US3326615A

US3326615A - Card filing devices

Info

Publication number: US3326615A
Application number: US529774A
Authority: US
Inventors: Karper Albert
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1963-03-06
Filing date: 1966-02-24
Publication date: 1967-06-20
Anticipated expiration: 1984-06-20

Description

June 20, 1967 A. KAR-PER 3,326,615

CARD FILING DEVICES Original Filed March 6, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG.2

INVENTOR. Alberf Karper ATTORNEY June 20, 1967 v A P R 3,326,615

CARD FILING DEVICES Original Fil ed March 6-. 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 I w 1 1 73 134A 7,3 I I I CARD FILING DEVICES Original Filed March 6. 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIGS June 20, 1967 A. KARPER CARD FILING DEVICES Original Filed March 6. 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. 9

June 20, 1967 A. KARPER CARD FILING DEVICES Original Filed March 6, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 United States Patent Claims. (Cl. 312-252 This is a division of my co-pending applications, Ser. No 263,222 filed Mar. 6, 1963, now Patent No. 3,246,- 940 and Ser. No. 266,985, filed Mar. 21, 1963, now Pat ent No. 3,253,871.

This invention relates in general to a card filing device, and more specifically to a new and improved card filing device in which the card holding means is tilted at an angle with respect to the horizontal and pivotable about a horizontal axis between a substantially upright stowed position and a horizontally disposed operative position.

Heretofore, conventional card filing devices comprised either the sliding drawer type card file, or the rotary type card file. While each of the respective type card file devices have been widely accepted and is much used today, each system is attended with specific inherent disadvantages. For example, with the drawer type file devices, it is required that the housing for accommodating the file drawer has a width or depth substantially equal to the length of the card filing drawer housed therein. Therefore, in order to utilize sliding drawer type filing devices, the sliding drawer When opened for filing purposes required additional space at least equal again to the length of the drawer. Therefore the minimum amount of space which is required for sliding drawer type filing devices is a horizontal distance equal to at least two times the length of the file drawer. Another disadvantage of a sliding drawer type filing device is that the drawer canv be inadvertently pulled completely out of the housing when in use. When this occurs, inevitably the drawer will fall to the floor thus causing the cards filed therein. to become disarranged in the event they are loosely filed therein.

In rotary type filing devices, the arrangement is such that cards cannot be loosely filed therein. Because of the rotating motion, means are required to maintain the cards secured onto the file wheel. Thus mechanical manipulation is required on the part of the operator to insert and remove cards filed in such rotary devices. Also specially constructed filing cards are required. With the rotary card files, an operator is also not afforded the advantage of viewing all of the cards filed thereon at a glance.

Therefore an object of this invention is to provide a new and novel card filing device which will result in obtaining the combined advantages of both the sliding drawer and rotary type filing device without any of the inherent disadvantages thereof.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved card filing device which will occupy a minimum of space in both the operative and inoperative position thereof.

Still another object is to provide a card file having a tiltable card holding compartment which is pivotally mounted with respect to its housing for movement between a substantially upright stowed position and a horizontally disposed operative position in which all of the cards filed therein are rendered visible at a glance and readily accessible.

Another object is to provide for an angularly inclined housing which permits for. a relatively simple pivotal suspension of a tilting card holding compartment to be ice balanced so as to require a minimum of effort to open' and close the same.

Another object is to provide a card holding file in which cards can be loosely filed therein, constructed and arranged so that the card holding compartment can be pivoted to an upright inoperative position without having the cards becoming disarranged therein.

Another object is to provide a noiseless operating card file in which a card holding compartment is pivotally connected to its housing.

Still another object is to provide a card file having a tiltable card holding compartment constructed and arranged so as to be readily detachably connected to its housing.

Still another object is to provide a card filing arrangement in which the housing can assume various forms, and a card holding compartment being constructed and arranged so as to be readily interchanged for use in any of the various housing constructions.

