CN201058536Y - ring binder mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

A ring binder mechanism for holding loose-leaf pages comprises a housing, and a hinge plate supported by the housing so as to pivot relative to the housing. A plurality of rings for holding loose-leaf pages comprises ring members mounted on the hinge plate so as to move with the hinge plate between a closed position and an open position. An actuator mounted on the housing is movable between a first position in which the ring members are in an open position and a second position in which the ring members are in a closed position. When the ring members are in the closed position, the actuator is continuously engaged with the hinge plate to prevent the actuator from moving from the first position to the second position. A moving rod is operably connected to the actuator so as to move with the actuator. When the ring members are opened, the moving rod prevents the actuator from moving. The ring binder mechanism of the utility model is simple in structure, easy to operate and can be reliably operated.

Description

ring binder mechanism

technical field

The utility model generally relates to a ring binder mechanism for holding loose-leaf papers, and more particularly to an improved ring binder mechanism for opening and closing ring members.

Background technique

A ring binder mechanism holds loose-leaf paper, such as punched paper, in a folder or notebook. The ring binder mechanism has a ring member for holding paper sheets. The ring members can be selectively opened to add or remove sheets, or closed to hold the sheets while moving the sheets along the ring members. The ring members are mounted on two adjacent hinge plates which are connected together along the pivot axis. An elongated housing loosely supports the hinge plates within the housing and holds the hinge plates together so that they can pivot relative to the housing.

When the hinge plates are in a coplanar position (180°), the undeformed shell is slightly narrower than the connected hinge plates. Thus, as the hinge plates pivot past this position, they deform the resilient housing and generate a spring force in the housing, forcing the hinge plates to pivot out of the coplanar position, or to open or close the ring members. Thus, when the ring parts are closed, the spring force resists the movement of the hinge plates and clamps the ring parts together. Likewise, when the ring members are opened, the spring force keeps them apart. Pivot levers are often provided at one or both ends of the housing for engaging the hinge plates and moving them through coplanar positions to open and close the ring members. An example of this is shown in US Patent No. 5,180,247 (Yu).

In many ring binder mechanisms, the lever is not secure when the ring members are in the open and/or closed positions. There may be "play" in the handle that creates a feeling of instability in the ring binder mechanism. This "play" is often due to variations in the manufacture of the ring binder mechanism such that the lever disengages from the hinge plates when the ring members are in the open and/or closed positions. There is a need to provide a more stable ring binder mechanism in which the lever continuously engages the hinge plates during operation of the ring binder mechanism such that the lever prevents "play" when the ring members are in the open and closed positions.

Utility model content

The purpose of the utility model is to provide a ring binder mechanism, which can overcome the above-mentioned defects of the prior art.

A ring binder mechanism for holding loose-leaf pages includes a housing, and first and second hinge plates supported by the housing for pivotal movement relative to the housing about a hinge. At least one hinge plate has a cutout. A plurality of rings retain the loose-leaf pages on the ring binder mechanism, each ring including a first ring member and a second ring member. The first ring member is mounted on the first hinge plate and is movable relative to the second ring member between a closed position and an open position following pivotal movement of the first hinge plate. In the closed position, the two ring members form a substantially continuous, closed loop such that loose-leaf pages held by the rings are moved along the ring from one ring member to the other. In the open position, the two ring members form a discontinuous, open ring for adding or removing loose-leaf pages from the ring. An actuator is mounted on the housing for movement relative to the housing between a first position in which the ring members are in an open position and a second position in which the ring members are in a closed position. The actuator is continuously engaged with the hinge plate, preventing movement of the actuator from the first position to the second position. A travel rod is operably connected to the actuator for movement with the actuator relative to the housing. The travel rod prevents movement of the actuator from the second position to the first position.

According to the ring binder mechanism of the present invention, when the ring parts are closed, loose-leaf pages can be effectively held, and the closed ring parts can be prevented from being unintentionally opened. The actuator eliminates the need for manual movement to securely lock the ring binder mechanism. Actuated ring binder mechanisms do not require additional biasing components (eg, springs) to perform the locking operation, and do not require specially formed parts to accommodate such biasing components. Therefore, compared with the ring binder mechanism of the prior art, the ring binder mechanism of the present invention has a simple structure, is easy to operate and can be operated reliably.

