U.S. patent application number 11/185686 was filed with the patent office on 2005-11-17 for file with high-traction surface.
This patent application is currently assigned to Essetle Corporation. Invention is credited to Beck, Alan, Cox, Alicia, Zivic, Jennifer.
Application Number | 20050252808 11/185686 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32593027 |
Filed Date | 2005-11-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050252808 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zivic, Jennifer ; et
al. |
November 17, 2005 |
File with high-traction surface
Abstract
A file that includes a first panel disposed adjacent a holding
location, a holding member associated with the first panel and
being configured and dimensioned for holding and retaining a stack
of paper in the holding location, and a second panel that includes
a high-traction surface that has a sufficiently high frictional
coefficient to provide elevated traction and gripping against a
desktop to resist or prevent sliding thereagainst. The second panel
is rotatably associated with the first panel for movement between a
closed position and an open position.
Inventors: |
Zivic, Jennifer; (East
Northport, NY) ; Cox, Alicia; (Mineola, NY) ;
Beck, Alan; (Brooklyn, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WINSTON & STRAWN LLP
1700 K STREET, N.W.
WASHINGTON
DC
20006
US
|
Assignee: |
Essetle Corporation
|
Family ID: |
32593027 |
Appl. No.: |
11/185686 |
Filed: |
July 21, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11185686 |
Jul 21, 2005 |
|
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|
10322737 |
Dec 19, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/425 ;
206/806 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 13/00 20130101;
Y10S 206/806 20130101; A45C 3/02 20130101; B42F 7/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/425 ;
206/806 |
International
Class: |
B65D 085/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A file, comprising: a first panel disposed adjacent a holding
location; a holding member associated with the first panel and
being configured and dimensioned for holding and retaining a stack
of paper in the holding location; and a second panel comprising a
high-traction surface that has a sufficiently high frictional
coefficient to provide elevated traction and gripping against a
desktop to resist or prevent sliding thereagainst; wherein the
second panel is rotatably associated with the first panel for
movement between a closed position and an open position.
2. The file of claim 1, wherein the high-traction surface has a
frictional coefficient that is sufficiently high to provide
sufficient traction and gripping against a desktop to support the
holding portion and held stack hanging therefrom, while
substantially preventing the second panel from sliding off the
desktop.
3 The file of claim 1, wherein the high-traction surface comprises
a high-traction elastomeric material.
4. The file of claim 1, wherein the high-traction surface has a
dimpled or porous texture to increase the frictional coefficient
thereof.
5. The file of claim 1, wherein the second panel and high-traction
surface have a substantially flat cross-section, and the first
panel and holding portion are configured to lay adjacent and
substantially flat against the second panel when the file is in the
closed position.
6. The file of any of claim 1, wherein: in the closed position, the
second panel is positioned adjacent the holding portion; and in the
open position, the high-traction surface extends at an angle from
the holding portion so that the second panel can be placed on the
desktop with the first panel and stack hanging and supported from
the second panel, which grips the desktop sufficiently for
preventing the second panel from slipping off the desktop.
7. The file of claim 6, wherein the second panel is configured as a
file cover for covering at least a portion of the holding portion
in the closed position.
8. The file of claim 1, wherein the file comprises a file
folder.
9. The file of claim 1, wherein the holding member is configured
for holding and retaining the stack of paper of at least letter,
legal, A3, or A4 size in the holding location.
10. The file of claim 1, wherein the holding member comprises a
pocket configured and dimensioned to hold the stack of paper.
11. The file of claim 10, further comprising a hinge that pivotally
connects the first panel and the second panel, wherein the pocket
defines an opening associated with the holding location and
configured to receive the stack therethrough for placement in the
holding location.
12. The file of claim 10, wherein the pocket comprises an
expandable accordion pocket.
13. The file of claim 1, wherein the second panel comprises a
second layer that significantly increases the weight and rigidity
of the second panel to increase the friction between the second
panel and the desktop.
14. The file of claim 1, wherein the holding member comprises a
binding mechanism that is dimensioned and configured to hold the
stack of paper in the holding location.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 10/322,737, filed on Dec. 19, 2002, the entire contents of
which are expressly incorporated herein by reference thereto.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a file configured for
hanging from a desktop and holding a stack of paper. More
particularly, the invention relates to a portable file folder
configured to hang in an open position from and without sliding off
an edge of a desktop, shelf or other substantially horizontal
surface.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Portable filing systems or personal organizers for business
or for personal use are usually filled with papers and documents of
varying size, length, value and importance. Some files include
flexible dividers and indexing extensions to aid in differentiating
collections or projects. Documents are at times easily lost with
conventional filing systems due to the document's odd size or
weight. Files that can maintain an open or exposed position can aid
the user in identifying, maintaining and retrieving documents.
