Known storage devices have usually been configured to store a large number of items sharing physical characteristics, in side by side relationship. An example of this is a storage device for audio cassettes which was configured to hold at least six audio cassettes in their holders, in side by side relationship, with their edge labelling exposed for identification purposes. The storage device more or less surrounded the cassette holders which could be retrieved by sliding them out from engagement with the storage device. The storage device usually had tracks located internally, to fix the location of cassette holders being stored.

The above described audio cassette storage device usually was provided with an arrangement to enable it to interlock with like storage devices to form an expanded storage device arrangement.

A further storage device which is also known is that which stores audio cassettes in a similar arrangement to that described above, in four groups fixed normal to each other and mounted on a rotatable base. Like storage units may be stacked on top of each other forming a column which may be rotated to view audio cassettes stored therein.

Upon the advent of and acceptance by the consumer of video cassettes and compact discs, one or both of the above described storage devices became adapted to store these articles. This was achieved by simply altering the dimensions of the storage device to match the dimensions of

the article being stored, without any substantial change in the manner in which the storage device was configured.

The storage device described above while serving the purpose of storing articles, is not aesthetically appealing ⁵ and can result in a waste of space, particularly where there is more storage space than articles being stored. This waste of space further detracts from the aesthetic appeal of a storage device assembly.

Similarly, the storage for display purposes of compact 10 discs in retail stores has not advanced a great deal from the display storage utilised for the display of long play vinyl records (LPs), insofar as that invariably retail stores often have bins arranged permanently. These are unable to be readily expanded which often results in the ^** - ⁵ bins becoming overcrowded, causing difficulty in retrieving the item placed therein for viewing.

It is an object of the invention to provide a modular storage device and a modular storage element therefor, for inter alia audio and video cassettes and compact discs 0 which will be capable of providing a more aesthetically pleasing display or storage arrangement therefor.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a modular storage element for a modular storage device comprising a base plate portion having a first connection means along one edge thereof and a second connection means along an opposing edge thereof, said first connection means and said second connection means being complementary to enable said first connection means to mate to a said second connection means of another said base ⁰ plate, said storage element including a receptacle portion adapted to receive an article, located adjacent to said one edge and said opposing edge.

Preferably said receptacle portion is also located contiguous with said one edge and said opposing edge.

Preferably said base plate portion includes at least one third connection means each adapted to support, optionally removably, a said receptacle portion.

The receptacle portion may be a tray or like arrangement into which the article is placed, or indeed may be a case for a compact disc or cassette, which may be removably joined to the storage element by the third connection means. In this manner, a storage device, built up from a number of storage elements, joined by their first and second connection means and a collection of compact discs for example which are fitted in respective storage elements or joined to respective base plates in the storage device, may be transported as one semirigid unit, without any items being dropped from the storage device.

Preferably said receptacle portion comprises a tray having interlocking means for positively retaining said article from being dislodged therefrom.

Preferably said third connection means includes a semicircular cylindrical bearing surface which allows for limited rotation of said receptacle portion.

Preferably said third connection means includes detent means to allow fixing of said receptacle portion at a position relative to the plane of said storage element.

Preferably said detent means is,arranged to allow fixing of said receptacle portion in an upright position or a position perpendicular to the base plate portion.

Preferably said base plate portion includes further

complementary first and second connection means located in the same plane as said first connection means and said second connection means, normal to said third connection means and normal to said first connection means and said second connection means, to enable a plurality of base plate portions to be connected in a planar array. In this manner an array of base plate portions may be formed, supporting a number of receptacle portions sufficient to house a collection of articles. The receptacle portions may be configured in several rows each including several receptacle portions.

Preferably said base plate portion includes attachment means on the underside thereof. In this manner a base plate or a plurality of base plates may be supportably attached to a surface.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention there is provided a modular storage device comprising a plurality of modular storage elements as hereinbefore described, adjacent said modular storage elements being joined together by respective first and second connection means.

Preferably said modular storage device comprises an array of modular storage elements, adjacent said modular storage elements also being joined together by respective further first and second connection means.

