Opposed Sheet Retainers (e.g., Ring Binders, Etc.) Patents (Class 402/31)
  • Patent number: 10562336
    Abstract: An example binder apparatus is disclosed. An example binder apparatus includes a housing having a first side surface, a second side surface, and an inner central surface extending between the first side surface and the second side surface. The example binder apparatus also includes a first carrier rail including a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge, the first carrier rail including a first tab to extend away from the inner central surface of the housing, the first longitudinal edge disposed adjacent the first side surface of the housing. The example binder apparatus also includes a second carrier rail including a third longitudinal edge and a fourth longitudinal edge, the second carrier rail including a second tab to extend away from the inner central surface of the housing, the third longitudinal edge disposed adjacent the second side surface of the housing, the second longitudinal edge hingably engaging the fourth longitudinal edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Inventor: Hans Johann Horn
  • Patent number: 10086639
    Abstract: Example binder apparatus are disclosed. An example binder apparatus includes a housing and a plurality of rings supported by the housing. Each ring includes a first closure member and a second closure member. The first closure member has a first end defining an aperture having a first opening at least partially intersecting a second opening. The second closure member has a second end. The second end is receivable by the first opening to position the second end within the aperture and to enable a surface of the second end to be substantially flush with a surface of the first end immediately adjacent the second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Inventor: Hans Johann Horn
  • Publication number: 20150071699
    Abstract: A ring binder mechanism for holding loose-leaf pages has a housing having a cavity formed in the underside of a central portion of the housing. A pair of hinge plates are disposed between the sides for pivoting movement relative to the housing to open and close rings of the mechanism. The mechanism has an actuator moveable relative to the housing for opening and closing the rings. The actuator has a body, an opening arm extending from the body, a closing arm extending from the body, and a locking finger extending from the body. The closing arm extending into a space between the hinge plates and the central portion of the housing. The hinge plates extend between the opening and closing arms. The locking finger extends into the cavity in the central portion of the housing when the actuator is in the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventor: Ming Hua Huang
  • Publication number: 20140369738
    Abstract: A ring mechanism has an elongate body made of a moldable polymeric material and rings for holding loose-leaf pages. Each ring includes a first ring member and a second ring member. The first ring members are movable relative to the housing and the second ring members between a closed position and an open position. At least one ring member for each ring is a separately formed ring member and comprises a ring portion and an anchor connected to the ring portion. The at least one separately formed ring member is formed separately from the body. The anchor of the separately formed ring member is secured to the body for pivoting movement relative to the body. The anchor can be received in a receptacle in the body adapted to receive the anchor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventor: Chun Yuen To
  • Publication number: 20140363216
    Abstract: A ring binder mechanism includes a housing, a ring support, and rings for holding loose-leaf pages. Each ring includes a first ring member and a second ring member that are moveable between a closed position and an opened position. An actuator is mounted on the housing for moving the ring members from the closed position to the opened position. A travel bar has at least one locking element and is moveable between a locked position wherein the ring members are locked in the closed position and an unlocked position wherein the ring members are capable of being moved to the opened position. An intermediate connector operably connects the travel bar to the actuator. A portion of the intermediate connector is captured by and moveable with a wide section of a mounting groove in the travel bar so the intermediate connector can move relative to the travel bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Jn Biao Pi, Chun Yuen To
  • Publication number: 20140341633
    Abstract: A ring mechanism for retaining loose-leaf pages includes a housing and ring members for holding loose-leaf pages that are moveable relative to the housing between an open and closed position. An actuation system moves the ring members and includes hinge plates pivotally mounted on the housing and an actuator actuating pivoting movement of the hinge plates. A travel bar of the actuation system is moveable by the actuator between a locked position blocking pivoting movement of the hinge plates and an unlocked position allowing pivoting movement of the hinge plates. The actuation system is adapted to deform while moving the travel bar from the locked position toward the unlocked position to delay the pivoting motion of the hinge plates from the movement of the actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventor: Chun H. Lin
  • Patent number: 8845224
