US930783A - Loose-leaf binder. - Google Patents

Description

J. L. MQMILLAN. LOOSE LEAF BINDER.

APPLICATION FILED 13110.4,1907.

Patented Aug. 10, 1909.

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JOHN L. MCMILLAN, OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK.

LOOSE-LEAF BINDER.

Application filed December 4, 1807.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 10, lSOQ.

Serial No. 405,082.

To all whom it may cones/r Be it known that 1, Sons L. MolrIILLAN, s citizen of the United States, residing at Syrw cusc, in the county of miondsga and State oi New Yorlr, have invented certain new and useful Improvemcnin Loose-Lest Binders, of whicl the fol o .ig is s specification.

This nveution pertains to loose leoi binders, and is designed more particularly for the temp e-11x1? binding of invoices, let tors, bills, and the like, though a iplicoble for the bincrg of loose sheets oi sll l-linds.

he .vention consists prinmrily iu the employment cl covcr-oozirds having clumping or gripping devices, and flexible impcling posts or members designed to connect the cover-boards, sud to pass through and hold l the interposed loose loaves or papers.

in place c The flexible impolnig membrs are clamped firmly at one end to one ol the cover-boards, the conn ction therewith being arelatively permanent one designed to be disturbed only in case it becomes necessary to supply a new impsling member, while the clumps of the other covei bosrd .lesigiicd to grip and to release tyre impolmg members often is necessarytoiuscrtoi emor cots or paper lu mercantile hous business olliccs, and thcrestc lislunentsl sving large numbers of loose le v *oices, records, and the lilac, often ui arm size and character, it is very desirable to provide a temporary binder to hold and retain in convenient shape, and in pr order or sequence, such sheets or pspeis. In many instances the use otthe binder ou temporary, while in others it is desirable it it be permanent. Ewing o the conside his number used, and to the widely vsr x. number oi papers which it is desirable u diil'ercnt circumstances to place u ithii. s 7 c binder, :is, for lusts-11c in couuect'on with different cl; s of goods, or ditlcrcnt depsrtmon c a business, at wide rouge of capacity and relative chcspuess of construction are important considerations. The present invention has those objects primarily in view.

it convenient type of temporary binder is that in which one of the two cover-bosrds is provided with posts or stems upon which the loose sheets are threaded or impaled, being first perforated at points corresponding with the location of the posts or stems of the binder. [is hitherto constructed, however, such binders have been open to the objection that the posts are rigid, and until the binder is com letely filled, protrude beyond the removsb e cover-board, and being rigid, are more or less in the way, and are liable to deface desks or other furniture upon which the binder is used or placed. idsnv of such post binders have ratchet devices which permit the adjustment of the removable cover-board only by certain set distances or increments, thus at times leaving the bound sheets in a. relatively loose condition, and at other times bin ding them quite firmly, where as it is, of course, desirable that the papers be always held in compact form without undue strain or pressure upon the fastening dcvices. i attain these objects by the employment of flexible impaling members, which, though normally protruding beyond the removable cover-board, yield readily, and lie flat against the cover-board when the binder is laid upon a desk or other surface, and which, when the binder is completely filled, may be cut oil flush with the surface of the cover-board so that the binder presents substantially the appearance oi an ordinary binder.

The inventionu'ill be readily understood upon referring to the accompanying drowings, in which:

Figure 1. is a. perspective view ol the index *ith portions broken away better to show the construction and arrangement of the parts; Fig. 2, a cross section through the binding boards and one pair of clamping devices; Fig. 3, a face view ol one oi the outer clamps of the removable cover-board; Fig. l, a perspective view of said clump with the parts separated Fig. a similar vicw ol one of the second or inner clamps; and Fig. 6, o longitudinal sectional view through the some.

In these drawings A and it im icntc the covci bosrds catch having a flexible portion or hinge o extending from end to end a short distance inward from its rear edge. The narrow strip or clamping portion t ol each cover-boa d, extending from the hinge (t to the rear edge of each covcr-bosrd, consists of,

or contains, a fiat tubular shell or casing C, designed at once to pr duce a strong chimping member and to serve as a container for clamps D and E, which are conveniently stamped out of sheet metal, and are of the form best shown in the perspective views, Figs. 4 and 5.

