INTEGRAL AUTOMATIC BOOKBINDING UNIT FOR BINDING OF DOCUMENTS OR THE LIKE

Abstract: A bookbinding unit comprises an integral cover body (10) formed by a front cover (12), spine (14) and a back cover (16), an elastic clam (20) in the form of a U-shaped groove mounted to the back cover (14), and a rigid and/or elastically biased slider (30) in the form of a U-shaped groove adapted to be slidably inserted into the clamp (20) to hold upper end edges (22a, 22b) of the clamp (20) leaving space therebetween. An elastic grasping force between both the upper end edges (22a, 22b) of the clamp (20) is set to be sufficient to semi-permanently fix documents (42) inserted and mounted in the clamp (20). In addition, the clamp (20) and the slider (30) are formed by metal or plastics and set to have substantially the same lengths as that of the cover body (10).

Description: The present invention relates to an integral automatic bookbinding unit for binding of documents or the like, and more particularly to an automatic bookbinding unit for easily binding the documents to collectively manage the documents. It has been well-known that, in general, the integral processing of the documents is required for convenience in management, and therefore filing units so called "binders" have widely been used. In order to improve the operability and the retainability of the filing documents, a new bookbinding unit has recently been proposed in place of the conventional filing units. Notwithstanding, the filing unit of this type has to be practically limited in use for temporary binding purpose due to its weak holding force applied to the documents and poor retainability thereof. In the United States Patent No. 5,061,139 issued to Zoltner, there is disclosed a bookbinding unit with a metal U-shaped groove binding portion. After one end of the documents to be bound has been inserted and mounted in the binding portion, then a specific clamping machine is used to clamp the binding portion so that the documents are fixed (or book-bound) in the binding portion. According to the bookbinding unit of this type, the users are able to bind or bookbind themselves the necessary documents if any. However, the above conventional bookbinding unit has the following disadvantages. Since, as described above, the specific clamping machine is required, the bookbinding cost would especially be increased. Further, the operations of the specific clamping machine need a specific knowledge (or skill) and labor (time-consumption). Those are fundamental problems. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an integral automatic bookbinding unit for binding the documents or the like, which has a simple structure without use of any special aided machine or tool and which enables the users to readily and quickly book-bind themselves the necessary documents if required. In order to achieve the above object, in accordance with the present invention, an integral automatic bookbinding unit for binding the sheets comprises : an integral cover body formed of a front cover, a spine and a back cover ; an elastic clamp in the form of a U-shaped groove and to be mounted onto the spine ; and a rigid and/or spring-applied slider in the form of a U-shaped groove, which is adapted to be slidably inserted into the clamp and to hold uppers edges of the clamp to be spaced apart from each other and keep the clamp in the opening state, and characterized in that the lengths of the clamp and the slider are set substantially the same as that of the cover body, an elastically clamping force applied between both the upper edges of the clamp is set to be sufficient to semi-permanently hold sheets to be inserted and mounted into the clamp, so that after one edge of the sheets to be book-bound has been inserted and mounted into the slider, then the front and back covers are closed together to hold the sheets in the insertion and mounting position for sliding and removing the slider, whereby the documents are automatically and elastically fixed between the upper edges of the clamp. In this case, the clamp and the slider may be made of metals or plastics. A base side portion of the clamp may slightly be curved toward the inside, so that the elasticity appearing at the opening sides portions of the clamp is increased. Notwithstanding, curving the base side portion of the clamp is not essential structural requirement for the present invention. The clamp with a flat base side is also useable even there is a difference in elastic force between the both. It is preferable that the slider is made of a material which is capable of preventing both side portions of the slider from bending the inside or toward each other with its superior yield strength to the elastic force of the clamp. Further, one of the opening side portions of the clamp may slightly be higher or larger than that of the opposite opening side portion, so that relatively soft documents and few sheets may be clamped or held without allowing the opening edges of the clamp to cut or damage the documents or sheets under the pressure. The size as defined from the opening portion to the base side portion of the clamp may be set about 5 mm, so that the necessary margin of documents for clamping the same may be narrow. This clamp is useful for clamping printed materials with narrow clamping margins as printed with Internet Information. The clamp may preferably be arranged to be bundled up in the spine. As described above, the bookbinding unit according to the present invention comprises : the integral cover body ; the elastic clamp mounted on the spine ; and the rigid slider to be inserted into the clamp. After the sheets have been inserted and mounted into the inside of the slider, then the slider is pull