Improvements in the Manufacture of Cabinets and in the Fittings connected therewith for the Filing of Documents and other purposes.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 15th July, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 14th Apr. 1891-Accepted, 15th Aug., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Cabinets and in the Fittings
connected therewith for the Filing of Documents and other
purposes.
I SAMUEL GRAHAM BROWNE, of 77 Endlesham Road, Balham, in the County
of Surrey, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in the manufacture of cabinets and in the
fittings connected therewith for the filing of documents and other purposes.
In the construction of cabinets described in the Specification to my Letters
Patent No. 9015 of 1889, where there is considerable length required in the
standards held by the rods I propose framing the panels between the standards and
to use framed standards in the sides, the back, or a portion of the front, as may be
desired, such standards being provided with slots at right angles so that one or
more panels may be slipped in, filling the intervening space. In cases where inter-
vening shelves occur in the length of such standards I make them solid on their
two outsides and they may be hollowed or notched to receive the shelves which are
bored or notched to allow of the tie rod passing through them; separate distance
picces surrounding the tube may be used to tighten up same and make the whole
structure rigid.
Separate standards can be used which are grooved to receive covering pieces on
one or more of their sides, corresponding notches being made in the shelves, so
that these covering pieces with a corresponding tongue to fit the grooves can be
passed down the full length of the standards supporting the shelves of the cabinet;
the covering pieces are provided with slots or may form slots with the standard
into which panels can be slipped, covering the ends or edges of the shelves.
In some cases supports for the shelves may be attached to the standards or to
the panels, or the standards may also be notched to receive the shelves, a slot being.
provided on their outsides in which case a panel or panels may be slipped also
covering the edges of the shelves...
For facility in packing where a plinth base is used I make the plinth by using
base blocks or standards underneath the bottom shelf these blocks or standards
being bored to receive tie rod and provided with slots running a portion of their
length into which plinth pieces are inserted. To erect such a plinth base, the tie
rod, fitted with a suitable collar, is passed through the bottom shelf and then
through the base block, the plinth boards having been previously inserted. On
screwing up the socket on the bottom of the tie. rod, which is suitably threaded,
the whole forms a rigid base plinth, the tie rods extending above the bottom shelf
for threading over the shelves, standards, etc. forming the cabinet. The shelves
may be decorated in fret work, when above, by continuing the tie rods and pro-
ceeding standards, when below, in a similar manner to the plinth by inserting the
fretwork in grooves in the standards.
In filing cabinets it may be desirable to have a tray upon which to rest the file
cases; such tray may be fitted in the plinth base and arranged so as to pull out; it
may also be used for locking up the cabinet, in which case I use a rod, or rods,
provided with suitable pins or projections and having bearings permitting it to
rotate, such rod, or rods, being also furnished at the bottom with a lever or levers,
so arranged that when. the tray is pushed back to close against the face of the
plinth it will actuate such lever and rotate the rod, suitable springs being provided
so that when the tray is pulled out the rod rotates to its original position; or a
rocking lever used which is forced back when-closing the tray, and pulled forward
.

page_text: by a suitable pin fixed in the tray which clears the lever on pulling the tray further
forward. By locking the tray, the series of nests or drawers are also locked by
means of the projections on the rod fitting into suitable recesses or attachments
fitted to or in the flat doors, or in the drawers themselves.
In filing and music cabinets I now prefer to use skeleton shelves so as to utilize
the space for packing, making the cross-pieces removable, or attached by a flat
spring. The trays of music cabinets may be so hinged that when pulled out they
will turn over the shelves at an angle, these trays being provided with slides and
back removable for packing and secured by studs screwed into the tray holding
the frame work.
In filing documents I use trays of suitable size to fit the nests in the cabinet pro-.
viding these trays with a clip consisting of two or four wires which are bent in such
a way as to take an form; one portion of such wires being bent over so as to rest
on the others making the wire practically a continuous piece; the bent wire or
wires are fixed to a radiating boss which is moved or radiated by means of a twisted
bar or spiral, or a suitable cam and spring may be used.
