NL1024154C2 - Binding mechanism for a binder. - Google Patents

Description

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Title: Binding mechanism for a file.

The invention relates to binding mechanisms for binders.

Folders for storing papers and the like are generally known. Such files, for example, have two retaining rings made of wire material, which extend approximately parallel to each other and are divisible in a direction perpendicular thereto. For operating these binding mechanisms, an operating mechanism is provided with which a movable part of the retaining rings can be pivoted relative to a fixed part. The binding mechanism is mounted on a cover of a file and has a height measured about 10 perpendicular to the cover that is approximately equal to the width of the back of the file.

Packaging such binding mechanisms requires relatively much space as a result of, in particular, said height, while much of the space is essentially empty. As a result, the use of such binding mechanisms leads to a very inefficient use of space, in particular during storage and transport.

The invention has for its object to provide a binding mechanism for binders with which more efficient use of space is possible, in particular during storage and transport. To that end, a binding mechanism according to the invention is characterized by the features of claim 1.

With a binding mechanism according to the invention, the retaining rings can be folded down in a storage position, such that the height of the binding mechanism in said storage position is considerably reduced. In such a storage position, the binding mechanisms 25 can be packaged more simply and with less empty space. Moreover, the binding mechanisms are better protected in such a storage position, in particular the retaining rings.

10241 54 2

In an advantageous embodiment, a binding mechanism according to the invention is further characterized by the features of claim 2.

In such an embodiment, the retaining rings with the surface defined by them can be laid approximately flat, whereby a minimum height can be achieved in said folded down or storage position. It is preferred here that the first axes extend approximately at right angles to one or more second axes, wherein a movable part of each retaining ring is pivotable around the or said second axis. The first and second axes or axes preferably include approximately an I angle, which is to be understood to mean at least an angle between 75 and 105 degrees.

In a still further advantageous embodiment, a binding mechanism according to the invention is characterized by the measures according to claim 5.

In such an embodiment, a collapsible binding mechanism is obtained in a particularly simple and advantageous manner which can be packaged particularly compactly.

In further elaboration, it is preferred here that each retaining ring is provided with a base element, which base element, in the storage position of the retaining rings, extends approximately perpendicular to the base plate and, in a position of use of the binding mechanism, is secured against the

I base plate, such that thereby the relevant retaining ring is inserted into an I

I operating position is maintained. With that, the I

Binding mechanism of the said storage position with the I folded down

I retaining rings are brought to a position of use. I

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, an I

I binding mechanism according to the invention characterized by the measures I

I according to claim 7. I

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In such an embodiment, a movable part of each confinement is pivotally connected to the basic element, which basic element is connected to a respective first axis. By coupling the first axis with the base plate, a connection is obtained in a particularly efficient and simple manner between parts of the retaining rings and the base plate, wherein moreover the desired pivotability of the retaining rings and of the movable parts thereof is obtained.

In a further advantageous embodiment, a binding mechanism is characterized by the features of claim 8.

In such an embodiment, a particularly simple operating mechanism is provided, with which the retaining rings can be moved between an open and a closed position with the same lever.

The invention furthermore relates to a method for offering, at least producing and / or packaging and / or storing binding mechanisms for files and / or files provided with such a binding mechanism. During storage and / or packaging, the binding mechanisms are herein brought into a storage position, with retaining rings folded down, whereby at least the height of the relevant binding mechanism is considerably reduced and can be packaged with less empty space.

20 This can be done both in and outside of a file. If the binding mechanisms in the binders are brought into a storage position, the advantage is achieved that the binders can be packaged flatter, so that considerable space gain is also achieved.

A binding mechanism according to the invention can be used with existing types of binders. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, a binding mechanism according to the invention is used with a file as described in NL 1019739, NL 1020158 and NL 1022485, which applications are incorporated herein by reference. These binders have the advantage that they can be manufactured and stored particularly flat, so that further 1024154

I 4 I

Generous savings can be achieved, while the binding mechanisms I

I can be installed particularly easily. I

To clarify the invention, I

I exemplary embodiments of the invention are further elucidated on I

5 hand of the drawing. It shows: I

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a binding mechanism according to I

Invention, in closed position of use; I

Fig. 2 shows the binding mechanism according to Fig. 1 in the opened I

I state of use; I

Fig. 3 shows a binding mechanism according to the invention, in folded down I

I storage position; I

Fig. 4 shows a binding mechanism according to the invention, during the I

set up to a position of use; and I

Fig. 5 shows a file suitable for a binding mechanism according to I

Invention, in a storage position. I

I In this description the same or corresponding parts have I

I the same or corresponding reference numeral. The shown I

I embodiments are shown for illustrative purposes only and by no means serve I

I to be interpreted restrictively. In the embodiment shown, only I

20 'two-ring' binding mechanisms are shown. However, it will be clear that I

In addition, several retaining rings can be provided next to each other, while in one I

