Binding Tool With Curved Tips For Compact File Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing binding tools are either limited in the number of papers they can hold due to their width, leading to a bulky design when trying to increase capacity, or they interfere with adjacent files when stored upright, reducing storage density.
Innovation Solution
A binding tool with a compact design featuring curved tip end portions and a multi-layer structure that allows for positional displacement and overlapping of base members, enabling increased paper capacity without bulkiness and allowing adjacent files to be stored closely without interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the width of the base member is increased to hold more papers, then the quantity of papers that can be held increases, but the thickness of the file in the width direction becomes large when closed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by allowing the binding members to extend beyond the base member width and enter longitudinal holes through the covers. This moves the binding function from a 2D plane (within base member width) to a 3D space (through the file thickness), enabling more papers to be bound without increasing the closed file width.
Solution Approach 2:
The binding members are nested within the file structure by having them extend through longitudinal holes in the covers. The binding members are essentially nested within the file's 3D space, allowing the binding function to occur within the existing file envelope rather than requiring additional width.
2Quantity of substance
If the base member width is increased to accommodate more papers with allowance, then the paper holding capacity increases, but the file becomes bulky when closed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions the binding operation from a width-constrained 2D problem to a 3D solution by utilizing the longitudinal dimension through holes in the covers. This allows the file to remain compact in width while accommodating more sheets through the depth dimension.
3Device complexity
If binding members are arranged in straight line in width direction, then the structure is simple, but adjacent files interfere with each other when stored upright
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the storage interference problem by moving the binding members from a width-aligned arrangement to a 3D configuration where they extend through longitudinal holes. This dimensional shift allows files to be stored closely side-by-side without the binding members of adjacent files interfering with each other.
Data Source
AI summary
A binding tool for paper sheets includes a base member extending in a longitudinal direction; and a plurality of first binding members and second binding members each having a base end portion formed protruding outward in a width direction from the base member and a tip end portion integral with the base end portion and curved inward in the width direction so as to be movable between a binding position where the tip end portions contact each other and an open position where the tip end portions are separated from each other by a prescribed distance. The base end portions are positionally displaced from each other by at least an amount corresponding to a thickness TH of the base end portion in the longitudinal direction when the tip end portions positioned facing each other in the width direction are in contact with each other in the binding position.