Binding device

A binding device includes binding rod portions, coupling portions for coupling a plurality of the binding rod portions, and an axis portion serving as a center upon opening/closing of binding rods. The coupling portions have lower portions to which the axis portion is provided at a position close to base portions of the binding rods so that a leaf bound at the binding rod portions can be flipped along the binding rods and flipped through 360 degrees and leaves can make contact with each other with the axis portion sandwiched therebetween. The axis portion includes a shaft portion and receiving portions for the shaft portion. The receiving portions are provided to the coupling portions the shaft portion is disposed therein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a binding device for filing, and in particular to a binding device used as, for example, a plastic ring type notebook or a file, a binder, or the like for binding a leaf with binding holes.

Conventionally, a notebook that binds a leaf with holes by using a ring-shaped member can, along its ring shape, spread the leaf through 360 degrees, in other words, not only open the leaf but also flip over the leaf to lay its front side and its reverse side on each other, thus utilizing half a space utilized by a notebook openable through only 180 degrees. However, the plastic ring type notebook has a disadvantage that it does not permit leaf replacement.

On the other hand, a notebook with binding devices of Japanese Patent No. 3440356 and Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open Publication No. H7-17578, in other words, a notebook with openable/closable binding rod portions that bind a leaf permits leaf replacement.Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 3440356Patent Document 2: Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open Publication No. H7-17578

However, the binding device of Japanese Patent No. 3440356 is a binding device composed of two main members (1) having a plurality of comb portions (2), wherein a slidable ring member (4) is provided at an end of the main member (1a) and inside of this ring member (4) has almost the same shape as or a slightly smaller shape than an outer shape obtained by integrating the main member (1a) and the main member (1b). For the leaf replacement, this binding device, upon fitting of fitting means provided at tips of the plurality of the comb portions after separating the two main members from each other, requires relatively many man-hours for fitting the many comb portions.

Moreover, the binding device of Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open Publication No. H7-17578 has a first member and a second member with a plurality of uprising binding loops, pivotably fitted together by a common axis line. Therefore, although the first member and the second member do not separate from each other, a bar-type coupling portion for coupling the plurality of binding loops is formed at base portions of the binding loops15and17, and a protruding portion23is provided in such a manner as to project from an inner side surface of this coupling portion. Accordingly, for example, even upon attempt to place the binding device on a desk to open it, outsides of the base portions of the binding loops hit a desk surface and thus the binding loops are not fully opened, thus making it relatively difficult to take-in and take-out the leaf. Additionally, integral molding with synthetic resin is difficult since it results in a complicated structure of a manufacturing die.

Therefore, it is a main object of the present invention to provide a binding device easily manufactured and having binding rods easily opened and closed for easy leaf replacement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A binding device according to the present invention is a binding device including: a plurality of binding rod portions; coupling portions for coupling the binding rod portions; and an axis portion serving as a center upon opening/closing of binding rods composing the binding rod portions, in which: the binding rods composing the binding rod portions are respectively provided at pairs of coupling portions composing the coupling portions at appropriate intervals in a longitudinal direction thereof in such a manner as to project from outer portions or upper portions of the coupling portions so that pairs of the binding rods face each other; the coupling portions have lower portions to which the axis portion is provided continuously at a position close to base portions of the binding rods in such a manner that when the leaf bound at the binding rod portions is flipped along the binding rods and flipped over through 360 degrees for closing, a front side and a reverse side of the leaf located at both ends can make contact with each other with the axis portion sandwiched therebetween; the axis portion includes a shaft portion and receiving portions for the shaft portion; the shaft portion extends in the longitudinal direction of the coupling portions to couple the pairs of coupling portions; the receiving portions are provided continuously to the binding rod portions and/or the coupling portions, and have aperture portions formed on side surfaces thereof for filling the shaft portion therein; and the axis portion is configured in such a manner as to serve as a rotation center upon closing with tips of the binding rods brought into contact with each other and upon separation of the tips of the binding rods from each other so that the leaf bound at the binding portions can be flipped along the binding rods and then flipped over through 360 degrees.

In an aspect of the invention the coupling portions include a first coupling portion and a second coupling portion in a form separated to left and right with respect to the axis portion as a center; the first receiving portions on a first coupling portion side have housing portions intermittently formed between the adjacent receiving portions when the shaft portion is filled; the second receiving portions on a second coupling portion side have housing portions intermittently formed between the adjacent receiving portions when the shaft portion is filled; and the second receiving portions housed by the housing portions on a first receiving portion side and the first receiving portions housed by the housing portions on a second receiving portion side are aligned at appropriate space therebetween on an axis line of the axis portion when the first binding rods and the second binding rods are closed, and also slidably mounted at the shaft portion in such a manner that the first binding rods and the second binding rods relatively move upon opening/closing of the first binding rods and the second binding rods.

In an aspect of the invention, a spring member applies tensile or compressive force in a longitudinal direction of the shaft portion and is fitted in a compressed state between one of the first housing portions and one of the second receiving portions or between one of the second housing portions and one of the first receiving portions.

In an aspect of the invention the binding rod portions have, at free ends on a side opposite to base portions of the binding rods provided continuously to the coupling portions, binding rod latching portions formed for latching the binding rods when the binding rods are closed; and the binding rod latching portions are formed in such a manner as to be latched or disengaged by relatively moving the binding rods, which are to be latched, in a direction crossing turning directions of the binding rods to be latched.

