CA2140986A1 - Disc storage device - Google Patents
Disc storage deviceInfo
- Publication number
- CA2140986A1 CA2140986A1 CA 2140986 CA2140986A CA2140986A1 CA 2140986 A1 CA2140986 A1 CA 2140986A1 CA 2140986 CA2140986 CA 2140986 CA 2140986 A CA2140986 A CA 2140986A CA 2140986 A1 CA2140986 A1 CA 2140986A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- cradle
- disc
- container
- door
- dlsc
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
- G11B33/00—Constructional parts, details or accessories not provided for in the other groups of this subclass
- G11B33/02—Cabinets; Cases; Stands; Disposition of apparatus therein or thereon
- G11B33/04—Cabinets; Cases; Stands; Disposition of apparatus therein or thereon modified to store record carriers
- G11B33/0405—Cabinets; Cases; Stands; Disposition of apparatus therein or thereon modified to store record carriers for storing discs
- G11B33/0433—Multiple disc containers
- G11B33/0444—Multiple disc containers for discs without cartridge
Abstract
A storage container for compact discs and the like has a cylindrically shaped housing with an opening therein. An arcuate door is pivotable in a sliding arcuate path between blocking and unblocking positions relative to the opening. A
plurality of arcuate cradles are located inside the housing, and pivotable at a point close to the opening. Each cradle is adapted to freely retain and support a disc. Each cradle can be pivoted between a storage position, where the disc and cradle are positioned in the housing, to an unloading position, where the disc can be removed from the cradle. When the door is closed, the cradles and discs are stabilized in the housing with the assistance of a bumper bar which traps the disc, and also prevents a disc being discharged from the cradle when a loaded cradle is pivoted to the storage position.
plurality of arcuate cradles are located inside the housing, and pivotable at a point close to the opening. Each cradle is adapted to freely retain and support a disc. Each cradle can be pivoted between a storage position, where the disc and cradle are positioned in the housing, to an unloading position, where the disc can be removed from the cradle. When the door is closed, the cradles and discs are stabilized in the housing with the assistance of a bumper bar which traps the disc, and also prevents a disc being discharged from the cradle when a loaded cradle is pivoted to the storage position.
Description
21~986 91211-10/AGS/fs DISC STORAGE DEVICB
Fleld of the Inventlon The present lnventlon relates generally to storage contalners for lnformatlon storage dlscs such as compact dlscs and the llke.
DescrlPtlon of the Prlor Art Several deslgn crlterla must be consldered ln the deslgn of storage contalners for lnformatlon storage dlscs such as compact dlscs and the llke. Partlcularly for storage contalners whlch are prlmarlly not used for transportlng dlscs, but rather rest seml-permanently ln one locatlon, such as on a shelf, lt 18 lmportant that the contalner occupy a mlnlmum amount of space and yet the dlscs retalned thereln be readlly accesslble.
Wlth respect to the deslrablllty to mlnlmlze the space occupled by the contalner, lt 18 advantageous to remove the dlscs from the lndlvldual contalners ln whlch they are sold (often called "~ewel boxes"). Malntalnlng ~ewel boxes ln prlstlne condltlon 18 consldered deslrable by some people. If the dlsc 18 stored separately from the ~ewel box, the lntegrlty of the ~ewel box may be retalned, because the wear a~soclated wlth repeated use 18 avolded.
Fleld of the Inventlon The present lnventlon relates generally to storage contalners for lnformatlon storage dlscs such as compact dlscs and the llke.
DescrlPtlon of the Prlor Art Several deslgn crlterla must be consldered ln the deslgn of storage contalners for lnformatlon storage dlscs such as compact dlscs and the llke. Partlcularly for storage contalners whlch are prlmarlly not used for transportlng dlscs, but rather rest seml-permanently ln one locatlon, such as on a shelf, lt 18 lmportant that the contalner occupy a mlnlmum amount of space and yet the dlscs retalned thereln be readlly accesslble.
Wlth respect to the deslrablllty to mlnlmlze the space occupled by the contalner, lt 18 advantageous to remove the dlscs from the lndlvldual contalners ln whlch they are sold (often called "~ewel boxes"). Malntalnlng ~ewel boxes ln prlstlne condltlon 18 consldered deslrable by some people. If the dlsc 18 stored separately from the ~ewel box, the lntegrlty of the ~ewel box may be retalned, because the wear a~soclated wlth repeated use 18 avolded.
2~4~986 91211-10/AGS/fs For a given number of speclflcally slzed dlscs the volume occupled thereby 18 flxed. To mlnlmlze the total space occupled by a storage contalner for these dlscs, the spaclng between the dlscs, the volume surroundlng the dlscs that 18 enclosed by the contalner houslng and the volume occupled by the houslng must be mlnlmlzed.
Wlth respect to accesslblllty, there are several dlfferent aspects as follows~ (1) belng able to easlly retrleve and replace dlscs wlthln the contalner (2) belng able to easlly select one or more speclflc dlscs from a plurallty of dlscs stored ln the contalner (3) belng able to access the dlscs held ln the contalner when the contalner 18 sltuate ln a conflned space, such as on a shelf of small helght and/or depth.
There are other crlterla whlch are also of lmportance, lncludlng the convenlence of belng able to readlly vlew the dlscs when they are belng housed ln the contalner, and the deslrablllty of a sealed storage area whlch wlll keep out contamlnants such as dlrt, dust and the llke. Furthermore, lt 18 con~ldered lmportant to the lntegrlty of the dlsc that, lf at all posslble, the area of the dlsc where the lnformatlon ls stored not contact anythlng, elther durlng the loadlng/unloadlng process, or when stored. Thls area 1B a wlde, clrcular band located on one of surfaces of the dlsc. The band starts a short dlstance ln from the clrcumferentlal edge of the dlsc. The locatlon where the band termlnates varles from dlsc to dlsc but wlll usually be ~19iU9~
91211-10/AGS/fs slgnlflcantly offset from the central clrcular aperture ln the dlsc.
The dlscs should preferably be securely retalned wlthln the contalner even lf the contalner 18 not partlcularly deslgned for portable use. Havlng a dlsc lndex system 18 also lmportant 80 that a speclflc dlsc can be retrieved from, or replaced ln, a glven, known locatlon ln the storage contalner. Flnally, lt ls deslrable to have a contalner whlch 18 of economlc constructlon, but whlch stlll satlsfles the foregolng deslgn crlterla.
Varlous storage devlces for dlscs are known. U.S.
Patent 4,875,743 lssued to Gelardl et al. on October 24, 1989, dlscloses a devlce whlch has a plurallty of C-shaped lever members whlch are plvotly connected to a houslng. Bach of the C-shaped members ls adapted to retaln a dlsc at lts outer clrcumferentlal edge. Thls devlce ls partlcularly deslgned to be useful for transportlng a plurallty of dlscs. Each C-shaped lever member clrcumscrlbes more than 180 degrees of the dlsc's outer clrcumferentlal edge. Although thls provldes for a greater level of dlsc securement, lt makes removal and lnsertlon of a dlsc dlfflcult.
Gelardl also teaches the use of a detent mechanlsm ln order to malntaln the lever members ln an open or closed posltlon;
further, there 18 a separate lock mechanlsm to lock the lever members ln the closed posltlon ln the houslng, to centre the dlstal ends of each lever arm, to substantlally seal the lnterlor ~ 1 4 ~1 ~ 8 b 91211-10/AGS/fs of the houslng. However thls 18 a complex mechanlsm for retalnlng the dlscs ln the houslng and the seal by lts constructlon would not be as effectlve as deslred. There 18 no one dlscrete openlng and no door to seal lt.
U.S. Patent 4,753,343 whlch lssued to Flynn on June 28, 1988 dlscloses a storage contalner which utlllzes a rotatably flexlble enclosed wall havlng an aperture for lnsertlon and removal of dlscs. Although there 18 a seallng apparatus to seal the storage space ln the contalner from contamlnants, thls contalner suffers from drawbacks. Flrst, accesslblllty to dlscs held ln the contalner 18 llmlted. To remove more than one compact dlsc at a tlme, lt 18 necessary that there be more than one aperture ln the wall. Thls requlres multlple seals compllcatlng the structure. Furthermore, as the relatlonshlp between the apertures ls flxed, the spaced relatlonshlp between dlscs whlch can be retrleved slmultaneously 18 restrlcted. Also, the conflguratlon of the devlce wlth rectangular top and bottom members and generally rectangular slde walls does not mlnlmlze occupled space. Also, to remove a dlsc, lt 18 necessary to reach through the aperture and grasp a dlsc; thus, the degree to whlch the spaclng between the dlscs can be reduced 18 llmlted. The result 18 a relatlvely lnefflclent use of storage space.
