| Claims
[ 1 ] A ring binder comprising : a first bar (10) and a second bar (20) which overlap each other or are apart from each other with respect to an axis which is served by sides of the first and second bars (10) and (20) connected to each other; a plurality of first semicircular rings (30) and a plurality of second semicircular rings (40) which form ring shapes when the first bar (10) and the second bar (20) overlap each other; and first detachable end portions (50) and second detachable end portions (60) provided to ends of the first semicircular rings (30) and the second semicircular rings (40) for allowing the ends of the first and second semicircular rings
(30) (40) to be attached to and detached from each other, wherein each of the first detachable end portions (50) is a protrusion which has a spherical end and protrudes from the end of each of the first semicircular rings
(30), wherein the second detachable end portion (60) includes a detachable groove
(61) formed at the end of the second semicircular ring (40), wherein an entrance expanding portion (63) is formed at an entrance of the detachable groove (61) so that the first detachable end portion (50) can be easily inserted into the detachable groove (61), and wherein the first bar (10), the first semicircular ring (30), and the first detachable end portion (50) are integrally formed and the second bar (20), the second semicircular ring (40), and the second detachable end portion (60) are integrally formed.
[2] The ring binder according to claim 1, wherein the second detachable end portion
(60) is further provided with notches (62) implemented by cutting away a portion of the end of the second semicircular ring (40).
[3] The ring binder according to claim 1, wherein the second detachable end portion
(60) is further provided with a separation prevention protrusion (64) formed on an inside circumferential surface of the detachable groove (61), for maintaining an inserted state of the spherical end of the first detachable end portion (50).
[4] The ring binder according to claim 1, wherein the second detachable end portion
(60) is further provided with a separation prevention groove (65) formed on an inside circumferential surface of the detachable groove (61), for maintaining an inserted state of the spherical end of the first detachable end portion (50).
[5] The ring binder according to claim 1, wherein the second detachable end portion
(60) further includes a separation prevention end (66) realized by bulging an end portion of the detachable groove (61), for maintaining an inserted state of the spherical end of the first detachable end portion (50).
[6] The ring binder according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein a section of each of the first bar (10) and (20) is a circular shape, an oval shape, or an polygonal shape. |
Description A RING BINDER
Technical Field
[1] The present invention relates to a ring binder, and more particularly to a ring binder for binding sheets of a document or a book. Background Art
[2] Ring binders are generally used to bind sheets of a document or a book.
[3] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a ring binder for binding sheets of a document according to a conventional art, FIG. 2 is a view showing the clamped state of the ring binder of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a view showing the open state of the ring binder of FIG. 2.
[4] As shown in the figures, the conventional ring binder is composed of a housing 1 which is fixed to a middle portion of a predetermined cover and which has a plurality of notches Ia and Ib symmetrically arranged with the central line of the housing, a pair of carrier rails 2 and 3 of which facing sides are in close contact with each other, and semicircular rings 4 and 5 fixed to the carrier rails 2, respectively and passing through the notches Ia and Ib, respectively.
[5] Owing to such a structure, as shown in FIG. 2, when portions of the pair of carrier rails 2 and 2 which are in close contact with each other face down, the semicircular rings 4 and 5 maintain the clamped state. On the contrary, when the portions of the carrier rails 2 and 3 which are in close contact with each other face up, the semicircular rings 4 and 5 become spaced away from each other. When the semicircular rings 4 and 5 are in the open state, the semicircular rings 4 and 5 pass through holes formed at upper end portions of sheets of a document and then the semicircular rings 4 and 5 are closed so that the sheets of the document are filed by the ring binder.
[6] In the ring binder having the above-mentioned structure, the pair of carrier rails 2 and
3 and the housing 1 must be employed to open and close the pair of semicircular rings. Accordingly, the size of the ring binder is increased due to the carrier rails and the housing. Accordingly, the known ring binder is disadvantageous in that the volume of the document is undesirably increased and appearance of the document is not good.
[7] Further, the cost of the ring binder increases due to the carrier rails 2 and 2 and the housing 1. Accordingly, when such a ring binder is applied to a calendar or a diary, it results in the increase of the total cost of the calendar or diary. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem
[8] The invention is conceived in view of the above-mentioned problems of the con-
ventional art, it is an object of the invention is to provide a ring binder which allows a document to be filed in a small space and reduces the cost thereof without employing carrier rails or a housing.
