Field of Invention

The present invention relates to the field of organized package storage support, and more particularly it relates to a versatile structure for organized near-upright storage and display support of an intermixture of several different sized packages containing audio/video home media such as compact discs, digital video discs, video tape cassettes, game video discs and other optical disc storage cases.

Background of the Invention

The popularity of packaged audio-video media such as compact disc and digital video disc has resulted in new unified needs for storage support facilities for such packages. In particular, there is a wide spread need for lightweight, easily manufactured, economical structures that can provide intermixed storage and display of several different sized media packages in columns, supported in a nearly upright inclined disposition.

Media storage products have organized media cases in a number of different ways. Firstly, there is a category of products that has individual slots for each case, such as wire frame or plastic boxes with thin wall separators. Since media cases of different types have different dimensions, these product designs are typically to hold one type of media or another, and are not suited for universal storage. U.S. Patent number 5,558,235 shows a design for two types of cases in one slot but the cases are supported on their bottom edge and the design is complex to make.

Another category of media storage products is an open bookshelf design, in that there is a wide shelf that various types of media can be stored in much like books stacked on a shelf. However, there is no way to prevent falling over and tilting of

individual cases, although some of these designs have one "slider" bookend per shelf, requiring that all cases be pushed against one end - this is cumbersome if media cases are frequently removed, as one's place is lost and organization becomes more difficult.

A subset of the bookshelf designs are storage racks where cases are supported on two or three lateral rods, allowing cases of differing heights and dimensions to be supported on the same rods. A variation on this product is again a slider that moves on the rods to push all the stored cases to one side. This design requires numerous parts and thus is relatively expensive to manufacture. Also, this design does not prevent media cases from falling laterally over, when subjected to vibrations.

Summary of Invention

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved media storage device that solves at least some of the deficiencies of the known media storage devices. In particular, the improved media storage device achieves at least one of the following specific objectives:

a) organizing small groups of media cases in place, without being either repositioned by sliders when cases are removed and reinserted or permitted to tilt and fall over; b) providing a universal storage design that restricts the lateral tilt of all media placed in any supported position in the slot, irrespective of whether other cases are in the slot or not; c) providing a two support point system that allows for all media cases to be securely stored, while restricting dimensions of the support points so that no cases can slide through the support points by accident;

d) providing a universal shelf design that requires no repeated action by the user (slider) to organize and align the cases in individual slots; e) providing a single piece universal shelf design that only requires two point support and can be supported by two wires; f) providing a universal media storage product built with universal media shelves supported so that stored cases cannot be vibrated or knocked out of the shelves in normal use. g) Using a minimized volume of material to support universal shelves while providing necessary support strength

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a media storage structure for storing media, said storage structure comprising:

a) a first support surface; b) a second support surface, positioned substantially parallel to and above said first- support surface such that a media case can be supported at a tilted position by contacting two edges of the case with the first and second support surfaces; and wherein a pivot line is created between said support surfaces in a plane parallel to both support surfaces; and c) an article retaining member attached to at least one of said first or second support surfaces, said article retaining member comprising a lower member portion positioned greater than 0.1 inches below said pivot line, and an upper member portion positioned greater than 0.1 inches above said pivot line, wherein said article retaining member is in a plane substantially perpendicular to both of said support surfaces;

whereby, the media case when positioned on both of said support surfaces and having one side surface of said case in contact with said article retaining member, is secured in a substantially upright position.

The media case can be selected from the group consisting of CD, DVD, VHS, video games and boxsets.

