Spiral binder with locking element

A reusable refillable binder for use with papers having marginal perforations. The binder including a spiral coil having tapered ends, each of the ends of the coil having an area width for receipt of a removable locking element. A removable locking element for securement to binding element about the area of reduced width to prevent the unintentional unbinding of the binder when secured to the coil and to allow the user to unbind the binder when the locking element is removed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a spiral binder for papers and the like 
having marginal perforations and, more particularly, to a improved spiral 
binder having a spiral binding element. 
In the past spiral ring binders have been constructed such that a narrow 
gauge plastic or metallic wire that has been helically or spirally coiled 
is passed through perforations in the margins of the papers, such that the 
papers are held in bound condition. The wires used in these binders are 
usually crimped or bent at their ends to prevent the papers from 
unbinding. The crimp or bend in the terminal end of the wire also acts to 
prevent the coils from rotating, thereby preventing the coils from 
gradually creeping outward at either end of the binder. 
The spiral binders described above have come to be considered permanent for 
all practical purposes as they can not be refilled or reused without great 
difficulty and inconvenience to the user. 
To overcome the shortcomings inherent in the devices described above, my 
prior patent, U.S. Pat. No. 5,417,508, disclosed a spiral-type binder 
having opposite coiled ends with a plurality of spiral coils interposed 
therebetween and a removable locking element coupled at both ends of the 
coil. This construction permitted the binder when in the locked state to 
securely retain the bound pages while at the same time permitting the 
removal of the locking element to add or remove pages to and from the 
binder. 
The locking element as disclosed in my prior patent included a first end 
adapted to at least partially encircle one ring of the coil and a second 
end adapted to be inserted through a hole provided in the outermost ring 
of the coil. 
Although the binder disclosed in the '508 patent is effective, over time it 
became apparent that the binder disclosed therein could be improved. 
First, the binder disclosed in the '508 patent is somewhat costly to 
manufacture in that a molding process was used to produce the spiral 
binding element. As a result, a rather intricate and costly mold was 
required. Further, if a different length or diameter spiral was desired a 
new mold was required, resulting in additional costs. 
Second, if the alignment of the molds used in the molding procedure is not 
perfect the resultant parts may have ridges or steps that may hamper the 
binding or unbinding of the papers held by the binder. 
It is therefore, the object of the present invention to provide a spiral 
binder that overcomes the defects and disadvantages of the prior art. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a improved 
reusable spiral binder that is simple in construction, easy to operate and 
durable. 
It is a further object to provide an improved locking device that does not 
compromise the structural integrity of the spiral element. 
It is another object to provide a spiral binder that inexpensive, versatile 
and easy to manufacture. 
These objects, together with other objects and advantages, will be apparent 
from the following disclosure of the present invention. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention overcomes the disadvantages found in the prior art by 
providing a spiral binder having a spiral binding element with a plurality 
of coils which can be easily and quickly threaded through the perforations 
of the sheets and covers of a bound book or the like. The outermost coil 
at each end of the binding element has an area of reduce width adapted to 
receive a removable locking element. 
The binder according to the present invention is provided with a removable 
locking element coupled to each end of the binder to prevent the spiral 
binding element from accidently traveling or unbinding. The locking 
elements may be removed to allow the unbinding of the sheets by the user 
to permit the addition or removal of sheets to or from the binder as 
desired. The locking element is adapted to partially encircle the 
outermost coil of the binding element about the area of reduced width. 
The present invention generally comprises an improved reusable spiral 
binder for papers and the like having marginal perforation. The binder 
includes a spiral binding element having a plurality of spaced coils along 
the length thereof, the outermost coil at each end of the binding element 
having an area of reduced width. A removable locking element is coupled to 
each end of the binding element such that it partially encircles the area 
of reduced width to prevent the rotation of the binding element and the 
unbinding of the papers from the binder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
As seen in FIG. 1, the present invention relates to a refillable spiral 
binder, generally depicted by the numeral 10. The binder 10, as 
illustrated in FIG. 1, binds a plurality of sheets 12. Each sheet 12 has a 
plurality of equally spaced marginal perforations 14 along the peripheral 
edge of the sheet as shown. 
The sheets of the binder are held in a bound state by a spiral or helical 
binding element 16 having a first and second end, 18 and 20 respectively. 
Interposed between the ends 18 and 20 of the binding element are a 
plurality of spiral coils 22. The coils are arranged such that their 
position corresponds to the perforations 14 so that the coils may be 
threaded through the perforations to thereby bind the sheets. 
The ends 18 and 20 of the binding element are provided with a tapered 
leading edge 24 as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. The tapered leading edge 24 
allows the spiral binding element to be quickly and efficiently inserted 
through the perforations 14. The terminal ends of the binding element are 
also provided with opposed notches or detents 28 and 30. The notches or 
detents 28 and 30 act to define an area of reduced width proximate the 
terminal end of the binding element. The area of reduced width, as 
described hereinafter, is inserted and held within the removable locking 
element 32. 
Preferably, the spiral coil 16 is manufactured by extruding lengths of 
material having a constant cross section, e.g. width. These sections of 
material are then heat formed to conform to the desired helical shape. 
Once formed, the tapered ends and the notches 28 and 30 may be formed by 
using a single die cutting operation, thereby keeping manufacturing costs 
to a minimum. The above described procedure allows a variety of binders, 
having a variety of diameters to be produced inexpensively with minimal 
re-tooling costs. Of course, a molding procedure may alternatively be 
used, if desired, however the initial costs to generate molds will be 
higher and seperate molds will be required for each size binder to be 
produced. 
