Rotary card file

Abstract

A rotary card file in which a card holder supported for rotation by a base structure has a plurality of trays that extend from a central hub and are equipped with retainer tracks that keep the cards in file alignment when the card holder is turned to position the tray in an upwardly facing access position, and which support the cards suspended from the tray when the card holder is turned to position the tray in a downwardly facing storage position .[...]. .Iadd.; and which in one embodiment of the invention, that shown in FIG. 9, has means for removably holding the trays against radially outward movement from the rotary card holder during traverse of the trays along the lower part of their circular orbit. .Iaddend.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A rotary card file which comprises a base means, a card holder supported by said base means for rotation relative thereto about a given axis, and including a plurality of card holding .[.trays extending in generally parallel relation.]. .Iadd.arms disposed generally radially .Iaddend.to said axis, retainer means on each tray disposed to retain the cards in alignment when the .[.tray.]. .Iadd.arm .Iaddend.is in an upwardly facing position, and to support the cards suspended from the .[.tray.]. .Iadd.arm .Iaddend.when same is in a downwardly facing position, and a card protector carried by each .[.tray.]. .Iadd.arm .Iaddend.and disposed to extend beyond the cards carried thereby, and to engage the base means to compress the cards .[.of the tray.]. .Iadd.on the arm .Iaddend.into a compacted stacked relation when the .[.tray.]. .Iadd.arm .Iaddend.is turned to a downwardly facing position. 
     
     
       2. A rotary card file according to claim 1 wherein said card holder includes a polygonal hub rotatable about said axis, and said .[.trays.]. .Iadd.arms .Iaddend.are connected each to a corresponding side of said hub for extension therefrom. 
     
     
       3. A rotary card file according to claim 1 wherein at least one .[.tray.]. .Iadd.arm .Iaddend.is disposed to receive a removable .[.insert disposed.]. .Iadd.tray adapted .Iaddend.to hold a quantity of cards in file order, and wherein said retainer means is connected to said .[.insert.]..Iadd.tray .Iaddend.and removable therewith. 
     
     
       4. A rotary card file according to claim 1 wherein said card holder includes a plurality of axial length sections coupled together along the direction of said axis to accommodate holding of cards having a width greater than the length of any one axial length section. 
     
     
       5. A rotary card file according to claim 1 wherein said card holder includes a pair of .[.trays.]. .Iadd.arms .Iaddend.connected together back-to-back and supported at opposite ends by said base means for rotation relative thereto about said axis. .Iadd. 6. A card file wherein the cards are carried by a rotor mounted in a base for rotation about a horizontal axis, characterized by: A. the rotor having a plurality of tray-carrying arms that project substantially radially from the rotor axis so that upon rotation of the rotor they project downwardly as they traverse the lower part of their orbit;   B. a plurality of trays, one for each arm, having means thereon to hold a pack of file cards;   C. cooperating means on the arms and the trays freely slidably and detachably connecting the trays with their respective arms, said cooperating means constraining the trays to movement along the arms towards and from the rotor axis; and   D. cooperating means operative to preclude any substantial radially outward movement of the trays with respect to the rotor arms on which they are positioned during rotational travel of the arms and the trays thereon   
     
     
        along the lower part of their circular orbit. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 7.  The card file of claim 6, wherein said cooperating means includes latch means interlocking each tray with the rotor. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 8. The card file of claim 7, wherein said arms and trays thereon have overlying wall portions,   and wherein said latch means comprises a movable catch on one of said wall portions releasably engageable with a surface on the other wall portion. .Iaddend..Iadd. 9. The card file of claim 6, wherein each tray has a bottom wall and a rear end wall rising from the bottom wall to support the pack of file cards in a readily accessible fashion when the rotor arm on which the tray is mounted is in a horizontal access position. .Iaddend..Iadd. 10. The card file of claim 9, wherein the rear end wall of a tray in position on an arm of the rotor overlies the adjacent rotor arm so that there are overlying walls on the rotor and on the tray,   and wherein said cooperating means by which any substantial radially outward movement of the trays is precluded comprises a movable catch on one of said overlying walls releasably engageable with a portion of the other of said overlying walls. .Iaddend.