US2560701A - Backing sheet for manifold copies - Google Patents

Description

July 17, 1951 E. PHILLIPS BACKING SHEET FOR MANIFOLD COPIES jled July 5, 1947 lT'win j hiilipf INVENTOR.

BY QvWW A TTORNEY.

Patented July 17, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BACKING SHEET FOR MANIFOLD COPIES Erwin Phillips, New York, N. Y., assignor of twofifths to Albert Abraham, Jr., Oakwood, N. Y.

Application July 5, 1947, Serial No. 759,084

Claims. 1

The present invention relates to a backing sheet for use in typing manifold copies. More particularly, it relates to such a backing sheet adapted to receive and hold a plurality of sheets of typewriter carbon paper in semi-permanent relation to the sheet and to each other, while permitting repeated insertions and removal of original and onionskin or other manifold copy sheets to be impressed with typed characters in the usual fashion.

A particular object of the invention is to provide a backing sheet which will not only fulfill the ordinary functions of such a device, but will also provide a means whereby an assembled series of sheets may be inserted, removed, and reinserted in a typewriter at any time during the typing operation without disturbing the relationship of the several manifold copies so as to result in misalignment of the typed lines. Also, by providing for secure retention of carbon sheets both during the typing operation, and while removing and inserting sheets to be typed, the backing sheet according to this invention will result in substantial savings by reducing damage to the carbon paper and facilitating separation of the typed sheets from their association with the carbon paper. These and other objects and advantages of the backing sheet contemplated will be readily apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a backing sheet.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail section of a corner of a backing sheet showing a modified form of construction.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail section of a corner of another form of backing sheet.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional View, as along a line IV-IV of Fig. 1, of a backing sheet having a flap portion according to Fig. 3, and with manifold copy and carbon paper sheets assembled.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a backing sheet as shown in Fig. 3, showing the manifold copies partially withdrawn.

Fig. 6 is a perspective View of a modification of the device primarily for use as a carbon paper holder.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the backing sheet consists of a main body or sheet portion I, having a lower edge la and an upper edge, an obverse surface S and a reverse surface, and a flap portion 2, of similar characteristics, which is joined to the reverse surface of portion l by a hinge joint 2a along a line somewhat spaced from and parallel to the lower edge la of the sheet portion. Preferably this hinge joint 2a is spaced from the edge la by from one half inch to three quarters of an inch. As shown, particularly in Figs. 1 and 2, the portions I and 2 may be formed of one piece of stock, with the lower end of the sheet folded back and then forward to form a double reverse fold of which the first fold portion 3 is uniformly secured to the back of the sheet portion l, forming the edge l a, with the second fold forming the hinge joint 2a and flap 2.

In the form of sheet illustrated by Fig. 3, the flap portion 2 is a separate piece of stock joined to the back of the portion 1 as by a strip of a thin adhesive material, 22) folded to form the hinge joint 2a for the flap portion 2.

In either form of the sheet, the hinged flap portion 2 is provided with a series of substantially U-shaped incisions i, each defining a tongue 5. These incisions should be so located with respect to the lower edge la of the sheet lthat the base or root of each tongue is in a line intermediate the edge la and the lower end edge portion of the flap, and in spaced parallel relation thereto the tip extending into relatively closely spaced relation to the hinge joint 2a a distance greater than that between the root and the edge Ia. One or more similar tongues 5a, are provided adjacent the upper edge of the body portion 1 rooted in a line parallel to said edge.

In the form of construction illustrated b Fig. l, a modification is possible, shown in Fig. 2, according to which segments conforming to the shape of tongue members 5, are removed from the lower end of the sheet portion only. The removal of such segments forms a plurality of pockets 6 opening through the edge la and backed by the fold 3, into which the tongues 5 may fit.

The backing sheet as described is preferably formed of a material such as moderately heavy cellulose acetate film, Celluloid, or other flexible and resilient materials such as a treated paper. Flexibility of the sheet is essential in order to permit deformation in use to conform to the circumference of a typewriter platen, and a resilient material is required in order that the tongue members 5 may exert a clamping action against whatever may be inserted between them and body of the element in which they are formed.

In use of the backing sheet described, the hinged flap portion 2 is folded back, and the desired number of carbon paper sheets C- are folded over the lower edge la of the sheet portion I. The flap portion 2 is then brought forward against the back of the sheet portion l, with the tongues 5 deformed so as to overlap the edge la and the folded carbon paper sheets C. When this has been done, the manifold sheets M are inserted one by one between the carbon paper sheets, and the original or first sheet laid on top. In placing the manifold copy sheets, and the first sheet, the lower edges should be brought under the tongues 5 and engaged by their pressure against the carbon sheets and the lower edge of body portion I. When thus assembled with the manifold sheets properly aligned, the tongue members Be at the upper edge of the portion 1 are deformed and brought into overlapping engagement with the upper edges of the manifolded sheets. Suitable indicia and related means may be imprinted or otherwise applied to the obverse surface of the sheet I to assist in alignment of the manifold copies, or to facilitate the typing operation.

