File cabinet - Patent Review 6419332

We claim:

1. A carousel file cabinet, comprising in combination; a base; a primary support extending substantially perpendicular from said base; a top assembly supported by an opposite end of said primary support a plurality of file supports spaced around said primary support each rotatable between a stowed position beneath said top assembly, and an extended position out from under said top assembly about a axis substantially parallel to said primary support; a plurality of spiders rotatably coupled at one end to said primary support and having an opposite end rotatably coupled to a respective one of said plurality of file supports; and a file container detachably suspended from each of said plurality of file supports.

2. The carousel file cabinet as defined in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of tiers of said plurality of file supports, stacked upon one another by said plurality of spiders rotatably coupled about said primary support assembly.

3. The carousel file cabinet as defined in claim 1, wherein said base includes a hub, a plurality of spokes, each having one end attached to said hub and an opposite end radiating outwardly from said hub, and a rim interconnecting said opposite end of said plurality of spokes, said rim defing a track disposed substantially beneath the plurality of file supports.

4. The carousel file cabinet as defined in claim 3, wherein said primary support includes: at least one tubular member having a first end attached to said base, and a second end attached to said top assembly, and a plurality of bushings interconnecting said tubular member to said base and said top assembly, each of said plurality of bushings configured to support one of said plurality of spiders and permit each of said plurality of spiders to rotate about an axis defined by said tubular member.

5. The carousel file cabinet as defined in claim 4, wherein each of said plurality of file supports includes: a cylindrical file support member having first and second ends; a bearing member disposed in each of said first end and second ends, each bearing member attached to one of said pluraity of spiders; a hanger arm extending from said cylindrical file support member at a point proximate said first end; and a detent member internal said cylindrical file support member and cooperating with an end of said hanger arm to restrict said hanger arm and said cylindrical support member from rotating freely about said axis between said stowed position and said extended position.

6. The carousel file cabinet as defined in claim 5, wherein said file container includes: a basket rim formed from a plurality of contoured walls; a plurality of legs pivotally coupled to said basket rim and movable between an extended position and a position ret ed toward an interior of said basket rim; and a bottom panel slidably received along said plurality of legs and configured to nest against a lower edge of said basket rim.

7. The carousel file cabinet as defined in claim 6, further comprising a plurality of tiers of said plurality of file supports, stacked upon one another by said plurality of spiders rotatably coupled about said primary support assembly.

8. The carousel file cabinet as defined in claim 1, wherein said primary support includes: at least one tubular member having a first end attached to said base, and a second end attached to sad top assembly; and a plurality of bushings interconnect said tubular member to said base and said top assembly, each of said plurality of bushings configured to support one of said plurality of spiders and permit each of said plurality of spiders to rotate about an axis defined by said tubular member.

9. The carousel file cabinet as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of file supports includes: a cylindrical file support member having first and second ends; a bearing member disposed in each of said first end and second ends, each bearing member attached to one of said plurality of spiders; a hanger arm extending from said cyndrical file support member at a point proximate said first end; and a detent member internal said cylindrical file support member and cooperating with an end of said hanger arm to restrict said hanger arm and said cylindrical support member from rotating freely about said axis between said stowed position and said extended position.

10. The carousel file cabinet as defined in claim 1, wherein said file container includes: a basket rim formed from a plurality of contoured walls; a plurality of legs pivotally coupled to said basket rim and movable between an extended position and a position retracted toward an interior of said basket rim; and a bottom panel sidably received along said plurality of legs and configured to nest against a lower edge of said basket rim.

11. A file cabinet configurable between one and a plurality of tiers, comprising in combination: a base having a central hub, a plurality of radially extending spokes, and an outer rim interconnecting said plurality of spokes. a central support column connected at one end to said central hub, and having an opposite end extending tom said base; a top assembly coupled to, and supported by, said opposite end of said central support; a plurality of file supports disposed around said central support column, each file support having a file support member, a bushing disposed in opposite ends of said file member, and a hanger arm extend from said file support member; a plurality of spiders rotatably mounted along said central support column and interconnected to said bushings for providing rotation of said plurality of file supports about said central support colunm, and permitting each of said plural of file supports to rotate about an axis defined between said bushings; and a file container detachably mounted to said hanger arm.

