Movable Tab With Curved Attachment Portions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dividers and folders in notebooks and binders often have fixed tab positions, limiting user flexibility and requiring replacement if different tab placements are needed.

Innovation Solution

A movable tab system that can be attached to various positions along a divider or folder, featuring laterally extending attachment portions with curved or angled edges, allowing for secure attachment and easy repositioning by inserting into slots, enabling the tab to be used across different dividers or folders.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed tab position is used on dividers, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the adaptability and user flexibility are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetab positioning flexibilityVSAvoidtab attachment structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tab transitions from a fixed position to a movable position, allowing users to adjust the tab to different locations along the divider edge. The attachment structure enables the tab to be moved along the divider while remaining securely attached, providing dynamic positioning flexibility without requiring multiple dividers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment structure is designed to be universal, allowing the same tab to be attached to various dividers and folders. The curved or angled attachment portions with parallel edges can engage with slots in different dividers, making the tab applicable across multiple divider systems rather than being limited to a single fixed position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If a movable tab system is implemented, then positioning flexibility and adaptability are improved, but the attachment structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetab repositioning easeVSAvoidattachment mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tab is divided into distinct functional segments: a display portion for identification and attachment portions for securing to the divider. The attachment portions are further segmented into curved or angled sections with parallel edges, allowing independent insertion and removal while maintaining overall tab functionality. This segmentation enables easy repositioning without affecting the entire tab structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of fixing the tab to the divider through adhesive or permanent attachment, the design inverts the approach by creating removable attachment portions that can be inserted into slots. The attachment structure allows the tab to be easily removed and repositioned by simply pulling it away from the slots, reversing the conventional fixed-attachment paradigm.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS10787021B2Movable tab

Publication Date: 2020.09.29 ACCO BRANDS CORP

AI summary

A tab system including a tab for attachment to a component, the tab having a display portion proximate to a first edge of the tab and a pair of attachment portions. Each attachment portion is located on a corner of the tab along a second edge opposite from the first edge. Each attachment portion includes curved or angled, generally parallel upper and lower edges, or, alternately each attachment portion includes a pair of generally parallel, spaced-apart outwardly-extending legs.