WO2012056234A1

WO2012056234A1 - Bridging means for a ring binder

Info

Publication number: WO2012056234A1
Application number: PCT/GB2011/052080
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert Stokell
Original assignee: Overarch Limited
Priority date: 2010-10-26
Filing date: 2011-10-26
Publication date: 2012-05-03
Also published as: GB201018016D0; GB2484928B; GB2484928A

Abstract

A bridging means (1) for a ring binder comprising a connecting element with a first and second arc engagement means arranged at a first and second end thereof. The bridging means (1) is arranged such that, in use, the first and second arc engagement means each engage an arc of a ring of a ring binder file such that the connecting element lies across the ends of the arcs where they meet.

Description

BRIDGING MEANS FOR A RING BINDER

Field of the Invention

This invention relates in particular but not exclusively to a bridging means for reinforcing the rings of a ring binder such as a lever arch file. Background

Ring binders are folders arranged to hold punched pieces of paper on one or more rings running through the holes in the paper. Each of these rings usually comprises two arcs which meet to form the ring and which can be pulled apart to add or remove pieces of paper. At least one arc is usually spring loaded such that the ring is biased into either the shut or the open position.

As will be familiar to the users of such items, the arcs of a ring binder may bend or break so that they do not join properly, leaving a gap between the arcs and/or resulting in the ends of the arcs becoming misaligned. Pages can catch on separated or the misaligned ends of the arcs, making it difficult to turn the pages in the file. If there is a gap, hole-punched pages may come out of the gap between the arcs. Furthermore, damaged arcs may open fully when large numbers of pages are turned at once.

This can be frustrating to a user of the file and can result in unnecessary waste as the user may replace the file with a new file.

To overcome these problems, this invention proposes a bridging means which fits onto the arcs and across the point where they meet. The arcs are engaged either side of their meeting point with a connecting element between them to help reinforce the arcs.

Summary

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a bridging clip for a ring binder, the bridging clip comprising a connecting element with a first and second arc engagement means at a first and second end thereof respectively, wherein the bridging clip is arranged such that, in use, the first and second arc engagement means each engage an arc of a ring of a ring binder file such that the connecting element lies across the ends of the arcs. Such a bridging clip is advantageous as it helps to reinforce the arcs against becoming misaligned and may also hold the ring firmly closed. In addition, the connecting element can restrain paper from coming off the ring through any gap and/or misalignment of the arcs.

In a preferred embodiment, the connecting element is arranged to lie substantially transverse to the ends of the arcs when the arcs are aligned. This will assist in maintaining the alignment of the arcs.

In one embodiment, the first and/or second arc engagement means comprises a resilient clip arranged to extend around more than half of the circumference of an arc. The clip may comprise a material such as plastic or metal which will deform as the arc engagement means is opened over the arc, gripping the arc as it returns to a more closed shape. In some embodiments, the resilient clip may be arranged to extend around substantially the whole circumference of an arc, and may comprise a split ring or split tube. Such embodiments are convenient as a clip provides a simple means for engaging the arcs.

In other embodiments, the arc engagement means may be arranged to extend around the entire circumference of an arc.

At least one arc engagement means may comprise an end portion which is shaped such that it is not transverse to the direction in which paper would be moved across the bridging clip. An end portion which is transverse (i.e. square) to the direction of page turning would present more of a barrier to page turning (i.e. the punched holes in the pages would be more likely be caught thereon) than an end portion which is shaped such that the outer dimensions of the arc engagement means when in situ on an arc increases gradually with respect to the direction of movement of the page.

Alternatively or additionally, at least one arc engagement means may comprise an end portion with a bevelled or tapering edge. Again, this may allow a page to turn more easily as the outer dimensions of the arc engagement means when in situ on an arc increase gradually with respect to the direction of movement of the page.

For example, the connecting element may be arranged to extend around the whole, or substantially the whole, circumference of an arc. This is advantageous as it provides additional support over the meeting point of the arcs. In other embodiments, the connecting element may be arranged to extend around only a portion of the arc, or indeed may not extend around the arc at all. Such embodiments may be advantageous as they require less material in manufacture and will be lighter.

In some embodiments, the connecting element may be arranged to extend along the whole, or substantially the whole, length of an arc. In other embodiments, the connecting element may be arranged to extend along only a portion of length of an arc.

In one embodiment, the connecting element is arranged to provide a running surface for paper, preferably at least along the inside circumference of a ring to which it attached. This is advantageous in providing a running surface for paper, which a user will tend to pull slightly towards him or herself in turning the pages, and allows a user to turn the pages even when there is a gap or the arcs are misaligned without the pages becoming caught or slipping from the file.

