Abstract: A modular notebook system includes a cover having a plurality of surfaces. The system also includes a binding coupled to the plurality of surfaces via a flexible and/or foldable material. The binding forms a magnetic spine by having at least one magnetic pad configured to receive a magnetically attractive binding element.

Abstract: A binding tool for paper sheets includes a base member extending in a longitudinal direction; and a plurality of first binding members and second binding members each having a base end portion formed protruding outward in a width direction from the base member and a tip end portion integral with the base end portion and curved inward in the width direction so as to be movable between a binding position where the tip end portions contact each other and an open position where the tip end portions are separated from each other by a prescribed distance. The base end portions are positionally displaced from each other by at least an amount corresponding to a thickness TH of the base end portion in the longitudinal direction when the tip end portions positioned facing each other in the width direction are in contact with each other in the binding position.

Abstract: A binding apparatus including a plurality of generally coaxially arranged binding coils. Each binding coil includes a pair of generally parallel wires terminating in a tip. Each binding coil is coupled to an adjacent binding coil by a connection portion extending generally parallel to an axis of the binding apparatus. At least one binding coil is directly circumferentially attached to itself, or to a connection portion.

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 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 selectively and releasably hold the ring members in the closed position. The ring members and body can suitably formed together as one piece from a moldable polymeric material. Alternatively, the ring members can be made separately from the body and snapped into the body to form the ring binder.

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 media binder, comprising: a front surface board, at least one spine board, and a back surface board, wherein each board comprises an inwardly facing surface and an outwardly facing surface; a cover sheet wrapped around the outwardly facing surface of the spine board and a portion of a surface cover sheet, the surface cover sheet wrapped around the outwardly facing surface of at least one surface board and comprises a first marginal edge attached to the inwardly facing surface of the at least one surface board and a second marginal edge unattached to the inwardly facing surface of the at least one surface board; at least one spring clamp to secure physical media inserted between clamp edges of the at least one spring clamp; and a tension sheet attached to the at least one spring clamp and the inwardly facing surface of the at least one surface board.

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 ring for bookbinding can be easily closed and opened independently by the operating force applied from a user, has a simple structure that includes a vertical open restricting element preventing the binder ring from being opened in the vertical direction and a horizontal open restricting element preventing the binder ring from being opened in the horizontal direction. The binder ring includes an elastic main body and an engaging portion formed at both ends of the body to be separately engaged with each other, wherein the engaging portion includes a vertical open restricting element and a horizontal open restricting element. The engaging portion also includes first and second engaging pieces extended toward each other from both ends of the body, and horizontal open restricting element and vertical open restricting element, wherein the first and second engaging pieces corresponding with each other are arranged to be engaged with each other.

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 ring binder mechanism having at least one pair of half-ring members that are movable between a first position, wherein the half-ring members are closed, and a second position, wherein the half-ring members are open, and at least one generally tubular member to facilitate alignment and securement of the at least one pair of half ring members when moved from the second, open position to the first, closed position.

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 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 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 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: 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 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: 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 mechanism includes a housing that supports two hinge plates for loose pivoting motion, moving the ring members apart or together. The mechanism also includes an actuating lever pivotally mounted on the housing. The lever moves a travel bar and its locking elements for controllably pivoting the hinge plates and the ring members mounted thereon between closed and open positions. In particular, the locking elements cam the hinge plates to softly close the ring members. When the ring members are apart, the locking elements register with openings in at least one of the hinge plates. When the ring members are together, the locking elements are substantially out of registration with the openings, blocking the hinge plates from pivoting to separate the ring members. The travel bar is formed with reinforcing structure to resist deforming the travel bar upon repeated operation.

Abstract: A binding device includes binding rings, a holding member having a length that enables the binding rings to be arranged at a distance from each other, and an operating member movably fixed inside the holding member such that the respective bases of the binding rings are secured onto a surface of the operating member at a distance to secure the binding rings to the holding member. In this binding device, the operating member includes a pair of operating pieces which move within the holding member in a longitudinal direction of the holding member. The base of one of the binding rings is secured to one of the operating piece, and the base of the other binding ring is secured to the other operating piece.

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: Spring clamp binders that include sheet retention mechanisms that provide improved performance and increase manufacturing efficiency and cost-effectiveness are described. The spring clamp binders have a cover and one or more spring clamps for holding one or more items, including sheets of physical media, such as loose sheets of paper, pages of a photoalbum, and other types of physical media. Methods of manufacturing spring clamp binders also are described.

Abstract: A ring binder mechanism for retaining loose-leaf pages has a housing, hinge plates, and ring members mounted on the hinge plates for retaining pages on the mechanism. The housing includes a plastic upper housing element and a lower housing element underlying the upper housing element. The lower housing element may be a single piece or multiple pieces. An actuating lever may be pivotally mounted on the housing for engaging the hinge plates and pivoting them to selectively move the ring members between an open position and a closed position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a loose-leaf ring for retaining loose-leaf pages comprising: two half ring members for retaining loose-leaf pages; and a resilient connector for movably connecting two half ring members. The loose-leaf ring according to the invention is easy to open and close and is not likely to deform, and allows loose-leaf pages retained by it to be turned easily.

