U.S. patent application number 11/868018 was filed with the patent office on 2008-04-10 for media storage device.
Invention is credited to Robert C. Watts.
Application Number | 20080083679 11/868018 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39274214 |
Filed Date | 2008-04-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080083679 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Watts; Robert C. |
April 10, 2008 |
Media Storage Device
Abstract
A media disc storage device according to the present invention
includes a first and second vertical wall with a shelf attached to
the first and second vertical walls and extending therebetween in a
generally horizontal configuration. The shelf defines a plurality
of slots each capable of receiving a media disc therein.
Inventors: |
Watts; Robert C.;
(Kerrville, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HARSHAW RESEARCH, INC.
210 W. TECUMSEH STREET
OTTAWA
KS
66067
US
|
Family ID: |
39274214 |
Appl. No.: |
11/868018 |
Filed: |
October 5, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60850516 |
Oct 10, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
211/41.12 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 87/0276 20130101;
A47B 81/067 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/41.12 |
International
Class: |
A47B 19/00 20060101
A47B019/00 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for holding a plurality of media discs, comprising:
a first and second vertical wall; and a shelf attached to said
first and second vertical walls and extending therebetween in a
generally horizontal configuration, said shelf defining a plurality
of slots.
2. The apparatus as in claim 1 wherein at least one of said
vertical walls defines an aperture, whereby said apparatus may be
mounted to a wall.
3. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein each slot of said plurality
of slots is generally parallel to each other slot.
4. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein some of said plurality of
slots are generally parallel to each other slot.
5. The apparatus as in claim 2, wherein each slot of said plurality
of slots is generally perpendicular to said first and second
vertical walls.
6. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein each slot of said plurality
of slots is generally perpendicular to said first and second
vertical walls.
7. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein each respective slot of
said plurality of slots is sized to receive a single media disc,
said respective slot having a length smaller than a diameter of a
respective media disc so that said respective media disc is
received partially but not completely in said respective slot.
8. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein each slot includes a wall
having an angular configuration that is not perpendicular to said
shelf.
9. The apparatus as in claim 1 wherein each slot includes: a first
end adjacent said first vertical wall; a second end adjacent said
second vertical wall; a rear wall extending longitudinally along a
respective slot between said first and second ends, said rear wall
having an angled configuration for supporting respective media
discs at generally recumbent configurations.
10. The apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising means situated
along each of said plurality of slots for protecting inserted media
discs from abrasion.
11. The apparatus as in claim 10, wherein said protecting means
includes a felt material positioned along a rear wall of each
slot.
12. An apparatus for holding a plurality of media discs,
comprising: a first and second vertical wall; a shelf attached to
said first and second vertical walls and extending therebetween in
a generally horizontal configuration, said shelf defining a
plurality of slots; wherein each slots includes: a first end
adjacent said first vertical wall; a second end adjacent said
second vertical wall; a rear wall extending longitudinally along a
respective slot between said first and second ends thereof, said
rear wall having an angled configuration for supporting respective
media discs inserted therein at generally recumbent configurations;
and means situated along each of said plurality of slots for
protecting inserted media discs from abrasion.
13. The apparatus as in claim 12 wherein at least one of said
vertical walls defines an aperture, whereby said apparatus may be
mounted to a wall.
14. The apparatus as in claim 12, wherein each slot of said
plurality of slots is generally parallel to each other slot.
15. The apparatus as in claim 12, wherein some of said plurality of
slots are generally parallel to each other slot.
16. The apparatus as in claim 14, wherein each slot of said
plurality of slots is generally perpendicular to said first and
second vertical walls.
17. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein each respective slot of
said plurality of slots is sized to receive a single media disc,
said respective slot having a length smaller than a diameter of a
respective media disc so that said respective media disc is
received partially but not completely in said respective slot.
18. The apparatus as in claim 12, wherein said protecting means
includes a felt material positioned along said rear wall of each
slot.
19. The apparatus as in claim 12 wherein: said first and second
vertical walls each include upper and lower edges, respectively;
each said upper edge includes a configuration complementary to each
said lower edge.
20. The apparatus as in claim 19, wherein said shelf is attached to
said first and second vertical walls intermediate upper and lower
edges, respectively, such that a portion of each vertical wall
extends upwardly of said shelf, whereby media discs are laterally
bounded by said vertical wall portions when inserted into
respective slots.
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application makes reference to provisional patent
application No. 60/850,516, filed Oct. 10, 2006, and titled
Audio/Visual/Data Media Storage Apparatus.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to media storage
devices and, more particularly, to a media storage device for
storing audio, visual, and data media discs in an organized, easily
accessible, and protective device.
[0003] Compact discs are used to store digital information such as
music, movies, games, software, pictures, and the like. They are
used daily, but are somewhat fragile and subject to being scratched
or otherwise damaged. Typically, media discs are protected by
plastic cases or jackets. However, these cases often become lost or
damaged and discs simply get stacked on top of one another, placed
in incorrect cases or jackets, or lost themselves.
