CN201077218Y - Ring binder mechanism for retaining loose-leaf pages - Google Patents

Abstract

A ring binder mechanism for retaining loose-leaf pages includes a housing, a ring support, and rings for retaining the loose-leaf pages. Each ring includes first and second ring members movable between a closed position and an open position. An actuator is mounted on the housing for moving the ring members from the closed position to the open position. A travel bar has at least one locking element and is movable between a locked position in which the ring members are locked in the closed position and an unlocked position in which the ring members are movable to the open position. An intermediate connector operatively 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 the actuator to bias the travel bar toward the locked position.

Description

Ring binder mechanism for holding loose-leaf pages

technical field

The utility model relates to a ring binder mechanism for holding loose-leaf paper, in particular to an improved ring binder mechanism for opening and closing ring parts and for locking the closed ring parts together.

Background technique

A ring binder mechanism holds loose-leaf paper, such as punched paper, in a folder or notebook. It has loop parts for holding paper. The ring members can be selectively opened to add or remove loose-leaf pages, or closed to hold loose-leaf pages while moving the loose-leaf pages along the ring members. The ring members are mounted on two adjacent hinge plates connected together about a 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, when the hinge plates pivot past this position, they deform the resilient housing and create a spring force in the housing, forcing the hinge plates to pivot out of said coplanar position, opening or closing 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. The operator can usually overcome this force by manually pulling apart the ring parts or pushing them together. A lever or other actuator may be provided at one or both ends of the housing for moving the ring member between the open and closed positions. But a disadvantage of these known ring binder mechanisms is that when the ring parts are closed, they are not securely locked together. Therefore if the mechanism is accidentally dropped, the ring member may open unintentionally.

Some ring binder mechanisms have been modified to include locking features that prevent the hinge plates from pivoting when the ring members are closed. The locking structure securely locks the closed ring components together, preventing inadvertent opening of the ring components should the ring mechanism be accidentally dropped. The locking structure also makes the housing less resilient, since no strong spring force is required to clamp the closed ring components together. Accordingly, the operator effort required to open and close the ring members of these mechanisms is less than conventional ring mechanisms.

Some of these ring mechanisms incorporate a locking structure to a control slider that is connected to the control handle. The control handle moves the control slider (and its locking structure) to either block pivoting of the hinge plates or allow them to rotate. However, one disadvantage of these mechanisms is that the operator must reliably move the lever after closing the ring members to position the locking structure to block the hinge plates and lock the closed ring members. Failure to perform this procedure will allow the hinge plates to accidentally pivot and open the ring parts, especially if the mechanism is accidentally dropped.

Some locking ring binder mechanisms use a spring to move the locking structure into a position that blocks the hinge plates when the ring members are closed. Examples of these can be found in US patent applications 10/870801 (Cheng et al.), 10/905606 (Cheng) and 11/027550 (Cheng). These mechanisms use a separate spring to lock the ring mechanism.

Movement of the locking structure is typically linear or translational, but is achieved by pivoting of a control handle or by other movement of a suitable actuator. Therefore, only the translational component of the handle motion needs to be transferred to the locking structure. Various solutions have been proposed. See, eg, co-owned US Patent Application No. 10/870801. However, there is a need for a structure that is cheap to manufacture, simple in overall structure, and reliable in repeated operations to achieve motion transmission.

Utility model content

The purpose of this utility model is to provide a ring binder mechanism for holding loose-leaf papers, which overcomes the above-mentioned defects of the ring binder mechanism in the prior art.

A ring binder mechanism for holding loose-leaf papers includes a housing, a ring support supported by the housing for movement relative to the housing, and a plurality of rings for holding loose-leaf papers. Each ring includes a first ring member and a second ring member. The first ring member is mounted on the ring support for movement relative to the second ring member between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the two ring members form a substantially continuous closed loop to allow loose-leaf pages held by the rings to move along the rings from one ring member to the other. In the open position, the two ring members form a discontinuous open loop for adding or removing loose-leaf pages from the rings. An actuator is mounted on the housing for movement relative to the housing such that movement of the actuator pivots the ring support to move the ring members from a closed position to an open position. The travel bar includes at least one locking element and is movable between a locked position in which the ring members are locked in the closed position and an unlocked position in which the ring members can be moved to the open position. An intermediate connector operably connects the travel rod to the actuator. A biasing member is engageable with the intermediate connector and at least one of the travel bar and the actuator to bias the travel bar toward the locked position.

In another aspect, a ring binder mechanism for holding loose-leaf papers includes a housing, a ring support supported by the housing for movement relative to the housing, and a plurality of rings for holding loose-leaf papers. Each ring includes a first ring member and a second ring member. The first ring member is mounted on the ring support for movement relative to the second ring member between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the two ring members form a substantially continuous closed loop to allow loose-leaf pages held by the rings to move along the rings from one ring member to the other. In the open position, the two ring members form a discontinuous open loop for adding or removing loose-leaf pages from the rings. An actuator is mounted on the housing for movement relative to the housing to pivotally move the ring support to move the ring members from the closed position to the open position. A locking element locks the ring members in the closed position. An intermediate connector operably connects the locking element to the actuator. The actuator is configured for pivotal movement relative to the intermediate connector without moving the intermediate connector.

In yet another aspect, a ring binder mechanism for holding loose-leaf pages includes a housing, a ring support supported by the housing for movement relative to the housing, and a plurality of rings for holding loose-leaf pages. Each ring includes a first ring member and a second ring member. The first ring member is mounted on the ring support for movement relative to the second ring member between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the two ring members form a substantially continuous closed loop to allow loose-leaf pages held by the rings to move along the rings from one ring member to the other. In the open position, the two ring members form a discontinuous open loop for adding or removing loose-leaf pages from the rings. An actuator is mounted on the housing for movement relative to the housing to pivotally move the ring support to move the ring members from the closed position to the open position. The travel bar includes at least one locking element and is movable between a locked position in which the ring members are locked in a closed position and an unlocked position in which the ring members can be moved to an open position. The travel bar includes a mounting slot having at least one narrower portion and a wider portion spaced inwardly from the narrower portion on the travel bar. An intermediate connector operably connects the travel rod to the actuator. A portion of the intermediate connector is captured by the wider portion of the mounting slot on the travel bar. The part of the intermediate connector is movable in the wider portion of the mounting groove so that the intermediate connector is movable relative to the moving rod.

According to the ring binder mechanism of the present invention, only the translation component of the movement of the actuator can be transmitted to the locking structure. Moreover, the ring binder mechanism according to the utility model can adopt a structure that is cheap to manufacture, simple in overall structure, and reliable in repeated operations to realize motion transmission.

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

Description of drawings

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a notebook incorporating a first embodiment of a ring binder mechanism;

Figure 2 is a top perspective view of the ring binder mechanism in the closed locked position with the lever in the first relaxed position;

3 is an exploded perspective view of the ring binder mechanism of FIG. 1;

Figure 4 is a bottom perspective view thereof;

5 is a partial perspective view of the ring binder mechanism of FIG. 2 with a portion of the housing removed to show the internal structure;

Figure 6 is an enlarged partial side view thereof, with the housing and hinge plates removed;

Figure 7 is a bottom perspective view similar to Figure 4, but with the ring binder mechanism in the closed unlocked position and the lever in the first deformed position;

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary side view similar to Figure 6, but with the ring binder mechanism in the closed, unlocked position and the control handle in the first deformed position;

9 is a top perspective view of the ring binder mechanism in the open position, with the lever in the second deformed position;

Figure 10 is a bottom perspective view thereof;

Figure 11 is an enlarged fragmentary side view similar to Figure 6, but with the ring binder mechanism in an open position;

Figures 12A and 12B are side views similar to Figure 11 showing the pivotal movement of the lever towards the closed locked position and the simultaneous movement of the intermediate connector and hinge plates;

Figures 13A and 13B are top plan views of Figures 12A and 12B, respectively;

14 is a top side perspective view of the second embodiment of the ring binder mechanism in the closed locked position, with the lever in the first relaxed position;

