US1892020A

US1892020A - Vertical filing drawer

Info

Publication number: US1892020A
Application number: US484038A
Authority: US
Inventors: Frederick L G Straubel
Original assignee: C W STRAUBEL; O C STRAUBEL
Current assignee: C W STRAUBEL; Cw Straubel; O C STRAUBEL; Oc Straubel
Priority date: 1930-09-24
Filing date: 1930-09-24
Publication date: 1932-12-27
Anticipated expiration: 1949-12-27

Description

Dec. 27, 193.2. F, G, STRAUB'EL 1,892,020

I VERTICAL `FILINtIr DRAWER Filed Sept. 24. 1930 Patented Dec. 27, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT oFElcE FREDERICK L. G. STRAUBEL, 0F GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-EIGHT T0 0. C. STR-AUBEL, OF GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN, AND TWO-EIGHTHS TO C. W.

STRAUBEL, OF YOUNGS'TOWN, OHIO VERTICAL FILING DRAWER Application filed September 24, 1930. Serial No. 484,038.

struction shown in my Patent N o. 1,561,752,

issued to me on November 17, 1925. An object of the invention is the provision of improved means connecting the front end of a drawer of the kind described, with a follower positioned in the drawer whereby the tilting of the front end forwardly from its vertical position causes a backward tilting of the follower and. the return of the front end to its Vertical position correspondingly returns the follower to its vertical position.

In practice, the space between the follower and the front end is sometimes crowded with filing matter due to the failure to adj ust the position of the follower to correspond to the contents of the drawer. In some devices as at present constructed, the connections between the follower and the front end are such that pressure upon the follower due to the packing of the contents, tilts the follower backwardly and causes a corresponding outward tilting of the front end. Another object ofthe invention is the provision 0f improved actuating means connecting a tiltable front end with a tiltable follower whereby the follower is locked against tilting except insofar as -it is actuated by the tilting of the frontl end.

- Still another object of the invention is the provision of improved mounting means for a tiltable follower of the kind described whereby the tilting of the follower increases its distance from the front as measured along the base of the drawer, suiiiciently to loosen the contents at the bottom of the drawer.

- A further object of the invention is the provision ofv adevice of the kind described which is simple, compact, durable, reliable,

efficient, and satisfactory for its intended purpose.

Many other objects and advantages of the The .invention contem construction herein shown and described will be obvious to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein given.

To this end, my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combi nation of parts herein shown and described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawing wherein like reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts, v

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through a drawer equipped with the device of my invention;

'F.ig. 2 is a section along the line 2-2 of V Fig. 1 drawn to a larger scale; and l Fig. 3 is a sectional view along the line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

Referring now more particularlyto the drawing, the invention shown is used in connection with a metallic drawer comprising a pair of sides 10, a bottom comprising two longitudinal sections 11 connected by a channel member 12, anda back 13. A tiltable front 14, fastened to the bottom of the drawer by hinges 37 has a pair of inwardly turned triangular-shaped end flanges 19. A knob 17, mounted on the front 14 near its bottom, provides means for sliding the drawer in and out of a cabinet, not shown. A knob 16 provides means for tilting or rotating the front 14 about the hinges 37. The hinges 37 areso positioned that the axis of rotation of the I front 14 is substantially coincident with or slightly underneath the sections 11 forming the bottom of the drawer. The location of the hinges 37 is such that all iortionsof the front 14, positioned above a plane corresponding to the top surface 'of the bottom sections 11, are advanced in tilting the front forwardly. The bottom portion of the file contents of the drawer are thereby provided with an increased space permitting such contents to spread in the bottom of the drawer sufficiently to insure easy removal thereof.

A follower-plate or panel 15 is mounted inA the drawer in adjustable spaced-apart relation to the front 14 and is operatively counccted with the front in a manner hereinafter more particularly described. .The space between the sections 11 formlng the@ bottom of the drawer is enclosed by the channel member 12 which extends the full length of the drawer. The member 12 may be made any desired depth but in practice a depth of approximately three quarters of an inch has been satisfactory for use with filing drawers of average size. The channel me1nber12 has outwardly turned flanges, by means of which it is fastened to the bottom sections 11 by welding or by any other suitable means. The member 12- provides a runway for a channelshaped supporting member 25 forming a portion of a carrier for the follower`15. The bottom sections 11 project inwardly and overhang the edges of the channel member 12, the spaces between the over-hanging edges and the bottom of the member providing runways for wheels 27 upon which the member 25 is mounted. The member 25 is of substantial length and has outwardly turned flanges 26 by means of which it is connected in any suitable manner to a member 21 forming a portion of the carrier upon which the follower 15 is mounted. The member 21 extends substantially the full width of the drawer and has its ends turned upwardly to form flanges 9, each providing a mounting for one of a pair of wheels 22. rl`^he follower plate 15 is supported by and connected with the member 21 by a pair of hinges 36 which permit the plate to be given any desired angle of inclination relative to the supporting member 21. A pair ef triangular shaped flanges 20, one on each end of the follower plate 15, give rigidity to the plate and each provides a mounting for one of a pair of standards 59.

