US2726912A

US2726912A - Rotary filing system

Info

Publication number: US2726912A
Application number: US272721A
Authority: US
Inventors: Wassell Frank Lloyd
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1952-02-21
Filing date: 1952-02-21
Publication date: 1955-12-13
Anticipated expiration: 1972-12-13

Description

Dec. 13, 1955 w s L 2,726,912

ROTARY FILING SYSTEM Filed Feb. 21, 1952 INVENTOR. FRANK LLOYD WASSELL BY Q, m AM FMX GW i/y ATTOEA/[YST United States Patent-'0 ROTARY FILING SYSTEM Frank Lloyd Wassell, Westport, Comm, assiguor to Georgene Parkin Wassell, Westport, Conn.

Application February 21, 1952, Serial No. 272,721

Claims. (Cl. 312-198) The present invention relates to filing systems and, more particularly, to split multiple-platform rotary files of the type disclosed by the present applicant in application Serial No. 223,593, filed April 28, 1951, and entitled Multiple Rotary Card File.

In the above-mentioned application, a filing system is disclosed comprising a plurality of independently rotatable, concentrically stacked circular file platforms. All but the lowest platform is formed with an opening therein through which a portion of the surface of the platform below may be reached. This opening may conveniently have the shape of a truncated sector removed from the circumference of the platform. By aligning the openings in the platforms ready access may be had to any lower platform. Furthermore, by rotating such lower platform relative to the aligned openings, all portions of the filing surface may be successively exposed. Thus, by sacrificing for access purposes a portion of the surface of each platform except, of course, the lowest platform, the spacing between each platform may be reduced to only slightly more than the height of the filed material. Accordingly, the number of platforms in a given overall height may be greatly increased and the total capacity of the filing system within easy reach of a seated operator may be substantially improved.

The present invention contemplates increasing the volume of filed material that a seated operator is able to consult, permitting inspection of reference cards without requiring their complete removal from the card stack, and allowing examination of the letter folder corresponding to the reference card from the same seated position. This is particularly advantageous in time loan departments of banks where the credit cards and correspondence folders may be consulted without leaving the seat.

The objects of the invention are attained by providing a plurality of multiple-platform rotary files in a row along which a seated operator may move together with a generally horizontal rest for supporting file material, such as correspondence folders, and oflice equipment, such as a telephone. Preferably, two rows of rotary files are employed facing each other to form an aisle. Each file may have supports on at least the top and bottom platforms for stacking correspondence folders circumferentially of the platforms and supports on an intermediate platform for stacking reference cards radially of the platform. The intermediate platform is, preferably, below the eye level of the seated operator to permit inspection of a card without entirely withdrawing it from its stack.

In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. l is a plan view of an aisle formed by two rows of split multiple-platform rotary files and a carriage for a seated operator movable therealong, and

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal elevation view, taken along the line 22 of Fig. l in the direction indicated by arrows, of the operators chair and desk mounted on the carriage in front of two split multiple-platform rotary files.

- the desired location in an-office without in any way de- "ice Referring now to the drawing, there are illustrated two parallel rows of split multiple-platform rotary files 11, 12 and 13, 14 of the type disclosed in the above-mentioned patent application. The files 11, 12 and 13, 14 are arranged on opposite sides, respectively, of an aisle 15 formed by the rows of files. A carriage 16, on which is mounted a seat 17 and a generally horizontal rest 18, is movable along the aisle 15 on guideways 19. The carriage 16 may, as shown, take the specific form of a platform truck that rolls on rubber-tired wheels 21. The seat 17 may conveniently be a stenographers swivel chair the height of which may be adjusted. The rest 18 is illustrated as a table or desk.

The floor of the aisle 15 is covered by a base plate 22 which serves to secure the guideways 19. The guideways 19 may comprise parallel tracks but are preferably formed by grooves in the base plate 22. The guideways terminate just short of the

ends

23 and 24 of the base plate 22 in order that they may serve as stops limiting the longitudinal movement of the carriage 16.

An opening 25 is provided in the carriage 16 in order to permit the feet of the operator to rest upon the base plate 22 and allow the operator to propel the carriage 16 backward or forward along the aisle 15 between the files. A slight foot movement will roll the carriage with the rest 18, the seat 17 and its occupant opposite the file that the operator desires to consult. Thus access is had to all files on either side of the aisle 15 from a seated position. The rest 18 may support a telephone and/or inter-communication apparatus in order that the operator may receive an inquiry, consult the files, inspect the file material either in the file or on the rest 18, and supply the necessary information in the briefest possible interval.

