IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,798,737
Granted Patent B2
US 7,798,737 · App. 11/544,472 · Granted Sep 21, 2010

Collapsible ring binder and uses thereof

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,798,737
App. No.
11/544,472
Granted
Sep 21, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

A collapsible ring binder includes a plurality of selectively openable and closable rings that releasably retain hole-punched documents within the binder. The rings may be collapsed and/or detached from the binder to flatten the binder for transportation and/or storage. The rings are easily moved from their collapsed and/or detached configuration to their upright and usable configuration so that an end user can easily ready the collapsed binder for use.

Claims (60)

1. A binder mechanism, comprising:

a base;

a ring comprising a free end and a secured end, with the secured end being movably secured to the base; and

a base connector for fastening the free end of the ring in a closed position, wherein the base connector comprises an aperture generally shaped to engage the free end of the ring to fasten the free end of the ring to the base connector and a portion of the base connector with the aperture is sloped with respect to the base; and

wherein the secured end of the ring is pivotally connected to the base via a first pivotal connection permitting the ring to pivot between an upright open position and an upright closed position relative to the base connector, with the upright closed position permitting sheets to be held by the ring and with the upright open position permitting sheets to be added to the ring; and

wherein the secured end of the ring is pivotally connected to the base via a second pivotal connection permitting the ring to pivot from a collapsed position into an upright position.

2. The binder mechanism of claim 1 ,

wherein the base connector releasably fastens the free end of the ring, permitting the free end of the ring to be repeatedly connected to the base to put the binder mechanism in a closed configuration and repeatedly disconnected from the base to put the binder mechanism in an open configuration; and

wherein the first pivotal connection permits the ring to pivot permitting the free end of the ring to be moved away from the base connector when unfastened.

3. The binder mechanism of claim 2 wherein the second pivotal connection permits the ring to rotate about an axis of the secured end of the ring and pivot into a collapsed position that significantly reduces the height of an upper portion of the ring relative to the base.

4. The binder mechanism of claim 3 ,

wherein the first pivotal connection comprises a transverse member;

wherein the base further comprises a central portion, and at least first and second other portions on either side of the central portion; and

wherein the transverse member is positioned between the central portion and the first and second other portions of the base to permit pivotal movement of the free end of the ring away from the base connector.

5. The binder mechanism of claim 4 , wherein the transverse member cooperates with at least the central portion and the first and second other portions to bias the free end of the ring into an open position in which the free end of the ring is spaced from and proximate the base connector.

6. The binder mechanism of claim 4 , wherein the second pivotal connection comprises a fastener coupling the transverse member to the secured end of the ring permitting the ring to pivot into a collapsed position that significantly reduces the height of an upper portion of the ring relative to the base.

7. The binder mechanism of claim 6 , wherein the fastener extends through an opening in a flange of the transverse member.

8. The binder mechanism of claim 3 ,

wherein the first pivotal connection comprises a transverse member;

wherein the base further comprises a central portion, a flange portion, a pair of arcuate portions on either side of the central portion, and a tab connected to the central portion of the base; and

wherein the transverse member is positioned between the central portion and the arcuate portions of the base to permit pivotal movement of the free end of the ring away from the base connector.

9. The binder mechanism of claim 8 , wherein the transverse member cooperates with the central portion, the flange portion, the pair of arcuate portions, and the tab of the base to bias the free end of the ring into an open position in which the free end of the ring is spaced from and proximate the base connector.

10. The binder mechanism of claim 8 , wherein the arcuate portions of the base further comprise a notch that assists with pivoting the transverse member.

11. The binder mechanism of claim 3 , wherein the secured end of the ring cooperates with the base to bias the free end of the ring into an open position in which the free end of the ring is spaced from and proximate the base connector.

12. The binder mechanism of claim 3 , wherein the second pivotal connection comprises a flange coupled to the secured end of the ring with a fastener.

13. The binder mechanism of claim 12 , wherein the flange comprises a shoulder of a transverse member.

14. The binder mechanism of claim 12 , wherein the flange comprises a shoulder of a transverse member, and wherein the transverse member cooperates with the base to form the first pivotal connection.

15. The binder mechanism of claim 12 , wherein the secured end of the ring further comprises an opening into which the fastener is inserted.

16. The binder mechanism of claim 15 , wherein the fastener is a threaded fastener.

17. The binder mechanism of claim 15 , wherein the fastener is a rivet.

18. The binder mechanism of claim 12 , wherein the secured end of the ring further comprises a threaded opening into which the fastener is inserted and the fastener is a threaded fastener.

19. The binder mechanism of claim 3 , wherein the second pivotal connection comprises a flange coupled to the secured end of the ring with a fastener.