12. The file cabinet as defined in claim 11, wherein said central support column includes at least a first cylinder configured to attach to said central hub at one end and to said top assembly at an opposite end, and adapted to be connected to a second cylinder to add a tier to the cabinet.

13. The file cabinet as defined in claim 11, wherein each of said plurality of file supports includes: a file support member pivotally coupled to at least one of distal end of said plurality of spiders; and a hanger arm extending from said file support member.

14. The file cabinet as defined in claim 11, wherein said file container includes: a basket rim; a plurality of legs depending from said rim; and a bottom panel attached to said plurality of legs.

15. A file cabinet kit, comprising in combination: a base; at least one support having one end configured to be attached to said base; at least one spider rotatably mounted on said at least one primary support, sad spider having a plurality of radiating arms, each having a distal end spaced from said primary support; a plurality of file supports radially arranged around said at least one primary support, each mounted to said distal end of one of said radiating arms to permit each file support to rotate about a vertical axis between a retracted position and an extended position; and at least one file container adapted to be detachably suspended on each of said plurality of file supports.

16. A file cabinet, comprising in combination: a base assembly; a central support assembly extending from said base assembly; at least one spider rotatably coupled to said central support assembly and having arms extending radially away from said support assembly; at least one file support assembly having an upper end rotatably coupled to and depending from a distal end of one of said arms of said at least one spider and rotatably between an extended position away from said at least one spider and a closed position proximate said at least one spider; a container assembly detachably coupled to said at least one file support assembly; and a plurality of tiers of said at least one file support assembly, each of said plurality of tiers independently rotatable about said central support assembly.

17. The file cabinet as defined in claim 16, wherein said base assembly includes: a hub; a rim disposed concentrically around said hub; and a plurality of spokes interconnecting said rim to said hub.

18. The file cabinet as defined in claim 17, wherein said rim of said base assembly includes a tack for providing vertical support to said at least one file support assembly.

19. The file cabinet as defined in claim 16, wherein said central support assembly includes: at least one body; a member for coupling said body to said base assembly; and at least one bearing assembly disposed along said at least one body for rotatably coupling said at least one arm assembly to said central support assembly.

20. The file cabinet as defined in claim 16, wherein said at least one file support assembly includes: a file support tube having a first end and a second end; a hanger arm intermediate said first and second end of said file support tube and extending perpendicular thereto; and at least one bearing assembly in one of said first and second ends of said file support tube and coupled to said at least one arm assembly.

21. The file cabinet as defined in claim 20, wherein said at least one file support assembly includes a wheel support assembly for engaging one of said base assembly and said top assembly.

22. The file cabinet as defined in claim 20, wherein said at least one file support assembly includes a detent mechanism for preventing said file support tube and hanger arm from rotating freely between said extended position and said closed position.

23. The file cabinet as defined in claim 16, wherein said container assembly includes; a basket rim; a plurality of legs pivotally coupled to said basket rim and configured to pivot between a first position extending away from said basket rim, and a second position toward an interior of said basket rim; and a bottom panel slidably disposed along said plurality of legs and configured to nest against a lower edge of said basket rim.

24. The file cabinet as defined in claim 23, wherein said container assembly includes: a plurality of walls interconnected together to form said rim, at least one of said walls having a recess configured to receive a portion of said file support assembly therein and detachably suspend said container assembly.

25. The file cabinet as defined in claim 23, said container assembly includes a cover extending downwardly from said rim to conceal an interior of said container assembly.

26. A file cabinet, comprising in combination: a base; a support extending generally perpendicularly from a central portion of said base; at least one spider attached to said support and having a plurality of arms extending radial away from said support; and a file support mounted to a terminal end of each of said plurality of arms for detachably receiving a container thereon storing articles selected by a user, said file support rotatable about an axis generally parallel to said support.

27. The file cabinet as defined in claim 26, further comprising a top attached to and supported by an upper end of said support.

28. The file cabinet as defined in claim 26, wherein said at least one file support mounted to said terminal end of said at least one arm includes a portion supported by said base.

29. The file cabinet as defined in claim 26, wherein said at least one spider is rotatable about an axis generally parallel to said support.

Description Submit all comments and votes

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to filing cabinets, file drawers, storage units and the like, and more particularly to a filing cabinet where more than one drawer may be opened at any one time without fear of the filing cabinet tipping over.

