Abstract:
A binding mechanism ( 2 ) is provided for securing compact disc sleeves and other sheet material in a notebook binder and which preferably can be quickly and selectively opened and closed.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to mechanisms for holding flat sheet materials in a binding device such as a notebook or wallet, and more specifically sheet materials such as sleeves which hold compact discs and other similar recording discs.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Binding devices such as notebooks are commonly used for holding flat sheet materials such as paper sheets in a protective covering. Most commonly, 3-ring binders are often used which typically provide three rigid, circular metallic rings which selectively snap open to insert or remove sheet materials, and are then locked in a closed position to prevent the sheet materials from inadvertently falling from the binding device. Unfortunately, these type of binding devices are rigid, and not suitable for use in more flexible notebooks. Additionally, the metallic rings are prone to being bent and thus allowing the sheet materials to inadvertently fall from the binding device, or tear after repeated use.  
           [0003]    Additionally, typical 3-ring binding devices are typically comprised of metallic materials which are expensive to manufacture and sell. These types of binding devices can additionally rust and typically require a very rigid backing plate mechanism and associated notebook to provide sufficient support.  
           [0004]    Thus, there is a need for a cost effective binding mechanism which can be used in a flexible type notebook or wallet storage containers and which allows flexible sheet materials such as compact disc sleeves to be selectively removed from within the flexible binding device without being obstructed or damaged during use. Additionally, there is a significant need for a binding device which is flexible, and thus suitable for use in compact disk wallets and other similar devices which are non-rigid and conformable for a variety of different applications.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a flexible binding device which can be used to selectively insert and remove sheet materials in a notebook type device Alternatively, the binding device may be designed in a manner which would not allow the removal of the sheet materials once they are inserted and secured within the binding device Preferably, the binding mechanism can be used without tools, and is simplistic in design to quickly allow the insertion and removal of sheet materials, yet provides a secure, failproof system which prevents the sheet materials from inadvertently falling from the notebook. The sheet materials may be paper writing sheets, but more typically are sleeves such as flexible polyethylene sheets capable of holding a plurality of compact discs (CDs), Digital Video Discs (DVDs), CD Roms or other similar type of recording disc (hereinafter “CDs”) in one or more pockets. Typically the graphics associated with the CDs are also stored in a pocket positioned on an opposite side of the same sleeve.  
           [0006]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a flexible binding device which does not use metallic components, is cost effective to manufacture and is made of a resilient material which is flexible and can be used in a flexible yet durable wallet or notebook. Thus, in one embodiment of the present invention, a binding device is provided which is adapted for holding sheet materials in a notebook and comprisies:  
           [0007]    a substantially planar top plate interconnected to a substantially planar bottom plate, said top plate comprising a top edge, a bottom edge, a left lateral edge and a right lateral edge extending therebetween;  
           [0008]    at least one strap extending from said right lateral edge of said top plate and having a first end and a second end;  
           [0009]    a window aperture positioned near said first end of said at least one strap;  
           [0010]    a strap slit operably positioned in said top plate opposite said strap and sized to receive said first end of said at least one strap;  
           [0011]    a latch tab positioned on said substantially planar top plate between said strap slit and said second end of said at least one strap and deflectable to extend downward toward said bottom plate; and  
           [0012]    a cutout portion in said bottom plate which operatively receives said latch tab, wherein when said first end of said at least one strap is inserted through said strap slit said window aperture engages said latch tab, wherein said it least one strap is operably secured to said latch tab to create a loop adapted to hold the sheet materials in the notebook.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a notebook sheet binding mechanism with an arrowhead shaped latching mechanism;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a notebook sheet binding mechanism and further utilizing a hook and loop material for interconnection purposes;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention and identifying a top plate with interconnected straps and a bottom plate for positioning below the top plate;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4 is a front elevation sectional view of the notebook binding mechanism shown in FIG. 3 and showing the interconnection of the top plate and the bottom plate;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of the notebook binding mechanism shown in FIG. 3 in an interconnected and locked position and further identifying the use of a removal tool for disengaging the strap from the bottom plate;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the latching mechanism of the bottom plate of the notebook binding mechanism shown in FIG. 3;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the latching components of the notebook binding mechanism shown in FIG. 3;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 8 is a top plan view identifying the interconnection of the window aperture and latch tab of the binding mechanism shown in FIG. 3;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the top plate of an alternative embodiment of the notebook binding mechanism;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 10 is the bottom plate used in combination with the top plate of the notebook binding mechanism shown in FIG. 9;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 11 is the top plate of an alternative embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 9; and  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 12 is a front elevation view taken from Section A-A of the notebook binding mechanism shown in FIG. 11. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0025]    Referring now to FIG. 1, in one embodiment of the present invention a flexible head portion  36  is used in conjunction with a strap  16 , and a strap slit  24  which is positioned in the spine  48  of the binding device  2  to provide removable interconnection to a plurality of sheet materials. More specifically, the flexible head  36  is inserted through a slot provided in the sheet materials and then wrapped around and inserted in the strap slit  24  positioned in the spine  48  of the notebook binding device.  
         [0026]    In one embodiment, the head  36  has an arow shape to help facilitate insertion and removal of the head  36  into the strap slit  24 . The flexible arrow shaped head  36  is resilient and deformable enough to allow sufficient bending to allow the head portion to be inserted into the strap slit  24 . Once the arrow shaped head  36  is inserted into the strap slit  24 , the back portion of the head  36  expands and thus prevents the arrow shaped head  36  from inadvertently becoming disengaged from the strap slit  24  until finger pressure is applied to the flexible strap  16  directly behind the flexible arrow shaped head  24 . With sufficient finger pressure, the flexible arrow shaped head can be withdrawn from the engagement slot to remove or add additional sheet materials. As further seen in FIG. 1, a cut-out portion  50  may also be provided in a preferred embodiment which allows the arrow shaped head  36  to deflect sufficiently to permit insertion into the strap slit  24 . As appreciated by one skilled in the art, other shapes may be used such as squares, rectangles, etc. As opposed to the arrowhead shape and which functionally engages the strip slit  24  to prevent inadvertent disengagement.  
         [0027]    In an alternative embodiment of the present invention seen in FIG. 2, a plurality of hook and loop type materials such as Velcro® may be provided in conjunction with the flexible arrow shaped head  36 . More specifically, the hook and loop materials  40  may be provided on the arrow shaped head  36  portion of the flexible plastic strap  16 , and additionally positioned proximate to a buckle or loop  52  located on the spine  48  of the notebook. After the flexible arrow shaped head  36  is inserted through one or more flexible sheet materials, the arrow shaped head is drawn through a buckle or loop  52  and then positioned on the hook and loop material  40  which is positioned proximate to the buckle or loop  52 . Thus, the flexible arrow shaped head portion  36  becomes engaged with the hook and loop material  40  as well as being positioned through the buckle or loop to provide a secure but releasable engagement mechanism.  
         [0028]    Referring now to FIGS.  3 - 8 , an alternative embodiment of the present invention is provided. Referring now to FIG. 3, the assembly of a notebook binding device  2  utilizing one or more window straps and associated locking mechanisms are provided herein. More specifically, the binding mechanism  2  comprises a top plate  4  and a bottom plate  6  which are positionally interconnected. The top plate  4  is comprised of a spine  48  which has one or more straps  16  extending therefrom. On the end of each of the straps a window aperture  22  is positioned for locking engagement to a latch tab  26  which is created by a cut-out portion provided on the bottom plate  6 . Additionally positioned on the top spine  48  are strap slits  24  which are sized to operatively receive the straps  16 . Further, a cutout is provided in the top spine  48  between the strap slits  24  and the straps  16 , with guide tabs  42  which are bent downward for engaging the bottom plate  6 . The guide tabs are generally used during interconnection to guide the window aperture  22  to the latch tabs  26 .  
         [0029]    The bottom plate  6  is generally comprised of a spine  48 , having one or more latch tabs  26  extending upwardly as a result of cuts made in the bottom spine. The top plate  4  and the bottom plate  6  are generally interconnected along the edges by stitching, heat welding or other interconnection means commonly known in the art. As seen in FIG. 3, when the top plate  4  is positioned on top of the bottom plate  8 , the guide tab  42  of the top plate spine  48  extends through the spine  48  on the bottom plate  6  at a cutout portion provided by the latch tab  26 .  
         [0030]    Referring now to FIG. 4, the latching detail of the present invention is shown in greater detail in a front elevation sectional view. More specifically, once a strap  16  is positioned through the flat sheet material (not shown), the end of the strap is wrapped around and inserted through the strap slits  24 . Once the end of the strap  16  is positioned through the strap slit  24  it is pushed downward until the window aperture  22  engages the latch tab  26  and interconnects thereto. This provides a secure locking mechanism which prevents the first end  18  of the straps  16  from being disengaged from the latch tabs  26  until additional sheet materials are desired to be inserted or removed from the flexible notebook. As seen in FIG. 5, the guide tab additionally serves the purpose of guiding the window end of the strap downward as it is inserted through the strap slit  24  to allow the window aperture  22  to engage the latch tab  26 .  
         [0031]    Referring now to FIG. 5, a drawing showing the strap  16  being disengaged from the latch tab  26  is provided herein. It should be pointed out that although a strap removal tool  44  is shown in this embodiment, it is generally not necessary to use a removal tool  44  to release the strap  16  from the latch tab  26  for disengagement from the bottom plate  6 . Rather, mere finger pressure can be used to accomplish the same purpose. As seen in FIG. 5, to disengage the strap from the latch tab, the tool  44  is inserted through the strap slit  24  and positioned below the strap  16 . As upward pressure is then provided to the strap  16 , the window aperture  22  is disengaged from the latch tab  26 . The strap  16  may then be pulled in a rearward position from the latch tab  26  and allowing the strap  16  to be removed from the strap slit  24 . The guide tab  42  is positioned to engage the forward end of the strap  16  to help guide the removal of the strap  16  as it is withdrawn through the strap slit  24 .  
         [0032]    Referring now to FIGS.  6 - 8 , a top plan view is provided of the bottom plate which identifies the latch tab  26 , guide tab  42 , strap  16  and window aperture  22  and showing additional detail with regard to the engagement therein. More specifically, FIG. 6 identifies the main component of the binding mechanism and showing the latch tab  26  positioned in the cut-out portion  28  and just prior to insertion of the guide tabs  42  and/or the interconnection to the strap  16  and the window aperture  22 . FIG. 7 shows the cutout  28  in the bottom plate with the guide tab  42  being inserted therethrough and showing the latch tab  26  extending into the cutout portion and in position for receiving the window aperture  22  of the strap  16 .  
         [0033]    Referring now to FIG. 8, the strap  16  is shown interconnected to the latch tab  26  by means of the window aperture  22 . This is accomplished by inserting the strap  16  through the strap slits  24 , and engaging the latch tab  26  within the cutout  28  in the bottom plate. Thus, when tension is provided to the strap  16 , it is prevented from being disengaged from the binding mechanism  2  as result of being interconnected to the latch tab  26 . Again, the guide tab  42  serves the purpose of guiding the first end  18  of the strap  16  with the associated window aperture  22  into a position for engagement with the latch tab  26 . Again, to remove the strap  16  from the binding mechanism, the strap is merely pushed in a direction toward the guide tab, thus disengaging the window aperture  22  from the latch tab  26 . At this point the strap  16  can be removed from the binding device  2  and additional sheet materials or compact disc sleeves can be inserted or removed as necessary from the notebook or wallet.  
         [0034]    Referring now to FIGS.  9 - 12 , a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in greater detail. More specifically, and referring now to FIG. 9, a top plan view is provided of the top plate  4  used in the present invention. The top plate  4  more specifically comprises a top edge  8 , a bottom edge  10 , a left lateral edge  12  and a right lateral edge  14  which defines a spine  48 . The top plate  4  additionally includes one or more straps  16  extending therefrom and as shown in FIG. 9 extending from the right lateral edge  14 . The strap has a first end  18  and is interconnected on a second end  20  to the right lateral edge  14  of the spine  48 . The strap first end  18  additionally comprises a window aperture  22  which in this particular embodiment has a substantially rectangular shape. As appreciated by one skilled in the art, the window aperture  22  may have a square, circular, triangular or any other type of geometric configuration which facilities interconnecting and latching to the latch tab  26  as further described herein.  
         [0035]    As additionally seen in FIG. 9, a latch tab  26  is provided which is substantially an arcuate shaped cutout in the spine  48  portion of the top plate  4 . The latch tab  26  is operatively positioned between a strap slit  24  and the strap second end  20 . The strap slit  24  generally is an aperture having a width and height of sufficient dimension to receive the strap first end  18 .  
         [0036]    Referring now to FIG. 10, the bottom plate  6  of the strap binding mechanism  2  utilized with the top plate  4  shown in FIG. 9 is provided herein. The bottom plate  6  is generally comprised of a substantially rectangular shaped spine  48  which in a preferred embodiment is substantially the same dimension as the top plate  4 . Additionally positioned in the bottom plate  6  are bottom plate cutout  28  portions which are positioned to oppose the latch tabs  26  shown in the top plate  4 .  
