GB1588552A

GB1588552A - Display apparatus for pre-recorded tapes

Info

Publication number: GB1588552A
Application number: GB1055078A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: WADA METAL IND CO Ltd
Current assignee: WADA METAL IND CO Ltd
Priority date: 1977-03-17
Filing date: 1978-03-16
Publication date: 1981-04-23
Also published as: JPS53127519U; DE2811535A1; FR2384321A1; AU3414878A; AU517145B2; JPS6041014Y2

Description

(54) A DISPLAY APPARATUS FOR PRE-RECORDED TAPES (71) We, WADA METAL INDUST RIAL CO. LTD., 9 joint-stock company duly organised and existing under the Laws of Japan, of 1-2-12, Kouzushima, Toyonaka-shi, Osaka-Fu, Japan, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The present invention relates to a display apparatus for displaying pre-recorded tapes, such as are used in a tape-recorder, a car audio system or a video tape recorder.

Pre-recorded tapes include cartridge (or magazine) tapes used in the endless system, cassette tapes used in the reel-to-reel system and open reel tapes, which are generally packaged in plastics cases. Thus, by "prerecorded tapes" we mean the abovementioned kinds of tapes packaged in plastics cases.

Figures 11(A), 11(B) and 12(A), 12(B) illustrate in plan and, in the case of 11(B) side, and in 12(B) sectional along line XII-XII, views of retainers of known display apparatuses for pre-recorded tapes in which a number of such retainers are mounted in series on a column.

The retainer of Figures 11 is adapted to engage four pre-recorded tapes arranged in directions perpendicular to one another. In the upper portion of the retainer of Figure 11, there are provided recesses 101 for engaging lower parts of the tapes, and in the lower portion of the member there are recesses 102 for engaging the upper parts of the tapes, so that each tape can be held in an upright state by means of a recess 101 of one retainer and a recess 102 of the retainer above it. Numeral 103 indicates a hole through which the column is passed. The retainers are movable along the column, and a tape is inserted between two adjacent retainers by slightly raising the upper member to increase the distance between the two members before the tape is inserted in the recesses 101 and 102.

The retainer of Figure 12 has a circular shape. The upper face of the member is provided with ten chambers 106 arranged generally tangential to the outer circumference of a hole 105 through which the column is passed, while the lower face is provided with tongues 107 at the outer circumference of the member. Thus, a tape is held in an upright position by means of a chamber 106 of one retainer and the tongue 107 of a retainer thereabove.

In such conventional display apparatus one can see only one side of a tape as the indications on the other side are hidden behind another tape. Further, to move a tape in or out of a chamber, the upper member and a tape or tapes held therein must be raised, which is troublesome.

According to the present invention, there is provided a display apparatus for prerecorded tapes such apparatus including at least one container and a frame for supporting said container, said container including a column which is rotatably supported by said frame, a pair of longitudinally spaced lateral members each of which is perpendicular to said column with one end thereof at a respective end of said column, and a number of crosspieces between the lateral members and also perpendicular to said column with one end of each crosspiece on said column, said crosspieces defining with each other and the lateral members a number of separate chambers along the column for holding pre-recorded tapes (as herein defined) therein, a stop member parallel with said column and movable connected to each of the said lateral members at the ends thereof remote from said column so as to open and close the side of the chambers remote from the column and frame, and a locking means for locking said stop mem ber, in a condition closing said one side of said chambers, to at least one of said lateral members.

It is possible with the invention, for tapes to be easily inserted and removed, to be easy to inspect and to be used in large numbers within a given space.

A plurality of containers may be supported in parallel in a rectangular frame so that a person can see the displayed tapes by pivotally moving the container as if turning the pages of a book.

In another embodiment, a plurality of containers are arranged between two discs mounted on a supporting pillar so that a number of containers and therefore a number of tapes can be displayed in a small space and the tapes can be easily put in and taken out of the chambers in the containers.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description, which is given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of display apparatus according to the present invention, with the. middle portion thereof cut away; Figure 2 is an end view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along the hne III-III of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a partly sectional view as seen in the direction of arrow IV in Figure 1; Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view of a modification of the container shown in Figure 1; Figure 6 is a partly broken away side view of a second modification of the container of Figure 1 with the middle portion thereof being cut away; Figure. 7 is a partly broken away right end view of the container shown in Figure 6, with a stop member removed; Figure 8 is a front view of a stop member of the second modification; Figure 9 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of display apparatus in which a plurality of containers are arranged in parallel in a frame; Figure 10 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of display apparatus in which a number of containers are mounted in radial directions on a circular supporting member.

