Including Abutting Mated Components Patents (Class 402/39)
  • Patent number: 10118431
    Abstract: A ring binder mechanism for holding loose-leaf pages includes a housing and a plurality of rings for holding the loose-leaf pages. Each ring has a first ring member and a second ring member. The first ring member is movable relative to the housing and the second ring member between a closed position and an opened position. In the closed position, the first and second 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 the opened position, the first and second ring members form a discontinuous, open loop for adding or removing loose-leaf pages. The first and second ring members are generally mirror images of each other. Each of the ring members has a length and at least two different radii of curvature along the length of the rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: World Wide Stationery Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chun Yuen To
  • Patent number: 8899865
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: World Wide Stationery Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chun Yuen To
  • Patent number: 8899864
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: World Wide Stationery Mfg., Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chun Yuen To
  • Patent number: 8851783
    Abstract: A ring mechanism has an elongate body made of a moldable polymeric material and rings for holding loose-leaf pages. Each ring includes a first ring member and a second ring member. The first ring members are movable relative to the housing and the second ring members between a closed position and an open position. At least one ring member for each ring is a separately formed ring member and comprises a ring portion and an anchor connected to the ring portion. The at least one separately formed ring member is formed separately from the body. The anchor of the separately formed ring member is secured to the body for pivoting movement relative to the body. The anchor can be received in a receptacle in the body adapted to receive the anchor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: World Wide Stationary Mfg. Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Chun Yuen To
  • Patent number: 8545122
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Lihit Lab., Inc.
    Inventors: Kanji Tanaka, Hiroshi Arai, Hiroshi Nakano
  • Patent number: 8322940
    Abstract: A binder is configured such that a plane portion is formed on an outer peripheral surface of at least one ring part at a portion intersecting with a back part of the binder, and such that, when a binder holding member of a binding processing machine holds the binder, the plane portion of the binder contacts with a plane table provided on the binder holding member. Because the binder contacts the plane table on the binder holding member when the binder holding member holds the binder, the binder is held in such a state that the binder cannot incline or rotate. Thus, a binding processing operation can be carried out in the binding processing machine while the binder is held in a regular orientation. Accordingly, a mounting failure due to an inclined orientation of the binder and be resolved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Max Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuya Igata, Masashi Shimamura
  • Patent number: 8118513
    Abstract: A binder lock mechanism includes a manually adjustable locking bar and co-operative locking-hook parts. Pair-wise mutually overlappable locking-hook parts are connected with and project from a respective binder end half, and are situated at mutual distances from each other. The binder end halves are connected by an intermediate pivot joint. The pair-wise mutually overlappable locking-hook parts present openings adapted to receive a respective lock lever connected with the locking bar and have a respective lock lever permanently received on a common binder end half in a mating opening in an assembled state. The lock levers are arranged at a tip portion and at a waved part, respectively, of the locking bar in such a way that they are situated on a common line through the bar, which is retained by a counter-directed resilient tongue situated on the locking bar and a stopper and co-operatable counter-stoppers situated on the binder end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Keba Sweden AB
    Inventor: Tore Haraldsson
  • Patent number: 8047737
    Abstract: A ring binder mechanism includes a housing, a ring support, and rings for holding loose-leaf pages. Each ring includes a first ring member and a second ring member that are moveable between a closed position and an opened position. An actuator is mounted on the housing for moving the ring members from the closed position to the opened position. A travel bar has at least one locking element and is moveable between a locked position wherein the ring members are locked in the closed position and an unlocked position wherein the ring members are capable of being moved to the opened position. An intermediate connector operably connects the travel bar to the actuator. A biasing member is engageable with the intermediate connector and at least one of the travel bar and actuator for biasing the travel bar toward the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: World Wide Stationery Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jn Biao Pi, Chun Yuen To, Ze Yu Zhang
  • Patent number: 7950867
