CA2078150C

CA2078150C - Filing apparatus of both-side opening/closing type

Info

Publication number: CA2078150C
Application number: CA 2078150
Authority: CA
Inventors: Shinichi Kaneda; Takio Kiyomi
Original assignee: Kokuyo Co Ltd
Current assignee: Kokuyo Co Ltd
Priority date: 1991-12-03
Filing date: 1991-12-03
Publication date: 1998-09-01
Anticipated expiration: 2011-12-03
Also published as: CA2078150A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a filing apparatus of the both-side opening and closing type in which a pair of right and left opening/closing members (52) coupled to the right and left side edges of an attaching member (41) can be opened and closed from any one of the front, back, right, and left side edges by an operating member (61) provided for the attaching member (41). The filing apparatus comprises: the attaching member (41) having axial pipes (44) at the right and left side edges; a pair of right and left opening/closing members (52) in which filing rods are projected on the inner surface and axial pipes (56) which are coupled to the axial pipes (44) are provided; coupling mechanisms which are arranged at the right and left positions of the attaching member (41) and have a pair of operating rods which are relatively moved between the inoperative position where the opening/closing members (52) are rotatably coupled to the attaching member (41) by a coupling rod (65) and the operative position to release the coupling state of them; front and back operating members (61) for operating the right and left coupling mechanisms from the inoperative position to the operative position, respectively; and a holding mechanism which holds the operative position of the coupling mechanism by a holding lever (67) and releases the holding state of the holding lever when the opening/closing members (52) are in the coupling state. One of the opening/closing members (52) can be opened from any one of the front, back, right, and left positions of the attaching member (41).

Description

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DESCRIPTION

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

FILING APPARATUS OF BOTH-SIDE OPENING/CLOSING TYPE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a filing apparatus which is attached to the inner surface of a rear side cover of a cover plate. The cover plate is constructed by providing a continuous front cover, a back cover, and a rear side cover so as to be freely bent and which files sheets by securing the sheets therein on filing rods. More particularly, the invention relates to a filing apparatus of the both-side opening/closing type in which opening/closing members have filing rods which are pierced through filing holes formed in sheets, and in which the opening/closing members are respectively rotatably attached by coupling means to both side surfaces of an attaching member. The attaching member is attached to the inner surface of a rear side cover and attaching/detaching operations of the opening/closing member can be performed by operating the coupling means from either the right or left sides.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In a conventional one-side opening type filing apparatus, a finger hook is provided for an accompanying plate which is pivotally attached to the side plate of a base plate through a spring. The accompanying plate is ~ ~ 7 ~ ~ ~ Q
_ - 2 opened against the spring by hooking the finger to the finger hook.
An improved filing apparatus of a one-side opening type, in which the opening/closing member can be opened from either the right or left directions to file or remove sheets therefrom disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Registration Application No. 62-123979, laid open on August 6, 1987. The above filing apparatus of the both-side opening type comprises: an attaching member in which coupling axial pipes are respectively provided at front and back positions of right and left side edges of a rectangular base plate; a pair of right and left hollow opening/closing members into which filing rods having a spike shape and a tubular shape which can be inserted, the hollow opening/closing members and rods are respectively attached at the front and back positions of the inner surface, and axial pipes which are respectively coupled with the above axial pipes are provided along the lower edges; and coupling means arranged in the opening/closing members, wherein the coupling means is constructed by operating plates which are slidable in the front and back directions, a spring for always elastically pressing the operating plates in either one of the front and back directions, a pair of front and back coupling rods which are retained to the operating plates, and a locking member to lock the operative state of the operating plates. With the above construction, in the inoperative state, the pair of front and back coupling rods are moved into the coupling state in which they project from the axial ~7%~ 5Q

pipes of the opening/closing members into the axial pipes of the attaching member by the pressing force of the spring.
When either one of the right and left operating plates is pressed and slid by a finger against the spring in such a coupling state, the coupling rods retained to such an operating plate are removed from the axial pipes of the attaching member, thereby disconnecting the axial pipes.
The operating state is locked by the locking member. The other opening/closing member rotates relative to the attaching member and the above disconnected opening/closing member is moved away from the attaching member, thereby enabling the filing operation of the sheets or the like to be performed. According to the above-mentioned both-side opening type filing apparatus, the filing operation of the sheets or the like can be performed by releasing the coupling state of the opening/closing members from any one of the right and left directions and it is therefore convenient to use. However, since the operating plates are provided on the opening/closing member side, when the operating plate is pressed by the finger against the spring in order to remove the opening/closing member from the attaching member, the finger pressing force acts in a direction such as to restrict the operation of the opening/closing member which intends to be away from the attaching member, with the result that operating efficiency of the opening/closing member is lost. Further, the cover plate has a distinct top and bottom, from a viewpoint of the display of an index and a title. In the case of releasing '~., a the coupling state of the opening/closing members, it is most preferable to execute such a releasing operation on this side of the user. However, in the case of the foregoing construction, since the operating direction to release the coupling state of the opening/closing members is constant, in the case of attaching the filing apparatus to the cover plate, it is necessary to make the top/bottom directions of the cover plate coincident with the operating direction of the filing apparatus. Thus, there is a drawback in that when the filing apparatus is attached to the cover plate its operating efficiency is lost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide a filing apparatus of the both-side opening type in which an operating member which has previously been provided on the side of an opening/closing member, is attached to the attaching member side, thereby improving the operating efficiency of the opening/closing member and enabling the operating member to be operated from either the front or back directions of the opening/closing member, so that an attaching work of the filing apparatus to a front cover is made easy. More practically speaking, the operating member can be always operated at the position on the attaching member side irrespective of the filing direction of the sheets and the top/bottom directions of the cover plate.

According to the first embodiment of the invention, a filing apparatus comprises: an attaching , j . ..

member in which a pair of front and back axial pipes and retaining members are respectively provided at the right and left side edges of a base plate; a pair of right and left opening/closing members having filing rods which can mutually pierce each other are mounted on inner surfaces of the opening/closing members and axial pipes which are coupled to the front and back axial pipes are provided at lower portions; a pair of operating rods are relatively moved in the front/back directions by a facing direction interlocking mechanism and function as a pair of coupling mechanisms which are symmetrically arranged at the right and left positions on the base plate and operate to couple or uncouple the right and left opening/closing members and the attaching member; an elastic pressing member for always elastically biasing the pair of operating rods in the contactless direction; a pair of front and back operating members which are respectively retained with the pair of operating rods and are inserted into the axial pipes of the attaching member and the axial pipes of the opening/closing members at the inoperative positions to thereby rotatably couple the axial pipes and enter the axial pipes of the attaching member, and which release the coupling with the axial pipes of the opening/closing members when the operating members are operated against the elastic pressing member; and a locking member which is provided for either one of the operating rods and is retained to the retaining members, the locking member restricting the relative movement of the operating rods when the coupling of the ~ ~ 7 ~ ~ 5 Q

