Document filing case with externally mounted sliding cover

Abstract

A document filing case comprises a filing case body with a sliding cover. The cover includes a closure flap and a connecting or mounting panel having at least one track follower that is engaged in a track formed in the back panel. Each track is formed as a longitudinal slot in the back panel extending parallel to the side edges thereof. A latch mechanism is mounted on the free edge of the closure flap and is releasably engageable with a catch mechanism on the outside surface of the front panel of the filing case body. The track follower permits longitudinal, sliding movement of the filing case cover and allows it to be drawn over the top of the filing case body, whereupon the latch mechanism on the closure flap is secured to the catch mechanism on the front panel of the filing case body.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present intervention relates to a document filing case, and more particularly to a document filing case with an externally mounted sliding cover.[0003]2. Description of the Prior Art[0004]A conventional document filing case or folder normally comprises a filing case body having front and back panels, a bottom, opposing side panels, and a cover. Divider panels having labeling tabs are located within the filing case body and serve to divide the interior of the filing case body into a plurality of pockets into which documents are sorted and placed by the user. Most document filing cases have a cover which is often a cover flap projecting upwardly from the back panel of the filing case body. The cover typically has a hinged connection to the back panel and may be rotated about this connection to an open position in which the contents of the filing case are exposed, and alternatively to a closed position in which the cov...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]One primary object of the present invention is to provide a document filing case with a cover that can be temporarily stored easily and conveniently so as not to interfere with access to the document pockets. The cover, while remaining attached to the filing case body, can be slid conveniently into a storage position in face-to-face contact with the exterior surface of the filing case back panel where it does not interfere with access to the filing case interior, irrespective of the position of the filing case. That is, the filing case cover slides into a storage position directly against the back panel, thereby fully exposing the open top of the filing case body.

[0008]A further object of the invention is to provide a filing case cover that can be moved into a storage position, while still remaining attached to the filing case body, and without undue flexing and fatigue stress on the hinge connection between the filing case cover and the back panel of the filing case body.

[0009]Another object of the invention is to provide a document filing case with a storable filing case cover that remains attached to the filing case body so that it cannot be misplaced.

Problems solved by technology

One problem with this type of construction, however, is that the folder cover often tends to rotate downwardly and forwardly toward the front panel, even when a user is trying to open the cover to access documents from the folder pockets.

The cover thereby interferes with the accessing of documents from the filing case.

If this is done it becomes difficult to examine the contents of the folder due to the awkward position in which the folder is lying.

Also, frequent excessive bending of the cover hinge is likely to lead to a fatigue fracture at the hinge connection between the cover flap and the back panel.

This reduces the service life of the document filing case.

In addition, the need to constrain the cover from interfering with accessing the document pockets is inconvenient and annoying.

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