US2255138A - Loose-leaf binder - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 9, 1941. C. w. VOGT 2,255,138

LOOSE-LEAF BINDER Filed March 7, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet l 1? 63 INVENTOR 61 Czr'encgllf Vega BY ATTORNEYS- Sept. 9, 1941.

c w. VOGT 2,255,138

LOOSE-LEAF BINDER Filed March 7, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 W I- I 5 8? 3a W98 m. "HI I:

FQ O 35 5 h 60 -21 INVENTOR 63 Clarence iZVoy 58 a? 7 i Q- ATTORNEYS p 1941- c. w. VOGT 2,255,138

LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed March 7, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR Ciafelwe WVoyf ATTORNEYS Sept. 9, 1941. Q w, VOGT 2,255,138

.LOOSE-LEAF BINDER Filed March 7, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 is' laai" INVTOR &

57 flak-*6 69 2 6 W 10 ATTORNEYS Patented Sept. 9, 1941 'UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LOOSE -LEAF BINDER Clarence W. Vogt, Norwalk, Gonn. Application March 7, 1939, Serial No. 260,269

23 Claims.

It has been proposed to provide a loose leaf binder with two pivotally supported opposed rows of sheet retaining prongs, movable in opposite directions across the back, to afford extra room at the inner edges of the loose sheets in open position of the binder. This permits the sheets to lie flatter for easy reference, and permits said sheets to be separated into two batches for retention on the two rows of prongs. This separation allows the prongs to be angularly raised with respect to the open covers for removal or insertion of the sheets.

One object of the present invention is to provide a loose leaf binder of the general type referred to, having new and improved means for connecting the two opposed rows of prongs to insure simultaneous correlated swinging movement with a minimum amount of lost motion there-between.

Another object is to provide new and improved releasable means for locking the covers in open position, while the prongs are in raised position with respect to the covers, to prevent injury to the sheets resulting from accidental closing of the covers While said prongs are in this position.

Another object is to provide a new and improved loose leaf binder of the general type referred to, which is simple in construction, comparatively inexpensive to manufacture and reliable in operation.

Another object is to provide a loose leaf binder of this general type, having a minimum number of slidable and movable parts, whereby wear, lost motion and undesirable binding action between said parts is reduced to a minimum.

Another object is to provide a binder construction, in which the insertion of the sheets on the angularly raised prongs is facilitated. For that purpose, the mechanism interconnecting the two opposed rows of prongs for correlated angular movement is so constructed as to act as a guide or support for the inner edges of the loose sheets, as they are being impaled on said prongs.

Another object is to provide means for locking the two opposed rows of prongs against pivotal raising movement beyond a predetermined angular position with respect to the open covers, said locking position being desirably 'just beyond the position where the inner ends of the two prong rows cease to overlap. By means of this construction, the sheets may be more easily transferred from one row of prongs to the other, since the inner ends of the two rows of prongs are closer together than they would be if these prongs were at right angles to the open cover.

Another object is to provide a binder construction of the general type referred to, in which the hinge connections between the back, and the covers are subjected to a minimum amount of strain resulting from opening and closing of the covers.

Various other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following particular description, and from an inspection of the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective of one form of binder, embodying my invention, and shown with one cover in open position,

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the binder with both covers in open position, and with the sheet retaining prongs lockeda'cross the back,

Fig. 3 is an elevation of the binder with both covers in open position, and the prongs angularly raised in position to permit removal or insertion of the sheets,

Fig. 4 is an inside face view of the empty binder in open position, with the prongs locked across the back, the binding being eliminated for the sake of clarity,

Fig. 5 is an end view of the empty binder in the position shown in Fig. 4, but on a larger scale,

Fig. 6 is an elevation of the empty binder, but showing the covers in closed position,

Fig. 'l is an elevation of the empty binder, but

showing the prongs in raised angular position with respect to the open covers, to permit the sheets to be inserted on or removed from said prongs,

Fig. 8 is a section taken on line 88 of Fig. 5,

Fig. 9 is an enlargement of part of Fig. 4, and showing certain parts broken away,

Fig. 10 is a section taken on lin Ill-l0 of Fig. 9 and Fig. 13,

Figs. 11, 12, 13 and 14 are sections taken on lines II-Il, l2|2, l3--I3 and |4--l4 of Fig. 9 respectively,

Fig. 15 is a perspective of a portion of the mechanism, interconnecting the two rows of prongs for correlated movement, and shown in separated position,

Fig. 16 is a section taken on line Iii-l6 of Fig. 4, but showing a single sheet retained on the prongs,

Fig. 17 is a perspective of a portion of the bar forming part of the interconnecting mechanism between the two rows of prongs,

Fig. 18 is a section taken between the back and one of the covers, and showing the binding,

Fig. 19 is a perspective showing another form of means for locking the two hinged members of the correlating mechanism in prong holding position,

Fig. 20 is a top plan view of another form of binder operating mechanism, embodying the present invention, and shown in position in which the prongs are locked across the back,

Fig. 21 is a transverse section through the binder of Fig. 20, with the prongs locked across the back,

Fig. 22 is a section similar to that of Fig. 21, but showing the prongs angularly raised in position to permit removal or insertion of the sheets,

Fig. 23 is a section taken on line 23-23 of Fig. 21,

Fig. 24 is a section taken on line 24-44 of Fig. 20, but showing the mechanism in the position of Fig. 22, and

Fig. 25 is a section taken on Fig. 20.