axial pipes is released, and which acts on the axial pipes of the opening/closing members and releases from retention the retaining members to thereby allow the relative movement of the operating rods when the axial pipes of the attaching member coincide with the axial pipes of the opening/closing members.
With the above construction, when the operating members on one side of either one of the pair of right and left opening/closing members, are pulled in the direction from the inoperative position, where the pair of right and left opening/closing members stand so as to face each other, the pair of operating rods are relatively moved in such a direction as to be away from each other. Further, the operating members at the front and back positions are removed from the axial pipes of the opening/closing members and are retracted into the axial pipes of the attaching member, so that one of the opening/closing members is uncoupled from the attaching member. Thus, when the cover plate is opened, the opening/closing member which is in the coupling state rotates outwardly as a result of the weight of the fallen sheets acting on the opening/closing members.
Due to this, when the coupling state is released, the opening/closing members automatically float up. On the other hand, since the pair of operating rods relatively move in a direction as to be away from each other, the locking member provided for one of the operating rods is retained to the retaining member of the base plate, so that the uncoupled state between the attaching member and one opening/closing member is maintained. The above operation is also similarly executed when any one of the other operating members is operated in the direction on this side.
According to the second embodiment, by providing the operating members at the left, right, front, and back positions of the attaching member, and by pressing either one of the operating members, the pair of operating rods relatively move in the contactless direction against the pressing force by an interlocking coupling mechanism. The operating rods provided for the front and back operating members are withdrawn from the axial pipes of the opening/closing members and retract into the axial pipes of the attaching member, so that one opening/closing member may be moved away from the attaching member. On the other hand, since the pair of operating rods relatively move in a direction towards each other, the retaining lever provided for one of the operating rods is retained to a guide rib of a cover, and therefore, the non-coupling state between the attaching member and one opening/closing member is held.
The above operation is also similarly performed when any one of the other operating members is pressed and operated.
Further, according to a modification of the second embodiment, the attaching member is divided into halves by a symmetrical line with respect to the right and left positions, thereby enabling the attaching member to be commonly used in the case where widths of rear side cover of the cover plate differ.
According to the third embodiment, the operating ~ ~ 7 ~

members are constructed in a manner such that an operating member for pressing is integratedly provided in one edge portion of one operating rod, and the operating member for pulling is integratedly provided in the other edge portion. The operating members for pressing are arranged in one edge portion of the attaching member, with the operating members for pulling arranged in the other edge portion, and when either one of the right and left pressing operating members locating is pressed, one operating rod slides against the pressing force and the front and back coupling rods are withdrawn from the axial pipes of the opening/closing members and retract into the axial pipes of the attaching member. Consequently, one opening/closing member may be moved away from the attaching member.
Since one operating rod slides, the retaining lever provided for the operating rod is retained against the guide rib of the cover, so that the non-coupling state between the attaching member and the non-coupled opening/closing member is held. Even in the case where either one of the right and left operating members for pulling is pulled and operated, one operating rod slides in the pulling direction, so that the pulling operating member functions in a manner similar to the case where the operating member for pressing is depressed.
According to a further modification of the third embodiment, the pressing operating member is arranged in one edge portion of the attaching member, and the pulling operating member is arranged in the other edge portion.

" - - 9 Since the operating members are located at the front, back, right, and left positions of the attaching member, there is an effect such that the work to attach to the cover plate can be executed without regard to the direction of the attaching member.
According to the fourth embodiment, a filing apparatus comprises: an attaching member having a pair of front and back axial pipes provided at the right and left side edges of a base plate; a pair of right and left hollow flat-shaped opening/closing members from an inner surface of project filing rods which can pierce each other, and from a lower portion are provided a pair of front and back axial pipes which may be coupled with the axial pipes of the base plate; coupling means which are arranged in the pair of right and left opening/closing members, respectively, and are constructed such that coupling rods are respectively provided for a pair of front and back operating plates coupled by a facing direction interlocking mechanism, wherein when the pair of operating plates move in one of the facing directions, the coupling rods are respectively projected from the pair of front and back axial pipes of the opening/closing members into the pair of front and back axial pipes of the attaching member, thereby rotatably coupling them. When the pair of front and back operating plates move in the other one of the facing directions, the coupling rods respectively retract into the pair of front and back axial pipes of the opening/closing members, out from the pair of front and back axial pipes of the attaching ~5 ~

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member to thereby release the coupling state of the opening/closing member and the attaching member.
A holding means is arranged in the pair of right and left opening/closing members, constructed such that when the coupling means move to the non-coupling position, such a state is held. When the opening/closing members reach the coupling positions of the attaching member, the holding state is released by acting on the axial pipes of the attaching member. Operating members are respectively arranged at front and back positions on the right and left sides of the attaching member, which operate the operating plates of the coupling means the coupling positions to the non-coupling positions. The operating plates are provided with elastic members which are brought into pressure contact with the axial pipes of the attaching member in the non-coupling state and which apply repulsive elastic pressure between the attaching member and the opening/closing members. The operating members are depressed and, when the coupling state between the attaching member and the opening/closing members is released, the opening/closing members automatically float up from the attaching member by the applying force of the holding member and can be easily removed from the attaching member.
In any of the first to fourth embodiments, when the coupling state of one opening/closing member is released, the filing rods outwardly rotate and stand at the coupling position of the other opening/closing member which remains coupled to the attaching member by the operation by the hand due to the weight of the filed sheets. In this state, the piercing states of the filing rods are released and the sheets or the like are filed to one opening/closing member. The filing rods are again mutually pierced and the sheets or the like are filed to the filing rods. The opening/closing member in the non-coupling state is then returned to the original coupling position by manual operation. When the positions of the axial pipes of the opening/closing member are aligned with the coupling positions of the axial pipes of the attaching member, the holding state of the holding means is automatically released by the axial pipes. The coupling means is returned under the resiliently applied force and the axial pipes of the attaching member and the axial pipes of one opening/closing member are again coupled by the coupling rods.
As mentioned above, according to the invention, since the operating members to operate the coupling mechanism are provided on the attaching member side, the filing operation can be smoothly executed without exerting any trouble to the opening/closing operation of the opening/closing member. On the other hand, since the operating members are arranged at the front, back, right, and left positions of the attaching member, the operating member can be always operated at the position on this side and the filing work can be executed irrespective of the filing direction of the sheets or the handling of the user, that is, independently of the normal standing filing or handstanding filing. It is extremely convenient to handle. The direction of attachment of the cover plate is not restricted. Therefore, the attaching work to the cover plate can be also easily performed. Further, according to the first, second, and fourth embodiments, since the attaching relations of the opening/closing members to the attaching member are made symmetrical with respect to the oblique direction of the attaching member, there are effects such that the pair of right and left opening/closing members can be used from any one of the right and left directions and the same parts can be commonly used and the manufacturing costs can be reduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a whole perspective view of the first embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the first embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 3 is a plan view of the first embodiment of the invention with a part cut away and with a part omitted;
Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view of an opening/closing member of the first embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 5 is a perspective new of a state in which one of the opening/closing members in the first embodiment of the invention is opened;
Fig. 6 is a whole perspective view of the second embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the second embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a state in which one of opening/closing members in the second embodiment of the invention is opened;
Fig. 9 is a plan view of the second embodiment of the invention with a part cut away and with a part omitted;
Fig. 10 is a whole perspective view in a modification of the second embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a state in which an opening/closing member in the modification of the second embodiment of the invention is opened;
Fig. 12 is a whole perspective view of the third embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the third embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a state in which one of opening/closing members in the third embodiment of the invention is opened;
Fig. 15 is a plan view of the third embodiment of the invention with a part cut away and with a part omitted;
Fig. 16 is a whole perspective view in a modification of the third embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 17 is an exploded perspective view in the modification of the third embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 18 is a perspective view of a state in which one of opening/closing members in the modification of the third embodiment of the invention is opened;
Fig. 19 is a plan view of the modification of the , .

