CA2228960A1

CA2228960A1 - Disc holder

Info

Publication number: CA2228960A1
Application number: CA 2228960
Authority: CA
Inventors: Gene Lew; Philip A. Dewhurst
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-02-03
Filing date: 1998-02-03
Publication date: 1999-08-03

Abstract

The present invention relates to an indexed storage cradle system for compact discs comprising a series of storage cradles rotatably mounted in parallel in a housing. Each cradle consists of a base having generally parallel vertically upstanding side walls, a rear wall and a vertical upstanding front wall. One of said side walls is higher than the other to act as a guide when inserting the disc into the slot formed between the two side walls.
Means are provided on each of said side walls to keep the disc centered when fully inserted into the cradle. The top of the front wall of each cradle is provided with a cutout portion, and a tab is provided either on the bottom or the top of said cutout to facilitate pulling down the cradle and the location of the tab alternates on adjacent cradles to minimize the chance of inadvertently pulling down the adjacent cradle.

Description

TTTLE: DISC HOLDER
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an indexing, storage and retrieval system for any compact audio or video disc size medium which includes CD-ROM, CD-G, CD VIDEO
DISCS, AUDIO CDs, KARAOKE CDs, AND DVDs.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
In the past the professional entertainers who provide music and video using the digital compact disc format (disk jockey or DJ) had to provide some makeshift method of filing and retrieving a particular compact disc that could easily be out of order. This would entail sorting through a selection of discs to locate the desired disc.
Once the disc was located, the DJ then had to open the cover or lid of the storage device to determine the track the desired selection was recorded. Often the inserts in the container that listed the song titles are misplaced, causing the DJ to be unorganized and fumbling for another disc while trying to locate the information on the misplaced insert.
There are numerous storage units on the market for personal use into which the plastic storage case for the compact disc can be inserted. There also is a home unit available through a television promotion that only holds a limited number of discs (up to 40 compact discs) in a series of thin plastic cradles. The problems with this previous unit are ( 1 ) that it is manufactured from very thin plastic, and is not precision made for the discs to be returned into the unit (2) the discs can contact the adjacent disc when retrieving and retracting the discs therefore making it possible to damage the 3 0 stored discs with scratches (3) the operator would have a very difficult time especially in low light conditions to place the disc back in the very narrow slot (4) there are no guides for the disc to retract into the closed position and if one disc is out of alignment.
the unit will not close and (5) there are also no means of transportation for the disc holder as it is only six inches wide and five inches deep with no handle for ease of 3 5 carrying.

The present invention solves these problems so that when DJs are providing entertainment for their audiences, they have easy access to any disc in an indexed storage cradle system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide an improved storage cradle for compact discs in which it is easy to return the disc into the slot.
It is another object of the invention to provide an improved storage cradle for compact discs adapted to keep the disc centered when fully inserted into the cradle.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an indexed storage cradle system for individual indexed cradles so that the operator can store and retrieve any compact disc without touching the laser readable surface of the compact disc.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an indexed storage cradle system for individual indexed cradles so that the person using this system will be able to open any individual cradle without inadvertently pulling down the adjacent cradle.
Thus in accordance with the present invention there is provided an improved storage cradle for compact discs. The cradle consists of a base having generally parallel vertically upstanding side walls, a rear wall and a vertical upstanding front wall. One of said side walls is higher than the other it is easy to return the disc into the slot formed between the two side walls. Means are provided on each of said side walls to keep the disc centered when fully inserted into the cradle.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention there is 3 0 provided an indexed storage cradle system for individual indexed cradles so that the person using this system will be able to open any individual cradle without inadvertently pulling down the adjacent cradle. Each cradle consists of a base having generally parallel vertically upstanding side walls, a rear wall and a vertical upstanding front wall. One of said side walls is higher than the other it is easy to return the disc into 3 5 the slot formed between the two side walls. Means are provided on each of said side walls to keep the disc centered when fully inserted into the cradle. The top of the front wall of each cradle is provided with a cutout portion. A tab is provided either on the bottom or the top of said cutout to facilitate pulling down the cradle. The location of the tab alternates on adjacent cradles to minimize the chance of inadvertently pulling down the adjacent cradle.
Further features of the invention will be described or will become apparent in the course of the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, the preferred embodiment thereof will now be described in detail by way of example, with reference to the accompanying photographs and drawings, in which:
Photograph 1 is a side view of the cradles according to the present invention .
Photograph 2 is a front view of the indexed storage cradle system according to the present invention .
Photograph 3 is a close up front view of the indexed storage cradle system according to the present invention Figure 1 is a lateral plan view of one embodiment of the cradles according to the present invention shown in Photographs 1 and 2;
Figure 2 is a lateral plan view of a second embodiment of the cradles according to the present invention shown in Photographs 1 and 2;

