A cover (10) is disclosed for holding objects such as papers and reports. The cover (10) is formed of a member (12) having a front cover (14), a spine (16) and a back cover (18), a ring binder (22) and a paper surround (24). The paper surround (24) encapsulates the ring binder (22) and secures it to the member (12). The cover can be either a top bound or side bound cover.

A binder assembly for receiving and retaining articles and that includes a cover having a spine portion and at least one cover leaf portion and a first binder element and a second binder element having a plurality of first and second retaining fingers, respectively. The first and second binding elements are moveable between 1) an open position wherein articles are permitted to be removed from or mounted to the binder assembly, and 2) a closed position wherein articles mounted to the binder assembly are prevented from being removed. The binder assembly further includes an elongated retainer/lock constructed to releasably attach to the first and second binding elements in the closed position thereof with the spine portion of the cover therebetween for locking the first and second binding elements in the closed position and securing the first and second binding elements to the spine portion of the cover.

A ring binder mechanism has an elongate housing, a pair of locking elements, a translation bar, a pair of elongate hinge plates having mating ring halves extending there-from, a plurality of mating ring halves, and an actuator. Movement of the actuator moves the hinge plates, translation bar, and locking elements to cause the ring halves to disengage so a user can place holed paper over the open ring halves, or closes the ring halves together to secure the paper with the closed-loop rings thus form while simultaneously locking the rings in the closed-loop configuration to prevent inadvertent opening.

Binder apparatus are described. An example binder apparatus includes a housing, a first support rail positioned within the housing and a second support rail positioned within the housing. The binder apparatus also includes first and second closure members coupled to the respective support rails. The closure members are positioned on the respective support rails to enable locking elements of the closure members to interlock when the binder apparatus is in a closed position. The binder apparatus also includes a lever comprising tabs that are received by recesses defined by the support rails. An interaction between the tabs and the support rails enables the support rails to be moved relative to one another and the locking elements to be moved to an unlocked position.

A book has a front cover having a first edge which is unconnected, and an opposing second edge which is connected to a spine. A back cover has a first edge which is connected to the spine and an opposing second edge which is connected to flexible joint or fold-line. The book has a third cover having a first edge which is connected to flexible joint and an opposing second edge which is connected to binding which contains pages and a stabilizing sheet.

Disclosed herein is an organizer comprising a unique structural configuration to house and store both non-perforated documents and perforated documents. The organizer comprises a ring binder that is associated with an expandable compartment that is arranged peripheral to the ring binder.

A binding device includes binding rod portions, coupling portions for coupling a plurality of the binding rod portions, and an axis portion serving as a center upon opening/closing of binding rods. The coupling portions have lower portions to which the axis portion is provided at a position close to base portions of the binding rods so that a leaf bound at the binding rod portions can be flipped along the binding rods and flipped through 360 degrees and leaves can make contact with each other with the axis portion sandwiched therebetween. The axis portion includes a shaft portion and receiving portions for the shaft portion. The receiving portions are provided to the coupling portions the shaft portion is disposed therein.

Binder apparatus are described. An example binder apparatus includes a housing and a first carrier rail having a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge. The first carrier rail defining a notch adjacent the second longitudinal edge. The housing biasing the first carrier rail by engaging the first longitudinal edge. The binder apparatus includes a second carrier rail having a third longitudinal edge and a fourth longitudinal edge. The housing biasing the second carrier rail by engaging the third longitudinal edge. The second longitudinal edge hingably engaging the fourth longitudinal edge, the notch defining an opening having a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge. The binder includes a slider having a control element extending therefrom. The control element comprising a first control surface and a second control surface. The first control surface to engage the first edge to urge the first and second carrier rails to an open position, the second control surface to engage the second edge to urge the first and second carrier rails to a closed position.

Placing sheets around a retainer or between a retainer and clamp and securing a clamp against the sheets and retainer for compressively fixing the pages against the retainer.

