US3565263A

US3565263A - Adjustable rotary file

Info

Publication number: US3565263A
Application number: US882520A
Authority: US
Inventors: George Wassell
Original assignee: Barry Wright Corp
Current assignee: Hutchinson Aerospace and Industry Inc
Priority date: 1969-12-05
Filing date: 1969-12-05
Publication date: 1971-02-23
Anticipated expiration: 1988-02-23

Abstract

An adjustable file of the type used to file cards, books, and other materials for ready access and adapted to be rotated about a vertical axis comprising a frame having radial members and a continuous file tray structure carried by the frame and constituted by a plurality of separate tray sections disposed adjacent each other and interconnected for adjustment of their dimensions in directions transverse to the radial frame members. Each tray section includes a base for supporting the materials, a portion of which overlaps the base of an adjacent tray section. The size of the tray is adjustable over a substantial range of sizes by moving the tray sections conjointly inwardly or outwardly, relative to the axis of rotation of the file, thereby changing the extent of overlap between the tray section bases and consequently the circumferential dimension of the overall tray structure.

Description

United States Patent 1 mm 1 003 111 l 11 .11 22 m 0 me Wn mg a n CW8 m M m u m M H 1 .U D

[22] Filed Dec.5,l969 [45] Patented Feb. 23, 1971 Attorney-Brumbaugh, Graves, Donohue and Raymond [73] Assignee Barry Wright Corpora n Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 7 7 M 1392 ABSTRACT: An adjustable file of the type used to tile cards,

books, and other materials for ready access and adapted to be rotated about a vertical axis comprising a frame having radial members and a continuous file tray structure carried by the [54] ADJUSTABLE ROTARY FILE 37 Claims, 23 Drawing Figs.

frame and constituted by a plurality of separate tray sections disposed adjacent each other and interconnected for adjustment of their dimensions in directions transverse to the radial frame members. Each tray section includes a base for supporting the materials, a portion of which overlaps the base of an adjacent tray section. The size of the tray is adjustable over a substantial range of sizes by moving the tray sections conjointly inwardly or outwardly, relative to the axis of rotation of 14 4 mn m l3 H7 17 243% A 3 e e n n m m4 m m l L ."f 0 W d sum U-l-F .11.] 2 0 555 .lrirt [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,081,856 5/1937 Frick 21 131 the file, thereby changing the extent of overlap between the 21 /1 X tray section bases and consequently the circumferential 21 84X dimension of the overall tray structure.

2,338,324 1/1944 Floyd....... 2,503,326 4/1950 ATENIEHFE NM v 3.565.263

" susmnm INVIZN'TOR 5 GEORGE W. WASSELL his A TTOR/VEYS PATENTEU FEBZBISYI sum 2 OF 9 INVENTOR.

GEORG E W. WASS ELL his ATTORNEYS PATENTEUFEB23 I971 SHEET 3 OF 9 mm mm mm wm Q w mm om m 4 INVENTOR.

GEORGE w. WASSELL his ATTORNEYS PATENTEDFEB-231971 SHEET 0F 9 INVENTOR. GEORGE w. WASSELL wad TORNEYS PATEHIEB FEB23 I97| SHEET 5 OF 9 INV/iN'l HR GEORGE W. WASSELL MVA/MIDW+W his' ATTORNE rs PATEHTEH F6323 Isn- SHEET 7 [IF 9 [NV/5N"! 1R GEORGE WWASSELL BY 7 W MIDM W his ATTORNEYS PATENTEMM IQH 3565263 sum 8 OF 9 Illlll 3 m n [NV/5m GEORGE w. WASSELL W am his ATTORNEYS PATENTEDFEB23|97| @3565263 sum s m 9 FIG. /9

INVENTORS. GEORGE w. WASSELL his ATTORNEYS A sssusrssss sonar runs BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This application is a continuation-impart of copending application Ser. No. 713,927, filed'March I8, 1968, now abandoned.

' This invention relates to filing apparatus, and more particularly, to a novel and improved adjustable file of the type that is adapted to be rotated about a central vertical axis and provides file space for cards, file books, or other materials in a continuous horizontal tray that surrounds the vertical axis.

One type of widely used file is the rotatable file unit that employs a horizontally disposed tray of substantially circular shape, the tray surrounding a central vertical shaft by which it is supported and about which it is adapted to be rotated. The users of this type of file, of course, have varying requirements as to the capacity of the file, as well asvarying requirements as to the sizeof cards, books or other materials to be filed in it. Heretofore, it has accordingly been the practice of manufacturers of these files to provide a range of sizes and a variety of divider arrangements and often tocustorn-build a file for each customer that conforms to his needs. For a manufacturer to provide immediate delivery of a file requires that he maintain a large inventory of files of various sizes and arrangements. oftentimes, the maintenance of an inventory proves to be impractical, and accordingly manufacturers frequently build files only after an order is received. This means that there will be some delay between the time that a customer places an order for a file and the time that the file is ultimately delivered. In the meantime, the purchaser may be somewhat inconvenienced by a lack of needed file space.

Another problem with files of this type is one encountered by the user. For one reason or another, the users need for file space may vary; for example, it may increase with normal growth of his business. Furthermore, the user may desire to rearrange a filing system so that subdivisions of the file system are conveniently divided into groups that are larger or smaller than in the previous system. Also, the user may from time to time have to move a file unit to a location that may be inadequate for his existing equipment.

Conventional rotary file units, as mentioned above, are constructed in fixed sizes, and therefore anyof the changes mentioned above may render his existing filing equipment inadequate in one or another respect. In other words, conventional rotary files have the disadvantage of being of limited versatility as to capacity and arrangement, although movable dividers have sometimes been provided to afford some variation in the arrangement and the size of cards that can be accommodated.

SUMMARY OF THIS INVENTION There is provided, in accordance with the present invention, a novel and improved rotary file which can be adjusted quickly and easily to provide various capacities over a wide range as well as to afford varying arrangements of the divisions of the file sections to receive different sizes and different forms of material. More particularly, the rotary file of the invention includes a frame composed of spaced-apart, radial frame members and a tray structure made up of a plurality of individual tray sections mounted on the frame for adjusting movement in the radial direction. The frame, in turn, is mounted for rotation about a vertical axis, such as by journaling it on a central vertical shaft or mounting it by rollers on a circular trackway support. The tray sections are disposed end to end adjacent each other about the center shaft, and each includes a horizontal base, a portion of which overlaps the base of an adjacent tray section. The tray sections are preferably appropriately joined in a manner providing for variations in the extent of the overlap, depending upon the particular radial position the file sections occupy relative to the axis of rotation of the file. The tray sections, in aggregation, thus constitute a unitary, adjustable, continuous file tray structure which surrounds and is rotatable about the center axis.

