HK1126171B - Easy open ring binder - Google Patents

Description

Easy-to-open hole clamp

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a hole clamp for fixing paper sheets and the like, and more particularly, to a hole clamp which is easier to open than a conventional hole clamp.

Background

Conventional aperture clamps use a pair of thumb or finger operated trigger mechanisms, one at each end of the "metal". The metal includes two or more clamp rings connected to a lever that is movable by a trigger mechanism to open and close the clamp. Previously, the force required to operate the trigger was relatively large. One reason is that the metal is designed not to open when the clip is dropped, for example. Thus, conventional metals are designed to withstand reasonable forces and remain closed. While these metals work well for this purpose, it has recently been recognized that it is preferable to use metals that remain closed when dropped or otherwise mishandled, but that open when the user desires to open the clip, requiring the user to apply less force.

U.S. patent No. 6,749,357 and published U.S. patent application nos. 2005/0013654, 2003/0103798 and 2003/0103797 disclose various methods of easily opening type clip metal. However, the structures shown and described are more complex and expensive than the inventions shown herein.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention relates to a clip ring metal to provide easy opening for a clip for fixing a punched paper sheet or the like. The metal comprises two or more binder rings, each of which comprises two curved ring segments, one end of each ring segment being connected to the hinge plate. The other ends of the ring segments engage each other when the binder is closed, but are separated from each other when the plate is moved to open the binder. A movable bar extends from one end of the metal to the other and contacts and moves the hinge plates when the binder is opened. A thumb or finger operated trigger is connected to one end of the bar to move the bar. The trigger includes a slot into which a pin connected to one end of the bar may be inserted. The pin moves within the slot as the trigger is moved by the user of the clip. Pulling the trigger from the first, clip closed position to the second, clip open position causes the pin to be pulled through the slot from one end of the slot to the other. This in turn moves the bar against the hinge and forces the hinge to rotate the segments of the binder rings away from each other and open the binder. When the binder is closed, a projection formed on the top of the bar is received in an aperture in a metal shroud covering the bar and hinge plates to prevent the trigger from being inadvertently moved to open the binder. The cushion member may be slidably engaged with the trigger. The cushion member has a front, a rear, a first arm and a second arm, wherein the first arm and the second arm extend from the rear such that the first arm and the second arm partially cover the trigger.

Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

Drawings

The objects of the invention are achieved in the manner set forth in the illustrative embodiments shown in the drawings, which form a part of this specification.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the easy open clip metal of the present invention in the clip closed position;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a metal;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the underside of the metal in the clip closed position;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the trigger mechanism in the clip closed position;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the trigger mechanism in the clip open position;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 3 in the clip open position;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the trigger mechanism and cushion member;

FIG. 8 is another perspective view of the trigger mechanism and cushion member of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a front view of the cushion member engaged with the trigger member;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the cushion member engaged with the trigger member attached to the clip metal;

FIG. 11 is another perspective view of the cushion member engaged with the trigger mechanism; and

fig. 12 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the cushion.

Like reference numerals in the drawings denote like parts.

Detailed Description

The following detailed description is intended to be illustrative of the invention and is not to be taken in a limiting sense. This description will clearly enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and illustrates several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives and uses of the invention, including what is presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the invention. As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Referring to the drawings, a "metal" for a hole clamp is generally indicated at 10, and is connected to the spine of the clamp (not shown) in a conventional manner. Although referred to as metal in this description, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the metal 10 may be of metal or plastic construction, or a combination thereof. The metal comprises three spaced rings 12, 14 and 16, each of which comprises two curved ring segments 12a, 12b, 14a, 14b and 16a, 16b, respectively. Rings 12 and 16 are positioned adjacent each end of the ring metal with ring 14 in the middle of its length. One end of each ring segment is connected to a hinge plate 18, 20, respectively. The hinge plates are respectively rectangular plates parallel to each other side by side and extending substantially along the length of the metal. When the binder ring is closed as shown in fig. 3, the plate is substantially flat. However, when the plates are flexed as shown in FIG. 6, the movement of the plates causes the outer mating ends of the rings to separate from each other and open the clip. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the ring metal 10 may have more or fewer clamp rings without departing from the scope of the present invention.

A cover or shield 22 extends along the length of the metal. The shroud covers the hinge plates and has spaced apertures 24 with each ring segment passing through the apertures 24. A pair of posts 26, one at each end of the lid, extend from the underside of the lid. The studs are used to secure the metal 10 to the spine using rivets or the like as is well known in the art.

