CRIMPER FOR BINDING COIL

Abstract

A crimper for spiral-binding coil comprises at least one, and preferably multiple, crimping assemblies including crimping elements that move generally parallel to each other to preferably cut, bend and/or reform an end of the coil for retaining the coil in the book or pamphlet. The movement of the crimping elements may be rotational in parallel planes, or translational in parallel lines. Preferably, multiple sets of crimping elements may be interchanged easily and without tools, for example, by being located on rotating members and are circumferentially spaced apart so that one set is used at a time. For each diameter of coil filament within the range of coil diameters for which a particular crimping set is designed, a member of the crimping assembly is adjusted to change the size/dimension(s) of the space into which the newly-cut end of the coil is forced, preferably adjusting that space to be slightly smaller than the diameter of the coil filament. This way, a bending member forces the newly-cut coil end against a bracing member and into the smaller space, and, in doing so, preferably heats, stretches, and generally reforms the end into a new crimped end that stays in that position over the use of the book.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a crimping device for finishing the ends of a spiral binding element or “coil.” After binding a notebook, pamphlet, or other book using a spiral binding coil, both ends of the element are conventionally bent at an angle to the axis of the coil, so that the bent ends will prevent the coil from rotating out of the book. This step in the binding process is traditionally called “crimping,” and the present invention provides an improved method and apparatus for crimping the coil ends. The present invention provides a more accurate, aesthetically-pleasing, reliable, and/or consistent crimp in the coil ends, with apparatus and methods adaptable for multiple sizes/diameters of coil and multiple diameters of filament from which the coil is made.

2. Related Art

Prior art crimping apparatus tends to smash, smear, or otherwise deform the coil ends in a manner that is inconsistent or inaccurate and/or that results in coil ends that are aesthetically-unpleasing or otherwise faulty. As the coil ends are visible to the end-user of the book, these faulty crimped coil ends are undesirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invented crimping device, for crimping book- or pamphlet-binding spiral coil (or “spiral element”) comprises crimping members that move in planes or lines that parallel to the longitudinal axis of the coil being crimped. The preferred plurality of crimping members are arranged generally side-by-side, with gaps between some of the members to receive the end of a coil to be crimped, and the members of said plurality that move relative to the others to perform the crimping operation move in planes or lines that are parallel to each other. In embodiments wherein the members of the plurality move in planes parallel to each other, the members preferably extend from the circumferential perimeter of parallel rotating wheels. In embodiments wherein the members of the plurality that move in lines parallel to each other, the members may extend from the surface of blocks, bars, or other structure that translate forward and rearward relative to said others in straight or substantially straight lines.

In preferred embodiments, multiple crimping elements are provided that are adapted for different spiral coil diameters, wherein the elements cooperate with a brace member that is adjustable for different coil filament diameters. Thus, the preferred device may be easily and manually configured, without tools, for coils of different diameters made of filament with different diameters. Preferably, there are at least two sets of crimping elements that may be easily interchanged (or portions of them interchanged), wherein each set is designed for a particular range of coil diameters, and wherein each set cooperates with said the adjustable brace member to accommodate different filament diameters within that set's range of coil diameters.

In preferred embodiments, the crimping element sets are provided on multiple members that move in planes or lines that are generally parallel to the length of the coil, said planes or lines preferably being generally parallel to the plane of the spiral-bound-book as it is laid in the crimper for crimping of the ends of the coil to retain the coil in the book. For example, if one orients the coil in a horizontal plane with the length of the coil in a first direction, the end of the coil that is to be crimped lies also generally horizontally (but extending in a second direction transverse to the length of the coil), and the preferred movable members lie and move in vertical planes or lines parallel to a vertical plane passing through the length of the coil. Such an orientation is convenient for a manual crimping station wherein the user sets each book down in the crimping station in a generally vertical orientation, crimps one end, lifts the book to flip it end-to-end, sets the book down again in the crimping station, and then crimps the second end. Automatic crimping devices using some or all of the preferred features of the invented crimper may be included as embodiments of the invention, as are devices including two crimpers according to the invention, that is, one at each end of the book. Other orientations for the book, the coil, the crimper elements may be effective.

In preferred embodiments, multiple sets of crimping elements are provided at different locations on movable members, wherein said moveable members may be flipped or rotated to selectively place each set of crimping elements in position for use. The especially-preferred embodiments comprise rotatable wheels that hold at least two sets of said crimping elements on the circumferential perimeters of the wheels. For example, two sets of crimping elements may be 180 degrees apart on the rotatable wheels. When a particular set of the crimping elements is to be used, the wheels are rotated (in a “gross” or “major” rotation, for example, greater than 45 degrees, preferably greater than 90 degrees, and most preferably 180 degrees) to place the desired set of elements in the operating position, and then latched in this operation position for operation. “Latched” in this context does not mean that the wheels are latched to be unmovable, but that the wheels are at least temporarily retained in the orientation that allows a particular set of crimping elements to be used. When in this latches condition, the wheels may still rotate an amount necessary for the crimping operation (small amount relative to the gross/major rotation that allowed selection of the particular set of crimping elements), but will not rotate to an extent that will bring an alternative set of crimping elements to the operating position and will not rotate 360 degrees.