The shape of the bridging clip, and in particular the shape of the connecting element, may depend on the type of file with which the bridging clip is intended to be used. This is advantageous as, for example, in a lever arch file, the arcs tend to meet at a straight portion, whereas in other types of ring binder, the arcs meet at a curved portion. Therefore, a straight connecting means may fit more closely with the arcs in a lever arch file and a curved connecting means may fit more closely with the arcs in another ring binder. However in other embodiments, the bridging clip may be formed of a resilient material which is arranged to fit closely to various arc types. Fitting closely is advantageous as it will allow the pages to be turned over the bridging clip more readily.

In some embodiments, the bridging clip may be arranged to be fixed permanently, or substantially permanently, to a ring binder. The bridging clip could be arranged to be, glued, welded, crimped or the like. As such, the bridging clip acts to reinforce the arcs but also provides a security means in that papers cannot be added to the file without removing the bridging clip.

In some embodiments, the bridging clip may be for a level-arch file and/or for a ring binder.

In some embodiments the bridging clip may be configured for clipping onto a ring binder and/or for clipping onto a level-arch file.

In preferred embodiments, the bridging clip is relatively thin with respect to the diameter of an arc of a ring binder. It will be understood that a thinner material will present less of a barrier to turning pages. In addition, the size of a hole punched by a standard hole punch may present a practical limitation on the thickness of the bridging clip.

The bridging element may comprise materials such as plastic, rubber, metal or the like. Such materials can be low cost, as is appropriate for a stationery item, and can be easily machined or moulded.

According to another aspect of the invention, there can be provided a tube which is cut along its length so that it clips within the curve of the arcs of a ring binder file around the point where they meet. For example, the tube may be shaped so that pages can move across it without having to pass over a straight edge. Other variations, embodiments and features of the present invention will become evident from the following detailed description, drawings and claims.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a ring of a lever arch file with its arcs joined and reinforced by a bridging means;

Figure 2 shows a bridging means which comprises a curved clip formed so that it clips onto the arcs;

Figure 3 shows a bridging means, where the end portions of the arc engagement means are shaped; and

Figure 4 shows the bottom view of the bridging means shown in Figure 3; and

Figure 5 shows a bridging means which comprises a straight clip.

Detailed description

In Figure 1 , the bridging means is provided by a tube 1 which fits onto the arcs and across the point where they meet. In this embodiment, the first and second arc engaging means and the connecting element are provided by this tube 1 and extend around the circumference of the arc. The tube 1 is made from thin material, so that pages with normal hole-punched holes can pass easily across it. It forms a frictional engagement with the arcs such that it remains in place and resists relative movement of the arcs.

Figure 2 shows an alternative embodiment, where the bridging means 2 is a curved clip which is clipped within the curve of the arcs and across the point where they meet. The bridging means 2 engages the arcs along its whole length, extending around more than half the circumference of each arc such that it remains securely attached to the arcs. The bridging means 2 may be undipped when necessary, so that more pages can be added to the file.

Figures 3 and 4 show a further alternative embodiment with a shaped end portion 3. The outer edges of the bridging means are not transverse (i.e. not square) to the direction in which paper would be moved across the bridging means so that pages can move across it without having to pass over a straight edge. The shaped end portion of the connecting element 3 may allow the connecting element to engage arcs of a plurality of different curvature angles. Alternatively or additionally the radius of the end portion of the connecting element may be such that it is optimised to engage securely with an arc. Alternatively or additionally, at least one arc engagement means may comprise an end portion with a bevelled or tapering edge.

Figure 5 shows another embodiment of a bridging means, the bridging means including a straight clip 5. The bridging means of this example is 12mm long with a wrap angle of 255 degrees. The outer edges of the bridging means of the clip 5 are curved to the direction in which paper would be moved across the bridging means, but in other embodiments they could be transverse (i.e. square) to the direction in which paper would be moved across the bridging means or of any other suitable shape. The bridging means including the straight clip 5 can be used for connecting arcs with straight portion where they meet. It can also be used to connect arcs where one or both arcs include a curved portion in or around the area where they meet, for example to connect a curved arc and a straight arc where they meet. As shown in the example of Figure 5, the bridging means, when connecting two arcs, may not be centred on the point where the arcs meet.

The bridging means described in the embodiments herein may be arranged to be fixed permanently, or substantially permanently, to a ring binder's arcs, for example by gluing, welding, or crimping. The bridging means may be formed of a resilient material such as plastic or metal which will deform as the arc engagement means is opened over the arc, gripping the arc as it returns to a more closed shape. Examples of suitable materials for forming the components described herein include spring grade stainless steel, for example S302-S25 grade stainless steel, and carbon steel, for example carbon spring steel; medium carbon steel; or high carbon steel. In an example a deformable material with a low-slip surface, such as a soft plastic or rubber, may be preferable.

