U.S. patent application number 11/345619 was filed with the patent office on 2006-08-17 for modular panel and storage system for flat items such as media discs and holders therefor.
Invention is credited to David W. Bennett.
Application Number | 20060180486 11/345619 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46323725 |
Filed Date | 2006-08-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060180486 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bennett; David W. |
August 17, 2006 |
Modular panel and storage system for flat items such as media discs
and holders therefor
Abstract
A modular panel includes a plate having a surrounding edge and
opposite surfaces. A pair of side walls project form a first
surface and terminate in an outer edge portion that is generally
parallel to the plate. A first connecting structure, such as a male
rib, is located along the outer edge portions of the side walls. A
pair of second connecting structures, such as female channels, are
located on the second surface to interlock with the first
connecting structures so that adjacent panels may be fastened
together in a snap-fit manner to form a storage system. A selected
item, such as a computer disc, DVD, CD and the like, may be stored
between the panels.
Inventors: |
Bennett; David W.; (San
Diego, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARTIN & HENSON, P.C.
9250 W 5TH AVENUE
SUITE 200
LAKEWOOD
CO
80226
US
|
Family ID: |
46323725 |
Appl. No.: |
11/345619 |
Filed: |
January 31, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10419670 |
Apr 21, 2003 |
6991101 |
|
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11345619 |
Jan 31, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/308.1 ;
G9B/33.017 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11B 33/0461
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/308.1 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/30 20060101
B65D085/30 |
Claims
1. A modular panel wherein a plurality of such modular panels may
be connected to one another to create a storage module for
generally flat selected items to be stored, comprising: (A) a plate
having a surrounding edge and opposite first and second surfaces;
(B) a pair of side walls projecting from the first surface and
terminating in an outer edge portion that is generally parallel to
said base plate; (C) a first connecting structure disposed along
the outer edge portion of each of said side walls; and (D) a pair
of second connecting structures disposed on the second surface of
said base plate, said first and second connecting structures sized,
configured and oriented such that a pair of modular panels may be
joined with one another to define an assembled array with
respective first and second connecting structures engaged with one
another in a snap-fit manner, said side walls having sufficient
height as measured between said base plate and the outer edge
portion thereof so that there is sufficient distance between
adjacent modular panels when in the assembled array whereby at
least one of the selected items may be inserted and stored
therebetween.
2. A modular panel according to claim 1 wherein one of said first
and second connecting structures is a male rib and wherein another
of said first and second connecting structures is a female channel
element.
3. A modular panel according to claim 2 wherein said first
connecting structures are female channel elements and said second
connection structures are male ribs.
4. A modular panel according to claim 3 wherein each said female
channel element is formed by an arcuate flange projecting from a
respective side wall proximately to the outer edge portion
thereof.
5. A modular panel according to claim 3 wherein each of said male
ribs includes a web portion and an enlarged head portion disposed
on said web portion.
6. A modular panel according to claim 5 wherein said enlarged head
portion is generally cylindrical in shape.
7. A modular panel according to claim 1 wherein the height of said
side walls is such whereby a plurality of selected items may be
inserted and stored between adjacent said base plates when in the
assembled state.
8. A modular panel according to claim 7 wherein each of said side
walls includes at least one ledge projecting therefrom with the
ledges on said side walls in facing opposed relation to one another
whereby a selected item may be supported thereby.
9. A modular panel wherein a plurality of such modular panels may
be connected to one another to create a storage module for storage
discs and holders therefor, comprising: (A) a generally rectangular
base plate having spaced-apart front and back edges, a pair of
spaced-apart side edges and opposite first and second surfaces; (B)
a pair of generally parallel side walls projecting from the first
surface with there being one of said side walls along each of said
side edges, said side walls terminating in an outer edge portion
that is generally parallel to said base plate; (C) a first
connecting structure disposed along the outer edge portion of each
of said side walls; and (D) a pair of second connecting structures
disposed on the second surface of said base plate with there being
one of said second connecting structures proximate to each of said
side edges, said first and second connecting structures operative
to interconnect with one another whereby a pair of modular panels
may be joined with one another to define an assembled array, said
side walls having sufficient height as measured between said base
plate and the outer edge portion thereof so that there is
sufficient distance between adjacent modular panels when in the
assembled array whereby at least one disc and holder therefor may
be inserted and stored therebetween.
10. A modular panel according to claim 9 wherein one of said first
and second connecting structures is a male rib and wherein another
of said first and second connecting structures is a female channel
element.
