U.S. patent application number 11/024292 was filed with the patent office on 2006-06-29 for foldable cd visor case.
This patent application is currently assigned to Fellowes, Inc.. Invention is credited to Michel Arney, Alexandre Hennen, Michael R. Jensen, Ann Sullivan.
Application Number | 20060138000 11/024292 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36610131 |
Filed Date | 2006-06-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060138000 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jensen; Michael R. ; et
al. |
June 29, 2006 |
Foldable CD visor case
Abstract
A foldable compact disc case for retaining multiple compact
discs to the visor of the vehicle. The foldable compact disc visor
case is adapted to be connected to a vehicle visor and includes a
foldable body having a first body portion and a second body
portion, each portion being interconnected by a hinge. The foldable
body is adapted to be retained to a vehicle visor by the use of
elastomeric straps that are secured around the perimeter of the
visor. The foldable body includes a plurality of pockets located on
both the first and second body portions for retaining compact
discs. The foldable body further includes a page hingedly connected
to the foldable body between the first and second body portions.
The page includes a plurality of pockets on both sides for
retaining compact discs and includes a plurality of fasteners to
permit the page to be selectively attached adjacent either the
first body portion or the second body portion so that compact discs
can be removed from the foldable compact disc case without the need
for the driver to retain the position of the page while removing
the discs.
Inventors: |
Jensen; Michael R.;
(Roselle, IL) ; Arney; Michel; (Wellesley, MA)
; Hennen; Alexandre; (Cambridge, MA) ; Sullivan;
Ann; (Waltham, MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BARNES & THORNBURG, LLP
P.O. BOX 2786
CHICAGO
IL
60690-2786
US
|
Assignee: |
Fellowes, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
36610131 |
Appl. No.: |
11/024292 |
Filed: |
December 23, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/308.1 ;
G9B/33.014 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11B 33/0444
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/308.1 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/30 20060101
B65D085/30 |
Claims
1. A foldable compact disc case for retaining multiple compact
discs comprising: a foldable body having a first body portion and a
second body portion, each portion being interconnected by a hinge;
the foldable body including a plurality of pockets for retaining
compact discs; at least one page hingedly connected to the foldable
body and including a plurality of pockets for retaining compact
discs; and at least one retainer attached to the foldable compact
disc case adapted to permit the at least one page to be selectively
attached adjacent either the first body portion or the second body
portion.
2. The foldable compact disc case of claim 1, wherein the foldable
body includes at least one retention member for selectively
retaining the foldable body to a vehicle visor.
3. The foldable compact disc case of claim 2, wherein the at least
one retention member is in the form of an elastomeric strap.
4. The foldable compact disc case of claim 3, wherein the
elastomeric strap is adapted to be positioned around the vehicle
visor.
5. The foldable compact disc case of claim 1, wherein the plurality
of pockets of the foldable body and the at least one page are in an
overlapping arrangement.
6. The foldable compact disc case of claim 1, wherein the retainer
is at least one magnet positioned on the at least one page and
ferrous metal plates positioned on the first and second body
portions.
7. The foldable compact disc case of claim 6, wherein the first and
second body portions are retained a closed position by joining the
at least one magnet to the ferrous metal plates.
8. The foldable compact disc of claim 6 wherein the ferrous metal
plates have a contact surface area greater than the surface area of
the at least one magnet.
9. The foldable compact disc case of claim 1, wherein the at least
one page and first and second body portions include a fibrous faced
material adapted to prevent damage to the compact discs.
10. A foldable compact disc visor case for retaining multiple
compact discs to a vehicle visor comprising: a foldable body having
a first body portion and a second body portion, each portion being
interconnected by a hinge, the foldable body having a retention
member for selectively retaining the foldable body to the vehicle
visor; the foldable body including a plurality of pockets for
retaining compact discs; a page hingedly connected to the foldable
body and including a plurality of pockets for retaining compact
discs; and at least one retainer adapted to permit the page to be
selectively attached adjacent either the first body portion or the
second body portion.