Figure 15 is an exploded perspective view of the ring binder mechanism;

16 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the ring binder mechanism of FIG. 14 with a portion of the housing removed to show the internal structure

Figure 17 is an enlarged fragmentary side view of the ring binder mechanism with the housing and hinge plates removed;

Figure 18 is an enlarged fragmentary side view similar to Figure 17, but with the handle in a first deformed position;

Figure 19 is an enlarged fragmentary side view similar to Figure 18, but with the ring binder mechanism in the open position and the lever in the second deformed position;

20A and 20B are top plan views illustrating the pivotal movement of the lever towards the closed locked position and the simultaneous movement of the intermediate connector;

21 is a top side perspective view of the third embodiment of the ring binder mechanism in the closed locked position, with the lever in the first relaxed position;

Figure 22 is an exploded perspective view of the ring binder mechanism;

23 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the ring binder mechanism of FIG. 21 with a portion of the housing removed to reveal internal structures;

Figure 24 is an enlarged fragmentary side view of the ring binder mechanism with the housing and hinge plates removed;

Figure 25 is an enlarged fragmentary side view similar to Figure 24, but with the handle in a first deformed position;

Figure 26 is an enlarged fragmentary side view similar to Figure 25, but with the ring binder mechanism in the open position and the lever in the second deformed position;

27A and 27B are top plan views showing the pivotal movement of the lever towards the closed locked position and the simultaneous movement of the intermediate connector;

28 is a top side perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the ring binder mechanism in the closed locked position, with the lever in the first relaxed position;

Figure 29 is an exploded perspective view of the ring binder mechanism;

30 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the ring binder mechanism of FIG. 28 with a portion of the housing removed to reveal internal structures;

Figure 31 is an enlarged partial side view of the ring binder mechanism with the housing and hinge plates removed;

Figure 32 is an enlarged fragmentary side view similar to Figure 31, but with the handle in a first deformed position;

Figure 33 is an enlarged fragmentary side view similar to Figure 32, but with the ring binder mechanism in the open position and the lever in the second deformed position;

34A and 34B are top plan views illustrating the pivotal movement of the lever towards the closed locked position and the simultaneous movement of the intermediate connector;

35 is a top side perspective view of the fifth embodiment of the ring binder mechanism in the closed locked position, with the lever in the first relaxed position;

Figure 36 is an exploded perspective view of the ring binder mechanism;

37 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the ring binder mechanism of FIG. 35 with a portion of the housing removed to reveal internal structures;

Figure 38 is an enlarged fragmentary side view of the ring binder mechanism with the housing and hinge plates removed;

Figure 39 is an enlarged fragmentary side view similar to Figure 38, but with the handle in a first deformed position;

Figure 40 is an enlarged fragmentary side view similar to Figure 39, but with the ring binder mechanism in the open position and the control handle in the second deformed position;

41A and 41B are top plan views illustrating the pivotal movement of the lever towards the closed locked position and the simultaneous movement of the intermediate connector;

42 is a top side perspective view of the sixth embodiment of the ring binder mechanism in the closed locked position, with the lever in the first relaxed position;

Figure 43 is an exploded perspective view of the ring binder mechanism;

44 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the ring binder mechanism of FIG. 43 with a portion of the housing removed to reveal internal structures;

Figure 45 is an enlarged fragmentary side view of the ring binder mechanism with the housing and hinge plates removed;

Figure 46 is an enlarged fragmentary side view similar to Figure 45, but with the handle in a first deformed position;

Figure 47 is an enlarged fragmentary side view similar to Figure 46, but with the ring binder mechanism in the open position and the lever in the second deformed position;

48A and 48B are top plan views illustrating the pivotal movement of the lever towards the closed locked position and the simultaneous movement of the intermediate connector;

49 is a top side perspective view of the seventh embodiment of the ring binder mechanism in the closed locked position, with the lever in the first relaxed position;

Figure 50 is an exploded perspective view of the ring binder mechanism;

Fig. 51 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the ring binder mechanism of Fig. 49 with a portion of the housing removed to reveal internal structures;

Figure 52 is an enlarged fragmentary side view of the ring binder mechanism with the housing and hinge plates removed;

Figure 53 is an enlarged fragmentary side view similar to Figure 52, but with the handle in a first deformed position;

Figure 54 is an enlarged fragmentary side view similar to Figure 53, but with the ring binder mechanism in the open position and the control handle in the second deformed position;

55A and 55B are top plan views illustrating the pivotal movement of the lever towards the closed locked position and the simultaneous movement of the intermediate connector;

56 is a top side perspective view of the eighth embodiment of the ring binder mechanism in the closed locked position, with the lever in the first relaxed position;

Figure 57 is an exploded perspective view of the ring binder mechanism;

Fig. 58 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the ring binder mechanism of Fig. 56 with a portion of the housing removed to reveal internal structures;

Figure 59 is an enlarged partial side view of the ring binder mechanism with the housing and hinge plates removed;

Figure 60 is an enlarged fragmentary side view similar to Figure 59, but with the handle in a first deformed position;

Figure 61 is an enlarged fragmentary side view similar to Figure 60, but with the ring binder mechanism in the open position and the lever in the second deformed position;

62A and 62B are top plan views showing the pivotal movement of the lever towards the closed locked position and the simultaneous movement of the intermediate connector;

63 is a top perspective view of the ninth embodiment of the ring binder mechanism in the closed locked position, with the lever in the first relaxed position;

Figure 64 is an exploded perspective view of the ring binder mechanism;

Figure 65 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the ring binder mechanism of Figure 63 with a portion of the housing removed to reveal the internal structure;

Figure 66 is an enlarged partial side view of the ring binder mechanism with the housing and hinge plates removed;

Figure 67 is an enlarged fragmentary side view similar to Figure 66, but with the handle in a first deformed position;

Figure 68 is an enlarged fragmentary side view similar to Figure 67, but with the ring binder mechanism in the open position and the lever in the second deformed position;

69A and 69B are top plan views illustrating the pivotal movement of the lever towards the closed locked position and the simultaneous movement of the intermediate connector;

70 is a top side perspective view of the tenth embodiment of the ring binder mechanism in the closed locked position, with the lever in the first relaxed position;

Figure 71 is an exploded perspective view of the ring binder mechanism;

Figure 72 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the ring binder mechanism of Figure 70 with a portion of the housing removed to reveal the internal structure;

Figure 73 is an enlarged partial side view of the ring binder mechanism with the housing and hinge plates removed;

Figure 74 is an enlarged fragmentary side view similar to Figure 73, but with the handle in a first deformed position;

Figure 75 is an enlarged fragmentary side view similar to Figure 74, but with the ring binder mechanism in the open position and the control handle in the second deformed position;

76A and 76B are top plan views showing the pivotal movement of the lever towards the closed locked position and the simultaneous movement of the intermediate connector;

77 is a top side perspective view of the eleventh embodiment of the ring binder mechanism in the closed locked position, with the lever in the first relaxed position;

Figure 78 is an exploded perspective view of the ring binder mechanism;

Fig. 79 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the ring binder mechanism of Fig. 77 with a portion of the housing removed to reveal internal structures;

Figure 80 is an enlarged partial side view of the ring binder mechanism with the housing and hinge plates removed;

Figure 81 is an enlarged fragmentary side view similar to Figure 80, but with the handle in a first deformed position;

Figure 82 is an enlarged fragmentary side view similar to Figure 81, but with the ring binder mechanism in the open position and the control handle in the second deformed position;

83A and 83B are enlarged perspective views showing the pivotal movement of the lever towards the closed locked position and the simultaneous movement of the intermediate connector;

Figure 84 is a top side perspective view of the twelfth embodiment of the ring binder mechanism in the closed locked position, with the lever in the first relaxed position;

Figure 85 is an exploded perspective view of the ring binder mechanism;

Fig. 86 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the ring binder mechanism of Fig. 84 with a portion of the housing removed to reveal internal structures;

Figure 87 is an enlarged fragmentary side view of the ring binder mechanism with the housing and hinge plates removed;

Figure 88 is an enlarged fragmentary side view similar to Figure 87, but with the handle in a first deformed position;

Figure 89 is an enlarged fragmentary side view similar to Figure 88, but with the ring binder mechanism in the open position and the control handle in the second deformed position;

90A and 90B are enlarged perspective views showing the pivotal movement of the lever towards the closed locked position and the simultaneous movement of the intermediate connector; and

Figure 91 is an exploded perspective view of a ring binder mechanism having a thirteenth embodiment.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.

