Binding tool and file

A binding tool for paper sheets includes: a base member extending in a longitudinal direction; and a plurality of first binding members and second binding members each having a base end portion formed protruding outward in a width direction from the base member and a tip end portion integral with the base end portion and curved inward in the width direction so as to be movable between a binding position where the tip end portions contact each other and an open position where the tip end portions are separated from each other by a prescribed distance. The base end portions are positionally displaced from each other by at least an amount corresponding to a thickness TH of the base end portion in the longitudinal direction when the tip end portions positioned facing each other in the width direction are in contact with each other in the binding position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a national phase application based on the PCT International Patent Application No. PCT/JP2015/075825 filed on Sep. 11, 2015, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a binding tool capable of holding papers and the like in an open state, and a file provided with the binding tool.

BACKGROUND ART

For instance, Patent Document 1 discloses, as a file provided with a binding tool for holding papers such as documents in an open state, a file100including a front cover102and a back cover103continuous with each other through a spine101interposed therebetween, and a binding tool200attached on an inner surface of the spine101as shown inFIGS. 17-20. The binding tool200is provided with a base member201extending in a longitudinal direction of the spine101, a plurality of movable-side binding members202supported to be rotatable in the width direction at one end in a width direction of the base member201, a plurality of fixed-side binding members203arranged in positions at the other end in the width direction of the base member201to correspond to the binding members202, and a slide member204held in the base member201.

Patent Document 2 discloses, as a file provided with a binding tool for holding papers such as documents in an open state, a file300including a front cover302and a back cover303continuous with each other through a spine301interposed therebetween, and a binding tool400attached on an inner surface of the spine301as shown inFIG. 21. The binding tool400is provided with a base member401extending in a longitudinal direction of the spine301and a plurality of first binding members402and a plurality of second binding members403, each supported to be rotatable in the width direction by the base member401. Furthermore, the front cover302and the back cover303are formed with long holes304for receiving parts of the corresponding first binding members402and second binding members403when the front cover302and the back cover303are placed in a substantially parallel, closed position.

RELATED ART DOCUMENTS

Patent Documents

Patent Document 1: JP 2003-211886 A

Patent Document 2: JP 2010-274544 A

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

However, in the binding tool200disclosed in Patent Document 1, when each pair of the movable-side binding members202and the fixed-side binding members203are positioned in each binding position (seeFIG. 19), an overall size of the paired binding members202and203in the width direction is substantially equal to the width of the base member201. Therefore, the quantity of papers (the number of sheets of paper) allowed to be held by the binding tool200is limited by the width of the base member201. In general, a binding tool for holding papers needs to be designed so that an overall size of a binding member at a binding position is set with an allowance to the degree that allows each paper to be smoothly turned in consideration of a distance of a paper portion from a binding hole to a paper edge of each paper.

Accordingly, to increase the quantity of papers that can be held by the binding tool200in Patent Document 1, the width of the base member201has to be further increased while taking into account the allowance. In this case, regardless of the quantity of papers to be actually held by the binding tool200, when closed, the thickness of the file100in the width direction becomes large. It therefore has been impossible to provide a file that is compact in the width direction when closed while allowing an increased number of sheets (thickness) of paper to be held by the binding tool200.

In the binding tool200disclosed in Patent Document 1, a rotary shaft205supporting the movable-side binding members202is placed in the base member201and further a plurality of cam guide mechanisms206are provided between the rotary shaft205and the slide member204. When the slide member204is slid in the longitudinal direction, the movable-side binding members202rotate between a binding position (seeFIG. 19) and an open position (seeFIG. 20) according to positional changes of the cam guide mechanisms206.

Accordingly, the base member201internally contains the rotary shaft205, the slide member204, and the cam guide mechanisms206, resulting in a complicated structure. This leads to a problem that the width of the base member201is apt to be wide and the binding tool200could not be compact in the width direction in the binding position.

On the other hand, the binding tool400disclosed in Patent Document 2 is designed such that when each pair of the first binding members402and the second binding members403is placed in the binding position where they are in contact with each other, the overall size of each pair is slightly larger than the width of base member401, and the front cover302and the back cover303are each formed with the long holes304allowing parts of the first binding members402and second binding members403to enter. Accordingly, a file compact in the width direction when closed may be provided with the increased quantity of papers allowed to be held by the binding tool400.

However, the aforementioned binding tool400is formed with the first binding members402and the second binding members403, each pair being arranged in straight line in the width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Thus, when a plurality of files300, each holding papers through the binding tool400, are stored on for example a bookshelf and the like such that the files300with the longitudinal direction of each spine301upright are arranged side by side to overlap an adjacent file(s), the first binding members402of one file300comes into contact with the second binding members403of an adjacent file300in the width direction. This causes a problem that, when files are stored to overlap an adjacent one(s) in the bookshelf and the like, the number of files to be stored is decreased.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems and has a purpose to provide a binding tool having a compact size in a width direction in a binding position and a file provided with the binding tool, which can increase the number of files to be stored with a longitudinal direction of each spine mounted on each base member upright on a bookshelf and the like.