U.S. Patent 1,188,872 lssued June 27, 1919 to Woerhelde relates to a holder for talklng machlne records. Thls devlce suffers from the drawbacks of havlng a hlnged door, whlch ln a conflned space makes acces~ to records stored thereln cumbersome.
~14UY8~
91211-10/AGS/fs Also, the space required to locate the devlce 18 relatlvely large, as sufflclent space 18 requlred to plvot the door. When lnsertlng or retrlevlng a record, lt 18 llkely that the record surface would contact the holder. Wlth respect to the plvot mechanlsm, the plvot rod 18 centrally located ln the storage area. Each of the seml-clrcular record holders 18 connected to the plvot rod at the base of the clrcumferentlal arc and the holder 18 ralsed well above the floor. To plvot the holder outwards, the record holder follows a downward path. It wlll be appreclated that the deslgn ls such that there 18 a relatlvely large amount of unused space wlthln the contalner between the floor and the record holder plvot polnt. Furthermore, by provlding rectangular walls, as opposed to arcuate walls, results ln a lot of unused space enclosed by the contalner. Addltlonally, a separate lock mechanlsm 18 requlred to retaln each record holder ln the normal posltlon, requlrlng complexlty ln constructlon.
Another storage contalner 18 dlsclosed ln U.S. Patent No. 5,101,972 lssued to Hunt et al. on Aprll 7, 1992. However the constructlon of thls devlce 18 such that accesslblllty 18 restrlcted lf the devlce 18 located ln a conflned space. Hunt has further dlsadvantages lncludlng a complex and awkward dlsc selectlon mechanlsm, partlcularly when multlple dlscs are deslred to be selected. By vlrtue of the constructlon, lt would be vlrtually lmposslble to make the houslng transparent such that one could vlew the dlscs stored ln the devlce.
21~09~6 91211-10/AGS/fs Flnally, U.S. Patent to Werwln lssued September 3, 1963 dlscloses a contalner for a record comprlslng a record holder and an outer cover whlch 18 plvotable ln relatlon thereto. The lnner record holder would appear to contact the surface of the dlsc, and thus put at rlsk the lntegrlty of the surface. The contalner clearly 18 not sealed from contamlnants and furthermore, the plvot polnt between the holder and the cover is not flxed.
Importantly, there 18 nothlng to restrlct the plvotlng movement such as an outer houslng.
Accordlngly, there 18 a need for a dlsc storage devlce, belng a de~lgn whlch more closely optlmlzes the deslgn crlterla dlscussed above.
SummarY of the Inventlon Accordlng to one aspect of the lnventlon there 18 provlded a storage contalner for a plurallty of dlscs comprlslng, a base upon whlch sald contalner may rest, sald base also havlng a rear edge and a front edge~ a palr of spaced, opposed slde walls upstandlng from sald base; a rear wall extendlng from proxlmate sald rear edge of sald base upwards and towards sald front edge of sald base, sald rear wall also extendlng between and connected to sald slde walls, and sald rear wall havlng a front edge; sald base, sald rear wall and sald slde walls partlally encloslng a dlsc storage space conflgured to recelve a plurallty of dlscs thereln and deflnlng an openlng lnto ~ald dlsc storage space; a door mounted longltudlnally between sald slde walls for transverse 214098~
91211-10/AGS/fs slldlng movement between a flrst closed posltlon whereln sald openlng 18 blocked and sald dlsc storage space 18 fully enclosed, and a second open posltlon whereln sald openlng 18 unblocked; a plurallty of cradle members, each cradle member adapted to engage a portlon of a clrcumferentlal edge of a dlsc to support sald dlsc, each cradle member belng mounted for lndependent, free transverse plvotlng movement upon appllcatlon of an external force, through sald openlng, between a flrst stored posltlon whereln a dlsc supported by a cradle and sald cradle are posltloned wholly ln sald dlsc storage space, and a second dlsc access posltlon whereln sald cradle and sald dlsc are partly dlsplaced from said dlsc storage space whereln sald dlsc can be removed from and replaced ln sald cradle, each sald cradle member belng conflgured to support a dlsc supported by sald cradle member durlng plvotlng movement from sald flrst posltion to sald second posltlon, and durlng plvotlng movement from sald second to sald flrst posltlon.
Accordlng to another aspect of the lnvention, there 18 provlded a storage contalner for a plurallty of dlscs comprlslng.
a houslng partlally encloslng a dlsc storage space havlng a base portlon and an openlng~ a door movably mounted on sald houslng, sald door transversely slldable relatlve to sald houslng between a closed posltlon of blocklng relatlonshlp wlth sald openlng and an open posltlon whereln sald openlng 18 unblocked; a plurallty of cradle members, each cradle member adapted to releasably engage a portlon of a clrcumferentlal edge of a dlsc, each cradle member belng mounted proxlmate sald openlng and sald base portlon for 2140g~6 91211-10/AGS/fs lndependent, free transverse pivoting movement, upon application of an external force, through sald openlng between a flrst stored posltlon whereln a dlsc engaged by a cradle and sald cradle are posltloned wholly ln sald dlsc storage space, and a second disc access position whereln said cradle and said disc are partly displaced from said disc storage space to permit removal and replacement of a dlsc from and into sald cradle, each said cradle member belng configured to support a disc durlng pivoting movement between sald first posltlon and said second position, and during plvoting movement from sald second posltlon to said first posltlon.
Brief DescriPtion of the Drawinqs Reference is made to the accompanylng drawings which deplct an example embodiment of the lnvention ln which:
Figure 1 ls a perspectlve vlew of a storage devlce~
Figure lA 18 also a similar perspective vlew of the storage device of Figure ls Flgure 2 is a front vlew of the storage device of Figure l;
Figure 3 is another front view of the storage device of Figure 1~
21~U~8~
91211-10/AGS/fs Flgure 4 18 a sectlonal vlew along the llne 4-4 shown ln Flgure 2J
Flgure 5 18 a sectlonal vlew slmllar to Flgure 4 Flgure 6 18 a sectlonal vlew along llne 6-6 shown ln Flgure 4;
Flgure 7 18 a sectlonal vlew of detall 7 ln Flgure 3;and Flgure 8 18 a sectlonal vlew slmllar to Flgures 4 and 5.
Detalled Descrlptlon of the Preferred Embodlments Wlth reference to Flgures 1, lA, 2 and 3, a storage contalner 10 has a base 12, a palr of slde walls 14 and 16 upstandlng vertlcally from the base, and a rear wall 18 whlch also 18 upstandlng from base 12 and extends longltudlnally between slde walls 14 and 16 and 18 connected thereto. Apart from a lower portlon 21, rear wall 18 18 lnwardly arcuate (concave), and has a radlus of curvature, about a central longltudlnal axls Ql. Base 12 has a lower planar surface 13 upon whlch the contalner rests.
Base 12, slde walls 14,16 and rear wall 18 form a houslng. A door member 20 also extends between slde wall members 14 and 16 and 18 lnwardly arcuate (concave), and has a radlus of curvature, about central axls Ql. Door 20 18 mounted between slde walls 14 and 16 g _ 2~40986 91211-10/AGS/fs for arcuate transverse movement about axls Ql as descrlbed herelnafter.
Two sets of multlple longltudlnal rldges 17 are provlded on the outer surface of door 20. The posltlonlng 18 such that when the door 18 ln the closed posltlon shown ln Flgure 1, the rldges 17 are readlly acce~slble to the user. The ridges 17 provlde tractlon for a users thumb or flngers to asslst ln openlng door 20 and also obscure unslghtly thumb and flngerprlnts on the outer surface of the transparent door.
Turnlng now to Flgures lA, 4 and 5, rear wall 18 has a longltudlnally extendlng rear edge 18a whlch 18 attached to base 12 proxlmate lts rear edge 12a. A planar, longltudlnally extendlng, extenslon portlon 22 extends upwards from base 12 at rear edge 12a to provlde a longltudlnally extendlng slotted pocket 24 located between extenslon portlon 22 and planar portlon 21 of rear wall 18. Pocket 24 18 conflgured to recelve one or more lndex cards 26.
At front edge 12b of base 12, there ls also a longltudlnally upstandlng extenslon portlon formlng a front wall 28. An openlng 30 to a dlsc storage space 38 ls deflned by arcuate edge portlons 14b, 16b of slde wall members 14 and 16 respectlvely, front edge 18b of rear wall 18 and the longltudlnal edge 28b of front wall 28.