    Abstract: A ring mechanism for retaining loose-leaf pages includes a housing and hinge plates supported by the housing. Rings for retaining the loose-leaf pages are mounted on the hinge plates for movement with the hinge plates between an open and closed position. A lever is mounted on the housing and includes a first portion and a second portion. The second portion is disposed to engage the hinge plates and move the rings from the closed to the open position. The hinge plates are supported by the housing so that at least one of the hinge plates is in continuous engagement with the second portion of the lever when the rings are in the closed position. The at least one hinge plate has an upper surface facing toward the housing and a lower surface facing away from the housing and is in continuous engagement with the second portion of the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: World Wide Stationery Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chun H. Lin
  • Patent number: 7950866
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: World Wide Stationery Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun Yuen To, Jin Biao Pi, Ming Hua Huang
  • Publication number: 20100316435
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventor: Christopher Franz Gilbert
  • Patent number: 7758271
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: World Wide Stationery Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hung Yu Cheng
  • Patent number: 7704005
    Abstract: A ring mechanism for retaining loose-leaf pages comprises a housing and hinge plates supported by the housing for pivoting motion relative to the housing. Rings for retaining the loose-leaf pages comprise ring members mounted on the hinge plates for movement with the hinge plates between an open and closed position. An actuator mounted on the housing is moveable between a first position in which the ring members are open and a second position in which the ring members are closed. The actuator is in continuous engagement with the hinge plates when the ring members are closed resisting movement of the actuator. A travel bar is operatively connected to the actuator for movement with the actuator. The travel bar resists movement of the actuator when the ring members are open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: World Wide Stationary Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chun H. Lin
  • Patent number: 7654764
    Abstract: A ring binder includes a housing, a driving mechanism moveable relative to the housing, and rings for holding the loose-leaf pages. Each ring has a first ring member and a second ring member moveable relative to each other between a closed position and an opened position. A ring actuator is positionable relative to the housing and operatively connected to the driving mechanism for moving the ring members between their closed and opened positions. A blocking device blocks the ring members in their closed position against movement to their opened position. The blocking device is positionable relative to the housing between a blocking position wherein the ring members are inhibited by the blocking device against movement from their opened position, and an unblocking position wherein the ring members are selectively moveable from their closed position to their opened position by positioning of the actuator. The blocking device is operable independent of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: World Wide Stationery Mfg. Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Chun On To
  • Patent number: 7360962
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a ring binder mechanism for binding the sheets of loose leaves. The mechanism comprises an elongated spring plate that extends longitudinally and, in profile, has a shallow U-shaped configuration and opposite edges which extend substantially toward each other; two parallel elongate hinge plates supported by said spring plate for pivotal toggle motion relative to the spring plate about a central hinge line, which are mounted in parallel and retained by the opposite edges of the spring plate; and a plurality of rings for clasping said sheets of loose leaves. Each of the rings comprises a pair of half ring elements of circular cross-section which are mounted on said hinge plates, with one half ring element of each pair being attached to one of the hinge plates and the other half ring element of the pair attached to the other hinge plate, with the two half ring elements of each pair in substantial alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: World Wide Stationery Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventor: Chun Yuen To
  • Patent number: 7223040
    Abstract: Two first binding members supported rotatably by a base, which will be fixed to a back cover, and two second binding members, which engage with the front ends of the first binding members to form closed loops, are provided. Spaces between the base sections of the first and second binding members are connected via a first and second connecting plate, respectively. A releasing element is disposed between the respective connecting members, and a force is given by the releasing element in the direction that the closed loops via binding members are released. It is such adapted that, when the first binding members are nipped by fingertips and given an operation force in the direction that the same come closer to each other, the engagement with the second members are released and the front ends can rotate in the direction that the same are opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignees: Kokuyo Co., Ltd., Kabushikikaisha Izumiseisakusho
    Inventors: Seiichi Koike, Tomoya Ogawa
  • Patent number: 7077595
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: General Binding Corporation
    Inventor: Colin Knight
  • Patent number: 6916134
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Hong Kong Stationery Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yiu Wing Wong
  • Patent number: 6540260