I also can have several binding mechanisms next to each other I

I applied. I

In the drawing, a binding mechanism 1 is shown, provided with I

Two divisible retaining rings 2 and an operating mechanism 3 for the I

Between an open position (Figure 2) and a closed position (Figure 1)

I moving said retaining rings 2. The binding mechanism 1 comprises an I

Base plate 4, on which first brackets 5 are provided in which a first I

I part, also referred to as a fixed part, part 6 of a respective retaining ring I 2 is included. The retaining rings 2 are mainly made of wire material, for example plastic, preferably metal. The fixed part 6 in question comprises a first part 7, which is received in a first bracket 6 and defines a first axis 8. A second part 9 of the fixed part 6 is bent at an angle α with respect to the first part 7, for example an angle α of about 90 ° and extends on a first side of the relevant first bracket 5. This part 9 has a curved end front connection to a movable part 16. On the opposite side of the bracket 5, a plate element 10 is provided on the first part 7 which is connected to a base element 11 which has a main surface 12 extending 10 approximately perpendicularly on the longitudinal direction La of the second part 9 of the fixed part 6. By said longitudinal direction La and the first axis 8 an (imaginary) surface V is defined in which the relevant retaining ring 2 is substantially located. The main surface 12 of the base element 11 extends approximately perpendicular to this plane V in the embodiment shown. The plate part 10 is connected to the base element 11 in such a way that when the retaining ring 2 is pivoted about the first axis 8 in the direction Z, the base element 11 also rotates.

A second bracket 13 is provided on the base element 11, in which a primary part 14 of a movable part 16 of the relevant retaining ring 2 is included. A second axis 15 is defined by the second bracket 13 which encloses an angle β with the first axis 8. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the angle β is approximately 90 °. The first and second axes 8, 15 are in the deployed position of use shown in Figure 1 in a plane located approximately parallel to a main plane 17 of the base plate 4, approximately 25 perpendicular to the plane V of the retaining rings 2. The primary part 14 of the part 16 of the retaining ring 2 is connected on one side to a secondary part 18, which extends approximately parallel to the second part 9 of the fixed part 6 and is bent at the upper end such that in the closed position as shown in figure 1 on a dividing seam 19 connects to the second part 9 of the fixed part 6. The primary part 14 is bent on the opposite side of the second bracket 13 to form a tertiary part 20, which extends approximately parallel to the first axis 8, in the direction of the fixed part 6. The movable part 16 is rotatable about the second axis 16 in the position shown in Figure 1, such that a free end 21 of the tertiary part 20 te n can be raised relative to the base plate 4 and the retaining ring 2 at the dividing seam 19 is divided to release an opening 22, as shown in figure 2,

so that material with a suitable perforation, such as paper, over the solid I

I can become 10 parts 9 and / or the moving parts 16 of the retaining rings 2

I, after which the retaining rings 2 can be closed again. I

At the free end 21 of each tertiary part 20 is a guided element I

I 23, for example a wheel, for reasons to be specified. I

As can be seen clearly from Figure 3, each retaining ring 2 can be inserted in the I

16 can be pivoted in the direction Z to a collapsed position in which the I

I (imaginary) plane V extends approximately parallel to the base plane 17 I

I of the base plate 4. The total height Hi of the binding mechanism 1 becomes I

substantially determined by the length of the primary part 14 of I

I the fixed part 16 of the retaining ring 2. I

As can be seen from figures 3 and 4, the base plate 4 is provided with two I

I recesses 24, substantially on either side of the I

I operating mechanism 3. Each recess 24 is of such a size that I

A basic element 11 can be received therein at least partially. I

Each base element 11 is provided with a longitudinal edge 26, preferably on I

I two sides, which longitudinal edge 25 can be clamped under an I

I undercut 26 of a relevant recess 24. This means that I

I ensure that if a retaining ring 2 from the I shown in Figure 3 is used

The position is pivoted about the first axis 8 via the and shown in FIG

I still to be discussed intermediate position to an I shown in figures 1 and 2

The basic element 11 can become in the relevant recess 24

10241 54 7 fixed by cooperation of the longitudinal edge or edges 25 and the undercuts 26. Then the surfaces V are defined and held by the retaining rings 2 in a position and these surfaces V extend approximately parallel to each other, perpendicular to the ground surface 17. 5 of the base plate 4.

