Ring binder

Abstract

In a ring folder having a folder body and a ring binding tool, a binding state of paper or the like is prevented from being released when a front cover is held in a closed posture, the folder body is formed with a hinge between base ends of a pair of covers and can adopt a cover opening and closing state in which the other cover is turned with respect to the hinge orthogonal to one cover, and the ring binding tool has a binding ring in a vicinity of the base end of the one cover of the folder body. In the ring folder having the binding ring provided with first and second ring forming members that engage the tip end portion and configured such that the engagement is released when an external force for releasing the engagement is applied to the two ring forming members in a direction in which the ring forming members are brought closer to each other, the other cover has a locking hole that engages with the binding ring without applying the external force for releasing the engagement to the binding ring halfway through the cover opening and closing state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a ring-shaped folder with a ring-shaped binding device on the cover. Background Technology

[0002] Conventionally, as such a ring-shaped folder, there are known ring-shaped folders that have a folder body and a ring-shaped binding device. The folder body is formed by setting a ridge between the base ends of the front cover and the rear cover, and can be in an open / closed state that allows the front cover to rotate relative to the ridge orthogonal to the rear cover. The ring-shaped binding device has a binding ring provided near the base end of the rear cover of the folder body (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Many of these ring-shaped folders are designed to maintain the front cover in a closed position that is approximately parallel to the rear cover by providing a locking hole on the front cover and engaging the locking hole with the binding ring of the ring binding tool.

[0004] Existing technical documents

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-34365 Summary of the Invention

[0007] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0008] However, in the aforementioned conventional ring-type folders, it was pointed out that, although rare, the following phenomenon occurs: when the front cover is held in a closed position, the engagement of one of the engagement parts of the first and second ring forming members that form the binding rings becomes loose from the engagement part of the other, and the binding of the papers, etc., is released.

[0009] Methods for solving problems

[0010] In order to investigate the cause of this defect, the inventors conducted various investigations and discovered that this defect occurs in binding devices of the type in which the engagement between the tips of the two ring-forming members is released when force is applied to the first and second ring-forming members forming the binding ring in a direction that brings them closer together. Furthermore, it was observed that in conventional ring-shaped folders, when locked, the edge of the locking hole on the opposite side of the spine abuts against the first ring-forming member, which is furthest from the spine. Therefore, if the locking hole is forcefully engaged with the binding ring, the first ring-forming member is pulled towards the spine. As a result, an external force acting in a direction that brings the first and second ring-forming members closer together causes the engaging portion of one ring to pass over the engagement portion with the other, releasing the engagement between the tips of the two ring-forming members.

[0011] The present invention was completed based on the following findings. The invention described in technical solution 1 relates to a ring-shaped folder comprising a folder body and a ring-shaped binding device. The folder body is formed by setting a ridge between the base ends of a pair of covers, and is capable of opening and closing the covers in a way that allows the other cover to rotate relative to the ridge orthogonal to one of the covers. The ring-shaped binding device has a binding ring disposed near the base end of one of the covers of the folder body. The binding ring has first and second ring forming members that engage with each other at their top ends, and is configured such that the engagement is released when an external force is applied to the two ring forming members in a direction that moves them closer together. The other cover has a locking hole that engages with the binding ring without applying an external force to release the engagement during the opening and closing of the cover.

[0012] The invention described in technical solution 2 relates to a ring-shaped folder, which, according to the ring-shaped folder described in technical solution 1, has a locking hole having a slit with a width corresponding to the wire diameter of the binding ring and an elastic deformation portion that reduces the width of a portion of the slit. The ring-shaped folder is configured to allow a portion of the binding ring to be inserted into the slit by utilizing the temporary elastic deformation of the elastic deformation portion.

[0013] The invention described in technical solution 3 relates to a ring-shaped folder. According to the ring-shaped folder described in technical solution 2, the ring-shaped binding device includes a base fitted to one of the covers, a first ring-forming member erected on the anti-spine side of the base, and a second ring-forming member erected on the spine side of the base and having an extension extending toward the anti-spine direction at the top. The tops of the first and second ring-forming members can be engaged and disengaged by relative rotation. The gap of the locking hole is set to a size in which the longitudinal edge of the gap does not substantially contact the first ring-forming member within a hypothetical rotation range of the other cover in the open and closed state. The elastically deformable portion of the locking hole contacts and engages with the extension of the second ring-forming member.

[0014] Furthermore, in this invention, "substantially non-contact" is a concept that includes both a state of complete non-contact and a state of contact to the extent that an external force used to release the engagement ring cannot be applied to it.

[0015] The invention described in technical solution 4 relates to a ring-shaped folder. According to the ring-shaped folder described in technical solution 3, the extension of the second ring forming member has a base end curved portion, an intermediate straight portion extending from the base end curved portion toward the reverse ridge direction, and a top end curved portion that bends from the intermediate straight portion toward the base side and is aligned with the top end of the first ring forming member. The elastic deformation portion of the locking hole engages with the intermediate straight portion.

[0016] Furthermore, in this invention, the "middle straight section" is not limited to a completely straight shape, but also includes the concept of a gently curved shape (a shape with a curvature smaller than that of the base curved section and the top curved section).