Still another, object is to provide a card filing device in which the housing for containing a plurality of card holding compartments is rendered rotatable about a vertical axis and the respective card holding compartments being readily detachable and hingedly connected to the housing for movement about a horizontal axis.

Still another object is to provide for a novelly constructed card holding compartment which isadapted to be pivotally mounted with respect to its housing.

It is still another object to provide for a uniform tilting compartment which can be readily slipped into hinging connection in a multi-compartmented housing.

Still another object is to provide for a novel card holding compartment that can be up-ended so as to set in a shelf-like housing.

Still another object is to provide for'a tilting card filing compartment which is readily adapted for use in a multiple housing rotating about a vertical axis.

Still another object is to provide a novel, tiltable card filing device which will occupy a minimum of space in either the operative or inoperative position thereof, and one which is relatively simple in construction, economical to manufacture, and positive in operation.

In accordance with this invention, the foregoing objects, and other features and advantages .are attained by a card filing device comprising essentially a means defining an opened front housing which has pivotally connected thereto a card holding compartment arranged to pivot between an up-ended stowed position so that the open end of compartment is disposed within the housing and in horizontal operative position whereby access is readily afforded to all of the cards disposed in-said compartment. In accordance with this invention the cards may be loosely filed within the compartment and the compartment balanced when stowed so as to prohibit the card from becoming loose therefrom. Cooperating means are provided on the housing and the compartment so as to effect a balanced, efiortless and noiseless operation. The portion of the cooperating meanslocated on the housing further functions to prevent the cards from falling out of the compartment when the same is up-ended in its stowed position. Means can-also be provided for rendering the card holding compartment readily detachable from its respective housing, said means being constructed and arranged so as toprohibit detachment when the card holding compartment is tilted into open operative position. This invention further contemplates a card holding compartment constructed and arranged so as to have in one form a hinged front wall and a cooperating hinged flap which are adapted to compress the column of cards ment is pivoted to its operative position the front wall is pivoted outwardly about its axis so as to spread the cards in the column within the compartment to facilitate reading of the same. A combined tab holder and stop means is connected to the front wall of the compartment to limit the outward movement thereof, and means are operative'ly associated with the front wall of the compartment for containing the side walls when the compartment is rendered operative.

The invention further contemplates several distinct housing embodiments to provide for multiple compartment housing rotatable about a vertical axis.

One of the features of this invention resides in the provision wherein the card holding compartment can be readily interchanged or used in any of the housnig constructions disclosed herein.

Another feature of this invention resides in the provision wherein the respective card holding compartment utilizes a vertical space when stowed in its inoperative position, and therefore requires very little desk space when used as a desk file.

Another feature resides in the provision that all of the cards in the card holding compartment are completely visible when rotated to operative position.

Still another feature resides in the provision wherein the card holding compartment is balanced soas to be opened with a minimum of effort or force.

Another feature resides in the provision that standard type cards can be loosely filed in the card holding compartment.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent when considered in view of the drawings and description thereon in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a card file housing construction rotatably mounted about a vertical axis for cards filing compartment rotatable between an up-ended stowed inoperative position and a horizontal operative position.

FIGURE 2 is a partial plan sectional view taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1.

FIGURE 3 is a side elevation view of a modified form of the invention.

FIGURE .4 is a plan sectional view taken along line 44 of FIG. 3.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the invention wherein the dotted line showing illustrates the card file compartment in operative and inoperative position.

FIGURE 6 is a detached side view shown in section of the card holding compartment adapted for use in the card file of FIGS. 1, 3 and 5.

FIGURE 6A is a sectional view taken along line 6A6A on FIG. 6.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary sectional side view of the compartment of FIG. 6 showing the front wall pivoted outwardly in the operative position thereof.

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of a modified drawer construction.

FIGURE 9 is a detail front view of an index card for use in the compartments disclosed in FIGS. 6 and 8.

FIGURE 10 is a sectional view taken along line 10-10 on FIG. 9.

FIGURE 11 is an expanded plan view of a fold card for use with the card compartments of this invention.