According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a media storage structure with universal slots on two point support which set a rotation angle and minimum energy position that prevents a CD or similar media from falling through the structure when subjected to common vibration or by a particular placement in the structure. This storage structure comprises:

a) a first elongate support surface; b) a second elongate support surface, substantially parallel to said first elongate support surface and located above said first elongate support surface with a spacing such that a media case selected from the group consisting of CD, DVD, VHS, video games and boxsets, is supportable in a tilted upright position in contact with both said surfaces and wherein a pivot line is defined between said support surfaces in a plane parallel to both support surfaces; and wherein, a rotation angle of the storage structure and the spacing between said first and second support surfaces are selected such that the minimum potential energy position of a supported case locates the case's corner in contact with the upper support edge, said case's corner being located more than 0.1" above the second support surface;

c) a plurality of article retaining members spaceably attached to at least one of said first or second support surface, said article retaining members comprising a lower retaining portion positioned more than 0.1 inches below said pivot line, and an upper retaining portion spaced more than 0.1 inches above said pivot line; and

wherein the gap between adjacent article retaining members is greater than a minimum gap suitable to retain a set of media cases chosen from

the group consisting of three CD's or two DVD's or one DVD with one CD, and one VHS, and less than a maximum gap, said maximum gap determined by the slot width at which a CD initially positioned between said support surfaces within 10 degrees rotation of the minimum potential energy position, falls through said support surfaces following vibration of said support surfaces at 1 mm amplitude at a non-resonant frequency between 20 and 100 Hz; and

whereby, a media case is supported following movement of said frame and tolerant over a range of 20 degrees insertion angle of said media case relative to said minimum potential energy position.

List of Figures

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which;

Figure 1 illustrates a media storage shelf with universal slots having a lower side element extending below lower support surface, and stored cases at a minimum energy position;

Figure 2 shows perspective and side views of a media storage shelf with universal slots having a lower side element extending below the upper support surface;

Figure 3 shows perspective and side views of a media storage shelf with universal slots having both lower and upper side elements located between the upper and lower support surfaces;

Figure 4 shows perspective and side views of a media storage shelf with universal slots having a upper side element extending above an upper support surface;

Figure 5 shows perspective and side views of a media storage shelf with universal slots having a upper side element extending below the upper support surface, and illustrating;

Figure 6 shows side views of both a media storage shelf (non-universal) Fig.6a and a media storage shelf illustrating position of a CD [Fig 6b] and DVD [Fig 6c];

Figure 7 shows perspective view of a media storage rack with shelves supported by wire rods;

Figure 8 shows perspective view of a media storage rack with shelves supported by wood panels;

Figure 9 shows perspective view of a high capacity media storage rack with shelves supported by wood panel assembly at the beam quarter points of the shelf;

Figure 10 shows perspective view of an embodiment of a media storage rack with fastening features and attachable support feet to mount the rack either horizontally on a surface or vertically on a wall;

Figure 11 shows perspective view of an embodiment of a media storage rack with universal slots, suspended on a wall support bar;

Figure 12 shows perspective view of an embodiment of a media storage rack with universal slots, supported on one or two wire frame supports;

Figure 13 illustrates two methods of manufacturing the media storage shelves with universal slots, including a single metal stamping [Fig. 13a] or a formed wire element that is supported on two rods[Fig 13b];

Detailed Description Of Embodiments of the Invention

Figures 1-5 illustrate the preferred embodiment of a universal media storage shelf, designated as 10, 30, 50, 70, 90 respectively in accordance with the present invention. All embodiments provide a two point support for multimedia cases, supporting them on the bottom of the case and side of the case, as opposed to more than two point support or both support points being on the bottom of the case as is commonly found.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of media storage shelf 10, including a lower support surface 14 and an upper support surface 16. The side view of media storage shelf 10 shows a pivot line 18 between the lower and upper support surfaces, 14, 16. The media storage shelf 10 shows 6 retaining ribs (not numbered) incorporating a lower rib portion 20 extending from the lower support surface 14, and an upper rib portion 22 curved between the lower and upper support surfaces. The positioning of the rib portions relative to the pivot line 18 provides anti- tilting stability to stored media cases illustrated as CD case 24 and DVD case 26. Specifically for this embodiment, the lower rib portion 20 is ideally located below the pivot line by more than one inch and the upper rib portion 22 is positioned above the pivot line 18 by more than three inches. The ribs are spaced by a slot width 12, suitable for holding 3 CD's or two DVD's. When media cases are mounted in the slots between ribs, as shown in side view, and resting at a minimum potential energy position between the two supports, the cases are tilted at an angle α relative to a horizontal position. The CD case 24 is the smallest structure to be supported, therefore the media storage shelf structure is designed specifically to prevent tilting and the case falling through the two supports during regular use. In the side view, the location of the corner of the

