Patent ID: 6036394
Filing Date: 2000-03-14
Classification: B42F

Abstract:
A ring binder comprising:a linearly-extending first spine;a linearly-extending second spine;a series of spaced first substantially half-rings attached to one of said spines, and a series of spaced second substantially half-rings on the other of said spines, the distal ends of said half-rings on the first spine facing the distal ends of said half-rings on the second spine;a hinge connection extending between the spines; anda releasable lock extending from at least one end of said spines, said lock including:a manually accessible push-pull lever;at least one bridge member extending between longitudinal outer edges of the respective spines, said lever being guided by the bridge member along a longitudinal axis of the lever parallel to a longitudinal axis of the spines; anda pair of links each pivotally coupled at a proximal end to said lever and each pivotally coupled at a distal end to a respective one of said spines, such that inward movement of the lever toward the respective end of the spines holds said first and second half-rings closed in a sheets-holding mode and outward movement of the lever away from the respective end of the spines permits opening of said first and second half-rings in a sheets-removal mode.