Acco Brands Corporation

Michael Thom Snyder

Timothy Edward McKeown

David Little

R Hal Monson

A binder mechanism comprises a pair of prong plates pivotally connected by a retainer spring to toggle between a first raised position and a second lowered position. The prong plates include a plurality of ring segments affixed to the prong plates that are capable of forming loops. A cam mechanism is used to toggle the prong plates between the raised and lowered positions causing the ring segments to open or to close to form loops. The cam mechanism is preferably a slider located above the prong plates, the slider having ramps inserted through recesses between the prong plates. Preferably, the recesses are located adjacent to where the ring segments are attached to the prong plates. Cleats may hold the parts of the binder mechanism together and keep the mechanism attached to a binder assembly. Preferably, the retainer spring is in the form of a top spring covering both the slider and prong plates. A handle may be attached to both the top spring and slider such that when the handle is pivoted it moves the slider longitudinally away from the handle causing the ramps to contact the prong plates adjacent the recesses resulting in the prong plates moving upward or downward to open or close the ring segments to form loops.

Growing community of inventors

Chicago, IL, United States of America

Michael Thom Snyder