In the specific form of. the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 18, the outer binder frame or casing includes a flat rigid non-bendable back Iii, desirably of comparatively thick cardboard, and a pair of covers II, also desirably of thick cardboard, and hinged to the respective side edges of said back, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 and more specifically in Fig. 18. The hinge connections between the covers II and the back 59 are desirably formed by the outer flexible facing sheet |2 of suitable binding material such as Fabrikoid extending loosely across the hinge gaps l3 and the inner flexible facing sheet M of similar binding material, extending with slack across said hinge gaps, the loose sections of the two facing sheets I2 and M in said gaps being adhesively secured together at E5 to form loose hinge connections. These binding sheets l2 and 14 are not shown in Figs. 4 to 7, and 9 .to 13 for the sake of clarity.

Pivotally carried by each cover H is aprong holder or frame 20, comprising a longitudinal right angle bar section 2|, and a pair of end flanges 22, extending transversely thereof and pivotally connected at 23 to the inner sides of brackets 24 respectively. Each. bracket 24 extends transversely of and is rigidly connected to its respective cover H, and for that purpose has a base flange 25, seated on said cover and affixed thereto in any suitable manner or in a manner to be hereinafter described.

Rigidly connected to the upstanding leg 25 of each frame bar 2| is a row of parallel straight sheet retaining prongs 2! of equal length, two in each row being shown, extending transversely of said leg, and staggered with respect to, and overlapping the prongs 21 of the opposed row connected to the other frame bar 2|.

In order to permit the loose sheets, A to lie flatter and closer to the open covers l as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 16, the upper edge of each of the frame legs 25 is desirably provided with a pair of substantially semi-circular projections 28, centrally perforated to receive the outer ends of the prongs 21, the projecting portions of said prong ends being upset to form rigid connections with said frame legs. These frame projections 28 are sufliciently small to permit them to pass freely through the prong receiving apertures of the loose sheets A as shown in Fig. 16, so that the portions of said sheets outwardly beyond said frames will lie flatter and closer to their respective open covers The lengthof the prongs 21 is such, that when the covers II are in closed position shown in line 255 -25 of Fig. 6, each of these prongs will extend almost the full distance between the covers. In this closed position, since the two frame bars 2| are parallel to each other and parallel to their respective covers H, the upstanding bar legs 26 will face each other and will be closely adjacent to their respective covers ll, while the prongs 21 will lie in a single plane parallel to the back l8. Also in this position of the binder, the brackets 24 will have their pivotal mountings 23 spaced inwardly from the side edges of the back I0 as shown.

As the covers are swung into open position, they will carry the brackets 24 with them, thereby causing their pivotal mountings 23 to move outwardly from the side edges of the back i0 until said covers are in the plane of said back, as shown in Fig. 5. As these pivotal mountings 23 are moved outwardly from their original position shown in Fig. 6, they will carry the prong frames 20 outwardly with respect to the side edges ofthe back It, thereby causing transverse movement of said frames apart, and corresponding separating movement of the two rows of prongs. This operation is not sufllcient to move the two rows of prongs 2'! beyond overlapping relationship, so that while these prongs are held downwardly in a single plane parallel to the back it the sheets will be retained on said prongs and can be turned between the covers.

As the closed covers II are opened, the sheets A are flattened out as shown in Fig. 2, causing them to apply a leverage to the prongs 27, tending to swing them upwardly about their pivotal supports 23 to the position shown in Fig. 7.

Releasable means are provided for holding the prongs 27 in a single plane parallel to the back it, and to confine the movement of said prongs endwise as the binder is opened and closed. In the specific form shown, this holding means comprises .a pair of runner bars 35, welded or otherwise secured at their outer ends to the underside of the legs 36 of the frame bars 28?, near the middle thereof. These bars 35 are parallel to the prongs 2'? and are confined for endwise opposed movement in a guide 37, while said guide is locked in position close to the inner face of the back I.

