Ring mechanism biased to closed and locked position

Patent 7534064 Issued on May 19, 2009. Estimated Expiration Date:

January 12, 2025. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

566717

651254

683019

857377

974831

1011391

1163179

1168260

1398034

1398388

More ...

Inventor

Cheng, Hung Yu

Assignee

World Wide Stationery Mfg. Co., Ltd.

Application

No. 10905606 filed on 01/12/2005

US Classes:

402/19RESILIENT SHEET RETAINER REQUIRING DEFLECTION FOR SHEET REMOVAL

Examiners

Primary: Ross, Dana
Assistant: Grabowski, Kyle

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Senniger Powers LLP

Foreign Patent References

10119121 DE 10/01/2001
1316438 EP 04/01/2003
1323545 EP 07/01/2003
1431065 EP 06/01/2004
1 336 765 FR 07/01/1962
1 346 864 FR 12/01/1963
2221924 FR 10/01/1974
2 238 332 FR 02/01/1975
868724 GB 05/01/1961
906279 GB 09/01/1962
952536 GB 03/01/1964
2231536 GB 11/01/1990
2251215 GB 07/01/1992
2275023 GB 08/01/1994
2292343 GB 02/01/1996
2387815 GB 10/01/2003
59-79379 JP 05/01/1984
61-18880 JP 02/01/1986
1299095 JP 12/01/1989
4-120085 JP 10/01/1992
2004098417 JP 04/01/2004
0119620 WO 03/01/2001
WO 01/19620 WO 03/01/2001
0181099 WO 11/01/2001

International Classes

B42F 3/02
B42F 13/02
B42F 3/04
B42F 3/00
B42F 13/12

Abstract

A ring binder mechanism that retains loose-leaf pages and has ring members that readily lock together in a closed position, preventing accidental opening of the ring members and loss of pages. The mechanism comprises a housing that supports two hinge plates for pivoting motion that brings the ring members to either an open position or the closed position. The mechanism further comprises a control structure supported by the housing for causing the pivoting motion of the hinge plates. A spring plate is engageable with the control structure for urging the control structure to move toward a position blocking pivoting motion of the hinge plates when the ring members move to the closed position.

Other References

Nov. 23, 2007 Office Action and references cited by Examiner in related U.S. Appl. No. 10/870,801, 36 pages.
Kokuyo Lock Ring Mechanism with description, two instruction sheets, and nine photographs, undated but admitted as prior art, 12 pgs.