TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a binding device, and particular to a binding device for holding together sheets of paper or other objects and binding them into a file.
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BACKGROUND ART
FIG. 33 shows one example of a conventional binding device.
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The binding device
1 includes a board
2, with a bearing plate
3 being provided upright at one widthwise side of the board
2.
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An operation lever
4 is pivoted to the bearing plate
3 so that it is rotatable in a plane that is perpendicular to the board
2.
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Furthermore, a pressing plate
5 is provided, which comes close to or separates from the board
2 in conjunction with the rotation of the operation lever
4.
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Between the pressing plate
5 and the operation lever
4 is provided a spring member
6 for biasing the pressing plate
5 toward the board
2 when the operation lever
4 is operated.
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Cranks
7 are attached on both sides of this spring member
6.
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The cranks
7 are bridged between the bearing plate
3 and the pressing plate
5 so that the pressing plate
5 is substantially parallel to the board
2 when it comes close to or separates from the board
2.
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The pressing plate
5 has a structure with an inverted U-shape cross section to hold down the objects to be bound such as paper with both of its widthwise ends.
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With this binding device
1, by operating the operation lever
4, the pressing plate
5 displaces toward the board
2 as it moves along the bearing plate
3 so that the objects to be bound such as paper are held therebetween and secured.
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However, one problem with this binding device
1 is that, since the pressing plate
5 moves along the bearing plate
3, it moves along one end of the objects to be bound such as paper, because of which it is hard to set the objects to be bound such as paper in a binding position.
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To solve this problem, another binding device shown in
FIG. 34 was devised.
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This binding device
8 has no cranks, and the pressing plate
5 is rotatably attached to a rotation axis
9
a that is connected to two arms
9.
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The ends of the arms
9 are rotatably attached to the bearing plate
3, and the pressing plate
5 is attached such as to be rotatable around two axes, i.e., at the attachment part on the bearing plate
3 and around the rotation axis
9
a.
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With this binding device
8, by operating the operation lever
4, the pressing plate
5 rotates around the attachment parts of the arms
9 on the bearing plate
3 and around the rotation axis
9
a as it is pressed toward the board
2, the pressing plate
5 being remained in parallel with the bearing plate
3.
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Therefore, as the pressing plate
5 moves at the binding position of the objects to be bound such as paper, it is possible to set the objects readily at the binding position (see Patent Document 1).
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There is also a binding device
12 that has a plate-like holding plate
10 rotatably supported at pivotal support parts
11 on the board
2, as shown in
FIG. 35, so that objects to be bound such as paper are bound on one side of the pivotal support parts
11.
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With this binding device
12, a spring member
6 is provided to bias the other side of the pivotal support parts
11 of the holding plate
10 so as to hold together the objects to be bound such as paper at one side of the pivotal support parts
11 of the holding plate
10 (see Patent Document 2).
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Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei
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Patent Document 2: Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. Sho 49-76714
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DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
However, with the binding devices shown in
FIG. 33 and
FIG. 34, the objects to be bound such as paper are pressed with both widthwise ends of the pressing plate that has an inverted U-shape cross section, which means that the force exerted by the spring member is dispersed, causing the bound objects such as paper to readily come off.
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The problem with the binding device shown in
FIG. 35 is that since it has a structure in which the bound objects such as paper are held on one side of the pivotal support parts of the holding plate while the other side of the pivotal support parts is biased with the spring member, considering the size of the entire binding device that is attached to a file, the length from the pivotal support parts to the binding side is longer than that to the spring member side.
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Accordingly, the force applied at the binding side of the holding plate is smaller than the biasing force applied by the spring member, because of which there is a risk that the bound objects such as paper may readily come off.
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Accordingly, it is a main object of the present invention to provide a binding device having a binding member that works at a binding position of objects to be bound such as paper, the binding device having a structure with which the bound objects are hard to come off.
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Means for Solving the Problems
This invention provides a binding device including: a plate-like board; an operation lever rotatably supported on the board; a one-piece binding member formed with a pressing portion at a distal end thereof for pressing down and holding objects to be bound on the board; and a spring member coupled to the operation lever and to the distal end of the binding member such as to apply a pressure to the distal end of the binding member when the operation lever is operated, the binding member being rotatable around an axis at an opposite side from the pressing portion when the operation lever is operated.
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The binding member of this binding device may be formed of a single plate material, the distal end of the plate material forming the pressing portion such that the objects to be bound are pressed down along a straight line or at a plurality of positions along a straight line.
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The pressing portion may be formed by bending the distal end of the binding member towards the rotation center of the binding member.
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Alternatively, the pressing portion may be formed by bending the distal end of the binding member towards the rotation center of the binding member and by bending the distal end again toward the board side.
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The rotation center of the binding member may be formed by providing protruding pieces projecting from both ends of the binding member and inserting these protruding pieces into through holes formed in turned-up parts formed in the board.
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Further, rotation axes of the operation lever and the binding member may either be orthogonal or parallel to each other.
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Since the pressing portion is formed at the distal end of the binding member and the binding member is rotatable around the axis at the opposite side from the pressing portion, the pressing portion of the binding member is deformed at the binding position of the bound objects such as paper. Moreover, because pressure is applied by the spring member directly to the distal end of the binding member, the force from the spring member is directly applied to the bound objects, whereby the bound objects such as paper will not easily come off of the binding device.
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With the binding member being formed of a single plate material, and with the pressing portion being formed such as to press down the bound objects along a straight line or at a plurality of positions along a straight line, the force from the spring member is hardly dispersed, which further ensures that the objects will not easily come off.