A binding device includes a plurality of binding rings, a holding member which enables the binding rings to be disposed with a spacing therebetween, an operating member having a surface to which base portions of the binding rings are secured such that the binding rings are disposed with a spacing therebetween, the operating member including a pair of operating pieces movable in the holding member in a longitudinal direction of the holding member, and an opening-closing member which causes the binding rings to be changed in an opening direction. The opening-closing member includes an elastic member. The elastic member is provided in the operating member such that a distance between the operating pieces in an opening-closing direction of the binding rings is maintained at a distance enabling the pair of the operating pieces to be moved and is arranged to move the pair of the operating pieces defining the operating member relative to each other in respective opposite directions and so as to elastically urge the pair of the operating pieces in a direction allowing the binding rings to be held in an opened state.

A ring binder, with a fixed bar (1), bearing hooks (2) and a moving bar (3), wherein the fixed bar (1) is immovably fixed on a spine plate of a folder; the bearing hooks (2) are fixed on the upper surface of the fixed bar (1); the moving bar (3) is movably lapped over one side of the fixed bar (1); the lower surface of the moving bar (3) and the lower surface of the fixed bar (1) are clamped and connected with each other; the moving bar (3) can rotate relative to the fixed bar (1) and slide along the length direction of the fixed bar (1); a spring (4) connected between the moving bar (3) and the fixed bar (1); and moving shackles (5) fixed on the upper surface of the moving bar (3). As the ring binder lacks a base plate, a housing, etc., both the opening and the closing of the binder are convenient and the cost of the ring binder is reduced.

A binder includes a back part disposed between ring parts, each of the ring parts being openable and closable. to constitute a binder. A penetration hole is formed at a portion of the ring parts intersecting with the back part, thereby allowing the binder to expand and contract to a certain degree in a longitudinal direction thereof.

A ring binder mechanism for retaining loose-leaf pages securely holds closed ring members together to prevent inadvertent loss of pages retained by the mechanism. The mechanism comprises a housing supporting two hinge plates for pivoting motion to open and close paired ring members mounted on the plates. Free ends of the paired ring members have interlocking configurations that securely join together when the ring members close. The configurations prevent misalignment of the closed ring members in all directions transverse to longitudinal centerlines of the ring members. The mechanism also includes locking elements that interact with the hinge plates to block their pivoting motion when the ring members are closed. This holds the free ends of the closed paired ring members together so that the interlocking configurations of the ring members remain interengaged.

A scrapbooking page alignment device for temporarily aligning at least two adjacent scrapbook pages having retention receivers extending from their respective spine edges, the device comprising (i) a base; and (ii) two or more spaced retention posts extending from said base; where said retention posts are dimensioned to temporarily receive the retention receivers of the two adjacent scrapbook pages.

A binder clip having flexible sidewalls biased to close around a rigid retainer for securing pages wrapped around the retainer or pinched by the binder clip and retainer for manually forming a book.

A recyclable ring binder apparatus comprises a ring metal incorporating a set of binder rings that are formed of a pair of ring halves. The ring metal can be firmly fastened to a spine section of a binder hardcover by utilizing a post and a small arched snap clamp with a tap. The tap of the snap clamp can be pressed around a neck of the post utilizing a quick release clipping mechanism. The snap clamp can be accessed with an index finger and slid away from the post to remove the ring metal from the hardcover. The ring metal, the hardcover, the snap clamp and the post can be quickly separated into their perspective categories due to the clipping mechanism. Hence, it retains conformance of all components of the ring binder apparatus for recycling without increasing development and production cost.

Disclosed herein is an organizer comprising a unique structural configuration to house and store both non-perforated documents and perforated documents. The organizer comprises a ring binder that is associated with an expandable compartment that is arranged peripheral to the ring binder.

