Abstract:
A binder apparatus for holding materials and media in a binder, having a plurality of binders in opposing relation. The binders are positioned approximately parallel to and near opposing sides of a notebook constructed according to the invention and provide for a space-saving arrangement when mounted in shelves, and a stable configuration when stacked vertically in a pile.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to binder systems for containing papers, documents, media, or other items in removable relation to each other. More specifically, the present invention relates to an arrangement of binders within a notebook-style cover which results in an efficient use of space, materials, and an increased storage capacity, in both the binder and the binder storage location. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Binders are well known devices for keeping various types of documents together. The most commonly used version, as seen in FIG. 1, is a three ring notebook binder  10 . In its most traditional embodiment, a cover  11  is provided having a first cover portion  12 , a cover spine portion  13 , and a second cover portion  14 . The first and second cover portions  12  and  14 , and the cover spine portion  13  are usually a rigid material (e.g. cardboard, plastic, or the like) and occasionally fabric covered or covered with other decorative means including padding. The first cover portion  12  and the cover spine  13  are connected by a first flexible hinge  15 , and the cover spine and the second cover portion  14  are likewise connected by a second flexible hinge  16 . This enables the covers  12  and  14  to flex about the hinges  15  and  16  and be closed into a traditional book-style notebook. 
     Retaining the contents of the notebook is a three-ring binder  17  which is formed by a spine  18  (usually metal) having a plurality of split rings  19  which are openable and closable manually or via action of lever  20 . In some embodiments, the split rings  19  are biased closed via a spring mechanism (not shown). 
     Various embodiments of the rings and binder are known. While three is the traditional number of split rings in a binder, more, or less are also known (e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 5,042,841). Different shaped rings, e.g. a “D” shaped ring are known (e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 6,045,286; U.S. Pat. No. 5,332,327) and different designs for the rings are known (e.g. D408,851). 
     Rings which slide within each other are known (U.S. Pat. No. 4,765,768), as are wrap-around covers (U.S. Pat. No. 4,139,216). 
     A plurality of covers with living hinges are also known (e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 6,030,140) and a flexible spine portion is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,607,246. Various means for attaching the binder mechanism to the cover are known (e.g U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,019,538; 5,964,544; 5,882,135). 
     Mounting the ring binder on the rear cover is likewise known (U.S. Pat. No. 5,651,628; U.S. Pat. No. 5,607,246; U.S. Pat. No. 5,332,327), or about a hinge to serve as an opening-closing mechanism (U.S. Pat. No. 5,028,159); as are different types of covers, such as a thermoplastic cover with grooves delineating a spine portion (U.S. Pat. No. 5,620,207). A notebook which can act as a display stand is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,332,327 and in U.S. Pat. No. 4,335,821. 
     An expandable, double ring binder is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,990,017, where the rings are mounted on the same cover spine portion. 
     While each of these patents illustrates a unique method for adapting a binder-type device to a particular use or convenience, none addresses the constant dilemma of preventing the waste of scarce shelf space and creating a stable, uniform binder apparatus which is attractive and functional. A solution to this problem is needed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a binder arrangement which is attractive and functional. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a binder arrangement which results in the maximum efficiency in space utilization for the binder. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a binder arrangement with a plurality of binders in opposing relation to each other. 
     It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a binder which, when closed, presents an essentially parallel cover arrangement over any level of fill. 
     It is yet an additional object of the present invention to provide a binder arrangement, which, when placed in relation with other such binders, efficiently utilizes the space on a shelf or other storage area. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a binder arrangement which is stackable in the vertical direction with other such binders in a stable and essentially upright manner. 
     It is yet an additional object of the present invention to provide for the storage of materials in a binder while providing a savings of materials while constructing the binder. 
     Other objects, features, and characteristics of the present invention as well as the methods of use of related elements will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numbers designate corresponding elements in the various figures. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the known prior art three-ring binder. 
