Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a report cover combination that includes a slide lock. The slide lock includes a wall defining a channel. Two edges define a slit extending through the wall of the slide lock along its length, and the longitudinal ends of the slide lock are sloped toward the slit to facilitate the insertion of a folded edge of a report cover into the slit of the slide lock. Preferably two parallel lips protrude inward from the edges of the slide lock at the slit. The report cover includes front and back covers having an outer surface. The front and back covers are connected by a hinge. At least one protrusion extends from at least one of the covers adjacent the hinge. The hinge of the report cover is insertable into the channel of the slide lock through the slit. The protrusion is configured and dimensioned to catch against the opposing edges of the slide lock such that the report cover resists extraction from the slide lock.

Description:
The present invention is directed to report covers. More particularly, the present invention is directed to reusable report covers having a report cover and a bar adapted to hold papers within the report cover. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Report covers have been used to cover papers to keep them clean and unwrinkled. Usually, the report cover is a clear plastic sheet, folded in half, dividing the sheet into front and back covers. Papers are placed between the folded covers. Often a bar is slid over the folded edge to more securely hold the papers within the report cover. 
     One patent disclosing a report cover is U.S. Pat. No. 4,486,632 to Leahy. This patent teaches a cover folder with a binder that is an elongated bar with an elongated channel having a slit opening. The bar includes ribs on an interior surface of the sidewall slanted inwardly and forming an obtuse angle between the rib and the sidewall closest to the slit opening. The ribs engage a folded-over edge of a cover sheet held within the elongated bar. 
     Another patent disclosing a report cover is U.S. Pat. No. 476,363 to Burt. The patent teaches a temporary binder having a U-shape with cylindrical-rolled edges that diverge from each other. Wire rods are enclosed within the rolled edges that clip papers to prevent slipping without scratching or tearing the papers. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,469 to Chin discloses the use of a cover folder with a binding bar and a cover. The binding bar includes oppositely facing sidewalls extending from a back wall to define a slot. The ends of the sidewalls are shaped to define barbs protruding into the slot. The cover is folded in the middle to form a folded edge separating top and bottom panels and includes a plurality of cutouts which are in the shape of semicircular tabs in the top and bottom panels along the folded edge. The cutouts are formed to catch on the barbs, keeping the cover within the binding bar. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,934,738 to Colonna discloses a document binder and cover holder. A body is formed as an elongated clip having two inner strip members joined lengthwise by a spine, forming a U-shaped channel. Branch members are attached to the strip members and extend toward the spine and terminate adjacent the strip member to which it is attached. Documents are inserted between the strip members. Cover papers are inserted between strip members and the branch members. The cover paper is folded back over the binder and document to form top and bottom covers. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention includes an extruded slide lock having walls defining a channel. Two edges define a slit that extends through the wall of the slide lock along its length. The longitudinal ends of the slide lock are sloped toward the slit to facilitate the insertion of an edge of a report cover into the slit. Preferably, two parallel lips protrude inward into the channel from the edges of the slide lock at the slit. 
     The present invention also includes a report cover. The report cover includes front and back covers connected by a hinge. The hinge of the report cover is insertable into the slit of the slide lock. A protrusion preferably is included on at least one of the covers that is insertable within the slide lock to assist in preventing the extraction of the report cover from the slide lock. In one embodiment, the protrusions are two flaps formed by five folds, including the hinge, resulting in a diamond shape that connects front and back covers of the report cover. First and second folds of the diamond are folded forward of the remainder of the diamond and are slidably received in the channel of the slide lock. Also, preferably the upper and lower ends of the report cover adjacent a hinge are notched toward the first and second folds of the diamond, such that the flaps are tapered when folded forward over the covers to facilitate the mounting of the slide lock thereover without catching on the ends of the slide lock. 
     In another embodiment, the protrusion is a bump or nub formed in the front and back covers substantially along the length and adjacent the hinge. The bump extends outward from the exterior surface of the cover. Preferably, one bump is formed in each cover along the length of the hinge. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Reference is made to a brief description of the drawings, which are intended to illustrate embodiments of the report cover of the present invention. 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the bind report cover according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the slide lock according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a side view of the slide lock according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a top view of the slide lock according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 4A is a top view of another version of the slide lock according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is an end view of the slide lock according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 5A is a detail of part of the slide lock of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 6 is front view of a report cover according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is an end view of a first embodiment of the report cover as partially folded according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 7A is an end view of the first embodiment of the report cover as folded according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 7B is a front view of the first embodiment of the report cover as folded according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 8 is a front view of a second embodiment of a report cover according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 9 is an end view of the second embodiment of the report cover as folded according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 10 is a front view of a third embodiment of a report cover according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 11 is a front view of a another version of the third embodiment of the report cover according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 12 is an end view of the third embodiment of the report cover according to the present invention; and 
     FIG. 12A is an end view of another version of the third embodiment of the report cover according to the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to FIG. 1, a report cover  20  according to the present invention features a slide lock  22  and a report cover  24 . Papers are placed within the report cover  24  and the slide lock  22  is slid over a folded edge  26  of the report cover  24  to clamp and hold the papers within the report cover  24 . 
