Binders for part-works

Abstract

 A binder for part-works has a pair of parallel bars 16 (Figure 1) fixed to the cover 12 of the binder, and each part-work 30 is engaged by a pair of U-shaped clips 26 which receive the pages of the part-work between their limbs. Each clip is engaged with a corresponding one of the bars 16 by formations on one of the limbs, in the illustrated case by the projections 34 embracing the edges of the bar.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to binders for part-works and the like. Such binders are well known and comprise front and back covers which are both (usually) hinged to a spine area, and means for connecting each individual part-work to the spine. The parts may comprise one or more sheets folded in half and the means has comprised wires, one to each part, lying adjacent the fold and inside the part, with ends projecting beyond the part and engaged with appropriate formations on the spine.

[0002] Instead of using wires, in prior Patent GB 518 389 each part is held to the spine by a U-shaped clip having one limb in the part and the other behind the spine and the latter limb has a kink to snap-engage behind an edge of a ridge bar extending across the spine, or into a groove across the spine. Although the drawings in this patent illustrate those limbs as visible on the outside of the spine, the text of the patent makes it plain that a flexible rear cover may be provided to conceal and protect the spine and those limbs.

[0003] Further prior patents showing similar constructions are GB 1 230 256, 1 367 106 and 2 242 866.

[0004] The security of the parts in the binder depends upon the kink or other means for preventing movement of the clips relative to the length of the binder. In practice the clips tend to be made as plastics mouldings rather than from wire and the plastics has a limited resilience and if a large amount of flexing is required in order to get a good snap action and security, there is a risk that the clips may break during insertion. If the snap action is less certain, there is a risk that if the binder is dropped on a shelf in a vertical position, at least the bottom clip may fall out.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to solve this problem and to provide an improved part-work binder.

[0006] According to the invention a part-work binder comprises a spine provided with a pair of spaced apart transverse bars and a pair of clips for each part-work, each clip comprising a first limb to be located in the part-work, a second limb to be located outside the part-work, and a means mounted on the second limb which are adapted to engage with the corresponding one of the bars.

[0007] Preferably said means comprise projections adapted to embrace the lateral edges of the bars, but the converse is possible for example headed projections on the bars to engage in Tee slots in the projections.

[0008] Preferably the clips are plastics mouldings adapted to snap-engage with the bar, but even with the projections which embrace the lateral edges of the bar other arrangements are possible for example one in which the clips are threaded onto the bar from one end.

[0009] According to an important feature of the invention the clips are moulded from a plastics material integrally with a runner, and the clips and runners are assembled to the binder. This keeps the parts as a single package and enables the user to snap the clips off the runner when required without risk of losing the so-far unused clips. The distinction here is from the previous practice when fastenings were supplied loose resulting in part-work binder suppliers receiving frequent requests for replacements.

[0010] The invention is more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation on an enlarged scale showing a part-work held to a binder by a clip; and

Figure 2 is a perspective view on a reduced scale showing a binder for part-works ready for use.

[0011] Turning first to Figure 1, the binder comprises a front and back covers 10 hinged to a spine 12. An elongated narrow plate 14 is fixed to the spine on the inside of the binder, and 'has a pair of transverse bars 16, one near each end of the plate and at the top and bottom of the binder, and each transverse bar is spaced from the plate 14 by a neck 18. The bars extend between shallow raised side members 20 which are integral with the plate 14. The parts 14, 20 are integral and may be a moulding of a suitable plastics material.

[0012] The side pieces 20 may be slotted at 22 for a purpose to be explained.

[0013] A plurality of individual clips generally indicated by the reference numeral 26 are provided each having a first limb 28 which, as illustrated in Figure 1, lies inside an individual part-work 30, and that limb is integral and unitary with a second limb 32 which lies outside the part-work and generally parallel to the limb 28. Limb 32 is provided with a pair of projections 34 having in-turned ends which are arranged to snap-engage over the bar 16 to occupy the position illustrated.

[0014] Preferably the limb 28 converges towards the limb 32 along its length and away from the bridge portion 36 which connects the two limbs, so as to clip the part-work firmly in position.

[0015] It will be appreciated that a clip such as 26 is inserted into the top and another into the bottom of each part-work, utilising the two bars 16a, 16b as shown in Figure 2.

[0016] It will also be appreciated that the effect of forces applied in the direction of the arrow A, Figure 1, for example by dropping the binder onto a shelf in a vertical position has no effect in terms of disengaging either of the clips and affecting the security of the part-work in the binder.

[0017] Turning now to Figure 2, this illustrates the plate 14 as apertured at 36, for the purposes of saving on plastics material, but this is unimportant to the invention.

[0018] Figure 2 also illustrates a plurality of clips 26 moulded as a so-called gate within a peripheral member 40 which serves as a runner in the mould connecting all of the cavities in which the clips are formed, and having weakened areas 42 to enable the clips to be snapped off individually as required. This gate of clips is conveniently retained in the binder by means of lugs 44 engaged in the slots 22.

[0019] It will be appreciated that when a binder is intended to hold say 10 individual part-works, the gate will be provided with 20 clips.

Claims

1. A part-work binder comprising a spine provided with a pair of spaced apart transverse bars and a pair of clips for each part-work, each clip comprising a first limb to be located in the part-work, a second limb to be located outside the part-work, and a means mounted on the second limb which are adapted to engage with the corresponding one of the bars.

2. A binder as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said means comprise projections adapted to embrace the lateral edges of the bars.

3. A binder as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the means comprise headed projections on the bars engaging in Tee slots in the clips.

4. A binder as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the clips are plastics mouldings adapted to snap-engage with the bar.

5. A binder as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 3 wherein the clips are threaded onto the bar from one end.

6. A binder as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the clips are moulded from a plastics material integrally with a runner and the clips and runner are assembled to the binder.

7. A part-work binder substantially as described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

Drawing