Patent Document

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/664,125, filed Mar. 22, 2005, and entitled Ring Binder Mechanism with Spring Lock Actuator, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a ring binder mechanism for retaining loose-leaf pages, and in particular to an improved ring binder mechanism for opening and closing ring members and for locking closed ring members together. 
     A ring binder mechanism retains loose-leaf pages, such as hole-punched pages, in a file or notebook. It has ring members for retaining the pages. The ring members may be selectively opened to add or remove pages or closed to retain pages while allowing the pages to be moved along the ring members. The ring members mount on two adjacent hinge plates that join together about a pivot axis. An elongate housing loosely supports the hinge plates within the housing and holds the hinge plates together so they may pivot relative to the housing. 
     The undeformed housing is slightly narrower than the joined hinge plates when the hinge plates are in a coplanar position (180°). So as the hinge plates pivot through this position, they deform the resilient housing and cause a spring force in the housing that urges the hinge plates to pivot away from the coplanar position, either opening or closing the ring members. Thus, when the ring members are closed the spring force resists hinge plate movement and clamps the ring members together. Similarly, when the ring members are open, the spring force holds them apart. An operator may typically overcome this force by manually pulling the ring members apart or pushing them together. Levers may also be provided on one or both ends of the housing for moving the ring members between the open and closed positions. But a drawback to these known ring binder mechanisms is that when the ring members are closed, they do not positively lock together. So if the mechanism is accidentally dropped, the ring members may unintentionally open. 
     Some ring binder mechanisms have been modified to include locking structure to block the hinge plates from pivoting when the ring members are closed. The blocking structure positively locks the closed ring members together, preventing them from unintentionally opening if the ring mechanism is accidentally dropped. The blocking structure also allows the housing spring force to be reduced because the strong spring force is not required to clamp the closed ring members together. Thus, less operator force is required to open and close the ring members of these mechanisms than in traditional ring mechanisms. 
     Some of these ring mechanisms incorporate the locking structure onto a control slide connected to the lever. The lever moves the control slide (and its locking structure) to either block the pivoting movement of the hinge plates or allow it. But a drawback to these mechanisms is that an operator must positively move the lever after closing the ring members to position the locking structure to block the hinge plates and lock the ring members closed. Failure to do this could allow the hinge plates to inadvertently pivot and open the ring members, especially if the mechanisms are accidentally dropped. 
     Some locking ring binder mechanisms use springs to move the locking structure into position blocking the hinge plates when the ring members close. Examples are shown in co-owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/870,801 (Cheng et al.), Ser. No. 10/905,606 (Cheng), and Ser. No. 11/027,550 (Cheng). These mechanisms employ separate springs to help lock the mechanisms. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for a simple ring binder mechanism that readily locks ring members together when the mechanism is closed without requiring additional spring components to do so. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A ring mechanism for holding loose-leaf pages generally comprises a housing and rings for holding the loose-leaf pages. Each ring includes a first ring member and a second ring member. At least one of the ring members is movable relative to the housing and the other ring member between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the two ring members form a substantially continuous, closed loop for allowing loose-leaf pages retained by the rings to be moved along the rings from one ring member to the other. In the open position, the two ring members form a discontinuous, open loop for adding or removing loose-leaf pages from the rings. An actuation system of the mechanism comprises first and second hinge plates supported by the housing for pivoting motion relative to the housing, and an actuator mounted on the housing for movement relative to the housing to cause the pivoting motion of the hinge plates. The at least one ring member is mounted on the first hinge plate for movement between the open and closed positions. The actuation system is adapted to deform upon movement of the actuator to delay the pivoting motion of the hinge plates from the movement of the actuator. 
     In another aspect, the ring mechanism comprises a housing and hinge plates supported by the housing for pivoting motion relative to the housing. Rings hold loose-leaf pages on the mechanism. Each ring includes a first ring member and a second ring member. The first ring member is mounted on a first of the hinge plates for movement with the hinge plate relative to the second ring member between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the two ring members form a substantially continuous, closed loop for allowing loose-leaf pages retained by the rings to be moved along the rings from one ring member to the other. In the open position, the two ring members form a discontinuous, open loop for adding or removing loose-leaf pages from the rings. The mechanism also comprises an actuator mounted on the housing for movement relative to the housing. The actuator is adapted to reconfigure itself during operation of the ring mechanism in moving the ring members between the closed position and the open position. 
