GB2266866A - Interconnectable binding clips - Google Patents

Abstract

A binding clip (60, 62) for retaining one or more leaves to be bound includes projections (32, 34, 48, 50) for securing one clip to another. The binding clip comprises in cross-section a U-shaped member defining a channel (18) for the receipt of the leaves to be bound and including one or more lips (24, 26) projecting from a wall (14, 16) of the member inwardly toward the base (12) of the channel (18), one of the walls (14, 16) or the lip (24) being resiliently deformable upon insertion of said leaves to retain the leaves in the clip. <IMAGE>

Description

A BINDING CLIP The present invention relates to a binding clip for use in binding one or more leaves of paper or other sheet-like material.

It is known to provide an elongate binding clip that in cross-section comprises a substantially triangular wall having an opening at one of the vertices to define a channel for the receipt of the leaves to be bound. The binding clip is typically extruded from a resilient plastics material and finds use in the binding of small documents such as brochures, pamphlets and reports. In use the leaves to be bound are first ordered and aligned and then introduced to the opening of the binding clip and inserted into the channel. The insertion of the leaves into the channel causes those parts of the triangular wall adjacent the opening to be deformed outwardly whereupon the resilience of the plastics material causes the binding clip to grip the inserted leaves.

There are however a number of problems associated with binding clips of the above design. A first problem is that they are incapable of effectively retaining a large number of leaves while a second is that they are similarly incapable of effectively retaining a very small number of leaves.

The first of these problems arises because the insertion of too thick a document causes those parts of the triangular wall adjacent the opening to be deformed to such an extent that they flare outwardly from the base and so lose their ability to grip the leaves. The second problem arises because the insertion of only a few leaves is incapable of sufficiently deforming those parts of the wall adjacent the opening to generate a force to grip the leaves. As a result the application of known binding clips is severely limited.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a binding clip for retaining one or more leaves to be bound and including means for securing the clip to another complementary clip. This provides the advantage of enabling a large number of leaves to be bound using two or more binding clips which may then be interlocked to form a binder of the desired capacity.

Advantageously the means for securing the clip to another complementary clip is releasable.

Advantageously the binding clip is of the same configuration as the complementary clip. Preferably the binding clip includes one or more complementary interlocking formations on opposite sides of the clip, at least one pair of the complementary formations of the clip and said complementary clip preferably interlocking as a result of one being slideably received within the other. Alternatively, or in addition, at least one pair of the complementary formations of the clip and said complementary clip may interlock as a result of a snap-fit.

Where the binding clip and said complementary clip include a pair of complementary formations that interlock as a result of a snap-fit, the complementary formations of the clip and said complementary clip preferably also comprise an interlocking means that is non-releasable prior to the release of the snap-fitting formations.

Preferably the interlocking means serves to restrain relative movement between the clip and said complementary clip in a direction otherwise permitted by the snap-fitting formations. The interlocking means preferably also serves to align the clip and said complementary clip prior to inter engaging the snap-fitting formations. Preferably the interlocking means are provided toward an opening of the clip while the snap fitting formations are preferably provided toward a base of the clip.

Advantageously the binding clip may be provided with a cover engageable with the clip to overlie some or all of the spine of the leaves to be bound.

Advantageously the binding clip may be provided with an end plate engageable with the clip to overlie at right angles that part of the leaves received within the clip.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a binding clip comprising in cross-section a substantially U-shaped member defining a channel for the receipt of one or more leaves to be bound and including at least one lip projecting from a wall of the U-shaped member inwardly toward the base of the channel, at least one of the walls or the lip being resiliently deformable upon insertion of said one or more leaves to retain the leaves in the clip. This provides the advantage of enabling the binding clip to retain a very small number of leaves.

Advantageously the said at least one lip is disposed adjacent an opening of the channel.

Advantageously said at least one lip closes the channel.

Advantageously said at least one lip is formed integrally with the wall of the substantially U-shaped member.

