GB1591115A

GB1591115A - Box

Info

Publication number: GB1591115A
Application number: GB38746/77A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1976-09-17
Filing date: 1977-09-16
Publication date: 1981-06-17
Also published as: DE2739891C2; ATA691176A; IT1085269B; DE7727438U1; DE2760376A1; SE7710416L; AU519523B2; NL7710228A; NO773151L; AU2883377A; NL185649B; BE858843A; FR2364636B1; JPS5340385A; DE2760376C2; DK161489B; FR2364636A1; DE2739891A1; SE446589B; AT356316B

Abstract

The adjusting dividers (17) of a storage box are equipped with both anti-tilt and anti-slip means. For this purpose, the carrier (18) is provided underneath its height centre with a longitudinal groove (19). On its perpendicular side, the divider leaf of the adjusting divider (17) has a lug (20) engaging in the longitudinal groove (19). The anti-slip means is brought about in that a catch (21) is arranged in the longitudinal groove (19). The engagement of the lug (20) of the adjusting divider (17) in the catch (21) continuously effectively prevents the adjusting divider from moving on the carrier (18) when the box or the drawer is opened and/or closed. <IMAGE>

Description

(54) BOX (71) We, HORST HROVAT AND HEIMO HROVAT, both citizens of Austria, of Bahnhofstrasse 4a, A4820 Bad Ischl, Austria, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to an open topped box drawer, or the like container for keeping assorted small items, for example a drawer of a cabinet for keeping drug packages, divided into individual compartments by at least one adjustable separator, which is slidable and comprises a flexible separator sheet with a flange that protrudes from the separator sheet along at least part of the length of a side thereof, and a clip which is adjustably held on a support formed by a side wall or partition of the container.

Such box is known from published German Specification 2,431,462; published German Specification 2,437,550 and Austrian Patent Specification 321,494 and affords various advantages over a prior box known from Swiss Patent Specification 298,092. For instance, the provision of a flange which protrudes from the separator sheet of the L-shaped separator at least on one side and forms one leg of the clip, which is fitted on one side wall of the drawer, ensures that the separator sheet engages the support on a large surface area and for this reason is reliably guided during its sliding or other adjustment to a different position if that adjustment is effected by a force applied to the clip.The provision of that flange ensures also a self-locking action when such shifting or other adjusting force is applied to the preferably elastic separator sheet because the flange will then be canted to clamp the separator sheet against the support consisting of the side wall of the drawer. This condition will arise, e.g., when the separator sheets extend at right angles to the direction in which the drawer is opened or closed because during the opening movement the items kept in the individual compartments will then slide rearwardly in the drawers owing to the inertia of such items and will thus bear on the separator sheets at the rear of such compartments. During the clos ing movement of the drawers, the opposite action will be exerted and the contents of the drawer will be moved forwardly and will bear on the separator sheets in front of each compartment.When it is desired to adjust one of the separator sheets, the clip is gripped with one hand and the adjustable separator can then easily be displaced. In that case the adjustable separator can be shifted during the removal of an item because only one hand is required for each operation so that it is not necessary to deposit the item outside the box before the separator is shifted. For instance, when a bottle is taken from a compartment in a pharmacy, the adjacent adjustable separator can be shifted so that a tilting of the remaining bottles in the compartment during subsequent opening and closing movements of the drawer can be prevented.The use of the flexible separator sheets affords the advantage that the items lying on the bottom of a small compartment which is not completely filled can easily and quickly be taken when the separator sheets of the adjustable separators are spread apart without being shifted. Where flexible separator sheets which project like flags are used, the application of pressure to the separator sheet results in a canting of the flange which bears on the support so that the adjustable separator becomes selflocking to prevent a shifting. An additional advantage resides in that the slidably or otherwise adjustable separators comprising the flexible separator sheets can easily be removed from the compartment although they exactly fit the bottom or other boundary walls of the drawer.For that purpose it is sufficient to slightly bend the separator sheet laterally so as to reduce it in length and then to pivotally move the separator upwardly. The L-shaped configuration of the adjustable separators which have been described affords the advantage that they can be pushed closely together on that side which faces away from the shorter flange of the L and that location and order cards carried by these shorter flanges of the L are visually associated with the proper compartments. A T-shaped separator, which comprises flanges protruding from both sides of the separator sheet and which is preferred when relatively heavy items act on the separator sheet, will afford the advantage that a guide flange of larger width is provided.

In one embodiment of the box disclosed in German Specification 2,431,462 each support is provided with one longitudinal guide and the clips are provided with projections or recesses which cooperate with the longitudinal guide so that a tilting of the clips on the supports is prevented.

In accordance with the invention, an open topped storage box, drawer, or the like container is divided into two or more compartments by one or more adjustable separators, wherein each separator is slidably mounted on a wall, partition, or other support forming part of the container, the support having a frictional antiskid or detent holding means and comprises a flexible separator sheet having a flange adjacent the support and a clip releasably engaging the holding means to prevent sliding movement of the separator.

