US1496335A - Loose-leaf binder - Google Patents

Description

June 3, 1924. Lllg G, A. SENSE-n' Looss LEAF .BINDER med June 29. 1923 a sneeisfsne'et 1 MLQJ.

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G. A. BENNETT LoosB LEAF BINDER 192.3 4 Sheetsheet 2 Filed June 29 bww.

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G. A. BENNETT LOO'SE LEAF BINDER Filed June 29 G. A. BENNETT LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed June 29. 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented . lune 3, 192,4.

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PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE A. BENNETT, OF MASON CITY, IOWA, ASSIGNOR TO KIIIPTO LOOSE-LEAF COM- PANY, Ol? WILMINGTON, DELAWARE, A CORPORATION F .DELAWARE LOOSE-LEAF BINDER.

Application filed June 29,

T 0 all whom. t may conce/m:

Be it known that I, GEORGE A. BENNETT,

a subject of the King of Great Britain, and

resident of Mason City, in the county of Cerro Gordo and State of Iowa, have invented new and useful Improvements in Loose-Leaf Binders, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in loose-leaf binders, and more particularly to eXtensible and contractible binders of the book-cover type for holding the sheets of temporary books such as loose-leafV account books.

The invention has for its principal objects to provide an extensible and contractible covering and binding means for book leaves, of simple, durable and inexpensive construction; to provide an eticient expansible looseleaf binder which may be quickly and easily adjusted to clamp and release. varying numbers of sheets or leaves; to provide improved locking means for preventing unauthorized removal of leaves from the binding means or tampering with the adjustment of the bindin@ means; to provide means for locking the si e members or hinged cover boards of an expansible book-like loose-leaf binder in closed position to prevent unauthorized persons having access to the leaves held in the binder; and to provide a vholder for sheets or leaves, of neatand attractive appearance and of such construction that it may be used without injury to a desk or other support and 'freely handled and adjusted without liability of injury to the hands of the user.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view illustrating the left side face of a loose-leaf book embodying the invention, the side members of the cover being locked against opening movement;

Fig. 2 a front view of the book shown in Fi 1;v 1

ig. 3 a view of the right side face of r the book shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 a view showing the inner side of the leaf-binding and covering means;

Fig. 5 a transverse sectional view takenl on the line 5 5 of Fig. l; Y

Fig. 6 a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 lof Fig. 7

Fig. 7 a sectional'view taken on the line 7 7 of Fig. 6, the leaf-binding and covering means in Figs' and 7 being opened out 1923. 'Serial No. 648,488. y

flat as in Fig. 4 but being eX anded to a greater extent than shown in ig. 4;

Fig. 8 a detail sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 a detail perspective view showing part ofthe leaf-binding and covering means and the locking devices therefor;

Fig. 10 a detail view showing part of one of the clamping bars and one of the hinges connecting the bar and adjacent side member or hinged board of the eXpansible cover;

Fig-11 a sectional view taken on the line 1111iof Fig. l0; i

Fig. 12 a detail sectional view taken on the line 12-12 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 13 a detail sectional view through the left side member or hin ed cover board of the binder, taken on the ine 13-13 of Fig. 1;`Y and Fig. 14 a detail sectional view taken on the line 14-14 of Fig. 13, the tape clamp being shown in released position.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, 1 designates the left side member of the cover, i. e. the side member of the cover adjacent the first page of the book, 2 designates the right side member, i. e. the side member of the cover adjacent the last page of the book, and 3 designates the exible back member ofthe cover which is carried by side member 1, and telescopes in the side member 2. The side members or hinged cover boards are preferably constructed as shown.

. The member 1 comprises a relatively thick, rigid, rectangular plate 1a and a relatively thin, rigid, rectangular yplate 1b arranged face to face and secured together by any suitable means such as screws, staples or glue. The plates 1a andy lbtare preferably formed of wood, and plate 1b covers the inner face of plate 1a. The outer face of plate 1a, and the top, bottom and forward edges of both plates, are covered by a sheet l ofrfleXible material (preferably leather or stout, durable fabric) which extends over the outer face of the plate and is lfolded inward around the top, bottom and front edges of the plates 1a and 1b and secured by gluing or otherwise fastening-the vinwardly turned edges of the sheet material to the innery face of plate 1b. The lleXible back member 3 preferably comprises an integral extension of cover sheet 1, as shown, said back being wide enough to telescope more or less within member 2 in all adjusted positions of the'binder. It will be obvious, however, that member 3 may consist of an independent flexible sheet secured to sheet 1c or plate 1a.

