WO2008040873A2

WO2008040873A2 - System for storing files vertically on a shelf

Info

Publication number: WO2008040873A2
Application number: PCT/FR2007/001599
Authority: WO
Inventors: Claude Catelas; Stéphane CATELAS
Original assignee: Clen
Priority date: 2006-10-03
Filing date: 2007-10-01
Publication date: 2008-04-10
Also published as: FR2906498B1; FR2906498A1; WO2008040873A3

Abstract

The file storage system of the invention comprises a plurality of vertical separators (12), each produced in the form of a plate having a lower edge (16) suitable for resting on a shelf (E) and a rear edge (18) containing a recess (20) shaped to snap onto a holding strip (14), the cross section of which fits the recess, thus making it possible to replace each of the vertical separators (12) in a desired position along the strip (14) to define compartments (C1 - Cn) of variable width, said holding strip being supported by the vertical separators only. Applicable to storage units.

Description

Device for the classification of files in upright position on a shelf

The invention relates to the classification and storage of documents, and more particularly relates to a device for the classification of files in vertical position on a shelf.

The term "records" is used here in its usual sense to refer to a set of documents collected in a folder, for example in light cardboard or plastic. Such a shirt has most often dimensions of about 24 x 32 cm to accommodate documents in DIN A4 format.

In addition, the term "shelf" means a horizontal element, such as a shelf or the like, forming part of a storage or filing cabinet and which is usually framed by two vertical walls of the cabinet.

Historically, documents were generally classified horizontally in clamshell systems or on simple shelves. But, gradually, the horizontal ranking has been replaced by the vertical ranking which, at present, represents a predominant position on the ranking market.

This vertical classification is carried out using folders, for example strap folders, or with the help of file receiving boxes made of cardboard or plastic and placed vertically on the shelf.

Another widespread solution is to equip cabinets with hammocks called "hanging folders" usually made of cardboard. These hammocks are equipped with metal or plastic hooks to allow sliding on suitable rails, arranged under a shelf.

This solution is very widespread and very attractive from the point of view of its simplicity and its low cost price. However, the documents contained in these hammocks or hanging folders tend to wobble until the shelf is completely filled and at this stage, manipulations of records become difficult.

In French patent application ^No. 05 02657, the Applicant has proposed another solution to the vertical file folders that uses vertical dividers mounted suspended on guide rails which are held in fixed position at their ends.

The invention comes to propose another solution which also uses vertical separators, but which offers better classification possibilities with additional space saving.

The invention proposes for this purpose a device for the classification of files in upright position on a shelf, which comprises a plurality of vertical dividers each made in the form of a plate having a clean lower edge to rest on the shelf and a rear edge provided with a through opening shaped to form a detent member adapted to cooperate with a retaining profile having a cross section adapted to the opening opening, which allows to have each of the vertical separators in a selected position along the holding profile for defining compartments of variable width, said holding profile being supported only by the vertical separators.

An assembly is thus produced in which the vertical separators are integral with the holding profile, this assembly that can be placed in a chosen position on a shelf and that the maintenance section is not supported otherwise than by the vertical separators, which come to rest directly on the shelf.

The retaining profile forms a frame that supports the vertical dividers by forming a self-contained unit that can be easily moved and that does not have to be attached to the shelf or cabinet it is part of.

Moreover, it is possible to modify at will the number and position of the vertical separators since the latter simply come to engage by snapping, that is to say by clipping, on the retaining profile.

It is therefore easy to remove or add one or more vertical separators and also to move, if desired, one of the vertical separators by detaching the retaining profile and then replacing it on the latter in a different axial position, and this without the need to move the other vertical dividers.

Therefore, it is possible to adapt in a few moments the compartments or classification volumes according to the number and the respective position of the vertical separators.

