According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a fastener assembly for an accessible file, which fastener assembly includes a fastener base plate defining an upper face and a lower face; at least one prong extending from the upper face of the fastener base plate ; a compressor bar having at least one hole therethrough, the or each prong extending through the hole or holes in the compressor bar and capable of being retained in a fastened position wherein it is substantially parallel to the fastener base plate ; and a securing means for securing the fastener base plate to a file cover, the securing means being such that the fastener base plate can be secured to the file cover in an assembled configuration together with the compressor bar.

Preferably, the prongs are two resiliently flexible elongate springs extending through two complementary holes in the compressor bar, and the assembly includes at least one locking member for locking the prongs in their fastened positions.

In one form of the invention, the securing means includes securing formations extending from the fastener base plate for securing the assembly to the file cover. The securing formations may comprise lugs which are extendable through the file cover and are folded over, in use, to secure the base plate, and thereby the assembly, to the file cover.

The lugs preferably are domed to project convexly outwardly when they have been folded over.

Instead, the securing formations may comprise at least one laterally projecting lug with a hole through it for accepting a securing member, such as a rivet or the like, for securing the assembly to the file cover. Preferably, two lugs with holes are provided for accepting securing members for securing the assembly to the file cover.

The lugs may have been cut out of the base plate and bent laterally away from the base plate.

In another embodiment of the invention, the securing means includes a number of tabs extending from at least one side of the fastener base plate, the tabs being extendable through the file cover and being deformable, in use, to secure the base plate to the file cover.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the securing means includes at least one securing hole in the fastener base plate for receiving a securing member to secure the fastener base plate to the file cover. The compressor bar may then have apertures aligned with the or each securing hole to permit insertion of the securing member into its securing hole, through the appropriate aperture, when the fastener assembly is in the assembled configuration.

The fastener base plate and the compressor bar may each have a registering central hole extending therethrough.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a transfer mechanism component which includes an elongate transfer base plate having an upper face and a lower face; an integral transfer member having a base portion pivotally mounted to the transfer base plate, a pair of substantially parallel limbs and two intermediate portions between the base portion and the limbs, with a distance between the limbs being greater than the length of the base portion.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a transfer mechanism component which includes an elongate transfer base plate having an upper face and a lower face;

an integral transfer member having a base portion pivotally mounted to the transfer base plate and a pair of substantially parallel limbs, with the limbs having free ends and kink formations near their free ends.

Preferably, the transfer member is pivotally mounted to the transfer base plate at its base portion by means of at least one pivot mounting member.

The transfer base plate may include a central hole.

Preferably, the transfer mechanism includes a transfer mechanism securing means for securing the transfer base plate to the file cover. The transfer mechanism securing means may be substantially similar to the securing means for securing the fastener assembly to the file cover.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a fastener arrangement for an accessible file, which arrangement includes a fastener assembly as described above; and a transfer mechanism component as described above.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided an accessible file which includes

a file cover; and a transfer mechanism component as described above, with the fastener assembly and the transfer mechanism component being secured to the file cover.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing an accessible file, which includes the steps of providing a fastener assembly and a transfer mechanism component as described above; positioning the fastener assembly and the transfer mechanism component on a file cover; and securing the fastener assembly and the transfer mechanism component to the file cover by means of their respective securing means.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for manufacturing accessible files, which includes a first magazine for holding a plurality of fastener assemblies for an accessible file as described above; a second magazine for holding a plurality of transfer mechanism components for an accessible file as described above; a first securing mechanism for securing the fastener assemblies to file cover; and a second securing mechanism for securing the transfer mechanism components to the file covers.

115 The apparatus may include a first positioning means for removing a fastener assembly from the first magazine and moving it into position relative to the first securing mechanism and the file cover to which it is to be secured.

Similarly, the apparatus may include a second positioning means for removing 120 a transfer mechanism component from the second magazine and moving it into position relative to the second securing mechanism and the file cover to which it is to be secured.

The apparatus may include a file cover supply means which supplies file covers 125 to a securing station at which the securing mechanisms and the magazines are located. The supply means may be arranged to supply cut and creased sections of board which comprise the file covers. The apparatus may include a cutting means for cutting sections of board from a roll of board, and a creasing means for creasing the sections of board to form the file covers.

