Abstract: A clip for reducing a dimension of an opening in tissue may include a continuous member having a plurality of legs and a plurality of preformed bends connecting adjacent legs, wherein the plurality of legs form: a first group having two protrusions; a second group having two protrusions; and a third group having two protrusions, wherein each protrusion of each group includes two legs of the continuous member and a corresponding preformed bend connecting the two legs, and each protrusion of each group extends from a region adjacent a first end of the clip to a region adjacent a second end of the clip.

Abstract: A single-detent binder for a file folder has a housing, one pair of baseplates, ring shaped components, a control component, a pull rod, rotary locking pieces and an intermediate junction component. The control component, intermediate junction component, pull rod and rotary locking pieces are connected in series. When the control component rotates, the rotary locking pieces are triggered to rotate in the trough of the first baseplate based on the mechanical principle of connecting rod, thus performing the locking/unlocking function. When the binder is closed, the baffle plates on the second baseplate hinder the rotary locking pieces from rotation, thus generating a clamping force. After the baffle plates and rotary locking pieces work jointly to close the binder, the ring shaped components generate a scrambling force, thus enhancing the locking effect and preventing the single-detent binder from opening unexpectedly.

Abstract: First and second plates have a space between them. Each plate has parallel top and bottom edges, parallel inner and outer edges, and interior and exterior surfaces. First and second fingering assemblies include fingers fabricated of a flexible material. Each finger includes a terminal projection extending into the space between the support plates. The fingers may move into and out of the space between the support plates. First and second tubes are provided. Each tube is coupled to the inner edge of an associated plate. Each tube has circumferential recesses with C-shaped clips positioned within the circumferential recesses. In this manner the tubes are secured together. Also in this manner rotation of the tubes and support plates is allowed.

Abstract: A ring binder has an elongate body and rings. Each ring includes ring members moveable between open and closed positions. The body and rings are made of one or more moldable polymeric materials. The binder suitably includes a retaining system operable to hold the ring members in the closed position. The retaining system has interlocking formations adjacent ends of the ring members that are moveable between a retaining position in which the retaining system holds the first and second ring members in the closed position and a non-retaining position. The ring members and body can suitably be formed together as one piece from a moldable polymeric material.

Abstract: A ring binder has an elongate body and rings. Each ring includes ring members moveable between open and closed positions. The ring members and body can suitably formed together as one piece from a moldable polymeric material. The binder suitably includes a retaining system operable to selectively and releasably hold the ring members in the closed position. When the ring members are in their open position, loose-leaf pages can be added or removed from the rings. Loose-leaf pages can also be moved from one ring member to another when the ring members are in their open position.

Abstract: A desk leaf base has a base formed of a trapezoidal tubular body in a trapezoidal shape in a side view, closed from a bottom surface to a certain height in both sides, and opened in an upper portion therefrom. An inclined front wall of the tubular body is removed from one side to the other side, in a range from the height to a higher height lower than a top surface. A binder mounted along an elongated top surface of the base has an elongated body and rings. The elongated body is mounted along the top surface of the base with an approximately same width as the top surface. The rings are mounted on the body and capable of opening and closing. Each ring includes linear portions that protrude from the body inclining upward on front and back sides when closing.

Abstract: A loose-leaf paper binder ring comprising a generally tubular shaped body; a first connecting end of said body arranged for releasably connecting with a complementary second connecting end for opening and closing the ring; a series of lower locking teeth being laterally spaced and extending along the length of said first connecting end; a series of upper locking teeth being laterally spaced and extending along the length of said second connecting end; whereby said upper locking teeth engage said lower locking teeth when said first connecting end is directly overlapped with said second connecting end; and, whereby a lateral displacement of said upper and lower locking teeth causes said first and second connecting ends to release.

Abstract: A ring mechanism for retaining loose-leaf pages includes a housing and ring members for holding loose-leaf pages that are moveable relative to the housing between an open and closed position. An actuation system moves the ring members and includes hinge plates pivotally mounted on the housing and an actuator actuating pivoting movement of the hinge plates. A travel bar of the actuation system is moveable by the actuator between a locked position blocking pivoting movement of the hinge plates and an unlocked position allowing pivoting movement of the hinge plates. The actuation system is adapted to deform while moving the travel bar from the locked position toward the unlocked position to delay the pivoting motion of the hinge plates from the movement of the actuator.

