STORAGE SYSTEM

Abstract: A storage device (10) includes a pair of opposing hooks (12) extending from a clip section (14). The hooks can engage supports such as bars, ridges, beading etc. The clip section is adapted for releasably receiving one or more planar article(s) therein. The device can be used for storing the one or more planar articles in both horizontal and vertical orientations and can be used in conventional or existing filing systems.

Description: STORAGE SYSTEM TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a storage system and in particular to a system and device that can be used for both rapid horizontal and vertical storage and retrieval of planar articles, such as paper, sheets, cardboard, manila folders, covers, film, printed paper, artwork etc. The invention will be described with reference to its use with generally planar articles, but it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited to storage of these types of articles or such applications. BACKGROUND ART Storage systems for planar articles such as printed paper etc are typically both horizontally and vertically arranged. In some known filing cabinets a sleeve or folder is suspended horizontally lengthwise between opposing side walls of a filing cabinet drawer. A pair of lengthwise strip clamps are respectively non- releasably and fasteningly attached to the two upper remote elongate edges of each flap of the folder. These strips extend beyond both ends of the remote edges for resting and riding on longitudinal opposing beads, bars or ridges respectively arranged on top of or adjacent to the opposing side walls of the filing cabinet drawer. Planar articles are then loosely stored in the folder. To remove one or more articles from a folder, it is often necessary to completely remove a sleeve from the filing cabinet drawer, and during such movement the strips tend to catch on an adjacent folder resulting in awkward removal movement. Also, the strips tend to slip off or catch on the beads, bars or ridges of the filing cabinet drawer making sorting and removal quite cumbersome. Where vertical filing systems have been used to store planar articles, each file usually must be sufficiently rigid, stiff and have a width of spine to be free standing. Alternatively, each vertical file usually needs to be supported in the upright position by adjacent files and/or walls of a filing cabinet. Such a system is clumsy and inefficient when adjacent files are removed. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION In a first aspect the present invention provides a storage device for storing one or more generally planar article (s) including: a latching means adapted for detachably engaging a support; and a receipt means extending from the latching means and adapted so that the one or more generally planar article (s) can be releasably mounted therein. Such a device allows the releasable mounting of one or more generally planar article (s) in the receipt means so that articles can be rapidly stored in and removed from the device by a simple movement. The device can be formed to be particularly suitable for storing rectangular planar article(s) (eg. planar articles having various paper sizes such as A4, A3, A2, B4, B3, B2, CF, F4, F2 etc) . The device can be fabricated to be suitable for various modes of use. In a first mode of use, the device can be adapted so that when stored, the receipt means is disposed generally under and/or over (eg. between) the latching means. For example, when the device is used with rectangular planar articles, the article elongate sides can be disposed generally vertically and the ends generally horizontally. When the device is used in a simple vertical storage system the article (s) can be rapidly stored or removed whilst minimising the tendency for catching, toppling etc. Information can be displayed on the spine of the storage device for easy and rapid identification. When the expression.."generally under and/or over" is used in relation to the first mode of use, it is a reference to the disposition of the receipt means in relation to the latching means. The expression is intended to include deviations of the receipt means from a direct vertical disposition below and/or above the latching means. For example, when the receipt means freely hangs from an upper latching means, a deviation from vertical can be caused by the centre of gravity of articles mounted in the receipt means being offset from the receipt means. In a second mode of use, the device can be adapted so that the receipt means can be disposed laterally of the latching means (ie. generally horizontally outwards therefrom) . For example, when the device is used with rectangular planar articles, the article ends would be disposed generally vertically and the elongate sides generally horizontally. With such a configuration, the storage device can be stored in conventional filing cabinets without modification and without employing filing cabinet folders. Once again, information can be easily displayed on the spine of the storage device. When the expression "disposed laterally" is used in relation to the second mode of use it is a reference to the disposition of the receipt means in relation to the latching means. The expression is intended to include deviations of the receipt means from alignment in a horizontal plane with the latching means. This may occur, for