Detailed ways

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

As shown in FIG. 1 , housing 11 supports three rings (each shown at 13 ) and a control handle (broadly, the "actuator", shown at 15 ). Ring 13 holds loose-leaf pages on ring binder mechanism 1 within notebook 3, while lever 15 opens and closes the ring for adding or removing paper. Referring now also to Figures 2 and 3, the housing 11 is in the shape of an elongated rectangle having a uniform generally arcuate cross-section with a generally flat flat top 17 at its centre. A first longitudinal end 10 (right side in FIG. 3 ) of the housing 11 is generally open and an opposite second longitudinal end 12 (left side in FIG. 3 ) is generally closed. The bent bottom edge 21 ( FIG. 4 ) extends longitudinally along the longitudinal edge of the housing 11 from the first longitudinal end 10 to the second longitudinal end 12 of the housing. Mechanisms having housings of other shapes, including irregular shapes, or housings that are integral to 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 and are each circular in shape (eg FIG. 2 ). As shown in Figure 3, each ring 13 comprises two generally semi-circular ring members 23a, 23b made of a conventional cylindrical rod of suitable material such as steel. The ring members 23a, 23b include free ends 25a, 25b, respectively, formed to prevent lateral misalignment (relative to the longitudinal axis of the ring members) of the ring members when the ring members are closed together (see FIG. 2). 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. 3, the ring binder mechanism 1 includes two substantially identical hinge plates (broadly, "ring supports") 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 corresponding cutouts 29a-d are formed in each hinge plate 27a, 27b along the inner edge of the hinge plate. The fingers 31 extend longitudinally (ie, to the right in FIG. 3 ) away from the first end of each hinge plate 27a, 27b. The fingers 31 are narrower in width than the respective hinge plates 27a, 27b and they are positioned with their inner longitudinal edges generally aligned with the inner longitudinal edges of the hinge plates. The purpose of the cutouts 29a-d and the fingers 31 will be described below. The control handle 15 and hinge plates 27a, 27b are broadly referred to as an "actuation system".

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the handle 15 includes a handle 33, a body 35 mounted on the handle, and an upper lip 36 and a lower lip 37 mounted on the body. The handle 33 is sized and shaped to facilitate gripping the handle 15 and applying force to move the handle. In the illustrated ring binder mechanism 1, the body 35 is integral with the handle 33 so as to move substantially therewith. In fact, the entire handle 15 is formed in one piece. The various components of the handle 15 can be made separately and attached thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Referring again to FIG. 3 , the ring binder mechanism 1 includes an elongated travel rod 45 . The travel bar includes a mounting slot 47 at the first end (right side in FIG. 3 ) and three locking elements 49 along the bottom surface. The mounting slot 47 on the travel bar 45 has a narrower portion 47a near the end of the travel bar and a wider portion 47b inside the end. The locking elements 49 are spaced longitudinally along the travel bar 45, with one locking member near each longitudinal end of the travel bar and one locking member located near the center of the travel bar. The travel bar 45 may have other shapes or more or less than three locking elements within the scope of the present invention. The travel bar and locking element can be broadly referred to as a "locking system".

The locking elements 49 of the illustrated travel bar 45 are substantially identical in shape. As shown in FIG. 6 , each locking element 49 includes a narrow flat bottom 53 , a sloped front edge 55 , and a rear edge 56 . In the illustrated embodiment, each locking element 49 is substantially wedge-shaped. The angled edge 55 of the locking member 49 can engage the hinge plates 27a, 27b, thereby facilitating the downward pivoting of the hinge plates. In the illustrated embodiment, the locking element 49 is integrally formed with the travel bar 45, for example by a molding process. However, the locking element 49 can also be formed separately from the travel rod 45 and mounted on the travel rod without departing from the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, locking elements having different shapes, such as blocks, (eg, without beveled edges) are also within the scope of the present invention.

The ring binder mechanism 1 in assembled form will now be described with reference to Figures 4-6, wherein the mechanism is shown with the ring members 23a, 23b in the closed position and the lever 15 in the upright position. As shown in FIG. 4 , the lever 15 is pivotally mounted to the first, open end of the housing 11 by a lever frame 57 having a mounting arm 59 . A mounting opening (not shown) on each mounting arm 59 aligns with the channel 41 on the lever 15 . At least one hinge pin 61 passes through aligned opening 60 and channel 41 to pivotally mount control handle 15 to housing 11 . The illustrated construction uses two hinge pins 61 to mount the control handle 15 . The lever bracket 57 is shown as being integral with the housing 11, but it could be formed separately from and attached to the housing without departing from the scope of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 5 , the moving rod 45 is disposed in the housing 11 below the flat top 17 of the housing. The travel bar 45 extends in the longitudinal direction of the housing 11, extending the locking element 49 towards the hinge plates 27a, 27b, substantially in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis LA of the housing (Fig. 2). Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 , the travel rod 45 is operatively connected to the control handle 15 through an intermediate connector 67 . In this embodiment, the intermediate connector 67 is shown as a flat, elongated plate having a U-shaped cutout 69 at a first end and an elongated protrusion 71 at a second end. The first end of the intermediate connector includes two parallel spaced apart free ends 73 shaped to fit on opposite sides of the upper lip 36 of the lever 15 and secured thereto by a hinge pin 75 to form a pivot. to connect. The protrusion 71 has a relatively large narrow neck 77 and a wide head 79 at the free end of the neck. The protrusion 71 fits in the mounting groove 47 of the travel rod 45 such that the neck 77 extends through the narrower portion 47a and the head 79 is accommodated in the wider portion 47b. The wider portion 47b of the mounting groove 47 is longer than the head 79 of the protruding portion 71 of the intermediate connector 67 so that the protruding portion has a space to linearly move relative to the moving rod 45 in the longitudinal direction. The protrusion 71 operatively secures the intermediate connector 67 to the travel bar 45 such that the protrusion can pull the travel bar. The protrusion 71 also allows the intermediate connector 67 to pivot relative to the travel bar 45 to accommodate the slight vertical movement of the intermediate connector that occurs when the lever 15 is pivoted.

As shown in Figures 4, 7 and 10, the hinge plates 27a, 27b are interconnected along their lateral inner edges in a parallel arrangement forming a central hinge 81 having a pivot axis. This is accomplished in a conventional manner known in the art. The hinge plates 27a, 27b can pivot upward and downward about a hinge 81 as will be described. The four cutouts 29a-d (FIG. 3) on each of the two separate hinge plates 27a, 27b align to form four openings 29a-d (FIG. 4) 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 fit loosely behind the bent bottom edge 21 of the housing 11 to allow the hinge plates to move within said bottom edge as they pivot. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the fingers 31 of the hinge plates 27a, 27b extend between the lower lip 37 and the upper lip 36 of the lever 15 so that the lower surface of the hinge plates can be engaged by the lower lip and hinged. The upper surfaces of the plates 27a, 27b may be engaged by upper lips. A spring 85 (broadly referred to as a "biasing member") is connected to the hinge plates 27a, 27b at hooks 87 (FIG. 4) located along the inner edges of the hinge plates, and at a detent (not shown) of the travel bar. Connected to the travel rod 45. The bias provided by the spring 85 urges the travel lever 45 to move away from the lever 15 (ie, toward the locked position). This brings the head 79 of the protrusion 71 of the intermediate connector 67 against the outer end of the wider portion 47b of the mounting slot 47 of the travel bar 45 and keeps the lever 15 in the upright position.

