Abstract:
A storage housing or unit for holding a circular disk, such as a CD-ROM, Audio Compact Disk, DVD, or any media product of a similar size, shape, or thickness. The unit has a top portion with a number of grooves recessed approximately half the depth of the unit to house the disks at a slight angle for easy access and viewing. The center of the container may include a piece of closed cell foam or other soft material that has slits approximately 1.5 times the thickness of the disk that will frictionally engage the disk without causing any harm or scratches to the disk. However, other embodiments of the invention do not utilize such material. The unit sits upright with or without a stand and allows multiple disks to be stored and viewed without the use of any other storage apparatus such as sleeves or jewel cases. The unit is decorative in fashion and can be made using many different materials in a myriad of colors. An area in front or on top of the unit is saved for the placement of a logo or corporate identity.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/278964, filed on Mar. 27, 2001 entitled Apparatus for Storing Disks. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    This invention relates to the field of computer disk storage solutions. More specifically, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for storing computer disks such as CD-ROMs or any other type of computer readable data.  
         BACKGROUND  
         [0003]    In the present discussion about current systems, the problems and limitations set forth as existent in the prior art are provided for exemplarily purposes. It should be clear to one of ordinary skill in the art that these problems also exist in other contexts or professions and that the invention may apply to situations other than the ones described herein.  
           [0004]    There are many different ways to store computer disks such as CD-ROMs, Audio CDs, and DVDs. The most prominent storage solution is known in by those of ordinary skill in the art as a “Jewel Box”. Although bulky and inconvenient to use, a jewel box is an excellent long-term storage case for CD&#39;s because it provides protection from dust, scratches, and breakage. Most storage solutions currently on the market claim to provide equal protection as the jewel box. However, there are many disadvantages with jewel boxes and other types of storage solutions. A jewel box is meant for long term CD storage. Although jewel boxes protect the CD, they do not provide quick and convenient access for placement to and from playback or recording apparatuses such as audio or computer equipment. Furthermore, jewel boxes, sleeves, and other containers that hold CDs only provide storage and protection for one CD.  
           [0005]    Because of these disadvantages, consumers tend to leave CD&#39;s out of their cases to save time for quick access. This can potentially harm the CD&#39;s by increasing odds of scratching the CD or causing other imperfections. Furthermore, consumers that are worried about scratching their CD, yet require quick access, will lay the CD upside down to prevent the “play” side from touching any surface. Since logos and/or other identifying information is not printed on the “play” side, placing the CD upside down makes it impossible for the user to see the area of the CD that identifies the content of the CD.  
           [0006]    Thus, there is a need for a CD holding apparatus that enables users to easily access the CD without having to endure the process of removing the CD from a jewel case. However, it is also important that CD storage solutions prevent damage from occurring to the “play” side of the CD. Therefore what is desired is a storage apparatus that provides temporary housing for several compact disks, which adequately protects the disk from scratching and provides quick and convenient access to the compact disk for easy placement and removal, as well as the ability to view the CD of choice.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    An embodiment of the invention comprises an apparatus for holding computer disks without a jewel case in a manner that displays the non-play side of the disk to the user. In one or more instances the apparatus embodying the invention comprises an open-faced housing having a plurality of grooves recessed into one or more portions of the housing. Each groove is configured to hold CDs so that the user may easily insert CDs and/or any other type of media into the grooves. The invention contemplates the inclusion of grooves of varying size and depth into the open-faced housing. The open-faced housing may comprise a uniform piece that is formed via an injection mold or any other type of housing that may contain recessed grooves without inhibiting the function of the housing. A computer monitor, computer case, desk, computer printer, or any other place where it would be convenient for a user to store disks may be adapted to incorporate embodiments of the invention.  
           [0008]    In the event that the open-faced housing is configured with multiple grooves, each groove may be separated from the other by a distance greater than the thickness of the disks the apparatus is designed to hold. If, for instance, the apparatus is configured to hold CDs, the second groove is proximally located a distance from the first that is greater than the thickness of the CD. However, the invention is not limited to spacing the grooves at any particular distance and may contain grooves that are separated by more or less than the thickness of the medium the apparatus is intended to hold. In one embodiment of the invention, each groove acts as a repository for holding disks in a specific position. A groove that is recessed into the top portion of the housing may, for example, be configured to hold CD-ROMs, DVDs, CDRs, or any other form of data storage in an upright position. In other instances the grooves are configured to hold disks in alternative positions. If the grooves are recessed into the side portion of the housing, the grooves may hold disks in a sideways or other angled position.  