Means Of Solving the Problems

(1) To achieve the aforementioned purpose, one aspect of the invention provides a binding tool for papers, comprising: a base member extending in a longitudinal direction; and a plurality of first binding members and a plurality of second binding members, each having a base end portion protruding outward in a width direction from the base member and a tip end portion integral with the base end portion and curved inward in the width direction, wherein the tip end portions located facing each other in the width direction are movable between a binding position in which the tip end portions are in contact with each other and an open position in which the tip end portions are separated by a predetermined distance, wherein when the tip end portions located facing each other in the width direction are in contact with each other in the binding position, the base end portions integral with the corresponding tip end portions are positionally displaced from each other in the longitudinal direction by at least an amount corresponding to a thickness of each base end portion.

(2) In the binding tool disclosed in (1), preferably, the tip end portions of the first binding members and the tip end portions of the second binding members, located facing each other in the width direction, are joined to each other at a slant with a predetermined angle with respect to the longitudinal direction in the binding position.

(3) In the binding tool disclosed in (2), preferably, each of the tip end portions of the first binding members and each of the tip end portions of the second binding members, located facing each other in the width direction, extend to taper off to a distal end in the width direction, and each of the tapering tip end portions is provided with a contact surface perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

(4) In the binding tool disclosed in one of (1) to (3), preferably, the base member includes a first base member formed with the first binding members and a second base member formed with the second binding members, and the first base member and the second base member overlap each other in an up-down direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction in the binding position.

(5) In the binding tool disclosed in (4), preferably, the first base member and the second base member are provided with engagement portions each protruding in the up-down direction and being located in positions where the base members overlap one on the other in a central part, a front end part, and a rear end part of each base member in the longitudinal direction.

(6) In the binding tool disclosed in (4) or (5), preferably, the first base member and the second base member are coupled to each other to be movable in the width direction through a plurality of link arm members.

(7) In the binding tool disclosed in (6), preferably, each of the first base member and the second base member is configured in a multi-layer structure that a plurality of plate-like parts extending in the longitudinal direction are stacked so that a clearance is formed therebetween in the up-down direction and the link arm members are allowed to be housed in the clearance in the binding position.

(8) In the binding tool disclosed in (7), preferably, each of the link arm members includes a first arm element to be housed in the clearance of the first base member and a second arm element to be housed in the clearance of the second base member in the binding position, the first arm element and the second arm element being coupled stepwise to each other at a link middle portion.

(9) To achieve the above purpose, another aspect of the invention provides a file provided with the binding tool according to any one of (1) to (8), a front cover, and a back cover, wherein the front cover and the back cover are provided with insertion holes to allow the base end portions of the first binding members and the base end portions of the second binding members to be inserted, two in each hole, side by side in the longitudinal direction.

(10) In the file disclosed in (9), preferably, a spine, the front cover, and the back cover are provided with operating cutouts to allow operation of a front end part and/or a rear end part of the binding tool in the longitudinal direction.

(11) The file disclosed in (9) or (10) preferably includes a spine through which the front cover and the back cover are continuous with each other, and the base member includes a flanged locking portion engageable with a locking hole formed in the spine.

(12) In the file disclosed in one of (9) to (11), preferably, the first binding member and the second binding member are arranged with pitches so that a pitch on a central side in the longitudinal direction is wider than a pitch on a front end side and on a rear end side, and further arranged symmetrically on the front end side and the rear end side in the longitudinal direction.

Effects Of The Invention

The present invention can provide a binding tool compact in a width direction in a binding position and a file provided with the binding tool such that when the files are stored with the longitudinal direction of their spines upright on a bookshelf and the like, the files can overlap, or contact, each other, resulting in an increase in the number of files to be stored.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

A detailed description of preferred embodiments of a binding tool and a file provided with the binding tool embodying the present invention will now be given referring to the accompanying drawings. The structure of the binding tool according to an embodiment of the invention is described first and then the structure of the file including the binding tool according to a second embodiment of the invention.

<Structure of Binding Tool>

Referring toFIGS. 1 to 12, firstly, the structure of the binding tool in the present embodiment will be described below.FIG. 1is a plan view of a binding tool in a binding position in the embodiment of the invention.FIG. 2is a plan view of the binding tool ofFIG. 1in an open position.FIG. 3is a perspective view of a part X of the binding tool ofFIG. 1.FIG. 4is a perspective view of a part Y of the binding tool ofFIG. 2.FIG. 5is a detailed perspective view of a first binding member and a second binding member in the binding tool ofFIG. 1.FIG. 6is a plan view of the first binding member and the second binding member ofFIG. 5.FIG. 7is a plan view of a link arm member of the binding tool ofFIG. 2.FIG. 8is a side view of the link arm member seen from E inFIG. 7.FIG. 9is a cross-sectional view taken along a line A-A inFIG. 3.FIG. 10is a cross-sectional view taken along a line B-B inFIG. 3.FIG. 11is a cross-sectional view taken along a line C-C inFIG. 3.FIG. 12is a cross-sectional view taken along a line D-D inFIG. 3.