Other features of the invention will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a notebook equipped with a ring binder mechanism according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the ring binder mechanism;

Figure 3 is an enlarged side view of the control handle of the ring binder mechanism;

Figure 4 is a top side perspective view of the ring binder mechanism in a closed locked position with the lever in a first relaxed position;

Fig. 5 is its bottom perspective view;

Figure 6 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the ring binder mechanism with a portion of the housing removed and the ring member removed to show the internal structure;

Figure 7 is a side view thereof with the shell and ring parts removed;

Figure 8 is a top perspective view of the ring binder mechanism in the closed, unlocked position with the lever in the deformed position;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of its bottom side;

Figure 10 is an enlarged partial side view thereof with the housing and ring parts removed;

11 is a top perspective view of the ring binder mechanism in an open position with the lever in a second relaxed position;

Figure 12 is a perspective view of its bottom side;

Figure 13 is an enlarged partial side view thereof with the housing and ring parts removed to show the internal structure;

Fig. 14 is a top perspective view of the ring binder mechanism in the closed and locked position according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 15 is an enlarged top perspective view of its handle;

Figure 16 is a side view of the ring binder mechanism;

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the bottom side of the ring binder mechanism in the closed and locked position according to the third embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 18 is an enlarged side view of its handle;

Figure 19 is an enlarged fragmentary side view of the ring binder mechanism with the housing and ring components removed;

Figure 20 is an enlarged fragmentary side view similar to Figure 19, with the ring binder mechanism in the closed, unlocked position; and

Figure 21 is an enlarged fragmentary side view similar to Figure 19 with the ring binder mechanism in an open position.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the views.

Detailed ways

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figures 1-13 show a ring binder mechanism 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1 , a ring binder mechanism 1 is shown mounted on a notebook 3 . In particular, the illustrated ring binder mechanism 1 is mounted on a spine 5 of a notebook 3 between a front cover 7 and a rear cover 9 which are hingedly mounted to the spine 5 . The front cover 7 and the rear cover 9 move to selectively cover or expose loose-leaf pages (not shown) held by the ring binder mechanism 1 in the notebook 3 . A ring binder mechanism mounted on a surface other than a notebook, such as a folder, does not depart from the scope of the present invention.

As shown in Figure 1, housing 11 supports three rings (each generally indicated at 13) and a control handle (broadly referred to as an "actuator" and generally indicated at 15). Ring 13 holds loose-leaf pages on ring binder mechanism 1 in notebook 3, while lever 15 is operable to open and close the ring so that loose-leaf pages can be added or removed. Referring also to FIG. 2, the housing 11 is elongated and rectangular in shape, having a uniform, generally arcuate cross-section, and having a substantially flat flat top 17 in its center. A first longitudinal end of the housing 11 (left side in FIG. 1 and right side in FIG. 2 ) is generally open, while an opposite second longitudinal end is generally closed. A pair of mounting arms 19 ( FIGS. 2 and 4 ) extend downwardly from the flat top 17 of the housing at open ends, while a bent bottom edge 21 ( FIGS. 2 and 5 ) extends lengthwise along the longitudinal edge of the housing 11 from The housing extends from a first longitudinal end to a second longitudinal end. Ring binder mechanisms having housings of other shapes, including irregular shapes, or housings integral with file folders or notebooks do not depart from the scope of the present invention.

The three rings 13 of the ring binder mechanism 1 are substantially identical, each substantially circular (eg, FIGS. 1 , 4 and 5 ). As shown in Figures 1 and 2, each ring 13 comprises two generally semi-circular ring members 23a, 23b made of conventional cylindrical rods of suitable material such as steel. The ring members 23a, 23b include free ends 25a, 25b, respectively, formed to prevent lateral misalignment of the ring members (with respect to their longitudinal axis) when the ring members are closed together (see Figures 1, 4 and 5). The ring 13 may be D-shaped as known in the art, which is also within the scope of the present invention. Ring binder mechanisms having ring members made of different materials, or having different cross-sectional shapes, such as elliptical, do not depart from the scope of the present invention.

As also shown in FIG. 2, the ring binder mechanism 1 includes two substantially identical hinge plates 27a, 27b which support ring members 23a, 23b, respectively. Each hinge plate 27a, 27b is generally elongated, flat rectangular in shape, and the length of each hinge plate is slightly shorter than the length of the housing 11 . Four respective cutouts 29a, 29b, 29c, 29d are formed in each hinge plate 27a, 27b along the inner longitudinal edge of the hinge plate. The downwardly bent fingers 31 extend longitudinally away from the first end of each hinge plate 27a, 27b (toward the right in FIG. 2). Each finger 31 is narrower in width than the respective hinge plate 27a, 27b and is positioned with their inner longitudinal edges generally aligned with the inner longitudinal edges of the hinge plates. The purpose of the cutouts 29a, 29b, 29c, 29d and the fingers 31 will be described below.

