Actuator for a ring binder mechanism

A ring binder mechanism for holding loose-leaf pages, the mechanism comprising:

• an elongate housing;
• a ring support supported by the housing for movement relative to the housing, the ring support having an upper surface and a lower surface;
• a plurality of rings for holding the loose-leaf pages, each ring including a first ring member and a second ring member, the first ring member being mounted on the ring support for movement with the ring support relative to the housing between a closed position and an opened position, in the closed position the first and second ring members cooperatively forming 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, and in the opened position the first and second ring members forming a discontinuous, open loop for adding or removing loose-leaf pages from the rings;
• and
• an actuator mounted on the housing for pivotal movement relative to the housing for moving the rings from their closed position to their opened position, the actuator having a snap-lock connection with the housing.