Improvements in and relating to Portfolios.
Year: 1895

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Portfolios.
I, EUGENE CHEVALERIAS, of 7 Place du Marché, Brussels in the Kingdom of
Belgium, Portfolio Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
This invention relates to a portfolio of that kind in which the leaves or sheets
are held by rods and tubes the former of which penetrate partially or entirely into
the latter and can be separated therefrom for removal or addition of fresh sheets.
The portfolios heretofore known the operations of separating and re-engaging
the rods and tubes had always to be done by hand in such a manner that the
registering of a large quantity of sheets at the same time always caused considerable
loss of time, not to speak of the difficulties connected with its handling, which form
one of the principal causes, why a large number of offices refuse to adopt such
system of portfolios.
In this new portfolio "Chevalerias" the two operations of separating and
re-engaging the rods and tubes are effected automatically by the simple
manipulation of opening and closing of the portfolio, and another feature by
which this new portfolio is distinguished from all other devices of this kind, is that
the tubes remain horizontal or approximately so, even after separation from the
rods; moreover the amount of separation is no more than just sufficient to permit
of the sheet being filed. I may pass a number of sheets from the rods to the tubes
or vice versa without being obliged to reconnect the rods, and tubes before so doing
because the sheets pass in their entirety over the small space between the ends of
the rods and tubes without any hindrance.
These effects are obtained by the particular construction of this improved
portfolio, represented in the accompanying drawing in which
Figure 1 represents a lateral view of the portfolio closed.
Figure 2 shows a plan of the portfolio open, the rods heing still united.
Figure 3 is a sectional view of the portfolio open, the rods being separated.
Figure 4 this position of the portfolio in place.
Figure 5 represents the rod, which is removable from the guide tubes, in section
on a larger scale.
Figure 6 shows in section a punching device for piercing the sheets, fixed upon
the cover of the portfolio as shown in plan in Figure 2, so as to be removable.
Figure 7 shows the arrangement of the tubes of an economical interior
corresponding to the portfolio.
This improved portfolio-device consists of a very simple and inexpensive
arrangement.
The backing D of the portfolio is connected at both sides with the two covers E F
by double hinges C C¹. To the outer or upper members C of the double hinge on
one side are rigidly fixed the tubes T aforesaid and to the outer or upper member
of the other double hinge are fixed the rods t, which latter engage the tubes as
long as the hinges are not extended flat, as in one of the positions shown in
Figures 1 and 2.
For the purpose of obtaining the action herein before described namely of
supporting and holding the rods in horizontal position, when they are separated
and thus present an interruption of the continuity, sufficient to permit of the filing

page_text: of the sheets, the upper members C of the double hinges must be prevented from
turning back and must remain in vertical position when the portfolio is open.
This condition is fulfilled when the two upper members C are united with one
another by a complementary junction preventing the said members from moving
back, but nevertheless permitting of the turning back of the lower members of the
hinges which determines the necessary separation of the registering or fixing rods.
A simple flexible ligature would be sufficient to realize this action during the
opening of the portfolio but would be insufficient during the closure, since then
the rods and tubes would become inclined or bent over the backing D and their
extremities would consequently no longer meet and engage; in other words they
would then lose their horizontal position. In order to avoid this inconvenience the
binding material uniting the two members of each hinge must be rigid and at the
same time extensible. Consequently two suitable rigid pieces sliding with regard
to one another, solve this question. The simplest form of such construction
consists in the use of two tubes T¹ and two corresponding rods t¹ the latter
entering into the former exactly like the filing rods and tubes of the middle part
with the only difference that the rods that control the hinges penetrate their
corresponding tubes T¹ so far that they remain united in the extreme open
position of the portfolio and thus maintain the upper members C of the hinge in
the vertical position. As the complementary tubes and rods are fastened on the
said upper members C C at the extremities of the portfolio the sheets of paper or
the like are placed between them and as they are parallel to the filing rods and
tubes, which separate, it will be readily seen that these latter must of necessity
follow the movement of the outer rods and unite automatically when the portfolio
is closed so that this operation does not necessitate any particular actuation or
guide of the filing rods indispensable in all other known constructions.
The uniting rods of the hinges are removable in order to permit of the
complete opening of the portfolio if necessary, for instance when the same is
filled up and for the purpose of removing the bundle of letters or sheets in order
to fix them in an interior. For this purpose the said rods t¹ carry a knob b at that
extremity by which they are fixed in the member C of the hinge and immediately
in front of said knob they are provided with a screw thread, which is screwed into
a corresponding nut secured to the upper member of the hinge C. It is thus
sufficient to simply unscrew the two rods by turning the said knobs b in order to
remove the rods t¹ and thus to permit of the total opening of the portfolio.
A punching device of new construction may be applied at one of the covers E,
arranged so as to be capable of being removed at will. This punching device
which is represented in Figures 2 and 6 of the accompanying drawing is
distinguished from other constructions already known by its having no frame.
It consists substantially of two piercers P united by a handle A acting as a
pressing lever. The piercers are located in guides provided with slots F for the
insertion of the sheet to be punched and underneath this slot they have threaded
tenons which traverse the cover E, on which latter they are fastened by nuts
having the form of flat buttons B, this means being sufficient for the unscrewing,
when the punching device is wanted to be fixed to another portfolio, the cover of
which is for this purpose previously perforated. The extremities of the handle A
terminate in eccentrics e which have their pivot point in projections G of the
punch guides. These eccentrics turn in the corresponding cavity of the head of
the punches which automatically rise under the pressure of a spring R, when the
handle is raised and pierce the paper in the slit F under the strong pressure of the
eccentrics e when the handle is turned back.
When the portfolio is filled with sheets these latter may be withdrawn for
keeping them in an interior of extremely simple construction, as represented in
Figure 17, consisting of an appropriate cover having simply two tubes T2 and two
rods t, of which the latter enter the former, like the rods t¹ of the portfolio hinges
too far to allow the cover to open. In order to disengage these rods t* from the
tubes T' at any desired moment, the latter are provided with longitudinal slots at