The operating mechanism 3 comprises a lip 27, which is connected to the base plate 4, to which lip 27 a pivot plate 28 is connected via a third shaft 29, which extends approximately parallel to the first shaft 8. At a distance from the third shaft 29, a rod 40 is connected to the pivot plate 28 via a fourth shaft 30, which extends approximately parallel to the third shaft 29. The rod 40 is connected to the fourth axis 30 near its center and has a length and position such that two opposite ends 31 thereof are located beyond the free ends 21 of the tertiary parts 20 of the movable parts 16 of the retaining rings 2. The guide elements 23 are preferably profiled such that the rod 40 can lie therein and is guided.

As is particularly clear in Figures 3 and 4, resilient elements 32 are provided in the base plate 4, on which, in the erected position, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the tertiary parts 20 rest. The operating mechanism 3 is provided with an arm 33, which is fixedly connected to the pivot plate 28, for instance at the level of the fourth shaft 30, with which the rod 40 can be moved in the vertical direction, i.e. perpendicular to the base plate 4, by pivoting of the pivot plate 28. Thereby the rod 40 will be kept substantially horizontal and rotate about the third axis 29.

In the closed, erected position shown in Figure 1, the guide elements 23 and thereby the tertiary parts 20 are pressed down in the direction of the base plate 4, the resilient elements 32 being elastically deformed. When the arm 33 is moved upwards to the position shown in Fig. 2, the movable parts 16 of the retaining rings 2 become 10241 54 '.

8 I

pivoted about the second axis 15 due to the spring action of the I

resilient elements 32. Thus, the extension rings 2 become the I

previously opened position. By pivoting the arm 33 back I

to the position shown in Fig. 1, the rod 40 becomes the I

5 binding mechanism 1 is again brought into the closed position, as shown in I

figure 1. I

As shown in Figure 4, the arm 33 can be pivoted in such a way

that the pivot plate 28 is moved past a position parallel to the I

base plate 4. The rod 40 thereby becomes so far from the base plate 4 I

10 moved that the guide elements 23 upon pivoting of the bearing rings I

2 can pass under the rod 40, for moving to a mounted I

position, as shown in figures 1 and 2, moving the retaining rings 2. I

Pivoting back of the arm 33 brings the operating mechanism 3 then I

in a position of use. I

Figure 5 shows a file 41 in top and side view, I

suitable for use with a binding mechanism according to the invention. An I

such a file is described in more detail in the Dutch I

patent application NL 1019739, NL 1020158 and NL 1022485, which application I

are incorporated herein by reference. However, this file 41 is only as I

20 example shown. Of course, a binding mechanism 1 according to I

The invention can also be applied to other files, for example in itself I

known cardboard or plastic files, in storage boxes and the like. I

The file 41 as shown in Fig. 5 comprises a front cover 42, an I

I back cover 43 and a back 44 interconnected by hinges 45, 46. I

An opening 53 can be provided in the back for engagement. The file 41 is I

I preferably made from plastic, for example by injection molding. I

Methods for this are described as an example in the aforementioned I

I Dutch patent applications. I

On the back cover 43 there is a receiving space 47 near the back 44

I provided in which a binding mechanism 1 according to the invention can be I

I 10241 54

9 included. The receiving space 47 comprises a guide rail 48 and, at a distance therefrom, two retaining cams 49 with receiving cavities 50. A binding mechanism 1 can be slid with the base plate 4 under the guide rail 48 as far as the fixed parts 6 of the retaining rings 2 in the cavities 50 of the 5 locking cams 49 are pressed, whereby the binding mechanism 1 is locked in a position of use.

As is clearly visible in the side view in Figure 5, the file 41 is particularly flat in the open position. This means that a large number of binders can be stacked in a relatively small space. Since the binding mechanisms 1 in the folded-down storage position shown in Figure 3 also have a relatively small height H, these binding mechanisms can also be stored in a relatively small space. This means that very little space is required for storage and transport.

Preferably, files 41 and binding mechanisms 1 are packaged separately from each other, in the same or separate storage devices and stored and transported as such. For use by a user, a binder 41 and a binding mechanism 1 are taken, the binding mechanism 1 is brought to a position of use as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and secured in the binder 41 in a previously described manner. The file is then ready for use.

It will be clear that binding mechanisms 1 according to the invention can also be fixedly connected to a binder, for example with rivets, rivets, gluing or in any other suitable manner, wherein the base plate 4 is preferably connected to the back 43 of a binder. Optionally, a base plate 4 can be an integral part of a file. In particular, the brackets 5, the recesses 24 and / or the lip 27 will then form an integral part of a cover of a file.

