US3033637A

US3033637A - File drawer

Info

Publication number: US3033637A
Application number: US847320A
Authority: US
Inventors: Cornelius H Van Donk; Oran R Cleereman
Original assignee: DONK VAN
Current assignee: DONK VAN; VAN DONK
Priority date: 1959-10-19
Filing date: 1959-10-19
Publication date: 1962-05-08
Anticipated expiration: 1979-05-08

Description

May s, 1962 C. H. VAN DONK ETAL FILE DRAWER Filed OCT.. 19, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 CORNELIUS H.VAN DONK ORAN R.CLEEREMAN ATTOR NEYS May 8, 1962 c. H. VAN DONK ET AL 3,033,637

FILE DRAWER 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS CORNELIUS H.VAN DONK ORAN R. CLEEREMAN Filed OCt. 19, 1959 ATTORNEYS c. H. VAN DoNK ET AL 3,033,637

FILE DRAWER 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEYS May 8, 1962 c. H. VAN DONK ET AL 3,033,637

FILE DRAWER 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed OCC. 19, 1959 INVENTORS CORNELIUS H VAN DONK ORAN RCLREMAN ATTORNEYS United States latenty FILE DRAWER Cornelius H. Van Donk, 1337 E. Mason St., GreenBay, Wis., and Oran R. Cleereman, Green Bay, Wis.j said Cleereman assigner to said Van Donk Filed Oct. 19, 1959, Ser. No. 847,320 13 Claims. (Cl. S12-303) This invention `appertains to le cabinets, and more particularly to a drawer construction of the so-called eX- panding V-type and is an improvement on the prior invention illustrated in the Van Donk pending application Serial No. 588,852, now Patent No. 2,917,052.

One of the primary objects of the present invention is to provide an improved iile cabinet drawer of the expanding V-type embodying a tilting follower. panel and a tilting front wall or panel, the follower panel andthe front Wall or panel being tiltable independently. of one another and releasable from a tilted position to a vertical position independently of one another, whereby the follower panel or the drawer yfront can be used separately when desired for the removal or replacing of files, and Ifor the reading of titles on le jackets, or whereby both the follower panel and drawer front can be tilted to provide desired space to permit the examining of lile contents with-` out removing a le from the drawer.

Another salient object of the invention is to provide means for releasing both the follower panel and the drawer front (should both. be tilted), upon the closing of the drawer so that they will automatically return to their upright vertical position, the means also functioning to automatically release with the follower panel or the drawer front should one or the other only be in a tilted position. e

A further important object of the invention is to provide a manually operable means, as well as an automatic the manual means employed for permitting Ithe return.

of the follower panel from a tilted position to a raised vertical position, the gure being on a larger vscale than FIGURES l and v2;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary 4longitudinal sectional View through the drawer taken `on the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3l looking in the direction of the arrows, the View showing the follower panel in its upright position in ,full lines and in its tilted position in dotted lines;

means, for permitting return of the follower panel and drawer front from a tilted position to a vertical position.

A further important `object of the invention is to construct the automatic and manually operable releasing means, in such a manner as not to interfere with the adjustment of the follower panel back and forth.

A stil-l further important object of the invention is the provision of means VA,for forming the sides of the drawer for receiving the slide hangers of the follower panel, whereby the inside wid-th of the drawer will not be lessened and so that a full width drawer will be had.

Another still further object of the invention is ythe provision of novel means for arranging and disposing the automatic and manually -releasable mean-s for the follower panel and drawer front .in such a way that les ican Vbe readily placed in the drawer or removed therefrom, without striking any objectionable obstructions.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists lin the novel construction, arrangement and formation of parts, as will be .hereinafter more 'specically described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which drawings, l A

FIGURE l is a longitudinal sectional view through the improved iile drawer, taken on lthe line 1`-1 of FIG- URE 3, looking in the direction of the arrows, a portion of the rear wall of the iile cabinet being shown, the drawer being in its closed position with the follower panel and the front of the drawer in their closed upright positions;

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through the drawer similarto FIGURE 1, but showing the drawer f FIGURE 5 is a detail fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken on the line 5 5 of FIGURE `4, lookingin the direction of the arrows, the view illustrating the means employed-for releasing the mechanism' for holding'the follower panel in a tilted position from the operating rods carried by the sides of the drawer and operated by contact with the rear of the cabinet upon the closing of the drawer; e

