US2331471A - Card index system and device therefor - Google Patents

Description

Och- 112, 1943A` J. J. Hon-agen 2,331,471

um nEvIcE THEREFQR F'ia e. 15', 1941 4 sheets-sheet 1 H "Il' l, ,l j* CD'Gg. @IVG IGH' I nu Ulf y Hf m ,In "JIL @1MM/JW 1 m www? t 'A G NJB-@w14 0d l2, 1943 ,.1. J. lImmune CARD INDEX SYSTEM 4AND DEVICE THEHFOR rma uw. is, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 (Jse J @r/6. f WW M fl J.' .1.l HoLLEcK.

cRUI-NDEX SYSTEM AND DEVICE THEREFOR Filed nee. is, 1941 4 sheets-sheet s ATT@ K Obi .12,1943 J. J.*HOL'.LEK 2,331,471 'A man mpsx SYSTEM AND DEVICE THEREFOR nxe'dntoils. 1941 4 sheets-sheet 4 BY 'W @wm Patented Oct. l2, 1943 CARD INDEX SYSTEM AND DEVICE THEREFOR Joseph J. Holleck, Berwyn, Ill.

Application December 15, 1941, Serial No. 422,975

8 Claims.

My invention is directed to quick sorting indexed posting sheets or cards which are advantageously adapted for commercial uses, and is also directed to a system of selection and sorting of such cards, sheets or blanks and to a novel and inexpensive apparatus or device for use in connection therewith to permit relatively quick sorting, selection, withdrawal andreplacement of cards of certain groups and classifications.

My novel invention is particularly advantageous in posting and recording of characteristics, data or the like in recording and posting systems when it is frequently desirable to quickly segregate and withdraw for posting or other purposes certain cards or blanks, various groups of which have characteristics common to each other.

An important object of my invention is the provision of reversible sorting indexed cards or blanks which have either the upper edge portion alone or the upper and the lower edge portions cut to form a plurality of spaced apart recesses within the normal connes of the normaledge or edges of the card and non-protruding, and where the recesses are so cut and spaced that certain parts of the card edge portions remain uncut though punched to form apertures therethrough, to thereby form so-called punched tabs or extensions, the location and punching of which tabs designate certain characteristics and classifications.

A further object of my invention is the provision of cards or blanks on which posting or other record may be made, aplurality of such cards providing a vnovel system of card maintenance and method of sorting, segregation and replacement, and wherein either the upper edge portion alone or both the upper and lower edge port-ions are cut with edge opening spaced apart recesses and provided with unrecessed tab-like integral edge portions which are apertured so that classifications or characteristics are indicated by the location of said apertures in the card itself to cause the apertures indicating common characteristics to be aligned in a group of adjacently placed cards to permit their quick sorting and withdrawal.

A further object' of my invention is the provision of a receptacle-like device or apparatus adapted to hold a plurality of punched and edgeV recessed cards of my invention and which includes means for temporarily locking the cards from upward withdrawal when a selected group of cards is pulled upwardly therefrom, and which includes manually operable means for shifting the cards longitudinally -to be temporarily locked (Cl. L29-16.1)

from withdrawal by said locking means; and further to provide record-bearable cards, blanks or the like which have a plurality of spaced apart edge recesses therein, preferably both at the bottom and top, and selectively located apertures in the normally upper edge portions which are so located that cards having commonly located punchings may be readily and easily iirst shifted -longitudinally to locations wherein they will not engage said locking means when Withdrawn and which punchings are so located to permit insertion of an extracting rod or pin to engage cards of certain common classification for withdrawal and segregation.

A further object of my invention is the prvision of a plurality of record-bearable cards, blanks or the like having punchings or apertures located at pre-determined locations to indicate respective characteristics and classifications and having a plurality of edge opening recesses in the same edge portions of the cards bearing said punchings, the punchings being so located that a portion of the respective card apertures will be obstructed by the adjacent tab-like card portions respectively when the cards are in locked positionwithin a suitable retaining receptacle, and wherein the remaining portions of the card apertures will be aligned with recesses in the cards to permit manual insertion of an extractor rod or the like when cards of certain classifications are to be manually withdrawn with the aid of such` extractor rod either directly in vertical direction or in first longitudinal shifting movement and thence vertical withdrawal thereof.

