US3580614A

US3580614A - Pocket register

Info

Publication number: US3580614A
Application number: US793342*A
Authority: US
Inventors: Rodney W Winston; Peter M Witham
Original assignee: Moore Business Forms Inc
Current assignee: Moore Business Forms Inc
Priority date: 1969-01-23
Filing date: 1969-01-23
Publication date: 1971-05-25
Anticipated expiration: 1988-05-25
Also published as: GB1234929A; NL7000986A; DK126314B; IE33698L; FR2028932A1; JPS5028849B1; DE2000910A1; IE33698B1

Abstract

A pocket register for containing a supply of manifolding material comprising a container for said material, a writing surface mounted within the container over which a strip of the material may be extended after being withdrawn from the interior of the container, means on the writing surface for engaging sheets of transfer material to be interposed between superposed portions of several sheets of manifolding material and adapted to limit extension of the withdrawn sheets, and a substantially open, easily locked cover means for positioning the strips of withdrawn record material onto the writing surface thereby enabling writing to take place.

Description

United States Patent [72] lnventors Rodney W. Winston North Tonawanda; Peter M. Witham, Nottingham, N.Y. [21] Appl. No. 793,342 [22] Filed Jan. 23,1969 [45 Patented May 25, 1971 [73] Assignee Moore Business Forms, Inc.

Niagara Falls, N.Y.

[54] POCKET REGISTER 8 Claims, 12 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 282/3B [51] Int. Cl B41l5/l6 [50] Field of Search 282/3-6, l221 [5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 718,648 l/1903 Mather 282/3.l

1,894,745 1/1933 Jensen 282/6 1,902,284 3/1933 Jensen 282/19.2X

1,957,034 5/1934 Stern et a1. 282/17 1,876,981 9/1932 Lewis 282/19B FOREIGN PATENTS 6,308 1907 Great Britain 282/15 Primary Examiner-Lawrence Charles Attorney-Watson, Cole, Grindle & Watson writing surface thereby enabling writing to take place.

PATENTED NAYZS 1971 SHEET 1 [IF 3 INVENTORS RODNEY N. WINSTON PETER M WITHAM BY Man, 64% 4M2 ATTORNEYS PATENTEU HAY25l97l 3580.614

sum 3 or 3 NTORSI no wmsron BY PETER M. WITHAM gjhw mMim ATTORNEYS POCKET REGISTER This invention relates generally to a pocket register for manifolded records and, more particularly, to a portable register or holder for containing a supply of superposed portions of record material from which the material may be progressively withdrawn.

The pocket register according to the instant invention comprises a boxlike container preferably of a one-piece molded plastic body having dimensions approximating that of the size packet of record material to be contained therein, and provided with a fixed top wall serving as a writing surface over which successive portions of the record strip are disposed upon withdrawal from the container. The forms, usable with this device, are interconnected into continuous strips which are superfolded in zigzag formation within the interior of the container or box. Hinged to lie parallel to the writing surface is a substantially open cover normally locked into position to form a completely enclosed container. Upon opening the cover, a set of forms may be withdrawn from the interior of the container and folded reversely over the writing surface starting with the last copy of such forms placed into position over a pair of stop pins which act to limit movement of the strip or strips when a predetermined length has been withdrawn from the container. A number of carbon bars, hinged at one end to the writing surface, are first pulled up so that a sheet of carbon or transfer material may be attached to one of the bars thereby allowing a single carbon sheet to be interposed between each form sheet as they are positioned over the writing surface. As many carbon sheets as necessary may be thereforeinterposed between the superposed sheets during the positioning process. Thereafter, the substantially open cover or lid is closed over the superposed sheets and locked at one end of the container. The cover exposes all the printed material on the form to the user who is now at liberty to record inscriptions thereon which are reproduced upon the underlying forms by the interleaved sheets of transfer material. The used fonns may be withdrawn simply by lifting them from the stop pins and away from the register thereby bringing another set of attached forms into position on the writing surface with the interposed transfer material remaining fixed on the surface. After the used forms are separated from the continuous strips, a record copy or copies may be inserted into the container through a door provided on the bottom wall thereof which is hinged to close inwardly.

It is therefore an object of this invention to providea pocket register having few moving parts, thereby rendering the device simple to construct, easy and efficient to operate, and more durable than most prior art devices.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable register apparatus for manifolding material having a fixed writing surface over which strips of record material may be periodically withdrawn from the container without the need for moving any element of the apparatus.

