US1011346A - Loose-leaf binder. - Google Patents

Description

J. D. HUGHES.

LOOSE LEAP BINDER.

APPLICATION FILED DBO. 7, 190B.

7 1,011,346. Patented Dec.12,19 11.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH D. HUGHES, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO B. B. WILSON, OF CHICAGO,

' ILLINOIS.

LOOSE-LEAF BINDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 12, 1911.

Application filed December 7, 1908. Serial No; 466,235.

Binders; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear,- and exact descripcarriages for actuating the toggle bars.

'tion of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to that class of loose leaf binders inwhich oppositely movable clamping plates are adj ustably connected together in part by means of telescoping impaling posts and by screw operated toggle bars, which serve when actuated to move the binding plates oppositely. In numerous devices of this class an actuating shaft provided at opposite ends from the middle with right and left threads, is journaled longit-u-- dinally between the clamping plates and actuate carriages whereby the toggle bars are adjusted to vary the capacity of the binder. In others, the threaded shaft lies Vertically between the clamping plates at a right angle therewith and likewise actuates the latter construction, owing to the plates both being movable, it has been deemed im-,

practicable to afforda central support for the toggle bars or shaft, and in consequence, such devices have proven unreliable owing to the difficulty experienced in producing equal movement of the clamping plates while the same are held in unvarying parallel relation. Furthermore, in contracting the binder, the carriages or nuts with which the toggle bars are connected may engage or catch on the back flanges and clamping plates, thus in some instances injuring the device owing to the inexperienced operator attempting to force continued rotation of the threaded shaft after such engagement.

Another serious objection to binders which have heretofore been constructed with a transverse shaft, especially that type in which the shaft is wholly supported by the carriages, is that when the binder is partially extended, the shaft and carriages, and

in fact the actuating mechanism as a whole, may be shifted toward either end 'of the clamping plates which carries the shaft to one s1de of the key aperture, the result of offsetting the shaft in this manner obviously prevents engagement thereof with the key and the binder cannot be further adjusted without first centralizing the shaft and mechanism to bring the shaft in alinement with the key opening. The mechanism may be offset accidentally as by dropping the end of the binder on the desk or intentionally and in either event the mechanism must be centralized or shifted to operative position before further adjustment of the binder can be effected.

The object of this invention is to afford in connection with a device of the class described positive guides for one or both of the carriages or nuts with which the toggle bars are connected and which serve to hold the shaft at all times in central position at right angles wit-h the clamping plates while permitting the utmost freedom of movement of the parts consistent with the proper Opera tion of the device.

It is also an object of the invention to afford guides connected with one or both of the clamping plates and which not only insure the central position of the shaft, butwhich, as well, serve to support the carriages at all times,thereby preventing the same engaging against the back flange and injuring the device. a

It is a very important object of this invention to provide means which centralizes the shaft and actuating mechanism for any adjustment of the binder and which positively prevents the shaft being shifted out of alinement with the key aperture or the mechanism being forced longitudinally of the clamping plates. It is a further object of this invention to provide guides adapted-to engage in ways in the carriages which support the carriages from movement longitudinally of the clamping plates, which prevent the carriages being sprung toward and fromthe back of the book and which affords great rigidity.

The invention consists in the matters hereinafter described and more fully pointed out and defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings {Figure 1 is an inner face view of the metal parts or back of a binder embodying my invention, and showing the same extended. Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal sect-ion of a device embodying my invention. Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary detail of the supporting guides and one of the carriages.

As shown in the drawings: A-A, indicate respectively the upper and lower clamping plates, each of which at its rear edge is provided with an integral back flange aa. Said clamping plates, as shown, are physically connected by means of sectional telescoping impaling posts B-BB B which, as shown, each comprise a plurality of tubular sections, each interfitting the other, and as shown, the outermost sections of which are engaged to the said clamping plates. Said posts, as shown, are connected with said clamping plates in such a' manner that the larger and smaller ends are alter nately connected with said clamping plate, as shown in Fig. 1. As shown also, attaching plates CC, each comprising a metallic plate bent at one end at a right angle with the main body of the plate affording a flange 0, are riveted to the clamping plate beneath the impaling posts BB respectively. The main body of the attaching plate extends ap proximately parallel with the clamping plate and is provided, as shown, with an inwardly inclined slot 0. Toggle bars DD, are connected in pairs to the attaching plate C, of the clamping plate A, and the attaching plate C, of the clamping plate A, by means of pins or rivets cl, which extend therethrough at the end of the toggle bar and through said slot 0. Said pair of toggle bars D, are pivotally connected at their inner ends on opposite ends of a carriage E, having a threaded aperture extending through the center thereof to receive the actuating shaft F, and the toggle bars D, are pivotally connected on the inner ends of the carriage E, which is provided with a central aperture therethrough oppositely threaded from the aperture in the carriage E, and through which extends the other end of said shaft, which is oppositely threaded from that extending through the carriage E. As shown, the end f, of the shaft F, is angular or shaped in any other suitable manner to be engaged by any suitable tool to rotate the carriage oppositely, for this purpose a key being inserted centrally through a key hole n in the clamping plate A.

