Diskette storage file

A computer diskette storage file for organization and storage of diskettes. The storage file can be hung in a filing drawer for storage and access at the work station. The diskette storage file comprises a storage plate wherein the diskettes are held in place such that the identification label of the diskette is readable, and the diskette easily retrievable. The diskette storage file includes hangers for supporting the storage file within a filing drawer.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates generally to computer diskette organizing and 
storage devices. More specifically, the invention relates to a computer 
diskette organization and storage file which is of the size and structure 
to be placed and used within a filing drawer or cabinet. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
At present, data processing systems or computers are used in nearly every 
phase of business organizations. A large part of the data and programming 
materials for such computers are stored on separate diskettes, generally 
referred to as "floppy" disks. One popular configuration for the floppy 
disk is the 31/2 inch floppy disk which is encased in a hard, protective 
casing. The casing provides a rigid, manageable protective shell for the 
disk and allows for storage and handling of the disk without undue risk of 
damage to the disk itself. These floppy disks have a retractable panel 
that allows access to the recording media when the disk is inserted in a 
disk drive. 
As the number of diskettes necessary for everyday access to information 
increases, so does the need for an accessible yet efficient system for 
storing these diskettes. Typically, the diskettes are stored in a stacked 
manner in boxes which are slightly wider than the diskettes. The diskettes 
may be difficult to remove from the box because tight packaging does not 
allow fingers to enter on both sides of the diskette to pull the diskettes 
out. 
Generally, the data stored on the floppy disk is identified by means of an 
adhesively-attached paper label placed over the end of the diskette 
opposite the end having the retractable panel. It is difficult to read the 
information on the label when the diskettes are stored in a box. Diskettes 
are typically stored in a box or Rolodex-type container and the box or 
container is placed on the desktop for easy and frequent access. The box 
or container is often bulky and not space-efficient, and clutters the 
desktop or workspace. Diskettes also are often stored in boxes for 
archival storage. The boxes may then be placed in a filing drawer or in a 
large storage box. If one of these diskettes is needed, it is usually 
difficult and time consuming to locate the diskette. 
There thus is a need for a diskette storage device which provides easy 
access to the individual diskettes, allows the labels of the diskettes to 
be easily read for quick location and retrieval of the desired diskette, 
and is space-efficient. There is also a need for a long-term or archival 
storage system that provides quick and easy location and retrieval of a 
desired diskette that is space-efficient and adaptable to a normal work 
station. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention is directed to a diskette storage system which is 
space efficient and provides ease of locating and retrieving the desired 
diskette. The diskette storage file of the present invention is of the 
size and shape such that it fits in a filing drawer or cabinet for 
storage. The diskette storage files will hold a number of diskettes in 
such a position that the identification label of each diskette is readable 
and the diskettes are easily removed from the file for use. 
Stated somewhat generally, the present invention comprises a diskette 
storage file that holds a number of diskettes and fits in a filing cabinet 
or drawer. The diskette storage file of the present invention holds a 
number of diskettes in several columns. The diskettes are held in place 
within the storage file by placing a diskette on one of a series of 
equally spaced horizontal ledges located on the wall of the storage file. 
Each ledge has a ledge face and several pairs of brackets which are spaced 
diskette-width apart and face inward toward each other to form a slot 
slightly wider than that of a diskette. The brackets protrude outward from 
the wall of the storage file an amount slightly greater than the width of 
a diskette. The diskette is placed on the ledge between two facing 
brackets and is held in place on the ledge in the slot formed between the 
ledge face and the brackets. 
Each of the ledges of the diskette storage file may contain several pairs 
of facing ledges, so that several diskettes may be held in place next to 
each other on the same ledge. There are a number of ledges equally spaced 
from each other and horizontal in relation to the wall of the diskette 
storage file. The ledges are vertically spaced so that when diskettes are 
placed in the diskette storage file, the information label of each 
diskette is readable. The bracket pairs on each ledge are aligned with the 
bracket pairs of the other ledges so that when the diskette storage file 
is filled with diskettes the diskettes are in columns. 
The diskette storage file may be of the size and shape to fit a file 
storage system designed for 81/2.times.11 papers or 81/2.times.14, also 
known as legal-size materials. The diskette storage file has hangers such 
as a notch, an extension, or an L-shaped or semi-circular protrusion on 
each side of the storage file such that the diskette storage file fits 
into a file storage system by placing the hangers of the diskette storage 
file over the bars or slots of the filing drawer or cabinet. The number of 
diskettes the diskette storage file will hold depends on the size of the 
filing system the storage file is designed to fit. Typically, a diskette 
storage file designed to be used in an 81/2.times.11 filing system will 
have eight ledges (rows) and each ledge will have three pairs of brackets. 
