Patent Publication Number: US-7708487-B2

Title: Binder spine

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 29/170,604, filed Nov. 7, 2002 now abandoned. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The invention relates in general to binder spines, and, more systems of binder spines. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   Binder spines have been proposed for holding loose papers together. The prior proposed expedients are not without their shortcomings. Major shortcomings of typical prior binder spines include, for example, complexity, cost, and difficulty of use. Previous expedients did not generally include the provision of a system of binders that provide increased utility to the user yet permit the manufacturer to readily supply a system including a plurality of binder spines with different capacities. 
   Previously proposed expedients include, for example, Wu US Des. 360,221, Exline U.S. Pat. No. 0,847,389 (check book binder with spring loaded engagement of securing posts with deformed tubes), McKowen U.S. Pat. No. 3,260,264 (a binding for books composed of a molded one-piece binding unit with living hinges, binding posts, and a port in which a mushroom head of the binding post engages), Cott U.S. Pat. No. 3,574,472 (a molded one-piece binder for perforated loose leaf sheets wherein a headed post is inserted into an open sided groove to hold the binder in a closed configuration), Errichiello U.S. Pat. No. 4,307,972 (a molded one-piece loose leaf book with plastic posts wherein a headed post frictionally engages a tubular post), Jahn U.S. Pat. No. 4,340,316 (a binder in which a barb headed post engages an open sided slot), Chin U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,469 (a binding bar for a cover folder in which the edges of the binder bar engage barbs in the cover), and Jahn U.S. Pat. No. 6,076,990 (a one-piece binder wherein a barb headed post engages and open sided slot). 
   Those concerned with these problems recognize the need for an improved binder spine. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention has been developed in response to the current state of the art, and in particular, in response to these and other problems and needs that have not been fully or completely solved by currently available binder spines. Thus, it is an overall object of the present invention to effectively resolve at least the problems and shortcomings identified herein. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide binder spines wherein engagement between generally straight sided cylindrical post and socket walls provides a “snap fit”. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a system of binder spines wherein the individual members of the system have different capacities but similar dimensions and proportions. 
   A preferred embodiment of the binder spine according to the present invention comprises a post member that is engageable with a socket in a socket member through a snap fit. Further, a system of such binder spines according to the present invention includes spines with different capacities but substantially identical dimensions and proportions except for the width of a back panel and the lengths of the binder post members. 
   To acquaint persons skilled in the pertinent arts most closely related to the present invention, preferred embodiments of a binder spine and a system of binder spines that illustrates a best mode now contemplated for putting the invention into practice is described herein by, and with reference to, the annexed drawings that form a part of the specification. The exemplary embodiments are described in detail without attempting to show all of the various forms and modifications in which the invention might be embodied. As such, the embodiments shown and described herein are illustrative, and as will become apparent to those skilled in the arts, can be modified in numerous ways within the scope and spirit of the invention, the invention being measured by the appended claims and not by the details of the specification or drawings. 
   Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth herein. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention provides its benefits across a broad spectrum of binder spines. While the description which follows hereinafter is meant to be representative of a number of such applications, it is not exhaustive. As those skilled in the art will recognize, the basic apparatus taught herein can be readily adapted to many uses. This specification and the claims appended hereto should be accorded a breadth in keeping with the scope and spirit of the invention being disclosed despite what might appear to be limiting language imposed by the requirements of referring to the specific examples disclosed. 
     Referring particularly to the drawings for the purposes of illustrating the invention and its presently understood best mode only and not limitation: 
       FIG. 1  is a top plan view of a paper binder spine of the present invention in the unfolded configuration. 
       FIG. 2  is a bottom plan view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a right end elevation of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4  is a left end elevation of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 5  is a right end elevation of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  showing the embodiment in the folded configuration. 
       FIG. 6  is a right end elevation similar to  FIG. 5  showing an additional embodiment in the folded configuration. 
       FIG. 7  is a front elevation of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  showing the embodiment in the unfolded configuration. 
       FIG. 8  is a rear elevation of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  showing the embodiment in the unfolded configuration. 
       FIG. 9  is a plan view of a section of an additional embodiment. 
       FIG. 10  is a plan view of a section of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 11  is a plan view of a section of an additional embodiment. 
       FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of the embodiments of  FIGS. 9 through 11  showing the alignment and proportioning of the members of a system of binder spines of different capacities. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views. It is to be understood that the drawings are diagrammatic and schematic representations of various embodiments of the invention, and are not to be construed as limiting the invention in any way. The use of words and phrases herein with reference to specific embodiments is not intended to limit the meanings of such words and phrases to those specific embodiments. Words and phrases herein are intended to have their ordinary meanings, unless a specific definition is set forth at length herein. 
