Abstract:
The present invention provides improvements in paper fastening to enable a user to remove a desired portion of papers from a fastened stack of papers without having to unnecessarily detach unwanted papers in the stack from the prongs of the fastener. The improved paper fastening arrangement is for use with a fastener having a base including two ends each having a leg extended therefrom, the leg foldable relative to the base. The arrangement comprises a sheath including an extension shaped to slideably engage one of the legs, the extension including an opening that defines a cavity to receive the leg, wherein the extension at least partially covers the leg and is operative to engage through sheet materials. At least one guide tab depends from the extension downward from the opening, the guide tab being foldable.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention generally relates to a fastener and fastening arrangement for detachably interconnecting punched documents. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system in which a prong-type binding system is made more efficient, providing a fastener which will hold a group of documents securely together while allowing easy removal of documents positioned within the group without disturbing, misaligning or disconnecting other documents within the group. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Metal fasteners are commonly used in combination with file folders for securing papers within the folder. One of the more popular office-type prior-art sheet retainers used in binding a stack of hole-punched paper sheets together is the so-called ACCO™ prong binder shown in  FIG. 1A  hereof. In the ACCO™ binder a pair of prongs extending from a longitudinal base are inserted through spaced apertures from one side or top margin of a paper sheets stack, after which the prongs are bent 90° toward, or away from, each other against the top-most paper sheet in the stack. The paper stack is thus held temporarily at a margin by being pressed between the prong base and the pair of prongs extending therefrom. In some applications, prior to bending the prongs, a keeper, sometimes called a compressor bar, with rectangular or circular apertures is placed over the prongs from the opposite side of the stack so that the prongs pass through the apertures. The prongs are then bent 90° toward each other to rest in a longitudinal groove in the keeper and a pair of locking loops slidable along the groove are then positioned over the bent prongs to temporarily lock the prongs on the keeper. The paper stack is thus held temporarily at a margin by being pressed between the prong base and the keeper. 
   In either instance, the paper sheets in the stack are held securely together so that it is possible to leaf through the documents without them falling apart. But this type of fastener is subject to the criticism that when a paper, or a number of papers, resting within the stack has to be removed for any number of reasons, i.e., entering data, photocopying, presenting to a colleague, etc., all papers resting above any desired papers must also be removed from the stack. The need to remove papers from within a paper stack will happen quite frequently, e.g., with respect to medical records for hospital patients or legal documents for attorneys. 
   The problem associated with sequentially interconnected paper sheets on the prongs of the above mentioned prior-art fasteners is that, when there is a need to disconnect a paper, or a set of papers, from within the stack, it is necessary to individually disconnect (remove from the prong fastener) each paper in the stack resting above any desired papers. Disconnecting papers from the prong fastener results in an insecure stack of papers. Additionally, once the overlaying papers have been removed from the prongs, providing the user access to any desired papers lying beneath them, the user is left with the added task of realigning the hole-punched paper sheets of the now insecure (loose) group of overlaying papers that originally lay securely within the prongs of the fastener. This can be a tedious and time consuming task requiring the user to line up the punched holes of each individual paper with the prongs, sheet by sheet. Often, leading to much frustration, papers can become torn, misaligned on the prongs or not aligned at all, left laying freely within a folder or on a desk where they can easily be misplaced and/or lost. 
   The objective of this invention is to provide a fastening arrangement for detachably interconnecting hole-punched documents which has improvements and avoids the difficulties experienced by the prior-art fasteners described above. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides improvements in paper fastening to enable a user to remove a desired portion of papers from a fastened stack of papers without having to unnecessarily detach unwanted papers in the stack from the prongs of the fastener. The improved paper fastening arrangement is for use with a fastener having a base including two ends each having a leg extended therefrom, the leg foldable relative to the base. The arrangement comprises a sheath including an extension shaped to slideably engage one of the legs, the extension including an opening that defines a cavity to receive the leg, wherein the extension at least partially covers the leg and is operative to engage through sheet materials. At least one foldable guide tab depends from the extension. 