2 and 3, the control handle 15 includes an inverted "L" shaped handle 33, a main body 35 (first part) attached to the handle, and a tongue 37 (second part) attached to the main body. The handle 33 is slightly wider than the body 35 and tongue 37 (FIG. 2) to facilitate gripping the control handle 15 and applying force to move the control handle. In the illustrated ring binder mechanism 1, the body 35 is integrally formed with the handle 33 so as to generally move in conjunction with the handle. The main body 35 may be formed separately from the handle 33 and attached thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention.

As shown in Figure 3, the tongue 37 of the lever 15 is mounted to the main body 35 by a flexible bridge 39 (or "living hinge") integrally formed with the main body and tongue. A ring binder mechanism in which the bridge portion of the handle for connecting the body and tongue is formed separately from the body and/or tongue does not depart from the scope of the present invention. The bridge 39 is generally arcuate and forms an open slot 41 between the tongue 37 and the body 35 . Tongue 37 extends away from body 35 at bridge 39 and slot 41 , is aligned substantially parallel with upper lip 35a of the body, and forms a C-shaped space between the body and tongue (ie, above the bridge). It is conceivable that the control handle 15 is made of elastic plastic, for example by a molding process. But within the scope of the present invention, the control handle 15 can be made of other materials or other processes. Ring binder mechanisms having levers of different shapes than those shown and described herein do not depart from the scope of the present invention.

Referring also to FIG. 3 , the lever 15 also includes a pivoting ridge 43 at the opposite end of the tongue 37 from the bridge 39 . Protuberance 43 may be separate from tongue 37 and releasably mounted to the tongue by a protrusion (not shown) passing through an opening (not shown) in the tongue. As a further example, the raised portion 43 may be integrally formed with the tongue portion 37 within the scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2 , the ring binder mechanism 1 also includes an elongated, generally flat, rectangular travel rod 45 . The travel bar 45 has a rectangular mounting slot 47 at the first end (right side in FIG. 2 ), and three block-shaped locking members 49 along the bottom surface. The locking members 49 are spaced longitudinally of the travel bar 45 such that there is one locking member near each longitudinal end of the travel bar and one locking member located near the center of the travel bar. The moving rod 45 may have other shapes or more or less than three locking members 49, which are within the scope of the present invention. The travel bar 45 may have no locking means, but instead has, for example, a wedge which moves the hinge plates 27a, 27b.

The locking members 49 of the illustrated travel rod 45 each have substantially similar shapes. As best shown in Figures 7, 10, 12 and 13, each locking member 49 includes a narrow flat base 53 and generally vertical sides 55a-55d. The side 55a facing away from the handle 15 is sloped, the lateral sides 55b and 55d converging towards their bottom to form a narrow flat bottom 53 . In the illustrated embodiment, the locking member 49 is integrally formed with the travel bar 45, for example by a molding process. But the locking part 49 can be made separately from the moving rod 45 and mounted thereon, and this does not depart from the scope of the present utility model. Additionally, locking members of different shapes, such as blocks (ie, without sloping or converging sides), are also within the scope of the present invention.