As shown inFIGS. 1 to 12, a binding tool10in the present embodiment is a binding tool for papers, including a base member1(1A and1B) extending in a longitudinal direction and a plurality of first binding members2A (2A1to2A12) and a plurality of second binding members2B (2B1to2B12), respectively having base end portions2AB and2BB formed protruding outward in a width direction from the base member1(1A and1B) and tip end portions2AS and2BS formed integral with the corresponding base end portions2AB and2BB and curved inward in the width direction so that the tip end portions2AS and2BS located facing each other in the width direction are movable between a binding position (seeFIG. 1) where they contact each other and an open position (seeFIG. 2) where they are separated by a predetermined distance. Each part or member of the binding tool10is made of synthetic resin such as polycarbonate (PC) and ABS resin, but also may be made of metal such as aluminum alloy.

The binding member2(2A,2B) including the first binding members2A (2A1to2A12) and the second binding members2B (2B1to2B12) is configured such that, in the binding position, the tip end portions2AS and2BS and the base end portions2AB and2BB, located facing each other in the width direction, form a loop shape continuous via the base member1(1A and1B). The loop shape formed by the tip end portions2AS and2BS and the base end portions2AB and2BB is nearly uniform in any cross-section. Further, the loop shape formed by the tip end portions2AS and2BS and the base end portions2AB and2BB may be a nearly circular ring shape as shown inFIG. 3or a nearly angular ring shape as shown inFIG. 5. InFIG. 1, the first binding members2A (2A1to2A12) and the second binding members2B (2B1to2B12) are assigned reference numbers increasing from a front end to a rear end in the longitudinal direction of the binding tool10.

When the tip end portions2AS and2BS located facing each other in the width direction are placed in contact with each other in the binding position, the base end portions2AB and2BB respectively integral with the tip end portions2AS and2BS are positionally displaced from each other in the longitudinal direction by an amount corresponding to at least the thickness TH of a base end portion (seeFIGS. 5 and 6). To this amount of positional displacement between the base end portions2AB and2BB, any amount is theoretically applicable only if it is within a minimum pitch P1(seeFIG. 1) in the longitudinal direction of the first binding member2A and the second binding member2B. However, it is preferable to determine the amount in a range that does not cause deformation or the like of held papers SP (e.g., up to about twice the thickness TH of a base end portion).

Furthermore, the first binding members2A (2A1to2A12) and the second binding members2B (2B1to2B12) are designed such that each pitch P2on the central side in the longitudinal direction is wider than each pitch P1on the front end side and the rear end side and also the binding members2A and2B are arranged symmetrically on the front end side and the rear end side with respect to a center line CT in the longitudinal direction (seeFIG. 1). As shown inFIG. 6, moreover, each first binding member2A (2A1to2A12) and each second binding member2B (2B1to2B12) are provided respectively with arc-shaped inner surfaces2ABQ and2BBQ which will contact binding holes WH formed in papers. The arc-shaped inner surfaces2ABQ and2BBQ of the base end portions2AB and2BB are located more outside than outer end faces of the base member1(1A and1B) in the width direction.

In the binding position, the tip end portions2AS of the first binding members2A and the tip end portions2BS of the second binding members2B, located facing each other in the width direction, are joined (in contact) at a slant with a predetermined angle with respect to the longitudinal direction. The tip end portions2AS and2BS in a joined (contact) state provide an almost uniform thickness in the longitudinal direction. The first binding member2A and the second binding member2B located facing each other in the width direction can be smoothly coupled through the tip end portions2AS and2BS joined at the predetermined angle with respect to the longitudinal direction in the binding position while keeping almost constant the aforementioned positional displacement in the longitudinal direction between the base end portions2AB and2BB with the pitches P1and P2in the longitudinal direction of the first binding member2A and the second binding member2B.

The tip end portion2AS of the first binding member2A and the tip end portion2BS of the second binding member2B facing each other in the width direction each extend to taper off to a distal end in the width direction. Each of the tapering tip end portions2AS and2BS is provided with a contact surface TS perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. This configuration allows the tip end portions2AS and2BS to overlap each other over a large area in the width direction through their contact surfaces TS. The “contact surface(s) TS perpendicular to the longitudinal direction” may include not only a surface completely perpendicular to the longitudinal direction but also a surface slanted at an angle of about 5 to 10 degrees with respect to the perpendicular plane.

