Expandable file folder

Abstract

An expandable file folder includes a base wall, two cover walls extending from the base wall, two expandable end walls connected to the cover walls to confine a document holding space, and a plurality of partitions dividing the document holding space into volume variable spaces such that the end walls can expand for stuffing documents into the spaces. A bracing member is secured to lower portions of the cover walls adjacent to the base wall so as to maintain a distance between the lower portions when the stuffed documents cause bulging of the file folder.

I claim:  
     
         1 . An expandable file folder comprising: 
 a base wall elongated in a longitudinal direction, and having right and left base edges opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction, and front and rear base edges opposite to each other in a transverse direction relative to the longitudinal direction;    front and rear cover walls spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction, each of said front and rear cover walls including a lower portion which is connected to a respective one of said front and rear base edges, and a middle portion which extends from said lower portion in an upright direction transverse to the longitudinal and transverse directions and which terminates at an upper edge, each of said front and rear cover walls having right and left cover edge portions opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction;    expandable right and left end walls spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction, each of said right and left end walls extending in the transverse direction, and having front and rear ends, and a plurality of pleats which are formed between said front and rear ends to permit a corresponding one of said right and left end walls to expand in the transverse direction, said front ends of said right and left end walls being connected respectively to said right and left cover edge portions of said front cover wall, said rear ends of said right and left end walls being connected respectively to said right and left cover edges portions of said rear cover wall such that said right and left end walls cooperate with said front and rear cover walls and said base wall to confine a document holding space with an open top at said upper edges of said front and rear cover walls;    a plurality of partitions disposed in said document holding space, extending in the longitudinal direction, and connected to said right and left end walls so as to divide said document holding space into a plurality of volume variable spaces;    a first bracing member having front and rear bracing ends which are disposed opposite to each other in the transverse direction and which are connected securely and respectively to said right cover edge portions of said front and rear cover walls proximate to said lower portions of said front and rear cover walls to brace said right cover edge portions of said front and rear cover walls, and extending in the upright direction so as to maintain a distance between said lower portions of said front and rear cover walls in the transverse direction when documents are stuffed into said volume variable spaces to cause bulging of said file folder.    
     
     
         2 . The expandable file folder of  claim 1 , wherein said first bracing member is in form of a strip which is formed integrally with and which extends from said right base edge in the upright direction.  
     
     
         3 . The expandable file folder of  claim 2 , wherein said front cover wall has a fold line extending in the longitudinal direction and formed in said lower portion such that said front cover wall is folded along said fold line to facilitate expansion of said document holding space when documents are stuffed into said volume variable spaces.  
     
     
         4 . The expandable file folder of  claim 3 , further comprising a tab member provided with a bonding surface and projecting outwardly from and foldable along one of said right cover edge portions of said front and rear cover walls adjacent to said first bracing member such that said tab member is folded to have said bonding surface confronting a corresponding one of said front and rear bracing ends so as to abut thereagainst, thereby reinforcing said first bracing member when said first bracing member is secured to a corresponding one of said right cover edge portions.  
     
     
         5 . The expandable file folder of  claim 2 , further comprising a second bracing member in form of a strip which is formed integrally with and which extends from said left base edge in the upright direction, said second bracing member having front and rear bracing ends which are disposed opposite to each other in the transverse direction and which are connected securely and respectively to said left cover edge portions of said front and rear cover walls proximate to said lower portions of said front and rear cover walls.  
     
     
         6 . The expandable file folder of  claim 4 , wherein said rear cover wall has a fold line extending in the longitudinal direction and formed adjacent to said base wall such that said rear cover wall is folded along said fold line to expand said document holding space when documents are stuffed into said volume variable spaces.  
     
     
         7 . The expandable file folder of  claim 1 , further comprising a sheet member superimposed upon and attached to said base wall to form a label receiving space with an access opening and adapted to receive a label in said label receiving space via said access opening.  
     
     
         8 . The expandable file folder of  claim 7 , wherein said base wall has inside and outside wall surfaces opposite to each other in the upright direction, said sheet member being attached to said inside wall surface, said inside wall surface having a penetrating hole which extends through said outside wall surface and which is adapted to expose the label therefrom.  
     
     
         9 . The expandable file folder of  claim 1 , further comprising a cover part extending from and hinged to said upper edge of said rear cover wall and movable between a closed position, where said cover part covers said open top of said document holding space, and an open position, where said cover part uncovers said open top of said document holding space.  
     
     
         10 . The expandable file folder of  claim 9 , further comprising a fastening member disposed between said cover part and said front cover wall to hold said cover part in the closed position.