Rigidly secured on the back flange a of the clamping plate A, are guides GG, which, as shown, are riveted to said back flange and are a distance apart approximately equal to the length of the carriage E, which engages between the same. Each of said guides is provided with an up wardly directed flange g, and an inwardly directed horizontal flange g, which latter, as shown, are engaged in ways or grooves 6 which afford upper and lower shoulders 6 in the carriage E, thereby supporting the carriage above the back flange, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, and also insuring that the carriage at all times held from movement longitudinally of the clamping plates or outwardly from the back and from torsional movement.

The operation is as follows: In opening the clamping plates oppositely and outwardly, the shaft is threaded in a direction to shift the carriages EE, toward the ends of the shaft. In consequence, the toggle bars (which are mutually pivoted together by means of the rivet or pin (Z are caused to diverge at their outer ends proportionately with their divergence at their inner ends. The shaft during this movement is positively supported on the guides from any movement other than rotation thereof, and in consequence, the clamping plates are at all times held in parallel relation. In adjusting the clamping plates or in contracting the binder, the rotation of the shaft, of course, is in the opposite direction with the opposite effect, namely, the ends of the mutually pivoted toggle bars are drawn inwardly bringing the clamping plates toward each other. The guides G-G, now serve to guide the carriage E, to prevent the same by any possibility, catching or engaging on the back flange a, of the clamping plate A, and inasmuch as the toggle bars D, which are connected on the carriage E, positively support the toggle bars D, and also the carriage E, in the inner end thereof, it follows that the carriage E, is likewise supported sufliciently above the back flange a, to preclude jamming at any time when the binder is open and when the binder is closed the guides engage in ways or grooves in the carriage E.

Of course, I am aware that details of construction may be varied. I therefore do not purpose limiting this application for patent otherwise than necessitated by the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. The combination with oppositely movable clamping plates of telescoping holding posts connecting the same, cross lever bars slidably connected at their outer ends with the respective clamping plates, oppositely moving carriages with which the inner ends of said lever bars are pivotally connected, a right and left screw threaded spindle, 0ppositely threaded in said carriages and ex tending transversely of the clamping bars, adapted when rotated to shift said carriages to expand or contract the binder and a guide connected with one of the clamping plates at right angles therewith and affording a support for one of the carriages.

2. In a binder of the class described the combination of parallel clamping plates, telescoping holding posts connecting the same, shear levers adjustably engaged at their outer ends with said plates, oppositely movable carriages with which the inner ends of said levers are connected, a screw shaft or spindle for moving said carriages away from and toward each other, and parallel guides connected with one of the clamp ing plates and serving to limit the movement of one of the carriages except in a line perpendicular to the clamping plate.

3. The combination with oppositely movable clamping plates of telescoping impaling posts connecting the same, toggle levers connected at their outer ends with the respective clamping plates, oppositely movable carriages with which the inner ends of said toggle levers are pivotally connected, one of thecarriages provided with shoulders, a right and left threaded shaft, oppositely threaded in said carriages and extending transversely. the clamping bars and adapted when rotated to shift said carriages to vary the capacity of the binder and guides extending transversely of the clamping plates, each provided with a flange to engage the respective shoulder in the carriage to prevent the carriage being depressed sufficiently towcont-act the clamping plates and back plates.

4. In a binder of the class described parallel clamping plates, telescoping posts connecting the same, toggle bars engaging at their outer ends said plates, oppositelymovable carriages in which the inner ends of said. toggle levers are connected, a screw shaft for actuating said carriages oppositely, parallel guides for preventing movement of the carriages longitudinally of the plates and preventing torsional movement of the carriages but permitting the carriages to freely reciprocate and coacting means on one of the carriages and the guides for preventing depression or springing of the carriages inwardly toward theback. V

5. In a device of the class described the combination of clamping plates, a shaft or spindle extending perpendicular to the clamping plates and between the same, carriages reversely threaded on said shaft, means connected with said carriages for shifting the clamping plates proportionally with the movement of the carriages toward and from each other and parallel guides secured to one of the clamping plates, pro jecting inwardly and between which one of the carriages slides.

6. A device of the class described embracing parallel clamping plates, carriages connected therewith and movable toward and from the same to shift the clamping plates, guides projecting inwardly at right angles with one of the clamping plates to engage and support one of the carriages.

7 In a device of the class described the.

combination of clamping plates, oppositely movable carriages, a shaft or spindle perpendicular to the "clamping plates and wholly supported by the carriages, means connected with said carriages and. the clamping plates for adjusting the clamping plates, and inwardly, projecting parallel guides secured to one of the clamping plates for supporting the carriages.

