Abstract:
A ring binder mechanism having hole-punch assembly integrated therewith such as to conserve space and not impede the normal operation when disposed within a binder or a notebook. A novel aspect of the present invention allows the user to consolidate paper alignment, hole-punch capability and ring or loop binding functions into one portable storage assembly, thereby reaping the benefit of a convenient, effective, reliable and immediate paper storage apparatus in a portable form factor.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to and the benefit of the provisional application having Ser. No. 61/397,337 and filed on Jun. 10, 2010. The provisional application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to the field of stationery supplies, and more specifically to single and multiple-ring binder notebooks and binders. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The multiple-ring binder has long been the preferred storage medium for paper and other artifacts. Previously, the collection of papers or documents in hardcopy secured format (as opposed to a manila folder, for example) required a minimum of two separate products: a multiple-ring binder and a separate paper hole-punch; the latter, often not being readily available when needed in remote locations such as the classroom or conference rooms, etc. areas that are away from home or the office. In addition, most documents in paper (or photographic) form do not have pre-punched holes to accommodate the multiple-ring binder. It would be desirable to be able to securely bind and/or file paper documents and store such paper artifacts in a portable device while temporarily at a remote location. 
         [0004]    The typical multiple-hole paper punch device is generally heavy and too large for portability. On the other hand, the single-hole punch (pliers-type) device is easily portable but lacks the accuracy in aligning the holes on the paper or item to be filed with the ringed notebook or binder. The alternative of not securing loose papers or artifacts while away from home or the office is also not desirable in that it is extremely inconvenient and often results in lost or damaged paper or other valuable artifacts. These and other challenges are addressed by the various embodiments of the present invention. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention relates generally to a ringed or looped binder assembly or frame having hole-punch mechanism or assembly integrated therewith such as to conserve space and not impede the normal operation of the binder or notebook. A novel aspect of the present invention allows the user to consolidate paper alignment, hole-punch capability and ring or loop binding functions into one portable storage assembly, thereby reaping the benefit of a convenient, effective, reliable and immediate paper storage apparatus in a portable form factor. 
         [0006]    In one example embodiment of a ring binder mechanism with holepunch assembly there is included a first elongate plate having a top and a bottom surface and a plurality of ring members disposed on the top surface of the first elongate plate, the ring members configured to be opened and closed. The ring binder mechanism further includes a plurality of projection members disposed on the bottom surface of the first elongate plate and a second elongate plate coupled to a portion of the first elongate plate so as to form a hinge therebetween. The second plate is configured to have a plurality of holes configured to be aligned with the plurality of projection members in a mating relationship thereby forming the holepunch assembly. In a related embodiment, the ring members are configurable to open or closed individually or together via a binder carriage assembly that uses a binder tab and a spring loaded assembly to open and close simultaneously the ring members. In yet another related embodiment, the second plate or base plate is configurable to fasten or secure (either temporarily or permanently) the ring binder mechanism to a binder or a notebook. In yet another related embodiment, the second plate is configurable to accommodate a removable (or permanent) tray or housing to collect the hole punches. In yet another embodiment, the second plate forms part of a housing for collecting hole punches and includes a flap or slide door to allowing emptying of the hole punches. 
         [0007]    In another example embodiment of a ring binder mechanism with holepunch assembly there is included a first elongate plate having a top and a bottom surface and at least one ring member disposed on the top surface of the first elongate plate, the at least one ring member configured to be opened and closed. In addition, at least one projection member is disposed on the bottom surface of the first elongate plate while a second elongate plate having at least one hole therethrough is configured to receive the at least one projection member therethrough, wherein the first plate and the second plate are configured to be joined via the projection member and the aperture to form the holepunch assembly. In a related embodiment, the first and second plates are joined at one edge to form a hinge therebetween to facilitate the holepunch function. In yet another related embodiment, the single ring member of the ring binder mechanism is individually opened and closed to be able to receive a hole-punched sheet of paper. 
         [0008]    In yet another related embodiment the entire ring binder mechanism is moldable from plastic (or other flexible material) such that a first plate and a second plate are configured from a single piece of material with the hinge being formed therebetween from the same piece of material. The single piece of plastic material further includes the plurality of projections molded on the first plate with the plurality of ring members being formed from plastic strand members located on a top edge of the first plate having a T-shaped or sphere termination. In addition, the second plate has the plurality of holes punched therethrough for receiving the projections. The first plate further includes holes to receive the molded plastic strand member ends which will form the ring members once the ring binder mechanism is assembled. 
