BOOKBINDING STRIPS

Abstract: A first plastic strip (21) has longitudinally spaced studs (22) each of which can be bent over at a 90° angle. A second strip (26) has holes (27) through which the studs fit and grooves (29) which receive and secure the bent over studs. Several stud shpes and bent stud retaining grooves are described. Paper (33) punched to receive the studs is clamped between the two strips. The studs are then bent over into grooves in the second strips and held in bent position. The paper is thus securely bound. A channel (42) may be slipped over the outside of the second strip to conceal the bent studs and further secure them in place.

Description: This invention relates to a new and improved bookbinding strip and method of binding books. A popular bookbinding uses a pair of strips, one strip having relatively rigid thermoplastic studs projecting therefrom, the other having holes to receive the studs. Paper formed with holes complementary to the studs is clamped between the pair of strips, the excess stud lengths are cut off and the ends of the studs preferably formed with rivet heads, completing the bind. As has been stated, pairs of plastic strips such as those shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,369,013 are widely commercially available for use in binding machines. Flexible metallic studs have also commonly been used primarily for non-permanent binding of papers into file folders. The commercially available binders of this type sold under the trademeark ACCOPRESS, are either used without a second strip or, when used with a second strip, the latter has been of a complicated type having movable slides which hold the bent over binding strips also require complicated means for holding the bent over studs in place. Long, flexible studs have also been used for binding computer paper and the like, but such binding strips also require complicated means for holding the bent over studs in place. According to the present invention there is disclosed a book comprising a plurality of sheets each formed with first holes spaced longitudinally of the spine edge of said sheet, a first strip, a second strip formed with a plurality of second holes at the same intervals as said first holes, and a plurality of studs, each said stud extending outward from said first strip through a first said hole and a second said hole characterised by having a groove in the outer surface of said second strip communicating with said holes and by said studs being flexible and bendable at approximately a 90° angle, the ends of said studs beyond said second holes being bent at approximately right angles and received in said groove. Preferably the book further comprises retaining means retaining said ends of said studs within said groove which retaining means comprises an overhang along at least one longitudinal edge of said groove adjacent only the outside of said groove, said studs being snapped under said overhang. Advantageously the studs are round in cross section. Conveniently all of said studs on a first side of the middle of said first strip are bent inwardly toward the middle of said second strip and all of said studs on the second side of the middle of said first strip are bent inwardly toward the middle of said first strip. Conveniently in such a book there is no stud at the middle of said strips. In a preferred embodiment of the invention there is a separate groove communicating with each said hole in the outer surface of said second strip, all of said separate grooves on said first side extending toward said middle from the holes with which they communicate and all of said separate grooves on said second side extending toward said middle from the holes with which they communicate. According to a further aspect of the present invention there are disclosed strips comprising a first strip, a second strip formed with a plurality of holes, and a plurality of studs each said stud extending outward from said first strip characterised by having a groove in one surface of said second strip communicating with said holes, said studs being flexible and bendable at approximately a 90° angle, whereby the ends of said studs beyond said holes may be bent approximately at right angles and received in said groove. Preferably a second strip is characterised by further comprising retaining means adjacent said groove for retaining said ends of said studs in said groove and by said studs being integral with said first strip. Advantageously there is no hole in the middle of said second strip and no stud extending outward from the middle of said first strip and in that there is a separate groove communicating with each said hole in said second strip, all of said separate grooves on a first side of the middle of said second strip extending inward toward said middle from the holes with which they communicate and all of said separate grooves on a second side of said middle extending toward said middle from the holes with which they communicate. Conveniently the longitudinal outer edges of said groove have a slight overhang whereby bent end of studs may snap into and be retained in said groove. An extremely secure bind is thereby accomplished without the use of complicated machinery or complicated bent stud retaining means. A further advantage of the invention is to provide a binding means which does not require cutting or heading of the studs. The bind may be accomplished either manually or with