Improvements in Binders for Papers and Documents.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Sept., 1899-Accepted, 4th Nov., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Binders for Papers and Documents.
I, HARRY EDWARD DADE, of Mount Vernon, in the County of Westchester and
State of New York, United States of America, Manufacturer, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained, in and by the following state-
ment;-
:
This invention relates to binders. It seeks among other things to provide
in an expansible binder having upper and lower binding strips a quick-acting
arrangement whereby these strips in moving to and from each other will always
move equal distances, so as to be kept at equal distances from a definite imagin-
ary or real medial point or line; to provide in such a binder a back, so arranged
that a definite medial line thereof will be maintained always equally distant
from the said strips; to provide a binder with a convenient curved back on
which the binder, when opened on a desk, may turn so as to present the sheets
in substantially a horizontal position for the purpose of convenience in writing;
to provide in a binder an efficient and convenient lock; to provide a binder
having sheet engaging posts adapted to keep the sheets in the binder at all
times in accurate alignment; to provide in a binder fixed and removable posts
of special arrangement designed to engage open and closed holes in the sheets;
and in general to improve the construction of binders. The objects of the inven-
tion are effected by the features and combination of features hereafter set forth,
although it is not essential to my invention or some parts thereof that all these
features be present at the same time in a binder.
In the drawings forming part of this specification, and in which like reference
numerals designate corresponding parts throughout, I have shown some of the
various embodiments of which my invention is susceptible.
Fig. 1 is a plan view of one form of the invention, parts being broken away.
Fig. 2 is a central transverse section thereof.
Fig. 3 is a central longitudinal section thereof..
Fig. 4 shows a detail, partly broken away.
Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are views similar to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, but showing a different
arrangement; the posts being omitted in Fig. 6.
Figs. 8, 9 and 10 are views similar to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, but showing still
another arrangement, Fig. 9 being taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8.
Figs. 11, 12 and 13 are plan views showing certain other modifications.
Figs. 14, 15 and 16 are views similar to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, Fig. 15 being taken
on the line 15-15 of Fig. 14 and showing a modification.
Referring now more particularly to the various features of. the invention,
and first the form shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, the binder is provided with the
upper and lower strips 1 and 2, between which the sheets 3 are held removably
in place. These strips are preferably provided with sheet posts designed to
engage holes in the sheets.
4 and 5 designate one pair of overlapping sheet
posts fixed respectively at their outer ends to the strips 1 and 2 and free at
their inner ends. 6 and 7 designate another similar pair of sheet posts, both
pairs engaging open holes in the sheets, as shown in Fig. 3. The strips are

page_text: arranged for limited movement to and from each other, so as to enable the
binder to be expanded for the insertion or removal of sheets, as occasion may
require. The strips can not, however, be separated far enough to leave a space
between the inner ends of the lower posts and the inner ends of the upper
posts, so that, thus, the sheets in the binder will be engaged by the posts what-
ever may be the distance between the strips. Each of the posts 4, 5, 6 and 7
is preferably of uniform diameter throughout and fits closely the holes in the
sheets engaged thereby, so that the sheets will always be kept in accurate
alignment. The strips 1 and 2 are hinged in the usual manner to the covers 8
and 9. The strips are provided with means connecting them together and so
arranged as to compel the strips to move equally to and from each other and
arranged for quick action by simply pulling the strips apart or pushing them
together. In this arrangement of means 10 and 11 are two arms rigidly con-
nected at their outer ends respectively to the upper and lower strips. The
inner ends of these arms overlap each other and are free, being provided with
rack teeth which mesh with the toothed wheel 12 on opposite sides thereof,
the toothed wheel being pivoted medially and preferably centrally, as shown,
between the strips. By this arrangement it will be seen the strips are compelled
to move equally to and from each other. The wheel 12 is supported by and
pivoted on a piece 13. Beneath the piece 13 is a telescoping casing consisting
of two outer U-shaped pieces 14 and 15 fixed to the strip 1, and two similar
pieces 16 and 17, fixed to the strip 2. 18 is a toothed arın extending down