FIGURE 12 is a perspective view of the fold card of FIG. 11 with a clip-on means for use therewith.

FIGURE 13 is a fold card with a modified clip-on means.

FIGURE 14 is a perspective view of still another modified form of the invention.

FIGURE 15 is a perspective view of the invention of FIG. 14, but illustrated with each of the card compartments rotated toward open or operative position.

FIGURE 16 is a perspective detail of the card file compartment adapted for use in the form of the invention of FIGS. 14 and 15.

FIGURE 17 is a construction detail of the embodiment of FIG. 14 to illustrate the support means for the top thereof.

FIGURE 18 is a side elevation view of the invention of FIG. 14.

FIGURES 1 and 2 illustrate a housing construction together with its drawer or card holding compartments 121 to be hereinafter described. The housing 120 is rotatably mounted about a vertical axis 124. As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 120 is supported on a pair of similarly constructed

pedestal members

122 and 123 which are connected in end to end relationship, as shown. A spindle 124 is utilized to rotatably journal the upper pedestal member 123 to the lower pedestal member 122. The top 123A of the upper pedestal member 123 defines the base for the housing 120 in which the respective card holding compartments 121 are received. As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the spindle 124 extends upwardly through the center of the housing 120.

The housing proper in this form of the invention is defined by five similarly constructed panel section 125, of which only two complete panels 125 are seen in FIG. 2. Each of the respective panels 125 is bent so that when assembled a five compartmental housing 120 is formed thereby.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, each panel 125 is bent to define a central panel portion 125A and a pair of angularly disposed side panel portions 125B. Each of the side panel portions 125B is provided with an inturned flange 125C which in the assembled form define the front or outside wall portion of the housing. Each flange 125C has its outer edge 125D bent inwardly at an angle to define a front opening 126 for receiving the card holding compartment 121 as will be hereinafter described with respect to FIGS. 6 and 8. In the assembly of the five panels 125 as herein described, the side panel portions 125B of adjacent panels 125 are secured in back to back relationship as shown in FIG. 2.

A top plate 127 forms the cover for the housing 120 thus defined. A nu-t or other suitable fastener 128 secures the cover plate 127 in place on the end of spindle 124. Thus, it will be noted that a multiple recessed housing construction is afforded which is rendered readily rotatable about the vertical axis 124.

As described in my co-pending application, Ser. No. 263,222, filed Mar. 6, 1963, now Patent No. 3,246,940, the card holding compartment 121 is constructed and arranged so as to be detachably and pivotally connected to the housing 120 defined for move-ment between an upended stowed position as shown in FIG. 1 by the solid line rendition thereof, and to an open operative position as mdlcated in the dot-dash line rendition thereof.

Referring more specifically to FIGS. 6, 6A and 7, the card holding compartment or drawer 121 comprises a bottom wall 53 having a connected rear wall 54 and a pan of opposed upright side walls 55 connected along the longitudinal edges of the bottom wall 53. The bottom wall 1s defined with a recess or longitudinally extending channel way 56. Extending along the channel way 56 are a pan of elongated plate members 57 which are connected to the elevated portion of the bottom wall 53 adjacent the channel way 56. Referring to FIG. 6A, it will be noted that the inner edges 57A of the elongated member 57 overhangs the channel way 56 and defines with the bottom thereof a guide way for receiving an index card or folder of the type shown in FIGS. 9 or 12 respectively.

As shown in FIG. 9, the index card constitutes a substantially rectangular card having a notched portion 58A adjacent the bottom thereof to define opposed tongue portions 59. The index card, when fitted into the drawer 121, 1s arranged so that the overhang portion 57A of the elongated member 57 is received in the notches 58A with the tongue portion 59 thereof being disposed below the overhang of members 57. Thus, the index card 58 is secured within the drawer, yet is free to be shifted longitudinally of the drawer.