[0017] The invention described in technical solution 5 relates to a ring-shaped folder. According to the ring-shaped folder described in technical solution 3 or 4, the envisioned rotation range of the other cover is from the position where the other cover separates from the binding ring to the position where the rotating end of the other cover abuts against the cover of the first party.

[0018] Invention Effects

[0019] According to the present invention, in a ring-shaped folder in which a locking hole is provided on the front cover and engages with the binding ring of a ring-shaped binding tool to maintain the front cover in a closed position approximately parallel to the rear cover, it is possible to prevent the undesirable situation that occurs when the engagement of one of the engagement portions of the first and second ring forming members that form the binding ring becomes loose and the binding state of the paper or the like is released when the front cover is maintained in a closed position. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a perspective view illustrating a circular folder according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a top view illustrating the circular folder of this embodiment.

[0022] Figure 3 This is the main view showing the circular folder of this embodiment.

[0023] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 View A in the diagram.

[0024] Figure 5 This is a top view showing the ring binding device according to this embodiment.

[0025] Figure 6 This is a front view showing the ring binding device according to this embodiment.

[0026] Figure 7 yes Figure 5 BB section view in the middle.

[0027] Figure 8 yes Figure 5 CC section view in the image.

[0028] Figure 9 yes Figure 6 The X-direction view in the image.

[0029] Figure 10 This is a diagram illustrating the function of the ring-type binding tool in this embodiment.

[0030] Figure 11 This is a cross-sectional view illustrating the function of the ring-type binding tool in this embodiment.

[0031] Figure 12 It is Figure 10 The diagram shows the main part of the image magnified.

[0032] Figure 13 This is a diagram illustrating the function of the ring-type binding tool in this embodiment.

[0033] Figure 14 This is a cross-sectional view illustrating the function of the ring-type binding tool in this embodiment.

[0034] Figure 15 This is a top view showing the engagement portion of the binding ring and the locking hole in this embodiment.

[0035] Figure 16 This is a diagram illustrating the envisioned rotation range of the cover of another embodiment.

[0036] Figure 17 This is an explanatory diagram showing the engagement of the binding ring and the locking hole in this embodiment.

[0037] Figure 18 This is an explanatory diagram showing the engagement of the binding ring and the locking hole in this embodiment.

[0038] Figure 19 This is an explanatory diagram showing the engagement of the binding ring and the locking hole in this embodiment.

[0039] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0040] RF… Circular Folder

[0041] 1… Folder Body

[0042] 11…One side of the cover

[0043] 11a…the base of one side of the cover

[0044] 12…The other party's cover

[0045] 123… Locking hole

[0046] 123a…gap

[0047] 123b…Elastic Deformation Section

[0048] 123x…the edge of the gap along its length

[0049] 13… Ridge Sealing

[0050] 2… Ring binding tools

[0051] 3…base

[0052] 4F, 4B... binding rings

[0053] 6F, 6B... Ring 1 forming component

[0054] 62F, 62B… The top part of the first ring forming component

[0055] 7F, 7B… Second ring forming component

[0056] 72F, 72B… The top part (extension) of the second ring forming component.

[0057] 721F, 721B... Base bending section

[0058] The straight section in the middle of 722F, 722B...

[0059] 723F, 723B... Top curved section

[0060] R1…Imagine rotation range Detailed Implementation

[0061] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 Explanation follows.

[0062] This embodiment applies the invention to a circular folder that can achieve the ease of use of a so-called lever archfile. For example... Figures 1-4 As shown, the ring folder RF includes a folder body 1 formed by providing a spine 13 between the base ends 11a and 12a of a pair of covers 11 and 12, and a ring binding device 2 of the present invention mounted on the inner surface near the base end 11a of one of the covers 11 of the folder body 1.

[0063] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the folder body 1 is formed by setting a spine 13 between the base end 11a of the cover 11 (which functions as a rear cover) and the base end 12a of the cover 12 (which functions as a front cover). A main fold line portion 11b is provided at the boundary between the cover 11 and the spine 13. The cover 11 has a binding tool mounting area 111 located near the base end 11a and a paper corresponding area 112 adjacent to the binding tool mounting area 111. A secondary fold line portion 11c is formed at the boundary between the binding tool mounting area 111 and the paper corresponding area 112. The cover 12 has a binding ring holding area 121 located near the base end 12a and a paper corresponding area 122 adjacent to the binding ring holding area 121. A locking hole 123 is formed in the binding ring holding area 121 for holding the free ends of the binding rings 4F and 4B (described later). A secondary bending line portion 12c is formed at the boundary between the binding ring holding area 121 and the corresponding area 122 of the paper. A finger hook hole 13a is formed in the spine 13.

[0064] Furthermore, the folder was envisioned to enable... Figure 2 The lower side of the paper is used for paper replacement. The following is a description of the instructions: Figure 2 The lower side is called the "proximal anterior side", and the upper side is called the "inner side".

[0065] like Figures 5-8 , Figures 10-11 and Figures 13-14 As shown, the ring binding tool 2 includes a base 3 installed on the folder body 1, a pair of binding rings 4F and 4B disposed on the base 3, and a spring 5 built into the base 3.

