Abstract:
The compact disc storage device of the present invention provides maximum storage capacity of compact discs while being interconnected to a visor, e.g. a sun-visor in an automobile. The invention allows the storage device to be temporarily pivoted on the sun-visor, for example, to expose a vanity mirror located on the sun-visor, without requiring the disconnection of the storage device from the sun-visor.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a storage device used to store compact discs, and more particularly to a storage device which can be attached to a visor of a vehicle, such as an automobile. In a first position the apparatus provides convenient access to a plurality of compact discs, while in a second position the device is pivoted to allow access to a vanity mirror or other device located on the visor. In either the first or second positions the storage device remains operably interconnected to the visor. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     With the increasing use of compact disc players in automobiles and other vehicles there is a significant need for an apparatus which can store a plurality of compact discs in a convenient, easily accessible location. Furthermore, it is important that the storage device be located in a position which allows the driver to keep his eyes substantially on the road while making a compact disc selection for use in a compact disc player. Additionally, due to the limited space in an automobile, the storage device must be small enough to remain non-obstructive, yet hold a sufficient number of compact discs in a safe manner which will not scratch the playing surface. 
     One particular type of compact disc storage device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. D362,159 issued to Singh. The product disclosed in the Singh patent attaches to the visor of an automobile by wrapping entirely around the front and back of the visor. However, based on this method of attachment, it is impossible for the driver to view a vanity mirror located on the visor without completely removing the storage device from the visor. 
     Thus, a need exists for a compact disc storage device which is compact, allows easy removal and insertion of compact discs and other objects and which allows the driver to keep his eyes affixed to the road while making a CD selection. This device should additionally be made of materials which will not scratch or otherwise damage the playing surface of the compact disc. Finally, the storage device should allow for the use of the vanity mirror or other objects on the visor without requiring the complete removal of the storage device from the visor. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is thus one aspect of the invention to provide a compact disc storage device for use in a vehicle such as a car, boat or truck which addresses the limitations of products currently known in the art by having the device attached directly to the visor. This configuration allows a driver of the vehicle to keep his eyes affixed in the general direction of movement while removing or inserting a compact disc from the storage device. 
     It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a compact disc storage device which can be interconnected to the visor in such a manner as to allow the device to be temporarily pivoted upward and away from the visor to allow viewing or use of a vanity mirror or any other substantially flat device which is interconnected to the visor. This pivotal rotation feature permits viewing of the vanity mirror without requiring the total removal of the storage device. Furthermore a fastener may be attached to the ceiling of the vehicle to engage an opposing fastener on the storage device to hold the device in an upright position. 
     One additional aspect of the invention is to orient each of the pockets which holds one or more compact discs in the same longitudinal direction, which optimizes the functional storage capacity and allows ease of removal and insertion of the compact discs. This feature further allows the driver of the vehicle to remove and insert a compact disc with one hand while looking forward and steering with the other hand. 
     In yet another aspect of the invention, a thin, non-scratching pliable material is used to construct the pockets which hold the compact discs. Thus, the playing surface of the compact discs are protected, and space is saved which allows the visor to be pivoted upward and against the ceiling of the vehicle when not in use. 
     In another aspect of the present invention a separate storage pocket is provided adjacent the pockets used to store the compact discs. This pocket can be constructed of a elastic, see-through mesh and accommodates the storage of spare keys, credit cards, a garage door opener, etc. A separate pocket for securing a pen or pencil to the storage device may additionally be attached for the drivers convenience. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the invention shown attached to a visor and holding a plurality of compact discs, keys and a pen. 
     FIG. 2 is a front view of the invention showing the plurality of pockets used for holding compact discs, the accessories pocket, and pen holding loop. 
     FIG. 3 is a top view of the invention showing the attachment straps and plurality of pockets. 
     FIG. 4 is a back view of the invention showing the inner surface of the support panel and attachment straps. 
     FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the invention showing the plurality of pockets and attachment straps. 
     FIG. 6 is a left side view of the invention. 
     FIG. 7 is a right side view of the invention. 
     FIG. 8 is a right perspective view of the invention with environment depicting the storage device attached to a visor and pivoted in a position which permits the viewing of a vanity mirror. 
     FIG. 9 is a right partial perspective view of the invention showing an alternative embodiment for attaching the storage device to a visor. 
     FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of the invention showing a vehicle visor with exposed vanity mirror and the compact disc storage device rotated upwardly and removably interconnected to a ceiling surface in the vehicle. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The present invention including the preferred embodiments may be seen in FIGS. 1-9, which shows a compact disc storage device specifically designed for attachment to a vehicle visor and designed for use in one of two positions. In a first position the storage device is securely attached to a first side of a visor, allowing access for the insertion and removal of compact discs. In a second position the storage device may be pivoted upward and away from the visor to allow the user to use a vanity mirror or other substantially flat object positioned on the visor. 
     Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 depicts the compact disc storage device 2 attached to a visor 12 (shown in phantom lines). The storage device 2 includes a plurality of pockets 6 interconnected to a support panel 22 which has a top edge, left edge, right edge and a bottom edge. Preferably the support panel 22 is a flat, generally rectangular shaped piece of cardboard, plastic or other material which has an outside surface 30 (see FIG. 2) and an inside surface 32 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). However, the support panel 22 may be oval shaped or any other configuration which accommodates attachment to a visor 12 and storage of CD disks. The outside surface 30 of the support panel 22 faces the driver of the vehicle. The inside surface 32 of the support panel 22 faces the visor, and thus is preferably oriented toward the windshield of the automobile when the visor 12 is in a down position, although it can be connected to the other side of the visor. The plurality of pockets 6 used to store compact discs 4 are positioned on the outside surface 30 of the support panel 22 while the mechanism for attaching the storage device 2 to the visor 12 is interconnected to the inside surface 32 of the support panel 22. Preferably, when the visor is pushed downward the compact discs are displayed to allow the driver to remove or insert a compact disc 4 into the storage device 2. Preferably, when the visor 12 is pushed upward and out of use, the compact discs 4 are concealed from view and thus do not encourage theft. 
     The pockets 6 are generally aligned to open in the same longitudinal direction, although it is feasible that some pockets 8 may open in alternative positions. For example, some of the pockets may open to the left while other pockets may open to the right or upwards. In a preferred embodiment the pockets 6 all open to the right since most users are right handed. In a preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 2 the pockets 6 are oriented in a slightly diagonal manner from the top edge 46 of the support panel 22 to the bottom edge 48. This configuration maximizes the number of compact discs 4 which may be stored in a confined geometric space while providing easy access to the pockets 6 for removal or insertion of the compact discs 4. 
     In an alternative embodiment of the present invention an accessories pocket 8 may be interconnected to the support panel 22 and positioned on the outside surface 30 of the support panel 22. The accessories pocket 8 may be used to store keys, garage door openers, credit cards or any other type of small object desired by the driver of an automobile. In a preferred embodiment the accessories pocket 8 is a see-through mesh fabric or transparent material which allows the objects stored in the pocket to be easily seen. Furthermore, the accessories pocket 8 is preferably oriented to be open in the same longitudinal direction as the compact disc storage pockets 6, although the accessories pocket 8 may be designed for opening in a variety of directions depending on the anticipated application. Preferably, the accessories pocket 8 is interconnected to the outside surface 30 of the support panel 22 by stitching at least 2 edges of the accessories pocket 8 to the support panel 22. More preferably at least 3 edges of the accessories pocket are stitched to the outside surface 30 of the support panel 22. 
     Referring now to FIG. 2, the compact disc storage pockets are interconnected to the support panel 22 outside surface 30. These pockets 6 may be interconnected to the support panel 22 by heat bonding, gluing or other manner of attachment. More preferably, the pockets 6 are interconnected to the support panel 22 by stitching the ends of the pockets 6 to the support panel top edge 46 and the support panel bottom edge 48. The pockets 6 are most preferably interconnected to the support panel top edge 46 and bottom edge 48 by utilizing a perimeter border material 16 which extends around the entire support panel 22 and holds the pockets 6 securely against the support panel 22. Prior to fixing the top and bottom edges of the pockets 6 to the support panel 22, the &#34;buried&#34; edge (e.g., the unseen left edge in the Figs.) can be fixed to the support panel 22 to prevent a CD from being inserted too far into the pockets 6. 
     The individual compact disc pockets 6 are generally constructed of a thin, lightweight, material which permits the insertion and removal of one or more compact discs 4 in each of the pockets 6. Furthermore, by utilizing a lightweight, thin material the overall weight and thickness of the storage device 2 can be minimized which permits the device 2 to be positioned more effectively against the ceiling of an automobile. More preferably the pockets 6 are constructed of a material which is non-scratching when in contact with the playing surface of the compact disc 4. This may be a woven or non-woven material, velour or any other type of suitable product. 
