Patent EA-003074-B1 (EA)
Title: Storage device
Inventor: YOUNGS ROSS O
IPC: B42F3/00
Filed: 2000-06-05
Abstract: 1. A storage device for retaining at least one sheet item, comprising: a storage device cover operable to move between open and closed positions and including a front panel and a rear panel; at least one first binding member projecting from said storage device cover and operable to extend completely through the sheet item to register the sheet item relative to said storage device cover; and at least one second binding member connected to said storage device cover and operable to move independently of said front and rear panels into folding engagement with said first binding member to form an elongated binder strap upon which the sheet item is free to travel from a first position lying generally parallel with said rear panel to a second position distant therefrom. 2. The storage device of claim 1, wherein said second binding member is integral with said storage device cover. 3. The storage device of claim 1, wherein said storage device cover further comprises a spine panel disposed intermediate said front and rear panels, wherein said front and rear panels are hingedly connected to opposite elongated sides of said spine panel. 4. The storage device of claim 3 further comprising a first living hinge joining said front panel to one elongated side of said spine panel, and a second living hinge joining said rear panel to the opposite elongated side of said spine panel. 5. The storage device of claim 4 further comprising a living hinge associated with said second binding member to permit said second binding member to be folded into engagement with said first binding member. 6. The storage device of claim 1, wherein said second binding member has one end joined to said second living hinge to permit said second binding member to be folded into engagement with said first binding member. 7. The storage device of claim 6, wherein said second binding member comprises an elongated tongue member having one end joined to said living hinge. 8. The storage device of claim 6, wherein said living hinge joined said rear panel. 9. The storage device of claim 6, wherein said second binding member has at least one living hinge extending generally transverse to a longitudinal length thereof to permit said second binding member to be folded into multiple segment components. 10. The storage device of claim 9, wherein each of said multiple segment components includes a substantially linear component along the respective lengths thereof. 11. The storage device of claim 9 wherein said second binding member includes a first segment component having a rib member and a second segment component having a channel member, wherein said channel member is adapted to at least partially receive said rib member therein upon folding of said second binding member into engagement with said first binding member. 12. The storage device of claim 1, wherein said first binding member comprises a post member extending away from one of said front or rear panels. 13. The storage device of claim 12, wherein said post member is integral with one of said front or rear panels. 14. The storage device of claim 12, wherein said post member is attached to one of said front or rear panels. 15. The storage device of claim 1, wherein said second binding member comprises an elongated tongue member. 16. The storage device of claim 1, wherein said storage device cover is formed in one piece of a resiliently deformable plastic material. 17. The storage device of claim 1, wherein said storage device cover has a substantially continuous flange wall extending away from said storage device cover in a common direction proximate marginal edges thereof. 18. The storage device of claim 17 wherein said storage device cover includes a releasably engageable locking device associated with said flange wall and adapted to releasably retain said storage device cover in said closed position. 19. The storage device of claim 17 further comprising a plurality of projections extending outwardly from said flange wall and adapted to engage a support surface. 20. The storage device of claim 1 further comprising an overlay attached to an outer surface of said storage device cover. 21. The storage device cover of claim 1 wherein said second binding member is flexible at least partially along its length. 22. The storage device cover of claim 1 further comprising a resilient clip associated with at least one of said front or rear panels. 23. The storage device of claim 1 wherein said second binding member has one end connected to said rear panel. 24. The storage device of claim 1 wherein one of said first and second binding members terminates in a female receptacle and said other terminates in a male plug body, wherein said female receptacle is adapted to receive said male plug body. 25. The storage device of claim 24 wherein said female receptacle is releasably engageable with said male plug body. 26. The storage device of claim 24 wherein said female receptacle is lockably engageable with said male plug body. 27. A storage device for retaining at least one sheet item, comprising: a panel; at least one first binding member projecting from said panel and operable to extend completely through the sheet item to register the sheet item relative to said panel; and at least one second binding member connected to said panel and operable to move independently of said panel into folding engagement with said first binding member to form an elongated binder strap upon which the sheet item is free to travel from a first position lying generally parallel with said panel to a second position distant therefrom. 28. The storage device of claim 27, wherein said second binding member is integral with said panel. 29. The storage device of claim 27 further comprising a living hinge associated with said second binding member to permit said second binding member to be folded into engagement with said first binding member. 30. The storage device of claim 29, wherein said second binding member comprises an elongated tongue member having one end joined to said living hinge. 31. The storage device of claim 29 wherein said living hinge is disposed adjacent an elongated edge of said panel. 32. The storage device of claim 29, wherein said second binding member has at least one living hinge extending generally transverse to a longitudinal length thereof to permit said second binding member to be folded into multiple segment components. 33. The storage device of claim 32, wherein each of said multiple segment components includes a substantially linear component along the respective lengths thereof. 34. The storage device of claim 32, wherein said second binding member includes a first segment component having a rib member and a second segment component having a channel member, wherein said channel member is adapted to at least partially receive said rib member therein upon folding of said second binding member into engagement with said first binding member. 35. The storage device of claim 27, wherein said first binding member comprises a post member extending away from said panel. 36. The storage device of claim 35, wherein said post member is integral with said panel. 37. The storage device of claim 35, wherein said post member is attached to said panel. 38. The storage device of claim 27, wherein said second binding member comprises an elongated tongue member. 39. The storage device of claim 27, wherein said panel has a substantially continuous flange wall extending away from said panel in a common direction proximate marginal edges thereof. 40. The storage device of claim 27 wherein said second binding member has one end connected adjacent an elongated edge of said panel. 41. The storage device of claim 27 wherein one of said first and second binding members terminates in a female receptacle and said other terminates in a male plug body, wherein said female receptacle is adapted to receive said male plug body. 42. The storage device of claim 41 wherein said female receptacle is releasably engageable with said male plug body. 43. The storage device of claim 41 wherein said female receptacle is lockably engageable with said male plug body.