Compact CD case

A carrying case is provided for storing and transporting a plurality of relatively flat, thin items such as compact discs or the like. The carrying case comprises an outer shell defining an enclosed compartment for housing a plurality of items and having a top shell member and a bottom shell member of complementary configuration. A pair of coaxially aligned, spaced apart annular members project from each of the top and bottom shell members and are coaxially alignable for defining a hinge axis therethrough about which the top and bottom shell members may be hingedly coupled for movement between an open condition and a closed condition for respectively accessing and closing the compartment. A plurality of similar, generally flat tray members configured for fitting within said compartment, each has a pair of coaxially aligned, spaced apart hinge knuckles located for positioning in coaxial alignment the hinge knuckles of each of the other trays and with the annular members of the top and bottom shell members for receiving a hinge pin therethrough, thereby aligning the tray members between the top and bottom shells in a facewise stacked condition when the top and bottom shell members are in the closed condition, and permitting individual hinged access to the trays when the top and bottom shell members are in the open condition.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention is directed generally to a carrying case, and more 
particularly to a carrying case for storing and transporting a plurality 
of like, relatively flat, thin items such as compact discs (CDs) or the 
like. While the present invention may have applications other than the 
carrying of compact discs, the ensuing description will be facilitated by 
specific reference to the problem of providing a carrying case for compact 
discs. 
Compact discs have all but replaced vinyl long-playing records, and in many 
instances are also rapidly overtaking audio tape cassettes in popularity, 
primarily because of the quality of the audio sound produced by CDs. With 
increasing popularity and sales of CDs, has come an increasing popularity 
of portable CD players. These CD players range from relatively small 
compact players which may be carried on the person and listened to through 
earphones to relatively large units, often including AM/FM radio and 
extensive controls and incorporating loudspeakers. Such portable players 
may be arranged for operation either from AC household current or by DC 
batteries to achieve portability. Increasingly, automotive audio systems 
are also being provided with CD players. 
Accordingly, there is an increasing need to provide suitable carrying cases 
for storing and transporting multiple CDs for use in home players, in 
portable players and in automotive players, at the option of the consumer. 
A number of features are desirable in such CD carrying cases. Initially, 
the case must be capable of holding a plurality of CDs in a protected 
enclosure. Thus, the case should include a protective outer portion which 
completely surrounds the CDs carried therein and protects them against 
damage in the event the carrying case is roughly handled, dropped, or the 
like. Additionally, it is convenient for the CDs to be disposed within the 
case in such a way that the individual CDs can be reviewed and identified 
without removing them from the case, to aid in selecting a particular CD 
from those carried in the case. Depending upon the orientation in which 
the CD's are carried, such identification prior to removal may be 
facilitated or inhibited. While it is possible to view the titles by 
observing only the edges of the CDs when in individual cases or "jewel 
boxes" with printed labels or inserts intact and in place, in many 
instances, it is nonetheless somewhat difficult to distinguish one CD from 
the next when the cases are closely spaced in a parallel or stacked 
orientation. It is much more convenient to view the individual faces of 
the CDs to identify and review all of the information which is printed 
upon the face of the CD itself. Such "face-on" viewing is the only way to 
identify the CD itself, when not in its "jewel box" with the printed 
insert intact and in place. 
The carrying case of the invention, in addition to the foregoing, provides 
further desirable features. For example, the carrying case of the 
invention provides positive retaining means for retaining the CDs in place 
during handling and transport of the case, even when the opened case is 
tipped or oriented in various orientations. Also, the carrying case of the 
invention provides storage space for a maximum number of CDs within the 
minimum amount of space while yet providing secure mounting of each of the 
CDs to carrying means or trays within the case. Additionally, the carrying 
case of the invention provides a convenient two-piece "clam shell" type 
outer case design utilizing relatively simple and few parts and avoiding 
mechanical hardware such as screws or other fasteners, complex handles, 
handle hardware, latching hardware and the like. Rather, the carrying case 
of the invention is constructed utilizing a minimum number of parts which 
are primarily of a molded plastic construction and may be relatively 
simply assembled and interengaged by hand, without the aid of specialized 
tools, fixtures, or the like, by relatively unskilled workers. 
Furthermore, the carrying case of the invention is capable of opening in a 
flat condition for positioning on a flat surface to review the CDs carried 
therein. Conversely, the carrying case of the invention readily folds in a 
clam shell configuration and provides simple yet effective releasable 
latching means for holding the clam shell case together in a closed 
condition for transport and storage. 
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Accordingly, it is a general object of the invention to provide a novel and 
improved carrying case for CDs or similar objects. 
Further objects of the present invention are to provide a carrying case 
which solves the problems and offers the convenient features hereinabove 
discussed. 
