Abstract:
A portable file comprising three file containers hinged together such that they may be either disposed in a compact side-by-side relationship for carrying or substantially separated for receiving documents into various file compartments.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention is related to a file having three independently movable box-like file containers permitting the user to sort various household bills, receipts, and documents into an organized arrangement, and which are connected together so as to be conveniently carried as a compact unit. 
     Conventional household files normally comprise a box-like file having separators for organizing various materials into a classified arrangement. Other conventional files comprise an expanding envelope having separators for organizing file material. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The broad purpose of the present invention is to provide an improved portable household file system comprising three individual box-like file containers which when in a closed condition, resemble a diplomat case, but when open, provides a complete and organized system for keeping an up-to-date record of household expenses, and for facilitating the organization of tax materials. 
     In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, which will be described in greater detail, the preferred household file comprises a main file container compartmented for holding file folders. A second file container is hinged to one side of the main file container. The second container is also compartmented for holding various bank and other financial files. A third file container is hinged to the opposite side of the main file container for holding pending material such as a family journal, budget sheets, and unpaid bills. The three containers are disposed in a compact side-by-side relationship. Such an arrangement is particularly useful because it permits the user to efficiently maintain all household and personal financial data. 
     These and other advantages of the invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains upon reference to the following detailed description. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     The description refers to the accompanying drawing in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a household file illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention in its closed position; 
     FIG. 2 is a view showing the preferred file with the cover open and one of the file containers separated from the other two file sections; and 
     FIG. 3 is a view showing the three file containers in their respective open positions. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to the drawing, a preferred household file, illustrated at 10, in FIG. 1 comprises a first box-like file container 12, a second box-like file container 14, and a third box-like file container 16. 
     File container 12 has a pair of long parallel sidewalls 18 and 20, connected to a pair of short sidewalls 22 and 24. Container 12 has a closed bottom (not shown) and a top for receiving conventional file folders (not shown). A plurality of separators 26 disposed within container 12 divide the container interior into a series of compartments for organizing the file folders into an alphabetical arrangement. 
     Container 14 has a pair of spaced, parallel long sidewalls 28 and 30 connected to a pair of short, parallel sidewalls 32 and 34 to cooperate with a closed bottom (not shown) to form a container having a top opening 35. Container 14 is substantially thinner than container 12. A plurality of separators 36 internally divide container 14 for organizing documentary material. A flap 37 is connected to wall 28 for closing opening 35. 
     A flexible hinge member 38 is removably connected to a short flexible hinge member 40 by suitable fastener means to permit container 14 to be either entirely separated from container 12 or pivotally connected to container 12. 
     The third file container 16 has a pair of parallel long sidewalls 42 and 44 connected to a pair of parallel short sidewalls 46 and 50 to cooperate with a closed bottom (not shown) to form a container having a top opening 51. A plurality of separator means 52 internally divide container 16 for organizing household documents. A flap 53 is connected to sidewall 42 for closing the opening. 
     A short hinge member 54, removably connects container 16 to container 12. Container 16 is pivotally connected to container 12 so as to be relatively movable between a closed position illustrated in FIG. 2 in which long sidewall 44 is parallel to long sidewall 18, and a fully open position in which sidewall 50 is disposed parallel to sidewall 24. 
     A substantially rectangular writing panel 56 has its lower edge pivotally connected to the lower edge of sidewall 18. The upper edge of panel 56 is shaped to form handle means 58. When the writing panel is disposed in a horizontal position, it is useful for writing purposes. However, when the file is to be carried by the user, the writing panel is pivoted upwardly to a position in which it is disposed parallel to sidewall 18 and handle means 58 projects above the open tops of the three containers. 
     Container 12 has an insert 60 for storing stamps, a support 62 for carrying a writing instrument 64, an insert 66 for storing keys, and pocket 68 for business and credit card. 
     Container 16 has a pocket 78 for notepaper, and a pocket 80 for envelopes. 
     Velcro fastener means are preferably employed for releasably connecting hinge member 38 to hinge member 40, and for connecting hinge member 54 to container 12. 
     As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a cover 70 has one edge connected to the top edge of container 12 and can be moved to a position in which it encloses the tops of the three file containers when they are in their side-by-side positions. Key-operated locking means 72 provides means for connecting the cover to file section 14 to maintain the entire file in a covered positions. A latch (not shown) mounted along the lower edge of sidewall 18 provides means for engaging cover 70 when containers 14 and 16 have been disconnected from container 12. 
     Cover 70 has an opening 76 for receiving handle means 58 to permit the user to conveniently carry the entire file assembly. 
     In use, file container 12 normally holds completed files arranged in an alphabetical A to Z manner. File container 14 is pivotally connected to main file container 12 and contains pending bills and other similar materials. Containers 12, 14, and 16 are thinner than container 12 because they hold fewer materials. File container 16 is pivotally connected to container 12 so that it can be opened to permit lowering of writing panel 56 to its writing position. When the writing panel is raised, container 16 can be disposed in a side-by-side relationship with container 12, and then container 14 closed to a position in which it is also in a side-by-side relationship with container 16. In their respective closed positions, the entire file provides a relatively compact assembly which can be readily carried and conveniently stored.