CDcase 24, closest to upper support surface 16 is representative of a minimum potential energy position of the case, for which the case doesn't rotate upwards or downwards when vibrated. When the CD is inserted below the minimum potential energy position but above the upper support surface, it has greater than minimum potential energy and will rotate upwards when vibrated or moved. When the CD is inserted above the minimum potential energy position and still resting on the lower support surface, it has greater than minimum potential energy and will rotate downwards when vibrated or moved. The α angle of the shelf and the distance between upper and lower support surfaces determine the minimum energy position. In this embodiment the position of the CD case corner is more than 0.2 inches above the upper support point. A CD case stored in this media storage shelf within 10 degrees of the minimum energy position, and vibrated with 1 mm amplitude at a frequency between 20-100Hz (non resonant with the shelf), will not fall through the two support surfaces, at the illustrated slot width suitable for holding 3CD's and 2 DVDs. This definition of vibration is typical of consumer product use of storage shelves. As the slot width is increased, there will be a slot width that the CD does fall through, defining a maximum slot width spacing for the media storage shelf. The shape of the retaining ribs (not numbered) including rib portions is formed in a curved C shape. The advantages of the media storage shelf 10 are that different media can be stored in slots and retained by positioned ribs and the support surfaces, such that tilting of the cases is significantly inhibited and CD cases do not fall through the two point supports.

Figure 2 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the media storage shelf 30, configured to be self-supporting for resting on a horizontal surface. Upper support surface 36 and lower support surface are shown with a spacing (not numbered) and defining a pivot line 38. Upper rib portion 44 is a curved segment between the upper and lower support surfaces. Lower rib portion 40 extends beyond the upper support surface 36 and the rib extends to the horizontal surface where it may optionally be terminated. In the side view CD case 42 and

DVD case 46 are shown seated in media storage shelf 30 in the minimum

potential energy position, as previously described, and are supported at an angle α relative to the horizontal support surface. A CD case stored in this media storage shelf within 10 degrees of the minimum energy position, and vibrated with 1 mm amplitude at a frequency between 20-100Hz (non resonant with the shelf), will not fall through the two support surfaces, at the illustrated slot width suitable for holding 3CD's and 2 DVDs. As the slot width is increased, there will be a slot width that the CD does fall through, defining a maximum slot width spacing for the media storage shelf 30. The shape of the retaining ribs (not numbered) including rib portions is formed in a half-bean type curved shape. The advantage of this embodiment is that it is self-supporting and can be made from a single stamped piece of metal.

Figure 3 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the media storage shelf 50, showing the upper and lower rib portions ( 62, 60) as one member secured between the upper support surface 56 and lower support surface 54. The upper rib portion 62 is above the pivot line (not numbered - dashed line on side view) and the lower rib portion 60 is positioned below the pivot line. The slot width shown 52 is suitable to hold 3 CD's and 2DVDs. In the side view CD case 64 and DVD case 66 are shown seated in media storage shelf 50 in the minimum potential energy position, as previously described, and are supported at an angle α relative to the horizontal support surface. At the given spacing between upper and lower support surfaces, a CD case stored in this media storage shelf within 10 degrees of the minimum energy position, and vibrated with 1 mm amplitude at a frequency between 20-100Hz (non resonant with the shelf), will not fall through the two support surfaces, at the illustrated slot width suitable for holding 3CD's and 2 DVDs. As the slot width is increased, there will be a slot width that the CD does fall through, defining a maximum slot width spacing for the media storage shelf 50 in this configuration. The shape of the retaining ribs (not numbered) including rib portions is formed in a sinusoidal shape. The additional advantage of this embodiment is that it uses less material than the other embodiments and can be made from a single stamped piece of metal.

