US3285252A - Binding devices - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 15, 1966 J. MORRIS BINDING DEVICES 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 8, 1964 Nov. 15, 1966 L. J. MORRIS BINDING DEVICES Filed May 8, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 BYMW m WW4 7'7'0k/VE)? Nov. 15, 1966 L. J. MORRIS 3,285,252

' BINDING DEVICES Filed May 8, 1964 F116 F219. gm g 326 325 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 224 [L BT12 325 F. L w

KYM/W United States Patent .0

3,285,252 BINDING DEVICES Leslie Joe Morris, 225 Ash Road, Aldershot, England Filed May 8, 1964, Ser. No. 366,090 Claims priority, application Great Britain, Dec. 6, 1963, 48,241/ 63 4 Claims. 81. 129-37) This invention relates to binding devices for securing together superposed sheets of paper, card, cloth or like material.

The main object of the present invention is to provide improved devices of simple form and of pleasing appearance for binding edge-perforated sheets.

More specifically it is an object of the present invention to provide a device for binding edge-perforated sheets of paper, card, cloth or like material which comprises in combination a channelled member for receiving the perforated sheet edges and having one or more apertures in one or both flanges of said channelled member (with which perforations in the sheets are adapted to be aligned) and for each such aperture a headed locking stud having a shank for entering said flange aperture and at least one lateral projection on said shank spaced beneath the stud head at a distance therefrom not substantially less than the thickness of said flange. Hence by turning the stud the shank projection or projections engage the inner surface of the channel flange to retain the stud in position with its shank extending into perforations adjacent the edges in at least some of the sheets held in the binding device.

Said channelled member is made of strip material which is sufficiently springy substantially to grip the sheets between the edges of the strip flanges, and preferably the channelled strip is made of a tough plastic or other extruded or moulded material having an inherent springiness.

Polyvinylchloride polymers have he found suitable for making the strips, particularly a lead'stabilised straight P.V.C. polymer, incorporating suitable lubricants and having a good impact resistance.

The grip of the channelled strip would usually be almost sufficient of itself to hold the bound sheets against displacement, but the use of at least one stud ensures secure retention of the sheets by the strip. It may not be necessary, with a comparatively small number of sheets, to employ a stud with a sufliciently long shank to engage aligned perforations in all the sheets, although if desired the overall length of the shank of the stud passing through an apertured flange may be such that when the channelled member holds the optimum number of sheets for which it is intended the outer end of said shank contacts the opposite flange of the channelled member. In some cases, the stud shank may be hollow, particularly where at least the stud is made of metal, and in such cases the projection extending laterally from the shank may be constituted by a separate element displaceable longitudinally of the hollow shank. Within the shank would be contained axially compressible spring means which would serve to bias a separate laterally-projecting element toward the stud head.

It will, however, generally be suitable to employ a stud in the form of a one-piece moulding, that is, one in which one or a pair of lateral co-axial projections are made integral with the stud shank. The stud may be of asymmetrical form, that is, with the head projecting laterally from one side of the stud shank and a single shank projection, which normally would be displaced through a right angle relatively to the stud head. Preferably, however, a symmetrical stud would be used, that is, one in which the head comprises two similar flange portions extending from a cylindrical shank and with two diametrically aligned lateral projections, conveniently two locking pins or pegs, arranged mutually at right angles to said head flanges. It is also preferred to employ a symmetrical stud head of slightly convex form, in the direction of its major axis. This means that one or each of two perimetral portions of the stud head are, in the free state, nearer to the top of the lateral projection on the stud shank and the stud head has a degree of flexing in the longitudinal direction of the shank, such that when the stud is positioned with a shank projection engaged behind the appertured channel flange, each such perimetral head portion is yieldingly pressed against the outer surface of said apertured flange.

For use with such a stud the co-acting aperture in the channel flange would be in the form of a round hole, just large enough to accept the cylindrical shank, with diametrically alinged slots opening out of said round hole for the passage therethrough of the two locking pins. It is also desirable to provide the stud head with at least one projection on its underside for engagement in a depression in the adjacent channel flange for retaining the stud in position after it has been turned to engage the lateral shank projection behind said flange. In the case of the preferred stud, that is, one with a symmetrical flange-like slightly flexible head, two such locating projections would be used and two depressions (provided, for instance, by two through holes) would be made in the channel flange. It will be evident that the preferred arrangement would be, in such a case, for the two slots extending from the round hole in the channel flange to be aligned with the two depressions (or holes), and all oriented in a line parallel to the back or spine of the channel member.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, some embodiments of the invention are illustrated, by way of example, in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a part-sectional perspective view showing a number of edge-perforated sheets with one form of binding device according to the invention, and in which two one-piece studs having fixed-length shanks and symmetrical heads and locking pins are used, both applied to the same flange of the channelled strip; one stud is shown applied and in the locking position and the other stud is about to be inserted.

