Friction binder having variable clamping forces

Claim 2

In a device for vertical filing of sheet material in which an inverted generally U-shaped channel provides longitudinal edges bearing against longitudinally extending clamp members hinged together within the U-shaped channel, the provision of: means to apply a variable force to said clamp members to move the clamp members into closed position to secure one or more of said sheets of material, said force applying means drawing the clamp members further into said channel member, said force applying means including yieldable resilient means for transmitting a variable pressure force responsive to the number of sheets to be held.

Claim 3

In a filing device as stated in claim 1 wherein said force applying means includes a connector member extending through said channel member for connection to said clamp members, a lever arm pivotally mounted on said connector member, said lever arm being movable between clamp open and clamp closed position, and said connector member being biased by said yieldable resilient means.

Claim 4

In a vertical filing device the combination of: a support member including a longitudinally extending opening and spaced parallel ledge portions inwardly of said opening; a pair of longitudinally extending clamp members of angle section hinged together along longitudinal edges received within said opening, said clamp members having surfaces engagable with edges of said openings; a spring means seated on said ledge portions and exerting a spring biasing force in a direction away from said opening; and means associated with said spring means and said clamp members whereby said spring means normally urges said clamp members into closed position.

Claim 5

In a vertical filing device the combination of: a support member including a longitudinally extending opening and spaced parallel ledge portions inwardly of said opening; a pair of longitudinally extending clamp members of angle section hinged together along longitudinal edges received within said opening, said clamp members having surfaces engagable with edges of said openings; a spring means seated on said ledge portions and exerting a spring biasing force in a direction away from said opening; and means associated with said spring means and said clamp members whereby said spring means normally urges said clamp members into closed position.

Claim 6

In a filing device as stated in claim 3 wherein said last mentioneD means includes a follower seated on said spring means, an opening in said support member opposite said spring means; a lever arm having a surface cooperable with said follower, and means connecting said lever arm and said clamp members for moving said clamp members into open and closed position.

Claim 7

In a device as stated in claim 3 including spring means between said clamp members for urging said clamp members apart into engagement with said support means.

Claim 8

In a device as stated in claim 3 including a spring means having an extended spring finger bearing against hinged longitudinal edge portions of said clamp members for biasing said clamp members apart.

Claim 9

In a friction binder for filing of sheet material in a vertical planar zone in which a pair of opposed clamp members are relatively movable into closed position for gripping one or more sheets of material and into open position for releasing sheet material held thereby, the provision of: means providing a fulcrum contact on the surface of at least one of said clamp members; and a floating yieldable actuating means operable in said planar zone and for moving said clamp members into gripping engagement with said sheet material in which the gripping force is correlated to the number of sheets of material being clamped.

Claim 10

In a friction binder for filing of sheet material in a vertical planar zone in which a pair of opposed clamp members are relatively movable into closed position for gripping one or more sheets of material and into open position for releasing sheet material held thereby, the provision of: means providing a fulcrum contact on the surface of at least one of said clamp members; and a floating yieldable actuating means operable in said planar zone and for moving said clamp members into gripping engagement with said sheet material in which the gripping force is correlated to the number of sheets of material being clamped.

Claim 11

In a friction binder as stated in claim 7 wherein said floating yieldable actuating means includes a pin member coacting with said one of said clamp members; a lever arm pivotally connected to the other end of said pin member; said lever arm having a cam surface of changing radius about said pivotal connection; and spring means between ends of said pin member and subject to deflection upon pivotal movement of said lever arm for applying a variable pressure to said one clamp member.

Claim 12

In a friction binder as stated in claim 7 herein, at least one of said members includes an internal ledge portion cooperable with said actuating means.

Claim 13

In a device for vertical filing of sheet material in which an inverted generally U-shaped channel provides longitudinal edges bearing against longitudinally extending clamp members hinged together within the U-shaped channel, the provision of: means to apply a variable force to said clamp members to move the clamp members into closed position to secure one or more of said sheets of material, said force applying means drawing the clamp members further into said channel member, the force applying means being responsive to the number of sheets to be held, said force applying means including a lever arm supported from said channel member, a pin member pivotally connected to said lever arm and extending through said channel member and having one end connected to said clamp members, and yieldable means between said connections for transmitting a variable pressure force to said clamp members in response to the thickness of the material held by said clamp members.

Claim 14

In a device for vertical filing of sheet material in which an inverted generally U-shaped channel provides longitudinal edges bearing against longitudinally extending clamp members hinged together within the U-shaped channel, the provision of: means to apply a variable force to said clamp members to move the clamp members into closed position to secure one or more of said sheets of material, said force applying means drawing the clamp members further into said channel member, the force applying means being responsive to the number of sheets to be held, said force applying means including a lever arm supported from said channel member, a pin member pivotally connected to said lever arm and extending through said channel member and having one end connected to said clamp members, and yieldable means between said connections for transmitting a variable pressure force to said clamp members in response to the thickness of the material held by said clamp members.

Claim 15

In a filing device as stated in claim 10 wherein said means between said connections includes a spring means having a seat on said channel member, a follower member movably mounted on said pin member, said follower member having a surface bearing against said spring means and another surface bearing against said lever arm.

Claim 16

In a device for vertical filing of sheet material in which an inverted generally U-shaped channel provides longitudinal edges bearing against longitudinally extending clamp members hinged together with the U-shaped channel, the provision of: means to apply a variable force to said clamp members to move the clamp members into closed position to secure one or more of said sheets of material, said force applying member drawing the clamp members further into said channel member, the force applying means being responsive to the number of sheets to be held, said channel including longitudinally extending internal ledge portions cooperable wIth said force applying means.

Claim 17

In a device for vertical filing of sheet material in which an inverted generally U-shaped channel provides longitudinal edges bearing against longitudinally extending clamp members hinged together with the U-shaped channel, the provision of: means to apply a variable force to said clamp members to move the clamp members into closed position to secure one or more of said sheets of material, said force applying member drawing the clamp members further into said channel member, the force applying means being responsive to the number of sheets to be held, said channel including longitudinally extending internal ledge portions cooperable wIth said force applying means.

Claim 18

In a filing device for releasably holding edge margins of one or more sheets of material in a clamping zone, the combination of: clamping means including at least one clamp member to exert a pressure force against sheet material in said clamping zone; force applying means operably associated with said clamping means to exert said pressure force; said force applying means including engagement means for said clamp member, and yieldable resilient means operably biasing said clamp member toward sheets of material in said clamping zone.

Claim 19

In a filing device for releasably holding edge margins of one or more sheets of material in a clamping zone, the combination of: clamping means including at least one clamp member to exert a pressure force against sheet material in said clamping zone; force applying means operably associated with said clamping means to exert said pressure force; said force applying means including engagement means for said clamp member, and yieldable resilient means operably biasing said clamp member toward sheets of material in said clamping zone.

Claim 20

In a device as stated in claim 13 wherein said force applying means includes a lever arm cooperably connected with said engagement means and with said resilient means.

Claim 21

A device as stated in claim 14 wherein said lever arm includes a cam surface, and said engagement means includes a cam follower means engageable with said cam surface.

Claim 22

A device as stated in claim 13 wherein said clamp member includes a longitudinally extending clamp edge, and a longitudinal pressure member having a pressure face and having rotational adjustment on said edge to direct said face toward said sheet material during clamping.

Claim 23

In a device as stated in claim 16, wherein said pressure face is planar and minimizes splaying of sheet material in the clamping zone.

Claim 24

In a device as stated in claim 13 wherein said resilient means includes a spring means having a spring portion bearing against said clamping means to urge said clamping means to open position.