11. A modular panel according to claim 10 wherein said first
connecting structures are female channel elements and said second
connection structures are male ribs.
12. A modular panel according to claim 9 wherein the height of said
side walls is such whereby a plurality of discs and holders
therefor may be inserted and stored between adjacent said base
plates when in the assembled state.
13. A modular panel according to claim 12 wherein each of said side
walls includes at least one ledge projecting therefrom with the
ledges on said side walls in facing opposed relation to one another
whereby a disc and holder therefor may be supported thereby.
14. A storage system for generally flat selected items, comprising
a plurality of modular panels adapted to be connected to one
another, each said modular panel including (1) a generally
rectangular base plate having spaced-apart front and back edges, a
pair of spaced-apart side edges and opposite first and second
surfaces, (2) a pair of generally parallel side walls projecting
from the first surface with there being one of said side walls
along each of said side edges, said side walls terminating in an
outer edge portion that is generally parallel to said base plate,
(3) a first connecting structure disposed along the outer edge
portion of each of said side walls, and (4) a pair of second
connecting structures disposed on the second surface of said base
panel with there being one of said second connecting structures
proximate to each of said side edges, said first and second
connecting structures operative to interconnect with one another
whereby said modular panels may be joined with one another to
define an assembled array, said side walls having sufficient height
as measured between said base plate and the outer edge portion
thereof so that there is sufficient distance between adjacent
modular plates when in the assembled array whereby at least one of
the selected items may be inserted and stored therebetween.
15. A storage system according to claim 14 wherein one of said
first and second connecting structures is a male rib and wherein
another of said first and second connecting structures is a female
channel element sized and adapted such that said male rib can be
mated therewith in a snap-fit engagement.
16. A storage system according to claim 15 wherein said first
connecting structures are female channel elements and said second
connection structures are male ribs.
17. A storage system according to claim 16 wherein each said female
channel element is formed by an arcuate flange projecting from a
respective side wall proximately to the outer edge portion
thereof.
18. A storage system according to claim 16 wherein each of said
male ribs includes a web portion and an enlarged head portion
disposed on said web portion.
19. A storage system according to claim 14 wherein the height of
said side walls of at least one of said modular panels is such
whereby a plurality of selected items may be inserted and stored
between the base plate thereof and the base plate of an adjacent
modular panel when in the assembled state.
20. A storage system according to claim 19 wherein each of said
side walls of said at least one of said modular panels including at
least one ledge projecting therefrom with the ledges on the side
walls thereof being in opposed facing relation to one another
whereby a selected item may be supported thereby.
21. A storage system according to claim 14 including at least one
connector piece sized and adapted to engage the back edges of two
base panels that are respectively disposed in two of said assembled
arrays that are placed in side-by-side abutting relation.
22. A storage system according to claim 21 wherein said connector
piece includes a connector plate and first and second pluralities
of grips projecting from a surface of said connector plate.
23. A storage system according to claim 19 wherein a first pair of
grips are laterally spaced apart from a second pair of grips.
24. A storage system according to claim 21 wherein said connector
piece includes spaced-apart third and fourth connecting structures
sized and adapted to interconnect with respective ones of said
first and second connecting structures.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention broadly relates to storage systems for
containing and providing access to various selected items,
especially flat items, either alone or received in a holder
therefor. The exemplary embodiments described herein are
particularly adapted for use in storing disc media. "Disc media"
includes, by way of example but not limited to, computer discs,
CDs, DVDs and the like.
[0002] Data storage has increasingly become an interest to
individuals, companies and other organizations. One early data
storage techniques employed vinyl discs on which data was
physically stored by creating grooves with perturbations
corresponding to the data. Another early data storage media was
magnetic tape which could be placed either on reel-to-reel tapes,
cassette, and the like. Magnetic tape media utilized a read/write
recording head to magnetically encode or retrieve data from an
elongated ribbon of the magnetic media.
[0003] More recently, these data storage media have been replaced
by magnetic discs (sometimes referred to as floppy discs) and by
optically recorded discs, such as compact discs and the digital
versatile disc (DVD). These discs provide for the optical storage
of digital data wherein a polished metal disc with a protective
plastic coating is digitally encoded so that data stored thereon
can be retrieved by a suitable high intensity scanning light
source, such as a laser. Typical compact discs can hold
approximately 783 megabytes of digital data which equates to
approximately 74 minutes of high fidelity recorded sound.