A further object of my invention is the provision of means preferably in the form of specially constructed apertured tabs adapted to be quickly and easily aiiixed -to any one of a number of desired locations along the longitudinal edge or edges of a card whereby a multiple classication of pre-indexed cards is obtained, so that a user may maintain in stock only one type of edge-recessed card to which suitable apertured tabs may be quickly affixed so that the location of the tab aperture will designate a particular characteristic or class of the record borne by said card.

An objectionable feature of some presently known card systems employing metal or paper projecting tabs is that only one characteristic or classification can be imparted to a card because of the necessarily single fixed location of such projecting tab, this in addition to the non-reversible objection and to the gradually increased expen'se incident to the separate tab and the aiiixing thereof in desired locations.

A further commonly known objectionable feature of some presently known card systems having upwardly projecting metal or paper tabs is that such separately used metal or paper tabs frequently become detached and thereby cause error in classification, and a further objectionable feature is that the cards are not reversible so that posting cannot be recorded upon the reverse side because the attempt to reverse such card changes the relative position of the tab with respect to the remaining cards of a series or group.

On the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of typical cards of iny invention showing only portions of some of the cards.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a typical receptacle, unit, cabinet, or the like, the said cards constituting a part of my invention.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the receptacle shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the desired form of extracting and shifting rod usable in connection with my invention.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the upper corner fragment of the card holder or receptacle showing the relative position of certain cards and holes and slots thereof before being shifted to unlocked position from which they may be removed.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view similar to Fig. 5 and showing in cross section the inserted extractor and shifting rod before the cards of a certain classification are to be removed from the receptacle. i

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing a cross sectional fragment of the right hand wall of the card holder or receptacle and showing in cross section the extractor rod after it has been rotated substantially 90 degrees to cause longitudinal shifting of the engaged cards proposed to be removed.

other words, the group characteristic location may be first utilized to designate each of the cards having their longitudinal edge portion or portions provided with a plurality of edge opening slots or recesses I3, which are spaced apart in the manner illustrated in Fig. 1. Except as to those slots I3 adjacent to the identical apertured sections, said slots I3 are properly uniformly spaced to provide integral tongues I4 whose ends constitute the previously existing edge of the blank from which the cards are cut. 'I'he slots I3 are preferably of rectangular form, thereby imparting corresponding form to the integral tongues I 4.

Cards like A," which have no group classification hole, are designated as a group R. Cards of group R, having no aperture therein, may constitute and designate one primary characteristic or feature of the data or record which those cards represent. This card would not be Withdrawn in the hereinafter described manner, though inasmuch as all the remaining cards which have apertures are removable in the described manner,

the cards of group R, as representing one primary characteristic, are thereby capable of segregation and subsequent withdrawal.

Cards like group B may be classified into dif'- ferent classes by not forming one or more slots I3, but forming instead by punching or the like suitable holes or apertures I5 in one or more desirably located integral edge areas or sections I6. For example, card B has its section I6 at the upper left provided with two apertures I5.

Referring to Fig. 1, cards B, C and H have the rst or primary characteristic, designated for brevity as S, which is common to the three cards,

Fig. 8 is an elevational view of a portion of one edge-recessed card bearing three partially aiiixed apertured tabs and one totally aiiixed apertured tab, which tabs are adapted to be used in any one of the desired locations for the purposes herein explained.

Fig. 9 is a partially cross sectional and partially perspective view taken on lines 9 9 of Fig. 8, showing a small fragment of the tab.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 shows completely one master card A and the upper portions of typical additional cards or blanks B to I inclusive. Reference numeral specifically described as to one card is to be understood as applying to corresponding parts, features or characteristics which are borne on other cards or blanks, only parts of typical additional cards being shown.

Each card generally designated by numeral I0, is of substantially rectangular or square-like form having upper longitudinal edge I I and longitudinal opposite edge I2.

