GB2380450A

GB2380450A - Ring binder clamp with perforator

Info

Publication number: GB2380450A
Application number: GB0107788A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kelechi Paschal
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-05-05
Filing date: 2001-03-28
Publication date: 2003-04-09
Also published as: GB0010975D0; GB0107788D0

Abstract

This dual-function ring binder clamp can also be used as a perforator. The device includes two plates 2,4, which may be hinged (Fig 2, 75) and punch members 15 for making holes in sheets of paper when they are placed between the plates 2, 4. It also includes clamping aperture 8 for retaining and clamping the device on the rings (Fig 9, 72) of a ring binder. A wide section 20 of clamping aperture 8 retains the rings and either of the narrow sections 22 clamps the rings when they are pushed into engagement with these sections. The device may also have receptacle 6 for collecting punched paper pieces and measuring device (Fig 5, 18) for positioning paper correctly.

Description

Ring Binder Clamp and Perforator Device This invention relates to a ring binder clamp and perforator device.

A ring binder is a type of document file that provides a plurality of devices in the form of rings that retain the documents in the file so as to prevent them from lying loose within the file. There are many kinds of ring binders but they all have in common the features of an outer cover and a plurality of rings for holding papers or documents in the cover. Only a few known ring binders feature any form of clamping device. In such cases the clamping device operates with the binder rings using a spring action to resiliently clamp the clamping device to the binder rings. As such the clamping device holds down the paper in the binder while tightly engaging with the binder ring.

There are advantages in having a clamping device in a ring binder. Apart from neatly arranging the documents in the ring binder and preventing the paper from lying loose inside the binder, it also eliminates friction around the holes perforated in the papers in the binder. By reducing or eliminating friction the perforated holes have less wear and tear and the documents can be retained for a longer time in the binder. This is because the papers are securely placed in the binder in such a way that the holes do not constantly rub against the binder rings. This in turn saves documents from being lost from the binder.

Clamp folders also feature this sort of device but most of them are inevitably very expensive due to the fact that the clamping devices used are themselves made of metal.

With a clamp in a binder, users of ring binders can also benefit from very neat document filing as offered by a clamp folder as well as the other benefits enumerated above. The ring binder clamp is therefore a device which performs this clamping action in the ring binder. It can also be used with any other type of document files presenting similar features.

Papers need to be perforated if they are to be filed in any ring binder. A hole punch or perforator is therefore essential to enable non-pre-perforated papers to be filed in a ring binder. Perforators are well known items of stationery equipment which are known in different shapes, forms and sizes. They are used to make holes in documents for filing in a ring binder or other such file.

A known perforator consists mainly of two parts: an upper part with two punch members, and a lower part with matching holes to receive the punch members. When applied to a paper or document it creates two holes, which enable the said document or paper to be inserted a ring binder on the rings.

Both the ring binder clamp and the perforator are traditionally separate articles used only to perform their primary function.

Paper perforators, in particular, tend to be quite large, and as such, are awkward to carry around with the document file. The binder clamp tends to lie idle when not being used to clamp paper in a file.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a combined ring binder clamp and perforator which overcomes the problem of the need for two separate individual articles for preparing and retaining documents in a file.

According to the invention, there is provided a ring binder clamp and perforator device, the device including two plates, perforating means carried by the plates for perforating an article when the article is placed between the plates, the device further including retaining means for retaining the device on the rings of a ring binder, and clamping means for clamping the device on the rings of a ring binder.

This device uniquely combines the functions of paper perforation and ring binder clamping such that the user can still decide to interchangeably use the ring binder ordinarily as such, or to use the same ring binder with document clamping functionality. By means of the invention, the two related functions-paper perforation and paper

handling in the ring binder-are uniquely combined thereby making it easier for the user to manage the two functions. In both cases, however, the user has an added advantage of being able to do paper perforation using the device, as well as manage the documents in the ring binder.

The perforating means preferably comprises at least one punch member and a complementary hole for the or each punch member. Preferably, the upper plate carries a plurality of punch members, and the lower plate defines holes adapted to receive the punch members.

