Patent ID: 7607853

Claim:
A binding mechanism system comprising: a first support portion including a first ring portion located thereon; a second support portion including a second ring portion located thereon, at least one of said first and second support portions being movable in a translational, non-pivoting motion in a first direction relative to the other between a closed position wherein said first and second ring portions contact to form a generally closed ring, and an open position wherein said first and second ring portions are spaced apart from each other; an indicator movable in a translational, non-pivoting motion in a second direction wherein said indicator is visible when said ring portions are in said closed position and is generally not visible when said ring portions are in said open position, wherein said first and second directions are perpendicular to one another; an actuator which can be manually operated to move said first and second support portions between said open and closed positions, wherein and said actuator moves in said second direction in translational, non-pivoting motion; and a locking mechanism which is operable to secure said first and second support portions and said actuator together when said first and second support portions are in said closed position; wherein said locking mechanism includes a locking protrusion located on said actuator, a first locking slot located on said first support portion, and a second locking slot located on said second support portion.