US2103307A

US2103307A - Loose-leaf binder

Info

Publication number: US2103307A
Application number: US677534A
Authority: US
Inventors: Paul O Unger
Original assignee: Wilson Jones Co
Current assignee: Wilson Jones Co
Priority date: 1933-06-26
Filing date: 1933-06-26
Publication date: 1937-12-28
Anticipated expiration: 1954-12-28

Description

Dec.28,1937. P.'O.UNGER I2,103,307

LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed June 26, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet l IN VEN TOR. P401. Q UA/GEQ v ATTORNEY.

D.2s,1937. U GER 2,103,307

LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed June 26, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TOR.

' P404 0 [/A/GEQ ATTORNEY.

Patented Dec. 28,. 1937 UNITED STATES LOOSE-LEAF BINDER Paul 0. Unger, Elmhurst, Ill., assignor to Wilson- Jones Company, Chicago, III., a' corporation of Massachusetts Application June 26, 1933, Serial No. 677,534

11 Claims.

This invention relates to loose leaf binders and more particularly to a trigger adapted to operate the prong plates to open the sheet retaining rings. It is an object of this invention to provide a i trigger that can be manufactured inexpensively and assembled with a minimum of time and labor.

It is a further object of thisinvention to provide a trigger capable of operating toggle plates to open rings held in closed position under extremely .0 heavy tension. It is a further object of this in vention to provide a trigger with a rounded foot portion to prevent disengagement of the foot portion and toggle plates. this invention to provide an abutment for the heel 5 of the trigger to prevent the trigger from slipping.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a trigger with means to prevent the trigger from rattling. Other objects of this invention willbecome apparentupon reading the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a loose leaf binder embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal section 5 showing the trigger mechanism when the rings are in closed position; I

Figure 3 is a cross section through the ring metal and back looking toward the end cap when the rings are in closed position;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing the trigger mechanism in its ring opening position;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing the trigger mechanism in its ring opening posit on;

" Figure 6 is a detail perspective of the trigger;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary top plan view of the binder back with the end cap. and trigger removed; p m Figure 8 is a detail perspective of the end cap and spring; and

Figure 9 is a bottom elevation of the end cap and trigger. H v j In the drawings, the reference numerals 2 and 3 indicate a pair of covers connected to a back member 4 by means of hinges 5, 6. The backmember 4 includes a back plate 1 and a hinge plate 8. The back plate I is" provided with a covering 9' of leather or suitable fabric to match the covering material-on the covers 2, 3. The hinge plate 8 is provided with a projection ill for a purpose hereinafter described. Although the projection I illustrated is formed integral with the hinge plate 8 by embossing a portion thereof adjacent the-end; it is obvious that the projection might be It is a further object of formed by providing an extension on the end of the, hinge plate and bending it into suitable shape, or a separate member might be secured to the hinge plate bywelding or riveting.

A binding mechanism or ring metal ll cured to the back member 4 in any suitable manner. The'ring metal includes a plurality of rings I2 adapted to retain aplurality of sheets l3 in the binder. The-ringsl2 are'anchored to a pair of toggle plates 14 which-are embraced by a spring back l5. The springback does not extend the full length of the toggle plates. A cover plate I6 completes thering metal assembly.

An end cap I! encloses the end of the ring metal i i. The bottom wall N3 of theend cap is provided with a slot 99 having an enlarged poris setion adjacent the end wall 2!. The end wall is provided with a recess 22 communicating with the enlarged portion .20 of the slot IS. The recess 22 is of lesswidth than the end of the enlarged portion 20 with which itcommunicates so that portions of the endwall 2| project .beyond the edges of the enlarged portionlfl, as indicated at 23, Figure 9. v

A trigger 24 is assembled with the end capv l1 before the end cap is positioned over the end of the ring metalv I I. The trigger isprovided with a thumbpiece 25 of any desirable configuration, a substantially upright portion 26, a heel 21 adjoining the lowermost extremity of the upstanding portion 26, and afoot portion 28 extending at approximately right angles to the upstanding portion 26. The trigger is notched, as indicated at 29, Figures 6 and 9, so as to provide a pair of flanges at the inner end of the foot portion 28.