The index card is also provided with an ear 60 formed along the upper edge thereof for identification purposes. As shown, the card 58 is provided with a slot 60A for receiving the lower edge portion of a C shaped translucent clip 61. The upper end of clip 61 is curled over the top of the card ear 60 and the lower end curled through slot 60A. Thus, the clip 61 is securely fastened to the card 58. An index number or tab can thus be placed between the ear 60 and the face portion of clip 61 to identify the index card.

If desired, a fold over card 100 of the type illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 may be utilized in the drawer construction described. As shown, the fold card 100 is formed of a blank which is folded along a medial foldline F1 to define a folded card 100. As shown, a pair of slotted openings SL are formed along the foldline F1 and a flexible clip-on device 110 is adapted to be utilized in conjunction with the folded card 100.

The clip-on device 110 comprises a portion 111 which is adapted to be received in the fold of the card 100 adjacent the foldline. As shown, portion 111 of clip-n 110 has a length substantially coextensive to the width of the card. Integrally formed with the portion 111 of the clipon device 100 are a pair of depending L shaped leg members 112. The respective leg members 112 are adapted to extend through the slots SL with the free ends 112A of the leg 112 outwardly turned. Accordingly, in operation, the fold card 100 with clip-on device 110 may be dis posed in the card compartment 121 so that the outwardly turned ends 112A of the clip-on member is disposed below the overhang of member 57 of compartment 121 whereas the base or bottom 113 of the fold card is adapted to ride above the overhang 57. Accordingly, the folded cards 100 of FIGS. 11 and 12 may be employed in the compartment in the same manner as the index card of FIG. 9.

FIGURE 13 illustrates a modified form of folded card construction 115. In this form of the invention, the card 115 is similiar to the folded card of FIG. 11 with the exception that the clip-0n device 116 is modified to adapt it for a card compartment having a track or guide of the type disclosed in FIG. 14, which will be hereinafter described.

The clip-on member 116 of FIG. 13 is defined by a portion 117 having a pair of depending L shaped leg portions 118 connected thereto which are adapted to be inserted through the slotted holes formed on the foldline of the card 118. The end portions of the respective leg members are inwardly turned to engage a track connected on the bottom of a card holding means of the type illustrated in FIG. 16, and which will be hereinafter described in detail.

Referring again to the drawer or compartment construction 121, it will be noted that the respective side walls 55 at its upper end is provided with an inturned flange 62 which terminates in a depending flange portion 63 spaced from its respective side wall 55. Also, the rear wall 54 extends upwardly and outwardly at an angle with respect to the bottom wall 53, and it is made higher than the side walls 55.

The front wall 64 ofthe compartment is pivotally connected to the bottom wall 53 by a piano type hinge 65. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the front wall 64 is provided with side and top peripheral

inturned flange portions

64A, 64B. In the stowed position, the side flange portion 64A is arranged to embrace the inturned portions 125B of the housing construction, and the top flange portion 643 is arranged to be disposed contiguous to the leading edge of the top cover 127 in the stowed postion of the drawer.

Connected to the front wall 64 are a pair of spaced arcuate shaped plates or gussets 66 for bridging the space between the front wall 64 and the side walls 55 when the front wall 64 is pivoted outwardly as shown in FIG. 7.

Referring to FIG. 7, the respective gussets 66 are provided with outwardly turned flanges 66A. Adjacent the upper end of the gusset flange 66 at the bend thereof, there is provided a slot 66B which is adapted to receive the depending edge 63 of the side wall flange 62. Thus, it will be noted in FIGS. 6 a'nd 6A that the gussets 66 serve to prohibit lateral or outward displacement of the side walls 55 when the front wall 64 of compartment 121 is tilted forward. Gussets 66 thus function to contain the side walls 55 of the compartment 121.

In the closed position of the front wall 64, the side flanges 64A are in overlapping relationship to the side Walls 55 and thus function to contain the side walls 55.

Operatively associated with the front wall 64 is a flap 67 which is hingedly connected to the hinge pin 65. The function of the flap 67 is to encompass the column of cards filed in the card compartment in the stowed position thereof and to extend the column of cards when the drawer is in the operative position with the front wall 64 pivoted outwardly.

