US2207501A - Card index system - Google Patents

Description

July 9, 1940. 0 H. A. WARDY 2,207,501

CARD INDEX SYSTEM July 9, 1940. H. A. wARDY GARD INDEX SYSTEM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 llly Patented July 9, 1940 UNiTED STATES CARD INDEX SYSTEM'- Harry A. Wardy, Los Angeles, Calif., assigner t0 Add-A-Guide, Incorporated,l

Los Angeles,

Calif., a corporation of California. Application June 7, 1937, Serial No. 146,884

14 Claims.

This invention relates to filing devices for papers, cards, etc. and relates more particularly to devices oi the type generally known as card index systems. A general objectk of this invention is to provide a card index system that is simple, practical and inexpensive, and that is Very eifective and convenient to use.

Another object of this invention is to provide a card index system or device in which the cards are normally arranged in compact groups or packs to occupy a minimum of space and are arranged in such a manner that the identifying tabs of all of the cards of any pack or of all the packs may be immediately made plainly visible by simple, rapid manual operations.

Another object of this invention is to provide a cardv index device or systemv of the character mentioned in which the cards may remain in the extended or raised positions where their tabs are plainly visible until deliberatelyl dropped or moved to their normal positions, the cards being freely accessible for removal", inspection, sorting, etc. when in said position and being free so that they may be'removed and dropped individually or collectively to assume positions where they are properlylocated andrelated to be raised for a subsequent use.

' Another object of this invention is to provide a card index device or system of the character menand restored to their original positions at any time Without special manipulation and without the handling or manipulating of any mechanical parts. The ling device of the present invention is. such thatthe papers or cards may be directly and easily removed from the file drawer or box.

individually or in groups, when the cards are in their normal, compact relation or in the fanned out or raised positions where their tabs are visible andl may be easily restored or returned to their original positions, the cards remaining in the raised positions until deliberately dropped and those that are dropped returning to their correct original positions. This feature of the. device permitsA the withdrawalof thecards at will, allows postings or: entriesA to. be conveniently made onthe (Cl. IRQ-16.1):

cards by hand, by typewriter, or the like, and a1- lows'th'e'replacement of worn cards, the removal of obsolete cards, and the easy insertion of new ory additionaly cards. In vmost of the so-called visible card indexes heretofore introduced the cards rwere mechanically locked in the boxes or files or lockedJ in hinged folders or locked..

to oneanother insuch; a manner that they could Y not be r-emovedr without the manipulation ofv mechanicalj parts or without detachment from one another, with the result that new entries on the cards had tobe'made in longhand and usually with the writer in a difficult or uncomfortable position.

Another object of this invention is toprovide a card index device or system of the character ment'ioned-- in which the several cards of each unit or pack may bezmade easily accessible with their tabs plainly visible whereby the cards of `each pack may be quickly sorted and handled with a miniinumof` thumbing and following the necessary sorting, reference, or other operations, the packsy may be' easily collapsed or returned to their original compact condition with the cards in their proper sequence. Y

Another object of this' invention is to provide a card index device or system in which a mis-filed' v or incorrectlypositioned card is immediately projected to a position above. the adjacentv cards or isdroppedto4 a positionbelow the adjacent cards when the pack of; cards is expanded or fanned out for use, whereby'the incorrect position of suchv a card is immediately made evident.

A further object of this invention is to provide a card index: system or device of the character mentioned. that is suitable for use in drawers,`

boxes andl les ot variousA characters and in trays and boxes of conventional ling systems which havebeen slightly'altered,. and that embodies simple, inexpensive. holder units and card packsthat' may be removed: fromior added to the system as occasion. arises.

The various objects and featuresof my invention. will` be fully understood. from vthe following.v

detailed description'v of a typical preferred vform elf and:y application of. the invention, throughout.-

vertical detailed sectional View `taken as indicated by line 3-3 on Fig. 1 showing some of the cards of the second to the foremost holder in their elevated positions. Fig. 4 is an enlarged side elevation of one of the holders removed from the box with the cards removed and the lifting element in its raised position. Fig. 5 is a reduced vertical detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 5-5 on Fig. 4. Figs. 5a and 6 are enlarged vertical fragmentary detailed sectional views taken as indicated by lines 5a--5aand 6 6, respectively, on Fig. 5. Figs. 'I and 8 are enlarged fragmentary horizontal detailed sectional views taken as indicated by lines 'I-'I and 8 8, respectively on Fig. 5 and Fig. 9 is a front elevation of a pack of cards removed from its holder.

