FILE FOLDER WITH SUPPORT STAND

Abstract

A file holder is provided that includes a file folder coupled to a support stand. The support stand includes a front panel and a back panel. A side panel is coupled to one side of the support stand front and back panels. The support stand front, back, and side panels combine to define a cavity. The file folder includes a front panel and a back panel which together define an open end of the file folder for receiving one or more items to be stored in the file folder. The file folder is movable between an extended position, where the file folder extends from the support stand cavity; and a stored position where at least a portion of the file folder is stored within the support stand cavity.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/647,351, filed Jan. 25, 2005, the disclosure of which is incorporated fully herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a file folder having a support stand, and more particularly to a file folder, such as an accordion file folder, that is pivotally coupled to a support stand.

BACKGROUND

File folders typically contain a front panel and a back panel connected by a bottom panel at one end, and having an open end opposite from the bottom panel. Some file folders additionally contain side panels extending from the bottom panel and between the front and back panels. Documents may be stored within such file folders by inserting the documents through the open end of the folder.

Such file folders may be stably positioned on a support surface by lying either the front panel or the back panel on the support surface. However, in this position, the open end of the folder is substantially parallel to the support surface, making it difficult for a user to sort through the documents stored within the folder and/or retrieve a desired document.

As such, when a user desires to retrieve a document from such a file folder, the user typically moves the folder to an “upright position,” where the open end of the folder is substantially perpendicular to a support surface. However, since the bottom panel of a typical file folder is not designed to support the folder in such an upright position, users typically balance the folder in the upright position with one hand, and sort through and retrieve the desired document with the other hand.

File cabinets are typically used for storing file folders in a compact and organized manner. File folders are typically stored in their upright positions within conventional file cabinets by inserting the bottom panel of the folder within a hanging folder, which supports the file folder and is slidably mounted along rails within the file cabinet.

However, conventional file cabinets typically are not easily portable, especially when file folders are stored therein. As such, in order to transport a typically file cabinet, users often either empty the file cabinet of its file folders prior to transportation of the file cabinet, or use a special device for transporting heavy loads, such as a dolly.

Accordingly, a need exists for a file folder that is coupled to a support stand for supporting the file folder in a position where an open end of the file folder is substantially perpendicular to a support surface, and/or a file folder that is coupled to a support stand for storing the file folder in a compact and portable manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the present invention is a file holder that includes a file folder coupled to a support stand. The support stand includes a front panel and a back panel. A side panel is coupled to one side portion of the support stand front and back panels. The support stand front, back, and side panels combine to define a cavity. The file folder includes a front panel and a back panel, which together define an open end of the file folder for receiving one or more items to be stored in the file folder. The file folder is movable between an extended position, where the file folder extends from the support stand cavity; and a stored position where at least a portion of the file folder is stored within the support stand cavity.

In another embodiment, the present invention further includes a bottom panel coupled to one end of the file folder front and back panels, and first and second side panels coupled between the file folder front and back panels. A foot stand is connected to the file folder bottom panel and includes an outer surface for contacting the support surface. At least one partition extends between the file folder side panels for dividing the file folder open end into more than one compartment, wherein each compartment is for receiving one or more items to be stored in the file folder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective side view of a file holder according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention having a file folder pivotally coupled to a support stand, with the file folder shown in an extended position;

FIG. 2 is perspective top view of the file holder of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the file folder of FIG. 1 taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective side view of the file holder of FIG. 1 with the file folder shown in a stored position;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the file folder of FIG. 1 taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a first side panel of file folder of FIG. 1 shown in a retracted position; and

FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a first side panel of file folder of FIG. 1 shown in an extended position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

As shown in FIGS. 1-6B, embodiments of the present invention are directed to a file holder having a file folder that is coupled to a support stand. In one embodiment, the support stand is coupled to the file folder in a manner that enables the support stand to support the file folder in a position where an open end of the file folder is substantially perpendicular to a support surface. In another embodiment, the support stand is coupled to the file folder in a manner that enables the file folder to be stored in a portable and compact manner.

FIG. 1 shows a file holder 10 according to one embodiment of the invention. As shown, the file holder 10 includes a file folder 12 that is coupled to a support stand 14. Viewing FIGS. 1 and 2, the file folder 12 includes a front panel 16 and a back panel 18. At one end the front and back panels 16 and 18 are connected by a bottom panel 20. At an end opposite from the bottom panel 20, the front and back panels 16 and 18 define an open end 22 for receiving one or more items (not shown), such as papers or other objects to be stored. Although for convenience hereinafter the items stored within the folder are generically referred to as documents.

Attached between the front and back panels 16 and 18 are first and second side panels 24 and 26, which extend from the bottom panel 20 toward the open end 22 of the folder 12. In one embodiment, the side panels 24 and 26 are expandable. Coupled between the side panels 24 and 26 are a plurality of partitions 28. As shown for example in FIG. 3, each adjacent pair of partitions 28 defines an opening 30 or a pocket for receiving one or more documents.

In one embodiment, a length dimension of the openings 30 between the side panels 24 and 26 of the file folder 12 is sufficient for receiving letter sized paper (approximately slightly greater than 11 inches in length.) In another embodiment, the length dimension of the openings 30 is sufficient for receiving legal sized paper (approximately slightly greater 14 inches in length.) However, the length of the openings 30 may be manufactured to any desired size. For example in one embodiment, the length dimension of the openings 30 is approximately 13 inches.

In the embodiment as shown in FIG. 3, the side panels 24 and 26 are formed in an accordion shape, having a plurality of V-shaped sections 32, each movable between expanded and retracted positions (note that although only the first side panel 24 is shown in FIG. 3, the second side panel 26 is structured substantially similar to the first side panel 26 and therefore is not shown for clarity.)

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, each partition 28 extends from the first side panel 24 to the second side panel 26, and is coupled to an end of a corresponding one of the V-shaped sections 32 of the first side panel 24, and similarly coupled to a corresponding one of the V-shaped sections 32 of the second side panel 26. As such, the opening 30 defined between each adjacent pair of partitions 28 may be enlarged or reduced depending on the retracted or expanded condition of its corresponding V-shaped sections 32, i.e. as shown in FIG. 6A, when an angle α_min between the arms of the corresponding V-shaped sections 32 is minimized, the opening 30_min defined therebetween is minimized; and, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the angle α_max between arms of the corresponding V-shaped sections 32 approaches 180°, the opening 30_max defined therebetween is maximized.

As shown in FIG. 3, the plurality of partitions 28 define a plurality of openings 30, so that documents may be separated and organized within the file folder 12 by the discrete sections formed by the partitions 28 and partition openings 30. As shown in FIG. 1, to facilitate an organization and/or identification of documents within the file folder 12, a tab 34 may be coupled to an upper end of each partition 28 so that each partition 28 may be labeled. For example, each tab 34 may include an slot for receiving a label, or a sticker type label may be attached directed to an outer surface of the tab 34.

The side panels 24 and 26, the partitions 28 and the tabs 34 of the file folder 12 may be composed of a plastic material or a paper material, among other appropriate materials. In one embodiment, the side panels 24 and 26, the partitions 28 and the tabs 34 are each composed of a transparent material, such as a clear plastic material. Preferably the side panels 24 and 26, the partitions 28 and the tabs 34 are composed of a flexible material.

The attachment of the tabs 34 to the partitions 28, the partitions 28 to the side panels 24 and 26, the side panels 24 and 26 to the bottom panel 20, and the bottom panel 20 to the front and back panels 16 and 18 may each be accomplished by an adhesive, a stitching, or a sonic weld, among other appropriate attachment methods. In one embodiment, the bottom panel 20 is integrally formed with the front and back panels 16 and 18.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, each partition 28 includes an upper end that is downwardly offset from an upper end of the front and back panels 16 and 18. This allows the tabs 34 to extend from the upper ends of the partitions 28 without extending past the upper ends of the front and back panels 16 and 18, the significance of which is described below.

