Binding tool

Abstract

To provide a binding tool capable of effectively suppressing an unintentional opening of a ring part.SOLUTION: A binding tool 1 comprises: a pair of ring parts 2 constituting a binding ring; two long and narrow base parts 3 positioned adjacently to each other, to which each of the pair of ring parts 2 is connected by a connection part 2a; a bearing part 4 provided in each base part 3; and a shaft part 5 provided inside the bearing part 4 of each base part 3, which connects the two base parts 3 to each other. The ring part 2 can be opened and closed by a relative displacement of the two base parts 3 in a longer direction, and by a rotational displacement of the base parts 3 around the shaft part 5. The ring part 2 has a widened area Rw from the connection part 2a to a tip portion 2b, which is a width along the longer direction of the base part 3 gradually increased towards the tip portion 2b side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a binding device in which the ring portions can be opened and closed by the relative longitudinal displacement of two base portions and the rotational displacement of the base portions around the shaft portion. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventional binding devices of this type are described, for example, in Patent Documents 1 and 2. Such binding devices have a pair of ring portions that form a binding ring, two elongated base portions that are positioned adjacent to each other and to which each of the pair of ring portions is connected, a bearing portion provided on each base portion, and a shaft portion that is positioned inside the bearing portion of each base portion and connects the two base portions to each other.

[0003] In such a binding device, a user can relatively displace the base along the longitudinal direction and pivotally displace the base around the shaft, thereby opening and closing the ring portion connected to the base in accordance with the relative and pivotal displacements. With the ring portion of the binding device open, the user can pass binding holes provided in sheets of paper, such as loose-leaf paper, through the ring portion and close the ring portion to bind the sheets. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-1562 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-6539 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the case of the above-described binding device, for example, if a file equipped with the binding device is dropped and receives an impact, the base may unintentionally undergo a relative longitudinal displacement, causing the ring portion to open. In this case, loose-leaf paper sheets or other paper sheets may fall out of the binding device and scatter.

[0006] The present invention has as its object to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a binding device that can effectively prevent unintentional opening of the ring portion. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The binding device of this invention comprises a pair of ring portions that form a binding ring, two elongated base portions positioned adjacent to each other and connected by a connecting portion to each of the pair of ring portions, a bearing portion provided on each base portion, and a shaft portion positioned inside the bearing portion of each base portion and connecting the two base portions to each other, and the ring portions can be opened and closed by the relative longitudinal displacement of the two base portions and the rotational displacement of the base portions around the shaft portion, and the ring portions have an expanded width region between the connecting portion and the tip portion, in which the width along the longitudinal direction of the base portions gradually increases toward the tip portion.

[0008] In the above-mentioned binding tool, it is preferable that the ring portion has a constant width region on the connecting portion side, which is located adjacent to the widened region and on the connecting portion side, and has a constant width.

[0009] In the above-mentioned binding device, in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the base, the outer shape of the tip portion of the ring portion has an arc shape, and it is preferable that in the height direction of the cross section, at least the portion of the ring portion that is closer to the base than the center of the arc shape is the constant width region.

[0010] The ring portion may have a straight portion extending straight from the connecting portion to the side of the base portion, and a curved portion continuing from the straight portion and extending in a curved manner toward the tip portion. In this case, it is preferable that the constant width region extends from the straight portion to partway along the curved portion.

[0011] In addition, it is preferable that the ring portion of the binding tool has a constant width region on the tip end side, in which the width is constant, at the tip end portion.

[0012] In the above-described binding device, the tip portions of the pair of ring portions may have overlapping portions where they overlap each other in the height direction in a part of the longitudinal direction when the ring portions are closed.

[0013] The binding tool may have, as the shaft portion, a shaft member that is a separate member from the base portion.

[0014] Alternatively, in the above-mentioned binding tool, the shaft portion may be integrally formed with the base portion.

[0015] The binding tool may have an elastic member that biases the two base portions in the longitudinal direction.

[0016] The above-mentioned binding device is particularly preferably used as the binding device in a predetermined file including a binding device and a cover to which the binding device is attached. The predetermined file has a front cover and a back cover each having a binding hole through which the ring portion of the binding device is passed, and a connecting portion that extends from the ring portion side of the binding device around to the back of the base and connects the front cover and the back cover to each other in a state in which the ring portion is passed through the binding hole to attach the binding device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] In the binding device of this invention, the ring portion has an expanded region, and the expanded region is constrained from both longitudinal sides of the base by the binding holes of the paper sheets bound therein, which functions to resist relative longitudinal displacement of the base, thereby effectively suppressing unintentional opening of the ring portion. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a binding device according to an embodiment of the present invention with ring portions closed; [Figure 2] 2 is a perspective view showing the binding device of FIG. 1 from a different viewpoint than that of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is a perspective view showing the binding device of FIG. 1 in a state where the ring portions are open. FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a perspective view showing the binding device of FIG. 3 from a different viewpoint than that of FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view of the binding device of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an enlarged front view of the binding device of FIG. [Figure 7] 2 is a perspective view showing a ring support member that constitutes the binding device of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 8] 8 is a perspective view showing the ring support member of FIG. 7 from a different viewpoint than that of FIG. 7. [Figure 9] 2 is a perspective view showing a file having the binder, cover, and paper sheets of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is a perspective view showing the file of FIG. 9 with the front and back covers folded back. FIG. [Figure 11] 10 is a perspective view showing the file of FIG. 9 from a different viewpoint than that of FIG. 9, and an enlarged view of a main part thereof. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The binding device 1 illustrated in Figures 1 to 6 has a pair of ring portions 2 that form a binding ring, two elongated base portions 3 that are arranged adjacent to each other in a parallel orientation and to which each of the pair of ring portions 2 is connected, a bearing portion 4 provided on each base portion 3, and a shaft portion 5 that is arranged inside the bearing portion 4 of each base portion 3 and connects the two base portions 3 to each other.

[0020] Here, one or more pairs of paired ring portions 2 (four pairs in the illustrated example) are provided, and each is connected to each base portion 3 by a connecting portion 2a. In the binding device 1 of this embodiment, the base portion 3 is rod-shaped with a substantially square or rectangular cross section perpendicular to its longitudinal direction (left-right direction in FIG. 5, and depth direction on the paper in FIG. 6), and one of the paired ring portions 2 is connected to its side surface at a distance in the longitudinal direction. However, the base portion 3 is not limited to the illustrated shape or the connecting mode of the ring portions 2, as long as it has an elongated shape to which the ring portions 2 can be connected.

[0021] In the illustrated binding device 1, when the two bases 3 are relatively displaced in opposite directions in the longitudinal direction and the two bases 3 are rotated around the shaft portion 5, the ring portions 2 connected to the respective bases 3 open as their tip portions 2b move away from each other, or close as their tip portions 2b move toward each other. In this way, the ring portions 2 can be opened and closed by the relative displacement and rotational displacement of the bases 3.

[0022] In this type of binding device 1, if an impact is received, for example, when a file having the binding device 1 is accidentally dropped and hits the floor, a relative displacement of the base 3 occurs, which in turn causes the base 3 to rotate unintentionally, opening the ring portion 2. In this case, the paper sheets bound in the binding device 1 may fall out of the binding device 1 and, in the worst case, may scatter into the surrounding area.

[0023] To prevent such unintended opening of the ring portions 2, in the binding device 1 of this embodiment, as can be seen in FIG. 5, the ring portions 2 have a widening region Rw between the connecting portion 2a with the base portion 3 and the tip portion 2b, where the width of the ring portions 2 measured along the longitudinal direction of the base portion 3 gradually increases toward the tip portion 2b. As a result, the widening region Rw of the ring portions 2 reduces the gap in the binding holes of the paper sheets to be bound in the binding device 1, so that the binding holes of the paper sheets restrain the pair of ring portions 2 from shifting longitudinally relative to each other. Therefore, the base portion 3 to which the ring portions 2 are connected is prevented from unintended relative displacement in the longitudinal direction. As a result, unintended opening of the ring portions 2 can be effectively prevented.

[0024] In this binding device 1, when a paper sheet bound in the binding device 1 is located near the tip portion 2b of the ring portion 2, the tip portion 2b, which has been widened by the widening region Rw, is constrained in the longitudinal direction by the binding holes of the paper sheet, thereby suppressing the opening of the ring portion 2 as described above. On the other hand, when the paper sheet is located on the connecting portion 2a side of the ring portion 2, the tip portion 2b is not constrained by the binding holes of the paper sheet, allowing the base portion 3 to be displaced relatively and pivotally in the longitudinal direction, and the ring portion 2 to be opened and closed accordingly.

[0025] It is essential that the widening region Rw gradually increases the width of the ring portion 2 toward the leading end portion 2b where paper sheets may fall out of the binding device 1. In the case of a binding device 1 having multiple pairs of ring portions 2, if at least one pair of the ring portions 2 has the widening region Rw, the effect of suppressing the opening of the ring portions 2 as described above can be obtained.