214~6 91211-10/AGS/fs Door 20 læ mounted for arcuate transverse movement by havlng lts slde edges 20c and 20d mounted ln an arcuate groove 32 ln side wall 16, and ln a correspondlng groove (not shown) ln slde wall member 14, respectlvely. Door 20 has at lts leadlng edge, 5a llp 36 wlth a surface 36c. Door 20 slldes wlthln the arcuate grooves ln the slde walls between a flrst closed posltlon shown ln Flgures 1,2 and 4 whereln openlng 30 18 completely blocked by door 20, and a second fully open posltlon shown ln Flgures lA,3 and 5 whereln openlng 30 18 unblocked. In the unblocked 10(uncovered) open posltlon shown ln Flgure 5, the door 18 retracted lnto a nestlng, overlapplng relatlonshlp beneath rear wall 18.
The curved portlon of rear wall 18 has a radlus of curvature about central axls Ql whlch 18 only a llttle larger than the radlus of curvature of the door 20. Base 12, slde walls 14 and 16, rear 15wall 18 and door 20 ln the closed posltlon deflne and enclose the dlsc storage space 38, whlch ls thereby effectlvely sealed from outslde contamlnants when the door 18 closed.
Now wlth reference to Flgures lA, 3, 5, 6, and 7, a 20plurallty of dlsc cradle support members 40 are plvotly mounted on a longltudlnally extendlng rod 42. Rod 42 ls mounted between slde wall members 14 and 16 and each cradle support member 40 can lndependently and freely plvot on rod 42 as detalled ln Flgure 7.
Rod 42 ls posltloned wlthln the dlsc storage space 38 ~ust above 25base 12 and proxlmate front edge 12b. The posltlonlng of plvot rod 52 close to the front of the base 18 lmportant, as lt allows the cradle members 40 to be mounted close to the base 12 whlle at ~140gg6 91211-10/AGS/fs the same tlme permlttlng plvotlng of the cradles free of lnterference wlth the base.
Cradle members 40 each are lnward arcuate (concave) and have a radluY of curvature about axls Ql. Also the radlus of curvature corresponds approxlmately wlth the radlus of the outer clrcumferentlal edge 46 of a dlsc 44 to be held. Thus, each cradle support member 40 18 able to releasably engage a portlon of the clrcumferentlal edge 46 of a dlsc 44 to support and hold a dlsc. Although not shown as such, a plurallty of cradle members 40 are pO8 ltloned along the entlre length of rod 42.
Each cradle member 40 has an lnner arm portlon 40a and an outer arm portlon 40b. The length of arm portlon 40a ls sufflclent 80 that when the contalner 18 restlng horlzontally on base 12, a cradle ln the stored posltlon shown ln Flgure 4 has lts lnner arm portlon 40a restlng on the floor. In the stored posltlon, a dlsc has lts centre allgned wlth central axls Ql. The cradle 40 ln the stored posltlon can support and hold a dlsc ln the stored posltlon and when the cradle 18 plvoted to the dlsc acce~s posltlon shown ln Flgure 5, arm portlon 40a can exert the necessary leverage upon dlsc 44 to llft and carry lt to the posltlon shown ln Flgure 5, wlthout the dlsc falllng out of the cradle. Llkewlse outer arm portlon 40b must extend sufflclently far around the clrcumferentlal edge of the dlsc 80 that a dlsc placed ln cradle 40 when the cradle 18 ln the access posltlon shown ln Flgure 5 remalns stable ln the cradle, and remalns held ln the cradle when the cradle 18 plvoted back to the stored ~1~098~
gl211-10/AGS/f8 posltion ln Flgure 4. The arm portlons are conflgured 80 that they can perform the aforesald functlons wlth an adequate degree of safety.
It 18 not deslrable that each cradle subtend an angle of more than 180 of the-clrcumferentlal edge of a dlsc5 lndeed the cradle arm portlons should be as short as reasonably posslble, whlle stlll adequately performlng thelr functlons. In the preferred embodlment where the cradle 18 substantlally rlgld, lf more than 180 degrees were subtended, lnsertlon and removal of a dlsc lnto and out of a cradle would be dlfflcult, lf not lmposslble. In Flgures 4 and 5, the cradle subtends an angle of approxlmately 133 degrees.
The actual orlentatlon chosen for the cradles ln the access posltlon shown ln Flgure 5 ls determlned by the conflguratlon of the front wall 28 upon whlch outer arm portlon 40b rests. It ls deslrable that the access posltlon be such that ln comblnatlon wlth the conflguratlon of outer arm portlon 40b, there 18 a reasonable margln of safety wlth respect to the tendency of a dlsc held ln a cradle, or a cradle alone, upon belng lnadvertently knocked, to return to the stored posltlon.
It ls also deslrable that when a dlsc ls ln the access positlon the dlsc 18 sufflclently plvoted transversely relatlve to ad~acent dlscs posltloned ln the stored posltlon, to expose at least a portlon of the central aperture 90, as shown ln Flgure 8.
Thls enables a user to grasp the dlsc held ln the cradle at the 91211-10/AGS/fs outer clrcumferentlal edge and through the aperture, thus avoldlng contact wlth the portlon of the surface area of the dlsplaced dlsc where the lnformatlon ls stored.
It has been found that for a cradle houslng a standard compact dlsc havlng a dlameter of approxlmately 4.75 lnches an angle alpha 2 equal to 16 degrees works very well. Wlth alpha 1 equal to 37, lt wlll be appreclated that from the stored posltlon to the unloadlng posltlon a cradle 18 only plvoted through a total of 53 between the dlsc stored posltlon and the dlsc access posltlon.
Cradle arm portlons 40a and 40b are conflgured of such shape, slze and welght that when the contalner ls restlng horlzontally on lts base a cradle whlch 18 unloaded (not holdlng a dlsc) wlll remaln ln the stored posltlon, lf that ls the posltlon lt ls placed by a person, and no external force 18 applled to lt. The cradle wlll preferably also remaln ln the access posltlon when placed lnto that posltlon and no external force ls applled, maklng the replacement of dlscs lnto a cradle easler.
The relatlve welght of the dlsc 44 to the arm portlons 40a and 40b and the posltlon of the centre of gravlty are such that when the contalner rests horlzontally on ~ase 12, a loaded cradle 40 wlll remaln in both the stored posltlon and the unloadlng posltlon when placed ln those posltlons and no external 21~0g86 91211-10/AGS/fs force ls applled. In both positlons, the cradle and disc remaln ln a state of equlllbrlum.
Each cradle 40 has a radlal axls Z whlch passes through the centre of the dlsc 44. The arcuate path A of the edge of the dlsc about plvot 36 ls between the stored posltlon lnslde the dlsc storage area 38 to the dlsc access posltlon, as shown ln Flgures 4 and 5. As a result of the posltlonlng of plvot rod 42 close to the front edge 12b of base 12 and ~ust a~ove base 12, ln the posltlon shown ln Flgure 4, axis Z of cradle 40 lles to the left of vertlcal axls Y by an angle alpha 1. The plvotlng of the cradle results ln the axls Z rotatlng through angles alpha 1 and alpha 2.
The path A of the dlsc 44 between the stored and the access posltlons ls unobstructed by rear wall 18. As the radlus of curvature of the rear wall about axls Ql 18 sllghtly larger than the radlus of a dlsc 44, lt 18 not necessary that the openlng subtend an angle of less than 180 degrees. In the embodlment shown ln Flgures 4 and 5, the front edge 18b of rear wall 18 forms and angle alpha 4 of approxlmately 11 degrees wlth the vertlcal and a total angle subtended by the openlng of alpha 6 equal to approxlmately 145 degrees.
To asslst ln provldlng the necessary clearance, a groove 92 ln base 12 permlts door 20 to be retracted sllghtly further than otherwlse would be posslble. Thls asslsts ln achlevlng the ~14~986 91211-10/AGS/fs overall ob~ectlve of mlnlmlzlng the total space occupled by the contalner.
Wlth reference to Flgure 6, a clrcumferentlal edge 46 of dlsc 44 ls recelved lnto and engaged by a channel 48 deflned by two slde walls 51 and 52 and a base 54 80 as to freely engage the dlsc (wldth wl ls sllghtly wlder than the wldth of a dlsc).