11. The foldable compact disc visor case of claim 9, wherein the
retention member is in the form of an elastomeric strap.
12. The foldable compact disc visor case of claim 11, wherein the
elastomeric strap is adapted to be positioned around the vehicle
visor.
13. The foldable compact disc visor case of claim 10, wherein the
plurality of pockets of the foldable body and the at least one page
are in an overlapping arrangement.
14. The foldable compact disc visor case of claim 10, wherein the
at least one retainer is in the form of magnets positioned on the
at least one page and the first and second body portions.
15. The foldable compact disc visor case of claim 14, wherein the
first and second body portions are retained a closed position by
joining the magnets.
16. The foldable compact disc visor of claim 10 wherein at least
one retainer is in the form of at least one magnet positioned on
the center page and magnetically attractive plates positioned on
the first and second body portions.
17. The foldable compact disc visor case of claim 10, wherein the
at least one page and first and second body portions include a
fibrous faced material adapted to prevent damage to the compact
discs.
18. A foldable compact disc case for the retention of compact discs
comprising: a foldable housing have a first section connected to a
second section with a hinge, the first and second sections
including a plurality of pockets for retaining compact discs; a
page hingedly connected to the foldable housing; and the foldable
compact disc case including a retainer to permit the page to be
selectably retained adjacent the first section or the section of
the foldable housing, the page including a plurality of pockets for
retaining compact discs.
19. The foldable compact disc case of claim 18, wherein the
foldable housing includes at least one retention member for
selectively retaining the foldable body to a vehicle visor.
20. The foldable compact disc case of claim 19, wherein the at
least one retention member is in the form of an elastomeric
strap.
21. The foldable compact disc case of claim 18, wherein the
elastomeric strap is adapted to be positioned around the vehicle
visor.
22. The foldable compact disc case of claim 20, wherein the
plurality of pockets of the foldable housing and the page are in an
overlapping arrangement.
23. The foldable compact disc case of claim 18, wherein the
retainer is in the form of magnets positioned on the at least one
page and the first and second body portions.
24. The foldable compact disc case of claim 23, wherein the first
and second sections are retained a closed position by joining the
magnets.
25. The foldable compact disc case of claim 18 wherein the retainer
is in the form of at least one magnet positioned on the center page
and ferrous metal plates positioned on the first and second body
positions.
26. The foldable compact disc of claim 18 wherein the retainer is
in the form of magnets positioned on the first and second body
positions and at least one metallic plate positioned on the center
page.
27. The foldable compact disc case of claim 18, wherein the at
least one page and first and second sections include a fibrous
faced material adapted to prevent damage to the compact discs.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to cases for carrying and storing
CD's. More particularly, disclosed herein is a CD carrying case or
wallet adapted to be removably attached to the visor of a
vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] This disclosure relates to a foldable compact disc visor
case that is designed to hold multiple compact discs and attach to
a vehicle visor to allow for easy access to the CD's when attached
to the visor. The case described herein also allows for easy
detachment from the visor, and may be used as a CD wallet when not
attached to a visor.
[0003] Various types of compact disc cases are used to safely store
compact discs when they are not in their original jewel cases.
These are typically in the form of flat cases that include a
plurality of pockets, each pocket adapted to retain a single
compact disc. Other cases include folders that retain one or more
compact discs per page providing safe storage for compact discs.
Problems arise however, when trying to store or access compact
discs in a vehicle.
[0004] Typical compact disc cases limit the number of compact discs
that can be stored on a given area. Compact disc folders typically
have multiple pages that require a user to take their eyes off the
road for periods of time in order to thumb through to locate the
desired compact disc. Distractions while driving a vehicle such as
conversing on a cell phone, trying to locate a desired compact
disc, contribute to a significant number of vehicle related
accidents every year. Additionally, present cases and folders do
not provide for convenient storage or access to the case. While
there are some cases designed to be attached to a vehicle visor,
these cases do not provide for easy attachment to the visor, and do
not convert to an easily carried CD wallet when detached from the
visor.