The spiral coil 16 is preferable constructed from a suitable plastic, 
however it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other 
suitable materials may also be used to form the coil 16 such as a pliable 
metal or the like. 
As seen in FIG. 2, the spiral coil 16 is provided at each of its ends with 
a removable locking element 32 which prevents the rotation of the sheets 
12, as well as prevents the travel of the coil 16 and thus the unbinding 
of the sheets 12 from the binder 10. 
The locking element 32 has a body with a first and second pair of curved 
hooks, 36a and 36b, and, 38a and 38b, respectively. Each hook comprising a 
hook pair, i.e. 36a and 36b, is angled in toward the other as shown 
forming a claw adapted to engage notches 28 and 30 of the outermost ring 
element. As shown, each hook pair is formed on opposite sides of the 
locking element body, providing a locking element that is symmetrical in 
both the horizontal and vertical planes. The symmetrical nature of the 
hooks allows either pair of hooks to be engaged to the spiral binding 
element. By depressing either pair of hooks, 36a and 36b or 38a and 38b, 
between the thumb and index finger the user can increase the space 44 
between the opposed pair of hooks allowing the insertion and removal of 
the binding element 16. This permits the user to easily attach the locking 
element to the binding element 16 using either side of the element. As 
shown in FIG. 3, when in the locked position, the locking element engages 
the binding element by partially surrounding the area of reduced width. 
In use, for example, the locking element 32 is manually placed at each end 
18 and 22 of the spiral coil by depressing the hooks 38a and 38b so that 
the space 44 between the opposed hooks 36a and 36b is increased allowing 
the reception of the binding element 16. The first pair of hooks are then 
released so that the hooks 36a and 36b return to their original position 
and engage the notches 28 and 30. Upon release of the hooks 38a and 38b 
the claw formed by the members 36a and 36b grasp the spiral binding 
element 16 as shown in FIG. 3. Once in the locked position the locking 
element 32 prevents the rotation of the coils and the unbinding of the 
sheets. 
The removable locking element 32 may be removed by depressing the hooks 38a 
and 38b, thereby increasing the space 44 between the hooks 36a and 36b, 
allowing the removal of the locking element from the binding element. The 
binding element can then be unthreaded from the sheets to permit the 
removal or addition of pages as desired. 
The locking element 32 should be constructed from a material having a 
memory such that when the force placed on the element by the user is 
removed the element returns to its original shape. Further, the locking 
element should be have a dimension such that when it is in its relaxed 
state it fits snugly around the area of reduced width as defined by the 
detents 28 and 30. 
An alternative embodiment 46 of the locking element 32 is shown in FIG. 4. 
As seen the locking element 46 has a body with a first end having a hook 
50 and a second end having a pair of spaced legs 52 and 54. The hook 50 is 
configured such that it receives the outermost coil 56 of the spiral 
element 16 within a channel 58 formed between the hook 50 and the locking 
element body. The second end is adapted to receive spiral coil adjacent 
the outermost coil, i.e. coil 60. As shown the coil 60 is inserted through 
a opening 62 between two legs 52 and 54, and received within in a chamber 
64. 
In use, the locking element 46 is secured to the spiral coil 16 at ends 18 
and 22 by inserting 58 through the opening 62 so that the coil is received 
within the chamber 64. The outermost coil 56 is then inserted in the 
channel 58 formed between hook 50 and the body of the locking element. The 
coil 56 is positioned so that the area of reduced width formed by the 
detents 28 and 30 fits within the channel 58. In this manner, the locking 
element 46 is held securely in place thereby preventing the rotation or 
travel of the coils and thus preventing the unwanted unbinding of the 
sheets 12. The user may remove the locking element 34 by simple reversing 
these steps thereby allowing the unbinding of the book to add or remove 
pages as desired. 
A variation of locking element 46, generally depicted by the numeral 66, is 
shown in FIG. 6. As seen, in this version the hook 50 is curved or angled 
back towards the body of the locking element. In this way, the opening to 
the channel 58 is orientated so that it faces the body 48 of the locking 
element. To insert the outermost coil 56 into the channel 58 the coil must 
be partially twisted or rotated, as shown in FIG. 6, to fit within the 
opening to the channel. After the coil 56 is rotated to fit within the 
channel it is released and returns to its relaxed state and fits securely 
within the channel 58. As the coil 56 must be slightly deformed in order 
to insert or remove the same to or from the channel 58 the coil will not 
inadvertently fall out or dislodge from the locking element, thereby 
providing additional security. 
The locking elements as described above are all molded of high strength, 
such as a suitable polymeric material. However, it is understood by those 
skilled in the art that other materials and forms of construction are 
suitable. 
From the above description, it will be seen that the binder according to 
the present invention is refillable and reusable binder by providing a 
spiral coil having tapered ends provided with notches or indents adapted 
to be inserted within a removable locking element. By removing the locking 
element the spiral coil may be quickly and easily unthreaded through 
perforations in the sheets and covers for the purpose of adding or 
removing sheets. The locking element is configured so that when it is 
secured to the coil ends it is held securely in place thereby preventing 
the unintentional unbinding of the sheets, while at the same time allowing 
easy removal of the element to allow unbinding of the sheets by the user. 
Further, the coil ends have been designed so that they may be machined 
using a single manufacturing process, keeping manufacturing costs to a 
minimum. 
The foregoing description has been presented for purposes of illustration 
and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the 
invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications are 
possible in light of the above teaching without departing from the spirit 
of the invention.