[9] Another object of the invention is to provide a ring binder which allows a sheet of a document to be completely flipped and can be applied to any kinds of documents. Technical Solution
[10] In order to accomplish such an object, there is provided a ring binder including a first and second bar which overlap each other or are apart from each other with respect to an axis which is served by sides of the first and second bars connected to each other, first and second semicircular rings provided to corresponding first and second bars so that a plurality of rings is formed when the first and second bar overlap each other, first and second detachable end portions provided to the first and second semicircular rings, respectively, for allowing the ends of each of the first semicircular rings and each of the second semicircular rings to be attached to or detached from each other, wherein each of the first detachable end portions is a protrusion having a spherical end protruding from the end of the first semicircular ring; each of the second detachable end portion includes a detachable groove formed at the end of each of the second semicircular rings; an entrance of the detachable groove is provided with an entrance expanding portion which allows the first detachable end portion to be easily inserted into the detachable groove; the first bar, the semicircular rings, and the first detachable end portions are integrally formed; and the second bar, the second semicircular rings, and the second detachable end portions are integrally formed.
[11] It is preferable that each of the second detachable end portions be further provided with notches realized by cutting away some portions of the end of each of the semicircular rings in which the detachable groove is formed.
[12] It is preferable that each of the second detachable end portions be further provided with a separation prevention protrusion formed on an inside circumferential surface of the detachable groove, for maintaining an inserted state of the spherical end of the first detachable end.
[13] It is preferable that each of the second detachable end portions be further provided with a separation prevention groove formed on an inside circumferential surface of the detachable groove, for maintaining an inserted state of the spherical end of the first detachable end portion.
[14] It is preferable that each of the second detachable end portions be further provided with a separation prevention end realized by bulging an end portion of the detachable groove so that an inserted state of the spherical end of the first detachable end portion is maintained.
[15] It is preferable that a section of the first bar be a circular shape, an oval shape, or a polygonal shape.
[16] The features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings. The terms used in the specification and claims of the invention may not be intended to refer exclusively to dictionary definitions but may be intended to refer to meanings and concepts in accordance with the technical spirit of the invention on the ground that an inventor can act as his or her own lexicographer in order to explain his or her invention in the best way.
Advantageous Effects
[17] The ring binder of the invention includes a first bar and a second bar which overlap each other or are apart from each other with respect to an axis which is connected sides of the first and second bars, first and second semicircular rings provided to the first and second bars, respectively, and first and second detachable end portions which allow ends of the first and second semicircular rings to be detached from or attached to each other. Accordingly, the ring binder can be provided in a mass production volume by a single molding process, so it is possible to remarkably decrease the cost of the ring binder, leading to high demand of the ring binder.
[18] Since the carrier rail or the housing is not used like the conventional art, the ring binder can be produced in a relatively small size and therefore it is possible to lower the manufacturing cost.
[19] Further, the sheets of the document can be flipped completely, so that the ring binder can be applied to any kinds of documents. Brief Description of Drawings
[20] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a ring binder for binding sheets of a document according to a conventional art;
[21] FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a clamped state of semicircular rings of the ring binder of
FIG. 1;
[22] FIG. 3 is a view illustrating an open state of the semicircular rings of the ring binder of FIG. 2;
[23] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a ring binder according to one embodiment of the invention;
[24] FIG. 5 is a view illustrating an open state of the ring binder of FIG. 4, in which a first semicircular ring and a second semicircular are spaced apart;
[25] FIG. 6 is a view illustrating detachable end portions of FIG. 5;
[26] FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a ring binder according to another embodiment of the invention;
[27] FIG. 8 is a view illustrating detachable end portions of FIG. 7; and
[28] FIG. 9 is a view illustrating another type of detachable end portions of FIG. 7.
[29] <Brief description of key elements in the drawing>
[30] 10: first bar 20: second bar
[31] 30: first semicircular ring 40: second semicircular ring
[32] 50: first detachable end portion 60: second detachable end portion
[33] 61: detachable groove 62: notch
[34] 63: entrance expanded portion
[35] 64: separation prevention protrusion
[36] 65: separation prevention groove 66: separation prevention end
Mode for the Invention
[37] A ring binder of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
[38] It must be noted that like numbers reference like elements in the drawing. In the description of the invention, explanation about known functions or structures which relate to the invention will be omitted so that the subject matter of the invention does not become vague.
[39] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a ring binder according to the invention, FIG.
5 is a view illustrating an open state of a first semicircular ring and a second semicircular ring of the ring binder of FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 is a view for explaining detachable end portions shown in FIG. 5.
[40] FIG. 7 is a view illustrating another example of the ring binder shown in FIG. 4, FIG.
8 is a view for explaining another example of the detachable end portions shown in FIG. 7, and FIG. 9 is a view for explaining a further example of the detachable end portions shown in FIG. 7.