In an aspect of the invention the coupling portions have aperture angle restricting portions formed on side surfaces thereof for restricting an aperture angle of the binding rods at an angle which permits easy insertion of the leaf.

According to the present invention, a binding device includes: a plurality of binding rod portions; coupling portions for coupling the binding rod portions; and an axis portion serving as a center upon opening/closing of binding rods composing the binding rod portions, in which: the binding rods composing the binding rod portions are respectively provided at pairs of coupling portions composing the coupling portions at appropriate intervals in a longitudinal direction thereof in such a manner as to project from outer portions or upper portions of the coupling portions so that pairs of the binding rods face each other; the coupling portions have lower portions to which the axis portion is provided continuously at a position close to base portions of the binding rods in such a manner that when the leaf bound at the binding rod portions is flipped along the binding rods and flipped over through 360 degrees for closing, a front side and a reverse side of the leaf located at both ends can make contact with each other with the axis portion sandwiched therebetween; the axis portion includes a shaft portion and receiving portions for the shaft portion; the shaft portion extends in the longitudinal direction of the coupling portions to couple the pairs of coupling portions; the receiving portions are provided continuously to the binding rod portions and/or the coupling portions, and have aperture portions formed on side surfaces thereof for filling the shaft portion therein; and the receiving portions are configured in such a manner as to serve as a rotation center upon closing with tips of the binding rods brought into contact with each other and upon separation of the tips of the binding rods from each other so that the leaf bound at the binding portions can be flipped along the binding rods and then flipped over through 360 degrees. Therefore, a binding device easily manufactured and having binding rods easily opened and closed for easy leaf replacement can be provided.

In an aspect of the invention, the coupling portions include a first coupling portion and a second coupling portion in a form separated to left and right with respect to the axis portion as a center, the first receiving portions on a first coupling portion side have housing portions intermittently formed between the adjacent receiving portions when the shaft portion is filled, the second receiving portions on a second coupling portion side have housing portions intermittently formed between the adjacent receiving portions when the shaft portion is filled, and the second receiving portions housed by the housing portions on a first receiving portion side and the first receiving portions housed by the housing portions on a second receiving portion side are aligned at appropriate space therebetween on an axis line of the axis portion when the first binding rods and the second binding rods are closed, and also slidably mounted at the shaft portion in such a manner that the first binding rods and the second binding rods relatively move upon opening/closing of the first binding rods and the second binding rods. Therefore, the binding rod portions composed of the plurality of binding rods can be opened/closed at one time.

In an aspect of the invention, a spring member applies tensile or compressive force in a longitudinal direction of the shaft portion and is fitted in a compressed state between one of the first housing portions and one of the second receiving portions or between one of the second housing portions and one of the first receiving portions.

In another aspect of the invention, the binding rod portions have, at free ends on a side opposite to base portions of the binding rods provided continuously to the coupling portions, binding rod latching portions formed for latching the binding rods when the binding rods are closed, and the binding rod latching portions are formed in such a manner as to be latched or disengaged by relatively moving the binding rods, which are to be latched, in a direction crossing turning directions of the binding rods to be latched. Therefore, upon opening/closing the binding rods, the binding rods can be relatively moved in the direction crossing the turning directions of the binding rods to be latched, and thus can be opened/closed at once.

In another aspect of the invention, the coupling portions have aperture angle restricting portions formed on side surfaces thereof for restricting an aperture angle of the binding rods at an angle which permits easy insertion of the leaf. Therefore, the binding rods can be set at an optimum angle, for example, an optimum angle in leaf take-in and take-out.

The aforementioned object, other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clarified from description of best modes for carrying out the invention provided below with reference to the drawings.

In this specification and a scope of claims, the leaf is a general term of bound objects, such as a sheet, a pocket of synthetic resin, a front cover, and the like.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1is a schematic perspective view of a notebook with a binding device according to the present invention,FIG. 2is a schematic perspective view of the binding device according to the present invention, where (A) is an overall view and (B) is a partially enlarged view,FIG. 3is schematic perspective view of the binding device according to the present invention, where (A) is an overall view, (B) is a partially enlarged view, and (C) and (D) are views of half rods,FIG. 4is a schematic perspective view of a first binding device member,FIG. 5is a schematic perspective view of a second binding device member,FIG. 6is a schematic perspective view of the binding device according to the present invention in a disassembled state,FIG. 7is a schematic elevation view of the binding device in a closed state,FIG. 8is a schematic back view of the binding device in the closed state,FIG. 9is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line A-A ofFIG. 7,FIG. 10is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line B-B ofFIG. 7,FIG. 11is a schematic elevation view of the binding device in an opening start state,FIG. 12is a schematic back view of the binding device in the opening start state,FIG. 13is a schematic elevation view of the binding device in an opened state,FIG. 14is a schematic back view of the binding device in the opened state,FIG. 15is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line A-A ofFIG. 13, andFIG. 16is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line B-B ofFIG. 13.

A binding device10of the present invention includes: a plurality of binding rod portions12, coupling portions14for coupling the binding rod portions12, and an axis portion16serving as a center upon opening and closing of binding rods composing the binding rod portions12. The binding device10is configured such that the closed binding rod portions12can be opened by twisting the binding rod portions12.

