EP1018440B1 - Lockable folder for filing sheets - Google Patents

Abstract

The file cover, for an all-round protection for documents, has a ratchet lock (7,9) to hold the closed file cover together. The system has a ratchet slit (9) at the third or fourth fold zone (3c,3d) to take an inserted ratchet plug (7) at the side of the rear flap (15) away from the back cover, or at the side of the leading flap (14) away from the front cover.

Description

The invention relates to a folder for storing documents according to the preamble of claim 1. Such Folders contain a preferably one-piece Folder cover, in a spine, a front cover with hinged front flap and a rear lid with hinged Rear flap is divided, the parts mentioned adjoin each other via associated joint line areas. The hinge line areas form articulated fold zones with linear Course, i.e. with compared to its length significantly smaller width. The joint line areas need not be strictly linear, but can be flat Folding zones with significantly less length, however form of zero different width.

Due to the articulated line areas, the folder ceiling can be of one opened state in a completely closed state be folded in to form an intermediate one Document storage room front and back cover as well the folder spine and that formed by the front and rear flap Side panel opposite. By means of clip closure means the front and rear flaps can be closed Folder state releasably connect to the folder in secure its closed state against opening and thus also when choosing a relatively thin-walled material for the folder cover the closed folder the desired one Lend stability. The folders can in particular a mechanism for lining up perforated documents and hanging media, such as registers, sleeves and clip-in files, those with a rocker arm mechanism mostly as Folder or letter folder and those with a tear mechanism as Ring binders are called.

A folder of the type mentioned is in the laid-open document WO 98/22295. With this folder forms the front flap is only a relatively small one Closure extension in which the tab of the tab closure means is introduced. The rear flap, however, forms the whole, in the closed folder state, its back opposite side part, along the additional a side surface section facing away from the rear cover connects at right angles. In the closed folder state the front cover lies flat against the contact surface section on. In the rear flap section forming the side part the slot is inserted to insert the tab. The folder cover is e.g. from a polypropylene sheet. There is a two-bar mechanism on the back cover, and there are two associated locking slots on the front cover trained, in which the bracket in the closed folder state can intervene. On the same side of the locking slot edge, e.g. on its in a standing folder state the side facing the top of the folder protrudes a locking one Cams into the locking slot in such a way that the cam when closing the folder through the locking slot passes behind, associated bracket.

Plug-in closure means of said type with one in one Plug-in slot insertable tab are also otherwise common. So it is e.g. known, small hinged Boxes on a narrow side by means of such To close the buckle. Also with folders for Document storage is already this type of plug lock in use for a long time, see e.g. the disclosure EP 0 808 724 A1 and the utility model DE 88 03 355 U1, the folder with a clip on an envelope or front cover reveal that in a slot a front part or a folding flap can be inserted. With another plug closure of this type, as for one in GB 2 249 755 A Folder used closes on a front cover the back side facing away from a narrow side area and this a front flap. The latter falls back on the Closing the folder has a back cover and is with a Insert tab provided with an associated slot engages on the back cover. In all cases mentioned there is a completely closed folder when closed in front.

Also the measure for the bracket attached to the back cover Rocker arm or tear mechanism associated locking slots with arranged on the same direction slot edge sides It has long been known to provide locking cams, see e.g. the layout specification DE 1 163 288.

In the published patent application EP 0 480 532 A1 there is a folder for Document storage disclosed in which a front cover and a back cover are connected via a folder spine and from the side of the front cover facing away from the back Front flap closure part as well as from the back A rear hatch locking part protrudes from the back cover. The front cover closure part includes a middle one Area a lip, the free end of one Snap hook is bent. The locking hook snaps back when closed Folder an associated locking edge of the rear flap closure part.

In the utility model DE 93 05 322 U1 there is a document storage folder with front cover, rear cover and intermediate Back described in the closed state forms a kind of box. These are not part of the three sides of the front cover connected to the back rigid side walls intended. The on the side facing away from the back of the Front panel lying side wall engages when closing the Folder in one on the side of the back cover facing away from the back provided stop and is thus against folding out secured.