[0066] Here, Figure 5 This is a top view showing a partial cross-section of the ring-type binding tool 2. Figure 6 This is the front view of the ring-type binding tool 2. Figure 7 and Figure 8 They are along Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of the BB and CC lines. Figure 9 It is Figure 6 An enlarged X-axis view of the main part of the image. Figure 10 This is a diagram illustrating the function of the second ring forming components 7F and 7B, which will be described later. Figure 11 yes Figure 10 The state shown is the same as Figure 7 The corresponding sectional view. Figure 12 It is Figure 10 The diagram shows the main part of the image magnified. Figure 13This is a front view showing the state in which the second ring forming members 7F and 7B, described later, are in the open position (O) described later. Figure 14 yes Figure 13 The sectional view corresponding to Figure 7 in the shown state.

[0067] like Figure 6 , Figure 10 and Figure 13 As shown, the binding rings 4F and 4B are composed of first ring forming members 6F and 6B and second ring forming members 7F and 7B. The base ends 61F and 61B of the first ring forming members 6F and 6B are supported on the base 3. The first ring forming members 6F and 6B have first engaging portions 63F and 63B at their top ends 62F and 62B. The base ends 71F and 71B of the second ring forming members 7F and 7B are supported on the base 3, and the second ring forming members 7F and 7B have second engaging portions 73F and 73B at their top ends 72F and 72B. The second ring forming members 7F and 7B can engage with the first engaging portions 63F and 63B in the second engaging portions 73F and 73B. Figure 6 The closing posture (C) shown is such that the engagement has been released. Figure 13 The binding ring rotates between the shown open positions (O). The second ring forming members 7F and 7B are forced in the opening direction by the spring 5. Furthermore, in this specification, the binding ring on the near side is labeled 4F, and the binding ring on the inner side is labeled 4B. Additionally, as a rule, each element constituting the binding ring 4F on the near side is labeled with a number ending in F, and each element constituting the binding ring 4B on the inner side is labeled with a number ending in B. Moreover, in each element constituting the binding rings 4F and 4B on the near side and the inner side, corresponding elements are labeled with the same name, and all other than the ending in F or B, are labeled with the same number.

[0068] Specifically, the engaging portion of one of the binding rings 4F and 4B has at least a groove, and the engaging portion of the other ring forming member has at least a protrusion that engages with the groove. Furthermore, in this embodiment, as... Figure 9 and Figure 12As shown, the engaging portions 63F, 63B, 73F, and 73B of the first and second rings forming components 6F, 6B, 7F, and 7B are respectively provided with protrusions 631F, 631B, 731F, and 731B and grooves 632F, 632B, 732F, and 732B that are parallel to and adjacent to the protrusions 631F, 631B, 731F, and 731B. Furthermore, the protrusions 731F and 731B of the engaging portions 73F and 73B of the second ring forming members 7F and 7B can engage with the grooves 632F and 632B of the engaging portions 63F and 63B of the first ring forming members 6F and 6B, and the protrusions 631F and 631B of the engaging portions 63F and 63B of the first ring forming members 6F and 6B can engage with the grooves 732F and 732B of the engaging portions 73F and 73B of the second ring forming members 7F and 7B.

[0069] The grooves 632F, 632B, 732F, 732B and the protrusions 631F, 631B, 731F, 731B are inclined at angles other than right angles relative to the axis L1F, L1B, L2F, L2B at the top ends 61F, 61B, 71F, 71B of the ring forming members 6F, 6B, 7F, 7B. Specifically, as Figure 12 As shown, the grooves 632F, 632B and protrusions 631F, 631B provided at the engaging portions 63F, 63B of the first ring forming members 6F, 6B are tilted by an angle θ relative to the axes L1F, L1B at the top ends 62F, 62B of the first ring forming members 6F, 6B, for example, in the main view. Similarly, the grooves 732F, 732B and protrusions 731F, 731B provided at the engaging portions 73F, 73B of the second ring forming members 7F, 7B are tilted by an angle θ relative to the axes L2F, L2B at the top ends 72F, 72B of the second ring forming members 7F, 7B, for example, in the main view. In this embodiment, the tilt angle θ is set to 45°, but any value other than 90° is acceptable, and various selections and adoptions are possible. Furthermore, as... Figure 12 As shown, the grooves 732F, 732B and the protrusions 731F, 731B provided in the second ring forming members 7F, 7B are set at an angle φ relative to the rotational trajectories L3F, L3B (more precisely, the tangents L31F, L31B at the points where the rotational trajectories L3F, L3B intersect with the grooves 732F, 732B and the protrusions 731F, 731B) between the closed posture (C) and the open posture (O) of the engaging portions 73F, 73B in the second ring forming members 7F, 7B. In this embodiment, the angle φ is set to 90°, but any value close to 90° is acceptable and various changes are possible.