20. The binder mechanism of claim 19 , wherein the secured end of the ring further comprises an opening into which the fastener is inserted and the portion of the base connector sloped with respect to the base permits the free end of the ring to be fastened to the base connector by positioning the free end of the ring generally over the aperture and rotating the ring by the top of the ring in a direction so the free end of the ring moves toward the sloped portion so that the free end of the ring is fastened to the base connector.

21. The binder mechanism of claim 20 , wherein a transverse member cooperates with a central portion, a flange portion, a pair of arcuate portions, and a tab of the base to bias the free end of the ring into an open position in which the free end of the ring is spaced from and proximate the base connector.

22. The binder mechanism of claim 3 , wherein the base connector and free end of the ring are characterized by permitting the free end of the ring to be fastened to the base connector by positioning the free end of the ring generally over the base connector and rotating the ring by the top of the ring in a direction so the free end of the ring moves toward the sloped portion of the base connector so that the free end of the ring is fastened to the base connector.

23. The binder mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the secured end of the ring cooperates with the base to bias the free end of the ring into an open position in which the free end of the ring is spaced from and proximate the base connector.

24. The binder mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the aperture has an upper channel portion and a lower wider portion to fasten the free end of the ring to the base connector.

25. The binder mechanism of claim 24 , wherein the free end of the ring comprises a circumferentially reduced portion that seats in the upper channel portion of the aperture to fasten the free end of the ring to the base connector.

26. The binder mechanism of claim 25 , wherein the base connector further comprises a release ring for unseating the circumferentially reduced portion of the ring from the upper channel portion of the aperture.

27. The binder mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the portion of the base connector sloped with respect to the base permits the free end of the ring to be fastened to the base connector by positioning the free end of the ring generally over the aperture and rotating the ring by the top of the ring in a direction so the free end of the ring moves toward the sloped portion so that the free end of the ring is fastened to the base connector.

28. The binder mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the base connector and free end of the ring are characterized by permitting the free end of the ring to be fastened to the base connector by positioning the free end of the ring generally over the base connector and rotating the ring by the top of the ring in a direction so the free end of the ring moves toward the sloped portion of the base connector so that the free end of the ring is fastened to the base connector.

29. A binder, comprising:

a binder casing; and

a plurality of binder mechanisms affixed to the binder casing, wherein each binder mechanism comprises:

a base;

a ring comprising a free end and a secured end, with the secured end being movably secured to the base; and

a base connector for fastening the free end of the ring, wherein the base connector comprises an aperture generally shaped to engage the free end of the ring to fasten the free end of the ring to the base connector and a portion of the base connector with the aperture is sloped with respect to the base; and

wherein the secured end of the ring is pivotally connected to the base via a first pivotal connection permitting the ring to pivot between an upright open position and an upright closed position relative to the base connector, with the upright closed position permitting sheets to be held by the ring and with the upright open position permitting sheets to be added to the ring; and

wherein the secured end of the ring is pivotally connected to the base via a second pivotal connection permitting the ring to pivot from a collapsed position into an upright position.

30. The binder of claim 29 ,

wherein the base connector releasably fastens the free end of the ring, permitting the free end of the ring to be repeatedly connected to the base to put the binder mechanism in a closed configuration and repeatedly disconnected from the base to put the binder mechanism in an open configuration; and

wherein the first pivotal connection permits the ring to pivot permitting the free end of the ring to be moved away from the base connector when unfastened.

31. The binder of claim 30 ,

wherein the second pivotal connection permits the ring to rotate about an axis of the secured end of the ring and pivot into a collapsed position that significantly reduces the height of an upper portion of the ring relative to the base.

32. A binder mechanism, comprising:

a base;

a ring comprising a free end and a secured end, with the secured end being movably secured to the base; and

a base connector for fastening the free end of the ring in a closed position, wherein the base connector releasably fastens the free end of the ring, permitting the free end of the ring to be repeatedly connected to the base to put the binder mechanism in a closed configuration and repeatedly disconnected from the base to put the binder mechanism in an open configuration; and

wherein the secured end of the ring is pivotally connected to the base via a first pivotal connection permitting the free end of the ring to be moved away from the base connector when unfastened and the ring to pivot between an upright open position and an upright closed position relative to the base connector, with the upright closed position permitting sheets to be held by the ring and with the upright open position permitting sheets to be added to the ring; and

wherein the secured end of the ring is pivotally connected to the base via a second pivotal connection permitting the ring to pivot from a collapsed position that significantly reduces the height of an upper portion of the ring relative to the base into an upright position, wherein the second pivotal connection comprises a flange coupled to the secured end of the ring with a fastener and the secured end of the ring further comprising an opening into which the fastener is inserted.