apparatus which is relatively simple as compared with that previously used. Mechanical simplicity of the strips is a further advantage of the invention. The locking means is built into the strip. No rivetting is required. Since it is unnecessary to cut off excess scrap length, disposal of scrap is not a problem. Another advantage of the invention is that the use of flexible studs permits unsnapping the bent stud ends from the retaining means, removing the female strip, adding or subtracting sheets and then rebinding the book. If a permanent bind is desired, the stud ends or strip may be permanently deformed. Among the advantages of the invention is the final appearance of the book. The bent over stud ends resemble stitched bindings. The strength of the bind is highly satisfactory. Failure occurs by breakage of the studs (a function of their cross-section area) rather than by reason of the ends of the studs pulling out of the retaining means. Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings in which similar characters of reference represent corresponding parts in each of the several views. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a book formed in accordance with one modification of the present invention; Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 2--2 of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 3--3 of Figure 2; Figure 3A is a view similar to Figure 3 of a modification; Figure 4 is a more or less schematic view showing one means whereby the studs may be bent over; Figures 5, 5A and 6 are plan views of the strips of modifications of the present invention; Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view through the stud of Figure 1; Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7 of a modification; Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 2 of a further modification; Figure 10 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 10--10 of Figure 9; Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 7 of a further modification; Figure 12 is a view similar to the modification of Figure 3, showing use of a stud in accordance with Figure 11; Figures 13,14, 15 and 16 are views similar to Figure 12 of further modifications; Figure 17 is a plan view of a modified female strip; Figures 18 and 19 are sectional views taken substantially along the lines 18--18 and 19--19 of Figure 17; Figure 20 is a view similar to Figure 5 of a further modification. Figure 20A is a sectional view taken along line 20A--20A-- of Figure 20; Figure 21 is a view similar to Figure 2 of a still further modification; Figure 22 is a view similar to Figure 2 of still another modification. Figure 23 is a view similar to Figure 5 of another modification; Figure 24 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 24--24 of Figure 23; Figure 25 is a cross-section taken substantially along the line 25-25 of Figure 24; Figure 26 is a view similar to Figure 23 of still another modification; Figure 27 is a fragmentary perspective view showing unbending of a stud of the modification of Figure 23. In the form of the invention shown in Figures 1-4, there is provided a male strip 21, preferably of a thin narrow plastic material. Either integral therewith or inserted therein at spaced intervals along the strip 21 are flexible plastic studs 22 having pointed ends 23. The material of the studs 22 may be of polypropylene, polyethelene, K-resin and any of a group of thermoplastic elastomers. The stud length 24 which is in excess of the length necessary to accommodate the pages being bound is bent over. The flexible nature of the plastic material of which the studs 22 is formed makes it possible to bend the studs at a relatively abrupt angle, specifically 90°. The female strip 26 is likewise preferably of plastic and is formed with spaced holes 27 complementary to the spacing of the studs 22. To facilitate the tips 23 being inserted in holes 27, the bottom surface of strips 26 is preferably formed with a counterbore 28, or coutersink. The top surface of strip 26 is formed with one or more longitudinally extending grooves 29 to receive the bent portions 24. In the form of the invention shown in Figures 1-4, the grooves 29 are formed with overhangs 31 along each upper edge. Thus the bent over portion 24 snaps between the overhangs 31 and is retained in place thereby. The book of the present invention is used to bind a plurality of sheets 33 formed with holes 34 complementary to the spacing of the studs 22. Referring to Figure 4, the strip 21 is placed with studs 22, projecting upright. Sheets 33 are then assembled on the studs 22. Thereupon the second strip 26 is installed over the studs 22, the counterbores 27 facilitating entry of the pointed ends 23. Thereupon the studs 23 are bent over at a right angle into the grooves 29. As shown schematically in Figure 4, a roller 36 may cause the studs to be bent. The excess stud lengths 24 snap between the overhangs 31. Directing attention to Figure 1, it will be seen that the right end-most bent over portion 24 is directed in the groove 29 in an opposite direction from the other bent over portions; however, other arrangements, some of which are hereinafter set forth in detail may be employed. In order to conceal the top of the strip 26 shown in Figure 1, the alternate of Figure 3A may be used. In this form of the invention, longitudinal grooves 41 may be formed in the side edges of the strip 26a. A channel 42 having inward