Patent Publication Number: US-6663310-B2

Title: Button binder

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE OF RELATED APPLICATION 
     This i s a non-provisional application of a provisional application, application No. 60/174,820, filed on Jan. 07, 2000. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     1. Field of invention 
     The present invention relates to binders, folders and covers for holding a plurality of hole-punched papers or sheets to be stored and used. 
     2. Description of Related Arts 
     The most popular binder today is still ring binder. However, the ring binder has a complex structure and needs more space to install the rings in place. So the thickness of the ring binder is limited that it can not be made thin enough to fitly hold a few pieces of paper. In addition, the closing action of the ring binders is also dangerous to user, especially for children. 
     The present invention is provided to mitigate or obviate the afore-described disadvantages for the conventional ring binders. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     The primary object of the present of invention is to provide a button binder in which paper or sheets can be easily bound and unbound, so as to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages. 
     In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the button binder includes several buttons, connection pieces, pulling pieces, a front sheet, a rear sheet, and strips. A predetermined number of the buttons is affixed on the predetermined positions on the binder, such as on the left portion or top portion of the rear sheet. Each of the buttons mainly comprises a cap and a post. The cap h as an axial hole. The post is capable of engaging in the axial hole of the cap and being fastened tightly. Hole-punched papers or sheets can be held by the post under the cap. When paper in the button binder is opened, it applies a big force that may open the buttons. In order to secure the paper tightly, the buttons are designed to be opened only in a designated proper direction or site, and the buttons can not be opened in non-proper direction or site. When the site of the button can be opened, the button cap and the post mesh by smooth curve faces as usual buttons. However, when the site of the button can not be opened, the button cap has tooth pawl and the button post also has latch tooth. They mesh together by teeth to firmly grasp paper. Moreover, when the button can not be opened, the button cap and post have enough touching length along the axial direction of the post, wherein they engage by the longer contacting length (or area) along the post and the button also can not be opened from here. Another way is by latch rod of the cap and claw notch of post. The spring latch rod engages in the claw notch. The button can also not be opened from this place. To move the papers or sheets is as easy and simple as applying a pulling action to open the proper place of the buttons, and then all the buttons will be opened. 
     The button can be made of plastic or metal. The buttons can be affixed on the rear sheet without the front sheet. The buttons can also be affixed on a strip. The buttons can be used independently to hold papers. The button cap and the pulling piece can be made integrally. The button cap, the connection piece and the button post can be made integrally. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a button binder in accordance with the present invention when it is opened. 
     FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of a button binder with latch teeth at one side. 
     FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of a button binder with big contacting area at side. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a button cap base. 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of connection and pull piece. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a button cap. 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a button post. 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a partial rear sheet. 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a button post base. 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the button binder when it is opened. 
     FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of the button binder with latch teeth at one side in 
     FIG.  10 . 
     FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a button cap base. 
     FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the pull piece. 
     FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a button cap. 
     FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a connection piece. 
     FIG. 16 is a perspective view of movable part of post of button. 
     FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a button post. 
     FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a button post base. 
     FIG. 19 is a partial cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the button with top hole. 
     FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a button cap base. 
     FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the button cap, pull piece and button post made integrally. 
     FIG. 22 is a partial cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the button. 
     FIG. 23 is a partial cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the button with latch rod. 
     FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a button cap base. 
     FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the connection and pull piece. 
     FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a button cap. 
     FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a curve spring rod. 
     FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a straight latch rod. 
     FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a button post with notch. 
     FIG. 30 is a perspective view of a button post base. 
     FIG. 31 is a partial cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the button which post with two latch pawls. 
     FIG. 32 is a perspective view of a button cap base. 
     FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the connection and pull piece. 
     FIG. 34 is a perspective view of a button cap. 
     FIG. 35 is a perspective view of a string latch rod. 
     FIG. 36 is a perspective view of a button post with two notches. 
     FIG. 37 is a perspective view of a button post base. 
     FIG. 38 shows the string rod and post notches are engaged. 
     FIG. 39 is a perspective view of a button post end. 
