WO1990003890A1

WO1990003890A1 - A filing system

Info

Publication number: WO1990003890A1
Application number: PCT/GB1989/001187
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Collischon; John Choong; Martin Brook Riley
Original assignee: Filofax Plc
Priority date: 1988-10-11
Filing date: 1989-10-09
Publication date: 1990-04-19
Also published as: GB2223715A; AU4405989A; GB8823772D0

Abstract

A document retaining mechanism (30) for incorporation in a binder, file or the like comprising at least two spaced apart retaining means (31, 32) with guide tracks (34, 35) facing each other. The guide tracks (34, 35) are spaced apart such a distance that end connection means (12, 13), projecting from opposite ends of a spine (5) along one edge of a filing folder (1) to be retained by the mechanism (30), are cooperable with the guide tracks (34, 35) to retain the filing folder (1) between the retaining means (31, 32). The guide tracks (34, 35) also serve to guide the end connection means (12, 13) during pagewise turning of the filing folder (1). Other aspects of the invention relate to a filing folder (1) and to a filing system.

Description

A FILING SYSTEM

Technical Field

This invention relates to a document retaining mech¬ anism for incorporation in a binder, file or the like to retain therein at least one filing folder turnable pagewise about a turning axis, the document retaining mechanism being of the kind comprising a pair of spaced apart retain¬ ing means for retaining the at least one filing folder and guiding the latter during its pagewise turning . The invention also relates to a binder or file provided with such a document retaining mechanism and to a filing folder for use with such a document retaining mechanism.

Background Art

A known document retaining mechanism of the kind referred to comprises a ring mechanism for a ring binder having two spaced apart rings for retaining documents, papers or the like with similarly spaced apart holes through which the rings pass.

Disclosure of the Invention

The present invention seeks to provide a new type of document retaining mechanism of the kind referred to

According to a first aspect of the present invention a document retaining mechanism of the kind referred to, is characterised in that each retaining means comprises a guide track, the guide tracks being arranged to face each other and being spaced apart such a distance that end connection means, projecting from opposite ends of a spine along one edge of a filing folder to be retained by the mechanism, are cooperable with the guide tracks to retain the filing folder between the retaining means, the guide tracks also serving to guide the end connection means of a filing folder retained by the mechanism on pagewise turning of the filing folder.

Preferably guide means are positioned between the guide tracks and have an outer surface positioned on, or δ inwardly of, an imaginary part cylindrical surface extend¬ ing between inner walls of said guide tracks. Conveniently the guide means extend continuously between the two retain¬ ing means but this is not essential. The main function of the guide means is to define a guide surface (or guide 0 surfaces) between the guide tracks for filing folders retained by the mechanism and accordingly the guide means may comprise a single guide member or a number of spaced apart guide members between the guide tracks.

Although it is possible for each guide track to be in the form of a rib for cooperation with a slot in a filing folder end connection means, it is preferred that each guide track is in the form of a guide slot or recess. In this latter case a closable access opening may be provided in at least one of the retaining means to facilitate positioning, or removal, of a filing folder end projection means in, or from, the guide slots. Conveniently each guide slot is of arcuate form.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a document filing device, e.g. in the form of a binder, file, case or the like, incorporating a document retaining mechanism according to said first aspect of the present invention.

According to a third aspect of the present invention a filing folder for use in a document filing device according to said second aspect, is characterised in that the filing folder has a first spine along one edge and end connection means projecting from opposite ends of the first spine, the said end connection means being dimensioned and arranged to cooperate with the said guide tracks to retain the filing folder within the document filing device and to guide th end connection means during pagewise turning of the filin folder within the filing device.