This binding device10is mainly designed for a notebook similar to a notebook typically referred to as a plastic ring type notebook, and is configured so that a leaf110can be turned along the binding rod portions12of the binding device10to be spread through 360 degrees, in other words, when the leaf110bound at the binding rod portions12is flipped along the binding rods and flipped over through 360 degrees for closing, a front side and a reverse side of the leaf110located at both ends can make contact with each other with the axis portion16sandwiched therebetween.

Usually, on a front side and a reverse side of a writing sheet with binding holes, covers relatively harder than the aforementioned sheet are laid. In a scope of this specification and claims, the front side and the reverse side of the leaf110include a front side of a front cover on a front side of a sheet, a pocket of synthetic resin, or the like and a reverse side of a back cover on a reverse side thereof.

The binding rods composing the binding rod portions12are respectively provided at pairs of coupling portions14composing the coupling portions14at appropriate intervals in a longitudinal direction thereof in such a manner as to project from outer portions or upper portions of the coupling portions14so that pairs of the binding rods face each other. Each of the binding rod portions12includes the first binding rod20and the second binding rod30in a symmetric form separated to the left and right with respect to the axis portion16as a center.

The coupling portions14include a first coupling portion50and a second coupling portion60in a symmetric form separated to the left and right with respect to the axis portion16as a center. The first coupling portion50and the second coupling portion60are of a substantially columnar shape linearly extending in a longitudinal direction continuously from a far side to a near side.

In this embodiment, the first binding rods20and the first coupling portion50are formed at a first binding device member18A, the second binding rods30and the second coupling portion60are formed at a second binding device member18B, and the first binding device member18A and the second binding device member18B are formed symmetrically.

The first binding device member118A is integrally molded with synthetic resin, and similarly, the second binding device member18B is integrally molded with synthetic resin.

The coupling portions14have lower portions to which the axis portion16is provided continuously at a position close to base portions of the first binding rod20and the second binding rod30in such a manner that when the leaf110bound at the binding rod portions12is flipped along the first binding rods20and the second binding rods30and flipped over through 360 degrees for closing, the front side and the reverse side of the leaf110located at the both ends can make contact with each other with the axis portion16sandwiched therebetween.

The axis portion16extends in the longitudinal direction of the coupling portions14(the first coupling portion50and the second coupling portion60) to couple the pair of the coupling portions14(the first coupling portion50and the second coupling portion60), and is configured to serve as a rotation center upon closing with free ends20bof the first binding rods20and free ends30bof the second binding rods30brought into contact with each other and upon separation of the free ends20bof the first binding rods20and the free ends30bof the second binding rods30from each other so that the leaf110bound at the binding rod portions12can be flipped along the first binding rods20and the second binding rods30and flipped over through 360 degrees.

The binding rod portion12has, at the free end20band the free end30bon a side opposite to the base portion20aand the base portion30aof the first binding rod20and the second binding rod30provided continuously to the coupling portions14, binding rod latching portions formed for latching the first binding rod20and the second binding rod30when they are closed. In other words, the first binding rod20has the binding rod latching portion22of the first binding rod formed at the free end20bas a top portion on the side opposite to the base portion20a, and the second binding rod30has the binding rod latching portion32of the second binding rod formed at the free end30bas a top portion on the side opposite to the base portion30a.

The binding rod portion12includes a height direction (perpendicular direction) from the base portion20aand the base portion30ato the top portions and a width direction (horizontal direction) from an outer periphery portion (outer portion) of the first binding rod20to an outer periphery portion (outer portion) of the second binding rod30. The binding rod portion12is of a cross-sectionally rectangular shape with a width of the first binding rod20and the second binding rod30in a longitudinal direction of the binding device, the width being longer than a thickness of the first binding rod20and the second binding rod30(a length between the outer periphery portions and inner periphery portions). Moreover, the first binding rod20and the second binding rod30are formed into a shape inserted through binding holes112of the leaf110from the base portion20aand the base portion30ato the top portions thereof so that the leaf110can be flipped.

The binding rod latching portion22of the first binding rod and the binding rod latching portion32of the second binding rod are formed in such a manner as to be latched upon closing with tips of the first binding rod20and the second binding rod30brought into contact with each other or disengaged upon separation of the tips of these first binding rod20and the second binding rod30from each other by relatively moving the first binding rod20and the second binding rod30, which are to be latched, in a direction crossing turning directions of the first binding rod20and the second binding rod30, in other words, a longitudinal direction of the axis portion16.

The first binding rod20is composed of a semicircular-arc half rod20A in such a manner as to be a substantially annular binding rod when closed, the second binding rod30is composed of a semicircular-arc half rod30A in such a manner as to be a substantially annular binding rod when closed, and the first binding rod20and the second binding rod30are so formed as to oppose each other.

Moreover, the binding rod latching portions22and32are formed at tips of the half rod20A and the half rod30A, in other words, at the top portions of the first binding rod20and the second binding rod30in such a manner as to penetrate through the binding hole112previously punched in the leaf110to thereby bind the leaf110.

The half rod20A composing the first binding rod20and the half rod30A composing the second binding rod30are coupled together into a substantially annular form by latching the binding rod latching portion22of the first binding rod of the half rod20A and the binding rod latching portion32of the second binding rod of the half rod30A.

