US2352486A - Visible record loose-leaf binder - Google Patents

Description

June 27, 1944. A. GQLOTT ER VISIBLE RECORD LOOS E LEAF BINDER Filed July 9, 1943 Patented June 27,1944

T' OFFICE VISIBLE RECORD Loose-intimate. .F I "I Adolph G. Lotter, Milwauk 1 Stationers Loose 'Leaf Company, Wis, a corporation of Wisconsin Application July 9, 194a, {s rial-Ne. 493,994 I Milwaukee, I

This invention relates-to loose leaf binders and refers more particularly to the sci-called visible record type of binder wherein the complementary hingedly connected binderheads are longitudinal- 1y shiftable with respect to each other.

In loose leaf binders of this type each binder head carries a series of impaling prongs to engage in the apertures of the leaves. The relative spacingsof the impaling prongs and apertures are such that when the binder is open leaves on the prongs of one binder head may be shifted with relation to the leaves mounted on the, prongs of the other binder head by shifting the binder heads longitudinally with respect to each other.

Shifting of the binder heads is effected manually and while it can be done only with the binder open, in the past there was little control over the relative longitudinal positions of the binder heads at the time of closure of the binder by the operator. If the operator was not careful he was apt to close the binder without making certain that the heads were in such relative position of longitudinal adjustment that the prongs would line up properly with the apertures in the leaves. Tearing of the leaves thus often resulted.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide means for automatically effecting endwise shifting of the binder heads to one or the other of their limits of movement during the closure of the binder to thus insure against tearing the leaves by improper alignment of the prongs and apertures.

. More specifically, it is an object of this invention to provide cam means on one of the binder heads cooperating with an abutment on the other binder head by which the binder heads are positively shifted longitudinally to one or the other of their limits of motion during the act of closing the binder.

The heads of binders of this type are generally provided with latch means for holding the same in closed and partially opened positions and these latch means consist of a pivoted latch member on one of the binder heads coacting with a hook on the other binder head.

With a view toward minimizing the number of parts and achieving maximum simplicity, it is another object of this invention to mount the cam by which the desired automatic longitudinal shifting of the binder heads is accomplished on the pivoted latch member to engage the hook during closure of the binder.

With the above and other objects in view which ,will appear as the description proceeds, this invention resides in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of partssubstantially as' hereinafter described, .and more particularly defined by the appended claims, it being understood that such changes in the precisejembodh .ment of the herei-ndisclosed invention may be made as come within the scope of the claims.

The accompanying drawing illustrates two complete examples of the physical embodiments of the invention constructed inaccordance with the .best modes so far devised forthe practical application of the principles thereof, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of a loose leaf binder embodying this invention, sa idview showing the binder in ;a par;tially' open position;

Figure 1?,is a view" showing one end portion of the binder heads,;said view looking into the interior of the binder heads and showing the same in their fully opened positions;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of one end portion of the binder heads and illustrating specifically the manner in which the cam functions to effect shifting of the heads in the event they are not properly positioned relative to each other for closure; and

Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating another cam arrangement for effecting the desired longitudinal shifting of the binder heads.

Referring now to. the accompanying drawing in which like numerals indicate like parts, the numerals 5 and 6 designate two complementary binder heads hingedly connected by means of a hinge I, the loops 8 and complementary spaces of which are of such relative lengths as to enable a degree of longitudinal shifting of one binder head with respect to the other.

Both of the binder heads are equipped with the covers 9 and sets of impaling prongs i0 spaced to engage in the apertures of the leaves ll when the binder heads are at one or the other of their limits of longitudinal adjustment.

A latch mechanism is provided for releasably holding the binder heads in closed or partially opened positions. This latch mechanism is sinrilar to that shown and described in Patent No. 1,744,275 issued to Adolph G. Lotter, January 21, 1930. Briefly, it comprises a pivoted latch member l2 and a cooperating hook l3 at each end of one of the binder heads. A rock shaft M having crank arms on its opposite ends engaging in arms L: of the latch members connects the two latch members for simultaneous operation, and springs l6 yieldingly bias the latch members to their operative positions from which they may be retracted by pressure applied on finger pieces [1.

As shown in Figures2 and 3 any relative positioning of the binder heads other than the extremes results in automatic longitudinal shifting of the binder heads to bring them into proper hook fixed to one of the binder heads, and a pivoted spring biased latch member on the othe r binder head; and a cam mounted on said latch relative relationship during the act of closing the binder. In this manner the desired assurance against tearing the leaves by improper alignment of the prongs with the apertures is entirely eliminated.

Another arrangement of cams to accomplish the same purpose is illustrated in the modified embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 4. In this instance the two wall surfaces 2| of the binder heads adjacent to the hinged connection 1 have complementary cams 22 secured thereon. These cams are so disposed that during closure of the binder the desired longitudinal shifting of the binder heads is efiected.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that this invention provides a substantial improvement in visible record loose leaf binders by positively assuring proper'positioning of the binder heads as the binder is closed.

member and positioned to engage the hook and automatically shift the binder heads longitudinally with respect to each other to one limit of motion during closure of the binder and thereby assure proper alignment of the impaling prongs with the apertures of the leaves.

' 2. In a loose leaf binder of the visible record type, wherein the complementary binder heads are connected for relative longitudinal as well as hinged motion so that leaves on the impaling prongs of one binder head may be shifted with respect to leaves on the impaling prongs of the other binder head: cooperating latch parts on said binder heads for releasably securing the binder heads in their closed positions; and cam means on one of said parts positioned to engage the other of said parts and automatically shift the binder heads longitudinally to one limit of relative movement during lclosure of the binder to assure proper alignment of the impaling prongs with the apertures of the leaves.

ADOLPH G. LOTI'ER.

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