Patent Abstract:
Index tab holders are movably mounted on top portions of file folders or data separation sheets to locate the tab holders in selected lateral locations without removing the tab holders from the file folders. Linear rails associated with the top portions of the file folders cooperate with ribs on the tab holders to mount and laterally guide the tab holders on the file folders.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/227,930 filed Sep. 8, 2011. Application Ser. No. 13/227,930 is a continuation of application Ser. No. 12/011,497 filed Jan. 28, 2008. Application Ser. No. 12/011,497 is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/152,034 filed Jun. 14, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,334,363. Application Ser. No. 11/152,034 claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/579,698 filed Jun. 15, 2004. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to suspension file folders with index tab holders and index tabs for use on file folders and data separation sheet members. The index tab holders can be positioned in selected locations on top sections of the file folders. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Hanging file folders have support bars with downwardly open hooks on opposite ends to support the folders on horizontal rails of a file drawer. Folded paper sheet members have top sections turned over the bars to retain the bars on the sheet members. The top sections are provided with laterally spaced slots to accommodate index tab holders in selected positions along the top sections of the file folders. The index tab holders have end fingers that must be inserted into the slots in the file folders to mount the index tab holders on the file folders. The number and location of the slots limit the locations of the index tab holders relative to the top of the file folders. The end fingers must be removed from the slots of the file folder and inserted into different slots to reposition the index tab holder on the file holder. This is a tedious and time consuming work when a number of file drawers require repositioning of index tab holders. An example of an index tab holder having lateral ears insertable into slots in top sections of file folders is disclosed by J. R. Wyant in U.S. Pat. No. 5,311,685. 
     Index tab holders mountable on file folders in predetermined positions determined by slots, holes or protrusions on the top sections of file folders are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,644,089; 3,244,170; 3,238,947 and 3,263,688. A positionable index tab along the top of a file folder having a projection or detent to establish an interference fit on a file folder is described by E. R. Aaldenberg et al in U.S. Pat. No. 6,332,285 The detent can cooperate with holes in the file folder to locate the index tab in selected positions on the file folder. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention comprises an index tab holder for a document file, note books, and data separation sheet members that can be laterally repositioned without removal of the index tab holder from the file folder, note book and data separation sheet members. The index tab holders have removable transparent sheet members that retain index tabs on the index tab holders. The transparent sheet members can be removed from the holders and replaced on the holders from file folders. The invention includes combined file folders and index tab holders. The file folders have rail and rib members that accommodate index tab holders and allow lateral movement of the index tab holders along the top of the file folders. The index tab holders can be horizontally repositioned on the file folders without removing the tab holders from the file folders. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an index tab holder for a file folder embodying the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a front elevational view thereof; 
         FIG. 3  is a top plan view thereof; 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom plan view thereof; 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevational view thereof; 
         FIG. 6  is a rear elevational view thereof; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a first modification of the index tab holder of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is front elevational view of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a top plan view of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a bottom plan view of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a side elevational view of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a rear elevational view of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a second modification of the index tab holder of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a front elevational view of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a top plan view of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a bottom plan view of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a side elevational view of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a bottom plan view of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of a third modification of the index tab holder of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 20  is a front elevational view of  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 21  is a top plan view of  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 22  is a bottom plan view of  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 23  is a side elevational view of  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 24  is a rear elevational view of  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 25  is a perspective view of an alternative modification of an index tab of the invention for a file folder; 
         FIG. 26  is a front elevational view of  FIG. 25 ; 
         FIG. 27  is a top plan view of  FIG. 25 ; 
         FIG. 28  is a bottom plan view of  FIG. 25 ; 
         FIG. 29  is a side elevational view of  FIG. 25 ; 
         FIG. 30  is a rear elevational view of  FIG. 25 ; 
