GB721826A - Improvements in and relating to document filing devices - Google Patents

Abstract

721,826. Filing papers. BECKER, O. A. Aug. 24, 1950, No. 21017/50. Classes 16 and 146 (1). A document filing compartment or cabinet has a series of separating elements formed of a resilient material such as thin metal and the compartment is formed with means to locate the elements along one of their edge portions so that the elements can be sprung resiliently about that portion to move their free edges towards and away from one another. As shown in Fig. 1, compartments 1 in a cabinet each comprise a bottom 2 and a rear wall 3 having guide rails 4 on which are mounted separating elements 5 by means of shoes 6 slidable on two rails 4, about which the elements 5 can be deflected in either direction from the normal position at right angles to the rear wall 3. The shoes 6 and rails 4 have cooperating surfaces 7, 8 respectively and the rails 4 are shorter than the rear wall 3 leaving a space for insertion or removal of the elements 5. Two sets of rails 4 are provided, the shoes 6 on alternate elements 5 being offset to allow closer spacing of the elements 5. Vertical strengthening beads 9 are provided on the elements 5 and depending lugs 23 fit loosely in channels 24 in the bottom 2, to prevent documents passing under the separators. As shown in Fig. 4, the bottom 2 of the compartment 1 is provided with slots 50 in itself and in an under bracket, the separator elements 5 having projecting lugs 49 near the back edge which fit into the slots 50 so that the separator can be flexed to either side. The separators 5 are formed with manipulating tabs 16 and have notches 22 to facilitate grasping documents between them. Index card carriers 18 for cards 19 may be carried between guide rails 17 provided on the separators, the carriers 18 being removable by a pull-tab 21. Between the separators 5, file pockets 25 may be used with their expanding backs 26 on the bottom 2 of the compartment, a cut-out portion 31 enabling one side of the pocket to be bent back for insertion of documents and a slidable pull-tab 28 being provided for removal of the pocket. Tabs and signals. The separators 5 and pockets 25 may be provided with label carriers 10, 11 and 27 respectively the carriers 27 being displaceable along a guide on one front edge of the pocket so that they may be staggered. The other front edge of the pocket is provided with retractible signal markers 32, 33 one of which may be used to indicate removal of the adjacent pocket and the other to indicate variable characteristics by variable coloured markers. The contents of a group of pockets between separators 5 may be indicated by label-carriers 13 movable horizontally along channels 15 at the top of a compartment and having a rearwardly projecting tongue 14 to be engaged by a projection 12 on the separator so as to be moved therewith.