Paper-holder with a magnetic retaining device

The subject of the present invention is a paper-holder which is simple and economical to produce and convenient and practical in use.

The paper-holder according to the invention is characterised in that it comprises a base incorporating a flat backing element of ferromagnetic material and a flat magnetic retaining element permanently connected to the base and movable relative thereto between an open position and a closed position in which it is superposed on the backing element to hold papers and the like inserted between the backing element and the retaining element against the base.

The retaining element is preferably articulated to the edge of the base.

To advantage, the paper-holder may be in the shape of a small folder with a cover flap hinged to the base, and the retaining element may be formed by a cut-out portion of the cover flap, to which a permanent magnet is fixed.

The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the appended drawings, provided purely by way of non-limiting example, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the paper-holder according to the invention, and

Figure 2 is a section taken on the line II-II of Figure

1, on an enlarged scale.

With reference to the drawings, a folder for holding papers is generally indicated 1 and is formed by a semi-rigid sheet composed of two plasticized sheets 2 between which an intermediate layer of soft expanded material 3 is interposed.

The sheet 1 is divided centrally by a line of creasing 4 into a base part 5 and a cover flap 6 which are hinged together for articulation between a closed position, in which the parts 5 and 6 are superposed on each other, and an open position shown in the drawings.

A thin plate 7 of ferromagnetic material, normally iro _r is incorporated in the base 5 near the line of creasing 4 and immediately below the inner plasticized sheet 2.

A retaining element, generally indicated 8 and constituted by a portion cut from the cover flap 6 by partial blanking, cooperates with the plate 7 in the manner explained below. The retaining element 8, which in the embodiment illustrated is generally oval in shape, is permanently joined to the plate 1 by means of a lateral folding appendage 8 which terminates at the line of creasing 4.

A sheet-like covering 10 of elastomeric or similar material incorporating magnetic fillers is fixed, for example by gluing, to the inner face of the retaining element 8. In practice, the covering 10 constitutes a permanent magnet cooperating with the plate 7 of ferromagnetic material by means of magnetic adhesion.

In use, the folder 1 can receive a bundle P of sheets, notes or the like on the base 5, the retaining element

8 being kept away from the base 5 and thus spaced from the ferromagnetic plate 7. After the bundle P has been correctly positioned and oriented, the retaining element 8 can be pivoted until it is situated parallel to the base 5, so as to place the magnet 10 in a position in which it is superposed on the ferromagnetic plate 7. In this position, the magnetic attraction exerted between the magnet 10 and the ferromagnetic plate 7 enables the bundle P to be clamped firmly to the base 5, irrespective of the position of the cover flap 6 relative to the base 5. In the open position of the folder 1, shown in the drawings, the aperture 11 defined in the cover flap 6 by the outline of the retaining element 8 enables the folder 1 to be handled conveniently like a palette.

Naturally, the scope of the present invention extends to models which achieve equal utility by means of the same innovative concept.

Thus, for example, the shape, dimensions and material of the paper-holder 1 may be varied widely with respect to those described and illustrated with reference to the example. Moreover, the retaining element may also have different shapes and two or more retaining elements may even be provided in order to ensure firm clamping of bundles P of considerable thickness. Such a configuration is particularly suitable if the paper-holder according to the invention is in the form of a brief-case, with the base 5 constituting one of the walls of the case.

According to another conformation of the paper-holder,

the base with the backing element and the magnetic retaining element may be separate from the folder and joined together like pincers. In this case, the pincers would conveniently be provided with a further permanent magnet for anchoring them to any ferromagnetic support material.

It is also clear that the positions of the ferromagnetic plate 7 and the magnet 10 could be reversed, that is, the magnet 10 being incorporated in the base 5 and the ferromagnetic plate 7 being fixed to the retaining element 8.

Finally, it should be stated that the retaining element 8 could be provided with a second magnet 10 (or a second ferromagnetic plate 7) fixed to its outer face and serving magnetically to hold an additional object (for example, a pocket calculator) provided in its turn with a magnetic plate or a permanent magnet respectively.