GB2188288A - Improvement in files - Google Patents

Abstract

A file cover has a hole (11) to receive a flexible threading member (7) to be fastened by fastening means (10). The hole merges into a slot (12) open towards the longitudinal inner back edge of the file so that the flexible member can be inserted sideways into the hole without having to be threaded. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvement in files Field of invention The present invention concerns files which may either be stored on shelves or in drawers or may be suspended in the conventional manner.

Backgroundoftheinvention There are known a number of files for holding papers which have had a piurality of appropriateiy spaced holes punched in the edges thereof. There are a number of such files on the market having a flexible threading memberto hold the papers to be filed, the threading member being either a thin plastictube our a tightly wound metal coil.

The known files includefastening means generally including a plate defining complementary apertures which must be threaded onto the threading members afterthe papers to be filed have been threaded thereon. The fastening members are then bent onto the plate and retained there by means of a sliding tongue element. Fastening and unfastening of such fastening members is a time consuming process.

It is often desired to remove a page from within a group of papers which have been inserted into a file.

In most conventional files, this can be accomplished only by removing all the papers above the desired page and then refiling all ofthem. There are known files which include bridging members which permit movement of some pages to one side of the bridge member whereby only the desired page need be removed and refiled thereafter.

Furthermore, it is often desired to hang the files from hanging racks, either in an uprightora horizontal position. In orderto do so, hanging means forsupportingthefiles must be added to the files.

These hanging means generally protrude from the files at all times.

Summary ofthe invention It is an object of the present invention to provide a fileforpaperswhereintheinsertion andfixationof thethreading member is simplified.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide files of greater versatility than those available on the market at present.

There thus provided in accordance with the present invention a file including at least one cover defining atleastoneholetherein,aflexiblethreading member adapted for insertion into the at least one hole, and apparatusforfastening the flexible member, wherein the at least one hole through which the end of the threading member is inserted before being fixedly held by the fastening means merges into a slot open towards the longitudinal inner back edge of the file, so that the member can be inserted sideways without having to be threaded.

Preferably, the slot tapers outwardly.

According to a preferred embodiment,thefile further includes at least one pin affixed to thefile adjacent the threading member, the threading member defining a hollowflexible member adapted for selectable seating on the pin to provide a bridge for papers in the file.

According to an alternate embodiment,thefile further includes a hook element reciprocatably mounted in the file. Preferably, the hook element is slideably mounted in a track defined by the fastening means.

Briefdescription ofthe drawings The present invention will be further understood and appreciated from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein: Figure lisa perspective view ofthe back end of the file constructed and operative in accordance with the present invention seen from its inside; Figure2 is a partial section thereoftaken on line ll-ll of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a section taken on line Ill-Ill of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a planviewshowing part of a second embodimentofthe invention; Figure 5is a section thereof taken on line V-V of Figure 4;; Figure 6 is a plan view of a file constructed and operative in accordance with the present invention in afiling orientation; Figure 7 is a perspective view of the file of Figure 6 in the bridging orientation; Figures 8a and Sb are sectional views of a detail of the file of Figure 6; and Figure 9 is a plan view of a file constructed and operative in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed description ofthe invention With reference to Figures 1 to 3 there is shown a file 1 constructed and operative in accordance with the present invention and comprising at least one cover, in this case a single sheet of cardboard or other conventional material, provided at its back or inner end with accordian-like folds 2 which permit the expansion of the file when desired.

Accordian-likefolds 2 consist of integral strips ofthe file folded one onto the other to define two.

cooperating back ribs 3 and 4 of the file, as can be seen mostclearlyfrom Figure 2.

A reinforcement strip 5 is attached to the inside of rib 2 as by rivets 6. The threading members 7, which are here constituted by a tightly wound metal coil spring having one enlarged and one narrower end, are fastened by their enlarged end between the two parts of rib 3 and extend through eyelets 8 upwards on the inside of the file, as can be seen on the right-hand side of Figure 1. The conventional fastening means for the members 7 comprises a plate 9 from which a bent-overtongue 10 extends outwards and which is attached by rivets 11, 11' to rib 4. According to the invention, rivet 11 together with part of plate 9 is cut awaytowards the side edge of rib 4to form an open slot 12, which preferably flares slightly outwardly.

It is a particular feature of the present invention thatthreading member7 is inserted into slot 12 sideways forfastening, without threading through a hole or rivet 11 as required in conventional files.

Threading member7 is then bent to lie belowtongue 9, as known.

Figures 4 and 5 illustrate an alternate embodiment of the present invention wherein the fastening meanscomprisesaconventional guidebar14 defining an aperture 13 therein for receiving the threading member. Guide bar 14 also defines a track wherein a sliding lock element 15 is disposed.

Sliding lock element 15 is slightly dome-shaped in cross-section so as to be able to enclose the end of threading member 7 to fasten it. According to this embodiment, slot 12 extends through guide bar 14 and into aperture 13therein. When fastening member 7 is bent over onto the track in guide bar 14, the slide 15 is slid to enclose a portion ofthreading member7tofasten it.

It can be seen that the filing process is greatly facilitated using the files ofthe present invention as compared with conventional files. The material to be filed is punched with appropriate holes and is threaded ontothethreading members. The threading members are now simply inserted from the side into slots 12 and arefastened in place. This quick procedure is reversed when material is to be removed from a file.