Abstract: A binding structure for binding a bundle of sheets and that includes a base and a pair of opposed position legs that are integrally formed with and extend from respective sides of the base. The pair of legs and base together defines a retention area in which the bundle of sheets is held. The pair of legs is constructed and arranged with a resilient bias toward each other, but separable to enable the bundle of sheets to be held therebetween under a biasing force. The legs each have at least one inwardly directed rib arranged for contact with opposed sides of the bundle of sheets, and a thermal adhesive layer is disposed on the base and upon which the bundle of sheets rests, to be later formed in a thermal binding machine.

Abstract: A binding device includes a plurality of binding rings, a holding member which enables the binding rings to be disposed with a spacing therebetween, an operating member having a surface to which base portions of the binding rings are secured such that the binding rings are disposed with a spacing therebetween, the operating member including a pair of operating pieces movable in the holding member in a longitudinal direction of the holding member, and an opening-closing member which causes the binding rings to be changed in an opening direction. The opening-closing member includes an elastic member.

Abstract: A ring binder mechanism includes an elongate plate having a longitudinal axis. Hinge plates are supported by the plate for pivoting relative to the elongate plate. Ring members are mounted on the hinge plates and moveable between a closed position and an open position. A control structure is supported by the elongate plate and controllably pivots the hinge plates to move the ring members between the closed and open positions. The control structure has a travel bar connected to the hinge plates for moving the hinge plates between the closed and open positions. A spring biases the travel bar toward the closed position.

Abstract: A binder for releasably retaining loose-leaves. The binder has a front cover that lies flatly beneath its back cover when the binder is open 360 degrees. The rings of the binder can rotate around an edge of the flatly-folded cover to enable loose-leaves to lie flat above and below the cover. The binder also has a skeleton with a minimal cross-section spine which may be partially or completely embedded in a cover and rotates in relation to parallel front and back covers when the binder is open 360 degrees. The front cover, middle cover and back cover are connected in a way so that they do not interfere with the rotation of the rings. Mechanisms to open and close the rings of the skeleton to allow addition or removal of loose-leafs, and ring shapes to optimize or stabilize the capacity of the binder during operation are also disclosed.

Abstract: A display system includes a binder, a header, a retaining bracket and an extension assembly. The binder includes a plate, a plurality of sheets and an attachment assembly. The plate has a front surface, a rear surface and an edge. The attachment assembly secure the sheets at the front surface of the plate and maintains and displays information. The header includes indicia and is adapted to be positioned in a retracted position where the header is substantially obscured from view by the plate and an extended position where the header extends substantially from the edge of the plate. The retaining bracket is attached to the rear surface of the plate. The extension assembly is adapted to engage the retaining bracket to maintain the header in the extended position.

Abstract: A binding mechanism assembly for binding a sheet item, the binding mechanism assembly including a backing member having an upper surface, and a binding member directly or indirectly coupled to the backing member. The binding member includes a protrusion shaped and located to protrude through a hole of a sheet item to be bound thereto. The binding member further includes a generally flexible flange that is manually movable into engagement with the protrusion to form a generally closed loop and thereby bind the sheet item thereto. The loop is rotatable relative to the backing member from a first position in which the loop is generally located above the upper surface to a second position wherein at least part of the loop is located below the upper surface. A release mechanism is provided for opening the loop.

Abstract: A reversibly bound book is provided. A first cover strip is wrapped around the first edge of a first cover board, passes over the first side of the first cover board and along the first side of the second cover board. One end of a second cover strip is wrapped around the second edge of the second cover board, strip passes along the second side of the second cover board and over the second side of the first cover board. The cover boards are only attached to each other via the cover strips and can be rotated and turned inside-out. One book can have two different appearances simply by rotating the cover boards with respect to each other. At least one floating spine is bound to one cover board, serving as a spine in one configuration and a closure in the other.

Abstract: A ring binder mechanism has a housing and hinge plates supported for pivoting movement by the housing. The mechanism has rings, each including a first ring member mounted on a first hinge plate and a second ring member. The first ring member is movable relative to the second ring member between open and closed positions. The mechanism has a travel bar and a locking element that are free of fixed connection to the hinge plates and movable in translation relative to the housing and hinge plates. The travel bar blocks pivoting motion of the hinge plates when the ring members are closed. An elongate link connects a pivotable actuating lever to the travel bar such that pivoting motion of the actuating lever produces translational movement of the travel bar. The elongate link is oriented so it extends longitudinally relative to the housing.