It is to be understood that while I have illustrated in Fig. 1 cards or blanks I0 which have both the upper and lower edges slotted, and punched or apertured, that nevertheless my invention includes cards which have only one longitudinal edge slotted and apertured in the disclosed manner with highly satisfactory results and advantageous practice of my invention. In

shown in Fig; 1. The first two positions or sections of the card which are designated on the master card A as S and T are the positions corresponding to the rst two slots of said master card. In the illustrated example of the drawings,"

S and T are used to designate groups or primary characteristics. These first classications or sections S and T are therefore vused for so-called.`

group classification; such term group classiwill have one or the other primary characteristic which is herein designated by S. or T.

In cards D, E, F, G, H, and I, the characteristics borne by said respective cards are designated by forming the integral tongue portions at the respective locations as indicated. In other words, the locations of the various apertures I5 are such that they will be substantially aligned with one of the remaining slots in the master card and each aperture location (as Well as the location of the correspondingly aligned slot on the master card) designates certain classes or characteristics which are preferably recorded in proper positions.

on the master cards as well as on the face of the front wall of the retaining receptacle hereinafter described. It will bel noted that card I is so punched and formed that six characteristics are designated by the respective apertures therein in the desired locations to correspond to what that characteristic comprises.

Similarly, any one card may be so formed that it will designate one, two or more group primary characteristics and as many additional subcharacteristics as correspond to the number of the remaining slots and aperture locations remaining on the master.

The primary characteristic on the respective cards and the class classification may be repeated to indicate the sub-characteristics, if any, on the respective cards, as for example, card H.

It is to be understood that the number of slots and of apertures may be varied according to desired requirements and within the limits permissible by the size o'f cards used. It is apparent that this system of classification permits a wide variety of individual and combination or mixed classifications to be obtained and designated. As an example in a 16 hole or 16 position or section system, the first four positions or sections could be used as group or primary characteristic designations and the remaining twelve as class positions as indicating additional or secondary characteristics of classes.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, reference numeral I'I designates a suitable box-like receptacle or cabinet which may be made of metal, wood or other suitable material and which is preferably 'of substantially rectangular form. Said receptacle or container I1 has a forward wall I8, rear wall I9, which may be either stationary or movable, and left and right hand end or side walls 20 and 2| respectively, said side walls 20 and 2I and end walls being connected together as well as-to suitable bottom (not shown). The forward or-front-.wall I8 has its upper longitudinal edge provided withza plurality of spaced apart recesses or'slots 22,` which are spaced equadistant from eachi other, and which form integral tongue like extensions 23 lwhose side edges partially dene the said recesses or slots. These slots '22 and the respectivel 'slots I3 of the indexed cards to be usedthereinzare correspondingly slotted, that is, the slots'nrefthe same distance apart in both, with the exceptions of the non-slotted apertured portions or sections which have been hereinbefore describedl andl illustrated in Fig. 1.

yThe wall'lilis provided at its upper end with upperfopelnin'g slots 22 in the same manner as the front wall IB' and the slots 22 thereof are located identically to the 'slots in the front Wall I8. f1`he` integrall upwardly extending tongues of the back arejdvesignated in Figs. 2, 5, 6 and 7 as 23-;a.. 1-

Inv Figs. vandx, I have shown a plurality of cards `substantially filling the receptacle I'I, the resp-ectiveijslotsforrecesses I3 of the cards forming groeves-aslindicated in said figures, .which are in a'lignrreI t with the recesses or slots 22 when the cards are 'lowered and placed into the cabinet.

In onefpreferred form of my invention, such as illustratedA fri-Figs. 1 to 7 inclusive, the respective cards IIlya'r'e .slightly shorter than the inside dimension between the side or end walls 20 and 2I so as to provide for longitudinal movement of the respective cards into and from releasably lockedpositions as here described.

When any of the cards are lowered or dropped into the cabinet, thereupon they assumethe position illustrated by the card shown in Fig. 7 wherein the edges of the round aperture will coincide'sub'stantially with the lateral edges which define the corresponding slots, the diameter of said apertures I being substantially equal to the Width of the card slots I3 and the receptacle wall slots 22.