When in the operable position, each set of the preferred interchangeable crimping elements, preferably cooperate with two stationary or adjustably-stationary elements that remain in operable position adjacent to the interchangeable elements for use with any coil. Thus, during the major rotation, the preferred wheels are moved to position the interchangeable crimping elements near the two stationary or adjustably-stationary elements so that all four may cooperate to create a specially-adapted crimping set for receiving and crimping the coil.

The interchangeable crimping elements move during the crimping operation, preferably by means of the wheels rotating in a minor amount of rotation, for example, 30-50 degrees. This minor rotation during crimping operation provides for clamping of the coil, cutting of the coil end, and then forcing/reforming the newly-cut end into the desired crimped configuration.

While there is a optimum range of coil diameters that may be used with each selected set of the preferred crimping elements, coils within that range may be made of filaments having different diameters. After selection of a set of crimping elements, therefore, the preferred brace member is adjusted for the particular filament diameter. The brace member is adjusted to change the size/dimension(s) of the space into which the newly-cut end of the coil is forced, and, in the preferred embodiments, that space is adjusted to be slightly smaller than the diameter of the coil filament. One of the crimping elements, a bending member, in cooperation with the bracing member against which the end is forced, forces the newly-cut end into the smaller space, and, in doing so, preferably heats (by virtue of the force, coil movement, and friction), stretches, and generally reforms the end into a new crimped end that stays in that position over the use of the book. The preferred embodiment creates a crimped end that, due to this “reforming” rather than mere bending, stays in its crimped configuration, rather than straightening out over the next minutes, hours, or days, and that is smoother and more consistent and professional-looking than those in the past.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one, but not the only, embodiment, of the invented crimping system, installed in a stand-alone crimping machine.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are perspective views of the crimping system of FIG. 1, removed from any machine or support structure.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the crimping system of FIGS. 1-5.

FIG. 4A is a top view of a detail of the crimping system of FIG. 4, featuring a close-tip top view of the selected crimping set.

FIG. 4B illustrates a portion of a coil having been set in the crimping system, before any cutting or bending (not to scale).

FIGS. 5A-5D are perspective, close-up views of the crimping system of FIGS. 1-4B, showing sequential steps of crimper element movement (but with the coil not shown in the crimping system).

FIG. 6 is a top view of the crimping system of FIGS. 1-5D, with line 6A-6A indicating the cross-sectional location for the following FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6A-6A in FIG. 6, showing internals of the crimper, and revealing the “hidden,” second set of crimping elements that may easily be moved into position for use (into “operable position”) by rotating the wheels 180 degrees to move the first set to the bottom and the second set to the top. The springs, that serve to “spring-load” the crimper clamping system and to play a role in controlling the relative movement of the preferred two wheels, are not shown (removed), but the curved recesses/apertures that receive them are shown.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the crimper of FIGS. 1-6A, with the second (“alternative”) crimping set having been moved into operable position to create an alternative crimping assembly. While the handle, via its connection to the wheel(s), is preferably used to rotate the wheels for selection of which crimping element set is in operable position, accommodation may be made for adjusting the handle (typically, the end of the handle that extends transverse to the axis of rotation) after or before selecting the crimping set, to an orientation that is most comfortable for use of either set of crimping elements.

FIG. 7A is a close-up view of the crimping assembly being used in FIG. 7.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the two preferred wheels with their crimping elements opposed at 180 degrees (may be arrangements other than 180 degrees).

FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of the preferred wheel assembly.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the preferred wheel assembly, of FIG. 9, wherein the springs are visible, and the pins 61, 94, 95 (extending from wheel 42 into apertures in wheel 41) are also visible. In this view, the two wheels (wheel 42 substantially hidden behind wheel 41) are in a position wherein both are rotating together (before significant spring compression).

FIGS. 11-13 are perspective side views of the wheel assembly of FIGS. 8-10, showing sequential steps in the crimping process.

FIG. 14 is a portrayal of a prior art, crimped end that includes gouges and irregularities, caused when the end is cut and bent, and is generally uneven and aesthetically-unpleasing.

FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 illustrate a coil inserted into the book, before and after the end is crimped.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the Figures, there is shown one, but not the only, embodiments of the invented crimping device for spiral book- or pamphlet-binding coil. In most of the figures, neither the book or pamphlet, nor the coil being cut and crimped, is shown, for simplicity and to reveal the parts of the crimping set. However, it may understood, for example by viewing the embodiment of FIG. 1, that the book or pamphlet may be placed generally vertically, with the coil already inserted into the holes in the book/pamphlet sheets and received in a coil-receiving trough. This way, an end of the coil may be placed in the crimping system at one end of the trough. The book coil may be crimped on one end, and then the book and coil may be lifted up and flipped end to end to and replaced in the coil-receiving trough and crimping system for crimping of the opposite end of the coil. Alternatively, a machine may be provided with two of the invented crimpers, one for each end of the book. The preferred device is operated manually, but may be made to be automatic, for example, electrically powered and actuated by push-button, as will be understood by one of skill in the art after viewing this disclosure. The crimper 10 may be bolted or otherwise fastened to, or formed generally integrally in, various crimping stations, binding machines, or other supports.

The preferred crimper 10 may be included, as shown in FIG. 1, in a stand-alone crimping station 12, which may stand beside or in the vicinity of a spiral coil insertion machine (not shown). After inserting the spiral coil into a plurality of punched sheets, the book is lowered, slid, or otherwise moved to the trough 16 of the station 12, and the end portion of the bound edge is moved into the crimper 10. With the coil end properly positioned in the crimper, as will be described in more detail below, the crimper handle 24 may be actuated to operate the crimping elements to produce a durable and aesthetically-pleasing crimped coil end. The book may be lifted and “flipped” around to place the opposite coil end in the crimper 10, and the process is repeated to crimp that end. Upon crimping both ends, the book may be manually removed from the device 12.

The preferred crimper 10 comprises multiple, interchangeable crimper element sets, for adaptation to different coil sizes/diameters, preferably by being moved into an operable position generally near the top surface of the crimper 10. Other crimping operation members, used with all of the interchangeable crimper element sets, remain near the top surface of the crimper 10 and adjacent to the members of the selected crimper element set. While preferably one of said other crimping operation members is adjustable to various positions relative to the selected crimping set, for adaptation to different filament diameters, said other members are used with all of the interchangeable crimper element sets and preferably do not move during the crimping operation, and, hence, may be called stationary during operation and generally stationary (stationary after being adjusted) at all times. Each combination of a crimper element set and the adjacent generally stationary members may be called “crimper assemblies,” which crimp coil ends in a manner that provides a consistent and aesthetically-pleasing appearance. The preferred crimping preferably comprises cutting and bending and/or forming the end of the coil in a durable and lasting crimp that is unlikely to “un-crimp” and allow unintentional withdrawal of the coil from the book.

Alternatively, instead of being included in a stand-alone crimper station 12, the crimper 10 may be connected to a coil insertion machine (not shown), for example, near a book-receiving trough that is an integral portion of the machine. For example, Performance Design, Inc. of Boise, Id. manufactures coil insertion machines that may incorporate embodiments of this crimper 10.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate the preferred crimper 10 removed from any station, machine, or support. The crimper 10 includes housing 21, which may comprise two portions bolted together with the crimper wheels 41, 42 (that provide the interchangeable crimper element sets) located between said halves. Fixed and adjustable book guide and support plates 22 and 22′ are connected to upper surface 23 of the housing 21. Plates 22, 22′ and upper housing surface 23 help support the book in a generally vertical orientation and guide an end of the book, and particularly the coil end, toward the crimping assembly 20. Handle 24 extends out from the housing 21 and includes a handle end that extends transversely to the axis of rotation of the handle. Book stop 25 is a bent rod that extends to place its stop bar 26 generally above but slightly behind the crimping assembly 20, to serve as a stop for the unbound book edge for proper positioning of the bound edge and its coil relative to the crimping assembly 20. Knob/adjustment 30 is used to adjust plate 22′ for book width. Knob/fastener 32 may be used to secure the removable book stop 25 in place. Knob 34 operates adjustment system 33 that adjusts adjustable brace member 51 (FIG. 4A), which is a generally stationary (although adjustable) member of the crimper assemblies, as will be further discussed later in this document. Knob/lock 31 locks the adjustment of said adjustable brace member that is done by means of knob 33/adjustment system 34.

Crimping assembly 20 is shown to best advantage in FIGS. 4, 4A, and FIGS. 5A-D. The book is placed on surface 23 (and/or on portions of plate 22 and/or 22′ that are generally parallel to surface 23) with the unbound end edge abutting against the stop bar 26, and with the end E of the spiral element laying in between portions of the crimping assembly 20. Crimping assembly 20 comprises adjustable brace member 51, clamp member 52, bend member 53, and cut member 54. Of these members, the clamp member 52 and the bend member 53 are provided on two wheels 42, 41 that rotate a number of degrees during the crimping operation and that rotate a relatively large number of degrees for interchanging the clamp 52 and the bend member 53 with another set of clamp and bend members, as further discussed below. The brace member 51 and the cut member 54 are provided are provided near the bend member 53 and the clamp member 52, respectively, and are connected to the housing rather than the wheels 41, 42. The structure and function of these members will be described below, as the preferred method of crimping is illustrated.

