subject: Raschig Bind Ring Mechanism [print this page] The raschig ring binding mechanism includes one or more partial rings which are slidably mounted in arcuate tracks in a base plate member for rotational movement between a loading position wherein an opening between the ends of the rings is accessible to install or remove sheets of paper or the like and a loaded position wherein the opening is located beneath the surface of the base plate member. The tracks, base plate member and rings include parts which cooperate to releasably lock the rings in the loaded position. In one embodiment, the raschig ring binding mechanism is installed on a one-piece cover including a spine section defined between laterally spaced hinged sections. The spine section is either mounted directly on the base plate member or sandwiched between the base plate member and a back plate member which are secured together with snap-in fingers. The binder can be transported in an unassembled condition and assembled at the point of use by the user.
A raschig ring binding mechanism according to claim 5 wherein said locking recess further includes retainer means for releasably preventing said second end portion of said ring from being moved in an unlocking direction toward an unlocked position opposite to said locking direction.
Heavy duty raschig ring binders used for photo albums, parts catalogs, salesmen presentation kits, student notes and classroom materials, office records and the like typically include a plurality of generally O-, U- or D- shaped metal rings for holding apertured sheets of paper or the like. These rings divide in half to open and are opened individually or together to remove, replace or add sheets. With minimum use, the area around the holes of the sheets become torn from the misaligned and jagged ends of these rings. Consequently, for many applications the area of the sheets surrounding the holes must be reinforced.
