Patent Publication Number: US-9844971-B2

Title: Paper binding fasteners

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE 
     Provisional Patent Application No. 62/123,674 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates to the field of binding paper together. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Currently in order to bind paper together one would have numerous options to do so from very inexpensive to more expensive. The easiest is of course a simple stapler. Other options would be to use different sorts of hole punching devices first to punch the hole (3 hole vertical along left margin, 2 hole horizontal along top, rectangle holes along left margin for comb style etc.) and then some sort of fastener to hold the paper together. For example there are brass brads that go through the holes and then spread apart on the other side, these brads are not very good as it is not tight enough to bind the paper and tears the paper apart because the edges are very sharp. There is also a 3 ring folder that has 3 rings inside that snap open and shut, one would first need to punch paper with 3 holes or buy the paper with the 3 holes already in it; this is the most common punch in any office and the cheapest. One would then put the paper in and then close the 3 rings thereby capturing the paper. This 3 ring binder as it is known is expensive, very bulky and cannot be filed in file cabinets. The 3 ring binder system also needs many sizes of it in stock in an office, as a 50-page document would require a much different size binder than a 500-page document. The paper in these 3 ring binders also tear very easily as the paper is not really bound but rather loosely held together and the single pages easily tear from the metal rings. Another example would be the comb process, one would need to buy an expensive machine to punch numerous rectangle holes vertically along the left margin of the paper and then with the same machine you hold open the plastic “comb” and insert the paper after the paper is in place you release the comb and it goes back to its original shape and holds the paper loosely in place. This process does not allow for filing in file cabinets and also requires numerous comb sizes in stock to achieve the proper binding of different size documents. Again this is a very expensive endeavor and has a very high level of error if you don&#39;t punch the square holes exactly in the right position the bound document is a mess and the comb may not go through all the sheets. This comb system is also very difficult to take apart if necessary and put back together. Another example is a 2 hole punch that is punched at the top of the paper, one would need to buy an inexpensive 2 hole punch and then one would buy a 2 hole clasp that is either already attached to some sort of folder or you would attach it via a pre-glued sticky back onto a folder. This 2 hole method is not used for presentation documents but filing legal docs most of the time in a legal folder. All these methods are often cumbersome to achieve, cause a high level of mistakes in the process, don&#39;t provide a professional looking finished piece and with some of them can be an expensive endeavor to buy the punch and the special clips to mate only their press. 
     The present invention is provided to solve the problems discussed above and other problems, and to provide advantages and aspects not provided by prior Paper Binding methods of this type. A full discussion of the features and advantages of the present invention is deferred to the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated. The present invention solves all the problems of the prior methods by having a two-piece paper binder system that scales from 1 piece of paper to many pieces of paper. When used said system has incredible clamping power keeping pages tightly bound and is cable of being easily and cheaply used and taken apart. Two-piece system has several versions utilizing the same clamping structure. It has a single, double and triple tail system. The present invention is capable of being filed, this is very unique as most documents need a hanging file to be filed whereas this invention can be suspended in the file cabinet by itself with the attached hanger that can be assembled with the binder system. The present invention is very inexpensive as it will be injection molded of an inexpensive plastic. The present invention makes for a beautiful presentation piece, allowing for great creative freedom. The cover of the presentation can be customized to whatever the need is because it is standard paper. The invention is thin and to the far left or very top of the paper allowing lots of room and is almost not noticed at all especially if the binder is made of a clear material. The present invention is scalable for many sizes of binding and does not require lots of inventory, the tail of the first member is of a length that allows for small to very large documents, after you clamp the 2 members together you simple cut or break off the remaining part of the tail making it a custom length to the size of your document. The present invention is easily taken apart and put back together with ease. The present invention has a snap on plate that allows for a place to put a label on the spine for viewing in a file cabinet. The second member-clamping device is capable of being released with a simple paper clip or with the release rod provided. You simple push the rod of a paper clip into a hole that is perpendicular to the locking blade and it is released from the first member tail. Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the following drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the invention showing the first members dome top with its integral tails front face with the raised profile running down the center of the tail. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the invention showing the first members tails back side with no raised profile but entirely flat. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the present invention showing the first member tails side view. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the present invention showing the first member in an isometric view. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the present invention showing the second clamping members top view. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the present invention showing the second clamping members underneath or back view. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the present invention showing the second clamping member in a side view. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the present invention showing the second clamping member in an isometric view 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the present invention showing an assembly view with the first and second clamping members in the closed position. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the present invention showing an assembly view with the first and second clamping members in the open position. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the present invention showing an assembly view with the first and second clamping members in a side view in the open position. 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the present invention showing an isometric view of the first member and second clamping member in a close up with the blade from the second clamping member engaged in the tail of the first member. 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the present invention showing a close up side view of the second clamping member attached to the tail of the first member with the blade engaged in the first members rib. 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the present invention showing the first member and second clamping member in a close up in the closed position. Second clamping member shows ejection rod beginning to enter hole in second clamping member. 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the present invention showing the first member and second clamping member in a close up in the closed position. Second clamping member shows ejection rod all the way through the ejection hole and under the blade. Blade is now released from first member. 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of the present invention showing the first member and second clamping member in a close up in the closed position. This side view shows the ejection rod making contact with the blade and lifting it off the surface of the rib. 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the present invention showing an alternative use of the invention by integrating two of each of the first members and the second clamping members in a multiply prong two piece device, in this view we see two first members integrated together with an elongated member and two second clamping members joined together with a elongated member. This variation of the invention would be used for a two hole punched paper. 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of the present invention showing an alternative use of the invention by integrating three of each of the first members and the second clamping members in a multiply prong three tail device, in this view we see three first members integrated together with an elongated member and three second clamping members joined together with a elongated member. This variation of the invention would be used for a three hole punched paper. 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of the present invention showing a close up of the multipronged device. This configuration of multiple first members and multiple second clamping members integrated with a elongated member may be in one or more configurations. 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the present invention showing the label plate attached. 