    Abstract: A desk leaf base has a base formed of a trapezoidal tubular body in a trapezoidal shape in a side view, closed from a bottom surface to a certain height in both sides, and opened in an upper portion therefrom. An inclined front wall of the tubular body is removed from one side to the other side, in a range from the height to a higher height lower than a top surface. A binder mounted along an elongated top surface of the base has an elongated body and rings. The elongated body is mounted along the top surface of the base with an approximately same width as the top surface. The rings are mounted on the body and capable of opening and closing. Each ring includes linear portions that protrude from the body inclining upward on front and back sides when closing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Calendar Kokoku Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yutaka Hirahara
  • Publication number: 20140270903
    Abstract: Example binder apparatus are disclosed. An example binder apparatus includes a housing and a plurality of rings supported by the housing. Each ring includes a first closure member and a second closure member. The first closure member has a first end defining an aperture having a first opening at least partially intersecting a second opening. The second closure member has a second end. The second end is receivable by the first opening to position the second end within the aperture and to enable a surface of the second end to be substantially flush with a surface of the first end immediately adjacent the second opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Hans Johann Horn
  • Patent number: 8801317
    Abstract: A ring binder mechanism includes a housing, a ring support, and rings for holding loose-leaf pages. Each ring includes a first ring member and a second ring member that are moveable between a closed position and an opened position. An actuator is mounted on the housing for moving the ring members from the closed position to the opened position. A travel bar has at least one locking element and is moveable between a locked position wherein the ring members are locked in the closed position and an unlocked position wherein the ring members are capable of being moved to the opened position. An intermediate connector operably connects the travel bar to the actuator. A portion of the intermediate connector is captured by and moveable with a wide section of a mounting groove in the travel bar so the intermediate connector can move relative to the travel bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: World Wide Stationary Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jn Biao Pi, Chun Yuen To
  • Publication number: 20140199111
    Abstract: A ring binder mechanism has an elongate housing, a pair of locking elements, a translation bar, a pair of elongate hinge plates having mating ring halves extending there-from, a plurality of mating ring halves, and an actuator. Movement of the actuator moves the hinge plates, translation bar, and locking elements to cause the ring halves to disengage so a user can place holed paper over the open ring halves, or closes the ring halves together to secure the paper with the closed-loop rings thus form while simultaneously locking the rings in the closed-loop configuration to prevent inadvertent opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Inventor: Wing Sun Wong
  • Publication number: 20140086664
    Abstract: A ring binder mechanism (10, 110, 210) to be secured with a cover (30, 130, 230) is disclosed as including an upper housing (12, 112, 212) with two through holes (20, 120, 220) and two side skirts (28, 128, 228) depending from the housing (12, 112, 212), a pair of hingedly engaged plates (14, 114, 214) supported by the housing (12, 112, 212), and a number of pairs of half-rings (16, 116, 216) mounted to the plates (14, 114, 214), and the plates (14, 114, 214) are pivotable between an open configuration in which the half-rings (16, 116, 216) are open and a closed configuration in which the half-rings (16, 116, 216) are closed to form a number of closed rings, and each through hole (20, 120, 220) is to be secured with the cover (30, 130, 230) via a rivet (38, 138, 238) only, and that at least part of the side skirts (28, 128, 228) abut the cover (30, 130, 230) when the ring binder mechanism (10, 110, 210) is secured with the cover (30, 130, 230).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Inventors: Chun Yuen TO, Ho Ping CHENG
  • Patent number: 8568052
    Abstract: A binder includes a back part disposed between ring parts, each of the ring parts being openable and closable. to constitute a binder. A penetration hole is formed at a portion of the ring parts intersecting with the back part, thereby allowing the binder to expand and contract to a certain degree in a longitudinal direction thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Max Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiichi Haramiishi, Masashi Shimamura
  • Patent number: 8545122
    Abstract: A binding device includes a plurality of binding rings, a holding member which enables the binding rings to be disposed with a spacing therebetween, an operating member having a surface to which base portions of the binding rings are secured such that the binding rings are disposed with a spacing therebetween, the operating member including a pair of operating pieces movable in the holding member in a longitudinal direction of the holding member, and an opening-closing member which causes the binding rings to be changed in an opening direction. The opening-closing member includes an elastic member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Lihit Lab., Inc.