Patent document DE 691 12 767 T2 is a document storage folder with front cover, rear cover and connecting these Known back, in the case of the three not with the Back connected sides of the front cover or the back cover foldable edge flaps are provided, which in when folded, a storage compartment on the front or rear cover form. To do this on the side facing away from the back of the front or rear lid part with the To connect both side flap parts, it is on the side with protruding tabs that fit into the slots in the side Intervene flap parts. The locking slot on the respective side flap part is along a joint line area introduced, over which is bent inwards at right angles, Flap surfaces parallel to the front or rear cover with flap surfaces protruding vertically from the front or rear cover of the respective side flap part in connection stand.

The invention is a technical problem of providing of a folder of the type mentioned at the beginning, the can be manufactured with relatively little effort, a sufficient one Stability even when using relatively thin walls Owns materials and is comparatively safe in its closed state is maintained without this closure means used when handling the folder disturb and without that separate, additionally on the folder ceiling supporting or fastening means to be attached are absolutely necessary become.

The invention solves this problem by providing it a folder with the features of claim 1. This folder is characterized by the interaction of the Buckle closure means of front and rear flap with Latch connectors securely in its closed state held the one locking slot locking web locking of the front flap with the hinge line area between the back cover and Rear flap or alternatively the rear flap with the joint line area between front cover and front flap. Due to the given location of the locking connection can be in cooperation with the plug closure means Front and rear covers over the front and rear flaps keep the formed side part reliably at a distance, without this, for example, a contact surface section on one of the flaps for flat contact with the front or Back cover is needed. The through the plug closure means and the folder connection formed by the locking connection means can only be designed accordingly realize the folder ceiling without having to separate the folder ceiling sealing means to be attached are absolutely necessary are. Because the locking connection means due to their location spaced from the plug-in connection, second support point of the folder lock, the folder becomes thereby comparatively stable in its closed state held so that it has good stability, even if relatively thin material is used for the folder cover becomes.

In an advantageous development of the invention, the folder cover according to claim 2 together with the plug closure means and the locking connection means in one piece from an arc tough elastic plastic material, which the Manufacturing effort keeps minimal.

In a folder further developed according to claim 3 Front flap the back of the folder when closed opposite, closed side part, on which in this In case the locking bar is provided, which is then in the locking slot the joint line area between the rear cover and the rear flap - Intervening. - This design has the advantage that when opened Folder also the side part formed by the front flap is folded away and the handling of the usual Writing material lying on the back cover, in particular the removal or insertion of documents, does not interfere.

In a further embodiment, the rear cover is according to claim 4 about the material thickness of the front flap lower than that Front cover, so that the side part forming when the front side is pushed Front flap against the rear cover under simultaneous Insert the locking bar as far as possible into the locking slot right angle transition from that through the front flap formed side part on the one hand to the front cover and on the other hand is given to the back cover.

In a further embodiment of the invention is according to claim 5 provided that the latching web is at most approximately the material thickness corresponding to the folder ceiling in the locking slot area Depth, so that the locking bar after snapping essentially lies flush in the locking slot without substantially over the same preside.

Advantageous locking slot designs are specified in claim 6. By the locking slot about the material thickness of the Locking tab protrudes into the back cover, can be reached, that the back cover in the closed folder state on the front is flush with the associated side panel. By doing the locking slot noticeably in the area of the associated flap protrudes, preferably by about 5mm to 10mm, an insertion aid is provided to facilitate the insertion of the Resting web in the locking slot when closing the folder easier.

In a further embodiment of the invention is according to claim 7 a bending groove is made at the root of the clip, which bend up the necessary to insert into the slot the plug tab relieved.

A folder developed according to claim 8 includes one Mechanics attached to the rear cover and associated locking slots in the front cover, in which the bracket in the closed Intervene to stabilize folder status.

A folder developed according to claim 9 contains one ring mechanism attached to the folder back and associated locking slots both in the front and in the back cover, in which engage the brackets when the folder closes what contributes to the additional stability of the closed folder.

