WO2017072570A1

WO2017072570A1 - Clamping spine for clamping a bundle of leaves

Info

Publication number: WO2017072570A1
Application number: PCT/IB2016/001426
Authority: WO
Inventors: Guido Frans M. PELEMAN
Original assignee: Unibind Limited
Priority date: 2015-10-28
Filing date: 2016-10-04
Publication date: 2017-05-04
Also published as: BE1023547A1; BE1023547B1

Abstract

Clamping spine for clamping a bundle of leaves, whereby this clamping spine (1) comprises a U-shaped profile (2) with a base (3) and two arms (4) whose free ends (5) can be moved flexibly towards one another in order to clamp a bundle of leaves that has been inserted between the arms (4), characterised in that the clamping spine (1) is further provided with at least one clamp (6) that can be affixed over or around the arms (4) at an open end (7) of the U-shaped profile (2), whereby the form and dimensions of the clamp (6) are such that when inserting the clamp (6) over or around the arms (4), the free ends (5) of the arms (4) are pushed towards one another to clamp a bundle of leaves.

Description

Clamping spine for clamping a bundle of leaves.

The present invention relates to a clamping spine for clamping a bundle of leaves.

More specifically the invention relates to a clamping spine, which as is known, is formed by a U-shaped profile of an elastic pliable material with a base and two arms.

For binding it is sufficient to slide an edge of the bundle into the clamping spine in order to clamp this edge between the free edges of the aforementioned arms, which are pushed apart when sliding in the bundle, and which thanks to the elasticity of the clamping spine ensure the clamping of the bundle .

When laying the bundle open there is a risk of the bundle moving in the clamping spine, because the strength of the clamping or the force that the free edges of the arms exert is not large enough.

Solutions already exist to counteract the movement, whereby an adhesive layer is provided on an appendage of the arms of the clamping spine to bond the bundle of leaves.

This adhesive layer hampers the sliding in of the bundle as it must be ensured that the adhesive layer does not come into contact with the leaves until they have been slid into the right position. Moreover, an extra operation is needed to bind the bundle, i.e. the fastening of the appendage with the adhesive layer to the leaves of the bundle. An additional disadvantage of such a clamping spine is that the leaves must be slid in so that it is possible for the leaves to be damaged. Indeed, during this sliding movement the leaves will make contact with sharp edges and corners of the arms of the clamping spine.

The sliding in of a thin bundle of leaves, with only a limited number of leaves, will also be difficult because not enough force can be exerted by the bundle of leaves to push open the arms of the clamping spine.

For such a reason the clamping force of the clamping spine is often kept relatively limited, with the known problem of the bundle of leaves moving. Indeed, when the clamping force becomes too great it is impossible to slide in a bundle of leaves into the clamping spine without additional measures to pull open the arms of the clamping spine. A solution is known to this, as set out in WO 2012/166219 whereby the clamping spine is affixed in the spine of a folder with endpapers that are fastened to the spine and whereby a "tension sheet" of flexible but non-elastic material is fastened in the clamping spine and which is fastened by its ends to the inside of the aforementioned endpapers. With this solution, in order to insert a bundle of leaves or add extra leaves or remove leaves, it is sufficient to fold the endpapers completely outwards, whereby the clamping spine is pulled open by the tension sheet and whereby, after adding or removing leaves, the endpapers can be folded back to close the clamping spine again and to clamp the bundle again. A disadvantage is that the tension sheet, in view of the forces exerted thereon, must be able to present considerable resistance to tension, such that the tension sheet must be relatively thick or made of a somewhat more expensive tension-resistant material.

Another disadvantage is that when the folder is folded closed, the tension sheet is not pulled in tightly, which is not so attractive. Another disadvantage is that this solution can only be in combination with a folder with a spine with endpapers and that the hinge, with which the endpapers are fastened to the spine, is a weak point in view of the tensile forces exerted thereon when completely turning over the endpapers to remove or insert leaves.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a solution to at least one of the aforementioned and other disadvantages . The object of the present invention is a clamping spine for clamping a bundle of leaves, whereby this clamping spine comprises a U-shaped profile with a base and two arms whose free ends can be moved flexibly towards one another in order to clamp a bundle of leaves that has been inserted between the arms, whereby the clamping spine is further provided with at least one clamp that can be slid over or in an open end of the U-shaped profile and can be affixed over or around the arms, whereby the form and dimensions of the clamp are such that when inserting the clamp over or around the arms, the free ends of the arms are pushed towards one another to clamp a bundle of leaves.