On moving such bar in one direction the bent wire opens from the one on which
it rests, leaving a space; on moving the bar in the opposite direction this space is
closed. The radiating bar is fixed on a suitable base which is screwed to the tray,
the other pins are screwed into this tray and are provided with suitable collar for
making them rigid; over these latter pins I pass tubes which, when four wires are
used are connected together on a base having a suitable prolongation passing
through a hole in the tray aud arranged so that by turning same it will hold the
tubes to the tray. On releasing such prolongation the finger can be passed through
the hole so as to raise the tubes enabling them to be taken off the pins, the docu-
ments to be filed are perforated with holes to suit such pins and are passed over
the tubes, the bent wire being radiated back leaving a space for this operation; the
curved bar or spiral is then pushed back closing the space between the wires, which
are then continuous in form enabling the documents to be threaded over same-
for reference. A somewhat similar arrangement may be used where the documents
are placed between indexes, these indexes being threaded over the tubes and the
documents placed between them; in such case I attach two moving arms to the
front or back of the case or drawer, which arms may be of wire arranged to fit on a
spiral, or a twisted bar, so that by traversing such arms laterally they radiate and
hold or clip documents in the case or drawer; by moving in the opposite direction
they clear the papers enabling them to be taken out for examination.
Dated this Fifteenth day of July 1890.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Cabinets and in the Fittings.
connected therewith for the Filing of Documents and other
purposes.
I SAMUEL GRAHAM BROWNE, of No. 77 Endlesham Road, Balham, in the
County of Surrey, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and.
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to improvements in the manufacture of cabinets and in the
fittings connected therewith for the filing of documents, and other purposes.
The general lines of construction in such cabinets are similar to those described
in the Specification to my Letters Patent No. 9015 of 1889 and with similar object,
that is to say, so that they can be readily erected, added to and taken apart and
packed in small bulk for transport. By the arrangement hereinafter described the-

page_text: ищо ирони
Figure 1 is an elevation of a filing cabinet mounted on a base or book case for
holding transfers or books and of which it may form an integral part.
Figure 1 shews a filing cabinet increased in height by the addition of separate
panels.
Figures 1B 1C show an arrangement of small isolated nests in a filing cabinet for
placing folded letters post cards &c.
Figure 2 is a section through a filing cabinet shewing arrangement of sockets
by which a cabinet can be increased, also flap doors, filing tray and locking
apparatus.
Figure 3 a view of a cabinet for filing music.
Figure 4 plan view of a filing cabinet and base.
Figure 5 arrangement of skeleton shelves-showing how the intermediate cross
bars can be removed, permitting the whole internal space of the frame being used
for packing purposes.
Figures 6, 7 and 8, arrangement of back standards, which can be used without
tie rods.
Figure 9 standards with covers holding corrugated metal panel.
Figure 10 elevation of cabinet, shewing in one section panels framed or connected
with standards.
Figure 11 detail of panel framed or joined to standards.
Figure 12 sections through moulded top and plinth base.
Figure 13 details of arrangement for locking hinged flap doors.
Figures 14, 15, 154, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 details of clips for trays or files.
Figure 22 hinged spring with roller.
Figure 23 index punched with holes for threaded clips, provided with an eyelet
for transferrence on the interleaved index system.
Similar letters refer to similar parts.
Where there is considerable length required in the standards 1 propose framing
the panels A between the standards B, or to attach the standard to the panels in
any suitable way, (as shown in Figures 10 and 11) to ensure stability, and to use
frame standards in such portions of the back, sides, or front of the cabinet as may
be desirable; such standards being bored or hollowed for tie rods C and provided
with suitable slots, projections or covering pieces into which any required inter-
vening panels can be slipped, filling the intervening spaces, so as to form an
enclosed and dust proof cabinet.