page_text: their front extremities and at the inner sides. Thus if one exerts a pressure from
outside upon the rods t', the said rods leave the tubes through the slots of the
cover and the interior can be entirely opened. The packet of papers withdrawn
from the portfolio is then slid over the rods and the whole is put back in its place
by the reverse operation, when the slightly resilient rods will take up again their
normal position in the tubes while returning into the slots.
Dated this 5th day of April-1895.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
CUMILELE SIMULTICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Portfolios.
I, EUGENE CHEVALERIAS, of 7 Place du Marché, Brussels, in the Kingdom of
Belgium, Portfolio Manufacturer, 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 a portfolio of that kind in which the leaves or sheets
are held by rods and tubes the former of which penetrate partially or entirely
into the latter and can be separated therefrom for removal or addition of fresh
sheets.
In portfolios heretofore known the operations of separating and re-engaging the
rods and tubes had always to be done by hand in such a manner that the registering
of a large quantity of sheets at the same time always caused considerable loss of
time, not to speak of the difficulties connected with its handling, which form one
of the principal causes, why a large number of offices refuse to adopt such
system of portfolios.
In this new portfolio "Chevalerias” the two operations of separating and
re-engaging the rods and tubes are effected automatically by the simple manipulation
of opening and closing of the portfolios, and another feature by which this new
portfolio is distinguished from all other devices of this kind, is that the tubes
remain horizontal or approximately so, even after separation from the rods;
moreover the amount of separation is no more than just sufficient to permit of the
sheet being filed; I may pass a number of sheets from the rods to the tubes or
vice versa without being obliged to reconnect the rods, and tubes before so doing
because the sheets will pass in their entirety over the small space between the
ends of the rods and tubes without any hindrance.
These effects are obtained by the particular construction of this improved
portfolio, represented in the drawing left with my Provisional Specification in
which
Figure 1 represents a lateral view of the portfolio closed.
Figure 2 shows a plan of the portfolio open, the rods being still united.
Figure 3 is a sectional view of the portfolio open, the rods being separated.
Figure 4 this position of the portfolio in plan.
Figure 5 represents the rod, which is removable from the guide tubes, in section
on a larger scale.
Figure 6 shows in section a punching device for piercing the sheets, fixed upon
the cover of the portfolio as shown in plan in Figure 2, so as to be removable.
Figure 7 shows the arrangement of the tubes of an economical interior corre-
sponding to the portfolio.
This improved portfolio-device consists of a very simple and inexpensive
arrangement.
The backing D of the portfolio is connected at both sides with the two
covers EF by double hinges C C₁. To the outer or upper member C of the double
hinge ou one side are rigidly fixed the tubes T aforesaid and to the outer or upper

