Assemblable storage and display unit

Abstract: A storage unit for compact discs or other like storage media (1) having three column members (2,3,4) positioned in a triangular formation when seen from above. A plurality of substantially horizontal shelves (6) are each located in slots provided in the column members (2, 3, 4). Each shelf member can receive onto its surface between columns at least two storage media items (1), each spaced from the adjacent item by relief features which may include an upward projection of the shelf member (11, 14, 15), a downward projection of the proximate shelf member (9), or both.

Description: The present invention relates to an assemblable storage and display unit for storage media items (eg, CDs (compact discs), VCDs (video CDs), MDs (mini discs), DVDs (digital video discs) or any similar media) whether packaged or encased or not. Frequently there is a need both at retail outlets and in the office or home environment to store storage media items in such a way that they are tidily and safely housed yet can, at a glance, each be recognised for what it is so that a particular CD or the like (usually in a case) can be quickly extracted for use. More specifically the present invention is directed to an assemblable form of such a storage and display device which allows individual components of a pack to be quickly assembled for such use. FR 2754099 discloses such an assemblable storage and display device, wherein the device has a stand with a base body, a main column, two side columns and a number of supporting plates. Single storage media items can be stored and displayed on each shelf level. Whilst such forms of assemblable storage display units have hitherto been available in some countries, very seldom, if at all, has there been provision for a side by side presentation of multiple storage media items on each shelf level. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an assemblable storage and display unit for storage media items where it is possible, without stacking of such items directly on to one another, to display at each shelving level a multiple of such items. In a first aspect the present invention relates to an assemblable storage and display unit as defined in claim 1, for CDs, VCDs (Video CDs), MDs (Minidisk), DVDs or any similar media (packaged, encased or not) (hereinafter "storage media item or items"). Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims. Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a perspective frontal view of one preferred form of the present invention adapted to receive CDs or other storage media items (ie, the disks (of whatever format) (if disks at all) within their case) there being the prospect of inserting two such items at each shelf level by insertion between the same two columns notwithstanding the fact that there is preferably an alignment of projections and possibly other projections between the individual items, items being shown in the lowermost shelving levels only for ease of view, Figure 2 shows an alternative arrangement to that of Figure 1 where a similar arrangement exists but here the shelf members are such as to have allowed or encouraged the insertion, at each shelf level, of a pair storage media items a different pairing of two out of the three columns, there preferably still however being some measure of projection provided separation between proximate shelves as in Figure 1 (but not necessarily so), Figure 3 is a frontal view of the arrangement shown in Figure 1, Figure 4 is a rear view of the arrangement shown in Figure 1, Figure 5 is a rear side view of the arrangement shown in Figure 1, Figure 6 is a left side view of the arrangement shown in Figure 1, Figure 7 is a view from below of the arrangement shown in Figure 1, ie; a base to which the columns are affixed (eg; by screwing), Figure 8 is a plan view of the arrangement shown in Figure 1, (each of Figures 3 through 8 not showing any of the storage media items for clarity), Figure 9 is a similar view to that of Figure 3 but showing, in section, the upper shelves and preferably a top member and the lower shelf and an underlying support member from the base, such section being taken through the preferred aligned projections between shelf members which in the case of the embodiment of Figure 1 preferably provides at least part of the relief or other separation to encourage side by side placement of two items on a same shelf in a spaced relationship, Figure 10 is a close up of the indexing/bearing/butting inter-engagement (preferably female onto male) referred to for the upper shelf region of the devices shown in Figure 9, Figure 11 is a similar view to that of Figure 10 but this time in respect of the lower shelf, Figure 12 shows a perspective view from the front of an assembly as shown in Figure 1 showing the top removed and showing an upward projection and additional projections to assist in the location of two spaced apart media storage items, Figure 13 is an enlarged view of the upward projection shown in Figure 12 from the other side, Figure 14 is a detail of the back region of the top of a structure as depicted in Figure 1 showing the relieved thickness of that part which is preferably to nose into a slot of the central rearward column and showing, flanking the same, the additional projections for accurate item placement, Figure 15 is an alternative to the arrangement shown in Figure 14 such as might be used for a lower shelf member in an assembly, Figure 16 is a typical end of each shelf member showing a preferred relief