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With the distal end of the plate-like binding member being bent towards its rotation center, when the bound objects are pulled in a direction out of the binding device, the pressing portion will resist this pulling-out direction applied to the objects, whereby the objects will not easily come off.
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With the rotation center of the binding member being provided by inserting the protruding pieces projecting from the ends of the binding member into the through holes in the turned-up parts of the board, the number of components is reduced as compared to the design in which a rotation shaft is used around which the binding member is rotated, whereby the binding device can be produced at low cost.
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Further, the rotation axes of the operation lever and the binding member can be freely arranged.
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EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION
This invention thus provides a binding device having a binding member that works at a binding position of objects to be bound such as paper, the binding device having a structure with which the bound objects are hard to come off.
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The above and other objects, features and advantages of this invention will become more readily apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating one example of the binding device of this invention;
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FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the binding device of
FIG. 1 in a closed state;
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FIG. 3 is a side diagram of the binding device of
FIG. 1 in an open state;
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FIG. 4 is a side diagram of the binding device of
FIG. 1 in a closed state;
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FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the binding device of
FIG. 1;
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FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating a variation of the pressing portion of the binding device of
FIG. 1;
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FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating another variation of the pressing portion of the binding device of
FIG. 1;
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FIG. 8 is a plan view illustrating yet another variation of the pressing portion of the binding device of
FIG. 1;
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FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating another example of the binding device of this invention;
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FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the binding device of
FIG. 9 in a closed state;
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FIG. 11 is a side diagram of the binding device of
FIG. 9 in an open state;
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FIG. 12 is a side diagram of the binding device of
FIG. 9 in a binding state;
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FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the state of the pressing portion when a small amount of paper is bound with the binding device of
FIG. 1;
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FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the state of the pressing portion when a large amount of paper is bound with the binding device of
FIG. 1;
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FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating the state wherein a small amount of paper is bound with a binding device having a different pressing portion;
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FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating the state wherein a large amount of paper is bound with the binding device of
FIG. 12;
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FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating the state wherein a large amount of paper is bound with a binding device having a different pressing portion;
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FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating the state wherein sheets of paper are bound with a binding device having a different pressing portion;
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FIG. 19A and
FIG. 19B are diagrams illustrating the relationship between the width of the binding member and a difference in the binding position when the binding device is open;
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FIG. 20 is a perspective view illustrating yet another example of the binding device of this invention;
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FIG. 21 is a perspective view illustrating another example of the binding device of this invention;
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FIG. 22 is a perspective view illustrating one example of the binding device of this invention;
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FIG. 23 is a perspective view of this binding device in a closed state;
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FIG. 24 is a side diagram of the binding device in an open state;
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FIG. 25 is a side diagram of the binding device in a closed state;
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FIG. 26 is an exploded perspective view of the binding device of
FIG. 22;
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FIG. 27 is a front view of the binding device;
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FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating the operating state of the binding member and the spring member of the binding device of
FIG. 22;
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FIG. 29A is a front cross-sectional diagram and
FIG. 29B is a partial side diagram illustrating the operating state of the binding member and the spring member of the binding device of
FIG. 22;
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FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating the state of the pressing portion when a small amount of paper is bound with the binding device of
FIG. 22;
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FIG. 31A is a front cross-sectional diagram and
FIG. 31B is a partial side diagram illustrating the operating state of the binding member and the spring member of the binding device of
FIG. 22;
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FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating the state of the pressing portion when a large amount of paper is bound with the binding device of
FIG. 22;
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FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating one example of a conventional binding device;
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FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating another example of a conventional binding device; and
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FIG. 35 is a diagram illustrating yet another example of a conventional binding device;
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DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE NUMERALS
20, 220 binding device
22, 222 board
24, 224 bearing plate
26, 226 through hole
28, 228 retainer projection
30, 34, 38, 230, 234, 238 turned-up part
32, 36, 40, 232, 236, 240 through hole
42 projection
44 through hole
46, 246 shaft
50, 250 spring member
50a, 250a coil part
50b, 250b one end
50c, 250c the other end
50d, 250d upright portion
50e, 250e bridge portion
50f, 250f engaging portion
60, 260 operation lever
62, 262 through hole
64, 264 bent portion
66, 266 through hole
70, 270 binding member
270a standing portion
270b bridge portion
270c bent portion
72, 272 protruding piece
74, 274 turned portion
76, 276 pressing portion
78, 278 through hole
80, 280 rib
90 paper jogging part
100 bound objects
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating one example of the binding device of this invention, and
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of this binding device in a closed state.
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FIG. 3 is a side diagram of the binding device in an open state, and
FIG. 4 is a side diagram of the binding device in a closed state.
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The binding device
20 includes a board
22 made of a thin metal plate.
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Along the straight lengthwise edge at one widthwise end of the board
22 is integrally formed a bearing plate
24 that is upright relative to the board
22, as shown in
FIG. 5.
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The bearing plate
24 is continuous from the front end edge to the vicinity of the rear end edge along the length of the board
22.
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At one lengthwise end (rear end) of the bearing plate
24 is formed a circular through hole
26, and at the other lengthwise end (front end) of the bearing plate
24 is formed a retainer projection
28 for retaining an operation lever that will be described later.
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The retainer projection
28 is formed by, for example, providing a quadrangle aperture in the bearing plate
24 and pressing out an upper part of the aperture towards the board
22.
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Near the rear end of the bearing plate
24 where the through hole
26 is provided, at a suitable distance from the bearing plate
24, one corner at one lengthwise end of the board
22 is cut and turned up to form a turned-up part
30.
