in Figure 3.

The binder for the cheque book 10 comprises two components, namely a cover 16 and a retainer 17. As seen in Figure 1, the cover is of sheet material and has two parallel creases 18 near its centre, defining between them a spine part 19.

Adjacent one of the creases 18, two spaced keyhole shaped holes 20, 21 are punched in the material of the cover. The keyhole shapes are oppositely orientated so that the narrower ends are presented towards one another as seen in Figure 1.

The cover 16 may be made from any suitable sheet material, but certain plastics materials such as polyolefins are particularly suitable since they have high flexibility and withstand frequent bending at the crease lines 18. Also, using particular techniques, printing of high standard and using full colour can be achieved. The flexibility of the sheet material chosen is such that it can be readily flexed between the two keyhole shaped holes 20, 21, as will be explained. A particularly suitable material is that sold under the trade mark "LITHOPLAS".

The retainer 17 is a plastics moulding being conveniently produced by injection moulding. It is in the form of a channel-shaped member of which the flanges 22 are longer than the web 23. The internal surfaces of the two flanges 22 are formed with shallow longitudinal recesses 24. The side of each recess 24 nearer the mouth of the channel provides a shoulder 25, and the width of each recess is equal to, or slightly greater than, the distance of the staples 14 from the adjacent edge of the cheque book. The distance between the flanges 22 of the retainer is approximately equal to the thickness of the cheque book.

The dimensions are such that the spine of the cheque book may be introduced into the retainer 17, and retained therein, by sliding it longitudinally into the retainer from one end. The internal end faces of at least one of the flanges 22 may be chamfered at one or both ends of the retainer 17 to facilitate the initial insertion of the spine of the cheque book. As best seen in Figure 3, the dimensions of the retainer are such that the protrusions formed by the upper and lower ends of the staples 14 project into the recesses 24 adjacent the shoulders 25 and thus, by engaging the shoulders 25, prevent withdrawal of the cheque book through the mouth of the retainer by movement to the right (as viewed in Figure 3).

Although the described arrangement is preferred, the recesses 24 could be slightly wider than shown so that the shoulders 25 are abutted by the edges of the cover strip 15 itself to prevent withdrawal of the book. Also, the distance between the flanges 22, when unstressed, could be slightly less than the thickness of the cheque book so that the flanges 24 are forced apart slightly as the cheque book is inserted. The resilience of the flanges will then exert a slight clamping force on the book, enhancing its retention.

Formed integrally with the retainer 17 on the external side of one of the flanges 22 are two spaced headed studs 26. One of these is also shown in Figure 5.

The stud includes a circular-sectioned neck 27, having a diameter substantially equal to the width of the narrower part of each of the keyhole shaped slots 20, 21. The head 28 of the stud 26 is domed and, in its free state, two opposite portions of the rim are slightly nearer the body of the retainer than the junction with the neck 27. This is achieved by moulding the underneath surface of the head with two joining inclined flat surfaces, as seen in Figure 5. The diameter of the head 28 of the stud is slightly smaller than the large circular portion of each keyhole shaped hole 20 or 21. It is therefore possible for the head 28 of the stud to pass through this hole at the larger end but not at the other, narrower end.

The two studs 26 are spaced apart on the retainer 17 by a distance substantially equal to the separation of the two nearer ends of the holes 20, 21.

Fitting of the retainer to the cover is accomplished by passing the head 28 of one stud through the larger end of the hole. The neck of the stud is then slid into and along the narrower end of the hole. Next, the portion of the cover 16 between the two holes 20, 21 is flexed to enable the head of the other of the two studs 26 to be passed through the other hole 20 or 21 at its larger end.

The resilience of the cover will then flatten out the flexed portion between the holes so as to bring the neck of the second stud into the narrower end of its hole.

Fitting and releasing of the retainer is therefore extremely simple, and can be accomplished by the user, rather than as a factory operation, since no tools are required. The retainer 17 can be fitted to the cover in this manner either with the cheque book already inserted or before such insertion.

Preferably, the thickness of the cover 16 is slightly greater than the distance of the extremities of each stud head 28 from the surface of the retainer, so that the underneath surface of the stud head tends to flatten out, achieving a firm grip, when the stud is in position in the cover.

Figures 6, 7, and 8 show another form of fastener 29 in accordance with the invention. In this case the fastener is for attachment to part of a notecase, brief case, or the like. The fastener is the male part of a two-part device and comprises a tapered tongue 30 in which is incorporated an integral resiliently connected latch portion 31. The tongue is designed to engage in a socket or loop in a female part (not shown). The male and female parts may, in use, be connected respectively to a lid and body of a notecase, brief case, or the like. The part 29 is connected to a sheet-like material porti)n of the lid or body of the case by means of an attachment device. This comprises a headed stud 32 which is integral with the fastener 30 and is similar to the headed stud 26 shown in Figure 5, except that in this case the neck 33 of the stud is square in cross-section.The stud 32 is adapted to fit into a single keyhole shaped hole 34 (see Figures 6 and 8) in the sheet material 35. Since in this case there are not provided two spaced stud and hole combinations, as in the previously described arrangement, other means are provided to ensure that the stud will not work loose and come out of the hole. For this purpose a circular boss 36 is integrally formed on the surface of the part 30 adjacent the stud 32. The boss 36 is of a size to fit in the larger end of the keyhole 34, and is positioned, relatively to the stud 32, so as to fit into the larger end of the hole when the neck 33 of the stud has been slid to the other, narrower end. The lower surface of the boss 36 is inclined in side view, as seen in Figure 6, to provide a convenient lead-in, so that the boss will snap into the hole.The thicker end of the boss 36 is undercut, as indicated at 37, so that upon any tendency for the stud 32 to slide along the narrower part of the keyhole the undercut portion will engage the side of the hole and resist any tendency for the boss to come out of the hole.