           [0009]    In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, one or more grooves are configured to hold the disks in position by frictionally engaging disks placed into the groove. Each groove may, for example, comprise an insert that holds the disk in place without damaging the surface of the disk. The insert may be made felt, rubber, foam, or any other substance that can be utilized to provide a protective layer between the disk and the housing in which the disk may be placed. The width of each insert depends upon the type of media the apparatus is intended to hold. In one embodiment of the invention, each insert is minimally greater than the thickness of the media the insert will frictionally engage. If, for example, a DVD or CD-ROM is to be held by the insert, the insert comprises an opening large enough to allow the disk to be easily removed, but narrow enough to firmly hold the disk in place. The reader should note however, that not all versions of the invention require an insert and that grooves may be adapted to holds disks by incorporating grooves having an upper and a lower portion into the apparatus. For instance, concave shaped grooves or other angular forms of groove designs are contemplated.  
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1 comprises an example of an angled view of the front and top of the media storage apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 2 provides an example of the interior portion of each groove designed to fictionally engage disks in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 3A and 3B illustrate a cradle groove in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 4 comprises an example of an angled view of the bottom of the open-faced housing showing recessed central portion in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 5 comprises an example of a side view of the open-faced housing showing recessed grooves for disk storage in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 6 illustrates a removable set of inserts adapted to be placed within open-faced housing in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 7 comprises an enlarged version of a stand (rear and side view) for the open-faced housing in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 8 comprises a top view of the open-faced housing with focus on a front portion and set of removable inserts in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 9 comprises a rear view of the open-faced housing in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 10 comprises a rear view of the open-faced housing in accordance with one embodiment of the invention  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 11 comprises a top view of the open-faced housing with focus on a front portion and set of removable inserts in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 12 comprises an example of a side view of the open-faced housing showing recessed grooves for disk storage in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 13 comprises an example of an angled view of the front and top of the media storage device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 14 comprises an example of an angled view of the bottom of the open-faced housing showing recessed central portion in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0024]    A method and apparatus for storing disks or other forms of data storage is described. In the following description numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without incorporating all aspects of the specific details described herein. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the invention.  
         [0025]    The storage apparatus described herein is designed to house a disk (e.g., a compact disk) of any size or shape in a functional manner. An embodiment of the invention comprises an apparatus for holding disks without a jewel case in a manner that displays the non-play side of the disk to the user. In one or more instances the apparatus embodying the invention comprises an open-faced housing having a plurality of grooves recessed into a portion of the housing. Any conventional or unconventional Compact Disk (CD), CD-ROM, CDR, CDR-W, or DVD containing, for example, any audio or visual information including music, movies, software or any combination thereof can be stored by embodiments of the invention. The term “disk” is utilized to represent circular disk  120  for the sake of convenience only; the term is not meant to be limited solely to compact disks, but may represent any data storage solution. Disk  120  may, for example, represent a CD-ROM, CDR, DVD, CDR-W, or computer readable objects having other shapes. Thus, the storage apparatus may be adapted for use with square, rectangular, or any other angled or non-angularly shaped data storage solution.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 1 shows an example of an open-faced housing configured in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The apparatus is designed to provide the user with a place for quickly accessing disks. Thus disks placed in the apparatus are inserted without a jewel case or any other form of packaging material. Grooves  102 - 112  are recessed into a portion of open-faced housing  100  and each groove is configured to hold disk  120  in an upright position. Each groove is configured to hold disk  120  so that the user may insert disk  120  (e.g., a CD, DVD, and/or any other type of data storage media into the grooves). The invention contemplates the inclusion of grooves  102 - 112  of varying size and depth into open-faced housing  100 . Thus, grooves  102 - 112  may comprise any type of indentation or depression adapted to hold disk  120  in an upright position.  
         [0027]    Open-faced housing  100  may comprise a uniform piece that is formed via an injection mold process. In this instance the open-faced housing is made of plastic or some other type of polymer based compound. However, the invention contemplates the use of any substance that can be molded to form a shape having recessed grooves (e.g., wood, metal, etc . . . ). In one embodiment of the invention the uniform piece that forms the open-faced housing is a single piece molded into a shape that contains recessed grooves although it is important to note that the invention is not limited to instances where one uniform piece forms the open-faced housing. Any number of pieces may be coupled together to form a shape that has a plurality of grooves recessed into a portion of the structure. However, a single piece may also form open-faced housing. For instance, a single piece of plastic could be shaped to form the apparatus embodying aspects of the invention.  
         [0028]    In some instances the open-faced housing is integrated into devices having a purpose other than the storage of disks. For example, the open-faced housing may be part of any other type of device or housing adaptable to contain recessed grooves for holding data storage solutions without inhibiting the function of the housing. A computer monitor, computer case, desk, computer printer, or any other item where it would be convenient for a user to store disks may be adapted to become an open-faced housing having recessed grooves configured to hold a disk in an extended position. It should be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that open-faced housing  100  may take on any size and shape, as well as house any number of CD&#39;s to be stored vertically, horizontally, or in any other position. In each instance, open-faced housing may hold any form of digital media without requiring any additional storage solutions. For instance, a jewel case or any other form of CD packaging is not required in order to hold the data storage solutions. In one embodiment of the invention open-faced housing  100  is designed to look “sleek” and “high-tech” by rounding the edges to enhance consumer appeal and encourage impulse buying. However, the invention may take other forms or shapes that incorporate the functionality described herein.  
