for,, etce
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application. 22nd June, 1887
Complete Left, 22nd Mar., 1888
Com/pete Accepted, 27th Apr., 1888
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON F.C.S. M.I.M.E. of the Agency for Foreign Patent
Solicitors, 6 Lord Street, Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, and 323, High
Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
This invention appertains to paper files in which provision is made for removing or
examining any of the papers on the file, without displacing or disarranging other
papers on the same file; and for the orderly arrangement of papers as they are
received or accumulate, under dates, titles, or other methods of classification, so that
papers bearing on the same or cognate subjects may be filed together, and any paper
may be inspected or taken from and replaced in the file without disordering or removing
other papers in the same or other classes.
These files consist essentially of a fixed tubular or solid wire or needle on which the
papers are impaled, and a movable curved or arched wire, called the transfer or keeper
wire, one end of which is movable to and from the fixed wire; when it is desired to
remove or inspect a paper on the file in an intermediate class, or which has
been filed under other papers or classes; or, to file a paper in a special class or under
a certain date, the superimposed papers may be transferred to the movable wire without
disarranging their order and the exposed paper inspected, or, if the paper is to be
removed, or another paper filed, the transfer or keeper wire with the papers may he
turned out of conjunction with the fixed wire and the paper taken off or filed as the
case may be.
The present improvements are a continuation of or an addition to the invention
patented by Letters Patent, No. 8,580, A.D. 1886, for "Files for Letters, Papers, Bills
etcetera. The invention described and claimed in said application, consists in con-
necting the transfer or keeper wire with a tubular socket by means of a sliding and
vibrating joint, or a joint formed by means of a. slot in the tube and a pin on the stem

page_text: .
of the transfer wire, and joining the latter with the fixed wire by interlocking its
detachable and movable end with the fixed wire. The objects of the present invention,
are first, to do away with the slotted tube and pin and thus economize the manufacture
of the file; second, to make the connections of the transfer or keeper wire with its
base more stable, firm and positive; third, to prevent the transfer or keeper wire from
closing or moving when opened to its full extent; fourth, to make the transfer
wire self-closing after being released, or receiving an impulse in the direction of
closing.
The tablet of the file is made of wood, paper, board or other suitable material and
of any suitable and convenient size; it may also be arranged as a drawer, so that it
can be placed in a case or cabinet.
The fixed and movable wires are connected with suitable bases, which are preferably,
but not necessarily cast in one with or connected together by a cast metal plate of any
tasteful design, which is constructed so that it can be attached to the tablet by screws
or by any other suitable and convenient means. The plate and filing mechanism
being thus connected together may be easily detached froin the tablet for convenience
of packing and shipping.
The plate if used, has a flange around its edge, which raises it slightly above the
tablet and thus forms a space, but this is not essential.
The fixed or impaling wires are tubular, and their tops or upper ends are beveled off
to a point which facilitates puncturing the papers, when they are not previously
perforated for filing as may be done. The tubular form of the said wires is not,
however, essential as will appear presently. The bases for the fixed wires, are
merely bosses with sockets in which the lower ends of said wires are inserted and
securely fastened.
The bases for the movable wires are hollow and of pyramidal form, and within
them are a conical chamber and a cylindrical chamber, in the top of which is inserted
a tube, which serves as a guide or sleeve for the transfer wire. The transfer or keeper
wires are arched in the usual manner; one leg connects with a base and forms the
axis on which the shorter end vibrates. The leg is inserted in a tube and extends
down into a chamber in the base, its end being provided with a foot, and a spiral
spring is coiled around the stem, its lower end being fastened to the stem by soldering
or in any other secure manner, and its upper end bearing against the top of the chamber.
The spring holds the transfer wire down and keeps its free end in conjunction with
the fixed wire or needle when closed, steadies its motion when being opened, and, when
closing throws it in conjunction with the fixed wire.
