Abstract: A ring mechanism for retaining loose-leaf pages comprises a housing, hinge plates, and ring members mounted on the hinge plates for retaining pages on the mechanism. An actuating lever is 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. A travel bar is operatively connected to the lever for selective movement between a position in which locking elements of the travel bar block the pivoting movement of the hinge plates and a position in which the travel bar allows the hinge plates to pivot. The lever is configured to deform when pivoting the hinge plates to close the ring members to delay movement of the travel bar and locking elements to the blocking position from the onset of pivoting motion of the hinge plates.

Abstract: A ring binder mechanism includes a housing and first and second hinge plates supported by the housing for pivoting movement relative thereto. A first ring member is mounted on the first hinge plate and moveable with the pivoting motion of the first hinge plate relative to a second ring member between a closed position and an opened position. An interlocking formation locks the first ring member and second ring member in the closed position. An actuator is mounted on the housing for movement relative to the housing. The actuator is adapted to pivot the first and second hinge plates and to translate the first hinge plate relative to the second hinge plate in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the housing.

Abstract: A ring binder mechanism includes a housing and first and second hinge plates supported by the housing for pivoting movement relative thereto. A first ring member is mounted on the first hinge plate and moveable with the pivoting motion of the first hinge plate relative to a second ring member between a closed position and an opened position. An interlocking formation locks the first ring member and second ring member in the closed position. An actuator is mounted on the housing for movement relative to the housing. The actuator is adapted to pivot the first and second hinge plates and to translate the first hinge plate relative to the second hinge plate in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the housing.

Abstract: A ring binder mechanism includes a housing having longitudinal ends and a top surface, hinge plates supported by the housing for pivoting motion about a pivot axis relative to the housing, and rings for holding loose-leaf pages. Each ring includes first and second ring members. The first ring member is movable relative to the second ring member between closed and opened positions of the rings. A control structure is supported by the housing and movable relative to the housing. The control structure produces the pivoting motion of the hinge plates in at least one direction. The control structure has an actuating lever pivotally connected to the housing and disposed generally above the top surface of the housing. The actuating lever is formed for receiving a fastener therethrough for connecting the housing to a cover.

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: A ring binder mechanism that retains loose-leaf pages and has ring members that readily lock together, preventing accidental loss of pages. The mechanism comprises a housing that supports two hinge plates for loose pivoting motion, bringing the ring members to either an open position or a closed position. The mechanism further comprises a control structure, which includes an actuating lever pivotally mounted on the housing. The actuating lever moves a travel bar and its locking elements for controlling the pivoting motion of the hinge plates. When the ring members are closed, the locking elements block the hinge plates from pivoting to open the ring members. In addition, a spring is attached to the travel bar for automatically biasing the travel bar and locking elements to the locked position when the ring members close.

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: A ring binder mechanism, including a holder assembly adapted for releasably securing a writing implement to the ring binder mechanism. The holder assembly includes a holder and a bracket. The holder is sized and shaped to hold objects such as writing implements (e.g., pens and pencils). The bracket uses tabs for insertion into holes in a housing of the ring binder to mount the holder to the ring binder mechanism.

Abstract: A ring binder mechanism includes a housing and a ring support supported by the housing for movement relative thereto. Each ring of a plurality of rings includes first and second ring members. The first ring member is mounted on the ring support for movement with the ring support relative to the housing between a closed position and an opened position. An actuator is mounted for pivotal movement relative to the housing for moving the rings from their closed position to their opened position. The actuator includes a lower arm having a contact surface engageable with a lower surface of the ring support when the rings are in their opened position and out of engagement with the ring support when the rings are in their closed position. The contact surface defines an angle between its outer surface and a horizontal plane between about 16 degrees and about 55 degrees.

Abstract: A ring binder mechanism comprises a housing, at least one ring for mounting loose leaf paper, and at least one mounting post extending outwardly from the housing. A base plate is adapted to be attached to a ring binder cover and has a surface adapted to receive the mounting post of the ring binder mechanism. A key can be received by the base plate into an affixing position with respect to the base plate and mounting post for securing the mounting post to the base plate.

Abstract: A stand for supporting a structure for holding one or more loose leaf pages, such as a notebook, has a mounting member for securing the stand to the structure. A support member is secured to the mounting member and is moveable between a stowed position and a support position. The support member is disposed at a relatively larger angle relative to a mounting surface of the mounting member in the support position and at a relatively smaller angle relative to the mounting surface in the stowed position. The support member comprising at least one leg moveable between a stowed position and a support position. The leg defining in part a base of the support member. The base has a relatively wider width when the leg is in the support position and a relatively narrower width when the leg is in the stowed position.