Moreover, in opening the binding rod portion12, the first binding rod20and the second binding rod30are configured such that the latched binding rod latching portion22of the first binding rod and binding rod latching portion32of the second binding rod can be detached from each other by twisting the first binding rod latching portion22and the second binding rod latching portion32with fingers.

A first binding rod projection24at a tip composing the binding rod latching portion22of the first binding rod formed at the tip of the half rod20A composing the first binding rod20and a first binding rod recess26continuing to this first binding rod projection24, and a second binding rod projection34at a tip composing the binding rod latching portion32of the second binding rod formed at the tip of the half rod30A composing the second binding rod30and a second binding rod recess36continuing to the second binding rod projection34are formed to project or be recessed in opposite directions so that the first binding rod20and the second binding rod30engage with each other when closed.

Specifically, the first binding rod projection24composing the binding rod latching portion22of the first binding rod formed at the tip of the half rod20A composing the first binding rod20projects to the near side. Moreover, the first binding rod recess26continuing to the first binding rod projection24is recessed to the far side. The second binding rod projection34composing the binding rod latching portion32of the second binding rod formed at the tip of the half rod30A projects to the far side. Moreover, the second binding rod recess36continuing to this second binding rod projection34at the tip is recessed to the near side.

The first binding rod projection24and the first binding rod recess26and the second binding rod projection34and the second binding rod recess36are so formed as to project or be recessed in the opposite directions so that the first binding rod20and the second binding rod30engage with each other when closed.

The first binding rod projection24composing the binding rod latching portion22of the first binding rod of the half rod20A and the binding rod projection34of the second binding rod composing the second binding rod latching portion32of the half rod30A are so provided as to project in the opposite directions.

In addition, the first binding rod recess26composing the binding rod latching portion22of the first binding rod of the half rod20A and the second binding rod recess36composing the binding rod latching portion32of the second binding rod of the half rod30A are so formed as to be recessed in the opposite directions.

The binding rod latching portion22of the first binding rod and the binding rod latching portion32of the second binding rod have a disengagement preventing portion28and a disengagement preventing portion38so formed as to extend in the direction crossing the turning directions of the first binding rod20and the second binding rod30so that the binding rod latching portion22of the first binding rod and the binding rod latching portion32of the second binding rod do not disengage from each other in the turning directions of the first binding rod20and the second binding rod30and the direction crossing the turning directions.

The disengagement preventing portion28has: a hooked nose latching projection28aprojecting to the near side on a top portion side; and a latching recess28brecessed to the far side on the base portion20aside, and the latching recess28bis formed on the base portion20aside continuously from the latching projection28aon a free end side.

The disengagement preventing portion38has: a hooked nose latching projection38aprojecting to the far side on a top portion side; and a latching recess38brecessed to the near side on the base portion30aside, and the latching recess38bis formed on the base portion30aside continuously from the latching projection38aon a free end side.

When the first binding rod20and the second binding rod30are closed, the latching projection28aof the disengagement preventing portion28is fitted into the latching recess38bof the disengagement preventing portion38, the latching projection38aof the disengagement preventing portion38is fitted into the latching recess28bof the disengagement preventing portion28, and the latching projection28aand the latching projection38ahit each other when the first binding rod20and the second binding rod30are pulled in the turning directions.

The disengagement preventing portion28of the binding rod latching portion22of the first binding rod projects to an upper portion of the binding rod latching portion32of the second binding rod to prevent the second binding rod30from moving upwardly due to impact or the like when the binding rod latching portion22of the first binding rod and the binding rod latching portion32of the second binding rod engage with each other.

The disengagement preventing portion38of the binding rod latching portion32of the second binding rod projects to an upper portion of the binding rod latching portion22of the first binding rod to prevent the first binding rod20from moving upwardly due to impact or the like when the binding rod latching portion22of the first binding rod and the binding rod latching portion32of the second binding rod engage with each other.

As described above, in this embodiment, by twisting the top portions of the first binding rod20and the second binding rod30with fingers, the first binding rod20of the first binding device member18A can be moved to the far side and the second binding rod30of the second binding device member18B can be moved to the near side to undo the engagement between the binding rod latching portion22of the first binding rod of the half rod20A of the first binding rod20and the binding rod latching portion32of the second binding rod of the half rod30A of the second binding rod30.

Furthermore, the latching projection28aof the disengagement preventing portion28and the latching projection38aof the disengagement preventing portion38have inclined surfaces gently formed from the free ends in such a manner as to fit into the latching recess38band the latching recess28bwhile hitting and sliding on them upon closing.

The first coupling portion50of the first binding device member18A composing the coupling portion14includes: a first coupling portion opposing portion56as a region where the first coupling portion50and the second coupling portion60face each other; a first coupling portion outer portion52which opposes the first coupling portion opposing portion56and at which the first binding rod20is provided in a projecting manner; and a first coupling portion lower portion58which is a surface crossing the first coupling portion opposing portion56and the first coupling portion outer portion52between the first coupling portion opposing portion56and the first coupling portion outer portion52and to which the axis portion16is provided continuously.

The second coupling portion60of the second binding device member18B composing the coupling portion14includes: a second coupling portion opposing portion66as a region where the first coupling portion50and the second coupling portion60face each other; a second coupling portion outer portion62which opposes the second coupling portion opposing portion66and at which the second binding rod30is provided in a projecting manner; and a second coupling portion lower portion68which is a surface crossing the second coupling portion opposing portion66and the second coupling portion outer portion62between the second coupling portion opposing portion66and the second coupling portion outer portion62and to which the axis portion16is provided continuously.