The assembled ring binder mechanism 1 will now be described with reference to Figures 4-7, wherein the ring members 23a, 23b of the ring binder mechanism are shown in the closed position and the lever 15 is in the upright position. The lever 15 is pivotally mounted at the open first end of the housing 11 at a mounting arm 19 of the housing (Figs. 4-6). A mounting hole 57 ( FIG. 2 ) on each mounting arm 19 aligns with the slot 41 of the lever 15 . Hinge pin 59 passes through aligned hole 57 and slot 41 to pivotally mount lever 15 to housing 11 . It can be seen that the mounting arms 19 are integrally formed with the housing 11, but they can be made separately from the housing and mounted thereon without departing from the scope of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 6 , the travel rod 45 is disposed inside the housing 11 behind the flat top 17 of the housing. It extends along the length of the housing 11 and is oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis LA of the housing (see FIG. 2 ), such that the locking member 49 extends away from the housing. Two elongated openings 61 (only one visible in FIG. 6; see FIG. 2) through the travel bar 45 and two rivet openings 63 (only one visible in FIG. 6; see FIG. 2) Alignment. Notched rivets 65 (only one visible in FIG. 6; see FIG. 2) are secured to the housing 11 at rivet openings 63 and pass through corresponding elongated openings 61 of the travel bar 45 to vertically support the The moving rod in the body. The travel bar 45 fits in the groove of the rivet 65 so that it can slide in translation relative to the rivet along the longitudinal direction of the housing.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7 , the travel rod 45 is operatively connected to the control handle 15 through an intermediate connector 67 . In the illustrated embodiment, the intermediate connector 67 is a wire bent into an elongated, generally rectangular shape (see FIG. 2). The intermediate connector 67 may have other shapes or be made of other materials within the scope of the present invention. The first end of intermediate connector 67 is open, and comprises two free ends 69a, 69b (see Fig. 2), and they can be contained in the hole 71a, 71b on the main body 35 of handle 15 (only hole 71b in Fig. 3 71b), forming a pivot connection. The second closed end of the intermediate connector 67 is narrowed and includes a bent end portion 73 that fits in the mounting groove 47 of the moving rod 45 ( FIG. 2 ). The bent end 73 secures the intermediate connector 67 to the travel bar 45 at the mounting slot 47 for pushing against or pulling the travel bar. The curved end 73 pivots the intermediate connector 67 relative to the travel bar 45 to accommodate the small vertical movement of the intermediate connector as the lever 15 pivots. A ring binder mechanism without an intermediate connector (eg, a travel lever pivotally connected directly to the lever) does not depart from the scope of the present invention.

As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the hinge plates 27a, 27b are interconnected along their inner longitudinal edges in a parallel arrangement forming a central hinge 75 having a pivot axis. This is done in a conventional manner well known in the art. The hinge plates 27a, 27b can pivot up and down about a hinge 75 as described below. The four cutouts 29a-29d (FIG. 2) on each of the two individual hinge plates 27a, 27b align to form four openings, also indicated as 29a-29d (FIG. 5), in the interconnected hinge plates. The housing 11 supports the interconnected hinge plates 27a, 27b within the housing below the travel bar 45 . The outer longitudinal edges of the hinge plates 27a, 27b are loosely received within the bent base 21 of the housing 11 so that they move within the bent base as the hinge plates pivot. As shown in Figure 7, the fingers 31 of the hinge plates 27a, 27b (only one hinge plate 27a is shown) extend into the C-shaped space formed between the tongue 37 and the upper lip 35a of the lever body 35, making the hinge The lower surface of the plate engages with the handle ridge 43 .

Each ring member 23a, 23b is mounted on the upper surface of a corresponding one of the hinge plates 27a, 27b in a generally opposing manner with the free ends 25a, 25b facing each other (see FIG. 2). The ring members 23a, 23b pass through respective openings 77 along the sides of the housing 11 so that the free ends 25a, 25b of the ring members can engage above the housing (see Figure 4). The ring members 23a, 23b are rigidly connected to the hinge plates 27a, 27b, as is well known in the art, and move with the hinge plates 27a, 27b as they pivot. Although in the illustrated ring binder mechanism 1, the two ring members 23a, 23b of each ring 13 are respectively mounted on one of the two hinge plates 27a, 27b and move with the pivoting of the hinge plates, each A ring binder mechanism in which each ring has a movable ring member and a fixed ring member does not depart from the scope of the present invention (for example, a mechanism in which only one ring member of each ring is mounted on a hinge plate, Another ring part is for example mounted on the housing).

As shown in FIG. 5, two mounting columns 79a, 79b (see also FIG. 2) are fixed on the illustrated ring binder mechanism 1 for mounting the ring binder mechanism on, for example, a notebook 3 in any suitable manner (FIG. 1). The posts 79a, 79b are mounted on the housing 11 at mounting post openings 81a, 81b (FIG. 2) of the flat top 17 at the longitudinal ends of the housing. A first mounting post 79a (on the left in Figure 5) passes through the intermediate connector 67 and through the mounting post opening 29d interconnecting the hinge plates 27a, 27b.

