Abstract:
A document management system that includes a modular storage device. The modular storage device includes at least one storage unit for supporting a plurality of vertically staggered storage folders. Each storage folder defines a pocket having a pocket depth for storing document management objects. The storage folders are supported such that the object in each storage folder is visible and such that the pocket of each storage folder can be reduced or increased relatively to a standard pocket depth.

Description:
INTRODUCTION  
       [0001]     Various file storage systems are currently available, including horizontal and vertical file storage systems. Although such systems are adequate for their intended purposes, there is still a need for a cost-efficient, flexible, simple, and adjustable document management system and associated document management method.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0002]     The present teachings provide a document management system that includes a modular storage device. The modular storage device includes at least one storage unit for supporting a plurality of vertically staggered storage folders. Each storage folder defines a pocket having a pocket depth for storing document management objects. The storage folders are supported such that the object in each storage folder is visible and such that the pocket of each storage folder can be reduced or increased relatively to a standard pocket depth.  
         [0003]     The present teachings also provide a document management system that includes at least two vertical supports. Each support includes two columns of spaced-apart apertures for hanging storage folders therebetween. Each storage folder has a pocket depth and is movable between first and second configurations having different pocket depths.  
         [0004]     The present teachings also provide a method for storing document management objects. The method includes providing at least two vertical supports, wherein each vertical support has at least two columns of spaced apart apertures, and hanging a first storage folder between the vertical supports such that a front edge of the first storage folder is at a different horizontal level than a back edge of the first storage folder.  
         [0005]     Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0006]     The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a side view of an exemplary document management system according to the present teachings, shown with an exemplary folder arrangement;  
         [0008]      FIG. 1A  is an enlarged view of Detail  1 A of  FIG. 1 , showing a nested folder arrangement;  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the document management system of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  is a front view of an exemplary document management system according to the present teachings, illustrated with an exemplary folder arrangement in two single-column storage units;  
         [0011]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an exemplary document management system according to the present teachings, illustrated as one multi-column storage unit mounted on a wall;  
         [0012]      FIG. 5 a  perspective view of an exemplary document management system according to the present teachings, shown with an exemplary folder arrangement;  
         [0013]      FIG. 6  is the document management system of  FIG. 5 , illustrating a mounting arrangement for making the storage pocket of the folder larger; and  
         [0014]      FIG. 7  is the document management system of  FIG. 5 , illustrating a mounting arrangement for making the storage pocket of the folder smaller. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0015]     The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.  
         [0016]     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 2  and  3 , various views of an exemplary document management system  100  in the form of a modular storage device according to the present teachings are shown as mounted on a wall  80 . In one aspect, the document management system  100  is adapted for the storage of cards, information sheets, files, folders and the like, or any flat objects, all of which are included in the generalized term “document management objects”, as used herein.  
         [0017]     Referring to  FIGS. 1-5 , the document management system  100  can be configured for displaying hanging folders  90  in vertical rows (columns) and in a vertically staggered manner, such that the contents of the folders are visually accessible at a glance. Referring to  FIG. 1A , the hanging folders  90  can be arranged in a nested configuration, wherein each folder  90  can be partially received in a pocket  120  another folder  90 .  
         [0018]     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the document management system  100  can include one or more storage units  101 , with each storage unit  101  configured as a single-column or multiple-column storage units  101  for accommodating one or more columns of folders  90 . In  FIG. 3 , each storage unit  101  accommodates one folder column. In  FIG. 4 , the storage unit  101  accommodates three folder columns. Two storage units  101  can be spaced apart at a distance that can accommodate another column of folders  90 , such that, for example, two single-column storage units  101  can be used to store three folder columns, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . It will be appreciated that the document management system  100  can comprise any number of single-column or multiple-column storage units  101  that can be modularly combined to suit the available space and or number of folders  90 .  
         [0019]     With continued reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , each storage unit  101  can include two vertical supports  102 . Each support  102  can have first and second pluralities of equally spaced holes or apertures  104 ,  106 . Each storage unit  101  can also include an upper stabilizing member  108  and a lower stabilizing member  110 . The upper and lower stabilizing members  108 ,  110  can be coupled with the vertical supports  102  with snap-on connections, fasteners, or other known coupling means. In particular, the vertical supports  102  can be removably coupled with the horizontal members  108 ,  110  at pre-determined and/or arbitrary locations. Additional horizontal stabilizing members  108 ,  110  can be added, as necessary. The holes  104 ,  106  are configured on each vertical support  102  in two spaced-apart columns of holes, one column behind the other (front column and back column). The hole columns can be provided on a single face, or on both faces of each vertical supports  102 . The holes  104 ,  106  can also be through holes. At each horizontal level, a pair of front holes  104  can be used to hang a front edge  122  of one folder  90 , and a pair of back holes  106  can be used to hang a back edge  124  of the folder  90 . Although two vertical columns of holes  104 ,  106  are illustrated on each vertical support  102 , it will be appreciated that additional hole columns can be provided on each vertical support  102  to accommodate folders  90  of different pocket space widths.  
         [0020]     Referring to  FIGS. 5-7 , the folders  90  can be hung on the supports  102 , such that their front and back edges  122 ,  124  are on the same horizontal level, in the standard folder configuration illustrated at reference  90 , in  FIG. 5 . Alternatively, some folders  94 ,  92  can be folded such that their back edges  124  are hung lower or higher than their front edges  122  to provide, respectively, larger or smaller length pockets  120  for longer documents or shorter documents, as illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . Any folder  90  in any folder column can be reconfigured to have a different size pocket by refolding the folder  90  and re-hanging the back edge  124  of the folder  90  to a pair of back holes  106  that are at the same or different horizontal level relative to the holes  104  that receive the front edge of the folder  90 . It will be further appreciated that the vertical supports  102  can be spaced apart at different distances to accommodate letter size, legal size or other paper size folders  90 .  
         [0021]     The vertical supports  102  and the horizontal stabilizing members  108 ,  110  can be made from any convenient and cost-effective material, including any type of wood, plastic, composite or metal. The folders  90  can be any hanging-style folders  90 , such as, for example, Pentaflex® or similar style folders which include hanging bars  96  for engaging the holes  104 ,  106 .  
         [0022]     The foregoing discussion discloses and describes merely exemplary arrangements of the present invention. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from such discussion, and from the accompanying drawings, that various changes, modifications and variations can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.