The side member 2 of the cover comprises the rectangular rigid plates 2a and 2b preferably formed of wood and rigidly secured together in the saine manner as the pla-tes of member 1, with plate 2b covering the inner face of plate 2a and the leather or other flexible sheet 2c covering the outer face of plate 2a and the top, bottom and front edges of plates 2a and 2b, the top, bottom and front edges of sheet 2 being folded inward against the inner face of plate 2b and said inturned edges being glued or otherwise secured to plate 2l. The rear edge and main kbody portion of sheet 2c are free from plate 2a so that a pocket l is formed between said sheet and the plate 2a, in which the back member 3 telescopes, the mouth of said pocket being located at the rear edge of cover side member 2.

A pair of rigid metal hinge plates 5 extend rearwardly from the rear edge of cover member l, and a similar pair of metal hinge plates 6 extend rearwardly from the rear edge of cover member 2, said hinge plates having their forward ends confined in slots K or recesses 7 and 8, respectively, in the cover plates 1a and 2a and being rigidly heldto said cover plates by screws 9 and 10, re-

spectively. The slots are so located that the hinge plates vlie in planes midway or substantially midway between the planes of the inner andouter faces of the side members 1 and 2 of the cover with which they are connected.

A pair of leaf- clamping bars 11 and 12 of substantially semicircular cross-section, and preferably formed of wood, extend ralong the rear edges of the side members 1 and 2 ofthe cover inside of the back member 3 of the cover. Bars 11 and 12 are forlned `with segmental cavities 13 and 14, respec- Vthe bar to a point slightly more than half the width of the flat face of the bar, and a rear vertical wall extending outwardly from the rear end of said inner wall to the convex face of the bar at a right angle to the fiat face of the bar, so that ther bars and hinge plates may swing relatively to each other through an arc of ninety degrees or slightly more than ninety degrees.

The bars are pivotally held to the plates 5 and 6 by hinge straps 15 and 16 of similar construction. Each hinge strap comprises a metal strip passed through a vertical slot in the rear end of theN adjacent hinge plate then doubled upon itself to form a loop or cylindrical bearing 17 embracing the postlike portion of the hinge plate located between the slot and rear edge of the plate, and the free ends of the strap are then passed through a slot 18 in the bar of just sufficient width to permit passage of the two ends of the strap therethrough, and are finally bent laterally away from each other flat against the inner face of a recess 19 in the flat face of the bar. The laterally bent ends of the hinge strap are covered by a metal disk 20 seated within the recess 19 flush with the flat face of the leaf-clamping bar and welded or otherwise secured to the bent ends of the strap. This construction affords a stout hinge connection in which the danger of splitting of the clamping bars, or bending the hinge members, is reduced to a minimum, and in which the hinge members are so constructed and attached to the bars that the outer leaves of the book will not be damaged by the hinge members or the fastening devices for said members. Owing to the cross-sectional shape of the bars and the manner of connecting the bars to the cover members 1 and 2, the rear edges of the covers may be flat, i. e. lie in a plane at right angles to the faces of the covers, without inand adjustably held to the other cover, as

is common in many commercial forms of binders. The hinge plates are accordingly preferably made sufficiently long, a shown, to permit the rear edges of the covers to swing around the arcuate faces of the bars without touching said bar faces, thus providing for free and easy swinging of the covers in opening or closing the binder. The bar 12 is formed with transverse thongreceiving grooves 24a in its convex face in line with apertures 24, so that. the thongs may bend at or substantially at points in a line extending through the pivotal axis of bar 12 when the binder is closed.

The leaf-binding thongs or tapes may be made of any suitable flexible material and of any suitable cross-sectional form, but preferably comprise stout leather thongs 2l of circular cross-section as shown. The thongs 21 are permanently held at one end to the clamping bar 11 hinged to the lefthand cover member 1, said Aends of the thongs being inserted in cylindrical cavities. or recesses 22 formed at the middle or longitudinal center line of the flat face of sai bar. Pins 23 are driven through the bar 11 from front to rear so as to pass diametrically through the thongs and recesses 22, the ends of the pins being preferably peened or headed down flush with the arcuate sur- .face of the bar, ras shown, thus eliminating projecting ends and preventing endwise movement of the pins which might damage the back member 8, injury to the hands of a person using the binder, or'release of the anchored ends of the thongs.

