GB2201921A - Box files - Google Patents

Abstract

A box file has lid (16) retention means comprising latching components that are magnetically cooperating which cooperating components are associated on the one hand with the lid and on the other hand with at least one wall (14) of the box file (10). The latch may comprise a magnet (32) let into the front wall of the box, the magnet co-operating with metal plate (34) clipped onto the lid. Alternatively a magnetic strip (32A, Figs 7 & 8) or an edge-enclosing bead (34A, Figs 9 & 10) may be used. <IMAGE>

Description

Title: Box Files DESCRIPTION This invention relates to box files.

Box files are well known as rectangular articles with walls, a closed bottom, and a lid hinged at one edge to one side wall and capable of closing neatly onto top edges of the side walls.

It is an object of this invention to provide novel and advantageous closure retention for box files, i.e. to hold down the lid when the box file is closed.

According to this invention that is achieved magnetically using cooperating components associated on the one hand with the lid and on the other hand with at least one wall of the box file.

Advantageously, such magnetic latching does- away with the conventional provision of mechanical latching relying for release on flexing of the front wall.

Preferably, the cooperating components are associated with lid and wall in a neat and/or unobtrusive manner.

For a wall, such association may be by fixing below customary covering of the base and walls that conveniently extends over the top edges of the walls (at least those other-than hinged to the lid). Then, fixing may be into recessing of the top edge of wall, whether locally at one or more place or throughout such an edge of a reduced height wall.

For the lid, such association may be by the component gripping about an edge of the lid, or secured ontoo into or through the lid, say with any otherwise visible securement means masked and hidden by the usual covering when applied.

Either or both of cooperating lid associated and wall-associated components will be magnetised, though both will normally be of ferromagnetic material.

Specific implementation of embodiments of this invention will now be described, by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figures 1 and 2 are front and side views of a typical box file, with .detail sections; Figures 3 and 4 are fragmentary front and plan views of a box file front wall incorporating a magnetic component; Figures 5 and 6 are fragmentary plan and side views of a box file lid incorporating a cooperating magnetic component; Figures 7 and 8 are broken front and top views of an alternative box file front; Figures 9 and 10 are a broken top and a sectional view of a cooperating alternative box file lid; Figures 11 and 12 show further alternatives for wall-associated components.

Figures 1 and 2 show a cuboid box file 10 with a bottom panel 12, walls 14A, B, C, D, and a lid 16 strip-hinged at 18 to the back wall 14D. The box file 10 is closed in Figure 1 and partly open in Figure 2.

The front and side walls 14A, B, C are indicated thicker so as to be stronger, say of 6 mm chipboard, and are indicated as mitred together at their junctions. The bottom 12, back wall 14D and lid 16 are of thinner material, say 2 mm chipboard or hardboard.

The interior and the exterior of the bottom 12 and walls 14 will usually be covered by suitable sheet materials 20, 22 (see detail A) adhered thereto, that (22) for the exterior being folded over top edges of the walls 14, usually also overlapping the interior sheet material 20. The lid is similarly covered (see 20L, 22L and detail B) , usually from hinge strips 24, 26 and further usually with that (20L) for the interior overlapping turned over edges of that (22L) for the exterior.

Figures 3 and 4 show a cut-out 30 from the top edge of the front wall 14A into which a magnet 32 is shown fitted and can be suitably secured. Figures 5 and 6 show a steel plate 34 folded about the front edge of the lid 16, effectively clipping thereabout. The magnet 32 and clip 34 will be in registration and will serve to hold the box file closed. The magnet 32 will be under the cover material 22 and the clip 34 over the cover material 22L. If desired, the clip 34 could be replaced by magnetic material, even a magnet, let into the lid 16, say in a manner similar to the magnet 32, and then covered by the material 22L. Instead or additionally to the substantially centrally located parts 32 and 34 there may be spaced pairs of cooperating parts, whether along the front wall edge or at ends of side walls 14B, C (see Figure 11).

Figures 7 and 8 show a front wall 14X butted by the side walls 14B, C and of lesser height by an amount equivalent to the thickness of a magnetic strip 32A that could be of a type used for refrigerater door seals and may be secured in place in any convenient way, say by adhesive or stapling. Again, the outer sheet material 22 will fold over it for neat concealment. Figures 9 and 10 show a cooperating magnetic component as an edge-enclosing bead 34A that may be crimped in place and may go round corners of the lid 16.

Variations indicated in Figures 11 and 12 amount to alternative pairs of positions 32B, C and 32D, E for discrete magnets in the box front wall and/or side walls, and a magnetic strip 32F that stops short of the ends of the box front wall.

It will be appreciated that many other variations are possible for example using short spaced lengths of magnetic strip in the front wall and/or concealed strip ert in the lid edge, also that both of cooperating components could be magnetised or that the magnetised part or parts could be lid-associated.

Claims (9)

1. A box file having lid retainer means comprising magnetically cooperating components, one component associated with said lid and one component with at least one wall of the box file.

2. A box file as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cooperating component associated with a wall of the box is fitted in recessing of a top edge thereof.

3. A box file as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said cooperating component associated with a wall of the box is covered.

4. A box file as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said cooperating component associated with the lid grips about an edge thereof.

5. A box file lid as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said cooperating component associated with the lid is secured onto, into or through the lid.

6. A box file as claimed in claim 5, wherein said securement means are covered.

7. A box file as claimed in any preceding claim wherein either of said cooperating components are magnetised.

8. A box file as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein both of said cooperating components are magnetised.

9. A box file substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.