Hanging file frame system

Another object is to provide a hanging file folder suspension frame that will not fall apart when removed from a drawer.

A similar object is to provide a corner that prevents the support elements from dropping out or becoming separated when the frame is lifted from the file drawer, so that the frame may be removed from the drawer without first removing all the files.

A similar object is to provide a hanging file folder suspension frame that can be moved from one drawer to another drawer and adjusted for use therein. A related object of the present invention is to provide a corner that wedgably binds prior to allowing separation of the frame components. These and other objects and advantages of the present invention, along with features of novelty appurtenant thereto, will appear or become apparent in the course of the following descriptive sections.

In the following drawings, which form a part of the specification and which are to be construed in conjunction therewith, and in which like reference numerals have been employed throughout wherever possible to indicate like parts in the various views:.

With reference now to the accompanying drawings, a file frame system constructed in accordance with the best mode of my invention is broadly designated by the reference numeral The illustrated system 15 may be fitted together from a kit and inserted into a conventional cabinet or desk drawer 16 and adjusted to the appropriate width. The frame 15 supports a plurality of conventional hanging file folders 17, whose hooked ends 18 slidably engage the upper sides of the framework.

It should be understood that frame 15 may be adapted for use with drawers of different sizes including letter, legal and international sizes by extending the corners 20 of the frame With reference to FIGS. Preferably two cross member rods 40 extend in parallel, spaced apart relation to one another perpendicularly between the rails.

The frame 15 is supported by a hoop 60 at each end. Four adjustable corners 20 form the vertices of the generally cubical frame system. As seen in FIGS. The elongated side rails 30 are made of relatively flat stock with a plurality of scores 35 near one end.

These scores 35 allow the side rail length to be adjusted as necessary for a particular application. To do so a portion of the side rail 30 is broken away employing conventional pliers. The cross member rods 40 and hoops 60 are formed from round bar stock of the same diameter. The cross member rods 40 are pieces of round bar stock of a predetermined length.

The hoops 60 as illustrated in FIGS. The hoops comprise a foot section 62, upright, and integral legs 64 at either end of the foot section The legs terminate in outwardly turned, horizontal tangs 68 disposed parallel with the cross members. Horizontal tangs 68 define a plurality of integral, spaced apart barbs 99 FIGS.

The barbs 99 project outwardly somewhat from the surface of the metal. The two-piece corners 20 are preferably constructed of a resilient but somewhat flexible plastic. One piece is connected to the side rail 30, and the other piece is connected to the rod 40 and hoop The two pieces slide relative to one another allowing the rails 30 to be displaced, perpendicularly relative to the rods 40 and hoops Therefore the width of the frame 15 can be adjusted. The portion of the corner 20 mated to the rod 40 and hoop 60 is a generally rectangular body comprising a slot and minor bosses integrally formed on each end.

The body comprises two ends and and two edges and , perpendicular to the ends and A planar surface is defined by the ends and and the edges and The minor bosses are formed on the ends and The minor bosses receive end portions of the rods 40 and hoops Only one end of the minor bosses is open, the other end is preferably closed. The open end of each minor boss is exposed along a common edge of the body The minor bosses are aligned and parallel.

The bosses are oriented horizontally whenever the hanging file frame system 15 is assembled. The bosses have a bore diameter approximating the diameter of the smooth bar stock forming the cross member rods 40 and the hoops The interior of the minor bosses define a plurality of keyways perpendicular to the central axes of the minor bosses The keyways receive barbs 99 formed in the tangs 68 of the hoops This torsionally locks the hoops 60 in place.

The slot defined in the body has a generally trapezoidal cross section and receives a slider The slider is the second component of the corner The slider comprises an arm with a generally trapezoidal cross section.

Preferably, the arm has a floor and angularly disposed side walls , An end wall spans the end of the side walls , perpendicular to the floor The top or the arm is open. Reinforcement gussets extend between each wall , and and the floor The arm is slidably received in the slot The slider further comprises an elongated major boss integrally formed on the end of the arm opposite the end wall The major boss receives a portion of the side rail Due to their trapezoidal interlocked shapes, the arm and the slot maintain the major boss generally perpendicular to the minor bosses So, the hoops will not rotate and allow the file frame to sag but will rather remain upright.

