Patent US3632013A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3632013A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Follower assembly for file drawers
Assignee: Art Metal Knoll Corp
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Filing: 1970-06-17
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Granted: 1972-01-04
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Expires: 1990-06-17
Abstract
Abstract A file drawer follower assembly which can be released for moving to different positions along the longitudinal dimension of the drawer by downward pressure of the follower plate. The follower assembly locks into its new position when the downward pressure upon the follower plate is released. There are no visible levers or buttons for operating the locking mechanism. The follower assembly includes a base member which slides longitudinally in a channel in the bottom panel of the drawer. A follower plate is carried by an L-shaped bracket extending upwardly from the base member. The connection between the plate and the bracket is such that the plate can slide vertically along a preset distance. The plate is biased to its up position and carries two cam plates which engage transverse sliders mounted in the base member. The sliders are biased to engage the sidewalls of the channel and are disengaged from the channel sidewalls when the follower plate is pushed down.
Inventors
- 👤 Murray Rothenberg
- 👤 Kurt H Burgold
- 👤 Gordon L May
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 16:17
CPC Classifications
B; B42; B42F; B42F17/00; B42F17/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
A follower assembly for use with a file drawer having a bottom panel with a longitudinally extending channel therein, said follower comprising: a. a base member slidable longitudinally in said channel and having latch means biased to engage at least one channel wall for preventing longitudinal movement of the base member in the channel; b. a bracket rigidly affixed to said base member and having a portion extending upwardly therefrom; c. a follower plate; d. means connecting said follower plate to said upwardly extending portion of the bracket and allowing upward and downward movement of the plate along the upwardly extending portion of the bracket between first and second positions of the plate relative to the bracket; and e. operating means rigidly affixed to said plate and engaging said latch means for moving the latch means out of engagement with channel walls when the plate is moved from its first position to its second position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
A follower assembly for use with a file drawer having a bottom panel with a longitudinally extending channel therein, said follower comprising: a. a base member slidable longitudinally in said channel and having latch means biased to engage at least one channel wall for preventing longitudinal movement of the base member in the channel; b. a bracket rigidly affixed to said base member and having a portion extending upwardly therefrom; c. a follower plate; d. means connecting said follower plate to said upwardly extending portion of the bracket and allowing upward and downward movement of the plate along the upwardly extending portion of the bracket between first and second positions of the plate relative to the bracket; and e. operating means rigidly affixed to said plate and engaging said latch means for moving the latch means out of engagement with channel walls when the plate is moved from its first position to its second position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A follower assembly as in claim 1 including in said latch means at least one transversely extending slider mounted in said base member and biased to engage a channel wall.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
77 words
A follower assembly as in claim 2 including in said slider a cam surface and including in said operating means at least one cam plate engaging the cam surface of said slider, at least one of said cam surface and said cam plate sloping in transverse cross section for causing transverse movement of the slider when the follower plate is moved between its first and second positions with respect to the upwardly extending portion of the bracket.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A follower assembly as in claim 3 including in said latch means two substantially identical, oppositely biased sliders and including in said operating means two cam plates, each engaging a cam surface of a slider.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A follower assembly as in claim 4 wherein said follower plate is further from the base member in its first position than in its second position, whereby the latch means is disengaged upon downward movement of the follower plate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A follower assembly as in claim 4 including in said operating means stops for preventing said sliders from separating from each other by more than a preselected distance.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A follower assembly as in claim 1 including in said operating means biasing means for biasing the plate toward its first position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
94 words
A follower assembly as in claim 1 including in said connecting means at least one means for defining an elongated aperture in the upwardly extending portion of the bracket, and a stud extending through said aperture and rigidly affixed at one of its ends to the follower plate, said stud having a flared portion at its other end for keeping the bracket and the follower plate contiguous, said aperture dimensioned longitudinally to allow movement of the plate and the stud with respect to the bracket between said first and second positions of the plate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
74 words
A follower as in claim 1 including in said plate and in said bracket means defining two substantially overlapping apertures positioned and dimensioned to allow passage of a guide rod when the follower is cooperating with a file drawer, said apertures elongated in the direction perpendicular to the transverse dimension of the plate to allow free passage of the rod in either of the two positions of the plate with respect to the bracket.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-03 | 1975-07-05 | 1976-01-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-03 | 1979-07-05 | 1980-01-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-03 | 1983-07-05 | 1984-01-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |