US1976666A - Loose leaf shift binder - Google Patents

Description

oct. 9, 1934. W. E, HASK|N 1,976,666

LOOSE LEAF SHIFT BINDER Oct. 9, 1934.

WITNESSES W. E. HASKIN LOOSE LEAF SHIFT BINDER Filed Sept.

1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEY depending end flanges 25 and inwardly extending cam extensions 26 is positioned in a telescoping arrangement inside the cam plate 21 and its respective depending end ilanges 23 and inwardly extending cam extensions 24. As illustrated in Figure 6, the cam plate 21 is provided with a diagonally positioned slot 27 adjacent each end while l immediately beneath, the caml plate 22 is pro,-

vided at each end with diagonally positioned slots 28, slots 28 extending at the opposite angle to slots 27. The respective cam extensions 24 and 26 are each provided with slots 37 and Y38, said slots agreeing with the respective slots 27 and 28. The diagonal slo-ts of the respective cam plates and cam extensions are positioned in alignment with the said longitudinal slots 8 and 9 in the kcarri extensions is to cause the respective camv 4platesto slide easily and freely back and forth during manipulation of the device. The cam extensions also serve to hold the cam plates rigidly in parallel planes at all times vso that the turning of leaves impaled on the respective prongs from sideY to side can be done smoothly. From Figure 6, it will also be noted that cam plate 21 is provided with an L-shaped slot 29, and a notch 31 together witha substantially T-shaped 'slot 30 the leg of which is substantially parallel with the diagonal slots 27. Cam plate 22 is likewise provided with an L-sl'laped slot 32, a notch 33 and a substantialy T-shaped slot 34 positioned substantially opposite slot 30, the leg ofthe T extending in the opposite direction and substantialy parallel with the' diagonal slots 28. Rigidly mounted between the base 7 and the cover plate 13 is a cam plate guiding pin 12 which projects through the respective T-shaped slots andzthis arrangement will permit the cam platesto move freely back and forth laterally as desired, but the longitudinal movement thereof to shift the various prongs 35 and 36 is only possible when the guiding pin 12 is opposite the openings'or legs of the respective T- slots or in what may be termed the shift position; It will` be seen that the guiding pin l2 thus vacts to prevent end thrust of the cam plates in the closed and locked positions as shown in Figure 1, and at all other times except the shift positions shown in Figures-2, 3 and 4. Y As illustrated particularly in Figures 8 and 9, the respective cam plates 21 and 22 are provided with turned-over edges 39 and 40 forming the pinching beads for pinching the connecting sections Lil (for instance Figure l1) of therespective sets of prongs 35 and y'The said prongs are thus mounted in a straight line on the respective cam plates. They are preferably arcuate in form, arranged to lierinparallel planes transversely of the back, and grouped in two opposing sets of equal number, the said sets cooperating to receive and impaleleaves'the margins of which are uniformly perforated at regular intervals. The prongs of each respective set areipermanently spaced apart at regular intervals equal to a multiple of the distance between centers of any two consecutive perforations in opposing set and arranged to be reciprocated longitudinally of their carrier in the spaces between the latter prongs. In their staggered arrangement and while in their normal or what may be ltermed non-shift relationship as shown in Figure 1, or in their partly open position as shown in Figure 2, (as contrasted with their single and double shift positions as shown in Figures 3 and 4) each individual prong of one set is positioned in the space between the two immediately opposite consecutive prongs of the other set nearer one of the two than the other and at a point equal to one fourth the distance between them, the said distance being the equivalent of the distance between centers of any two consecutive perforations in the leaves. The respective individual prong members of one set in conjunction with the corresponding individual prong members of theother setform a series of pairs of adjacent overlapping prongs cooperating to form a plurality of arches on which leaves impaled thereon maybe turned from one set of prongs to the other. The distance between the twoindividual prong members forming each of the said-arches,

while in their-non-shift relationship shown' in Figures 1 and 2, vestablisheswhat maybe termed of prongs, a series of every fourthperforaton in coV the leaves impaled upon the set of prongs 35 coinv cides and registers with the said set, and, as the said leaves are turned to the opposite set of prongs 36 a second series of every fourth perforation,

next adjacent; to the first mentioned series, coin- '-f' is increased to exactly twice that of the normal j or non-shift position, or the equivalent of twice the distance between centers of any two consecutive perforations in the leaves whereby when the l leaves impaled upon the set of prongs 35 are turned to the opposite set 36 a third series of every fourth perforation ,in the leaves, next inporder to the last above mentioned, coincides and registers with the set of prongs 36. When the respective set of prongs are moved to the double shift position as shown in Figurel the said lateral spacing is increased to exactly three times that of normal, or the equivalent of three times the distance between centers' of the said perforations whereby a fourth progressive series 'of the said fourth perforations coincides and registers A' with the set of prongs 36 whenthe said leaves are turned from prongs 35. `Referring to Figure 5,` it will be seen that in the fully opened position of the respective sets of prongs the .said lateral spacing between the two members of any of the j has.

said arches is exactly the same as that of normal.

By reason of section 41, the prongs are arranged in couples of two,but by reason of/the various apertures in the beads 39 and 40, the individual prongs 35 and 36 are spaced an equal distance apart and are held rigidly in place by reason of the pinching action of the beads 39 and 40. Also, if desired, the respective coupling sections 41 of the prongs may be spot welded or otherwise rigidly held in place. In order to properly and easily manipulate the cam plates longitudinally, a shift `lever 42 is provided. This lever is pivotally mounted on the cover plate 13 by a pin 43, which pin may be hollow and if desired may be pressed up as an integral projection from the cover plate. The lever 42 is 'in eect triangular shaped constituting what may be termed a T-lever and carries pins 44 and 45 which extend through arc-shaped slots 46 and 4'lin the cover plate 13 and through the L- shaped slots 29 and 32 of cam plates 21 and 22.

The longitudinal movement of the respective parallel cam plates by the actuation of the lever 42 is simultaneous and in opposite directions relative to each other and of equal distance relative to the transverse center line of the unit.

The U-shaped hand operated member 50 is formed with legs of unequal length swingably mounted or pivoted on the actuating pin 10, as

391 illustrated in Figure '7, and in the performance of its two functions in operating the device it constitutes what may be termed a swingable operating member. By reason of its connection with the reciprocating slide, through the actuating pin 10, it forms a part of a sliding system and acts therein as the pusher or tractor of the said reciprocating slide. The longer leg ofthe member 50 is provided with a longitudinal slot 49 terminating at one end in an enlargement 51. The T-lever 42 also carries a pin 48 which loosely extends through the slot 49, and by reason of this sliding connection the T-lever 42 and the swingable operating member 50 form a compound lever system whereby when the member 50, acting in this instance as a lever, is swung on its pivot it will actuate the T-lever accordingly. Concerning the enlargement 51 in the slot 49, this is particularly provided in order that the head of pin 48 in the assembly of parts may pass therethrough so that the head will rest on top of the swingable operating member. In addition to this feature, this arrangement permits the swingable operating member to spring over the projection 52, in locking.

For the purpose of actuating the reciprocating slide to move the respective sets of prongs towards or away from each other transversely of the back, the swingable operating member 50 is preferably designed to be advanced or retracted with its longitudinal center line coinciding with the longitudinal center line of the cover plate as shown in Figures 2 and 5. The looped end is prevented from movement to the left of the said center line of the cover plate by reason of the pin 48 of the T-lever projecting throughslot 49 and which pin is prevented from movement to the right of the said center line of the cover plate by the lever pins 44 and 45 reaching the limit of their movement in the slots 46 and 47 in the cover plate. The looped end ofthe swingable'operating member is thus confined to movement only to the right of the longitudinal center line of the cover plate, and the range of this latter movement is controlled and limited by what may be termed the shift plate 53, Which may be integral with the said operating member or formed separate and secured thereto. Movement of the loopedend of the swingable operating member 50 to the right of the longitudinal center line of the cover plate is for the purpose of actuating the T-lever to lock the parts in their closed Vposition as shown in Figure 1, or tomove the prongsl to the shift positions as shown in Figures 3 and 4. Plate 53 has an edge 54 positioned parallel tothe side edge of the swingable operating member 5i),

and an inclined edge 54 adaptedto move in back of the pinV 55 carried by the cover plate 13 when the parts are in their closed and locked' position as illustrated in Figure 1. The end surface 54' and pin 55 assist the projection 52 and associated parts in locking the swingable operating member and other parts against accidental movement. The width of the shift plate is such that its edge 54 will freely pass the pin 55 in the operation of opening the prongs as illustrated in Figure 5, and will prevent movement of the looped end of the swingable operating member to the right except at the shift positions illustrated in Figures 2, 3 and 4. The shift plate 53 is provided with. a notch 56 merging into an offset notch 57' and acting as a'two-step guide when shifting the cam plates. For instance, when it is desired to shift the cam plates, the parts are moved substantially to the position shown in Figure 2, and then the swingable operating member 50 is swung Yover to the position shown in Figure 3. This will actuate the T-lever to shift the cam plates suiciently to cause the prongs 35 and 36 to move one step in opposite directions longitudinally of the back or a total combined distance equal to the distance between the centers of any two consecutive perforations 58 and 59 in the leaves 60 and 61. If it should be desired to further shift the prongs so as to shift the same two steps, the swingable operating member 50 is pulled longitudinally fromY the position shown in Figure 3 and then swung further to the right until it assumes the position shown in Figure 4 whereupon a double shift position has been secured. After the leaves have been properly adjusted, the swingable operating member 50 is swung back to the position shown in Figure 2 and then pushed longitudinally until theY parts are in the position shown in Figure 1, after which the swingable operating memberis again swung to the right to the locked po- T..

sition and the operation of shifting has been completed.

It is to be especially pointed out that the movement of the respective cam plates and the'prongs mounted thereon is always simultaneous and in j.

opposite directions; that they are constantly tudinal positions against accidental movement of one camplate independently of the other; that maintained in their relative lateral and longithe longitudinal movement of the said cam plates can only occur at two i'lxed, partly open positions at which time the points ofthe opposing sets of prongs are still overlapped sufficiently to prevent accidental spilling of the leaves in turning the same from side to side and that the points of the j;

respective opposing sets of prongs are maintained rigidly inthe same plane by reason of their support by the bearing afforded by the cam extensions 24 and 26 to insure proper registration lofl the prong points with the perforation in `the leaves.

In the operation of the binder, the leaves are placed on the respective prongsV 35 starting from the bottom and are overlapped as shown in Figure 1 with the lower name-bearing margin exposed.

The leaves are preferably designed tobe of a size to include'multiples of four and-a minimum of eight marginal perforations equally spaced and therprongs arespaced on centers equaLto four times the distance between centersA of thesaid perforations so that each leaf will at all times be held in place by at least two prongs in `the case of eight perforations and three prongs in the case of twelve perforations.l The opposite set ofprongs are equally spacedfand the two sets of prongs are oiset with relationV to eachother exactly the distance between centersofthe said perforations. Theleaves are preferably provided with a marginal space at the lower righthand cornerof the face and the upper left-hand corner of the back thereof for the insertion of the name of the account or other index lofthe record therein contained. f 1; If, for example, the leaves bear the names of accounts arranged inV alphabetical order and it is desired to enter a new account in its proper place,

all the leaves of the section or page are first turned by hand to register on'the oppositesetof prongs 35, and the swingable operating-member 50 is manuallyY actuatedto arrange the parts for a single shift position as shown in Figure 3. All the ,leaves belowthe point at which itis desired Vto, insert the new leaf are then swung back to prongs 35 and the swingableoperating member 50Ireturned to the position as shown in Figure 2, whereby a space is provided for the-new account. The swingable operating member 50 isv then extended to the full open position shown in Figure 5 and the new leaf inserted on prongs 35 in its proper place. Swingable operating member 59 is then restored to its locliedrposition as in Figure 1, and the operation is complete.

If it is desired toA remove aleaf and insert-a new one in its place, the leaves abovethe point of change are swung to prongs 36 \.vhile.the lea f to be removed and all those below-it remain on prongs 35. The swingable operating memberA listhen actuated to the full open position, Figure 5, and

the changeeected. v-

If it is desired to removea single leaf and close in the gap, the leaves above the removal point are swung to prongs'36, thebalance remaining on prongs 35, and theswingable operatinginember 50 is actuated to the full open position,A Figure 5, and the leaf removed.- The. swingable `operating member 50 is thenactuated to the single shift position, Figure 3, and the leaves remaining on prongs 35 are turned to prongs 36. The swingable operating member 50 is then restored to its normal closed position, Figure 1.

If it is then desired to remove v4two adjacent leaves and close in the gap, the same procedure is followed except that the double shift asA shown inv Figure4 is used instead ofthe single shift.

While I have illustrated what I believeto loethe preferred embodimentof my invention, itis obvious that changes may be made in thegeneral form and arrangementY of Athe parts without .departing from the spirit of the invention; hence vI do not limit myself to the speciiic detailsr set; forth but consider myself at liberty to makesuch changes and alterations as fairly fall within the-scopeof theclaims. Y'

IclairnyI p' v1. A loose leaf binder includingaback, a base plate carried by said back, a cover plate carried by said back, a pairk of cam `plates arranged between the baseplate and cover plate, va set of prongs carried by each .of saidcamplatessaid prongs extending transversely of the back, said having identical longitudinalrslots, adjacent each end, a pair of v parallel cam plateseach plate having-agbent-.down end and a cam extension,v one plate and-'itsextension telescoping within theV other plate and extension, said rcam plates ,and extensions being provided with identically formed inclined slots :with the slots in one plate and extension. extending at the opposite angle to the slots in the other, a set of prongs carriedby each of said plates, actuating pins extending through the slots in therespective cam plates and the said base and cover plates, a link connecting said actuating` pins, means Vfor moving said link so that said pins will cause the cams to move said prongs in opposite directions transversely of said back, and swingable means vfor moving said cam plates in opposite directions longitudinally of said back.

3. A loose leaf binder including a back, a base rigidly secured to said back, a cover plate having depending end flanges attached to said base, a pair of prong-,carrying cam plates arranged between said base and said cover plate, each of the said cam plates having a pair of inclined slots, saidbase and saidcover plate having longitudinal slots,l there being a group of said slots at each end of-thebindenan actuating pin extending through each group of slots, a link connecting saidactuating pins, and a hand operated member connected vto one of said actuating pins for moving said actuating pins whereby rsaid cam platesand the prongs carried thereby may be moved transversely of said back.

4., A loos-e leaf shift binder including a pairof cam plates having transverse slots, each of said plates carrying a group rof leaf-receiving prongs, means formoving said groups of prongs toward andfrom each other, and means for shifting said groups-of prongs longitudinally, said latter means including Va lever, having pins extending into said slots and means for swinging said lever for-simultaneously moving said cam plates and said groups of prongs in opposite directions.

v5'. IA loose leaf binder including a back,V a pair of1camplates, ,each cam plate having a curledover edge forminga clamping bead, a plurality of sets of prongs each comprising a pair .of prong membersv anda connecting section, said connectclamped by one of said beads while theprong members extend through the bead, whereby the sets ofprongswill move as a unit with the cam plates, means for mounting said cam plates on said back, means for shifting the said plates by cam action'transvers'ely of .said back vfor: sepa-` rating saidl prongs laterally, Cand means for movingfthe said plates byleveraction for shifting the' said prongs longitudinally of said back.

; 6: A loose leaf shiftbinder including a pair of cam plates, each cam plate having a group of prongs,. manually actuated slide means operatively connected with said plates for moving them simultaneously in opposite directions laterally and leverV means operatively connected with said plates for moving themv simultaneously vin opposite directions longitudinally whereby the respective prongs are shifted correspondingly.

7. A loose leaf shift binder including a back, aV

base plate mounted on said back, a cover plate mounted on said back, a pair of cam plates arranged between said base and cover plates, each cam plate having a transverse slot, a diagonal slot and a group of leaf receiving prongs, a manually actuated swingable operating member provided with a slot extending longitudinally thereof at one end, an actuating pin upon which said swingable loperating member is pivoted and which extends through said diagonally position-ed slots whereby when said swingable operating member is operated to move said actuating pin longitudinally of the cam plates said cam plates will be moved transversely of the back, a substantially T-shaped lever, a fixed pivot for said lever secured to said cover plate, said pivot being mounted at the junction of the arms of the lever and a substantially equal distance from the end of each transverse arm, means extending from the ends of the said transverse arms of the T-lever into said transverse slots and a shift pin extending through the Slot in said swingable operating member, said shift pin being fixed to the third arm of said T-lever whereby when said swingable operating member is swung on said actuating pin, said T-lever will be swung on its pivot and thereby move said cam plates longitudinally of the back for shifting said groups of prongs.

8. A loose leaf binder comprising two opposing' groups of co-operating prongs adapted to receive the leaves, reciprocating means for controlling and moving said groups of prongs laterally to an open or a closed position, said shifting of' the prongs acting to permit leaves to be inserted or removed, and lever means for shifting and controlling the relative position of said groups of prongs longitudinally while they are in a `partly open position, said shifting of the prongs acting to permit leaves to be advanced or retracted along the binder.

9. A loose leaf shift binder comprising a rigid back, a pair of movable prong carriers mounted on said back, a plurality of prongs mounted on the carriers and adapted to receive leaves, and lever means for shifting said respective prong carriers simultaneously, and in opposite direc-- tions longitudinally of Said back, whereby said leaves may be advanced or retracted along the binder.

l0. A loose leaf shift binder including a rigid back, two groups of leaf-receiving prongs carried by the back, reciprocating mechanical means for moving the said groups of prongs under constant control toward and from each other and transversely of the back, said movement permitting leaves to be added, removed or replaced and lever shifting means for moving said groups of prongs at a partly open position and under constant control relatively longitudinally of the back, whereby groups of said leaves may be turned from side to side to shift them longitudinally of the back relative to other groups of leaves.

11. A loose leaf shift binder including a rigid back, a pair of parallel cam plates carried by said back, a group of arcuate prongs carried by each plate, and a slide mechanism connected with said plates for simultaneously shifting the said plates and the prongs thereon relatively in opposite directions transversely of the back by positive cam action and an accurately controlled lever mechanism connected with said plates for simultaneously shifting the said plates and the prongs thereon relatively in opposite directions longitudinally of the back to positive intermediate and ultimate positions.

12. A loose leaf shift binder including a rigid back, a pair of cam plates mounted on said back, said plates being movable transversely and longitudinally relative to said back, each of said plates provided with a set of leaf-receiving arcuate prongs, a manually operated pivoted member actuating ar sliding cam mechanism connested with saidvplates for shifting said plates transversely of the back, each of said plates having a transverse slot, a lever pivotally mounted centrally on a fixed pivot, means extending from the respective arms of the lever projecting into said slots, said pivoted operating member having a longitudinally positioned slot, a pin extending through said slot and into said lever whereby when said operating member is swung on its pivot it will automatically swing said lever for the longitudinal movement of said cam plates and said prongs carried thereby.

13. A loose leaf shift binder including a pair of cam plates, each plate having a group of leafreceiving prongs, a sliding system comprising a swingable operating member together with a reciprocating slide connected with the said plates forshifting them by cam action transversely, a compound lever system comprising the said swingable operating member together with a pivotally mounted T-lever connected with the said plates for moving them longitudinally, a shift plate carried by the said swingable operating member provided with a primary and secondary-notch, ,said secondary notch being offset from the primary notch, anda fixed post coacting with said shift plate and adapted to be received .in said notches according tothe amount of swinging of said operating member whereby the degree of longitudinal shifting of said prongs is governed. I 14. A loose leaf shift binder including two cam plates, each cam plate carrying a group of prongs, a manually actuated swingable operating member operatively connected with said cam plates for moving them laterally, and alever structure formed with means operatively connected with the swingable operating member and the lcam plates for moving the latter longitudinally, whereby the respective prongs are moved in like manner.

