Suspended file folder

Abstract

A suspended file folder assembly is made from thermoplastic material and uses a thermoplastic sheet folded along at least one score line to define a folder, which has a retaining portion at upper edges thereof. A support bar, having a cavity in a bottom portion thereof and being substantially symmetrical with respect to its longitudinal axis, mechanically engages with the retaining portion. This weight-bearing interlock distributes the load of the folder along the length of the cavity of the support bar and the upper edge of the sheet. The support bars have notches therein for engagement with conventional suspension rails as well as at least one indentation for accommodating an index tab. A rotatable index tab, or clip tab, is also provided with a lower part, including outwardly extending leg-like extensions, that is complimentary in shape to the support bar and attachable to the support bar.

1 . A file folder assembly for suspension in a filing unit with two spaced-apart suspension rails, said file folder assembly comprising: 
 a sheet of thermoplastic polymer folded along at least one medial line to define a folder having opposing walls extending upwardly from said at least one medial line, each wall having an upper edge and two side edges, each of said walls comprising a retaining portion at the upper edge thereof; and    two thermoplastic polymer support bars each having a pair of legs at a bottom portion thereof defining therebetween a channel terminating in a cavity for mechanically engaging with said retaining portion, each support bar being substantially symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal axis of the support bar, the support bars having integral suspension portions extending laterally beyond the side edges adjacent the upper edge, the suspension portions having notches configured to accommodate said suspension rails, said support bars each having at least one indentation on a generally upper portion thereof for accepting an index tab.    
   
   
       2 . A file folder assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the retaining portion comprises a single continuous retaining component.  
   
   
       3 . A file folder assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the retaining portion extends along the entire length of the upper edge.  
   
   
       4 . A file folder assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the retaining portion comprises a plurality of discontinuous retaining components positioned along a portion of the length of the upper edge.  
   
   
       5 . A file folder assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the retaining portion has a “T”-shaped cross-section.  
   
   
       6 . A file folder assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the retaining portion has an annular cross-section.  
   
   
       7 . A file folder assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the support bar has a single indentation at the top of an upper portion thereof.  
   
   
       8 . A file folder assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the support bar has a pair of indentations on either side of the upper portion thereof.  
   
   
       9 . A file folder assembly according to  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of the cross-section of the support bar is substantially greater in thickness than the sheet of thermoplastic polymer, the support bars each having a tapered lower portion which tapers downwardly from the portion of substantially greater thickness to substantially zero thickness flush with the sheet.  
   
   
       10 . A file folder assembly according to  claim 11  wherein the lower portion is straight tapered.  
   
   
       11 . A file folder assembly according to  claim 11  wherein the lower portion is tapered in a curved manner.  
   
   
       12 . A file folder assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the support bar is generally ring-shaped.  
   
   
       13 . A file folder assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the support bar is elliptically shaped.  
   
   
       14 . A file folder assembly according to  claim 1  further comprising an index tab for attachment to the indentation in one of the support bars, the index tab comprising: 
 an upper indexing portion for displaying index information; and    a lower attaching portion having two outwardly extending leg-like extensions for mechanically engaging with the upper portion of the support bar, allowing limited mechanical rotation of the index tab about the axis of the support bar to provide a wide range of viewing angles for the indexing portion while remaining engaged with the support bar.    
   
   
       15 . A file folder assembly according to  claim 14  wherein the two outwardly extending leg-like extensions extend outwardly with respect to a longitudinal axis of the index tab.  
   
   
       16 . A file folder assembly according to  claim 14  wherein the lower attaching portion of the index tab is shaped in a manner that is complimentary to the shape of the support bar to which it is to mechanically attach.  
   
   
       17 . A file folder assembly according to  claim 14  wherein the leg-like extensions comprise end portions that engage with the support bar so as to limit the degree of rotation of the index tab when it is mechanically rotated.  
   
   
       18 . An index tab for attachment to a hanging file folder, the hanging file folder having a support bar with an indentation in an upper portion thereof for receiving the index tab, the support bar having a pair of legs at a bottom portion thereof defining therebetween a channel, the index tab comprising: 
 an upper indexing portion for displaying index information; and    a lower attaching portion having two outwardly extending leg-like extensions for mechanically engaging with the upper portion of the support bar, allowing limited mechanical rotation of the index tab about the axis of the support bar to provide a wide range of viewing angles for the indexing portion while remaining engaged with the support bar.    
   
   
       19 . An index tab according to  claim 18  wherein the two outwardly extending leg-like extensions extend outwardly with respect to a longitudinal axis of the index tab.  
   
   
       20 . An index tab according to  claim 18  wherein the lower attaching portion of the index tab is shaped in a manner that is complimentary to the shape of the support bar to which it is to mechanically attach.  
   
   
       21 . An index tab according to  claim 18  wherein the leg-like extensions comprise end portions that engage with the support bar so as to limit the degree of rotation of the index tab when it is mechanically rotated.