WO2008001133A1

WO2008001133A1 - Book binding

Info

Publication number: WO2008001133A1
Application number: PCT/GB2007/050360
Authority: WO
Inventors: Beverley Pyke
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-06-27
Filing date: 2007-06-27
Publication date: 2008-01-03
Anticipated expiration: 2008-12-27
Also published as: GB2433914B; GB0612612D0; GB2433914A

Abstract

An outer spine member (2) and an inner spine member (3) engage with one another about a coil binding (4) that engages rectangular apertures (5) at the edges of book pages (6). The outer spine member (2) comprises a generally flat title strip (5) of plastic material, formed at each end with bosses (21) that fit alongside the end loops of the coil binding (4). The inner spine member (3) comprises a plastic rod having ends that engage within the boss's (21). A gap between the rod (3) and the edges of the book pages (6) facilitates the turning of the page (6) and allows the book to be opened flat. The spine member's (2) and (3) reinforce the coil binding (4) and provide an outer surface on which a title may be displayed.

Description

BOOK BINDING

The present invention relates to book binding.

Books have been bound for hundreds of years. The traditional hardback book comprises sewn sections that are assembled together in a cover. Ξ This is a relatively time-consuming and expensive process. In cheaper paperback books, the pages are typically held together by an adhesive — for example, using the so-called perfect binding method.

Various binding systems are available for custom bindings, ranging from one-off office reports to low-volume specialist publications. Plastic comb C bindings engage rectangular apertures in assembled pages of a book. A spiral wire binding engages circular apertures in assembled pages of a book. A twin- looped coil binding makes tongue shapes out of wire to engage rectangular apertures in assembled pages of a book, rather like the plastic comb binding but stronger. Modern wire bindings typically use a metal wire with a tough plastics Ξ coating. Plastic comb and wire bindings will be very well known to the skilled reader and therefore are not further described in great detail here. For convenience, all such bindings are referred to in the context of this specification as "coil" bindings, made from "coil members".

Hardback and paperback book binding methods lend themselves well to C mass production. However, they have a distinct practical disadvantage in that the books have to be held by hand or placed on some kind of stand in order that they may be held open. They do not naturally lie flat and open. They can sometimes be made to lie flat at a particular page by applying excessive force to the binding. However, this tends to break down the spine and eventually the Ξ book may come to pieces. A well-known advantage of coil bindings is that, in general, they allow a book to be opened flat. Readers of workshop manuals, reference books and recipe books have long recognised this advantage. However, readers of books more generally will also find it much more convenient if books could easily be Ξ opened and laid flat.

A disadvantage of coil bindings is that they may be rather weak, as compared to a well-made hardback or paperback book. Another disadvantage is that the coil binding generally affords little opportunity to display a title. Therefore, it becomes very difficult to locate a desired volume on a bookshelf.

C US 4,596,482 (Salzer) shows a backing for affixing a title label to a comb binding. However, this provides no strengthening within the comb binding and may interfere with the easy opening and laying flat of the book. US 7,052,045 (Park) shows another way to label a book with a coil binding. This comprises a small title clip that attaches to the coil binding. However, rather than adding Ξ strength to the coil binding, the title clip relies upon the coil binding to support it.

WO 2004/076200 (Figueroa) discloses a "folder" for spiral-system bookbinding, in which an elongate tube is arranged to pass within a spiral and be retained by a body component. US 2,178,887 (Fabry) discloses a "binder" that C incorporates a plastic comb system. However, in each case, the whole teaching is to provide a complete folder having front and back covers within which papers are enclosed. In this respect, the disclosures of Figueroa and Fabry may be regarded as variations of the well-known ring binder, each providing complete enclosures for pages to be bound. Preferred embodiments of the present invention aim to provide book binding systems that may be generally improved in the foregoing respects.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention aim to provide a sturdier and more complete binding of a coil-bound publication that possesses Ξ its own covers that are also bound by the coil.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a book binding system comprising:

an elongate coil member adapted to engage apertures at the edges of pages of a book, thereby to bind the pages; C an elongate outer spine member extending between the ends of said coil member, externally thereof; and

an inner spine member extending between the ends of said coil member, internally thereof:

such that the coil member is reinforced by the inner and outer spine Ξ members engaged about the coil member and said outer spine member presents an outer surface to display a title.

