Abstract: A ring binder mechanism for retaining loose-leaf pages securely holds closed ring members together to prevent inadvertent loss of pages retained by the mechanism. The mechanism comprises a housing supporting two hinge plates for pivoting motion to open and close paired ring members mounted on the plates. Free ends of the paired ring members have interlocking configurations that securely join together when the ring members close. The configurations prevent misalignment of the closed ring members in all directions transverse to longitudinal centerlines of the ring members. The mechanism also includes locking elements that interact with the hinge plates to block their pivoting motion when the ring members are closed. This holds the free ends of the closed paired ring members together so that the interlocking configurations of the ring members remain interengaged.

Abstract: A ring binder mechanism that retains loose-leaf pages and has ring members that are easy to open and close and that readily lock together when closed. The mechanism comprises a housing that supports two hinge plates for loose pivoting motion. The hinge plate motion moves the ring members between an open position for loading pages and a closed position for retaining pages. A control structure is movable by a lever, which is pivotally mounted on the housing, between a first and second position. In the first position, pivoting motion of the hinge plates is blocked, and in the second position, the hinge plates can freely pivot. In one aspect of the invention, a spring is engageable with the lever for urging the lever to move the control structure toward the first position.

Abstract: A ring binder mechanism includes a housing that supports two hinge plates for loose pivoting motion, moving the ring members apart or together. The mechanism also includes an actuating lever pivotally mounted on the housing. The lever moves a travel bar and its locking elements for controllably pivoting the hinge plates and the ring members mounted thereon between closed and open positions. In particular, the locking elements cam the hinge plates to softly close the ring members. When the ring members are apart, the locking elements register with openings in at least one of the hinge plates. When the ring members are together, the locking elements are substantially out of registration with the openings, blocking the hinge plates from pivoting to separate the ring members. The travel bar is formed with reinforcing structure to resist deforming the travel bar upon repeated operation.

Abstract: A ring binder for retaining hole-punched pages comprises a housing, a pair of pivotable hinge plates received in the housing, and at least one pair of half ring members fixed to the hinge plates and moved between a closed position and an open position. Each of the half ring members comprises an anchoring portion fixed to a corresponding hinge plate, a transverse arm portion connected to the anchoring portion and extending outwardly in a transverse direction, an oblique arm portion connected to the transverse arm portion and extending obliquely and upwardly, and a curved portion connected to the oblique arm portion and extending upwardly and inwardly. In the closed position, upper ends of the curved portions of the pair of half ring members abut against each other in a face to face manner, and the opposite curved portions form an upwardly directed arc.

Abstract: A ring binder mechanism for retaining loose-leaf pages has a housing and a pair of hinge plates supported by the housing for pivoting motion relative to the housing. Mounted on each of the hinge plates are ring members which cooperate to form rings for holding the loose-leaf pages. Pivoting motion of the hinge plates causes the ring members to move between a closed position wherein the two ring members form a substantially continuous, closed loop, and an open position wherein the two ring members form a discontinuous, open loop. A lever is moveable relative to the housing for controlling the pivoting motion of the hinge plates. The lever has a locking position for locking the first and second hinge plates in the closed position. A biasing member engages and biases the lever toward the locking position.

Abstract: A ring binder for retaining hole-punched pages comprises a housing, a pair of pivotable hinge plates received in the housing, and at least one pair of half ring members fixed to the hinge plates and moved between a closed position and an open position. Each of the half ring members comprises an anchoring portion fixed to a corresponding hinge plate, a transverse arm portion connected to the anchoring portion and extending outwardly in a transverse direction, an oblique arm portion connected to the transverse arm portion and extending obliquely and upwardly, and a curved portion connected to the oblique arm portion and extending upwardly and inwardly. In the closed position, upper ends of the curved portions of the pair of half ring members abut against each other in a face to face manner, and the opposite curved portions form an upwardly directed arc.

Abstract: A ring binder mechanism that retains loose-leaf pages and has ring members that gently close and readily lock together. The mechanism comprises a housing that supports two hinge plates for loose pivoting motion, moving the ring members between an open position and a closed position. A control structure is movable by an actuating lever, which is pivotally mounted on the housing, between a first and second position. In the first position, pivoting motion of the hinge plates is blocked, and in the second position, the hinge plates can freely pivot. A spring is engageable with the lever for urging the lever to move the control structure toward the first position.

