Abstract:
The invention provides a clerical filing system that accommodates file folders, requires a minimum of space and affords ready and easy access to the file folders.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/552,758, filed Jul. 16, 1990. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a clerical filing structure and systems. More particularly, the invention relates to a filing system comprised of individual filing boxes adapted to be arranged in a stacked column with means for access to each of the individual boxes of the stacked column. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Clerical filing systems have taken on many forms to date. Fixed heavy-duty metal file cabinets with drawers that open beyond the contour of the filing cabinet have been developed in various forms. Deep drawer file cabinets with drawers opening to provide access to the drawer contents have been developed in many different designs. The designs include, among other structures, parallel rails structures that mount multiple hanging file folders. 
     In addition, individual containers such as Bankers Boxes have been developed to store file folders. The individual clerical file containers are formed of various materials, however, the conventional Bankers Box is a cardboard file container that is usually transportable. Currently, some of the transportable cardboard file folder containers are provided with parallel rails to suspend hanging file folders. 
     The art also includes foldable boxes for storing hanging file folders. U.S. Pat. No. 4,775,069 illustrates a foldable box for hanging files. 
     However, there does not exist a clerical filing system for hanging folders or otherwise accommodating conventional folders that enables either temporary or permanent storage of the folders in a demountable column wherein ready access is available to the files in each box in the column. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a clerical filing system that accommodates file folders, requires a minimum of space and affords ready and easy access to the file folders. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a stacked column of individual file boxes that can be selectively removed or remain indefinitely in the stacked column. 
     It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a structurally sturdy clerical filing system that is readily transportable and easily assembled into a permanent or semi-permanent clerical filing column. 
     A still further objective of the present invention is the provision of a clerical filing assembly capable of storing and transporting hanging file folders. 
     It is also an objective of the present invention to provide a clerical filing assembly of the folder boxes that are completely interchangeable in a vertical column. 
     Thus, a plurality of essentially identically configured file folder boxes are provided. Each file folder box is provided with a bottom and four sides. The top of each file folder box is completely open. In the preferred embodiment, each box is rectangularly configured with two long longitudinal sides and two shorter lateral sides. The upper edges of the two lateral sides have two aligned recesses formed therein. The bottom of each box has two sets of guides depending downwardly. The guides extend from one lateral side to the opposite lateral side along the bottom of the box parallel to the longitudinal sides of the box. The guides are aligned with the recesses in the top of the box. 
     Bearing surfaces are formed on the top and bottom of the longitudinal sides. Two stop members are also provided at strategically located positions to limit the travel of each box with respect to the box below. In addition, means in the form of depending clips are provided to retain the boxes in the stacked mode and to enable full travel of a box with respect to the other boxes without causing any instability of the column. 
     In operation, the boxes may be stacked in a vertical column to effect the equivalent of a file cabinet. The guides on the bottom of the upper box fit within the recesses on each lateral end of the box below. The bearing surfaces mate and allow the upper box to slide on the bearing surface of the box immediately below. The stops on the bottom of the box limit travel to insure that maximum access to the contents of the box below the box that has been moved is provided while a safe stable condition of the vertical stack remains. 
     Each box of the column is provided with a rib structure that cooperates with the basic box structure to provide a sturdy structure capable of withstanding the stress imposed on the boxes during use and transport. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention will be better understood when considered with the drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a box of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the box of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of one lateral side of the box of FIG. 1 
     FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of one longitudinal side of the box of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the box of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 6 is an elevational view of a vertical column of boxes; 
     FIG. 7 is an elevational view of the vertical column of boxes of FIG. 6 with a box shown in an open position; 
     FIG. 8 is a detail drawing of the file mounting structure of the box of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 9 is an enlarged detail drawing of the guide and bearing surface structure of two stacked boxes; and 
     FIGS. 10-12 are an illustration of the boxes of the invention being assembled into a column of boxes. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The present invention is described in the preferred embodiment as a vertical column of boxes configured to accommodate hanging file folders. However, variations of the means for storing the contents of the boxes exist. 
     As best seen in FIG. 1-5, one basic box 2 of the present invention is comprised of two longitudinal sides 4 and 6, two lateral sides 8 and 10 and bottom or floor 12. 
     The longitudinal sides 4 and 6 extend from the floor 12 to upper rims 14 and 14a respectively that are formed at the top of the box 2. 
     The lateral sides 8 and 10 extend from the floor 12 to an upper rim 15 and 15a respectively. Two recesses 16 and 18 are formed in the top of lateral side 8 and two recess 16a, 18a are formed in the top of lateral side 10. The recesses 16, 16a, 18, and 18a located in the respective opposite lateral sides 8 and 10 are in alignment with each other, i.e., the recesses 16 and 16a are the same distance from the longitudinal side 6 and recesses 18 and 18a are the same distance from the longitudinal side 4. The recess 16 is defined by vertical sides 20 and 22 and horizontal surface 24. Similarly recess 16a is defined by vertical sides 20a and 22a and horizontal surface 24a. The recess 18 is defined by vertical sides 26 and 28 and horizontal surface 30. The recess 18a is defined by vertical sides 26a and 28a and horizontal surface 30a. 