example, when the weight of articles mounted on the receipt means deforms the receipt means downwardly. Preferably the latching means includes a recess having an opening thereinto for receiving the support, with a projection extending partially over the opening such that in use, the projection combines with the remainder of the latching means to resist and/or prevent lateral displacement and detachment from the support when in both the first and second modes of use. The receipt means is preferably an elongate member having the latching means arranged at one or both ends thereof. Preferably the elongate member has an L-shaped cross-section with one or more clipping means arranged thereon for releasably retaining the generally planar article (s) thereon. Preferably in use of the elongate member, a flat surface of a generally planar article is arranged to face one side of the L-shaped cross-section with an adjacent edge of the planar article facing the other side of the L-shaped cross-section. Preferably the or each clipping means is a tab extending from a free edge of said other side and towards said one side, so that generally planar article(s) positioned between said one side and a remote end of the or each tab are releasably retained on the elongate member. Preferably the or each tab has a curved edge extending from said other side to the remote end, the curved edge in use facilitating sliding engagement with generally planar article (s) that are displaced between the tab and said one side for releasable retention on the elongate member. Alternatively, said one side of the L-shaped cross- section can have one or more holes from therein for receiving planar article retention systems therethrough. Examples of "retention systems" include stud, pin, staple-type paper fasteners, twin-pronged paper fasteners, string, rope, etc. Preferably the latching means is a hook-shaped formation, extendible from and arranged at one or both ends of the elongate member and being integral therewith. When the latching means is arranged at both ends of the elongate member, the lower latching means can be brought into engagement with a support (ie. in the first mode of use) to prevent rotation of this end of the elongate member about the upper latching means and upper support. Preferably the or each hook-shaped formation includes a notch formation formed in the hook region thereof that is adapted for receiving a support therein in the second mode of use. Preferably the or each support is a horizontally disposed ridge, bar or bead. It is sometimes difficult to discover the information content within a sleeve in a filing cabinet drawer, particularly when the drawer is full with information. Sometimes the information is obscured, cluttered or difficult to read in existing systems. Preferably a face opposing said other side includes a display means adapted for the arrangement thereon and display of information concerning the generally planar article(s). This is an improvement over existing filing systems, where information is often difficult to discern, particularly where the filing system is either full or complex. In a second aspect, the present invention provides a system for the storage of one or more generally planar article(s) that includes a support structure adapted for the receipt therein of one or more storage devices as defined above with reference to the first aspect of the prevent invention, and one or more storage devices as defined above. Preferably the support structure can be horizontally or vertically disposed and preferably the support structure is a cabinet adapted for receiving therein a plurality of storage devices as defined above. Alternatively, instead of a cabinet the support structure can be a portable rack or box which, for example, can be adapted for desktop mounting. A user can readily transport and load and unload files in a rack structure at the desktop. Preferably both the cabinet, the portable rack and the box include a pair of spaced apart and, in use, horizontally disposed bars which can be releasably engaged by the or each storage device when arranged therein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of this invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures 1-3 show respectively plan, side and end elevations of a first preferred storage device according to the present invention; Figures 4-6 show respectively plan, side and end elevations of a second preferred storage device according to the invention; Figures 8 and 9 show respectively plan and end elevations illustrating modes of use of the storage device of Figures 1-3; and Figures 9 and 10 show respectively plan and end elevations illustrating modes of use of the storage device of Figures 4-6. MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Referring to Figures 1-3, a storage device is shown in the form of an elongate clamp mechanism 10. The mechanism 10 includes latching means in the form of opposing hooks 12 and receipt means in the form of clip section 14. Each hook defines an opening 16 across which extends hook flange 18. Each hook also includes a rounded recess 20 for receiving a horizontal bar therein (see description below) and a receiving notch 22 in which a horizontal support is received (see description below) . The clip section 14 includes a plurality of flexible retention clips 24 each having a curved edge 25. The curved edge 25 facilitates