An advantage is that the U-shaped profile may have a low clamping force, as the aforementioned clamps will provide an additional clamping force.

In this way the leaves can be inserted between the arms of the U-shaped profile without much difficulty and without a risk of damage and then firmly clamped in without further additional measures, such as an appendage with adhesive on the arms or a tension sheet, being necessary such that the accompanying disadvantages can be prevented. In principle it is even possible to let the arms of the U- shaped profile be somewhat apart in the undamped state, so that the bundle of leaves can be inserted without sliding in sideways.

Additional advantages are that no further operations are required to bind the bundle of leaves, that an attractive and neatly bound bundle can be realised, even by untrained people, and that the clamping spine can be used independently of a folder with a spine and endpapers. Another additional advantage is that the clamps are not visible on the base of the U-shaped profile because they are slid in or over the open end of the profile. In other words the clamps will not interfere with the appearance or flat smooth surface of the base or spine.

Preferably the clamps are slid in or over this open end sideways .

Preferably the clamp is provided with two pegs that are intended to be slid into an open end of the U-shaped profile so that the pegs can press against the arms of the U-shaped profile.

An advantage of this is that the clamping of a bundle of leaves by the insertion of such a clamp with two pegs by sliding is very simple and requires no special training or additional measures.

In addition it will be possible to slide the clamp out again, in order to undo the clamping of the bundle of leaves, such that the bundle can be taken out of the clamping spine, such that additional leaves can be added or such that the clamping spine is reusable. It is clear that the aforementioned clamp can also be constructed in other ways. For example in the form of a clip connector that is snapped into the U-shaped profile. According to a preferred characteristic of the invention the clamping spine is provided with two clamps that are each intended to be inserted in an open end of the U-shaped profile . An advantage is that a clamping force will be exerted at both ends of the U-shaped profile, such that firm a clamping is obtained, even if the clamping spine extends over the entire length of the edge of a bundle of leaves to be bound.

It is clear that with a short clamping spine, that will clamp a bundle of leaves whose edge to be bound has limited dimensions, one clamp will suffice in most cases. In a practical embodiment the U-shaped profile is provided at at least one end with a stiff outer profile in which the U-shaped profile can be held with a close fit, whereby the outer part is provided with cutaways for receiving the clamp .

An advantage of such a stiff outer profile, which in principle does not have to be as long as the U-shaped profile itself, is that the clamping spine can be fastened in a binding folder more easily. Indeed, the form of the stiff outer profile can be chosen to be optimum to be able to realise such a fastening.

As a result, for the design of the U-shaped profile of the clamping slat, account does not have to be taken of the requirements for fastening the clamping slat, as this is realised by the stiff outer profile.

In addition the stiff outer profile will enclose the clamp as it is inserted in this stiff outer profile, such that the clamp will be protected and such that the pegs of the clamp cannot damage any other components, such as a binding folder in which the clamping spine is affixed for example. The stiff outer profile is preferably provided with a cutaway in which the U-shaped profile can be affixed by sliding, snapping in or gluing. Note that the stiff outer profile itself will not exert a clamping force on the arms of the U-shaped profile, this clamping force is provided by the aforementioned clamp.

In another practical embodiment the free ends of the arms of the U-shaped profile are folded over inwards so that they are oriented towards the base of the U-shaped profile, whereby the clamp is affixed over or around the folded-over section of the arms.

Such an embodiment has the advantage that the design of the folded-over section of the arms can be suitably designed to obtain good clamping, whereby at the location of the fold in the arms, the arms can be designed to ensure a good insertion of the bundle of leaves.

The rest of the U-shaped profile can also be suitably designed to be able to easily affix the clamping slat in a binding folder, without having to take account of the clamping, as the clamping is ensured by the folded-over sections of the arms. Moreover, the pegs of the clamp will be concealed under or behind the folded sections of the arms.

The invention also relates to a binding folder for binding a bundle of leaves, whereby the binding folder comprises a clamping spine according to the invention.

By using such a binding folder, an attractively bound bundle of leaves can be obtained with all the advantages of the clamping spine according to the invention.