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The main surface of the turned-up part
30 is orthogonal to the main surface of the bearing plate
24.
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This turned-up part
30 is formed with a circular through hole
32.
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Furthermore, another turned-up part
34 having a surface that is parallel to the main surface of the turned-up part
30 is formed near the front end where the retainer projection
28 is provided.
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The turned-up part
34 is provided by forming a U-shape cut in the board
22 and turning up this part.
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This turned-up part
34 is formed with a circular through hole
36.
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These turned-up parts
30 and
34 are opposite each other such that a line connecting their through holes
32 and
36 is parallel to the main surface of the bearing plate
24 on the side of the board
22.
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Between these turned-up parts
30 and
34 and on the side away from the bearing plate
24 relative to the line connecting the through holes
32 and
36 of the turned-up parts
30 and
34 is formed a turned-up part
38 having a surface that is parallel to the surface of the bearing plate
24.
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This turned-up part
38, too, is provided by forming a U-shape cut in the board
22 and turning up this part.
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This turned-up part
38 is formed with a circular through hole
40 and positioned such that its through hole
40 is opposite the through hole
26 of the bearing plate
24.
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That is, it is formed so that the line connecting the through holes
32 and
36 of the turned-up parts
30 and
34 is orthogonal to the line connecting the through holes
26 and
40 of the bearing plate
24 and the turned-up part
38.
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At the other widthwise end of the board
22 are formed two projections
42.
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These projections
42 are formed side by side and spaced from each other in the lengthwise direction of the board
22.
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Furthermore, a pair of through holes
44 are formed at both lengthwise ends of the board
22, one each at the front end and at the rear end, for attaching the binding device
20 to a file or the like.
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A shaft
46 is inserted in the through hole
26 of the bearing plate
24 and in the through hole
40 of the turned-up part
38, and a spring member
50 consisting of a torsion coil spring and the operation lever
60 are attached to the shaft
46.
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The spring member
50 is formed to include a coil part
50
a, one end
50
b of the coil part
50
a extending substantially parallel to the surface of the bearing plate
24, and the other end
50
c of the coil part
50
a extending in the widthwise direction of the board
22 toward a direction away from the bearing plate
24.
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The operation lever
60 is made of a metal plate or the like and has an elongated shape with a substantially L-shaped or U-shaped cross section to increase its strength.
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A circular through hole
62 is formed in the vertical side wall at one lengthwise end of the operation lever
60.
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The shaft
46 is attached to the bearing plate
24 and to the turned-up part
38 such that it is inserted in the through hole
62 of the operation lever
60 and in the coil part
50
a of the spring member
50.
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One end
50
b of the spring member
50 is arranged to run along the inside of the operation lever
60 and secured with a bent portion
64 that is formed by inwardly bending part of the vertical side wall of the operation lever
60.
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Furthermore, a rectangular through hole
66 is formed in the vertical wall of the operation lever
60 at the position corresponding to the retainer projection
28 of the bearing plate
24.
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The retainer projection
28 is fitted in this through hole
66 to secure the operation lever
60 to the bearing plate
24.
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Furthermore, the other lengthwise end of the operation lever
60 is formed wide to allow easy operation with a finger.
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Furthermore, a binding member
70 that is substantially rectangular in top view is attached on the board
22 such as to extend along the length of the board
22 and parallel to the bearing plate
24.
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The binding member
70 is formed of, for example, a single metal plate.
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The binding member
70 has a length that is substantially equal to the distance between, for example, the turned-up parts
30 and
34, and is formed to have a widthwise curved, upwardly bulging shape (semi-circular cross section).
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On the bearing plate
24 side of the width of the binding member
70, protruding pieces
72 or pivotal axes are formed such as to protrude from the lengthwise ends.
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These protruding pieces
72 are fitted in the through holes
32 and
36 of the turned-up parts
30 and
34, which serve as bearings.
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Therefore, the binding member
70 is rotatable around the line connecting the two protruding pieces
72.
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To increase the strength of the protruding pieces
72 and to facilitate rotation of the protruding pieces
72 inside the through holes
32 and
36, the protruding pieces
72 are warped in the widthwise direction.
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Thus, the protruding pieces
72 protruding from the binding member
70 are fitted in the through holes
32 and
36 of the turned-up parts
30 and
34, whereby the number of components is reduced as compared to the design in which a separate part such as a rotation shaft is used to hold the binding member
70 rotatably.
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The opposite side from the bearing plate
24 of the width of the binding member
70 is turned toward the above-described rotation center (protruding pieces
72 side) to form a turned portion
74.
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The turned portion
74 is continuous from the front end edge to the rear end edge of the binding member
70.
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Furthermore, the distal end of the turned portion
74 is turned toward the board
22 to form a pressing portion
76 which is for pressing objects to be bound
100 such as paper.
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The pressing portion
76 is continuous from the front end edge to the rear end edge of the turned portion
74.
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The pressing portion
76 is formed to incline toward the rotation center of the binding member
70 from the turned portion
74 to the board
22 when the binding member
70 is closed on the board
22.
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Therefore, the turned portion
74 and the pressing portion
76 are continuous in a substantially L-shaped manner.
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This pressing portion
76 presses the bound objects
100 such as paper along one straight line.
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Note, when the binding member
70 is closed on the board
22, the turned portion
74 is inclined upward from one end of the binding member
70 to the inside of the binding member
70.
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One end
50
b of the spring member
50 extends linearly from the rear upper end on the bearing plate
24 side of the coil part
50
a to the front, and is formed such that, when no force is applied to its distal end, the distal end extends diagonally upwards toward the front.
