US1766777A - Extensible and collapsible envelope file - Google Patents

Description

June 24, 1930. A. c. CRULL EXTENSIBLE AND COLLAPSIBLE ENVELOPE FILE Filed April 3, 1929 INVENTQ ALICE C. CRULL ATTORNEYS Patented June 24, 193% UNETED STATES PATENT oFricE ALICE C. CRTJ'LL, OF INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA EXTENSIBLE AND COLLAPSIBLE ENVELOPE FILE Application filed April 3, 1929. Serial No. 352,199.v

adjacent each other.

An object of my invention is the construc tion of a file using envelopes in which various papers, clippings or memorandum which a person desires to keep may be inserted in various envelopes properly classified and these envelopes are bound together in a suitable binding, whereby the device may be opened somewhat as a book. In this case the envelopes may be considered as forming the leaves of the book and the binding forming the back, or if desired the binding may be stretched longitudinally and the envelopes positioned in a manner one overlapping the other so that ready access may be had to anyone or more envelopes.

A further object of my invention is hav ing a binding preferably secured to covers such as book covers and having envelopes secured to the binding forming the back. These envelopes are secured preferably adjacent their lower edge. The envelopes with the backing and the covers may be utilized to form a hook-like structure being opened like a book and such book-like structure may be compressed into a compact parcel and secured with straps or the like. Or for another manner or usage the covers may be drawn apart, spreading the binding forming the back and thereby shifting the envelopes to occupy an overlapping position one in relation to the other. In this manner of usage the device may be placed flat on a table or the like.

Another object of my invention is a file formed of front and back covers with a bind ing connecting the two covers, this being sufficiently loose so that the series of envelopes may be attached to the binding, the binding extending partly along one face of each envelope and having between each envelope a strip of loose binding. This allows the file to be opened in a manner similar to a book the envelopes forming the leaves or the covers may be spaced apart, the binding be ing stretched and the envelopes arranged in an overlapping manner. IVhen so arranged Imay suspend the file from a wall and utilize cords connecting the covers to hold the envelopes in the desired position.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which;

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my file extended in position for use on a table;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the file when used in a book form;

Fig. 3 is a perspective View of the file extended in a manner adapted for hanging on a wall;

Fig. 4. is a perspective view of the file when completely. collapsed and secured by straps;

Fig. 5 is a detail section through the binding and several of the envelopes.

My invention utilizes covers 11 and 12 con nected by a web-like binding 13. The covers are preferably of stiff material and the binding is flexible. A series of envelopes 1 1 have their lower portion secured to the binding so that there is a section 15 of the binding glued or otherwise attached to a lower portion of the envelope adjacent its lower edge. In Fig. 5 the envelopes are shown as having a front portion16 and the back portion 17, there being also closure flaps 18 if desired. The section 15 of the binding is attached to the lower front portion of each of the envelopes. This leaves loose sections 19 of the binding between adjacent envelopes.

The device may be arranged in what may be termed a book form as shown in Fig. 2 in Which it will be noted that the loose sections 19 of the binding are drawn upwardly between two adjacent envelopes as indicated by the numeral 19. (Fig. 2). When opened in this manner the device maybe readily held in the hand or rest on a table. In the arrangement shown in Fig. 1 the device may be spread out with the covers separated and the binding drawn fairly tight between the two covers. This arranges the envelopes in an overlapping manner as shown. Each of these envelopes may be suitably labeled so that various'papers may be properly classified.

y In order tomake a compact parcel I provide straps 20 or the like which are attached to the covers and may be fastened with snap fasteners. These straps are illustrated as being secured to the cover 12 and project slightly beyond the cover having eyes 21. These eyes may be used to suspend the file from hooks, nails or the like on a wall in the manner illustrated in Fig. 3 or if desired the device may be hung completely open as shown in Fig. 1. In order to prevent the envelopes from flopping over and hanging inverted due to the weight of their contents, I connect cords 22 between eyes 23 in the corners or the covers. The cords may be knotted as indicated at 24 'to retain the lower cover in the desired position. This holds all the envelopes in'a substantially correct overlapping position as shown in Fig. 3 and allows ready access to anyone or more of the envelopes. It will be noted that the cords 22 are positioned so that they engage the upper edge of some of the en velopes and therefore retain such envelopes in almost a vertical position tilted outwardly only slightly. However, if access is desired to these envelopes the cords may be shifted to one side to allow opening of the flaps.

It will be obvious that my device may be made in various sizes to accommodate papers, clippings or memorandums of different sizes and that the number of envelopes used is optional with the manufacturer.

Various changes may be made in the principles of my invention without departing from the spirit thereof as set forth in the description, drawings and claims.

I claim:

1. A device as described comprising in combination rigid cover elements, a flexible sheet material binding connecting an edge of each of the covers, a plurality of envelopes, each having one of their lower faces secured to the binding with a loose sectionof the binding between each envelope, the covers, the envelopes and the binding being collapsible to form a package which may be opened with the binding in the folded position similar to a book, the envelopes forming the leaves or which may be opened with the binding stretched and the envelopes overlapping each other, means secured to one of the covers to suspend such cover from a wall and means depending from such cover to the other cover to hold the envelopes from tiltin 2. A device as described, comprising in combination a pair ofrigid covers having a flexible sheet material binding between such covers, a plurality of envelopes substantially rectangular and each having a portion of its lower front face secured to the binding with a free section of the binding between adjacent envelopes, straps secured to one of the covers and having means to attach same to a wall, flexible cords extending from the upper edge of the cover secured to the wall and attached to the other cover holding the envelopes from tilting.

3. A device as described, comprising in combination a pair of rigid covers having an elongated strip of flexible sheet material binding between the lower edges of said covers, e11- velopes, each having their lower portion secured to said binding in spaced relation one to the other, with free sections of the binding between adjacent envelopes, means secured to one of the covers to suspend same from a wall, and flexible cords extending from the upper edge of the cover attached to the wall to the other cover to retain such latter cover from hanging downwardly from the binding and holding the envelopes in an overlapping position one in reference to the other.

4. A de ice as described, comprising in combination a pair of rigid covers, a flexible sheet material binding connected to the lower edge of each of the covers, a plurality of envelopes each having its lower portion secured to the binding in spaced relation one from the other, a suspending means secured to one of the covers for attachment to a wall, flexible cords extending from the upper edge of the cover attached to the wall to the upper ed e of the other cover, said cords being adjust-ab e in length and adapted to prevent the lower cover from hanging downwardly from the binding, the said cordsbeing positioned to engage the upper edges of some of the envelopes and to holdsaid envelopes tilted slightly upwardly to the desired extent.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

ALICE C. CRULL

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