US1741119A - Filing device - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 24, 1929. J, c, s L 1,741,119

FILING DEVICE Original Filed Sept. 2- 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 fizz/ergo?" 003% J. c. SEYL.

FILING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Sept. 2. 1921 w e n net, and includes also adapted for filing generally,

Patented Dec. 24, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOSEPH CONRAD SEYL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS FILING DEVICE Original application filed September 2, 1921, Serial No. 497,924. Divided and this application filed June 18, 1926. Serial No. 116,792.

5 which are selt-accommodatory with the variations in the total amount of material to be filed within the cabinet and with the varia tions in the amounts of the material to be filed within different portions of the cabithe concept of enr bodying such general arrangement as contemplated by me in existing cabinets as an attachment.

\Vhile I have referred to my invention as and more particularly for filing cabinets, it will be understood that certain phases of my invention have a wide field of utility in connection with instrumentalities forsorting and filing Various materials.

Among the more important objects of my invention are the provision of an assembly for holding papers and other objects to be sorted or filed in such sorted or filed rela 5 tionship, which assembly may be introduced into sections, which sections may be variably dimensioned at the top within predetermined limits, and more particularly one wherein the bottoms of the sections are of fixed dimension; the provision of a sorting or filing cabinet in which the material to be sorted or filed is segregated into sections, which sections are defined by walls at least one of which is variable angularly within predetermined limits; the provision of devices so characterized which are susceptible of variation to compensate for difierent drawer lengths; the provision of devices otthe nature referred to which are provided wlth a series of pockets which may be readily removed; together with such further objects as may be hereinafter pointed outor as may so appear.

In attaining the objects suggested as well as certain further benefits and advantages to.

be below disclosed, I have provided a construction, certain embodiments of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings,

wherein Figure 1 is a top plan view showing one embodiment of my improved sorting or filing assembly in position in a drawer of a filing cabinet.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the structure of Figure 1, taken on the line 22 thereof;

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional View thereof, taken on the line 33 of Figure 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Figures 4 and 4 are tragmentar views similar to Figures 3 and 2, respectively, illustrative of a modified detail of construction;

Figures 5, 6 and 7 are a group of views similar to those of Figures 1, 2 and 3, illustrative of a modified form of assembly.

Referring first more particularly to the group of views of Figures 1, 2 and 3. itwill be noted that I have here illustrated as generally indicated at 10 a filling cabinet drawer of a known type having the side walls 11, 12, a rear wall 13 and a front 14 provided with a drawer pull 15.

The type of drawer illustrated is provided with a bottom 16, having the central longitudinal slot 17, in which is received a center rod 18, passing through the front 14 and supported at its rear by the housing 19 carried by the rear wall 13.

My invention is directed, among other things, to the provision of a sorting or filing assembly which may be placed in position in a stock-type of drawer for filing cabinets, such for example as has been illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3.

This assembly is shown in position in such figures and as there shown comprises generally the side walls 20, 21 of such shape and dimensions as adapt them to be positioned parallel with and adjacent to the side waIls 11 and 12 of the drawer 10, the strips 22 and 23 arranged to be positioned longitudinally of the drawer 10 on either side of the slot 17 and the cross-pieces 24 secured to the strips 22, 23.

These strips 24 are arranged in spaced groups of two for purposes which will presently appear.

The assembly further comprises the partition members 25 each secured in position in the assembly between the members of a pair of cross-pieces 24 by means of the hinge structures generally indicated at 26, so as to permit the partition 25 to move angularly in either direction about the hinge 26.

For cooperation with the type of drawer here illustrated, which is furnished with the slot 17 and center rod 18, each partition 25 is provided with a depending tab 38, having a opening 39 through which the rod 18 extends, said opening being slightly larger than the rod to permit vertical displacement of the partition. These en ar ed openings in the tabs, together with the cross-pieces 24 which limit the longitudinal displacement of t e pa tions o he rods 18, prevent the binding of the partitions and at the same time permit the projections 28 at the upper edges thereof to move along at edges 40 of the receptacle.

For limiting this angular movement of the partition 25 to and fro, I employ limit stops which in the embodiment illustrated take the form of the cutaway portions 27 in the walls 20 and 21 of the assembly, and the projections'28 which extend oppositely from the partitions 25 into the cutaway portions 27 and rest on the lower edges of the latter.

In the illustrated embodiment of my invention, I have provided the partitions 25 with the projections 28 by securing over the upper margin of each partition the reflexively bent member 29 preferably of metal of generally U-form in cross-section, which member 29 is longer than the width of the partitions 25 and therefore when centrally positioned will afford the necessary projections 28 into the cutaway portions 27.

