# US 11,027,569 B2 · Edge tabs for notebook > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,027,569 B2 - Document ID: US11027569B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/788,441 - Filed: 2020-02-12 - Published: 2020-06-04 - Granted: 2021-06-08 - Earliest claimed: 2010-05-28 - Assignees: ACCO Brands Corporation - Applicants: ACCO Brands Corporation - Inventors: Edward P. Busam; Donald G. Bauer - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11027569B2 ## CPC - B42D 13/00: Loose leaves modified for binding; Inserts (loose leaves modified for temporary attachment B42F3/00; indexing features B42F21/00) - B42B 5/12: the elements being coils - B42D 1/004: {Perforated or punched sheets} - B42D 1/06: in which the fillings and covers are united by other means - B42D 3/12: combined with other articles {(loose leaf-binders combined with other articles B42F13/40)} - B42F 21/12: Sheets, papers, or cards having edges cut away to facilitate indexing, e.g. thumb cuts on books - B42D: BOOKS; BOOK COVERS; LOOSE LEAVES; PRINTED MATTER CHARACTERISED BY IDENTIFICATION OR SECURITY FEATURES; PRINTED MATTER OF SPECIAL FORMAT OR STYLE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DEVICES FOR USE THEREWITH AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; MOVABLE-STRIP WRITING OR READING APPARATUS - B42B: PERMANENTLY ATTACHING TOGETHER SHEETS, QUIRES OR SIGNATURES OR PERMANENTLY ATTACHING OBJECTS THERETO (nailing or stapling in general B25C, B27F; machines for both collating or gathering and permanently attaching together sheets or signatures B42C1/12; temporarily attaching sheets together B42F) - B42F: SHEETS TEMPORARILY ATTACHED TOGETHER; FILING APPLIANCES; FILE CARDS; INDEXING (reading desks A47B19/00; book rests A47B23/00) ## Abstract A tab is provided for notebooks and binders. The tab is placed within the space otherwise occupied by a binding, and thus is protected from wear and does not appreciably increase the overall size of the notebook or binder. The tab may be located at a corner of the binding or at an intermediate point along the binding. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A bound assembly comprising: a plurality of sheets each having a bound edge extending in a first direction; a binding at the bound edge, the binding securing the bound edge of each of the plurality of sheets; the plurality of sheets including at least one divider sheet including a tab portion located on the bound edge; and a tab strap having a first end connected to the tab portion located on the bound edge, and the tab strap having a second end connected to or adjacent an unbound edge of the divider sheet and opposite the bound edge; wherein a force exerted on the tab portion is transferred to the second end of the tab strap and causes a warping or buckling of the divider sheet or the second end of the tab strap adjacent said unbound edge. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The bound assembly of claim 1 wherein the tab strap is formed via a folded substrate and a portion of the folded substrate is configured to be folded or creased about a fold at the unbound edge of the divider sheet to form the tab strap. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The bound assembly of claim 1 wherein the tab strap is separately provided and attached to the divider sheet. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The bound assembly of claim 3 wherein the tab strap is attached to the divider sheet via one or more of welding, gluing, or stapling. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The bound assembly of claim 1 further comprising a rotatable cam and wherein the tab strap is configured to rotate a portion of the cam outward from the unbound edge for grasping as a handle for a user to open the bound assembly to a predetermined page. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The bound assembly of claim 5 wherein the tab strap is attached to the rotatable cam via a rivet. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The bound assembly of claim 1 wherein the divider sheet includes multiple guide slits through which a separate piece of material forming the tab strap is disposed, wherein an extension end of the separate piece of material is configured to be extended beyond the unbound edge of the divider sheet to provide a grasping portion for a user to open the bound assembly to a predetermined page. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The bound assembly of claim 7 further comprising a guide strip through which the separate piece of material forming the tab strap extends. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The bound assembly of claim 1 wherein the divider sheet includes one or more guide straps through which a separate piece of material forming the tab strap extends, wherein an extension end of the separate piece of material is configured to be extended beyond the unbound edge of the bound assembly to provide a grasping portion for a user to open the bound assembly to a predetermined page. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The bound assembly of claim 1 wherein the divider sheet is comprised of multiple plies. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The bound assembly of claim 10 wherein the tab strap is disposed between plies of the divider sheet, or portions thereof. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The bound assembly of claim 1 wherein the tab strap includes a first width associated with a body of the tab strap and a second width associated with the tab portion of the tab strap and wherein the first width is larger than the second width forming a shoulder of the tab strap. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The bound assembly of claim 12 wherein the shoulder prevents the tab strap from advancing toward the bound edge. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The bound assembly of claim 1 wherein the tab strap is comprised of a plastic or coated paper that is configured to slide between the divider sheet and adjacent sheets. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The bound assembly of claim 1 wherein the warping or buckling of the divider sheet or the tab strap opens the unbound edge of the bound assembly to a predetermined page. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The bound assembly of claim 1 wherein the tab strap is configured to receive a pulling force exerted in a direction toward the bound edge. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The bound assembly of claim 1 wherein the tab strap is comprised of a stiff material permitting the tab strap to be pushed to cause the warping or buckling at the unbound edge of the bound assembly. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The bound assembly of claim 1 wherein the tab strap includes a narrower or weakened portion adjacent the second end thereof. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The bound assembly of claim 18 wherein the weakened portion is formed via perforation, scoring, or folding. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The bound assembly of claim 1 wherein the plurality of sheets further comprise at least one hole proximate to the bound edge and the binding extending through the last least one hole in each sheet. ### Claim 21 A bound assembly comprising: a plurality of sheets each having a bound edge extending in a first direction; a binding at the bound edge, the binding securing the bound edge of each of the plurality of sheets; the plurality of sheets including at least one divider sheet including a tab portion along the bound edge; and a tab strap having a first end connected to the tab portion and having a second end connected to or adjacent an unbound edge of the divider sheet; wherein a force exerted on the tab portion is transferred to the second end of the tab strap and causes a warping or buckling of the divider sheet or the second end of the tab strap adjacent said unbound edge, and wherein the tab strap is formed via a plurality of slits formed into the divider sheet.