Suspension file

Abstract

A suspension file (1) comprises a generally ‘U’-shaped pocket (2) of flexible, or semi-flexible, synthetic plastics material having a bulbous lower portion or base (4), and with the two upper edges (5) of the pocket (2) welded into tubular sleeves (6), with each sleeve housing a support rod (8) of length exceeding its associated sleeve (6) whereby ends (9) of the rod (8) project beyond each end of each sleeve (6), with each projecting end (9) being notched to engage a support rail of a drawer of a filing cabinet.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a suspension file adapted for mounting in multiple numbers across parallel, spaced-apart support rails of a drawer of a filing cabinet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional suspension files comprise a ‘U’-shaped pocket of card, manilla, plastics or a mix of such materials, with upper edges of the pocket attached to a metallic strip having a notch adjacent each end for location on an adjacent support rail.

In use, suspension files are frequently overloaded, with inserted paperwork exceeding both the capacity of the pocket and the load bearing capability of the strips, resulting in usually permanent damage and/or deformation to both components.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

A basic object of the invention is the provision of an improved, and heavy duty, suspension file.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided a suspension file comprising a generally ‘U’-shaped pocket of flexible, or semi-flexible, synthetic plastics material having a bulbous lower portion, and with the two upper edges of the pocket welded into tubular sleeves, with each sleeve housing a support rod of length exceeding its associated sleeve whereby ends of the rod project beyond each end of the sleeve, with each projecting end being notched to engage a support rail of a drawer of a filing cabinet.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

The bulbous shape in the lower section of each body file provides a wider base than a conventional suspension file, allowing loading of more material without the sleeve “shrinking” in overall height, while the support rods can be so formed and/or dimensioned as to be incapable of deformation by weight of the contents of the suspension file alone, thus ensuring maintenance of the shape and integrity of the suspension file, whilst the use of oval rods provides for increased load bearing capacity.

PREFERRED OR OPTIONAL FEATURES OF THE INVENTION

Each sleeve is formed from a plastics laminate.

Each sleeve is provided with webbing additives for enhanced strength and tear resistibility.

Each sleeve extends the full length of each upper edge of its pocket.

Each sleeve has inner projections adapted to engage an inserted rod to retain a rod in its sleeve, whilst permitting rod-to-sleeve movement as and when required.

The rods are of solid material.

The rods are tubular.

The rods are of synthetic plastics material.

The rods are of steel.

The rods are of an aluminium alloy.

The rods are a combination of metal and plastics eg a metal inner rod, surrounded by a plastics sheath.

The rods are non-circular.

The rods are oval, with the major axis adapted to be located vertically.

The rods slightly exceed the length of each sleeve, so as to enable each end of the rod to project from each end of the sleeve.

Each rod has an indentation or recess adjacent its end, adapted to engage a portion of a support rail of a filing cabinet drawer with restrained lateral movement, but with provision for sliding movement along the rails.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in greater detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a suspension file in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a support rod for the file of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A suspension file 1 comprises a ‘U’-shaped pocket 2 of flexible synthetic plastics material, being a one piece sheet defining two side panels 3 and an interconnecting bulbous lower portion or base 4. The panels 3 have upper edges 5 welded into tubular sleeves 6 extending the full length of each side panel 3. Beneath each tubular sleeve 6 is a length 7 of reinforcing webbing which may also be secured by welding.

A solid steel rod 8 is of oval section with the major axis vertically located, and of length slightly exceeding the length of the sleeves 6, so that ends 9 opposite of each rod 8 project beyond each end of each sleeve 6. The ends 9 are provided with an underside notch 10 to engage a support rail of a drawer of a filing cabinet. Each sleeve 6 has inner projections or fingers (not shown) adapted to engage the periphery of its rod 8 to assist in retaining a rod 8 within its sleeve 6.

Claims

1. A suspension file comprising a generally ‘U’-shaped pocket of flexible, or semi-flexible, synthetic plastics material having a bulbous lower portion, and with two upper edges of said pocket welded into two tubular sleeves, a support rod housed in each of said sleeves, each said rod being of length exceeding its associated sleeve whereby ends of each of said rods project beyond each end of said sleeves, with each said projecting end being notched to engage, in use, a support rail of a drawer of a filing cabinet.

2. A suspension file as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said sleeves is formed from a plastics laminate.

3. A suspension file as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of said sleeves is provided with webbing additives for enhanced strength and tear resistibility.

4. A suspension file as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said sleeves extend the full length of each upper edge of its pocket.

5. A suspension file as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said sleeves has inner projections adapted to engage said inserted rod to retain said rod in its sleeve, whilst permitting rod-to-sleeve movement as and when required.

6. A suspension file as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rods are of solid material.

7. A suspension file as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rods are tubular.

8. A suspension file as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rods are of synthetic plastics material.

9. A suspension file as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rods are of steel.

10. A suspension file as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rods are of an aluminium alloy.

11. A suspension file as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rods are a combination of metal and plastics.

12. A suspension file as claimed in claim 11, wherein each of said rods comprises metal inner rod, surrounded by a plastics sheath.

13. A suspension file as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rods are non-circular.

14. A suspension file as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rods are oval, with the major axis adapted to be located vertically.