US1397982A - Card-index system - Google Patents

Description

J. H. RAND, 1R. CARD INDEX SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED M21. 1917.

Patented N 0v. 22, 1921.

5s AMT.

JAN] 50.10

DATE www. Fehlb. IO 00 A TTZiR/Vf Y5 l. H. RAND, JR. CARD INDEX SYSTEM. APPLICATION FILED MAY 21, 1917.

Patented Nov. 22, 1921 3 SHEETSSHEE. 2.

J. H. RAND, JR. CARD INDEX SYSTEM. APPLICATION FILED MAY 2!, 1917.

Patented NOV. 22, 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Y. N M M f U B MOFHS. Jose h 36 Oak ST Buff lo NY.

2| Mam 61 II E. Church,

1 MENTOR.

A TTOR/VE m:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

James RAND, JR, or "IONAWANDA, NEW YORK.

CARD- lNDEX SYSTEM.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, James H; RAND, Jr., a citizen of the United States, residing" at Tonawanda, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Card-Index Systems, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to card indexsystems of the overlapping card type, in which a series of cards or card holders are so disposed in overlapping: and spaced relation to each other that marginal portions of the cards or card holders bearing, index matter, or index members areexposed and visible one above another. More particularly the invention relates to card index systems of this type in which the cards or card holders are provided with tongues or parts whereby the cards or card holders interlock or nest together in such a manner that one card or card holder is supported by another and one card or and holder cannot be removed from the series without first moving it out of interlocking engagement with an adjacent card or card holder. I

In this specification the term -card, except where otherwise apparent, is used in a broad sense to denote either a piece of cardboard, paper or other membe' analogous to a card having information printed or written directly thereon. or a member analogous to a 'ard on which a separate card, slip of paper or the like, bearing the information is suitably retained so that this member or card holder with its attached separate'information slip can be manipulated and used like a card.

one object of this invention is to produce a practical and desirable card index system of this nature in which the index members or exposed portions of the cards that bear the index matter are covered and protected by transparent sheaths or protectors which cooperate to interlock the cards and retain them in the overlapped spaced relationship.

ther objects of the invention will appear from the following description and claims. In the accompanying drawings Figure l is a front elevation on a reduced scale of a series of overlapping cards embodying the invention. showing the same in position on the 'linme'tor support for the same.

or". the cards and its sheath, a portion of the Specification of Letters Patent.

is a front elevation. tull size, of one Patented Nov. 22, 1921 1917; serial- No. 169,883.

supportin frame being shown partlv in 8i."

. J vation and partly in section.

I* 1g. 3 IS a trout elevation, on a. reduced scale, of one of the cards removed from the frame and sheath and before the same is folded to form the index portion.

Fig. '1 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the complete cards.

Fig. 5 is a sectional perspective of one of the card sheaths or protectors.

Fig. (3 is a fragmentary section of one ofthe 'ards with the sheath or protector. in place thereon. I

Fig. 7 is a cross section of a plurality of the cards, showing the same interior-keel but removed from the frame.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary front elevation, similar to Fig. 1, showing a portion of the series of cards raised in the frame to expose the information appearing: on one ofthe cards.

Fig. 5) is a fragmentary moss-section of the fram and the cards thereon.

Fig. front elevation, on a reduced scale. of a modification of the invention, showing a card. holder with separate information card orslip retained thereon, the card being partially withdrawn l'rom the holder and the index slip being partially drawn from the sheath.

Fig. 1]v is a section, l1-ll, Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a front elevation, scale, of another tion.

vFig".

Fig. tion, showing another modification Fig. the cards shown in Fig. 14.

Figs. 16 and 17 are sectional perspectives of still other modifications.

