Abstract: A ring binder mechanism for retaining loose-leaf pages securely holds closed ring members together to prevent inadvertent loss of pages retained by the mechanism. The mechanism comprises a housing supporting two hinge plates for pivoting motion to open and close paired ring members mounted on the plates. Free ends of the paired ring members have interlocking configurations that securely join together when the ring members close. The configurations prevent misalignment of the closed ring members in all directions transverse to longitudinal centerlines of the ring members. The mechanism also includes locking elements that interact with the hinge plates to block their pivoting motion when the ring members are closed. This holds the free ends of the closed paired ring members together so that the interlocking configurations of the ring members remain interengaged.

Abstract: A binding assembly includes first and second sheet retaining members which are releasably attached to a base member by first and second latching mechanisms. The sheet retaining members include a pair of side members which support a pair of pins and tubes onto which sheets of paper or other materials are placed. Each of the side members includes an engaging rod which is receivable in a channel provided in the base member to retain the sheet retaining members to the base member. Each of the latching mechanisms are independently pivotable about an axis perpendicular to the pins and tubes from a retaining position where the sheet retaining members are constrained to the base member, to a releasing position where the sheet retaining members may be detached from the base member.

Abstract: A binder ring mechanism (16) has a plurality of binder rings (18a-18c) for holding sheets of paper. Each binder ring includes a fixed section (20) and a movable section (22). All of the movable binder ring sections are commonly mounted on a bolt (36). A lever arm (52) is attached to one end of the bolt for movement of the lever arm to move the bolt and the binder ring sections mounted on the bolt. The bolt is movably mounted on a cover piece (24) for both rotational and sliding movement of the bolt. A recess (58) is formed in an endwall (56) of the cover piece and the lever arm includes a latch member (60) received in the recess to latch the lever arm in place when the binder rings are closed so to prevent inadvertent movement of the lever arm which might cause the binder rings to open. In addition, the cover piece has flaps (82, 84) extending diagonally outwardly therefrom for storing writing instruments in a ring binder (10) in which the binder ring mechanism is installed.

Abstract: A system and method for binding documents wherein the binder is reusable and is easy to use, the binding system comprising interlocking pieces that combined form a secure and reusable document binder.

Abstract: A seal is provided for notebooks and albums to prevent inadvertent opening of the rings and to prevent pilferage of paper, photo album insert sheets and the like. The seal is a continuous band or overlapped loop of plastic material which is heat-shrunk over the rings. In the most preferred embodiment, the material used for the seal in spot welded, such as by ultrasonic welding, to hold it in place during the heat-shrink operation.

Abstract: A file folder is provided which includes a pair of foldable front and rear covers 4 and 5, a back cover 6 integrally located between and connected to them via hinge sections 7, and a binding fastener 3 fixedly attached on the inner face of the back cover. An engaging projection 8 is formed on the inner face of at least one of the front and rear covers 4 and 5 for abutting engagement with the binding fastener when the file folder is closed. With this arrangement, the file folder having a plurality of loose papers bound together along their longer edges by the fastener 3 can be kept standing with its back cover 6 positioned above and horizontally oriented without causing the back cover 6 and hinge sections 7 to be distorted.

Abstract: A Direct Access Modular Binder containing one or more posts. Each post is comprised of two or more interconnected independent locking modules. These locking modules can easily be inserted or removed to change the length of the post to efficiently accommodate varying amounts of paper. The modules additionally function to permit direct access for insertion/removal of pages or modules anywhere along the post. The modules in the post may contain a telescoping feature. The module(s) containing a telescoping feature are optimally positioned at the end(s) of the post and fixedly attached to the post holding strips. The strips, which hold the posts' ends, may be hingedly attached to the front and back covers. The telescoping feature permits the binder to be automatically compacted (when not in use), for efficient storage, and temporarily expanded (when in use), to provide space for the user to insert/remove paper or modules. The modules which make up the post are easily locked and unlocked.

Abstract: A security binder for positively and permanently securing a plurality of sheets of thin material having apertures along one edge, wherein one or more backbone elements are provided with lateral projecting members each having angled projections permitting entry of the members into spaced apertures but preventing removal therefrom; a preferred embodiment incorporates rectangular apertures on a multiple of 0.5625 inch centers with a multiplier of 2 or more and the angled projections extend from the projecting members in a direction longitudinal of the one edge.

Abstract: A filing device provided with a binding element (12) including a file-mounting side edge (16)and a binding portion (18) in the form of a foldable bag adjacent thereto, as well as with a sliding element (14) slidably inserted into the binding portion (18) is disclosed, in which the binding portion (18) is provided in its longitudinal direction with notched guiding grooves (24) spaced apart from each other at a predetermined distance for inserting binder rods (22) from outside and with binding holes (26) adjacent to the grooves (24), while the sliding element (14) is provided in its longitudinal diection with engaging protrusions (28) spaced apart from each other at a predetermined distance for closing and opening the notched guiding grooves (24) of the binding holes (26) and with notched engaging grooves (30) adjacent ot the protrusions (28), said sliding element (14) being further provided at its both ends with stoppers (32) for engaging both ends of the binding element (12) and for limiting the sliding eleme

Abstract: A loose leaf binder lift lock having a tubular body with a tapered front end, a tubular locking ball carrier mounted in the body and carrying a plurality of locking balls and movable between a ball locking position and a ball unlocking position, a retainer spring for releasably retaining the ball carrier in the tubular body in the ball locking position but permitting disassembly of the ball carrier from the body, a pull ring stud carried by the ball carrier, and a detachably mounted pull ring carried on the pull ring stud for moving the ball carrier to the ball unlocking position.

Abstract: A pre-assembled post lock assembly for loose leaf binders having separable covers which greatly simplifies mounting of the lock to the binder. A plastic sleeve press-fitted within the barrel assembly of the lock holds a spring biased ball carrier member in alignment with the barrel housing such that the locking balls are disposed for coaction with the cam surface of the barrel whether or not the lock assembly is mounted on the binder.

Abstract: A loose-leaf binder is disclosed having a pair of separable cover members with rib portions and a centrally disposed fastening sleeve assembly disposed for insertion through a central aperture in the rib. An outer sleeve of said fastening sleeve assembly is tapered at one of its extremities to coact with ball locks carried by an inner sleeve member which is slidably disposed for limited longitudinal movement within said outer sleeve, and which is hollow at one of its extremities to receive the locking pin. The operating extremity of the inner sleeve member is provided with a transverse aperture which passes diametrically therethrough to receive an operating member in the form of a ring which is sized so that it will not interfere with closing of the cover no matter what the rotative position of the ring when disposed in the inoperative position which is flat, parallel to and in contact with the rib of the closed binder.