Hanging partition folder

A hanging partition folder with a generally conventional structure has pivotal hanging devices at the outer corners thereof. These corners also have a cut off shape to permit the pivotal movement of the hanging devices between a retracted position in which they are substantially flush with the folder and an extended position in which they project from the folder. In the extended position, a hook portion of each hanging device is adapted to make contact with the rails of a suspension file system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to partition folders and, more particularly, to 
partition folders which can be adapted to hang in file drawers. 
A well known type of filing systems utilizes folders which can be suspended 
from parallel support rails in a file drawer. These folders include hooks 
which slide along the parallel rails. Such files have been marketed under 
the trademark "Pendaflex" by the Oxford Pendaflex Corporation and 
illustrative examples thereof are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,291,724 
and 3,667,854. 
There are also a number of devices which permit conventional folders or 
binders to be adapted for use in a suspension filing system. Examples of 
these are illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,801,175; 3,936,201; 3,993,374; 
and 4,208,146. However, it has been found in practice that these folders 
present difficulties. In particular, the hooks located at the ends of each 
folder become entangled with each other and with other documents when the 
folders are used away from the suspension system or file drawer. This 
makes the use of these folders prior to hanging in a file draw both 
cumbersome and potentially damaging to other documents. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention is directed to providing a partition type folder 
which can be readily adapted for hanging in a suspension file system, but 
in which the hooks for the hanging operation can be retracted to prevent 
entanglement with each other and with other documents. 
In an illustrative embodiment of the invention, a folder of generally 
conventional design may be employed. This folder may be a file folder, a 
ring binder, a spiral binder or any other conventional type of folder or 
binder. However, the outer corners of the front and back portions of the 
folder are cut off at approximately a 45.degree. angle. Attached to each 
of these corners is a pivotal hanging device which can be rotated 
outwardly to adapt the folder or binder for hanging in the suspension 
system or which can be pivoted inwardly such that it presents no 
obstruction. 
In a preferred embodiment, the hanging device is made of a plastics 
material so that it may slide along the suspension rails easily and 
quitely, and is relatively inexpensive to manufacture. However, the 
hanging device could be made of any other convenient material. 
Additionally, the preferred embodiment includes a generally rectangular 
portion of the hanging device which causes the folder to have a somewhat 
square appearance when the hanging device is in its retracted position. 
Also, the hanging device may be formed from a single extrusion such that 
it is formed with a double thickness that fits about the end of the binder 
and can be pivotally riveted thereto. As a result, the hanging device 
wraps neatly about the ends of the binder when in the retracted position 
and the double thickness of material provides a strong hook for connection 
to the rail suspension system when in the extended position.

DESCRIPTION OF AN ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT 
In FIG. 1 there is shown a partition type folder of the type typically 
available commercially from companies such as Oxford Pendaflex. This 
folder has a front cover 11 and a back cover 13 which are hinged together 
by an adhesive strip 15. Also connected along this strip 15 are one or 
more partitions 17. As a result, the folder is in a form similar to a book 
with front and back covers and pages in between. 
As shown in FIG. 1, the front and back covers towards the interior of the 
binder, as well as the partitions 17, contain fasteners 19 which are 
suitable for attaching papers and other documents in the folder. These 
fasteners may be of any convenient type, such as the paper fasteners shown 
in FIG. 1 or ring binders (not shown). 
As shown most clearly in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the corners of the front and back 
covers of the folder which are remote from the strip 15 support hanging 
devices 20 which are pivotally connected to the folder covers by a rivet 
or some other device 22. In the extended position shown in FIG. 2A, i.e. 
when the hanging device has been pivoted clockwise, the hanging devices 
project from the binder and can be readily connected with the rails of a 
suspension file system. However, in the retracted position, the hanging 
devices do not project from the binder and, in fact, the rear portion 23 
of the hanging device gives the folder a generally square appearance. 
The corners of the folder adjacent the hook devices are cut at an angle of 
typically 45.degree. to permit easy pivoting of the hanging device. 
However, some other convenient angle of cut may also be used so long as it 
accomplishes this purpose. 
A hook portion 21 of the hanging device 20 is adapted to engage the upper 
part of a rail in the suspension file system when the device is pivoted 
clockwise into the extended position. Also, in this position, the rear 
portion 23 contacts the top of member 11 which acts as a stop preventing 
further pivoting in the clockwise direction. 
In a preferred embodiment, the hook members are made from a single 
extrusion of plastics material which may either be clear or colored to 
correspond to or contrast with the color of the rest of the folder. As 
best shown in FIG. 1, the extrusion is a double thickness joined at the 
top, which is stamped or otherwise cut into the desired shape. In 
installing this hook device at the folder outer corners, the cut extrusion 
is riveted to the corners of the folder such that the folder is between 
the two halves of the material. As a result, when the hook device is 
pivoted to the retracted position, even the hook area 21 surrounds the 
folder and thus creates little or no projection from its edge. 
By making the hook device from a single extrusion of plastics material, the 
resulting device is inexpensive, simple to make, sturdy and provides low 
friction sliding movement along the hanging rails. In addition, pivoting 
of the hanging device between its retracted and extended position is 
easily accomplished because of the low friction surface offered by the 
plastics material. 
While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with 
reference to the preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood by 
those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be 
made therein without departing from the spirit and the scope of the 
invention.