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  Method of manufacturing a ring mechanismUSPTO Application #: 20070283542Title: Method of manufacturing a ring mechanism Abstract: A method of manufacturing a ring mechanism for retaining loose leaf pages includes forming a generally planar frame element blank having ears with openings. The ears project from the blank and lie generally in the plane of the blank. The ears are bent so that the ears lie substantially in a plane forming an angle with the plane of the blank. Ring members are mounted on the blank. The ring members are adapted to mate with other ring members to form a closed ring for retaining the loose leaf pages. A hinge pin is inserted through the bent ears whereby a frame element made from the frame element blank is pivotable on the hinge pin. (end of abstract)
Agent: Senniger Powers - St Louis, MO, US Inventor: Hung Yu Cheng USPTO Applicaton #: 20070283542 - Class: 029013000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Metal Working, Paper-fastener Making The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070283542. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/900,242 filed Jul. 27, 2004, entitled Ring Binder Mechanism. The entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to binders for holding loose leaf pages, and in particular to a binder having an improved hinge. BACKGROUND [0003] A typical ring binder mechanism retains loose-leaf pages, such as hole-punched papers, in a file or notebook. The mechanism generally features multiple rings, each including two half ring members capable of selectively opening to add or remove papers, or selectively closing to retain papers and allow them to move along the rings. The ring members are typically mounted on an elongate housing or frame for movement between the open and closed position. Most commonly, the ring members are mounted on respective hinge plates supported by the frame. Usually the frame is riveted or otherwise attached to the spine of the ring binder cover. It is known to pivotally attach the frame to the cover by way of a hinged connection with a bracket. This arrangement has been used to allow a greater range of motion of the notebook cover than if the frame was directly mounted on the spine. For example, a ring binder with a bracket is commonly able to be folded so that the faces of the front cover and the back cover of the notebook are directly opposed to each other. Ring binders without brackets are typically limited in rotation of the covers to about 180 degrees. [0004] The hinged connection is conventionally a piano hinge, formed by aligned knuckles on the frame and bracket which receive a hinge pin. While this construction is generally satisfactory there are a few drawbacks. Forming knuckles on the frame and the bracket requires that they be made of a relatively malleable material. These materials can be more expensive than the sheet metal normally used to form the ring binder mechanism. Malleable materials tend to be softer than the usual sheet metal materials used to form ring binder mechanisms. In order to make up for this lack of strength, the sheet metal material has to be thicker. Therefore, the ring binder mechanism requires more material and is bulkier in construction. SUMMARY [0005] A method of manufacturing a ring mechanism for retaining loose leaf pages generally comprises forming a generally planar frame element blank having ears with openings. The ears project from the blank and lie generally in the plane of the blank. The ears are bent so that the ears lie substantially in a plane forming an angle with the plane of the blank. Ring members are mounted on the blank. The ring members are adapted to mate with other ring members to form a closed ring for retaining the loose leaf pages. A hinge pin is inserted through the bent ears whereby a frame element made from the frame element blank is pivotable on the hinge pin. [0006] Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0007] FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective of a ring binder having a ring binder mechanism of the present invention; [0008] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary end elevation of the ring binder and ring binder mechanism; [0009] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary end elevation of the ring binder mechanism similar to FIG. 2 with a back cover and front cover in coplanar relation with a frame of the mechanism pivoted away from the bracket; [0010] FIG. 4 is the fragmentary end elevation of FIG. 3 with the frame pivoted toward the bracket; [0011] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary end elevation of the ring binder with the back cover and front cover in overlying relation and the frame pivoted away from the bracket; [0012] FIG. 6 is a fragmentary end elevation of another ring binder having front and back covers retained on rings of a ring mechanism in a closed position; [0013] FIG. 7 is the end elevation of FIG. 6 with the front and back covers of the ring binder in an open position; [0014] FIG. 8 is a fragmentary end elevation similar to FIG. 6 but with the front and back covers of the notebook in face-to-face relation; [0015] FIG. 9 is a perspective of the ring binder mechanism of FIG. 1 in a closed position; [0016] FIG. 10 is a side elevation of the mechanism of FIG. 9; [0017] FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the mechanism of FIG. 9; [0018] FIG. 12 is a longitudinal section of the mechanism taken along the line 12-12 of FIG. 11; [0019] FIG. 13 is a traverse section of the mechanism taken along the line 13-13 of FIG. 11; Continue reading... Full patent description for Method of manufacturing a ring mechanism Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Method of manufacturing a ring mechanism patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Method of manufacturing a ring mechanism or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Clamp device for connection Next Patent Application: Process for producing multilayer for a multilayer electronic device Industry Class: Metal working ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Method of manufacturing a ring mechanism patent info. 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