Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to process and apparatus for
removing fastener from fastened paper sheets and more
particularly to the replacement of file cover fastened to
file paper by a fastener.
sackyround of the Invention
For several reasons, it has become necessary in the
operation of a filing system to replace the file back, or
file folder with file material fastened thereto, oE several
files in -the system. This change of file folder has been common-
ly referred to as "pin-to-pin" conversion whenever file folders
have a fastener involving one or two prongs for fastening file
cover to file material. In the past the standard appraoch in
replacing such a file cover is to manually remove the material
from the old folder in a step-by-step operation. For example,
with a file folder having a two prong fastener with half an
inch of file material attached, first the prongs are straightened
and about a quarter of an inch of file material is pulled off
the prongs and turned over face down. Next another quarter of
an inch of file material is removed and placed face down on
top of the file material just removed. The operation is repeated
until all the file material has been removed from the folder.
The next step of operation is the placing of the file material
thus removed onto the prongs of a new folder. Here a quarter of
an inch of file material is carefully picked off the pile of
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loose file material, being careful if possible to keep the
holes in line so that it can be threaded on the prongs of the
new folder. The operation is repeated until all the file material
has been placed on the new folder. If the file material in a
folder is an inch thick, the operation is just that much more
tedious and time-consuming.
This manual approach has several drawbacks~ In addition
to the time-consuming efEort, there is a substantial likelihood
of improper transfer of papers, loss of papers and mixing up of
papers. There is also the frustrating aspect in this manual
"pin-to-pin" conversion that the holes in the removed file
material do not always align with the new fastener prongs
because the paper is free to move out of alignment during
the transfer. Thus, small portions of a large file, as can
be gripped by both hands, can only be transferred at one time,
thereby increasing the time needed to convert a filing system.
As can be appreciated, in instances where a complete filing
system is to be converted, this is a very labour intensive
project and in most instances has dissuaded concerns from
converting their filing system.
The apparent reasons for replacing a file folder are in
instances when a file folder has worn out and it is desirable
to replace it, or to break the file contents down into smaller
sub-groups to be placed in one or more new file folders.
Another reason for replacing file folders, and which usually
involves converting a complete filing system, is converting
to colour coding systems, such as that disclosed in United
States patent 4,204,669. That type of color coding system
includes machine readable indicia on the labels to enable
the computerized control of file charge-out. This system
is becoming very attractive and, in view of the machines now
capable of labelling such file folders in rapdi d succession,
as disclosed in United States patent 4,133,779, there is
much greater demand for file system conversion. Mowever,
the above-mentioned drawbacks of manually converting a file
system have prevented the adoption of such new colour coded
systems and many companies are compelled to continue with
their original filing systems, as inefficient and unproductive
as they might be.
It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide
process and apparatus for removing a fastener from fastened
file material in a manner which permits easy replacement
of fastener with file back or file folder. This provision
makes the conversion of large filing systems far more attractive.
Summary of the Invention
In removing fasteners from fastened bulk paper sheets,
the apparatus, according to the invention, comprises means
for supporting fastened bulk paper sheets, next the fastener
during and after fastener withdrawal and means for withdrawing
2~ releasable fastener away from such supported side of bulk paper
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sheets. This apparatus, as applied -to replacing file folders,
positions the support means between file material and the file
cover. Means is provided Eor holding fastened material
in position during and after removal of the ile fastener.
The means for holding the fastened material is releasable
after replacement of another file folder with fastener.
The process, according to this invention, for file
folder conversion comprises inserting a support between
file material and file folder fastened thereto by a fastener
to position the support next to the fastener. Fastened file
material is clamped against the support and then file folder
with fastener stripped away from the supported clamped
material. A replacement file folder, with fastener, is
placed onto the clamped file material. The clamped material
is released, and fastener closed to secure the file material in
the file folder.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the
drawings wherein:
Figure 1 is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment
of the apparatus for replacing file folders;
Figure 2 is an isometric view from the bottom of the
apparatus of Figure l;
Figure 3 shows the apparatus of Figure 1 with file
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folder and materia:L in position with Eile folder to be replaced;
Figure ~ shows the arrangement of Figure 3 wherein
old file folder has been stripped from clamped file material;
Figure 5 is a detail showing the relationship of support
for file material, clamp therefor and component for removing
file folder and fastener away from clamped material;
Figures 6, 7 and 8 demonstrate in sequence the clamping
of fastened file material in position; and
Figure 9 is an exploded view in detail of a prePerred
drive arrangement for the apparatus clamp.