FIGURE 6 is a transverse sectional View through t-he drawer taken on Ithe line 6 6 of FIGURE 2, looking in the direction of the arrows, `the view illustratin'g'the inner face of .the drawer front or panel with' parts thereof broken away and in section to illustrate the catch mechanism lfor holding the drawer in a closed yposition in the cabinet-against accidentaly opening thereof;

FIGURE 7*'-is afragr'nentary ldetail vertical sectional view taken on the line 7 7 of FIGUREV 6, lookingvin the direction of the arrows, through `the drawer front, the View illustrating apart of the manually operable mechanism for permitting the release of thedrawerfront from ati-lted position;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary detail sectional view taken on ythe line 8 8 Yof FIGURE 6, looking in the direction of the arrows, the View illustrating the means employed lfor permitting the automatic release of thefront panel, from a tilted position;

FIGURE 9 is a view similar to FIGURE 8, but showing the front of the drawerl or panelin its closed position; FIGURE 10 is a detail fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken on the line 10-10 ofy FIGURES, looking in thedirection of the arrows, and

FIGURE l1 is adetail' fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken on the line 11--1i1 of FIGURE 6, looking in the direction of the arrows, the View illustrating the catch mechanism for holding the drawer in a closed position in a cabinet, a fragment of one side wall of the cabinet being also shown.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the letter- ,D lgenerally, indicates the improved le cabinet drawerk and the same is mounted for sliding movement in a cabinet. gThe cabinet can be of'a type now in common use and hence the same has not been -illustrated in detail in the'drawin'gs.

However, in FIGURES 1 and lljasuflieientportion of tends to the front 'of the' cabinet and the front of the cabinet is provided `with a number of openings for receiving the desiredfnmber of-drawersj. The wall |16 adi and a rear wall 20. The front of the drawer is normally closed by a front panel or wall 21, and the lower edge of the front wall or panel 21 is connected to the bottom Patented May 8, n17962 3 wall 18 hy means of a hinge 22, whereby the front wall can be swung toward and away -t'rom the front edges of the side walls 19. As in the usual practice, the front wall or panel 21 extends a considerable distance above the side Walls 19. The forward swinging movement of the front wall or panel 21 is limited by means, which will be later set forth, and this means is also employed for holding the wall at a desired tilted angleso as to expand the working size of the drawer. The front Wall or panel 21 is norm-ally held in a vertical closed position against the liront edges of the side walls 19 by expansion coil spring 23. The terminals of these springs are connected respectively to the side walls 19 and to the sides of the front wall 21 v above the hinge 22. The front wall is also provided with a U-shaped pull handle 24.

The bottom wall 18 is provided with spaced longitudinally extending struck down U-shaped guides 25 and rigidly mounted in these guides are longitudinally extending latch rack bars 26. These rack bars 26 are of an inverted U-shape in cross-section and combine with the guides 25 to strengthen and add rigidity to the bottom wall 18. The rack bars 26 have struck down therefrom rearwardly inclined teeth 27 and the teeth define therebetween keeper openings 28, for a purpose, which will also later appear. Again, by providing the rack bars 26, we strengthen the bottom of the drawer and also Y eliminate the necessity `of weakening the bottom of the drawer by forming the keeper openings 28 therein. The keeper openings function in conjunction with a latch mechanism 29 for holding a sliding follower panel 30 in a selected adjusted position in the drawer relative to the front Wall 21.

The side walls Y19 adjacent to their upper,V ends are struck outwardly, as at 31, to provide longitudinally extending guide channel ways 32. The upper edges of the walls are bent inwardly and downwardly, as at 33, to complete the channel Ways. vThese channel ways receive certain operating mechanism so that such mechanism will lie beyond the inner surface of the drawer. Thus, the full width of the drawer is maintained. 'Ilhe side walls 19 also carry outwardly extending guide tracks 34 which ride in suitable supports (not shown) carried by the cabinet.