   These and further objectives, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which show, for purposes of illustration only, several embodiments in accordance with the present invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a prior-art paper fastener (less paper stack); 
       FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of a stack of papers collected by the prior-art paper fastener of  FIG. 1A ; 
       FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of a two-piece prior-art paper fastener; 
       FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of a stack of papers collected by the two-piece prior-art paper fastener of  FIG. 2A ; 
       FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of an improved fastening arrangement in accordance with the present invention showing the outer prongs detached from the inner prongs; 
       FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of an improved fastening arrangement in accordance with the present invention showing the outer prongs and the inner prongs engaged; 
       FIGS. 4A–4B  show the steps for binding and unbinding documents utilizing the paper fastener of  FIGS. 3A and 3B ; 
       FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of an improved fastening arrangement in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention showing the outer prongs detached from the inner prongs; 
       FIG. 5B  is a perspective view of an improved fastening arrangement in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention showing the outer prongs and the inner prongs engaged; 
       FIGS. 6A–6B  show the steps for binding and unbinding documents utilizing the paper fastener of  FIGS. 5A and 5B ; and 
       FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of an improved fastening arrangement in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention showing the outer prongs detached from the inner prongs; 
       FIG. 7B  is a perspective view of an improved fastening arrangement in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention showing outer prongs and the inner prongs engaged. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The prior-art prong fasteners have been described generally above, and the present invention has utility when used in connection with either of these fastener designs, and others. For purposes of describing a presently preferred embodiment, reference is made herein to the prior-art fasteners of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Referring to  FIG. 1A , a prior-art prong fastener includes an elongated thin metal base  11  and two thin metal prongs  10  extending from two ends of base  11 . Metal prongs  10  are bendable to extend generally perpendicular from base  11  and are operable to pass through hole-punched paper (not shown). Referring to  FIG. 1B , prongs  10  pass through a stack of hole-punched paper  13  and are bent 90° toward each other to rest against stack  13 , thereby securing the sheets therein with base  11 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 2A , a two-piece prior-art prong fastener is shown and generally includes a prong base  11 , bendable prongs  10  and a compressor  23  having end orifices  25  for receiving prongs  10 . Prongs  10  pass through hole punched paper (not shown) and compressor  23 . Compressor  23  includes two folded side flanges  24  and two slidably engaged retainers  26 . Retainers  26  are operable for engaging with folded prongs  10  and for securing the paper sheets between base  11  and compressor  23 . Side flanges  24  are substantially parallel to compressor  23  and are located slightly higher than compressor  23  for forming a recess or groove between compressor  23  and side flanges  24 , respectively. Referring to  FIG. 2B , after compressor  23  is cinched to prong base  11  with paper stack  13  therebetween, prongs  10  are bent 90° toward each other into the groove of compressor  23  and are locked in place by positioning retainers  26  over bent prongs  10 . The completed binding will leave compressor  23 , retainers  26  and bent prongs  10  exposed and raised on a marginal edge of paper stack  13  and the prong base  11  (not shown) exposed and raised on an underside marginal edge of paper stack  13 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , an improved fastening arrangement in accordance with the present invention is shown in conjunction with the fastener of  FIG. 1 . The fastener has an elongated base  11  including two ends each having a bendable leg (inner prong  10 ) extending therefrom. For a more complete description of such a fastener, see U.S. Pat. No. 6,565,277. As a departure from the prior art, a sheath (outer prong  37 ) comprising an extension (prong cover  30 ) with at least one bendable tab  39  attached thereto is provided few each inner prong  10 . Tab  39  includes a side flange  31  extending longitudinally along a portion of its inner face. Side flange  31  is configured for slideably engaging inner prong  10 , thereby guiding and securing outer prong  37  and tab  39  with inner prong  10 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3A  tab  39  of outer prong  37  is aligned with an outside face of inner prong  10  in such a way for side flange  31  to receive a marginal edge of inner prong  10 . When side flange  31  receives inner prong  10 , prong cover  30  is aligned with inner prong  10 . Once aligned, outer prong  37  can be slideably guided downward along inner prong  10  with a marginal edge of inner prong  10  partially encased by flange  31 . Flange  31  assists in guiding inner prong  10  into prong cover  30 . One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that prong cover  30 , tab  39  and side flange  31  may, although not necessary to the spirit of the invention, abut a surface of and/or at least partially cover inner prong  10 . Additionally, prong cover  30 , tab  39  and side flange  31  may be integrally formed with outer prong  37  or alternatively composed of any number of suitable materials and bonded or affixed to a portion of outer prong  37 . 
