GB2359486A - CD display unit - Google Patents

Abstract

A CD display unit comprises a plastics tray 10 having upstanding projections 11, 12 which define a socket to receive a CD case in snap-fitting engagement. Depending opposite walls 15 carry catches 17 for engagement with complementary formations 18 on the walls of similar trays to secure the trays in side-by-side relationship. Trays can also be secured in face-to-face relationship by means of hinge plates 13 which locate in sockets 14 of similar trays; metal rods passing through aligned apertures 19 in the plates and sockets form axes about which the trays can pivot. The display unit can be fixed to a wall by means of screws passing through apertures 22.

Description

2359486 WALL-MOUNTED DISPLAY UNIT FOR PRERECORDED MEDIA This invention

relates to a wall-mounted unit for displaying prerecorded media, such as compact discs, mini discs, audio and video tape cassettes and cartridges etc.

Music sold on prerecorded media is generally provided in a plastics case having a hinged opening, through which a printed sheet of paper or card can be viewed. Typically, the printed sheet comprises the name of the artist who has recorded the music, together with some artwork or a photograph.

Generally, these printed sheets are quite attractive to look at and thus I have realised that a plurality of these prerecorded media sheets could make an interesting and appealing alternative wall display, if they were to be mounted together in an array.

US Patent No. 5 040 687 discloses a wall-mounted display unit for compact discs and the like comprising a rectangular panel of moulded plastics material having an array of sockets for receiving individual compact discs etc.

A disadvantage of this arrangement is that the number of sockets cannot be varied and thus the display will look unsightly, unless it is completely full of compact discs etc. Furthermore, the number of compact discs which can be displayed is limited, unless more than one unit is purchased.

European Patent Application No. EP 0 691 654 discloses a display unit for compact discs etc. comprising a plurality of individual trays, each for holding one compact disc. Each tray comprises a connector for connecting it to other trays, such that an array of trays can be formed.

A disadvantage of this arrangement is that the array of trays will have to be very large if the unit is to accommodate an average person's compact disc collection. Furthermore, the unit is unsightly, since it is primarily intended for use in shops, where aesthetic considerations are not important.

I have now devised a wall-mounted display unit for 2 prerecorded problems.

media which alleviates the above-mentioned In accordance with this invention there is provided a display unit for prerecorded media, the unit comprising a plurality of individual parallel- sided trays, each having complementary engaging portions disposed on respective opposite side and end edges thereof, which enable the trays to be arranged side-by-side in an array, and a socket in the front surface thereof arranged to receive the case of an individual prerecorded media item, wherein each tray further comprises complementary hinge portions disposed on front and rear surfaces thereof, which enable the trays to be arranged in a stack, with each tray in the stack being pivotable away from underlying trays to expose the prerecorded media item in the underlying tray.

In use, the number of trays in the array can be varied, according to the number of media items that are to be displayed. Furthermore, the trays can be stacked in two or more layers, with each layer comprising one or more trays. In this manner, the capacity of the unit can be doubled by adding another layer and without increasing the space occupied by the unit on the wall. The prerecorded media item in each layer can be exposed by pivoting back the trays in the layers above.

Preferably the complementary hinge portions are disposed adjacent a side edge of each tray.

Preferably each tray comprises a pair of complementary hinge portions respectively disposed adjacent opposite side edges of each tray, so that each tray can either be hinged along its right hand or left-hand edge.

Preferably the complementary hinge portions of each tray comprise a pair of projections extending normal to the plane of the tray from respective opposite end edges of the tray adjacent a side edge thereof, and a pair of sockets disposed on opposite end edges of the tray.

Preferably the projections comprise flat tabs extending in line with their respective opposite end edges of the tray.

3 Preferably the complementary hinge portions comprise apertures through which a rod can be inserted to fasten together adjacent trays in the stack.

Preferably the projections extend outwardly of the rear 5 surface of the tray.

Preferably apertures are provided in each tray for fastening the tray to a wall or other vertical surface.

Preferably each tray comprises feet, each having an outer end which terminates substantially in-line with the outer 10 end of each projection.

Preferably a space is provided on the front surface of each tray, alongside the socket, so that enough space is provided in order to be able to open the hinged openings of the cases.

Preferably the feet extend from the rear surface of the tray, on the opposite side thereof to the space.

Preferably each tray comprises a one-piece moulding of plastics material.

Preferably a space is provided alongside each socket in the array, so that enough space is provided in order to be able to open the hinged openings of the cases.

Embodiments of this invention will now be described by way of examples only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a tray of an embodiment of compact disc display unit in accordance with this invention; FIGURE 2 is an end view of the tray of Figure 1; FIGURE 3 is a side view of the tray of Figure 1; FIGURE 4 is a bottom view of the tray of Figure 1; and Figure 5 is perspective view of two trays hinged together to form an alternative embodiment of compact disc display unit in accordance with this invention.

Referring to Figures 1 to 4 of the drawings, there is shown a one-piece tray of plastics material, which when connected to other such trays forms a wall-mounted display unit for displaying compact discs.

4 Each tray comprises a flat square base 10 having a plurality of upstanding projections 11,12 disposed along respective pairs of parallel lines which extend parallel to but spaced apart from opposite side and end edges of the base 10 respectively. The projections 11,12 define a socket for receiving the compact disc case. The outer end of each of the projections 12 extend inwardly towards the projections on the other side edge of the tray and thereby form catches which engage over a lip on the bottom side edges of the compact disc case.

The base 10 comprises depending opposite side and end walls 15,16. Catches 17 are provided on one of the side walls 15 and on one of the end walls 16 for engaging with complementary formations 18 on the opposite side and end walls 15,16 of another tray, in order to fasten the trays side-byside.

