Patent Publication Number: US-2010108547-A1

Title: Storage Device

Description:
FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a storage device for multi-media items and associated protective packaging wherein a plurality of different sizes can be retained and displayed by the device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Many storage devices exist for hosting multi-media items such as, CDs, DVDs and computer game disks, for example. However, the known storage devices are generally designed to host a single type of multi-media item such as a CD stack. Of the few known devices intended for hosting various multi-media items, either the items do not fit securely within the device or the devices require the manipulation of various dividers to accommodate different sized items. Still further, many of the known storage devices are in the form of trays which are concealed during periods of non-use making it less convenient to access the items of interest. 
     What is needed is a universal multi-media storage device, which readily accommodates items of different sizes. Other desirable features for such a storage device would be one that provides ready access to the items of interest and one that does not interfere with the user&#39;s field of vision when selecting an item hosted by the device. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention discloses a multi-media storage device for securing and displaying such items including, but not limited to, CDs, DVDs, computer game disks, for example. These types of items are typically maintained within protective packaging that includes some indication as to the contents of the packaging. As the packaging for multi-media items tends to have standard dimensions whereby CD packaging tends to be narrower than DVD packaging, for example, it is desirable to have a universal storage device that can accommodate either type of packaging. As such, present invention offers multi-media storage devices that can host various types of multi-media packaging, wherein the storage device is easy to use and has decorative appeal. Advantages of the storage device include side or top down entry of the item inserted which offers added convenience. Further, at least under certain embodiments, multi-media items can be readily interchanged and secured by the storage device without having to manipulate the apparatus to accommodate different sized items. 
     Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the storage device of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the device of  FIG. 1  including a backstop; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the device of  FIG. 1  including certain optional features such as a handle and size adjusting insert; 
         FIG. 4  is an end view of a storage device showing insertable strips used to optionally fill hosting slots; 
         FIG. 5  is a sectional view showing inserts sized and shaped to provide different slot configurations; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a storage device including a rotatable base shown in phantom; and 
         FIG. 7  is an end view of a storage device including an oversized elongated slot. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , there is shown a first embodiment of the storage device of the present invention. The storage device  10  which is primarily intended to host multi-media items such as CDs, DVDs and computer game disks includes a body  12  defined by a bottom surface  14 , a top surface  16  and at least one end wall  18 . According to this embodiment, the end wall includes a first end wall  18   a  and opposing second end wall  18   b  and first and second transverse end walls  18   c  and  18   d  thereby defining a structure having a generally rectangular shape. 
     Formed into the top surface  16  are a plurality of recesses  22  which are designed to accommodate multi-media items and/or packaging including multi-media items of various size. In this regard, at least one of the recesses and preferably a plurality of the recesses include first and second elongated slots  26  occurring along the same recess such that any given recess can accommodate multi-media items of at least two different sizes. 
     As shown, a first slot  26   a  defined by first and second spaced apart sidewalls  28   a  and  28   b  and a transverse step  30  is sized to accommodate larger items such as a DVD case. Extending below the first slot  26   a  is a second slot  26   b  also defined by first and second spaced apart sidewalls  32   a  and  32   b  and a bottom wall  34 . The second slot is intended to secure a multi-media item that is narrower such as a CD package, or the like. 
     As should be appreciated, each recess including both first and second slot portions as described can accommodate either a DVD or a CD package depending upon the user&#39;s needs. 
     Unlike other storage devices for multi-media items, the storage device as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4  is intended to have an open configuration whereby the device can be positioned upon a tabletop or other similar support structure so that the items can be displayed and readily accessed by a user. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a similar multi-media device embodiment is presented whereby a backstop  40  is positioned adjacent one end of the device so that as items are inserted into the slots, they are precluded from passing therethrough. While the backstop may be integrally formed with the body structure, generally, the backstop is mechanically fastened along one end of the device via bolts, screws and/or adhesives. The backstop may include indicia  42  of a particular set of items that can be maintained by the storage device. By way of non-limiting example, compact disks and DVDs are often sold in box sets where the user can view or listen to an entire series of performances by a given artist or artists. Thus, the storage devices of the present invention are ideal for hosting box sets. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , various optional features are demonstrated in association with a storage device such as that disclosed according to  FIG. 2 . According to this design, the storage device  10  may include a handle portion  44  generally extending along an end opposite of the backstop. An additional optional feature includes elongated inserts  46  that can be disposed in one or more recesses  22  to modify the size of the slot for hosting a multi-media item. 
     As shown in the cut-away side view of  FIG. 5 , such an insert may itself include a first slot portion  48   a  and a second slot portion  48   b  whereby the first slot potion is wider than the second slot portion and can accommodate a multi-media item or its packaging having a larger size than the second slot portion. Thus, when the insert is removed from the body  12  of the storage device a still larger item (not shown) can be maintained within a given recess  22 . 
     While not shown in all of the embodiments, as is shown in phantom in  FIG. 6 , the bottom surface of the storage device may include a rotatable base  50 , i.e., lazy susan-type, thereby making it easy to reposition the storage device for better viewing and access to the multi-media items contained thereby. 
     While not intended to be limited to particular dimensions, for certain applications, the storage device, as shown in  FIG. 1 , for example, would preferably be approximately 6 inches in length, i.e., along the first and second end walls, 6½ to 7 inches wide, i.e., along the first and second lateral end walls, and 1¾ to about 2 inches in height from the bottom surface to the top surface as measured along any of the end walls. The first slot portion would be approximately ⅝ of an inch wide and a second slot portion would be approximately 7/16 inch wide. The first slot portion would have an average height of approximately ½ inch and the second slot portion would also have an average height of approximately ½ inch. The storage device can be formed from various materials such as metals, plastic or wood. 
     While the total number of recesses  22  provided along the storage device may vary, it is preferable that the device include five or six recesses which correspond with the number of multi-media items, such as CDs or DVDs that can be accommodated by most commercial CD and DVD playing apparatus. As such, each of the recesses  26  can be provided with a number, such as 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 as shown in  FIG. 2 , making it easy for the user to put the associated packaging in the recess number corresponding to the disk receptacle number at the multi-media playing apparatus. This, in turn, allows the user to merely retrieve the packaging positioned upon the storage device in the recess which corresponds to the number of disk receptacle of CD or DVD playing apparatus from which the disk is being removed. CDs and DVDs therefore do not become disassociated with the packaging when it becomes time to return the multi-media item to the packaging. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , there is shown an alternative embodiment of a storage device  10  wherein an oversized elongated recess  22 A provided in proximity to an end wall  18 . By “oversized” it is meant that the recess  22 A has a width dimension which is substantially larger than the width of the other recesses  22  such that the recess  22 A can accommodate items associated with multi-media players such as a remote control device (not shown) by way of non-limiting example. Thus, the recess  22 A will generally be at least three times wider than the other recesses. 
     The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the invention, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention.