GB2207393A - Document file - Google Patents

Abstract

A file for supporting documents comprising a folder (1) having a pair of covers (2) which extends from a lowermost fold (3) to define a pocket capable of receiving documents, the upper edge (4) of each cover rigidly secured to a support member (5, 5b) for supporting the file in a filing system, the upper and/or side edges of the covers capable of opening apart to receive documents in said pocket, either or both support members having an integrally formed extending part which depends continuously from an outer edge part of said support member and is secured to a side edge of said cover, an extending part having index means (7, 10) which can display information concerning documents held or to be held in said pocket. Such an arrangement can improve strength, durability and versatility.

Description

TITTLE Imtrovements in or relatin to Document Files This invention is concerned with an improvement in document files. It is principally concerned with such files comprising wallets for holding documents and/or folders, suitable primarily for lateral but also suspension filing systems. In a suspension filing system a folder, typically of cardboard material, is suspended upon a pair of spaced parallel bars by a pair of largely identical supporting members rigidly clamped to the upper edges of the file. Documents and other material may be inserted and withdrawn from the upper edges of suspended files and a separate index strip may be applied to a supporting member for holding an information carrier.

In lateral filing systems a file may be hung between a pair of spaced metal bars at two end locations on the upper edges of the file or by hooks such that each supporting member engages a single bar in, e.g. a filing cabinet. Other parts of the supporting member can abut a horizontal surface within the filing cabinet whereby the weight of the file and its contents may be supported.

In order to display data concerning file contents a separate index part is usually affixed to an exposed side edge of the file. This may comprise a single clear polystyrene moulding having an internal slot in which information carriers such as index strips may be inserted. Such indexing means may be affixed to the side edge of the file by protrusions having parts which engage apertures provided in that side edge.

Lateral filing systems may be preferred where the length of document to be inserted exceeds the maximum opening at the top of the document file. Lateral filing systems generally have provision whereby adjacent files can be interlocked to facilitate insertion of documents into the pocket formed by a file rather than be mis-filed into the space between files.

It has been found that a significant problem with document files constructed of cardboard is wear, which occurs principally along the bottom and top edges. It is also possible to inadvertently tear part of a file when inserting or removing a separate index strip.

Cardboard files can become worn and weak with increasing use or age. Cardboard files generally have a limited life and are regarded as disposable items. The long term cost of file replacement may be considerable.

It is from a consideration of existing lateral or suspension files and their disadvantages which has led to the development of the present invention.

According to this invention there is provided a file for supporting documents comprising a folder having a pair of covers which extend from a lowermost fold to define a pocket capable of receiving documents, the upper edge of each cover rigidly secured to a support member for supporting the file in a filing system, the upper and/or side edges of the covers capable of opening apart to receive documents in said pocket, either or both support members having an integrally formed extending part which depends continuously from an outer edge part of said support member and is secured to a side edge of said cover, an extending part having index means which can display information concerning documents held or to be held in said pocket.

It is preferred that the support members holding both covers include an extending part as defined above.

The index means may be integrally formed with an extending part. It is also preferred that two extending parts are provided which include a file-to-file interlock mechanism integrally formed therewith. Conveniently the support members and any extending part depending therefrom comprise one-piece moulding.

The covers and/or support members may be of resiliently flexible plastics material. The respective support members can present a surface to abut each other over substantially the entire length of said members and any extending parts depending therefrom.

It is also preferred that the index means comprise a forwardly facing panel having channel sections to each side thereof and preferably this panel may be protected by a transparent or translucent slidable cover, an information carrier such as an index strip being locatable between the panel and cover, with information visible through the cover when fitted to the panel.

In order that the invention may be illustrated and readily carried into effect embodiments thereof will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings and in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of one form of document file, Figure 2 is a view of the file with index cover removed, Figure 3 is a rear elevation of the file, and Figures 4 and 5 are enlarged details of index means suitable for a document file according to the invention.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, a document file suitable for carrying documents comprises a folder 1 preferably constructed from resiliently flexible plastics material. The folder is formed by a pair of covers 2 which extend from a lowermost fold line 3, the adjacent covers being integrally formed also about a rearmost edge or fold 15 which forms a suitable back-stop for documents. The upper edges 4 of both covers are rigidly secured,.

preferably by continuous weld line 9, to resiliently flexible plastics support members 5,5b respectively.

The said support members 5 , Sb are one-piece integral mouldings, each having an extending part 6,6b respectively which depend continuously from an outer edge part 24 of each support, member. A recessed surface 23 is provided on the internal side of each member 5,5b and these are further provided with a series of projecting formations 13 which can mutually abut when the support members 5,5b are brought into close contact. The recessing of the surface 23 can reduce the cost and weight of the support members, the projections 13, preferably being hollow as shown in support member 5, assisting initial alignment of the two support members 5,5b for inserting the document file into a filing system (not shown).

Side edges Sa of each cover are fastened to the extending parts 6,6b respectively by means such as a weld line 9a.

In order to cater for one type of filing system for lateral files utilising two parallel rods, there are provided end hooks Ba on each support member. The document file can be inserted into such a filing system in similar fashion to conventional lateral files. To cater for another type of filing system each support member is further provided with an intermediate hook portion 8 and a reaction surface 14 whereby a single horizontal bar may engage the hook portions 8, and the reaction surfaces 14 may abut a horizontal surface within a filing system, to support the weight of the files and any documents contained in the pockets.

An interlocking mechanism is provided in a form of a projecting formation 11 on the one'extending part 6b and a co-operating recess 12 on the other extending part 6.