As shown in FIG. 3, the ring members 23a, 23b are respectively mounted on the upper surface of a corresponding one of the hinge plates 27a, 27b in a substantially opposite manner so that the free ends 25a, 25b face each other. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the ring members 23a, 23b extend through respective openings 89 along the sides of the housing 11 so that the free ends 25a, 25b of the ring members can engage above the housing. As is known in the art, the ring members 23a, 23b are rigidly connected to the hinge plates 27a, 27b and move with the hinge plates 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 pivotal movement of the hinge plates, each A mechanism in which each ring has a movable ring part and a fixed ring part (e.g. where only one of the ring parts of each ring is mounted on a hinged plate and the other ring part is mounted on, for example, a housing) does not depart from the scope of the invention. physical body).

As shown in FIG. 4, two mounting posts 91a, 91b (see FIG. 3) are fixed on the illustrated ring binder mechanism 1 to mount the ring binder mechanism 1 on, for example, a notebook 3 in any suitable manner (for example, FIG. 1). The posts 91a, 91b are mounted on the housing 11 at mounting post openings 93a, 93b (FIG. 3) of the flat top 17 disposed towards the longitudinal ends 10, 12 of the housing. One of the two mounting posts 91b (the right side of FIG. 4 ) passes through the U-shaped cutout 69 of the intermediate connector 67, through an opening 29d in the interconnected hinge plates 27a, 27b, and through the two One of the mounting post openings 93b extends. Another mounting post 91a extends through one opening 29a in the interconnected hinge plates 27a, 27b and through another mounting post opening 93a in the housing 11 . The travel bar 45 terminates near the second longitudinal end 12 of the housing 11 before it reaches the mounting post 91a.

As shown in Figure 3, two elongated openings 95 extend through the travel bar 45 and are aligned with two rivet openings 97 in the flat top 17 of the housing. Notched rivets 99 are secured to the flat top 17 of the housing at rivet openings 97 and extend through corresponding elongated openings 95 of the travel bar 45 to support the travel bar 45 vertically within the housing 11 so as to be relative to Shell movement. The travel bar 45 fits in the groove of the rivet 99 , allowing the travel bar to slide longitudinally in translation of the housing 11 .

The operation of the ring binder mechanism of this embodiment will now be described. Figures 4-6 show the mechanism 1 in the closed locked position, with the control handle 15 in the upright position. To unlock the ring binder mechanism 1 and open the ring members 23a, 23b, the operator pivots the lever 15 outwards and downwards (clockwise as indicated by the arrows in Figure 8). The lower lip 37 of the lever 15 is initially spaced from the lower surface of the hinge plates 27a, 27b (FIG. 6). This provides time for the upper lip 36 of the lever 15 to pull the intermediate connector 67, which simultaneously pulls the travel bar 45, causing the locking element 49 to move towards the lever 15 and engage the hinge before the upper lip engages the hinge plate. The openings 29a, 29b, 29c in the plates 27a, 27b are aligned. The spring 85 extends and tends to force the travel bar 45 and locking member 49 back to the locked position, so that the locking member is behind the hinge plates 27a, 27b. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the lower lip 37 of the lever 15 then moves into engagement with the lower surfaces of the hinge plates 27a, 27b (only one hinge plate is shown in Figure 8) and begins to push them upward toward The flat top 17 of the housing. Once the hinge plates 27a, 27b pass the co-planar position, the spring force of the housing 11 causes the hinge plates to pivot sufficiently upward past the locking member 49 and the ring members 23a, 23b open, as shown in Figs. 9-11. The elongated spring 85 springs back slightly and forces the locking member 49 against the front edge of the opening 29a, 29b, 29c of the hinge plates 27a, 27b. The spring 85 is still tensioned, but the locking member 49 remains in the opening 29a, 29b, 29c because the spring force of the housing 11 blocks the downward movement of the hinge plates 27a, 27b.

To close the ring members 23a, 23b and return the mechanism 1 to the locked position, the operator pivots the lever upwards and inwards, as indicated by the arrows in Figure 12A. The upper lip 36 of the lever 15 pushes the intermediate connector 67 forward. The head 79 on the protrusion 71 of the intermediate connector 67 moves within the wider portion 47b of the mounting groove 47 of the moving rod 45 from the outer end of the groove to the inner end of the groove. The travel rod 45 does not move with the control handle 15, but the head 79 of the protrusion 71 moves within the mounting groove 47 (FIG. 13A). As the lever 15 continues to pivot, the upper lip 36 of the lever 15 moves into engagement with the upper surfaces of the hinge plates 27a, 27b and pivots them down past the coplanar position, opening the ring members 23a, 23b.

As soon as the hinge plates 27a, 27b clear the underside of the locking member 49, the tension spring 85 pulls the travel bar 45 and moves it and the locking member back to the locked position, so that the locking member is behind the hinge plate. The travel bar 45 is moved a short distance relative to the intermediate connector 67 until the head 79 of the protrusion 71 again contacts the outer end of the wider portion 47b of the mounting slot 47 of the travel bar 45 (FIG. 13B). The travel rod 45 then pulls the intermediate connector 67 and the control handle 15 and returns the control handle to its upright position (Fig. 12B).

In this embodiment, the lower lip 37 of the lever 15 is spaced from the lower surface of the hinge plates 27a, 27b when the ring members 23a, 23b are closed. This provides the pivot space for the lower lip 37 to draw the locking member 49 from the locked position behind the hinge plates 27a, 27b to the openings 29a, 29b of the hinge plates before starting to pivot the hinge plates upwards. 29c aligned unlocked position.

Also, in this embodiment, the intermediate connector 67 and travel bar 45 are formed such that the travel bar slidably receives the protrusion 71 of the intermediate connector, allowing the connector to move in a linear direction relative to the travel bar along the longitudinal axis of the travel bar. . The intermediate connector 67 is initially positioned relative to the travel bar 45 such that opening movement of the lever 15 pulls the intermediate connector while simultaneously moving the travel bar and locking element 49 towards the lever and out of the locked position. The intermediate connector 67 can then be moved relative to the travel bar 45 such that closing movement of the lever 15 pushes the intermediate connector but initially does not move the travel bar 45 . Alternatively, the intermediate connector 67 is moved relative to the travel bar 45 so that the lever 15 can first pivot the hinge plates 27a, 27b downwards to close the ring members 23a, 23b. The spring 85 then pulls the travel bar 45 and locking element 49 to the locked position, which in turn pulls the control handle 15 to the upright position.

14-20B illustrate a second embodiment of the ring binder mechanism 101 in which the intermediate connector 167 includes a pair of wires 167a, 167b bent into an elongated, generally semi-rectangular shape. Each wire 167a, 167b is connected to the lever 115 at the opening 116 in the upper lip 136 of the lever and to the travel rod 145 at an elongated opening 147a, 147b in the mounting slot 147 of the travel rod. The elongated openings 147a, 147b secure the wires 167a, 167b to the travel bar 145, but still allow movement of the wires relative to the travel bar in a linear direction along the travel bar's longitudinal axis.

The operation of this embodiment is substantially the same as the previously described embodiment shown in Figures 1-13B. When the ring members 123a, 123b are in the closed position, the wires 167a, 167b are located at the rear ends of the elongated openings 147a, 147b of the mounting slot 147 on the travel bar 145 (FIGS. 16, 17, and 20B). When the lever 115 is pivoted to open the ring members 123a, 123b (FIG. 18), the wires 167a, 167b immediately pull the travel bar 145 and the locking member 149 from the locked position behind the hinge plates 127a, 127b to align with the hinge plates. The openings 129a, 129b, 129c are aligned in the unlocked position (FIG. 19). When the lever 115 is pivoted to close the ring members 123a, 123b (FIG. 20A), the wires 167a, 167b move forwardly within the elongated openings 147a, 147b relative to the travel bar 145. When hinge plates 127a, 127b pivot downward and over locking member 149, tension spring 185 (broadly, "biasing member") forces travel bar 145 and locking member 149 back to the locked position, causing the locking The element is located behind the hinge plate.