extending projections 43 fit into the grooves 41. The channel 42 may be snapped into place or slid lengthwise from one end of the strip 26. Figure 5 shows pairs of bent over portions 24b turned toward each other inserted in grooves 46 rather than being in the same direction as shown in Figure 1. Figure 5A shows the bent over portions 24c overlapping, the grooves 47 being of extended width and of a length approximately equal to the grooves 46 of Figure 5. Figure 6 shows a groove 47 of considerable width to accommodate the bent over portions 24d pointing in the same direction but overlapping adjacent bent over portions 24d. Figure 7 shows a circular cross-section stud 22. In Figure 8 it is shown that the stud 22e could be square in cross-section or other convenient shape. Directing attention to Figures 9 and 10, studs 22f may be formed with a longitudinal split 51, extending from the tip 23f to approximately the point where the stud 22f joins the strip 21f. The halves of the stud 22f may be bent in opposite directions so that the bent halves 52 seat in the grooves 29. Thus, the stud 22f functions similarly to a cotter pin. As an alternative to the round cross-section configuration of Figure 7, Figure 11 shows stud 22g with a fluted configuration 56. As shown in Figure 12, the flutes 56 dig into the sides of the channel 29g in female strip 26g, making the overhangs of the modification of Figure 3 unnecessary. The flutes 56 are slightly deformed when the stud 22g is pushed into the groove 29g, thereby holding the bent over portion 24g in place by friction. Figure 13 shows a female strip 26h wherein flutes 58 are formed in the groove 29h. The bent over portion 24h of the stud 22h may be round in cross-section. In Figure 14, the stud 22h is shown square in cross-section. It will be understood that other cross-sectional shapes of studs may be used. In Figure 15, the overhangs 31 of the modification of Figure 3 have been eliminated. Adhesive 61 may be used to retain the bent over portion 24j in place in groove 29j. Figure 16 shows a weld or brazing 62 holding the bent over portion 24k in the channel 29k. The grooves 29 of the previous modification are either intermittent or continuous. Figure 17 shows a modification wherein the strips 66 are extruded, there being a continuous channel or extended groove 67 formed therein. At spaced intervals, holes 68 to accommodate the studs (not shown) are formed by punching or other means. Figure 20 shows a modification wherein one or both of the opposed sides of the groove 29n is formed with flexible inward extending tips 71. The bent over portion 24n of the stud 22n snaps under the tips 71 and is held in place. Figure 21 shows a female strip 26p similar to strip 26 of Figure 2. Instead of a male strip, a second female strip 76 is provided substantially identical so strip 26p. A length of stud mateial 27 having two pointed ends 23p is inserted through one of the strips 26p, 76, through the holes 34 in the sheets 33 and through the hole 27p in the other strip 26p, 76. The strips are compressed together and then the ends 78 and 79 of the stud material 77 are bent over into the grooves 29p of both strips. The bent over portions 78, 79 are retained in place by any of the means shown in the preceding modifications. A channel 42p having projections 43p fitting into grooves 43p in the side edges of each strip 26p, 76 may conceal grooves 29p and bent portions 78, 79 as in Figure 3A. As shown in Figure 21, the stud material 77 is bent in U-shape. As shown in Figure 22, the stud material 77q is bent in a general Z-shape, so that the end 78q and 79q are disposed in opposite directions. In the form of the invention shown in Figures 23-25 there is no stud 22 in the middle of the first strip 21r nor is there a hole 27 in the second strip 26r. Each stud 22r at the left hand side of the book as viewed in Figure 23 is bent toward the middle, and each stud 22r on the right hand side is bent toward the middle. Such bending may be accomplished manually or by an appropriate tool. Directing attention to the cross-section shown in Figure 25 it will be seen that each groove 29r in strip 26r is formed substantially complementary to the shape of a stud 22r. On either outer longitudinal edge of the groove 29r is an overhang 31r (which may be approximately 3 mil. in width). When the stud end 24r is bent, the overhangs 31r spring apart sufficiently to permit the stud end 24r to enter the groove 29r and the overhangs 31r retain the same in place. In Figure 23 there are individual grooves 29r for each hole 27r. In Figure 26 there is a single groove 67s extending longitudinally of strip 26s. It may be desirable, from time to time, to add or subtract sheets 33 from the stack of sheets bound. As shown in Figure 27 by appropriate tool 81, the ends 24r, 24s of the studs may be bent back to upright position. Thereupon the strips 26r, 26s may be removed from or added to, or rearranged in position in the stack of sheets. Thereafter, the strips 26r, 26s may be replaced and the studs 22r, 22s bent to snap into the grooves 29r, 29s. The modifications of Figures 3A, 5, 5A, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 26 in many particulars resemble the structure of preceding modifications and the same reference numerals followed by subscripts a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, j, k, m, n, p, q, r and s, respectively are used to represent corresponding elements.