In this embodiment, the first coupling portion50and the second coupling portion60have a substantially quadrangular prism shape.

Moreover, the first coupling portion opposing portion56and the second coupling portion opposing portion66are planes orthogonal to the turning directions and extending perpendicularly, in other words, in the height direction when the binding device10is closed. The first coupling portion opposing portion56and the second coupling portion opposing portion66are so formed as to make close contact with each other when the binding device10is closed, as shown inFIGS. 9 and 10.

The coupling portions14have an aperture angle restricting portion70and an aperture angle restricting portion72formed on their side surfaces for restricting an aperture angle of the first binding rod20and the second binding rod30at an angle, for example, approximately 60 to 70 degrees, which permits easy insertion of the leaf110.

The aperture angle restricting portion70of the first binding device member18A is, when viewing a cross-section thereof, a substantially semicircular-arc shape formed continuously to a first receiving portion80of the first coupling portion lower portion58of the first coupling portion50, and includes a contact surface70aextending downwardly from the first coupling portion lower portion58. On the other hand, the aperture angle restricting portion72of the second binding device member18B has in cross-section a substantially semicircular-arc shape formed continuously to a second receiving portion90of the second coupling portion lower portion68of the second coupling portion60, and includes a contact surface72aextending downwardly from the second coupling portion lower portion68.

Moreover, when the binding rod portion12is closed, the contact surface70aof the aperture angle restricting portion70and the contact surface72aof the aperture angle restricting portion72are inclined surfaces opposing each other with an aperture of approximately 70 degrees, as shown inFIG. 9. When the binding rod portion12is opened, the contact surface70aof the aperture angle restricting portion70and the contact surface72aof the aperture angle restricting portion72make contact with each other, restricting the aperture angle of the half rod10A and the half rod30A at the angle which permits the easy insertion of the leaf110, as shown inFIG. 15.

The axis portion16includes a shaft portion100and receiving portions for the shaft portion100.

The receiving portions are composed of the first receiving portions80each provided continuously to the first coupling portion50and the second receiving portions90each provided continuously to the second coupling portion60. The shaft portion100extends continuously from the far side to the near side along the longitudinal direction of the coupling portions14, and couples together the first binding device member and the second binding device member.

The first receiving portion80and the second receiving portion90are provided continuously to the binding rod portion12and/or the coupling portions14, and have aperture portions (aperture portion84of the first receiving portion80and aperture portion94of the second receiving portion90) formed on their side surfaces for filling the shaft portion100therein, and are configured in such a manner as to serve as a rotation center upon closing with the tips of the half rod20A and the half rod30A brought into contact with each other and upon separation of the tips of the half rod20A and the half rod30A from each other so that the leaf110bound at the first binding rods20and the second binding rod30can be flipped along the first binding rod20and the second binding rods30and then flipped over through 360 degrees.

The first receiving portion80and the second receiving portion90are formed intermittently in the longitudinal direction of the coupling portions14, and formed in such a manner as that the first receiving portion80and the second receiving portion90relatively move in the longitudinal direction when the half rod20A and the half rod30A turn with respect to the shaft portion100as a center and also the first binding rod20and the second binding rod30are opened/closed.

The shaft portion100is a rod-like metal bar of a circular shape in cross section. In correspondence therewith, the first receiving portion80and the second receiving portion90are arc-shaped as a whole, and the shaft portion100is filled in a circular-arc portion86and a circular-arc portion96inside the first receiving portion80and the second receiving portion90, and to outer upper portions thereof, the coupling portions14are provided continuously in such a manner as to protrude in directions opposite to directions in which the half rod20A and the half rod30A protrude.

In this embodiment, the shaft portion100, the first receiving portion80, and the second receiving portion90are different members. The first receiving portion80is integrally formed with the first binding device member18A by using synthetic resin, and the second receiving portion90is integrally formed with the second binding device member18B by using synthetic resin.

Moreover, the shaft portion100is so formed as to extend from the first receiving portion80on the furthest side of the first binding device member18A to the second receiving portion90on the nearest side of the second binding device member18B.

A first housing portion82is intermittently formed between adjacent first receiving portions80when the shaft portion100is filled, and a second housing portion92is intermittently formed between adjacent second receiving portions90when the shaft portion100is filled.

Moreover, when the first binding rods20and the second binding rods30are closed, on an axis line of the axis portion16, the first binding device member18A has the first housing portions82housing the second receiving portions90of the second binding device member18B and the second binding device member18B has the second housing portions92housing the first receiving portions80of the first binding device member18A. The first receiving portions80and the second receiving portions90are aligned with an appropriate space between each of the first receiving portions80of the first binding device member18A and the second receiving portion90of the second binding device member18B adjacent thereto and between each of the second receiving portions90of the second binding device member18B and the first receiving portion80of the first binding device member18A adjacent thereto. The appropriate space between each of the first receiving portions80of the first binding device member18A and the second receiving portions90of the second binding device member18B adjacent thereto and between each of the second receiving portions90of the second binding device member18B and the first receiving portions80of the first binding device member18A adjacent thereto refers to as a length required for relatively moving the first binding rod20and the second binding rod30in the longitudinal direction of the coupling portions14, in other words, to the near side and the far side to thereby disengage the first binding rod latching portion22and the second binding rod latching portion32.