    Inventors: Kanji Tanaka, Hiroshi Arai, Hiroshi Nakano
  • Patent number: 8545123
    Abstract: A ring binder, with a fixed bar (1), bearing hooks (2) and a moving bar (3), wherein the fixed bar (1) is immovably fixed on a spine plate of a folder; the bearing hooks (2) are fixed on the upper surface of the fixed bar (1); the moving bar (3) is movably lapped over one side of the fixed bar (1); the lower surface of the moving bar (3) and the lower surface of the fixed bar (1) are clamped and connected with each other; the moving bar (3) can rotate relative to the fixed bar (1) and slide along the length direction of the fixed bar (1); a spring (4) connected between the moving bar (3) and the fixed bar (1); and moving shackles (5) fixed on the upper surface of the moving bar (3). As the ring binder lacks a base plate, a housing, etc., both the opening and the closing of the binder are convenient and the cost of the ring binder is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Dongguan Huang Jiang New Original Stationery Factory
    Inventor: Chunhai Lin
  • Publication number: 20130223917
    Abstract: A ring binder is provided that has attachable and detachable covers. The opposite edges of the binder's spine are hingedly attached to the proximal edges of respective front and back extensions which are relatively short in a direction perpendicular to the hinge axes. The extensions are sized to be substantially coextensive with the maximum projection of the binder's rings along an axis that is perpendicular to the inside surface of the spine, and the rings and associated structures are either mounted on the inside of the spine or inside of the back extension depending on the ring type. The front and back extensions function to extend the front and back covers to the hinges when the covers are attached to the extensions' distal edges. When so attached, an assembled ring binder having hinged covers is created that appears and functions as a conventional binder when used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventor: Brian Melgaard
  • Patent number: 8517624
    Abstract: Binder apparatus are described. An example binder apparatus includes a housing and a first carrier rail having a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge. The first carrier rail defining a notch adjacent the second longitudinal edge. The housing biasing the first carrier rail by engaging the first longitudinal edge. The binder apparatus includes a second carrier rail having a third longitudinal edge and a fourth longitudinal edge. The housing biasing the second carrier rail by engaging the third longitudinal edge. The second longitudinal edge hingably engaging the fourth longitudinal edge, the notch defining an opening having a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge. The binder includes a slider having a control element extending therefrom. The control element comprising a first control surface and a second control surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: R.R. Donnelly & Sons
    Inventor: James Warmus
  • Patent number: 8480326
    Abstract: A ring binder mechanism has an elongate housing, a pair of locking elements, a translation bar, a pair of elongate hinge plates having mating ring halves extending there-from, a plurality of mating ring halves, and an actuator. Movement of the actuator moves the hinge plates, translation bar, and locking elements to cause the ring halves to disengage so a user can place holed paper over the open ring halves, or closes the ring halves together to secure the paper with the closed-loop rings thus form while simultaneously locking the rings in the closed-loop configuration to prevent inadvertent opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Inventor: Wing Sun Wong
  • Publication number: 20130114992
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a binder. The binder includes a front cover portion, a spine portion and a rear cover portion. The front cover portion is connected to the spine portion by a first hinge. The rear cover portion is connected to the spine portion by a second hinge. Each of the front cover portion, the spine portion and the rear cover portion define an interior surface portion and an exterior surface portion of the binder. The apparatus also includes at least one first fastener portion of a fastener arranged upon the interior surface portion of the binder. The at least one first fastener portion of the fastener is arranged upon the spine portion of the binder. An assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventor: Janet Wheeler Sorell
  • Patent number: 8414212
    Abstract: A ring binder mechanism includes an elongate plate having a longitudinal axis. Hinge plates are supported by the plate for pivoting relative to the elongate plate. Ring members are mounted on the hinge plates and moveable between a closed position and an open position. A control structure is supported by the elongate plate and controllably pivots the hinge plates to move the ring members between the closed and open positions. The control structure has a travel bar connected to the hinge plates for moving the hinge plates between the closed and open positions. A spring biases the travel bar toward the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventors: Hung Yuen Cheng, Ho Ping Cheng
  • Publication number: 20120294669
    Abstract: A binder for retaining an item is provided. The binder includes a first panel, a second panel and a spine coupling the first panel to the second panel. The binder also includes a first hinge assembly connecting the first panel to the spine, where the first hinge assembly includes a first hinge and a second hinge, and the second hinge is less flexible than the first hinge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: Staples The Office Superstore, LLC
    Inventor: Adam Wrigley
  • Patent number: 8277140