To limit the forward tilting movement of the front wall 64 of the card holding compartment 121, a combined tab holder handle and stop means 70 is provided. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the stop means 70 includes a depending tab 70A connected to the front wall 64, and it extends below the bottom wall 53 of the compartment. A finger grip portion 70B is bent forwardly of the depending tab portion 70A. A clip 71 having a window or cut out portion is clamped onto the surface of the tab portion 70A and forms the frame for the index or name plate for identifying the subject matter to be filed within the compartment 121.

The arrangement of the stop tab means 70 is such that the curve of the finger portion 70B abuts the leading wall portion 56A of the channel way 56 formed in the bottom wall of the compartment and thus defines the stop for the front wall 64.

In order that the card holding compartment 121 may be detachably and hingedly connected to the housing, a detachable hinge means is provided. As best seen in FIG. 6, the detachable hinge means comprises simply a hook shaped plate 72 connected to the bottom wall 53 adjacent the rear wall. To attach the compartment 121 to the housing, the card holding compartment 121 is simply set on end and the hook portion 72 is slipped over the hinge pin or slot 123B on the housing as described in my co-pending application, Ser. No. 263,222, filed Mar. 6, 1963, now Patent No. 3,246,940. With the construction described, the card file compartment 120 can be readily pivoted about pivot pin of the housing 120 from a stowed position shown by the solid line showing in FIG. 1 to an operative open position shown in the dotted line illustration thereof. It is to be noted that with the drawer 121 in the operative position as shown in FIG. 1, it is rendered impossible to unhook the drawer 121 by any force applied thereto. Before the compartment can be removed, it must be upended so that the hook end 72 can he slipped out of its retaining slot 123B.

To provide for effortless and noiseless operation, cooperating means are provided on the housing and the compartment as disclosed in my co-pending application, Ser. No. 263,222, filed Mar. 6, 1963, now Patent No. 3,246,940. Such means may comprise a flat spring 73 fixed to the rear or back wall 125A of the housing. As described in said co-pending application, spring 73 is fixed at. its upper end and is free at its lower end, the lower end being provided with a forwardly extending piece disposed adjacent the bottom wall of the housing. Cooperating therewith is a roller 74 which is rotatably journalled to the rear wall of the compartment. Thus, in operation, the roller 74 on the drawer is disposed in rolling engagement with the flat spring 23.

From the foregoing description, it is to be noted that the card holding compartment 121, when stowed in the up-ended position, as shown in the solid line illustration of FIG. 1, is disposed at an angle such that loosely mounted cards can be filed in the compartment without the same becoming disarranged. Also, it is to be realized that the flat spring 73 of FIG. 2 will function to hold the cards in place in the up-ended position of the compartment in the event any loose cards tend to become disarranged.

FIGURE 8 illustrates a modified card holding compartment. As shown therein, the card holding compartment of FIG. 8 is modified to the extent that the front wall 97 is fixedly or integrally connected to the bottom wall 98 and to the side wall 99. Thus, the front wall 97 is fixedly secured. In all other respects, the construction of the compartment of FIG. 8 is substantially similar to the compartment 120 of FIGS. 6 and 7.

FIGURES 3, 4 and illustrate a further modification of a filing system 130. This embodiment of the invention is readily adapted for use on a desk top. It comprises a fixed base 131 to 'which there is rotatably journalled a spindle 132. The spindle 132 has fixed thereto a bottom wall 133 of the housing. Connected to the bottom wall 133 are a series of three upright panels 134 which are specifically bent to define a triangular shaped housing, i.c. a housing in which three card holding compartments 135, similar to that hereinbefore described, may be housed. Each of the panels 134 is formed in a manner similar to that described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 except that the angle defined by the central portion 134A and each of the side portions 134B is greater. Thus, it will be apparent from FIGS. 3 and 4, that any reasonable number of compartments can be housed in a rotatable housing, journalled about a vertical axis, merely by varying the number of panels and angles defined by the bent portions thereof. To complete the housing of FIGS. 3 and 4, a top panel 136 is connected to the spindle 132, and a suitable capping nut 137 or the like secures the respective portions of the housing about the spindle.