Assignments (7)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 4, 2024
From: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB
To: IDEASTREAM CONSUMER PRODUCTS, LLC; ORANGE FANTASY, INC.
Reel/Frame 069299/0132 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 30, 2024
From: 12 THRASIO TWELVE, INC.; 17 THRASIO SEVENTEEN, INC.; 19 THRASIO NINETEEN, INC.; 22 THRASIO TWENTY TWO, INC.; 7 THRASIO SEVEN, INC.; APRICOT IDEAS, INC.; CALIFORNIA POPPY PROJECTS, INC.; CARAMEL CREATIONS, INC.; CHILI FLAKES, INC.; COMET CREATIONS, INC.; DARK ORANGE DESIGN INC.; EMBERGLOW IDEAS, INC.; FAINT ORANGE HORIZON, INC.; GINGER CAT CREATIONS, INC.; GOLDEN GATE SOLUTIONS, INC.; IDEAL MONARCH INC.; IDEASTREAM CONSUMER PRODUCTS LLC; KHAKI TRIPS INC.; KOI CREATIONS, INC.; LIONFISH LOGISTICS, INC.; MAPLE MOVEMENTS, INC.; OCHRE ORGANIZATION, INC.; ORANGE CRUSH ORGANIZATION, INC.; ORANGE HOPE, INC.; ORANGE MARGARITA, INC.; ORANGE PEEL PROJECTS, INC.; ORANGE UMBRELLA CREATIONS, INC.; ORANGUTAN ORGANIZATION, INC.; OYSTER OASIS, INC.; PENNY ROSE SOLUTIONS, INC.; SUNNY OPERATIONS, INC.; SWEET NECTAR ENTERPRISE, INC.; TANGELO TENDENCIES, INC.; TANGERINE IDEAS, INC.; TOPAZ TRADITIONS, INC.; WILLIAMS EVANS RETAIL LTD.; AMBER IDEAS, INC.; PENTHE COMPANY
To: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB
Reel/Frame 071380/0275 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN IP RECORDED AT R/F 58962/0806 Recorded Jun 29, 2024
From: ROYAL BANK OF CANADA
To: ORANGE PEEL PROJECTS, INC.; COMET CREATIONS, INC.; IDEASTREAM CONSUMER PRODUCTS, LLC; TANGELO TENDENCIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 068050/0158 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 26, 2024
From: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB
To: THRASIO, LLC; 1 THRASIO ONE, INC.; 10 THRASIO TEN, INC.; 11 THRASIO ELEVEN, INC.; 12 THRASIO TWELVE, INC.; 14 THRASIO FOURTEEN, INC.; 15 THRASIO FIFTEEN, INC.; 16 THRASIO SIXTEEN, INC.; 17 THRASIO SEVENTEEN, INC.; 18 THRASIO EIGHTEEN, INC.; 19 THRASIO NINETEEN, INC.; 2 B BOUNTIFUL, INC.; 20 THRASIO TWENTY, INC.; 21 THRASIO TWENTY ONE, INC.; 22 THRASIO TWENTY TWO, INC.; 23 THRASIO TWENTY THREE, INC.; 24 THRASIO TWENTY FOUR, INC.; 25 THRASIO TWENTY FIVE, INC.; 3 THRASIO THREE, INC.; 5 THRASIO FIVE, INC.; 6 THRASIO SIX, INC.; 7 THRASIO SEVEN, INC.; 8 THRASIO EIGHT, INC.; 9 THRASIO NINE, INC.; ALLOY IDEAS, INC.; AMBER IDEAS, INC.; AMBER OASIS, INC.; APRICOT IDEAS, INC.; APRICOT IDEAS, INC.; ASH DEVELOPMENTS, LLC; ASSASSIN BUG INDUSTRIES, INC.; AUTUMN IDEAS, INC.; BITTERSWEET BILLOWS, INC.; BRONZE PROJECTS, INC.; BURNING NEON, INC.; BURNT SUMMER CITRUS, INC.; BUTTERCUP CREATIONS, INC.; BUTTERSCOTCH BEGINNINGS, INC.; CAFE CASA, INC.; CALIFORNIA POPPY PROJECTS, INC.; CANDLELIT CREATIONS, INC.; CARAMEL CREATIONS, INC.; CARNATION CREATIONS, INC.; CARROT SOLUTIONS, INC.; CAYENNE SOLUTIONS, INC.; CHAMPAGNE PROJECTS, INC.; CHEDDAR CREATIONS, INC.; CHILI FLAKES, INC.; CHRYSANTHEMUM CREATIONS, INC.; CINNABAR CREATIONS, INC.; CITRINE SOLUTIONS, INC.; CLASSY