The front wall or panel 21 includes a front metallic `sheet having its side edges bent inwardly, as at 35, to add rigidity to the wall and to add to the appearance thereof. These side bent in portions 35 have secured theretoor formed directly thereon rearwardly directed anges 36. Connected to the flanges 36 by means of pivot pins 37, are triangular shaped latch plates 38. 'Ille inner lower corners of the latch plates 38 have formed thereon forwardly directed ngers 39, the purpose of which will later appear. The rear upper corners of the latch plates have secured thereto inwardly projecting headed latch pinsg40. These headed latch pins 40 are slidably received inV inclined keyhole slots A41. The slots 41 are formed in keeper plates 42, which are welded or otherwise rigidly vsecured to the channel` walls 31, and hence these keeper plates 42 lie within the plane of the lower portions of the side walls 19. The latch plates 38 are slidably received between the side walls19 and keeper plates 42. The forward ends of the keyhole slots 41 constitute keeper seats 43 for the latch pins 40 (see FlG. 2), when the 4front wall 21 is pulled forwardly to a tilted position. The pins 40 Afitting in the keeper seats 43 hold the front wall in its tilted position against the forward and rearward movement thereof.

As set forth in, the objects of the specication, it is to be noted that means is provided f or automatically .releasing the latch plates 38 when thefdrawer is slid to,

its full closed'position inthe cabinet, and 'that manual means is provided for releasing the latchr plates 38, so

that the drawer front 21 can return to its normal closed 44 is mounted intermediate its ends on a hinge pin 45 and the upper end of the rock plate is provided with a rearwardly directed operating finger piece 46. The lower end of the rock plate carries a transversely extending cross bar 47 and this cross bar is of a length to extend into the bent back portions of the drawer front sheet. The ends of the bar 47 have rigidly secured thereto depending arms 48. The lower ends of these arms are disposed in the path of the swinging movement of the latch plates 38 and directly` forward of the fingers 39.

Considering that the front wall 21 is in its tilted position as shown in FIGURES 2 and 8, and it is desired to manually release the latch plates 38 so that the front wall will return to its vertical position, then the linger piece 46 is pushed inwardly by the lingers of the operator and this will swing the upper end of the plate 44 forwardly and the lower end rearwardly. This moves the arms 48 into contact with the ngers 39 swinging the latch plates 38 on their pivots 37 moving the headed latch pins 4G out of the keeper seats 43. As the headed latch pins reach the4 main portions of the keyhole slots 41, the headedpins will ride in the main portions of of these slots and the spring 23 will return the front wall to its upright closed position. lt is preferred to finish ol the inner face of the front wall so that all operating mechanism will be completely housed for the purpose of not only aiding appearance, but to prevent tiles from catching in said mechanism. Thus, the inner face of the front wall sheet has welded or otherwise secured thereto a cover plate 49 the main body portion of which is spaced from said sheet. The upper edge of the sheet itself can be folded rearwardly and then downwardly, as at 50, to comvertical position under iniiuence of the springs 23. The

means for manually releasing the latch plates 38 embodies an operating rock plate 44. The operating rock plate plete this enclosure and the linger piece y46 can protrude through a slot in the bent down portion 50. It is to be noted at this time that a leaf spring 51 is housed within the enclosure formed by the front sheet and the bent down portion 50 and that this spring holds the upperV end of the operating plate 44 in a rearward tilting position with its finger piece `46 extended.

The means for automatically operating the latch plates 38 to release the same includes longitudinally extending operating hars 52 located in the channel ways 32 of the yside walls 19. These operating rods 52 extend substantiallythe full length of the drawer and are mounted for swinging movement forwardly toward the front wall 21 and rearwardly toward the rear end of the drawer. Hence, each operating bar 52 is carried by a plurality of rock links 53. The upper ends ofthe links are pivoted, as at 54, to their respective bars 52 and the lower ends of .the links are pivoted Ias at 55, to the walls 31 of the channel ways 32. Contractile .coil springs 56 are employed for holding Ithe links 53 in a rearward tilted position` with the operating bars 52 in a lowered rearward position, with the rear ends of bars extending beyond the rear wall 20 of the drawer. These springs 56 have their lower ends secured to the side walls 19 of the drawers and their upper ends to the rearmost links 53 above their pivots 55.

Stops 57 f'limit the rearward swinging movement of the links g53 and stops 58 limit theiorward swinging movement of the links 53. These stops 57 and 58 are arranged in spaced relation to one another and are carried by the side walls 119 of the drawer and are located within the channel portions 32 thereof. It is to =be noted that as the links 53 move forwardly, that the same reach a vertical position and that these links function not only to move the operating bars V52 forwardly but to also raise the bars in a direction toward the upper part of the drawer.