As an important feature of the present invention, the prong holding and guiding mechanism above described also serves as a means for correlating the swinging movement of the two rows of prongs about their pivotal mountings 23. For that purpose, the guide 31 comprises two channel-shaped sections 38 and 39, hinged together 'at their inner ends by a pivot pin 48, and slidably engaging the inner ends of the bars 35 to form a coupling therebetween. Each of these coupling sections comprises a top wall 4| and substantially parallel front and rear walls 42, and the bars '35, desirably in the form of angle irons, are displaced from opposite sides of the longitudinal medial line of said coupling sections, so that one of said bars slidably nests in a corner of one of said sections, formed between said top wall and one of said walls 42, while the other bar slidably nests in the opposite corner of the other coupling section. To hold these bars 35 in this nested position while the coupling members 3|! and ,39 slide over the ends thereof, the channel wall 42 of each nesting corner is formed with an inwardlyturned flange 48, forming a track for the lower edgeof the leg 49 of the corresponding bar 35. Cut out from the top wall 4| of each coupling member, and extending into the interior thereof are tongues 50 and The tongue 58 extends substantially at right angles to the top wall 4| to form a guide for the edge of the leg 52 of the corresponding bar 35, while the tongue 5| is turned substantially parallel to said wall to form a track seat for said leg.

When the prongs 21 are raised angularly about their pivotal mountings 23- from the position shown in Fig. 5, the bars 35, being rigid with the prong frames 20, will move angularly upwardly therewith. Since the inner ends of these bars 35 are coupled together by the slidable hinged connection 31, the angular movement of these bars will be correlated.

The hinge pin 40 in the angular movement of the prongs 21 is maintained in the central vertical plane B of the binder (Fig. 7), so that the two opposed rows of prongs will be accurately correlated for simultaneous equal angular movement, without binding action between the bars 35 and the slidable hinged coupling 31 thereon, and without lost motion between these bars. For that purpose, the rear wall 42 of one of the coupling members, as for instance member 38, has an ear extension 55, to which is pivotally connected at 56 one end of a centralizing link 51, the other end being pivotally connected at 58 to a bracket 59 secured to the inner face of the back 18. One desirable method of securing this bracket 59 to the inner face of the back H), is to provide said bracket with a base plate 60 seated on the inner binding sheet l4. Opposite to this bracket base 60 on the outer bare face of the back 16, and concealed by the outer binding sheet I2 is a binding plate 6|. The two plates 60 and 6| are provided with cylindrical flanges extending in apertures in the back l0, and interlocked within said apertures as shown in Fig. 10. A similar construction can be used for affixin the base plates 25 of the prong holding brackets 24 to hinder plates 63.

With the correlating mechanism described, as one row of prongs 21. is raised about its pivotal mountings 23, the corresponding angular movement of its associated bar 35 rigid therewith is transmitted through the coupling device 31 to the other bar 35, and in turn to the other row of prongs 21. During this angular operation the coupling member 38, through the instrumentality of the link 51, is moved along its corresponding bar 35 towards the free end of said bar in predetermined slide position, in accordance with the angular position of said bar, to maintain the hinge connection 40 centrally in the vertical center plane B of the binder. This causes a corresponding slide movement of the other coupling member 39 along its corresponding bar 35, so that the angular movement of the two bars 35 is accurately correlated.

In order to releasably lock the two coupling sections 38 and 39 in alignment shown in Figs. 5 and 6, to hold and guide the prongs 21 parallel to the back I6 during opening and closing movement of the covers N, there is provided a spring latch, operated from a spring pressed lever 65, of substantial length extending along the front side of said coupling sections. This lever 65 is in the form of an angle member, with one flange 66 having a fixed pivot connection at 61 with the outer end of the coupling section 38, and a slide pivot connection at 68 with the outer end of the other coupling section 39. The other flange 13 of the lever forms a finger piece, and is desireably curved transversely the full length thereof to conveniently serve this purpose.

The pivotal connections 56 and 61 of the cen-, tralizing link 51 and of the lever 65 respectively are desirably in axial alignment, and are advantageously formed by a single pin 69 fastened to and extending between the opposed walls 42 of the coupling section 38. The slide connection 68 is formed by a pin 18 connected to the walls 42 of the coupling section 39, and passing loosely through an elongated slot H in the lever flange 66.

The lever 65 is resiliently mounted for angular movement with respect to the coupling or guide sections 38 and 39, and for that purpose, the pivot pins 69 and 10 have end sections, which extend loosely through and forwardly of the lever flange 66, and which are encircled by coil springs 16, pressing said flange against said coupling sections.

