US1990020A - Indexing device - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 5, 1935. R. o. BLACKWOOD INDEXING DEVICE Filed July 24, 1933 5 0. B/q /KWWL pvvev T 08 T 9) W W 0 5 W 2 3233 m w 5% M j m Patented Feb. 5, 1935 UNITED STATES 1,990,020 7 INDEXING DEVICE Robert Oii'icer Blackwood, Melbourne, Victoria, Y Australia Application July 24, 1933, Serial No. 682,009 In Australia March 30, 1933 3 Claims. (CI. 40-65) This invention has reference to an improved indexing device and has been devised to provide such a device that will be comparatively cheap to manufacture and of a neat and compact appearance and readily manipulatable in order to bring before the user the desired information for reference.

' The object of the invention is to provide an indexing device having a cabinet or casing with an open front from which selected sheets or leaves may be withdrawn or allowed to be positioned into the view of the user.

An indexing device in accordance with my present invention may comprise a cabinet or casing with an open front and in which is disposed a nest or plurality of indexed sheets or leaves arranged in spaced and slidable relationship on a detachable base, the nest of sheets or leaves beingdisposed in grooves or the like and adapted to be independently operated, the detachable base being for the purpose of obtaining access to the nest of said sheets during-the assembly of the indexing matter disposed thereon.

An important feature embodied in my. invention comprises the mounting of the indexed sheets or leaves in recesses, grooves or corrugations positioned in the upper and lower portion of the cabinet, each lower recess or groove being provided with a stop with which is adapted to engage a protruding pin or the like on the inner and lower end of each sheet to prevent said sheet becoming detached from its respective grooves during the normal operation of withdrawing the sheets for viewing the indexing matter contained thereon,

Another important feature embodied in my invention is the employment of a detachable base on which the lower grooves or recesses are disposed, the said base being adapted to be removed from the cabinet bringing with it the complete nest of slides to facilitate the assembling of the apparatus and the carrying out of any repairs or adjustments; 1

Another important feature embodied in my invention is the employment of means for. withdrawing the detachable base from the cabinet said means preferably comprising a handle or the like mounted to the detachable base and having downwardly projecting L-shaped lugs, the horizontal portions of which engage with the underside of the base of the cabinet when the detachable base is normally positioned within said cabinet so that, on lifting the device, portion of the strain is taken by the fixed base of the cabinet.

Now in order that my invention may be more readily understood reference will be made to the accompanying drawing in which:-

Figure 1 is a perspective View of the indexing device constructed in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the indexing device.

1 Figure 3 is a sectional side elevation of the indexing device.

Figure 4 is a detail of the supporting means mounted to the detachable base plate.

According to one form of carrying my invention into practical effect the indexing device pref erably comprises a. cabinet or casing 6 of substantially rectangular formation and of desired height the front face '7 of the cabinet or casing 6 being open to permit one or more of a nest of sheets or leaves 8 carrying information thereon to be withdrawn for reference at the will of the operator. The sheets or leaves 8 incorporating the descriptive matter for indexing purposes are slidably mounted within the cabinet 6 upon a detachable base plate 9 disposed in the floor or bottom 10 of the cabinet 6 the said base plate 9 carrying longitudinal grooves, recesses or corrugations 11 disposed in parallel relationship to one another and corresponding to a further set of grooves, recesses or corrugations 12 mounted to or disposed in the upper portion of the cabinet 6. These grooves 11 and 12 may be made up in any desired manner and of any desired material for example, wood, metal, fibre or the like. They may be cut, moulded or pressed, and adapted to have incorporated therein balls, rollers or the like to minimize friction and provide smooth operation of the sheets 8 within said grooves 11 and The sheets or leaves 8 are preferably composed of sheet metal with horizontal recessed edges 13 at the top and bottom to accommodate paper sheets or cards 14 for indexing purposes, the cards 14 being detachable in the usual manner and with the sheets or leaves 8 constructed in accordance with this invention suitable clips 15 are incorporated to prevent the cards or paper sheets 14 from curving outwardly at their centres so as to positively keep same flat against the wall of the metal sheet or leaf 8.

If desired in lieu of the metal sheets 8 same may be made of cardboard, fibre or any other suitable material. As previously described each leaf or sheet 8 has a card 14 or the. like attached thereto of similar shape and dimensions, the card 14 being indexed with any particular information which the user may require and the sheets 8 are indexed in alphabetical order so that same may be withdrawn from the cabinet when it is desired to use or acquire the information thereon.