Detailed Description of the Preferr_d Embodiments
Referring to Figure l, the apparatus 10 for replacing
file folders by withdrawing fastener from fastened material
is shown. The apparatus 10 comprises a machine frame having
base plate 12, standards 14, 16 and supporting overhead member
18. Located forwardly of the base plate 12, is the support
means for insertion between file folder material and file
folder to support such material next to its fastener. In
this embodiment, the support means is in the form of a pair
of plates 20 and 22 which are secured at their base portions
24 and 26 to the base plate 12. The arrangement provided by
the pair of plates is, therefore, equivalent to a single plate
having a recessed portion in its free end, so as to accommodate,
in this instance, the width of the two prong fastener.
The component of the apparatus 10 for removing fastener
from fastened material is in the form of a tongue or blade
28 having a tapered forward portion 31 which is positioned
between the spaced-apart pla-tes 20 and 22. The tongwe 28,
with its forward portion 31, is inserted between the Eastened
file material and file cover and positioned to overlie base
of a fastener to remove same fromthe fastened material in
the manner to be discussed.
Located above and spaced-apart from the support plates
20, 22 is a clamp pad 30 connected to a drive 32 for driving
the rod 34, secured to the clamp pad. Such clamping device
is used to hold file material in position during the removal
of the fastener therefrom and thereafter, to facilitate
insertion of new fastener with file folder. The drive means
32 has a lever 36 which is used to move the clamp pad into and
out of clamping position with respect to the file material.
Referring to Figure 2, the fastener remover 28 has
been pivoted downwardly away from the support means in the
counterclockwise rotation, the movement being indicated by
arrows 40. In order to manually operate the movement of the
fastener remover 28, a crank arm 42, as shown in Figure l, is
secured to the axle 38. The axle 38 may be supported on the
underside of the base plate 12 by recessed lug members 43.
With the particular embodiment shown and described with
respect to Figures 1 and 2, the device is adapted to remove
the standard two prong fastener from fastened material. Such
two prong fasteners are commonly sold under the ACCO trademark
and are well known in the field of filing systems. Such
fasteners may be connected to a file folder by securing with
hot-melt adhesive a strip of fibre reinforced paper overlying
the base of a two prong fastener. The fastener may also be
secured to the folder by providing tabs on the base of the two
prong fastener which are crimped onto the folder to hold the
fastener in position. A further approach which is somewhat
simpler is to provide a pair of holes in the folder through
which the fastener prongs extend as the base of the fastener
rests against the face of the folder.
A file with material clipped therein is placed on the
apparatus, as shown in Figure 3. For sake of illustration, the
apparatus 10 is disposed horizontally; however, it is
appreciated that, to facilitate loading of the file onto the
apparatus, the base plate 12 with support plates 20 and 22
may be inclined at an angle of approximately 75. The leading
edges 44 and 46 of the support plates are sufficiently thin
to permit insertion thereof between the clipped file material
48. The opposing edges, as shown in more detail in Figure 5,
of support plates 20 and 22 have notched portions as indicated
at 50 and 52 to receive the prongs 54, 56 of the standard two
prong fastener. Thus, the support plates 20 and 22 provide
support for the bulk fastened material 48 in the area next to
and to each side of fastener prongs 54, 56.
The tapered forward portion 31 of the tongue 28
facilitates positioning thereof between the prongs 54, 56 of
the fastener in the manner shown in Figure 5. The tongue
portion 28 overlies the base portion (not shown) of the
fastener, which in this instance is spaced therefrom by the
thickness of the file folder 58. Thus, the tapered portion
31, as it engages the prongs, guides the insertion of the tongue
28 into a proper position. As shown in Figure 3, the older
58 is separate and apart from the bulk material 48, because
base plate 12 and adjoining plates 20 and 22 are interposed.
Prior to removal of the folder with fastener, the lever 36 of
the drive 32 is lowered to position 36a to clamp the bulk form
material 38 in position. The fastener prongs 54, 56 may be
removed from a prong holder having the movable sleeves and bent
upwardly to the position shown in Figure 3, prior to removal of
fastener from the fastened material. However, it is understood
that, with the mechanical advantage of the crank arm 42, the
fastener prongs 54, 56, as bent over and located within the
sleeves of the holder, may be withdrawn because the prongs are
sufficiently pliable.