[0004] Various devices have been proposed in the prior art for
organizing or storing compact discs and DVD's. Although assumably
effective for their intended purposes, the existing devices do not
provide an organized and protective structure that also positions
the discs in an easily readable and accessible configuration
convenient for a user's access.
[0005] Therefore, it would be desirable to have a media storage
device for holding media discs in a readily readable and accessible
position. Further, it would be desirable to have a media storage
device that separates each disc from contact with other discs, desk
surfaces, and the like. In addition, it would be desirable to have
a media storage device that protects each disc from being scratched
by the storage device itself.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Accordingly, a media disc storage device according to the
present invention includes a first and second vertical wall with a
shelf attached to the first and second vertical walls and extending
therebetween in a generally horizontal configuration. The shelf
defines a plurality of slots each capable of receiving a media disc
therein.
[0007] A general object of this invention is to provide a media
storage device for holding and storage a plurality of media
discs.
[0008] Another object of this invention is to provide a media
storage device, as aforesaid, for holding respective media discs in
a generally reclined and separated manner so that each disc is
readable and conveniently accessible to a user.
[0009] Still another object of this invention is to provide a media
storage device, as aforesaid, that protects each disc stored
therein from scratches or other damage that would otherwise be
caused by contact with another disc, contact with a desk surface,
or contact with the storage device itself.
[0010] Yet another object of this invention is to provide a media
storage device, as aforesaid, that is stackable when empty.
[0011] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following description taken in connection
with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of
illustration and example, embodiments of this invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1a is a perspective view of a media storage device
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 1b is an isolated view on an enlarged scale of a
portion of the media storage device as in FIG. 1a;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of two media storage devices in
a stackable storage configuration.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0015] A media storage device 10 according to the present invention
will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1a through 2 of the
accompanying drawings. More particularly, the media storage device
10 includes a generally "H" shaped configuration having a first 12
and second 16 upstanding/vertical wall. Each vertical wall 14, 16
includes upper 12a, 14a and lower 12b, 14b edges, respectively. It
should be appreciated that upper and lower edges have complementary
configurations such that multiple storage devices 10 may be stacked
atop one another as shown in FIG. 2. At least one vertical wall
defines an aperture 16 by which the device may be mounted to a wall
with a fastener.
[0016] A shelf 20 having opposed sides is attached to inner
surfaces of the first 12 and second 16 vertical walls and extends
therebetween in a generally horizontal configuration. The shelf 20
defines a plurality of slots 22. Preferably, each slot extends
substantially between the first 12 and second 16 vertical walls and
is spaced apart and generally parallel to each other slot 22 and
perpendicular to the vertical walls. Preferably, the shelf 20
includes ten slots although it is understood that more or less
slots would also be suitable. It is also understood that the slots
22 may be arranged parallel to the vertical walls. Other slot
arrangements are also possible, such as some slots being parallel
and others being perpendicular relative to the vertical walls.
[0017] Each respective slot 22 includes a size dimension so as to
receive a media disc 4, it being understood that its length must be
smaller than a diameter of a disc so that the disc 4 is not
completely able to fall through the slot. Further, each respective
slot 22 includes an angular configuration that enables a disc
received therein to be held and displayed in a generally recumbent
or reclined configuration (FIG. 1a). More particularly, each slot
22 includes a first end adjacent said first vertical wall 12 and a
second end adjacent said second vertical wall 14. A rear wall 24
extends longitudinally along each respective slot 22 between the
first 12 and second 16 ends, the rear wall 24 having an angled or
sloped configuration for supporting respective media discs 4 in a
reclined configuration. Preferably, the slope angle of the rear
wall is 20 degrees, although other slope angles would also be
suitable.
[0018] Preferably, the media storage device will include 10 slots
that are about 3/4 inches apart, the entire device is about 5.5
inches wide, about 3 inches in height, and about 41/8 inches long,
Each slot is preferably about 1/8 inches wide. It is understood, of
course, that the dimensions recited herein are just illustrative
and other suitable dimensions would presumably be suitable as well.
Preferably, the shelf 20 is attached to each vertical wall at a
point generally midway between upper 12a, 12b and lower 14a, 14b
edges of each wall, respectively. This configuration is desirable
in that a portion of each vertical wall extends upward of the shelf
20 so that media discs 4 inserted into respective slots are
laterally bounded by the upwardly extended portions.
[0019] The media storage device 10 also includes means along each
of the plurality of slots 22 for protecting media discs 4 inserted
therein. More particularly, a felt 26 or similar material may be
situated along each rear wall 24 against which an inserted disc 4
may rest. Alternatively, the rear wall 24 may be constructed of
another smooth, low friction material such as Teflon.RTM. or simply
include an abrasion resistant coating.
[0020] It is understood that while certain forms of this invention
have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto
except insofar as such limitations are included in the following
claims and allowable functional equivalents thereof.
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