[0026] Furthermore, the width of the widening region Rw does not increase in steps, but gradually increases toward the leading edge 2b. This allows paper sheets with binding holes inserted into the ring portion 2 to move smoothly along the ring portion 2. This ensures that users can easily fold back the paper sheets and turn pages. If the ring portion were wide overall without a widening region, when a user moves a paper sheet bound in a binder along the ring portion, the entire ring portion would easily rub against the edges of the binding holes of the paper sheets, hindering smooth page turning. In this regard, as shown in the figure, it is preferable that the widening region Rw of the ring portion 2 gradually increases in width by inclining both sides of the ring portion 2 in the longitudinal direction of the base 3 toward the leading edge 2b, thereby gradually increasing the width of the ring portion 2. If only one side is inclined, that side would need to be inclined more significantly.

[0027] In particular, the binding device 1 of this embodiment has a structure that allows for relative displacement and rotational displacement of the base 3, as will be described later, and thus allows for a relatively thin base 3. Therefore, with this binding device 1, the paper sheets bound therein can be folded back over a relatively wide range in the circumferential direction (an angular range close to 360° around the base 3) along the ring portion 2 in the closed state, and it is required that the paper sheets be easily folded back at this time.

[0028] From the viewpoint of preventing unintentional opening of the ring portions 2 as described above without significantly impairing the ease of folding back such sheets, it is preferable that the ring portions 2 have a constant-width region Rc1 on the connecting portion 2a side, which is located adjacent to the widened region Rw and has a constant width, on the connecting portion 2a side. By providing the ring portions 2 with the constant-width region Rc1 on the connecting portion 2a side, it is possible to make page turning even easier and smoother when the user opens the file and positions sheets on the connecting portion 2a side of each ring portion 2.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 6, in the case of a binding device 1 in which the outer shape of at least the tip portion 2b of the ring portion 2 is arc-shaped in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the base portion 3, it is preferable that the constant-width region Rc1 on the connecting portion 2a side be a portion that is located at least closer to the base 3 (lower in Fig. 6) than the position Pc of the center Ca of the arc-shape (the center of an imaginary circle VC drawn by a circumference of which the arc of the arc is a part) of the ring portion 2 in the height direction of the cross section (the vertical direction in Fig. 6). This is because this portion is the part where a user is particularly likely to feel resistance due to friction between the binding device and the ring portion 2 as the paper sheets move along the ring portion 2 when using the file.

[0030] If the portion closer to the base 3 than the arc-shaped center Ca is the constant-width region Rc1, then, provided that the widened region Rw is adjacent to the tip portion 2b side (the upper side in Figure 6), the portion slightly closer to the tip portion 2b than the arc-shaped center Ca may also be made the constant-width region Rc1.

[0031] 6, the binding device 1 has a ring portion 2 that has a straight portion 2c that extends straight from the connecting portion 2a to the side of the base portion 3 (outside in the left-right direction in FIG. 6), and a curved portion 2d that is connected to the straight portion 2c and has an outer shape that is arc-shaped or the like and that extends in a curved manner toward the tip portion 2b. In this case, from the viewpoint of ease of turning pages as described above, the area from the straight portion 2c to partway along the curved portion 2d can be defined as a constant-width region Rc1.

[0032] Taking into consideration the dimensions of the binding holes in the paper sheets, the widest width Wmax at the tip portion 2b side of the widened region Rw of the ring portion 2 may be set to, for example, 4 mm to 5 mm when measured along the longitudinal direction. On the other hand, the narrowest width Wmin at the connecting portion 2a side of the widened region Rw of the ring portion 2 or at the constant width region Rc1 on the connecting portion 2a side may be set to, for example, 3 mm to 3.5 mm when measured along the longitudinal direction.

[0033] Regardless of whether the ring portion 2 has a constant-width region Rc1 on the connecting portion 2a side, the tip portion 2b may have a constant-width region Rc2 on the tip portion 2b side, with a constant width. Although it depends on the manner in which the width of the widening region Rw gradually increases and the size of that region, providing a constant-width region Rc2 on the tip portion 2b side can prevent the widening region Rw from extending up to the tip portion 2b from becoming too wide on the tip portion 2b side relative to the binding holes, or from becoming too narrow on the connecting portion 2a side, thereby reducing strength. Providing a constant-width region Rc2 on the tip portion 2b side also has the advantage of making it easier to remove from a mold when producing by injection molding.

[0034] Providing the widened region Rw as described above is particularly advantageous when the binding device 1 is one in which the tip portions 2b do not engage with each other when the ring portions 2 are closed, and each tip portion 2b is provided with an overlapping portion 2e where the tip portions 2b overlap with each other in the height direction at a part of the longitudinal direction, as shown in FIG. 3. This is because the ring portions 2 in which the tip portions 2b do not engage with each other tend to open unintentionally.