Abstract: A binding mechanism assembly for binding a sheet item, the binding mechanism assembly including a backing member having an upper surface, and a binding member directly or indirectly coupled to the backing member. The binding member includes a protrusion shaped and located to protrude through a hole of a sheet item to be bound thereto. The binding member further includes a generally flexible flange that is manually movable into engagement with the protrusion to form a generally closed loop and thereby bind the sheet item thereto. The loop is rotatable relative to the backing member from a first position in which the loop is generally located above the upper surface to a second position wherein at least part of the loop is located below the upper surface. The loop is fixedly and not slidably coupled to the backing member.

Abstract: A ring binder mechanism has a resilient polymeric housing. The housing has a central portion and lateral sides extending downwardly along either side of the central portion. A metal ring support is supported between the lateral sides for movement relative to the housing. Each of a plurality of rings includes a first ring member mounted on the ring support for movement therewith to open and close the rings. The housing applies a spring force biasing the ring support toward the open position when the first ring member is proximate its open position and biasing the ring support to the closed position when the first ring member is proximate its closed position. The housing spring force is the only spring force applied to the ring support that moves the ring support.

Abstract: A ring binder mechanism that retains loose-leaf pages. The mechanism includes a housing and hinge plates supported by the housing for pivoting about a pivot axis relative to the housing. The mechanism further includes rings that hold the loose-leaf pages. Each ring includes two ring members. A first ring member is mounted on a first hinge plate and can move therewith relative to a second ring member. In a closed position, the two ring members form a substantially continuous, closed loop for allowing loose-leaf pages retained by the rings to be moved along the rings from one ring member to the other. In an open position, the two ring members form a discontinuous, open loop for adding or removing loose-leaf pages from the rings. Additionally the mechanism comprises an actuator that is pivotally mounted on the housing and can move relative to the housing for controlling the pivoting motion of the hinge plates and closing the ring members.

Abstract: A binding device having a binding member that operates at a binding position of objects to be bound has a structure with which the bound objects do not readily come off. The binding device includes a board having a bearing plate. A spring member and an operation lever are attached to a shaft inserted in the bearing plate and a turned-up part. Protruding pieces of a binding member are inserted in through holes of turned-up parts formed in the board. One end of the spring member is secured to the operation lever, and the other end is fitted in a through hole of a turned portion at the distal end of the binding member. By closing the operation lever, the binding member rotates around a line connecting the protruding pieces at both ends, thereby pressing down sheets of paper placed on the board with a pressing portion. At this time, the other end of the spring member presses the turned portion, thereby biasing the pressing portion.

Abstract: This is a sheet binder or comb configured for use in lay-flat binding technology. This comb allows two- or three-ring binding of finished comb-bound booklets by the addition of a like number of round holes stamped into the comb. Obviously, any number of round holes can be used to accommodate two or more ring binders.

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 has a housing supporting first and second hinge plates and rings, each ring including first and second ring members. The first ring member is mounted one of the hinge plates and moveable with the hinge plate relative to the second ring member between closed and open positions. An actuating lever for opening the rings is mounted on a pin secured to the housing. Pivoting of the actuator moves a travel bar relative to the hinge plates. A blocking element is secured to the travel bar for conjoint movement therewith between a locking position in which the blocking element blocks pivoting movement of the hinge plates to open the rings and a non-locking position in which the blocking element does not block pivoting movement of the hinge plates to open the rings. A torsion spring on the pin biases the actuating lever to its closed position.

Abstract: A collapsible ring binder includes a plurality of selectively openable and closable rings that releasably retain hole-punched documents within the binder. The rings may be collapsed and/or detached from the binder to flatten the binder for transportation and/or storage. The rings are easily moved from their collapsed and/or detached configuration to their upright and usable configuration so that an end user can easily ready the collapsed binder for use.