Additionally, the strips 29 will protect and reinforce those upper margins of the partitions 25.

Upon viewing Figure 2, it will be perceived that the cutaway portions 27 in the side walls 20 and 21 are each limited by the end ma'rgins 31, 32 which are shown as sloping in opposite directions so as to properly coact with the extensions 28 of the partitions 25 as the partitions move to and fro to their extreme positions in opposite directions.

In the practical use of this embodiment of my present invention. the assemblv which I have just described may be placed bodily in the drawer 10 with sides 20 and 21 of the assembly preferably in contact with the side Walls 11 and 12 of the drawer 10, and with the members 22 and 23 positioned preferably against the bottom 18 of the drawer 10. When the side members 20 and 21 are made they are cut the proper length for the drawer into which they are to be inserted, and preferably snugly fit between the end walls 13 and 14 of such drawer, though if the side members are of slightly less length than that of the drawer the device will continue to function properly. These side members cannot be displaced outwardly because of the side walls of the drawer and are held against inward displacement by the partitions 25. Material upward displacement of the side members is prevented by the extensions 28 on the partitions, and the cooperation of the rod 18 with the members 22 and 23 and adjustable frictional holding members 37 serves to retain the whole device as an assembly from displacement in the drawer.

For the purpose of accommodating the assembly to variations in the length of the drawer and for frictionally securing parts of the assembly in position in the box, I have provided the members 22, 23 adjacent to one end with the extensions 33, 34 variably secured thereto by means of engaging lingers 35 engaging suitable ones of a number of apertures 36 in the extensions.

Upon viewing Figure 2, it will be manifest that the members 33 and 34, which are preferably made of spring material, are each provided with the upturned portions 37 and 36 respectively so that when adequately extended they will frictionally engage the rear wall 13 of the drawer 10.

It will be thus seen that with the assembly in position as described, I have in fact prcivided a filing device in which segregated sections are formed by the partitions, and as these partitions have their lower margins hinged in predetermined spaced relation, the bottom of the pockets will remain of a constant width and will occupy a fixed position in the drawer 10.

Due, however, to the side-swinging move ment of these partitions 25 the upper and open mouth of each section will vary in width as the partitions swing relatively one to the other.

On inspection of Figure 2 it will be seen that the maximum width of the mouth is limited by the distant margins of the adjacent cutaway portions 27 and the minimum separation is limited by the proximate margins of the adjacent cutaway portions 27 As a result of this, the mouth of each section, on the one hand, is always maintained open so that material may be placed therein or located and removed therefrom without Clllllcult-y, and at the same time the mouth of no section can become soextended as to impair or unfavorably affect the function ofthedevice.

Furthermore, in the specific embodiment shown in these Figures 1, 2 and 3, the partitions 25 will be supported in the desired vertical position by the coaction of the upper and lower ends of the partitions 25 with the lower margin 10 of the cutaway portion 27 and with the cross-pieces 24 of the lower portion of the assembly.

It will thus be seen that the partitions 25 which are preferably made of cardboard will be supported against collapse or buckling and consequently will not only support the files or other flexible material in the pockets against collapse, but will also permit ready access thereto by afiording displacement of the two adjacent partitions 25 in opposite directions, thereby opening out the mouth of the section.

Now, with more particular reference to the group of views shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7,

it will be observed that I have here illustrated a modified, and in certain respects, a simplified form of assembly, comprising among other things the two frame members 50 which are preferably made of wire, or the like, bent to form depressions as shown at 51.

These members 50 are maintained tion against the side walls 11 and 12 ably by having the depending legs which are adapted to be supported directly upon the bottom 16 formed with feet 50, outward movement of said legs being prevented by their snug engagement with the corners of the drawer, and said feet abutting the bottom of the drawers. Any inward movement of the legs which might occur is stopped by the folder members 60 and 61.

For providing the desired engagement, preferably frictional between these members 50 and the drawer 10, the leg 53 of each of the members 50 is secured variably to the remainder of the member 50 by the means of a connector 54, into which the abutting ends of the members 50 and 53 are inserted and clamped. By this arrangement the legs 52 and 53, which are preferably made of spring material, may be adjusted relatively to each other, and provide not only the aforementioned frictional engagement but also for variations in the length of the drawer. The depressions 51 are substantially in function and broadly in structure similar to the cutaway portions 27 shown in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3, these each comprising the ends 55, 56 and bottom 57 which answer to the elements 31, 32 and 40 of the cutaway portions 27 of the embodiment first described.

In this simplified form of assembly, the pockets are formed by means of folding members generally indicated at 58 and each of which comprises the bottom 59 and the upstanding portions 60 and 61 hinged to such bottom portion 59, as indicated at 65. In actual practice the base members 59 of the pockets 58, when an assembly is sold, have an excess length, and are of such nature that they may be cut off by the purchaser to fit snugly into the particular drawer which is in posipreferto receive the assembly.