When two such files are inserted into an appropriate filing system, the projecting formation 11 on the one file can be a push-fit, snap-fit or other engagement with the co-operating aperture 12 on an adjacent file (not shown). The fitting mechanism may be provided by resiliently deformable detents whereby the respective extending parts can simply be "snapped together".

One of the extending parts 6 is provided with index means 7,10. The index means comprises a display panel 7 extending substantially from the outer edge 24 of the support member 5 towards the bottom of the extending part 6. It comprises a largely flat panel, angled at a stop 19a, and having narrowed sections for purposes discussed hereinafter. Fitted over the panel 7 is a transparent or translucent cover 10 which may be conveniently made from clear polystyrene. An information carrier, bearing information relating to actual or intended documents can be inserted between the said cover 10 and panel 7.

The covers 2 and support members 5,5b are preferably constructed from heat and/or ultrasonic weld-compatible plastics materials. To provide an effective join between each cover 2 and the respective support member 5,5b a welding machine may be utilised to heat or ultrasonically weld the upper edge 4 of the cover 2 and a part of the side edge 5a of the cover 2, to the support member and extending parts. As such it will be observed that additional fastening means for the cover to support member are absent.

It will also be appreciated that within the scope of the present invention it is not essential for there to be a welded connection as between the covers and support members, providing there is a sufficiently rigid connection therebetween.

The covers are preferably of one-piece construction, suitably folded at the rearmost end 15 and at the lower fold line 3.

preferring to Figure 2 specifically, the cover part 10 of the index means is shown separated from the index panel 7. The said panel 7 has a lower part 18 against which it is intended an information carrier, such as an index strip, may be located. The panel 7,18 is spaced from the adjacent part of the extending part 6, forming a two-sided channel 21 in which the tabs 16 of an index cover 10 may slide. The lowermost end 20 of the index cover is provided with a pair of mutually opposite tabs, the interior of the said cover 10 being hollow as shown at 22 in Figure 4.

The index means includes a lowermost stop 19 comprising an external projection near the base of the extending part 6 and an uppermost stop 19a formed by a bend in the panel 7/18. The panel has portions 17 of reduced width uhereby the tabs 16 can be inserted thereover to slide within the channels 21 located between the said panel 18 and adjacent part of the extending part.

The arrangement is shown in further detail in Figures 4 and 5, Figure 4 showing an enlarged side elevation of the index cover alone, Figure 5 showing an enlarged detail of the lowermost end of extending part 6, with cover 10 located. An index strip (not shown) can be placed upon the panel 18 and the cover member 10 can be inserted and closed whereby its lowermost part 20 engages the lower stop 19. To resist unwanted removal of the cover from the document file, an uppermost stop 19a is provided which in use can abut the tabs 16 when the cover is slid upwardly with respect to the document file.

Such an arrangement provides for a convenient means of inserting, withdrawing and changing any index strips, without having to remove the cover 10 for this purpose.

To provide a greater security of fixing of the cover 10 on to the panel 18, a supplementary pair of tabs (not shown) may be employed so that the cover can only be inserted by locating those tabs over both narrowed sections 17 shown in Figures 2 and 5, and similarly removed from the panel in that one relative position.

Figure 3 of the drawings shows an alternative way of forming a rear back stop 15 by welding one part of a cover to the other along a weld line 9. The channel formation 21 in the extension 6 may be seen more clearly together with the spaced panel 18 over which the cover 10 is slidable The projecting part-spherical projection 11 may be provided with resilient lugs or some other means to engage a corresponding aperture 12 (not shown) within an extending part 6 of a further document file.

Files according to this invention may be more robust and convenient to use than known cardboard type suspension or lateral files. The document file may have consequently a greater life and the supporting members with integrally formed extensions and ancillary parts as described above, can be conveniently formed as onepiece mouldings. The covers of the file may themselves be a one-piece member, readily fabricated in cast or extruded plastics materials preferably.

The cover mernber for the index means may be readily moulded in clear plastics material. It may be more convenient to use an index means on the present file, with less risk of broken indexes and broken or otherwise injured finger nails when inserting or changing information carriers such as index strips.

Claims (11)

1. A file for supporting documents comprising a folder having a pair of covers which extend from a lowermost fold to define a pocket capable of receiving documents, the upper edge of each cover rigidly secured to a support member for supporting the file in a filing system, the upper and/or side edges of the covers capable of opening apart to receive documents in said pocket, either or both support members having an integrally formed extending part which depends continuously from an outer edge part of said support member and is secured to a side edge of said cover, an extending part having index means which can display information concerning documents held or to be held in said pocket.

2. A file as claimed in Claim 1 in which the covers and/or support members are constructed of resiliently flexible plastics material.

3. A file as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 in which both support members include such extending parts.

4. A file as claimed in any preceding claim in which the index means are integrally formed with an extending part.

5. A file as claimed in any preceding claim in which there are two extending parts incorporating a file-tofile interlock mechanism integrally formed therewith optionally comprising a push fit or snap fit arrangement.

6. A file as claimed in any preceding claim in which the support members, and any extending part depending therefrom are one-piece mouldings.

7. A file as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 6 in which the index means comprise a forwardly facing panel having a slidable cover.

8. A file as claimed in any preceding claim in which the rearmost edges of the covers are joined or integrally formed to provide a document back-stop.

9. A file as claimed in any preceding claim in which each support member has three hook formations to fit more than one type of filing system.

10. A file as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the support members have one substantially recessed surface and projecting formations therein adapted to abut corresponding formations in the other member when the upper edges of the covers are closed together.

11. A filing system including one or more files as claimed in any preceding claim.