Abstract:
An identification system for file folders having a front panel and a rear panel with a fold therebetween forming a pocket into which paper may be placed includes a rail disposed in the vicinity of a top edge of the rear panel of the file folder and extending across a width thereof, and a tab, including a pocket for inserting a file identifier, supported in frictional engagement with the rail for sliding motion on the rail across the width of the file folder. This permits easy adjustment of tabs as file folders are inserted and removed,

Description:
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to the identification of files in general and more particularly to an improved identification system in which identifiers on file folders are moveable to accommodate the insertion of a new file folder into an existing set of file folders.  
         [0002]     It is common practice to identify file folders, such as hanging file folders, using tabs. Currently, the tabs which label the folder are typically fixed to the folder by inserting both left and right ends of the lower portion of the tab into vertical “slots” (measuring less then 1 inch in length) which are cut into the inside of the folder. These slots are evenly space across the top inside portion of the folder, in one case about 11 of them, so that the tab can be located at a number of positions from left to right. In a filing system, a tab may be staggered with reference to the folders before and after it. Thus, the user easily sees all the labels.  
         [0003]     However, a problem arises when the user want to add or remove (permanently) a folder. If, for example, a folder were added, and the label were put in order based on the preceding file folder, the label would be blocked from view because of the label on the folder in front of it. To maintain the order of the entire file (usually alphabetical or numerical order) and the neat appearance of the staggered nature of the file folders, numerous other tabs would have to be relocated by the cumbersome task of removing, repositioning and re-inserting the tabs which were in back of the newly inserted folder. This is due to the cascading effect one newly inserted folder has on the rest. The tabs therefore, have to go out of and then back into the folders.  
         [0004]     There have been some attempts to provide movable or adjustable tabs in the past. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,905,393 to Laurie is entitled “Sliding File Tab and Compatible File Folder.” However this is not truly a sliding tab. This is because it depends on an adhesive, which must be unstuck before the tab can be moved across the top of the folder and then ‘re-stuck’.  
         [0005]     Another type of index tab is that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,164,917 to Harper. Here a clamp-type tab is disclosed. The tab has a pair of depending legs contacting over a substantial area and forming a nip. The legs are inserted over the top edge of the file folder, which is gripped between the two legs. Obviously, repositioning is possible by sliding or removing and replacing. However, as noted in Harper some such clamp-type tabs have difficulty being inserted over thick files. Furthermore, the legs can lose their gripping power with time and or be knocked of the edge of the file folder.  
         [0006]     Thus, there is a need for an improved tab adjustment system which provides a simpler adjustment procedure, while still maintaining a reliable connection of the tab to the file folder when, for example, a new file folder is inserted and tab positions must be adjusted.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The present invention overcomes the deficiencies in the art by providing an identification system for file folders having a front panel and a rear panel with a fold therebetween forming a pocket into which paper may be placed includes a rail disposed in the vicinity of a top edge of the rear panel of the file folder and extending across a width thereof, and a tab, including a pocket for inserting a file identifier, supported in frictional engagement with the rail for sliding motion on the rail across the width of the file folder.  
         [0008]     Thus, there are basically two components making up the mechanism of the present invention. First, is a rail that is formed in or is fastened to the top, rear panel of the file folder. The second is a tab (into which a label can be inserted) that is designed to match the rail in such a way as to slide back and forth across the top of the folder. There is sufficient friction between the rail and the tab so that the tap will stay in place once it is positioned in the desired location, but not so much friction as to make it difficult to move across the rail. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention in which a hanging folder is formed with longitudinally extending rail along which an identification tab holder can slide.  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing how the upper portion of the rear panel of a file folder may be folded to form a rail.  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a side of the file folder of  FIG. 2  with the folding completed and sections attached with adhesive to the rear panel of the file folder to form the rail.  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is plan view of a sheet of plastic that can be formed into a tab to be used in the present invention showing the location of fold lines.  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the tab resulting from folding the plastic sheet of  FIG. 4  along the indicated lines.  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  is a front plan view of the tab of  FIG. 5 .  
         [0015]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention in which a hanging folder includes longitudinally extending rail along which an identification tab holder can slide in which the rail is a separate element and is attached to the folder with mechanical fasteners.  
         [0016]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional side view illustrating an embodiment in which the rail attached to the file folder forms channels into which portions of T-shaped structure can slide in frictional engagement. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0017]     The embodiments described and illustrated herein are hanging file folders. These are only examples. It will be recognized that the system of the present invention is also applicable to other forms of file folders such as the simple manila file folders in widespread use.  
         [0018]     A first embodiment of the present invention implemented in a hanging folder  111  is shown in  FIG. 1 . In conventional fashion, along with other types of file folders, hanging file folder  11  has a front panel and a rear panel with a fold therebetween forming a pocket into which paper may be placed. In this case, being a hanging folder it also has longitudinal metal supports  16  with notches  18  at their ends to rest on guides in a file drawer. The two basic elements of the system of the present invention comprise a rail  13 , disposed near to top of the inside of the rear panel of file folder  11 , along which an identifying tab  15  can be mounted and easily slid across the top of the hanging folder  11 . Sufficient friction between tab  15  and rail  13  is maintained so that, which sliding movement is not difficult, once slid to a position, the tab  15  will remain fixed on the rail  13 . When new folders are added or if one or more existing folders are removed, necessitating the repositioning of tab  15 , one need only slide the tab  15  to a new position along rail  13  into a new position. Adjustment of all tabs before or after the inserted file folder can be done to have readily visible staggered tabs  15 . This can be done without removing the hanging folders from the file drawer.  