In a further embodiment of the invention are according to claim 10 at least two locking slots assigned to a bracket mechanism in the front cover or in the back cover on each other facing or on their opposite slot edge sides with pioneering or facing each other, provided locking cams protruding into the slots, which the brackets engaging in the locking slots can reach behind. By arranging in opposite directions the cam is advantageously prevented from their locking with the brackets due to a Shear movement of the front cover relative to the rear cover releases.

A folder developed according to claim 11 is on the back provided with a grip hole that can be carried out with little effort simple punching is realized and the removal of the Folder from a series of adjacent folders easier.

Fig. 1

eine Draufsicht auf die Innenseite eines aufgeklappten Ordners mit Kipphebel-Mechanik,

Fig. 2

eine Draufsicht auf die Außenseite einer Hinterklappe des Ordners von Fig. 1,

Fig. 3

eine Schnittansicht längs der Linie III-III von Fig. 1 im zugeklappten Zustand des Ordners kurz vor dem Schließen,

Fig. 4

eine Ansicht entsprechend Fig. 3, jedoch im vollständig geschlossenen Ordnerzustand,

Fig. 5

eine Draufsicht auf die Innenseite eines Ordners mit Ring-Reiß-Mechanik und

Fig. 6

eine Schnittansicht längs der Linie VI-VI von Fig. 5.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are described below. Here show:

Fig. 1

a plan view of the inside of an opened folder with rocker arm mechanism,

Fig. 2

2 shows a plan view of the outside of a rear flap of the folder from FIG. 1,

Fig. 3

2 shows a sectional view along the line III-III of FIG. 1 in the closed state of the folder shortly before closing,

Fig. 4

3, but in the completely closed folder state,

Fig. 5

a plan view of the inside of a folder with ring tear mechanism and

Fig. 6

a sectional view taken along the line VI-VI of Fig. 5th

The folder shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 in the form of a file or letter folder includes one piece from one Sheets made of tough elastic plastic material, e.g. polypropylene, manufactured folder cover 1, consisting of a folder back 11, a front cover 12, a rear cover 13, one Front flap 14 and a rear flap 15. Two of the above Parts are along a side area through in Folded or foldable areas of the articulated lines connected with each other. The front cover 12 specifically limits over a first joint line area 3a to a first side of the back 11 and the back cover 13 over a second joint line region 3b to the side opposite the first of the back 11. The front flap 14 borders on one third joint line area 3c to the side facing away from the back of the front cover 12 and has a back 11 corresponding Height and width so that when closed folder state, as can be seen from FIGS. 3 and 4, a back 11 opposite, the same size side part. In contrast, the rear flap 15 has shortened on both sides Dimensions and borders over a correspondingly shorter, fourth joint line area 3d to the side facing away from the back of the rear cover 13.

A conventional rocker arm mechanism 2 is on the rear cover 13 two brackets 21 for receiving perforated documents and others, attachments with perforations attached, such as registers, covers and clip-in files. In the front cover 12 two corresponding locking slots 5 are punched out, in which the bracket 21 engage when closing the folder. For locking the clips 21 in the locking slots 5 is on the mutually facing edge sides of the Locking slots 5 each in the locking slot openings protruding locking cams 51a, 51b formed. These locking cams 51a, 51b bend when the folder is closed under the pressure of the bracket coming into the locking slots 5 21 open and snap when the folder is closed completely in a locking position engaging behind the bracket 21 back, i.e. during the complete closing movement from the almost closed folder state according to FIG. 3 in the complete folder closing state according to Fig. 4. By the Locking cams 51a, 51b alternatively on the mutually facing the locking slot edge sides facing away from each other are and therefore in opposite directions in their respective locking slot opening protrude, reliably prevent them The bracket 21 slides out of the locking slots 5 Occurrence of a shear movement between the front cover 12 and Back cover 13 in one of these covers 12, 13 essentially parallel plane. The clips 21 snap into the locking slots 5 also acts to bulge the fore and forehead Back cover 12, 13 counter.

