US1597637A - Post binder - Google Patents

Description

Aug; 24

P16. UNGER POST BINDER Filed Ja n} 13, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheff, 1

, Paul 0.l/ n7er,

Aug. 24 1926..

1,597,637 P. p. UNGER POST BINDEFR Filed Jan. 13, 1925 '5 Sheets-Sheet 2 I Aug. 24 1926.

1,597,637 -P. O.IUNGER POST BINDER Filed Jan. 13, 192-5 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Aug. 24, 1926.

mitten stares tsetse? Parent orries.

PAUL O. UNGER, OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR.TO MCMILLAN 300K COMPANY, GE SYRACUSE, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

POST

Application filed January This invention pertains to post binders,

so called by reason of the fact that one of the two clamping or binding elements to which the cover-boards are hinged is provided with a plurality of upstanding posts or stems to receive and position the notched or perforated sheets of paper, pamphlets, catalogues, or other articles to be bound and held together, the second memherbeing a presser bar or follower similarly notched or perforated to receive the posts, and provided with means for engaging t-he posts after being pressed firmly down upon the articles bound, which have been previously applied to the posts and rest upon the baseplate or post-carrying member. Means are provided for disengaging the clampswhen it is desired to remove, rearrange, replace, or add to the contents of the binder.

The invention is designed to overcome certain defects which have manifested themselves in this very useful type of binder, and primarily the tendency of the locking or clamping elements to loosen their hold upon the posts in handling the binders, particularly when theircontents are bulky and proportionately heavy, This undersirable happening is due to the fact that clamps are commonly employed of a type in which each consists of a comparatively thin plate of metal, either notched, or perforated to encircle one or another of the posts, or arranged with one edge bearing against a side thereof, the clamping plates being caused to stand perpendicular to the posts when it. is desired to release them, and to be tilted to an angular position for engagement with the posts. Such plates when tilted, present a sharp angular edge to one side, or two such edges to the opposite sides of a post, and such edges tend to bite into the metal osts, and to hold more andmore firmly in direct proportion to the increase in force tending to pull upon the clamps in a, direc tion to maintain them in tilted position. It is customary to arrange the several clamps of such binders in like position relatively to the several posts; that is to say,'they.

generally arranged onthe same sideof the several posts, and tllt 1n the same, d rec:

tion, with the result" that any tendencyof the posts tospring or 'bendlin adir ction to free one from its clamp will have alike effect upon all the clamps, and with binders carrying considerable or heavy body-of Brianna.

1a, 1925. semi'ivoj 2,104.

sheets, pamphlets, or the like, there is a strong tendency thus to spring or cantthe posts and to release them from the clamps.

To remedy this defect I arrange different clamps in opposing relation to. each other, or to one another, as two or more than two posts and clamps are employed. Byfthis simpleexpedient, each clamp opposes any movement of its post in a direction which would tendto free it from an oppositely arranged clamp: Such opposing relation, however, necessitatesa novel arrangement of the mechanism by which the clamps are. moved toandfrom the clamping orholding position. be simple, strong, and operable by a short and simple manipulation of a single element, as by; sliding or turning a knob or button in one or the other direction.

My invention, which-is susceptible vof somewhat varied, embodiment, attains the several objects noted, in a very simple way, well adapted to economical and expeditious quantity production, aswill now be pointed out in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: Y I

' Figure 1 illustrates one embodiment of the invention, in longitudinal vertical section, showing the clamps in substantially perpendicular relation to the posts, or in releasing position; t

Fig; 2, a' similar sectional View but showinn; the clamps tilted to cramping or locking position; I

Fig. 3, a fragmentary perspectives-dew of the several parts of; the clamping or binding elementsproper, separated to showtheir form; v Fig. 4, a perspective view on a small scale, of the post binder containing a supply of sheets or leaves, as in a sheetor order-blank binder, or the like;

*Fig. 5, a longitudinal vertical section of the binding elements in a slightly modified.

form, with the clamps adjusted to release the posts;

Fig.6, a

set to locking position;