Referring to the right hand end of Figs. 3, 4;

ably formed by bending the upper edge of s'aid wall horizontally and inwardly and thence downwardly to form a downwardly engaging and extending portion of said ange 24, which is spaced a short distance from the main portion of the wall 2I as shown in Figs. 5 to 7 inclusive. This flange 24 is adapted to function as retaining or locking means to prevent. withdrawalof the cards when groups of a certain classification are being removed from the receptacle.

When any cards are placed into the box or receptacle, the cards are positioned as illustrated by the front card in Fig.- 7. Only two cards are shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7. the rearmost one, Illa, being slightly upraised for` clarity. When said cards are dropped or placed in as stated, their right hand edges are spaced froml the end wall 2|. The cards of one or more desired groups may be manually shifted longitudinally toward the right hand end wall 2I so that their upper right hand corner portions will be positioned below the depending retaining or locking fiange 24 in the'manner illustrated by the two cards shown in Fig. 6. This longitudinal movement or shifting of the cards to so-called locked position within the receptacle may be accomplished manually by either pushing the` cards themselves from above or byplacing a suitable instrument such as a rule against their left hand ends and pushing thereagainst, or by means of a hingedly mounted cam member 25 as shown at the left of Figs. 1 and 2. Said hingedly mounted cam member is preferably in the form of an elongated metal strip which has its inner surface preferably rounded as indicated and which is provided with a suitable hinge knuckle 26 which is pivotally mounted by means of a suitable pintle as shown through extended portions of the front and back walls so that said cam or pusher member is swingably mounted in a horizontally extending opening formed in the end wall 2U. Where a pushing or shifting element of this type is utilized, the operator merely presses his finger against the outer surface of the cam member 25 to cause said cam member to push those cards which are to be longitudinally shifted in the opposite direction so that their opposite edges are substantially against the right hand end wall 2l.

' It is to be noted that when the cards I0 are shifted to'locked position partially below the locking flange 24 as illustrated in Fig. 6, the right hand portions of the apertures or holes I5 of the shifted cards are beyond and to the right 0f the vertical plane passing through the left hand edges of the card tongue portion or section which defines slots which are in substantial alignment therewith. In other words, when said cards are shifted to the right as described to locked position, in elevational view only a large Portion (preferably substantially more than one-half thereof) of the aligned apertures I5 is visible when looking horizontally at the front or the back of the retaining receptacle.

In Fig. 4 I have illustrated in perspective a. suitable extractor rod 21 which may be utilized for convenient removal of any group of cards of desired classification by insertion of the rod through the front wall slots 22 and through the apertures of certain cards which may be aligned therewith, and also if desired such insertion may continue through the correspondingly aligned slots 22 of the rear receptacle wall. When such insertion is made, the cards of any particular class or group may be directly'lifted up and withdrawn from the remaining'cards when the same are not in position to be locked by any locking flange. I

desire it to be understood that my system, device and cards may be satisfactorily operated merely by vertical removal and vertical replacing movement of the cards into the ends in the described manner, without any of the cards being locked in the manner which I also described herein.

the retaining flange 24, the important novel accomplishment of this being that cards of a desired and'selected group are manually shifted so that they will n'ot engage the locking flange upon withdrawal, the remaining cards which are in the receptacle, and particularly those which are in frictional engagement with the cards which are withdrawn, will not be also undesirably removed from the receptacle.