With the intention of better showing the characteristics of the invention, a few preferred embodiments of a clamping spine and a binding folder according to the invention are described hereinafter, by way of an example without any limiting nature, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: figures 1 to 3 schematically show a perspective view of a clamping spine according to the invention; figures 4 to 7 schematically show a perspective of an alternative embodiment of a clamping according to the invention;

figure 8 schematically shows an alternative embodiment of a clamping spine according to the invention;

figure 9 schematically shows a perspective view of a binding folder according to the invention;

figure 10 schematically shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a binding folder according to the invention.

Figures 1 to 3 schematically show a first embodiment of a clamping spine 1 according to the invention.

The clamping spine essentially comprises a U-shaped profile with a base 3 and two arms 4 whose free ends can be flexibly moved towards one another and at least one clamp 6, in this case two clamps 6.

A clamp 6 can be inserted in each open end 7 of the U- shaped profile 2, as shown in the drawings.

The U-shaped profile 2 can be made of a stiff or sturdy plastic, for example, that enables a flexible movement of the ends 5.

In the example shown, the free ends 5 of the arms 4 of the U-shaped profile 2 are folded over so that they are oriented towards the base 3 of the U-shaped profile 2. Between these folded-over sections 8 of the arms 4 a slot 9 or space is formed for receiving a bundle of leaves.

The base 3 and the non-folded-over section 10 of the arms 4 form an open rectangular profile, whose walls 3, 10 are at a right angle to one another.

The aforementioned clamps 6 are provided with two pegs 11, whereby in this case the distance A between the pegs 11 becomes greater towards their free end 12.

It is clear that this can be realised in a different way, and in this case the cross-section can change shape along their length, whereby the pegs 11 also become thinner towards their free end 12.

It is also possible that the shape of the cross-section does not change, but that the cross-section only becomes smaller towards the end 12 of the pegs 11. The pegs 11 can also be placed at an angle to one another, for example.

The two pegs 11 are intended to be slid into an open end 7 of the U-shaped profile 2, so that the pegs 11 can press against the arms 4 of the U-shaped profile 2.

Hereby the form and dimensions of the clamps 6 and the pegs 11 are such that the free ends 5 of the arms 4 can be pushed towards one another to thus be able to exert a clamping force on a bundle of leaves that is inserted in the clamping spine 1. As in this case the free ends 5 of the arms 4 are folded over inwards, in this case the pegs 11 are slid between the section 8 and the section 10 of an arm 4. In this way the clamp 6 is affixed over or around the free end 5 of the arms 4 and the clamping force is exerted directly on the folded-over section 8 of the arms 4.

In addition to the two pegs 11, a clamp 6 is also provided with a cover plate 13 whose dimensions and shape essentially correspond to the cross-section of the U-shaped profile 2 or thus with the shape of the open end 7 and whereby the cover plate 13 will close off the open end 7 of the U-shaped profile when the clamp 6 has been inserted.

This has the advantage that an attractive finish can be obtained, whereby if desired the cover plate 13 can be decorated or adorned for personalisation, for example an initial or similar. In this case a small subtle marking 14 is made that shows the correct orientation for inserting the clamp 6 with respect to the U-shaped profile 2. The cover plate 13 will also prevent dirt and dust being able to penetrate into the U-shaped profile 2 through the open end 7.

The operation of the clamping spine 1 is very simple and is shown in figures 1 to 3. A bundle of leaves is not shown here for the purpose of clarity.

The bundle of leaves is inserted in the clamping spine 1 between the arms 4 of the U-shaped profile 2. In this case the length B of the clamping spine will essentially correspond to the length of the edge of the bundle of leaves to be bound. Through the design of the folded-over arms 4 a type of ^guiding funnel' can be formed, which facilitates the insertion of the bundle.

Then a clamp 6 is inserted in each open end 7 of the U- shaped profile 2, as shown in figure 2. The clamps 6 are slid into an open end 7 sideways.

As the distance A between the pegs 11 gradually becomes smaller from the end 12 of the pegs 11 to the cover plate 13, the insertion of the clamp will proceed easily in a first phase.

The pegs 11 will exert increasing pressures and force on the folded-over sections 8 of the arms 4 while being slid in as the distance A between the pegs 11 continually gets smaller.

As a result the folded-over sections 8 will be pushed towards one another. In this way, after complete insertion of the clamp 6, a good clamping force is obtained on the bundle.

Note that the folded-over sections 8 will not only be pushed towards one another at the location of the pegs 11, but in principle will come closer together over their entire length. As can be seen in figure 3, the cover plate 13 will close off the open end 7 of the U-shaped profile 2.

