US3899082A

US3899082A - Binder storage arrangement including removable flexible hangers

Info

Publication number: US3899082A
Application number: US393999A
Authority: US
Inventors: Raymond R Young; Frank J Malcik
Original assignee: Swingline Inc
Current assignee: Acco Brands USA LLC
Priority date: 1973-09-04
Filing date: 1973-09-04
Publication date: 1975-08-12
Anticipated expiration: 1992-08-12
Also published as: GB1457109A; FR2242864A5; AU7229074A; CA994198A; DE2358462A1

Abstract

A binder storage support arrangement utilizing flexible removable light-weight frame hangers having parallel flexible elongated frame elements for supporting binders in depending postion and the arrangement also including spaced-apart support means positioned on a storage housing for holding the removable frame hanger. The parallel frame elements have engaging means affixed to the element ends which are shaped to engage the support means through flexing of the hanger to insert it in the support means. Upon insertion, the hanger restores itself to its normal configuration where it is held since the hanger unflexed and and support means are so dimensioned and positioned.

Description

United States Patent Young et al. Aug. 12, 1975 [5 1 BINDER STORAGE ARRANGEMENT 1,103,587 2/1968 United Kingdom 211/46 REMOVABLE 1.089.946 3/1955 France 312/184 4 1,210,163 10/1970 Canada 312 184 HANGERS 1,182,768 6/1959 France.... 312/184 [75] Inventors: Raymond R. Young, Des Plaines; 772,077 10/1934 312/ 84 Frank J. Malcik, Berwyn, both of 917,301 l/1947 France 312/184 111.

Primary Examiner-Paul R. Gilliam [73] Assgnee' im Long [gland Clty Assistant Examiner-Andrew M. Calvert [22] F d Sept 4 1973 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Pennie & Edmonds [21] Appl. No.: 393,999 [57] ABSTRACT A binder storage'support arrangement utilizing flexi- 2212: [58] Field of Search 211/45 46 1 19 162 181 1 flexlble l elements suppmmg 2 bmders 1n dependmg postlon and the arrangement also including spaced-apart support means positioned [s 6 1 References Cited on a storage housing for holding the removable frame hanger. The parallel frame elements have engaging UNITED STATES PATENTS means affixed to the element ends which are shaped to 1,163,038 12/1915 Robertson 6'. 211. 211/181 X engage the support means through flexing of the 2,174,201 9/1939 Chauvin 211/46 hanger to insert i in the support means. Upon insep la 1 tion, the hanger restores itself to its normal configura- 5 H966 211/46 tion where it is held since the hanger unflexed and and 3228x1144 11/1966 Hymans 211/46 Support means are so dmenswned and posltoned- Germany 312/184 9 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures Pmmmwm 2 5 3,899,08

SHEET 1 7 FIG. I s\ s PATENTED AUG I 2 i975 SHEET BINDER STORAGE ARRANGEMENT INCLUDING REMOVABLE FLEXIBLE HANGERS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Prior binder storage systems have included projections attached to or formed as part of a binder back for sliding in tracks affixed to an upper horizontal surface in a cabinet. Other arrangements used have provided parallel support means positioned between two support blade elements. A flanged back binder is hung between and supported on these parallel members using the flanges on the binder back to engage the parallel members.

The present invention utilizes flanged back binders in combination with an improved hanger unit which is light weight, flexible and readily installed in and removed from the storage cabinet or other storage hous- SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention includes a binder storage support arrangement having a walled storage housing, a frame hanger including parallel flexible elongated frame elements spaced-apart to support a flanged back binder, a pair of hanger frames engaging and supporting means positioned on the storage housing and spaced-apart to receive the hanger when flexed and hold it after its restoration from its flexed position.