Also in accordance with the invention, an open topped storage box, drawer, or the like container is divided into two or more compartments by one or more adjustable separators, wherein each separator is slidably mounted on a wall, partition, or other support forming part of the container and comprises a flexible separator sheet carried by a clip engaging the support and provided with a resilient leg facing a flange on the separator sheet, the support lying between the leg and the flange, and wherein a releasable frictional anti-skid or holding means is provided to prevent sliding movement of the separator or separators.

In a box in which the support is provided with a longitudinal groove, particularly below the middle of its height, and the separator sheet is provided on its vertical side edge with a nose, which extends into the longitudinal groove, a special advantage will be afforded if the detent means or anti-skid covering, e.g., of rubber, are provided in the longitudinal groove as the holding means so that an undesired skidding of the adjustable separators is prevented by particularly simple means.

On the other hand, the separator sheet may be provided with a nose, which is L-shaped in cross-section and protrudes over the upper horizontal edge of the sheet and which extends into a guide flange of the carrier, which flange is provided with detent means or anti-skid covering. In that case the nose may serve also as a clamping member, which constitutes the clip or part of the clip according to the application. It will be understood that the nose may be provided in addition to a separate clip, which may engage the guide flange of the support; in this case the nose may be provided on the top of the laterally protruding flange of the separator sheet.

In both embodiments a detent bar or a strip of anti-skid material is desirably slidably fitted in the longitudinal groove or the guide flange.

It is desirable in many case to provide antiskid material by vapour deposition in the longitudinal groove or in the guide flange or to roughen the surface thereof.

In another desirable embodiment, the support comprises a detent projection which engages a mating recess of the separator sheet.

That embodiment is of special advantage with a box in which the support has a longitudinal groove which receives a nose provided on the vertical side edge of the separator sheet to prevent a tilting thereof, the detent projection being preferably disposed below the longitudinal groove.

In a box comprising a partition or a central bar, which comprises two parallel supports for two rows of adjustable separators, it will be of special advantage to provide a preferably wedgeshaped bar for urging the clips against the supports.

The inside surface of the free end of the resilient leg of the clip preferably engages detent means, preferably a detent bar, or anti-skid covering, preferably a rubber bar. The retaining action afforded by the engagement of the free leg end on the detent means or the anti-skid covering and preventing an undesired skidding can easily be disabled when the free leg end is disengaged from the detent means or the antiskid covering.

An undesired skidding of the adjustable separator will be prevented even more reliably if the contact pressure force between the leg of the clip and the detent means or the anti-skid covering is increased by a construction such that the detent means or the non-skid covering are or is spaced from the support and provided on a bracket carried by the support.

In that case too the inside surface of the free end of the resilient leg of the clip is preferably urged against the detent means or the anti-skid covering by means of a pivoted bar or by means of a wedge-shaped bar which is adjustable in height.

In another desired embodiment of the invention, the outside surface of the free end of the resilient leg of the clip engages detent means or anti-skid covering, which is disposed in a bracket, which is carried by the support and comprises a convex rib, which is disposed above the detent means and extends into a mating recess in the outside surface of the resilient leg of the clip.

In that case the separator is held against tilting and skidding by simple means.

In this embodiment and other embodiments it will be of special advantage to provide a resilient bar of plastics material or the like between the support and the inside surface of the resilient leg of the clip, which bar is either integrally formed with the resilient leg of the clip or is slidably fitted in a guide of the support.

In a box in which the free end of the resilient leg of the clip has a nose or a noselike rib, which cooperates with a longitudinal guide provided on the support so as to prevent tilting, skidding will be prevented according to the invention in a desirable manner if the nose of the clip projects outwardly and the longitudinal guide projects inwardly and is provided on a bracket carried by the support.

In that case the operation will be simplified if the longitudinal guide consists of a longitudinal groove and the nose of the leg is tapered.

In this embodiment it will also be desirable if the inside surface of the free end of the resilient leg of the clip is inwardly rounded or bevelled and a spring which has the shape of an arc of a circle and acts outwardly is disposed between the rounded or bevelled surface, the support, and the bottom of the bracket carried by the support.

An advantage will also be afforded if the bracket is provided with a vertical flange, which extends at right angles to the bracket and carries a horizontal flange, which extends at right angles to the vertical flange and carries a noselike rib, which extends at right angles to the horizontal flange and registers with the nose of the resilient leg of the clip, which nose is subject to pressure applied by an upwardly acting spring so that the skid-preventing action can be disabled when the adjustable separator is depressed.

The longitudinal flange of the bracket is desirably provided on the inside with a detent bar and a hairpin-shaped spring of steel is disposed between the support and the clip.

The clip or the separator sheet may be provided with a card holder, which may be fitted on an extension or head portion of the carrying portion of the clip or may constitute the clip.

In that case the separator sheet may consist of a less expensive plastics material and be connected to the card holder by a snap joint or the like. Where such card holder is provided, the adjustable separator is desirably urged against a bracket carried by the support with the card holder interposed.

