US3223235A - Holder for storing sheet material - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 14, 1965 Filed Oct. 19, 1962 D. C. J. KNIP HOLDER FOR STORING SHEET MATERIAL 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 JN\VENTOR.

D. C- J. KNlP HOLDER FOR STORING SHEET MATERIAL Dec. 14, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 19, 1962 INVENTOR.

United States Patent 3,223,235 HOLDER FOR STORING SHEET MATERIAL Dirk Cornelis Jan Knip, Delft, Netherlands, assignor to Aerojet Delft Corporation, Long Island, NY. Filed Oct. 19, 1962, Ser. No. 231,702

Claims priority, application Netherlands, Oct. 24, 1961,

270,580 Claims. (Cl. 206-74) The invention relates to a holder for storing sheet material such as bound or loose sheets of paper, plastic foils and plates, photographic negatives, or more complex materials such as grammophone records in covers, card sheets with cloth samples, etc.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a holder of simple design and construction which is particularlysuitable for the storing of sheet materials in a vertical position without the necessity of punching the materials, though it use is not limited thereto.

Known means for the vertical filing of sheet materials such as binders, folders suspended pockets or filing boxes have serious disadvantages. The contents of a loose leaf folder may protrude out of the folder and may easily become damaged, particularly at the bottom edge. Flaps in the inside of the folder may prevent this but tend to make the contents less readily accessible. When a number of folders are placed side by side on a shelf they may begin to lean and bulge out in a short time, which detracts from their suitability and appearance. The filing box is used in cases where it can be completely filled at once. With such a box finding or filing a record usually implies removing its whole contents. Suspended folder systems require provisions such as especially constructed drawer cabinets adapted to the folders. The initial expense of such systems is much higher than that of, e.g., the conventional binders in which perforated sheets may be fastened and which can simply be placed on any shelf available. It often may be, however, that the character of the material to be filed does not permit the punching thereof which is necessary with such binders, while also the tendency of the binders to lean and become distorted is disadvantageous.

The holder according to the invention avoids the above mentioned drawbacks and is characterized by a tray, consisting of a rigid plate with at least two upstanding walls adjacent each other in which a pile of sheet material can be accommodated, and by one or more elastic cords, strings or like elements, adapted to be drawn taut over the pile so as to press same against the plate of the tray, which cords or strings have application points on one or more upstanding walls of the tray which point are movable in the direction of piling.

Thus, in the holder according to the invention which can be positioned upright on one of the walls of the rigid tray, a pile of arbitrary height is held pressed by one or more elastic strings or like elements against the plate of the tray. Therefore, any sagging of the tray itself or of its contents is effectively avoided.

Preferably, in the invention the application points of the elastic cords or strings are defined by slots in the relevant upstanding walls of the tray through which the clastic elements are passed or by guidings fixed to these walls along which the elastic elements are guided.

Displacing the application points when new material is inserted or old material is removed from the pile is very simple in this case. The application points can be placed in the required new position even automatically if, in accordance with the invention, the slots or guidings are at an oblique angle to the direction of piling and the elastic elements, when being drawn taut over the pile, are so positioned that the tensile forces in the elements have a substantial component tending to drive the application points towards the pile .of stored material.

The term application points in the present specification denotes the points in which the tensile force of the elastic elements is applied to the upstanding walls of the tray. In such points the elastic elements may but must not necessarily end as will appear hereinafter.

The objects and features of the present invention will be more fully understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof, which are illustrated by way of example in the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows in perspective a first holder according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows in perspective a secon dholder;

FIG. 3 shows a divided holder in perspective;

FIG. 4 shows a side-view of another holder according to the invention;

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 show some details of holders;

FIG. 8 illustrates the way in which a number of holders according to FIG. 1 can be accommodated into each other for the purpose of transport or storage;

FIG. 9 shows in perspective a modification of the holder according to FIG. 4; .and

FIG. 10 shows a further embodiment in perspective.

Corresponding parts in the different figures carry the same reference numbers. .Thus, throughout the drawings the rigid tray forming the holder proper is designated 1, a cover plate for the pile of sheet material 2 and one or more elastic strings 3. The tray 1 consists of a plate 4 and two or more upstanding edges or walls 5 and 6. The movable application points of the strings 3 on the walls of the tray are provided by elements marked throughout 7 and 8. Where necessary a pile of sheets 11 is shown in the figures.

The-string 3 in FIG. 1 has its ends provided with nipples 9 and 10 and has been threaded through oblique slots 7 and 8 formed in the walls 5 and 6 of the tray. The walls 5 and 6 serve as the bottom and back of the holder, respectively. Bottom 5 is provided with sliding edges 15 and 16. The string 3, after having been drawn taut over the cover plate 2 of the pile 11, may be passed over the upper corner 12 of the plate 4 either crossed or not and fixed in recesses such as 13 and 14 in the free edges of the plate 4.