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-third embodiment of the invention with a part cut away and with a part omitted;
Fig. 20 is a whole perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 21 is an inside view of an opening/closing member showing a coupling state of the fourth embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 22 is an inside view of the opening/closing member showing a non-coupling state of the fourth embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 23 is an exploded perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 24 is a partial enlarged diagram in which an operating member in the coupling state in the fourth embodiment of the invention is partially cut out;
Fig. 25 is a partial enlarged diagram in which the operating member in the non-coupling state of the fourth embodiment of the invention is partially cut out;
Fig. 26 is a modification diagram corresponding to Fig. 24 of the fourth embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 27 is a modification diagram corresponding to Fig. 24 of the fourth embodiment of the invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
The first embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 5. Reference numeral 1 denotes an attaching member which is constructed in the following manner. A rectangular base plate 2 is provided .

-having along each longitudinal edge, a pair of front and back axial pipes 3, receiving members 4 which project upwardly at inner positions between the front and back axial pipes 3 at desired intervals, and retaining members 5 from the base plate 2 located at positions. The axial pipes 3, receiving members 4 and retaining members 5 are respectively provided at the right and left longitudinal side edges of a rectangular base plate 2 so as to be symmetrical with respect to the right/left directions and the front/back directions. Guide members 6 and 7 are formed at the front and back positions near the right and left side edges of the base plate 2 and at the central position by cutting and bending portions of the plate 2 vertically upwardly, respectively. Attaching holes 8 are formed in the base plate 2 for use in attaching the base plate 2 to, for instance, the inner surface of the rear side cover of a cover plate.
Reference numeral 10 denotes a pair of right and left openingtclosing members having lengths such that the opening/closing members 10 in the front/back directions along their lower portions to permit insertion between the pair of front and back axial pipes 3 of the attaching member 1. U-shaped bending portions 15 face outwardly and are formed at the upper edges of side plates 14. Side plates 14 are made of metal and have axial pipes 13. The axial pipes 13 have concave portions 11 at front and back positions into which the receiving members 4 are inserted, and inducing members 12 which are provided at the inner surface positions 67 ~

of the concave portions 11. The lower edges of the inducing members 12 come into pressure contact with the inner surfaces of the receiving members 4, thereby inducing the opening/closing members 10 inwardly. An auxiliary plate 17 made of a synthetic resin is overlaid over the outer surface of the side plate 14. An upper edge of the auxiliary plate 17 is sandwiched by the bending portion 15, with the front/back edges of the auxiliary plate projecting from the side plate 14 into downward notched portions 16 which are formed in edge surfaces of the plate 17.
As shown in Fig. 2, spike-shaped filing rods 18 and tubular filing rods 19 which can pierce each other, enabling the right and left opening/closing members 10 to be commonly used, project from the respective inner surfaces of the opening/closing members 10.
Reference numeral 20 denotes a pair of right and left coupling mechanisms which are arranged at the right and left positions on the surface of the base plate 2 so as to be symmetrical with respect to the front/back directions, respectively. Each of the coupling mechanisms 20 comprises: a pinion 21; one operating rod 26; another operating rod 30; a spring 31; and a pair of front/back operating members 35 and 36 made of a synthetic resin. The pinion 21 is rotatably pivotally attached onto the surface of the base plate 2. The operating rod 26 includes a retaining claw 22 provided at an outer edge, and a rack 23 which engages with the pinion 21 formed on a rear side surface. The operating rod 26 further includes a locking ~ 7 ~

member 25 having at a front edge a retaining portion 24 which is retained by the retaining member 5 and an inclined surface 24a which is rotatably pivotally attached to an inner edge. The operating rod 26 is guided between the inner surface of one axial pipe 3 and one guide member 6 which faces the axial pipe 3, in sliding movement on the base plate 2 in the front/back directions. The other operating rod 30 has a retaining claw 28 at the outer edge and a rack 29 which engages with the pinion 21 at the inner edge, respectively, and extends in the front/back directions of the base plate 2. The operating rod 30 is slid and guided by the inner surface of the other axial pipe 3, the other guide member 6 which faces the axial pipe 3, and the guide member 7 which is located at the central position.
The spring 31 is disposed between the locking member 25 of the operating rod 26 and the other operating rod 30, and always resiliently urges both of the operating rods 26 and 30 in the contactless direction, applying an outward rotational force to the locking member 25.
The operating members 35 and 36 have finger hooking notch portions 32 on the inner surfaces and coupling shafts 33 horizontally projecting from their lower portions. In the inoperative state, the coupling shafts 33 project from the axial pipes 3 and are communicated with the axial pipes 13 of the opening/closing members 10 to thereby rotatably couple the axial pipes 13 between the pipes 3. In the operative state, the coupling shafts 33 are withdrawn from the axial pipes 13 and release the coupling state of ~, the axial pipes 3 and 13. Retaining grooves 34 in which retaining claws 22 and 28 are respectively retained are formed in the circumferential direction of the operating members 35,36.
The coupling mechanisms 20 constructed as mentioned above are arranged at the right and left positions on the base plate 2 so as to be symmetrical with respect to the diagonal line direction. The pair of right and left opening/closing members can be used in any one of the right and left directions. By fixedly attaching a cover 38 onto the base plate 2 by projecting shafts 37, the coupling mechanisms 20 are hidden between the cover 38 and the base plate 2. Reference numeral 39 denotes attaching holes.
In the inoperative state of Fig. 5 in which the pair of right and left opening/closing members 10 stand up and face each other to thereby file the sheets, as shown at the position of the upper half portion in Fig. 3, the pair of front and back operating members 35 and 36 are retained by the pair of front and back operating rods 26 and 30, respectively, so that they are elastically pressed by the spring 31 in the contact direction with each other. In the above state, the pair of front and back axial pipes 3 are coupled with the axial pipes 13 of the opening/closing members 10 by the coupling shafts 33, and the retaining portion 24 is moved into pressure contact with the inner surface of the retaining member 5. Further, since the pressure contact member 12 is in pressure contact with the receiving member 4, a repulsive force is held between them. In the above inoperative state, for instance, when the operating member 36 located on the side of either one of the right and left opening/closing members 10 is pulled in the direction shown by the arrow in Fig. 1, as for example, by hooking a finger into the notch portion 32, as shown at the position of the lower half portion in Fig. 3, the pair of operating rods 26 and 30, together with the operating members 35 and 36, relatively move in the direction away from each other. The rods 26,30 move against the spring 31 by the engagement between the pinion 21 and the racks 23 and 29 provided thereon. The coupling shafts 33 at the front and back positions are withdrawn from the axial pipes 13 of the associated opening/closing member 10 and are moved into the axial pipes 3 of the base plate 2, so that the coupling state between the axial pipes 3 and 13 is released. With the sliding motion of the operating rod 26, the retaining portion 24 is moved from the inner surface of the retaining member 5 and engages the edge of the retaining member 5, holding the inserting state of the coupling shafts 33 in the axial pipes 3. The above operation is also executed in a manner similar to the case where any one of the other operating members is operated by the fingers.
Subsequently, the opening/closing member 10 automatically rotates outwardly by the use of the coupling shafts 33 located at the front and back positions as fulcrums, due to the weight of the filed sheets applied to the inner surface of the other opening/closing member 10 which remains in the coupling state. As shown in Fig. 5, ~ ~ 7 ~