The features of the present invention'l may be embodied in card systems and loose leaf systems for various purposes and the devices of` the invention may be embodied in drawers, boxes, files, etc., of different types, sizes and characters.V In the following detaileddescription I Will describe a typical embodiment of `the `invention for use in a more or less conventional drawer or box, it being understood that the invention is not to Abe construed as limited or restricted to the specific form or application about to be described. b The card index system or device of the present invention includes, generally, a suitable container` or box I0, a multiplicity of holders I I removably retainedv in the box I0, a group or pack of cards C in each holder II free to be removed and replaced at will, and means I2 associated with each holder II for Vprojecting the cards C therefrom to assume stepped or graduated positions where their identifying means are plainly visible.

In accordance with the broader aspects of the invention the container or box I0 may be of any suitable type or construction. In the drawings I have shown a metal box I comprising a bottom I3, spaced sides I4, a front I5 and aback 9. The box I0 is rectangular and elongate and spaced longitudinal ribs or ridges I6 extend along the box bottom I3 and project upwardly in the box. The front I5 and back 9 are hinged at their lower edges to the bottom I3 and are `adapted to` be swung between a vertical position and an vopen or inclined position. The side walls or sides I4 of the box I0 are hollowv or double and atypical lever mechanism I'I connects the box front I5 with the back 9 for a simultaneous movement whereby the manual lowering of the front I5 effects a corresponding movement of the box back.

The invention provides guides `I8 in, the box I0 forxguiding and` centering thecards C. The guides` I8 are in the nature of elongate strips or members secured to the inner surfaces of the box sides I4. The inner surfaces of the box sides I4 are 'preferably inclined downwardly and in,

Wardly and the guides I8 are secured to them some distance above the box bottom I3 leaving relatively narrow grooves or slots I9. The inner sides and tops of the guides IB are preferably bevelled or rounded, as illustrated. Screws `2U orother suitable securing `,members may attach the guides I8 to the box sides I4. 'I'he guides I8 may be applied to typical le boxes, etc. to adapt them for the reception of the holders I I and cards C of the invention.

The holders II are provided to contain the respective groups or packs of cards Can such a manner that the cards of the adjacent packs do not become mixed. It is afeature of the invention that the holders .II are simple, inexpensive, folder-likel elements. In Athe preferred form of the invention the folders I I are identical. Each holder I I comprises a front member 2I and a back member 22. The members 2I and 22 may be identical in shape andconstruction to provide for economy of manufacture. The front and back members 2I and 22 of the holders II may be formed of cardboard, ber board, Sheet metal, or the like. The members 2I and 22 are generally rectangular and are proportioned to have their opposite ends in spaced relation to the sides I4 of the box I0. The upper corners of the members 2I and 22 are preferably rounded. Each folder II further includes a bottom 23 hinged to the lower edges of the front and back members 2| and 22. The bottoms 23 of the holders II are flat strap-like members and are adapted to rest on the ribs I6 on the bottom of the box I0. The bottoms 23 may be formed of the same material as the front and back members 2I and 22. Straps 2t of fabric, or the like, may be glued or otherwise secured tothe lower edge portions of the front andfback members` 2I and 22 and to the surfaces of the bottoms 23 to hinge the members 2| Aand 22 to the bottoms. The hinge straps 24, may be provided on both the internal and external surfaces of themembers 2I and 22 and the bottoms 23. The front and back members 2l and 22 and the 4bottoms 23 are cut away at their lower corners, as shown at 25, to have proper clearance with the guides I8. The holders II may be proportioned to project above the upper end of the box I0 when their bottoms 23 rest on the ribsA I6. It will be apparent hoW a plurality of the holders I I may be arranged in the box Ill with the back andfrontmembers 2I and 22 of, adjacent `holders arranged in adjacent relation or in engagement. When the box front I5 and the box back 9 are lowered the holders II have freedom of movement in the box I0 so that any one folder or several folders may be easily opened ory manipulated.