I have illustrated and described herein one novel method of shifting the cards to unlocked position with the utilization cf my novelly constructed receptacle having slotted walls as stated. The extractor rod 2l has its diametrically opposite side surfaces substantially fiat so that in cross `section said extractor rod almost defines a rectangle as illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7. This extractor rod 21 is inserted into the aligned apertures of any particularly desired group to be withdrawn as well as through the correspondingly wall slots 22 in the end and back wall of the receptacle, and thereupon the extractor rod is manually rotated a distance of substantially 90 degrees either to the left or to the right to substantially the position shown in Fig. 7. This partially rotating movement causes one of the rounded narrower surfaces of the extractor rod to slidably engage against the right hand edges of the front and back walls which dene the two correspondingly located slots 22 and simultaneously by cam-like action push or shift the cards so engaged longitudinally so that the right hand ends of the so engaged and shifted cards will clear the locking flange 24 upon vertical withdrawal. At the same time the cards which have not been so manually shifted will remain in their normally locked position, and when any thereof are pulled upwardly due to friction with the cards actually desired to be withdrawn, the lockf ing flange 24 will engage the upper corners in such cards to cause the same to be retained in the receptacle.

It is evident that by use of an extractor rod of the described type, the user of my device and system will withdraw only the desired group of cards without disrupting the remaining cards which otherwise would be withdrawn and then dropped out to necessitate refilling thereof.

In Fig. 8 I have illustrated the same card I0 of the general type which has been hereinbefore described and having the spaced apart slots I3 providing the integral tongues Il. It is possible that in some instances where the volume of my pre-indexed card is limited, there might be the objection of carrying inventory of a number of separate groups oi pre-indexed and pre-cut cards wherein each group was differently precut according to the characteristic designated by the location of the aperture of the card section. To enable users of my pre-indexed cards and my system and apparatus to buy only one type of cards, that is, cards all cut, slotted or trated in Figs. 8 and 9. In Fig. 8 the same card I0 of the type hereinbefore described is utilized, a plurality of such cards being cut uniformly and where desired may all be cut and punched' uniformly in one corresponding location to designate a primary classification or characteristic. The purchaser or user, having such identical cards in stock for continuous use, may satisfactorily use the method and system hereinbefore described of designating one or more sub-characteristics or primary characteristics by afllxing or adhering one or more tabs 29 of paper, fabric or other suitable material. Each of the tabs 28 is provided with one or more spaced apart holes 30 substantially as illustrated in Fig. 8, and said tabs carry along their lateral end areas of one surface thereof adhesive coatings or cement 3l. In Fig. 8 the three tabs, each having originally two spaced holes formed therein, and shown at the left have only one half thereof afllxed to the opposite surface of the card and partially to the edge portions of the respective adjacent tongues, and the portions of said three left hand tabs in Fig. 8 which extend above the upper end of said tongues are, after moistening of the adhesive, bent transversely and adhered to the other or forward side surface of the card and tongues so that the two holes 30 of each tab are in registry and are disposed in one of the card slots i3. When one or more of the tabs 29 are to be affixed, the user will ailix the same in the particular location so that the aperture therethrough will itself designate by its position a, characteristie or class possessed by the card, When the tab is to be afxed in a position wherein one of the tongues i4 might partially or wholly obstruct the registering holes 30, the user may merely tear off the particular tongue, and the tab is affixed, so that the registering holes of the tab will be in the desired position and accessible to an extractor rod for removing movement.

It will be understood that in a plurality of such record cards bearing said axed tabs in positions to designate respective characteristics, the holes of the tabs designating common characteristic will be in alignment when the cards are in adjacent substantially upward position, and that the operator may readily insert an extractor rod, for example like 21, and having thereby engaged the cards of the selected characteristic with said rod, the operator may readily move said rod to shift the engaged cards longitudinally tol place same so that upon vertical up- 'ward withdrawal the end portions of such engaged cards will clear and not engage the locking flange of the container. Similarly, the apertured tabs 29 may be secured so that they are in vFig. 6, and so that when an extractor rod 2l is rotated, it will shift longitudinally those cards .which are engaged by said rod through their recessed identically, I provide the following' apertures, and thereafter be removable upwardly as hereinbefore described.

It will be apparent that, with the utilization and selective securance of tabs in the desired locations as has been described, the user may carry in stock only one style or type of card which may best fit his particular purpose, and he may selectively designate one or more of a plurality of characteristics of the card by mounting of the apertured tab as stated and at the same time utilize the 'method and system of exspacing of the slots of the cards, the apertures tracting Igroups -of cardsl possessing common A spondingly slotted or apertured at their opposite longitudinal edges and also that the apertured tabs may be afllxed rst to one edge and then to the opposite edge to permit use of both sides of the card without disruption of the index.

