US3265073A - Paper binding device - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 9, 1966 M. STARK ETAL PAPER BINDING DEVI CE Filed April 13, 1964 INVENTOR MAX STARK 04mg ./E/w/M//m rrQQ/VEV United States Patent 3,265,073 PAPER BINDING DEVICE Max Stark, Apt. C, 735 Provential Drive, Anaheim, Calif., and Gayle W. Hasenplaugh, 200 N. Ladera Vista Drive, Fullerton, Calif.

Filed Apr. 13, 1964, Ser. No. 359,249 5 Claims. (Cl. 129--22) This invention relates to a device for indexing, and more particularly to such a device for indexing sheets of material, which sheets have holes in them, for the purpose of facilitating the insertion of fastening means through said holes.

In order to maintain sheets of paper in orderly tiles, it is necessary to bind the sheets together. A 'widely used method of such binding is to provide two or more holes in the sheet of paper along one edge thereof with a binding means passing through the holes to accomplish its function. A principal use for devices made in accordance with the present invention is indexing -for purposes of binding sheets of paper having, for example, two holes punched near one edge.

AV very popular binding means is what is sometimes called a strip fastener such as sold under the trademark ACCO. Such strip fasteners are stamped out of thin, easily bendable metal. The strip fastener has a midportion of a length approximately equal to the distance between the punched holes with which the fastener is tol be used. Extending from either end of the mid-portion is an end portion which is somewhat more narrow than the midportion. The end portions are bent at a 4right angle to the midportion and are received through lthe holes in the sheets of paper. Then, with the midportion on one side of a stack of papers, and the fastener end portions projecting beyond the other side of the stack of papers, the projecting ends are bent at aright angle to hold the papers together-with, or without, the assistance of a separate clamp plate having slots through Which the projecting ends may extend before the bending operation.

A primary problem with the use of such strip fasteners is that it is difiicult to rapidly index the holes of the paper so the fastener end portions may be inserted therethrough. Although the fastener may be placed -on the table with the end portions upstanding, these portions are easily bent since the fastener is so thin. Further, the end portions have a Width approximately equal to the diameter of the hole in the papers, and the thin edge of the end portion acts like a knife blade which cuts the paper if it is not properly indexed before the end portions are inserted therethrough.

Index devices for punched paper have been provided in the past. However, they are unsatisfactory for the modern strip fastener. Further, they are too costly to manufacture and difficult to use.

With the foregoing in mind, it is a major object of this invention to provide an improved index device.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a device for indexing sheets of paper having holes therethrough, which device is adapted to guide said index sheets to la position where the end portions of a strip fastener extend through said holes.

It is another object of this invention to provide a device for facilitating the binding of sheets of thin material.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a low cost, easily manufactured device -for indexing sheets to facilitate binding said sheets with a strip fastener.

Another object of this invention is to provide an index device which can be quickly changed from an operative position to a position where it is compact for storage f whenV not in use.

3,265,073 Patented August 9, 1966 "ice A further object of this invention is to provide an index device for facilitating binding with strip fasteners, which device has a unique construction which provides a versatile unit with a low cost of manufacture.

Other and further objects of this invention will become apparent in the detailed description below in conjunction with the attached drawings wherein:

FIGURE l is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment the invention might take;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the device shown in FIGURE 1 taken generally along the longitudinal axis of the base of the device;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional View of the device in FIGURE l, but with the unit in condition for storing;

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view of the device taken along line 4-4 in FIGURE 2; and,

FIGURE 5 is an exploded View of a partial linger with its post base.

Referring now to the figures in more detail, the preferred embodiment of the invention has the capability to accommodate any spacing of the holes which are used for binding. Further, as will be pointed out below, the preferred embodiment has the advantage that the posts which are used to index the paper maybe rapidly moved lfrom their upstanding position to a storage position, and vice versa.

On the other hand, it should be remembered that most papers are punched with the holes spaced at one of several standard distances. Therefore, a device wherein means is provided for mounting the index posts at any one of the standard spacings, c g., holes in the base through which the index posts extend, can accomplish the index function in most cases although its overall operation is less satisfactory than the presently preferred embodiment.