In operation of the means for automatically moving the front wall or panel A21 to its closed upright position, and considering that the front or panel 21 is in its tilted position, as. shown in FIGURE 2, then the operating rods 52 are in a rearward lowered position with the rear ends of the rods extending rearwardly of the back wall 20 of the drawer. When the drawer is pushedinto the cabinet, see FIG. l, the rear ends of the rods 52 engage yand strike against the rear wall of the cabinet C and consequently, the rods 52 will be pushed forwardly against the tension of the springs 56. As the rods move forwardly the same travel over the pins 40 and upon raising movement of the rods the same will engage the pins 48 and lift the same out of the keeper notches 43 releasing the latch plates 38. The pins 4t) can now ride in the body portions of the slots 4l and the front wall or panel 21 will now swing to its closed position under the influence of the springs 23. As long as the drawer is in its closed position, the rods 52 will be held in their forward raised position. However, as soon as the drawer' is opened, the rods 52 will be pulled back-ward and to a lowered position by the springs `56.

In some instances, it may be desirable to latch the drawer in the cabinet C against the accidental movement thereof, and in FIGURES 6- and l1, we have shown one preferred form of a latching mechanism and this mechanism is generally indicated by the reference character 59. Slidably mounted on the rear face of the front drawer panel sheet for transverse movement is `an operating plate 60. The plate can @be mounted for its sliding movement in yany preferred manner on the panel sheet of the drawer front and as illustrated guide slots 61 are provided and these slots receive headed guide pins 62 carried by the drawer front. Secured to the inner end of the plate 6i) is a forwardly directed linger piece 63 which extends through a guide slot 64 formed in the panel sheet of the drawer front. This finger piece is so `arranged as to extend into the pull handle 24 of the drawer. The sliding movement of the plate 69 is limited by the length of the slot 64. The contractile spring l65 is employed for normally pulling the plate 60 toward one side of the drawer and the upper end of the plate has formed thereon or.

secured thereto a keeper hook 66. This keeper hook 66 is adapted to engage the keeper tongue 17 formed on the side wall of the cabinet. Obviously, when the latch linger 66 engages in rear of the keeper tongue 17 the drawer is held against accidental opening movement, By moving the iin-ger piece 63 latenally, the latch finger can be withdrawn from the tongue 17 to permit the opening of the drawer. When the drawer is moved to its closed position, the latch linger 66 will be automatically forced back rby the inclination of the tongue 17. The latch 59 also cooperates with the front hinged Wall or panel and its operating 4mechanism in that, the latch not only holds the drawer in the cabinet but also positively holds the front wall or panel 21 against swinging movement. Thus, the latch holds all parts within the cabinet and eliminates danger of files tilting the front panel or wall outward.

Now referring to the follower panel 30 it is to be recalled, that the same is tiltable to -a rearward position and in an opposite direction from the front wall or panel 21. When the follower panel 30 is in a tilted position the same is held or releasably latched in `such position, and this latch means is generally indicated by the reference character 67. The latch 4means 67 is manually releasable so yas to permit the follower panel to return to an upright vertical position `and the latch means is automatically operated upon the closing of the drawer and all of this will now be described.

The follower panel 30 includes a transversely extending 'oase Vstrip 68 of a U-shape .in cross-section and the ends of this strip yare welded or otherwise rigidly secured to upright slide plates 69. The lower edges of the slide plates 69 are out-turned at right `angles, as indicated by the reference character 70 to form slides and these slides are mounted for movement in depressed channel ways 71 formed in the bottom 18 of the drawer. The upper ends of the slide plates 69 are bent outwardly to form slide flanges 72 -and these slide flanges 72 yare received in the upper bent back portions 33 of the side walls 19 of the drawer.` The follower panel 30 also includes the main body plate portion 73 and this plate portion extends shown.

substantially the full width of the drawer and is pivotally mounted at its lower edge on the forward end of the cross strip 68, as at 74. The front of the follower body plate 73 is preferably left smooth for engagement with the iiles and the body plate 73, the cross strip 68 and the slide plates 69 can fbe moved back and forward in the drawer as a/unit, and the latch means 29, heretofore mentioned, is provided for holding the follower panel in a selected position in the drawer relative to the front wall 21.