For locking the two coupling sections 38 and 39 in alignment shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the lever flange 66 is provided with a slit 19 near the center thereof just below the finger piece 13, and the metal of said flange below said slit is pressed outwardly to form a bulge or latch trap 80. The inner ends of the front walls 42 of the two coupling sections 38 and 39 are turned outwardly to form lugs 8|, shaped substantially in the form of a triangle to correspond to the shape of the bulge and to flt snugly therein, as shown in Fig. 14. When the two angularly positioned coupling sections 38 and 39 are moved towards alignment, the forward inclined edges 82 of the lugs 8| engaging the inner face of the lever flange 66 will cam said flange forwardly about its pivotal supports 69 and 10 until said coupling sections come into alignment, in which position said lugs will be latched by the action of the springs 16 into locking engagement in the interior of the bulge 80, as shown inFig. 14. In order to release the two coupling sections 38 and 39 from aligned position shown in Fig. 5 to permit swinging movement of the prongs 21 about their pivotal mountings 23, the finger piece is depressed to cause angular movement of the lever 65 forwardly or downwardly to the right from the position of Fig. 14 about the pivotal supports 69 and 10. This causes the lugs 8| to be moved out of the bulge 88, so that the two bars 35 with their associated coupling sections 38 and 39 are permitted to swing angularly upward into the position shown inFigs. 3 and 7. As these bars 35 are swung angularly upwardly, they will carry the lever 65 therewith, while maintaining said lever substantially parallel to the back I8.

In Fig. 19 is shown another form of construction for locking the two coupling sections 38 and 39 in alignment. In this construction, the lever flange 66 is provided with a pair of slits 85, the metal therebelow being pressed outwardly to form bulges 86, and the front walls 42 of the two coupling sections 38 and 39 are similarly provided with bulges 81 respectively. When the two coupling sections 38 and 39 are moved into alignment, the bulges 66 will come into registry with the bulges 81, and will be pressed by the springs 16 into nesting relationship, so that said sections will be latched in said aligned position for prong guiding action. In order to release the two coupling sections 38 and 39 from this aligned position, the finger piece 13 is depressed in a manner already described.

The linkage system forming part of the correlating mechanism between the two rows of prongs 21 is self-locking against angular movement beyond upright position shown in Figs. 3 and '7. To resist gravitational return movement of this linkage system and the prongs 2'i towards the position shown in'Fi-gfi5, especially-when the binder is empty, the lever flange 65 is provided with a pair of rearwardly directed project-ions or teats 88 on opposite sides of the hinge pin 40. In upright position of the prongs 21 shown in Figs. 3 and 7, these teats m -extend just directly below the lower edges of the coupling sections 38' and 39, and thereby prevent or resist downward angular movement of said sections; In order that these teats 88 do not interfere with the latching of the lever 55 into locking position with respect-to the coupling 'sections-38 and 39, the frontwa-lls-H of said sections are provided respectively with-apertures 89 for receiving said teats in down aligned position of said sections as shown in Fig. 9.

In order to avoid accidentally pinching the fingers between the hinged ends of the two coupling sections 38 and during angular movement of said sections, there is provided in the form of construction-shown in Figs. 1 to 18, a finger guard 96 disposed between said sections, and formed-at one 'end of an arm 91, extending along the rear wall "42 of the coupling section 39.-

arm 9| atone end has a fixed pivot connection to the inner end-of the rear wall 42 of the coupling section 38, said connection being desirably formed by a pin projection 93, integral with said wall and passing loosely through said arm. At the other end, the arm 9i has a slide pivot connection with the rear wall 42 of the coupling'section 39, said connection being desirably formed by the pin 19 passing through an elongated slot 94' in said arm.

The finger guard 90-extends centrally between theinner ends of the two coupling sections 38 and 39 in a plane parallel to, but slightly below the plane of the top wall l 'l of thecoupling section 39, in extreme angular posit-ion of the bars shown in Fig. 7", and during movemen-tof the coupling sections towards alignment, said finger guard 98 will remain parallel to said top wall and centrally between said sections. In this position, the guard 90 serves to interrupt the wide hinge gap between the coupling sections 38 and 39, and thereby serves to prevent pinching of the fingers therein. I When the two coupling sections 38 and '39 have reached alignment, the

finger-guard at will lie snugly therebetween substantia-lly in the plane of the top walls i-l thereof, as shown in Figs. "4,9 and Ill.

The finger guard SO-serves not only for the safety purpose set forth, but in conjunction with the bars 35 also serves to lock the binder in open position,- while the prongs 21 are in angular position with respect to the'covers I I shown in Fig. 7. Any closing action of the covers H in this position of the prongs will cause the free inner ends of the bars 35 to move beyond the inner ends of their respective coupling sections 38 and 39, but this bar projecting movement will be limited by the blocking action of the finger guard 90 on said bar ends. Thus the back and open covers form a comparatively rigid or stiff support, so that the binder may be carried from place to place, held in the lap, or otherwise supported or handled without danger or injury to the sheets.

Means are provided for locking the covers ll against outward angular movement beyond the position shown in Fig. '7. For that purpose, the edges of the bar legs 52 are slitted to form catches 98 respectively as shown in Figs. 8 and 17, these catches being in the form of tongues bent downwardly from the plane of said legs, and adapted in binder position shown in Fig. 7 to engage the tongues 5| respectively. Any outward movement of the :covers ll beyond open position shown will urge corresponding lengthwise movement of the bars 35, but this latter movement will be prevented by the catch arrangement above referred to.

