Abstract: A ring binder has a releasing trigger whose tips are coated with soft plastic material to provide better feel and to improve the appearance of the ring binder. Triggers are coated by cleaning them with solvent, then dipping them in silicone rubber, curing the silicone rubber, and then top coating with a colored polyvinyl chloride.

Abstract: A three-ring binder has an actuator crank which closes the rings against the bias of a leaf spring. The crank is turned by means of a lever having a roller thereon that engages a throw of the crank. The roller is arranged on the lever so that it goes past center and locks the rings closed when the lever is fully depressed. Each of the throws of the crank may have its own actuating roller, in which case all the rollers are linked together so as to move in unison.

Abstract: A three-ring binder has an actuator crank which closes the rings against the bias of a leaf spring. The crank is turned by means of a lever having a roller thereon that engages a throw of the crank. The roller is arranged on the lever so that it goes past center and locks the rings closed when the lever is fully depressed. Each of the throws of the crank may have its own actuating roller, in which case all the rollers are linked together so as to move in unison.

Abstract: The blades of a ring binder are torsionally stiffened by stamped grooves extending lengthwise of the blades, so that trigger-induced angular displacement of either end of the blades is transferred to the center of the blades, allowing them to snap the rings open or closed.

Abstract: A loose-leaf binder mechanism has a housing containing a pair of pivotally mounted hinge plates each carrying a series of spaced prongs. The hinge plates toggle between open and closed positions under the control of an actuating lever. One portion of the lever is selectively moveable into a wedged-in position between the housing and hinge plates to lock the prongs in closed position. The lever is specially constructed so that it can be moved while wedged between the housing and hinge plates to a safety locking position such that any point of contact between the lever portion and the housing is advantageously disposed longitudinally inward of any point of contact between said one portion and the hinge plates, and so that it cannot be moved inward past the safety-lock position out of the wedged-in configuration between the housing and hinge plates.

Abstract: A ring binder assembly includes a folder comprising front and rear flaps interconnected by a spine, a pair of low-profile receptacles attached to an inner surface of the spine, and a ring mechanism whose tubular rivets have mushroomed feet designed to be seated in the receptacles. The receptacles open in opposite directions so that the ring mechanism is installed with a swiveling motion. A method of shipping the binders, unassembled, is to place a stack of a number of folder opened flat in a box, leaving just sufficient head space for a corresponding number of ring mechanisms arranged side-by-side in a single row at the top of the box. The binder assemblies can be quickly completed by the retailer, or by the end purchaser.

Abstract: A ring binder assembly includes a folder comprising front and rear flaps interconnected by a spine, a pair of low-profile receptacles attached to an inner surface of the spine, and a ring mechanism whose tubular rivets have mushroomed feet designed to be seated in the receptacles. The receptacles open in opposite directions so that the ring mechanism is installed with a swiveling motion.A method of shipping the binders, unassembled, is to place a stack of a number of folder opened flat in a box, leaving just sufficient head space for a corresponding number of ring mechanisms arranged side-by-side in a single row at the top of the box. The binder assemblies can be quickly completed by the retailer, or by the end purchaser.