Media binder arrangements

The present invention is directed to articles such as media binders. In an embodiment the media binder includes spine clamps for securing physical media where the spine clamps define an interior cavity for receiving the physical media; a datum stop for aligning the physical media, the datum stop disposed proximal to one end of the spine clamp; a tension sheet for transmitting an opening force to the spine clamp, the tension sheet affixed with the spine clamp; and a cover affixed with the tension sheet, the cover configured to open such that an opening force is applied to the spine clamp when the cover is opened from a first position to a second position.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to arrangements for binding physical media in a media binder and methods for making and using the same.

BACKGROUND

Imaging systems continue to experience technological advances resulting in increased popularity and use. Some of the technological advances include substantial improvements in digital image capture devices such as digital cameras, digital video cameras, and scanning devices in terms of quality, speed, and ease of use. Other advances include improvements in digital imaging devices such as inkjet printers, laser printers, and silver halide grade photo imaging apparatus in terms of resolution, quality, and ease of use. Further, as imaging system technology matures, lower costs may be realized, which may ease entry for average consumers purchasing imaging systems.

With increased popularity and use, users of imaging systems have experienced a commensurate growth in the volume of images captured. And although these images may be conveniently stored in a memory storage device, at least some users will prefer to store their images in a printed format. For those users, a convenient and easy-to-use binder may be desirable for storing physical media.

Photo albums, scrapbooks, and the like are well-known in the art. Many schemes of securing media in such examples have been utilized. For example, some photo albums provide a number of sleeves for receiving photographs and other flat media. Scrapbooks may be configured with a “sticky” page to which a photo or memento may be attached and which may then be covered with an acetate sheet. In still other examples, fixed size sleeves, screw posts, and such clamping devices may be utilized to secure photographs and other flat media.

However, at least one problem with some clamping devices is the inability to readily align media. Thus, a user must typically pre-align photos and other flat media before clamping. Pre-alignment, however, is made more difficult when clamping forces make opening a clamp unwieldy. In addition, tools may be necessary to assemble certain types of albums, such as screw post.

Therefore, easy-to-use media binder arrangements for securely clamping and aligning physical media are presented herein.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to articles such as media binders. In an embodiment the media binder includes spine clamps for securing physical media where the spine clamps define an interior cavity for receiving the physical media; a datum stop for aligning the physical media, the datum stop disposed proximal to one end of the spine clamp; a tension sheet for transmitting an opening force to the spine clamp, the tension sheet affixed with the spine clamp; and a cover affixed with the tension sheet, the cover configured to open such that an opening force is applied to the spine clamp when the cover is opened from a first position to a second position. In some embodiments, the spine clamp includes: two opposing clamping edges disposed along a first axis; two planar clamp faces wherein each planar clamp face includes a first edge and a substantially parallel second edge and wherein each first edge is connected with each of the at least two opposing clamping edges; a clamp spring plate connected with and disposed along the second edges, wherein the clamp spring plate is configured to provide a preload force and a clamping force and wherein the at least one datum stop is integral to the clamp spring plate.

In other embodiments, the cover includes: a viewing port disposed within the front planar surface or the back planar surface for viewing the physical media; a latch for securing the cover against opening, the latch configured to removably secure the front planar surface with the back planar surface; a sleeve for receiving a flat object, the sleeve attached with the front planar surface or the back planar surface; and a number of alignment tabs for aligning the physical media.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to a few embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The drawings are not intended to depict every feature of actual embodiments nor relative dimensions of the depicted elements, and are not drawn to scale. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process steps and/or structures have not been described in detail in order to not unnecessarily obscure the present invention.

FIG. 1is an illustrative representation of an opened media binder100in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention showing features of the invention. In the illustrations, media binder100is opened on a flat surface, which is a typical viewing surface. In this position, media binder100is opened approximately 180° from a closed position. In this position, media112may be firmly secured in place while being viewed. Media binder100includes a cover102that includes a front planar surface106, a spine planar surface114, and a back planar surface108. As noted above, spine clamps capable of securing a number of pages of media may be unwieldy to operate due to relatively strong clamping forces. As may be appreciated, a wide variety of physical media may be secured in embodiments described herein without departing from the present invention including, for example, photo paper, paper, card stock, business cards, fabric samples, carpet samples, synthetic membranes, acetate sheets, and the like. Furthermore, physical media may include any number of shapes and sizes without departing from the present invention. In embodiments disclosed herein, spine clamps may be opened when the cover102is opened over a specified range. Thus, the cover may be utilized to more easily overcome clamping forces and release secured media.