out to automatically fix and book-bind the sheets. In other words, the bookbinding unit of the present invention has a simple structure so that the users can readily and quickly book-bind the necessary sheets if any without use of any special aided machine. One embodiment of the integral automatic bookbinding unit for binding of the documents or the like according to the present invention will hereinafter be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrative of the entire structures of the cover body, the clamp and the slider of the integral automatic bookbinding unit for binding of documents or the like according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a side view illustrative of a book bound by the bookbinding unit shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a side view illustrative of the slider shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross sectional view illustrative of the clamp and the slider shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross sectional view illustrative of the clamp in FIG. 5, from which the slider has been pull out. FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrative of the slider which is different from the one shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 8 is a perspective and partially cross-sectioned view illustrative of the clamp. FIG. 9 is a perspective and partially cross-sectioned view illustrative of the slider. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing results of relative comparison between an automatic bookbinding unit according to the present invention and a book with a hard cover book-bound in the normal way in the eight viewpoints of promptitude of binding operation, simplicity of device or tool for binding operation, aestheticity (particularly a sense of high class), durability of binding effect, simplicity of binding operation, facility of binding operation, reusability, and production cost. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing results of relative comparison between an automatic bookbinding unit according to the present invention and a press type file in the eight viewpoints of promptitude of binding operation, simplicity of device or tool for binding operation, aestheticity (particularly a sense of high class), durability of binding operation, simplicity of binding operation, facility of binding operation, reusability, and production cost. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing results of relative comparison between an automatic bookbinding unit according to the present invention and a thermally adhered binder in the eight viewpoints of promptitude of binding operation, simplicity of device or tool for binding operation, aestheticity (particularly a sense of high class), durability of binding operation, simplicity of binding operation, facility of binding operation, reusability, and production cost. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing results of relative comparison between an automatic bookbinding unit according to the present invention and a Z-lever type file in the eight viewpoints of promptitude of binding operation, simplicity of device or unit for binding operation, aestheticity (particularly a sense of high class), durability of binding operation, simplicity of binding operation, facility of binding operation, reusability, and production cost. In FIGS. 1 through 4, at first, the integral automatic bookbinding unit according to the present invention comprises : an integral cover body 10 formed of a front cover 12, a spine 14 and a back cover 16 which are basically made of pulp, plastic or artificial leather ; an elastic clamp 20 in the form of a U-shaped groove mounted on the spine 14 ; and a rigid and/or spring-applied slider 30 in the form of a U-shaped groove which is adapted to be slidably inserted into the clamp 20 to hold upper end edges 22a and 22b of the clamp 20 to be spaced apart from each other and to keep the clamp in opening state. The clamp 20, as shown with enlargement in FIGS. 5 and 6, is preferably arranged to be bundled up in the spine 14. An elastic clamping force applied between the opposite upper edges 22a and 22b of the clamp 20 is set to be sufficient to semi-permanently fix documents 42 to be inserted and mounted into the clamp 20 (which will be described again later). In the arrangement, the clamp 20 and the spine 14 are fixed by adhesion, rivet, welding, needle clamp, screw, or slot. On the other hand, a slider 30 is in the form of a groove and comprises opposite groove walls 32 and 33 which are standing vertically from a flat portion 31. A pull ring 34 is attached through a connection portion 32 to one end of the slider 30 or a projecting pull ring 36 is doubly provided as shown in Fig. 7 so as to rise the strength against the tension and also to relax the stress concentration applied to fingers of the user. The boundaries between the projecting pull ring 36 and the groove walls 32 and 33 are formed in R-shape to further increase the strength against the tension. The clamp 20 is preferably made of metal. The slider 30 is made of plastic material. The lengths of the both members are set substantially the same as that of the cover body 10. Of the front cover 12 and the back cover 16, inner and outer faces of each of hard boards 12b and 16b may be covered respectively with release sheets 12a and 16a and fabric or paper covers 12c and 16c. The document binding (bookbinding) using the bookbinding unit of the above structure according to the present invention is carried out as follows. At first, the cover body 10 (and the clamp 20, the slider 30) are selected in accordance with the size (length, width, and thickness) of the documents 42 to be book-bound. Subsequently, the