Fig. "?,a perspective view-lot the several parts of the clamping elementsproper,1 separ'ated' to show their form and-general rela tion;

of 'the complete binder with, a suppl fof filler sheetsor leaves;

It is desiirable that this mechanism similar viewbut with the clamps Fig. 8,;a;per spect ive view on a small scale,

Fig. ,9, a longitudinal vertical sectional viewof a third form of the binder mechanism, in releasing adjustment;

a similar view but with the slide moved to the left tocause the clamps to engage the posts;

Fig. 11, a perspective view of the parts of the mechanism separated to show their appearance when removed from theenclosing shell or casing and freed from the restraint exerted thereby upon the several spring elements; 2 p

' Fig. 12, a perspective view of the two clamp members placed in proximity to show the right and left arrangement of their respective clamping members.

I shall first describe therembodiment of my invention illustrated by Figs. 1 to 4 inelusive. As there shown the binder comprises a base-plate or post support 1, provided with two posts 2 and 3, and a presser bar or follower 4:. The baseplate or post support is here represented as'a flat bar of iron, steel, or other metal, to which is attaehed one end of each of the posts 2 and 3. The manner of attachment is unimportant provided it be firm and secure, and permit no play or movement relatively to the base-plate 1. The presser bar or follower 4 is shown of box-like form, or consisting of a base-plate or bar 5 of dimensions preferably the same as those of the post support 1, and a cap or cover section 6 formed of thinner metal, pressed or cut and folded to produce an inverted box or casing to enclose the mechanism by which the follower as a whole is caused to engage the posts 2 and 3 and to be held in close and pressing contact with the leaves, sheets, signatures, pamphlets, catalogues, or other papers to be bound into book form. The cover section 6 may be secured to the plate 5 in any convenient or usualway, but I haveshown the ends of the cover section provided witl downwardly extended tongues 7, which are passed through openings in the base-plate 5' and clinched or riveted on the lower face thereof, thus affording a. good fastening for said cover section 6. I

The embodiment of the invention now being described permits application and re-' moval of the presser bar or follower 4 to and fro the posts 2 and 8 either laterally or by sliding the fell wer down lengthwise of or over the posts, thus limiting possible application of the binder to notched sneets without completely separating, the base and following members. This is effected by providing the follower base and cover with notches or open slots 8 extending from theouter edge inward to a depth to permit'the follower to be positioned upon the posts to bring its clampsor post-gripping elements into proper engaging relation with the posts under'either mode of application of the follower.

The clamping mechanism comprises pivotal or rocking clamps 9 and 10 of the form seen in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, two being shown, one for each post. It is to be understood, however, that any desired number'of posts may be employed, and that at leastztwo will,

and if desired, any additional number of them may, each have such a clamp associated with it. Each clamp consists of a fiat plate 11 of steel orother suitable metal, with one end 12 bent downward at an angle of v4:5 degrees or thereabouts, and with a downwardlyextending leg 13 on each side, reduced. at its lower end to form a short tenon 14. These tenons are of a size to enter'and seat loosely in openings 15, drilled, punched or otherwise formed in the base-plate 5 as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, and the shoulders at the points where the tenons 14 begin are preferably rounded or beveled to afford a rocking surface, facilitating the tipping of ti e clamp upon said shoulders as a fulcrum er'pivot.

The main plate 11 of each clamp is formed with a slot 16 extending inward from one side edge at a right angle thereto, to a point slightly beyond the m1d width of said plate, the inner-end of the slot being here shown asfof semicircular form to correspondio the cylindrical form of the post which the slot is to receive. The posts may,'however, be of desired fornr in cross section, the cylindrical form being commonly used because convenient and economical. The slots 16 are slightly wider than the diameter of the posts 2 and 3, so that when the plates 11 of the clamps stand perpendicular to the posts there shall be no cramping or engagement thereof, but that upon tilting said clamps so as toelevate one wall of the slot and lower the other,

said slot.

