Abstract:
A file that includes a first panel disposed adjacent a holding location, a holding member associated with the first panel and being configured and dimensioned for holding and retaining a stack of paper in the holding location, and a second panel that includes a high-traction surface that has a sufficiently high frictional coefficient to provide elevated traction and gripping against a desktop to resist or prevent sliding thereagainst. The second panel is rotatably associated with the first panel for movement between a closed position and an open position.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/322,737, filed on Dec. 19, 2002, the entire contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference thereto. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to a file configured for hanging from a desktop and holding a stack of paper. More particularly, the invention relates to a portable file folder configured to hang in an open position from and without sliding off an edge of a desktop, shelf or other substantially horizontal surface.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Portable filing systems or personal organizers for business or for personal use are usually filled with papers and documents of varying size, length, value and importance. Some files include flexible dividers and indexing extensions to aid in differentiating collections or projects. Documents are at times easily lost with conventional filing systems due to the document&#39;s odd size or weight. Files that can maintain an open or exposed position can aid the user in identifying, maintaining and retrieving documents.  
         [0004]     Files are known with dividers, indexing tabs and additional pockets which open wide and securely close for transport. Some are also made of durable materials which allow occasional exposure to the elements.  
         [0005]     Some files incorporate a portion that are slip-resistant to a user&#39;s fingers on one or more flaps of the files. U.S. Pat. No. 6,273,470 discloses an expanding file that has a portion on its cover flap, near the top edge that is resistant to slipping from a user&#39;s fingers when it is gripped. The slip-resistant portion comprises permanently deformed regions and optional pressure-sensitive adhesive or polymeric material. The slip-resistant portion formed by embossing the paper stock with the material is shown as not being exposed to a user&#39;s grip until the user applies pressure to the raised bumps. The bumps collapse under the pressure so the user&#39;s fingers come into contact with the material disposed around the bumps of the embossing.  
         [0006]     The need exists for a durable file that can be placed on a substantially horizontal surface such as a desktop with a loaded portion hanging off the edge.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The present invention relates to a file that includes a first panel disposed adjacent a holding location, a holding member associated with the first panel and being configured and dimensioned for holding and retaining a stack of paper in the holding location, and a second panel that includes a high-traction surface that has a sufficiently high frictional coefficient to provide elevated traction and gripping against a desktop to resist or prevent sliding thereagainst. The second panel is rotatably associated with the first panel for movement between a closed position and an open position.  
         [0008]     Preferably, the high-traction surface has a frictional coefficient that is sufficiently high to provide sufficient traction and gripping against a desktop to support the holding portion and held stack hanging therefrom, while substantially preventing the second panel from sliding off the desktop. The high-traction surface preferably includes a high-traction elastomeric material. In other embodiments, the high-traction surface preferably has a dimpled or porous texture to increase the frictional coefficient thereof.  
         [0009]     Preferably, the second panel and high-traction surface have a substantially flat cross-section, and the first panel and holding portion are preferably configured to lay adjacent and substantially flat against the second panel when the file is in the closed position. In the closed position, the second panel is preferably positioned adjacent the holding portion. In the open position, the high-traction surface preferably extends at an angle from the holding portion so that the second panel can be placed on the desktop with the first panel and stack hanging and supported from the second panel, which grips the desktop sufficiently for preventing the second panel from slipping off the desktop. Preferably, the second panel is configured as a file cover for covering at least a portion of the holding portion in the closed position.  
         [0010]     In the preferred embodiment, the file is a file folder. Preferably, the holding member of the file is configured for holding and retaining the stack of paper of at least letter, legal, A3, or A4 size in the holding location.  
         [0011]     The file also preferably includes a pocket configured and dimensioned to hold the stack of paper. The file preferably further includes a hinge that pivotally connects the first panel and the second panel. The pocket defines an opening associated with the holding location and configured to receive the stack therethrough for placement in the holding location. In one embodiment, the pocket preferably includes an expandable accordion pocket.  
         [0012]     Preferably, the second panel includes a second layer that significantly increases the weight and rigidity of the second panel to increase the friction between the second panel and the desktop. The holding member preferably includes a binding mechanism that is dimensioned and configured to hold the stack of paper in the holding location. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a file constructed according to the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view thereof in an open position;  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is a perspective front view thereof;  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is a perspective rear view thereof;  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view thereof in a closed position;  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional side view thereof along plane VI-VI, shown in  FIG. 5 ; and  
         [0019]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the preferred traction layer and its surface. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0020]     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a preferred embodiment of a file has a holding portion  25  configured for holding at least one stack of paper at a holding location  30 . The holding portion  25  includes panels such as a front panel  4  and a back panel  2 . The holding location  30  is preferably defined between back panel  2  and front panel  4 . A traction portion  26  includes cover panel  3 . Preferably the panels are at least semi-rigid and can include partitions that are continuous with each other.  
