Supports: racks – Special article – Recorded music type
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-22
2001-12-25
Stodola, Daniel P. (Department: 3634)
Supports: racks
Special article
Recorded music type
C211S041120, C211S010000, C312S009540
Reexamination Certificate
active
06332546
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates in general to a method and apparatus for storing multimedia packages, and it more particularly relates to such a method and apparatus which enable the storage and selection of a wide variety of different types and kinds, as well as sizes, of multimedia packages in a facile manner.
BACKGROUND ART
There have been many different storage units and organizers for various different types and kinds of multimedia packages for compact disks, videocassettes, computer floppy disks, and many others.
Such organizers and storage devices typically would only store one type of such multimedia package, such as a compact disk package. However, one successful device for storing different kinds of multimedia packages at the same time is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,558,235, which is incorporated herein by reference. The patented device stores a series of different types and kinds of multimedia packages in a closely spaced upright stack configuration in a side-by-side manner by utilizing individual compartments. Each one of the packages could be flipped between forwardly and rearwardly inclined positions to inspect the different packages and for aiding in the selection of a given one of them.
While such a device has proven to be highly successful, it would be desirable to have such a device which also permits a new package to be added to the series of stored packages without having to rearrange them from their individual compartments. In this regard, the user of multimedia storage devices frequently will have the packages arranged in a desired order, such as alphabetically or numerically. Thus, when a new package is added, many or all of the packages may have to be removed from their individual compartments to re-order the stored packages.
Therefore, it would be highly desirable to have such a new and improved method and apparatus for storing a variety of different multimedia packages, wherein the stored packages can maintain their relative positions in an ordered sequence, even when a new package is added.
Additionally, while being able to store a variety of different types and kinds of multimedia packages, as well as providing the ability to insert new such packages without disturbing the order of the stored packages, it would also be desirable to enable the user to remove selected ones of the packages without losing their place in the sorted or ordered arrangement of the packages. In this manner, without the necessity of providing individual compartments, it would be highly desirable for the user to know in a convenient manner where a temporarily withdrawn package was removed so that it can be subsequently returned to the stack of stored packages and retained in the proper order.
Therefore, it would be highly desirable to have such a new and improved multimedia storage device which would enable the removal of selected ones of the packages without losing their place in the sort or order of the stored packages. Also, such a device should be relatively inexpensive to manufacture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, a principal object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved method and apparatus for storing multimedia packages in a convenient manner.
A further object of the present invention is to provide such a new and improved method and apparatus for storing multimedia packages, wherein a variety of different types and kinds of packages can be stored in a closely spaced, side-by-side arrangement permitting groups of the packages to be flipped between forwardly and rearwardly inclined positions, while retaining the respective relative positions of the packages in a predetermined order.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such a new and improved method and apparatus for storing multimedia packages, wherein packages can be added, and previously stored packages can be removed, without disturbing the predetermined ordered sequence of the stored packages.
Briefly, the above and further objects of the present invention are realized by providing a method and apparatus to secure the positions and relative spacing of the multimedia packages without requiring separate storage compartments.
A method and apparatus is disclosed for supporting multimedia packages. The apparatus employs a corrugated support having at least one crowned surface for supporting multimedia packages from below in a closely spaced side-by-side configuration. A pair of front and rear retainers confine the series of packages therebetween. The crowned surface includes a series of curved projections for defining a series of equally spaced apart notches disposed at intersections between adjacent ones of the projections to receive corner portions of the packages for supporting them in an inclined position and for enabling the supported package to be repositioned to another one of said notches so that the packages can be flipped between forwardly and rearwardly inclined positions.
REFERENCES:
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patent: 3889812 (1975-06-01), Gutierrez
patent: 3966050 (1976-06-01), Dahl
patent: 4312548 (1982-01-01), Posso
patent: 5558235 (1996-09-01), Hunt
patent: 5794796 (1998-08-01), Weisburn
patent: 5823332 (1998-10-01), Clausen
Foley & Lardner
Harris Erica B.
Kleinke Bernard L.
Stodola Daniel P.
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