GB2258430A

GB2258430A - A suspended filing system for box files.

Info

Publication number: GB2258430A
Application number: GB9114884A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Brenda Cina; Howard Brower
Original assignee: Ofrex Group Holdings PLC
Current assignee: Ofrex Group Holdings PLC
Priority date: 1991-07-10
Filing date: 1991-07-10
Publication date: 1993-02-10
Anticipated expiration: 2011-07-10
Also published as: FR2678902A1; GB2258430B; GB9114884D0

Abstract

In a suspended filing system a box file is adapted to be suspended between two parallel rails 24, 25. The file is provided with two clips 11 releasable attached to the file and adapted to engage the rails. Each clip defines two spaced-apart portions adapted to receive the flap of the file between them. The clips 11 are integrally moulded and include a lower U-shaped portion 12 defining a central aperture, overlying which is an upper portion having a projection 19 on the underside which extends into the aperture and frictionally engages the flap. A recess (21, Fig. 2) is provided in the upper portion for insertion of a label. <IMAGE>

Description

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION "Improvements in or relating to a Suspended Filing Arrangement" THE PRESENT INVENTION relates to a suspended filing arrangement.

It has been proposed to provide suspended files.

Various types of these files exist. Typically such a file is provided with protruding hooks provided at each side of the file, the hooks being adapted to engage parallel rails provided for that purpose in a filing cabinet, a drawer or some other item of furniture adapted to store files. One type of file that can be used to store loose papers comprises simply a sheet of card which is folded centrally to form a pocket, the two edges of the card remote from the fold, each being provided with a metal strip which is clipped or otherwise secured to the card, each metal strip terminating in a respective hook. Thus two hooks are provided at each side of the wallet formed by the folded card.Such a suspended file may prove to be very useful but does have the limitation that it can only hold a relatively small quantity of paper, and also there is a risk that papers will slip out from the open sides of the file.

Suspended files of a more complicated nature have been proposed for filing computer print, involving the use of bars having hooks at each end adapted to mount on the parallel rails, and cords or posts adapted to pass through apertures provided in the computer print-out. Such filing arrangements are only suitable for use with computer print.

The present invention seeks to provide a new and improved suspended filing system.

According to this invention there is provided a suspended filing system comprising a file adapted to be suspended between two parallel rails, the file being provided with two clips releasably attached to the file and adapted to engage the said rails, each clip defining two spaced-apart portions adapted to receive part of the file between said spaced apart portions.

Preferably each clip is integrally moulded of a plastics material.

Conveniently each clip comprises two parts which define a gap between them to receive part of the file, one of the parts carrying a projection extending into the gap so that part of the file inserted into the gap becomes deformed on engagement with the projection.

Advantageously the projection has one face thereof chamfered.

Conveniently each clip carries a downwardly directed flange adapted to be located at a position spaced from the side of the file to define a channel to receive a rail on which the file is suspended.

Advantageously each clip is provided with a recess in the upper-most surface thereof to receive a label.

Preferably the file comprises means defining a front face, defining a back face, means defining end and bottom walls and a flap having a part defining a top wall and a part adapted to overlie the front wall and to be secured thereto, the clips being mounted on opposite ends of the part of the flap that form the top wall.

Advantageously the file is made from a single sheet of polypropylene.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, and so that further features thereof may be appreciated, the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which FIGURE 1 is a perspective view illustrating a file for use in the suspended filing system, FIGURE 2 is a perspective view, on an enlarged scale of a clip, two such clips being used in conjunction with the file of Figure 1, FIGURE 3 is an axial sectional view taken on the line III-III of Figure 2, FIGURE 4 illustrates two clips as shown in Figures 2 and 3 mounted on a file as shown in Figure 1, suspending the file on two spaced apart parallel rails, and FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken on the line V-V of Figure 4.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, a file that is to be suspended is in the form of a box file having a front face 1, a rear face 2, side walls 3,4 and a flap 5 having a portion 6 extending across the top of the file and a depending portion 7 which overlies the upper part of the front 1 of the file. The flap 7 carries a resilient tongue 8 which is received within a slot 9 defined for that purpose within the front wall 1. The side walls 3,4 carry at their upper ends inwardly directed flap portions 10 which lie immediately under a portion of the flap 5 that forms the top of the file. The entire file, as described, may be fabricated from a single formed sheet of rigid polypropylene, but other materials may be utilised.

The file 1 is to be suspended on spaced apart parallel rails by means of two clips 11 as shown in Figures 2 and 3. Each clip may be integrally moulded from an appropriate plastics material. Each clip is adapted to clipped on to the portion 6 of the flap 5 that forms the top of the file 1 in the manner of a large paper clip.