Advantgeously the binding clip includes at least one pair of opposing lips that project inwardly toward the base of the channel from opposite walls of the substantially U-shaped member. Preferably the at least one pair of opposing lips are disposed in mutual abuttment and preferably one of said pair partially overlies the other.

Advantageously the binding clip is formed of a resilient plastics material.

Advantageously the binding clip is formed in an extrusion process.

Advantageously the binding clip is elongate.

A number of embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a binding clip in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the binding clip of Figure 1 shown in the process of being connected to a complementary binding clip; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the binding clip of Figure 1 shown connected to a complementary binding clip; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a binding clip in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a binding clip in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a binding clip in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 1 a binding clip in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention may be seen to comprise in cross-section a substantially U-shaped member 10 including a base 12 and two substantially parallel, upwardly-directed side walls 14 and 16, the member 10 defining a channel 18 having an opening 20 remote from the base 12.

Within the channel 18 and adjacent the opening 20 there is provided on an inner surface 22 of one of the side walls 14 a first inwardly-directed resilient lip 24 that projects generally downwardly toward the base 12. A second shorter inwardly-directed lip 26 is provided on an inner surface 28 of the other of the two side walls 16. Like the first lip 24, the shorter lip 26 is also formed of a resilient material, is disposed adjacent the opening 20 and projects downwardly toward the base 12. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1 the opposing lips 24 and 26 are disposed so as to abutt each other and thereby close the channel 18 with the shorter of the two lips 26 partially overlying the longer 24.

By contrast on an outer surface 30 one of the two side walls 14 is provided with two generally outwardly-directed projections 32 and 34. Of these the first 32 is disposed at an end of the wall 14 adjacent the opening 20 and comprises an outwardly-directed flange 36 that terminates in a generally downwardly-projecting rim 38. By contrast the second of the two outwardly-directed projections 34 is disposed at an end of the wall 14 adjacent the base 12 and comprises a lower surface 40 substantially flush with an outer surface 42 of the base 12 and inclined upper surface 44.

Similarly the other of the two side walls 16 is also provided on an outer surface 46 with two generally outwardly-directed projections 48 and 50.

Of these the first 48 is disposed at an end of the wall 16 remote from the base 12 but is nevertheless slightly spaced from the opening 20 and comprises an outwardly directed flange 52 that terminates in a generally upwardly-projecting rim 54. By contrast the second of the two outwardly-directed projections 50 is disposed at an end of the wall 16 close to, but nevertheless spaced from, the base 12 and comprises an inclined lower surface 56 and an upper surface 58 that projects substantially perpendicularly to the outer surface 46 of the side wall 16.

The lips 24 and 26 and projections 32,34,48 and 50 are preferably formed integrally with the substantially U-shaped member 10 and comprise a resilient plastics material such as PVC. With the appropriate choice of material the binding clip may be formed by an extrusion process enabling it to be manufactured cheaply and facilitating its supply as an elongate strip capable of extending along the entire length of the spine of the leaves to be bound.

In use the leaves to be bound are first ordered and aligned before then being introduced to the opening 20 and inserted into the channel 18. As the leaves are inserted, the two opposing lips 24 and 26 are deformed downwardly to lie adjacent the inner surface 22 or 28 of their respective side walls 14 and 16. As a result of the resilient nature of the lips 24 and 26 this deformation generates a restoring force that grips and retains the leaves within the binding clip.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the binding clip described is capable of effectively retaining a very small number of leaves and may even be used to a grip a single sheet.

It will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that whilst the binding clip has been described as having two opposing lips 24 and 26 this need not necessarily be the case. Indeed any number of lips may be provided within the channel 18 to grip leaves to be bound. Likewise, the lips need not necessarily be provided on opposing inner surfaces of the channel. Instead the two lips 24 and 26 of the present embodiment may be replaced by one or more lips that project from one or other of the inner surfaces 22 or 28 and are of sufficient length to engage the opposite side wall. It will also be apparent that the one or more lips need not be disposed adjacent the opening to the channel nor be formed integrally with the substantially U-shaped member. For example the lip or lips may instead be formed as part of an internal sleeve to be received within the channel 18.Similarly the lip or lips need not necessarily be of a resilient material since the same griping action may be achieved provided at least one or other of the side walls 14 or 16 is resiliently deformable. Finally, it will also be apparent that where there is provided a pair of opposing lips one need not necessarily overlie the other. Indeed in general the channel need not necessarily be closed by the lip or lips although it is anticipated that not doing so will have a detrimental effect on the ability of the binding clip to effectively retain very small numbers of leaves.

