GB2169264A

GB2169264A - Tape cassette cases

Info

Publication number: GB2169264A
Application number: GB08600151A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Massoud Vakili Shayesteh
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-01-09
Filing date: 1986-01-06
Publication date: 1986-07-09
Also published as: GB8500486D0; GB8600151D0

Abstract

A tape cassette case 10 is adapted for connection to other like cassette cases so as to form a storage unit comprising at least a row and optionally also columns of cassette cases. At least one side face wall 12 of the case 10 carries means for attachment to the opposite side face wall of another identical case. In the preferred embodiment male and female connector parts are provided respectively on the opposed side face walls and optionally also on opposed edge walls, permitting cases to be connected together side by side to form a row and optionally edge to edge forming columns, of cassette cases. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Cases for tape cassettes This invention relates to cases for tape cassettes which may be either audio or video tape cassettes.

When not in use it is normal to keep tape cassettes within the cases in which they are supplied and, further, for the cassettes case to be stored together in a cabinet or rack or other storage unit.

The space required for storage is therefore much greater than the volume of the cassettes themselves. Also, it is often difficult to find storage units to fit into a limited space available particularly, for example, in a car.

The present invention aims to at least mitigate these disadvantages.

I now propose a cassette case which is adapted for connection to other like cassette cases so as to form a storage unit comprising at least a row and optionally also columns of cassette cases. By this means the need for separate storage units is avoided and the space required for storage is reduced.

In accordance with the present invention I propose a storage case for a tape cassette or other generally flat rectangular object, having two opposed side face walls interconnected by edge walls and a hinged lid including one of the edge walls affording access for edge loading of a cassette or the like into these, wherein at least one of the side face walls carries means for attachment to the opposite side face wall of another identical case, whereby a plurality of cassette cases can be connected together.

The attachment means may comprise an adhesive layer or pad or pads covered, for example, by a release film, in a preferred embodiment, the case has a male connector part on one side face wall and a female connector part on the other side face wall, whereby identical cassette cases can be connected together side by side, by inserting the male part on one case into the female part on the other case.

Attachment means are preferably provided also on the opposed end edge walls or side edge walls as appropriate, depending upon whether the hinged lid includes a side edge wall of an end edge wall. Male and female connector parts similar to those on the opposed side face wall are pre- ferred.

The provision of attachment means on the opposed side face walls and also on opposed edge walls enables the user to assemble a plurality of cases into a storage unit of any desired configuration.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the cassette cases are edge loading cases in which the lid is hinged at a corner between two side edges for displacement about an axis normal to the opposed side face walls. This permits removal of cassettes from the cases without first having to remove the cassette cases from the assembled storage unit.

Due to the close proximity of cassette cases in an assembled storage unit it is preferred that opening of the lid causes or permits movement of the cassette at least partially out of the case. A cassette may, for example, be held in the case by the lid against the action of a biasing spring or other means such that the spring at least partially ejects the cassette when the lid is opened.

Alternatively, or in addition, the lid may comprise opposed resilient wings shaped such that, as the lid closes, the cassette is clasped between the wings. When the lid is opened, the cassette moves within it and is partly withdrawn from the case.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a storage case from a tape cassette; Figure 2 is an end view of the case shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a cross-section on A - A in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a fragmentary cross-section showing the interior of the case of Figure 1 at an end opposite the lid; Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of a storage unit comprising two rows of cassette cases such as shown in Figure 1 to 4; Figure 6 is a side view of another cassette case; Figure 7 is a cross-section on A - A in Figure 6; and Figures 8 and 9 show alternative two part connections enabling cassette cases to be connected together.

The cassette case 10 shown in Figures 1 to 4 is moulded of plastics material and has opposed side face walls 12, 14, end edge walls 16, 18 and side edge walls 20, 22. One of the end edge walls 18 forms part of a lid 24 which is hinged at one corner of the case for angular displacement as indicated in Figure 1 to afford access for insertion of a tape cassette 26 into the end edge opening so formed. The lid has generally trapezoidal wings 28 which are complementary with cut-outs 30 formed in the side face walls and fit either side of a cassette in the case when the lid is closed. A tab 32 projecting from the side edge wall opposite the hinge serves to locate the lid 24 and tends to hold it closed.

Two elongate projections 34, 36 moulded integrally with one side face wall 12 and arranged generally parallel to the side edge walls 20 and 22, together form a flared tenon; the male part of a dovetail connection. Extending along the opposite side face wall 14 are two other elongate projections 38, 40 which together define a recess or mortice complementary to-the flared tenon and forms the female part of a dovetail connection.

A flared tenon and a complementary recess are also formed by projections 42, 44 respectively on the opposed side edge walls 20 and 22.

Cassette cases such as shown in Figures 1 to 4 may be connected together side by side andor edge to edge by inserting the male connector part on one case into the female connector part on another case to form dovetail connections between adjacent cases. An assembly of such cassette cases provides a compact storage unit for tape cassettes comprising one or more rows of cassette cases 10 as shown in Figure 5.

To facilitate removal of a cassette from the case a leaf spring 46 is fitted in the case at the opposite end to the lid adjacent the internal surface of the end edge wall. One limb 48 of the leaf spring 46 is a press-fit within the case and the other limb 50 is free. When a cassette is inserted and the lid closed the spring is compressed so that when the lid is opened once again the spring acts to eject the cassette.

When the hinged lid 24 includes a side edge wall of the case as in the embodiment of Figures 6 and 7, the wings 28 and 30 of the lid 24 are formed so as to diverge and terminate in curved lips 52. Consequently, and also due to the resilience of the material from which the lid is formed, the lips bear upon the sides of a cassette 26 in the closed cassette case. When the lid is opened, therefore, the cassette is pulled with it so drawing the cassette part way out of the case to facilitate removal by the user.

In the embodiment of Figure 8, each case 10 has on one side face 14 thereof two elongate projections 54 and 56 together defining a T-shaped groove 58 forming a female part. Extending along the opposite side face 12 of the case are two Lshaped projections 60 and 62 which together define a T-shaped male part complementary with the groove 58. If desired, the two L-shaped projections can be replaced by a single T-shaped projection (shown dotted). Two identical cassette cases may thus be connected together by sliding the male part into the female part or groove 58, from one end thereof.

Figure 9 illustrates another two part connector having interlocking male and female connector parts. One or more hooks 64 on one side face 14 of the cassette case 10 can be inserted into corresponding female connector parts in the form of eyes 66 arranged on the opposite side face of another cassette case. In this embodiment also the hooks 64 and eyes 66 are preferably moulded integrally with the case.

Various other connectors may be used. For example, the male and female connector parts may form a snap connection. The female connector part is formed of resilient material or otherwise made resilient to receive and retain the male connector part.

If desired the female connector part or parts may be formed as sockets (e.g.) arranged at the four corners of the side face of the cassette case, whereby the cases can be connected together with the side faces in contact.

Other possible embodiments include a screwed connector, a pivotal latch connector and a pinned connection.

Claims

1. A storage case for a tape cassette or other generally flat rectangular object, having two opposed side face walls interconnected by edge walls and a hinged lid including one of the edge walls affording access for edge loading of a cassette or the like into the case, wherein at least one of the side face walls carries means for attachment to the opposite side face wall of another identical case, whereby a plurality of cassette cases can be connected together.

2. A storage case for a tape cassette or other generally flat rectangular object, the case having opposed side face walls, opposed side edge walls and opposed end edge walls, and having a hinged lid which includes one of the edge walls and is displaceable about an axis normal to the opposed side face walls and disposed adjacent a corner of the case, so affording access for edge loading of a cassette or the like into the case, wherein at least one of the side face walls carries means for attachment to the opposite side face wall of another identical case, whereby a plurality of cassette case can be connected together.

3. A cassette case according to claim 1 or claim 2 having a male connector part on one side face wall and a female connector part on the other side face wall, whereby identical cassette cases can be connected together side by side inserting the male part on one case into the female part on the other case.

4. A cassette case according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the said one edge wall is a side edge wall.

5. A cassette case according to claim 4 wherein at least one end edge wall carries means for attachment to the opposite end edge wall of another identical case whereby a plurality of cassette cases can be connected together edge to edge.

6. A cassette case according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the said one edge wall is an end edge wall.

7. A cassette case according to claim 5 wherein at least one side edge wall carries means for attachment to the opposite side edge wall of another identical case.

8. A cassette case according to claim 4 or claim 6 having a male connector part on one side or end edge wall and a female connector part on the other side or end edge wall, whereby identical cassette cases can be connected together edge to edge by inserting the male part of one case into the female part on the other case.

9. A cassette case according to claim 3 or claim 8 wherein the male connector part comprises a flaring tenon and the female part comprises a complementary recess or mortise, such that a dovetail joint is formed when the male part on one case is inserted in the female part of another case.

10. A cassette case according to claim 8 wherein the flaring tenon comprises two spaces elongate projections extending parallel to one another and to the opposed side edge walls of the case.