Fastener structure for files and multi-purpose clip for use therewith

A multi-purpose clip for clipping papers and also useful in a fastener structure for a paper file, comprises an elongated member formed with a pair of longitudinally-spaced holes adjacent to one edge to receive the fastening elements of the paper file. The elongated member is further formed with a slot extending from each of the holes to the opposite edge of the elongated member such that the slots permit the elongated member to be removed from the fastening elements by moving the elongated member laterally in the direction of the opposite edge. The slots also define a center jaw and a pair of end jaws for clamping together the papers overlying the place in the file where one or more papers are to be added or removed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a fastener structure, and particularly to 
a fastener structure for a type of paper file now commonly used in 
offices. The invention also relates to a multi-purpose file clip for use 
with the fastener structure of the foregoing type. 
The paper file to which the present invention is particularly applicable is 
the type which includes a pair of bendable fastening elements or tongues 
receivable in holes formed adjacent to one edge of the papers fastened in 
the file, and an elongated member overlying the fastened papers and formed 
with a pair of holes receiving the fastening elements for securing the 
papers in the file. In this type of file, the elongated member is 
removable from the fastening elements to permit removal of papers from the 
file, or the addition of papers to the file. 
When one or more papers are to be removed from or added to a middle part of 
the file, the elongated member togther with the overlying papers are 
removed from the file. However, it frequently happens that the overlying 
papers move relative to each other so that their holes are no longer in 
alignment with the fastening elements. When this occurs, it is usually 
necessary to return the overlying papers to the file one at a time, which 
is a time-consuming process. 
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
An object of the present invention is to provide a fastener structure or 
multi-purpose clip for a paper file which more conveniently permits 
removing or adding one or more papers with respect to a middle part of a 
stack of papers in a file of this type. 
According to the present invention, there is provided a multi-purpose clip 
for clipping papers and also useful in a fastener structure for a paper 
file, comprising: an elongated member formed with a pair of 
longitudinally-spaced holes adjacent to one edge dimensioned to receive 
the fastening elements of the paper file; the elongated member being 
further formed with a slot extending from each of the holes to the 
opposite edge of the elongated member such that the slots permit the 
elongated member to be removed from the fastening elements by moving the 
elongated member laterally in the direction of said opposite edge, the 
slots defining a center jaw and a pair of end jaws for clamping together 
the papers overlying the place in the file where one or more papers are to 
be added or removed. 
As will be described below, such a clip permits the removal or addition of 
papers with respect to a middle part of the file in a very convenient 
manner. In addition, the elongated element is preferably made of stiff 
plastics material, which enables it to serve also as a clip for many other 
purposes, e.g., for serving as a marker in a file. 
Fastener structures and multi-purpose clips constructed in accordance with 
the above features may be manufactured in volume and at low cost. 
Further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the 
description below.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
The fastener structure illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 of the drawings is intended 
for use with a type of file including a pair of fastening elements 2 in 
the form of tongues which are bendable to secure the papers 4 and an 
elongated member 6 together in the file. The papers 4 and elongated member 
6 are formed with a pair of holes 10 for receiving the bendable fastening 
tongues 2. 
In some of the known constructions of such fasteners, the tongues are 
secured to the inside face of the file cover, and the elongated member 6 
is merely a strip of cardboard or plastic sheet material applied over the 
papers fastened in the file; in other constructions, the elongated member 
is of metal or other stiff material and includes slidable locking elements 
for locking the tongues in their bent condition. 
In the fastener structure illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the elongated member 6 
is formed with a slot 12 extending from each of its holes 10 to the outer 
edge 14 of the elongated member facing the inner edges of the sheets 4 
fastened in the file. Each of the slots 12 is of increasing width from its 
respective hole 10 to the outer edge 14, and the outer edges are rounded 
as shown at 16. 
Slots 12 thus permit the elongated member 6 to be removed from the 
fastening tongues 2 by moving the elongated member laterally (rightwardly, 
FIG. 1) until the slots 12 clear the fastening tongues 2. The slots 12 
also divide the portion of the elongated member between its holes 10 and 
its edge 14 into a center jaw 18a and a pair of end jaws 18b, 18c on 
opposite sides of the central jaw 18a. The outer margin of the central jaw 
18a is tapered outwardly in one direction as shown at 20a, and the outer 
margins of the two end jaws 18b, 18c are likewise tapererd outwardly but 
in the opposite direction, as shown at 20b, 20c. 
Elongated member 6 includes a further hole 22 midway between the two holes 
10 for supporting a plurality of clamped papers in suspension. It further 
includes a pair of lugs 24 for retaining the tongues 2 in their bent 
condition. 
The fastener structure illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 is used in the following 
manner as shown particularly in FIG. 4. 