   Prong cover  30  and side flange  31  can be of varying longitudinal lengths and can be located in various locations along outer prong  37  without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Additionally side flange  31  can extend horizontally along the entire width of outer prong  37 . In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present the invention, the length of prong cover  30  is approximately between ⅓ and 1/16 the length of inner prong  10 . Also, side flange  31  preferably extends horizontally from opposite ends of tab  39  and spans the full width of outer prong  37 . 
   According to a preferred embodiment, outer prong  37  is slightly longer in length than inner prong  10 . Accordingly, topmost extension portion  32  extends above prong cover  30  and when outer prong  37  is completely engaged with inner prong  10 , the top-most edge of inner prong  10  abuts an inner top-most surface of prong cover  30 . Extension portion  32  of outer prong  37  does not contain inner prong  10  within, so as to enable selective detachment of a stack of interconnected hole-punched documents from a paper fastener as discussed below with reference to  FIG. 4 . As with the other components of outer prong  37 , topmost extension portion  32  of outer prong  37  may be integrally formed with prong cover  30 , or attached thereto, and is bendably operable (as are the entire inner and outer prongs). 
   Referring to  FIGS. 4A–4B , the steps for binding and unbinding documents utilizing the fastening arrangement of  FIGS. 3A and 3B  is described. The process begins at step  1  with stacking documents with binding holes aligned to form a stack A. Fastener  38  including outer prongs  37  can be inserted through a hole-punched folder, clip-board, paper, or the like, to form a platform on which stack A can be securely attached. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that a platform is not essential and stack A may be connected directly to base  11  of fastener  38 . Once aligned, the holes passing through stack A form a passageway for receiving outer prongs  37 . Next, in step  2 , stack A is guided over fastener  38  by fitting the holes around outer prongs  37 . Depending on the size of stack A and/or fluctuations in the alignment of the holes punched into the documents contained in the stack, this task may require splitting stack A into several smaller stacks and individually guiding each smaller stack over fastener  38 . Once prongs  37  have completely engaged each document of stack A, extending therethrough, outer prongs  37  are bent 90° toward each other and brought to rest against stack A, thereby securing the sheets of the stack with prong base  11 . Bending outer prongs  37  in any location other than the topmost extension portion  32  will result in the concurrent bending of inner prongs  10  and have the additional effect of not only securing stack A, but also securing inner and outer prongs  10  and  37  together. 
   Upon completion of the binding operation in step  2  or sometime thereafter, there can be a need to disconnect (remove) a document or stack of documents C lying within the securely bound stack A from fastener  38 . Normally, using a prior-art prong-type fastener, this task would require disconnecting all documents above the desired stack C from the fastener (resulting in numerous loose documents), removing stack C and reconnecting all the loose-lying documents that originally lay above it back onto the fastener. This is a typical problem for all prior-art prong-type fasteners, as documents sequentially inserted atop prongs through an orifice in each document requires that these documents either be sequentially removed in the exact opposite order in which they were initially inserted (e.g., the first document in is the last document out), or that the orifices in the documents be destroyed by ripping documents free from the fastener thereby allowing their unsequential removal from the stack. Ripping documents from prong-type fasteners is undesirable and as mentioned above results in additional problems. One problem in particular is being unable to securely reinsert the torn document around the prongs of the fastener. 