     In a further embodiment of the present invention, a pencil loop 18 may be positioned on the outside surface 30 of the support panel 22 to hold a pen, pencil, tire gauge or other similarly shaped device. Preferably the loop 18 is constructed of an elastic type material with a diameter large enough to receive a standard sized pencil or pen, yet small enough to prevent the pen or pencil from becoming disengaged from the storage device as the visor 12 is pivoted upwards and downwards. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 3-7, one particular embodiment for attaching the storage device 2 to the visor is shown. This mechanism for attachment includes at least one attachment strap 10 which is interconnected to the inside surface 32 of the support panel near the top edge 46. The attachment strap 10 generally has an exterior surface 34, an interior surface 36, a first end 40 and a second end 50. The first end 40 and second end 50 of the strap have complementary first and second fastening means interconnected on opposing exterior surfaces 34 and interior surfaces 36, thus allowing the straps to adjustably overlap. The fastening devices may be any type of snap, buckle or other suitable hardware which permits the strap 10 to be wrapped around the visor and attached in a secure position. Preferably, however, the complementary fastening devices can be a hook and loop type fastening material 52 such as Velcro® which allows the attachment strap to be tightened and adjusted around a variety of different sized visors 12. 
     In an alternative embodiment (not shown) the attachment strap 10 may be comprised of two different straps as opposed to one strap, each having a first end interconnected near the top edge 46 of the support panel and the second ends having opposing complementary fastening material 52 which becomes interconnected once the storage device is placed against the visor and the straps adjusted for proper tightening. 
     In yet another embodiment the attachment strap 10 can be a continuous loop of elastic type material which stretches sufficiently to encircle the visor. This configuration eliminates the need for a fastening device or material to tighten the attachment strap 10 securely around the visor 12. 
     In a preferred embodiment the attachment device has two positions for securing the storage device 2 to the visor 12. In a first position the storage device 2 is securely positioned against the first side 24 of the visor 12 allowing access to the storage device for the insertion or retrieval of a compact disc. In a second position the storage device 2 is pivoted upwards and away from the first side 24 of the visor 12 to permit the viewing of a vanity mirror 28 or access to any other type of substantially flat object positioned on the first side 24 of the visor 12. The storage device 2, vanity mirror 28 and first side 24 of the visor 12 may be seen in FIG. 8 with the storage device in a second position. In either the first or second positions the attachment mechanism remains interconnected to the visor 24 to alleviate the problem of having to remove the entire storage device 2 from the visor 12 whenever the driver wants to view the vanity mirror. 
     To permit the storage device 2 to be pivoted between the aforementioned first and second positions, the attachment strap 10 has a complementary fastening material 52 interconnected to the exterior surface 34 of the strap at a location which opposes another complementary fastening material 54 on the inside surface 32 of the support panel 22. Thus when the opposing complementary fastening materials are pushed together, the storage device 2 is secured against the first side 24 of the visor. When the storage device 2 is pivoted upward, the opposing fastening materials are released and the vanity mirror 28 on the first side 24 of the visor 12 may be viewed. 
     In a further embodiment the storage device 2 may be temporarily secured against the ceiling of an automobile by interconnecting another piece of ceiling fastening material 52 such as Velcro® on the ceiling of the vehicle which is operatively positioned opposite a complementary fastening material located near the bottom edge 48 of the support panel 22. 
     In yet a further embodiment seen in FIG. 9, an attachment bracket 20 may be used to attach the storage device 2 to the visor 12. The attachment bracket has a first end 42 which is interconnected to the top edge 46 of the support panel 22 and a second end 44 which attaches to an opposing edge of the visor 12. Positioned between the first 42 and second 44 ends is a hinge mechanism 56 which allows the storage device 2 to be rotated upward and away from the visor 12 to permit viewing of the vanity mirror 28 or access to any other relatively flat object positioned on the first side 24 of the visor 12. The hinge may be designed to remain in the selected first or second position until moved by an outside force. 
     The foregoing description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. Furthermore, the description is not intended to limit the invention to the form disclosed herein. Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with the above teachings, and skill and knowledge of the relevant art, are within the scope of the present invention. The embodiments described herein above are further intended to explain best modes known of practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in such, or other embodiments with various modifications required by the particular application(s) or use(s) of the present invention. It is intended that the appended claims be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extend permitted by the prior art. 
     The following numbering of the components of the drawings are provided for clarity: 
     
         ______________________________________02            compact disc storage device04            compact discs06            pockets08            accessory pocket10            attachment strap12            visor14            visor rod16            perimeter border18            pencil loop20            attachment bracket22            support panel24            visor first side26            visor second side28            vanity mirror30            support panel outside surface32            support panel inside surface34            attachment strap exterior surface36            attachment strap interior surface38            support panel fastening member40            attachment strap first end42            attachment bracket first end44            attachment bracket second end46            support panel top edge48            support panel bottom edge50            attachment strap second end52            fastening material54            fastening material56            attachment bracket hinge58            ceiling fastening material______________________________________