Comprehensive Report: Binder Clip Mechanism, Design, and Applications

This report provides a detailed mechanism description of a binder clip, a common office stationery item used for temporarily or permanently binding documents. Invented in the 20th century, the binder clip consists of a metal strip bent into a triangular shape and wire handles. The report discusses the mechanism's components, materials (primarily stainless steel with nickel or black oxide finishes), and operation, highlighting its advantages over other binding methods like staplers due to its non-destructive nature and resistance to rust. Different sizes and applications, ranging from office use to the fashion industry, are also explored, emphasizing the clip's versatility and affordability. The document references external sources, which are used for supporting information. Desklib provides similar solved assignments for students.

Binder Clip
Assignment
Student name & registration number

BINDER CLIP
Introduction
The binder clip is used as office stationery in different organizations. The clip holds
together stacks of paper or filing materials or documents. The binder clip does not create holes as
the stapler does when holding together material together. The clip was invented in the 20th
century by Louis E. Baltzley. The binder clip is made of two materials; a metal bend into a
triangular shape and the handle is made of wire. Due to the bulk manufacturing, the clips tend to
be relatively affordable.
In technology design, the operation of a gadget is described as a mechanism. The
mechanism discusses the purpose and operation of the device. It describes the implementation of
the device in a manner that the reader can understand when intending to use the gadget. The
information is used to develop many of the user manual in the production phase. The mechanism
describes how two or more devices function together. The mechanisms can range from complex
technical descriptions to simple step-by-step descriptions. The mechanism description defines
the size, shape, color, finish, texture, and material. The description document has diagrams,
illustrations, photographs, and figures.
Mechanism Description
Engineers and product designers are mandated to generate the mechanism description
documents for such devices. The descriptions are meant to meet the needs and requirements of
the clients as well as have the production process develop the required product with the
described tolerances and particular functions. The description focuses on the physical attributes
of the device and its parts. They use photographs and other descriptive diagrams to present the

information and design to the end users. Some of the most common visual aids used for the
mechanism description are labeled diagrams, flowcharts, and the presentation pointers.
Component and operation
A binder clip is made of strip spring steel. The handle section is bent into the shape of an
isosceles triangle with loops at the topmost edge. The loop holds the two sides and prevents the
sharp steel edges from tearing the paper when holding the material. The loops hold the two
pieces of stiff wire. It uses the handles to allow the clip open when using it to hold office
documents or any other stack of papers, together.
The binder clips are easy to use as there is a spring force of wire that holds down the
office materials being held together by the clip. The handles are easily removed by pressing the
two loops together so as to release the material or documents bound together. The material used

in the binder clip is resistant to rust. Other common paper clips do not have stainless steel
material hence they rust off on the paper after a period of time when exposed to certain
environmental conditions. On the other hand, the binder clips are well coated to avoid rusting on
the paper. These binder clips come in different sizes. The common ranges are 0.2 inches to 1.97
inches. The black sheet section as illustrated in figure 1 is made of black oxide. It forms part of
the coating and it can be decorated to provide different colors to have colored binder clips for
purchase.
In the design of the binder clip, the main material used is the stainless steel which is
finished in silver, gold, or nickel. The commercial clips are mostly finished in nickel hence they
are referred to as the nickel-plated. The binder clip is classified under office binding equipment.
It provides for both the permanent and temporary binding of documents as compared to the
permanent binding of the staplers and other clips. The binder clip is used in the fashion industry
as well to hold on to the materials during design. The very small binder clips are used for
temporary binding purposes. The size of the binder clip implemented in the fashion industry
depends on the designer and the work being performed.
The clips have been tested on different scales to determine their ability to hold onto
materials and their durability. The quality of the binder clip goes hand in hand with the retail
cost. More expensive clips are made of stronger material and coated with different finishers at
the loop section.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, the binder clips are temporary or permanent binding devices that hold on to
the materials as required. They come in different shapes, sizes, material, and color. They are

implemented in different fields ranging from the office to the fashion industry. The binder clips
are easy to use and does not rust on the material or documents being bound. They are relatively
affordable as the manufacturing is done in bulk.
References
Purdy, Kevin. "Binder Clips as Cable Catchers Redux". Lifehacker. Retrieved 13 April2010.
https://lifehacker.com/binder-clips-as-cable-catchers-redux-5499838
Hales, Linda (20 May 2006). "A Big Clip Job? Think Washington". The Washington Post.
Retrieved 2 January 2016.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/19/AR2006051901923.html?
noredirect=on