   Therefore in accordance with a salient aspect of the present invention, step  3  has stack A divided into two stacks, stack D and stack C. For clarity in explanation, we will assume that all of the documents in stack C are desired to be disconnected (removed) from fastener  38  and that all documents in stack D are desired to remain aligned and securely bound in fastener  38  after the removal of the stack C. Outer prongs  37  with contained inner prongs  10  are bent 90° away from stack A (i.e., to a generally upright condition). With outer prongs  37  now pointing upward and the topmost extension portion  32  of each outer prong  37  extending through stack A, the outer prongs  37  are bent 90° inward, toward stack A, at or above prong cover  30  (at a location of extension portion  32 ) as shown in step  4 . The significance of bending the outer prongs at a point above prong cover  30  is that, in this area, where outer prong  37  does not contain inner prong  10 , only the outer prong is being bent, leaving inner prong  10  unaffected, unbent and generally upright. 
   Next, in step  5 , stack D is moved upward along outer prongs  37  to a point where the stack contacts the bent portion of outer prongs  37 . In this position the documents in stack D maintain alignment by outer prongs  37  passing therethrough while being unable to slide off over the top of outer prongs  37 . Now, with the top-most paper of stack D in contact with the bent portion of outer prongs  37 , stack D can be moved upward forcibly moving outer prongs  37  upward with it while inner prongs  10  remain in place. The material of extension portion  32  is selected so as to maintain a kink at the bend despite the ordinary change of forces that apply at the location of the bend due to lifting stack D. Stack D will continue upward, carrying outer prongs  37  with it, until outer prongs  37  become slideably detached from inner prongs  10 , exposing tabs  39  extending outward through the bottom of stack D. Referring to step  6 , once detached from stack C and inner prongs  10 , the user, with stack D (including attached outer prongs  37 ) in hand, can bend tabs  39  90° inward to secure stack D proximate its bottom surface (that is, from below). Stack D is now securely bound at its top, by topmost extension portions  32  and at its bottom, by tabs  39 . 
   With outer prongs  37  detached from inner prongs  10  and stack D securely bound by both top and bottom, desired stack C is accessible and can be slideably removed from inner prongs  10 . As mentioned above, once disconnected from fastener  38 , stack C may be permanently or temporarily removed from stack A depending on the user&#39;s needs. For example, the documents in stack C can be run through a photocopy machine after which the user can reinsert stack C back onto inner prongs  10 , maintaining its order within stack A. In any event, referring to step  7 , the process of rejoining stack D with platform B begins with the user holding stack D and bending tabs  39  90° outward from their current position against stack D, resulting in tabs  39  being essentially parallel (unbent and generally pointing downward) to prong cover  30 . Next, each tab  39  of outer prongs  37  is aligned with an outside face of inner prong  10  such that flange  31  can receive a marginal edge of inner prong  10 . Once aligned, outer prongs  37  are slideably guided downward along inner prongs  10  with a marginal edge of each inner prong  10  partially incased by flange  31 . As each outer prong  37  continues downward, flange  31  guides inner prong  10  into prong cover  30 . Once outer prongs  37  have engaged the entire length of inner prongs  10 , the user can slideably move stack D downward around outer prongs  37  until it is brought to rest against platform B. As shown in step  8 , the topmost extension portion  32  of outer prongs  37 , that previous rest against the top of stack D, are now raised and exposed to the user. The user can now bend extension portions  32  90° away from stack D, essentially parallel to prong cover  30 . Referring to step  9 , once straightened, outer prongs  37  can be re-bent 90° toward (or away from) each other at a location below topmost extension portion  32  and brought to rest against stack D thereby securing the sheets of the stack with prong base  11 . 
   The above mentioned unbending and rebending operations of steps  8  and  9 , respectively, serve two purposes. First, outer prongs  37  which were previous bent at the location of the extension portion  32 , or above, were accordingly disconnect from inner prongs  10 . Unbending (straightening) extension portions  32  allows a user to now rebend outer prongs  37  below extension portions  32  resulting in the concurrent bending of inner prongs  10 . This rebending operation secures stack D by a marginal edge of its topmost sheet and secures inner and outer prongs  10  and  37  together. 
