GB2164606A - Record card storage and access system - Google Patents

Abstract

A record card storage and access system comprises an open fronted storage cabinet 11. Three support frames 18,19 and 21 are spaced out one above the other in the cabinet and are slidable in and out from the cabinet, frame 19 having been slid out in Figure 1. A plurality of generally upright dividers 29 extend across each frame and a batch of record cards 30 are located in partially overlapping relation between each pair of adjacent dividers. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Record card storage and access system The invention relates to record card storage and access systems.

In order to obtain quick access to a particular record in a series of records, either for information access or for updating, it is common practice to inscribe the information for each record on its own record card and to store the cards in such a way that any required card can be accessed simply and quickly. To assist quick access to cards, one known arrangement is to locate a batch of perhaps ten or twenty cards between a pair of dividers with the cards overlapping but slightly offset from each other and to mark a so exposed field on each card with a record title. This allows the title of all the records in that batch to be viewed simultaneously so that a record card can be selected quickly from the batch.

A series of such dividers may be stacked generally upright in a support frame in such a way that the dividers can be moved within the frame to give access to the cards between adjacent pairs from above the stack. The record card storage and access system incorporating a series of such major dividers may also incorporate less prominent minor dividers to split up each batch of cards into sub-batches. Each divider may be labelled to improve selection of a required batch of records.

The number of records which can be stored in this way is limited in practice by the number of dividers and number of cards per divider which can be incorporated in a system of manageable size.

To go beyond this upper limit normally requires use of two or more support frames which normally have to be positioned side by side to give clear access to each frame from above. This can result in a system taking up more office space than is available. This can be a severe problem and can result in a necessity for compromises in presentation of or access to records.

An object of the present invention is to provide a record card storage and access system in which a large number of cards can be stored for ready access in a confined space.

According to the present invention there is provided a record card storage and access system comprising an open fronted storage cabinet, at least two support frames spaced one above the other and slidable in and out from the cabinet, a plurality of generally upright dividers extending across each frame and a batch of record cards located in partially overlapping relation between each pair of adjacent dividers.

By sliding any one frame out from the cabinet at a time, ready access to that frame is provided from above so that the records therein can be accessed in the normal way. By providing two or more frames within a single cabinet, the floor or work top area required for a given number of record cards is reduced.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a complete record card and storage system in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a view corresponding to Figure 1 on a slightly larger scale but with record cards and dividers removed to show other parts in greater detail; Figure 3 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale of part of a series of dividers; and Figure 4 shows a typical record card.

The record card storage and access system shown in the drawings comprises an open fronted cabinet 11 having a top 12, base 13 and two sides 14 and 15. The open front of the cabinet is closeable by means of a roller shutter 16 which can run in vertical guides 17 extending vertically along the front edges of the sides 14 and 15.

As best seen in Figure 2, there are three support frames 18, 19 and 21 arranged one above another within the cabinet. Each frame is slidable on horizontal guides indicated diagrammatically at 22 for the frame 18 and these guides allow each of the frames to slide outward from the cabinet as illustrated by the outward position of frame 19 in Figure 1. Any conventional form of guide may be used so the guides are not described in detail.

Each frame comprises front and rear edge members 23 and 24 jointed at their ends by end members 25 and 26 and provided with a series of slats 27 each extending between the two edge members 23 and 24. Each siat incorporates two upwardly projecting ridges 28 for a purpose to be described.

The cabinet may be provided with a conventional inter-lock mechanism whereby no more than one of the support frames can be slid forward at a time as shown for frame 19 in Figure 1.

As shown generally in Figure 1 and in greater detail in Figure 3, each frame such as 19 carries a series of primary dividers 29, eight of which are shown in Figure 3. Each divider is a generally rectangular rigid member with two integral end supports such as end support 31. The dividers stand in a generally upright position within their associated tray but are allowed a limited degree of tilting movement as shown by the different inclination of the front group and the rear group of dividers in Figure 3. The extent of inclination is controlled by the number of dividers in each frame and the engagement of their end supports 31 with each other and with the front and rear edge members 23 and 24.

A batch of record cards is arranged between each adjacent pair of dividers 29. A typical record card is shown in Figure 4. The record card is generally rectangular and has an upper field 32 intended in this example for recording information of a kind which is not susceptible to tabulation. The lower field 33 is in the form of a table for insertion of tabulated information. For example, the upper field could give details of an account in which case the lower field would be used for information concerning invoices and payments. The upper part of the card is diagonally cut away and adjacent this diagonal there is a small title field 34. It is intended that the cards should be arranged one in front of another with a slight offset so that the title field of each card is visible. In order to ensure correct spacing, each card has a series of notches 35 along its lower edge.These notches are spaced so that ridges 28 (Figure 2) engage in the notches. For example a ridge may engage in every fourth notch.

When the cards are stood in an upright position against a divider 29 as shown for a batch cards in Figure 3, their lower edges rest on the slats 27 and it is only when ridges 28 are aligned with notches 35 that the cards seat down correctly on the slats.

This arrangement assists in the correct location of the cards with an overlap equivalent to the width of the title field. This width is of course equal to the spacing between adjacent notches 35.

In addition to the major dividers 29, there may be further minor dividers within a batch of cards between two major dividers. If for example there are three minor dividers as suggested in Figure 3 by three tabs 36, each of which is attached to a minor divider, there may be four sub batches of cards between each major divider and each sub batch of cards may typically amount to between ten and twenty cards depending on the width of the card, the spacing between adjacent notches 35 and the width of the major divider.

Each support frame 18, 19 and 21 carries of series of major dividers such as 29 and incorporated between each adjacent pair of dividers is a batch of cards divided into sub batches.

In order to gain access to a particular card, the relevant support frame is slid out from the cabinet to provide access from above to the major dividers. These are parted to provide access to a batch of cards in the usual way.

By means of the invention it is thus possible to store a large number of cards in a readily accessible fashion in a single cabinet.

Claims (2)

1. A record card storage and access system comprising an open fronted storage cabinet, at least two support frames spaced one above the other and slidable in and out from the cabinet, a plurality of generally upright dividers extending across each tray and a batch of record cards located in partially overlapping relation between each pair of adjacent dividers.

2. A record card storage and access system substantially as described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.