Abstract:
An adjustable binding system with a binding portion that can bind together papers, dividers, a backing, and other material. The binding portion can open and close to facilitate organizing, adding, removing, etc. The binding portion can have hinged parts that connect mating pairs of binding elements, such as protrusions inserted into hole-punched paper, and connected to another element to form a binding within the binding portion. The binder can have a minimal profile to provide a customizable binder with the feel of a disposable notepad.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/563,519 filed Nov. 23, 2011. The entire disclosure of the above-referenced application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present subject matter relates generally to a notepad in which the pages can be replaced and/or resorted. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Known notepads have a permanent binding. For example, a common notepad can include a set of blank or ruled papers (with an optional perforation for easy permanent removal of one or more pages) bound to a backing, which is typically a piece of cardboard of the same size as the papers. Typical bindings include staples through a top portion of each paper and the backing above the perforation line. These can also include a cardboard topper, approximately the same size as the perforated section, stapled on the front side of the stack, along with the backing on the rear side of the stack. The stapled pages, backing, and topper can have a cover affixed around the end (e.g., covering the topper, the top edge of the papers, and a top portion of the backing). Logos are often printed on this cover. The construction of typical notepads is made for production and minimizing bulk, since the notepads are barely thicker than the stack of sheets they contain, and practically no larger in length and width. Notepads tend to be designed for single use. Once the papers are used and optionally removed, they are not replaceable, so the notepad is discarded. 
         [0004]    Common reusable binders are also known, such as ring binders, which allow for reuse and reorganization. These binders often have round or D-shaped rings that open to receive hole-punched papers and close to temporarily bind them. Papers can be removed, added, and reorganized, and they can be flipped around the rings to the opposite side of the rings. Further, partitions and/or tabbed dividers can be added and removed. These binders tend to be bulky compared to notepads. 
         [0005]    It is desirable to provide an improved binding arrangement that is reusable and organizable, while having a minimal profile, similar to a disposable notepad. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    An adjustable binding system, including punched paper, that can include a plurality of sheets of paper having aligned punched holes. The binding system can include a binding portion having a first portion hingedly connected to a second portion, where the second portion can include protrusions aligned with the punched holes of the punched paper configured to be inserted through the punched holes to retain the punched paper, and where the first portion can include retaining features in alignment with the protrusions to cooperatively and releasably secure the binding portion to the punched paper. A width of the binding can be approximately equal to a width of the punched paper. The height of the binding portion can be greater than but similar to a height of the punched paper. The length of the protrusions can be greater than but similar to the height of the punched paper. 
         [0007]    The protrusions can extend through and past the first portion. The protrusions can include teeth and the retaining feature can include a lock element aligned with the teeth and configured to be releasably held by the teeth to releasably secure the binding portion. The protrusions can also include two sets of teeth on two sides of a dividing wall and the retaining feature can include two lock elements on either side of a gap aligned with the two sets of teeth and dividing wall to be releasably held by the teeth to releasably secure the binding portion. The first portion can include a grabbing feature extending away from the punched paper secured by the binding portion. The protrusions can extend through and past the first portion but at a distance past the first portion less than the grabbing feature extends away from the binding portion. 
         [0008]    The binding system can also include a backing having a width dimension and length dimension approximately equal to the width and a length of the punched paper. The height of the backing can be less than the height of the punched paper and greater than a height of a sheet of paper within the punched paper. The backing can be substantially more ridged than a sheet of the punched paper. The binding system can also include at least one divider having a width and a length approximately equal to the width and length of the punched paper. the divider(s) can be more ridged than a sheet of the punched paper and less ridged than the backing. A tab feature on an edge can protrude beyond a remaining portion of that edge. The paper and dividers can be removable, reordered, reinserted, etc. 
         [0009]    Another adjustable binding system can include a mating pair of first and second binding elements. The binding system can include a binding unit having a second portion connected via a hinge to a first portion. The first binding element can be attached to the first portion, and the second binding element can be attached to the second portion. The first and second portions can be aligned by the hinge such that first and second elements mate to form a binding. Also, the binding unit can include a width along the hinge and a length perpendicular to the hinge, and the width can be at least three times larger than the length. 
