US3784439A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Machine for forming and applying index tabs to file cards
Assignee: Bell and Howell Co
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Filing: 1972-01-31
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Granted: 1974-01-08
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Expires: 1992-01-31
Abstract
Abstract A machine for automatically forming index tabs and for applying the tabs to file cards at selected points along the upper margin thereof. A file card to be tabbed is supported on a carriage, the margin of the card overhanging the carriage. The carriage is shiftable along a platform with respect to a linear scale, to align a selected point on the margin with a tab applicator station. At the station, the margin partially overlies the upper end of a hole in a die plate below which is disposed a strip of tab material. A reciprocating die punch cooperating with the die plate, acts in passing through the die hole to excise a tab from the strip and to press it against the underface of the margin whose upper face is backed by an anvil. To effect bonding of the tab to the card margin, the tab material may be provided with a pressure-sensitive layer or a hot-melt coating, in which latter event the anvil is heated to activate the coating when the margin is sandwiched between the pressed tab and the anvil.
Inventors
- 👤 I Dorman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 04:01
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K21/00; G06K21/06; B; B42; B42F; B42F21/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T156/00; Y10T156/10; Y10T156/1052; Y10T156/1062; Y10T156/107; Y10T156/12; Y10T156/1317; Y10T156/1322; Y10T156/1326; Y10T156/1378
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
A machine for forming and applying tabs to file cards at selected positions along the upper margin thereof, said machine comprising: a. a platform, b. a carriage movable along the platform with respect to a linear scale having indicia therein in a range corresponding to the range of tab positions along the margin of the card, said carriage being adapted to support a card to be tabbed, and c. an applicator station mounted on said platform, said station including a die plate raised above said platform to define therebetween a die passage for a strip of tab material, said plate having a die hole whose upper end is partially covered by the margin of the card on the platform, an anvil mounted slightly above said die hole, and a reciprocating die punch arranged to pass through an opening in said platform in registration with said die hole and to enter and pass through said die hole, thereby excising a tab from said strip and pressing it against the margin which is backed by said anvil, said tab having a coating thereon to effect bonding thereof to the margin.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
188 words
A machine for forming and applying tabs to file cards at selected positions along the upper margin thereof, said machine comprising: a. a platform, b. a carriage movable along the platform with respect to a linear scale having indicia therein in a range corresponding to the range of tab positions along the margin of the card, said carriage being adapted to support a card to be tabbed, and c. an applicator station mounted on said platform, said station including a die plate raised above said platform to define therebetween a die passage for a strip of tab material, said plate having a die hole whose upper end is partially covered by the margin of the card on the platform, an anvil mounted slightly above said die hole, and a reciprocating die punch arranged to pass through an opening in said platform in registration with said die hole and to enter and pass through said die hole, thereby excising a tab from said strip and pressing it against the margin which is backed by said anvil, said tab having a coating thereon to effect bonding thereof to the margin.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein said strip has a coating of hot-melting material thereon, and said anvil is provided with a heater to activate the coating on the tab to effect bonding.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein said strip has a pressure-sensitive layer thereon whereby said tab, when pressed to the margin, adheres thereto.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein said file card is constituted by a multiple-channel microfiche jacket having a marginal band.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
A machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein said carriage is provided with rollers coupled to the underside thereof by shafts passing through slots in the platform, said rollers engaging the opposite sides of a guide bar disposed below said platform to maintain the carriage on a linear path.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
62 words
A machine as set forth in claim 5, wherein said carriage is provided with a depressible finger piece having a bent tongue provided at its tip with a locking tooth which engages the teeth on a rack bar placed below the platform, the tooth being disengaged from the bar by pressing down on the finger piece, thereby freeing the platform for movement.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
70 words
A machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein said strip is drawn incrementally from a supply reel by means of an index wheel, and means to coordinate the action of said wheel and said reciprocating punch, whereby first said strip is drawn to present fresh material to the punch, and then said punch is reciprocated to excise a tab from the strip and to apply it to the margin.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
A machine as set forth in claim 7, wherein said coordinating means includes a motor-operated cam having a drive pawl for engaging a series of pins on said wheel to advance the wheel one step for each cam revolution, said cam being engaged by a follower mounted on a crank lever for reciprocating the punch.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein said strip is formed of flexible synthetic film material
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
125 words
A machine for forming and applying tabs to at least one edge of a file card at selected positions thereon, said machine comprising: a. an applicator including a punch and die arranged to perforate a strip of tab material and to carry the tab punched from the strip into pressure contact with said edge of the card, and b. positioning means to selectively position the card relative to the applicator, whereby the tab is applied thereto at a desired point, said positioning means being constituted by a carriage supporting the card and movable along a platform supporting said applicator with respect to a linear scale having indicia thereon in a range corresponding to the rangE of tab positions along said edge of the file card.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
125 words
A machine for forming and applying tabs to at least one edge of a file card at selected positions thereon, said machine comprising: a. an applicator including a punch and die arranged to perforate a strip of tab material and to carry the tab punched from the strip into pressure contact with said edge of the card, and b. positioning means to selectively position the card relative to the applicator, whereby the tab is applied thereto at a desired point, said positioning means being constituted by a carriage supporting the card and movable along a platform supporting said applicator with respect to a linear scale having indicia thereon in a range corresponding to the rangE of tab positions along said edge of the file card.
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) | 1977-01-07 | 1977-07-09 | 1978-01-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-07 | 1981-07-09 | 1982-01-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-07 | 1985-07-09 | 1986-01-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |