US2568996A - Collator rack - Google Patents

Description

sept. 25, 1951 L, W EVANS 2,568,996

OOOOOOOOOO CK Sept. 25, 1951 Filed OCT.. 7, 1946 l.. W. EVANS` COLLATOR RACK 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 25, 1951 W, EVANS 2,568,996

COLLATOR RACK Filed Oct. 7, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Sept. 25, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE 10 Claims.

This invention relates to adjustable and coly W durable construction, comparatively simplev and inexpensive to manufacture,- and;adapte'dfforV a wide variety of uses in filing, printing, binding, and general ofiice procedures,

In its preferred embodiments the invention'l`r` contemplates the provision of an extensible, collapsible, and adjustable rack embodying a lazytong structure and having a plurality of horizontal, vertical, or inclined partitions, leaves, or shelves which present a series of compartments in which papers or cards to be led, sorted or collated may be received. The lazy-tong structure may be completely collapsed for shipment or storage, or it may be partly folded or collapsed for adjustment of size for the reception of contents of diifernt grades and quantities. Also in some cases the rack may be partially folded together upon the papers or other articles in the compartments when they are to be stored or temporarily disposed within a filing cabinet, desk, or the like. In all of the embodiments ofthe invention the lazy-tong structure is fundamental, and in all cases the basic partition or leaf kelements of this structure comprise U- shaped members or wickets of bowed or arched construction which extend upon the outward portion of the rack some distance beyond the points of pivotal connection with the other lazytong elements. The last named lazy-tong elefments which perform a connecting function may Vin adjusted positions, and means for affording supplemental support for the rack when it is disposed in vertical, horizontal, or tilted positions.

Other objects and features of novelty will be ,apparent from the following specification when L:'tead in connection with the accompanying drawings in which certain embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example. In the drawings, y AFigure 1 is a viewy in perspective of a rack embodying the principles of the invention;

Figure 2 is a view in side elevaton of the rack shown in Figure 1, but in collapsed condition; Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view through one of the joints of the rack;

Figure 4 is'a view in side elevation of another embodiment of the invention in which certain of the link or connecting elements forming parts of the lazy-tong structure, are extended to provide legs for supporting the rack so that the partitions or shelves are disposed horizontally for the reception of papers or the like;

Figure 5 is a view in side elevation of 'a modi'- fication in which others of the lazy-tong elements are extended to provide legs for supporting the rack forthe reception of papers invertical position;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a further modviiicationin whichrcertain of the oppositely inclined'lazy-tong elements are extended until they meet vand are pivotally connected to provide a collapsible self-supporting rack with slightly tilted shelves or partitions;

Figure 7 is a View in perspective of a rack similar to the one shown in Figure 6, in collapsed condition;y

Figure 8 is a View in side Ielevation of the rack shown in Figure 6 with the supplemental pivoted leg let down for support in true horizontal position; and T Figure 9 is a view in side elevation of the rack shown in Figures 6 and 8 adapted for suspension from a wall with the partitions in vertical position.

In Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings there is y illustrated an* embodiment of the invention which verted U-shaped elements 43 and the pairsof oppositely disposed links 44. Of course all'of the cooperating elements could be formed as infverted U-shaped wickets with the side portions 45 and the bowed cross portions 46, but it is not necessary to cross-connect the rack at each lower point of pivotal connection; therefore, the alternately provided simple link elements 44 may be used.

As clearly disclosed'in the or connecting members 43 and 44 are considerably shorter `than the partition forming members 40. The members 43 and 44, except at the extreme ends of the rack, are provided with openings at their upper, lower, and intermediate points. The members 40 are provided with openings at their lower ends upon veach side thereof and are provided with openings spaced from the drawings the link lower ends a distance substantially equal-tothe lengths of the connecting members 43 and 44. Other openings are provided in the side portions 4| of the members 40 to'coincide with the intermediate openings in the members 43 and 44. At all points where these openings in the members 40and in the members 43 and 44 register, they are pivotally connected as by means of the rivets 50.

At the forward end of the rack the foremost extended U-shaped wicket member 40 is provided at its lower end with a transverse rod 5| which connects the lower ends' of its side portions 4I. At this same end of the device the connecting link portion is comprised by an inverted U- shaped wicket member 53 having a top cross piece 54.

At the rear end of the rack the lower end of the last connecting element 43 is not provided with openings for pivotal connection, and the rearmost partition forming U-shaped member 40 is provided with a cross rod 55 at its intermediate point corresponding with the upper pivot points of the great majority of -the lazy-tong forming elements. With the minor exceptions of the cross rods 5l and 55, which might well -be omitted in many cases, the only cross-connections of the double lazy-tong rack are the cross - portions 42, 46, and 54 of the standardized U-shaped wicket elements.

When this rack is collapsed it assumes the condition shown in Figure ZV of the drawings in which all of the inverted U-shaped wicket partition elements 40 are brought together into contact and the alternate link connecting members 43, 44; and 53` are also brought into close juxtaposition. Thus the rack may be compressedinto a compact collapsed form for shipment or storage.

When in its open usableposition as shown in Figure 1, the rack is maintained' by the frictional contact of the many points of pivotal connection of the lazy-tong structures. One of these points is shown in detail in Figure 3 of the drawings. Certain of the members, for example the members 40,.are provided with somewhat larger openings 58 than the corresponding openings 59 in theother elements 43, 44. A shouldered bushing 60 extends into the opening 58 and has a flange 6|' interposed between the two lazy-tong elements. The central opening of the bushing 60 sof the samevdiameter as the opening 59 in the other elements and a rivet 50 passes throughV these-registered openings. vThe rivet is provided 'tionisshown in'Figure' of'the drawings.

4 open, closed, or intermediate position to which it may be adjusted, without the necessity of providing latches or other separable devices.

In Figure 4 of the drawings the basic lazytong structure with the partition elements extended outwardly in one direction is retained, however with the rack tilted from the position shown in Figure l to provide an inclined lazytong structure inwhich the shelves or partitions are horizontally disposed, the rack being maintained in such position by the extension of certain `of the connecting link members to form elongated legs.

In this embodiment the principal partition 1 members 'lfcorresponding to the U-shaped members 40 in Figure l, are also of U-shaped constructionfand areextended to about twice the length of the lazy-tong portion thereof. The uppermost partition member H is somewhat shorter than the member 10 since it need not be extended beyond its first pivotal connection with the rearmost connecting element. As in the embodiment shown in Figure l, the complementary lazy-tong-forming connecting elements 12 and 13 are U-shaped and of simple strap construction similar to the elements 43 and 44 in Figure l. The foremost connecting link 12 rests upon the supporting surface and is of the short length corresponding tothe extent of the lazytong connection. However, the rearmost connecting member 'l5 of the lazy-tong arrangement is extended vertically downwardly as at 1l to reach the supporting surface. Similarly an intermediate link 'Il is extended as at 18 to rest upon the supporting surface 80. Both of these elongated elements 15 and 11 are of U-shaped configuration having a lower bowed construction'8l, the side arms of the element 1T being pivotally connected to one of the partitions 1I in the usual way. The rearmost U-shaped supporting element 15 has its side arms preferably connected by a cross bar 83.

This form of rack is well adapted for filing, collating, or the display of merchandise in a horizontal position and may be collapsed to a smaller compass just as in the other cases.

A modication of the arrangement shown in Figure 4 is suggested in Figure 5 of the drawings. In this construction the compartments are vertically arranged with the inverted U-shaped elements disposed in vertical position and connected in lazy-tong fashion by means of the links 9| and 92, the elements 9| being U-shaped `to provide substantial cross-connection of the sides of the rack and the elements 92 being simple strip or link elements comparable to the partitions 44 in Figure l. The lowermost cross connecting element which rests upon the supporting surface is a U-shaped member 83 having its crossbar 94 extending outwardly of the device. The first vertical U-shaped member corresponding to those'designated 90 is indicated at 90 and is shorter than'the elements 90 by the distance between two adjacent pivotal points 5l. The rearmost U-shaped member of the device is designated 95 and is extended downwardly as at 96'to provide an elongated supporting leg for the rack, the side bars of the extension S6 being connected by a cross rod 91. Similarly, an intermediate one of the U-shaped partition members designated S8 is extended downwardly as at 9! and provided with a cross rod |00.

