Suspended file, suspended folder or the like

Abstract

 Suspended file, suspended folder or the like, intended for suspending on rail systems of different type and provided with suspension edges having suspension means consisting of a combination of at least two of the followings means:

a) a cutout in the central part of the suspension edge, with two noses facing one another,

b) hooks disposed at or near the ends of the suspended edge and having downwardly directed openings,

c) two cutouts of substantially the same shape, each provided with a nose, the two noses pointing in the same direction, while the cutouts are both disposed at least approximately at the same distance from the centre of the suspension edge.

Description

[0001] Suspended file, suspended folder or the Like.

[0002] The invention relates to a suspended file, suspended folder or the Like, which is intended for suspension on a rail system and is provided with a suspension edge having means for suspending the suspended file, suspended folder or the Like on the rail system.

[0003] A known suspended file of this kind is for example described in Dutch Patent Specification 123.625. In this known suspended file the central part of the suspension edge has a cutout provided with two noses facing one another, suitably for suspending the file on a rail system consisting of a rail having in general an inverted T-shaped crossection.

[0004] Another known suspended file is described in Dutch Patent Application 80.01505. In this known suspended file hooks are disposed at the ends of the suspension edge with their openings directed downwards, suitably for suspending the file on a rail system consisting of two rails extending parallel to and spaced apart from one another.

[0005] ALso known are suspended files in which two cutouts are provided in the suspension edge, which have substantiaLLy the same shape and each of which is provided with a nose, the two noses pointing in the same direction, while each of the openings is disposed at Least approximately at the same distance from the centre of the suspension edge, suitably for suspending the file on a rail system consisting of two rails extending parallel to and spaced apart from one another.

[0006] ALL of these known suspended files can be used only in a suspension rack with the rail system suitable for the suspended file in question. In a storage unit provided with a certain rail system it is not possible to use suspended files, suspended folders or the Like whose suspension edge is provided with suspension means suitable for a different type of rail system. Many users find this a disadvantage.

[0007] There is consequently a great need for a universaLLy utilisable suspended file, suspended folder or the Like, which can be used in rail systems of different types.

[0008] An object of the invention is to provide a universal suspended file, suspended folder or the like of this kind.

[0009] In a suspended file, suspended folder or the Like of the kind first defined above, this object is met in that the suspension means referred to con_- sist of a combination of at Least two of the undermentioned means:

a) a cutout in the central part of the suspension edge, with two noses facing one another, suitably for suspending the file on a rail system consisting of a rail having in general an inverted T-shaped crossection

b) hooks disposed at or near the ends of the suspension edge and having downwardly directed openings, suitably for suspending the file on a rail system consisting of two rails extending paralld to and spaced apart from one another,

c) two cutouts of substantially the same shape, each provided with a nose, the two noses pointing in the same direction, while the cutouts are both disposed at least approximately at the same distance from the centre of the suspension edge, suitably for suspending the file on a rail system consisting of two rails extending parallel to and spaced apart from one another.

[0010] By providing the suspension edges in the above- described manner with a number of suspension means in the form of hooks or cutouts, the suspended fiLe, suspended folder or the Like is given a universal character and can be used in at Least two rail systems of different types, for which hitherto different types of suspended files had to be used.

[0011] If the suspended fiLe, suspended folder or the Like is provided with the means indicated under the heading b) above, and if this suspended file has to be used in a type of rail system not suitable for these means, for example a rail system corresponding to the suspension means indicated under the headings a) or c) above, it may be that the hooks projecting outside the border formed by the top side of the suspension edge and the side edges of the suspended file Will hinder, or in some cases even entirely prevent, the suspension of the file on the respective rail system, for exampLe because of existing side walls. In this case it is preferable that the hooks are fastened to the suspension edge, in the form of separate parts, so as to be movable in such a manner that the hooks can be moved to a position inside the border formed by the top side of the suspension edge and the side edges of the suspended file. It is thereby ensured that the suspended file can be used, with the hooks extended, in a rail system of the type intended for use with these hooks, while when the hooks are retracted the suspended file can be used in rail systems of a different type without the hooks causing any obstruction at all.

[0012] ALthough various methods are conceivable for moving the hooks from a projecting position to one within the border referred to above, it is preferable that the hooks are fastened rotatably on the suspension edge, while the suspension edge is provided with additional openings in its side edge to receive any thicker parts of the hooks when the Latter are moved to a position within the aforesaid border.

[0013] The rider which is to be clipped in position is preferably provided with adjacent clip edges
, so that the rider can at the same time be positioned on the suspension edge of an adjoining suspended file,such that the files are coupled to one another. An integral interconnected combination of coupled suspended files is thus formed.

[0014] If the suspended file is used frontaLLy in a rail system of the type in which the hooks disposed at or near the ends of the suspension edge are used, the riders wiLL be clipped on the top side of the suspension edge. In this case it is preferable for the Length of the rider to be eauaL to the Length of the top side of the suspension edge. In this case those cutouts in the top side of the suspension edges which are not used in the rail system in question will then in fact be covered by the riders, so that between the suspension hooks the suspended file will then have a continuous smooth top edge.

[0015] In view of the fact that a rider of the Length indicated above cannot in all circumstances also be mounted on the side edges of a suspended file, it is further preferred according to the invention that the rider should be provided in the centre with a breaking Line, while the clamp edges are so constructed that after the rider has been broken into two parts, one part can be cLipped on the side edge of the suspended file and thus enable the file to be coupled to the adjoining file.

