GB2212108A - Filing papers - Google Patents

Abstract

An opened 4 filing arrangement for papers comprises a planar array of similar generally rectangular tray-like storage compartments, adjacent compartments being connected along their adjoining edges by flexible connection means, and the array being such as to fold into a compact bloc (ie. for storage or transit etc.) As described, each compartment has a plurality of wires or rods stretched thereacross on which the folds of documents are engaged. The connections between compartments may comprise an elastic cord passed through apertures in the sidewalls of the respective compartments. <IMAGE>

Description

This invention relates to means for handling and @sing data and information. @s@ally the unit data carrying medium concerned is a s@eet or page of paper or a bun@ t@ereof having lang@age or methematics or drawings or braille or ot@er symbols written thereon but other suitable media mounted films mounted p@otographs negatives computer hard or floppy memory discs in covers and others nreferably of a relatively tin and semi-flexible nature may be used.

All are included in the term 'data units' in this specification.

Already known as means for handling data are books nermanently bound or loose leaf, files vertical filing systems box files display boards card racks computers their memories video displays and print outs. None individually cover all the required handling functions well. These functions are: Protection from damare Safe storage and filing in required sequence Transport from place to place insortion into the handling system easily Maintenance of the required sequence easily Search and Wit@draw@l of date and units easily @eintroduction into the @@nd@in@ system easily @nd again in the required se@@ence Lasy cuncellation modification additions and sul tractions of data and data units in the handlin@ system or means @orizontal @r vertical @is@lay on-say wall or table being a displa@ of large @se@ble surface area for data but small overall surface size comp@title t@erewit@ displ@ying data units or the references fundamentals or su@maries of their contents so as to show sim@ltaneously @ large overall data situation for rapid scan and rescn overall assessment recognition of data interaction and recognition of critical data areas without suffering disturbing discontinuities such as page turning computer display scrolling multil)le print-outs nor up to a size of some 141 metres square requiring the operator to move his position relative to the display to read normal elite t@pewriting, and finally for those with handicapped sight the ability to find data br feeling te sequence of its filing in th handling me@ns.

The object of the invention is to provide a dat handling means more suited to all the above functions, without haring to alter the data's basic location, say fro a box file to a display board.

In accordance with the invention two orimary features are provided, a module or structure internally housing or filing data units and a means of connecting together tv:o such modules in pairs or many in a multinle array or row so that in one attitude to each other they form a storage or transport box or boxes and in another they for an open display of the data the contain.

The Modnles take the form of a structure or frame usually rectangular between two opposite sides of which are placed a s@eries of cross members stretched or lying iron one side of the frame to the other usually at right angles to it and equally spaced and parallel to each other. 'The members Pay be cords wires rods rails or formed between slots pressed out front a flat sheet.

The whole frame ray be put into a separate box but @reierably behind the members and some distance from them a back board is attached to it to form a s@allow box. A front lid w@ich @ay be a similar frame in reverse may then @e added. @@e members are set back from the front of the frame to give clearance space.

Each member acts as a locator or binder for one or a @un@l of data units attached to it. One @re@erred attachme@t is e@fected h@ doubling over a top strip of the data unit and letting that strip lie belind the locator the res@ lying in front but behind all

following locatora and their data units. A se@i stiff template may be used to assist insertion of a unit be@ind em@ty locators.

Gravity and friction hold the units sandwiched in place but for transit an additional pad between modules or be- ind the lid may be used. Lower data units will protrude beyond the module bottom and are pushed back into it for transit or locked storare. Since t e locators are spaced apart a strip of the data unit of ecuivalent depth sill remain visible and mar he used for summaries and the like.

To see or @o alter detail the data units are easilv removed and replaced in the s@me sequence. Convention@ filing signals @a@ be @ttacked to the locators. An eight @odule arra@ of 30 by 60 centimetre frames can show some 36@+ one ce@@i@etre dee@ su@maries.

If only alternate cross members are used a deeper data unit visible strip is obt ined. A person f restricted sight may find say a braille data unit in any given module by counting down by touching them the mumber of members from a given reference @oint to the one on which the data unit is.