         [0021]     Preferably, the back panel  2  is pivotally associated with a front panel  4  and substantially encloses an interior filing space  8  at the holding location  30 . Panels  2 , 4  can pivot between a loading file position, shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , and a closed file position, shown in  FIG. 5 . Bottom panel  15  preferably pivotally connects the front and back panels  4 , 2 , and can have scores  13  or other structures to aid in flexibility. The front panel  4 , back panel  2  and bottom panel  15  are preferably connected by hinges, such as scored living hinges  13 , 14 . Back panel  2  and front panel  4  can also be attached with file sides  7 . The sides  7  may be of the expanding file or accordion file type, with or without integral dividers  9 , which partition the interior filing space  8  and holding location  30 .  
         [0022]     The integral dividers  9  are preferably 0.18 mm thick, yet may be thinner for smaller embodiments or where greater flexibility is required. Alternatively, the dividers  9  may be thicker for larger embodiments or where greater rigidity is required.  
         [0023]     Preferably, superior boundaries of the front panel  4 , back panel  2  and sides  7  define an upward facing opening  31  adjacent the proximal edge of the traction portion  26 . The sides  7  are configured to keep the holding portion  25  in a file loading configuration while sufficiently supporting the held stack.  
         [0024]     The filing space  8  is preferably configured to contain papers of standard sizes to be used in an office environment, such as letter, legal, A3 or A4. Larger filing spaces  8  can be configured to accommodate the needs of artists, teachers, cartographers and draftspeople. Other embodiments that accommodate personal checks, bills, invoices, business cards, currency and receipts are possible.  
         [0025]     The panels  2 , 3 , 4  are preferably between 0.9 mm and 0.65 mm thick, yet may be thinner for smaller embodiments or where greater flexibility is required. Alternatively, the panels  2 , 3 , 4  may be thicker for larger embodiments or where greater rigidity is required.  
         [0026]     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3  the front panel  4  of the preferred embodiment has a notch  21  extending substantially across its entire width above which indexing extensions  12  are viewable in the open file position. Additionally there may be a secondary notch  22  continuous with the first as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . One or more transparent or opaque pockets  11  can be attached to a face of the front panel  4  for holding smaller items such as labels or photographs. Hooks, clips and clasps may also be found the face of the front panel  4 .  
         [0027]     Cover panel  3  and back panel  2  are rotatably associated at hinge portion  16  for pivotal movement between a closed file position, as shown in  FIG. 5 , and an open position wherein the cover panel  3  extends at an angle from the back panel  2 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . In the closed file position the cover panel  3  is configured to work as a cover and substantially cover the holding location  30 . As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the cover panel  3  of this embodiment has a substantially flat configuration to lie substantially flat against the holding portion  25  in the closed position. In the open position the cover panel  3  can rest on a desktop with the holding portion  25  and its contents hanging therefrom. Cover panel  3  can include a top panel  16  which may include scores  14  for added flexibility to form a hinge  27 . In other embodiments, the various panels are hinged with rings, a spiral or other types of hinges.  
         [0028]     Preferably, a distal edge  29  of the cover panel  3  and lateral edges of panels  2 , 4 , 15 , 16  are bordered with a reinforcing piping  17  as shown in  FIG. 4 . Nylon webbing is the preferred material for the reinforcing piping  17 , but any other material with sufficient pliability and durability can be alternatively used.  
         [0029]     Chafe clips  18  are preferably attached at the ends of the reinforcing piping  17  and at the distal corners of the cover panel  3 , as shown in  FIGS. 1-5 . A chafing clip  38  can also be attached to the center of the distal edge  29  of cover panel  3 . The clips  18  are preferably made of metal, can be painted, anodized or coated, or made of other durable material. The clips  18 , 38  are normally crimped onto the reinforcing piping  17 , and may be added elsewhere.  
         [0030]     Referring to  FIGS. 4-6 , the file has a traction portion  26 , which is configured for gripping the desktop or other substantially horizontally surface while supporting the holding portion  25  hanging therefrom. Preferably the cover panel  3  includes a traction layer  39  which includes a traction surface  19 . The traction surface  19  has a sufficiently high traction for gripping a desktop  20  as shown in  FIG. 2  to support the holding portion  25  and a held stack or other contents hanging from the cover panel  3  while preventing the cover panel  3  from sliding off the desktop  20 . The distal and lateral edges of the traction surface  19  are preferably tucked and securely attached beneath the reinforcing piping  17  to an inner panel  23 , which is preferably of unitary construction with the second  3  and first panels  2  or portions thereof. A proximal edge of the traction surface  19  adjacent to the top panel  16  is tucked underneath itself toward a center of panel  3  where it is securely attached to inner panel  3 . Glues and adhesives can be used for attaching the traction surface  19  to the inner panel  3 , while other securing methods such as welting, welding and stitching are also possible.  