[0004] On the other hand, a digital versatile disc (also sometimes
referred to as a digital video disc) is a high capacity optical
disc that is similar to the CD, but which can store more data.
DVD's are usually used for full-length movies or other very large
capacity data storage requirements. The amount of data storage
capacity of a DVD depends upon the number of sides and layers it
has.
[0005] Prior to the introduction of CD/DVD storage discs, some
sectors of in the computer industry utilized either a ZIP or JAZZ
discs for backup data storage. Indeed, some computer users still
opt to use these formats. However, such discs store less data, are
more bulky and are more expensive than either CD or DVD discs. Most
computer users now use an optical disc to store data due to their
convenience and relatively low cost.
[0006] Regardless of the type of storage media, however, there is a
need for convenient storage in a manner that organizes and readily
identifies the discs as well as contains the discs in an organized
manner. While most computer users are able to save substantially
all of their data on a hard drive associated with a computer, many
users still desire to have various media discs available. The use
of media discs has also increased where the user has created music
files which have been stored on such media discs. In addition, more
and more photographic data is being stored digitally, and the
creation of optical storage discs having such digital files are
particularly convenient. Such digital files on disc media allow the
user to listen to music not only on the computer but also on home
stereos and allow the viewing of digital photographs on home
television sets or monitors.
[0007] Naturally, as a computer user creates more optical files and
stores them either in CD or DVD formats, organizing and storing
such files can be difficult. Commonly, CDs and DVDs may be
misplaced by the user without an adequate storage and organization
system.
[0008] The actual optical disc which contains digital data may,
itself, be contained in a variety of manners. Typically, music CDs
and movie DVDs are sold in a holder that is in the form of a hard
plastic case formed by two hinged sections so that the surfaces of
the optical disc are protected against scratches, dust and the
like. Typically such cases are on the order of 0.5 to 1.0
centimeters in thickness. As such, these cases are substantially
greater in thickness then the actual thickness of the optical disc,
which thickness is on the order of several millimeters. It is also
known to store media discs in protective envelopes. These envelopes
have the advantage of reduced thickness but have the disadvantage
in that identifying information cannot typically be placed on the
edge of the envelope in a manner that it may easily accessed.
[0009] Accordingly, at least one system has been developed to
provide a device and method for labeling and storing such optical
discs with this system being described in U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 10/419,670 entitled Device and Method for Labeling and
Storing Computer Discs filed Apr. 21, 2003 and issued Jan. 31, 2006
as U.S. Pat. No. 6,991,101 to David W. Bennett. In this patent, a
device and method for creating a stackable disc storage unit is
described as well as a method and structure for creating an
envelope-type holder for a media disc. A fold down tab is provided
that may be imprinted with identification information so that the
user may identify the contents of the stored disc from an edge
view.
[0010] From the foregoing, it should be appreciated that there is a
need for storage systems and structures wherein a plurality of disc
holders containing disc media may be stored when not in use yet
which may be easily accessed by the user. Such storage systems
should be convenient and, versatile and take up a minimum amount of
space, such as on a desk, bookshelf or the like. The exemplary
embodiments of the present invention are directed to meeting these
needs.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0011] It is an object of the present invention to provide a new
and useful storage system for flat items such as disc media and/or
disc holders therefor.
[0012] One aspect of the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein is
the use of modular panels which may be connected to one another in
a stacked array so as to form a storage system of selected variable
capacity for different numbers of discs and disc holders.
[0013] It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a
storage system wherein various stacked arrays may be positioned
relative to one another in differing configurations.
[0014] It is another aspect of the exemplary embodiments to provide
modular pieces which may be assembled into a storage system wherein
the modular pieces may be manufactured by plastic extrusion process
thereby to reduce costs thereof.
[0015] According to the present invention, then, a storage system
is provided which may include a plurality of module panels adapted
to be connected to one another. Further, the present invention is
directed to such modular panels that may be so assembled.
[0016] The modular panels according to the exemplary embodiments of
the present invention each include a base plate that has a
surrounding edge. The base plate may be generally rectangular so as
to have spaced apart front and back edges, a pair of spaced apart
side edges and opposite first and second surfaces. A pair of
generally parallel sidewalls project from the first surface of the
base plate, for example, along each of the side edges. The
sidewalls terminate at an outer edge portion that is generally
parallel to the base plate. A first connecting structure is
disposed along the outer edge portion of each of the sidewalls and
a second connecting structure is disposed along each side edge of
the base plate on a second surface opposite the first surface. The
first and second connecting structures are constructed so as to
interconnect with one another manner thereby to join a pair of
modular panels together to define an assembled array. The sidewalls
have sufficient height as measured between the base plate and the
outer edge portions thereof so that there is sufficient distance
between adjacent modular panels, when in the assembled array, to
allow the selected flat item, such as a holder containing a disc,
to be inserted and stored therebetween.
[0017] In the exemplary embodiments, the first and second
connecting structures are formed as a combination male rib and
female channel which may be snap-fit together to form the assembled
array. The female channel elements are formed by arcuate flanges
projecting from a respective sidewall proximate to the outer
portion thereof. The male ribs include a web portion and an
enlarged head portion disposed on the web portion. This enlarged
head portion is generally cylindrical in shape.
[0018] In one embodiment of the modular panel, each of the
sidewalls is sized so that a plurality of discs and holders
therefor may be inserted and stored between adjacent base plates
when in the assembled state. Here, each of the sidewalls includes
one or more ledges projecting therefrom. The ledges on the
sidewalls are in opposed facing relation to one another whereby a
respective item may be supported on a pair of facing ledges.
[0019] The exemplary embodiments are also directed to a storage
system that includes a plurality of the modular panels as described
above. In addition, the storage system can include an optional
connector piece that is adapted to engage the back edges of two
base panels that are respectively disposed and two of the assembled
arrays that are placed adjacent to one another. The connector piece
may be used as a back panel that is sized and adapted to engage the
back edges of a pair of base plates when in the assembled state so
as to form a backing to prevent inadvertent passage of an optical
disc holder from moving therethrough. When used on side-by-side
arrays, the connector piece resists their lateral separation. The
the connector pieces each include a plate and two pair of grips
with each pair being laterally spaced apart from one another. Each
of the grips is formed by a pair of jaw members which may
optionally be provided with gripping teeth. The connector piece may
also be provided with connecting structures to mate with respective
first and second connecting structures on the modular panels.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a storage system for
selected generally flat items, such as media discs and holders
therefor, according to the exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first type of modular
panel that may be used to create the storage system of FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a plurality of the modular
panels of FIG. 2 connected together according to the storage system
of FIG. 1;
[0023] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second type of modular
panel that may be used to create the storage system of FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 5 is an end view in elevation of the modular panel of
FIG. 4;
[0025] FIG. 6 is an end view in elevation, similar to FIG. 5, but
showing a modular panel of FIG. 2 assembled with the modular panel
of FIG. 4;
[0026] FIGS. 7(a)-7(c) are end views in elevation showing the
interconnection of a pair of modular panels of FIG. 2;
[0027] FIG. 8 is a side view in elevation showing the detachment of
the modular panels of FIGS. 7(a)-7(c);
[0028] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a connector pieces
optionally used with the storage system of FIG. 1;
[0029] FIG. 10 is an end view in elevation of a storage system
employing a plurality of modular panels such as shown in FIG. 2
with connector pieces of FIG. 9 incorporated therein; and
[0030] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment
of the connector piece.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0031] The present invention broadly relates to storage modules
that may be selectively assembled in different configurations by
the user. As such, the present disclosure describes exemplary
embodiments of such storage systems. In addition, this disclosure
describes the modular panels and other pieces used to assemble such
modular systems. The exemplary embodiments described herein are for
generally flat items, especially media discs and holders for such
media discs. It should be understood, however, that the scope of
the claims is not limited to these particular flat items.
[0032] Moreover, the storage system of this invention may be used
with the disc holders disclosed in co-pending U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/419,670 entitled Device and Method for
Labeling and Storing Computer Discs filed Apr. 21, 2003 and issued
Jan. 31, 2006 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,991,101 to David W. Bennett. The
disclosure of this patent is specifically incorporated herein by
reference.
[0033] Accordingly, an exemplary embodiment in this storage system
10 is introduced in FIG. 1 where it may be seen that storage system
10 includes three modules 11-13, each of which are assembled, as an
assembled array, from a plurality of modular panels, as described
below. Module 11 is formed by a plurality of first modular panels
20 in an interconnected and stacked array so as to provide a
plurality of compartments 14 that may be used to store flat items,
such as media discs and holders for such discs. Here, holders 16
are illustrated to contain the stored recorded media. Similarly,
module 12 includes a plurality of modular panels 20 again in an
assembled and stacked array to create a plurality of compartments
14. Module 13 includes a pair of second modular panels 60 in
assembled and stacked array to create compartment 15 again to the
selected items, such as holders 16. Module 13 also includes a
modular panel 20 and provides a top cover for module 13 and also
provides structure so that other modules and other module panels
may be assembled therewith.