Lateral and vertical filing cabinets typically have drawers extending from one side of the cabinet frame. To prevent the cabinet from falling over, the filing cabinet is typically provided with a substantial counterweight, and an interlock mechanism which prevents more than one drawer from opening at a time. If not included, there is a danger that the cabinets will tip over. Examples of filing cabinets may be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,969,008; U.S. Pat. No. 4,355,851; U.S. Pat. No. 4,429,930; U.S. Pat. No. 4,480,883; U.S. Pat. No. 4,711,505. Rotary filing cabinets have been devised wherein the drawers of the filing cabinet do not extend from the cabinet, but are mounted on a chain or linkage mechanism wherein the cabinets revolve in a vertical oval pattern within the cabinet. These prior systems require complicated safeguards or mechanisms to permit the user access to a single file drawer. Furthermore, these cabinets are almost always preassembled, requiring a substantial amount of shipping and stocking space.

A need exists for a filing cabinet which maximizes the storage space and permits access to more than one filing drawer without fear of the cabinet tipping over. There is also a need for a filing cabinet which can be shipped disassembled and employs standardized components which may be easily assembled without the need for special tool, thus maximizing shipping space and inventory space, yet is low cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention is directed toward a file cabinet accessible from all sides, and having one or more tiers, each containing a plurality of file containers. The combination of characteristics present in each of the designs provides maximum utilization of floor space, provides a safer cabinet design unlikely to tip over because of off center loads, and is accessible by simultaneous users. The design also permits assembly by the users as well as the manufacturer. The kit design requires considerably less packaging and shipping space than prior designs resulting in substantial cost savings.

According to one form of the invention, these principles are achieved by providing a base assembly supporting a central support assembly. The upper end of the central support assembly is configured to receive a top assembly for the cabinet. In its broadest form, at least one spider or disk-shaped support is provided along the central support assembly and rotatably about an axis defined by the central support. Attached to the outer margin of the spider or disk is at least one file support assembly having an upper end pivotally coupled to the end of the spider. The pivotal coupling permits the file support to rotate about an axis parallel to that of the central support member between a retracted position and an extended position. The file support is configured to detachably receive a file container thereon which swings with the file support between the two positions.

In another form of the invention, a kit is provided whereby the various components of the file cabinet are easily assembled to produce a file cabinet having the decreased number of tiers.

In all forms of the invention, the file container suspended on the file support is unique. The file container includes a basket rim formed by a plurality of interconnected and contoured walls. At least one of the walls to the basket rim includes a channel adapted to mate with a portion of the file support to suspend the container. Depending from the basket rim are a plurality of legs, each attached to the rim by a pivot connection permitting each leg to swing between an extended position and a folded position located toward and interior of the basket rim. Slidably disposed along the legs is a platform which forms the bottom of the container in the extended position. The platform and basket rim are configured to rest together when the legs are in the folded position. Various forms of the container are described including aesthetic side curtains and in one instance, a cloth drape is provided containing pockets for retaining accessories.

The advantages provided by the invention include a design which may be used in the home office as well as the business office. The design also requires less packaging because of its modular construction which translates into less shipping space producing a cost savings. The flexibility of the design also translates into cost savings as the basic building blocks are used to create one, two, three or four tier designs. Special tooling or parts are not required to produce the various designs. The instant invention provides 360 degrees of accessibility. The rotary tiers enhance access to the different file containers and allow placement of the cabinet against a wall or into a corner. Lastly the cabinet provides a wide range of appearance options. Different from the conventional metal or wood lateral file, the instant invention may include metal or cloth panels in a wide array of colors and patterns. Moreover, each file container may have a metal, plastic or cloth drape in a wide array of colors to provide an aesthetic appearance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an oblique view of a filing cabinet assembly embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a portion of the filing cabinet embodying the invention shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a drawer support assembly used in conjunction with the invention shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the base assembly;

FIG. 5 is an elevation view of the base assembly;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the base assembly hub and central support shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a portion of the base assembly and file support assembly;

FIG. 8 is an oblique view of a hanging basket used in association with the invention;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the basket base;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the basket rim;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the basket rim taken along the line XII--XII shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an elevation view of an alternate embodiment of the instant invention;

FIG. 13 is a plan view of the base assembly;