As is to be ascertained on inspection of Figure 6, the upstanding wall 61 of each folder except the front one is provided on its upper margin with the reflexively bent reinforcement 62 having the lateral projections 63 coacting with the end portions 55, 56 of a depression 51 in all respects as in similar features of the construction of the embodiment of Figures 1, 2 and 3.

The opposite wall 60 is preferably made higher so that it may not only serve to carry the indexing characters (if desired) but will serve better the function of the back wall of a section.

It will be clear that in this embodiment a section 58 and its contents may be readily removed from the drawer 10 as a unit.

By providing each of the upstanding walls 60, 61 with the perforated and reinforced tabs 64 to coact with the slot 17 and center rod 18, the results will be obtained here also that have been set forth in connection with the similar portions of the device of Figures 1, 2 and 3.

Furthermore, the coaction of the centerrod 18, the tabs 64, and the bottom 59 will be such that the bottom 59 will be maintained in horizontally extended position. This bottom 59 may be cutaway as indicated at 66 to permit the use of guides or the like having the usual depending center rod.

In Figures 4 and 4 I have shown a modification of a detail of construction in which the bottom 90 of the drawer 91 is provided with transverse slots 92, 93, shown in vertical section in both directions, in which are received the tabs or projections 94, 95 depending from the partition 96, and serving to form a pivotal engagement between the partition 96 and the bottom 90.

Among the advantages of sorting and filing devices embodying the present invention are the following:

As each section is a self-contained element, the pressure exerted on any folder or other unit in a section can be limited to that of the mass in such section, since the weight of other material in the receptacle is without effect thereupon.

From this it follows that when a thick folder is removed, the partitions 25 serve as abutments to prevent the remaining folders from collapsing or falling over.

Thus any possibility of a folder so sagging or crumpling as to'become turned under in part, or even as it is said crawl out of sight under the mass of folders is avoided.

Inasmuch as the weight of the mass of folders is subdivided and sustained by the several partitions 25 the folders may be distributed through the receptacle and the pressure on any single folder thereby so greatly reduced that it may not only be readily removed and replaced, but may even be inspected without removal.

reinforced tabs engaged by the along plane path .Notwithstanding that in the case of folders the mass of the contents is greater as a rule adjacent to the bottom rather than toward the top, the consequent angle of tilt increasing from the front to the rear of the receptacle (or vice versa) as the receptacle is filled is spread over a number of sections and so largely absorbed.

The partitions 25 being tiltable to and fro, ready access for insertion or removal of a folder into a section is had by mere separation of the two adjacent partitions and without the need of moving a follower block such as is commonly employed and without having to shift or push backward or forward the intermediate folders.

The spacing of members 22, 23, Figures 1 to 3, and members 59, 59, Figures 5 to 7, is such as to afford slots which are at least as large in area as the slots in the bottoms of the standard filing drawer, or other receptacle.

This ready separation not only affords an adequate spread at the top of the partitions for moving the folders but also permits their tops to be pushed backward, so tilting them as to make the reading of index data and other legends carried thereby very convenient.

Having thus described my invention and illustrated its use, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A filing device including, in combina tion, a receptacle, a partition in said receptacle, means for supporting said partition so that a portion thereof may slide to angularly displace the same, the connection of said partition to said supporting means permitting a bodily substantially vertical component of motion of the partition during angular displacement, and oppositely disposed limit stops supported by the receptacle for limiting the angular displacement of said portion.

2. In a device of the character described, in combination with a receptacle having a retaining element along its bottom, of a filing structure including a support adjacent to said retaining element, a plurality of partition members mounted upon said support so as to have each a pivotal and vertically displaceable engagement with said retaining element within predetermined limits permitting the upper portions of the partitions to move 3. In a device of the character described, a sorting or filing assembly adapted to be placed in position in a receptacle, said assembly including a plurality of partitions, and means for maintaining said partitions in generally spaced relationship, said means permitting combined angular and vertical displacement of each of said partitions in paths having predetermined limits.

4. In a device of the character described, a sorting or filing assembly adapted to be placed in position in a receptacle, said assembly including a plurality of partitions, means for pivoting said partitions and means for maintaining said partitions in generally spaced relationship, said means being located at the sides of said receptacle and permitting combined angular and vertical displacementof each of said portions about their respective pivots in paths having predetermined limits.

5. In a device of the character described, a sorting or filing assembly adapted to be placed in position in a receptacle, comprising in combination, a structure composed of a plurality of partition members pivotally and substantially vertically bodily displaceable to permit outer edges thereof to move in straight lines, and means for maintaining them in relatively yielding positions comprising side and bottom members.

