GB2498348A

GB2498348A - File labelling device

Info

Publication number: GB2498348A
Application number: GB1200325.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Luscombe
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-01-10
Filing date: 2012-01-10
Publication date: 2013-07-17
Anticipated expiration: 2032-01-10
Also published as: GB201200325D0; GB2498348B

Abstract

The invention relates to a labelling device 102. The labelling device 102 is for a file of the type having spaced first and further substantially rigid covers and a rigid spine connecting the covers. The labelling device 102 has a labelling part 104 and a fixing part 106 operable to form an attachment to the rigid first cover. The fixing part 106 comprises at least two opposed spaced abutments 108, 110 for respective abutting engagement with opposite faces of the rigid first cover and at least two spaced projections 112a, 112b each mounted on an abutment 108a, 108b and extending towards the plane of the opposite abutment 110. The projections 112a, 112b are operable to be respectively accommodated in at least two longitudinally spaced close fitting apertures formed in the substantially rigid first cover to thereby secure the labelling device to the edge of the rigid first cover in use. The labelling device 102 does not also include a fixing part operable to form an attachment to a further rigid cover. The labelling part 104 is arranged substantially perpendicular to the fixing part 106. The invention further extends to a method of labelling a file.

Description

A file labelling device

Technical field

The present invention relates to a labelling device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a labelling device for use on lever arch-and ring binder-type tiles.

Background of the invention

There are many known methods for storing paper documents to allow tor easy reterencing and storage. Files such as lever arch-or ring binder-type files are commonly used for such purposes. Such a file has a flat spine connecting two covers and usually an interior mechanical fixing arrangement for holding sheets of paper therein.

The usual method of labelling these types ot tiles is to mark the spine ot the file by directly writing on a label attached or incorporated into the spine.

However, because the spines of such files are rigid, the width ot the spine determines the width of the space it occupies when stored. Unless the file is tull, this space is in excess of the space required for the file contents. At the same time, the non-connected ends of the file covers that are opposite to the spine side will close together to occupy only a narrower space in partially filled files. Therefore, when the files are stored on a bookshelf or the like or in boxes, it is not uncommon for the files to be stored in a space saving manner whereby the orientation of the files are alternately reversed such that substantially half ot the files have the spine of the file facing the user and substantially half of the files have the spine facing the back of the shelf and hidden from the user. A turther such situation arises when tiles are stored vertically in a box and, as such, the only readily available viewpoint of the tile is from the top. In both situations none ot the conventional labelling means, as described above, are visible to the user.

In such situations the user is often inconvenience by being required to remove a file from the shelf or storage area in order to read the label and determine its contents.

Methods for labelling the side of a file opposite the spine are known in the prior art could include multi-component devices suitable for only one file type, such as the index tabs for suspension files that are disclosed in GB 2306396, or the binder support bracket disclosed in GB2286560, which teaches a device that can be attached to both rigid covers of a file so as to provide a second spine face.

It is an object of the present invention to address the above or other problems.

Summary of the invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a labelling device for a file of the type having spaced first and further substantially rigid covers and a rigid spine connecting the covers, the said labelling device having a labelling part and a fixing part operable to form an attachment to the rigid first cover, wherein the fixing part comprises at least two opposed spaced abutments for respective abutting engagement with opposite faces of the rigid first cover and at least two spaced projections each mounted on an abutment and extending towards the plane of the opposite abutment and operable to be respectively accommodated in at least two longitudinally spaced close fitting apertures formed in the substantially rigid first cover to thereby secure the labelling device to the edge of the rigid first cover in use, wherein the labelling device does not also include a fixing part operable to form an attachment to a further rigid cover.

Preferably, the labelling part has a first peripheral edge region attached to the fixing part to thereby secure the labelling part to the first rigid cover in use and wherein the remaining peripheral edge regions of the labelling part do not have a further rigid cover fixing part attached thereto.

Preferably, the labelling part is substantially planar and typically extends substantially perpendicular to the rigid first cover in use. When the labelling part is non-planar a plane extending through the first peripheral edge of the labelling part to the opposite peripheral edge thereof is substantially perpendicular to the rigid fist cover in use. Preferably, therefore, the labelling part and the fixing part are arranged to form a substantially [-shaped device. In this manner, the labelling part mimics a label on the spine of an adjacent file when the orientation of the files are alternately reversed in space saving manner.