In another embodiment, which is particularly desirable with T-shaped adjustable separators, the free leg of the clip has a cylindrical enlarged portion at its free end, said enlarged portion is formed with a flat which faces the flange, and the support is provided with an open-topped guide groove, which receives the enlarged end portion of the leg and is provided on one side with a beadlike rib above the enlarged end portion of the free leg of the clip so that the skid- and tilting-preventing actions can be dis abled when the separating sheet is slightly lifted or pivotally moved by means of the enlarged portion.

It is also desirable to provide a guide bar, which protrudes from the inside surface of the clip and engages the support so that the guidance of the adjustable separator on the support under the spring force exerted by the resilient leg of the clip is ensured. To increase the lateral stability of the flexible separator sheets it will be of special advantage to provide the guide bar below the top of the support at the vertical side edge of the separator sheet.Such guidance which increases the lateral stability of the separator sheet may also be ensured by a guide groove or guide rib which is provided on the bottom of the box, e.g., of the drawer and cooperates, e.g., with the flange which protrudes from both sides of the separator sheet so that the adjustable separator is reliably guided and a lateral disengagement of the separator flange from the support is prevented, e.g., when the individual compartments contain larger, heavier packages, which exert larger loads on the separators.

The invention will now be explained more fully with reference to embodiments shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is an elevation showing an adjustable separator according to the state of the art, Figure 2 is a top plan view showing that adjustable separator, Figure 3 is a side elevation showing that separator viewed in the direction of the arrow III in Figure 1, Figure 4 is a diagrammatic top plan view showing a conventional open-topped box provided with a partition and with slidable separators, Figure 5 is a sectional view showing a central partition and slidable separators according to the state of the art which protrude on both sides, and Figures 6 to 21 are sectional views which are similar to Figure 5 and show several embodiments of an open-topped box according to the invention comprising means for preventing an undesired skidding of the slidable or otherwise adjustable separators.

In the construction shown in Figures 1 to 3 the separator sheet 13 of an adjustable separator, particularly a slidable separator 1, is integral with a clip 2, which comprises a carrying portion 4 and a resilient leg 5, which embrace a support consisting of a mounting wall 7. To prevent tilting, the clip may be provided at the free end of the resilient leg 5 with a projecting nose 6, which is snapped into a groove 8 of the wall 7. A bottom 9 is held in a lower groove 10 of the mounting wall 7, which consists of a side wall of a drawer in the present case. That leg of the clip 2 which engages the mounting wall 7 consists of a flange 3, which protrudes from the separator sheet 13 on both sides. The clip 2 is enlarged in width to form a flange also adjacent to the carrying portion 4 and the resilient leg 5.It is apparent from the drawing that flange 3 may extend to the lower edge of the separator sheet 13 although this is not essential.

Figure 4 shows a drawer 11 which is divided into two compartments by a partition 12.

Slidable separators 1 are provided with clips 2, which are fitted on the partition 12 and on at least one of the side walls 7 of the drawer and frictionally clamped thereon. It will be under stood that the slidable separators 1 may also be placed on supports which are normal to each other, such as drawer side walls and partitions.

The resilient leg 5 of the clip 2 applies pressure to the mounting wall 7 and thus clamps the slidable separator 1 to that wall. As has been mentioned, the resilient leg 5 of the clip 2 may be provided with a projecting nose 6, which cooperates with a longitudinal groove 8 of the mounting wall 7. In that case the adjustable separator 1 can be inserted in that the clip 2 is fitted on the mounting wall 7 and is then forced toward the drawer bottom 9 until the nose 6 of the resilient leg 5 snaps into the groove 8 of the mounting wall 7. The resulting snap joint can be eliminated in that the clip 2 is pivotally moved about an axis which is normal to the mounting wall 7 so that the nose 6 is disengaged from the groove 8 and the adjustable separator 1 can then be removed from the wall 7.Alternatively, the inside width and the height of the clip 2 as well as the dimensions of the upper portion of the mounting wall which is embraced by the clip may be selected so that the adjustable separator 1 can be pivotally moved upwardly out of the compartment about an axis which is parallel to the groove 8 and extends substantially through the nose 6. The resilient leg 5 of the clip 2 is elastically deformed during that operation.

