BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a journal notebook binding apparatus;
FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the binding apparatus;
FIG. 3 is an axial cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the binding apparatus;
FIG. 4 is front perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the binding apparatus;
FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a graduated punch die;
FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the preferred apparatus showing a cover page aligned with a preferred guide;
FIG. 6B is a front elevation view of the cover page aligned with the preferred guide;
FIG. 6C is a top plan view of the cover page aligned with the preferred guide;
FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the preferred apparatus showing an inner page aligned with a preferred guide;
FIG. 7B is a front elevation view of the inner page aligned with the preferred guide;
FIG. 7C is a top plan view of the inner page aligned with the preferred guide;
FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the preferred apparatus showing a cover page or inner page aligned with the continuous punch feature of the guide allowing exact continuation of punch holes;
FIG. 8B is a front elevation view of the cover page or inner page aligned with the continuous punch feature of the preferred guide;
FIG. 8C is a top plan view of the cover page aligned with the continuous punch feature of the preferred guide;
FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus;
FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus illustrating a preferred hole punching mechanism in operation;
FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus illustrating a preferred binding mechanism in operation; and
FIG. 12 is a diagram of a preferred method for making a journal notebook with a single machine.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The invention and its various embodiments can now be better understood by turning to the following detailed description wherein illustrated embodiments are described. It is to be expressly understood that the illustrated embodiments are set forth as examples and not by way of limitations on the invention as ultimately defined in the claims.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a journal book binding machine, or apparatus, 10. The apparatus 10 is preferably adapted for non-industrial use, particularly, for individuals to use at home or wherever convenient, as opposed to an industrial, heavy duty machinery typically deployed at a manufacturing or assembly plant. As discussed further below, the relatively small size of the apparatus 10 makes it easily portable and convenient for storing or transporting to a desired location.
While the dual function apparatus 10 is useful for making all types of bound books, the preferred embodiment of the apparatus 10 is particularly useful for making bound journal notebooks.
In FIGS. 1 and 2, the preferred embodiment of the apparatus 10 comprises a hole punching mechanism 20 and a binding mechanism 22, both of which are included in one easily portable machine 10. The hole punching mechanism 20 is configured to punch a consistent pattern of holes through a variety of different paper materials, including thinner sheets of paper that serve as the inner pages or sheets of a book, as well as thicker cardboard materials, such as chipboard, that serve as the cover or cover pages of a book. Throughout this specification, “cover” and “cover page” shall be used interchangeably to refer to the same thing. The apparatus 10 comprises a front end 12, a rear end 14, a first side 16 and a second side 18. The apparatus 10 also defines an axis 19.
The hole punching mechanism 20 includes a main casing 24 which defines a vertical slot 26 for receiving the paper materials to be hole punched. In particular, the slot 26 is defined by opposing vertical walls 23, 25. In the preferred embodiment, the slot 26 extends substantially vertically to receive paper materials which are then punched through horizontally as described below. A center punch marking 28 is positioned on top of the casing 24 at a precise location adjacent to the slot 26 to indicate a centering position to the user.
In FIGS. 3-5, a manually operable actuator 31 exits a rear slot 33 of the casing 24. The actuator 31 preferably comprises a lever 31 that is biased to a position that corresponds to a default open configuration of the slot 26 for receiving the materials to be punched. In the illustrated embodiment, the lever 31 is preferably spring biased to an upper position that corresponds to the open default position of the hole punching mechanism 20. A shaft 29 couples the lever 31 to a frame 32 within the main casing 24.
The actuator 31 is coupled to a graduated punch die 35, illustrated in top plan view in FIG. 5, which comprises a plurality of punch teeth 37. In the preferred embodiment, each punch tooth 37 comprises a rectangular profile so as to punch rectangular holes, though it is to be expressly understood that the punch teeth may be configured with any desired geometric profile such as circles, ovals, etc. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the actuator 31 is coupled to the punch die 35 with a pair of driving gears 39 that engage sockets 42 in the die 35. Accordingly, downward force on the actuator 31 (shown as counterclockwise rotation in the illustrated embodiment in FIG. 3) rotates the gears 39 which causes the punch die 35 to move axially forward toward and through the materials in the vertical slot 26. It is to be expressly understood that the preferred lever 31 is simply one of many ways to actuate the punch die 35 to punch through the paper materials, and that many other mechanisms may be employed to accomplish the same.
As shown in FIG. 3, the punch die 35 travels horizontally through a first channel 43 defined by the frame 32 before reaching the vertical slot 26. The punch die 35 continues to travel through openings in both vertical slot walls 23, 25 aligned with the channel 43 into a second channel 45 defined in a forward casing portion 46. Thus, the first channel 43, openings in both vertical slot walls 23, 25 and the second channel 45 collectively form a horizontal passageway for the punch die 35 to move in a reciprocating manner upon engagement and release of the actuator 31.
In FIG. 5, the punch die 35 preferably comprises a graduated, or staggered, configuration wherein the teeth 37 have varying lengths 44 such that the teeth 37 do not all penetrate the paper materials at the same time. By alternating or staggering the lengths of the teeth 37, the teeth 37 penetrate the materials at different times. For example, in the illustrated embodiment in FIG. 5 which comprises six individual teeth 37, the teeth 37 are graduated such that no more than two teeth 37 penetrate the materials at one time. It will be appreciated that this reduces the amount of force necessary to operate the actuator 31 (shown in FIGS. 1-4) to penetrate the materials to be punched. As an example and not by way of limitation, the range of force necessary to penetrate the following materials comprise the following ranges:
0.5 pounds to 5 pounds for thinner sheets of regular paper; and
2.0 pounds to 25 pounds for thicker materials, such as cardboard, chipboard and other thick materials commonly used as book or notebook covers.
This is particularly helpful when the materials to be punched are thick, such as cardboard, or when several inner pages of the book are to be punched at one time. It will further be appreciated that the easy-to-punch feature makes the machine 10 particularly adapted to children and the elderly and others who are involved in arts and crafts.
In FIGS. 3 and 4, the forward casing portion 46 that defines a waste compartment 48 for receiving punch “holes,” or the punched through pieces. A door 51 is provided on the forward casing portion 44 preferably at a first side 16 of the hole punching mechanism 20 for accessing and disposing the waste contents of the compartment 48.
A guide, or stop, 55 of particular interest to the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 6A-C, 7A-C and 8A-C. In FIG. 6A, the guide 55 placed at a second side 18 of the hole punching mechanism 20, opposite to the first side 16 and adjacent to a second side exit 59 of the slot 26. The guide 55 preferably provides three different positions depending upon the materials and the type of punching desired.
For outer covers or cover pages of a journal notebook, the guide 55 comprises a first vertical guide surface, or cover page surface, 62 that provides a first position, or cover page position, for abutting the edges of such cover materials as shown in FIGS. 6A-C. The cover page surface 62 is positioned such that a relatively longer distance “A” of unpunched space extends from an abutting edge 64 of the cover page 66 to the nearest punched hole 68.
In FIGS. 7A-C, the guide 55 also includes a second vertical surface, or inner page surface, 71 that provides a second position, or inner page position, for abutting the edges of inner pages. In the preferred embodiment, the inner page surface 71 is included on a medial tab 73 that is located medially, or inwardly, with respect to the cover page surface 62. Accordingly, this inner page surface 71 is positioned such that a relatively shorter distance “B” of unpunched space extends from an abutting edge 75 of the inner page 77 to the nearest punched hole 79. Alternatively stated, the cover page surface 62 of the guide 55 is located lateral to the inner page surface 71 such that the cover page surface 62 provides a longer distance of unpunched space A on cover pages than the unpunched space B on inner pages provided by the inner page surface 71. When the cover pages and inner pages are bound as discussed further below, it will be appreciated that the different spacing provided by the guide 55 results in cover pages that extend over the top and bottom of inner pages to form a book.
In FIGS. 8A-C, the guide 55 also includes a rearwardly extending projection, or continuous punching projection, 82 that provides a third position, or continuous punching position. The continuous punching projection 82 has a profile that conforms to the profile of the punch teeth 37 (shown in FIG. 5), shown here as rectangular in the preferred embodiment, so as to be able to fit, or inserted, into a punched hole 84 of the material, whether it be cover pages or inner pages, where additional holes are desired. In particular, the continuous punching projection 82 is positioned precisely such that when it is inserted into a previously punched hole 84, a consistent pattern of holes is punched with equal amount of space “C” between adjacent punched holes 86. The position of the continuous punching projection 82 is also such that the punch teeth 37 will precisely transverse through any previously punched holes without enlarging, or otherwise modifying, said holes.
In the illustrated embodiment where the punch die 35 comprises six punch teeth 37 as shown in FIG. 5, the consistent pitch is accomplished by inserting the projection 82 into the fourth (previously punched) hole 84 from the edge 87, or from the fourth hole from a previously punched set of holes. This results in a new set of six additional holes being punched where the pitch between all of the resulting holes are equal, thereby creating a unitary, consistent pattern of holes throughout the entire cover page and/or inner pages.
In FIGS. 3, 6A, 7A and 8A, a slidable stabilizer arm 88 may be horizontally extended from the rear of the apparatus 10 to provide additional leverage and stability when engaging the hole punching mechanism 20. The stabilizer arm 88 includes a vertical ledge 89 to facilitate pulling and pushing. When not in use, the stabilizer arm 88 may be slid back into a bottom casing 95 shown in FIG. 3.
The apparatus 10 may also comprise non-slip pads, or feet, 95 on a bottom surface 99 as shown in FIG. 9 to provide extra traction and stability.
With the preferred structures of the hole punching mechanism 20 described, turn now to its preferred operation as shown in FIGS. 6A, 7A, 8A and 10. A user will initially select either a cover page 66 as shown in FIG. 6A, generally composed of thicker cardboard material, or one or more inner pages 77 as shown in FIG. 7A, generally composed of thinner sheets of paper. The material 66, 77 is then inserted downwardly into the vertical slot 26 with the portion 91 to be punched positioned at the bottom of the slot 26. The punch guide 55 is axially adjusted, as shown by the bi-directional arrow 93 such that the appropriate surface 62, 71 of the guide 55 is aligned with the slot 26, or more specifically, with the paper/book material 66, 77 inserted into the slot 26.
For cover pages as shown in FIG. 6A, the guide 55 is axially adjusted such that the cover page guide surface 62 is aligned with the cover page 66 inserted into the slot 26. The cover page 66 is moved horizontally until its top or bottom edge 64, as the case may be, abuts the cover page guide surface 66. For inner pages as shown in FIG. 6B, the guide 55 is axially adjusted such that the inner page surface 71 of the medial tab 73 is aligned with the inner page 77 inserted into the slot 26. Since inner pages 77 tend to be thinner, a stack of inner pages 77 may be inserted into the slot 26 as punched at one time. The inner page, or a stack of pages, 77 is moved horizontally until its top or bottom edge 75, as the case may be, abuts the inner page surface 71.
With the paper material 66, 77 inserted and properly aligned, a user may then simply push the lever 31 downward to cause the punch die 35 to traverse horizontally, thereby causing the punch teeth 37 to punch holes through the material 66, 77. In the preferred embodiment, the punch teeth 37 do not all puncture the material 66, 77 at the same time, but rather through a graduated, alternating configuration so as to lessen the amount of force necessary to exert down on the lever 31. This is particularly helpful when very thick materials, which typically serve as covers to journal notebooks, are being hole punched. To the extent that a greater amount of force needs to be exerted on the lever 31, the stabilizer arm 88 may be slid out from the rear 14 of the apparatus to provide extra leverage and prevent the apparatus 10 from tilting.
In FIG. 11, the apparatus 10 also comprises the binding mechanism 22 so as to form a dual function machine 10 that combines hole punching with binding so as to provide all the necessary tools for the individual user to make a journal notebook. The binding mechanism 22 comprises a vertical inner vise wall 102 and a vertical outer vise wall 104. In the preferred embodiment, the outer vise wall 104 is horizontally movable with respect to the inner vise wall 102. Alternatively, the inner vise wall 102 may be made movable with respect to the outer vise wall 104, or both walls 102, 104 may be made horizontally movable.
In FIGS. 1, 2 and 11, the outer vise wall 104 is coupled to a floor 106. In the preferred embodiment, the outer vise wall 104 includes side runners 108 that can slide axially within side tracks 111 of the floor 106 such that the outer vise wall 104 is axially slidable with respect to the floor. It is to be expressly understood that a variety of mechanisms may be utilized to cause the outer vise wall 104 to be axially movable with respect to the floor 106 and the inner vise wall 102. A handle 113 preferably in the form of a knob is coupled to the outer vise wall 104 facilitates manual operation. The handle 113 is coupled to a shaft 114 threaded at the bottom end. By tightening the knob 113, the shaft 114 is secured to the floor 106, thereby securing the outer vise wall 104 once the outer vise wall 114 is slid to the desired position along the floor 106. A vise stopper 114 is also provided at the front end 12 of the apparatus 10.
The outer vise wall 104 preferably includes a bottom portion 115 that is curved, or flared, towards the inner vise wall 102 to facilitate compression of the circular binding wire as discussed below. The outer vise wall 104, inner vise wall 102 and floor 106 collectively form an opening, or binding channel, 117 for receiving books partially assembled with binding rings or binding wire.
In operation as shown in FIG. 11, a user first threads a binding material 119, such as double wire binding ring combs, through the holes punched in the covers and inner pages to form a partially assembled journal book 122. The book 122 is then placed into the opening 117 with the binding wire 119 downward and resting on the floor 106. The user then moves the outer vise wall 104 inward towards the inner vise wall 102 so as to compress the binding wire 119, thereby completing assembly of the book 122. In the preferred embodiment, the necessary force to move the outer vise wall 104 so as to compress the binding wire comprises a range of 0.5 pounds to 10 pounds.
The mobility of the outer vise wall 104 with respect to the inner vise wall 102 not only accomplishes the compression of binding materials, but also provides for adjustability to receive differently sized binding wires. Therefore, in the preferred embodiment, the outer vise wall 104 may be adjusted to and from the inner vise wall 102 to receive binding wires having diameters ranging, for example, from 0.5 inches to 2 inches.
