HK1011330A - A ring binder - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to a ring binder, and in particular a ring binder adapted to be secured by at least one engagement means to a cover.

Conventionally, a ring binder is securable to a cover by at least one rivet having a head portion for engagement with the cover and a tail portion which is deformable to engage a recess in the upper part of the ring binder.

A disadvantage associated with such an arrangement is that the ring binder may wobble relative to the cover such that the connection(s) therebetween may be loosened.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a ring binder in which the aforesaid shortcoming is mitigated.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a ring binder adapted to be secured to a base member, which ring binder comprises a substantially rigid upper structure supporting a pivotable lower structure to which a plurality of ring members are mounted characterized in that the upper structure comprises two ends, each of which includes at least one securing means and wherein the part where the securing means joins the upper structure is substantially surrounded.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a ring binder adapted to be secured to a base member, which ring binder comprises a substantially rigid upper structure supporting a pivotable lower structure to which a plurality of ring members are mounted characterized in that at least part of the upper structure on both sides of the longitudinal axis of the ring binder near, at or adjacent the extremities of the upper structure is adapted to abut the base member.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

• Fig. 1 shows a top perspective view of a first embodiment of a ring binder according to the present invention;
• Fig. 2 shows a bottom perspective view of the ring binder shown in Fig. 1;
• Fig. 3 shows a top view of the ring binder shown in Fig. 1 with rings removed;
• Fig. 4 shows a sectional view along the line A-A of the ring binder shown in Fig. 3;
• Fig. 5 shows a partial bottom perspective view of the upper structure of the ring binder shown in Fig. 1;
• Fig. 6 shows a sectional view along the line B-B of the ring binder shown in Fig. 3 with rings and as secured to a cover;
• Fig. 7 shows a top perspective view of a second embodiment of a ring binder according to the present invention;
• Fig. 8 shows a bottom perspective view of the ring binder shown in Fig. 7;
• Fig. 9 shows a top view of the ring binder shown in Fig. 7;
• Fig. 10 shows a partial bottom perspective view of the upper structure of the ring binder shown in Fig. 7; and
• Fig. 11 shows a sectional view along the line C-C of the ring binder shown in Fig. 9 with rings and as secured to a cover.

Figs. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of a ring binder according to the present invention generally designated as 100. The ring binder 100 includes a substantially rigid upper plate member 102 supporting a pair of lower plates 104a and 104b. The lower plates 104a and 104b are pivotally movable relative to each other to enable rings 106 to be selectively opened or closed in the conventional manner. At each end of the upper plate member 102 are two sets of claws 108. Around each pair of sets of claws 108 are a slanted slope 110 and an outer ridge 112. Both the slanted slope 110 and outer ridge 112 are formed integrally with the upper plate member 102.

As shown more clearly in Figs. 3 to 6, each set of claws 108 are arranged along the periphery of a hole 114. When the ring binder 100 is secured to, e.g, a cardboard cover 116 (see Fig. 6), the claws 108 are pressed into the cover 116 and splayed out to strengthen the connection between the ring binder 100 and the cover 116. As shown clearly in Fig. 6, the outer edges of the outer ridge 112 abut the cover 116 on both sides. Such an arrangement assists in minimizing any wobbling action that may occur between the ring binder 100 and the cover 116.

Figs. 7 and 8 show a second embodiment of a ring binder according to the present invention generally designated as 200. Similar to the first embodiment described above, the ring binder 200 includes a substantially rigid upper plate member 202 supporting a pair of lower plates 204a and 204b. The lower plates 204a and 204b are pivotally movable relative to each other to enable rings 206 to be selectively opened or closed in the conventional manner. At each end of the upper plate member 202 are two sets of claws 208.

As can be seen more clearly in Figs. 9 to 11, each set of claws 208 depend from the periphery of a hole 210 surrounded by an outer ridge 212 on all sides. When assembling the ring binder 200 to, e.g., a cardboard cover 214, the claws 208 are pressed into the cover 214. This action causes the claws 208 to be splayed out and thereby to enhance the connection between the ring binder 200 and the cover 214. As in the case of the first embodiment discussed above, the outer edges of the outer ridge 212 abut the cover 214 on both sides. In addition, the two sets of claws 208 are separated by a wall 216 integrally formed with the upper plate member 202. This wall 216 also assists, in addition to the outer ridges 212, in minimizing any wobbling action that may occur between the ring binder 200 and the cover 214.