Although the clamping spine 1 is not affixed in a binding folder in the drawings, this is of course possible.

Even more so, the clamping spine 1 is even extremely suitable for this as the base 3 and the non-folded-over sections 10 of the arms 4 are made flat and are placed at a right angle to one another, so that the clamping spine 1 can easily be glued in a binding folder.

For the design of these parts 3, 10, no account is taken of the requirements for being able to clamp a bundle of leaves, as this function is provided by the folded-over sections of the arms 4 and the clamps 6.

Figures 4 to 7 show a variant, whereby in this case the clamping spine 1 comprises a U-shaped profile 2 whose free ends 5 of the arms 4 are not folded over inwards.

Nevertheless, in this case the free ends 5 of the arms 4 are folded outwards, i.e. they are not completely folded over, but are partially folded back to form a funnel.

As a result, a type of tulip-shaped funnel 15 is formed between the arms 4 to facilitate the insertion of a bundle of leaves.

Also the base 3 and the arms 4 are not flat and straight, but round and curved. Furthermore, the U-shaped profile 2 is provided at both ends 7 with a stiff outer profile 16 in which the U-shaped profile 2 can be held with a close fit.

To this end the outer profile 16 is provided with a corresponding cutaway 17.

The stiff outer profile 16 is provided with cutaways 18 for receiving the clamp 6, more specifically for receiving the pegs 11 of the clamp 6. This is clearly shown in figures 4 and 7.

The form of the pegs 11 is different in this embodiment, to demonstrate that there are different possibilities.

In this case the cross-section of the pegs 11 becomes smaller towards their end 12 so that the distance A between the pegs 11 becomes greater towards their end.

For the rest, this embodiment of the clamping spine 1 is similar to the previous embodiment.

The operation of this clamping spine 1 for clamping a bundle is also similar.

It is important to note that as the free ends 5 of the arms 4 are bent into a tulip shape, this will ensure that when sliding in the clamps 6 in the stiff outer profiles 16, the arms 4 will be bent towards one another over their entire length B. Indeed the bent free end 5 will ensure great stiffness so that a force exerted on one point of the end 5 will cause a movement over the entire length B thereof instead of a local deformation of the free end 5.

An advantage of this is that the bundle will experience a clamping force over the entire length of the arms 4. An alternative embodiment of a clamping spine 1 according to the invention is shown in figure 8.

This embodiment differs from the previous one in that the pegs 11 of the clamp 6 are just as wide over their entire length and are also placed parallel to one another in this example, so that the distance A between the pegs remains the same over the entire length of the pegs 11.

The. cutaways 18 in the stiff outer profile 16 are constructed as grooves.

The dimensions of the grooves decrease along their length.

This means: the cross-section becomes continually smaller. For example the dimensions can vary from two millimetres, corresponding to the thickness of the pegs 16, to zero millimetres .

As a result a certain force will be exerted on the pegs 11 when sliding in the clamp 6 so that the clamp 6 is firmly held in the stiff outer profile 16. In this way it can prevent the clamp 6 from sliding out of the grooves unintentionally.

For the rest, this embodiment and its operation is analogous to the previous embodiment.

The binding folder 19 according to the invention shown in figure 8 comprises a clamping spine 1 according to the invention.

The binding folder 19 is provided with a spine 20 with two endpapers 21, whereby the clamping spine 1 is fastened in the spine 20. In this case the clamping spine 1 comprises two U-shaped profiles 2 and two clamps 6, whereby a clamp 6 is inserted in one open end of each U-shaped profile 2.

As can be seen in figure 8 the clamping spine 1 is further constructed as in figures 1 to 3.

Each of the U-shaped profiles 2 are affixed in the spine 20 of the binding folder 19, for example by means of sticking or gluing, whereby they are each affixed at one end of the spine 20.

The binding folder 19 according to the invention shown in figure 9 comprises a clamping spine 1 as shown in figures 4 to 7. The length B of the clamping spine 1 essentially corresponds to the length of the spine 20 of the binding folder 19. The clamping spine 1 is affixed in the spine 20 of the binding folder 1 with the aid of the two stiff outer profiles 16 by gluing or sticking.