[0004] Files are known with dividers, indexing tabs and additional
pockets which open wide and securely close for transport. Some are
also made of durable materials which allow occasional exposure to
the elements.
[0005] Some files incorporate a portion that are slip-resistant to
a user's fingers on one or more flaps of the files. U.S. Pat. No.
6,273,470 discloses an expanding file that has a portion on its
cover flap, near the top edge that is resistant to slipping from a
user's fingers when it is gripped. The slip-resistant portion
comprises permanently deformed regions and optional
pressure-sensitive adhesive or polymeric material. The
slip-resistant portion formed by embossing the paper stock with the
material is shown as not being exposed to a user's grip until the
user applies pressure to the raised bumps. The bumps collapse under
the pressure so the user's fingers come into contact with the
material disposed around the bumps of the embossing.
[0006] The need exists for a durable file that can be placed on a
substantially horizontal surface such as a desktop with a loaded
portion hanging off the edge.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention relates to a file that includes a
first panel disposed adjacent a holding location, a holding member
associated with the first panel and being configured and
dimensioned for holding and retaining a stack of paper in the
holding location, and a second panel that includes a high-traction
surface that has a sufficiently high frictional coefficient to
provide elevated traction and gripping against a desktop to resist
or prevent sliding thereagainst. The second panel is rotatably
associated with the first panel for movement between a closed
position and an open position.
[0008] Preferably, the high-traction surface has a frictional
coefficient that is sufficiently high to provide sufficient
traction and gripping against a desktop to support the holding
portion and held stack hanging therefrom, while substantially
preventing the second panel from sliding off the desktop. The
high-traction surface preferably includes a high-traction
elastomeric material. In other embodiments, the high-traction
surface preferably has a dimpled or porous texture to increase the
frictional coefficient thereof.
[0009] Preferably, the second panel and high-traction surface have
a substantially flat cross-section, and the first panel and holding
portion are preferably configured to lay adjacent and substantially
flat against the second panel when the file is in the closed
position. In the closed position, the second panel is preferably
positioned adjacent the holding portion. In the open position, the
high-traction surface preferably extends at an angle from the
holding portion so that the second panel can be placed on the
desktop with the first panel and stack hanging and supported from
the second panel, which grips the desktop sufficiently for
preventing the second panel from slipping off the desktop.
Preferably, the second panel is configured as a file cover for
covering at least a portion of the holding portion in the closed
position.
[0010] In the preferred embodiment, the file is a file folder.
Preferably, the holding member of the file is configured for
holding and retaining the stack of paper of at least letter, legal,
A3, or A4 size in the holding location.
[0011] The file also preferably includes a pocket configured and
dimensioned to hold the stack of paper. The file preferably further
includes a hinge that pivotally connects the first panel and the
second panel. The pocket defines an opening associated with the
holding location and configured to receive the stack therethrough
for placement in the holding location. In one embodiment, the
pocket preferably includes an expandable accordion pocket.
[0012] Preferably, the second panel includes a second layer that
significantly increases the weight and rigidity of the second panel
to increase the friction between the second panel and the desktop.
The holding member preferably includes a binding mechanism that is
dimensioned and configured to hold the stack of paper in the
holding location.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a
file constructed according to the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view thereof in an open
position;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective front view thereof;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a perspective rear view thereof;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective view thereof in a closed
position;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view thereof along plane
VI-VI, shown in FIG. 5; and
[0019] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the preferred traction layer
and its surface.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] Referring to FIG. 4, a preferred embodiment of a file has a
holding portion 25 configured for holding at least one stack of
paper at a holding location 30. The holding portion 25 includes
panels such as a front panel 4 and a back panel 2. The holding
location 30 is preferably defined between back panel 2 and front
panel 4. A traction portion 26 includes cover panel 3. Preferably
the panels are at least semi-rigid and can include partitions that
are continuous with each other.
[0021] Preferably, the back panel 2 is pivotally associated with a
front panel 4 and substantially encloses an interior filing space 8
at the holding location 30. Panels 2,4 can pivot between a loading
file position, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and a closed file position,
shown in FIG. 5. Bottom panel 15 preferably pivotally connects the
front and back panels 4,2, and can have scores 13 or other
structures to aid in flexibility. The front panel 4, back panel 2
and bottom panel 15 are preferably connected by hinges, such as
scored living hinges 13,14. Back panel 2 and front panel 4 can also
be attached with file sides 7. The sides 7 may be of the expanding
file or accordion file type, with or without integral dividers 9,
which partition the interior filing space 8 and holding location
30.