FIGURES 2, 3 and 4 are respectively a plan view, a side view and an end view of the preferred one-piece moulded stud, as used in the binding device shown in FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 5 is a part-sectional fragmentary view showing a stud according to FIGURES 1 to 4 in the position of use,

FIGURE 6 is a cross-section through the channelled strip used in the binding device illustrated in FIGURE 1, but before said strip has been forced open by the insertion between the strip flanges of the sheets to be bound,

FIGURE 7 is a plan view of a portion of the strip shown in FIGURE 6, illustrating clearly the main aperture and retaining holes provided for use with the stud shown in FIGURES 1 to 5,

FIGURE 8 is a view looking at the back or spine of a binding device as illustrated in FIGURE 1, to show how st-uds can be engaged with both flanges of the channelled strip,

FIGURES 9 to 12 inclusive are cross-sectional views similar to FIGURE 6, illustrating other forms of channelled strips,

FIGURES 13, 14 and 15 are respectively a plan view, a side view and an end view of another stud with a symmetricalhead and a fixed-length shank, such as could be made of metal,

FIGURES 16, 17 and 18 and 19, 20 and 21 are sets of views respectively similar to FIGURES 13, 14 and L5,

3 illustrating two further forms of studs'with fixed-length studs, but with longitudinally displaceable locking projections, and

FIGURES 22 and 23 are respectively two perspective views showing a modified form of one-piece stud with an asymmetrical head and a single locating projection.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGURES 1 to 7, the channelled member is in the form of a strip 1 comprising a length of extruded or moulded synthetic plastic, such as P.V.C., said strip 1 having two longitudinal folds 2, 2A which provide a substantially flat back or spine 3 and two similar flanges 4, 4A extending from said back or I spine along the length of the strip. The inherent resilience or springiness f the plastic material from which the strip 1 is made is such that in its free state the edges 5 of the channel flanges 4, which may have internal beads or ridges 6, as shown, are in pressing contact (see FIG. 6). To apply the binding strip 1 to a number of superposed sheets 7 each having perforations 8 near one edge, the sheets are suitably inserted into the channel strip 1, such as by sliding the strip lengthwise onto the edges of the sheets 7, so that the superposed sheet edges lie between the two flanges 4, 4A. In the flange 4 are punched two holes or apertures 9 spaced one from another along the flange, and with these holes are aligned the prepunched perforations 8 in the sheets 7. Each aperture 9 in the flange 4 consists of a central round hole 10 and a pair of short diametrically opposed slots 11 extending from the round hole 10 (see FIG. 7). In order to ensure retention of the sheets 7 in the springy strip 1, a stud 12 is provided for each aperture 9, each stud having a cylindrical shank 13 which is adapted to be inserted through the round hole 10 into the aligned prepunched perforations 8 in the sheets 7. The apertures 9 are preferably spaced apart at standard distances customarily used for perforating sheets.

Each stud 12 has an elongated symmetrical head :14 comprising a pair of opposite extending flat wings 15, and beneath the head 14 are diametrically opposed projections in the form of pins 16 which extend radially from the shank 13. The pins 16 are situated from the centre part of the head 14 a distance not less than the thickness of the flange material, and they are disposed in a plane at right angles to the major axis of the head 14, so that when the stud 12 is inserted into the aperture 9 the pins 16 pass through the slots 11 extending from the hole 10. The stud 12 is then rotated by means of the head 14 (in this case through 90) so that the pins 16 are retained beneath the flange 4 to secure the stud 12 in position.

The winged head 14 of the stud 12 is, in its free state (see FIG. 3), slightly convexly curved, and the somewhat springy wings are thus flexed upwards as the stud 12 is inserted, because the perimetral or end portions 17 of the Wings 15 are nearer to the pins 16 than the central part of the head 14. The stud head 14 is thus held against strip flange 4 by its own resilience. T 0 prevent accidental turning back of the stud 12 after its insertion, each end 7 of the stud head 14 is provided with a small stud-like projection 18 on its underside, which engages in an appropriately positioned surface depression in the strip flange 4; the depressions are formed by through holes 19 punched in the flange 4 (see FIG. 5).

