Abstract: The present invention relates to a ring binder mechanism for binding the sheets of loose leaves. The mechanism comprising: a elongated plate that extends longitudinally; hinge plates supported by said elongated plate for pivotal rotating relative to the elongated plate; rings for clasp said sheets of loose leaves, each of the rings comprising a pair of half ring elements, and the pair of half ring elements being attached on said hinge plates and being movable between a closed position and an opened position via said hinge plates, characterized in that nesting portions of free ends of said pair of half ring elements form a nesting configuration with a concave portion and a convex portion that are symmetrical about an axis line of the cylindrical rods of the ring elements, so that when the pair of half ring elements are in the closed condition, the nesting portions of said pair of half ring elements are aligned to each other and nested together tightly.

Abstract: One hand open file folder clips are composed mainly by straight type long board fixture, right hand buckle plate and left hand buckle plate. The right hand buckle plate is hinged together with a T type holding clip and a 70% hook holder and a concave place to fit the holding finger. The left hand buckle plate is hinged together with 30% hook holder and a stop with inverse curb piece of board. The long type board fixture, right and left hand buckle plate to be hinged together with a half pin and by a spring. Finally, let the document paper to be fixed by holding up on the 70% hook holder while open up by one hand's fingers. Besides, let the opposite composition of file folder clip fixture connect to the original one to form a four holes file holder clips.

Abstract: A pad-mounted transformer enclosure may have a wiring compartment utilizing multiple hinge points on each side panel with an additional set of hinges located at the back of the compartment area to allow the doors to be opened as normal or to allow the sides to be also opened, allowing the wiring compartment to be totally exposed on all three sides. The tank of the transformer enclosure may have a cover secured in a manner that allows the cover to be removed with simple hand tools while preventing unauthorized removal thereof, that increases tank top structural rigidity, and that does not trap water on the tank cover.

Abstract: A folder includes a spine having a base and first and second spine hinge portions. The spine defines a longitudinal axis and has an exterior surface that is curved around the longitudinal axis. The folder also includes a first cover having a first cover hinge portion pivotably attached to the first spine hinge portion. The first cover has a first curved portion with an exterior surface that is curved around the longitudinal axis. The folder further includes a second cover having a second cover hinge portion pivotably attached to the second spine hinge portion. The second cover has a second curved portion with an exterior surface that is curved around the longitudinal axis. The spine and the first and second curved portions together define a generally rounded contour around the longitudinal axis when the folder is in a closed position.

Abstract: A photograph album system (10) has a spine (14) with an internal lateral groove (30) at one end and a removable retainer (42) having a plurality of internal retaining fingers (44) within the groove. A plurality of pages (52) are defined by a plurality of signatures (54). Each signature is defined by a plurality of page sets (56). Each page set consists of an interior support sheet (58) with a central fold (60) and a pair of exterior cover sheets (64). The exterior cover sheets are folded around an individual outer edge of an interior support sheet with each having a central fold defining an outer bend (66). The exterior cover sheets are adhered to the interior support sheet so that two pages are formed with separate pockets (72) on each side of each page. Posts (36) couple the pages to the spine.

Abstract: A ring binder is disclosed as including a curved upper plate supporting a pair of pivotable hinged leaves to which a number of half-rings are attached, and two pivotable actuating levers for moving the pair of hinged leaves between a first position in which the half-rings are closed and a second position in which the half-rings are open, in which the actuating lever.includes an aperture, and a cushion engaged with each actuating lever, in which the cushion has a first body part and a second body part, in which part of the first body part extends through the aperture of the actuating lever to engage with the second body part.

Abstract: A ring binder assembly is disclosed as including a ring mechanism, a connecting means secured to the ring mechanism, and at least one removable module frictionally engaging the connecting means. The connecting means is configured to receive the removable modules, wherein when the modules are removed the connecting means is maintained in a substantially tight configuration. The connecting means typically includes a rivet passing through an eyelet in the ring mechanism. In addition, the means to connect may also include the means to resilient secure the removable modules in place. The resilient means may include a compression spring housed in the eyelet biasing an upper washer downwardly towards the rivet.