[0022] The integral dividers 9 are preferably 0.18 mm thick, yet
may be thinner for smaller embodiments or where greater flexibility
is required. Alternatively, the dividers 9 may be thicker for
larger embodiments or where greater rigidity is required.
[0023] Preferably, superior boundaries of the front panel 4, back
panel 2 and sides 7 define an upward facing opening 31 adjacent the
proximal edge of the traction portion 26. The sides 7 are
configured to keep the holding portion 25 in a file loading
configuration while sufficiently supporting the held stack.
[0024] The filing space 8 is preferably configured to contain
papers of standard sizes to be used in an office environment, such
as letter, legal, A3 or A4. Larger filing spaces 8 can be
configured to accommodate the needs of artists, teachers,
cartographers and draftspeople. Other embodiments that accommodate
personal checks, bills, invoices, business cards, currency and
receipts are possible.
[0025] The panels 2,3,4 are preferably between 0.9 mm and 0.65 mm
thick, yet may be thinner for smaller embodiments or where greater
flexibility is required. Alternatively, the panels 2,3,4 may be
thicker for larger embodiments or where greater rigidity is
required.
[0026] Referring to FIGS. 1-3 the front panel 4 of the preferred
embodiment has a notch 21 extending substantially across its entire
width above which indexing extensions 12 are viewable in the open
file position. Additionally there may be a secondary notch 22
continuous with the first as shown in FIGS. 1-3. One or more
transparent or opaque pockets 11 can be attached to a face of the
front panel 4 for holding smaller items such as labels or
photographs. Hooks, clips and clasps may also be found the face of
the front panel 4.
[0027] Cover panel 3 and back panel 2 are rotatably associated at
hinge portion 16 for pivotal movement between a closed file
position, as shown in FIG. 5, and an open position wherein the
cover panel 3 extends at an angle from the back panel 2, as shown
in FIG. 2. In the closed file position the cover panel 3 is
configured to work as a cover and substantially cover the holding
location 30. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the cover panel 3 of this
embodiment has a substantially flat configuration to lie
substantially flat against the holding portion 25 in the closed
position. In the open position the cover panel 3 can rest on a
desktop with the holding portion 25 and its contents hanging
therefrom. Cover panel 3 can include a top panel 16 which may
include scores 14 for added flexibility to form a hinge 27. In
other embodiments, the various panels are hinged with rings, a
spiral or other types of hinges.
[0028] Preferably, a distal edge 29 of the cover panel 3 and
lateral edges of panels 2,4,15,16 are bordered with a reinforcing
piping 17 as shown in FIG. 4. Nylon webbing is the preferred
material for the reinforcing piping 17, but any other material with
sufficient pliability and durability can be alternatively used.
[0029] Chafe clips 18 are preferably attached at the ends of the
reinforcing piping 17 and at the distal corners of the cover panel
3, as shown in FIGS. 1-5. A chafing clip 38 can also be attached to
the center of the distal edge 29 of cover panel 3. The clips 18 are
preferably made of metal, can be painted, anodized or coated, or
made of other durable material. The clips 18,38 are normally
crimped onto the reinforcing piping 17, and may be added
elsewhere.
[0030] Referring to FIGS. 4-6, the file has a traction portion 26,
which is configured for gripping the desktop or other substantially
horizontally surface while supporting the holding portion 25
hanging therefrom. Preferably the cover panel 3 includes a traction
layer 39 which includes a traction surface 19. The traction surface
19 has a sufficiently high traction for gripping a desktop 20 as
shown in FIG. 2 to support the holding portion 25 and a held stack
or other contents hanging from the cover panel 3 while preventing
the cover panel 3 from sliding off the desktop 20. The distal and
lateral edges of the traction surface 19 are preferably tucked and
securely attached beneath the reinforcing piping 17 to an inner
panel 23, which is preferably of unitary construction with the
second 3 and first panels 2 or portions thereof. A proximal edge of
the traction surface 19 adjacent to the top panel 16 is tucked
underneath itself toward a center of panel 3 where it is securely
attached to inner panel 3. Glues and adhesives can be used for
attaching the traction surface 19 to the inner panel 3, while other
securing methods such as welting, welding and stitching are also
possible.