[0035] 3, for example, the outer surface of one half of the end portion 2b of the ring portion 2 in the longitudinal direction is recessed, and the inner surface of the other half is recessed, and these recesses are formed alternately in the longitudinal direction between pairs of half portions, so that when the ring portion 2 is closed, the two half portions overlap to form an overlapping area 2e. If such an overlapping area 2e is provided in the end portion 2b, the opening of the ring portion 2 is more effectively prevented when the paper sheets are restrained in the binding holes due to the presence of the widened area Rw as described above.

[0036] 7 and 8, the binding device 1 of this embodiment is configured to include two identical, one-piece ring support members 11, each having a ring portion 2 formed integrally with a base portion 3. Furthermore, on the back surface of the base portion 3 of the ring support member 11, a bearing portion 4 having an arc-shaped inner and outer contour shape in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is formed, and two shaft holding portions 6 are formed, and a shaft portion 5 is formed between the two shaft holding portions 6 with both ends fixed. In the binding device 1, the shaft portions 5 of one and the other of the two ring support members 11 are fitted inside the bearing portions 4 of the other and one, respectively.

[0037] Instead of the shaft portion 5 formed integrally with the base portion 3 of the ring support member 11 described above, it is also possible to provide a separate member from the base portion, such as a single long metal shaft member extending in the longitudinal direction of the base portion, although this is not shown in the figures.

[0038] Furthermore, at both longitudinal ends of the base 3 of the ring support member 11, gripping portions 7 that are held by the user are formed, continuing from the shaft holding portions 6 on the end sides. The ring support member 11 is often made of plastic by injection molding.

[0039] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, an engaging protrusion 8a that protrudes outward in the longitudinal direction is formed on a portion of the circumference of the longitudinal end of the bearing portion 4. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 8, an engaging recess 8b that is recessed inward in the longitudinal direction is formed on a corresponding portion of the circumference of the shaft holding portion 6 on the longitudinal center side of the base 3 at the end on the shaft portion 5 side in the longitudinal direction. When the binding device 1 is in a closed state, the engaging protrusions 8a and engaging recesses 8b of the two ring support members 11 engage with each other, thereby locking the base 3 so that rotational displacement does not occur unless the base 3 is displaced relative to one another.

[0040] However, as mentioned above, if the base 3 is displaced relative to the base 3 due to an impact when the binding device 1 is dropped, the lock between the engaging convex portion 8a and the engaging concave portion 8b may be released, causing the base 3 to rotate and the ring portion 2 to open.To prevent this, it is effective to provide an expanded region Rw in the ring portion 2.

[0041] A protrusion 9 extending in the longitudinal direction is provided on a part of the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface of the bearing portion 4. When the ring portion 2 is opened, this protrusion 9 abuts against the side surface of the base portion 3 of the mating ring support member 11, and functions to prevent the binding device from being disassembled.

[0042] 2, the binding device 1 may further include an elastic member 12 that biases the two base portions 3 of the two ring support members 11 in the longitudinal direction. The elastic member 12 may be arranged, for example, in a receiving section in the longitudinal center area behind the rear side of the base portion 3, and may apply a biasing force to the base portion 3 against relative displacement when the ring portion 2 is opened from a closed state.

[0043] The above-described binding device 1 is preferably used in a file 21 as shown in Figures 9 and 10. The file 21 includes the above-described binding device 1 and a cover 22 to which the binding device 1 is attached. Two binding devices 1 are provided at each end of one side of the file 21, but a single binding device may also be provided that spans almost the entire side. The illustrated file 21 further includes one or more sheets of paper 23, such as loose-leaf paper, bound in the binding device 1.

[0044] The covers 22 include a front cover 22a located on the front side of the file 21 and a back cover 22b located on the back side. Each of the front cover 22a and the back cover 22b can have the same number of binding holes 22c through which the ring portions 2 of the binding device 1 pass, or more than the number of ring portions 2. The binding device 1 is attached to the front cover 22a and the back cover 22b by passing the ring portions 2 of the binding device 1 through the binding holes 22c of the front cover 22a and the back cover 22b, respectively.

[0045] Normally, as shown in FIG. 9, a sheet of paper 23 is sandwiched between a front cover 22a and a back cover 22b, but in a file 21 including the binding device 1 of this embodiment, the front cover 22a and / or the back cover 22b can be folded back at an angle close to 360° around the base 3 of the binding device 1, so that the sheet of paper 23 can be exposed as shown in FIG. 10.