In one embodiment, each tray section includes a radial mounting membenwhich is adapted to be secured to a radial frame member, such as by means of a clamp, and is so constructed as to provide coacting engagement, such as by telescoping relation, to afford adjustment of the tray section in and out along the frame member. Each tray section is composed of the mounting member and a base in the form of a plate having a portion extending laterally and at an angle to the mounting member in each direction from the mounting member. Each lateral portion is straight and of uniform width, at least in the areas that overlap when the unit is assembled. Joinder of the overlapping areas of the bases for relative movement may be accomplished in various ways, such as by bolts, clamps, and the like, butit is-preferably afforded by flange formations on the bases that are in telescoping relation,

The particular shapes and dimensions of the areas of the bases where there is no overlap are not at all critical, but is convenient to make each lateral portion of the tray section bases entirely straight and of uniform width. In any event at least the overlapping portions of the tray section bases are aligned on axes that are perpendicular to a plane through the vertical axis of rotation of the file unit and bisecting the angle between adjacent frame members, thereby affording linear relative movement of the telescoping portions toward and away from each other as the tray sections are moved in and out in a radial direction. I

In this embodiment, the file includes an even number of tray sections in excess of two, preferably eight or 10, thus providing a sufficient number to afford a substantial range of radial movement while retaining a substantially circular configuration and enabling a symmetrical arrangement in which every other tray section is substantially identical. In this arrangement, there need only be two basic tray section designs (one for each part of the telescoping related pair) for a given file, thereby considerably facilitating fabrication of the parts and assembly of the unit.

When it is desired to either reduce or enlarge the capacity of the file, it is only necessary to release the couplings between the radial frame members of the file frame structure and the radial mounting members of the tray sections so that the tray sections can be moved radially inwardly or outwardly, as the case may be, relative to the axis of the unit. The aligned, telescoping portions in the overlapping areas of adjacent tray section bases accommodates such radial movement by a corresponding decrease or increase, as the case may be, of the extent of the overlap. Accordingly, the area of each portion of the file between the axes of the radial frames, and consequently the total area and capacity of the file tray, is decreased or increased to the extent desired.

As a further feature of the invention, the rotary file may include radial dividers and transverse dividers (extending transversely between the radial dividers) to subdivide the tray. Preferably, the transverse dividers are constituted by divider elements carried by each tray section which are in telescoping relation so as to afford an increase or decrease in length in accordance with the increase or decrease in size of the file to whatever size it may be adjusted.

It may be desirable to construct two diametrically opposite tray sections in two parts, the two parts being located on either side of and divided by the plane of the radial mounting member. The two parts of these opposite tray sections are separately joined. When the size of the file is to be changed, the two parts are separated, thereby facilitating the inward or outward adjustment of those tray sections on either side of the diametn'cal dividing line of separation. It will be understood, however, that this feature need not be incorporated into the file, inasmuch as the tray sections can be moved sequentially inwardly or outwardly a little bit at a time, even by one person. When a number of people are available to assist in the adjustment of the file to another size, the adjustment operation can be accomplished quickly and easily, each person pulling or pushing on one or two adjacent sections and all persons pushing or pulling together.

In another form of the file, the tray sections may be constructed so that two or more of them are appropriately joined together, such as by telescoping elements, to form an individual file unit, a number of the units then being placed end to end to form the continuous, circumferential file structure. Each file unit may constitute a card row, and two or three of such units may be placed side by side, in the radial direction, each unit spanning the space between adjacent radial frame members or straddling a given frame member and abutting the ends of similar file units at either end of it. The file units may be composed of two parts providing lengthwise row adjustment (generally transverse to the frame member) or four parts fitted together in such a way as to provide adjustment not only in the longitudinal direction, that is, transversely relative to the radial frame members, but also in the radial direction so that the width of each card row may be varied. In this form, the invention provides not only for adjustment of the size of the file but provides for convenient removal of individual file units from time to time as may be desired by detachably mounting them on a frame of suitable construction.

The adjustable rotary file, in accordance with the invention, offers the distinct and important advantages of l) enabling a manufacturer to construct and maintain a relatively small inventory of identical rotary file units which can be readily adjusted as to capacity and arrangement to suit the needs of a particular customer, and 2) enabling the user to set up and maintain a versatile and efficient file system by virtue of being able to change the size of the file units from time to time as circumstances warrant. There is no problem of the file unit becoming obsolete by reason of being moved to a different location or of becoming too small or too large to be used efficiently. Adjusting the size of the file is easily and quickly accomplished using simple tools and requires only one person, though the job is better performed by a number of persons. The fabrication and assembly costs of manufacturing the unit are relatively low, inasmuch as it embodies a relatively small number of different parts, many parts of the file being used in several places in the overall unit. The construction of the file is such that it may, if desired, be conveniently shipped in knockeddown condition and then quickly and easily assembled at its destination using simple tools.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the invention, reference may be made to the following description of exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with the FIGS. of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of one embodiment, the view showing the file adjusted to a size providing minimum capacity;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a portion of the file of FIG. 1, the file being shown adjusted to provide a substantially greater capacity than in its configuration of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view in cross section of a segment of the file of FIG. I, the view being taken generally along a plane indicated by the lines 3-3 of FIG. 1 and in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 4 is a side view in cross section taken generally along a broken plane indicated by the lines 4-4 of FIG. 1 and in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 5 is an end view in section of a segment of the file of FIG. 1, the view being taken generally on a plane indicated by the lines 5-5 of FIG. 1 and in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 6 is another end view in section of a portion of the file, the view being taken generally on a plane indicated by the lines 6-6 of FIG. 1 and in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 7 is a top view in section of a portion of the embodiment, the section being taken generally along a plane indicated by the lines 7-7 in FIG. 4 and in the direction of the arrows;

FIGS. 8A to 8D are plan views in generally schematic form, depicting, in sequence in alphabetical order by FIG. number, the preferred manner of adjusting the file from a smaller to a greater capacity;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are plan views, in generally schematic form, depicting another manner of effecting expansion of the file to provide a greater capacity, the file of these figures being of slightly modified construction;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a segment of another embodiment of the file of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a view in section of the embodiment of FIG. 10 taken generally along a plane represented by the lines 11-11 of FIG. 10 and in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 12 is another view in section-taken generally along a broken plane represented by the line 12-12 in FIG. 10 and in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 13 is a plan view of another embodiment of the adjustable rotary file, only a segment of the file being shown in the interest of eliminating unnecessary duplication;

FIG. 14 is a partial side view in section taken generally along a plane represented by the lines '14-14 of FIG. 13 and in the direction of the arrows, portions being broken away for clearer illustration;

FIG. 15 is a partial end view in section taken generally along a plane represented by the lines 15l5 of FIG. 14 and in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 16 is a side view in section of an embodiment of the rotary file incorporating an alternative way of mounting the frame and file structure of for rotation;

FIG. 17 is a pictorial view of a mounting track employed in the embodiment of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a plan view of a segmentof a file that incorporates a modified form of tray section; and

FIG. 19 is a view in section taken generally along a radial plane through the axis of the file and intersecting the file tray structure in an area where two tray sections overlap, the view being taken generally along a plane represented by the lines 1949 of FIG. 18 and in the direction of the arrows.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS The adjustable rotary file, as exemplified in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 7 of the drawings, comprises an annular tray structure 10, a supporting frame 12 for the tray 10, and a center shaft I4 mounting the frame 12 and therefore the tray structure 10 for rotation about a vertical axis constituted by the axis of the shaft 14.

As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the frame 12 carrying the tray structure 10 is composed of a plurality of radially disposed frame members 16 spaced circumferentially equal distances apart and carried by a central hub 18 journaled on the shaft I4. Referring briefly to the end sectional views of FIGS. 5 and 6, each of the radial frame members I6 is composed of two sheet metal elements appropriately formed and joined together to provide a generally channel-shaped body portion 15 at its upper edge and a downwardly extending, tapered rib 17 extending down from the base of the channelshaped portion 15. The radial frame members 16 are interconnected by transverse frame members 19 bridging the spaces between them and located some distance from the center axis of the frame structure 12. The radial and

transverse frame members

16 and 19 constitute a rigid subassembly which can be appropriately mounted on the hub, such as by means of vertical slots or grooves 20 FIGS. 3 and 4) spaced circumferentially around the perimeter of the hub 18.

The tray structure 10 is composed of a plurality of separate tray sections 24, one of which is carried by each of the radial frame members 16. All of the tray sections 24 are fundamentally identical, although there are specific differences in either dimension or in precise construction, as will be described in more detail below. Because of the differences, each tray section is given a letter suffix a, b, c, etc.) for purposes of specific reference, as necessary.

Each tray section 24 is composed of a mounting member 26, which is adapted to be received and detachably and movably secured to a frame member 16, and a tray or base 28 fastened to the mounting member 26. The tray or base 28 is a horizontally disposed plate of sheet metal or other suitable material which is generally V-shaped in plan and includes substantially straight portions of uniform width extending laterally in both directions from the radial axis of the radial frame member 16 on which it is mounted. For example, the base 280 of the tray section 24a (FIG. 1) includes a portion 28a extending in a generally clockwise direction (with respect to the view in FIG. 1) and a portion 28a" extending in a generally counterclockwise direction, both relative to the axis of the frame member 16 and therefore the axis of the mounting member 26a.

As can be seen from the dotted line showing in FIG. 1 and as better seen in the section view in FIG..4, the base 28 of each I and adapted to receive cards or other types of materials. The

base members 28 of the several: tray sections 24 are also united or joined together in a manner that affords relative sliding movement lengthwise of the laterally extending portions thereof and, in the specific embodiment shown in the drawings, the joinder is in the form of a telescoping relationship between the elements of each tray base 28.

More particularly, as best seen in FIGS; 3 and 4, each tray section base 28 is formed with upwardly extending

flange formations

30 and 32 on the inner and outer margins of the horizontal portions that constitutes thesupporting surface of the tray structure. The radially outward flange 32 constitutes an element of a peripheral outside. wall of the tray structure 10, whereas the radially inward flange 30 constitutes a retainer flange for maintaining the base'portions of adjacent tray sections in alignment with eachother. Inasmuch as the bases of each tray section are in telescoping relation to the base of each adjacent tray section", it" is clear, of course, that the shapes of the specific flange formations of adjacent tray sections differ slightly. However, the bases 28 of every other tray section are telescopically received within the bases of the remaining tray sections. Accordingly, it is only necessary to fabricate two types of tray sections, each of which differs only slightly as to dimension and specific flange construction. Thus, those tray sections of which the flange fonnations are received within the flange formations of adjacent tray sections, i.e.,

tray sections

24a, 24a, 24g and 241, are identical to each other, while the remaining tray sections, i.e.,

tray sections

24b, 24d, 24f and 24j, are likewise identical to each other. As described below, tray sections 24c and 241i differ from each other and from the remaining tray section insofar as they are constructed in two parts, but they otherwise'fit into the overall pattern of mutually telescoping tray section bases that form a continuous tray structure surrounding the central axis of the file.

The mounting members 26 of the several tray sections 24 are composed of a pair of transversely spaced-apart ribs 33 fastened to the underside of the tray bases 28. As may be best seen be by reference to FIGS. and 6, each rib 33 includes a vertically disposed web portion 34, an outwardly extending flange 36 along the upper edge of the web portion for securing the rib to the underside of the base 28 and an inwardly turned tending flange portions 36 of the ribs 33 in the regions inwardly of the tray section base, a coacting clamp plate 44 received within the channel portion 16a of the radial frame member 16 and a screw 46 for drawing the

plates

42 and 44 into clamping relation to the internal flanges of the frame member 16.

The tray structure of the tile further includes radial dividers 48, which are generally aligned with the axes of the radial frame members 16, and transverse dividers, for example, 50 and 51, the transverse dividers being composed, for each tray section 24, of strips of metal or other suitable material, formed with marginal flanges (see FIG. 4) and adapted to be in telescoping relation with

similar dividers

53 and 54 carried by those tray sectionson either side of a give given tray section. In this manner, the lengths of the transverse dividers automatically increase and decrease in accordance with the radial positions, relative to the center of the file, of the tray sections. Each tray section also includes a false back 55 formed in a manner substantially identical to the transverse dividers, i.e., being arranged to be in telescoping relation with p a similar false back 56 carried by an adjacent tray section.

More particularly, referring '.to FIG. 7, the transverse dividers and 51 and the false back 55,-for a given tray section 24, extend continuously over substantially the entire length of the tray section base portion, each being bent at its lengthwise center and receiving atthat-point the corresponding radial divider 48 The radial divider and each of the divider members 50 and 51' and the false back are mutually slotted in opposed directions so that they can be interconnected at the points of intersection. Asshown in FIG. 4, the radial dividers 48 are provided with a multiplicity of slots 58, thereby affording a corresponding number of positions for receiving the transverse dividers, and thereby permitting the transverse dividers to be appropriately spaced to receive cards of different sizes, as may suit a particular user. The radial dividers 48 are formed with adjacent pairs of tabs 59 (FIG. 7) at intervals along their lower edges and the bases of the tray sections have corresponding slots adapted to receive the tabs, after which the tabs may be bent in opposite directions to secure the radial dividers, as well as the transverse dividers (which, as shown in FIG. 4, are slotted at the top and are therefore held down by the radial dividers 48 which engage them at the upper ends of the slots 58) to the tray section bases.

AS mentioned above, the

tray sections

24c and 24h, which it will be noted are located diametrically opposite each other, are formed in two parts, each part being on either side of the radial center line of the tray section. Thus, each

tray section

240 and 24h includes separate bases, for example, 28c and 28c"crather than integral portions-of a unitary base, and each base 280 or 28c" carries a separate radial divider element 48', as shown in elevation in FIG. 3. The transverse flange 38 along the lower edge adapted to' be received under and to engage the underside of the channel-shaped portion 15 of the radial frame members 12, the rib members together constituting the mounting member 26 of the tray section and being adapted to telescopically receive a radial frame member of the frame structure. As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, the mounting members26 extend inwardly some distance from the inner edge of the tray bases 28 to provide a relatively long zone of support. Although the mounting members 26 are thus adapted to slide lengthwise along the frame member 16 to enable the file to be adjusted to different sizes, the mounting members 26 are normally releasably secured to the frame members 16, such as by means of a clamp structure 40 (see FIG. 6) made up of a top plate 42 secured to the outwardly exdividers 50 and 51' and the false back 55' are, in a similar manner, separate for each base portion 28c or 280", and each is secured to the corresponding radial dividers 48' by tabs (Fig. 3) received in slots 58' in the radial divider 48'. Normally, the two parts of each

tray section

240 or 24h are joined together by means of angles 60 (see FIGS. 1 and 5) and bolts 62, but they are readily separated by merely removing the bolts 62.

