WO1993023255A1 - Multifonctional and removable office accessory - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a multifonctional and removable office accessory intended to bundle papers, to combine itself with other accessories in a plurality of combinations, to act as communication support, that is to say to receive all types of graphisms or inscriptions to identify, classify, direct, organize the contents thereof, to receive removable descriptive plates allowing to multiply the preceding functions. This accessory is comprised of an undeformable and U-shaped body (1) of which each internal face carries fittings (2, 3) having deformable surfaces (4) capable of clamping bundles of papers (7). Its faces (14) as well as descriptive plates (15, 16) may receive graphisms or inscriptions. Known means allow to obtain any kind of assembly with other accessories. The invention is intended to personal, scholastic, professional, commercial, advertising applications, etc.

Description

 MULTIFUNCTIONAL AND REMOVABLE OFFICE ACCESSORY

The present invention relates to a multifunctional and removable office accessory, the main functions of which are: binding bundles of sheets, the possibility of joining together in multiple combinations, the possibility of serving as labels, benchmarks, identification, classify, direct, organize their content, both by their form and color as by their ability to receive inscriptions, indications and graphics of all kinds, to therefore be a communication medium. After having been connected by pins, the bundles of sheets are currently connected by folding corners, by paper clips or the like, by spring clips or by spring clips.

These last two exert on the sheets a clamping force of a fixed value but very localized, that is to say, on a very small surface of the sheets, which implies a non-negligible pressure. Paper clips or the like exert on the sheets a pinching force, also very localized, but whose value will decrease as the sheets are stressed - for example, by their weight - to come out of the paper clip. These aforementioned means all have the drawback of marking the sheets if not mutilating them, in addition, they cannot be assembled with one another nor are they particularly organized for signaling and / or transmitting messages.

The known means of indexing, tracking, labeling are unifunctional, are not organized to be assembled, cannot be used on bundles of sheets or ptévus, in this case, to be removable. In order to remedy these drawbacks at the same time as limiting the possibilities of using known means, the multifunctional and removable office accessory which is the subject of the present invention: exerts on the sheets a tightening force - by approximation of two parallel planes - distributed over a less reduced surface of the sheet - so, according to a pressure, that is to say, an aggression, less - and whose value is self-regulating according to needs, it that is to say, that the tightening ef¬ will increase as the sheets are stressed - for example, by their weight - out of the accessory, is organized to be assembled with other accessories similarly type, is designed to signalize, identify what it connects and for boli ser, constitute and / or transmit all messages and indications useful for its exploitation; it is the role of a communication medium.

These different characteristics are given to it by its organization which is as follows: its shell, essentially non-deformable, is made according to a very narrow U-shaped Drof l, with parallel branches, which forms a sort of small vice provided with deformable interior fittings , or even elastic, which constitute the clamping element, which is effected by bringing together two parallel planes, these linings can be, for example non-binding, rubber plates provided with ears or pins and fixed face to face — with the offset necessary to allow slight penetration of said pins or spikes on the internal faces of the non-deformable U-shaped shell.

The parallel clamping process is as follows: when one wants to connect a bundle of sheets, it pushes the between said two linings under the effect of this thrust, spikes or barbs s then ^the bow to deliver him passage and return to the ser¬ rage of the bundle the effort required to obtain their temporary deformation. When this bundle is requested - for example, by its weight - to come out of the accessory, it encourages the ears or spikes to return to their initial position, therefore, to. tighten it even more, which is systematic security.

The assembly can be made of any suitable material and be formed from one or more of these materials such as, metals, wood, ceramics, leather, glass, plastics, rubber, gums, natural or synthetic textiles, fabrics of all types, glass fabrics, non-woven fibers, felts, spongy materials, etc.

The shapes, dimensions and proportions of these accessories can vary infinitely depending on the needs. satisfied. The assembly of the accessories between them can be obtained by a wide variety of means, possibly offered by their shape and / or known per se, for example non-limiting, one of the faces of the accessory can carry projections or tenons , while the other face carries notches or mortises, assembly by magnet / s is also possible, these assembly means being organized to leave the largest possible free surface on the faces of the accessories in order to reserve these for their optical functions. To facilitate disassembly, the "backs" of the accessories can be joined to the upper and lower faces, either by rounded surfaces, or by flat but inclined surfaces, for example, at 45 °, relative to the "back" and on the upper and lower faces. The optical functions can be further improved by the addition of removable and pivotally mounted identification plates on the upper face of the accessory so that one can read or interpret its functions without disassembling the stack of accessories, by simply rotating the nameplate, which is provided, for this, a protrusion protruding from the accessory. These plates may bear any indications, drawings or graphics of any shape or color.