    Abstract: A photograph album system (10) has a spine (14) with an internal lateral groove (30) at one end and a removable retainer (42) having a plurality of internal retaining fingers (44) within the groove. A plurality of pages (52) are defined by a plurality of signatures (54). Each signature is defined by a plurality of page sets (56). Each page set consists of an interior support sheet (58) with a central fold (60) and a pair of exterior cover sheets (64). The exterior cover sheets are folded around an individual outer edge of an interior support sheet with each having a central fold defining an outer bend (66). The exterior cover sheets are adhered to the interior support sheet so that two pages are formed with separate pockets (72) on each side of each page. Posts (36) couple the pages to the spine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Inventor: Whang Kwee Tan
  • Patent number: 6533486
    Abstract: A ring binder includes a substantially rigid curved upper plate supporting a pair of hinged leaves. A plurality of ring members are secured to the hinged leaves for engaging corresponding holes in sheets of material retained by the ring binder. An actuating lever is located at each end of the curved upper plate for actuating the hinged leaves to open and close the ring members. Each actuating lever includes a tab with a cushion member thereon. The actuating lever includes a toothed groove therein for engaging and retaining a tongue of the cushion member on the actuating lever. The cushion member is engaged by the fingers of a user to pivot the actuating lever in order to move the ring members between the open position and the closed position. The cushion member is a soft pad of resilient material such as rubber or soft plastic. The cushion member provides improved tactile characteristics to the actuating lever, making the actuating lever comfortable to use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: World Wide Stationary Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chun Yuen To
  • Patent number: 6474897
    Abstract: A ring binder includes a substantially rigid curved upper plate supporting a pair of hinged leaves. A plurality of ring members are secured to the hinged leaves for engaging corresponding holes in sheets of material retained by the ring binder. An actuating lever is located at each end of the curved upper plate for actuating the hinged leaves to open and close the ring members. Each actuating lever includes a tab having a cushion member formed thereon, for example by molding. The tab has an aperture therein, and cushion material enters the aperture during molding to secure the cushion member onto the tab. The cushion member is engaged by the fingers of a user to pivot the actuating lever in order to move the ring members between the open position and the closed position. The cushion member is a soft pad of material such as plastic. The cushion member provides improved tactile characteristics to the actuating lever, making the actuating lever comfortable to use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: World Wide Stationery Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chun Yuen To
  • Patent number: 6364558
    Abstract: A ring binder includes a substantially rigid curved upper plate supporting a pair of hinged leaves. A plurality of ring members are secured to the hinged leaves for engaging corresponding holes in sheets of material retained by the ring binder. An actuating lever is located at each end of the curved upper plate for actuating the hinged leaves to open and close the ring members. Each actuating lever includes an aperture for receiving a cushion member therein. The cushion member is engaged by the fingers of a user to pivot the actuating lever in order to move the ring members between the open position and the closed position. The cushion member is a soft pad of resilient material such as rubber or soft plastic. The cushion member provides improved tactile characteristics to the actuating lever, making the actuating lever comfortable to use. The cushion member also minimizes the feedback of undesirable shock forces produced by the snap action of the rings when opening and closing the rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: World Wide Stationery Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chun Yuen To
  • Patent number: 6345924
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: U.S. Ring Binder Corp.
    Inventor: Paul Whaley
  • Patent number: 6293722
    Abstract: A binder mechanism is disclosed having a first ring assembly and a binding portion. The first ring assembly includes at least one first ring half. At least the first ring assembly or the binding portion are a pivotable half that is pivotable with respect to the other to a locked position about a first longitudinal axis. In the locked position, the first ring half is engaged with the binding portion cooperatively defining a loop that is substantially closed to retain a stack of papers or a workpiece. The first ring assembly and the binding portion are lockable with respect to each other in the locked position to prevent pivoting of the pivotable half from the locked position. At least one of the first ring assembly and the binding portion is movable with respect to the other from the locked position in an unlocking direction oriented at less than 180° from the longitudinal axis to permit the pivotable half to pivot about the longitudinal axis to an open position in which the loop is substantially open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Acco Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul R. Holbrook, Kenneth John Bargo, John James Dwyer, John Andrew Johnson, Timothy Edward McKeown, Rodney Hal Monson
  • Patent number: 6270279
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: U.S. Ring Binder L.P.