Two or more modules are connected together by @ hinge or hinges usually along a side or axis normal to the direction of tbc rross ?members. The hinge may be a conventional metal hinge or one formed from elastic material in tension such as a rubber cord and they are arraned so that adjoining modules may be parallel open or fold together to form a box. When more th2n two modules are involved different hinges may have to permit 180 de@ree ratation in different directions and also allow for mod@le thickness so it may be best to use a double hinge or equivalent substantially permitting rotation through 360 derrees.

Box ends or locks or carrying handles may @e added for storage and transit functions paper clips say for extra unit attachment.

The Accompanying Drawings show diagra@matically one embodiment of the invention. Figure 1. shows a module in which 1. 2. and 3. are the sides of the frame, 4. is the edge of the back board behind it, and 5. is one of the cross members of which their are 19 formed by threading wire from one side of the frame to the other. Figure 2. shows in cross section on @ A of Fig 1. how the data units lie sandwiched . In this figure 5. is a cross member, 6. a data unit being a sheet of doubled over paner, 7. t@e front edge of the frame side, and 4. the back board. Figure 3. shows in section a tensioned rubber cord 8. acting through holes in the,9,10, adjacent sides of to modules as a hinge to connect them together.

figure 4. shows the rotation of a pair of nodules from oben display to closed box. Figure 5. shows the arrangement of an array of eight modules in two ros one above the other and their rotation from open display to two sets of two closed joined boxes, any one box being openal:le without the others.

The Best Mode of carrying oct the invention will 1 vary according to the type of data unit involved but is generally indicated by the description and drawings above, the module size being chosen to suit the data unit size. As a preferred part of one mode the frame and cross members are fabricated as follows:- First the frame is constructed and a back board fixed to it.

The whole is then treated as a coil former and manually or in a suitable coil winding machine cord or WIl'S is wound on to it at the required spacing to produce the required cross members at the front of the frame the other half of eac' turn lyin. unused behind the back board. Both ends are made fast to the frame. A guide or arm is used to direct the wire on to the frame which guide is geared to tile coil rotation to move transversely up the length of the frame parallel to its rotating axis as the winding at the right spacing progresses.

If desired, to maintain the cross members strictly parallel to each other and n-rmal to the franie axis or sides the guide is driven by say an eccentric or a can system so es to remain stationary when the wire is going on to the front of the frame and to move the ole required distance between turns when the wire is going on to the back of the frame back board.

It will be appreciated thet the modules themselves may substantially form the storage or transit box or they may themsel ves be enclosed in an outer @ox say for improved appearance or further protection,

Claims (1)

1. What I Claim is:

   1. A means for physically handling data comprising a module or modules in row or array canable of @onnection together to form a closed protective box or an open display of contents which module comprises a frame of three or more sides with internal cross members between substantially two of the sides on to which data carrying media may be located so as to lie filed in sandwich and easily accessed replaced and sequenceed but with some surface area always visible at the front of the frame.

   2. A handling means according to Claim 1. in which the connecting means are suitable and suitablv placed hinges.

   3. A handling means according to claim 2. in which the hinges ere constructed of elastic tensioned material.

   d. d. handlinn means acoordin to claims 1 to 3 in which the cross members are normal to the frame sides equally spaced set off from any 1ack hoard and paralle to each other.

   5. A handling mecns according to claims 1 to 4 in which the cross members are stretched wires or cords or metal or plastic rods or made from slotted s'eet.

   6. A handlin means according to claims 1 to 5 in which data carrying media are located on to tie cross members by folding over a strip alone their edge and placing it belind the cross member concerned.

   7. ; handling module accordi.n to claims 1 to 6 which fits into a suitable storage and carrying box.

   8. 1. handling means according to slaims 1 to 6 in which the ## frame sides with a bac board substantially constitute a nrotective open shallor box.

   9. A handling meass according t', claim 8 in which a second similar box mutually forms a closing lid with the first one.

   10. An assemblage of modules according to claims 1 to 9 closing to say four boxes 30 by 60 by 8 centimetres in size but opening out to a display of two rows of four connected modules giving a visible display area of some 11/4 metres squ@@e sufficient to show 360+ summaries, or pro rata according tE size.

   11. A two sided module or frame according to the above claims having two frames back to back with a common back board between them.

   12. A mode of constructin@ modules according to the above claims by using the frame as a coil former and winding the cross members on to it leaving half of each turn unused except when the module is to sided one.

   13. A mode according to claim 12 in wl:ich the axial advance @@ each coil turn controlled by the wire guide occurs only during one half of each turn.