[0070] In addition, such as Figure 9 As shown, the groove 632F of the engaging portion 63F of the first ring forming member 6F on the near-anterior side is a straight groove opening inward, and the groove 632B of the engaging portion 63B of the first ring forming member 6B on the inner side is a straight groove opening inward. Furthermore, as... Figure 9 As shown, the groove 732F of the engaging portion 73F of the second ring forming member 7F on the near-front side is a straight groove opening towards the near-front side, and the groove 732B of the engaging portion 73B of the second ring forming member 7B on the inner side is a straight groove opening towards the inner side. That is, the grooves 632F and 632B of the engaging portions 63F and 63B of the paired first ring forming members 6F and 6B open in a mutually facing direction, while the grooves 732F and 732B of the engaging portions 73F and 73B of the paired second ring forming members 7F and 7B open in a mutually opposing direction. Each of the protrusions 631F, 631B, 731F, 731B is arranged adjacent to each other on the top side of the corresponding grooves 632F, 632B, 732F, 732B. The protrusions 631F, 631B of the engaging portions 63F, 63B of the paired first ring forming members 6F, 6B protrude in a mutually facing direction, while the protrusions 731F, 731B of the engaging portions 73F, 73B of the paired second ring forming members 7F, 7B protrude in a mutually opposing direction. For example... Figure 9 , Figure 12 , Figure 16 , Figure 19 As shown, guide inclined surfaces 633F, 633B, 733F, and 733B are formed on the top sides of the protrusions 631F, 631B, 731F, and 731B. By aligning the top ends 62F and 62B of the first ring forming members 6F and 6B with the top ends 72F and 72B of the second ring forming members 7F and 7B, the two ring forming members 6F, 6B, 7F, and 7B are temporarily elastically displaced radially, and each protrusion 631F, 631B, 731F, and 731B engages with the corresponding grooves 632F, 632B, 732F, and 732B. Furthermore, in Figure 12 In the diagram, the guide inclined surface 633F is the part marked with a pattern. When the engagement is released, the top ends of the second ring forming members 7F and 7B are pinched together in a direction that brings them closer to each other, so that the ring forming members 7F and 7B are temporarily elastically deformed in the radial direction.

[0071] The first ring forming members 6F and 6B described above are generally straight members fixed to one side edge 3a of the base 3, and the second ring forming members 7F and 7B are members pivotally supported to the other side edge 3b of the base 3 and curved at their top ends. Therefore, the engaging portions 63F and 63B of the first ring forming members 6F and 6B and the engaging portions 73F and 73B of the second ring forming members 7F and 7B are configured to engage at a position offset from the center in the width direction of the base 3. More specifically, as... Figure 5 As shown, the base ends 61F and 61B of the first ring forming members 6F and 6B are inserted into the ring mounting holes 31a of the base 3 and fixed by riveting or the like. Figure 5 and Figure 8 As shown, the second ring forming members 7F and 7B have shaft portions 711F and 711B at their base ends 71F and 71B, respectively. These shaft portions 711F and 711B are inserted into the cavity SP formed between the cavity forming portion 32 (described later) of the base 3 and the folder body 1, and are respectively pivotally supported by the bearing 33 (described later) of the base 3. Furthermore, the shaft portion 711F of the front-side second ring forming member 7F and the shaft portion 711B of the inner-side second ring forming member 7B are pivotally supported by the base 3 with their ends facing each other to align their axes. The ends of the shaft portions 711F and 711B are rotatably connected to each other by a connecting member 8 having a central eccentric portion 81 that is eccentric relative to the two shaft portions 711F and 711B. The two second ring forming members 7F and 7B and the connecting member 8 are integrally molded products made of metal wire.

[0072] And, as Figure 9 As shown, the top ends 64F, 64B, 74F, and 74B of the first and second ring forming members 6F, 6B, 7F, and 7B are rounded. These rounded ends 64F, 64B, 74F, and 74B allow the bound paper P to move smoothly along the binding rings 4F and 4B when the first ring forming members 6F and 6B and the second ring forming members 7F and 7B are engaged with each other to form binding rings 4F and 4B.

[0073] like Figures 1-2 , Figures 5-8 , Figures 10-11 and Figures 13-14 As shown, the base 3 includes a base body 31 mounted on the folder body 1 and a cavity forming portion 32 integrally formed on one side edge of the base body 31.

[0074] The base body 31 has a flat shape with a mounting flange 311 on its periphery that is connected to the folder body 1 and installed on the folder body 1 by fastening tools such as rivets. It has ring mounting holes 31a at both the front and rear ends, and the base ends 61F and 61B of the first ring forming members 6F and 6B are respectively fixed in the ring mounting holes 31a.

[0075] When the cavity forming part 32 is installed in the folder body 1, it forms a cavity SP between itself and the folder body 1. On the inner side of the cavity forming part 32 facing the cavity SP, there is a bearing 33 that pivotally supports the base ends 71F and 71B of the second ring forming members 7F and 7B, and a spring support 34 that supports one end of the spring 5 disposed in the cavity SP.

[0076] In detail, such as Figures 6-8 , Figures 10-11 and Figures 13-14 As shown, the cavity forming part 32 includes an upright wall 321 that rises from one side edge of the base body 31, a top wall 322 that gradually decreases and extends outward from the upper end of the upright wall 321, and a descending wall 323 that descends from the extended end of the top wall 322. The bearing 33 is formed at both ends of the lower edge of the descending wall 323, and the spring support 34 is formed in the middle of the lower edge of the descending wall 323.

[0077] like Figure 8 As shown, the bearing 33 is a partially cylindrical component that is rolled up to enclose the shaft portions 711F and 711B of the base ends 71F and 71B of the second ring forming components 7F and 7B, and is integrally disposed on the lower edge 323a of the descending wall 323.