In order that the provision of the tongue catches 96 does not interfere with the assembly of the bars '35 in their respective coupling sections 38 and 39, the slitted but unbent bars 35 are-first assembled in said sections, and the slitted portions, While exposed through the cutouts 98 of the tongues 59, punched downwardly to form the desired catches.

When the prongs 21 aredown, in the position shown in Fig. 5, the outward angular movement of the open covers I! is resisted by the span of the bars 35 across the cover hinge connections. 7 Although the operation of the binder shown in Figs. 1 to 1-8 is believed apparent from the foregoing description, it is herein summarized briefly.

Inclosed position of the binder shown in Fig. 6,

': the prongs 27 extend in a single plane parallel to the back l0. When the covers II are opened into the plane of the back into the position shown in Figs; 2 and 5, the prong frames 20 are moved transversely apart causing endwise movement of 3 the prongs 2?. During this self-expansion of the binder, the guide or coupling sections 38 and 33 are locked in alignment near the back H] by the lever 65, so that therunner bars 35 sliding in said guide sections will confine the expanding movement 0f the prongs '2! to an endwise one parallel to said back. At this point, it should be noted that-either cover H may be-opened independently of the other as shown in Fig. 1, to cause corresponding transverse movement of the respective prong frame 20 Without affecting the other prong frame.

' Theswinging movement of the covers ll into open or "closed position causes angular movement of the brackets 2 and corresponding angular movement of the pivotal mountings 23. Since the hinge connections are formed by the fabric binding sheets 12 and "Hi and are consequently flexible, they will give or yield as the covers II are opened or closed, thereby eliminating undesirable stresses on the-prong guiding mechanism 35, 31, caused by the angular movement of the pivotal mountings 28 referred to. Furthermore, it should be noted that the guide member 3'! is not rigidly secured to the back It, but has a limited floating action with respect thereto, thereby relieving stress on the hinge connections between the covers l I and back It), caused by angular movement of the pivotal mountings.

When it is desired to insert or remove a sheet, the sheet pack A of the open binder is divided at the section where it is desired to insert or remove the sheet. In order to gain access to the leVer65, the two sheet batches are divided a sufiicient distance apart to clear the overlapping ends of the prongs .23'. The lever 65 is then depressed as alreadydescribed. Since the lever is located at the center of the-binder below the inner edges of the sheetsyA, it is accessible for operation only when the 'binder is open, and only ifter the sheets have been divided into two widely separated batches on the prongs of the respective rows. This assures against tearing of thesheets around their prong receiving apertures, caused by the accidental upward swinging o'fthe two released prong rows apart before the separation of the sheet pack as described.

Since the lever finger piece l3 extends across a substantial portion of the width of the back, and since the lever is accessible for operation by the separation of the sheet pack at any section above said lever, this construction permits separation of the sheet pack at that section where it is desired to remove or insert a sheet, even though said section may be near either end of the pack.

The depression of the lever finger piece I3 releases the coupling sections 38 and 39, so that the two rows of prongs 21 are permitted to swing simultaneously upwardly beyond overlapping position as shown in Figs. 3 and '7 In this position, the free ends of the two rows of prongs 2'! are separated to permit passage of the loose sheets from the space therebetween, but are som ciently close together to permit convenient transfer of sheets'from one row of prongs to the other.

The top walls 4| of the coupling sections 38 and 39 are so spaced from the corresponding rows of prongs 21 parallel thereto, that the inner edges of the loose sheets reach said walls when impaled on said prongs, and when extending at right angles to said prongs as shown in Fig. 3 with reference to sheet batch A. The inner ends of these top walls 4 I extend substantially in line with the inner ends of corresponding prongs'2I, so that in the operation of impaling the loose sheets A on these prongs, the central section of the inner edges of said sheets is guided over said top walls, thereby facilitating this impaling operation.

In the form of construction shown in Figs. to 25, the runner bars 35a are flat, with their outer ends I inclined upwardly, and secured by welding or the like to the underside of correspondingly inclined legs 33a respectively of prong frames 20a.

The coupling or guide sections 3811 and 39a slidably engage the free ends of the bars a, and

are hinged together by the pivot pin 40a. The

front wall 42a of the coupling section 38a and the rear wall 42a of the coupling section 3% are provided at their lower ends with inturned flanges 48a, forming tracks for the bars 35a, and the top walls Ma are provided with cut-out inturned tongues 50a and 5Ia for retaining and guiding said sections for sliding movement on said bars.

The latch lever 65a, instead of being resiliently supported on the coupling sections 38a and 39a in the lower section of said lever as in the construction of Figs. 1 to 18, is resiliently supported at 690, and 10a near the upper section thereof, so that the springs 16a urging said lever against said coupling sections will be compressed sub stantially equally about their entire circumference when the finger piece 13a is depressed. Also, the pivot pins 69a and 10a are mounted in upstanding ears IIII of the coupling sections cutout from the top walls Ma thereof, and do not extend across said sections, a separate pin I82 being provided for the pivot connection between the link 51 and a depending ear I33 of the coupling section 38a.