A binding device is provided which allows reduction in profile. A binding device 10 includes: a holding member 16 having a length which allows a plurality of openable-closable binding rings 12 and 14 to be disposed with a spacing therebetween; an operating member 18 secured inside the holding member 16; and an opening/closing member 40. The operating member 18 includes a pair of operating pieces 30 and 32 on which the binding rings 12 and 14 are secured. For housing the opening/closing member 40, an opening/closing member housing portion 36 is provided in a manner such as to be recessed from a reverse side, opposite to a surface on which the binding rings 12 and 14 are secured, towards the surface side. The opening/closing member 40 is secured to the opening/closing member housing portion 36 of the operating member 18 on the reverse side opposite to the surface on which the binding rings 12 and 14 are secured, and is formed to, when the binding rings 12 and 14 are opened, cause the binding rings 12 and 14 to be changed in an opening direction so that the operating pieces are moved in a longitudinal direction of the holding member 16 and are held in a direction approaching an inner surface of the holding member 16, within the holding member 16.

The present invention is directed to an item holding assembly that may include a binder and portfolio with one releasably attached to the other enabling quick and easy separation for use of one independent of the other. In a preferred embodiment, binder and portfolio panels can overlie one another, particularly when releasably engaged in a manner that releasably attaches them. A flap, such as part of the panel or the panel of one is received in a pocket formed in the panel of the other to facilitate and preferably provide releasable attachment.

A biochip for the integration of all steps in a complex process from the insertion of a sample to the generation of a result, performed without operator intervention includes microfluidic and macrofluidic features that are acted on by instrument subsystems in a series of scripted processing steps. Methods for fabricating these complex biochips of high feature density by injection molding are also provided.

A ring binder has a standard ring assembly having a ring base and upstanding rings, a ring assembly support having a plurality of indents positioned along its sides, a binder connector having a plurality of upstanding tabs, and a plurality of binder covers each having a center spine with a plurality of slots configured to accept each of the plurality of binder connector tabs. The ring binder is assembled by the insertion of the binder connector tabs into slots of the binder cover and then into the indents of the ring assembly support. The ring binder can be sold assembled or as a kit, which would include a plurality of interchangeable binder covers.

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 mechanism for retaining loose-leaf pages includes a housing and ring members for holding loose-leaf pages that are moveable relative to the housing between an open and closed position. An actuation system moves the ring members and includes hinge plates pivotally mounted on the housing and an actuator actuating pivoting movement of the hinge plates. A travel bar of the actuation system is moveable by the actuator between a locked position blocking pivoting movement of the hinge plates and an unlocked position allowing pivoting movement of the hinge plates. The actuation system is adapted to deform while moving the travel bar from the locked position toward the unlocked position to delay the pivoting motion of the hinge plates from the movement of the actuator.

A desk leaf base has a base formed of a trapezoidal tubular body in a trapezoidal shape in a side view, closed from a bottom surface to a certain height in both sides, and opened in an upper portion therefrom. An inclined front wall of the tubular body is removed from one side to the other side, in a range from the height to a higher height lower than a top surface. A binder mounted along an elongated top surface of the base has an elongated body and rings. The elongated body is mounted along the top surface of the base with an approximately same width as the top surface. The rings are mounted on the body and capable of opening and closing. Each ring includes linear portions that protrude from the body inclining upward on front and back sides when closing.

A ring mechanism has an elongate body made of a moldable polymeric material and rings for holding loose-leaf pages. Each ring includes a first ring member and a second ring member. The first ring members are movable relative to the housing and the second ring members between a closed position and an open position. At least one ring member for each ring is a separately formed ring member and comprises a ring portion and an anchor connected to the ring portion. The at least one separately formed ring member is formed separately from the body. The anchor of the separately formed ring member is secured to the body for pivoting movement relative to the body. The anchor can be received in a receptacle in the body adapted to receive the anchor.

A binding mechanism assembly for binding a sheet item, the binding mechanism assembly including a backing member having an upper surface, and a binding member directly or indirectly coupled to the backing member. The binding member includes a protrusion shaped and located to protrude through a hole of a sheet item to be bound thereto. The binding member further includes a generally flexible flange that is manually movable into engagement with the protrusion to form a generally closed loop and thereby bind the sheet item thereto. The loop is rotatable relative to the backing member from a first position in which the loop is generally located above the upper surface to a second position wherein at least part of the loop is located below the upper surface. A release mechanism is provided for opening the loop.