the passage and loading of planar articles such as paper, folders, film etc into the clamp mechanism (see description below) . Each clip is mounted to spine 26 of the clip section and extends outwardly and downwardly therefrom towards clip base 28. A common technique for forming the clamp mechanism 10 is through a plastics. injection moulding process. So that the retention clips 24 can be formed as shown, corresponding openings 30 are provided for passage of a forming tool in the moulding process. Figures 4-6 show a clamp mechanism 10' which has similar hooks 12 at either end thereof to those shown in Figures 1-3. However, clip section 14 is provided with a plurality of through holes 32 for receiving various fastening devices therethrough, including conventional fastening devices such as paper fasteners, spikes, pins, staples, twin-pronged clips and clamps, string and ties etc. The clamp mechanism of Figures 4-6 does not employ an arrangement of retention clips 24. Referring to Figures 7 and 8, the mounting of a rectangular planar article 40, having lower edge 44 and side edge 45, in clamp mechanism 10 is shown. Initially, the planar article is slid downwardly into the space 42 between the first clip 24' and the clip section 14 (ie. in the direction of arrow D) . Alternatively, the planar article can be slid laterally (ie. slid in from the side) into and under the plurality of retention clips 24. The lower edge 44 of the planar article is brought into engagement with curved edge 25. The force exerted by the lower edge 44 on the curved edge 25 prises the clip base 28 of the clip away from clip section 14 enabling the planar article to slide between the clip and clip section and into space 42. This same action continues as the planar article is slid further downwardly in the direction of arrow D and engages each successive clip. The same action also occurs for each subsequent planar article loaded into the same clamp mechanism. The clamping action of clips 24 can be best seen in Figure 8. Figure 7 shows the planar article 40 in its final loaded position in the clamp mechanism. When the planar article is so loaded, it can be stored in either a vertical or a horizontal storage system. In one type of vertical storage system, a pair of horizontal bar supports 46,48 are engaged by the upper and lower hooks 12 of the clamp mechanism. The lower horizontal bar support 48 is generally vertically aligned under the upper horizontal bar support 46. The clamp mechanism is hung from and supported by the upper bar support 46, whereas the lower bar support 48 prevents the clamp mechanism from swinging out in the direction of arrow 0 (ie. due to the centre of gravity of the planar article being offset from the clamp mechanism) . In particular, flange 18 is adapted to prevent sideways or lateral displacement of the clamp mechanism from the bar supports. When loading the clamp mechanism 10 onto the bar supports 46,48, upper hook 12 is first brought into engagement with upper bar support 46 by passing the bar support through opening 16 and into recess 20. A cutaway edge 49 then enables the lower bar support 48 to be readily passed through lower opening 16 and into lower recess 20. In this position the lower edge 44 is generally horizontal and the side edge 45 is generally vertical. Each of the horizontal bar supports 46,48 can be arranged in an appropriate cabinet. The clamp mechanism 10 can also be stored in a conventional filing cabinet drawer, or a modified horizontal-type filing system. For example, when the configuration of Figure 7 is rotated 90° to the right, the receiving notches in each of the hooks 12 can be brought into engagement with horizontal supports 50,52 (which may be horizontal bars, horizontal ridges, horizontal beading, etc) . In this latter storage arrangement, the lower edge 44 hangs generally vertically and the side edge 45 hangs generally horizontally. Referring to Figures 9 and 10, the clamp mechanism 10' is shown with a rectangular planar article 40 arranged thereon. The clamp mechanism 10' is adapted for operation with various planar article retention mechanisms. In Figures 9 and 10, a pair of pin-paper fasteners 54 are extended through holes 32 and then through the planar article (eg. through slits, perforations, holes etc formed in the planar article) . The free ends 56 of the paper fasteners are then bent over to fasten the planar article to the clamp mechanism 10' . Of course, other types of article retention mechanisms can be used with the clamp mechanism 10' , including appropriately sized staples, twin-pronged fasteners such as Amos ® -fasteners (Registered Trade Mark) , push rod and end locking clamp formations (such as used in mini folders for storage of booklets having hole- punched holes therethrough) , string etc. Typically the holes 32 are spaced apart such that they correspond with the standard hole-punched holes in conventional A4 and foolscap sized papers, and for other standard and non- standard planar article fastening systems. Conventional paper, cardboard and plastic folder systems can also be fastened (eg. with adhesives, such as releasable adhesives) to the clip section 14 of mechanism 10' so that they can then be easily stored in conventional filing systems (eg. the mechanism 10' renders such folders etc. suitable for storing in filing cabinets) . The clamp mechanism 10' can also be stored on horizontal bar