GB2179027A - Boxes for storing and carrying document files - Google Patents

Abstract

A box for storing and carrying document files, assembled from four moulded components, has retractable handles 3, 3' which, when erected, provide a single-grip central carrying handle and which,when retracted, enable one such box to be stacked upon another. The box includes a snap-on frame 2 having rails 12 for supporting standard filing pockets, slots 15 for receiving the retractable handles 3, 3' and locating pins 18 for locating the base of a similar box stacked on top. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to boxes for storing and carrying document files Description This invention relates to boxes for storing and carrying document files. The object of the invention is to provide a box of this type of improved construction, particularly for manufacture wholly in plastics material.

A specific embodiment of the invention, described below, thus provides a portable filing box assembled from only four plastics components, for carrying some thirty standard document files, with retractable carrying handles enabling one such filing box to be stacked upon another.

Short description of the drawings The embodiment of the invention will now be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is an isometric view of the assembled portable filing box, showing the two carrying handles erected, and with cut-away portions showing the frame section and the handle section; Figure 2 is an end elevation view of the assembled portable filing box, showing the two carrying handles erected, and with a cut-away portion showing the manner of engagement of one handle end in the frame; Figure 3 is a section view of the box body in the midway transverse vertical plane, as far as the midway longitudinal vertical plane; Figure 4 is a plan view of one quarter of the frame, between the mid-longitudinal vertical plane and the mid-transverse vertical plane;; Figure 5 is a section view and elevation view of the quarter frame of Figure 4, viewed from the plane 5-5 of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a plan view of one carrying handle moulding and Figure 7 is the corresponding endelevation; and Figure 8, Figure 9 and Figure 10 are detail sections in the planes 8-8, 9-9 and 10-10 of Figure 6.

Description of the embodiment Referring now to the drawings, particularly to Figure 1, the filing box comprises a moulded box body 1, a frame 2 surrounding the open top edge of the box body 1 and a pair of identical handles 3 and 3'.

The box body 1 is tapered in horizontal crosssection from a plane near its open top edge 5 to the plane of its base and has a raised floor providing a base support edge, as shown in Figure 3.

The frame 2 has an inverted "U" section portion, shown by a cut-away portion in Figure 1, referenced 4, which fits over the top edge 5 of the box body 1.

Snap engagement beadings are provided, as shown in the views of Figure 1 and Figure 3, but not in Figure 2.

The frame 2 moulding is provided with inwardly extending gallery sections which, along the longitudinal sides, provide engagement apertures for the handles 3 and 3' and, along the transverse sides, provide rails for supporting the top frames of standard filing pockets. In each corner of this gallery is an upwardly-extending pin, which engages the base support edge of a filing box stood above.

The handles 3 and 3' are identical mouldings of inverted "U" shape, in an oblique longitudinal plane, when assembled and erected. The base of the "U" moulding forms a straight handle, corresponding parts of the two handles mating when abutted at an angle.

The handle sides are straight, perpendicular to the straight handle and slightly curved at the ends, which are provided with engagement lugs, as shown in broken line in Figure 1 for one handle end.

Viewing these four components now in greater detail, Figure 3 shows the box body 1 with an inclined side 6.

The raised floor 7 provides the base support edge 8.

Below the open top edge 5 of the box body 1, on the external face of side 6, is an engagement beading 9 of triangular cross-section. This beading runs horizontally around all four sides of the box body 1.

Figure 4 and Figure 5 show the frame 2 in greater detail. Figure 5 shows the inverted "U" section portion 4, also shown in Figure 1. Facing inwardly from the outer wall is a horizontal engagement beading 10, which engages the beading 9 of the box body wall 6, as is shown in Figure 1.

Figures 4 and 5 show the transverse gallery 11 providing one end rail 12, also shown in Figure 1, for supporting standard filing pocket frame runners, not shown in the drawings. The gallery 11 is strengthened by spaced webs 13. Figures 4 and 5 further show the longitudinal gallery 14, provided with slots 15 to receive the handles 3 and 3', also shown in Figure 1.

The gallery 11 is similarly strengthened by spaced webs 16.