    Inventor: Paul Whaley
  • Patent number: 6270280
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Ibico Trading GmbH
    Inventor: Manfred Baumann
  • Patent number: 6217247
    Abstract: There is disclosed a ring binder mechanism (10) including an upper structure (12) supporting two pivotable plates (14) to which three pairs of half-ring members (16) are mounted, in which the plates (14) are pivotable between a first configuration in which the three pairs of half-ring members (16) are closed, and a second configuration in which the three pairs of half-ring members (16) are open, in which the ring binder mechanism (10) may be secured to a cardboard cover (60) via two rivets (20), in which each rivet (20) includes an anchor plate (40) from an upper major surface of which a post member (38) extends, in which the post member (38) includes an open end deformed to engage with the upper casing (12) via a bushing (22), and in which a sleeve (24) is positioned between the upper casing (12) and the anchor plate (40) of the rivet (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: World Wide Stationery Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventor: Weng Io Ng
  • Patent number: 6146042
    Abstract: A sheet retaining device includes an upper member having a pair of hinged leaves supported thereby, with a plurality of ring members secured to the hinged leaves for engaging corresponding holes in sheets of material retained by the sheet retaining device. A pair of laterally spaced-apart elongated first ribs are located on the upper member and protrude outwardly from the upper member. At least one pair of laterally spaced-apart elongated second ribs protrude outwardly from the upper member and are spaced laterally outwardly from the first ribs. During shipment, the sheet retaining devices are packages together with one of the sheet retaining devices located below another of the sheet retaining devices. In this package, the ring members of the one sheet retaining device engage one or more of the ribs of the other sheet retaining device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: World Wide Stationery Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun On William To, Weng Io Ng
  • Patent number: 6142697
    Abstract: A lock for the rings of photo albums and other binders includes a lock and a security component to prevent opening of the album in a retail store and to prevent pilferage of the contents or the improper insertion of refill pages. Once a consumer has made an album selection, the security component is removed. Once removed, the lock is moveable between a first position in which opening of the album rings is permitted and a second position in which opening of the rings is prevented. The initial release of the security component preferably requires a tool. In the most preferred embodiment, the lock slides in a slot in a binder body and includes a lower ridge which aligns with an opening in a pair of spring plates to permit ring opening. When the ridge is moved away from the opening and into the cavity of the binder body, the rings cannot be opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Intercraft Company
    Inventor: Randall Dale Williams
  • Patent number: 6126353
    Abstract: A loose leaf binder includes a first half binder section having a plurality of curled fingers spaced regularly apart and a second half binder section having a corresponding plurality of correspondingly spaced curled fingers. Each of the first and second half binder sections include a plurality of protruding tabs and a plurality of tab openings, each of the plurality of protruding tabs of the first half binder section being capable of mating with a corresponding one of the plurality of tab openings of the second half binder section. When the first half binder section is mated with the second half binder section, the protruding tabs of both the first and second half binder sections snap-fit with corresponding tab openings of both the first and second half binder sections to form the loose leaf binder and to cause the curled fingers of the first and second half binder sections to overlap. The first half binder section may be identical to the second half binder section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignees: Howard Mullin, Klaus Honeker
    Inventors: Howard Mullin, Klaus Honeker
  • Patent number: 6030139
    Abstract: A system for rivetless attachment of a ring binder assembly to a cover wherein an attachment portion including one or more prongs adapted to imbeddingly engage a cover substrate and a surface adapted to mate in facing relation with a surface of the cover is formed unitary with a confining spring cover plate of the ring binder assembly, the ring binder assembly being attached to the cover by forcing the attachment portion against it with sufficient force to drive the prongs into the substrate and hold the surface of the attachment portion firmly against the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventor: Gustav Ray
  • Patent number: 5957611
    Abstract: A ring binder (10) holding sheets (S) of paper (P) has a dual angle ring metal (100). The ring metal includes a pair of leaves (102, 104) hingedly connected to each other for relative movement between them. Binder rings (114, 116, 118) each include a pair of ring halves with one end of each ring half being attached to a separate one of the leaves. A shield (30) covers the leaves. Release levers (140, 142) at each end of the shield are operable to open and close the binder. The leaves, when the ring binder is closed, form a predetermined angle (A) with respect to each other. Each of the leaves has a segment (122a, 122b, 124a, 124b) by which a second angle (B) is formed between the leaves. This second angle is formed such that the pair of leaves are prevented from movement relative to each other by movement of paper from one side of the binder to the other. However, the plates are readily movable to open the binder by movement of one of the release levers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: U.S. Ring Binder Corporation
    Inventor: Paul Whaley
  • Patent number: 5827004
