Abstract: A ring binder (10) includes a ring metal (18) securable to a spine portion (16) of the binder. A spur eyelet (30) used for this purpose includes a post (32) one end (34) of which attaches to the ring metal. A plate (40) is formed at the other end of the post. Radiating outwardly from the underside of the plate are a plurality of concentrically formed spurs (50). Each spur has barbs (56) formed on an outer end (54) of the spur. To attach the ring metal to the spine, the spurs are pushed into the body of the spine. Thereafter, the barbs keep the eyelet from being pulled away from the body of the spine thereby preventing the ring metal from separating from the binder.

Abstract: A spring clip for mounting a ring metal to a ring binder wherein the spring clip is attached to a panel of the ring binder such as by a rivet, and the ring metal is snap engaged to the spring clips. The spring clips provide release levers for quickly and easily removing the ring metal from the ring binder for exchange or replacement. The ring metal can be provided with locator notches which register with locator tabs provided on the spring clip to locate the ring metal appropriately with respect to the ring binder and spring clips.

Abstract: A ring binder having D-shaped rings wherein the rings, when opened, position a generally straight leg of the D-shape in a vertical orientation with respect to a horizontal bottom cover panel of the binder. The straight leg has a short turned end portion which allows for simple vertical loading of pages onto the rings. The arrangement provides for greater efficiency at loading multiple pages onto a ring binder in the factory, as well as replacing pages in the ring binder by the consumer. A plurality of D-shaped rings can be used in an arrangement wherein the ring carrier can be mounted on the bottom cover, rather than mounted onto a spine panel of the ring binder. By arranging the ring carrier on the bottom cover rather than the spine, the top and bottom cover members can be made of shorter width, resulting in a savings of material of manufacture.

Abstract: A shield for a ring metal is provided having arcuate band sections at the locations of the rings and intermediate sections therebetween, the intermediate sections having a straight segmental cross section having a lower overhead clearance between the shield and the hinged leaves than the band sections. The hinged leaves abut the intermediate section before tab members formed on said hinged leaves can abut an underside of the band sections, thus upward dents are prevented on the shield. Additionally, the straight segmental configuration of the intermediate sections provides increased resiliency for opening and holding closed the rings of the ring metal.

Abstract: A locking ring binder assembly has a resilient sheet metal cover and a pair of operating levers rotatably mounted on the covers. A projection on the operating levers beneath the cover and a leg portion on the operating levers in alignment with the projection through a thickness of the cover locks the binder in a closed position even though the operating levers are not rotated to an over center position.