the filing rods 18 and 19 are allowed to stand up, after which the filing rods 18 and 19 of the opening/closing member 10 in the non-coupling state with the attaching member 1 are pulled out of the filing rods 18 and 19 of the other opening/closing member 10 which remains coupled to the attaching member 1. The filing operation of the document is executed from the spike-shaped filing rod 18 and the document is finally filed on the tubular filing rods 19.
After filing, the sheets on the rods 19, the opening/closing member 10 in the non-coupling state is rotated and is allowed to stand up in the original position, with the axial pipes 13 inserted between the axial pipes 3 of the attaching member 1. At this time, the inducing members 12 are brought into contact with the outside of the corresponding receiving members 4, so that the opening/closing member 10 is attracted inwardly. Thus, the lower surface of the axial pipe 13 contacts the inclined surface 24a. As the retaining portion 24 is inclined inwardly, the engagement between the retaining portion 24 and the retaining member 5 is released, and under the force of the spring 31, the pair of operating rods 26 and 30 and the operating members 35 and 36 slide in the contactless direction. The coupling shafts 33 are again extended from the axial pipes 3 and engage and couple the axial pipes 13 to return the attachment member to the coupling state of Fig. 1.
In the above description, when an opening/closing member 10 in the non-coupling state is outwardly inclined, ~ ~ 7 ~
._ the operating members 35 and 36 located at the front and back positions of the opening member 10 are held in the standing state. However, when the opening/closing member 10 is inclined and falls outwardly, the document filed on the filing rods 19 is also inclined and falls in the same direction, so that the operating members 35 and 36 are automatically inclined in association with the falling motion of the document. The inclined operating members 35 and 36 automatically stand up when the front cover or back cover of the cover plate in which the attaching member 1 is attached is closed. Since the operating portions are provided so as to be symmetrical with respect to the right, left, front, and back directions, the pair of right and left opening/closing members can be also operated in any of the right and left directions.
The second embodiment of the invention will be further described with reference to Figs. 6 to 9.
An attaching member 41 comprises: a rectangular base plate 42 made of a metal; and a rectangular cover 43 made of a synthetic resin which is attached so as to cover the upper surface of the base plate 42. The base plate 42 is provided with four axial pipes 44 at symmetrical positions of both sides of the plate 42 in the longitudinal direction, respectively. Attaching holes 45 for attaching the base plate 42 to the cover plate are formed at both edge positions in the longitudinal direction of the base plate 42, and caulking holes 46 to attach the cover 43 are formed at both the central position and edge positions. Stop ,.

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members 47 are provided at diagonal positions towards both edges of the base plate 42.
Cover members 48 and guide ribs 49 are provided on both sides of the longitudinal direction of the cover 43.
The cover members 48 are upwardly curved as a convex shape, and are located in the central portion of each longitudinal side of the cover 43 and, as will be explained hereinafter, covers the exposed portion of a coupling rod 65 from the upper position. The guide ribs 49 are located at front and back positions on the cover 43 and are bent downwardly.
Recess portions 50 with holes therethrough are fitted for placement into the attaching holes 45, at the positions corresponding to the attaching holes 45 of the base plate 42. Pillar-shaped projecting shafts 51 to maintain a space are formed on the respective lower surfaces corresponding to the caulking holes 46. The cover 43 is overlaid onto the upper surface of the base plate 42, and the lower edges of the projecting shafts 51 are caulked to the caulking holes 46, so that the attaching member 41 having a desired gap between the base plate 42 and the cover 43 is constructed.
A pair of right and left opening/closing members 52 which are rotatably coupled to the attaching member 41, a peripheral edge of a metal inner plate 52a is attached to an outer peripheral holding portion 53 of an outer plate 52b made of a synthetic resin. As shown in Fig. 7, in both edge portions in the longitudinal direction of the inner plate 52a, there is shown a spike-shaped filing rod 54 and a tubular filing rod 55 respectively located at the positions ~0 of both edge portions so that the right and left opening/closing members 52 can be commonly used. At the lower edges of the inner plates 52a constructed as mentioned above, are provided a pair of front and back axial pipes 56 for coupling to the axial pipes 44 of the attaching member, as well as a pair of front and back inwardly curved inducing members 57. When the opening/closing members 52 are coupled to the attaching member 41, the inducing members 57 come into sliding contact with the outer peripheral surfaces of the axial pipes 44 of the attaching member 41 and are fitted into the axial pipes 44, thereby inwardly inducing one opening/closing member 52.
A pair of right and left relative coupling mechanisms 58 for rotatably coupling the opening/closing members 52 to the attaching member 41 are respectively arranged at the right and left half portion positions of the attaching member 41. The coupling mechanisms 58 are arranged in the short lateral direction within the gap formed between the base plate 42 and the cover 43. Each relative coupling mechanism 58 comprises: One operating rod 63; another operating rod 64; a spring 71 to always elastically urge the operating rod 63- in one direction; and a pair of front and back coupling rods 65. The operating rod 63 is constructed having a pinion 74 which is rotatably pivotally attached onto the surface of the base plate 42, a rack 73 which engages the pinion 74 and which is formed in one edge portion, and a concave surface 59 which is formed in the longitudinal direction on part of the upper surface ~ ~ 7 ~
~,_ of an elongated member made of a synthetic resin. A notch portion 60a is formed in almost the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the rod 63. A wide operating member 61 is provided in the other edge portion in the longitudinal direction. In an outside portion, the rod 63 has a guide shaft 62 which is slidably fitted into the axial pipe 44 located in one edge portion of the attaching base plate 42. A notch portion 60b and a rack 73 which engages the pinion 74 are formed in one edge portion of the rod 64. The rod 64 has the operating member 61 and the guide shaft 62 in the other edge portion. The coupling rods 65 are bent into L-character shapes and their bent edges come into engagement with the notch portions 60a and 60b respectively.
A holding mechanism to maintain the non-coupling state of the coupling mechanism 58 comprises: a holding lever 67 having a hole 69 provided within base portion and through which a shaft member 68 at the concave surface 59 of the operating rod 63 may be inserted; the holding lever 67 is horizontally rotatably axially supported and includes a claw member 66 projecting from a free edge portion; and the spring 71 maintaining a continuous outward rotational force to the holding lever 67. In the embodiment shown, the spring 71 is disposed between a stop member 70 provided in the base portion of the holding lever 67 and the stop member 47 provided on the base plate 42, thereby commonly using the spring 71 in both the coupling mechanism 58 and in the holding mechanism.

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In the coupling state of the attaching member 41 and the opening/closing member 52, the claw member 66 of the holding lever 67 is moved into pressure contact with the inner surface of the guide rib 49 provided for the cover 43 by the rotating force of the spring 71. When the operating rods 63 and 64 relatively move against the pressing force of the spring 71 and the coupling state of the attaching member 41 and the opening/closing member 52 is released, the claw member 66 is projected outwardly from a position against the inner edge 49a of the guide rib 49, and is retained to the inner edge 49a of the guide rib 49.
A cut-out portion 75 is provided at the corner portion of one longitudinal edge portion of the attaching member 41. The operating member 61 of the coupling mechanism 58 faces the corner position so as to be movable in the front and back directions. In the inoperative state of Fig. 6 in which the pair of right and left opening/closing members 52 stand up and face and file the sheets, as for example is shown at the left half portion of Fig. 9, the operating rod 63 is elastically pressed by the spring 71, the front and back coupling rods 65 project from the axial pipes 44 of the attaching member 41 into the axial pipes 56 of the opening/closing member 52, to couple the attaching member 41 to the opening/closing member 52. The claw member 66 of the holding lever 67 is further moved into pressure contact with the inner surface of the guide rib 49 by the rotating force applied by the spring 71.
When the operating member 61 is pressed against ....
~,;

