Device for Organizing Papers and Files

The present invention relates to a knockdown extendible device adapted for use on a desk top, table top, or the like supporting surface, for holding files, folders, papers, ledgers, and the like, in an organized, uncluttered and readily accessible condition.

Heretofore, knockdown-type desk organizers, or file racks, have taken the form of a wooden or metal base provided with means such as recesses, notches, slots, or the like, for receiving the in-turned ends of wire dividers to be supported on the base. Exemplary of such prior units are those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 451,729, 1,257,528 and 2,062,802. While the wire dividers employed with such units can be positioned on the base at any desired distance apart within the dimensional limits of the base, no provision is made for extending the length of the base by interconnecting it to another unit, for example, for the purpose of accommodating a greater number of articles. In U.S. Pat. No. 1,750,575, interconnectible, L-shaped, book end-like desk units are shown which employ a series of corrugations in the horizontal portion of each unit to enable two, or more, of the units to be attached in overlying relation to one another. Wholly apart from the cumbersomeness, and the unattractive appearance of the units of the patent, the overlapping arrangement used to attach one unit to another wastes storage space and limits the extent to which the vertical, article separating portions of each unit can be spaced from each other.

In accordance with the present invention, a knockdown device for holding articles such as files, folders, papers, ledgers, and the like, is provided which not only is extendible, but, also, enables a user to engage article separating means on the device at any desired position. In addition to its functional versatility, the device can be packaged and shipped in a compact, disassembled condition, and, at its point of use, can be quickly and easily assembled without the need for any kind of a tool. The device is rugged in construction while being highly attractive in appearance. It can hold substantially any size folder, file, paper, or ledger, and requires minimal space on a desk top, or the like supporting surface.

The device, in brief, comprises a base member having a lower, supporting surface engaging portion, and an upper article supporting portion. The upper and lower portions of the base member are positioned in vertically spaced relation to one another, and the upper portion has a plurality of longitudinally spaced openings or slots formed along the side margins thereof through which the ends of wire dividers included with the device extend. The ends of the wire dividers are in-turned and are adapted to be engaged in openings provided along the side walls of the base member. Removable end members are provided for each end of the base member. Unique connector means is included with the device for enabling two base members to be interconnected in end-to-end relation. Additional connector means can be provided, if desired, permitting more than two base members to be so joined. The removable end members and the connector means are adapted to be snugly frictionally engaged in the space between the upper and lower portions of the base member. Cooperating stop means for limiting the extent to which the end members and the connector means can be inserted between said portions of the base member advantageously is provided on the base member and the margins of the end members and the connector means. When inter-engaged the various elements comprising the device form a stable, unitary structure which can be moved, as a unit, to any desired location.

The foregoing, and other advantages and features of the invention will become clear to those skilled in the art upon reference to the following specification, the claims, and the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of an embodiment of the device of the present invention illustrating two base members interconnected;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view in perspective of the base members, and end member, and a connector for forming the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view in elevation of one of the base members of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view showing the connector engaged on an end of a base member of said embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 5--5 of FIG. 4, and showing a divider in position on the base member; and

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 6--6 of FIG. 4.

Referring, now, in more detail to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the embodiment of the device illustrated, and designated generally by reference numeral 10, comprises a pair of base members 12-12 interconnected by a connector 14, and having end members 16-16 engaged on the ends thereof. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the device may comprise a single base member and a pair of removable end members. The connector, in this form of the invention, would then provide a convenient and effective means for adding a second base member to the original one.

Each base member 12 has a lower, supporting surface engaging portion 12a and an upper, article supporting portion 12b. The lower portion 12a has a top wall 12c, and depending end walls 12d-12d and side walls 12e-12e. The end walls 12d-12d are each provided with a pair of inwardly extending ears 12f-12f having openings therethrough for receiving and retaining feet 18 made of rubber or the like. The side walls 12e-12e of the base members have a plurality of spaced openings 12g formed therethrough, the function of which will become clear as the description proceeds. The top wall 12c of each base member 12 has two rounded extensions or bosses 12h-12h formed therein at each end adjacent to the corners thereof. The bosses 12h-12h serve to maintain the upper portion 12b and the top wall 12c of the base members in slightly, vertically spaced relation to one another. The upper portion 12b is secured to the lower portion 12a by pin-like members or rivets 20 which pass through the bosses 12h-12h in the top wall 12c of the lower portion 12a.