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Inventor: James S. Chizmar
  • Publication number: 20120223081
    Abstract: An organizer device includes a top horizontal organizer (THO) section that rests on a top horizontal surface and a three-ring binder assembly. The THO section is an open top rectangularly-shaped box. The THO section includes at least one chamber to store and organize desktop items such as paper clips, clamps, tacks, small memory devices, etc. The THO section includes a bottom horizontal floor and supporting vertical walls with an open top. Nonetheless, one or more chambers may have a lid (not shown). The three-ring binder assembly includes a plurality of binder rings coupled to a binder strip or support plate. The plurality of binder rings has two portions that are configured to be opened and closed (pivoted away or toward each other) via a manually operable lever. The binder ring portions of a ring may be spring biased toward each other to a rings-closed position when the manually operable lever is in a first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Inventor: Jonathan Levin
  • Publication number: 20120155948
    Abstract: A ring binder mechanism to be secured with a cover is disclosed as including an upper housing with two through holes and two side skirts depending from the housing, a pair of hingedly engaged plates supported by the housing, and a number of pairs of half-rings mounted to the plates, and the plates are pivotable between an open configuration in which the half-rings are open and a closed configuration in which the half-rings are closed to form a number of closed rings, and each through hole is to be secured with the cover via a rivet only, and that at least part of the side skirts abut the cover when the ring binder mechanism is secured with the cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventor: Chun Yuen TO
  • Patent number: 8186899
    Abstract: A ring mechanism has housing supporting pivoting hinge plates. The mechanism has rings for holding loose-leaf pages. An actuator is mounted on the housing for causing pivoting motion of the hinge plates to open the rings. The mechanism includes a travel bar and intermediate connector connecting the travel bar to the actuator so movement of the actuator to pivot the hinge plates causes longitudinal movement of the travel bar. The intermediate connector and travel bar are formed as one piece and have a living hinge adapted to allow the intermediate connector to pivot relative to the travel bar. The mechanism has a locking element moveable with the travel bar between a locking position and non-locking position. The living hinge is constructed to maintain a substantially constant spacing between the intermediate connector and the travel at points of connection of the living hinge to the intermediate connector and travel bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: World Wide Stationery Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wing Yiu Ng, Hung Yu Cheng
  • Publication number: 20120119481
    Abstract: A desk leaf base includes a base and a binder. The base is formed of a trapezoidal tubular body that is formed in a trapezoidal shape in a side view, closed from a bottom surface to a certain height in both sides, and opened in an upper portion therefrom. An inclined front wall of the tubular body is removed from one side to the other side, in a range from the certain height to a height higher than the certain height and lower than a top surface. The binder is mounted along an elongated top surface of the base, and includes an elongated body and a plurality of rings. The elongated body is mounted along the top surface of the base with an approximately same width as the top surface. The plurality of rings are mounted on the body and capable of opening and closing. Each of the plurality of rings includes linear portions that protrude from the body so as to extend inclining upward on front and back sides when closing. Accordingly, the desk leaf base which allows the leaf group to easily be replaced is achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: CALENDAR KOKOKU CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yutaka Hirahara
  • Publication number: 20120121317
    Abstract: Binder apparatus are described. An example binder apparatus includes a housing and a first carrier rail having a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge. The first carrier rail defining a notch adjacent the second longitudinal edge. The housing biasing the first carrier rail by engaging the first longitudinal edge. The binder apparatus includes a second carrier rail having a third longitudinal edge and a fourth longitudinal edge. The housing biasing the second carrier rail by engaging the third longitudinal edge. The second longitudinal edge hingably engaging the fourth longitudinal edge, the notch defining an opening having a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge. The binder includes a slider having a control element extending therefrom. The control element comprising a first control surface and a second control surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventor: James Warmus
  • Publication number: 20120082505
    Abstract: A folder is disclosed having one or more bound edges and one or more free edges, one or more folder tabs extending from one or more free edges, and a plurality of pages bound to the folder. The pages may be bound to the folder using adhesive, string, staples or other attachment mechanisms. The folder may fit within a traditional file drawer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: MEADWESTVACO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Denise E. Sada, Benton E. Hendee, Kevin W. Witter, Christine Edwards, Anthony R. Seitz, Glen C. Gilmore, III, Kurtis M. Sward
  • Patent number: 8128305