At least one of the faces of the shell may have a surface that can be read for erasable inscriptions, certain warning signs may also be provided to assume this function. Embossed and / or colored texts can also be provided both on the shell surfaces and on the rating plates. for example, Braille alphabet, graphics for children, etc.

According to a variant, less deformable linings are mounted internally to the hull on articulated supports controlled mechanically by means known per se, springs or other elastic materials can, possibly, be interposed between the linings and their supports and, even , constitute these said supports.

The assemblies are obviously applicable to the various embodiments, they are of three fundamental types: the superimposed assemblies in which the underside of an accessory is assembled to the upper face of another accessory, all or most of it of these surfaces being in contact, the perpendicular assemblies in which the "back" of an accessory is fixed to one of the surfaces of another accessory, for example non-limiting, by means of tenon / s and mortise / s, the juxtaposed assemblies in which the accessories are assembled by their "back" and / or by their lateral faces, for example non-limiting, by means of tenon / s and mortise / s and / or by projection / s and notch / s.

According to a variant which is particularly applicable to superposed assemblies, the upper part of an accessory has a small raised surface. tion over almost its entire surface capable of fitting between small ledges organized in the lower part of another accessory, the assembly s Operating thanks to the elasticity of these edges, these edges do not necessarily reign over the entire perimeter of the underside of an accessory, they can be interrupted and sized and spaced regularly or not and organized, depending on the contour of the elevation of the upper part of the accessory to be assembled, so as to facilitate Interlocking and disengagement of said accessories by a relative angular movement thereof. The flanges can still be replaced, if necessary, by small pins of a predetermined elasticity.

The nameplates can be made easily removable, for example non-mitative, by drilling them with a hole to fix them on a small vertical tenon provided with a bulge and integral with the upper face of the accessory. These nameplates are thus interchangeable, they can have all shapes, dimensions, colors, reliefs, proportions, etc., may or may not be provided with rings, hooks, magnets or other fixing means and / or gripping.

The accessories according to the invention can also include hooks or rings or magnets or other means of fixing and / or gripping on any of their faces, these can be articulated, pivotable, eclipsable. lead, these accessories can be provided with means of fixing on tables, such as points or magnets eclipsable and / or pivotable and / or articulated. The means and elements useful for operating the accessories according to the invention can be associated with them in a removable manner, such as - for example without limitation - by fitting or embedding "or magnetic or electromagnetic attraction.

Without departing from the scope of the invention, the accessories can have the most basic shapes? various rmin ^p s or p-ar a function such as, for example non-limiting, binding of a folder over the entire height of the sheets, folder binding with base allowing it to be positioned vertically, partial bindings or total bindings of a file allowing its suspension, etc., either to symbolize a brand or the identity of a company or for aesthetic and / or advertising reasons, etc. Elements such as watches, daters, scented plaques, etc., can also be incorporated into accessories.

Likewise, are included in the invention, additional elements allowing the exploitation such as - for example without limitation - bars or surfaces, of varied geometries, provided with pins or other means suitable for receiving and fixing these accessories, to use them as display stands, etc., portals or other supports making it possible to hang accessories there, or else storage and classification means specially designed for them.

Non-limiting examples of embodiment of the present invention are given below and illustrated by drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a set of accessories assembled and carrying bundles of sheets in different planes, FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of an accessory, FIG. 3 is a view from the right of FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is a section AA of FIG. 2, FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of an accessory provided with pins clamping a bundle of leaves, FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of an accessory provided with linings with deformable surfaces gripping a bundle of leaves, FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of an accessory provided with spikes gripping a bundle of leaves, FIG. 8 is a side elevation view showing the pin fittings in the rest position, FIG. 9, is a side elevation view showing spiked packings in the clamping position of a bundle of sheets inserted from the bottom up, FIG. 10 is a side elevation view showing a set of assembled accessories, FIG. 11 is a top view of FIG. 10, FIG. 12 is a detail, on a large scale, seen in section of the back-to-back assembly of the central accessories of FIG. 10, FIG. 13 is a view in elevation of the profile of accessories assembled by embedding the heightening of one of their faces in ledges organized in the other face, FIG. 14 is a view from the right of FIG. 13, FIG. 15 is a left view of FIG. 13, Figs. 16 and 17 are views of the two sides of the same accessory different from the previous one, Figs. 18 and 19, are views of the two sides of the same accessory different from the previous one, Figs. 20 and 21, are views of the two sides of the same accessory different from the previous one, Fig. .22, is an elevation view of the profile of accessories according to FIGS. 20 and 21, assembled and provided with identification plates, FIG. 23, is an elevation view of the upper face of an accessory, with inscription on erasable surface, Fig. 24, is a view of an accessory according to Fig. 23, with the addition of a nameplate with example of relief pattern, Fig. 25, is a view of an accessory according to Fig. 23 , with the addition of a nameplate provided with a ring, (company logo), Fig. 26, is a view from the left of Fig. 23, Fig. 27, is an elevational view of the upper face of an accessory fitted with a ring and provided with a nameplate having a knurled protuberance and bearing in relief an inscription in the Braille alphabet (V), FIG. .28, is a view on the left of Fig. 27, showing the assembly of two accessories of this type, Fig. 29, is a side view, in section, of an accessory according to a variant, FIG. 30, is a perspective view of the tightening fittings according to FIG. 29, and their supports, FIG. 31, is a partial profile view, in section, showing a device for opening the tightening linings, Fig. 32, is a perspective view of Fig. 31, Fig. 33, is a perspective view of the operating latch of the Fig.31 and 32, Fig.34, is a detail view of another operating device comprising an inner cam, Fig.35, is a side view, in section, of another embodiment of the variant, FIG. 36, is a section AA of FIG. 35. The accessory according to the invention (Fig. 1 to 8) consists of a non-deformable shell (1) U-shaped with narrow and parallel branches, the internal faces of which are provided with deformable linings (2), (3) who are joined to it by means known per se.

These linings carry deformable clamping elements which are either spikes (4) or spikes (5) or, again, form blocks (6) whose surface is sufficiently deformable and which can be produced, by way of non-limiting example, in spongy material, foam rubber, etc.

The pins (4) or ears (5) of the linings (2), (3) secured to the internal faces of the shells (1) are arranged with a slight offset, one with respect to the other, in order to allow a slight interpenetration of said pins (4) or spikes (5): this is highlighted in FIGS. 2, 5, 7 to 9.

When a bundle (7) is introduced between the linings (2)) to (6) of the accessory, it pushes the deformable surface of these linings (2), (3), (6) or the constituent elements (4) , (5) of this deformable surface, towards the bottom of the profile U forming the shell (1), thus reducing the total thickness of the linings by the thickness of the bundle. In the case of surface elements such as (4) or (5), interpenetrating, it is necessary to add, to the thickness of the bundle, the above-mentioned length of interpenetration, which increases the reduction total of the thickness of the linings and corresponds to an increased mechanical force, during the introduction of the bundle, to obtain the inclination of the pins (4) or ears (5) necessary to allow passage to the bundle (7 ).

The elasticity of surfaces or surface elements such as (4) or (5) tends to bring them back to their initial position illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 8 and restores the clamping force of the bundle, the force necessary for its introduction into the accessory.

This force is exerted against the bundle by the displacement, towards their initial position, of the two parallel planes formed by the clamping surfaces (4), (5), (6) of the linings (2), (3), (6 ). It is obvious that any force exerted on the bundle - possibly by its own weight - in the direction of the open part of the shell (1) increases the tightening of the linings on the bundle (7), FIG. 5, 6, 7, 9: thus the effort for extracting the bundle (7) is greater than its effort for introduction. The accessories are assembled together, for example without limitation, by tenons (8) and mortises (9).

The back-to-back assembly of these accessories can be obtained by non-mitative example, by removable double tenons (10) with or without bulges (11).

The disassembly of the superimposed accessories is facilitated by the profiling of their which may have, for example non-limiting, cut sides (12) or curves (13).

