FR2883224A1 - File`s vertical filing device for e.g. shelf in office, has vertical separators slidingly assembled on guiding rail and placed under selected respective conditions to delimit compartments accommodating files in vertical position - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has terminal supports (20a, 20b) to remotely maintain a guiding rail (18) in a horizontal direction above a rack (12) and in a longitudinal direction of the rack. A set of vertical separators (22) is slidingly assembled on the rail and placed under selected respective conditions to delimit variable width compartments accommodating files in vertical position. Each support has a vertical wall raised perpendicularly with respect to a bottom wall. Each vertical wall has leading edge connected by an oblique edge with an upper edge parallel to the bottom wall to form a cleared zone.

Description

Device for vertical filing of files on a shelf

  The invention relates to the field of filing and storage of documents, and more particularly relates to a device for the vertical filing of files on a shelf.

  The term "records" is used here in its usual sense to refer to a set of documents collected in a folder, for example in light cardboard or plastic. Such a shirt has most often dimensions of about 24 x 32 cm to accommodate documents in DIN A4 format.

  In addition the term "shelf" means a horizontal element, such as a tablet or the like, which can be part of a storage cabinet or filing and is usually framed by two vertical walls of the cabinet.

  Historically, documents were generally classified horizontally in clamshell systems or on simple shelves. But, gradually, the horizontal ranking has been replaced by the vertical ranking which, at present, represents a predominant position on the ranking market.

  This vertical classification is carried out using folders, for example strap shirts, or with the help of file receiving boxes made of cardboard or plastic and placed vertically on the shelf.

  Another widespread solution is to equip cabinets with hammocks called "hanging folders" usually made of cardboard. These hammocks are equipped with metal or plastic hooks to allow their sliding on appropriate rails, arranged under a shelf.

  This solution is very attractive from the point of view of its simplicity and its low cost price. However, the documents contained in these hammocks or hanging folders tend to wobble until the shelf is completely filled and at this stage, manipulations of records become difficult.

  Furthermore, the organization of the classification involves using each time a label holder fixed on one of the slices of the hammock, which is generally very narrow and involves the placement of a vertical title for the identification of the document or file. . As a result, reading the label is inconvenient.

  The object of the invention is in particular to overcome the disadvantages of known vertical filing devices. It aims in particular to provide a vertical filing device allowing, in an automatic and simple way, to keep the files in a position of slight compression, thus avoiding any risk of waving documents contained in the files.

  The invention also aims to provide such a filing device which facilitates the introduction or the extraction of records by adapting automatically to the number and thickness of the files thus classified.

  The invention proposes for this purpose a device for vertical filing folders on a shelf, which comprises at least one guide rail, end supports for holding the guide rail in a horizontal direction at a distance above the shelf and in the longitudinal direction of the latter, a plurality of vertical separators slidably mounted on the guide rail or rails and adapted to be placed in respective positions chosen to delimit compartments of variable width suitable for each housing at least one backrest. vertical position.

  The folders are thus maintained vertically between movable vertical separators which slide along at least one guide rail and can adapt to the number and thickness of the folder or files contained in the compartments or cavities delimited between these separators.

  In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the end supports each comprise a clean bottom wall to rest horizontally on the shelf and a vertical wall erected perpendicular to the bottom wall and supporting the one or more rails. guiding, so as to constitute a pressing member. Thus, the filing device is simply placed on the shelf via the end supports, which form pressing members and can be moved on the shelf according to the number of mobile separators and classified files.

  Preferably, the device comprises two parallel guide rails, and the vertical wall of each of the end supports comprises two passage openings allowing a relative sliding of the end support and guide rails.

  It is advantageous that each of the end supports has a generally vertical leading edge which extends from the bottom wall and which is connected by an oblique edge to an upper edge generally parallel to the bottom wall to form a zone. unobstructed view of the files.

  Preferably, each of the end supports further comprises a rear wall connected perpendicularly to the bottom wall and to the vertical wall and forming a stop for an abutment rail passing through the vertical separators and limiting the introduction of the files.

  Each of the end supports is advantageously formed from a folded and cut metal sheet.