[41] As shown in the figures, the ring binder of the invention includes a first bar 10 and a second bar 20 which overlap each other or are spaced apart from each other, a first semicircular ring 30 and a second semicircular ring 30 each of which forms a circle when the first bar 10 and the second bar 20 overlap each other, and a first detachable end portion 50 and a second detachable end portion 60 which allow ends of the first semicircular ring 30 and the second semicircular ring 40 to be detached from each other.
[42] The first bar 10, the first semicircular ring 30, and the first detachable end portion 50 are integrally formed through a molding process, and the second bar 20, the second semicircular ring 40, and the second detachable end portion 60 are integrally formed through a molding process. With this embodiment, a section of each of the first bar 10 and the second bar 20 is a semicircular shape. Alternatively, the section may be a
rectangular shape or an oval shape. Further, a section of each of the first semicircular ring 30 and the second semicircular ring 40 may be a circular shape, an oval shape, or a polygonal shape, or may be a geometrical figure or an irregular figure.
[43] As described above, each of a combination of the first bar 10, the first semicircular ring 30, and the first detachable end portion 50, and a combination of the second bar 20, the second semicircular ring 40, and the second detachable end portion 60 is integrally formed, so that they can be produced in a mass production volume by using a mold or an extrusion device. The first and second bars 10 and 20, the first and second semicircular rings 30 and 40, and the first and second detachable end portions 50 and 50 are made of plastic or resin.
[44] The first and second detachable end portions 50 and 50 can take various forms. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the first detachable end portion 50 is a protrusion protruding from the end of the first semicircular ring 30 and has a spherical end.
[45] The second detachable end portion 60, as shown in FIG. 6, is composed of a detachable groove 61 formed at an end of the second semicircular ring 40, notches 62 formed by cutting away some portions of the end of the second semicircular ring 40, and an entrance expanding portion formed at an entrance portion of the detachable groove 61 so that the first detachable end portion 50 can be smoothly inserted into the detachable groove 61.
[46] The notches 62 enable the first detachable end portions 50 to be easily inserted into the first detachable groove 61. The notches 62 cause the second detachable end portion 60 to get wider when inserting the first detachable end portion 60 into the first detachable groove 61 so that the first detachable end portion 50 is inserted into the first detachable groove 61.
[47] The entrance expanding portion 63 performs positioning so that the first detachable end portion 50 is precisely inserted into the detachable groove 61 by enlarging an entrance of the detachable groove 61. The entrance expanding portion 63 may be implemented by providing an inclined surface to an entrance portion of the detachable groove 61.
[48] As shown in FIG. 6, the second detachable end portion 60 is provided at the end of the second semicircular ring 40 and is composed of a detachable groove 61 and a separation prevention protrusion 64 formed on the inside circumferential surface of the detachable groove 61 and maintains the state in which the spherical end portion of the first detachable end portion 50 is inserted. At this time, the separation prevention protrusion 64 can be formed along or at only a portion of the entire inside circumferential surface of the detachable groove 61.
[49] The separation prevention protrusion 64 holds the outside circumferential surface of the first detachable end portion 50 inserted into the first detachable groove 61 so that
the first detachable end portion 50 is separated when it is not desired.
[50] As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the second detachable end portion 60 may include the detachable groove 61 formed at the end of the second semicircular ring 60 and a separation prevention groove 65 formed on the inside circumferential surface of the detachable groove 61 and maintains the inserted state of the spherical end portion of the first detachable end portion 50.
[51] As shown in FIG. 9, the second detachable end portion 60 includes the detachable groove 61 formed at the end of the second semicircular ring 40 and a separation prevention end 66, which is implemented by bulging the end portion of the detachable groove 61 and maintains the state in which the spherical end portion of the first detachable end portion 50 is inserted.
[52] The separation prevention groove 65 or the separation prevention end 66 can be formed along the entire inside circumferential surface of the detachable groove 61 or formed at a portion of the inside circumferential surface of the detachable groove 61. The separation prevention groove 65 and the separation prevention end 66 hold the outer circumferential surface of the first detachable end portion 50 inserted into the first detachable groove 61 so that the first detachable end portion 50 is not separated when the separation is not intended.
[53] With the above-mentioned structure, the first and second semicircular rings 30 and
40 run through the holes formed at the upper end portion of the document and then they are pressed with weak force. At this time, the first detachable end portion 50 having a protrusion shape is inserted into the second detachable end portion 60 which is a groove, and therefore the first and second semicircular rings 30 and 40 are combined, forming a ring shape.
[54] After that, when trying to add or eliminate paper to or from the binder, the first and second semicircular rings 30 and 40 are opened by pulling apart the first and second semicircular rings 30 and 40. At this time, the first detachable end portion 50 is separated from the second detachable end portion 60 and the first and second semicircular rings 30 and 40 get open.
[55] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.
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