U.S. patent application number 10/626080 was filed with the patent office on 2005-01-27 for desktop filing system.
Invention is credited to Eby, David C., Gaska, Gilius A., Serrault, Jayson J., Smith, Aaron W., Vetting, Tobin.
Application Number | 20050016939 10/626080 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34080341 |
Filed Date | 2005-01-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050016939 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Eby, David C. ; et
al. |
January 27, 2005 |
Desktop filing system
Abstract
An apparatus and method of organizing a desktop includes a plate
with an opening with a catch serving as a handle at one end. The
plate further includes two openings on the second end. Attached to
the plate are a plurality of overlapping vanes, disposed between
the opening on the first end and the openings on the second end.
Two ends of a continuous band may be attached to the two openings
on the second end. A user may place files in between the vanes to
organize his or her desk. The user may then secure the files within
the apparatus by pulling the band over the vanes and files and
latching the band on the catch in the opening on the first end.
Inventors: |
Eby, David C.; (Madison,
WI) ; Smith, Aaron W.; (Wooster, OH) ;
Serrault, Jayson J.; (Middleton, WI) ; Vetting,
Tobin; (Kohler, WI) ; Gaska, Gilius A.;
(Medina, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARSHALL, GERSTEIN & BORUN LLP
6300 SEARS TOWER
233 S. WACKER DRIVE
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Family ID: |
34080341 |
Appl. No.: |
10/626080 |
Filed: |
July 24, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/11 ;
211/184 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 7/14 20130101; B42F
17/18 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/011 ;
211/184 |
International
Class: |
A47F 005/00 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A method of organizing a desktop, comprising: opening a first
space between a first vane and a plate, the first vane being
attached to the plate at a first end of the first vane; placing a
file on the plate; disposing the first vane over the file; and
extending a band over the first vane, the band being attached to
the plate at one end.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first vane is one of a
plurality of vanes, the method further including: opening a space
between two adjacent vanes of the plurality of vanes, each of the
two adjacent vanes being attached to the plate at one of each of
the plurality of vane's ends; placing a second file in between the
two adjacent vanes; and sandwiching the file between the two
adjacent vanes.
3. The method of claim 2, the plate further including an opening
with a catch, the method further including: securing the band on
the catch.
4. The method of claim 3, further comprising elongating the band,
the band being elastic.
5. A desktop file organizer, comprising: a plate with a first end
and a second end; a plurality of vanes, each vane being attached at
a respective first end to the plate; and a band attached to the
second end of the plate and configured to secure the vanes against
the plate.
6. The organizer of claim 5, wherein the vanes are flexible and
secured to the plate.
7. The organizer of claim 6, wherein the plurality of vanes are
disposed between the first end and the second end of the plate, and
the plate further including an opening in the plate and a catch in
the opening at the first end in the plate.
8. The organizer of claim 7, the band further including two ends,
the ends being attached to the second end in the plate, the vanes
being in between the ends of the elastic band and the opening in
the plate.
9. The organizer of claim 8, the band being elastic, wherein the
catch is configured to engage the elastic band such that when the
elastic band is disposed over the catch, the elastic band remains
in a stretched configuration over the plurality of vanes.
10. The organizer of claim 9, wherein the portion of the elastic
band disposed on the catch is reinforced with a stiff material.
11. The organizer of claim 10, wherein the elastic band is
reinforced with a metal tube.
12. The organizer of claim 5, wherein the plate includes at least
one slot for each vane.
13. The organizer of claim 12, wherein the vanes each include a
tongue configured to resist rotation about the slots.
14. The organizer of claim 13, wherein each vane has at least one
tab on one end configured to be inserted into the at least one
slot.
15. The organizer of claim 14, further including a plurality of
slots on the plate along the length of the plate.
16. The organizer of claim 14, wherein the plurality of slots are
spaced at approximately one inch intervals.
17. The organizer of claim 14, wherein each vane has two tabs.
18. A filing system comprising: a plate with a first end and a
second end, the plate including an opening in the first end and a
pair of openings in the second end; a plurality of slots disposed
in the plate; and a plurality of vanes, each vane including a tab,
the tab of each vane disposed within a corresponding slot and
connected to the plate, the vanes being disposed between the
opening in the first end of the plate, and the pair of openings in
the second end of the plate.
