Abstract:
File flagging apparatuses for hanging and traditional files are shown. The devices have a flag assembly that may be moved between extended and retracted positions. The flagging assemblies may also have a file label holder integrated thereinto. A locking mechanism may be included to keep the flag in position relative to the supporting base or label.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED CASES 
   This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/873,342 filed Jun. 21, 2004 now abandoned and priority thereon under 35 USC § 120 is claimed. 

   TECHNICAL FIELD 
   The technical field of this invention is file flagging devices, such as label holding devices with operable flags thereon which can be operated between a conspicuous or extended condition and an unnoticeable or retracted condition. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   There are many ways to get organized and unfortunately many ways to also get disorganized. One of the most common types of organizational tools are file folders. A popular type of file folder is the hanging file folder. However, traditional pressboard or other types of files are probably used in even greater numbers. 
   In most of the hanging files there is an array of slots across the top for receiving two insertion arms or other projections of the label holder that are fit into the slots. The mounted label holder is thereby held at each end in reasonably secure mounted relationship with the associated file. Paper labels are typically written or typed upon, and sometimes folded, and then placed into the label holders to indicate the topic of the file. 
   It is common for people to collect a large number of file folders. Some or all may be labeled using the insertion type label and hanging folders. However, a large collection of any file type makes it difficult to identify or pick out certain files that are in need of attention at different times. Thus, a common technique is to make a separate list of files needing action. This requires added time and can easily be forgotten with regard to one or more entries. 
   This problem exists for hanging and more traditional style pressboard and other file types. Thus, there remains a need for an improved technique which easily identifies classes of files when stored in a filing array. There also remains a need for an improved folder flagging device having an adjustable flag which can be moved between an attention getting position and an unobservable, retracted position. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     Preferred forms or embodiments of the inventions are explained and characterized herein, often with reference to the accompanying drawings. Such drawings are briefly described below. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a series of hanging file folders with one form of flagging label holders according to the invention mounted upon the files. Some of the label holders have extended flags and others have retracted flags. 
       FIG. 2  is a front view of a first label holder according to the invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a view similar to  FIG. 2  with the flag portion of the label holder in the process of being removed or installed. 
       FIG. 4  is a view similar to  FIG. 2  with the flag portion of the label holder fully retracted. 
       FIG. 5  is an enlarged front view of a second embodiment flagging file label holder according to the invention. 
       FIG. 6  is a view similar to  FIG. 5  with the flag portion of the label holder in the process of being installed or removed. 
       FIG. 7  is a view similar to  FIG. 4  with the flag portion of the label holder fully retracted. 
       FIG. 8  is an enlarged view taken at circle  8  of  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 9  is a third embodiment of the invention designed to have a smaller width and an adjustable flag. The third embodiment may be a flagging device without practical label holding ability, or a small label may be applied. 
       FIG. 10  is a fourth embodiment of the invention designed to adhere to a file folder without the necessity of having files with pre-cut label holder mounting apertures, such as typical pressboard files without label slots. 
       FIG. 11  is a fifth embodiment of the invention having a different design for the flag and flag mount. The flag is shown in the extended position. 
       FIG. 12  is the fifth embodiment label holder of  FIG. 11  with the flag pivoted into a retracted position. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
   Introductory Note 
   The readers of this document should understand that the embodiments described herein may rely on terminology used in any section of this document and other terms readily apparent from the drawings and language common therefor. This document is premised upon using one or more terms with one embodiment that may also apply to other embodiments for similar structures, functions, features and aspects of the invention. Wording used in the claims is also descriptive of the invention and the text of the claims is incorporated by reference into the description entirely in the form of the claims as originally filed. Terminology used with one, some or all embodiments may be used for describing and defining the technology and exclusive rights associated herewith. 
   General Configuration 
     FIG. 1  shows a plurality of hanging file folders  20  in positions as they would assume when hanging from the typical hanging file rails (not shown). Files  20  typically have two leaves, each of which have a reinforcing bar  21  at the top edge. The reinforcing bar also preferably includes a hook  22  or other suitably shaped end for engaging the file rails (not shown) and supporting the files thereon in a hanging or suspended condition. 
     FIG. 1  also shows a plurality of file labels which are made according to the invention. The file labels are designed to hold a paper label insert (not shown). The file labels of  FIG. 1  may be adjusted between an extended, flagging position  25  and a retracted, non-flagging position  26 . 
   The flagging position may be used for a variety of purposes, such as flagging a file to be checked at a certain time or upon the occurrence of a certain event. They may also be differently colored or positioned to indicate categories used in the filing system. The flags are preferably colored differently from the remaining parts of the label holder to make them more visible.  FIG. 1  does not attempt to show all details of the various embodiments or combinations having the features of the embodiments shown and described in greater detail herein. 
   First Embodiment˜ FIGS. 2-4   
     FIGS. 2-4  show one form of the invention illustrating assembly and adjustment of the flag from an extended to a retracted position. The version of  FIGS. 2-4  includes a hanging file label  30  having mounting projections  31  at each end to be received in slots of the hanging file (not shown). Apparatus  30  also has holes or distortions  32  which aid in providing flexibility for installing the label holders into the hanging files. In most constructions commercially available, the label holder will have two opposing, similar shaped leaves or layers  33  that are typically joined by a folded joint  34 . A paper label with the file topic written, typed or printed thereon is insertable between leaves  33 , usually held above holes or distortions  32 . 
   These Figs. show that a flag port  35  may be included to allow a small plastic, paper or other suitable flag  36  to extend upward above the flag port  35 . The flag port  35  is open along the folded joint  34  and allows the flag to be partially extended to act as a flag. Notches  40  are preferably included to facilitate handling or manipulation of the flag assembly. 