         [0009]    Advantageously, the various embodiments of the present invention provide for no adverse format, size or weight impact to the standard multiple-ring (or single loop or clamp) binding configuration while meeting the requirements for portability and convenience. The ringed hole-punch assembly of the present invention is conveniently relatively flat, so that it does not significantly affect the number of sheets that will be stored in the multiple-ring binder notebook or folder. The low profile assembly also ensures that the multiple-ring assembly will close properly and remain so. In a related embodiment, a single clasp or clamp can be added for additional security in closure. In yet another related embodiment, one or more projection members in the closed position serve as a clamping function to help a ring assembly with one or more rings to remain closed. 
         [0010]    In another aspect of the present invention, the ring binder mechanism is self-aligned preferably in the same manner as the sheets therein, namely, thereby providing appropriate spacing to accommodate the multiple-ring configuration of the multiple-ring binder. In a related embodiment, the ring binder mechanism is easily configured to accommodate a single ring and associated hole and hole-punch. 
         [0011]    In yet another aspect of the present invention the ring binder mechanism is light so that it does not add significantly to the weight of the multiple-ring binder and the overall burden to the user who may carry several such binders and materials enroute to the office or schoolroom. Further, the ring binder mechanism is easy to use in terms of additional time or energy to align, punch and insert one or more sheets of paper into the ring binder assembly. The configuration of the “ring” includes but is not limited to various geometric shapes that permit open and closure such as ovals, rectangles, squares, and circles as were two ends come together for closure. In a related embodiment, the ring or rings are shaped in an “easy-grip” fashion to include at the top of the ring at least 2 curved halves connecting up at the middle to improve gripping of the ring(s) during a hole punching operation. 
         [0012]    In a related aspect of the invention, the “ring” of the ring binder assembly mechanism is a single ring member that is opened/closed via an additional lever, such as in a spring-loaded C-clip, so as to have a single ring that pivots the hole punch portion thereby facilitating paper collection at one corner of the stack of papers to be held together. In a related embodiment, the ring member has an opening that is closed or “joined” via one member (or two opposing but complementary members) in a screw-lock configuration (or SurLock screw configuration). In another embodiment, an “easy grip” ring style allows a more ergonomic feel to enhance ring open and closing actuation. In yet another related embodiment, one or more of these ring members are combined to hole-punch and hold the paper stack without the additional cost of using the spring-loaded assembly that controls all of the ring members at once from either end of the ring binder mechanism. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective, exploded view of an embodiment of a ring binder mechanism and hole-punch assembly with optional removable tray member according to the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the ring binder mechanism of  FIG. 1  as part of a notebook or binder according to the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are open and closed perspective views of the binder mechanism opening lengthwise along a hinged binder frame illustrating the hole-punch assembly. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3C  is an exploded, perspective view of the binder mechanism of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0017]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are side views of the ring member and hole-punch assembly unit and a separated hole-punch assembly according to the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIGS. 5A-5C  are perspective, side and end views of another embodiment of the binder mechanism of the present invention using a single end hinged configuration. 
           [0019]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are side views of other embodiments of a binder mechanism with hole-punch capabilities of the present invention using different closure mechanisms. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of another ring design according to the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  are side views of another embodiment of the binder mechanism of the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0022]    The same elements or parts throughout the figures of the drawings are designated by the same reference characters. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0023]    The following description is meant to be illustrative only and not limiting. Other embodiments of this invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of this description. 
         [0024]    Referring generally to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , perspective and side views of an example embodiment of a ring binder mechanism and hole-punch assembly  100  according to the present invention is shown. Ring binder mechanism  100 , in this example embodiment, includes a binder carriage  101  with a first plate (or carriage frame)  102 A. In a related embodiment, the carriage frame and first plate  102 A can be a single unit or piece. In this example embodiment, a second plate (or support carriage frame)  102 B is coupled in a hinged relationship via a hinge  103  to first plate  102 A. In this example embodiment, plate  102 A includes a plurality or multiple ring members  104  on the top surface and a set of hole-punch projections  106  underneath that correspond to a set of apertures or holes  108  formed in plate  102 B so as to configure a hole-punch assembly  110 . In a related embodiment, projections  106  are disposed directly underneath binder carriage  101  so as to eliminate plate  102 A. In this example embodiment, punch die projections  106  are aligned with corresponding ring members  106  but can be configured differently to include more or less projections and to be located where desired or needed for the particular application. In this example embodiment, plate  102 B is configurable to include a ruler  112  with measurement markings (US or metric) as desired for the particular application. In this example embodiment, a removable tray member  114  is configured to fit or slide underneath plate  102 B to collect hole-punches. In a related embodiment, the removable tray member can be excluded to lower product cost. In this example embodiment, plate  102 B is affixable to the notebook or binder via rivets  116  (as mounting hardware), thereby enhancing stability for the user of ring binder mechanism  100 . In another embodiment, the notebook and paper punch retainer can be molded as one piece thus maintaining low profile of the binder assembly 
         [0025]    Optionally, ring binder mechanism  100  is usable for securing papers without a binder or notebook. In this example embodiment, ring binder mechanism  100  is configurable to be attached to different portable binders (such as a snap fit) and is further configurable to include one or more extension tabs adjacent the longitudinal ends of plates  102 A and  102 B to form a hanging file, thereby allowing the retained papers to be filed in a hanging file cabinet without the need for manila folders. In a related example embodiment, the binder component is fastenable to the ring binder mechanism of the present invention and is designed to slide or be placed in file cabinet storage. It would host grooves that would match guides in a file cabinet. The ring binder-puncher mechanism of the present invention could be later united to the notebook when portability of the file/papers is needed. In yet another related embodiment, notebook is configurable with vents and special covering to serve as a stable lap top computer stand. 
