Abstract: A ring metal (10) has binder rings (12-16) each comprised of two ring segments one end of each of which is attached to a hinge plate (18, 20). A movable bar (34) extends from one end of the metal to the other and contacts the hinge plates to move them when the binder is opened. A manually operated trigger (32) connects to one end of the bar to move the bar. The trigger includes a slot (40) in which is fitted a pin (44) connected to the bar. The pin moves in the slot as the trigger is moved. Drawing the trigger away from a binder closed position toward a binder open position moves the pin through the slot. This causes the bar to move relative to the hinges, forcing the hinges to pivot the respective segments of each binder ring away from each other and open the binder. When the binder is closed, a nib (62) formed on the top of the bar is received in an opening in a shield (22) of the metal to prevent the trigger from being inadvertently moved and opening the binder.

Abstract: A system for assembling a wrap-around type binder includes a riveting apparatus including a riveting station, for assembling a ring/shield/frame/hinge plate assembly to binder covers. The ring assemblies are moved to the riveting station along one path, and the binder or notebook covers are fed to the riveting station along another path. The riveting station includes locating and forming pins and at least one magnet for holding the hinge plates, and a carriage for holding rivets and for driving them through the covers and expanding the rivets on the forming pins to securely mount the hinge plates and associated rings, shields and frames to the binder covers.

Abstract: A wrap-around notebook or binder includes a ring assembly with a shield and a pair of frames forming a bistable construction, and a hinge plate pivotally coupled to the shield with the outer surface of the hinge plate aligned with the outer extent of the shield/frame assembly when the hinge plate is parallel to the plane of the shield. The exposed frame member may be convex, recessed to receive rivet heads, and may be plated. The hinge plate(s) may have curls which interfit with alternate curls from the shield to provide a hinge. The ring assembly may be mounted in the notebook or binder so that the shield side of the ring assembly faces the front cover of the binder. The pivot line between the shield and the hinge plate may be spaced from the shield by a clearance distance. The notebook or binder lies flat on an underlying surface with either the front cover of the rear cover folded under the assembly.

Abstract: A system for assembling a wrap-around type binder includes a riveting apparatus including a riveting station, for assembling a ring/shield/frame/hinge plate assembly to binder covers. The ring assemblies are moved to the riveting station along one path, and the binder or notebook covers are fed to the riveting station along another path. The riveting station includes locating and forming pins and at least one magnet for holding the hinge plates, and a carriage for holding rivets and for driving them through the covers and expanding the rivets on the forming pins to securely mount the hinge plates and associated rings, shields and frames to the binder covers.

Abstract: A wrap-around notebook or binder includes a ring assembly with a shield and a pair of frames forming a bistable construction, and a hinge plate pivotally coupled to the shield with the outer surface of the hinge plate aligned with the outer extent of the shield/frame assembly when the hinge plate is parallel to the plane of the shield. The exposed frame member may be convex, recessed to receive rivet heads, and may be plated. The hinge plate(s) may have curls which interfit with alternate curls from the shield to provide a hinge. The ring assembly may be mounted in the notebook or binder so that the shield side of the ring assembly faces the front cover of the binder. The pivot line between the shield and the hinge plate may be spaced from the shield by a clearance distance. The notebook or binder lies flat on an underlying surface with either the front cover of the rear cover folded under the assembly.

Abstract: An improved ring metal (12) includes a shield (12). An elongate plate (14) has a length generally corresponding to the length of a binder (B) in which the ring metal is installed. A hollow cylindrical post (16a, 16b) extends from the underside (18) of the plate, at each end of the plate. One end (US) of a concealed fastener (CF) used to secure the ring metal to a binder cover is fitted onto each post. The post subsequently engages the concealed fastener to secure the shield and fastener together. The posts aid alignment of the shield and fasteners during fabrication of the binder.

Abstract: An improved ring metal (12) includes a shield (12). An elongate plate (14) has a length generally corresponding to the length of a binder (B) in which the ring metal is installed. A hollow cylindrical post (16a, 16b) extends from the underside (18) of the plate, at each end of the plate. One end (US) of a concealed fastener (CF) used to secure the ring metal to a binder cover is fitted onto each post. The post subsequently engages the concealed fastener to secure the shield and fastener together. The posts aid alignment of the shield and fasteners during fabrication of the binder.

Abstract: A concealed, clinch (“crown”) fastener (30) includes a cylindrical body (32) closed at one end to form a surface (34) deformable to attach the fastener to a binder ring mechanism (18). A first set (40) of prongs (42) extend from the opposite, open end of the fastener body to attach the fastener to a binder spine material (M) when the prongs are driven into the material. A second set (50) of prongs (52) are also formed at this end of the fastener, intermediate adjacent prongs comprising the first set. These prongs are shorter in length than those comprising the first set, and while the prongs forming the first set extend from the body in one direction, the prongs forming the second set extend in the opposite direction. The fastener provides better holding strength than other concealed fasteners and better resists pulling and twisting forces which tend to pull the mechanism away from the binder cover than these other fasteners.

Abstract: A concealed, clinch (“crown”) fastener (30) includes a cylindrical body (32) closed at one end to form a surface (34) deformable to attach the fastener to a binder ring mechanism (18). A first set (40) of prongs (42) extend from the opposite, open end of the fastener body to attach the fastener to a binder spine material (M) when the prongs are driven into the material. A second set (50) of prongs (52) are also formed at this end of the fastener, intermediate adjacent prongs comprising the first set. These prongs are shorter in length than those comprising the first set, and while the prongs forming the first set extend from the body in one direction, the prongs forming the second set extend in the opposite direction. The fastener provides better holding strength than other concealed fasteners and better resists pulling and twisting forces which tend to pull the mechanism away from the binder cover than these other fasteners.

Abstract: A binder ring assembly (10) for a ring binder comprises a plurality of spaced binder rings (12-16). A user operable mechanism (18) to which the rings are attached allows the user to open and close the rings to open and close the binder. A shield (22) covers the mechanism. The binder rings protrude through the shield. A recess (26) is formed in the cover adjacent each cover location where a binder ring is located. During shipment of binder ring assemblies, one layer (L1) of assemblies is placed in a container (C) with another, inverted layer (L2) of assemblies placed over them. The outer ends of the binder rings are received in the recesses of the covers, and the depth of each recess is such that the outer end of the binder rings of the mating assembly will not come out of the recesses and rub against the non-recessed portion of the cover which, if scratched, renders the assembly unusable.

Abstract: An improved ring binder (28) comprises a frame (F′) having a pair of leafs (L1′, L2′) extending lengthwise of the frame. Binder rings (R) are each formed of two binder ring halves (R1, R2) one end (E) of each of which is attached to one of the leafs. Boosters (10) are attached to each end of the frame, and the leafs each include a notch (24, 26) formed at their respective ends. Each booster includes a tang (12) captured in the notch. A cover or shield (40) fits over the frame and extends beyond the location of the boosters. The sides of the cover are now crimped about the boosters to secure them in place.

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 modular binder ring unit (16) used in a ring binder (10) comprises a plurality of modules including a binder ring module (18). The modules are spaced along the length of the unit. A plurality of spacer modules (22, 24, 30) attach to the ring modules. The spacer modules are available in different lengths, and a combination of different length modules are usable together with the ring modules to form a binder ring unit of a desired length. The spacer modules space the ring modules an appropriate distance apart for the binder rings to be at locations corresponding to holes (H) in a sheet of paper (S) stored in the binder. End caps (26) are removably attachable at each end of said unit for locking the ring modules and spacer modules in place. Each module element is an elongate module having a recess (R) formed in one end and an extension (E) at the opposite end for securing one module to an adjacent module.

Abstract: A fastener (50) fastening a paper retaining binder mechanism (18) to a binder (10). A plate (52) is deformable to attach the fastener to the binder mechanism by abutting the plate against the binder mechanism and then striking the binder mechanism with a tool (T) which deforms a portion of the binder mechanism and deforms the plate about the deformed portion for the deformed plate to capture the deformed portion of the binder mechanism. Accordingly, the fastener does not require a preformed rivet or eyelet for securing the fastener to the binder mechanism. A plurality of prongs () are formed with the plate and projecting therefrom. The prongs are used to attach the fastener to the binder by positioning the prongs adjacent a portion () of the binder and then engaging the prongs with the binder portion for the prongs to secure the fastener thereto.