Other features of the invention are indicated below:

the opening opening has a narrow entrance delimited by an upper spout and a lower spout vis-vis and communicating with an enlarged cavity;

the upper beak and the lower beak delimit between them in the vertical direction a distance substantially less than the dimension of the cross section of the holding profile in the same vertical direction;

the cross section of the retaining section is delimited by a rounded upper side and a tapered lower side interconnected by two curved sides, and it has a vertical axis of symmetry;

the holding profile is provided at at least one of its ends with an end piece;

the holding profile is provided at at least one of its ends with an extension element to form an adjustable lateral support;

- The extension element is a sliding rod adapted to be received in an axial passage defined by the retaining profile;

- The sliding rod passes through a constricted passage of an end cap mounted on the retaining profile to maintain the sliding rod in a given axial position;

- The extension element is a sliding profile closed on one side and adapted to be mounted on one end of the retaining profile;

each vertical separator has substantially the shape of a trapezium with an upper edge generally parallel to the lower edge and a front edge in cutaway;

- The lower edge and the front edge are connected to form a projecting grip tab; * -

- The lower edge of the vertical separator is provided with a clean friction stop to come into contact with the shelf; - The friction abutment is made of a rubber-like material and is attached to a tab from the lower edge.

In the detailed description which follows, made only by way of example, reference is made to the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a filing device in one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a vertical separator of the filing device of FIG. 1;

- Figure 3 is a sectional view of the retaining profile;

- Figure 4 is a partial side view showing the cooperation of the opening opening of a vertical separator with the retaining profile;

Figure 5 shows a side view of an end cap;

- Figure 6 is a plan view of the end cap of Figure 5;

- Figure 7 shows an end of the retaining profile before introduction of the end cap;

- Figure 8 shows the end piece placed on the end of a holding profile and traversed by a sliding rod forming adjustable support member;

- Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 1 in another embodiment; - Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 1 in which file folders are arranged in some of the compartments defined by the vertical separators; and

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a file folder adapted to form part of the filing device of the invention.

Figure 1 shows a filing device 10 according to the invention which is disposed on a horizontal shelf E forming part, for example, a storage cabinet (not shown). The device 10 comprises a plurality of vertical dividers 12 carried by a holding profile 14 extending horizontally and remotely above the shelf. Each of the vertical separators consists of a plate having substantially the shape of a trapezium and advantageously produced by molding a plastic material, for example of the polystyrene type or the like.

Each of the separators (FIGS. 1 and 2) has a lower edge 16 adapted to rest on the shelf and a rear edge 18 provided with a through opening 20 shaped to constitute a detent member (also called clipping member) adapted to cooperate with the retaining profile 14. Furthermore, each of the separators 12 has an upper edge 22 generally parallel to the lower edge 16 and a front edge 24 cutaway. The lower edge 16 and the leading edge 24 are connected to form a projecting projection tab 26 which has substantially the shape of an acute angle at the rounded apex.

The device thus formed forms, as already indicated, a monobloc and autonomous assembly which can be arranged in a chosen position above the shelf, because the profile 14 constitutes a framework which does not need to be supported above the shelf by special support means

The vertical separators can be snapped into a desired number and at respective desired positions relative to the holding profile 14 depending on the desired classification volumes.

The vertical separators thus define two by two a multiplicity of classification compartments C ₁ to C _n of variable width.

As seen in FIG. 1, the filing device 10 is so positioned on the shelf E that the gripping tabs 26 protrude forward to facilitate handling. Each tab 26 comprises, on each of the faces of the plate, a bowl 28 facilitating handling.

As can be seen more particularly in FIG. 2, the opening opening 20 has a narrow entrance delimited by an upper spout 30 and a lower spout 32 arranged facing each other and communicating with an enlarged cavity 34 which has a suitable shape. to that of the section of the profile.

The upper beak 30 and the lower beak 32 delimit between them, in the vertical direction, a distance d substantially less than the dimension D of the cross section of the profile in the same vertical direction (Figure 3).

Referring now to Figure 3 which shows the section of the retaining profile 14. This profile has an axis of symmetry XX which is placed vertically in the position of use of the filing device 10. This vertical symmetry offers the advantage to have, where appropriate, vertical dividers on both sides of the profiled when one wishes to make shelves accessible on two opposite sides.

The holding profile 14 is advantageously made by extrusion of material, preferably metal or metal alloy, although the use of plastics is also possible. Preferably, the holding profile 14 is made by extrusion of aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

In the example shown, the cross section of the profile is delimited by a rounded upper side 36 and a tapered lower side 38 interconnected by two curved sides 40. Thus, the cross section of the profile is wider in its upper part than in its lower part. It has a profile of the boat mast type or water drop type. This particular shape of the section of the profile allows easy mounting by snapping or clipping of each of the vertical separators 12.