The operation of the two rotatable wheels 41, 42 may be described generally as follows. Handle 24 is then manually rotated (in the direction downward in FIGS. 4, 4A, and 4B, and to the left in FIGS. 5A-D), which also rotates both wheels 41, 42 together (in the same direction). Handle 24 is preferably directly connected to wheel 42. When the handle is turned, wheel 42 rotates and also forces wheel 41 to rotate; pins 94, 95 extend from wheel 42 into apertures in wheel 41 to push on the springs 91, 92 provided in the apertures. Because of the strength of the springs 91, 92, the pins pushing on the springs 91, 92 forces wheel 41 to rotate rather than compressing the springs 91, 92 significantly. However, when wheel 41 is prevented from movement, as discussed below, wheel 42 may continue rotating without wheel 41 rotating; wheel 42 will then continue rotating relative to the housing and relative to the wheel 41 up to an amount dictated by a stop system (preferably, pin 62 in aperture 62, further discussed below).

In use, the end E of the coil is placed across the crimping assembly 20, in between the brace member 51 and the cut member 54 on one side, and the clamp member 52 and the bend member 53 on the other side. One may note that the end E of the coil (while shown in several figures as a straight piece of filament, for simplicity) will be curved in accordance with the spiral coil diameter. FIG. 4B illustrates the end E of a spiral coil received between the brace member 51 and the clamp member 52, and between the bend member 53 and the cut member 54, at the beginning of a crimping operation. The brace and clamp members are spaced apart enough so that the end E is not clamped or wedged between them. The end E extends to the right in FIG. 4B a sufficient length that it extends past the bend member 53 and past a part of the cut member 54. This starting position of the crimping assembly 20 is also illustrated, without showing the coil end E, in FIG. 5A.

As the user first begins to turn the handle 24, wheel 41 and 42 rotate a few degrees, whereby clamp member 52 moves closer to the coil and the brace member 51, clamping the coil between the clamp and brace members 52, 51. One may see that the clamp member 52 and bend member 53 are moving together as their respective wheels 41, 42 are moving together and are not yet moving relative to each other, so that bend member 53 also moves closer to the coil and to the cut member 54. A portion (55) of the bend member may contact the coil and act to press it against the cut member 54. This clamping position of the crimping assembly is illustrated in FIG. 5B.

After first wheel 41 and its clamp member 52 reach a rotated position wherein the coil is clamped firmly between the brace and clamp members 51, 52, first wheel 41 will no longer rotate, because a broad surface of the clamp member 52 abuts against the coil, which abuts against a broad surface of the brace member 51. Therefore, until the clamp member abuts against the coil, which abuts against the brace member, one may say that the first wheel is freely-rotating; this abutment of the clamp member against the coil abutting against the brace member is one, but not the only, example of the first wheel stopping because the first wheel (typically a portion or a crimping member thereof) abuts against a rotation stop. Brace member 51 is fixed in place (except for transverse adjustment and locking by use of adjustment system 33 and lock or “latch” system 31), so that it (and, in effect, the coil) serve as a stop for the first wheel 41. Continued turning of the handle 42 continues to rotate wheel 42 because of the “spring-loaded” connection between the first wheel 41 and second wheel 42. Note that second wheel 42 is fixedly and directly connected to the handle, but the first wheel 41 is neither directly mounted, nor directly connected, to the handle. First wheel 41 and second wheel 42 are rotatably captured between halves/portions of the housing 21, and the two wheels move together when the handle turns the second wheel (because of a spring and pin system which operationally connect the two wheels). But, when the first wheel 41 is stopped from rotating by the coil and brace member 51, the spring and pin system allows the second wheel to continue to rotate (driven by the handle) even though the first wheel 41 is stopped. While the handle 24 and second wheel 42 continue to rotate relative to the housing and the first wheel 41, the springs inside the first wheel compress, and this becomes a bias to return the two wheels into alignment again when the handle is returned to the starting position. This spring and pin system is illustrated to best advantage in FIGS. 8 and 10, and is described in more detail below.

As the second wheel 42 continues to rotate, past the point at which the first wheel 41 stops, the bend member 43 and its outer, leading edge 55 continue to push the coil (toward the left in FIGS. 5A-D) against the sharp inner edge 56 of the cut member 54 to begin to cut through the coil. By the time the crimping assembly 20 has reached the position shown in FIG. 5C, the two edges 55, 56 (and especially sharp edge 56) have cut through the coil and edge 55 is very near edge 56. Note that a concave scallop 56′ in provided in cut member 54 as a means of providing sharp edge 56.