A further object of the present design is to provide a manifolding device of the type described wherein a substantially open lid or cover is placed over the withdrawn record material strips thereby exposing the strips and maintaining them snugly against the writing surface.

A still further object of the instant design is to provide a pocket register of the character described wherein the cover or lid is uniquely locked into position over the strips which can be unlocked simply by lifting up on one end of the cover while at the same time depressing the top of the device.

A still further object of the instant invention is to provide a pocket register as described wherein sheets of transfer material are fixedly held interposed between the superposed strips of material and are afi'lxed in such a manner such that any number of transfer sheets may be used with bulky folds of manifolding material.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a manifolding device wherein means are provided on the bottom of the apparatus for conveniently storing the detached sheets or slips.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings,

FIG. I is a perspective showing of the pocket register according to the invention,

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the apparatus taken substantially along the lines 2-2 of FIG. 1,

FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6 are transverse cross-sectional views taken respectively along the lines 3-3, 4-4, 5-5 and 6-6 of FIG. 2,

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing the cover or lid after it has been opened,

FIG. 8 is a partial perspective showing the open end of the device after the lid has been opened and illustrating the carbon bars used in initially loading the device, and

FIGS. 9, l0, l1 and 12 are perspective views, respectively, showing the successive operation during the initial loading of the device.

Turning now to the drawings wherein like reference characters refer to like and corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown a pocket register 10 according to the invention comprising a substantially boxlike container or holder having a bottom wall 11, top wall 12, an end wall 13, and sidewalls 14 formed as a one-piece molded plastic construction for containing a number of printed forms f (see FIGS. 9l2) interconnected into continuous strips and superfolded in zigzag formation so they may be drawn from the interior of the box or container and folded reversely over the top of a writing surface 15 which is of a metallic design mounted over top wall 12 and a portion of end wall 13 of the container. As clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 912 of the drawings near one end of the writing surface or plate 15, means for limiting the extent of the forms 16, l7, 18 after being withdrawn from the interior of the container are shown clearly as a pair of upstanding stop pins 19. Accordingly, when the last sheet 16 of a set of

forms

16, 17, 18 (see FIGS. 9, l0 and 11) is withdrawn from the interior of the container, suitable holes 21 provided near the top end of the form 16 will allow the form to be placed about stop pins 19 in the normal manner.

Near the other end of the writing surface 15, a number of flat bars 22' are provided for retaining sheets of transfer material 23 in a manner to be hereinafter explained. The flat bars 22 are hinged at one end by means of a clip 24 (see FIG. 8) and locket onto surface 15 at their free ends by means of engagement with an upstanding apertured flange 25 provided on the writing surface on the side directly opposite from clip 24. A depression 26 is also provided on the surface 15 for enabling disengagement of the flat bars 22 from the flange 25. A cover or lid 27, for maintaining the withdrawn forms snugly in position on the writing surface 15, is hinged as at 28 to opposing sidewalls 14 of the container (see FIG. 7). The cover 27. may then be closed over the withdrawn forms and locked into a substantially parallel position in relation to the writing surface 15. The cover 27 is formed with a substantially rectangular cutout 29 so that, after the cover is closed, the printed matter on the top form will be available for writing thereon by the user, as clearly shown in FIG. 12. Also, the cover 27 is provided with a dependingflange 31 which serves as an end wall for the container after the withdrawn forms are initially made ready for use. And, the lid 27 is provided with a pair of locking plates 32 along opposite sides of the cover (see FIGS. 3 and 7), each of such plates having an aperture 33 therein for maintaining the cover in its locked position. Locking means is provided within a rolled-under edge 34 of writing surface 15, as clearly shown in FIG. 2, where a pair of locking balls 35 are biased outwardly in contact with their respective sidewalls 14 by means of a coil spring 36 all of which is contained within edge 34, as clearly shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings. Aeeordingly, the lid 27 is locked as the locking flange apertures 33 engage with locking balls 35 when the lid 27 is brought to its closed position of FIG. 3.

In bottom wall 11 of the pocket register, a door 37 is provided for storing file copies within the container if so desired. To that end, door 37 is hinged as at 38 to bottom wall 11 (see FIG. 2) by means of an inwardly biased hinge so that door 37 will always remain in a closed position, as shown, without the need for snap-locking means as is commonly required in the prior art devices.