Furthermore, as seen in Figures 3 and 4, the profile comprises an axial passage 42 of substantially circular inner contour located substantially midway between the side 36 and 38. It further comprises an upper groove 44 and a lower groove 46 which are arranged along the axis of symmetry XX and open towards the inside of the profile and whose function will be described later.

The opening opening 20 is bordered by an over-thickness of material 48 which extends on either side of the plane of the vertical separator ending each time up to the beaks 30 and 32. The presence of this over-thickness helps to strengthen the separator in the region bordering the opening

20 and to provide a better clamping action when the separator is snapped onto the retaining profile. As can also be seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, the upper lip 30 delimits a rounded contour in the shape of a circular arc which has a shape homologous to that of the rounded upper side 36 of the section of the retaining profile 14. Furthermore, the lower spout 32 is slightly curved downwards to facilitate snapping or clipping of the separator on the retaining profile.

In the latching position (FIG. 4), the opening opening 20 fits tightly on a part of the profile, thus ensuring a firm hold in position. To remove the separator, it is sufficient to rotate it by a movement of rotation from bottom to top as indicated by the arrow F in Figure 4. This rotation is facilitated by the correspondence of shape between the upper side 36 of the profile section 14 and the inner contour of the upper spout 30. The separator can thus be removed or replaced again in a different axial position along the retaining profile.

The holding profile 14 is made with a thin wall to lighten and reduce the cost of material. The particular shape of the section is similar to that of a boat mast or a drop of water allows easy assembly and disassembly of vertical dividers.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lower edge 16 of each vertical separator 12 is provided with a friction stop 48 suitable for coming into contact with the shelf E. This stop is made of a material of the rubber type and is reported, for example by interlocking or overmolding, on a tab 50 from the lower edge 16 (Figure 2) using the co-injection technique. The presence of these stops makes it possible to immobilize the device in a chosen position, for example as close as possible to the door of the cabinet of which the shelf is part. The holding profile 14 can be made in different lengths or cut to length to fit shelves of different lengths. However, in most cases, the profile will not be exactly adapted to the length defined for example between two vertical walls of a cabinet.

For this, it will be necessary to extend the retaining profile to at least one of its ends to wedge the profile between the two aforementioned walls.

The holding profile can receive, at at least one of its ends, an end piece 52 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. This end piece, which is advantageously made by injection molding of a plastic material, has a homologous outline. that of the holding profile 14. The tip has two tabs 54 and 56 adapted to engage respectively in the grooves 44 and 46 of the profile to ensure interlocking of the latter as can also be seen in Figure 8. The end piece 52 has a constricted passage 58 which faces the axial passage 42 of the retaining profile 14, as can be seen in FIG.

The end cap 52 can bear directly against a vertical wall (not shown) to form a lateral support.

It is also conceivable to be able to extend the holding profile 14, on the side of the end piece 52, by an extension element.

Thus, as seen in Figures 1 and 8, the profile receives an extension element here consisting of a sliding rod 60, preferably a metal rod which is provided with a cap 62 at its end. The rod 60 can be placed in the desired axial position and maintained in this axial position because of the friction exerted by the passage tightened 58. The cap 62 then abuts against the aforementioned vertical wall (not shown).

Referring now to Figure 9 which shows another embodiment of the invention which is closely related to that described above. In this figure, there is also a second shelf E 'disposed above the shelf E and a side wall P of a filing cabinet, here on the right side. The holding profile 14 is provided here with another type of extension element, namely a sliding profile 64 which has an internal profile homologous to that of the outer profile of the profile 14. The profile 64 has an open side to allow its sliding and a closed opposite side 65 to form a support bearing against the wall P.

It will be understood that it is possible to combine the various previous solutions to use, if necessary, an extension member is in the form of rod or in the form of sliding profile. It is also within the scope of the invention to provide length-keeping profiles specifically adapted to the length of the shelf and receiving respectively two end caps bearing directly against two opposite side walls of a storage cabinet .