Further rotating of the handle 24 and said second wheel 42, into the position shown in FIG. 5D, allows the crimping assembly 20 to bend the coil end E, near the newly-cult end of the coil. This forms a crimped end that is generally at about 90 degrees to the main portion of the coil. The newly-cut end of the coil is bent, and as discussed below, substantially reformed, by forces that force the coil material into the space between the end 58 of the brace member 51 and the inner surface 59 of the bending member 53. As discussed below, this space S is believed to be critical in the effectiveness of the preferred crimper. This space S is shown schematically in FIG. 4A, because it easier to see said space in a top view (even though the bend member 53 has not moved in FIG. 4a to a position placing its inner surface 59 directly opposite of the end 58 of the brace member 51). Also, in FIG. 4A, one may see to best advantage the rounded, curved edge 59′ of the bend member inner surface 59, which is instrumental in not gouging the side surface of the newly-cut coil end as the bend member 53 bends and forces the end into the space S.

When the second wheel 42 has reached approximately the position shown in FIG. 5D, the handle and second wheel are prevented from rotated further, due to the second wheel being stopped from rotation relative to the first wheel (wherein the first wheel still is abutting and stopped against the coil and the brace member 51) because of the rotation limit system 60 provided between the two wheels. In the limit system 60 shown in the preferred embodiment, a pin 61 (also may be called a “stop pin”) extends from the second wheel and is received in a curved slot 62 in the first wheel. As the second wheel 42 temporarily continues to rotate relative to the first wheel, the second wheel's pin 61 continues to slide along slot 62. After the second wheel has rotated relative to the first wheel an amount that corresponds to the degrees of the arc of the slot 62, the pin 61 will abut against the end of the slot 62 and the second wheel will not be able to rotate further; at this point in time, the first wheel is prevented from further rotation by the clamp member 52 abutting against the coil, which abuts against the brace member 51, and the second wheel is prevented from further rotation by abutting (pin 61, that is) against the first wheel (the slot 62 wall, that is). The crimping job is done at this point, or slightly earlier, and so the user will feel the limit/stopping of the rotation of the second wheel and handle and will release the handle or rotate the handle in the opposite direction to return to the start position (FIG. 5A). The compressed springs 91, 92 will rotate the second wheel back into alignment with the first wheel and the handle (or momentum imparted to the wheels in the reverse-rotation direction by the springs expanding in length) may be used to return both wheels to the start position. The coil, with its crimped end, then may easily be removed from the crimper.

Thus, the moving elements of the crimping set (clamp member 52 and bend member 53) preferably move on rotating wheels, so that they rotate in parallel planes, wherein said parallel planes are preferably parallel to the longitudinal axis of the coil that is being crimped, and preferably parallel to the plane of the book/pamphlet having the coil being crimped. Given the small distance of movement required for most coil crimping operations, the moving elements on the wheels 41, 42 act substantially as if they are moving on a plane forward and rearward (left and right in FIGS. 5A-D), but they are really rotating on relatively large diameter wheels. This is also an illustration that explains how, in alternative embodiments, the moving elements may be supplied on moving structure other than rotating wheels. For example, the moving elements may be provided on blocks, bars, or other structure that does not rotate, but instead translates in straight or substantially straight lines both forward to preferably clamp, cut, and bend/form the coil end, and then rearward to release the crimped end. Thus, one may understand that such translating members would move in lines parallel to each other and in generally the same plane. Such members could extend from the surface of blocks, bars, or other structure that are operatively linked to mechanical or electro-mechanical structure that could control said translation. Such translating (rather than rotating) crimping members, such as are discussed in the Summary of the Invention and this paragraph, may be understood especially by viewing FIGS. 4, 4A, and 4B and imaging the wheels 41, 42 to be extremely large-diameter wheels (so large that the movement during the crimping operation is forward (downward in FIGS. 4, 4A and 4B) and rearward (upward in FIGS. 4, 4A and 4B) in nearly straight lines parallel to the surface of the paper. In these Figures, it should be noted that the coil would extend from the crimping elements down to the bottom of the Figures, parallel to the surface of the paper and with the longitudinal axis of the coil extending parallel to the direction from the top to the bottom of the page.

The inventor has discovered that accurate, reproducible, effective, and aesthetically-pleasing crimping is greatly improved by the feature of the preferred embodiment that provides for adjustability of the space S between the brace member 51 and the bend member 53. This may be described as a transverse dimension between these two members, and it is this space into which the newly-cut end is bent, stretched, forced, and, to some extent, reformed. The inventor believes that, as the bend member 53 bends the newly-cut end, that the relationships and relative movement of the bend member relative to the brace member and the clamp member serve to heat the newly-cut end and to force it into a bend position. This bent position is not, just bending, it is believed, but a slight melting (due to the force, coil movement, and friction heat created by the process and the bending of the end) and reforming in the tightly-fitting space S. The inventor believes that the slight stretching and/or heat-aided reforming may be important in creating a crimped end that is permanently or substantially permanently crimped. Without these steps, it appears that the crimped end will tend to straighten-out at least to some extent and be less effective.