In order to dress up the pocket register while being carried from place to place, an outer cover 39 of plastic or any other suitable material, is replaceably secured to the end wall 13 of the container by means of studs 41 engageable with suitable apertures 42 provided in writing surface and the end wall 13. Being replaceable, the outer cover 39 may be substituted for like covers of any color variety or design. Also, the cover 39, as clearly shown in FIG. I, is provided with a pocket 43 for purposes of storing any notes or other memoranda which the user may wish to maintain with the register.

It should be noted that the width of writing surface 15, as clearly shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings, is slightly narrower than the distance between sidewalls 14 of the container in order to accommodate cover side flanges 44 when the cover is in its closed position over the writing surface.

With specificreference to FIGS. 9 through 12, it can be clearly seen that the pocket register of the instant invention may be initially loaded with the continuous forms by first opening the cover 27 and thereafter removing the free ends of flat bars 22 from engagement with the apertured flange 25. Referring for a moment to FIG. 1 of the drawings, it can be seen that the sidewall or flange 31 of the cover is slightly bent inwardly on itself so that in opening, the user merely applies upward pressure to the cover 27 with his thumb lifting up near the bottom of flange 31 while one or more fingers are used to depress the top ofwriting surface 15. The interconnected continuous strips or formsfare then placed within the container defined by writing surface 15, bottom wall 11, end wall 13, and sidewalls 14, as shown in FIG. 9, whereupon the last copy of a three-copy set of

forms

16, 17, I8 is placed top side up over the writing surface 15 with the form holes 21 placed over the stop pins 19, thereby limiting the extent of the withdrawn forms from the container. As shown in FIG. 10, a transfer sheet or sheet of carbon 23 is interleaved carbon side up with one of the flat bars 22 through either suitable holes provided in the carbon paper, or by actually piercing the transfer material as it is being threaded. As disclosed in FIG. 11, the transfer sheet 23 is folded with its carbon surface facing downwardly onto the sheet 16 after the free end of the bar is brought into engagement with the apertured flange 25. In this way, the carbon sheet 23 is securely held in position on the writing surface. Sheet 17 is then folded over the transfer sheet 23 and another carbon sheet 23 is threaded onto the second flat bar 22 in the same manner as described above with reference to the first flat bar. The third sheet 18 may then be placed over the second transfer sheet with holes 21 engaging with stop ends 19 in the usual manner. Cover 27 is then closed and locked into position over the set of fonns as apertures 33 are brought into engagement with locking balls 35, thereby rendering the pocket register available for immediate use. After writing on the first set of forms completed, the forward location of pins 19 in relation to the forward end of cover 27 pennits the user to simply lift up on the forms 16, I7, 18 near the stop pins 19 and pull in the direction as shown in FIG. 12 until a second set of forms locates on the pins. The removed forms may then be snapped off at suitable perforations and a copy or copies thereof may be stored in the container through the door 37. After the forms and transfer sheet are initially loaded into the pocket register, additional transfer sheets or carbon material associated with each form is not necessary because the initial carbon papers 23 remain interposed between each sheet of forms as they are being discarded from the register.

It should be also recognized that clip 24 is preferably slightly elongated so as to facilitate attachment of more than two carbon bars should it become desirable to use more than three form sheets. In addition, the slightly elongated clip 24 prevents bulging of the forms as the carbon sheets are interposed thereinbetween.

In view of the foregoing description, it can be seen that a portable autographic register device for a supply of continuous printed forms has been designed which is of compact form, of convenient size, light in weight, and capable of being easily carried from place to place by the user. Although the present device is characterized as being portable, it is obvious that it may be also used while being permanently affixed to a table top or desk without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Also, it can be seen that the present device offers many advantages over the prior art devices because, after the forms are initially placed over the writing surface an apertured cover acts to hold the forms in place during the writing operation thereby improving writing conditions over most of the prior art devices. In addition, the locking means for such a cover is uniquely contained within a rolled-over edge of the writing surface which locking means, in the form of locking spheres, engage with a portion of the cover itself without the need for additional snaps or fasteners commonly used heretofore. Furthermore, provision of an inwardly biased door in the bottom wall of the container also eliminates the need for the usual snap-type doors or fasteners for gaining entry into the container.

It is understood that various changes and modifications may be made in the illustrated embodiment of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the subjoined claims.