The invention `provides novel and effective means for retaining the card holders II in the box I9. These means comprise straps or strips 29 arranged through the holders. II to engage downwardly against their bottoms 23. The straps 29 may be formed of cardboard, sheet metal, fiber board, or the like. The straps 29;,project beyond the opposite endsof the holder bottoms 23 and their projecting end portions are received in the slots I9. The engagement of the straps 29 with the grooves or slots I9 limits or prevents upward movement of the holders II in the box I0. The holders may be easily inserted in the box III whereupon the straps 29 may be sprung upwardly between their ends to permit the entrance of their end portions in the slots I9. The straps 29 may slide or shift longitudinally in the slots I9 to. permit movement of the holders II in the boxIIl. When it is desired to remove a holder II` from the box I0 the intermediate portion of the strap 29 may be flexed upwardly or bowed to sprngthe end portions of the straps out of the slots` I9 whereupon the holder is free for removal.

The cards C are provided to carry `the entries or postings and, of course, may be employed to` receive data of any character. The cards C are preferably lined or ruled and the entries or data may be written, printed, or typewritten upon them. In the preferred construction the cards C are substantially rectangularandare of substantially the same size and shape as the front and back members 2| and 22 of the holders II. Inaccordancewith .the invention each holder II asomo-1f is adapted to receive or contain a pack of cards C. The cards C may rest' on the straps 29 and their lower corners are rounded and adapted to cooperate with the guides I8 inthe box I0. The engagement of the guides I8 andA the lower corners of the cards C effectively centers or locates thecards between the box sides I4.

Each pack of cards C as contained in a holder II includes a multiplicity of sub-packs or subgroups Si. Each sub-group S of cards C contains one' or more cards. In the particular form of the invention illustrated in the drawings each of the sub-groups S embodies four cards C, it being understood that the number of cards in each sub-group S may be varied. In accordance with the invention the cards C are provided with tabs or projections 33 extending from their opposite vertical or side edges. -The projections y3Il areintegral with the cards and there is onev projection 33- extending from each end of each card. The outer edges of the lateral projections 38 may be in substantially the same planes as the ends of the holder members 2I and 22 assuming that the cards C are in the holders II and the projections 33 may all extend upwardly to the upper edges of the cards C. The lower edges or ends of the card projections constitute downwardly facing shoulders 3i engageable by the lifting means I2 as will be hereinafter described. 'Ihe several cards C in a sub-group S have projections 33 which are different from those of the cards in the other sub-groups S in the pack. The shoulders 3l of the cards C of the several sub-groups S in a pack are stepped or graduated, that is, the shoulders 3| of the foremost sub-group S of a pack are stepped above the shoulders 3i of the second to the foremost subgroup S and the said shoulders 3I of the second tol the foremost sub-group S are stepped above the shoulders 3i of the third to the foremost subgroup S and so on. This downward stepping or graduation of the shoulders 3| is uniform or regular.

rI'he cards C are preferably provided with classifying or identifying tabs 32. I'he tabs 32 may b-eintegral parts of the cards C and project from the upper edges of the cards. Each card C preferably has one tab 32. In accordance with the invention the cards C of each sub-group S have tabs in different positions along the upper edge of' the sub-group, that is, the tabs 32 of rthe cards in a sub-group S are staggered or offset along the upper edge of the sub-group to all be plainly visible from the front of the subgroup. Thus in the form of the invention illustrated where there are four cards C in each subgroup S there are four fully visible tabs 32 arranged along the upper edge of the sub-group. The tabs may bear indicia or identifying 662 means of any desired character and this may be written, printed, or typewritten upon the tabs. The meansy I2 for lifting the cards C in the holders II to make their tabs 32 plainly visible u is an important feature of the invention. The 651' means I2 is such that the user may easily and quickly move the pack of cards C in any selected holder II to a position where the tabs 32 of all the cards C of each sub-group S are plainly visible and the means serves to retain the cards in this extended condition indefinitely or until deliberately returned to their original positions by the user. In accordance with the invention a card lifting means I2 is associated with or provided` on each holder II and the several means 75.; i2. arer entirely independent whereby the cards C of thedifferent holdersy II may be selectively raised. -v