     FIG. 1A is a top elevation view of the binder shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 3 and 3A are perspective views of other preferred embodiments of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3B is a top elevation view of the binder shown in FIG.  3 A. 
     FIG. 4 is a top elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 3 illustrating the binder when filled with loose-leaf paper. 
     FIG. 5 is a top elevation view of an alternate embodiment illustrating a D-Ring style binder with the binder mechanisms mounted upon the cover portions. 
     FIG. 6 is a top elevation view of a still further embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another further embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 8 is a top elevation view of the binder shown in FIG.  7 . 
     FIGS. 9A and 9B are top elevation views of other further embodiments of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As shown in FIG. 2, a preferred embodiment of a device according to the instant invention is designated generally by the reference numeral  21 . The preferred embodiment includes three cover panels (first cover panel  22 , central cover panel  23 , and second cover panel  24 ) and two spine panels ( 25 ,  26 ), connected by four flexible hinges ( 27 ,  28 ,  29 ,  30 ). Each panel  22 - 26 , or cover, has a top edge or side, a bottom edge or side, a first side edge, and a second side edge. 
     Affixed to each spine panel ( 25  and  26 ) is a binder device ( 31 ,  32 ) for releasably engaging articles to be held within the binder. Such articles may be paper (e.g. 8.5×11 inch paper punched with appropriate holes), or other articles which are desired to be retained in sequential alignment, such as photograph album pages, compact disc carrier pages, trial exhibits, etc. 
     In its presently preferred embodiment the binder  21  comprises a standard three ring binder with split-rings which are openable and closable. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the ring binders  31  and  32  are centrally disposed on each of the spine panels  25  and  26  and the central cover panel  23  is slightly wider (in the direction between the spines) than the documents, papers, or other media to be contained within the binder  21 . Thus, the various papers or other items contained in the binder apparatus  21  may lie against each other in a space-saving relationship. 
     In a particularly preferred embodiment, the binder mechanisms are mounted to one side of the spine panels, which are oversized as regards the binder mechanism. With reference to FIGS. 3 and 3A, it may be seen that spine panel  33  and  33 ′ and spine panel  34  and  34 ′ have the binder mechanisms  35  and  35 ′ and  36  and  36 ′ offset. Thus, when the binder is completely full and closed on both sides, the space-saving arrangement is clearly visible as seen in FIGS. 3B and 4 (corresponding to  3 A and  2  respectively). 
     In FIG. 4, first cover panel  41  acts as an external cover panel, first spine panel  42  has affixed in a lower position first binder mechanism  43  which is shown containing loose-leaf paper  44 . First cover panel  41  is hingeably connected to first spine panel  42  via a flexible hinge member  45 , such as a flexible plastic hinge, or a cloth binding element. First spine panel  42  is likewise hingeably connected to central cover panel  46  by a flexible hinge member  47 . Central cover panel  46  is hingeably connected to second spine member  48  by flexible hinge member  49 . Second spine member  48  has affixed to it in an upper position second binder mechanism  50 , shown with loose leaf paper  51 . Second spine member  48  is shown in this embodiment hingeably connected to second cover panel  53  by flexible hinge element  52 . As illustrated in FIG. 3A, a second cover panel  53  in FIG. 4 is not absolutely necessary. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the rings may be mounted upon the various cover panels using specially shaped rings. Turning to FIG. 5, such an arrangement is contemplated. First D-Ring binder mechanism  55  is mounted upon first cover panel  54 . The first D-Ring binder  55  contains loose-leaf style paper  56 , and is located in a lower position when considering the binder  55  overall in the orientation displayed in FIG. 5. A second D-ring binder  57  is mounted upon central cover panel  58  and contains loose-leaf paper  59 . The outer cover is constructed in a conventional manner, with the first cover panel  54  being hingeably connected to first spine panel  60 , and first spine panel  60  being hingeably connected to central cover panel  58 , and central cover panel  58  being optionally connected to second spine panel  61 . 