' -the spring 71 in the inoperative state so as to remove either one of the opening/closing members 52 away from the attaching member 41, the operating rods 63 and 64 relatively move in the contactless direction. As shown at the right half portion of Fig. 9, the coupling rod 65 is withdrawn from the axial pipes 56 of the opening/closing member 52 and enters the axial pipes 44 of the attaching member 41, so that the coupling state of the axial pipes 44 and 56 is released. The claw member 66 of the holding lever 67 which is in pressure contact with the inner surface of the guide rib 49 is moved to outwardly project from the inner edge 49a of the guide rib 49 due to the relative movement of the operating rods 63 and 64. The claw member 66 is retained in the inner edge 49a, and the retracted state of the operating rods 63 and 64, namely, the non-coupling state of the coupling mechanisms 58 is maintained.
When the coupling state of one opening/closing member 52 and the attaching member 41 is released, the other opening/closing member 52 which is rotatably coupled with the attaching member 41 outwardly rotates under the weight of the sheets. As the attaching member 41 rotates, the spike-shaped filing rod 54 and the tubular filing rod 55 stand up, and the pair of right and left opening/closing members 52 are moved to a state in which they face in the vertical direction as shown in Fig. 8.
Therefore, in a manner similar to the above, when one opening/closing member 52 which has been moved away from the attaching member 41 is removed from the other ~, ~

~ ~ 7 ~
"_ opening/closing member 52, the filing rods 54 and 55 may be inserted into the filing holes formed in the sheets or the like. The one opening/closing member 52 is then again coupled to the other opening/closing member 52 and, following which, the other openingtclosing member 52 is allowed to stand up and rotate about an edge of the attaching member 41, moving the curved inner surface of the inducing member 57 to engage the outer peripheral surfaces of the axial pipes 44. Thus, the opening/closing member 52 is inwardly attracted and the positioning of the axial pipes 56 is aligned in a coupling position between the axial pipes 44 of the attaching member 41.
As the axial pipes 56 of one opening/closing member 52 are moved into contact with the front edge of the claw member 66 projecting from the side of the attaching member 41, the claw member 66 is inwardly pressed against the spring 71. Thus, the engaging state between the inner edge 49a of the guide rib 49 and the claw member 66 is released, and the operating rods 63 and 64 are automatically returned to the inoperative position by the elastic pressing force of the spring 71. In the inoperative state, the coupling rod 65 again coupling the axial pipes 44 and 56, and the pair of right and left opening/closing members 52 again facing in a standing state.
Figs. 10 and 11 show a modification of the second embodiment and differ from the second embodiment in that the attaching member 41 is divided into a left attaching member 4la and a right attaching member 4lb with respect to a symmetrical line with regard to the right and left positions. As shown in Fig. 11, the modification has a construction such that the attaching member can be commonly used in the case where a width of rear side cover 76a of a cover plate 76 differs. Although the detailed descriptions are omitted here, the same component elements in the modification as those in the second embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals.
Further, the third embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to Figs. 12 to lS.
An attaching member 81 comprises: a rectangular base plate 82 made of a metal; and a rectangular cover 83 made of a synthetic resin which is attached so as to cover the upper surface of the base plate 82. ~our axial pipes 84 are respectively provided at the symmetrical positions of both longitudinal sides of the base plate 82. Attaching holes 85 for attaching the base plate 82 to the cover plate or the like and caulking holes 86 to attach the cover 83, are formed at spaced locations of both longitudinally edge positions of the base plate 82. Stop members 87 and guide members 115 are provided at the symmetrical positions of the right and left half portions in the short lateral direction of the plate 82.
Cover members 88 which are upwardly curved in a convex shape and guide ribs 89 which are downwardly bent are provided on both longitudinal sides of the cover 83. The cover members 88 are located in the central edge portions of both longitudinal sides of the cover 83, as will be ~ ~ 7 ~

explained hereinafter, cover the exposed portions of coupling rods 106, from the upper position. The guide ribs 89 are located at the front and back positions of the cover 83. At the positions corresponding to the attaching holes 85 of the base plate 82, recess portions 90 with holes are formed which are fitted to the attaching holes 85. Pillar-shaped projecting shafts 91 to maintain desired spacing between the cover 83 and base plate 82 are formed on the lower surfaces of the cover 83 corresponding to the caulking holes 86, respectively. By overlaying the cover 83 onto the upper surface of the base plate 82 and caulking the lower edges of the projecting shafts 91 into the caulking holes 86, the attaching member 81 is constructed having a desired gap between the base plate 82 and the cover 83.
A pair of right and left opening/closing members 92 which are rotatably coupled to the attaching member 81 are constructed by attaching the peripheral edges of metal inner plates 92a to outer peripheral holding portions 93 of synthetic resin outer plates 92b. Spike-shaped filing rods 94 and tubular filing rods 95 are respectively attached to both edge portion positions in the longitudinal direction of the inner plates 92a so that the right and left opening/closing members 92 can be commonly used as shown in Fig. 13. At the lower edges of the inner plates 92a are constructed as mentioned above, a pair of front and back axial pipes 96 and a pair of front and back inducing members 97. The axial pipes 96 are for coupling to the axial pipes 84 of the attaching member 81. The inducing members 97 are inwardly curved, so that when the opening/closing members 92 are coupled to the attaching member 81, the inducing members 97 are fitted to the outer peripheral surfaces of the axial pipes 84 of the attaching member 81, while coming into slide contact therewith and inwardly move one opening/closing member 92.
A pair of right and left coupling mechanisms 98 which rotatably couple the opening/closing members 92 to the attaching member 81 are respectively arranged at the right and left lateral half portion positions. The coupling mechanisms 98 are arranged in the gap formed between the base plate 82 and the cover 83.
Each coupling mechanism 98 is constructed having in a longitudinal direction, a concave surface 99 formed in a part of an upper surface of an elongated member made of a synthetic resin, a notch portion 100 formed in the intermediate portion, and in the longitudinal direction. A
pressing type operating member 101 of a wide width is provided in one edge portion in the longitudinal direction. The coupling mechanism 98 comprises: a guide shaft 103; an operating rod 104; a pair of front and back coupling rods 106; and a spring 113. The guide shaft 103 is provided in the outside portion of the coupling mechanism and is slidably fitted to the axial pipe 84 located in one edge portion of the attached base plate 82. The operating rod 104 is provided with a pulling type operating member 102 having a finger engaging portion with concave notches in the other edge portion and a groove portion 107 which is bent in ~ ~ 7 ~

an L-character shape at the lower surface. The coupling rods 106 are bent in an L-character shape and the bent edges respectively come into engagement with the notch portion 100 and groove portion 107. The spring 113 always elastically presses the operating rod 104 in one direction. The operating rod 104 is arranged so as to be slidable in the front and back directions on the base plate 82 by allowing a slit 105 formed on the operating rod 104 to move into engagement with the guide member 115 provided on the base plate 82 and by fitting the guide shaft 103 within the axial pipe 84 of the base plate 82.
A holding mechanism to hold the non-coupling state of the coupling mechanism 98 comprises: a holding lever 109 having a base portion which is horizontally rotatably axially supported on the concave surface 99 of the operating rod 104 via a shaft member, and a claw member 108 projecting from a free edge portion; and the spring 113 to maintain an outward rotating force on the holding lever 109. In the embodiment, the spring 113 is shown disposed between a stop member 112 provided in the base portion of the holding lever 109 and the stop member 87 provided for the base plate 82, thereby commonly using the spring 113 in both the coupling mechanism 98 and the holding mechanism.
In the coupling state between the attaching member 81 and the opening/closing member 92, the claw member 108 is moved into pressure contact with the inner surface of the guide rib 89 provided on the cover 83 by the rotating force of the spring 113. When the operating rod 104 slides ~ ....