The adjustment of the file is accomplished in the following manner:

Assuming that the file is in or near its smallest size configuration, as shown in FIG. 1, and is secured or fixed in that orientation by the clamp arrangement 40 (FIG. 6) between the mounting members of, each tray section 24 and the radial frame members 16 of the frame structure 12, the first step is to loosen the screws 46 to release clamps 40 and thereby afford sliding movement of the mounting members 26 on the radial frame member 16. Also, the screws 62 are removed, thereby permitting the two parts of each of the

tray sections

24c and 24h to separate. Referring to FIGS. 8Ato 8D, and first of II all to FIG. 8A, an outward pull, as indicated by the arrows P,, on

one or more of the

tray sections

24d, 24e, 24f and 243 will cause all of those sections to move radially outwardly away from the center axis of the file and into he the position illustrated in 8B. The extent of the radial outward movement, of course, can be controlled and stopped at a desired point. By virtue of the separation between the parts of the

sections

240 and 24h, outward movement of each half of the the file on either side of a diametrical plane is afforded, thereby facilitating the adjustment. Otherwise, it would be necessary to effect radial outward movement of all of the tray sections of the file substantially simultaneously, but as will be described below, this is quite possible where a number of persons assist in adjusting the file.

Referring to FIG. 8B, the same procedure as above is repeated to move file sections 241, 24], 24a and 24b radially outwardly (the arrows P thereby reaching the position shown in FIG. 8C. As shown in FIGS. 88 and 8C, the next step is to pull the two parts of the tray sections 24c and 2411 into the diametrical plane (the arrows P and P thus completing adjustment, except for resecuring the clamps 40 and reconnecting the angle bracket members 60 to join the two parts of

tray sections

240 and 24h. As illustrated clearly by FIG. 8D, the file has been expanded considerably in capacity.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, which embodies a showing in phantom lines of the file in its configuration providing a minimum capacity and a showing in solid lines of its maximum capacity configuration, the telescoping relationship between (1 the several tray section bases 28, (2 the

transverse dividers

50 and 51 and (3 the false backs 55 readily permits the distance spanned between the radial mounting members 26 of the tray sections and, therefore, the total area of the file storage space, to be adjusted over a substantial range of sized sizes upon radial movement, 20 inwardly or outwardly, of the tray sections on the radial frame members 16. In the inner, smaller capacity position (phantom lines) the areas of overlap between adjacent tray sections are substantially greater than in the larger capacity outward position (solid lines). Despite the adjustment in size, however, the distance between the transverse dividers remains the same, thereby providing storage space of uniform width for rows of cards arranged in a generally circumferential direction relative to the axis of the file, as is the normal arrangement of circular files. However, the storage capacity of each row, between the radial dividers is considerably increased as the tray sections are adjusted outwardly away from the axis of the file.

As mentioned above, the file also provides for readjustment of the dimensions of the card rows by permitting the transverse dividers to be moved to an appropriate one of the slots 58 in the radial dividers 48. It is to be observed that all of the adjustments in file size and file arrangement are provided for without the need for replacing any of the parts, all the parts being adapted to change dimension or position or both as required to fulfill given needs.

Referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, adjustment of the file, such as from a smaller size (Fig. 9A) to a larger size (Fig. 98) can also be accomplished by moving all of the section radially outwardly concurrently by cooperation of a number of persons assisting in the adjustment procedure, or sequentially by one person pulling each tray section radially outwardly (the arrows P in sequence moving around the perimeter of the file. The dimensional relations of the telescoping parts is such that slight movement of a given file section relative to those on either side of it and with which it is telescopically related, can be accomplished without too much difficulty, thereby permitting a gradual change in size by repeatedly and successively pulling out, or moving in, each file section individually. For this reason, it will be understood that the formation of the file, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 8 of the drawings, with diametrically opposite tray sections constructed in two parts, is an optional feature. In other words, the file may be made up without and any two-part tray sections, all tray sections being unitary as illustrated schematically in FIGS. 9A and 9B.

FIGS. 10 to 12 illustrate another embodiment, in accordance with the invention, which is characterized in particular by a modified construction of the tray structure More particularly, the embodiment of FIGS. 10 to 12 includes a frame, which is designated generally by the reference numeral 100, composed of a plurality of radial frame members 102 of substantially the same form as those in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 7 and similarly mounted for rotation on a central shaft (not shown). The tray structure, which is designated generally by the reference numeral 104, is made up of a plurality of individual tray units 106 which span the space between the radial frame members 102 and are suitably attached, such as by means of bolts 108 received in elongated, radially disposed slots 109, to radially extending mounting member 110. The mounting members are in turn telescopically received and adjustably secured'to the frame members 102.

The file tray units 106, which are all of substantially identical construction but which may vary dimensionally, are composed of four sections or parts appropriately joined together for adjusting movement relative to each other, such as by telescoping. Each of the parts includes vertical wall portions which are generally L-shaped in plan. Specifically, these sections of each unit are (l an outside right part 112, (2 an outside left part 114, (3 an inside right part 116, and (4 an inside left part 118, the references to inside and "outside" being with respect to the center axis of the file and to left" and right" being with reference to the view of the file in FIG. 10. The right and left

outside parts

112 and 114 include, respectively, bases 112a and 1140, upstanding longitudinal flanges 112B and 114B along the outermost edges constituting the outer wall of the tray unit, and upstanding inturned end flanges 112a and 114C constituting portions of the end walls of each unit. Similarly, the

inside parts

116 and 118 include upstanding

longitudinal flanges

116a and 118a and outwardlyturned end flanges 116b and 118b. The

inside members

116 and 118 do not, however, include bases.

At the upper end of each of the wall flanges of the file

tray unit parts

112, 114, 116 and 118 is a

U-shaped flange formation

112d, 114 d, 116d, and 118d, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the flange formations are mutually telescoped into each other to form a unitary structure, the flange formations on parts, 112 and 118 telescoping'ly receiving those on

parts

114 and 116. In addition, the inwardly facing edges of the bases 112a and 1140 of

parts

112 and 114 include flange formations 112e and 114e (see FIG. 12) which join the bases into a rigid supporting element spanning the space between the mounting members while still permitting them to be slid relative to each other to adjust the size of the unit. Finally, the tray units 106 include slots along the longitudinal flanges of the parts for receiving radial dividers 122.