[0078] like Figure 7 , Figure 11 and Figure 14 As shown, the spring support 34 is a flat plate-shaped component located between the two bearings 33 and disposed at the bottom of the cavity SP, extending cantileveredly from the lower edge 323a of the descending wall 323. The spring support 34 is a quadrilateral component in plan view, and has a slot 34b near the extended end 34a for positioning the spring 5.

[0079] The base 3 described above is integrally formed from a common metal sheet material by stamping or other processes, comprising the base body 31, the cavity forming part 32, the bearing 33, and the spring support 34. In other words, the base 3 is a one-piece molded product made of a metal sheet.

[0080] In addition, such as Figure 2 and Figure 5As shown, one side edge 3a of the base 3 (specifically, the end edge on the side where the ring mounting hole 31a is provided) is located away from the spine 13 of the folder body 1, and the other side edge 3b of the base 3 (specifically, the end edge on the side of the cavity forming part 32) is located near the boundary between the cover 11 and the spine 13 of the folder body 1.

[0081] The spring 5 is used to apply force to the second ring forming members 7F and 7B in the direction toward the open position (O), and is located between the spring support 34 and the middle eccentric portion 81 of the connecting member 8. That is, as Figure 7 , Figure 11 and Figure 14 As shown, the spring 5 is a leaf spring-shaped component that integrally comprises a stationary portion 51 disposed on the spring support 34, a movable portion 52 that elastically applies force to the intermediate eccentric portion 8 from below at the top portion 521, and a curved connecting portion 53 that makes the movable portion 52 and the stationary portion 51 integrally continuous.

[0082] The stationary part 51 is a flat plate-shaped component having a top bend portion 511 that engages with the extension end 34a of the spring support 34 and an intermediate bend portion 512 that engages with the gap 34b of the spring support 34.

[0083] The movable part 52 is a partially cylindrical body with an upwardly opening top portion 521, capable of enclosing and applying force to the central eccentric portion 81 of the connecting member 8 at the top portion 521. Through the action of the spring 5, the second ring forming members 7F and 7B rotate to the open position (O). Furthermore, in this open position (O), the connecting member 8 is positioned to abut against the top wall 322 of the cavity forming part 32, and the second ring forming members 7F and 7B are held in the open position (O) by the locking action of the top wall 322. That is, the cavity SP is formed in a shape that allows the connecting member 8 to operate when the second ring forming members 7F and 7B rotate between the closed position (C) and the open position (O) (specifically, a front-view fan shape).

[0084] In this embodiment, the ring-shaped folder is used, for example, to bind A4-sized paper. The separation distance d between the binding rings 4F and 4B near the front and inside sides is set to a value corresponding to the perforation spacing of a typical double-hole folder. Furthermore, the position of the void-forming portion 32 is set such that the end edge Pa of the paper P bound to the first ring forming members 6F and 6B on the binding root side is close to the upright wall 321 of the void-forming portion 32 of the base 3.

[0085] Next, the actions of each part when the second ring forming members 7F and 7B move from the open position (O) to the closed position (C) or in the opposite direction will be explained.

[0086] If in such a situation Figure 13 and Figure 14 When the second ring forming members 7F and 7B in the open position (O) as shown are subjected to an operating force in the direction toward the closed position (C), then as Figure 11 As shown, the spring 5 receives the transmission of the operating force via the central eccentric portion 81 of the connecting member 8, thereby elastically deforming, as... Figure 10 and Figure 12 As shown, the top ends 72F and 72B of the second ring forming members 7F and 7B abut against the top ends 62F and 62B of the first ring forming members 6F and 6B. At this time, the two ring forming members 6F, 6B, 7F, and 7B are temporarily elastically displaced radially by the guide inclined surfaces 633F, 633B, 733F, and 733B. If a further operating force is applied, the protrusions 631F, 631B, 731F, and 731B move to positions opposite to the corresponding grooves 632F, 632B, 732F, and 732B, respectively, and engage through elastic restoring force. More specifically, after the protrusions 631F and 631B of the engaging portions 63F and 63B of the first ring forming members 6F and 6B are aligned with the grooves 732F and 732B of the engaging portions 73F and 73B of the second ring forming members 7F and 7B, and the protrusions 731F and 731B of the engaging portions 73F and 73B of the second ring forming members 7F and 7B are aligned with the grooves 632F and 632B of the engaging portions 63F and 63B of the first ring forming members 6F and 6B, by means of elastic restoring force, these engaging portions 63F, 63B, 73F, and 73B of the first and second ring forming members 6F and 6B move radially and closer to each other, and the second ring forming members 7F and 7B become Figures 5-9 The closing posture shown (C).

[0087] If the second ring forming members 7F and 7B are pinched together and an operating force is applied, causing the engaging portions 63F and 63B of the first ring forming members 6F and 6B to disengage from the engaging portions 73F and 73B of the second ring forming members 7F and 7B, then the force of the spring 5 is transmitted to the second ring forming members 7F and 7B via the connecting member 8, thereby applying force towards the open position (O). Furthermore, if the second ring forming members 7F and 7B reach the open position (O), the eccentric portion 81 in the middle of the connecting member 8 abuts against the top wall 322 of the cavity forming portion 32, further rotation of the second ring forming members 7F and 7B is restricted, and the second ring forming members 7F and 7B are held in the open position (O) by the top wall 322.

