Abstract:
An apparatus for binding a stack of paper with at least one hole defined therein. The apparatus includes a male element having at least one post with a plurality of teeth. The post is configured to receive the stack of paper by threading the post through the hole. A female element with at least one aperture defined therein is placed substantially over the male element. The female aperture is structured to releasably engage at least one of the plurality of post teeth with sufficient grip to bind the stack of paper together.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to an apparatus for binding multiple sheets of paper. More particularly, the invention concerns a ratchet mechanism that binds hole-punched paper. 
     2. Discussion of the Related Art 
     Considerable effort has been expended toward devices for binding together sheets of paper. Most of them have not focused on reducing the effort and time, and/or improving the convenience in binding paper. Many prior art devices require that the paper to be bound be specially notched or punched using specialized equipment. Other devices have a finite paper capacity that either restricts the bind to a maximum number of sheets or, if the maximum capacity is not met, whatever pages are bound have free play within the device rather than snugly conforming to the paper to be bound. Still other binding devices require the paper be meticulously threaded with either straps, strips, arms, wire, or cables. 
     Prior art mechanical binding devices generally have one or more of the following drawbacks: the paper must be specially punched; the mechanism is relatively complex; the device doesn&#39;t conform to the paper bound; the use of adhesives, heat, or tape is required; the device may be relatively expensive to make or be made from expensive materials, such as metal; the device adds unnecessary weight and inhibits portability; and the process may require electrically powered equipment which adds to the cost as well as restricts where the bending may be done. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention solves the above-described problems of binding hole-punched paper. Broadly, the present invention provides a simple, compact and economical method to bind a wide range of hole-punched sheets of paper arranged in a stack. As used herein, a stack refers to a plurality of sheets of hole-punched paper with the holes substantially aligned. The edges of the paper may align, but this is not necessary. 
     More specifically, one embodiment of the invention comprises an apparatus for binding a stack of paper with at least one hole defined therein. The device includes a male element comprising at least one post having a plurality of teeth, the post configured to receive the stack of paper by inserting the post through the hole. A female element or clamping member with at least one aperture defined therein is placed over the male element, with the female aperture structured to releasably engage at least one (1) of the plurality of post teeth with sufficient grip to bind the stack of paper together. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     The nature, goals, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawing—illustrating by way of examples the principles of the invention—in which like reference numerals identify like elements throughout wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a side view of the base member of a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a top view of a section of the base member of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a top view of the base member of FIG. 1, with a piece of paper positioned over the base member; 
     FIG. 4 is a top view of the clamping member of a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing the base member post teeth in operative engagement with the clamping member with a multiplicity of sheets of paper positioned therebetween; 
     FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along cutting plane  6 — 6  of FIG. 4; and 
     FIG. 7 shows the assembled present invention hanging in a file holder frame. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     General 
     In the following paragraphs, the present invention will be described in detail by way of example with reference to the attached drawings. Throughout this description, the preferred embodiment and examples shown should be considered as exemplars, rather than as limitations on the present invention. 
     Structure 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, base member  10  is comprised of an elongated bar  11  having one or more posts or stakes  12  extending substantially perpendicularly from the elongated bar. A preferred embodiment base member has three posts extending from the elongated bar. 
     Elongated bar  11 , in a preferred embodiment, is dimensioned lengthwise according to the size of the paper to be bound. Accordingly, if standard 8½″×11″ size sheets are to be bound, the elongated bar would be dimensioned about  11 ″ in length. Of course, it should be evident to those skilled in the art that larger or smaller paper sheets, such as “A4” paper, could be accommodated by merely changing the length of the elongated bar. It should also be evident the orientation of the paper may be changed so that the narrower dimension is bound, as in a standard two-hole arrangement. 
     As shown in FIGS. 1-3 and  5 , the base member  10  includes at least one post or stake  12  that extends substantially perpendicularly from the elongated bar  11 . A preferred embodiment base member has three posts, but the number of posts can vary, depending upon the number of paper holes  16  found in paper  15 . Each post has as a plurality of teeth or ratchet flanges  13 , shown in detail in FIG.  5 . One embodiment of the base member arranges the posts so that they are somewhat offset from the longitudinal centerline  14  of the base member, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Referring to FIG. 3, the offset arrangement of the posts  12  ensures that the section of paper  15  that is adjacent to paper hole  16  is supported and protected by elongated bar  11  (shown in phantom). That is, in a preferred embodiment, the elongated bar extends substantially along the entire length of the paper adjacent the paper holes  16 , and the elongated bar also extends substantially to paper edge  17  adjacent to the paper holes. Alternative embodiments of elongated bar  11  can be configured to either extend beyond the paper edges or the elongated bar can be configured so that it does not extend to the edges of the paper, depending upon the application. 
     Preferably, base member  10 , that includes elongated bar  11  and post  12 , is an integral element requiring only one material. In a preferred embodiment the base member is made of a high strength plastic such as vinyls, polymers, polypropylenes or polyethylenes. The one piece construction of the base member using a non-metallic material has the advantage of reducing manufacturing cost. Moreover, the configuration is simple and therefore easy to mold, further reducing costs. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, clamping member or keeper  20  is preferably a one piece design comprising an elongated body  21  and at least one post-receiving aperture or post-hole  22 . Elongated body  21 , in a preferred embodiment, is dimensioned lengthwise according to the size of the paper to be bound. Accordingly, if standard 8½″×11″ size sheets are to be bound, the elongated body would be dimensioned about  11 ″ in length. Of course, it should be evident to those skilled in the art that larger or smaller paper sheets, such as “A4” paper, could be accommodated by merely changing the length of the elongated body. It should also be evident the orientation of the paper may be changed so that the narrower dimension is bound, as in a standard two-hole arrangement. 