Thus, in the preferred embodiment, the brace member 51 is adjustable to change the space S, by moving the brace member in a direction transverse to the planes of the wheels 41, 42. This adjustment is shown in FIG. 5A, by the arrows, and is done prior to beginning the crimping operation, with the amount of adjustment based on the filament diameter of the coil. Adjustment system 33, operated manually by knob 34, allows the user to move the brace member 51 towards and away from the second wheel 42 (for the purpose of moving it toward and away from the bend member 53). Knob 31 (or other fastener) locks the brace member 51 in position to create the proper space S, which is slightly less than the diameter of the filament that makes up the coil (that is, the diameter of the preferably PVC coil strand/filament rather than the spiral diameter of the entire coil). Thus, it may be seen that, in the preferred embodiments, that the newly-cut end is not merely bent into that space, but is bent, pushed, slightly smashed, and/or slightly reformed, it is believed with the help of heat naturally occurring from this process) to fit into this space at about a 90 degree angle to the main portion of the coil. Note that a 90 degree angle is preferred, but it may certainly vary from that, for example, preferably 80-100 degrees.

The inventor has found that, which the preferred system, a crimped end results from various coils that is substantially or entirely smooth, consistent, and aesthetically-pleasing, without significant gouges, pits, uneven end surface, or other deformities. The preferred system, by its cutting of the coil end and its accurate bending and forming of the crimped end with crimping elements specially-adapted for particular coil diameters and filament diameters, controls the length and appearance of the bent “tail” of the crimped end. Such an improved crimped end occurs with a variety of filament diameters and coil diameters, which overcomes a major advantage of prior systems that often provide irregular or deformed crimped ends especially for varying filament and coil diameters. See an example of a “gouged” and irregular cut and bent coil end from a prior art crimping device in FIG. 14, and examples of a conventional spiral-bound book before and after crimping of the end in FIGS. 15 and 16.

The width W (transverse to the plane of the second wheel 42) of the bend member 53 and the space S work together to create a properly-reformed crimped end of the light length for various coil diameters and sizes. The preferred embodiment provides multiple crimping element sets 120, 320 on different places on the rotating wheels 41, 42, each set being for cooperation with the stationary/generally stationary crimping members. When crimping set 120 is used, crimping assembly 20 results, and when crimping set 320 is used, crimping assembly 220 results. Having these multiple sets 120, 320 of crimping elements provides for a properly-reformed crimped end of the right length for various coil diameters or “coil sizes,” wherein crimping set 120 is typically used for coils having coil diameters greater than or equal to 14 mm (typically 14-50 mm), wherein the adjustable brace member 51 (adjustment 33) is used to adjust the crimping assembly using crimping set 120 for various filament diameters within that range of coil diameters. Alternative crimping set 320 is used for smaller coil diameters (typically 6 mm up to 14 mm, that is, less than 14 mm, but optionally may be used for the whole range of 6 mm up to 50 mm), and adjustable brace member 51 (adjustment 33) is again used to adjust the crimping assembly using crimping set 320 for various filament diameters within that range of coil diameters. As may be seen in FIG. 6A to best advantage, alternative crimping set 320 is positioned 180 degrees away from set 120 on the wheels 41, 42, but other arrangements and other numbers of alternative crimping sets may be included in the invention.

One may see from FIGS. 7 and 7A, that crimping assembly 220 has differently-sized clamp member 72 and bend member 73 (from crimping set 320), compared to those (from crimping set 120) in crimping assembly 20. This is because the clamp member 72 is wider and this bend member 73 is narrower compared to the width of the clamp member 52 and the bend member 53 of set 120 (see width W in FIGS. 4A and 7A). One may see that the clamp member 72 extends from the first wheel 41 over wheel 42. Note also that the same brace member 51 and cut member 54 are used and only the clamp and bend members 72, 73 are different in this clamping assembly. This set 320 is adapted for shorter crimped “tails” (the bend members grips and bends, stretches, reforms a shorter length of the coil). Also, even with this short (narrow width W) bend member 73, the brace member 51 adjustment (via 33) is adapted to move brace member 51 close to bend member 73 to create a space S of small dimension. In FIG. 7A, arrows illustrate adjustment of brace member 51 and the resulting space S.

In this crimping assembly 220, the various elements/members serve the same purposes as in set 20, and they provide a similar high quality, uniform, smooth, consistent and aesthetically-pleasing crimp for smaller coils made out of smaller diameter filament. The elements/members of crimping set 320, in cooperation with brace member 51 and cut member 54, serve to create this high quality crimped end in part by forming properly-sized spaces for the coil end, preventing the coil end from shifting or “wiggling” around in the crimping assembly.