The latch `means 29 includes latch bars 75 and the lower`V ends of these latch bars slidably and rockably extend through guide openings 76 formed in the cross strip 68, and the extreme lower ends of the latch bars are adapted to engage in selected openings 28 in the rack bars 26. The upperv ends of the latch bars 75 are connected together for synchronous movement by a bridge plate 77 and this plate in turn is rigidly secured to a slide plate 78 mounted for vertical sliding movement in a guide. 79 carried by the rear face of the body portion 73y of the follower. The upper edge of the slide plate 78 constitutes a finger piece for raising the slide plate 78 and the latch bars 75 out of engagement with the rack bars 26. An expansion spring 80 engages the top of the slide plate 78 and normally urges the slide plate and the latch bar 75'A to a lower position for engagement with the rack bars 26. The upper end of the spring engages a folded back finishing flange 81 formed on the upper edge of the body portion 73 of the panel. If desired, a `guide barrel 82 for theI spring 80 can be welded or otherwise fastened to the rear face of the body portion of the follower panel. The latch bars 75 are, as just described, carried by the body portion 73 of the follower panel and consequently, the latch bars 75 rock with the body portion of the panel when the body portion is swung on its hinge 74. The swinging of the body portion does not affect the latch bars 75 in that, the lower ends of the latch bars merely swing or tilt in the keeper openings 28.

The means 67 provided for holding and latching the body portion 73 of the panel in a rearward tilted position includes crank shaped latch arms 83. The crank shaped latch arms are formed on rock shafts 8-4 mounted in bearing barrels carried by the rear face of the follower panel. The terminals of the crank arms extend through and are received in keyhole `slots 86 formed in the side slide plates 69 of thefollower. The keyhole slots 86 include at their rear ends keeper notches 87. The crank shaped latch arms 83 are, as stated, formed on the outer ends of the shafts 84 and the inner ends of the shafts 814 have Iformed thereon operating handles yS8 whereby the shafts and the latch arms can be operated manually. At this point, it is to be noted that the outer ends of the crank shaped latch arm 83 extend above the operating `hars 52, the purpose of which will be later more clearly pointed out. Contractle coil springs 89 are employed for normally holding the latch arms 83 in a lowered position against the bottom walls or edges of the keyhole slots 86, so that when the body portion 73 of the follower is vswung on its cross ystrip 68 the latch arms will automatically snap into the keeper notches 87. This will hold the tbody portion ofthe follower in a rearward tilted position as shown in dotted lines in FEGURE 4 of the drawings. The lower ends of the springs 89 are connected to the rock shafts k84 at the operating handles 88 and the upper ends of the springs can be secured to the body portion of the panel or to the slide plates 78 as Obviously, the latch arms 83 positioned in the keyhole slots 86 limit the forward and rearward swinging movement of the body portion of the panel and normally the body portion of the panel is urged and held in a vertical position -by a strong leaf spring 98. This spring has its lower end rigidly secured to the cross plate 68 and the main portion thereof bears against the rear face ofthe body portion 73 of the follower panel. The spring 90, again, holds the follower in a substantially upright position lwith the latch arms in the forward ends` of the keyhole slots 86 (see lFIGURES 4 and 5-). When it is -desired to tilt the `body portion of the panel the operator merely pushes rearwardly on the upper edge of the panel so as to rock the panel on the hinge 74 against the inlluence of the leaf spring 90. The latch arms 83 will ride rearwardly in the keyhole slots 86y and when the latch arms 83 reach the keeper notches y87 the springs 89 wil-l rock the shafts 34- and move the latch anms into the keeper notches. This will hold the follower' in its tilted position. As the latch arms 8? move into the keeper notches 87 the operating handles `67 swing upwardly and rearwardly as shown in FIG. 2. When it is desired to release the panel so that the same will return to its upright position the handles `67 are pressed inwardly toward the rear face of the panel. This will rock the shafts 84 and lift the latch arms 83 out of the keeper notches 87.

Now considering that the follower panel is in a tilted position, as shown in FIGURE 2, and the drawer is being slid to its closed position against the cabinet C. As the rear ends of the rods 52 strike the rear wall l5 of the cabinet, the rods 52 will be moved forwardly and upwardly. This upward forward movement will lift the latch arms 33 from out of the keeper notches 37 and the panel will then automatically return to its upright position under the influence of its spring 90.

