Abstract:
A binder insert with a folder portion and a clip. The folder portion defines at least one ring aperture configured and dimensioned to receive and mount to rings of a binder. The folder portion also has a first sheet defining a clip-mounting aperture and a second sheet facing the first sheet. The clip includes first and second clip portions resiliently biased toward each other. The clip is mounted to the first sheet through the clip-mounting aperture, and the first and second clip portions are disposed in a clamping position on the exterior of the first and second sheets and compressively engaged against the sheets to bias them against each other.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Known folders used for the orderly arrangement of paper include binders, ring binders, and folders using tongue lock systems, have retaining means which necessitate at least one perforation in each sheet of paper or card which is to be placed therein. However, it is often desirable to maintain the integrity of a sheet of paper or other such article and avoid perforation. Accordingly, a binder insert used in combination with such a folder can avoid perforating a sheet of paper or other article while still being able to maintain the use of such a folder to organize papers. Furthermore, often times it is desirable to organize articles other than sheets of paper in a ring binder. For example, attaching a computer disk, compact disc or audiocassette tape to a ring binder typically requires a separate attachment means. For optimal convenience and accessibility, binder inserts of this type should securely hold the sheet and/or other articles and be readily positionable in a binder while securely maintaining the article with the binder insert. 
     It is also desirable to be able to remove subsets of information out of a binder easily, especially frequently accessed information. In this regard, it is also desirable to maintain the integrity of a sheet such as a paper document during its filing, retrieval and transport. For example, certain sheets such as photographs may require special handling so as to not only prevent perforation but also to prevent damage such as markings or tearing of the sheet during transportation. Accordingly a binder insert providing sheet protection as well as an appropriate securing means that prevents tearing the document is desired. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     A binder insert with a folder portion and a clip. The folder portion preferably defines at least one ring aperture configured and dimensioned to receive and mount to rings of a binder. The folder portion also preferably has a first sheet defining a clip-mounting aperture and a second sheet facing the first sheet. The clip includes first and second clip portions resiliently biased toward each other. The clip is mounted to the first sheet through the clip-mounting aperture, and the first and second clip portions are disposed in a clamping position on the exterior of the first and second sheets and compressively engaged against the sheets to bias them against each other. 
     This permits papers or other objects to be held to the rings of a binder, such as a ring binder, without puncturing or deforming the papers. The papers can be easily inserted or extracted, and the entire insert can be removed from the binder for use as a folder or a writing tablet. One of the embodiments has a writing tablet, with a protective sheet also movably attached thereto with the clip. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the binder insert of the present invention in combination with a conventional ring binder type notebook; 
     FIG. 2 is a top view of the first embodiment of the binder insert; 
     FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the binder insert of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view if the binder insert of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 5 is a top view of a second embodiment of the binder insert of the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the binder insert of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 is a side view of the binder insert of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of a clip of the binder insert of FIG. 5 in the unclamped position; 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the binder insert of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 10 is a horizontal sectional view of the binder insert of FIG. 2 taken along the line A—A of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 11 is a horizontal sectional view of the binder insert of FIG. 2 with a sheet therein; 
     FIG. 12 is a horizontal sectional view of the binder insert of FIG. 5 taken along the line B—B of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 13 is a horizontal sectional view of the binder insert of FIG. 5 with a sheet therein taken along the line B—B of FIG. 5; and 
     FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of an attachment means of the binder insert of FIG.  5 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention is directed to a sheet bolder, such as a binder insert to be used in combination with a ringed notebook or binder. FIG. 1 shows an exemplary combination in accordance with the present invention with a binder insert  20 , and an arrangement for supporting the insert within a ring binder  10 . The preferred ring binder  10  is a conventional loose-leaf ring binder or notebook having two rigid, rectangular panels forming front and back covers  12 ,  13  that are each hingedly connected along one edge to an elongated spine  14 . A binding mechanism has a plurality of similar metal rings  15  that can be opened and closed and are preferably evenly spaced along spine  14  or one of the front and back covers  12 ,  13 . Rings  15  can preferably be opened and closed by depressing or raising two tabs  16 ,  17  at opposite ends of spine  14 . Rings  15  are typically spring-loaded so that the two legs  18 ,  19  of each ring snap shut on the application of a small amount of pressure. Ring binder  10  is configured to contain a plurality of rectangular paper pages (not shown) that fit between front and back covers  12 ,  13  and have holes punched therein that receive the rings. Thus, the pages can be turned individually when rings  15  are closed, and can be removed by opening the rings. The most common ringed notebook size in the United States is designed for punched paper sheets that are 8½×11 inches in dimension. However differently dimensioned ringed notebook sizes and shapes are also employed. 