   According to an alternative arrangement, once outer prongs  37  have engaged inner prongs  10 , and after stack D is moved downward and brought to rest against platform B (step  8 ), outer prongs  37  can be slideably moved upward and disconnected from inner prongs  10 . In this manner, outer prongs  37  assist the user in detaching stack C and rejoining stack D, after which they can be completely withdrawn and stack D can be fastened in a conventional manner using inner prongs  10 . Additionally, if desired, a conventional compressor  23  ( FIG. 2   a ) can be applied prior to the re-bending operation of step  9 . In such a case, orifices  25  of compressor  23  can be guided around/over unbent outer prongs  37 . Next, compressor  23  is cinched to prong base  11  with stack D therebetween and outer prongs  37  are bent 90° toward each other into the groove of compressor  23 . Outer prongs  37  are locked in place by positioning retainers  26  over the prongs. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , an improved fastening arrangement in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention is shown in conjunction with the fastener of  FIG. 1 . As a departure from the prior art, an outer prong  57  comprising a prong cover  50  with at least first and second bendable tabs  51   a ,  51   b  hingedly depending thereto and terminating in respective free ends is provided for each inner prong  10 . As illustrated in  FIG. 5A , tabs  51   a  and  51   b  of outer prong  57  are configured to align with respective outer and inner faces of inner prong  10  such that prong cover  50  can receive inner prong  10 . Once aligned, outer prong  57  can be slideably guided downward over inner prong  10  with tabs  51   a  and  51   b  guiding inner prong  10  into prong cover  50 . Prong cover  50  and tabs  51   a ,  51   b  may, although not necessary to the spirit of the invention, abut a surface of and at least partially cover inner prong  10 . Additionally, prong cover  50  and tabs  51   a ,  51   b  may be integrally formed with outer prong  57  or alternatively composed of any number of suitable materials and bonded or affixed to a portion of outer prong  57 . 
   Each outer prong  57  is provided with a locking loop  52  for slideably engaging outer prong  57  and securing tabs  51   a  and  51   b  to inner prong  10 . Once outer prong  57  has fully engaged inner prong  10  locking loop  52  can be slideably moved downward around the outside surface of outer prong  57 . As illustrated in  FIG. 5B , in a secured position, locking loops  52  abut the exterior free ends of tabs  51   a  and  51   b  at or near base  11 . With outer prongs  57  fully engaged with inner prongs  10  and locking loops  52  securing tabs  51   a ,  51   b  to inner prong  10  the fastening arrangement is in a position to receive a hole-punched paper stack. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 6A–6B , the steps for binding and unbinding documents utilizing the fastening arrangement of  FIGS. 5A and 5B  is described. The process begins at step  1  with stacking documents with binding holes aligned to form a stack A. Once aligned, the holes passing through stack A form a passageway for receiving outer prongs  57 . Next, in step  2 , stack A is guided over fastener  58  by fitting the holes around outer prongs  57 . Once prongs  57  have completely engaged each document of stack A, extending therethrough, outer prongs  57  are bent 90° toward each other and brought to rest against stack A, thereby securing the sheets of the stack with prong base  11 . Bending outer prongs  57  will result in the concurrent bending of inner prongs  10  and have the additional effect of not only securing stack A, but also securing inner and outer prongs  10  and  57 , respectively, together. 
   Upon completion of the binding operation in step  2  or sometime thereafter, there can be a need to disconnect (remove) a document or stack of documents C lying within the securely bound stack A from fastener  58 . Referring to step  3 , stack A is divided into two stacks, stack D and stack C. For clarity in explanation, we will assume that all of the documents in stack C are desired to be disconnected (removed) from fastener  58  and that all documents in stack D are desired to remain aligned and securely bound in fastener  58  after the removal of the stack C. Outer prongs  57  with contained inner prongs  10  are bent 90° away from stack A (i.e., to a generally upright condition). Referring to step  4 , with outer prongs  57  now pointing upward and extending through stack A, the outer prongs  57  are slideably moved upward creating a length of each outer prong  57  that does not contain inner prong  10  within. Next, outer prongs  57  can be bent 90° inward, toward stack A, in a position that does not contain inner prong  10 . In this position, where outer prong  57  does not contain inner prong  10 , only the outer prong is being bent, leaving each inner prong  10  unaffected, unbent and generally upright. 