It is to be noted that the entire filing system comprising the rotary files 11, 12, 13 and 14, the carriage 16 and the base plate 22 may be assembled in a few minutes at facing the floor or fastening equipment in place.

The rotary files 11, 12, 13 and 14 are similar and will be suflicient to describe the file 11. The file 11 is surrounded by a substantially square dust-proof housing 26 having an access opening 27 which may be closed when the file is not in use. Within the housing 26 are five

horizontal platforms

28, 29, 31, 32 and 33 spaced one above the other and concentrically mounted for inde pendent rotation about a central vertical column 34. A typical platform 28 is formed from a generally circular horizontal sheet fastened to a plurality of radial

webs including Webs

35 and 36 which extend from a central hub 37. A truncated sector of the sheet is omitted between the

radial webs

35 and 36 leaving an opening 38 in the platform 28 and these webs are interconnected near the hub by a transverse brace 39 on which may be posted index information. The platforms 2% and 29 are illustrated in their normal resting position with their openings in vertical alignment. The platform 31 has been rotated so that its opening is no longer in alignment with the other openings with the result that a file box 41 on the platform is now readily accessible to the operator.

The top two platforms 2% and 29 and the bottom two

platforms

32 and 33 are adapted to support correspondence folders in circumferential stacks while the middle platform 31 serves to support file boxes containing cards in radially disposed stacks. These cards may be conven iently cross-indexed with the correspondence folders in the same rotary file. The card supporting platform 31 is mounted slightly below normal eye-level so that cards may be inspected without entirely removing the same firom the stack thus eliminating the possibility of misling.

The height of the files 11, 12, 13 and 14 may conven iently be the same as a conventional four-drawer suspension file. However, unlike a conventional..,file all material is accessible from a seated position. The files may be four feet square and the aisle may be about three feet wide.

in a business organization. The major part of 'thephysical labor normally involved in filing is eliminated, since there is no walking, drawer pulling and pushing,pancl stopping or stretching. Noise, confusion and fatigue are minimized, and errors are accordingly reduced. Ofiice space is'conserved and responsibility for reference and filing is concentrated. Clerical time is greatly shortened permitting a reduction in personnelor an increase in department productivity. Executive time .is conserved, and customer good will is'enhanced. V

I Claim: 7 V t V V 1. In a filing system wherein a carriagecarrying a seated filing operator is moved along .guideways 'to permit fast access by the operator'while remaining seated to different items of a body of .file material disposed along the length of the guideways,.the :combinationof a plu rality of files disposed in a row alongside the .guideways within lateral reach of the seated operator, each file comprising a'plurality of generally circular .platforms each having a planar support surface .for file material and an edge portion'which circumferentially bounds the platform, said platforms being independently and rotatably' mounted one above the other about a substantially vertical axis,,the bottom and top ones of said platforms 'being, respectively, at the lowermost level conveniently V The efficiency of :the above-disclosed filingfsystem re-i sultsrin substantial reduction in the-expenselofmaintaining a file department and yieldsmanyw less direct benefits form, and housing means having top means and side wall means which enclose said files, said side wall means having formed therein a plurality of openings disposed between said files and said guideways, one opening being located in front of each file and having a vertical ex- 7 tent providing access for the seated operator from the guideways to all the platforms of the associated file.

2. A filing system as in :claim 1 wherein said openings each extend vertically in said side wall means to said top wallmeans and then horizontally part way into said top wall means, thehorizontal portion of each opening providing vertical access'through'the top wall means to the top platform of the associated file.

3. A filing system according to claim 1 wherein the portion of each platform that is cut away is in the shape of a truncated sector which is normally aligned with the cut away portion in the next higher platformto facilitate access-to the next lower platform. 7

4. A filing system according to claim .1 whereinat least the top and bottom platforms of each file are provided with vertical supports radially aligned with 'the axis ofthe file for supporting materialvertically and circumferentially of the platforms.

5. Afiling system according to claim 1 wherein file trays are provided on an intermediate platform below the eye level of the seated operator for stacking material ver- 7 tically' and radially of the platform.

reachable by the seated operatorand intermediate waist and shoulder level for the seated operator, the said circumferential edge portion of each platform" being sub:

stantially as low as the support surface thereoflto provide free accessfor the operator radially of said :platform and V at the level of the support surface. to file material -supported on the surface, in each file at least each platform above the bottom platform'having a portionof its periphery cut away to facilitate .access to the next lower plat- References Cited inthe file of.this patent STATES PATENTS