US543521A - cunningham - Google Patents

Description

= l.) a Sheets-Sheet 1.

J. F. CUNNINGHAM, FILE.

No. 543,521. Patented July 30, 1895.

1 XkxM INVENTOR ATTORNEYX.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

J. F. CUNNINGHAM. FILE.

No. 543,521. Patented July 30, 1895.

ATTORNEYS I (No Model.) a Shets-Sheet J. P. CUNNINGHAM.

FILE. No, 543,521. Patented July 30, 1895.-

ATTORNEY s,

WITNESSES:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN FRANK CUNNINGHAM, or ROCHESTER, NEW YORK.

FILE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 543,521, dated July 30, 1895.

Application filed October 30, 1894. Serial No. 527,4' 3. (No model.)

My invention relates to improvements in' files particularly applicable for use with a series of duplicate individual account or pass books for the customers of grocery and other stores, and has for its object the production of a simple and practical device which permit-s convenient and ready access to any desired book; and to this end it consists, essentially, in an outer case, a series of supports or partitions arranged within the case, and means for inclining said supports or partitions from their normal position.

The invention furthermore consists in movable panels or covers for permitting access to the supports or partitions and in the general construction and arrangement of the component parts of the file, all as hereinafter more particularly described, and pointed out in th claims.

In describing this invention reference is had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which like letters indicate corresponding parts in all the views. j

Figure l is a perspective of my improved case, small portions thereof being broken away. Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical sectional View taken on line 2 2, Fig. l. enlarged detail sectional view taken on line 3 3, Fig.2. Fig.4 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 4 4, Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 5 5, Fig.- 4, the supportsor-partitions being shown as inclined and as supporting account-books, one

of which is partly withdrawn. Fig. 6 is an isometric view of one of the movable panels or covers of my file, the label-holder supported thereon, and a label shown as partly withdrawn from its normal position. Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view taken on line 7 7, Fig. (i, the label being indicated by dotted lines in its position assumed at Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a face view of the blank from which the label-holder is formed; and Figs. 9 and 10 are Fig. 3 is an perspective views of duplicate account-books,

one of which is normally arranged upon the corresponding support or partition and the other given to the customer.

It is well known that in grocery and many other stores individual account or pass books are given to each of the customers and that the items entered on such books are originally placed on entry or sales tickets or daybooks, &c., and are afterward transferred to a series of account-books, journals, lodgers, 85c. Considerable time is required in correctly keeping all of these accounts and discrepancies often occurbetween the customers account as shown in his individual book and the ledger or other account-book of the store, which necessitate examination of the original entry or sales tickets or day-books and occasion considerable loss of time, annoyance, and inconvenience.

By the use of my invention it becomes possible and practical for a s-torekeeper to use duplicate account or pass books for each one tomer, one of which is given to the customer and the other kept in a particular pigeonhole or compartment within the file, and the file is so constructed that each book is readily and conveniently accessible.

A represents the outer case, which is of any desirable form, size, and construction, and consists of bottom, top, side, front, and rear walls a a a a a a B B are a series of supports or partitions arranged one above the other within the case A in substantially-horizontal planes, and, as

here illustrated, there are several substantially-parallel series of these supports or partitions separated by upright. partitions or walls A. The partitions B are formed of tin 'or other light material, and are so constructed and arranged that they are forced to assume an inclined plane for permitting ready remo val of the account-books 0 arranged thereon. As here illustrated, the front edges of the supports or partitions B are mounted upon suitable pivots b and the rear edges thereof of each series are pivoted to a reciprocating connection or link B.

I prefer to simultaneously incline all of the supports or partitions B, and suitable means may be used for this purpose. As here illustrated,-such means consist of a lever D having its central portion mounted on a pivot d and its rear end hinged to the lower ends of the connections or links B, being provided with an open slot (1 for receiving a rod B passed through the lower ends of said connections or links. The front end of the lever D projects beyond the front wall a of the case A and is readily engaged by the user. As the front end of the lever D is depressed its rear end is elevated, and by means of the connections B all of the supports or partitions B are caused to assume an inclined position, as clearly seen at Fig. 5.