     Other features of the invention will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective of a notebook incorporating a ring binder mechanism according to a first embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective of the ring mechanism; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged side view of a lever of the mechanism; 
         FIG. 4  is a top side perspective of the ring mechanism at a closed and locked position with the lever in a first relaxed position; 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom side perspective thereof; 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged fragmentary perspective of the ring mechanism with a portion of a housing broken away and with a ring member removed to show internal construction; 
         FIG. 7  is a side view thereof with the housing and ring members removed; 
         FIG. 8  is a top side perspective of the ring mechanism at a closed and unlocked position with the lever in a deformed position; 
         FIG. 9  is a bottom side perspective thereof; 
         FIG. 10  is an enlarged fragmentary side view thereof with the housing and ring members removed; 
         FIG. 11  is a topside perspective of the ring mechanism at an open position with the lever at a second relaxed position; 
         FIG. 12  is a bottom side perspective thereof; 
         FIG. 13  is an enlarged fragmentary side view thereof with the housing and ring members removed to show internal construction; 
         FIG. 14  is a top side perspective of a ring mechanism according to a second embodiment at the closed and locked position; 
         FIG. 15  is an enlarged top side perspective of a lever thereof; 
         FIG. 16  is a side view of the ring mechanism; 
         FIG. 17  is a bottom side perspective of a ring mechanism according to a third embodiment at the closed and locked position; 
         FIG. 18  is an enlarged side view of a lever thereof; 
         FIG. 19  is an enlarged fragmentary side view of the ring mechanism with a housing and ring members removed; 
         FIG. 20  is an enlarged fragmentary side view similar to  FIG. 19  with the mechanism at the closed and unlocked position; and 
         FIG. 21  is an enlarged fragmentary side view similar to  FIG. 19  with the mechanism at the open position. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference numbers indicate corresponding parts throughout the views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to the drawings,  FIGS. 1-13  show a ring binder mechanism according to a first embodiment generally at  1 . In  FIG. 1 , the mechanism  1  is shown mounted on a notebook designated generally at  3 . Specifically, the mechanism  1  is shown mounted on a spine  5  of the notebook  3  between a front cover  7  and a back cover  9  hingedly attached to the spine  3 . The front and back covers  7 ,  9  move to selectively cover or expose loose-leaf pages (not shown) retained by the mechanism  1  in the notebook  3 . Ring binder mechanisms mounted on surfaces other than a notebook, for example, a file, do not depart from the scope of this invention. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a housing, designated generally at  11 , supports three rings (each designated generally at  13 ) and a lever (broadly, “actuator,” and designated generally at  15 ). The rings  13  retain loose-leaf pages on the ring mechanism  1  in the notebook  3  while the lever  15  operates to open and close the rings so that pages may be added or removed. Referring now also to  FIG. 2 , the housing  11  is shaped as an elongated rectangle with a uniform, roughly arch-shaped cross section, having at its center a generally flat plateau  17 . A first longitudinal end of the housing  11  (to the left in  FIG. 1  and to the right in  FIG. 2 ) is generally open while a second, opposite longitudinal end is generally closed. A pair of mounting arms, each designated  19  ( FIGS. 2 and 4 ), extend downward from the housing plateau  17  at the open end, while bent under rims, each designated at  21  ( FIGS. 2 and 5 ), extend lengthwise along longitudinal edges of the housing  11  from the first longitudinal end of the housing to the second longitudinal end. Mechanisms having housings of other shapes, including irregular shapes, or housings that are integral with a file or notebook do not depart from the scope of this invention. 
     The three rings  13  of the ring binder mechanism  1  are substantially similar and are each generally circular in shape ( FIGS. 1 ,  4 , and  5 ). As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the rings  13  each include two generally semi-circular ring members  23   a ,  23   b  formed from a conventional, cylindrical rod of a suitable material (e.g., steel). The ring members  23   a ,  23   b  include free ends  25   a ,  25   b , respectively, formed to secure the ring members against transverse misalignment (relative to longitudinal axes of the ring members) when they are together (e.g.,  FIGS. 1 ,  4 , and  5 ). The rings  13  could be D-shaped as is known in the art within the scope of this invention. Ring binder mechanisms with ring members formed of different material or having different cross-sectional shapes, for example, oval shapes, do not depart from the scope of this invention. 