Referring; first, to the construction shown in Figs. 14?,- Arepresents one of the. cards which are arranged in overlapping relation as shown in Fig. 1, in a suitable frame or support- B, 'wliicl1 is provided at its opposite side. edges with the usual inturned flanges l) forming guides Z) for retainir gthe cards on the frame. Tl'ie cards A can he made of thin cardboard, paper or other suitable sheetmaterial. Preferably they are made of com paratively thin flexible papenas ther W the cost of the cards is reduced and the full size, on line i on a reduced modification of the inven- 13 is a section on line .3 13. Fig. 12.

is a sectional perspective view or His a front elevation, partly in secless space in the guides of the frame and permit the cards slide much more tree in the guides than it thicker c C represents a sheath or pr applied to the upper ma; J per each of the cards A. This sheath is preferably composed as showm of a front strip oi thin, transparent celluloid l5 and back or tongue strip 16 of thin cardboard or relatively stiff paper secured to the celluloid strip below the upper edge ther by staples or other suitable fastening ecs 17. The lower portion 18 of the celluloid strip is bent rearwz'irdly and upwardly be tween the body portion of the front strip and the back. strip, thus forming an open ended pocket. In the construction shown in Figs. 1-9, the upper marginal portion of the card A, see Fig. 4:, is folded first downwardly as indicated at 19 and then upwardly, forming a front index member or portion 520 on which is Written or printed the name of the person represented by the card or other matter indicating; the nature or the information contained on the *card. By tolding the card in this Way the index matter can be printed on the front of the card, that is on the same 'facethereot on which the information on the body of the card is printed. The folded portion of the card is slipped endwise into the poelret of the sheath C so that the sheath is retained on the card and the index member 20 is protected by the irds Wei" sheath While the matterthereon can be read through the transparent front Wall of the sheath. The card depends from the sheath between the back strip 16 and the upwardly bent portion of the celluloid front strip, as clearly shown in Fig. 6. The back strip of the sheath shown is preferably provided "with slits 21, see Fig. 5. below and parallel v with the staples 17. The upper folded edge of the card is adapted to engage the edges of these slits, which act stops to prevent the cards from Wedging in between the front ips of the and hack s r sheath and thus making; it now nlicult to slip the card into out at the sheath. The stop slits could be provided in the front strip i'lesired but they are preferably made in the back strip. as stated.

Preferably, the folded portion of the card forming the index member is shorter than the body portion of thacarrhnnd the sheath is made of apprtmimately equal length so that when the cards with the sheaths thereon are arranged in the supporting trams ll the opposite end portions of the carts will extend in? the guides termed by the flanges b of the irame While the index. portions 20 and the sheaths will project forwardly from the cardsbetrveen the frame flanges and, will not extend into the guides of the frame. The cards are nested or interlocked one with another and retained in spaced relationsnip',

N 1 hull as shown in Fig. 1, by inserting the upper portion of the sheath for one card up betweer the pocket and. the'l'iaclr strip of the sheath for the next card above and in front of the body of the latter card as shown in Fig. 7. As thus arranged the body portions of the cards are disposed one behind another and the lower front portion of each sheath and the index member 20 of the card therein are exposed to View beneath the sheath and the index portion of the neat card shove. A card or group of cards thus assembled can be readily inserted into place in. the frame by bowing or springing the card or qrrmp of cards so as to insert the opposite ends of the card or group into the opposite Quid-es 7) of the frame. The cards are retatued in the frame by the end portions thereof which extend. beyond the ends of the sheaths into the guides. As the cards overlap for the greater portion of their height, the end portions of each card ext-end back of the corresponding portions of a number or" other cards and the requisite stillness or strength is thus provided to hold the cards securely in the frame, although the cards may be made of thin, flexible pieces-of paper. Since the cards are thin, the end portions thereof do not bind or stick in the guides notwithstanding that there are a number of thicln'less'es in all portions of the guides, and the cards can slide or slip up and down in the guides freely Without requiring deep guides. When it is desired to examine a card the sheath for this card is grasped and raised vertically in the frame, which liftsthe sheaths above the same to.

nether with their cards until-the face of the desired card is'exposed to view, as shown in 'l ig". 8. When the card is released. it together with the cards above it will slide down by gravity into place in the frame behind the next lower card with the sheath of the card which has been ez'ramined overlapping and interlocking with the sheath for the next card below. The cards slide very freely in the frame and can. thus be manipia lated and examined readily; Any desired card can be readily removed from the frame by similarly raising the card and' then disengaging its sheath from the neat sheath above and removing the card and sheath Ltd from the frame. In a similar manner a card i can be readily inserted at any desired point between any two cards in the series.

If it is desired to hide from viewthe body of the lowermost card of the series in the trzune, this can be conveniently" done by means or a cover or plain card 22 which is inserted in the frame in front of-the face of the lowermost card, as shown in Fig. 1.

ln the construction shown in. Figs. 10 and 11.. instead "of a card having information' printed or written thereon as before er plained, plain card or card holder A is nee card or written or is shown, the tie, downwardiy t T1 2 1, which is C for ieath and inserted or printed and the slips the sheath.

another construction rr'ls already in use.

i s'raction the sheath made baa-i; strip which depends strip 1:: pended wnn inch lugs on 2 for retaining in y othersuitcard to its back i, CUIiStIIICtlOII a -'o that shown i ani The cards afhs shown 1n us :30 1.:truct1on are rnctions by 1e sheath torand the back above deiongues on lock the cards and provide exposed index portions, but in avh'ch the protecting covers or sheaths are omitted. Figs. 1a to 17 show such constructions. In the form shown in Figs. 14 and 15 the cards A are folded the same as the cards in the first construction described, except that the index portion or foid 33 extends above the upper edge of the body portion of the card. In assembling these cards the folded part or tongue of one weird is inserted between the folded tongue and body part of the next card, as shown in- Fig. 15. A portion of each tongue is exposed below the next tongue and the index matter is written or printed on these exposed parts.

Fig. 16 shows a "form in which the tongue formed'by a single folded margin of the card A? stapled between its edges to the body of the card, and Fig. 17 shows another form in which the tongue is formed by a separate strip of material secured, as b h frame tor holding the cards thereon, and the tongues project forwardly between the guide flanges ot the frame.

1 claim as my invention:

1. In a card system, a series of cards, a sheath connected to each card adjacent to one margin thereof for protecting an index member for the card, said cards being assembled with the sheath of each card nested between the sheath and the body of the next card in the series, whereby said cards are interlocked and spaced with their sheaths projecting one beyond another.

2. In a card-system, a series of cards, a sheath onnected to each card adjacent to one n'iargin thereof and extending toward the opposite margin of the card in front of the card for protecting an index member forthe card, said cards being assembled with the sheath of each card nested hetyeenthe sheath and the body of the next card in the series, whereby said cards are interlocked and spaced with their sheaths projecting one beyond another.

3. In a card system, a series of cards sheath connected to e tone-margin thereof for protecting an index member for the card. said cards being assembled with the sheath of each card inserted and interlocked between the sheath and the body of the next card in the series, and each card and its sheath ha ing means for limiting: the insertion of the sheath of the next card between the same, whereby saidcards e spaced with their sheaths projecting one ind anotherystenl, a series of cards, a

ich card adjacent to one margin thereof for protecting an index member for the card, said sheath extending above and below its point of connection with the card, and said cards being assemhlei'lwith' the sheath of each card nested between the sheath and thebody of the next card in the series, whereby said cards are interlocked and spaced with their sheaths projer'rting one beyond another.

in a card system, a series of cards, ,a sheath connected to each card adjacent to one. margin thereof and provided with a pocket which contains and protects an index member for the card and with a thin edge portion which projects beyond the card and is adapted to nest between the sheath and the body of the next card in the series, whereby said cards are interlocked and.

spaced with their sheaths projecting one beyond another.

6. In a card system, a ser es of cards, a sheath engaged with one margin of each card and comprising av pocket for anindex member located in front of thecard and a sheath engaged with one margin of each card and comprising a transparent front stripand a back strip fastened together-between their edges and extending respco tively in front of and back of the card, said cards being assembled with the sheath of one card nested between the ca rd of the.

series and the front strip oi. the sheath there for Whereb said cards are interlocked andspaced "ith their sheaths projecting one beyond another.