E represents a suitable stop for holding the supports or partitionsB in their inclined position, and, as here illustrated, this stop consists of a lever arranged in a cut-out A in one of the partitions A and pivoted at e to a support e suitably secured to said partition. The stop E is provided with a shoulder 6 which engages the rod 13 when elevated, as indicated at Fig. 5. I also provide suitable means for forcing the stop E from its operative position, and, as preferably constructed, such means consist of a sliding-rod F, having one end extended beyond the front wall a of the case A and its other end connected to the stop E, so that as the rod F is pulled outwardly or forwardly the stop E is correspondingly moved until its shoulder a is withdrawn from engagement with the rod B whereupon the supports or partitions B and the lever D assume their normal position.

G G are suitable springs connected to the rod B for regulating its downward movement when the stop E is forced from its operative position, and thereby preventing undue jarring of said supports or partitions and the lever D, and the injury to said parts that might result were such springs dispensed with. I preferably use two springs connected to the opposite extremities of the rod B and the upper end of each of said springs is connected to a support G and the lower end to a chain G which, being free to bend, prevents undue cramping of the springs secured thereto.

H II are movable panels or covers, which form, essentially, the greater part of the front wall of the case A, and permit access to the supports or partitions B and the compartments interposed between the partitions, for enabling removal and insertion of the books within said compartments. As clearly seen at Fig. 4, the panels or covers H are arranged directly opposite the compartments interposed between the supports or partitions B, and when the supports or partitions assume their inclined position it is extremely desirable that said panels or covers he moved downwardly for a limited distance in order that their upper edges may be in alignment with the inclined planes assumed by the top faces of the supports or partitions.

As clearly seen at Figs. 1, 2, 4, and 5, the opposite edges of the panels or covers H are movable in guides A formed in the upright partitions or walls A and in the side walls a of the case A, and, as best seen at Figs. 1 and 2, the lower panel or cover of each series thereof is supported directly upon a transverse support or bar H, secured to the lever D and having its opposite extremities movable in the guides A in said partitions A and the side walls a of the case A. Consequently, as the front or free end of the lever D is depressed, as previously described, for elevating the supports or partitions B, the support or bar 11' is depressed and the panels or-covers II are also depressed a sufficient distance to bring their top edges in alignment with the planes assumed by the top faces of the supports or partitions B.

To facilitate ready access to the supports or partitions B, the panels or covers II are provided with engaging arms 1', audit will be readily understood that, when the lever D has elevated the partitions, as shown at Fig. 5, the operator engages the arm 1' provided upon the panel or cover corresponding to the desired account-book, whereupon said book readily slides from its support or partition, as clearly seen at Fig. 5. In elevating a panel or cover H, all of the superimposed panels or covers are similarly elevated but only the book desired escapes from the case, and the books supported above the same are held in position by the superimposed panels.

The arms 71 are preferably provided upon suitable label-holders I, which are secured to the panels or covers I-I. These label-holders are preferably formed of sheet metal, and are provided with projecting arms 11 passed through the covers or panels and clinched upon the inner faces thereof, and upper, lower, and end shoulders 2' for engaging the edges of a label 1 which enters an opening i formed between one end of the label-holder and the panel or cover H. The label-holders I are provided with perforations or apertures 1 for permitting inspection of the labels 1 and said labels are provided with distinguishing characters I, which indicate the names of the customers whose accounts are entered in the corresponding books, or conform to a separate index of said names arranged alphabetically, numerically, or in any other practical manner.