     As also shown in  FIG. 2 , the ring mechanism  1  includes two substantially identical hinge plates, designated generally at  27   a ,  27   b , supporting the ring members  23   a ,  23   b . respectively. The hinge plates  27   a ,  27   b  are each generally elongate, flat, and rectangular in shape and are each somewhat shorter in length than the housing  11 . Four corresponding cutouts  29   a - d  are formed in each of the hinge plates  27   a ,  27   b  along an inner edge margin of the plate. A bent down finger  31  extends longitudinally away from a first end of each of the hinge plates  27   a ,  27   b  (to the right in  FIG. 2 ). The fingers  31  are each narrower in width than the respective hinge plates  27   a ,  27   b  and are positioned with their inner longitudinal edges generally aligned with the inner longitudinal edges of the plates. The purpose of the cutouts  29   a - d  and fingers  31  will be described hereinafter. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the lever  15  includes a grip  33  with an inverted “L” shape, a body  35  (“first portion”) attached to the grip, and a tongue  37  (“second portion”) attached to the body. The grip  33  is somewhat broader than both the body  35  and the tongue  37  ( FIG. 2 ) and facilitates grasping the lever  15  and applying force to move the lever. In the illustrated ring mechanism  1 , the body  35  is formed as one piece with the grip  33  for substantially conjoint movement with the grip. The body  35  may be formed separate from the grip  33  and attached thereto without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the tongue  37  of the lever  15  is attached to the body  35  by a flexible bridge  39  (or “living hinge”) formed as one piece with the body and tongue. A mechanism having a lever in which a bridge is formed separate from a body and/or tongue for connecting the body and tongue does not depart from the scope of the invention. The bridge  39  is generally arch-shaped and defines an open channel  41  between the tongue  37  and body  35 . The tongue  37  extends away from the body  35  at the bridge  39  and channel  41  in general parallel alignment with an upper lip  35   a  of the body and defines a C-shaped space between the body and tongue (above the bridge). It is envisioned that the lever  15  is formed from a resilient plastic material by, for example, a mold process. But the lever  15  may be formed from other materials or other processes within the scope of this invention. A ring mechanism having a lever shaped differently than illustrated and described herein does not depart from the scope of the invention. 
     As also shown in  FIG. 3 , the lever  15  includes a pivot bulb  43  located toward an end of the tongue  37  opposite the bridge  39 . The bulb  43  may be separate from the tongue  37  and releasably attached thereto by a tab (not shown) inserted through an opening (not shown) in the tongue. As another example, the bulb  43  may be formed as one piece with the tongue  37  within the scope of this invention. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 2 , the ring mechanism  1  includes an elongated, generally flat, rectangular travel bar designated generally at  45 . The travel bar includes a rectangular mounting groove  47  at a first end (to the right in  FIG. 2 ) and three block-shaped locking elements (each designated generally at  49 ) along a bottom surface. The locking elements  49  are spaced apart longitudinally along the travel bar  45  with one locking element adjacent each longitudinal end of the travel bar, and one located toward a center of the travel bar. The travel bar  45  may have other shapes or greater or fewer than three locking elements  49  within the scope of this invention. The travel bar  45  could be formed without locking elements and instead carry wedges, for example, that move the hinge plates  27   a ,  27   b.    
     The locking elements  49  of the illustrated travel bar  45  are each substantially similar in shape. As best shown in  FIGS. 7 ,  10 ,  12 , and  13 , each locking element  49  includes a narrow, flat bottom  53  and generally vertical sides  55   a - d.  The side  55   a  facing away from the lever  15  is angled and the lateral sides  55   b ,  55   d  are converging toward their bottoms to form the narrow, flat bottom  53 . In the illustrated embodiment, the locking elements  49  are formed as one piece of material with the travel bar  45  by, for example, a mold process. But the locking elements  49  may be formed separately from the travel bar  45  and attached thereto without departing from the scope of the invention. Additionally, locking elements with different shapes, for example, block shapes (e.g., no angled sides or converging sides), are within the scope of this invention. 