         [0031]     A preferred material for the traction layer  39  is PVC foam. Suitable materials of the traction layer  39  include elastomers, acrylics, vinyls, rubber-based and other materials with a sufficiently high traction for gripping the desktop to support the holding portion  25  and held stack. Additionally, the traction layer  39  can include tacky materials such as glues and adhesives to increase traction by repeatably adhering to the desktop.  
         [0032]     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the preferred traction surface  19  has a dimpled porous texture, and alternative embodiments have a bumpy texture, or one that is substantially level and flat. Regular and random patterns are also possible for the traction surface  19  as are treads, pimples, grooves and beads. In one embodiment, a traction portion  26  can be used that is of unitary construction with the second panel  3 .  
         [0033]     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the cover panel  3  is preferably heavier, thicker and substantially more rigid than the other panels. As visible in  FIG. 6 , the cover panel  3  has a substantially flat cross-section and is configured to lay substantially flat against the holding portion  25  in the closed position, with the outside of the cover panel  3  also being substantially flat. To increase the traction of the traction surface  19 , the cover panel  3  may contain a weighted insert  23 , which is preferably disposed between an inner and traction layers  3 , 39 . The weighted insert  23  may comprise multiple layers. The weighted insert  23  lends thickness to the cover panel  3  and prevents the traction surface  19  from laying flush with the reinforcing piping  17 , thus exposing more area of the traction surface  19  to the desktop and increasing traction. The weighted insert  23  also lends greater weight to the cover panel  3 , thus increasing traction between the traction surface  19  and the desktop  20 . The weighted insert  23  can also increase the stiffness and weight of the cover panel  3  to improve contact of the traction surface  19  with the desktop  20 .  
         [0034]     Preferably, the weighted insert  23  is 4.2 mm thick, yet may be thinner or lighter for some embodiments. Alternatively the weighted insert  23  may be thicker or heavier for other embodiments.  
         [0035]     In the closed position, cover panel  3  is configured as a file cover for covering at least a portion of the holding portion. Preferably at least 25% of a front of the holding portion or of the front panel is covered by the cover panel  3 , more preferably at least 50% and most preferably at least 75%. Cover panel  3  can also substantially cover all of the front of the holding portion or the front panel.  
         [0036]     As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the weighted insert  23  preferably generally conforms to the area covered by the traction surface  19 , but may be of different shape, size, density and thickness.  
         [0037]     The traction surface  19  covers a majority of an outer side area of the cover panel  3  as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . The preferred area of coverage is rectangular and extends from adjacent the top panel  16  toward a distal edge  29  of the cover panel  3  within the reinforcing piping  17 . The traction surface  19  can alternatively cover a lesser area of the outer side of the cover panel  3 .  
         [0038]     In other embodiments, the area covered by the traction surface  19  is less than about 50% or less than about 25% of the area of the cover panel  3 . Preferably, the traction surface  19  extends proximal the top panel  16 . The area covered by the traction surface  19  is preferably rectangular and centered between the edges of the cover panel  3 . Other embodiments have a different positioning and shaping of the traction surface  19  which may be discontinuous. Many configurations of the traction surface  19  are possible, providing the traction surface  19  has sufficiently high traction for supporting the filing space  8  and held stack hanging therefrom while preventing the cover panel  3  from sliding off the desktop  20 .  
         [0039]     One or more secondary envelopes  11  or secondary pockets  10  can be attached to exposed faces of each of the panels  3 ,  4 . As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , an expanding type pocket  10  and a secondary envelope  11  are located on an inner side of the cover panel  3 . Other combinations and permutations of variously sized secondary pockets  10  and secondary envelopes  11  can be used. Hooks, clips and clasps may also accompany the faces of the panels  3 , 4 .  
         [0040]     The stack held in the holding portion  25  may comprise a stack of paper or other material, from a single sheet to a full ream or more. A stack may also be a collection of documents, photographs, facsimiles or other material that requires filing. Preferably, the file can hang from a desktop while holding at least about 10 lbs. of sheets. In another embodiment at least 5 lbs. of sheets can be held.  
         [0041]     While illustrative embodiments of the invention are disclosed herein, it will be appreciated that numerous modifications and other embodiments may be devised by those skilled in the art. For example, the holding portion can include alternative structures to hold its contents, such as a ring binding mechanism, photo album, CD album or a bound ledger. Therefore, it will be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and embodiments that come within the spirit and scope of the present invention.