Referring now to Figure 10 which is similar to Figure 1 with the difference that some of the compartments C ₁ to C _n receive several folders 66 which are designed to specifically adapt to the vertical separators of the invention. The folders 66 (Figures 10 and 11) each have a flat back 68 clean to rest horizontally on the shelf E and two flaps 70 and 72 of rectangular form joined by this back and arranged vertically in the position of use. One of the flaps, here the flap 72, has a height greater than the other flap, here the flap 70, to form a zone identification 74 protruding upwards. This identification zone makes it possible to receive an identification mark, for example a label 76.

The file folders 66 are intended to be installed individually or collectively in at least one of the respective compartments delimited by the vertical separators. Each of the file folders can receive one or more folders to file (not shown).

The folders 66 are made for example of cardboard or plastic. As seen more particularly in FIG. 11, the file folder 66 has a plurality of creases 78 forming folding lines which make it possible to modify the width of the back 68, hence the distance between the flaps 70 and 72, while having one flap taller than the other. Thus the label remains constant height regardless of the thickness of the folder.

In addition, the retaining profile 14 has the advantage of providing a stop for the trailing edge of the file folders, which facilitates their proper alignment in the horizontal direction.

It will be understood that, thanks to the device of the invention, the organization of a shelf is very fast since it is the shelf that carries the entire filing device. At first, simply place a vertical separator at the left end of the holding profile and another vertical separator at the right end, the assembly being immediately held. The two ends of the retaining profile are then each provided, as appropriate, with an end piece or an extension element. Then simply add other vertical dividers and place the set in a chosen position. The presence of the rubber stops 48, which act as brakes, makes it possible to place each of the separators as close as possible to the edge of the shelf, so as close as possible to the door of the corresponding cabinet.

Note that, in use, the cutaway separator allows with the thumb to obtain a fold that clears the identification area of the folder (Figure 10). Thus, the identification marks are worn here by the file folders, and not by the vertical separators, which offers greater flexibility of use.

The invention finds particular application in storage furniture, especially filing cabinets.

Claims

claims

1. Device for the classification of files upright on a shelf, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of vertical separators (12) each made in the form of a plate having a lower edge (16) adapted to rest on the shelf (E) and a rear edge (18) provided with a through opening (20) shaped to form a detent member adapted to cooperate with a retaining profile (14) having a cross section adapted to the opening outlet, which makes it possible to arrange each of the vertical separators (12) in a selected position along the profile (14) to define compartments (C ₁ -C _n ) of variable width, said support profile being supported only by the separators vertical.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the opening opening (20) has a narrow entrance defined by an upper spout (30) and a lower spout (32) vis-vis and communicating with an enlarged cavity (34). ).

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the upper beak (30) and the lower beak (32) delimit between them in the vertical direction a distance (d) substantially less than the dimension (D) of the cross section of the holding profile (14) in the same vertical direction.

4. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the cross section of the retaining profile (14) is delimited by a rounded upper side (36) and a tapered lower side (38) interconnected by two curved sides (40). and admits a vertical axis of symmetry (XX).

5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the retaining profile (14) is provided, at least one of its ends, an end cap (52).

6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the retaining profile (14) is provided at at least one of its ends with an extension element (60; 64) to form an adjustable lateral support.

7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the extension member is a sliding rod (60) adapted to be received in an axial passage (42) defined by the retaining profile (14).

8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the sliding rod (60) through a constricted passage (58) of an end piece (52) mounted on the retaining profile (14) for holding the sliding rod in a given axial position.

9. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the extension member is a sliding profile (64) closed on one side and adapted to be mounted on one end of the retaining profile (14).

10. Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that each vertical separator (12) has substantially the shape of a trapezium with an upper edge (22) generally parallel to the lower edge (16) and a front edge (24) cutaway.

11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the lower edge (16) and the front edge (24) are connected to form a gripping tab (26) projecting.

12. Device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the lower edge (16) of the vertical separator (12) is provided with a friction abutment (48) adapted to come into contact with the shelf ( E).

13. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the friction abutment (48) is made of a rubber-like material and is attached to a tab (50) from the lower edge (16).