In the first embodiment of the present invention shown in Figures 1 to 4, a display apparatus 10 comprises a container indicated generally at 12 and a frame 13. The container 12 comprises a column 14. a pair of lateral members 15, 16, a number of crosspieces 17, a stop member 18 and a locking means 19, all of which may be formed of metal such as steel or an aluminium alloy, although the stop member. and preferably only the stop member, may be formed of a transparent plastics material so that the title on the back of the tape can be seen.

The column 14 is provided at both of its ends with shaft portions 14a, rotatably received in bearing portions 13a defined in the frame 13. The column is a pillar having a triangular or square cross section, and at each of its ends there are provided a pair of the abovementioned lateral members 15, 16 which extend in a direction perpendicular to the column 14. The column 14 and the lateral members 15, 16 constitute the outer frame of the container 12.

The column 14 shown in Figure 1 projects axially beyond the lateral members 15, 16, but the end surfaces of the column may be in the same plane as the outer surfaces of the lateral members as shown in Figures 9 and 10.

On the column 14, a number of crosspieces 17 are disposed, these being arranged parallel with the lateral members 15, 16 and perpendicular to the column 14. Each of the crosspieces 17 comprises a member having a U-shaped cross section, and the U-shaped groove defined in the member has a width equal to the thickness of a tape 20. The crosspieces are arranged in pairs, with their grooves opening in opposite directions, so that chambers 21 for holding tapes are provided between two crosspieces 17, 17 which are spaced apart and have their recesses opposing each other. In other words, the space formed by the column 14 and the pair of lateral members 15, 16 is divided by the pairs of crosspieces 17 into a number of chambers arranged in series along the length of the column 14. A tape can be supported in an upright state in such a manner that the upper portion of the tape is inserted into the recess of an upper crosspiece and the lower portion thereof in the recess of a lower crosspiece. The tapes are inserted between the pairs of crosspieces from the side of the free ends, i.e. ends not fixed to the column. of the crosspieces.

Instead of providing pairs of U-shaped members back-to-back, a single member having an H-shaped cross section can be used. Numeral 22 indicates a rod for reinforcing the free ends of the crosspieces, which is fixed to each crosspiece 17 and the lateral members 15. 16.

The stop member 18 is to prevent removal of the tapes 20, and is movable for opening and closing the openings 23 of the chambers 21. The stop member is pivotally connected by hinges 25, 25 with the lateral members 15.. 16. and may be also connected by hinges with the crosspieces. The stop member 18 comprises a flat plate of metal or a plastics material which may be provided on its outer surface with a square groove or a dovetail groove, so as to be of U-shaped cross section and be light in weight and strong.

The lateral members 15, 16, the crosspieces 17 and the stop member 18 are in a plane including the column 14, and therefore the chambers 21 are formed in that same plane.

Hinged on the lateral member 15, and mounted on one end of the stop member 18 there is a locking means 19 which is a conventional lock of cylinder type. Upon inserting a key in the locking means 19 and turning the same, an engaging portion 19a of the locking means can be rotated to engage with the side wall of the lateral member 16, thereby preventing the tapes from being stolen. In the side wall of the lateral member 16, a hole is provided into which the engaging portion 19a can be inserted. Another locking means may be provided on the lateral member 16 and the other end of the stop member 18, but in this embodiment a fastening member 27 is provided for engaging the other end of the stop member 18 with the lateral member 16. The fastening member comprises a flat plate 27a connected to an angled plate 27b. By inserting the flat plate 27a into an elongate hole 16a provided in the lateral member 16 and inserting the angled plate 27b in a groove at the other end of the stop member 18, the lateral member 16 and the stop member 18 can be engaged with each other.

In addition, the fastening member 27 may be provided with a class indication of the tapes displayed in the box. The fastening member may be replaced by a latch.

A frame 13 comprises two L-shaped members each of which has a bearing portion 13a and can be fixed on a wall or panel with screws.

Figure 5 illustrates a modification of the first embodiment described above which is obtained by moulding the column 34, the lateral members 35, 36 and the crosspieces 37 in an integrated form from a plastics material. The crosspieces also define complete side surfaces of the container, so that the chambers 21 are enclosed by transparent plastic walls, in contrast to the container 12 shown in Figures 1 to 4, where the portions of the sides outside the grooves of the crosspiece are left uncovered.

In the apparatus according to the present invention, when each tape is inserted into the chambers 21 from the right side of the container 12 as seen in Figure 1, a number of tapes can be put into each chamber, the tapes being arranged in series in the radial direction relative to the column 14. Thus, in the container, the tapes are arranged in such series in a direction perpendicular to the column, and a number of such series of tapes are arranged in parallel, and each can be inserted in and taken out of the chamber independently. Thus, with a number of chambers 21 in a container and a number of tapes in each chamber, the tapes can be put in and taken out of the chamber by moving the tape(s) of only a single chamber. Further, tapes in the container can be seen from both sides.