In a manner generally similar to that of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 7, the embodiment of FIGS. 10 to 12 provides for increasing or decreasing the size of the file structure 104 by radial adjustment of the tray units 106 inwardly or outwardly along the radial frame members 102, thereby to increase or decrease the spans over which the tray units 106 extend. As depicted by the phantom line showing in FIG. 10, when the mounting members 105 are mounted in their relatively inward location, thereby similarly positioning the tray units 106 in relatively inward locations, the length of the tray units 106 is relatively smaller. Upon outward adjustment into the position shown in solid lines in FIG. 10, the lengths of the several tray units 106 is substantially increased. The decrease or increase of the lengthwise dimension of each file tray unit is afforded by the telescoping relationship or other appropriate construction of the several units 106.

The embodiment of FIGS. 10 to 12 embodies the further feature of providing for adjustment not only of the length of the rows but of their width by moving the

inward elements

116 and 118 toward or away from the

outer units

112 and 114, as provided for by the telescoping construction. Accordingly, the embodiment of FIGS. 10 to 12 permits not only adjustment of the total file space in terms of linear dimensions of the rows but also adjustment of the width of the rows to permit various sizes of cards or other materials to be accommodated.

FIGS. 13 to 15 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the adjustable rotary file, according to the invention, in which a modified form of tray structure is substituted for the form of tray structure illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 7 but in which the frame arrangement is essentially the same. The embodiment of FIGS. 13 to 17 includes a central shaft 214 carrying the hub 218 that supports a framework composed of a plurality of radially disposed, circumferentially spaced-apart main frame members 216. Each of the frame members 216 receives, in telescoping relation, an adjustable mounting member 220 that is appropriately arranged to be adjusted in and out and locked in a desired position, such as by the fastener arrangement 221, on the frame member 216. The construction and operation of the foregoing components of the embodiments FIGS. 13 to 15, is very much the same as the corresponding structure of the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 7. Moreover, the basic approach to the construction and operation of the tray structure is similar. However, rather than providing tray units having bases of a dimension in the radial of the tile that are sufficient to accommodate several card rows and of providing individual expandable dividers between the rows, the tray structure of FIGS. 13 to 15 is composed of tray sections that are only one row wide, and each frame member carries a multiplicity of such tray sections.

More particularly, the embodiment, as illustrated, comprises three essentially identical tray sections 222 or 223 carried by each tray section mounting member 220. For purposes of specific identification in the following description, the reference numerals applied to individual tray sections and frames are given a letter suffix. 26a Referring primarily to FIG. 13, the frame member 2160 carries an outermost tray section 222a, an intermediate or center tray section 2221) and an inside tray section 2220. Referring briefly to FIG. 14, each tray section, for example 222a,- consists of a generally L- shaped member made of sheet metal cut and bent to an appropriate form providing a base portion 224 and an upwardly extending wall portion 226 extending along the outermost edge of the base. Returning again to FIG. 13, each tray section 222 is generally V-shaped in plan and includes a portion extending out in each direction from the axis of the respective frame member 216 and mounting member 220 at an angle such that it will line up with a companion portion on a tray section 223 carried by the adjacent fraine members 216. For example, each of the frame members designated 216b and 216c carries three

tray sections

222a, 223b and 223a that, respectively, correspond to the tray section 2220 to 222b and 222:. As in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 7, then, tray sections 222 on every other frame member are in telescoping relation with tray sections 223 carried by the remaining frame members as is apparent from a consideration of FIG. 14. Thus, for example, in FIG. 14 the

tray sections

222a, 222b and 2220 are in telescoping relation with the tray sections 223a, 2215b and 223e, respectively, on either side.

Each of the tray sections 222 is formed with a generally U- shaped flange formation 228 extending along the top edge of the wall portion 226 and with a generally V-shaped flange formation 2311 extending along the edge of the base 224. A companion U-shaped flange formation 229 on the wall portion of each tray section 223 fits within the flange formation 228, and a straight flange 231 on each section 223 fits within the V of the flange formation 230 on each section 222.

In addition to the three tray sections 222 or 223 carried by each of the frame members 216, each frame member also carries an

inside wall member

234 or 235, such wall members being of a construction substantially identical to that of the tray sections except that they include only a narrow base by which they are mounted on the tray section mounting mem bers 222. Thus, they include a

flange formation

236 or 237 at their upper ends and a

flange formation

238 or 239 at the inside edges of their base the flanges of adjacent, companion wall members being formed to be in telescoping relation so that a continuous interior wall is defined by the severaL interrelated wall members.

The tray sections 222, 223 and

wall members

234, 235 associated with each frame member 216 are appropriately secured to the tray section mounting member 220, such as by welds, screws or rivets. Consequently, each tray section mounting member 220 and the tray sections 222 and wall members 23d secured to it make up a subassembly of the rotary file. In a manner substantially identical to that described above in connection with the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 7, the subassemblies are movable in and out along the frame members 216 to afford variable file capacity as may be required by the user. The phantom lines in FIG. 13 depict an expanded position of the rotary file, while the solid lines show the file in a contracted, smaller-sized configuration.

The embodiment of FIGS. 13 to 15 further includes a radially extending divider 241 located above each frame member 216. The radial divider 241 includes vertical slots 240 extending up from its lower edge approximately one-half the width (Fig. 14), while the wall portions 226 of the several tray sections 222 include slots 242 (FIG. 15) that extend down from the top so that the divider slides down into position in eggcrate fashion. The divider 241 includes several slot positions that accommodate different radial locations of the tray sections and the interior wall members so that card rows of various widths may be provided. Each divider 241 includes several downwardly extending tabs 243 that are received in slots formed in the corresponding mounting member 220 and bent over to retain the divider 241 in position. In FIG. 14, for clearer showing, the ribs are shown before they are bent over, as in FIG. 15.

It should be mentioned that the bases 224 of the tray sections are, as is apparent from the drawings, of somewhat lesser width in the radial direction than the width of the card rows, and that the bases of the card rows thus include openings. It is clear, of course, that the bases still suffice to support the cards or other materials tiled in the rows. The reason for the narrower widths is that the same basic components may be used in the manufacture of rotary files that will accommodate cards of different widths. Thus, if card rows narrower than those shown in the drawings are desired for a given rotary file, the same standard parts as shown may be placed closer together. Indeed, additional tray sections could be added to produce a greater number of card rows, each of which are of lesser widths. This aspect of the construction'of the tile is another facet of the versatility of the file structure of the invention.

FIGS. 16 and 17 show a modified mounting arrangement for the tray structure, such as any of the embodiments. Rather than employing a central shaft and journaling the frame for rotation on the central shaft, the embodiment of FIGS. 16 and 17 employs a circular track 250 supported by circumferentially spaced legs 252. In cross section (see FIG. 16) the track 250 is generally L-shaped and is provided with a depression 254 that receives a multiplicity of circumferentially spaced-apart'casters 256 mounted on the underside of the frame of the file structure. The casters 256 are, of course, mounted on the fixed parts of the frame, such as on the radial frame members 16 of FIGS. 1 to 7, so that the adjustable parts of the file may be moved in the manner previously described. The form of support shown in FIGS. '16 and 17 is particularly useful for relatively large-sized files, inasmuch as the major part of the weight of the file is in the loaded loaded trays, which are located relatively far from the center axis of the file. Consequently, a track support of the type shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 may enable a reduction in the cross section of the framing by virtue of supporting the weight of the card trays relatively close to the center of gravity of a given cross section of a loaded file tray.