The operation of the ring binder mechanism 1 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 4-13. As is known, the hinge plates 27a, 27b pivot downward and upward relative to the housing 11 and cause the ring members 23a, 23b mounted thereon to be in a closed position (eg, FIGS. 1 and 4-10) and an open position (eg, , Figure 11-13) between the movement. The hinge plates 27a, 27b are wider than the housing 11 when in the coplanar position (180°), so that they deform the housing and create a small spring force in the housing as they pivot through the coplanar position. The spring force of the housing biases the hinge plates 27a, 27b to pivot downwardly or upwardly out of the coplanar position. When the hinge plates 27a, 27b pivot downward (ie, the hinge 75 moves away from the housing 11 (eg, FIG. 5)), the ring members 23a, 23b close. When the hinge plates 27a, 27b pivot upwardly (ie, the hinge 75 moves toward the housing 11 (eg, FIG. 12)), the ring members 23a, 23b open.

In Figures 4-7, the ring binder mechanism 1 is in a closed and locked position. The hinge plates 27a, 27b hinge downwardly away from the housing 11 so that the ring members 23a, 23b of each ring 13 close together to form a continuous circular ring capable of retaining loose-leaf pages. Lever 15 is perpendicular to housing 11 and is in a first, relaxed position (as is the lever in FIG. 3 ) such that lever protrusion 43 engages the lower surface of hinge plates 27a, 27b. The locking members 49 of the travel bar 45 are located above the hinge plates 27a, 27b generally in alignment with the hinges 75, with their narrow flat bottoms 53 in contact with the upper surfaces of the hinge plates. As shown in FIG. 5, the locking member 49 is immediately adjacent to the corresponding locking member opening 29a-29c, but is not substantially aligned with the opening 29a-29c. Travel bar 45 (supported vertically by grooved rivet 65) and locking member 49 resist any force that pivots hinge plates 27a, 27b upward to open ring members 23a, 23b (i.e., they lock closed ring part).

To unlock the ring binder mechanism 1 and open the ring members 23a, 23b, the operator applies force to the handle 33 of the lever 15 and pivots it counterclockwise (as viewed in Figures 4, 6 and 7). As shown in FIGS. 8-10 , the handle 33 and the main body 35 of the handle 15 move relative to the tongue 37 , and the tongue 37 is kept stationary by the hinge plates 27 a, 27 b under the elastic force of the housing 11 . The intermediate connector 67 simultaneously moves with the main body 35 and transmits the pivotal movement of the lever 15 around the mounting post 79a to the travel bar 45 . The travel lever slides towards the lever 15 and moves the locking member 49 into alignment with the corresponding locking member opening 29a-c of the hinge plates 27a, 27b. When the open slot 41 is closed and the body 35 is engaged with the tongue 37, the bridge 39 between the lever body 35 and the lever tongue 37 bends and stretches (Fig. 10). If the lever 15 is released before the hinge plates 27a, 27b pivot upward past their coplanar position (i.e., before the ring members 23a, 23b open), the tension in the bridge 39 will automatically spring the handle 33 and body 35 back ( and pushing) to the vertical position, the moving bar 45 and the locking part 49 are moved to the locking position.

The now closed lever slot 41 no longer disengages the tongue 37 from the pivotal movement of the handle 33 and body 35 . Successive opening movements of the lever 15 cause the body 35 to pivot the tongue 37 together. Lever ridge 43 pivots interconnected hinge plates 27a, 27b upwardly past locking member 49 at locking member openings 29a-29c, and relative to mounting post 79a at mounting post opening 29d. Once the hinge plates 27a, 27b have just passed the coplanar position, housing spring force pushes them upwards, opening the ring members 23a, 23b (Figs. 11-13). The handle 15 can be released. The pull of the bridge 39 springs (and pushes) the handle 33 and body 35 away from the tongue 37, which is held stationary against the hinge plates 27a, 27b by a lever ridge 43 that engages the lower surface of the hinge plates. The slot 41 is opened and the travel rod 45 is moved slightly away from the control handle 15 . The handle is relaxed again, in a second relaxed position (eg FIG. 3 ) which is substantially the same as the first relaxed position, and the locking member 49 is seated in the corresponding hinge plate opening 29a-29c, free from any movement which moves it relative to the housing 11. force.

