US1711161A - Cover for loose leaf books - Google Patents

Description

April 30, 1929..

C. D. TRUSSELL COVER FOR LOOSE LEAF BOOKS Filed Feb. 20, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 45 INVENTOR' auwflf. g I By Attqmeys,

C. D. TRUSSELL COVER FOR LOOSE LEAF BOOKS April 30, 1929.

Filed Feb. 20, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR By' Attorneys,

Patented Apr. 30, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CLARENCE I). TRUSSELL, F POUGHKEEPSIE, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO TR'USSELL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF POUGHKEEPSIE, NEW YORK,'A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

Application filed February This invention relates to covers, particularly adapted for books of the loose leaftype, such as the well-known ring books. Such books have covers which are of either rigid or flexible material. In either case the back portion to which the metals or ring binding devices are attached is usually made with a certain degree of rigidity; in the case of flexible books the cover is commonly made of leather or a leather substitute, which is grooved or reduced at the sides of the back to form flexible hinges; in case of rigid covers the sides are formed of stiff boards suitably covered and connected to the backs by either flexible hinges or inter-leaved metal hinges. An example of such metal hinges is set forth in my application, Serial No. 430,581, filed December 1-3, 1920. l

The present invention provides certain improved constructions, the nature of which will be set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show two embodiments of the invention.

Figure 1 is a transversesection of a book of the ring type, having side-boards connected to the back portion by metal hinges.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the back portion of the book.

Fig. 3 is a similar view, showing a slightly different construction.

Fig. 4 is a fragment,'showing the hinge portion of the metal backplate. V

Fig. 5'is a fragment of the metal back-plate before bending to form the-hinges and edge flanges.

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal mid-section on the line 6--6 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view, showing the invention as applied to a cover of leather or equivalent material, forming flexible sides. V

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view, showing the parts of the backof Fig. 7 before assembly.

Fig. 9 is a similar View, showing these parts after being assembled.

Fig. 10 includes two transverse sections, showing different methods of grooving the edge of the leather of the back.

Fig. 11 is a section corresponding to Fig. 6, and showing a different construction.

COVER non LOOSErLEAF BOOKS.

20, 1925. Serial No. 10,586.

Fig. 12 is a perspective of a hinge.

F ig. 13 is a section of a modification of Fig. 1.

Referring first to Figs. 1 to 6, A is the back portion and B B the sides of the book cover, which in this instance are hinged together by hinges C G. The back portion A has an outer layer of leather or equivalent material a, and an inner layer consisting of a metal plate I) of suitable stiffness to impart the desired degree of rigidity to the book back. The metals or binding devices indicated as a whole by the letter D may be of any usual or suitable construction. In the form shown in Fig. 1 these devices comprise a spring back-plate c, a cover plate (Z and half-rings or prongs es, the mounting of which is not shown, but which may be connected in any suitable manner as to back-plates mounted between the plates 0 or (Z, so as to open and close in the well understood way, and to remain either open or closed under. spring stress. The back-plate o is commonly fastened to the book back by suitable tongues or ears which are bent down into proper engagement in the well-known manner.

The hinges C C are displaced from their customary position in such books, being elevated (when the book .lies on its back, as shown) by making the book-back wider than usual and bending it upward at its sides.

The hinges are thus brought to a level approximating or somewhat above the plate (Z andthe base of the prongs, with the result that the stiif sides of the book afford a complete support for the bound leaves, so that they may be easily written on, and so that their perforated margins engage the prongs enough above their bases to avoid any forcible bending of the leaves.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 2, the metal back-plate b is suitably curved and its edges are formed into hinge eyes 7 f for constituting one member of each of the hinges C C.- Beyond the hinge eyes the edges 9 of the metal'are turned outwardly so far as to embrace and engage the edges of the leather back a. The edges of the leather are preferably previously creased or rabbeted, as shown in Fig. 10, or in any other similar manner, so that the flanges g which are formed by the edges of the metal plate may enter these reduced edge portions, and thereby avoid male ing the hinges of greater thickness than the book back or sides. It is preferable to also unite "the metal back-plate and the leather portion an otherwise than at their edges, as by cementing them together, or by means of bentover tongues, or preferably by both. In Fig. 2 the plate 7) has outturned tongues it it which are passed through suitable holes in the leather back a, and are clinched down against the exterior of the back, as best shown in Fig. 6. For further perfecting the attachment of the portions (z b, it is also desirable to form the plate Z) with a projecting flange i at each end, which flange is curled outwardly, and enters the leath er, preferably engaging a groove or rabbeted end edge of the leather a, as est shown in Fig. 6. The tongues it It should be pressed well into the leather, so as not to project beyond it, so that any scratching of a desk or table is avoided.

