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 for retaining loose leaf pages. The mechanism includes an elongate plate, hinge plates supported by the plate for pivoting motion relative to the plate, and ring members mounted on the hinge plates which are moveable between a closed position and an open position. A control structure controllably pivots the hinge plates to thereby move the ring members between the closed and open positions. The control structure includes a single actuator at one end of the mechanism, a travel bar movable relative to the elongate plate, and two connecting links operatively connecting the travel bar to the hinge plates. The control structure is configured to selectively place the mechanism in a locked position wherein the ring members are securely closed.

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 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 for retaining loose leaf pages. The mechanism includes an elongate plate, hinge plates supported by the plate for pivoting motion relative to the plate, and ring members mounted on the hinge plates which are moveable between a closed position and an open position. A control structure controllably pivots the hinge plates to thereby move the ring members between the closed and open positions. The control structure includes a single actuator at one end of the mechanism, a travel bar movable relative to the elongate plate, and two connecting links operatively connecting the travel bar to the hinge plates. The control structure is configured to selectively place the mechanism in a locked position wherein the ring members are securely closed.

Abstract: Ring binder mechanism with a ring-locking feature.

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

Abstract: There is disclosed a ring binder mechanism (10) including an upper structure (12) supporting two pivotable plates (14) to which three pairs of half-ring members (16) are mounted, in which the plates (14) are pivotable between a first configuration in which the three pairs of half-ring members (16) are closed, and a second configuration in which the three pairs of half-ring members (16) are open, in which the ring binder mechanism (10) may be secured to a cardboard cover (60) via two rivets (20), in which each rivet (20) includes an anchor plate (40) from an upper major surface of which a post member (38) extends, in which the post member (38) includes an open end deformed to engage with the upper casing (12) via a bushing (22), and in which a sleeve (24) is positioned between the upper casing (12) and the anchor plate (40) of the rivet (20).

Abstract: There is disclosed a ring binder adapted to be secured to a cover, the ring binder including an upper plate with a longitudinal axis; a pair of elongate plates supported by the upper plate; a number of ring members mounted to the elongate plates; and two rivets for securing the ring binder to the cover, in which each of the rivets includes a cylindrical body in direct engagement with the upper plate for attaching the rivet to the upper plate and an abutment plate adapted to abut the cover when the ring binder is secured to the cover; and a number of claws for securing the ring binder to the cover, in which the abutment plate includes a major surface, and the abutment plate includes at least one side edge from which a ridge member extends away from the major surface.

Abstract: A ring binder is disclosed as comprising a substantially rigid curved upper plate supporting a pair of pivotable lower plates mounted with a plurality of pairs of half rings, and a lever at each end of the ring binder, wherein the curved upper plate comprises a W-shaped ridge member or trough member between each of its longitudinal ends and the pair of half rings nearest thereto.

Abstract: A ring binder adapted to be secured to an article by at least one integral rivet, the ring binder comprising a substantially rigid integral upper plate supporting a pair of pivotable lower plates to which a plurality of ring members are mounted, the rivet comprising (1) a barrel that is in direct engagement with the upper plate and (2) a plurality of claws for securing the article, wherein at least 75% of said claws extend away from a longitudinal axis of the barrel. Also disclosed is a rivet adapted to secure a ring binder to an article, the rivet comprising (1) a barrel for engaging the ring binder and (2) a plurality of claws for securing the article, wherein at least a majority of the claws generally extend away from a longitudinal axis of the barrel.

Abstract: A ring binder includes a base member supporting a plurality of ring members, and an opening mechanism at each end of the base member for opening the plurality of ring members, each opening mechanism including lock means to lock the opening mechanisms in its closed position, the base member comprising a rigid upper structure supporting a pivotable lower structure to which the ring members are mounted, wherein at each end of the binder, the opening mechanism is coupled to and pivotally supported in the lower structure. In another embodiment the opening mechanism has an inbuilt degree of play before before acting to urge the lower structure to close the ring members for ease of operation.

Abstract: A ring binder adapted to be secured to an article by at least one integral rivet, the ring binder comprising a substantially rigid integral upper plate supporting a pair of pivotable lower plates to which a plurality of ring members are mounted, the rivet comprising (1) a barrel that is in direct engagement with the upper plate and (2) a plurality of claws for securing the article, wherein at least 75% of said claws extend away from a longitudinal axis of the barrel. Also disclosed is a rivet adapted to secure a ring binder to an article, the rivet comprising (1) a barrel for engaging the ring binder and (2) a plurality of claws for securing the article, wherein at least a majority of the claws generally extend away from a longitudinal axis of the barrel.