It will .be noted thatthe two clamps 9- and10 are alike in construction except for the fact that as they are to be reversed in their' relation toqthe respective posts, they are made right and left, or have the slots opening to opposite edges of the plate 11, if the clamps be viewed with their inclined ends pointing in the same direction. The slots 16 thusextend in like direction or to ward the sameside of the respective clamps when the latter are placed in reverse positien, .as above pointed out. On referring to Figs. 1 and 2 it will be seen that clamp 9 is pivoted to'the left oftlie proximate post 2, while clamp 10 is pivoted to the right of post 3, andas both slots 16, when the willre 'ister, with the slots Set the follower or presser bar it. a

"= is carried past '1- angle of thespringelement snugly in that of: the cover 6. The main or horizontal body of the-spring element 17 is longitudi nally slitted to produce a spring tongue 20, whichis bent downward sot-hat'its' freeend lies normally orgnatural'ly out of plane with the body,-as seen infiFig. 3. This tongue 20,is at one side otthe *rnid widthl of the body of the springelement17, to clear the inner end of slots 8 and 16 ofthe presser barorfol-lower l, andthepostsiwhich enter said slots, and the forwarct'hal-f of the horizontalrbody 18 is shortenedso that its free end shall not reach into the slots or to the post therein. The inner 'side ofbody 18 said 2 slots and lies- 1 against the 1 under face of cover '6, thus affording togetherwith theshortened outer side, adequate support for the spring tongue 20.

To lift: theolainps9-and 1O from their tiltedholdi-ng position to which they are forced by 1 the free or spring tongueof the spring element 17, to horizon-tai or"post releasing positioin there is provided a slide 21 of the form illustrated in Figs: 1, 2 and 3. This slide is made of suitable metal-or alloy, andqadvisably of such thickness as will permititto be ='stamped-out or shaped by suitable dies. It is provided with raised cent ral'-portion 22 at or aboilt"its midlength, to lie-against the under 'face of the'cov'er 6 of the follower, and this raisedmid-portionhas secured to it a but ton 23,-the,rshankor stem of which passes through a slot 24e-in-the'cover (S a-ind is screwed, riveted, or-otherwise securely ata'ched to said raised portion '22. Slot 24 permits 3 button 23 to be moved longitudinally within the follower 4, the sections 25 and 26 of slide 21 extending in opposite directions from "the raised portion 22-a11d reachingnearly-to the ends of the cover 6: The sect1on-25-of slide 2 1- has at a short distance from its extremity a raised ribor bend 27 v which, -=under -longitudinal"move ment ofsaid sl 1de,'acts-as a cam to'rlde un-i der and hit the end-of themam-bo'dy or plate ll ot clamp 9 from the position which it occupies in l ig. 2 'to-thatinwhichit isshown in 1,-tI1ejc1amp roe-king or tilting on the ,-l'egs 13 as-piv" t Lt-supports. In thus fronii'ts'nclined' toit-shori-zontali ts 11 jot-cl mp 9 acts-inthe tongue; '20- of 'f-the spring ressiiig' fthe fsame; back] into rising element 1'1 plane-- with the -portio'n' 18 -bi- *said left. ll hen the slide 1 sorin ton 'ue 20. as isclam b Efi 1 spring element, or practically sow As the camining rib 27 vis drawn from: beneath the clamp 9, it is tipped to the position shown in Fig. 2 by the downward pressure of the tongue at ,a point beyond or to the right of the pivotal support. The end of section of slide 21 lying outside of orbeyond the rib 2'? is provided with a slot 28 tovstraddie the post 2 and permit longitudinal play or movement: of said slide, said slot being furnished the rib 27 for entrance and exit of the post. The. portion 30 oftheside wall of slot 28 which remains after forming the opening 29,- rides betweenthe proximate side wall of the covert) andthe post 2 when the slide ing ofthe clamp .9 and its cramping action upon the post. It thnsbridges and closes that end of slots 8 of the base-plate 5 and cover 6 through which, under diii'erent adjustment, the post 2 is introduced 01' withdrawn; r v a The section 26 of slide 21 extending from the raised portion-22 in a direction opposite that of section 25, issimilar ly provided with a longitudinal slot 31 open at its outer end, therebyproducingtwo portions32 and 33 of: unequal length,-of which the shorter part 33- oorrespondsin form and purpose to the bridging "member 30 at the oppositeend of slide '21, and serves to closer the slots 8' throughrwhichthe post 3 enters and is with-' drawn, the slot 31 permitting movement of the slide without encountering the post 3,

