Patent ID: 9044994
Filing Date: 2015-06-02
Classification: B42F

Abstract:
1. A ring mechanism for retaining loose leaf pages, the mechanism comprising: an elongate housing having a central portion and sides extending down from the central portion; first and second hinge plates supported by the housing for pivoting motion relative to the housing; rings for holding the loose-leaf pages, each ring including a first ring member and a second ring member, the first ring member moveable with the pivoting motion of the first hinge plate relative to the second ring member between a closed position and an open position, in the closed position the two ring members forming 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 the open position the two ring members forming a discontinuous, open loop for adding or removing loose-leaf pages from the rings; an actuator mounted on the housing for movement relative to the housing for causing pivoting motion of the hinge plates to open the rings, the actuator comprising a lower arm for moving the hinge plates to open the rings and an upper arm for moving the hinge plates to close the rings, the upper arm having a hook thereon, the hook being configured to define a channel having an open side facing the central portion of the housing; a travel bar; an intermediate connector connecting the travel bar to the actuator so movement of the actuator to pivot the hinge plates causes longitudinal movement of the travel bar in the housing; and a locking element moveable conjointly with the travel bar between a locking position in which the locking element blocks movement of the hinge plates to open the rings and non-locking position in which the locking element does not block pivoting movement of the hinge plates to open the rings, wherein the intermediate connector comprises a cross bar captured by the hook on the actuator; and wherein upper and lower arms of the actuator extend from a body of the actuator, the actuator comprising a flexible bridge between the body and the lower arm for allowing movement of the lower arm relative to the body and upper arm during use of the actuator to open the rings.