    Abstract: A ring binder mechanism having at least one pair of half-ring members that are movable between a first position, wherein the half-ring members are closed, and a second position, wherein the half-ring members are open, and at least one generally tubular member to facilitate alignment and securement of the at least one pair of half ring members when moved from the second, open position to the first, closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Inventor: Christopher Franz Gilbert
  • Patent number: 8118514
    Abstract: A display system includes a binder, a header, a retaining bracket and an extension assembly. The binder includes a plate, a plurality of sheets and an attachment assembly. The plate has a front surface, a rear surface and an edge. The attachment assembly secure the sheets at the front surface of the plate and maintains and displays information. The header includes indicia and is adapted to be positioned in a retracted position where the header is substantially obscured from view by the plate and an extended position where the header extends substantially from the edge of the plate. The retaining bracket is attached to the rear surface of the plate. The extension assembly is adapted to engage the retaining bracket to maintain the header in the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary Dukes
  • Publication number: 20110311300
    Abstract: A ring binder has an elongate body and rings. Each ring includes ring members moveable between open and closed positions. The ring members and body can suitably formed together as one piece from a moldable polymeric material. The binder suitably includes a retaining system operable to selectively and releasably hold the ring members in the closed position. When the ring members are in their open position, loose-leaf pages can be added or removed from the rings. Loose-leaf pages can also be moved from one ring member to another when the ring members are in their open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: World Wide Stationery Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chun Yuen To
  • Publication number: 20110299914
    Abstract: A ring binder mechanism (10) to be secured with a cover (30) is disclosed as including an upper housing (12) with two through holes (20) and two side skirts (28) depending from the housing (12), a pair of hinged plates (14) supported by the housing (12), and a number of pairs of half-rings (16) mounted to the plates (14), and the plates (14) are pivotable between an open configuration in which the half-rings (16) are open and a closed configuration in which the half-rings (16) are closed to form a number of closed rings, and each through hole (20) is to be secured with the cover (30) via a rivet (38) only, and that the side skirts (28) abut the cover (30) when the ring binder mechanism (10) is secured with the cover (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventor: Chun Yuen TO
  • Patent number: 8052343
    Abstract: A ring mechanism for retaining loose-leaf pages including 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: World Wide Stationery Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ze Yu Zhang, Wing Yiu Ng
  • Patent number: 8047737
    Abstract: A ring binder mechanism includes a housing, a ring support, and rings for holding loose-leaf pages. Each ring includes a first ring member and a second ring member that are moveable between a closed position and an opened position. An actuator is mounted on the housing for moving the ring members from the closed position to the opened position. A travel bar has at least one locking element and is moveable between a locked position wherein the ring members are locked in the closed position and an unlocked position wherein the ring members are capable of being moved to the opened position. An intermediate connector operably connects the travel bar to the actuator. A biasing member is engageable with the intermediate connector and at least one of the travel bar and actuator for biasing the travel bar toward the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: World Wide Stationery Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jn Biao Pi, Chun Yuen To, Ze Yu Zhang
  • Patent number: 8043018
    Abstract: A ring binder mechanism has a housing supporting first and second hinge plates and rings, each ring including first and second ring members. The first ring member is mounted one of the hinge plates and moveable with the hinge plate relative to the second ring member between closed and open positions. An actuating lever for opening the rings is mounted on a pin secured to the housing. Pivoting of the actuator moves a travel bar relative to the hinge plates. A blocking element is secured to the travel bar for conjoint movement therewith between a locking position in which the blocking element blocks pivoting movement of the hinge plates to open the rings and a non-locking position in which the blocking element does not block pivoting movement of the hinge plates to open the rings. A torsion spring on the pin biases the actuating lever to its closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: World Wide Stationery Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hung Yu Cheng
  • Publication number: 20110170942
    Abstract: A ring mechanism has an elongate housing and rings for holding loose-leaf pages. Each ring has ring members mounted on pivoting hinge plates for movement between open and closed positions. An actuator has opening and closing arms extending from an actuator body for opening and closing the rings. The mechanism has a travel bar moveable between a locked position in which a locking element blocks pivoting movement of the hinge plates and an unlocked position. The actuator has a flexible arm positioned to push the travel bar toward the locked position when the actuator closes the rings. At least a portion of the flexible arm is adapted to deform during closing in a manner that includes rotation in a first direction relative to the body of the actuator. Movement of the actuator to close the rings includes rotation of the actuator in the first direction relative to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: WORLD WIDE STATIONERY MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ming Hua Huang, Yun Long Li