Figures 6 to 8 illustrate a second modification 42 of the container of Figures 1 to 4.

This container 42 comprises a column 44, pairs of lateral members 45, 46, a number of crosspieces 47, a stop member 48 and a locking means 49 similarly to the container 12 of the first embodiment, but it is different from the container 12 in the structure of the stop member 48 and the locking means 49.

Both of the ends of the stop member 48 are made to form engaging portions 48a, 48b smaller in width than the remaining parts, the engaging portion 48a being provided with a hole 48c for locking.

Each of the lateral members 45, 46 has at its free end a slit to receive the engaging portions 48a, 48b of the stop member 48.

The stop member can be connected with the free end of the lateral members in various manners. For example, one method comprises inserting the longer of the two engaging portions 48a into the lower slit 45a, sliding the stop member 48 towards the bottom to allow insertion of the shorter engaging portion 48b into the upper slit 46a, and then locking the engaging portion 48a by a locking means 49. The length of the crosspieces 47 is substantially equal to the distance from the column to the slits.

The locking means 49 has, supported on the supporting member 49a mounted inside the lateral member 45, a spindle 49c which is urged in one direction by means of a spring acting on a pin (a split pin or a taper pin) 49e. At one end of the spindle 49c, a hook 49d is provided while on the outer side of the lateral member there is provided an opening 45b for inserting a finger therethrough.

The locking operation involves engaging the hook 49d with fingers to move the spindle 49c in a direction against the spring 49b, inserting the engaging portion 48a of the stop member 48 into the slit 45a, then taking away the fingers and inserting the spindle 49c in the hole 48c.

In a second embodiment of apparatus according to the present invention, as shown in Figure 9, the display apparatus 51 is adapted to be hung on a wall or placed on the floor for use, and comprises a number of containers and a rectangular frame 52. The containers are like the container 12 in Figure 1, or the container 32 in Figure 5 or the container 42 in Figure 6.

The frame 52, formed of plate members or hollow square pillars of metal or other material, comprises two horizontal parts 52a and two vertical parts 52b, and the shaft portions 14a of the columns 14 of the containers are pivotally supported by bearing portions 52c provided in a series in each of the horizontal parts 52a. A plural number (three in this embodiment) of containers 12 are disposed between the two parallel horizontal parts 52a, so that by pivotally moving the containers, as if turning the pages of a book, a person can see the tapes contained therein from both sides. In this apparatus 51, a number of containers are arranged with a small space therebetween, and since each container is pivotally movable independently, the tapes contained in the containers are still easy to see even if a number of containers are arranged within a small distance. Further, the inserting and removing operation of the tapes is effected from the side of the free ends of the container (the side far away from the column), resulting in easy handling of the tapes.

In a third embodiment of display apparatus according to the present invention as shown in. Figure 10, the display apparatus 61 comprises a number of containers and a frame 62 on which the boxes are mounted in a circular arrangement. The containers are like the container 12 of Figure 1 or others which have been described.

The frame 62 comprises a supporting pillar 63 and two circular supporting plates 64 fixed or rotatably mounted on the pillar 63 in a spaced manner, so that a plural number (four in this embodiment) of containers 12 are supported between the two supporting plates 64. The containers 12 are arranged in radial directions relative to the supporting pillar 62, and the shaft portions 14a of the columns 14 are rotatably supported in the bearing portions 64a which are spaced equally from the supporting pillar 62 as well as from one another.

As with the apparatus 51, this apparatus 61 is capable of holding a number of tapes for display, and the tapes thus displayed are easily seen on both sides and further, the inserting and removing operation of the tapes can be effected simply by opening the stop member 18.

Numerals 70 in Figures 9 and 10 indicate cushioning members to protect the containers from impact by one another.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A display apparatus for pre-recorded tapes such apparatus including at least one container and a frame for supporting said container, said container including a column which is rotatably supported by said frame, a a pair of longitudinally spaced lateral mem- bers each of which is perpendicular to said column with one end thereof at a respective end of said column, and a number of crosspieces between the lateral members and also perpendicular to said column with one end of each crosspiece on said column, said crosspieces defining with each other and the lateral members a number of separate chambers along the column for holding pre-recorded tapes (as herein defined) therein, a stop member parallel with said column and movably connected to each of the said lateral members at the ends thereof remote from said column so as to open and close the side of the chambers remote from the column and frame, and a locking means for locking said stop member, in a condition closing said one side of said chambers, to at least one of said lateral members.