[0005] In view of the above, it should be appreciated that there is
a need for a compact disc case that allows for easy portability,
attachment, and detachment, and further provides for safe and easy
selection of compact discs while the user is positioned in a
vehicle.
SUMMARY
[0006] The disclosure includes a foldable compact disc case for
retaining multiple compact discs to the visor of the vehicle to
allow for quick and easy access to compact discs while driving. The
foldable compact disc visor case is adapted to be connected to a
vehicle visor and includes a foldable body having a first body
portion and a second body portion, each portion being
interconnected by a hinge. The foldable body is adapted to be
retained to a vehicle visor by the use of elastomeric straps that
are secured around the perimeter of the visor. The foldable body
includes a plurality of pockets located on both the first and
second body portions for retaining compact discs. The foldable body
further includes a page hingedly connected to the foldable body
between the first and second body portions. The page includes a
plurality of pockets on both sides for retaining compact discs and
includes at least one fastener to permit the page to be selectively
attached adjacent either the first body portion or the second body
portion so that compact discs can be removed from the foldable
compact disc case without the need for the user to retain the
position of the page while removing the discs. The elastomeric
straps further can be fastened over the foldable body to keep the
foldable body in a closed position when used as CD wallet.
[0007] Other features and advantages of the disclosure will be set
forth in part in the description which follows in the accompanying
drawings, wherein the embodiments of the disclosure described and
shown, and in part will become apparent upon examination of the
following detailed description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a front view of the foldable CD visor case in a
folded position.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a side view of the foldable CD visor case in a
folded position.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a top view of the foldable CD visor case in an
open position.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a top view of a page of the foldable CD visor
case.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a side view of the foldable CD visor case having a
box hinge.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] As illustrated in the drawings, a foldable compact disc case
10 is adapted to be attached to a vehicle sun visor to permit easy
storage and access to compact discs while in a vehicle, while
allowing for portability of the case and CD's when away from the
vehicle. Vehicles typically include overhead sun visors that are
connected to the vehicle headliner by a pivoting hinge to allow the
sun visor to be pivoted downward to block the upper portion of the
windshield to keep the sun out of the driver's eyes. When not in
use, the visor is pivoted upward to rest adjacent the headliner of
the vehicle, out of the driver's line of sight. The bottom side of
the visor, which faces the driver when folded, is relatively
planar, and within easy reach of the driver.
[0014] The foldable compact disc case 10, as shown in FIG. 3,
includes a foldable body 12. The foldable body includes an internal
stiffening member 13 to provide the foldable body with a semi-rigid
internal structure, as shown in FIG. 1. The stiffening member 13
can be formed from a variety of materials, including cardboard or
plastic. The foldable body 12 has an exterior surface 14 which is
covered with an aesthetically pleasing material 18. The exterior
surface material can be of various types, including vinyl, nylon,
cloth or neoprene, among others. It is desirable that such material
be aesthetically pleasing to enhance marketability and include a
level of some water resistivity to protect the compact discs
within. The interior surface 16 also includes a fibrous material
20. The interior surface material 20 is preferably a woven or
non-woven fiberous faced material that will not damage the optical
surface of a compact disc when sliding contact occurs.
[0015] The foldable body 12 of the foldable compact disc case 10
includes a first body portion 22 and a second body portion 24. The
first and second body portions 22, 24, form the foldable body and
are interconnected by a hinge 26. The hinge 26 can be either a
living hinge formed from plastic or flexible fabric or can be in
the form of a mechanical hinge using a pin type arrangement. The
hinge may be continuous, having a generally curved appearance as
shown in FIG. 2, or it may be a box hinge, having two fold lines,
thereby allowing for improved capacity, as shown in FIG. 5. The
foldable body 12 includes a perimeter 28 that includes a protective
covering 30 to aesthetically enhance the foldable compact disc case
10. The perimeter covering 30 is connected to the foldable body 12
using various techniques such as sewing, heatweld or adhesive
bonding. The perimeter covering 30 also assists in retaining the
exterior and interior surfaces 14, 16 to the foldable body 12.