         FIG. 31  is a fragmentary front elevational view of a file folder with the index tab of  FIG. 25  mounted thereon; 
         FIG. 32  is an enlarged front elevational view of the index tab of  FIG. 31 ; 
         FIG. 33  is a sectional view taken along line  33 - 33  of  FIG. 32 ; 
         FIG. 34  is a fragmentary front elevational view of another modification of a file folder with an index tab holder mounted thereon; 
         FIG. 35  is an enlarged front elevational view of the index tab holder of  FIG. 34 ; 
         FIG. 36  is a sectional view taken along line  36 - 36  of  FIG. 34 ; 
         FIG. 37  is a fragmentary front elevational view of a file folder with a modification of an index tab holder mounted thereon; 
         FIG. 38  is an enlarged sectional view taken along line  38 - 38  of  FIG. 37 ; 
         FIG. 39  is a fragmentary elevational view of a file folder with another modification of an index tab holder mounted thereon; 
         FIG. 40  is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line  40 - 40  of  FIG. 39 ; 
         FIG. 41  is a fragmentary front elevational view of a file folder with a third modification of an index tab holder mounted thereon; 
         FIG. 42  is an enlarged sectional view taken along line  42 - 42  of  FIG. 41 ; 
         FIG. 43  is a fragmentary front elevational view of a hanging file folder having another modification of an index tab holder mounted thereon; 
         FIG. 44  is a fragmentary top plan view of  FIG. 43 ; 
         FIG. 45  is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line  45 - 45  of  FIG. 43 ; 
         FIG. 46  is an enlarged sectional view taken along line  46 - 46  of  FIG. 45 ; and 
         FIG. 47  is a sectional view corresponding to  FIG. 46  with the index tab in the upright viewing position. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     An index tab holder  10 , shown in  FIGS. 1 to 6 , includes a generally rectangular body  11  having front side members  12  and  13  joined to a horizontal front member or base  14 . Side members  12  and  13  and base  14  are joined to a flat back wall  16 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , back wall  16  has a semi-circular notch  17  and upright end slots  18  and  19 . A transparent sheet member or window  21  extends between side members  12  and  13  on top of back wall  16 . Window  21  is a flat rectangular transparent plastic sheet having ears  22  and  23  extended from its opposite ends. As seen in  FIG. 6 , ears  22  and  23  extend into slots  18  and  19  under ledges  24  and  26  to retain window on back wall  16 . A sheet of paper or plastic tab containing index data, numbers or a bar code (not shown) can be located between back wall  16  and window  21  to provide index information. A support  27  joined to base  14  is adapted to mount index tab holder  10  on a file folder. The file folders are conventional 9 by 12 inch paper hanging file folders having horizontal top sections accommodating metal bars. Opposite ends of the bars have downwardly open hooks for retaining the file folders in file drawers or on horizontal support rods. Support  27  has a generally rectangular front wall  28  joined to base  14  and extended downwardly from base  14 . The angle between body  11  and support  27  is between 15 to 20 degrees. Other angles and a vertical alignment between body  11  and support  27  can be used. The inside bottom of wall  27  has a continuous inside lip  29  adapted to grip a file folder. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , wall  28  has a rectangular opening  31  open to a rectangular back wall  32 . The top of back wall  32  is connected to base  14  with a horizontal live hinge  33  that retains back wall  32  adjacent front wall  28 . The inside bottom edge of back wall  32  has a horizontal lip  34  aligned with lip  29  on front wall  28 . When index tab holder  10  is mounted on a file folder lips  29  and  34  firmly engage opposite sides of either the front or rear wall of the file folder below the transverse file support bar. Index tab holder  10  can be located in positions along the top of the file folder without regard to slots or holes in the file folder. In use index tab holder  10  can be repositioned on the file folder without removing and remounting index tab holder  10  on the file folder. Index tab holder  10  is laterally moved along the top of the file folder to reposition index tab holder  10  on the file folder. 
     A first modification of the index tab holder of  FIGS. 1 to 6  is shown in  FIGS. 7 to 12  and indicated generally at  100 . The parts of index tab holder  100  that correspond to the same parts of index tab holder  10  have the same reference number with the prefix  1 . Plastic sheet member  121  has a irregular surface or a surface that allows application of graphite, carbon, pencil or ink information and designs. A separate tab is not required to identify the file folder. 
     A second modification of the index tab holder of  FIGS. 1 to 6  is shown in  FIGS. 13 to 18  and identified generally at  200 . The parts of index tab holder  200  that correspond to the same parts of index tab holder  10  have the same reference numbers with the prefix  2 . Support  227  has two back walls  232  and  236  connected to the bottom of base  214  with live hinges  233  and  237 . Back wall  232  extends downwardly from live hinges  233  under rectangular opening  231 . Back wall  236  extends downwardly from live hinge  237  under rectangular opening  238 . Front wall  228  has a center section  239  separating openings  231  and  238 . Window  221  is longer than window  21  to accommodate a larger tab with more file data, numbers and a bar code. Lips  234  and  229  and corresponding lips on walls  228  and  236  grip opposite sides of either the front or rear wall of the file folder below the transverse file support bar. The lips allow the index tab holder  210  to be repositioned along the top of the file folder without removing and remounting the index file holder on the file folder. 