[0046] Here, the cover 22 is provided with a connecting portion 22d that connects the front cover 22a and the back cover 22b. As can be seen from the enlarged view in Fig. 11, in a state in which the binding device 1 is attached to the cover 22 by passing the ring portions 2 through the binding holes 22c of the front cover 22a and the back cover 22b, the connecting portion 22d extends from the ring portion 2 side of the binding device 1 around to the rear of the base 3 side (the back side that is the opposite side from the side where the ring portions 2 extend across the base 3), and is connected to each of the front cover 22a and the back cover 22b.

[0047] The binding device 1 is held by the connecting portion 22d and held by the cover 22, thereby effectively preventing it from falling off the file 21. The connecting portion 22d can be formed integrally with the front cover 22a and the back cover 22b made of paper, plastic, rubber or elastomer, or the like, or it may be connected to the front cover 22a and the back cover 22b as separate members.

[0048] In the cover 22 having the connecting portion 22d, the binding holes 22c formed in the front cover 22a and the back cover 22b may be substantially circular, but are preferably oblong or elliptical holes that are longer in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the binding holes 22c are aligned (the height direction of the binding device 1, the up-and-down direction in FIG. 11) than in the direction in which the binding holes 22c are aligned. This makes it less likely that the opening and closing operation of the front cover 22a and the back cover 22b will be hindered by the ring portion 2 of the binding device 1 that is held by the connecting portion 22d.

[0049] When the front cover 22a and back cover 22b of the cover 22 are folded back as shown in Figure 10, the connecting portion 22d on the side of the file 21 becomes thicker at the location where the connecting portion 22d is provided because the connecting portion 22d is sandwiched between the front cover 22a or back cover 22b and the base 3 of the binding device 1. This may slightly impair the ease of folding back the front cover 22a or back cover 22b. To address this, it is preferable to provide a recessed relief space for the connecting portion 22d on the side of the base 3 of the binding device 1 so that the portion surrounded by the connecting portion 22d is thinner than the other portions, as can be seen in Figures 7 and 8. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1. Binding device 2 Ring section 2a Connecting part 2b Tip part 2c straight part 2d curved part 2e Overlap area 3 base 4 Bearing section 5 Shaft section 6 Shaft holder 7 Grip 8a Engagement protrusion 8b Engagement recess 9 Protrusion 11 Ring support member 12 Elastic member 21 files 22 Cover 22a Front cover 22b back cover 22c binding holes 22d Connecting part 23 Paper Ca Arc-shaped center Rc1 Fixed width area on the connecting part side Rc2 Fixed width area at the tip Rw widening area VC Virtual Circle Pc Position of the arc center Ca in the height direction

Claims

1. A binding device having a pair of ring portions that constitute a binding ring, two elongated base portions that are positioned adjacent to each other and in which each of the pair of ring portions is connected by a connecting portion, a bearing portion provided on each base portion, and a shaft portion that is disposed inside the bearing portion of each base portion and connects the two base portions to each other, and the ring portions can be opened and closed by relative longitudinal displacement of the two base portions and rotational displacement of the base portions around the shaft portions, The binding device has a widening region in which the width along the longitudinal direction of the base gradually increases from the connecting portion to the tip portion toward the tip portion.

2. 2. The binding device according to claim 1, wherein the ring portion has a constant width region on the connecting portion side, the constant width region being located adjacent to the widened region on the connecting portion side.

3. In a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the base, the outer shape of the tip portion of the ring portion has an arc shape, The binding device according to claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the ring portion that is located closer to the base portion than the center of the arc shape in the height direction in the cross section is the constant width region.

4. the ring portion has a straight portion extending straight from the connecting portion to the side of the base portion, and a curved portion continuing from the straight portion and extending in a curved manner toward the tip portion, The binding device according to claim 2, wherein the constant width region extends from the straight portion to a portion of the curved portion.

5. The binding device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the ring portion has a constant width region on the tip end side, in which the width is constant.

6. A binding device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each of the tip portions of the pair of ring portions has an overlapping portion in which the tip portions overlap each other in the height direction in part of the longitudinal direction when the ring portions are closed.

7. The binding device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the shaft portion has a shaft member that is a separate member from the base portion.

8. The binding device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the shaft portion is integrally formed with the base portion.

9. 5. The binding device according to claim 1, further comprising an elastic member that biases the two base portions in the longitudinal direction.

10. The binding device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is used as the binding device in a file including a binding device and a cover to which the binding device is attached, The cover of the file is a binding device having a front cover and a back cover each having a binding hole formed therein for passing the ring portion of the binding device therethrough, and a connecting portion that extends from the ring portion side of the binding device around to the back of the base and connects the front cover and the back cover to each other when the binding device is attached with the ring portion passing through the binding hole.

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