A ring binder mechanism that includes a housing, first and second hinge boards positioned in the housing that cooperate to define a slot having a closing edge and an opening edge. The hinge boards are pivotable between open and closed positions. A plurality of pairs of semi-rings include first and second ring members mounted on the first and second hinge boards, respectively. A travel bar is positioned below the hinge boards and moveable with respect to the housing and the hinge boards between an open position and a closed position. The travel bar includes at least one top bar extending from a top surface thereof that includes inclined opening and closing surfaces. The top bar extends through the slot in the hinge boards and is biased toward the open position. The inclined opening surface of the top bar contacts the opening edge of the slot to pivot the first and second hinge boards to the open position.

A ring binder for use in holding loose-leaf pages. A retaining system is configured to selectively and releasably hold first and second ring members in a closed position. First and second interlocking formations are selectively movable relative to one another between a retaining position and a non-retaining position. The first interlocking formation includes a projection having a free end. The free end has a void configured and arranged to permit resilient bending of portions of the free end of the projection in a first direction as they engage the second interlocking formation when the interlocking formations are moved from the non-retaining position to the retaining position. In the retaining position, the portions of the free end of the projection are substantially inhibited from bending in a second direction in response to pivoting movement of either of the ring members.

A ring binder for use in holding loose-leaf pages. A retaining system is configured to selectively and releasably hold first and second ring members in a closed position. First and second interlocking formations are selectively movable relative to one another between a retaining position and a non-retaining position. The first interlocking formation includes a projection having a free end. The free end has a void configured and arranged to permit resilient bending of portions of the free end of the projection in a first direction as they engage the second interlocking formation when the interlocking formations are moved from the non-retaining position to the retaining position. In the retaining position, the portions of the free end of the projection are substantially inhibited from bending in a second direction in response to pivoting movement of either of the ring members.

A component system comprising a component and a first binding system coupled to the component and configured to be coupled to a first type of a binding mechanism. The system further includes a second binding system movably coupled to the component and configured to be coupled to a second type of binding mechanism that is different from the first type of binding mechanism.

A binder mechanism is shown and described herein. The binder mechanism may include a base, first and second ring bases pivotally coupled to the base, first and second ring portions fixed with the ring bases, at least one pin attached with the first and second ring bases, a slide operatively engaged with the base and operatively engaged with the at least one pin, the slide selectively and axially positionable relative to the base, and an actuator operatively engaged with the slide, where the actuator is configured to selectively and axially position the slide whereby the slide positions the at least one pin to pivot the first and second ring bases away from one another to disengage the first and second ring portions.

A binder mechanism is shown and described herein. The binder mechanism may include a base, first and second ring bases pivotally coupled to the base, first and second ring portions fixed with the ring bases, at least one pin attached with the first and second ring bases, a slide operatively engaged with the base and operatively engaged with the at least one pin, the slide selectively and axially positionable relative to the base, and an actuator operatively engaged with the slide, where the actuator is configured to selectively and axially position the slide whereby the slide positions the at least one pin to pivot the first and second ring bases away from one another to disengage the first and second ring portions.

A ring binder mechanism includes a housing, a ring support, and rings for holding loose-leaf pages. Each ring includes a first ring member and a second ring member that are moveable between a closed position and an opened position. An actuator is mounted on the housing for moving the ring members from the closed position to the opened position. A travel bar has at least one locking element and is moveable between a locked position wherein the ring members are locked in the closed position and an unlocked position wherein the ring members are capable of being moved to the opened position. An intermediate connector operably connects the travel bar to the actuator. A portion of the intermediate connector is captured by and moveable with a wide section of a mounting groove in the travel bar so the intermediate connector can move relative to the travel bar.

A ring binder mechanism includes a housing, a ring support, and rings for holding loose-leaf pages. Each ring includes a first ring member and a second ring member that are moveable between a closed position and an opened position. An actuator is mounted on the housing for moving the ring members from the closed position to the opened position. A travel bar has at least one locking element and is moveable between a locked position wherein the ring members are locked in the closed position and an unlocked position wherein the ring members are capable of being moved to the opened position. An intermediate connector operably connects the travel bar to the actuator. A portion of the intermediate connector is captured by and moveable with a wide section of a mounting groove in the travel bar so the intermediate connector can move relative to the travel bar.

A single-detent binder for a file folder has a housing, one pair of baseplates, ring shaped components, a control component, a pull rod, rotary locking pieces and an intermediate junction component. The control component, intermediate junction component, pull rod and rotary locking pieces are connected in series. When the control component rotates, the rotary locking pieces are triggered to rotate in the trough of the first baseplate based on the mechanical principle of connecting rod, thus performing the locking/unlocking function. When the binder is closed, the baffle plates on the second baseplate hinder the rotary locking pieces from rotation, thus generating a clamping force. After the baffle plates and rotary locking pieces work jointly to close the binder, the ring shaped components generate a scrambling force, thus enhancing the locking effect and preventing the single-detent binder from opening unexpectedly.

A single-detent binder for a file folder has a housing, one pair of baseplates, ring shaped components, a control component, a pull rod, rotary locking pieces and an intermediate junction component. The control component, intermediate junction component, pull rod and rotary locking pieces are connected in series. When the control component rotates, the rotary locking pieces are triggered to rotate in the trough of the first baseplate based on the mechanical principle of connecting rod, thus performing the locking/unlocking function. When the binder is closed, the baffle plates on the second baseplate hinder the rotary locking pieces from rotation, thus generating a clamping force. After the baffle plates and rotary locking pieces work jointly to close the binder, the ring shaped components generate a scrambling force, thus enhancing the locking effect and preventing the single-detent binder from opening unexpectedly.