GB2218026A

GB2218026A - A hole punch

Info

Publication number: GB2218026A
Application number: GB8805399A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ashley Maxwell Grant Warden
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-03-07
Filing date: 1988-03-07
Publication date: 1989-11-08
Also published as: GB8805399D0

Abstract

A hole punch is described, comprising at least two elongated members (1,2) pivotally connected together at one side or end of at least one member, one of the members having a series of holes (4) extending along the member and the other member having a similar series of holes provided with hollow or solid punch members (5 Fig 1), the arrangement of the series of holes in each of the members being such that when the members are pivoted together about the respective pivotable connection (3) the punch members (5) in one member coincide with the holes (4) in the other member or members. One member may nest in a recess in the other, Fig 4. The punch may include a cutter blade and carry written matter e.g. tables or advertisements. <IMAGE>

Description

A HOLE PUNCH This invention relates to hole punches for paper or like sheets to be held in a file, binder or the like. In certain cases, it is desired to insert sheets of paper or the like into a file or binder system which are unperforated and the present invention seeks to facilitate the filing of such sheets.

According to the invention, a hole punch comprises at least two elongated members pivotably connected together at one side of each member, one of the members having a series of holes extending along the member and the other member or members having a similar series of holes provided with punch members, the arrangement of the series of holes in each of the members being such that when the members are pivoted together about the respective pivotable connection, the punch members in one said member coincide with the holes in the other said member or members. Preferably the punch members are hollow, but in an alternative embodiment of the invention, they may be in the form of solid pins.

In one embodiment of the invention, the pivotable connection is provided at a narrower end of each of a pair of two members, while in another embodiment, one or two members may be joined along their longer sides to the longer side of another of the members. In each embodiment, the common factor is that when the members are pivoted to overlie each other, the punch members are received in corresponding holes in the adjoining member and the spacing of the holes in the members corresponds to the spacing of the binding members of a file or like binder for the perforated papers or other sheets.

The punch can also be calibrated as a ruler and filed in the binder or file, in either the open or closed condition.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, for use in a so-called "personal planner" type of binder or file, the punch consists of two elongated members, hinged together at mutually adjacent narrower ends, so as to form a doublelength article when fully open. One member has a series of holes adapted to fit the filing pin or ring spacing of the particular binder or file and the other member has similarly pitched holes, each of which holds a hollow punch member. In use, the unperforated sheet is placed in position on the member not having the punch members and the punch-retaining member is pivoted over to bring the punch members into coincidence with the mating holes, the punch members being pressed through the sheet to create the required perforations. The use of hollow punch members allows the waste material to be ejected from the holes during the punching operation.

The punch itself can also be filed and as indicated above, it can be calibrated as a ruler which can be opened out to twice its folded length.

To enable the hinged members to pivot freely, the adjoining edges may be suitably bevelled. This may provide a holding edge formation and if the bevelling is provided on the outer edges, this will improve the appearance of the punch, when it is in the closed or open conditions.

In a modified form of the invention, one of the members has a pair of shorter members hinged to a longer one of its sides, the shorter members or the single longer member having the punch members provided thereon as may be preferred. In yet another form of the invention, a first member may have a second member hinged to it in such a way that when the second member is fully pivoted over to bring the punch members and the mating holes into coincidence, the second member is nested in one part of the cooperating first member.

If desired, the punch may include a cutter blade and the surfaces of the punch may have additions such as a calculator, scales, tables or advertising material engraved or printed on them.

Three embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying sketches, by way of examples and in which 1 and 2 denote the mutually hinged members, 3 denotes the hinge or pivot in each case, 4 indicates the holes in the individual members, 5 indicates the hollow punch members provided in two of the embodiments and 6 indicates the punch members provided in the third example of the punch, which are in the form of solid pins. In this particular embodiment, it can be seen how the punch-bearing member is nested in a corresponding recess extending along one edge region of the perforated member to which it is hinged.

The punch may be made in any suitable size, depending on the particular binder or filing system with which it is to be used and the number of holes and punch members, together with the requisite pitch or spacing will be selected correspondingly.

For appearance preferably the hinged members of the punch can be made of a transparent material, such as a synthetic plastics, but if preferred, they may be made of metal, wood or other suitable material, provided that the chosen material is able to securely retain the punch members and be reasonably resistant to wear.

Claims

1. A hole punch comprising at least two elongated members pivotally connected together at one side of each member, one of the members having a series of holes extending along the member and the other member having a similar series of holes provided with punch members, the arrangement of the series of holes in each of the members being such that when the members are pivoted together about the respective pivotable connection, the punch members in one said member coincide witch the holes in the or each other said member or members.

2. A hole punch according to claim 1, wherein the punch members are received in corresponding holes in the adjoining member and the spacing of the holes in the -members corresponds to the spacing of the binding members of a file or like binder

3. A hole punch according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the punch members are hollow.

4. A hole punch according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the punch members are in the form of solid pins.

D. A hole punch according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the pivotable connection is provided at a narrower end of each of a pair of two members.

6. A hole punch according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein one or two elongated members are each pivotally connected along a longer side thereof to an axis extending parallel to the longer side of another member.

T. A hole punch according to claim 6, wherein one of the members has a pair of shorter members hinged to an axis extending parallel to a longer one of its sides, the shorter members or the single longer member having the punch members provided thereon.

8. A hole punch according to claim 6 or claim t, wherein a first member has a second member hinged to it in such a way that when the second member is fully pivoted over to bring the punch members and the mating holes into coincidence, the second member is nested in one part of the cooperating first member.

9. A hole punch according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the punch may include a cutter blade.

10. A hole punch according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the surfaces of the elongated members may have additional matter, such as a calculator, scales, tables or advertising material, engraved or printed on them.

11. A hole punch, substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.