[0016] The exterior surface 14 of the foldable body 12 includes a
pair of elastomeric bands 32 that extend across the foldable body
12. The bands 32 are preferably attached to the inside perimeter
surface of the first and second body portions. However, the
elastomeric bands 32 may be attached anywhere on the case 10, so
long as the bands 32 can fit over the vehicle visor. The
elastomeric bands 32 may be attached to the body portions by
sewing, heatweld, adhesive bonding or other methods known in the
art. Additionally, when the case is not on a car visor, one or both
of the elastomeric bands 32 can be stretched over the opposite body
member. Such placement allows further securing of the body members,
thereby retaining the case in a closed condition.
[0017] The elastomeric bands 32 are adapted to be positioned around
the vehicle sun visor to retain the foldable compact disc case 10
thereto. The elastomeric bands 32 can be stretched so that they can
be slid onto one end of the vehicle visor allowing the proper
positioning of the foldable compact disc case 10. While elastomeric
bands are shown, other visor retention devices can be used
including clips, velcro, adhesive or other means.
[0018] The foldable compact disc case 10 can be positioned on
either side of the visor. Thus, when the visor is in a stowed
position, the case 10 may be between the visor and the vehicle
roof, or it may be exposed to the vehicle occupant, depending upon
which side of the visor the case 10 is positioned.
[0019] The interior surface 16 of the foldable body 12 includes a
plurality of pockets 34 located on the first body portion 22 and a
plurality of pockets 36 located on the second body portion 24, each
pocket adapted to retain a compact disc 37. The pockets 34 and 36
open towards the hinge 26 and are arranged in a tiered or
overlapping relationship. Lines 39 represent openings to the
pockets 34, 36 which allow the ingress and egress of the compact
disc 37. The depth of the pockets 34, 36 are such that when a
compact disc is inserted therein, a portion of the compact disc 37
is exposed from the pocket. The exposure of the compact discs 37
from the pockets 34, 36 allows a user to easily access and remove
the compact discs 37 from the foldable compact disc case 10. The
exposure of the compact discs also permits the user to view a
portion of the compact discs for easy identification. The pockets
34, 36 are formed from a fibrous woven or non-woven material that
prevents damage to the compact disc 37 from occurring when they are
removed from the case 10. The material also assists in retaining
the position of the compact disc 37 within the products to limit
unwanted movement.
[0020] The interior surface 16 of the foldable body 12 further
includes a first retainer 38 located on the first body portion 22
at an end opposite the hinge 26. The interior surface 16 of the
foldable body 12 includes a second retainer 40. The second retainer
40 is positioned on the second body portion 24 opposite the hinge
26. The retainers 38 and 40 are adapted to retain the first body
portion 22 and second body portion 24 together when the foldable
compact disc case 10 is in the folded position, as shown in FIGS. 1
and 2. The first and second retainers 38, 40 can be in the form of
magnets or a magnetically attractive metal such as ferrous metal
plates, but may also be in the form of velcro, snaps or releasable
adhesive. The first and second retainers 38, 40 are also used to
retain the orientation of one or more center pages 42. Although
only one center page 42 is shown, one will recognize that the case
described herein can have a plurality of paper.
[0021] The center page 42, as shown in FIG. 4, is positioned on the
interior surface 16 of the foldable compact disc case 10 and is
positioned between the first body portion 22 and the second body
portion 24, along the centerline of the foldable body 12. The flaps
48 can be attached to the foldable body 12 by use of stitching,
adhesive or can be releasably attached by use of a hook and loop
type fastener. The center page 42 includes a first edge 44 and a
second edge 46. The second edge 46 includes a pair of flaps 48 that
are adapted to be connected to the hinge 26 of the foldable body
12. The flaps 48 can be attached to the foldable body 12 by
stitching, heatweld, adhesive or other means for attaching two
pieces of material to one another.
