US1409160A - Interchangeable filing tray - Google Patents

Description

H. W. EHLER.

INTERCHANGEABLE FILING TRAY.

APPLICATION FlLED AUG-19.1919.

1,409, 1 60. at t d Mar- 14, 1922-.

ATTORNEYS UNITED STATES HERMAN W. EHLER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

INTERCHANGEABLE FILING TRAY.

Application filed August 19, 1919.

T 0 all rv/r0112 it may concern:

Be it known that I, HERMAN WV. EIILER, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York city, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Interchangeable Filing Trays, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to filing devices and particularly to a file of the type generally used on desks.

In the usual course of business routine, particularly where there is a large amount of paper work, filing devices are employed for a large number of different purposes; and several special types of files have been developed, each adapted to a particular use.

One type, known as a distributing file, is provided with a plurality of compartments, into which papers of various natures are sorted, usually at the desk where they are received.

Another type, ordinarily termed a tickler file, is adapted to receive papers etc. so marked or arranged, as by marginal clips, index cards etc., that attention will be called automatically to the proper paper when occasion arises.

A third type, also in general use, is known as a sorting file, and comprises one or a plurality of com artments, each preferably subdivided as y alphabetical or other index cards, the papers, usually in the form of correspondence, being sorted by placing them under the proper index before transferring them to the general files or elsewhere.

Other needs of ofiice practice, varying with individual conditions, are met by various types of desk files, many of which are provided with a plurality of compartments. The development of so many special types of files has put an added burden on manufacturer, merchant and user, as the manu facturer must produce and the merchant keep in stock a large number of different types; and the user must pay the resulting higher price. My invention provides a file which can be used for any or all of the purposes above-enumerated; furthermore, it is a distinct improvement when used as a distributing, a sorting or a tickler file over devices for such purposes now on the market,

as will be more particularly indicated after the construction of my file has been made clear.

I have also produced a file composed of a Specification of'Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 14, 1922. Serial No. 318,506.

relatively small number of easily manufac tured parts, preferably having detachable connectlons so that the parts may be omitted or added to suit the file to particular requ rements, giving a wide range of adaptability. Moreover, the manufacturer need produce but one type of file, and the merchantor user, by keeping on hand a supply or standard parts, can adapt the file to any required use, Damaged parts can easily be replaced; and in a preferred form the parts are so arranged that when detached they may be packed in a very convenient and compact package readily adapted to be sent through the mails in quantities, which would be impractical and expensive with the usual bulky file.

Other objects and advantages of my construction will be apparent from the followmg description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the file, showing parts in position for assembly.

Figure 2 is a sembled file.

Figure 3 and Figure 4: is a similar view of the disassembled file with the parts nested in position for shipping.

The file includes a base having a floor portion which may be composed of spaced floor plates 10. The floor portion may be supported in any desired way, preferably by connecting sides 11 and ends 12 to form a framework. If desired, sides 11 may be continuous with floor plates 10, and ends-12 may be formed of relatively heavy strip metal, the ends thereof extending along the inside of sides ll-and attached thereto to form a bracing frame therefor as at 13. Suitable means is preferably provided for supporting the base when the file is to be used on a desk or other surface likely to be scratched. Various forms of support may be provided: but in the preferred form the lower edges of sides 11 are extended inwardly to form bottom flanges 14 upon which are mounted rubber studs 15 or any other suitable support. I preferably conperspective view of the asis a transverse sectional view,

struct the file with end panels 16 and side panels 17 mounted on the base. The end panels 16 may be permanently attached to ends 12 of the base; but in the preferred form are detachably connected to the base.n

' positioned in through base end -21 may be attached and in close contact with the ing pins 21 mounted close juxtaposition Various forms of detachable connections are ractical. I have disclosed mounting pins form the two pins on each-side of the base by bending upwardly the ends of a rod 19 attached adjacent the lower edge of the side 11, as by crimping said lower edge around the rod toform a tubular bearing or holder 2O in which the rod is preferably rotatable for a purpose which will be hereinafter ex-- plained.

Side panels 17 are preferably detarhably mounted either on the base or on end panels 16. I have disclosed one form of mounting,

consisting of a pair of side panel position- 7 adjacent the ends of the upper edge of each panel and extending downwardly, being adapted to seat in the upper ends of corresponding sockets 18, panel 17 and pins 21 being preferably so dimensioned and located that said panel,

has its ends in when in assembled position,

to end panels 16 and its lower end against the base preferably slightly overlapping the upper portion of base sides 11, as shown in Figure 3. Pins to side panel 17 in any desired manner; but I preferably show the -pins'as consisting of the down-turned ends of a rod 22 attached to the upper edge of the panel as by rolling said edge around rod 22 forming a holding roll or head 23.