cover body 10 remains opened (Fig. 1) to insert one end of the documents 42 into the inside of the clamp 20 (and the slider 30). Finally, the front and back covers 12 and 16 are closed together (Fig. 3), and then kept to be pressed by one hand (i.e., the documents 42 remains at the insertion and mounting position) while the slider 30 is pulled out by the other hand. As a result, the clamp 20 is elastically closed and the documents 42 are automatically and semi-permanently fixed by a clamping force (Fig. 6) whereby a bookbinding 40 is completed (Fig. 3). According to the present invention, the automatic bookbinding unit with the simple structure enables the users to readily and quickly bind or book-bind the necessary documents if any, without use of any special aided machine or tool. The automatic bookbinding unit of the present invention is obviously useable not only for binding or bookbinding the documents but also for repairing and recycling old books and damaged books or forming photo-albums and fabric-sample books. Whereas preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments but it is possible to make various improvements and modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention. As described above, an integral automatic bookbinding unit for binding the sheets comprises : an integral cover body formed of a front cover, a spine and a back cover ; an elastic clamp in the form of a U-shaped groove and to be mounted onto the spine ; and a rigid and/or spring-applied slider in the form of a U-shaped groove, which is adapted to be slidably inserted into the clamp and to hold opposite uppers edges of the clamp to be spaced apart from each other and keep the clamp in the opening state, and characterized in that the lengths of the clamp and the slider are set substantially the same as that of the cover body, an elastically clamping force applied between both the upper edges of the clamp is set to be sufficient to semi-permanently hold sheets to be inserted and mounted into the clamp, so that after one edge of the sheets to be book-bound has been inserted and mounted into the slider, then the front and back covers are closed together to hold the sheets in the insertion and mounting position for sliding and removing the slider, whereby the documents are automatically and elastically fixed between the upper edges of the clamp. Accordingly, the automatic bookbinding unit with the simple structure enables the users to readily and quickly bind or book-bind the necessary documents if any, without use of any special aided machine or tool. Further, one of the opening side portions of the clamp may slightly be higher or larger than that of the opposite opening side portion, so that relatively soft documents and few sheets may be clamped or held without allowing the opening edges of the clamp to cut or damage the documents or sheets under the pressure. The automatic bookbinding unit of the present invention is applicable not only for binding or bookbinding the documents but also for repairing and recycling old books and damaged books or forming photo-albums and fabric-sample books. For advantages of the automatic bookbinding unit according to the present invention, results of relative comparisons by use of radiograph between an automatic bookbinding unit according to the present invention and various conventional types already known are shown in FIGS. 10 through 13 and TABLE 1 in the eight viewpoints of promptitude of binding operation, simplicity of device or tool for binding operation, aestheticity (particularly a sense of high class), durability of binding operation, simplicity of binding operation, facility of binding operation, reusability, and production cost. FIG. 10 shows a result of relative comparison of the automatic bookbinding unit according to the present invention with a book with a hard cover normally book-bound. The broad line represents the automatic bookbinding unit according to the present invention, whilst the fine line represents the book with a hard cover normally book-bound. From FIG. 10, it is understandable that the automatic bookbinding unit according to the present invention is slightly inferior in the light of the aestheticity, but shows the same high score as that of the hard cover book normally book-bound in the durability of binding operation so that the binding effect is maintained for a long time. It is also understandable that the automatic bookbinding unit is remarkably superior to the hard cover book normally book-bound in the light of the promptitude of binding operation, the simplicity of device or tool for binding operation, the facility of binding operation, and the production cost. FIG. 11 shows a result of relative comparison of the automatic bookbinding unit according to the present invention with the press type file. The broad line represents the automatic bookbinding unit according to the present invention, whilst the fine line represents the press type file. From FIG. 11, it is understandable that the automatic bookbinding unit according to the present invention is slightly inferior in the lights of the production cost, the reusability, and the simplicity of binding operation, but shows the same high score as that of the press type file in the light of the promptitude of binding operation, the simplicity of device or tool for binding operation, and the simplicity of binding operation. Further, it is also understandable that the automatic bookbinding unit is remarkably superior to the press type file in the lights of the aestheticity and the durability of binding operation. FIG. 12 shows a result of relative comparison of the automatic bookbinding unit according to the present invention with a thermally adhered binder. In FIG. 