Suitably the filing folder has first and second cover which are joined together along respective first margina edges and which have respective second marginal edge remote from said first marginal edges, said first spin being joined to the second marginal edge of the secon cover, and a second spine, having end connection mean projecting from opposite ends thereof, being joined to th second marginal edge of the first cover. Conveniently th first cover is divided by hinge means extending betwee its sides into a first part provided with said first spi and a second part joined to the second cover to provide least one document-receiving pocket, the said first pa being foldable about said hinge means between a suspensio position in which said second marginal edge of the fir cover is positioned adjacent the second marginal edge o the second cover and a folded back position in which sa second marginal edge of the first cover is position adjacent said joined together first marginal edge Typically releasable connection means are provided f releasably retaining the said first part in its folded bac position.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, way of example, with reference to the accompanying dra ings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a filing folder ac cording to one aspect of the invention in a condition fo storage in a suspension filing unit,

Figures 2 and 3 are schematic views of the fili folder shown in Figure 1 in a condition for storage in binder, Figure 2 being a perspective view and Figure 3 being a sectional view on an enlarged scale,

Figure 4 is a sectional view of an alternative mar¬ ginal edge for the filing folder shown in Figure 3,

Figure 5 is a side view of one embodiment of a docu¬ ment retaining mechanism according to the invention of a binder having a filing folder retained therein,

Figure 6 is a section, on an enlarged scale, taken on the line VI-VI of Figure 5 but without the filing folder therein,

Figure 7 is a perspective view of an adaptor mountable on a rail of a suspension file unit for supporting an end of a filing folder,

Figure 8 is a schematic view of a briefcase type filing device provided with a document retaining mechanism according to the invention,

Figure 9 is a side view showing part of another embodiment of a document retaining mechanism according to the invention,

Figure 10 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken on the line X-X of Figure 9,

Figure 11 is an end view of the document retaining mechanism shown in Figures 9 and 10, and

Figure 12 is a view of an end cap and pivoting catch of the document retaining mechanism shown in Figures 9-11 and depicted prior to being connected to the mechanism. Best Modes of Carrying Out the Invention

Figures 1-3 show a filing folder, generally designated by the reference numeral 1. The folder 1 is formed of plastics sheet material, e.g. PVC sheet material, and comprises first and second substantially rectangular covers 2 and 3 joined together along their common base marginal edges and also half way up their common side edges. Spines 4-6 of more rigid material than the plastics sheet material of the covers, are attached, respectively, to the top marginal edges of the covers 2 and 3 and to the common base marginal edges of the covers. The first cover 2 is pro¬ vided with a hinge line 7 extending from side to side and positioned mid-way between, and parallel to, its top and base marginal edges. The hinge line 7 divides the cover 2 into first and second parts 8 and 9, respectively, the first part not being connected at its sides to the cover 3 and the second part 9 being connected along the entire lengths of its two sides to the cover 3.

The spines 4 and 5 are suitably designed to have a degree of flexibility and may each comprise a semi-rigid PVC moulding over a steel strip or rod 19 (see Figure 3), e.g. of 2 mm diameter, running from tip to tip of the spine for increasing the rigidity of the spine. The PVC moulding allows details to be moulded in, including a reduced section lower portion to allow efficient high-frequency welding of the spines 4 , 5 to the flexible PVC material of the covers 2 and 3. Alternatively the spines may be moulded from plastic,s material having the desired degree of rigidity without incorporating a metallic strip. The spines 4, 5 may be slotted (as shown by 5" in Figure 4) or recessed (as shown in Figure 3) to receive the cover edges although this is not essential. The opposite ends of each spine 4 and 5 are formed as stub axle-like projections 10, 11 and 12, 13, respectively, each projection typically having a circular cross-section of approximately 2.5 mm diameter and a length of approximately 10 mm. These dimensions are not critical, however, and the projections could have other dimensions, e.g. 12 mm long and a diameter of 3 mm. The projections 10-13 may taper slightly towards their free ends, e.g. to assist removal from moulds. End caps 14-17 in the form of suspension hooks and typically made of semi-rigid PVC may be detachably connectible, e.g. by means of push-fit connections, to the projections 10-13, respectively. Furthermore easily detachable, e.g. snap- fit, identification tags 18, typically made of acetal plastics material, may be mounted on the spines 4 or δ . The spine 6 comprises a semi-rigid PVC moulding and is not provided with end projections.