Abstract: A storage device for retaining one or more sheet items for access by a user. In one embodiment, the storage device includes a storage device cover having at least front and rear panels. One or more first binding members are associated with the storage device cover and extend through apertures formed in the sheet items to register the sheet items relative to the cover. One or more second binding members are hingedly connected to the storage device cover and preferably operate independently of the front and rear panels of the cover to engage the first binding members. Retained sheet items are able to be moved from a first position lying generally parallel with the rear panel to a second position distant therefrom. In an alternative embodiment, the storage device includes a single panel that carries the first and second binding members.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a binder comprising a cover made up of two lateral parts; at least one pair of rails; said rails extending parallel to the sides of the lateral parts and at the inside thereof; and a metal ring mechanism located upon said cover, which mechanism is provided at each side with at least one built in projection (herein: “a removable and/or replaceable metal ring mechanism”); said built in projections to be inserted into corresponding rails. Moreover, the invention relates to a removable and/or replaceable metal ring mechanism, which mechanism is provided at each side with at least one built in projection.

Abstract: A ring binder includes a substantially rigid curved upper plate supporting a pair of hinged leaves. A plurality of ring members are secured to the hinged leaves for engaging corresponding holes in sheets of material retained by the ring binder. An actuating lever is located at each end of the curved upper plate for actuating the hinged leaves to open and close the ring members. Each actuating lever includes a tab having a cushion member formed thereon, for example by molding. The tab has an aperture therein, and cushion material enters the aperture during molding to secure the cushion member onto the tab. The cushion member is engaged by the fingers of a user to pivot the actuating lever in order to move the ring members between the open position and the closed position. The cushion member is a soft pad of material such as plastic. The cushion member provides improved tactile characteristics to the actuating lever, making the actuating lever comfortable to use.

Abstract: A concealed, clinch (“crown”) fastener (30) includes a cylindrical body (32) closed at one end to form a surface (34) deformable to attach the fastener to a binder ring mechanism (18). A first set (40) of prongs (42) extend from the opposite, open end of the fastener body to attach the fastener to a binder spine material (M) when the prongs are driven into the material. A second set (50) of prongs (52) are also formed at this end of the fastener, intermediate adjacent prongs comprising the first set. These prongs are shorter in length than those comprising the first set, and while the prongs forming the first set extend from the body in one direction, the prongs forming the second set extend in the opposite direction. The fastener provides better holding strength than other concealed fasteners and better resists pulling and twisting forces which tend to pull the mechanism away from the binder cover than these other fasteners.

Abstract: A folder that has a spine that is hinged to two covers. The preferred covers have a convex portion that extends around a binding mechanism over most of the distance of that the binding mechanism protrudes inwardly from the spine support portion that extends outwardly with respect to a portion of the cover pivotably attached to the spine. A concave portion is located adjacent the convex portion towards the free end of the binder. The preferred folder portion of the binder has projections that are deformed through openings in the binding mechanism to secure the binding mechanism to the folder. A preferred cover has an arcuate cross-section extending parallel to the hinges.

Abstract: A binder ring assembly (10) for a ring binder comprises a plurality of spaced binder rings (12-16). A user operable mechanism (18) to which the rings are attached allows the user to open and close the rings to open and close the binder. A shield (22) covers the mechanism. The binder rings protrude through the shield. A recess (26) is formed in the cover adjacent each cover location where a binder ring is located. During shipment of binder ring assemblies, one layer (L1) of assemblies is placed in a container (C) with another, inverted layer (L2) of assemblies placed over them. The outer ends of the binder rings are received in the recesses of the covers, and the depth of each recess is such that the outer end of the binder rings of the mating assembly will not come out of the recesses and rub against the non-recessed portion of the cover which, if scratched, renders the assembly unusable.

Abstract: A ring for mounting on a carrier mechanism of a binder is disclosed. The ring includes a first ring element and a second ring element. The first ring element includes a first ring element bottom section, which is connected to the carrier mechanism, and a first ring element top section. The first ring element top section includes a first end and a second end. Similarly, the second ring element includes a second ring element bottom section, which is connected to the carrier mechanism, and a second ring element top section. The second ring element top section includes a first end and a second end. The first end of the second ring element top section is joined to the second ring element bottom section, while the second end is adapted for coupling with the second end of the first ring element top section.