The base member1(1A and1B) includes the first base member1A formed with the first binding members2A (2A1to2A12) and the second base member1B formed with the second binding members2B (2B1to2B12). The first base member1A and the second base member1B are configured to overlap one on the other in an up-down direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction in the binding position. The first base member1A and the second base member1B are coupled to be movable in parallel in the width direction through a plurality of (herein, two sets of) link arm members3(3A,3B). The plurality of (herein, two sets of) link arm members3(3A,3B) are designed to have almost the same arm length.

To be concrete, as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, the first base member1A and the second base member1B are formed in a multi-layer (two-layer) structure respectively having a plurality of (herein, two) nearly plate-like parts1A1and1A2and a plurality of (herein, two) nearly plate-like parts1B1and1B2, each extending in the longitudinal direction, so that they are laminated one on the other to provide clearances1A3or1B3. This multi-layer (two-layer) structure may be formed by integral molding or by bonding separate parts. The clearances1A3in the first base member1A are provided in more than one position in the longitudinal direction between the upper-layer plate-like part1A1and the lower-layer plate-like part1A2. Similarly, the clearances1B3in the second base member1B are provided in more than one position in the longitudinal direction between the upper-layer plate-like part1B1and the lower-layer plate-like part1B2. In the binding position, the link arm members3(3A,3B) can be retracted, or housed, into the clearances1A3and1B3. It should be noted that some of the clearances1A3of the first base member1A, in which the link arm members3(3A,3B) are not housed, are configured to receive the lower plate-like parts1B2of the second base member1B, and also some of the clearances1B3of the second base member1B, in which the link arm members3(3A,3B) are not housed, are configured to receive the lower plate-like parts1A2of the first base member1A.

Furthermore, as shown inFIGS. 7 and 8, each link arm member3(3A,3B) is configured such that a first arm element32and a second arm element33, each of which has a nearly rectangular plate-like shape extending in a longitudinal direction, are coupled stepwise to each other. The first arm element32is formed, on its rear end side (a left side inFIGS. 7 and 8), with a rotary shaft31protruding upward. The second arm element33is formed, on its front end side (a right side inFIGS. 7 and 8), with a rotary shaft34protruding downward. The first arm element32and the second arm element33are arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction and also symmetrically and eccentrically in the width direction with respect to the center line joining the rotary shafts31and34.

As shown inFIGS. 9 and 10, the rotary shaft31of the first arm element32is fitted in a shaft hole1AP formed at the center of the plate-like part1A1in the width direction, located in the upper layer of the first base member1A, while the rotary shaft34of the second arm element33is fitted in a shaft hole1BP formed at the center of the plate-like part1B2in the width direction, located in the lower layer of the second base member1B. Accordingly, in the binding position, the first arm element32is held in the clearance1A3in the first base member1A and the second arm element33is held in the clearance1B3in the second base member1B. In the binding position, the link arm members3(3A,3B) do not protrude outward in the width direction from side end faces of the first base member1A and the second base member1B.

As shown inFIGS. 3, 4, 11, and 12, the first base member1A and the second base member1B are formed with engagement portions1A21,1B21, and1A22, each of which protrudes in the up-down direction, in positions where the base members overlap one in the other in a central part, a front end part, and a rear end part in the longitudinal direction.

To be concrete, as shown inFIG. 11, in the central part (herein, three places) of the first base member1A and the second base member1B in the longitudinal direction, there are provided the engagement portion1A21protruding downward from the lower-layer plate-like part1A2of the first base member1A, and the engagement portion1B21protruding upward from the lower-layer plate-like part1B2of the second base member1B, so that the engagement portions1A21and1B21engage with each other in the binding position. The engagement portions1A21and1B21come into engagement with each other when the lower-layer plate-like part1A2of the first base member1A is laterally inserted into the clearance1B3formed between the upper-layer plate-like part1B1and the lower-layer plate-like part1B2of the second base member1B. The engagement portions1A21and1B21respectively formed in the central parts of the first base member1A and the second base member1B in the longitudinal direction may be not necessarily provided if the first base member1A and the second base member1B are short in length in the longitudinal direction (for instance, when it is applied to a small-sized notebook such as a B5or smaller notebook).

As shown inFIGS. 3, 4, and 12, in the front end part and the rear end part of the first base member1A and the second base member1B in the longitudinal direction, the upper-layer plate-like part1B1and the lower-layer plate-like part1B2of the second base member1B extend in the longitudinal direction in a cantilever beam form, so that the lower-layer plate-like part1A2of the first base member1A can be inserted in the clearance1B3between the plate-like parts1B1and1B2. Further, the protruding downward engagement portion1A22formed in the lower-layer plate-like part1A2of the first base member1A is formed to be engageable with a cutout1B22formed in the lower-layer plate-like part1B2of the second base member1B in the binding position. The engagement portion1A22and the cutout1B22also come into engagement with each other when the lower-layer plate-like part1A2of the first base member1A is laterally inserted into the clearance1B3formed between the upper-layer plate-like part1B1and the lower-layer plate-like part1B2of the second base member1B. It should be noted that the engagement portion1A22and the cutout1B22may also be provided in either of the first base member1A and the second base member1B and further may be provided only in one of the front end part and the rear end part in the longitudinal direction.