In addition, the first binding device member18A and the second binding device member18B are slidably mounted at the shaft portion100so that the half rod20A and the half rod30A relatively move upon opening/closing of the first binding rod20and the second binding rod30.

In this embodiment, the first binding rod20of the first binding device member18A is moved to the far side and the second binding rod30of the second binding device member18B is moved to the near side to open the closed first binding rod20and second binding rod30.

In this embodiment, the aperture portion84of the first receiving portion80on the far side of the first binding device member18A is covered on the far side. On the other hand, the aperture portion94of the second receiving portion90on the near side of the second binding device member18B is covered on the near side. Accordingly, the first receiving portion80on the far side prevents a far-side end of the shaft portion100from coming off, and the second receiving portion90on the near side prevents a near side end of the shaft portion100from coming off.

An outer periphery portion of the base portion20aof the half rod20A and an outer periphery portion of the base portion30aof the half rod30A are formed with their lower portions located at the same positions as those of the lower portions of the coupling portion14. An outer side of the first receiving portion80and an outer side of the second receiving portion90of the axis portion16are formed with their upper portions located at the same positions as those of the lower portions of the coupling portions14.

In this embodiment, the first receiving portion80of the axis portion16has the aperture portion84making contact with the outer periphery portion of the half rod20A, and the second receiving portion90of the axis portion16has the aperture portion94making contact with the outer periphery portion of the half rod30A. The first coupling portion50has a height between an inner periphery portion of the half rod20A and the aperture portion84of the first receiving portion80, and the second coupling portion60has a height between an inner periphery portion of the half rod30A and the aperture portion94of the second receiving portion90.

A width of the coupling portion14(in a width direction) is equal to or smaller than half a width of the first receiving portion80of the axis portion16or the second receiving portion90of the axis portion16(in a width direction). This configuration is provided since if a width obtained by adding together a width of the first coupling portion50and a width of the second coupling portion60is equal to or smaller than the width of the first receiving portion80of the axis portion16and the width of the second receiving portion90of the axis portion16, when the leaf110is flipped over through 360 degrees and the front side and the reverse side of the leaf110are brought into contact with each other with the axis portion16sandwiched therebetween, this contact can be made with a relatively small space.

Between the first housing portion82of the first binding device member18A located in the vicinity of a center of the first coupling portion50and the second housing portion92of the second binding device member18B located in the vicinity of a center of the second coupling portion60, a spring member102which applies tension (tensile or compressive force) in a longitudinal direction of the shaft portion100is fitted in a compressed state. The spring member102is formed of a coil spring made by winding a steel wire into a coil form, and the shaft portion100is inserted through loops of the tube-shaped coil spring.

Moreover, the spring member102has a far-side end making contact with a near-side end of the second receiving portion90of the second binding device member18B and a near-side end making contact with a far-side end of the first receiving portion80of the first binding device member18A. The spring member102is so configured as to press down the first binding device member18A to the near side and to press up the second binding device member18B to the far side by (uniform) restoring force.

Thus, the spring member102operates in a direction engaging the binding rod latching portion22of the first binding rod with the binding rod latching portion32of the second binding rod when the binding rod portion12is closed.

Upon detachment of the latched binding rod latching portion22of the first binding rod and binding rod latching portion32of the second binding rod from each other by twisting the binding rod latching portion22of the first binding rod and the binding rod latching portion32of the second binding rod with fingers, the first binding rod20of the first binding device member18A is moved to the far side and the second binding rod30of the second binding device member18B is moved to the near side against spring force of the spring member102, whereby the closed first binding rod20and second binding rod30are opened. Furthermore, the first binding rod20and the second binding rod30can be turned outwardly in the width direction (in other words, the first binding rod20can be turned to a left side (front side) and the second binding rod30can be turned to a right side (reverse side)) to easily bind or unbind the leaf110.

The binding device10forms a notebook by binding the leaf110in such a manner that the binding holes112continuously provided at appropriate intervals in a height direction of the leaf110are penetrated by the first binding rods20and the second binding rods30, the axis portion16is situated on a side of a binding margin side edge114extending in the height direction of the leaf110, and the first binding rods20and the second binding rods30bridge between the binding holes112and the binding margin side edge114.

The binding device10may form a notebook by binding the leaf110in such a manner that a length direction of the binding device10spread spatially while extending in the width direction of the leaf110having the binding holes112formed at the edge extending in the width direction.