Abstract: A binder mechanism is disclosed having a first ring assembly and a binding portion. The first ring assembly includes at least one first ring half. At least the first ring assembly or the binding portion are a pivotable half that is pivotable with respect to the other to a locked position about a first longitudinal axis. In the locked position, the first ring half is engaged with the binding portion cooperatively defining a loop that is substantially closed to retain a stack of papers or a workpiece. The first ring assembly and the binding portion are lockable with respect to each other in the locked position to prevent pivoting of the pivotable half from the locked position. At least one of the first ring assembly and the binding portion is movable with respect to the other from the locked position in an unlocking direction oriented at less than 180° from the longitudinal axis to permit the pivotable half to pivot about the longitudinal axis to an open position in which the loop is substantially open.

Abstract: A ring binder includes a substantially rigid curved upper plate supporting a pair of hinged leaves. A plurality of ring members are secured to the hinged leaves for engaging corresponding holes in sheets of material retained by the ring binder. An actuating lever is located at each end of the curved upper plate for actuating the hinged leaves to open and close the ring members. Each actuating lever includes a tab having a pair of spaced-apart apertures therein. A cushion member is located on the tab, which includes an inner cushion part and an outer cushion part which are interconnected by a pair of connecting parts which extend through the spaced-apart apertures in the tab to securely attach the cushion member to the tab. The cushion member is engaged by the fingers of a user to pivot the actuating lever in order to move the ring members between the open position and the closed position. The cushion member is a soft pad of resilient material such as rubber or soft plastic.

Abstract: A binder mechanism comprises a pair of prong plates pivotally connected by a retainer spring to toggle between a first raised position and a second lowered position. The prong plates include a plurality of ring segments affixed to the prong plates that are capable of forming loops. A cam mechanism is used to toggle the prong plates between the raised and lowered positions causing the ring segments to open or to close to form loops. The cam mechanism is preferably a slider located above the prong plates, the slider having ramps inserted through recesses between the prong plates. Preferably, the recesses are located adjacent to where the ring segments are attached to the prong plates. Cleats may hold the parts of the binder mechanism together and keep the mechanism attached to a binder assembly. Preferably, the retainer spring is in the form of a top spring covering both the slider and prong plates.

Abstract: An improved ring binder (28) comprises a frame (F′) having a pair of leafs (L1′, L2′) extending lengthwise of the frame. Binder rings (R) are each formed of two binder ring halves (R1, R2) one end (E) of each of which is attached to one of the leafs. Boosters (10) are attached to each end of the frame, and the leafs each include a notch (24, 26) formed at their respective ends. Each booster includes a tang (12) captured in the notch. A cover or shield (40) fits over the frame and extends beyond the location of the boosters. The sides of the cover are now crimped about the boosters to secure them in place.

Abstract: A folder that has a spine that is hinged to two covers. The preferred covers have a convex portion that extends around a binding mechanism over most of the distance of that the binding mechanism protrudes inwardly from the spine. support portion that extends outwardly with respect to a portion of the cover pivotably attached to the spine. A concave portion is located adjacent the convex portion towards the free end of the binder. The preferred folder portion of the binder has projections that are deformed through openings in the binding mechanism to secure the binding mechanism to the folder. A preferred cover has an arcuate cross-section extending parallel to the hinges.

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: A folder that has a spine that is hinged to two covers. At least one of the covers has a support portion that extends outwardly with respect to a portion of the cover pivotably attached to the spine. The support portion is located between the hinged portion and another portion disposed opposite therefrom.

Abstract: A storage device for retaining one or more sheet items for access by a user. The storage device has a storage device cover including front and rear panels, and contains one or more first binding members which receive apertures formed in the sheet items to register the sheet items relative to the cover. One or more second binding members are hingedly connected to the storage device cover and preferably operate independently of the front and rear panels of the cover to engage the first binding members. Retained sheet items are able to be moved from a first position generally parallel with the rear panel to a second position generally parallel with the front panel. Alternatively, the storage device includes a single panel that carries the first and second binding members.

Abstract: A binder for releasably retaining loose-leaves. The binder has a front cover that lies flatly beneath its back cover when the binder is open 360 degrees. The rings of the binder can rotate around an edge of the flatly-folded cover to enable loose-leaves to lie flat above and below the cover. The binder also has a skeleton with a minimal cross-section spine which may be partially or completely embedded in a cover and rotates in relation to parallel front and back covers when the binder is open 360 degrees. The front cover, middle cover and back cover are connected in a way so that they do not interfere with the rotation of the rings. Mechanisms to open and close the rings of the skeleton to allow addition or removal of loose-leafs, and ring shapes to optimize or stabilize the capacity of the binder during operation are also disclosed.