As already indicated the studs 12 are preferably onepiece mouldings made of a tough rigid plastics, such as those marketed under the trade name nylon. A particularly suitable nylon plastic is that at present marketed as A100-Grade 66; this material has been found capable of moulding to close tolerances and to be resistant to shear, so that even the small pins 16 can be made as integral parts of the shank '13.

To facilitate twisting of the stud 12 it has been found convenient to provide the head wings 15 with transverse end ridges 20, and the retaining projections 18 are formed on the undersides of these ridges. The top surface of .4 the head 14 between the ridges 20 may be occupied by letters 21 in relief, which may constitute a trade mark and serve to strengthen transversely the head 14 (which is comparatively thin when it adjoins the shank 13) without diminishing the ability of the wings 15 to flex.

Although it may be desirable to leave flange 4A of the binding strip 1 plain, that is, free from any perforating, there is no reason why studs 12 should not be engaged with this flange, as well as with flange 4as shown in FIGURE 8.

FIGURES 9 to 12 illustrate other forms of one-piece channelled strips. In FIGURES 9 and 10 the fiat backs 103 and 203 of strips 101 and 201 respectively are retained, but whereas in FIGURE 9 the flanges 104, 104A are of symmetrical convexed form throughout the major parts of the widths of strip 101 and merge smoothly into parallel surfaces 150, 150A adjoining the back 103, the flanges 204, 204A in FIGURE 10 are narrower and substantially flat and are adapted to flex in relation to parallel surfaces 250, 250A. In FIGURE 11 the rounded back 303 of strip 301 is used with flat symmetrically converging flanges 304 and 304A. In each case beads 106, 206 and 306 are used where the respective flanges grip together. FIGURE 12 illustrates an asymmetrical strip 401, that is, the flat flange 404A, having an edge bead 406, lies substantially at right angles to the flat back 403, whilst flange 404 is wholly or mainly of convexly curved form.

The one-piece plastic moulded stud 12 particularly described above, whilst preferred, is not essential to the invention, although for small size studs the one-piece plastic moulding has obvious advantages. An example of a unitary metal stud 112 is shown in FIGURES 13 to 15, where the shank 113 may be a drawn cartridge or a length of tubing capped by a symmetrical slightly flexible head 114 brazed, welded or otherwise attached and comprising wings 115 with retention projections 118 on the wing ends 117; the locking pins 116 may be one or two separate elements suitably secured to shank 115.

Alternative metal studs are illustrated in FIGURES 16 to 21. In the construction of stud 212 shown in FIG- URES 16 to 18, the shank 213 is a stamped metal hollow cartridge of fixed length which houses an axial compression spring 220. The upper end of the spring 220 is connected to or bears against a looped wire member 221 whose ends form lateral pins 216 which extend through vertical slots 22 in the wall of the hollow shank 213. The central part of the looped member 221 projects beyond the top of the stud 212 and through a slot 223 in the flanged head 214 of the stud. The head 214 is conveniently anchored to shank 213 by turned-over lugs 224. When the stud 212 is secured in position, the compression spring 220 presses the pins 216 against the inner surface of the appropriate flange of the strip (not shown), which is therefore clamped between the pins 216 and the stud head 214.

In a modification of this construction shown in FIGS. 19 to 21, the stud 312 has a rounded-top plunger 325 having integral lateral pins 316 which replaces wire member 221. The central boss of plunger 325 extends beyond the top of the stud 312, through a circular hole 326 in the stud head 314 which, as before, is clipped to hollow shank 313 (containing biasing spring 320) by turneddown lugs 324. I

All the studs previously described herein are generally of symmetrical form, but this is not essential. FIGS. 22 and 23 illustrate a one-piece moulded stud 512 (of metal or plastic) having an asymmetrical head 514 extending laterally from the top of the shank 513 and with a single locking projection 516 in the form of a lug disposed substantially in plane parallel to said head 514, but, viewed from above, at right angles thereto. The shank-receiving aperture 509 in strip flange 504, shown in FIGURE 17, has an outline shape which is slightly larger than the projection 516 and the cross section of shank 513 on a level with said projection.

