US1850376A - Fastener - Google Patents

Description

March 22, 1932. D A, BRENNAN L8576 FASTENER Filed Feb. 14,v 1950 2=SheetSSheet l March 22, 1932A. D A BRENNAN 1,850,376

FASTENER` Filed Feb. 14, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Mar. 22, 1932 DANIEL A. BRENNAN, F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS FASTENER Application filed February 14, 1930. Serial No. 428,391.

The invention relates generally to improvements in fasteners for binding paper together, such as, letters in a file; and more particularly to a new and improved fastener including a base having spaced tongues at its ends adapted to extend through apertures in the papers, and a keeper having similarly spaced apertures adapted to receive said tongues, the ends of the latter being adapted to be bent downwardly toward each other and clamped to said keeper. f

An object of the invention isto provide an improved fastener which is more eiiicient, simpler and quicker to manipulate, and more l positive in binding than prior structures.

Another object is to provide the keeper with novel locks which are readily slidable over the bent down tongues at their respective lines of bend without sticking or becoming distorted. f f

Another object of the invention is to provide novel means, in the keeper outwardly of its apertures, effective to tilt the locks to r facilitate engagement thereof with the bent 'J down tongues.

Another object is to provide novel means, in the keeper, to facilitate the easysliding of the locks over the apertures and to retard n their movement after passing beyond said o apertures.

Another object is to provide novel means for binding thel tongues to the keeper.

Another lobject is to provide novel means,

for holding the locks outwardly and clear of the apertures while the keeper is detached from the tongues. l

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as the description proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a perspective view ofan improved fastener embodying the features of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a ragmental longitudinal sectional -view taken throughy one end of the keeper, with one tongue shown secured in struck down position by the coacting lock, and with the outer position of the lock shown in dotted lines.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken along line 4 4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a fragmental longitudinal sec tional view of the keeper and one lock, show ing the lock in position about to engage the associated tongue.

Fig. 6 is a fragmental longitudinal sectional view through the keeper and one lock of a modified forni of the invention, the associated tongue being shown partly in eleva- 6" tion and partly in section.

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view of the keeper and lock shown in Fig. 6 showing the lock in engagement with friction means on the keeper.

Fig. 8 is a fragmental plan view of the keeper and lock shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a fragmental plan view of another modified form of keeper and lock.

Fig. 10 is a fragmental longitudinal sec- 70 tional view on an enlarged scale taken along line 10-10`oi` Fig. 9, the operative position of the lock being shown in dotted outline.

Fig. 11 is. a fragmental longitudinal section taken through another modified formof keeper and lock.

Fig. 12 is a fragmental plan view of another modified form of keeper and lock. Y

Fig.l 13 is a fragmental plan view of another modiiied form of keeper and lock.

Fig. 14 is a transverse sectional view through the keeper and lock-shown in Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is a fragmental transverse sectional view taken through the keeper and a modified form of lock.

Fig. 16 is a ragmental longitudinal section of a modified form of keeper.

Paper fasteners of the type comprising a base with tongues adapted to pass through apertures in papers and a keeper with regis- 90 tering apertures adapted to receive the tongues, in some instances, are provided with locks slidable, in grooves formed in opposite sides of the keeper. over the tongues after the latter are bent flat against the keeper. In

such fasteners, however, diiculty is encountered in sliding the locks past the bends in the tongues into position over the tongues since the latter are necessarily elevated from the base of the keeper. No means-is provided 10 SLO to start or ease the locks over these elevated portions, and consequently, impact is set up while trying to force the looks over the bent down portions of the tongues. As a result, the locks become deformed, bentjand burred to such an extent that movement thereof into position over the tongues becomes difficult and frequently impossible, and at times to such an extent that movementover the keeper into position preparatory for insertion -of the tongues through the apertures is impossible. Slight transverse corrugations which form in the tongues as the latter are bent over repeatedly in use accentuate these difficulties, and also tend to injure the locksof prior fasteners. f

The present invention has, as one of its aims, theprovision of a new and improved paper fastener that is not subject to the foregolng objections and disadvantages.

Referring particularly to Fig. 1 of the drawings, the fastener constituting the preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a base 16 provided on its ends with spaced tongues 17 adapted to pass through similarly spaced perforations in file papers (not shown). Preferably, the tongues 17 are substantially less in width than the body of said baseand are struck up substantially at right angles thereto; Each tongue preferably is formed with a projection 18 adjacent its free end for apurpose that will hereinafter apar. The base 16 normally is positioned to li flush against the bottom of the file papers, and'a keeper 19, formed with perforations or slots 21 in opposite ends for receiving the tongues 17, is adapted to be placed against the top of the file papers.

