Patent GB-719070-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in vertical filing cabinets
IPC: B42F17/02
Filed: 1951-06-13
Abstract: 719,070. Suspension filing cabinets. ULRICH, C. B. June 13, 1951, No. 14051/51. Class 146(1) [Also in Group XXV] A filing cabinet with an open upper end comprises means within the cabinet for suspending files of paper and a hinged cover to close the upper end, stay bars being pivotally connected to the cover and extending downwardly near the side walls and having grooved sheaves pivotally connected at their lower ends which are supported for rolling movement by the mid-portions of long helical springs supported at their ends at the same level by the side walls so as to counterbalance as desired the weight of the cover. The cabinet 10 comprises side walls formed of spaced sheets of metal and a cover 11 similarly constructed. Main rails 14 and 15 of Z-cross-section are secured by one downwardly extending flange to the side walls so that the other flange extends upwardly for supporting the outer ends of bars 27 of files 24 of papers or drawings. A cross-bar 20 and intermediate rails 21, 22 and 23 are secured, as by welding, to the rails 14, 15 and bar 20. and the back and front of the cabinet so that different size compartments are formed for different size files, the height of the cabinet being sufficient to take all depths of file. The cross-bar 20 and back and front of the cabinet may be provided with a plurality of spaced holes to receive screws or bolts through the bent ends of the rails 21, 22 and 23 so that the widths of the compartments may be varied. A stay bar 13 is pivotally connected by a bracket 12 to each side of the cover 11 'so as to lie within the side wall of the cabinet in the closed position of the cover, and carries at its lower end a grooved sheave 43, bearing rollers being provided at each pivotal connection. Each helical spring 38, which in the open position of the cover lies just depressed from a horizontal line, is secured by means of end hooks 39 to one of a number of holes 40 in cover plates 41 secured to the upper portion of the side wall and adjustment may be effected through holes in the outer side wall having removable cover plates 58. To positively 'hold the cover in the open position, and to limit opening of the cover, respectively, two spaced stops 45 and 52 are provided on the stay bar 13 for cooperation with a stop member 46 and a bent lever 51 pivoted at 50, both on a block 47 secured to the side wall. A stiff spring 53 is mounted between lever 51 and stops 46 on a rod 54 and a stop pin 55 limits movement of the lever away from the stop 46, and a curved spring 48 on the side wall engages an extension 49 on the stav bar to hold the stop 45 in engagement with stop member 46. The spring 53 cushions fast opening of the cover and the cover is released from stops 45, 46 by pressure of the stay bars towards springs 48. In an alternative contruction in which the cabinet walls are fitted with insulating material, the stay bars extend just outside the side walls, the helical springs being secured to the outer sides of the walls, and nrotective covers are secured to the side walls to enclose the mechanism, the covers havins hand holes and removable plates for adjustment of the springs. The strength of springs 38 may be designed either as slightly less or slightly more than required to counterbalance the effective weight of the cover, in the first case. a small effort being required to lift open and to retard it in closing and in the second case, the cover being self-opening and requiring a small effort to close, a catch, such as 59. or a lock being required to hold the cover in closed position.