of the thickness of a region thereof adapted to nose into a receiving slot of a preferred column in accordance with the present invention, such an arrangement ensuring both vertical support and a measure of horizontal location, Figure 17 is an alternative to the arrangement shown in Figure 17 which could be used for lower shelving members in the structure, and Figure 18 is a simplified plan view of an alternative form of structure shown from above which, whilst depicting a still preferably triangular array of columns supporting a shelf, has means to provide the placement side by side of three media storage units. In the preferred form of the present invention the product would be supplied as a packed kit or would be preassembled depending on the particular. In the preferred form of the present invention preferably the shelf members are formed from a suitable plastics material capable of being moulded by, for example, an injection moulding process. Suitable materials include any appropriate thermoplastic or thermosetting material including, for example, PVC (polyvinyl chloride), ABS (Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene), polycarbonate, etc. A most preferred material is GPPS (General Purpose Polystyrene), or PC (Poly-Carbonate). Whilst the columns and indeed also the base might likewise be formed from such materials they can, if desired, instead be formed from, in the case of the columns, an appropriate metal, such as aluminium, and, in respect of the base, from an appropriate metal (eg aluminium) or indeed wood or a plastics material. Several embodiments of the invention are envisaged quite apart from those depicted by reference to Figures 1 and 2. In the preferred form of the present invention as shown in Figure 1 storage media items 1 are stacked side by side on unitary (or less preferably fabricated) shelves in a spaced side by side arrangement where there is an enforced or encouraged separation of the items of each shelf level but still between the front columns 2 and 3 by the provision of an aligned composite column or pillar 9 arising from the complement of the projections (preferably integrally formed in each shelf) which ideally butt, index or bear (but not necessarily so) on each proximate shelf member. Also shown in Figure 1 is a rear column or pillar 4 and a top shelf 5 which, in the preferred form of the present invention, is of a different appearance to preferably the remainder of the shelf members 6 within the multi-level unit. Figure 2 shows an alternative arrangement to that of Figure 1 where pillar 4 which previously was rearmost might be the front pillar or column 4 whilst the position of the pillars or columns 2 and 3 are reversed. In such an arrangement preferably the relief profiling of each shelf differs so as to encourage placement of item on either side of the front column or pillar back into the shelf (preferably against other relief features which will enhance location for alignment of the multiple storage media items 1 as shown). In such a form preferably there is also a projection alignment as shown in Figure 1 but not necessarily so. Figure 3 shows in elevation the detail of the unit as shown in Figure 1. Each shelf member 6 in this form preferably receives from above a leg preferably integrally formed in the shelf member 6 proximate thereto (preferably in a female down onto a male arrangement, ie the downward projection preferably being a socket into which a male up stands of the underlying shelf fits for indexing purposes).. However the reverse or other arrangements can be employed. A person skilled in the art will appreciate how there could be both an upper and lower projection which butts midway between the shelves or comes into some close proximity or overlap arrangement. Alternatively there can be a recess in one into which the other protrudes, etc, still thereby ensuring some degree of alignment between the shelves to provide for the aesthetics which will carry through, because of the relief characteristics on each shelf member for item placement, the prospect of aligned presentation of outwardly extending items 1 as shown in Figure 1 or indeed as shown in Figure 2. Shown in Figures 4 and 5 are relief features 8 adapted to assist in item location on each shelf member. Shown in Figure 12 is an upstand male member 11 adapted to be received within a downward leg projection which is female in character. Also shown on a shelf 6 in Figure 12 are regions 12 (one preferably being the mirror image of the other) and 13 for nosing into complementary slots (see Figure 12) of each pillar or column, ie, regions 12 nose into slots in pillars 2 and 3 and in the embodiment of Figure 1 region 13 noses into slots of the column or pillar 4 shown in Figure 1. Also shown in Figures 12 and 14 are upstand type projections 14 which additionally assist in item location. Preferably where an item is being inserted there is bearing substantially against a region 9 and a pillar or column 2 or 3 as well as the back stop member 8. The upstand region 14 preferably is provided to minimise skewing during insertion and to ensure a better prospect of appropriate alignment once pressed home against the back stop member 8. Figure 18 shows still a further geometry that can be used viced with the three pillars or columns still being shown but having two aligned regions 15 each similar in character to 9. These will have the effect of allowing, on a particular shelf, three storage media items to be located in three spaced relationships (16) still embodying the loading