         [0010]    The binding system can include paper including a plurality of sheets of paper with aligned holes configured to have first or second binding element inserted therethrough. The hole-punched paper can be a width approximately equal to the width of the binding unit, and a length greater than the width of the binding unit. The binding system can include a backing, and can have a width approximately equal to the width of the binding unit and a length approximately equal to the length of the punched paper. 
         [0011]    The first portion can cover a portion of a top-most sheet of the paper. This portion can be less than 20% of the top-most sheet. The paper can include a perforation line running a width of the sheet and dividing a part of the sheet that includes the aligned holes and a remaining portion of the sheet. The perforation line can be near the aligned holes and the remaining portion of the sheet can be substantially larger than the part of the sheet that includes the aligned holes. 
         [0012]    The binding unit can bind a maximum thickness of bound material when the first and second binding elements are mated. The binding unit can have a height perpendicular to both the width and the length measured from a top of the first portion to a bottom of the first portion. The height can be larger than but approximately equal to the maximum thickness. The height can be less than 10% greater than the maximum thickness of bound material. The first binding element can be affixed to or integrally formed from the first portion. The second binding element can be affixed to or integrally formed from the second portion. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present concepts, by way of example only, not by way of limitations. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is an view of an unassembled notepad device constructed according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a view thereof in an assembled form; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the binding unit thereof in a closed position; 
           [0017]      FIGS. 4 and 5  are front perspective views of the binding unit thereof in an open position; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a rear perspective view of the binding unit in thereof in an open position; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the binding unit thereof in an open position; 
           [0020]      FIGS. 8-10  are side views of the binding unit thereof in different closed positions; 
           [0021]      FIGS. 11 and 12  are rear and front perspective views of a binding unit of another exemplary embodiment in an open position; 
           [0022]      FIG. 13  is a front perspective view of the binding unit of the embodiment of  FIGS. 11 and 12  with a stack of paper and a base portion to be attached thereto; and 
           [0023]      FIGS. 14 and 15  are front and rear perspective views of a binding unit of another embodiment in open and closed positions, respectively. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary embodiment can include a removable binding unit  100 , a stack of papers  130 , dividers  140 , and a base portion unit  150  (e.g., a backing panel). Binding unit  100  can include a first binding portion  101  movably, and preferably pivotally, connected to a second binding portion  105 , such as by hinge  102 . The first and second binding portions  101 , 105  in this embodiment include upper and lower members  126  and  128 , respectively (as referenced in  FIGS. 5 and 7 ), each with inner and outer surfaces  127 , 129  and  123 , 125  that are preferably substantially flat to create a low profile when engaged against the upper and lower surfaces of a stack of papers with or without a base member. The inner and outer surfaces  127 , 129  and  123 , 125  are preferably parallel in a closed position about a full stack as shown in  FIG. 1 . The inner surfaces  127 , 129  preferably are free of protrusions except for protrusions meant to engage paper bound therein, such as through holes of the paper, although alternative embodiments have other configurations. The outer surfaces  123 , 125  can be completely flat can have protrusions, although any protrusions therefrom are preferably kept to a minimum to provide the feel of a traditional notepad. 
         [0025]    The binding portions  101 , 105  preferably include a binding protrusion, configured for reception through holes in the held stack of paper, and a locking member configured for locking the binding portions in a closed position. In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the binding protrusion and locking member are combined. Specifically, as shown in  FIGS. 1-10 , the second binding portion  105  of this embodiment has a binding/locking protrusion  106  extending towards an interior of portion  101  in alignment with a second binding feature  107  disposed on the first binding portion  101 . Other configurations of the binding unit  100  are also possible. For example, additional exemplary embodiments described below include two hinges, e.g., connecting three straight portions. The binding unit  100  can be configured to align and connect protrusion  106  with feature  107  when bent at hinge  102  (e.g., at an inner angle of 180 degrees or less). 