In order to prevent the extension of the ends of the latch lever 65a into interference with the inner edges of the prong retained sheets, in upright position of the prongs 21 shown in Fig. 22, the lever flange 6601 has elongated slots I04 and IE5 at opposite ends through which the pivot pins 69a and Illa respectively extend. The pivotal slide connection formed at both ends of the lever 6541 causes the endwise movement of said lever with respect to the coupling sections 38a and 39a in both directions as the bars 35a are raised, so that neither end of said lever will extend too far towards the plane of the corresponding row of prongs 21. If'desired, the slots I04 and IE5 may be of unequal lengths to permit the lever 65a to move further in one endwise direction than in the other with respect to the coupling sections. g

In order to prevent accidental pinching of the fingers between the two coupling sections 38a and 39a, said sections are formed at their inner ends with substantially sector-shaped. enlargements I06 respectively, having circular flanges I61 extending from their upper walls, and concentric with the hinge pin 40a to serve as finger guards. These extensions I0! are of slightly different radii of curvature, and slide in overlapping relation during angular movement of the bars 35a to serve as shutter gates, closing the hinge gap between the two coupling sections 38a. and 39a in any angular position of said bars. The shutters III-I are so spaced from the plane of the corresponding rowof'prongs 21, that they serve as guides for the inner edges of the loose sheets as they are impaled on said prongs.

For locking the two coupling sections 38a and 39a in alignment shown in Figs. 20,21 and 23, the front walls I ll] of the segments W5 have integral therewith reversely bent lugs III, adapted to be latched in an indentation I I2 formed in the lever flange 66a. The doubled over construction of the lugs III serves to increase the bearing surface at the upper edge of said lugs, without projecting said lugs too far forwardly of the coupling sections. 7

For locking the open covers against I further outward movement beyond the position shown in Fig. 22,-the inner edge portion of each bar 35a is provided'with a pair of transverse slits II3 defining a tongue I I4 therebetween, bent out of the plane of said bars to form catches for abutting engagement with the guide tongues 5Ia respectively.

For locking the open covers II against closing movement when the prongs 21 are in upright position shown in Fig. 22, the free ends II6 of the bars 35a are capable of being extended beyond the hinge pin 40a in opposite directions, and the outer sides of said bars are provided with notches II'I forming shoulders H8. The lower edges of the front walls III] of the coupling sections 38a and 39a are provided with inturned flanges H9, the Width of which is smaller than the width of the notches I I1.

Assuming that the binder is in position shown in Fig. 24 with the covers II in the plane of the back, if one of the covers II should be closed, as for instance the right hand cover,'-before the bars 35a are moved downwardly into locked position across the back I0,'then the right hand, bar 35a will move obliquely upwardly towards the left from the position shown in Fig. 24, until the shoulder II8 thereof abuts the inturned flange I I9 on the coupling section 38a. In this abutting position, the extremefree end of the right hand bar 35a will be spaced from the shutter gates I01, so that undesirable strain on said gates resulting from accidental closing of the covers II will not be transmitted to said gates. The notches II! in the bars 35aclear the inturned flanges II9 when said bars are angularly moved downwardly towards the back In, so that said flanges do not interfere with the projecting free end sections I I6 of said bars during said movement.

The teats 88a in the lever flange 66a serve the same function as the teats 88 inthe construction of Figs. 1 to 18, except that in aligned position of the coupling sections 38a and 39a shown in Figs. 20 and 21, said teats 88a extend above the walls Ala of said sections and not in apertures formed in the front walls of said sections as in the other form described.

The operation of the binder shown in Figs. 20 to 25 is similar to that of the binder shown in Figs. 1 to 19.

Although the members 35 and 35a in both binder constructions are shown in the form of solid bars, and the coupling members in the form of channels, as far as certain aspects of the invention are concerned, these members may assume other suitable forms. For instance, the members 35 and 35a may be, in the form of tubular bars, and the coupling sections merely rods, slidably extending in said bars and connected together for relative angular movement.

As many changes could be made in the above construction, and manyapparently widely different embodiments of this invention could be-made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire .tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. A sheet retaining device for a loose leaf binder, comprising a pair of opposed pivotally mounted rows of sheet retaining prongs, and means interconnecting said rows for-correlated simultaneous pivotal movement in opposite directions, and including a pair of opposed members, rigid with but spaced from said prongs, and a coupling for said members slidable along one of said members, and mounted for pivotal actionwith respect to the other.

2. A sheet retaining device for a loose leaf binder, comprising a pair of opposed pivotally mounted rows of sheet retaining. prongs, and connecting means for insuring, simultaneous movement of said rowsin opposite directions, and in.- cluding a pair of opposed bars, each rigid withand substantially parallel to a corresponding, prong row, and a cou-pling-slidabl-y-mounted on bothbars.

