A ring binder

IS 2 148 684 T3

DESCRIPTION

Ring binder.

This invention relates to a ring binder, and in particular to a ring binder that includes a substantially rigid upper structure that supports a rotatable lower structure, to which several pairs of rings are attached.

Existing ring binders include different types of locking mechanisms to prevent accidental opening of the ring pairs, thus allowing the paper to fall out of the binders. In the absence of a locking mechanism, if the ring binder is in a vertical position, the paper can force open the pairs of rings, thus trapping one or more sheets of paper between them. Additionally, if there is no proper locking mechanism, in case of flipping the ring binder when it contains a large amount of paper, the paper may force open the ring pairs by virtue of their weight.

There are existing ring binders that include at either end a lever that can be operated to rotate the lower plates to selectively open and / or close pairs of ring members mounted on the plates. Such levers are movable between a first position, in which the pairs of tin ring members closed and locked to withstand any force applied to them, a second position in which the pairs of tin ring members closed, but can be opened by means of a force applied to either pair of ring members, and a third position in which the pairs of ring members are open.

Document DE-A-3 119 779 describes a ring binder that includes an elastic mechanism cover that supports a lower structure comprising a pair of support members that can be rotatably moved between a first position, in which the angle formed by the upper surfaces of the plate members is less than 180 °, and a second position in which the angle formed by the upper surfaces of the plate members is greater than 180^°, a bolt member to fix the lower structure, and a handle member to actuate the bolt member, in which arrangement the bolt member acts in a first position in the ring binder and the handle acts in a second position in the ring binder. ring binder.

In accordance with the present invention, a ring binder is created comprising a substantially rigid upper structure supporting a lower structure to which at least two pairs of ring members are attached, the lower structure being rotatably movable between a first position, in which the pairs of ring members are closed and locked, and a second position in which the pairs of ring members are open and unlocked; characterized in that it comprises locking means with a key member operable to move said locking means between a locked position, in which said locking means engage with said lower structure opposing the rotary movement, and an unlocked position in which said structure bottom can move from said first position to said second position, and wherein said key member comprises an inclined portion on which said lower structure acted when said lower structure moves from its first position to its second position.

Conveniently, the locking means may comprise at least one locking member which, when the locking means is in its locked position, engages the lower structure preventing rotational movement.

Suitably the locking means may comprise two locking members.

The locking member or members, in their locked position, may advantageously engage an upper surface of the lower frame.

The lower structure may conveniently comprise abutment means against which the locking member or members bear when the locking means is in its locked position.

The lower structure may suitably comprise opening means for receiving at least part of the locking member or members when the lower structure is moved from its first position to its second position.

Conveniently, the key member may be operable to disengage the locking member or members from the lower structure.

Suitably, the key member may be operable to disengage the locking member or members from the upper surface of the lower frame.

The key member may be advantageously operable to disengage the locking member or members from the stop means.

The key member may be suitably fixedly engaged with the locking member or members for simultaneous movement.

Advantageously, when the inclined portion of the key member is actuated by the lower structure, the locking member or members may be movable from its locked position to its unlocked position.

Conveniently, the lower structure may comprise hole means for receiving at least part of the key member when the lower structure is moved from its first position to its second position.

Suitably the key member may comprise a wire element.

The locking means can advantageously engage the upper structure.

The locking means may be conveniently oscillatingly movable relative to the upper structure.

The locking means may be suitably supported for oscillatory movement by support means.

Advantageously, the support means can comprise at least an inwardly folded part of the upper structure.

Conveniently, the key member may be adjacent to the pair of accio2 ring members.

ES 2 148 684 T3 nables.

Suitably, the binder may comprise fixing means for fixing the ring binder to a base member.

The fixing means can advantageously be formed integrally with the upper structure.

The invention will now be described, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 represents a perspective view from above of a first embodiment of a ring binder according to the present invention, with the rings in a closed position;

Figure 2 represents a bottom perspective view of the ring binder illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 3 represents an exploded perspective view of the ring binder illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 4 represents a bottom perspective view of the ring binder shown in Figure 1, with part of the lower structure removed for clarity;

Figure 5 shows the ring binder of Figure 1 with the lower structure in a partially displaced position;

Figure 6 shows the ring binder of Figure 1 with the rings in an open position;

Figure 7A represents a cross-sectional view of the ring binder illustrated in Figure 1, through the locking member with the rings in the closed position;

Figure 7B depicts a cross-sectional view of the ring binder illustrated in Figure 1, through the key member with the rings in the closed position;

Figure 8A represents a cross-sectional view of the ring binder illustrated in Figure 1, through the locking member with the rings in the open position;

Figure 8B depicts a cross-sectional view of the ring binder illustrated in Figure 1, through the key member with the rings in the open position;

Figure 9 represents a top perspective view of a second embodiment of a ring binder according to the present invention with the rings in a closed position;

Figure 10 shows a bottom perspective view of the ring binder illustrated in Figure 9;

Figure 11 represents an exploded perspective view of the ring binder illustrated in Figure 9;

Figure 12 represents a bottom perspective view of the ring binder illustrated in Figure 9, with part of the bottom structure removed for clarity;

Figure 13 shows the ring binder of Figure 9 with its lower structure in a partially displaced position;

Figure 14 shows the ring binder of Figure 9 with the rings in an open position;

Figure 15 depicts a top perspective view of a third embodiment of a ring binder according to the present invention with the rings in a closed position; Y

Figure 16 represents a perspective view from below of the ring binder illustrated in Figure 15.

As shown in Figures 1 to 8B, a ring binder according to a first embodiment of the present invention is generally indicated 10. The ring binder 10 includes an upper housing 12 that supports a pair of plates 14a and 14b a which are fixed three pairs 16a, 16b and 16c of rings. Plates 14a and 14b are rotatably movable relative to each other so that pairs 16a, 16b and 16c of rings can be selectively opened or closed. Rings 16a, 16b, and 16c extend through three pairs of slots 18a and 18b and 18c in upper housing 12, which allow rings 16a, 16b, and 16c to open or close. At each end of the ring binder 10 there is a hole 20a and 20b, through which a rivet (not shown) can be received to fix the ring binder 10 to an item (not shown), for example a cardboard cover. / plastic / metal.

As most clearly shown in FIG. 3, the ring binder 10 includes a locking member 22 that includes a wire 24 with a locking element 26 crimped thereon. As shown in Figure 4, the wire 24 includes a shaft 28 that was secured to the lower surface of the upper housing 12 by three parts 30 turned inward and crimped therewith. The locking member 22, the wire 24 and the locking member 26 are thus allowed to oscillate about the longitudinal axis of the axis 28.

At the position that all loops 16a, 16b, and 16c are closed, as shown in Figures 1, 2, 4, 7A, and 7B, a distal end 32 of wire 24 extends slightly through opening 34 of the wire. plate 14a. In this position, the locking element 26 abuts against the upper surface of the plate 14b and a tab 36. In this position, any attempt to open rings 16a, 16b and 16c by applying force to rings 16b or or 16c will be unsuccessful, since plate 14b, and consequently plate 14a, is prevented from making any upward pivoting movement by virtue of of the locking element 26 which acted against the plate 14b.

On the other hand, if a pulling force is applied to the rings 16a, the plate 14b will act on a bent portion 38 of the wire 24 from below. This caused the locking member 22 to rotate around the axis 28 in a clockwise direction (according to FIG. 7A) to the position shown in FIG. 5. In this position, wire 24 extends further through aperture 34 of plate 14a, and locking element 26 is displaced away from the upper surface of plate 14b and tab 36, and is aligned with an aperture 40. of plate 14b. A further rotary movement of the plates 14a and 14b, and thus the opening of all the rings 16a, 16b and 16c, is made possible by an additional pulling action on the rings 16a.

Rings 16a, 16b and 16c can be returned to the closed position by pushing together any of the three pairs of rings 16a, 16b and 16c. When a force of em3 is applied

ES 2 148 684 T3 pushes any of the three pairs of rings 16a, 16b and 16c, the plate 14a will act from above on the bent portion 38 of the wire 24, so that the locking member 22 is made to rotate about the axis 28 counterclockwise (according to figure 8B) to the position illustrated in figure 7B.

The extent of the return movement of the locking element 26 to its locked position is determined by the tab 36, which prevents excessive displacement of the locking element 26. This also prevents distal end 32 of wire 24 from being concealed in the cavity formed by upper housing 12 and plates 14a and 14b.

It is clear from the above discussion that, in the present invention, only one pair of rings, namely pair 16a, can be actuated to cause plates 14a and 14b to rotate, thereby opening all rings 16a, 16b and 16c. The ring binder 10 is thus blocked from any opening movement, unless this specific pair of rings is actuated. On the other hand, all the rings 16a, 16b and 16c can be operated to close the folder.

Figures 9 to 14 show a second embodiment of a ring binder according to the present invention, generally indicated as 100. The main difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment discussed above is the arrangement of two locking elements 102 and 104 . Accordingly, two tabs 106 and 108 are disposed on the upper surface of a plate 110b to govern the movements of the locking elements 102 and 104 back to the locked position, and two openings 112 and 114 are disposed on the plate 110b to allow a portion of the locking elements 102 and 104 passes through.

Figures 15 and 16 show a third embodiment of a ring binder according to the present invention, indicated generally as 200. The main difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment discussed above is the arrangement of two fixing members 202 in each end of ring binder 200. Each fixture member 202 includes six pointed curved sectors 204 that hang downwardly from the periphery of a hole 206. It is thus possible to fix the ring binder 200 to a cardboard cover without using any rivets.