GB2453795A - Paper fastening device - Google Patents

Abstract

A paper fastening device comprises first and second sections each section having a pair of arms (7, 10 and 8, 11) joined perpendicularly to each other with supporting platforms (4, 6) between the arms (7,10 and 8, 11), each arm having an outer end. Corresponding outer ends of the first and second sections are joined to each other to form a hinge (9, 12).

Description

1. Title: Paper Fastening Device

2. Background

The present invention relates generally to a paper fastening device for securing a number of sheets of paper together.

There often is a need to hold together documents consisting of no less than 20 sheets of paper up to many hundreds. Numerous patents exist for holding paper together, each with its own compromises. For example, a typical stapler is not strong enough to staple more than 15-sheets depending on thickness of the paper.

As another example, high tension binder clips such as a metal foldback clip or bulldog clip work well if the bundle of paper is not too small or too big for the set dimensions. In addition, these clips do not look very representative and the user often has difficulty turning over pages reading a document with the clip in place.

So-called corner fasteners are known to prior art. For example, US Patent 5212850 discloses a device for holding several sheets of paper together at the corner of the bundle of paper.

However, the number of sheets that can be successfully bound is limited by the width of the hinge of the hinge and the clip. US Patent 5937485 discloses a corner fastener with a rotatable clamping portion, but such dimensions would likely restrict the user in easily turning pages of a document.

The present invention seeks to overcome such compromises as a paper fastening device capable of securing documents of variable thickness in superposed relation. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the paper fastening device is provided with a slit in the top section designed to insert and hold a business card as part of the fastened document.

The paper fastening device is perfect for holding together larger documents of over 20 sheets of paper, and is simple to use and re-use. It enhances the professional look & feel of any document as it is suitabIe for manufacturing in a range of colours and different materials.

3. Statement of invention

-In a first aspect, the paper fastening device of the present invention is formed in one piece as a unitary structure having two elements each of right angle configuration co-joined at outward end portions thereof by resilient portions that act as a spring to urge the two elements away from each other.

-Preferably the two elements are each made up of a pair of arms joined at one end at right angle in the horizontal plane and on the opposite end both sets of arms co-join to form a V-shape hinge with no moving parts formed to function as a spring to urge the two elements away from each other.

-The paper fastening device also comprises a platform located between the arms of a lower one of the two elements in use to provide support and guide for the sheaves of paper to be secure by the paper fastening device.

-Conveniently, the paper clip further comprises of a slide member that bridges a pair of guide rails provided one on each arm of the two elements whereby, when the paper clip is in use, movement of the slide member in a first direction closes the arms of the two elements together to grip a bundle of sheaves of paper and movement of the slide member in a second opposite direction causes the arms of the two elements to be moved apart to release the bundle.

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4. Advantages -A paper fastening device designed to engage and hold the corner positions of sheaves of paper in a bundle without folding the corners of the individual sheaves of the bundle.

-In all embodiments, the paper fastening device of the present invention offers a firm, effective grip upon a bundle of sheaves of paper in an easy-to-use manner.

-ln the preferred embodiment of the present invention the paper fastening device is provided with a slit in the top section designed to insert and hold a business card as part of the fastened document.

-Conveniently, the paper fastening clip of the present invention may be manufactured in a variety of sizes, colours, and designs, to provide aesthetically-pleasing items for the presentation of documents.

-The paper fastening device is designed to be mass produced as a unitary structure.

-Future variants could include a variant, which incorporates a removable USB Memory Flash Drive or similar digital memory device enclosed in the lower element of the paper fastening device, providing the ability for example to enclose both a paper-based and digital copy of the same document at the same time.

5. Introduction to drawings

Figure 1 is a perspective view from above showing a paper fastening device in a preferred embodiment fixed in place in the top-left corner of a stack of paper, with a business card inserted.

Figure 2 is a perspective underside view of the preferred embodiment shown in an open condition.

Figure 3 is side elevation showing a cross section of the paper fastening device illustrating the positioning of triangular platforms in the top and bottom sections of the device.

Figure 4 is a perspective view from the right illustrating the paper fastening device shown in an open condition with guide rails and a sliding fastener in an open position.

Figure 5 is a perspective view from the left showing the paper fastening device shown in an open condition.

Figure 6 is a perspective front view of the upper and lower elements of the paper fastening device, the configuration of which is not unlike that of a bird's beak.

Figure 7A is perspective view of the detailed construction of a sliding fastener unit viewed from the inside.

Figure 7B is perspective view of the sliding fastener unit viewed from the outside at an angle.

Figure TC is a front elevation of the sliding fastener.

Figure 8 is a perspective underside view of a variant of the paper fastening device incorporating a removable USB Memory Flash Drive or similar digital memory device enclosed in the lower element of the paper fastening device.