I preferably provide a plurality of re-:

movable partitions mounted transversely or follower blocks 2s to the file and between side panels 17. These follower blocks are slidably mounted on the base in any desired manner, several standard methods being known for this purpose. I have disclosed a slide member 25' attached to the lower edge of each partition, preferably consisting of a strip of relatively heavy metal having spaced walls 26 slidab'ly mounted on slide rod 27 the base in any desired way, threading the forward end 12 and engaging the'opposite end of the slide rod 27 with the opsnch as by posite base end, the threaded end of the slide 'rod being preferably provided with v j knurled handle insertion the rod. .Sl-i'de rod 27 preferjab'ly passes through 28' for the ready removal and apertures 29 in end panels 16, serving as means for holding the panels assembled in position. The apertures in the walls 26 of slide member 25 are so proportioned that the partition 2% may be readily slid lengthwise of the file, any pressure thereon by papers in the file serving to slightl tilt slide member 25 and to clamp it against the slide rod in awell-known mannor. may be attached to a side 11 for re3eiving a slip bearing a description of the contents of the file.

It will be apparent that my file consists of a base and a plurality of relatively flat members. .lVhcn disassembled, these members can be packed flat against the inside'of the base in various ways, forming 'a very compact package. F or this purpose, positioningpins 17 are preferably forcedrdown and under the base, rod 19 rotating inholder 20. In the arrangement shown in Figure 1, V

2a are packed inside of the the partitions are laid lengthwise base. Side panels 17 If desired, the usual slotted holder 30 along floor plates 10 with holders 23 toward the middle; and end panels 16 are placed above and across the side panels.

It will be apparent that by using my file with either one 'orboth side panels removed, or with both side panels providing a suitablenuniber of partitions, or follower blocks 24:, the file is adapted for all of the purposes above enumerated and in place, and by be plared By using a compartservice are uniformly constructed witlrboth sides open, so that papers slipped in: from one side very frequently pass completely thpough the file and fall out o'f'theoppo'site Sl( e. 1

' Furthermore, such files have not been constructed with partitions 'slidably adjustable so that the compartments can be accurately regulated as'to size, such-files only having a plurality of positions in which the partitions may be fixed, any adjustment requiring the loosening of parts, the removal of the partition and its location in a new position substantially spaced from the original location. here only a few papers are to be placed in a compartment or where thepapers are relatively flexible and tend to slide down and curl up in a wide compartment. the advantage of accurate and ready adjustment of the compartment size, without any loosen-,

ingvof parts, will be apparent. w

Distributing files aregsometi mes used in the middle of double desks where papers Ill are inserted from both sides of the file.

For this purpose, both side panels 17 may be removed and the file used in the usual way, except for the improved method of accurately adjusting the size of each compartment. l

The file may also be used as a sorting file, preferably with both side panels 17 in place. The ordinary sorting file is provided either with no follower block or has a single block only. Where papers are to be divided into several general classes and each class is to be subdivided, alphabetically or otherwise, my file oficrs distinct advantages, as any suitable number of partitions 24 may be inserted at will and index cards or other subdividing means may be located in each compartment formed by the partitions. v

Similar advantage is gained when the file is used'as a tickler file with or without a side partition removed, for tickler files of this sort generally consist merely of an enclosed file with or without a single follower block, It is often desirable to have several classifications in a ticlrler, and such classifications sometimes change, interchangeable partitions 24 rendering the file thoroughly elastic to meet the requirements of any desired system.

. Furthermore, it will be apparent that the file'may be adapted to a great variety of set requirements incident to the needs of differ ent businesses, for which it has been necessary either to improvise or manufacture a special file or where the difiiculty and expense of obtaining a suitable file has prevented the use of such a system.

My file is preferably constructed throughout ofsheet metal, which in the preferred form may consist entirely of a relatively small number of simple stampings, rendering the construction very easy and inexpensive, while the system of assembly is such that the file is as self-supporting and. rigid as if the parts were permanent. I have also constructed and arranged the parts so that a minimum of metal is used. accomplishine, a substantial saving where files are made in large quantity, particularly improving over the common type of dist-ribut-i11 file which is so constructed that a relatively large amount of metal is used therein.

Furthermore, the provision of spaced floor plates 10 and slide rod27 permits the use of a common and popular style of index card having a projecting tab adjacent the middle of its lower edge with a hole therein through which slide rod 27 is adapted to pass, locking the index card in position.

It is to be understood that, while my file is intended for use entirely on desks or in similar places, attachments thereto may readily be devised for adapting it to be placed in filing cabinets, though while .cer-

tain features of my invention may be applicable to the type of files used in connection with filing cabinets, my construction is primarily an improvement of desk files and particularly adapted for such use.

