Improvements in Devices for Filing Letters or other Papers.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Jan., 1892-Accepted 5th Mar., 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Devices for Filing Letters or other Papers.
A communication by THE OFFICE SPECIALTY MANUFACTURING Co., of
Rochester, in the State of New York, United States of America.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of the Agency for
Foreign Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool and 6 Bank Street,
Manchester both 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 be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to that class of devices, for filing letters and other papers
in flat or unfolded condition, which consists of two parallel upright wire arches,
cach so divided that its parts may be readily separated to permit the insertion or.
removal of individual sheets.
These files have heretofore been constructed in various forms, but an objection
existed to them in the fact that it was impossible to pack them in compact shape
for storage or transportation. The present invention has in view the construction
of the file in such manner as to admit of the arches being readily folded downward
flatwise upon the base or support, and of their being quickly erected and fastened
in position for use.
To this end, the arches are hinged or jointed to the base or support, and the
parts so organised that, when erected, the arches are held in position.
In the accompanying drawings, different but equivalent methods of securing this
result are shown.
In these drawings
Figure 1 represents the device in one forin.
Figure 2 is a modification of the same.
Figure 3 is another modification of the same.
Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7 are views of an equivalent construction.
Its
In Figure 1, A represents a base-plate having across its ends two horizontal
sleeves a', which receive the lower ends of the filing arches or wires B, each
consisting of a wire bent into such shape as to present a horizontal journal ¹, one
end of which is carried upward and turned downward, as shown at 62, in position
to be sprung into the opposite end which rises from the other end of the journal.
When closed, each arch is of a 0-form, and is practically a continuous wire.
ends may be sprung apart to permit the insertion or removal of a sheet and then
rejoined at will. The two arches, when erected for use, stand in parallel position,
so that cach sheet containing two perforations will be held by both wires, as usual
in this class of devices. When not in use, the arches may be folded downward
bodily so as to rest flatwise upon the base or support in the manner shown in the
right hand of Figure 1. The journal of each arch is formed with a projection *,
and the base plate provided with two spring tongues C, notched in such manner
that, when the arches are upturned, their studs will enter the notches so that the
springs will keep them in their erect or operative position.
In Figure 2, the arch is constructed and joined to the base plate in the same
manner as in the preceding figure, except that the journal is arranged to slide
longitudinally in its sustaining sockets so that the one standard or arm and the
projection may enter the notches formed in the sleeve to hold the arch in an
erect position. When shifted endwise, as indicated in dotted lines, the arch will
unlock so that it may be turned down.
In Figure 3, the journal of the arch is divided in the middle, and the two ends at.
bent laterally so that, when the ends are sprung apart by the elasticity of the

page_text: metal, they will enter notches in the sleeve or bearing, and thus hold the arches
erect.
It will, of course, be understood that two-arches are to be used in each instance,
and that they may be varied in form and detail at will, provided they retain
essentially the form and mode of action above described.
In Figures 4 to 7, the base-plate A has hinged to one side the n-shaped
member B, consisting of the journal and the two parallel arms or filing
standards b', rising from its ends so that they may be turned to a perpendicular
position for use, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, or folded down flatwise as in
Figures 3 and 4. These standards form part of the arches. The remaining
portion of each arch consists of an-shaped wire C, one end of which is removably
inserted in the tubular standard ', while the remaining end is bent laterally to
form a foot to enter a socket a on the base plate. When these feet are inserted
and the opposite ends of the wire C seated in the standards, the file presents the
appearance shown in Figure 1 and is ready for use. After disengaging the feet, as
shown in Figure 5, the wires C may be lifted out of the standards.
separation permits the application and removal of sheets.
This
If the file is to be folded, the feet are disengaged from the sockets a and the
arches turned bodily backward around the journal as a centre to the position
shown in Figure 6, after which the arches are folded down sidewise, as shown in
Figure 7. The two wires C are connected near their feet by a cross-bar D, on
which they are free to turn. When the wires are folded down from the position
shown in Figure 6 to that shown in Figure 7, they revolve around their forward
ends within the standards as centres.
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 correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
As an improvement in letter files having two filing arches, the arches mounted
to fold down flatwise, substantially as described, when not in use, whereby the file
may be placed in compact form for storage and transportation.
Dated this 15th day of January 1892.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.