Patent US4352880A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3722701A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3722701A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Modular file element and components thereof
Assignee: Swingline Inc
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Filing: 1971-05-07
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Granted: 1973-03-27
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Expires: 1991-05-07
Abstract
Abstract A joint structure for use in a filing rack of the type which may be utilized to support loose-leaf binders or the like in hanging relationship is disclosed. The joint structure is constructed to retain two rod-like elements of a rack structure together. The joint structure includes a hollow support member having two pairs of aligned holes for receiving the rod-like elements and a specially constructed locking means which coacts with a specially configured arrangement of grooves in the rod-like elements interior of the hollow support member to retain the rod elements in place relative to each other and relative to the hollow support member.
Inventors
- 👤 F Malcik
- 👤 E Whittemore
- 👤 J Clark
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 01:44
CPC Classifications
B; B42; B42F; B42F15/00; B42F15/007; B42F15/0082; B42F15/0088; A; A47; A47B; A47B63/00; F; F16; F16B; F16B21/00; F16B21/09; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/46; Y10T403/4602
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
In a filing rack, a joint structure comprising: a. a hollow support member having two pairs of aligned openings with one pair of aligned openings being disposed in overlying relationship with respect to the other pair of aligned openings; b. a rod-like member extending through each pair of aligned openings, each rod-like member having a pair of spaced apart grooves located interiorly of the support member; and c. locking means disposed within the support member and cooperatively engaging both grooves in each rod element for retaining the rod-like members in place relative to each other and relative to the support member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
101 words
In a filing rack, a joint structure comprising: a. a hollow support member having two pairs of aligned openings with one pair of aligned openings being disposed in overlying relationship with respect to the other pair of aligned openings; b. a rod-like member extending through each pair of aligned openings, each rod-like member having a pair of spaced apart grooves located interiorly of the support member; and c. locking means disposed within the support member and cooperatively engaging both grooves in each rod element for retaining the rod-like members in place relative to each other and relative to the support member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
The joint structure according to claim 1 wherein said locking means comprises: a. a shackle element having: a. a bridge portion overlying the rod-like elements; and b. a pair of leg portions depending downwardly from opposite ends of the bridge portion with each leg portion engaging one groove of each rod-like member in mating relationship thereto.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
a pair of spaced holes in the plate member registering with the holes in the cap members of the adjacently located support members, said holes being adapted to receive the pin members projecting form said holes in said cap members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
a pair of spaced holes in the plate member registering with the holes in the cap members of the adjacently located support members, said holes being adapted to receive the pin members projecting form said holes in said cap members.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The joint structure according to claim 2 wherein the pairs of aligned openings in the support member are oriented in intersecting relationship relative to each other.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
82 words
The joint structure according to claim 3 wherein: a. the pairs of aligned openings in the support member are oriented in substantially perpendicular relationship with respect to each other; and b. each groove in each rod-like member has a generally V-shape with the included angle between the faces of the V being approximately 90* ; and c. said support member has a generally square cross-sectional configuration; and d. said bridge portion of the shackle element extends diagonally relative to the support member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The joint structure according to claim 4 wherein the distance between the grooves in each rod-like element is approximately equal to the distance between the inner surfaces of opposite sides of the square support member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
92 words
The joint structure according to claim 5 further including: a. a cap member mounted on the end of the support member; b. a hole in the cap member; and c. a pin member disposed in tight fitting relationship within said hole; said pin member projecting from said cap member beyond the end of the support member whereby its projecting portion is adapted for insertion into the hole in an abutting cap member of another support member of the rack arranged in vertically stacked relation with respect to the first mentioned support member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The joint structure according to claim 6 wherein the end of each rod lies substantially flush with the external surface of one side of the support member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
The joint structure according to clam 7 further including; a. connecting means for coacting with the pin members projecting from the ends of adjacently located support membeRs of the rack for securing said adjacently located support members together in side by side relationship.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
The joint structure according to clam 7 further including; a. connecting means for coacting with the pin members projecting from the ends of adjacently located support membeRs of the rack for securing said adjacently located support members together in side by side relationship.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The joint structure according to claim 8 wherein said connecting means comprises a. a connector clip having
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
46 words
The joint structure according to claim 9 wherein: a. said connector clip includes a V-shaped portion upstanding from the plate member at a point located midway between said holes in the plate member, said V-shaped portion being adapted to fit between said adjacently located support members.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-03-26 | 1976-09-25 | 1977-03-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-26 | 1980-09-25 | 1981-03-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-26 | 1984-09-25 | 1985-03-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |