Plastic Clip On

Abstract

A clip binder to hold sheets includes a flexible housing which includes a top section including an aperture, a bottom section, a side section to connect the top section with the bottom section and an upwardly extending rod mounted on the bottom section. The side section includes a first curved section, a first sloping section connected to the first curved section, a second curved section connected to the first sloping section, a second sloping section connected to the second curved section and a third curved section connected to the second sloping section and the bottom section.

Description

PRIORITY

The present invention claims priority under 35 USC section 119 based on a provisional application 60/852,909 filed Oct. 18, 2006.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention relates generally to mechanisms of loose leaf binders and particularly to a binder assembly device for quickly and easily binding sheets such as papers to create an instant booklet or presentation file.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Ring binders are well-known tools for storing, displaying and organizing paper and other similar materials and are useful in a variety of settings; for example, in schools and offices. Ring binders are produced in many different shapes, styles and sizes for both aesthetic and functional purposes. The size is usually dependent upon the diameter of the ring closures, non-limiting examples include, ring closures of a half-inch, one inch, one and a half inches, 2 inches, 3 inches, 4 inches and 5 inches in diameter. Additionally, the rings can be crafted into various shapes for different purposes, non-limiting examples include, D-ring and continuous curvature.

While binders can be crafted in a variety of shapes, styles and sizes; they all generally share the same common binder ring mechanism. This mechanism is usually spring-loaded and when engaged will quickly and efficiently clamp together to join opposing sides of the rings of the binder. However, due to the pressure exerted on the spring mechanism from repeated use, part and/or all of the ring and/or rings move out of alignment and cease to clamp tightly together. The ease of sifting through the contents of the ring binder is impaired and items may be lost from the binder due to slipping out from misaligned rings. This misalignment of the rings essentially destroys the function of the binder.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

U.S. Pat. No. 4,690,580 discloses a ring binder mechanism of the type referred to wherein the ring portions are reliably adjusted on all sides in their closed position even with heavy loading and are secured against opening of the ring closure by displacement of the ends of the ring portions.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,765,956 discloses a device for perfected closure of the mechanism having flat rings for containers of mobile sheets (binders). The device comprises rings and screws which are formed with a single presswork operation together with a strip to be placed at the disposal of the user. The latter with simple coin screws within suitable orifices formed on the strip, the latter being fixed to the internal surface of the folder. There is also provided that each ring may be closed simply by causing projections which are formed on the base of each ring to penetrate within shaped grooves, the latter being formed at the opposite end of the same ring, an operation which is easy due to the elasticity of the material which constitutes the rings.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,125,190 discloses a ring binder assembly device that can both prevent misalignment of binder rings and repair binder rings which have become misaligned. The device of the preferred invention is both a resilient and flexible structure which substantially surrounds the existing binder rings. The device is comprised of at least two hollow tubes of continuous curvature which engage upon closing of the rings to form a single unit. The hollow tubes are sized to substantially cover the entire underlying binder ring and each can be formed as unitary or segmented elements. Since it has been theorized that a funnel-shape can guide a smaller object to a specific point, one end of one of the hollow tubes is molded into a funnel-shape. Through use of this funnel-shape, the device of the instant invention renders it possible to guide one part of a ring to the other part of the ring, thus preventing misalignment and forcing the rings to realign properly should they be out of place.

Standard folders, binders, report covers and other types of paper filling products can be cumbersome, bulky, flimsy or difficult to use. Many devices are simply suited to holding a single type of paper and do not provide effective binding to pages with other dimensions.

SUMMARY

The clip binder provides a user with the quick and easy way to bind papers and create an instant presentation. The design of a clip binder of the present invention provides an inexpensive way to maintain the organization of papers for home, office or school. The user can easily create a file by using a single, durable binding product that is easy to attach and simple to use. The present invention will be used by users of all ages for their binding needs, and the users will appreciate the simplicity of this device.

A clip binder to hold sheets includes a flexible housing which includes a top section including an aperture, a bottom section, a side section to connect the top section with the bottom section and an upwardly extending rod mounted on the bottom section.

The side section includes a first curved section, a first sloping section connected to the first curved section, a second curved section connected to the first sloping section, a second sloping section connected to the second curved section and a third curved section connected to the second sloping section and the bottom section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The invention may be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which, like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the clip binder of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the clip binder in a first position.

FIG. 3 illustrates the side view of the clip binder in a second position.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the clip binder in the first position.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the clip binder for the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of the clip binder for a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of the clip binder for a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of the first clip binder with a back cover;

FIG. 9 illustrates a side view of the second clip binder with the back cover;

FIG. 10 illustrates a side view of the third clip binder with the back cover;

FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of the clip binder with the back cover;

FIG. 12 illustrates a top view of the back cover of a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 illustrates a top view of the back cover of the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 illustrates a top view of the back cover of the third embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 15-18 illustrate a top view of a removable cover of the present invention;

FIG. 19 illustrates a side view of the a portion of the removable cover of the present invention in a first position;

FIG. 20 illustrates a side view of the a portion of the removable cover of the present invention in a second position;

FIG. 21 illustrates a side view of the portion of the removable cover of the present invention in a third position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates the clip binder 100 of the present invention. The clip binder 100 includes a flexible housing 104 which is shown as a substantially D shape and may be formed from an elongate flexible sheet of plastic or other suitable material. A clip binder 100 includes an upwardly extending rod 102 to cooperate with holes formed in sheets (not shown) to hold the sheets in position. Furthermore, the upwardly extending rod 102 cooperates with the flexible housing 104 to prevent the sheets of the user from coming off the upwardly extending rod 102. The upwardly extending rod 102 may be rigid and could be formed from metal, plastic or any suitable material.

The upwardly extending rod 102 could have a rectangular, triangular or any other suitable cross section and may have an inwardly sloping end to facilitate the cooperation with the flexible housing 104 and the sheets of the user. The flexible housing 102 includes an aperture 112 to accept the upwardly extending rod 102.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-section of the flexible housing 104 and the upwardly extending rod 106. As shown in FIG. 2, the flexible housing 104 includes a top section 130, an opposed bottom section 132, and a side section 134. The side section 134 includes a first curve section 120 which is connected to a first sloping section 126 which is connected to a second curve section 122. The second curve section 122 is connected to a second sloping section 128 which is connected to a third curve section 124 which is connected to the bottom section 132. The first curve section 120 is connected to the top section 130. The opposing side of the flexible housing 104 is open to accept sheets of the user. The bottom section 132 has the upwardly extending rod 106 mounted near the open side of the flexible housing 104, and the upwardly extending rod 106 is substantially perpendicular to the interior surface of the bottom section 132. The first curve section 120, the second curve section 122 and the third curve section 124 contribute to the flexibility of the flexible housing 104. The aperture 112 may be reinforced with a metal lining along the interior surface in order to maintain the diameter of the aperture 112. The upwardly extending rod 106 includes an upper narrowed section 108 and a lower narrowed section 110 to cooperate with the aperture 112, and each of the upper narrowed section 108 and the lower narrowed section 110 is of reduced diameter which corresponds approximately to the diameter of the aperture 112. Consequently, the top section 130 will remain detachable fixed to the upwardly extending rod 106. The top section 130 may be positioned at the upper narrowed section 108 in a first position to give the clip binder 100 a larger capacity to hold the sheets of the user. The top section 130 can be removed from the upwardly extending rod 106 so that the sheets of the user can be removed, or the top section 130 can be moved along the upwardly extending rod 106 until the aperture 112 is positioned at the second narrowed section 110 at a second position. At the second position, the clip binder 100 may have less capacity for sheets of the user.

FIG. 3 illustrates the top section 130 positioned at the second narrowed section 110. By positioning the top section 130 at the second narrowed section 110, the clip binder 100 may be able to hold a reduced number of sheets, but the top section 130 can be more securely held onto the upwardly extending rod 106 because if the top section numeral 130 should slip off the upwardly extending rod 130 at the second narrowed section 110, the top section 130 should be held at the first narrowed section 108. Consequently, the top section 130 is a less likely to become unintentionally detached from the upwardly extending rod 106.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the clip binder with the shorter upwardly extending rod 106.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the clip binder 500 showing two upwardly extending rods 106 positioned in two apertures 112 to bind the sheets of the user along the top of the sheets.

FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of the clip binder 600 showing three of upwardly extending rods 106 positioned in the three apertures 112 to bind the sheets of the user along the side of the sheets. The clip binder 600 may be appropriate for letter size sheets.

FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of the clip binder 700 showing four upwardly extending rods 106 positioned in four apertures 112 to bind the sheets of the user along the side of the sheets. The additional aperture and upwardly extending rod may be appropriate for legal size sheets.

FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of the clip binder 800 with an integral back cover 140. The bottom section 132 is shown as being formed integral with the back cover 104. The back cover 104 serves to protect the sheets of the user and provide a smooth writing surface for the sheets of the user.

FIG. 9 illustrates a side view of the clip binder 900 with the integral back cover 140. FIG. 9 shows a longer upwardly extending rod 106 so that additional sheets of the user can be held.

FIG. 10 illustrates a side view of the clip binder 1000 with the top section 130 that has been detached from the upwardly extending rod 106.

FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of the clip binder 1100. The clip binder 1100 includes a top section 130, upwardly extending rod 106 and a back cover 140.

FIG. 12 illustrates a top view of the clip binder 1200. The top section 1230 of the clip binder 1200 includes a reduced width edge in the transverse direction that does not extend to the edge of the bottom section 1232. The clip binder 1200 could be extended for legal size sheets or could be used for letter size sheets.

FIG. 13 illustrates a top view of the clip binder 1300 which extends along the side of the letter size sheets and illustrates three apertures 112.

FIG. 14 illustrates a top view of the clip binder 1400 which extends along the side of legal size sheets and illustrates four apertures 112.

FIGS. 15-18 illustrates removable covers 150 which can cooperate with the clip binders shown in FIGS. 1-14. The removable cover 150 includes a cover aperture 152 which cooperates with the upwardly extending rod 106, and the removable cover 150 is placed under the top section 130 to be secured. FIG. 15 illustrates three cover apertures 152 along the side to cooperate with the clip binder 1300 as shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 16 illustrates a removable cover 150 having two cover apertures 152 along the top of the removable cover 150 to be used in cooperation with the clip binder 1200 illustrated in FIG. 12.

FIG. 17 illustrates a removable cover 150 having four apertures 152 along the side of the removable cover 150 to be used with legal size paper and cooperates with the clip binder 1400 is illustrated in FIG. 14.

FIG. 18 illustrates a removable cover 150 having two apertures 152 along the top of the removable cover 150 to be used with legal size paper and cooperates with the clip binder 1200 as illustrated in FIG. 12.

FIG. 19 illustrates a portion of the removable cover 150 and includes a reduced thickness portion 154 to allow a portion of the removable cover 150 to pivot so that the user can access the sheets that are being held by the clip binder.

FIG. 20 illustrates a portion of the removable cover 150 being partially pivoted as the user obtains access to the sheets.

FIG. 21 illustrates that the portion of the removable cover 150 has been pivoted approximately 90°.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed.

Claims

1. A clip binder to hold sheets, comprising:

a flexible housing including:

a top section including an aperture;

a bottom section;

a side section to connect the top section with the bottom section;

an upwardly extending rod mounted on the bottom section.

2. A clip binder to hold sheets as in claim 1, wherein the side section includes a first curved section.

3. A clip binder to hold sheets as in claim 2, wherein the side section includes a first sloping section connected to the first curved section.

4. A clip binder to hold sheets as in claim 2, wherein the side section includes a second curved section connected to the first sloping section.

5. A clip binder to hold sheets as in claim 3, wherein the side section includes a second sloping section connected to the second curved section.

6. A clip binder to hold sheets as in claim 5, wherein the side section includes a third curved section connected to the second sloping section and the bottom section.

7. A clip binder to hold sheets as in claim 1, wherein the flexible housing includes at least two upwardly extending rods.

8. A clip binder to hold sheets as in claim 1, wherein the flexible housing includes at least three upwardly extending rods.

9. A clip binder to hold sheets as in claim 1, wherein the flexible housing includes at least four upwardly extending rods.

10. A clip binder to hold sheets as in claim 1, wherein the flexible housing includes a back cover.

11. A clip binder to hold sheets as in claim 1, wherein the top section is detachably connected to the upwardly extending rod.

12. A clip binder to hold sheets as in claim 1, wherein the upwardly extending rod includes a first narrowed section adapted to hold the top section.

13. A clip binder to hold sheets as in claim 12, wherein the upwardly extending rod includes a second narrowed section adapted to hold the top section.

14. A clip binder to hold sheets as in claim 1, wherein upwardly extending rod is adapted to receive a removable cover.

15. A clip binder to hold sheets as in claim 14, wherein the removable cover includes a reduced thickness portion.