     The ring binder mechanism  1  in assembled form will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 4-7  in which the mechanism is illustrated with the ring members  23   a ,  23   b  in the closed position and the lever  15  in an upright position. The lever  15  pivotally mounts on the first, open end of the housing  11  at the mounting arms  19  of the housing ( FIGS. 4-6 ). A mounting opening  57  ( FIG. 2 ) in each mounting arm  19  aligns with the channel  41  of the lever  15 . A hinge pin  59  passes through the aligned openings  57  and channel  41  to pivotally mount the lever on the housing  11 . It is envisioned that the mounting arms  19  are one piece with the housing  11 , but they may be formed separately from the housing and attached thereto without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the travel bar  45  is disposed within the housing  11  behind the housing&#39;s plateau  17 . It extends lengthwise of the housing  11 , in generally parallel orientation with a longitudinal axis LA ( FIG. 2 ) of the housing, with the locking elements  49  extending away from the housing. Two elongate openings, each designated  61  (only one is shown in  FIG. 6 ; see also,  FIG. 2 ), through the travel bar  45  align with two rivet openings, each designated  63  (only one is shown in  FIG. 6 ; see also,  FIG. 2 ) of the housing plateau  17 . Grooved rivets, each designated  65  (only one is shown in  FIG. 6 ; see also,  FIG. 2 ), secure to the housing  11  at the rivet openings  63  and extend through the respective elongate openings  61  of the travel bar  45  to vertically support the travel bar within the housing. The travel bar  45  fits within the grooves of the rivets  65 , allowing it to slide in translation lengthwise of the housing  11  relative to the rivets. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the travel bar  45  is operatively connected to the lever  15  by an intermediate connector, designated generally at  67 . In the illustrated embodiment, the intermediate connector  67  is a wire bent into an elongate, roughly rectangular form ( FIG. 2 ). The intermediate connector  67  may have other shapes or be formed from other material within the scope of this invention. A first end of the intermediate connector  67  is open and includes two free ends  69   a ,  69   b  ( FIG. 2 ) that fit within openings  71   a ,  71   b  ( FIG. 3 , only opening  71   b  is visible) in the body  35  of the lever  15  to form a pivoting connection. A second, closed end of the intermediate connector  67  is narrowed and includes a bent end  73  ( FIG. 2 ) that fits within the mounting groove  47  of the travel bar  45 . The bent end  73  secures the intermediate connector  67  to the travel bar  45  at mounting groove  47  to either push against the travel bar or pull on the travel bar. The bent end  73  allows the intermediate connector  67  to pivot relative to the travel bar  45  to accommodate small vertical movements of the intermediate connector that occur when the lever  15  pivots. A ring binder mechanism lacking an intermediate connector (e.g., in which a travel bar is pivotally connected directly to a lever) does not depart from the scope of this invention. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the hinge plates  27   a ,  27   b  are interconnected in parallel arrangement along their inner longitudinal edge margins, forming a central hinge  75  having a pivot axis. This is done in a conventional manner known in the art. As will be described, the hinge plates  27   a ,  27   b  can pivot about the hinge  75  upward and downward. The four cutouts  29   a - d  in each of the two individual hinge plates  27   a ,  27   b  ( FIG. 2 ) align to form four openings also designated  29   a - d  in the interconnected plates ( FIG. 5 ). The housing  11  supports the interconnected hinge plates  27   a ,  27   b  within the housing below the travel bar  45 . The outer longitudinal edge margins of the hinge plates  27   a ,  27   b  loosely fit behind the bent under rims  21  of the housing  11  for allowing them to move within the rims when the hinge plates pivot. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the fingers  31  of the hinge plates  27   a ,  27   b  (only one hinge plate  27   a  is shown) extend into the C-shaped space of the lever  15  between the tongue  37  and the upper lip  35   a  of the body  35  so that lower surfaces of the hinge plates engage the lever bulb  43 . 
