GB2338211A

GB2338211A - Ring binder unit with parts that connect together using plate-like mounting devices

Info

Publication number: GB2338211A
Application number: GB9811773A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Weng Ng
Original assignee: World Wide Stationery Manufacturing Co Ltd
Current assignee: World Wide Stationery Manufacturing Co Ltd
Priority date: 1998-06-01
Filing date: 1998-06-01
Publication date: 1999-12-15
Also published as: GB9811773D0; CN1117664C; CN1244466A

Abstract

A ring binder supplied in kit form for subsequent assembly as a set of parts which include plate-like mounting devices 4 which are used to connect the ring binder unit 3 to the cover 7. The mounting device includes lateral channels 16 which slidably receive flanges 13 of the binder unit, detents 19 interengaging the slot 15. The mounting devices have teeth (18, Fig 1) for fastening to the cover.

Description

7 2338211 1 RING BINDER UNIT The invention relates to a ring binder unit,

and particularly to a set of parts for assembly to provide such a unit.

Hitherto ring binder units are shipped after manufacture separately from a file, folio, folder, portfolio or the like which is usually of cardboard though other material such as plastic is not uncommon.

The units then have to be assembled with the file, folio, folder or portfolio, in a secure manner, and in the past rivets have been used for this. Rivets themselves are expensive, they are usually small and can be lost, and an expensive tool has to be used to secure them with the ring binder unit, which makes for a relatively expensive and complicated assembly.

It is accordingly an object of the invention to seek to mitigate these disadvantages.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a set of parts for assembly to provide a ring binder unit, comprising a ring binder element and a plurality of separate mounting devices each having means adapted for mounting the element and for securing same to a substrate.

The mounting devices may each comprise a plate-like device which may have edge guides by which it is adapted to mount the element in use.

This provides for a relatively easy assembly, particularly where the edge guides may comprised turned-over edge opposed parts which may define 2 channels for receiving respective edge parts of the element. Thus a relatively simple push or slide fit -assembly is provided which can be accomplished manually or by machine.

The channels may each have a flared entry mouth whereby to provide ease of entry of the said edge parts in use.

This construction facilitates assembly.

The mounting devices may be means which may comprise means to penetrate a substrate whereby to secure the device to a substrate in use. This provides for a simple push fit, particularly when the means may comprise a substantially cylindrical penetration member.

There may be two such penetration members for secure mounting.

The penetration members may each comprise retention members, preferably in the form of a plurality of teeth which for ease of construction may be integral with the device.

The mounting devices may each comprise means for intercrigagement with a cooperable interengagement means carried by the ring binder element. This provides for secure housing of the assembled components.

The interengagement means may comprise an upstanding detent means adapted for locking engagement in a slot which itself may comprise the cooperable interengagement means of the ring binder element.

3 This provides for a simple latching assembly.

The slot may be formed in a plate-like end of a housing for the ring binder mechanism. This provides for ease of construction.

The slot may be formed at a blind end of a groove in the plate and may have a lateral dimension adapted to accommodate the detent means during assembly of the ring binder element and the mounting devices.

There may be a single elongate ring binder element carrying a plurality of spaced rings, preferably two rings.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a ring binder unit assembled from a set of part as hereinbefore defined.

The ring binder unit may comprise a single elongate ring binder element of the set.

The ring binder element and mounting device may comprise metal, suitably they may be formed of metal.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a file, folio, portfolio, folder, binder or the like including a ring binder unit as hereinbefore defined.

A set of parts for assembly to define a ring binder unit, and a ring binder unit assembled from the set are hereinafter described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

4 Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a set of parts according to the invention, from the underside; Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the set of parts of Fig. 1, from above and with part of the set secured to a substrate, as a first step in an assembly procedure; Fig. 3 shows a view similar to Fig. 2, as a second step of an assembly procedure; Fig. 4 shows an end elevational view of the assembly of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 shows a side elevational view of the assembly of Fig. 4, partly in longitudinal section; and Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of a dismantled set of parts.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a set of parts 1 for assembly to provide a ring binder unit 2, comprising a ring binder element 3 and a plurality of separate mounting devices 4 each having means 5, 6 adapted for C1 mounting the element and for securing same to a substrate 7.

The element 3 in the embodiment illustrated is an elongate element having two spaced ring devices 8, each of which comprises two parts 8% 8" each part being secured to a respective plate 9', T', which plates 9% 9,' are sprung together in known manner so that when the parts 8', 8" are pushed towards one another to complete the ring 8 the plates T, T' pivot over centre. The plates are housed in a one piece metal housing 10 which has folded over edges 11 and at each end a flattened plate-like member 12 which has a peripheral lower, in use, flange 13, and extending inwardly from the face end, a blind channel 14 of U-shape in cross section which has a slot 15 in a wall defining the blind end.