The invention will now be described in the following description of two specific embodiments thereof made with reference to the drawing figures in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a storage element according to the first embodiment;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the storage element of figure 1 in a state of disassembly according to the

first embodiment;

Figure 3 is a third angle orthographic projection of the storage element illustrated in figure 1 according to the first embodiment; 5 Figure 4 is a side view of a row of storage elements, each showing hidden detail, and interconnected to form a modular storage device in the form of a single row according to the first embodiment;

Figure 5 is a perspective view from above of a base 10 plate portion for a storage element according to the first embodiment;

Figure 6 is a perspective view from below of the base plate portion shown in figure 5;

Figure 7 is a perspective view from above of a support 1 plate for base plate portions as shown in figures 5 and 6;

Figure 8 is a perspective view from below of a receptacle portion according to the first and second embodiments; 20 Figure 9 is a perspective view of the storage element according to the second embodiment;

Figure 10 is an alternative perspective view of the storage element according to the second embodiment, being a view of the storage element shown in figure 9

25 rotated through 180;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of a modular storage device constructed from a number of storage elements according to the second embodiment;

Figure 12 is a perspective view of a modular storage ^ ~ element according to a third embodiment;

Figure 13 is a perspective view of the base plate portion of the modular storage element shown in figure 12; and Figure 14 is a perspective view of a modular storage

35 element according to a fourth embodiment.

The embodiments are directed towards a modular storage device such as the first embodiment illustrated in figure 4 and the second embodiment illustrated in figure 11, built from a plurality of modular storage elements as illustrated in figure 1 in the case of the first embodiment and figure 9 in the case of the second embodiment.

Referring to figure 1, a modular storage element 11 is illustrated. The modular storage element 11 has a base plate portion 13 and a receptacle portion 15 mounted on the base plate portion 13. The receptacle portion 15 has a cavity 17 forming a tray like arrangement for receiving a storage case of a compact disc (CD) casing. The cavity end walls 19 are each eguipped with interlocking means in the form of a protruding rib 21 which engages the storage case of the compact disc by friction. A gap 22 exists between the ends 23 of the receptacle portion 15 and the remainder of the casing thereof. The ends 23 are forced outwards when a CD casing is fitted into the receptacle portion 15. The resilience of the plastic that the receptacle portion is formed of ensures that the grip on the CD casing is enhanced than would otherwise be the case, and ensures that the CD casing can be removed without damaging the casing or the receptacle portion.

Referring to figure 2, a third connection means is provided in the form of a tubular portion 24 located on the upper surface 25 of the base plate portion 13, on the one part; and referring to Figure 8 a complementary shaped tubular cavity 27 formed in the underside of the receptacle portion 15, on the other part. The tubular portion 24 is received in the tubular cavity 27, to mount the receptacle portion 15 on the base plate portion 13.

The tubular portion 24 is bisected along its axial extent by a groove like slot 29 which extends through

approximately two thirds of the diameter of the tubular portion 24, so as to allow the two halves 31 of the tubular portion 24 to be sgueezed together, when the tubular portion 24 is being fitted into or removed from the tubular cavity 27. The slot 29 serves a further purpose in assisting in the even cooling of the moulding when it is formed, preventing warping or shrinkage of the plastic material, after the injection moulding process.

The tubular cavity 27 formed in the base of the receptacle portion 15 is provided with a projection 33 which extends a small distance into the slot 29 to lock the receptacle portion 15 in an upright perpendicular position relative to the plane of the base plate portion 13. The projection 33 (shown in figure 8) is elongate, extending the length of the tubular cavity 27, however the projection 33 may comprise one or more circular raised projections.

As can be seen in figures 4 and 3, the receptacle portion 15 and base plate portion 13 are mounted on the third connection means in such a manner that the lower-most portion of the receptacle portion 15 is displaced away from the upper surface 25 of the base portion 13. This together with the semicircular cylindrical shape of both the portion 24 and cavity 27 providing a bearing surface , allows the receptacle portion 15 to be rotatable on the tubular portion 13. The projection 33 contained in the tubular shaped cavity 27 in association with the groove like slot 29, provides a detent to locate the receptacle portion 15 perpendicular to the base portion 13.

Referring to figures 4, 5 and 6, the base plate portion 13 has a first connection means in the form of a tubular portion 35 located on one edge 37 of the base plate portion 13, adjacent and contiguous with the upper surface 25. A second connection means in the form of a tubular cavity 39

is formed with its opening extending along the other edge 41 of the base portion 13. The tubular portion 35 and tubular cavity 39 are complementary in shape, so that the tubular portion 35 may be received inside the tubular cavity 39 of another base plate portion, as seen in figure 4. Thus, a row of modular storage elements 11 may be interconnected to form a modular storage device.