A detachable foot plate is connected with the under-side of the plate at the rear
thereof and in position to cover the chambers in the base, the ends of said plate being
rounded so as to fit within the flange which passes around the edge of the base. The
flange prevents the plate from turning or slipping and it is otherwise fastened in place
by means of a centrally placed screw. On the plate are the stationary devices which
control the position of the transfer wires. These consist of a step and a stop, which
enter the chamber under the stand when the plate is in position. The stop prevents
the transfer wire from turning the wrong way, and from striking or bearing against
the fixed wire; but the step has certain peculiarities of construction, and has for its
object to control the movement of the transfer wire. For this purpose the step is
preferably curved into nearly the segment of a circle, either concentric or eccentric to
the axis of the stem of the transfer wire, its upper edge is formed into three parts,
namely: a stop, a horizontal or straight surface or edge and an inclined edge, which
terminates above the plate a definite distance, thereby, leaving the end at right angles
to the plate and terminated short of a line joining the adjacent side of the transfer
wire with the fixed wire. Between the end and the adjacent end of the projection is
a slot on the side next to and in line with the fixed wire and in this slot, the foot of
the transfer wire is held when the end of the transfer wire is in conjunction with the
fixed wire. The object of inclining the edge is to make the transfer wire self acting
in its vibratory motion when closing, to a certain extent: that is, after moving it
sufficiently to clear the holding point the pressure of the spring combined with the

page_text: incline on which the foot presses will cause the free end to swing around unto alignment
with the fixed wire.
The transfer wire attains its closed position, that is with its free end telescoped,
interlocked or in positive connection with the fixed wire by two movements, namely,
a vibratory movement on its axis-and a longitudinal movement, in sequence, and it is
opened by the same motions reversed.
The operation is as follows: In the duplex files the arched transfer or keeper wires
have no connection with each other and are therefore operated separately. To open
the file the movable or transfer wire is first lifted until its free end clears the end
of the fixed wire-if beveled, until it clears it on the side from which it is turned-and
the foot clears the end of the step. The transfer wire is now vibrated, and the free
end diverged from the fixed wire until the foot is arrested by the stop and rests upon
the edge where it is held by the pressure of the spring forcibly enough to prevent the
transfer wire which is thus held open from moving. To close the transfer wire it is
vibrated or swung in the opposite direction until the free end aligns with the fixed
wire, and the foot clears the end of the step, when the pressure of the spring automa-
tically throws it downward and conjoins or interlocks the free end of the movable
wire with the top of the fixed wire where, by the pressure of the spring it is held against
longitudinal movement, and against lateral movement by the step and stop between
which the foot rests in the slot. When an inclined edge is given to the step, the
vibratory motion of closing may be partly automatic also as when the foot is cleared
from the horizontal edge the pressure of the spring will cause the foot to slide down the
incline and, when it clears it, drop into the notch or slot.
The steps and stops on the foot plate are arranged so that the transfer wires are
opened by being swung outward, but it is obvious that by making the stop exactly
like the step, the transfer wire may be arranged to open in either direction. This
construction, however, would only be advantageously applicable to single files,
and is so made, the upper end of the fixed wire should be squared off and not
beveled.
Dated this 20th of June 1887
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: A communication from abroad by WILLIAM A. COOKE, Junior, of Brooklyn, and
CHARLES S. COOKE, of New York, both in the State of New York, United States
of America, Inventors.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON F.C.S., M.L.M.E., of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, and 323, High
Holborn in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention and in what manner the same is to he performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention appertains to paper files in which provision is made for removing or
examining any of the papers on the file, without displacing or disarranging other
papers on the same file; and for the orderly arrangement of papers as they are
received or accumulate, under dates, titles, or other methods of classification, so that
papers bearing on the same or cognate subjects may be filed together, and any paper
may be inspected or taken from and replaced in the file without disordering or
removing other papers in the same or other classes.
These files consist essentially of a fixed tubular or solid wire or needle on which the
papers are impaled, and a movable curved or arched wire, called the transfer or keeper
wire, one end of which is movable to and from the fixed wire; when it is desired to
remove or inspect a paper on the file in an intermediate class, or which has been filed
under other papers or classes, or, to file a paper in a special class, or under a certain
date, the superimposed papers may be transferred to the movable wire without dis-
arranging their order, and the exposed paper inspected, or, if the paper is to be
removed, or another paper filed, the transfer or keeper wire with the papers may be
turned out of conjunction with the fixed wire, and the paper taken off or filed as the
case may be.