15. A loose leaf shift binder including a back, two parallel prong carriers mounted on the back, two opposing interspaced sets Vof identical arcuate prongs lying in parallel planes transversely of the back mounted in a straight line on the respective carriers and adapted to receive leaves perforated at regular intervals, the respective prongs of each of the said sets being spaced apart equally at a distance equal to a multiple of the space between centers of any two consecutive perforations in the leaves, each individual prong of one set being staggered with respect to and positioned in the space between the two immediately opposite consecutive prongs of the other set nearer one of the two than the other, the said individual prong members of one set forming with the respective individual prong members of the opposite set a series of pairs of adjacent overlapping prongs co-operating to create a plurality of arches on which leaves impaled thereon may be turned from one set of prongs to the other, the normal lateral spacing between the two members of each of the said arches being equal to the said distance between centers los of any two consecutive perforations in the leaves,

means for sliding the said carriers simultaneously whereby the said lateral spacing between the two` members of each of the said arches may be increased from that of the said normal by a progressive multiple of the distance between centers of any two consecutive perforations in the leaves.

16.4 A loose leaf shift binder including a back, a base rigidly secured to said back, a cover plate havingr dependinglend ilanges attached to said base, a pair of cam plates arranged between said base and said cover plate, each cam plate having a group of leaf-receiving prongs, a transverse slot, a diagonal slot, a substantially T-shaped slot the leg thereof being positioned substantially parallel to the said diagonal slot with the leg of one of the said T-slots extending'in the oppo'- site ldirection to the other, a manually actuated swingable operating member provided with a slot extending'longitudinally thereof at one end, an

actuating pin upon which said swingable operating member is pivoted and which extends through Vsaid diagonally positioned slots whereby when saidswingable operating member is operated to move said actuating pin Alongitudinally of the cam plates said cam plates will be moved transversely Vof the back, a fixed guiding pin mounted between the said baise and cover plates extending through said T-shaped slots whereby the said cam plates will be prevented from longitudinal movement while they arevbeing moved trans'- versely, asubstantially T-shaped lever, a xed pivot vfor said lever secured to said cover'plate, said pivot being mounted'at the junction of the arms of the T-lever and a substantially equal distance from the end of each transversearm, means extending from the ends of the said transverse arms of the T-lever into said transverse slots, and a shift pin extending through the slot in saidswingable operating member, said shift pinr being fixed to the thirdvarm of said T-lever whereby when said swingable operating member isswung on said actuating-pin said T-lever will be` swung on its pivot and thereby actuate and control the movement of said cam plates longitudinally for shifting said groups of prongs, the said xed guiding pin acting to permit the saldlongitudinal movement vof the cam plates only when it is in positionA to idle in the longitudinal legs of the said T-shaped slots.

17. A loose leaf shift Ybinder including a base ing pin extending through the said longitudinalr slots of the said base and cover plates and the diagonal slots of the said cam plates, a manually actuated swingable operating memberprovided with a slot extending longitudinally thereof atV one end and pivotally mounted on the said actuating pin whereby when the'said swingable operating member moves said actuating pin longitu-Y dinally of the cam plates said cam plates will be moved transversely to open and closed positions; a `fixed .guiding pin mounted between the said base and cover plates extending through said transverse slot whereby said cam plates are prevented from longitudinal movement, a substantially Teshaped lever mounted ona fixed pivot secured to said cover plate, said pivot being positioned at the junction of the arms of the lever, leverage pins extending from the ends of the transverse. arms of the lever into said L-shaped slots, and a shift pin extending-through the slot in said swingable operatingmember, said shift pin being xed to-.the third .arm'of said T-lever whereby when said swingable operating member is swung on said actuating pin when the cam plates are in closed positions said T-lever'will be swung on its pivot and the said leverage pins will enter the longitudinal leg of the said L-shaped slots whereby'the said cam plates and the prongs mounted thereon will be locked against acciden tal lateralmovement, the said xed guiding pin coacting to prevent longitudinal movement of the said cam plates. v

18. A loose leaf shift binder comprising ,a pair of prong carriers, prongs on each carrier, a manually actuated operating member, reciprocating means connected with said 'operating member for sliding the respectivecarriers simultaneously in

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