A ring binder has an elongate body and rings. Each ring includes ring members moveable between open and closed positions. The ring members and body can suitably formed together as one piece from a moldable polymeric material. The binder suitably includes a retaining system operable to selectively and releasably hold the ring members in the closed position. When the ring members are in their open position, loose-leaf pages can be added or removed from the rings. Loose-leaf pages can also be moved from one ring member to another when the ring members are in their open position.

A ring binder has an elongate body and rings. Each ring includes ring members moveable between open and closed positions. The body and rings are made of one or more moldable polymeric materials. The binder suitably includes a retaining system operable to hold the ring members in the closed position. The retaining system has interlocking formations adjacent ends of the ring members that are moveable between a retaining position in which the retaining system holds the first and second ring members in the closed position and a non-retaining position. The ring members and body can suitably be formed together as one piece from a moldable polymeric material.

A ring binder mechanism for holding loose-leaf pages has a housing having a cavity formed in the underside of a central portion of the housing. A pair of hinge plates are disposed between the sides for pivoting movement relative to the housing to open and close rings of the mechanism. The mechanism has an actuator moveable relative to the housing for opening and closing the rings. The actuator has a body, an opening arm extending from the body, a closing arm extending from the body, and a locking finger extending from the body. The closing arm extending into a space between the hinge plates and the central portion of the housing. The hinge plates extend between the opening and closing arms. The locking finger extends into the cavity in the central portion of the housing when the actuator is in the closed position.

An actuating lever for a binding mechanism includes a body formed of a first molded material. The body defines oppositely-facing surfaces, with at least one of the surfaces having a recess formed therein. The actuating lever further includes a grip member formed of a second molded material that is different from the first molded material. The grip member is molded at least partially into the recess.

A ring mechanism has an elongate housing and rings for holding loose-leaf pages. Each ring has ring members mounted on pivoting hinge plates for movement between open and closed positions. An actuator has opening and closing arms extending from an actuator body for opening and closing the rings. The mechanism has a travel bar moveable between a locked position in which a locking element blocks pivoting movement of the hinge plates and an unlocked position. The actuator has a flexible arm positioned to push the travel bar toward the locked position when the actuator closes the rings. At least a portion of the flexible arm is adapted to deform during closing in a manner that includes rotation in a first direction relative to the body of the actuator. Movement of the actuator to close the rings includes rotation of the actuator in the first direction relative to the housing.

A power conversion system with adjustable frequency includes an electric transformer, a pulse width modulation driving controller, a switching transistor, a first and second voltage division resistors connected in series, an output diode and an output capacitor. The electric transformer receives the input power and generates the sensing current and induced current. The sensing current flows through the first and second voltage division resistors to generate the feedback signal. The induced current flows through the output diode and output capacitor to generate the output voltage to supply the load. The pulse width modulation driving controller determine whether the loading state of the load based on the feedback signal, and change the switching frequency according to the loading state and the input power, thereby increasing the whole efficiency of the power conversion system and achieving the aim of dynamically adjusting the optimal frequency.

A power converter includes an active front end (AFE) that is coupled by a dc link stage to a plurality of H-bridge inverters. One or more multi-phase electro-magnetic energy conversion devices, such as transformers or electric machines, with open windings that are connected to only the AFE or only the H-bridge inverters or to both the AFE and H-bridge inverters, provide a regenerative or partial regenerative power converter.

A power supply can provide brown-out protection and overheat protection. The power supply includes a rectifier, a transformer, and a power management device. The rectifier is used for receiving an alternating current voltage. The alternating current voltage has a voltage cycle. The transformer coupled to the rectifier has an inductor coupled to a switch for supplying an output voltage. The power management device is used for controlling the switch to make the inductor save power or release power. The power management device has a multi-functional pin coupled to the rectifier for receiving a detection voltage corresponding to a positive half cycle of the alternating current voltage. The multi-functional pin is also coupled to a thermistor for receiving an overheat protection signal.