from the strip 1 and arranged to be engaged by the locking dog 19 pivoted
on the piece 13 and located in proximity to the key-hole 20 in the piece 13,
so as to be thrown out of engagement by means of a key engaging the shoulder 21
of the dog 19. The dog 19 is pressed into engagement with the arm 18 by a
spring 22, except when retracted by the key. The locking dog, it will be seen,
operates to lock the strips together at any desired point of their separation,
and it is desirable after the binder has been unlocked and the strips separated,
to have the dog with certainty thrown into locking position and without first
requiring the key to be withdrawn. I therefore form a hook 24 on the lower
end of the arm 18, which, in the separating movement of the strips and when
the strips have reached the limit of their separation, strikes the dog 19 and
throws it into locking position, the shoulder 21 turning the key in alignment
with the key-hole and permitting it to drop out. The engagement of the dog 19
with the toothed arm 18, caused by the hook 24, prevents, it will be seen, the
strips from becoming detached. Thus it will be seen that even when the strips
are moved together again as far as the sheets will permit, they will imme-
diately be locked even though the key has not been touched. 25 is a removable
post, comprising upper and lower telescoping tubes 26 and 27. 28 is a spring
whose ends bear against the upper and lower ends of the tubes, whereby the
post is normally extended. This post extends through an aperture in the strip 1
into connection with strip 2. In order that this post may be locked in place,
I provide an arm 29 connected with the post, by the plate 30 and extending
through an aperture in the strip 1, so that when the post is in position the
plate 30 lies above the strip 1. The lower end of the arm 29 is provided with
teeth on its inner side, arranged to be engaged by a locking dog 31 pivoted
near the key hole 20, so as to be acted upon at the same time as the dog 19.
The dog 31 is preferably pressed into locking position by the spring 32. When
the key strikes the shoulder 21 of the dog 19 in unlocking the binder, a part
of the key also strikes the dog 31 above its pivot, so that at the same time
the binder is unlocked the removable post is released, which is immediately
caused by its spring to rise. When the hook 24 on the arm 18 strikes the
dog 19, the movement of the dog thereby caused moves the key out of engage-
ment with the dog 31, so that the latter is returned by its spring into locking
position and is able to immediately lock the removable post in place as soon
as it is returned to place.

page_text: In the best form the invention is provided with a back 33. The back is
preferably curved on its outer side and flat on its inner side, and is removably
secured to the piece 13, so that the strips can move to and fro on the back.
The central line of the back is aligned with the pivot of the wheel 12 and
as the strips are compelled to move equally to and from each other, the binder
when lying open on its back will not be overweighted by either strip.
In the modification shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7, the strips 34 and 35 are pro-
vided with a curved back 36, removably secured to the lock casing 37, in which
move rack arms 38 and 39 connected to the strips in the same way as is shown
in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. Pivoted in the casing 37 is a toothed wheel 40 engaged
on its opposite sides by the rack arms, so that the strips move equally together.
The strip 34 carries a toothed arm 41, arranged to be engaged by the spring
dog 42, which is adapted to be actuated by a key entering the key-hole 43. An
arm 44 carried by the wheel 40 is arranged to strike the dog 42 when the strips
have reached their predetermined limit of separation, and throws the dog 42
into engagement with the arm 41 so as to prevent the complete detachment of
the strips, and turns the key so that it may drop out of the key hole and thus
constitute means which accomplishes the same results as the hook 24 shown in
Fig. 1. The sheet engaging posts 45, 46, 47 and 48 are similar to those shown
in Fig. 1, except that the posts 46 and 47 are provided with telescoping pieces
secured to the upper strip 34.
Referring now to the modification shown in Figs. 89 and 10, the strips 50
and 51 are provided with a curved back consisting of the hubs 52 and 53
detachably secured to the flat strip 54 by screws 55 and 56. Secured to the
strip 50 are two arms 57 and 58 and secured to the strip 51 are two arms 59
and 60, the arms 58 and 60 slide side by side in a groove cut in the hub 52 to
receive them, and the arms 57 and 59 are likewise arranged, the arms 58 and 60
sliding under the plate 61, and the arms 57 and 59 sliding under the plate 62.
These plates have transverse ribs 64 and 65 which separate the sliding arms 58
and 60 from each other and the sliding arms 57 and 59 from each other.
Bolts 66 and 67 pass through these plates between the sliding arms and through
the hubs 52 and 53, their nuts being sunk in recesses 68 and 69 in the hubs.