         [0026]    Protrusions  106  can be dimensioned to fit within a standard paper hole-punch (e.g., protrusions  106  can be smaller than about 0.35 inches in diameter (width), e.g., 0.3 inches). A stack of paper  130  (e.g., a plurality of aligned sheets of paper) can include holes aligned with the binding features  106 , 107 . For example, each sheet can have a standard hole-punch of about 0.35 inches in diameter, which can have a center point located some distance (e.g., about 0.375 inches) from the top edge and some distance (e.g., about 1.25 inches) from a side edge. Likewise, dividers  140  can be configured to approximately the same size as sheets  130 , or other suitable sizes, including having a protruding tab  141 . Dividers  140  can also include aligned holes to fit over binding protrusions  106 . Likewise, base portion  150  can be configured to approximately the same size as sheets  130  or any other size (e.g., having the same width as sheets  130  and dividers  140 , with having a length similar to an extended length at tab feature  141 ). 
         [0027]    Other exemplary embodiments can include a cover, such as another base portion  150  to be included over sheets  130 , or preferably sheets  130  can remain uncovered, similar to a notepad. Sheets  130  can be bound together into a unit, bound into several units, or left as a stack of loose sheets. Each sheet or unit can be rearranged in different orders, with dividers  140  inserted in any order, between, above, or below any number of particular sheets  130 . Sheets can be added, removed, and/or reinserted, all by opening binding unit  100 , and subsequently rebinding/closing binding unit  100 .  FIG. 2  shows the assembled notepad  90  with dividers  140  that have been inserted in various places within pages  130  over base portion  150 , and are all being held together by binding unit  100 . 
         [0028]    The binding unit  100  is shown in  FIG. 3  in a closed position (e.g., in a bound position), but without papers  130 , dividers  140  or base portion  150  inserted therein. Binding protrusion  106  can pass through binding feature  107  and, in certain embodiments, interface with feature  107  in a securing/binding connection. This connection is further illustrated in  FIGS. 4-10 , and as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , binding protrusion  106  can connect and lock with feature  107 . Moreover, protrusion  106  can have a degree of flexibility to move away from a locking edge  320  of feature  107 , toward the center of feature  107 . Pinching element  310  can assist a user in opening binding unit  100  by providing a surface to cooperatively pinch with manipulable portion  108  of protrusion  106 , moving protrusion  106  toward pinching element  310 , which can move protrusion  106  toward the center of  107 , unlocking it from a locking wall of  107 , and allowing first binding portion  101  to hinge open and disengage. In this way, protrusion  106  can be flexible/resilient to enable manual disengagement and further facilitate the engagement. Protrusion  106  can be tall enough to span the gap between first and second binding portions  101 , 105  in the closed position (at least when the upper and lower members  126 ,  128  are parallel) to close off openings therebetween through which papers could slide out of the binding. 
         [0029]    Protrusion  106  can include a number of teeth  315  and be arcuate, or any number of other suitable shapes. Each tooth can have a sloped, ratcheting surface  318  leading to a locking shelf  319 , as seen in  FIG. 8 . The ratcheting surfaces  318  are angled with respect to the axis of hinge  102  and the second portion  105  to ratchet the first portion  101  into a closed position (shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 ), and from there into successively more closed positions (shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 ). The locking shelves  319 , lock in each position against further opening or opening to a more open closed position, such as from a closed position, for example shown in  FIG. 10 , to a more opened closed position, for example as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . Curvature of the binding protrusion  106  can correspond to the pivoting motion of the binding portions, as shown with radial lines  321  in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0030]    The top of protrusion  106  can enter feature  107 , which can include an engagement ledge  320 , which can be slopped to facilitate nesting with teeth  315 . As first binding portion  101  is hinged closed, the engagement ledge  320  of feature  107  facing teeth  315  can lock between two teeth, providing a removable binding. Protrusion  106  may be required to be pulled away from the locking wall, or preferably, teeth  315  can be configured such that closing the first binding portion  101  pushes the protrusion  106  such that protrusion  106  applies a resisting tension against the engagement ledge  320  of feature  107 . The engagement ledge  320  of feature  107  can sit between or beyond any of the teeth  315 , which can provide an adjustable dimension to the binding unit  100  (e.g., can securely bind different thicknesses of materials). 
