DE19851972A1 - Stacking arrangement for archiving standard cases for CD/laser type data/audio media, comprises storage element and original case stacked via latching elements for easy separation - Google Patents

Abstract

The stacking arrangement has storage elements (1) with connections to original media cases (2) that are difficult to break, in that the storage element partially encloses the base part of the original media case from below. Stacking elements formed by the storage elements and original cases can be connected via latching elements so as to be easily released.

Description

The present invention relates to a special auxiliary device for stacking Standard sleeves for compact discs (jewel case) for archiving purposes.

Previous systems for storing CD cases can usually be designed as a special form describe a shelf whose storage compartments match the dimensions of the CD sleeves is (e.g. DE 93 06 494 or GM 83 35 038). With this type of archiving of CD cases however, the absorption capacity is not variable. Greater flexibility as to what Capacity and in particular the height of the shelves is concerned by a modular design achieved. A typical feature of this design is that for each CD case to be recorded has its own element. So at for example in DE 92 14 174, DE 32 02 204 or DE 195 36 879 Storage boxes suggested that are separated by slots and hooks, Snap connection or other locking means firmly, but usually releasably connected again become.

A disadvantage of this type of archiving of CD cases, however, is that Storage system forms an independent unit in which the CD sleeves are placed store or remove for use. This leaves the level of flexibility limited by the fact that when removing a case for removing the Data carrier initially has an open gap in the storage system and the Sen capacity does not automatically adjust.

Another disadvantage of this type of archiving of CD cases is that they are Recording systems are relatively expensive to manufacture and also by their clear visibility does not always meet high aesthetic requirements can.

The invention specified in claim 1 is based on the problem of a modu lare stacking device for archiving standard sleeves for data or sound carriers To create CD / laser types that are not a fixed, but a variable Has capacity, with no open gap when removing a shell from the Stack remains and is easy to use. This stacking device is also intended  have a low cost of materials in production and are only slightly visible.

In addition, the simplest possible production as a plastic injection molded part should be possible become light.

This object is achieved by the features listed in claim 1 in that the original protective covers ( 2 ) by means of an attachable bearing element ( 1 ) are subsequently provided with detent means such that they form easy-to-use stacking elements.

The support for the latching elements ( 8 ) forms a plate ( 3 ), the width and depth of which corresponds to the covering ( 2 ) and is attached by means of suitable clamping elements ( 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ) plane-parallel to the bottom surface of the protective cover. The bearing element and in particular the clamping connection should not hinder the opening and closing of the protective cover.

This is achieved by using two peculiarities of a standard protective cover: This has a fixed strip-shaped section ( 2 d) on the front, which belongs to the base part ( 2 a) and thus when opening and closing the cover ( 2 b) is not moved. The opposite end of the bottom part has a nutenför shaped edge section ( 2 c), which is approximately 0.5 mm deep and allows the engagement of a rastför shaped holding element ( 7 ). The connection between the bearing element and the protective cover thus takes place in that an inwardly projecting holding element ( 7 ) engages in the groove-shaped edge section ( 2 c) on one end face and in connection with an L-shaped opposite end face ( 4 , 5 ), whose inward fin ger-like extension ( 5 ) comprises the protective housing in the region of the strip-shaped rigid section ( 2 d), which holds the protective cover. The area of the lid remains free.

In addition, the width and the length of the finger-like extension ( 5 ) directed inwards towards the opposite end face should be chosen so small that the opening and closing of the cover part of the protective housing are not impaired. It is particularly important to ensure that the finger-like extension ( 5 ) does not protrude too far inward and intersects with the radius covered by the lid ( 2 b) when opening. A guideline can be that the finger-like extension ( 5 ) covers only half of the fixed strip-shaped bottom section ( 2 d) on the inside.

The bearing element ( 1 ) is simply attached to the original protective cover ( 2 ) by first inserting it obliquely into the L-shaped area ( 4 , 5 ) of the bearing element.