19. The filing system of claim 18, further including: a band with
two ends, the two ends of the band being disposed in the pair of
openings in the second end of the plate; the opening of the first
end of the plate including a catch, the band being adapted to be
disposed over the catch in the opening in the first end of the
plate to constrain the plurality of vanes against each other and
the plate.
20. The filing system of claim 19, wherein the band is elastic.
21. The filing system of claim 18, each vane further comprising a
tongue disposed adjacent the tab, the tongue being adapted to
constrain the vane against rotation.
22. A desktop filing organizer, comprising: a plate, including a
first end, a second end, and a fold line; and a plurality of vanes,
each vane attached at a respective first end to the plate, the
vanes disposed between the first end and the fold line.
23. The organizer of claim 22, the plate further comprising a first
section and a second section, the plate being configured to be
folded about the fold line such that the first section overlies the
second section, the plurality of vanes being in between the first
section and the second section.
24. A desktop filing organizer, comprising: a plate; a vane
extending from the plate for securing a file to the plate; and
means for securing the vane and the file to the plate.
25. The desktop filing organizer of claim 24, the means including a
band attached to the plate at one end and disposed across the vane
and file.
26. The desktop filing organizer of claim 24, the plate including a
first section and a second section separated from the first section
by a fold line, the means including the second section when folded
over the first section and vane.
27. A file organizer and carrying case, comprising: a plate with a
first end and a second end, and a handle disposed in the first end;
and a plurality of vanes each attached at one end to the plate and
adapted to store at least one file in between each vane such that
the organizer may be disposed in a first location in a file
organizing position in which the organizer is placed in a
horizontal position on top of a work space, and a vertical carrying
position in which the organizer is adapted to be carried via the
handle to a second location.
28. The organizer of claim 27, further including a means for
securing the vanes and the file to the plate.
29. The organizer of claim 28, the means comprising a band attached
at the second end of the plate and hooked over a catch in the
handle.
30. The organizer of claim 28, the plate including a first portion
and a second portion separated from the first portion by a fold
line, the means including the second section when folded over the
first section.
31. A method of organizing a filing system, including: opening a
space between a vane and a plate, the vane being attached at one
end to the plate, the plate being disposed horizontally in a first
location and including a handle; placing a file on the plate;
disposing the vane over the file; extending a band over the vane,
the band being attached to the plate at one end; hooking the band
over a catch in the plate; and transporting the plate from the
first location to a second location, the plate being transported in
a vertical orientation.
Description
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus of
organizing a desktop, and more specifically to a plate with
attached file dividers.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] Research has shown that people organize their work stations
in one of two manners, either by piling files up on their desk, or
by filing them away. Those who pile generally prefer having
materials at their fingertips, and prefer not to have the hassle of
maintaining a highly organized work area. This is efficient if the
user does not have an overbearing number of files on his or her
desk. However, it is nearly inevitable that a large number of files
will accumulate, and the work space will become inefficient and
disorganized.
[0003] Research has further shown that various areas of a work
space are used consistently, while others are virtually not used at
all. Those who keep files on their desks normally keep the files in
the usable space, thereby increasing the clutter and inefficiency
of the work space. Those who tend to file papers in an organized
manner normally file them in a space that is not used frequently,
and therefore the space is generally not easily accessible.
[0004] It would also be helpful to have a filing system in place
that can be maintained in the useful space in the work zone. In
particular, it would be helpful for those who pile to have a system
which keeps the files located in an organized manner on their
desktop, as they prefer. Finally, this filing system should be
simple to manufacture, aesthetically pleasing, and cost
effective.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a desktop filer constructed
in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a top view of the desktop filer of FIG. 1.
[0007] FIG. 3 is a side view of the desktop filer of FIG. 1.
[0008] FIG. 4 is a isometric view of a file being filed in the
desktop filer of FIG. 1.
[0009] FIG. 5 is a top view of the plate of the desktop filer of
FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 6 is a top view of one of the vanes of the desktop
filer of FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 7 is a side view of the elastic band of the desktop
filer of FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 8 is a detail view of the end hook of the elastic band
of FIG. 7.
[0013] FIG. 8a is an isometric view of the end hook of FIG. 8.
[0014] FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a second example of desktop
filer, constructed in accordance with the teachings of this
invention.
[0015] FIG. 10 is a top view of the plate of the second desktop
filer of FIG. 9, but with the vanes removed.
[0016] FIG. 11 is a top view of one of the vanes of the second
desktop filer of FIG. 9.
[0017] FIG. 12 is a side view of the desktop filer of FIG. 9 in its
secured position.