Figure 4 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the media storage shelf 70, showing the upper rib portions 82 extending outward from the region between support surfaces 74 and 76 and positioned above the pivot line 78. The lower rib portion 80 is a portion of a rib extending from upper support surface 76 to lower support surface 74 in a curve and below the pivot line 78. The slot width shown 72 is suitable to hold 3 CD's and 2DVDs. In the side view CD case 84 and DVD case 86 are shown seated in media storage shelf 50 in the minimum potential energy position, as previously described, and are supported at an angle α relative to the horizontal support surface (not numbered - dashed line). At the illustrated spacing between upper and lower support surfaces, a CD case stored in this media storage shelf within 10 degrees of the minimum energy position, and vibrated with 1 mm amplitude at a frequency between 20-100Hz (non resonant with the shelf), will not fall through the two support surfaces, at the illustrated slot width suitable for holding 3CD's and 2 DVDs. As the slot width is increased, there will be a slot width that the CD does fall through, defining a maximum slot width spacing for the media storage shelf 70 in this configuration. The shape of the retaining ribs (not numbered) including rib portions is formed in an inverted "C" shape.

Figure 5 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the media storage shelf 90, similar to the media storage shelf 50 but with different curves and rib positions. Upper and lower rib portions 106, 104 are shown extending between support surfaces 94 and 96 in a curved manner. Additional rib fingers (not numbered) are shown attached to the upper support surface 96 and are only necessary at the outer ends of the shelf for preventing fall through of a CD (not DVD) under the vibration previously described. The slot width shown 92 is suitable to hold 3 CD's and 2DVDs. In the side view CD case 108 and DVD case 110 are shown seated in media storage shelf 90 in the minimum potential energy position, as previously described, and are supported at an angle α relative to the horizontal support surface (not numbered - dashed line). At the illustrated spacing

between upper and lower support surfaces and with the rib fingers(not numbered) at, a CD case stored in this media storage shelf 90 within 10 degrees of the minimum energy position, and vibrated with 1 mm amplitude at a frequency between 20-100Hz (non resonant with the shelf), will not fall through the two support surfaces, at the illustrated slot width suitable for holding 3CD's and 2 DVDs. As the slot width is increased, there will be a slot width that the CD does fall through, defining a maximum slot width spacing for the media storage shelf 70 in this configuration. An advantage of this embodiment is that additional support material added below the upper support point 96, allows for the shelfs to be structurally strong enough to be supported on only two supports at the rear of the shelf, for example two wire rods.

Figure 6a shows an example of a media storage shelf 71 that is not designed by the teachings of this invention for comparison and illustration of the design. As is illustrated, the upper rib portion does not intersect with the CD case shown positioned in the media storage shelf 71 , and hence does not prevent tilting or fall-through of the case under typical use and vibration. The other figures respectively show media storage shelf 70 with a CD and DVD, supported to prevent tilting and fall-through of the CD case.

The upper and lower rib portions and rib members of media storage shelves

10,30, 50,70,90, are shown curved for esthetic reasons but are not restricted to those shapes, and may easily be formed as linear or complex non-curved shapes. The invention applies to any cross-sectional rib member that meets the requirements of having two rib portions positioned above and below the pivot line between the upper and lower supports, and in the same plane, perpendicular to the upper and lower supports. There are a number of methods of manufacturing the media storage shelves. As shown in Figure 13a, the shelves 300, 310 may be stamped and formed from a single piece of sheet metal. Alternatively, the media storage shelves may be formed of injection molded thermoplastic. Alternatively, the rib members may be made of metal and welded to metal upper and lower support surfaces thus using less material than the stamped method, or

attach to the support surfaces by swaging instead of welding. Alternatively, the media storage shelves may be a combination of the materials, provided the materials meet suitable thickness and stiffness requirements. Alternatively as shown in Fig 13b, a sliding rib element 306 can be positioned on two support rods 304 so as to support media cases in the minimum energy position for restricted tilting and non-fall through of CD cases. The method of producing rib members may include, cutting round wire or square wire, punching metal ribs, spot welded attachment to metal, injection molded ribs bonded to support surfaces, or die cast ribs swaged onto support surfaces.