Thus, three diskettes will fit on each ledge and with eight ledges, the 
diskette storage file will hold a total of 24 diskettes. 
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a diskette storage 
file which is space efficient and allows for easy identification and 
accessibility for a desired diskette. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a diskette storage 
file which is of the size and structure to fit in a filing drawer or 
cabinet. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a single molded 
filable diskette storage file of sturdy plastic. 
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an inexpensive 
diskette storage file which can be stored and accessed within a filing 
drawer or cabinet. 
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become 
apparent upon reading the following specification, when taken in 
conjunction with the drawings and the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring now in detail to the drawings, in which like numerals refer to 
like parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 illustrates the diskette 
storage file 10 in accordance with the present invention. 
The diskette storage file 10 has a wall 40 in which is formed a series of 
horizontal ledges 41 protruding from the front of the wall 40. The width 
of each ledge 41 is sufficient to support the lower edge 13 of a diskette 
15 placed on the ledge 41. The ledges 41 are parallel with each other, and 
preferably are vertically spaced equidistant from the next adjacent ledge 
along the length of the wall 40. 
The surface on the wall 40 between each two vertically-spaced adjacent 
ledges 41 forms the ledge faces 42. Along each ledge face 42 are several 
pairs of two brackets 43 spaced slightly more than diskette-width apart 
from each other. In the preferred embodiment, as best seen in FIG. 1, 
there are three columns of ledges 41, ledge faces 42 and brackets 43. The 
brackets 43 have a portion 43a which projects perpendicular to the wall 40 
and a portion 43b which is parallel to the wall 40. The portion 43a of 
bracket 43 is of a slightly longer length than the thickness of a single 
diskette. The portion 43b of bracket 43 projects parallel to and toward 
the corresponding bracket within the pair such that a diskette 15 will fit 
and be held in place by resting on ledge 41 between the ledge face 42 and 
bracket 43. The horizontal ledges 41 are equally spaced apart such that 
when diskettes are placed on the ledges 41 and held in place between the 
brackets 43 and the ledge faces 42, the identification label 17 of each 
diskette within the storage file 10 is readable. The brackets 43 
preferably are molded with the wall 40 of the storage file 10 in a manner 
known to those skilled in the art. 
Adjoining the wall 40 of the diskette storage file 10 are two sidewalls 50 
and a bottom wall 51. Each of the walls 50 and 51 project perpendicular to 
wall 40 and project outward from wall 40 a distance sufficient to exceed 
the outwardmost projecting diskette when the diskette storage file 10 is 
filled to capacity. At the top end of both of the sidewalls 50, as shown 
in FIG. 1, are hangers 52. The hangers 52 are formed by rounding the end 
of each sidewall 50 into an arc that will fit over the bars or slots of a 
filing system. The walls 50 and 51 preferably are molded with the wall 40 
of the storage file 10 in a manner known to those skilled in the art. 
Likewise, the hangers 52 preferably are molded with the sidewalls 50 in a 
manner known to those skilled in the art. 
The wall 40 of diskette storage file 10 also includes a handle 44. The 
handle 44 is formed as a protrusion near the upper end of wall 40 such 
that an arc is formed within the wall to provide for grasping the diskette 
storage file. The arc of handle 44 projects outward from the wall 40 in 
the same direction as the sidewalls 50 and the bottom wall 51, such that 
the diskette storage file is grasped by placing fingers in the arc of the 
handle 44 from behind wall 40 and the thumb over the top of wall 40. 
Wall 40 further contains label holders 45 formed as flat surfaces parallel 
to the wall 40 protruding in front of that wall, and having slots in each 
end for receiving a file label. The label holders 45 are spatially 
positioned along the top edge of wall 40 such that they can receive file 
labels and the file labels will project upward from and past the wall 40 
to be read in a typical fashion. 
In using the diskette storage file 10, a diskette 15 is placed on one of 
the ledges 41 and held in place between the corresponding ledge face 42 
and the pair of brackets 43. A diskette may be placed on each of the 
ledges 41 between each pair of brackets 43 until the storage file 10 is 
full. The diskettes 15, when held in place on each of the ledges 41, are 
positioned within the diskette storage file 10 such that the 
identification label 17 of each diskette is readable. Each diskette may be 
easily located, and then grasped and removed from the file 10. 
The diskette storage file 10 is placed in a filing drawer by positioning 
the hangers 52 over the bars or slots of the filing drawer. The storage 
file 10 may then be moved within the filing drawer by sliding it in a 
fashion typical of hanging files or file folders. A file label may be 
placed in the label holders 45 so that the storage file can be easily 
located within the filing drawer. 
It should be understood that the preferred embodiment has been disclosed by 
way of example, and that other modifications may occur to those skilled in 
the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the claims.