The longer and wider portion32 is provided with a V-shaped rib or cam 34;, similar to the rib or cam 27 ofthe-opposite branch of slide 21, except that it is of shorter measurement. Asshown' in F ig. 1, the camsor ribs 27 and 34, whenpositioned to elevate or hold horizontal the main plate 11 of clamps 9 and 10, stand under the end of each clamp opposite that which has the downwardly bent tail 12, brought by a movement of theslide 21 to the is moved in the righthand directiom-t-he camming rib 27 moves from under the and entirely Fig. 2,. but owing to the relatively reversed arrangement of clamp 10, the oammin'g rib 34E beneath it rides to a neutral point where its apex stands ben'eath, the angle formed by the downward bending-of the end-toproduce thetail portion '12. In this i has no influence oreiiect whatsoever upon the -cl'ampl0, which is hence thrown *down to its inclined for gripping p '9 -'by its spring tongue QO, it be'ing noted this point=that the ,s" rin elements "17 are made ridhthnd with a lateral opening 29 near to which position they are from under said clamp positionthe rib or cam 34C position by the no I end ofcla-mp 9 to the right,

clear of the clamp as seen in It is believed that the operation of the device is clearv from the description already given of the construction and functioning of the parts, and need not be further detailed. o I

-Figures 5 to 8 inclusive illustrate a second embodiment of the invention, which in principle and effectis quite similarto that abovedescrihed, but in this instance the clamps and the follower'are shown with circular openings for, the passage of the posts through them; the spring elements are diffferently' constructed; thebaseand follower members are tubular form; and the slots extend" from the postopenings to the edge o the follower are omitted.

Figs. 5' and 6 show the parts assembled and in their releasing and grippingor binding positions respectively. In these figures designates the base member and 35 the fol-lower or ,sser bar, thelatterprovided with upstanding 'posts3'? and 38. The manner of making up the base 35 andfollower 36 will be apparent upon referringtoFig. 7, the construction of the 'two being essentially the same. A strip or sheet of metal of a length corresponding to the longitudinal measurement of the binding edge of the 7 sheets to be inserted, or slightly longer than such edge, is first folded longitudinally on a line at or near its midnvidth, the bend'or fold beingpreferably of semicircular cross section. One free "edge is then, curled or bent to like form, and finally the other'free edge is bent to similarly curved form and pressed into close contact with the first curled edge. This may be conveniently ef-' fected by bending the metal sheet about a metallic bar of proper width and thickness. and having rounded edges, orin any other wellknown manner; JThis produces a very rigid structure, which though made of relatively thin metal and consequently relatively light, will withstand rough usage without bending or buckling.

The base member 35 is furtherstiffened and supportedagainst collapse by nipples 39, each internally threaded to receive the threaded lower end of one or another of the posts 37 0i 38. i hese nipples are rive eted, spun, swageth braZed, orwelded in place, and thus afford a very firm support for the posts in addition'to bracing thebase member 35. They also preclude any opening or separation of the tubular body of the base member. In all cases the posts 37 and 38 may, if desired, be formed of separable cylindrical sections, or may be made of oval metaltubing, both being now commonly employcd. This is illustratedin Fig. 7 in the; respective posts -37 and 38. Theibase 35 is also provided with tubular hinge lugs 40 at one edge, bent Lip-out of tongues formed by slitting the overlapping edge of the sheet -I and bending the; same into cylindrical form,