The

members

21 and 25 are so connected as to form a carrier by means of which the follower plate 15-is easily moved longitudinally of the drawer, with the

wheels

22 and 27 respectively riding on the bottom sections l1`d and the channel member 12. The follower 15 is manually held against longitudinal movement,` relative to the drawer, by a rod 30 which projects. downwardly into one of al plurality of apertures or perforations 24 iny the channel member 12. The rod 30 is slidably mounted between a guide plate 29 and the follower plate 15, and is held in its downward position by a tension spring 35. One

end of the spring 35 is fastened to a pin 32 projecting from the guide plate 29 and the other end of the spring is connected to a pin 33 mounted on the rod 30 and projecting through a slot 34 formed in the guide plate 29. A bar 31 having its lower end curved outwardly is positioned immediately above the rod 30 and sufficiently close that the rod and bar may be grasped with one hand for the purpose of moving the rod upwardly against the pull of the spring 35 when it is desired to release the follower plate 15 from engagement with the channel member 12 for the pur.

pose of shifting the follower and varying itsl distance from the front 14. The slot 34 permits the rod 30 to'be moved as desired to clear the channel member 12. Upon release of the rod v30, when immediately over one ofl the apertures 34, the spring 35 will cause the end of the rod to enter the aperture and thereby hold the follower in its adjusted `position. The shifting of the follower 15 longitudinally of the drawer is easily performed since its Weight is carried by the

wheels

22 and 27. The hinges 36 permit the oscillation of the plate 15 from vertical rearwardly and back to vertical. Since the lower end of the rod 30 is confined within one of the apertures 24 the axis of tilting or rota-tion of the follower plate is substantially coincident with .the lower side of the channel 12. It is obvious that such tilting is accomplished only by acorresponding riciprocatory movement of the

members

21 and 25 on the

wheels

22 and 27. That portion of the member 21 which projects above the bottom of the drawer is in the rear of the follower plate 15 where there is no possibility of its coming Iin contact with the filing matter. That portion of the member 25 which is in front of the follower is all contained within the channel 12 and underlies and clears the contents of the drawer. Means are provided on each side of the drawer to connect the front 14 with-the follower 15 to cause an outward tilting or return movement of the front to impart a corresponding movement to the follower. Each side 10 of the drawer is turned inwardly and downwardly at its upper edge to form a flange 18. The filing contents are contained between the oppositely positioned flanges 18 leaving clear spaces underneath the flanges in which the means connecting the front 14 and the follower 15 are mounted. The follower 15 is tilted rearwardly by a forward tilting of the front 14 and is returned to vertical position by a return movement of the front to its vertical position through the resulting movement of rods 57, slidably mounted in channel bars 39, there being one of each mounted on each side of the drawer.

The channel or guide bars 39 are supported from the lower ends of oscillating

levers

40, 41 and 42 by pivots 46, 47 and 48 respectively. The

levers

40, 41 and 42 are so mounted as to remain parallel in all positions and the pivots 46, 47 and 48 are equidistant from` the line of oscillation of the

respective levers

40, 41

- and 42 so that oscillation of the levers moves the guide bars 39 both vertically and longitudinally. The

levers

40, 41 and 42 are supported by Z-shaped bars 38 with which they are connected by

pivots

43, 44 and 45 respectively. The Z-bars 38 are tiXedly mounted one on Aeach of the sides 10, and the

levers

40 and 41 project through slots 49 rovided in the web portion of the Z-bars. e slots 49 are of sufficient length to permit the required movement of the levers and 41. The levers are actuated by tilting of the front 14. For this purpose links 51 connect the upper ends of the levers 40 with the flanges 19 of the front 14 by means of pivots 53 and 52 respectively. A forward tilting of the front 14 thereby moves the

levers

40, 41 and 42 from their full-line positions to their respective dotted-line positions and the re,

turn of the front 14 to its vertical position moves the levers back to their full-line position. The resulting vertical movement of the channel bars 39 causes a corresponding vertical movement of the sliding rods 57, which are mounted therein. of the rods 57 are pivotally connected, by means of pins 58, with the standards 59 which project one `from each end 0f the follower 15. A collar and a head 61 are mounted on the pins 58 to hold the pins in their bearings in the standards. The vertical movement ofthe rods 57 occasioned by an oscillation of the guide members 39 causes an oscillation of the follower 15 in accordance with the tilting of the front 14. An upward vertical movement of the rod 57 rotates the follower 15 and standards 59 from their full line to their dotted-line positions of Fig. 3,

about an axis substantially coincident with the bottom face of the channel member 12 by reason of the insertion of the rod 30 in one of the apertures 24.