The thongs 21 extend loosely through cylindrical apertures 24 in clamping bar 12 and thence through cylindrical apertures or 'passages 25 in the'plate 2a of cover side member 2 into a large rectangular cavity or recess 26 formed in the inner face of said plate and having its open side covered by plate 2b. The ends of the thongs which extend into cavity 26 are permanently secured to a rigid metallic connecting or anchor bar 27 by rivets 28, said bar extending substantially from top to bottom of the cavity and being loosely confined therein so that the cover side member 2, together with the leaf-clamping bar 12 hinged thereto, may be shifted longitudinally ofthe .thongs relatively to the free thong-connecting bar 27 to expand or contract the binder. In order to prevent possible buckling of the fiexible back member 3 when cover side 2 and bar 12 are slid along the thongs 21 toward cover side 1 and bar 11 in contracting the binder, the end of the back member within pocket 4 is connected Ywith bar 27 by two short tapes 29 which extend through slots 31 in plate 2a connecting cavity 26 with pocket 4. The forward end of each tape 29 is rolled around bar 27 and held thereto by one of the thong-attaching rivets`28, while the rear end of each tape is secured to the free end of back member 3 by rivets 30,

The cover side member 2 and the attached yleaf-clamping bar 12 are adapted to be held.

in various adjusted positions against eX- pansion movement, i. e. against sliding movement along the. thongs toward the ends of said thongs which are secured to the floating anchor bar 27. by means of a ,dexible tie member 32 to which said cover side member is adapted to be locked at any point Ywithin the range of sliding movement of ing an extension of cavity 26, and thence out through a short way or channel 26h in said plate connecting cavity 26a with the front edge of cover side member 2, the covering 2c ybeing provided with a slot registering with the outer endof way 26h, the edges of said slot being preferably bound by a metal eyelet 37 having tangs 38 anchored in the top and bottom walls of way 26h, as shown. The plate 2b is provided with a rectangular aperture the edges of which are finished with a sheet metal channel frame 39, which aperture affords access to a tape-gripping clamp and a combined latching and locking device for said clamp, both mounted in cavity-26a. Y

The tape gripping and lockifng means comprises a metal base plate 40 held to plate 2a against the outer wall of recess 26a by integral. tangs or spurs 42 and providedl adjacent its upper end with a pair of inwardly extending ears 41 lying in horizontal planes parallel with and located. substantially in line with the top and bottom walls of way 261. lThe ears 41`are provided with bearing apertures receiving the trunnions 43 of the jaw 44 of the tape clamp. law 44 is serrated along its outer tape-engaging edge and is formed at its inner edge with a right angle extension or broad thumb-piece U45 adapted to swing the toothed jaw forwardly and outwardly into tape-engaging position when the thumb-piece is pressed rearwardly and outwardly to a horizontal or substantially horizontal position through the opening 39 in plateA 2b. Thumb-piece 45 is formed with an integral ear 46 at its lower edOe near the free end thereof, movable rearwardly and outwardly with the thumbpiece into engagement with the inner face of plate 40 to arrest the swinging movement of jaw 44 to clamping position when said jaw is at a right angle to plate 40, said ear being formed with a slot 47 into which the spring-pressed bolt 48 of a spring lock 49 is adapted to automatically snap when jaw 44 reaches its full clamping position. The end bolt 48 and the` outer edge of ear 46r are preferably beveled, as shown more clearly in Fig. 12. to permit the ear to force bolt 4 8 downwardly and ride past the end of the belt as the thumb-piece is rocked to move jaw 44 to clamping position, so that the clamp may be operated to gripping position solely by pressure of the thumb of a hand gripping the front edge of cover 2, as hereinafter described. The spring-operated lock bolt 48 is adapted to 'be disengaged from ear 46 'by the usual slidable finger-piece 50 Yconnected with said bolt andV extending through slot 51 in the casing of the lock 49 which is provided with theusual key-hole 52 for the insertion of a key 53 to operate the usual lock mechanism to positively lock the spring-pressed bolt 48 in projected or locking position when it is desired to pie vent release of the bolt and removal of leaves from the binder by unauthorised persons. As the lock illustrated is a welllnown type of lat-ching and locking device further showing and description thereof will be unnecessary. The casing of lock 49 is held to plate 40 below the tape-clamping .means by suitable fastening devices 54.