The contents of the various compartments defined by the adjustable separators 1 can be identified by small cards, which bear inscriptions and are mounted on respective adjustable separators. The card can be joined to the separator sheet by a rider, which is guided in grooves, which are provided in the separator sheets 13 on both sides thereof and extend parallel to its top edge. It is also known to provide a card holder 5' which is integral with the clip 5 and consists of a fit-in frame, particularly a fit-in double frame. The card holders 5' serve to hold cards which are provided, e.g., with information regarding the contents of the respective compartment or may consist of order cards for an automatic re-ordering of the items contained in the respective compartments. In modern pharmacies, so-called computer cards of standard size are used.That size determines the width of the card holders and the length of the clips as well as the distance D between the separator sheets of two adjacent slidable separators. It is apparent from the right upper portion of Figure 4 that a compartment has been left empty and that the slidable separators defining that compartment have been pushed closely together in order to save space. Nevertheless, there is considerable unused space.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, the mounting wall or support 7 consists of a partition, which consists in known manner of two wall sections which are assembled in mirror symmetry. It will be understood that an integral partition having the same sectional shape may be used. The partition which serves as a mounting wall 7 for adjustable separators 1 protruding on both sides is provided in its top with a longitudinal groove 14, which is defined by parallel side faces 15, which are provided in their upper portions with respective protruding longitudinal ribs 16. The groove 14 receives the resilient legs 5 of the clips 2, which embrace the upper portion of the mounting or partition wall on both sides. The legs 5 are provided at their free lower ends with noselike projections 6, which have snapped in below the longitudinal ribs 16.

The width of the groove is so selected that the inside width between the two longitudinal ribs 16 exceeds the sum of the wall thickness es of two mutually opposite resilient legs 5 and the height of a nose 6 which projects therefrom.

This ensures that the adjustable separators protruding from both sides can be shifted independently of each other and that the removal of one adjustable separator will not be obstructed by the leg of another.

All these conventional boxes or drawers which have been described to facilitate the understanding of the invention have the disadvantage that the adjustable separators 1 are not secured against sliding and can be shifted by packages or small items kept in the box or drawer when the same is moved inwardly or outwardly. This shiftability of the separators may be due to a fatigue of the plastics material of the clips and to abrasion.

Figure 6 shows an embodiment of the invention, in which the adjustable separators 17 having resilient legs 5 are provided with means which prevent tilting and with means which prevent skidding. For that purpose the support 18 is provided with a longitudinal groove 19 below the middle of its height and the separator sheet of the adjustable separator 17 is provided on its vertical side edge with a nose 20, which extends into the longitudinal groove 19. Skidding is prevented in that detent means 21 are provided in the longitudinal groove 19 and are engaged by the nose 20 of the adjustable separator 17 so that a skidding of the adjustable separator 17 on the support 18 during the opening and/or closing of the box or drawer is always effectively prevented.

Instead of the detent means, an anti-skid covering, e.g., of rubber, might be arranged in the longitudinal groove 19.

The embodiment might be modified in that the adjustable separator 17 is provided with a re-entrant recess, which receives a protruding detent rib or a strip of anti-skid material which is mounted on the support 18.

Such support 22 provided with a protruding detent bar or projecting serrations 23 is shown in Figure 7. The detent bar 23 extends into a mating recess 24 of the separator sheet 25 of the adjustable separator 17'. In this embodiment the adjustable separator 17 has also a clip 2 and is provided with means which prevent tilting. These means consist again of a longitudinal groove 27 in the support 22 and a nose 28 provided on the vertical side edge of the separator sheet 25. In this embodiment the means which prevent tilting are disposed above the middle of the height of the support 22. In the previously described embodiment shown in Figure 6, these means are disposed below the middle of the height of the support 18.

It is apparent from Figure 8 how the embodiment shown in Figure 5, in which adjustable separators protrude from both sides of a support, can be provided in a simple manner with means which prevent shifting, in accordance with the invention. The keeping box has side walls 29, 30 and a bottom 31. The partition 32 extending along the longitudinal center line of the box is provided with two extensions, which serve as supports 33, 34. Adjustable separators 35, 36 protrude from the supports 33, 34 on both sides. Each adjustable separator consists again of a separator sheet 37 and a clip 38.

The clips 38 have bevelled surfaces 39. A single, common wedge-shaped bar 40 is provided for all adjustable separators, e.g., 35, 36, which protrude from the supports 33, 34 on both sides.

This bar 40 can be operated to urge the clips 38 against the supports 33, 34. The wedge-shaped bar 40 is normally clamped in position against the clips 38 so that the adjustable separators 35, 36 are held in position during the opening and closing of the drawer. The bar 40 can be unclamped when it is desired to shift one or more adjustable separators. It is apparent that this embodiment affords the advantage that a single clamping bar is sufficient to hold all adjustable separators of a drawer in position even when there are dual supports, from which the adjustable separators protrude on both sides.

The embodiment shown in Figure 9 comprises a support 41, which carries a bracket 42, on which a detent bar 43 is provided, which is spaced from the support 41. It will be understood that a bar consisting of anti-skid material or provided with an anti-skid covering could be provided instead of the detent bar. The adjustable separator 44 consists again of a separator sheet 44' and a clip 45. The inside surface of the free end of the resilient leg 46 of the clip 45 engages the detent bar 43. A noselike rib 47 is provided on the inside surface of the free end of the resilient leg 46 and cooperates with the bracket 42 carried by the support 41 to prevent tilting.

The contact pressure force between the leg 46 of the clip 45 and the detent means 43 or the anti-skid covering can be varied in that the distance from the detent bar 43 to the support 41 is changed.