In each inside corner of the frame 2, between the galleries 11 and 14, is moulded a connecting portion 17, which includes the upwardly-extending pin 18, also shown in Figure 1. The four pins 18 engage under the base support edge 8, see Figure 3, of a similar filing box 1 stacked above, so that it registers in correct alignment.

At each end of the frame 2, integrally moulded with the outer wall of the inverted "U" section 4, is a lifting handle 19, also shown in Figure 1.

Figures 6 to 10 show a carrying handle 3 moulding in greater detail. In Figure 6, the handle 3 is of inverted "U" shape, the base of the "U" forming a straight handle 20, with sides 21 and 22, perpendicular to the handle 20, each terminating in a pair of cylindrical lugs 23, 24. These sides 21, 22 are straight, as viewed in Figure 6.

As shown in the elevation view of Figure 7, the handle sides 21, 22 are curved slightly at the ends of the lugs 23, 24. The two handle sides 21, 22 are of "H" cross-section as at plane 8-8 and as shown in Figure 8.

The handle 20 has alternate portions with complementary sections corresponding one with the section in plane 9-9, as shown in Figure 9, and the other with the section in plane 10-10, as shown in Figure 10. When the corresponding handle parts 20 of the two handles 3 and 3' abut, in the vertical plane shown at 25 in Figure 10, the complementary sections interlock to provide a single rigid carrying handle. This feature is also shown in a cut-away part of the handle in Figure 1.

In the assembly of the portable filing box of Figure 1, a box body 1 is placed with the edge 5 uppermost.

A frame 2 is placed over the edge 5 and pressed downwardly until the beadings 9 and 10 interlock. A first handle 3 is inverted, flat against the inside of box body 1 with the lugs 23, 24 projecting upwardly under the slots 15. The handle 20 is then rotated inwardly and upwardly within the box body 1 until it assumes the position shown in Figure 1. The handle 3' is fitted in the opposite side gallery 14 of frame 2 in the same manner. The two handles can then be interlocked for carrying.

For loading with document files, or for access to files already loaded, the handles 3 and 3' are further rotated to the upright position. The handle sides 21, 22 of each handle then drop through the corresponding slots 15, so that the two handles lie against the inside face of the box body 1. In this position, the handles cannot be detached from the frame 2, since the inward opening of the slots 15 is narrower than the width of the handle sides.

When retracted, the handle parts 20 lie along the top of the longitudinal galleries 14. These are waisted on each side at 26, see Figure 1 and Figure 4, to provide finger access to the handles for re-erecting.

The term "portable filing box", used herein in relation to the embodiment of the drawings, is not limiting as to the use, the shape, the material or the provision or not of a dust cover or lid, not shown in the drawings.

In the preferred embodiment described, the parts are all moulded with polypropylene plastics material, colours being contrasting.

Claims (10)

1. A box for storing and for carrying document files having an open-top box body component, a frame component attached to the said box body at the open top thereof and a pair of handle components erectable above the said frame and retractable below the said frame.

2. A box for storing and for carrying document files as claimed in Claim 1, in which the tops of the said handle components interlock to provide a unitary grip.

3. A box for storing and for carrying document files as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the said frame provides a gallery inside the box body component for supporting the top frames of standard filing pockets.

4. A box for storing and for carrying document files as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising solely the four said components.

5. A box for storing and for carrying document files as claimed in Claim 4, in which all four said components are moulded of plastics material.

6. A box for storing and for carrying document files as claimed in Claim 5, in which the box body component is tapered in horizontal cross-section from said open top to its base and has a raised floor providing a base support edge.

7. A box for storing and for carrying document files as claimed in Claim 5 or Claim 6, in which the said box body component is provided with an engagement beading and the said frame is attached by snap fit onto the said engagement beading.

8. A box for storing and for carrying document files as claimed in Claim 6 or Claim 7, in which the said frame is provided with upwardly-projecting members for locating the base of a similar box stacked above.

9. A box for storing and for carrying document files as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the said frame is provided with outwardlyprojecting lifting handles.

10. A box for storing and for carrying document files as claimed in Claim 1, constructed substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.