SUSPENSION APPARATUS

Abstract: Apparatus for suspending foliate articles, such as documents and films. The apparatus comprises a projection (19) formed on a foliate article (16), a channel section track (1) having an inwardly facing supporting surface (4) and supporting ledge (6) formed on one wall thereof, the other wall having an inturned flange (9) adjacent to the ledge (6). In use the foliate article (16) and projection (19) are inserted into the channel section and, once so inserted, the flange (9) holds the foliate article (16) in such a way that the projection (19) engages the supporting ledge (6). The surface of the foliate article (16) is held in contact with the supporting surface (4), by the interaction of a flap (17) protruding from the top edge of the foliate article with the inside surface of the flange (9).

Description: SUSPENSION APPARATUS DESCRIPTION This invention relates to suspension apparatus for suspending articles such as documents, drawings, films, cards, envelopes, document wallets, and other similar foliate articles. An object of the invention is to provide a storage system for foliate articles which provides easy access and retrieval. In particular, apparatus in accordance with the present invention may be used for suspending documents, either alone or in document containers, in a suspension filing system of the type described in UK Patent Application No. 2145664. In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for suspending a foliate article comprising a projection, either formed integrally with a foliate article or provided by a separate member fixable thereto, a track having means for supporting the track and a channel section portion with two walls, the first wall providing an inwardly facing supporting surface and supporting ledge and the second wall providing holding means for holding the projection in contact with the supporting ledge, further holding means being provided • for holding a part of the foliate article, or projection carrying member in contact with the supporting surface; the arrangement being such that the foliate article and projection are insertable into the channel section and, once so inserted, the holding means hold the projection in engagement with the supporting ledge and the further holding means together with the holding means, cooperate to cause a part of the foliate article extending from the supporting ledge to contact the supporting surface, the foliate article being supported by the supporting ledge. An advantage of the present invention is that it allows easy access and retrieval of suspended foliate articles without the need to provide the latter with a heavy and rigid component for engagement with the track. In an embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention the foliate article and projection are insertable into the channel section either by sliding the foliate article longitudinally with respect to the channel section portion, or by presenting the foliate article transversely to the channel, and removable therefrom only by longitudinal sliding of the foliate article with respect to the channel section portion. In another embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention the portion of the article held in contact with the supporting surface by the holding means and the further holding means, extends between the supporting ledge and the edge of the article located within the channel section portion. An advantage of this embodiment is that, because the portion of the article extending between the supporting ledge and the edge of the article is held in contact with the supporting surface, this portion may be formed from weaker material than heretofore possible. In a preferred form of the aforementioned embodiment the further holding means comprises a groove formed in the channel section portion between the first and second walls and the holding means comprises a projecting member extending from the second wall towards the first wall, the arrangment being such that the foliate article is gripped by the track with the 5 edge of the article located in the groove and the projection being held engaged with the supporting ledge by the projecting member. In a second preferred form of the first embodiment the 10. holding means and the further holding means are combined and comprise a projecting member extending from the second wall towards the first wall and a hingeable flap member extending from the edge of the foliate article to be located within the channel 15 section portion, the arrangement being such that, in use the article -is suspended by the track with the free edge of the flap engaged in a groove formed where the projecting member joins the second wall, and the projection engaged with the supporting ledge. When the 20 article is pulled in a direction away from the track, the engagement of the flap and the second wall forces the edge of the article in the channel section into pressing contact with the supporting surface. An advantage of both the aforementioned preferred embodiments is that the tracks may be formed as simple low cost extrusions formed from a plastics material. In other embodiments the channel section, flap, projection, supporting ledge, and, projecting member extend lengthwise along a major proportion of the track's length. These embodiments provide an advantage in that the grip