  In another embodiment of the invention, the end supports of a guide rail comprise two end pieces adapted to bear against two vertical walls, flanking the shelf, via at least one jack of clamping interposed between the guide rail and the end pieces.

  In this case, the maintenance of the guide rail or rails is effected via the walls of a cabinet or the like, the device being able to bear also on the shelf itself by means of the vertical dividers.

  In this embodiment, the guide rail is advantageously made in the form of a cylindrical rod of which at least one end is connected to a clamping cylinder.

  The vertical separator is advantageously made in the form of a generally flat plate limited by a clean lower edge to rest on the shelf, by an upper edge substantially parallel to the lower edge, by an anterior edge and a rear edge. In other words, the vertical separator advantageously has a shape similar to that of a pressure end support, as defined above.

  It is advantageous that each vertical separator comprises at least one passage opening arranged near the upper edge and adapted to be traversed by a guide rail.

  In a preferred embodiment, the passage opening has an L-shaped configuration with a vertical branch opening on the upper edge and a horizontal branch terminating in a receiving housing of the rail, which allows each vertical separator to be installed on to minus one guide rail already installed. This solution makes it easy to add or remove vertical dividers.

  According to another characteristic of the invention, each vertical separator has lateral stops which extend on each side of the plate, near the upper edge, to ensure a minimum gap between two adjacent vertical separators.

  In this case, each stop is preferably made in the form of a split sleeve erected from the plate and forming a passage for a guide rail.

  The front edge of the vertical separator is generally vertical, extends from the lower edge and is connected by an oblique edge to the upper edge to form a release zone for easy viewing of the files.

  In a preferred embodiment, the vertical separator comprises, near its rear edge, a passage opening for accommodating an abutment rail which extends in a direction parallel to the guide rail (s).

  It is advantageous, in this case, that the passage opening for accommodating the stop rail is arranged in a lower region of the plate and that it opens upwards in a concave cut of the rear edge.

  The vertical separator is preferably made by molding a plastic material, in particular of the thermoplastic type.

  In the invention, each of the folders is advantageously a shirt provided with a label holder extending in a horizontal direction. This solution allows a horizontal identification of the folder, in the normal direction of writing, facilitating reading.

  In an advantageous embodiment, the liner has two rectangular faces united by a back, and the face which is provided with the holder has a height, from the back, greater than the height of the other face.

  This label holder is advantageously made of a rigid transparent plastic material and comprises two flaps or lips joined along an edge to form a groove with an inner slope to ensure a progressive tightening on an upper edge of a folder. As a result, the label holder remains properly maintained on the corresponding folder.

  To help maintain the label holder, it is advantageous that the two flaps of the label holder have inner faces vis-à-vis which are provided with alternating ribs to tighten the upper edge of the folder.

  Preferably, the label holder is extended by a tab projecting from the outside of the file to facilitate the extraction of a folder or the scrolling of the labels.

  In the description which follows, given only by way of example, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a partial front view of a cabinet provided with a filing device according to the invention; resting on a shelf; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an end support forming a pressing member; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a vertical separator; FIG. 4 is a partial plan view of the vertical support of FIG. 3; Figure 5 is a view from the left side of the filing device of Figure 1; FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of a filing device according to the invention placed in a cabinet; Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the use of a label holder for extracting a file; FIG 8 is a partial perspective view showing the scrolling of label holders for the location of files; FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a label holder; Figure 10 is a plan view of the rear of the label holder of Figure 9; - Figure 11 is a sectional view along the line XI-XI of Figure 10; - Figure 12 is an enlarged detail of Figure 11 mounting the holding of the edge of a folder by the flaps or lips of the label holder; FIG. 13 is an end view of a back made in the form of a shirt with unequal faces, one of which is provided with a label holder; - Figure 14 is a partial front view of two end supports mounted at the ends of a guide rail and supported between two vertical walls of a filing cabinet; and - Figure 15 is a view similar to Figure 14 in an alternative embodiment.