   Flag  36  as shown in  FIGS. 2-5  has a base  37 , tapered neck  38 , and flag top  39 . An inserted label (not shown) and friction between the label holder and label help to maintain the flag in the desired extended or retracted position. Additionally, the construction of the flag assembly also interacts with the holder to help keep the flag in the retracted position. 
     FIG. 3  shows the flag  36  tipped to allow the flag to be inserted during assembly or installation. This is done through port  35 . The flag can be retracted and hidden as shown in  FIG. 4 . The back side of part  35  extends further downward in preferred forms to receive the flag portion  39  therein. 
   To aid in the process of installation, the flag portion  39  has clipped ends  43  that allow one end of the flag portion to dip within the label holder and assume a position between the two layers of the label holder (see  FIG. 4 ). The flag is then squared and positioned in either the extended position of  FIG. 2  or retracted into the retracted position of  FIG. 4 . Flag portion  39  is preferably received in a rear cut-out of approximately the same size when in the retracted position. 
   Tipping is required to initially install flags into the label holder or to remove the flags. The back panel of the label holder is cut deeper than the front so that the top of the flag stores below the top of the label holder. 
   To extend the flag, the flag is merely moved upwardly or extended until the installed flag base  37  abuts the fold  34 . Once inserted into label holder it needs only to be extended by pulling up or retracted by pushing down so that it stores behind the paper label with the top of the flag advantageously below the top of the file label holder, as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
   Second Embodiment˜ FIGS. 5-8   
     FIGS. 5-8  show a construction similar to that described with regard to  FIGS. 2-4  and similar reference numerals are used for the same or similar parts. That description will not be repeated. 
   The notable difference in the construction shown in  FIGS. 5-8  is that the flag assembly is provided with locking prongs  49  along the neck portion near the base which catch below the fold  34  and provide more secure retainage of the flag to the remaining portions of the label holder. 
   This embodiment is installed by tilting the flag similar to the embodiment of  FIGS. 2-4  with somewhat greater effort used to pass the locking prongs  49  into the port  35 . The prongs or fold may distort during this process depending on the size and degree of securement desired for the flag to prevent dislodgement. Any distortion is minimized by placing one prong above the folded joint  34  and then rotating the other prong into an installed position when being assembled. The flag is again tilted to manipulate the other prong past the port opening to achieve full assembly. The flag may then be moved into a retracted position as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . 
   Another pivotal motion of the flag assembly causes the flag to assume the retracted position. The flag may then be simply moved up for the extended position of  FIG. 5  or depressed downwardly for the retracted position of  FIG. 7 . 
   Third Embodiment˜ FIG. 9   
   The embodiment of  FIG. 9  is also similar to those described and similar numbers are used and the description is not repeated except as needed to point out the differences. 
   The apparatus  30  of  FIG. 9  is shorter in length and is designed to serve the singular function of being a flagging apparatus. It does not receive a label or can only receive a shortened label. 
   The label holder of  FIG. 9  is smaller in width and thus allows more flagging columns to be formed in a file array. Otherwise it is constructed, assembled, operated and dismantled in the same manner as described for the embodiment of  FIGS. 2-5 . 
   Fourth Embodiment˜ FIG. 10   
     FIG. 10  shows an adjustable flagging device similar to that shown in  FIG. 9 , but the flagging device  130  is provided with at least one or more, preferably two, leaves  51  having at least one, preferably two, adhesive strips  52  that are designed to adhere to a file cover or other file leaf. The label holder is preferably provided with two leaves  51  with adhesive  52  on both inside surfaces so that the label is held from both sides of the file cover, or at other suitable or desired locations upon a file folder. 
   The flagging device  130  is provided with locking projections  49 , such as described in connection with the embodiment of  FIGS. 5-8 . The description given above explains the construction, assembly, operation and disassembly, and such will not be repeated here. 
   The flagging device  130  is intended for use on standard file folders and allows a flagging device to be attached thereto, preferably by adhesion. The device may have adhesive strip covers which are peeled away at the time of application to the file folder. The leaf or leaves with adhesive are pressed against a leaf of a file. This is preferably done so with front and back leaves  33  of the flagging device adhere to opposing sides of the file leaf to which they are being adhesively mounted. 
   Fifth Embodiment˜ FIGS. 11 and 12   
     FIGS. 11 and 12  show another form expressing the concepts of the inventions described in this application. The insertable label holder  230  is similar to the first and second embodiments with a more robust flag  236  which is pivotally mounted to the base of the flagging and label holding apparatus. 
   As shown, the apparatus  230  includes a flag mount  261  which may be adhered, riveted or connected by both rivets  262  and  271  together with adhesive. Mount  261  has a flag pivot pin or shaft  265  about which or together with the flag assembly  236  pivots between extended and retracted positions. 
   The latch pin  271  and pivot pin  265  may be mounted to the label holder so as to help keep mount  261  positioned and mounted thereon. 
   The flagging assembly may advantageously include a latch  270  to hold the flag in a desired position, such as the extended position. As shown, the latch has a latch pin  271  which is engaged by a latch receptacle  272  formed into the shank of the flag assembly. The receptacle may have extensions  273  to improve latching capability. 
   Further Aspects and Features 
   The above description has set out various features and aspects of the invention and the preferred embodiments thereof. Such aspects and features may further be defined according to the following claims which may individually or in various combinations help to define the invention. 
   Interpretation Note 
   The invention has been described in language directed to the current embodiments shown and described with regard to various structural and methodological features. The scope of protection as defined by the claims is not intended to be necessarily limited to the specific features shown and described. Other forms and equivalents for implementing the inventions can be made without departing from the scope of concepts properly protected hereby.