An optional receptacle for punched paper pieces may be provided. The receptacle preferably attaches to the lower plate of the device and may be attached by means of a press fit mechanism.

Advantageously, the retaining means comprises apertures provided at one side of the device for retaining the device on the rings of a ring binder.

The clamping means may take any suitable form and in a preferred embodiment the apertures of the retaining means also constitute the clamping means, the apertures being designed to releasably grip the binder rings thereby securing the paper contents of the ring binder in a clamping action to prevent the papers flying loose in the binder.

A ring binder clamping device with an added perforator function adapted to be carried in the ring binder as a binder clamp, and preferably with positioning means for measuring and positioning the punch on the document, as described in the following description of particular embodiments ensures that papers are properly aligned in the ring binder prior to their perforation thereby ensuring more accurate alignment of documents in the ring binder. Thus papers are more neatly filed in the ring binder.

Three preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a ring binder clamp and perforator constructed in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a further perspective view of the ring binder clamp and perforator of Figure 1 ; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a lower plate of the ring binder clamp and perforator of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a perspective view of an upper plate of the ring binder clamp and perforator of Figures 1 to 3; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a lower receptacle of the ring binder clamp and perforator of Figures 1 to 4; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a ring binder clamp and perforator of Figures 1 to 4 without a lower receptacle; Figure 7 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a ring binder clamp and perforator constructed in accordance with the present invention; Figure 8 is an underneath plan view of the upper plate of the device of Figure 7; Figure 9 is a perspective view of the device of Figure 7 in use in a ring binder; Figure 10 is a perspective view of the three parts of the ring binder clamp and perforator of Figure 7; Figure 11 is a perspective view of the device of Figure 7 with the receptacle detached and the upper part lifted ready for use;

Figure 12 is a plan view of an upper plate of a third embodiment of a ring binder clamp and perforator constructed in accordance with the present invention ; Figure 13 is a plan view of a lower plate of the ring binder clamp and perforator of Figure 12; and Figure 14 is a plan view of a lower receptacle of the ring binder clamp and perforator of Figure 12.

Referring first to figures 1 to 6, the ring binder clamp and perforator device 1 of the first embodiment comprises an upper plate 2, a lower plate 4 and a receptacle 6.

The upper plate 2 is generally rectangular and has two punch members 15 adjacent the front edge 70. The upper plate 2 defines, to the rear side, retaining and clamping apertures 8 which are designed to be engaged and received onto the rings 72 of a ring binder 74. The upper plate 2 includes a built-in hinge 75 to create a pivot running through its length so as to create two rear flaps 76 and a T-shaped main part 78. The apertures 8 are defined in the rear flaps 76. Each flap 76 is in the form of a sheet 80 with a downwardly extending central rectangular boss 82. Each aperture 8 passes through the boss 82. In the flanges 84 surrounding each boss 82 there are two orifices 86, one to each side of the boss 82 to receive rivets or the like to attach the upper and lower plates 2,4 together.

The lower plate 4 is in the form of a sheet 88. The sheet 88 defines circular holes 5 adjacent the front edge 90 to receive the punch members 15 of the upper plate 2. The sheet 88 defines rectangular orifices 92 adjacent the rear edge 94 to receive the rectangular bosses 82 of the upper plate 2. To each side of the rectangular orifices 92 there are smaller orifices 95 to receive fasteners such as rivets to hold the upper and lower plates 2,4 together.

The upper and lower plates 2,4 are attached face to face by means of rivets or the like through the orifices 86,95 which connect the rear flaps 76 of the upper plate 2 to the

sheet 88. The T-shaped part 78 of the upper plate 2 is thus pivotable about the hinge 75 with respect to the rear flaps 76 and lower plate 4. The T-shaped part 78 of the upper plate 2 has a rear extension or knob 96 between the flaps 76 which acts as a lever such that when the lower and the upper plates 4,2 are engaged and retained the lever can be applied by pressing on the rear knob to lift the perforating front end 98 of the upper plate 2 from the lower plate 4 for the purpose of creating an opening between the upper and lower plates 2,4 wide enough to allow the insertion of a paper or papers 100. The punch members 15 are arranged to be received in corresponding holes 5 in the lower plate 4. Thus, by pressing and rocking the knob 78 about the hinge 75 the paper 100 inserted between the plates 2,4 is perforated.