Preferably, the abutments are in the form of at least two cooperating opposed jaws for respective abutting engagement with opposite faces of a rigid file cover and typically, the projections are in the form at least two spaced teeth each mounted on a jaw and extending towards the plane of the opposite jaw. However, it is also possible for the projections to be mounted on a first abutment, to extend, in use, through the aperture and for a second abutment to be mounted on the opposite end of the projection to thereby abut against the opposite face of the file cover to the first abutment. However, it will be appreciated that in this alternative embodiment the size of the second abutment is limited by the aperture unless it is independently mountable on the projection. Accordingly, it is preferred that the projections are in the form of teeth mounted on at least one jaw and not secured at the other end of the projection to the opposite jaw.

Each jaw may be a single integral member or may be in the form a plurality of longitudinally spaced jaw parts. Preferably, the teeth may therefore project from the same jaw part or from different jaw parts. In addition, the teeth may extend in the same direction from one jaw or in opposite directions from respective opposing jaws.

Preferably, the jaws are operable to provide close fitting engagement with and on either side of a rigid file cover so that the projections cannot be removed from the apertures without manipulation of one or both of the jaws. The jaws are connected at their trailing edges to either side of a spacer piece which maintains the trailing and leading edges of the jaws in spaced parallel relationship and from which the jaws project in the same direction. However, one or both jaws and, therefore, their side edges may optionally extend from their trailing edge at a convergent angle so that the leading edges of the jaws are closer together than the trailing edges. The spacer piece also provides on its inner face at least one further abutment to define the maximum extent of insertion of a file cover in the jaws. Typically, the device is designed so that the gap between the inner face of the spacer piece and the centre points of each of the projections is suitable for a standard hole punch. Accordingly, this distance may be 11-18mm, more typically, 12-15mm, most typically, 13-14mm.

Generally, the gap between the edge of the file and the centre of the punched holes is 12+/-1mm and the above distances of the centre points of the projections from the spacer face allows some tolerance. In use, abutment of the file cover leading edge against the inner face of the spacer piece is preferred but not essential.

Typically, the labelling device of the invention is molded as a single integral part. Generally, the labelling device is molded from a suitable plastic or metal such as stainless steel, aluminium or polymers or copolymers of polypropylene, polyethylene or polycarbonate. Preferably, the labelling device is made from polypropylene or a suitable copolymer thereof. Preferably, the plastic provides for the jaws to be sufficiently resiliently deformable with respect to each other to allow the projections to be released from the apertures when removal of the labelling device is required by the user but not to be susceptible of being released accidentally during normal use as a labelling device.

Preferably, the at least two opposed abutments further comprise on their respective outer-faces at least one ridge.

Preferably, the fixing part comprises 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 engaging projections.

Preferably, the fixing part comprises an even number of projections. Preferably, the fixing part comprises 2 projections.

Preferably, the at least two projections do not extend the full width of the abutment they are respectively mounted upon.

Preferably, the at least two projections have a cross section independently selected from the list comprising circular, rectangular, square, triangular or a non- conventional shape. Preferably, the at least two projections have a circular cross-section.

In one embodiment, the at least two projections are operable to fit into a circular aperture. Accordingly, each of the projections may have a maximum cross-sectional dimension suitable to be close fitting with such an aperture. In another embodiment, the projections are designed to be close fitting with circular aperture having a diameter of 5.5-6.5mm. Accordingly, in this embodiment, each of the projections have a maximum cross-sectional dimension of 5.5-6.5mm. Typically, each of the at least two projections have a maximum cross-sectional dimension suitable to fit into an aperture formed by a standard hole punch. A standard hole punch may be one constructed in accordance with International Standard ISO 838.

Preferably, the at least two projections are operable to be accommodated in at least two longitudinally spaced apertures the centre points of which are spaced by a distance produced by the use of a paper hole puncher. Preferably, the at least two projections are operable to be accommodated in at least two longitudinally spaced apertures the centre points of which are spaced by a distance produced by a paper hole puncher constructed to International Standard ISO 838. Based on standard hole punches, the centre points of the at least two projections are typically longitudinally spaced apart 79.5-80.5mm, to be accommodated in at least two longitudinally spaced apertures the centre points of which are spaced 79.5-80.5mm apart from each adjacent aperture centre.

Generally, the at least two projections extend substantially perpendicular to the abutment upon which they are mounted. In particular, the region of the at least two projections in proximity to the leading edge of the rigid file cover, in use, is substantially perpendicular to the abutment it is mounted upon so that it abuttingly engages the corresponding edge region of its corresponding aperture to thereby fix the labelling device.