21-27B illustrate a third embodiment of the ring binder mechanism 201 in which the intermediate connector 267 includes a cup 279 and a wire 267a with an enlarged head 267b. The wire 267a is connected to the handle 215 at the opening 216 on the side of the upper lip 236 of the handle. The cup portion 279 is located in the wider portion 247 b of the mounting groove 247 of the moving rod 245 . The narrower portion 247a of the mounting slot 247 accommodates the wire 267a passing therethrough and into the wider portion 247b so that the enlarged head 267b is located in the cup 279 when the ring members 223a, 223b are closed (FIGS. 24 and 279). 27B). The wire 267a is crimped behind the cup 279, securing the cup to the wire. As a result, the cup 279 moves with the wire 267a.

Operation remains essentially the same as in the previously described embodiment. When lever 215 is pivoted to open ring members 223a, 223b (FIG. 25), wire 267a immediately pulls cup 279 and travel bar 245 and moves locking element 249 of the travel bar to the unlocked position. When the lever 215 is pivoted to close the ring members 223a, 223b, the wire 267a and cup 279 move inwardly relative to the travel bar 245 (FIG. 27A). Once the hinge plates 227a, 227b of the mounting ring members 223a, 223b are pivoted downward and over the locking member 249, the tension spring 285 (broadly, the “biasing member”) forces the travel bar 245 and locking member back to the locked position. Location.

28-34B illustrate a fourth embodiment of the ring binder mechanism 301 in which the intermediate connector 367 includes a wire 371 bent to form a pair of spaced-apart loop portions 371a, 371b (broadly, “stops”). . The wire 371 is connected to the handle 315 at the opening 316 on the side of the upper lip 336 of the handle. The first collar portion 371a is located in the wider portion 347b of the installation groove 347 of the moving rod 345, and the second collar portion 371b is outside the installation groove. More specifically, the second collar portion 371b is located near the end of the moving rod 345 . As a result, a portion of the moving rod 345 between its end and the mounting groove 347 is caught by the collar portions 371a, 371b, thereby fixing the intermediate connector 367 to the moving rod. When the ring members 323a, 323b are closed, the first collar portion 371a within the mounting groove 347 is located near the outer end of the mounting groove (Figs. 30, 31 and 34B). Operation remains essentially the same as in the previously described embodiment. When the lever 315 is pivoted to open the ring members 323a, 323b, the end loop portion 371a of the wire 371 simultaneously pulls the travel bar 345, moving the locking member 349 to the unlocked position (Figs. 32 and 33). When the lever 315 is pivoted to close the loop members 323a, 323b, the loop portion 371a of the wire 371 moves forward within the mounting slot 347 relative to the travel bar 345 (FIG. 34A). Once hinge plates 327a, 327b pivot down and over locking element 349, tension spring 385 (broadly, "biasing member") forces travel bar 345 and locking element 349 back to the locked position (Figs. 30 and 31 ).

35-41B illustrate a ring binder mechanism 401 of a fifth embodiment. The mechanism 401 of this embodiment is similar to the previously described embodiments with the following exceptions. As shown in FIG. 35, the ring members 423a, 423b of this embodiment cooperate to form a ring 413 that has a sloped D-shape when closed. As shown in FIG. 36, the intermediate connector 467 of this embodiment is a wire bent into an elongated, generally rectangular shape. The first end of the intermediate connector 467 is open and includes two free ends 467a that fit within the opening 416 on the upper lip 436 of the lever 415 to form a pivotal connection. The second, closed end of the intermediate connector 467 is narrowed and includes a downwardly bent end 467b that fits within the mounting slot 447 of the travel bar 445 . Bent end 467b secures intermediate connector 467 to travel bar 445 within mounting slot 447, thereby pulling the travel bar while still allowing the intermediate connector to move in a linear direction relative to the travel bar along its longitudinal axis. The bent end 467b is located near the inner end of the mounting slot 447 when the ring member is closed (Figs. 37 and 38). The mounting slot 447 is generally U-shaped with a "U" arm receiving a corresponding portion of the bent end 467b of the intermediate connector 467 . The bent end 467b also allows the intermediate connector 467 to pivot relative to the travel bar 445 to accommodate the slight vertical movement of the intermediate connector that occurs when the lever 415 is pivoted.

As can be seen with reference to FIGS. 36 and 37 , two compression springs 485 (broadly, “biasing members”) are located on the region of the narrowed portion 467c of the intermediate connector 467 . When the intermediate connector 467 is connected to the travel rod 445, the spring 485 is located between the end of the travel rod and the shoulder 467d of the intermediate connector. The bias of spring 485 urges travel bar 445 away from lever 415 and intermediate connector 467 . This causes the bent end 467b of the intermediate connector 467 to rest against the outer end of the mounting slot 447 of the travel bar 445 when the ring members 423a, 423b are closed (Figs. 37 and 38).

The operation of the mechanism 401 of this embodiment is also substantially similar to that described for the embodiments provided above. Figures 37 and 38 show the mechanism 401 in the closed locked position with the lever 415 in the upright position. To unlock the ring binder mechanism 401 and open the ring members 423a, 423b, the operator pivots the lever 415 outward and downward (clockwise as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 39). As shown in Figure 39, the lower lip 437 of the lever 415 contacts the lower surface of the hinge plates 427a, 427b and immediately pushes up on the hinge plates causing them to flex upward at the end adjacent the lever. The hinge plates 427a, 427b flex because the locking element 449 remains behind the hinge plates, blocking upward movement of the hinge plates. The upward deflection of the hinge plates 427a, 427b allows the upper lip 436 to pull the intermediate connector 467 and travel bar 445 and move the locking member 449 from behind the hinge plates into alignment with the openings 429a, 429b, 429c in the hinge plates 427a, 427b . The lower lip 437 of the lever 415 pushes the hinge plates 427a, 427b into a coplanar position, at which point the housing's spring force causes them to pivot fully upward past the locking member 449, and the ring members 423a, 423b open, as shown in FIG. Show.

To close the ring members 423a, 423b and return the mechanism 401 to the locked position, the operator pivots the lever 415 upward and inward, as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 40 . Upper lip 436 of lever 415 pushes intermediate connector 467 forward. The bent end 467b of the intermediate connector 467 moves within the mounting groove 447 of the moving rod 445 from the outer end of the mounting groove toward the front end of the groove (FIG. 41A). Compression spring 485 compresses between shoulder 467d of intermediate connector 467 and the outer end of travel bar 445, pushing the travel bar forward. However, the travel bar 445 blocks this movement because the locking elements 449 are located within the openings 429a, 429b, 429c of the hinge plates 427a, 427b against the edges of the hinge plates. As the lever 415 continues to pivot, the upper lip 436 moves into engagement with the upper surfaces of the hinge plates 427a, 427b and pivots them down past the coplanar position, opening the ring members 423a, 423b. As soon as the hinge plates 427a, 427b clear the bottom surface of the locking member 449, they move into engagement with the lower lip 437 of the lever 415, moving it to its upright position. The compression spring 485 then forces the travel bar 445 and locking member 449 back to the locked position, placing the locking member behind the hinge plates 427a, 427b. The moving rod 445 moves until the bent end 467b of the intermediate connector 467 moves back into contact with the outer end of the mounting groove 447 of the moving rod (FIG. 41B). The reaction surface against which the compression spring 485 pushes is the shoulder 467d of the intermediate connector 467, which are held in place by the lever 415 in the upright position. The lever 415 is held in its upright position by hinge plates 427a, 427b in contact with the lower lip 437 of the lever.

42-48B show a sixth embodiment of the ring binder mechanism 501 that is substantially similar to the fifth embodiment (FIGS. 35-41B ), except that a single compression spring 585 (broadly, a "biasing member") is located in the middle connection On the narrowed second end of device 567.

49-55B show a seventh embodiment of a ring binder mechanism 601 in which a single compression spring 685 (broadly, a "biasing member") is located inside the bent end 667b of the narrowed second end of the intermediate connector 667. The spring 685 is located in the mounting slot 647 of the travel bar 645, between the bent end 667b of the intermediate connector 667 and the front end of the mounting slot (FIGS. 51 and 52). When the lever 615 is pivoted to open the ring members 623a, 623b, the intermediate connector 667 simultaneously pulls the travel bar 645 and moves the locking member 649 to the unlocked position (FIG. 53). As the lever 615 pivots to close the ring members 623a, 623b, the intermediate connector 667 moves forward relative to the travel bar 645 and compresses the compression spring 685 within the mounting slot 647 (Figs. 54 and 55A). Once the hinge plates 627a, 627b pivot down and over the locking member 649, the lever 615 moves to the upright position and the compression spring 685 pushes the travel bar 645 and locking member 649 to the locked position (FIGS. 52 and 55B) .

56-62B show an eighth embodiment of a ring binder mechanism 701 that is substantially similar to the fifth, sixth and seventh embodiments. However, in this embodiment, when the ring members 723a, 723b are closed, a plurality of springs 785a, 785b (broadly, "biasing members") are used to urge the travel bar 745 to the locked position. Two compression springs 785b are located on the region of the narrowed end of the intermediate connector 767, between the shoulder 767d of the intermediate connector and the rear end of the travel bar 745, and a single compression spring 785a is located in front of the bent end 767b of the intermediate connector, In the mounting slot 747 of the moving rod.

63-69B show a ninth embodiment of the ring binder mechanism 801 in which two compression springs 885 (broadly, "biasing members") are located near the free end 867a of the intermediate connector 867 for when the ring member 823a , 823b forces the travel lever to the locked position when closed. More specifically, each compression spring 885 is received within an opening in the control handle 845 and is secured therein by a threaded plug 886 . Also in this embodiment, the bent end 867b of the intermediate connector 867 is received within the mounting slot 847 of the travel bar 845 and is prevented from moving relative to the travel bar. Free end 867a of intermediate connector 867 is received within elongated opening 816 on upper lip 836 of lever 815 such that the lever can be moved relative to the intermediate connector.

In this variant, the free end 867a of the intermediate connector 867 is located forward of the elongated opening 816 in the handle 815 when the ring members 823a, 823b are closed as shown in FIGS. 63 , 65 and 66 . When the lever 815 is pivoted to open the ring members 823a, 823b, the lever simultaneously pulls the intermediate connector 867 and the travel bar 845 and moves the locking member 849 to the unlocked position (Figs. 67 and 69B). When the lever 815 is pivoted to close the ring members 823a, 823b, the lever pivots but the intermediate connector 867 remains stationary (FIG. 68). Locking elements 849 are located within openings 829a, 829b, 829c in hinge plates 827a, 827b and rest against the front edges of the hinge plate openings, thereby blocking forward movement of intermediate connector 867. As the lever 815 continues to pivot, it moves relative to the intermediate connector 867 , compressing the compression spring 885 against the threaded plug 886 . The upper lip 836 of the lever 815 engages the hinge plates 827a, 827b and pivots them toward the coplanar position. Once hinge plates 827a, 827b pivot and clear locking member 849, lever 815 moves to the upright position and moves intermediate connector 867, travel bar 845 and locking member 849 to the locked position. Compression spring 885 extends and urges intermediate connector 867 to the forward end of elongated opening 816 on upper lip 836 of lever 815 . This pushes the travel bar 845 and locking element 849 into the locked position (FIG. 69A).

A tenth embodiment of a ring binder mechanism 901 is shown in FIGS. 70-76B . As shown in FIG. 71 , the mechanism 901 includes a lever 915 formed with a lower lip 937 having an I-shaped configuration 938 . As can be seen from Figure 72, when the handle 915 is mounted on the housing 911, the I-shaped structure 938 extends through a pair of hinge plates 927a, 927b such that the hinge plates are captured by the I-shaped structure on the upper protrusion 938a and the lower lip 937. As shown in FIG. 71 , the handle 915 of this embodiment also includes a pair of opposing upper arms 926 . The arms 926 receive the intermediate connector 967 as follows; the arms are not operative to engage the hinge plates 927a, 927b, or to produce pivotal movement of the hinge plates. The handle 915 does not have an upper lip as described in previous embodiments.

The travel bar 945 of this embodiment is operatively connected to the control handle 915 via an intermediate connector 967 . The intermediate connector 967 is shown bent as an elongated, generally rectangular wire. The intermediate connector 967 is open at a first end and includes two free ends 967a that fit within corresponding openings 916 of the upper arm 926 of the lever 915 to form a pivotal connection. The second, closed end 967b of the intermediate connector 967 is narrowed and fits within the elongated opening 946 of the first locking member 949 of the travel bar 945 (FIG. 73). To connect the intermediate connector 967 to the locking member 949, one of the free ends 967a of the intermediate connector is passed through the elongated opening 946, and the intermediate connector is manipulated until the closed end 967b is located within the elongated opening. The intermediate connector 967 is retained on the locking member 949 so as to allow the intermediate connector to pull the locking member and travel bar 945 toward the lever 915 while still allowing the intermediate connector to move in a direction away from the lever relative to the locking member and travel rod. Movement in the forward linear direction. The intermediate connector 967 can also pivot relative to the locking member 949 and travel bar 945 to accommodate the slight vertical movement of the intermediate connector that occurs when the lever 915 is pivoted.

As shown in Figure 72, the mechanism 901 also includes a tension spring 985 (broadly, a "biasing member") connected to the hinge plates 927a, 927b at a hook 987 along the inner edge of one of the hinge plates, and The downward protruding hook 988 on the travel rod is connected to the travel rod 945 . The bias of the spring 985 forces the travel lever 945 to move away from the lever 915 toward the locked position. This also causes the narrow end 967b of the intermediate connector 967 to rest on the outer end of the elongated opening 946 on the first locking member 949 of the travel bar 945, helping to maintain the control handle 915 in the upright position (FIG. 73).

The operation of the ring binder mechanism of this embodiment will now be described. Figures 70, 72 and 73 show the mechanism 901 in the closed locked position with the lever 915 in the upright position. To unlock the ring binder mechanisms 923a, 923b and open the ring members, the operator pivots the lever 915 outward and downward (clockwise as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 74). The lower lip 937 of the lever 915 is initially spaced from the lower surface of the hinge plates 927a, 927b (FIG. 73). This provides time for the upper arm 926 to pull the intermediate connector 967, which simultaneously pulls the travel bar 945, causing the locking element 949 to move toward the lever 915 and engage the hinge plates 927a, 927b before the lower lip 937 engages the hinge plates. The openings 929a, 929b, 929c are aligned. The spring 985 extends and tends to pull the travel bar 945 and locking member 949 back to the locked position, placing the locking member behind the hinge plates 927a, 927b. As shown in Figure 74, the lower lip 937 of the lever 915 moves into engagement with the lower surfaces of the hinge plates 927a, 927b (only one hinge plate 927a is shown) and begins to push them upward. Once the hinge plates 927a, 927b pass the co-planar position, the spring force of the housing 911 causes the hinge plates to pivot fully upward past the locking member 949 and the ring members 923a, 923b open, as shown in FIG. 75 . The spring 985 springs back slightly, causing the locking member 949 to rest against the inner edge of the opening 929a, 929b, 929c in the hinge plates 927a, 927b. The spring 985 is still tensioned, but the locking member 949 remains within the openings 929a, 929b, 929c and resists the stretching of the spring. The elastic force of the housing 911 prevents the locking member 949 from camming the hinge plates 927a, 927b downward under the action of the tension spring 985 .

