| US2673781A | 1954-03-30 | |||
| US4052113A | 1977-10-04 | |||
| US4715669A | 1987-12-29 | |||
| US3860307A | 1975-01-14 |
| 1. | 1 A cassette storage assembly adapted to receive cassette tapes and compact discs, comprising: a generally Ushaped support assembly having a pair of flexible arms and a base, a storage drum retained at the distal ends of said arms at each end of said storage drum; said storage drum including a plurality of slots for receiving cassettes therein, said storage drum releasably, rotatably held by said support assembly; each of said slots defined by a back wall, a pair of opposed end walls, and a divider forming a top wall and a bottom wall, said slots horizontally disposed to provide the cassettes in a normal reading position; and cassette securement means within each said slot for retaining a cassette within said slot during movement of said storage drum. The cassette storage assembly of claim 1, wherein: said support assembly is attached at said base in a vehicle; and said storage drum releasably supported by said support assembly for movement to another location. The cassette storage assembly of claim 2, wherein: said cassette securement means comprises at least one pair of resilient members for grasping a cassette. The cassette storage assembly of claim 3, wherein: said pair of resilient members comprises opposed arcuate spring members. |
| 2. | The cassette storage assembly of claim 4, wherein: said pair of resilient members comprises opposed rubber blocks sized to frictionally engage a cassette. |
| 3. | The cassette storage assembly of claim 5, wherein: said arcuate spring members are longitudinally oriented in said slot. |
| 4. | The cassette storage assembly of claim 5, wherein: said back wall substantially divides said drum into two equal halves. |
| 5. | The cassette storage assembly of claim 7, wherein: said divider forming said top wall and said bottom wall being substantially parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to said back wall. |
| 6. | The cassette storage assembly of claim 8, wherein: said storage drum having a series of resilient protrusions thereon to prevent the inadvertent rotation of said drum. |
| 7. | An interchangeable cassette storage assembly adapted to receive cassette tapes, compact discs and the containers associated therewith, comprising: a storage drum including a plurality of slots therein rotatably and releasably secured by a support assembly; said support assembly including a base with a pair of flexible arms secured thereto, said drum retained at the distal ends of said arms; and said flexible arms releasably secure said drum to permit moving said drum to another location. |
| 8. | The cassette storage assembly of claim 10, wherein: said storage drum supported at its ends by said flexible arms such that said slots are horizontally oriented; and said arms are adapted to flex outwardly to release said drum. |
| 9. | The cassette storage assembly of claim 11, wherein: each of said slots includes cassette retaining means for securing a cassette in said slot during rotation and movement of said drum. |
| 10. | The cassette storage assembly of claim 12, wherein: said storage drum having a plurality of resilient protrusions thereon which individually interact with a locking means on said support assembly wherein sufficient force must be applied to said drum to deform said protrusions to permit rotation of said drum. |
| 11. | The cassette storage assembly of claim 13, wherein: said slots are defined by a back wall which divides said drum into two halves, first and second walls extending perpendicularly from said back wall to define said slots. |
| 12. | The cassette storage assembly of claims 13, wherein: said slots extend radially from the center of said drum. |
| 13. | The cassette storage assembly of claim 14, wherein: a first support assembly is provided in a building; a second support assembly is provided in a vehicle; and said storage drum interchangeably moved from said first support assembly second support assembly. The cassette storage assembly of claim 16, wherein: said second support assembly is secured to the floor of said vehicle. The cassette storage assembly of claim 16, wherein: said second support assembly is secured to the dashboard of said vehicle. |
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates generally to a storage device for audio cassette tapes and compact disks (CD). The storage device of the present invention is rotatably mounted by a U-shaped support assembly, the storage device being substantially drum-shaped and secured to the support assembly at its ends.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, storage slots are horizontally oriented and include cassette or CD retaining means at each slot opening. At least one end of the storage device interacts with the support assembly to prevent rotation of the storage device. The storage device may be provided in two sizes, a first smaller embodiment for use in motor vehicles and a larger embodiment for use in a residence, the drums being interchangeable between support assemblies.
BACKGROUND ART There has been a profound increase in the sue of audio players with the proliferation of portable tape and CD with players and optional equipment on automobiles. This has necessitated the need for storage devices to provide convenient access to the cassette tapes or compact disks. In automobiles, it is extremely unsafe for the driver to be fumbling with tapes while driving. The easier it is for the driver to locate a tape or compact disk for playback, the less time the driver has to divert his attention and eyes from the road, possibly preventing accidents and injuries.
Examples of prior storage devices include United States Patents 4,221,440; 3,963,287; 4,650,072; 4,057,305; 4,802,585; 4,052,113; 3,752,551; 3,862,787; 3,765,738; 3,836,036; and 3,692,376.