Abstract: A ring binder notebook is described which utilizes readily openable and closable snap rings and one or more covers that, unlike standard ring binder notebooks, are not restricted to either a closed (0°) or a half-open (180°) position—but may be fully opened (360°) back to front. This flexibility, previously possible only with standard spiral bound notebooks, is now achieved while still retaining the ability to readily add, remove, or rearrange the contents of the notebook. A notebook ring assembly is also described. The ring assembly has a shell, a pair of back plates, and one or more sets of longitudinally aligned binder ring members. Each binder ring member attached to the first back plate is transversely aligned with an opposing binder ring member attached to the second back plate. Each binder ring member attached to the first back plate is attached so that it extends away from the upper surface of the first back plate.

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 sheet retaining device includes an upper member having a pair of hinged leaves supported thereby, with a plurality of ring members secured to the hinged leaves for engaging corresponding holes in sheets of material retained by the sheet retaining device. A pair of laterally spaced-apart elongated first ribs are located on the upper member and protrude outwardly from the upper member. At least one pair of laterally spaced-apart elongated second ribs protrude outwardly from the upper member and are spaced laterally outwardly from the first ribs. During shipment, the sheet retaining devices are packages together with one of the sheet retaining devices located below another of the sheet retaining devices. In this package, the ring members of the one sheet retaining device engage one or more of the ribs of the other sheet retaining device.

Abstract: A lock for the rings of photo albums and other binders includes a lock and a security component to prevent opening of the album in a retail store and to prevent pilferage of the contents or the improper insertion of refill pages. Once a consumer has made an album selection, the security component is removed. Once removed, the lock is moveable between a first position in which opening of the album rings is permitted and a second position in which opening of the rings is prevented. The initial release of the security component preferably requires a tool. In the most preferred embodiment, the lock slides in a slot in a binder body and includes a lower ridge which aligns with an opening in a pair of spring plates to permit ring opening. When the ridge is moved away from the opening and into the cavity of the binder body, the rings cannot be opened.

Abstract: A book 90 with a spine 92. The spine has a pair of facing long walls 94, 96 including a front wall 94 and a rear wall 96, each with a top 98 and a bottom 100, in essentially parallel relationship. The spine also has a pair of facing short walls 102, 104 a top wall 102 and a bottom wall 104, in parallel relationship and at essentially right angles with respect to the front wall and rear wall. The top wall is located between the top of the front wall and the top of the rear wall. The bottom wall is located between the bottom of the front wall and the bottom of the rear wall. The long walls and short walls are in a generally rectilinear configuration with an open face 106 from which pages may extend and an opposed closed face 108 opposite from the open face. At least one elongated retainer 114 essentially spans the space between one pair of parallel walls and is adapted to receive and retain pages 124. The retainer has opposed ends 116, 118 with at least one end 116 coupled with respect to an associated wall.

Abstract: A ring binder includes a housing which partially covers the operating mechanism of the individual rings. The housing is formed as a plurality of individual or discrete housing segments, with a separate housing segment being provided for each of the rings.

Abstract: A storage device for retaining one or more sheet items for access by a user. The storage device has a storage device cover including front and rear panels, and contains one or more first binding members which receive apertures formed in the sheet items to register the sheet items relative to the cover. One or more second binding members are hingedly connected to the storage device cover and preferably operate independently of the front and rear panels of the cover to engage the first binding members. Retained sheet items are able to be moved from a first position generally parallel with the rear panel to a second position generally parallel with the front panel.

Abstract: A modular binder ring unit (16) used in a ring binder (10) comprises a plurality of modules including a binder ring module (18). The modules are spaced along the length of the unit. A plurality of spacer modules (22, 24, 30) attach to the ring modules. The spacer modules are available in different lengths, and a combination of different length modules are usable together with the ring modules to form a binder ring unit of a desired length. The spacer modules space the ring modules an appropriate distance apart for the binder rings to be at locations corresponding to holes (H) in a sheet of paper (S) stored in the binder. End caps (26) are removably attachable at each end of said unit for locking the ring modules and spacer modules in place. Each module element is an elongate module having a recess (R) formed in one end and an extension (E) at the opposite end for securing one module to an adjacent module.