[0088] As described above, the ring-shaped folder RF includes: a folder body 1, which is formed by providing a ridge between the base ends of a pair of covers 11, 12, and is capable of rotating the cover 12, which functions as a front cover, relative to the ridge 13 orthogonal to the cover 11, which functions as a rear cover; and a ring-shaped binding device 2, which has binding rings 4F, 4B provided near the base end 11a of one of the covers 11 of the folder body 1.

[0089] Here, Figure 15 This is a top view showing the connection between the locking hole 123 of the cover 12 on the other side and the ring binding device 2, enlarged. Figure 16 This diagram shows the hypothetical range of rotation of the other cover 12. The state in which the other cover 12 is separated from the binding ring 4F is shown with solid lines, and the state in which the rotating end 12d of the other cover 12 is in contact with the cover 11 of one side is shown with imaginary lines. Figure 17 It is a cross-sectional view along the axis of the binding ring 4F with the other cover 12 separated from the binding ring 4F. Figure 18 It is a cross-sectional view along the axis of the binding ring 4F with the cover 12 of one side parallel to the cover 11 of the other side. Figure 19 It is a cross-sectional view along the axis of the binding ring 4F with the rotating end 12d of the other cover 12 in contact with the cover 11 of the other.

[0090] As mentioned above, the binding rings 4F and 4B of the ring binding device 2 have first and second ring forming members 6F, 6B, 7F, and 7B that engage the top ends with each other. However, in such a structure, the engagement can be released when an external force is applied to the two ring forming members 6F, 6B, 7F, and 7B in a direction that brings them closer together. That is, in this embodiment, the following structure is formed: the first ring forming members 6F and 6B, which are erected on the opposite side of the ridge (opposite to the ridge 13) of the base 1, are fixed to the base 1; the second ring forming members 7F and 7B, which are erected on the side of the ridge 13, rotate and engage with the first ring forming members 6F and 6B. However, if an external force for releasing the engagement is applied to the top end of the first ring forming members 6F and 6B in the direction of the ridge 13 in this engaged state, the first ring forming members 6F and 6B will elastically deform and their engaging portions 63F and 63B will pass over the engaging portions 73F and 73B of the second ring forming members 7F and 7B, and the engagement between the first ring forming members 6F and 6B and the second ring forming members 7F and 7B will be released.

[0091] Furthermore, the cover 12 of the other side of the folder body 1 has a locking hole 123 that engages with the binding rings 4F and 4B without applying an external force to release them during the opening and closing of the cover.

[0092] The following description will focus on the portion of the locking hole 123 that is associated with the ring binding device 2. Furthermore, in the following description, only the front half of the ring binding device 2 and the front half of the locking hole 123 will be described.

[0093] like Figure 15 As shown, the locking hole 123 has a slit 123a with a width corresponding to the wire diameter of the binding ring 4F, and an elastic deformation portion 123b that reduces the width of a portion of the slit 123a, configured to allow a portion of the binding ring 4F to be inserted into the slit 123a by utilizing the temporary elastic deformation of the elastic deformation portion 123b.

[0094] like Figure 9 and Figure 15As shown, the ring binding device 2 includes a base 3 fitted to one side of a cover 11, a first ring forming member 6F erected on the anti-spine side (opposite to the spine 13) of the base 3, and a second ring forming member 7F erected on the spine 13 side of the base 3 and having an extension at its top end extending in the anti-spine direction (opposite to the spine 13). The ring binding device 2 is configured to be used in a closed position (C) or an open position (O) by performing the operations described below. That is, the ring binding device 2 is configured such that by applying an operation that causes the top ends 62F and 72F of the first and second ring forming members 6F and 7F to rotate relative to each other (rotation of the second ring forming member 7F in the direction opposite to the spine 13), the top ends 63F and 72F of the second ring forming member 6F and 72F are brought closer together and the engaging portions 63F and 73F are engaged, the binding ring 4F is placed in a closed position (C). Furthermore, as described above, the ring-binding device 2 is configured such that by applying an operational force to pinch the second ring-forming members 7F and 7B towards each other, the engaging portions 63F and 73F are released from engagement, thereby opening the binding rings 4F and 4B to an open position (O). On the other hand, if the ring-binding device 2 applies an external force towards the spine 13 of the first ring-forming member 6F while it is engaged, regardless of the user's intention, the protrusions 631F and 731F and the grooves 632F and 732F of the engaging portions 63F and 73F are not orthogonal to the direction of the external force, allowing the first ring-forming member 6F to elastically deform towards the spine 13. Therefore, if the external force reaches a certain magnitude, the engagement state between the engaging portion 63F of the first ring-forming member 6F and the engaging portion 73F of the second ring-forming member 7F will be released.

[0095] like Figure 16 As shown, the gap 123a of the locking hole 123 is set to a size in which the longitudinal edge 123x of the other cover 12, within the envisioned rotation range R1 of the cover 12 in the open and closed state, does not substantially contact the first ring forming member 6F, and the elastic deformation portion 123b of the locking hole 123 contacts and engages with the extension portion 75F of the second ring forming member 7F.