         [0029]    In the event that the open-faced housing is configured with multiple grooves, each groove  102 - 112  may be separated from the other by a distance greater than the thickness of the disks the apparatus is designed to hold. If, for instance, the apparatus embodying the invention is configured to hold disk  120  and disk  120  represents a CD, the second groove is proximally located a distance from the first that is greater than the thickness of the CD. Thus, the distance between groove  102  and groove  104  is typically greater than the thickness of disk  120 . However, the invention is not limited to spacing the grooves at any particular distance and may contain grooves that are separated by more or less than the thickness of the medium the apparatus is intended to hold.  
         [0030]    In one embodiment of the invention, each groove  102 - 112  acts as a receptacle for holding disk  120  in a specific position. A groove that is recessed into the top portion of the housing may, for example, be configured to hold CD-ROMs, DVDs, or CDRs in an upright or extended position (see e.g., groove  102 ). In other instances grooves  102 - 112  are configured to hold disks in alternative positions. If the open-faced housing is positioned upright (e.g., where groove  112  is located closet to the portion of the housing that is in contact with a physical surface) grooves  102 - 112  are considered recessed into the top portion of the housing. However, grooves may be adapted to hold disks in a sideways or other angled position. Open-faced housing  100  may have a portion  122  designed to display identifying information such as a company logo or other graphic image. Identifying information may be attached to the area in the form of a sticker, engraving, or other printing method. It should also be noted that any company could use this area to brand the product by placing their company logo in its place.  
         [0031]    It is important to note that although the term open-faced housing is used for illustrative purposes, an embodiment of the invention also contemplates the use of housings that may be covered so as to provide further protection for disks held within the recessed grooves of the housing. Thus, for example, open-faced housing  100  may be configured to also include a cover that protects the surface of the disks placed in grooves  102 - 112 . Open-face housing  100  is typically positioned so that the user can view the front portion (non-play side) of disk  120 . The top portion of the open-faced housing may be positioned at an angle that allows the user to see a front portion of each disk. The apparatus may, for instance, sit at an angle that positions each groove on a plane that is approximately 30 degrees different from the surface upon which the apparatus is placed. However, the invention contemplates embodiments using various other positions and may, for example, be adapted so that the plane each groove sits at is any angle. Embodiments of the invention may sit vertically, horizontally, upside down, or at any position in-between.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 2 provides an example of the interior portion of each groove in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Each groove  210 - 216  is configured to hold disk  218  in position by frictionally engaging a disk placed into the groove. Groove  208 , for example, may comprise an insert  200  that holds the disk in place without damaging the surface of disk  218 . Open-faced housing  220  may have any number of grooves and may be adapted to contain more or less than the number of grooves illustrated in FIG. 1. Insert  200  may be made felt, rubber, foam, or any other substance that can be utilized to provide a protective layer between disk  218  and housing  220  in which disk  218  may be placed. In one embodiment of the invention inserts  200  keep disk  218  or other form of digital media secure by keeping the front or back of the item placed within the insert from touching the open-faced housing to avoid scratching the disk surface. Inserts  200  may also be configured to hold disk  218  snuggly in place. The width of each insert  200  depends upon the type of disk  218  the apparatus is intended to hold. In one embodiment of the invention, each insert  200  is minimally greater than the thickness of the disk the insert will frictionally engage. If disk  218  is, for example, a DVD or CD-ROM, insert  200  comprises an opening large enough to allow the disk to be easily removed, but narrow enough to firmly hold the disk in place.  