Moreover, as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, the upper-layer plate-like part1A1of the first base member1A is formed with the base end portions2AB protruding outward in the width direction and also recesses1A5recessed inward in the width direction and arranged at positions adjacent to and more rear than the corresponding base end portions2AB in the longitudinal direction. The upper-layer plate-like part1B1of the second base member1B is formed with the base end portions2BB protruding outward in the width direction and also recesses1B5recessed inward in the width direction and arranged at positions adjacent to and more front than the corresponding base end portions2BB in the longitudinal direction. The recesses1A5and1B5are provided as mentioned later to avoid interference between the base end portions2AB of the first binding members2A protruding in the width direction and the upper-layer plate-like part1B1of the second base member1B of an adjacent file20and interference between the base end portions2BB of the second binding members2B protruding in the width direction and the upper-layer plate-like part1A1of the first base member1A of another adjacent file20when the files20holding papers set in the binding tool10are stored on a bookshelf and the like such that the longitudinal direction of each spine4C mounted on each base member1(1B) is upright (seeFIG. 15).

The structure of a file in a second embodiment of the invention, provided with the aforementioned binding tool, will be described below referring toFIGS. 13 to 16. FIG.13is a plan view of the file in an open or spread state (a front cover and a back cover are opened) in the second embodiment of the invention.FIG. 14is a side view of the file shown inFIG. 13, in a closed state (the front cover and the back cover are closed).FIG. 15is a cross-sectional view of a plurality of files taken along a line E-E inFIG. 14, in which the files each holding papers with a binding tool are stored such that the files with a longitudinal direction of each spine of the files upright overlap an adjacent file or files, that is, are closely arranged side by side.FIG. 16is a cross-sectional view of the file ofFIG. 14, after turning the front cover or the back cover by 180° together with papers.

As shown inFIGS. 13 to 16, each file20in this embodiment is provided with the aforementioned binding tool10, the spine4C mounted with the binding tool10extending in the longitudinal direction, and a front cover4A and a back cover4B continuous with each other through the spine4C. The front cover4A and the back cover4B are provided respectively with nearly-rectangular insertion holes4A1to4A12and4B1and4B12, in each of which the base end portions2AB of the first binding members2A (2A1to2A12) and the base end portions2BB of the second binding members2B (2B1to2B12) can be inserted in pairs, i.e., two in each hole, side by side in the longitudinal direction.

Accordingly, when the plurality of files20are stored on a bookshelf and the like such that the files20with the longitudinal direction of each spine4C upright overlap, or contact, an adjacent one(s), the base end portions2AB of the first binding members2A of one file20and the base end portions2BB of the second binding members2B of an adjacent file20can be inserted in pairs, i.e., two in in each of the insertion holes4A1to4A12and4B1to4B12. At that time, as shown inFIG. 15, the binding tools10can be placed close to each other in the width direction, unless they are restricted by the width of each base member1, until the base end portions2AB of the first binding members2A and the base end portions2BB of the second binding members2B directly contact the papers SP having a predetermined volume (thickness) held by the adjacent binding tools10.

Furthermore, the first binding members2A and the second binding members2B are arranged such that each pitch P2on the central side in the longitudinal direction is wider than each pitch P1on the front end side and the rear end side and further arranged symmetrically on the front end side and the rear end side with respect to the center line CT in the longitudinal direction. For example, each pitch P1is set to be twice a hole pitch of binding holes WH formed in a commercially available A4-sized 30-hole notebook leaf and each pitch P2is set to be triple the hole pitch of the same 30-hole notebook leaf, as shown inFIG. 13. Accordingly, it is advantageous that commercially available A4-sized notebook leaves can be directly used. Further, the insertion holes4A1to4A12formed in the front cover4A and the insertion holes4B1to4B12formed in the back cover4B are not continuous with each other.

The spine4C, the front cover4A, and the back cover4B may be provided with a cutout for operation (“operating cutout”)4K formed to allow operation of the front end part and the rear end part of the binding tool10in the longitudinal direction. The operating cutout4K is preferably formed in a nearly U-like or nearly V-like shape with a size enough to allow user's finger(s) to enter therein while the file20is in an open state. In this case, a user is allowed to pinch an end portion of the upper-layer plate-like part1A1of the first base member1A and an end portion of the lower-layer plate-like part1B2of the second base member1B and separate them upward and downward, thereby easily releasing the engagement between the engagement portion1A22and the cutout1B22. In the case where the engagement portions1A22and the cutouts1B22are provided in the first base member1A and the second base member1B in their front end parts and rear end parts in the longitudinal direction, the operating cutout4K has only to be formed in correspondence to the front end parts or the rear end parts in which the engagement portions1A22and the cutouts1B22are formed.

