Bolt action ring binder

A ring binder (10) stores hole (H) punched sheets of paper (P). A mechanism (16) is a bolt action mechanism which positively locks binder rings (18) which hold paper in its stored position. Each binder ring includes a fixed section (20) and a movable section (22). All of the movable binder ring sections are commonly mounted on a bolt (36) and move in unison with the bolt. A manually operable lever (38) is secured to one end of the bolt. When the lever is moved in one direction, the bolt is rotated so to move the movable sections of the binder rings away from the fixed sections and open the binder. Operation of the lever in the opposite direction brings the movable sections back into contact with the fixed sections to close the binder.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
Not applicable. 
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
Not applicable. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to ring binders, and more particularly, to a ring 
binder incorporating a bolt action apparatus for opening and closing the 
binder to store and access hole punched materials with which the binder is 
used. 
As is well-known in the art, a ring binder has two or more binder rings 
each of which comprises two sections which are movable into and out of 
contact with each other to open and close the metal. Most ring binders 
employ some type of lever mechanism which is manually operable by the user 
of the binder to move pull the ring sections apart. While the lever 
mechanism is also operable to push the sections together, most people 
simply close the rings by exerting finger pressure on the two sections. 
Many people also open the binder rings by pulling them apart with their 
fingers. 
It sometimes happens that the amount of hole punched paper stored in the 
binder is so great that the volume of paper cause the rings to become 
partially spread apart when it is intended that the binder be fully 
closed. In such circumstances, it is not uncommon that even a slight 
additional pressure will cause the rings to open and paper to spill out. 
Various attempts have been made to design a fabricate a ring metal which 
prevents this from happening. Such constructions have met with different 
degrees of success. The apparatus of the present invention provides a 
novel solution to this problem which effectively maintains a binder closed 
and is not susceptible to the occurrence of spills. Unlike prior art 
release mechanisms which use levers, and the like, the ring binder of the 
present invention employs a simple, easy to use, fail safe mechanism. 
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Among the several objects of the present invention may be noted the 
provision of a ring binder for use in storing hole punched sheets of paper 
or the like; 
the provision of such a ring binder to employ a bolt action mechanism for 
operatively opening and closing the binder to store and access material in 
the binder; 
the provision of such a ring binder to have a series of binder rings which 
capture the hole punched material for storage in the binder; 
the provision of such a ring binder wherein each binder ring includes a 
fixed section and a movable section, each of the movable sections of the 
rings being commonly connected to the bolt action mechanism so movement of 
the mechanism simultaneously moves all of the movable binder ring 
sections; 
the provision of such a ring binder in which the bolt action mechanism is 
movable from either end of the binder; 
the provision of such a ring binder which positively closes the binder 
rings and does not allow the rings to be pulled apart by forces such as 
the weight of paper against the rings; 
the provision of such a ring binder in which the bolt action mechanism is a 
low cost, easy to install assembly; 
the provision of such a mechanism which is usable with different size ring 
binders and ring binders having different numbers of binder rings; and, 
the provision of such a mechanism which operates easily and reliably. 
In accordance with the invention, generally stated, a ring binder is for 
storing hole punched sheets of paper or the like. A ring binder mechanism 
for the binder is a bolt action mechanism which positively locks binder 
rings which hold the paper in its stored position. There are a plurality 
of such binder rings, each of which includes a fixed section and a movable 
section. All of the movable binder ring sections are commonly mounted on a 
bolt so as to move in unison with the bolt. A manually operable lever is 
secured to one end of the bolt. When the lever is moved in one direction, 
the bolt is rotated so to move the movable sections of the binder rings 
away from the fixed sections, thus opening the binder. Operation of the 
lever in the opposite direction brings the movable sections back into 
contact with the fixed sections to close the binder. Other objects and 
features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout 
the drawings. 
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
Referring to the drawings, a ring binder of the present invention is 
indicated generally 10 and is for use in storing sheets S of paper having 
punched holes H in them. Binder 10 includes first and second end leafs 12, 
14 respectively forming outer covers of the binder. The leafs are 
generally rectangular in shape and may be made of any suitable material. 
The length and width of the leafs are a function of the size of paper a 
particular binder 10 is intended to store. Next, a binder ring mechanism 
indicated generally 16 is positioned intermediate the respective end 
leafs, and the inner end of each end leaf is attached to the binder ring 
unit as described hereinafter. Heretofore, instead of mechanism 16, a ring 
metal comprising an elongate or rectangularly shaped metal plate (not 
shown) has been used with the end leafs attached to the center plate and 
the center plate, in turn, attached to a spine portion of the binder by 
rivets or the like. Binder rings (also not shown) used with the ring metal 
have been two piece rings each of which is separately movable to open and 
close the binder. 