     FIG. 40 is a partial cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the button whose post locks with latch rod by big contacting area. 
     FIG. 41 is a perspective view of a button cap base. 
     FIG. 42 is a perspective view of the connection and pull piece. 
     FIG. 43 is a perspective view of a button cap. 
     FIG. 44 is a perspective view of a string latch rod. 
     FIG. 45 is a perspective view of a button post. 
     FIG. 46 is a perspective view of a button post base. 
     FIG. 47 is a partial cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the button whose post locked by turning latch. 
     FIG. 48 is a perspective view of a button cap base. 
     FIG. 49 is a perspective view of the turning latch. 
     FIG. 50 is a perspective view of a button cap. 
     FIG. 51 is a perspective view of a button post with a big geometry end. 
     FIG. 52 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the button binder in which the buttons are affixed on the left side of front sheet. 
     FIG. 53 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the button binder in which the buttons are affixed on the top side of rear sheet. 
     FIG. 54 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the button binder in which the buttons are affixed on the strip. 
     FIG. 55 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the button binder in which the button can bind paper along. 
     FIG. 56 illustrates one embodiment of the button binder with a kind of connection piece. 
     FIG. 57 illustrates one embodiment of the connection piece. 
     FIG. 58 illustrates one embodiment of the button binder with integrally made button cup and connection piece. 
     FIG. 59 illustrates one embodiment of the integrally made button cup and connection piece. 
     FIG. 60 illustrates one embodiment of the integrally made button post and post base. 
     FIG. 61 is a partial cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the button with post and integrally made button cup and connection piece. 
     FIG. 62 illustrates one embodiment of the button binder with a turning plate. 
     FIG. 63 illustrates one embodiment of the binder cover and how to fold the cover. 
     FIG. 64 shows the position and number of buttons and types of binders. 
     FIG. 65 illustrates one embodiment of the button binder with separate cap. 
     FIG. 66 illustrates one embodiment of the button binder with whole piece of cap. 
     FIG. 67 shows several embodiments of the button binder. 
     FIG. 68 shows several embodiments of button posts that can be extensible. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to FIG. 1, a button binder  10  includes a front sheet  11 , a rear sheet  12  connected with the front sheet  11 , a strip  20 , connection pieces  22  each having an integral pull piece  23 , and a plurality of buttons  30  each comprising a button cap  32  and a button post  31  affixed on the predetermined positions of the binder  10 . The button caps  32  are respectively affixed on the connection pieces  22  which are connected to the front sheet  11  or the rear sheet  12 . The button posts  31  are affixed on the strip  20  or the rear sheet  12  if the button caps  32  are affixed on the front sheet  11 . Folding lines  14 ,  15  are formed between the front sheet  11  and the rear sheet  12 . The posts of the button posts  31  are constructed to be capable of passing through the holes punched in papers or sheets. By pushing the button cap  32  or the button post  31  to insert the post into a hole of the button cap  32 , they will engage tightly to hold the papers between the button cap  32  and the button post  31  of the button. To open the, button cap  32 , along a latitude direction (X direction), or a longitude direction (Y direction) or other designated proper direction, depending on the direction of the button installed. When the buttons are opened, the connection piece  22  keeps the button caps  32  connecting to the front sheet  11  or the rear sheet  12 . 
     As shown in FIG. 2, one embodiment of the button is shown, wherein FIG. 4 to 
     FIG. 9 illustrate its components. The button cap  32  comprises a cap base  33  (as shown in FIG. 4) and a button cap  34  (as shown in FIG.  6 ). Button post  31  comprises a button post  36  (as shown in FIG. 7) and a post base  37  (shown in FIG.  9 ). The cap base  33  and the cap  34  are snapped on the connection piece  23  tightly. The shape of the post  36  can be square or rectangular or other geometry shape as shown in FIG.  7 . 