Abstract: A foot massaging treadmill including a supporting base mounted close to the floor. The supporting base includes a supporting board, an endless running belt slidably extending around the supporting board, and driving rollers for driving the running belt to move around the supporting board in a longitudinal direction of the supporting board. The upper surface of the running belt forms a user supporting surface. The supporting surface of the running belt provides a plurality of upward protrusions for applying pressure force to the user's foot soles. The treadmill massages the user's foot soles by the protrusions. Thus, the user will feel comfortable even after a long time of exercise.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ring binder mechanism for binding the sheets of loose leaves. The mechanism comprises an elongated spring plate that extends longitudinally and, in profile, has a shallow U-shaped configuration and opposite edges which extend substantially toward each other; two parallel elongate hinge plates supported by said spring plate for pivotal toggle motion relative to the spring plate about a central hinge line, which are mounted in parallel and retained by the opposite edges of the spring plate; and a plurality of rings for clasping said sheets of loose leaves. Each of the rings comprises a pair of half ring elements of circular cross-section which are mounted on said hinge plates, with one half ring element of each pair being attached to one of the hinge plates and the other half ring element of the pair attached to the other hinge plate, with the two half ring elements of each pair in substantial alignment.

Abstract: A ring binder mechanism for retaining loose-leaf pages has a housing, hinge plates, and ring members mounted on the hinge plates for retaining pages on the mechanism. The housing includes a plastic upper housing element and a lower housing element underlying the upper housing element. The lower housing element may be a single piece or multiple pieces. An actuating lever may be pivotally mounted on the housing for engaging the hinge plates and pivoting them to selectively move the ring members between an open position and a closed position.

Abstract: A ring mechanism for a loose-leaf binder comprises a thin, elongate plate and at least two ring members supported by the elongate plate. The ring members move between an open position for receiving and removing loose-leaf pages and a closed position for capturing the loose-leaf pages on the ring while permitting movement of the pages along the ring. The elongate plate has a longitudinal end including spaced apart first and second end portions located on one transverse side of the elongate plate. The first and second end portions are bent over to present a longitudinally facing surface which is blunt. A method of manufacturing a ring mechanism for a loose-leaf binder is also disclosed.

Abstract: A ring binder having flexible straps for lacing through holes in loose-leaf items having being bound, each strap having a clasp for clasping the strap to form it into rings of different size.

Abstract: A ring binder mechanism that retains loose-leaf pages and has ring members that readily lock together in a closed position, preventing accidental opening of the ring members and loss of pages. The mechanism comprises a housing that supports two hinge plates for pivoting motion that brings the ring members to either an open position or the closed position. The mechanism further comprises a control structure supported by the housing for causing the pivoting motion of the hinge plates. A spring plate is engageable with the control structure for urging the control structure to move toward a position blocking pivoting motion of the hinge plates when the ring members move to the closed position.

Abstract: There is disclosed a metal fitting (100, 100a, 100b, 200) adapted to be secured to a base member (200) by at least an eyelet (102, 102a, 102b) or a rivet (222), in which the metal fitting (100, 100a, 100b, 200) includes at least an aperture (106, 106a, 106b, 214) adapted to receive at least part of the eyelet (102, 102a, 102b) or rivet (222), in which at least one tab (108, 110, 108a, 108b, 216) extends from a periphery of the aperture (106, 106a, 106b, 214) into the aperture, and the tab (108, 110, 108a, 108b, 216) is adapted to engage with a flared portion (112, 112a, 112b) of the eyelet (102, 102a, 102b) or rivet (222) to secure the metal fitting (100, 100a, 100b, 200) with the base member (200). There is also disclosed a document holder formed of such a metal fitting as attached to a base member.

Abstract: A ring binder including an elongate base plate having ring segments fixed thereto, a flap hinged to the base plate having mating ring segments thereon swingable to open and close the rings, and a crankshaft journalled on the base plate for swinging the flap.

Abstract: A ring binder mechanism includes a housing that supports two hinge plates for loose pivoting motion, moving the ring members apart or together. The mechanism also includes an actuating lever pivotally mounted on the housing. The lever moves a travel bar and its locking elements for controllably pivoting the hinge plates and the ring members mounted thereon between closed and open positions. In particular, the locking elements cam the hinge plates to softly close the ring members. When the ring members are apart, the locking elements register with openings in at least one of the hinge plates. When the ring members are together, the locking elements are substantially out of registration with the openings, blocking the hinge plates from pivoting to separate the ring members. The travel bar is formed with reinforcing structure to resist deforming the travel bar upon repeated operation.