While some prior art crimping tools provide different heads or members for different coils, said different heads or members are difficult to “change out” or “switch.” Tools are needed, and the whole crimping assembly must be disassembled, changed, and then reassembled with tools. With the invented system, however, the multiple sets 120, 320 may be switched without tools, by rotating the two wheels (41, 42) 180 degrees. To accomplish this switching from set 120 to set 320 (or back again), the brace member 51 is “backed” away, that is, retracted by unlocking knob/lock 31 and using adjustment 33 to move the brace member out away from the wheels, to an extent that the brace member 51 is not in the way of the wheel rotation, and then the handle is used to rotate the now-freely-rotating wheels to place the alternative set 320 upright in the crimper housing. The brace member is adjusted inward again toward the wheels (via adjustment 33 and knob/latch 31), so that it again acts as a stop for rotation of the first wheel, and, in doing so, in effect selves as a stop for the whole wheel assembly. This way, the alternative set 320 may now be used in the same way as set 120. Alternative and/or other ways, besides the brace member adjustment and locking/latching, may be used to control placement of the rotating wheels in the crimper housing.

FIG. 8 illustrates the two wheels 41, 42, pins 61, 94, 95, springs 91, 92, exploded. The springs 91, 92 are coiled springs, curved to fit into the curved (generally semi-circular) cavities 81, 82 in wheel 41. One may see in this figures, however, the cavities 81, 82 for the springs, and slot 62 for pin 61. The securement structure 83 (including, for example, central hole 84 for receiving the handle axle and hole 8 for a pin to engage both structure 83 and the handle axle) for fixing the shaft of the handle to the second wheel 42.

FIG. 9 illustrates the two-wheel assembly, wherein the two springs 91, 92 are in place in the first wheel 41 and therefore not visible in this view. One may see in this Figure, crimping element sets 320 and 120 approximately 180 degrees apart on the outer perimeter of the wheels.

FIG. 10 illustrates a side view of the two-wheel assembly of FIGS. 8 and 9, wherein this view is from the side of wheel 41, so that the springs 91, 92 in cavities 81, 82 are visible. Pins or pegs 94, 95 (need not necessarily be hollow or round) extend from the second wheel 42 (behind wheel 41 in this view) to engage the ends of the spring 91, 92 so that rotation (counterclockwise in this view) of the second wheel 42 relative to the first wheel 41 would cause compression of the springs 91, 92. The springs are selected to provide repeated crimping steps without significant fatigue or failure of the springs.

FIGS. 11-13 illustrate an example crimping operation, by illustrating the wheel assembly and a portion of the stationary and generally-stationary members (cut member 54 and brace member 51, respectively). In FIG. 11, an end E of the coil (preferably conventional PVC coil), has been placed between the brace member 51 and the clamp member 52 and between the bend member 53 and the cut member 54, and wheel 42 has been rotated (also rotating wheel 42 with it) a slight amount to clamp the end E. Note that end E is shown as a straight piece of filament, but it would actually be slightly curved, as it would be the un-crimped end of a pre-formed coil (as in FIG. 15).

FIG. 12 illustrates how wheel 42 rotates further (wheel 41 being now unable to rotate further), how the action of bend member 53 forcing a piece of the end E against the cut member 54 serves to cut off a small piece of the coil, and how bend member 53 (also by rotation of wheel 42 relative to wheel 41 and the brace member 51 and clamp member 52) is beginning to bend the end E in the region still extending out from the brace member and clamp member.

FIG. 13 illustrates how further wheel 42 rotation allows bend member 53 to complete the bend, and, as discussed above, to preferably slightly melt and/or otherwise reform the new end of the coil, as it form about a 90 degrees bend. In this view, one may see how the wheel 42 and its bend member 53 has moved past the other members (51, 52, and 54). After this step, the handle may be released, and the wheel 42 will align again with wheel 41 and relax the grip on the coil, so that the coil may be removed.

Although this invention has been described above with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these disclosed particulars, but extends instead to all equivalents within the scope of broad scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A crimper system for crimping all end of spiral-binding coil, the crimper system comprising: a spiral-binding coil having a longitudinal axis and all end; anda crimping assembly comprising a first set of moveable crimping elements that move during crimping of the end and a plurality of stationary elements that do not move during crimping of the end, wherein the end of the coil is received between said first set of moveable crimping elements and said stationary elements prior to crimping; andwherein the first set of moveable crimping elements move in parallel planes relative to each other during crimping and wherein said parallel planes are parallel to the longitudinal axis of said coil.

2. A crimper system as in claim 1, wherein said first set of moveable elements is located on rotatable wheels that rotate in planes parallel to said longitudinal axis of the coil.

3. A crimper system as in claim 2, wherein one element of said first set of moveable elements is located on each of two of said rotatable wheels.

4. A crimper system as in claim 3, wherein said two rotatable wheels comprise a second set of moveable crimping elements, and wherein said two rotatable wheels are rotatable to place either of said first set or said second set adjacent to the stationary elements for selection of either said first set or said second set for crimping the coil.