     The post  36  has an enlarged head at a top end thereof, wherein the enlarged head has a smooth curve portion  365  at a first side of the post  36  and extends to form a sharp shoulder (tooth pawl)  366  at an opposite second side. The other third and fourth sides of the post  36  have the flat surfaces  367 . The cap  34  has a square or rectangular hole with respect to the post  36  with a mouth provided downwards. A first side of the mouth has a smooth curve edge  348 , and the opposite side has a sharp shoulder edge  347  (as shown in FIG.  2 ). The other two third and fourth sides are flat surfaces too. When the post  36  engages in the hole  343  of the cap  34 , the smooth curve edge  348  and the smooth curve portion  365  fit with each other to form a smooth curve site and the sharp shoulder (tooth pawl)  366  and the sharp shoulder edge  347  latch with each other to form a tooth pawl site. In this way, the button  34  can only be opened at the first side through the smooth curve site in the direction pointed by arrow A in FIG. 2, and can not be opened in the other three direction, i.e. the second, third and fourth sides. If the tooth pawl site is also made smooth curve without tooth, the button . 34  only can be opened in the two smooth curve sites, and can not be opened from the flat area sites, i.e. the third and fourth sides. The. cap  34  and post  36  slightly contact the flat surfaces  367  each of which has a length long enough along the axis of the post  36 . The button  34  can not be opened from the third or fourth sides, i.e. the flat area sites because there is no enough space. So, the buttons  34  can be installed in the binder only if the smooth curve site or direction is not used to secure papers when the users leaf through the papers during reading (not along the direction which the paper is turned over for reading). As a result, when the paper is turned over for reading, the buttons are remained being locked tightly at the same time. 
     FIG. 10 illustrates one embodiment of the button binder in which the button post  31  is alternatively affixed together with the connection piece  22  on the rear sheet  12  while the pull piece  23  locates just above the connection piece  22 . 
     As shown in FIG. 11, one embodiment of button with latch teeth at one side is illustrated. FIGS. 12-18 show its components. The button comprises a cap base  33 , a pull piece  23 , a button cap  34 , a connection piece  22 , a post tube  35 , a post  36 , and a post base  37 . The cap base  33  is affixed to the pull piece  23  and the cap  34  is affixed on the connection piece  22 . The post base  37  is affixed to the connection piece  22  and the post  36  is affixed on the rear sheet  12 . The pull piece  23  has a flap  231  extending out of the button cap  34 . Pull the flap  231  to open the button. 
     The post  36  has a circle shape in cross section. The post tube  35  engages with the post  36  by its central hole  351 . The post tube  35  has a groove notch  352 . There are small holes  353  in the diameter direction at the end of the groove notch  352 . A short small rod  368  is extended out from the button post  36  to hold the post tube  35  on a predetermined position. thereof Twist the post tube  35  to move the rod  368  out of the hole  353  to the groove notch  352 . Then, slide the post tube  35  along the post  36  resulting in extending the length for holding papers. 
     There is a bifurcated post that forms a pair of posts or legs  354  and  355  at a top portion of the post tube  35 . The top end of leg  355  has a tooth pawl  356 . Another end of the leg  354  is smoothly curved as usual buttons. One side of the mouth of button cap  34  has a smooth curve portion  348  and the opposite side has a sharp tooth latch  347 . When the post  36  engages in the cap  34 , the smooth curve portion  348  and the smooth curved leg  354  fit with each other to form a smooth curve site and the. tooth pawl  356  and the sharp tooth latch  347  mesh with each other. In this way, the button can only be opened from the smooth curve site. The split notch  357 , between legs  354  and  355 , makes the two legs easy to bend into the button cap  34 . The legs  354  and  355  are strong and stiff enough to stay in the button cap  34 . When the button is closed, the small post  331 , extending form the center of cap base  33 , inserts into the split notch  357  to hold the leg  355 . There is not enough space between the small post  331  and the leg  355  due to the length of the post  331  for opening the button at this site. This small post  331  secures the grasped site of the button. However there is enough space between the small post  331  and the smooth curve leg  354  for opening the button from this site. 