130 The apparatus may also include a transport means for transporting the covers.

The covers may be transported in a transport direction with a crease of the covers

parallel thereto. The magazines and securing mechanisms may be located on either side of the crease and be oriented to be parallel thereto.

Several embodiments of this invention and an apparatus for securing a fastener assembly according to the invention are now described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an isometric view of a first embodiment of a fastener assembly for an accessible file according to the invention; Figure 2 is a partly sectioned side view of the assembly of Figure 1 shown secured to a file cover; Figure 2a is a top view of an alternative configuration for a base plate according to the invention.

Figure 3 is an isometric view of a second embodiment of a fastener assembly for an accessible file according to the invention; Figure 4 is a partly sectioned, exploded side view of the assembly of Figure 3 shown secured to a file cover;

Figure 5 is an isometric view of a third embodiment of a fastener assembly for an accessible file according to the invention; Figure 6 is a partly sectioned, exploded side view of the assembly of Figure 5 shown secured to a file cover; Figure 7 is an isometric view of a fourth embodiment of a fastener assembly for an accessible file according to the invention; Figure 8 is a partly sectioned side view of the assembly of Figure 7 shown secured to a file cover, taken along line VIII-VIII ; Figure 9 is an isometric view of a fifth embodiment of a fastener assembly for an accessible file according to the invention; Figure 10 is a sectioned side view of the assembly of Figure 9 shown secured to a file cover, taken at line X-X; Figure 11 is a schematic side view of a transfer mechanism according to the invention;

Figure 12 is a schematic, partly sectioned side view of apparatus for manufacturing accessible files according to the invention; and Figure 13 is a schematic, partly sectioned front view of a securing station of the apparatus of Figure 12, taken at line XIII-XIII.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, a fastener assembly 10 for an accessible file according to the invention is shown to comprise a fastener base plate 12 defining an upper face 14 and a lower face 16. The base plate 12 has securing means in the form of a plurality of deformable securing formations, in this instance lugs 18, extending from the lower face 16. The base plate 12 also has two flexible prongs 20 extending from the upper face 14. A compressor bar 22 having two holes in the form of elongate slots 24 locates on the base plate 12 as shown, with the prongs 20 extending through the slots 24. A central hole 12.1 extends through the base plate 12 and the compressor bar 22. The compressor bar 22 includes two locking members 26 which retain the flexible prongs 20 in a fastened position wherein they extend laterally and are substantially parallel to the base plate 12, as shown in the drawings.

Alternatively, securing lugs 41 may be provided in a base plate 33 (see Figure 2a) the lugs 41 extending parallel to the base plate 33 and in a position directly in line with the slots 24 in the compressor bar 34. With this configuration, an assembly die

(not shown) is able to access the lugs 41 through the slots 24 for securing the lugs 41 to the file cover 28.

In use, the assembly 10, with the base plate 12 and the compressor bar 22 assembled together, is placed on a file cover 28 and the lugs 18 are forced through the cover 28 (or inserted through pre-punched slots, not shown, in the file cover) and bent laterally away from the base plate 12 as shown in Figure 2 to secure the assembly 10 to the file cover 28. A strip of covering material 29 is adhesively applied over the lugs 18. The lugs 18 are domed (not shown) to project convexly outwardly when they have been folded over, and are covered by a strip of covering material 29.

Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, a fastener assembly 30 for an accessible file according to the invention is shown to comprise a fastener base plate 32 and a compressor bar 34, retained in position by means of flexible prongs 36 and locking members 38 in the same fashion as the assembly of Figures 1 and 2.

In this embodiment, however, securing formations 40, comprising laterally extending lugs with holes 42 therethrough are provided. A central hole 32.1 is provided in the base plate 32.

In use, the assembly 30, again in an assembled configuration, is placed on a file cover 28 and is secured thereto by means of rivets 44 which are forced through the material of the cover 28 and the holes 42 in the securing formations 40 to secure the assembly 30 to the cover 28.

225 Referring now to Figures 5 and 6, a fastener assembly 50 for an accessible file according to the invention is shown to comprise a fastener base plate 52 and a compressor bar 54, retained in position by means of flexible prongs 56 and locking members 58 in the same fashion as the assemblies of Figures 1 to 4.