Numerous variations and modifications may be made in the embodiments described above, such as the modified tray structure depicted in FIGS. 18 and 19 of the drawings. More particularly, with reference to those figures, a file embodying the basic principles of the invention, insofar as it has as a general configuration a multiplicity of inter-related mutually adjustable tray sections, may include provision for mounting a series of relatively closely spaced, generally radially disposed vertical dividers for purposes of better adapting the file to the storage of looseleaf file books, card-containing books or similar types of books. For example, a common type of record book measures on the order of inches wide and l lzinches thick, and a file of the type shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 may contain up to about 100 or more of such books stored vertically with their backs facing outwardly for convenient access and for viewing of index information placed on the back of each book. While the above-described embodiments of the invention may be modified by omitting the front outer or perimeter walls and the intermediate transverse dividers that are provided to define the card rows in a card-type file, thus providing a flat surface open at the front (without any front wall) to receive books, it is generally preferably to provide dividers between the books so that when a book is removed form a file, the books on either side cannot tip over and tend to close up the space. Moreover, each book has a prescribed space or slot that is set off by adjacent dividers to ensure that the books will be replaced in proper location.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 may include the basic support and frame structure described above and illustrated in FIGS. 1 to of the drawings, such support or framing system for the file trays having been fully illustrated and described heretofore. Moreover, the general configuration of the tray sections is substantially the same as the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 7, in that each tray section is carried by a radial mounting member (designated generally by the reference numeral 300 in FIGS. 18 and 19) and includes a base 302 composed of angularly related

portions

304 and 306 that extend in either direction generally laterally from the radial mounting member 300 and have parallel inner and outer edges. The base 302 of embodiment of FIGS. 18 and 19 does not, however, having any upstanding wall or divider elements but, rather, has inner and outer depending or downwardly extending I.shaped

flange formations

308 and 310. The inner L- shaped flange formation 308 on each tray section is cut away at the region where the tray section overlies the mounting member 300, whereas the outer L-shaped flange formation 310 extends continuously along the outer edge. Thus, in addition to the function of connecting the several tray sections together by way of the telescoping relation of the flange formations, the outer formation presents a smooth, attractive peripheral rim around the tray structure. To the extent described thus far, then, the embodiment of FIGS. 18 and 19 is characterized by a tray structure extending continuously about the axis of the file made up of telescopically related, overlapping tray sections that have essentially flat, upwardly facing surfaces free of any upstanding elements. As in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 7 and 13 to 15, the size of the tray structure may be diminished or enlarged by adjusting each tray section inwardly or outwardly, thereby increasing or decreasing the extent of overlap between the several adjacent tray section.

To adapt the embodiment of FIGS. 18 and 19 to use with books of various types, the file is fitted with primary radial dividers 312 mounted above the tray mounting members 300, such as by means of tabs and slots in much the same manner as in the embodiments of FIGS. 13 to 15. In addition, the tray structure is subdivided into individual book positions by a multiplicity of generally radially disposed vertical dividers 314, each of which is formed along its bottom edge with two spaced-apart, outwardly extending, elongated flanges 316. Each of the flanges has an elongated slot 318 extending substantially parallel to the major surface of the divider. The flanges 316 and the slots 318 in them are so positioned as to overlie, in any position of the divider in a given tray section 302, a corresponding elongated slot 320 formed in the tray section. In particular, there are two rows of slots 320, one row for each of the flanges 316 of the several dividers. The slots 320 are arranged in rows that are parallel to each other and parallel to the

edge flanges

308 and 310 of the tray section 302. The lengths of the slots 320 in the tray sections and the slots 318 in the divider flanges are such that only a single-sized radial divider need be provided and that the divider will fit into a range of spacing, depending upon the needs of the user. Each divider is secured to the tray section 302 by means of screws or nuts or some other appropriate releaseable fastener 322 inserted through the

slots

318 and 320. Portions of the base, such as bands 323 of a width slightly greater than the lengths of the flanges 316 of the divider 314, adjacent the slots 320 of the several tray section bases are depressed (see particularly FIG. 19) so that the flanges 316 and the fasteners 322 are located below the upper surface of the base and cannot interfere with the support of and the removal and replacement of the books.

The embodiment of FIGS. 18 and 19 further includes an inner wall member 324 carried by each tray section 302, each wall member including angularly related

portions

326 and 328 extending outwardly from the radial axis of the frame member 300 parallel to the inner and outer edges of the

respective portions

304 and 306 of the tray section base 302. Advantageously, the inner wall member 324 associated with each section may be arranged to be mounted in any of a number of selected positions to accommodate books of varying widths. This may be done by mounting the wall member, relative to the primary radial divider member 312 for each tray section, in egg-crate fashion, as illustrated in FIGS. 13 to 15 and described above. Each wall member 324 is provided with L- shaped flange formations 330, and each

portion

326 or 328 telescopically receives a corresponding portion of an adjacent wall member so that in aggregation, the wall members 324 associated with the several tray sections of the file are all interconnected to form a substantially continuous inner wall surrounding and spaced from the axis of the file. Each inner wall member 324 is formed with vertically elongated slots 332 at an appropriate spacing from each other to receive tabs 334 that extend rearwardly from the back or inner ends of the radial dividers 314. The spacing of the slots 332 may be such as to accommodate various desired spacings of the radial dividers so that book receiving spaces of widths appropriate to the size of books to be stored in the file may be accommodated within a single structure using a standard wall member part for all configurations.

With the above-described construction, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the adjustable file, according to the basic principles of the invention, may be adjusted to size in the manner described above, and with the embodiment of FIGS. 18 and 19, the file may be adapted for the storage of books of various sizes as may be required by the user, using the same standard file design. If the user desires to increase the capacity of the file by adjusting the tray section outwardly, relative to the axis of the file, additional radial dividers may be added in portions of the respective tray sections that were overlapping prior to enlargement of the tile, thus increasing the number of storage spaces. Moreover, the arrangement of inter-related

elongated slots

318 and 320 in the tray sections and on the flanges of the radial dividers, together with the provision of multiple locations for the tabs 334 in the inner wall members 324, makes it possible to adjust the widths of the book receiving spaces between the dividers to accommodate books of various sizes. Further, the inner wall may be located at various positions to accommodate books of varying widths. Thus, the embodiment of FIGS. 18 and 19 fulfills the need for versatility in configuration in a file of the type particularly adapted to store books.

The embodiment of FIGS. 18 and 19 can readily be converted over, should the user desire, to adapt it for storage of cards by removing all of the radial dividers 314 and installing transverse row dividers (not shown, but see other embodiments) at appropriate spacing to suit the card size. The row dividers may be of a construction substantially identical to that of the inner wall member 324, one such divider being located at the outermost edge of the several tray sections and l any appropriate intermediate row dividers being located between the innermost and outermost dividers. The main radial dividers 312 may be of a slotted construction substantially identical to that shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 13 to 15, while the transverse row dividers may be mutually correspondingly slotted to afford an egg-crate type interconnection. inasmuch as the foregoing conversion of a file of the type shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 from a book configuration to a card configuration is readily accomplished in the above manner within the framework of the foregoing description of the several embodiments of the invention, thedetails of construction have not been shown in the drawings.

I claim: I

1. An adjustable file of the type .used to store cards, books and like materials for ready access comprising a frame structure including a plurality of frame members extending radially from a central axis, a plurality of individual tray sections carried by the frame members and disposed adjacent each other and forming an essentially continuous tray structure surrounding the central axis, and means mounting the tray sections for radial adjusting movement inwardly or outwardly from the axis, the tray sections being movable relative to each other in directions transverse to the radial to afford an alteration in the size of the tray structure upon inward or outward movement of the tray sections.

2. An adjustable file according to claim 1 wherein the tray sections include bases for supporting the materials, the bases of adjacent tray sections overlapping to an extent determined by the size of the structure in a particular configuration.

3. An adjustable file according to claim 2 wherein the portions of the tray structure between adjacent radial frame membets are formed by a portion of two tray sections.

4. An adjustable file according to claim 3 wherein the tray section bases include substantially straight portions of substantially equal width in a direction radially of the file structure, the straight portions of adjacent file section bases in the overlapping portions thereof being aligned with each other on a common axis which is substantially perpendicular to a plane through the axis of the file and bisecting the angle between the frame members carrying them.

5. An adjustable file according to claim 4 wherein the number of tray sections is an even number greater than two, and wherein alternate tray sections of the said even number are substantially identical to each other.

6. An adjustable file according to claim 1 wherein portions of adjacent tray sections overlap and further comprising means for interconnecting the overlapping portions of the adjacent tray sections to render the tray structure substantially unitary while affording relative adjusting movement of the sections.

7. An adjustable file according to claim 6 wherein thy interconnecting means includes telescopically related formations on the tray sections in the overlapping portions thereof.

8. An adjustable file according to claim 7 wherein the telescopically related formations on the tray sections include elements of flanges defining marginal walls on the file structure.

9. An adjustable file of the type used to store cards, books and like materials for ready access comprising a plurality of individual tray sections disposed adjacent each other in radially spaced locations about a central axis, each tray section having a base element for receiving and supporting the materials and each tray section having portions overlapping a portion of the adjacent tray sections on either side of it, the tray sections in aggregation constituting a continuous file tray structure surrounding the vertical axis of the file, a frame including a pinrality of frame members extending radially relative to the central axis, and means mounting the tray sections on the radial frame members for adjusting movement radially of the central axis to vary the size of the file structure by varying the extent of overlap between the tray sections.

it). An adjustable file according to claim 9 further comprising means on the tray sections for interconnecting adjacent tray sections to render the tray structure substantially unitary while affording the adjusting movement of the tray sections.

11. An adjustable file according to claim 10 wherein the interconnecting means includes telescopically related formations on the tray sections in at least the overlapping portions thereof.

12. An adjustable file according to claim 9 wherein the radial frame members are equally spaced about the axis of the tray, and wherein the tray sections are of substantially the same size and shape. I

13. An adjustable file according to claim 12 wherein the tray section bases include substantially straight portions of substantially equal width in a direction radially of the file, the straight portions of adjacent file section bases in the overlapping portions of the -tray sections being aligned with each other on a common axis which is substantially perpendicular to a plane through the axis of the file and bisecting the angle between the frame members carrying them.

14. An adjustable file according to claim 13 wherein the number of tray sections is an even number greater than two.

15. An adjustable file according to claim 14 wherein alternate tray sections of the said evennumber are substantially identical to each other.

16. A rotary file according to claim 9 wherein each tray section further includes a radial mounting member adjustably.

secured to a radial frame member.

17. An adjustable file accordingto claim 16 wherein the radial mounting member and the radial frame member carrying it are in telescoping relation.

18. An adjustable file according to claim 9 wherein the base element of each tray section includes a substantially straight portion of uniform dimension in the radial direction of the file extending in opposite directions laterally from and at an angle to the frame member carrying it, each such laterally extending portion overlapping a laterally extending portion on the adjacent tray section, and further comprising coacting means on the overlapping portions of the base elements for joining them in said overlapping portions to render the tray structure substantially unitary while affording relative adjusting movement, the overlapping portions of the base elements being disposed on axes aligned perpendicular to a plane through the axis of rotation of the file and bisecting the angle between adjacent radial frame members.

19. An adjustable file according to claim 18 wherein the means joining the bases of adjacent trays in the overlapping portions thereof includes telescoping flange formations on the base elements.

20. An adjustable file according to claim 19 wherein at least one of the telescoping flanges on each base element is located at the radially outermost portion of the base element and constitutes a part of a peripheral wall for the file.

21. An adjustable file according to claim 18 wherein two diametrically opposite tray sections are composed of two parts, one such part on either side of the radial frame member and the two parts being separably joined to each other adjacent the axis of the frame member, whereby adjustment of the size of the file is facilitated by separating the two parts for an adjustment operation.

22. An adjustable file according to claim 9 further comprising transverse divider elements and radial divider elements carried by the tray sections.

23. An adjustable file according to claim 22 wherein the transverse divider elements include overlapping portions, and further comprising coacting means on the overlapping portions of adjacent divider elements for joining the divider elements for lengthwise movement relative to each other.

24. An adjustable file according to claim 23 wherein the coacting means includes flanges formed on the respective transverse divider elements in the overlapping portions thereof, the flanges on the divider elements of adjacent tray sections being in telescoping relation.

25. An adjustable file according to claim 9 wherein each frame member carries a multiplicity of tray sections disposed adjacent each other radially of such frame member.

26. An adjustable file according to claim 25 wherein the base of each tray section includes substantially straight portions of substantially uniform widths, in a direction radially of the file, the straight portions of adjacent file section bases in the overlapping portions of the tray sections being aligned with each other on a common axis which is substantially perpendicular to a plane through the axis of the file and bisecting the angle between the frame members carrying them.

27. An adjustable file according to claim 26 further comprising means on the tray section for interconnecting adjacent tray sections to render the tray structure substantially unitary while affording the adjusting movement of the tray sections relative to each other, the interconnecting means including telescopically related formations on the tray sections in at least the overlapping portions thereof.

28. An adjustable file according to claim 27 wherein the interconnecting means includes telescopically related formations on the tray section bases. 7

29. An adjustable file according to claim 26 wherein each tray section further includes a row divider wall portion upstanding from an edge of the base.

30. An adjustable file according to claim 9 and further comprising a multiplicity of generally radially disposed vertical dividers and means for mounting the dividers on the tray bases for adjustment of their position relative thereto.

31. An adjustable file according to .claim 30 wherein the mounting means for the radially disposed dividers includes at least one row of elongated slots in each tray base element disposed generally transversely to the dividers, at least one outwardly extending flange on the lower edge of each divider, such flange being positioned on the divider to overlie the slots in the tray base element and each flange having an elongated slot generally aligned with the major surface of the divider and positioned to overlie a slot in the base element in any position of the divider on the base element, and a releaseable fastener extending through the respective slots in the base element and divider to adjustably secure the divider to the base in a selected position.

32. An adjustable file according to claim 31 wherein portions of the tray base element surrounding the slots are depressed below the upwardly facing surface of the remaining portion of the tray base element.

33. An adjustable file according to claim 30 and further comprising an upstanding inner wall member associated with each tray section, a wall member of each section overlapping a corresponding wall member of an adjacent section, and means adjustably joining the several wall members to each other to form a substantially continuous inner wall surrounding and spaced from the axis of the file.

34. An adjustable file according to claim 33 wherein each wall member includes a multiplicity of spaced-apart vertically elongated slots, and wherein each radially disposed divider includes a projecting tab receivable by one of the vertically elongated slots in the wall member.

35. An adjustable file according to claim 13 wherein each tray section base includes at least one row of elongated slots aligned with each other on a line which is substantially perpendicular to a radial line of the file bisecting the angle between the frame members carrying the tray section bases, the portions of the tray section bases surrounding the slots being depressed below the major upwardly facing surfaces thereof, a multiplicity of generally radially disposed vertical dividers on each tray section base, each divider having an outwardly extending flange along a portion of its lower edge and positioned thereon to be in overlying relation to the slots in the tray section base, each divider flange having an elongated slot extendingsubstantially parallel to the major surface of the divider, a releasable fastener extending through the respective slots in the base and each divider flange adjustably to secure the divider in a selected position on the tray base, an upstanding inner wall member associated with each tray section, each wall member overlapping a portion of a respective wall member associated with an adjacent tray section such that the wall members of all of the tray sections of the file conjointly define a substantial! continuous inner wall for the file surrounding and spaced vertically elongated slots formed in spaced-apart relation in the inner wall members, and a tab on each radial divider received in one of such vertical slo'ts further to secure the radial divider to the tray section.

36. An adjustable file according to claim 35 wherein each tray section base includes a down-tumed generally L-shaped flange formation formed along its outermost edge, relative to the axis of the file, each L-shaped flange formation overlapping a portion of the corresponding flange formation of an adjacent tray section and being in telescoping relation therewith thereby to define a substantially continuous rim for the outer perimeter of the file and to interconnect the several tray sections.

37. A rotary file of the type used to store cards, books and like materials for ready access comprising an essentially continuous tray structure surrounding a central axis, and a support structure for the tray structure mounting it for rotation about the axis the support structure including a circular track concentric with the said central axis and roller means between the track and tray structure supporting the tray structure on the track for rolling movement thereon.

from the axis of the file, a multiplicity of

Claims

1. An adjustable file of the type used to store cards, books and like materials for ready access comprising a frame structure including a plurality of frame members extending radially from a central axis, a plurality of individual tray sections carried by the frame members and disposed adjacent each other and forming an essentially continuous tray structure surrounding the central axis, and means mounting the tray sections for radial adjusting movement inwardly or outwardly from the axis, the tray sections being movable relative to each other in directions transverse to the radial to afford an alteration in the size of the tray structure upon inward or outward movement of the tray sections.

3. An adjustable file according to claim 2 wherein the portions of the tray structure between adjacent radial frame members are formed by a portion of two tray sections.

9. An adjustable file of the type used to store cards, books and like materials for ready access comprising a plurality of individual tray sections disposed adjacent each other in radially spaced locations about a central axis, each tray section having a base element for receiving and supporting the materials and each tray section having portions overlapping a portion of the adjacent tray sections on either side of it, the tray sections in aggregation constituting a continuous file tray structure surrounding the vertical axis of the file, a frame including a plurality of frame members extending radially relative to the central axis, and means mounting the tray sections on the radial frame members for adjusting movement radially of the central axis to vary the size of the file structure by varying the extent of overlap between the tray sections.

10. An adjustable file according to claim 9 further comprising means on the tray sections for interconnecting adjacent tray sections to render the tray structure substantially unitary while affording the adjusting movement of the tray sections.

12. An adjustable file according to claim 9 wherein the radial frame members are equally spaced about the axis of the tray, and wherein the tray sections are of substantially the same size and shape.

13. An adjustable file according to claim 12 wherein the tray section bases include substantially straight portions of substantially equal width in a direction radially of the file, the straight portions of adjacent file section bases in the overlapping portions of the tray sections being aligned with each other on a common axis which is substantially perpendicular to a plane through the axis of the file and bisecting the angle between the frame members carrying them.

15. An adjustable file according to claim 14 wherein alternate tray sections of the said even number are substantially identical to each other.

16. A rotary file according to claim 9 wherein each tray section further includes a radial mounting member adjustably secured to a radial frame member.

17. An adjustable file according to claim 16 wherein the radial mounting member and the radial frame member carrying it are in telescoping relation.

28. An adjustable file according to claim 27 wherein the interconnecting means includes telescopically related formations on the tray section bases.

31. An adjustable file according to claim 30 wherein the mounting means for the radially disposed dividers includes at least one row of elongated slots in each tray base element disposed generally transversely to the dividers, at least one outwardly extending flange on the lower edge of each divider, such flange being positioned on the divider to overlie the slots in the tray base element and each flange having an elongated slot generally aligned with the major surface of the divider and positioned to overlie a slot in the base element in any position of the divider on the base element, and a releaseable fastener extending through the respective slots in the base element and divider to adjustably secure tHe divider to the base in a selected position.

35. An adjustable file according to claim 13 wherein each tray section base includes at least one row of elongated slots aligned with each other on a line which is substantially perpendicular to a radial line of the file bisecting the angle between the frame members carrying the tray section bases, the portions of the tray section bases surrounding the slots being depressed below the major upwardly facing surfaces thereof, a multiplicity of generally radially disposed vertical dividers on each tray section base, each divider having an outwardly extending flange along a portion of its lower edge and positioned thereon to be in overlying relation to the slots in the tray section base, each divider flange having an elongated slot extending substantially parallel to the major surface of the divider, a releasable fastener extending through the respective slots in the base and each divider flange adjustably to secure the divider in a selected position on the tray base, an upstanding inner wall member associated with each tray section, each wall member overlapping a portion of a respective wall member associated with an adjacent tray section such that the wall members of all of the tray sections of the file conjointly define a substantially continuous inner wall for the file surrounding and spaced from the axis of the file, a multiplicity of vertically elongated slots formed in spaced-apart relation in the inner wall members, and a tab on each radial divider received in one of such vertical slots further to secure the radial divider to the tray section.

36. An adjustable file according to claim 35 wherein each tray section base includes a down-turned generally L-shaped flange formation formed along its outermost edge, relative to the axis of the file, each L-shaped flange formation overlapping a portion of the corresponding flange formation of an adjacent tray section and being in telescoping relation therewith thereby to define a substantially continuous rim for the outer perimeter of the file and to interconnect the several tray sections.