To close the ring parts 23a, 23b and return the ring binder mechanism 1 to the locked position, the operator can manually push the free ends 25a, 25b of the ring parts together. The hinge plates 27a, 27b pivot downward and rotate the control handle tongue 37 clockwise (viewed from Figures 11 and 13). The tongue 37 initially moves the handle 33 and body 35 so that the locking member 49 abuts against the tab 83 at the edge of the locking member opening 29a-29c of the hinge plates 27a, 27b (the tab is beveled to facilitate The locking part 49 moves out of the locking part opening). Tongue 37 is then moved relative to handle 33 and body 35, which are held stationary by locking member 49 against tab 83 (Fig. 13). Closing of the lever slot 41 (and bending of the lever bridge 39 ) pivots the hinge plates 27 a , 27 b through a coplanar position and past the narrow bottom 53 of the locking member 49 . As the hinge plates 27a, 27b move downward, the sloping sides 55a of the locking member 49 move the locking member more and more away from the lever 15 and out of the respective openings 29a-29c. This allows the lever 15 to pivot slightly with the tongue 37 when the lever slot 41 is closed. The inclined sides of the locking part are not necessary for operation.

Once the hinge plates 27a, 27b clear the bottom 53 of the locking member 49, the tongue 37 pushes the body 35 and handle 33 into a vertical position and the travel bar 45 and locking member 49 move to the locked position. It is within the scope of the present invention that the ring members 23a, 23b of the ring binder mechanism 1 are closable by means of a modified lever capable of engaging the hinge plates 27a, 27b and pivoting them downward.

It should be clear that the flexibility of the lever bridge 39 allows the handle 33 and body 35 of the lever 15 to move relative to the tongue 37 . This moves the handle 15 between a relaxed position (Figs. 3-7 and 11-13) and a deformed (broadly "reconfigured") position (Figs. 8-10). The deformed position of the handle 15 is an unstable, intermediate position in which the bridge 39 is stretched, while always moving the handle 33, body 35 and tongue 37 to the relaxed position (ie, reconfiguring the handle).

When the lever 15 is pivoted to open the ring members 23a, 23b, the travel bar 45 and locking member 49 move immediately and before the tongue 37 and protrusion 43 pivot the hinge plates 27a, 27b upward. This lost motion caused by the opening slot 41 moves the locking member 49 into alignment with the locking member openings 29a-29c of the hinge plates 27a, 27b before the hinge plates pivot. They do not interfere with the required pivotal movement of the hinge plates 27a, 27b. After the locking member 49 is moved into alignment with the respective opening 29a-29c, the slot 41 closes and the handle 33, body 35 and tongue 37 pivot together to move the hinge plates 27a, 27b upwardly.

Furthermore, when the ring members 23a, 23b are open and the lever 15 is loose, the locking member 49 and the travel bar 45 are not subjected to a force that moves them to the locked position. Thus, the open ring members 23a, 23b cannot be inadvertently closed under the influence of the lever 15, the locking member 49 or the travel bar 45 when the operator adds or removes sheets to the ring members 23a, 23b.

Likewise, when the ring members 23a, 23b are moved to the closed position, the lever slot 41 allows the hinge plates 27a, 27a, 27b pivots downward on locking member 49 . Thus, the lost motion created by the open slot 41 maintains continuous engagement between the lever tongue 37 and the hinge plates 27a, 27b (via the lever ridge 43) without the risk of the ring binder mechanism becoming stuck in the open position. (For example, this may occur when the control tongue cannot move down with the hinge plate because the locking member 49 is wedged against the edge of the locking member opening 29a-29c of the hinge plate, preventing the hinge plate from further downward pivot). The continuous engagement between the control handle tongue 37 and the lower surface of the hinge plates 27a, 27b (via the control handle protrusion 43) ensures that when the hinge plates 27a, 27b are pivoted downward (and the ring members 23a, 23b are closed), the control The handle 33 and main body 35 of the handle 15 are fully moved to their vertical positions, and the travel bar 45 and locking member 49 are fully moved to the locked position.

Therefore, when the ring members 23a, 23b are closed, the ring binder mechanism 1 effectively holds loose-leaf pages, and can prevent the closed ring members 23a, 23b from being unintentionally opened. The lever 15 positions the travel lever 45 and its locking part 49 in the locked position when the ring parts 23a, 23b are closed, thereby eliminating the need to manually move the lever 15 to securely lock the ring binder mechanism 1 . The ring binder mechanism 1 incorporating the locking lever 15 does not require additional biasing components (eg, springs) to perform the locking operation, and does not require specially formed parts to accommodate these biasing components.

14-16 show a ring binder mechanism 101 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The ring binder mechanism 101 is substantially the same as the ring binder mechanism 1 of the first embodiment previously described and shown in FIGS. The upper "100" means. However, in the ring binder mechanism 101 , the lever 115 has a low profile because it includes a generally flat handle 133 . The lever 115 is mounted on the housing 111 (FIGS. 14 and 16) as previously described for the ring binder mechanism 1 of FIGS. coplanar above). In other respects, including operation, the ring binder mechanism 101 is identical to the ring binder mechanism 1 of FIGS. 1-13 .