     The ring members  23   a ,  23   b  are each mounted on upper surfaces of respective ones of the hinge plates  27   a ,  27   b  in generally opposed fashion, with the free ends  25   a ,  25   b  facing (see also,  FIG. 2 ). The ring members  23   a ,  23   b  extend through respective openings, each designated  77 , along sides of the housing  11  so that the free ends  25   a ,  25   b  of the ring members can engage above the housing (e.g.,  FIG. 4 ). The ring members  23   a ,  23   b  are rigidly connected to the hinge plates  27   a ,  27   b  as is known in the art and move with the hinge plates when they pivot. Although in the illustrated ring binder mechanism  1  both ring members  23   a ,  23   b  of each ring  13  are each mounted on one of the two hinge plates  27   a ,  27   b  and move with the pivoting movement of the hinge plates, a mechanism in which each ring has one movable ring member and one fixed ring member does not depart from the scope of this invention (e.g., a mechanism in which only one of the ring members of each ring is mounted on a hinge plate with the other ring member mounted, for example, on a housing). 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , two mounting posts  79   a ,  79   b  (see also,  FIG. 2 ) are secured to the illustrated ring mechanism  1  to mount the mechanism on, for example, a notebook  3  (e.g.,  FIG. 1 ) in any suitable manner. The posts  79   a ,  79   b  attach to the housing  11  at mounting post openings  81   a ,  81   b  ( FIG. 2 ) of the plateau  17  located toward the longitudinal ends of the housing. A first mounting post  79   a  (toward the left in  FIG. 5 ) extends through the intermediate connector  67  and through mounting post opening  29   d  of the interconnected hinge plates  27   a ,  27   b.    
     Operation of the ring mechanism  1  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 4-13 . As is known, the hinge plates  27   a ,  27   b  pivot downward and upward relative to the housing  11  and move the ring members  23   a ,  23   b  mounted thereon between a closed position ( FIGS. 1 ,  4 - 10 ) and an open position ( FIGS. 11-13 ). The hinge plates  27   a ,  27   b  are wider than the housing  11  when in a co-planar position (180°), so as they pivot through the co-planar position, they deform the housing and create a small spring force in the housing. The housing spring force biases the hinge plates  27   a ,  27   b  to pivot away from the co-planar position, either downward or upward. The ring members  23   a ,  23   b  close when the hinge plates  27   a ,  27   b  pivot downward (i.e., the hinge  75  moves away from the housing  11  (e.g.,  FIG. 5 )). The ring members  23   a ,  23   b  open when the hinge plates  27   a ,  27   b  pivot upward (i.e., the hinge  75  moves toward the housing  11  (e.g.,  FIG. 12 )). 
     In  FIGS. 4-7 , the ring mechanism  1  is in a closed and locked position. The hinge plates  27   a ,  27   b  are hinged downward, away from housing  11 , so that the ring members  23   a ,  23   b  of each ring  13  are together in a continuous, circular loop, capable of retaining loose-leaf pages. The lever  15  is vertical relative to the housing  11  and in a first relaxed position (the lever is shown in this position in  FIG. 3  also) with the lever bulb  43  engaging the lower surfaces of the hinge plates  27   a ,  27   b . The locking elements  49  of the travel bar  45  are above the hinge plates  27   a ,  27   b  generally aligned with the hinge  75  with their narrow, flat bottoms  53  contacting the upper surfaces of the hinge plates. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the locking elements  49  are adjacent respective locking element openings  29   a - c , but are substantially out of registration with the openings. Together, the travel bar  45  (vertically supported by the grooved rivets  65 ) and locking elements  49  oppose any force tending to pivot the hinge plates  27   a ,  27   b  upward to open the ring members  23   a ,  23   b  (i.e., they lock the ring members closed). 
     To unlock the ring mechanism  1  and open the ring members  23   a ,  23   b , an operator applies force to the grip  33  of the lever  15  and pivots it counter-clockwise (as viewed in  FIGS. 4 ,  6 , and  7 ). As shown in  FIGS. 8-10 , the grip  33  and body  35  of the lever  15  move relative to the tongue  37 , which is held stationery by the hinge plates  27   a ,  27   b  under the spring force of the housing  11 . The intermediate connector  67  simultaneously moves with the body  35  and transfers the pivoting movement of the lever  15  around the mounting post  79   a  to the travel bar  45 . The travel bar slides toward the lever  15  and moves the locking elements  49  into registration with the respective locking element openings  29   a - c  of the hinge plates  27   a ,  27   b . The bridge  39  between the lever body  35  and lever tongue  37  flexes and tensions as the open channel  41  closes and the body moves into engagement with the tongue ( FIG. 10 ). If the lever  15  is released before the hinge plates  27   a ,  27   b  pivot upward through their co-planar position (i.e., before the ring members  23   a ,  23   b  open), the tension in the bridge  39  will automatically recoil (and push) the grip  33  and body  35  back to the vertical position, moving the travel bar  45  and locking elements  49  to the locked position. 