         [0019]     The rail  13  can be incorporated in the folder  11  in a variety of ways. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , it can be preformed and folded into the folder when the folder is manufactured.  FIGS. 2 and 3  show the manner of obtaining an embodiment of such a preformed rail. As shown in  FIG. 2 , which is a perspective view showing the file folder before the folds are completed and attached to the inside rear panel surface of the file folder  11 , a total of five folds are made. A first fold  21  is made folding an upper portion of the rear panel of file folder  11  back on itself It is then folded in the opposite direction to obtain second fold  23  resulting in a first section  25  between folds  21  and  23 . A third fold  27  in the direction opposite fold  23  defines second section  29 . A fourth fold  30  is made in the same direction as fold  27 , the two of them defining third section  31 . Finally, a fifth fold  33  in the opposite direction defines fourth section  35  and leaves fifth section  37  remaining. Adhesive  39  is applied to the surfaces of first section  25 , third section  31  (only in the central area) and fifth section  37  facing the inside surface  19 .  
         [0020]     The completion of the formation of the rail  13  is shown in the side view of  FIG. 3 . The metal hanger  15 , also seen in  FIG. 1  is inserted in the fold  21 , after which section  25 , to which adhesive  39  is applied, is applied against the inside rear panel surface of the file folder  11  to hold metal hanger  16  in place. Section  31  is pressed toward the inside rear panel surface of the file folder  11  and brought into contact therewith as is section  37 . The adhesive  39  bonds sections  25 ,  37  and the center portion of section  31  the inside rear panel surface of the file folder  11 . This results in the sections being compressed so that sections  29  and  31  form one rail section  41  and sections  35  and  31  form another rail section  43 . Thus, rail  13  comprises a flat base formed by part of section  31  in contact with the rear panel and first and second rail sections  41  and  43  extending respectively outwardly and upwardly and outwardly and downwardly from the base.  
         [0021]     The tab  14  can be made from a clear plastic material of the type from which current tabs are made. A rectangular sheet of clear plastic  50  is shown in  FIG. 4 . Fold lines  51 ,  53 ,  55 ,  57 ,  59  and  61  are indicated on the sheet. Lines  53  and  55  and lines  59  and  61  are closely spaced. The lines define areas  63 ,  65 ,  67 ,  69 , and  71 . The plastic sheet may be heated and folded along the fold lines into the shape shown in the side view of  FIG. 5 . The plastic is of a type which will, after being folded as shown when heated to make it more plastic, retain that form as it cools to a more rigid state. When folded, the areas  65  and  67  are closely adjacent and form a compartment into which a file designator  73  may be inserted. Areas  63  and  71  are substantially parallel to and spaced from area  69  and with area  69  form two channel areas  75  and  77  separated by a gap  79  on the side opposite area  69 . A plan view of the finished tab  14  is shown in  FIG. 6 . The sizing of channels  75  and  77 , i.e., the spacing of areas  63  and  71  from area  69  are selected based on the width and shape of rail sections  41  and  43  to establish the desired amount of friction between the rail  13  and the tab  15 .  
         [0022]     Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the rail  13   a  can be shaped from a light, stiff sheet material (plastic, metal of stiff cardboard) and mechanically fastened to the folder  11  with rivets  95 , for example. Here, the rail is formed with a flat base  97  including holes through which the rivets are inserted and two legs  99  extending outwardly. Tab  15  slides on this rail  13   a  in the same manner as shown for rail  13  in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0023]      FIG. 8  shows a cross-section of a further embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment a rail  13   b  is takes the form of a “C” with a flat base, which is attached to the rear panel of the file folder in any convenient fashion. The lower portion of a tab  15   b  shaped as a “T” is inserted into the rail  13   b  so as to frictionally engage to rail  13   b . The C-shaped rail  13   c  forms upper and lower channels  83  and  81  receive the upper and lower parts  89  and  87  extending from the stem  85  of the “T”. The stem is extended at an angle, shown in this embodiment as a right angle, upwardly as member  91 . Member  91  has at its end a transparent plastic pocket  92  to receive a file identifier  93 . Again, these parts may be formed of any suitable material such as plastic, metal, or stiff cardboard using conventional techniques known in the art.  
         [0024]     The present invention is noted for the ease with which identifying tabs can be mounted to a hanging folder and most significantly, how their position relative to other tabs may be easily changed. This invention also allows other tabs to be easily mounted on the same rail, to provide a further categorizing of the material within the folder. The position of all tabs so mounted can be readily changed, simply by sliding them on the rail. This invention advances the “user friendliness” of hanging folders used for filing hard-copy information in offices both at work and home. Specifically, it provides an advance in the labeling device for the folder.  
         [0025]     As noted above, it is possible to apply the present invention to the ‘standard’ or ‘manila’ type folders in addition to the hanging folder. These and other modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, which is intended to be limited solely by the appended claims.