[0018] While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications
and alternative constructions, certain illustrative embodiments
thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below
in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no
intention to limit the disclosure to the specific forms disclosed,
but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications,
alternative constructions, and the equivalents falling within the
spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended
claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS.
1-3, an example of a desktop filer 10 is shown. The filer 10
includes a plate 12 supporting a plurality of vanes 14, including a
first vane 14a, a second vane 14b, etc. The vanes 14 are
constrained to lay against the plate 12 by a restraining band 16.
This disclosure describes files being stored in the device with the
device being placed on a desk top, however, other items may be
stored and organized, such as books, maps, compact discs, retail
store displays, etc., and the device may be placed in other
locations.
[0020] As shown in FIG. 5, the plate 12 includes a plurality of
slots 18. The slots 18 are spaced apart from each other a distance
d, large enough to fit a typical file in between. As used herein, a
typical file may be small such that it includes only a few sheets
of paper, or larger to include a stack of papers. In this example,
the slots 18 are configured in slot pairs 20 that are disposed in
the plate 12. Each slot pair 20 is configured to receive portions
of a vane 14 therein. An axis A-A is defined between the slots 18
of each pair 20.
[0021] The plate 12 further includes an opening 22 defining a
handle 24. Disposed in the opening 22 is a catch 26 with two
grooves 28 on each end of the catch 26. Finally, on the side of the
plate opposite the handle 24 is a pair of openings 30a and 30b. The
plate 12 can be manufactured out of any material known to have
enough stiffness and durability to support a plurality of office
files and to endure common abuse, but should also be lightweight
and inexpensive, such as plastic or fiberboard.
[0022] FIG. 6 shows an example of a vane 14. Each vane 14 includes
a pair of tabs 32 configured to be inserted into a respective slot
pair 20 and a tongue 33 disposed between the tabs 32. The tabs 32
can be fastened to the back side of the plate 12 by any means known
in the art, including heat staking, welding, glueing, etc. The tabs
32 are fastened such that the vane 14 and tongue 33 tend to lay
flat against the plate 12, as best shown in FIG. 3.
[0023] The tongue 33 lies across the axis A-A, as shown in FIG. 2,
such that the tongue 33 resists the rotation of the vane 14 about
the axis A-A. Thus, to insert a file 35 as shown in FIG. 4, the
first vane 14a, for example, is pulled up from the plate 12 via the
flexibility of the vane 14 itself, and not from rotation of the
vane 14 about the axis A-A. Accordingly, the vanes 14 can be made
of any material that is flexible, yet is strong enough to resist
permanently deforming from everyday use. For example, as with the
base 12, the vanes 14 may be manufactured from plastics such as
polypropylene, polyethylene, or paper products such as
fiberboard.
[0024] The vanes 14 may include a label 34 disposed on the vane 14
adjacent the free end 36. The user may note on the label 34 any
information, such as when the file must be addressed, which file is
stored, etc. The vane 14 is ideally sized to be larger than a
standard file, although it can be smaller. Further, the vanes 14
and plate 12 are shown to have mating pairs of tabs 32 and slots
18, however, it is conceivable that each vane 14 could have one or
more tabs 32, and plate 12 could have at least as many slots 18 to
receive the tabs 32. Furthermore, the vanes 14 could be attached to
the plate 12 in any number of ways known in the art without
departing from the scope of this disclosure. This construction of
the vanes 14 is illustrative, and other dividing structure, such as
punching the vanes 14 out of the plate 12, are within the scope of
this disclosure.
[0025] Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 7, a restraining band 16 with
two sections 16a and 16b is shown. In this example, the band 16 is
manufactured from an elastic material, such as rubber, but a
non-elastic material could be used as well. The band 16 has a
fastened end 38 and a hooking end 40. The fastened end 38 includes
two ends 42a and 42b of the sections 16a and 16b which are
configured to be inserted into the openings 30a and 30b of the
plate 12 and fastened to the plate 12 in any way known in the art.
This includes welding, adhering, crimping a stopper to the ends 42a
and 42b, or even running a single band 16 through one opening 30a
and back through the second opening 30b to form both sections 16a
and 16b of the band 16. Further, a band 16 may be used that has
only one section 16a, i.e. a single strip.