         [0031]    Angle  322  (shown in  FIG. 7 ) between the peak of two adjacent teeth, radially measured from the hinge  102  can include a suitable number of sizes, such as 1 degree, 10 degrees, or any suitable magnitude of angle  322  therebetween. Teeth sizes and slopes can be configured to support any number of suitable locked positions, for any number of suitable angle degrees  322 . Locking shelf  319  defines a recess with a depth extending radially away from the hinge  102  to receive and retain the locking ledge  320  of the binding portion  101 . The locking shelf  319  can be any number of suitable depths from about 1 millimeter to about 10 millimeters or any suitable sizes therebetween, and should be sufficient to provide the locking engagement with ledge  320 . The sloped angles of each tooth  315 , including ratcheting surfaces  318  and locking shelves  319 , can be configured at an angle that generally corresponds with the hinged movement, e.g., the radial arch of binding portion  101  as hinge  102  is pivoted. 
         [0032]      FIG. 6  illustrates another view of binding unit  100 . In this view, the locking ledge  320  of feature  107  is visible from a top angle, and can include a sloped or recessed wall configured in alignment with the teeth  315  of binding protrusion  106 .  FIG. 7  illustrates a side perspective with binding unit  100  in the opened position, and protrusion  106  with teeth  315  fully disengaged with aligned feature  107  (not visible).  FIG. 8  illustrates the side perspective with binding unit  100  in the closed position forming a “U” shape as hinge  102  connects portions  101  and  105  in a straight line. Here, with a stack of papers such as  130  (not shown) having a total thickness of approximately distance  325 , the binding unit  100  can substantially resemble a notepad arrangement, and provide a minimalist and substantially flush binding for such papers  130  and dividers  140 , etc. As shown, portion  105  may be longer than portion  101 , or alternatively may be equal or shorter in length. Hinge  120  can be located halfway up the hinged wall, at either corner (e.g., causing one portion to be straight and the other to have an “L” shape), or anywhere therebetween. In  FIG. 8 , of the locking ledge  320  of feature  107  is shown in the first tooth  315  position. In  FIG. 9 , of the locking ledge  320  of feature  107  is shown in the second tooth  315  position, thereby causing a shorter distance  326  between portion ends.  FIG. 10  illustrates locking wall  320  of feature  107  between the last and second to last tooth  315 , causing an even shorter distance  327  between portion ends. While not shown, other exemplary embodiments can be configured to allow of the locking ledge  320  of feature  107  to rotate past the last tooth  315 , and thereby fix portion  101  by the last tooth  315  in an upward direction and portion  105  (and/or any bound materials) in a downward direction. 
         [0033]      FIG. 11  illustrates another exemplary binding unit  400 , including first portion  401 , second portion  405 , and connecting hinge  402 . First portion  401  can include a binding feature  407  with a locking tongue  420 , which can be a segment of the locking wall of the locking ledge  320  or other locking feature of  107 . The tongue  420  can be thinner than first and second binding portions  101 , 105  to provide greater flexibility. Tongue  420  can include two locking tongue halves separated by a gap, as illustrated in  FIG. 11 . Binding feature  407  can be dimensioned and aligned to receive binding protrusion  406 , which can include one, two, or more sets of teeth  415 . For example, binding unit  400  can include two binding protrusions  406 , each with two sets of teeth  415  separated by a wall  416 . The wall can be aligned to fit into the gap  417  between locking walls  420 . In the prior exemplary binding unit, the binding protrusion  406  flexed to facilitate a locking nesting with feature  107 . Here, protrusion  406  can also flex, or preferably remain rigid, while locking walls  420  provide sufficient flex to pass over teeth  415  and nest therein. Locking walls  420  can also have a sloped end to help facilitate nesting, while teeth  415  can also have slopes to facilitate progression through the teeth. Teeth  415  can be arranged along a curve within the structure of protrusion  406 , similar to the arched arrangement of teeth  315 . Similarly, teeth  415  can include locking shelves angled to correspond to different radial positions of binding portion  401  at different angles of hinge  402 . Tongue halves  420  can also be sloped, to facilitate flexing during ratcheting down into the closed and locked positions.  FIG. 12  shows another angle of binding unit  400 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 13  illustrates another binding unit  600  similar to binding units  400  and  500 , with a different exemplary prying portion  610 , located on the corner of first portion  401 .  FIG. 13  also illustrates an exemplary pad of paper  130 , with holes  65  for insertion over binding protrusions. The holes can include any number of suitable sized diameters, such as about 0.1 inches to about 0.5 inches or any suitable size therebetween, preferably about 0.35 inches. The holes, e.g., the center of the hole, can be located distance  61  from the paper stack  130  edge. This can be any suitable distance such as about 0.5 inches to about 1.5 inches or any suitable size therebetween, preferably about&#39;1.25 inches. Holes  65  can be located distance  62  from the paper stack  130  top edge. This can be any distance such as about 0.1 inches to about 0.5 inches or any size therebetween, preferably 0.375 inches. Holes  65  can be included on a perforation strip  70  defined by a perforation line  136 . Perforation strip  70  can be any portion of the notepad including distance  63 . This can be any distance such as about 0.5 inches to about 1.5 inches or any size therebetween, preferably 0.75 inches. The pad can include a width  60  substantially similar to a width of the binding unit  600 , which also can be any distance, including at least about 4 inches to about 15 inches or any size or range therebetween. Preferably, paper width  60  can have a standard size of about 8.5 inches, or any other suitable size associated with a standard paper size format. 