Claims: 1. A book comprising a plurality of sheets (33) each formed with first holes (34) spaced longitudinally of the spine edge of said sheet, a first strip (21), a second strip (26) formed with a plurality of second holes (27) at the same intervals as said first holes, and a plurality of studs (22), each said stud extending outward from said first strip through a first said hole and a second said hole characterised by having a groove (29) in the outer surface of said second strip communicating with said holes and by said studs being flexible and bendable at approximately a 90° angle, the ends of said studs beyond said second holes being bent at approximately right angles and received in said groove. 2. A book according to Claim 1 characterised in that it further comprises retaining means (31) retaining said ends of said studs within said groove which retaining means comprises an overhang (31) along at least one longitudinal edge of said groove adjacent only the outside of said groove, said studs being snapped under said overhang. 3. A book according to either Claim 1 or Claim 2 characterised in that said studs are round in cross-section. 4. A book according to any preceding claim characterised in that all of said studs (22) on a first side of the middle of said first strip (21) are bent inwardly toward the middle of said second strip (26) and all of said studs on the second side of the middle of said first strip are bent inwardly toward the middle of said first strip. 5. A book according to claim 4 characterised in that there is no stud at the middle of said strips. 6. A book according to Claim 4 characterised in that there is a separate groove (29) communicating with each said hole (27) in the outer surface of said second strip (26), all of said separate grooves on said first side extending toward said middle from the holes with which they communicate and all of said separate grooves on said second side extending toward said middle from the holes with which they communicate. 7. Strips (21,26) for binding apertured sheets (33) comprising a first strips (21), a second strip (26) formed with a plurality of holes (27), and a plurality of studs (22) each said stud extending outward from said first strip characterised by having a groove in one surface of said second strip communicating with said holes, said studs being flexible and bendable at approximately a 90° angle, whereby the ends of said studs beyond said holes may be bent approximately at right angles and received in said groove. 8. A second strip according to Claim 7 characterised by further comprising retaining means (31) adjacent said groove for retaining said ends of said studs in said groove and by said studs being integral with said first strip. 9. Strips according to Claim 7 or Claim 8 characterised in that there is no hole in the middle of said second strip (26) and no stud extending outward from the middle of said first strip (21) and in that there is a separate groove (29) communicating with each said hole in said second strip, all of said separate grooves on a first side of the middle of said second strip extending inward toward said middle from the holes with which they communicate and all of said separate grooves on a second side of said middle extending toward said middle from the holes with which they communicate. 10. Strips according to Claim 9 characterised in that the longitudinal outer edges of said groove (29) have a slight overhang (31) whereby bent end of studs may snap into and be retained in said groove.

Inventors: ABILDGAARD, WILLIAM H.
Applicants: VELO-BIND, INC.
Application year: 1985
Main classification: B42F13
IPC codes: B42F13, B42D3, B42B5