From the foregoing description, it can be seen that the front wall 21 of the drawer can be moved back and fort-h to its tilted or upright position independently of the follower panel 30 and that the follower panel in turn can be moved to a tilted or upright position independently of the front wall of the drawer. Thus, to expand the contents of the drawer either the front wall 21 or the follower panel 30 can -be tilted, or both the front wall and the follower panel can be tilted. Where both the front wall 21 and the panel 30 are tilted, ample room is provided in the drawer for permitting the opening of a selected le to momentarily look into the contents thereof.

When both the front wall and follower panel are in their tilted positions and the drawer is moved to a closed position, then both the front of the drawer and the follower panel will be automatically released so that the same will 'move tol upright positions.

It is to be also noted that if either the front wall 21 or follower panel 30 is in a tilted position and the drawer is moved to a closed position, that the operating bars 52 will operate automatically to release the latch mechanism of the member which is tilted.

The fact that the drawer front 21 may be operated by itself, and lthe fact that the follower panel 30 may be operated by itself, provides an exceptionally easy-operating highly flexible unit. The independent operation of the drawer -front and follower panel eliminates strain otherwise required to operate the expanding feature, where the follower and drawer front are connected together, and must function in one operation. However, in our present construction, there is nothing to prevent the operation of .the drawer front 2l and the follower panel Iboth at the same time, if desired, but for all general purposes of routine filing, it is suicient to tilt either the front wall forward or the follower panel backward, depending upon the area of the drawer which is being worked. Yet again, when full visibility is desired, so that correspondence may be reached to refer to same without even removing the folder from the drawer, both the drawer fro-nt and follower panel may be tilted to obtain the full, maximum work `space and visibility.

Various changes in details may be made without departing from the spirit or the scope of this invention, but what we claim as new is:

l. In a file cabinet drawer of the type including a hinged front wall mounted for swinging movement to a closed upright position and to a forward tilting position and a follower panel movable toward and away from the frontwall and including a main body portion hingedly mounted for swinging movement to an upright position and to a rearward tilted position; means for latching the front wall in a tilted position independently of the follower panel, means for independently latching the body portion of the follower panel in a tilted position, whereby either the front wall or the body portion of the follower panel can be tilted independently of the other, manually operable means for releasing the latch means of the front wall to permit the moving of the front wall to a closed position, and manually operable means for releasing the latch means of the body portion of the follower panel to permit the return of the body portion of the follower panel to a raised position.

2. In a tile cabinet drawer of the type embodying a swinging front wall movable to an upright closed position and to a forward tilted position and a follower panel movable toward and away from the front wall and including a main body portion movable to an upright position and to a rearward tilted position; means for latching the front wall in a forward tilted position, means for latching lthe body portion of the follower panel in a rearward tilted position, independent manually operable means for releasing the latch means of the front wall to permit the front wall to return to an upright position and for releasing the latch means of the body portion of the follower panel to permit the body portion to return to an upright position, and automatic means operable by movement of the file drawer into a cabinet for releasing said latch means of the front wall and the body portion of the follower panel. i

3. In a tile cabinet drawer of the type including a swinging front wall movable to an upright closed position and to a forward tilted position and a follower panel movable toward and away from the front wall and including a main body portion mounted for swinging movement to an upright position and to a rearward tilted position; means for latching the front wall Vin a forward tilted position, means for latching the body portion of the follower panel in a rearward tilted position and automatic means operable upon the movement of the drawer into a cabinet for releasing the latch means of the front wall, should the front wall be tilted, and for releasing the latch means of the body portion of the follower panel should the body portion of the follower panel be tilted, said means also functioning for simultaneously operating both the latch means of the front wall and the body portion of the follower panel -should both the front wall and body portion of the follower panel be tilted.

4. In a le cabinet drawer of the type including a swinging front wall movable to an upright closed position and to a forward tilted position and a follower panel movable toward and away from the front wall and including a main body portion mounted for swinging movement to an upright position and to a rearward tilted position; means for latching the front wall in a forward tilting position, means for latching the body portion of the follower panel in a rearward tilted position, automatic means operable upon the movement of the drawer into a cabinet for releasing the latch means of the front wall should the front wall be tilted, and for releasing the latch means of the body portion of the follower panel should the body portion of the follower panel be tilted, said means also functioning for simultaneously operating both the latch means of the front wall and the body portion of the follower panel should both the front wall and body portion of the follower panel be tilted, and independent manually operable means for releasing the latch means of the front wall and the latch means for the body portion of the follower panel.