As shown in Figure 4, movement of the crank arm 42 swings
blade 28 downwardly away from the support to thereby separate
folder 58 with fastener 62 from the clamped bulk file material
48. Tabs 51 to each side of the tongue 28 prevent the fastener
base sliding down the tongue underside as the tongue is
swung downwardly. The old folder 58 may then be discarbed or
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kept for further processing.
In view of the fastener remover 28 having sufficient
mechanical advantage to withdraw the fastener even when its
prongs are clipped in a holder examplifies the aspect of the
fastener being of the type which is releasable. It is under-
stood, of course, that other forms of fasteners may be removed
from the bulk sheet material as associated with the folder
by adapting the apparatus to that particular type of fastener
removal. It is also understood that, in instances where the
fastener prongs are unclipped and project upwardly, the file
material is still in essence fastened to the folder~ This is
by virtue of the upright prongs holding the material stationary
relative to file cover as the material lies on the support.
The clamped bulk file material 48 is held in position
by the clamp drive until a replacement folder with fastener
is placed on the clamped material. Assuming that the new
folder carries the same type of fastener 62, the tongue 28
may be swung downwardly out of the way to permit threading of
the new fastener prongs through the apertures 64 which have been
maintained in alignment in the bulk sheet material. This allows
the ready replacement of the file folder and fastener before
the clamp pad 30 is raised to release the material 48. In view
of the U-shaped configuration for the pad 30, an optional
consideration is khat sufficient space can be provided to permit
positioning of the holder over the prongs and clipping them in
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place to ensure all papers are secured to the folder before
removal from the apparatus 10.
The process of this invention, therefore, includes the
steps of inserting a support between file material 48 and
folder 58 to position the support next the fastener, and in
this embodiment, at each side of the fastener. The bulk
material 48 is clamped in position and file folder with
fastener is stripped away from the clamped material 48 by, in
this instance, a pivotable tongue member 28. The replacement
file folder with fastener is placed onto the clamped material
by threading, in this instance, the fastener prongs through
the alignment apertures 64 in the clamped material. The
clamped material is released whereby file folder with material
secured therein by fastener is ready for use.
The clamp drive for the clamp pad 30, which clamps the
bulk form material 48 between the clamp pad and the support
members 20, 22, may have various types of drive mechanisms.
The simplest drive mechanism would be to form rod 34 with
a helically threaded spindle portion which is rotatable
relative to the pad 30 and engagable with a stationary
threaded nut. Upon rotation of the spindle 34, movement
between pad 30 and supports 20, 22 is accomplished bo thereby
clamp varying thicknesses of file material between the faces.
Another embodiment for the clamp drive is to use an air cylinder
for moving the clamp pad towards and away from the support.
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A valve may be provided to control the supply of pressurized
air to the cylinder. The valve would preferably be of the foot
peddle actuated type, so that the operator has both hands free
to operate the apparatus in removing and replacing file folders.
According to preferred embodiment of this apparatus, a
clamp pad drive 32 is provided wh:Lch can clamp thicknesses of
material by a simple downward movement of the lever 36. The
manner in which the drive mechanism operates is shown in
sequence in Figures 6, 7 and 8. Referring to the detail of
Figure 9, the housing or block portion 66 of the clamp drive
32 is secured to the overhead member 18 at its base 68. The
housing 66 includes a bore 70 extending along its length and
opening into the housing along block edges 72 and 74. A wedging
block 76, having a first sloped surface 78, is insertable into
the housing 66. Sloped surface 80 of block 66 matingly
engages the face 78 of wedging member 76. Mounted in wedging
member 66 is a drive gear 82 which is journaled at 86 in block
76 on axle 84. Located on the upper surface 88 of the block
76 are compression springs90 which resist or impede the upward
movement of the block 76 into the housing 66. The rod 34, which
is secured to the clamp pad in proper orientation has on its
inner surface a gear portion 92 which is engagable with the teeth
of drive gear 82 when the unit is assembled. Connected to axle
84, as it extends outwardly beyond the wedge 76, is the lever 36,
the connection being shown in Figure 2 at 94.