6. In a device of the character described, a sorting or filing assembly adapted to be readily removably placed in position in a receptaole, including, in combination, a plurality of partition members, supporting means therefor, and means for fixedly maintaining a portion of the supporting means of the assembly in position in the receptacle.

7. In a device of the character described, a sorting or filing assembly adapted to be placed in :osition in a receptacle, including, in c nibination, a plurality of partition members, supporting means therefor, and adjustable means for fixedly maintaining a portion of the supporting means of the assembly in position in the receptacle.

8. A filing device comprising in combination with a receptacle, apartition having a hinged and relatively vertically displaceable relation to the bottom of the receptacle which permits rectilinear movement of a part of the partition, and means near the top of the receptaclc for guiding and limiting said movement thereof,

9. A filing device comprising in combinaion with a receptacle, a partition having a hinged and relatively vertically displaceablc relation to the bottom of the receptacle which permits rectilinear movement of a part of the partition, and means near the top of the receptacle for guiding and limiting said movement thereof, said partition being movable in continuous contact with said last-mentioned means.

10. In a device of the character described, a filing assembly comprising, in combination with a receptacle, a plurality of upright partitions and means for loosely pivoting said partitions in spaced relationship upon the bottom of the receptacle whereby the upper portions of said partitions may move in a rectilinear plane while being angularly displaced and means for guiding the upper portions for such movement.

11. In a device of the character described, in combination, a receptacle, and a filing assembly, comprising supporting means adapted for reception in said receptacle, and a plurality of angularly displaceable partitions carried by the supporting means and bodily movable with said supporting means as an assembly, a retaining member in said receptacle, and said partitions being adapted to pivotally engage said retaining member.

12. In a device of the character described, in combination, a receptacle, and a filing assembly, comprising supporting means adapted for reception in said receptacle, and a plurality of angularly displaceable partitions carried by the supporting means, a retaining rod in said receptacle and said partitions being adapted to pivotally engage said rod.

13. In a device of the character described, in combination, a receptacle, and a filing assembly, comprising supporting means for reception in said receptacle, a plurality of angularly displaceable partitions carried by the supporting means, a retaining rod in said receptacle, and said partitions being adapted to pivotally engage said rod, and means on said filing assembly, including means on said partitions adapted to cooperate to restrict the displacement of the latter within predetermined limits.

14. In a device of the character described, a filing assembly adapted for bodily reception in a container and comprising a plurality of angularly displaceable partitions adapted to be hingedly connected to a part of the container.

15. In a device of the character described, a filing assembly adapted for bodily reception in a container and comprising a plurality of angularly displaceable partitions adapted to be lnngedly connected to a part of the container, and means on the filing assembly for limiting displacement of said partit-ions.

16. In a device of the character described, in combination, a receptacle, a filing assembly comprising partitions and side members for reception in said receptacle, said partitions and side members being composed of relatively thin strips whereby to avoid material reduction in the size of said receptacle.

17. In a device of the character described, in combination, a receptacle, a filing assembly including side members and movable partitions for reception in said receptacle, said partition and side members being composed of relatively thin strips whereby to avoid material reduction in the size of said receptacle, a relatively stationary part of said filing assembly being adapted to be placed in engagement with parts of said receptacle for retaining the filing assembly therein.

18. In a device of the character described, in combination, a receptacle, a filing assembly comprising partitions and side members for reception in said receptacle, said partitions and side members being composed of relatively thin strips whereby to avoid material reduction in the size of said receptacle, and means on said partitions for connecting them with a part of said receptacle.

19. In combination with a filing receptacle having a slot in its bottom, of means for dividing the receptacle into a plurality of compartments including a bottom wall having two pieces spaced to leave a slot therebetween, of an area at least as large as that of the slot in said receptacle, and partitions hinged on said bottom wall.

20. A filing device comprising the combination with a receptacle, of a partition mounted in substantially vertical position 111 said receptacle, and means for supporting said partition so that one portion has pivotal and vertical movement and another portion has horizontal sliding movement relative to said receptacle.

21. A filing device comprising the combination with a receptacle of a partition mounted in said receptacle, and means for supportin the top and bottom edges of said partition so that one of said edges has pivotal and vertical movement and the other edge has bodily horizontal movement relative to said receptacle.

22. A filing device comprising the combination with a receptacle of a partition mounted in said receptacle, and means for supporting said partition at its top and bottom so that its bottom edge has pivotal and vertical movement and its top edge has limited bodily horizontal movement relative to said receptacle.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name.

JOSEPH CONRAD SEYL.

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