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The other end
50
c is substantially L-shaped, extending from the front lower end on the side of the turned-up part
38 of the coil part
50
a toward the opposite side from the bearing plate
24, and when no force is applied, its upright portion
50
d extends upwards and a bridge portion
50
e extends diagonally upwards from the upper end of the upright portion
50
d, and a projecting engaging portion
50
f is turned horizontally from the free end of the bridge portion
50
e.
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The turned portion
74 is formed with a rectangular through hole
78, and the other end
50
c of the spring member
50 is fitted therein from above, the distal end of the other end
50
c of the spring member
50 being bent so that it does not come off of the through hole
78.
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In this embodiment, the through hole
78 is formed at a position closer to the coil part
50
a coiled around the shaft
46, between the protruding pieces
72 at the front and rear ends of the binding member
70.
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Furthermore, the pressing portion
76 is formed with a linear rib
80 to prevent deformation caused by the force applied to press down the objects to be bound
100 such as paper.
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The distal end of the spring member
50 (engaging portion
50
f) remains substantially in the same position in the widthwise direction of the board
22 whether the binding member
70 is closed or opened as shown in
FIG. 3 and
FIG. 4.
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When the operation lever
60 is locked in the retainer projection
28, with the binding member
70 pressing down the objects to be bound
100 such as paper, the other end
50
c of the spring member
50, which is initially bent, is stretched, as well as the distal end (engaging portion
50
f) is twisted so that the engaging portion
50
f is deformed downwards from its initial horizontal position. The through hole
78 extends along the length and the width of the turned portion
74 so as to allow this deformation of the spring member
50.
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The portion pressed down by the pressing portion
76 needs not be one straight line but instead, as shown in
FIG. 6, it may be pressed with both lengthwise ends of the pressing portion
76.
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In this case, the edge of the pressing portion
76 is slightly warped inwards from the lengthwise ends to the center.
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Also, as shown in
FIG. 7, a plurality of dents may be formed along the length of the pressing portion
76 so as to press down the objects to be bound
100 such as paper at a plurality of points along a straight line.
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Furthermore, the objects to be bound
100 such as paper can be pressed at a plurality of positions along a straight line as shown in
FIG. 8, in this case not at points but linearly.
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In other words, the portion pressed with the pressing portion
76 may either be a single straight line, or a plurality of points or lines along a straight line.
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The binding member
70 may be formed by bending a metal plate as shown in
FIG. 9 or
FIG. 12 instead of the warped shape.
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This binding device
20 is attached to a file or the like using, for example, fixture metal parts inserted in the through holes
44 in the board
22.
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The binding member
70 is opened and closed by operating the operation lever
60.
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Referring now to
FIG. 1, when the operation lever
60 is turned up, the other end
50
c of the spring member
50 lifts up the binding member
70, creating a gap between the board
22 and the pressing portion
76 of the binding member
70.
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Objects to be bound
100 such as paper are inserted in this gap, and the operation lever
60 is turned down to close the binding member
70 so that the objects to be bound
100 such as paper are pressed down onto the board
22 with the pressing portion
76.
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That is, turning down the operation lever
60 tightens up the coil part
50
a of the spring member
50, whereby the other end
50
c of the spring member
50 biases the pressing portion
76 toward the board
22.
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Here, as shown in
FIG. 13, the pressing portion
76 is pressed diagonally against the bound objects
100 such as paper.
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When a force is applied that causes the bound objects
100 such as paper to be pulled out, there will be a force applied oppositely from the inclined direction of the pressing portion
76 as well as a force that causes the bent portion of the turned portion
74 and the pressing portion
76 to bend further.
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The restoring force caused by the deformation of the turned portion
74 and the pressing portion
76 creates a resisting force against the pulling-out of the bound objects
100 such as paper from the pressing portion
76, whereby the bound objects
100 such as paper are hard to come off of the binding device
20.
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Moreover, because the pressing portion
76 is inclined toward the rotation center of the binding member
70 from the turned portion
74 to the board
22, as shown in
FIG. 14, when the objects to be bound
100 such as paper are thick, the pressing portion
76, while it is more upright than when the objects
100 are thin, hardly comes to a position where it is orthogonal to the surface of the bound objects
100 such as paper, so that the resisting force against the coming-off of the bound objects
100 such as paper is well retained.
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The shape of the pressing portion
76 is not limited to the one that is formed by turning the end of the binding member
70; as shown in
FIG. 15, the distal end of the warped plate-like binding member
70 may serve as the pressing portion
76.
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In this case, the binding member
70 should preferably have a semi-circular cross section so that the pressing portion
76 makes contact with the surface of the objects to be bound
100 such as paper at more or less the same angle irrespective of the thickness of the objects
100, as shown in
FIG. 16.
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In this way, the entire binding member
70 can serve to resist the force that is applied in the pulling-out direction of the bound objects
100 such as paper, whereby the objects
100 are hard to come off.
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In contrast, if the binding member
70 were bent to have a rectangular cross section, when the objects to be bound
100 such as paper are thick, the pressing portion
76 would be inclined along the pulling-out direction of the objects
100 as shown in
FIG. 17, because of which it would have a low resisting force against the force that acts in the pulling-out direction of the objects
100 and the objects
100 would easily come off.
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Therefore, when the distal end of the binding member
70 is not bent but to serve as the pressing portion
76 as it is, the binding member
70 should preferably have a semi-circular or curved cross section.
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If the pressing portion
76 is made by bending the binding member
70, it may be formed by bending the distal end of the binding member
70 only once toward the rotation center, as shown in
FIG. 18.
