Abstract: A ring mechanism has a housing having a guide formed by tabs extending down from a plateau of the housing. The guide is elongate in a direction extending lengthwise of the housing. Some of the tabs are spaced apart from each other longitudinally. The housing supports pivoting hinge plates. The mechanism has rings for holding loose-leaf pages. Each ring includes first and second ring members. The first ring member is moveable with the pivoting motion of one of the hinge plates between a closed position and an open position. A travel bar is restrained by the guide for longitudinal movement relative to the housing between a locked position and an unlocked position. The travel bar includes at least one locking element formed as one piece with the travel bar. The locking element is adapted to block movement of the hinge plates in the locked position of the travel bar.

Abstract: A ring mechanism for retaining loose-leaf pages has supporting hinge plates for pivoting motion relative to a housing to open and close ring members. The mechanism further includes a thin, flat travel bar between the housing and 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. The travel bar is supported in a generally vertical orientation by the hinge plates within a guide in the housing. The guide controls movement of the travel bar lengthwise of the housing.

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.