Compact disk storage systems

Details Compact disk storage systems Compact disk storage systems

2001-08-31

2003-04-15

Fidei, David T. (Department: 3728)

Special receptacle or package

For holding a machine readable recording medium

For holding an optical disc

C206S309000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06547066

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND
The present invention relates to compact disk storage systems for storing compact disks.
A search was performed using the US Patent and Trademark patent database number of patents that searched the term “compact disk storage” and “CD storage” in the title. Forty-one patents have been issued relating to compact disk storage systems. The utility patents include U.S. Pat. No. 6,216,862 entitled “Compact disk storage case”, U.S. Pat. No. 6,213,312 entitled “Compact disk storage and filing systems”, U.S. Pat. No. 6,086,170 entitled “Combination compact disk storage box”, U.S. Pat. No. 6,027,186 entitled “Compact disk storage assembly”, U.S. Pat. No. 6,007,167 entitled “Compact disk storage cabinet”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,959,964 entitled “Computer disk and audio compact disk storage with a plurality of ribs extending in from upright walls”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,950,821 entitled “Compact disk storage case”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,921,405 entitled “Device for storing and arranging a plurality of compact disk storage cases against a wall”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,870,357 entitled “Multidisk CD-storage, retrieval, and playback system including an elevator system having a gripper and front and rear pushers”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,833,331 entitled “Compact disk storage box associated with a front panel of a computer case”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,826,729 entitled “Cabinet or CD storage rack with individual compartments”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,816,393 entitled “CD storage module”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,813,740 entitled “Compact disk storage tower associated with a computer case”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,797,487 entitled “Lockable compact disk storage apparatus”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,755,497 entitled “Compact disk storage compartment of computer cases”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,720,387 entitled “Compact disk storage compartment”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,715,970 entitled “Compact disk storage case apparatus”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,634,563 entitled “CD storage rack”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,622,270 entitled “Compact disk storage and display system”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,613,745 entitled “Auxiliary compact disk storage case”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,590,767 entitled “CD storage box”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,584,398 entitled “CD storage rack and lamp assembly”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,547,086 entitled “Video compact disk storage rack”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,515,979 entitled “Simplified jewel case management and opening for compact disk storage systems”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,439,119 entitled “CD Storage and display system”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,301,819 entitled “Compact disk storage rack”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,117,984 entitled “Adjustable CD storage rack”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,031,779 entitled “Compact disk storage carousel”, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,932,522 entitled “CD storage with automatic opening device.
The design patents include U.S. Pat. No. D435,188 entitled “CD storage sleeve”, U.S. Pat. No. D428,754 entitled “Compact disk storage rack”, U.S. Pat. No. D428,752 entitled “Compact disk storage rack”, U.S. Pat. No. D426,099 entitled “CD storage page”, U.S. Pat. No. D415,921 entitled “Compact disk storage rack”, U.S. Pat. No. D409,431 entitled “Compact-disk storage case”, U.S. Pat. No. D403,196 entitled “CD storage tower with central storage unit”, U.S. Pat. No. D383,936 entitled “CD storage unit”. U.S. Pat. No. D381,236 entitled “CD storage tower with central storage unit”, U.S. Pat. No. D364,512 entitled “CD storage tower”, U.S. Pat. No. D360,799 entitled “CD storage tower”, and U.S. Pat. No. D293,396 entitled “Compact disk storage unit.
It is believed that none of these cited patents discloses or suggests a compact disk storage system that is similar to the present design. It is an objective of the present invention to provide for a compact disk storage system for use in storing compact disks that improves upon the above designs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To accomplish the above and other objectives, the present invention provides for improved portable compact disk storage systems that are designed to hold one or more circular compacts disks, including conventional compact disks (CDs), digital video disks, recordable CDs (CDR), recordable read-writable CDs (CDRW), and mini compact disks. The present portable compact disk storage systems include a single molded plastic embodiment and a two-part molded plastic embodiment.
Each of the embodiments comprises a lower housing or storage unit, and an upper housing, which forms a cover or lid. In the single molded plastic embodiment, the upper and lower housings are connected by way of a living hinge and are molded as a single unit. In the two-part molded plastic embodiment, the upper and lower housings are separate units, and one of the housings is configured to have a living hinge that is attached to a clip that mates with and attaches to the other one of the housings.
The compact disk storage system thus opens and closes in the manner of a clamshell. When the lower housing and upper housing are closed, the compact disk storage system has a cylindrical shape.
The lower housing or storage unit is semicircular in cross section and has a plurality of raised generally parallel ribs that extend inward from an outer edge of the lower housing. Inner edges of the raised ribs extend into the interior of the lower housing at selected distances so that they contact various points on compact disks that are placed in the storage system. Thus, the compact disks rest on edges of the raised ribs.
The lower housing or storage unit has a plurality of slots formed along one side thereof that are sized to hold individual compact disks between adjacent slots. Upper edges of the plurality of slots adjacent to a flat edge of the semicircular lower housing or storage unit, although this is not absolutely required. Lateral edges of the plurality of slots are generally transverse to the flat edge of the semicircular lower housing or storage unit, although this is not absolutely required. A raised rib is formed within the confines of the plurality of slots that is used as a pivot edge or surface for removing compact disks from the storage system.
Compact disks, when placed in the compact disk storage system thus rest on the edges of the plurality of raised ribs and are retained therein. The upper half of each compact disk is exposed above the flat edge of the semicircular lower housing or storage unit.
A rubber pad is disposed on top of the plurality of slots. An inner edge of the rubber pad provides a frictional surface that assists in removal of the compact disks from the storage system. During removal, a compact disk is rotated toward the rubber pad and rotates upward over the pivot edge or surface provided by the raised rib. The compact disk is then rotated over the rubber pad to fully remove it.
The upper housing, comprising the cover or lid, is semicircular in cross section and has a flat edge that abuts the flat edge of the lower housing when the upper housing is closed on the lower housing. The upper housing is attached to and rotates relative to the lower housing or storage unit by way of the living, hinge, whether the upper and lower housings are a single molded unit, or if the upper and lower housings are individual units that are connected by way of the clip that includes a living hinge that is part of one housing and attaches to the other housing.
The storage system has locking mechanism comprising a tab with a hole in it that extends beyond the flat edge of the upper housing that mates with and is captivated by a raised button on an outside edge of the lower housing.


REFERENCES:
patent: 2344919 (1944-03-01), Kelly
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patent: 5101972 (1992-04-01), Hunt et al.
patent: 5176272 (1993-01-01), Ryan
patent: 5535884 (1996-07-01), Scott et al.
patent: 5785399 (1998-07-01), Frankeny et al.
patent: 6386655 (2002-05-01), Hung et al.

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