         [0033]    Grooves  200 - 206  may be recessed at varying depths. For example, groove  206  located toward the back portion of open-faced housing  220  has a depth less than groove  200 . In some instances however, each groove is approximately the same depth but open-faced housing is positioned at an angle so that the top portion of each disk sits above the preceding disk. Referring back to FIG. 1, for example, a disk placed in groove  102  sits at a lower position than a disk placed in groove  112 . The invention contemplates the use of any type mechanism designed to position open-faced housing  100  at an incline. For example, stand  122  moves open-faced housing  100  into an inclined position so that the disks are arranged in a plane that slants upwards. Thus, the back portion of open-faced housing  100  is typically higher than front portion  124 . The stand may comprise a wire frame or some other type of substance (e.g., plastic, wood, or any other solid substance). When a wire frame is utilized, the wire frame may be inserted into open-faced housing  100  in hole  25 . FIG. 7 illustrates an enlarged version of housing stand  700  and its shape. However, frame stand is optional and the housing may be formed in such a way that is has it own stand integrated into the housing. Stand  700  can be made of any solid material that can support open-faced housing  100  and force it to stand so that the front is flush and touching any flat surface. Thus stand  700  enables front portion  124  to lie flat on the surface when the stand  700  is attached. It is important to note that the purpose of stand  700  is used to help lift the open-faced housing into an inclined position to provide easier viewing and access to disks held within the grooves. However, it is not imperative to have stand  700  attached to effectively use open-faced housing  100 . The housing can still be configured to reside at an incline without stand  700 .  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 3 a  illustrates an alternative configuration for each groove in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. One or more of the grooves illustrated in FIG. 1, for example, may be configured to hold disk  300  in a cradle portion  302  that provides the disk with a place to rest. Cradle portion  302  need not frictionally engage the disk, but may contain a buffer that prevents the disk from damage. However, in one embodiment of the invention no such buffer is present and disk  300  sits in cradle  302 . FIG. 3b shows a side view of cradle  302  as it is integrated into open-faced housing  304 . In this instance groove  305  does not contain any protective insert, but is instead configured in to hold a disk without a jewel case. Grooves  305  may, for instance, have a base that utilizes a step or concave shape to hold circular objects and/or other shaped objects of varying size. This concave portion is referred to in one embodiment of the invention as cradle  302 . However, cradle  302  need not always to be concave. Rather cradle  302  comprises a center portion ( 302 ) lower than the two side portions ( 310  and  308 ).  
         [0035]    As used in this description, the terms “up”, “down”, “top”, “bottom”, etc., refer to housing  100  when in the orientation illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the invention from a bottom view perspective. Grooves  102 - 112  are recessed into open-faced housing and disk  120  may be positioned in each groove. Center portion  150  represents cradle  302 . However, center portion  150  may also provide a location for placement of inserts  200 - 206 . Center portion  150  is not required in order to properly hold disk  120  in position nut may be optionally included so as to provide the manufacture with design flexibility.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of the open-faced housing in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Inserts  200 - 206  may protrude from grooves  102 - 112  and can therefore be removed from open-faced housing  100  for purposes of replacement or design flexibility. Inserts  200 - 206  may have beveled edges in front and back of each groove to increase ease of disk access to and from the groove. However, grooves may also be configured to hold digital media without any insert.  
         [0037]    In one embodiment of the invention inserts  200 - 204  are not removable and are part of the housing itself. However, in other instances inserts  200 - 204  are incorporated into a removable portion that snugly sits in open-faced housing  100  within portion  150 . An example of a removable set of inserts  600  is shown in FIG. 6. Removable set of inserts  600  may comprise multiple slots adaptably configured to hold the digital media. In one embodiment of the invention, each slot is approximately 1.5 times the width of the digital media the slot is intended to store. However, the invention contemplates the use of slots having any width that snuggly holds a disk. The slots are typically centered in grooves  102 - 112  but may be located in other positions. The removable set of inserts may be comprised of closed cell foam, rubber, or some other type of substance that will hold a disk in an extended position, but still allow the user to pull the disk from the slot.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a top view and back view in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 10 comprises a rear view of the open-faced housing in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. In the embodiment illustrated open-faced housing  100  comprises grooves  102 - 112  and lacks center portion  150  (see e.g., FIG. 14). Thus, FIG. 10 illustrates that center portion  150  is not required for purposes of holding disks. Grooves  102 - 112  may be recessed directly into open-faced housing  100 , such that center portion  150  is optional. For instance, referring now to FIG. 11 that illustrates a top view with focus on a front portion and set of removable inserts in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, center portion  150  is shown in a manner that is integrated uniformly into housing  100 . Thus, housing  100  is a single piece in one embodiment of the invention, but may also be separated into two or more pieces. FIG. 12 comprises an example of a side view of the open-faced housing configured as a single piece and showing recessed grooves for disk storage in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Grooves  201 - 206  may optionally include a non-abrasive substances such a rubber or foam to hold disks into place. FIG. 13 comprises an example of an angled view of the front and top of the disk storage device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The device is configured as one piece in this embodiment illustrated in FIG. 13. FIG. 14 comprises an example of an angled view of the bottom of the open-faced housing showing recessed central portion in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The bottom portion of grooves  102 - 112  are recessed into housing  100  such that the grooves become part of the housing. Thus, grooves become part of a recessed central portion couple to or part of housing  100 .  
         [0039]    The means and method for storing disks should be apparent to those skilled in the art after reading this disclosure. It should be understood that the foregoing is illustrative and not limiting and that obvious modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, reference should be made primarily to the accompanying claims and the full scope of their equivalents, rather than the foregoing specification, to determine the scope of the invention. Thus an apparatus for storing disks and a method relating thereto has been described.