File organizer with divider bar

#The present invention relates to a file organizer for hanging file folders. More specifically, the invention relates to a file organizer that includes a file divider that can be freely positioned along with the file folders to divide the file folders within an open storage cavity of the file organizer.

#Presently, storage containers are known that are designed to allow a series of hanging file folders to be supported along a file support edge within a container body, such as a file box or a file drawer. The storage container may or may not include a lid to enclose the container to prevent dirt, debris and moisture from entering into the storage container and damaging the material within the file folders. Some storage containers may also include file dividers supported on the file support edge that label sections of the storage container and help create file compartments for the hanging file folders.

#In the normal use of storage containers having file folders, problems may occur in the manipulation of the file folders within the storage body which cause the file divider to tip and disengage from the file support edge. Therefore, a need exists for a file organizer provided with a file divider that can be freely positioned in a stable manner along with the file folders within the storage container to define compartments for the file folders.

#The drawings illustrate the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the invention.

#In the drawings:

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a file organizer with a series of hanging file folders and a file divider bar;

#FIG. 1 illustrates a file organizer 10 that can be used to hold a file folder arrangement or a series of slidable hanging file folders 12 for storage of papers, records and other information. The file organizer 10 has a storage body 14 for defining an open storage cavity 16 which is typically rectangular in cross section. The file organizer 10 includes a slidably adjustable file divider 18 for separating and categorizing the file folders 12 within the storage cavity 16.

#The storage body 14 is provided with an outer peripheral wall 20 that includes a pair of opposed side walls 22, 24, and a pair of opposed end walls 26, 28 that serve as the respective front and rear walls of the storage body 14. The outer peripheral wall 20 is joined to the edge of a bottom wall 30 which generally defines the base of the storage body 14.

#The outer peripheral wall 20 extends from a lower end 32 to an upper end 33 that defines a generally U-shaped peripheral channel 34. As seen best in FIG. 4, the channel 34 includes a base wall 36 that lies perpendicular to the outer peripheral wall 20, an outer side wall 38 that rises generally perpendicular to the base wall 36 and an inner side wall 40 that rises perpendicular from the base wall 36 and lies parallel to the outer side wall 38. The channel 34 is reinforced by a series of spaced apart upstanding tabs 42 that extend along the entire length of each of the side walls 22, 24, and interconnect base wall 36, outer side wall 38 and inner side wall 40 together. A top edge 44 of inner side wall 40 lies beneath a top edge 46 of outer side wall 38 and defines a file support edge for the file folder 12 and the file divider 18.