Preferably, the at least two projections are tapered with the lower edge on the side that first meets the leading edge of the file cover during insertion thereof.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a labelling device for a file of the type having spaced first and second substantially rigid covers and a rigid spine connecting the covers, the said labelling device having a labelling part and a fixing part operable to form a close fitting attachment to the rigid first cover, wherein the fixing part comprises at least two opposed spaced abutments for respective abutting engagement with opposite faces of the rigid first cover, and wherein the labelling part is arranged substantially perpendicular to the fixing part and wherein the labelling device does not also include a fixing part operable to form an attachment to the second rigid cover.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a file labelling device and a file of the type having spaced first and second substantially rigid covers and a rigid spine connecting the covers, wherein the file labelling device comprises a labelling part and fixing part operable to form an attachment to the first rigid cover, wherein the fixing means comprises at least two opposed spaced abutments for respective abutting engagement with opposite faces of the first cover inserted therebetween and at least one projection mounted on an abutment and extending towards the plane of the opposite abutment and accommodated in a close fitting aperture formed in the said first rigid cover.

Preferably, there are at least two spaced projections each mounted on an abutment and extending towards the opposite abutment and preferably accommodated in respective close fitting spaced apertures formed in the said first rigid cover.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for labelling a file comprising forming apertures in a file cover, typically by means of a paper punch, and securing a labelling device as described above to the file.

The invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-Figure 1 shows a perspective rear view of a first embodiment of the labelling device according to the present invention.; Figure 2 shows a side view of a first embodiment of the labelling device according to the present invention; Figure 3 shows a front view of a first embodiment of the labelling device according to the present invention; Figure 4 shows an end view of a first embodiment of the labelling device according to the present invention; and Figure 5 shows an end view of a second embodiment of the labelling device according to the present invention.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiment

Reference is first made to the first embodiment of the present invention as given in Figures 1 to 4, which show different viewpoints of a labelling device 102. The labelling device 102 comprises a fixing part 106 and a labelling part 104 extending perpendicular thereto. The labelling part 104 is a flat rectangular plate with an outer surface 130 defining a labelling surface 131 and a raised border therefor 132. The fixing part 106 comprises first longitudinally spaced flat laterally extending rectangular abutments 1 OBa, 1 OSb arranged parallel to and spaced from a further flat longitudinally extending rectangular abutment 110. The longitudinal abutment 110 extends laterally as far as the first abutments so that their respective leading edges lila, 111 b and 111 c are parallel and the first abutments extend laterally at either end of the longitudinal abutment just beyond the longitudinal peripheral edges thereof.

The two longitudinally spaced abutments 108a, 108b each have a projection 112a, 11 2b mounted on the interior surface 118, 120 thereof and extending towards the plane of the opposite abutment 110. The projections 11 2a, 11 2b are each tapered 116 on the upper surface 114 thereof down towards the leading edges lila, 111 b to facilitate the action of attaching the device to the file cover. The first abutments 1 08a, lOBb further comprise a series of equally laterally spaced parallel longitudinally extending elongate ridges 120a 120b on the outer surfaces 121a, 121b thereof. The further abutment 110 comprises two longitudinally spaced elongate laterally extending ridges 122a, 122b at either end of the inner surface thereof to provide increased frictional engagement with a cooperating rigid file cover in use.

In use, the parallel abutments define a gap which is sized to accommodate a rigid file cover so that the leading edge of the file cover may be inserted therebetween. The file cover has formed therein two longitudinally spaced circular apertures a short and equal distance from the leading edge thereof such as may be formed by a paper punch. The projections 11 2a, 11 2b are spaced from each other and from the interior face of the labelling part 104 so as to be accommodated in the apertures formed in the file cover in a close fitting manner to thereby secure the file cover to the labelling device 102. The leading edge of the file cover may or may not abut against the interior surface of labelling part 104 and the positioning of the projections 11 2a, 11 2b with respect thereto is determined accordingly.

Once the labelling device 102 is secured to the file cover (not shown), a label may be applied to the surface 130. It will be appreciated that this provides a convenient means to label the open edge of a file cover and thereby provide the means to label rigid files which are orientated with their spines lacing inwardly in the known space saving manner. Furthermore, because the labelling device does not include a fixing pad for the other rigid cover of a file, this rigid cover may freely swing on the spine hinge to thereby maintain the space saving advantages of the arrangement.