6. Detailed description

General: The paper fastening device 1 as shown in Figure 1 is designed to engage and hold together the top-left corner of sheaves of paper in a bundle illustrated generically as 3 in Figure 1 without folding the corners of the individual sheaves of the bundle of paper.

Figure 1 also shows a business card 2 inserted in the top section of the paper fastening device 1, which becomes part of the bundled document.

In a preferred embodiment as illustrated in Figure 2 the paper fastening device includes two pairs of arms: 7,8 on the left side and 10.11 on the right side of the paper fastening device.

The pair of arms 7 and 8 connects to form an integrally formed hinge 9 at one end. The pair of arms 10 and 11 connects to form an integrally formed hinge 12 at one end.

Figure 2 also shows how arm 7 in the upper section of the paper fastening device connects at the other outer end to the outer end of arm 10 at right angle at point 30.

Similarly, arm 8 in the lower section of the paper fastening device connects at the other outer end to arm 11 at right angle.

The way both pairs of arms are connected creates an outline of a shape not unlike that of bird's beak, as illustrated in Figure 6.

In Figures 2 to 6, the paper fastening device 1 is shown in an unused open' condition, which is achieved by integrally positioning and joining upper arms 7 and 10 at an angle of circa 13 degrees from the horizontal axis to lower arms 8 and 11. This angle will vary in alterative embodiments, which as an example, but not exclusively so, is determined by the resilience and flexibility of the material used to form the paper fastening device 1.

In the preferred embodiment, the paper fastening device I is designed so that it can be mass produced as a single item by injection-moulding using a suitable polymer. Other moulding methods and compositions may be used as necessary.

Fasteninci: * The clamping or fastening of sheaves of paper is achieved by inserting the top-left corner of a bundle of paper in between the upper and lower section of the paper fastening device 1, and positioning the paper on top of platform 5 as illustrated in Figure 2.

The upper section, comprised of surfaces 4 and 6, is pressed down by the user until the underside of surface 6 is pressed against a top sheet of the bundle of paper.

When closing the paper fastening device 1, the resilience of the material will need to allow the upper arms 7 and 10 and lower arms 8 and 11 sufficient flexibility to deform without breaking or snapping.

Top Section: In the preferred embodiment a triangular shaped element 4 (though the definitive form of this part may vary), as illustrated in Figure 2, is integrally placed between or on top of the section where upper arms 7 and 10 connect at right angle.

Another triangular shaped (though the definitive form of this part may vary) element 6 is also integrally positioned between arms 7 and 10 in the upper section of the paper fastening device, but underneath element 4 such that a cavity or slit 13 is created between both parts.

This is where a business card or other suitable stationary item can be inserted.

The cross-section shown in Figure 3 shows the paper fastening device 1 from the left, with the elements 4 and 6 integrally formed as part of upper arm 7. The narrowing slit 13 between 4 and 6 is shown in profile.

In the preferred embodiment, platforms 4 and 6 have their front-facing surfaces 24A and 248 rounded inwards to ensure business card 2 or equivalent stationary item can be guided easily into slit 13.

The underside of platform 4 in the preferred embodiment expands by sloping down in the direction of point 30. As a result, slit 13 narrows sufficiently in width at the opening to easily allow the user to insert a business card 2 or similar stationary item, but is tight enough to keep business card 2 in place. The height of the slope or shape of element 4 may vary.

Bottom Section: A tnangular shaped form 5 (though the definitive form of this part may vary) is integrally formed between arms 8 and 11 in the tower section of the paper fastening device. In the preferred embodiment element 5 is larger than forms 4 and 6, as illustrated in Figure 2 and 3.

Element 5, which is part of the lower section of the paper fastening device has a top-facing surface 23 sloping up at a small angle in the preferred embodiment. As a result, increased pressure in the top-left corner of the bundle of paper that rests on the lower platform 5 is applied when the paper fastening device 1 is In a closed condition.

Platform 5 has a flat surface 26 on the side where the outer ends of arms 8 and 11 join at right angle. In the preferred embodiment, surface 26 is approximately of similar length and width as surfaces 4 and 6. The area between the underside of platform 6 and top-side of surface 26 is the area where sufficient pressure needs to be applied to hold paper together and in position after the paper fastening device 1 has been closed.

In the preferred embodiment, the front-facing side 25 of element 5 is rounded along the longitudinal axis.

In the preferred embodiment of platform 5, further grip is provided to ensure the bundle of paper is kept in place by inclusion of two pin-point type extrusions 14 within platform 5. These are symmetrically positioned along surface 26 and extrude between 0.5mm and 2mm, although the exact configuration and dimension may vary. In an alternative embodiment, extra pressure could be achieved by an integrally formed rim or for example a serrated surface.

HinQes: Hinging sections 9 and 12 in Figure 2 act as a spring to urge the upper and lower section away from each other, to return to, a natural open condition.