Abstract: A ring mechanism for a loose-leaf binder comprises a thin, elongate plate and at least two ring members supported by the elongate plate. The ring members move between an open position for receiving and removing loose-leaf pages and a closed position for capturing the loose-leaf pages on the ring while permitting movement of the pages along the ring. The elongate plate has a longitudinal end including spaced apart first and second end portions located on one transverse side of the elongate plate. The first and second end portions are bent over to present a longitudinally facing surface which is blunt. A method of manufacturing a ring mechanism for a loose-leaf binder is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an unitary spine binder which comprises an elongated dorsal hinge bearing pairs of opposing and complementary male and female ring elements having known male fastener and female fastener, respectively. Each pair of ring elements also comprise a concave distal end on one element, and a complementary convex distal end on the other element. When the distal ends of the ring elements are moved towards each other, the male and female fasteners reversibly engage with each other so that each pair of ring elements, in cooperation with the dorsal hinge, forms substantially a ring to secure sheet paper by occupying a pre-punched hole in the paper. At the same time, the concave and convex distal ends also engage, so that the sidewalls of the concave distal end engages the convex distal end to protect the fasteners against disengagement by torsional and lateral forces.

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.

Abstract: A safety ring binder mechanism helps prevent finger pinching by requiring simultaneous opposite movement of sliding actuators at both ends of the mechanism in order to open and close the rings. When the actuators are outermost, dimples on the actuators press the blades of the device against the housing, holding the rings open. When the actuators are pushed in, inclined tongues cam the ends of the blades downward, forcing the rings to close and holding them in a closed position.

Abstract: A carrier plate (1) designed for precut double-loop wire units (4), is made of an elastic material. The carrier plate (1) comprises a frame (3), to which several elongate storage elements (5) are connected. The width (d) of the frame (51) of each elongate storage element (5) is roughly the same or smaller than the width (D) of the double-loop wire unit, and the length (l) of the frame (51) of the storage element is the same or slightly larger than the length (L) of the double-loop wire unit. Now adjacent storage elements are separated by a clearance (7), and the storage elements (5) are provided with retainer elements (2).

Abstract: A notebook includes a support structure in the form of a plastic pad case having a support surface in the form of a pad case back wall; a number of pages each having a page binder edge and a page free edge and a page length from the page binder edge to the page free edge, and having at least two page binder holes adjacent to the page binder edge, the pages being stacked sequentially face to face to form a pad so that corresponding page binder holes register with each other; a binder passing through registering the page binder holes and binder axial passageway; a mounting shaft extending through the binder axial passageway; and at least one shaft mounting and spacing structure connected to the mounting shaft and connected to the support surface and spacing the mounting shaft outwardly from the support surface a distance less than the page length and positioning the mounting shaft to be substantially parallel with the support surface, and thereby defining between the mounting shaft and the support surface a pag

Abstract: An updatable and lockable flip chart holder that can clip into the rail strip or channel of a shelf or fasten to a display at a retail store. The flip chart holder allows manufacturers or promoters of products that are sold at retail to create consumer, educational, or promotional flip charts that can easily and economically be updated by opening rings. The lockable flip chart has a panel, and attached to the panel is a ring system with each ring having two ring halves and hinged leaves connected to each other and attached to each ring half respectively. A locking mechanism on the ring system presses against the leaves to prevent the ring halves from opening. Locking the rings also provides security so consumers cannot take the pages out of the flip chart holder.

Abstract: The invention relates to a unitary spine binder for securing a stack of sheets, which comprises a dorsal part (3, 4, 5) from which spaced fingers (1, 11) extend to form loops. The individual fingers are arranged in two sections (1, 11) lying opposite one another on this dorsal part (3, 4), the dorsal part (3, 4, 5) forming a hinge between the finger sections (1, 11). The end (12) of at least one of the first finger elements (1) remote from its dorsal part is equipped with a push button (7); the end (22) of the second finger element (11) remote from its dorsal part and lying opposite the first finger element is equipped with an opening (10) essentially complementary to the push button (7), and which is adapted to receive the push button (7). In this way, a simple spine binder is created which does not require the use of additional binding devices. Sheets can be removed from the spine binder or newly inserted into it.

Abstract: A ring binder (100) has a center spine (102) and end leafs (104). A ring assembly (10) attaches to the spine includes a cover piece (12) and bolts (14, 16) on each of which are formed binder ring halves (18a-18b, 20a-20b, 22a-22b). The bolts are mounted on the cover piece and movement relative to each other to close and open the binder. A latching mechanism (50) formed on a distal end (44) of each ring half interlocks the ring halves together when the binder is closed. A guide finger (62) on each bolt aligns each bolt to the cover piece when the bolts are moved to close the binder rings, this action aligning the latching mechanism so the ring halves readily interlock with each other. A thumb pad (52) formed on each of the bolt releasably engages with the cover piece to lock the bolts in a binder ring closed position.