Referring to Photograph 1 and Figures 1 and 2, a storage cradle for compact discs according to the present invention is generally indicated at 1.
Each cradle 1 consists of a base 2 having generally parallel vertically upstanding side walls 3 and 4, a 3 5 rear wall 5 and a vertical upstanding front wall 6. One of said side walls 3 is higher than the other side wall 4 so that it acts as a guide when returning the disc into the slot 7 formed between the two side walls 3 and 4. The slot 7 or distance between the side walls 3 and 4 is sized to accommodate the thickness of an individual compact disc being stored. Means are provided on each of said side walls 3 and 4 to keep the disc centered when fully inserted into the cradle. In the embodiments illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 there are two indented plastic tabs 8 and 9 on the side walls 3 and 4 adjacent the bottom of the slot 7 that grip the unreadable outer edge of the discs to keep the disc centered when fully inserted into the cradle. The wider side 3 of the cradle also has two protective strips of felt 10 and 11 to ensure that the readable side of the compact disc is not scratched when removing and replacing the discs.
Referring to Photographs 2 and 3 an indexed storage cradle system for individual indexed cradles 1 so that the operator can store and retrieve any compact disc without touching the laser readable surface of the compact disc according to the present invention is illustrated. The storage cradle system shown in the Photographs holds up to 200 discs in individual indexed cradles of Figures 1 and 2 so that the operator can store and retrieve any compact disc without touching the laser readable surface of the compact disc. The storage cradle system consists of a housing onto which a series of cradles as shown in Figures 1 and 2 are rotatably mounted in parallel. Each cradle 1 is provided with a hole 12 through the side walls 3 and 4 adjacent the front wall 6 and above base 2. A solid steel rod is inserted through the holes 12 on each cradle. The rod is then mounted to the side walls of the housing. The cradles can rotate around the rod to permit the discs to be inserted and removed from the slot 7. To facilitate the rotation or pivoting of the cradles that portion 13 of the front wall 6 adjacent base 2 is angled.
When opened fully (i.e. rotated forward), the cradle rests on neoprene rubber for further protection. A spacer is preferably placed between adjacent cradles in order that they will not bind against the adjacent cradle when retrieving or retracting discs from the unit. In the preferred embodiment the spacer 14 consists of a washer around the outside of hole 12 on side wall 3. The spacer can be formed integrally with the cradle.
3 0 In order to facilitate the pivoting of the cradles means are provided on the top 15 and 16 of the front wall 6 of each of the cradles of Figures 1 and 2.
The top 15 of the front wall 6 of the cradle in Figure 1 is provided with a cutout portion 17. A tab 18 is provided on the bottom 19 of said cutout to facilitate pulling down the cradle. The top 16 of the front wall 6 of the cradle of Figure 2 is also provided with a cutout portion 20.
3 5 A tab 21 is provided on the top 22 of said cutout to facilitate pulling down the cradle.
As noted above the cradle of Figure 1 and the cradle of Figure 2 are alternatively placed on the rod. The location of the tabs 18 and 21 alternate on adjacent cradles to minirriize the chance of inadvertently pulling down the adjacent cradle.
As shown in Photograph 2 the housing for the cradles consists of a rectangular box with a detachable or hinged cover. A handle is provided on the top of the box. The inserts that were contained in the original plastic case with the compact disc are placed in plastic sleeves in a binder. The binder is cross referenced to the indexed cradle number in the storage system. The index number is preferably placed above the cradle as shown in the photographs.
Having illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention and certain possible modifications thereto, it should be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention permits of further modification in arrangement and detail. A11 such modifications are covered by the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An improved storage cradle for compact discs consisting of a base having generally parallel vertically upstanding side walls, a rear wall and a vertical upstanding front wall, one of said side walls is higher than the other to act as a guide when inserting the disc into the slot formed between the two side walls and means provided on each of said side walls to keep the disc centered when fully inserted into the cradle.

2. An indexed storage cradle system for compact discs comprising a series of storage cradles rotatably mounted in parallel in a housing, each cradle consists of a base having generally parallel vertically upstanding side walls, a rear wall and a vertical upstanding front wall., one of said side walls is higher than the other to act as a guide when inserting the disc into the slot formed between the two side walls, means on each of said side walls to keep the disc centered when fully inserted into the cradle, the top of the front wall of each cradle is provided with a cutout portion., a tab is provided either on the bottom or the top of said cutout to facilitate pulling down the cradle and the location of the tab alternates on adjacent cradles to minimize the chance of inadvertently pulling down the adjacent cradle.