loose-leaf binders are commonly used for holding leaves or sheets containing records of accounts or other confidential data, it is highly desirable that means be provided foi-.sealing the binder, i. e. locking the loose-leaf book in Aclosed condition, to prevent unauthorized persons from inspecting the contents thereof when the book is not in use. This end is accomplished in a simple and effettive manner by the means illustrated. As shown, tape 32 is made of sufficient length to extend (in all adjusted. positions of the binder) across the front edges of the loose leaves held in the binder when the binder is closed, and thence into a long narrow cavity 56 formed in the inner face of plate la of cover side member l. The open face of cavity 56 is covered 'by plate l, and covering lc is provided with a slot registering with the forward end of the cavity or channel 56, said slot being bound by a metal eyelet 57 having tangs or prongs 58 locked in the top and bottom walls of cavity 56 in the same manner as the eyelet 37. The cavity 56 is provided with a lateral lock-receiving extension 56a along its lower edge and said cavity 56 is preferably of reduced depth from the forward edge of extension 56l to the front edge of the cover, as shown in Fig. 14.

A key-operated lock 59 of ordinary construction, having a bolt 60 movable toward and from'the top of cover side member l by means of a key 6l adapted to be inserted in the usual key-hole 62 of the lock, is housed in the extension 56a of cavity 56 and secured to the outer face of plate 1b by suitable fastening` devices 63. The fixed member or flat metal base 64 of binder-sealing tapegripping clamp is rigidly held to the outer face of plate lb by screws 65, said base eX- tending across cavity 56 above lock 59 and being preferably countersunk in plate 1b with its outer face flush with the outer face of said plate.

The clamp base is provided with a pair of outwardly extending ears 66 substantially inline with the top and bottom walls of cavity 56, said ears having bearing apertures therein receiving the trunnions 67 of the pivoted jaw 68 of the clamp. The free edge of the jaw 68 is preferably beveled, as shown, or serrated, and is adapted to be rocked inwardly and rearwardly to a tapegrippyng position at a right angle to base 64 by a forward and inward swinging movement of a lever 69 fixed on the lower trunnion of the jaw below the lower ear 66 and above lock 59 and movable through registering slots in covering sheet 1 and plate la framed or finished by a long narrow channel frame 7() of sheet metal. One straight edge of lever 69 is adapted to abut against the outer face of plate lb to arrest the lever when jaw 68 is at a right angle to base 64.

The lever 69 is provided with a longitudinal slot 7l through which the bolt 60 of lock 5,9 is projected and withdrawn by key 6l. The key is adapted to be inserted in the key-hole 62 of the lock through registering slots in covering l and plate la bound or finished by a metal channel frame 72 similar to the frame and located just below said latter frame. Vhen the binder is opened lever 69 is swung down into cavity 56 56a toprevent damage to the lever or scratching of a desk or table by the lever while using the open book, the lever being frictionally held in the cavity by a spring detent 7 3. Detent 7 3 comprises a strip of resilient sheet metal bent into angular form and having one end clamped between plate lb and the base 64 of the tape clamp, the free end of the detent 73 being forked to straddle the lower rtrunnion 67 between the lower ear 66 and lever 69 and pressing against the adjacent face of the lever.

The leaves or loose sheets 55 may be removably attached to the thongs 21 in any suitable manner. As shown, the sheets are provided with circular apertures 74 near extend, and are provided with narrow slots 75 extending from apertures 74 to the rear edges of the sheets. After placing the desired number of sheets or leaves upon the thongs the binder is contracted to securely hold the sheets on the thongs by clamping them together adjacent their rear edfes. To contract the binder cover side memrber 1 is placed face down with the leaves stacked upon said member, and cover side member 2 is swung upright. Tape 32 is then grasped in the right hand and side member 2 is forced downwardly edgewise with the left hand until the sheets are firmly clamped between the flat faces of bars 11 and 12, whereupon thumb-piece 45 is rocked into opening 39 by pressure of the thumb of the left hand until jaw 44 of the binder-eXpansionpre venting clamp grips the tape and latch bolt 48 snaps through aperture 47 in ear 46 of the thumb-piece of the clamp and locks the jaw in clamping position. If it be desired to prevent unauthorized persons from removing or adding leaves, the key 53 is inserted in key-hole 52 and operated to lock the bolt 48 against withdrawal by thumbpiece 50.