This embodiment can be modified in that the detent bar or the anti-skid covering is provided on the inside of the free end of the resilient leg 46 of the adjustable separator 44.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 10, the adjustable separator is substantially in accordance with the state of the art and comprises a separator sheet 48 and a clip 49. The support 50 for the adjustable separator again carries a bracket 51. A clamping bar 54 is disposed between a vertical flange 52 of the bracket 51 and the resilient leg 55 of the clip 49 and. is pivotally movable about a longitudinal axis 53 from a vertical position, shown in solid lines, to a horizontal position, shown in dotted lines. In the latter position, the bar 54 urges the free end of the resilient leg 55 against a detent bar 56 or an anti-skid covering provided on the support 50.

A similar embodiment is shown in Figure 11 and differs from the just described embodiment shown in Figure 10 in that the pivoted clamping bar 54 is replaced by a wedge-shaped bar 57, which is adjustable in height. An abutment 58 for the free end of the resilient clip leg 61 is carried by the support and the bracket carried thereby and is bevelled to complement the wedge-shaped bar 57. When the wedge-shaped bar 57 has been moved in the direction of the arrow 59, the adjustable separator 60 is held in position at the free end of the resilient leg 61 of the clip. The adjustable separator 60 can be released for being shifted in that the wedgeshaped bar 57 is moved in the opposite direction.

A particularly desirable embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 12. The adjustable separator consists again of a separator sheet 62 and a clip 63. The associated support 64 carries a bracket 65, which contains a detent bar 66 or an anti-skid covering, which is engaged by the outside surface of the free end of the resilient leg 67.

The bracket 65 is provided on the inside above the detent bar 66 with a small convex rib 68, which has a thickness of, e.g., about 0.2 mm.

The resilient leg 67 of the clip 63 is provided on the outside with a mating small depression, which registers with the rib 68. These means prevent tilting.

In this embodiment, tilting may also be prevented by different configurations of the inside surface of the bracket and of the opposite outside surface of the resilient leg 67 of the clip 63.

The embodiment shown in Figure 13 is similar to the embodiment just described with reference to Figure 12 and is provided with the following additional elements of construction.

A resilient bar 71 of plastics material or the like is disposed between the sectional support 69 consisting, e.g., of aluminum, and the inside surface of the resilient leg 70 of the clip 73. In the embodiment shown by way of example the resilient bar 71 is slidably fitted in a guide 62 provided in the support 69.

In a modified embodiment, the resilient bar 71 of plastics material is integrally formed with the resilient leg 70 of the clip 73 and a guide bar 75 projects downwardly from the inside surface of the carrying portion 74 of the clip 73.

Like the embodiment shown in Figure 12, the embodiment last described affords the advantage that the adjustable separator can be gripped with one hand when it is to be shifted on its support and that the means which prevent skidding can be disabled at the same time in this way. In the embodiment shown in Figure 13 the resilient bar 71 ensures that the resilient leg 70 returns to its locked position when the hand has released the adjustable separator. Another advantage afforded by the resilient bar resides in that skidding is prevented by a stronger force. This has proved to be desirable when relatively heavy small parts are to be accommodated in the compartments.

The guide rail 75 which protrudes from the inside surface of the carrying portion 74 of the clip 73 ensures that the slidability of the adjustable separator on its support 69 is not adversely affected by the spring force exerted by the resilient leg 70 of the clip 73. As is indicated with dotted lines in Figure 13, the bracket may be provided with a rib 65', which forms a stop for the free end of the resilient leg 70 of the clip 73 when the latter is urged against the support 69. This will prevent an application of an excessively high pressure, which might result in a breakage of the clip 73.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 14 the adjustable separator consists also of a separator sheet 76 and a clip 77. The free end of the resilient leg 78 of the clip 77 is provided with an outwardly projecting nose 79. The support 80 is again provided with a bracket 81, which has a vertical longitudinal flange 82 and an inwardly protruding guide nose 83, which cooperates with the nose 79 of the adjustable separator to prevent tilting. A spring 84 is arranged between the resilient leg 78 of the clip 77 and the support 80 and urges the nose 79 of the resilient leg 78 against the guide nose 83 of the bracket 81 of the support 80 so that skidding is prevented. This effect is improved by the provision of detent means or an antiskid covering.

The embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 15 is a modification of the embodiment which has been described with reference to Figure 13. Identical parts of these two embodiments are not described once more. The modification resides in that tilting and skidding are prevented by the same elements of construction. The vertical side flange 88 of the bracket 85 carried by the support 86 is provided with a longitudinal guide groove 87. A tapering nose 89 is provided at the free end of the resilient leg 90 of the clip 91. The inside surface of the free end of the resilient leg 90 of the clip 91 is rounded at 92. A circular spring 93, which acts outwardly, is arranged between the rounded surface 92, the support 86 and the bottom of the bracket 85 carried by the support. Owing to the provision of the spring 93, skidding is also prevented by the means which prevent tilting.