With a binding mechanism according to the invention, the base plate 4 and the base elements 11 can be manufactured from any suitable material, for example plastic or metal, as well as the rod 40 and the 10241 54

10 I

lever formed by the pivot plate 28 and the arm 33. I

a suitable combination of materials can be selected. I

In this description, unless specifically stated otherwise, I

essentially or approximately also a deviation from I

5 at least 25%, more in particular at least 15% and certainly at least I

10% of each given value. I

It will be clear that the invention is by no means limited to the I

exemplary embodiments shown in the description and drawings. Many i

variations are possible within the framework of the I outlined by the claims

Invention. I

For example, the primary parts 14 of the movable parts 16 of I can

the retaining elements 2 instead of on the sides I facing each other

are provided with retaining rings 2 on the sides remote from each other, I

such that the retaining rings 2 over and over the I

The closing mechanism 3 can be folded. The rod 40 will then I

extend through the retaining rings for engagement with the guide I

elements 23, at least the ends 21. Thus a smaller length I becomes

obtained from the binding mechanism in the collapsed position. Of course I

the primary parts 14 can also be directed in the same direction, such as I

20 that the retaining rings 2 can be folded down to the same side. The I

closing mechanism 3 can be designed in a different way, for example I

such that the rod 40 can be lowered vertically, I

for example with a pressure mechanism. The closing mechanism can also be I

are designed such that the retaining rings 2 with the aid of spring I

Elements such as the elements 32 both in the open position and in the I

can be pre-tensioned in a closed position such that the retaining rings I

with the help of manual force by engaging the fixed parts and I

movable parts can be opened and closed. Such I

biasing mechanisms are known per se from, for example, I

30 multi-ring orders such as multi-folders. The basic elements 11 can be printed on I

1024154 I

11 can be fixed in a different manner against the base plate 4, for example by form-locking, force-release, gluing, screwing means or in any other suitable manner. The only important thing is that the retaining rings 2 can be pivoted and fixed in a position of use with the aid of the base elements. The movable parts can then also be supplied separately from the first shafts and the base plate with the basic elements and assembled for use.

These and many comparable variations are understood to fall within the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

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Claims (10)

12 I CONCLUSIONS I A binder mechanism (1) for a file, comprising at least two divisible retaining rings (2) and an operating mechanism (3) for moving said retaining rings I (2) between an open and a closed position, wherein at least the retaining rings (2) be foldable. I Binding mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the retaining rings (2) each define a plane (V), which planes (V) extend approximately parallel to each other at the retaining rings (2) in a position of use and I for each retaining ring ( 2) a first pivot axis (8) is provided which extends approximately parallel to said plane (V) and preferably in said plane (V), around which first pivot axis (8) each respective retaining ring moves from I into a folded position a position of use is pivotable. I 3. Binding mechanism according to claim 2, wherein at least one second pivot axis (15) is provided for the retaining rings I (2), around which second I pivot axis (15) a part of the relevant retaining ring (2) is pivotable for sharing and closing the relevant retaining ring (2). I Binding mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the first I pivot axes (8) and the or each second pivot axis (15) intersect, preferably at an angle of about 90 degrees. I 5. Binding mechanism as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein a base plate (4) is provided on which the operating mechanism is mounted and to which the retaining rings (2) are pivotally connected, such that the retaining rings (2) can be folded down into a storage position Wherein the retaining rings (2) extend approximately parallel to said base plate (4). I A binding mechanism according to claim 5, wherein each retaining ring (2) is provided with a base element (11), which base element (11) is approximately perpendicular to the base plate (4) in the storage position of the retaining rings (2) extends at a position of use of the binding mechanism (1) against the base plate (4), such that the retaining ring (2) concerned is thereby held in a position of use. A binding mechanism according to claims 2, 3 and 6, wherein the first 5 axes (8) are coupled to the base plate (4), each base element (11) being connected to a corresponding first axis (8) such that this base element (11) ) is pivotable with the retaining ring (2) about the relevant first axis (8), wherein a second axis (15) is provided on each basic element (11) for the relevant retaining ring. A binding mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein two retaining rings (2) are provided, on opposite sides of an operating mechanism (3) accommodated between them, the operating mechanism (3) comprising a lever (28, 33) pivotable about a third pivot axis (29) extending approximately parallel to the retaining rings 15 (2) in a position of use, the lever (28, 33) being connected via a fourth pivot axis (30) extending approximately parallel to the third pivot axis and spaced therefrom with a rod (40) engaging a pivotable part (16) of each retaining ring (2). 9. Binding mechanism according to claim 8, wherein the pivotable part (16) of each retaining ring (2) is provided with a sliding or rolling element (23) on which the rod (40) engages during use. 10. Method for presenting binders and / or binding mechanisms therefor, wherein the binding mechanisms of or for the binders are brought into a stacking position, wherein retaining rings of the binding mechanisms are brought into a folded-down position and packaged separately from binders or together therewith. 1024154 __________ I