The optical functions of the accessories require from them a sufficient flat surface (14) to write or carry the inscriptions or graphics required by their functions. These can still be exerted by descriptive plates (15), (16) pivotally mounted on the assembly studs (8) provided or not with bulges such as (11). Nameplates such as (16) can be provided with a hook or an operating and / or suspension ring (17) - also applicable to the accessories themselves - or a knurled protu¬ (18) . According to a variant given by way of nonlimiting example, the access object of the invention is formed by a shell (19) which contains two linings (20), (21) composed of a rigid part, metallic or other, the working surface of which is coated with a material which is not very deformable, carried and articulated by and on two supports, for example of steel wire <.22), (23) and provided with leaf springs ( 24), (25).

Opening levers (26), (27) can be secured to the supports (22), (23) in order to control their angular displacement in order to obtain the spacing of the linings (20), (21) and thus "open" access ¬ evening to introduce a bundle (7). When the levers (26), (27) are released, the linings (20), (21) returned by the springs (24) (25) tighten the bundle (7) and the accessory is thus found "closed".

The levers (26), (27) are controlled by manual means such as, for example, a pusher (28). They may each comprise a bent part (29), (30) and be controlled, either by the linear displacement of a lock (31), carrying operating ramps (32), (33), capable of sliding in the inside the accessory and manipulable by a striated part (34) accessible from the outside of said accessory, or by the angular displacement of an internal cam (35) also accessible from the outside and able to rotate between small studs ( 36), (37) inside the accessory by acting on the lever (38) accessible from the outside and secured to said cam (35). According to another non-limiting embodiment of this variant of the accessory, the latter comprises a non-deformable shell (39), made of plastic, metal or other material, secured to a set of two elastic arms or springs (40 ), (41) at the end of which two fittings or release elements (42), (43) are articulated. Their spacing ent can either be obtained by the introduction of the bundle (7), or be controlled by an opening pusher (44) accessible from the outside of the accessory.

The assemblies previously described, superimposed, perpendicular or juxtaposed are also applicable to these latter variants.

The superimposed assembly means can also be constituted by a small elevation (45) of almost the entire upper surface (46) of a shell (47) and by flanges (48), (49) or ( 50), (51), (52) or (53), (54), (55) or (53) to (58) louse (59) with breaks (60) on the underside (61) of the hull ( 47). The shape of the raised areas (45) and the arrangement, the number, the shape, the dimensions of the flanges (48) to (60) can advantageously be jointly determined so as to allow the interlocking and the disengagement of two consecutive accessories. by a relative angular movement of these. It is understood that the invention has only been described and shown as a non-limiting preferred example and that any technical equivalence may be provided in its constituent elements without going beyond its ambit, which is defined by the appended claims. The invention can be used both at personal and academic level as well as for professional, commercial, advertising uses, etc.

Claims

R E V E N D I C A T I O N S 1) Multifunctional and removable office accessory characterized in that it comprises: - means for binding bundles of sheets without risk of deterioration or marking, - means of assembling several accessories to each other in all possible combinations, - at least one of its faces offering a surface: . capable of receiving inscriptions or graphics from all kinds as well as all labeling, tracking, means of identification, classification or orientation, . whose shape, relief, color, odor are variable, without limitation, . suitable for receiving, in general, all means of communication and / or advertising, - its upper face organized to receive the addition of removable sign plates. 2) Multifunctional and removable office accessory according to revendica¬ tion 1) characterized in that the binding means of the bundles of sheets exert on them a clamping force by bringing two parallel planes repaired on the surface presented by these plans in order to obtain reduced pressure on the sheets, therefore, not very aggressive for them, in that a multifunctional and removable office accessory according to the invention consists of a non-deformable shell (1) profiled in a narrow U , with - parallel branches and provided with deformable linings (2), ^ solidari¬ sées on their internal faces and provided with deformable clamping elements such as pins (4), ears (5) or formed of blocks (6 ) whose surface is sufficiently deformable and capable of being produced, for example without limitation, in foam rubber, spongy material, etc., in that the surface deformation of the linings obtained by the effo rt of introduction of bundles of sheets, restores it in the form of a clamping force, exerted in two parallel planes, by the surfaces of the linings tures (2), (3), (6) which tend to return to their original shape, in that these accessories are made of all suitable materials - and formed from one or more of these materials such as metals, wood, ceramics, leather, glass, plastics, rubber, gums, natural or synthetic textiles, fabrics of all types, glass fabrics, non-woven fibers, felts, spongy materials, etc., the list being non-limiting, in that the shapes, dimensions and proportions of the accessories vary infinitely depending on the needs to be satisfied. 3) Multifunctional and removable office accessories according to claim 1) characterized in that they can be assembled with one another in an infinite number of combinations by means known per se such as tenons (8) on one of their faces and mortises / on the other side, or again, protrusions on one side and notches on the other side and, in the case of back-to-back mortise assemblies on each back and double studs (10) with or without bulges (11), they are also assembled by magnets, the disassembly of superimposed accessories is facilitated by the profiling of their backs which have cut sides (12) or curves (13). 4) Multifunctional and removable office accessories according to reven¬ dication 1) characterized in that they have on their faces a free surface (14) large enough to receive inscriptions or graphics, erasable or not, of all shapes, colors, odors and reliefs, for example, Braille characters; graphics for children, etc., these means provide for the addition of removable descriptive plates (15), (16) pivotally mounted on assembly studs such (8) with or without bulges such as (11), integral with the upper face of an accessory, the plates (15), (16) are provided with a hook or an operating and / or suspension ring (17), magnets or other means of fixing or gripping - also applicable to the accessories themselves - as well as protrusions, projecting from the accessory, knurled (18), or not, to operate their pivoting 5) Accessory according to claim 1) characterized in that according to a variant, fittings (20), (21) composed of a metal plate whose working surface is coated with a material which is not very deformable, are mounted. and articulated inside a shell (19) on two steel wire supports (22), (23) provided with operating levers (26), (27) of the leaf springs (24), (25) hold the linings (20), (21) in the clamping position, the operating levers (26), (27) are controlled by means known per se such as a pusher (28), the operating levers (26) , (27) optionally each have a bent part (29), (30) and are controlled by a lock (31) sliding inside the accessory and carrying maneuvering ramps (32), (33 ) and can be manipulated by a striated part (34) external to the accessory, said levers are also controllable by an internal cam (35), accessible from the outside, capable of turning between small studs internal to the accessory (36) , (37) and: provided with a control lever (38) accessible from the outside of the accessory. 6) accessory according to claim 5) characterized in that the non-deformable shell (39) made of plastic, metal or other suitable material is secured to two elastic arms or springs (40), (41) at the end of which two elements clamping (42), (43) are articulated, their spacing is obtained either by the introduction of the bundle (7), or by an opening pusher (44) accessible from outside the accessory. 7) Accessories according to claim 3) characterized in that they are stackable, juxtaposed or mountable perpendicularly relative to each other (Fig. 10 to 22), they comprise on the upper face (46) of a shell (47 ) a small elevation (45) over almost their entire surface, capable of fitting together between small flanges (48) to (59) organized in the underside (61) of the shell (47), the assembly taking place thanks to the elasticity of these flanges, the flanges (48) to (59) have ruptures (60), are sized and spaced regularly or not, organized according to the contour of the elevation (45) of the upper part to operate the interlocking and disengagement of two conductive accessories by a movement relative angular thereof, the edges (48) to (59) are optionally replaced by small spikes of a predetermined elasticity 8) Accessories according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that they include hooks and / or rings and / or magnets and / or any other means of fixing and / or gripping on a conch on their faces, these means are articulated and / or pivotable and / or eclipsable, they are provided with fixing means on tables such as tip / s or magnet / s eclipsable and / or pivotable and / or articulated, they are associable d 'a removable manner known per se, such as interlocking or embedding or magnetic or electromagnetic attraction that, to means or elements useful for their exploitation such as: bars or surface of varied geometry, provided with pins or other fixing means , various supports, storage means specially designed for this use. 9) Accessories according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that they have the most varied forms determined, for example not limiting, - either to connect a file over the entire height of its sheets and / or with a base allowing it to be positioned vertically, or to make partial or total bindings of a file allowing it to be suspended, etc., - either to symbolize a brand or the identity of a company, - either for aesthetic and / or advertising reasons, etc., elements such as watches, daters, scented plaques, etc., can also be incorporated into them.