The operation of the clamp drlve 32, as shown in
Figure 6, commences by moving crank arm 36 downwardly to cause
rotation in the direction of arrow 94 to force the rod 34
downwardly. Thus, the clamp pad 30 moves towards the bulk
file material 48 as it rests on support surface 22 with
fastener base and file folder 58 located beneath the support
plate. As shown in Figure 7, continued rotation of the drive
gear in the direct:ion of arrow 94 causes the clamp pad 30 to
contact the bulk material 48 and commence clamping it between
its face 98 and the face 100 of the support means. As the
downward forcing in the direction of arrow 102 of the clamp
pad 30 encounters a resistance due to compressing of the bulk
form material 48, a reaction in the wedging block 76 results
to move it upwardly, in this instance, a~ainst the resistance
of compression spring 90. AS the wedging block 76 moves
upwardly in direction of arrow 104, during continued rotation
of the gear drive 82, the faces 78 and 80 meet in the manner
shown in Figure 8 and, as a result, commence forcing the
wedging block 76 laterally of the housing 66. Since the drive
gear 82 is journaled in the wedging block 76, the lateral
movement in turn forces the rod 34 to bind against the inner
face of the bore 70. There is thus a binding of the rod 34
along the entire height of the bore 70 and a binding of remaining
moving parts. Continued rotation of the drive gear 82 in the
25~ direction of arrow 94 is eventually stopped by opposing force
exerted by compression of the compresslon spring 90 in binding
the moving parts of the drive.
The binding of rod 34 in the bore 70 and remaining moving
parts holds the clamp pad 30 in clamping engagement to hold the
file material in position during removal of the fastener and
replacement of fastener with new ~ile folder.
To release the clamping of the bulk material 48, the
crank arm may simply be elevated to its original position
because reverse rotation of the drive gear releases the binding
action to permit retraction of the clamp pad 30.
In view of the operation of this clamp drive 32, it
is apparent that it can accomrnodate varying thicknesses of
material to, in each instance, securely clamp the material in
position. The extent of the pressure exerted by clamping
pad onto the material 48 is determined by the compression
spring 90 where, as can be appreciated, the larger the
resistance exerted by spring 90 in resisting compression,
determines how much pressure has to be exerted on lever 36
before the sloped surfaces 78, 80 wedge, or force the wedging
block 76 sufficiently laterally to provide the required
binding of rod 34 in the bore 70. Thus, the drive system
includes in this embodiment a compression spring to vary the
extent to which clamping pressure is exerted on the file
material during the replacement operation. A screw type
adjustment may be provided to vary the preloaded condition
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of the compression spring. The screw type adjustrnent may,
therefore, be used to vary the clamping force exerted on the
file material during replacement.
As shown in Figure 6, at the base of block 76 is an
adjustable set screw 77 which spaces the base 79 of the block
76 from the upper surface 81 of support 18. The purpose of the
adjustable set screw 77 is to reduce the distance the wedge
76 need travel upwardly to effect a binding and thus lock up
of the moving drive parts. In turn, this reduces the extent to
which the lever 36 is moved downwardly in clamping the file
material against the support.
The apparatus is very convenient to operate. A simple
downward movement of the lever 36 clamps the bulk form
material 48 in position. A movement of the crank arm 42
strips away or withdraws the fastener with file folder to now
ready the clamped material for receipt of new file folder with
fastener.
In instances where the clamped material may include
apertures of size smaller than the new fastener to be inserted,
it may be necessary to provide a punch device on the
apparatus 10 to rebore the holes, or provision may also be
made to provide a threading of the fastener prongs 54, 56
through apertures 64 in the clamped material. Such device may
be insertable through the clamped material to grasp the free
ends of the prongs 54 and 56 and pull them upwardly through
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the holes in the clamped material. It is understood, however,
that in most instances with properly sized holes, the new
fastener need simply have its prongs 54, 56 inse.rted through
the apertures to project upwardly beyong the clamped material
ready for clippiny in appropriate holder.
The apparatus and method of this invention, therefore,
provides a system which is portable and which is capable in
a simple manner to substantially facilitate file change-over.
Thus, in instances when it is desired to convert large filiny
systems which may be upwards of 100,000 active files or more,
this device may be used to substantially reduce the time in
file conversion and to ensure that the material is not dropped
or lost while beiny transferred from one file folder cover to
another. The device also eliminates the risk of frustration of
maintaining hole aliynment during hand placement of sheets
onto new file folder fastener.
Althouyh various embodiments of the invention have
been described herein in detail, it will be understood by
those skilled in the art that variations may be made thereto
without departing from the spirit of the invention of the
scope of the appended claims.