A very convenientrack of the same general features which characterize the present inven- This inbodiment exhibits certain features which are l employed in both of the embodiments illustrated infFigures 4 and 5, and the arrangement is such that the shelves or leaves of the device are disposed in generally` horizontal position but slightly tilted for better display or retention of the sheets or other articles supported. In this embodiment the U-shaped partition or shelf elev ments are indicated at I I0 with certain modications of individual elements shown at and ||2. Alternating U-shaped and straight linklike connecting elements complete the lazy-tong structure, these connecting elements being -indicated at ||4 and |l5respectively, a modication ofone of the connecting elements being designated I|6. 1 e

I The uppermost partition or shelf-member I2 is somewhat shorter than the general run of partitions II and the next to the lowermost partition element differs from the standardized elements I I0 by being elongated as at I IBrearwardly of the lazy-tong portion. The rearmost U-shaped connecting member IIB has its side arms joined at the top by the cross bar |I9 and isprovided with an integral cross portion at the bottom, which rests upon the supporting surface |22. The rearwardly projecting ends ||8 of the partition element III are pivotally connected to the side arms of the extended member I I6 asat |50.

The lowermost shelf or partition member is provided with an intermediate cross bar |23 and isV connected with the next higher partition member III by means of the short links |24. The rear end of the side arms of the lowermost member ||0 are pivotally connected as at I5| with the lower side wall portions of the lowermost connecting member II4, and the cross bar |26 of this U-shaped connecting member Ild is adapted also to rest upon the surface |22.

In this way the shelf members ||0, and I I2 are disposed in slightly inclined positions for better handling and display of the contents.

In Figure 7 of the drawings the rack, similar in most respects to the one shown in Figure 6 is shown in collapsed position in which the partitions ||0, III, and ||2 are brought together into contact and the connecting members which go to. complete the lazy-tong structure are also brought into contact. It will be seen that extensions ||8 of the legs of the second shelf converge toward the extended connecting link member ||6 and intersect at the pivotal connecting points |50.

In Figure 8 of the drawings there is illustrated an alternative position for the rack shown in Figure 6. In this case the shelves are horizontally disposed, the rear portion of the rack being elevated by means of the supplemental leg com'- prising the pvotally supported U-shaped member |30, the arms of which are pivoted as at |52 to points along the extension I I8 of the shelf'l selected so that when the leg is swung to idle position, as indicated in Figure 6, the rearportion |3I thereof will rest upon the cross strap |20 of the leg I6 and be retained in that position: In Figure 8 however, the leg |30 is swung over and downwardly so that its lower crossportion |3| rests upon the supporting surface |22. In this case the lowermost shelf |||l rests substantially upon the surface |22 throughout its length, and all of the shelves are disposed horizontally.

Still another utilization of the rack shown in Figure 6 is indicated in Figure 9 of the drawings. In this connection the rack is swung through an angle of 90 from the position shown in Figure 8,

andthe lowernost partition f'iiis a loop' which .can be hung upon a hook such vas indi` cated at |40, whereby the device may be attached to a wall or other vertical surface indicated at |4|. In this case the leg |30 assumesy the same extended position as shown in Figure 8 but is employed as a brace or abutment for holdinguthe lower portion of the rack away from the' wa A wide variety of uses of this rack will suggest itself to a printer, book binder, collator, orgeneral ofiice worker. The sheets, cards or otherV material may be inserted in the pockets or compartments of the rack in sorting or collating, and,`

if desired, papers or cards to be filed may be clamped within the partitions by a partial collapsing of the rack, whereupon the rack and-its contents may be placed in a filing cabinetl desk, or other receptacle. y

Various changes and modications may be made in the embodiments illustrated herein. without departing from the scope of the inven tion as-dened by the following claims. Y