While each of these prior storage devices retain a plurality of cassettes, the shortcomings of these devices include identification of individual cassettes, secureability of the storage device and secureability of each cassette.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
The invention provides a storage device wherein the cassettes are rotatable about a horizontal axis presenting the labels on the cassettes and their labels in a normal reading orientation. The storage device is removable from the support assembly to provide portability and interchangeability.
The storage device comprises a drum-like container including a plurality of horizontally oriented slots or chambers for receiving the cassettes or compact disks. Normally, these items are enclosed in a case and the use of the term "cassette" is intended to include the tape or compact disc held in such a case. Each slot or chamber includes at least one cassette retaining means to secure the cassettes in the slot while rotating the storage device and during movement of the storage device.
The support assembly comprises a generally U-shaped device including a pair of flexible arms for engaging the drum-like container. The support assembly having rotation locking means for preventing rotation of the storage device except as desired.
Brief Description of Drawings
Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a first embodiment of a cassette storage device in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 2 illustrates a front view of the storage device shown in figure 1.
Figure 3 illustrates a side view of the storage device shown in figure 1.
Figure 4 illustrates a front view of a second embodiment of a cassette storage device utilizing radially extending slots in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 5 illustrates a cross-section of the storage device taken along line 5-5 in figure 4.
Figure 6 illustrates a side view of the storage device shown in figure 4.
BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Referring to figure 1, there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention, generally designated as storage device 10. As clearly shown in figure
1-3, the storage device 10 comprises a support means 12 and wheel or drum 14. As best seen in figure 2, support means 12 comprises a base 15 and generally parallel arms 16 and 17. Arms 16, 17 are sufficiently flexible to permit removal of drum 14 from the means 12 for transportation to another location (such as from a vehicle to a home) for safety. Base 15 may be secured to the floor or dashboard of a vehicle by securement means such as bolts (not shown) adhesive double-sided tape (not shown), or VELCRO hook and loop fasteners (not shown). For a device not used in a vehicle, the base may be provided wide enough to provide stability as a free-standing accessory. Support means 12 engages drum 14 at ears 18 extending inwardly form the distal ends of arms 16,
17. An indentation or receiver (not shown) is provided on each side of the drum 14 for accepting ears 18. In use, when it is desired to remove drum 14 from support means 12, arms 16, 17 are flexed outwardly sufficiently to disengage ears 18 from the drum 14. To attach the drum 14 to the support means 12, the arms 16, 17 are flexed outwardly and ears 18 inserted into the indentation or receptor.
As shown in figure 1, a plurality of horizontally disposed slots or chambers 20 are provided on two sides of drum 14. Each slot 20 includes at least one cassette securement means 22. Preferably, cassette securement means
22 comprises at least one pair of opposing spring means adapted to engage each side of a cassette 1. The securement means 22 are designed to flex inwardly to permit passage of cassette 1 into the slot 20 and provide sufficient outward force on the cassette to secure it during rotation of drum 14. Preferably, securement means 22 comprise a pair at least one or pair of resilient members which are opposed arcuate spring members (best seen in figure 5) 25, 26. Alternatively, opposed rubber cushions 27, 28 (Figure 5) may be employed to secure a cassette, the cushion provided on the drum end walls (8,) or the slot dividing walls (7).
Drum 14 is substantially cylindrical in shape and includes end walls 8, 9, divider members 7 and top and bottom cover members 5, 6. At least one end wall 8 may include protrusions 32 which engage with a substantially identical protrusion 34 comprising a lock means on the support assembly 12 to prevent rotation of wheel or drum 14. When it is desired to rotate drum 14, sufficient
force to resiliently deform the protrusions 32 must be applied to permit a protrusion 32 to pass protrusion or lock means 34. Protrusions 32 may be provided around the entire periphery of one of the end walls (8, 9) or they may be spaced to correspond with the location of slots or chambers 20 to permit convenient viewing of the contents of each slot 20. For example, the number of protrusion 32 may correspond to the number of slots, the protrusions 32 located on the end walls such that movement past the first protrusion will place the first slot 20 at the top of the rotation of the drum 14.
Each slot 22 is defined by back wall 60 which substantially divides the drum 14 into equal halves. Divider members 7 form top (first) and bottom
(second) walls 62, 64 which extend perpendicularly from the back wall 60. End walls are provided by drum ends 8, 9.
A second embodiment of the storage device is shown in figures 4-6, the main feature being the use of radially extending slots 50 (best seen in figure 5) providing a larger member of spaces available for storing cassettes. The slot 50 tapers toward the center of the drum, an inner circular member optionally provided to define a back wall for each slot. In addition, the base of support assembly 54 is wider (Figures 5 and 6) for additional support. Receptors 52 on the end walls of the drum or wheel can be clearly seen in figure 4. In use, a drum or wheel 14 may be interchangeable with the support assembly 12 or 54 permitting the cassettes held in the drum 14 to be conveniently available to the user at all times.