Abstract: A ring binder mechanism has a resilient polymeric housing. The housing has a central portion and lateral sides extending downwardly along either side of the central portion. A metal ring support is supported between the lateral sides for movement relative to the housing. Each of a plurality of rings includes a first ring member mounted on the ring support for movement therewith to open and close the rings. The housing applies a spring force biasing the ring support toward the open position when the first ring member is proximate its open position and biasing the ring support to the closed position when the first ring member is proximate its closed position. The housing spring force is the only spring force applied to the ring support that moves the ring support.

Abstract: A ring binder mechanism has an elongate housing constructed of a polymeric material. The housing has a central portion and lateral sides extending downwardly along either side thereof. A ring support is disposed between the lateral sides and is supported thereby for movement relative to the housing. Each of a plurality of rings includes first and second ring members. The first ring member is mounted on the ring support for movement between a closed position and an open position. The mechanism includes a control structure movable relative to the housing. The control structure is adapted to releasably lock the first member in the closed position by blocking movement of the ring support. The control structure comprises a travel bar moveable in translation relative to the housing. The travel bar includes a locking element for engagement with the ring support to block movement of the ring support.

Abstract: A ring binder mechanism that retains loose-leaf pages. The mechanism includes a housing and hinge plates supported by the housing for pivoting about a pivot axis relative to the housing. The mechanism further includes rings that hold the loose-leaf pages. Each ring includes two ring members. A first ring member is mounted on a first hinge plate and can move therewith relative to a second ring member. In a closed position, the two ring members form a substantially continuous, closed loop for allowing loose-leaf pages retained by the rings to be moved along the rings from one ring member to the other. In an open position, the two ring members form a discontinuous, open loop for adding or removing loose-leaf pages from the rings. Additionally the mechanism comprises an actuator that is pivotally mounted on the housing and can move relative to the housing for controlling the pivoting motion of the hinge plates and closing the ring members.

Abstract: A ring binder mechanism has an elongate housing including an upper, plastic housing element and a lower housing element underlying the upper housing element. A ring support is disposed between the upper and lower housing elements and supported by the housing for movement relative to the housing. Rings mounted on the ring support include a first ring member and a second ring member. The first ring member is moveable relative to the second ring member between a closed position and an opened position. A control structure is movable relative to the housing for producing the movement of the ring supports that brings the ring members to the closed position. The control structure is adapted to releasably lock the ring members in the closed position by blocking movement of the ring support that moves the ring members to the opened position.

Abstract: A fastening system for securing a ring mechanism on a substrate has a tubular support post, an expansible retainer, and a generally pin-shaped expansion member. The tubular support post has a sidewall with an inner surface defining a central passage through the support post. The expansible retainer has a head portion with a hole therethrough, and at least two flexible fingers extending longitudinally from the head portion. The flexible fingers collectively have an inner surface that together with the hole defines a central passage extending through the expansible retainer and have a cross-sectional dimension. The expansion member has a cross-section that is greater than the cross-sectional dimension of at least a portion of the central passage of the expansible retainer to urge and retain the flexible fingers transversely outward from a relaxed condition to a deflected condition in engagement with the sidewall of the support post.

Abstract: A page turning assist device for use in turning loose leaf pages retained on rings of a ring mechanism includes a base having opposite side margins and being more rigid than the loose leaf pages. At least one aperture in one of the side margins of the base is sized and shaped for receiving a corresponding one of the rings therethrough to permit the base to slide along the ring for use in turning the loose leaf pages on the ring mechanism. A holder is mounted on the base for generally conjoint movement with the base on the ring. The holder is adapted for releasably securing an object to the base for movement with the base.

Abstract: A ring binder includes a housing, a driving mechanism moveable relative to the housing, and rings for holding the loose-leaf pages. Each ring has a first ring member and a second ring member moveable relative to each other between a closed position and an opened position. A ring actuator is positionable relative to the housing and operatively connected to the driving mechanism for moving the ring members between their closed and opened positions. A blocking device blocks the ring members in their closed position against movement to their opened position. The blocking device is positionable relative to the housing between a blocking position wherein the ring members are inhibited by the blocking device against movement from their opened position, and an unblocking position wherein the ring members are selectively moveable from their closed position to their opened position by positioning of the actuator. The blocking device is operable independent of the actuator.

Abstract: A ring mechanism is selectively configurable between an open configuration in which loose leaf pages can be added or removed from the mechanism and a closed configuration in which loose leaf pages are retained by the ring mechanism. Ring mechanism including an elongate frame having first and second frame elements. A hinge pin interconnects the first and second frame elements to permit pivoting movement of the frame elements relative to each other. At least one ring includes a first ring member mounted on the first frame element and a second ring member mounted on the second ring element. At least one hanging member is mounted on the frame for releasably hanging the ring mechanism from a support and inhibiting longitudinal movement of the hanging member relative to the support.