To keep the folder safe and stable by folding it over or folding the individual parts (11 to 15) of the folder cover 1 1 in the closed state 4 folded folder to keep are Closing means provided, on the one hand, tab locking means and, secondly, characteristically additional ones Include locking connection means. The plug closure means serve to keep the front and Tailgate 14, 15 and include one in this example punched out on the side panel forming front flap 14 Slot 6 and one in this example on the rear flap 15 cut out, insertable into the slot 6 Insert tab 8. The insert tab 8 can be around a bending line along their root area, which they use in the back flap area passes from the level of the tailgate 15 for the purpose Insert into the slot 6 to be bent out. required is e.g. a bend angle of approx. 70 °. This bending out is facilitated by the fact that along the bending line a bending groove 83 is introduced into the rear flap 15 is. Together with a bend 82a, 82b in the end regions of the plug-in tab 8 forming, arc-shaped plug-in tab incision 81 also protects the bending groove 83 from that the incision 81 continues when the tab 8 is bent open tears or the tab 8 tears at its root area or a break occurs there.

The locking connection means are used for additional security the connection of front cover 12 and rear cover 13 via the the folder 11 opposite folder side part and consist from a fourth joint line area in this example 3d punched out between the rear cover 13 and the rear flap 15 Locking slot 9 and one facing away from the front cover in this example Molded side of the front flap 14, in the Locking slot 9 insertable locking web 7. As can be seen from Fig. 2, extends the locking slot 9 based on the Center line or bending line of the fourth joint line region 3d, which in the closed folder state of Fig. 4 the edge between back cover 13 and rear flap 15 forms a Depth d in the back cover 13, which is approximately the material thickness corresponds to the folder cover 1, and by a depth a in the area the rear flap 15, this depth of extent a significantly larger than the slot depth d in the rear cover 13 is selected and preferably between 5mm and 10mm is, while the material thickness of the folder cover is preferred 0.8 times to 1.4 times thereof, e.g. approximately 1 mm.

The advantages of this design of folder closing means will be based on the closing process illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 clear. 1 is in the open initial state Folder cover with all its parts essentially flat, for what the various articular line areas 3a to 3d are suitable for smooth operation are designed, e.g. by pressing in one or several adjacent grooves, grooves or Film hinges. This will insert and remove Documents and leafing through the opened folder in particular also through the front and rear flaps 14, 15 in not hindered in any way. The folder will then close proceeding from the open state to the closed one 3 spent by the front cover 12 is folded over the back cover 13 and the Front flap 14 folds in by itself. The stop bar 7 comes then engaged with the associated locking slot 9. The lifting movement the rear flap 15, with which the insertion of the unfolded plug-in tab 8 into the plug-in slot 6, causes the locking web 7 to slide in automatically the locking slot 9. This is further promoted by the fact that the locking slot 9, as indicated above, to a certain extent Depth a extends into the rear flap area, whereby an insertion aid for the locking web 7 is formed.

By further lifting the rear flap 15 and pushing it through the clip 8 through the slot 6 is closing of the folder is completed, which is then shown in FIG. completely closed state. The Insert tab 8 securely engages behind the side part forming Front flap 14 through the slot 6. simultaneously the locking web 7 is positively in the locking slot 9, the opening area projected onto the back cover level by folding the rear flap 15 at right angles the depth d is reduced by which it is in the back cover area extends into it. As stated above, essentially the material thickness of the folder cover 1 and therefore also corresponds to the locking web 7, the locking web 7 is in the closed Folder condition largely free of play in the locking slot 9. In addition, as can be seen from FIG. 4, it essentially closes aligned with the underside of the rear cover 13. This is achieved in that the depth of the locking web 7, i.e. the extent to which it extends over the remaining side edge area of the Front flap 14 protrudes, also approximately equal to the material thickness the folder cover 1 and thus also the back cover 13 selected is. With its remaining free longitudinal edge area the front flap 14 evenly against the back cover 13 on. So that the folder in the closed state a stable, rectangular shape, in particular also the side part-forming front flap 14 both vertically runs to the front cover 12 as well as to the rear cover 13, is the depth of the back cover 13 by the material thickness of the Folder cover 1 and thus also the front flap 14 selected larger than that of the front cover 12, so that, as desired, the one folded at right angles from the front cover 12 Front flap 14 bears vertically against the rear cover 13. The rear flap 15 is further stabilized in parallel the front flap 14 on