The folder 1 is intended to be used in two modes, namely a "suspension file" mode or a "binder" mode. In the suspension file mode, the end caps 14-17 are connected to the projections 10-13, respectively, and the spines 4 and 5 are moved together. The folder 1 is then suspended from parallel rails of a suspension file unit (not shown) with the end caps 14, 16 suspended from one rail and the end caps 15, 17 suspended from the other rail. Documents can be dropped into the folder 1 from above and an iden- tification tag 18 clipped to the spine 4 to identify the folder. As an alternative to providing the folder 1 with detachable end caps 14-17, an adaptor 100 (see Figure 7) may be provided for detachably mounting on each rail of a suspension file unit. The adaptor 100 fits over the rail and is provided with a supporting surface 102 for support¬ ing the projections 10-13.

In the binder mode, the end caps 14-17 (if provided) are removed from their respective projections 10-13 and the first part 8 is folded back above the hinge line 7 so that the spine 4 is brought into a position adjacent the spine 6. Releasable connection means are conveniently provided on the spines 4 and 6 to releasably retain the first part 8 in this folded-back condition. As shown, the releasable connection means comprises snap fit connections in the form of spaced apart studs or ribs 21-23 on the spine 6 making snap fit connections with spaced apart sockets 24-26, respectively, on the spine 4. The folder can then be inserted into a binder (not shown). The spine δ may have at least two spaced apart ring binder holes 40 (shown in dashed lines in Figure 1) formed therein to enable the folder 1 to be turnable pagewise within a conventional ring binder about a fixed axis. However, the folder 1 is primarily designed to be received in a new type of binder incorporating a document retaining mechanism 30 according to the invention of the kind shown in Figures δ and 6.

The document retaining mechanism 30 is intended to be secured to a spine of a binder or the like and comprises- -a pair of spaced apart retaining members 31 and 32 connected by an elongate guide member 33. The retaining members 31 and 32 are provided with similarly shaped guide tracks in the form of guide slots 34 and 35, respectively, which face each other and in which the stub axle-like projections 12 and 13 are received. The elongate guide member 33 has a similar, or slightly smaller, cross-sectional profile to the inner wall of each slot 34 , 35 so as to be positioned on or inwardly of an imaginary part cylindrical surface connecting the inner walls of the two slots 34, 35. The guide member 33, as shown, has a cylindrical form including a^' semi-circular cylindrical guide surface. The guide slots 34, 35 have widths slightly greater than the diameters of the spine projections 12, 13 and the walls of the guide slots provide parallel bearing surfaces for guiding the spine projections. The projections 12 and 13 may be inserted into the guide slots 34 and 35, respectively, by flexing the spine 5. However the spine 5 should not be too flexible and preferably, one (as shown) or both of the retaining members 31 and 32 is (are) provided with an access opening 36, the or each of which opens into the guide slot 35 to facilitate location or removal of a projection in or from the guide slot in question. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the opening 36 is closed by a catch 37, e.g. a removable catch having detent means 38 for retaining it in position within the slot 36. In the binder mode, the folder 1 is in the form of a half-open folder or wallet into which documents can be slotted. The identification tag 18 is now viewed from its position at the "base" of the folder. A plurality of folders 1 may be releasably retained at any one time by the mechanism 30 (as represented in Figure 6 by the five projections 13 retained in slot 35), the folders being turnable pagewise about a fixed axis 39 with the marginal edges of the folders spaced outwardly from the fixed axis. The outer surface of the guide element 33 has a profile to ensure that the spines δ of retained folders 1 are guided during pagewise folding to prevent the folders from skewing when in the binder.

The filing system according to the invention -enables a large number of folders 1 to be stored long term in one or more file suspension units. For short term use, a number of folders 1 can be removed from the suspension unit(s) and inserted into a binder. Thus, for example, the folders any particular person may require during a particular day or for a particular meeting may be temporarily stored in a binder.

By way of example only, the suspension filing folder 1 has a length of 370 mm from tip to tip of the projections

12 and 13, a width of 250 mm and a maximum spine thickness of from between 3 and 4 mm.

