US2169562A - Drawer of a vertical type for indexing and classifying - Google Patents

Description

Aug. l5, 1939.. l l LOMBARDlNl 2,169,562

DRAWER oF A VERTICAL TYPE RoR INDEXING AND cLAssIFYING Filed Jan. 25. 1957 Patented Aug. 15, 1939 UNITED STATES DRAWER OF A VERTICAL TYPEv FOR INDEXING AND CLASSIFYING Luigi Lombardini, Turin, Italy Application January 25, 1937, Serial No. 122,177 In Italy January 27, 1936 2 Claims.

The object of the present invention is the introduction of improvements in drawers, of a Vertical type, for indexing and classifying made already known in a United States Patent No. 1,918,765 and a previous Italian patent by the same petitioner under No. 279,387 and Italian patent of Addition No. 303,030 relating thereto.

Under the said main patent and patent of addition relating thereto, the drawer for indexing contains a certain number of special distancingpartitions which are connected in a detachable manner, by means of suitable devices, with the bottom of the drawer and in their higher part lean against each other by means of special supports which are applied to the lateral, or top, ends of each distancing-partition. As the projection of the said supports is practically equal to the distance between the distancing-partitions at the spot where they are connected with the bottom of the drawerfit follows that the said partitions are parallel and form as many interchangeable compartments of a constant and comparatively small capacity.

The greater length of thetop part of the drawer in relation to the lower part where the distancingpartitions are connected allows of the latter leaning forward and backward so as to form wherever desired an angle of aperture which facilitates the removal or the placing of documents, or their examination.

The above has the object of sectioning, or subdividing,-as already mentioned-the whole volume of the index le in so many compartments, of a iiXed capacity, comparatively a small one, and whose partitions, while supporting each other, support also each its own contents of cards or documents, keeping them always in a normal position and distributing the friction among the respective distancing-partitions.

In order that the invention referred to in the said Italian patents may work eiciently, it is necessary that from the beginning each drawer be filled up with as many distancing-partitions as it can bear; because each of them must serve as a support for the next one. This device finds its best application whenever it is a question of classifying elements (cards) of a uniform thickness, particularly thin ones, which require to be sub-divided as much as possible, with the possibility of rapid displacements (interchangeability) of the compartments formed by the distancingpartitions.

In the present case, instead of a classification of elements having an unequal and comparatively greater thickness (heavy cards, files), and where an easy interchangeability among the various compartments is not strictly necessary, it is useful to be able to sub-divide .the volume of the drawer (index) in such a number of comparte ments as may be gradually required,-compara 5 tively larger ones,-even if of different capacities, but always in a parallel manner.

, The improvements forming the object of this invention allow of a complete attainment of the above results, as appears better from the speciil0 cation which follows:

In the drawers, object of the present, the distancing elements of the partitions, instead of bef ing 'borne by the partitions themselves are borne by the drawers sides and bottom.

The annexeddrawing illustrates, as an example without restrictions, a chosen form of execution of the invention. In the said drawing, in which the same indications of reference apply to the same parts:

Fig. l is a vertical section through the drawer forming the object of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a partial View, in transverse section, showing how a divisional element, or diaphragm, is connected with the corresponding lateral distancing-element of the index-drawer and with the distancing slot and respective central guide at the bottom of the drawer;

Fig. 3 is a partial View, in transverse section, along a lateral distancing-element of the drawer and the respective checking and gliding channel guide;

Fig. 4 illustrates, in perspective, the type of lateral distancing-element considered in Figs. 1, 2 and 3; l

Fig. 5 is a view, in perspective, illustrating a part of the bottom and a lateral wall of a drawer bearing `distancing elements of the type referred to in Fig. 6;

Figs. 6 and 7M illustrate respectively, in perspec- 40 tive, some chosen types of distancing elements.

As appears from the drawing, to each of the side walls l of the indexing drawer is appropriately fixed a proper guide, or channel 2, disposed as is shown particularly in Figs. 1 and 5.