To close the ring members 923a, 923b and return the mechanism 901 to the locked position, the operator pivots the lever 915 upward and inward. The upper arm 926 of the lever 915 pushes the intermediate connector 967 forward. The narrow end 967b of the intermediate connector moves within the elongated opening 946 on the first locking member 949 of the travel bar 945 from the rear end of the elongated opening towards the front end of the elongated opening (FIG. 76B). Therefore, the travel bar 945 is initially stationary. As the lever 915 continues to pivot, the upper protrusion 938a of the I-shaped structure 938 moves into engagement with the upper surfaces of the hinge plates 927a, 927b and pivots the hinge plates downward past a coplanar position, opening the ring members 923a, 923b . The angled inner edge 955 of the locking member 949 allows the travel bar 945 to move slightly as the hinge plates 927a, 927b pivot downwardly. As soon as the hinge plates 927a, 927b clear the underside of the locking member 949, the tension spring 985 pulls the travel bar 945 and returns it and the locking member to the locked position, placing the locking member behind the hinge plates. The travel bar 945 moves a short distance relative to the intermediate connector 967 until the narrow end 967b of the intermediate connector contacts the outer end of the elongated opening 946 on the travel bar 945 again. The travel rod 945 then pulls the intermediate connector 967 and the control handle 915, returning the control handle to its upright position (FIG. 73).

In this embodiment, the lower lip 937 of the lever 915 is spaced from the lower surface of the hinge plates 927a, 927b when the ring members 923a, 923b are closed. This provides room for the lower lip 937 to pivot, thereby drawing the locking member 949 from the locked position behind the hinge plates 927a, 927b to the openings 929a, 929b in the hinge plates before beginning to pivot the hinge plates upward. 929c aligned unlocked position.

Also in this embodiment, the intermediate connector 967 and the first locking member 949 of the travel bar 945 are formed such that the locking member slidably accommodates the intermediate connector, allowing the intermediate connector to move along the axis relative to the locking member and travel bar. The direction of the longitudinal axis of the rod moves in a linear direction. The intermediate connector 967 is initially positioned relative to the locking element 949 such that opening movement of the lever 915 pulls the connector while simultaneously moving the travel bar 945 and locking element toward the lever and out of the locked position. Intermediate connector 967 can then be moved relative to locking member 949 and travel bar 945 such that closing movement of lever 915 pushes the intermediate connector but initially does not move the travel bar. Alternatively, the intermediate connector 967 is moved relative to the travel bar 945 so that the lever 915 can first pivot the hinge plates 927a, 927b downward to close the ring members 923a, 923b. Spring 985 then pulls travel bar 945 and locking element 949 to the locked position, which in turn pulls lever 915 to the upright position.

It is contemplated that the handle 915 of this embodiment is made of a rigid material such as sheet metal. Other materials may be used within the scope of the present invention.

77-83B illustrate an eleventh embodiment of the ring binder mechanism 1001 in which a spring plate 1085 and a torsion spring 1086 (broadly, "biasing members") are used to move the lever 1045 and locking member 1049 toward the locked position. bias, and bias the control handle 1015 toward the upright position. The tension spring of the previous embodiment is omitted in this embodiment. Also, in this embodiment, the intermediate connector 1067 is connected to the travel bar 1045 such that the intermediate connector does not slide relative to the travel bar. Alternatively, the upper arm 1026 of the handle 1015 is formed with an elongated opening 1016 such that the intermediate connector 1067 can slide within the opening in a linear direction relative to the handle (Fig. 83B).

As shown in FIG. 78, the spring plate 1085 is U-shaped having a first arm 1085a and a second arm 1085b. The second arm 1085b includes an opening 1085c for receiving a rivet 1092 connecting the spring plate to the inside of the lever 1015 . Specifically, the spring plate 1085 is attached to the lever 1015 between the upper arms 1026 of the lever and above the lower lip 1037 . Torsion spring 1086 engages the outside of lever 1015 . In particular, the body of the spring 1086 extends around the outside of the lever 1015 . Coil 1086a on spring 1086 aligns with mounting opening 1041 on lever 1015 so that mounting pin 1061 connecting the lever to housing 1011 also connects the torsion spring to the lever. The free ends 1086b of the torsion springs 1086 are arranged to engage the underside of the housing 1011 so as to limit their movement about the axis of the mounting pin 1061 in a clockwise direction (as shown in FIG. 80 ).

In this variant, when the ring members 1023a, 1023b are closed as shown in FIGS. . The first arm 1085a of the spring plate 1085 engages the free end 1067a of the intermediate connector 1067 and forces them into this position. When the control handle 1015 is pivoted to open the ring members 1023a, 1023b, as shown by the arrow in Figure 81, the control handle simultaneously pulls the intermediate connector 1067 and the travel bar 1045 towards the control handle, and moves the locking element 1049 to the same position. The unlocked position is where the openings 1029a, 1029b, 1029c on the hinge plates 1027a, 1027b are aligned. A torsion spring 1086 extending around the outside of the control handle 1015 tensions and flexes as the control handle is moved, tending to force the control handle back to the upright position. If the control handle 1015 is released before the ring members 1023a, 1023b open and the hinge plates 1027a, 1027b pass the coplanar position, the torsion spring 1086 will push the control handle back to the upright position, thereby moving the travel bar 1045 and locking member 1049 back to the locked position. Once the ring members 1023a, 1023b are open (FIGS. 82 and 83A) and the locking elements 1049 are located in the openings 1029a, 1029b, 1029c on the hinge plates 1027a, 1027b, the locking elements are blocked by the spring force of the housing 1011 from moving the rod 1045 and the intermediate Movement of the connector 1067 (the spring force of the housing resists the camming force of the locking element that might tend to pivot the hinge plates downward). This also resists the bias of the torsion spring 1086 which tends to pivot the lever 1015 upward and inward.

When the lever 1015 is pivoted to close the ring members 1023a, 1023b, the lever swings upward and inward, but the intermediate connector 1067 remains stationary (FIG. 83B). Locking elements 1049 are located within openings 1029a, 1029b, 1029c in the upwardly pivoted hinge plates 1027a, 1027b and rest against the front edges of the hinge plate openings, blocking the forward movement of travel bar 1045 and intermediate connector 1067. As the lever 1015 continues to pivot, it moves relative to the intermediate connector 1067, which slides within the elongated opening 1016 on the upper arm 1026 of the lever. This can be seen in Figure 83B. The first arm 1085a of the spring plate 1085 is pushed towards the second arm 1085b of the spring plate by the intermediate connector 1067, and the spring plate rests against the free end 1067a of the intermediate connector 1067 to remain relatively immobile. This causes the spring plate 1085 to flex and tension. The upper protrusion 1038a of the I-shaped structure 1038 of the lever 1015 engages the hinge plates 1027a, 1027b and pivots them toward the coplanar position. The sloped inner edge 1055 of the locking element 1049 allows the travel bar 1045 to move slightly as the hinge plates 1027a, 1027b pivot downward. Once hinge plates 1027a, 1027b pivot past locking member 1049, lever 1015 moves to the upright position and moves intermediate connector 1067, travel bar 1045 and locking member 1049 to the locked position. The tensioned spring plate 1085 pushes the intermediate connector 1067 to the front of the elongated opening 1016 in the upper arm 1026, ensuring full movement of the travel bar 1045 and locking member 1049 to the locked position. At about the same time, tension spring 1086 pushes up on lever 1015, ensuring that it moves fully to the upright position.

85-90B show a ring binder mechanism 1101 having a twelfth embodiment. In this mechanism, a torsion spring 1186 (broadly, a "biasing member") is positioned such that the closed end of the spring is below a pair of hinge plates 1127a, 1127b. Free end 1186b of spring 1186 is bent inwardly and fits through elongated opening 1116 in upper arm 1126 of lever 1115 and rests on free end 1167a of intermediate connector 1167 (outside of the connector end).