Provided along opposite longitudinal edges of thekeeper are parallel guides or grooves 22. Preferably, these grooves are provided by bending the opposite longitudinal margins of the keeper upwardly and'then inwardly to form flanges 23 in spaced overlying relation to the base of the keeper. j serve to reinforce the keeper longitudinally against bending, and also to define the grooves 22. l

Slidable in the grooves y22 on opposite ends of the keeper for movement from beyond the apertures 21 into position over the tongues when the latter'are struck down againstY the keeper are two locks 24. Preferably, eaolt lock 24 is formed with an'elevated buttonl` portion 24a and a peripheral rim 25, at the lower end. the elevated portion being adapted 4to slide between the flanges 23, and the rim to slide in the grooves 22. The rim 25 preferably is flared outwardly and upwardly to facilitate its engagement with the tongue 17 with which it is to coact, and is also formed in its underside with an annular groove-26 for a (purpose that will be hereinafter explaine j I The flanges 23 v The outer ends of the flanges 23, preferably, are depressed as at 27, toward but spaced from the keeper. The elevated portions of the flanges at their outer ends vgradually taper downwardly until they merge with the.de pressed portions 27 to provide stops 28 for limiting the outward movement of the locks 24. The flanges 23 preferably are also depressed at the center, as at 29, into close spaced relation to the keeper, the connecting areas tapering gradually to provide stops 30 for limiting the inward movement of locks 24. The projections 18 on theI tongues l17 also serve to limit the inward movement of the locks over the tongues.

It will be evident that upon outward movement of either lock 24, its rim 25 will engage with the stops 28l formed in the flanges. A slight wedg'ing or binding engagement will be setup therebetween, and will serve to hold the lock in extreme position of adjustment, thereby preventing misadjustment. A similar result is obtained upon movement into the extreme intermediate position of adjustment unless projection 18 is in position to limit the movement.

The keeper is gformed at each end with an upward projection 31 between the flanges 23 and outwardly of the adjacent aperture 2l for point engagement with the corresponding lock to facilitate co-operation with the tongue. In moving either lock 24 inwardly, it is cammed upwardly by the projection 31 (Fig. 5) into position to engage over the tongue 17.

The fianges 23 of the keeper are Preferably tapered laterally from a point adjacent the Iapertures, in both directions as at 32, to provide means for frictionally engaging the elevated portion 24a of each look 24 to retard its movement after it has passed over the underlying aperture 21, thereby providing loose movement only over the aperture, into engagement with the tongue, at the point where trouble most frequently occurs, as hereinbefore referred to.

The operation of the fastener is substantially as follows. The tongues are inserted through apertures in the paper to position the base against one side. The tongues are then inserted through the apertures inthe keeper and are struck down toward each other against the keeper, the looks being in 'a position outwardly of the apertures, as shown in dotted. lines in Fi 2. Thereupon, the locks are moved inwardly to bind the ltongues to the keeper. Upon urging either lock inwardly, the annular indentation or groove 26 is easily released from the stop 31, and the inner end ofthe lock s tilted upwardly until the edge of the rim 25 engages with the under sides of the fianges 23 to facilitate its movement over the tongue 17, as illustrated in Fig. 5. Further inward movement of the lock lowers the rim into engagement with the itl outwardly ci the aperture.

tongue. The lock upon further inward4 movement, gradually binds between the laterally tapering portions 32 of the flanges 23 until it is arrested by the stop 18 on the end of the tongue, which provides a wedginfr action between the keeper, the tongue, andbthe flanges and resists movement of the lock outwardly from the tongue.

The modiiied form of the invention, shown in Figs. '6,17, and 8, is provided with'locks which slide along'thev anges and are elevated from the keeper -body at all times to facilitate ease in manipulation. In each lock, the outer peripheral margin of the rim 25a is bent downwardly, as at 33, and is provided with a substantially sharp edge to engage an abrupt upward projection 18a on the free end ofthe tongue. Stops 34 are provided on the ianges 23a to engage with an annular groove 26a in each lock to yieldingly hold The anges 23a are bent down at their outer ends as at 28a, and are depressed at substantially their medial portions as at 35, to limit the outward and inward movement of the locks.