In order to bind together a larger number of leaves, the leaves are first divided into two or more smaller sheaves and each sheaf is then bound using one or more separate binding clips in the manner previously described. The separate binding clips are subsequently secured together to form a single binding of sufficient capacity to grip and retain the said larger number of leaves.

In order to secure together two binding clips having the configuration shown in Figure 1 the two are introduced to each other at a slight angle so that the upwardly-projecting rim 54 of a first of the binding clips 60 is received within a recess of the second 62 defined by the downwardly-projecting rim 38, the outwardly-directed flange 36 and the side wall 14. At the same time the downwardly-projecting rim 38 the second binding clip 62 is received within a recess of the first 60 defined by the upwardly-projecting rim 54, the outwardly-directed flange 52 and the side wall 16. This is the position illustrated in Figure 2.

The two binding clips 60 and 62 are then pivoted together about the interlocking projections 32 and 48 until projection 50 of the first binding clip 60 abutts projection 34 of the second binding clip 62. Continued pivotal movement of the binding clips in the same sense causes the projections 34 and 50 to snap together and assume the position shown in Figure 3 thereby securing the two binding clips together.

By securing. further binding clips to the two already secured together it is possible to bind together any desired number of leaves.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the two binding clips may be secured together by alternative means however, the above construction does possess a number of advantages.

Firstly, the means for securing the binding clips together is releasable. In order to release any two binding clips that have been snapped together a thumb nail or the like is inserted from the bases 12 between the side wall 16 of a first of the binding clips 60 and projection 34 of the second 62. This causes the two projections 34 and 50 to snap apart enabling the remaining interlocking projections 32 and 48 to be disengaged simply by relative movement of the binding clips.

Secondly, the means for securing the binding clips together is such that each binding clip may be of the same configuration. Although this clearly is not necessary, it does enable a simplification of both selection and use as well as facilitating a reduction in tooling and production costs.

Thirdly, the means for securing the binding clips together incorporates an interlocking means in the form of complementary projections 32 and 48 that cannot be released prior to the release of the snap-fitting projections 34 and 50. By disposing the interlocking means 32 and 48 toward the opening 20 of each of the channels 18, the binding clips 60 and 62, when secured together, are able to resist the lateral forces generated on opening the leaves that might otherwise tend to separate them.At the same time it is preferred to dispose the snap-fitting projections 34 and 50 toward the bases 12 since not only would these formations be less able to resist the lateral forces generated on opening the leaves if they were disposed toward the opening 20 but also by locating the snap-fitting projections 34 and 50 in this way it is possible to facilitate the deliberate release of the binding clips in the manner previously described.

Finally, the means for securing the binding clips together also incorporates a means, again the form of complementary projections 32 and 48, for aligning the clips prior to interengaging the snap-fitting projections 34 and 50.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, one of the side walls of the binding clip includes a portion 64 remote from the base 12 which is inclined with respect to the remainder of the side wall and directed inwardly toward the channel 18. At the same time the outwardly projecting rim 54 of projection 48 is disposed so as to be similarly inclined. This arrangement simiplifies the securing together of two such binding clips and in particular facilitates the interengagement of the interlocking projections 32 and 48.

In another embodiment shown in Figure 5 the means for securing the binding clips together comprises two complementary formations 66 and 68 disposed on opposite sides of each clip. The complementary formations, which in the illustrated embodiment take the form of a projecting rib and groove, are interlocked as a result of one slideably engaging the other. However, in an alternative arrangement the complementary formations may be shaped so as to interlock as a result of a snap-fit.