These hinge lugs serve to receive pintles or wires 41 by which to attach cover-boards 42 c (Fig. 8),- the cover-boards being similarly provided with lugs alternating with those 0 the base 35 and follower 36. j The clamps 43 each consist of a comparatively thin metal plate bent at approximate- 'ly its Imidlength to form a gripping section 44 having an opening 45 ;to r encircle and grip the post, and a second serving to guide the clamp in its rocking movement. Theopemngs 45 of the clamps when the latter are in position, registerwith openings 45 in the top and bottom walls of the follower 36. Each clamp 43 is provided at or near its midlength with a transverse slot 47 to receive the upstanding mid-portion 48- of a clamp support consisting of a fulcrum-plate: 49 conveniently formed by' bending up, one end of a metal plate 50 at a right angle to the body of s'aidplate, which latter forms a base for the fulcrum-plate 49,

and forfa similarly upstanding spacin g post or member 51 at the opposite end of baseplate 50, of a width somewhat less than the body of 'plate'49 and base 50. Thus the base-plate50 with the upstanding portions 49 and 51 constitute a clamp support, fulcrum and guide, and a spacingmember be tween the upper and lower walls of follower 36. The portion 48 of fulcrum-plate 49 is of a height to reach to the upper wall of follower 36, but said fulcrum-plate is cut away at either side of the part 48 to an amount equal to or slightly greater than the thickness of the clamp 43, thus forming two bearing points or fulcra 52 for the plate 49, just beneath the bendin said clamp and in plane with the upstandinlg portion 48. llhe upper ends of the fulcra 52 are preferably rounded, but may be -V-shaped. 7

At the meeting line'of base-plate 50 and fulcrum plate 49 are formed perforations 53 through which are passed from the inner side, the free ends ofa staple-shaped spring member 54, the legs of said spring being passed through said perforations untilthe connecting end bar of-the spring rests directlyagainstthe fulcrum-plate 49,-after which the legs of the spring are bent upward and carried-overthe fulcrum-plate 49 and laid into notches 55 between the fulcra 52 and the upstanding mid-portion 48,-the legs being left in a substantially horizontal position, withfltheir free ends projecting slightly beyond and on 'oppositesides of the spacing post 51, and practically flush with the top thereof; They may, however, he initially above the post and'be forced down into the positionindicated in Fig. 7, when the base: la e '50 s'p d'with n h f llower 36 In lift the. actuating end of theclamp may be l employed.

the springs is found very satisfactory, I do not means to restrict myself thereto, slnce any equivalent spring whlch will serve to Each clamp-supporting plate is anchored or secured in place in any usual or convenient manner. A simple way ofaccomplish ing this result is to place the base-plate upon a suitable anvil or support, and to lay the follower 36 with the inner face of its bottom upon the plate 50, both inverted, and with a well tempered cone-pointed punch form indentations in the exposed face of the" follower, which will cause corresponding projections on the opposite face and indenta- ..tions in the underside of base-plate 50, filled "by the projections forced out r.niate face ofv the follower.-

on the proxi- This, however, is suggestive only;

t For positioning the clamps 43 to release the posts 37 and 38, there is provided a slide 56, which may conveniently be formed of a i thin flat strip of suitable metal or alloy, such as steel, phosphor bronze, or the like. At its .inidlength this slide has a raised portion, as

shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7, of a height to contact with the under face of the top Wall of follower 36 when the-remaining portions of of. Said slide-56 is bifurcated at its ends, the space between the two forks at each end beingsuch as to cause said forks to pass on opposite sides of but close to the base 50 of the clamp support, which thus serves as a guide for the-slide. The forks at one end of F .slideh56 are provided with cams 57 of ap proximately inverted V form, which may be readily and cheaply, produced by bending the ends of said forks into the form shown inyFig.-'7. Similar but slightly differently shaped cams 58 are in like manner formed nearthe extremities of the forks at the other end of-slide 56, The main body of slide 56 rests upon thefloor off tlie interior space of follower 36,'as seen inFigs. 5 andG and" slides thereon, movement being imparted to the slide by g a button 59 located just above the top wall with the raised portion of slide 56 by a shank or stem passing through a longitudinal top wall of said follower and raised portion of said slide in 1 any convenient manner.