The particular construction of the hinges (1 or the manner of uniting the shells or casings C with the cover-boards A B is unimportant. A convenient construction is that shown in the drawings, and best seen in Figs. 1 and 2, where the cloth, leather, or other flexible material with which the cover-boards are faced, is carried about and cemented to the shells or casings, and about the cover-boards themselves, a crease or indentation being made between the shell or casing and the cover-board, as seen in Figs. 1 and 2, to facilitate the hinging a tion.

The shells or casings C are conveniently formed of sheet meial cut and bent to the shape best indicated in Figs. 4 and 5, suitable portions being cut or removed from the metal prior to bending into tubular form to produce the openings indicated in the drawings.

Referring first to the shell or casing C of the cover-board A, it is provided, as seen in Fig. 5, in its inner face or fold, with an elongated opening a, a smaller and preferably circular opening (Z, and with two inturned tongues e and which serve to limit the longitudinal play or movement of the clampplate D which is introduced into the shell or casing prior to the latter being finally closed or folded into shape. A second opening (1 is advisably made in the outer face of the shell or casing C in line with the opening d in the inner face, as seen in Fig. 2.

The clamp-plate D consists of a flat plate preferably of sheet metal having one end bent over to form a flange or lip g, and having at the opposite end a tapering or V-shaped slot or opening 7L. Near the end bearing the lip or flange g is an opening i, designed to receive a stem or implement by which to move the clamp longitudinally within its shell or casing.

The clamp-plate D is located within the shell 0 beneath the opening 0, and between the inturned spurs e and f, which serve to limit its longitudinal movement within the shell, as will be readily understood upon referring to Figs. 1 and 6. The tapering slot or opening h is in line with the holes or openings (Z of the shell or casing C, which are designed to receive the inserted end of a flexible binding post F, which is conveniently made of leather, though other materials as rubber, braided cord, or the like, may be employed.

Preparatory to inserting the binding post or member F in the openings d, the clamping slide E is retracted so that its flanged end approaches, or bears against, the stop-spur 6, thereby bringing the wide end of the slot h opposite, or a short distance from, said openings d. The binding post of member F being passed through the holes (1, the clamping slide E is moved longitudinally, thereby causing the walls or edges of the slot 7t to pass on opposite sides of the stem, and by reason of the tapering form of the slot, to gradually wedge upon or grip the post or member F, as indicated in Fig. 2.

It will be observed upon referring to Figs 1 and 5 that one wall of the slot h is parallel with the edges of the slide or clamp E, While the other wall or edge of the slot is at an angle thereto. The purpose of this construction is to cause the post or binding member F to be not only wedged within the slot, but also to be crowded by the inclined edge of the slot against one wall or edge of each of the holes or openings (i, so that the post or impaling member shall be clamped within the plate, and between the plate and the edges of the openings d in the shell or casing. This gives a very firm hold to the impaling post or member F, and insures its retention even under rough usage or handling of the binder.

It is not essential that the clamping plate be provided with the lip or flange g, but is deemed expedient to thus form it, since the flange imparts greater stiflness to the plate, and also renders unnecessary the too close folding or flattening of the shell or casing C, which might tend to destroy the integrity of the metal in the folds, and likewise tend to the more ready bending or buckling of the shell or casing C.

The clamps E of the cover-board B are substantially the same as those of the coverboard A; that is to say, they are formed of thin plates, preferably of sheet metal, having a flange or lip g and tapering slot h, but the flange g is provided with a raised central portion g, and the opening '11 is omitted.

The shell or casing C of the cover-board B is similar to the shell 0 of cover-board A, but its elongated opening 0 is made in the outer instead of the inner face, and instead of the holes or perforations cZ, tapering notches or openings 7' extend inward from the rear edge of the shell or casing, as shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4 thus permitting the cover-board B to be applied laterally, or edgewise, to the impaling posts or members F instead of being strung upon or passed over the ends of said members. This greatly facilitates applica tion and removal of the cover-board.