5. In a file cabinet drawer of the type including a swinging front wall movable to an upright closed position and to a forward tilted position and a follower panel movable toward and away from the front wall and including a main body portion mounted for swinging movement to an upright position and to a rearward tilted position; means for latching the front wall in a forward tilting position, means for latching the body portion of the follower panel in a rearward tilted position, automatic means operable upon the movement of the drawer into a cabinet for releasing the latch means of the front wall should the front wall be tilted, and for releasing the latch means of the body portion of the follower panel should the body portion of the follower panel be tilted, said means also functioning for simultaneously operating both the latch means of the front wall and the body portion of the follower panel should both the front wall and body portion of the follower panel be tilted, and independent manually operable means for releasing the latch means of the front wall and the latch means for the body portion of the follower panel, and spring means normally urging the front wall to a closed position and the body portion of the follower panel to a raised position.

6. In a file cabinet drawer of the type including bottom, side and front walls with the front wall hinged to the bottom wall for swinging movement to an upright position and to a forward tilted position and having a follower panel slidably carried by the side walls toward and away from the front wall and including a swinging body portion movable to an upright position and to a rearward tilted position, latch means for holding the front wall in a forward tilted position, independent latch means for holding the body portion of the front panel in a rearward tilted position, automatic means operable upon the movement of the drawer into a file cabinet for releasing either one or both of the latch means for the front wall and body portion of the follower panel, and said latch means and automatic means for operating the latch means being carried by and housed within portions of the side walls of the drawer.

7. In a le cabinet drawer of the type including a bottom wall, side walls and a front wall hingedly secured to Ithe bottom wall for swinging movement to a forward tilted position and to an upright closed position and having a follower panel slidably carried by the side walls and movable toward and away from the front wall and including a main body portion mounted for swinging movement to a rearward tilted position and to an upright position, means for latching the front wall in a forward tilted position, spring means normally tending to return the front wall to an upright position upon release of said latching means, latch means for holding the body portion of the follower panel in a rearward tilted position, springv means normally urging the body portion of the follower panel to an upright position upon release of its latch means, Vmanually operable means for releasing the latch means for the front wall, manually operable means for releasing the latch means of the body portion of the follower panel, and automatic operable means actuated upon the inward movement of the drawer into a le cabinet for operating the latch means of the front wall and the latch means for the body portion of the follower panel.

8. In a file cabinet drawer of the type including a bottom wall, side walls and a front wall hingedly secured to the bottom wall for swinging movement to a forward tilted position and to an upright yclosed position and having a follower panel slidably carried by the side walls and movable toward and away from the front wall and including a main body portion mounted for swinging movement to a rearward tilted position and to an upright position, means for latching the front wall in a forward tilted position, spring means normally tending to return the front wall to an upright position upon release of said latching means, latch means for holding the body portion of the follower panel in a rearward tilted position, spring means normally urging the body portion of the follower panel to an upright position upon release of -its latch means, manually operable means for releasing the latch means for the front Iwall, manually operable means for releasing the latch means of the body portion ofthe follower panel,

and automatic operable means actuated upon the inward movement of the drawer into a le cabinet for operating the latch means of the front wall and the latch means for the body portion of the follower panel, the side walls being channeled outwardly to provide ways for receiving the latch means of the front wall and the body portion of the follower, and said automatic operable latch releasing means.

9. In a file cabinet including a rear wall and a side wall, a drawer slidably mounted in the cabinet including a bottom wall, spaced longitudinally extending side walls and a front wall hingedly connected to the forward end of the bottom wall and movable to a forward tilted position and to an upright closed position, a follower panel slidably mounted in the drawer and movable toward and away from the front wall and including a main body portion mounted for swinging movement to a rearward tilted position and to an upright position, latch means for holding the front :wall in a forward tilted position, independent latch means for holding the body portion of the follower panel in a rearward tilted position, manually operable means for releasing the latch means of the front wall, manually operable means for releasing the latch means of the body portion of the follower panel and automatic means for operating the latches of the front wall and the body portion of the follower panel should the front wall be tilted or the body portion be tilted or both the front wall and the body portion be tilted including operating bars carried by the side walls of the drawer, links pivotally secured to the bars and to the side walls of the drawer, spring means normally holding the links in a tilted rearward position with the bars in a rearward lowered position and with the bars extending beyond the rear end of the drawer, whereby upon closing movement of the drawer in the cabinet the rear ends of the bars will engage the rear wall of the 4cabinet and be moved forwardly against said mentioned spring means, .forward movement of the bars actuating said links for raising the bars upward and into actuating engagement with the latches of the front wall and the body port-ion of the follower panel should either the front wall be tilted or the body portion be tilted or -both tilted, and said mentioned spring means functioning to again move the links to a rearward tilted position and the bars to a lowered position away from the latch means vupon the opening of the drawer in the cabinet.

