Containerized file carrier system

Abstract

A file carrier and storage system is disclosed which can be used for any type of files and is particularly well suited for transporting hanging files which have hooks which extend beyond the file. A container provides a storage and support structure for the files while a carrier allowed batches of files to be transported in a structure which slideably receives the container. A plurality of containers may be used with a single carrier so that the container can be used as shelf or drawer holders for files. In this way, non hanging (suspended) files can also be conveniently used.

1 . A hanging file transport system comprising: 
 a. a container having first pair of opposing sides and second set of opposing sides together forming a rectangular boundary defining a space therein sized to receive hanging folders; 
 said first pair of opposing sides including support opposed support edges spaced to receive hanging folder hooks; and  
   b. a carrier having 4 sidewalls and a bottom, thereby defining a receiving space, said receiving space sized to receive said carrier.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said carrier receiving space is sized to snugly receive said carrier between said second set of opposing sides.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said carrier receiving space between said first said of sidewalls is sized to be just greater than the greatest extent of a hanging folder.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said container include apertures extending though opposing sidewalls, said apertures forming handles and having a convex upper surface.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said at least one sidewall of said carrier include a foldable section configured to be able to fold away from said carrier, thereby further exposing said defined receiving space.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said carrier includes at least one aperture in the bottom thereof to assist in urging said container out of said defined receiving space.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said carrier includes a lever mechanism configured to urge said container out of said defined receiving space.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7  wherein said lever mechanism includes a first lever pivotally attached to an outer surface, a pivot and a lifting bar extending from said pivot into said defined receiving space generally adjacent said bottom.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said container has a wire frame structure and wherein said sidewalls and bottom are open air.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein said wire frame further includes a folder sling hanging from top edges of said wire frame and extending toward said bottom.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10  wherein said sling is a flexible material.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said container includes a pair of retractable handles in opposing sidewalls.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said container includes sidewalls having apertures forming handles and a depressed region surrounding said handles.  
   
   
       14 . A storable file management system with transporter comprising: 
 a. A plurality of containers having first pair of opposing sides and second set of opposing sides together forming a rectangular boundary defining a space therein sized to receive folders, each container including at least one removal handle; and    b. a carrier transporter having a handle, 4 sidewalls and a bottom, thereby defining a receiving space, said receiving space sized to receive at least one of said containers.    
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 14  wherein said defined space within said container is wide enough to receive hanging folders but narrow enough that hooks from the hanging folders extend outwardly beyond said defined spaces, so that the files are supported by said opposing sides.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 15  wherein said defined receiving space is wide enough to receive said container and said hooks.  
   
   
       17 . A method of transporting groups of hanging files by the steps of 
 a. forming a container having an upper frame edge, the container being wide enough to contain the files but narrow enough that the hanging hooks of the files extend outside the container.    b. Forming a transporter carrier with a handle and a receiving space larger enough to accommodate said container and said hooks within the space.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  further including the step of ejecting the container from the carrier by urging the container out of the carrier by levering upward from the bottom.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17  further including the step of ejecting the container from the carrier by urging the container out of the carrier through apertures in the bottom of the carrier.