The media storage shelves described by 10,30, 50,70 and 90, may be mounted on supports to form a media storage rack capable of universal storage of CD and DVD cases. The next figures describe arrangements of supporting the media storage shelves.

Figure 7 illustrates a media storage rack 120, with two media storage shelves 122 secured to four wire rods 124, to maintain the media storage shelves similar to media storage shelf 50, at the prescribed rotation angle relative to the horizontal surface the supports are positioned on. For example the wire rods 124 could be welded to media storage shelves 122 or attached with fasteners as common in the industry. Alternatively, tube ends 126 may be attached to the wire rods 124 to allow for stacking multiple racks on top of each other, and for knock down assembly where the rods slide into the tubes and are secured. Alternatively the media storage rack may be supported by two wire rods or three wire rods. The assembly shown, may be what is called knock down design where the shelves nest together for compact shipping. Figure 12a and 12b show alternate embodiments of universal media storage shelves supported on one wire rod or two wire rod supports.

Figure 8 illustrates a media storage rack 130 with media storage shelves 132 supported on two wood panels 134, to maintain the media storage shelves

similar to media storage shelf 10, at the prescribed rotation angle relative to the horizontal surface the supports are positioned on. Alternatively the wood supports may be frame wood or composite wood, or portions of wood assembled into one support panel. CD cases 136 and DVD cases 138 are shown seated in the minimum potential energy position.

Figure 9 illustrates a media storage rack 140 with media storage shelves 144 supported on two wood support panels 142, to maintain the media storage shelves similar to media storage shelf 50, at the prescribed rotation angle relative to the horizontal surface the supports are positioned on. Considering the media storage shelves as a mechanical beam, the support panels 142 are positioned at the beam quarter points to allow for maximum width and number of slots of the media storage shelf without unsuitable bending of the beam as would occur if the wide shelf was supported at the ends only. Encaps 148 may be added to the ends of the media storage shelves. A double wide slot 146 is shown at the inner edges of the media storage racks, for supporting wider media like boxsets of CD's and DVDs. The wood support panels 142 may be composed of interlocking portions that fit each media storage shelf.

Figure 10 illustrates two media storage racks 150 and 160, with fastener features for positioning on a wall or a flat surface. The shelf 152 in fig 10a and 10b side view is similar to media storage shelf 10 but has additional structures, including two tabs 154 near the upper support surface (not numbered) and two holes 156 positioned near the lower support surface (not numbered). Two support feet 152 are shown attached to the two holes, such that the media storage shelf 152 is supported in position to maintain the media storage shelves similar to media storage shelf 50, at the prescribed rotation angle relative to the horizontal surface the feet supports 152 are positioned on. The media storage rack 160 shows the same media storage shelf 152 with the same support feet 158 attached to the two tabs 154 and the feet 158 secured to a wall with one finishing nail each (not shown), such that the media storage shelf 152 is supported in position to

maintain the media storage shelves similar to media storage shelf 10, at the prescribed rotation angle relative to the horizontal surface at 90 degrees to the vertical surface the feet supports 152 are positioned on. The advantages of this embodiment are that the same universal shelf may be used in two orientations using the same supports 152 in both orientations.

Figure 11 illustrates an embodiment of a media storage rack, suspended on a wall. Media storage shelves (not numbered) similar to shelf 50 are shown, but have two additional wall spacers 178 near the upper support surface to hold the shelf outwards from the wall surface such that a stored DVD does not hit the wall surface. The media storage shelves are supported on at least 3 wires or strings (4 wires shown here) such that the media storage shelf shown is supported in position to maintain the media storage shelves similar to media storage shelf 50, at the prescribed rotation angle relative to the horizontal surface at 90 degrees to the vertical surface the feet supports 152 are positioned on

The examples and embodiments are not intended to restrict the applicability of the invention to other forms and methods that could be applied.