Briefly, and in accordance with the foregoing, the present invention 
comprises a carrying case for storing and transporting a plurality of 
relatively flat, thin items such as compact discs or the like, said 
carrying case comprising: an outer shell defining an enclosed compartment 
for housing a plurality of said items; said outer shell having a top shell 
member and a bottom shell member of complementary configuration to said 
top shell member; a pair of coaxially aligned, spaced apart annular 
members projecting from each of said top and bottom shell members, said 
pairs of annular members being coaxially alignable for defining a hinge 
axis therethrough about which said top and bottom shell members may be 
hingedly coupled for movement between an open condition and a closed 
condition for respectively accessing and closing said compartment; an 
elongate hinge pin; a plurality of similar, generally flat tray members 
configured for fitting within said compartment, each of said tray members 
having a pair of coaxially aligned, spaced apart hinge knuckles, the pair 
of hinge knuckles of each of said trays being located for positioning in 
coaxial alignment with the annular members of said top and bottom shell 
members and also with the hinge knuckles of each of the other trays for 
receiving said hinge pin therethrough, thereby aligning the tray members 
between said top and bottom shells in a facewise stacked condition when 
said top and bottom shell members are in said closed condition, and 
permitting individual hinged access to said trays when said top and bottom 
shell members are in said open condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT 
Referring now to the drawings, and initially to FIGS. 1-3, a carrying case 
in accordance with the invention for storing and transporting a plurality 
of articles such as compact discs (CDs) or the like is designated 
generally by the reference numeral 20. The carrying case 20 includes an 
outer shell 22 which defines an enclosed compartment 24 for housing a 
plurality of items such as CDs 25. The outer shell has a clam shell type 
configuration, comprising a top shell member or half 26 and a bottom shell 
member or half 28 which are hingedly joined along one edge by a hinge 
structure 30. The hinged joining of the top and bottom shell members 26, 
28 is such that they are hingedly moveable between an open condition as 
illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 and a closed condition as illustrated in FIG. 
1. FIG. 2 illustrates an intermediate or partially opened condition of the 
top and bottom shell members 26, 28. 
It will be noted that in the open condition illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 
the outer shell can be laid flat on a suitable surface to facilitate 
access to the CDs 25 carried therein. As also shown in FIG. 2, the CDs are 
carried upon a plurality of tray members 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 and 42 which 
are substantially similar, but as will seen later present somewhat 
different hinge structures, such that all of these trays 32-42 are 
hingedly moveable and, in fact, form individual portions or segments of 
the hinge structure 30. Thus, the trays 32-42 are individually hingedly 
moveable between the top and bottom shell members 26, 28 to permit 
individual accessing of the CDs carried upon these trays. Moreover, the 
trays can for example be fanned out in the fashion shown in FIG. 2 to 
permit quick access and/or review of the CDs carried on the individual 
trays. It will be noted that the trays are hingedly moveable to a facewise 
stacked condition as best viewed in FIG. 5 to permit movement of the top 
and bottom shell halves or members 26, 28 to the closed condition 
completely enclosing the trays 32- 42. 
As best viewed in FIG. 3, in order to achieve the hinge construction 30 
illustrated in FIG. 1 and to achieve the operation of the individual trays 
as shown for example in FIG. 2, each of the tray members 32-34 has a pair 
of generally coaxially aligned, spaced apart hinge knuckles formed 
thereon. In FIG. 3, only two of the trays 40 and 42 are illustrated, it 
being understood that the structure of the remaining trays is similar to 
and, with respect to the hinge knuckles, complementary to that illustrated 
and described for the trays 40 and 42. The trays 40 and 42 bear respective 
pairs of coaxially aligned, spaced apart hinge knuckles 40a, 40b and 42a, 
42b, respectively. Referring also to FIG. 4, it will be noted that the 
pairs of knuckles 40a, 40b and 42a, 42b for example of each of the trays 
are located for positioning in coaxial alignment with the hinge knuckles 
of each of the other trays to receive a common hinge pin 52 therethrough. 
The composite hinge 30 is thus formed of the respective hinge knuckles of 
each of the trays 32-42 to be enclosed within the shell 22. In the 
illustrated embodiment, six (6) such trays are illustrated. However, fewer 
or more such trays might be provided without departing from the invention. 
