WO2010017705A1

WO2010017705A1 - Paper-retaining mechanism

Info

Publication number: WO2010017705A1
Application number: PCT/CN2009/070738
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hung Yu Cheng
Original assignee: World Wide Stationery Manufacturing Co Ltd
Current assignee: World Wide Stationery Manufacturing Co Ltd
Priority date: 2008-08-11
Filing date: 2009-03-11
Publication date: 2010-02-18
Anticipated expiration: 2011-02-11
Also published as: HK1127842A2; CN102066127A; AR071039A1

Abstract

A paper-retaining mechanism (100) is disclosed as including a base (102), two posts (104) secured to the base, two arches (106) joined with each other for simultaneous movement, and the arches are movable relative to the posts between a closed position in which the arches are in contact with the posts to form two closed rings and an open position in which the arches are out of contact with the posts in which the rings are open, and a lever assembly operable to cause a rotatable member (138) to rotate to move the arches between the closed position and the open position, and the lever assembly is engaged with the rotatable member via an intermediate claw ring (140), and the lever assembly includes an operating link (114), an intermediate link (116) and a coupling link (118), and a first end (116a) of the intermediate link is pivotably engaged with the operating link, and a second end (116b) of the intermediate link is pivotably engaged with the coupling link, and the rotatable member rotates in a first direct ion (R) upon rotation of the coupling link in the first direction, and the rotatable member remains stationary upon rotation of the coupling link in an opposite second direction.

Description

Paper-Retaining Mechanism

This invention relates to a paper- retain ing mechanism and a document file incorporating such a mechanism.

Various paper-retaining mechanisms have been available. In one type of such conventional paper- retaining mechanisms generally called lever-arch type file mechanisms, a one-armed lever is pivotable to pivot a pair of arches relative to a pair of fixed posts to allow pieces of hole-punched paper to be retrieved from or inserted into the file mechanism, and for closing the posts and arches to form a pair of closed rings to retain the paper therein. The pair of arches are joined by an intervening crank on which a roller attached to the lever travels during pivotal movement of the lever, to effect opening or closing of the pair of rings. In operating such a conventional file mechanism, the lever is pivoted downwardly to close the ring pairs formed by the posts and arches and is pivoted upwardly to allow a spring leaf to pivot the arches relative to the posts to thereby open the rings.

Such a conventional file mechanism is not convenient in use, in that the lever has to be moved in different directions to effect opening and closing of the rings. In addition, when the rings are open, the lever is at its upper position which is very close to, and sometimes even touches, one of the arches, such that paper can only be retrieved from or inserted through the posts but not the arches.

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a paper-retaining mechanism and a document file incorporating such a paper- retain ing mechanism in which the aforesaid shortcomings are mitigated, or at least to provide a useful alternative to the public.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a paper-retaining mechanism including a base; at least two post members secured to said base, at least two arch members joined with each other for simultaneous movement, wherein said arch members are movable relative to said post members between a closed position in which said arch members are in contact with said post members to form two closed rings and an open position in which said arch members are out of contact with said post members wherein said rings are open, and a lever assembly operable to cause a rotatable member to rotate to move said arch members between said closed position and said open position, wherein said lever assembly is engaged with said rotatable member via an intermediate member; characterized in that said lever assembly includes at least a first link member, a second link member and a third link member, wherein a first end of said second link member is pivotably engaged with said first link member, wherein a second end of said second link member is pivotably engaged with said third link member, wherein said rotatable member rotates in a first direction upon rotation of said third link member in said first direction, and wherein said rotatable member remains stationary upon rotation of said third link member in an opposite second direction.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a document file including a substrate engaged with a paper-retaining mechanism, said paper-retaining mechanism including a base, at least two post members secured to said base, at least two arch members joined with each other for simultaneous movement, wherein said arch members are movable relative to said post members between a closed position in which said arch members are in contact with said post members to form two closed rings and an open position in which said arch members are out of contact with said post members wherein said rings are open, and a lever assembly operable to cause a rotatable member to rotate to move said arch members between said closed position and said open position, wherein said lever assembly is engaged with said rotatable member via an intermediate member; characterized in that said lever assembly includes at least a first link member, a second link member and a third link member, wherein a first end of said second link member is pivotably engaged with said first link member, wherein a second end of said second link member is pivotably engaged with said third link member, wherein said rotatable member rotates in a first direction upon rotation of said third link member in said first direction, and wherein said rotatable member remains stationary upon rotation of said third link member in an opposite second direction.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is an exploded view of a paper-retaining mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view showing engagement of the rotatable member with the lever assembly shown in Fig. 1 ; Fig. 3 is a front view of the paper- retain ing mechanism shown in Fig. 1 , in a ring-open configuration;