The modified form of the invention, illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10, is substantially the same as that shown in Figs. 6, 7, and 8, except that the keeper 196 is provided with tapering central longitudinally aligned ribs 36 for effecting a binding action between the locks, the tongues, and keeper at the center and'ends of the latter.' The locks 24?; are

in the form of flanged rings substantially U- shaped in cross section and the openings at the' center facilitate movement and prevent injury to the user.

The modified form shown in Fig. 11 is substantially similar to the other forms except that the iianges 23o taper at opposite sides of each aperture Vtoward the keeper to provide a binding action between the locks 240, keeper and tongues, and between, the keeper and locks outwardly of the apertures.

The form of the invention shown in Fig. 12, is substantially the same as the other forms except that the elevated portion of each lock 24d is knurled or corrugated on its peripheryI to engage corrugation 37 in the inner edges of the flanges 23d. as means for arresting inward movement, and the keeper is depressed, as at 38 and/or 39, to facilitate easy sliding of the Alocks thereover. Longitudinal ribs may be provided for substantially the same purpose.

The modied :form of keeper shown in Figs. 13 and 14 is substantially the same as the other forms except that the elevated portion 41 of the lock 24e is dat' on two sides, which prevents its rotation and' serves a1- ways to hold it in position for engagement of projections in its rim with companion pro-l jections 42 in the flanges., The rim of the lock is bent down at its sides, as at 43, to hold it in elevation above the tongue so as to provide for easy engagement therewith.

The modified form of lock-24)F shown in Fig. 15 differs from that shown in Figs. 6 and 7 in that it has a bent down portion 44 in its rim for engaging the tongue 17.

The modified form of keeper shown in Fig.`

16 is provided with an elevated portion 45 adjacent each end to hold the lock 240 above the tongue.

It will be evident that I have provided a fastener in which the locks willbe held either outwardly or inwardly of the apertures in position to prevent misadjustment. The locks are provided with means for effecting. easy 4vertical line engagement with the tongues in their bent down position, and with means for tilting the locks into position for movement into position over the tongues. The locks are easily operated without injury thereto or to the user.

- I claim:

l. A fastener comprising,.in combination, an elongated keeper having spaced apertures one in each end; a Hat elongated base having spaced tongues, one on each end, said tongues being adapted to be inserted -through said apertures and then bent down against said x keeper; parallel longitudinal flanges extending along and spaced above opposite sides of said keeper; and two locks on said keeper movable along said iianges past said apertures to confine said tongues to said keeper, each of said locks being formed with means for frictionally engaging between the ends of said ianges and the base of said keeper, to

hold said locks yieldingly outwardly of said past said apertures,r each of said locks being formed with means for frictionally engaging between said tapered portions of the iianges and the base of said keeper to hold said locks yieldingly outwardly of said apertures.

3. A fastener comprising, in combination, an elongated keeper having spaced apertures one in each end; a fiat elongated base having spaced tongues one on each end, said tongues being adapted to be inserted through said apertures and `then bent down against said keeperg-parallel longitudinal flanges extending along and spaced above opposlte sides of said keeper, said flanges being depressed toward the keeper inwardly of said apertures to form stops; and two round locks on said apertures and then bent down against said keeper; parallel longitudinal flanges extending along and spaced above opposite sides of sa d keeper, said flanges being depressed at substantially the medial portion,thejunetures between the elevated portions and medial portion sloping gradually to constitute wedge stops; twoilocks movable along said flanges,-

one from each end of the keeper into binding engagement with the adjacent stop tending to retain said lock in engagement therewith.

5. A fastener comprising, in combination, a flat elongated keeper having spaced apertures one in each end; a flat elongated base having spaced tongues one on each end, said s tongue being adapted to be inserted through said apertures and then bent down against said keeper; parallel longitudinal flanges eX- tending along and spaced from opposite sides of said keeper, the flanges converging laterally in both directions from a point adjacent the apertures to constitute friction elements; and two locks on said keeper movable along said flanges one along each pair of opposed friction elements past the adjacent aperture i into yielding engagement with said friction elements.

