Support device for record elements

Abstract

A support device for record elements is shown. The device includes a first support and a second support. The first support includes an elongated holding bar carrying sustaining members at opposite ends thereof. The first support also includes a laterally and outwardly projecting portion downwardly disposed from the holding bar and provided with a second channel open at the bottom thereof. A second support includes a substantially planar base element and an overlying upwardly disposed and outwardly extending portion which is slidably movable within the second channel and provided with a third elongated channel open at the top thereof. The base element is provided with a series of holes therewithin which are adapted to register with similar holes provided within a post binder. A post binder is also shown which includes a pair of covers each having a support portion and a pivotally connected flap portion. The binder also includes a channel connected to one of the support portions of the covers and carrying a compressor member thereupon. The channel and adjacent covers are provided with a plurality of spaced series of holes each series adapted to register with one of the holes within the base element of the second support.

Parent Case Text

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 141,183, filed May 7, 1971.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a support device for record elements and a post binder including the same. The devices of this invention are specifically useful in the filing of large amounts of records such as those produced by computer print-out.

Generally computer print-out output is of large quantity and, after being studied, must be filed. The output is generally placed in post binders which then must be placed into some type of filing device.

Since the binders involved are heavy it is preferable to utilize suspended filing techniques for this purpose. However, there has not been a convenient device heretofore made to do so.

The invention set forth in this specification shows such a device. In addition the invention provides a means of supporting the post binders which involves an optional slidable arrangement and a supported arrangement.

The invention also includes a post binder embodying the device of this invention.

The above sets forth some of the principal objects and advantages of this invention. Other objects and advantages will become apparent to the reader of this specification as this description proceeds.

The invention may be briefly described as comprising, in combination, a file support structure which includes a first element and a second element, wherein the second element is slidably movable within the first element. The first element comprises an elongated inverted T-shaped member provided with a channel at the base thereof and a pair of hook members at opposite ends of the vertical bar of the T. The second element comprises a T-shaped portion having a binder support member and a holding member.

The invention also includes a post binder having a pair of covers each having a support portion and a pivotally connected flap portion, a longitudinally disposed elongated channel disposed upon at least one of the support portions of the covers and a compressor member carried by the channel. The support portions of the covers and the channel are provided with a plurality of series of aligned openings and the vertical bar of the T of the second element is also provided with a plurality of spaced openings each of which is aligned with one of the series of openings in the covers and channel. A flexible post is disposed within each series of openings with the end portion of the post adapted to be retained in bent-over relationship by the compressor. The remainder of the structure includes first and second elements as previously described.

The invention will now be further described by references to the accompanying drawings which set forth the best mode known to the inventors of taking advantage of their invention.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a post binder supported in hanging relationship by the support device of this invention and made in accordance therewith.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the post binder and support device as shown in FIG. 1 with the manner in which the sustaining members of the first element can be disposed upon the support members of a file device shown diagrammatically and with phantom lines.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the first and second elements of the support device of this invention on an enlarged scale.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the support device of this invention and the post binder utilized in connection therewith, also on an enlarged scale.

The invention will now be further described by references to the specific form thereof as set forth in the accompanying drawings. In this connection, however, the reader is cautioned to note that such specific form of invention, representing the best mode known to the inventors of taking advantages of the same, is for specific illustration and merely for purposes of example. Various changes and modifications could obviously be made within the spirit and scope of this invention.

Now referring to the specific form of invention shown for a detailed description thereof a file support element 11 (which forms no part of this invention) is shown with a plurality of leg members 13 to which are secured support rods 12 and 14. The device of this invention includes a first support 15 which is formed substantially in the shape of an inverted T with the vertical bar 16 of the T provided with a plurality of cut-out portions 17 at opposite ends thereof which constitute sustaining portions to hold this element in position upon rods 12. Bar 16 is further provided with a longitudinal channel 22 therewithin and an outwardly projecting elongated detent 23 is disposed on the bottom of the channel 22. The base of the T 18 is also provided with an elongated channel 24 therewithin which open at portion 38 at the bottom thereof. Adjacent each side of portion 38 is an upwardly extending hook portion 25.

The second support 26 is formed in substantially T-shape with the vertical bar 20 of the T being substantially planar in cross-section and provided with a plurality of spaced holes 21 therewithin. The horizontal bar of the T 39 is provided with a channel 27 therewithin which is open at the top at 40 and has an upwardly extending longitudinally disposed detent 28 at the base thereof. Portion 39 is arcuate at its sides 41 and also includes a pair of laterally disposed downwardly depending portions 29 therewithin. Bar 20 also has a hook element 19 at opposite sides thereof.

A post binder element 42 is optionally provided and includes a pair of covers 43 each having a flap portion 31 and a holding portion 32. Between covers 43 are disposed a plurality of sheets 30 each of which being provided with a plurality of spaced holes 44 therewithin. A channel 33 is disposed upon each of the holding portions 32 of covers 43 and is secured thereto by rivets or other fastening members (not shown). Within at least one of the channels 33 is disposed a compressor 45. The channels and holding portions of the covers are provided with a plurality of series of aligned holes therewithin and each of the holes in the sheets and in the Bar 20 of the T are aligned with corresponding holes in the portions 32 of covers 43 and in the channels 33. A flexible post 35 is disposed within a series of aligned holes with the top end 36 of the post retained by the compressor 45 in bent-over relationship. The bottom end of the post may also be retained in bent-over relationship by a similar compressor within the other channel or can simply include a head 36.

The channels 22 and 27 are adapted to support indicia elements therewithin which can be slidably retained within the channels. These indicia elements will be held in projecting relationship within the channels by selective impingement with the detents 23 and 28.

With the foregoing specific description the operation of this invention can now be explained.

A post binder containing the records to be stored is obtained and the second support 26 is secured to the post binder as shown in FIG. 4. This is done by means of the post or posts 35 of the binder passing through the holes 21 provided within member 20. This structure can be supported upon rods 12 by merely turning the assembly in a slightly diagonal manner and placing one hook 19 on rod 12. The assembly can then be moved into right-angled relationship with rods 12 to secure the device into position.

However if slidable securement is desired then the first element 15 is taken and turned slightly diagonally (as shown in FIG. 2) and then secured in position. The second element is then slidably retained within the first element and the binder can be slid laterally to remove it from its secured position.

Indicia showing the type of documents included within the post binder supported by the device of this invention can be displayed in the first element or in the second element. A slidable rectangular element of substantially the same width as channel 22 can be imprinted with indicia and slid into this channel. A cover sheet of transparent material of the same size can also be disposed upon the rectangular element for protection purposes. Both elements are preferably flexible and are retained in arcuate relationship by the detent 23.

Similar display of indicia within channel 27 can be made and detent 28 acts similarly to detent 23.

For simple fabrication of members 15 and 26 it is possible to mold them out of a thermopolastic or thermosetting material such as polypropylene, polystyrene, bakelite and the like.

The foregoing sets forth the manner in which the objects of this invention are achieved.

Claims

We claim:

1. A device for removably supporting bound record elements on a pair of spaced apart parallel rod elements of a filing structure which rod elements are positioned in a substantially horizontal plane comprising:

a. a first elongated support member adapted to be mounted on the elements with one end supported by one rod element and the other end supported by another rod element, said first support member including a recess in each end, each recess extending longitudinally inward of said member parallel to the longitudinal axis of said member to a point such that the distance separating the innermost end surfaces of said recesses is approximately equal to the distance separating said rod elements and said first support member is capable of being mounted on said rod elements by positioning the member substantially in the plane of the rod elements at an angle relative to said rods with the recesses adjacent the rod elements and by turning the member in said plane to a position in said plane perpendicular to said rod elements and which first support member includes an elongated open-ended channel positioned below the rod elements; and

b. a second elongated support member supporting the bound record elements and removably supported by said first support member, said second support member capable of being slidably placed in and removed from the elongated channel of the first support member while the first member is supported by the spaced apart parallel rod elements, said second elongated support element includes a recess in each end, each of said last mentioned recesses extending generally longitudinally inwardly toward the second support member, said last mentioned recesses being adapted to receive the rod elements whereby said second support element can be mounted on the rod elements in a direction extending perpendicularly thereto independently of said first support member.

2. A device for removably supporting bound record elements on a pair of spaced apart parallel rod elements of a filing structure which rod elements are positioned in a substantially horizontal plane comprising:

a. a first elongated support member adapted to be mounted on the elements with one end supported by one rod element and the other end supported by another rod element, said first support member including a recess in each end, each recess extending longitudinally inward of said member parallel to the longitudinal axis of said member to a point such that the distance separating the innermost end surfaces of said recesses is approximately equal to the distance separating said rod elements and said first support member is capable of being mounted on said rod elements by positioning the member substantially in the plane of the rod elements at an angle relative to said rods with the recesses adjacent the rod elements and by turning the member in said plane to a position in said plane perpendicular to said rod elements and which first support member includes an elongated open-ended channel positioned below the rod elements; and

b. a second elongated support member supporting the bound record elements and removably supported by said first support member, said second support member capable of being slidably placed in and removed from the elongated channel of the first support member while the first member is supported by the spaced apart parallel rod elements;

c. the first support member includes a generally T-shaped cross-sectional configuration defining a stem and a cross-piece connected in substantially perpendicular relationship to the stem, said cross-piece having:

1. a base; and

2. a pair of flanges extending from opposite sides of the base away from said stem with end portions thereof extending toward each other to define said elongated channel; and

d. the second support member has a generally T-shaped cross-sectional configuration defining a stem and a cross-piece connected in substantially perpendicular relationship to the stem, said stem being adapted to be connected to the bound record elements, said cross-piece being disposed within said channel for sliding longitudinal movement with respect thereto.