Improvements in Files or Filing-cabinets for Letters and other Documents, Catalogues, and the like.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Nov., 1895-Accepted, 25th Jan., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Files or Filing-cabinets for Letters and other
Documents, Catalogues, and the like.
I, ARTHUR JAMES WELLS, of No. 250 Tallman Street, in the City of Syracuse,
County of Onondaga, and State of New York, United States of America,
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
mauner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to an improved file or filing-cabinet for letters and other
documents, catalogues and the like, and has for its object the production of a
device of such construction that its shelves or supports are readily assembled,
removed or adjusted, and its partitions are particularly designed to permit their
ready adjustment and afford the necessary support to letters, papers, and similar
articles liable to pass through open partitions, and to this end it consists, essentially,
in the general construction and arrangement of the component parts of the file, all
as hereinafter more particularly described and pointed out in the claims. In
describing this 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 a file embodying this invention.
Figure 2 is a transverse section, taken on line 2-2, Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a vertical section, taken on line 3-3, Figure 2.
Figures 4 and 5 are, respectively, vertical and inverted horizontal detail sections,
taken on lines 4-4, and 5-5, Figures 2 and 4.
Figure 6 is an isometric view of a portion of one of the detached supports
or shelves of this file; and
Figure 7 is an isometric view of one of the detached plates or shields for the
adjustable partitions of the file.
A represents the frame or enclosing case of the file which is of any desirable
form, size or construction, and is here illustrated as rectangular in cross section,
and as provided with rear and side walls a a' a¹ and a suitable roller front wall a
The inner faces of the side walls a¹ a¹ are provided with transverse engaging
shoulders which are usually formed by grooves a³ cheaply produced by saws or
other suitable tools before the walls of the frame are secured together.
B is a support or shelf arranged within the frame or enclosing case A and
although but a small number of supports or shelves are here illustrated, it will be
understood that any suitable number thereof may be arranged one above the other.
The support or shelf B preferably consists of a bottom piece b and a rear wall b¹
arranged at an angle with each other and having their adjacent edges suitably
secured together and their outer edges provided with diagonally arranged
transverse engaging shoulders usually formed by grooves b². The support or
shelf B' is here shown as provided with end walls 63, but these end walls may be
dispensed with if desired. The bottom piece b and the rear wall are preferably
composed of wood or other suitable material and the grooves 6* are usually formed
in metallic strips b* secured to the outer edges of said bottom piece and rear
wall.
The support or shelf B is preferably detachably secured to the frame or
euclosing case A and is provided with fastening pieces C which may be formed

page_text: with perforations e and are usually eccentrically pivoted at c' to the opposite ends
of the lower face of the bottom piece b. Two fastening pieces C are preferably
used for each end of the support or shelf B, and, as is clearly seen at Figures 2, 4, 5,
and 6, said fastening pieces are provided with engaging portions which swing
outwardly beyond the end edges of the bottom piece b and enter the grooves a
thereby firmly and effectively supporting said shelf and permitting of its ready
securement and removal. The support or shelf B is preferably used within the
frame or enclosing case A, but, it is obvious that, if desired, said frame and the
fastening pieces C may be dispensed with and in that event the support or shelf B
may be mounted upon a desk or table.
D D are
a series of partitions engaged with the support or shelf B and
preferably formed with upper and lower engaging portions d d for entering the
grooves in the bottom piece b and rear wall b'. The partitions D are preferably
formed of a main body usually constructed of spring wire or other similar material
and consisting of front and top arms d² d³ arranged at substantially right angles
with each other, the top arm being formed with a downwardly extending open
loop d' Figures 3 and 6, the lower end of which is normally arranged adjacent to
the top face of the bottom piece b. The main bodies of the partitions D although
economically manufactured and particularly applicable for ready securement and
adjustment to affect variation in the width of the compartments formed thereby,
are liable to permit the passage from one compartment to another, of letters,
papers, and similar articles. The partitions D are therefore provided with plates
or shields E which are of any desirable form, size, and construction and are
preferably detachably secured to the main bodies of the partitions D for facilitating
their adjustment. Said plates or shields are usually constructed of sheet metal
and are formed substantially U shaped, their branches e e being arranged on
opposite sides of the partition D. If desired the plates or shields E may be
composed of spring material, and their opposite branches will then engage the
main bodies of the partitions D and prevent undue disengagement of said plates
or shields. Although simple in construction the plates or shields E are an
important feature of this invention, and add greatly to its practicability and
adaptability for receiving and supporting letters, papers, and similar articles.
The operation of this invention will be readily perceived upon reference to the
foregoing description and the accompanying drawing, and it will be particularly
noted that the supports or shelves are easily secured in position within the frame
or case, are readily detached when desired, and when within or without said frame
or case, effectively support any articles interposed between their partitions and
prevent passage of the same from one compartment to another. The exact detail
construction and arrangement of the parts of this file may obviously be con-
siderably varied without departing from the spirit of the invention and hence the
same is not herein specifically limited to such exact detail construction and
arrangement.
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 file or filing-cabinet comprising a frame, a support or shelf detachably
supported by the frame and consisting of a bottom piece and a rear wall secured
together and arranged at an angle with each other, and provided with engaging
shoulders at their outer edges, and a series of partitions adjustable towards and
away from each other, and having diagonally arranged shoulders detachably
engaged with the former shoulders, substantially as and for the purpose described.
2. A file or filing-cabinet comprising a support, and a series of partitions
engaged with the support and adjustable towards and away from each other, said
partitions being provided with detachable plates or shields, substantially as and
for the purpose specified.

page_text: 3. As a new article of manufacture, the herein described partition, the same
consisting of a main body, and a substantially U-shaped plate or shield having
its branches arranged ou opposite sides of said main body, substantially as and for
the purpose set forth.
Dated this 20th 1-
Ontahan 1905
ARTHUR JAMES WELLS.
D. Young & Co.,
11 & 12 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.