The described rotation or oscillation of the follower 15 is accomplished only by a corresponding longitudinal movement of the follower base comprising the

members

21 and 25, and ahinged movement of the follower plate 15 relative to the base is permitted by the hinges 36. The supporting member 25 is provided with a slot 23 through which the rod 30 projects, movement of the member relative to the lower end of the rod is thereby permitted. Since'the movement of the end of the rod 57 follows an arc-of a circle of which the center is the axis of rotation of the follower 15,'the rod 57 will necessarily slide in its mounting inthe guide member 39. The sliding of the rod 57 in the guide member 39 also permits the follower plate 15 and carrier base to be moved longitudinally of the drawer to increase or vary the space between the plate and the front of the drawer.

A spring 54 is connected with the upper end if the lever 41 by a pivot 46 and with the flange 18 by a pivot 55. The spring 54 is so arranged as to tend to hold the front 14 and the follower 15 in their respective vertical full-line positions' when the lever 41 is in its full-line position. Inits dotted-line posion of Fig. 1 the spring 54 likewise tends to hold the front 14 and the follower 15in their respective dotted-line positions.

The arrangement of the rods 57 and of the channel bars 39 is such that tilting of the 'Ihe rear ends 4 front 14 causes a corresponding tilting of the follower plate 15 and locks the plate against tilting other than as a consequence of the tilting of said front. Filing matter is frequently v packed closely in the -drawer so as to exert a pressure against the follower 15 and this pressure tends to rotate the follower from its .vertical position to its inclined position. Such rotation, if it occurred, would necessarily initially move the pin .58 alongr a liuc approximately parallel to the

levers

40, 4l and 42 in their full line position. The pin 58. being fastened to therod 57, is held against such initial movement since movement of the guide 39, in which the rod 57 is slidably mounted, is controlled by the pivotal connection of the guide with the ends of the levers 40. 41 and 42. Movement of the rod 57 and the guide 39 along a path permitting tilting of the follower must be preceded by a movement of the

levers

40, 41 and 42 a substantial amount from their full line positions in the direction of their dotted line positions. This movement of the levers can only occur as a result of a forward tilting of the front 14 and as a result, the follower 15 is held against tilting rearwardly except when so actuated by a for'- ward tilting of the front.

The front'14 rotates about an axis substantially coincident with the bottom of the draw` tom of the drawer. This increased space loos- Vens the contents of the drawer and thereby enables the same to be easily removed.` The return of the front and the'follower to their respective vertical positions results in the drawer contentsv being again pushed closely together and the space utilized to the best advantage. Thus it will be seen-that I have provided im- .provements invertical filing drawers of the kind described whereby the front and follower will be tilted simultaneously in such away as to loosen the contents of the drawer at the bottom and also that I have provided a novel-v mounting for a follower' of the kind described which is locked against tilting and untilting except as actuated by the front.

Having thus described my mvention, 1t 1s obvious that val'ious immaterial modifications \may be made in the same without departing from the spirit of mv invention: hence, I do not'wish to be understood as limitmgfmyself to the exact form, construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown` and described or uses mentioned.

lVhat I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

l. A drawer having a tiltable front, a tiltable follower, connections between' the front und follower to cause an outward tilting or, return movement of the front to impart corresponding movement to the follower, the axes of rotation of said front and follower being'underneath the bottom of the drawer.

2. A drawer having a tiltable front, a tiltable follower, connections between the front and follower adapted to cause an outward tilting or return movement of the front to impart corresponding movement to the follower, the axes of rotation of said front and follower being underneath the bottom of the drawer, said connections adapted to hold said follower in upright position except as actuated by said connections by the tilting of the front. v

3. A drawer having an outwardly tiltable front and a rearwardly tiltable follower arranged in spaced-apart relation, connections between the front and follower to cause an outward tilting or return movement of the front to impart corresponding movement to` the follower, themountings of said front and follower being such that tiltingvoutwardly of the front increases the space between them as measured along the bottom of the drawer.

4. A drawer having a tiltable front; a tiltable follower, connections between the front and follower to cause an outward tilting or return movement of the front to impart corresponding movement to the follower, the axis of rot-ation of the follower being a substantial distance underneath the bottom of the drawer, and a sup ort for the follower resting upon and mova le relative to the bottom of the drawer to permit tilting and return movement of the follower about said axis.