   Referring particularly to the drawings, there is illustrated a binder spine  10 , which includes a back panel  12 , a first side panel  14 , a second side panel  16 , a plurality of socket members of which  40  is typical, and a plurality of post members of which  38  is typical. A first panel mounting edge  22  on first side panel  14  is joined through a living hinge to a first longitudinal edge  24  of back panel  12 . A second panel mounting edge  20  on second side panel  16  is joined through a living hinge to a second longitudinal edge  18  of back panel  12 . The respective side panels are foldable relative to back panel  12  along the respective living hinges so as to bring post member  38  into interengageable relationship with socket member  40 . Forcing post member  38  into socket member  40  causes these members into releasable Interengagement, and releasably retains the binder spine  10  in a folded configuration. See, for example,  FIG. 5 . The periphery of spine  10  is bounded by generally opposed laterally extending edges  28  and  34 , and generally opposed longitudinally extending edges  30  and  36 . Three mating pairs of socket and post members,  48 - 50 ,  44 - 46 , and  40 - 38  are illustrated, for example, in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
   The respective living hinges are formed in the obverse face of the binder spine by removing generally parallel grooves of material from the obverse face. See, for example,  FIG. 12 . The grooves do not penetrate entirely through the spine, so the reverse face  26  of spine  10  is plain and unbroken ( FIG. 2 ). 
   The embodiments depicted particularly in  FIGS. 1-5 ,  7 , and  8  are configured to hold papers that, for example, are adapted to be mounted in a conventional 3-ring binder. Such papers typically have three spaced apart holes punched along one long side. The holes are positioned over the socket members and when the mating post members are engaged with the socket members, the papers are held in associated relationship with the binder spine. 
   It has been found advantageous to provide a system of binder spines wherein spines with different capacities are made. If only a few papers are to be held together, the capacity of the spine need not be much larger than is necessary to accommodate them. Where a larger group of papers is to be bound, a spine with a larger capacity is required. For reasons of economy and efficiency in production, storage, and transportation, and appeal in marketing and sales, it has been found desirable to provide a plurality of spines that are substantially identical in size and shape, except with differing capacities. 
   It has been found that a system of binder spines with different capacities but substantially similar shapes and sizes can be provided by maintaining substantially the same dimensions and proportions, changing only the widths of the back panels, the lengths of the socket members, and, possibly, although not necessarily, the lengths of the post members. For an illustration of one such system of binder spines, attention is invited to the system shown in, for example,  FIGS. 9 through 12  where a three member system is illustrated. The binder spines are illustrated in the completely unfolded configuration. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, two member, four member, and other systems are possible, as may be desired. In  FIGS. 9 through 11 , three short binder spines, each of which has one mating pair of socket and post members, are illustrated. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, binder spines with two, four, or other socket-post member pairs can be provided, as may be desired. An end view of each of the binder spines in the system is illustrated in  FIG. 12  with centerlines provided to illustrate the relationships between the members of the system. First binder spine  58  ( FIG. 9 ) has a back panel  60  attached through living hinges to side panels. Post member  66  is mounted on one side panel, and socket member  62  is mounted on the other. The binder spine  58  is foldable along the respective living hinges to bring post and socket members  66  and  62 , respectively, into alignment with one another. Upon the application of force in an engaging direction, the post member can be caused to enter the socket  64  of socket member  62 . Once interengaged, the post and socket member will remain engaged until force is applied in a disengaging direction. As shown particularly in  FIG. 12 , the centerlines,  68  and  70  of the socket and post members remain spaced apart by substantially the same distance throughout the members of the system. The overall width of the binder spines remains substantially the same throughout the members of the system. The widths of the back panels between the living hinges, change from one member of the system to the next with back panel  54  of binder spine  42  being the narrowest, back panel  60  being the widest, and back panel  12  of binder spine  10  being intermediate the other two members of the system. This provides three different binder spines,  58 ,  10 , and  42 , in this system with three different capacities. The post members  56 ,  38 , and  66  can be varied in length to closely match the socket in the respective mating socket members, but this is not necessary. The post members can all be the same length if desired. A post member, for example, that is short enough to properly interengage with socket member  52  will also serve to engage with socket  64  in longer socket member  62 . Centerlines  72  and  74  are spaced apart by the width of back panel  60  in binder spine  58 . The relative widths of back panels  12  and  54  to back panel  60  and one another are shown by the projection of the centerlines  72  and  74  through the binder spines  10  and  42 . 
   The axial alignment of the post and socket members in the different spines, as illustrated in  FIG. 12 , permits the system to be formed using a single mold with adjustable elements to form the living hinges, the socket members, and, if desired, the post members. The savings in manufacturing costs are substantial. The maintaining of the same distance between the socket and post members in the various binder spines results in some change in the throat size from one member of the system to the next. The throat size is the distance between the adjacent surfaces of the socket member and the back panel in the fully closed configuration. The throat size must be sufficient to permit the edges of papers held by the binder spine to clear the surface of the back panel. As the back panel becomes smaller, the throat size increases. Compare, for example, the throat size of the embodiments of  FIGS. 5 and 6 . The distance between the post and socket members in the fully unfolded configuration should be such that the edge of the paper will clear the back panel in the largest capacity member of the system, that is in the embodiment with the smallest throat size. 