         [0026]    In the above referenced example embodiment, the hole-punch preparation is achieved by placing a standard letter sized (8½″ by 11) paper, aligned with ruler  112 , and then the hole-punch operation is executed by pressing (or closing) in a cantilever motion plate  102 A downward towards plate  102 B to closed or locked position which results in the punch die projection(s) cutting through an aligned sheet or sheets of paper, thus producing the multiple hole punch. The operator simply opens ring members  104  (or split rings) via tabs  105  of binder carriage  101  and inserts the punched paper into the binder rings in a standard fashion. In this example embodiment, plate  102 A (or movable carriage) is returned to a closed position with plate  102 B and held in place (locked) by the seating of punch die projections  106  into corresponding die receptacle apertures or holes  108 . In a related embodiment, an additional clamp or clasp can be included to retain plates  102 A and  102 B in a locked position. In a related embodiment, ring binder mechanism  100  has extended surface tabs that extend out to serve as designated pushing areas for the user&#39;s thumbs to make it easier to push projections  106  downward to pierce the paper. In yet another related embodiment, ring binder mechanism  100  is configured to create the punch is sliding back and forth or pulling the unit straight up (thereby eliminating the hinge between plates  102 A and  102 B altogether and the unit just snaps closed together when the hole punching operation is complete). In yet another related embodiment, projections  106  and apertures  108  are reversible so as to have projections  106  on the bottom (or plate  102 B) and have them pierce the paper from the bottom through apertures  108  on the top (or plate  102 A). 
         [0027]    Referring further to  FIG. 2 , ring binder mechanism  100  is attached to a notebook or binder  120 . The optional removable tray  114  is also shown. One of the advantages of the various embodiments of the present invention is that the ring binder mechanism provides a low profile and is retrofitable with the form factor of multiple-ring binders or notebooks currently on the market. In another example embodiment, tray  114  provides additional stability to binder  120  as well and is moldable right into the notebook (e.g., plastic injection molding) with a side opening (or slots with or without sliding openings) that opens and shuts to allow the hole punches to be emptied. In a related embodiment, tray  114  is permanently closed bin as it may never have to be opened for paper punches to come out as the hole-punch capability might not be used enough to require emptying. In yet another related embodiment, tray  114  provides support for the puncher assembly of the present invention to help with the downward pressure to create the hole-punch. 
         [0028]    In another example embodiment of the invention disclosed herein, the ring binder mechanism  100  is made of a relatively rigid injection-molded plastic such as general purpose styrene and ABS or traditional steel or, ferrous materials, most commonly used in today&#39;s binders. In a related embodiment, the ring binder mechanism of the present invention is formed of certain plastic compounds forming a continuum capable of multiple open/close operations by simply flexing the seam, acting as a hinge function (e.g., plate  102 A and  102 B are a single plate of plastic with a plastic “hinge” therebetween). As in the case of the traditional metal hinge, the punch die are again embedded in the underside of the plastic carriage, positioned directly beneath the rings, which can also be made of plastic and are clipped or can clasp to the plastic carriage via a T-slot in the carriage and a T-tip on one or more (plastic) ring members  104 . 
         [0029]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3A through 3C , there is shown open and closed perspective views of ring binder mechanism  100  opening lengthwise along a hinged binder frame illustrating the hole-punch feature. Referring specifically to  FIG. 3C , there is shown an exploded, perspective view of the binder mechanism of  FIG. 3B . In this example embodiment, binder carriage  101 , having carriage tabs  105  for opening ring members  104 , is a separate member but adhered to plate  102 A′ which in turn coupled to plate  102 B′ via hinge  103 . Although not clearly shown in  FIG. 3B , a hinge pin  103 A holds plates  102 A′ and  102 B′ in the hinge relationship. Hole punch projections  106  are disposed on plate  102 A′ underneath binder carriage  101 , and under each ring member  104 , and are configured to associate with apertures  108  in plate  102 B′. A base plate  102 C serves to secure mechanism  100  to a notebook binder via a set of rivets  116 A (as mounting hardware) or to provide additional stability to mechanism  100  (it is also configurable as a tray to capture hole punches). 