17-21 show a ring binder mechanism 201 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Components of the ring binder mechanism 201 corresponding to components of the ring binder mechanism 1 of the first embodiment of FIGS. 1-13 are denoted by the same reference numerals plus "200". The ring binder mechanism 201 is substantially the same as the ring binder mechanism 1 of FIGS. 1-13 except that the lever 215 does not form a bridge and does not form a groove between the body 235 and the tongue 237 . The other components of the ring binder mechanism 201 and the assembly of the components are substantially the same as the ring binder mechanism 1 of FIGS. 1-13.

The operation of the ring binder mechanism 201 will be described with reference to the enlarged partial views of FIGS. 19-21. In Fig. 19, the ring binder mechanism 201 is in a closed locked position (similar to the closed position of the ring binder mechanism 1 of Figs. 1-13). To unlock the ring binder mechanism 201 and open the ring members 223a, 223b, the operator pivots the lever 215 outwardly and downwardly (counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 19). The lever body 235 pulls the travel bar 245 and locking member 249 toward the lever 215, and the lever bump 243 simultaneously pushes up on the hinge plates 227a, 227b (only one hinge plate 227a is shown). However, the locking member 249 still behind the hinge plates 227a, 227b blocks their upward movement. Thus, as the lever 215 continues to pivot, the lever ridge 243 flexes or bends (and stretches) the hinge plates 227a, 227b immediately adjacent the fingers 231 (FIG. 20).

Once the locking member 249 (only one locking member is shown) is moved into alignment with the locking member openings 229a-229c (only opening 229c is shown) of the hinge plates 227a, 227b, the stretched hinge plates are immediately pivoted upwards through Coplanar position (FIG. 21) to open ring members 223a, 223b (ring members not shown). If the lever 215 is released before the hinge plates 227a, 227b pivot through the coplanar position, the stretched hinge plates will push down on the lever ridge 243 and pivot the lever 215 back to the vertical position, Move the moving rod 245 and the locking member 249 to the locking position. Tension in hinge plates 227a, 227b is relieved and lever 215 may be released. The raised portion 243 of the tongue 237 remains engaged with the lower surfaces of the hinge plates 227a, 227b, and the elastic force of the housing 211 holds the hinge plates hinged upward. The locking members 249 are seated statically in the respective hinge plate cutout openings 229a-229c and are not subject to force to move them into the locked position.

As in the ring binder mechanism 1 of FIGS. 1-13 , in order to close the ring members 223a, 223b of the ring binder mechanism 201 and return the ring binder mechanism to the locked position ( FIG. Ends 225a, 225b are pushed together. In this ring binder mechanism 201, the hinge plates 227a, 227b pivot downward and rotate the lever protrusion 243 and tongue 237 clockwise (as viewed from FIG. 21 ). Tongue 237 pushes handle 233 and body 235 to abut locking member 249 against tab 283 at the edge of locking member openings 229a-229c of hinge plates 227a, 227b (such engagement is not necessary for operation). The locking member 249 momentarily blocks the movement of the lever 215, and thus the downward movement of the hinge plates 227a, 227b, causing the hinge plates 227a, 227b next to their fingers 231 to bend slightly. Hinge plates 227a, 227b flex downward while lever 215 and finger 231 remain relatively stationary. The angled side 255a of the locking member 249 allows the locking member to move a small amount away from the lever 215 when the hinge plates 227a, 227b flex, causing the lever to pivot slightly. Once the hinge plates 227a, 227b clear the narrow bottom 253 of the locking member 249, tension in the curved hinge plates immediately pivots the lever 215 to its vertical position, pushing the travel bar 245 and locking member 249 into the locked position.

In the ring binder mechanism 201, the unique cooperation between the lever 215, the hinge plates 227a, 227b, and the locking member 249 allows the ring binder mechanism to operate between a closed locked position and an open position. When the ring members 223a, 223b are opened, the hinge plates 227a, 227b temporarily flex upwardly to pivot the lever 215, moving the locking member 249 into alignment with the locking member openings 229a-229c of the hinge plates. The lever 215 and the tension from the stretched hinge plates 227a, 227b and the spring force of the housing 211 then pivot the hinge plates past the locking member 249 to open the ring members 223a, 223b. When the ring members 223a, 223b are closed, the hinge plates 227a, 227b are bent again to pivot the hinge plates down past the locking member 249 (the angled side 255a of the locking member 249 also facilitates this operation, but for this operation language is not required).

