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.

Abstract: A ring binder mechanism for retaining loose leaf pages. The mechanism includes an elongate plate. Hinge plates are supported by the plate for pivoting relative to the elongate plate. Rings for holding loose leaf pages include ring members mounted on the hinge plates and moveable between a closed position and an open position. A lever is pivotally mounted on the elongate plate for moving the ring members between the closed and open positions. A travel bar is moveable in translation lengthwise of the elongate plate. A connector is pivotally connected to the lever and travel bar such that the pivoting motion of the lever produces translational movement of the travel bar lengthwise of the elongate plate.

Abstract: A ring mechanism for retaining loose-leaf pages comprises a housing, hinge plates, and ring members. The housing supports the hinge plates for pivoting motion relative to the housing to open and close ring members mounted thereon. The mechanism comprises a thin, flat travel bar below the hinge plates arranged in a vertical orientation. The travel bar is supported by coil springs in a position where the travel bar is adjacent a bottom surface of the hinge plates. The travel bar moves relative to the hinge plates between a position blocking the hinge plates against pivoting when the ring members are closed and a position allowing the hinge plates to pivot when it is desired to open the ring members.

Abstract: A ring binder mechanism for retaining loose-leaf pages comprises a housing supporting two hinge plates for pivoting motion to open and close ring members. Paired ring members of the mechanism attach to the hinge plates and move therewith between the open and closed positions. Free ends of the paired ring members each have a interlocking formation that is capable of securely joining together when the ring members are in the closed position. The interlocking formations hold the ring members against misalignment in all directions transverse to longitudinal centerlines of the ring members when the ring members are in the closed position. Some formations are additionally capable of positively engaging each other as the ring members come together to actively bias the ring members into accurate alignment.

Abstract: An apparatus and system are provided for improving ball grid array (BGA) joint reliability. According to one embodiment, a ball grid array (BGA) package having a first and second surface and an array of solder balls to align the first surface with the second surface is disclosed. The first surface is coupled to an integrated circuit (IC) device and the second surface is coupled to a printed circuit board (PCB). A bonder is applied between the first surface and second surface independently of the array of solder balls.

Abstract: A ring binder mechanism for retaining loose-leaf pages securely holds closed ring members together to prevent inadvertent loss of pages retained by the mechanism. The mechanism comprises a housing supporting two hinge plates for pivoting motion to open and close paired ring members mounted on the plates. Free ends of the paired ring members have interlocking configurations that securely join together when the ring members close. The configurations prevent misalignment of the closed ring members in all directions transverse to longitudinal centerlines of the ring members. The mechanism also includes locking elements that interact with the hinge plates to block their pivoting motion when the ring members are closed. This holds the free ends of the closed paired ring members together so that the interlocking configurations of the ring members remain interengaged.

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 loose 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 actuating lever pivotally mounted on the housing. The actuating lever moves a travel bar and its locking elements for controlling the pivoting motion of the hinge plates. When the ring members are closed, the locking elements block the hinge plates from pivoting to open the ring members. In addition, a spring is attached to the travel bar for automatically biasing the travel bar and locking elements to the locked position when the ring members close.