[0031] A preferred material for the traction layer 39 is PVC foam.
Suitable materials of the traction layer 39 include elastomers,
acrylics, vinyls, rubber-based and other materials with a
sufficiently high traction for gripping the desktop to support the
holding portion 25 and held stack. Additionally, the traction layer
39 can include tacky materials such as glues and adhesives to
increase traction by repeatably adhering to the desktop.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 7, the preferred traction surface 19 has a
dimpled porous texture, and alternative embodiments have a bumpy
texture, or one that is substantially level and flat. Regular and
random patterns are also possible for the traction surface 19 as
are treads, pimples, grooves and beads. In one embodiment, a
traction portion 26 can be used that is of unitary construction
with the second panel 3.
[0033] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the cover panel 3 is preferably
heavier, thicker and substantially more rigid than the other
panels. As visible in FIG. 6, the cover panel 3 has a substantially
flat cross-section and is configured to lay substantially flat
against the holding portion 25 in the closed position, with the
outside of the cover panel 3 also being substantially flat. To
increase the traction of the traction surface 19, the cover panel 3
may contain a weighted insert 23, which is preferably disposed
between an inner and traction layers 3,39. The weighted insert 23
may comprise multiple layers. The weighted insert 23 lends
thickness to the cover panel 3 and prevents the traction surface 19
from laying flush with the reinforcing piping 17, thus exposing
more area of the traction surface 19 to the desktop and increasing
traction. The weighted insert 23 also lends greater weight to the
cover panel 3, thus increasing traction between the traction
surface 19 and the desktop 20. The weighted insert 23 can also
increase the stiffness and weight of the cover panel 3 to improve
contact of the traction surface 19 with the desktop 20.
[0034] Preferably, the weighted insert 23 is 4.2 mm thick, yet may
be thinner or lighter for some embodiments. Alternatively the
weighted insert 23 may be thicker or heavier for other
embodiments.
[0035] In the closed position, cover panel 3 is configured as a
file cover for covering at least a portion of the holding portion.
Preferably at least 25% of a front of the holding portion or of the
front panel is covered by the cover panel 3, more preferably at
least 50% and most preferably at least 75%. Cover panel 3 can also
substantially cover all of the front of the holding portion or the
front panel.
[0036] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the weighted insert 23 preferably
generally conforms to the area covered by the traction surface 19,
but may be of different shape, size, density and thickness.
[0037] The traction surface 19 covers a majority of an outer side
area of the cover panel 3 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The preferred
area of coverage is rectangular and extends from adjacent the top
panel 16 toward a distal edge 29 of the cover panel 3 within the
reinforcing piping 17. The traction surface 19 can alternatively
cover a lesser area of the outer side of the cover panel 3.
[0038] In other embodiments, the area covered by the traction
surface 19 is less than about 50% or less than about 25% of the
area of the cover panel 3. Preferably, the traction surface 19
extends proximal the top panel 16. The area covered by the traction
surface 19 is preferably rectangular and centered between the edges
of the cover panel 3. Other embodiments have a different
positioning and shaping of the traction surface 19 which may be
discontinuous. Many configurations of the traction surface 19 are
possible, providing the traction surface 19 has sufficiently high
traction for supporting the filing space 8 and held stack hanging
therefrom while preventing the cover panel 3 from sliding off the
desktop 20.
[0039] One or more secondary envelopes 11 or secondary pockets 10
can be attached to exposed faces of each of the panels 3, 4. As
shown in FIGS. 1-3, an expanding type pocket 10 and a secondary
envelope 11 are located on an inner side of the cover panel 3.
Other combinations and permutations of variously sized secondary
pockets 10 and secondary envelopes 11 can be used. Hooks, clips and
clasps may also accompany the faces of the panels 3,4.
[0040] The stack held in the holding portion 25 may comprise a
stack of paper or other material, from a single sheet to a full
ream or more. A stack may also be a collection of documents,
photographs, facsimiles or other material that requires filing.
Preferably, the file can hang from a desktop while holding at least
about 10 lbs. of sheets. In another embodiment at least 5 lbs. of
sheets can be held.
[0041] While illustrative embodiments of the invention are
disclosed herein, it will be appreciated that numerous
modifications and other embodiments may be devised by those skilled
in the art. For example, the holding portion can include
alternative structures to hold its contents, such as a ring binding
mechanism, photo album, CD album or a bound ledger. Therefore, it
will be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover
all such modifications and embodiments that come within the spirit
and scope of the present invention.
* * * * *