Each means I2 includes a lifting member or lifting element 33 shiftably connected with the back member 22 of a holder II'. The lifting elements 33- are preferably in the form of plates' or cards and may be constructed of cardboard,

ber board, sheet metal, or the like. The lifting elements 33 arearranged to shift vertically with respect to the back members 22 of the holders l^I- and in the preferred construction illustrated the lifting elements `33 are arranged at the inner sides or forward sides of the members 22. lifting elements 33 are of substantially the same size and shape asv the back members 22 and if desired may be identical with the members 22. The means for associating the lifting elements 33 with the back members 22 for vertical movement include clips 34A of metal or the like, secured to the opposite edge portions of the lifting elements 33. The clips 34 are preferably located adjacent the lower edges of the lifting elements 33 and are preferably provided on the forward facesof the elements. The clips 34 may be secured to the lifting elements 33 in any suitable manner, for example, they may be riveted to the elements. Each clip 34 lhas one or more guide hooks 35' engaging about the adjacent vertical edges of the elements 33 and the back members 22. The rear' formed of metal, or the like, and may be riveted to the back members. f The tabs 36 have guide fingers 3l projecting forwardly at the edges of the members 22 to have shiftable cooperation Thev with the edges-of the lifting elements 33. fingers 3l assist in guiding the elements 33 for verticalV movement and serve to prevent lateral' Theshifting or rocking of the lifting elements. guide fingers' 31 are engageable by the guide hooks 35 to limit or stop upward movement of the lifting elements 33 relative to the back members 22.

'I'he cardraising means I2 further includes lifting ngers or hooks 38 on the lifting elements 33 for cooperating with the shoulders 3| of the cards C when the lifting elements are raised. In.

The

SOY.

the preferred construction illustrated the lifting hooks 38 are integral with the above described clips 34.l One hook' 38 projects forwardly from',l

each clip 34. The hooks 38 are substantially horizontal and their length is equal' to or greater than the thickness of the packs of cards C in the holders I IY and is substantially equal to the width of the bottoms 23.

in the holders II from the cards that may remain supported on the hooks 38. Webs or flanges 4I)a may be provided on theA under sides of the liftinghooks 38 to strengthenY the hooks.

Identifying or classifying tabs 401 arel provided! The hooks 3B have noses or' outer parts 33 projecting upwardly at their outer on the lifting elements 33. Theztabs 40 preferably project from the upper edges of the elements 33. In accordance with the invention the tabs 40 are such that they may be employed or grasped to facilitate the lifting of the elements 33. The tabs 4|) are preferably formed of metal or the like, and are rigidly secured to the elements 33 by rivets or other suitable securing means. Window openings 4|a are provided in the tabs 4U and the tabs 40 are adapted to `contain cards 26 for bearing identifying indicia. The cards 26 provided in the tabs 40 may bear alphabetical characters or numerals, or both, to identify or classify the packs of cards C in the respective holders The cards 26 in the tabs 40 may be protected by transparent sheets or windows 2l extending across the openings 4|a. The identifying cards are preferably removable from the tabs 40.

The tabs 40 may be grasped for the purpose of raising the lifting elements 33. When a card lifting element 33 is lifted in this manner from its normal position the lifting hooks 38 successively come into lifting engagement with the card shoulders 3|. The guides |8 and the back member 22 of the adjacent holder center, locate and confine the cards to be properly engaged .by the hooks 38. Due to the graduated or stepped relation of the shoulders 3| of adjacent sub-groups S the lifting hooks 38 rst come'into cooperation 'with the shoulders 3| of the rearmost sub-group S and then successively engage the shoulders 3| of the other sub-groups until they cooperate with the shoulders 3| of the foremost sub-groups S. Thus the rearmost sub-group S of cards C is llifted the greatest distance and. the extent of upward movement of the sub-groups S progressively becomes less so that the tabs 32 of the adjacent sub-groups S are stepped or graduated one above the other whereby the tabs 32 of all `of the cards C of all of the sub-groups S are plainly visible from the front of the pack. The extent of vertical movement of the lifting element 33 is such that the upper edges or tabs 32 of all of the cards C in the holder are projected above the upper edge of the box I0. Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings illustrate one of the elements 33 in its raised position and illustrate a portion of a pack of cards in one holder extended in such a manner that their tabs 32 are all plainly 1 visible.