The bolts thus detachably and firmly secure the hubs in place. 70 is a strip
similar to the strip 54 upon which it lies, except that it is somewhat longer,
as shown, and is bent upward in the middle to enclose the locking device and
its casing. In this locking device the rack arms 71 and 72 are secured to the
strips 50 and 51 and engage the toothed wheel 73 carried on the casing 74
which is secured in place between the strips 54 and 70 and to the strip 54. The
rack arm 72 is provided with a second set of teeth 75, engaged by the spring
locking dog 76, and with a hook 77, the teeth 75, dog 76 and hook 77 operating
in the same way as described with respect to Fig. 1. It will be noted, how-
ever, that in Fig. 8 the teeth to be engaged by the locking dog are formed on
the rack arm itself instead of on a separate arm. In Fig. 8 the removable
post 78 having a toothed arm 79 to be engaged by a dog is shown similar in
arrangement and operation to that shown in Fig. 1. The sheet engaging posta
are similar to those shown in Fig. 5. The fixed sheet posts in the various
figures engage open apertures in the sheets, and the removable post engages
closed apertures in the sheets, as shown in Figs. 3 and 10.
In Fig. 11, the strips 80 and 81 carry rack arms 82 and 83, meshing with
the toothed wheel 84. The removable post 85 carries the toothed arm 86,
locked in place by the dog 87. In this arrangement the dog 87 and the toothed
arm 86 are employed to lock the strips together. Complete detachment of the
strips is prevented by the pin 88, carried by the lock casing 89, which is
secured to the back 90, the pin 88 running in a slot 91 cut in the wheel 84.
In Figs. 12 and 13 are shown modifications embodying quick acting means
by which the strips are connected together and are compelled to move equally
to and from each other. In Fig. 12 a lever 92 pivoted to the back 93 is loosely

page_text: connected at one end by an arm 94 carried by a strip 95, and at its other end
is loosely connected to the arm 96 carried by the strip 97. The strips are
locked at any desired point of their separation by the spring dog 98, which
after it is retracted by the key is thrown into locking engagement with the
arm 96 by the hook 99 carried on said arm. In Fig. 13 the toothed wheel 100,
pivoted on the back 101, is pivotally connected with the inner ends of two
arms 102 and 103, whose outer ends are pivotally connected to the strips 104
and 105. The binder is locked by the spring dog 106, which engages the teeth
of the wheel 100 and is operated by a key.
In Figs. 14, 15 and 16 the binding strips 107 and 108, the curved back 109,
and the sheet posts are similar to those shown in Figs. 5 and 7. The strips 107
and 108, however, have sliding plates 110, 111, 112 and 113, connected together
by pins 114 and 115 passing through slots 116 and 117 in the plates, the plates
serving to rigidly hold the plates together and guide them evenly in their
movement to and from each other. In the lock casing 118 secured to the back,
slide the rack arms 119 and 120, secured respectively to the strips 107 and 108
and engaging the gear wheel 121 pivoted in the lock casing. The pivot of the
wheel has a tapered head 122 and a threaded shank 123 tapped in the bottom
of the lock casing and projecting into an aperture 124 in the back so as to be
capable of being turned by a key inserted in the aperture. By tightening and
loosening the pivot the wheel is locked and made free to turn, and thus the binder
is locked and unlocked.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my invention
and in what manner the same, is to be performed, I declare that what I claim
is;
!
-
1. In a binder, the combination of upper and lower strips with means con-
necting the strips together and arranged so as to compel them to move equally
to and from other; said means comprising a pair of arms secured at opposite
ends to said strips, and a medially pivoted piece connected on opposite sides
of its pivot to said arms.
2. In a binder, the combination of upper and lower strips with means con-
necting the strips together and arranged so as to compel them to move equally
to and from each other; said means comprising a pair of arms secured at
opposite ends to said strips, and a medially pivoted piece connected on opposite
sides of its pivot to said arms, and means for locking the strips in any desired
position.
3. In a binder, the combination of upper and lower strips with means con-
necting the strips together and arranged so as to compel them to move equally
to and from each other; said means comprising a pair of arms secured at
.opposite ends to said strips, and a medially pivoted piece connected on opposite
sides of its pivot to said arms, and means for securing sheets between the
strips.
!
4. In a binder, the combination of upper and lower strips with means con-
necting the strips together and arranged so as to compel them to move equally
to and from each other; said means comprising a pair of arms secured at opposite
ends to said strips, and a medially pivoted piece connected on opposite sides
of its pivot to said arms, and extensible sheet posts extending between the
strips.
!
