US1874032A - Loose-leaf post binder - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 30, 1932. c, DAWSQN 1,874,032

LOOSE LEAF POST BINDER Filed April 29, 1931 J6 ,EiU/GWJZUP: 35 James Gflawson Patented Aug. 30, 1932 UNITED STATES JAMES o. DAWSON, E WEBSTER GROVES, MISSOURI, ASsIGnonrro ELMA iv. Dawson,

0E WEBSTER eEov S, MlISSOURI I LOOSE-LEAF ros n? iamnEn Application filed April 29, 1931. Serial. No. 533,718.

This invention relates to center lock loose leaf post binders, and has for its objects to provide a simple and secure locking means and to provide means for offsetting the efiect of the addition of several manufacturing tolerances which heretofore have rendered the lock insecure.

These and other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the binder;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through the upper binder tube, illustrating the operating parts in plan;

Fig. 3 is a section through the upper binder bar on the line 33 of Fig. 2 showing the posts and portions of the locking mechanism in elevation;

Fig. 4 is a vertical, transverse section on the line 44 of Fig. 3, the central elements of the locking mechanism being shown in elevation.

Loose leaf binders of the center lock type usually comprise a flattened lower tubular binder bar 10 to which are aflixed the paper holding posts 12 and 13. The ends of the bar may be closed by the plugs 14 and 15 which frequently are also the hinges for the heavy 30 board cover 16. In general, the same structure is duplicated for the upper cover with the exception that the binder tube 17 is perforated at 18 and 19 to receive the posts 12 and 13.

The locking means for holding the upper bar to the posts is maintained within the tube 17 and is usually forced into engagement with the posts by toggle or wedge means. Up to this point, the binder described is the conventional and well known device.

49 Since the binders are made in relatively enormous quantities and sold at low prices, a suitable manufacturing tolerance must be allowed. Not only must provision be made for variation of from .001 to .002 of an inch in the diameter of the posts, but their location upon the bar 10 varies through a necessarily even greater tolerance. It is not possible to pierce the holes 18 and 19 through the bar 17 with absolute accuracy and, in consequence, there is a possibility that these tolerances may all 'add up in the wrong direction so that whatever locking mechanism is provided willnot even engage the paper holding posts. i

In the present instance the locking means comprise two plates 21 and 22, bent through a right angle at their ends to engage the lower inner wall 23 of the binder bar 17. They bear at their outer ends the blades 24 and 25, which may beheld in place by the. combined spacers and rivets 26 and 27. Preferably the blades 24 and are madeof hardened steel, and are ground to form a cutting edge, after the manner of a cold chisel, but one (the lower) bevel face, 28, I prefer to make shorter than the upper face 29. A threaded stud 31, which bears an integral collar 32, is riveted to the lower wall of the binder bar 17 and extends transversely across the bar and through a clearance, aperture 33 on the opposite side thereof. A thumb nut 34 is threaded upon the stud, and bears a hardened cone 35, loosely fitted upon its shank and held thereon, as by a flange and washer. as shown. This cone enters between the adjacent ends of the plates 21, 22, and when urged downwardly by the nut 34 forces these plates into engagement with the posts 12, 13. Upon the withdrawal of the nut the cone is carried upwardly with it, relieving the pressure upon the plates 21, 22, which are thereupon withdrawn from the posts 12, 13, by the horse-shoe spring 36, which embraces the downturned ends of the plates and is placed under tension by the downward movement of the cone.

Considerable play is allowed between the cone and the nut. In consequence of the sharp taper of the cone and the play allowed,

it is able to occupy any position which may 1. In a loose leaf binder, a tubular binder L,

bar, locking elements within the bar, a

threaded stud fixed in the bottom Wall of the bar and extending through an aperture in the opposite wall, a nut upon the stud and a freely turning cone retained upon the nut and engageable with the locking elements.

2. In alooseleaf binder, in combination, a binder: bar having vertical posts, a hollow binder bar slidably mounted on the posts, slidable locking plates Within the hollow bar and having knifeedges for engaging the posts, adjacent ends of the plates being bentlaterally, a fixed threaded stud located be- 7 tween the plates, a thumb nut threaded upon the stud, and a cone-shaped Wedge-block earried by the stem of the nut and having lateral lost motion relatively thereto and being engageable With the inner ends oi the plates.

In testimony whereof I affix mysignature.

JAMES C. DAWSON,

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