The books 0 0 arranged within my improved case may be of any desirable form, size, and construction, but are preferably of the special construction described in my pending application, Serial No. 527,454, and are also the duplicates of corresponding books 0 given to the customers. Each page (J is provided with a series of transverse lines 0, forming a series of spaces in which the desired main entries indicating the names of the customers and the articles sold are made. At the outer sides of the pages 0 are longitudinal lines 0 extending across the lines c at substantially right angles therewith, and pref erably forming a series of spaces provided at their upper portions with the words Month, Day, and Entered, and designed to receive entries regarding the month and day when the, main entry is made, and certain check-marks, as V, which indicate that a single main entry has been made in two duplicate books. At the inner edges of each of the leaves are a series of lines 0 which are arranged substantially parallel with the lines o and form spaces provided at their upper portions with dollar and cents signs, and are designed to receive entries-of the charge for the article sold and indicated by the main entry. The main entries are placed on the lines c, or within the spaces formed thereby between the adjacent lines o 0 and at the upper portion of the space formed between said lines o c are the words Total amt. fwd. Each line 0, or the space formed by two adjacent lines o, is provided with distinguishing characters, as consecutive numbers 1, 2, 3, &c. Both books are provided with similar ruling, wording, and distinguishing characters, and duplicate accounts are kept in each, and when the entries indicating the article sold and the price thereof are placed in the proper spaces in one book they are also placed in the corresponding spaces in the other book, and check-marks, as V, are entered in the proper check -spaces. Consequently, the storekeeper or his assistant can immediately tell, .upon examining the book in the case A corresponding to a customers book, whether all of the items have been entered in the customers book, and when said book is presented can place each entry in the same space occupied by the corresponding entry in the store-keepers book. In books of this character the footings of each one of a duplicate pair must be identical and are a simple means of proving the correctnessof the account. The original entry in the store-keepers book in my improved file cannot be questioned, there is no liability of items being omitted from'the customers book, and the amount of bookkeeping necessary for keeping accounts with the customers is reduced to a minimum, and a great saving in time is effected, since, if desired, the books in the case A are preferably used as the only account-books with the customers.

My improved file is particularly applicable for use with books of this construction; but it is evident that it is not limited for use with any particular construction of book, and it is,

obvious that it may be used for filing papers, documents, 850., to which ready access is desired.

The operation of my invention will be readily perceived upon reference to the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings, and it,will be particularly noted that it is simple in construction and is practical and effective in use.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A file comprising an outer case, a support or partition arranged within the case, in asubstantially horizontal plane and having its front extremity pivoted and its rear extremity movable up and down within the case, and means for rocking the support or partition on its pivot, substantially as and for-the purpose specified.

2. A file comprising an outer case, a pivoted support or partition arranged within the case, means for rocking the support or partition on its pivot, and a vertically reciprocating panel or cover supported in front of the support or partition and movable independent thereof for'permitting access to said support or partition, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. A file comprising an outer case, a support or partition arranged within the case in a'substantially horizontal plane and having its front extremity pivoted and its rear extremity movable up and down within the case, means for rocking the support or partition on its pivot, and a vertically reciprocating panel or cover supported in front of the support or partition and movable independent thereof for permitting access to said support or partition, substantially as and for the purpose described.

4. A file comprising an outer case, a series of supports or partitions arranged normally in substantially horizontal planes one above the other, a connection between the supports or partitions for simultaneously inclining the same, and means for operating the connection, substantially as and for the purpose described.

5. A file comprising an outer case, a series of pivoted supports or partitions arranged within the case one above the other, a connection between the free ends of the supports or partitions for simultaneously rocking the same on their pivots, and means for operating the connection, substantially as set forth.

6. A file comprising an outer case, a substantially horizontal support or partition arranged within the case, a vertically recipro-. cating panel or cover supported in front of the support or partition and movable independent thereof for permitting access to the support or partition, and means for inclining said support or partition and automatically moving the panel or cover, substantially as described.

7. A file comprising an outer case, a substantially horizontal support or partition arranged within the case, a movable panel or cover for permitting access to the support or partition, a movable support for the panel or cover, and means for inclining said support or partition and automatically moving the support'for the panel or cover, substantially as specified.

8. A file comprising an outer case, separate 9. A file comprising an outer case, a substantially horizontal support or partition arranged within the case, means for inclining the support or partition, and a spring for regulating the return movement of the support or partition, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

10. A file comprising an outer case, a substantially horizontal support .or partition arranged within the case, a movable panel or cover for permitting access to the support or partition, a movable support for the panel or cover, means for inclining said support or partition and automatically moving the support for the panel or cover, and a spring for regulating the return movement of said means, substantially as described.