Thus, the clip 11 defines a lower portion 12 of "U" configuration, presenting a planar upper surface 13, the two arms of the "U"-shaped portion 12 terminating at a vertical transversely extending web 14. The web 14 has a depending portion 15 which extends below the lowest part of the portion 12. The central region of the portion 12 defines an aperture 16 and, overlying the aperture 16 is an upper clip portion 17, one side of which is integrally formed with the upper part 18 of the vertical web 15. The upper portion 17 is spaced slightly apart from the lower portion 12. A gap is defined which can receive part of a file, as will be described.

A projection 19 is provided on the under-surface of the portion 17 and extends down into the aperture 16, thus extending into the gap between the upper and lower clip portions. The forward end of the projection 19 is bevelled, 20, with the bevel being directed towards the part of the "U" -shaped member 12 which inter-connects the two arms of the "U"-shaped member 12. A recess 21 is formed in the central part of the upper surface of the portion 17 and a projection 22 of circular cross-section is provided adjacent the top of the vertical web 14. A finger grip 23 is provided which extends parallel with the upper part of the vertical web 13, depending from a slight projection of the element 17 which extends beyond the web 15.

Two clips 11 can be mounted in position on a wallet or file as illustrated in Figure 1, as shown more clearly in Figure 4. Each clip is mounted in position by inserting the "U"-shaped portion 12 into the file under a respective end of the portion 6 of the flap 5, that is to say that the portion 12 being inserted above the flap 10 carried on the side wall but beneath the portion 6 of the flap 5. As the clip is inserted in position the free edge of the portion 6 of the flap 5 engages the chamfered part 20 of the projection 19 and is deflected downwardly, as can be seen most clearly in Figure 5. There is thus a considerable frictional effect between the various parts of the clip 11 and the region 6 of the flap 5. The clip 11 may be slid inwardly and outwardly until it has the desired position relative to the file or wallet. When the clip is in the desired position a channel is left between the depending flange 14 and the side wall 3 of the file or wallet.

The file in combination with the two clips can then be suspended on two spaced apart rails 24,25 as shown in Figure 4, with each rail being received in the channel between the flange 14 and the side wall 3. The file is thus suspended on the parallel rails by means of the two clips.

In use of the clips a label or other indicia may be inserted into the recess 21 provided on the top of the clip, thus helping to identify the file suspended by the clip.

Clips of differing widths may be produced for use with files of different width.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A suspended filing system comprising a file adapted to be suspended between two parallel rails, the file being provided with two clips releasably attached to the file and adapted to engage the said rails, each clip defining two spaced-apart portions adapted to receive part of the file between said spaced apart portions.

2. A system according to Claim 1 wherein each clip is integrally moulded of a plastics material.

3. An arrangement according to Claim 2 wherein each clip comprises two parts which define a gap between them to receive part of the file, one of the parts carrying a projection extending into the gap so that part of the file inserted into the gap becomes deformed on engagement with the projection.

4. A system according to Claim 3 wherein the projection has one face thereof chamfered.

5. An arrangement according to any one of Claims 1 to 4 wherein each clip carries a downwardly directed flange adapted to be locatedat a position spaced from the side of the file to define a channel to receive a rail on which the file is suspended.

6. A system according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein each clip is provided with a recess in the upper-most surface thereof to receive a label.

7. A suspended filing system substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

7. A system according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the file comprises means defining a front face, defining a back face, means defining end and bottom walls and a flap having a part defining a top wall and a part adapted to overlie the front wall and to be secured thereto, the clips being mounted on opposite ends of the part of the flap that forms the top wall.

8. A system according to Claim 7 wherein the file is made from a single sheet of polypropylene.

9. A suspended filing system substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

10. Any novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein.

AMEODNIYS TO flf CLAIVIS HAVE BEEN FLED AS FOLLOWS 1. A suspended filing system comprising a file adapted to be suspended between two parallel rails, the file being provided with two clips integrally mouled from a plastics material and releasably attached to the file and adapted to engage the said rails, each clip defining two spaced-apart portions which defiiie a gap between them, the clip being adapted to receive part of the file in the gap between the said spaced apart portions, one of the portions carrying a projecton extending into the gap so that part of the file inserted into the gap becomes deformed on engagement with the projection.

2. A system according to Claim 1 wherein the projection has one face thereof chamfered.

3. A system according to Claims 1 or 2 wherein each clip carries a downwardly directed flange adapted to be located at a position spaced from the side of the file to define a channel to receive a rail on which the file is suspended.

4. A system according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein each clip is provided with a recess in the upper-most surface thereof to receive a label.

5. A system according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the file comprises means defining a front face, defining a back face, means defining end and bottom walls and a flap having a part defining a top wall and a part adapted to overlie the front wall and to be secured thereto, the clips being mounted on opposite ends of the part of the flap that forms the top wall.

6. A system according to Claim 5 wherein the file is made from a single sheet of polypropylene.