supports 46,48 or horizontal supports 50,52 in a manner analogous to that described for the clamp mechanism 10 in Figures 7 and 8. The outer face of spine 26 can be easily used for displaying information concerning the or each planar article stored on the clamp mechanisms 10,10'. This is a significant improvement over existing file storage folders which have cumbersome tab arrangements. Typically the clamp mechanism is injection moulded as an integral unit from a plastics material. Suitable plastics include high density polyethylene, polystyrene, acrylonitrile butadiene-styrene resin, polypropylene etc. The hooks 12 may be. detachably mounted to the clip section 14 so that a variety of different hooks can be interchanged therewith. Rather than employing a plurality of retention clips 24, a single elongate clip running for the length of the clamp mechanism, or for the length of the clip section 14, may be employed. The clamp mechanism described provides a system for rapidly storing planar articles such as paper, sheets, cardboard, folders (including manila folders) , film, transparent plastic sheets, artwork etc. The planar articles can be rapidly stored and removed from the clamp mechanism and the clamp mechanism itself can be rapidly stored and removed in existing filing systems (such as filing cabinets) . Suitable storage racks, boxes etc may also be used with the clamp mechanisms described. The clamp mechanisms also find use with existing plastic storage crates (ie. those crates used for the storage of milk containers, vinyl records etc). Whilst the invention has been described with reference to a number of preferred embodiments, it should be appreciated that the invention can be embodied in many other forms.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A storage device for storing one or more generally planar article(s) including: a latching means adapted for detachably engaging a support; and a receipt means extending from the latching means and adapted so that the one or more generally planar article(s) can be releasably mounted thereon. 2. A storage device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the latching means includes a recess having an opening thereinto for receiving the support, with a projection extending partially over the opening, such that in use the projection combines with the remainder of the latching means to resist and/or prevent lateral displacement and detachment from the support. 3. A storage device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the receipt means is an elongate member having the latching means arranged at one or both ends thereof. 4. A storage device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the elongate member has an L-shaped cross-section with one or more clipping means arranged thereon for releasably retaining the planar article(s) therein. 5. A storage device as claimed in claim 4 wherein in use of the elongate member, a generally flat surface of a planar article is arranged to face one side of the L- shaped cross-section, with an adjacent edge of the planar article facing the other side of the L-shaped cross- section. 6. A storage device as claimed in claim 5 wherein the or each clipping means is a tab extending from a free edge of said other side and towards said one side so that planar article(s) positioned between said one side and a remote end of the or each tab are releasably retained on the elongate member. 7. A storage device as claimed in claim 6 wherein the or each tab has a curved edge extending from said other side to the remote end, the curved edge in use facilitating sliding engagement with planar article(s) that are displaced between the tab and said one side for releasable retention on the elongate member. 8. A storage device as claimed in claim 5 wherein said one side of the L-shaped cross-section can have one or more holes formed therein for receiving planar article retention system(s) therethrough. 9. A storage device as claimed in claim 8 wherein the or each retention system includes stud, pin, staple: paper fasteners; twin-pronged paper fasteners; string, rope. 10. A storage device as claimed in any one of claims 5-9 wherein a face opposing said other side includes a display means adapted for the arrangement thereon and display of information concerning the planar article(s). 11. A storage device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the latching means is a hook- shaped formation, that is extendible from and arranged at one or both ends of the elongate member and is integral therewith. 12. A storage device as claimed in claim 11 wherein the or each hook-shaped formation includes a notch formation formed in the hook region thereof that is adapted for receiving a support therein. 13. A system for the storage of one or more planar article(s) that includes a support structure adapted for the receipt therein of one or more storage devices as defined in any one of claims 1-12, and including one or more storage devices as defined in any one of claims 1-12. 14. A system as claimed in claim 13 wherein the support structure is a cabinet, a portable rack or a box, each including a pair of opposing horizontal supports respectively for engaging the latching means of the or each storage device.

Inventors: BERSTEN IAN, BERSTEN, IAN
Applicants: BERSTEN IAN, BERSTEN, IAN
Application year: 1995
Main classification: B42F15
IPC codes: B42F15