The invention relates to a ring binder mechanism for housing perforated documents. The ring binder mechanism comprises a housing (10) with spring elastically flexible housing flanks (28). Two carrier rails (20) are arranged within the housing (10), which may be pivoted towards each other by the spring action of the housing flanks (28) in the manner of an
elbow joint in the region of the longitudinal edges thereof which face each other. At least two half rings (16), which pair-wise form a ring (14), are rigidly connected to the support rails (20) at defined longitudinal separations from each other. At least two locking elements (32), operated by means of an actuating element (18) and a tie rod (44), are further provided, which engage in a
free space (34), formed between the carrier rails (20) and a housing wall (13), in the locked position, with locking of the pivoting movement of the carrier rails (20) and which release the pivoting path about the
joint axis (22) in the opened state, whereby the locking elements (32) are pre-tensioned in the closing direction by the action of a closing spring (36). According to the invention, only one single tie rod (44) is provided, the tie rod comprising several dogs (201), each of which is provided for cooperating with one of the locking elements (32).