     A third modification of the index tab holder, shown in  FIGS. 19 to 24 , is identified generally at  300 . The parts of index tab holder  300  that corresponds to the same parts of index tab holders  10  and  200  have the same reference numbers with the prefix  3 . Plastic sheet member  321  has an irregular surface or a surface that allows application of graphite, carbon, pencil or ink information and designs. A separate tab is not required to identify the file folder. 
     A file folder index tab indicated generally at  400  is shown in  FIGS. 25 to 30 . Tab  400  is mounted on a hanging file folder in  FIGS. 31 to 33 . Index tab  400  is a one-piece plastic member having a flat rectangular body  401  with a flat outside surface  402  adapted to hold tape containing a bar code or other file indicating readable data. Data can be applied directly to surface  402 . A pair of downwardly extended legs  404  and  409  are joined to the bottom of body  401  with linear live hinges  406  and  411 . The lower end of leg  404  has an inwardly directed linear foot  407  terminating in an outwardly projected toe  408 . Leg  409  extends downwardly generally parallel to leg  404 . The lower end of leg  409  has a linear foot  412  opposite foot  407 . An outwardly extended toe  413  is joined to the lower end of foot  412 . Toes  408  and  413  diverge outwardly forming a mouth  414  for guiding support  403  over the top of file folder  416  and support bar  417 . Body  401  extends upwardly and rearwardly at an angle of between 10 to 30 degrees relative to a vertical plane. Other angles including a linear alignment of body  401  with legs  404  and  409  can be used for the relative locations of body  401  to legs  404  and  409 . As shown in  FIG. 33 , feet  407  and  412  are in surface gripping contact with opposite sides of file folder  416  below support bar  417 . Index tab  400  can be repositioned along the horizontal length of file folder  416  by laterally sliding index tab  400 , shown by arrow  418 , along the top of file folder  416 . Index tab  400  is not removed from file folder  416  as it is laterally moved to a new location on the file folder  416 . 
     A combined hanging file folder and index tab holder indicated generally at  500  is shown in  FIGS. 34 to 36 . File folder  501  is a conventional hanging file folder having heavy paper or plastic walls  502  with metal hanger bars  503 . An inverted U-shaped cross section body  504  is clamped around a top or upper section of file folder  501 . Body  504  has downwardly extended legs  506  and  507  terminating in inwardly projected linear toes or hooks  508  and  509  that grip opposite sides of folder wall  502 . As shown in  FIG. 34 , body  504  extends the entire length of the top of file folder  501 . Body  504  can be secured with an adhesive to the top of file folder  501 . Linear rails  510  extend along the top of body  504 . As shown in  FIG. 36 , four parallel linear rails  510  are laterally spaced from each other and extend along the entire length of body  504 . Stops or barriers  511  at opposite ends of rails  510  prevent a tab holder  512  from separating from rails  510 . Tab holder  512  has a plurality of downwardly extended linear ribs  513  and grooves that cooperate with rails  510  to slidably mount tab holder  512  on body  504  for movement in opposite directions shown by arrows  517  and  518  to laterally position tab holder  512  in selected positions on file folder  501 . Ribs  513  snap into the grooves between rails  511  to retain tab holder  512  on body  504 . Tab holder  512  has a transverse flat pocket  514  for accommodating a tab  516 . Tab holder  512  is a transparent plastic member to allow visual viewing of data on tab  516 . 
     A first modification of a combined file folder and index tab holder, indicated generally at  600 , is shown in  FIGS. 37 and 38 . File folder  601  has a top section accommodating a hanging support bar  602 . A body  603  comprising a generally flat band is secured with an adhesive  604  to the top section of file folder  601 . Body  603  has two rails  606  and  607  extended outwardly along the length of body  603 . Stops or barriers  614  and  615  at opposite ends of rails  606  and  607  prevent an index tab holder from separating from rails  606  and  607 . Index tab holder  608  has parallel linear grooves  609  and  611  that accommodate rails  606  and  607  and allow index tab holder  608  to be laterally moved along body  603 , shown by arrows  619  and  620 , without removing the index tab holder  608  from body  603 . Index tab holder  608  snaps onto rails  606  and  607  to retain index tab holder  608  in a generally upright position. The upper section of index tab holder  608  has a flat longitudinal pocket  612  accommodating a paper or plastic tab  613  containing file data. Pocket  612  has open ends to allow tab  613  to be inserted into and removed from the pocket. 