[0016] The invention will be further explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which one example of embodiment of the invention is shown.

[0017] In the Figures, the suspended file is indicated as a whole by the reference 1. The suspended file consists of the actual fiLe part 2, made of cardboard, paper, or other material and provided at both ends with a suspension edge 3 of relatively stiff material, only one such edge being shown in the drawings.

[0018] The suspension edge 3 is provided with an opening 4, which is Located approximately in the middle and is bounded on the top side by the noses 5 and 6. As described in detail in Dutch Patent Specification 123.625, a cutout of this type can be used for hanging the suspended file on a central rail having in general an inverted T-shaped crossection.

[0019] In the suspension edge 3 are also provided the cutouts 7 and 8, bounded at the top side by the respective noses 9 and 10. These cutouts serve to enable the file to be suspended on a rail system which is known per se and which has two rails extending parallel to and spaced apart from one another, the noses 9 and 10 being hung over the respective raiLs.

[0020] At the ends of the suspension edge there are also provided the hook members 11 and 12, by means of which the suspended file can be hung on a rail system provided with two rails extending paraLLeL to and spaced apart from one another, of the type described in Dutch Patent Application 80.01505.

[0021] If the suspended file is used in a suspension system in which the openings 4 or 7 and 8 are used, it will often be desirable to have no projecting parts at the side edges of the suspended file. In this case it is preferable to make the hook members 11 and 12 movable, for example rotatable as indicated in the Figure, in such a manner that the members can be turned to a position inside the general boundary of the suspended file, as indicated in Figure 1 for the hook member 12. In this connection, the additional openings 13 and 14 are provided in the side edges of the suspension edge, into which openings the thicker end portions of the hook members 11 and 12 can be moved. As indicated by a dash-dot Line for the hook 12' in Figure 2, it is preferable for the hook members also to be able to assume an intermediate position to enable the suspended file to be placed in a rail system having two rails extending at a slightly Lower LeveL outside the boundaries of the suspended file. Suspension systems of this kind are also known per se.

[0022] The suspended file is combined with a rider 15, the Length of which coincides substantially with the Length of the suspension edge at the top. If the hook members 11 and 12 are used frontally, the placing of the rider 15 in position will create a smooth top edge for the suspended file. The rider 15 is provided with a double set of clip strips, which in the drawing are not indicated separately by reference numerals, and which enable the rider to be put at the same time over the next suspension edge of the adjoining file, so that the suspended files are coupled together, as indicated in Figure 3 for the suspended files 2, 3 and 2', 3'.

[0023] In addition, the rider is brovided with a breaking Line 16. If the rider is broken at this breaking Line, this will form two half-riders, as indicated at 17, which are suitable for ctipping on the side edge of the suspended file, thus similarly enabling two adjoining suspended files to be coupled together. The clip strips of the rider 15 must of course be suitable for pushing onto the top side of the suspension edge and also onto the side edge of the actual file.

Claims

1. Suspended file, suspended folder or the like, intended for suspending on a rail system and provided with at least one suspension edge having means for suspending the suspended file, suspended folder or the like on the rail system, characterised in that the aforesaid suspension means consist of a combination of at least two of the undermentioned means:

a) a cutout in the central part of the suspension edge, with two noses facing one another, suitably for suspending the file on a rail system consisting of a rail having in general an inverted T-shaped cross section,

b) hooks disposed at or near the ends of the suspended edge and having downwardly directed openings, suitably for suspending the file on a rail system consisting of two rails extending parallel to and spaced apart from one another,

c) two cutouts of substantially the same shape, each provided with a nose, the two noses pointing in the same direction, while the cutouts are both disposed at least approximately at the same distance from the centre of the suspension edge, suitably for suspending the file on a rail system consisting of two rails extending parallel to and spaced apart from one another.

2. Suspended file, suspended folder or the like according to claim 1, characterised in that the suspension means of the file consist of a combination of the means indicated under a), b) and c).

3. Suspended file, suspended folder or the like according to claim 1, provided with at least the means indicated under b), or according to claim 2, characterised in that the hooks are fastened to the suspension edge, in the form of separate parts, so as to be movable in such a manner that the hooks can be moved to a position within the border defined by the top side of the suspension edge and the side edges of the suspended file.

4. Suspended file, suspended folder or the like accord- ding to claim 3, characterised in that the hooks are fastened rotatably on the suspension edge and the suspension edge and the suspension edge is provided with additional openings in its side edge to receive any thicker parts of the hooks when the latter are moved to a position within the aforesaid border.

5. Suspended file, suspended folder or the like according to one of the preceding claims, provided with a detachable rider, characterised in that the length of the rider is equal to the length of the top side of the suspension edge.

6. Suspended file, suspended folder or the like according to claim 5, characterised in that the rider is provided with adjacent clip edges, whereby the rider can at the same time be placed on the suspension edge of the adjoining suspended file, such that these edges are coupled together.

7. Suspended file, suspended folder or the like according to claim 5 or 6, characterised in that the rider is provided in the centre with a breaking line and the clip edges are so constructed that, after the rider has been broken into two parts, one part can be clipped on the side edge of the file, thus enabling it to be coupled to the adjoining file.

Drawing