     Guides 32, 33, 34 and 36, 37, 38 are formed in the bottom of the box 2 of the preferred embodiment and extend from on lateral side 8 to the other lateral side 10. Guide 33 is parallel to longitudinal sides 4 and 6 and is located a distance from longitudinal side 4 to be adjacent the sides 20 and 20a of recesses 16 and 16a. Guide 34 is also parallel to longitudinal sides 4 and 6 but is adjacent to sides 22 and 22a of the recesses 16 and 16a. Guide 32 is parallel to longitudinal sides 4 and 6 and is located between guides 33 and 34. Similarly the guide 37 is parallel to longitudinal sides 4 and 6 but is located a distance from longitudinal side 6 to be adjacent to the sides 28 and 28a of recesses 18 and 18a. Guide 38 is parallel to longitudinal sides 4 and 6 but is adjacent to sides 26 and 26a of recesses 18 and 18a. Guide 36 is parallel to longitudinal sides 4 and 6 and is located between guides 37 and 38. Placement of guides 33 and 37 beneath wall 88 are preferably included for additional support to the stacking/interlocking area. Placement of guides 32 and 36 beneath the respective panels 92 and 94 provides vertical strength to the stacked boxes 2. In the preferred embodiment, the guides 32, 33, 34 and 36, 37, 38 are separate members but can be a solid configuration occupying the entire recess 16, 16a and 18, 18a respectively. 
     When a box 2 is placed on another box 2a as seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, the guides 32, 33, 34 and 36, 37, 38 depend downwardly toward the horizontal surfaces 24, 24a and 30, 30a of the recesses 16, 16a, and 18, 18a. In practice, the guides 32, 33, 34, 36, 37, 38, are slightly shorter (about 1/4 inch) than the vertical sides 20, 22, 20a, 22a, 26, 28, 26a and 28a of the recesses 16, 16a and 18, 18a. 
     As can be seen in FIG. 3 and 9, the bottom edges 46 and 46a of the longitudinal sides 4 and 6 bear on the top edges 14 and 14a of the longitudinal sides 4 and 6 of the box 2a on which the upper box 2 is seated. The edges 14, 46 and 14a, 46a are the bearing surfaces on which the upper box 2 slides on the lower box 2a. 
     In addition, ribs 70 and 70a extend outwardly from each respective bottom edge 46 and 46a. The ribs 70 and 70a extend almost the entire length of the longitudinal sides 4 and 6 of the box 2. Clips 72, 74, 76, 78 and 72a 74a, 76a, 78a are formed around each rib 70 and 70a respectively at strategic locations. Clips 72, 74, 76, 78, and 72a, 74a, 76a, 78a are located on each rib 70 and 70a in alignment with the respective vertical ribs 80, 82, 84, 86 and 80a, 82a, 84a, 86a, best seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4. Slots 81 are formed at the top of each vertical rib 80, 82, 84, 86, 80a, 82a, 84a, 86a to enable sliding movement of a box 2 with respect to another box 2a without interference with the clips 72, 74, 76, 78 and 72a, 74a, 76a, 78a . The location of the clips 72, 74, 76, 78 and 72a, 74a, 76a, 78a in vertical alignment with the vertical ribs 80, 82, 84, 86 and 80a, 82a, 84a, 86a provides a configuration in which the clips 72, 74, 76, 78 and 72a, 74a, 76a, 78a each occupy a slot 81 when a column of boxes 2, 2a, 2b, etc. are in vertical alignment and thereby affords enhanced structural integrity to the column. 
     Stops 42 and 44, best seen in FIG. 5, are arranged transversely at the bottom of each individual box 2. The stops 42 and 44 limit the amount of travel that can occur when a box 2 slides with respect to a box 2a on which it is seated. Further, the stops 42 and 44 form part of the reinforcement structure of each box 2. In practice, the stops 42 and 44 are located about forty-four percent of the distance from the respective lateral sides 8 and 10. Illustratively, in a box 2 having a longitudinal length of 24 inches, the stop 42 will be 10.75 inches from the lateral side 8 and the stop 44 will be 10.75 inches from the lateral side 10. 