While I have described a preferred form of my invention and certain modifications thereof, I do not consider my invention to be limited thereto as various other changes may be made within the spirit of the invention as set forth in the specification.

I claim:

1. In a filing device, a base, end panels detachably mounted on the base, vertical side panels detacha-bly connected to the end panels and located adjacent the side edges of the end panels and the base.

2. In a filing device, a base, end panels detachably mounted thereon, and a plurality of transverse partitions longitudinally slidable relative to the base to produce a plurality of compartments adjustable incapacity.

3. Ina filing device, a base, end panels mounted thereon, a plurality of transverse partitions longitudinallyl slidable relative to the base to produce a plurality of compartments adjustable in capacity, and side panels detachably mounted on the end panel and located adjacent the side edges of the base and the end panels.

4:. In a filing device, a base, oppositely disposed panels detachably mounted upon the base and a plurality of transverse partitions slidable relative to the base to produce a plurality of compartments adjustable in capacity.

5. In a filing device, a base, oppositely dis posed panels detachably mounted upon'the base, a second set of oppositely disposed panels detachably mounted upon the first named panels, and a plurality of transverse partitions slidable relative to the base to pro duce a plurality of compartments.

6. In a filing device, a base, a plurality of transverse partitions longitudinally slidable relative to the base to produce a plurality of compartments adjust-able incapacity, end panels detachably mounted on the base and side panels detachably connected to the end panels.

7. In a filing device, a base, upstanding mounting pins carried by the base adjacent the corners thereof, end panels and sockets carried by the end panels adapted to slidably engage the pins to detachably mount the panels at the ends of the base.

8. In a filing device, a base, end panels mounted thereon, vertical side panels, mounting pins carried thereby adjacent the upper corners thereof, sockets carried by the end panels adjacent the lateral edges thereof adapted to slidably receive said pins so as to detachably mount the side panels on the end panels.

I jacent 9. In a filing device, a base, upstanding mounting pins carried by the base adjacent thecorners thereof, end panels, sockets carried by the end panels adapted to slidably engage the pins to detachably mount the panels at the ends of the base, vertical side panels, mounting pins carried thereby adthe upper corners thereof, sockets carried by the end panels adjacent the lateral edges thereof adapted to slidably receive said pins so as to detachably mount the side panels on the end panels.

10. In a filing device, a base, a longitudinal rod rotatably mounted adjacent end of the side edges of the base and having up-turned ends adjacent the corners of the base forming mounting pins, and end panels having sockets mounted thereon adapted to slidably engage the pins so as to mount said panels adjacent the endsof the base.

11. In a filing device, a base, end panels mounted thereon, vertical side panels, a longitudinal rod mounted on each side-panel, and held in position by theoverturned upper edge of said panel, the ends of each rod projecting beyond the side panel and having suitably bent terminal portions, and sockets carried by theend panels adapted to engage said terminal portions to detachably mount the side panels adjacent the side edges of the end panels and the base.

12. In a filing device, a base, including a floor portion made of sheet metal, sides continuous and integral with the floor portion, and a continuous sheet metal strip attached to the inner faces of the sidesand extending across the ends of the base, said fioor portion, sides and strip forming a unitary base structure, and end anelsmounted on said base.

13. In a filing device, a base including a pair of spaced fiat floor plates, sides integral with the floor plates, flat end portions connected to the sides, a slide rod engaging the end portions and located between adjacent edges of the floor plates, and a vertical member slidable along the slide rod.

14. In a filing device, a base, including a fiat floor portion constructed of sheet metal, sides integral with the floor portion, flatends connected to the sides, said floor portion, sides and. ends forming. a unitary base, a longitudinal rod rotatably mounted on each side portion adjacent the lower edge thereof and having up-turned ends forming mounting pins, and end panels having their side edges rolled inwardly to. provide sockets adapted to receiveslidably the mounting pins and tomount the end panels on-the ends of the base.

15. In a filing device, abase, including a pair of fiat spaced 'fioor plates, sides, integrally connected to said plates, a longitudinal rod mounted on each of said sides adjacent the lower edge thereof andhavingup-turned ends forming mounting pins, end panels having inwardly rolled lateraledges adapted to form slide sockets-for the mounting pins to detachably mount the end panels adjacent the ends of the base, side panels having longitudinal rods attached thereto adjacent their upper edges, each rod'havingdown-turned end portions adapted to slidably engage said sockets to detachably'mount the. side panel on the end panel,- a slide rod Inounted'longitudinally on the base and located between the spaced floor (plates, and transverse. vertical partitions sli ably mounted'onsaid sliderod. In testimony: whereof I have hereunto. set

my hand. V

HERMAN. W. EHLER,

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