The paper sheets 4 in the file are securely clamped therein by passing 
tongues 2 through the holes in the paper sheets, and through holes 10 in 
the elongated member 6, and then bending the tongues 2 as shown in dotted 
lines in FIG. 1. Now, whenever it is desired to break the file by adding 
one or more paper sheets to a middle part of the file, or by removing one 
or more paper sheets from a middle part of the file, the paper sheets 
overlying the point where the papers are to be removed or added are 
gripped by the user, the gripped papers being shown at 4' in FIG. 3; and 
the elongated member 6 is then moved laterally (upwardly in FIG. 4) such 
that the fastening tongues 2 pass out of the holes 10 in the elongated 
member and through the slots 12 until the outer edge 14 of the elongated 
member clears the tongues. While the overlying papers 4' are still 
gripped, the user then passes the overlying gripped papers 4' between the 
central jaw 18a and the outer jaws 18b, 18c, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, 
and slides the elongated member 6 back onto the gripped sheets 4' with the 
tongues 2 again passing along slots 12 into the holes 10. The elongated 
member 6, together with the sheets 4' clamped between its jaws 18a, 18b, 
18c, is then lifted off the tongues 2. 
The paper sheets to be added to the stack are then applied over tongues 2, 
or if paper sheets are to be removed, they are then removed from the 
tongues 2. The elongated member 6 together with the sheets 4' clamped 
between its jaws 18a, 18b, 18c, is then reapplied over tongues 2; 
elongated member 6 is then moved rightwardly (FIG. 3) until its jaws clear 
the ends of the paper sheets 4'; the elongated member is slid over the 
upper sheet; and the tongues 2 are then bent down so that the file is now 
in its original fastened condition. 
It will thus be seen that the use of the elongated member 6, for clipping 
together the upper sheets 4' to be temporarily removed from the file, 
permits the file to be broken for the removal of sheets from the middle of 
the file or for the addition of sheets to the middle of the file, in a 
very convenient manner. The elongated member 6 also may be used for 
clipping together a plurality of papers for other purposes, for example to 
serve as a file marker, in order to mark certain papers or groups of 
papers in the file for ready access. The elongated member may have a 
writable surface, to permit writing various notes when the member is used 
as a file marker. 
Central hole 22 is provided to permit the elongated member 6 to be used for 
supporting in suspension a plurality of sheets clamped between its jaws 
18a, 18b, 18c. 
FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 illustrate a slightly different construction in the 
elongated member or plastic clip, therein designated 50. This member is 
also formed with a pair of holes 52 and connecting slots 54 dividing one 
side into a center jaw 56a and two end jaws 56b, 56c. In this case, 
however, the center jaw 56a is extended past the end jaws 56b, 56c; in 
addition, the slots 54 on the opposite sides of the center jaw 56a define 
straight edges 54a, 54b substantially at right angles to the outer edge of 
the jaw. This is to permit the plastic member 50 also to be used for 
initially bending the tongues 62 at the correct locations when opening a 
new file, as shown in FIG. 7. 
The outer edges of the three jaws 56a, 56b, 56c are tapered on their 
opposite sides to facilitate sliding the plastic member onto the paper 
sheets to be clipped. In addition, the plastic member 50 is formed with a 
central opening 63 to enable it to be used for holding in suspension a 
plurality of sheets clipped together between the jaws 56a, 56b, 56c. 
Plastic member 50 may thus be used not only for fastening sheets together 
in a file as described above, but also as a general-purpose paper clip for 
clipping together a plurality of papers, e.g., as a marker for selected 
papers or groups of papers in a file. This member may also be used for 
other purposes. Thus, as shown in FIG. 5, one side of plastic member 50, 
shown at 64, may include a pattern for printing alphanumerical characters, 
and one end may be formed as a finger nail cleaner as shown at 66. 
FIG. 8 illustrates a plastic member, therein designated 70, constructed so 
as to provide all the foregoing uses, as well as additional uses. Member 
70 is basically of the same construction as illustrated in FIG. 5, but 
with one end extended and pointed to serve as a letter opener 72, the 
opposite end being formed as a finger nail cleaner 74. In addition, the 
edge of plastic member 70 opposite to that formed with the middle jaw 76 
and end jaws 76b, 76c, is formed as a straight edge and includes rule 
markings 78, enabling the plastic member also to be used as a straight 
edge and ruler. Plastic member 70 may also carry advertising matter. 
It will be appreciated that the described clip could be formed with more 
than two openings and slots to adapt it for files of different sizes. 
Also, the described clip can be used in other applications, e.g., as a bag 
clip, assembly toy, or the like. Many other variations and applications of 
the invention will be apparent.