In cases where intervening shelves occur in their length, the shelves may be
supported by projections, slots, or notches, in the standards or panels. The
standards may be hollowed out or made in L section covered at top and bottom
the covers bored to suit the tie rod C and the distance pieces bored out for the tie
rod to pass through, the tie rods being provided with sockets C" to tighten up, the
sockets being screwed for the purpose (see Fig. 2); or eylets may be screwed to
standards or shelves through which tie rods may pass with sockets screwed at top
and bottom to tighten up same. The separate standards B₁ fitted with covering
pieces D (as shewn in Figures 1. 2. 4. 5 and 9) may also be used when it is
desirable in design to cover the edges of the shelves, and by this means, frame
furniture can be copied as to design and appearance. The standards B' may be
slotted or grooved, and the shelves have a corresponding notch, into which such
covering pieces D can be slipped, holding them in place, such covering pieces,
preferably supplied with a tongue or tongues, fitting into a groove in the top and
bottom supporting shelf or skeleton. The top and bottom shelves or skeleton
may also be grooved to receive top and bottom of the panels E, such covering
pieces may be of metal suitably decorated. The standards may have slots or the

page_text: covering pieces form slots with the standards into which the panels E are slipped,
and the covering pieces may be attached in any convenient way.
In Figure 9 the standards and covering pieces are shown holding metal panels E'
for saving space in packing.
In Figures 4. 5. 6. 7 and 8 back standards B' are shown without a tie rod, which
in many cases may be used to advantage.
For facility in packing where a plinth base is used I make the splinth by using
blocks or standards H (Figure 12) underneath the bottom shelf, these blocks being
bored to receive the tie rod C and provided with slots running a portion of their
length, into which the plinth pieces I are inserted. To erect such a plinth base the
tie rods C fitted with suitable collars C¹ are passed through the bottom shelf then
through the base blocks H; the plinth boards I having been previously inserted.
On screwing up the socket on the bottom of the tie rod, which is suitably threaded,
the whole forms a rigid base plinth, the tie rods extending above the bottom shelf
for threading over the shelves, standards or sides forming the cabinet.
The shelves may be decorated with fretwork above such shelves by continuing
the tie rods and providing the standards with slots into which the fretwork slips;
when below the shelves, in a similar manner to the plinth by fret work inserted in
the grooves in the standards, as shown in Figure 3.
In filing cabinets where a base is used it may form a portion of the cabinet (as
shown in Figure 1) and take the form of a bookcase, which may be fitted throughout
with framed glass flap doors.
I prefer making the shelves of such bookcases in three parts, the intersecting
ends of the shelves halved and overlapping as at 22 Fig. 4, and secured in the
centre by the back tie rods C, and the intervening panels E, the shelves being
cross grooved to receive such panels; by this means the centre may be made to
project if desired. In the filing cabinets shown Figures 1 and 2. I prefer using flap
doors supported by spring hinges such doors may be fitted with a roller ¹ to
avoid friction as shown in Figure 22. I prefer placing two file cases in cach nest
with a suitable dividing strip. In such cabinets it may be desirable to have a tray J.
upon which to rest the file cases when taken out for reference, such tray may be
fitted in the splinth base so as to pull out. The tray may also be used for actuating
the locking arrangement. I use a rod or rods K (Figures 2 and 13) provided
with suitable projections L, such rods passing through the shelves of the cabinet
and provided with suitable bearings permitting it to rotate; these rods may be
furnished at the bottom with a lever or handle M so arranged that when the tray is
pushed back to close against the face of the plinth, it has rotated the rod in one
direction; on pulling out the tray a suitable projection catches and rotates the
lever in the opposite direction; when two or more rods K are used they may be
coupled by a connecting rod.
By locking up the tray when against the plinth with an ordinary lock, the series
of nests are locked by means of the projection L on the rod, interlocking with a
suitable attachment N, fitted to the flap doors; projections may be provided on
both sides of the rod, so as to interlock two flap doors in one operation.
At Figures 1B and 1° will be seen an arrangement of small isolated nests fitted
with sliding doors covering the apertures except in the centre, the flap door F
when closed and locked covering the edges of the sliding doors and locking them,
when open permitting them to be slid in grooves in the shelves so that any required
door can be moved leaving the next open.