  Referring first to Figure 1 which shows a filing device 10 according to the invention based on a horizontal shelf 12 which, in the example, is framed by two vertical walls 14 and 16 of a filing cabinet or analogue (shown partially). The device 10 comprises two guide rails 18 (only one rail is visible in Figure 1) held at a distance above the shelf 12 and in the longitudinal direction thereof. The rails 18 are each formed of a metal rod, for example a stretched stainless steel, circular section. They are parallel to each other and located in the same horizontal plane.

  The rails 18 are supported by two end supports 20a and 20b located respectively on the left side and the right side of Figure 1. These supports have symmetrical shapes and can be placed in the desired position. In the example, the support 20a is placed near the vertical wall 14 of the cabinet, while the support 20b is located at a distance from the vertical wall 16 of the cabinet. The structure of the end supports 20a and 20b will be described in detail later.

  The device further comprises a plurality of movable vertical separators 22, identical to each other, slidably mounted on the guide rails 18 and adapted to be placed in respective positions chosen so as to delimit compartments or cavities of variable width suitable for housing each of them. at least one folder 24 in a vertical position. Thus, from the left to the right, a first compartment C1 is defined between the wall 14 and the end support 20a and then a succession of compartments C2, C3, C4, ... Cn, the latter being delimited between the support end 20b and the vertical wall 16. In the example shown, no folder is located in the compartments Cl and Cn, but they can also accommodate folders to increase the storage capacity. On the other hand, compartment C2 houses a file, compartment C3 also houses a file, compartment C4 houses two files, etc. Thus, it is possible to define a plurality of compartments or cavities, the width of which will each time be adapted automatically according to the thickness of the file or folders housed in the latter. This adaptation will be done simply by sliding the mobile separators on the guide rails, adding or removing, if necessary, one or more separators. The structure of each separator 22 will be described in detail later.

  Furthermore, as seen in Figure 1, the filing device 10 further comprises a stop rail 25 placed horizontally and parallel to the guide rails and at a short distance above the shelf. The stop rail 25 is disposed near the bottom of the shelf to limit the introduction of the files and allow alignment of the records relative to the bottom wall 26 of the cabinet.

  The end supports 20a and 20b are held together at a defined spacing by means of locking rings 28, for example in the form of a split ring, engaged on the rails 18 and able to be slidably displaced along the rails until at the desired position.

  The shelf 12 of FIG. 1 could, in a variant, not be framed by two vertical walls since, in this embodiment, the device 10 only bears on the shelf.

  Referring now to Figure 2 to describe the end support 20b, it being understood that the end support 20a has a symmetrical shape. The support 20b comprises a bottom wall 30 of generally rectangular shape adapted to rest horizontally on the shelf 12 and a vertical wall 32 erected perpendicular to the bottom wall and supporting the guide rails 18. The vertical wall 32 comprises this effect two passage openings 34, each shaped circular hole, allowing a relative sliding of the end support and guide rails. The support 20b further comprises a rear wall 36 of substantially square shape connected perpendicular to the bottom wall 30 and the vertical wall 32 and serving as a support for the abutment rail 25 above.

  The end supports 20a and 20b are each formed from a folded and cut metal sheet. The vertical wall 32 has a generally vertical front edge 38 which extends from the bottom wall 30 and is connected by an oblique edge 40 to an upper edge 42 generally parallel to the bottom wall. This makes it possible to form an open zone, here of triangular shape, which constitutes a cutaway facilitating in particular the visualization of the files. As seen in Figure 2, the openings 34 are formed near the upper edge 42. In addition, the vertical wall 32 has a rear edge 44 which has a concave cut for lightening the end support and also allowing to view the files on the side of the bottom of the cabinet.

  Reference is now made to FIGS. 3 and 4 to describe the structure of a movable vertical separator 22. This is made in the form of a generally flat plate 46 whose contour corresponds approximately to that of the vertical wall 32 of FIG. an end support 20a or 20b. The plate 46 is limited by a lower edge 48 adapted to rest on the shelf, by an upper edge 50 substantially parallel to the lower edge, by an anterior edge 52 and a rear edge 54. The front edge 52 is generally vertical, c that is, it is connected perpendicularly to the lower edge 48, and is connected by an oblique edge 56 to the upper edge 50 to form a substantially triangular shaped clearance zone, which constitutes a cutaway facilitating visualization files. Therefore, the edges 52 and 56 of the plate 46 are homologous to the edges 38 and 40 of each of the end supports 20a and 20b.