  • Patent number: 7950866
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: World Wide Stationery Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun Yuen To, Jin Biao Pi, Ming Hua Huang
  • Patent number: 7878729
    Abstract: A ring binder mechanism for retaining loose-leaf pages includes an elongate plate supporting two hinge plates for pivoting movement relative to the elongate plate. Ring members move with the pivoting movement of the hinge plates between a closed position for retaining loose-leaf pages on the mechanism and an open position for adding or removing pages from the mechanism. An actuating lever is mounted on the elongate plate for moving the ring members between their closed and open positions and for moving a travel bar in translation lengthwise of the elongate plate. A connector connects the lever to the travel bar so that the pivoting movement of the lever causes the translational movement of the travel bar. The connector is shaped to transfer force from the lever to the travel bar around a mounting post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: World Wide Stationery Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hung Yu Cheng
  • Publication number: 20110008097
    Abstract: A retaining assembly of a binder comprises a layering and a lodging body. Two sides of the layering are provided with a clip notch respectively. The lodging body is lodged to the layering. The lodging body has connection pieces, hooks and hook pieces. The connection pieces are connected to the hooks. The connection piece is formed by bending one end of the hook to reach an angle. The hook piece is formed by bending another end of the hook to reach the angle. Since the hook pieces pass through the through holes of the loose leaf binder, the through holes are fit to the hooks. Afterward, when the connection pieces and the hook pieces are lodged in the corresponding clip notches, the loose leaf binder is positioned on the lodging body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventor: HSUEH-CHIH SHIH
  • Publication number: 20100278584
    Abstract: [Object] To provide a binding device easily manufactured and having binding rods easily opened and closed for easy leaf replacement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: LIHIT LAB., INC.
    Inventors: Kanji Tanaka, Yoshiteru Arimoto, Mitsunori Maeda
  • Publication number: 20100247226
    Abstract: A binder ring metal (10) includes a shield (12) fitting over and substantially enclosing a mechanism by which at least one binder ring (14) of the metal is open and closed. The shield has a top surface (22) and an annular flange (24) forming a sidewall of the shield. At least one recess (32) is formed on the top surface of the shield. The recess is sized and shaped for an accessory to be attached to the top surface of the shield and to thereafter be portable with a ring binder to which the metal is attached. This facilitates ease of access to the accessory by a user of the ring binder. In addition, a trigger (62) installed at one end of the metal is formed using a molding process which allows a finger pad (64) of the trigger to be molded in place together with the body (66) portion of the trigger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: U.S. Ring Binder, L.P.
    Inventor: Paul Whaley
  • Publication number: 20100232867
    Abstract: A ring mechanism has housing supporting pivoting hinge plates. The mechanism has rings for holding loose-leaf pages. An actuator is mounted on the housing for causing pivoting motion of the hinge plates to open the rings. The mechanism includes a travel bar and intermediate connector connecting the travel bar to the actuator so movement of the actuator to pivot the hinge plates causes longitudinal movement of the travel bar. The intermediate connector and travel bar are formed as one piece and have a living hinge adapted to allow the intermediate connector to pivot relative to the travel bar. The mechanism has a locking element moveable with the travel bar between a locking position and non-locking position. The living hinge is constructed to maintain a substantially constant spacing between the intermediate connector and the travel at points of connection of the living hinge to the intermediate connector and travel bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: WORLD WIDE STATIONERY MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wing Yiu Ng, Hung Yu Cheng
  • Publication number: 20100215423
    Abstract: A locking device for installation in a loose leaf binder that includes a base member secured to a middle section panel or back cover of the binder at a first location of manufacture and a separate ring mechanism for installation in the loose leaf binder at a second geographical location distanced remotely from the initial point of manufacture. The assembly of the ring mechanism to the base member is achieved by structure formed on the base member operable and adaptable to receive complementary shaped members in a permanent and locked relationship therebetween. Separate assembly of component parts permits bulky binders to be shipped in compact stacks that result in great savings of freight and costs of transportation in moving goods between global locations remote from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventor: Ronald L. Voller
  • Patent number: 7758271
    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 engage able 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: World Wide Stationery Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hung Yu Cheng
  • Patent number: 7748922
