Patent · US Expired

Spiral binding method and apparatus

US5584632A · kind A · utility

14Cited by
25References
31Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 11, 1994
Grant dateDec 17, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 11, 2014

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB42B5/123
  • WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

An apparatus (10) for spiral binding a stack of papers (24) together as a unit. The apparatus includes a punch (12) for punching a plurality of holes (23) along one edge of the stack of papers and a spiral binding unit (14) for feeding a spiral coil (36) into the holes. The spiral binding unit (14) includes an aperture (44) through which a coil is inserted between a shoe (74) and a rotatably mounted roller (72). As the coil (36) is inserted, the shoe (74) pushes the coil into contact with the roller (72). As the roller (72) rotates, the coil (36) is guided through a series of slots (86) which cause the coil to spiral into the holes in the stack of paper. The punch (12) includes a ramp (186) that presses a series of punch pins (188) through the stack of papers. The ramp (186) includes a plurality of steps (222) that incline upwardly on either side of a center step (224). The punch first punches holes in the center of the stack of papers and then punches holes outward from either side of the center. The apparatus includes indicators (38) that provide an operator an indication of the appropriate size of spiral coil to use, and an indication of when a wastebasket (52) holding the waste…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.