It will be understood that an anti-skid frictional covering or detent means is provided.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 16, the carrying portion of the clip 94 has a vertical extension 95, which has an enlarged head 96. A pocket- or quiverlike card holder 97 for location and order cards is fitted on the head 96 of the extension 95 of the clip 94. The support 98 is provided with a bracket 99, which carries a detent bar 100. In this embodiment the adjustable separator is urged against the bracket 99 carried by the support 98 with the fitted-on card holder 97 interposed. Another advantage resides in that the pressure exerted by the means which prevent tilting is applied to the extension 95 above the carrying portion of the clip 94 so that the adjustable separator can be more easily shifted on the support 98.It will be understood that this embodiment can be modified in that the head on which the card holder is fitted is provided laterally on the clip, or that the card holder itself constitutes or comprises the clip which embraces the support. In that case the separator sheet is fitted on or in the clip on the inside thereof and may consist of less expensive material because it need not meet special re quirements regarding clamping action, spring action etc.

The embodiment shown in Figure 17 is a modification of the embodiment which has been explained with reference to Figure 14 and comprises means for preventing tilting and means for preventing skidding. The modification relates to the design of the bracket carried by the support and to the spring. In the modification shown in Figure 17 the bracket 101 comprises a vertical longitudinal flange 102, a horizontal flange 103, which is angled inwardly at 90 , and a depending nose flange 104, which is provided at the end of the horizontal flange 103 and angled at 900. A detect bar 105 is provided on the underside of the horizontal flange 103. The nose 106 at the free end of the resilient leg 107 of the clip 108 registers with the detent bar 105 and is biased by a spring 107a.As a result, the adjustable separator is provided with means which prevent tilting and means which prevent skidding when the separator is at rest. When it is desired to shift the adjustable separator on its support 109, the separator is simply depressed downwardly so that the spring 107a is compressed. This embodiment affords the additional advantage that the means which prevent tilting and skidding are automatically disabled in that the adjustable separator is gripped with one hand when it is desired to shift the separator.

The embodiment shown in Figure 18 distinguishes by two features from the embodiment described with reference to Figure 14.

The bracket 110 is provided with an additional detent bar 111 and a hairpin-shaped steel spring 114 is arranged between the support 112 and the clip 113 and increases the pressure applied to the resilient leg 115 of the clip 113 so that the nose 116 is forced more strongly against the detent bar 111. As a result, skid ding is more reliably prevented, as may be desirable for heavy small items.

Figure 18 shows also that the bracket 110 is provided with a stop bar 110' (see also Figure 13), which prevents an excessive compression of the clip but permits the clip to be fitted and to be removed upwardly.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 19 the adjustable separator consists of a separator sheet 117 and a preferably T-shaped holding clip 118. The free leg 119 of the clip 118 is relatively short and is cylindrically enlarged on the vertical side edge of the separator sheet 117.

The cylindrical enlarged portion 120 has a flat 121, which faces the flange of the separator sheet 117. The support 122 is provided with an open-topped guide groove 123, which is provided on one side with a convex rib 124 above the cylindrical enlarged portion 120 of the clip 118.

In this case, tilting and skidding are also prevented by the same elements of construction.

The convex rib 124 which forces the enlarged portion 120 into the guide groove 123 serves three functions, namely, the clamping action of the holding clip, the prevention of tilting and the prevention of skidding.

These retaining functions may be disabled in that the separator sheet 117 is slightly lifted so that there is a clearance between the flat 121 and the vertical flange 125 which defines the guide groove 123. The adjustable separator can then easily be shifted or removed.

In this connection it may be pointed out that in the preceding embodiments the adjustable separator need not be lifted when it is to be shifted along the support so that these preceding embodiments afford the advantage that the small items kept in the box are reliably carried along by the separator as it is shifted.

The embodiment shown in Figure 20 is a modification of the embodiment shown in Figures 6 and 7. The support 132 protrudes over the separator sheet 133 of the adjustable separator, which is provided with an upwardly protruding nose 134, which is L-shaped in cross-section and constitutes the clip. The support 132 has a guide flange 135, which extends over the nose 134 so that a clamping action is exerted and tilting and skidding are prevented in position of rest. Skidding may be prevented by detent means 136 or an anti-skid covering in the guide flange.

The embodiment shown in Figure 21 is basically similar to that of Figure 12 or 13.

The free nose end 137 of the resilient leg 138 again engages a vertical flange 139 of a bracket 140 of the support 141 under spring pressure.

The vertical flange 139 may again be provided with detent means or a frictional covering 142 to prevent tilting more reliably. The clip 144 is also provided with a guide rib 143, which ensures a satisfactory guidance during the shifting of the adjustable separator along the support 141. In the present embodiment, the guide rib 143 is integrally formed with the flange 145 on the vertical side edge of the separator sheet 146 and protrudes from the latter into an opentopped guide groove 147 of the support 141.

This embodiment affords the additional advantage that the flange 145 cannot be laterally disengaged from the support 141 even when the protruding separator sheet 146 is laterally deflected under a higher lateral load, which is exerted, e.g., by heavy packages contained in the compartment.