     The reinforcement structure is comprised of the top flange formed of the rims 15, 15a and rims 14, 14a, a bottom continuous rim, diagonally or angularly arranged ribs 48 that extend from top to bottom on the longitudinal sides 4 and 6 and similarly configured ribs 50 that extend from top to bottom of the lateral sides 8 and 10. Edge ribs 52 are located in each of the four corners of each box 2 and vertical ribs 80, 82, 84, 86 and 80a, 82a, 84a, 86a are provided on each respective longitudinal side 4, 6. 
     As best seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, a vertical column 54 formed of three stacked boxes 2, 2a and 2b provides, in effect a composite filing system. Access to the lower boxes, such as box 2a, is gained by sliding the top box 2 either forward or backward on the bearing surfaces 14 and 46 with the guides 32, 33, 34 and 36, 37, 38 in the respective recesses 16, 16a and 18, 18a in the box 2a. Sliding movement of the top box 2 is limited by the stop 42 or 44 which abut the upper inside lateral wall of side 8 or 10, depending on the direction in which the box 2 is moved with respect to box 2a, or box 2a moved with respect to boxes 2 and 2b. 
     The boxes such as 2 and 2a, are assembled in the column 54 by sliding or threading the clips 72, 72a, 74, 74a, 76, 76a, 78 and 78a onto the edges of the upper surfaces 14 and 14a  respectively. In practice, it has been found that an allowance area need not be provided in the clip structure. Thus, with an edge thickness of 3.5 mm (0.137 in.) for the upper surfaces 14 14a, and a thickness of 5.6 mm (0.220 in.) for the clip material, the inherent resiliency of polypropylene, polyethylene or similar materials enables an upper box 2 to be mounted on a lower box 2a by threading the forward clips 72, 74 and 72a, 74a on each rib 70, 70a extending from the surfaces 46 and 46a respectively onto the upper surfaces 14 and 14a of the box 2a, sliding the box 2 toward vertical alignment with the box 2a until the stops 42 and 44 approach a lateral wall 8 or 10 of the lower box 2a and tilting the box 2 upwardly to elevate the stops 42 and 44 over the lateral wall. After the box 2 has been moved on the upper surfaces 14 and 14a of the lower box 2a to a location wherein the stops 42 and 44 are beyond the lateral wall, the upper box 2 is dropped down to again bear on the surface 14 and 14a of the lower box 2a and is moved to thread the rear clips 76, 76a, 78 and 78a onto the surface 14 and 14a. 
     FIGS. 10-12 illustrate a box 2 being mounted on a box 2a. The leading edge clips 72, 74 and 72a, 74a are first threaded onto the surfaces 14 and 14a of box 2a. The box 2 is then moved from lateral wall 8 toward lateral wall 10 until the stops 42 and 44 on the bottom of the box 2 are in the region of the lateral wall 8 of the box 2a, at which time the lateral wall 8 of the box 2 is tilted upwardly as seen in FIG. 11, and the box 2 is moved over the lateral wall 8 of box 2a with the stops 42 and 44 above the upper edge of the lateral wall 8 of box 2a. The box 2 is then lowered to the upper surfaces 46 and 46a of the lower box 2a and slides toward the lateral edge 10 of the lower box 2a enabling the clips 76, 76a and 78, 78a to thread onto the upper surfaces 14 and 14a of the lower box 2a. 
     Alternatively, one box can be first placed on top of another box 2a with the stops 42 and 44 within the confines of the lateral walls 8 and 10. Then the box 2 on top can be moved in the direction of a lateral wall 10 until the leading edge clips 72, 72a, 74 and 74a are beyond the lateral wall 10. Next the box 2 is moved back toward the lateral wall 8 and the clips 72, 72a, 74 and 74a are threaded onto the top surfaces 14 and 14a of the box 2a. Travel of the box 2 continues in the direction of the lateral wall 8 until the clips 76, 76a, 78 and 78a are beyond the lateral wall 8. The box 2 is then moved back toward lateral wall 10 to thread the clips 76, 76a, 78 and 78a onto the surfaces 14 and 14a. During the back and forth movement of the box 2 to effect the threading procedure, the stops 42 and 44 never are required to travel far enough to bear against the inner surfaces of the lateral walls 8 and 10. 
     As best seen in FIG. 8, mounting means in the form of hook-like extensions 56 are formed along the interior of the longitudinal sides 4 and 6 at an elevation below the horizontal plane defined by the bottoms of the guides 32, 33, 34, 36, 37 and 38 and the bottoms of the stops 42 and 44. The extensions 56 are formed with upper edges 58 on which hanging folders 60 can be mounted. The location of the hook-like extensions 56 below the plane defined by the bottom of the rails 32, 34, 36, 38 and the stops 42, 44 enables unimpeded travel of one box 2 with respect to a box 2a on which it is mounted. 
     At this time is contemplated that the best mode of the invention is a single piece structure as shown in the drawings made of a plastic such as polypropylene or polyethylene by conventional injection molding techniques.