A system for controlling photovoltaic electricity production equipment having photovoltaic modules each equipped with a DC/DC microconverter connected to a DC bus, a DC bus manager, and an inverter for converting the direct current from the photovoltaic panels into alternative current intended for an electrical distribution network. Power is injected into the DC bus when the voltage of the DC bus is less than a minimum voltage until the minimum voltage is reached. Each of the microconverters injects a maximum power from the photovoltaic modules into the DC bus when the voltage of the DC bus is between a first voltage and a second voltage. The injecting of power from the photovoltaic modules into the DC bus is stopped when the voltage of the DC bus is less than a low threshold voltage or greater than a high threshold voltage.

The present invention is applied to a frequency converter used for a receiver. The frequency converter according to the present invention includes an LO signal generator (11) that generates an LO signal and outputs the LO signal; and a mixer (10) that multiplies a received signal that has been band-limited to a usable bandwidth of said receiver by the LO signal so as to convert the frequency of the received signal and outputs the resultant signal. Said LO signal generator is capable of varying a phase resolution.

A power converter and a method for balancing voltages across input capacitors are disclosed in the present application. The power converter includes: two DC input terminals; a first input capacitor and a second input capacitor; a first bridge arm and a second bridge arm connected in series with one another; and an output circuit configured to generate a signal required by the power converter based on the signals at a midpoint of the first bridge arm and a midpoint of the second bridge arm. The power converter further includes: a first voltage balancing unit and a second balancing unit configured to reduce a voltage difference between the first input capacitor and the second input capacitor. The power converter provided by the present application solves the problem of imbalance in the voltages across the first input voltage and the second input voltage.

A full bridge DC-DC converter to which a current doubler is applicable is provided and includes a transformer and a switching circuit that converts a high direct current voltage into a high alternating current voltage and then outputs the high alternating current voltage to the primary side of the transformer. In addition, an output circuit receives and processes the output of the secondary side of the transformer and supplies the processed output to an electric load. The output circuit includes a first inductor, a first contact resistor, a second inductor, a second contact resistor, a first diode, a third contact resister, a second diode, and a fourth contact resister.

A switching power converting apparatus includes a coil unit, a bipolar junction transistor (BJT) controlling power transfer through the coil unit, and a current sensing resistor sensing a current flowing through the BJT so as to produce a sensed voltage thereacross. A switching controller includes a current source supplying a first current, a current generating module generating, based on an input voltage associated with the sensed voltage, a second current, which is proportional to the current flowing through the BJT, a multiplexing module selecting one of the first and second currents as an output current, and a driving module outputting, based on the output current, a driving current, which is proportional to the output current, to the BJT to thereby conduct the BJT.

A power source circuit includes a switching circuit 4 that converts a direct current voltage obtained by converting an alternating voltage from an alternating power source input through a pair of power supply lines 2 and 3 into a predetermined direct current voltage by a switching operation. A fuse 5 is provided on one power supply line 2. A series circuit 9 including a first line bypass capacitor 7 and a resistor element 8 is connected between one power supply line 2 and a ground 6. A second line bypass capacitor 10 is connected between the other power supply line 3 and the ground 6. Imbalance of the circuit by an excess current protection element is prevented to reduce common mode noise.

Methods and apparatuses for a soft-start function with auto-disable are described. Such methods and apparatuses can gradually increase a voltage towards a reference voltage using a ramp generator and a control loop and can disable the ramp generator and the control loop once the voltage has reached the reference voltage.

A voltage regulator coupled to an unregulated DC input voltage source by an input terminal, and to a load by an output terminal is disclosed. The voltage regulator converts an input voltage at the input terminal to an output voltage at the output terminal. The voltage regulator includes one or more slaves, and each slave includes a switching circuit which serves as a power switch for alternately coupling and decoupling the input terminal to an intermediate node. The voltage regulator also includes a filter coupled to the slaves, the filter including one or more inductor banks each of which having a predetermined number of inductors.

