US1669830A - Lock for paper fasteners - Google Patents

Description

May 15, 1928.

F. J. KLINE LOCK FOR PAPER FASTENERS Filed Oct. 7, 1926 ad a 4 2 2 @jsm ATTORNEY-5 V Patented May 15, 1928.

UNITED. STATES FRED J. KLINE, or BAYVILLE, NEW YORK.

LOCK non PAPER FASTENERS.

Application filed October 7, 1926. Serial m5. 139,995.

This invention relates to an inexpensive and easily operated lock for paper fasteners of the familiar type which are used to secure sheets of paper in files and the like.

The fasteners have two prongs or tongues which pass through perforations in the paper. and are ada ted to be bent in opposite directions. he prongs are made of soft metal to facilitate bending and they do not provide much resistance to strains which tend to loosen the fastener. This is particularly true when the papers are fastened together in relatively thick bundles. Consequentlythe' fasteners do not afford the desired security.

It is the object of thepresent invention to provide a lock, adapted to be applied easily to a fastener after it has been thrust through a bundle of paper, which will hold the prongs of the fastener in position to bind the papers -ifirnily and securely until the lock is released.

A further objectof the invention is the provision of a simple lock for paper fasteners which requires only slight and obvious manipulation to secure the desired result.

Other objectsand advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood by reference to the following specification and accompanying drawing, in which: i

Fig. 1 is a view in perspective illustrating the lock as applied;

Fig. 2 is a plan View of a lock embodying the invention Fig. 3 is a section on the line 8-3 of Fig. 4 is a similar section of a modified 5 is a plan view of another form of 6 is' a section on the line 66 of Fig. 12 is a plan view illustrating the aps plicationof the look as shown in Figs. -7 and 8; l

The lock which I have devised employs in principle two legs, one of which is adapted to embrace the prongs of the fast ener at the point where the latter are bent to secure the papers. The other leg isthen bent to overlie the prongs in sucha way as to prevent anyloosening of the 'prongs. The lock can be made of any suitable metal such as soft brass or soft tinned-s heet-steel and can be stamped from metal sheets or strips with a minimum of waste.

In its simplest form the lock comprises two legs, one of which is perforated to permit the prongs of the fastener to pass therethrough. The other leg is normally bent at a right angle and can be further bent when it has been placed in position to overlie the fastener prongs, In a modified form the lock may comprise two legs with an intermediate leg or web having a perforation to embrace the fastener prongs. The legs may be bent after the lock is in place to secure theprongs. p

In another form of the invention the perforation is displaced by a slot in one of the legs so that the lock can he slipped into position without difficulty. Thesecond leg may have a flange thereon which engages the prongs and prevents the look from escaping when it has been secured in place. Instead of providing. a flange the notched leg may have small projections at the mouth of the notch. The prongs of the fastener are spreadslightly when they are bent to hold the papers and the projections at the mouth of the notch will effectually prevent escape of the look after it has been seciired.

Any of the forms of the lock as described may have teeth on the under side of the leg or web which engages the paper to prevent the look from turning after it hasbeen secured in place and to grip the papers more securely. The teeth may be stamped from the metal by the same die which is used in cutting the locks. Mere roughing of the metal in any suitable way will accomplish substantially the-same result.

Referring to the drawing and particularly to Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 9 thereof. the lock comprises a pair of legs 5 and 6 bent at a right angle, the leg 5 having a perforation 7 therein. In applying the lock the prongs 8 of the fastener are passed through the papers 10 and through the perforation 7. The leg 5 rests upon the papers and the prongs 8 are bent thereon. Thereafter the leg (5 of the lock is bent over the prongs of the fastener and prevents any loosening of the fastener.

The lock illustrated in Figs. 4 and 10 is substantially similar in structure and operation to the simple form shown in Fig. 1 except that a perforation 11 is provided in a web 12 having two legs 13 which can be bent to overlie the prongs of the fastener after the latter has been flexed to grip the papers.

In Figs. 5 and 11 the lock is formed with a leg Lt having a slot 15 therein. The other leg 16 has a flange 17 which engages the prongs of the fastener when the leg 16 is bent over the pron s. With this form of lock it is not necessary to pass the prongs through a perforation. The lock is slipped into place with the prongs in the slot 15 and the leg 16 is then bent over the prongs.

In Figs. 7, 8 and 12 of the drawing the structure includes a. leg 18 having a slot 19 therein and projections 20 at the mouth of the slot so that the mouth is somewhat narrowed. A leg 21 at a right angle to the leg 18 is adapted to be bent over the tongues of the fastener when the latter is in place. The spreading of the tongues of the fastener prevents escape thereof through the mouth of the slot and the tongues are thus locked securely in the desired position.

From the foregoing description it will be observed that the lock in either of its forms is extremely simple and therefore inexpensive. Moreover, the manner of using the lock is quite apparent so that relatively unintelligent workers should have no difficulty in applying it properly. No practice or acquired skill is necessary in order that the fasteners may be held securely and permanently in proper position to firmly bind papers. The lock, when secured, will withstand any strain to which it may be subjected in the ordinary handling and use of the bound papers. The lock can be removed easily by reversing the operation as described. As soon as the binding leg is lifted from the prongs the latter are released and the lock and fastener can be withdrawn.

Various changes can be made in the form and details of construction of the look as described without departing from the invention or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof.

1. A lock for pronged paper fasteners having a leg adapted to embrace the prongs of the fastener and a leg adapted to be bent longitudinally over the prongs after the latter have been bent to fastening position.

2. A lock for pronged paper fasteners having a leg with an opening therein adapted to embrace the prongs of the. fastener and a l g adapted to be bent longitudinally over the prongs after the latter have been bent to fastening position.

3. A lock for pronged paper fasteners having a leg with a slot therein adapted to embrace the prongs of the fastener and a leg adapted to be bent longitudinally over the prongs after the latter have been bent to fastening position.

*1. A lock for pronged paper fasteners having a leg with a slot therein adapted to embrace the prongs of the fastener. a leg adapted to be bent over the prongs after the latter have been bent to fastening position and means on one of the legs to secure the lock to the fastener.

5. A lock for pronged paper fasteners having a leg with a slot therein adapted to embrace the prongs of the fastener, a leg adapted to be bent over the prongs after the latter have been bent to fastening position and projections at the mouth of the slot to secure the lock to the fastener.

6. A. look for pronged paper fasteners having a leg with a slot therein adapted to embrace the prongs of the fastener after the latter have been bent to fastening position. and a leg adapted to be bent over the prongs when in fastening position.

In testimony whereof I atlix my signature.

FRED J. KLINE.

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