The card lifting means C2 further include structures or means for releasably retaining the lifting elements 33 in their raised positions where the tabs 32 of the cards C in the respective holders are plainly visible, as described above. In the preferred construction illustrated in the drawings a latching or retaining clip 4| is secured to the rear side of each lifting element 33. The clips 4| may be formed of metal or the like and may be secured to the elements 33 by rivets. The clips 4| are of substantial length and extend transversely or horizontally, as best illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings. The lower edge portions of the clips 4| are shaped or bent to have hook-like parts 42 for cooperating with the `3'1 the lifting element 33 is flexed or sprung When a lifting element 33 is raised to its up` slightly to engage the hook part 42 over the lip 43 of the backmember 22. The hook part 42 engaging the lip 43 is operable to retain the lifting element 33, and the cards C raised thereby, in their up or raised positions. The hook part 42 may be easily disengaged from the lip 43 by lifting upwardly on the element 33 and exing the element to move the hook part out of engagement with the lip. When the lifting elements 33 are in their down or normal positions the hook parts 42 engage against the forward surfaces of the back members 22 of the holders.

It is believed that the use or operation of the filing device or card index system of the present invention will be readily understood from the foregoing detailed description. Normally, or under normal conditions, the lifting elements 33 may be in their down positions where the cards C of the several holders rest upon the straps 29. When the cards C are in this condition they constitute compact groups or assemblies that occupy a minimum amount of space and that may be substantially entirely received in the box l0. With the parts in their normal positions, as just described, the lifting and identifying tabs 40 of the elements 33 are all plainly visible at the upper side of the assembly.

When it is desired to examine, remove or refer to the cards C in one of the holders the tab 40 of the lifting element 33 of that holder is grasped and the element is lifted or pulled up- Wardly. A's described above, such lifting of an element 33 brings the lifting hooks 38 into engagement with the shoulders 3| of the cards C. The shoulders 3| of adjacent sub-groups S are stepped in such a manner that the hooks 38 successively come into engagement with the shoul` ders of the adjacent sub-groups to successively raise the sub-groups of cards. The rearmost sub-group S is raised or projected the greatest distance and the extent of upward movement of the sub-group S decreases in a downward or forward progression. This raising of the several sub-groups S of cards brings the cards to the positions illustrated in Fig. 1 and in the righthand portion of Fig. 3 where the identifying tabs 32 of the adjacent sub-groups S are stepped one above the other, to be plainly visible from the front of the assembly. Where the tabs 32 of the sub-groups S are related as described above, the lifting of the element 33 brings the cards to positions where all of the tabs 32 of all of the cards in the holder are plainly visible. When the upward movement of the lifting element 33 is stopped by the engagement of the clips 34 with the guide fingers 31 the element may automatically flex slightly to engage the hook part 42 over the lip 43 of the back member 22. This releasably latches the lifting element 33 in the raised position where the cards C are farmed out or made visible, as described above.

It is to be understood that any one or all of the lifting elements 33 may be manipulated or raised as described above, to raise the cards C` to the positions where their tabs 32 are all plainly visible. The strips 29 cooperating with the slots |9 prevent unintentional or accidental upward displacement of the entire holders from the box i0. With the cards of a holder held in the raised or exposed position illustrated in Figs. l and 2 of the drawings, the cards may be individually or collectively removed from the holders. The cards C are entirely free or unattached and may be withdrawn from the holder or holders or individually or collectively swung forward to expose the data onadjacent cards. The cards may be indiv'dually or collectively raised over the hook parts 39 as examined-or used, or for the purpose of exposing other cards, and then dropped into the holder to rest against the front member 2| which may be inclined forwardly and upwardly. The cards C thus dropped fall into positions 4in the proper sequence and are definitely separated from the cards remaining in the elevated positions. The identifying orI classifying data on the card tabs 32 of course facilitates the restoration of the cards to their proper places. 'The cards C are restored by merely droppingthem into the holder I I where the guides I 8 automatically center'them and the hi'nged bottom 23 and. the front member ZI confine them against falling or slipping. The lifting hooks 38 engage against the shoulders 3| of the cards to support them in their elevated positions and when a card -C is restored to its pack its shoulders 3l are engaged againstthe hooks 38. ln the event that a card C is returned to its pack out of its proper place its shoulders 3l en gage the hooks 38 and support the card in a position where its upper portion and its tab 32 project above or below the tabs of the adjacent cards clearly indicating the incorrect restoration of the card.