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In this case, no turned portion
74 is formed, but when a force is applied that causes the bound objects
100 such as paper to be pulled out, there will be a force that acts in an opposite direction from the inclined direction of the pressing portion
76, whereby the pressing portion
76 deforms such as to stand up.
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Therefore, the restoring force caused by the deformation of the pressing portion
76 creates a resisting force against the pulling-out of the bound objects
100 such as paper.
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It should be noted here that in the binding device
20 having any of the pressing portions
76 shown in
FIG. 15,
FIG. 17, or
FIG. 18, the portion pressed with the pressing portion
76 may either be one straight line or a plurality of points or lines along a straight line, as shown in from
FIG. 6 to
FIG. 8.
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When, as shown in
FIG. 19A and
FIG. 19B, the height H of the pressing portion
76 from the board
22 is the same when the binding member
70 is open, the larger the width of the binding member
70 is, the smaller the difference X is between the open position and the closed position of the pressing portion
76 to the surface of the board
22.
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Therefore, when binding the objects
100 such as paper, there is less misalignment between the position of the pressing portion
76 when the binding member
70 is open and the binding position of the bound objects
100 such as paper, whereby the binding of the objects
100 such as paper is made easy.
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To make the width of the binding member
70 larger, as shown in
FIG. 20, the vertical side wall of the operation lever
60 may be arranged on the outer side of the bearing plate
24.
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This way, with the retainer projection
28 being formed to protrude outwardly from the bearing plate
24, the operation lever
60 is displaced to the outer side of the bearing plate
24 to open the binding member
70.
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Therefore, the operation lever
60 need not be displaced toward the binding member
70, and the binding member
70 can be brought closer to the bearing plate
24, i.e., the width of the binding member
70 can be made larger.
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Note, in
FIG. 20, the binding member
70 is formed with notches
82 at both lengthwise ends, and the through holes
44 are formed in the board
22 at the positions corresponding to the notches
82.
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Accordingly, the binding device
20 can be attached to a file using fixture metal parts or the like inserted into the through holes
44 through the notches
82.
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Furthermore, as shown in
FIG. 21, it is possible to arrange the rotation direction of the operation lever
60 to be the same as that of the binding member
70.
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In this binding device
20, the bearing plate
24 is provided at one lengthwise end of the board
22.
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The shaft
46 is inserted into the through hole
26 in the bearing plate
24 to extend along the length of the board
22.
|
The coil part
50
a of the spring member
50 and the operation lever
60 are attached to this shaft
46.
|
One end
50
b of the spring member
50 extends along the width of the board
22 and secured to the operation lever
60.
|
The other end
50
c of the spring member
50 extends along the width of the board
22 and fits in the through hole
78 formed in the turned portion
74 of the binding member
70.
|
This binding device
20 is used, for example, to bind one lengthwise end of the objects
100 to be bound such as paper.
|
In this case, the binding device
20 is arranged at one widthwise end of the objects
100 to be bound such as paper, with the operation lever
60 being arranged on the outer side of the objects
100.
|
In other words, this binding device
20 includes the board
22 formed of a thin metal plate.
|
A bearing plate
24, which is upright relative to the board
22, is integrally formed along the straight left side edge at one lengthwise end of the board
22.
|
The bearing plate
24 is continuous from the front end edge to the vicinity of the rear end edge of the width of the board
22.
|
At one lengthwise end (rear end) of the bearing plate
24 is formed a circular through hole
26, and at the other lengthwise end (front end) of the bearing plate
24 is formed a retainer projection
28 for retaining the operation lever
60.
|
The retainer projection
28 is formed by, for example, providing a quadrangle aperture in the bearing plate
24 and pressing out an upper part of the aperture towards the board
22.
|
Near the through hole
26 of the bearing plate
24, at a suitable distance from the bearing plate
24, one lengthwise end of the board
22 is cut and turned up to form a turned-up part
34.
|
The main surface of the turned-up part
34 is parallel to the main surface of the bearing plate
24.
|
This turned-up part
34 is formed with a circular through hole
36.
|
Furthermore, near the right end of the board
22 is formed another turned-up part
30 that has a surface parallel to the main surface of the turned-up part
34.
|
The turned-up part
30 is provided by cutting and turning up part of the edge of the board
22.
|
This turned-up part
30 is formed with a circular through hole
32.
|
These turned-up parts
30 and
34 are arranged so that a line connecting their through holes
32 and
36 is orthogonal to the main surface of the bearing plate
24 on the side of the board
22.
|
Between these turned-up parts
30 and
34 is formed a turned-up part
38 that has a surface parallel to the surface of the bearing plate
24.
|
This turned-up part
38, too, is provided by forming a U-shape cut in the board
22 and turning up this part.
|
This turned-up part
38 is formed with a circular through hole
40 and positioned such that its through hole
40 is opposite the through hole
26 of the bearing plate
24.
|
That is, it is formed so that the line connecting the through holes
32 and
36 of the turned-up parts
30 and
34 is parallel to the line connecting the through holes
26 and
40 of the bearing plate
24 and the turned-up part
38.
|
Through holes
44 for attaching the binding device
20 to a file or the like are provided at both lengthwise ends of the board
22.
|
A shaft
46 is inserted in the through hole
26 of the bearing plate
24 and in the through hole
40 of the turned-up part
38, and a spring member
50 consisting of a torsion coil spring and the operation lever
60 are attached to the shaft
46.
|
The spring member
50 is formed to include a coil part
50
a, one end
50
b of the coil part
50
a extending substantially parallel to the surface of the bearing plate
24, and the other end
50
c of the coil part
50
a extending in the widthwise direction of the board
22 toward a direction away from the bearing plate
24.