    Abstract: A sliding loose leaf binder having a fixed part and a movable part is provided. The fixed part comprises a first base member, a plurality of mounting apertures, a plurality of a first top and bottom members of mating tracks, a plurality of first ring elements, and first elements of releasable locking means. The movable part comprises a second base member, a plurality of second top and bottom members of mating tracks, a plurality of second ring elements, and second elements of releasable locking means.The sliding loose-leaf binder can be open or closed by sliding the movable part in or out toward the fixed part along the mating tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Inventor: Dong Chan Kim
  • Patent number: 5765956
    Abstract: The perfected closure device comprises rings (2) and screws (3) which are formed with a single presswork operation together with the strip (1) to be placed at the disposal of the user. The latter with a simple coin screws screws (3) within suitable orifices formed on strip (1), the latter being fixed to the internal surface of the folder. There is also provided that each ring (2) may be closed simply by causing projections (5) which are formed on the base of each ring to penetrate within shaped grooves (4), 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Inventor: Giuseppe Lanzarin
  • Patent number: 5692848
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Kokuyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takao Wada
  • Patent number: 5667324
    Abstract: A loose-leaf binder comprising, in combination, a first back strip having a plurality of split ring halves formed upright at given intervals along the outer edge thereof and a second back strip having similar ring halves formed along the outer edge thereof opposite to that of the first strip and adapted to engage end to end with the halves of the first strip. The first and second back strips are formed as discrete members separable from the combined state and have first and second lock members, respectively, at the both ends thereof in such manner that the lock members can engage with each other when the two strips are put together in the closed position. The two back strips also have, respectively, a first and a second sliding surfaces slidable relative to each other, and a first and a second guides extending substantially at right angles to the longitudinal directions of the two strips and formed to shapes complementary to each other so as to guide the sliding surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Motohiro Kurauchi
    Inventor: Yasuo Aoki
  • Patent number: 5286128
    Abstract: A shield for a ring metal is provided having arcuate band sections at the locations of the rings and intermediate sections therebetween, the intermediate sections having a straight segmental cross section having a lower overhead clearance between the shield and the hinged leaves than the band sections. The hinged leaves abut the intermediate section before tab members formed on said hinged leaves can abut an underside of the band sections, thus upward dents are prevented on the shield. Additionally, the straight segmental configuration of the intermediate sections provides increased resiliency for opening and holding closed the rings of the ring metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Assignee: U.S. Ring Binder
    Inventor: Steven Gillum
  • Patent number: 5028159
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1991
    Assignee: Dennison Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Robert C. Amrich, Vytautas K. Beleckis
  • Patent number: 5018896
    Abstract: Provided is a snap ring assembly (100) for use in holding papers together such as in a two or three-ring looseleaf notebook or binder. Assembly (100) is preferably a one-piece molded construction including an elongate base portion (30) extending between sidewalls including respective proximate sections (32, 32') extending transversly therefrom and distal sections (34, 34') that are separated by respective hinge sections (38, 38') and respective free-ends that are configured to matingly engage to cause ring sections (38, 38') to snap together to provide a closed connection when distal sections (34, 34') are pivoted for a predetermined distance toward each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1991
    Inventor: Robert R. Vanni
  • Patent number: 4904103
    Abstract: A binder for releasibly retaining pages as well as covers which include a plurality of mating pairs of semicircular rings whose peripheries essentially are all exposed so that the paper or covers can be extended therefrom essentially 360 degrees therearound. The mating pairs of semicircular rings are forced together or retained in an open position either by an overcenter mechanism at their inner end or a lockable hinge structure, either one of which extends primarily within the peripheries of the semicircular ring pairs when they are in their closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1990
    Inventor: Darryl Im
  • Patent number: 4854763
    Abstract: A device for impaling loose leaves, such as a loose leaf binder (1) comprising two or more holding means (14) provided with for example rings or gripping fingers (10) fastened to one or more guide or guide members (5, 15). The holding means (14) of the device are mutually displaceable in one direction with respect to the individual guide member (5, 15) and detachably fastened thereto, said holding means (14) being preferably stepwise displaceable in said direction being the longitudinal direction of the loose leaves. The inventive device enables the manufacture of loose leaf binders without regard of which country or area the binder is to be used in. It is possible to move the individual rings or gripping fingers (10) with respect to each other as well as, if necessary, to provide the binder with extra rings or gripping fingers (10). The device also enables other equipment to be placed in the binder, such as pencil holders or holders for notepads or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Assignee: Inter-Ikea A/S
    Inventor: Magnus Jonsson
  • Patent number: 4798491