The device includes an elongated base, indicated generally by the arrow 10, with first and second index posts, indicated generally by the arrows 12, and 13, respectively, upstanding from the base. With the index posts 12 and 13 in this position a plurality of punched sheets of vpaper may be located over the upstanding index posts to form a stack such as indicated by the phantom lines 15.

Most of the time in use, the device is in a position with the base horizontally disposed, e.g., on a table, with the index posts 12 and 13 upstanding. Therefore, the device is described in this frame of reference in order to simplify the description of the relation of the various elements of the device.

After the stack of sheets of paper have been located over the index posts 12 and 13, a strip fastener with its end portion bent downwardly, is moved into a position at least partially enclosed by the index posts. To this end, each of the index posts 12 and 13 are formed with a thin slot adapted to receive an end portion of the strip fastener. Therefore, the index posts 12 and 13 support the end portions of the strip fastener. Further, the posts guide the stack of paper while the stack is being moved to a position where the end portions of the strip fastener project through the holes.

The thin slot in the index posts can ybe provided in different Ways. However, the preferredl manner of providing the thin slot in the index post 12 includes a partial nger 18 mounted on post base 19, and a partial finger 2li mounted on post ibase 21. In the juxtapositioned upstanding position shoWn in FIGURE 2 the two partial fingers 18 and 20 coopenate together to present a post `of essentially round cross-section, which post is tapered upwardly in order to facilitate insertion through the holes in the papers.

The index post 13 similarly includes partial linger 22 mounted on post base 23, and partial linger 24 mounted on post base 25. As in the case of index post 12, the

partial fingers 22 and 24 are shaped to present a round cross-section and are tapered upwardly to facilitate insertion `of the resulting post through the holes of the sheets of paper.

With this arrangement the papers can be rapidly placed over the upstanding posts 12 and 13 until a stack of papers, indicated generally by the arrow 26, is formed. Please note that in FIGURES Zand 4 the view is of the edge of the stack 26 except at the area where the punched holes are. In these last mentioned areas the stack 26 is illustrated as if a section line were taken through the center of the aligned holes to permit illustrating the posts in full lines.

As will be described in greater detail below, the partial lingers 18 and 20 may be moved relative to each other for purposes of swinging the lingers to a storage position. The partial fingers 22 and 24 are similarly mounted. However, with the stack 26 of paper the partial lingers 18 and 20, as well as, the partial fingers 22 and 24 are held in the juxtapositioned upstanding position as shown.

The post -bases 19 and 21 each project toward the other slightly beyond the partial lingers 18 and 20 to hold the partial fingers slightly apart and thereby provide a thin slot 29 therebetween. Similarly, the post bases 23 and 25 cooperate to provide a thin slot 30 between the partial fingers 22 and 24. Therefore, a strip fastener 32 (with its end portions 33 and 34 bent downwardly) may be moved to the position shown in FIGURE 2 with the end portion 33 in theslot 29 and the end portion 34 in the slot 30. Note that if the end portions of the fastener are longer than the length of the partial lingers, the end portions may extend below the `bottom of the partial fingers.

With the strip fastener 32 in this position, the operator merely lifts the stack 26 yof paper upwardly to the position shown by phantom line 36. It will be noted how the index posts 12 and 13 guide the holes in the sheets of paper around the end portions 33 and 34. When the stack 26 of paper is in the position shown by the phantom line 36, the stack and strip fastener 32 are removed. At that time, the projecting ends of the end portions 33 and 34 are bent to bind the stack together, either with or without a clamp plate, as previously described.

T-he preferred embodiment of the present invention has the advantage that it is economical to manufacture and may be quickly interchanged from a storage condition to an operative condition. The portion of the preferred form of the invention which provides this result will now be described.

The partial linger 18 includes a linger portion 18a with an enlarged lower end 18h. A pair of stub axles 18C project from opposite sides of the lower end 18b and a projecting stop 18d is provided for a purpose to be described.

Referring now to FIGURES 4 and 5, the post base 19 has a pair of extending guide portions 19a each of which has a recess 19b in its lower face to receive a stub axle 18C. As `can lbest be seen in FIGURE 5, the post base 19 has a central relief 19C to receive the enlarged lower end 18h, and the post base is recessed at 19d to accommodate the lower end of the linger portion 18a.