The base member1(1B) is provided with flanged locking portions1B4engageable with locking holes formed in the spine4C. Each of the flanged locking portions1B4includes a base portion1B41protruding downward from a lower surface of the second base member1B and flanges1B42extending backward and frontward from the base portion1B41. By moving the spine4C in the longitudinal direction, the locking holes of the spine4C are inserted one into each of the clearances formed between the flanges1B42and the second base member1B. Each flange1B42is flat and thin, resulting in a reduced protruding amount from the spine4C.

In the file20in the present embodiment, the inner surface2ABQ of the base end portion2AB and the inner surface2BBQ of the base end portion2BB of each of the binding members2(2A,2B) are designed to be located more outside than the outer end faces of the base member1(1A and1B) by a predetermined distance TR. Accordingly, as shown inFIG. 16, as long as the thickness of the papers SP held by the binding members2(2A,2B) is equal to or less than the protruding distance TR, the papers SP can be flipped, or turned 180°, while maintaining its flat state, together with the back cover4B or the front cover4A. Furthermore, the papers SP having been turned 180° may be further turned back 360° while remaining held in the binding members2(2A,2B). In this case, it is easy to write necessary characters or figures on the flat paper SP turned 180° or 360° by holding the file20with the size corresponding to a closed state. This can enhance the convenience of the file20as e.g. a sketchbook or the like with papers SP having a large planar size and a large paper thickness.

As described in detail above, according to the binding tool10in the present embodiment of the invention, when the tip end portions2AS and2BS located facing each other in the width direction are in contact with each other in the binding position, the base end portions2AB and2BB integral with the corresponding tip end portions2AS and2BS are positionally displaced in the longitudinal direction by at least an amount corresponding to the thickness TH of the base end portion. Accordingly, when the binding tools10of the adjacent files20are placed close to each other in the width direction, it is possible to prevent the base end portions2AB of the first binding member2A and the base end portions2BB of the second binding member2B, protruding in the width direction of each base member1(1A and1B), from interfering with those of adjacent base members1.

Consequently, the binding tools10can be placed close to each other in the width direction, unless they are restricted by the width of each base member1, until the base end portions2AB of the first binding members2A and the base end portions2BB of the second binding members2B directly contact the papers SP having a predetermined volume (thickness) held by the adjacent binding tools10. Thus, the present embodiment can provide the binding tools10compact in the width direction in the binding position, so that when the files20with the binding tools10mounted on the corresponding spines4C are stored with the longitudinal direction of each spine4C upright on a bookshelf and the like, the files can overlap, or contact, an adjacent one(s), resulting in an increase in the number of files to be stored.

According to the present embodiment, the tip end portions2AS of the first binding members2A and the tip end portions2BS of the second binding members2B, located facing each other in the width direction, are joined to each other at a slant with a predetermined angle to the longitudinal direction in the binding position. Thus, the first binding member2A and the second binding member2B can be smoothly coupled through the tip end portions2AS and2BS while keeping almost constant the positional displacement in the longitudinal direction between the base end portions2AB of the first binding members2A and the corresponding base end portions2BB of the second binding members2B with the pitches of the first binding members2A and the second binding members2B. This can prevent deformation and the like of the held papers. Thus, the binding tool10can compact in the width direction in the binding position while easily preventing deformation and the like of the papers held therein.

According to the present embodiment, the tip end portions2AS of the first binding members2A and the tip end portions2BS of the second binding members2B, located facing each other in the width direction, each extend to taper off to a distal end in the width direction. Each of the tapering tip end portions2AS and2BS is provided with the contact surface TS perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. This configuration allows the tip end portions2AS and2BS in the binding position to overlap each other over a large area in the width direction through their contact surfaces TS. Thus, with the contact surfaces TS allowing a large overlapping area in the width direction, even the binding tool10compact in the width direction in the binding position and flexible in the width direction can easily prevent a paper(s) SP from coming off or slipping out.

According to the present embodiment, furthermore, the base member1includes the first base member1A formed with the first binding members2A and the second base member1B formed with the second binding member2B. Since the first base member1A and the second base member1B are assembled so as to overlap one on another in the up-down direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction in the binding position, the first base member1A and the second base member1B can be configured to be wide in width to ensure respective strength, but can reduce the total width of the base member1in the binding position by an amount of overlapping in the up-down direction. This can achieve a further reduced-width of the base member1in the binding position. Since the first base member1A and the second base member1B overlap each other, or stacked, in the up-down direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction in the binding position, it is also possible to reduce warping or bending of the first base member1A and the second base member1B in the up-down direction. Thus, the binding tool more compact in the width direction in the binding position can be provided while ensuring the necessary strength of the first base member1A and the second base member1B in the binding position.