l0. A tile cabinet drawer comprising a bottom Wall, side walls and a front wall hingedly connected at its lower end to the forward end of the bottom wall, pivoted latch plates carried by the front wall, guide plates carried by the side walls and having keyhole slots therein terminating at their forward ends in keeper notches, said latch plates being slidably received between the side walls and the guide plates, latch pins carried by the inner ends of the latch plates slidably mounted in said slots, said keeper pins being movable in the keeper notches bythe weight of the latch plates upon forward tilting movement of the front wall, and a linger operated release plate movable into engagement with the lower ends of the latch plates for swinging said latch plates on their pivots and for moving the latch pins out of the keeper notches.

l1. A ltile cabinet drawer -as defined in claim l0, and spring means normally urging the front wall to a closed upright position upon the release of the latch plates.

l2. A ltile cabinet drawer as defined in claim l0, and means for automatically swinging the latch plates upon their pivots and for moving the latch pins out of the keeper notches including longitudinally extending latch bars normally' disposed below said pins, links pivotally connecting the bars to the side walls of the drawer, spring means normally holding the lbars in ia rearward position with the links in a lowered tilted position and with the `bars extending beyond the rear end of the drawer for engagement with a file cabinet upon the closing of the drawer, forward movement of the bars rocking said links l 1 tov a vertical position for raising said bars in engagement with the latch pins to move said pins out of the keeper notches.

13. A tile cabinet `drawer comprising a bottom wall, side walls and a front wall hingedly connected at its lower end to the forward end of the bottom Wall, pivoted latch plates carried by the front wall, guide plates carried by the side walls and having keyhole slots therein terminating at their forward ends in keeper notches, said latch plates being slidably received between the side walls and the guide plates, latch pins carried by the inner ends of the latch plates slidably mounted in said slots, said keeper pins being movable in the keeper notches by the weight of the latch plates upon forward tilting movement of the front Wall, and a linger operated release plate movable into. engagement with the lower ends of the latch plates for swinging said latch plates on their pivots and for moving the latch pins ont or" the keeper notches, and a follower panel slidably mounted in the drawer toward and away from the front wall including a bottom cross strip, slide plates secured to the terminals of the cross strip and slidably carried by the side walls, and a main body portion'hinged to the cross strip for swinging movement to a rearward tilted position and to a raised upright position, means for latching the body portion in a rear tilted position including crank arms rockably mounted on the body portion terminating in outwardly extending pins, the slide plates having keyhole slots receiving said pins and .said slots terminating in keeper notches for the pins when the body portion is in a tilted position, spring means normally holding the crank arms in a lowered position with the pins in the keeper notches, manually operable means for actuating the crank arms to raise the pins out of the keeper notches, and automatic means for operating the latch plates of the front wall and the crank arms of the follower panel when the `drawer is moved to a closed position in a cabinet including longitudinally extending operating bars mounted in close proximity to the side Walls and normally disposed below the latch pins of the latch means for the front wall and the latch means for the body portieri of the panel, links pivotally connecting t'ne bars to the side walls, spring means normally holding the links in a downward tilted position with the bars in a rearward lowered position, forward movement of the bars against the tension of said spring means moving the links to a vertical position and the bars in a raised position for lifting said latch pins out of their respective keeper notches.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 757,194 Huening Apr. l2, 1904 821,576 Athey May 22, 1906 1,706,085 Straubel Mar. 19, 1929 1,892,020 Straubel n Dec. 27, 1932 1,899,530 Schade s Feb. 28, 1933 2,676,866 Woodin Apr. 27, 1954 2,917,052 Van Donk Dec. 15, 1959