FIG. 14 is an elevation view of a nipple extending from the base assembly;

FIG. 15 is a bottom view of a nipple extending from the base assembly,

FIG. 16 is a plan view of a nipple extending from the base assembly;

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary elevation cross section of the central support assembly taken along line XVI--XVI shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary elevation cross section of a coupling between two tubular bodies of the central support assembly;

FIG. 19 is a fragmentary elevation view of the top assembly,

FIG. 20 is a plan view of a cross member;

FIG. 21 is a front elevation view of a file support assembly;

FIG. 22 is a top plan view of the file support assembly shown in FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a fragmentary side elevation view of file support assembly 228 shown in FIG. 21;

FIG. 24 is an fragmentary elevation cross section view of the file support assembly taken along line XXIV--XXIV shown in FIG. 22;

FIG. 25 is an elevation view of a file tube bushing used in a file support assembly;

FIG. 26 is a top plan view of the file tube bushing shown in FIG. 25;

FIG. 27 is a plan view of the spring shown in FIGS. 26;

FIG. 28 is a side elevation view of one embodiment of a basket mounted on the file support assembly shown in FIG. 23;

FIG. 29 is a front elevation view of the basket shown in FIG. 28 and mounted on the file support assembly;

FIG. 30 is a plan view of the file support assembly and basket shown in FIG. 28;

FIG. 31 is a fragmentary section view of the basket shown in FIG. 30 and taken along line XXXI--XXXI;

FIG. 32 is a fragmentary section view of the basket sown in FIG. 30 and taken along line XXIX--XXIX;

FIG. 33 is a fragmentary elevation view of a connection between a leg and the basket rim;

FIG. 34 is a fragmentary elevation view of the connection between the leg and the basket rim at a right angle to the view shown in FIG. 31; and

FIG. 35 and 36 illustrate two examples of file container covers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

For purposes of the following description, the terms "upper," "lower," "left," "rear," "front," "vertical," "horizontal" and derivatives of such terms shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations; except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, cabinet 20 generally includes a base assembly 22, a central support assembly 24, a top assembly 26, and a plurality of file support assemblies generally referenced as 28. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4-6, one form of the base assembly 22 includes a central hub 30 interconnected to an outer rim 32 by a plurality of spokes 34. In the embodiment shown, four evenly spaced spokes 34 are provided. Hub 30 (FIGS. 5 and 6) is generally higher in relief than the adjoining spokes 34 and in particular includes an upright cylindrical wall 36, the upper reaches of which contain a quarter-round or concave radiused annular groove 38. Annular groove 38, in turn, is connected by shoulder 40 to a right circular cylinder nipple 42. The exterior surface of the nipple 42 is preferably threaded for reasons which will apparent below.

The underside 44 of base assembly 22 may be hollow or contain passages. In a preferred embodiment, hub 30 is hollow and includes a plurality of openings 46 each located between spokes 34 to permit passage of cables, wires, and the like down through the central portion of the nipple 42, hub 30 and out between the spokes 34. Rim 32 may also be hollow or define a passage in communication with the hollows or passages beneath spokes 34 and central hub 30. In a preferred embodiment, outer rim 32 includes a recess 48 defined at an upper surface 50 which is generally circular in shape, and disposed proximate peripheral edge 52. Received in the recess 48 in at least one continuous piece, and preferably two or more sections is a metal glide or bearding surface 54 wherein an upper surface 56 extends slightly above surface 50 for reasons which will become apparent below.