It is clear that it is not excluded that a U-shaped profile 2 is used that has a short length B and whereby two such U- shaped profiles 2 are then affixed in the spine 20 of the binding folder 19. Of course, in this case only one clamp 6 will be used for each U-shaped profile 2 and preferably only one stiff outer profile 16 per U-shaped profile 2.

The present invention is by no means limited to the embodiments described as an example and shown in the drawings, but a clamping spine and a binding folder according to the invention can be realised in all kinds of forms and dimensions without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims .

1. - Clamping spine for clamping a bundle of leaves, whereby this clamping spine (1) comprises a U-shaped profile (2) with a base (3) and two arms (4) whose free ends (5) can be moved flexibly towards one another in order to clamp a bundle of leaves that has been inserted between the arms (4), characterised in that the clamping spine (1) is further provided with at least one clamp (6) that can be slid sideways over or in an open end (7) of the U-shaped profile (2) and can be affixed over or around the arms (4), whereby the form and dimensions of the clamp (6) are such that when inserting the clamp (6) over or around the arms (4), the free ends (5) of the arms (4) are pushed towards one another to clamp a bundle of leaves.

2. - Clamping spine according to claim 1, characterised in that the clamp (6) is provided with two pegs (11) that are intended to be slid into an open end (7) of the U-shaped profile (2) such that the pegs (11) can press against the arms (4) of the U-shaped profile (2).

3. - Clamping spine according to claim 2, characterised in that the distance (Ά) between the pegs (11) becomes larger towards their free end (12).

4. - Clamping spine according to claim 3, characterised in that the aforementioned distance (A) becomes larger towards the free end (12) of the pegs (11) by the pegs (11) becoming thinner towards the free end (21) and/or by the shape of the cross-section of the pegs (11) changing along their length and/or by the pegs (11) being placed at an angle to one another.

5.- Clamping spine according to any one of the previous claims, characterised in that the clamp (6) is provided with a cover plate (13) whose dimensions and shape essentially correspond to the cross-section of the U-shaped profile (2) and whereby the aforementioned cover plate (13) will close off the open end (7) of the U-shaped profile (2) when the clamp (6) has been inserted.

6. - Clamping spine according to any one of the previous claims, characterised in that the clamping spine (1) is provided with two clamps (6) that are each intended to be inserted in an open end (7) of the U-shaped profile (2).

7. - Clamping spine according to any one of the previous claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the clamping spine (1) comprises two U-shaped profiles (2) and two clamps (6), whereby a clamp (6) is inserted in one open end (7) of each U-shaped profile (2) .

8. - Clamping spine according to any one of the previous claims, characterised in that the U-shaped profile (2) is provided at at least one end (7) with a stiff outer profile (16) in which the U-shaped profile (2) can be held with a close fit, whereby the outer profile (16) is provided with cutaways (18) for receiving the clamp (6) .

9.- Clamping spine according to claim 8, characterised in that the U-shaped profile (2) is provided at both ends (7) with a stiff outer profile (16) .

10.- Clamping spine according to claim 2 and claim 8 or 9, characterised in that the pegs (11) of the clamp (6) are just as wide over their entire length and that the aforementioned cutaways (18) in the stiff outer profile (16) are constructed in the form of grooves, whose dimensions decrease along the length of the grooves.

11. - Clamping spine according to any one of the previous claims, characterised in that the free ends (5) of the arms (4) of the U-shaped profile (2) are folded outwards.

12. - Clamping spine according to any one of the previous claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the free ends (5) of the arms (4) of the U-shaped profile (2) are folded over inwards so that they are oriented towards the base (3) of the U-shaped profile (2), whereby the clamp (6) is affixed over or around the folded-over section (8) of the arms (4).

13. - Binding folder for binding a bundle of leaves, characterised in that the binding folder (19) comprises a clamping spine (1) according to any one of the previous claims .

14. - Binding folder according to claim 13, characterised in that the binding folder (19) is provided with a spine (20) with two endpapers (21), whereby the clamping spine (1) is fastened in the spine (20) .

15. - Binding folder according to claim 13 or 14, characterised in that the length (B) of the clamping spine (1) essentially corresponds to the length of the spine (20) of the binding folder (19).

16. - Binding folder according to claim 13 or 14, characterised in that a clamping spine (1) is affixed in the spine (20) of the binding folder (19) and comprises two U-shaped profiles (2) and two clamps (6) and whereby the U- shaped profiles (2) are placed close to the ends of the spine (20) of the binding folder (19).