Abstract:
A binder carrying handle for ready insertion in and support of a bound volume of sheets in which the handle is engageable with posts in the binder volume. The handle is flexible and shaped to facilitate its insertion and removal.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Binders and other types of bound volumes containing computer printouts, drawings, displays, samples or other sheets are in many instances large enough and heavy enough to require a carrying and support handle for easy transportation and for supporting the binder during storage on a rack or other supporting apparatus. 
     Prior carrying and support handles have been difficult to insert and remove from the binder with some handles, due to their shape, size and stiffness, requiring opening of the post binder to permit insertion of the handles. 
     The present invention utilizes flexibility and a tapered edge to substantially improve the operation and usefulness of prior post binder carrying handles. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Broadly, the carrying handle is an elongated element having a flexible backbone and depending web portions at each end. One web is introduced into the back or spine of the assembled binder by wedging the web between the sheets of the binder until it is engaged with one of the posts of the binder. The backbone is then flexed to a bow shape to permit the other web to be similarily inserted and engaged with the other post of the binder. When the backbone is allowed to restore itself to its normal shape the webs and their posts are engaged to permit the handle to be used to carry and support the binder during transportation and storage. 
     It is a feature of the invention that the webs have blade-like edges to facilitate their wedging insertion. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a post binder with the first end of the carrying handle inserted between sheets of the binder; 
     FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the post binder with the first end engaged to a post; 
     FIG. 3 shows the second end of the handle inserted into the binder as the handle is flexed in a bow shape; 
     FIG. 4 shows the unflexed handle with both web portions inserted in the binder; 
     FIG. 5 shows the handle pulled up from the FIG. 4 position to further engage the handle with the posts; 
     FIG. 6 is an end view of the handle and FIG. 7 is a sectional view along line 7--7 of FIG. 1. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to the Figures, handle 1 includes backbone 2 which has a cross sectional shape defined by a large rectangle on top of a substantially smaller rectangle (FIG. 7). The two rectangles are sized and shaped to give flexibility plus adequate strength for carrying the weight of the binder. Other cross sectional shapes providing adequate flexibility and stiffness for the weight and size binder may be used. The backbone 2 is made of plastic or other suitable resilient material so that it can be repeatedly flexed to a bow shape as shown in FIG. 3 and thereafter restore itself to the configuration of FIG. 1 without breaking or acquiring any appreciable permanent set. At either end of backbone 2 are positioned depending webs 3 and 4 which are preferably integrally formed with the backbone 2. 
     Each web 3 and 4 has blade-shaped edges 5 to facilitate wedging the webs between tightly packed sheets 6 of binder 7. Sheets 6 have rows of holes 8 with upper holes 8 receiving posts 9. 
     Webs 3 and 4 also carry elbow sections 11 and 12, respectively, which ease the insertion of the webs into the back or spine of the binder since only a small portion of each web is required to be pushed into the binder during its initial entrance. After a web has started into the binder through the entrance of the elbow sections 11 or 12, then greater force can be applied to force it in further and to accomplish the movement necessary for engagement with posts 9. 
     Open web slots 13 include a slot portion 14 generally parallel to the backbone 2 and a slot portion 16 perpendicular to the backbone. 
     Backbone 2 has overhanging ends 19 and 20 which extend beyond webs 3 and 4 to serve as devices for supporting the hanger on a pair of spaced parallel rods or other suitable support arrangements. Lips 21 on overhanging ends 19 and 20 serve to prevent the hanger from moving off its support. 
     The handle 1 may be inserted into a binder in a number of ways. We have found that the sequence of steps shown in FIGS. 1-5 is a convenient technique. 
     The handle of the present invention may be used with a binder of the type having dozens of tightly packed sheets 6 which is held together with posts 9 and has its back or spine open to receive the carrying handle. The handle including its webs are proportioned to leave a space between the hand gripping portions 22 and the back of the binder (FIG. 5). The carrying handle may be removed by flexing the handle to free the webs from the posts 9.