against the pressing force of the spring 113 and the coupling state of the attaching member 81 and the opening/closing member 92 is released, the claw member 108 is projected outwardly adjacent and is retained against an inner edge 89a of the guide rib 89.
A cut-out portion 114 is provided at the corner position in one longitudinal edge portion of the attaching member 81. The pressing type operating member 101 and the pulling type operating member 102 of the coupling mechanism 98 face the corner position so as to be movable in the front and back directions, respectively. In the inoperative state of Fig. 12 in which both the right and left opening/closing members 92 stand up and face each other and file the sheets, as shown at the left half portion position of Fig. 15, the operating rod 104 is elastically pressed by the spring 113, and the front and back coupling rods 106 are projected from the axial pipes 84 of the attaching member 81 into the axial pipes 96 of the opening/closing member 92. Thus, the attaching member 81 is coupled with the opening/closing member 92 and the claw member 108 of the holding lever 109 is moved into pressure contact with the inner surface of the guide rib 89 by the rotating force by the spring 113.
In the inoperative state, when the pressing type operating member 101 or the pulling type operating member 102 is pressed or pulled against the spring 113 so as to pivotally move either one of the opening/closing members 92 away from the attaching member 81, the operating rod 104 slides in the upper direction shown in the right half of Figure 15. As shown in Fig. 15, the coupling rod 106 is slid out from the axial pipe 96 of the opening/closing member 92 and retracts into the axial pipe 84 of the attaching member 81, releasing the coupling state of the axial pipes 84 and 96. Due to the sliding of the operating rod 104, the claw member 108 of the holding lever 109 which was in pressure contact with the inner surface of the guide rib 84 is outwardly projected from the inner edge 89a of the guide rib 89. The claw member 108 is retained against the inner edge 89a and the sliding state of the operating rod 104, namely, the non-coupling state of one coupling mechanism 98 is held.
As mentioned above, when the coupling state of one opening/closing member 92 and the attaching member 81 is released, the other opening/closing member 92 which is rotatably coupled with the attaching member 81 rotates outwardly by the weight of the sheets. The spike-shaped filing rods 94 and the tubular filing rods 95 stand up. As shown in Fig. 14, the pair of right and left opening/closing members 92 are moved into a state in which they face each other in the vertical direction.
Therefore, in a manner similar to the above, when the opening/closing member 92 which is pivotally moved away from the attaching member 81 is removed from the other opening/closing member 92, filing holes formed in the sheets or the like are then pierced to the filing rods 94 and 95.
The opening/closing member 92 is again coupled to the other opening/closing member 92 and, following which, the other E~

opening/closing member 92 is moved to a position standing up. As the opening/closing member 92 rotates to contact the attaching member 81, the curved inner surface of the inducing member 97 is fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the axial pipe 84. Thus, one opening/closing member 92 is inwardly urged and the axial pipes 96 align with the axial pipes 84 of the attaching member 81.
Thus, the axial pipe 96 of the opening/closing member 92 is moved into contact with the front edge of the claw member 108 of the holding lever 109 which projects from the side of the attaching member 81. The claw member 108 is pressed inwardly, and the engaging state between the inner edge 89a of the guide rib 89 and the claw member 108 is released, wherein the operating rod 104 is automatically returned to the inoperative position by the elastic pressing force of the spring 113. The coupling rod 106 couples the axial pipes 84 and 96. The pair of right and left opening/closing members 92 again face each other in the standing state.
Figs. 16 to 19 show a modification of the third embodiment which differs therefrom in that the pressing type operating member 101 is arranged in one of the end portions of one edge of the attaching member 81, the pulling type operating member 102 is arranged in the other end portion of the edge and the pulling type operating member 102 is arranged in one of the end portions of the other edge portion, and the pressing type operating member 101 is arranged in the other end portion of the other edge. In the " . _ ~ ~.

modification, since the pressing type operating members 101 and the pulling type operating members 102 are symmetrically arranged in the diagonal line direction, the attaching member 81 can be attached without considering its direction. Although the detailed description is omitted here, the same component elements in the modification as those in the third embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals.
The fourth embodiment of the invention will be further described with reference to Figs. 20 to 27. An attaching member 121 having axial pipes 123, 124, and 158 at the front and back positions and a central portion of both longitudinal sides of a rectangular base plate 122.
Attaching holes 125 to attach the attaching member to the cover plate are formed at both edge portion positions in the longitudinal direction.
Opening/closing members 126 which are rotatably coupled to the right and left side edges of the attaching member 121 comprise inner plates 126a and outer plates 126b. The inner plate 126a has outwardly bent ribs 127 along the upper, front and back edges, and two axial pipes 128 and 129 at lower edge front and back positions to respectively couple with axial pipes 123 and 124. The outer plate 126b is attached to an interval member 130 in such a manner such its upper edge and the front and back edges contact the rib 127, and a space is maintained between the inner plate 126a and the outer plate 126b. Spike-shaped filing rods 131 project from the inner surfaces of both edge ,; ~,.

portions in the longitudinal direction of one inner plate 126a, with tubular filing rods 132 projecting from the other edge portions of the other inner plate 126a.
A coupling mechanism 133 to couple the opening/closing member 126 to the attaching member 121 is constructed by allowing a rack member 161 formed at the edge of a front operating plate 137a and a rack member 162 formed at the edge of a back operating plate 137b to face each other in the vertical direction, and by interposing a pinion 163 between the rack members 161 and 162. Coupling rods 136 are respectively provided for the pair of front and back operating plates 137a and 137b which are interlockingly coupled in the facing directions by the pair of rack members 161 and 162 and the pinion 163 so that the coupling rods 136 extend in the facing directions.
Bent members 136a of the coupling rods 136 are bent in an L-character shape and are inserted into the corresponding axial pipes 128 and 129. Thé coupling rods 136 respectively come into engagement with engaging holes 135 formed at the lower edge front and back positions of the pair of front and back operating plates 137a and 137b.
The front and back operating plates 137a,137b are relatively movably arranged between the inner plate 126a and the outer plate 126b of the opening/closing member 126 through a long hole 134 which is brought into engagement with the interval member 130. There are arranged springs 138 for continually biasing the operating plates 137a and 137b in such directions that the coupling rods 136 project , 7' ~

outwardly from the corresponding axial pipes 128 and 129.
Operating members 139 for pushing the operating plates 137a and 137b against the springs 138 and thereby release the coupling state of the attaching member 121 and the opening/closing members 126 are slidably fitted into the axial pipes 123 located at both side edge portions of the attaching member 121. As shown in Fig. 24, the operating member 139 comprises an operating rod 144 and a spring 145. The operating rod 144 has a finger pressing portion 140 at the outer edge. At the inner edge, the operating rod 144 has a projection 143 which projects upwardly from a slit 141 formed in the upper surface of the axial pipe 123, and which is brought into engagement with a concave portion 142 formed at the lower edge of the operating plate 137a. The spring 145 continuously biases the operating rod 144 in the pushing direction by an elastic force which is weaker than the elastic force of the spring 138.
Further, a holding mechanism 146 to hold the non-coupling state of the coupling mechanism 133 includes a holding member 150 made of a synthetic resin. The holding member 150 is arranged into a notch concave portion 148 so that it can be vertically inclined, and includes a base portion 149 which fits into a recess portion 147 in an edge portion of the concave portion 148. The notch concave portion 148 opens at a lower edge provided in the back operating plate 137b. A retaining claw 149 is provided in a free edge portion of the holding member 150, and at an upper surface of the holding mechanism 146, is integrally provided ~ ~ 7 ~
'_ an elastic member 152. The elastic member 152 is brought into pressure contact with the inner surface of the notch concave portion 148 and applies a continuous downward inclining force on the holding member 150. A leg member 153 is integratedly provided at the lower surface of the holding mechanism 146, with the leg member 153 maintained in pressure contact with the upper surface of the intermediate axial pipe 158 of the attaching member lZ1 by the pressing force of the elastic member lS2. A stop member 154 is provided at the inner surface of the outer plate 126b corresponding to the retaining claw 149. When the operating plates 137a and 137b relatively move and the coupling state between the attaching member 121 and the opening/closing members 126 is released, the holding member 150 is downwardly inclined and the stop member 154 is retained against retaining claw 149, thereby restricting the relative movements of the operating plates 137a and 137b.
A notch portion 157 which allows for movement of the finger pressing portion 140 is formed in the lower edge corner portion of the opening/closing member 126 corresponding to the finger pressing portion 140 of the operating member 139.
In the inoperative state in which the openingtclosing members 126 are coupled to the attaching member 121 and the sheets are filed, as shown in Fig. 21, the pair of front and back operating plates 137a and 137b are relatively moved by the springs 138 in such directions as to be away from each other. The coupling rods 136 are ~ ~ ~ 7 ~