|
The operation lever
60 is made of a metal plate or the like and has an elongated shape with a substantially L-shaped or U-shaped cross section to increase its strength.
|
A circular through hole
62 is formed in the vertical side wall at one lengthwise end of the operation lever
60.
|
The shaft
46 is attached to the bearing plate
24 and the turned-up part
38 such that it is inserted in the through hole
62 of the operation lever
60 and in the coil part
50
a of the spring member
50.
|
One end
50
b of the spring member
50 is arranged to run along the inside of the operation lever
60 and secured with a bent portion
64 that is formed by inwardly bending part of the vertical side wall of the operation lever
60.
|
Furthermore, a rectangular through hole
66 is formed in the side wall of the operation lever
60 at the position corresponding to the retainer projection
28 of the bearing plate
24.
|
The retainer projection
28 is fitted in this through hole
66 to secure the operation lever
60 to the bearing plate
24.
|
Furthermore, the other end in the lengthwise direction of the operation lever
60 is formed wide to allow easy operation with a finger.
|
Furthermore, a binding member
70 that is substantially rectangular in top view is attached on the board
22 such as to extend along the length of the board
22 so that the length of the binding member
70 is orthogonal to the length of the bearing plate
24.
|
The binding member
70 is formed of, for example, a single metal plate.
|
The binding member
70 has a length that is substantially equal to the distance between, for example, the turned-up parts
30 and
34, and is formed to have a widthwise curved, upwardly bulging shape (semi-circular cross section).
|
On the shaft
46 side of the width of the binding member
70, protruding pieces
72 are formed such as to protrude from the lengthwise ends.
|
These protruding pieces
72 are fitted in the through holes
32 and
36 of the turned-up parts
30 and
34.
|
Therefore, the binding member
70 is rotatable around the line connecting the two protruding pieces
72.
|
To increase the strength of the protruding pieces
72 and to facilitate rotation of the protruding pieces
72 inside the through holes
32 and
36, the protruding pieces
72 are warped in the widthwise direction.
|
Thus, the protruding pieces
72 protruding from the binding member
70 are fitted in the through holes
32 and
36 of the turned-up parts
30 and
34, whereby the number of components is reduced as compared to the design in which a rotation shaft or the like is used to hold the binding member
70 rotatably.
|
The opposite side from the shaft
46 of the width of the binding member
70 is turned toward the above-described rotation center to form a turned portion
74.
|
The turned portion
74 is continuous from the front end edge to the rear end edge of the binding member
70.
|
Furthermore, the distal end of the turned portion
74 is turned toward the board
22 to form a pressing portion
76 which is for pressing objects to be bound
100 such as paper.
|
The pressing portion
76 is continuous from the front end edge to the rear end edge of the turned portion
74.
|
The pressing portion
76, when the binding member
70 is closed on the board
22, is formed to incline toward the rotation center of the binding member
70 from the turned portion
74 to the board
22.
|
Therefore, the turned portion
74 and the pressing portion
76 are continuous in a substantially L-shaped manner.
|
This pressing portion
76 presses the objects to be bound
100 such as paper along one straight line.
|
Note, when the binding member
70 is closed on the board
22, the turned portion
74 is inclined upward from one end of the binding member
70 to the inside of the binding member
70.
|
While the end
50
c of the spring member
50 that is secured to the binding member
70 is provided at a position near the bearing plate
24 in the previous embodiment, the end
50
c of the spring member
50 may be secured to the binding member
70 near the center of the length of the turned portion
74 so that the force will be applied entirely along the length of the pressing portion
76.
|
Thus, in one embodiment of the binding device
20 of this invention, the binding member
70 works at the binding position of the objects
100 to be bound such as paper, whereby the paper can be held precisely at a desired position.
|
Furthermore, as the spring member applies a force to the vicinity of the pressing portion
76 that is at the distal end of the binding member
70, the force is efficiently applied to the pressing portion
76 when the operation lever
60 is operated, and the bound objects
100 such as paper will not easily come off.
|
This invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiments and it can be modified in various different ways within the concept of the invention.
|
Next, examples of modification of the embodiments shown in from
FIG. 9 to
FIG. 12 will be described.
|
FIG. 22 is a perspective view illustrating one example of the binding device of this invention, and
FIG. 23 is a perspective view of this binding device in a closed state.
|
FIG. 24 is a side diagram of the binding device in an open state, and
FIG. 25 is a side diagram of the binding device in a closed state.
|
The binding device
220 includes a board
222 made of a thin metal plate.
|
Along the straight lengthwise edge on one side of the width of the board
222 is integrally formed a bearing plate
224 that is upright relative to the board
222, as shown in
FIG. 26.
|
The bearing plate
224 is continuous from the front end edge to the vicinity of the rear end edge along the length of the board
222.
|
At one lengthwise end (rear end) of the bearing plate
224 is formed a circular through hole
226, and at the other lengthwise end (front end) of the bearing plate
224 is formed a retainer projection
228 for retaining an operation lever that will be described later.
|
The retainer projection
228 is formed by, for example, providing a quadrangle aperture in the bearing plate
224 and pressing out an upper part of the aperture towards the board
222.
|
Near the rear end of the bearing plate
224 where the through hole
226 is provided, at a suitable distance from the bearing plate
224, one corner at one lengthwise end of the board
222 is cut and turned up to form a turned-up part
230.
|
The main surface of the turned-up part
230 is orthogonal to the main surface of the bearing plate
224.
|
This turned-up part
230 is formed with a circular through hole
232.
|
Furthermore, another turned-up part
234 that has a surface parallel to the main surface of the turned-up part
230 is formed near the front end where the retainer projection
228 is provided.