[0034] Modular panel 20 is best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 where
it may be seen that modular panel 20 includes a generally
rectangular base plate 22 having a front edge 24 and a spaced apart
back edge 26 and a pair of spaced apart side edges 28. A pair of
generally parallel sidewalls 30 project outwardly from a first
surface 32 with there being one of these sidewalls 30 located along
each of the side edges 28. Each of the sidewalls terminate in an
outer edge portion 34 that is generally parallel to base plate 22.
It may be appreciated that such modular panel could include a
non-rectangular base plate, however.
[0035] A first connecting structure is disposed along the outer
edge portion 34 and a second connecting structure is disposed on a
second surface 36 of base plate 22 along each of side edges 28. As
is illustrated in this exemplary embodiment of modular panel 20,
the first connecting structures are in the form of a general
channel 38 formed by an arcuate flange 40 projecting from a
respective sidewall proximately to the outer edge portion 34
thereof. The second connecting structure in this exemplary
embodiment is formed as a male rib 42 formed by a rib portion 44
and an enlarged head portion 46 with enlarged head portion 46 to be
generally elongated and cylindrical in shape. As illustrated in
FIG. 3, female channels 38 are parallel to one another as are male
ribs 42.
[0036] Female channels 38 and male ribs 42 are sized, constructed
and oriented so that respective ones on adjacent modular panels may
interlock with one another to create a storage module such as
storage module 12. To this end, a plurality of modular panels 20
may be assembled in a stacked array with the male ribs 42 on one
modular panel 20 interlocking with the female channels 38 of an
adjacent modular panel 20. This assembly, then, creates the
plurality of compartments 14 noted above. Accordingly, sidewalls 30
are constructed to have a sufficient height, as measured between
the base plate 22 and the outer edge portion 34 such that there is
a sufficient distance between the base plates 22 of modular panels
20 such that at least one flat item, such as a media and data disc
and holder for the same, may be inserted and stored therebetween.
It should be understood, however, that should the storage system of
the present invention be designed to store items other than media
and data discs, the dimensions of the modular panels may be varied
as should be understood by an ordinarily skilled artisan.
[0037] A second modular panel 60 is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5.
Here, again, it may be seen that second modular panels 60 include a
generally rectangular base plate 62 having a front edge 64 and a
spaced apart parallel back edge 66. Base plate 62 has a pair of
side edges 68 and opposite first and second surfaces 72 and 76,
respectively. A pair of generally parallel side walls 70 project
away from first surface 72 with there being a sidewall 70 along
each of the side edges 68. Side walls 70 terminate in outer edge
portions 74 and it should be appreciated that the second modular
panel 60, side walls 70 have a height as measured between base
plate 72 and outer edge portion 74 that is substantially greater
than the height of outside 30 and modular panel 20.
[0038] Similarly to modular panel 20, a first connecting structure
is disposed along the outer edge portion 74 of its sidewall 70 of
modular panel 60. Likewise, a second connecting structure is
disposed on the second surface 76 of base plate 62 along side edges
68 thereof. As is illustrated in modular panel 60, the first
connecting structure in the form of a female channel 78 is formed
by an arcuate flange 80. The second connecting structure, in a
manner similar to that described with respect to modular panel 20,
is in the form of a male rib 82 that includes a web portion 84 and
an enlarged head portion 86. With head portion 86 being in the form
of a generally elongated cylinder. Head portion 86 and web portion
84 are dimensioned so that head portion 86 may be snap fit into
female channel 78.
[0039] As noted above, sidewalls 70 have a height that is greater
than sidewalls 30. This allows the placement of a plurality of
items, such as disc and holders, to be placed in the region between
side panels 70. In order to separate such items, sidewalls 70 are
each provided with a plurality of ledges 88 that are generally
parallel to base plate 62 and project inwardly from sidewalls 70 in
opposed facing relation to one another. Accordingly, ledges 88 form
a plurality of cavities 90 that have a height, as defined by the
distance between adjacent ledges, that is sized sufficiently to
accommodate the thickness of a standard disc case.
