FILING DEVICE

• US 3,683,533 A
• Filed: 06/24/1970
• Issued: 08/15/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Vernon Kelly
• Original Assignee: Vernon Kelly
• Inventors: Kelly, Vernon
• Primary Examiner(s): Michell, Robert W.
• Application Number:
  US05/049,344
• Time in Patent Office: 783 Days
• Field of Search: 40/359,360,1D,13,14,78.05,78.15,104.05,104.03,1R,23A
• US Class Current: 40/359
• CPC Class Codes: B42F 19/00 File cards B42F21/00 takes precedence; punched cards for information retrieval, e.g. for manual use, G06K21/00

Abstract

A folder suitable for vertically filing papers having a rearwardly inclined protruding identification tab pivotally mounted relative to the folder and slightly resiliently biased toward its rearwardly inclined position by a torsion spring.

Claims

1. A folder suitable for holding and filing papers comprising a first wall;

a second wall connected to said first wall to accommodate papers therebetween;

a tab suitable for accepting indicia indicative of the contents of the folder pivotally connected to one of said walls proximate an edge thereof, said tab having a flexible hinge portion means which allows said tab to be pivotal relative to the one wall between at least a first position wherein said tab is inclined at an obtuse angle with respect to the one wall and a second position wherein said tab is generally coplanar with the one wall; and

spring biasing means for slightly resiliently urging said tab toward one of said positions and for maintaining said tab in the one position when no external forces are applied thereto, whereby said tab may assume the other position upon the application of a small external force thereto but will thereafter return to the one position upon the withdrawal forces therefrom.

2. The folder of claim 1 wherein said spring biasing means comprises a torsion spring.

3. The folder of claim 2 wherein said torsion spring comprises a longitudinal body coaxial with the torsional axis;

a first radial leg fixedly secured to said body and perpendicular thereto; and

a second radial leg fixedly secured to said body and perpendicular thereto but longitudinally displaced from said first leg.

4. The folder of claim 3 wherein said first leg is angularly displaced with respect to said second leg by an angle of about 135* when the spring is relaxed.

5. The folder of claim 1 further comprising a thin sheet, a first portion of which is bonded to said tab and a second portion of which is bonded to the one wall.

6. A folder suitable for holding and filing papers in a vertical position comprising a front wall having upper and lower edges;

a rear wall having upper and lower edges, said front and rear walls being integral and connected at least proximate their respective lower edges;

a tab suitable for accepting indicia indicative of the contents of the folder pivotallY connected to one of said walls proximate the upper edge thereof, said tab being pivotal relative to the one wall between at least a first position wherein said tab is inclined at an obtuse angle with respect to the one wall and a second position wherein said tab is generally coplanar with the one wall, at least a portion of said tab extending above the upper edges of said front and rear walls when said tab is in said first or second position;

torsion spring means for slightly resiliently urging said tab toward said first position and for maintaining said tab in said first position when no external forces are applied thereto, whereby said tab may assume said second position upon the application of a small external force thereto but will thereafter return to said first position upon the withdrawal of external forces thereon.

7. The folder of claim 6 wherein said torsion spring means comprises a longitudinal body coaxial with the torsional axis;

a first radial leg fixedly secured to said body and perpendicular thereto; and

a second radial leg fixedly secured to said body and perpendicular thereto but longitudinally displaced from said first leg.

8. The folder of claim 7 wherein said first leg is angularly displaced with respect to said second leg by an angle of about 135* when the spring is relaxed.

9. The folder of claim 7 wherein one of said legs is fixedly secured to said tab and the other of said legs is fixedly secured to the one wall.

10. The folder of claim 6 further comprising a thin sheet, a first portion of which is bonded to said tab and a second portion of which is bonded to the one wall.

11. A tab suitable for accepting indicia and for attachment to a wall of a device suitable for filing papers, comprising attaching means for attaching said tab to a wall of a device suitable for filing papers proximate an edge of the wall;

a flexible hinge portion which allows said tab to be pivotal relative to the wall between at least a first position wherein said tab is inclined at an obtuse angle with respect to the wall and a second position wherein said tab is generally coplanar with the wall; and

spring biasing means for slightly resiliently urging the tab toward one of said positions and for maintaining said tab in the one position when no external forces are applied thereto, whereby said tab may assume the other position upon the application of a small external force thereto but will thereafter return to the one position upon the withdrawal of external forces therefrom.