The document retaining mechanism 30 may be incor¬ porated into a binder (as described) having front and back covers joined by a spine, the mechanism 30 being secured to one of the covers at a position adjacent the spine. A flap with a fastener may secure the covers together when the binder is closed. Alternatively, the mechanism 30 may be incorporated into other types of document filing device, such as a file or a case, e.g. a briefcase. A briefcase type filing device 110 is shown schematically in Figure 8 and comprises a pair of outer covers 111 and 112 joined by a spine 113. The mechanism is secured to the cover 112 at a position adjacent to the spine 113, the latter being positioned around the mechanism 30 when the filing device is closed. A zip fastener 114 releasably secures the peripheral edges of the outer covers 111, 112 together. A carrying handle (not shown) may be provided on the outside of the spine 113. The covers and spine of a document filing device according to the invention may be made of any suitable material, e.g. leather or plastics material, as in conventional personal organisers.

An alternative form of document retaining mechanism 200 according to the invention is shown in Figures 9-12. The mechanism comprises a metal base plate 201 having rivets 202 along its length. The plate 201 is intended to be secured to, e.g. sewn into, a cover, adjacent the spine, of a binder or other document filing device with the rivets 202 projecting upwardly through holes in the cover.

The mechanism 200 further comprises an extruded base member 204 of plastics material having a base 205 with holes 206 therein positioned to receive the rivets 202. By turning over the ends of the rivets 202, the base 205 can be secured to the spine of the binder. A top member 206 also of plastics material is provided with lugs 21δ which make a snap connection with the base member 205. The members 205 and 206 define a generally cylindrical surface 207 of non-circular, e.g. oval, cross section intended to be positioned adjacent the spine of a binder to which the mechanism 200 is secured. Plastics end members 208, 209 are push fitted to the opposite ends of the cylindrical surface 207. Each end member 208, 209has a guide track in the form of a curved slot 210 defined between part cylin¬ drical inner and outer walls 211 and 212. Plastics end caps 213 are connected to opposite ends of the top member 206, each end cap 213 having a pair of spaced apart ribs 214 (shown in dotted lines in Figure 9) which pass through an opening 217 in the end member 208 and through an opening 218 in an end wall 219 of the top member 206. The free ends of the ribs 214 have tapered shoulder portions which snap fit behind edges defining the opening in 218.

5 Figure 9 shows in chain lines a filing folder 220, having a spine 221 with stub-axle type projections 222 at opposite ends thereof, which are received in the curved slots 210 of the mechanism 200. The inner wall 211 extends further inwardly than the outer wall 212 and acts

10 to support the spine during pagewise turning of the folder 220 as the projections 222 progress along the curved slots 210. The end member 208 has an opening 230 in the wall 212 which opens into the curved slot 210 to assist withdrawal of the projection 222 from the slot 210. This opening 230 lδ is closed by a catch 231 turnable about pivot pin 232 on end cap 213 between open and closed positions. The catch 231 has a projection 232 which is positioned under the opening 230 to close the latter when the catch is in its closed position and which is pivoted clear of the opening

20 230 when the catch is pivoted into its open position.

Claims

1. A document retaining mechanism (30) for incorpora¬ tion in a binder, file or the like to retain therein at least one filing folder (1) turnable pagewise about a turning axis (39), comprising a pair of spaced apart retaining means (31, 32) for retaining the at least one filing folder (1) and guiding the latter during its page- wise turning, characterised in that each retaining means (31, 32) comprises a guide track (35), the guide tracks (3δ) being arranged to face each other and being spaced apart such a distance that end connection means (12, 13), projecting from opposite ends of a spine (δ) along one edge of a filing folder (1) to be retained by the mechanism (30), are cooperable with the guide tracks (35) -to retain the filing folder (1) between the retaining means (31, 32), the guide tracks (35) also serving to guide the end connec¬ tion means (12, 13) of a filing folder (1) retained by the mechanism (30) on pagewise turning of the filing folder (1).