[0040] As is shown in FIG. 6, the modular panel 20 may be mated
with a modular panel 60 in order to enclose an interior 92 that
forms compartment 15 such that, in this exemplary embodiment, five
disc cases may be stored therein and supported by base plate 62 and
ledges 88. This is accomplished by mating male ribs 42 in female
channels 78. Similarly, as is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 13,
plurality of modular panels 60 may be assembled in a stacked array
so as to create a storage module, such as storage module 13. Here,
it male ribs 82 on one modular panel 60 are mated with female
channels 78 of an adjacent modular panel 60.
[0041] Turning now to FIGS. 7(a)-7(c), the assembly of two modular
panels may be more fully appreciated. This assembly is illustrated
with respect to modular panels 20, but it should be understood that
it would identical assembly for modular panels 60. In FIGS.
7(a)-7(c), it may be first seen that one of male ribs 42 is first
snap fit into a respective female channel 78 (FIG. 7(b)). After
which the other male rib 42 is snap fit into the other female
channel 78 (FIG. 7(c)). Accordingly, it is desired that modular
panels 20 (and modular panels 60) be constructed of a suitable
stiff plastic material which still may flex enough to all the snap
fit engagement. An example of a suitable plastic material is
polyvinylchloride although other suitable plastic materials may be
used. Naturally, any number of panels may be selectively snap fit
together to create the assembled array, depending upon the users
desires. Moreover, the construction as describe above allows for
formation of the modular panels by an inexpensive plastic extrusion
process with the panels being cut from a continuous extruded
piece.
[0042] While the snap fit engagement of a male rib with a female
channel is accomplished fairly readily, it is more difficult to
disassemble the modular panels by snapping them apart. Accordingly,
in order to disassemble the array, adjacent modular panels may be
easily slid apart by sliding adjacent panels in the direction of
arrows "A" and "B" so that a male rib 42 is simply slid out of
female channel 38.
[0043] When a plurality of modular panels 20, 60 are assembled into
a stacked array to form a storage module, it may be appreciated
that both the front and back of the storage module is exposed such
that a disc case may be inserted either from the front or the back.
In addition, a plurality of arrays may be arranged in various
desired configurations. Sometimes it is advantageous to prevent
relative movement of the arrays either laterally with respect to
one another or vertically. Also, it is sometimes desirable to
prevent a disc holder from sliding through the interior of the
storage module or to otherwise cause a forward portion of the disc
case to project out of the storage module.
[0044] To this end, it is optionally advantageous to provide a
connector piece that can both provide a limit stop for the
insertion of a disc case therein as well as to interconnect
adjacent modules to one another. An exemplary connector piece 110
is therefore illustrated in FIG. 9. Here, it may be seen that
connector piece 110 is formed by a connector plate 112 having a top
edge 114 a bottom edge 116 and a pair of side edges 118. A female
channel 120 formed by arcuate web 122 extends along top edge 114,
and a male rib 124 extends along bottom edge 116 of back plate 112.
A pair of first grips 126 project forwardly of connector plate 112
and, similarly, a pair of second grips 128 project forwardly of
back plate 112. Each of grips 126, 128 are formed by a pair of jaw
members 130 which are generally parallel to one another and are
spaced apart a distance slightly less than the thickness of base
plates 22 and 62 as well as ledges 88. Each pair of jaw members 130
are in opposed facing relation to one another with their facing
surfaces provided with triangular jaw teeth 132 so that each of the
grips 126, 128 may frictionally grip a respective base plate or
ledge.
[0045] Thus, as is shown in FIG. 10, a connector pieces 110 may be
mounted on an assembly of modular panels 20 to form a back wall for
the corresponding module. Alternatively, a connector pieces 110'
may be used to connect two such modules 134 and 136 together to
prevent lateral separation thereof. To this end, the two jaw pairs
126 and the two jaw pairs 128 are separated from one another by a
gap 138 to allow the placement of the ends of the modular panel
sidewalls, male ribs and female channels therebetween. Gap 138 is
created from the plastic extrusion by removing a portion of the
continuous webs that form jaw members 130. Moreover, it may be
appreciated that back panel 110' also provides a partial back wall
for modules 134 and 136.
[0046] Accordingly, the present invention has been described with
some degree of particularity directed to the exemplary embodiments
of the present invention. It should be appreciated, though, that
the present invention is defined by the following claims construed
in light of the prior art so that modifications or changes may be
made to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention without
departing from the inventive concepts contained herein.
* * * * *