         [0030]    Referring now to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , there is shown respective side views of ring member  104  as part of the fully assembled ring binder mechanism  100  as well as an hole-punch portion  400  of ring binder mechanism  100  according to the present invention. Other hole-punch configurations can be incorporated into various embodiments of the present invention are found in example patent numbers U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,843 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,553,958, the teachings of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In this example embodiment, hole-punch portion  400  includes a first plate  402 A having a projection  406  thereon that corresponds to aperture  408  in second plate  402 B that is disposed on a base  402 C. Optionally, a tray  414  (removable or permanent) is included below base  402 C. Plate  402 A and  402 B are joined at hinge  403  via a pin  403 A to facilitate the cantilever movement of plate  402 A. 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIGS. 5A-5C , there is illustrated perspective, side and end views of another embodiment of the binder mechanism of the present invention using a single-end hinged configuration  500 . Ring binder mechanism  500  includes a binder carriage  501 , plate  502 A and lower plate  502 B, a single-end hinge  503  joined via hinge pin  503 A, a set of ring members  504  disposed on either carriage  501  or plate  502 A and a set of carriage tabs  505 . Plate  502 A further includes a set of projections  506  adapted to be associated with a set of apertures or holes  508 . In related embodiments, the hinge is disposed in a variety of hinge locations on binder spine (or plate)  502 A that allow any of four (4) sides to act as the hinge. The hinge may be positioned on either the left, right, top or bottom edge. A snap is incorporated to aid in locking spine  502 A to a fixed base  502 B to secure the movable spine. Changing the location of the hinge can advantageously be used to accommodate a left hand user vs. right hand user. 
         [0032]    Referring now to  FIGS. 6A and 6B , there is illustrated side views of other embodiments of a binder mechanism  600  with hole-punch capabilities of the present invention using different ring member closure mechanisms. In these example embodiments, the complex spring loaded carriage binder and ring member assembly is eliminated and each ring member is opened and closed individually to accept the hole-punched paper. In  FIG. 6A , ring member  604  includes a closure lever  604 A similar to spring loaded C-clip arrangement (often used in keychains). In  FIG. 6B , a gap in ring member  604  is closed to secure the hole-punched paper via a one or two piece male/female barrel closure device or screw-lock (or SurLock) arrangement. In this example embodiment, a male ring closure barrel  604 B mates with a corresponding female closure barrel  604 C to close ring member  604  closure and retain the hole-punched paper. In a related embodiment, a single closure barrel, male or female can be used where the other end of the open ring member is configured with a male or female end. In a related embodiment, the ring member is a spring clip design such as also used in keychains or paper clips. In yet another related embodiment, closure mechanisms of  FIGS. 6A and 6B  facilitate the use of a single-ring binder mechanism  600  with a single hole-punch capability to have the smallest, compact paper retaining device where the user desires to store a stack of papers via single punched-hole.  FIG. 6B  illustrates the single ring binder mechanism  600  in the open position before effecting a hole-punching task. 
         [0033]    In related embodiment, one or more ring binder mechanisms  600  are combined in various configurations to accommodate the user needs. For instance, two binder mechanisms  600  can be used for photo albums or small portable notepads. One or more binder mechanisms  600  can be used on a clipboard and in a legal-style folder. 
         [0034]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , there is shown a ring binder mechanism  700  having a set of rings  702  that are shaped in an “easy-grip” fashion to include at the top of the ring at least 2 curved halves  702 A and  702 B connecting up at a middle portion  702 C to improve gripping of one or more rings  702  (or ring, where it is a single ring embodiment) during a hole punching operation. This example embodiment is applicable to the various hinge embodiments disclosed herein. 
         [0035]    Referring now to  FIGS. 8A and 8B , there are shown side views of another embodiment of the binder mechanism assembly  800  of the present invention. In this example embodiment, ring binder mechanism  802  is configured to be disposed in contact with (or attached to) binder  810  at a binder spine  812 .  FIG. 8B  illustrates an exploded view of assembly  800  wherein binder mechanism  802  is detached from a binder spine plate  812 A that together with a binder spine  812  form a punch collection cavity  814 . 
         [0036]    All patents, patent applications, and publications cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety as if individually incorporated. 
         [0037]    Although the invention has been described in terms of particular embodiments and applications, one of ordinary skill in the art, in light of this teaching, can generate additional embodiments and modifications without departing from the spirit of or exceeding the scope of the claimed invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the drawings and descriptions herein are proffered by way of example to facilitate comprehension of the invention and should not be construed to limit the scope thereof.