12, the broad line represents the automatic bookbinding unit according to the present invention, whilst the fine line represents the thermally adhered binder. From FIG. 12, it is understandable that the automatic bookbinding unit according to the present invention is not inferior to the thermally adhered binder, but has the same scores as the thermally adhered binder in the lights of the production cost, the reusability, the simplicity of binding operation, and the facility of binding operation. The automatic bookbinding unit is superior to the thermally adhered binder in the lights of the promptitude of binding operation, and the durability of operation, and particularly remarkably superior in the lights of the simplicity of device or tool for binding operation and the aestheticity. FIG. 13 shows a result of relative comparison of the automatic bookbinding unit according to the present invention with a Z-lever type file. The broad line represents the automatic bookbinding unit according to the present invention, whilst the fine line represents the Z-lever type file. From FIG. 13, it is understandable that the automatic bookbinding unit according to the present invention is slightly inferior to the other in the lights of the production cost, the reusability, and the facility of binding operation, but shows the same high score as that of the Z-lever type file in the lights of the promptitude of binding operation, the simplicity of device or tool for binding operation, and the simplicity of binding operation. Further, it is also understandable that the automatic bookbinding unit is remarkably superior to the Z-lever type file in the lights of the aestheticity and the durability of binding operation. In TABLE 1, the automatic bookbinding unit according to the present invention and the above mentioned various types of files and binders and in addition a ring type binder, a pipe type file, a multi-prong type file, and a notebook type file are scored in the lights of the eight categories, for example, 1) promptitude of binding operation, 2) simplicity of device or tool for binding operation, 3) aestheticity (particularly a sense of high class), 4) durability of binding operation, 5) simplicity of binding operation, 6) facility of binding operation, 7) reusability, and 8) production cost. As can be seen from the results, the automatic bookbinding unit according to the present invention is superior to the ring type binder, the pipe type file, the multi-prong type file, and the notebook type file in the lights of the promptitude of binding operation, aestheticity (particularly, a sense of high class), and the durability of binding operation.

Claims: An integral automatic bookbinding unit for binding sheets comprising : an integral cover body formed of a front cover, a spine and a back cover ; an elastic clamp in the form of a U-shaped groove and to be mounted onto the spine ; and a rigid and/or spring-applied slider in the form of a U-shaped groove, which is adapted to be slidably inserted into the clamp and to hold uppers edges of the clamp to be spaced apart from each other and keep the clamp in the opening state, characterized in that lengths of the clamp and the slider are set substantially the same as that of the cover body, an elastically clamping force applied between both the upper edges of the clamp is set to be sufficient to semi-permanently hold the sheets to be inserted and mounted into the clamp, so that after one edge of the sheets to be book-bound has been inserted and mounted into the slider, then the front and back covers are closed together to hold the sheets at the insertion and mounting position for sliding and removing the slider, whereby the sheets are automatically and elastically held between the upper edges of the clamp. An integral automatic bookbinding unit for binding documents as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the clamp and the slider are made of a metal or a plastic material. An integral automatic bookbinding unit for binding documents as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a base side portion of the clamp is curved to the inside. An integral automatic bookbinding unit for binding documents as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that one of opening and closing side portions of the clamp is slightly be larger than the opposite one of the opening and closing side portion. An integral automatic bookbinding unit for binding documents as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the size as defined from the opening portion to the closing base side portion of the clamp is set at least 5 mm. An integral automatic bookbinding unit for binding documents as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the clamp is arranged to be bundled up in the spine. An integral automatic bookbinding unit for binding documents as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the slider comprises a groove-shaped elongated member having almost the same length as that of the clamp, and one end of the slider is provided with a pull ring, and an opposite end edge is tapered off. An integral automatic bookbinding unit for binding documents as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the ring is attached to the one end of the slider through a connection portion. An integral automatic bookbinding unit for binding documents as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that rings are unitary and doubly formed at ends of the opposite groove walls of the slider, and boundaries between the rings and the groove walls are formed in R-shape.

Inventors: EBEL BRIAN JOHN, EBEL, BRIAN JOHN
Applicants: EBEL BRIAN JOHN, EBEL, BRIAN JOHN
Application year: 1997
Main classification: B42B5
IPC codes: B42F9