The one in FIGS. 5 and 6 in the open or closed state shown ring binder folder contains in an analogous manner like the above folder of FIGS. 1 to 4 one from a sheet made of relatively thin, tough elastic plastic material, such as Polypropylene, manufactured folder cover 30 with a folder back 31, one with this over a first joint line area 40 connected front cover 32, one with the Back 31 on the opposite side via a second Articulated line area 41 connected back cover 33, one on the back side of the front cover 32 via a third Joint line area 42 with the front flap connected to the same 34 and one on the side facing away from the back over one fourth joint line region 43 connected to the rear cover 33 Rear flap 35. The named parts 31 to 35 of the folder cover 30 have the same shape as the folder of Fig. 1 to 4 and in particular the same design of the folder closing means with a slot 36 in the side part forming Front flap 34, a cooperating tab 37 in the rear flap 35, a locking slot 38 in fourth joint line area 43 between the rear cover 33 and Rear flap 35 and a locking web cooperating with this 39 on the side of the front flap facing away from the front cover 32 In this respect, the folder of FIGS. 5 and 6 has same advantages in terms of low manufacturing costs, good handling and high stability, like the folder of the 1 to 4 indicated above.

In contrast to the folder of FIGS. 1 to 4, the folder 5 and 6 a tearing mechanism 2a on the inside of the Folder back 31 attached, the four circular shaped Brackets 2b that can be opened by tearing open to hold perforated holes Document and the like includes. corresponding to the four brackets 2b are four locking slots 5a, 5b each Front cover 32 on the one hand and in the rear cover 33 on the other hand punched out. When the folder is closed, the brackets 2b, as can be seen from Fig. 6, both in the locking slots 5a on the front cover 32 as well as in the locking slots 5b Back cover and contribute to stability and Stability of the folder at. On the respective two outer ones Locking slots of the front cover 32 and the rear cover 33 are on their mutually facing edge sides again locking cams 5c, 5d analogous to those of the folder 1 to 4 provided. Locked when closing the folder thus each of the two outer brackets 2b with the associated one front-side locking cams 5c and the associated rear-side locking cam 5d, which continues to Stabilization contributes and a sliding out of the bracket 2b from the locking slots 5a, 5b by a mere twisting Shear movement between front cover 32 and rear cover 33 prevents and also bulging of the front and rear covers 32, 33 counteracts.

The examples shown make it clear that the invention Folders can be produced with little effort, in the closed Condition reached a high stability and in unfolded state is largely flat, so that inserted Documents can be handled comfortably. Through the special, advantageous locking means with the interaction the plug-in closure means and the locking connection means, that does not hinder the user from handling the folder is kept reliably closed, without additional, to be attached separately to the folder ceiling Closure means, such as snap fasteners, Velcro closures or the like. are needed. On a border of the locking slots and the grip hole with eyelets can be selected through a suitable choice of material, especially the choice of a tough elastic plastic material, be dispensed with despite the relatively small wall thickness. The Folder cover can be made in one operation, in which the folder cover is punched out of the raw material sheet, the corners rounded, the various joint line areas in shape of grooves, film hinges or the like. pressed in, the locking slots punched out with the cams and, if necessary, the grip hole as well as the various components of the locking device be punched on or punched out.

In particular, it should be emphasized that the closure according to the invention with the cooperating plug-in closure and Locking connection means even when the folder and holds securely even when the one lying on the back cover Folders e.g. by stacking several filled folders is loaded by giving the folder a stable box shape gives. The closure prevents the foldable Folder parts under pressure or load to the outside or inside fold away and the closure opens, which e.g. can occur if only a plug-in closure without additional Snap connection is used. In an analogous way is the pressure stability by the closure according to the invention when handling beneficial if the folder by the user in the back area by compressing the front and back covers is held. Furthermore, the invention makes it possible Closure, the side part opposite the back to design in flap shape so that it is full is foldable and thus the flatness of the entire folder ceiling allows so that towering supports are dispensed with can.