As one skilled in the art may appreciate, transverse dimension110enables a relatively large moment arm. In an embodiment, the moment ranges from 13:1 to 24:1, in part, depending on transverse dimension110of cover102(e.g., 6 or 11 inches). A relatively large moment arm enables a spine clamp to be relatively easily opened. In an embodiment, a spine clamp (such as that referenced as210inFIG. 2), may be configured with a preload force such that the media binder may remain closed when no media is secured. This feature may prevent media from being inadvertently captured by or entangled with the spine clamp. In addition, a spine clamp may be configured to provide a clamping force to accommodate one or more sheets or pages of the media such that the sheets or pages may be retained as the binder is being handled. In an embodiment, a spine clamp may be configured with a clamp spring plate that is configured such that a preload force of at least approximately 0.1 lbs. per linear inch of spine clamp is exerted on secured media. In other embodiments, a clamp spring plate is configured such that a clamping force is exerted that is preferably from approximately 2 to approximately 2.5 lbs. per linear inch of spine clamp, from approximately about 2.5 to approximately 3.5 lbs. per linear inch of spine clamp, from approximately 3.5 to approximately 4.5 lbs. per linear inch of spine clamp, or approximately greater than 4.5 lbs. per linear inch of spine clamp. Clamping force is the force exerted on secured media by the spine clamp. Clamp spring plates will be discussed in further detail below forFIG. 5.

Further, cover102may be configured to apply an opening force over a specified range of positions. Thus, in one embodiment, when cover102is opened from a first position greater than approximately 270° to a second position at approximately 360°, an opening force is applied to clamping structures thus releasing any secured media. Clamping structures will be discussed in further detail below. In one embodiment, the opening force is approximately in the range of 1 to 25 lbs.

FIG. 2ais an illustrative representation of an exploded view of a media binder200in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention showing features of the invention. Media binder200includes a cover202that includes a front planar surface204, a spine planar surface206, and a back planar surface208. Media binder200further includes one or more spine clamps210a,210b, and210c. In one embodiment, two spine clamps may be utilized. In another embodiment, one spine clamp may be utilized. Embodiments utilizing single spine clamp configurations will be discussed in further detail below forFIGS. 4-5showing features of the invention.

Media binder200further includes tension sheet212. Tension sheet212operates to transmit an opening force to one or more spine clamps such as spine clamps210a,210b, and210c. In order to transmit an opening force to one or more spine clamps, tension sheet212may be bonded to a spine clamp as well as to cover202. When cover202is opened greater than 270°, an opening force is transmitted to one or more spine clamps such as spine clamps210a,210b, and210cby the tension sheet212. Tension sheets may be manufactured from a number of compositions including a substantially inelastic membrane, a substantially inelastic polymeric compound and a substantially inelastic fabric, or any other substantially inelastic composition without departing from the present invention.

Media binder200further includes datum stop214. Datum stop214may be provided to easily align physical media being clamped. In one embodiment, a single datum stop may be utilized and disposed at either end of tension sheet. In other embodiments, two datum stops may be utilized and disposed at both ends of a tension sheet. In some embodiments, a datum spacer216may be utilized in coordination with datum stop214. Datum spacer216may be co-planer with respect to datum stop214. Datum spacer216may be utilized to limit the marginal width of physical media captured by clamping structures described herein, which may, in some embodiments result in a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. In one embodiment, the height of datum spacer216is approximately 1.5 mm. In other embodiments, the height of datum spacer216is less than 5 mm. In some embodiments, the datum stop may be affixed within the spine with or without the protective sheet. The datum stop, if a protective sheet is used, may be first attached to the protective sheet and then together inserted into the spine (with or without being affixed to the spine), or the protective sheet may be first be affixed to the spine followed by the datum stop being affixed thereafter.

In some embodiments, media binder200may optionally include protective sheet218. In some embodiments, protective sheets include any number of mediums such as papers and films, or preferably, a translucent or transparent material such as an acetate, a polymeric film, or vellum without departing from the present invention. Protective sheet218may be utilized to protect secured physical media from inadvertent damage caused by opening and closing cover202, and/or to protect exposed media against degradation due to natural elements (e.g., light and water). In some embodiments, a semi-transparent vellum may be utilized to provide ease of identifying a first secured physical medium. In other embodiments, protective sheet may include alignment tabs. Alignment tabs are discussed in further detail below forFIG. 10.

FIG. 2bis an illustrative representation of an assembled media binder200, showing features of the invention, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 2bis provided for clarity in understanding assembled embodiments of the present invention including embodiments described above forFIG. 2a.