The dlscs rest freely ln the channels and the helght of slde walls 50 and 52 of each cradle ls restrlcted so that the slde walls wlll not touch that part of the dlsc on whlch the lnformatlon ls stored. It ls preferred that the cradle, lncludlng each wall, be rlgld. Consequently, no frlctlonal force ls exerted on the clrcumferentlal edge of the dlsc.
The channel 48 is a truncated V-shape (le wldth wl ls smaller than wldth w2) facllltatlng the receptlon of a dlsc lnto the channel. Also, the outer surface 55 ls U-shaped whlch asslsts ln a cradle belng re-lnserted between two ad~acent cradles when a cradle ls returned from the dlsc access posltlon to the stored posltlon.
A bumper bar 60 also extends longltudlnally between slde wall member~ 14 and 16. It has been found that a preferable locatlon ls to posltlon the bar 60 at angle alpha 3 of approxlmately 38 degrees. Bumper bar 60 18 posltloned to permlt unobstructed transverse movement of door 20. In the stored posltlon shown ln Flgure 4, a dlsc 44 has an outer edge whlch may rest agalnst bumper bar 60. Alternately, a very small gap may 21~986 91211-10/AGS/fs typlcally exlst between a dlsc edge 46 and the bar 60. The dlsc ls stable because the welght of the dlsc and cradle malntalns the dlsc ln a rest state as lnner arm portlon 40a rests on the base 12. Once door 20 18 closed, the dlscs are ~ubstantlally lmmoblllzed, trapped between the cradles and the bumper bar 60.
When the door 20 ls ln the closed posltlon, the outer arm portlon 40b of the cradles wlll almost abut the inner surface of door 20 thus securlng the dlscs ln the contalner. If the contalner ls moved or even turned upslde down the dlscs wlll not be dlslodged from thelr cradles.
Of further importance, bumper bar 60 ls posltloned so that when a cradle and dlsc are plvoted from the dlsc access posltlon to the stored posltlon, the bumper bar 60 wlll prevent the dlsc from bounclng out of the cradle. Wlthout bumper bar 60, once lnner arm portlon 40a lmpacts base 12, the shock mlght otherwlse result ln dlslodgment of dlscs from the cradles.
When door member 20 ls ln the open posltlon such that the openlng 30 ls unblocked, the cradle members 40 may be plvoted about plvot rod 42 from the stored posltlon shown ln Flgure 4 whereln a dlsc supported by cradle support 40 18 wholly wlthln the dlsc storage space 38 to the dlsc access posltlon ln Flgure 5 whereln a dlsc 18 partlally outslde of the dlsc storage space and removal of a dlsc from the cradle 18 posslble. Plvotlng of the cradle 18 accompllshed by applylng a torque to the cradle ln a clockwlse dlrectlon about rod 42. The appllcatlon of such a torque to a partlcular cradle 40 ls more easlly facllltated by a 21~0986 91211-10/AGS/fs tab 50 located on the outward faclng surface of the outer arm portlon of the cradle.
In Flgure 3, tabs 50a-50h are arranged ln an alternatlng staggered relatlonshlp to facllltate easler selectlon of a partlcular cradle and the dlsc retalned thereln. It would otherwlse be dlfficult to select a partlcular cradle and dlsc lf all the tabs were allgned, because of the typlcally large slze of a flnger compared to the tab spaclng. In Flgure 3, the cradles assoclated wlth tabs 50a, 50b, 50d, 50e, 50g and 50h are all shown wlth the cradles ln the positlon whereln the dlsc 18 fully wholly retalned wlthln the dlsc retentlon space. The cradles assoclated wlth tabs 50c and 50f, on the other hand, are shown ln a posltlon whereln the cradles assoclated therewlth have been plvoted to the dlsc access posltlon.
The lndex card 26 typlcally provldes a descrlptive 11st by tltle and~or artlst relatlng to each dlsc to be stored ln the contalner. Each tltle ls accorded a number/letter. Correspondlng labelled numbers/letters are posltloned on surface 36c of llp 36, so that each number/letter allgns wlth a cradle ln whlch the correspondlng dlsc 18 to be held.
In use, a person deslrlng to select one or more dlscs 44 may need to consult the lndex card 26 to ldentlfy the speclflc cradle number/letter for the deslred dlsc. They would then open the door 20 and then by notlng the number/letter dlsplayed on ~urface 36c, look down to select the allgned dlsc and cradle ln 21~0986 91211-10/AGS/fs whlch lt ls stored. By applylng downward pressure on a tab 50, typlcally by a user's flnger, the cradle 40 18 plvoted from the stored posltlon to the dlsc access posltlon. Once the cradle and dlsc are ln the dlsc access posltlon, they wlll remaln there and the dlsc stored ln the cradle can be removed by the user ln a manner such as shown ln Flgure 8 by grasplng a dlsc wlth a flnger through the central aperture and a thumb grlpplng the edge 46.
Once the dlsc ls removed, lf deslred, that cradle can then be plvoted back to the stored posltlon and the door closed. Of course whlle the door 18 open, multlple selectlons or replacements can be made. Indeed, more than one dlsc can be retrleved more or less slmultaneously. Replacement of one or more dlscæ lnto a speclflc cradle takes place ln a slmllar manner.
In the preferred embodlment, each of the base, slde walls, rear wall and door, as well as the cradle supports are made of plastlc. The elements may be formed as separate components and attached together ln a conventlonal manner ~uch as by sonlc weldlng. Alternatlvely, some parts such as the base, slde walls and rear wall could be formed as one unltary component.
Preferably, the door ls transparent, permlttlng vlewing of the lnterlor of the contalner, and the dlscs stored thereln. The user can ascertaln the status of dlscs at a glance; for example the user can see lf any dlscs are mlsslng.
Varlatlons of the foregolng are contemplated wlthln the scope of thls lnventlon. For example, lt would be posslble for the contalner to be deslgned to permlt the door to be retracted ~1~0986 91211-10/AGS/fs over the outslde surface of the rear wall, instead of beneath the same rear wall.
Wlth respect to accesslblllty, there are several dlfferent aspects as follows~ (1) belng able to easlly retrleve and replace dlscs wlthln the contalner (2) belng able to easlly select one or more speclflc dlscs from a plurallty of dlscs stored ln the contalner (3) belng able to access the dlscs held ln the contalner when the contalner 18 sltuate ln a conflned space, such as on a shelf of small helght and/or depth.
There are other crlterla whlch are also of lmportance, lncludlng the convenlence of belng able to readlly vlew the dlscs when they are belng housed ln the contalner, and the deslrablllty of a sealed storage area whlch wlll keep out contamlnants such as dlrt, dust and the llke. Furthermore, lt 18 con~ldered lmportant to the lntegrlty of the dlsc that, lf at all posslble, the area of the dlsc where the lnformatlon ls stored not contact anythlng, elther durlng the loadlng/unloadlng process, or when stored. Thls area 1B a wlde, clrcular band located on one of surfaces of the dlsc. The band starts a short dlstance ln from the clrcumferentlal edge of the dlsc. The locatlon where the band termlnates varles from dlsc to dlsc but wlll usually be ~19iU9~
91211-10/AGS/fs slgnlflcantly offset from the central clrcular aperture ln the dlsc.
The dlscs should preferably be securely retalned wlthln the contalner even lf the contalner 18 not partlcularly deslgned for portable use. Havlng a dlsc lndex system 18 also lmportant 80 that a speclflc dlsc can be retrieved from, or replaced ln, a glven, known locatlon ln the storage contalner. Flnally, lt ls deslrable to have a contalner whlch 18 of economlc constructlon, but whlch stlll satlsfles the foregolng deslgn crlterla.
Varlous storage devlces for dlscs are known. U.S.
Patent 4,875,743 lssued to Gelardl et al. on October 24, 1989, dlscloses a devlce whlch has a plurallty of C-shaped lever members whlch are plvotly connected to a houslng. Bach of the C-shaped members ls adapted to retaln a dlsc at lts outer clrcumferentlal edge. Thls devlce ls partlcularly deslgned to be useful for transportlng a plurallty of dlscs. Each C-shaped lever member clrcumscrlbes more than 180 degrees of the dlsc's outer clrcumferentlal edge. Although thls provldes for a greater level of dlsc securement, lt makes removal and lnsertlon of a dlsc dlfflcult.
Gelardl also teaches the use of a detent mechanlsm ln order to malntaln the lever members ln an open or closed posltlon;
further, there 18 a separate lock mechanlsm to lock the lever members ln the closed posltlon ln the houslng, to centre the dlstal ends of each lever arm, to substantlally seal the lnterlor ~ 1 4 ~1 ~ 8 b 91211-10/AGS/fs of the houslng. However thls 18 a complex mechanlsm for retalnlng the dlscs ln the houslng and the seal by lts constructlon would not be as effectlve as deslred. There 18 no one dlscrete openlng and no door to seal lt.