   Next, in step  5 , stack D is moved upward along outer prongs  57  to a point where the stack contacts the bent portion of outer prongs  57 . In this position the documents in stack D maintain alignment by outer prongs  57  passing therethrough while being unable to slide off over the top of outer prongs  57 . Now, with the top-most paper of stack D in contact with the bent portion of outer prongs  57 , stack D can be moved upward forcibly moving outer prongs  57  upward with it while inner prongs  10  remain in place. The material of outer prong  57  is selected so as to maintain a kink at the bend despite the ordinary change of forces that are applied at the location of the bend due to lifting stack D. Stack D will continue upward, carrying outer prongs  57  with it, until outer prongs  57  become slideably detached from inner prongs  10 , exposing bendable tabs  51   a  and  51   b  extending outward through the bottom of stack D. Referring to step  6 , once detached from stack C and inner prongs  10 , the user, with stack D (including attached outer prongs  57 ) in hand, can bend tabs  51   a  and  51   b  90° away from each other to secure stack D proximate its bottom surface (that is, from below). Stack D is now securely bound at its top, by the bent portion of outer prongs  57  and at its bottom, by tabs  51   a  and  51   b.    
   With outer prongs  57  detached from inner prongs  10  and stack D securely bound by both top and bottom, desired stack C is accessible and can be slideably removed from inner prongs  10 . As mentioned above, once disconnected from fastener  58 , stack C may be permanently or temporarily removed from stack A depending on the user&#39;s needs. For example, the documents in stack C can be run through a photocopy machine after which the user can reinsert the stack around inner prongs  10 , maintaining its order within stack A. In any event, referring to step  7 , the process of rejoining stack D with platform B begins with the user holding stack D and bending tabs  51   a  and  51   b  90° inward from their current position against stack D, resulting in tabs  51   a  and  51   b  being essentially parallel (unbent and generally pointing downward) to prong cover  50 . Next, each tab of outer prong  57  is aligned with an inner and outer face of inner prong  10  such that prong cover  50  can receive inner prong  10 . Once aligned, the top bent portions of outer prongs  57  can be bent 90° away from stack D (unbent and generally pointing upward) so as to allow inner prongs  10  to engage the full length of outer prongs  57 . Outer prongs  57  are slideably guided downward along inner prongs  10 . As each outer prong  57  continues downward, tabs  51   a  and  51   b  guide inner prong  10  into prong cover  50 . Once outer prongs  57  have engaged the entire length of inner prongs  10 , the user can slideably move stack D downward around outer prongs  57  until it is brought to rest against platform B (step  8 ). Referring to step  9 , the user can now bend outer prongs  57  90° toward (or away from) each other at a location near the top sheet of stack D. Outer prongs are bent to rest against stack D thereby securing the sheets of the stack by a marginal edge of its topmost sheet and securing inner and outer prongs  10  and  57 , respectively, together. 