Vlfhere the holders II `are arranged in a box of the character illustrated in the drawings the holders may be inclined upwardly and rearwardly in such a manner that the tabs 32 of the elevated or fanned out cards C are fully exposed and plainly visible. Y With the holders l! in'this inclined position the cards C are centered and located by the guides I8, the hinged bottoms 29 and the front members 2l to be in position for engagement by the hooks 3B without the necessity of manually Nhandling or straightening them. The lifting elements 33 of a plurality of holders II- or of all of the holders may be raised to bring the cards C to their elevated positions where thelr tabs are fully visible. When the cards AC of all of the holders l! or of several of the holders ll are to be examined or used they may be manipulated or removed from the foremost holder l I and following their restoration to the holder the `said foremost holder may be tipped forwardly to lie against the front i5. This procedure may be repeated with the succeeding holders II so that all of the cards Cof the several holders may be readily and rapidly handled.

When it is desired to return the pack of cards C of a holder I I to their originalv compact condition the tab it of the lifting element 33 is engaged to lift the element and tip or flex it for the purpose of releasing the hook part G2 from the lip 53. When this has been done the lifting element 33 may be dropped or moved downwardly to its normal. position. Downward movement of the lifting element 33 is accompanied by the downward movement of the cards C and the cards assume their original positions where their upper edges lie in the same horizontal plane. If it is desired to remove a holder I I and its cards C from the bor; IE the cards are first removed from the holder and the strip 2Q is then sprung out of the slots i9 whereupon the holder I I may be bodily withdrawn from the box Ill. Additional holders ii may be easily inserted in the box and secured in place by means of the strips 29.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention, I- do not wish to be limited or restricted to the speciodetaiis herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that may appear 1. A unit for a card index system comprisingv a holder having connected'front and back parts, a

plurality of cards in the holder having projectionsv at their opposite ends,l the lower edges of the projections of different cards being at different ele-v vations, an element bodily shiftable vertically on the back part of the holder, and parts on the elementy cooperable with saidy edges to elevate the cards in the holder.

53.` A unit for a ling system comprising, a plurality of sheets, a holder removably containing thesheets in a pack, the sheets having end-parts presenting shoulders, the cards of the pack being related so that their shoulders are in a stepped `and means bodily slidable vertically 011 the holder and cooperable with said shoulders to raise the sheets in the holder to stepped elevated positions.

. B. A unit for a filing system comprising a pack of individual sheets, a holder for the pack including a b-ack against which the pack may rest, laterally projecting tabs on the sheets, the sheets being arranged in the pack so that lthe lower edges of their tabs are in stepped series, and an element shiftable on said back and cooperable withthe said edges ofthe tabs to lift the sheets to positions where their upper edges are`in a stepped series. Y v

4. A unit for a filing system comprising a pack of cards, laterally projecting tabs on thecards, the lower edges of the tabs being at different elevations, a holder removably holding the cards with their upper edges in substantially 'the same plane and with the lower edges of their tabs in stepped relation,v an element shiftable vertically on the holder, and hooks on the element cooperable with the said lower edges of the tabs `during upward movement of the elementto elevate the cards to positions where` their upper edges rare in stepped relation. Y