Abstract: A reusable refillable binder for use with papers having marginal perforations. The binder including a spiral coil having tapered ends, each of the ends of the coil having an area width for receipt of a removable locking element. A removable locking element for securement to binding element about the area of reduced width to prevent the unintentional unbinding of the binder when secured to the coil and to allow the user to unbind the binder when the locking element is removed.

Abstract: A metal ring binder is improved by adding at least one auxiliary spring for supplementing the spring action of the spine upon the blades to which the rings are attached, so as to increase the closing force of the rings.

Abstract: A ring binder is provided including a linearly-extending first spine, a linearly-extending second spine, a series of spaced first substantially half-rings attached to one of the spines, and a series of spaced second substantially half-rings on the other of the spines, the distal ends of the half-rings on the first spine facing the distal end of the half-rings on the second spine. A hinge connection extends between the spines. A releasable lock includes a lever and a pair of links is pivoted to the lever and to outer edges of the spines. An integral lever tab extends from between the ends of the spines. Push movement inwardly of the lever, by pushing the lever tabs, places the lock into a locking mode holding the first and second half-rings closed in a paper sheets-holding mode. An outward pull movement of the lever tab places the lock into a non-locking mode resulting in opening of the first and second half-rings in a paper sheets removal mode.

Abstract: A ring binder mechanism adapted to be secured to a cover is disclosed as including a substantially rigid curved cover supporting a pair of plates to which a plurality of half-rings are mounted, and a pair of rivets for engagement with the cover, and the plates are pivotably movable between a first configuration in which the half-rings are closed, and a second configuration in which the half-rings are open, and each rivet includes an anchor plate adapted to abut the cover, and a row of three outer claws depend from each of two side edges of the anchor plate to secure the ring binder mechanism to the cover. Two rows of inner claws depending from the underside surface of the rivet, each row being adjacent to a respective row of outer claws, are also included to enhance the gripping action. The row of outer claws and the adjacent row of inner claws may point towards the same direction, or towards different directions.

Abstract: A secured network system comprising a readykey controller which has a first card reader and a power relay switch connected thereto. The user of the stem inserts a microchip embedded card into the first card reader which then transmits an authorization signal to the readykey controller. The readykey controller then activates a power relay switch affixed to the computer which connects the computer's power supply to an external power source activating the computer. The secured network system also has a data relay switch which includes a manual A/B secured network switch. The manual A/B switch allows the user to receive and process classified data, by setting the switch to a predetermined position which connects a secured network server to the computer. The user inserts his proximity card into a second card reader which transmits a second authorization signal to the readykey controller. The readykey controller, responsive to the second authorization signal, activates the data relay switch.

Abstract: A binder assembly includes a sheet retaining device having a plurality of rings for engaging corresponding holes in sheets of material retained by the sheet retaining device. The sheet retaining device is attached to a cover member by a fastener having a portion which is insertable into apertures in the sheet retaining device and securable thereto by pressing. The fastener includes a rectangular base having deformable claws which become embedded in the cover member when installed to securely hold the sheet retaining device to the cover member. The embedded claws are concealed from an outer surface of the cover member, thereby improving the exterior appearance of the binder assembly.

Abstract: A ring binder (100, 200) adapted to be secured to a cover (116, 214) is disclosed as comprising a substantially rigid upper plate member (102, 202) supporting a pair of lower pivotable plates (104a, 104b, 204a, 204b) to which a plurality of rings (106, 206) are mounted, and the upper plate member (102, 202) comprises two ends and the cover (116, 214) abuts at least part of the upper plate member (102, 202), and said part surrounds the end of the upper plate member (102, 202) by substantially 360.degree..

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 (10) holding sheets (S) of paper (P) has a dual angle ring metal (100). The ring metal includes a pair of leaves (102, 104) hingedly connected to each other for relative movement between them. Binder rings (114, 116, 118) each include a pair of ring halves with one end of each ring half being attached to a separate one of the leaves. A shield (30) covers the leaves. Release levers (140, 142) at each end of the shield are operable to open and close the binder. The leaves, when the ring binder is closed, form a predetermined angle (A) with respect to each other. Each of the leaves has a segment (122a, 122b, 124a, 124b) by which a second angle (B) is formed between the leaves. This second angle is formed such that the pair of leaves are prevented from movement relative to each other by movement of paper from one side of the binder to the other. However, the plates are readily movable to open the binder by movement of one of the release levers.