To seal the book against inspection when their rear edges through which the thongs not in use, it is closed and the outer end of the tape 32 is passed through eyelet 57 into cavity or channel 56 through clamp 64.-68 until the tape extends substantially without slack between the front edges of the cover side members 1 and 2, whereupon lever 69 is rocked inwardly through aperature to cause jaw 68 of the binder-sealing clamp to grip the tape, and key 61 is inserted in keyhole 62 and operated to project bolt 60 of the lock 59 through slot 71 in the lever to prevent unauthorized releasing of clamp 64u68.

To unseal the book orf-*free the cover side members for opening movement, it is simply necessary to unlock the look 59, whereupon a pull on tape 32 will rock the clamp member 68 to release position and simultaneously Withdraw the tape from the cavity in the cover side member 1. The arrangement and construction of the parts of the sealing means thus obviously permit rapid and easy unsealing when desired.

To expand the binder to add or remove sheets after unsealing the binder, it is simplyA necessary to lay the binder face down on side member 1, open up cover member 2, insert key 53 in look 49 to unlock the bolt 48 if it be locked, then grasp the front edge of the cover member 2 between the thumb and iingers of the right hand and press down on the sheets with the left hand. Then by operating thumb-piece 50 with the thumb of the left hand to unlatch the clamp member 14T-45, and pulling on the cover, the clamp member will automatically swing to release position and permit member 2 and bar 12 to slide along the thongs and tape away from member 1 and bar 11. It will be noted that in this case also it is unnecessary to release the pivoted clamp member directly with the ngers. By using a single expansion-preventing and binder-sealing tape and the ar rangement and form of clamps shown, I thus provide for unsealing the binder and for expanding the binder in the shortest possible time with a minimum of eiort.

That I claim is:

1. In a loose-leaf binder, the combination of a side cover member, a flexible back cover member held at one side thereof to said side member, a second side cover member provided with a pocket in which said back member telescopically engages at the opposite side of the back member and also having an internal cavity having an outlet through the front edge of said cover member, a pair of leailclamping bars pivotally held to the side cover members at the rear edges of said members, a plurality of leaf-binding thongs secured at one end tothe bar pivoted to the first side cover member, the second side cover member and the bar pivoted thereto having registeringv apertures through which the thongs extend into the cavity in said second side cover member, a thong anchor bar to which the thongs are secured at their other ends loosely confined in the cavity in said second cover member for shifting movement edgewise fore and aft of said member, a flexible .tie member secured at its inner end to said anchor bar midway the ends of said bar and having its free outer end extending forwardly through the outlet of said internal cavity beyond the front edge of the second cover member, and means carried by the second side cover member for locking said cover member to the tie member against movement toward the free outer end of the tie member.

2. ln a loose-leaf binder, the combination of a side cover member, a flexible back cover member held at one side thereof to said side member, a second side cover member provided with a pocket in which said back member telescopically engages at the oppositev side of the back member and also having van internal cavity having an outlet through the front edge of said cover member, a pair of leaf-clamping bars pivotally held tothe side cover members at the rear edges of said members, a plurality of leaf-binding thongs secured at one end to the bar pivoted to the first side' cover member, the second side cover member and the bar pivoted thereto having registering apertures through which the thongs extend into the cavity in said second Y side cover member, a thong anchor bar to which the thongs are secured at their otherV ends loosely confined in the cavity in lsaid second cover member for shifting movement edgewise fore and aft of said member, a flexible tie membersecured at its inner end to said anchor bar midway the ends of said bar and having its free outer 'end extending forwardly through the outlet of said internal cavity beyond the front edge of the second cover member, and means carried by the second side cover member within the cavity therein for securing said cover member to the tie member against movement toward the free outer end of the tie member,

, said second side cover member having an opening in its inner face affording access to said cover member securing means.