The posts or impaling members F having been duly secured to the cover-board A in the manner described, the sheets or leaves to be bound are perforated in the usual way, the perforations being spaced to correspond to the spacing of the im aling members, and. said sheets or leaves are then threaded upon, or passed over, the ends of the impaling members, and pressed down upon the cover-board A. The cover-board B is then applied laterally, or edgewise, as above pointed out, the impaling posts or members entering the notches and being pressed firmly to the bottoms or ends thereof, as in 1 Figs. 1 and 3. This done theclamps or plates E are moved longitudinally by pres sure applied to the upturned lips g thereof, either by hand or by a suitable im lement, thereby causing the plates E to W6C ge upon leaves, the clamping r mover. baclrwL rd, thereby unclamping the impaling; posts or members, and permitting the ready removal of the cover-boariil l3, and the insertion or removal of sheets or leaves as required. Should it happen at any time that the number of leaves increase to such an extent that the impaling posts or memoers are of inadequate length to receive them, or should an impalingpost or memb r become broken or weakened, a new one serted upon first retracting the slide D E of such member, and passing: a new through the openings (.Z of the shell or casino, C, thereafter restoring the c amp D to i gripping position, and 'linally a i i clamp E to bind the boards together. l ncn m ay be inthe the binder is completely lilled, tic leave." may be removeo and. put in my holder or re eptaole, r if t be desire/l t und form, the pr posts or me;

tain them in he ends of the bin th outer l and the bond in any usr ml or cei'ivenient m:

i i may be out of tlusn iv;

'l'he flexible impalmg po ts or members not only a old inyury to furniture and inconvenience to the user, but they give a (lesirable flexi y to the binder as a Whole,

facilitating the turning of the leaves and inspection the pages. and since clamps are free to the impaliu or members at any point in the length latter, it will be seen th Qt the liaoards always be made to press closely upon the leaves or sheets G Whether their number be large or small.

ine upturned flange or lip g of A or slide l1 serves not onlv as a means bv its movements by coming into contact 'vith the ends, or end shoulders, of the opeiing' r.

The impaling; members F are here referred to posts for the reason that this term is in common use as desig I l stem or self-sustaining member of this general ch are. ter over or upon which perforated leaves are threaded, and because, though flexible, the impaling members here described are, when of moderate or even considerable long h,

' and will stand wiile the self-sustainu leaves are being threaded or strung upon them. This degree of stability, or capacity of standing upright, i desirable, and the leather cord or belting described possesses this property in a SHffiClBIli degree.

It is apparent from the nature of materials stated,leather, rubber, or the lil e,that the impaling posts or members are slightly compressible, thus permitting the clamping devices to embed themselves sutliciently in the material of the posts to secure a firm hold and guard against slipping, yet without danger of cutting: or wea seeing the iinpaling members.

i am aware that cords, both of spun fiber and of leather, covered spiral springs, Wires, and the like, have been used as impaling members for temporary and loose leaf binders. ll am also aware that clamping or gripping devices have been provided to secure a cover-board to or upon impaling members ofdi'lferent kinds. It will be observed, hoivevr, that While flexible and measurably soft, the impaling members or posts oi my levico.-preforably made of r leather belting, have sullicient to stand alone. and hence the leaves oits may be .asily and speedily threaded thereon, singly or in groui is. Leather, rubber, braided cord sash cord or the like) all possess adequate stability for the purpose, yet- 11'8 sutlicieiitly compressible to "permit the wedgiug Wal s of the clamping siioe to embed themselves rein Withoit destroying; the integrity of tie materie in tact, uriless trio edges or? the clamping slide be quite deeply embedded iii the sides of the impaling; member or post and so maintained for a long time, the indentations produ ed will gradually disappear an d the impalir-g member re- These are desirable sume its original form. charaet ristics of the device, and contribute materially to the convenien e and efficiency thereof.

