US20080185423A1

US20080185423A1 - Hanging file folder

Info

Publication number: US20080185423A1
Application number: US11/671,393
Authority: US
Inventors: Chih-Ying Chou
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-02-05
Filing date: 2007-02-05
Publication date: 2008-08-07

Abstract

The combined hanging file folder structure includes a primary file cassette and at least one secondary file cassette. Each cassette contains a storage space, and an extension portion at a top of the storage space. A positioning portion is placed at the end of extension portion of the secondary file cassette. This positioning portion mates with a positioning portion at a back of the primary file cassette, forming an integrated structure of primary and secondary file cassettes. Furthermore, a positioning portion is placed at a lower part of the back of the secondary file cassette, allowing to mate with the positioning portion of another extension portion and leading to an expanded combination of secondary file cassettes.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO AN APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON COMPACT DISC

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a file folder structure, and more particularly to an innovative file folder which flexibly combines storage spaces of hanging file folders and handheld file folders.
2. Description of Related Art
Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98.
A file folder refers to a file collector with a storage capacity. In modern commercial society, the portable file folder containing a variety of files is highly welcomed by the general public.
A file folder commonly used by people is typically designed with a flat cassette, which is divided into several storage spaces. The storage space is covered by a cover at top of the file folder. To meet the diversified customer requirements, a simple file folder, namely, a file folder of multiple storage spaces, is designed for industry. This file folder has a rectangular shape after unfolding, and the storage space is vertically arranged at intervals. To carry the file folder, the file folder could be folded into a smaller one.
However, the following disadvantages for this file folder are found during actual applications. In spite of the fact that the multiple spaces of the typical file folder accommodate more files and can also be folded for easier carrying, it is impossible to maintain a thin profile after a number of files are placed therein. Thus, the user has to take a bigger file folder even if only a little amount of files are carried, leading to inconvenience and inflexibility in response to the users' demands.
Thus, to overcome the aforementioned problems of the prior art, it would be an advancement in the art to provide an improved structure that can significantly improve efficacy.
To this end, the inventor has provided the present invention of practicability after deliberate design and evaluation based on years of experience in the production, development and design of related products.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Based upon an innovative hanging file folder of the present invention, a positioning portion is placed at the end of an extension portion of a primary file cassette. The positioning portion is also mated with a corresponding positioning portion at a back of a secondary file cassette, so that the primary and secondary file cassettes are assembled together or disassembled to meet diversified customer demands. If only a small amount of files are to be carried, the user may only pick up a single file cassette, thereby greatly reducing the volume of the file folder and carrying files more conveniently. If a number of files are to be carried, the user could combine file cassettes into an integrated and portable file folder with improved flexibility and practicability.
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an assembled perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of primary and secondary file cassettes of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows an enlarged and isolated cross-sectional view of primary and secondary file cassettes of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the hanging file folder in a combined and hanging state.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a single file cassette, the hanging file folder being in a disassembled and non-combined state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The features and the advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood upon a thoughtful deliberation of the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 depict the improved hanging file folder structure of the present invention. The structure is provided for explanatory purposes only. The scope of the patent is set by the claims.
The hanging file folder 01 comprises a primary file cassette 10, which contains an internal storage space 11, and an extension portion 12 placed at the top of the storage space 11. The extension portion 12 is provided with a hanging portion 13. There is a positioning portion 14 placed at a lower part of the back of primary file cassette 10 (shown in FIG. 3).
There is also at least one secondary file cassette 20, which contains an internal storage space 21, and an extension portion 22 placed at the top of the storage space 21. There is a positioning portion 24 placed at the end of extension portion 22 of secondary file cassette 20. The positioning portion 24 mates securely with positioning portion 14 of the primary file cassette 10, forming an integrated structure of secondary file cassette 20 and primary file cassette 10. Furthermore, a positioning portion 26 is placed at a lower part of the back 25 of secondary file cassette 20, allowing the positioning portion 26 to mate with a positioning portion 24B of extension portion 22B and leading to an expanded combination of secondary file cassettes 20, 20B (note: secondary file cassettes 20, 20B have the same structural characteristics).
The storage spaces 11, 21 of the primary file cassette 10 and secondary file cassette 20 may be formed into a single cassette, or a plurality of space structures.
Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the positioning portions 14, 24, 26 comprise a snapping member 31 and a linking tape 32. The snapping member 31 is made of male and female buttons, and the linking tape 32 (or adhesive tape) is a readily available customized fixing member.
The extension portions 12, 22 are also fully covered onto the top of respective storage spaces 11, 21 of primary file cassette 10 and secondary file cassette 20. Furthermore, taking secondary file cassette 20 as an example, a snapping portion 33 is placed on the snapping member 31 outside of the storage space 21 opposite to the positioning portion 24 of extension portion 22, thereby securely fixing the covered extension portion 22.
Based upon above-specified structures, the present invention operates as described herein.
Referring to FIG. 5, when primary file cassette 10 and secondary file cassette 20 are combined together, the primary file cassette 10 could be hung on a hook 41 on the wall 40 via the hanging portion 13 of the extension portion 12. So, the combined hanging file folder 01 of the present invention is hung, and the file cassettes are assembled in a combined way.
Since the primary file cassette 10 and secondary file cassette 20, as well as other secondary file cassettes 20B are assembled and connected through the positioning portions 14, 24, 26, the cassettes can also be removed or disassembled (shown in FIG. 2). Thus, if only a small amount of files are to be carried, the user may only pick up a single file cassette. FIG. 6 depicts a secondary file cassette 20B carried by the user. In such case, the extension portion 22 is covered onto top of the storage space 21, so the user could grasp directly the exterior of the extension portion 22, or a handle may be provided at exterior of the extension portion 22 for the users.

Claims

1. A combined hanging file folder structure, comprising:

a primary file cassette, having an internal storage space, an extension portion being placed at a top of said internal storage space and being provided with a hanging portion, and a positioning portion placed at a lower part of a back of said primary file cassette; and

at least one secondary file cassette, having an internal storage space, an extension portion being placed at a top of said internal storage space, and a attachment portion being placed at an end of said extension portion of said secondary file cassette, said attachment portion securely mating with said positioning portion of said primary file cassette, said secondary file cassette further comprising a second positioning portion being placed at a lower part of a back of said secondary file cassette, said second positioning portion being mated with an attachment portion on said extension portion.

2. The structure defined in claim 1, wherein each internal storage space of the primary and secondary file cassettes are formed by a single volume or a plurality of space structures.

3. The structure defined in claim 1, wherein said positioning portion comprises a snapping member and a linking tape.

4. The structure defined in claim 1, wherein said extension portion fully covers a top of each internal storage space of the primary and secondary file cassettes.