Flat hinge plates 13 extend rearwardly from opposite ends of each end wall 16 of the base 10. Each hinge plate 13 lies in the same plane as the end wall 16 from which it extends. The outer end edges of each plate 13 curves outwardly and downwardly, with the curve being centred about an aperture 19 which extends through the plate.

Recesses are formed in the opposite ends of each end wall 16 of the base 10, to define sockets 14 for receiving the outer ends of the hinge plates 13 of another tray. Apertures 20 extend from the sockets 14 through their respective end walls 16.

Feet 21 project rearwardly from the base 10 and terminate in the same plane as the outer ends of the hinge plates 13. A mounting aperture 22 extends through the feet 21 from the front surface of the base 10.

In use, the unit is formed by mounting a plurality of trays side-by-side in array, by interengaging their respective catches 17 and formations 18. Once the desired number of trays 10 have been formed into an array, the unit can be fixed to a wall by passing screws through several of the apertures 22.

Compact disc cases can then be inserted into the sockets in each tray, with the boxes being securely retained by the catches On the projections 12.

The space surrounding each socket on the front surface of the base 10 provides sufficient room to grasp the sides of the compact disc case when inserting or removing it from the socket. Also, the space enables the front edge of the hinged cover of the case to be lifted, in order to allow access to the com-pact disc whilst it is in-situ in the tray. Preferably, a pair of spaced-apart cutouts (not shown) is formed at one end of L---he base of each tray, in order to allow the cover of the compact disc to be hinged open.

Referring to Figure 5 of the drawings, there are shown two trays hinged together to form an alternative embodiment of display unit and like parts are given like reference numerals. In this embodiment, the only difference between the trays and the trays of Figures 1-4 is the feature that the feet 20 are separate from the apertures 21.

The trays are hinged together along one side edge by engaging a pair of hinge plates 13 at one side edge of the tray with the corresponding sockets 14 of another tray. A metal rod (not shown) is then inserted through the aligned apertures 19, 20 in the plates 13 and sockets 14, thereby fastening the two trays together and forming an axle about which the trays are hinged.

When the trays are hinged together, the unused hinge plates 13 at the opposite side edge of the uppermost tray are freely -received in the corresponding sockets 14 of 1Che tray below. Recesses 25 are formed in the front surface of each tray for receiving the feet 21 of a tray above when the trays are hinged together.

Typically an array of side-by-side trays would be formed to the desired size. A further layer of trays can then be added by forming a second array and then hinging that array to the first array along one side edge thereof. The whole array can then be hinged back to reveal the compact discs in the 6 layer below. Further layers can then be added in a similar manner.

In order to reduce the strain on the hinge plates, the second and subsequent layers can be formed in two halves with respective halves being hinged along opposite side edges of the unit.

It will be appreciated that a display unit in accordance with this invention is inexpensive to manufacture and simple in construction but is extremely versatile in the way the trays can be hinged together and/or mounted side-byside in array.

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Claims (17)

1 A wall-mounted unit for displaying pre-recorded media, which can hold and display numerous items which are easily identifiable, and clear to see.

2 A display unit as claimed in Claim 1 that can be attached to a wall or similar surface, using fixings such as screws, preferably, apertures are provided in each tray for fastening the tray to a wall or other vertical surface.

A display unit as claimed in Claim 1 where the media is displayed with the covers and spines as an immediate viewpoint, therefore making the media easier to locate.

4 A display unit as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 that is easy to assemble and dissemble, using clip together joints, that have been specifically designed for ease of use and so that attachments can be added or removed and which rotate smoothly.

A display unit as claimed in Claim 4 which offers the ability to house an unlimited number of media to be displayed.

6 A display unit as claimed in any preceding claim that can be made out of lightweight materials such plastic or chrome for practicality or even heavier material such as wood for aesthetic requirements or a combination of these materials.

7 A display unit as claimed in any preceding claim that allows the displayed playing media's casing to be held in place on the display unit, while it is being used, therefore reducing the risk of damage.

8 A display unit as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a plurality of individual parallel sided trays, each having complementary engaging portions disposed on respective opposite side and edges thereof, which enables the trays to be arranged side by side in an array, or the trays can be stacked in two or more layers, with each layer comprising one or more trays.

9 A display unit as claimed in claim 8 which has a socket in the front surface, arranged to receive the case of an individual prerecorded media item.

A display unit as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9 wherein each tray further comprises complementary hinge portions disposed on front and rear surfaces thereof, which enable the trays to be arranged in a stack, with each tray in the stack being pivot able away from underlying trays to expose the prerecorded media item in the underlying tray.

11 A display unit as claimed in any preceding claim, in which preferably the complementary hinge portions are disposed adjacent a side edge of each tray, a pair of hinge portions respectively disposed adjacent opposite side edges of each tray, so that each tray can either be hinged along its right hand or left hand edge.

12 A display unit as claimed in any preceding claim, in which preferably the hinge portions of each tray comprise a pair of projections extending normal to the plane of the tray from respective opposite end edges of the tray adjacent a side edge thereof, and a pair of sockets disposed on opposite end edges of the tray.

13 Preferably, the complementary hinge portions comprise apertures through which a rod can be inserted to fasten together adjacent trays in the stack.

14 Preferably, a space is provided on the front surface of each tray, alongside the socket, so that enough space is provided in order to be able to open the hinged openings of the cases.

Preferably, each tray comprises feet, each having an outer end which terniinates substantially in line with the outer end of each projection, these feet should preferably extend from the rear surface of the tray, on the opposite side thereof to the space.

16 Preferably, each tray comprises a one piece moulding of plastics material.

17 A display unit substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1-5 of the accompanying drawings.