Universal sheet lifter

Claim 1

A sheet lifter device for use with a looseleaf ring binder and adapted to be secured in the binder only by a ring of the binder that extends through apertures of the device, said device comprising: a. two similar sheet lifter portions, each having 1. a substantially flat portion, for contacting covers of a looseleaf ring binder, which has a peripheral edge portion that forms a front edge of the lifter portion, 2. a back edge offset from the flat portion in an upward direction, when the flat portion is horizontal, forming the highest part of the associated lifter portion and spaced from but adjacent to the back edge of said other sheet lifter portion, 3. an inclined portion adjacent said back edge, extending at an obtuse angle from said flat portion in a rearward and upward direction, and adapted to engage sheets carried by a ring with which the device is associated, and 4. only a single aperture located adjacent said back edge and inclined portion and elongated in a direction toward said front edge for receiving a ring of a looseleaf binder, said single aperture of each said sheet lifter portion serving with the ring of a binder as the only means by which said device is secured to a binder, b. a connector strip between and secured only to said back edges to inhibit swinging of said sheet lifter portions in the pLane or planes of said substantially flat portions about a ring received in said apertures, c. two spaced, parallel, hinge lines, each in said connector strip at the back edge of a different one of the two sheet lifter portions, said hinge lines being thinner than the part of the connector strip and sheet lifter portions immediately adjacent thereto and providing localized flexibility permitting the sheet lifter parts to pivot about separate axes along the hinge lines, and d. said connector strip and sheet lifter portions being of one piece plastic construction.