5. A drawer having a tiltable front, a tiltable follower, connections between the frontl and follower operable to cause an outward tiltingor return movement of the front to impart corresponding movement to the follower, said connection comprising a rod plv-.- otally connected to the follower, a guide member in which the rod is slidably mounted, a plurality of levers providing pivoted supports for said guide member, and a link connecting said front with one of said levers.

6. A drawer having a tiltable front, a tiltable follower, a connection between the front and follower to cause an outward tilting or return movement of the front to impart corresponding movement to, the follower, saidy connection comprising a rod pivotally connected to the follower, a guide memberfin which the rod is slidably mounted, a plurality of parallel levers from which said guide member is suspended in horizontalposition, and a link connecting said front with one of said levers.

v 7. A drawer having a tiltable front, a tiltable follower, connections on each side of the drawer between the front and follower operable to cause an outward tilting or return movement of the front to impart corresponding movement to the follower, said connections each comprising a rod having its rear end pivotally connected to the follower, a guide member in which the rod is slidably mounted, a plurality of parallel levers rotatable in a vertical lane and each providing a pivoted support or said guide member, and a link connecting vsaid front with one of said levers.' i v 8. A drawer having a titlable front, a tiltable follower, connections between the front and follower operable to cause an outward tilting or returnjmovementof the front to impart corresponding movement to the follower, said connections comprisinga rod hav- 4in .its rear end'pivotally connected tothe vfo lower',.a `guide member in which the-rod is slidably mounted, a plurality of levers providing a support' for said guide member, a

link connecting said front with one of said A levers, and a spring so connecting one of said levers with the drawer as to yieldingly hold sai/d connection in either of the positions corresponding to the titled or the untilted posi'- tion of said front.

9. A drawer having a tiltable front, a tiltable follower, connections on each side of-the drawer between the front and follower to cause an outward tilting or return movement of the front to impart corresponding movement to the follower, said connectionseach comprising a rod having its rear end pivotally connected to the follower, a guide member in ,which the rod is-slidably mounted, a plu-` rality of leverseach providmg a pivoted support for said guide member, a link connecting said front with one of said levers, and a spring so connecting one of said levers with the drawer `as to yieldingly hold said connection in either of the positions correspondin to the tilted or the untilted position of sai front. y

10.- A drawer having a tiltable front, a tiltable follower,'connect1'ons on each side-of the.

. drawer betweem the front and follower to p ment to the follower, said connections each comprising a rod having its rear end pivotally connected to the follower, a guide member in which the rod is slidably mounted, a pluralit'yof parallel levers providing a pivoted necting said front with one of said levers, the inclination of said levers being such that the follower is held in upright position except as 'support for said guide member, a link con- 125 actuated by said connection by tilting of the 13o front. Y

11. A drawer having a tiltable .front'and tiltable follower, means so connecting the front and follower that force applied to the front to Vtilt the same operates through said means to correspondingl tilt the follower, said means operating to ock said front and follower in upright position against tilting by the direct application of force to the follower, and spring means normally operating to ma1ntain said front in upright position and yielding under a certain pressure on said front to permit tilting movement thereof.

12. A drawer having a tiltable front and tiltable follower, means so connecting the front and follower that force applied to the front to tilt the same operates through said means to correspondingly tilt the follower', said means operating to lock said front and follower in upright position against tilting by the directl application of force to the follower, and spring means operating to maintain the front in either its upright or extreme tilted position and to yield under certain pressure on the front to permit tilting thereof.

13. A drawer having a vnormally vertical tiltable front and follower, means operatively connecting said front and follower, said means comprising a forwardly projecting standard on each side of the follower, a plurality of levers pivotally mounted on each side of the drawer in parallel relation, a horizontally extending channel bar on each side of the drawer pivotally suspended from` the lower ends of the adjacent levers, a rod slidably mounted in each channel bar, pins pivotally connecting the standards with the adj acent rods, and links connecting the front with the forward lever on each side of the drawer.

39 1d. A drawer having anormally vertical' tiltable front and follower, means operatively connecting said front and follower, said nieans comprising a forwardly projecting standard on each side of the follower, a plurality of levers pivotally-mounted on each side of the drawer in parallel relation, a horizontally extending channel bar on each side of the drawer pivotally suspended from the lower ends of the adjacent levers, a rod slid;

E3@ ably mounted in each channel bar, pins pivotally connecting the standards with the adjacent rods, and linksconnecting said front with the forward levers on each sideof the drawer, said levers extending downwardly and slightly forwardly from their pivot supports when the front is vertical and having a substantial inclination rearwardly when the front is tilted outwardly.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscrib 3 my name this`18th day of September A. D.,

FREDERICK L. G. STRAUBEL. l