..Theparts being constructedasabove de scribed, are assembledin the relative posi- -..tions.illustrated in Fig. 5,-which shows the the latter being preferred, lVhile this mode of forming and positioning of the follower, and connected to effect its-reciprocation.' indicated, the follower 64 l lease one clamp springing ofthe post will'be efiectiively resisted by the other clamp, which willfbe made to bind proportionately more'tightly. l i hether the gripping ends'of th'e actuating ends of cams 57 and 58be turned toward the extremities of follower 36 is immaterial so far as concerns this mutually compensating actionof the clamps, but a slightly different in order to bring them to the most advantageous pos tions for alternately lifting the clamps and moving outfofilifting position.

The operation of the device willbe 'apparent, and as in thehrst described form requires merely the sliding of the button 59 the lengthofthe slot in; which its 'ishank consequent movement jof' the positioning of said cams might be necessary and slightly variant embodiment 'lim' ing however, in common with the twojforms already described, the material features of the invention, to wit T A-base member of post-support provided'j with posts; a fol- I lower; postengaging clamps carried'by said the slide lie flat upon the bottom'wall there-f the followerwithin' which arelcontained the clamps and actuating slide. The c'lampsare of the same design, and fulcrumed in; the same manner as in tlie' construction shown in Figs; l'to 8,"inclusive, but the t me isi'n the present instance placedfabove; instead of below'theclampsxand the spring elements "to 12 inclusive, 61

well as the cams are farmed integral with the slide. So, too, instead of showing the actuating button made'fastto the slide, it is here shown'as rotatable about a fixed axis and provided wi 11 an eccentrically placed pin movable in a transverse sl'o't'in the slide, Except as I thus say be the same as in the embodiment of the inyenti'on town 65 designates theslide provided at or near its midlength wvitl1a longitudinal slot 66 through which passes the shank or stem 67 ole a turnbutton 68, said slot 66 having also a lateral extension 69 to receive an eccentrically placed stud or pin 70 projecting downwardly from the under face of thebutton 68. The stem 67 passes through openings in the upper andlower walls of follower 6 and has its lower end headed, riveted, or otherwise secured against pulling out of its seat in the lower wall of the follower, as seen in Figs. 9 and 10. The upper and lower walls-0ffollower 64: have at or about their midlength, circular openings 71 for the passage of stem .67, and'the upper wall has also a curved slot 7 2 to permit the.

movement of stud or pin 70 ina circular path, As seen in Fig. 11, the follower 64 *is provided with slots 73 opening to its outer longitudinal edge, to permitapplica tionand removal of said follower to and from the posts 62 and 63 either longitudinally or laterally of said posts.

Slide 65 is provided with slot-closing" tongues 74: and 75, similar to those of the second construction described; Separated from the free end of tongue 74 a distance sufficient to permit entrance or exit of post 62 whenever tongues 7 k and 75 are suffi:

ciently withdrawn to clear the slots 73, is;

a spring finger 76 whiclnbeing curved upward slightly out of planewith the body of slide 65, bears againstthe under face of the top wall of follower 64, and tends to press down that end of the slide of which it forms part. Lying next to and inwardly from the finger 76 ,is a substantially V- shaped cam 77, integral with slide 65, and

formed by slitting said slide longitudinally 7 from about the free end of finger 76 to the base thereof, and bending the portion lyingbetween said finger and the mediallongitudinal line of slide 65, first downward and then upward, to the shape shown in Figs. 9, 10 and 11. from cam 77 the slide is again slitted to produce a long spring 78, the base of which is coincident, or practically so, with the basesof finger 76 and cam 77, this spring 78 being bent downward at its free end.