page_text: of the other double hinge are fixed the rods t, which latter engage the tubes as
long as the hinges are not extended flat as in one of the positions shown as in
Figures 3. and 4.
For the purpose of obtaining the action herein before described namely of
supporting and holding the rods in horizontal position, when they are separated
and thus present an interruption of the continuity, sufficient to permit of the filing
of the sheets the upper members C of the double hinges must be prevented from
turning back and must remain in vertical position when the portfolio is open.
This condition is fulfilled when the two upper members C are united with one
another by a complementary junction preventing the said members from moving
back, but nevertheless permitting of the turning back of the lower members of the
hinges which determines the necessary separation of the registering or fixing rods.
A simple flexible ligature would be sufficient to realize this action during the
opening of the portfolio but would be insufficient during the closure, since then the
rods and tubes would become inclined or bent over the backing P and their
extremities would consequently no longer meet and engage; in other words they
would then lose their horizontal position. In order to avoid this inconvenience the
binding material uniting the two members of such hinge must be rigid and at the
same time extensible. Consequently two suitable rigid pieces sliding with regard
to one another, solve this question. The simplest form of such construction
consists in the use of two tubes T' and two corresponding rods t¹ the latter entering
into the former exactly like the filing rods and tubes of the middle part with the
only difference that the rods t' that control the hinges penetrate their corresponding
tubes T so far that they remain united in the extreme open position of the
portfolio and thus maintain the upper members C of the hinge in the vertical
position. As the complementary tubes and rods are fastened on the said upper
members C C at the extremities of the portfolio the sheets of paper or the like are
placed between them and as they are parallel to the filing rods and tubes, which
separate, it will be readily seen that these latter must of necessity follow the
movement of the outer rods and unite automatically when the portfolio is closed so
that this operation does not necessitate any particular actuation or guide of the
filing rods indispensable in all other known constructions.
The uniting rods of the hinges are removable in order to permit of the
complete opening of the portfolio if necessary, for instance when the same is filled
up and for the purpose of removing the bundle of letters or shunts in order to fix
them in an interior. For this purpose the said rods t¹ carry a knob 6 at that
extremity by which they are fixed in the member C of the hinge and immediately
in front of said knob they are provided with a screw thread which is screwed into
a corresponding nut secured to the upper member of the hinge. It is thus
sufficient to simply unscrew the two rods by turning the said knobs in order to
remove the rods and thus to permit of the total opening of the portfolio.
A punching device of new construction may be applied at one of the covers E,
arranged so as to be capable of being removed at will. This punching device
which is represented in Figures 2 and 6 of the drawing is distinguished from other
constructions already known by its having no frame. It consists substantially of
two piercers P united by a handle A acting as a pressing lever. The piercers are
located in guides provided with slits F for the insertion of the sheet to be punched
and underneath this slit they have threaded tenons Q which traverse the cover E,
on which latter they are fastened by nuts having the form of flat buttons B, this
means being sufficient for the unscrewing, when the punching device is required to
be fixed to another portfolio, the cover of which is for this purpose previously
perforated. The extremities of the handle A terminate in eccentrics e which have
their pivot point in projections G of the punch guides. These eccentrics turn in
the corresponding cavity of the head of the punches which automatically rise
under the pressure of a spring R, when the handle is raised and pierce the paper in
the slit Funder the strong pressure of the eccentrics e when the handle is
turned back.

page_text: When the portfolio is filled with sheets these latter may be withdrawn for
keeping them in an interior of extremely simple construction, as represented in
Figure 7 consisting of an appropriate cover having simply two tubes T and two
rods t of which the latter enter the former, like the rods t¹ of the portfolio hinges
too far to allow the cover to open. In order to disengage these rods t² from the
tubes T at any desired moment, the latter are provided with longitudinal slits at
their front extremities and at the inner sides. Thus if one exerts a pressure from
outside upon the rods 2, the said rods leave the tubes through the slits of the
cover and the interior can be entirely opened. The packet of papers withdrawn
from the portfolio is then slid over the rods and the whole is put back in its place
by the reverse operation, when the slightly resilient rods will take up again their
normal position in the tubes while returning into the slits.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, declare that what I
claim is
First. In a portfolio, for supporting the registering rods during their receding
and approaching in horizontal position, an arrangement for maintaining the upper
ribs of the double hinges of the cover upon which hinges the two pairs of rods are
fastened always in vertical position, the arrangement consisting in extensible
binding members allowing of a voluntary displacement of the lower ribs.
Second. A form of executing the binding members, claimed in the first claim and
consisting of two rigid pieces sliding one with regard to the other and being
preferably two rods removable by the aid of a screw thread or otherwise,
penetrating sufficiently far into two corresponding tubes so as to be prevented from
separating when the portfolio is opened.
Third. A frameless punching device applied to portfolios, having two punchers
rising automatically under the action of springs and descending under the pressure
of two eccentrics at the extremities of a handle acting as a lever; the punchers
being located in guides provided with horizontal slits and fixed upon the cover of
the portfolio or upon any other suitable basis.
Fourth. An interior for portfolios having two rods in combination with two
longitudinal slotted tubes; these slots constituting the only means for separating
the rods from the tubes by causing them to leave laterally under a suitable pressure
exerted by hand upon the rods from the outside towards the inside.
Datel this 6th day of January 1896.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.