The trigger mechanism, indicated at 30, includes a trigger 32 at one end of the ring metal and a bar 34 connected to the trigger and extending along the length of the metal. A trigger 32 is rotatably secured to one end of the cover 22. As shown in fig. 3, the end wall 28 of the cover 22 has an outwardly extending projection 34. The trigger 32 has a pivot pin 36 running transversely through the bottom of the trigger, and the outer ends of the projections 34 are bent over to surround the middle of the pin and secure the trigger to the end of the metal. The attachment means allows the trigger to be rotated about the pin from an upright, substantially vertical position as shown in figures 1-4, to a substantially horizontal position as shown in figures 5 and 6. Pivot pin 36 thus provides an axis of rotation for trigger 32.

The trigger includes a thumb pad or finger pad 38 formed on an inner upper surface of the trigger so that a user can apply pressure to the trigger and rotate the trigger about its axis of rotation. The inner upper surface of the trigger slopes inwardly from the upper end of the trigger towards the end wall 28 of the lid 22 so that at its innermost point, this portion of the trigger covers the upper surface of the lid. (see fig. 2 and 4.) the inner surface of the trigger then extends outward and downward toward the lower bottom of the trigger with the pin. A transversely extending slot 40 is formed in the trigger adjacent the inner surface thereof. The slot is a substantially straight slot extending diagonally from the upper depending portion of the trigger 32 to the lower pinned portion of the trigger.

Referring to fig. 4 and 5, the outer end of bar 34 extends from beneath cover 22. Two prongs 42 extend outwardly from the outer end of bar 34, each prong extending longitudinally from opposite sides of the end of the bar. The outer ends of the prongs are bent around opposite ends of a pin 44 in the trigger 32 that extends through the slot 40. The length of the pin 44 is greater than the length of the slot 40 so that the respective outer ends of the pin 44 extend beyond the respective ends of the slot. The outer end of pin 44 is secured within the curved outer end of prong 42 to secure pin 44 within slot 40. When the trigger 32 is in the upright position and the binder rings are closed, the pin 44 is at the lower end of the slot 40. As shown in fig. 2 and 4. Now, as trigger 32 is rotated about pin 36 from the position shown in FIG. 4 to the position shown in FIG. 5, pin 44 moves up through slot 40. When the pin reaches the upper end of the slot, continued rotation of the trigger pulls bar 34 to the left as shown in FIG. 5. Thus, slot 40 is a "lost motion" slot, meaning that the initial movement of the trigger does not affect the opening of the binder ring. Rather, this occurs only after the pin 44 has traversed to the end of the slot.

As shown in fig. 3, hinge plates 18, 20 have a series of correspondingly spaced and shaped openings 46, 48, 50 and 52. As best shown in fig. 6, braces 34 comprise flat rectangular braces that pass across adjacent sides of hinge plates 18, 20. The brace also has three elevated sections; an inner section 34a near the brace end of ring 12, a middle section 34b near ring 14, and an outer section 34c near ring 16. Each segment 34a-34c has a vertical face 54 projecting outwardly from the main body of bar 34, a short flat surface 56 extending rearwardly from the outer end of face 54, and an inclined surface 58 sloping from the rear end of surface 56 towards the main body portion of the bar.

When the rings are closed and trigger 32 is in its upright position, bar segments 34a and 34c are located on the undersides of hinge plates 18, 20 and between the hinge plates and the underside of cover 22, as shown in FIG. 3. In this position it prevents the hinge plates from rotating in the direction of opening the binder rings. Segment 34b of bar 34 spans openings 48, 50 with the vertical face of the segment against one end of opening 48 and the angled surface 58 of the segment extending through opening 50. When the binder rings are closed, the inner faces of hinge plates 18, 20 bear against surfaces 56 of bar sections 34a and 34 c. Both surfaces have inwardly angled notches 60 formed therein.

As seen in FIGS. 3 and 6, when trigger 32 is rotated to open binder rings 12, 14 and 16, bar 34 is pulled to the right and raised sections 34a, 34c of the bar are pulled into respective openings 46, 52, thereby no longer blocking rotation of plates 18, 20. The notches 60 allow the hinge plates to begin to fold inwardly when the rear ends of the flat surfaces 56 of the pull strip sections 34a, 34c reach the edges of the respective openings 46, 52. As movement of trigger 32 continues, rear angled surfaces 58 of bar segments 34a-34c move away from the left edges of openings 46, 50 and 52 in the respective hinge plates (as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6), allowing the plates to fold inwardly so that the ring segments separate from one another, thereby opening the binder.

