Patent Application
20050091799
A fastener system for binding paper is disclosed comprising a base having spaced first and second ends. A first prong extends from the first end. A second prong extends from the second end. A first member having a first opening receives the first prong. A second member having a second opening receives the second prong. The first and second members are releasably securable to form a top lock. A method of securing a stack of papers is also disclosed.
Various devices for binding sheets of paper are known in the art. Some designs include a pair of prongs that are inserted through spaced holes along an edge of a sheet of paper. A stack of papers may be inserted onto the prongs. A portion of each prong extends beyond the stack of papers, and is bent over the stack of paper. Some designs include a top piece, wherein the prongs are bent over the top piece. Other deigns include a ratchet mechanism that binds the edges of the paper. Unfortunately, pages bound by such prior art devices often become loose or fall out, particularly if pages are repeatedly removed and/or inserted.
A fastener system for binding papers includes a base having spaced first and second ends. A first prong extends from the first end. A second prong extends from the second end. A first member having a first opening receives the first prong, and a second member having a second opening receives the second prong. The first and second members are releasably securable to form a top lock.
A fastener system for binding papers comprises a U-shaped member having a base and first and second prongs extending from the base. A first L-shaped member having a first tubular leg with a longitudinally extending opening receives the first prong. The first L-shaped member also has a second leg. A second L-shaped member having a second tubular leg with a longitudinally extending opening receives the second prong. The second L-shaped member also has a second leg, which is releasably securable to the second leg of the first L-shaped member.
A method of securing a stack of papers comprises the following steps: providing a base having spaced first and second ends with a first prong extending from the first end and a second prong extending from the second end; passing the prongs through spaced holes along an edge of at least one sheet of paper; providing a first member having a first opening for receiving the first prong and a second member having a second opening for receiving the second prong; passing the first prong through the first opening; passing the second prong through the second opening; and releasably securing the first and second members together to form a top lock.
As best shown in
Prongs 18, 20 may be substantially perpendicular to base 12, and substantially parallel to each other. Prongs 18, 20 may be either relatively rigid, or flexible. Prongs 18, 20 are spaced for receiving spaced holes punched along an edge of a sheet of paper. For example, prongs 18, 20 may be spaced from each other a distance of about 2.5 inches, which is a standard spacing distance for conventional paper hole punch devices. However, the spacing of prongs 18, 20 may vary.
Fastener system 10 further comprises a first member 22 having a first opening 24 for receiving first prong 18, and a second member 26 having a second opening 28 for receiving second prong 20. First and second members 22, 26 are releasably securable to form a top lock 30, as best shown in
First member 22 may include a plurality of apertures 32 spaced from first opening 24, as best shown in
First and second members 22, 26 may include protrusions 36, 37 extending into openings 24, 28, respectively. Prongs 18, 20 may include teeth 38, 39 extending longitudinally along their outwardly facing sides 40, 42, respectively. When securing first member 22 to prong 18, protrusion 36 should not contact teeth 38 when passing prong 18 through opening 24, as best shown in
Apertures 32 and projections 34 on top lock 30 may be easily unsnapped, similar to unsnapping the connecting straps on a baseball cap. Protrusions 36, 37 and teeth 38, 39 may then be easily unlocked by rotating first and second members around prongs 18, 20 so that protrusions 36, 37 disengage teeth 38, 39. First and second members 22, 26 may then be repositioned on prongs 18, 20, or removed from prongs 18, 20. In this way, pages may be easily removed from, or added to, fastener 10.
A fastener system 50 according to another embodiment is best shown in
As best shown in
Fastener system 50 may also include a first L-shaped member 62 and a second L-shaped member 64, as best shown in
A plurality of protrusions 78 extend inwardly relative to opening 70, and longitudinally along an inner surface 80 of first tubular leg 66. Likewise, a plurality of protrusions 82 extend inwardly relative to opening 76, and longitudinally along an inner surface 84 of second tubular leg 72. Protrusions 78, 82 releasably engage teeth 38, 39 on prongs 18, 20.
Second leg 68 of first L-shaped member 62 may include a plurality of apertures 32. Second leg 74 of second L-shaped member 64 may include one or more projections 34, which may be releasably secured within apertures 86 as described above.
When securing first and second L-shaped members 62, 64 to prongs 18, 20, openings 70, 76 are aligned with prongs 18, 20. Protrusions 78, 82 should not be aligned with teeth 38, 39 when initially pushing prongs 18, 20 through openings 70, 76. Protrusions 78, 82 and teeth 38, 39 may be resiliently deformable so that first and second L-shaped members may securely fit on prongs 18, 20. After first and second L-shaped members 62, 64 are positioned on prongs 18, 20 at a desired distance from base 52, first and second L-shaped members 62, 64 may be rotated about prongs 18, 20 until apertures 32 and projections 34 are aligned. Protrusions 78, 82 thereby engage teeth 38, 39, locking first and second L-shaped members 62, 64 in the desired position. If desired, first and second L-shaped members 62, 64, and prongs 18, 20, may be trimmed to a desired length.
Similar to fastener system 10, apertures 32 and projections 34 may be easily unsnapped for adjustment or removal of first and second L-shaped members 62, 64. Protrusions 78, 82 may then be disengaged from teeth 38, 39 by simply rotating first and second L-shaped members 62, 64 around prongs 18, 20 until protrusions 78, 82 are not in contact with teeth 38, 39.
In another embodiment, top lock 30 may be used in conjunction with adjustable base 52. Alternatively, first and second L-shaped members 62, 64 may be used in conjunction with base 12.
In another embodiment, a U-shaped base 90 is provided, as best shown in
Certain aspects of the present invention have been explained according to various embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications and variations may be made in construction or configuration of these embodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention include all such modifications and variations, provided they come within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.