I claim:

1. A pocket register for containing a supply of superposed portions of record material from which the material may be progressively withdrawn, comprising:

a boxlike container'for said material having a bottom wall, sidewalls and one end wall thereby presenting an open end at the other end of said container;

a writing surface over which a strip of the withdrawn record material may be extended from the interior of said containcr, said writing surface forming the top wall of said container;

means on said writing surface near said containers other end for engaging of transfer material to be interposed between superposed portions of said record material and adapted to prevent movement of the sheets, said engaging means comprising a plurality of flat bars hinged at one end and extending transversely across said writing surface;

a cover having an open surface and hinged at one end near said containers one end wall, said cover having a downwardly extending flange at its other end thereby serving to completely close said containers open end as said cover is closed over said writing surface;

over said writing surface;

said writing surface having a rolled-under edge near said containers open end;

said locking means comprising a locking ball within said rolled-under edge at opposite ends thereof and a coil spring urging said balls outwardly against said containers sidewalls through said opposite ends;

said container being provided with a flange extending downwardly from opposite sides thereof at said rolledunder edge location, each of said side flanges having an aperture therein whereby said cover may be locked in place as each of said locking balls projects through said side flange apertures after said cover is closed; and

said downwardly extending flange at said covers other end being so contoured as to present a means for lifting said cover upwardly so as to disengage said locking balls from said side flange apertures.

2. The pocket register according to claim 1 wherein said writing surface is located slightly below the top of said container's sidewalls and wherein the width of said writing surface means for locking said cover in place upon being closed is slightly less than the distance between said sidewalls thereby forming a gap along opposite sides thereof whereby the top of said cover may be made flush with said containers sidewall tops upon closing and said cover side flanges may lie wholly within said respective gaps.

3. The pocket register according to claim 2 wherein writing surface has upwardly extending strip-limiting means thereon forwardly of said cover open surface.

4. The pocket register according to claim 3 wherein said flat bars are hinged near said rolled-under edge, said cover having an upstanding apertured bar flange for receiving the free ends of said bars after said transfer sheets are interposed between the superposed portions of said strips of record material.

5. The pocket register according to claim 4 wherein said container bottom wall contains a file door for permitting insertion of file copies of said material directly into said container.

6. The pocket register according to claim 5 wherein said file door is hinged at one end to said bottom wall. said hinge being designed to bias said door inwardly.

7. The pocket register according to claim 6 wherein an outside cover is provided and attached at one end to said containers one end wall and made to extend over said cover.

8. The pocket register according to claim 7 wherein said outside cover is attached by means of expandable studs engageable with apertures in said containers one end wall whereby said cover means may be removed from the register.

Claims

1. A pocket register for containing a supply of superposed portions of record material from which the material may be progressively withdrawn, comprising: a boxlike container for said material having a bottom wall, sidewalls and one end wall thereby presenting an open end at the other end of said container; a wrIting surface over which a strip of the withdrawn record material may be extended from the interior of said container, said writing surface forming the top wall of said container; means on said writing surface near said container''s other end for engaging of transfer material to be interposed between superposed portions of said record material and adapted to prevent movement of the sheets, said engaging means comprising a plurality of flat bars hinged at one end and extending transversely across said writing surface; a cover having an open surface and hinged at one end near said container''s one end wall, said cover having a downwardly extending flange at its other end thereby serving to completely close said container''s open end as said cover is closed over said writing surface; means for locking said cover in place upon being closed over said writing surface; said writing surface having a rolled-under edge near said container''s open end; said locking means comprising a locking ball within said rolledunder edge at opposite ends thereof and a coil spring urging said balls outwardly against said container''s sidewalls through said opposite ends; said container being provided with a flange extending downwardly from opposite sides thereof at said rolled-under edge location, each of said side flanges having an aperture therein whereby said cover may be locked in place as each of said locking balls projects through said side flange apertures after said cover is closed; and said downwardly extending flange at said cover''s other end being so contoured as to present a means for lifting said cover upwardly so as to disengage said locking balls from said side flange apertures.

2. The pocket register according to claim 1 wherein said writing surface is located slightly below the top of said container''s sidewalls and wherein the width of said writing surface is slightly less than the distance between said sidewalls thereby forming a gap along opposite sides thereof whereby the top of said cover may be made flush with said container''s sidewall tops upon closing and said cover side flanges may lie wholly within said respective gaps.

6. The pocket register according to claim 5 wherein said file door is hinged at one end to said bottom wall, said hinge being designed to bias said door inwardly.

7. The pocket register according to claim 6 wherein an outside cover is provided and attached at one end to said container''s one end wall and made to extend over said cover.

8. The pocket register according to claim 7 wherein said outside cover is attached by means of expandable studs engageable with apertures in said container''s one end wall whereby said cover means may be removed from the register.