When it is subsequently pressed together, the opposite latch-shaped holding element ( 7 ) snaps into the groove-shaped edge section ( 2 c) of the protective cover and a firm but nevertheless difficult to detach connection is created. For this purpose, the bearing element ( 1 ), especially in the region of the end faces ( 4 , 6 ), has a certain elasticity, as is the case, for example, in the case of a plastic production. For further use, protective cover ( 2 ) and bearing element ( 1 ) no longer have to be separated, since opening the lid and removing the sound or data carrier is still possible due to the design given.

Lugs ( 8 ) projecting downwards on the sides of the base plate ( 3 ) serve as latching elements in order to grip the next-lying casing on its lateral boundary surfaces and to ensure exact stacking. The stack is thus created by superimposing the stack elements formed from the shell and the bearing element, the lateral latching elements ( 8 ) transmitting torsional and shear forces between two superimposed elements, and a tower-like structure is created. The latching elements are to be kept as small as possible, so that on the one hand they ensure a secure connection, on the other hand they affect the handling of the casing only imperceptibly.

For a parallel stacking, the base plate ( 3 ) of the bearing element must have a recess ( 9 ) which is essentially complementary to the L-shaped extension ( 5 ) such that it serves as a receiving opening for the L-shaped extension of the stacking element lying below to compensate for the unevenness on the top of the shell caused by the extension. It follows that the thickness (d) of the inward extension may at most speak the thickness of the base plate ( 3 ) ent to find space in the exception opening.

Only the end face ( 4 ), which has the L-shaped extension, has a height that corresponds to the height of the protective sheath ( 2 ) that is included, and must therefore project into the recesses ( 10 ) that are essentially complementary to the latching elements ( 8 ) projecting downward ) have in such a way that they serve as receiving openings for the latching elements of the stack element located next up. The detent-like holding element ( 6 , 7 ) on the opposite end face has only a small height and does not hinder the detent elements of the stack element lying next to the top.

The advantages achieved with the invention are in particular that with little Material cost an effective and highly flexible stacking system for Stan dard protective covers was created. The attachable bearing elements ensure a exact stacking with easy handling: the quick connection and Solving two stacking elements is done by simply laying them on top of each other Slimming down. The fixed connection between the bearing element and the protective cover remains  no empty compartment when removed from the stack. The handling of the protective covers is hardly influenced by the bearing elements, because they only the outer dimensions of the sleeves enlarge slightly. The resulting low visibility means: high aesthetic quality.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are in claims 2-10 specified.

In the development according to claim 2, upwardly directed lugs ( 11 ) are used on both longitudinal sides of the base plate ( 3 ) and are closely fitting on the enclosed protective housing for lateral fixation between the enclosed protective cover and the storage rack.

These are to be made as small as possible, so that on the one hand they provide a secure connection guarantee, on the other hand only slightly affect the handling of the case and do not hinder the latching elements of the stack element located next to the top.

The development according to claim 3 enables a particularly quick and simple snap-in of the protective housing in its embraced position by the upward-facing side of the end face ( 6 ) with the detent-shaped, inwardly projecting holding element ( 7 ) at least partially rising wedge-shaped is bevelled ( 12 ).

The development according to claim 4 defines for the downwardly projecting locking elements ( 8 ) an equal height with respect to the base plate ( 3 ) of the bearing element, so that they also serve as feet.

The development according to claim 5 simplifies the opening and closing of the cover part in that the base plate ( 3 ) has recesses ( 13 ) in the region of the articulated connection of the base part and cover part of the enclosed protective housing ( 2 ) in such a way that they act as receiving openings for any protrusions of the cover ( 2 b) serve in the hinge area.

In the development according to claim 6, on the end face ( 4 ), which has the L-shaped extension, the force transmission of the torsional and shear forces through the complementarily formed recess ( 9 ) and the finger-like extension engaging therein, instead of the external downward locking means ( 5 ) so that the external locking lugs ( 8 ) can be omitted at this point.

According to claim 7, the inward to the opposite end face te finger-like extension ( 5 ) can be solid or perforated. In principle, it is possible to design the finger-like extension in different ways.

For example, the finger-like extension can be in one piece in the form of an elongated rectangle with beveled edges. Another possibility would be that the extension is designed as two or three inwardly projecting circular cylinders. The recess in the base plate ( 9 ) must be adjusted accordingly and provided with a slight oversize.