Referring to Figs. 3, 4 and. 5, the preferred construction of the edge portion of the plate 5 is shown. Here the blank punched out at Z Z to form the gaps between the eyes of the hinge for receiving the eyes of the mating hinged member, and beyond these portions the edge portion 9 is corrugated, so as to embrace within it a part of the edge of the leather, as shown in Fig. 3. This separates the hinge eyes from the flange g engaging the edge of the leather back.

The mating member m of each hinge which is applied to the side B of the cover may be constructed in any suitable manner. The construction shown resembles generally that set forth in my aforesaid application No. 430,581, but diifers in that the metal leaves a n are of different widths, so that their flanges or prongs instead of penetrating the leather of the side B opposite to each other are out of alignment; thus the sides are weakened to the minimum possible extent. The hinge member m may be as shown in Fig. 12, its leaves a a havin inturned flanges 0 0 which enter shallow grooves in the leather and with or without additional teeth or prongs 0 0 at intervals which may deeply penetrate the leather. The hinge is completed by inserting a rod or pintle 2) through the mating eyes in the usual manner.

In Fig. 2 the upturned tongue Q is one of those commonly provided for attaching the back-plate 0, the use of which is well understood.

teferring to Figs. 7, 8 and 9, the invention is shown as applied to a book-back lettered A, which is fastened. eXtcriorly to an integral book-cover l3, here shown as of the flexible type, which cover constitutes both the back portion and sides of the book. A boolecover of this type is shown in my Patent, No. 1,104,394, dated July 21, 1914-. In Fig. 7 the cover is shown as longitudinall indented or grooved, at 2' I, to render it more flexible and thereby constitute flexible hinge portions between the back and sides of the cover (essentially like the weakened lines 99 in my said Patent No. 1,16%}.84).

The book-back A is of substantially the same construction already described with r spect to the back portion A of the previous figures, except that it is shown as narrower, its side portions not being uptiiirned, as shown in Figs 1, 2 and 3. The book-back comprises an outer layer of leather a and an inner metal plate 6, as before, the latter having its edge portions 9 curved outwardly to embrace the edges or margins of the leather, the latter being preferably recessed or rabbeted along the edges, .in order that the metal edges may not project: outwardly far enough to come in contact ith a desk or other surface on which the book is used, and which might possibly be scratched by contact with. hard metal. The outturned tongues h and inturned tongues {Z are the same as in the previous figures.

lVhile the fastening means shown and described are adequate for the uniting of the metal plate 7) and the leather back a, yet it may be desirable to further unite them by glue or other cement.

The ed es of the leather a may be variously reduced to receive the edge flanges g of the metal plate Z). Fig. 10 shows in cross-section two different constructions. the left a thin groove 8 is cut in the leather, into which the metal plate may enter, this being the character of union shown in Figs. 2 or In the one at the right the edge portion of the leather simply reduced in thickness or rabbeted at 6, this being the character of edge shown in '7 to 9.

Instead of passing the outturned tongues hentirely through the leather 64., these tongues may be concealed in the manner shown in Fig. 11. This may be done by turning the tongue it obli u l and incising the leather so as to form'in lined recesses for receiving these tongues, the tongues hein g entered into the recesses, and afterward if ncedl somewhat flattened by exerting pressure, .as by hammering up against the outer side of the leather. If the end flanges i are used, the leather neednot be engaged by these until after its engagement with the side flanges g and tong es it.