The completed assembly is illustrated by Fig. 4, and as thus shown the assembly of a backing sheet, carbon paper, and manifold copies may be inserted as an assembled unit in a typewriter or other similar machine in the customary fashion. An advantage is obtained by the use of the backing sheet described in that the assembly is of such nature that it may be repeatedly removed from and reinserted in a typewriter without disturbing the interrelationship of the several elements, and thereby such removal and reinsertion does not affect the uniformity and spacing of matter typed before or after removal and reinsertion. During the typing operation, when using the described backing sheet, corrections of errors may be made without disturbing the relationship of the elements forming the assembled unit by merely releasing the upper ends of the manifold sheets from engagement by tongue or tongues a, whereupon the sheets and carbons may be turned back in the usual fashion, errors erased and the sheets returned to engagement by the tongue or tongues 5a.

As shown in Fig. 5, when the typing operation has been completed, the manifold typewritten sheets M may be removed without disturbing the association of the carbon paper sheets C. The latter are retained in their association with each other and with the backing sheet by means of the pressure of tongues 5.

It is also contemplated that the features of the backing sheet disclosed may be adapted for use essentially as a carbon paper holder. In such event, as shown in Fig. 6, the body portion may be shortened to such extent as to merely provide support for the hinged portion 2, and a gripping surface for the tongues 5. For example, the body portion 1 may be shortened to a dimension substantially equal to that of the portion 3 shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and indicated by the dotted line lb designating the concealed edge of hinge portion 2a, and as similarly indicated in the showing of Figs. 3 and 5. In such form the tongue portion 5a is eliminated, the carbon sheets being folded over the edge portion la and held by the tongues 5, while the manifold sheets are held in position either by the tongues 5, or in the usual manner, by pressure of a typewriter platen. In all other respects, the elements of the device will be identical in form and function with those illustrated by Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive. The principal advantage of such a modification is to provide a convenient means for assembly and removal of carbon paper in a manifold set.

Although the invention has been illustrated and described in its preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that it is not to be considered as limited by such disclosure for the purpose of illustration, but only by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A manifolding device, comprising a body member of a flexible, resilient, sheet material having upper and lower end edge portions, a flap of a similar material, a two leaf hinge joint between said flap and body member laterally of said sheet, and disposed in parallel spaced relations to the lower end edge portion of said body member, one leaf of said hinge joint being secured to the reverse surface of said sheet, the other leaf, in cluding said flap, normally extending from said joint beyond the lower end edge portion in parallel surface relation to the lead portion secured to the reverse surface of said sheet, and a plurality of tongue members rooted in said flap along a line in parallel spaced relation to said lower end edge portion, each tongue extending toward the hinge joint for a distance greater than that between said line and said end edge portion, adapted for overlapping relation with said Portion.

2. A manifolding device according to claim 1, in which said flap portion is a separate element flexibly hinged to the reverse surface of the body portion along a line of flexure located in par allel, spaced relation to the lower edge of said body portion.

3. A manifolding device according to claim 2, in which said flap is an integral part of said sheet, comprising a double reverse fold thereof, of which the first fold forms the lower edge of said sheet, and one leaf of said hinge joint, and is secured to the reverse surface of said sheet, and the second fold forms said hinge joint the other leaf, and flap.

4. In a manifolding device according to claim 3, a plurality of shallow pockets in said sheet opening through said lower edge and backed by said first fold, each pocket adapted to receive a corresponding tongue element from said flap.

5. A manifolding device, comprising a sheet of a flexible, resilient material, having obverse and reverse surface portions, and upper and lower end edge portions, a flap member of a similar material, having similar surface and end edge portions, a two leaf hinge joint between the upper edge portion of said flap and the reverse surface of said sheet, laterally co-extensive with the sheet, and disposed in parallel spaced relation to the lower edge thereof, one leaf being secured to the reverse surface of said sheet and the other to said flap, the lower end edge portion of said flap normally extending beyond the sheet lower end edge into parallel, spaced relation therewith, with the leaves of said hinge joint in parallel surface relation to each other, and a plurality of spring tongue elements rooted along said flap in a line intermediate said flap and sheet lower end edge portions, and parallel thereto, each tongue extending toward the hinge joint for a distance greater than that between said line and the lower edge portion of said sheet, and adapted for overlapping relation thereto.

ERWIN' PHTLLIPS.

\ REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 960,488 Bond June 7, 1910 1,026,308 Gilbert May 14, 1912 1,999,015 Cooper Apr. 23, 1935 2,293,742 Mathews Aug. 25, 1942 2,432,363 Wrigley Dec. 9, 1947 2,462,273 Metcalf Feb. 22, 1949 2,506,456 Jackson May 2, 1950

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