Accordingly, it will be appreciated that what was once accomplished with at least two heavy duty machines in an industrial manufacturing setting is now accomplished with a single, dual function machine for non-industrial use (e.g., at home). Furthermore, the dual functions of hole punching and wire binding is combined into a small, compact machine 10 that is easily portable so that hobbyists can carry the machine 10 to any particular destination and, for example, gather together with other arts and crafts enthusiasts with their own machines 10.
As examples and not by way of limitations, the ranges of the miniature size of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus 10 include the following. The apparatus 10 has a height in the range of 2 inches to 8 inches, with a preferred height of 3 to 4 inches, when the lever 31 is in a fully depressed position as shown in FIG. 10, which is the preferred configuration for storage. With the lever 31 in the fully upright position, the machine 10 preferably has a height up to 18 inches. The apparatus 10 also has a width in the range of 2.5 inches to 12 inches, with a preferred width of 4 to 5 inches. With the stabilizing bar in the stowed position and not considering the lever 31, the apparatus 10 has a length in the range of 4 inches to 10 inches, with a preferred length of 6 to 7 inches. Full extension of the stabilizing arm 88 and/or full depression of the lever may add another 2 to 7 inches to the rear of the main casing 24. Thus, it will be appreciated that the above preferred ranges of dimensions of the apparatus 10 further facilitate ease of use and portability thereof.
FIG. 12 illustrates a preferred method 200 for making a journal notebook with a single machine. The method 200 comprises step 210 of providing at least one cover and at least one inner page, or sheet.
Step 220 comprises inserting the covers or inner pages into a vertical slot in the machine. Covers tend to be composed of thicker materials such as chipboard, whereas inner pages tend to be composed of thinner materials. Accordingly, step 220 preferably comprises inserting one cover at a time into the vertical slot. Since inner pages are generally thinner, step 220 may comprise inserting one inner page or a stack of multiple inner pages at one time into the vertical slot.
Step 230 comprises aligning the covers or inner pages with a guide providing different positions, namely, a cover position, an inner page position, and a continuous punch position. In step 240, a first plurality of holes is punched into the inner page(s) with the machine using a force in the preferred range of 0.5 to 5 pounds on an actuator, such as a lever. Step 250 comprises punching a second plurality of holes into the cover(s) with the machine using the preferred range of 2.0 to 25 pounds on the actuator.
In the preferred embodiment, the number of holes punched into the material in a single actuation of the hole punching mechanism depends upon the number of punch teeth formed on the punch die (e.g., 6 punch teeth on a punch die will equate to 6 holes punched in one instance). It is anticipated that users will want to make journal notebooks with covers and pages that require more holes than the maximum capacity provided by the machine with a single exertion. This may be required particularly when making a journal with large pages and covers that require more holes than be punched at one time with the punching mechanism of the apparatus.
Accordingly, the method 200 also enables a user to continuously punch holes through a previously punched cover or inner page to form a continuous pattern of holes with equal spacing between all the holes punched. Step 260 comprises aligning a previously punched cover or inner page in the slot with the guide. In step 160, the previously punched cover or inner page is positioned such that a previously punched hole receives a projection on the guide. This properly aligns the previously punched cover or inner page for the additional punching in step 270.
In step 270, a third or additional plurality of holes is punched into the previously punched cover or inner page. With the proper alignment in step 260, the resulting additional holes punched in step 270 will form a continuous pattern with the previously punched holes so that equal and consistent spacing is provided between all the holes punched.
Step 280 comprises inserting a binding material, such as binding wire or binding rings, through the first plurality of holes and second plurality of holes so as to partially assembly the covers to the inner pages. In the preferred method, double wire binding ring combs are inserted through the punched holes. Step 290 comprises compressing the binding material with a binding mechanism of the machine. In step 290, an outer vise wall is moved horizontally toward an inner vise wall to compress the binding material, and thus complete assembly of the journal notebook.
The preferred method 200 enables an individual to accomplish what formerly could only be done at a factory using multiple machines. Not only does the method 200 enable the individual user to make a journal notebook with a single machine, it does so by only requiring certain ranges of force well within human capacity.
Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiments have been set forth only for the purposes of examples and that they should not be taken as limiting the invention as defined by the following claims. For example, notwithstanding the fact that the elements of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, it must be expressly understood that the invention includes other combinations of fewer, more or different elements, which are disclosed in above even when not initially claimed in such combinations.
The words used in this specification to describe the invention and its various embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in this specification the generic structure, material or acts of which they represent a single species.
The definitions of the words or elements of the following claims are, therefore, defined in this specification to not only include the combination of elements which are literally set forth. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements in the claims below or that a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.
Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements.
The claims are thus to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptionally equivalent, what can be obviously substituted and also what incorporates the essential idea of the invention.
Patent Application
20080019802
