Patent ID: 7674062
Filing Date: 2010-03-09
Classification: B42F

Abstract:
1. A ring binder mechanism comprising: a housing having a C or U-shaped cross section with spring elastic bendable flanks for receiving two carrier rails, wherein the carrier rails have an interior surface facing the housing and an exterior surface facing away from the housing and lie against each other with at least a portion of their inward facing longitudinal edges forming a linkage axis and at least a portion of their outward facing longitudinal edges engaging in bearing grooves in the housing flanks; at least two half-rings rigidly connected with a carrier rail spaced apart by a defined longitudinal separation, said half-rings extending through openings in the housing wall and together forming a ring, wherein the carrier rails are limitedly pivotable relative to each other about the linkage axis taking along the half-rings between an open position and a closed position upon overcoming the influence of a spring force produced by the bending apart of the housing flanks; at least one locking element provided on a locking rod positioned adjacent a portion of the exterior surface of the carrier rails and movable via an actuating element relative to the housing and the carrier rails, wherein said locking element blocks the pivot path of the carrier rails about the linkage axis in the closed position and is supported against at least one support bearing positioned on the exterior surface of the carrier rails and/or the housing flanks for receiving locking forces; and a connecting element provided between the actuating element and the locking rod made of a spring elastic or springing bendable material to render the actuating element free of play in the closed or locking position.