Referring back to the base 10, it preferably includes a pair of parallel, but spaced, guide rails 41 and 42. The guide rail 41 is provided with an upper lip 41a, as well as a lower rail portion 41b projecting toward the guide rail 42. Similarly, the guide rail 42 has an upper lip portion 42a and a lower rail portion 42b projecting toward the guide rail 41.

It will be noted that the lower rail portions 41b and y42b project inward sufiiciently that they hold the stub axles 18e in the recesses 191) of the post base 19. Yet, when the partial linger 18 is spaced away from the partial linger 20, the partial finger 18 may be swung about the stub `axles 18e from the upstanding position shown in FIGURE 2 ,(where the finger portion 18a engages the post base 19 at recess 19d) to a position parallelrto the base 10 where the projecting stop 18d engages the lower face of the post base 19. This last described position is the same as the position of partial lingers 22 and 24 in FIGURE 3.`

In the preferred embodiment, the four partial fingers 18, 20, 22 and 24, are identical and the post `bases 19, 21, 23 and 25 are identical. Therefore, partial linger 20 has a linger portion 20a which is of semi-circular cross-section as the linger portion 18a. Further, lower end 2Gb has a pair of stub axles 20c projecting from opposite sides of the lower end at a right angle to the guide rails 41 and 42. Further, a projecting stop 20d functions to limit the swing of the partial linger 20 by engagement with the lower face of the post base 2l.

Partial linger 22 is likewise provided with a linger portion 22a, an enlarged lower end portion 22b, a pair of stub axles 22e, and a projecting stub 22d. And, partial linger 24 includes a linger portion 24a, an enlarged lower end 24b, a pair of stub axles 24C, and a projecting stub 24d.

It will be apparent from the disclosed structure that the preferred embodiment is particularly well suited for economical manufacture in that so many parts are identical. Further, it should be noted that when end 44 of the base 10 is absent, the partial lingers and post -base may be removed or inserted in the base 10. And, when the partial lingers are removed from the base, the partial linger and t-he post fbase may be separated. Conversely, each partial linger and post =base may -be rapidly put together and inserted in the base where they are held together for sliding lmovement along the base.

While only a few embodiments of my invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that such is by way of illustration only and numerous changes can be made without departing from the spirit and the scope of the present invention. Therefore, it is our intention that the present invention be limited solely by the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A paper binding device for indexing paper sheets for insertion of the ends of a strip fastener through holes in said sheets, said device comprising: a horizontally disposed elongated base frame; two index posts mounted on said base frame, each of said posts comprising:

a first and a separate second rigid partial linger, each partial linger being mounted on said base for movement away from the other partial finger, each of said partial lingers being swingable between an upstanding position and a position extending parallel to said base toward the other partial linger, whereby said fingers may be moved from a juxtapositioned upstanding position apart from each other and swung to a position parallel to said base f-or storage, each partial finger being shaped so that when it is upstanding part of its lower portion projects toward the other partial linger more than its upper portion to provide a thin slot adapted to receive an end of a strip fastener when the lower portion parts are abutting, whereby said posts can be received through a plurality of sheets of paper having holes therein and an end of a strip fastener can be inserted in each slot, and said posts may guide said sheets to a position wherein said strip fastener ends are received through said holes.

2..An index device for indexing paper sheets, each of which have holes therein, to facilitate insertion of a strip fastener to bind together the sheets, said device comprismg:

a horizontally disposed elongated base with a pair of base guide rails extending longitudinally thereof; two index posts upstanding from said frame and adapted to be received through holes in said sheets of paper placed over them, said posts each having a thin slot adapted to receive an end of a strip fastener, one of said posts including:

a post base held by said guide rails for movement along said base;