|
The turned-up part
234 is provided by forming a U-shape cut in the board
222 and turning up this part.
|
This turned-up part
234 is formed with a circular through hole
236.
|
These turned-up parts
230 and
234 are opposite each other such that a line connecting their through holes
232 and
236 is parallel to the main surface of the bearing plate
224 on the side of the board
222.
|
Between these turned-up parts
230 and
234 and on the side away from the bearing plate
224 relative to the line connecting the through holes
232 and
236 of the turned-up parts
230 and
234 is formed a turned-up part
238 that has a surface parallel to the surface of the bearing plate
224.
|
This turned-up part
238, too, is provided by forming a U-shape cut in the board
222 and turning up this part.
|
This turned-up part
238 is formed with a circular through hole
240 and positioned such that its through hole
240 is opposite the through hole
226 of the bearing plate
224.
|
That is, it is formed so that the line connecting the through holes
232 and
236 of the turned-up parts
230 and
234 is orthogonal to the line connecting the through holes
226 and
240 of the bearing plate
224 and the turned-up part
238.
|
At the other widthwise end of the board
222 are formed two projections
242.
|
These projections
242 are formed side by side and spaced from each other in the lengthwise direction of the board
222.
|
Furthermore, a pair of through holes
244 are formed at both lengthwise ends of the board
222, one each at the front end and at the rear end, for attaching the binding device
220 to a file or the like.
|
A shaft
246 is inserted in the through hole
226 of the bearing plate
224 and in the through hole
240 of the turned-up part
238, and a spring member
250 consisting of a torsion coil spring and the operation lever
260 are attached to the shaft
246.
|
The spring member
250 is formed to include a coil part
250
a, one end
250
b of the coil part
250
a extending substantially parallel to the surface of the bearing plate
224, and the other end
250
c of the coil part
250
a extending in the widthwise direction of the board
222 toward a direction away from the bearing plate
224.
|
One end
250
b of the spring member
250 extends linearly from the rear upper end on the bearing plate
224 side of the coil part
250
a to the front, and is formed such that, when no force is applied to its distal end, the distal end extends diagonally upwards toward the front.
|
The other end
250
c is substantially L-shaped, extending from the front lower end on the side of the turned-up part
238 of the coil part
250
a toward the opposite side from the bearing plate
224, and when no force is applied, its upright portion
250
d extends upwards and a bridge portion
250
e extends diagonally upwards from the upper end of the upright portion
250
d, and a projecting engaging portion
250
f is turned horizontally from the free end of the bridge portion
250
e.
|
The operation lever
260 is made of a metal plate or the like and has an elongated shape with a substantially L-shaped or U-shaped cross section to increase its strength.
|
A circular through hole
262 is formed in the vertical side wall at one lengthwise end of the operation lever
260.
|
The shaft
246 is attached to the bearing plate
224 and the turned-up part
238 such that it is inserted in the through hole
262 of the operation lever
260 and in the coil part
250
a of the spring member
250.
|
One end
250
b of the spring member
250 is arranged to run along the inside of the operation lever
260 and secured with a bent portion
264 that is formed by inwardly bending part of the vertical side wall of the operation lever
260.
|
Further, a rectangular through hole
266 is formed in the vertical wall of the operation lever
260 at the position corresponding to the retainer projection
228 of the bearing plate
224.
|
The retainer projection
228 is fitted in this through hole
266 to secure the operation lever
260 to the bearing plate
224.
|
Further, the other lengthwise end of the operation lever
260 is formed wide to allow easy operation with a finger.
|
Furthermore, a binding member
270 that is substantially rectangular in top view is attached on the board
222 such as to extend along the length of the board
222 and parallel to the bearing plate
224.
|
The binding member
270 is formed of, for example, a single metal plate.
|
The binding member
270 has a length that is substantially equal to the distance between, for example, the turned-up parts
230 and
234, and is formed to have a widthwise bent, upwardly bulging shape (substantially L-shape cross section).
|
On the bearing plate
224 side of the width of the binding member
270, protruding pieces
272 or pivotal axes are formed such as to protrude from the lengthwise ends.
|
These protruding pieces
272 are fitted in the through holes
232 and
236 of the turned-up parts
230 and
234, which serve as bearings.
|
Therefore, the binding member
270 is rotatable around the line connecting the two protruding pieces
272.
|
To increase the strength of the protruding pieces
272 and to facilitate rotation of the protruding pieces
272 inside the through holes
232 and
236, the protruding pieces
272 are warped in the widthwise direction.
|
Thus, the protruding pieces
272 protruding from the binding member
270 are fitted in the through holes
232 and
236 of the turned-up parts
230 and
234, whereby the number of components is reduced as compared to the design in which a separate part such as a rotation shaft is used to hold the binding member
270 rotatably.
|
The opposite side from the bearing plate
224 of the width of the binding member
270 is turned at about 20° relative to the horizontal plane toward the above-described rotation center (protruding pieces
272 side) to form a turned portion
274.
|
The turned portion
274 is continuous from the front end edge to the rear end edge of the binding member
270.
|
Furthermore, the distal end of the turned portion
274 is turned toward the board
222 to form a pressing portion
276 which is for pressing objects to be bound
100 such as paper.
|
The pressing portion
276 is continuous from the front end edge to the rear end edge of the turned portion
274.
|
The pressing portion
276 is formed to incline toward the rotation center of the binding member
270 from the turned portion
274 to the board
222 when the binding member
270 is closed on the board
222.
|
Therefore, the turned portion
274 and the pressing portion
276 are continuous in a substantially L-shaped manner.