11. A file comprising an outer case, a support or partition arranged within the case, in a substantially horizontal plane and having its front extremity pivoted and its rear extremity movable up and down within the case, means for inclining the support or partition,

and a stop for holding said support or parti-.

tion in its inclined position, substantially as specified.

12. A file comprising an outer case, a substantially horizontal support or partition ar ranged within the case, means for inclining the support or partition, a stop for holding said support or partition in its inclined position, and means for forcing the stop from its operative position, substantially as set forth.

13. A file comprising an outer case, a substantially horizontal support or partition arranged within the case, means for inclining the support or partition, and a vertically reciprocating panel or cover supported in front of the support or partition and movable independent thereof for permitting access to said support or partition, said panel or cover being provided with a distinguishing character, substantially as and for the purpose described.

l l. A file comprising an outer case, a substantially horizontal support or partition ar ranged within the case, means for inclining the support or partition, a vertically reciprocating panel or cover supported in front of the support or partition and movable independent thereof for permitting access to the support or partition, and a label holder secured to the panel or cover, substantially as described.

15. A file comprising an outer case, a sub stantially horizontal support or partition ar' ranged within the case, means for inclining the support or partition, a vertically reciprocating panel or cover supported in front of the support or partition and movable independent thereof for permitting access to the support or partition, a label holder secured to the panel or cover, and a label removably mounted in the label holder, substantially as specified.

16. A file comprising an outer case, a substantially horizontal support or partition arranged within the case, means for inclining the support or partition, a vertically reciprocating panel or cover supported in front of the support or partition and movable independent thereof for permitting access to the support or partition, and a label holder secured to the panel or cover and consistingof a perforated plate having supporting shoulders and projecting arms passed through the panel or cover, substantially as and for the purpose described.

17. A file comprising an outer case, a support or partition arranged within the case, in a substantially horizontal plane and having its front extremity pivoted and its rear ex' tremity movable up and down within the case and a pivoted lever connected to the rear extremity of the support or partition for inclining the same, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

18. A file comprising an outer case, a pivoted support or partition arranged Within the case, a connection or link hinged to the free extremity of the support or partition, and a pivoted lever connected to the connection or link for actuating the same and inclining the support or partition, substantially as and for the purpose described.

19. A filecomprising an outer case, a pivoted support or partition arranged within the case, a connection or link hinged to the free extremity of the support or partition, a pivoted lever hinged to the connection or link for actuating the same and inclining the support or partition, and a pivoted stop for preventing the return movement of the lever, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

20. A file comprising an outer case, a pivoted support or partition arranged within the case, a connection or link hinged to the free extremity of the support or partition, a pivoted lever hinged to the connection or link for actuating the same and inclining the support or partition, and a spring for regulating the return movement of the lever, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

21. A file comprising an outer case, a pivoted support or partition arranged within the case, a connection or link hinged to the free extremity of the support or partition, a pivoted lever connected to said connection or link for actuating the same and inclining the support or partition, a pivoted stop for preventing the return movement of the lever, and a spring for regulating the return movement of the lever, substantially as set forth.

22. A file comprising an outer case, a pivoted support or partition arranged within the case, a connection or link hinged to the free extremity of the support or partition, a pivoted lever connected to said connection or link for actuating the same and inclining the support or partition, a pivoted stop for preventing the return movement of the lever, and a sliding rod for forcing the stop from operative position, substantially as described.

A file comprising an outer case, a pivoted support or partition arranged within the case, a movable panel or cover for permitting access to the support or partition, a support for the panel or cover arranged beneath the same, a connection or link hinged to the support or partition, and a pivoted lever having v one end connected to the connection or link for actuating the same and inclining the support or partition and its other end arranged beneath the support for the panel or cover for automatically moving said panel or cover, substantially as specified' 2t. A file comprising an outer case, a pivoted support or partition arranged Within the case, a movable panel or cover for permitting access to the support or partition, a support for the panel or cover arranged beneath the same, a connection or link hinged to the support or partition, a pivoted lever having one end connected to the connection or link for actuating the same and inclining the support or partition and its other end arranged beneath the support for the panel or cover for

Images