Patent GB-273792-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to card indexes, loose leaf and the like filing devices
IPC: B42F17/00
Filed: 1926-04-06
Abstract: 273,792. Sharr, F. J. April 6, 1926. Indexing.-Cards or sheets bearing data relating to the progress of various operations are filed within a receptacle provided with a time scale which is used in conjunction with a movable indicator< >or cursor mounted upon the receptacle and adapted to be travelled over the visible upper edges of the cards or sheets, which are cut or otherwise marked to correspond with the information upon their faces. The receptacle comprises a box-like frame with sloping sides 2, 3, Fig. 2, and vertical ends 4. The sides are provided with linings 7 and on their outer surfaces have brackets 10 carrying horizontal rails 11 formed with racks 12 along their bottom edges. A movable carriage consisting of two vertical sides 13, 14 with top flanges 15, 16 engaging the upper edges of the frame walls 2, 3 is provided with wheels 18 which travel upon the rails 11. The means for travelling the carriage comprises a shaft 19 journaled within the sides 13, 14 and carrying pinions 23 engaging the racks 12 on the rails 11. The shaft 19 is supported within bearings 20, 21 located within recesses cut in the lower edges of the carriage sides, vertical and horizontal adjustment of the bearings being provided by screws 27, 30 mounted in lugs 28, 31. The shaft 19 is rotated by a handle which is slidably removable and is adapted on its replacement to displace a vertically movable latch which is controlled by a spring and locks one of the pinions when the handle is removed. A frame 43 on the side 13 of the carriage supports a pivoted arm 42 extending transversely across the tops of the cards 6 and resting within a crutch 44 on the side 14, the edge 45 of the arm 42 being positioned exactly parallel with the ends 4 of the receptacle by adjusting the screws 28, 30. Supplementary cursor wires or threads 47, 48 used in conjunction with the arm 42 are tensioned between the frame 43 and an arm 46 mounted on, and at right-angles to the arm 42. Alternatively a sheet of transparent material with lines engraved or otherwise formed thereon may be used instead of the wires 47, 48. Fig. 14 shows the face of a card on which is graphically indicated the progress of a contract necessitating delivery at a certain rate, time in working days being plotted relatively to output. A time scale may be printed upon the top edge of the card, or a separate strip, Fig. 13, may be used. As deliveries are made an ordinate is drawn to the top edge of the card and the edge is cut progressively as far as each successive ordinate. At the commencement of each day the handle of the travelling carriage of the file is adjusted to bring the cursor wire 47 into alignment with the date on a calendar scale 51 fixed on a flange 8 at the top edge of the wall 3 of the file, the cursor wire providing a datum line from which the progress indicated by the stepped edges of the cards is noted, so that a card bearing a step. or notch disposed on the left of the wire 47 would indicate that the work it represented was in arrears. By spacing the wires 47, 48 and the edge 45 to represent intervals of seven days' work which is ahead of schedule is correspondingly indicated. The progress of a series of operations may be indicated also by notches cut in a card set out in schedule form instead of graphically.