U.S. Patent 4,753,343 whlch lssued to Flynn on June 28, 1988 dlscloses a storage contalner which utlllzes a rotatably flexlble enclosed wall havlng an aperture for lnsertlon and removal of dlscs. Although there 18 a seallng apparatus to seal the storage space ln the contalner from contamlnants, thls contalner suffers from drawbacks. Flrst, accesslblllty to dlscs held ln the contalner 18 llmlted. To remove more than one compact dlsc at a tlme, lt 18 necessary that there be more than one aperture ln the wall. Thls requlres multlple seals compllcatlng the structure. Furthermore, as the relatlonshlp between the apertures ls flxed, the spaced relatlonshlp between dlscs whlch can be retrleved slmultaneously 18 restrlcted. Also, the conflguratlon of the devlce wlth rectangular top and bottom members and generally rectangular slde walls does not mlnlmlze occupled space. Also, to remove a dlsc, lt 18 necessary to reach through the aperture and grasp a dlsc; thus, the degree to whlch the spaclng between the dlscs can be reduced 18 llmlted. The result 18 a relatlvely lnefflclent use of storage space.
U.S. Patent 1,188,872 lssued June 27, 1919 to Woerhelde relates to a holder for talklng machlne records. Thls devlce suffers from the drawbacks of havlng a hlnged door, whlch ln a conflned space makes acces~ to records stored thereln cumbersome.
~14UY8~
91211-10/AGS/fs Also, the space required to locate the devlce 18 relatlvely large, as sufflclent space 18 requlred to plvot the door. When lnsertlng or retrlevlng a record, lt 18 llkely that the record surface would contact the holder. Wlth respect to the plvot mechanlsm, the plvot rod 18 centrally located ln the storage area. Each of the seml-clrcular record holders 18 connected to the plvot rod at the base of the clrcumferentlal arc and the holder 18 ralsed well above the floor. To plvot the holder outwards, the record holder follows a downward path. It wlll be appreclated that the deslgn ls such that there 18 a relatlvely large amount of unused space wlthln the contalner between the floor and the record holder plvot polnt. Furthermore, by provlding rectangular walls, as opposed to arcuate walls, results ln a lot of unused space enclosed by the contalner. Addltlonally, a separate lock mechanlsm 18 requlred to retaln each record holder ln the normal posltlon, requlrlng complexlty ln constructlon.
Another storage contalner 18 dlsclosed ln U.S. Patent No. 5,101,972 lssued to Hunt et al. on Aprll 7, 1992. However the constructlon of thls devlce 18 such that accesslblllty 18 restrlcted lf the devlce 18 located ln a conflned space. Hunt has further dlsadvantages lncludlng a complex and awkward dlsc selectlon mechanlsm, partlcularly when multlple dlscs are deslred to be selected. By vlrtue of the constructlon, lt would be vlrtually lmposslble to make the houslng transparent such that one could vlew the dlscs stored ln the devlce.
21~09~6 91211-10/AGS/fs Flnally, U.S. Patent to Werwln lssued September 3, 1963 dlscloses a contalner for a record comprlslng a record holder and an outer cover whlch 18 plvotable ln relatlon thereto. The lnner record holder would appear to contact the surface of the dlsc, and thus put at rlsk the lntegrlty of the surface. The contalner clearly 18 not sealed from contamlnants and furthermore, the plvot polnt between the holder and the cover is not flxed.
Importantly, there 18 nothlng to restrlct the plvotlng movement such as an outer houslng.
Accordlngly, there 18 a need for a dlsc storage devlce, belng a de~lgn whlch more closely optlmlzes the deslgn crlterla dlscussed above.
SummarY of the Inventlon Accordlng to one aspect of the lnventlon there 18 provlded a storage contalner for a plurallty of dlscs comprlslng, a base upon whlch sald contalner may rest, sald base also havlng a rear edge and a front edge~ a palr of spaced, opposed slde walls upstandlng from sald base; a rear wall extendlng from proxlmate sald rear edge of sald base upwards and towards sald front edge of sald base, sald rear wall also extendlng between and connected to sald slde walls, and sald rear wall havlng a front edge; sald base, sald rear wall and sald slde walls partlally encloslng a dlsc storage space conflgured to recelve a plurallty of dlscs thereln and deflnlng an openlng lnto ~ald dlsc storage space; a door mounted longltudlnally between sald slde walls for transverse 214098~
91211-10/AGS/fs slldlng movement between a flrst closed posltlon whereln sald openlng 18 blocked and sald dlsc storage space 18 fully enclosed, and a second open posltlon whereln sald openlng 18 unblocked; a plurallty of cradle members, each cradle member adapted to engage a portlon of a clrcumferentlal edge of a dlsc to support sald dlsc, each cradle member belng mounted for lndependent, free transverse plvotlng movement upon appllcatlon of an external force, through sald openlng, between a flrst stored posltlon whereln a dlsc supported by a cradle and sald cradle are posltloned wholly ln sald dlsc storage space, and a second dlsc access posltlon whereln sald cradle and sald dlsc are partly dlsplaced from said dlsc storage space whereln sald dlsc can be removed from and replaced ln sald cradle, each sald cradle member belng conflgured to support a dlsc supported by sald cradle member durlng plvotlng movement from sald flrst posltion to sald second posltlon, and durlng plvotlng movement from sald second to sald flrst posltlon.
Accordlng to another aspect of the lnvention, there 18 provlded a storage contalner for a plurallty of dlscs comprlslng.
a houslng partlally encloslng a dlsc storage space havlng a base portlon and an openlng~ a door movably mounted on sald houslng, sald door transversely slldable relatlve to sald houslng between a closed posltlon of blocklng relatlonshlp wlth sald openlng and an open posltlon whereln sald openlng 18 unblocked; a plurallty of cradle members, each cradle member adapted to releasably engage a portlon of a clrcumferentlal edge of a dlsc, each cradle member belng mounted proxlmate sald openlng and sald base portlon for 2140g~6 91211-10/AGS/fs lndependent, free transverse pivoting movement, upon application of an external force, through sald openlng between a flrst stored posltlon whereln a dlsc engaged by a cradle and sald cradle are posltloned wholly ln sald dlsc storage space, and a second disc access position whereln said cradle and said disc are partly displaced from said disc storage space to permit removal and replacement of a dlsc from and into sald cradle, each said cradle member belng configured to support a disc durlng pivoting movement between sald first posltlon and said second position, and during plvoting movement from sald second posltlon to said first posltlon.
Brief DescriPtion of the Drawinqs Reference is made to the accompanylng drawings which deplct an example embodiment of the lnvention ln which:
Figure 1 ls a perspectlve vlew of a storage devlce~
Figure lA 18 also a similar perspective vlew of the storage device of Figure ls Flgure 2 is a front vlew of the storage device of Figure l;
Figure 3 is another front view of the storage device of Figure 1~
21~U~8~
91211-10/AGS/fs Flgure 4 18 a sectlonal vlew along the llne 4-4 shown ln Flgure 2J
Flgure 5 18 a sectlonal vlew slmllar to Flgure 4 Flgure 6 18 a sectlonal vlew along llne 6-6 shown ln Flgure 4;
Flgure 7 18 a sectlonal vlew of detall 7 ln Flgure 3;and Flgure 8 18 a sectlonal vlew slmllar to Flgures 4 and 5.
Detalled Descrlptlon of the Preferred Embodlments Wlth reference to Flgures 1, lA, 2 and 3, a storage contalner 10 has a base 12, a palr of slde walls 14 and 16 upstandlng vertlcally from the base, and a rear wall 18 whlch also 18 upstandlng from base 12 and extends longltudlnally between slde walls 14 and 16 and 18 connected thereto. Apart from a lower portlon 21, rear wall 18 18 lnwardly arcuate (concave), and has a radlus of curvature, about a central longltudlnal axls Ql. Base 12 has a lower planar surface 13 upon whlch the contalner rests.
Base 12, slde walls 14,16 and rear wall 18 form a houslng. A door member 20 also extends between slde wall members 14 and 16 and 18 lnwardly arcuate (concave), and has a radlus of curvature, about central axls Ql. Door 20 18 mounted between slde walls 14 and 16 g _ 2~40986 91211-10/AGS/fs for arcuate transverse movement about axls Ql as descrlbed herelnafter.