It will be apparent that the

card holding compartment

121 and 135 of FIGS. 1 and 3 respectively are similar in every respect to that hereinbefore described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. Thus, the structure and operation of the card holding compartment 135 of FIGS. 3 and 4 is the same as previously described. The housing construction 130 defined also includes cooperating means in the form of a flat spring 73 and roller 74 as described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2; or a belt means as described in my co-pending patent application, Ser. No. 263,222, filed Mar. 6, 1963, now Patent No. 3,246,940.

FIGURE 5 illustrates a form of the invention substantially similar to that described with respect to FIGS. 3 and 4 with the exception that this embodiment may rest either on a floor or desk. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 5, the filing system 130A comprises of a circular base member 131A which may rest on a floor in the larger size models. Connected to the base is a vertical spindle 132A which forms the axis of rotation for the housing of the card filing system. The top plate 136a is suitably secured to the spindle 132A by a suitable fastener 137A as for example a nut cap or the like, and the card holding compartments 135A are similar to that hereinbefore described as each is hingedly connected for movement between an upright stowed position and an open operative horizontal position.

FIGURES 14 to 18 illustrate another modified form of the invention. In this form of the invention, the card filing system 150 comprises a fixed base member 151 and a rotating base 152, the latter having a plurality of side forming wall portions 153 hingedly connected to the rotary base for movement between an upright stowed position and a horizontally disposed operative position, as noted in FIGS. 14 and 15. In the illustrated form of the invention, the respective side wall portions 153 are rectangularly disposed on the rotary base 152 to define a closed rectangular housing. However, it will be understood that the number of side forming wall portions 8 hingedly secured to the base 152 may vary to define other poly onic shaped housing, as for example, a triangular housing, a pentagonal housing, a hexagonal housing and the like.

In the illustrated form of the invention, the four side walls forming portions 153 are hingedly connected to the rotary base 152 in contiguous rectangularly disposed relationship.

Each side wall portion 153 of the housing is constructed and arranged to define a tray for receiving a card holder 154 of a type as described in my co-pending application, Ser. No. 266,985, now Patent No. 3,253,871, filed Mar 21, 1963. As shown, each of the respective side wall portions 153 is provided with a pair of opposed rail or guide

members

155, 156 wherein one of the rail members 155 is disposed contiguous to one edge portion of its corresponding side wall portion, with the other rail member 156 spaced inwardly from the other opposed edge of the side wall portion. Thus, each side forming wall 153 is formed with a lateral extending marginal portion 153A, which is adapted to define that portion of the side wall 153 which shields the exposed edge portion of the cards C filed in a holder 154 located on the adjacent side wall portion of the housing, as will be hereinafter defined.

In this form of the invention, the card holder 154 is constructed and arranged so as to slidably receive within the rails or guides 155, 156 to the respective side wall portions 153 of the housing.

As best seen in FIG. 16 and as described in my copending application, Ser. No. 266,985, now Patent No. 3,253,871, filed Mar. 21, 1963, the card holder 154 comprises a base 154A having longitudinal marginal flange portions 157 adapted to be received between the

rails

155, 156 connected to a side wall portion 153 of the housing. Connected to the front and rear edges of the base plate 154A are hingedly

connected end members

158, 159. Accordingly, as noted in FIGS. 14 and 15, the front end member 159 of the card holder 154- in the stowed position of its complemental side wall portion 153 functions to define a portion of the top wall of the housing in the closed position thereof.

Hingedly connected to the rear end wall 158 and extending the length of the base member 154A are card guides which are adapted for receiving and holding therein the card or folder to be filed and stored thereon. For example, the card or folder 115 of FIG. 13 may be utilized. Also, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, a slotted card 161 may be used.