edge of spring 78, that is to say, the edge lying toward the slotted edge of fqllower 64, is located sufficiently inward to permit reciprocation of slide 65 without said spring finger colliding with post 62. At its opposite end slide 65 has in addition to the slotclosing tongue 75, two downwardly bent members 79 and 80, of which 79 acts as a Still further inward '80 are, like those already described, integral with slide 65, and are produced by longitudinally slitting said slide along a common line, and severing the strip so produced at or about its midlength, thereafter bending down the two portions, one to form the cam 7 9 and the other to form the spring The clamps 81 and 82 .are shown in. the several figures, but on a somewhat larger scale and in perspective, in Fig. 12. As in the first embodiment, they comprise each a flat metal strip bent to form a main body portion 83 and tail or actuating portion 84, the body portion of each clamp being provided with an open-ended slot 85 extend- 'ing inward from one longitudinal edge of the clamp toward the opposite longitudinal edge. The oppositesides of each clamp are prov ded wlth supportlng legs 86, each with a short tenor. 87 to enter seats 88 in the lower wallof the follower shell.

The parts being thus fashioned are assembled within "the shell of follower 64 in brought through a right-hand longitudinal movement of slide 65. Under such adjustment'the springs 78 and 80 lying over the tops of the clamps are brought into and held in plane with thebody of slide65, and cam 77 will lie above and hold in its depressed position the actuating endm84 of clamp 81, while cam 79 having ridden beneath and lifted the free end of the notched body of clamp 82, will hold it in horizontal or postreleasing position. Conversely, if slide 65 be moved longitudinally to the left, as the parts appear in Fig. 9, cams 77 and 79 will rideclear of the clamps, and permit springs 78 and80 bearing upon the upper faces of the notched portions at a point well in ad Vance of the fulcra 87, to tip the notched section of each clamp downward at an angle to the post passing through the notch. In this way the clamps are caused to grip the posts firmly, and said clamps being fulcrumed. one to the right and the other to the left ofthe respective posts, will act-in opposition one -to the other and prevent the posts from springing or swaying in either direction, thereby precluding releaseof the ,clamps through either post assuming a po- As seen in Fig.11, the outer longltudinal sition other than its normal position perpendicular to thesupporting base.v

means, and so as to other matters. The es similarly be tempered or made resilient by proper heatt-reatment, hammering, rolling, or such other usual treatment as is suited to the particular metal employed.

At least two posts are necessary to carrying out the invention above set forth, but the number may be increased as desired, and clamps may be applied to two posts, or to more than two, but at least two of the clamps should be in opposed relation, one fulcrumed to the left of its associated post and the other fulcrumed to the right of its associated post, so that they shall act to prevent swaying or springing of the posts in either direction. As the several posts are connected both by the follower and by the interposed sheets, pamphlets or articles bound, it is manifest that if two posts be so held and prevented from swaying, the others will necessarily maintain their perpendicular position, but greater resistance will be afforded by providing each of a larger number of posts with clamps, and arranging one half to brace against lefthand movement and the other half to brace against right-hand movement. Since more than two posts cannot be employed without using at least two, and as the bracing effect is afforded in the use of two with the clamps in reversed position, two are mentioned in some of the claims for clearness of definition, but recital of two is not intended to exclude employment of more than two.

What is claimed is 1- 1. In a post binder, the combination of a base plate provided with at least two posts; a follower having openings to receive said posts; pivotal clamps carried by said follower, one for each post, each clamps having its pivot on a side of the post opposite to that on which the' pivot of the other clamp is located; and a single longitudinally movable slide carried by the follower and havmg cam portions to act upon the pivoted clamps to move their post-gripping portions from gripping into non-gripping position when the slide is moved in one direc tion, said slide being further provided with spring members which act to restore the clamps to gripping position when the slide is moved in the reverse direction.

.2. In a post hinder, the combination of a base-plate provided with a plurality of posts; a follower having slots to receive said posts, said slots extending to the outer longitudinal edge of the follower; clamps carried by said follower, one for each post; and a single longitudinally movable slide provided with springs which serve when the slide is moved in one direction to throw the clamps to post-gripping position, and. further provided with cams and with slotclosing tongues, said cams serving to move the clamps to post-releasing position and withdraw the tongues from slot-closing position, when the slide is moved in the reverse direction.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

PAUL 0'. UN GER.

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