Additionally, the horizontal orientation of the hoop's connection with the file frame structure provides the system a relatively large surface area, the dorsal area of the tang, on which to bear. Thus a broad object of the present invention is to provide an easy-to-use hanging file suspension system for desk drawers. Another basic object is to provide a system of the character described that can be user-configured for desk drawers of different sizes.

A still further object is to provide a hanging file system that, once erected, is stable and rigid. A related object is to provide a system of the character described that stays in alignment, and avoids jamming and binding. Another object is to provide a hanging file folder suspension system that will not fall apart when removed from a drawer.

A similar object is to provide a hanging file system that prevents the support elements from dropping out when the system is lifted from the file drawer, so that the system may be removed from the drawer without first removing all the files.

Another object is to provide a hanging file system with resilient, user-installed corner fittings that align the frame members and brace the apparatus. A still further object is to allow the frame to flex somewhat without collapsing, to readily accommodate hanging file folders of moderately varying dimensions.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention, along with features of novelty appurtenant thereto, will appear or become apparent in the course of the following descriptive sections. In the following drawings, which form a part of the specification and which are to be construed in conjunction therewith, and in which like reference numerals have been employed throughout wherever possible to indicate like parts in the various views:.

With initial reference directed to FIGS. System 10 may be snap fitted together from kit form as implied in FIG. The system supports a plurality of conventional hanging file folders 12, whose hooked ends 12B slidably engage the upper sides of the framework.

It should be understood that system 10 may be adapted for use with drawers of different sizes i. With additional reference to FIGS. Preferably two crossmember rods 40 and 50 extend in parallel, spaced apart relation to one another perpendicularly between the rails. The framework is supported by two hoops 60 and 70 at each end of the apparatus.

Four modular joint supports form the corners of the framework in the letter sized embodiment. Modular joint supports discussed later can be used in the legal size embodiment. As seen in FIGS. The elongated side rails 20 and 30 are made of relatively flat stock with a plurality of scores 25 and 35 near one end. These scores 25 and 35 allow the side rail length to be adjusted as necessary for a particular application.

The length of these rails 20 and 30 is adjusted by breaking away a portion of the side rail 20 or 30 with a simple tool such as conventional pliers 13 FIG.

The crossmember rods 40 and 50 and the hoops 60 and 70 are formed from round bar stock of the same diameter. The crossmember rods 40 and 50 are simple pieces of round bar stock of a predetermined length. The hoops 60 and 70, as indicated in FIGS. Each hoop comprises a foot 62 or 72, integral upright legs 64, 66, or 74, 76 at either end of the foot, and two horizontal tangs 68, 69, or 78 and Since the foot is integral with the legs, system stability is enhanced.

The outwardly bent tangs are oriented parallel with the crossmembers and the feet. Each tang includes a plurality of integral, spaced apart barbs 99 FIGS. The barbs 99 include offset, twisted body portions 99B aligned with the body of the cross members, and projecting outwardly somewhat from the surfaces of the metal.

The modular joint supports or are interchangeable, and the length of the body or of the joint is dictated by the size of the files to be handled by the hanging file frame system The smaller modular joint supports illustrated in FIGS.

For wider legal size drawers the system utilizes supports illustrated in FIGS. Both types of supports or have major features in common.

Each comprises major bosses or and minor bosses or with keyways or disposed on the interior walls perpendicular to the central axes of the minor bosses or Preferably the modular joint supports or are constructed of a resilient but somewhat flexible plastic. In detail the modular joint supports or as illustrated by FIGS. A minor boss or is formed from each end and or or and an elongated major boss or is formed from one planar surface or of the body or The body or of each support is generally rectangular in cross section.

The length of this body or is determined by the size of the file frame system The body is relatively short for the letter frame systems 10, while the body of the legal frame system supports are relatively long. As the body or reaches its ends and or and it expands outward to form minor bosses or Only one end of these bosses or is open, the other end is preferably closed. The position of the bosses or place them in a horizontal orientation whenever the hanging file frame system 10 is assembled.