  Each vertical separator comprises two passage openings 58 and 60 (FIGS. 3 and 4) arranged near the upper edge 50 in order to be traversed each by a guide rail 18. Each of these passage openings 58, 60 has an L configuration. with a vertical branch opening on the upper edge 50 and a horizontal branch terminating in a housing 62, respectively 64, receiving the rail. Each of these housings here has a shape in an arc and each of the horizontal branches has protrusions 66, also called "gadroons", forming hard points to allow a force entry of each of the rails in its corresponding housing.

  The vertical separator 22 comprises, near its rear edge 54, a passage opening 68 (FIG. 3) for accommodating the stop rail 25, which is here embodied in the form of a metal rod of circular section. The passage opening 68 is arranged in a lower region of the plate 46 and opens up into the concave cut formed by the posterior edge 54. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the plate 46 has a rear extension 70 , located beyond the opening 68, to allow the vertical separator 22 to extend further rearwardly than each of the end supports 20a and 20b. The vertical separator 22 comprises a reinforcement 72 (not shown in FIG. 4) extending along the upper edge 50.

  Each separator has lateral stops 74 which extend on each side of the plate, and more precisely from the reinforcement 72, close to the upper edge 50 to ensure a minimum gap between two adjacent vertical separators, as seen in FIG. Figure 1. Each of the lateral stops 74 is in the form of a split sleeve erected from the plate and forming a passage for the guide rail. This guarantees a minimum space, in the horizontal direction, between two adjacent vertical separators, which can be for example of the order of 25 to 30 mm.

  Each vertical separator 22 is made here by molding a plastic material, in particular of the thermoplastic type, such as for example polypropylene.

  In the side view of FIG. 5, one can see the end support 20a, a backrest 24 and the rear extension 70 of a vertical separator 22, the backrest 24 being kept compressed between the support 20a and the vertical support 22. We also see, in cross section, the two guide rails 18 and the stop rail 25, which abuts against the rear wall 36 of the end support 20a. The backrest 24 is made, for example, in the form of a cardboard folder equipped with a label holder 78 which will be described in detail below. It has the particularity of extending in a horizontal direction to allow a reading of a label 80 in a horizontal position. The label holder 78 overlaps one of the upper edges 82 of the liner and extends forwardly by a lug 84 which facilitates the identification of a folder and its removal from the cabinet, as will be seen below.

  FIG. 6 shows an arrangement of vertical dividers 22 providing compartments in which each case is provided with one or more backs 24 each of which is provided with a label holder 78. It can be seen that the oblique edges 56 of the dividers facilitate the viewing folders and their respective label holders and may also allow a slight folding folders.

  Figure 7 shows schematically the extraction of a file by a user, the tab 84 of the label holder facilitating the gripping of the file by the user.

  Figure 8 shows how a user can, with his thumb, scroll through the respective label holders of the records by exerting a pressure from the left to the right facilitating the reading of the labels and the tracking of the files. The oblique, cutaway-shaped edges of the dividers allow a slight folding of the folders and also contribute to a better reading of the labels. FIG. 9 shows in perspective a label holder 78 intended to be placed on the upper edge of a file. classic, for example a shirt type 24 x 32 cm. This label holder is made of a transparent and rigid plastic material and has two flaps, or lips, namely an anterior flap 86 and a rear flap 88, both of generally rectangular shape, joined along a common edge 90 to form a clean groove 92 to overlap the upper edge of a folder. This groove has an inner slope to ensure a progressive tightening on the upper edge of the folder. This inner slope allows a progression of the pressure and it is combined with the realization of inner ripples (not visible) to allow to trap the label holder on the backrest. The front flap 86 has an extension 94 directed downwards to obtain a strong thrust on the backrest to spread the flaps or lips of the label holder and thus facilitate its implementation. The tab 84 comprises, on the side of the front flap 86 a cavity 96 shaped spherical cap facilitating the introduction of the thumb of the user. This cavity facilitates the extraction of the folder as shown in Figure 7. It also allows, by a simple push, to scroll through the label holders, and thus the titles of the folders, as shown above with reference to Figure 8.