    Abstract: A ring binder mechanism has a resilient mechanism cover, to be attached in use to a book-shaped binder cover, and two oppositely articulately connected, moveable, ring-rail or ring-coil members carrying ring portions which form rings jointly in pairs, resiliently supported in the mechanism cover to be actuated by means of at least one movable actuating member to open and close the rings. According to the invention, the actuating member is adapted for movement about an axis of rotation aligned substantially perpendicular to the mechanism cover and is provided with a gear coupling it to move the ring-rail or ring-coil members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1989
    Assignee: Robert Krause GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Edwin Lassle
  • Patent number: 4690580
    Abstract: The ring binder mechanism comprises a resilient mechanism cover which can be connected to the spine of a binder or cover, two toggle plates or toggle rods which are articulately connected in opposite senses and which are resiliently supported in the mechanism cover, and ring portions which cooperate in pairs to form rings and which are carried by the toggle plates or toggle rods, consist of drawn or rolled metal wire of non-round cross-section and have ends which positively interengage locally in the closed position. At their free ends, the ring portions have plane end faces which bear snugly against one another in the closed position and one ring portion of each pair of ring portions having a pin which is cylindrical over at least its main length and which projects perpendicularly from the end face and the other ring portion having a bore which is cylindrical over at least its main length and is sunk perpendicularly in the end face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1987
    Assignee: Robert Krause GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Karl-Heinz Kissel
  • Patent number: 4678357
    Abstract: A device for binding holed sheets or a ring book fastener includes a binding cover elastically supported by supporting elements and receiving a plurality of rings spaced from each other along the axis of the binding cover and connected thereto. Each ring is comprised of two ring halves which are releasably engageable with each other. Each ring half is provided at the end thereof cooperating with the end of the other ring half with a tooth-shaped projection engageable in a tooth gap-shaped recess of the other ring half so as to produce a lock preventing a displacement of the ring halves in the closed position in the direction transverse to the closing direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1987
    Assignee: Robert Krause GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Kissel, Siegfried Oevermann
  • Patent number: 4571108
    Abstract: This is a device for holding sheets of paper in a loose-leaf notebook. The mechanism comprises rings upon which the sheets are filed, a deformable surface which controls the action of the rings, a control slide which alters the shape of the surface, a cover and a base. The shape of the control slide, base and cover assure positive control over the position of the rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1986
    Inventor: Kurt Vogl
  • Patent number: 4552478
    Abstract: A ring mechanism for mounting on a loose leaf binder has ring elements, for retaining paper, secured to carrier rails within a cover rail. The ring elements are moveable between open and closed positions. The ring elements include bottom portions extending to intermediate locations higher than their lower ends, but arranged to support paper below the top of the cover rail. Additionally, the ring elements are mounted so their first ends are spaced above the binder cover. This arrangement provides operating space for the ring elements, while enabling the ring elements to have a large capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1985
    Assignee: Double-W Stationery Corporation
    Inventor: Lewis Cohen
  • Patent number: 4400107
    Abstract: File folders of the type having hooks to permit suspension for storage, and further including appendages to permit binding or compartmentalization of materials. The folder may contain loose-leaf binding rings, permanently or detachably mounted to the base. Alternatively, the folders are perforated at the base to hold a spiral binder for materials. The folders can be provided with telescoping side members to achieve an accordion-like effect. Such folders may additionally include permanent or removable divider panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1983
    Assignee: Dennison Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Warren R. Pitts
  • Patent number: 4368995
    Abstract: A loose-leaf binder has a cover and a ring mechanism. The ring mechanism includes a resilient base plate with curled edges and at least one rib extending laterally and downwardly. The ring mechanism also includes a pair of blades beneath the base plate and between the curled edges, the combined width of the blades being slightly greater than the distance between the curled edges. Also, the blades each have at least one slot along their outside edge to engage the rib. At least one pair of ring members fixed to the blades extend above the base plate to meet in a releasable juncture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1983
    Inventor: Lewis Cohen
  • Patent number: RE38731
    Abstract: A ring binder adapted to be secured to an article by at least one integral rivet, the ring binder comprising a substantially rigid integral upper plate supporting a pair of pivotable lower plates to which a plurality of ring members are mounted, the rivet comprising (1) a barrel that is in direct engagement with the upper plate and (2) a plurality of claws for securing the article, wherein at least 75% of said claws extend away from a longitudinal axis of the barrel. Also disclosed is a rivet adapted to secure a ring binder to an article, the rivet comprising (1) a barrel for engaging the ring binder and (2) a plurality of claws for securing the article, wherein at least a majority of the claws generally extend away from a longitudinal axis of the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: World Wide Stationery Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventor: Chun Yuen To