Abstract: In binding a cover sheet together with a sheet bundle, ever-accurate spine-creasing irrespective of bundle thickness is made possible. A sheet stacker stacks sheets into bundles, an adhesive applicator applies adhesive to a spine part of the sheet bundles, and a cover-sheet binder binds cover sheets together with the spine parts. The cover-sheet binder is constituted from a left-and-right pair of spine-creasing press members arranged free to shift between standby and spine-creasing positions; a shifter that reciprocates the spine-creasing press members between the standby and spine-creasing positions; and a controller. The controller functions to vary, in accordance with sheet bundle thickness, any of: (1) the standby position of the press members; (2) the start time of an operation whereby the press members are shifted from the standby to the spine-creasing position; or (3) the traveling speed of the press members in shifting from the standby to the spine-creasing position.

Abstract: A ring binder mechanism that retains loose-leaf pages and has ring members that gently close and readily lock together. The mechanism comprises a housing that supports two hinge plates for loose pivoting motion, moving the ring members between an open position and a closed position. A lever causes the pivoting motion of the hinge plates such that the lever is pivotable between a first position in which the ring members are closed and a second position. A spring is engageable with the lever for urging the lever to move the control structure toward the first position.

Abstract: A ring binder mechanism that retains loose-leaf pages and has ring members that readily lock together in a closed position, preventing accidental opening of the ring members and loss of pages. The mechanism comprises a housing that supports two hinge plates for pivoting motion that brings the ring members to either an open position or the closed position. The mechanism further comprises a control structure supported by the housing for causing the pivoting motion of the hinge plates. A spring plate is engage able with the control structure for urging the control structure to move toward a position blocking pivoting motion of the hinge plates when the ring members move to the closed position.

Abstract: Multi-function element (1) from a system for the filling or the storage of an article, including a flange (2), comprising a central lobe (8), defined said central lobe (8) is flexible and can take two positions: an unfolded position wherein it defines two dimensions: a distance between the top (10) of the lobe (8) and the longitudinal edge (5) smaller than the diameter of a suspension mean; a distance between the top (10) of the lobe (8) and the external edge (6) larger than the diameter of a punch of the article; a folded position wherein no part of the central lobe (8) defines a distance larger than the diameter of a punch of the article.

Abstract: A collapsible ring binder includes a plurality of selectively openable and closable rings that releasably retain hole-punched documents within the binder. The rings may be collapsed and/or detached from the binder to flatten the binder for transportation and/or storage. The rings are easily moved from their collapsed and/or detached configuration to their upright and usable configuration so that an end user can easily ready the collapsed binder for use.

Abstract: A ring mechanism for retaining loose leaf pages has a housing and hinge plates supported by the housing for pivoting motion relative to the housing. Ring members are mounted on the hinge plates and are moveable between a closed position and an open position. An actuator is mounted on the housing for movement relative to the housing for causing pivoting motion of the hinge plates. A locking element releasably locks the closed ring members in a locked position and releases the closed ring members to move to the open position in an unlocked position. An intermediate connector operably connects the locking element to the actuator. The intermediate connector is deformable during movement of the actuator.

Abstract: A binding mechanism assembly for binding a sheet item, the binding mechanism assembly including a backing member having an upper surface, and a binding member directly or indirectly coupled to the backing member. The binding member includes a protrusion shaped and located to protrude through a hole of a sheet item to be bound thereto. The binding member further includes a generally flexible flange that is manually movable into engagement with the protrusion to form a generally closed loop and thereby bind the sheet item thereto. The loop is rotatable relative to the backing member from a first position in which the loop is generally located above the upper surface to a second position wherein at least part of the loop is located below the upper surface. The loop is fixedly and not slidably coupled to the backing member.

Abstract: A ring mechanism for retaining loose-leaf pages comprises a housing and ring members for holding loose-leaf pages that are moveable relative to the housing between an open and closed position. An actuation system moves the ring members and includes hinge plates pivotally mounted on the housing and a lever actuating pivoting movement of the hinge plates in at least one direction (e.g., moving the hinge plates and ring members to the open position). The lever is connected to a travel bar that moves lengthwise of the housing between a position blocking pivoting movement of the hinge plates and a position allowing pivoting movement of the hinge plates. At least one of the lever and the hinge plates deforms when the lever moves to delay pivoting movement of the hinge plates so that the lever may move the travel bar so that it does not block movement of the hinge plates.