of the track on an article is further enhanced. In a yet further embodiment the projection carrying member is in the form of a rectangular cross-section strip of flexible material which in use is fixed adjacent to an edge of the foliate article. Alternatively the projection carrying member is in the form of a "v" sectioned member, one leg of which provides the projection and the other provides a hingeable flap member when fixed to a foliate article. In a second aspect of the present invention the apparatus comprises a track having means for supporting the track and a channel section portion with two walls, the first wall providing an inwardly facing supporting surface and a supporting ledge and, the second wall providing holding means for holding the foliate article in contact with the supporting surface and ledge, which holding means comprise releasable wedging means insertable between said walls so as to press onto a foliate article located between the wedging means and the supporting surface, whereby the article is held in engagement with the supporting ledge and the supporting surface. The resilience necessary to allow the article to be pressed by the wedging means may be provided either, through the provision of a resiliently flexible second wall, or through the use of a resilient compressible wedging means. An advantage of this alternative aspect of the invention is that it can be employed to grip a flexible article such as a plan, drawing or film, without the need for the latter to be adapted in any way. A feature which is preferably incorporated in either aspect of the present invention, is for the supporting ledge to be in the form of a step and, for the supporting wall to have a second substantially planar portion extending away from said step and beyond the extent of the channel section portion. Such an arrangement provides a strong supporting ledge and a convenient guide structure to facilitate the insertion of a foliate article into the channel section portion of the track. In a third aspect of the present invention the apparatus comprises a track having means for supporting the track, and a channel section portion with two walls, the first wall providing an inwardly facing supporting surface, the second wall being provided with an inturned flange extending from the second wall towards the first wall and, a hingable flap member extending from the edge of the foliate article for location in the channel section portion, the arrangement being such that in use, the foliate article is gripped by the track with the free edge of the flap engaged in a groove formed where the flange joins the second wall. Specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings: Figure 1 illustrates three alternative embodiments of a track in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, each embodiment having a different support structure; Figure 2 illustrates the engagement of a foliate article to be suspended in a track of the type shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional detail of the article shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 illustrates a second, alternative foliate_ article; Figure 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the track in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention, which track incorporates wedging means; Figure 6 is a section on x-x of Figure 6 showing the wedging member in the released position; Figure 7 is a section on x-x of Figure 6 showing the wedging member in the clamping position; Figure 8 shows a wedging member of the type employed in the embodiment shown in Figure 6, removed from the track; Figure 9 shows an alternative wedging member and; Figure 10 is a sectional view of an embodiment of the third aspect of the present invention. With reference to Figure 1, a track 1 is formed from a resiliently flexible plastics material, such as polyethylene or polyvinylchloride. The track 1 comprises a first wall 2, in the form of a substantially rectangular elongate strip and a second wall 3. As illustrated the first wall 2 has an upper thinner portion 4 and a lower thicker portion 5 defining a step 6 where the two portions 4 & 5 meet. The second wall 3 comprises an inclined portion 7 extending downwardly and away from the thinner portion 4 of the first wall 2, to a substantially upright portion 8, which is substantially parallel to the first wall 2. Extending from the upright portion 8 is an inturned portion 9, which, provides the base and one leg of a "u" - sectioned channel, which is completed by the upright portion 8 to provide a first groove 11. The base of the "u" is substantially opposite the step 6 formed in the first wall 2. A second elongate groove 10 is formed where the inclined portion 7 of the second wall 3 joins the first wall 2, on the inside of the channel formed by the walls 2 & 3. The corresponding components of all the tracks 1 illustrated in the remaining figures have been assigned the same reference numerals as those employed in Figure 1. In Figure 1 three alternative support means are shown. In Figure 1(a) an adhesive coated sponge rubber pad 12 is shown attached to the first wall 2. In this embodiment the pad is adhered to a suitable support, such as a wall, in order to suspend the track. The remaining embodiments shown in Figure 1 have alternative means whereby the track 1 may be suspended