     The lever channel  41 , now closed, no longer shields the tongue  37  from the pivoting movement of the grip  33  and body  35 . Continued opening movement of the lever  15  causes the body  35  to conjointly pivot the tongue  37 . The lever bulb  43  causes the interconnected hinge plates  27   a ,  27   b  to pivot upward over the locking elements  49  at the locking element openings  29   a - c  and relative to the mounting post  79   a  at the mounting post opening  29   d . Once the hinge plates  27   a ,  27   b  pass just through the co-planar position, the housing spring force pushes them upward, opening the ring members  23   a ,  23   b  ( FIGS. 11-13 ). The lever  15  can be released. The tension in the bridge  39  recoils (and pushes) the grip  33  and body  35  away from the tongue  37 , which is held stationary against the hinge plates  27   a ,  27   b  via the lever bulb  43  engaging the lower surfaces of the hinge plates. The channel  41  opens and the travel bar  45  moves slightly away from the lever  15 . The lever is again relaxed, in a second relaxed position substantially identical to the first relaxed position (e.g.,  FIG. 3 ), and the locking elements  49  are at rest within the respective hinge plate openings  29   a - c  free of any forces tending to move them relative to the housing  11 . 
     To close the ring members  23   a ,  23   b  and return the mechanism  1  to the locked position, an operator manually pushes the free ends  25   a ,  25   b  of the ring members together. The hinge plates  27   a ,  27   b  pivot downward, and rotate the lever tongue  37  clockwise (as viewed in  FIGS. 11 and 13 ). The tongue  37  initially moves the grip  33  and body  35  to seat the locking elements  49  against tangs  83  at the edges of the locking element openings  29   a - c  of the hinge plates  27   a ,  27   b  (the tangs are ramped to assist the locking elements  49  in moving out of the openings). The tongue  37  then moves relative to the grip  33  and body  35 , which are held stationary by the locking elements  49  against tangs  83  ( FIG. 13 ). The lever channel  41  closes (and the lever bridge  39  flexes) allowing the hinge plates  27   a ,  27   b  to pivot to and through the co-planar position and past the narrow bottoms  53  of the locking elements  49 . The angled sides  55   a  of the locking elements  49  allow the locking elements to move incrementally away from the lever  15  and out of the respective opening  29   a - c  as the hinge plates  27   a ,  27   b  move down. This allows the lever  15  to pivot slightly with the tongue  37  as the tongue channel  41  closes. The angled sides of the locking elements are not necessary for operation though. 
     Once the hinge plates  27   a ,  27   b  clear the bottoms  53  of the locking elements  49 , the tongue  37  pushes the body  35  and grip  33  to the vertical position and the travel bar  45  and locking elements move to the locked position. The ring members  23   a ,  23   b  of the ring mechanism  1  could be closed by a modified lever capable of engaging the hinge plates  27   a ,  27   b  and pivoting them downward within the scope of the invention. 
     It should now be apparent that the flexibility of the lever bridge  39  allows the grip  33  and body  35  of the lever  15  to move relative to the tongue  37 . This moves the lever  15  between the relaxed position ( FIGS. 3-7  and  11 - 13 ) and a deformed (broadly, “reconfigured”) position ( FIGS. 8-10 ). The deformed position of the lever  15  is an unstable, intermediate position in which the bridge  39  is tensioned to always move the grip  33 , body  35 , and tongue  37  to the relaxed position (i.e., reconfigure the lever). 
     When the lever  15  pivots to open the ring members  23   a ,  23   b , the travel bar  45  and locking elements  49  move immediately and prior to the tongue  37  and bulb  43  pivoting the hinge plates  27   a ,  27   b  upward. This lost motion caused by the open channel  41  allows the locking elements  49  to move into registration with the locking element openings  29   a - c  of the hinge plates  27   a ,  27   b  before the hinge plates pivot. They do not interfere with the desirable pivoting movement of the hinge plates  27   a ,  27   b . After the locking elements  49  move into registration with the respective openings  29   a - c,  the channel  41  closes and the grip  33 , body  35 , and tongue  37  conjointly pivot to move the hinge plates  27   a ,  27   b  upward. 