According to claim 8, the base plate ( 3 ) can be solid or perforated to save material or from an aesthetic point of view.

According to claim 9, the storage rack ( 1 ) can in principle be made from different materials using various methods. But it is particularly advantageous that the storage rack is a plastic injection molded part. This enables simple, fast and inexpensive production.

The embodiment according to claim 10 enables a view of the encased envelope by using a transparent plastic as the material for the storage rack ( 1 ).

An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawing and will follow the described in more detail.

Show it

Fig. 1 shows several stacked and interconnected stacking elements and a bearing element ( 1 ) into which a protective cover ( 2 ) is inserted at an angle;

FIG. 2a is a plan view,

FIG. 2b shows a side view from the front,

Fig. 2c is a side view from behind,

Figure 2d is a left side view.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line II of Fig. 2a;

FIG. 4a is a side view of the bearing element (1) with Covered envelope (2) of a data or sound carrier from the left,

Fig. 4b with the cover part partially open ( 2 b);

Fig. 4c in an enlarged illustration of Fig 4b with 11 designated detail.

FIG. 5a is a side view of two superimposed and interconnected orderly stacking elements from the left;

Fig. 5b from a top view;

FIG. 6a is a side view of two superimposed and interconnected orderly stacking elements from the front,

Fig. 6b from the side view from behind.

Fig. 1 shows in a perspective view in the upper region, such as a protective shell (2) obliquely is inserted into the bearing element (1). In the lower area of FIG. 1, a stack of five stacking elements is shown, on which further elements can be placed.

As is shown in particular in FIG. 2, a bearing element ( 1 ), which is preferably made of, in particular, transparent plastic, essentially comprises a base plate ( 3 ), an upwardly directed end face ( 4 ) with an inwardly pointing finger-like extension ( 5 ), an opposite upward end face ( 6 ) with a detent-shaped, inwardly projecting holding element ( 7 ) and on each longitudinal side of the base plate ( 3 ) two downward-facing, outer detent elements ( 8 ). Furthermore, the base plate ( 3 ) has a recess ( 9 ) for receiving the L-shaped extension ( 5 ) of the stacking element located below. As shown in Fig. 3, which shows this receiving opening in a sectional view, the recess ( 9 ) is somewhat larger than the inward finger-like extension ( 5 ). In Fig. 2 it can be seen in particular that the downwardly projecting locking elements ( 8 ) are rectangular lugs with a low height, which are arranged in pairs on all four long sides.

For lateral fixation of the encased cover ( 2 ), the two locking elements ( 8 ) of the left and right long sides are extended upwards and form projecting locking lugs ( 11 ).

For aesthetic reasons, the base plate ( 3 ) has small elongated incisions ( 14 ) in the area of the left and right long sides.

The upward-facing end face ( 4 ) with the finger-like extension ( 5 ) has two right-angled exceptions ( 10 ) in such a way that they serve as receiving openings for the latching elements ( 8 ) of the next stacking element, as is particularly the case in FIG. 6b is shown in a rear view of two stacked elements arranged one above the other and connected to one another.

Fig. 4a shows a side view of a stacking element, consisting of a bearing element ( 1 ) and covered protective cover ( 2 ). In particular, is shown here as comprising the protective housing (2) inwardly directed finger-like extension (5) and in conjunction with an opposite latching shaped, inwardly projecting retaining element (7) in the groove-shaped edge portion (2 c) engages the bottom part ( 2 a) of the protective housing. As shown in Fig. 4b and in particular in Fig. 4c, a detent-shaped holding element ( 7 ) engages in close contact in the groove-shaped edge portion ( 2 c) of the bottom part. The elasticity of the plastic material means that it is pressed against the base part. The bevelled section ( 12 ) of the upper side of the holding element facilitates the insertion of the protective housing.

Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 show how the locking elements ( 8 ) lie in close contact along the four side walls of the next lower closed shell on the outside in close contact and thus an exactly superimposed positioning of the stacking elements is achieved.