from a rod 13. In the embodiment depicted in Figure 1(b) a substantially oval orifice 14 is formed in the portion 4 of the first wall 2, through which orifice 14 the rod 13 should .extend to provide support for the track 1. In the third embodiment shown in Figure 1(c) an L-shaped bight (15) is formed in the portion 4 of the first wall 2, which bight 15 is dimensioned to engage the rod 13. The advantage of the latter embodiment is that it allows the track 1 to be disengaged from the rod 13 without the need for an end of the rod 13 to be freed. For stability more than one orifice 14 or bight 15 would normally be provided in a track 1. An envelope 16 having a v-section rail 17 attached to its upper edge is shown in Figure- 3. The rail 17 is attached to the envelope 16 so as to provide a divergent flap 18 and a step 19. Figure 2 illustrates the procedure for attaching the envelope shown in Figure 3 to a track 1 of the type shown in Figure 1. The top edge of the envelope 16 carrying the rail 17 is inserted into the gap defined between the two walls 2 and 3 of the track 1, in a direction shown by arrows A and B in Figure 2. As the rail 17 is pushed further into track 1, from the position shown in Figure 2(b) to the position shown in Figure 2(c) the flap 18 is bent towards the envelope 16, narrowing the legs of the V-section rail 17, and the second wall 3. is flexed outwardly from the first wall 2. However since both the rail 17 and the track 1 are manufactured from •resilient materials, once the flap 18 has passed the inturned portion 9, both the rail 17 and the second wall 3 snap back into their original form. If the envelope 16 is then allowed to hang from the track 1, the flap 18 engages in the groove 11 and the step 19 engages on the step 6. Further downward force on the envelope 16 causes the flap 18 to press the top edge of the rail 17 into contact with the first wall 2, the weight of the envelope 16 being carried by the engagement of the steps 19 and 6. In an alternative embodiment, not shown, the rail is in the form of a rectangular section strip without a divergent flap. However in this instance the rail is dimensioned so that its upper edge will locate in the groove 10 of the track 1 when the lower edge of the rail (equivalent to step 19 in Figure 3) is engaged upon the step 6 of the track. Figure 4 shows a third form of envelope or wallet 30 which may be suspended from the track 1. The envelope 30 has two divergent flaps 20 and 21 which, on insertion into the track 1 engage on the step 6 and in the groove 11. The track 1 illustrated in Figure 5 differs from the rail illustrated in Figure 1 in that the inturned portion 9 of the track 1 of Figure 1 is replaced by a flange 24, see Figures 6 and 7. Furthermore the upright portion 8 of the wall 2 has the rectangular slot 25 formed therethrough. Located in the slot 25 is a wedge member 26. The wedge member 26 is shown separated from the track 1 in Figure 8. The wedge member 26 comprises a wedging portion 27 and a foot portion 28. The wedging portion 27 is dimensioned to slide, within the slot 25 and carries ramp 29 which is inclined to the base of the foot portion 28. The wedging portion 27 carries a ribbed surface 35 at the top of the ramp 29 remote from the foot portion 28. The wedge member 26 is located in the slot 25 with the wedging portion 27 protruding through the slot 25 and the foot portion 28, lying inside the channel formed by the walls 2 & 3. By sliding the wedging member 26 in the slot 25, the ramp 29 can be caused to engage the end of the slot 25 and to thereby cause the foot portion 28 to grip an article placed between it and the wall 2 as shown in Figure 7. Sliding the wedging member 26 in the opposite direction causes the foot portion 28 to release such an article, see Figure 8. In the embodiment shown in Figures 5-7 the necessary resilience is provided by the track 1, however a wedging member 36 in the form shown in Figure 9 may be employed with a rigid track 1. The wedging member 36 has two divergent legs 37 & 38 and is made of a resiliently flexible material. In the embodiment shown in Figure 10 the track 1 comprises an elongate extrusion of plastics material formed along the upper edge with a turned over portion 52 extending throughout the length of the extrusion and which serves to allow the track to be suspended from the rails or the like of a document suspension filing system such as -described in UK Patent Application No. 2 145 664A. The track 1 is provided with a channel 53 extending throughout the length of the extrusion. The opposite walls 54 and 55 of the channel 53 are each provided with inwardly and upwardly directed ledges 56 and 57 formed integrally with the remainder of the plastics extrusion. A centred partition 58 extends from the bight 59 of the channel 53, bisecting the mouth of the channel 53. The purpose of the portion 58 is to allow two foliate articles 60 and 61 to be suspended from the track 1, one each side of the partition 58; each foliate article having the upper edges thereof formed in the divergent flaps 62 and 63 which engage behind the ledges 56 and 57 to retain the foliate articles in position.