projected from the axial pipes 128 and 129 of the opening/closing members 126 into the axial pipes 123 and 124 of the attaching member 121. In such an inoperative state, when the finger pressing portion 140 of either one of the right and left operating members 139 located at the front and back positions is depressed, the pair of front and back operating plates 137a and 137b relatively move together by the engagement between the pinion 163 and the rack members 161 and 162 due to the retaining state between the concave portion 142 and the projecting portion 143.
As shown in Fig. 22, consequently, the front and back coupling rods 136 are withdrawn from the axial pipes 123 and 124 of the attaching member 121 and retract into the axial pipes 128 and 129 of one opening/closing member 126, so that the coupling state between them is released. The opening/closing member 126 slightly floats up from the attaching member 121 by the elastic force of the elastic member 152, so that the holding member 150 is downwardly inclined with the retaining claw 151 retained by the stop member 154. The operative states of the operating plates 137a and 137b are restricted.
As mentioned above, after the coupling state between one opening/closing member 126 and the attaching member 121 was released, the other opening/closing member 126 which is rotatably coupled with the attaching member 121 is outwardly rotated by the weight of the sheets. The filing rods 131 and 132 stand up and the pair of right and left opening/closing members 126 are set into a state in ~,;

~ - 40 -which they face each other in the vertical direction as shown by virtual lines in Fig. 20.
Therefore, as already mentioned above, when one opening/closing member 126 pivoted away from the attaching member 121 is removed from the other opening/closing member 126, the filing holes formed in the sheets or the like may be pierced over the filing rods 131,132. The filing rods 131 and 132 are then again mutually pierced and the sheets filed and, after which the other opening/closing member 126 is rotated so as to stand up coupled to the attaching member 121. On rotating the opening/closing member 126, the leg member 153 of the holding member 150 is brought into contact with the upper surface of the axial pipe 158 of the corresponding edge of the attaching member 121. The holding member 150 is inclined upwardly against the elastic force of the elastic member 152, and the retaining claw 151 is released from the stop member 154, so that the operating plates 137a and 137b are returned by the springs 138.
On the other hand, when the opening/closing member 126 is rotated in the standing direction, since the operating rod 144 is inwardly elastically pressed by a spring 145, the concave portion 142 is moved into engagement with the projection 143 and the axial pipes 128 and 129 and the axial pipes 123 and 124 align. Thus, the coupling rods 136 are respectively projected into the axial pipes 123 and 124 of the attaching member 121 from the axial pipes 128 and 129 of the opening/closing members 126 and the axial pipes are mutually coupled, with the pair of right and left .. . .

opening/closing members 126 again face in the standing state.
Figs. 26 and 27 show a modification of the operating member 139. The modification is constructed in the following manner. By depressing the finger pressing portion 140 provided at the outer edge of the operating rod 144 slidably fitted into the axial pipe 123 of the attaching member 121, the front edge of the coupling rod 136 which is inserted into the axial pipe 123 is directly pressed by the operating rod 144, thereby sliding the operating plate 137 to the non-coupling position against the spring 138.
According to the above construction, the slit 141, concave portion 142, projection 143, and spring 145 can be omitted.
As mentioned above, the pair of front and back axial pipes 123 and 124 provided for the attaching member 121 and the pair of front and back axial pipes 128 and 129 provided for the opening/closing members 126 are respectively symmetrically provided from the center in the longitudinal direction. The axial pipes which are brought into pressure contact with the leg member 153 of the holding member 150 are provided at the right and left positions of the central portion of the attaching member 121. Thus, the pair of right and left opening/closing members can be commonly used at the right and left positions of the attaching member.

,. . ~ .

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A filing apparatus of a both-side opening and closing type including:
an attaching member having attaching member coupling portions at right and left side edges;
a pair of respective right and left opening/closing members, each opening/closing member having at least one filing rod projecting from an inner surface thereof, said filing rods cooperable to retain filed material, and each opening/closing member having a coupling portion which may be coupled to a respective right or left side attaching member coupling portion;
a pair of respective right and left coupling mechanisms, each of which mechanisms includes a coupling rod movable between an inoperative position where the coupling rod extends between the respective attaching member coupling portion and the respective opening/closing member coupling portion under an elastic pressing force thereby rotatably coupling the attaching member and respective opening/closing member, and an operative position where, when the coupling mechanism is made operative against the elastic pressing force, the coupling rod is retracted from extending between respective coupling portions to thereby release the coupled state between the attaching member and respective opening/closing member;
a pair of respective right and left holding mechanisms arranged such that the operative position of each coupling mechanism can be retained and, when the respective opening/closing members reach a position for coupling with the attaching member, the coupling position can be detected and the retained operative position released; and operating members respectively arranged at right and left sides of the attaching member to operate each of the coupling mechanisms from the inoperative position to the operative position.

2. A filing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said attaching member coupling portions and said opening/closing member coupling portions comprise axial pipes.

3. A filing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein each opening/closing member has an inducing member which inwardly induces the opening/closing member in cooperation with the axial pipes of the attaching member when said respective opening/closing members reach the coupling position for coupling with the attaching member.

4. A filing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the coupling mechanisms and the holding mechanisms are provided on the attaching member and the coupling rods are inserted into the axial pipes of the attaching member such that they can be freely inserted into or retracted therefrom.

5. A filing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the attaching member includes a rectangular base plate and a cover which covers the upper surface of said base plate and is attached so that a desired gap region exists between the base plate and said cover, and the coupling mechanisms and the holding mechanisms are arranged at respective right and left portions of said gap region.

6. A filing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein said attaching member is divided into two right and left portions.

7. A filing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein said coupling mechanism includes an operating rod which is slidable in front and back directions of said attaching member, elastic force applying means for resiliently biasing the operating rod into the attaching member coupling portion, and a pressing operating member and a pulling operating member respectively arranged at the front and back positions of the operating rod.

8. A filing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein each said holding mechanism includes: a rotatable holding member having a claw member in a free edge portion thereof, said claw member constructed such that when the coupling rod is retracted from the axial pipes to release the respective opening/closing member, the claw member engages the attaching member to thereby retain the operative position, and wherein in the operative position, when the axial pipe of the opening/closing members return to the coupling position, the opening/closing member axial pipes act on the claw member of each respective holding member to release its engagement with the attaching member and thereby release the retained operative position, each said holding mechanism further including an elastic force applying means for biasing the holding member into engagement with the attaching member.