Having thus described the invention, what is:u

' claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

l 1. An extensible and collapsible rack of the class described comprising, in combination, a series of continually parallel, bowed, arched, U-

shaped, strap-like, wicket members each having' a pair of legs spaced transversely of the rack, and a crossing arch portion extending from one leg to the other at the outward portion of the rack, said wicket members adapted to dene be- "tween them compartments for the reception of articles when the rack is in an extended position, and means cooperating with said wicket members to provide upon the respectivesides Vof the rack a pair of spaced parallel lazy-tongstructures at the inward portion of the rack, said last named means including another series ofi continually parallel, bowed, arched, U-shaped, strap-like, wicket members, inverted with respect to said first named series and having their legs overlapping the legs of the members of the first. named series, and means for frictionally pivotally securing said overlapping legs separatelyV upon both sides of the rack at the plurality of points necessary to afford said lazy-tong structure, said last named means comprising friction hinges, the pintles of which project transversely no further than necessary to connect the overlapping legs on the respective sides of the rack.. the intermediate side portions adjacent the lazytong pivots thus being free of cross connections,

and the arch portions of the two sets of U-shapedV wicket members being the sole crossing elements from one side of the rack to the other at least at all points intermediate the longitudinally spaced ends of the rack.

2. A rack of the class described comprising, in combination, a pair of spaced parallel lazy-tong structures each comprising crossing strips pivotally connected for the most part at the three usual points for such lazy-tong structure, the

corresponding pairs of opposite strips which extend in the same direction on both of the lazytong structures extended outwardly from. the lazy-tong pivots and integrally connected across the rack by arch portions to provide .a series of: wicket-like partition members forming pockets or compartments between successive wicket members, certain of the other corresponding opposite pairs of strips which extend in the other direction being prolonged to provide legs for supangle to any surface upon which the rack fiscsupported and the partitionmembers arev approximately `at right angles to the other set of strips.

`3. A rack of the class described comprising, in combination, a pair of spaced parallellazy-tong structures each comprising crossing strips pivotally connected for the most part at thejthree usual points for such lazy-tong structure, the corresponding pairs of opposite strips which Aextend in the same direction on both of the lazy-tong structures extending outwardly from the lazytongipivotsand integrally connected across the rackV by arch portions to provide a series of wicket-like partitions forming pockets or compartments between successive wickets, the other corresponding opposite pairs ofstrips which form the lazy-tong structures beingY ofsubstantially equal length and being shorter than the extended partition forming wickets, certain of said wickets also being prolongedin the opposite direction to provide a leg for supportingvthe rackA in a position in which the lazy-tong structures are inclined at a substantial angle with respect to the horizontal while said wickets are disposed in an approximately vertical position.

4. An extensible and collapsible rack of the class-described comprising, in combination, a series of continually parallel, bowed, arched, U- shaped, strap-like, wicket members each having a pair of legs spaced transversely of the rack and a, crossing arch portion extending from one leg to 'the other at the outward portion of the rack,

and means cooperating with said wicket` members to-provide upon the respective sides of the rack a Vpair of spaced parallel lazy-tong structures at the inward portion of the rack, said last named means including another series of continually parallel, bowed, arched, U-shaped, straplike, wicket members, inverted with respect to said rst named series and having their legs overlapping the. legs of the members of the lrst named series, Yand means for frictionally pivotally securing said overlapping legs separately upon both sides of the rack at the plurality of points necessary to aord said lazy-tong structure, the wickets of .one of said series providing parallel partition elements defining between them compartments for the reception of articles when the rack is in an extended position, atleast one of said wicket members of one of said series being prolonged well beyond the extent vof ,the others of the same series to provide .a leg for supporting the rack in a position in which the lazy-tong structures are inclined at a substantial-angle with-respect to the horizontal, .while the wickets of one of said series occupy parallel planes which do not depart substantiallyfrom the horizontal.

5.1An extensible and collapsible rack of the class described comprising, in combination, a series-of continually parallel, bowed, arched, U- shaped, strap-like,I wicket members each having a pair of legs'spaced'transversely of the rack and a crossingv arch portion Y extendingl from Aone legto the other ,at the outward portion of the rack, and means cooperating with said wicket members to provide upon the respective sidesof the crack a pair of spaced parallel lazy-tong structures at the inward portion of the rack, said last named means including another series of continually paralleL-bowed arched, U-shaped, strap-like, wicket members, inverted with respect togsaidv irstnamed`v series and havingtheir legs overlapping the legsof the members of the first,

named series, and means for frictionally pivotally securing said overlapping legs separately upon both sides of,v the rack at the plurality of points necessary to aiord said lazy-tong structure, the wickets of one of said series providing parallel partition elements dening between them compartments for the reception of articles when the rack is in an extended position, two of said wicket members, including one from each of said series, adjacent the respective opposite ends of the rack being prolonged upon the same side of the lazy-tong structures untilthey meet. and a pivotal connection between said wicket members at their point of intersection, the pivoted prolongations providingprop means for supporting the rack in a position inuwhich the lazy-tong structures are inclined to the horizontal.