In order to cooperatively interfit with the hinge structure 30 thus 
defined, each of the top and bottom shell members 26, 28 also includes a 
pair of coaxially aligned, spaced apart annular members 54, 56 and 58, 60 
projecting therefrom. These annular members generally coaxially align with 
the respective hinge knuckles of the trays to define the composite hinge 
structure 30. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, it will be seen that the hinge 
knuckles of each of the trays is sized and located for coaxially 
interfitting in a facewise engagement with the hinge knuckles of an 
adjacent one of the trays to either side thereof. Thus, the pairs of hinge 
knuckles of respective ones of the trays are respectively offset both in 
an axial direction and in a radial direction relative to the hinge pin 52 
to form the continuous hinge knuckle structure 30 when the respective 
hinge knuckles are engaged with the hinge pin 52. This axial offsetting of 
the respective hinge knuckles is such that each tray has a pair of hinge 
knuckles which are spaced apart but respectively interfit with hinge 
knuckles of adjacent trays to form the composite hinge 30 and so as to 
permit individual hinged movement of the respective trays. The radial 
offsetting of the hinge knuckles with respect to each of the trays is such 
as to permit the trays to stack in the facewise stacked condition as 
illustrated in FIG. 4 while maintaining all of the hinge knuckles coupled 
by the common hinge pin 52. Each of the hinge knuckles illustrated in FIG. 
5 is designated by the number of the tray to which it belongs, together 
with the suffix a or b. 
As best viewed in FIGS. 6-8, to which reference is now invited, each of the 
trays has a pair of oppositely facing generally flat or planar surfaces 
60, 62, which in the illustrated embodiment are configured for receiving a 
compact disc in a generally flat, surface-to-surface condition therewith. 
Each of these surfaces 60, 62 is surrounded by a raised peripheral portion 
64 which is also generally circular in configuration and sized for 
generally surroundingly engaging an outer edge of a CD carried on the 
respective one of surfaces 60, 62. The rim 64 in the illustrated 
embodiment is not continuous but is broken in a number of places, however, 
this rim 64 adequately surroundingly engages and positions the CD relative 
to each of surfaces 60 and 62. The rim 64 and surfaces 60, 62 may also 
have a plurality of peripheral cutouts 66 which extend somewhat into the 
surfaces 60, 62 to facilitate engagement and disengagement of a compact 
disc with the surfaces 60, 62. Thus, it will be seen that each tray is 
capable of accommodating two compact discs, one to either side thereof. In 
this regard, each tray includes a central hub portion 70 which is 
configured for releasably snappingly engaging a central opening of a 
compact disc to either side of the tray, that is, at either surface 60, 62 
thereof. Further details of the hub structure in accordance with a 
preferred embodiment of the invention are illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 
and will be further described hereinbelow. 
Each of the hinge knuckles of each tray comprises a generally hollow 
cylindrical member which is relatively short in the axial direction. The 
hinge knuckle 42a of FIG. 8 will be described in detail, being understood 
that each of the hinge knuckles of each tray is substantially similar in 
configuration. Hinge knuckle 42a has a closed end 72 and an open end 74. A 
through central opening 76 is provided in the closed end 72 for 
surroundingly engaging and receiving the hinge pin 52 therethrough. An 
annular, radially inwardly stepped portion 78 is also defined about the 
closed end 72 of the hinge knuckle 42a. The outer diameter of the stepped 
portion 78 is such that it rotatably interfits with an inner diameter 80 
at the open end 74 of the next adjacent hollow hinge knuckle. Thus, 
successive adjacent ones of the hinge knuckles rotatably interfit about 
respective stepped surfaces 78 at closed ends 72 and inner diameters 80 of 
their open ends 74, respectively. 
However, all of the hinge knuckles need not be formed in the fashion 
described above for hinge knuckle 42a, as illustrated with respect to 
hinge knuckle 42b, for example. As also illustrated in FIG. 4 with respect 
to hinge knuckles 32a, 32b, 34b and 42a the stepped portion 78 may be 
omitted and at some points in the composite hinge structure 30, adjacent 
hinge knuckles may merely abut in face-to-face condition rather than 
having stepped portions nested within open ends of adjacent hinge 
knuckles. It will be seen that this face-to-face abutting condition is the 
case as between hinge knuckles 32b and 42a for example in FIG. 4. 
Similarly, respective hinge knuckles 32a and 34b also lack the stepped 
portions such as stepped portions 78 of hinge knuckle 42a and thus these 
knuckles abut the open end portions of adjacent hinge knuckles 34a and 
32b, respectively about their peripheral edges, that is, without achieving 
a nested relationship therewith. It will be recognized that the extension 
of the hinge pin 52 through the coaxially aligned openings 76 of all of 
the hinge knuckles achieves the desired coaxial alignment thereof. 
As shown in further detail in FIGS. 9 and 10, the top and bottom shell 
members include cooperating releasable latching means 80, 82 for 
releasably engaging the top shell member with the bottom shell member when 
they are in the closed condition. These cooperating latching means include 
a wall 92 which has a pair of parallel slits 94 defining a projecting 
resilient tongue member 84 on the top shell member 26 and a complementary 
cutout portion 86 formed in the bottom shell member 28 for receiving 
projecting wall 92. It should be noted that the locations of the 
projecting wall 92 and cutout portion 86 may be reversed with respect to 
the top and bottom shell members without departing from the invention. 