5. In a binder, the combination of upper and lower strips with means con-
necting the strips together and arranged so as to compel them to move equally
to and from each other; said means comprising a pair of arms secured at
opposite ends to said strips, and a medially pivoted piece connected on opposite
sides of its pivot to said arms, means for locking the strips in any desired
position, and means for securing sheets between the strips.
G. In a binder, the combination of upper and lower strips with means con-

page_text: necting the strips together and arranged so as to compel them to move equally
to and from each other; said means comprising a pair of arms fixed.at opposite
ends to said strips, and a medially pivoted piece connected on opposite sides
of its pivot to said arms, and a back carrying on its medial line said pivoted
piece.
!
7. In a binder, the combination of upper and lower strips with means con-
necting the strips together and arranged so as to compel them to move equally
to and from each other; said means comprising a pair of arms secured at
opposite ends to said strips, and a medially pivoted piece connected on opposite
sides of its pivot to said arms,, and a curved back carrying on its medial line
said pivoted piece.
8. In a binder, the combination of upper and lower strips with means con-
necting the strips together and arranged so as to compel them to move equally
to and from each other; said means comprising a pair of arms secured at
opposite ends to said strips, and a medially pivoted piece connected on opposite
sides of its pivot to said arms, and a back carrying on its medial line said
pivoted piece, the back being removable, from the strips.
9. In a binder, the combination of upper and lower strips movable to and
from each other, a rack secured to each of said strips, and a toothed gear wheel
carried on a pivot between the strips and meshing with said racks.
10. In a binder, the combination of upper and lower strips movable to and
from each other, a rack secured to each of said strips, and a toothed gear wheel
carried on a pivot between the strips and meshing with said racks, and means
for locking the strips in any desired position.
11. In a binder, the combination of upper and lower strips movable to and
from each other, a rack secured to each of said strips, and a toothed gear wheel
carried on a pivot between the strips and meshing with said racks, and means
for securing sheets between the strips.
12. In a binder, the combination of upper and lower strips movable to and
from each other, a rack secured to each of said strips, and a toothed gear wheel
carried on a pivot between the strips and meshing with said racks, means for
locking the strips in any desired position, and extensible sheet posts extending
between the strips.
13. In a binder, the combination of upper and lower strips movable to and
from each other, a rack secured to each of said strips, and a toothed gpar wheel
carried on a pivot between the strips and meshing with said racks, and a back
carrying said gear wheel.
14. In a binder, the combination of upper and lower strips movable to and
from each other, a rack secured to each of said strips, and a toothed gear wheel
carried on a pivot between the strips and meshing with said racks, and a curved
back carrying said gear wheel on its central line."
15. In a binder, the combination of upper and lower strips with means con-
necting the strips together and arranged so as to compel them to move equally
to and from each other; said means comprising a pair of arms secured at
opposite ends to said strips, and a medially pivoted piece connected on opposite
sides of its pivot to said arms, and removable and fixed posts extending between
the strips.
:
16. In a binder, the combination of upper and lower strips with means con-
necting the strips together and arranged so as to compel them to move equally
to and from each other; said means comprising a pair of arms secured at
opposite ends to said strips, and a medially pivoted piece connected on opposite
sides of its pivot to said arms, and fixed posts and an extensible removable post
extending between the strips.
17. In a binder, the combination of upper and lower strips movable to and
from each other, a rack secured to each of said strips, and a toothed gear wheel
carried on a pivot between the strips and meshing with said racks, and remov-
able and fixed posts extending between the strips.

page_text: 18. In a binder, the combination of upper and lower strips with means con-
necting the strips together and arranged so as to compel them to move equally
to and from each other; said means comprising a pair of arms secured at
opposite ends to said strips, and a medially pivoted piece connected on opposite
sides of its pivot to said arms, and removable and fixed posts extending between
the strips, and means for locking the strips together and the removable post
in position.
19. In a binder, the combination of upper and lower strips with means con-
necting the strips together and arranged so as to compel them to move equally
to and from each other; said means comprising a pair of arms secured at
opposite ends to said strips, and a medially pivoted piece connected on opposite
sides of its pivot to said arms, and removable and fixed posts extending between
the strips, and means for locking the strips together and the removable post in,
position and a back carrying on its medial line said pivoted piece.
.
20. In a binder, the combination of upper and lower strips movable to and
from each other, a rack secured to each of said strips, and a toothed gear wheel
carried on a pivot between the strips and meshing with said racks, and remov-
able and fixed posts extending between the strips and means for locking the
strips together and the removable post in position.