     A second modification of a combined file folder and index tab holder, indicated generally at  700 , is shown in  FIGS. 39 and 40 . File folder  701  has paper or plastic walls  702  folded upwardly to accommodate documents. Each wall terminates in a horizontal top section  703  turned over a metal support bar  704  having downwardly open hooked ends  706  and  707 . The paper or plastic material of one wall above bar  704  is compressed into a neck  708  and head  709  along the length of the top of file folder  701 . Head  709  is a linear rail along the top of file folder  701 . Head  709  has a generally square cross section and a width greater than the width of neck  708 . Stops or barriers  710  and  715  at opposite ends of head  709  prevent an index tab holder  711  from separating from the head  709 . Index tab holder  711  has a recessed groove  712  that accommodates head  709  and neck  708  with a firm slide fit which allows index tab holder  711  to be laterally moved, shown by arrows  713  and  714 , along the length of head  709  without removing index tab holder  711  from head  709 . The upper section of index tab holder  711  has a flat longitudinal pocket  716  accommodating a paper or plastic index tab  717  containing file data. 
     A third modification of a combined file folder and index tab holder, indicated generally at  800 , is shown in  FIGS. 41 and 42 . File folder  801  has paper or plastic walls  802  folded upwardly to accommodate documents. A file hanger  803  supports walls  802  generally upright in a file drawer. Hanger  803  has a lower flat bar  804  and an upper flat bar  806 . The upper end of wall  802  is turned about bar  804  to connect file folder  801  to hanger  803 . Downwardly open hooks  807  and  808  are located on opposite ends of bar  806 . A linear rod  809  having a diameter larger than the width of bar  806  is secured to the top of bar  806 . Rod  809  is a linear rail attached to the top of hanger  803  for guiding index tab holder  811  along the rail. Rod  809  is a cylindrical member. Rod  809  can be square or triangular members. Stops or barriers  810  and  815  on opposite ends of rod  809  prevent index that holder from separating from rod  809 . Index tab holder  811  is laterally movable, shown by arrows  812  and  813 , along the top of hanger  803  to change the position of index tab holder  811  on file folder  801 . Index tab holder  811  is a generally flat transparent plastic member having a bottom key hole shaped groove  814  accommodating a section of rod  809  and upper bar  806 . Index tab holder  811  is forced downwardly to snap rod  809  into groove  814  to mount index tab holder  811  on hanger  803 . Index tab holder  811  has a longitudinal flat pocket  816  accommodating a paper or plastic tab  817  containing file data. 
     A fourth modification of a combined hanging file folder and index tab holder, indicated generally at  900 , is shown in  FIGS. 43 to 47 . File folder  901  has paper or plastic front and rear walls  902  and  903  joined at a bottom fold or hinge section  904 . A file hanger  906  supports walls  902  and  903  generally upright on side ledges of a conventional file drawer (not shown). Hanger  906  is flat metal bar having downwardly directed open hooks  907  and  908  on opposite ends of the bar. Hooks  907  and  908  support file folder  901  on the ledges of the file drawer. As shown in  FIGS. 46 and 47 , the upper end  909  of wall  902  is turned over hanger  906  to secure hanger  906  to file folder  901 . 
     An index tab holder  911  mounted on the top of wall  902  has a transverse inverted U-shaped or channel member  912 . Member  912  can be secured to upper end  909  of wall  902  with an adhesive. Alternatively, channel member  912  can be clamped on upper end  909  of wall  902 . Member  912  has continuous transverse linear ribs  913 ,  914  and  915  and transverse grooves  916  and  917  between adjacent ribs. Ribs  913 ,  914  and  915  have enlarged ends providing grooves  916  and  917  with generally key-hole shapes to accommodate linear rails  918  and  919 . As shown in  FIG. 47 , rails  918  and  919  snap into grooves  916  and  917  with a slide fit with ribs  913 ,  194  and  915 . The outer or free end  921  of channel members  912  has a transverse flat slot accommodating a tab  922  adapted to contain visual information indicating the contents retained in the file folder. The middle section of end  921  has a transverse live hinge  123  allowing end  921  to be turned upright and locked onto ribs  913 ,  914  and  915 . 
     Live hinge  923  can be cut whereby index tab holder  911  can be repositioned along channel member  912 . As shown in  FIG. 45 , the opposite ends of channel member  912  has stops or projections  924  and  926  at the ends of ribs  913 ,  194  and  915 . Stops  924  and  926  prevent index tab holder  911  from being laterally removed from channel member  912 . 
     The index tab holders, index tab and combined file folder and index tab have been shown and described with hanging file folders. The index tab holders and index tab can be used with notebook dividers and document dividers. Changes in the parts and arrangement of parts of the index tab holders, index tabs, and combined file folders and index tab holders and materials may be made by a person skilled in the art without departing from the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1