FIG. 3is an illustrative cross-sectional representation of a portion of an open media binder, showing features of the invention, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, spine clamp302defines an interior cavity within which tension sheet304may be bonded and physical media312may be secured. Tension sheet304may be further bonded to front planar surface306and back planar surface310. Because tension sheet304is bonded to those surfaces, an opening force may be transmitted to spine clamp302as described above. Spine planar surface308provides structural support for planar surfaces306and310as well as provides a covering for spine clamp302. As may be appreciated, a wide variety of physical media may be secured in embodiments described herein without departing from the present invention including, for example, photo paper, paper, card stock, business cards, fabric samples, carpet samples, synthetic membranes, acetate sheets, and the like. Furthermore, physical media may include any number of shapes and sizes without departing from the present invention.

FIGS. 4a-bare illustrative representations of spine clamps, showing features of the invention, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As noted above and as illustrated inFIG. 2a, one or more spine clamps may be utilized in embodiments of the present invention. In some embodiments, it may be desirable to utilize a single integrated spine clamp over several smaller spine clamps. In one embodiment including features of the present invention, robust clamping action is achieved through the utilization of a single integrated spine clamp. Thus, inFIG. 4a, a single spine clamp400is illustrated for use in some embodiments. Spine clamp400includes an integral datum stop402for providing an aligning mechanism as described above. Spine clamp400may further include a number of binding openings such as binding opening404. As noted above, a tension sheet may be bonded to the spine clamp. In some embodiments, binding openings404may be utilized to open the spine clamp during construction and to insert a tension sheet. Binding openings404may also be optionally utilized to allow the binding glue to sip to the outside of the clamp face510bthus strengthening the bonding of the tension sheet to the spine clamp. Tension sheets may be manufactured from a number of compositions including a substantially inelastic membrane, a substantially inelastic polymeric compound and a substantially inelastic fabric, or any other substantially inelastic composition without departing from the present invention. Further, binding openings may be shaped in any of number usable configurations such as, but not limited to, round as illustrated without departing from the present invention. As may be appreciated, binding may be accomplished in any manner well-known in the art without departing from the present invention including for example, gluing, bonding, welding, crimping, and any combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, spine clamp400may be partially segmented by gap406. Segmentation, in some embodiments, may provide a more robust clamping force. A segmented design offers an advantage of more adequately securing physical media over different thicknesses because the segmentation provides independent clamping forces over the length of the physical media. In some embodiments, gaps are approximately 5 mm in width. Segmentation may additionally provide a safety mechanism. For example, segmentation may serve to reduce a force applied to a user if a finger or other appendage is inadvertently clamped.

InFIG. 4b, a single spine clamp420is illustrated for use in some embodiments having features of the invention. Spine clamp420includes an integral datum stop422for providing an aligning mechanism as described above. Spine clamp420may further include a number of binding openings such as binding opening424. As noted above and described above, a tension sheet may be bonded to the spine clamp. As may be appreciated, binding may be accomplished in any manner well-known in the art without departing from the present invention including for example, gluing, bonding, welding, crimping, and any combinations thereof.

FIG. 5is an illustrative representation of an orthogonal view of a spine clamp, showing features of the invention, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A single spine clamp500is illustrated for use in some embodiments. In some embodiments, spine clamp500may be fashioned from a single sheet of material like, for example, spring steel. In other embodiments, spine clamp500may be fashioned from several pieces of materials which may be joined in any manner known in the art without departing from the present invention. Spine clamp500includes an integral datum stop502for providing an aligning mechanism as described above. Spine clamp500may further include a number of binding openings such as binding opening504. As noted above, a tension sheet may be bonded to a spine clamp. As such, binding opening504may be utilized as described above. As may be appreciated, binding may be accomplished in any manner well-known in the art without departing from the present invention including for example, gluing, bonding, welding, crimping, and any combinations thereof. In some embodiments, spine clamp500may be partially segmented by gap506. A segmented design offers an advantage of more adequately securing physical media over different thicknesses because the segmentation provides independent clamping forces over the length of the physical media. In some embodiments, gaps are approximately 5 mm in width. Segmentation may additionally provide a safety mechanism. For example, segmentation may serve to reduce a force applied to a user if a finger or other appendage is inadvertently clamped.