Molded into and defined in the lower surface 44 of base assembly 22, and preferably disposed at intervals along spokes 34 and at points proximate hub 30 are leg supports 47. In a preferred embodiment, each leg support 47 includes a female member defined by a right circular cylinder outer wall and having a bottom wall of increased thickness. The cylindrical wall of the leg support is configured to receive a leg defined by a base attached to the end of a shaft. The shaft is preferably threaded and is received in a central hole formed in the base of the leg support to permit adjustment of the base relative to the lower surface of the base assembly. It is contemplated that the leg supports 47 may be formed using the same injection molding process at the time that the entire base assembly is formed. Alternatively, the cylindrical walls for the leg supports may be formed, and the leg and its supporting member may be inserted into the cylindrical member as a separate step. Substantially any supporting member by be provided so long as it permits height adjustment of the base at each location. The purpose of these legs is to provide a substantially horizontal upper surface 50 on which the filing cabinet is eventually placed. It is contemplated that base assembly 22 may be manufactured from polymeric material using injection molding, pour molding or similar forming processes, or may be cast or machined from steel, aluminum or even wood components. In the preferred embodiment, it is contemplated that base assembly 22 be injection molded from a polymeric material.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 6, threaded nipple 42 receives central support assembly 24. Central support assembly 24 includes a lower crossr member 60, a lower tube assembly 62, an intermediate cross assembly 64, an upper tube assembly 66, an upper cross member 67, which in turn is coupled to the top assembly 26. Each of the lower and upper tube assemblies includes a generally tubular, right circular cylindrical support 68 having a bushing 70 at opposite ends Each bushing 70, is preferably tubular and includes a concentric axial passage threaded on its interior to mate with the threads on the exterior of nipple 42. One end of each bushing 70 includes a reduced diameter cylinder portion 72 configured to be received in the open end of the support 68 which abuts tightly shoulder 74. At the perimeter of shoulder 74 is a wall 76 which transitions toward end 78 to a quarter-round annular groove 80 complimentary in shape and dimension to the quarter-round annular groove 38 described earlier for example formed in the hub 30 of the base assembly 32. The bushing 70 threaded down tightly against the shoulder 40 of the hub 30 along with the cooperating portions of the annular groove define an annular bearing recess. Disposed in this bearing recess is the lower cross member 60 briefly mentioned above.

Referring to FIG. 2, each of the cross members 60, 64 and 67 (also referred to as spiders) include a central circular bearing member 90. Bach circular bearing member 90 supports a plurality of arms 92. In a preferred embodiment, each arm has an outer end or a clevis 94, and is tangentially coupled to the circular bearing member 90 proximate a second and opposite end 96, Moreover, the opposite end 96 is preferably attached to the angularly adjacent arm 92. In this fashion, and in the case four arms 92, a polygon such as a square 98 is assembly configured to receive at lead one container detachably mounted thereon for retaining articles selected by a user.

The circular bearing member 90 of lower cross member 60 is captured in the annular bearing recess defined by bushing 70 and hub 30. Likewise, intermediate cross member 64 is captured between the respective bushings 70 at the ends of the supports 68 joined together by nipple 82. With respect to the upper cross member 67, the bushing 70 at the upper end of the upper tube assembly 66 is threaded to a nipple 84 projecting from a hub 86 extending from a insert 88 retained in the top assembly 26. In a preferred embodiment, the insert 88 has a rectangular flange at one end of the nipple 84 which is received in a rectangular recess formed in the table top assembly 26. Insert 88 in turn includes a hollow portion extending through the table top to provide a passage for cables and the like. It is contemplated that insert 88 is coupled by fasteners to at the lower side of table top 26.