' 5. A unit fora filing system comprising a .pack

of cards, laterally projecting tabson the cards, the lower edges of the tabs' being at different elevations, a holder removably holding the cards with their upper edges insubstantially the same plane and with the lower edges of their tabs in stepped relation, an element shiftable vertically on the holder and cooperable with the klower edges of the tabs during its upward movementto elevate the ycards to positions where they are in stepped relation, and releasable means for holding the element in thevposition where the cards are elevated. f

6. A unit for a ling system comprising a holder including a back member, a plurality of cards removably arranged-inl the holder, laterallsT projecting tabs on the cards, the lower edges of the tabs of the cards being in stepped relation, an element shiftable vertically on the back member, parts on the element cooperable with the lower edges of the tabs during upward movement of the element to elevate the cards and freely support them in stepped relation, and a latch part on the element cooperable with the back member to hold the element and cards elevated.

'7. In a filing system of the character described, Y

a pack of sheet elements, said pack comprising sub-groups each comprising a plurality of elements, laterally projecting tabs on the elements,v

different sub-groups being in stepped relation, a holder for the pack, and lifting and supporting means on the holder including a manually movablek member having parts cooperable with the said lower edges to raise the sub-groups to assume positions in stepped relation, and releasable means for positively holding said member in the position where the sub-groups are in stepped relation.

8. A device of the character described including, a container, a plurality of holders in the container each including a front member and a back member, and means hingedly connecting thelower edges of the members, a pack of cards removably positioned in each holder, lateral projections on the cards, the lower edges of the projections of each pack being in stepped relation, a lifting element shiftablevertically on the back member of each holder, and parts on the elements cooperable with the lower edges of the projectionsl to raise the cards so that the cards of the respective packs are in stepped relation.

9; A device of the character described including, a container, a plurality of holders in the container each including a front member and a back member, and means hingedly connecting the lower edges of the members, a pack of cards removably positioned -in each holder, lateral projections on the cards, the lower edges of the procontainer each including a front member and a back member, and means hingedly connecting the lower edges of the members, a pack of cards removably positioned in each holder, lateral projections on the cards, the lower edges of the projections of each pack being in stepped relation, a lifting elementshiftable vertically on the back member of each holder, identifying tabs on the liftingelements manually engageable to raise the elements,` and parts on'the elements cooperable with the lower edges of the projections to raise the cards so that the cards of the respective packs are in stepped relation.

l1. A device of the character described including, a container, a plurality of holders in the conf tainer each including a front member and a back member, and means hingedly connecting the lower edges of the members, a pack of cards removably positioned in each holder, lateral projections on the cards, the lower edges of the projections of each pack being in stepped relation; a lifting element shiftable vertically on the back member of each holder, means guiding the elements for substantially vertical movement on the back members, and parts on the elements cooperable with the lower edges of the projections to raise the cards so that the cards of the respective packs are in stepped relation.

12. A device of the character described including, a box having a bottom and sides, guides on the sides adjacent the lines of joinder of the sides and bottom, holders in the box, packs of cards in the holders located through their cooperation with the guides when in their normal positions in the holders, and means on the holders for raising the cards so located to make their upper portions plainly visible.

13. A unit for a filing system comprising a holder including a back member, a plurality of cards removably arranged in the holder, laterally projecting tabs on the cards, the lower edges of the tabs of the cards being in stepped relation, an element shiftable vertically on the back member, parts on the element cooperable with the lower edges of the tabs during upward movement of the element to elevate the cards and freely support them in stepped relation, means guiding the lifting element for movement on the back member and operable to limit upward movement of the element, and a clip on the lifting element cooperable with the upper edge of the back member to releasably hold the element in the raised position.

14. A unit for a filing system comprising a holder including a back member, a plurality of cards removably arranged in the holder, laterally projecting tabs on the cards, the lower edges of the tabs of the cards being in stepped relation, an element shiftable vertically on the back member, parts on the element cooperable with the lower edges of the tabs during upward movement of the element to elevate the cards and freely support them in stepped relation, identifying tabs on the upper edges of the cards, the tabs of adjacent `cards being in offset relation, means guiding the lifting element for movement on the back member and operable to limit upward movement of the element, and a clip on the lifting element cooperable with the upper edge of the back member to releasably hold the element in the raised position.

HARRY A. WARDY.

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