Patent ID: 7891901
Filing Date: 2011-02-22
Classification: B42F

Abstract:
1. A ring binder mechanism for retaining loose-leaf pages, the mechanism comprising: a housing having longitudinal ends; first and second hinge plates supported by the housing for pivoting motion relative to the housing about a pivot axis; rings for holding loose-leaf pages, each ring including a first ring member mounted on the first hinge plate and moveable with the pivoting motion of the first hinge plate, each ring further including a second ring member, the first ring member being movable relative to the second ring member so that in a closed position the two ring members form a substantially continuous, closed loop for allowing loose-leaf pages retained by the rings to be moved along the rings from one ring member to the other, and in an open position the two ring members form a discontinuous, open loop for adding or removing loose-leaf pages from the rings; a travel bar and a locking element, the travel bar and locking element being free of fixed connection to the hinge plates and movable in translation relative to both the housing and the hinge plates, the travel bar being disposed for blocking the pivoting motion of the hinge plates in a locking position of the travel bar when the ring members are in the closed position; an actuating lever mounted for pivoting movement relative to the housing further comprising two arms positioned to engage the hinge plates and produce the pivoting motion of the hinge plates; and an elongate link connecting the actuating lever to the travel bar such that pivoting motion of the actuating lever produces the translational movement of the travel bar, wherein the elongate link is oriented so it extends longitudinally relative to the housing.