5. A crimper system as in claim 4, wherein said first set and said second set are about 180 degrees apart on outer perimeters of the two wheels.

6. A crimper system as in claim 1, wherein said first set of moveable crimping elements comprises a bending member adapted to force a portion of the coil end into about a 90 degrees angle, and wherein the stationary crimping elements comprise a brace member against which the bending member forces said portion of the coil end, and wherein the brace member is adjustable, prior to crimping, toward or away from the bend member and lockable, prior to crimping, to determine width of a space between said bend member and said brace member into which said portion of the coil end is forced by the bend member.

7. A crimper system as in claim 6, wherein said stationary crimping elements comprise a cut member adjacent to the bend member of said first set of moveable crimping elements, wherein said bend member forces the coil end against the cut member to cut off an outermost piece of the coil end prior to forcing said portion of the coil end into said space.

8. A crimper system as in claim 6, wherein said second set of moveable crimping elements comprises a second bending member adapted to force a portion of the coil end into about a 90 degrees angle, wherein said second bending member forces said portion of the coil end against the brace member, and wherein the brace member is adjustable, prior to crimping, toward or away from the second bend member and lockable, prior to crimping, to determine width of a space between said second bend member and said brace member into which said portion of the coil end is forced by the second bend member.

9. A crimper system as in claim 4, wherein said two wheels comprise a first wheel and a second wheel, the first and second wheels being coaxially rotatable, and the first and second wheels being operatively linked by a protrusion extending out from the second wheel to engage a spring received in a cavity of the first wheel, wherein the spring is sufficiently strong to withstand significant compression by said protrusion when the second wheel is rotating so that the second wheel forces the first wheel to rotate until the first wheel abuts against a stop, and wherein said spring compresses when said second wheel continues to rotate after said first wheel abuts against said stop.

10. A crimper system as in claim 5, wherein said second wheel comprises a stop pin extending out from the second wheel and received in a closed-end slot in the first wheel, and wherein the second wheel is stopped from rotating when the stop pill abuts into a closed end of the first wheel.

11. A method of crimping all end of a spiral-binding coil, the method comprising: providing a crimping assembly comprising a first set of moveable crimping elements that move during crimping of the end and a plurality of stationary elements that do not move during crimping of the end, wherein the end of the coil is received between said first set of moveable crimping elements and said stationary elements prior to crimping;placing an end of a coil between said moveable crimping elements and said stationary crimping elements, wherein the coil has a longitudinal axis;moving said first set of moveable crimping elements in parallel planes relative to each other and parallel to the longitudinal axis of said coil, until at least one member of the moveable crimping elements clamps the coil end against a brace member;continuing to move a bend member of said first set, parallel to said longitudinal axis of the coil, to force a portion of the coil end against a cut member to cut through the coil end to form a newly-cut end; andthen continuing to move a bend member of said first set, parallel to said longitudinal axis of the coil, to force the newly-cut end to bend toward said brace member.

12. A crimping method as in claim 11, wherein forcing the newly-cut end to bend toward said brace member also forces the newly-cut end into a space between the bend member and the brace member that is smaller than the diameter of the filament from which the coil is made.

13. A crimping method as in claim 11, wherein moving said first set of moveable crimping elements comprises rotating a plurality of wheels on which said first set of moveable crimping elements is provided.

14. A crimping method as in claim 13, wherein moving the bend member comprises rotating at least one of said plurality of wheels.

15. A crimping method as in claim 13, wherein said plurality of wheels comprises a first wheel and a second wheel, and the second wheel drives the first wheel to rotate until the first wheel abuts against a rotation stop.

16. A crimping method as in claim 15, wherein said second wheel and said first wheel are operatively linked by a protrusion extending out from said second wheel that engages a spring received in said first wheel, and wherein said second wheel continues to rotate after the first wheel abuts against a rotation stop by compressing said spring with said protrusion.

17. A crimping method as in claim 15, wherein said first wheel comprises a clamp member that clamps the coil end against the brace member, wherein the brace member extends out from a housing that houses the first and second wheel, and wherein said second wheel comprises the bend member.

18. A crimping method as in claim 17, wherein said first wheel and said second wheel, on their perimeters, comprise a second set of crimping elements spaced apart from said clamp member and said bend member, said second set of crimping elements being interchangeable with the clamp member and the bend member rotating both the first and second wheels greater than 45 degrees to place the second set of crimping elements adjacent to the brace member and the cut member for crimping the coil end.

19. A crimping method as in claim 18, wherein the second set of crimping elements is sized differently than said clamp member and said bend member for crimping a coil having a different diameter.

20. A crimping method as in claim 18, wherein the second set of crimping elements comprises all alternative clamp member and an alternative bend member, wherein the alternative clamp member is wide than said clamp member and the alternative bend member is narrower than said bend member.