     Referring to a first embodiment of the binder insert of the present invention, which is shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, a binder insert  20  has a front sheet portion  21 , a back sheet portion  23 , and a hinge portion  22  for hinging together adjacent edge sections of front and back sheet portions  21 ,  23 . Front and back sheet portions  21 ,  23  are preferably flexible and of sufficient width and length to completely cover an 8½×11 inch sheet of paper, although the dimensions can be easily altered to accommodate different size articles. On the opposite edge of hinge portion  22  an opening  26  is defined for inserting sheets of paper and/or other articles between front and back sheet portions  21 ,  23 . Opening  26  preferably has a tab  27  along the edge of binder insert  20 . Tab  27  has an extension  28  which preferably extends from the edge of front sheet portion  21 , and back sheet portion  23  has a corresponding indentation  29  in the edge to provide a simple way to open binder insert  20  and allow for easy insertion of sheets and/or other articles. Preferably front and back sheet portions  21 ,  23  are part of a unitary sheet and preferably hinge portion  22  is substantially formed by a fold in the continuous sheet so that a common edge interconnects front and back sheet portions  21 ,  23  to form a living hinge, although other hinges are suitable. 
     An alternative embodiment is hingeless and its front and back sheet portions  21 ,  23  are preferably constructed separately and can be fixed to one another. 
     Front and back sheet portions  21 ,  23  are preferably made of a polymeric material such as polypropylene or polyethylene, however, other material suitable for binder inserts such as paperboard may be used. Preferably front and back sheet portions are translucent to allow the contents held therein to be easily viewed and readily located and or to avoid the necessity of removing the contents from binder insert  20  in order to gather information therefrom. 
     A plurality of ring apertures  30  are spaced horizontally inward from the edge adjacent the hinge portion  22  for mounting binder insert  20  to ring binder  10 . The preferred ring apertures  30  are circular, although elongated or other shapes can alternatively be used. 
     Clamp openings which are preferably a pair of slots  44  extend vertically through front and back sheet portions  21 ,  23  and are located towards the edge adjacent the hinge portion  22 , spaced slightly further horizontally inward than apertures  30 . 
     Clamps  50  extend through each slot  44  and straddle the outer surfaces of front and back sheet portions  21 ,  23 . As can be seen in FIGS. 10 and 11, each clamp  50  is preferably C-shaped and has upper and lower clamping legs  51 ,  53  and a connecting portion  52  resiliently interconnecting the upper and lower clamping legs  51 ,  53 . Connecting portion  52  extends vertically through each slot  44  and upper and lower clamping legs  51 ,  53  extend horizontally from connecting portion  52 . Preferably each clamp  50  is made of spring metal, resilient plastic, or any other suitable material so that upper and lower clamping legs are preferably resiliently biased toward each other. 
     A margin  47  has width  48  which is defined by the distance from the center of slots  44  to the edge of binder insert  20  adjacent the hinge portion  22 . A lateral holding width  49  is defined by the distance from the center of slots  44  to the edge of binder insert  20  adjacent opening  26 . Preferably the lateral holding width  49  of binder insert  20 , or of one or both of the sheets  21 ,  23 , and the thickness of the connecting portion are sufficient to contain a full size 8½×11 piece of paper therein or other standard size paper or object to be contained therein. This arrangement is particularly advantageous because connecting portion  52  prevents sheets and/or other articles secured within binder insert  20  from sliding into the margin  47  and interfering with apertures  30  and rings  15 , and the full size sheet of paper is still protected by front and/or back sheet portions  21 ,  23 . 