Two sets of multlple longltudlnal rldges 17 are provlded on the outer surface of door 20. The posltlonlng 18 such that when the door 18 ln the closed posltlon shown ln Flgure 1, the rldges 17 are readlly acce~slble to the user. The ridges 17 provlde tractlon for a users thumb or flngers to asslst ln openlng door 20 and also obscure unslghtly thumb and flngerprlnts on the outer surface of the transparent door.
Turnlng now to Flgures lA, 4 and 5, rear wall 18 has a longltudlnally extendlng rear edge 18a whlch 18 attached to base 12 proxlmate lts rear edge 12a. A planar, longltudlnally extendlng, extenslon portlon 22 extends upwards from base 12 at rear edge 12a to provlde a longltudlnally extendlng slotted pocket 24 located between extenslon portlon 22 and planar portlon 21 of rear wall 18. Pocket 24 18 conflgured to recelve one or more lndex cards 26.
At front edge 12b of base 12, there ls also a longltudlnally upstandlng extenslon portlon formlng a front wall 28. An openlng 30 to a dlsc storage space 38 ls deflned by arcuate edge portlons 14b, 16b of slde wall members 14 and 16 respectlvely, front edge 18b of rear wall 18 and the longltudlnal edge 28b of front wall 28.
214~6 91211-10/AGS/fs Door 20 læ mounted for arcuate transverse movement by havlng lts slde edges 20c and 20d mounted ln an arcuate groove 32 ln side wall 16, and ln a correspondlng groove (not shown) ln slde wall member 14, respectlvely. Door 20 has at lts leadlng edge, 5a llp 36 wlth a surface 36c. Door 20 slldes wlthln the arcuate grooves ln the slde walls between a flrst closed posltlon shown ln Flgures 1,2 and 4 whereln openlng 30 18 completely blocked by door 20, and a second fully open posltlon shown ln Flgures lA,3 and 5 whereln openlng 30 18 unblocked. In the unblocked 10(uncovered) open posltlon shown ln Flgure 5, the door 18 retracted lnto a nestlng, overlapplng relatlonshlp beneath rear wall 18.
The curved portlon of rear wall 18 has a radlus of curvature about central axls Ql whlch 18 only a llttle larger than the radlus of curvature of the door 20. Base 12, slde walls 14 and 16, rear 15wall 18 and door 20 ln the closed posltlon deflne and enclose the dlsc storage space 38, whlch ls thereby effectlvely sealed from outslde contamlnants when the door 18 closed.
Now wlth reference to Flgures lA, 3, 5, 6, and 7, a 20plurallty of dlsc cradle support members 40 are plvotly mounted on a longltudlnally extendlng rod 42. Rod 42 ls mounted between slde wall members 14 and 16 and each cradle support member 40 can lndependently and freely plvot on rod 42 as detalled ln Flgure 7.
Rod 42 ls posltloned wlthln the dlsc storage space 38 ~ust above 25base 12 and proxlmate front edge 12b. The posltlonlng of plvot rod 52 close to the front of the base 18 lmportant, as lt allows the cradle members 40 to be mounted close to the base 12 whlle at ~140gg6 91211-10/AGS/fs the same tlme permlttlng plvotlng of the cradles free of lnterference wlth the base.
Cradle members 40 each are lnward arcuate (concave) and have a radluY of curvature about axls Ql. Also the radlus of curvature corresponds approxlmately wlth the radlus of the outer clrcumferentlal edge 46 of a dlsc 44 to be held. Thus, each cradle support member 40 18 able to releasably engage a portlon of the clrcumferentlal edge 46 of a dlsc 44 to support and hold a dlsc. Although not shown as such, a plurallty of cradle members 40 are pO8 ltloned along the entlre length of rod 42.
Each cradle member 40 has an lnner arm portlon 40a and an outer arm portlon 40b. The length of arm portlon 40a ls sufflclent 80 that when the contalner 18 restlng horlzontally on base 12, a cradle ln the stored posltlon shown ln Flgure 4 has lts lnner arm portlon 40a restlng on the floor. In the stored posltlon, a dlsc has lts centre allgned wlth central axls Ql. The cradle 40 ln the stored posltlon can support and hold a dlsc ln the stored posltlon and when the cradle 18 plvoted to the dlsc acce~s posltlon shown ln Flgure 5, arm portlon 40a can exert the necessary leverage upon dlsc 44 to llft and carry lt to the posltlon shown ln Flgure 5, wlthout the dlsc falllng out of the cradle. Llkewlse outer arm portlon 40b must extend sufflclently far around the clrcumferentlal edge of the dlsc 80 that a dlsc placed ln cradle 40 when the cradle 18 ln the access posltlon shown ln Flgure 5 remalns stable ln the cradle, and remalns held ln the cradle when the cradle 18 plvoted back to the stored ~1~098~
gl211-10/AGS/f8 posltion ln Flgure 4. The arm portlons are conflgured 80 that they can perform the aforesald functlons wlth an adequate degree of safety.
It 18 not deslrable that each cradle subtend an angle of more than 180 of the-clrcumferentlal edge of a dlsc5 lndeed the cradle arm portlons should be as short as reasonably posslble, whlle stlll adequately performlng thelr functlons. In the preferred embodlment where the cradle 18 substantlally rlgld, lf more than 180 degrees were subtended, lnsertlon and removal of a dlsc lnto and out of a cradle would be dlfflcult, lf not lmposslble. In Flgures 4 and 5, the cradle subtends an angle of approxlmately 133 degrees.
The actual orlentatlon chosen for the cradles ln the access posltlon shown ln Flgure 5 ls determlned by the conflguratlon of the front wall 28 upon whlch outer arm portlon 40b rests. It ls deslrable that the access posltlon be such that ln comblnatlon wlth the conflguratlon of outer arm portlon 40b, there 18 a reasonable margln of safety wlth respect to the tendency of a dlsc held ln a cradle, or a cradle alone, upon belng lnadvertently knocked, to return to the stored posltlon.
It ls also deslrable that when a dlsc ls ln the access positlon the dlsc 18 sufflclently plvoted transversely relatlve to ad~acent dlscs posltloned ln the stored posltlon, to expose at least a portlon of the central aperture 90, as shown ln Flgure 8.
Thls enables a user to grasp the dlsc held ln the cradle at the 91211-10/AGS/fs outer clrcumferentlal edge and through the aperture, thus avoldlng contact wlth the portlon of the surface area of the dlsplaced dlsc where the lnformatlon ls stored.
It has been found that for a cradle houslng a standard compact dlsc havlng a dlameter of approxlmately 4.75 lnches an angle alpha 2 equal to 16 degrees works very well. Wlth alpha 1 equal to 37, lt wlll be appreclated that from the stored posltlon to the unloadlng posltlon a cradle 18 only plvoted through a total of 53 between the dlsc stored posltlon and the dlsc access posltlon.
Cradle arm portlons 40a and 40b are conflgured of such shape, slze and welght that when the contalner ls restlng horlzontally on lts base a cradle whlch 18 unloaded (not holdlng a dlsc) wlll remaln ln the stored posltlon, lf that ls the posltlon lt ls placed by a person, and no external force 18 applled to lt. The cradle wlll preferably also remaln ln the access posltlon when placed lnto that posltlon and no external force ls applled, maklng the replacement of dlscs lnto a cradle easler.
The relatlve welght of the dlsc 44 to the arm portlons 40a and 40b and the posltlon of the centre of gravlty are such that when the contalner rests horlzontally on ~ase 12, a loaded cradle 40 wlll remaln in both the stored posltlon and the unloadlng posltlon when placed ln those posltlons and no external 21~0g86 91211-10/AGS/fs force ls applled. In both positlons, the cradle and disc remaln ln a state of equlllbrlum.
Each cradle 40 has a radlal axls Z whlch passes through the centre of the dlsc 44. The arcuate path A of the edge of the dlsc about plvot 36 ls between the stored posltlon lnslde the dlsc storage area 38 to the dlsc access posltlon, as shown ln Flgures 4 and 5. As a result of the posltlonlng of plvot rod 42 close to the front edge 12b of base 12 and ~ust a~ove base 12, ln the posltlon shown ln Flgure 4, axis Z of cradle 40 lles to the left of vertlcal axls Y by an angle alpha 1. The plvotlng of the cradle results ln the axls Z rotatlng through angles alpha 1 and alpha 2.