         [0035]      FIG. 14  illustrates another exemplary binding unit  500 , similar to binding unit  400 , and with a prying feature  410 , which can be used by a user to assist with opening (e.g., de-binding) binding unit  500 .  FIG. 15  illustrates exemplary binding unit  500 , with portions  401  and  405  in the closed position, along with protrusion  406  within feature  407 , and locking walls  420  nested within teeth  415  (not shown). 
         [0036]    While the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the foregoing drawings includes at least two different binding mechanisms, other mechanisms are also possible, including single nesting area mechanisms (e.g., without multiple teeth). Binding sets can come with a backing such as a base portion, a cover, dividers, tabbed dividers, loose sheets of paper, sheets bound into one or more groups, or any number of other configurations or set groupings. In certain exemplary embodiments, the binding unit can create a substantially flat (e.g., “U” shaped profile) and flush binding, similar in appearance to a notepad&#39;s profile, but with configurable features illustrated in the above exemplary embodiments. Other exemplary embodiments can be substantially flat and flush, except for pinching, prying, and/or grabbing features, and/or binding protrusions extending past the top (e.g., first) portion. 
         [0037]    Exemplary embodiments can be formed from any number of sizes, materials, shapes, dimensions, and/or thicknesses. For example, the thickness of portion  101  or portion  105  can be about half a millimeter, about 10 millimeters, or any size therebetween. The width of binding units (e.g.,  100 ) can be any size, including standard paper sizes, for example 8.5 inches or the width of A4 standard paper. The length of the major surface of a binding portion (e.g.,  101 ), can be about a quarter inch to several inches or any size therebetween, and preferably can be about ⅞ of an inch or about an inch. The height of exemplary binding units can be about ⅛ of an inch to several inches (e.g., three) or any size therebetween, and preferably about a quarter of an inch. The bound material can have a maximum thickness, e.g., a maximum thickness where aligned binding elements can still nest or still nest in their maximum position for multi-position elements. This maximum thickness can be any dimension, including 1/32 of an inch to several inches (e.g., three) or any size therebetween). The height of exemplary binding units less the maximum thickness of bound material for those exemplary binding units can define an added thickness, e.g., a thickness greater than the maximum thickness added to the bound embodiments by the binding unit itself. This added thickness can be any size, or any proportional size to the maximum thickness. For example, the added thickness can be about 1 percent of the maximum thickness, thereby creating a substantially flush binding. The added thickness can preferably be about or less than 10% or 5% of the maximum thickness, thereby again creating a maximum added thickness in proportion to the overall possible thickness (e.g., 110% of the maximum thickness). 
         [0038]    Any and/or all of the references specifically identified in the detailed description section of the present application are expressly incorporated herein in their entirety by reference thereto. The term “about” and “approximately,” as used herein, should generally be understood to refer to both the corresponding number and a range of numbers. Moreover, all numerical ranges herein should be understood to include each whole integer within the range. Also, exemplary paper, dividers, and other materials can be of any size, shape, and/or material, including standard sizes, e.g., letter, legal, A4, etc. 
         [0039]    While illustrative embodiments of the invention are disclosed herein, it will be appreciated that numerous modifications and other embodiments may be devised by those skilled in the art. For example, the features for the various embodiments can be used in other embodiments. Therefore, it will be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and embodiments that come within the spirit and scope of the present invention.