  As seen in FIGS. 10 to 12, the flaps 86 and 88 of the label holder 78 have inner facing faces which are provided with alternating ribs 98 and 100 which extend parallel to each other and perpendicular to the The ribs 98 and 100 are respectively formed on the flaps 86 and 88. As a result, the upper edge 82 of a backrest is clamped by adopting a slightly corrugated profile (Figure 12). As can be seen in FIGS. 10 and 11, a shoulder 102 is formed at the limit of the tab 94 to serve as an abutment flange at a vertical edge (not shown) of a file, contributing to a proper implementation. place the label holder.

  Referring to Figure 13 which shows a folder 24 made in the form of a cardboard folder having two rectangular faces 104 and 106 joined to a flat back 108 by means of two fold lines 109. The face 104 which is provided with the label holder 78 has a height H1, from the back 108, greater than the height H2 of the face 106.

  Advantageously, the difference in height substantially corresponds to the vertical height of the label holder. This dissymmetry facilitates the scrolling of the label holders because they are not hindered by the face of the shirt which is devoid of label holder. In addition, the presence of a flat back on the shirts allows a horizontal alignment of the label holders.

  Referring now to Figure 14 which relates to another embodiment of a guide rail and its end supports. The rail 18 is here made in the form of a solid cylindrical rod 110, for example steel, one end of which carries a nozzle 112, for example of the suction cup type, able to bear against the wall 16 of the cabinet. The other end of the rod 110 is provided with a knob 114 and is threaded internally to receive a threaded rod 116. The latter is provided with a knob 118 and another nozzle 112 to bear against the wall 14 of the cabinet. Thus, a clamping cylinder 120, here a screw jack, which keeps the rail 18 in a horizontal position chosen between the walls 14 and 16. The tightening or loosening of the cylinder is obtained by manually acting on the wheels 114 and 118 in the direction of their approximation or their distance. Alternatively, it is possible to provide two clamping cylinders respectively at both ends of a central rod.

  In the embodiment of Figure 15, the rail 18 is a solid cylindrical rod, for example steel, and is held between the walls 14 and 16 by means of two identical clamping cylinders 122. Each of them is a tube, for example made of plastic, one end of which is provided with a tip 124, for example of rubber, and the other end of which receives one end of the rail 18. A locking stop 28 similar to those described above is engaged on the rail and can slide on the latter to abut against the tube.

  In the case where a rail as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 is used, the use of a pressing end support 20a or 20b is no longer necessary. Clamping is then done at both ends of the file series by two vertical dividers.

  The invention is capable of numerous variants. The filing device can accommodate filing cabinets, storage or the like of various sizes, provided that the rails used have a length less than the size of the shelf or shelf. The device of the invention makes it possible to classify and store folders vertically in a rational manner, minimizing space losses. The device of the invention allows each time to adapt the width of the compartments or cavities depending on the width or thickness of the file or files accommodated in the compartment in question. The invention thus finds particular application to storage and filing cabinets for the office or home.

Claims (22)