Beneath the lower plate 4 is a receptacle 6 for punched paper pieces designed so that punched pieces are collected in the receptacle. The receptacle 6 is generally in the form of a tray. The receptacle 6 has corresponding holes 16 for receiving the bosses 82 protruding from the underside of the lower plate 4 and defining the clamping apertures 8. The receptacle 6 is releasably attachable to the lower plate 4 using specially adapted retaining devices (not shown), or simply by means of a press-fit so that the walls 102 of the tray of the receptacle 6 receive the sheet 88 and frictionally engage the edges 104 thereof to retain the receptacle 6 on the sheet 88.

The receptacle 6 is fitted with a measuring device 18 for such that the paper can be positioned, and perforated, at a particular location suitable for a particular size of paper such as A4 or foolscap. The receptacle 6 thus defines a groove 24 along its length, along which the measuring device 18 can slide. The measuring device 18 is in the form of an elongate strip 106 having an upturned end 108. The strip 106 has markings to

show how it should be positioned with respect to the remainder of the device 1 to enable perforations created by the device 1 to be correctly located for particular sizes of paper.

Each clamping aperture 8 has a wide section 20 and two thin sections 22. The wide section 20 can receive a ring 72 of a ring binder 74. Thus, when the perforated paper is inserted, the ring 72 of the ring binder 74 can be guided through the wide section 20 of

the said aperture 8 at the rear of the device 1. The device 1 can then be pressed down onto the paper 100 in a clamping action when the binder ring 72 is adjusted towards the thin section 22 of the said aperture 8 so that the sides 110 of the thin section 22 resiliently engage the ring 72 to make a firm grip onto the binder ring 72. The device 1 is thus firmly held onto the ring 72 in a position to clamp down on the paper 100. This means the paper 100 will be firmly gripped and cannot lie loose in the ring binder 74.

The clamping action of the device 1 is achieved when the device 1 with the binder ring 72 retaining and passing freely through the wide section 20 of the aperture 8 on the said rear end of the receptacle 6, upper plate 2 or lower plate 4 is pulled towards the thin section 22 of the aperture 8 to grip the binder rings 72. This action ensures the thin section 22 of the aperture 8 grips on the binder rings 72 thereby holding the documents 100 firmly in place in the ring binder 74.

The receptacle 6 may be made of a special rubbery material that has a paper non-slip capability to ensure that the paper 100 so gripped within the binder 74 remains stable, and less friction occurs between the binder rings 72 and the punch holes on the filed document 100 in order to make the holes in the paper 100 last longer.

Referring to Figures 7 to 11, which illustrate the second embodiment of the present invention, the ring binder clamp and perforator of this embodiment comprises an upper plate 30 with punch members 32. The upper plate 30 is hinged to a lower plate 34 with corresponding punch holes 36. An optional receptacle 38 for punched pieces of paper is designed to be received beneath the lower plate 34 to co-operate with a press-fit mechanism (not shown) positioned beneath the lower plate 34 to co-operate with a press-fit mate (also not shown) on the receptacle 38. The lower plate 34 is designed with specially adapted apertures 44 at the rear for retaining the device and for clamping documents in a ring binder. Each aperture 44 has a wide circular central part 45 and two slim slots 46 one extending to each side of the central part 45 with their axes aligned and arranged to intersect the centre of the circular central part 46. The upper plate 30 is not as broad as the lower plate 34. The front edges 43 of the upper and lower parts 30,34 are aligned. Just in front of each aperture 44 the lower plate 34

includes two upstanding hooked parts 47. The upper part 30 includes four bars 48 to be received one by each hooked part 47 to hingedly connect the upper and lower parts 30, 34 together.