According to an alternate embodiment, the file comprises two separate cardboard leaves, i.e., a front cover and a back cover, in which the back ribs and fastening members are constructed as above described. In this embodiment, it is possible to insert a thin rod into fastening member 7 as reinforcement before inserting the threading member into slot 12 and fastening it in place by the means above described or by any other conventional fastening means.

It will be appreciated that the invention is also applicable to the simple conventional files wherein the threading members comprise the two ends of a thin flexible metal strip.

Referring now to Figures 6 and 7 there is shown a file 20 provided at its inside edge with accordian-like folds 22 which permit the expansion ofthe file when desired. Threading members 24are affixed to the file in a conventional manner, or as described in my above-mentioned patentapplication.Threading members 24 preferably comprise a tightly wound metal coil spring. Alternately, threading members 24 may comprise any other suitable flexible yet strong material Afastening means for threading members 24 comprises a plate 26 affixed to the upper accordian fold 22 as by rivets 28. Plate 26 defines a track 29 in which a dome-shaped slide 30 is slideably mounted.

Slide 30 serves to engage and retain threading members 24 on track 29. An open slot 32, which preferably flares slightly outwardly, is provided in plate 26so as to permit threading member 24to be inserted sideways into slot 32 for fastening.

Threading member24isthen benttoliebelowslide 30, as known.

The file of the present invention further inciudes a pair of pins 34 mounted adjacentthethreading members 24. According to one embodiment, shown in Figure 8a,the pins 34 are mounted within a fold 22 of the back of the file, and retained therein by rivets 28 which fasten plate 26 to the file. According to an alternate embodiment illustrated in Figure 8b, pins 34 are disposed within a channel 36 defined in an extension 38 of plate 26. It will be appreciated that pins 34 are bent in such a fashion that th reading members 24 can be inserted into slots 32 without interference therefrom.

It will be appreciated that, while the files described hereinabove have been illustrated with two threading members, any other numberofthreading members may alternately be provided, such as one, three, four and so on, depending upon the usage. In such a case, each threading memberwill be provided with a slotted inlet to the fastening means.

Furthermore, in such a case, a complementary number of pins 34 may be provided.

Operation of this file will now be described with particular reference to Figure 7. Papers to be filed within the file are punched with the appropriate holes and arethreaded onto threading members 24 between the folds 22 ofthe file, or between front and back leaves thereof. if it is desired to remove a page from within the file, the file is opened and pins 34 are rotated to stand perpendicularto the file. The ends of threading members 24, which are hollow, are seated over pins 34, thereby creating a bridge for the filed papers. Those papers which were filed afterthe desired page and which areto remain in thefileare moved overthe bridge onto pins 34. Thethreading members 24 are now removed from pins 34 and the desired page removed from the file.

When it is desired to replace the removed page or to close the file, the threading members 24 are re-threaded onto pins 34, the papers moved back over the bridge to seat on threading members 24 only, and the threading members are again removed from pins 34. Pins 34 are now rotated back into their filing orientation, and the file is closed.

Referring now to Figure 9 there is shown a file constructed and operative in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention. Like elements in Figure 6 have been designated with like reference numberals and will not be described again.

The file of this embodiment comprises fastening means including a plate 40 elongated at one end 42 thereof. Elongation 42 defines a track 44 including a stop member 46 of any conventional type.

Slideablymounted intrack44isa hookmember 48. Hook member 48 is arranged to slide outwardly so as to protrude from the edge of the file when it is desired to hang the file therefrom. Hook member 38 is arranged to slide inwardlyto seat within thefile when it is not needed for hanging the file. This telescoping capability is a particularfeature ofthe present invention.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the artthat the present invention is not limited to what has been shown and described hereinabove. Rather, the scope ofthe invention is limited solely by the claims which follow.

Claims (10)

1. Afilecomprising at least one cover defining at leastoneholetherein,aflexiblethreading member adapted for insertion into said at least one hole, and meansforfastening said flexible member, wherein said at least one hole through which the end ofthe threading member is inserted before being fixedly held by said fastening means merges into a slotopen towards the longitudinal innerbackedgeofthefile, so that said member can be inserted sideways without having to bethreaded.

2. Afile as claimed in Claim 1 and wherein said slot tapers outwardly.

3. Afileasclaimed in either of claims 1 or2 and wherein said fastening means comprises a plate and a bent-over tongue coupled thereto, said plate being affixed to the inner back rib ofthefile by an annular rivet, and wherein said slot merges into said annular rivet.

4. Afile as claimed in either of claims 1 or2 and wherein. said fastening means comprises a guide bar defining an integral track and a sliding lock element disposed in said track, and wherein said slot merges into a hole defined in said guide barforreceiving said threading member.

5. Afile as claimed in any ofthe preceding claims and wherein said at least one cover comprises a single cover sheet, the middle of said sheet being folded in accordian-like mannerto define the back of the file and to allowfor selectable expansion ofthe file.

6. Afile as claimed in any of claims 1 to4and wherein said at least one covercomprisestwo separate cover sheets, a back and a front.

7. Afile according to claim 1 andfurther comprising at least one pin affixed to the file adjacent the threading member, the threading member defining a hollowflexible member adapted for seating on the pin to provide a bridge for papers in the file.

8. Afile as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising a hook element reciprocatably mounted in the file.

9. Afile as claimed in claim 8 and wherein said hookelementisslideablymounted in atrackdefined bythefastening means.

10. Afile substantially as described hereinabove or as illustrated in any ofthe drawings.