FIGS. 1 and 2 also show one embodiment of the support stand 14. As shown, the support stand 14 includes a front panel 36 and a back panel 38, which may be positioned substantially parallel to each other. At one end the front and back panels 36 and 38 are connected by a bottom panel 40, and at one side the front and back panels 36 and 38 are connected by a side panel 46. The front panel 36, the back panel 38, the bottom panel 40 and the side panel 46 of the support stand 14 combine to define a cavity 48 for receiving the file folder 12 when the file folder 12 is disposed in a stored position, discussed below.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the file folder 12 is pivotally connected to the support stand 14, such that the file folder 12 is movable between an extended position (see for example FIGS. 1 and 2), where the file folder 12 extends from the support stand cavity 48; and a stored position (see for example FIG. 4), where the file folder 12 is stored within the support stand cavity 48. The pivotal attachment of the file folder 12 to the support stand 14 may be accomplished, for example by a screw, a rivet, or another similar fastener 35, among other appropriate pivotal attachment methods.

In one embodiment, the front and back panels 16 and 18 of the file folder 12 are disposed within the front and back panels 36 and 38 of the support stand 14. In such an embodiment, the fastener 35 may include a single fastener that extends from an outer surface of the front panel 36 of the support stand 14, through the file folder 12, and to an outer surface of the back panel 38 of the support stand 14; or the fastener 35 may include a fastener on each side of the support stand 14 that each extend through a corresponding panel 36 or 38 of the support stand 14, and only partially through the file folder 12. In either case, the file folder 12 is pivotable about a longitudinal axis 37 of the fastener 35 as shown by arrow 39.

As shown for example in FIGS. 4 and 5, a foot stand 50 is coupled to the bottom panel 20 of the file folder 12. In one embodiment, the foot stand 50 is rotatably coupled to the file folder 12. For example in the embodiment of FIG. 5, a main body 52 of the foot stand 50 is coupled to the bottom panel 20 of the file folder 12 by a screw, a rivet, or another similar fastener 55, among other appropriate rotatable attachment methods. The foot stand 50 is rotatable about a longitudinal axis 51 of the fastener 55 as shown by arrow 53.

As is also shown in FIG. 5, a slot 56 is formed in the main body 52 of the foot stand 50. Adjacent to the slot 56, the foot stand 50 includes a transparent portion that forms a window 54 through which a label (not shown) may be seen. For example, in one embodiment, the window 54 is composed of a transparent plastic material, such as Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC), such that a label disposed in the slot 56 of the foot stand 50 may be seen externally therefrom.

In the illustration of FIG. 4, the file folder 12 is disposed in the stored position, with its open end 22 and a portion of its front and back panels 16 and 18 being disposed within the cavity 48 of the support stand 14. As discussed above, in one embodiment the tabs 34 of the partitions are downwardly offset from the upper ends of the front and back panels 16 and 18 of the file folder 12, the purpose of which is to prevent the tabs 34 from contacting the side panel 46 of the support stand 14 and interfering with the “closing” of the file folder 12 as it is moved from the extended position to the stored position.

In addition, in the stored position preferably upper portions (designated as 18U in FIG. 4) of the front and back panels 16 and 18 of the file folder 12 are disposed in close proximity to the side panel 46 of the support stand 14 to form a compact arrangement. In order to accomplish this, in one embodiment, corners (designated as 18C in FIG. 4) of the upper portions of the front and back panels 16 and 18 of the file folder 12 are rounded. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the bottom panel 20 of the file folder 12 includes a cutout 20C which facilitates movement of the file folder 12 between the stored and extended positions.