The set 1 comprises the element 3 and, in the embodiment two mounting devices 4 which are each of plate-like form and formed in one piece from metal. The mounting devices 4 each comprise edge guides 16 comprising a folded or rolled over edge to define an open ended channel, groove or slot of a height just sufficient to receive the lateral flanges 12 by sliding with a push fit. In this embodiment the slot has a flared entry for case of assembly. There is on the side of each device facing away from the groove or slot, means in the form of two penetration devices 17 of cylindrical configuration with at their free end retention devices comprising outwardly flared teeth 18.

Between the penetration devices, on the same side of the device as the channels is a raised member or detent 19 of tapered form which is of a size to interengage with the slot 15, the slot and detent thereby providing cooperable interengagement means.

The set 1 comprising the element 3 and the two mounting devices 4 can be stored, and shipped, while separate, which makes for case and reduced cost of storing, packaging and transport.

When it is desired to assemble the set 1, it is merely necessary to mount the mounting device 3 on the substrate 7 such as a cardboard strip by forcing he teeth 18 into the cardboard, the teeth 18 thus penetrating the cardboard and retaining the device 4 in the cardboard.

6 11 The devices 4 are, it will be understood, mounted at the correct spacing so that the element 2 can be mounted in them to assemble a complete ring binder unit by offering up the flanges 12 to the channels 16 and sliding them in as far as possible and in any event until the detent 19 engages in the slot 15, thereby securing the parts of the set together securely.

c Thus mounting is effected at one end, then the other. Alternatively the parts can be assembled to provide an assembled ring binder unit, and the complete unit 2, 3 can be assembled by offering it up to the substrate 7 at the desired position, and forcing it into position, where it is retained as before by the teeth.

The substrate 7 may then be mounted in a file, folio, folder, portfolio or the like at a desired position. Alternatively the substrate may be an integral part of a file, folio, folder, portfolio or the like.

It will also be understood that the element may comprise more than two rings. Also, the set may comprise two elements, each with one or more rings and two mounting devices for each element.

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Claims

1. A set of parts for assembly to provide a ring binder unit, comprising a ring binder element and a plurality of separate mounting devices each having means adapted for mounting the element and for securing same to a substrate.

2. A set according to Claim 1, the mounting devices each comprising a plate-like device having edge guides by which it is adapted to mount the element in use.

3. A set according to Claim 2, the edge guides comprising turned-over edge opposed parts which define channels for receiving respective edge parts of the element.

4. A set according to Claim 3, the channels each having a flared entry j 0 mouth whereby to provide case of entry of the said edge parts in use.

A set according to any preceding claim, the mounting devices being means comprising means to penetrate a substance whereby to secure the 0 device to a substrate in use.

5.

6. A set according to Claim 5, the penetration means comprising a substantially cylindrical penetration member.

7. A set according to Claim 6, there being two such penetration members.

8 8. A set according to Claim 6, there being two such penetration members.

9. A set according to Claim 8, each retention member comprising a plurality of teeth.

10. A set according to Claim 9, the teeth being integral with the device.

11. A set according to any preceding claim, the mounting devices each comprising means for interengagement with a cooperable interengagement means carried by the ring binder element.

12. A set according to Claim 11, the interengagement means comprising an upstanding detent means adapted for locking engagement in a slot c C1 comprising the cooperable interengagement means of the ring binder element.

13. A set according to Claim 12, the slot being formed in a plate-like end of a housing for the ring binder mechanism.

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14. A set according to Claim 13, the slot being formed at a blind end of a blind groove in the plate having a lateral dimension adapted to accommodate the detent means during assembly of the ring binder element and the mounting devices.

15. A set according to any preceding claim, there being a single elongate ring binder element carrying a plurality of spaced rings.

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16. A set according to Claim 15, there being two rings.

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17. A ring binder unit assembled from a set of parts according to any preceding claim.

18. A ring binder unit according to Claim 17, there being a single elongate ring binder element of the set.

19. A ring binder unit according to Claim 17 or Claim 18, the ring binder element and mounting devices comprising metal.

20. A ring binder unit according to Claim 19, the said element and devices being formed of metal.

21. A file, folio or folder including a ring binder unit according to Claim 19 or Claim 20.

22. A set of parts for assembly to provide a ring binder unit, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

23. An assembled ring binder unit, substantially as hercinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

24. A file, folio, portfolio, folder, binder or the like, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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