2. A document retaining mechanism (30) according to claim 1, characterised in that guide means (33) are posi¬ tioned between the guide tracks (35) and have an outer surface positioned on, or inwardly of, an imaginary part cylindrical surface extending between inner walls of said guide tracks (35). __-

3. A document retaining mechanism (30) according to claim 1, in which each guide track (3δ) comprises a guide slot (3δ) for reception of a stub axle-like projection (12, 13) providing the end connection means (12, 13) of a filing folder (1).

4. A document retaining mechanism (30) according to claim 3, in which at least one of said guide slots (35) has a closable access opening (36) in communication with the guide slot (35) to facilitate positioning of a filing folder projection in, or removal of a filing folder projec¬ tion from, the guide slot.

δ. A document retaining mechanism (30) according to 5 claim 1, characterised in that each guide track (3δ) is at least partially of arcuate form.

6. A document filing device incorporating a document retaining mechanism according to claim 1.

7. A device according to claim 1, characterised by a 10 pair of outer covers connected by a spine, the document retaining mechanism (30) being secured to one of the outer covers at a position adjacent to the spine.

8. A device according to claim 7, further charac¬ terised by a zip fastener for releasably retaining periph- lδ eral edges of the outer covers together.

9. A filing folder (1) for use in a document filing device as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that the filing folder (1) has a first spine (δ) along one edge and end connection means (12, 13) projecting from opposite ends

20 of the first spine (5), the said end connection means (12, 13) being dimensioned and arranged to cooperate with the said guide tracks (35) to retain the filing folder (1) within the document filing device and to guide the end connection means (12, 13) during pagewise turning of the

25 filing folder (1) within the filing device.

10. A filing folder (1) according to claim 9, charac¬ terised by first and second covers (2, 3) joined together along respective first marginal edges and having respective second marginal edges remote from said first marginal

30 edges-, said first spine being joined to the second marginal edge of the second cover (3), and by a second spine (4), having end connection means (10, 11) projecting from opposite ends thereof, joined to the second marginal edge of the first cover (2).

11. A filing folder (1) according to claim 10, characterised in that the first cover (2) is divided by hinge means (7) extending between its sides into a first part (8) provided with said second spine (4) and a second part (9) joined to the second cover (3) to provide at least one document-receiving pocket, the said first part (8) being foldable about said hinge means (7) between a suspen- sion position in which said second marginal edge of the first cover (2) is positioned adjacent the second marginal edge of the second cover (3) and a folded back position in which said second marginal edge of the first cover (2) is positioned adjacent said joined together first marginal edges.

12. A filing folder (1) according to claim 11, characterised by releasable connecting^* means (21-23, 24- 26) for releasably retaining the said first part (8) in its folded back position.

13. A filing folder (1) according to claim 9 or claim 11, characterised in that end projection means (10-

13) are designed to enable the filing folder (1) to be suspended from a suspension filing unit.

14. A filing folder (1) according to claim 13, characterised in that each end connection means (12, 13) includes detachable suspension hooks (14-17).

15. A filing system comprising a document filing device according to claim 6, a suspension filing unit having spaced apart suspensio rails, a plurality of filing folders (1) as claimed in claim 13 which can selectively be supported in the document filing device or from the suspen¬ sion filing unit and at least one adaptor mountable on each suspension rail, each adaptor having a supporting surface for supporting end connection means (12, 13) of .the filing folders when the latter are supported in the suspension filing unit.

16. A suspension filing folder (1) comprising first δ and second covers (2, 3) joined together along respective first marginal edges and provided with respective first and second suspension means (10,11, 12,13) at respective second marginal edges remote from their respective first marginal edges, characterised in that the first cover (2) is divided

10 by hinge means (7) extending between its sides into a first part (8) provided with said first suspension means (10, 11) and a second part (9) joined to the second cover (3) to provide at least one document-receiving pocket, the said first part (8) being foldable about said hinge means (7) lδ between a suspension position in which said second marginal edge of the first cover (2) is positioned adjacent the second marginal edge of the second cover ( 3 ) and a folded back position in which said second marginal edge of the first cover (2) is positioned adjacent said joined together

20 first marginal edges.