Binder ring having slip-on folio stops

#This invention relates to a binder ring which holds individual folio sheets and, more particularly, relates to a binder ring having adjustable folio stops which prevent individual folio sheets from sliding off the ring while the ring is opened.

#Loose leaf binders have long been used to hold individual folio sheets. Typically, the individual folio sheets have holes punched in them and the sheets are held in place by spindle-like structures which pass through the holes. For maximum utility the spindle-like structures are usually provided with a means whereby individual folio sheets can be removed or inserted as desired.

#In a common prior art device the spindle-like structures which pass through the holes in the folio sheets are semi-circular steel strips which are hinged together at one end and which are detachably attachable at the other end. For example see N. D. Nachtrieb, "Temporary Binder Ring", U.S. Pat. No. 1,473,354 and G. L. Crosby, "Loose Leaf Binder", U.S. Pat. No. 1,807,390. Variations on this prior art binder ring structure include J. C. Montague, "Temporary Binder", U.S. Pat. No. 722,870 (matable hollow binder ring sections); V. E. Cardinelli, "Loose Leaf Binder", U.S. Pat. No. 4,349,289 (the tab 5 fits into the hole 6 to close the half loops 4); and J. C. Dawson et al., "Loose Leaf Binder", U.S. Pat. No. 866,845 (ring halves have a heel which presses firmly against the binder back 12 for stability).

#For a more complete understanding of the binder ring of the present invention reference may be had to the accompanying drawing which is incorporated herein by reference and in which:

#FIG. 1 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the ring section of the present invention having adjustable folio stops;

#FIG. 1A is a plan view of the ring section of FIG. 1;

#A conventional binder ring comprising a pair o hinged, semi-circular ring halves is provided with an adjustable folio stop at the end of at least one of the ring halves. The folio stop is adjustable between a stored position at which it does not impede the movement of the folio sheets on the binder ring and a stop position at which it prevents folio sheets from inadvertently sliding off the ring. When the ring halves are snapped together the folio stop rests in the stored position; when the ring halves are opened, at the discretion of the user the folio stop may be placed in the stop position.

#An improved binder ring is provided that stops folio sheets from inadvertently sliding off when particular sheets are being inserted or removed. This is accomplished by affixing folio stops to the end of at least one of the binder ring halves. Preferably, the stops are adjustable so they are unobtrusive while the ring valves are closed together, yet protrude sufficiently to stop sheets from sliding off when the ring halves are opened.

#As seen in FIG. 1 in the preferred embodiment the binder ring 10 of the present invention comprises a pair of semicircular ring sections 11, 11' which are hinged together at hinge 12. In operation, the ring sections 11, 11' may close together to form a circular binder ring on which a plurality of folio sheets may be held. When additional sheets are to. be inserted or when sheets are to selectively be removed the ring sections 11, 11' are swung apart as shown in FIG. 2. With a conventional binder ring a folio sheet 16 may slip readily off the ring section. This movement is desirable when intentional, an annoyance when unintentional. With the improved binder ring of the present invention when it is not desired to have folio sheets on a given ring section slip off, even though the ring sections are swung apart, an adjustable folio stop 14' is swung outward (FIG. 2) to impede the movement of the sheet 17 (indicated by arrow 18'). At the same time a sheet 16 may be removed from ring section 11 (indicated by arrow 18') since folio stop 14 has not been deployed in the stop position. Thus, sheets may be inserted onto ring section 11 or removed therefrom but are securely held on ring section 11'.