As is also shown in FIG. 4, the bottom panel 40 of the support stand 14 is substantially flat, such that the file holder 10 may be stably positioned on a support surface 60 by lying the bottom panel 40 of the support stand 14 on the support surface 60. Preferably, the support stand 14 is composed of a rigid material to increase the stability of the file holder 10. When the file folder 12 is in the stored position, the file holder 10 forms a box-shaped overall configuration that is compact to converse space on the support surface 60 on which it is supported, while also being portable and easily transported by hand.

When it is desired to insert and/or remove documents from the file folder 12, the file folder 12 may be moved from the stored position of FIG. 4 to the extended position of FIG. 1 by pivoting the file folder 12 away from the cavity 48 of the support stand 14. In this extended position, the bottom panel 40 of support stand 14 is stabilized against the support surface 60 as it is in the stored position, enabling the file folder 12 to be extended from the support stand 14 to a position where the bottom panel 20 of the file folder 12 is adjacent to the support surface 60 and the open end 22 of the file folder 12 is substantially perpendicular to the support surface 60. The extended position of the file folder 12 greatly facilitates the insertion and/or removal of documents from the file folder 12.

Further stability for the extended position may be added by rotating the foot stand 50 from a vertical position as shown in FIG. 4 (where the foot stand 50 is approximately parallel with the bottom panel 20 of the file folder 12), to a horizontal position as shown in FIG. 1 (where the foot stand 50 is approximately perpendicular to the bottom panel 20 of the file folder 12.) In this position, the foot stand 50 is wider than the width of the bottom panel 20 of the file folder 12, and thus stability is added to the file holder 10 when the foot stand 50 and the bottom panel 40 of the support stand 14 are simultaneously supported by the support surface 60. Preferably, the foot stand 50 is composed of a rigid material to increase the stability of the file holder 10 in this position. When the file folder 12 is pivoted back to the stored position, the foot stand 50 may be pivoted back to the vertical position to give a more uniform appearance of the file folder 12 as shown for example in FIG. 4.

As shown in FIG. 5 a bottom surface 57 of the foot stand 50 is substantially flat to add support to the file holder 10 when the file folder 12 is in the extended position. As shown in FIG. 1, the bottom surface 57 of the foot stand 50 and the bottom panel 40 of the support stand 14 are substantially horizontally aligned when the file folder 12 is in the extended position, and supported by the support surface 60.

In one embodiment, the front, back and bottom panels 16, 18 and 20 of the file folder 12, the foot stand 50 and the support stand 14 are each composed of a chipboard inner material covered by a paper or plastic outer material. This outer material may be attached to the inner material by stitching, or lamination, among other appropriate attachment methods. In other embodiments the front, back and bottom panels 16, 18 and 20 of the file folder 12, the foot stand 50, and the support stand 14 may be composed of a polypropylene or plastic material, among other appropriate materials.

In one embodiment, the support stand 14 may include a locking mechanism for securing the file folder 12 in the stored position. This facilitates transportation of the file holder 10. For example, the file folder 12 may include a protrusion that fits within a detent in the support stand 14 when the file folder 12 is in the stored position. The support stand 14 may also include a handle to further facilitate transportation of the file holder 10.

The preceding description has been presented with reference to various embodiments of the invention. Persons skilled in the art and technology to which this invention pertains will appreciate that alterations and changes in the described structures and methods of operation can be practiced without meaningfully departing from the principle, spirit and scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A file holder comprising:

a support stand comprising: a front panel, a back panel, and a side panel coupled to one side portion of the support stand front and back panels, wherein the support stand front, back, and side panels combine to define a cavity, and

a file folder coupled to the support stand and comprising: a front panel, a back panel, wherein the file folder front and back panels define an open end for receiving one or more items to be stored in the file folder, and wherein the file folder is movable between an extended position where the file folder extends from the support stand cavity, and a stored position where at least a portion of the file folder is stored within the support stand cavity.

2. The file holder of claim 1, wherein the support stand further comprises a bottom panel coupled to one end portion of the support stand front and back panels, and having a substantially flat outer surface for contacting a support surface.