It is a feature that the hanger may be made from wire or other small cross-sectional structure material which is lightweight, portable and readily fabricated in a variety of lengths and widths for adaption in file cabinets, desk drawers and other storage areas where existing or installed hanger support means may be utilized.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the storage cabinet;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the hanger frame;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view along lines 3-3 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a sectional view along lines 44 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a hanger frame adapted to fit in a desk draw; and

FIG. 6 is an end view of the flanged binder positioned in the hanger frame shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view showing a frame hanger adapted for use in an open top cabinet; and

FIG. 8 shows in a broken side elevational view the hanger of FIG. 7 in position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Directing attention first to the embodiment of FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4, stacked storage unit I includes a plurality of housing units 2. Each unit 2 includes a ceiling 3 generally-disposed in a horizontal position to which are secured spaced-apart hanger supports 4 and 5 which function to support flexible binder hanger frames 6 (FIG. 3).

Front and back supports 4 and 5 each include two L- shaped brackets 7 separated by a sufficient distance to permit insertion of the bracket-

engaging lip portions

8 and 9 of frame 6. Referring to FIG. 3, frame 6 includes frame rails 11 which are made of a material which when formed in lengths having small cross-sectional areas are readily flexed by hand-applied forces and which will restore themselves upon release of such forces.

Supports

4 and 5 are located such that frame 6 will remain held by the supports until flexed and deformed for removal. Outwardly extending lip portions 9 have a sufficient horizontal component so that when upright frame portion 12 abutts front bracket 7 of support 5, the back bracket 7 of the support 5 continues to support frame stretcher 13 which is secured between lip portions 9. Uprights 12,

lip portions

8 and 9 and

stretchers

13 and 14 form hanger support end portions for hanging or mounting the frame hanger. Frame 6 including rails 11 are proportioned and supports 4 and 5 are spaced apart to provide ready insertion and removal of the frame.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective of the complete structure of binder frame 6 including in addition to the parts and portions already mentioned, inner stretcher 14 which is integrally formed with inwardly extending lip portions 8. Stop stretcher 16 limits the movement of binder 17. Referring again to FIGS. 3 and 4, the binder 17 includes flanged back 18 having flanges 19. Binder 17 also includes covers 21, leaves or pages 22 and a mechanism 23 for holding the leaves or pages. Housing units 2 have overhead doors 24.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, an alternative binder frame 6' is shown having rails l 1 and upright portions 12. Secured to upright 12' are U-shaped housing projection engaging guides or clips 26 each including two U-shaped elements 27 and upper and

lower stretchers

28 and 29, all integrally formed as guide 26. Guides 26 which engage desk draw side pieces 31 of desk draw 32 extend outward of side pieces 31 to provide space for identification tags or plates to be suspended, if desired, on

stretchers

28 and 29.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a binder frame 6" having the same elements as frame 6' but having shorter uprights 12. Frame 6" is adapted to be engaged between center brace 33 of top-access storage cabinet 34 and a cabinet housing wall projection 36 of the cabinet. Elements 27 are secured to uprights 12 by spot welding or other suitable means.

Binder frames 6 and their modifications are made of elongated structural elements having small crosssections so that the rails 11, uprights 12 and other portions are flexibly deformable to permit the frame to be flexed sufficiently for ready insertion in and removal from the housing wall frame engaging and supporting means, such as supports 4 and 5, side pieces 31, center brace 33 and projection 36. Frame 6 including its various elements may be integrally formed or fabricate from a plurality of parts. For example, frame 6 is fabricated from five parts and frame 6' from four parts.

We claim:

1. A binder storage support arrangement comprising a. a storage housing;

b. a frame hanger including parallel flexible elongated frame elements spaced-apart a distance such that a flanged-back binder positioned between the elements is supported by them and including hanger support end portions positioned at the ends of the elongated frame elements; and

c. a pair of oppositely spaced first and second housing frame engaging and supporting means adapted to respectively engage each of said hanger support end portions and associated with the storage housing and being shaped, configured and spaced apart to receive the hanger when flexed and to hold the hanger through said hanger support end portions in its non-flexed condition.