A part or all of the bridging means may be the subject of heat treatment during or after manufacturing. A part or all of the bridging means may also be the subject of a zinc, black and/or coloured passivate treatment, for example for increasing the lifetime of the product, for compliance with health and safety regulations or for improving the appearance of the product. The bridging means may also be subjected to a stamping and/or dying process.

The bridging means may be formed with a suitable thickness such that it does not catch on a sheet of paper being moved across the bridging means. An example of an appropriate thickness is 0.2mm. The wrap angle is the angle by which the clip extends around the circumference an arc. In the embodiment of Figure 2 the wrap angle of the clip is such that it provides a positive clip action when engaged with an arc. For example, the wrap angle may be slightly greater than 180 degrees to provide a 'light' clipping action, or more to provide a firmer clip. An example of wrap angle is 255 degrees. The bridging means may be formed with a suitable length such that it fits on arcs with various shapes and can be used on ring binders produced by various manufacturers. Examples of appropriate lengths include 10mm and 12mm. A longer bridging means may increase the alignment capabilities of the bridging means whilst a shorter bridging means may be easier and more convenient to store and to clip and unclip. The bridging means may have a clipping surface of any shape suitable for use with arcs it is intended to be used with. For example the clipping surface may be straight, curved or angular or may have straight, curved and/or angular portions. The shape of the clipping surface may generally mirror the shape of the arcs it is intended to be used with, and in particular the shape of these arcs where they meet, for example to facilitate the bridging means maintaining the alignment of the arcs. Any bridging means considered under the present disclosure may be used for connecting arcs with straight portion where they meet and/or to connect arcs where one or both arcs include a curved portion in or around the area where they meet. For example the bridging means may be used to connect a curved arc and a straight arc where they meet.

The bridging means, when in use and connecting two arcs, may be substantially centred or may not be centred on the point where the arcs meet. In other words, the centre of the bridging means with respect to the direction in which paper would be moved across the bridging means may be substantially aligned or offset relative to the meeting point of the arcs in the direction in which paper would be moved across the bridging means.

The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims. It will be understood that the benefits and advantages described above may relate to one embodiment or may relate to several embodiments. It will further be understood that reference to 'an' item refers to one or more of those items. Features of the various embodiments may be combined.

It will be understood that the above description of a preferred embodiment is given by way of example only and that various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art. The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the structure and use of exemplary embodiments of the invention. Although various embodiments of the invention have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, or with reference to one or more individual embodiments, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

Claims

A bridging clip for a ring binder, the bridging clip comprising a connecting element with a first and second arc engagement means at a first and second end thereof respectively, wherein the bridging clip is arranged such that, in use, the first and second arc engagement means each engages an arc of a ring of a ring binder file such that the connecting element lies across the ends of the arcs.

A bridging clip according to claim 1 in which the connecting element is arranged to lie substantially transverse to the ends of the arcs when the arcs meet and are aligned.

A bridging clip according to claim 1 or 2 in which the first and/or second arc engagement means comprises a resilient clip arranged to extend around more than half of the circumference of an arc.

A bridging clip according to claim 3 in which the resilient clip is arranged to extend around substantially the entire circumference of an arc.

A bridging clip according to any preceding claim, configured for clipping onto a ring binder.

A bridging clip according to any preceding claim in which at least one arc engagement means comprises an end portion which is shaped such that it is not square to the direction in which paper would be moved across the bridging clip.

A bridging clip according to any preceding claim in which at least one arc engagement means comprises an end portion with a bevelled edge.

A bridging clip according to any preceding claim in which the connecting element is arranged to engage one or both arcs.

A bridging clip according to any preceding claim in which the connecting element is arranged to extend along the whole, or substantially the whole, length of an arc.

A bridging clip according to any preceding claim in which the connecting element may be arranged to extend along only a portion of length of an arc.

1 1. A bridging clip according to any preceding claim in which the connecting element is arranged to provide a running surface for paper at least along the inside surface of a ring to which it attached.

12. A bridging clip according to any preceding claim in which the shape of the bridging clip, and in particular the shape of the connecting element, depends on the type of file with which the bridging clip is intended to be used.

13. A bridging clip according to any preceding claim in which the connecting element is formed of a resilient material which is arranged to fit closely to various arc types.

14. A bridging clip according to any preceding claim which is arranged to be fixed permanently, or substantially permanently, to a ring binder.

15. A bridging clip according to any preceding claim which is thin relative to the diameter of an arc of a ring binder.

16. A bridging clip according to any preceding claim wherein the bridging clip is for a level-arch file.

17. A tube which is cut along its length so that it clips within the curve of the arcs of a ring binder file around the point where they meet.

18. A tube according to claim 17 which is shaped so that pages can move across it without having to pass over a straight edge.

19. A bridging clip substantially as described herein and as illustrated in the accompanying Figures.

20. A tube cut along its length substantially as described herein and as illustrated in the accompanying Figures.