Abstract: A ring binder (100) has a center spine (102) and end leafs (104). The spine section has jaws (108) formed on each side which extend the length of the spine section. Each end leaf has one end (104a) insertable into one of the jaws and thereafter held in place by serrations (110) forming the jaws and which frictionally engage the one end of the leaf to keep it permanently in place. A binder ring assembly (10) includes binder rings (18-22) and a mechanism (14,16) for opening and closing the rings. The spine section includes rivets (72) integrally formed at each end of the spine section and the binder ring assembly includes a cover (12) having corresponding openings (68a,68b) for attaching the binder ring assembly to the spine section. This binder construction allows different width end leafs to be used with a common spine section to form a variety of different size binders using a common spine section.

Abstract: A binder ring mechanism (16) has a plurality of binder rings (18a-18c) for holding sheets of paper. Each binder ring includes a fixed section (20) and a movable section (22). All of the movable binder ring sections are commonly mounted on a bolt (36). A lever arm (52) is attached to one end of the bolt for movement of the lever arm to move the bolt and the binder ring sections mounted on the bolt. The bolt is movably mounted on a cover piece (24) for both rotational and sliding movement of the bolt. A recess (58) is formed in an endwall (56) of the cover piece and the lever arm includes a latch member (60) received in the recess to latch the lever arm in place when the binder rings are closed so to prevent inadvertent movement of the lever arm which might cause the binder rings to open. In addition, the cover piece has flaps (82, 84) extending diagonally outwardly therefrom for storing writing instruments in a ring binder (10) in which the binder ring mechanism is installed.

Abstract: A ring binder (10) stores hole (H) punched sheets of paper (P). A mechanism (16) is a bolt action mechanism which positively locks binder rings (18) which hold paper in its stored position. Each binder ring includes a fixed section (20) and a movable section (22). All of the movable binder ring sections are commonly mounted on a bolt (36) and move in unison with the bolt. A manually operable lever (38) is secured to one end of the bolt. When the lever is moved in one direction, the bolt is rotated so to move the movable sections of the binder rings away from the fixed sections and open the binder. Operation of the lever in the opposite direction brings the movable sections back into contact with the fixed sections to close the binder.

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 ring metal for a ring binder having a pair longitudinally arranged leaves partially surrounded an clasped by a resilient metallic shield and a plurality of openable rings having base ends connected to the leaves such that relative angular orientation of the leaves corresponds to an open or closed condition of the rings. By shaping and arranging the rings with respect to the leaves such that the closed condition of the rings corresponds to the relative angular orientation of the leaves being 180.degree. or less measured on a side of the leaves opposite the rings, results in the rings always being urged to the open condition whether open or closed. At least one of the rings provides a hook formation to lock rings halves of at least one ring to lock the rings and leaves in the closed orientation.

Abstract: A locking ring binder assembly has a resilient sheet metal cover and a pair of operating levers rotatably mounted on the covers. A detent consisting of a projection on the inside of the cover and a corresponding projection on the operating levers locks the binder in a closed position even though the operating levers are not rotated to an over center position.