Spine clamp500further includes an opposing clamping edges508aand508b. As illustrated opposing clamping edges508aand508bare disposed parallel with axis520. In some embodiments, opposing clamping edges508aand508binclude an edge feature. Edge features will be discussed in further detail below forFIGS. 6 and 7. Opposing clamping edges are disposed along planar clamp faces510aand510band are further disposed in parallel with axis520. A clamp spring plate512joins planar clamp faces510aand510b. As illustrated, spine clamp500defines an interior cavity514for receiving physical media. Clamp spring plate512may be configured to provide a preload force and a clamping force. In one embodiment, clamp spring plate512may be configured to provide a preload force of approximately as described above. In other embodiments, clamp spring plate512may be configured to provide a clamping force of approximately as described above. To provide clamping forces, spine clamps may be manufactured from any of a number of compositions known in the art without departing from the present invention including spring steel, sheet metal, and a polymeric compound, or combinations thereof.

FIGS. 6a-fare illustrative representations of spine clamps having a variety of edge features in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Edge features may be selected to accommodate any number of desired tension sheet attachment strategies. Thus, in one embodiment, an outwardly creased edge feature610(FIG. 6a) may be utilized. In another embodiment, a non-folded edge feature620(FIG. 6b) may be utilized. In another embodiment, an outwardly rolled edge feature630(FIG. 6c) may be utilized. In another embodiment, an inwardly rolled edge feature640(FIG. 6d) may be utilized. In another embodiment, an inwardly rolled profiled edge feature650(FIG. 6e) may be utilized. In another embodiment, an outwardly rounded edge feature660(FIG. 6f) may be utilized.

FIGS. 7a-care illustrative representations of spine clamps having a variety of edge features showing features of the invention, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. In particular,FIGS. 7a-cillustrate tension sheet configurations in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Thus, inFIG. 7a, a spine clamp700illustrates an embodiment having an inwardly rolled edge feature. This feature inFIG. 7aprovides for more easily sliding the tension sheet into position during construction of the binder.FIG. 7billustrates an embodiment where spine clamp700is attached with tension sheet702. As may be appreciated, attachment may be accomplished in any manner well-known in the art without departing from the present invention including for example, gluing, bonding, welding, crimping, and any combinations thereof.FIG. 7cillustrates an embodiment having a smooth edge feature where spine clamp710is bound with tension sheet712. As noted above, binding may be accomplished in any manner well-known in the art without departing from the present invention including for example, gluing, bonding, and welding.

FIGS. 8a-bare illustrative representations of a media binder800and810, showing features of the invention, having various configurations in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Media binder800may be configured with a viewing port802for viewing a sample of physical media. Viewing port802may typically be disposed on front planar surface804. Viewing ports may be constrained to any desired shape or size without departing from the present invention. An optional protective sleeve806may be utilized to hold and protect the sample of physical media. As may be appreciated, a viewing port may provide for ready identification of a particular media binder and may add desirable aesthetic appeal.FIG. 8bincludes media binder810that includes a sleeve812for receiving substantially flat objects such as a CD for example. In one embodiment, the CD compartment may be integrated into the cover by, for example, configuring a cavity inside back planar surface814to accommodate for the thickness of the CD. In another embodiment, sleeve812may be affixed with back planar surface814. In another embodiment, sleeve812may be affixed with front planar surface816.

FIGS. 9a-bare illustrative representations of a media binder900, having features of the invention, including a latch in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.FIG. 9aillustrates media binder900in a closed position with latch910engaged. Thus latch910may be utilized to removably secure front planar surface902with back planar surface904. In some embodiments, a latch may be further configured to lock a media binder.FIG. 9billustrates media binder900in a fully open position. In this position, spine clamp906is fully open to receive physical media. In one embodiment, latch910may be utilized to secure front planar surface902with back planar surface904so that spine clamp906may remain open. This configuration may provide ease of handling while securing physical media.

FIG. 10is an illustrative representation of a media binder1000, having features of the invention, and including alignment tabs1004and1006in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. In some embodiments, as noted above, protective sheet1002may be utilized. In those embodiments, one or more alignment tabs1004and1006may be disposed to provide a convenient aligning mechanism for physical media. While a datum stop as described in embodiments above may be utilized for aligning, alignment tabs may provide for additional alignment options. Alignment tabs may be placed in any of a number of positions in accordance with user preferences without departing from the present invention.

While particular forms of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, it will be apparent that various modifications and improvements can be made to the invention. Moreover, individual features of embodiments of the invention may be shown in some drawings and not in others, but those skilled in the art will recognize that individual features of one embodiment of the invention can be combined with any or all the features of another embodiment. Further, the abstract is provided herein for convenience and should not be employed to construe or limit the overall invention, which is expressed in the claims. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited to the specific embodiments illustrated. It is intended that this invention to be defined by the scope of the appended claims as broadly as the prior art will permit.