It goes without saying that in addition to the shown realizations of the folder according to the invention are possible. So can the arrangement of the plug-in tab and plug-in slot or locking bar and locking slot on the front and rear flap opposite that shown Order reversed. Furthermore, alternatively to the examples shown, the rear flap as a side part Act flap, or the opposite of the folder back Side part can be part of one and the other part be formed by the other flap.

Claims (11)

1. Folder for filing documents, having

   a folder casing (1, 30) with a folder spine (11, 31), a front cover (12, 32) which is connected to the folder spine via a first articulation line region (3a, 40), a rear cover (13, 33) which is connected to the folder spine along its side remote from the front cover via a second articulation line region (3b, 41), a front flap (14, 34) which is connected to the front cover along its side remote from the spine via a third articulation line region (3c, 42), and a rear flap (15, 35) which is connected to the rear cover along its side remote from the spine via a fourth articulation line region (3d, 43), and

   insertion tab closure means (6, 8, 36, 37) for the retaining connection of front flap (14, 34) and rear flap (15, 35), having an insertion slot (6, 36) on the one flap (14, 15, 34, 35) and an insertion tab (8, 37) on the other flap (15, 14, 35, 34), which insertion tab (8, 37) can be inserted into said insertion slot (6, 36),

   characterized by

   latching connection means having a latching slot (9, 38) which is made in the third or fourth articulation line region (3c, 3d, 42, 43), and a latching protrusion (7, 39) which can be latched into said latching slot (9, 38), the latching protrusion (7, 39) being provided on that side of the rear flap (15, 35) that is remote from the rear cover or on that side of the front flap (14, 34) that is remote from the front cover.
2. Folder according to Claim 1, further characterized in that the insertion tab closure means (6, 8, 36, 37) and the latching connection means (7, 9, 38, 39) are provided on the folder casing (1, 30), and the latter is made in one piece from a sheet of a viscoplastic material.
3. Folder according to Claim 1 or 2, further characterized in that the front flap (14, 34) forms a side part that is situated opposite the folder spine (11, 31) in the closed state of the folder and is of the same size, and the latching protrusion (7, 39) is provided on the front flap (14, 34) that forms the side part.
4. Folder according to Claim 3, further characterized in that the rear cover (13, 33) has a depth that is greater than that of the front cover (12, 32) by approximately the material thickness of the front flap (14, 34).
5. Folder according to one of Claims 1 to 4, further characterized in that the protruding depth of the latching protrusion (7, 39) is at most approximately the same as the material thickness in the region of the latching slot (9, 38).
6. Folder according to one of Claims 1 to 5, further characterized in that the latching slot (9, 38), measured from the line of flexion of the associated articulation line region (3c, 3d, 42, 43), in the direction of the adjoining front or rear cover (12, 13, 32, 33) extends to a depth (d) that essentially corresponds to the material thickness of the latching protrusion (7, 39) and in the direction of the front or rear flap (14, 15, 34, 35) extends to a depth (a) of between approximately 5 mm and 10 mm.
7. Folder according to one of Claims 1 to 6, further characterized in that the insertion tab (8, 37) has a bending groove (83) in its lower region.
8. Folder according to one of Claims 1 to 7, further characterized in that it has a mechanism (2) fitted on the rear cover (13), and for each of the clips (21) thereof it has a retaining slot (5) in the front cover (12).
9. Folder according to one of Claims 1 to 7, further characterized in that it has a ring mechanism (2a) fitted on the folder spine (31), and for each of the clips (2b) thereof it has a retaining slot (5a, 5b) both in the front cover (32) and in the rear cover (33).
10. Folder according to Claim 8 or 9, further characterized in that at least two spaced-apart retaining slots (5, 5a, 5b) in the front cover (12, 32) and/or in the rear cover (13, 33) are provided with retaining catches (5c, 5d, 51a, 51b) on those sides of the slots that face one another or that face away from one another, which retaining catches (5c, 5d, 51a, 51b) project into the slot openings in opposite directions.
11. Folder according to one of Claims 1 to 10, further characterized in that a grasping hole (4) is made in the folder spine (11).

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