Desk top card file system

Abstract

A desk top card file includes an elongate one piece base having an arcuate longitudinal profile. File cards are releasably carried by a pair of parallel longitudinal rails attached to the base. An end plate is hinged to each end of the base. The end plates are movable from a substantially parallel vertical orientation where they compact a stack of cards when the card file is not in use, to an open position, rendering the individual cards accessible for selection and reading. The hinges carry a resilient friction restraint which maintains each end plate at a selected angle. Variable friction forces determined by the profile of cam surfaces of the end plates minimize wear of the friction restraint while maintaining adequate retention forces on the card stack. The file includes a pivotable stand which is mounted to the underside of the base at one end and is opened to tilt the file toward the user. Optionally, the stand attaches to the base along an axis parallel to a side and is pivotable to elevate the side thus enabling the file to be used in a bookwise orientation.