Another feature of' my said pre-indexed cards and the illustrated method of use is that they permit the use of common alphabetical or numerical index systems without impairing their own efliciency as to additional characteristics, and that they are capable of classification impossible under any other method.

I am aware that various changes may be made in the embodiment of the invention herein specifically described without departing from or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention or any features thereof, and nothing in the above specification shall be construed as limitations upon the invention, its concept or structural embodiment as to the whole or any part thereof.

I claim:

1. In a card record device; a plurality of cards having integral apertured sections located along their longitudinal edges to designate varying characteristics, and provided with spaced apart edge-opening slots in edge areas other than said apertured section or sections; said slots forming extending tongue-like portions therebetween; a card retaining receptacle of substantially rectangular form having the front and back walls thereof provided with spaced apart upwardly opening slots which are spaced apart similarly to the spacing of the slots of said cards, the section apertures in said cards being so located that portions of said apertures are obstructed by tongue-like portions of other adjacent cards when the cards are correspondingly positioned within said receptacle; an angularly and inwardly extending flange on one side wall of said receptacle and adapted to releasably lock the cards when said cards are all in corresponding positions with edg'e portions thereof below said flange; and a cam-like non-round extractor rod adapted to be inserted in visible portions of any group of aligned section apertures and then moved to engage certain tongue-like portions to provide for longitudinal shifting of the engaged cards with respect to the remaining cards in the receptacle and to free them from said flange to permit upwardly withdrawal of the engaged group without the other cards accompanying said engaged group of cards.

2. In a card record device; a plurality of cards having integral apertured sections located along a longitudinal edge to designate varying characteristics, and provided with spaced apart edge opening slots in the edge areas thereof, said slots forming integral tongues adjacent thereto; a card retaining receptacle of substantially rectangular form having the front and back walls thereof provided with spaced apart upwardly opening slots which are spaced the same as the in said cards being so located that portions of.

said apertures are-obstructed by tongues of other adjacent cards when the cards are correspondingly positioned within said receptacle; an angularly and inwardly extending flange element on one side wall of said receptacle and adapted to engage the end portions of cards whose end portions are below said flange to prevent upwardly withdrawal of said cards; and an extractor member adapted to be inserted in any group of aligned apertures and then moved to engage certain tongues to provide longitudinal shifting of the engaged cards from beneath said flange and to permit upward withdrawal of the engaged and shifted group, without the other cards accompanying said engaged group of cards.

3. In a card record device, a plurality of cards having integral apertured sections Ilocated along a longitudinal edge to designate varying characteristics, and provided-with spaced apart edge opening slots in edge areas thereof, said slots` able in said receptacle by means of insertion of a movable rod into any row of aligned apertures and slots; an angularly andfinwardly extending flange element on l,one side Wall of said receptacle and adaptedto engage the end portions of cards whose end portions are below said flange to prevent upwardly withdrawal of said cards; the

section apertures of any aligned group of apertures and corresponding obstructing tongues being engageable by a manually actuable rod insertable therethrough and through correspondingly aligned slots on said receptacle wall sections which, when moved, will shift said engaged cards longitudinally to clear said ange element on withdrawal of said shifted cards.

4. In a card record device, a card-retaining receptacle of substantially rectangular form having front and back walls provided with spaced apart upwardly opening slots; a flange on the upper portion of one side wall of said receptacle adapted to engage an end portion of cards to normally prevent upward withdrawal of said cards; a plurality of record-bearable cards in said receptacle and of lengths shorter than the inner transverse dimension of said receptacle; said cards having a plurality of spaced apart slots opening upon a' longitudinal edge thereof and forming integral tongue portions therebetween; on or more of said slots being wider than the remainder thereof; one or more adhered tabs adhesively secured to the card and over said wider'slot or slots, each of said tabs having an aperture therein, said secured tabs being in such position as to make the aperture partially visible through partially aligned slots of other adjacent correspondingly positioned cards though in nonalignment with such slots of adjacent cards, the position of said aperture and said tab being adapted to designate a characteristic of the record borne by said card and providing means whereby the card hearing same may be withdrawn from a group of adjacent cards; and a rod insertaale into the apertures of the aligned adhered tabsand through the non-aligned slots of other cards in the same row of said receptacle, said rod, after said insertion, being rotatable to longitudinally shift the engaged cards to position same so that upon upward withdrawal thereof, the end portions will not engage said retaining flange.

