I get some interesting questions in our email in-box. This was one such email from a reader.
They love using a Filofax organiser, but due to a slight disability in their hands they find the tabs very hard to operate to open the rings.
We all know that you shouldn't tug the rings open with your fingers, this can lead to ring gaps on one pair of rings or more, so it isn't really an alternative method to using the tabs.
If you look in detail the tabs as they are pushed down, push up on the two ring halves to open them. Sort of a 'see-saw' action. Simple but effective, but there's no way to make it easier to push down, unless you welded a longer piece of metal on to the tabs to increase the leverage, but then the tabs would stick out of the Filofax, so not really desirable.
Looking at the Filofax 'Clipbook' The ring mechanism used doesn't have tabs. To open the rings you pull the covers apart. This works because the rings loop through the cover and as you pull the covers apart with the Clipbook open it applies an even pressure on each ring halve to open it.
My first suggestion was to adapt this idea for normal Filofax organisers using plastic dividers punched and inserted in to the pages and then pull them apart to open the rings. But you would be griping a fairly thin bit of plastic and you would have to grip it quite tightly for it to work.
Next, I suggested looping cords around the rings so again you could pull them apart easily. This might work, but there might still be a risk of the top and bottom ring pairs being strained.
If you pulled from the central part of the loop as well as the part that emerges from the top and bottom of the rings then that would even out the pressure a bit. (I've not tried this yet!)
Do any of you have any better ideas on how to solve this problem. Please comment below if you do.
Thank you.
[Update] This is a suggested solution put forward by Hans, thank you:
[Update 2]
Thank you to Kevin B for this image of the mechanism he mentions in the comments. Instead of pushing down on the tabs it's more of an outward action because the tabs are nearly vertical, similar to those found on some Franklin Covey organisers.
The approaches are already very good, I think they only need to be evolved.
ReplyDeleteA simple attempt would be to loop the cord through the middle ring of each group only. This will pull at the central points of each group.
The next idea would be to use a strip of plastic and punch both sides, then loop the cord through the other side of the strip. The plastic should be rigid, so maybe glue two or three layers together.
Or try something similar to these package carrying handles that were used on twine-bound shopping boxes. Again, best attached to the middle rings of each group.
Hans
the pressure on the rings could be meted out by using a longer piece of string which should form a sling between the upper and lower sets of rings so that the sling and the ends of the string can be pulled that the same time
ReplyDeletestrings could also be attached to a ruler without slits (ideally made from metal) or something similar
There's a Tiffany sterling silver 'today' ruler on eBay at the moment...
DeleteThe old leather inserts might do a good job, too.
Here are two quickly designed hand-cut mockups for Mechanics-Friendly Pull-Tabs.
ReplyDeletehttps://hjreggel.net/office/PullTabMockup.jpg
They are made of thin card stock, but the one at the right can take the pull force to open the rings.
The handle-type has to take a lot of force along the outer part of the handle, so it has to be made of something strong. For testing purposes, I pulled at the inner part.
About the planner: I don't have any other large ring planner at reach, so I used my most recent purchase, a Mulberry Agenda designed for true A6 paper of 105mm width. It is yet uncleaned, just in the state I received it.
Hans
I was thinking along very similar lines, Hans, and also that there would be a weakness in the 'handle'. Maybe individual finger holes? Rather like a knuckleduster...
DeleteThe punched ring holes could be reinforced, with two layers of card, folded & glued.
Enjoy the Agenda; they are sturdy binders. I just don't get on with the big pocket zipper. I bought one to use with my field manual in A6, but it's just a bit too big and heavy for that. I passed it on at a Philofaxy meet. And then bought another one...
Finger holes would increase stability, but if it is about limited actuation of hand or fingers, this might not be feasible.
DeleteI was thinking about an improved handle design. An improvement could be to start with a double-size piece and fold it at the handle side. Then cut the handle holes at the long edge towards the ring side, and fold the pieces inside and back to get four layers. Then punch at the two open ends, this allows you to use thicker card stock without the neded to punch two layers at a time.