The tension in string 3 will force the nipples 9, 10 to move to their definitive positions in the oblique slots 7, 8 which positions are pendendent on the thickness of pile 11. A gentle pressure is exerted on the pile 11 by string 3 through the cover plate 2, so as to prevent the pile from sagging. In order to ensure that even under very rough treatment the sheets will not move, the free end ofthe bottomS may be provided with a sloping upstanding edge 17.

The tray 1 may be constructed of plate material. Alternatively, it may be shaped by moulding, die-casting or similar processes, e.g. of plastic material or light metal. The elastic element 3 may be a rubber cord or tape which is either cotton-covered or not, or a steel wire in helical form. Its cross-section is preferablyround.

The embodiment of FIG. 2 differs from that of FIG. 1 first in that the slots 7 and 8 are both provided in the back of the holder. Accordingly the string 3 is not passed over a free corner of plate 4, but looped over a projection 19 formed between two recesses 13 and 14 in one edge of the plate. Furthermore, the slots 7 and 8 are not formed in the back of the tray proper but in an angle plate 18, which is fixed in the tray so as to form a double bottom and back. In this case the nipples 9 and 10 are invisible. The position of the nipples 10 in the holder'of FIG. 1, on the other hand, is a very suitable indication of the space still available in the holder.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 the tray has been divided by means of a partition 20 into two compartments in which two piles 11 of small sheets can be filed. Otherwise, the attachment of the strings 3 and the construction of the tray 1 are similar to those in FIG. 2.

In the embodiment shown in side-view in FIG. 4 the tray 1 has a bottom 5 and two side-walls 6. The application points of the string 3 are now both formed in the bottom of the tray, while the string may be fixed in recesses 13, 14 provided in the upper edge of the plate 4.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the slots providing the application points of the string, are formed in one and the same wall of the tray the string 3 may be an endless one. To that end the slots 7 and 8 have been extended to the free edge of the wall 6 so that the string can be inserted into the open ends of the slots.

In FIG. 6 a detail of a holder is shown, the back 6 of which has been partly broken away to show the plate 18 with the slot 8 and the nipple 10. In this case the slot is not oblique but parallel to the direction of piling. In order to secure a satisfactory resistance against the sliding away of the nipple the plate 18 has been milled or made rough at both edges of the slot 8 while the nipple is milled too on the side facing the slot.

FIG. 7 illustrates that in order to save the joint between the string 3 and the nipple 9 the parts of the wall on either side of the slot 7 can be slightly buckled such that a sliding surface for the nipple is formed which is perpendicular to the plane of movement of the string.

The holder shown in FIG. 9 has a bottom 5 and two side-walls 6 similar to the holder of FIG. 4. However, in this case two short strings are provided which are drawn crosswise between the walls 6 over the cover plate 2. The lower application point of the strings is defined by closed slots 7, the upper point by open slots 8. The slots are again positioned at an oblique angle to the direction of piling so that the nipples 9 and 10 under the tensile force of the string will be driven to their correct position as determined by the height of pile 11. To insert material into the holder, the strings 3 must be pulled out of the upper slots 8.

In the holder shown in FIG. 10 the movable application points of the string 3 on the back 6 of the tray are not formed by slots but by guiding rods 7 and 8 which are secured to the inner side of the back by means of small pads 21, 22 and 23. The rods extend at an oblique angle to the direction of piling. The ends of the string 3 are provided with eyelets 24 which slide on the rods. The string is drawn taut over the pile by looping it over a hook 25 secured to the plate 4.

Due to the fact that the contents of the holder according to the invention are fixed by the walls of the tray and by the strings, the holder can be filed in any desired position. It will only be necessary to insure that the nipples remain free from the surfaces on which the holders are stored. This can be achieved by providing sliding edges like and 16 in FIG 1 or double walls as was illustrated in FIG. 2. If desired, the Walls of the tray may be provided with finger holes to facilitate the pulling of one holder out of a row of holders and with windows or rabbets for labels.

The holder according to the invention exhibits, a.o., the following advantages:

(a) The sheets filed in the holder are always retained flat under a gentle pressure, and are accessible after a simple manipulation.

(b) When used on a desk the holder will occupy little space due to the absence of folding parts.

(c) The holder can be stored on shelves with its long as well as with its short side down.

(d) Punching of the material to be filed is not required.

(e) Because of the absence of clamping or binding mechanisms the risk of a defect is very small and the exterior dimensions of the holder exceed only slightly the size of the sheets to be filed.

(f) The rigidness of the trays prevents the holders from leaning, even when positioned individually on a shelf or desk without any lateral support.

(g) The holders with a single back can be accommodated into each other so as to save space during transport and storage.