claims   1. Device for the vertical filing of files on a shelf, characterized in that it comprises at least one guide rail (18), end supports (20a, 20b; 100, 108) for holding the rail or rails in a horizontal direction remotely above the shelf (12) and in the longitudinal direction thereof, a plurality of vertical dividers (22) slidably mounted on the one or more guide rails (18) and adapted to to be placed in respective conditions chosen to delimit compartments (C1, C2 ... Cn) of variable width each adapted to house at least one folder (24) in a vertical position.   2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the end supports (20a, 20b) each comprise a bottom wall (30) adapted to rest horizontally on the shelf (12) and a vertical wall (32) erected perpendicularly relative to the bottom wall (30) and supporting the one or more guide rails (18), so as to constitute a pressing member.   3. Device according to claims 1 and 2, taken in combination, characterized in that it comprises two parallel guide rails (18) and in that the vertical wall (32) of each of the end supports (20a, 20b ) has two openings (34) allowing a relative sliding of the end support and guide rails.   4. Device according to one of claims 2 to 3, characterized in that the vertical wall (32) of each of the end supports (20a, 20b) comprises a generally vertical front edge (38) extending from of the bottom wall (30) and which is connected by an oblique edge (40) to an upper edge (42) generally parallel to the bottom wall (30) to form an open area facilitating the visualization of the backs, as well as a posterior edge (44).   2883224 17 5. Device according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that each of the end supports (20a, 20b) further comprises a rear wall (36) connected perpendicularly to the bottom wall (30) and to the vertical wall (32) and forming a support for an abutment rail (25) passing through the vertical separators (22) and limiting the introduction of the files (24).   6. Device according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that each of the end supports (20a, 20b) is formed from a folded metal sheet and cut.   7. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the end supports of a guide rail (18) comprise two end pieces (112; 124) adapted to bear against two vertical walls (14, 16) flanking the shelf (12), via at least one clamping cylinder (120; 122) interposed between the guide rail and the end pieces.   8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the guide rail (18) is formed as a cylindrical rod of which at least one end is connected to a clamping cylinder {120; 122).   9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that each of the vertical separators (22) is formed as a generally flat plate (46) limited by a lower edge (48) adapted to rest on the shelf (12) by an upper edge (50) substantially parallel to the lower edge (48), an anterior edge (52) and a rear edge (54).   10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that each of the vertical separators (22) comprises at least one passage opening (58, 60) arranged near the upper edge (50) and adapted to be traversed by a guide rail (18).   2883224 18 11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the passage opening (58, 60) has an L-shaped configuration with a vertical branch emerging on the upper edge (50) and a horizontal branch terminated by a housing (62, 64), which makes it possible to install each vertical separator on at least one guide rail (18) already installed.   12. Device according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that each vertical separator (22) comprises lateral stops (74) which extend on each side of the plate, near the upper edge (50), to ensure a minimum gap between two adjacent vertical dividers.   13. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that each lateral stop (74) is in the form of a split sleeve erected from the plate and forming a passage for a guide rail (18).   14. Device according to one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that the front edge (52) is generally vertical, extends from the lower edge (48) and is connected by an oblique edge (56) to the edge upper (50) to form a clearance area for easy viewing of the records.   15. Device according to one of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that the vertical separator (22) comprises, near its rear edge (54), a passage opening (68) for accommodating an abutment rail (25). ) which extends in a direction parallel to the (x) guide rail (s) (18).   16. Device according to claim 15, characterized in that the passage opening (68) for accommodating the stop rail (25) is arranged in a lower region of the plate (46) and opens upwards in a concave cutout the posterior edge (54).   2883224 19 17. Device according to one of claims 9 to 16, characterized in that the vertical separator (22) is made by molding a plastic material, in particular of the thermoplastic type.   18. Device according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that it further comprises at least one liner (24) adapted to be housed in one of the compartments (C1, C2 ... Cn), said shirt being provided with a label holder (78) extending in a horizontal direction.   19. Device according to claim 18, characterized in that the jacket comprises two rectangular faces (104, 106) joined by a back (108), and in that the face (104) which is provided with the label holder (78) has a height (H1), from the back, greater than the height (H2) of the other face (106).   20. Device according to one of claims 18 and 19, characterized in that the label holder (78) is made of a rigid transparent plastic material and comprises two flaps (86, 88) joined along a ridge (90). ) to form a groove (92) with an inner slope to provide progressive clamping on an upper edge (82) of a backrest.   21. Device according to claim 20, characterized in that the two flaps (86, 88) of the label holder (78) have inner faces vis-vis which are provided with alternating ribs (98, 100) for clamping a upper edge (82) of a folder.   22. Device according to one of claims 18 to 21, characterized in that the label holder (78) is extended by a tab (84) projecting from the outside of the jacket to facilitate the extraction of the shirt or scrolling the label holders.