The leaf110bound by the binding device10can be used for writing or otherwise in such a manner that the leaf110is flipped over to the axis portion16side and a leaf front side110aand a leaf reverse side110bare brought into contact with each other with the axis portion16sandwiched therebetween when the leaves are laid during closing, as shown inFIG. 17.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the binding rod portions12and the coupling portions14are formed at each of the first binding device member18A and the second binding device member18B in a pair, and the binding rods20and30composing the binding rod portions12are provided at the appropriate intervals in the longitudinal direction of the coupling portions14in such a manner as to project from the outer portion or the upper portion of the coupling portions14so that the first binding rods20on the first binding device member18A side and the second binding rods30on the second binding device member18B side face each other. Therefore, when the binding rod portions12are opened, lowest portions of the binding rod portions12are grounded on a surface of, for example, a desk top plate to be thereby easily horizontally stabilized, and also the binding rod portions12can be easily opened at an appropriate degree.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the binding rod portion12includes the first binding rod20and the second binding rod30in the symmetrical form separated to the left and right with respect to the axis portion16as the center, and the coupling portion14includes the first coupling portion50and the second coupling portion60in the symmetrical form separated to the left and right with respect to the axis portion16as the center. Therefore, the left and right members can be formed with the same die, which makes it easy to manufacture them.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the coupling portion14includes: the mutually facing opposing portions56and66of the first coupling portion50and the second coupling portion60; the outer portions52and62which oppose the opposing portions56and66and from which the binding rods20and30are provided in such a manner as to project; and the lower portions58and68which are surfaces crossing the opposing portions56and66and the outer portion52and62between the opposing portions56and66and the outer portions52and62and to which the axis portion16is provided continuously. Therefore, the first coupling portion opposing portion56and the second coupling portion opposing portion66are planes orthogonal to the turning directions and spatially spreading in such a manner as to extend perpendicularly, in other words, the height direction when the binding device10is closed. Forming the first coupling portion opposing portion56and the second coupling portion opposing portion66in such a manner as to bring them into close contact with each other when the binding device10is closed can stably maintain condition of the engagement between the binding rod latching portion22of the first binding rod and the binding rod latching portion32of the second binding rod when the binding device10is closed, which can reduce shrinking action of an annular diameter formed by the first binding rod20and the second binding rod30composing the binding rod portion12. Therefore, the binding rod portion12composed of plural binding rods20and30can be opened and closed at once.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the receiving portions80and90are formed intermittently in the longitudinal direction of the coupling portions14, and formed in such a manner that the binding rod portions12turn with respect to the shaft portion100as the center and relatively move in the longitudinal direction upon opening/closing of the binding rod portions12.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the shaft portion100is of a circular rod shape in cross section, the receiving portions80and90are arc-shaped as a whole, the shaft portion100is filled in the arc portions therein, and to the outer upper portions thereof, the coupling portions14are provided continuously in such a manner as to protrude in the directions opposite to the directions in which the binding rods20and30protrude. Therefore, the binding rod portions12composed of the plurality of binding rods20and30can be opened/closed at once, the lowest portions of the binding rod portions12are grounded on the surface of, for example, the desk top plate to be thereby easily horizontally stabilized, and the binding rod portions12can easily be opened at the appropriate degree.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the base portions20aand30aof the binding rods20and30are formed with their lower portions located at the same positions as those of the lower portions of the coupling portions14, and the receiving portions80and90of the axis portion16are formed with their upper portions located at the same positions as those of the lower portions of the coupling portions14. Therefore, when the binding rod portions12are opened, the lowest portions of the binding rod portions12are grounded on the surface of, for example, the desk top plate to be thereby easily horizontally stabilized, and the binding rod portions12can easily be opened at the appropriate degree.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the width of the coupling portion14is equal to or smaller than half the width of the axis portion16. Therefore, it does not extend beyond the width of the axis portion16, and when the leaf110is flipped along the binding rods20and30and opened through 360 degrees, the space between the front side and the reverse side of the leaf110is small, thus providing relative flatness, which also makes writing easier.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the receiving portions80and90of the axis portion16have the aperture portions84and94of the receiving portions80and90making contact with the outer periphery portions of the binding rods20and30, and the coupling portions14have height from the inner periphery portions of the binding rods20and30to the aperture portions84and94of the receiving portions80and90. Therefore, when the leaf110is flipped along the binding rods20and30and opened through 360 degrees, the space between the leaf front side110aand the leaf reverse side110bis small, thus providing relative flatness, which also makes writing easier.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the binding rod latching portions22and32, in order to be engaged or disengaged in the turning directions of the binding rods20and30, are so configured as to engage the projection24and the recess26of the first binding rod20and the recess36and the projection34of the second binding rod30, and the binding rod latching portions22and32, in order not to be disengaged in the turning directions of the binding rods20and30and the direction crossing the turning directions when the binding rod portions12are closed, have the disengagement preventing portions28and38so formed as to extend in the direction crossing the turning directions of the binding rods20and30. Therefore, the binding rod latching portions22and32of the closed binding rods are hard to be disengaged in the turning directions of the binding rods20and30and the direction crossing the turning directions.

The binding device10of the embodiment of the present invention can form a notebook bound with the binding rod portions12of the binding device10penetrated through the binding holes112of the leaf110, and can form a file, a binder, or the like by being fixed on the cover including the front cover, the back cover, and a spine.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above and thus various modifications can be made based on the spirits of the present invention.

FIG. 18is a schematic perspective view of a binding device as a modified example of the embodiment described above.

This binding device210includes: a plurality of binding rod portions212, coupling portions214for coupling the binding rod portions212, and a shaft portion300serving as a center upon opening/closing of first binding rods220and second binding rods230composing the binding rod portions212.

The binding rods composing the binding rod portions212are respectively provided at pairs of a first coupling portion250and a second coupling portion260composing the coupling portions214at appropriate intervals in a longitudinal direction thereof in such a manner as to project from outer portions or upper portions of the coupling portions214so that pairs of the first binding rod220and the second binding rod230face each other.