2. The arrangement of claim 1 in which a hanger support end portion includes an upright element connected to and disposed at right angles to each elongated frame element and lip portions lie in a plane parallel to the plane of the elongated frame elements.

3. The arrangement of claim 1 in which a hanger support end portion includes uprights connected to the frame elements and disposed generally at right angles thereto and a U-shaped clip means secured to the uprights for engagement with the housing frame engaging and supporting means.

4. The arrangement of claim 2 in which the housing frame engaging and supporting means are spaced apart brackets adapted to receive said lip portions.

5. The arrangement of claim 3 in which the housing frame engaging and supporting means are side pieces of the storage housing and the clip means are proportioned to engage the side pieces.

6. A binder storage support arrangement comprising a. a storage housing;

b. a frame hanger including parallel flexible elongated frame elements spaced apart a distance such that a flanged-back binder positioned between the elements is supported by them and including first and second hanger support end portions positioned at the ends of the elongated frame elements;

c. a pair of first and second housing frame engaging and supporting means associated with the storage housing and shaped, configured and spaced apart to receive the hanger when flexed and to hold the hanger through its end supports in its non-flexed condition;

d. the first hanger support end portion includes a first upright element connected to and disposed at right angles to each elongated frame element and first lip portions which lie in a plane parallel to the plane of the elongated frame elements, each of the first lip portions having a horizontal portion of sufficient length, such that whenever the first lip portions engage the first engaging and supporting means and the frame hanger is moved such that the second hanger end portion is moved towards the second engaging and supporting means the first upright elements abut the first engaging and supporting means for supporting the first lip portions to the first engaging and supporting means to thereby permit flexing of the frame hanger to the assembled condition wherein the second hanger end portion is snapped into engagement with the second engaging and supporting means.

7. The arrangement of claim 6 which further comprises a generally elongated stop member connected to and between the frame elements for limiting movement of the binder so that the binder is disposed towards the front of the storage housing and for providing added strength to the frame hanger.

8. The arrangement of claim 7 which further comprises a second upright element connected to and disposed at right angles to each of the elongated frame elements and a generally U-shaped stretcher member connected to and between the second upright elements for maintaining the hanger in the non-flexed condition.

9. The arrangement as set forth in claim 8 in which the U-shaped stretcher member is connected below the top portion of the second upright elements thereby defining top portions for insuring a snug fit with the second engaging and supporting means thereby preventing against rattle.

Claims

1. A binder storage support arrangement comprising a. a storage housing; b. a frame hanger including parallel flexible elongated frame elements spaced-apart a distance such that a flanged-back binder positioned between the elements is supported by them and including hanger support end portions positioned at the ends of the elongated frame elements; and c. a pair of oppositely spaced first and second housing frame engaging and supporting means adapted to respectively engage each of said hanger support end portions and associated with the storage housing and being shaped, configured and spaced apart to receive the hanger when flexed and to hold the hanger through said hanger support end portions in its non-flexed condition.

6. A binder storage support arrangement comprising a. a storage housing; b. a frame hanger including parallel flexible elongated frame elements spaced apart a distance such that a flanged-back binder positioned between the elements is supported by them and including first and second hanger support end portions positioned at the ends of the elongated frame elements; c. a pair of first and second housing frame engaging and supporting means associated with the storage housing and shaped, configured and spaced apart to receive the hanger when flexed and to hold the hanger through its end supports in its non-flexed condition; d. the first hanger support end portion includes a first upright element connected to and disposed at right angles to each elongated frame element and first lip portions which lie in a plane parallel to the plane of the elongated frame elements, each of the first lip portions having a horizontal portion of sufficient length, such that whenever the first lip portions engage the first engaging and supporting means and the frame hanger is moved such that the second hanger end portion is moved towards the second engaging and supporting means the first upright elements abut the first engaging and supporting means for supporting the first lip portions to the first engaging and supporting means to thereby permit flexing of the frame hanger to the assembled condition wherein the second hanger end portion is snapped into engagement with the second engaging and supporting means.