The path A of the dlsc 44 between the stored and the access posltlons ls unobstructed by rear wall 18. As the radlus of curvature of the rear wall about axls Ql 18 sllghtly larger than the radlus of a dlsc 44, lt 18 not necessary that the openlng subtend an angle of less than 180 degrees. In the embodlment shown ln Flgures 4 and 5, the front edge 18b of rear wall 18 forms and angle alpha 4 of approxlmately 11 degrees wlth the vertlcal and a total angle subtended by the openlng of alpha 6 equal to approxlmately 145 degrees.
To asslst ln provldlng the necessary clearance, a groove 92 ln base 12 permlts door 20 to be retracted sllghtly further than otherwlse would be posslble. Thls asslsts ln achlevlng the ~14~986 91211-10/AGS/fs overall ob~ectlve of mlnlmlzlng the total space occupled by the contalner.
Wlth reference to Flgure 6, a clrcumferentlal edge 46 of dlsc 44 ls recelved lnto and engaged by a channel 48 deflned by two slde walls 51 and 52 and a base 54 80 as to freely engage the dlsc (wldth wl ls sllghtly wlder than the wldth of a dlsc).
The dlscs rest freely ln the channels and the helght of slde walls 50 and 52 of each cradle ls restrlcted so that the slde walls wlll not touch that part of the dlsc on whlch the lnformatlon ls stored. It ls preferred that the cradle, lncludlng each wall, be rlgld. Consequently, no frlctlonal force ls exerted on the clrcumferentlal edge of the dlsc.
The channel 48 is a truncated V-shape (le wldth wl ls smaller than wldth w2) facllltatlng the receptlon of a dlsc lnto the channel. Also, the outer surface 55 ls U-shaped whlch asslsts ln a cradle belng re-lnserted between two ad~acent cradles when a cradle ls returned from the dlsc access posltlon to the stored posltlon.
A bumper bar 60 also extends longltudlnally between slde wall member~ 14 and 16. It has been found that a preferable locatlon ls to posltlon the bar 60 at angle alpha 3 of approxlmately 38 degrees. Bumper bar 60 18 posltloned to permlt unobstructed transverse movement of door 20. In the stored posltlon shown ln Flgure 4, a dlsc 44 has an outer edge whlch may rest agalnst bumper bar 60. Alternately, a very small gap may 21~986 91211-10/AGS/fs typlcally exlst between a dlsc edge 46 and the bar 60. The dlsc ls stable because the welght of the dlsc and cradle malntalns the dlsc ln a rest state as lnner arm portlon 40a rests on the base 12. Once door 20 18 closed, the dlscs are ~ubstantlally lmmoblllzed, trapped between the cradles and the bumper bar 60.
When the door 20 ls ln the closed posltlon, the outer arm portlon 40b of the cradles wlll almost abut the inner surface of door 20 thus securlng the dlscs ln the contalner. If the contalner ls moved or even turned upslde down the dlscs wlll not be dlslodged from thelr cradles.
Of further importance, bumper bar 60 ls posltloned so that when a cradle and dlsc are plvoted from the dlsc access posltlon to the stored posltlon, the bumper bar 60 wlll prevent the dlsc from bounclng out of the cradle. Wlthout bumper bar 60, once lnner arm portlon 40a lmpacts base 12, the shock mlght otherwlse result ln dlslodgment of dlscs from the cradles.
When door member 20 ls ln the open posltlon such that the openlng 30 ls unblocked, the cradle members 40 may be plvoted about plvot rod 42 from the stored posltlon shown ln Flgure 4 whereln a dlsc supported by cradle support 40 18 wholly wlthln the dlsc storage space 38 to the dlsc access posltlon ln Flgure 5 whereln a dlsc 18 partlally outslde of the dlsc storage space and removal of a dlsc from the cradle 18 posslble. Plvotlng of the cradle 18 accompllshed by applylng a torque to the cradle ln a clockwlse dlrectlon about rod 42. The appllcatlon of such a torque to a partlcular cradle 40 ls more easlly facllltated by a 21~0986 91211-10/AGS/fs tab 50 located on the outward faclng surface of the outer arm portlon of the cradle.
In Flgure 3, tabs 50a-50h are arranged ln an alternatlng staggered relatlonshlp to facllltate easler selectlon of a partlcular cradle and the dlsc retalned thereln. It would otherwlse be dlfficult to select a partlcular cradle and dlsc lf all the tabs were allgned, because of the typlcally large slze of a flnger compared to the tab spaclng. In Flgure 3, the cradles assoclated wlth tabs 50a, 50b, 50d, 50e, 50g and 50h are all shown wlth the cradles ln the positlon whereln the dlsc 18 fully wholly retalned wlthln the dlsc retentlon space. The cradles assoclated wlth tabs 50c and 50f, on the other hand, are shown ln a posltlon whereln the cradles assoclated therewlth have been plvoted to the dlsc access posltlon.
The lndex card 26 typlcally provldes a descrlptive 11st by tltle and~or artlst relatlng to each dlsc to be stored ln the contalner. Each tltle ls accorded a number/letter. Correspondlng labelled numbers/letters are posltloned on surface 36c of llp 36, so that each number/letter allgns wlth a cradle ln whlch the correspondlng dlsc 18 to be held.
In use, a person deslrlng to select one or more dlscs 44 may need to consult the lndex card 26 to ldentlfy the speclflc cradle number/letter for the deslred dlsc. They would then open the door 20 and then by notlng the number/letter dlsplayed on ~urface 36c, look down to select the allgned dlsc and cradle ln 21~0986 91211-10/AGS/fs whlch lt ls stored. By applylng downward pressure on a tab 50, typlcally by a user's flnger, the cradle 40 18 plvoted from the stored posltlon to the dlsc access posltlon. Once the cradle and dlsc are ln the dlsc access posltlon, they wlll remaln there and the dlsc stored ln the cradle can be removed by the user ln a manner such as shown ln Flgure 8 by grasplng a dlsc wlth a flnger through the central aperture and a thumb grlpplng the edge 46.
Once the dlsc ls removed, lf deslred, that cradle can then be plvoted back to the stored posltlon and the door closed. Of course whlle the door 18 open, multlple selectlons or replacements can be made. Indeed, more than one dlsc can be retrleved more or less slmultaneously. Replacement of one or more dlscæ lnto a speclflc cradle takes place ln a slmllar manner.
In the preferred embodlment, each of the base, slde walls, rear wall and door, as well as the cradle supports are made of plastlc. The elements may be formed as separate components and attached together ln a conventlonal manner ~uch as by sonlc weldlng. Alternatlvely, some parts such as the base, slde walls and rear wall could be formed as one unltary component.
Preferably, the door ls transparent, permlttlng vlewing of the lnterlor of the contalner, and the dlscs stored thereln. The user can ascertaln the status of dlscs at a glance; for example the user can see lf any dlscs are mlsslng.
Varlatlons of the foregolng are contemplated wlthln the scope of thls lnventlon. For example, lt would be posslble for the contalner to be deslgned to permlt the door to be retracted ~1~0986 91211-10/AGS/fs over the outslde surface of the rear wall, instead of beneath the same rear wall.
Claims (22)
1. A storage container for a plurality of discs comprising - a base upon which said container may rest, said base also having a rear edge and a front edge;
- a pair of spaced, opposed side walls upstanding from said base;
- a rear wall extending from proximate said rear edge of said base upwards and towards said front edge of said base, said rear wall also extending between and connected to said side walls, and said rear wall having a front edge;
- said base, said rear wall and said side walls partially enclosing a disc storage space configured to receive a plurality of discs therein and defining an opening into said disc storage space;
- a door mounted longitudinally between said side walls for transverse sliding movement between a first closed position wherein said opening is blocked and said disc storage space is fully enclosed, and a second open position wherein said opening is unblocked;
- a plurality of cradle members, each cradle member adapted to engage a portion of a circumferential edge of a disc to support said disc, each cradle member being mounted for independent, free transverse pivoting movement upon application of an external force, through said opening, between a first stored position wherein a disc supported by a cradle and said cradle are positioned wholly in said disc storage space, and a second disc access position wherein said cradle and said disc are partly displaced from said disc storage space wherein said disc can be removed from and replaced in said cradle, each said cradle member being configured to support a disc supported by said cradle member during pivoting movement from said first position to said second position, and during pivoting movement from said second to said first position.