The bottom or floor 10 of the cabinet or casing 6 is extended forwardly of the front open face as at 16 in order that the detachable base plate 9 carrying the sheets or leaves 8 may be moved outwardly a desired distance or clear of the interior of the cabinet 6 to permit the sheets or leaves 8 being interchanged, or assembled in the first instance or removed to facilitate the positioning of the indexed cards 14 thereon. The forward end of the detachable base 9 is provided with a handle 17 to facilitate the movement of the said base 9 in and out of the cabinet 6, the base plate 9 being of particular utility in that it affords a quick movement of the nest of sheets 8.

Attached to or integral with the handle 17 are one or more downwardly projecting L-shaped lugs 18 so disposed that when the detachable base 9 is in normal position within the cabinet 6 the horizontal projecting portions of the lugs 18 engage with the underside of the base 10 of the cabinet 6, suitable recesses 19 being provided on the base 10 to receive the horizontal portion of the respective lugs 18 so that same do not protrude below the level of the base 10. These lugs 18 are for the purpose of transmitting portion of the strain to the base or bottom 10 of the cabinet 6 when the device is being transported from one position to another by the use of the handle 17 mounted on the end of the detachable base 9 thus preventing said detachable base 9 from being damaged during such transporation at the same time affording an efficient and simple means of attachment.

Each respective set of grooves is provided with a suitable stop 20 with which is adapted to engage a pin 21 or the like projection disposed on the inner and lower end of each sheet 8 the said stop 20 being so positioned as to maintain portion of the sheet 8 within the closed portion of the cabinet 6 in order that the said sheet 8 in its withdrawn position is maintained vertically and rigid by the upper portion of the cabinet 6 and the detachable base 9, the extended portion of the detachable base plate 9 providing supporting means for the sheet or leaf 8 in its withdrawn position.

Mounted within the cabinet 6 on the rear end thereof is a detachable transverse buffer 22 disposed approximately midway between the top and bottom of the cabinet 6. This buffer 22 may be composed of a resilient material for example rubber or it may be made of a felt or any other suitable material so as to provide silent operation when the withdrawn sheets 8 are returned to their normal position, the buffer 22 being of a desired'resiliency so that on the sheets 8 being expeditiously returned to their normal position they are not caused to be sprung forwardly out of alignment. If desired this buffer or ledge 22 may be formed with a plurality of grooves or recesses (not shown) to accommodate each selective edge of the sheets or leaves 8.

Across the open face '7 of the cabinet 6 is provided locking means whereby the normally positioned sheets 8 may be prevented from being withdrawn from the cabinet 6, said locking means preferably comprising lugs 23 projecting from each side of the cabinet 6 and disposed near the lower end thereof, the lugs 23 being provided with openings 24 to receive a headed transverse member 25 adapted to have engaged therewith a padlock 26 or the like preventing unauthorized persons from viewing the matter contained on the indexed sheets.

The walls of the cabinet project above the top thereof to form a receptacle 27 for holding stationery or any other desired articles.

What I claim is my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:-

1. An indexing device comprising a casing having an open front face, a freely slidable base plate within said casing, a nest of sheets or leaves slidably arranged in grooves within the casing, a handle mounted to the outer end of the slidable base for withdrawing said base and nest of sheets from the casing and means included with said handle for transmitting the strain to the casing when employing said handle for lifting purposes.

2. An indexing device comprising a casing having an open front face, the underside of the top of said casing having longitudinal grooves formed therein, a freely slidable base plate with in said casing the said base plate having longitudinal grooves disposed thereon, a plurality of independent sheets or leaves slidably and vertically disposed within said grooves, a stop provided adjacent the lower groove of each respective set of grooves, a projecting pin disposed adjacent the inner end of each sheet or leaf to permit the sheet being withdrawn from the cabinet a predetermined distance, an extended base portion of the casing beyond the open front to receive a corresponding extended portion of the slidable base plate and a handle fixed to the outer end of the sliding base the said handle having downwardly projecting lugs adapted to engage with the underside of the base of the casing when said sliding base is in normal position within the casing.

3. An indexing device comprising a casing having an open front face, the underside of the top of said casing having grooves formed therein, a freely slidable base plate within said casing the said base plate having grooves therein in alignment with the grooves in the top of the casing, a plurality of independent sheets or leaves slidably disposed within said grooves, stops or projections provided adjacent each groove in the slidable base plate, a projecting pin disposed on the inner end of each sheet or leaf the said pins being adapted to engage with their respective stops when the sheet or leaf is in its withdrawn position, an extended base portion of the casing beyond the open front, a corresponding extended portion of the sliding base, a handle fixed to the outer end of the extended sliding base for the purpose of withdrawing said base from the casing and means included with said handle to engage with the base of the casing to transmit the strain to said casing when employing the handle for lifting the device.

ROBERT OFFICER BLACKWOOD.

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