When trigger 32 is rotated to close the binder ring, or when the segments of the binder ring are manually squeezed together, bar 34 moves to the left (as viewed in FIGS. 3 and 6). The angled surfaces 58 of the bar sections 34a-34c now abut the left edge of the respective openings causing the hinge plates 18, 20 to rotate outwardly back to the closed binder ring position shown in fig. 3.

A problem with conventional binder ring metals is the "play" that allows the ring segments to partially separate for conventional motions of the binder. If the motion is too great, the binder rings may inadvertently open, allowing the contents of the binder to spill. The clip metal 10 of the present invention avoids this. As best shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the end of bar 34, just inward of the beginning of bifurcation 42, has a button or protrusion 62 extending upward from the outer surface of the bar. A circular aperture 64 is formed in the cover 22 and is sized to receive a protrusion therein. When the clip is closed, as shown in FIG. 4, the protrusion is located in the aperture and prevents accidental force applied to the clip from moving trigger 32 and bar 34. However, finger or thumb pressure on the trigger pad 38 is sufficient to pull the protrusion out of the opening, as shown in FIG. 5, thereby opening the clip.

Referring to fig. 7-9, cushion member 66 is slidably engaged with the trigger such that a user contacts cushion member 66 when operating trigger 32. The cushion member 66 has a front 68, a rear 70, a first arm 72 and a second arm 74, wherein the rear 70 has a recess 76. Cushion member 66 may comprise a soft, resilient material such as, but not limited to, rubber, plastic, a flexible resilient material, or foam. Additionally, cushion member 66 may be formed as a separate, unitary member. A first arm 72 and a second arm 74 extend from the rear portion 70 to partially cover a rear side 78 of the trigger 32.

The first arm 72 and the second arm 74 each have upper portions 80 and 82, lower portions 84 and 86, and middle portions 88 and 90, respectively, as shown in fig. 7. In an embodiment, the midsections 88, 90 are provided in a convex shape protruding towards the ring segments 12, 14 and 16 (fig. 1). The intermediate portions 88, 90 may also be provided in other shapes to match the particular shape of the trigger 32.

Cushion member 66 has a first bottom 92 and a second bottom 94. As shown, a first base 92 connects the lower portion 84 to the front portion 68, and a second base 94 connects the lower portion 86 to the front portion 68. Cushion member 66 also has a first cavity 96 located between front 68, first arm 72, and first base 92. Additionally, cushion member 66 also has a second cavity 98 located between front 68, second arm 74, and second base 94. The first and second cavities 96, 98 form gripping surfaces for a user to grasp cushion member 66.

As shown in fig. 7, lower portion 84 and lower portion 86 do not contact each other. In addition, the middle portion 88 and the middle portion 90 do not contact each other. Thus, the first arm 72 and the second arm 74 form a channel 100 that exposes a portion of the pad 76.

In operating trigger 32, a user may grasp cushion member 66 through first and second cavities 96, 98 and slide cushion member 68 over trigger 32. When sliding cushion member 66, the top of rear side 78 is inserted into recess 76 to engage cushion member 66 with trigger 32. Additionally, the front portion 68 covers the front side of the trigger 32. When the trigger is actuated, the user's thumb/finger contacts the front portion 68, and the front portion 68 provides a friction force against the thumb/finger. Referring to fig. 10 and 11, as cushion member 66 slides over trigger 32, a user can easily replace cushion member 66 to match the color, texture, or type of any particular cushion member 66 with clip ring metal 10.

Fig. 12 shows another embodiment of cushion member 66 having a front 68, a rear 70, and an arm 102 extending from rear 70 to enclose trigger 32. Cushion member 66 may comprise a soft, resilient material such as, but not limited to, rubber, plastic, a flexible, resilient material, or foam. Additionally, cushion member 66 may be formed as a separate, unitary member. In this embodiment, the arm 102 includes an upper portion 104, a lower portion 106, and a middle portion 108, wherein a bottom portion 110 connects the lower portion 106 with the front portion 68. As shown, the central portion 108 is configured in a convex shape toward the ring segments 12, 14, and 16 (fig. 1). The middle portion 108 may also be provided in other shapes to match the particular shape of the trigger 32.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects and advantages of the invention have been achieved and other advantageous results have been obtained.

Claims (17)

1. An improved easy open ring metal for a binder having at least one binder ring, a pair of hinge plates, a movable pull bar, and a trigger, wherein the at least one binder ring each comprises two ring segments; said pair of hinge plates each being connected at one end to one of said segments; said movable bar extending from one end of said metal to the other, wherein said bar contacts said hinge plates and moves them when said binder is opened; the trigger having a pad, the trigger being connected to one end of the bar to move the bar, the bar being connected to the trigger by a slot, whereby when the trigger is pulled from a first, clip closed position to a second, clip open position, the bar moves relative to the hinge plates forcing the hinge plates to rotate the sections of the binder rings relatively far apart from each other and opening the clips, characterized by:

a cushion member slidably engaged with the trigger, the cushion member having a front, a rear, a first arm, and a second arm, wherein the first and second arms extend from the rear of the cushion member around a side of the trigger such that the cushion member only partially covers a cushion of the trigger when installed in place.