The part 30 is fitted onto the sheet material 35 by passing the head of the stud 32 through the larger end of the keyhole, then sliding it along the narrower portion until the boss 36 snaps into the larger end. The flat sides of the square-sectioned neck of the stud engage the sides of the narrow portion of the hole and prevent the stud rotating relatively thereto, thus ensuring that the boss 36 remains in line with the keyhole and snaps into its larger portion.

Figure 9 shows an alternative form of stud which might be provided on the retainer 17 (or the part 30) in the arrangements previously described. This comprises a separate headed stud 38, and a shallow cylindrical cup 39 integrally moulded with the retainer 17. The sizes of the neck of the stud 38 and of the interior of the cup 39 are such as to provide a tight frictional or snap-action grip. In this case a simple round hole is provided in the cover 16, through which the cup passes, but through which the head of the stud 38 will not pass. To assemble the cover with the retainer, two holes in the cover are placed over two similarly spaced cups 39 on the retainer. The headed studs 38 are then driven into the cups, and grip therein to hold the cover to the retainer.

Figure 10 shows the opposite arrangement in which the headed stud 40 has a hollow neck which fits over a solid spigot 41 on the retainer 17. This is otherwise fitted in the same manner as the construction shown in Figure 9.

In Figure 11 there is a further alternative construction in which a headed stud 42 fits ito a round hole 43 formed right through one flange of the retainer 17. Again, this is friction fitted in a manner similar to the constructions of Figures 9 and 10.

A binder similar to that shown in Figures 1 to 5 can be used for books of any size, or for binding together collections of loose sheets. Although the construction shown in Figures 1 to 5 requires at least one pair of holes and corresponding studs, such arrangement could be replaced by the single stud and hole arrangement used in the fastener of Figures 6 to 8. Alternatively, where a large book or large size sheets are to be bound using the system shown in Figures 1 to 5, more than two studs and holes can be provided. All of the holes except one would, in that case, be orientated in one direction.

The studs can then be fitted in all these holes by one sliding movement, leaving only the remaining stud, which would normally be at one end, to be fitted by flexing the cover.

The fastening device can be used for a variety of purposes other than those examples referred to. For example, conventional ring binding mechanisms or other fastening arrangements for documents can be mounted on a base sheet by similar devices.

Claims

1. A fastening device for attachment to a sheetlike material, wherein the device is formed with a headed stud adapted to cooperate with a hole in the sheet-like material which is generally keyhole shaped, having a larger portion through which the head of the stud may pass leading from which is an elongate narrower portion along which only the neck of the stud may pass, the device, being further formed with location means for engagement with the sheet-like material, after the neck of the stud has been introduced into the narrower portion of the hole, in a manner to restrain movement of the neck of the stud back along said portion toward the larger portion of the hole.

2. A fastening device according to Claim 1, wherein said location means comprise a projecting element formed on the device which is engageable within a hole in the sheet-like material when the neck of said headed stud is in the aforesaid narrower portion of the keyhole shaped hole.

3. A fastening device according to Claim 2, wherein said projecting element is a second headed stud, spaced from the first said stud, which is engageable with a second keyhole shaped hole in the sheet-like material, spaced from the first said hole, the narrower portions of the two holes extending in different directions whereby the sheet-like material between the holes requires to be flexed to allow insertion of the second stud into the second hole.

4. A fastening device according to any of Claims 1 to 3, including an elongate channel-shaped retainer part to receive and retain an edge portion of a book or sheaf of papers, said stud or studs being formd on the retainer part.

5. A fastening device according to Claim 4, wherein there are provided two or more headed studs spaced apart longitudinally of the retainer part.

6. A fastening device according to Claim 4 or Claim 5, wherein the or each headed stud is formed on one flange portion of the channel-shaped retainer part.

7. A fastening device according to any of Claims 4 to 6, wherein the inwardly facing surface of at least one flange portion of the channel-shaped retainer part is recessed to receive and retain a projecting part on the edge portion of a book received in the retainer part.

8. A fastening device according to any of Claims 4 to 7, wherein the inwardly facing surface of at least one flange portion of the channel-shaped retainer part is chamfered at one end thereof, to facilitate the introduction of an edge portion of a book or sheaf of papers longitudinally into the end of the retainer part.

9. A fastening device according to any of Claims 1 to 8, in combination with a sheet-like cover formed with one or more holes to receive the or each headed stud.

10. The combination according to Claim 9, wherein the cover comprises front and back panels hingedly connected to a narrow elongate spine portion.

11. The combination according to Claim 10, wherein the or each hole for receiving studs on the fastening device is formed in the back panel adjacent the spine portion.

12. A fastening device according to Claim 2, wherein said projecting element is located closely adjacent the headed stud and is of similar peripheral shape and dimensions to the head of the stud, whereby the projecting element may engage within the larger portion of the keyhole shaped hole when the neck of the stud has been passed into the elongate narrower portion of the hole.

13. A fastening device according to Claim 2 or Claim 12, wherein the projecting element has an end surface which is inclined away from a main body part of the device as it extends away from the headed stud, to facilitate entry of the element into the hole in the sheet-like material.

14. A fastening device according to Claim 2 or Claim 12, wherein at least the portion of the projecting element remote from the headed stud is undercut for interlocking engagement with the side of the hole into which it is inserted.

15. A fastening device according to any of Claims 1 to 14, wherein the neck of the headed stud has two opposite, straight parallel sides for engagement with the sides of the elongate narrower portion of the keyhole shaped hole, to restrain relative rotation between the stud and said portion of the hole.

16. A fastening device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 5 or Figures 6 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.

17. The combination of a fastening device and a cover substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.