Accordingly, the card holding tray or means 154 may be constructed and arranged to have any number of card guides 160 extending longitudinally between the

end walls

158 and 159 thereof. For example, two or three guides 160 may be used as shown in the drawings.

As best seen in FIGS. 14 through 16, the side wall portions 153 of the housing defined thereby from a tray for slidably receiving the card holder 154. Cards 161 adapted for use with the card holder may be provided with slotted openings 162 which are threaded onto the card guides 160 in a manner described above and in my co-pending application, Ser. No. 266,985, filed Mar. 21, 1963, now Patent No. 3,253,871.

Referring to FIG. 14, it will be noted that when each of the side walls 153 are disposed in their vertically stowed position, the respective front end wall 159 of each card holders 154 is horizontally disposed to define a portion of the top of the housing. To complete the top closure or top for the housing, a top plate 163 is fixedly secured to an upright spindle or post 164 connected to and extending upwardly of the rotary base member 152. Accordingly, the top plate 163 is constructed and shaped to occupy the central void defined by the respective front end walls 159 of the respective card holding means 154 when the same are in the stowed position of the housing.

It is to be noted that in the stowed position, the respective card holders 154 are positioned so that the cards 9 contained thereon are disposed in stacked columns interfitted as shown in FIG. 14. Accordingly, the overhanging or marginal extension 153A of the respective side wall portion 153 functions to define the closure end for exposed end of the next adjacent card stack.

Referring to FIG. 18, it will be noted that the spindle or post 164 has a socket 165 formed in the bottom thereon which is adapted to receive a pivot or boss 166 which is connected to the fixed base 151 and about which the base 152 of the housing is rotatably journalled. Accordingly, the side wall portion 153 of the housing hingedly connected to the base-152 are free to rotate about the vertical axis of the spindle 164 and associated boss 166 while at the same time free to pivot between a vertical stowed position and a horizontal operative position as seen in FIGS. 14 and 15.

Of course, it will be understood that if desired, the pivoting side wall portions 153 may be hingedly connected to a fixed base, in the event a rotatable housing was not required or desirable.

While the instant invention has been described with respect to several embodiments thereof, it will be readily understood that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A filing device comprising,

(a) a housing having a base member,

(b) an upright spindle associated with said base member at the approximate center thereof,

() a cover connected to the upper end of said spindle,

(d) a plurality of upright panels connected to said base member for defining with said cover a plurality of chambers open at the front only,

(e) a card holding means adapted to be received in each of said open front chambers, said card-holding means including a drawer,

(f) detachable hinge means for pivotally mounting the bottom end each of said drawers to said base for movement between an upright stowed position withing said chamber and a horizontal operative position.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said drawers comprises,

(a) a bottom wall,

(b) a pair of connected side walls,

(c) a rear wall connected to said side walls,

(d) a front wall, and

(e) means for pivotally connecting said front walls to said bottom wall.

3. The invention as defined in claim 1 and including,

(a) a fixed support,

(b) and means for rotatably supporting said base member of said housing on said fixed support for relative rotation of said housing about a vertical axis.

4. A filing device comprising a housing having a base member, an upright spindle associated with said base member at the approximate center thereof, a cover connected to the upper end of said spindle, a plurality of upright panels connected to said base member for defining with said cover a plurality of open front recesses, a cardholding means adapted to be received in each of said front open recesses, means for pivotly mounting each of said card-holding means to said base for movement between an upright stowed position within said recess and a horizontal operative position wherein each of said panels includes a central portion, a pair of side portions, and an inturned flange connected to each of said side portions whereby the side portions of adjacent panels are disposed in back to back relationship, and means for securing said adjacent panels in said back to back relationship.

5. The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein said housing is rotatalby journalled to a fixed base.

6. The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein said base comprises a pair of similarly constructed pedestal members connected so that one rotates relative to the other.

