US1464833A

US1464833A - Filing device

Info

Publication number: US1464833A
Application number: US595923A
Authority: US
Inventors: William A Ringler
Original assignee: Globe Wernicke Co
Current assignee: Globe Wernicke Co
Priority date: 1922-10-21
Filing date: 1922-10-21
Publication date: 1923-08-14
Anticipated expiration: 1940-08-14

Description

Aug. 14, 1923.

W. A. RINGLER FILING DEVICE Filed Oct. 21. 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEYS.

Aug. 14:, 1923.

11,464,833 W. A. RINGLER FILING DEVICE Filed Oct. 21, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 A TTORNE 'J W'IIJEWE A. EINGLER, OF PHILADELPH GLOBE-WERNICKE COMPAN IA, PENNSYLVANIA,

I SIGNOB 130 THE Y, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

FILING DEVICE.

Application filed October 21, 1822. fieriel No. 595,828.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM A. Rmcnnn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvama, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Filin Devices, of which the following is a la] clear, and exact descr1pt1on.

This invention relates to filing devices, such as trays or containers which are superposed so as to occupy a minimum hor zontal area, and has for an obyect to PIOVIdQ QJI improved device of this type, with which convenient access may he had to any of the units or sections thereof for the purpose of inserting or removing articles therefrom, which can be collapsed by a simple movement into a substantially closed cabinet or opened by a reverse movement, which will remain in open or collapsed conditions without the use of locks or latches, which when collapsed occupies a minimum volume, and which is exceptionally simple, convenient, compact, light in weight, easy to manipulate, attractwe in appearance, and mexpensive. Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description of one embodiment of the invention and the novel features will be particularly pointed out hereinafter in claims.

lln the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a perspectlve of a fillng devlce constructed in accordance with this invention* Fig. 2 is a similar perspective of the same with the device collapsed;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional elevation of the device when in its open condition; and

.Fig. t is a similar transverse sectional ole vation of the same when in closed or collapsed condition.

ln the illustrated embodiment of the invention a plurality of units A, B, C, D and are arranged in superimposed relation and connected together by a plurality of

links

1, 2 and 3, which are parallel to one another and pivotally connected by screws 4 to each of the units along opposite side walls thereof, so as to form with the sides of the units a plurality of parallelograms. The links are referably disposed along the inner faces 0? the side walls. When so placed the intermediate units B, C and D are provided with slots or apertures 5 in the bottom walls there of through which the lmks may pass from unit to unit, and which slots are of sufiicient length to permit of oscillatory movement therein of the links. The lmks are connected to the units in such a manner that when the units are in contact and allgned vertically, as shown in Fi res 3 and t, the connecting links will be olfi que to the umts (or the bottom walls thereof) so that when the u per sections are forced rearwardly relatively to the lowermost sect on, the links will move intovertical positrons, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, and carry the units into a step-like relation with the units spaced vertically and rearwardly. When one of the upper sections is moved forwardly from the position shown in Figures l and 3, the links will move toward the posltion shown in Figure 4L and carry the units Into contact with one another as shown 1n Figures 2 and 4.

The units may be any suitable filing unit or device, but in the illustrated embodiment the units A, B, C and D trays or sections and a cover section which fits over and entirely covers the lower sections when the filin device is in its collapsed or closed cond1tion. Obviously the unit E could be a filing tray instead of a cover unit if desired. lhe trays may have notches 6 in their forward ends to facilitate the removal of the contents of any tray, and may also have group identification devices 7 on the forward end for indicating the contents of each tray.

A plate 8 extends forwardly from the rear end of the cover section E, and is provided with an aperture 9 which extends forwardly and rearwardly of the sections, that is, in the direction of relative lateral movement of the units. A lug 10 projects upwardly from the rear end of the section D, which is next below the cover section, and passes through the aperture 9 of the plate 8 so as to have relative movement in the aperture when the sections are moved between open and closed positions. The engagement of the lug 10 in the forward end of the aperture 9 of the plate 8 serves to limit the rearward movement of the connecting links to positions in which the links are substantially vertical.

-A helical coil spring 11 is anchored at one end, such as by a screw 12, to the forward end of the cover section, and at its other end is secured, with the spring under comprise letter the unit E comprises.

some tension, in an a rture 13in the upper end of .the lug 10, w ch lug is at the opposite end of the next lower section. The

\ be little tendenc s in actin between the two uppermost s dt i t i ns at o p osite ends thereof serves to hold the sections in their open positions by pulling the links about their fivotal con nections to the section D. e o emng movement of the sections is limited y the e ment of the lug 10 in the forward and of the aperture 9 in the plate 8. In the open position of the dparts there will for the eviceto collapse or move'to a c osed condition because of the fact that the links are substantially vertical and the entire weight will be lengthwise of the links and not in a direction to cause rotation thereof about their pivotal connections to the trays. The spring also 0 poses the closing movement so that the filing device, when in its open condition, is substantially stable, and because of the vertically spaced and step like relation of the tra s each tray is readily accessible when artic es are to be inserted or removed therefrom.