     FIG. 19 is a partial cross-sectional view of one embodiment of button and FIGS. 20 and 21 show its components, including the button cap  34 , the connection piece  23  and the button post  36  which are made integrally to form a single button  18 . The pull piece  23  is integrally made with the cap base  33 . The leg  361  with the latch tooth  366  is longer than the leg  362 . The leg  361  can be extended out of the central hole  233  of the pull piece  23  when the button is closed. To use nail of finger to push the end of leg  361  toward another leg  362 , the teeth  366  and  347  will open. So the button is opened. Smooth curved head  365  and the smooth curve portion  348  have a lean angle in order to release their elastic force to open the button when a tooth pawl  366  and the sharp tooth latch  347  are unlocked. There is a hole  369  provided at the root of the post  36  which is used during manufacturing for the tooth pawl  366 . 
     FIG. 22 is a partial cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the button similar to the embodiment as shown in FIG. 19, wherein there is a handle  363  provided at the end of the leg  36  with the tooth pawl. The handle  363  has an angle with the leg  36 . Open the button by pushing the handle  363 . 
     FIG. 23 is a partial cross-sectional view of one embodiment of button. FIGS. 24 to  30  show its partial components. The button comprises a button cap base  33 , a pull piece  23 , a button cap  34 , a connection piece  22 , a U-shaped spring  41 , a button post  36 , and a post base  37 . In the center of the cap base  33 , there is a projection  334  facing downwards which has an enlarged portion  332  at the end of the projection  334 . The cap  34  centrally has a belly projection  341  facing downwards with an axial hole  342  which has a middle segment greater in diameter than an upper segment and a lower segment thereof. The spring  41  is holed in the middle segment. The projection  334  of the cap base  33  can be pressed into the hole  342  of the button cap  34  tightly through the holes of the pull piece  23  and the connection piece  22  to affix the button cap  34  on the. connection piece  22 . 
     The button post  36  is at the center of the button. The upper end of the button post  36  has an enlarged head  3610  having a diameter larger than the button post  36 . The post  36  is a hollow tube having a smaller mouth  3611  facing downwards. The button post  36  is capable of piercing in the space where the spring  41  is provided. There is a latch notch  3612  provided adjacent to the head  3610 . At the opposite side of the latch notch  3612 , the head  3611  has a smooth curve edge. A leg  411  of the spring  41  meshes in the latch notch  3612  when the button is closed. The leg  411  is retained securely in the latch notch  3612 . Therefore, the button can not be opened from the grasped site of the latch notch  3612  and the spring  41 . The button can only be opened from the opposite smooth curve edge. 
     The button post  36  has an axial hole  3613  at its bottom. The post base  37  also has an upward nail  372  with an enlarged head which can be tightly engaged into the mouth  3613  of the button post  36  to fasten the button post  36  and the connection piece  23  on the rear sheet  12 . 
     FIG. 31 is a partial cross-sectional view of one embodiment of button similar to the embodiment as shown in FIG.  23 . FIGS. 31 to  37  show its components. The different between the structure as shown in FIG.  31  and FIG. 23 is the head of the post  36 . The new embodiment of the head of the post  36  in FIG. 31 has two latch teeth  363  at half circle of the head (as shown in FIG.  39 ). Under the two latch teeth  363 , there are two notches  3631 . The opposite half circle part  3632  of the head has no latch teeth and is smooth to the notches  3631 . There are smooth curve edge  3633  from the latch tooth  363  transferring to no tooth head  3632 . The two legs of the spring  41  engage in the notches  3631  respectively when the button is closed (as shown in FIG.  38 ). Therefore the button can be opened from the side has no latch teeth by the legs of spring  41  moving along the smooth curve edge  3633 . The button can not be opened at the site of the latch teeth  363 . 
     FIG. 40 is a partial cross-sectional view of one embodiment of button similar to the embodiment as shown in FIG.  23  and FIG.  31 . FIGS. 41 to  46  show its components. The different between the structure as shown in FIG.  40  and FIG. 23 is the head of the post  36  and the shape of the leg of spring  41 . One side of the post  36  is a flat surface. One leg of the spring  41  is also a flat leg  415 . The flat area of the flat leg  415  and the post  36  engage together and the button can not be opened here. It is similar to the enough contacting length along the post mentioned above. The button can also be one side of the button post  36  and the button cap  34  has the spring  41 . The opposite site of the post  36  and the cap  34  is flat area. 
