US PATENT CLASS 402
Class Notes


Current as of: June, 1999
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402 /   HD   BINDER DEVICE RELEASABLY ENGAGING APERTURE OR NOTCH OF SHEET



DEFINITION

Classification: 402/

This class is the residual locus for:

(1) A device including a sheet retainer* in the form of means which passes through the thickness dimension of a sheet* or a group of sheets to secure the same in either geometrically congruent relation (see (1) Note below) or in haphazard arrangement and cooperates with structure (e.g., hole, peripheral incised opening, etc.) of the sheet(s) to releasably retain such sheet(s) therein or thereto in such a manner that removal thereof, in the manner intended, from the means may be accomplished without mutilation (e.g., tearing, deforming, etc.) of any portion of either the means or the sheet(s).

(2) such sheet retainer, per se.

(3) a depository* or other perfecting feature intended for attachment to and serving to perfect a sheet retainer* and its proximate function as set forth under (1) above, or

(4) a sheet, per se, notched or apertured to accommodate a sheet retainer of this class.

(1) Note. Such a device having structure limiting its use to, or combined with sheets disposed in a particular arrangement for exhibition (e.g., overlapped, side-by-side arrangement, etc.) is classified elsewhere (see search notes below referencing this note or see the appropriate container class).

SCOPE OF THE CLASS

Class 402 is intended as the locus for devices and subcombination thereof the proximate function of which is the retention of sheets* by sheet retainer* means which passes through the thickness dimension* of the sheets to releasably retain the sheets. The subject matter for the most part represents what is generally known as the loose-leaf binder "art".

STRUCTURE OF THE CLASS The first-line subclasses of the class are based on the mode of operation of the sheet retainer*, where possible, with the

remainder of the subclasses based on the structure (generally static) of the device.

Provided in this class are cross-reference art collections based on disclosed use or particular characteristics as indicated in the titles and definitions thereof. These collections of disclosures are not exhaustive but are intended as aids to a search based on ultimate function or use, as a supplement to a search of other subclasses in this class, or as an indication of further related fields of search inside or outside this class.

GENERAL NOTES

This class (402) is restricted to the subject matter defined above in this Class Definition. The definition set forth above should, however, be read in the light of further limitations imposed thereon by the other sections and by any SEARCH CLASS notes in the subclass definitions.

Figure 1 appearing in connection with certain defined terms in the Glossary is intended as an aid in comprehension of the limitations of the concepts incorporated in such term in the subclass titles and definitions. The details illustrated in such figure are not to be considered as constituting a structural limitation on the subject matter defined.

An asterisk (*) has been applied to certain terms throughout this Class Definition to indicate that such terms have specific limitations in this class as set forth in the definitions of such terms in the Glossary, for which see. Where such asterisk is employed in a subclass definition, it will not be repeated in any subclass indented thereunder.

LINES WITH OTHER CLASSES

A. SPECIFIC RELATION TO CERTAIN COMBINATION CLASSES:

A combination of a specific sheet retainer* of the type provided for in this class (402) with a nominal depository* (e.g., "wall(s)" and "bottom", etc.) will be placed in this class (402), however, the combination of such sheet retainer with a particular depository (e.g., terraced receptacle; rack; compartmented receptacle; cabinet; pocketbook or other receptacle including a compartment which may accommodate a sheet retainer; etc.) will be placed in the appropriate class providing for such depository, for which see References to Other Classes, below, that reference this section.

B. SPECIFIC RELATION TO CERTAIN SUBCOMBINATION CLASSES:

This class provides for a device including means providing the retention of and the nondestructive removal therefrom of a sheet. However, a device generally known as a clamp or fastener for holding a sheet or an assembly of sheets in assembled relation will be placed in that class providing for such subject matter for which see the classes in References to Other Classes, below, referencing this section.

REFERENCES TO OTHER CLASSES

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS

16, Miscellaneous Hardware, appropriate subclasses for (1) a hinge, per se, including two or more hinge leaves with means to attach the leaves to adjoining bodies or (2) a hinge including two or more leaves in combination with nominally recited bodies. (see Lines With Other Classes, "B. Specific Relation To Certain Subcombination Classes" above)

24, Buckles, Buttons, Clasps, etc., for a device of that class which is of general utility. Note particularly

703.2+, which provides for a device which may penetrate the thickness dimension of a sheet or assembly of sheets which device is intended to permanently remain therewith. A sheet retention device of the type provided for in this class (402) with additional means to clamp the sheet on the sheet retention means will be placed in this class (402). (see Lines With Other Classes, "B. Specific Relation To Certain Subcombination Classes" above)

40, Card, Picture, or Sign Exhibiting, appropriate subclass for a device which retains two or more sheets or an assembly of sheets for display purposes,

377+, and 493+ for rotatable carriers and subclasses 388+ and 530+ for hinged sheets. (see the Class Definition, 4, (1) Note; Also see Lines With Other Classes, "A. Specific relation to certain combination classes" above)

190, Trunks and Hand-Carried Luggage, for a device of that class (190) which may include a sheet retainer. (see Lines With Other Classes, "A. Specific relation to certain combination classes" above)

70, Locks,

456+, for a key retainer (i.e., key ring) which may have structure similar to a sheet retainer of this class (402). (see Lines With Other Classes, "B. Specific Relation To Certain Subcombination Classes" above)

206, Special Receptacle or Package, 38+, for a combined pocket or personal use package; subclasses 39+ for a pocket case to hold tickets, cards, stamps, etc.; subclass 232 for a combined package including a record means, subclass 425 for a file for plural cards or sheets; subclasses 449+ for a plate plural cards or sheets; or sheet package; subclass 560 for a tray-type container including a content latch means; and subclass 565 for a tray-type container including an article retainer means. (see Lines With Other Classes, "A. Specific relation to certain

combination classes" above)

211, Supports: Racks. Note particularly

7, 45+, 49.1+, 123+, 125, and 170+ for a support rack which may include a sheet retainer providing either destructive or nondestructive recovery of a sheet. (see Lines With Other Classes, "A. Specific relation to certain combination classes" above)

217, Wooden Receptacles, for a device of that class which may include a sheet retainer. (see Lines With Other Classes, "A. Specific relation to certain combination classes" above)

220, Receptacles. See

600+, for a receptacle including a partition or movable wall (e.g., follower, etc.). (see Lines With Other Classes, "A. Specific relation to certain combination classes" above)

248, Supports. Note particularly

441.1+, for support means (e.g., easel, etc.) which may incorporate a sheet retainer; subclasses 301, 303, and 304+ for a bracket including a hook which may be used to retain a sheet. (see Lines With Other Classes, "A. Specific relation to certain combination classes" above)

281, Books, Strips, and Leaves. Note

19.1, and 29+ for a sheet depository (e.g., book cover) provided with means to secure the subject matter of that class therein. (see Lines With Other Classes, "A. Specific relation to certain combination classes" above)

283, Printed Matter, for an article "the physical structure of which, except strips, books, and leaves, is not a part of the inventions or is deemed to be conventional, bearing indicia which primarily effect intellectual impressions other than the esthetic, and combinations of such strips, books and leaves with other things not classifiable elsewhere". (see Lines With Other Classes, "A. Specific relation to certain combination classes" above) 312, Supports: Cabinet Structure,

183+, for a device of this class (402) (1) positioned within a receptacle or enclosure, or (2) positioned upon an article support (e.g., drawer, rack, shelf, etc.) of that class (312) and disposed within an enclosure. (see Lines With Other Classes, "A. Specific relation to certain combination classes" above)

462, Books, Strips, and Leaves for Manifolding,

71+, for a sheet binder device facilitating a manifolding operation. (see Lines With Other Classes, "A. Specific

relation to certain combination classes" above)

GLOSSARY:

DEPOSITORY

An article adapted to include a sheet retainer*, of this class, for the retention of apertured sheets* and intended to receive both (1) the nonthickness surface (See Fig. 1) and (2) the thickness surface (See Fig. 1) of the sheet or either (1) or (2) above.

KEEPER

An element or mechanism which cooperates with a sheet retainer to releasably secure a sheet* thereon.

SHEET

A three dimensional body having all opposed surfaces thereof disposed in substantially parallel relation each nonthickness surface (See Figure 1 below) of which has a greater surface area than the area of any one surface of the two remaining pairs of opposed surfaces. [figure] (1) Note. A composite sheet including means such as an apertured or notched tab or strip attached thereto for cooperation with a sheet retention means is considered the equivalent of a one piece sheet likewise notched or apertured. Note particularly subclass 500 for a device of this class employed to releasably retain such composite sheet.

(2) Note. A sheet-like body (e.g., "divider", "follower", "sheet lifter", etc.) serving as a component of a device (e.g., container, depository, etc.) will not be considered a sheet as defined above. Such body is a component of the device rather than a sheet intended for temporary storage on or within the device.

SHEET RETAINER

an elongated element which passes through the thickness dimension (See Figure 1 of the Glossary) of a sheet* or a group of sheets to secure the same and cooperates with structure (e.g., hole, peripheral incised opening, etc.) of the sheet(s) to releasably retain such sheet(s) and may further cooperate with (1) another elongated element or (2) a keeper*, to so retain such sheet.