Abstract: A ring binder for retaining hole-punched pages comprises a housing, a pair of pivotable hinge plates received in the housing, and at least one pair of half ring members fixed to the hinge plates and moved between a closed position and an open position. Each of the half ring members comprises an anchoring portion fixed to a corresponding hinge plate, a transverse arm portion connected to the anchoring portion and extending outwardly in a transverse direction, an oblique arm portion connected to the transverse arm portion and extending obliquely and upwardly, and a curved portion connected to the oblique arm portion and extending upwardly and inwardly. In the closed position, upper ends of the curved portions of the pair of half ring members abut against each other in a face to face manner, and the opposite curved portions form an upwardly directed arc.

Abstract: A binding mechanism system including a first support portion including a first ring portion located thereon and a second support portion including a second ring portion located thereon. At least one of the first and second support portions is movable relative to the other between a closed position wherein the first and second ring portions contact to form a generally closed ring, and an open position wherein the first and second ring portions are spaced apart from each other. The binding mechanism further includes an indicator that is generally visible when the ring portions are in one of the open or closed position and that is generally not visible when the ring portions are in the other one of the open or closed positions.

Abstract: A ring binder mechanism includes a housing and first and second hinge plates supported by the housing for pivoting movement relative thereto. A first ring member is mounted on the first hinge plate and moveable with the pivoting motion of the first hinge plate relative to a second ring member between a closed position and an opened position. An interlocking formation locks the first ring member and second ring member in the closed position. An actuator is mounted on the housing for movement relative to the housing. The actuator is adapted to pivot the first and second hinge plates and to translate the first hinge plate relative to the second hinge plate in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the housing.

Abstract: A ring binder mechanism that retains loose-leaf pages and has ring members that readily lock together in a closed position, preventing accidental opening of the ring members and loss of pages. The mechanism comprises a housing that supports two hinge plates for pivoting motion that brings the ring members to either an open position or the closed position. The mechanism further comprises a control structure supported by the housing for causing the pivoting motion of the hinge plates. A spring plate is engageable with the control structure for urging the control structure to move toward a position blocking pivoting motion of the hinge plates when the ring members move to the closed position.

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.

Abstract: A ring binder mechanism that retains loose-leaf pages and has ring members that readily lock together in a closed position, preventing accidental opening of the ring members and loss of pages. The mechanism comprises a housing that supports two hinge plates for pivoting motion that brings the ring members to either an open position or the closed position. The mechanism further comprises a control structure supported by the housing for causing the pivoting motion of the hinge plates. A spring plate is engageable with the control structure for urging the control structure to move toward a position blocking pivoting motion of the hinge plates when the ring members move to the closed position.

Abstract: A binder mechanism includes a rotatable support having ring segments that can be locked in a closed configuration. The binder mechanism includes a horizontal and/or a flush mounted push button that opens and/or unlocks the rotatable support. The push button acts on a ramped slider that causes the rotatable support to rotate open. An over-center arrangement aids in maintaining the binder mechanism closed or opened.

Abstract: A binder mechanism includes a rotatable support having ring segments that can be locked in a closed configuration. The binder mechanism includes a horizontal and/or a flush mounted push button that opens and/or unlocks the rotatable support. The push button acts on a ramped slider that causes the rotatable support to rotate open. An over-center arrangement aids in maintaining the binder mechanism closed or opened.

Abstract: An improved “twist-lok” binder ring metal 10 includes binder rings (12-16) comprised of pairs of binder ring halves having an end attached to leaves (18, 20). Each leaf has swedges (18a, 18b, 20a, 20b) are spaced along the length of the metal. A cover (22) fitting over the leaves has spaced openings (24) through which ring halves extend. The cover and leaves only have a point contact with each other, and the leaves extend away from the cover at a relatively shallow angle. The binder is opened by someone exerting finger pressure on one of the rings and twisting the ring halves apart. Because of the shallow angle of the leaves with respect to each other, the leaves do not readily rotate to a ring open position if the binder is dropped or bumped. The result is a ring metal readily opened by use of finger pressure on a binder ring, but which will not open if the binder is bumped or dropped.

Abstract: A ring mechanism is selectively configurable between an open configuration in which loose leaf pages can be added or removed from the mechanism and a closed configuration in which loose leaf pages are retained by the ring mechanism. Ring mechanism including an elongate frame having first and second frame elements. A hinge pin interconnects the first and second frame elements to permit pivoting movement of the frame elements relative to each other. At least one ring includes a first ring member mounted on the first frame element and a second ring member mounted on the second ring element. At least one hanging member is mounted on the frame for releasably hanging the ring mechanism from a support and inhibiting longitudinal movement of the hanging member relative to the support.