6 two spaced index posts each upstanding from said frame along a vertical post axis, each of said posts comprlsing:

a first and a separate second rigid partial finger a partial finger upstanding from said post base 5 juxtapositi'oned to each other side by side, each and forming part of the upstanding index post, partial finger having ia part connected thereto at said partial finger having a stub axle projecting the lower end thereof abutting the other partial from opposite sides thereof at a right angle to finger, said part of each partial finger projecting the guide rails, said post base having a pair of toward the other partial finger slightly more than recesses to receive each of said stub axles, said 10 -the remainder of the partial finger whereby the recess being associated with said guide rails to remainder of the partial fingers cooperate to hold said stub axles in place in said recesses, form a thin slot adapted to receive an end of a said post base being shaped and cooperating Strip fastener, each partial finger being movable with its partial finger to limit the swing of said to a location spaced substantially away from the partial finger between an upstanding position other partial finger, each partial finger being and a horizontal position whereby the device movable to a position extending parallel to the may be stored easily when not in use. frame when moved to said location, each partial 3. An index device for indexing paper sheets, each of finger and said abutting part thereof co-acting which has holes therethrough, to facilitate insertion of together to maintain a partial finger in said upa strip fastener to bind together `the sheet, said device standing position when said parts are abutting, comprising, v whereby said partial fingers may be positioned a horizontally disposed elongated base with a pair of extending parallel to said frame for storage and spaced guide rails extending longitudinally thereof; also provide a rigid upstanding post for indextwo index posts upstanding from said frame and ing paper sheets when juxtapositioned.

adapted to be received through holes in sheets of paper placed over them, said posts each having a thin slot adapted to receive an end of a strip fastener, each of said posts including:

a pair of partial fingers juxtaposed to each other and mounted on a pair of post bases, each of which bases is held by said guide rails for movement along said base, each of said partial fingers having a stub axle projecting from opposite sides thereof at a right angle to said guide rails, each of said bases having a pair of recesses receiving 5. The device set forth in claim 4 wherein each said abutting part is a portion of a base connected at the lower end of the respective partial finger, and means are provided on said frame for engaging and cooperating with said base for preventing the base from rotating about said post axis and holding by the force of friction between the base and the last mentioned means on the frame said partial finger bases abutting each other.

References Cited by the Examiner said stub axles, said recesses being associated UNITED STATES PATENTS with said guide rails to hold said stub axles in 2 l place in said recesses and permit said finger to @tgl lg-Z X swing about said stub axle, each said post base 1 643193 9/1927 B bk 9- X being shaped and cooperating with its partial 18 18 am roo 'r 21g-22 nger to limit the swing of its partial finger be- 4 94 1/1932 Impey 129-8 X tween an upstanding position and a horizontal FOREIGN PATENTS position, whereby the device may be stored easily 112 384 H1918 Great Brita. when not in use. in' 4. A paper binding device for indexing paper sheets 436561 10/1935 Great Brtam for insertion of the ends of a strip fastener through holes 6992907 11/1953 Great Entamin said sheets, said device comprising:

a horizontally disposed elongated frame; JEROME SCHNALL, PmW Exmfnei

Claims (1)

1. A PAPER BINDING DEVICE FOR INDEXING PAPER SHEETS FOR INSERTION OF THE ENDS OF A STRIP FASTENER THROUGH HOLES IN SAID SHEETS, SAID DEVICE COMPRISING: A HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED ELONGATED BASE FRAME; TWO INDEX POSTS MOUNTED ON SAID BASE FRAME, EACH OF SAID POSTS COMPRISING: A FIRST AND A SEPARATE SECOND RIGHT PARTIAL FINGER, EACH PARTIAL FINGER BEING MOUNTED ON SAID BASE FOR MOVEMENT AWAY FROM THE OTHER PARTIAL FINGER, EACH OF SAID PARTIAL FINGERS BEING SWINGABLE BETWEEN AN UPSTANDING POSITION AND A POSITION EXTENDING PARALLEL TO SAID BASE TOWARD THE OTHER PARTIAL FINGER, WHEREBY SAID FINGERS MAY BE MOVED FROM A JUXTAPOSITIONED UPSTANDING POSITION APART FROM EACH OTHER AND SWUNG TO A POSITION PARALLEL TO SAID BASE FOR STORAGE, EACH PARTIAL FINGER BEING SHAPED SO THAT WHEN IT IS UPSTANDING PART OF ITS LOWER PORTION

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