     Referring to FIG. 2, the slide lock or clamp  22  is preferably an elongated elliptical bar having two longitudinal ends  28  and  30 . As shown in FIG. 3, the slide lock  22  defines a hollow channel  32  and one portion  34  of the slide lock  22  features two edges  36  and  38  defining a slit  40  therebetween that accommodates and clamps the report cover  24  and papers. Preferably, this slit  40  has a small width and the edges  36  and  38  are biased towards or against each other by the bar and can be in contact in a naturally assumed position of the slide lock  22 . As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the longitudinal ends  28  and  30  of the slide lock  22  are tapered toward the slit  40 . This facilitates insertion of the report cover  24  within the slit  40 , as the edge of the report cover inserted is guided along the narrowing space in the ends  28  and  30  towards the slit  40 . Preferably as shown in FIG. 4, the ends  28  and  30  are also curved as they taper to the slit  40 . However as shown in FIG. 4A, the ends  28  and  30  can be made to taper in a straight line. The ends are preferably tapered at an angle  43  of less than 85 degrees with respect to a longitudinal axis of the slide lock. 
     FIG. 5 is an end view of the slide lock  22 . As shown, preferably the slide lock  22  has an elliptical cross-section. Most preferably, as shown, the cross-section is substantially oval shaped. The oval cross-section provides a rigid construction. Other suitable shaped cross-sections may be used such as circular, square, rectangular or any other shape known to those skilled in the art. The slide lock  24  has an inner side wall  41 . As shown in FIG. 5A, preferably the edges  36  and  38  of the slide lock  22  defining the slit  40  each feature a lip or projection  42  and  44  located on the edge  36  and  38  that forms the slit  40 . The lips  42  and  44  preferably face inward into the channel  32  of the elongated bar  22 . As shown, preferably the lips  42  and  44  are in parallel relation to each other. The lips  42  and  44  assist in keeping the report cover  24  within the slide lock  22 , such that it will not easily slip out of the slide lock  22 . Preferably, the report cover  24  includes front and back covers joined by a hinge and at least one of the covers includes a protrusion adjacent the hinge extending therefrom. The slide lock  22  is preferably made of a high-impact polystyrene or ABS. Preferably, the slide lock is made by extruding the material and then cutting to the desired shape. 
     An embodiment of a report cover  24  is shown in FIG.  6 . This embodiment features five folds  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52  and  54  separating a front cover  56  from a back cover  58 . The report cover of FIG. 6 is made of a single piece of material, but one cover can be made of a different material and attached to the other cover having the folds. The report cover is preferably made of a semi-rigid PVC or polypropylene. A more flexible material can also be used. In an alternative embodiment, the front cover and the folded part are made of a semi-rigid PVC or polypropylene, and the back cover is formed of a paper product such as cardboard, craft paper, manilla paper or any other paper known to those skilled in the art. 
     The report cover  24  features a center fold or hinge  46  separating the front and back covers  56  and  58 , and two additional folds  48 ,  52  and  50 ,  54  are made on each side of this center fold or hinge  46 . As shown in FIG. 7, these folds  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52 , and  54  are initially folded to form a diamond shape  60 . Preferably the first and second folds  48  and  50  and the third and fourth folds  52  and  54  are equidistant from the center fold  46 . Between the center fold  46  and the first and second folds  48  and  50  are a first and second fold panels  62  and  64 . Also, between the first and second folds  48  and  50  and the third and fourth folds  52  and  54 , respectively, are a third and fourth fold panels  66  and  68 . Preferably, the first and second fold panels  62  and  64  are wider than the third and fourth fold panels  66  and  68 . As shown in FIG. 7A, two flaps  70  and  72  are formed. Flap  70  includes the first and third fold panels  62  and  66  on one side of the center fold  46 , and flap  72  includes the second and fourth fold panels  64  and  68  on the other side of the center fold  46 . The two flaps  70  and  72  are formed by folding the first and second folds  48  and  50  of the diamond  60  forward of the remainder of the diamond  60  such that the first and second fold panels  62  and  64  are disposed alongside the third and fourth  66  and  68  fold panels, respectively. 