     The materials for use in a binder arrangement according to the present invention may be selected from various conventionally used materials. If a hard binder is desired, suitable materials include a rigid board covered with a fabric, or a heavy gauge cardboard, plastics, or other suitable material with sufficient rigidity. A decorative cover, e.g. a layer of polypropylene imprinted with a design or a vinyl cover may also be used. Flexible covers, e.g. lightweight plastic such as vinyl, polyvinyl chloride or polypropylene may be used. 
     The binder mechanism as used in the present invention may be any of various conventional mechanisms. A traditional three-ring snap binder may be used, or binders which slide, screw, or lever open or closed may be used. More or fewer rings may be used, but it is preferred that at least two rings are used, although in certain applications a single holding device may be used. Clamps, clips, and other mechanisms for holding materials within the binder may be used. 
     The physical arrangement of the binder in the cover gives the inventive binder significantly improved properties over traditional binders, which, when closed, waste a significant amount of shelf space by virtue of excess spine space. In an embodiment of the invention, opposing binder rings help more efficiently utilize the space both within the binder space (from spine-to-spine) and longitudinally along the shelf space within which the binder may rest in association with other binders. 
     A particularly preferred binder which saves space and yields a very flexible format for presentation and organization is seen in FIG.  6 . Three different binder mechanisms  62 ,  63 , and  64  are mounted in opposed configuration to provide an attractive and functional binder apparatus. The relative size of the rings may be adjusted to provide for one large binder in the middle (e.g.  63 , while the other two binders may be smaller ( 62 ,  64 ) to result in the same end result—an essentially parallel pair of outer covers. 
     In FIG. 7, another alternate embodiment is seen. Notebook  65  is seen with a first cover portion  66  hingeably connected by a first hinge  67  to a first spine portion  68 . Attached to the first spine portion  68  is a first binder  69 . The first binder  69  is approximately parallel to the first hinge  67  and positioned closer to (proximate or proximal to) the first hinge  67  than the second hinge  70 . This leaves an unoccupied space  71  on the first spine portion  6 . Shown in phantom in this region are media (e.g. loose leaf paper or other media which could be held in first binder  69 . 
     Second cover portion  72  is hingeably connected by third hinge  70  to first spine portion  68 . Second cover portion  72  is, on an opposing side from second hinge  70 , hingeably connected by third hinge  73  to second spine portion  74 . Affixed to second spine portion  74  is second binder  75 , located closer to third hinge  73  than to fourth hinge  76 , which hingeably connects to third cover portion  77 . Affixed to both third cover portion  77  and first cover portion  66  are additional fasteners  78  and  79 , respectively. These fasteners  78 - 79  may be spring-loaded clips, adhesive fasteners, or any other suitable fasteners known in the art. 
     When the embodiment in FIG. 7 is in the open position, it provides a readily accessible multiple binder notebook with access to 4 different media displays, for example, a scratch pad may be affixed under additional fastener  79  for taking notes during a trial or deposition, exhibits from one side may be fastened within binder  69 , exhibits from another side be fastened within binder  75 , and additional notes or other documents be held in fastener  78 . Pockets  81 ,  82 , and  83  may be provided my manner known in the art, e.g. heat welding a vinyl pocket in place or by other means of affixation. 
     When the embodiment of FIG. 7 is in the closed position, the loose leaf media may be folded on top of each other, and the covers sequentially closed, to result in the tidy, organized, and secure binder seen in FIG.  8 . As may be seen, the loose leaf media  84  and  85  are aligned in contiguous planes which provide for an effective and space saving storage of material. The alignment of media in contiguous planes is also evident in embodiments displayed in earlier figures. Still further embodiments are illustrated in FIGS. 9A and 9B. 
     While the invention has been described in connection with preferred embodiments, it should be understood readily that the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment. Rather, the present invention is intended to cover various equivalent arrangements and is only limited by the claims which follow. One of skill in the art, having regard for this disclosure, can now readily envision many variations without departing from the scope of the claims which follow. 
     The entire disclosures of all patents and publications, cited above, are hereby incorporated by reference.