2. A display apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which all of said chambers for holding pre-recorded tapes in the container are in the same plane and each of said chambers is dimensioned so as to hold a number of pre-recorded tapes arranged in a series perpendicular to the column.

3. A display apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which each of said crosspieces comprises a angled member having a groove into which edges of the tapes can be inserted, a pair of such crosspieces bounding one said chamber.

4. A display apparatus as claimed in claim 3, in which said angled members have U-shaped cross sections, and said crosspieces are provided in pairs, back-to-back.

5. A display apparatus as claimed in claim 3, in which said angled members have H-shaped cross-sections.

6. A display apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which said stop member is connected by hinges to the other ends of said pair of lateral members, and is pivotable to a position in which it faces the end faces of said pair of lateral members, and is pivotable to a position in which it faces the end faces of said pair of lateral members and said crosspieces, so that each of said chambers for holding pre-recorded tapes is closed.

7. A display apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, in which the ends of said stop member comprise engaging portions smaller in width than the remainder of said stop member; and at each of the opposed surfaces of said pair of lateral members there is provided a slit into which a said engaging portion can be inserted; each of said crosspieces having a length substantially equal to the distance from the column to the slits.

8. A display apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which said column, said pair of lateral members and said plurality of crosspieces are moulded into an integrated form from a transparent plastics material.

9. A display apparatus according to any preceding claim including a plurality of containers supported by the frame and a cushioning member provided on each side

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. portions 14a of the columns 14 of the containers are pivotally supported by bearing portions 52c provided in a series in each of the horizontal parts 52a. A plural number (three in this embodiment) of containers 12 are disposed between the two parallel horizontal parts 52a, so that by pivotally moving the containers, as if turning the pages of a book, a person can see the tapes contained therein from both sides. In this apparatus 51, a number of containers are arranged with a small space therebetween, and since each container is pivotally movable independently, the tapes contained in the containers are still easy to see even if a number of containers are arranged within a small distance. Further, the inserting and removing operation of the tapes is effected from the side of the free ends of the container (the side far away from the column), resulting in easy handling of the tapes. In a third embodiment of display apparatus according to the present invention as shown in. Figure 10, the display apparatus 61 comprises a number of containers and a frame 62 on which the boxes are mounted in a circular arrangement. The containers are like the container 12 of Figure 1 or others which have been described. The frame 62 comprises a supporting pillar 63 and two circular supporting plates 64 fixed or rotatably mounted on the pillar 63 in a spaced manner, so that a plural number (four in this embodiment) of containers 12 are supported between the two supporting plates 64. The containers 12 are arranged in radial directions relative to the supporting pillar 62, and the shaft portions 14a of the columns 14 are rotatably supported in the bearing portions 64a which are spaced equally from the supporting pillar 62 as well as from one another. As with the apparatus 51, this apparatus 61 is capable of holding a number of tapes for display, and the tapes thus displayed are easily seen on both sides and further, the inserting and removing operation of the tapes can be effected simply by opening the stop member 18. Numerals 70 in Figures 9 and 10 indicate cushioning members to protect the containers from impact by one another. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A display apparatus for pre-recorded tapes such apparatus including at least one container and a frame for supporting said container, said container including a column which is rotatably supported by said frame, a a pair of longitudinally spaced lateral mem- bers each of which is perpendicular to said column with one end thereof at a respective end of said column, and a number of crosspieces between the lateral members and also perpendicular to said column with one end of each crosspiece on said column, said crosspieces defining with each other and the lateral members a number of separate chambers along the column for holding pre-recorded tapes (as herein defined) therein, a stop member parallel with said column and movably connected to each of the said lateral members at the ends thereof remote from said column so as to open and close the side of the chambers remote from the column and frame, and a locking means for locking said stop member, in a condition closing said one side of said chambers, to at least one of said lateral members.

of the lateral members of each container.

10. A display apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which said frame is formed in a rectangular shape having two vertical members and two horizontal members, and a plurality of containers are arranged in parallel between said two horizontal members; said horizontal members having, in a series in the longitudinal direction, bearing portionns for bearing said columns of the containers.

11. A display apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, in which said frame comprises a supporting pillar and two supporting plates spacedly mounted on said supporting pillar; a plurality of containers being arranged between said two supporting plates; each of said supporting plates having bearing portions for bearing the columns of the containers, the bearing portions being spaced equally from the supporting pillar as well as from one another.

12. A display apparatus for prerecorded tapes constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, Figure 5, Figures 6 to 8, Figure 9 or Figure 10 of the accompanying drawings.