     As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7B, preferably, the upper and lower ends  74  and  76  adjacent the center fold  46  of the report cover  24  are notched toward the first and second folds  48  and  50  of the diamond  60 , such that the flaps  70  and  72  tapered at the upper and lower ends  74  and  76  when folded over the covers  56  and  58  to facilitate the mounting of the slide lock  22  thereover without catching on the ends  28  and  30  of the slide lock  22 . Preferably, the flaps  70  and  72  are tapered at an angle  75  of less than 85 degrees with respect to a length of the flaps  70  and  72 . The tapered sides also help to guide the report cover into the slit of the slide lock. The slide lock  22  is slid over the report cover  24  by inserting one of the notched end  74  and  76  of the report cover  24  within the slit  40  at one of the tapered ends  28  and  30  of the slide lock. The report cover  24  is then slid such that the folds  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52 , and  54  are completely within the slide lock  22  and that the flaps  70  and  72  remain within the channel  32  of the slide lock  22  to securely hold the report cover  24  within the slide lock  22 . The flaps  70  and  72  abut the inner side wall  41  of the slide lock  22  assisting in preventing the report cover  24  from slipping out of the slide lock  22 . Preferably, the report cover  24  is manufactured by die-cutting the material to the desired shape. Then the material is folded by applying heat and pressure. 
     Another embodiment of the report cover  24  is shown in FIGS. 8-9. The report cover  24  is made of two different materials. The back cover  58  is made of a different material than the front cover  56 . Preferably the front cover  56  is made of a semi-rigid PVC or polyethylene and the back cover  58  is made of a paper product such as card board, manilla paper, craft paper and other such paper known to those skilled in the art. An attachment portion  78  is included on each cover  56  and  58  where the covers overlap. Preferably, an adhesive or glue is used on the attachment portion  78  to join the two cover portions  56  and  58  to form the report cover  24 . Other fastening devices known to those skilled in the art may be used such as staples, snaps, and heat sealing. As shown in FIG. 9, preferably the front cover  56  features the folds  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52 , and  54  as described above forming the two flaps  70  and  72  that are insertable within the slide lock  22  to form the report cover  20 . The panels  66  and  68  are narrower than panels  62  and  64 . 
     FIG. 10 shows the preferred embodiment of the report cover  24 . The report cover  24  includes front and back covers  80  and  82  connected by a fold  84 . Additional folds may be included to accommodate larger stacks of paper. As shown in FIG. 11, the front and back covers  80  and  82  have inner and outer surfaces  86  and  88 . Preferably the report cover  24  is made of a single piece of material such as a semi-rigid PVC or polypropylene. However, different materials, such as those discussed above, can be joined to each other using adhesives or other like methods of attaching report cover sections known to those skilled in the art. 
     At least one elongated bump  90  is formed adjacent the fold or hinge  84 . Preferably, as shown in FIG. 10, the report cover  24  features a bump  90  on each cover  80  and  82  that extends along the length of the fold  84 . As shown in FIG. 11, the bumps  90  can stop short of top and bottom ends  91  and  93  of the report cover  22 , such that the bumps  90  do not extend along the entire length of the fold  84 . Also, more than one bump  90  can be included on either cover  80  and  82 . As shown in FIG. 12, the bumps  90  are formed projecting from the outer surface  88  of the covers. As shown in FIG. 12A, multiple folds  84  are used to accommodate larger stacks of paper. The fold  84  and bumps  90  are insertable within the slide lock channel  32 , and assist in preventing the report cover  24  from sliding out of the slide lock  22 . The bumps  90  catch on the inner wall  41  and edges  36  and  38  of the slide lock to prevent the report cover from sliding out of the slide lock. The bumps  90  can be of a variety of sizes and shapes so long as they fit within the slide lock  22 . For example, the bumps may be rounded, square or triangular shaped or any other shape known to those skilled in the art. Further, many bumps, a few or even a single elongated bump may be provided as shown in FIGS. 10-12A. The report cover  24  is preferably made by die-cutting the material to the desired shape and using heat and pressure to form the fold. The bumps  90  are preferably formed in the report cover  24  using heated rollers. 
     While the above invention has been described with reference to certain preferred embodiments, it should be kept in mind that the scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. For example, the report cover can be made of three separate pieces, a front cover, a folded section, and a back cover, where each piece is adhesively secured to the adjacent pieces. One skilled in the art may find variations of these preferred embodiments which, nevertheless, fall within the spirit of the present invention, whose scope is defined by the claims set forth below. Thus, is understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and embodiments which come within the spirit and scope of the present invention.