5. In a card sorting and retaining device adapted for usewith reversible cards having spaced apart edge opening slots and each of which cards has apertures in one edge portion located to designate individual characteristics; said apertures being located in non-alignment with the edge opening slots though only partially aligned with said slots; a rectangular receptacle having opposite side walls and a front wall having edge opening slots therein spaced similarly to the card slots; a flange-like member on one side wall of said receptacle extending inwardly to overlie end portions of cards placeable in said receptacle, which cards are shorter than the inside dimension of said receptacle, said ange t member being adapted to prevent upwardly recard shifting movement thereof, being adapted to simultaneously frictionally engage the edge portions of slots of other cards not being shifted to withdrawable position to thereby hold said non-shifted cards in normally locked position.

6. In a card blank record system, a plurality of record-bearable blanks of substantially uniform size and each having integral apertured sections located along its longitudinal edges, the locations of said apertured sections being adapted to designate varying characteristics; said blanks each having a plurality of spaced apart edge opening slots in edge areas other than said apertured sections, the slots of the same characteristic groupbeing in alignment, certain of said apertures being out of alignment with certain slots; the apertures of said sections being partially obstructed by certain integral sections of other cards when said cards are positioned in uniform adjacent relation; and a manually operable nBn-round card extractor rod adapted to be cards a short distance to the left to position said cards, said rod during such movement moving from the right side of the slots of the nonengaged cards to the center thereof.

7. In a card blank-record system, a plurality of record-bearable blanks of substantially uniform size and each having integral apertured sections located along their longitudinal edges, the locations oi said apertured sections being adapted to designate varying characteristics; said blanks each having a plurality of spaced apart edge opening slots and edge areas separate from said apertured sections; certain of said blanks having apertured sections in non-alignment with edge slots of other of said blanks; and a manually operable non-round extractor rod adapted to be inserted in any one of a group of aligned apertures designating a particular' characteristic to thereby engage the group of cards desired to be moved and withdrawn from the remainder thereof, said rod being of such size and shape so that upon rotation said rod is adapted to shift the engaged cards to the left to thereby segregate the said engaged cards.

8. In a card sorting and retaining device adapted for use with cards having spaced apart edge opening slots and apertures in the edges of said cards and located to designate individual characteristics; a rectangular receptacle having opposite side walls and a front wall having edge opening slots therein spaced similarly to the card slots; one of said side walls having an opening therein; a plurality of cards having spaced apart edge apertures and edge-opening slots therein, said slots forming tabs therebetween; said card apertures being positioned in the edge portions of various cards or in said tabs in nonalignment with the edge opening slots of other of said cards so that when certain cards are in identical adjacent positions, the card apertures overlie lateral edge portions'of tabs of other cards; a flange-like member on one side wall of said receptacle extending inwardly to normally overlie end portions of cards placed in said receptacle, said cards being shorter than the inside dimension of said receptacle, said member preventing removal of cards from within the receptacle unless the same are shifted longitudinally to clear said member in withdrawing movement; a non-round cam-like extractor rod adapted to be inserted through any one of the receptacle wall slots and through correspondingly aligned card slots and through portions of apertures of cards positioned in the same row, said extractor rod, when rotated, being adapted to engage the edge portions of a Wall slot or slots of certain cards to cause longitudinal shifting of the cards which are engaged by said rod through their apertures to permit such cards, when withdrawn, to clear said flange member; and a manually actuable pusher member pivotally mounted at said side wall opening to permit manual longitudinal shifting of the cards.

JOSEPH J. HOLLECK.

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