Fig. 4 is a left side view of the paper-retaining mechanism shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a top view of the paper-retaining mechanism shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a rear view of the paper-retaining mechanism shown in Fig. 3; Fig. 7 is a left side view of the paper-retaining mechanism shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a front perspective view of the paper- retain ing mechanism shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 9 is a rear perspective view of the paper-retaining mechanism shown in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a front perspective view of the paper-retaining mechanism shown in Fig. 8, in a ring-closed configuration, and with the operating link of the lever assembly in a lower position;

Fig. 11 is a rear perspective view of the paper- retain ing mechanism shown in Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a front perspective view of the paper-retaining mechanism shown in Fig. 10, in a ring-closed configuration, and with the operating link of the lever assembly in an upper position; and Fig. 13 is a rear perspective view of the paper-retaining mechanism shown in Fig. 12.

Components of a paper- retain ing mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention are shown in Fig. 1 , with the mechanism generally designated as 100.

The mechanism 100 includes a base 102 to which two posts 104 are fixedly secured, and the two posts 104 are spaced apart from each other. Two arches 106 are joined with each other for simultaneous movement by, and are integrally formed with, an intervening bent rod 108. The intervening rod 108 is engaged with two clamps 110 (see Fig. 5) so that the arches 106 and the intervening rod 108 are pivotable relative to the base 102 and the posts 104 about an axis A-A (see Figs. 3 and 5) between a ring-open position and a ring-closed position. When the arches 106 are in the ring-open position, as shown in Figs. 3 to 9, free ends 104a of the posts 104 are out of contact and out of engagement with free ends 106a of the arches 106, such that pieces of hole-punched paper may be received through or retrieved from the posts 104 and the arches 106. When the arches 106 are in the ring-closed position, as shown in Figs. 10 to 13, the free ends 104a of the posts 104 contact and are engaged with the free ends 106a of the arches 106 so that two closed rings are formed, to thereby retain pieces of hold-punched papers therein.

One end of a leaf spring 112 is fixed to the base 102, and an opposite second end of the leaf spring 112 is in contact with and acts on the rod 108 from below (see Figs. 3 and 5), to bias the arches 106 away from the posts 104, i.e. towards the ring-open position.

The mechanism 100 includes a lever assembly with three link members, namely an operating link 114, an intermediate link 116 and a coupling link 118. The operating link 114 has a free first longitudinal end 114a to which a cover 120 (which may be made of a relative soft material, such as rubber or soft plastic material) is engaged, to enhance comfort in use. A second longitudinal end 114b of the operating link 114 is pivotably engaged with a first longitudinal end 116a of the intermediate link 116 via a rivet 122. A second longitudinal end 116b of the intermediate link 116 is pivotably engaged with the coupling link 118 via a rivet 124.

An ear 126 extends generally vertically upward from the base 102. The ear 126 is preferably integrally formed with, e.g. be stamped out from, the base 102. The ear 126 has a hole 128 with a central longitudinal axis. It can be seen from Fig. 1 that the operating link 114 is pivotably engaged with the ear 126 via a rivet 130. In particular, the rivet 130 is received through the hole 128 of the ear 126 and a hole 132 of the operating link 114. By way of such an arrangement, the operating link 114 is pivotably movable relative to the base 102 and the rest of the mechanism 100 about the central longitudinal axis of the hole 128 of the ear 126. A spring 134 is also engaged with the ear 126 by the rivet 130. A lower free end of the spring 134 abuts and acts on the base 102, and an upper free end of the spring 134 is engaged with, and acts on, the operating link 114 via an extension 136. By way of such an arrangement, the free longitudinal end 114a of the operating link 114 is biased by the spring 134 away from the base 102.

The coupling link 118 is engaged with a rotatable member 138 via an intermediate claw ring 140. Referring firstly to the rotatable member 138, such has a planar face plate 142 and a generally triangular operating part 144 which are integrally formed with each other, e.g. of a plastic material. It can be seen that the operating part 144 of the rotatable member 138 has three protruding portions 146 and three intervening recessed regions 148. The three protruding portions 146 are equi-angularly disposed about the central longitudinal axis of the operating part 144, i.e. they are spaced apart from each other by 120°. Similarly, the three recessed regions 148 are also equi-angularly disposed about the central longitudinal axis of the operating part 144.

The operating part 144 of the rotatable member 138 has three recesses 150, each for receiving a respective spring 152. The longitudinal ends of the springs 152 away from the recesses 150 abut a respective radially-extending finger 154 of the intermediate claw ring 140, so as to bias the claw ring 140 away from the rotatable member 138 and towards the coupling link 118. The fingers 154 are equi-angularly disposed about the central longitudinal axis of the claw ring 140, i.e. they are spaced apart from each other by 120°. The fingers 154 of the claw ring 140 are also received within the recesses 150 of the rotatable member 138 for simultaneous rotational movement.