230 This embodiment also includes securing formations 60 in the form of laterally extending lugs with holes 62 through them. The only difference between this embodiment and the embodiment of Figures 3 and 4 is that the securing formation lugs are cut out from the base plate 52 and bent laterally away therefrom to extend ? 35 from the sides of the base plate 52, leaving cavities 63 in the base plate 52. In this embodiment, the base plate is also provided with a central hole 52.1.

In use, the assembly 50, again in an assembled configuration, is secured to a file cover 28 in the same way as the embodiment of Figures 3 and 4, by placing the 240 assembly 50 on the file cover 28 and securing it thereto by means of rivets 44 which are forced through the material of the cover 28 and the holes 62 in the securing formations 60 to secure the assembly 50 to the cover 28.

Referring now to Figures 7 and 8, a fastener assembly 130 for an accessible file 245 according to the invention is shown to comprise a fastener base plate 142 and a compressor bar 144, retained in position by means of flexible prongs 146 and locking members 148 in the same fashion as the assemblies of Figures 1 to 6. The base plate 142 and the compressor bar 144 are each provided with a hole, the holes being aligned to define a central hole 142.1 of the assembly 140.

250 In this embodiment, however, the securing means include a pair of holes 142.2 in the base plate 142. The holes 142.2 are dimensioned such that they are in register with the slots 24 in the compressor bar 144, the slots 24 having a width which is larger than a diameter of the holes 142.2.

255 In use, the assembly 140, again in an assembled configuration, is placed on a file cover 28 and is secured thereto by means of rivets 44 which are forced through the material of the cover 28 and the holes 142.2 to secure the assembly 140 to the cover 28. The dimensions of the slots 24 are such that, even if the rivets 44 have 260 been passed through the holes 142.2 and deformed while the compressor bar 144 abutted the base plate 142, the compressor bar 144 is still displaceable away from the base plate 142, and can be brought into abutment with it without contacting the rivets 44.

265 Referring now to Figures 9 and 10, a fastener assembly 150 for an accessible file according to the invention is shown to comprise a fastener base plate 152 and a compressor bar 154, retained in position by means of flexible prongs 156 and locking members 158 in the same fashion as the assemblies of Figures 1 to 8. The base plate 270 152 and the compressor bar 154 are each provided with a hole, the holes being aligned to define a central hole 152.1 of the assembly 140.

In this embodiment, however, the securing means include a number of securing formations in the form of a number of symmetrically spaced tabs 155 which extend 275 from opposed sides 157 of the base plate 152. The tabs 155 have been integrally formed with the base plate 152.

In use, the tabs 155 are deformed through 90° such that they extend downwardly from the sides 157 of the base plate 152. The assembly 10, again in an 280 assembled configuration, is positioned above a file cover 28 such that each tab 155 is aligned with a complementary slot (not shown) which has been punched in the file cover 28 for receiving the tabs 155. The assembly 10 is then brought into contact with the file cover 28 the tabs 155 are being inserted into their corresponding slots such that a portion of each tab 155 protrudes from the file cover 28. The tabs 155 285 are deformed away from the assembly 10 to secure the base plate 152 to the file cover 28, the tabs 155 being substantially parallel to the base plate 152, as shown in Figure 10.

290 In Figure 11, a transfer mechanism component 70 is shown to comprise a transfer base plate 72 having an upper face 74 and a lower face 76. The transfer mechanism component 70 includes a transfer mechanism securing means in the form of two fastening members, in this instance lugs 78, which extend downwardly from the lower face 76 of the transfer base plate 72 as shown. A transfer member, 295 generally indicated by reference numeral 80 is shown to comprise a base portion 82, two substantially parallel limbs 84 and two intermediate portions 86, each formed such that the distance between the limbs 84 is greater than the length of the base portion 82. The limbs 84 each includes a kink formation 85 close to their free ends to limit movement of the prongs 20 of the fastener assembly 10 thereon, in use, and to 300 improve grip between the limbs and the prongs.

The transfer base plate 72 includes a central hole 88. The limb member 80 is mounted to the transfer base plate by pivotal mounting means in the form of two pivot mounting members 90 which allows the transfer member 80 to move between an 305 upright position as shown in the drawing and a flat position wherein it lies in a plane which is substantially parallel to a plane defined by the transfer base plate 72.

The base portion 82 of the transfer member 80 includes a kink formation 82.1

so that when the transfer member 80 is in its flat position, the base portion does not cover or obstruct the central hole 88.

In use, the transfer mechanism component is secured to a file cover (not shown) by forcing the lugs 78 through the cover and bending them over against the cover (or by inserting the lugs 78 through pre-punched slots, not shown, in the file cover 28).

The transfer mechanism component 70 and the fastener assembly 10 (shown in Figure 1) together form a transfer arrangement for an accessible file. It will be appreciated that each of the embodiments of a fastener assembly described with reference to Figures 3 to 10 may be provided with a transfer mechanism component which has a transfer mechanism securing means which is substantially similar to the securing means of that fastener assembly. This enables the transfer mechanism components and the fastener assemblies to be secured to a file cover by a single, or similar, securing apparatus.

In Figure 12, apparatus 100 for manufacturing accessible files according to the invention is shown. The apparatus 100 includes a feed roll of file cover board 102 located on a spindle 104. In use, the file cover board 102 is fed through cutting means in the form of two cutting rollers 106 which cut the board 102 into sections to form file covers 28 to size from the roll of file cover board 102. The covers 28 are conveyed by means of a transport means in the form of a double, parallel conveyor belt arrangement 108 through creasing means in the form of two creasing rolls 110 which form centre creases in the covers 28.

335 After the creasing operation has been completed, the covers 28 are conveyed on the belt arrangement 108 to a punching and embossing station 1 12, at which point the belt arrangement 108 stops for purposes of effecting a punching and embossing operation. Station 1 12 includes a male punching and embossing die 116 and a female 340 punching and embossing die 1 18. A locator device 120 locates the file covers 28 in position under the station 82 until the operation is complete. Thereafter, the locator device 120 moves downwardly in direction A to allow the file cover to pass. The belt arrangement 108 conveys the file cover to a securing station 122.

345 Referring now to Figures 12 and 13, the cut, punched and embossed covers 28 are positioned under securing station 122 by means of a locator device 121. The securing station includes a first magazine 124 for holding a plurality of fastener assemblies such as the fastener assemblies 10 described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 and a second magazine 126 for holding a plurality of transfer mechanism 350 components 70. The central holes 12.1 and 88 of the fastener assemblies 10 and transfer mechanism components 70 are accepted over guide pins (not shown) in the magazines 128 and 130 to align the assemblies and mechanism components in the magazines.

355 A fastener assembly securing means 128 is located adjacent the magazine 124 and a transfer mechanism component securing means 130 is located adjacent the magazine 126 as shown in Figure 13.

360 A first positioning means in the form of a first feeder device 132 feeds the fastener assemblies 10 in direction A one by one from the bottom of the magazine 124 onto the file cover 28 and under the securing means 128, where it is secured by the securing means 128 to the file cover 28. Simultaneously, a second positioning means in the form of a second feeder device 134 feeds the transfer mechanism 365 components 70 in direction B from the bottom of the magazine 126 onto the file cover 28, where it is secured to the file cover 28 by the securing means 78.

From the securing station 122, the accessible files are conveyed to a folding device 136 where the files are folded.

370 With the invention as described with reference to the drawings, the applicant has found that the number of components required by a manufacturer of accessible files is reduced to 2 separate components, being the file fastener assembly and the transfer mechanism component, which can easily and conveniently be secured to a file 375 cover by means of the apparatus of the invention. This reduces the number of components, reduces the steps in the manufacturing process and permits of automated assembly with a resultant saving of time and costs.

380 The configuration of the transfer mechanism component 70 as described with reference to Figure 11 furthermore reduces the length of the transfer base plate 72 with a resultant saving in costs.

The applicant believes that a further advantage of the arrangement as described 385 with reference to the drawings lies therein that the lugs 18 and 78 of the fastener assembly and transfer mechanism component respectively can be assembled simultaneously on an assembly machine, with a further saving in costs.