Mechanism 16 first includes a plurality of binder rings 18 which hold the 
sheets S in their stored position. In the drawings, three binder rings 
18a-18c are shown. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that 
binder 10 may have more, or fewer, binder rings 18 without departing from 
the scope of the invention. Regardless of the number of binder rings a 
binder may have, each binder ring has fixed section 20 and a movable 
section 22. As described hereinafter, ring binder mechanism 16 positively 
locks the binder ring sections together to hold the sheets in their stored 
position against forces tending to open said binder rings. As shown in the 
drawings, fixed section 20 of each binder ring has a flat portion F formed 
adjacent its distal end, and a groove G formed at the inner end of the 
flat. Movable section 22 has a lip L which fits into groove G when the 
sections are brought together to close the binder. That is, the outer ends 
of the fixed and movable binder ring sections interlock with each other as 
shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. 
Mechanism 16 includes a housing 24 the length of which generally 
corresponds to the height of binder 10. The housing, which may of a molded 
plastic material or a metal stamping, has a top surface 26. Fixed sections 
20 of the binder rings 18 are affixed to this top surface. The sections 20 
may be integrally formed with the housing; or, the sections may have a tab 
or projection (not shown) by which the ring section is fitted into one of 
a series of spaced openings 28 formed in the top of the housing and 
extending along one side of the housing. The openings 28 are uniformly 
spaced along the top of the housing. Also formed in top surface 26 of the 
housing, at each end of the housing, is a recess 30. A rivet (not shown) 
is inserted through an opening 32 in recess 30 for attaching the housing 
to a spine portion 34 of the binder. 
All of the movable binder ring sections 22 are commonly mounted on a 
movable bolt 36 so to move in unison with the bolt. Bolt 36 comprises a 
rod the length of which corresponds to at least the length of housing 24. 
A manually operable lever 38 is secured to one end of the bolt. Movement 
of lever 38 in one direction (clockwise as shown in FIG. 4) rotates bolt 
36 to move the binder ring sections 22 rings away from the fixed sections 
20 thereof, to open binder 10. Movement of the lever in the opposite 
direction (counter-clockwise as shown in FIG. 4) brings the movable ring 
sections back into contact with the fixed sections to close the binder. 
The movable sections 20 of the binder rings 18 may be integrally formed 
with bolt 36 so to form a one-piece assembly. Or, the sections can be 
attached to the bolt by welding or another suitable means of attachment. 
Bolt 36 can be mounted in housing 24 in a number of different ways. As 
shown in the drawings, housing 24 has a plurality of insets 40 formed 
along its side opposite the side where the fixed sections 20 of the binder 
rings are attached to the top of the housing. Bolt 36 has sections 
extending through these insets, these bolts sections being external of the 
housing. It is on these sections of bolt 36 where the movable portions 22 
of the binder rings 18 are formed on the bolt, or are attached to the 
bolt. Another inset 42 is formed at one end of housing 26, and a notch 44 
is formed in top surface 26 of the housing adjacent this inset. Bolt 36 
has an end section 46 extending externally of housing 26, inset 42, and 
lever 38 is formed on, or attached to, this end section of the bolt. A 
lever arm 48 of lever 38 is received in notch 44 when the lever rotates 
the bolt to the binder closed position. 
Referring to FIGS. 6-9, various methods of securing bolt 36 to housing 24 
of the binder ring mechanism are shown. On each sidewall of the insets 40 
and 42 formed in the housing are slotted openings 50 which extend upwardly 
into the sidewall from the base of the housing openings are sized so bolt 
36 can be snap fit into place and still have sufficient freedom to be 
freely rotatable when opening and closing the binder. To prevent 
longitudinal movement of the bolt, once the bolt is in place, the bolt may 
have grooves 52 into which clips 54 are inserted. The grooves would be 
formed adjacent the inner face of the inset sidewall. Or, spaced rings 56 
may be formed on the bolt. Another alternative is to have an opening 58 
formed at the opposite end of the housing from inset 42. The end of the 
bolt opposite the end on which the notch is formed fits through this 
opening when the bolt is installed. A locking piece (not shown) can be 
fitted onto this end of the bolt; or, as shown in FIG. 9, this end of the 
bolt can be spun over so at to be larger in diameter than the opening and 
so prevent longitudinal movement of the bolt. 
What has been described is a ring binder storing hole punched sheets of 
paper. The binder employs a bolt action mechanism for opening and closing 
the binder to store and access the paper. A number of binder rings, which 
capture the paper and hold it in place, each includes a fixed section and 
a movable section. The movable sections are commonly mounted on a bolt 
action mechanism for movement of the mechanism to simultaneously move all 
of the movable binder ring sections. The mechanism, which operates easily 
and reliably, positively closes the binder rings and does not allow the 
rings to be pulled apart by forces such as the weight of paper against the 
rings. Finally, the bolt action mechanism is a low cost, easy to install 
assembly which is usable with different size ring binders and ring binders 
having different numbers of binder rings. 
In view of the foregoing, it will be seen that the several objects of the 
invention are achieved and other advantageous results are obtained. 
As various changes could be made in the above constructions without 
departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter 
contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings 
shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.