6. A fastener comprising, in combination, a flat elongated keeper having spaced apertures one in each end; a flat elongated base having spaced tongues one on each end, said tongues being adapted to be inserted through said apertures and then bent down against said keeper; parallel longitudinal flanges extending along and spaced from opposite sides of said keeper, the flanges converging gradually laterally of said keeper in both longitudinal directions from each aperture to constitute friction elements, said flanges tapering at the ends toward said keeper; and two locks on said keeper movable along said flanges, one along the friction elements at each end past the adjacent aperture into yielding engagement with the frietio'nelements and into binding engagement with the adjacent ends of said flanges tending to retain said lock in engagement therewith.

7. A fastener comprising, in combination, a flat elongated ykeeper having spaced apertures one in each end: a flat elongated base having spacedtongues one on each end, said tongues being adapted to be inserted through said apertures and then bent down against said keeper; parallel longitudinal flanges eX- tending along and spaced from opposite sides of said kee er, the flanges converging laterally of sai keeper in both longitudinal directions from said a ertures to constitute friction elements, said anges tapering at the ends toward the keeper to provide wedgefspace's; a projection in the base of said keeper outwardly of yeach aperture; and two locks on sa1d keeper movable along said flanges,"one along,

tures one in each end; a flat elongated base having spaced tongues one on each end, said tongues being adapted to be inserted through said apertures and then bent down against said keeper; parallel longitudinal flanges ezi-l tending along and spaced from opposite sides of said keeper, the flanges converging laterally in both directions from opposite the ends of the apertures to constitute friction elements, said flanges tapering at the ends toward the keeper providing tapering spaces; a projection outwardly of each aperture; and two locks on said keeper, each of said locks including an elevatedv portion and a rim, said elevated portion being adapted to engage said friction elements and said rim maintaining the lock in sliding engagement with said flanges. i

9. A fastener comprising, in combination, a flat elongated keeper having spaced apertures one in each end; a flat elongated base having spaced tongues one on each end, said tongues being adapted to be inserted through said apertures and then bent down against said keeper; parallel longitudinal flanges eX- tending along and spaced from opposite sides of said keeper the flanges converging laterally in both directions from adjacent the apertures to constitute friction elements, said flanges ltapering at the ends toward the keeper providing tapering spaces; a projection outwardly of each aperture; and 4two locks on said keeper, each of said locks including an elevated portion and a flared rim, said elevated portion being adapted to engage said friction element and said flared rim constituting means for facilitating sliding over said tongue for binding in said spaces.

10. A fastener comprising, in combination, an' elongated keeper having spaced apertures one in each end; a flat elongated base having spaced tongues, one on each end, said -tongues being adapted to be inserted through said apertures and then bent down `against said keeper; parallel longitudinal flanges extending along and spaced above opposite sides of A said keeper; and two locks elevated from the i so a flat elongated keeper having spaced aper-- flanges past said apertures to confine the tongues to the keeper, each ofthe locks being,

formed with means for frictionally engaging means adjacent the end of said flanges to hold the locks yieldingly outwardly of said apertures. y 11. A fastener' comprising, in combination, an elongated keeper having spaced apertures one in each end, a flat elongated base having spaced tongues one on each end, said tongues being adapted to be'inserted through said apertures and then bent down against said keeper, opposed guideway's formed along the longitudinal vedges of said keeper, circular locks on opposite ends of said keeper, each lock comprising a peripheral rim slidably engaging at opposed points in said -guideways for movement past the related aperture and an elevated grip portion. v

12. A fastener comprising, in combination,

an elongated keeper having spaced apertures one in each end, a flat elongated base having spaced tongues one on each end, said tongues lbeing, adapted to be inserted through said apertures and then bent down against said keeper, guides formed along the longitudinal edges of said keeper, and circular locks respectively in slidable engagement with said guides at opposite ends of said keeper.

13. A fastener'comprising, in combination, an elongated keeper having spaced apertures one in each end, a flat elongated base having spaced tongues one on each end, said tongues being adapted to be inserted through said apertures and then bent down against said keeper, guides formed along the longitudinal i edges of said keeper, and circular locks respectively in slidable engagement with said guides at opposite ends of said keeper, and means for limiting the movement of each lock along the keeper past the related aperture in each direction. i

14. A fastener comprising, in combination, an elongated keeper having spaced apertures one in each end, a fiat elongated base having spacedtongues one on each end, said tongues being adapted to be inserted through said apertures andl then bent downagainst said keeper, guides formed along the longitudinalv edges of said keeper, and circular locks movable along said guides one at each end of said keeper, said guides being deformed at spaced 'points at opposite sides of each aperture to constitute limiting stops for the related lock.