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Apparatus for suspending a foliate article comprising a projection, either formed integrally with a foliate article or provided by a separate member fixable thereto, a track having means for supporting the track and a channel section portion with two walls, the first wall providing an inwardly facing supporting surface and supporting ledge and the second wall providing holding means for holding the projection in contact with the supporting ledge, further holding means being provided for holding a part of the foliate article, or projection carrying member in contact with the supporting surface; the arrangement being such that the foliate article and projection are insertable into the channel section and, once so inserted, the holding means hold the projection in engagement with the supporting ledge and the further holding means, together with the holding means, cooperate to cause a part of the foliate article extending from the supporting ledge to contact the supporting surface, the foliate article being suspended by the supporting ledge. 2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that the foliate article and projection are insertable into the channel section portion either by sliding the foliate article longitudinally with respect to the channel, or by presenting the foliate article transversely to the channel, and removable therefrom only by longitudinal sliding of the foliate article with respect to the channel section portion. 3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that the portion of the article held in contact with the supporting surface by the holding means and further holding means, extends from the supporting ledge towards the edge of the article located within the channel section portion. 4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 characterised in that the further holding means comprises a groove formed in the channel section portion between the first and second walls and, the holding means comprises a projecting member extending from the second wall towards the first wall, the arrangement being such that in use the foliate article is suspended by the track with the edge of the foliate article located in the groove and the projection being held engaged with the supporting ledge by the projecting member. 5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 characterised in that the holding means and further holding means are combined and comprise a projecting member extending from the second wall towards the first wall and a hingable flap member extending from the edge of the foliate article to be located within the channel section portion, the arrangement being such that, in use the article is suspended by the track with the free edge of the flap engaged in a groove formed where the projecting member joins the second wall and the • projection engaged with the supporting ledge, the weight of the foliate article causing the flap to force the edge of the article into pressing contact with the supporting surface. 6. Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims characterised in that the projection, supporting ledge and, projecting member extend lengthwise along a major portion of the track's length. 7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5 characterised in that the projection carrying member is in the form of rectangular cross-section strip of flexible material which in use is fixed adjacent to an edge of the foliate article. 8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 characterised in that the projection carrying member is in the form of a "v" section member, one leg of which provides the projection and the other provides the hingable flap member, when fixed to a suitable foliate article. .8. Apparatus for suspending a foliate article, comprising a track having means for supporting the track and a channel section portion with two walls, the first wall providing an inwardly facing supporting surface and a supporting ledge and, the second wall providing holding means for holding the foliate article in contact with the supporting surface and ledge, said holding means comprise releasable wedging means insertable between said walls, so as to press onto a foliate article located between the wedging means and the supporting surface, whereby the article is held in engagement with the supporting ledge and the supporting surface. 10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 characterised in that the second wall is resiliently flexible. 11. Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the supporting ledge is in the form of a step and the supporting wall further comprises a second substantially planar portion extending away from said step, beyond the extent of the channel section portion. 12. Apparatus for suspending a foliate article comprising a track having means for supporting, a track, a channel sectioned portion with two walls, the first wall providing an inwardly facing supporting surface, the second wall being provided with an inturned flange extending from the second wall towards the first wall and, a hingable flap member extending from the edge of the foliate article for location in the channel section portion, the arrangement being such that in use the foliate article is suspended by the track with the free edge of the flap engaged in a groove formed where the flange joins the second wall.

Inventors: SELWYN-SMITH CLIVE, SELWYN-SMITH, CLIVE
Applicants: LOCWYN LTD, LOCWYN LIMITED
Application year: 1986
Main classification: B42F15
IPC codes: B42F15