Abstract: A fastener apparatus for releasably fastening a sheet retaining apparatus to a cover member includes a plate member secured to the cover member and having an aperture therein. A pin member is reciprocally mounted to the sheet retaining apparatus, with a portion of the pin member being selectively positionable in the aperture to secure the sheet retaining apparatus to the cover member. Thus, the sheet retaining apparatus is readily assemblable and disassemblable from the cover member repeatedly by a user. Thus, the sheet retaining apparatus and the cover member may be shipped in an unassembled condition in a very compact package for later assembly by the consumer.

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 adapted to be secured to a base member, the ring binder comprising at least one securing member; a substantially rigid upper structure; a pivotable lower structure supported by the upper structure; a plurality of ring members mounted to the lower structure; and at least one engagement member engageable with the securing member closely adjacent to the base member to secure the ring binder to the base member; wherein the engagement member includes an engagement surface for engaging the securing member, the engagement surface comprising an upper surface of a partially open lower end of the engagement member, and the engagement member comprising a body which is narrower than the partially open lower end.

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 to be fixed to an article has a support for mounting a plurality of ring members thereon and a control member for opening and closing the ring binder. The support has a pair of support members pivotally supported by a holder joining the outer edges of the support members together, whereby the inner edges of the support members move away from each other on pivoting. The holder cooperates with the control member in order to support the support members. The ring binder may also include one or more securing elements for holding the support members by extending across from the outer edges of the support members and cooperating with the control member, and fixing elements below and connected to the support members.

Abstract: A ring binder to be fixed to an article includes a support for mounting a plurality of ring members thereon, and a control member movable to act on a sloping part of the upper surface of the support to cause the support to pivot and thereby close the ring members and movable along a sloped portion of the under surface of the support to cause the support to pivot and thereby open the ring members. The control member includes a cross bar member which acts on the sloped portion of the under surface of the support. In another embodiment, the support has a plurality of substantially longitudinal rib members on its upper surface.

Abstract: A ring binder to be fixed to an article includes a support for mounting a plurality of ring members thereon, with a control member to open and close the ring binder. The support is cooperable solely with the control member to lock the ring members in closed position, the support being provided with a hooked portion to lock the ring members in closed position. In another embodiment, the support has a pair of support members disengageable during opening of the ring binder, one support member having at least one engagement member directly cooperable with the other support member during closing of the ring binder. The ring binder further includes a control member movable along a sloped portion of the under surface of the support to cause the support to pivot and thereby open the ring members, the sloped portion being provided on the underneath of at least one of the support members, approximately along the centerline.

Abstract: A ring binder to be fixed to an article includes supports for mounting a plurality of ring members thereon, and a control member movable to open and lock and to close and lock the ring members, each in one operation, the controlling member including a crossbar member extending to outer edge regions of the support means. In another embodiment, the control members are slidably movable to lock the ring members in open position and in closed position, and the support comprises a pair of support members supported by holding elements joining outer edges of the pair of support members together, the holding elements cooperating with the control member means in order to support the supports.

Abstract: A ring binder to be fixed to an article includes a support for mounting a plurality of rings thereon. The ring binder has an exposed upper surface to which the rings are mounted, the surface being defined by an upper surface of the support. A control member opens and closes the binder. A securement member which holds the support and secures the support to an article is situated below the support in regions of limited longitudinal extent adjacent opposite ends of the binder. The control member acts at a first location, on an undersurface of the support, to open the binder, and at a second location, situated at an end region of the binder, to close the binder, the first and second locations being at different locations along the length of the binder. In another embodiment, inner edges of the support members are arranged to engage each other on closing of the binder and to disengage on opening of the binder.

Abstract: A ring binder adapted to be fixed to an article includes a support for mounting a plurality of ring members thereon, and a control member movable along a sloped portion on the under surface of the support to cause the support to pivot and thereby open the ring members. The sloped portion on the under surface of the support is provided on at least one of an inturned inner edge of the support and a protrusion extending from the under surface of the support.