21. In a binder, the combination of upper and lower strips movable to and
from each other, a rack secured to each of said strips, and a toothed gear wheel
carried on a pivot between the strips and meshing with said racks, and a back
carrying said gear wheel on its central line, and means for locking the strips
together and the removable post in position.
22. In a binder, the combination of upper and lower strips with means con-
necting the strips together and arranged so as to compel them to move equally
to and from each other; said means comprising a pair of arms secured at
opposite ends to said strips, and a medially pivoted piece connected on opposite
sides of its pivot to said arms, means for locking the strips together at any
desired position, and means actuated by the movement of the strips to throw
said locking means into locking position.
§
23. In a binder, the combination of upper and lower strips movable to and
from each other, a rack secured to each of said strips, and a toothed gear wheel
carried on a pivot between the strips and meshing with said racks, means
for locking the strips together at any desired position, and means actuated by
the movement of the strips to throw said locking means into locking position.
24. In a binder, the combination of upper and lower strips with means
connecting the strips together and arranged so as to compel them to move
equally to and from each other; said means comprising a pair of arms secured
at opposite ends to said strips, and a medially pivoted piece connected on
opposite sides of its pivot to said arms, and removable and fixed posts extending
between the strips, means for locking the strips together at any desired position
and the removable post in place, and means actuated by the movement of the
strips to throw said locking means into locking position.
25. In a binder, the combination of upper and lower strips movable to and
from each other, a rack secured to each of said strips, and a toothed gear wheel
carried on a pivot between the strips and meshing with said racks, removable
posts extending between the strips, means for locking the strips together at
any desired position and the removable post in place, and means actuated by
the movement of the strips to throw said locking means into locking position.
26. In a binder, the combination of upper and lower strips, means for locking
the strips together at any desired position, and means actuated by the move-
ment of the strips to throw said locking means into locking position.
27. In a binder, the combination of upper and lower strips with means con-
necting the strips together and arranged so as to compel them to move equally
to and from each other; said means comprising a pair of arnis secured at
opposite ends to said strips, and a medially pivoted piece connected on opposite

page_text: sides of its pivot to said arms, and sheets secured between said strips in the
binder.
28. In a binder, the combination of upper and lower strips with means con-
necting the strips together and arranged so as to compel them to move equally
to and from each other; said means comprising a pair of arms secured at
opposite ends to said strips, and a medially pivoted piece connected on opposite
sides of its pivot to said arms, and a curved back carrying on its medial line
said pivoted piece, and sheets secured between said strips in the binder.
29. In a binder, the combination of upper and lower strips movable to and
from each other, a rack secured to each of said strips, and a toothed gear wheel
carried on a pivot between the strips and meshing with said racks, and sheets
secured between said strips in the binder.
30. In a binder, the combination of upper and lower strips with means con-
necting the strips together and arranged so as to compel them to move equally
to and from each other; said means comprising a pair of arms secured at
opposite ends to said strips, and a medially pivoted piece connected on opposite
sides of its pivot to said arms, and removable and fixed posts extending between
the strips, and means for locking the strips together and the removable post in
position, and removable sheets secured on said posts.
31. In a binder, the combination of two binding strips; a removable post
extending between the strips; an arm carried by said post and extending be-
tween the strips; and means for engaging said arm to lock the post in position.
32. In a binder, the combination of two binding strips; a removable post
extending between the strips and through an aperture in one of the strips;
an arm carried by said post and extending between the strips, said arm and
post being connected at their upper ends outside of the apertured strip; and
means for engaging said arm to lock the post in position.
33. In a binder, the combination of two binding strips; a removable exten-
sible post extending between the strips; an arm carried by said post and
extending between the strips; and means for engaging said arm to lock the
post in position.
34. In a binder, the combination of two binding strips; a removable exten-
sible spring post extending between the strips and through an aperture in one
of the strips; an arm carried by said post and extending between the strips;
said arm and post being connected at their upper ends outside of the apertured
strip; and means for engaging said arm to lock the post in position.
35. A temporary binder having a back, two clamping sections mounted each
to move on the back beyond the side edges thereof, and means for causing the
sections to move in unison, whereby always to maintain the same position
relatively to the back.
HARRY EDWARD DADE.
By Herbert Haddan & Co.,
Agents to Applicant, 18, Buckingham Street, Strand, London, W.C.