It will be understood that such guidance can also be provided by a guide groove which is formed in the bottom of the box and receives the downwardly extended flange 145, or by a guide rib which is integrally formed with or secured to the bottom and cooperates, e.g., with the flange.

It will also be understood that the support may be integrally formed with the bracket, e.g., as an extruded section, or a separate bracket may be secured to the support.

The above-described embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 6 may be modified in that separate means are provided to prevent tilting, on the one hand, and skidding, on the other hand. Skidding is prevented by the same means as in Figure 6. The means which prevent tilting are provided on the other vertical side edge of the adjustable separator 17, which is formed with a notch that cooperates with a projection of the support. When the means which prevent skidding are disabled in that the adjustable separator is disengaged from the detent means, tilting is prevented by the cooperation of the notch and projection on the opposite side of the adjustable separator 17. In the normal non-skid position, one end of the adjustable separator 17 is released.In the shifting position, the locking means on that side of the adjustable separator which is opposite to the means which prevent skidding ensure that the separator cannot be upwardly unlatched.

This embodiment may be further modified in that means which prevent tilting are provided above the means which prevent skidding on the same vertical edge of the separator.

The embodiment shown in Figure 19 may be modified to provide a further embodiment of the invention, which is not shown and in which the adjustable separator is easily adjustable continuously and can be fixed in any desired position by a strong clamping action.

The support is provided with an open-topped guide groove, which is provided with a convex rib on one side above a U-shaped enlarged portion of the clip of the adjustable separator.

The means which prevent skidding are provided on an element which is separate from the adjustable separator and which consists preferably of a card holder.

The card holder is rigid with a lever arm, which has a cylindrical enlarged portion like the portibn 120 in Figure 19. The cylindrical enlarged portion has a flat. In the normal skid-preventing position, the card holder extends at right angles to the support so that the cylindrical enlarged portion urges the U-shaped enlarged portion of the adjustable separator against the guide groove in the support and a spontaneous skidding of the separator is prevented by the clamping action. This clamping action which prevents skidding can be disabled in that the card holder is moved to the position which is shown on the drawing and in which the flat of the cylindrical enlarged portion ensures that the clamping action is eliminated in this shifting position.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. An open topped storage box, drawer, or the like container which is divided into two or more compartments by one or more adjustable separators, wherein each separator is slidably mounted on a wall, partition, or other support forming part of the container, the support having a frictional anti-skid or detent holding means and comprises a flexible separator sheet having a flange adjacent the support and a clip releasably engaging the holding means to prevent sliding movement of the separator.

2. An open topped storage box, drawer, or the like container which is divided into two or more compartments by one or more adjustable separators, wherein each separator is slidably mounted on a wall, partition, or other support forming part of the container and comprises a flexible separator sheet carried by a clip engaging the support and provided with a resilient leg facing a flange on the separator sheet, the support lying between the leg and the flange, and wherein a releasable frictional anti-skid or holding means is provided to prevent sliding movement of the separator or separators.

3. A container according to claim 2, in which to form the holding means the support is provided with a longitudinal groove, and the separator sheet is provided on its vertical side edge with a nose, which extends into the longitudinal groove, the detent means or anti-skid covering, e.g. of rubber, being provided in the longitudinal groove.

4. A container according to claim 2, in which to form the holding means the separator sheet is provided with a nose, which is L-shaped in cross-section and protrudes over the upper horizontal edge of the sheet and which extends into a guide flange of the support, which flange is provided with the detent means or anti-skid covering.

5. A container according to claim 3 or 4, wherein a detent bar or a strip of anti-skid material is slidably fitted in the longitudinal groove or the guide flange.

6. A container according to claim 3 or 4, wherein anti-skid material is provided by vapor deposition in the longitudinal groove or in the guide flange or the surface thereof is roughened 7. A container according to claim 2, in which to form the holding means the support comprises a detent projection which engages a mating recess of the separator sheet.

8. A container according to claim 2, comprising a central bar, which comprises two parallel supports for two rows of adjustable separators and wherein the holding means includes a wedge-shaped bar for urging the clips against the supports.

9. A container according to claim 2, in which to form the holding means the inside surface of the free end of the resilient leg of the clip engages the detent means, preferably a detent bar, or anti-skid covering.

10. A container according to claim 9, wherein to produce the contact pressure force between the leg of the clip and the detent means or the anti-skid covering, the detent means or the anti-skid covering are or is spaced from the support and provided on a bracket carried by the support.

11. A container according to claim 8, wherein the free end of the resilient leg of the clip is adapted to be urged against the detent means or the anti-skid covering by means of a pivoted bar or by means of a wedge-shaped bar which is adjustable in height.

12. A container according to claim 2, in which to form the holding means the outside surface of the free end of the resilient leg of the clip engages the detent means or anti-skid covering, which is disposed in a bracket, which is carried by the support and comprises a convex rib, which is disposed above the detent means and extends into a mating recess in the outside surface of the resilient leg of the clip.