3. A sheet retaining device for a loose .leaf binder, comprising a pair of opposed rowsof pivotally mounted sheet retain-ing prongs, apair of opposed bars swingable with sasi'd prong rows, members slidable along said bars and pivotally connected together, whereby the pivotal movement of said prong rows-iscorrelated, and releasable means for looking said bars; and prongs against said pivotal movement.

4. A sheet retaining device for a loose leaf binder comprising a pair of opposed rows of sheet retaining prongs, mounted for pivotal movement from a plane substantiallycommon to all of said prongs, and for movement in said plane substantially endwise of said prongs, apairof opposed bars swingable with said prong rows respectively, coupling sections slidable along said bars and pivotally connected together, whereby the pivotal movement of said prong rows is correlated, and releasable means for locking said sections against relative angular movement-when said two rows of prongs are substantially in said plane, to guidesaid prongsior substantially endwise movement.

5. A sheet retaining device for a loose leaf binder, comprisinga pair ofopposed rows of sheet retaining prongs, mounted for pivotal movement from a plane substantially common to all of said prongs, and movable endwise in said plane, a pair of opposed bars, each rigid with and substantially parallel to a corresponding prong row, channelshaped coupling sections slidable along said bars respectively, and pivotally connected together at their inner ends, whereby the pivotal movement of said prong rows is correlated, and a lock for normally holding said sections against relative angular movement, to guide said prongs during their endwise movement.

6. A sheet retaining device for a loose leaf binder comprising a pair of opposed rows of sheet retaining prongs, mounted for pivotal movement from a plane substantially common to all of said prongs, said prong rows being movable in opposite directions in said plane substantially endwise of said prongs, a pair of opposed bars, each rigid with and substantially parallel to a corresponding prong row, a pair of pivotally connected sections slidable along said bars respectively, and a latch lever carried by said sections for locking them against relative angular movement, said lever in released position being movable with said sections in a path substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the lever.

7. Mechanism for correlating the simultaneous and opposite swinging movement of the opposed rows of sheet retaining prongs of a loose leaf binder, comprising a pair of opposed bars swingable with said prongs, a coupling section slidable along each of said bars, pivotal connections between said sections, and a releasable latch pivotally connected to both of said sections to permit of their relative movement, and movable toward and from said sections for permitting or preventing relative angular movement of said sections.

8. A sheet retaining device for a loose leaf binder, comprising a pair of opposed pivotally mounted rows of sheet retaining prongs, a pair of opposed bars swingable with said prong rows respectively, coupling sections slidable along said bars respectively and pivotally connected together, whereby the pivotal movement of said prong rows is correlated, and a releasable latch lever, pivotally supported on said sections for locking said sections against relative angular movement, said lever having a flange spring pressed against said sections, and a flange serving as a finger piece for operation of said lever, said first flange and said sections having interlocking latch parts releasable by angular movement of said lever about its pivotal supports.

9. A sheet retaining device for a loose leaf binder, comprising a pair of opposed pivotally mounted rows of sheet retaining prongs, and means swingable with said prong rows, for correlating the pivotal movement of said rows in opposite directions, said means having parts spaced from said prong rows for guiding the central section of the inner edge of a loose sheet as said sheet is being impaled on either prong row.

10. A sheet retaining device for a loose leaf binder, comprising a pair of opposed pivotally mounted rows of sheet retaining prongs, a pair of opposed bars rigid with said prong rows respectively for swinging movement therewith, and coupling sections slidable along said bars respectively and hinged together to correlate the swinging movement of said prongs, the inner ends of each section being so spaced from the plane of its corresponding prong row as to serve as a guide for the central portion of the inner edge.

of a loose leaf as it is being impaled on the prongs of said latter row. j

11. A sheet retaining device for a loose leaf binder, comprising a pair of opposed pivotally mounted rows of sheet retaining prongs, a pair of opposed bars, rigid with said prong rows 'respectively for swinging movement therewith, coupling sections slidable along said bars respectively and pivotally connected together, and a centralizing link pivotally connected to one of said sections, for correlating the slidable movement of said sections along said bars in accordance with the angular position of said bars.

12. A loose leaf binder comprising a back, a pair of covers hinged thereto, two opposed rows of pivotally mounted sheet retaining prongs normally extending in the same plane across the back, means guiding said prongs for endwise movement in said plane, and means for interconnecting said two rows of prongs for correlated simultaneous pivotal movement in opposite directions, and including a centralizing link pivotally supported on the inner face of said back for equalizing the angular movement of the two prong rows.