Although the embodiment in FIG. 2 has been described with three cross members vertically disposed along the two tube assemblies 62 and 66, it is contemplated that a single tube assembly such as 62 may be used to support two cross members. Alternatively, the assembly may be repeated to include as many cross assemblies as desired depending upon the space requirements. Furthermore, each cross assembly shown in FIG. 2 is, without more structure, able to rotate independently about the bearings provided by bushings 70. In a preferred embodiment bushings 70 are preferably injection molded from a self-lubricating polymeric material to reduce friction between the circular bearing members 90 and the bushings. It is further contemplated that roller bearing or other bearing structures may be used to support the cross member and further reduce the friction associated with the rotation of the cross members about the fixed central supports.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 3 and 7, it is preferred that the termini or clevis ends 94 of the lower, intermediate, and upper cross members be vertically aligned and interconnected by file support assemblies 28. Support assemblies 28 support the outer ends 94 of the cross members 60,64, and 67 and provide a structure from which drawers, trays or boxes are suspended. In addition, file support assemblies 28 provide a unified support for rotating cross members 60, 64 and 67 about the central support assembly 24. File support assemblies 28 includes at least one file support tube 110 having a concentric longitudinal passage extending entirely therethrough between ends 112 and 114. Received in each end 112, 114 of the file support tube 110 is a bushing 116. Each bushing 116 includes a cylindrical sleeve portion 118 having a outside diameter substantially equal to the inside diameter of the end 112, 114 and is prevented from sliding entirely into the support tube 110 by a shoulder 120 which abuts against the end 112 or 114. The peripheral edge of the shoulder 120 is defined by a wall 122 which transitions downwardly into a quarter-round annular groove 124 before terminating at the end 126. Extending between end 126 and the opposite 128 is a concentric longitudinal passage 130 having a threaded interior wall 132. Each file support tube 110 is disposed vertically between the clevis ends 94 of the adjacent cross members. The quarter-round concentric annular groove 124 in each bushing 116 is dimensioned to receive an nest the clevis end or termini 94 of each arm 92. In the case of the lower cross member 60, the bushing 116 at the lower end 114 of the tube 110 is retained by a bearing support member 134 which includes an outer diameter (O.D.) nipple 136 threaded configured to pass through the clevis end 94 and into the threaded interior wall 132 of bushing 116. Extending from the lower portion of the nipple 136 is a shoulder 138 of a dimension equal to end 126 extending between the passage 130 and the edge of the quarter-round annular groove 124 and configured to abut against end 126. Between shoulder 138 and the outer wall 142 of the bushing is a quarter-round annular groove 140 complimentary to that in the bushing 116 and configured to engage the opposite surface of the clevis end 94. The two grooves 124 and 140 then provide a bearing surface for the clevis end 94. The end of the bearing support member 134 may include a shallow recess 146 which defines a circular or annular bearing surface to engage the bottom side of the top 26 to provide support. The bearing surface also permits rotation of support tube 110 relative to the work surface/top 26. In a preferred embodiment, the bearing support member 134 is injection molded or fabricated from a self-lubricating polymeric material such as DELRIN.RTM. or similar material. A connection similar to that just described is used to interconnect the upper file support tube 110A to the clevis ends 94 at the termini of the arms 92 on the upper cross member 67. Interconnecting the bushing 116 at the upper end of the lower file support tube 110 to the bushing at the lower end of the upper support tube 110A, is a O.D. threaded nipple 150. It should be noted that the distance between the upper cross member 67, the intermediate cross member 64, and the lower cross member 60 may be varied, controlled principally by the length of the lower and upper tube assemblies, as well as the lower and upper file support tubes. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the lower tube assembly 62 as well as the lower file support tubes 110 may each have a height of approximately 12 inches while the height of the upper tube assembly 66 and the upper file support tubes 110A may have a height of approximately 10 inches. In this configuration, drawers or baskets of different heights may be hung at different levels to suit particular needs.

In FIGS. 1 and 3, each of the file support tubes 110 and 110A include a hanger arm assembly 152 defined by an upper arm 154 extending radially outward from a point proximate end 112 for a predetermined distance. A brace arm 156 is provided interconnecting a point proximate lower end 114 the outermost end of the upper arm 154. A portion 158 of the upper edge 160 of the upper arm 154 is offset from the plane of the arm 154 to provide a lip for engaging a channel or flange of a basket suspended thereon. The basket is maintained in the upright position by lower bracket or brace 156. Although a wide range of baskets may be adapted for suspension on the hanger arm 152, a preferred basket design is contemplated and described in greater detail below.

A contemplated container for use in association with the cabinet embodying this invention is shown in FIGS. 8-11, and is particularly suited for suspending hanging files such as available under the Pendaflex brand name, In one form, a collapsible basket 170 includes a bottom panel 172 suspended from a file hanger or rim 174 by a plurality of metal straps 176. The bottom panel 172 preferably has a generally rectangular perimeter 178 wherein opposite ends or sides of the panel are interconnected by a plurality of orthangonally interconnected ribs 180. At the corners of the perimeter 178, holes 182 are provided extending through the web and are adapted to receive the ends of the metal straps 176 therethrough. Cross pins 184 at the ends of the straps 176 provide a suspension point. As in the bottom panel, the upper rim 174 (FIGS. 10 and 11) includes an outer perimeter wall 186 which includes an upper portion offset or staggered inwardly from that of the lower portion. The upper end 188 of the wall 186 further includes an outwardly extending flange 190 terminating in a downward extending lip 192 to define a channel 194. Extending inwardly midway up from wall 186 is a horizontally disposed flange 196 terminating in an upwardly extending lip 198. This structur