   The composition of binder spines according to the present invention is preferably the same throughout the binder spine. At least the post and socket members should be made of a material that facilitates the use of generally straight sided cylindrical walls in both the post and socket members. It has been found that it is not necessary to provide specially shaped members with enlarged heads and mating annular pockets or the like to achieve a secure interengagement that requires the application of carefully directed force to disengage. It has also been found that a definite snapping sound can be achieved when straight sided cylindrical walls are engaged with one another, and that such snapping sound is an indication that the proper conditions for holding the binder in the folded configuration have been achieved. When, for example, the post and socket are about the same diameter, and they are composed of a relatively rigid materials such as an organic polymer in the nature of high density polyethylene, polypropylene, or the like, the engagement or disengagement of the one with the other will cause a snapping sound as the air is compressed or expanded. The fit between, for example, the post member  66  and socket  64  must be sufficiently tight to form an airtight seal between the two when in the fully engaged configuration. The socket  64  has no opening except at the top where the post member enters it. The materials and methods of construction must be such as to permit the formation of the desired airtight seal while still allowing the parts to be interengaged. The choice of materials and the correct dimensions of the post member and socket that are required to achieve the desired snap fit are arrived at by an iterative process. A prospective material of construction is selected, and a binder spine is formed, generally, but not necessarily, by molding. If, upon testing by engaging and disengaging the post member in the socket, it is found that no sound is produced, the test unit is examined to determine whether an airtight seal is being achieved. If no such seal is being formed, the diameter of one or both of the cylindrical walls is adjusted to make a tighter fit. If the diameter can not be so adjusted without preventing the parts from interengaging, the material of construction is changed, and the process repeated. When an audible snap is heard upon both engagement and disengagement, a suitable combination of materials and dimensions has been found. The airtight seal holds the socket and post member engaged. Air pressure holds them together. A vacuum is created when they are pulled apart. When they disengage the air rushing in to fill the void causes the audible snap. When they engage the compressed air rushing out causes a snap. Either way, the existence of the desired “snap fit” is detected by the audible snap. No particular shaping of the ends of the socket or post member is necessary to facilitate engagement of one with the other. Plain squared off ends will engage perfectly well. 
   The sound of the snap allows the user to know that the spine has been closed properly, and can be expected to reliably perform its intended function of holding papers. Likewise, the snap tells the user that the spine has been opened, and will release its contents. 
   Binder spines according to the present invention are intended to provide a way of hold a group of related papers together while still allowing maximum access to the at a reasonable cost. Typically, in a system of binders that provide different capacities the widths of the back panels vary from one another by at least about one-tenth, and preferably by at least about one-eighth of an inch. Variations of up to about three-eighths of an inch or more are useful. In general, the range of the widths of the back panels in one system of binders is no more than approximately one-half inch. With greater ranges of back panel widths, the throat depths in the smallest capacity members of the system become excessive. The width of the back panel in a binder spine is generally no less than approximately 5, and preferably 10 percent of the overall width of the binder spine in the fully open configuration. Generally, the side panels will be of approximately the same length, although they can be different if desired. 
   In a preferred embodiment of the binder spines and system of binder spines, the binder spines are intended for use in holding papers that have been perforated along one long side for insertion in a conventional three-ring binder. The binder spines overall are about eleven and one-eighth inches long, and two and three-eighths inches wide. The back panels of the three individual members of the system are one-eighth, three-eighth, and one-half inches wide between the centers of the fold lines of the living hinges, respectively. The post and socket members in each binder spine are spaced apart laterally center-to center in the fully open configuration by about one and one-half inches. The three pairs of post and socket members are spaced longitudinally center-to-center from one another by about four and one-quarter inches with the center pair being spaced equa-distant from the ends of the binder spines. The socket members are generally straight sided and cylindrical with an outside diameter of about one-quarter inch, and an inside diameter of about 0.150 inches. The post members are generally straight sided and cylindrical with an outside diameter of about 0.155 inches. The socket member in the embodiment with the one-half inch wide spine has a height of about 0.525 inches, and the mating post member has a height of about 0.220 inches. The socket member in the embodiment with the three-eighth inch wide spine has a height of about 0.260 inches, and the mating post member has a height of about 0.170 inches. The socket member in the embodiment with the one-quarter inch wide spine has a height of about 0.135 inches, and the mating post member has a height of about 0.120 inches. The outer ends of the post members are substantially squared off. The outer ends of the socket members are likewise substantially squared off so there is no need for chamfering or filleting either the mouth of the socket member or the entry end of the post member. An audible snap is heard when a mating pair of post-socket members is engaged, and when it is disengaged. While not wishing to be bound by any theory, it is believed that the squaring off of the initial engagement elements contributes to the emission of or at least the loudness of the audible snap. The binder spins are composed of polyproplyene. 
   What have been described are preferred embodiments in which modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the accompanying claims. Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.