8. In a card system, a series of cards, a

sheath connected to each card adjacent to one margin thereof for protecting, an index member for the card, said cands being longer than and projecting: beyond the endsoi the sheaths for engagement with a support for;

retaining the cards thereon, said cards being assembled with the sheath oficac'h card nested between the sheath and the body of the n at ard in the series, Wherebysaid cards ai e "interlocked and spaced withtheir sheaths projecting; one beyond another.

9. In a card system, a series of sheaths arranged in nested relation with sachet-her with each sheath projecting beyond the next sheath, said sheathshaving transparent iront Walls adapted to cover index members and cards connected to said sheaths and es:- tending one behind another. v

10. In a card system, a series of sheaths hwvim; transparent front Walls adapted to cover index members and having); parts adapting the sheaths to interlock with each mamas other With each sheathprojecting beyond the next sheath, and cards connected to said sheaths and extending-one behind another.

11. In a card system, the combination of frame, a series of sheaths assembled in nested relation with each sheath projecting beyond the next" sheath, said sheaths" having transparent front walls adapted to cover index members, and cards connected to said sheaths and having retaining parts engaging the 7 and sheaths on front Welland a tongue back of said pocket and separated therefrom by a spar adapted to receive a similar sheath for interlocking the sheaths, a card which is connected to said sheath and extends in between the pocket and the tongue of the sheath, and an index: member for the card confined in the pocket of the sheath.

it. A unit for card systems, comprising t sheath having a pocket with a' transparent front wall and a tongue back, of said pocket, a card which is connected tosaid sheath and. extends in bet'mecnthe pocket andthe tongue of the sheath said card being longer than and 10eprojccting beyond the ends of'the sheath. and an inder; member for the card confined in the pocket of the sheath. 7

15. A unit for card systems, comprising a sheath having a pocket with a transparent .front wall, a card connected at one margin to sand. sheath, an index member confined 1n the pocketof said sheath, and a separate card retained on said first mentioned. card.

16. A unit for card systems, comprising a.

sheath having apocket with a transparent i'ro'nt wall, a card having a' fol-(ledinargrinalx portion confined in said sheatli,'a1'icl having means for retaining a separate card thereon,

and an index member confined in the pocket r15 of said sheath.

1?. in a card system, a seriesof units, each unit having a substantially rectangular card portion of relatively large area and adapted.

to bear reference matter, and a: relatively 12o narrow tongue infront of said card portion, each unit being: arranged with one margin thereof nested between the tongue and card portion of'- the next unit and yyith each tongue only partially overlapping the next tongue, whereby said units are interlocked and said tongues provide exposed index no tions in front of said cardportions located one above another.

18. In a card system, a series. of units, T;

each unit having a substantially rectangular card portion of relatively large area and adapted to bear reference matter, and a relatively narrow tongue arranged at the front side of said card portion and adjacent to one edge thereof. each unitbeing arranged with o11e,xnargin thereof nested between the tongue and card portion of the next unit and with each tongue only partially overlapping the next tongue, whereby said units are interlocked and said 'tongues provide exposed index portions in front of said card portions located one above another.

19. In a card system, a series of units having tongues at their front sides and arranged with one margin of each unit nested between the tongue and the body of the next unit and with each tongue only partially overlapping the next tongue. whereby said units are interlocked and said tongues provide exposed index portions in front of the units located one above another, the ends of said units projecting beyond the ends of said tongues for engagement with a frame for retaining the units thereon.

2!). In a card system, a series of units, each unit having a substantially rectangular card portion of relatively large area and adapted to bear reference matter and a relatively narrow tongue arranged at the front side of said card portion with its edges substantially parallel with opposite edges of said card portion, each unit being arranged with one margin thereof nested between the tongue and card portion of the next unit and with each tongue only partially overlapping the next tongue, whereby said units are interlocked and said tongues provide exposed index portions infront of said card portions located one above another.

21. A unit for card systems, comprising a card provided at its front side adjacent to one edge with a tongue which extends toward the opposite edge of the card and has a free edge portion substantially parallel with said edge of the card and providing an index portion for said card, said tongue terminating at its ends short of the ends of the card.

\Vitness my hand, this 15th day of May,

JAMES H. RAND, JR. Witnesses E. 1 GRAY, Pnann KARL.

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