[0022] The center page 42 also includes a retainer 50. The retainer
50 is preferably in the form of magnets located on both sides of
the center page 42, but may also be in the form of velcro, snaps or
releasable adhesive. The center page 42 is adapted to be pivoted to
lie adjacent the first body portion 22 or the second body portion
24 and is retained against the body portions 22, 24 by the retainer
50. The center page 42 further includes a first side 52. Closing
the foldable compact disc case 10, allows for interaction between
the retainers 48, 40, 50 to retain the foldable compact disc case
10 in a closed position. The retainer 50 of the center page 42
allows the page to be flipped and be held adjacent to the first
body portion 22 or alternately the second body portion 24 when the
foldable compact disc case 10 is secured to the vehicle visor. In
an embodiment with more than one page, the pages not directly
adjacent to the first or second body portions 22, 24, will lie
adjacent to other pages. In the preferred embodiment, the center
page 42 includes a retainer 50 of at least one magnet. The first
body portion 22 and second body portion 24 include a ferrous metal
retainer 38, 40, which each have a contact surface area greater
than the contact surface area of the magnet. This allows the magnet
to slide about the surface of the metal retainer 38 or 40, while
still in contact. Thus, the center page 42 is allowed to move in a
direction of its plane, while the case 10 is in the closed
position. For instance, in one embodiment the retainer 50 is a
round magnet, and the body portion retainers 38 and 40 are oblong
metal plates. In the preferred embodiment, the plates are oblong in
a direction perpendicular to the axis of the hinge 26. In other
embodiments, the retainers 38 and 40 need not be of any particular
shape, or may have the same surface area as the magnet retainer
50.
[0023] The first and second sides 52, 54 of the center page 42 each
include a plurality of pockets 56 that are arranged at an
overlapping relationship as shown in FIG. 4. The pockets 56 are
arranged such that their openings 58 are oriented towards the
second edge 46 of the center page 42. The pockets 56 of the center
page 42 have a depth less than the outer diameter of the compact
discs to permit a portion of the compact discs to extend beyond the
opening of the pocket. This again allows for easy compact disc
identification and also permits quick access and removal. The first
and second sides 52, 54 of the center page 42 include a woven or
non-woven fibrous faced material 60 to prevent marring to the
compact discs when they are either inserted or removed from the
foldable compact disc case 10. The center page 42 also includes a
perimeter 62 that includes a covering 64 that assists in retaining
the fiberous material to the center page 42. The covering 64 also
astethically enhances the center page 42 and is retained to the
center page 42 by sewing, heatweld, or adhesive bonding. While a
single center page 42 is shown, it is contemplated that multiple
pages can be attached to the foldable compact disc case 10 to
permit additional compact discs to be stored within the foldable
compact disc case 10. Each page would include a retainer 50 to
allow the pages to be held adjacent to either the first body
portion 22 or the second body portion 24.
[0024] In use, the foldable compact disc case 10 is unfolded to an
open position and the elastomeric bands 32 are stretched and
positioned around the vehicle sun visor. With the elastomeric bands
32 positioned around the sun visor, the foldable compact disc case
10 is positioned above the driver's head and is viewable upon a
upward glance. With the center page 42 positioned adjacent the
first body portion 22, compact discs are available for removal from
the pockets 36 on the second body portion 24 or the pockets 56 on
the second side 54 of the center page. If the center page 42 is
positioned against the second body portion 24, compact discs are
available for removal from the pockets 34 on the first body portion
or the pockets 56 on the first side 52 of the center page 42. To
access the discs on either side of the center page 42, the user
quickly and easily pivots the center page towards either the first
body portion 22 or the second body portion 24 at which time the
center page 42 will be magnetically attracted to either the first
or second body portions 22, 24, retaining the position of the
center page. If retainers other than magnets are used then the
center page 42 will be releasably attached to either the first or
second body portions 22, 24 retaining the position of the center
page.
[0025] Various features of the invention have been particularly
shown and described in connection with the disclosure as shown and
described, however, it must be understood that these particular
arrangements merely illustrate, and that the disclosure is to be
given its fullest interpretation within the terms of the appended
claims.
* * * * *