9. A filing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein each said coupling mechanism includes;
an operating rod attached to be slidable in front and back directions of the attaching member, which operating rod includes the coupling rod, and each said holding mechanism includes a holding member having a claw member in a free edge portion, the claw member constructed so that when the coupling rod is retracted to the operative position, the coupling state with the opening/closing member is released and the claw member is retained to the attaching member at the coupling position of the opening/closing member axial pipe to thereby hold the retracted state of the coupling rod, and when the opening/closing member axial pipe returns to the coupling position, the claw member is acted upon by the opening/closing member axial pipe and is released from its retained state with the attaching member to thereby release the retracted state of the coupling rod, a base portion of the holding member pivotally attached to the operating rod, and elastic force applying means disposed between the base portion of the holding member and the attaching member for biasing the operating rod such that the coupling rod projects out from the axial pipe of the attaching member for coupling with an opening/closing member axial pipe, and biases the holding member such that the claw member is retained to the attaching member.

10. A filing apparatus according to claim 9, further including a pressing operating member and a pulling operating member respectively arranged at the front and back positions of the operating rod.

11. A filing apparatus according to any one of claims 1, 3, 4 and 5, wherein said operating member comprises a finger gripping portion and a notch portion, said finger gripping portion provided at a corner position of the attaching member.

12. A filing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the filing rods has a spike shape and one or more of the filing rods has a tubular shape, and each spike-shaped filing rod arranged to be received in a corresponding one of the tubular filing rods.

13. A filing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the pressing operating members are arranged at right and left positions in one edge portion of the attaching member and the pulling operating members are arranged at right and left positions in the other edge portion, respectively.

14. A filing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the pressing operating member is arranged at one end portion of a respective edge of the attaching member, and each pulling operating member is arranged at the other end portion of the respective edge of the attaching member.

15. A filing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein each coupling mechanism includes a facing direction interlocking mechanism and an operating member arranged at a position movable relative to the interlocking mechanism.

16. A filing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said facing direction interlocking mechanism includes a rack and a pinion.

17. A filing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein each coupling mechanism includes: a pair of front and back operating rods coupled by said facing direction interlocking mechanism; elastic force applying means for constantly biasing the pair of operating rods in a contactless direction; and a pair of front and back coupling rods respectively retained to said pair of front and back operating rods and received in the axial pipes of the attaching member and the axial pipes of the opening/closing members at the inoperative position to thereby rotatably couple the attaching member and opening/closing member, and which when said coupling rods are made operative against the elastic force applying means, retract within the axial pipes of the attaching member to release the coupling state with the axial pipes of the opening/closing member.

18. A filing apparatus according to claim 16, wherein each coupling mechanism includes: a pair of front and back operating rods coupled by said facing direction interlocking mechanism; elastic force applying means for constantly biasing the pair of operating rods in a contactless direction; and a pair of front and back coupling rods respectively retained to said pair of front and back operating rods and received in the axial pipes of the attaching member of the axial pipes of the opening/closing members at the inoperative position to thereby rotatably couple the attaching member and opening/closing member, and which when said coupling rods are made operative against the elastic force applying means, retract within the axial pipes of the attaching member to release the coupling state with the axial pipes of the opening/closing member.

19. A filing apparatus according to claim 16, wherein each coupling mechanism includes a pair of front and back operating rods coupled by said facing direction interlocking mechanism, said holding mechanism includes a locking member provided for either one of the front and back operating rods and constructed such that when the coupling state of the axial pipes is released, the relative movement of the operating rods is restricted by a retaining means, and when the axial pipes of the opening/closing member coincide with the axial pipes of the attaching member, the locking member acts on the axial pipes of the opening/closing member and releases the retaining means, thereby allowing the relative movement of the operating rods.

20. A filing apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said locking member has at a front edge a retaining portion and an inclined surface which acts on the lower surfaces of the axial pipes of the opening/closing member, a base portion of the locking member is pivotally attached to either one of said pair of front and back operating rods, and an elastic member including a spring is disposed in a load state between said base portion and the other operating rod.

21. A filing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the operating members are constructed such that coupling rods extend into the axial pipes of the attaching member to be freely inserted into and retracted therefrom, and wherein each operating member includes a coupling shaft projecting horizontally from a lower portion thereof, and a finger hooking notch portion.

22. A filing apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said operating member integratedly has a wide width portion in an edge portion of the operating rod and guide shafts in outside portions, and said guide shafts are pierced to the axial pipes of the attaching member so that they can be freely inserted into and ejected out from said axial pipes.

23. A filing apparatus according to any one of claims 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 or 20, wherein the arrangement of the axial pipes, the arrangement of the coupling mechanisms, and the arrangement of the holding mechanisms are symmetrical.

24. A filing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein each said opening/closing member includes a respective coupling mechanism including a facing direction interlocking mechanism and the respective holding mechanism, and wherein the coupling rods extend within the axial pipes of the opening/closing members so that they can be freely inserted into and retracted therefrom.

25. A filing apparatus according to claim 24, wherein each said opening/closing member includes: an inner plate from which projects said at least one filing rod and which includes the coupling portion provided on a lower portion of the plate and ribs respectively provided at an upper edge and front and back edges; and an outer plate attached to the inner plate in a manner such that an upper edge and front and back edges of the outer plate are in contact with said ribs resulting in a space portion between the inner plate and the outer plate, and the coupling mechanism and the holding mechanism being arranged in said space portion.

26. A filing apparatus according to claim 24 or 25, wherein each said coupling mechanism includes a pair of front and back operating plates coupled by the facing direction interlocking mechanism, such that when the pair of operating plates are moved in one of the facing directions, the respective coupling rod projects from the pair of front and back axial pipes of the opening/closing member into the respective axial pipes of the attaching member to thereby rotatably couple the attaching member and the opening/closing member, and when the pair of front and back operating plates are moved in the other one of the facing directions, the coupling rods are retracted from the respective axial pipes of the attaching member thereby releasing the coupled state.

27. A filing apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said coupling mechanism includes an elastic force applying means for biasing at least one of the pair of front and back operating plates in such a direction that the coupling rod projects out from the axial pipes of the opening/closing member.

28. A filing apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the facing direction coupling mechanism includes a pair of rack members provided on the pair of front and back operating plates and a pinion which engages said rack members.

29. A filing apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said holding mechanism includes: a holding member arranged in a concave notch portion provided in one of the operating plates so that it can be vertically inclined and is resiliently downwardly inclined by an elastic member, and having a retaining claw in a free edge portion and a leg member on a lower surface, the leg member coming into pressure contact with the axial pipes of the attaching member by the inclining force; and a stop member provided on the retaining claw for restricting the movement of said one of the operating plates when said leg member is downwardly rotated by releasing the pressure contact with the axial pipes of the attaching member.

30. A filing apparatus according to any one of claims 24, 25, 27, 28 or 29, wherein said operating members include operating rods which are respectively arranged at front and back positions at each of the right and left sides of the attaching member and are slidably fitted into the attaching member axial pipes, each said operating rod having a finger pressing portion at an outer end and being acted upon by the coupling rod in the coupling state to be projected out of a position at which the finger pressing portion can be pressed by a finger, and when the finger pressing portion is pressed at that position, the operating rod acts upon the coupling mechanism to retract the coupling rod from the axial pipes of the attaching member.

31. A filing apparatus according to any one of claims 24, 25, 27, 28 or 29, wherein one or more of said filing rods has a spike shape and one or more of said filing rods has a tubular shape, each spike-shaped filing rod arranged to be received in a corresponding tubular filing rod.

32. A filing apparatus according to any one of claims 24, 25, 27, 28 or 29, wherein the axial pipes of the attaching member and the axial pipes of the opening/closing member are provided at symmetrical positions with respect to the longitudinal center of the filing apparatus, and the axial pipes which come into pressure contact with the leg members of the holding members are provided at the right and left sides of the central portion of the attaching member.