Crimper for binding coil

Abstract

A crimper for spiral-binding coil comprises at least one, and preferably multiple, crimping assemblies including crimping elements that move generally parallel to each other to preferably cut, bend and / or reform an end of the coil for retaining the coil in the book or pamphlet. The movement of the crimping elements may be rotational in parallel planes, or translational in parallel lines. Preferably, multiple sets of crimping elements may be interchanged easily and without tools, for example, by being located on rotating members and are circumferentially spaced apart so that one set is used at a time. For each diameter of coil filament within the range of coil diameters for which a particular crimping set is designed, a member of the crimping assembly is adjusted to change the size / dimension(s) of the space into which the newly-cut end of the coil is forced, preferably adjusting that space to be slightly smaller than the diameter of the coil filament. This way, a bending member forces the newly-cut coil end against a bracing member and into the smaller space, and, in doing so, preferably heats, stretches, and generally reforms the end into a new crimped end that stays in that position over the use of the book.

Description

[0001]This application claims priority of Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 851,627, filed on Oct. 14, 2006, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by this reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]This invention relates to a crimping device for finishing the ends of a spiral binding element or “coil.” After binding a notebook, pamphlet, or other book using a spiral binding coil, both ends of the element are conventionally bent at an angle to the axis of the coil, so that the bent ends will prevent the coil from rotating out of the book. This step in the binding process is traditionally called “crimping,” and the present invention provides an improved method and apparatus for crimping the coil ends. The present invention provides a more accurate, aesthetically-pleasing, reliable, and / or consistent crimp in the coil ends, with apparatus and methods adaptable for multiple sizes / diameters of coil and multiple diameters of filament...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]In preferred embodiments, multiple crimping elements are provided that are adapted for different spiral coil diameters, wherein the elements cooperate with a brace member that is adjustable for different coil filament diameters. Thus, the preferred device may be easily and manually configured, without tools, for coils of different diameters made of filament with different diameters. Preferably, there are at least two sets of crimping elements that may be easily interchanged (or portions of them interchanged), wherein each set is designed for a particular range of coil diameters, and wherein each set cooperates with said the adjustable brace member to accommodate different filament diameters within that set's range of coil diameters.

[0008]In preferred embodiments, the crimping element sets are provided on multiple members that move in planes or lines that are generally parallel to the length of the coil, said planes or lines preferably being generally parallel to the plane of the spiral-bound-book as it is laid in the crimper for crimping of the ends of the coil to retain the coil in the book. For example, if one orients the coil in a horizontal plane with the length of the coil in a first direction, the end of the coil that is to be crimped lies also generally horizontally (but extending in a second direction transverse to the length of the coil), and the preferred movable members lie and move in vertical planes or lines parallel to a vertical plane passing through the length of the coil. Such an orientation is convenient for a manual crimping station wherein the user sets each book down in the crimping station in a generally vertical orientation, crimps one end, lifts the book to flip it end-to-end, sets the book down again in the crimping station, and then crimps the second end. Automatic crimping devices using some or all of the preferred features of the invented crimper may be included as embodiments of the invention, as are devices including two crimpers according to the invention, that is, one at each end of the book. Other orientations for the book, the coil, the crimper elements may be effective.

Problems solved by technology

Prior art crimping apparatus tends to smash, smear, or otherwise deform the coil ends in a manner that is inconsistent or inaccurate and / or that results in coil ends that are aesthetically-unpleasing or otherwise faulty.

As the coil ends are visible to the end-user of the book, these faulty crimped coil ends are undesirable.

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