The present improvements are a continuation of or an addition to the invention
for which a patent was granted No. 8580 of A.D. 1886, for "Files for letters,
papers, bills, etcetera." The invention described and claimed in said application,
consists in connecting the transfer or keeper wire with a tubular socket. by
means of a sliding and vibrating joint, or a joint formed by means of a slot in the
tube and a pin on the stem of the transfer wire, and joining the latter with the fixed
wire by interlocking its detachable and movable end with the fixed wire. The objects
of the present invention, are first, to do away with the slotted tube and pin and thus
eccnomize the manufacture of the file, second, to make the connections of the transfer
or keeper wire with its base more stable, firm and positive, third, to prevent the transfer
or keeper wire from closing or moving when opened to its full extent, fourth, to make
the transfer wire self closing after being released, or receiving an impulse in the
direction of closing.

page_text: Figure 1, represents a perspective view of the improved me upica form
Figure 2, a vertical longitudinal section of the same.
Figure 3, a horizontal section on line xx, of Figure 2.
Figure 4, a perspective view of the stationary devices which control the movable
transfer or keeper wire.
Figure 5 is a vertical cross section, and
Figure 6 a horizontal section on line y, y, of Figure 5 of a modification of the
improved file.
Figures 7, 8, 9, represent the improvements in the form of a single file.
Figures 10, 11, represent different methods of interlocking the fixed and movable
wires.
Referring to the drawings, the tablet A, may be made of wood, paper, board, or other
suitable material and of any suitable and convenient size, it may also be arranged as a
drawer, so that it can be placed in a case or cabinet.
The fixed and movable wires are connected with suitable bases, which are preferably,
but not necessarily cast in one with or connected together by a cast metal plate B, of
any tasteful design, which is constructed so that it can be attached to the tablet by
screws or by any other suitable and convenient means. The plate and filing mechanism
being thus connected together may be easily detached from the tablet for convenience
of packing and shipping.
Plate B, if used, has a flange a around its edge, which raises it slightly above the
tablet and thus forms a space 1, but this is not essential.
The fixed or impaling wires 2, as shown in Figure 2 are tubular, and their tops or
upper ends are bevelled off to a point which facilitates puncturing the papers, when
they are not previously perforated for filing as may be done. The tubular form of the
said wires is not, however, essential as will appear presently. The bases 3, for the
fixed wires, are inerely bosses with sockets in which the lower ends of said wires are
inserted and securely fastened.
The bases 4 for the movable wires are hollow and of pyramidal form, and within
them are a conical chamber 5 and a cylindrical chamber 6, in the top of which is
inserted a tube 17 which serves as a guide or sleeve for the transfer wire. The
chamber receives the stationary parts which govern the position and movement of
the transfer wire, and the chamber 6 is a seat for the spring which controls the said
wire. The transfer or keeper wires 9 are arched in the usual manner, one leg b which
is considerably longer than the other connects with the base 4 and forms the axis on
which the shorter end c vibrates. The leg b is inserted in the sleeve or guide 7 and
extends down into chamber 5, its end being provided with a foot 10 and a spiral
springs is coiled around the stem, its lower end being fastened to the stem by soldering
or in any other secure manner, and its upper end bearing against the top of chamber 6.
The spring holds the transfer wire down and keeps its free end c in conjunction
with the fixed wire or needle when closed, steadies its motion when being opened, and
when closing throws it in conjunction with the fixed wire.