15. A fastener comprising,in combination, an elongated keeper having spaced apertures one in each end, a flat elongated base vhaving spaced tongues one on each lend, said tongues being adapted to be inserted through .said apertures and then bent down against said keeper, opposed guide flanges formed along the longitudinal edges of said keeper and spaced vertically therefrom, a pair of locks lock to tilt the latter for engagement with the related tongue.

16. A Afastener comprising, in combination,

an elongated keeper having spaced apertures.

one in each end, a flat elongated base having spaced tongues one on each end,`said tongues being adapted to be inserted through =said apertures and then' bent down against said keeper, opposed guide flanges formed along the longitudinal edges of said keeper and spaced vertically therefrom,a pair of locks mounted in opposite ends of said keeper for movement inwardly over the related aperture into engagement with the related bent tongue, each lock having an elevated portion between said fianges and aLrim underlying said flanges, and an upward projection in said keeper outwardly of each aperture for engagement by the related lock to tilt the latter for engagement with the related tongue.

17. In a paper fastener, in combination a keeper, guides along the longitudinal edges of said keeper, a lock having an elevated portion between said guides, and a peripheral base flange slidably coacting with said guides, said base flange being inclined upwardly and out; wardly. A

18. In a paper fastener, in combination a keeper, guides along the longitudinal edges of said keeper, a lock having an elevated portion between said guides, and a peripheral base langeslidably coacting with said guides, said base iange being inclined upwardly and outwardly, said base flange being formed in its underside with an annular groove, and a cam projection formed in said keeper for engagement in said groove, said projection being effective to tilt said lock upon movement -past said groove.

19. In a Vpaper fastener, in combination, a keeper having an aperture, guides along opposite sides of said keeper, and a circular lock confined to said keeper by said guides for movement past said aperture.

20. In a paper fastener, in combination, a keeper having an aperture, guides along opposite sides of said keeper, and a circular lockk having an elevated portion and a base flange, said flange beingconned by said guides for movement along said keeper past said aperture.

21. In a paper fastener, in combination, a keeper having an aperture, guides along opp osite sides of said keeper, and a circular lock ies having an elevated portion and a base iiange,

the opposite longitudinal sides of said keepsaid flanges, and a circular lock having a peripheral groove slidably embracing the inner edges of said flanges for movement past said aperture.

23. In a paper fastener, in combination, a keeper, elevated guide flanges formed along the opposite longitudinal sides of said keeper, said keeper having an aperture between said flanges, and a ylock between said flanges, said lock having an upper enlarged portion overlying said guide flanges, and a peripheral flangeunderlying said guide flanges.

24. In a paper fastener, in combination, a keeper, elevated guide flanges formed along the opposite longitudinal sides of said keeper, said keeper having an aperture between said flanges, and a lock between said flanges, said lock having an upper enlarged portion overlving said guide flanges, and a peripheral flange underlying said guide flanges. said guides being. deformed at one side of said aperture to constitute a limiting stop for said peripheral flange, the edge of said peripheral flange being sharpened and inclined downwardly.

25. In a paper fastener, in combination, a keeper elevated guide flanges formed along the opposite longitudinal sides of said keeper, said keeper havingr an aperture between said flanges, and a lock between/said flanges, said lock having an upper enlarged portion overlying said guide flanges, and a peripheral flange underlying said guide flanges, said upper portion being formed with a recess in its underside, and a projection formed on one of said guide flanges for engagement in said recess.

26. In a paper fastener, in combination, an elongated keeper, elevated guide flanges along the longitudinal side edges of said keeper, said keeper being formed with a transverse aperture between said flanges, a lock confined to said flanges for movement along said keeper past said aperture, and two longitudinal ribs formed in said keeper between said flanges and at opposite sides of said aperture, said ribs flaring upwardly away from said aperture.

27. In a paper fastener, in combination, an elongated keeper, elevated guide flanges along the longitudinal side edges of said keeper, said keeper being formed with a transverse aperture between said flanges, a circular lock having a peripheral groove slidably embracingsaid flanges for movement past said-aperture, and two longitudinal ribs a limiting stop positioned for wedging engf/,ien said keeper having an aperture between gagement with the underside of said lock.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature at 10 South La Salle Street, Chicago,

Illinois.

DANIEL A. BRENNAN.

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