The intermediate claw ring 140 has three triangular claws 156 extending axially towards the coupling link 118. Each of the claws 156 has a straight edge extending axially towards the coupling link 118 and an adjacent slanted edge. The claws 156 are also equi-angularly disposed about the central longitudinal axis of the claw ring 140, i.e. they are spaced apart from each other by 120°. In addition, the fingers 154 and the claws 156 of the ring 140 are collectively equi-angularly disposed about the central longitudinal axis of the claw ring 140, which means that each finger 154 is spaced apart from its adjacent claws 156 by 60°, and, similarly, each claw 156 is spaced apart from its adjacent fingers 154 by 60°. The coupling link 118 has a generally circular plate 160 with six generally rectangular holes 162 equi-angularly disposed about the central longitudinal axis of the plate 160, i.e. each hole 162 is spaced apart from the adjacent holes 162 by 60°. The holes 162 are sized and configured to receive therethrough a respective claw 156 of the claw ring 140. By reason of the positioning of the holes 162 of the plate 160 of the coupling link 118 and that of the claws 156 of the claw ring 140, when the mechanism 100 is duly assembled, all three claws 156 are each received within a respective hole 162 of the plate 160.

A support plate 164 extends generally vertically upward from the base 102. The support plate 164 is preferably integrally formed with, e.g. be stamped out from, the base 102. The support plate 164 has a hole 166 through which a rivet 168 is received for securing the rotatable member 138, the claw ring 140 and the coupling link 118 for rotational or swivelling movement about a common central longitudinal axis L-L (see also Fig. 2).

It can be seen that the axis L-L about which the rotatable member 138, the claw ring 140 and the coupling link 118 rotate or swivel is different from the axis about which the operating link 114 pivots. In addition, the axis L-L is further away from the base 102 than the axis about which the operating link 114 pivots.

Figs. 3 to 9 show the paper- retain ing mechanism 100 in a ring-open configuration in which the arches 106 are in the ring-open position, i.e. the arches 106 are out of engagement and out of contact with the posts 104. In this ring-open configuration, a central upwardly-bent portion 108a of the intervening rod 108 is received within one of the recessed regions 148 of the operating part 144 of the rotatable member 138 (which is shown in dotted lines in Figs. 3 and 8 for clarity purpose). In this ring-open configuration, the operating link 114 of the lever assembly is at its stable upper position, to which it is biased. In order to avoid over-biasing of the operating link 114 by the spring 134 or by an external force, the operating link 114 has a stopper 168 which abuts the rotatable member 138 when the operating link 114 is at its stable upper position. When the operating link 114 is pivoted downwardly (i.e. in the direction indicated by the arrow S in Fig. 3), it brings about corresponding rotational movement of the coupling link 118 in the same direction, i.e. in the direction indicated by the arrow R in Fig. 3. Because of the shape of the claws 156 of the claw ring 140, the coupling ring 118 is coupled with the claw ring 140, such that rotation of the coupling link 118 in this direction brings about simultaneous rotational movement of the claw ring 140 in the same direction through the same angle. Because of the engagement between the claw ring 140 and the rotatable member 138, rotation of the claw ring 140 in turn brings about corresponding rotational movement of the rotatable member

138 in the same direction through the same angle.

When the operating lever 114 is pivoted from its stable upper position to its lower position (as shown in Figs. 10 to 11 ), the rotatable member 138 rotates through 60°, so as to bring a protruding portion 146 of the operating part 144 of the rotatable member 138 to bear on the central upwardly-bent portion 108a of the intervening rod 108, and against the upward biasing force of the leaf spring 112. By way of such an action, the arches 106 are pivoted to the ring-closed position, in which the arches 106 mate with the posts 104 to close the two rings.

The lever assembly is designed such that the pivoting angle of the coupling link 118 is twice of that of the operating link 114. In the present embodiment, the angle through which the operating link 114 travels between its stable upper position and its lower position is 30°, so that through each downward pivoting movement of the operating link 114, the coupling link 118 (and thus the claw ring 140 and the rotatable member 138) rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow R by 60°, which is the angle between adjacent alternating protruding portion 146 and recessed region 148 of the operating part 144 of the rotatable member 138.

When the downward force acting on the operating link 114 of the lever assembly is released, the operating link 114 will return, upon the biasing force of the spring 134, to its stable upper position, as shown in Figs. 12 and 13. During this upward pivoting movement of the operating link 114, it causes the coupling link 118 to rotate in a direction opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow R in Fig. 3.

