US 9,469,148 B1 · Stair step portfolio file

Abstract

A stair-step, expandable file folder is disclosed, in which each pocket in the folder has the same depth, rather than the back pockets being deeper than the front pockets. The folder includes a series of dividers that form the front and back sides of the pockets of the folder. The top edges of the dividers have increasing height, from the front to the back of the folder. The dividers are folded to form the bottoms of the pockets, with the folded portions also increasing in height from the front to the back of the folder. Each divider extends downward to form the back face of a pocket, is folded forward to form the bottom face of the pocket, and is folded downward to extend toward the bottom edge of the folder. The troughs in an expandable gusset support the sides of the dividers. Above the fold portion, the divider laterally extends into one trough. Below the fold portion, the divider laterally extends into the adjacent trough toward the front of the folder.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A stair-step file folder having a plurality of top-accessible pockets, comprising:

a plurality of dividers defining the pockets therebetween;
a web formed to provide a bottom and two sidewalls of the folder;
a plurality of dividers of uniform height between and having a front back face, said dividers being affixed to said web at the sidewalls thereof;
said dividers being formed of a single folded web having an upper generally planar portion lying with in a first plane, a fold portion, constituting a floor, that extends generally orthogonally from said plane and away from the upper planar portion and a lower generally planar portion extending generally orthogonally from said fold portion and residing in a second plane parallel to and offset from said first plane;
the plurality of dividers being spaced apart generally equal to an offset created by the fold portion;
the plurality of dividers being joined such that each floor is bounded by planar portions of successive dividers;
the location of the fold portion on each divider being successively higher from front to back, so that the floor of each pocket is likewise successively higher;
and
each divider being formed of a continuous web material and wherein each divider has the lower planar portion extending downwardly below the fold portion.

6 more elements

An expandable stair-step file folder, comprising:

an expandable gusset forming a bottom edge and two side edges of the folder, the gusset including repeating folds that form a series of regularly-spaced troughs parallel to a front face and a back face of the folder, the troughs extending continuously along the bottom edge and the two side edges of the folder;
and
a plurality of dividers within the troughs, each divider including:
a top portion parallel to the front face of the folder, the top portion extending laterally between the two side edges of the folder and extending vertically down to a top fold line, the top fold line being parallel to the bottom edge of the folder;
an intermediate portion extending toward the front face of the folder from the top fold line to a bottom fold line, the intermediate portion extending generally horizontally between a pair of adjacent troughs, the bottom fold line being parallel to the bottom edge of the folder;
and
a bottom portion parallel to the front face of the folder, the bottom portion extending vertically from the bottom fold line and extending laterally between the two side edges of the folder to the bottom gusset, thereby supporting said divider;
wherein the top and bottom portions each extend into adjacent troughs;
wherein the intermediate portions of the dividers are all at different heights.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Stair step portfolio file

Life of this patent

Stair step portfolio file

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15