Suspended file folder

Abstract

A suspended file folder assembly is made from thermoplastic material and uses a thermoplastic sheet folded along at least one score line to define a folder, which has a retaining portion at upper edges thereof. A support bar, having a cavity in a bottom portion thereof and being substantially symmetrical with respect to its longitudinal axis, mechanically engages with the retaining portion. This weight-bearing interlock distributes the load of the folder along the length of the cavity of the support bar and the upper edge of the sheet. The support bars have notches therein for engagement with conventional suspension rails as well as at least one indentation for accommodating an index tab. A rotatable index tab, or clip tab, is also provided with a lower part, including outwardly extending leg-like extensions, that is complimentary in shape to the support bar and attachable to the support bar.

Description

[0001] This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 274,981 filed on Oct. 22, 2002, which claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 330,437 filed on Oct. 22, 2001.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to suspended file folders and file folder assemblies, and relates particularly to folders and assemblies that are easily manufactured and have good strength characteristics. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Suspended file folders are well known. The most common types are formed from a folded cardboard folder that is attached at its upper edges to metal support bars. The support bars project from either side of the folder to form hooks engageable with suspension rails of a filing drawer. [0004] While such folders have achieved considerable commercial success, they have a variety of disadvantages or weaknesses, including some or all of the following: [0005] a. The support bars tend to be susceptibl...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014] It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate at least one disadvantage of previous suspended file folders. It is particularly advantageous to provide an improvement with respect to the strength and / or load carrying capacity thereof, as well as the ease of manufacture thereof.

[0016] Embodiments of the present invention also provide a rigid thermoplastic index tab, or clip tab, made for attachment to the folder assembly. The index tab is designed such that it can be rotated in its original position on the support bar to change the angle of viewing of an indexing portion thereof for the viewer, without unseating the index tab from its attachment to the support bar. The index tab includes a lower attaching portion having two outwardly extending leg-like extensions for mechanically engaging with the upper portion of the support bar. The two leg-like extensions allow limited rotation of the index tab about the axis of the support bar to provide a wide range of viewing angles for the indexing portion while remaining engaged with the support bar. The two outwardly extending leg-like extensions can extend outwardly with respect to a longitudinal axis of the index tab.

[0021] The file folder assembly preferably further comprises an index tab for attachment to the indentation in one of the support bars. The index tab comprises an upper indexing portion for displaying index information, and a lower attaching portion having two outwardly extending leg-like extensions for mechanically engaging with the upper portion of the support bar, allowing limited mechanical rotation of the index tab about the axis of the support bar to provide a wide range of viewing angles for the indexing portion while remaining engaged with the support bar.

[0024] According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided an index tab for attachment to a hanging file folder, the hanging file folder having a support bar with an indentation in an upper portion thereof for receiving the index tab. The support bar has a pair of legs at a bottom portion thereof defining therebetween a channel. The support bar can be substantially symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal axis of the support bar. The index tab comprises an upper indexing portion for displaying index information, and a lower attaching portion having two outwardly extending leg-like extensions for mechanically engaging with the upper portion of the support bar, allowing limited mechanical rotation of the index tab about the axis of the support bar to provide a wide range of viewing angles for the indexing portion while remaining engaged with the support bar.

Problems solved by technology

While such folders have achieved considerable commercial success, they have a variety of disadvantages or weaknesses, including some or all of the following: a. The support bars tend to be susceptible to being permanently bent or otherwise misshapen.

Bent or misshapen bars alter the distance between the hooks, potentially causing the file folders to fall away from the support bar.

c. The folders are subject to frequent crumpling or ripping, particularly at a medial fold at a bottom end thereof when in use, which must bear both weight and impact from inserted files or papers, and also along the side edges.

d. At the top of the folder, the cardboard tends to detach as a result of general wear, poor quality glue, insufficient glue, or poor manufacturing techniques.

e. Similarly, the metal bars tend to rip through the cardboard at the top of the folder due to handling, which causes the edges of the metal bar to cut through the cardboard.

f. Recycling of the folders is inefficient, since it requires separating the cardboard portion from the metal portion.

The presence of adhesives may make recycling more difficult.

In practice, the folders are therefore not often recycled, and instead they are discarded into the waste stream, which is obviously undesirable.

g. Manufacture of the folders is not as efficient as it would be if the step of securing the folder to the support bar could be avoided.

Despite the improvements in Mark et al., it has been found that folders produced as taught therein, even with the enhancements, are not sufficiently durable in many situations where the weight of the folder contents is significant.

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