In the said guides, or channels 2, (one for each wall), are inserted the distancing elements of the devised shape, Figs. 3, 4 and 5, in a smaller number, however, than that of the said elements which could be contained in the guides, in order 50 to allow of their gliding along the said guides for the purposes mentioned hereinafter.

The said distancing elements are constituted by a base 6, of an appropriate shape, for instance having a square, rectangular, or circular 55 section, bearing a projection (3 or 4 or 5), of

Various forms and dimension. These projections Vserve for supporting, and therefore guiding, the

ends II of the partition when inclining forward or backward-as `will be seen hereinafter,-and take up its 'various positions'dig.V 1) the said Y projection is mounted so as to turn on its base- Fig. 3. K Y

The bottom of the drawer is provided with several slots 81, 82 814, or thelike, in a number corresponding to that of the distancing ele-V ments, and such slots are adapted to receive and withhold, in the manner known, bymeans of central pin 9, (or other Vsimilar device) partitions 'I.

f The distance between slots 81, 82 814, must be equal'to that between the'respective distancing elements containedgin arnurnber equal'to that of thesaid slots.

The total length of guides 2 being greater than that vformedby slots 8 of the bottom of theY drawer' allows `the distancing elements to glide forward and backward dragging with them the respective partitions 'I by means of their ends II and causing themrto pivot around their points of Vconnection with slots 8 so as'to form, where desired, a certain angleV of aperture for the easy removal, or placing, of documents orY of their examination'.

When preparing the indexing drawer and by degrees, as it isdesired to subdivide it into more compartments', the partition (or the partitions) I are introduced into the proper slotf8. At the same time, ends II of partition I are set in the space formed-between,projections 4 or-5 of the distancing elements in relationto slot Y8in the caseY of the type illustrated byY Figs. 5, 6Y and "I,k orY inf slots I2'of distancing elements in relation to ther corresponding slot 8 in the 4case of the type illustrated by Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4.

In the case of pro- 1 Y 'Ihe greater length of guides 2 in respect to the y total length of the drawer bottom allows of the easy displacement forward and backward of the distancing elements contained therein, while buffers III made of rubber, or of a similar substance,

deaden their shocks against the front or back of the indexing drawer.V

VAt'the same time, they drag or push in their movements partitions VIV by, means of `their edges Il leaning properly on projections 4 or 5,-or

/set in slot I2 of projections S-of the respective l distancing elements. YThe said partitions I will thus assume the desired inclination forward or backward remaining, however, for the objects Y v aimed at byythe invention, always parallel with similarly positioned partitions. j

The forms of execution illustrated and, described are susceptible kof all such variations and modications of construction as come within the scope of `this invention, asV shown by the following claims.A

' l What I Claim and ydesire to secure by Letters Patentis y Y A,

1. Ina nung drawerhavingaseries ofparnf tions, the combinationof' a longitudinal guide channellying in a Vertical plane, distancing'elements slidable in said channel, said distancing.

elements comprising blocks which are engaged along their' sides,- top and; bottom by the guide channel so as to permit sliding movement only ofmsaid blocks, and Yabutlrnents projectingVK hor-V izontally from a side of said blocks for engage ment with the sidewalls of the Vdrawer partitions,

said abutments beingpivotally supported by the blocks forrotatio-n about Va. horizontal axis at right angles tothe side of the blocks. Y Y

2. In a filing drawer` having a series ofr partitions, the ccrnbinationrof guide means, distanc-` *fzing elementsl slidablein Vsaid 'guide means, said distancing elements comprising blocks which are Y engaged along their sides, top and bottom by the` guideme'ansso as to permit sliding movement of said blocks only, and slotted abutments projecting horizontally froma side of said blocks, said slots receiving the side walls of Ythe drawer par-f titions.

LUIGI LOMBARDINI. I

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