According to the present embodiment, the first base member1A and the second base member1B are formed with the engagement portions1A21,1B21, and1A22, each of which protrudes in the up-down direction, in the central prat, front end part, and rear end part in which the base members overlap one on another. The first base member1A and the second base member1B extending in the longitudinal direction can be reliably locked with each other in the binding position without designing the engagement portions1A21,1B21, and1A22so as to protrude in the width direction. This can provide the binding tool10more compact in the width direction in the binding position while reliably realizing the locked state of the first base member1A and the second base member1B in the binding position.

According to the present embodiment, the first base member1A and the second base member1B are coupled to be movable in the width direction through the plurality of link arm members3(3A and3B), so that the first base member1A and the second base member1B and the link arm members3can be placed in nearly parallel with each other in the longitudinal direction in the binding position. Furthermore, when the first base member1A and the second base member1B are moved in the width direction between the binding position and the open position, the first base member1A and the second base member1B are applied with only a rotation frictional force through the rotary shafts31and the rotary shafts34supporting the link arm members3. Thus, the structures of the first base member1A and the second base member1B and the link arm members3can be simplified, resulting in further reduction in the width of the binding tool10. Since the first base member1A and the second base member1B are moved in the width direction through the link arm members3(3A and3B), furthermore, the clearances can be wide when the binding members are in the open position. This can solve the problem that the clearances are narrow when the binding members are in the closed position, causing papers to be caught, as shown by the movable-side binding member202(seeFIG. 19) which rotates about the rotary shaft205placed in the conventional base member201.

According to the present embodiment, the first base member1A and the second base member1B are assembled to form a multi-layer structure in which a plurality of plate-like parts1A1,1A2,1B1, and1B2each extending in the longitudinal direction are stacked in the up-down direction while forming the clearances1A3and1B3therebetween. Each link arm member3(3A and3B) can be housed in the clearances1A3and1B3in the binding position. Therefore, in the binding position, any influence of the width of each link arm member3(3A and3B) on the width of the binding tool10is negligible. Thus, the binding tool10can have a more reduced width in the binding position.

According to the present embodiment, each link arm member3(3A and3B) is configured such that the first arm element32to be housed in the clearance1A3of the first base member1A and the second arm element33to be housed the clearance1B3of the second base member1B in the binding position are coupled stepwise at a link middle portion35. Thus, the size of the clearance1A3of the first base member1A in the longitudinal direction for housing the link arm member3and the size of the clearance1B3of the second base member1B in the longitudinal direction for housing the link arm member3can be set to be small at the same level as each other. This makes it possible to prevent degradation of strength of the first base member1A and the second base member1B due to the clearances1A3and1B3in a balanced manner. Accordingly, the strength degradation of the base member1due to retaining of the link arm member3can be prevented and also the binding tool10can be configured more compact in width.

According to the file20in the second embodiment of the invention, the front cover4A and the back cover4B are respectively provided with the insertion holes4A1to4A12and4B1to4B12in each of which the base end portions2AB of the first binding members2A and the base end portions2BB the second binding members2B can be inserted, two in each hole, side by side in the longitudinal direction. Accordingly, when the plurality of files20are stored with the longitudinal direction of each spine4C upright so that the files20overlap, or contact, an adjacent one(s), on a bookshelf and the like, the base end portions2AB of the first binding members2A of one file20and the base end portions2BB of the second binding members2B of an adjacent file20can be inserted in pairs, i.e., two in each corresponding insertion hole4A1to4A12and4B1to4B12. Thus, the binding tools10can be placed close to each other in the width direction, unless they are restricted by the width of each base member1, until the base end portions2AB of the first binding members2A and the base end portions2BB of the second binding members2B directly contact the papers SP having a predetermined volume (thickness) held by the adjacent binding tools10.

Consequently, the present embodiment can provide the files20such that when the files20with the binding tools10holding papers are stored with the longitudinal direction of each spine4C upright on a bookshelf and the like, the files20can overlap, or contact, an adjacent one(s) without interference of the front cover4A and the back cover4B with respect to the base end portions2AB of the first binding members2A and the base end portions2BB of the second binding members2B, each protruding in the width direction. This can result in an increase in the number of files to be stored.

According to the second embodiment of the invention, the spine4C, the front cover4A, and the back cover4B are provided with the operating cutouts4K to allow operation of the front end part and the rear end part of the binding tool10in the longitudinal direction. Thus, a user is allowed to pinch an end portion of the upper-layer plate-like part1A1of the first base member1A and an end portion of the lower-layer plate-like part1B2of the second base member1B and separate them upward and downward, thereby easily releasing the engagement between the engagement portion1A22and the cutout1B22. Therefore, the file20provided with the binding tool10compact in the width direction can also realize a file easy to operate.

