Expandable file system for paper sheets

Abstract

A file system for paper sheets is formed using separable (or separable and expandable) linked according pockets. The file system has two sets of bilateral pockets. The file system is substantially rectangular in cross section but is configured to match the characteristics of the paper sheets for which it is intended. The file system is adaptable as a stand-alone unit with stiffened end pieces such that its pockets can be linearly separated (or separated and expanded) for access to the pockets. The file system is adaptable to fit into a desk drawer or to have lockable side pieces for holding the file linearly open or fanned open. The file system is adaptable to use hanging members such that the file may be optionally used as a group of hanging files.

1 . A file system for planar media comprising: 
 a plurality of accordion pockets disposed between a first pocket with an exposed first planar surface and an end pocket with an exposed second planar surface, wherein the plurality of accordion pockets have a first and second set of pockets with first and second laterally opposing pocket openings, respectively;    a first planar stiffener coupled to the first planar surface and having a top edge adjacent to the first pocket openings, a bottom edge adjacent to the second pocket openings and first and second side edges substantially orthogonal to the top and bottom edges of the first planar stiffener; and    a second planar stiffener coupled to the second planar surface and having a top edge adjacent to the first pocket openings, a bottom edge adjacent to the second pocket openings and first and second side edges substantially orthogonal to the top and bottom edges of the second planar stiffener, wherein laterally translating the first and second planar stiffeners apart likewise laterally separates the plurality of accordion pockets exposing the first pocket openings for storing planar media or accessing stored planar media.    
   
   
       2 . The file system of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second planar stiffeners are configured to remain separated when laterally translated apart to separate the plurality of accordion pocket with the first and second pocket openings.  
   
   
       3 . The file system of  claim 2 , wherein laterally translating the second planar stiffener apart a set spacing from the first planar stiffener causes the plurality of accordion pockets to laterally separate and rotating the second planar stiffener, when translated, from a vertical position towards a horizontal position causes a portion of the plurality of accordion pockets to rotate such that a portion of the first pocket openings additionally separate and a portion of the second pocket openings laterally opposed to the first pocket openings rotate together.  
   
   
       4 . The file system of  claim 1  further comprising two or more hanging elements, each hanging element inserted under a common folded edge of two adjacent pockets of the plurality of accordion pockets with like opening orientation, wherein coupling the two or more hanging elements over spaced apart parallel rails holds all of the pockets of the file system suspended from the parallel rails and allows the accordion pockets to be separated for access by sliding the hanging elements along the parallel rails.  
   
   
       5 . The file system of  claim 4 , wherein the two or more hanging elements are coupled to spaced apart parallel rails installed in a desk drawer, the desk drawer having a front side adapted to couple to the first stiffener and the second stiffener is adapted to be moveably positioned a lateral set spacing from the first stiffener to expose the first pocket openings for access.  
   
   
       6 . The file system of  claim 5 , wherein the second stiffener is adapted to couple to the back of the desk drawer to separate the first pockets of the plurality of accordion pockets at a predetermined spacing.  
   
   
       7 . The file system of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second stiffeners are adapted with handle features for grasping the first and second stiffeners to pick up the plurality of accordion pockets while keeping the first and second pocket openings compressed together and closed.  
   
   
       8 . The file system of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a locking member moveably coupled to a first feature on the first side of the first planar stiffener; and    a second feature on first side of the second planar stiffener for engaging the locking member and holding the first planar stiffener a lateral set spacing from the second planar stiffener when the plurality of accordion pockets are laterally separated.    
   
   
       9 . The file system of  claim 8 , wherein the first feature on the first side of the first planar stiffener is a first capped pin disposed substantially at a center position of the first side between the top and bottom edge of the first stiffener and the locking member is coupled to the first side of the first planar stiffener by fitting the first capped pin into a slot running a length of the locking member such that the locking member rotates about the first capped pin and translates by sliding the slot over the first capped pin.  
   
   
       10 . The file system of  claim 9 , wherein the second feature on the first side of the second planar stiffener is second capped pin that is coupled to the locking member by a first notch opening at an end of the locking member.  
   
   
       11 . The file system of  claim 10 , wherein the first planar stiffener comprises a third capped pin disposed near the top edge of the first planar stiffener and the locking member is stored when not used by coupling the locking member to the third capped pin with a second notch opening laterally opposed to the first notch opening.  
   
   
       12 . The file system of  claim 10 , wherein the second planar stiffener is rotated about the second capped pin when the second capped pin is coupled to the locking member thereby causing a portion of the first pocket openings of the first pockets to rotate open and the locking member to form an angle relative to the first planar stiffener holding the first pocket in a rotated open position.  
   
   
       13 . The file system of  claim 4 , wherein the two or more hanging elements are coupled to spaced apart parallel rails installed in an adjustable file space in a desk drawer with a front side of the adjustable file space adapted to couple to the first stiffener and a moveable partition adapted to couple to the second stiffener, wherein the moveable partition is translated to increase the file space thereby separating the plurality of accordion pockets accordingly exposing the first pocket openings for access.  
   
   
       14 . The file system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of accordion pockets laterally separate and expand when the second planar stiffener is laterally translated from the first planar stiffener.  
   
   
       15 . The file system of  claim 4 , further comprising a strap element extending from a first top edge of the first accordion pocket with one of the first pocket openings across the second pocket openings to a second top edge of the last accordion pocket with one of the first pocket openings, a first end of the strap element threaded through a first guide loop at the first top edge thereby forming a first handle loop and a second end of the strap element threaded through a second guide loop at the second top edge thereby forming a second handle loop, wherein the first end is coupled back onto the strap element with a first sliding element and the second end is coupled back onto the strap element with a second sliding element.  
   
   
       16 . The file system of  claim 15 , wherein the first and second sliding elements translate to the first and second top edges respectively when the first and second stiffeners are moved laterally apart to separate the first and second accordion pockets.  
   
   
       17 . The file system of  claim 16 , wherein excess length of the strap element resulting when the first and second stiffeners are moved laterally together compressing the first and second accordion pockets is transferred to the first and second handle loops and the first and second sliding elements are moved towards the bottom edges of the first accordion pockets to further take up any of the excess length of the strap not forming the first and second loop handles.  
   
   
       18 . The file system of  claim 8  further comprising: 
 a second locking member moveably coupled to a first feature on the second side of the first planar stiffener; and    a second feature on the second side of the second planar stiffener for engaging the second locking member and holding the first planar stiffener a lateral set spacing from the second planar stiffener when the plurality of accordion pockets are laterally separated.    
   
   
       19 . A file system for planar media comprising: 
 a container having a bottom, a back side, first and second sides, a top lid, and a front side adapted to couple to the top lid and to hingedly coupled to the bottom side forming a hinged edge such that the front side pivots and rotates away from the first and second sides when the front side is decoupled from the top lid; and    a plurality of accordion pockets having first and second pockets with respective laterally opposing first and second pocket openings, the accordion pockets disposed between a first pocket with an exposed first planar surface and an end pocket with an exposed second planar surface, wherein the first planar surface of the first pocket is coupled to the back side of the box and the second planar surface of the end pocket is coupled to the front side of the box laterally separating the first and second pocket openings.    
   
   
       20 . The file system of  claim 18 , wherein a portion of the first pockets are rotated when the front side is decoupled from the top lid and rotated about the hinged edge thereby additionally separating the first pocket openings of a portion of the first pockets and closing the second pocket openings of a portion of the second pockets laterally opposed to the portion of the first pockets.  
   
   
       21 . The file system of  claim 18 , wherein the top lid is hingedly coupled to the back side forming a hinged edge and has a lip that extends over an edge of the front side for coupling to the front side when the front side is rotated closed and in contact with the first and second sides.  
   
   
       22 . A file system for planar media comprising: 
 a container having a bottom side, a back side, first and second sides couple to and orthogonal to the bottom side, a top lid hingedly coupled to the back side, and a front side adapted to couple to the top lid and to hingedly and detachably coupled to the bottom side with a hinge element such that the front side pivots on the hinge element and rotates away from the first and second sides when the front side is decoupled from the top lid and the front side is laterally moveable from the top lid, the first and second sides, and the bottom when decoupled from the top lid and detached from the bottom; and    a plurality of accordion pockets having a first and second pockets with respective laterally opposing first and second pocket openings, the accordion pockets disposed between a first pocket with an exposed first planar surface and an end pocket with an exposed second planar surface, wherein the first planar surface of the first pocket is coupled to the back side of the container and the second planar surface of the end pocket is coupled to the front side of the container laterally separating the first and second pocket openings providing storage room in each of the accordion pockets.    
   
   
       23 . The file system of  claim 22 , wherein one set of the laterally opposing accordion pocket openings are accessible for storing or retrieving paper planar media by decoupling the top lid from the front side and rotating the top lid about the hinge edge.  
   
   
       24 . The file system of  claim 22 , wherein the accordion pockets are further separated by decoupling the top lid from the front side, detaching the front side from the hinge element of the bottom side and laterally translating the front side away from the top side, the first and second sides.  
   
   
       25 . The file system of  claim 22 , wherein the front side pivots and rotates about the hinge element when decoupled from the top side further separating in an arc a portion of one set of the accordion pocket openings disposed towards the front side.