When the lever 1115 is pivoted to open the pair of ring members 1123a, 1123b, the lever pulls the intermediate connector 1167 towards it (FIG. 88). The lever 1115 also pulls the free end 1186b of the spring 1186 away from the closed end of the spring, creating tension in the spring that tends to force the lever 1115 back to the upright position. As the lever 1115 pivots to close the ring members 1123a, 1123b, the intermediate connector 1167 is initially held substantially immobile by locking elements 1149 located within openings 1129a, 1129b, 1129c in the hinge plates 1127a, 1127b. As the lever 1115 continues to pivot, the lever moves relative to the intermediate connector 1167 . The free end 1167a of the intermediate connector 1167 slides toward the rear end of the elongated opening 1116 on the upper arm 1126 of the lever 1115 (FIG. 90B). The intermediate connector 1167 pushes the free end 1186b of the spring 1186 toward the outer end of the elongated opening 1116, thereby tensioning the spring. Once the hinge plates 1127a, 1127b pivot past the locking element 1149, the spring 1186 pushes the intermediate connector 1167 inwardly and pushes the travel bar 1145 and locking element 1149 into the locked position.

Figure 91 shows a thirteenth embodiment of a ring binder mechanism 1201 which is substantially the same as the twelfth embodiment of Figures 85-90B. In this embodiment, however, the handle 1215 is shaped differently and is made of a plastic material. Lever 1215 operates mechanism 1201 to open and close ring members 1223a, 1223b in substantially the same manner as previously described with respect to lever 1115 of ring binder mechanism 1101.

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

When referring to parts of a ring binder mechanism, the articles "a," "the," and "said" mean having one or more parts. The terms "comprising," "comprising," and "having" and variations thereof means inclusive, in the sense that there may be other parts than those listed. Furthermore, the use of the terms "front" and "rear" and variations of these terms, or the use of other directional and orientational terms, is 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 as a matter of fact. restrictive.

Claims (29)

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 the ring support portion of described relatively housing motion;

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 the described ring support portion, so that between closing position and open position, move with respect to described second ring component, in closing position, two ring components form continuous basically closed circuit, move to another ring component along described ring from a ring component with the loose leaf paper that allows to hold by described environmental protection, at open position, two ring components form the discontinuous loop of opening, so that take out loose leaf paper to described ring interpolation or from described ring;

Actuator, described actuator are installed on the described housing so that with respect to described housing motion, thereby the motion of described actuator pivots described ring support portion, so that described ring component is moved to open position from closing position;

Carriage release lever, described carriage release lever comprise at least one locking element and can be locked in the locked position of described closing position and described ring component can be moved to moving between the lock position of described open position at described ring component;

Intermediate connector, described intermediate connector operationally is connected in described actuator with described carriage release lever; And

Biasing member, described biasing member can engage with described intermediate connector and one of described at least carriage release lever and described actuator so that with described carriage release lever to the locked position bias voltage.

2. circular clip mechanism according to claim 1 is characterized in that described biasing member comprises spring.

3. circular clip mechanism according to claim 2 is characterized in that described spring is a helical spring.

4. circular clip mechanism according to claim 3 is characterized in that described helical spring holds the part of described intermediate connector.

5. circular clip mechanism according to claim 1 is characterized in that described biasing member comprises a plurality of springs.

6. circular clip mechanism according to claim 1 is characterized in that, described carriage release lever comprises the mounting groove of a part that is used to hold described intermediate connector.

7. circular clip mechanism according to claim 6 is characterized in that described biasing member is accommodated in the described mounting groove.

8. circular clip mechanism according to claim 1 is characterized in that described carriage release lever comprises free end, and described biasing member directly contacts with the free end of described carriage release lever.

9. circular clip mechanism according to claim 1 is characterized in that, described actuator is included at least one opening wherein, is used to hold described biasing member.

10. circular clip mechanism according to claim 9 is characterized in that, described actuating device is useful on described biasing member is remained on plug in the described opening.

11. circular clip mechanism according to claim 10 is characterized in that, described biasing member comprises torsion spring.

12. circular clip mechanism according to claim 1 is characterized in that, described ring support portion comprises pair of hinge plates.

13. 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 with respect to the ring support portion of described housing motion;

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 the described ring support portion, so that between closing position and open position, move with respect to described second ring component, in closing position, two ring components form continuous basically closed circuit, move to another ring component along described ring from a ring component with the loose leaf paper that allows to hold by described environmental protection, at open position, two ring components form the discontinuous loop of opening, so that take out loose leaf paper to described ring interpolation or from described ring;

Actuator, described actuator are installed on the described housing so that with respect to described housing motion, thereby make described ring support portion pivoting action, so that described ring component is moved to open position from closing position;

Described ring component is locked in the locking element of closing position; And

Intermediate connector, described intermediate connector operationally is connected in described actuator with described locking element;

Described actuator configurations becomes to be used for respect to described intermediate connector pivoting action, and can not move described intermediate connector.

14. circular clip mechanism according to claim 13 is characterized in that, described actuator is suitable for respect to described housing motion, so that described ring support portion pivoting action, thereby make described ring component move to closing position from open position.

15. circular clip mechanism according to claim 14 is characterized in that, described actuator is suitable for making described ring support portion to move before described locking element.

16. circular clip mechanism according to claim 15 is characterized in that, described actuator is movable so that move in described ring support portion, and simultaneously described intermediate connector keeps motionless.

17. circular clip mechanism according to claim 16 is characterized in that, described actuator comprises at least one elongated open, is used to hold the part of described intermediate connector, makes that described actuator can be with respect to described intermediate connector motion.

18. circular clip mechanism according to claim 17 is characterized in that, described actuator comprises main body and from the outward extending a pair of arm of described main body, described elongated open is formed on the described arm.

19. circular clip mechanism as claimed in claim 13 is characterized in that, also comprises the biasing member that is used for described locking element is biased into locked position.

20. circular clip mechanism as claimed in claim 19 is characterized in that, described biasing member comprises metal filate spring.

21. circular clip mechanism as claimed in claim 19 is characterized in that, described biasing member comprises the roughly latch plate of U-shaped.

22. circular clip mechanism as claimed in claim 13 is characterized in that, described ring support portion comprises pair of hinge plates.

23. 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 with respect to the ring support portion of described housing motion;

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 the described ring support portion, so that between closing position and open position, move with respect to described second ring component, in closing position, two ring components form continuous basically closed circuit, move to another ring component along described ring from a ring component with the loose leaf paper that allows to hold by described environmental protection, at open position, two ring components form the discontinuous loop of opening, so that take out loose leaf paper to described ring interpolation or from described ring;

Actuator, described actuator are installed on the described housing so that with respect to described housing motion, thereby make described ring support portion pivoting action, so that described ring component is moved to open position from closing position;

Carriage release lever, described carriage release lever comprises at least one locking element and can be locked in the locked position of closing position and described ring component can be moved to moving between the lock position of open position at described ring component, described carriage release lever comprises mounting groove, and described mounting groove has at least one narrower part and inside and described narrower part wider portion at interval on described carriage release lever;

Intermediate connector, described intermediate connector operationally is connected to described actuator with described carriage release lever, the part of described intermediate connector is caught by the wider portion of the mounting groove on the described carriage release lever, the described part of described intermediate connector can move in the wider portion of mounting groove, makes described intermediate connector to move relative to described carriage release lever.

24. circular clip mechanism as claimed in claim 23, it is characterized in that, described intermediate connector comprises first end and second end, described second end comprises neck and at the free-ended head of described neck, described head is caught by the wider portion of the mounting groove on the described carriage release lever, and described neck is held by described narrower part.

25. circular clip mechanism as claimed in claim 23 is characterized in that, described intermediate connector comprises having free-ended pair of curved wire, and the wider portion of mounting groove comprises the free-ended a pair of elongated open that is used to hold described bent wire.

26. circular clip mechanism as claimed in claim 23 is characterized in that, described intermediate connector comprises having the wire that increases head.

27. circular clip mechanism as claimed in claim 26 is characterized in that, described intermediate connector also comprises the cupule that holds described increase head wiry.

28. circular clip mechanism as claimed in claim 27 is characterized in that, described intermediate connector comprises the wire with a pair of isolated loop portions.

29. circular clip mechanism according to claim 23 is characterized in that, described ring support portion comprises pair of hinge plates.

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