Referring now to Figures 12 to 14, which illustrate a third embodiment of the present invention, the lower plate 50 and the punch holes 52 correspond to the punch members 54 of the upper plate 56. The lower plate 50 also has a specially designed hole 64 in to receive bosses 65 of the receptacle 60 for collecting punched paper pieces. Clamping apertures 58 are defined in the bosses 65. The receptacle 60 is designed with specifically adapted apertures 62 of the same shape as the apertures 44 of the second embodiment. The bosses 65 fit into the specially designed holes 64 of the lower plate 50 and retain the device onto the ring binder and clamp documents in the ring binder.

The lower plate 50 has a groove 66 along its length in which to fit a measuring device 68 which can slide along the length of the groove so as to provide positioning means for the holes to be punched through the documents.

The ring binder clamp and perforator may be made of plastic material although the punch members of the upper plate and the lower plate may, alternatively, be made of metal.

Claims

Claims 1. A ring binder clamp and perforator device, the device including two plates, perforating means carried by the plates for perforating an article when the article is placed between the plates, the device further including retaining means for retaining the device on the rings of a ring binder, and clamping means for clamping the device on the rings of a ring binder.
2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plates are hingedly connected to one another.
3 A device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the perforating means comprises at least one punch member and a complementary hole for the or each punch member.
4. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the upper plate carries a plurality of punch members, and the lower plate defines holes adapted to receive the punch members.
5. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a receptacle for punched paper pieces is provided.
6. A device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the receptacle attaches to the lower plate of the device.
7. A device as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the receptacle is attached to the remainder of the device in a push fit manner.
8. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the retaining means comprises apertures provided at one side of the device for retaining the device on the rings of a ring binder.

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9. A device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the apertures of the retaining means also constitute the clamping means, the apertures being designed to releasably grip the binder rings thereby securing the paper contents of the ring binder in a clamping action.
10. A combined detachable ring binder clamp and perforator device comprising two hingeably connected plates adapted to function together, the upper plate consisting of a plurality of punch members and the lower plate consisting of corresponding holes adapted to receive the punch members of the upper plate, which together is a device for perforating paper (s); an optional receptacle for punched paper pieces, attached beneath the lower plate by means of a press fit mechanism; the lower plate featuring specially designed apertures at the rear side for retaining the device on the rings of the ring binder; the said apertures of the said lower plate designed to releasably grip the binder rings thereby securing the paper contents of the ring binder in a clamping action inside the binder.
11. A device as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10, in which each said aperture has a wider section and a thinner section, the wider section serving to retain the device in the ring binder, while the thinner section of the aperture forms a clamp when applied on the rings of the ring binder to achieve a clamping effect round the rings.
12. A device as claimed in any of claims 8 to 11, in which there are two said apertures and two punching members for perforation
13. A device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the apertures are of a corresponding distance apart to the punch members.
14. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the part of the device which is arranged to engage the papers is made of high friction material.

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15. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the part of the device which is arranged to engage the papers is made of elastomeric material.
16. A device as claimed in claim 5,6 or 7, or in any of claims 10 to 14, wherein the receptacle is made of elastomeric material.
17. A device as claimed in claim 2 or claim 10 or in any claim dependent thereon, wherein the upper plate includes a rocking arrangement whereby a part of the upper plate can be depressed with respect to the lower plate to raise another part of the upper plate so that a piece of paper can be inserted into the device for perforation thereby.
18. A device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the part of the upper plate to be depressed is adjacent the retaining means for retaining the device on the rings of a ring binder and the part which is raised is on the opposite side.
19. A device as claimed in claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the upper plate includes a rocking portion and at least one fixed portion, the or each fixed portion being fixed to the lower plate.
20. A device as claimed in claim 19, wherein there are two fixed portions, one to each side of the upper plate.
21. A device as claimed in claim 19 or claim 20, wherein the or each fixed portion defines an aperture to receive a ring of a ring binder.
22. A device as claimed in claim 19,20 or claim 21, wherein the or each fixed portion and the rocking portion are connected through a hinge which extends along the length of the upper plate.
23. A device as claimed in any of claims 17 to 22, wherein the part of the upper plate to be depressed is arranged between two apertures to receive rings of a ring binder.

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24. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the upper plate defines at least one aperture to receive a ring of a ring binder.
25. A ring binder clamp and perforator device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 6,7 to 11 or 12 to 14 of the accompanying drawings.