A high voltage full wave rectifier and doubler circuit having complementary serially connected low voltage MOSFET stacks to provide high voltage capability. The state of the MOSFETs in the MOSFET stacks is controlled by means of resistors coupled between the circuit's outputs and a time varying input signal. The resistance values of the resistors are selected to maintain operation of the stacked MOSFETs below their breakdown voltages.

An aspect of the present invention relates to glass for a magnetic recording medium substrate, which includes essential components in the form of SiO2, Li2O, Na2O, and one or more alkaline earth metal oxides selected from the group consisting of MgO, CaO, SrO, and BaO, wherein a molar ratio of a content of MgO to a combined content of MgO, CaO, SrO, and BaO (MgO/(MgO+CaO+SrO+BaO)) is equal to or greater than 0.80, and which has a Young's modulus of equal to or greater than 80 GPa, and a glass transition temperature of equal to or greater than 620° C.

An apparatus for energy assisted magnetic recording of a storage disk include a plurality of dielectric waveguide cores configured to direct received incident light energy to a target, and a near field transducer (NFT) configured to focus light energy received from the plurality of waveguide cores and to transmit the focused light energy onto the storage disk surface to generate a heating spot on the storage disk. The NFT includes a plurality of propagating surface plasmon polariton (PSPP) elements that are energized by the light energy from the waveguide cores. Each of the PSPP elements has a plasmonic metal bar disposed above a single waveguide core in a longitudinal alignment. Each metal bar has a width at least twice the width of the heating spot generated on the storage disk.

Technologies are described herein for utilizing a head heater to test temperature stability of a head of a storage device and to prevent the head from operating in an unstable temperature condition. A first power level may be applied to a head heater of a head in a storage device, the first power level configured to simulate a temperature condition in the head. An instability of the head is determined and the temperature condition and the instability of the head are recorded in a memory. The process may be repeated to develop a range of temperature conditions in which the head exhibits instability. The range of temperature conditions and the head heater may then be utilized to prevent the head from operating in an unstable temperature condition during normal operation.

A digital jukebox (14) allows for playback of a first offering and a second offering. The contents of each offering are individually licensed for public performance at a particular location where the jukebox is found. The jukebox (14) displays advertisements that are selected in response to user interaction with the jukebox or a number of other factors. The jukebox (14) features a screen (18 and 20) that allows user to interact with the jukebox to select offerings, but also to respond to advertising. Jukebox can function in cooperation with a server (12), but in the alternate, can function as an independent and stand-alone device when connection (16) to server (12) is not available.

A wireless media player and a related system and methodology are disclosed. One aspect of the wireless media player system pertains to a virtual connector system, apparatus, and method for the automatic establishment of wireless connectivity with other electronic devices. In one embodiment, the media player device employs the use of integrated Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to exchange communication settings, media capability, and other parameters with an external device that also has integrated RFID technology. The automatic exchange of settings and other information via a proximity-based RFID data exchange allows a media player to quickly establish a secure communication link with another device via a commonly supported wireless protocol such as Ultra Wideband (UWB) or Bluetooth. Another aspect of the media player system pertains to a method of using the captured media capability of the connecting device to customize certain menu options and software parameters in the media player.

An optical disc having a region with pre-recorded data and a recordable region, a method of fabricating the disc, a stamper for forming a disc master, and a recording device for use with the disc are disclosed. Data recorded in the recordable region may be used for activation of the disc, providing unique identification or enhancing program content on the disc.

A wireless media player and a related system and methodology are disclosed. One aspect of the wireless media player system pertains to a virtual connector system, apparatus, and method for the automatic establishment of wireless connectivity with other electronic devices. In one embodiment, the media player device employs the use of integrated Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to exchange communication settings, media capability, and other parameters with an external device that also has integrated RFID technology. The automatic exchange of settings and other information via a proximity-based RFID data exchange allows a media player to quickly establish a secure communication link with another device via a commonly supported wireless protocol such as Ultra Wideband (UWB) or Bluetooth. Another aspect of the media player system pertains to a method of using the captured media capability of the connecting device to customize certain menu options and software parameters in the media player.