However, again because of the shape of the claws 156 of the claw ring 140, when the coupling link 118 rotates in the direction opposite to that indicated by the arrow R in Fig. 3, it is de-coupled from the claw ring 140. More particularly, the coupling link 118 will slip past the claws 156 of the claw ring 140, without bringing the claw ring 140 into simultaneous rotational movement. During this movement, the claw ring 140 is pushed towards the rotatable member 138, against the biasing force of the springs 152. Put simply, the claw ring 140 and the rotatable member 138 remain stationary during rotational movement of the coupling link 118 in the direction opposite to that indicated by the arrow R in Fig. 3. It can thus be seen that the rotatable member 138 and the intermediate claw ring 140 only rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow R, but not in the reversed direction.

When the operating link 114 reaches its upper stable position, it has travelled by

30°, which means that the coupling link 118 has travelled by 60°. In this position, each of the claws 156 is again received within a respective hole 162 of the plate 160 of the coupling link 118.

When the operating link 114 is subsequently pivoted downwardly to its lower position, the coupling link 118 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow R in Fig. 3 to bring about corresponding rotational movement of the claw ring 140 and the rotatable member 138, so as to bring an adjacent recessed region 148 of the rotatable member 138 into engagement with the central upwardly-bent portion 108a of the intervening rod 108, so as to allow the leaf spring 112 to pivot upwardly to pivot the arches 106 away from the posts 104 to open the rings, whereby the mechanism 100 assumes the ring-open configuration, as shown in Figs. 3 to 9.

It can be seen that a paper-retaining mechanism according to the present invention possesses at least the following advantages: a. because of the angle magnification characteristic of the lever assembly, the user only has to pivot the operating link 114 downward by 30° to bring about a 60° rotation of the rotatable member 138, which renders the mechanism 100 easy to operate; b. in contrast with conventional mechanisms, opening and closing of the rings is brought about by a same downward pivoting movement of the operating link 114 from its stable upper position, thus simplifying operation of the mechanism 100; c. after each downward pivoting movement, the operating link 114 is returned, under the upward biasing force of the spring 134, to its stable upper position, to be ready for the next operation; and d. even when in its stable upper position, the operating link 114 is sufficiently spaced apart from the posts 104 and arches 106, so as to allow pieces of hole-punched paper to be retrieved from or inserted into the posts 104 and the arches 106.

The mechanism 100 may be secured, e.g. by rivets or screws, to a substrate, e.g. a cover made of cardboard, plastics, metal or a combination thereof, to form a document file or holder.

It should be understood that the above only illustrates an example whereby the present invention may be carried out, and that various modifications and/or alterations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention. It should also be understood that various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described here in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any appropriate sub-combinations.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A paper-retaining mechanism (100) including: a base (102); at least two post members (104) secured to said base; at least two arch members (106) joined with each other for simultaneous movement, wherein said arch members are movable relative to said post members between a closed position in which said arch members are in contact with said post members to form two closed rings and an open position in which said arch members are out of contact with said post members wherein said rings are open; and a lever assembly operable to cause a rotatable member (138) to rotate to move said arch members between said closed position and said open position; wherein said lever assembly is engaged with said rotatable member via an intermediate member (140); characterized in that said lever assembly includes at least a first link member (114), a second link member (116) and a third link member (118); wherein a first end (116a) of said second link member is pivotably engaged with said first link member; wherein a second end (116b) of said second link member is pivotably engaged with said third link member; wherein said rotatable member rotates in a first direction (R) upon rotation of said third link member in said first direction; and wherein said rotatable member remains stationary upon rotation of said third link member in an opposite second direction.

2. A mechanism according to Claim 1 further characterized in that said rotatable member, said intermediate member and said third link member are rotatable or swivellable about a same first axis (L-L).

3. A mechanism according to Claim 2 further characterized in that said intermediate member is engaged with said rotatable member for simultaneous movement.

4. A mechanism according to Claim 1 further characterized in that said intermediate member includes at least one engagement member (156) releasably engaged with at least a hole (162) of said third link member.

5. A mechanism according to Claim 4 further characterized in that when said engagement member of said intermediate member is received within said hole of said lever member, said third link member is pivotable in said first direction to cause said intermediate member to rotate in said first direction, to thereby cause said rotatable member to rotate in said first direction.

6. A mechanism according to Claim 4 or 5 further characterized in that when said engagement member of said intermediate member is received within said hole of said lever member, said intermediate member remains stationary upon pivotal movement of said third link member in said second direction.

7. A mechanism according to any one of Claims 2 to 6 further characterized in that said intermediate member is biased towards said third link member.

8. A mechanism according to Claim 4, 5 or 6 further characterized in that said intermediate member includes a number of radially extending engagement members.

9. A mechanism according to Claim 2 further characterized in that said first link member of said lever assembly is pivotable about a second axis which is different from said first axis.

10. A document file including a substrate engaged with a paper-retaining mechanism according to any of the preceding claims.