Although a number of specific embodiments have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and various modifications thereof have been referred to which do not require illustrating, it will be evident that further alternative forms of channelled members and studs may be employed within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A binding device for edge perforated sheets, comprising in combination a channelled member for receiving the perforated sheet edges, said member being made of strip material which is inherently resilient and flexible and sufficiently springy substantially to grip the sheets tightly between the edges of the strip flanges, the channelled member in the condition in which there are no sheets gripped by it having the free edges of the flanges biased against each other, and said channelled member having at least one aperture in at least one flange of said channelled member with which perforations in the sheets are adapted to be aligned, the portion of the other flange opposite said aperture being unapertured, said aperture being elongated in one direction, and at least one headed locking stud having a shank for entering said flange aperture and at least one lateral projection on said shank spaced beneath the stud head at a distance therefrom not substantially less than the thickness of said flange and having a length such that it will pass through said aperture when it is aligned in the said one direction and will not pass through said aperture when it is turned to at least one other direction different from said one direction, said stud head having at least one locating projection on its underside and the adjacent flange having at least one depression therein engageable by said locating projection for retaining said stud in said at least one other direction, so that by turning said stud the shank projection engages the inner surface of the channel flange to retain the stud in position in with its shank engaging perforations in at least some of the sheets, and said shank having a length such that it at least presses against the opposite flange when the edges of the flange are biased against each other and said strip material of the other flange opposite said aperture distorts outwardly only in the immediate area of the free end of the shank, whereby when only a relatively few sheets of paper are gripped by the binding device, at the most only short portions of the edges of the flanges adjacent the stud are separated and the remainder of the edges of the flanges will grip the sheets of paper.

2. A binding device as claimed in claim 1 in which the channelled strip is made of a tough plastic extruded or molded material.

3. A binding device as claimed in claim 1 in which said stud shank is hollow and the lateral projection is a separate element displaceable longitudinally of the hollow shank, and spring means in said hollow shank biasing said projection element toward the stud head.

4. A binding device as claimed in claim 1 in which said stud head has at least one perimetral portion, which, in the free state, is nearer to the top of said at least one lateral projection than the top of said stud shank, and

'said stud head has a degree of flexing in the longitudinal direction of the shank, such that when said stud is positioned with said at least one shank projection engaged behind the apertured channel flange, each such perimetral head portion is yieldingly pressed against the outer surface of said apertured flange.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 861,973 7/1907 Hager 12937 1,167,639 1/1916 Eifel 129-23 2,555,291 5/1951 Poupitch 24221.2 2,601,213 6/1952 Poupitch 24-221.2 X 2,638,826 5/1953 Fairbank 1295 X 3,220,078 11/ 1965 Preziosi 24221 FOREIGN PATENTS 739,845 11/1955 Great Britain.

316,773 12/1956 Great Britain.

JEROME SCHNALL, Primary Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. A BINDING DEVICE FOR EDGE PERFORATED SHEETS, COMPRISING IN COMBINATION A CHANNELED MEMBER FOR RECEIVING THE PERFORATED SHEET EDGES, SAID MEMBER BEING MADE OF STRIP MATERIAL WHICH IS INHERENTLY RESILIENT AND FLEXIBLE AND SUFFICIENTLY SPRINGY SUBSTANTIALLY TO GRIP THE SHEETS TIGHTLY BETWEEN THE EDGES OF THE STRIP FLANGES, THE CHANNELLED MEMBER IN THE CONDITION IN WHICH THERE ARE NO SHEETS GRIPPED BY IT HAVING THE FREE EDGES OF THE FLANGES BIASED AGAINST EACH OTHER, AND SAID CHANNELLED MEMBER HAVING AT LEAST ONE APERTURE IN AT LEAST ONE FLANGE OF SAID CHANNELLED MEMBER WITH WHICH PERFORATIONS IN THE SHEETS ARE ADAPTED TO BE ALIGNED, THE PORTION OF THE OTHER FLANGE OPPOSITE SAID APERTURE BEING UNAPERTURED, SAID APERTURE BEING ELONGATED IN ONE DIRECTION, AND AT LEAST ONE HEADED LOCKING STUD HAVING A SHANK FOR ENTERING SAID FLANGE APERTURE AND AT LEAST ONE LATERAL PROJECTION ON SAID SHANK SPACED BENEATH THE STUD HEAD AT A DISTANCE THEREFROM NOT SUBSTANTIALLY LESS THAN THE THICKNESS OF SAID FLANGE AND HAVING A LENGTH SUCH THAT IT WILL PASS THROUGH SAID APERTURE WHEN IT IS ALIGNED IN THE SAID ONE DIRECTION AND WILL NOT PASS THROUGH SAID APERTURE WHEN IT IS TURNED TO AT LEAST ONE OTHER DIRECTION DIFFERENT FROM SAID ONE DIRECTION, SAID STUD HEAD HAVING AT LEAST ONE LOCATING PROJECTION ON

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