it is particularly to be noted that although he notches 7', by which the eogewise a leoi n and removal of the cover-board is enderer possible, are entirely uilobstrncted when the clamping slides retracted, one arm ir iavr of each slide completely bridges one. ei'lectually elo. cs its opening when the slide is moved to clamping position, hence it is impossible for the cover to slip laterally when the slide is even partially mover; in the clamping direction. it is also particularly to be obsered that each impaling morn r or post of my structure is held by individual clamping device, and that such device requires no bending, netting or t; mg togethr of said members or posts, nor any abrupt bending or reeving through slots, the clamp merely pinching or com )ressing' the post between t Walls or edges of the clamp or clamp and plate. Hence it is possible instark Lily to detach, remove and replace the individual impaling members or posts, and to avoid any project-ion, loop, knot, or the like protruding beyond the outer face of the cover-board at the normally attached end of the post.

The device is simple and cheap in construction, and very efficient in use. The materials employed are variable at will within the range of known materials usual or suitable to such purposes. In practice I have found it convenient to make the shells C C and the clamp-plates D E of sheet iron, and the impaling posts are preferably formed of round leather belting, which being a commercial article readily obtainable in most places, and of convenient form and size, is found peculiarly adapted to the purpose.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A binder comprising two cover-boards; impaling posts or members each having one end seated in an opening in one of said coverboards; clamps carried by said cover-board and adapted to secure the inserted ends of the binding posts or members therein, but to permit their ready disengagement therefrom; and clamping or gripping devices carried by the other of said cover-boards and adapted to grip or bind the impaling members at any desired point in their length, said impaling members being of material which is flexible and compressible, but of sulficient stability to maintain an upright position during the threading or impaling of sheets or leaves thereon.

2. In a hinder, the combination of two cover-boards; impaling members secured to one of said boards and formed of leather; and clamping devices carried by the other of said boards, and movable relatively thereto and to the impaling members, whereby they are adapted to embed themselves in and engage the impaling members at any point in the length of the latter, or to release the same, as desired.

3. In a loose leaf binder, the combination of a cover-board; flexible and compressible impaling posts having their ends seated in one of said cover-boards; clamping or gripping devices carried by said cover-board and servin to secure one end of each impaling member in said cover-board, and to retain the same firmly in place until it becomes necessary to substitute another impaling member; a second cover-board provided with openings to receive the impaling members; and clamps carried by said second coverboard, and adapted to grip or bind the impaling members, substantially as set forth.

4. In combination with a cover-board A provided with a shell or casing 0 having holes or sockets d; clamping slides mounted in said shell or casing, and having each a tapering opening h; impaling members F adapted to enter the sockets d and to be secured therein by the clamps D a second cover-board B provided with a shell or casing C having notches j; and clamping plates E mounted in said shell or casing, and having each a tapering opening it, said clamping lates serving to grip and compress the impa ing members F and thereby to secure the second coverboard B at any desired adjustment upon the impaling members.

5. In combination with a cover-board having a shell or casing C, provided with openings d; impaling members F seated in said sockets; and clamping slides D having tapering slots or openings h, and mounted within the shell or casing, one wall of the slot it being parallel with, and the other at an angle to, the length of the shell or casing.

6. In a loose leaf binder, the combination with a cover-board having impaling members, of a second cover-board B provided with a shell or casing C having seats or notches j opening to the outer edge of the cover-board to receive, laterally, the impaling members; and clamping slides E having two jaws and the intermediate opening h, whereby the slides are adapted to straddle and clamp the impaling members within the open seats or notches j, and to completely bridge and close the open ends of said seats or notches.

'7. In a binder, the combination of coverboards each provided with a tubular shell or casing having openings from face to face for the passage through them of impaling members; compressible impaling members, each having one end seated in the recesses of one cover-board; and sliding clamping plates mounted in the tubular shells or casings, and adapted to grip or bind the impaling members therein at any desired points in the length of said impaling members.

8. In a hinder, the combination of a coverboard provided with a tubular shell or casing In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN L. MoMILLAN.

Witnesses:

E. MORAN, L. M. DE CLEno

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