Card file box

Claim 1

A card file box comprising: a pair of mirror-image generally flat side panels, each side panel being generally rectangular with top, bottom, front and back edges and rounded corners and comprising: a generally flat central region; a channel extending around the central region parallel to the edges and corners of the panel; an inner groove parallel to the channel and extending along at least the front, back and bottom edges of the side panel between the channel and central region; a plurality of parallel, generally vertical side ribs on the central region of each side panel for subdividing the interior of the box into a plurality of card-supporting compartments; a generally U-shaped member comprising a bottom panel, and front and rear end panels integral with the bottom panel and having curved interconnections therebetween, the later edges of the U-shaped member being rigidly secured in the inner groove; a pair of generally vertical front ribs integral with the front end panel extending into the interior of the box; a pair of generally vertical back ribs integral with the rear end panel extending into the interior of the box; said front and back ribs extending from such a end panel at least as far as the curved interconnection between the bottom panel and such an end panel to leave a generally flat portion of the bottom panel between the ribs on the front and rear end panels; a tambour having its lateral edges in the channels for slidable movement between a closed position over the top of the box with the leading edge of the tambour overhanding the top edge of the front end panel and the back edge of the tambour overhanging the top edge of the rear end panel, and an open position with the leading edge of the tambour at about the level of the top edge of the rear end panel and the back edge of the tambour below the bottom panel, said tambour comprising a file card holder formed by a front raised flange extending transversely between the side panels and canted toward the back of the box, and a rear raised flange generally parallel to the first flange and spaced therefrom a distance sufficient for receiving and firmly holding an edge of a file card; a passage at the bottom edge of each side panel communicating with the channel and having sufficient width for movement of the lateral edges of the tambour through the passage; a clip removably fitted into each passage and extending into the channel thereby forming a stop for engaging the back edge of the tambour and limiting opening movement of the tambour; and said passages and clips being located for engaging the back edge of the tambour when the leading edge of the tambour is at about the level of the top edge of the rear end panel.