Preferably, said inner and outer spine members are joined directly together.

Preferably, said inner and outer spine members are joined together as a C snap-fit or interference fit.

Said inner and outer spine members may be joined together at a plurality of positions along their lengths. Preferably, said inner and outer spine members are joined together at their respective ends.

Preferably, said inner spine member is of cylindrical cross-section.

Preferably, said inner spine member is of circular cross-section.

Ξ Preferably, said outer spine member is of a generally flat or arcuate shape.

Said coil member may be of spiral configuration.

Preferably, said coil member defines tongues adapted to engage in rectangular holes of respective book pages.

C Preferably, said coil member comprises a wire.

Preferably, said coil member comprises a plastics material.

Preferably, said coil member is of substantially circular cross-section.

Said coil member may have a flattened outer face against which said outer spine member abuts.

Ξ Preferably, said inner and outer spine members extend for substantially the full length of said coil member.

Preferably, said inner and outer spine members extend beyond the ends of said coil member. Said inner and outer spine members may extend for less than the full length of said coil member.

The invention extends to a book that has been bound by a book binding system according to any of the preceding aspects of the invention.

Ξ Preferably, a space is defined between said inner spine member and opposing edges of the book pages.

Preferably, a title is printed on said outer spine member.

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be C made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates one example of an embodiment of a book binding system, in side elevation;

Figure 2 shows the binding system of Figure 1 in top plan view;

Ξ Figure 3 shows the binding system of Figures 1 and 2 in end elevation;

Figure 4 shows an inner face of an outer spine member of the binding system of Figures 1 to 3, together with a plastics rod;

Figure 5 is a first detailed perspective view of the top of the binding system shown in Figures 1 to 4; - t -

Figure 6 is a second detailed perspective view of the top of the binding system shown in Figures 1 to 5; and

Figure 7 is a detailed perspective view of a modified embodiment.

In the figures, like references denote like or corresponding parts.

Ξ The book binding system 1 illustrated in Figures 1 to 6 comprises an outer spine member 2 and an inner spine member 3 that snap-engage with one another about a twin-looped wire coil binding 4 that is otherwise of conventional design and engages rectangular apertures 5 formed at the edges 61 of pages 6 of a book, thereby to bind the pages.

C The outer spine member 2 is in the form of a generally flat title strip of plastics material, formed at each end with respective bosses 21 that fit alongside the end loops of the coil binding 4. In this example, the outer face 22 of the title strip 2 is slightly convex, but alternatively, it may be completely flat. The inner face 23 of the tide strip 2 is formed with projections in the form of nipples 24 Ξ that engage the coil binding 4 to restrict movement of the coil binding 4 with respect to the title strip 2. This may be to restrict such movement longitudinally of the tide strip 2 or to restrict angular movement of the coil binding 4 - or both of these. The nipples 24 may engage the ends of loops of the coil binding 4.

The inner spine member 3 is in the form of a plastics rod having ends C that snap-engage within respective holes in the bosses 21 of the tide strip 2. As may be seen in Figure 2, a gap is provided between the rod 3 and the edges 61 of the book pages 6, to facilitate the turning of the pages 6 in the coil binding 4 and to allow the pages 6 of the book to be opened flat. Figure 2 shows outer cover / -

pages 62 in an opened-flat position, with their inner edges abutting respective sides of the bosses 21.

It may be appreciated that the illustrated book binding system 1 may be implemented very cheaply, simply and effectively. The book may be bound with Ξ the coil binding 4 in a conventional manner. Then, in order to provide a tide strip and spine, the tide strip 2 is placed against the outer face of the coil binding 4, and one end of the plastics rod 3 is inserted through one end the coil binding 4 and a respective one of the bosses 21 until it reaches the other of the bosses 21, where one or each end of the plastics rod 3 is snap-engaged in its respective 1 C boss 21. The assembly of the tide strip 2 and rod 3 about the coil binding 4 together provide significant reinforcement to the coil binding 4.

Various resilient snap-engagement means may be provided between the rod 3 and tide strip 2, and/or alternative securing means (e.g. friction-fit or interference fit) may be provided. As another example, the tide strip 2 may be 1 Ξ provided on its inner face 23 with resilient jaws configured to snap-engage about the rod 3.

For large runs, the title strip 2 may be pre-printed with tide information. For custom bindings, one may write direcdy on the tide strip 2 or apply a printed label to it. Thus, one may readily locate the book on a bookshelf and pull it z C from the shelf without damaging the coil binding 4.

Books come in various sizes. However, experience shows that they tend to be of standard heights — for example, A4 and A5 sizes in Europe. A few standard diameters of coil bindings 4 have been found sufficient to accommodate most needs. Therefore, tide strips such as 2 and rods such as 3 may be provided in just a few standard sizes to accommodate most needs. - £ -

By way of example, the coil binding 4 in Figure 1 may have a diameter of 14 mm, the title strip 2 may have a width of 14 mm, the rod 3 may have a diameter of 3 mm and the bosses 21 an outer diameter of 6 mm. In an alternative example, the coil binding 4 may have a diameter of 9 mm, the title Ξ strip may have a width of 9 mm, the rod 3 may have a diameter of 3 mm and the bosses 21 an outer diameter of 6 mm.

In the above examples, the widths of the title strip 2 match the diameter of the coils. Alternatively, the widths may be somewhat smaller or greater than the coil diameters.

C Although, in the illustrated embodiment, the title strip 2 and the rod 3 are of plastics materials, they may be made of other materials. Although a twin- looped coil binding 4 is illustrated, other coil bindings may be used.

The coil binding 4 may be provided with a substantially flat face adjacent the title strip2, which may therefore fit more closely against the coil binding 4. Ξ The rod 3 may conveniently be of circular cross-section but may alternatively be of any other suitable cross-sectional shape, cylindrical or otherwise.

The title strip 2 may be provided with, for example, a ridged portion to assist gripping the book to pull it from a bookshelf.

It is found convenient for the title strip 2 and rod 3 to interengage at the C ends of the title strip 2. However, they may interengage at other positions.

Although it is practical for the title strip 2 and rod 3 to interengage at at least two positions, it is conceivable that they may be attached together at only one point. _ c _

It is found convenient for the title strip 2 and rod 3 to be of substantially the same length and extend for substantially the full height of the book pages 6. However, they may be of shorter lengths - e.g. at least 50%, 60%, 70%, 80% or 90% of the height of the book or its pages 6.

Ξ Referring now to the variant of Figure 7, a boss 21 is formed as part of a moulded plasties block 25, which is also formed with a pair of pips 26. A respective plasties block 25 engages each end of an elongate strip 20 to form the title spine 2, in this example. The elongate strip 20 is conveniently formed as a plastics extrusion. The blocks 25 and strip 20 may be secured together in any C convenient way - e.g. by adhesive or ultrasonic welding, or at least partly by a snap or interference fit. As may be seen, the rod 3 engages a respective hole in the boss 21 as previously described and also engages between the pips 26, which are so positioned that, in use, they engage a respective ring binder coil.

A particular advantage of the embodiment of Figure 7 is that the strip Ξ 20 may be extruded as a standard item and simply cut to desired lengths.

Likewise, the blocks 25 may be moulded as standard items and subsequently affixed to opposite ends of a strip 20. Strips such as 20 may be manufactured in different widths (e.g. 15mm, 20mm, ...) each arranged to receive the blocks 25, which need be provided in only one standard width (although different widths C may be provided if desired). In the example of Figure 7, the block 25 has an overall length of 25mm; the boss 21 has a length (in the axial direction of the rod 3) of 6mm; and the pips 26 are located 8mm below the bottom of the boss 21. As in the previous example, the rod 3 may have a diameter of 3mm, although other diameter rods may be used. For a 3mm diameter rod and block Ξ of lmm thickness (apart from boss 21 and pips 26), the centre of the hole in the boss 21 and the free ends of the pips 26 may be positioned 3.7 mm from the outer surface of the centre of the block 25. - 1 C -

The cross-sectional shape of the strip 20 is such as to define two ribs 27 of generally circular cross-section at opposite sides of the strip 20, joined by a generally arcuate web 28. The block 25 is likewise arcuate, to fit closely against the strip 20. If the width of the block 25 is made similar to that of the web 28 Ξ between the ribs 27, the block may engage the ribs 27 as a snap or interference fit, such that the ribs 27 serve at least partially to retain the block 25 in engagement with the strip 20.

The apertures 5 in the pages 6 of a book may be of various different sizes and pitches. For example, they may be 4mm square holes at a pitch of C 8.47mm, spaced 2mm from the edge of the pages 6. An alternative is rectangular holes with a height of 5.5mm and a width of 3.5mm, at a pitch of 12.7mm.

It will be appreciated that the illustrated embodiments of the invention provide a book binding system that incorporates the advantages of coil bindings, Ξ such as the ability to open a book flat and the ability to produce both short and long runs of books, whilst overcoming the disadvantages of lack of labelling and lack of strength. The illustrated tide strips provide an easy and effective way to label books, ranging from professional high-quality printing and engraving to the application of labels or simply writing on them. The title strip and rod not only C protect and reinforce the coil binding, which can otherwise be subject to damage, but afford increased overall rigidity to the book, such that it may stand up better: coil bound books can have a tendency to flop over, through insufficient rigidity. Such advantages are afforded without the need for complete folders or covers that surround or enclose the whole book. Thus the outer Ξ cover pages of the bound book can also be on the coil binding. In this specification, the verb "comprise" has its normal dictionary meaning, to denote non-exclusive inclusion. That is, use of the word "comprise" (or any of its derivatives) to include one feature or more, does not exclude the possibility of also including further features.

Ξ The reader's attention is directed to all and any priority documents identified in connection with this application and to all and any papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are C incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually Ξ exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a C generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel Ξ combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. A book binding system comprising:

a. an elongate coil member adapted to engage apertures at the edges of pages of a book, thereby to bind the pages;

Ξ b. an elongate outer spine member extending between the ends of said coil member, externally thereof; and c. an inner spine member extending between the ends of said coil member, internally thereof:

such that the coil member is reinforced by the inner and outer spine C members engaged about the coil member and said outer spine member presents an outer surface to display a title.

2. A book binding system according to claim 1, wherein said inner and outer spine members are joined directly together.

3. A book binding system according to claim 2, wherein said inner and Ξ outer spine members are joined together as a snap-fit or interference fit.

4. A book binding system according to claim 1 , 2 or 3, wherein said inner and outer spine members are joined together at a plurality of positions along their lengths.

5. A book binding system according to claim 4, wherein said inner and C outer spine members are joined together at their respective ends. - 1 2 -

6. A book binding system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said inner spine member is of cylindrical cross-section.

7. A book binding system according to claim 6, wherein said inner spine member is of circular cross-section.

Ξ 8. A book binding system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said outer spine member is of a generally flat or arcuate shape.

9. A book binding system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said coil member is of spiral configuration.

10. A book binding system according to any of the preceding claims, C wherein said coil member defines tongues adapted to engage in rectangular holes of respective book pages.

11. A book binding system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said coil member comprises a wire.

12. A book binding system according to any of the preceding claims, Ξ wherein said coil member comprises a plastics material.

13. A book binding system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said coil member is of substantially circular cross-section.

14. A book binding system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said coil member has a flattened outer face against which said outer C spine member abuts. - I A -

15. A book binding system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said inner and outer spine members extend for substantially the full length of said coil member.

16. A book binding system according to any of the preceding claims,

Ξ wherein said inner and outer spine members extend beyond the ends of said coil member.

17. A book binding system according to any of claims 1 to 14, wherein said inner and outer spine members extend for less than the full length of said coil member. C

18. A book binding system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

19. A book that has been bound by a book binding system according to any of the preceding claims.

20. A book according to claim 19, wherein a space is defined between said Ξ inner spine member and opposing edges of the book pages.

21. A book according to claim 19 or 20, wherein a title is printed on said outer spine member.

22. A bound book substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.