The bosses or have a bore diameter approximating the diameter of the smooth bar stock forming the crossmember rods 40 and 50 and the hoops 60 and Advertise with Us.

Bullseye Shop. Target's Coronavirus Response. Corporate Responsibility. Investor Relations. Help Target Help. Track Orders. Contact Us. Team Member Services. Size Charts. More In-Store Services. The barbs 99 project outwardly somewhat from the surface of the metal.

The two-piece corners 20 are preferably constructed of a resilient but somewhat flexible plastic. One piece is connected to the side rail 30, and the other piece is connected to the rod 40 and hoop The two pieces slide relative to one another allowing the rails 30 to be displaced, perpendicularly relative to the rods 40 and hoops Therefore the width of the frame 15 can be adjusted.

The portion of the corner 20 mated to the rod 40 and hoop 60 is a generally rectangular body comprising a slot and minor bosses integrally formed on each end.

The body comprises two ends and and two edges and , perpendicular to the ends and A planar surface is defined by the ends and and the edges and The minor bosses are formed on the ends and The minor bosses receive end portions of the rods 40 and hoops Only one end of the minor bosses is open, the other end is preferably closed.

The open end of each minor boss is exposed along a common edge of the body The minor bosses are aligned and parallel. The bosses are oriented horizontally whenever the hanging file frame system 15 is assembled. The bosses have a bore diameter approximating the diameter of the smooth bar stock forming the cross member rods 40 and the hoops The interior of the minor bosses define a plurality of keyways perpendicular to the central axes of the minor bosses The keyways receive barbs 99 formed in the tangs 68 of the hoops This torsionally locks the hoops 60 in place.

The slot defined in the body has a generally trapezoidal cross section and receives a slider The slider is the second component of the corner The slider comprises an arm with a generally trapezoidal cross section. Preferably, the arm has a floor and angularly disposed side walls , An end wall spans the end of the side walls , perpendicular to the floor The top or the arm is open.

Reinforcement gussets extend between each wall , and and the floor The arm is slidably received in the slot The slider further comprises an elongated major boss integrally formed on the end of the arm opposite the end wall The major boss receives a portion of the side rail Due to their trapezoidal interlocked shapes, the arm and the slot maintain the major boss generally perpendicular to the minor bosses Hence, the rails 30 remain generally perpendicular to the hoops 60 and rods A shoulder is defined adjacent the major boss to act as a stop when the slider is fully retracted.

The shoulder contacts edge of the body when the major boss nests between the minor bosses The distal end of the arm , relative to the major boss , is slightly enlarged, in the area of the end wall Therefore, as the slider moves within the slot in the body , the distal end wedgably engages the slot retarding movement of the slider When deployed the major boss can contact the side wall of the drawer 16 in which the frame 15 is placed.

This will prevent the rails from binding against the wall of the drawer In operation, when the slider is fully retracted the shoulder contact the corner body When fully extended, the enlarged end of the arm wedgably engages the slot retarding further outward travel.

To assemble a frame employing my adjustable system the inside length of the file drawer is measured first. Then the side rails are shortened by breaking away the excess length with a pair of pliers. Next, the corner joints are assembled. Next, the tang 68 of a hoop 60 is inserted into a minor boss in a corner 20, a cross member 40 is inserted into the other minor boss and a side rail 30 into the major boss The process is repeated for each corner.

The frame 15 is then placed within a file drawer. The width is adjusted to accommodate the drawer and hanging files by sliding the rails 30 outward as necessary. Numerous file folders may be then inserted, with their hook portions 18 FIG.

Since the hoops 60 are fixed in the minor bosses they will not rotate or withdraw. Sagging is discouraged and the foot 62 will rest in the rear corner of the drawer. The frame's orientation will be preserved even if it is removed from the drawer with several hanging file folder upon it.

Furthermore, the inherent elastic nature of the round bar stock of the hoops 60 will allow the frame 15 to flex without complete collapse. From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to obtain all the ends and objects herein set forth, together with other advantages that are inherent to the structure.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.