13. A container according to claim 11, wherein a resilient bar of plastics material or the like is provided between the support and the inside surface of the resilient leg of the clip and said bar is either integrally formed with the resilient leg of the clip or is slidably fitted in a guide of the support.

14. A container according to claim 2, in which to form the holding means the free end of the resilient leg of the clip has a nose or a noselike rib, which co-operates with a longitudinal guide provided on the support, and the nose of the clip projects outwardly and the longitudinal guide projects inwardly and is provided on a bracket carried by the support.

15. A container according to claim 14, wherein the longitudinal guide consists of a longitudinal groove and the nose of the leg is tapered.

16. A container according to claim 14 or 15, wherein a resilient bar of plastics material or the like is provided between the support and the inside surface of the resilient leg of the clip and said bar is either integrally formed with the resilient leg of the clip or is slidably fitted in a guide of the support.

17. A container according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the inside surface of the free end of the resilient leg of the clip is inwardly rounded or bevelled and a spring which has the shape of

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. enlarged portion has a flat. In the normal skid-preventing position, the card holder extends at right angles to the support so that the cylindrical enlarged portion urges the U-shaped enlarged portion of the adjustable separator against the guide groove in the support and a spontaneous skidding of the separator is prevented by the clamping action. This clamping action which prevents skidding can be disabled in that the card holder is moved to the position which is shown on the drawing and in which the flat of the cylindrical enlarged portion ensures that the clamping action is eliminated in this shifting position. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. An open topped storage box, drawer, or the like container which is divided into two or more compartments by one or more adjustable separators, wherein each separator is slidably mounted on a wall, partition, or other support forming part of the container, the support having a frictional anti-skid or detent holding means and comprises a flexible separator sheet having a flange adjacent the support and a clip releasably engaging the holding means to prevent sliding movement of the separator.

6. A container according to claim 3 or 4, wherein anti-skid material is provided by vapor deposition in the longitudinal groove or in the guide flange or the surface thereof is roughened

7. A container according to claim 2, in which to form the holding means the support comprises a detent projection which engages a mating recess of the separator sheet.

an arc of a circle and acts outwardly is disposed between that rounded or bevelled surface, the support, and the bottom of the bracket carried by the support.

18. A container according to claim 14, wherein the bracket is provided with a vertical flange, which extends at right angles to the bracket and carries a horizontal flange, which extends at right angles to the vertical flange and carries a noselike rib, which extends at right angles to the horizontal flange and a detent bar is provided on the inside of the horizontal flange and registers with the nose of the resilient leg of the clip, which nose is subject to pressure applied by an upwardly acting spring so that the holding means is freed by depressing the adjustable separator.

19. A container according to claim 14, wherein the longitudinal flange of the bracket is provided on the inside with a detent bar and ahairpin-shaped steel spring is disposed between the support and the clip.

20. A container according to claim 2, wherein the clip or the separator sheet is provided with a card holder, and the separator is urged against a bracket carried by the support with the card holder interposed.

21. A container according to claim 20, wherein the card holder is fitted on an extension of the carrying portion of the clip.

22. A container according to claim 2, wherein the leg has a cylindrical enlarged portion at its free end, said enlarged portion is formed with a flat which faces the flange, and the support is provided with an open-topped guide groove, which receives the enlarged end portion of the leg and is provided on one side with a rib above the enlarged end portion of the free leg of the clip so that the holding means is freed when the separating sheet is slightly lifted or pivotally moved.

23. A container according to claim 2, wherein a guide bar is provided which protrudes from an inside surface of the clip and engages the support for guidance of the adjustable separator on the support under the spring force exerted by the resilient leg of the clip.

24. A container according to claim 23, wherein the guide bar is disposed below the top of the support at a vertical side edge of the separator sheet.

25. A container according to claim 2, wherein a guide bar is provided on the bottom of the box and preferably integral therewith.

26. A container according to claim 3, wherein the other vertical longitudinal edge of the adjustable separator is formed with a notch, which is disposed below a projection of another support.

27. A container according to claim 22, wherein the clip of the adjustable separator has a U-shaped enlarged portion which is guided in an open-topped groove of the support, and a lever which is rigid with a card holder has a cylindrical enlarged portion, which is formed with a flat and extends into U-shaped enlarged portion.

28. A container according to claim 27, wherein the support has a projection which projects into the open-topped guide groove of the support on one side of the groove adjacent to the opening thereof, the lever which is rigid with the card holder comprises an eccentric tubular enlarged portion formed with a longitudinal groove, the U-shaped enlarged portion of the clip of the separator is formed on its inside surface with three longitudinal ribs, which are arranged to exert a spreading action on the free leg of the U-shaped enlarged portion to hold the same in position against the projection of the carrier in the guide groove when the card holder is in a vertical position, and the card holder can be swung up to cause one of the longitudinal ribs and the eccentric enlarged portion to enter the guide groove so that the separator can be shifted.

29. A container constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described and shown in any of Figures 6 to 21 of the accompanying drawings.