Claims (10)

1. Bearing element for connecting a plurality of standard sleeves for data or sound carriers of the CD / laser type arranged one above the other with a base plate, an end face with an L-shaped extension, an end face with a detent-shaped holding element and side-mounted lugs, made of a rigid material, characterized in that that

• a) between each of a bearing element ( 1 ) and an original protective housing ( 2 ), consisting of bottom part ( 2 a) and cover part ( 2 b), a difficult-to-detachable connection is formed by the bearing element partially covers the bottom part of the protective housing from below , by the base plate ( 3 ), the width and depth of which essentially corresponds to the casing of the data or sound carrier,
• b) has an upwardly directed end face ( 4 ), the height of which essentially corresponds to that of the protective housing and whose L-shaped finger-like extension ( 5 ), which is directed inwards towards the opposite end face, serves as a holding element by grasping the protective housing ( 2 ),
• c) has an opposite upward end face ( 6 ) with a detent-shaped, inwardly projecting holding element ( 7 ) which engages in the groove-shaped edge section ( 2 c) of the bottom part ( 2 a) and in connection with the L-shaped gene opposite Front ( 4 , 5 ) holds the bottom part of the protective housing firmly, and that
• d) the stacking elements thus formed from the bearing element and protective housing are easily connected by at least two of the four sides of the base plate, each having at least one downwardly projecting, external locking element ( 8 ) arranged in such a way that they come into close contact along the four side walls the next, closed envelope lying on the outside in close contact with each other and thus a precisely superimposed positioning of the stacking elements is achieved, and that
• e) the base plate has a recess ( 9 ) which is essentially complementary to the L-shaped extension ( 5 ) in such a way that it serves as a receiving opening for the L-shaped extension of the stacking element located below, and that
• f) the thickness of the inward extension (d) corresponds at most to the thickness of the base plate ( 3 ) of the bearing element, and that
• g) the width and the length of the inward towards the opposite end face of the finger-like extension ( 5 ) is chosen so that the opening and closing of the cover part ( 2 b) of the protective housing is not impaired, and that
• h) the end face ( 4 ), which has the L-shaped extension, to the downwardly projecting locking elements ( 8 ) has essentially complementary recesses ( 10 ) in such a way that they serve as receiving openings for the locking elements of the stack element located next to the top .

2. Bearing element according to claim 1, characterized in that the base plate ( 3 ) on both longitudinal sides each has at least one upward, closely fitting on the enclosed protective housing nose ( 11 ), which cause a lateral fixation between the protective cover and storage frame. 3. Bearing element according to one of the preceding claims 1-2, characterized in that the upward-facing side of the end face ( 6 ) with the detent-shaped, inwardly projecting holding element ( 7 ) has a chamfered section ( 12 ) which is provided for this purpose to facilitate the insertion of the protective housing in the connected position with the bearing element. 4. Bearing element according to one of the preceding claims 1-3, characterized in that the downwardly extending latching elements ( 8 ) have the same height with respect to the base plate ( 3 ) of the bearing element and thus additionally serve as feet. 5. Bearing element according to one of the preceding claims 1-4, characterized in that the base plate ( 3 ) in the region of the articulated connection of the base part and the cover part of the protective housing comprises recesses ( 13 ) such that they act as receiving openings for any excess of the cover serve that can occur when opening or closing the protective housing. 6. Bearing element according to one of the preceding claims 1-5, characterized in that the downward locking means on the end face ( 4 ), which has the L-shaped extension, are missing and the connection to the next stacking element at this point by the complementary formed recess ( 9 ) for the L-shaped finger-like extension ( 5 ) is formed. 7. Bearing element according to one of the preceding claims 1-6, characterized in that the inward to the opposite end face finger-like extension ( 5 ) and the associated recess ( 9 ) in the base plate is solid or by broken. 8. Bearing element according to one of the preceding claims 1-7, characterized in that the base plate ( 3 ) is made solid or perforated to save material or for aesthetic reasons. 9. Bearing element according to one of the preceding claims 1-8, characterized records that it is a plastic injection molded part.   10. Bearing element according to one of the preceding claims 1-9, characterized characterized in that it consists of, in particular transparent plastic.