US290616A

US290616A - File box

Info

Publication number: US290616A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1883-12-18
Anticipated expiration: 1900-12-18

Description

2 `Sheets--Sheet 1.

M. J. WINE.

(No Model.)

FILE BOX.

110.290,616. Patented Deo. 18, 1888.

(No Model.) 2.Sheets-Sheet 2.

M. J. WINE.

PILE B0X.` 110.290,61@I Patented Dee. 18, 1883.

N. Pinzas Prwwuxmgmnm. hmmm D c,

STATES f PATENT OFFICE@ MILETUS J. VINE, OF VASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

FILE-BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part'of Letters Patent No. 290,616, dated December 18, 1883.

Application filed June23, 1883. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern,.-

Be it known that I, MILF/rus J. WINE, of Vashington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain Improvements in File-Boxes, of whichthefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved follower or pressure device intended for use in those drawers or trays which, standing normally in a horizontal or substantially horizontal position, are employed for filing or retaining papers, drawings, or other sheets, the aim of the invention being to provide a simple and automatic device by which the papers may be retained under a suitable degree of compression, and which will admit of papers being examined and removed with facility.

'Io this end it consists in a combination, with the drawer or other holder, of a weighted follower-plate hinged at one edge to a transverse bar, which is in turn hinged or pivoted at the outer or lower end of the tray, as hereinafter more fully explained.

I have represented my invention in connection with that class of drawers or trays which are arranged to remain in an inclined position when withdrawn from the case or cabinet. It may be applied with equal facility to those of other styles.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view, illustrating three open drawers or trays with my improved device attached, the device being represented in the different positions in the respective drawers. Figs. 2, 3, and 4 are vertical longitudinal sections through one of the drawers, showing the follower in its various positions. Fig. 5 is a vertical cross-section on the line x fr of Fig. 2, showing the sliding connection of the pressure-bar. Fig. 6 is a face view of one of the plates by which said bar is sustained.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the case or cabinet, and B the drawers or trays mounted therein.

In applying my improvement I provide for each tray a fiat followersheet, C, of sheet metal, pasteboard, or equivalent material, and of a size somewhat smaller than the interior of the drawer. At its forward edge I hinge the follower to a transverse gravitating-bar, D, arranged to extend across the tray from side to side, this bar being in turn secured t0 the tray at its forward edge by a jointed connection, which admits of its swinging forward and backward. It is preferred to have thejointed connection, by which the bar is retained in place, of such character, as shown in the drawings, that it will admit of the bar rising and falling bodily within the drawer; but this is not a necessary feature.

The connection employed for the bar consists of two vertically-slotted plates, E, secured to the inner faces or sides of the drawer on opposite sides and of necks or spindles extended outward from the ends of the bar D through the slotted plates, and provided on their outer ends with heads or washers a, by which their escape is prevented. This connection admits of the bar D rising and falling freely within the drawer, and also admits of itsbeing turned backward or outward when elevated to the top of the drawer, as shown in Figs. l and 4.

'Ihe bar D is preferably made of metal or suitably weighted, in order that it may rest with a considerable degree of force upon the papers within the drawer, so that the same may be retained at their lower or forward edges when the follower is raised. The foli lower C is also made of suitable weight, or provided, as shown, with a weight, b, secured firmly to its free end, whereby itis also caused to bear upon the papers with a moderate degree of pressure.

In makinguse of the device, the papers are placed within the drawer, and the bar and follower-plate turned inward and permitted to rest upon them in the manner represented in Fig. 2 and on the left hand in Fig. l. In this position of the parts the papers are subjected to a suiiicient pressure to keep them in a flat a-nd Ycompact condition, while their upper edges, being exposed above the edge of the follower-plate C, may be readily turned upward to examine the inscriptions thereon without the necessity of lifting the plate.

In order to gain access to the body portion of the papers while retaining them in position, it is only necessary to turn the follower C outward or forward upon its hinges in the manner represented in Fig. 3, and in the upper drawer of Fig. l. Vhen the parts are in this IOC) position, it will be observed that thebar D continues to bear upon and confine the forward edges of the sheets, while the upper portions are left entirely free, so that they may be turned or folded forward. If, however, it be desired to have access to the entire face of the sheets, or' to remove the sheets from or add others to the number in the drawer, the follower is lifted so as to bring the bar D to the top ofthe drawer, and then turned outward and permitted to hang in the position repre` sented in Fig. 4, and on the righthand of Fic. l, the bar D being in such case reversed, so as to bear upon the front edge of the drawer, while the follower-plate hangs in a pendent position therefrom. To permit the convenient manipulation of the follower-plate, it will be provided with a knob, as shown, or with a handle or other equivalent device. f

Vhile the slotted plates represented in the drawings constitute a simple and ei'iicient connection between the bar and the tray, it is to be understood that any equivalent connection which will permit a free rising and falling inotion of said bar, and also a rolling motion of the saine may be substituted.

yAlthough I have described above and have illustrated in the drawings weights of considerable thickness applied tothe follower-plate,

and provided with knobs or handles as a means for lifting the saine, I propose to omit the knobs, when desired, and to extend the weight in a thin, dat form, in order to reduce its Vertical thickness, and thus render the tray practically available to its full capacity.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is" l. In combination with a tray or drawer, a transverse gravitating bar, and a joint, substantially as described, connecting said bar at one edge with the tray, said parts adapted, as described, to permit the bar to rise and fall freely, and also to permit the sanne to be turned backward from the end ofthe tray, as described.

2. In combination with a drawer or tray for papers, a transverse gravitating bar jointed at one edge to the end of the said receptacle and arranged to swing outward a-t the top, as described, and thc weight or pressure-plate having one edge hinged to said bar and the opposite end free to rise and fall, as described.

In combination with the drawer or rcceptacle, the vertical slotted plates, the transverse bar having its journals seated in said plates, and the weighted follower C, hinged at one edge to said bar.

MILETUS J. "WINE Vitnesses:

A. G. HEYLMUN, XVM. II. TUCKER.