The coupling portions214include their lower portions to which the axis portion216is provided continuously at a position close to base portions of the first binding rod220and the second binding rod230so that when the leaf110bound at the binding rod portions212is flipped along the first binding rods20and the second binding rods30and flipped over through 360 degrees for closing, the front side and the reverse side of the leaf110located at the both ends can make contact with each other with the axis portion216sandwiched therebetween.

The axis portion216includes a first receiving portion280and a first housing portion282and a second receiving portion290and a second housing portion292, extends in the longitudinal direction of the coupling portions214to couple pairs of the first coupling portion250and the second coupling portion260, and is so configured to serve as a rotation center upon closing with tips of the first binding rods220and the second binding rods230brought into contact with each other and upon separation of the tips of the first binding rods220and the second binding rods230from each other so that the leaf110bound at the binding rod portions212can be flipped along the binding rods and flipped over through 360 degrees.

The base portions of the first binding rod220and the second binding rod230are formed with lower portions of their outer peripheral portions located at the same positions as those of the lower portions of the first coupling portion250and the second coupling portion260. The first receiving portion280and the second receiving portion290composing the axis portion216are formed with their upper portions located at the same positions as those of the lower portions of the first coupling portion250and the second coupling portion260.

The spring member102may be configured in the following manner.

FIG. 19is a schematic perspective view of the binding device of the modified example in a disassembled state.FIG. 20is a schematic cross-sectional view of the binding device ofFIG. 19, where (A) is a schematic cross-sectional view in a closed state and (B) is a schematic cross-sectional view in an opened state.

The spring member102shown inFIG. 19is formed of a twisted coil spring and is continuously provided with: a coil portion102a; and a first fixing tip portion102band a second fixing tip portion102cof linear shapes extending from both ends of the coil portion102ain a direction orthogonal to or crossing a central axis of the coil portion102a. In an original condition in which no torsional moment is generated, the first fixing tip portion102band the second fixing tip portion102care projected circumferentially.

Moreover, a support portion50aand a support portion60aare formed at the coupling portions14so as to support the tip portions extending from the both ends of the coil portion102aof the spring member102.

The fixing tip portions extending from the both ends of the coil portion102aof the spring member102are supported in such a manner as to be latched by the support portion50aformed at the first coupling portion50of the first binding device member18A and the support portion60aof the second coupling portion60of the second binding device member18B which support portion60aopposes the support portion50a.

In other words, the first fixing tip portion102bon one hand is supported by the support portion50aof the first coupling portion50, and the second fixing tip portion102con the other hand is supported by the support portion60aof the second coupling portion60in such a manner as to face the first fixing tip portion102b.

Although the first fixing tip portion102bon one hand and the second fixing tip portion102con the other hand were originally in an opened state, when the first binding rods20and the second binding rods30are in a closed state, the first fixing tip portion102band the second fixing tip portion102csubstantially parallelly approaching each other from a place where the first binding rod20and the second binding rod30were originally in the opened state are supported by the support portion50aand the support portion60aof the coupling portion14. In other words, the spring member102turns into a twisted state with the first fixing tip portion102blatched by the support portion50aof the first coupling portion50and the second fixing tip portion102clatched by the support portion60aof the second coupling portion60.

Moreover, the spring member102has a far-side end making contact with a near-side end of the second receiving portion90of the second binding device member18B and a near-side end making contact with a far-side end of the first receiving portion80of the first binding device member18A, and is so configured as to press down the first binding device member18A to the near side and to press up the second binding device member18B to the far side by (uniform) restoring force.

Thus, the spring member102operates in a direction engaging the binding rod latching portion22of the first binding rod with the binding rod latching portion32of the second binding rod when the binding rod portion12is closed.

Upon detachment of the latched binding rod latching portion22of the first binding rod and binding rod latching portion32of the second binding rod from each other by twisting the binding rod latching portion22of the first binding rod and the binding rod latching portion32of the second binding rod with fingers, the first binding rod20of the first binding device member18A is moved to the far side and the second binding rod30of the second binding device member18B is moved to the near side against spring force of the spring member102, whereby the closed first binding rod20and second binding rod30are opened.

When the binding rod latching portion22of the first binding rod20is detached by fingers, the first coupling portion50and the second coupling portion60turns in the turning directions by action of force with which the spring member102restores its original state, in other words, action of force with which the first fixing tip portion102bon one hand and the second fixing tip portion102con the other hand turn in the turning directions to open the binding rod portion12.

As described above, in this embodiment, when the engagement between the first binding rod latching portion22of the first binding rod20and the second binding rod latching portion32of the second binding rod30have been released, by action of force with which the first fixing tip portion102bon one hand and the second fixing tip portion102con the other hand are circumferentially separated from each other, the first binding rod20and the first coupling portion50, and the second binding rod30and the second coupling portion60turn into an opened state.

Furthermore, described in the embodiment and the modified example is that the first binding rod20and the second binding rod30release the engagement between the latched binding rod latching portion22of the first binding rod and binding rod latching portion32of the second binding rod by twisting the binding rod latching portion22of the first binding rod and the binding rod latching portion32of the second binding rod with fingers. However, it is needless to say that disengaging the binding rod latching portion22of the first binding rod and the binding rod latching portion32of the second binding rod by a means other than twisting with the fingers is also included in the binding device according to the present invention.

The binding device10according to the present invention can be used in such a manner as to be fixed inside a spine region of a cover composing a file, a binder, or the like or may be used independently.