[0096] Specifically, such as Figures 17-19As shown, the top end 62F of the first ring forming member 6F becomes an inclined portion that slopes towards the ridge 13. In other words, the first ring forming member 6F has an inclined portion that slopes towards the ridge 13 on its top end side. On the other hand, the base end 71F of the second ring forming member 7F is supported on the base 3. The base end 71F stands upright approximately perpendicular to the base 3, and an extension 75F extends from its upright end toward the first ring forming member 6F. The extension 75F has a base end curved portion 751F, an intermediate straight portion 752F extending from the base end curved portion 751F in the opposite direction to the ridge (opposite to the ridge 13), and a top end curved portion 753F that bends from the intermediate straight portion 752F toward the base 3 side and aligns with the top end of the first ring forming member 6F. The elastic deformation portion 123b of the locking hole 123 engages with the intermediate straight portion 752F.

[0097] Here, as Figure 16 As shown, the envisioned rotation range R1 of the other cover 12 (front cover) means the range from the position where the other cover 12 separates from the binding ring 4F to the position where the rotating end 12d of the other cover 12 abuts against the cover 11 of the other cover.

[0098] The inner half of the ring binding tool 2 and the inner locking hole 123 are also symmetrical in shape and have the same structure as the front half of the ring binding tool 2 and the front locking hole 123. Therefore, the corresponding parts are labeled with the last F changed to B and the description is omitted.

[0099] If it is such a structure, then as Figure 1 As shown, by unfolding the paired covers 11, 12 and spine 13 in a flat manner, the ring binding device 2 is fully exposed. Therefore, by opening and closing the pair of binding rings 4F, 4B of the ring binding device 2, loading and unloading operations of papers and the like relative to the ring binding device 2 can be performed.

[0100] By raising the spine 13 from the unfolded state to be orthogonal to one of the covers 11 (rear cover) and rotating the other cover 12 (front cover) relative to the spine 13, the ring folder RF can be closed.

[0101] During this process, a cover opening and closing state can be adopted in which the cover 12 of the other party can rotate relative to the spine 13 orthogonal to one cover 11. However, if, during the middle of this cover opening and closing state, Figure 18As shown, a pair of locking holes 123 on the other cover 12 engage with the binding rings 4F and 4B of the corresponding binding tools, respectively, and the other cover 12 is held in a closed position that is approximately parallel to the cover 11 of the other cover. Specifically, when an operating force in the closing direction is applied to the other cover 12, the extensions 75F and 75B of the second ring forming members 7F and 7B of the binding rings 4F and 4B corresponding to each locking hole 123 penetrate into each locking hole 123, and the elastic deformation portion 123b of the locking hole 123 temporarily deforms and engages with the inner circumferential side of the middle straight portion 752F and 752B of the extension 75F and 75B.

[0102] If the hand is removed from the other cover 12 while it is in the engaged state, the other cover 12 will remain in a closed position, approximately parallel to the first cover 11. However, if further force is applied to the other cover 12 in the closing direction from the stage where the elastic deformation portion 123b of the locking hole 123 engages with the inner circumference of the binding rings 4F and 4B, then... Figure 16 Imaginary lines and Figure 19 As shown, there is a possibility that the binding rings 4F and 4B may further intrude into the gap 123a of the locking hole 123, while the other cover 12 rotates until its top 12d reaches the cover 11 of the other side.

[0103] However, in this ring-shaped folder RF, such as Figure 15 and Figures 17-19 As shown, the gap 123a of the locking hole 123 is set such that its longitudinal edge 123x does not contact the first ring forming members 6F and 6B within the intended rotation range R1 of the other cover 12. Therefore, even if the other cover 12 is closed excessively with an impact force, the end of the gap 123a will not abut against the first ring forming members 6F and 6B. Thus, no external force for disengagement is applied to the first ring forming members 6F and 6B, preventing the unexpected situation where the engagement state of the first ring forming members 6F and 6B and the second ring forming members 7F and 7B of the binding rings 4F and 4B is disengaged when the other cover 12 is closed.

[0104] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from its spirit.

[0105] For example, the binding rings of a ring-binding device are not limited to two; they can also be one or more than three. Furthermore, the binding rings can also be a structure in which the first and second ring-forming members rotate in the approaching and departing directions, respectively. However, the challenges of this invention arise significantly in binding devices where the binding rings are formed by a first ring-forming member fixed to the base and standing straight, and a second ring-forming member having an extension extending toward the reverse spine side at the top. Therefore, the application of this invention to this type of ring-bound folder is particularly meaningful.

[0106] Furthermore, even when using this type of binding tool, the first ring forming member is not limited to having an inclined portion on the top side that slopes towards the spine. However, if the present invention is applied to a structure having such an inclined portion, a particularly significant effect can be obtained. That is, if the front cover is further closed with the end edge of the slit abutting against the inclined portion, it is easy to cause the first ring forming member to be strongly tilted towards the spine due to the guiding effect of the inclined portion, resulting in the binding ring opening. However, if the present invention is applied, this undesirable situation can be reliably eliminated.

