Rotary card file

Abstract

A plurality of rotatable card holders are disposed end-to-end on a horizontal fixed shaft supported at its ends by a tubular frame. Each of the card holders comprises two coaxial sections each of which is generally cylindrical with a peripheral web for holding the cards. Each of the cards has two notches for receiving the webs of the card holder so as to mount the card removably and hingedly on the card holder. At one end of each card holder there is provided a capstan having radially projecting spokes which extend out beyond the cards to provide means for manually rotating the card holder on the shaft. Between the two sections of each card holder there is provided a brake device comprising two H-shape members disposed respectively on opposite sides of the shaft and connected by two screws. The brake members have laterally projecting flange portions which engage radial spoke-like webs of the card holder sections so as to cause the brake device to rotate with the card holder and narrower central portions which frictionally engage the shaft between the two sections of the card holder. The screws are rotatable by means of a screwdriver inserted between the two card holder sections to adjust the force with which the brake members grip the shaft so as to permit rotation of the card holder by the capstan and yet retain the card holder in whatever position it has been turned by the capstan.