13. A loose leaf binder comprising a back, a pair of covers hinged thereto, two opposed rows of pivotally mounted sheet retaining prongs normally extending across said back, a pair of opposed bars swingable with said prong rows respectively, coupling sections slidable along said bars respectively and pivotally connected together, whereby pivotal movement of said prong rows is correlated, and a centralizing link pivotally supported on the inner face of said back, and on one of said coupling sections for equalizing the angular movement of the two prong rows.

14. A sheet retaining device for a loose leaf binder, comprising a pair of opposed pivotally mounted rows of sheet retaining prongs, the prongs of one row overlapping the prongs of the other row when said prongs are all in a substantially co-extensive plane, means guiding said prongs for endwise movement in said plane, and means interconnecting said two rows for correlated simultaneous pivotal movement in opposite directions, said means including a linkage system, self-locking in a position, in which the two rows of prongs are inclined with respect to each other beyond overlapping relationship.

15. A sheet retaining device for a loose leaf binder, comprising a pair of opposed rows of sheet retaining prongs mounted for pivotal movement, a pair of opposed bars swingable with said prong rows respectively, coupling sections slidable along said bars respectively, and pivotally connected together to effect correlated movement of said prong rows, and a finger guard between said coupling sections to prevent accidental pinching of the fingers between said sections during the angular movement thereof.

16. A sheet retaining device for a loose leaf binder, comprising a pair of opposed rows of sheet retaining prongs, the prongs of one row normally overlapping the prongs of the other row at their inner free ends, said prong rows being mounted for pivotal movement beyond overlapping relationship, a pair of opposed bars swingable with said prong rows respectively, coupling sections slidable along said bars respectively, and pivotally connected together to correlate the angular movement of said bars in opposite directions, and means for locking said bars against endwise movement in one direction in their respective coupling sections, when said bars have reached a position in'whi'ch said prong rows are beyond'overlapping relationship.

17. A sheet retaining device for a loose leaf binder, comprising a pair "of opposed pivotally mounted rows of sheet retaining prongs, a pair of opposed bars swingable with said prong rows respectively,'coupling sections slidable along said bars respectively and pivotally connected together to correlate the pivotal movement of said prong rows, and a finger. guard between said coupling sections to prevent accidental pinching of the fingers therebetween during angular movement thereof, said finger guard being in position to block endwise movement of said bars when said bars have reached extreme angular positions.

18. A sheet retaining device for a loose leaf binder, comprising a pair of opposed pivotally mounted rows of sheet retaining prongs, a pair of opposed bars swingable with said prong rows respectively, coupling sections slidable along said bars respectively and hinged together at their inner ends, whereby pivotal movement of said prong rows is correlated, and a finger guard extending between said coupling sections substantially parallel with and transversely spaced from the hinge axis, said finger guard serving to interrupt the hinge gap between said coupling sections in extreme angular position of said sections, and serving in its other extreme position to substantially close the gap between said sections.

19. A sheet retaining device for a loose leaf binder, comprising a pair of opposed rows of sheet retaining prongs mounted for pivotal movement, a pair of members swingable with'said prong rows respectively, and hinged together to correlate the pivotal movement of said prong rows, and a curved finger guard substantially concentric with the hinge axis, and connected to the inner end of one of said coupling sections for closing the hinge gap between said sections.

20. A sheet retaining device for a loose leaf binder, comprising a pair of opposed rows of sheet retaining prongs mounted for pivotal movement, a pair of opposed bars swingable with said prong rows respectively, coupling sections slidable along said bars respectively and hinged together at their inner ends, whereby pivotal movement of said prong rows is correlated, and finger guard means for preventing accidental pinching of the fingers between the inner ends of said sections, and including flange extensions on the inner ends of said coupling sections respectively, concentric with the axis of the hinge and movable in overlapping relationship in the form of a shutter.

21. A sheet retaining device for a loose leaf binder, comprising a pair of opposed pivotally mounted rows of sheet retaining prongs, and means interconnecting said rows for correlated simultaneous pivotal movement in opposite directions, and including a pair of members swingable with said prong rows respectively and pivotally connected together, and means for moving one of said members endwise during relative an-- gular movement between said members.

22. A sheet retaining device for a loose leaf binder, comprising a pair of opposed pivotally mounted rows of sheet retaining prongs, and means interconnecting said rows for correlated simultaneous pivotal movement in opposite directions, and including a pair of members swingable with said prong rows respectively, and pivotally connected together, and meansfor moving both of said members substantially parallel to the planes or the two prong rows respectively during relative angular movement of said members.

23. A loose leaf binder comprising a casing, including a non-extensible-back and a pair of covers hinged thereto, a pair of opposed rows of sheet retaining'prongs, mounted on said casing for pivotal movement and for movement substantially endwiseof said prongs, a pair of opposed bars, each rigid with-and substantially parallel to a corresponding prong row, and coupling means between said bars interconnecting said barsfor simultaneous angular movement thereof, and guiding said bars for substantial endwise movement. p

' CLARENCE W. VOGT.

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