Hans
Yes, the issue of dexterity to use finger holes did occur (it prompted a musing on the etymology of 'dexterity', since I am left-handed...)
DeleteThe 'pushbar' idea is interesting.
There have also been, historically, other opening mechanisms. Much larger tabs, or even a small lever. Just need to try to remember where I have seen them; here, somewhere, probably. Or cheap binder in a charity shop.
Another idea: How about a thin wooden bar as long as the height of the mech, and then at each end a piece that extends by the ring height. You could shape/notch the ends, so they snap onto the buttons. Then you could push the buttons by pressing down the bar?
ReplyDeleteThank you Steve for posting my question about the rings on the planner.
ReplyDeleteYesterday, I also read your note about quality on Filofax. Good to know.
If I can make the rings work for me, a better quality planner will be added to the wishlist.
Thank you Hans, Anonymous and Kevin for interesting suggestions - I get the point and will see it it can work for me. However, I need to find somebody to make the tools. The messages are printed out.
December 7th, I was going to put answers up and see you have more ideas, it is much appreciated you take time for this!
The link won’t open - I am not sure I understand what it is - Translating “pull tabs” I get various: The tabs on tin cans? Gambling cards….. Mockup?
The planner on my photo happens to be too large for the space. I need Personal size.
Sorry being “Anonymous” - I don’t have any google account.
December 8th, Thank you again for yet an idea. That I need to read again later on.
In generel I am aware of to open the rings, the pull must be from both sides.
Birte
Thank you Steve for posting my question about the rings on the planner.
ReplyDeleteYesterday, I also read your note about quality on Filofax. Good to know.
If I can make the rings work for me, a better quality planner will be added to the wishlist.
Thank you Hans, Anonymous and Kevin for interesting suggestions - I get the point and will see it it can work for me. However, I need to find somebody to make the tools. The messages are printed out.
December 7th, I was going to put answers up and see you have more ideas, it is much appreciated you take time for this!
The link won’t open - I am not sure I understand what it is - Translating “pull tabs” I get various: The tabs on tin cans? Gambling cards….. Mockup?
The planner on my photo happens to be too large for the space. I need Personal size.
Signing “Anonymous” - I don’t have any google account.
December 8th, Thank you again for yet an idea. That I need to read later on.
In generel I am aware of to open the rings, the pull must be from both sides.
Birte
The text about the pull-tabs just describes what you see on the photo, it's not a term that you could look up. To see the image, you would need to copy the URL from http up to including jpg, and paste that to the browsers address field.
Deletehttps://hjreggel.net/office/PullTabMockup.jpg
Steve, feel free to include the photo to the page, if you like.
Birte, it takes more pull force than expected to open the rings. Could you use a push bar that you place across the rings and push down, as described in my last message?
Hans
Photo added, thanks for the link
DeleteHans, Now it is getting there...
DeleteIt's amazing that someone even takes my challenge of getting something to work seriously and spending time finding a solution for me.
Thank you for the nice photo, I understand. True, as you say, pulls can be hard, yet worth trying
I hope you don't mind me copying the it for use when I find someone to make the tool
Ah, the idea about a thin wooden bar, maybe something to try first, and maybe the easiest to make……..
Birte
Yes, feel free to use the photo. I'm happy when I can help.
DeleteI found the larger tab mechanism; in one of my collection of binders...
ReplyDeleteA WH Smith (WHS) zipped leather personal. Google 'whs zip personal' and you will find an example for sale from a regular ebay Filofax organiser seller (not me...). I also found a simple clasp fastening WHS personal binder with the large tabs.
Sadly, there is no manufacturer mentioned on the mechanism, and it is riveted in place.
Also thank you for the photo and suggestion Kevin, about longer tabs, most kind of you, I can, will check.
ReplyDeleteThank you again, I'm very grateful for the help!
Birte