         FIG. 21  is a perspective view of the present invention showing the hanger rods attached. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention a plastic body possibly injection molded forms the main structure of the first member tail. There is a elongated integral tail  120  that extends outwards at a 90 degree angle from the top dome  110 . Top dome  110  is a larger diameter than elongated tail  120  so top dome  110  will not pass through punched holes in paper when binding paper. Running parallel with the tail  120  on one side of the tail  120  is a raised profile rib  130  for the blade  530  to engage with. Along both sides of the raised profile rib  130  running parallel to it is a beveled ramp  150 . At the end of the profile rib  130  is another bevel  140  to allow for easy insertion into second clamping member  510 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention the back side of the tab is flat  210   
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, shows the main structure of the tail in a side view  120 . The raised profile  130  is evident along the tail. At the end of the tail  140  is the beveled insertion point. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention shows the tail in an isometric view  400   
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention shows the second clamping members top view  510 . A cut through  520  from the top through to the bottom this allows the tail  120  to pass through. The shape of the pass through  520  only allows for the tail  120  to go in one way and orientate itself in the proper direction. The blade  530  peeks through and over laps the opening  520  causing interference with the tail  120 . Ejection holes  540  are shown where the ejection rod  1410  enters and releases blade  530  from tail  120 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention shows the back side of the second clamping member  510 . The blade  530  is again shown interfering with the pass through  520  for the tail of the first member  120 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention shows a side view of the second clamping member  510 . This side view allows one to see through the ejection holes  540  and see the blade  530   
     As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention showing an isometric view of the second clamping member  510 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention shows the front view of the first member  120  and second clamping member  510  assembled in a closed position. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention shows the front view of the first member  120  and second clamping member  510  assembled in a opened position. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention shows a side view of the assembled first member tail  120  and second clamping member  510  in the open position 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention shows an isometric view of the first member tail  120  and second clamping member  510  assembled in an open position. Blade  530  is shown engaged in first members raised rib profile  130   
     As illustrated in  FIG. 13 , in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention shows a close up of the second clamping member  510  and the first member tail  120  assembled. The blade  530  is shown engaged into the raised rib profile  130  and holding it static. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 14 , in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention shows a close up of the second clamping member  510  and the first member tail  120  assembled in a closed position with the ejection rod  1410  entering the ejection hole  540 . Ejection rod  1410  makes contact with the raised ribs profile ramp  130  as it is pushed further in it goes behind the blade  530  which is still engaged with raised profile  130 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 15 , in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention shows a close up of the second clamping member  510  and the first member tail  120  assembled in a closed position with the ejection rod  1410  entering the ejection hole  540 . As ejection rod  1410  passes through the second clamping member it will find its way behind blade  530 . After sliding behind blade  530  it will start to slide up the ramp of the raised rib profile  130 . As the ejection rod  1410  gets higher up the ramp and further into the ejection hole  540  the ejection rod  1410  is constrained to a certain position within the ejection hole  540 . This position forces the ejection rod  1410  to engage and lift the blade  530  off the raised rib profile surface  130 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 16 , in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention shows a close up of the second clamping member  510  and the first member tail  120  assembled in a closed position in a side view. Ejection rod  1410  has passed completely through second clamping member  510 . Ejection rod  1410  has slide up the ramp of the raised rib profile  130  of the first member tail  120  and now sits on top of the raised rib profile  130 , this action has resulted in putting pressure on the backside of the blade  530  and has lifted the edge of the blade  530  off the raised rib profile  130  of the first member tail  120  thereby releasing the second clamping member  510  from the first member tail  120  to be taken apart. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 17 , in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention shows a two tail device comprising two pieces, a top two tail member  1710  and a bottom two hole receiver member  1720 . The attributes of the first member single tail  120  are the same for the two tail member  1710  except there are two of them integrated into a two tail device instead of a singular one. The attributes of the second clamping member  510  are the same for the two hole second clamping member receiver but are integrated into a two hole second clamping member receiver device instead of a singular one. This two tail  1710  two receiver  1720  device utilizes the same gripping and releasing mechanisms as the single prong device. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 18 , in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention shows a three prong device comprising two pieces, a top three tail member  1810  and a bottom three hole receiver member  1820 . The attributes of the first member single tail  120  are the same for the three tail member  1810  except there are three of them molded into a three prong device instead of a singular one. The attributes of the second clamping member  510  are the same for the three hole receiver member but are molded into a three hole receiver member device instead of a singular one. This three tail  1810  three receiver  1820  device utilizes the same gripping and releasing mechanisms as the single prong device. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 19 , in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention shows a close up view of the multi hole paper-binding device. This configuration of multiple first members and multiple second clamping members integrated with an elongated member may be in one or more tail and clamping configurations. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 20 , in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention shows the label plate  2010  attached to the second clamping member  1820   
     As illustrated in  FIG. 21 , in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention shows the hanger rods  2110  assembled with second clamping member  1820  and first member  1810   
     While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying Claims.