     FIG. 47 is a partial cross-sectional view of one embodiment of button. FIGS. 48 to  51  show its special components. There is a turning latch plate  50  provided between the button cap base  33  and the button cap  34 . The turning latch plate  50  can be turned within the button cap  34  by moving a small handle  52  thereof. There is a central hole  51  formed in the center of the latch plate  50 . The hole  51  has a larger diameter in one direction and a smaller diameter in the other direction. For example, ollive shape. The head of the post  36  also has a latch  363  having a longer length in one direction and a shorter length in the other direction. The shorter length of the post  36  is shorter than the smaller diameter of the hole  51 . The longer length of the post  36  is shorter than the larger diameter of the hole  51 . The longer length of the post  36  is longer than the smaller diameter of the hole  51 . So the head latch  363  of the post  36  can be inserted into the hole  51 . Turn the turning latch plate  50 , the latch  363  of the post  36  will be locked by the smaller part of the hole  51 . In this way, turn the turning plate  50  to open or lock the button. 
     The turning pate  50  can be modified to install on the top end of the post  36  instead of installing it between the button cap  34  and the cap base  33 . 
     As shown in FIG. 52, the buttons are installed at the left side of the front sheet  11  and the button cap are fixed on the strip  20  which is connected to front sheet  11 . The pull piece  22  is a part of the strip  20 . 
     As shown in FIG. 53, the buttons are installed at the top side of the rear sheet  12 . One embodiment is that it can be only the buttons and the rear sheet without front sheet. 
     As shown in FIG. 54, the buttons are installed on a strip  20  without the front sheet and the rear sheet. 
     As shown in FIG. 55, the button can hold paper alone without the strip and the cover sheets. 
     FIG. 56 illustrates one embodiment of the button binder with a kind of connection piece. 
     FIG. 57 illustrates one embodiment of the connection piece. 
     FIG. 58 illustrates one embodiment of the button binder with integrally made button cup and connection piece. 
     FIG. 59 illustrates one embodiment of the integrally made button cap and connection piece. 
     FIG. 60 illustrates one embodiment of the integrally made button post and post base. 
     FIG. 61 is a partial cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the button with post and integrally made button cup and connection piece. The button only has two parts. The button cap and the connection piece are integrally made. One end of the connection piece is affixed to the button post on the cover. 
     FIG. 62 illustrates one embodiment of the button binder with a turning plate. Turn the plate of button cap to lock or unlock the button. 
     FIG. 63 illustrates one embodiment of the binder cover and how to fold the cover to get fold-line and the position to install buttons. 
     FIG. 64 shows the position and number of buttons and types of binders. The button can be installed on covers and strips or be used by itself. 
     FIG. 65 illustrates one embodiment of the button binder with separate cap. It is a simple button cap having just a piece with dumb-bell-like holes which connect to or integrally made with connection ties. The dumb-bell hole have two cycles, wherein one cycle has a bigger diameter enough for the enlarged head of the button post to insert, and another cycle has a smaller diameter enough to hole the neck of post tightly, to open the button, to switch the head of post to the bigger cycle, to lock the button switch the post to the small cycle. The cap maybe just separately having one dumb-bell hole. 
     FIG. 66 illustrates one embodiment of the button binder with a whole piece of cap. The cap has several dumb bell holes to match the posts. 
     FIG. 67 shows several embodiments of the button binder. The button posts are separately or connected by a strip. There is an optional for the button. Single button still works for binding paper. 
     FIG. 68 shows several embodiments of button posts that are extensible. For extensible, the button post could be spring, snap cylinder or has a tail for extending the length. The tail is inserted into a hole of post base with a bigger end. The tail moves through the hole to extend the post. The bigger end keeps the tail stay in the hole of post base. The tail is made by band, tie, chain, or string.