8. In a device of the class described the combination of parallel clamping plates, carriages connected therewith and movable toward and from each other to shift the clamping plates, guides projecting inwardly at right angles with one of the clamping plates to engage and support one of the carriages and the other carriage connected with the supported carriage in a manner to prevent movement thereof except in a line perpendicular thereto.

9. In a loose leaf binder clamping plates, one provided with a key aperture in the side thereof, transversely movable carriages connected with the plates to operate the same, a transverse shaft wholly supported-by the carriages and having threaded engagement therewith and means engaged in ways in one of the carriages for supporting the carriages and maintaining the shaft in alinecarriages toward and from each other and means for supporting and guiding the carriages and preventing the shaft being displaced from alinement with the key aperture.

11. In a loose leaf binder clamping plates,

guides extending transversely thereof, carriages provided with ways in which said guides engage, 'means connecting the carriages with the clamping plates and means for adjusting the carriages.

12. In a device of the class described clamping plates, carriages adjustable transversely thereof, said carriages having a way or groove in each end thereof, means connecting the carriages and clamping plates, a shaft for adjusting the carriages and guides each having a horizontal flange for engaging in the grooves in the carriages and preventing all movement of the carriages except a transverse reciprocation.

13.- In a device of the class described the combination of clamping plates, transversely movable carriages, shear levers connecting the carriages and clamping plates, a transverse shaft for actuating the carriages and means independent from the shaft and shear levers for guiding the carriages.

14:. In a device of the class described clamping plates, carriages provided with 130.

ways at opposite ends thereof, guides rigidly secured to one of the clamping plates engaged in the ways in one of the carriages and adapted to engage in the ways in the other carriage when the device is fully contracted, levers connected at their inner ends to the carriages and slidably connected with the clamping plates and a shaft extending transversely of the plates adapted by rotation thereof to adjust the carriages oppositely.

15. In a device of the class described the combination of clamping plates, a transverse actuating shaft, carriages adjustable on said shaft, pairs of crossed levers, one pair on each side of the carriages and connecting the appropriate ends of the carriages with the adjacent ends of the clamping plates and means secured to one of the clamping plates for supporting the carriages and preventing them from moving longitudinally of the clamping plates.

16. In a device of the class described clamping plates, carriages movable transversely of the plates, a shaft extending transversely of the plates for actuating the carriages, a pair of levers crossed adjacent one end and pivotally connected, each lever connecting one of the carriages with the opposite clamping plate and members rigidly secured to one of the clamping plates provided with horizontal flanges to support the carriages.

17. In a device of the class described the combination of clamping plates, a transverse shaft, carriages on said shaft con nected with the plates to adjust the same and members rigidly secured to one of the clamping plates and engaging the carriages for centering the shaft.

18. In a loose leaf ledger clamping plates, a rotatable shaft, carriages on said shaft, guides provided with flanges and adapted to support and guide the carriages, a plurality of levers, a lever pivotally connected with each end of each carriage and slidably connected with the opposite clamping plate and means pivotally connecting the levers at the same end of the carriages.

19. A loose leaf ledger comprising oppositely movable members, one provided wit-h a key aperture, a transverse shaft, carriages movable on the shaft, means connecting the carriages with the movable members and means for supporting the carriages from movement longitudinally of the movable members and centering and securing the shaft in alinement with the key aperture.

20. In a loose leaf ledger the combination of oppositely movable clamping members, a shaft, adjustable carriages thereon, guides rigidly secured to one of the clamping members and projecting inwardly therefrom to support and guide the carriages and a pair of levers connecting each end of the clamping members and the corresponding ends of the carriages, each pair being crossed at their ends adjacent the carriages and pivoted together.

21. In a loose leaf ledger, the combination of clamping plates, a transverse actuating shaft, carriages on said transverse shaft, means operated by the carriages to adjust the clamping plates and guides for said car riages.

22. A loose leaf ledger embracing clamping plates, transversely movable carriages connected with the clamping plates, a transverse shaft for moving the carriages oppositely, and means for guiding the carriages and preventing all movement of the carriages except a reciprocating movement transversely of the clamping plates.

23. In a loose leaf binder the combination of clamping sections, a threaded shaft eX tending transversely of the clamping sections, members actuated by said shaft, levers pivoted to said members and adapted to expand and pontract the binder and supporting and guiding means for the members.

24. The combination of the parallel coverplates, a right and left screw-threaded keyspindle arranged therebetween and perpendicular thereto, nut-blocks on said spindle, shear-levers connecting the cover-plates and blocks, and guides or steady-pins engaging one of said blocks.

25. In a loose leaf binder clamping members, an actuating shaft, carriages actuated thereby, means connecting the carriages and the clamping members and supporting the former, and means for guiding the carriages in their movement.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

J OSEPH D. HUGHES.

Witnesses:

K. E. HANNAH, LAWRENCE REIBSTEIN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G.

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