The present invention has the advantage of providing a leathenfaced back which avoids the necessity of shaving down the la .ter to a tnin edge portion, so that this portion may be folded around the edges of the metal stiffening plate, such being the construction of combined metal and leather backs heretofore provided. With such for- In the one at mer construction the leather is liable to wear present invention which insures that the leather shall be of full thickness throughout, except at the very edges where it is only (preferably) reduced where it engages the metal flanges, in order to bring these back of the outer face of the leather. As the back is subjected to the hardest wear of any part of the book, it is highly desirable that it should be the strongest part, whereas with the prior constructions it has been the weakest or most liable to wear out. Vith the present construction as the leather is not shaved down or folded over, the leather can be as heavy, or of as greatthickness, as may be desired.

Other advantages of the improved construction herein set forth will be apparent.

In Fig. 13 is shown on a larger scale than Fig. 1 a slightly diflerent construction of the hinge member on, whereby its external portion is mostly concealed The inner leaf n is the same as before except preferably somewhat wider; the outer leaf a is shorter than before and instead of being parallel with the leaf n so as to lie flush with the outer surface of the side B, it projects obliquely into a groove in the side similar to the groove 8 in Fig. 10. Thus the leather exterior to the groove covers the greater part of the leaf n" and thereby conceals it, making a desirable external finish so that the hinge structure is inconspicuous. The hinge leaf n is shown as having the inturned flange 0 and prongs 0; while the leaf n has no right angled flange 0 but may have prongs o projecting at intervals in alinement with the leaf n.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise details of construction shown and described, as these may be modified to a considerable extent within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

While leather is referred to as the material for the outer back, and this is the preferable material, yet it is understood that leather is named only as an example, and that any equivalent material or leather substitute may be used instead, said other materials being well known.

What I claim is: I

1. A'book cover having a back portion comprising a metal plate and a leather outer back, the edges of the metal plate entering the edges of the leather of the back so thatthe metal of the back does not project outside of the leather.

2. A book cover having a back portion comprising a metal plate and a leather outer back, the metal plate having edge flanges and the leather having edge grooves entered by said flanges so that the metal does not project externally beyond the leather.

3. A cover according to claim 1, the metal plate having edge flanges out-turned to engage the leather, and the latter reduced externally at its side edges to receive said flanges, so that the metal does not project outside of the leather.

4. A cover according to claim 1, the metal plate having end flanges turned outwardly and overlapping and confining the ends of the leather.

5. A cover according to claim 1, the leather back grooved on its ends and the metal plate having out-turned flanges at its ends enterward at the sides, and the metal plate having hinge eyes near its edges'to engage similar eyes on the sides, whereby the hinges are separated from the back of the book.

8. A cover according to claim 1, the edge portions of the metal plate forming hinge eyes and the edges thereof entering the edges of the leather.

9. A cover according to claim 2, the edge portions of the metal plate cut and bent to form intermittent hinge eyes and the edges of the plate beyond the eyes forming continuous flanges to embrace the edges of the leather and the metal portions exterior to the leather imbedded therein.

10. A cover according to claim 1, having cover sides hinged to the back portion, the hinges comprising continuous hinge leaves attached to the edge portions of the sides and interengaging hinge eyes formed reciprocally on the meeting edges of the metal back plates and said leaves.

11. A cover according to claim 1, the metal plate having its side edges and ends outturned and entering grooves in the leather back, with the metal portions on the exterior of less projection than the leather.

12. A book cover having a leather back and sides hinged together by hinges within the thickness of the back and sides, comprising sheet-metal hinge leaves embracing the hinged edge portion of a side between them and of different widths, the inner leaf wider thanthe outer, each formed with inturned portions entering the material of the side at different distances from its edge so that the material is penetrated from opposite sides at non-coincident points.

13. A book cover having a leather back and sides hinged together, comprising sheet-- metal hinge leaves embracing the hinged edge portion of a side between them and of different widths, the inner leaf wider than the outer, each formed with edge portions entering the leather, and the leather grooved on its outer side near its edge to receive and the hinge leaves having inturned portions partly conceal the external leaf. entering the leather back and sides adjacent 14:- A book cover having a leather back the hinge eyes, so that the hinges are mainly 10 and sides hinged together, comprising sheetcovered and concealed on the exterior. 5 metal hinge leaves embracing the hinged edge In Witness whereof, I have hereunto portions of the back and side and formed signed my name.

With alternating eyes engaged by a pintle, CLARENCE D. TRUSSELL.

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