Clearly the number and shape of the complementary formations provided on opposite sides of a binding clip may be varied. This is illustrated in Figue 6 in which there is shown a binding clip where the means for securing the binding clip to another complementary clip comprises two pairs of complementary formations 70 and 72 and 74 and 76. As with the binding clip shown in Figure 5, the complementary formations interlock when the projecting ribs 72 and 76 of one clip are received within the grooves 70 and 74 of a complementary clip.

As with the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the means for securing together each of the binding clips illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 possess the advantages of being releasable as well as being such as to enable complementary binding clips to be of the same configuration.

With each of the foregoing embodiments a cover may be provided that engages with the or each binding clip and overlies some or all of the spine of the leaves to be bound. The cover may incorporate a region in which the leaves gripped by the binder may be identified. Similarly one or more end plates may be provided to engage the or each binding clip and overlie at right angles that part of the leaves received within the binder.

Claims (24)

1. A binding clip for retaining one or more leaves to be bound and including means for securing the clip to another complementary clip.

2. A binding clip in accordance with claim 1, wherein said securing means is releasable.

3. A binding clip in accordance with claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the binding clip is of the same configuration as said complementary clip.

4. A binding clip in accordance with claim 3 and including one or more complementary interlocking formations on opposite sides of the clip.

5. A binding clip in accordance with claim 4, wherein at least one pair of the complementary formations of the clip and said complementary clip interlock as a result of one being slidably received within the other.

6. A binding clip in accordance with claim 4 or claim 5, wherein at least one pair of the complementary formations of the clip and said complementary clip interlock as a result of a snap-fit.

7. A binding clip in accordance with claim 6, wherein the complementary formations of the clip and said complementary clip comprise an interlocking means, the interlocking means being non-releasable prior to the release of said snap-fitting formations.

8. A binding clip in accordance with claim 7, wherein said interlocking means serves to restrain relative movement between the clip and said complementary clip in a direction permitted by said snap-fitting formations.

9. A binding clip in accordance with claim 7 or claim 8, wherein said interlocking means serves to align the clip and said complementary clip prior to interengaging said snap-fitting formations.

10. A binding clip in accordance with any of claims 7 to 9, wherein said interlocking means is provided toward an opening of the clip.

11. A binding clip in accordance with any of claims 6 to 10, wherein said snap-fitting formations are provided toward a base of the clip.

12. A binding clip in accordance with any preceding claim and including a cover engagable with the clip to overlie some or all of the spine of the leaves to be bound.

13. A binding clip in accordance with any preceding claim and including an end plate engagable with the clip to overlie at right angles that part of the leaf or leaves received by the clip.

14. A binding clip comprising in cross-section a substantially U-shaped member defining a channel for the receipt of one or more leaves to be bound and including at least one lip projecting from a wall of the U-shaped member inwardly toward the base of the channel, at least one of the walls or the lip being resiliently deformable upon insertion of said one or more leaves to retain the leaves in the clip.

15. A binding clip in accordance with claim 14, wherein said at least one lip is disposed adjacent an opening of the channel.

16. A binding clip in accordance with claim 14 or claim 15, wherein said at least one lip closes the channel.

17. A binding clip in accordance with any of claims 14 to 16, wherein said at least one lip is formed integrally with said wall of the substantially U-shaped member.

18. A binding clip in accordance with any of claims 14 to 17 and including at least one pair of opposing lips that project inwardly toward the base of the channel from opposite walls of the substantially U-shaped member.

19. A binding clip in accordance with claim 18, wherein said pair of opposing lips are disposed in mutual abutment.

20. A binding clip in accordance with claim 18 or claim 19, wherein one of said pair of opposing lips partially overlies the other.

21. A binding clip in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein the clip is formed of a resilient plastics material.

22. A binding clip in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein the clip is formed in an extrusion process.

23. A binding clip in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein the clip is elongate.

24. A binding clip substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.