7. The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein three card panels are connected to define said housing.

8. A filing device comprising,

a base member,

a plurality of end walls hingedly connected to said base member for pivoting between a vertically stowed position and a horizontally disposed operative position whereby in the stowed position, said end walls define a closed polygonic figure,

and means carried on said end walls adapted for holding a plurality of filing cards for movement therewith whereby in the stowed position said cards are stacked in a column one on the other and in the horizontal operative position said cards are arranged in a row, and said card holding means comprising,

a plate member,

a front and end wall pivotally connected to said plate member, whereby said front end wall defines a portion of the top wall of said housing in the stowed position of said end wall portion thereof,

and guide means extending between the front and end wall of said card holding means for receiving the cards adapted to be contained thereon.

9. The invention as defined in claim 8 and including means for slidably connecting said card holding means to said end wall.

10. The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein said slidably connecting means includes rail forming means connected to said end wall, and complementary means formed on said card holding means for slidably receiving the same in said rail means.

11. The invention as defined in claim 8 wherein said guide means are hingedly secured to said rear end wall of said card holder.

12. The invention as defined in claim 8 wherein said card holding means is laterally disposed to one side of its respective end wall.

13. The invention as defined in claim 8 and including a fixed support, and means for rotatably supporting said base member of said housing on said fixed support for relative rotation of said housing about a vertical axis, wherein said latter means includes,

a fixed boss extending upwardly from said fixed support,

and means defining a socket on said base member for receiving said boss whereby said base member and end walls connected thereto are rotatable relative to said fixed support about said boss.

14. The invention as defined in claim 13 and including a spindle connected to said'base in axial alignment with said boss, and a top plate connected to the upper end of said spindle to define a top for said housing.

15. A filing device comprising,

(a) a fixed support,

(b) a housing rotatably supported on said fixed support for rotation about a vertical axis,

(0) said housing including a bottom wall and a plurality of end forming walls hingedly connected to said bottom wall for movement between a vertically stowed position and a horizontally disposed operative position,

(d) said end walls being hingedly connected to said bottom wall to define a closed polygonic figure in the stowed position thereof,

(e) means for rotatably supporting said bottom wall of said housing on said fixed support for relative rotation thereto,

(f) a spindle connected to said bottom wall centrally thereof and extending upwardly therefrom and defining the axis of rotation of said housing,

(g) a top member connected to the upper end of said spindle,

(h) card holding means carried on each of said end walls whereby said card holding means is pivoted with said end Wall,

(i) means for slidably connecting said card holding means relative to its respective end wall,

(j) said card holding means including a plate member having front and end Walls connected thereto, (k) said end wall being pivotally connected to said plate members whereby said front end Wall of said card holder defines with said top plate a top for said housing.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Perkins 3l2252 X Huening 312303 MacLachlan 312-483 MacLachlan 312-483 Watson 312-293 Rogers 312-120 Payeur 108139 JOHN PETO, Primary Examiner.

CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Examiner.

F. DOMOTOR, Assistant Examiner.

Claims

1. A FILING DEVICE COMPRISING, (A) A HOUSING HAVING A BASE MEMBER, (B) AN UPRIGHT SPINDLE ASSOCIATED WITH SAID BASE MEMBER AT THE APPROXIMATE CENTER THEREOF, (C) A COVER CONNECTED TO THE UPPER END OF SAID SPINDLE, (D) A PLURALITY OF UPRIGHT PANELS CONNECTED TO SAID BASE MEMBER FOR DEFINING WITH SAID COVER A PLURALITY OF CHAMBERS OPEN AT THE FRONT ONLY, (E) A CARD HOLDING MEANS ADAPTED TO BE RECEIVED IN EACH OF SAID OPEN FRONT CHAMBERS, SAID CARD-HOLDING MEANS INCLUDING A DRAWER, (F) DETACHABLE HINGE MEANS FOR PIVOTALLY MOUNTING THE BOTTOM END EACH OF SAID DRAWERS TO SAID BASE FOR MOVEMENT BETWEEN AN UPRIGHT STOWED POSITION WITHING SAID CHAMBER AND A HORIZONTAL OPERATIVE POSITION.