MANGO, INC.; CLASSY TANGERINE, INC.; CLEMENTINE CREATIONS, INC.; COMET CREATIONS INC.; CORAL CHROME, INC.; CORN SNAKE SURPRISES, INC.; CRAWFISH CREATIONS, INC.; DAFFODIL DESIGN, INC.; DARK ORANGE DESIGN, INC.; DAYBREAK DEVELOPMENTS, INC.; DAYLILY DREAMS, INC.; DMD GROUP, INC.; ECOM HEIGHTS LLC; EMBERGLOW IDEAS, INC.; FAINT ORANGE HORIZON, INC.; FALL FOUNDATIONS, INC.; FAWN FOUNDATIONS, INC.; FOXY CREATIONS, INC.; FROSTY DREAM, INC.; FYER TROPICS, INC.; GINGER CAT CREATIONS, INC.; GINGER CREATIONS, INC.; GINGERSNAP SOLUTIONS, INC.; GOLDEN GATE SOLUTIONS, INC.; GOLDEN KIWIFRUIT ENTERPRISES, INC.; HABANERO PEPPER PROJECTS, INC.; HARLEY ORANGE, INC.; HARVEST CHARM, INC.; HONEY SUNSET, INC.; IDEAL MONARCH, INC.; IDEASTREAM CONSUMER PRODUCTS, LLC; JASPER GESTURE, INC.; JUPITER GESTURE, INC.; KHAKI TRIPS, INC.; KOI CREATIONS, INC.; LACE DECISIONS, INC.; LARANJA LOGISTICS, INC.; LATTE LOGISTICS, INC.; LEMUR LOGISTICS, INC.; LEVITA HOLDINGS, LLC; LIONFISH LOGISTICS, INC.; LOBSTER LOGISTICS, INC.; MAGENTA PEEL SOLUTIONS, INC.; MAHOGANY MOVEMENTS, INC.; MALT DECISIONS, INC.; MANGO MOVEMENTS, INC.; MANGO WONDER, INC.; MAPLE MOVEMENTS, INC.; MARMALADE MOVEMENTS, INC.; MELON MOVEMENTS, INC.; METEOR MOVEMENTS, INC.; MIMOSA MOVEMENTS, INC.; OCHRE ORGANIZATION, INC.; OLD RUST ORGANIZATION, INC.; ORANGE CRUSH ORGANIZATION, INC.; ORANGE HOPE, INC.; ORANGE MARGARITA, INC.; ORANGE ORGANIZATION, INC.; ORANGE PEACH PROJECTS, INC.; ORANGE PEEL PROJECTS, INC.; ORANGE UMBRELLA CREATIONS, INC.; ORANGUTAN ORGANIZATION, INC.; ORANSSI ORGANIZATION, INC.; OYSTER OASIS, INC.; PANTONE PROJECTS, INC.; PAPAYA PROJECTS, INC.; PEACH PROJECTS, INC.; PENNY ROSE SOLUTIONS, INC.; PENTHE COMPANY; PERSIAN PROJECTS, INC.; PERSIMMON PROJECTS, INC.; PIZZA PROJECTS, INC.; PORTOCALE PROJECTS, INC.; PRIMROSE PROJECTS, INC.; RADIANT ORANGE, INC.; ROSE BUD CREATIONS, INC.; ROSEWOOD WISH, INC.; SAFEREST HOLDINGS, LLC; SALMON SOLUTIONS, INC.; SANDPAPER SOLUTIONS, INC.; SANDSNAKE VENTURES, INC.; SAPPHIRE MONKEY, INC.; SCARLET SOLUTIONS, INC.; SCOTCH SOLUTIONS, INC.; SEASHELL SOLUTIONS, INC.; SHERBERT SOLUTIONS, INC.; SHORTBREAD SOLUTIONS, INC.; SOFT SPICE, INC.
Reel/Frame 068903/0293 →
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 11, 2021
From: GINGER CAT CREATIONS, INC.; ORANGE MARGARITA, INC.; FOXY CREATIONS, INC.; MAGENTA PEEL SOLUTIONS, INC.; SANDSNAKE VENTURES, INC.; IDEASTREAM CONSUMER PRODUCTS, LLC; DMD GROUP INC; SUNFLOWER SOLUTIONS, INC.; PERSIMMON PROJECTS, INC.; SUNRISE SEASON, INC.; CARAMEL CREATIONS, INC.; ORANGE PEEL PROJECTS, INC.; COMET CREATIONS, INC.; TANGELO TENDENCIES, INC.
To: ROYAL BANK OF CANADA, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 058962/0806 →
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 11, 2011
From: IDEASTREAM CONSUMER PRODUCTS, LLC
To: KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 027214/0376 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 22, 2006
From: TAYLOR, CURTIS PATRICK; DECARLO, ANTHONY J.
To: IDEASTREAM CONSUMER PRODUCTS, LLC
Reel/Frame 018671/0135 →