GB866222A - Improvements in or relating to filing systems - Google Patents

Abstract

866,222. Suspension files. AGEPA AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT FUR EUFINDUNGSUND PATENTUERWERTUNG. Aug. 28, 1957, No. 27143/57. Class 146(1). In apparatus for the suspension filing of sheets on at least two racks which form a storage space between them and are provided with carrier pins which are oppositely-disposed and in staggered relationship to each other and which extend substantially across the storage space, one of the racks being movable in at least one guide relatively to the other between closed and open positions of the storage space, means are provided by which the movable rack may be stopped during the opening movement and locked in an intermediate position in which the width of the storage space is increased, the locking means being releasable to permit the opening of the storage space. As shown, several racks 3-6 having carrier pins 2a, 2b are releasably coupled together in a frame 1. The racks 4-6 have at each end lateral extensions 8 (shown at one end only in Fig. 1) welded thereto and in staggered relationship to each other, each carrying two rotatably mounted rollers 9 with grooves 10 running on ribs 11, 12, 13 on flanges 14 of the frame 1. Each rack 4-6 is traversed by a tie rod 15 on which is rigidly mounted a coupling pawl 16, 17, 18 or 19 comprising at one end a hook 16a-19a (not shown), hooks 16a-18a engaging stops 24, 25, 26 on adjacent racks and the hook 19a coupling the rack 6 to the rearmost rack 7, and at the other a horizontally offset pressure plate 16b-19b (not shown) actuated by means of spring press keys 20-23 to release the coupling. Pressure plates 33 associated with keys 20-23 cooperate with plates 16b-19b. The stopping and locking means comprise two rods 37 urged apart by a spring 40 (Fig. 3) are slidably and axially guided within the rack 3 with their ends protruding therefrom to engage notches in the sides 1b of the frame corresponding to a closed, intermediate and open position S, Z and O respectively. The inner end of each rod is connected by an arm 38 to a handle 36. In operation, to remove a sheet filed between racks 5 and 6, for example, the rack 5 is uncoupled from the rack 6 by depressing the key 22, the handles 36 are pushed together and the rack 3 with the racks 4 and 5 coupled to it can be moved forward by the width a to the intermediate position 3<SP>1</SP>, the rods 37 engaging in the notches Z. A retaining bolt 41 with a handle 42, slidably mounted in a cover flange 28 drops into a hole 44 when the intermediate position is reached. The space between racks 5 and 6 thus widened facilitates selection of the sheet, the remaining sheets being secured by bars 45 (Fig. 8). To allow the sheet to be removed the bolt 41 is lifted and the rack 3 moved a distance b to position 3<SP>11</SP>. To close the space between racks 5 and 6 the handles 36 are pressed together and the rack 3 pushed back, the rods 37, bolt 41, hole 44 and notches S, Z and O being provided with lifting faces, such as 43 (Fig. 7), to allow the rack to pass directly to the position 3 without the rods 37 engaging in the intermediate notches Z.