US1541173A - Follow block for filing cabinets - Google Patents

Description

June 9, 1925. 1,541,173

J. B. ORMOND FOLLOW BLOCK FOR FILING CABINETS Filed Sept 19, 1924 In F Patented June 9, 19 25.

] UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES B. ORMOND, OF FLAGSTAFF, ARIZONA.

FOLLOW BLOCK FOR FILING CABINETS.

Application filed September 19, 1924. Serial No. 738,615.

mat cally adjust its position to accommoelite varying numbers of filing cards or the 11 e.

Another object of my invention is to provide means for relieving the tension pf the follow block spring.

Other and further objects and advantages of my invention will beapparent from the following detailed description considered with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan View of a filing cabinet drawer equipped with the invention;

Figure. 2 is a section taken on the line of Figure 1;

Figure 31s a section taken on the line 33 of Figure 1 and Figure 4 is a detail section through the ears and sleeve of the following block.

Referring more particularly to the drawings-wherein like reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several -.views, 1, denotes a filing cabinet drawer comprising side walls 2, end walls 3 and bottom 1, all of usual construction. The

bottom wall 4, of the drawer 1, is formed with a longitudinal groove 5, for a purpose about to be described. 1

A rod 6, formed with a threaded portion 7, lies i'n-the groove 5, with its ends'inserted' in holes in the end walls 3, of the drawer 1.

The front end of the rod 6, which passes through the front end wall of the drawer is reduced as at 19, and a washer 8, fits over this reduced end, on the inside of the drawer, thus preventing the withdrawal of the rod through the front end wall. A knob 9, is fixed to the protruding end of the rod 6, in a suitable manner, as by means'of cotter pin 10, or by'the use of threads only, thereby preventing the slipping or unnecessary withdrawal of the rod in the reverse direction. The rear end of rod 6, as inserted in the rear end of wall 3, of the drawer, does not extend beyond, but lies flush with, the outside of the wall.

The follow block 11, which is of rectangular formation, and is preferably made of sheet metal, is formed with the spaced apertured ears 12 and 13 through which the rod 6, extends, it being understood that the ears l2 and 13 are of a size to fit within the groove 5. A short tube 15, is preferably fixed between the ears and forms a, guide or bearing for the rod 6, but this tube may be dispensed with in actual practice.

tion 7, of the rod 6, is a nut 17 of substantially inverted V shape, which travels in the groove 5-. The flat base of the nut engages the bottom of the tray and thus prevents the nut from turning or wobbling. A

- coil spring 18, on the rod 6, is secured at its front end to the nut 17 and at its opposite end is attached to the "follow block. The tension of the coil spring 18, normally tends to pull the follow block forwardly towards Threadedly mounted on the threaded porthe front of the drawer 1. Consequently as the number of cards or other devices filed in the drawer increases-the follow block will automatically move outwardly under the increasing pressure, thus stretching the spring 18.

In order to'compensate for this stretching of the spring and thus prevent the spring from being broken under excessive load, the nut 17, is moved rearwardly alongthe rod ,6, by the operator turning the knob 9, in

the appropriate direction. It will thus be seen that the turning of the knob 9, in one direction causes the nut 17, to travel along the threads toward the rear end of the tray or drawer, thereby relieving any tension of the coil spring occasioned by constant filing of cards or papers, and the final filling of the drawer. The nut 17, to which is attachedthe coil spring and follow block, is

brought back to its original position at the front of the drawer or tray after the file has been cleared, by turning the knob in the opposite direction.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as my invention is:

1. A filing receptacle having a recess in its bottom, a partially threaded .rod mounted for turning movement in said receptacle and positioned in said recess, a nut threaded on said rod fixed against rota-tion but free to move along said rod, a follow block at one end and at its other end connected to said nut, and means for turning said rod to' vrelieve'the tension of said spring.

2. A filing receptacle having a partially 1 *fllread'ed rodrotatably mounted in the bot:

tom thereof, a follow block slidably connectedto said rod, a nut threaded upon said rod forlongitudinal movement thereon but fixed against rotation, a coilspring connecting the follow block and the nut, and means for turning the rod to adjust the tension on said spring.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature 15 in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES B. ORMOND.

Vitnesses:

WALTER RUNKE,

H. T. Essnmm.

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