The upper portion 12b of each base member 12 comprises a flat panel or plate, the side margins 12i-12i of which extend outwardly with relation to the side walls 12e-12e of the lower portion 12a of the base members. The outwardly extending side margins 12i-12i each has a plurality of longitudinally spaced openings or slots 12j formed therein through which the ends 22a of a plurality of wire dividers 22 are intended to pass. As best shown in FIG. 5, the ends 22a of the dividers 22 are in-turned and are adapted to be engaged in an opening 12g in the side walls 12e-12e of the lower portion 12a of each base member 12.

The connector 14 of the device comprises a relatively narrow symmetrical plate each of the longitudinal or side margins 14a-14a of which has a plurality of rounded extensions or bosses 14b formed therein. The side margins 14a-14a also are provided with a pair of spaced recesses or notches 14c-14c, and the ends of the connector 14 each has a pair of spaced openings 14d-14d therethrough. As best illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the side margins 14a-14a of the connector 14 are adapted to be inserted in the narrow space 24 between the upper portion 12b and the top wall 12c of the lower portion 12a of each base member 12. The bosses 14b formed along the margins 14a-14a of the connector 14 make snug frictional contact with the inner surface of the upper portion 12b and serve to maintain the connector 14 in position on the base members 12. The recesses 14c-14c in each of the margins 14a-14a receive the bosses 12h-12h formed in the top wall 12c of the lower portion 12a of each base member, and, together with the bosses 12h-12h, form cooperating stop means for limiting the extent to which the margins 14a-14a of the connector 14 can be inserted into the space 24, and, in addition, act to limit any transverse movement of the base member with relation to the connector 14. When the base members 12 are joined end-to-end by the connector 14 as shown in FIG. 1, the opening 14d in the ends of the connected are in register with the last slots 12j adjacent to the inner edge of the upper portion 12b of each of the members 12 (see FIG. 4). This arrangement enables all of the slots 12j in the upper portion 12b to be used for receiving and positioning dividers 22 a desired distance from each other.

The removable end members 16-16 of the device, as illustrated, each comprise an upwardly extending portion 16a and an inwardly extending portion 16b. The shape and dimensions of the portion 16a, of course, can be varied as desired. The portion 16b of each end member 16 has a plurality of rectangularly shaped extensions or bosses 16c formed along the inner edge thereof, and is provided with a pair of spaced notches or recesses 16d-16d. The ends of the portion 16b are notched or recessed to provide clearance space 16e for the outer corners of the upper portion 12b of each base member 12 when the end members 16-16 are in position.

The end members 16-16 are secured on the base members 12 by inserting the inwardly extending portion 16b of each end member into the space 24 between the top wall 12c of the lower portion 12a, and the upper portion 12b, of the base members. The bosses 16c on the portion 16b snugly frictionally engage the inner surface of the upper portion 12b, and the recesses 16d-16d receive and engage the bosses 12h formed on the top wall 12c of the lower portion 12a of the base member 12. The recesses 16d-16d and the bosses 12h-12h cooperate to limit the extent to which the portion 16b of the end members 16-16 can be inserted into the space 24, and, in addition, act to limit any transverse movement of the end member in relation to the base member.

In its assembled condition, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the device has the appearance and structural characteristics of a one piece unit, and can be moved as a unit to any desired location, even with articles such as files, folders, and the like positioned between the dividers 22. As indicated hereinabove, a third, or even a fourth, base member may be interconnected at either or both ends of the device as shown in FIG. 1. This can be accomplished by simply removing one or both of the end members 16-16, and inserting another connector on the base members 12. The added base member, or members, can then be attached by inserting the exposed margin of the connectors in the base members as described above. After the added base member, or members, have been joined in end-to-end relation with the first two base members, the end members can be repositioned thereon.

While the invention has been described in relation to a preferred embodiment thereof, it should be understood that various modifications may be made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.