A slot 42 is included in the tubular portion 35, similar to the groove like slot 29 included in the tubular portion 24, in order to prevent deformation in the plastic moulding when it is cooled after the injection moulding process, and to allow easy insertion of the tubular portion 35 into the tubular cavity 39. Depending upon the deformability of the plastic used to cast the modular storage element 11, the groove like slot 29 and the slot 43 could be deleted from the tubular portion 24, except perhaps with the exception of forming a slot in the tubular portion 24, deep enough to form the detent with the projection 33 in the receptacle portion 15, providing that the plastic used in the injection moulding process is not subject to warping or shrinkage when being cooled.

Referring to figures 2 and 5, the base plate portion 13 is provided with two mounting points 43 to enable the base plate portion to be screwed to a surface. As will be appreciated, the modular storage elements 11 may be screwed to a vertical or even overhead surface, providing the protruding ribs 21 formed in the receptacle portion 15 sufficiently engage a compact disc case to prevent it falling from the receptacle portion 15. Thus, a modular storage device formed from the modular storage elements 11 may be suitably employed in a broadcasting studio or in a shop for display purposes. Similarly, an aesthetic display rack for use in the home may be formed from several modular storage elements, utilising as many as is reguired in order

to house a complete collection of compact discs.

Referring to figure 6, the base plate portion 13 has five rectangular cuboid recesses 45, formed seguentially and in line, in the underside thereof. Referring now to figure 7 a support plate 47 is shown. The support plate 47 has nine rows 49 of five projecting studs 51. The projecting studs 51 are also formed seguentially and in line in the rows 49. Each stud 51 is dimensioned so as to mate in an interference fit in the respective rectangular recess 45 in the base plate portion 13. The support plate 47 may be fitted on a center-console in an automobile, and the base plate portions 13 clipped in place on to the rows of studs 51. The support plate 47 may be stuck to the center- console (or other surface) using double sided sticky foam tape, and thus obviate the need to fit the base plate portions 13 to the center-console (or other surface) by way of screws fitted through the slots 43. In this manner the row of storage elements 11 forming a storage device may readily be removed from the vehicle in one piece, with their attendant CD casings, to prevent theft from an unattended vehicle. It will be understood that not all storage applications will reguire the use of the support plate 47.

Referring now to figures 9 to 11, the second embodiment is illustrated. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment insofar as each modular storage element 11 has a further complementary first and second connection means in the form of a further tubular portion 55 located on one end 56, adjacent the edges 37 and 41, and a complementary shaped tubular cavity 57 formed on the other opposite end 58 of the base plate portion 13. The further tubular portion 55 has a slot 59 formed therein similar in configuration and function to the slot. The tubular portion 55 and the tubular cavity 57 are complementary, to

enable modular storage elements 11 to be joined end to end in addition to edge to edge, to form a modular storage device in the form of an array of modular storage elements 11, as illustrated in figure 11.

Finally referring to figures 12 to 14, two further embodiments are illustrated. These embodiments fall within the scope of the present invention, but include features which offer the potential to minimise production costs . The embodiment shown in figures 12 and 13 will be described in the first instance. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in a number of features which will now be described.

The protruding ribs 21 and gaps 22 between the ends 23 of the receptacle portion 15 have been replaced by a pair of tabs 61 formed in one side 63 of the receptacle portion 15, near either end 23 thereof. The tabs are formed by forming a three sided slot 65 through the side 63, extending into the cavity 17 of the receptacle portion 15. It should be understood that tabs could also be provided in the opposing side of the receptacle portion 15, if necessary.

The tabs 61 are provided with a raised rib (not shown) at the end thereof, facing into the cavity 17 to interfere with and engage the article (compact disc case or whatever it may be) being stored therein. The resilience of the tab provides some gripping against the article to retain it in position.

A number of elongate recesses 67 are provided in the receptacle portion 15, near the lower extremity thereof. These coincide with a thicker part of the plastic receptacle portion 15, and are provided to prevent shrinkage or warping of the receptacle portion 15, on cooling thereof after the die moulding operation in which

it is formed .