The resilient tongue member 84 has a pair of projecting locking tabs 88 
formed thereon. Cooperatively, the bottom shell member 28 has a pair of 
through apertures 90 which are located and configured for receiving the 
locking tabs 88 snappingly interfitted therethrough. The tongue member 84 
is resiliently deformable for permitting engagement and disengagement of 
the tabs 88 relative to the apertures 90 for respectively latching and 
unlatching the top and bottom shell members 26, 28 when they are in the 
closed condition. In the illustrated embodiment, the resilient tongue 
member 84 is centered in the somewhat wider projecting wall portion 92 of 
the top shell member 26 which projecting wall portion 92 is sized and 
located to form a complementary fit with the cutout portion 86 in the 
bottom shell member 28. As mentioned above, the resilient tongue member 84 
is generally defined by a pair of parallel vertically disposed slits 94 in 
the projecting wall member 92. An additional projecting raised ridge or 
projection 96 may be also be provided on the outer surface of the tongue 
84 to provide a visual cue for engagement and manual depression thereof 
for releasing locking tabs 88 from the apertures 90. 
Referring again briefly to FIGS. 3 and 4, respective outer axial ends of 
the hinge structure 30 are provided with a pair of substantially identical 
end caps 100. Each end cap 100 defines a central bore 102 for receiving 
the hinge pin 52. The end caps 100 are configured for overlying and 
snappingly rotatably engaging the annular members 54, 56 and 58, 59 of the 
respective top and bottom shell members 26, 28. That is, these annular 
members 54, 56 and 58, 59 are respectively axially offset and assembled 
with the end caps 100 in such a way that they are rotatable relative to 
each other and relative to end caps 100 to permit movement of the top and 
bottom shell members between the open and closed conditions. This snapping 
engagement of the end caps 100 with the annular members of the shells and 
the engagement thereof with the hinge pin 52 results in holding the top 
and bottom shell members in assembled condition with the tray members, 
with the annular members of the top and bottom shell members in coaxial 
alignment with the hinge knuckles of the tray members. 
It will be seen that each of the end caps 100 includes an outer axially 
projecting annular wall 104 which overlies the respective annular members 
54, 56 and 58, 59 of the top and bottom shell members and completely 
covers their central through openings, extending almost to the outer 
peripheral edges thereof. Each cap 100 further includes an axially 
projecting annular skirt member 106 which is located radially inside of 
wall 104 and is of similar outer diameter to the inner diameter of the 
respective annular members 54, 56 and 58, 59. Each skirt member 104 has at 
its axial end a radially outwardly projecting barb portion 108 to 
snappingly interfit through the respective annular members 54, 58 and 56, 
59 at opposite axial ends of the hinge structure 30. 
As best viewed in FIGS. 11 and 12, the compact disc-engaging hub members 
comprise a circular array of oppositely axially projecting resiliently 
deformable hub segments 110, 112. These segments 110, 112 alternate about 
the circumference of the hub 70 such that segments 110 all project to one 
side of the tray 42 whereas the segments 112 all project to the opposite 
side of the tray 42. The formation of the hub with these alternately 
projecting hub segments is substantially identical for all of the trays, 
such that each tray can simultaneously retain a compact disc to either 
side thereof as mentioned hereinabove. 
Referring briefly to FIGS. 13 and 14, a second embodiment of a carrying 
case in accordance with the invention is designated generally by the 
reference numeral 20a. Similar parts and components of carrying case 20a 
are designated by like reference numerals to those utilized hereinabove 
together with the suffix a. The carrying case 20a is in most respects 
substantially similar to the carrying case 20 previously described 
including the arrangement of trays 32a, 34a, etc. However, carrying case 
20a is approximately double the width of carrying case 20, such that two 
substantially identical sets of trays 32a, 34a, etc. and 32b, 34b, etc. 
are housed side by side within the carrying case 20a. The outer shell 
member 22a including its upper and lower portions or halves 26a and 28a 
are therefore configured with sufficient width to permit these two sets of 
trays 32a, 34a etc. and 32b, 34b, etc. to be arranged in a side-by-side 
configuration therein, with a single continuous composite hinge assembly 
30a formed collectively by all of the hinge knuckle members of these two 
side-by-side sets of trays. 
While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described 
in detail, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and 
modifications of the present invention, in its various aspects, may be 
made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects, some of 
which changes and modifications being matters of routine engineering or 
design, and others being apparent only after study. As such, the scope of 
the invention should not be limited by the particular embodiment and 
specific construction described herein but should be defined by the 
appended claims and equivalents thereof. Accordingly, the aim in the 
appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall 
within the true spirit and scope of the invention.