FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a document binder having document fastener which
its length varies during use according to the opening angle of the binder's side covers,
allowing for a convenient browsing and for fast and easy filing and removing documents.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The need for reliable binding methods is ever present and growing in the modem world,
where almost every human being is faced with the need to file all kinds of documents
for future reference. There are several known methods for document filing in binders.
One known method for document binding is to bind the documents permanently, in the
form of a book, using an adhesive strip which is glued to the side of a bunch of paper
sheets, thus holding these papers together. This method is good for papers of substantially
equal dimensions, and is useless if a certain document needs separation from the entire
bunch. For convenient separation of documents another method of binding is used. Each
sheet of paper is perforated at the same relative location on the sheet, and is threaded
on a peg, which is attached to a folder, thus holding said sheet of paper in place.
Commonly documents destined to be filed in binders are perforated in at least two
(usually exactly two) locations, near one of the elongated edges of the paper.
[0003] Several types of such pegs are known. One type of such a peg is a foldable peg which
when erect allows for the filing or removing of documents, and when folded sideways
prevents the release of the bound documents. Optionally an additional bar is placed
onto the folded peg to obstruct erecting it unintentionally. Using this binding method
insures relatively secure binding, but is extremely inconvenient when a certain document
needs to be released and taken out of the binder.
[0004] There is the semi-circular peg, which can be drawn to an adjacent semicircular such
peg, forming a ring, thus preventing the release of the filed documents, in one position.
To take up its other position the semi-circular peg can be drawn away form the adjacent
peg, thus opening the ring and allowing for the removal of filed documents or filing
of additional documents. Generally the semi-circular peg is held in its open or closed
position by means of a spring. A major drawback of the semicircular peg binding is
the tendency of the peg to give way and become slack in its closed position, thus
allowing slipping of sheets out of the ring, and their subsequent detachment from
the binder.
[0005] It is the object of the present invention to provide a novel document binding mechanism,
which provides reliable and secure binding, and at the same time allows quick and
easy removal or separation of required documents from the binder.
[0006] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a document binding mechanism
that allows for relatively large number of documents to be securely filed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention relates to a document binder comprising two side covers, pivotally
attached to opposing edges of a back cover, wherein on the internal face of each side
cover at least one rigid peg is pivotally attached, and each peg is located in a corresponding
position for an inter engagement with a mate peg of the opposite side cover, such
that the total length of each pair of inter engaged pegs is varying during use according
to the opening angle of the side covers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0008]
Fig. 1 Illustrates the 'engaged' position of a preferred embodiment of the mechanism for
a document binder of the present invention, where the binder is partially opened on
both side covers.
Fig. 2 Illustrates the 'engaged' position of said preferred embodiment of the mechanism
for a document binder of the present invention, where the binder is partially opened
on one side cover and fully opened on the other side cover.
Fig. 3 Illustrates the 'engaged' position of said preferred embodiment of the mechanism
for a document binder of the present invention, where the binder is closed on both
side covers.
Fig. 4 Illustrates the 'engaged' position of said preferred embodiment of the mechanism
for a document binder of the present invention, where the binder is partially opened
on one side cover and closed on the other side cover.
Fig. 5 Illustrates the 'disengaged' position of a preferred embodiment of the mechanism
for a document binder of the present invention, where the binder is fully opened on
both side covers, allowing the disengagement of the pegs for removal or insertion
of documents.
Fig. 6 Illustrates a top view of the 'disengaged' position of said preferred embodiment
of the mechanism for a document binder of the present invention, where the binder
is fully opened on both side covers, allowing the disengagement of the pegs and removal
or insertion of documents.
Fig. 7 Illustrates the disengaged position with the pegs in a vertical orientation (open
position), allowing filing or removal of documents.
Fig. 8 Illustrates a disengaged position of another variation of the document binder according
to the present invention. According to this variation, the side covers has to be drawn
apart in angles of more then 180 degrees for reaching the "disengaged" position.
Fig. 9 Illustrates a mechanism for providing steady definite positions to the pegs, with
a disengaged peg lying steadily due to the appropriate relative position between protrusions
and a leaf-spring of the mechanism.
Fig. 10 Illustrates the leaf-spring and protrusions of the same mechanism of figure 9, with
the peg in a vertical orientation (open position).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND FIGURES
[0009] The mechanism for a document binder of the present invention seeks to provide a simple
and convenient filing and removing of documents in and out of a document folder.
[0010] Fig. 1 illustrates the 'engaged' position of a preferred embodiment of the mechanism for
a document binder of the present invention, where the binder is partially opened on
both side covers.
[0011] The binder consists of a folder (1) having two opposing side covers (2), which are
pivotally attached to a common rigid rectangular back cover (3), at opposing edges.
A pair of rigid pegs (4, 5) is employed, each peg being attached pivotally to a side
cover at a corresponding position opposite the peg of the other side cover. According
to the present embodiment, the pivoting ability is achieved by connection the peg
to the cover through clasps (6). The total length of both pegs is greater than the
back cover (3) width across its surface This is imperative in order to enable engagement
of these pegs by insertion of one peg inside the other. In this embodiment one peg
(4) of the pair is hollow along its stem allowing the other peg (5) to be telescopically
inserted inside the hollow cavity of the first peg. The insertion of one peg into
the other can take place when the opposing side covers (2a) of the folder are drawn
closer. The bound documents are threaded onto said pegs. In comparison with pegs of
known document binders, the stem of the pegs according to the present invention is
curved in a relatively flat arc. In addition, in an open position of the binder the
pegs are extended telescopically up to twice of their length of close position (in
known binders the length of the pegs is fixed). Due to the flat arc and the space
obtained between documents in the extended position of the pegs, the documents can
be turned conveniently, similarly to turning pages of book. It should be noted, however,
that other methods of engagement between the pegs could be employed. For instance,
one peg can be designed to have an external groove into which the other peg can fit
and slide along. In the context of the present invention a pair of pegs which are
adapted for sliding along each other are called also "mate pegs"; a single peg from
mate pegs is called also "mate peg".
[0012] Figures 2 - 4 illustrate various relative peg positions respectful of the side covers position,
all while maintaining the "engaged" position.
[0013] Reference is now made to Fig. 5 illustrates the 'disengaged' position of a preferred
embodiment of the mechanism for a document binder of the present invention, where
the binder is fully opened on both side covers, allowing the disengagement of the
pegs and removal or insertion of documents.
[0014] The pegs can be disengaged when the side covers (2) are fully drawn apart, when the
inserted peg is pulled out of the other peg. After the pegs are disengaged, the pegs
of each side can be separately pivot to a vertical position, allowing a convenient
removal or filing of documents. Preferably, the pivoting mechanism of pegs includes
a spring (preferably a leaf spring). The leaf spring (7) is connected and located
between two slits (8) in a metal plate (9), and this metal plate is attached to the
side cover of the binder. The leaf spring (7) enables a pressed passage of an excentral
protrusion (10) form the axis (11) around which pivots the peg within the clasp (6).
The pivot axis (11) is adjacent to the leaf spring (7), and the protrusions (10) (12)
(13) are arranged such that the leaf spring resists the movement of the axis between
an "open" position (when the peg is oriented substantially vertically to its attached
side cover) and a "disengagement" position (when the facing pegs are just disengaged,
but still lying parallel to the back cover). The protrusions (12) (13) form both sides
of the protrusion (10), prevent the peg form deviation into unwanted positions. (The
same effect may achieved alternatively with a leaf spring which passes from above
the axis (11), or in other ways as well). Thus, by means of the mutual relations between
the leaf spring and the protrusions (10) (12) (13), the momentary "open" and "disengagement"
positions of the disengaged pegs are kept steadily.
[0015] In this position documents can be filed inside the binder, or removed from it conveniently.
Fig. 6 illustrates a top view of the 'disengaged' position of said preferred embodiment
of the mechanism for a document binder of the present invention, where the binder
is fully opened on both side covers, allowing the disengagement of the pegs and removal
or insertion of documents. In this embodiment two pairs of pegs are used, and this
arrangement suits punched documents with a pair of matching holes.
[0016] Preferably at least two pairs of pegs are employed in the mechanism for a document
binder of the present invention, in order to provide firm grip of the documents and
avoid movements of these documents inside the binder. However more than two pairs
of pegs can also be used. It should be noted that the number of peg pairs ought to
match the number of perforations in the documents to be filed.
[0017] Standard perforation of documents using office punch produces circular holes 5 mm
in diameter, and therefore it is recommended that the pegs have a circular cross section,
as illustrated in Fig. 3. The hollow peg's outside diameter ought to be smaller than
5 mm, whereas the other peg's outside diameter should be smaller than the inside diameter
of the hollow peg.
[0018] The disclosed mechanism of the present invention is also applicable in a binder with
detachable side-covers, which are secured to the back cover with screws or other means.
[0019] The binder mechanism of the present invention allows smaller binder dimensions than
the prior art binders.
[0020] It should be clear that the description of the embodiments and attached Figures set
forth in this specification serves only for a better understanding of the invention,
without limiting its scope as covered by the following Claims.
[0021] It should also be clear that a person in the art, after reading the present specification
could make adjustments or amendments to the attached Figures and above described embodiments
that would still be covered by the following Claims.
1. A document binder comprising two side covers, pivotally attached to opposing edges
of a back cover, wherein on the internal face of each side cover at least one rigid
peg is pivotally attached, and each peg is located in a corresponding position for
an inter engagement with a mate peg of the opposite side cover, such that the total
length of each pair of inter engaged pegs is varying during use according to the opening
angle of the side covers.
2. The binder according to claim 1, wherein each peg may be turned from facing its mate
peg and being oriented at an open position substantially vertically to its attached
side cover.
3. The binder according to claim 2, further comprising means for keeping the peg steadily
in the open position.
4. The binder according to claim 1, wherein one peg of said pair of pegs is hollow and
the other peg can be telescopically inserted inside the hollow cavity of said first
peg, when the opposing side covers of said folder are drawn closer, and wherein said
peg can be drawn out of the other peg by pulling said pegs apart when said side covers
are drawn apart.
5. The binder according to Claim 1, wherein two pairs of pegs are employed.
6. The binder according to Claim 1, wherein more than two pairs of pegs are employed.
7. The binder according to Claim 1, wherein the pegs have a circular cross section.
8. The binder according to Claim 7, wherein the other peg's outside diameter is be smaller
than the inside diameter of the hollow peg.
9. The binder according to Claim 1, wherein said hollow peg outside diameter is smaller
than 5 mm.
10. The document binder substantially as described in the above specification, attached
Figures and appending Claims.