   According to an alternative arrangement, once outer prongs  57  have engaged inner prongs  10 , and after stack D is moved downward and brought to rest against platform B (step  8 ), locking loops  52  can be engaged around each outer prong  57  and slideably moved downward around the outside surface of each outer prong  57 . Locking loops  52  can be used to further secure tabs  51   a  and  51   b  to inner prong  10 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 7A and 7B , an improved fastening arrangement in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention is shown in conjunction with the fastener of  FIG. 1 . As a departure from the prior art, an outer prong  77  comprising a prong cover  70  with at least first and second bendable tabs  71   a ,  71   b  hingedly depending thereto and terminating in respective free ends is provided for each inner prong  10 . Tabs  71   a  and  71   b  include at least a first side flange  74  extending longitudinally along a portion of the inner face of each tab. Side flange  74  can be disposed on a tab&#39;s edge whereby an adjacent tab does not contain a side flange on the same edge. In this regard, tabs  71   a  and  71   b  do not contain side flanges directly facing each other. 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 7A , tabs  71   a  and  71   b  of outer prong  77  are aligned with respective outer and inner faces of inner prong  10  in such a way for each side flange  74  to receive a marginal edge of inner prong  10 , and for prong cover  70  to receive inner prong  10 . When side flanges  74  receive inner prong  10 , prong cover  70  is aligned with inner prong  10 . Once aligned, outer prong  77  can be slideably guided downward over inner prong  10  with marginal edges of inner prong  10  partially encased by flanges  74 . Flanges  74  assist in guiding inner prong  10  into prong cover  70 . Prong cover  70 , tabs  71   a ,  71   b , and side flanges  74  may, although not necessary to the spirit of the invention, abut a surface of and at least partially cover inner prong  10 . Additionally, prong cover  70 , tabs  71   a ,  71   b , and side flanges  74  may be integrally formed with outer prong  77  or alternatively composed of any number of suitable materials and bonded or affixed to a portion of outer prong  77 . 
   Outer prong  77  is slightly longer in length than inner prong  10 . Accordingly, topmost extension portion  72  extends above prong cover  70  and when outer prong  77  is completely engaged with inner prong  10 , the top-most edge of inner prong  10  abuts an inner top-most surface of prong cover  70 . Extension portion  72  of outer prong  77  does not contain inner prong  10  within, so as to enable selective detachment of a stack of interconnected hole-punched documents from a paper fastener. As with the other components of outer prong  77 , topmost extension portion  72  of outer prong  77  may be integrally formed with prong cover  70 , or attached thereto, and is bendably operable (as are the entire inner and outer prongs). Also, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the above discussed embodiment will function equally well with, or without, extension portion  72  (i.e.,  FIGS. 5 and 6 ). 
   According to an alternative arrangement and as discussed above, each outer prong  77  can be provided with a locking loop for slideably engaging outer prong  77  and further securing tabs  71   a  and  71   b  to inner prong  10 . Once outer prong  77  has fully engaged inner prong  10 , locking loops can be slideably moved downward around the outside surface of outer prong  77 . 
   The steps for binding and unbinding documents utilizing the fastening arrangement of  FIGS. 7A and 7B  begins at step  1  with stacking documents with binding holes aligned to form a stack A. Once aligned, the holes passing through stack A form a passageway for receiving outer prongs  77 . Next, in step  2 , stack A is guided over fastener  78  by fitting the holes around outer prongs  77 . Once prongs  77  have completely engaged each document of stack A, extending therethrough, outer prongs  77  are bent 90° toward each other and brought to rest against stack A, thereby securing the sheets of the stack with prong base  11 . Bending outer prongs  77  in any location other than the topmost extension portion  72  will result in the concurrent bending of inner prongs  10  and have the additional effect of not only securing stack A, but also securing inner and outer prongs  10  and  77  together. 
   Upon completion of the binding operation in step  2  or sometime thereafter, there can be a need to disconnect (remove) a document or stack of documents C lying within the securely bound stack A from fastener  78 . Referring to step  3 , stack A is divided into two stacks, stack D and stack C. For clarity in explanation, we will assume that all of the documents in stack C are desired to be disconnected (removed) from fastener  78  and that all documents in stack D are desired to remain aligned and securely bound in fastener  78  after the removal of the stack C. Outer prongs  77  with contained inner prongs  10  are bent 90° away from stack A (i.e., to a generally upright condition). Referring to step  4 , with outer prongs  77  now pointing upward and the topmost extension portion  72  of each outer prong  77  extending through stack A, the outer prongs  77  are bent 90° inward, toward stack A, at or above prong cover  70  (at a location of extension portion  32 ). The significance of bending the outer prongs at a point above prong cover  70  is that, in this area, where outer prong  77  does not contain inner prong  10 , only the outer prong is being bent, leaving each inner prong  10  unaffected, unbent and generally upright. 