6; A rack of the class described comprising, in combination, a pairof spaced parallel lazy-tong structures eachv composed of crossing strips pivotally connected for the most part at the three usual points for such lazy-tong structure, the corresponding pairs of opposite strips which extend in the same direction on both of the lazytong structures extended outwardly from the lazy-tong-,pivots and integrally connected across the rack by arch portions to form pockets or compartments between successive arches, at least one pair of arch connected strips adjacent onev end of the rack being prolonged inwardly from said pivot points andat least one of the pairs of oppositely extendingy cooperating lazy-tong-forming strips adjacent the otherend of the rack being inwardly prolonged until they intersect said rst named inwardly prolonged pair and are pivotally connected thereto,the connected prolongations interfering in no way with the collapsing of the rack and providing a bracing support therefor.

7. A rack ofthe `class described comprising, in combination, a pair of spaced parallel lazy-tong structures each composed of crossing strips pivotally connected for the most part at the three usual points for such lazy-tong structure, the corresponding pairs of opposite strips which extend in the same direction on both of the lazytong structures extended outwardly from the lazy-tong pivots and integrally connected across the rack by arch portions to form pockets or compartments between successive arches, one pair ofv archconnected strips namely the second pair from one end of the rack being prolonged inwardly from said pivot points and the pair of oppositely extending cooperating lazy-tongforming strips atthe other end of the rack being inwardly prolonged until they intersect said rst named inwardly prolonged pair and are pivotally connected thereto, the connected prolongations interfering in no way with the collapsing of the rackand providing a bracing support for maintainingthe rack` in a slightly tilted position.

V8. A rack of the class described comprising, in combination, a pair of spaced parallel lazy-tong structures each composed of crossing strips pivotally. connected for the most part at the three usual points for such lazy-tong structure, the corresponding pairs of opposite strips which extend in .the same direction on both of the lazytong structures extended outwardly from the lazy-tong pivots `and integrally connected across the rack by arch portions to form pockets or compartments between successive arches, one pair of arch connected strips namely the second pair fromone end of th@ rack beingprolonged inwardly from said pivot points and one of the pairs of oppositely extending cooperating lazy-tongforming strips at the other end of the rack being inwardly prolonged until they intersect said rst named inwardly prolonged pair and are pivotally connected thereto, the connected prolongations interfering in no way with the collapsing of the rack and providing a bracing structure therefor, a leg pivoted to said bracing structure and providing an optionally usable supplemental support or brace for maintaining said rack in upright position.

9. A rack of the class described comprising, in combination, a pair of spaced parallel lazy-tong structures each composed of crossing strips pivotally connected for the most part at the three usual points for such lazy-tong structure, the corresponding pairs of opposite strips which extend in the same direction on both of the lazy-tong structures extended outwardly from the lazy-tong pivots and integrally connected across the rack by arch portions to form pockets or compartments between successive arches, one pair of arch connected strips namely the second pair from one end of the rack being prolonged inwardly from said pivot points and one of the pairs of oppositely extending cooperating lazy-tongforrning strips at the other end of the rack being inwardly prolonged until they intersect said rst named inwardly prolonged pair and are pivotally connected thereto, the connected prolongations interfering in no way with the collapsing of the rack and providing a bracing structure therefor, a U-shaped, bail-like leg pivoted to said first named pairs of prolongations and providing an optionally usable supplemental support or brace for maintaining said rack in upright position.

10. The rack as set forth in claim 9 in which there is provided a cross-connection joining the intersections of the said prolongations on the respective sides of the rack, the points of pivotal connections of said bail-like leg with one of said pairs of prolongations being spaced from said cross-connection a distance less than the length of said leg, whereby said cross-connection serves as a retaining rest for said leg when the latter is not in use.

LUTHER W. EVANS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 784,035 Connard Mar. 7, 1905 1,266,244 Fortmann May 14, 1918 1,465,691 Snedeker Aug. 21, 1923 2,274,772 Bitney Mar. 3, 1942 2,310,770 Evans Feb. 9, 1943

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