- a pair of spaced, opposed side walls upstanding from said base;
- a rear wall extending from proximate said rear edge of said base upwards and towards said front edge of said base, said rear wall also extending between and connected to said side walls, and said rear wall having a front edge;
- said base, said rear wall and said side walls partially enclosing a disc storage space configured to receive a plurality of discs therein and defining an opening into said disc storage space;
- a door mounted longitudinally between said side walls for transverse sliding movement between a first closed position wherein said opening is blocked and said disc storage space is fully enclosed, and a second open position wherein said opening is unblocked;
- a plurality of cradle members, each cradle member adapted to engage a portion of a circumferential edge of a disc to support said disc, each cradle member being mounted for independent, free transverse pivoting movement upon application of an external force, through said opening, between a first stored position wherein a disc supported by a cradle and said cradle are positioned wholly in said disc storage space, and a second disc access position wherein said cradle and said disc are partly displaced from said disc storage space wherein said disc can be removed from and replaced in said cradle, each said cradle member being configured to support a disc supported by said cradle member during pivoting movement from said first position to said second position, and during pivoting movement from said second to said first position.
2. A container as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cradle members are mounted for transverse pivoting movement within said disc storage space proximate said opening.
3. A container as claimed in claims 1 or 2 wherein said cradle members are mounted for transverse pivoting movement within said disc storage space, proximate said front edge of said base.
4. A container as claimed in claim 3 wherein a bumper means is provided in said disc storage space, said bumper means positioned so as to assist in retaining a disc in a cradle as said disc is pivoted to said stored position, said bumper means positioned so as not to obstruct said pivoting movement of said cradle members between the stored position and the disc access position.
5. A container as claimed in claim 4 wherein said bumper means comprises a longitudinal bar member extending between said side walls.
6. A container as claimed in claim 3 wherein said container has a central longitudinal axis and said door is concavely shaped about said longitudinal axis, and wherein said rear wall is generally concavely shaped about said axis to permit said door to be retracted to a position where at least a portion thereof is positioned in overlapping relationship with a portion of said rear wall.
7. A container as claimed in claim 6 wherein when said door is in said unblocked position, a portion of said outer surface of said door lies in face to face relationship with a portion of said inner surface of said rear wall.
8. A container as claimed in claim 7 wherein each of said cradle members is formed with an inner arm portion and an outer arm portion, said inner arm portion extending sufficient distance along said circumferential edge to provide leverage to pivot a disc retained therein from said stored position to said disc access position when said container is resting on said base.
9. A container as claimed in claim 8 wherein said outer and inner arm portions in combination subtend an angle of less than 180 degrees around the circumferential edge of the discs.
10. A container as claimed in claims 8 or 9 wherein said outer arm portion extends sufficient distance along said circumferential edge to provide leverage to pivot a disc retained therein from said access position to said stored position when said container is resting on said base.
11. A container as claimed in claims 2,4,5,6,7,8 or 9 wherein when said door is in said closed position, said discs held in said cradle members in said disc storage space will be secured between said cradle member and said bumper means.
12. A container as claimed in claim 11 wherein said door has opposite side edges each of which is mounted in corresponding arcuate shaped grooves in a side wall whereby, said door may slide in said grooves between said open and said closed positions.
13. A container as claimed in claims 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11 or 12 wherein a stop means is provided to limit the outward pivoting movement of a cradle member and define said disc access position.
14. A container as claimed in claim 13 wherein said stop means comprises an upward extension portion from said base, for abutting the outer arm portions of said cradle members.
15. A container as claimed in claims 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12 or 14 wherein said cradle members are configured such that when not supporting a disc, said cradle members will, in the absence of external forces, remain at equilibrium in the disc access position.
16. A container as claimed in claim 11 or 12 wherein said cradle members are configured such that when not holding a disc, said cradle members will in the absence of external forces, remain at equilibrium in the disc storage position.
17. A container as claimed in claims 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12 or 14 further comprising a pocket located at said rear wall.
18. A container as claimed in claims 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12 or 14 wherein said cradle members are pivotally mounted on a longitudinally extending rod.
19. A container as claimed in claims 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12 or 14 wherein said door has a loading edge and a lip at said loading edge with a forward lacing surface, said forward lacing surface carrying index markings vertically aligned with said cradle members.
20. A container as claimed in claims 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12 or 14 wherein said side walls are positioned generally parallel to each other and have edges shaped generally arcuately to correspond with the shape of said rear wall and said opening.
21. A container as claimed in claims 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12 or 14 wherein each of said cradle members has a tab member to facilitate pivoting of said cradle members.
22. A storage container for a plurality of discs comprising:
- a housing partially enclosing a disc storage space having a base portion and an opening;
- a door movably mounted on said housing, said door transversely slidable relative to said housing between a closed position of blocking relationship with said opening and an open position wherein said opening is unblocked;
- a plurality of cradle members, each cradle member adapted to releasably engage a portion of a circumferential edge of a disc, each cradle member being mounted proximate said opening and said base portion for independent, free transverse pivoting movement, upon application of an external force, through said opening between a first stored position wherein a disc engaged by a cradle and said cradle are positioned wholly in said disc storage space, and a second disc access position wherein said cradle and said disc are partly displaced from said disc storage space to permit removal and replacement of a disc from and into said cradle, each said cradle member being configured to support a disc during pivoting movement between said first position and said second position, and during pivoting movement from said second position to said first position.
- a housing partially enclosing a disc storage space having a base portion and an opening;
- a door movably mounted on said housing, said door transversely slidable relative to said housing between a closed position of blocking relationship with said opening and an open position wherein said opening is unblocked;
- a plurality of cradle members, each cradle member adapted to releasably engage a portion of a circumferential edge of a disc, each cradle member being mounted proximate said opening and said base portion for independent, free transverse pivoting movement, upon application of an external force, through said opening between a first stored position wherein a disc engaged by a cradle and said cradle are positioned wholly in said disc storage space, and a second disc access position wherein said cradle and said disc are partly displaced from said disc storage space to permit removal and replacement of a disc from and into said cradle, each said cradle member being configured to support a disc during pivoting movement between said first position and said second position, and during pivoting movement from said second position to said first position.
Priority Applications (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2140986 CA2140986A1 (en) | 1995-01-24 | 1995-01-24 | Disc storage device |
| AU44289/96A AU4428996A (en) | 1995-01-24 | 1996-01-15 | Disc storage device |
| PCT/CA1996/000034 WO1996023306A1 (en) | 1995-01-24 | 1996-01-15 | Disc storage device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2140986 CA2140986A1 (en) | 1995-01-24 | 1995-01-24 | Disc storage device |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2140986A1 true CA2140986A1 (en) | 1996-07-25 |
Family
ID=4155104
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2140986 Abandoned CA2140986A1 (en) | 1995-01-24 | 1995-01-24 | Disc storage device |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU4428996A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2140986A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1996023306A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IT241569Y1 (en) * | 1996-10-10 | 2001-05-09 | Exponent Italia Srl | MODULAR CONTAINER FOR THE ARCHIVE OF MAGNETIC SUPPORTS |
| DE29701916U1 (en) * | 1997-02-04 | 1997-05-22 | Mueller Sebastian | Containers for CD's with rotary swivel mechanism |
| DE20205543U1 (en) * | 2002-04-10 | 2002-06-20 | Sunhing Millennium Ltd | Device for storing multiple CDs with swing-out compartment elements |
| US10127941B2 (en) * | 2017-04-10 | 2018-11-13 | International Business Machines Corporation | Optical disk drive guide |
Family Cites Families (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BE555643A (en) * | ||||
| GB401259A (en) * | 1932-02-05 | 1933-11-09 | Ferdinand Bader | Sound record receptacle |
| US2535609A (en) * | 1947-09-08 | 1950-12-26 | Hal H Spillman | Phonograph record rack and selector |
| FR1527940A (en) * | 1967-04-04 | 1968-06-07 | Sound recording disc binder | |
| CH664641A5 (en) * | 1984-10-30 | 1988-03-15 | Meister H & G Ag | DISK STORAGE CASE. |
| US4875743A (en) * | 1988-07-05 | 1989-10-24 | Shape Inc. | Recording media storage apparatus |
| BR8807767A (en) * | 1988-08-24 | 1990-10-16 | Hajime Yamazoe | DISC HOLDERS |
| US5101972A (en) * | 1991-05-31 | 1992-04-07 | Hunt Ronald E | Recording media storage apparatus |
-
1995
- 1995-01-24 CA CA 2140986 patent/CA2140986A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
1996
- 1996-01-15 WO PCT/CA1996/000034 patent/WO1996023306A1/en active Application Filing
- 1996-01-15 AU AU44289/96A patent/AU4428996A/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO1996023306A1 (en) | 1996-08-01 |
| AU4428996A (en) | 1996-08-14 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Dead |