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: World Wide Stationery Manufacturing Company, Limited
    Inventor: Hung Yu Cheng
  • Patent number: 7744300
    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 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 actuator moveable relative to the housing for controlling pivoting movement of the hinge plates. The actuator is connected to a travel bar that is moveable by the actuator into position for blocking pivoting motion of the hinge plates when the ring members are closed. The connection of the travel bar to the actuator permits the actuator to move in a range without actuating corresponding movement of the travel bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: World Wide Stationery Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hung Yu Cheng, Ho Ping Cheng
  • Publication number: 20100150683
    Abstract: A binder cartridge (51) that can accommodate a large number of binders (61) , which are connected in parallel to each other by an engaging mechanism. A right angle crank-shaped guide groove (55) is formed in a gate portion (54) at the front end of the binder cartridge. A binder in the front row of the binder cartridge is moved by a binder lateral movement mechanism (7) along the crank-shaped guide groove in the lateral direction and is separated from the other binders. A pair of upper and lower pushers (12, 13) of a bind mechanism portion (5) pinch division ring portions of the binder in the vertical direction and insert the division ring portions into a punch hole formed on the sheets of paper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventor: Toru Yoshie
  • Patent number: 7690855
    Abstract: A binding tool for documents or the like is provided which is capable of suppressing the height of protruded portions from a surface of a base portion thereby to expand a space thereabove, and which is also easy to manufacture and assemble. The binding tool includes a base portion (2) formed of a metal plate, rings (3) that are each mounted on the base portion so as to be selectively changed into a closed ring posture to bind documents or the like and an opened ring posture to open a part of a closed ring for insertion of the documents or the like, and a switching mechanism (5) that is mounted on the base portion and includes a switching lever (4) for switching the rings between the closed ring posture and the opened ring posture. The switching lever has a base end (41) and a free end (42), and a cam member (6) is provided on the base end of the switching member for adjusting the degree of opening/closing of each of the rings according to a rotated position of the free end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: King Jim Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Haneda, Kouichi Tanimoto
  • Patent number: 7674062
    Abstract: The invention relates to a ring binder mechanism comprising a housing (10) for receiving two carrier rails (20), wherein the carrier rails are positioned adjacent one another with at least a portion of their inner longitudinal edges (23) facing each other to form a linkage axis (22) and at least a portion of their outer longitudinal edges (24) engaging the housing (10). The carrier rails (20) have at least two half-rings (16) rigidly connected with the carrier rails, which together form a ring (14). The carrier rails (20) are limitedly pivotable relative to each other about the linkage axis (22), taking along the half-rings (16), between an open position and a closed position. A locking rod (31) having at least one locking element (32) is movable parallel to the linkage axis (22) relative to the housing (10) and the carrier rails (20) via an actuating element (18). The locking rod is provided adjacent the bottom or exterior surface of the carrier rails (i.e. the surface facing away from the housing).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Inventor: Hans Johann Horn
  • Patent number: 7665925
    Abstract: A number of ½ ring parts (13 and 14) are arranged at constant intervals on both sides of the spine portion (12) of binders, and the spine portion (12) and the ½ ring parts (13 and 14) on both upper and lower sides are coupled together via thin hinges. As the spine portion (12) is not in double-split hinge structure, which is different from the case of conventional binders, it is ensured that the spine portion is held until the termination of the binding operation when a binding apparatus is used for causing a holding mechanism to clutch the spine portion of the binders so as to set the binders to face the back of sheets of loose-leaf paper and also causing an engaging mechanism to close and engage the ½ ring parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Max Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoaki Sakata, Toru Yoshie
  • Patent number: 7661900
    Abstract: A binder arrangement that has a plurality of covers hingably connected to a spine that spaces apart each cover such that each cover can carry a binder and be closed one on top of the other without either binder interfering with each other or case closure. Each binder includes a hold down page that is releasably attached by a hold down page latch that accommodates the binder holding contents having different thicknesses. In a preferred embodiment, the hold down page latch comprises a hook and loop fastener that has a loop strip fixed to a latch strap and a hook strip that is fixed to the hold down page. To increase the number of opening and closing cycles the binder arrangement can endure, the binder arrangement has sidewalls joined by a fastening arrangement that is resiliently anchored at one end to the spine, preferably by an elastomeric connector. In one preferred embodiment, the fastening arrangement is a zipper that is resiliently anchored at its zipper bottom stop by a piece of elastic fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Inventor: Adam Merzon