A detachable foot plate 11 is connected with the underside of plate B at the rear
thereof and in position to cover the chamber 5 of the base 4 the ends of said plate
being rounded so as to fit within the flange which passes around the edge of the base
(see Figures 3 and 4). The flange prevents the plate from turning or slipping and it
is otherwise fastened in place by means of a centrally placed screw d passed up into
plate B as shown in Figure 5. On plate 11 are the stationary devices which control
the position of the transfer wires. These consist of a step 12 and a stop 13 preferably
cast upon plate 11 and in position to enter the chamber under stand 4 when the plate
is in position. Stop 13 prevents the transfer wire from turning the wrong way and
from striking or bearing against the fixed wire, but step 12 has certain peculiarities of
construction which are clearly illustrated by Figure 4, and have further object to
control the movement of the transfer wire. For this purpose the step is preferably
curved into nearly the segment of a circle either concentric or eccentric fo the axis
of the stem of the transfer wire, its upper edge is formed into three parts, nainely, a

page_text: stop, e, a horizontal or straight surface or edge of and an inclined edge g which
terminates above the plate a definite distance, thereby having the end hat right angles
to the plate and terminated short of a line joining the adjacent side of the transfer
wire with the fixed wire. Between end and the adjacent end of projection 13 is a
slot 14 on the side next to and in line with the fixed wire and in this slot the foot 10
is held when the end of the transfer wire is in conjunction with the fixed wire.
While it is preferred that the step 12 shall have an inclined edge or surface 9₁ this
is not essential to the invention and the straight surface may be continued to the end
in some cases which will be referred to presently. The object of inclining the edge
is to make the transfer wire, self acting in its vibratory motion when closing, to a
certain extent, that is, after moving it sufficiently to clear the holding point (the edgef)
the pressure of the spring combined with the incline on which the foot presses will
cause the free end c to swing around into alignment with the fixed wire.
The transfer wire attains its closed position, that is with its free end telescoped,
interlocked or in positive connection with the fixed wire by two movements, namely,
a vibratory movement on its axis, the stem b, and a longitudinal movement, in sequence,
and it is opened by the same motion reversed.
The operation is as follows: In the duplex files the arched transfer or keeper wires
have no connection with each other and are therefore operated separately. The closed
position is clearly represented by Figures 1 and 2, the latter showing the free end of
the transfer wire interlocked with the fixed wire. To open the file, the movable or
transfer wire is first lifted until its free end c clears the end of the fixed wire, if
beveled until it clears it on the side from which it is turned, and the foot 10 clears
the end of the step 12, these positions are indicated by the dotted lines, Figure 2.
The transfer wire is now vibrated and the free end diverged from the fixed wire until
the foot 10 is arrested by the stope and rests upon the edge where it is held by the
pressure of the spring s forcibly enough to prevent the transfer wire which is thus held
open from moving. To close the transfer wire it is vibrated or swung in the opposite
direction until the free end aligns with the fixed wire, and the foot clears the end h of
the step, when the pressure of the spring automatically throws it downward and
conjoins or interlocks the free end of the movable wire with the top of the fixed wire,
where, by the pressure of the spring it is held against longitudinal movement and
against lateral movement by the step 12 and stop 13, between which the foot 10 rests in
the slot 14. When an inclined edge g is given to the step, the vibratory motion of
closing may be partly automatic also, as when the foot is cleared from the horizontal
edge, the pressure of the spring will cause the foot to slide down the incline
(Figure 2) and, when it clears it, drop into the notch or slot 14.
The steps and stops on the foot plate 11, Figures 1 and 2, are arranged so that the
transfer wires are opened by being swung outward; but it is obvious that by making
the stop 13 exactly like the step 12 the transfer wire may be arranged to open in either
direction. This construction, however, would only be advantageously applicable to
single files like that shown in Figures 7, 8, 9, and if so made, the upper end of the
fixed wire should be squared off and not beveled.
In Figures 5 and 6, a flat springs is substituted for the spiral spring to control the
transfer wires. In this case the bases are connected and the chambers 5 extended
latterly to a partition i which forms part of the plate B. The flat spring is laid over
the plate 11 and secured by the screw d driven into i.
The step 12 in the representation of the single file Figures 7, 8, 9, has no inclined
edge g, but as shown it has a slight inclination from the stop e. This inclination is
not enough to cause the spring to move the foot automatically, but by giving
the transfer wire a slight impulse it will continue in motion until it closes.
When a solid fixed wire is substituted for the tubular the locking connections shown
in Figures 10. 11, may be employed.