In a loose-leaf binder,'the combination of a side cover member, a flexible back cover member held at one side thereof to said side member, a second side cover member provided with a pocket in which said back member telescopically engages at the opposite side of the back member and also having an internal cavity having an outlet through the front edge of said cover member, a pair of leaf-clamping bars pivotally held to the side cover members at the rear edges of said members, a plurality of leafbinding thongs securedjat one end to the bar pivoted to the first side cover member, they second side cover member and the bar lli() pivoted thereto yhaving registering apertures through which the thongs extend finto the cavity -in said second side cover member, a thong anchor bar to which the thongs are secured at their other ends loosely confined in the cavity in said second cover member for shifting movement edgewise fore and aft of said member, a flexible tie member secured at its inner end to said anchor bar midway the ends of said bar and having its free outer end extending forwardly through the outlet of said internal cavity beyond the front edge of the second cover member, clamping. vmeans carried by the second side cover member for gripping the tie member releasable by movement of said cover member toward the free end of the tie member, and means carried by "the second side cover member for positively locking the clamping` means against release movement.

Ll; In ar loose-leaf binder, the combination of a side cover member, a flexible back cover member held at one sidethereof to said side member, a second side cover member provided with a pocket in which said back member telescopically engages at the opposite side of the back member and also having an internal cavity having an outlet through the front edge of said cover -member, apair of leaf-clamping bars pivotally held to the side cover members at the rear edges of said members, a plurality of leafbinding thongs secured at one end to the bar pivoted to the first side cover member, the second side cover member and the bar pivoted thereto havingvregistering apertures through which the thongs extend into the cavity in said second side cover member, a thong anchor bar to which the thongs are secured at their other ends loosely confined inthe cavity in said second cover member for shifting movement edgewise fore and aft of Vsaid member, a flexible tie member secured at its inner end to said anchor bar mid-Way the ends of said bar and having its free outer end extending forwardly through the outlet of said internal cavity beyond 4the front edge of the second cover member. a fixed clamp member held to the second side cover member at one face of the tie member,y a pivoted clamp member journalled on said fixed clamp member at the opposite face of the tie member, a lever connected to said pivoted member to rock the tie-member gripping edge thereof toward the `lixed member and the front edge of the second side coverV member to a gripping position at an angle to the face vof said cover member, and means carried by saidsecond cover'member for positively holding said lever against release movem'ent,.said cla-mp members and the lever holding means being housed in the cavity in the second .cover member'a'nd said cover member having an 'f opening in its inner face affording access to the lever-holding means and through 'which the lever is rocked into the cavity when actuated to move the pivoted clamp member togripping position.

5. ln a loose-leaf binder, the combination of side cover members each comprising a rigid section having a covering 'for its outer face of iexible sheet material secured thereto around its top and bottom edges and front edge and free therefrom at its outer face and rear edge, the sheet material covering the outer face of one cover member having an integral flap extending from its rear edge and telescoping between the outer face of the rigid section of the other yside cover member and the inner face of the ilexible cover of said latter side cover member, the rigid section of said latter side member having a cavity therein and being provided With slots extending fore and aft thereof connecting `said cavity with the outer face of said rigid section, a thong anchor bar shiftable in said cavity edgewise fore and aft of the cavity, a pair of leaf-clamping bars extending along the rear` edges of the side cover members and pivotally held to the rigid sections thereof, the clamping bar on the cover member having the cavity be ing' provided with transverse apertures and the rigid section of said cover member having openings in alinement with said apertures connecting the cavity with the rear edge of said section, binding thongs anchored at one end to said anchor bar and extending through said openings in they rigid cover section and the apertures in the adjacent clamping bar and having their opposite ends secured to the clamping bar pivoted to the other cover member, connecte mg devices extending from the anchor bar through the slots in the rigid section of the adjacent cover member to the free end of the flap and secured to said bar and flap, and means for holding the cover member in Which the anchor bar is housed against forward movement relatively to the anchor br. c

