US 5,265,967 AGranted

Swivel lock assembly for use in ringbinders and the like

AssigneeU.S. Ringbinder Corp.

InventorYoung S. Han

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Abstract

An improved assembly (12) for use in a ringbinder (10) to hold sheets (P) paper having holes (H) punched in them. A prong bar assembly (16) includes first and second spaced apart and aligned U-shaped members (18a, 18b) attached to respective end pieces (L1, L2) forming outer leaves of the binder. These members have respective upper and lower flanges (40u, 40l) to strengthen the members and make the ringbinder sturdier. First and second swivel locks (26a, 28a) are located at each end of the prong bar assembly. Each lock includes a pair of L-shaped links (26b, 26c, 28b, 28c) having one end pivotally attached to one of the U=-shaped members, with the other ends (46) being pivotally connected together. The swivel locks are movable from a prong bar assembly locking position to an unlocking position, this enabling the U-shaped members to move relative to each other. A pair of curved sheet holding prongs (22a, 22b) each have one end (34) stakingly attached to the respective U-shaped members. The prongs extend across prong bar assembly and form a closure for paper retained in the binder. A locking bar (20) includes a U-shaped member (70) attachable to one of the U-shaped members. The locking bar is engagable with this member to allow the binder or folder to be opened and closed.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A swivel lock assembly for use in a ringbinder or a folder to hold paper or similar material having a hole punched in it for the assembly to capture the paper or material and retain it in the binder comprising:

a prong bar assembly including a first U-shaped member attached to an end piece forming one outer leaf of the binder, a second U-shaped member spaced apart from the first said member and extending parallel thereto, the first and second members being turned so the respective flanges forming the legs of the U-shape face each other, said flanges adding strength to the members to make the ringbinder or folder sturdier;
first and second swivel locks located at each end of the prong bar assembly, each swivel lock including a pair of L-shaped links having one end pivotally attached to one of the U-shaped members with the other ends of the links being pivotally connected together, the swivel locks being movable from a prong bar locking position to an unlocking position thereby enabling the U-shaped members to be movable relative to each other;
at least one curved prong having one end stakingly attached to one of the U-shaped members and extending between the U-shaped members with the other end of the prong abutting the other U-shaped member to form a closure for the paper or material being retained in the binder or folder, the other end of the prong moving away from said other U-shaped member when the prong bar assembly is moved to its open position;
and,
a locking bar including a U-shaped bar attached to an end piece forming the other outer leaf of the binder, and means for engaging said locking bar with said second U-shaped member thereby to allow the binder or folder to be opened and closed.

2 more elements

In a ringbinder for holding punched sheets of paper and the like, and improved swivel lock assembly for releasably holding the paper comprising:

a prong bar assembly having first and second members spaced apart from and aligned parallel to each other, each member having an upper and a lower inwardly extending flange extending lengthwise of the member, said lower flange extending farther inward than the upper flange and extending farther along the length of the member than said upper flange, and said members being rotatably movable relative to each other between a binder closed and a binder opened position;
first and second curved prongs positioned adjacent each other, one of said prongs having one end stakingly attached to one of said members and the other prong having one end stakingly attached to the other of said members, both prongs extending between the members with the non-staked end of the respective prongs abutting the opposite member, the prongs moving away from each other when the binder is opened;
and
first and second swivel locks respectively located at opposite ends of the prong bar assembly, each swivel lock including a pair of links each of which has one end pivotally attached to one of the members with the other ends of the links being pivotally connected together, the swivel locks being movable from a prong bar assembly locking position to an unlocking position thereby enabling the U-shaped members to be movable relative to each other, each of said links having a latch formed thereon and each member having a notch at each respective end into which the latches fit as the respective swivel lock rotate to a prong bar assembly opening position, each notch capturing its associated latch to prevent further movement of the swivel locks and prevent overrotation thereof, overrotation of the swivel locks inhibiting opening of the prong bar assembly.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.