Abstract: A ring mechanism is selectively configurable between an open configuration in which loose leaf pages can be added or removed from the mechanism and a closed configuration in which loose leaf pages are retained by the ring mechanism. Ring mechanism including an elongate frame having first and second frame elements. A hinge pin interconnects the first and second frame elements to permit pivoting movement of the frame elements relative to each other. At least one ring includes a first ring member mounted on the first frame element and a second ring member mounted on the second ring element. At least one hanging member is mounted on the frame for releasably hanging the ring mechanism from a support and inhibiting longitudinal movement of the hanging member relative to the support.

Abstract: A lever-arch type file mechanism (100, 200, 300) is disclosed as including a base (102) two rings secured to and extending upwardly from the base (102) for engaging holes in pieces of paper, each ring including a post (104, 204) fixed to the base (102) and an arch element (106, 206) movable relative to the base (102) and the post (104, 204); a lever (110, 210, 310) operable to move the arch elements (106, 206) relative to the posts (104, 204) between a closed configuration in which the rings are closed and an open configuration in which the rings are open; and the arch elements (106, 206) are joined by an integrally formed bent section (120, 220) which is asymmetrically bent about its mid point.

Abstract: A ring binder mechanism for retaining loose-leaf pages comprises a housing and first and second hinge plates supported by the housing for pivoting movement. Ring members are mounted on the hinge plates for movement with the hinge plates between closed and open positions. Hook-shaped formations on fee ends of the ring members lock the ring members together when closed. The first hinge plate is slidable relative to the second hinge plate in a direction along a longitudinal axis of the housing for disengaging the hook-shaped formations and allowing the ring members to open. An actuator may be mounted on the housing for moving the first hinge plate to disengage the hook-shaped formations. In addition, friction buffers may be positioned between the hinge plates for aiding the sliding movement of the first hinge plate relative to the second hinge plate.

Abstract: A ring binder mechanism for retaining loose leaf pages. The mechanism includes a rigid, elongate plate having a longitudinal axis. 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 control structure is supported by the elongate plate and controllably pivots the hinge plates to move the ring members between the closed and open positions. The control structure has a travel bar connected to the hinge plates for moving the hinge plates between the closed and open positions. A spring biases the travel bar to a position toward the closed position of the hinge plates.

Abstract: A fastening system includes a tubular mounting post engageable with a first structural member. The mounting post has an opened first end, a second end, and a sidewall extending therebetween and defining an interior channel. A retainer is held within the interior channel against movement relative thereto and has a central opening sized smaller than the interior channel of the mounting post at the first end of the mounting post. A fastener is enageable with a second structural member and has a shaft sized in cross-section smaller than the interior channel of the mounting post at least at the first end thereof and larger than the central opening of the retainer such that upon insertion of the shaft into the central opening of the retainer the retainer fastenably secures the fastener to the mounting post to thereby fasten the second structural member to the first structural member.

Abstract: The present invention provides improvements in paper fastening to enable a user to remove a desired portion of papers from a fastened stack of papers without having to unnecessarily detach unwanted papers in the stack from the prongs of the fastener. The improved paper fastening arrangement is for use with a fastener having a base including two ends each having a leg extended therefrom, the leg foldable relative to the base. The arrangement comprises a sheath including an extension shaped to slideably engage one of the legs, the extension including an opening that defines a cavity to receive the leg, wherein the extension at least partially covers the leg and is operative to engage through sheet materials. At least one guide tab depends from the extension downward from the opening, the guide tab being foldable.

Abstract: A ring binder having flexible straps for lacing through holes in loose-leaf items having being bound, each strap having a clasp for clasping the strap to form it into rings of different size.

Abstract: An open ring-like device for holding articles such as plastic cards and keys is formed so that its ends are opposed to one another and includes tips at the ends. The distance between the tips is less than the thickness of an article. Articles can be inserted into the device by pushing the edge of an article against the tips to spread the tips apart. The article is slid in between the tips to fit a tip through a hole in the article to hold the article on the device. The device allows for the insertion or extraction of articles without a separate step of opening or closing the device.