The components of the ring binder mechanism of the embodiments described and illustrated herein are fabricated from a suitable rigid material, such as metal (eg, steel). However, a ring binder mechanism having components made of non-metallic materials, especially plastics, does not depart from the scope of the present invention.

When introducing parts of the present invention, the articles "a," "the" and "said" mean having one or more of the parts. The terms "comprising," "comprising" and "having" and their various Variations are inclusive in the sense that there may be other parts than those listed. Furthermore, the terms "upper" and "lower" and their variations are used for convenience, but these components do not require any special positioning.

As various changes could be made in the above description without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. of.

Claims (14)

1. a circular clip mechanism that is used to keep loose leaf paper is characterized in that, described circular clip mechanism comprises:

Housing;

By described housings support so that around hinged first articulated slab and second articulated slab with respect to described housing pivoting action;

Be used to keep a plurality of rings of loose leaf paper, each ring comprises first ring component and second ring component, described first ring component is installed on first articulated slab, and can move between closing position and open position with respect to second ring component along with the pivoting action of first articulated slab, in closing position, two ring components form continuous substantially, closed-loop, so that the loose leaf paper of being held by described environmental protection moves to another ring component along described ring from a ring component, at open position, two ring components form discontinuous, open ring, so that loose leaf paper is added on the described ring or take out from described ring;

Be pivotably mounted on the control handle on the described housing, described control handle comprises first and the second portion that is connected with first, and described second portion is used for engaging with described articulated slab and described ring component being moved to open position from closing position;

Described articulated slab is by described housings support, make that at least one articulated slab engages continuously with the second portion of described control handle when described ring component is in the close position, to suppress the gap on the described control handle, described at least one articulated slab has the upper surface and the lower surface that deviates from described housing towards described housing, and described lower surface engages continuously with the second portion of described control handle.

2. circular clip mechanism according to claim 1, it is characterized in that, also comprise the locking member that is operably connected to described control handle, when described ring component is shown in an open position, described locking member engages with at least one articulated slab, to suppress the gap on the described control handle.

3. circular clip mechanism according to claim 2, it is characterized in that, the described articulated slab that engages with described locking member comprises otch, and when described ring component was shown in an open position, described locking member was located alignedly with described otch and engaged with described articulated slab in described incision.

4. circular clip mechanism according to claim 3 is characterized in that described otch comprises the edge, and described locking member engages with described articulated slab at described notching edge place.

5. circular clip mechanism according to claim 4 is characterized in that, the articulated slab otch is formed by the second portion on the first on first articulated slab and second articulated slab, and described otch is hinged directed symmetrically along articulated slab.

6. circular clip mechanism according to claim 5 is characterized in that, when described ring component was in the close position, described locking member and described otch were not located with lining up, to stop the pivoting action of articulated slab.

7. circular clip mechanism according to claim 6, it is characterized in that, also comprise the carriage release lever that is operably connected to described control handle, be arranged between described housing and the described articulated slab to the hinged general alignment of described carriage release lever and articulated slab, described locking member is installed on the described carriage release lever.

8. circular clip mechanism according to claim 7 is characterized in that, described locking member and described carriage release lever form one.

9. circular clip mechanism according to claim 7 is characterized in that, comprises three locking members, and articulated slab comprises three otch corresponding with each locking member.

10. circular clip mechanism according to claim 1 is characterized in that, the first of described control handle and second portion form one.

11. circular clip mechanism according to claim 10 is characterized in that, the second portion of described control handle comprises the protrusion that engages with articulated slab.

12. circular clip mechanism according to claim 2 is characterized in that, when described ring component was in the close position, articulated slab was kept the first of described control handle to be in substantially upright position by hinged downwards.

13. circular clip mechanism according to claim 12 is characterized in that, when described ring component was shown in an open position, articulated slab was by upwards hinged, and locking member keeps described control handle to be in the cardinal principle fixed position that rotates away from the upright position.

14. circular clip mechanism according to claim 1, it is characterized in that combine with strip of paper used for sealing, described circular clip mechanism is installed on the strip of paper used for sealing, described strip of paper used for sealing is hinged so that move, thereby covers selectively and expose the loose leaf paper that remains on the described circular clip mechanism.

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