   Next, in step  5 , stack D is moved upward along outer prongs  77  to a point where the stack contacts the bent portion of outer prongs  77 . In this position the documents in stack D maintain alignment by outer prongs  77  passing therethrough while being unable to slide off over the top of outer prongs  77 . Now, with the top-most paper of stack D in contact with the bent portion of outer prongs  77 , stack D can be moved upward forcibly moving outer prongs  77  upward with it while inner prongs  10  remain in place. The material of extension portion  72  is selected so as to maintain a kink at the bend despite the ordinary change of forces that are applied at the location of the bend due to lifting stack D. Stack D will continue upward, carrying outer prongs  77  with it, until outer prongs  77  become slideably detached from inner prongs  10 , exposing bendable tabs  71   a  and  71   b  extending outward through the bottom of stack D. Referring to step  6 , once detached from stack C and inner prongs  10 , the user, with stack D (including attached outer prongs  77 ) in hand, can bend tabs  71   a  and  71   b  90° inward to secure stack D proximate its bottom surface (that is, from below). Stack D is now securely bound at its top, by topmost extension portions  72  and at its bottom, by tabs  71   a  and  71   b.    
   With outer prongs  77  detached from inner prongs  10  and stack D securely bound by both top and bottom, desired stack C is accessible and can be slideably removed from inner prongs  10 . As mentioned above, once disconnected from fastener  78 , stack C may be permanently or temporarily removed from stack A depending on the user&#39;s needs. For example, the documents in stack C can be run through a photocopy machine after which the user can reinsert the stack around inner prongs  10 , maintaining its order within stack A. In any event, referring to step  7 , the process of rejoining stack D with platform B begins with the user holding stack D and bending tabs  71   a  and  71   b  90° outward from their current position against stack D, resulting in tabs  71   a  and  71   b  being essentially parallel (unbent and generally pointing downward) to prong cover  70 . Next, each tab of outer prong  77  is aligned with inner prong  10  such that each side flange  74  can receive a marginal edge of inner prong  10 . Once aligned, outer prongs  77  are slideably guided downward along inner prongs  10  with a marginal edge of each inner prong  10  partially incased by flanges  74 . As each outer prong  77  continues downward, flanges  74  guide inner prong  10  into prong cover  70 . Once outer prongs  77  have engaged the entire length of inner prongs  10 , the user can slideably move stack D downward around outer prongs  77  until it is brought to rest against platform B. As shown in step  8 , the topmost extension portions  72  of outer prongs  77 , that previous rest against the top of stack D, are now raised and exposed to the user. The user can now bend extension portions  72  90° away from stack D, essentially parallel to prong cover  70 . Referring to step  9 , once straightened, outer prongs  77  can be re-bent 90° toward (or away from) each other at a location below topmost extension portion  72  and brought to rest against stack D thereby securing the sheets of the stack with prong base  11 . 
   The above mentioned unbending and re-bending operations of step  8  and  9  serve two purposes. First, outer prongs  77  which were previous bent at the location of the extension portion  72 , or above, were accordingly disconnect from inner prongs  10 . Unbending (straightening) extension portions  72  allows a user to now re-bend outer prongs  77  below extension portions  72  resulting in the concurrent bending of inner prongs  10 . This re-bending operation secures stack D by a marginal edge of its topmost sheet and secures inner and outer prongs  10  and  77  together. 
   According to an alternative arrangement, once outer prongs  77  have engaged inner prongs  10 , and after stack D is moved downward and brought to rest against platform B (step  8 ), outer prongs  77  can be slideably moved upward and disconnected from inner prongs  10 . In this manner, outer prongs  77  assist the user in detaching stack C and rejoining stack D, after which they can be withdrawn and stack D can be fastened in a conventional manner using only inner prongs  10 . 
   Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made by way of example only and that numerous changes in the detailed construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing form the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.