|
This pressing portion
276 presses the bound objects
100 such as paper along one straight line.
|
Note, when the binding member
270 is closed on the board
222, the turned portion
274 is inclined upward from one end of the binding member
270 to the inside of the binding member
270.
|
The binding member
270 includes, as shown in
FIG. 27, a standing portion
270
a extending diagonally upwards from the side of the protruding pieces
272 towards the opposite side from the bearing plate
224, a bridge portion
270
b extending diagonally (at about 22° relative to the horizontal plane) downwards from the top end of the standing portion
270
a, a turned portion
274 formed at the free end of the bridge portion
270
b, and a pressing portion
276, all of these standing portion
270
a, bridge portion
270
b, turned portion
274, and pressing portion
276 being formed in one piece.
|
At the free end of the bridge portion
270
b is formed a bent portion
270
c by bending the free end diagonally (at about 15° relative to the vertical plane) downwards, from the front end edge to the rear end edge of the binding member
270.
|
The turned portion
274 is continuously formed to the free end of the bent portion
270
c, the turned portion
274 being spaced from and substantially parallel to the bridge portion
270
b, so that it is slightly bent towards the bridge portion
270
b when the pressing portion
276 presses down the bound objects
100 such as paper.
|
The standing portion
270
a has an inclined surface (at about 45° relative to the vertical plane) so that the gap between itself and the bearing plate
224 becomes wider upwards to secure space for releasing the operation lever
260 from the retainer projection
228.
|
The other end
250
c of the spring member
250 has a shape similar to the inner surface of the binding member
270, and it is set on the inner side of the binding member
270 such that the upright portion
250
d of the spring member
250 is arranged near the inner surface of the standing portion
270
a of the binding member
270, and the bridge portion
250
e of the spring member
250 is arranged near the inner surface of the bridge portion
270
b of the binding member
270.
|
The turned portion
274 is formed with a rectangular through hole
278, and the other end
250
c of the spring member
250 is fitted therein from the side of the bridge portion
270
b, the distal end (engaging portion
250
f) of the other end
250
c of the spring member
250 being bent so that it does not come off of the through hole
278.
|
In this embodiment, the through hole
278 is formed at a position closer to the coil part
250
a coiled around the shaft
246, between the protruding pieces
272 at the front and rear ends of the binding member
270.
|
Further, the pressing portion
276 includes a linear rib
280 to prevent deformation caused by the force applied to press down the bound objects
100 such as paper.
|
The distal end (engaging portion
250
f) of the spring member
250 remains substantially in the same position in the widthwise direction of the board
222 whether the binding member
270 is closed or opened as shown in
FIG. 28.
|
When the operation lever
260 is locked in the retainer projection
228, with the binding member
270 pressing down the bound objects
100 such as paper, the other end
250
c of the spring member
250, which is initially bent, is stretched, as well as the distal end (engaging portion
250
f) is twisted so that the engaging portion
250
f is deformed downwards from its initial horizontal position. The through hole
278 extends along the length and the width of the turned portion
274 so as to allow this deformation of the spring member
250.
|
The board
222 includes a paper jogging part
290 for jogging the side edges of the objects
100 to be bound such as paper, the jogging part being formed on the side outer than the protruding pieces
272 from the turned-up part
234 and having a surface that is parallel to the surface of the bearing plate
224.
|
The paper jogging part
290, too, is provided by forming a U-shape cut in the board
222 and turning up this part.
|
Note, the turned-up part
234 is formed such that its side edge opposite from the bearing plate
224 is aligned with the (imaginary) plane that coincides with the surface of the paper jogging part
290 on the opposite side from the bearing plate
224.
|
Therefore, the side edge of the turned-up part
234 serves as a guide, on which the side edges of the objects
100 to be bound such as paper are abutted when binding them.
|
This binding device
220 is attached to a file or the like using, for example, fixture metal parts inserted in the through holes
244 in the board
222.
|
The binding member
270 is opened and closed by operating the operation lever
260.
|
Referring now to
FIG. 22, when the operation lever
260 is turned up, the other end
250
c of the spring member
250 lifts up the binding member
270, creating a gap between the board
222 and the pressing portion
276 of the binding member
270.
|
Objects to be bound
100 such as paper are inserted in this gap, and the operation lever
260 is turned down to close the binding member
270 so that the bound objects
100 such as paper are pressed down onto the board
222 with the pressing portion
276.
|
That is, turning down the operation lever
260 tightens up the coil
250
a of the spring member
250, whereby the other end
250
c of the spring member
250 biases the pressing portion
276 toward the board
222.
|
Here, as shown in
FIG. 29 and
FIG. 30, the pressing portion
276 is pressed diagonally against the bound objects
100 such as paper.
|
When a force is applied that causes the bound objects
100 such as paper to be pulled out, there will be a force applied oppositely from the inclined direction of the pressing portion
276 as well as a force that causes the bent portion of the turned portion
274 and the pressing portion
276 to bend further.
|
The restoring force caused by the deformation of the turned portion
274 and the pressing portion
276 creates a resisting force against the pulling-out of the bound objects
100 such as paper from the pressing portion
276, whereby the bound objects
100 such as paper will be hard to come off of the binding device
220.
|
Moreover, because the pressing portion
276 is inclined toward the rotation center of the binding member
270 from the turned portion
274 to the board
222, as shown in
FIG. 31 and
FIG. 32, when the bound objects
100 such as paper are thick, the pressing portion
276, while it is more upright than when the objects
100 are thin, hardly comes to a position orthogonal to the surface of the bound objects
100 such as paper, so that the resisting force against the coming-off of the bound objects
100 such as paper is well retained.
|
|