3. The file holder of claim 1, further comprising a bottom panel coupled to one end of the file folder front and back panels.

4. The file holder of claim 3, further comprising a foot stand connected to the file folder bottom panel and having an outer surface for contacting the support surface.

5. The file holder of claim 4, wherein the foot stand is rotatably coupled to the file folder bottom panel, such that the foot stand is rotatable to a position that extends past a width dimension of the file folder back panel.

6. The file holder of claim 5, wherein the outer surface of the foot stand is substantially flat.

7. The file holder of claim 1, further comprising at least one partition extending between the file folder front and back panels for dividing the file folder open end into more than one compartment, wherein each compartment is for receiving one or more items to be stored in the file folder.

8. The file holder of claim 1, further comprising first and second side panels coupled between the file folder front and back panels.

9. The file holder of claim 1, wherein each file folder side panel is accordion shaped and comprises a plurality of V-shaped sections, wherein each V-shaped section is movable between an expanded and a retracted position.

10. The file holder of claim 9, further comprising at least one partition extending between the file folder side panels, wherein each file folder side panel is accordion shaped and comprises a plurality of V-shaped sections, wherein each V-shaped section is movable between an expanded and a retracted position, and wherein each partition is coupled to a corresponding V-shaped section of both the first and the second file folder side panel.

11. The file holder of claim 1, wherein the file holder forms a box-shaped overall configuration when the file folder is in the stored position.

12. The file holder of claim 11, wherein the file holder is portable and easily transported by hand when the file folder is in the stored position.

13. The file holder of claim 1, wherein the file folder open end and at least a portion of the file folder front and back panels are disposed within the support stand cavity when the file folder is in the stored position.

14. The file holder of claim 1, wherein the file folder open end is substantially perpendicular to the support surface when the file folder is in the extended position.

15. The file holder of claim 1, wherein the file folder is rotatably coupled to the support stand to move between the extended and stored positions.

16. A file holder comprising:

a support stand comprising: a front panel, a back panel, a bottom panel coupled to one end portion of the support stand front and back panels, and having an outer surface for contacting a support surface, and a side panel coupled to one side portion of the support stand front and back panels, wherein the support stand front, back, bottom and side panels combine to define a cavity,

a file folder rotatably coupled to the support stand and comprising: a front panel, a back panel, a bottom panel coupled to one end of the file folder front and back panels, wherein the file folder front and back panels define an open end at an end opposite from the bottom panel, and first and second side panels coupled between the file folder front and back panels, wherein the file folder is movable between an extended position where the file folder extends from the support stand cavity, and a stored position where at least a portion of the file folder is stored within the support stand cavity;

a foot stand connected to the file folder bottom panel and having an outer surface for contacting the support surface; and

at least one partition extending between the file folder side panels for dividing the file folder open end into more than one compartment, wherein each compartment is for receiving one or more items to be stored in the file folder.

17. The file holder of claim 16, wherein the outer surface of the support stand bottom panel is substantially flat, and wherein the outer surface of the support stand bottom panel is substantially flat.

18. The file holder of claim 16, wherein the foot stand is rotatably coupled to the file folder bottom panel, such that the foot stand is rotatable to a position that extends past a width dimension of the file folder back panel.

19. The file holder of claim 16, wherein each file folder side panel is accordion shaped and comprises a plurality of V-shaped sections, wherein each V-shaped section is movable between an expanded and a retracted position, and wherein each partition is coupled to a corresponding V-shaped section of both the first and the second file folder side panel.

20. The file holder of claim 16, wherein the file holder forms a box-shaped overall configuration, which is portable and easily transported by hand when the file folder is in the stored position.

21. The file holder of claim 16, wherein the file folder open end and at least a portion of the file folder front and back panels are disposed within the support stand cavity when the file folder is in the stored position.

22. The file holder of claim 16, wherein the file folder open end is substantially perpendicular to the support surface when the file folder is in the extended position.