Abstract:
A ring binder includes a housing which partially covers the operating mechanism of the individual rings. The housing is formed as a plurality of individual or discrete housing segments, with a separate housing segment being provided for each of the rings.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to a ring binder, particularly to a ring binder for use in a binder such as a folder, folio, or the like for loose-leaf papers. 
     2. Description of the Background Art 
     In the past, such binders have an operating mechanism comprising two plates which are pivotably mounted with respect to one another with an over-center action so that the ring comprising two ring parts carried by respective plates, can be opened and closed. The mechanism is housed in a continuous housing which encloses the plates from one end to the other. However, this housing is expensive to product and also adds to the weight of the binder. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is accordingly an object of the present invention to seek to mitigate these disadvantages. According to a first aspect of the invention, a ring binder is provided comprising a plurality of discrete housings for an operating mechanism thereof. There may be an elongate element with the housings being spaced apart along the length thereof. This provides for secure holding of papers in a binder. There may be three housings. This provides for positive paper holding, particularly where there may be a housing at each end of the element and one or more intermediate the length thereof. 
     Each housing may be associated with a respective ring of the ring binder. This provides for positive protection of the operating mechanism at the rings. Each housing may comprise a slot for accommodating a respective ring part of a ring. This allows for opening and closing of the ring. Each housing may comprise a seat part for receiving a part of the operating mechanism. This assists in operation, particularly when the seat part may comprise a folded-over edge of the housing to provide a bearing about which a pivotable carrier rail of the operating mechanism can pivot. 
     At least one housing may comprise fastening means for securing the ring binder to a binder cover. The securing means may comprise a hollow rivet. This provides a relatively simple construction. 
     According to a second aspect of the invention, a binder is provided including a ring binder as hereinbefore defined. 
     Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ring binder according to the invention in a closed position; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a ring binder according to the invention in an open position; 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 2; and 
     FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the ring binder according to the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to the drawings, there is shown a ring binder 1 comprising a plurality of discrete housings 5 for an operating mechanism thereof. The ring binder is in the embodiment an elongate member having four rings 2 formed in the closed position by ring parts 2&#39;, 2&#34;, each of which is secured to a pivotable metal carrier plate 3 which are each strengthened by ribs 4. The plates 3 pivot against one another to an over-center position to spring the rings 2 open or close (FIGS. 4, 3). 
     In order to reduce material used for manufacture and to reduce the weight of the ring binder 1, a metal housing 5 is associated with each ring 2 which is convex in the embodiment. Each housing 5 has a pair of lateral blind slots 6 to accommodate pivotal movement of a respective ring part 2&#39;, 2&#34;, and has longitudinally folded over edges 7 which receive a part 8 of a respective carrier plate 3 and in which the part 8 pivots to effect opening and closing of the rings 2. 
     The housings 5 thus act as covers and are preferably spaced equidistantly along the ring binder 1. The housings 5 are spaced apart along a length of the carrier plate 3 such that gaps are formed between adjacent ones of the housings 3. An upper side surface of the carrier plate 3 is visible in areas of the gaps. Approximately one-half of said upper side surface of the carrier plate 3 is visible in the gaps between the housings 3. The gaps between adjacent ones of the housings 3 have a length which is greater than a length of each of said housings 3. A housing 5 is located at each end of the ring binder 1 which has a through hole 9 for receiving a hollow rivet 10 by which the ring binder 1 in use is mounted to a paper, plastic or cardboard binder cover such as a file, folder, folio, portfolio, or the like. 
     The carrier plates 3 and housings 5 may, it will be understood, be made of any suitable material, for example plastic. Also, there may be more, or fewer, than four rings 2, which can also be of any shape, such as circular. 
     The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.