US2505694A - Fulcrum for loose-leaf binders - Google Patents

Description

p 25g i195@ J. B. STUEHCKE FULCRUM FOR LOOSE-LEAF BINDERS Filed Jan. 18. 1945 Patented Apr.. 25, 19510 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to attachments for looseleaf binders, and more particularly for devices adapted to be supported at the rings of the binder to lift the leaves or sheets around the lower portion of the rings, when the covers of the binder are swung to closed position.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a simple, inexpensive, and rapidly detachable device, to improve the operation of sheetlifting devices.

The invention is illustrated in a preferred embodiment in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View of a ring-type binder to which the device of the present invention has been applied; and Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a fulcrurn device which is the subject matter of the present invention.

Kengott Patent No. 2,276,987, dated March 17, 1942, shows sheet lifting devices whose operation is improved by the fulcrum device of the present invention.

In the embodiment illustrated, the conventional loose-leaf ring binder is shown having a back 5 to which are hinged cover members 6 and 'I. Conventional split rings 8 are generally made up of semi-circular parts, which are secured to a member 9 which permits them to be opened to attach leaves or sheets. While the rings are shown as circular, the invention is adapted to other shapes. The member 9 has a shield plate Hl which covers the ring operating mechanism.

A pair of sheet-lifting attachments are installed on the rings in opposed relation, as shown in Fig. l, and comprise a longitudinal strip II of relatively stiff material, having inwardly extending metal supports i2, which may be se-l cured rigidly in position by means of rivets I3.

The supports I2 are slotted longitudinally and have their inner end portions curled backwardly, to form a rocker-like portion I4, and provide a closed loop.

A detachable bridge member I5 is provided for each pair of opposed rockers I4 and preferably is made of spring metal, having its ends bifurcated by slots IS adapted to straddle the rings 8. The ends of the bridge member are provided with clasps I'I which may be snapped around the shield member l Il. As shown in Fig. 2, the bridge member may be provided with an integrally formed upwardly extending guide flange I8, which has a pair of lingers I 9 which are directed backwardly over the bearing portion of the bridge member. These lingers are adapted to impale the open loops of the rockers I4 and serve as loose positioning pivots.

The device is particularly useful in large ringtype loose-leaf binders. To install a fulcrum on each ring, it is merely necessary to position the slots I6 around the base of the rings 8 and snap the clasps into position by pressing downwardly on the center of the fulcrum. The sheet lifting devices may then be placed on the open rings, with their loop portions surrounding the fingers I9. After the leaves or sheets have been placed on the rings, the rings may be closed, and the device is ready for use. It will be seen that when the covers E and 'l of the binder are swung together, as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 1, the sheet lifters will roll against the fulcrum I5 and against each other and will slide the sheets around the rings B, without danger of binding or tearing at the holes.

The foregoing detailed description is given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, for some modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. A fulcrum for sheet-lifting devices in a looseleaf ring binder having a shield plate comprising: a detachable arched bridge member of spring metal provided at its ends with securing clasps adapted to snap over the edge portions of a shield plate and hold the central portion of said bridge member spaced from said shield plate, said central portion of the bridge member providing an upwardly presented unobstructed convex: bearing surface upon which sheet-lifting devices may roll;

and a guide iiange extending upwardly f'rom onel edge of said bridge member to engage said sheetlifting devices.

2. A fulcrum as specified in claim 1, in which the bridge member is made of spring metal and has its clasps bifurcated to snap around lthe base portion of the ring of the binder.

3. A fulcrum for sheet-lifting devices in a looseleaf ring binder having a shield plate comprising: a detachable arched bridge member provided at its ends with securing clasps to engage the edge REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

Number UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Morden Dec. 31, 1912 Whitlock Apr. 10, 1923 Dawson July 1, 1930 Trussell Mar. 24, 1936 Lotter Sept. 29, 1936 Trussell Nov. 14, 1939 Vernon Dec. 26, 1939

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