In filing and music cabinets I prefer to use skeleton shelves so as to utilise the
space for packing, making the cross pieces O removable through slot 02; the trays
of music cabinets may be so hinged or attached by a flat spring or otherwise fixed
that when pulled out they will turn over the shelves at an angle, having been
guided, in suitable grooves provided in the cabinet as shewn in Figure 3.
I pro-
vide such trays with a front piece or bracket to which transverse radial arms are
attached, forming a rest for the music, when the arms are moved to one end of their

page_text: traverse, and a clip to hold the music when at the other end of the
traverse. In filing documents I use trays to fit the nests in the cabinet, providing
these trays with a clip consisting of 2 or 4 separate wires X X bent in such a way
as to take a form when closed together; such wires are fixed to a radiating boss,
by means of a twisted bar P Figure 14 which passes through such boss, it being
fitted with a corresponding twist; or by a spring movement as shewn in Figure 15.
In the former case the traverse of the bar P effects the movement, in the latter
case the fingers are pressed. against the bent wire; thus by moving the bar in one
direction, the bent wire opens from the one on which it rests, leaving a space and
becoming locked in that position. On moving the bar in the opposite direction the
space is closed; the pressure of the finger effecting the same object in the spring
movement shewn Figure 15. The radiating boss is fixed to a suitable base which
is attached to the tray. The tray may be made of stamped metal, as shewn in
Figure 21, in which case the boss may centre on lugs stamped on such tray, and the
fixed pins be suitably attached by rivetting or screwing. Spiral screwed telescopic
tubes X' may be passed over the fixed pins, these tubes having flanges at their base
the base tube being of the larger diameter so that a flange may be screwed into
same, and such flange when removed can be screwed into the top tube and form a
flange on same, and loose flanges may be provided to screw into their tops; such
loose flanges may fit in the bottom flanges. The papers, indexes, or documents may
be removed by the upward pressure of the finger through the hole Q when the clip
is open. The indexes used on the clips are provided with punched holes Z to
slip over the pins and also a hole or holes, or eylets Y, through which a spiral
telescopic tube X' may be passed; a hole Q' being provided in the tray and clip
base for this purpose, so that when such indexes containing documents are trans-
ferred, the indexes will be held in the eylets by the tube or tubes, the documents
being loose. A somewhat similar transverse movement shown Figures 17, 18 and 19
is used where documents are placed between the indexes; the indexes being threaded
over a telescopic tube or tubes X2 which are held in place on the trays by suitable
pins, or by a sliding pin running through length of tube (such spiral telescopic
tubes may be flanged at both ends to form a binder). I attach moving arms S to
the front or back of the case or file drawer, these arms being attached to a twisted
bar T, so that by traversing such twisted bar laterally the arms will radiate and
hold or lock the documents in one position and form a rest for same when at the
opposite end of traverse. Such twisted bar may be provided with a supplemental
lock. In preference I cast a nut U around such twisted bar in some suitable soft
metal. I may use studs V in lieu of sides for keeping the papers in position. The
front may be screwed to the tray and held by angle brackets W or other suitable
means. may however use a strong wire bent in suitable shape, and passed over
a twisted bar or bars which would give the requisite movement.
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. A cabinet or article of furniture constructed, combined and arranged so that
the cabinet while presenting the same external appearance as framed furniture may
be added to and taken apart substantially as herein before described and illustrated
on the drawing.
"
2. A cabinet for filing documents, constructed combined and arranged to present
the appearance of framed furniture while capable of being readily added to and
taken to pieces and with filing and locking arrangements operating substantially as
herein before described and illustrated on the drawing.
3. A music cabinet constructed so as to be readily added to or taken apart and
having trays arranged to drop at an angle and fitted with a clip substantially as
described and shown on the drawing.
4. The clip hereinbefore described and shown Figures 17, 18 and 19 of the
drawing.

page_text: 5. In filing clips the spring movement illustrated Figure 15 of the drawing for
the purpose specified.
6. The holder for indexes composed of one or more spiral telescopic tubes as
herein before described and illustrated on the accompanying drawing.
Dated this Fourteenth day of April 1891.