Abstract: A ring type binder for perforated sheets or the like in which two members are coaxially secured so that a slot is formed along each longitudinal edge of the members. Another partially open ring member is provided that is configured to be slidably received in the slots so that ring member may be moved from an opened to a closed position. A locking device is provided so that the binder may be selectively locked in the closed portion, thereby preventing the unwanted shifting of the members.

Abstract: In this ring binder, a pair of opposing swing base plates 3 are connected together at two locations near the center of their longitudinal swinging edges 3a by means of a joint mechanism 6 through operative engagement between the recessed joint section 61 having a projection 63 and the extended joint section 62 having a slot 64, so that the opposing swing base plates 3 are pivotally movable together in unison, and the swinging edges 3a are pivotally movable together toward and away from the top face 21a of the recessed section 21 in the fixed base plate 2.

Abstract: The device for retaining sheets, files, or punched cards in binders has a body defining a base portion that can be associated with the cover of a binder. Two arms extend from the base portion and constitute the two arms of an open ring. The two arms can move towards each other at their free ends, which lie opposite to the base portion. The free ends are provided respectively with a tooth and a seat, for mutual engagement. The tooth can be engaged with or released from the seat to close or open the ring.

Abstract: A system for retaining stacks of loose-leaf papers in a file folder providing random access to any one sheet is disclosed. The system includes flexible retainer strips sized to fit through perforated holes in the paper and whose ends are configured to releasably couple to form enclosure rings. The ends are securely engaged by relative twisting and inserting of one into the other. A series of adjustment apertures along the length of the retainer allows the formation of varying sizes of enclosure rings. Loops secured to the file folder receive the retainer strips thus holding the paper stack to the folder. The loops are positioned proximate an edge of the folder and pivotally mounted with a rotational axis aligned with the edge so as to rotate from one side of the folder to the other. The front or back side of any sheet in the stack may thus be displayed flat for photocopying or other purpose without removal from the retainer system.

Abstract: A binder useful for containing articles that have holes located near the edge of the article. The binder has a plurality of spaced apart oppositely located ribs attached to either side of a hinge that pass through the holes when the binder is in a closed position to securely contain the articles.

Abstract: This is a closure unit for wire loop binder which includes a flexible outer retaining flange specifically constructed to increase the resistance to longitudinal movement between the closure unit and wire loop binder. The increased friction resists movement of the closure when assembled in the closure position.

Abstract: An economical lightweight looseleaf binder combines the functionality of a standard ring binder with easy-to-use characteristics of report covers. The cover is folded to define front and back panels as well as a spine portion, and additionally includes a crease at the longitudinal center line of the two ring assemblies which are both secured to the back panel. The ring assemblies include a series of hooks having complementary notched profiles which firmly engage one another when closed, yet may be easily disengaged through flexure of the cover. In one construction, the binder comprises a pressboard cover to which is attached a pair of plastic ring assemblies. The hooks are configured to permit filler sheets to lie flat and to facilitate transfer of sheets from one side to the other.

Abstract: A film stacker clip arrangement (10) for a stack (100) of sheets of film (101) or flats having aligned apertures (102) wherein the arrangement (10) includes a plurality of clip units (11) having a male member (15) and a female member (12) connected by a flexible strap element (21) so as to captively engage the stack (100) of film along at least one edge.

Abstract: A pair of flexible retainer strips each of which can be held in ring configuration by a head and socket at opposite ends of the strip which interlock to retain a stack of perforated sheets in a file folder. Each retainer strip is slidably mounted in a separate guide channel formed in an anchor element securable to the cover of a file folder. The ends of the strip can be readily uncoupled to enable the insertion in or removal of a sheet at any location in the stack without having to remove any of the remaining sheets of the stack from the retainer strip.

Abstract: A turnable type binder assembly including a fixed base plate provided with a fixed binding rod and a turnable base plate provided with a turnable binding rod, said turnable plate being turnable with respect to said fixed plate, wherein said turnable plate is slightly movable along the axis, around which it is turnable, under the action of a spring.

Abstract: A binder ring has folio stops affixed to the end of at least one binder ring section. When the binder ring is in the open position the folio stop impedes a folio sheet from inadvertently sliding off the ring section. The folio stop slips on when the binder ring is opened and slips off when the binder ring is closed to be unobtrusive.

Abstract: The present invention provides a clip-on paper holding system for a snap-clamp device made in one piece of plastic. The system uses the snap-clamp device as a paper holder for receiving and holding sheets of punched hole paper. The device is used either with a note pad base to hole punched paper, or with a notebook where the snap-clamp device is mounted to an elongated mounting member that is affixed to the inner surface of the spine of a notebook. One, two, or more devices are used depending on how many holes are formed in the note paper.