     A preferred embodiment keeper has three post-holes, but the number of post-holes can vary, depending upon the number of posts  12  employed by base member  10 . Each post-hole is comprised of two tongues or tabs  23  that extend from keeper  20  in a somewhat cantilevered configuration, shown in FIG.  6 . Due to its cantilevered configuration, each tongue will elastically deform when a load is applied. 
     As shown in FIG. 4, one embodiment of keeper  20  arranges the post-holes so that they are somewhat offset from the longitudinal axis of the keeper, similar to posts  12  on base member  10 . The offset arrangement of the post-holes ensures that the section of paper  15  that is adjacent to paper hole  16  is supported and protected by the elongated body  21 . That is, in a preferred embodiment, the elongated body extends substantially along the entire length of the paper adjacent the paper holes  16 , and the elongated body also extends substantially to paper edge  17  adjacent to the paper holes. Alternative embodiments of elongated body  21  can be configured to either extend beyond the paper edges or the elongated body can be configured so that it does not extend to the edges of the paper, depending upon the application. 
     Preferably, keeper  20  is a single body piece design requiring only one material. In a preferred embodiment the keeper is made of a high strength malleable plastic such as vinyl, polypropylene or polyethylene. The one piece construction of the keeper using a non-metallic material has the advantage of reducing cost in manufacturing. Moreover, the geometry is simple and therefore easy to mold, further reducing costs. 
     Referring to FIGS. 5 and 7, a hook element, or hanger  30  can be detachably coupled to an end portion of either the elongated bar  11 , or the elongated body  21 . As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 5, the hanger is attached to the elongated body by a tab, or small relief  31  (shown in phantom). The hanger  30  fits into a recess formed in the elongated body, and is thereby engaged between the elongated body  21  and the paper  15 . FIG. 7 shows the hanger in use, enabling a user to hang a bound document in a “Pendaflex” type file holder frame  32 . Accordingly, when the hanger is employed, the paper binder of the present invention can be used in standard filing cabinets or drawers. 
     Operation 
     FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional side view of the present invention binding a stack of paper  15 . In operation, a stack of paper  15  is placed on top of base member  10 , so that one or more posts  12  protrude through corresponding paper hole(s)  16 . Each post has ratchet teeth  13 . The keeper  20  is then fitted over the stack of paper and a downward pressing force on the keeper causes tongues  23  in post-holes  22  to firmly engage the post ratchet teeth  13  as the keeper is pressed against the stack of paper. Note that the end of each tongue  23  may be beveled to make each tongue sharper for more positive engagement with teeth  13 . Thus, each tongue  23  is capable of engaging at least one tooth of ratchet teeth  13  when a downward load is applied on the keeper. The secure engagement between the ratchet teeth and post-hole tongues generates sufficient grip to bind the stack of paper firmly together. 
     Additionally, since the keeper and the base member are small the device has the further advantage of being portable and self contained and is easily applied when and where needed. No further component of machinery is necessary to bind a stack of paper firmly together. 
     The binding action of tongues  23  can serve to bind the papers permanently because the ratchet operation provides for a very strong and stable device. However, should there be a need to re-bind the sheets (for example to add sheets that were inadvertently left out) the binding device may be easily removed and the sheets bound again. In this manner a wide range of paper amounts can be easily bound. Documents that are incomplete or “working” documents can be temporarily bound. When the document is complete the posts  12  that extend beyond the ratchet teeth  13  can be broken off for a more cosmetic and secure arrangement. 
     As shown in FIG. 5, a cap, or cover  40  can be placed over post holes  22 . When placed over the post-holes, cap pins  41  engage ratchet teeth  13 . The caps improve the cosmetic appearance of the device by covering the posts and ratchet teeth. Moreover, the keeper  20  and base member are securely locked together, thus making it difficult to remove individual pieces of paper from the paper stack without damaging the posts  12 . This arrangement can be employed when the integrity of the paper stack must be maintained. Alternatively, a small amount of the glue can be placed between the post and the ratchet teeth securely locking the keeper and base member together. 
     An alternative method to ensure the security or integrity of the paper stack is also shown in FIG.  5 . Wire  50  can be placed adjacent to post  12  when the paper  15  and keeper  20  are placed over the post. The wire can be threaded through gap  18  (shown in FIG. 4) between the keeper and the tongues. The wire can then be formed into a loop and tied or otherwise securely bound so that the removal of an individual piece of paper from the bound paper stack would require cutting or tampering of the wire. 
     Other embodiments 
     Certain preferred embodiments have been described above. It is to be understood that a latitude of modification and substitution is intended in the foregoing disclosure, and that these modifications and substitutions are within the literal scope—or are equivalent to—the claims that follow. 
     Accordingly, it is appropriate that the following claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention herein described.