According to the second embodiment of the invention, the base member1(1B) is provided with the flanged locking portions1B4engageable with the locking holes formed in the spine4C. Thus, any additional means for fixing the spine4C to the base member1, for example, a rivet, a screw, or the like, are unnecessary. Accordingly, the base member1(1B) can be configured more compact, enabling the files20to be stored closely, overlapping an adjacent one(s), on a bookshelf and the like, resulting in an increase in the number of files to be stored.

According to the second embodiment of the invention, the first binding members2A and the second binding members2B are arranged with pitches so that each pitch P2on the central side in the longitudinal direction is wider than each pitch P1on the front end side and the rear end side in the longitudinal direction and also arranged symmetrically on the front end side and the rear end side in the longitudinal direction. When a paper(s) SP is to be released from the binding tool10of the file20, the paper(s) SP is usually detached from its front or rear end side in the longitudinal direction of the base member1(1A and1B). Accordingly, the external force acting on the first binding members2A and the second binding members2B through the binding holes WH of the papers SP is apt to act on the front end side or the rear end side of the base member1(1A and1B) but is less likely to act on the central side of the base member1(1A and1B). Thus, the base member1(1A and1B) on the central side required to have high strength can be simplified in structure, so that the entire base member1(1A and1B) can be designed more compact in the width direction. This enables the files20to be stored closely, or overlap an adjacent one(s), on a bookshelf and the like, resulting in an increase in the number of files to be stored.

The first binding members2A and the second binding members2B are arranged so that each pitch P2on the central side in the longitudinal direction is wider than each pitch P1on the front end side and the rear end side in the longitudinal direction and also arranged symmetrically on the front side and the rear side in the longitudinal direction. This also makes it possible to reduce the number of binding holes WH needing to be formed in the papers SP which will be held by the binding tool10of the file20, thereby avoiding jamming of the papers SP during printing. Furthermore, the number of binding holes WH to be formed in the papers SP after printing can also be reduced and thus processing equipment for making binding holes can be simplified. This can also achieve an advantage that, even when the paper(s) SP has a thin thickness, such a paper is less likely to be deformed, e.g., folded or bent, around each binding hole WH.

When each pitch P1in the first binding members2A and the second binding members2B is set to be twice the pitch of binding holes WH formed in for example a commercially available A4-sized 30-hole notebook leaf and each pitch P2is set to be triple the hole pitch of the binding holes WH of the same 30-hole notebook leaf, the notebook leaf may be put in a file so that the notebook leaf is turned upside down or inside out.

The aforementioned embodiments may be changed or modified without departing from the essential characteristics of the invention. For instance, the binding tool10in the aforementioned embodiment is configured such that the plurality of (herein, two) link arm members3(3A and3B) have almost the same arm length and the first base member1A and the second base member1B are coupled to each other to be movable in parallel in the width direction through the plurality of (herein, two) link arm members3(3A and3B). As an alternative, the coupling member is not limited thereto. For example, the link arm members may have different arm length in the longitudinal direction of the binding tool. Further, the first base member1A and the second base member1B may be coupled to each other, instead of using the link arm member, by using a linking pin on the front end part or the rear end part in the longitudinal direction to allow the base members to move in the width direction by rotation about the linking pin.

In the aforementioned embodiments, each of the first base member1A and the second base member1B is configured as a two-layer structure in which two plate-like parts1A1and1A2or two plate-like parts1B1and1B2, each extending in the longitudinal direction, are stacked in the up-down direction with the clearance1A3or1B3formed therebetween. However, the layer structure is not limited thereto. For instance, the first base member1A may consist of three plate-like parts each extending in the longitudinal direction and the second base member1B may consist of two plate-like parts each extending in the longitudinal direction to form a three-layer structure and a two-layer structure, each including clearances in the up-down direction. In this case, the link arm members3may be connected in flat manner instead of stepwise manner.

In the aforementioned second embodiment, the file20is provided with the binding tool10, the spine4C on which the binding tool10is mounted extending in the longitudinal direction, and the front cover4A and the back cover4B continuous with each other via the spine4C. However, the file does not always have to include a spine. For example, a file may be configured such that the front cover4A and the back cover4B are separated into two covers and locked respectively to the first binding members2A (2A1to2A5,2A8to2A12) and the second binding members2B (2B1to2B5,2B8to2B12) of the binding tool10through the insertion holes4A1to4A12formed in the front cover4A and the insertion holes4B1to4B12formed in the back cover4B. In this case, a label to be usually adhered to a spine may be adhered to an under surface of the base member1(1B).

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is applicable as a binding tool capable of holding papers in an open state and a file provided with the binding tool.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST