US3224450A

US3224450A - Flexible post binder and compression mechanism therefor

Info

Publication number: US3224450A
Application number: US340187A
Authority: US
Inventors: Whittemore Edward; Lindgren Robert
Original assignee: Wilson Jones Co
Current assignee: Wilson Jones Co
Priority date: 1964-01-27
Filing date: 1964-01-27
Publication date: 1965-12-21
Anticipated expiration: 1982-12-21

Description

2 1965 E. WHITTEMORE ETAL 3,224,450

FLEXIBLE POST BINDER AND COMPRESSION MECHANISM THEREFQR Filed Jan. 27, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 E INVENTORS 32 EDWARD WH/TTEMORE BY ROBERT L/NDGREN J. lntfi 5 5 A TTORNEY DeQ 1965 E. WHlTTEMORE ETAL 3,224,450

FLEXIBLE POST BINDER AND COMPRESSION MECHANISM THEREFOR Filed Jan. 27, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 4 I Z9 p- 26 54 m 4 l 1 50 I 30 Zj/Q r 1 1 i /9 Z0 2 24 5/52 28 /Z 20 z/ 29 3/3; 25 20 azr INVENTORS EDWARD WH/TTEMO/PE BY ROBERT L/NDGREN United States Patent C) 3,224,450 FLEXIBLE POST BINDER AND COMPRESSION MECHANISM THEREFOR Edward Whittemore, Elmhurst, and Robert Lindgren, Aurora, 111., assignors to Wilson Jones Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Filed Jan. 27, 1964, Ser. No. 340,187 4 Claims. (Cl. 12925) This invention relates to a flexible post binder and, in particular to a compression mechanism for use therein.

Flexible post binders, since the basic invention thereof, have practically revolutionized the field. Prior compression mechanisms, however, have not been satisfactory for low priced binders with relatively inexpensive covers.

The compression mechanism of this invention has a number of advantages which will be summarized seriatim:

(1) The compression mechanism is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

(2) The compressor members utilized therewithin are of such construction that they may be snapped into the channel from a position outside the plane thereof but nevertheless retained therein.

(3) In one modification of this invention similar compression mechanisms are disposed on each of the covers of the binders. Thus the binder can be loaded or unloaded with sheets from either side and the opposite ends of the posts can be retained selectively.

(4) The posts can be inexpensively made, with the use of the above modification of this invention, since it is not necessary in this modification to produce posts with enlarged end portions. These types of posts can thus be prepared by mass production methods and very cheaply.

The above constitutes a brief description of the instant invention and the advantages thereof. Other advantages of this invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

The invention will now be further described by reference to the accompanying drawings which are made a part of this specification.

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary isometric view of a binder having one form of the compression mechanism of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the binder shown in FIG. 1 taken along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the binder shown in FIG. 1 taken along lines 33 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view similar to that of FIG. 2 but showing the alternative form of compression mechanism wherein similar compression mechanisms are disposed on each of the cover members of the binder.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view similar to that of FIG. 3 but showing the alternative form of mechanism shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a detail sectional view taken through the channel and cover at the point of rivet attachment and showing how a compressor member may be inserted into the channel from a position outside the plane there-of.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to that of FIG. 6 showing the compressor member in position within the channel.

The invention will now be further described by reference to the specific forms thereof shown in the accompanying drawings. In this connection, however, the reader is cautioned to note that the specific forms of this invention set forth in this specification are for illustrative purposes and for purposes of example only. Various changes and modifications may obviously be made within the spirit and scope of this invention and would occur to those skilled in this art.

The flexible post binder 10, to which the compression mechanism of this invention is secured, includes an upper support portion 13 and an extended portion 14. Cover 12 includes a support portion 15 and an extended portion 16.

A compression mechanism (in the modification shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3) is secured to support portion 13 of cover 11. The compression mechanism includes a channel 17 having a pair of oppositely laterally disposed outwardly slanting rails 61. Channel 17 also has a pair of oppositely disposed lateral overhanging portions 18 and a pair of inturned end portions 19 at opposite ends of channel 17. Channel 17 is riveted to support portion 13 by rivets 20.

A plurality of sheets 21 are disposed between covers 11 and 12. Each of sheets 21 are provided with spaced

openings

22 and 23 therewithin.

Spaced openings

24 and 25 are provided within cover 12 and spaced

openings

26 and 27 are provided within cover 11.

Spaced openings

28 and 29 are provided within channel 17.

Openings

22, 24, 26 and 28 and

openings

23, 25, 27 and 29 are in alignment with one another. A post 30 having a threaded portion 31 and a screw head 32 extends through

openings

22, 24, 26 and 28 and 23, 25, 27 and 29. The upper end 33 of each of posts 30 are retained in bent-over relationship by compressor 34. Each of posts 30 are made of resin-ous material having flexibility, stability of conditions between zero and F. and resistance to stretching. Preferably these posts are made of type 6/6 nylon or other resinous material of similar characteristics.

Compressor 34 is formed with a pair of resilient laterally disposed upwardly extending substantially V- shaped hook members 35 each normally disposed beneath a corresponding portion 18 of channel 17. Each of members 35 are formed with a resiliently connected inwardly movable portion 60. Compressor 34 also bears a bridge portion 36 intermediate between hook portions 35. Compressor member 34 is likewise preferably made of resilient resinous material.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show an alternative construction of this invention wherein similar compression mechanisms are disposed upon each cover of the binder. Thus, as shown particularly in FIG. 4 a channel 17 and associated structure are secured to support portion 13 of cover 11 and to support portion 15 of cover 12. A pair of

openings

37 and 38 are also provided within channel 17 secured to support portion 15. With this construction the posts 30a which are disposed within

openings

22, 24, 26, 28 and 37 and

openings

23, 25, 27, 29 and 38 are formed with points 33 at their opposite end portions. The

opposite end portions

40 and 41 are secured beneath compressor members 34 which are located within each of channels 17.

With the foregoing description the operation of the form of invention set forth in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 are now explained.

The binder is prepared for operation by disposing a pair of posts 30 with the threaded portion 31 engaged and screw head 32 in position. Assuming that the binder is being utilized for the first time a pair of compressor members 34 are placed within channel 17 in the position shown in FIG. 6. Pressure is then applied to the compressor member 34 in the direction indicated by the arrow shown in FIG. 6 and the compressor member snaps into position as shown in FIG. 7. In normal position the portions 60 of hooks 35 each lie along a rail 61. Because of the outward slant of rail 61 the compressor is more easily placed within a channel 17 and moves more freely therealong. The end portions 33 of each of posts 30 are retained in bent-over relationship by compressors 34 as indicated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

In the alternative structure shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 the binder is prepared for operation by snapping the compressor members into the appropriate channels 17 and cover 11 and a lower cover 12. Cover 11 includes athence selectively retaining either ends 40 of posts 30a or ends 41 of posts 30a. The opposite end portions are then retained as desired by utilizing compressor members 34 located upon the opposite Channel. Thus, with the alternative construction shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 the flexible post binder may be loaded from either side.

The foregoing demonstrates how the objects of this invention are achieved.

We claim:

1. A compression mechanism for a flexible post binder comprising a channel having a pair of oppositely laterally disposed rails, a pair of oppositely inwardly extending spaced overhanging portions carried by said rails and a pair of oppositely disposed inturned end portions, 21 pair of compressor members normally slidably disposed within said channel, each of said compressor members formed with a pair of oppositely laterally disposed upwardly opening substantially V-shaped hook members each having a resiliently connected inwardly movable portion, a bridge portion intervening said hook members, each of the inwardly movable portions of each of the hook members of a compress-or member being normally disposed between one of the overhanging portions of said channel and lying along the rails thereof, the spacing between the overhanging portions of said rails being greater than the spacing between the apexes of the V-shaped hooks but less than the spacing between the outer extremities of said hooks; each of said compressor members being also adapted to be snapped into said channel from a position outside the plane thereof.

2. A compression mechanism for a flexible post binder comprising a channel having a pair of oppositely laterally disposed outwardly slanting rails, a pair of oppositely disposed inwardly extending spaced overhanging portions carried by said rails and stop means at each end of said channel; a pair of compressor members normally slidably disposed within said channel, each of said compressor members formed with a pair of oppositely laterally disposed upwardly opening substantially V-shaped hook members each having a resiliently connected inwardly movable portion, an upwardly extending bowed bridge portions intervening said hook members, each of the resiliently connected portions of said hook members of a compressor member being normally disposed beneath one of the overhanging portions of said channel and lying along the rails thereof, the spacing between the overhanging portions of said rails being greater than the spacing between the apexes of the V- shaped hooks but less than the spacing between the outer extremities of said hooks; each of said compressor members being also adapted to be snapped into said channel from a position outside the plane thereof.

3. A flexible post binder comprising an upper cover and a lower cover, each of said covers having a support portion and an extended portion, said support portions being each provided with a pair of spaced openings therewithin in alignment with the corresponding opening upon the opposite cover, a compression mechanism upon the support portion of one of said covers, said compression mechanism comprising a channel having a pair of oppositely laterally disposed outwardly slanting rails, a pair of oppositely disposed inwardly extending spaced overhanging portions carried by said rails and an inturned end portion at each end of said channel; said channel being also provided with a pair of openings in alignment with the openings on said support portion, a pair of flexible posts having opposite end portions each disposed within aligned openings and retained therewithin and projecting therefrom; a pair of compressor members normally slidably disposed within said channel, each of said compressor members formed with a pair of oppositely laterally disposed upwardly opening substantially V-shaped hook members, each having a resiliently connected inwardly movable and outwardly projecting portion, a bridge portion intervening said hook members, an end portion of each of said posts being normally disposed beneath one of said bridge portions, each of the resiliently connected portions of said hook members being normally disposed beneath one of the overhanging portions of said chan nel and lying along a rail thereof, the spacing between the overhanging portions of said rails being greater than the spacing between the apexes of the V-shaped hooks but less than the spacing between the outer extremities of said hooks; each of said compressor members being also adapted to be snapped into said channel from a position outside the plane thereof.

4. A flexible post binder comprising an upper cover and a lower cover, each of said covers having a support portion and an extended portion, said support portions being each provided with a pair of spaced openings therewithin in alignment with the corresponding opening upon the opposite cover, a compression mechanism upon the support portions of each of said covers, each of said compression mechanisms comprising a channel having a pair of oppositely laterally disposed outwardly slanting rails, a pair of oppositely inwardly extending spaced overhanging portions carried by said rails, said channel having a pair of oppositely disposed inturned end portions at each end thereof, each of said channels being provided with a pair of spaced openings in alignment with the openings upon the corresponding support portion, a pair of flexible posts of resinous material having opposite end portions each disposed within a set of aligned openings within said covers and said channels, said posts being retained therewithin and projecting therefrom, a pair of compressor members within each of said channels normally slidably disposed therewithin, each of said compressor members formed with a pair of oppositely laterally upwardly opening substantially V-shaped spaced hook members each having resiliently connected inwardly movable and outwardly projecting portions, an intervening bridge portion intervening said hook members, an end portion of each of said posts being normally disposed beneath a bridge portion of a compressor member within the channels upon opposite covers, each of the resiliently connected portions of said hook members being normally disposed beneath one of the overhanging portions of the respective channel and lying along a rail thereof, the spacing between the overhanging portions of said rails being greater than the spacing between the apexes of the V- shaped hooks but less than the spacing between the outer extremities of said hooks; each of said compressor members being also adapted to be snapped into the respective channel from a position outside the plane thereof.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,860,155 5/1932 Orthwine 24153 1,936,144 11/1933 Wagner 24-153 2,119,843 6/1938 Brennan 24153 2,252,827 8/1941 Zwickel 12925 3,078,853 2/1963 Klein 12941 3,121,432 2/1964 Schade 12925 X 3,150,667 9/1964 Potts 12925 I FOREIGN PATENTS 1,191,115 4/1959 France.

1,219,180 12/1959 France.

25,648 2/ 1902 Switzerland.

WALTER A. SCHEEL, Primary Examiner.

JEROME SCHNALL, Examiner.

Claims

1. A COMPRESSION MECHANISM FOR A FLEXIBLE POST BINDER COMPRISING A CHANNEL HAVING A PAIR OF OPPOSITELY LATERALLY DISPOSED RAILS, A PAIR OF OPPOSITELY INWARDLY EXTENDING SPACED OVERHANGING PORTIONS CARRIED BY SAID RAILS AND A PAIR OF OPPOSITELY DISPOSED INTURNED END PORTIONS, A PAIR OF COMPRESSOR MEMBERS NORMALLY SLIDABLY DISPOSED WITHIN SAID CHANNEL, EACH OF SAID COMPRESSOR MEMBERS FORMED WITH A PAIR OF OPPOSITELY LATERALLY DISPOSED UPWARDLY OPENING SUBSTANTIALLY V-SHAPED HOOK MEMBERS EACH HAVING A RESILIENTLY CONNECTED INWARDLY MOVABLE PORTION, A BRIDGE PORTION INTERVENING SAID HOOK MEMBERS, EACH OF THE INWARDLY MOVABLE PORTIONS OF EACH OF THE HOOK MEMBERS OF A COMPRESSOR MEMBER BEING NORMALLY DISPOSED BETWEEN ONE OF THE OVERHANGING PORTIONS OF SAID CHANNEL AND LYING ALONG THE RAILS THEREOF, THE SPACING BETWEEN THE OVERHANGING PORTIONS OF SAID RAILS BEING GREATER THAN THE SPACING BETWEEN THE APEXES OF THE V-SHAPED HOOKS BUT LESS THAN THE SPACING BETWEEN THE OUTER EXTREMITIES OF SAID HOOKS; EACH OF SAID COMPRESSOR MEMBERS BEING ALSO ADAPTED TO BE SNAPPED INTO SAID CHANNEL FROM A POSITION OUTSIDE THE PLANE THEREOF.