     In addition when the ring members  23   a ,  23   b  are open and the lever  15  is relaxed, the locking elements  49  and travel bar  45  are free of forces tending to move them to the locked position. Thus, there is no tendency for the open ring members  23   a ,  23   b  to inadvertently close under the influence of the lever  15 , locking elements  49 , or travel bar  45  as an operator loads or removes pages from the ring members  23   a ,  23   b.    
     Similarly when the ring members  23   a ,  23   b  are moved to the closed position, the lever channel  41  allows the hinge plates  27   a ,  27   b  to pivot downward over the locking elements  49  before the grip  33  and body  35  of the lever  15  push the travel bar  45  and locking elements  49  to the locked position. Here, the lost motion caused by the open channel  41  maintains a continuous engagement between the lever tongue  37  and the hinge plates  27   a ,  27   b  (via the lever bulb  43 ) without risk of the mechanism jamming in the open position (e.g., as may occur if the lever tongue is unable to move downward with the hinge plates because the locking elements  49  wedge against edges of the locking element openings  29   a - c  of the hinge plates, holding the hinge plates from further pivoting downward). The continuous engagement between the lever tongue  37  and the lower surfaces of the hinge plates  27   a ,  27   b  (via lever bulb  43 ) ensures that the body  35  and grip  33  of the lever  15  move fully to their vertical position when the hinge plates  27   a ,  27   b  are pivoted downward (and the ring members  23   a ,  23   b  are closed), moving the travel bar  45  and locking elements  49  fully to the locked position. 
     Thus, the ring binder mechanism  1  effectively retains loose-leaf pages when ring members  23   a ,  23   b  are closed, and readily prevents the closed ring members  23   a ,  23   b  from unintentionally opening. The lever  15  positions the travel bar  45  and its locking elements  49  in the locked position when the ring members  23   a ,  23   b  close, eliminating the need to manually move the lever  15  to positively lock the mechanism  1 . The ring mechanism  1  incorporating the locking lever  15  requires no additional biasing components (e.g., springs) to perform the locking operation, and requires no specially formed parts to accommodate such biasing components. 
       FIGS. 14-16  show a second embodiment of the ring binder mechanism generally at  101 . The ring mechanism  101  is substantially the same as the ring mechanism  1  of the first embodiment previously described and illustrated in  FIGS. 1-13 , and parts of this ring mechanism  101  corresponding to parts of the prior ring mechanism  1  are designated by the same reference numerals, plus “100”. In this ring mechanism  101 , however, the lever  115  has a low profile in that it includes a substantially flat grip  133 . The lever  115  mounts on the housing  111  ( FIGS. 14 and 16 ) as previously described for the ring mechanism  1  of FIGS.  1 - 13 , and the flat grip  133  is positioned in general alignment (i.e., is generally co-planar) with the plateau  117  of the housing. In all other aspects, including operation, the ring mechanism  101  is the same as the ring mechanism  1  of  FIGS. 1-13 . 
       FIGS. 17-21  show a third embodiment of the ring binder mechanism generally at  201 . Parts of this ring mechanism corresponding to parts of the ring mechanism  1  of the first embodiment of  FIGS. 1-13  are designated by the same reference numerals, plus “200”. This mechanism  201  is substantially the same as the ring mechanism  1  of  FIGS. 1-13 , with the exception that the lever  215  is formed without a bridge and without a channel between the body  235  and the tongue  237 . Other components of the ring mechanism  201 , as well as assembly of the components, are substantially the same as those of the mechanism  1  of  FIGS. 1-13 . 