I claim:

1. A holder for storing sheet material comprising a tray for receiving sheet material, said tray having a rigid plate provided with a surface against which sheet material is to be disposed in stacked juxtaposed relation and at least two rigid walls adjacent to each other and extending outwardly from the same surface of said plate against which the sheet material is to be disposed so as to be adapted to overlie respective edges of the sheet material, and elastic means having movable application points on at least one of said walls with said application points being movable in the direction in which the sheet material is to be piled and said elastic means extending across said surface of said plate against which sheet material is to be disposed so as to be drawn taut over the sheet material for pressing the sheet material against said surface of said plate, said application points of said elastic means comprising points at which the tensile force of the elastic means is applied to said at least one of said walls and being adjustable to the height of the pile of sheet material disposed against said surface of said plate by the movement of said application points in the direction in which the sheet material is to be piled.

2. A holder for storing sheet material as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one of said walls is provided with slots through which said elastic means is passed, and said movable application points of said elastic means being defined by said slots so as to be located therealong.

3. A holder for storing sheet material as set forth in claim 2, wherein said one wall having slots provided therein comprises inner and outer wall layers, and said slots being provided in the inner wall layer thereof.

4. A holder for storing sheet material as set forth in claim 1, wherein guiding means are secured to the inner surface of at least one of said walls along which said elastic means is guided, and said movable application points of said elastic means being defined by said guiding means so as to be located therealong.

5. A holder for storing sheet material as set forth in claim 1, wherein said application points of said elastic means are so positioned as to be movable along a path at an oblique angle to the direction in which the sheet material is to be piled, and said elastic means when drawn taut over the sheet material is so positioned as to exert a force component driving said application points along said path toward the sheet material.

6. A holder for storing sheet material as set forth in claim 1, wherein said tray has two walls, and said elastic means comprises a single elastic element having an application point in each of said walls and being looped about the free corner of said plate remote from said walls.

7. A holder for storing sheet material as set forth in claim 1, wherein said elastic means comprises a single elastic element having two application points in one wall of said tray, said plate of said tray having a free edge oppositely disposed from said one wall, and said free edge of said plate being provided with a projecting part about which said elastic element is looped.

8. A holder for storing sheet material as set forth in claim 7, wherein said elastic element is endless, said one wall being provided with slots which extend up to the free edge of said one wall, said elastic element passing 5 through said slots, and said two application points of said elastic element being defined by said slots so as to be located therealong.

9. A holder for storing sheet material as set forth in claim 1, wherein said tray has three Walls, and said elastic means comprises a pair of crossing elastic elements, each of said pair of crossing elastic elements having an application point in each of the two of said walls which are opposite from each other.

10. A holder for storing sheet material as set forth in claim I, further including a rigid cover plate received by said tray and being positioned beneath said elastic means in alinement with the surface on said rigid plate against which sheet material is to be disposed so as to be placed on top of the pile of sheet material.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,714,688 5/1929 Mikkelsen.

2,347,021 4/ 1944 Auerbach 20656 2,801,000 7/1957 Busch 206-56 2,976,985 3/ 1961 Kraus 20662 FOREIGN PATENTS 319,800 7/1934 Italy.

1,097 1872 Great Britain.

THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner. EARLE I. DRUMMOND, GEORGE O. RALSTON,

- Examiners.

Claims (1)

1. A HOLDER FOR STORING SHEET MATERIAL COMPRISING A TRAY FOR RECEIVING SHEET MATERIAL, SAID TRAY HAVING A RIGID PLATE PROVIDED WITH A SURFACE AGAINST WHICH SHEET MATERIAL IS TO BE DISPOSED IN STACKED JUXTAPOSED RELATION AND AT LEAST TWO RIGID WALLS ADJACENT TO EACH OTHER AND EXTENDING OUTWARDLY FROM THE SAME SURFACE OF SAID PLATE AGAINST WHICH THE SHEET MATERIAL IS TO BE DISPOSED SO AS TO BE ADAPTED TO OVERLIE RESPECTIVE EDGES OF THE SHEET MATERIAL, AND ELASTIC MEANS HAVING MOVABLE APPLICATION POINTS ON AT LEAST OME OF SAID WALLS WITH SAID APPOLICATION POINTS BEING MOVABLE IN THE DIRECTION IN WHICH THE SHEET MATERIAL IS TO BE PILED AND SAID ELASTIC MEANS EXTENDING ACROSS SAID SURFACE OF SAID PLATE AGAINST WHICH SHEET MATERIAL IS TO BE DISPOSED SO AS TO BE DRAWN TAUT OVER THE SHEET MATERIAL FOR PRESSING THE SHEET MATERIAL AGAINST SAID SURFACE OF SAID PLATE, SAID APPLICATION POINTS OF SAID ELASTIC MEANS COMPRISING POINTS AT WHICH THE TENSILE FORCE OF THE ELASTIC MEANS IS APPLIED TO SAID AT LEAST ONE OF SAID WALLS AND BEING ADJUSTABLE TO THE HEIGHT OF THE PILE OF SHEET MATERIAL DISPOSED AGAINST SAID SURFACE OF SAID PLATE BY THE MOVEMENT OF SAID APPLICATION POINTS IN THE DIRECTION IN WHICH THE SHEET MATERIAL TO BE PILED.

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