Patent Publication Number: US-6986219-B1

Title: Rotatable indicator tab assembly

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The invention relates to file folders and the like and associated tabs which may be positioned in an alternative relationship by rotation with the folder or other such structure to display information in a variety of ways. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   Index tabs that pivot or rotate on file folders, jackets, and similar devices exist in the prior art. Examples are U.S. Pat. No. 958,050, Whipple; U.S. Pat. No. 1,008,352, Meyers; U.S. Pat. No. 1,654,545 and U.S. Pat. No. 1,697,985, Lindsay; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,341,982, Sayers. All of the aforementioned as well as currently available commercial items known to the inventor utilizing a rotatable index tab employ a rivet. The rivet joins the tab at a desired position on a file folder and provides the pivot about which the tab rotates. 
   In contrast to the prior art and as described in detail below, the preset device eliminates the conventional rivet and instead provides a unique assembly of a rotatable tab and tab support. In the invention, the tab fits into a specially configured port in a tab support positioned at any selected position on the face of the support. The elimination of the rivet provides an obvious advantage of cost saving in the manufacture of these products. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention may be summarized as a rotatable indicator tab suitable for file systems or similar products such as point of sale displays where it is desired to convey information by the position of the tab in relation to a support on which it is mounted. The tab, constructed of a thin sheet of material, is of a specific configuration arranged to fit into a port placed at a desired location on the support. The support is also constructed of a thin sheet of material and is of a shape such that the outer edges of the tab and the edges of the port cooperate and interact to mutually provide a rotational bearing surface and stop position arrangement. 
   Specifically, the tab of the invention is composed of an upper and lower portion having a pair of opposed extensions positioned between the two to form a cross. The port has curved, for example, concentrically arranged semi-circular inner and outer edges. In operation, the tab is inserted into the port such that the top and bottom portions lie on one side of the support and the extensions lie on the other. The corners formed by the tab lower portion and the extensions thereupon engage the outer edge of the port to form a cooperative rotational bearing surface, and the corners formed by the tab upper portion and the extension engage the inner edge of the port to provide limitations on the distance the tab will rotate in either direction. 
   The tab and port may be located anywhere on the support but preferably will be positioned such that the tab extends beyond one or more edges of the support, the corner of a file folder for example. 
   The features, advantages, and structure of the invention will become more evident from the description of the preferred embodiment in conjunction with the drawings which follows. 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a plan view of one component of the preferred embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a plan view of a second component of the preferred embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the component of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the components of  FIGS. 1 and 2  joined together in a first position; and 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the components of  FIGS. 1 and 2  joined together in a second position. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring first to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a plan view of a rotatable tab  10  forming the first component of the invention. Tab  10  is composed of upper portion  12 , lower portion  14  and two opposed extension portions  16  and  18  positioned between the upper and lower portions. Upper portion  12  forms two upper corners  20  and  22  with extensions  16  and  18 . Similarly, lower portion  14  forms two lower corners  24  and  26  with extensions  16  and  18 . 
     FIG. 2  is a plan view of tab support  28 , the second component of the invention. Port  30  is disposed in support  28  at any desired location, in tab support corner  32  for example. The port is formed of a curved substantially semi-circular outer edge  34  and a curved substantially semi-circular inner edge  36 . The convergence of the two edges form a pair of spaced apart acute intersections  38  and  40 . Both the tab and tab support are preferably composed of a thin sheet material such as card stock. As shown, support  28  may comprise one sheet of a file folder. 
     FIGS. 3 ,  4 , and  5  are perspective views of the invention,  FIG. 3  being a perspective view of  FIG. 2  and  FIGS. 4 and 5  showing the afore described components joined together. Tab  10  is held in place on support  28  by extensions  16  and  18  fitting through port  30  so as to be on the opposite side of the support from tab upper and lower portions  12  and  14 . 
   Tab lower corners  24  and  26  contact port outer edge  34  which forms a bearing and guide surface for the rotation of the tab. As shown in  FIG. 4 , tab upper corner  20  interacts with port intersection  38  to limit the rotational travel of the tab and secure it to the support.  FIG. 5  illustrates tab  10  rotated 90 degrees from one edge of the support to the other. Tab upper corner  22  interacts with port intersection  40  which, again, limits the extent of the rotational and prevents the tab from separating from the support. 
   The invention presented herein is not limited to file folders and may be positioned anywhere on a planar surface. For example, the tab may be placed at the top of a file folder so as to only be visible in an upright position. It may be used on the face of a planar surface constituting a point of sale display to indicate the availability of stock or a need to reorder. Further, the tab might be arranged rotate more or less than ninety degrees as shown depending on the configuration of the port. 
   As variations in the above-described preferred embodiment may be made within the general concept of the disclosure, the invention is accordingly defined by the following claims.