     Operation of the ring mechanism  201  will be described with reference to the enlarged fragmentary views of  FIGS. 19-21 . In  FIG. 19 , the ring mechanism  201  is in the closed and locked position (similar to the closed position of the ring mechanism  1  of  FIGS. 1-13 ). To unlock the ring mechanism  201  and open the ring members  223   a ,  223   b , an operator pivots the lever  215  outward and downward (counter-clockwise as viewed in  FIG. 19 ). The lever body  235  pulls the travel bar  245  and locking elements  249  toward the lever  215 , while the lever bulb  243  simultaneously pushes upward on the hinge plates  227   a ,  227   b  (only one hinge plate  227   a  is shown). But the locking elements  249 , still behind the hinge plates  227   a ,  227   b , block their upward movement. So as the lever  215  continues to pivot, the lever bulb  243  flexes (and tensions) the hinge plates  227   a ,  227   b  adjacent the fingers  231  ( FIG. 20 ). Once the locking elements  249  (only one is shown) move into registration with the locking element openings  229   a - c  (only opening  229   c  is shown) of the hinge plates  227   a ,  227   b , the tensioned hinge plates immediately pivot upward, through the co-planar position ( FIG. 21 ) to open the ring members  223   a ,  223   b  (the ring members are not shown). If the lever  215  is released before the hinge plates  227   a ,  227   b  pivot through the co-planar position, the tensioned hinge plates will push down on the lever bulb  243  and pivot the lever  215  back to the vertical position, moving the travel bar  245  and locking elements  249  to the locked position. The tension in the hinge plates  227   a ,  227   b  dissipates and the lever  215  can be released. The bulb  243  of the tongue  237  remains in engagement with the lower surfaces of the hinge plates  227   a ,  227   b , and the spring force of the housing  211  holds the hinge plates hinged upward. The locking elements  249  are at rest within the respective hinge plate cutout openings  229   a - c  free of any forces tending to move them to the locked position. 
     As in the ring mechanism  1  of  FIGS. 1-13 , to close the ring members  223   a ,  223   b  of this mechanism  201  and return the mechanism to the locked position ( FIG. 19 ), an operator manually pushes the free ends  225   a ,  225   b  of the ring members together. In this ring mechanism  201 , the hinge plates  227   a ,  227   b  pivot downward and cause the lever bulb  243  and tongue  237  to rotate clockwise (as viewed in  FIG. 21 ). The tongue  237  pushes the grip  233  and body  235  to seat the locking elements  249  against the tangs  281  at the edges of the locking element openings  229   a - c  of the hinge plates  227   a ,  227   b  (this engagement is not necessary for operation). The locking elements  249  instantaneously resist movement of the lever  215 , and thus downward movement of the hinge plates  227   a ,  227   b , causing the hinge plates  227   a ,  227   b  to slightly flex adjacent their fingers  231 . The hinge plates  227   a ,  227   b  bend down while the lever  215  and finger  231  remain relatively stationary. The angled sides  255   a  of the locking elements  249  allow the locking elements to move small amounts away from the lever  215  as the hinge plates  227   a ,  227   b  bend, allowing the lever to pivot slightly. Once the hinge plates  227   a ,  227   b  clear the narrow bottoms  253  of the locking elements  249 , the tension in the flexed hinge plates immediately pivots the lever  215  to its vertical position, pushing the travel bar  245  and locking elements  249  to the locked position. 
     In this ring mechanism  201 , the unique cooperation between the lever  215 , the hinge plates  227   a ,  227   b , and the locking elements  249  allows the mechanism to operate between the closed and locked position and the open position. When opening the ring members  223   a ,  223   b , the hinge plates  227   a ,  227   b  briefly flex upward to allow the lever  215  to pivot to move the locking elements  249  into registration with the locking element openings  229   a - c  of the hinge plates. The lever  215 , together with the tension from the flexed hinge plates  227   a ,  227   b  and the spring force of the housing  211 , then pivot the hinge plates over the locking elements  249  to open the ring members  223   a ,  223   b . When closing the ring members  223   a ,  223   b , the hinge plates  227   a ,  227   b  again flex to allow the plates to pivot downward over the locking elements  249  (the angled sides  255   a  of the locking elements  249  also aid in this operation, but are not necessary for this operation). 
     Components of ring binder mechanisms of the embodiments described and illustrated herein are made of a suitable rigid material, such as a metal (e.g. steel). But mechanisms having components made of a nonmetallic material, specifically including a plastic, do not depart from the scope of this invention. 
     When introducing elements of the ring binder mechanisms herein, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Moreover, the use of “up” and “down” and variations of these terms is made for convenience, but does not require any particular orientation of the components. 
     As various changes could be made in the above without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Technology Category: b