US798080A - Letter-file. - Google Patents

Description

No. 798,080. l PATENTED AUG. 29, 1905.

` R. SPURGIN.

LETTER FILE.

APPLIUATION FILED JULY 23, 1903.

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ROBERT SPURGIN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

LETTER-FILE.'

No. '798,0t0.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 29, 1905.

Application filed July 23, 1903. Serial No. 166,688.

To all 107mm it 71mg/ concern.-

' ing so-called letter-filing systems for filing correspondence and other papers, and this is accomplished by the use of an ordinary cabinet letter-file containing an index arranged for the double classification of the letters or papers to be filed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l represents the "H designated leaf of. the main index. .fr are attached separating-strips or markers; 0 c c, side of main index-leaf to which the strips are attached; t a, date designations; I), subalphabetical designations; f,

anchoring-tag. Fig. 2 is a single separatingstrip before folding; d, the place of folding. Fig. 3 is a folded separating-strip; c, the place of attachment to the main index-leaf. Fig. 4 is the filing-case fitted with a main and sub indexes complete; e e, alphabetical designations on the main index.

The indexes in all letter files that have heretofore come to my notice have been composed of a series of leaves alphabeted serially at the sidein the usual manner of step-indexing and designed for but a single alphabetical classification of the contents of a file. I am aware that by assigning a single letterfile to each separate letter of the alphabet correspondence issometimes more minutely classified under the first two or three letters of a surname; but for this method of lfiling the common form of index, with full leaves, is also used, only the indexial designations being adapted to suit the requirement. Wherein my improved letter-file differs materially from other kinds is that each full leaf of its serially alphabeted main index is provided with a series of permanentlyattached designating strips or markers, Fig. l, fr a", bearing the letters of the alphabet b in their order. I claim no originality in the box or case provided as a holder for the index and its classified contents when in use nor in the contrivance -by which the index is anchored to the'case inside. My improvement consists, as stated, in the index, Fig. l, designed to. be attached to the filing-case in one of a variety of ways now commonly used. A more parand 3, c o c.

ticular description of my invention is as follows:

Providing rst an ordinary Hat letter-filing case with hinged lid, Fig. 4, a classifying-index is constructed for it consisting, first, of a number of sheets of paper, usually corresponding to the number of letters in the alphabet and in size equal to the area of the filing-case- These are respectively designated on their right margin in the usual manner of a stepped index, with the letters of the alphabet in serial order, Fig. 4, e e. Suitable provision is made by the use, preferably, of projecting tags f at the left margin of the sheets or otherwise for the anchoring of these sheets to the back of the filing-case inside. In such manner is constructed what I am pleased to call by Way of distinction the main classifying-index, forming a part of my invention. For each of the leaves of the main index a separate subclassifying-index is next provided, consisting of a set of attached strips of paper, Fig. l, fr .fr m, and Figs. 2 and 3, extending over transversely from the left edge, Fig. l, c c c, nearly or quite to the right edge of the leaf of the main index, to which they are attached, Fig. 4, e e. These strips are secured by an adhesive to the left edge of the leaf, Fig. 1, o c 0, so that they may be raised clear of the main leaf nearly their entire length at pleasure. Each of the series consists, preferably, of at least sufficient strips to provide a separator or marker for each letter of the alphabet, except possibly a few of the less-used lettersnsuch as Qf X, Y, and f -which letters may occupy markers in common with other letters. To permit of the use of strips of suitable width for the purpose, the series for each leaf of the main index is divided into two layers, the strips in the upper layer being about onehalf inch shorter than those in the lower, thus permitting the exposure of printed designations on the ends of all the strips alike, Fig. l, t a b b. In making these \markers for greater convenience one long strip of paper is folded near the middle, Fig. 2, CZ, and Fig. 3, vertically, so that the shorter portion will be above the longer, and in attaching to the main-index leaf about one-half inch of' the under side of the nether strip at the place of folding, Fig. 2, d, and Fig. 3, c, is gummed and secured to the leaf at the left side, Figs. l The upper and shorter portion of the strip remains free from the fold to the IOO end. All the strips are arranged contiguously to one another, and each is independent of another in its action. The usual width of the strips is one inch preferably; but for g'reater convenience and efciency the upper and nether strips at the top and bottom of' each set are made much wider than the remaining strips between, as otherwise being at the extreme ends they would be liable to displacement in the process oflliling letters or transferring an index and its contents to another case. Each leatl of' the main index, with its series of' attached separating-strips, is also distinct from and independentin its vertical action of al] the others, the same as in an ordinary letter-file index. The main index is alphabeted in the usual manner by exposed designations serially arranged along the right side of the several leaves, Fig. 4, e-e. These designations necessarily appear in bank beyond the edge of the subclassifying-index. The subclassifying-indexes,v composed of the transverse strips, Fig. 1, :v a a, are designated each with the several letters of the alphabet in serial order, each pair of strips consisting of the upper and nether strip bearing, preferably, two consecutive letters, one on each, Figs. 1 and 4, For example, the iirst upper strip vis designated ".A and the one beneath 13, and so on for each pair of strips, except that a few strips may to much advantage bear two or more consecutive letters. The strips are also designated with numerals, Figs. 1 and 4, a a, consecutively from 1 to 31, in similar arrangement to the alphabetic designations, representing dates or any other numeric indications desired. For other numeric classifications than chronological other numbers may be substituted for those indicated and shown, as required.

In the practical use of my improved letterle a letter may be filed in it underltwo classifications, one determining its alphabetical location in the main index and the other its alphabetical or numerical place in the subindex at'that location. For instance, a letter from one John Harris, of Boston, to be classiiied according to bothv the town-name and writers name would be placed in the B section of the main index, Fig. 4, e e, for the town-name and under the H strip bb of that section for the writers name. If a double classification under the writers name and the day of a month would be preferred, a letter from one Henry Jones, dated the 21st of lthe month, would be filed in the J section ofthe main index, Fig. 4, e e, for the main classification, and under the strip marked 21for the date classification, Fig. 4, a a.

My improved letter-file also affords a useful classification under the first two letters of' a surname. For example, in the case of the name Johnsom a letter would be filed in the J section of the main index for the initial letter and under the strip of that section marked "0 for the subclassiiication under the second letter. Various other dual classifications could lalso be availed of to advantage. Classified and subclassiiied in the manner described and practically in one operation, letters or other papers filed in my improved letter-file are capable of being turned up with great despatch. v

Having thus described my invention, what I now claim, and desire to be secured by Letters Patent, is

1. In a letter-file the combination of a cabi- -net filing-case with an index consisting of a series of separate, alphabetically -indexed leaves provided with rear anchoring-tags and each bearing an attached subindex, consisting of superposed, transverse, contiguous strips, serially designated with the letters of' the alphabet and the numbers 1 to 31 consecutively, substantially as described and set forth.

2. A dual classifying letter-file index, consisting oi' serially-designated leaves provided with suitable anchoring-tags and a series of contiguous, superposed, transverse, rear-attached markers bearing serially arranged designations; all substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof' I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ROBERT sPURGIN.

Witnesses:

W. S. BizoNsoN, MABEL R. BRoNsoN.

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