The sleeve or guide 7 is made from tubing, and should be of the same
diameter as the fixed wire in order that it will enter the perforations made in the
papers for or by the fixed wire. This sleeve or guide furnishes a long bearing or
support for the stem of the transfer wire and thus gives it steadiness and guards it

page_text: against lateral play or motion all which are quite essential to make the transfer wire
work with accuracy.
At the same time it does not reduce the capacity of the stem
to take all the papers that may be transferred to it from the fixed wire.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me
by my foreign correspondents, I declare that what I claim is
1. In paper files the combination of a base, an arched wire having one end connected
with the base end the opposite end free, the said wire being susceptible of longitudinal
and vibratory motion, in sequence, a fixed wire with which the free end of the arched wire
interlocks when in alignment therewith, and a spring which steadies the movement of
the arched wire and holds it when opened and closed, and when its free end aligns
with the fixed wire, automatically moves the arched wire longitudinally and causes
its free end to interlock with the fixed wire, substantially as specified.
2. The combination of a base, an arched wire having one end connected with the
base and the opposite end free, the said wire being susceptible of limited longitudinal
and vibratory motion, in sequence, a fixed wire with which the free end of the arched
wire interlocks when in alignment therewith, and a holding and steadying spring
which when the free end of the movable wire aligns with the fixed wire, automatically
throws its free end into conjunction with the end of the fixed wire, substantially as
specified.
3. The combination of two separate bases 44 two separate arched transfer or keeper
wires 99, each having its leg b connected with one of the said bases and the other end
free, said wires each being susceptible of positive longitudinal and vibratory motion, in
sequence, fixed wires 2, 2, and bases 3, 3, the free ends of the movable wires interlocking
with the fixed wires when aligned therewith and springs which connect with the
movable wires, steadying them in their movements, and holding them when opened
and closed, and when their free ends align with the fixed wires, automatically move
the arched wires longitudinally and cause their free ends to interlock with the fixed
wires substantially as specified.
4. The combination of the fixed wire 2, the arched transfer or keeper wire 9,
connected with a suitable base and susceptible of being moved vertically and vibrated
axially therein, and provided with the foot 10, and the step 12, having its end
terminated short of a line joining the adjacent side of the foot 10 and the fixed wire,
substantially as specified.
5. The combination of a fixed wire, an arched transfer or keeper wire connected
with a suitable base and susceptible of being moved longitudinally and vibrated
axially in its base, and provided with a foot 10, and a step 12, having its end h
terminated short of a line joining the adjacent side of the foot, and the fixed wire, and
provided with a stop e, substantially as specified.
6. The combination of a fixed wire, an arched transfer or keeper wire, connected
with a suitable base, and susceptible of longitudinal and vibratory movement therein
and provided with a foot 10, and a step 12, having a horizontal edge f, and inclined
edge g, substantially as specified.
7. The combination of a fixed wire, an arched transfer or keeper wire, connected
with a suitable base, and susceptible of longitudinal and vibratory movement therein,
and provided with a foot 10, a step 12, a stop 13, and a slot 14, between the step 12
and the adjacent end of the stop, substantially as specified.
8. The combination of the arched transfer wire or keeper wire connected with a
suitable base, and susceptible of being moved vertically and vibrated axially therein,
and provided with a foot 10, the step 12, and the spring s, substantially as
specified.
9. The combination of the fixed wire, the longitudinally movable and vibratory
transfer or keeper wire, provided with the foot 10, the hollow pyramidal base 4, and
the foot plate 11 provided with the step 12, substantially as specified.
10. The combination of the fixed wire, the longitudinally movable and vibratory
transfer or keeper wire, provided with the foot 10, the hollow pyramidal base 4, and

page_text: the foot plate 11, provided with the step 12 and stop 13, and the foot notch or slot 14
between them, substantially as specified.
11. The combination of the two fixed wires, the movable transfer or keeper wires, the
hollow pyramidal bases, 4, 4, and the detachable plate 11, with the steps 12-12, and
stops 13, 13, cast thereon, substantially as specified.
12. The combination of the tubular sleeve or guide 7, with the longitudinally moving
and laterally vibrating transfer or keeper wire, connected with a suitable base,
substantially as specified.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.