Supports: racks – Specially mounted – Suspended type
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-11
2001-10-02
Gibson, Jr., Robert W. (Department: 3634)
Supports: racks
Specially mounted
Suspended type
C211S085290, C211S118000, C211S055000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06296128
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a storage device, for example for documents and other articles. The invention is particularly concerned with a storage device having a support structure with detachable receptacles which can be arranged in a closed up array or opened out into a suspended array. The invention is also concerned with the support structure and the receptacles as separate articles.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is known from WO89/06601 to provide a storage device which has a plurality of removable pouches suspended from straps on either side which are foldable in a concertina manner in order that the pouches stack one in front of the other. The pouches may be conveniently stored in a box, bag or the like and extended vertically when desired in order to view and access the pouches and their contents. The pouches then hang from the device in a vertically overlapping manner. The pouches are independently removable from the device.
This arrangement has many advantages, particularly in neatly arranging and storing documents held in the pouches whilst travelling. Adjacent pouches do not support each others' weight, the weight of each pouch being carried by the straps on either side. The pouches are releasably fixed to the straps by means of a snap fastener arranged at either side of the upper edge of each pouch. In the preferred arrangements the upper edge is provided with a reinforcing member.
The preferred arrangement described in WO89/06601 has strong pouches, for example having rigid frames, but it has now been appreciated that an arrangement capable of using less sturdy pouches may be desirable in some contexts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Viewed from one aspect the present invention provides a storage device comprising a support structure carrying a plurality of receptacles arranged in a longitudinal series, the support structure having a pair of spaced side members which are foldable so that the receptacles may be arranged either in a closed up array or suspended in an opened out array, characterised in that the support structure comprises a plurality of longitudinally spaced support members extending laterally between the side members and in that the receptacles are releasably supported on the support members and extend through gaps between the support members.
Thus, in contrast to the system in WO89/06601 the receptacles—such as pouches—are not just supported at their edges. There is a support structure which includes laterally extending support members serving to support the receptacles. The receptacles do not need to be of sufficient strength at their upper edges to be able to bear the weight of their contents without e.g. damage or undue distortion. Thus, for example, the receptacles may be relatively flexible pouches of paper or plastics. However, the invention is applicable to stronger receptacles, where the lateral support members may provide additional strength.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, the receptacles are document pouches of flexible sheet material such as paper or plastics, and have closure flaps along their upper edges which are folded back over the support members so that the pouches hang from the members.
As in WO89/06601, the side members may take a number of forms. They may be elongate flexible straps of e.g. webbing; or discrete flexible portions joined by rigid elements; or rigid portions hinged together; or, for example, strips of plastic which are provided with integrally formed hinges at suitable intervals. The lateral support members may be secured permanently or releasably to the side members, or may be formed integrally therewith. The side members may be in the form of portions which are hingedly connected between adjacent support members. The folding of the structure may be achieved simply by hinging where the side members meet the support members, or by having intermediate fold lines for the side members between the support members.
In a preferred arrangement the support structure is formed from a single sheet of material with the support members being defined between longitudinally spaced apertures formed therein. This arrangement is advantageous in that it is particularly simple to manufacture if, for example, the apertures are stamped out of the sheet of flexible plastics material. Hinges can be formed by pressing material where the side member portions meet the support members, thus providing a simple way of ensuring that the structure can be folded as desired. It is also simple to choose the size of the support structure by using a different size of sheet. Thus, support structures may be manufactured for use with receptacles of different types and sizes. For example pouches for holding CD's, photographs etc. could be used with a suitably sized frame.
The support structure may of course be supplied for users to attach their own receptacles such as document wallets. Thus viewed from another aspect of the invention there is provided a support structure for carrying a plurality of receptacles arranged in a longitudinal series, the support structure having a pair of spaced side members which are foldable so that in use the receptacles may be arranged either in a closed up array or suspended in an opened out array, characterised in that the support structure comprises a plurality of longitudinally spaced support members extending laterally between the side members, on which the receptacles may be releasably supported.
The receptacles will in general need to be supported over at least a major part of their width by the support members. This could be achieved for example by a series of laterally spaced fasteners along the support member and receptacle, such as snap fasteners or patches of hook and loop fastener, or by a laterally extending strip of hook and loop fastener or a releasable adhesive. Preferably, however, the receptacle is provided along its upper edge with a flap which may be folded over the support member.
The flap could be provided just for securing purposes but in a preferred embodiment the receptacle is provided at its upper edge with a flap which may be folded between two positions. In the first position the flap overlies the front face of the receptacle, covering an opening which for access to the interior of the receptacle. This would be the state of the receptacle when removed from the support structure for individual use or transportation. In the second it is folded back over a support member to overlie the rear face of the receptacle, thus supporting the receptacle on the member. It will thus be apparent that a conventional type of document wallet with a closure flap could be used as a receptacle without any modifications. Means could be provided to secure the flap to the rear face of the receptacle, such as a snap fastener or a hook and loop fastener with one portion on the front face of the flap and one portion on the rear face of the receptacle, or a patch of releasable low tack adhesive on at least one of these faces, a tongue cut-out from the flap of the pouch in order to be inserted into a corresponding slot on the rear face of the pouch, or vice versa. Furthermore, rather than securing the flap to the back of the pouch, it could instead be secured to the horizontal bar itself.
Such a receptacle is itself novel and thus viewed from another aspect the present invention provides a receptacle having front and rear faces, a top edge, an opening adjacent the top edge providing access to the interior of the receptacle, and a flap hinged to the top edge so as to be movable between a first position in which it overlies the front face of the receptacle and at least partially closes the opening, and a second position in which it overlies the rear face of the receptacle so as to provide access to the opening, characterised in that fastening means are provided on at least one of the flap and the rear face of the receptacle for fastening the flap in said second position.
Preferably, means are provided to position the receptacle correctly with respect
Bacon & Thomas PLLC
Gibson , Jr. Robert W.
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