     Connecting portion  52  is wider than the thickness of binder insert  20  such that the edges of connecting portion  52  are spaced vertically beyond the outer surfaces of front and back sheet portions  21 ,  23 . Upper and lower clamping legs  51 ,  53  resiliently extend from connecting portion  52  in a horizontal direction to contact the outer surfaces of front and back sheet portions  21 ,  23 . Upper and lower clamping legs  51 ,  53  exert a clamping force respectively onto the outer surfaces of front and back sheet portions  21 ,  23 . Furthermore, as can be seen in FIG. 11, when a sheet is inserted within front and back sheet portions  21 ,  23  connecting portion  52  of C-shaped clamp  50  is expanded and a resultant clamping force is exerted upon the outer surface of front and back sheet portions  21 ,  23  which acts to clamp the contents within binder insert  20 . Alternatively, any number of clamps can be used provided that sufficient force is exerted to retain the contents securely to the binder insert but at least time is preferred in this embodiment to properly locate paper as described above and to reduce twisting. 
     Upper and lower clamping legs  51 ,  53  are preferably generally flat so that a significant portion of each leg contacts the outer surface of front and back sheet portions  21 ,  23  such that the clamping force exerted on front and back sheet portions  21 ,  23  is spread over a large surface area. This is particularly advantageous because localized friction applied to the contents of the binder insert and pressure thereon is decreased as the force is dispersed over a larger area, thereby reducing the likelihood of tearing or deteriorating or making the sheets and/or other articles contained therein. A preferred clamping force is one which will hold anywhere from 1 to 60 sheets of paper, e.g., range securely within front and back sheet portions  21 ,  23 . 
     Preferably, upper clamping leg  51  has a tip  54  bent in an upward direction, away from the outer surface of top sheet portion  21  and can be on opposite sides too. Tip  54  is bent to allow for sheets and/or other articles to be easily inserted between the outer surface of top sheet portion  21  and upper clamping leg  51  of C-shaped clamp  50 . 
     Preferably, upper clamping leg  51  is slightly shorter than lower clamping leg  53 . Alternatively, the lower clamping leg could be of equal or lesser length than the upper clamping leg. Preferably, C-shaped clamp  50  is made from stainless steel, however, any other material suitable for exerting a clamping force may be used. 
     Referring to FIGS. 5-9, a second embodiment of the present invention comprises a clipboard binder insert  100 , which is also attachable to rings of a conventional ring binder  10 . The binder insert  100  according to this embodiment includes a writing tablet  60 , a clip  70 , and a protective sleeve  80 . Tablet  60  is preferably generally a rectangular flat sheet having a clip  70  attached at one edge and binder attachment portion  61  located adjacent a second edge. The tablet is preferably composed of a substantially rigid plastic, such as polypropylene, polyethylene, foamed ethylene or high-impact styrene but can be paperboard wood or other stiff material that is sufficiently rigid to support a page being written on. Preferably tablet  60  is 0.060 to 0.1 inches thick. More preferably, tablet  60  is between 0.075 and 0.080 inches thick. Preferably, at least a front surface number of the tablet is smooth in order to function as a writing surface. 
     The attachment portion  61  is similar to that described above for the first embodiment. Apertures  64  correspond in size, number and position to the rings  15  of ring binder  10 , thus allowing binder insert  100  to be placed and held within the binder. Referring to FIG. 14, apertures  64  can include retaining slots  40  which extend from apertures  64  to the outer edge of binder insert  100  and allow binder insert  100  to be snapped in and out of the rings  15  of binder  10 . Retaining slots  40  have detents  42  on either side of a throat  41 . The slots  40  have a minimum width at their throat  41 , which is less than the diameter of apertures  64  and less than the thickness of binder rings  15 . It is thus possible to snap binder insert  100  into binder  10  without opening rings  15  by aligning slots  40  with rings  15  and applying pressure until detents  42  are resiliently deformed, allowing rings  15  to pass through the throats  41  of retaining slots  40  into apertures  64 . Similarly, binder insert  100  can be removed by pulling it away from ring binder  10 , thus causing detents  42  to again deform, after centering rings  15 , and allowing rings  15  to pass fully through retaining slots  40 . It should be noted that this snap-in and snap-out feature of the invention provides for considerable convenience when using binder insert  100 , as it is not necessary to open rings  15  when it is desired to remove binder insert  100  from its position between two pages of the ring binder  10  and/or re-insert it between two other pages. Accordingly, a similar snap-on attachment means can be used with other embodiments as well. 
     Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, clip  70  has a top clip portion  71 , a bottom clip portion  73 , and a connecting portion  72  interconnecting top and bottom clip portions  71 ,  73 . Clip  70  is generally C-shaped wherein connecting portion  72  is generally straight and top and bottom clip portions  71 ,  73  extend generally perpendicular to connecting portion  72 . Preferably, top and bottom clip portions  71 ,  73  are wider than they extend longitudinally such that clip  70  is disposed over a significant part of one edge of tablet  60 . Top clip portion  71  has two sections  74 ,  75  which angle downward progressively toward the distal end of top clip portion  71 . Preferably, a grip member  76  is associated with at least one of the two sections  74 ,  75 . An inner corner  79  of top clip portion  71  is angled away from tablet  60  to allow clip  70  to slide over protective sleeve  80  more easily. Bottom clip portion  73  is preferably rectangular and preferably extends farther in the horizontal direction than top clip portion  71 . Clip  70  is preferably made of polyethylene. Clip  70  has a width  77  and a height  78 . 
     Protective sleeve  80  includes two sheets  81 ,  83  and a hinge portion  82 . Protective sleeve  80  has a top sheet portion  81 , a bottom sheet portion  83 , and a hinge portion  82  for hinging together adjacent edge sections of the top and bottom sheet portions  81 ,  83 . Preferably protective sleeve  80  is made from one uniform sheet. Top and bottom sheet portions  81 ,  83  are preferably arcuate. Protective sleeve  80  has a width  85  and height  86 . and having overall dimensions of width and length larger than that of clip width  77  and length  78  respectively. Preferably protective sleeve  80  is at least twice as wide and twice as long as clip  70  and preferably less than 50% of the longitudinal length of the tablet  60 , and more preferably less than 25%, and most preferably less than ½ as long. Protective sleeve  80  is preferably composed of a polymeric material, however, any other suitable material which has a friction reducing character can be used. 
     A rivet  90  preferably extends through the bottom protective sheet portion  83 , bottom clip portion  73 , providing a common pivot location. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 8,  12 , and  13 , clip  70  and protective sleeve  80  are preferably pivotally attached to one edge of tablet  60 . Both clip  70  and protective sleeve  80  are mounted through a mount hole  62 . Mount hole  62  extends through tablet  60 , the bottom sheet portion  83  of protective sleeve  80 , and the bottom clip portion  73 . Both clip  70  and protective sleeve  80  pivot about mount hole  62  and are thus pivotable about an axis that extends through the mount hole  62  and through the tablet  60 . Clip  70  is mounted outside protective sleeve  80  so that, in practice, the clip is pivotable from an unclamp position (shown in FIG.  8 ), where sheets and/or articles can be inserted or removed from tablet  60 , to a clamp position (shown in FIGS. 12 and 13) where sheets and/or articles are secured to tablet  60 . At the clamp position, top and bottom sheet portions  81 ,  83  of the protective sleeve  80  straddle tablet  60  and top and bottom clip portions  71 ,  73  straddle protective sleeve  80  to clamp protective sleeve  80  around the tablet. FIG. 13 shows a sheet clamped between tablet  60  and top sheet portion  81  of the protective sleeve  80 . Much like the first embodiment, top and bottom clip portions  71 ,  73  exert a clamping force respectively onto the outer surfaces of top and bottom sheet portions  81 ,  83 . Furthermore, when a sheet and/or other article is placed between tablet  60  and top sheet portion  81  of protective sleeve  80 , connecting portion  72  of clip  70  is expanded and a resulting clamping force is exerted upon the outer surface of top and bottom sheet portions  81 ,  83  of the protective sleeve  80  which acts to clamp the sheet and/or article between tablet  60  and top sheet portion  81 . Because protective sleeve  80  has a larger surface area than the top clip portion  71 , less friction is exerted upon a sheet clamped thereto, reducing the likelihood of tearing or deterioration. 
     While it is apparent that the illustrative embodiments of the invention herein disclosed fulfill the objectives stated above, it will be appreciated that numerous modifications and other embodiments may be devised by those skilled in the art. Therefore, it will be 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.