As illustrated in the cross section in Figure 3 in the preferred embodiment a cavity 18 is integrally formed within sections 7, 8 and 9 to further allow flexibility to upper arms to bend without breaking.

In the preferred embodiment, added structural strength is created by forms 19 below and 20 above cavity 18 to prevent the arms from breaking at the thinnest section, when prised together during the closing of the paper fastening device 1. The exact shape, dimensions and position of forms 19 and 20 will vary in alternative embodiments.

Circular-shaped cavity 18 extends in the preferred embodiment into a tear-shaped form by rounding off the edges 21 and 22 where arms 7 and 8 meet cavity 18. This allows upper and lower arm to hinge without obstruction when the paper fastening device is closed. The same arrangement applies to the right-hand side with arms 10 and 11.

Guide rails: As illustrated in Figure 4, the upper and lower sections of the paper fastening device are kept locked in a closed condition by sliding a bridging member 17, that bridges a pair of guide rails and 16, away from the hinge 12.

The cross-section of guide rails 15 and 16 in the preferred embodiment is triangular with rounded corners as shown in Figure 7A and Figure 7B. The rounded corners in the preferred embodiment are designed to aid easy removal from moulds when using injection-moulding or alternative manufacturing processes, whilst adding longitudinal rigidity. The shape and cross-section of sliding members 15 and 16 will vary in alternative embodiments.

The bridging member 17, as illustrated in Figure 7A and 7B comprises integrally formed sliding rails 27 and 28 consisting of a profile similar to that of guide rails 15 and 16, integrally connected by a cover 29.

Guide rail 27 is a mirror image of guide rail 28 (in the horizontal axis), but set at an angle similar to the angle between the upper arms 7 and 10 with respective lower arms 8 and 11.

The cover plate 29 is shown as a flat surface in the front elevation of the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figure 7C, but could be altered to provide further grip to the user when sliding this member along the guide rails.

Future embodiments: -In addition to the alternative embodiments described above, the description of this paper fastening device also covers a future embodiment as illustrated in Figure 8. The possible variant would see bottom section 5 adapted to include a removable or fixed USB Memory Flash Drive 31 or alternative future digital memory format. The size and dimensions in the preferred embodiment as illustrated in Figure 2 and Figure 7 are sufficient to accommodate such a digital memory device.

-Such an USB Memory Flash Drive or alternative device befitting a future digital memory format could include integrally formed guide rails as indicatively illustrated in 32 in Figure 8.

The shape and format of the digital memory device may vary as new digital memory technology formats evolve.

Claims (1)

1. 7. Claims (1) A paper fastening device comprising of an upper and a lower section, wherein the upper section is formed by joining two arms at one end at right angle in the horizontal plane with a supporting platform located there between with outward ends of these arms adjoining a similarly configured lower section at an angle to the vertical plane, whereby the outer ends of each pair of arms converge to form a hinging section.

   (2) A paper fastening device according to claim 1 broadly resembling a bird's beak, whereby, in use, a bundle of paper can be clamped between the supporting platforms that are integrally formed in the upper and lower sections.

   (3) A paper fastening, device according to either one of claims I and 2, whereby the hinging sections act as a spring to urge the upper and lower sections away from each other to maintain the paper fastening device in an open condition when not in use.

   (4) A paper fastening device according to any preceding claim, wherein top and bottom guide rails are incorporated one each on one pair of arms so that the upper and lower sections of the paper fastening device are locked or opened by moving a sliding member that bridges the top and bottom guide rails.

   (5) A paper fastening device according to any preceding claim, whereby the bottom section incorporates a triangular platform, which is positioned where the outer ends of the two arms in the lower section co-join at right angle to the horizontal axis.

   (6) A paper fastening device according to any preceding claim, whereby the upper section incorporates a triangular platform, which is positioned wtiere the outer ends of the two arms in the upper section co-join at right angle to the horizontal axis. tO

   (7) A paper fastening device according to any preceding claim, whereby the upper section also includes a secondary platform positioned between the two arms below the aforementioned platform in claim 6 such that a slit is created, which can be used to insert and hold in place a business card or similar stationary item.

   (8) A paper fastening device according to any preceding claim, whereby further pressure is applied to the bundle of paper to be clamped between the upper and lower section, by the inclusion in upper or bottom platform of pin-point type extrusions or any shape of rim or serrated surface.

   (9) A paper fastening device according to any preceding claim, with upper and lower sections formed as a single unit.

   (10) A paper fastening device according to any preceding claim, made from any suitable type of thermoplastics, composite or metal.

   (11) A paper fastening device according to preceding claims, comprising a removable or fixed USB Memory Flash Drive or alternative future digital memory format incorporated into the platform of the lower section of the paper fastening device.

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