When the trigger 24 is. assembled with the end cap IT, as shown in Figure 9, the notches 29 interengage with the projections 23. The flanges 30 flare outwardly beyond the projections 23 to prevent the trigger from being separated from the end-cap after the slot l9 and its enlarged portion 20 are closed by. contact with the back member 4. When the end cap I1 is positioned over the end of the ring metal II, the side walls are staked, as indicated at 3i, Figure 1, in registration with a pair of notches 32 inthe edges of the cover plate It to secure the end cap rigidly to the ring metal.

As shown in Figure 2, --when the end cap is positioned on the end of the ring, metal, the heel 21 of the trigger is fulcrumed on the back member 4 against the abutment l0 outside of the end cap I1. The abutment II]. also prevents the trigger 24 from slipping out of operative position. The spring back !5 is shorter than in conventional ring metals so that the edge of the spring back cannot interfere with the proper functioning of the trigger. The fulcruming of the heel of the trigger outside of the end cap increases the ease of assembling the trigger, cap and ring metal. A spring 33 secured to the inner end wall of the end cap by the rivets 34 engages against the foot portion of the trigger and exerts pressure against it to urge the foot of the trigger downwardly. This downward pressure also pulls the upstanding portion 26 of the trigger against the end cap and prevents the trigger from rattling. r

The foot portion 28 of the trigger 24 is rounded,

as shown at 35, Figure 2, and terminates in a downwardly extending lip 3.6. When the thumb piece 25 is pressed downwardly, the heel 21 slides slightly along the seat provided by the rounded abutment l0, and the foot portion 28 moves upwardly against the action of the spring 33 until the rounded portion 35 engages the toggle plates I4 and moves them to the position shown in Figure 4 to open the sheet retaining rings l2.

As shown in Figure 4, the downwardly extending lip 36 is beyond the normal range of contact between the foot portion 28 and the toggle plates M. This makes it impossible for the foot portion to become disengaged from the toggle plates so as to cause the trigger to become inoperative;

V The position of the trigger in Figure 4' is the extreme opening position, before the'spring 33 has forced the trigger back to its upright position.

A comparison of Figures 2 and 4 will show that the ratio of the effective length of the foot portion of the trigger, that is from the point of contact of the rounded portion 35 with the toggle plates 14 to the point at which the heel 21 is fulcrumed, to the length of the upstanding portion of the trigger from the fulcrum point of the heel 21 to the uppermost edge of the thumb piece 25 is less at the instant the trigger moves into contact with the toggle plates than at the completion of the ring opening movement. This is true because the rounded heel and foot portions of the trigger cause the points of contact to move closer to the lip 36 and the upright portion 26 of the trigger during the movement of the trigger in opening the rings. V

The change in ratio between the effective length of the foot portion and the upstanding portion of the trigger results in a greater applicatiorfi of force at the start of the ring opening-operation even though constant pressure is exerted on the thumb piece 25 throughout the ring opening operation. As shown in Figure 3, the toggle plates I4 abut at a point slightly below the horizontal plane when the rings are in closed position so that more force is required to move the toggle plates to the horizontal plane than to move the toggle plates from the horizontal plane to the open position shown in Figure 5. Heretofore, triggers for opening rings in loose leaf binders have usually been provided with fixed fulcrums so that it has been impossible to regulate the application of pressure so that the greater force is applied at the start of the ring opening operationwhen there is need for it.

While I have described a preferred embodiment of my invention in detail, it will be understood that the description thereof is illustrative rather than restrictive, as many details may be modified or changed without departing from the spirit or scope of my invention. Accordingly, I do not desire to be restricted to the exact construction described, except as limited by the appended claims.

I claim: 7 I I l. Ina loose leaf binder, a ring metal including a plurality of sheet retaining rings anchored to a pair of toggle plates, a back member to which.

said ring metal is secured, and a trigger for operating said toggle plates to open said rings, said trigger being fulcrumed on said back member between the end of said ring metal and the end of the binder.

2. In a loose leaf binder, a ring metal including aplurality of sheet retaining rings anchored to a pair' of toggle plates, a back member to which said :ring metal is secured, a projection on said back member spaced outwardly from the end of said ring metal, and a trigger for operating said toggle plates to open'saidrings, said trigger being fulcrumed on said back member in contact with said projection.

r 3. In a loose leaf binder, a ring metal, an end cap closingthe end of said ring metal, a back member to which said ring metal is secured, a trigger fulcrumed on said back member outside said end cap but having a foot portion projecting through said end cap to engage said ring metall and a spring in said end can, Said spring engaging said trigger to prevent rattling. I

4;. In a loose leaf binder, a ring metal, an end cap closing the end of said ring metal, aback member to which said ring metal is secured, a trigger 'fulcrumed on said back member outside said end cap but having a foot portion projecting through said end'capto engage said ring metal,

foot portion of'said trigger.

' 5. In a loose leaf binder, a. ring metal ,an end cap enclosing the end of said ring metal, a back member to which said. ring metal is secured, a trigger having a foot portion projecting through said endcap to engage said ring metal, said foot portion terminating in'a heel atone end, and a projection on said back member abutting the heel of said, trigger. ,7 6. In a loose leafbindena ring metal including a plurality of sheet retaining rings, a pairiof toggle plates, a'spring back, and a cover plate,; an end capsecured to said cover plate to enclose the end of said ring metal, a back member to which said ring metal is secured, said back member .be-

ing longer than said ring metal, a trigger for oper ating said toggleplates to open said rings, said trigger including an upstanding portion adjacent the outer face of said end cap, a foot portion extending at an angle to said upstanding portion, and a heel connecting said foot portion and said upstanding portion, said foot portion projecting through said end cap to engage said toggle plates, and a projection on said back member abutting the heel of said trigger. V

'7. In a loose leaf binder,.a ring metal including a plurality of sheet retaining rings, a pair of toggle plates, a spring back and. a cover plate, an end cap secured to said cover plate to enclosethe end of said ring metal, a back member to which said ring metal is secured, said back member extending slightly beyond said end cap, a projection on said back member beyond saidend cap; and a trigger for operating said toggle plates, said trigger being fulcrumed. on said back member between said projection and said end cap.

8. In a loose leaf binder, a back member, an abutment on said back member, a ring metal secured to said back member, said ring metal-iricluding a plurality of rings anchored to a pair of toggle plates, and a trigger, said trigger having a foot portion engaging said'toggle plates andfla, thumb piece, said foot portion terminating in' 'a heel at one end, said heel eng said back member adjacent said abutment and being rounded to permit said foot to move on said abutment inwardly and outwardly of said ring metal in an arcuate path about the heel center during the ring opening movement to vary the effective length of said foot portion during said ring opening movement.

9. In a loose leaf binder, a back member, a curved abutment on said back member, a ring metal secured to said back member, said ring metal including a plurality of rings anchored to a pair of toggle plates, and a trigger, said trigger having a. foot portion engaging said toggle plates, a rounded heel, and a thumb piece, said rounded heel engaging said curved abutment and being adapted to move inwardly and outwardly of said back member in an arcuate path about the heel center during the ring opening movement of said trigger to cause said foot portion to apply varying force against said toggle plates when constant force is applied to said thumb piece.

10. In combination with a loose leaf binder back member having a curved abutment, a ring opening trigger for loose leaf binders including a foot portion having a rounded heel, said rounded heel being so mounted, when said trigger is assembled with a ring metal, as to engage said curved abutment for movement inwardly and outwardly of said back member in an arcuate path about the heel center during the ring opening movement of the trigger.

11. In a loose leaf binder, a ring metal including a plurality of rings anchored to a pair of toggle plates, a back member, an abutment on said back member, and a trigger operable to engage said toggle plates to open said rings, said trigger having a rounded heel fulcrumed on said back member in engagement with said abutment, the fulcrum point of said trigger moving toward the thumb end of said trigger during the ring opening movement.

PAUL O. UNGER,