characteristics shown in Figure 1. The same, of course, would be true in relation to the reverse type loading scenario (as in Figure 2) for even numbered multiples to be stored on each level but, of course, rear loading of a configuration is shown in Figure 18 would have a difficulty for a central item owing to the positioning centrally of the third column or pillar 17. From the foregoing it can be seen that the present invention provides a unit capable of being marketed in an unassembled form and which upon unpacking can readily be assembled such that screws etc. (as shown in the base view of Figure 7) can connect the base to the appropriate pillars and thereafter the shelves can thereafter be nosed into the appropriate apartment. Preferably the arrangement is such that the length of the slot and the freedom of movement of each region of a shelf which is to nose into a slot is such that there can be vertical support for each shelf member from each of the three columns or pillars and there is no need to prelocate shelves prior to any (optional) fixing to a base of the columns. Where there is no such base preferably the lateral retention by each column of a shelf member is more positive. Preferably in addition by indexing between shelves and preferably also supporting the lowermost shelf with a underlying packing member from the base an alignment of indexed bearing abutments results in an integral relationship of the shelves together to ensure accurate alignment of any items to be packed into the assembled unit and at the same time to minimise any tendency for movement of any of the shelves relative to their supporting column or pillar.

Claims: A storage and display unit, comprising: at least three column members (2, 3,4), each having a plurality of notches in a side wall thereof; a plurality of shelf members (6), each of said shelf members (6) having an upper surface, a lower surface and three notch engagable edge regions (12, 13); wherein each of said column members (2, 3, 4) are arranged such that the notches of the column members cooperate to allow each of said notch engagable edge regions (12, 13) of said shelf members (6) to slidably engage with one of the notches of each of the column members (2, 3, 4); at least one of said plurality of shelf members (6) provides at least one relief (9) extending from at least one of the upper or lower surfaces of said shelf member to locate against a portion of an immediately proximate shelf member where such portion is: (a) the other of the upper or lower surface of the proximate shelf member or, (b) a relief (9) therefrom; such that at least two tray portions are formed between said column members (2, 3), each tray portion being formed between one of said column members and an adjacent relief (9). A unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said upper surface of each shelf member (6) can support at least two storage media items (1) in a side by side relationship. A unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the notches are slots, and in an assembled condition said column members (2, 3, 4) are in a spaced apart relationship at apices of a notional triangle. A unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each shelf member (6) is engaged into the slots of the column members (2, 3, 4) in a manner to be supported therefrom in a substantially horizontal condition. A unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the interface between said at least one relief (9) and said portion is of a plug to socket like arrangement. A unit of any one of the preceding claims, adapted to store and display two storage media items (1) only on each shelf member (6). A unit of any one of the preceding claims, adapted to store and display three storage media items (1) on each shelf member (6). A unit of any one of the preceding claims, wherein each shelf member (6) comprises a molded material. A unit of any one of the preceding claims, wherein each shelf member comprises an upwardly extending relief (9) and a downwardly extending relief (9) which, in the assembled condition, are on a notional axis substantially parallel to the general elongate direction of each column member (2, 3, 4). A unit of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said column members (2, 3, 4) are tubular and said slots are horizontally extending. A unit of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said column members are each located on a base member to hold said column members (2, 3, 4) in the assembled condition in a stable spaced relationship. A unit as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 11, wherein the upper surface of at least one shelf member (6) comprises an upstanding region extending between said relief (9) and said third column member (4). A unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising a back stop member (8) disposed on said upper surface of at least one shelf member (6). A unit as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 13, wherein at least one relief (9) is spaced apart from said first, second and third column members (2, 3, 4) such that a first tray for holding storage media items (1) is formed between said first column member (2) and said at least one relief (9) and a second tray for holding storage media items (1) is formed between said second column member (3) and said at least one relief (9).

Inventors: MOK SZE MAN, MOK, SZE MAN
Applicants: SUNHING MILLENNIUM LTD, SUNHING MILLENNIUM LIMITED
Application year: 2000
Main classification: G11B33
IPC codes: G11B33, A47B47, A47F7, G11B23