         [0037]    In use, the top plate  4  is operatively positioned on top of the bottom plate  6 . The first end of the strap first end  16  is then positioned through a opening or slit in one or a plurality of sheet material such as sleeves used to hold compact discs. After the strap first end  18  is positioned through the sheet materials, the strap first end  18  is inserted through the strap slit  24  until the window aperture  22  engages the latch tab  26 . The latch tab  26  is resiliently pushed downwardly into bottom plate  6  by use of the bottom plate cutout  28 . Thus, the window aperture  22  engages the latch tab  26  and prevents the strap  16  from being released from the latch tab  26  of the top plate  4 . As appreciated by one skilled in the art, the latch  26  may additionally have different geometric shapes, including a triangle, rectangle, circular or half-moon shape or any other embodiment which is capable of engaging and interlocking the window aperture  22  of the strap  16 .  
         [0038]    Referring now to FIG. 11, an alternative embodiment of the invention in FIG. 9 is proved herein. More specifically, a stud  32  is provided and interconnected to the first end of the strap first end  18  of the strap  16 , as opposed to the use of a window aperture as shown in FIG. 9. The stud  30  is generally comprised of a stud head  32  and a stud shaft  34  and is integrally interconnected to the strap first end  18 . In use, the stud  30  is inserted through the strap slit  24  after being inserted through one or plurality of sheet materials. As the stud is pushed through the strap slit  24 , the stud head  32  engages the opening of the stud receiving slot  46 . As the strap  16  is pulled rearward and toward the left lateral edge  12  of the spine, the stud shaft  34  slidably engages the stud receiving slot  46  and the stud head  32  having a larger dimension then the stud shaft  34  is prevented from being disengaged from the stud receiving slot  46 . To disengage the strap first end  18  from the stud receiving slot  46 , the stud head  32  is pushed in a direction toward the right lateral edge  14  of the top plate  4 . When the stud head  32  reaches the larger circular aperture of the stud receiving slot  46 , the stud head  32  is allowed to become disengaged from the stud receiving slot  46 . FIG. 12 is merely a front elevation view of the associated stud head  32  and stud shaft  34  as taken from Section A-A of FIG. 11. As appreciated by one skilled in art, in this particular embodiment it may or may not be necessary to include a bottom plate  6  as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 9. It should additionally be appreciated that the bottom plate  6  in FIG. 9 is preferred, but not necessarily required based on the flexibility of the latch tab  26  and associated top plate  4 .  
         [0039]    For clarity purposes, the following list of components and numbering associated with the present invention and drawings are provided herein as follows:  
         [0040]    [0040] 2  Binding Device  
         [0041]    [0041] 4  Top Plate  
         [0042]    [0042] 6  Bottom Plate  
         [0043]    [0043] 8  Top Edge  
         [0044]    [0044] 10  Bottom Edge  
         [0045]    [0045] 12  Left Lateral Edge  
         [0046]    [0046] 14  Right Lateral Edge  
         [0047]    [0047] 16  Strap  
         [0048]    [0048] 18  Strap First End  
         [0049]    [0049] 20  Strap Second End  
         [0050]    [0050] 22  Window Aperture  
         [0051]    [0051] 24  Strap Slit  
         [0052]    [0052] 26  Latch Tab  
         [0053]    [0053] 28  Bottom Plate Cutout  
         [0054]    [0054] 30  Stud  
         [0055]    [0055] 32  Stud Head  
         [0056]    [0056] 34  Stud Shaft  
         [0057]    [0057] 36  Strap Head  
         [0058]    [0058] 38  Loop  
         [0059]    [0059] 40  Hook or Loop Material  
         [0060]    [0060] 42  Guide Tab  
         [0061]    [0061] 44  Strap Removal Tool  
         [0062]    [0062] 46  Stud Receiving Slot  
         [0063]    [0063] 48  Spine  
         [0064]    [0064] 50  Strap Head Cutout  
         [0065]    [0065] 52  Loop  
         [0066]    The foregoing description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to limit the invention of the form disclosed herein. Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with the above teaching and skill and knowledge of the relevant art are within the scope of the present invention The embodiments described herein above are further intended to explain best modes of practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention and such or other embodiments with various modifications required by the particular application or use of the present invention. It is intended that the appended claims be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.