[0026] The hooking end 40, as seen in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 7 and 8, is
used to latch the elastic band 16 over the catch 26 in the plate
12. This fastens the band 16 in an elongated and taut condition
over the vanes 14, thereby pinning the vanes 14 against the plate
12. This holds the vanes 14 and, in this example, the files 35 in
between the vanes 14 securely.
[0027] The hooking end 40, as seen in FIGS. 7, 8, and 8a can
include a sleeve 44 that surrounds the restraining band 16. The
sleeve 44 includes a first portion 45 which is cylindrical and thus
surrounds and compresses the band 16. The sleeve 44 further
includes a second portion 47 in which the sleeve 44 is only
semi-cylindrical and thus forms a "U" in cross-section The sleeve
44 can be made of a hard material such as steel which can be rolled
around the band 16. The sleeve 44 creates a stiff and durable
surface for placing the band 16 over and around the catch 26. In
another example, the sleeve 44 might not be used at all.
[0028] In a typical use of the desk top filer 10, a user would
place the filer 10 in a useful area of his or her workstation 49.
The user can flex open the first vane 14a and place a file on the
plate 12, then allow the first vane 14a to flex back over the file.
The user may then place a second file on top of the first vane 14a
and under the second vane 14b in the same way. In this manner, the
user can sequentially place a number of files on his or her desk.
By placing the vanes 14a, 14b, . . . in between each file, the
files are organized in a manner that makes them easy to locate. Of
course, the user may place a file in between any of the vanes 14,
and the user may fill the filer 10 with files in any sequence. To
secure the files and vanes 14 against the plate 12, the restraining
band 16 can be extended across the vanes 14 and the hooking end 40
can be latched over the catch 26 in the plate 12. To further aid
the user in organizing his or her desk, a label 34 may be placed on
the free end 36 of the vane 14, and indicia relating to which file
is stored, or what must be done for the file may be placed on the
label 34.
[0029] In a further use of the filer 10, the filer 10 can easily be
transported with the files 35 still maintained in the filer 10. A
user simply may grasp the handle 24 and carry the filer 10. The
files 35 are maintained in the filer 10 due to the band 16
restraining the files 35 within the vanes 14. The vanes 14 and the
band 16 of the filer 10 allows the filer 10 to be transported in a
vertical orientation.
[0030] The filer 10 can also be hung vertically and still maintain
files 35 against the plate 12 and within the vanes 14. A nail or
clip can be placed in a wall as in commonly known, and the filer 10
can be hung on the wall by placing the opening 22 over the nail or
clip. By using the filer 10 in such a manner, even more space can
be cleared on a workspace 49, and the files 35 can be maintained in
a useful and accessible area.
[0031] A second example of a desk top filer 50 is shown in FIG. 9.
It includes a plate 52 and a plurality of vanes 54, which, as
opposed to the first example, are rotatably attached to the plate
52, including first vane 54a, second vane 54b, etc.
[0032] The plate 52, as seen in FIG. 10, includes a first section
56 and a second section 58, separated substantially in half by a
fold line 60. The plate 52 includes a plurality of slots 62
arranged in slot pairs 64. An axis B-B is defined between the slots
62 of one pair 64. The plate 52 further includes a first handle 66
and a second handle 68.
[0033] The vanes 54 include tabs 70 like in the first example.
However, in this example, the vanes 54 do not include a tongue.
Instead of a tongue, the vanes 54 include a removed section 72, as
shown best in FIG. 11. In this example, the vanes 54 are similarly
inserted into the slots 62 of the plate 52 and attached to the
plate 52. Because the vanes 54 do not include a tongue that resists
rotation about an axis, the vanes 54 are freely rotatable about an
axis B-B.
[0034] To secure the vanes 54 and the files against the filer 50,
the second section 58 is folded about the fold line 60 over the
vanes 54 and the first section 56, as seen in FIG. 12 and described
by arrow 61. The first half 56 can then be secured to the second
half 58 by any means known in the art, including snaps or clips, or
by simply holding the two handles 66 and 68 together.
[0035] From the foregoing, one of ordinary skill in the art will
appreciate that the present disclosure sets forth a device and
method for organizing a work space with a desktop filer. However,
one of ordinary skill in the art could readily apply the novel
teachings of this disclosure to any number of situations in which a
surface with multiple items requires organizing. This includes, but
is not limited to, compact discs, books, maps, retail store
displays, etc. As such, the teachings of this disclosure shall not
be considered to be limited to the specific examples disclosed
herein, but to include all applications within the spirit and scope
of the invention.
* * * * *