The tubular cavity 27 in the receptacle portion 15, provided for receiving the tubular portion 24, extends to both ends 23 of the receptacle portion 15. In this embodiment, to fit the base plate portion 23 to the receptacle portion 15, the tubular portion 24 is slid coaxially into the tubular cavity 27, passing via either of the ends 23 of the receptacle portion 15, rather than being "clicked on", as in the first embodiment.

To lock the receptacle portion 15 in appropriate alignment with the base plate portion 13, the groove like slot 29 in the tubular portion 24 is interrupted and bisected by a circumferential slot 69. The elongate projection 33 is interrupted in a position to align with the circumferential slot 69. A circular raised projection (not shown) located in the tubular cavity, is provided to track in the circumferential slot 69, and guide the movement of the receptacle portion 15 relative to the base plate portion 13, and lock the tubular cavity 27 against axial movement along the tubular portion 24, once the receptacle portion 15 is correctly positioned in relation to the base plate portion 13, with the circular raised projection (not shown) positioned in the circumferential slot 69.

With the manner of fitting base plate portion 23 to the receptacle portion 15 of this embodiment, the groove like slots are not reguired to provide deformability to the tubular portion 24, however they remain to provide a detent with the projections 33, to locate the receptacle portion 15 in an upright position in relation to the base plate portion 23.

The manner of joining like base plate portions 13 of this embodiment differs from the previous embodiments in so far

as that the first connection means comprises a truncated triangular prism shaped recess 71 in the side of the base plate portion 13, and projections 73 corresponding to the outer shape of the truncated triangular prism recess 71 located on the opposing side of the base plate portion 13. The projections 73 are arranged to align and mate to like recesses 71 in an adjacent base plate portion, by sliding engagement therewith. Circular projections 75 located in the recess 71 are provided to mate with corresponding indentations (not shown) in projections 73, to provide positive retention of the projections 73, once properly located in the recess 71. The recess has under cut vertical edges 76, in which the edges of the projections 73 are accommodated.

The fourth embodiment shown in figure 14 is similar to the previous (third) embodiment except in so far as the manner in which the receptacle portion 15 is fitted to the base plate portion 13. The third connection means comprises a rectangular cuboid structure 77 upstanding from the main body of the base plate portion. The rectangular cuboid structure 77 has rounded convex ends (not shown), which are received in correspondingly shaped rounded concave portions in the lower part 79 of the receptacle portion 15. Held in this manner, the receptacle portion 15 may rotate relative to the base plate portion 13.

The receptacle portion 15 is received in a shallow curved depression 81 in the upper surface of the base plate portion 13, which in combination with the axis of operation of the third connection means limits the rotation of the receptacle portion 15 to approximately ± 30° from perpendicular, by virtue of the sides 63 of the receptacle portion 15 interfering with the top of the base plate portion 13.

The rectangular cuboid structure 77 has a rounded upper surface 81, shaped to follow the path of rotation of the receptacle portion 15 about the axis of the third connection means. At the top or peak of the upper surface 81 there is provided a slot extending therealong, similar to the groove like slot 29 heretofore discussed. Finally the receptacle portion 15 has a projection aligned to mate with the slot, to form detent means therewith, to retain the receptacle portion 15 perpendicular, relative to the base plate portion.

The modular nature of the invention lends itself to forming aesthetically pleasing displays of articles such as compact discs or- the like. As ones collection of such articles expands, the modular nature allows the array or row of storage elements - whichever embodiment is utilised - to be added to, by as many elements as are reguired to accommodate the extra articles. Furthermore, the array or row, if the elements have been constructed to allow for disassembly, may be disassembled, and re-assembled in a new configuration, perhaps to accommodate a reduced guantity of articles, or to fit in a different storage location.

As will also be apparent, the receptacle portion 15, and perhaps the base plate portion 13 have their dimensions determined by the size of the article to be stored. Thus, a different sized receptacle portion 15 would be reguired in order to store audio cassettes, unless a mechanism mountable within the receptacle portion to clamp different sized articles is provided.

The modular nature of the invention lends itself to storing other article besides compact discs or audio cassettes. For example, floppy discs for computer use, in particular the 3*5 inch format and floptical drive disks would lend themselves in a modular storage device constructed

according to the invention.

Having described the invention, it should be clear how minor changes could be made, which would still fall within the scope of the invention. It should be appreciated that the scope of the invention is not limited to the scope of the embodiments described herein.