6, ln a loose-leaf binderr` the combination side cover-members each comprising a id section having' a covering for its outer A.ace of flexible sheet material secured thereto around its top and bottom edges and front edge and free therefrom at its outer face and rear edge, the sheet material covery ing the outer face of one cover member hav!v ing an integral flap extending from its rear edge and telescoping between the'outer face ofthe rigid section of the other side cover member and the inner face of the flexible cover of said latter side cover member, the rigid section of said latter side `member having a cavity therein and being provided with slots extending fore and aft thereof connecting said cavity With the outer face of said rigid section, a thong anchor bar shiftable in said cavity edgewise fore and aft of the cavity, a pair of leaf-clamping bars extending along the rearr edges of the side cover members and pivotally held to the rigid sections thereof, the clamping bar on the cover member having the cavity being provided with transverse apertures and the rigid section ot said cover member having openings in alinement with said apertures connecting the cavity with the rear edge ot' said section, binding thongs anchored at one end to said anchor bar and extending through said openings in the rigid cover section and theapertures in the adjacent clamping bar and having their opposite ends secured to the clamping bar pivoted to the other cover member, connecting devices extending from the anchor bar through the slots in the rigid section ot the adjacent cover member to the free end ot the dap and secured to said bar and flapr` a flexible tie member secured at one end to the anchor bar midway the ends of the bar, the cover member housing` the bar having an outlet from the cavity through which said tie member extendsn and means in said cavity mounted on the rigid section ot the cover' member for gripping the tie member, the rigid section'ot' the cover member containing the cavity having an opening in its inner face aiording access to said tie member gripping means.

7. 1n a loose-leaf binder of the book type, the combination .of aside cover member having a recess in its rear edge. a hinge plate extending fore and aft of said cover member having a vertical slot in one end and its other end extending into the recess in said member` `fastening devices securing said plate to said member, a leaf-clamping bar ot substantially7 semicircular cross-section extending` along the rear edge of the cover member having a recess in its tla-t face and a recess in its convex face connected by a restricted passage, and a hinge strap extending through the slot in the hinge plate and doubled upon itself, the two ends of said strap passing through the restricted passage in the bar and being bent laterally outwardly away trom each other in the recess at the flat face of the bar.

S. In a. loose-leaf binder of the book type, the combination of a. side cover member having a recess in its rear edge. a hinge plate extendingftore and att of said cover member having a vertical slot in one end and its other end extending into the recess in said member. fastening devices securing said plate to said member, a. leaf-clamping bar of substantially semicircular cross-section extending along the rear edge ot the cover member havingja recess in its tia-t face and a recess in its convex face con nected by a restricted passage, a hinge strap ext-ending through the slot in the hinge plate and doubled upon itself, the two ends ot said strap passing through the restricted passage in the bar and being bent laterally outwardly away 'trom each other in the recess at the fiat tace or the bar, and a metal plate welded to the laterally bent ends of the strap and seated in the recess in the fiat tace ot the bar with its outer face flush with the flat tace of the bar.

9, 1n a loose-leaic binder, the combination of a: cover memben a clamping bar extending along the rear edge of the cover member, a plurality ot parallel binding thongs secured at one end to said bar, an anchor bar to which the other ends ot the thongs are connected a second cover member slidably held to the thongs, a second clamping bar extending along the rear edge of the second cover member and provided with apertures through which the thongs loosely extend. hinges connecting each clamping bar to the adjacent cover member, a clamp carried by the second cover member, and a tie member connected at one end with the anchor bar midway the ends of the bar and extending tore and aft of the second cover member through said clamp, said clamp being manually operable to grip the tie member and releasable from gripping relation with the tie member by manual shitting of the second cover member relatively to the first cover member in a. direction to separate the clamping'bars.

lO. In a loose-leaf binder? the combination of a cover member. a clamping bar extending along the rear edge of the cover member, a plurality of parallel binding thongs secured at one end to said bainy an anchor bar to which the other ends of the thongs are connecteda second cover member slidably held to the thongs, a second clamping bar extending along the rear edge ot the second cover member and provided with apertures through which the thongs loosely extend1 hinges connecting each clamping bar to the adjacent cover member, a clamp carried by the second cover member, a tie member connected at one end with the anchor bar midway the ends of the bar and extending fore and att ot the second cover member through said clamp` said clamp being manually operable to grip the tie member and releasablectrom gripping relation with the tie member by manual shifting ot the second cover member relatively to the first cover member in a direction to separate the clamping bars. and means carried by the second cover memberpiior positively holding the clamp against release movement.

1l. InY a loose-leaf binder, the combination of a cover member, a clamping bar extending along the` rear edge of the cover member', a plurality of parallel binding thongs secured at one end to said bar, an anchor bar to which the other ends of the thongs are connected, a second cover member slidably held to the thongs, a second clamping bar extending along the rear edge of the second cover member and provided With apertures through which the thongs loosely extend, hinges connecting each clamping bar to the adjacent cover member, a clamp carried by the second cover member, a tie member connected at one end with the anchor bar midway the ends of the bar and extending fore and aft of the second cover member through said clamp, said clamp being manually operable to grip the tie member and releasable from gripping relation With the tie member by manual shifting of the second cover member relatively to the rst cover member in a direction to separate the clamping bars, and a manually releasable latch carried by the second cover member adapt-ed to automatically engage a part of the clamp and hold the clamp in gripping position When the clamp is operated to grip the tie member.

l2. In a loose-leaf binder, the combination of a cover member, a clamping bar extending along the rear edge of the cover member, a plurality of parallel binding thongs secured at one end to said bar, an anchor bar to Which the other ends of the thongs are connected, a second cover member slidably held to the thongs, a second clamping bar extending along the rear edge of the second cover member and provided with apertures through which the thongs loosely extend, hinges connecting each clamping bar to the adjacent cover member, a clamp carried by the second cover member, a tie member connected at one end with the anchor bar midway the ends of the bar and extending fore and aft of the second cover .member through said clamp, said clamp being manuallj7 operable to grip the tie member and releasable 'from gripping relation with -the tie member by manual shifting of the second cover member relatively to the first cover member in a direction to separate the clamping bars, a manually releasable latch carried by the second cover member adapted to automatically engage a part of the clamp and hold the clamp in gripping position when the clamp is operated to grip the tie member, and key-operated means :tor locking the latch in engagement with said part of the clamp. l,

13. In a loose-leaf binder, the combination of a cover member, a clamping bar extending along the rear edge of the cover member, a plurality ot parallel binding thongs secured at one end to said bar, an anchor bar to which the other ends of the thongs are connected, a second cover member slidably held to the thongs, a second clamping bar extending along the rear edge of the second cover member and provided With apertures through which the thongs loosely extend, hinges connecting each clamping bar to the adjacent cover member, a clamp carried by the second cover member, a tie member connected at one end with the anchor bar midway the ends of the bar and extending fore and aft of the second cover member through said clamp, said clamp being manually operable to grip the tie member and. releasable it'rom gripping relation With the tie member by manual shifting ot the second cover member relatively to the first cover member in a direction to separate the clamping bars, a clamp carried by the first cover member through which the free end of the tie member is adapted to be passed to hold the cover members in closed position, and key-operated locking means carried by the first cover member for locking the clamp on said member in gripping relation with the tie member, said second clamp being operable from the outer face o't the first cover member to grip the tie member.

14;. In a loose-leaf binder, the combination of a cover member, a clamping bar extending along the rear edge of the cover member, a plurality of parallel binding thongs secured at one end to said bar, an anchor bar to which the other ends of the thongs are connected, a second cover member slidably held to the thongs, a second clamping bar extending along the rear edge of the second cover member and provided with apertures through which the thongs loosely extend, hinges connecting each clamping bar to the adjacent cover member, a clamp carried by the second cover member, a tie member connected at one end With the anchor bar midway the ends of the bar and extending fore and aft of the second cover member through said clamp, said clamp being manually operable to grip the tie member and releasable from gripping relation with the tie member by manual shifting of the second cover member relatively to the first cover member in a direction to separate the clamping bars, a clamp carried by the first cover member through which the free end of the tie member is adapted to be passed to hold the cover members in closed position, and key-operated locking means carried by the first cover melnber for locking the clamp on said member in gripping relation with the tie member, said second clamp being operable from the outer face of the lirst cover member to grip the tie member and releasable by a pull on the tie member when freed from said key-operated locking means.

l5. A loose-leaf binder of the book type comprising relatively shiftable cover members and extensible and oontractible leafintermediate said locking means extending holding means, characterized by the proviaround the forward edges of leaves held in sion of a iiexible tie member connected at the binder. Y 10 one end to a part of said leaf-holding means, In testimony whereof I hereunto aix my 5 and means carried by each cover member for l signature.

looking the cover members to said tie member With the portion of said tiemember GEORGE A. BENNETT.

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