Apparatus for locating file folders

• US 5,424,858 A
• Filed: 09/03/1993
• Issued: 06/13/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Or-An Company International Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Or-An Company International Incorporated
• Inventors: Gillotte, Robert P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Moore, David K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NEGASH, KINFE MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US08/115,622
• Time in Patent Office: 648 Days
• Field of Search: 359/143-144, 359/154, 359/158, 359/165, 359/168, 359/184, 359/163, 359/171-172, 340/572, 340/825.36, 340/825.49, 340/825.54, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 340/505, 340/568, 340/825.14
• US Class Current: 398/108
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/114 Indoor or close-range type systems

Abstract

A portable electromagnetic transmitter providing varied selected coded outputs for selectively actuating a selected receiver among a plurality of folders each provided with a receiver. The receiver provides an output signal locating the file. Shelves holding the file folders may include electrical power conductors for energizing the receivers.

Claims

1. An apparatus for locating a file folder comprising,

a portable electromagnetic transmitter having a varied output for providing various selected coded output signals,

a shelf for holding a plurality of folders,

a plurality of folders positioned on said shelf, each folder having an electrically powered electromagnetic receiver for receiving signals from the transmitter, each receiver providing an output in response to a different coded output signal from the transmitter,

signaling means connected to each receiver output for indicating the receipt of signal by a receiver from the transmitter thereby identifying the folder, and

said folder includes electrical contacts connected to the receiver, and said contacts adapted to engage and receive power from the power conductors.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the signaling means is a visual signal.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the output signal of the transmitter is infrared.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said shelf includes electrical power conductors, and

said folder includes electrical contacts connected to the receiver, and said contacts adapted to engage and receive power from the power conductors.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said transmitter transmits in addition to the coded output a synchronizing pulse signal during each transmitted signal for actuating a said-signaling means.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the synchronizing pulse creates a visual blinking signal which is transformed into a steady light when a matching code signal is received.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the electrical power conductors on the shelf extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shelf.