When the sections are moved forwardly upon the lowermost section into their closed or collapsed oblique to the bottom walls of the trays. The weights of the sections supply turning forces upon the links which tend to move them into closed positions as soon as the sections are moved forwardly sufliciently to carry the links out of vertical positions, and the effective moments of the weights of the sec-.

tions increase as the sections move closer together. The spring during this movement is put under a somewhat greater ten. sion, owing to the fact that the lug 10 moves rearwardly with respect to the p ate 8, and this increase of the tension of the spring acts upon the sections in a direction tending to move them into open position and oppglsled to the closing movement thereof.

on the sections are entirely collapsed or closed as shown in Figures 2 and 4. the turning moments upon the links caused by the weights of the sections are sufiicient to overcome the turnin moment in the op site direction which is caused by the when of the sprin so that the sections will remam in c osed or collapsed positions. Upon a slight separating movement of the sections, the turmng moments caused by the weights of the sections will decrease and the turnin moment of the spring will increase, with t 0 result that the spring will become active to assist the openin movement durgiglthe latter part of sai movement and hold the arts in the open ositions. This filing evice is parcicularl useful and valuable when used on ofiice esks for the filing or sorting of mail or various papers, and when collapsed it occupies a positions, the links become amass minimum of space which is of-considerable advantage if the file is to be laced in a safe where space is limited. filing device'may be placed in the drawerof a desk or cabinet having a 'heitgllg substantially equal to the height of the g device when collapsed, and when the drawer is pulled outwardly the filing device can, be a simple movement, be opened or expanded into a position in which the trays are readily accessible and the contents visible. In closing the drawer, if one fails to first close the.

filing device, the uppermost unit, by its en- 5a ment with the front wall or face of the es or cabinet will be shoved forwardly and cause the filing device to collapse during the inward movement of the drawer. In fact, if desired, these filing devices could be mounted in cabinets in the manner of drawers so as to occupy a minimum of space within the cabinet and be expansible into open positions when pulled outwardly.

It will be obvious that various changes in the number and nature of the units, and the details and arrangement of arts herein described and illustrated fort e purpose of explaining the nature of the-invention, ma be made by those skilled in the art wit in the principle and scope of the in vention as expressed in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A filing device comprising a plurality of superim osed units, a plurality of parallel lin s pivotally connected to adoining lateral walls of the units at opposite sides thereof, said links extending oblique to the bottom walls of the units when the units are in contact, whereby when the links are moved into positions prependicular to the bottom walls of the units, the units will be separated vertically, and a spring connected under tension between two of the units in the direction of relative lateral movement of the units.

2. A filing device comprising a plurality of superimposed units connected by parallel links, said links being ivotally connected to adjoining units, where y relative movement of the units will result in a separation and lateral spacing of the same, and a spring device connected under tension between two of the units in the directionofrelative lateral movement therebetween for stressing the units in a direction to rotate the links into positions in which they are normal to the units.

3. A filing device comprising a plurality -of-super1mposed units connected by parallel links said links being ivotally connected to adjoiningumts, where y relative movement of the umts will result in a separation and lateral spacln of the same, a spring device connected un er tension between two of the units in the direction of relative lateral movement therebetween for stressing the units in a direction to rotate the links into positions in which they are normal to the units, and means for limiting relative movement of the units under the action of the sprin device.

4. filing device comprising a plurality of superimposed units connected by parallel links, said links being pivotally connected to adjoining units, whereby relative movement of the units will result in a separation and lateral spacin of the same, a spring device connected un er tension between two of the units in the direction of relative lateral movement therebetween for stressing the units in a direction to rotate the links into positions in which they are normal to the units, and means actingbetween two of the units for limiting relative movement of the units under the action of the spring device.

5.' A filing device comprising a plurality of superimposed units connected by parallel links, said links being ivotally connected to adjoining units, wherelzy relative movement of the units will result in a separation and lateral spacing of the same, and a pin and slot connection between two of the units for limiting relative movement of the units.

6. A filing device comprising a plurality of superimposed tray sections and a cover section connected by parallel links, said links bein pivotaliy connected to adjoining sections w ereby relative movement of the sections will space them endwise and separate them, a In carried by the uppermost tray section, and a stop member carried by the under side of the cover section and cooperating with the said lug for limiting spacing movements of the sections.

7. A filing device comprising a plurality of superimposed tray sections and a cover section connected by parallel links, said links being pivotally connected to adjoining sections whereby relative movement of the sections will space them endwise and separate them, a lug carried by the upper most tray section, a stop member carried by the under side of the cover section and cooperating with the said lug for limiting spacing movements of the sections, a spring connected under tension between the said lug and the opposite wall of the cover section for pulling said sections in a direction to carry the links into a position normal to the sections.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my signature.

LLIAM A. RINGLER.