Referring now to Figure 5, there is shown a second embodiment of a labelling device 202. The labelling device 202 comprises a labelling part 204 and a fixing pad 206 and is defined in a similar manner to the device 102 described above. However, in this embodiment the further abutment 210 is angled towards the first abutments 208a, 208b. Advantageously, the angled arrangement allows for a wider range of file cover thicknesses to be accommodated by the same labelling device. In both embodiments, the labelling device is made from resiliently deformable polypropylene which allows a degree of flexion of the abutments 108, 110, 208, 210 with respect to the labelling part 104, 204 to which they are fixed at their respective trailing edges. In the embodiment shown the polypropylene is molded as a single integral component.

However, multiple component devices and metal or other polymeric materials may be utilised to form the device.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

<claim-text>Claims 1. A labelling device for a file of the type having spaced first and further substantially rigid covers and a rigid spine connecting the covers, the said labelling device having a labelling part and a fixing part operable to form an attachment to the rigid first cover, wherein the fixing part comprises at least two opposed spaced abutments for respective abutting engagement with opposite faces of the rigid first cover and at least two spaced projections each mounted on an abutment and extending towards the plane of the opposite abutment and operable to be respectively accommodated in at least two longitudinally spaced close fitting apertures formed in the substantially rigid first cover to thereby secure the labelling device to the edge of the rigid first cover in use, wherein the labelling device does not also include a fixing part operable to form an attachment to a further rigid cover.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. A labelling device for a file of the type having spaced first and second substantially rigid covers and a rigid spine connecting the covers, the said labelling device having a labelling C') part and a fixing pad operable to form a close fitting attachment to the rigid first cover, wherein the fixing part comprises at least two opposed spaced abutments for respective abutting engagement with opposite faces of the rigid first cover, and wherein the labelling 0 part is arranged substantially perpendicularly to the fixing part and wherein the labelling 0 device does not also include a fixing part operable to form an attachment to the second rigid cover.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. A labelling device and a file of the type having spaced first and second substantially rigid covers and a rigid spine connecting the covers, wherein the file labelling device comprises a labelling part and fixing part operable to form an attachment to the first rigid cover, wherein the fixing means comprises at least two opposed spaced abutments for respective abutting engagement with opposite faces of the first cover inserted therebetween and at least one projection mounted on an abutment and extending towards the plane of the opposite abutment and accommodated in a close fitting aperture formed in the said first rigid cover.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. A labelling device according to claim 2, wherein there are at least two spaced projections each mounted on an abutment and extending towards the opposite abutment 5. A labelling device according to any preceding claim, wherein the labelling part extends substantially perpendicularly to the rigid first cover in use.6. A labelling device according to any preceding claim! wherein the abutments are in the form of at least two cooperating opposed jaws for respective abutting engagement with opposite faces of a rigid file cover.7. A labelling device according to any one of claim 1 or 3 to 6, wherein the projections are in the form at least two spaced teeth each mounted on a jaw and extending towards the plane of the opposite jaw.8. A labelling device according to any one of claims 1, or 3 to 6, wherein the projections are mounted on a first abutment, to extend, in use, through the aperture and a second abutment is mounted on the opposite end of the projection to thereby abut against the opposite face of the file cover to the first abutment.9. A labelling device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the jaws are operable to CYD provide close fitting engagement with and on either side of a rigid file cover so that the projections cannot be removed from the apertures without manipulation of one or both of the jaws. r10. A labelling device according to claims 1, or 3 to 9, wherein the centre points of the apertures are spaced by the distance produced by the use of a standard paper hole punch.11. A labelling device according to any one of claims 1, or 3 to 10, wherein the device comprises 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 engaging projections.12. A labelling device according to any one of claims 1, or 3 to 11, wherein at least two projections extend substantially perpendicularly to the abutment upon which they are mounted.13. A labelling device according to any one of claims 1, or 3 to 12, wherein the region of at least two projections in proximity to the leading edge of the rigid file cover, in use, is substantially perpendicular to the abutment it is mounted upon so that it abuttingly engages the corresponding edge region of its corresponding aperture to thereby fix the labelling device.14. A labelling device according to any one of claims 1, or 3 to 13, wherein at least two projections are tapered with the lower edge on the side that first meets the leading edge of the file cover during insertion thereof.15. A labelling device according to any one of claims 6 to 14, wherein the side edges of one or both jaws extend from their trailing edge at a convergent angle so that the leading edges of the jaws are closer together than the trailing edges.16. A method for labelling a file comprising:-a) forming apertures in a file cover, and b) securing a labelling device as claimed in any preceding claim to the file. C') r r</claim-text>