GB2094231A - Cover incorporating a stand - Google Patents

Abstract

A file cover has an extension (9) which, in the open position illustrated in Fig. 1, can be folded inside the file and secured in position by press studs so that the intermediate hinge (11) of the cover member forms a ridge to support the filed material for improved viewing and access. When closed, the cover extension (9) extends outside and around the other cover member (4) to form the file into a box-shaped storage case. The cover extension can also be folded in the reverse direction to form a support to allow the file to be free standing in the open position with the filed, eg electronic memory discs, vertical. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION File This invention relates to files.

The invention is particularly applicable to the files for holding disc files, i.e. holders for storage of memory discs for electronic equipment, but it will be understood that it is applicable to files for holding other items such as folders.

Conventionally, files or folders are stored in box files or possibly bound into loose leaf binders, which may themselves be stored in box files. Neither mode of storage provides particularly ready access to the files or folders, especially for selection of a file or folder for use. Also transport of the files or folders in their stored form is difficult.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided a file for holding a number of flat items such as folders or the like, comprising a pair of rectangular cover members each hinged at one end to and spaced apart by a spine member, means associated with the spine member to releasably retain a plurality of items to be stored flat between the cover members, one of the said cover members having an extension hinged to its edge opposite the spine member, the extension comprising a closure member, adapted to be folded so as to extend to the edge of the other cover member remote from the spine member, and an outer member hinged to the closure member and adapted to extend in close juxtaposition outside the said other cover member and to be releasably secured thereto to form the file into a box shaped storage case, the said outer member having a hinge along an intermediate line parallel with the hinge to the closure member and the said outer member also being adapted to be releasably secured to an inner face of the said one cover member and to bend along the intermediate hinge line to form an upstanding ridge within the file when the latter is in the open position.

For ease of transport, the spine is preferably provided with a carrying handle. The closure member is preferably provided with a pocket for identification material.

In a preferred construction, a hinged flange on the outer member is provided with press stud parts selectively engageable with cooperating press stud parts located on the inner face of the said on cover member near the spine member and with press stud parts located on the outer face of the said other cover member near the spine member.

The hinges on the said one cover member and extension may be reversible so that the one cover member and extension may be folded to an inside out position on the spine member and the hinged flange secured to the outer face of the other cover member to form the file into a stable free standing vertical desk file.

The invention will be further described in a preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a file according to a preferred form of the invention in one position of use; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the file of Fig. 1 in a closed position; and Figure 3 is a perspective view of the file of Figs. 1 and 2 in a different open position.

The file as illustrated in the drawings includes a spine member 1 formed with a pair of flanges 2 which act as supports for a generally conventional post locking mechanism indicated at 3. Hinged to the flange members 2 are two cover members 4 and 5.

The cover member 4 is provided with a film layer 6 forming a pocket on its inner face and its outer face is provided with a pair of male press stud parts at positions 7.

The cover member 5 is provided with a closure element 8 hinged to the edge opposite the hinge connection to the spine flange 2.

The opposite edge of the closure member 8 is hinged to an outer member 9 having an intermediate hinge 11. The outer member 9 has a terminal flange 1 2 having female press stud parts, which positions are indicated 1 3 for selective connection to the press studs at 7 and with a pair of male press stud parts on the inner face of the cover member 5 close to the connection to the flange 2. One of these is illustrated in Fig. 3 by the reference numeral 14. In the position illustrated in Fig. 1, the press studs 1 3 and 1 4 are snapped together so that the outer member 9 is bent at its hinge 11 to form a supporting ridge for filed items, such as files, folders or leaves mounted on the post locking mechansim 3.In this manner access to the individual items, and particularly for inspection of identification marks at the edges, is much easier than if the items have to lay flat on the cover members 4 and 5.

In the position illustrated in Fig. 2, the file is folded into the transport or storage position in which the closure member 8 is folded into a position parallel with the spine member 1 and the outer member 9 lies flat along the outside the cover member 4 with the press studs at position 1 3 engaged with the press stud parts at the position 7 on the outer face of the cover 4.It will thus been seen that filed items, illustrated at 14, are surrounded by a box shaped storage case in this position and, for ease of transport, the spine element is provided with a carrying handle 1 5. For ease of identification if the file is stored on a shelf, e.g. in the upright position illustrated, the closure member 8 is provided with a plastic film 16 (see Fig. 1) which provides a suitable housing for a card or the like identifying the contents of the storage case. This in the position of Fig. 2, the file can be used either for transport by means of a carrying handle or otherwise, and also for storage, preferably vertically to prevent damage to the filed items 14, which may for instance be memory discs for electronic equipment. As illustrated in Fig.

3, there is a plurality of stored items 14 in the form of memory disc files mounted on the post locking mechanism 3. In the position of Fig. 3, the cover member 5 is folded back in the reverse direction, as is the closure member 8 and the outer member 9 and the press studs at position 1 3 are again engaged with the press studs 7 on the outer face of the cover member 4 to provide a support for the spine member 1 to enable the file to be used as a securely balanced free standing vertical desk file to enable easy swivelling and instant viewing of the filed elements 1 4.

Various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention. Thus, although the file has been illustrated for holding disc files, it may be used for folders or other flat items.

Also, the post locking mechanism 3 may be replaced by any suitable form or releasable retainer for the edges of flat items to be filed.

Claims (6)

1. A file for holding a number of flat items such as folders or the like, comprising a pair of rectangular cover members each hinged at one edge to and spaced apart by a spine member, means associated with the spine member to releasably retain a plurality of items to be stored flat between the cover members, one of the said cover members having an extension hinged to its edge opposite the spine member, the extension comprising a closure member, adapted to be folded so as to extend to the edge of the other cover member remote from the spine member, and an outer member hinged to the closure member and adapted to extend in close juxtaposition outside the said other cover member and to be releasably secured thereto to form the file into a box shaped storage case, the said outer member having a hinge along an intermediate line parallel with the hinge to the closure member and the said outer member also being adapted to be releasably secured to an inner face of the said one cover member and to bend along the intermediate hinge line to form an upstanding ridge within the file when the latter is in the open position.

2. A file as claimed in claim 1, in which the spine member is provided with a carrying handle for ease of transport.

3. A file as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which an external pocket for identification material is provided on the outer face of the closure member.

4. A file as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which a hinged flange on the outer member is provided with press stud parts selectively engageable with cooperating press stud parts located on the inner face of the said one cover member near the spine member and with press stud parts located on the outer face of the said cover member near the spine member.

5. A storage case as claimed in claim 4, in which the hinges on the said one cover member and extension may be reversed so that the one cover member and extension may be folded to an inside out position on the spine member and the hinged flange secured to the outer face of the other cover member to form the file into a stable free standing vertical desk file.

6. A file substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.