GB2056263A - Tape cassette racks - Google Patents

Abstract

In a rack for tape cassettes or cassette cases or the like, (intended to fit within a drawer or cabinet), the cassettes or cases are supported on a surface which is relieved at one end or is shorter than the cassette or case so that the cassette or case can be tilted by pressing down on the unsupported end thereof, whereby the other end of the cassette or case is raised above the level of other cassettes or cases in the rack, thus assisting in its removal.

Description

SPECIFICATION Tape cassette storage rack This invention relates to a rack for tape cassettes or cassette cases or the like.

It is difficult to store tape cassette cases in a compact manner since, if they are too close together it is hardly possible to pick up a case when needed. To overcome this difficulty, the cases can be spaced apart from each other and, if the rack is within a drawer or other container, also from the walls of the container, but this reduces the number of cassettes or cases which can be stored in a given space.

In order to enable compace storage of cassettes or cassette cases or the like, in such a manner as to permit ready removal of a cassette or case when needed, I now propose a rack in which a supporting surface for the cassette or case is relieved at one end or which is shorter than the cassette or case, so as to permit pivoting of a cassette or case supported on the surface whereby the other end of the cassette or case is raised above the level of other cassettes or cases in the rack, thus facilitating its removal.

In a preferred embodiment, the rack is divided into individual compartments each for receiving a cassette case and arranged in two spaced rows disposed on opposite sides of a common spine for maintaining a space between cassette case stored in the two rows of compartments, the supporting surface in each compartment being relieved at the end adjacent the spine.

An embodiment of this invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1: is a perspective view of a rack for storing tape cassette cases and/or cassettes and Figure 2: is a cross-section on 11-11 in Figure 1.

The preferred embodiment of storage rack according to this invention, shown in the accompanying drawings consists of a plastic moulding and is intended to fit in a drawer or cabinet.

Emanating from a common central spine 10 of the rack 12 are ribs 14 defining therebetween compartments 16 each for receiving a tape cassette case which rests on ledges 18 extending along opposite sides of the compartment.

As will be seen in plan view, the ledges are contoured defining therebetween a recess shaped to receive the cassette itself (i.e. without the case).

Adjacent the spine 10, the ledges 18 which together present a supporting surface for the cassette case, are relieved as shown so that the case is pivotable about the corner 20 by pressing down on the upper edge (not shown) of the case at the end nearest the spine 10. This causes the other end of the cassette case to lift above the level of other cases in the rack so enabling removal of the case with little or no difficulty.

Clearly, the rack need not have individual compartments 16, nor need it be adapted to receive cassettes without a case. In its simplest form, a rack according to this invention comprises a flat surface upon which cassette cases may be arranged in abutment with one another the surface being relieved along the entire length of one side somewhat as described above to permit tilting of any selected individual case.

1. A rack for tape cassettes or cassette case or the like in which a supporting surface for the cassette or case is relieved at one end or which is shorter than the cassette or case, so as, in use, to permit pivoting of a cassette or case supported on the surface, whereby the other end of the cassette or case is raised above the level of other cassettes or cases in the rack, thus facilitating its removal.

2. A rack according to claim 1 wherein the rack is divided into individual compartments each for receiving a cassette case and arranged in two spaced rows disposed on opposite sides of a common spine for maintaining a space between cassette cases stored in the two rows of compartments, the supporting surface in each compartment being relieved at the end adjacent the spine.

3. A rack according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the rack is fitted within a drawer or cabinet or other container.

4. A rack for tape cassettes or cassette cases or the like, constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

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

Claims (4)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Tape cassette storage rack This invention relates to a rack for tape cassettes or cassette cases or the like. It is difficult to store tape cassette cases in a compact manner since, if they are too close together it is hardly possible to pick up a case when needed. To overcome this difficulty, the cases can be spaced apart from each other and, if the rack is within a drawer or other container, also from the walls of the container, but this reduces the number of cassettes or cases which can be stored in a given space. In order to enable compace storage of cassettes or cassette cases or the like, in such a manner as to permit ready removal of a cassette or case when needed, I now propose a rack in which a supporting surface for the cassette or case is relieved at one end or which is shorter than the cassette or case, so as to permit pivoting of a cassette or case supported on the surface whereby the other end of the cassette or case is raised above the level of other cassettes or cases in the rack, thus facilitating its removal. In a preferred embodiment, the rack is divided into individual compartments each for receiving a cassette case and arranged in two spaced rows disposed on opposite sides of a common spine for maintaining a space between cassette case stored in the two rows of compartments, the supporting surface in each compartment being relieved at the end adjacent the spine. An embodiment of this invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1: is a perspective view of a rack for storing tape cassette cases and/or cassettes and Figure 2: is a cross-section on 11-11 in Figure 1. The preferred embodiment of storage rack according to this invention, shown in the accompanying drawings consists of a plastic moulding and is intended to fit in a drawer or cabinet. Emanating from a common central spine 10 of the rack 12 are ribs 14 defining therebetween compartments 16 each for receiving a tape cassette case which rests on ledges 18 extending along opposite sides of the compartment. As will be seen in plan view, the ledges are contoured defining therebetween a recess shaped to receive the cassette itself (i.e. without the case). Adjacent the spine 10, the ledges 18 which together present a supporting surface for the cassette case, are relieved as shown so that the case is pivotable about the corner 20 by pressing down on the upper edge (not shown) of the case at the end nearest the spine 10. This causes the other end of the cassette case to lift above the level of other cases in the rack so enabling removal of the case with little or no difficulty. Clearly, the rack need not have individual compartments 16, nor need it be adapted to receive cassettes without a case. In its simplest form, a rack according to this invention comprises a flat surface upon which cassette cases may be arranged in abutment with one another the surface being relieved along the entire length of one side somewhat as described above to permit tilting of any selected individual case. CLAIMS

1. A rack for tape cassettes or cassette case or the like in which a supporting surface for the cassette or case is relieved at one end or which is shorter than the cassette or case, so as, in use, to permit pivoting of a cassette or case supported on the surface, whereby the other end of the cassette or case is raised above the level of other cassettes or cases in the rack, thus facilitating its removal.

2. A rack according to claim 1 wherein the rack is divided into individual compartments each for receiving a cassette case and arranged in two spaced rows disposed on opposite sides of a common spine for maintaining a space between cassette cases stored in the two rows of compartments, the supporting surface in each compartment being relieved at the end adjacent the spine.

3. A rack according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the rack is fitted within a drawer or cabinet or other container.

4. A rack for tape cassettes or cassette cases or the like, constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.