US1095944A - Loose-leaf binder. - Google Patents

Description

P. L. TALLMAN.

LOOSE LEAF BINDER.

APPLIOATION FILED DEG.28,1912:

vPatented May 5 COLUMBIA9LANOG RAPH c0 PERCY L. TALLMAN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO TALLMAN, ROBBINS & COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

LOOSE-LEAF BINDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 5, 1914.

Application filed December 28, 1912. Serial No. 739,082.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PERCY L. TALLMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Loose-Leaf Binders, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to binders, commonly called loose leaf binders and the object of the invention is to provide simple and efiicient locking means, the chief part of which is concealed from view and inaccessible except through a keyhole.

As a result of my improved construction the locking part is invisible and, practically speaking, cannot be operated by any one unless supplied with a key. Certain other advantages are gained as a result of my improvements, for example, the spring plate which is the active locking element cannot be removed without actually destroying the binder and consequently calling attention to the fact that the binder has been tampered with. Again, in a binder embodying my invention the spring plate, being inclosed, cannot mar the desks, filing cabinets or other objects with which the binder is brought in contact.

I accomplish my objects by the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a complete binder embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the binder taken transversely to the spring plate at one of the binding posts. Fig. 3 is a plan sectional view on the line 33 Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a perspective view ofthe spring plate or looking plate. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a key which may be employed in connection with my binder to lock and unlock the same.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts.

I as canvas-covered sheets of plaster board,

wood fiber, or similar material. B-igidly secured to the lower cover are binding posts 2 of any suitable construction. Parallel to the back edge of the upper cover is a spring plate 3 having a longitudinal slot 4;. The sides of this slot are notched to form holes '5 for receiving the binding posts. Said holes are normally slightly smaller in diameter than the binding posts so that unless spread by an external force the plate firmly grips the sides of the posts and prevents the plate and attached parts from moving relatively to the posts. The plate is also notched, preferably at the center, to form a'hole 6. This latter hole is approximately elliptical in form and is adapted to receive the bit 7 of akey 8. The key may be varied in design, the essential feature being that the bit acts as a cam, and by being rotated in the hole 6 causes the spring plate to spread or to contract to release or grip the binding posts. Inclosing said plate is but according to the best design the casing closely fits the plate at top and bottom thus avoiding lost motion or rattling. It is desirable thatthe ends of the casing'be closed by sheet metal caps 11. By preference the size and shape of the casing is such that when it is canvas covered it forms a portion symmetrical and similar in all respects with the corresponding portion of the lower cover. Said casing is apertured to permit the free passage of the binding posts, and it is desirable to place escutcheons 13 on the upper surface of the upper cover around the holes provided for the said binding posts to impart a finished appearance to the device. The casing is provided with a key hole 1d registering with the hole 6 in the spring plate for permitting the bit of the key to pass through to the spring plate to operate the latter. By preference an escutcheon 15 having a suitable key hole is secured upon the upper surface of the upper cover in such position that its key hole is in register with the key hole in the casing and in the spring plate.

In operation, when it is desired to remove the upper cover the key is rotated so as to bring the bit 7 thereof to the narrower portion of the hole 6.v This causes the plate to spread'and increase the diameter of the holes 5 sufficiently to release the binding posts and permit the upper cover to be lifted off. By reversing the operation the cover may be replaced and locked at any desired elevation upon the posts.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A binder comprising covers, binding posts secured to one of them, a slotted spring plate formed of a flat strip of metal, a metallic casing for said plate secured to the other of said covers, said casing having a key hole and said plate having a slot extending longitudinally throughout the greater portion of its length, said plate having notches opening into its slot to form holes which are smaller than the posts with which they engage, and said plate having other notches opening into the slot and forming a hole to receive a cam, and a key having a bit forming a cam adapted to pass through the key hole into said cam hole whereby when the key is rotated the slot in the plate will widen and release the binding posts, said metallic casing closely fitting the spring plate at the ends and at the top and bottom whereby relative longitudinal and vertical movement between the plate and the casing is prevented.

2. A binder comprising covers, binding posts rising from the lower one of them, a slotted spring plate formed of a flat strip of metal having a longitudinal slot provided with notches opening thereinto to form holes which are smaller than the posts with which they engage, said plate having other notches opening into the slot and forming a hole to receive a cam, a key having a bit extending in opposite directions from the key shank and forming a cam for entering the cam slot for spreading the plate, a metallic casing secured to the upper cover of the binder and inclosing said spring plate, said casing closely fitting said plate at the ends and at the top and bottom to prevent relative movement, and an escutcheon upon the upper cover having a slot'for receiving the key, the slot in the escutcheon extending lengthwise of the cam slot in the spring plate for receiving the key bit and permitting it to enter the cam slot in the spring plate and for retaining said key when the plate is sprung by the key.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

PERCY L. TALLMAN. Witnesses HOWARD M. Cox, ARTHUR F. POOLE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

' Washington, D. 0.

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