Improvements in Paper or Bill Files.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 16th May, 1889-Accepted, 22nd June, 1889.
Improvements in Paper or Bill Files.
I, ARTHUR JAMES WELLS of 46 West Onondaga Street, in the City of Syracuse,
and State of New York, United States of America, manufacturer, do hereby declare
the nature of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN PAPER OR BILL FILES" and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to improvements in paper or bill files, and has for its object
the production of a simple and effective file rack which may be placed on a table or
desk, or in any desirable position for use, and the partitions or compartments for the
papers adjusted to any desirable dimension in width; and to this end the invention
consists, essentially, in a base provided with openings or perforations and a series of
partitions adapted to be united to the base by placing the same in the openings or
perforations at intervals, as desired.
It also consists in the detail construction and. arrangement of the parts, all as
hereinafter more particularly described and pointed out in the claims.
In specifying my invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawing forming
a part of this specification, in which, like letters indicate corresponding parts in all the
views.
Figure 1 is an isometric view of my improved paper or bill file set up for use.
Figure 2-is an end elevation of the construction of bill file illustrated in
Figure 1.
Figure 3 is an enlarged isometric view of a detached portion of the base of the
paper or bill file, and the lower extremity of the partition.
Figures-4,-5,-and-6,-
-are transverse sections of modified constructions of my
improved paper or bill file.
Figure 7-is an isometric view of a detached modified construction of the partition
of the bill file.
A represents the base of my improved paper file consisting of a suitable support,
preferably made of hard wood, and provided with openings or perforations-(-
extending in series at intervals throughout the length of the base-A.-The said
perforations form seats or sockets which receive the legs of the partitions-B-
and support the same in their operative position. In Figure-1-I have shown
these perforations to be provided in plates-D,-preferably formed of metal, and
arranged at the edge of the base-A.-This forms à construction which is especially
desirable on account of its cheapness, since the metallic plate may be formed of
sheet metal having a series of transverse slots therein, and by forming the same
into the shape illustrated in Figures-1,-2,-and-3,-so that these slots in the
plate form perforations extending lengthwise of the base-A.
Directly beneath the lower edge of the plate-D-is the groove-d-interposed
between said plate and the base-A.
The partitions-B-are preferably made of wire having the legs-a,-b₁-
The central leg-b,-is formed of two parallel legs connected at their base by a
cross piece-6-which renders the partition more rigid. The outer legs-a-
and--are formed of spring wire, so as to have a slight inward bend, which,
when the partition-B-is united to the base by inserting the bends or legs-a-
and-c-into the perforations-C,-the inward tendency of the spring legs firmly
supports the partition. At the same time the perforations may be somewhat larger
than the bends or legs of the wire partition, and consequently the legs may be
easily inserted into the base.
To further retain these partitions in operative position, I form at the lower extremity

page_text: of the legs-a-and-c-thereof, the feet-B¹-which engage the shoulder--of
the plate D.
It will be observed that by reason of the perforations or openings extending
lengthwise of the base in series, the partitions-B-may be inserted in the base at
any required distance apart, thus allowing the compartments between the partitions
to be made of any suitable width. An efficient adjustable paper or bill file is thus
produced which is of great utility in a mercantile office or counting room in
temporarily filing memoranda which require further correspondence or
intermediate delay in disposing of the same before the memoranda are filed away
for reference, and my invention produces a desirable device for this purpose, since
it occupies very little space and may be readily adapted to the requirements, and
at the same time is exceedingly durable and presents an attractive appearance.
some
I do not limit myself to the specific construction of my invention as illustrated in
Figures 1, 2, and—3,—since it is obvious that there are other modifications of
my invention.
At Figure 4-I have shown a modified construction, in which, instead of the
perforations being provided in the edges of the file base, and opening outward
therefrom, they are formed by drilling or otherwise making holes in series in
parallel lines. In this case these holes extend downward for a short distance, and
the legs of the partition are registered therewith. I have also shown in this
Figure the plate-D-on the top of the base for the purpose of preventing undue
wear of the holes--C.
3
At Figure 5-I have shown the bend-B-provided at the base of the legs-a-
and of the partition-B,-as registered with apertures-0-formed in series
along the edges of the file base. These apertures in this construction consist of round
holes drilled into the said sides of the base, and the projecting foot-B¹-is bent
inwardly or transversely of the file base.
At Figure-6-I have shown still another modification in which the perforations at
the side of the base, as shown in Figures-1,-2,-and-3,-and the perforations
extending from the sides inwardly, as shown in Figure-5,-
,-are combined together.
This modification possesses the advantage over Figure-4-that the apertures-C-in
the sides of the file prevent the partitions from rocking.
At Figure 7-1 have shown a still further modified form of the partition which is
provided with a foot--which prevents the partition from rocking, and affords an
efficient support therefor without detracting from the simplicity of construction or its
efficiency in use.
My improved paper file or rack may be detached and packed very closely for ship-
ment, and, being simple in construction, can be produced very economically and
affords an efficient device for the desired purpose.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
1 The herein described paper file, consisting of a base adapted to lie upon the desk
or table and formed with a series of openings or perforations, and partitions provided
with steps removably fitting into the perforated base, substantially as and for the
purpose specified.
2 The combination of the base-A,-the perforated plate-D-secured to the
base A, and the partitions-B-having the steps-a,-c-adapted to enter the
perforations of the plate, substantially as and for the purpose.set forth.
3-The base A-formed with a series of perforations-C,-and the partitions—B―
having spring steps-a,-c,-substantially as and for the purpose specified.
4-The combination of the base-A-having openings or perforations, and having
the longitudinal groove-d-and the partitions-B-adapted to enter the perforations
of the base and engage the said groove-d',-substantially as and for the purpose
specified.

page_text: 5-The combination of the base-A-having openings or perforations and having
shoulders-d', and the partitions-B-having the spring steps-a,-c-adapted to
enter the perforations of the base, and feet or shoulders-B-provided on the spring
steps a, c-for engaging the shoulder of the base plate, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
D
2011 1
1 1000
ARTHUR JAMES WELLS.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.