Patent ID: 7491006

Claim:
An improved easy-open ring metal for a binder having at least one binder ring comprising two ring segments, a pair of hinge plates to one end of each of which one of the segments is attached, a movable bar extending from one end of the metal to the other wherein the bar contacts the hinge plates to move them when the binder is to be opened, and a trigger having a pad, the trigger being connected to one end of the bar to move the bar, the bar being connected to the trigger through a slot by which, when the trigger is drawn away from a first, binder closed position, to a second, binder open position, the bar is moved relative to the hinge plates forcing the hinge plates to pivot the respective segments of the binder rings away from each other and open the binder, the improvement, comprising: a cushion member slideably engaged with the trigger, the cushion member having a front, a back, a first arm and a second arm wherein the first arm and second arm extend around the sides of the trigger from the back of the cushion member such that the cushion member only partially covers the pad of the trigger when installed in place.