[0107] In addition, in the aforementioned embodiment, the inclination angle θ of the grooves and protrusions provided at the engaging portions of the first and second ring forming members relative to the axis at the top of the ring forming member in the main view is set to 45°. However, as mentioned above, this inclination angle θ can be any value other than 90° (e.g., 60°). Furthermore, in the aforementioned embodiment, the angle φ formed by the rotational trajectory of the grooves and protrusions provided at the second ring forming member relative to the engaging portion in the second ring forming member between the closed and open postures is 90°. However, this angle φ can also be set arbitrarily (e.g., 120°). In particular, when the aforementioned tilt angle θ is 60° or even closer to 90°, and the aforementioned angle φ formed by the groove and ridge relative to the rotation trajectory is 120° or even closer to 180°, the groove and ridge become shorter. Therefore, the portion that restricts the external force applied to the spine side becomes less, making it easy for the locking and loosening phenomenon to occur in a state close to lateral sliding. However, if the present invention is applied to a ring-shaped folder with such a structure, since no external force is applied to the spine side of the ring-shaped folder when the front cover is held in a closed position, the main effects of the present invention can be appropriately obtained.

[0108] Furthermore, the extension of the second ring forming member is not limited to the extension shown in the example; for example, the extension may be bent entirely. However, if the extension of the second ring forming member has a straight middle portion as described in the aforementioned embodiment, and the elastically deformable portion of the locking hole engages with this straight middle portion, the protrusion of the binding ring relative to the base can be minimized as much as possible, and the overall thickness of the ring-type folder can be reduced without compromising the binding performance.

[0109] Furthermore, the size of the gap of the locking hole is preferably set as shown in the example to a value that does not contact the first ring forming member at all, regardless of the position within the intended rotation range of the front cover. However, the present invention also includes a scheme in which the end of the gap makes light contact with the ring forming member, but within the intended rotation range, it is not possible to apply a strong force to the ring forming member to the extent required to apply an external force for engagement release.

[0110] In addition, various modifications can be made without prejudice to the spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A ring binder having a binder main body and a ring binding tool, the binder main body being formed with a hinge between base ends of a pair of covers and being able to take a cover opening and closing state in which the other cover is able to rotate with respect to the hinge orthogonal to one cover, the ring binding tool having a binding ring provided in the vicinity of the base end of the one cover of the binder main body, the binding ring having a first ring forming member and a second ring forming member that make a top end portion of each other engage, and being configured such that the engagement is released when an external force for releasing the engagement that exerts a force in a direction in which the two ring forming members approach each other is applied, a range of intended rotation of the other cover in the cover opening and closing state is a range from a position in which the other cover is separated from the binding ring to a position in which a rotation end of the other cover abuts against the one cover, the other cover has a locking hole that engages with the binding ring without applying the external force for releasing the engagement to the binding ring in the range of intended rotation of the other cover in the cover opening and closing state, the locking hole has a slit having a width dimension corresponding to a wire diameter of the binding ring and an elastically deformable portion that narrows a width of a part of the slit, and is configured to be able to insert a part of the binding ring of the ring binding tool into the slit using temporary elastic deformation of the elastically deformable portion, the ring binding tool has a base portion fitted to the one cover, a first ring forming member that is provided upright at a position of the base portion on a reverse hinge side, and a second ring forming member that is provided upright at a position of the base portion on a hinge side and has an extension portion extending out in a reverse hinge direction at a top end side, and is able to make the top end portions of the first and second ring forming members engage and disengage with each other by relative rotation of the first and second ring forming members, the slit of the locking hole is set to a dimension in which a length direction end edge of the slit does not substantially contact the first ring forming member in the range of intended rotation of the other cover in the cover opening and closing state, the elastically deformable portion of the locking hole engages with the extension portion of the second ring forming member.

2. The ring binder according to claim 1, the extension portion of the second ring forming member has a base end bent portion, an intermediate straight portion extending in a reverse hinge direction from the base end bent portion, and a top end bent portion bent toward the base portion side from the intermediate straight portion and abutting against the top end of the first ring forming member, and the elastically deformable portion of the locking hole engages with the intermediate straight portion.

3. The ring binder according to claim 2, the base end bent portion of the extension portion of the second ring forming member is provided with a bent portion that is bent in a direction in which the other cover is separated from the binding ring in the cover opening and closing state, and the elastically deformable portion of the locking hole engages with the bent portion of the base end bent portion of the extension portion of the second ring forming member.

4. The ring binder according to claim 3, the bent portion of the base end bent portion of the extension portion of the second ring forming member is provided with a bent portion that is bent in a direction in which the other cover abuts against the one cover in the cover opening and closing state, and the elastically deformable portion of the locking hole engages with the bent portion of the base end bent portion of the extension portion of the second ring forming member.

5. The ring binder according to claim 4, the bent portion of the base end bent portion of the extension portion of the second ring forming member is provided with a bent portion that is bent in a direction in which the other cover is separated from the binding ring in the cover opening and closing state, and the elastically deformable portion of the locking hole engages with the bent portion of the base end bent portion of the extension portion of the second ring forming member.

6. The ring binder according to claim 5, the bent portion of the base end bent portion of the extension portion of the second ring forming member is provided with a bent portion that is bent in a direction in which the other cover abuts against the one cover in the cover opening and closing state, and the elastically deformable portion of the locking hole engages with the bent portion of the base end bent portion of the extension portion of the second ring forming member.

Images