2. The ring metal of claim 1 wherein said first arm and said second arm each have an upper portion, a lower portion and a middle portion.

3. The ring metal of claim 2 wherein said midportions each have a convex shape projecting toward both of said ring segments.

4. The ring metal of claim 2 wherein the cushion member has a first bottom and a second bottom.

5. The ring metal of claim 4 wherein the first base connects the lower portion of the first arm to the front portion and the second base connects the lower portion of the second arm to the front portion.

6. The ring metal of claim 4 wherein the cushion member has a first cavity disposed between the front portion, the first arm, and the first base.

7. The ring metal of claim 4 wherein the cushion member has a second cavity disposed between the front portion, the second arm, and the second base.

8. The ring metal of claim 1, wherein the rear portion has a recess that engages a top of the liner.

9. The ring metal of claim 1, wherein the first arm and the second arm form a channel that exposes a portion of the trigger.

10. The ring metal of claim 1 wherein the cushion member is formed as a separate, unitary member.

11. An improved easy open ring metal for a binder having at least one binder ring, a pair of hinge plates, a movable pull bar, and a trigger, wherein the at least one binder ring each comprises two ring segments; said pair of hinge plates each being connected at one end to one of said segments; said movable bar extending from one end of said metal to the other, wherein said bar contacts said hinge plates and moves them when said binder is opened; the trigger having a pad, the trigger being connected to one end of the bar to move the bar, the bar being connected to the trigger by a slot, whereby when the trigger is pulled from a first, clip closed position to a second, clip open position, the bar moves relative to the hinge plates forcing the hinge plates to rotate the sections of the binder rings relatively far apart from each other and opening the clips, characterized by:

a cushion member slidably engaged with the trigger, the cushion member having a front, a rear, a first arm and a second arm, wherein the first and second arms extend from the rear of the cushion member such that the cushion member only partially surrounds the cushion of the trigger when in position.

12. The ring metal of claim 11 wherein the arms comprise an upper portion, a lower portion and a middle portion.

13. The ring metal of claim 12 wherein the central portion has a convex shape extending towards both of the ring segments.

14. The ring metal of claim 12 wherein the cushion member has a bottom portion connecting the lower portion with the front portion.

15. The ring metal of claim 11 wherein the cushion member is formed as a separate, unitary member.

16. An improved easy open ring metal for a binder having at least one binder ring, a pair of hinge plates, a movable pull bar, and a trigger, wherein the at least one binder ring each comprises two ring segments; said pair of hinge plates each being connected at one end to one of said segments; said movable bar extending from one end of said metal to the other, wherein said bar contacts said hinge plates and moves them when said binder is opened; the trigger having a pad, the trigger being connected to one end of the bar to move the bar, the bar being connected to the trigger by a slot, whereby when the trigger is pulled from a first, clip closed position to a second, clip open position, the bar moves relative to the hinge plates forcing the hinge plates to rotate the sections of the binder rings relatively far apart from each other and opening the clips, characterized by:

a cushion member slidably engaged with the trigger, the cushion member having a front, a rear, a first arm and a second arm, wherein the first and second arms extend from the rear such that the first and second arms partially cover the trigger, the first and second arms each having an upper portion, a lower portion and a middle portion, wherein the middle portion of each arm has a convex shape that protrudes toward both of the ring segments.

17. An improved easy open ring metal for a binder having at least one binder ring, a pair of hinge plates, a movable pull bar, and a trigger, wherein the at least one binder ring each comprises two ring segments; said pair of hinge plates each being connected at one end to one of said segments; said movable bar extending from one end of said metal to the other, wherein said bar contacts said hinge plates and moves them when said binder is opened; the trigger having a pad, the trigger being connected to one end of the bar to move the bar, the bar being connected to the trigger by a slot, whereby when the trigger is pulled from a first, clip closed position to a second, clip open position, the bar moves relative to the hinge plates forcing the hinge plates to rotate the sections of the binder rings relatively far apart from each other and opening the clips, characterized by:

a cushion member slidably engaged with the trigger, the cushion member having a front, a rear, and an arm extending from the rear to surround the pad of the trigger, the arm including an upper portion, a lower portion, and a middle portion having a convex shape extending toward both of the ring segments.