The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 21, 1998
Filed:
Oct. 11, 1994
Howard Mullin, Atherton, CA (US);
Peter David Doninelli, Morgan Hill, CA (US);
Duo Tang, Inc., Paw Paw, MI (US);
Abstract
Disclosed herein is a single piece molded locking snap ring assembly for use in holding looseleaf sheets together as in a two or three-ring binder. The assembly is a one-piece molded construction including an elongated longitudinal base section having upright retaining levers at each end, extending between two pivotally opposed ring support sections. Integral reduced cross section living hinge sections joining the base and ring sections and provide pivotal connection therein. The ring sections carry opposed ring segments for movement toward and away from one another into closed and open positions respectively. Integrally molded locking arms mounted at each end of the ring support sections carry free ends having oblique surfaces for contacting and pushing respective levers outward and projecting ledges having latching surfaces for latching with central channels defined in the levers. Offset ends of separated ring segment pairs and torsional spring members therebetween included in the ring sections provide tension to hold latching ledges in locked position in the latching channels.