It should be understood that the above only illustrates by way of examples embodiments in which the present invention may be carried out. Further modifications and/or improvements may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims (28)

1. A ring binder adapted to be secured to a base member, which ring binder comprises a substantially rigid upper structure supporting a pivotable lower structure to which a plurality of ring members are mounted characterized in that the upper structure comprises two ends, each of which includes at least one securing means, wherein the part where the securing means joins the upper structure is substantially surrounded.
2. A ring binder according to Claim 1 further characterized in that the part where each of the securing means joins the upper structure is substantially surrounded by 360°.
3. A ring binder according to Claim 1 or 2 further characterized in that the securing means is surrounded by a ridge member.
4. A ring binder according to Claim 1, 2 or 3 further characterized in that the upper structure is adapted, at or adjacent its ends, to abut the base member.
5. A ring binder according to any of the preceding claims further characterized in that at least part of the upper structure on both sides of the longitudinal axis of the ring binder near, at or adjacent the extremities of the upper structure is adapted to abut the base member.
6. A ring binder according to any of the preceding claims further characterized in that the securing means is at or adjacent to either end of the ring binder.
7. A ring binder according to Claim 6 further characterized in that the ring binder comprises two securing means at or adjacent to either end thereof.
8. A ring binder according to Claim 7 further characterized in that the two securing means at or adjacent to either end of the ring binder are separated by a raised member.
9. A ring binder according to Claim 6, 7 or 8 further characterized in that the ring binder comprises an intermediate surface between the securing means and the part of the ring binder is adapted to abut the base member.
10. A ring binder according to Claim 9 further characterized in that the intermediate surface is substantially horizontal.
11. A ring binder according to any of the preceding claims further characterized in that the securing means is integrally formed with the upper structure.
12. A ring binder according to Claim 11 further characterized in that the securing means comprises a plurality of engagement members integrally formed with the upper structure.
13. A ring binder according to Claim 12 further characterized in that the engagement member comprises a pointed element depending downward from and provided along the periphery of an aperture on the upper structure.
14. A ring binder according to Claim 12 or 13 further characterized in that the engagement member comprises a pointed element pointing downward from the upper structure.
15. A ring binder according to Claim 13 or 14 further characterized in that the engagement member points away from the central axis of the aperture.
16. A ring binder adapted to be secured to a base member, which ring binder comprises a substantially rigid upper structure supporting a pivotable lower structure to which a plurality of ring members are mounted characterized in that at least part of the upper structure on both sides of the longitudinal axis of the ring binder near, at or adjacent the extremities of the upper structure is adapted to abut the base member.
17. A ring binder according to Claim 16 further characterized in that the part of the upper structure adapted to abut the base member is at or adjacent the ends of the ring binder.
18. A ring binder according to Claim 17 further characterized in that the part of the upper structure adapted to abut the base member surrounds the end of the upper structure by at least 270°.
19. A ring binder according to Claim 16, 17 or 18 further characterized in that the ring binder comprises at least one securing means at or adjacent to either end thereof.
20. A ring binder according to Claim 19 further characterized in that the ring binder comprises two securing means at or adjacent to either end thereof.
21. A ring binder according to Claim 20 further characterized in that the two securing means at or adjacent to either end of the ring binder are separated by a raised member.
22. A ring binder according to Claim 19, 20 or 21 further characterized in that the ring binder comprises an intermediate surface between the securing means and the part of the ring binder adapted to abut the base member.
23. A ring binder according to Claim 22 further characterized in that the intermediate surface is substantially horizontal.
24. A ring binder according to Claim 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 or 23 further characterized in that the securing means comprises a plurality of engagement members integrally formed with the upper structure.
25. A ring binder according to Claim 24 further characterized in that the engagement member comprises a pointed element depending downward from and provided along the periphery of an aperture on the upper structure.
26. A ring binder according to Claim 24 or 25 further characterized in that the engagement member comprises a pointed element pointing downward from the upper structure.
27. A ring binder according to Claim 25 or 26 further characterized in that the engagement member points away from the central axis of the aperture.
28. A ring binder substantially as herein described and with reference to Figs. 1 to 6 or Figs. 7 to 11.