Abstract: A portable storage container (20) for storing substantially planar media is provided. The storage container includes first and second shell halves (22) and (24), wherein each shell half has an exterior, an interior, and a perimeter rim portion. A hinge connector (26) extends between a portion of the first and second shell halves to foldably couple the first and second shell half, such that the first and second shell halves are selectably foldable between a closed position, wherein the interiors of the first and second shell halves oppose each other, and an open position. The storage container also includes an alignment assembly (54) disposed on the portable storage container to facilitate alignment of the perimeter rim portions of the first and second shell halves in the closed position.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for adapting a media storage device to hold media of a size different than that for which the storage device was originally designed. The adapter apparatus is: (1) configured in the same general size and shape as a first substantially planar media unit which a media storage device was initially designed to store; (2) when in use disposed, within the media storage device in substantially the same position and manner as the first substantially planar media unit is designed to be disposed within the media storage device; and (3) configured to be capable of storing media: (a) of a size different than that for which the media storage device was originally designed; and (b) planarly oriented more or less substantially orthogonal to the planar orientation intended for the media for which the media storage device was originally designed. The currently preferred embodiment of the invention adapts a CD tower for storage of somewhat smaller minidisks.

Abstract: A device for storing substantially planar media comprises a base having sidewalls and a containing area located between the sidewalls, and a tile having a plurality of holders for storing the substantially planar media and having an outer shape designed so as to be received within the containing area of the base and further designed, in conjunction with the containing area of the base, such that the tile may be arranged within the containing area of the base in first and second orientations with the first orientation preferably being substantially orthogonal to the second orientation.

Abstract: A system or method for interconnecting a security system with a telephone system. The system comprises one or more lockout modules that are connected between non-priority telephone devices and a telephone line. A security panel is directly connected to the telephone line. The lockout modules comprise a switch means for disconnecting the telephone device attached thereto from the telephone line when the security panel connects to the telephone line. The lockout modules further comprise a latch device that gives the first non-priority telephone device to connect to the line exclusive use of the line against other non-priority telephone devices. The lockout module further comprises a circuit that inhibits the reconnection of the telephone devices to the line to allow the security panel to recover a high and dry telephone line. The lockout module may be modified to include a switch that allows other non-priority telephone devices to share the line.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding a computer keyboard and mouse adjacent a table or similar structure is disclosed. The apparatus includes a mounting bracket and three rail brackets, two rail guides secured to the brackets, a keyboard drawer, and a mouse tray. The brackets are securable beneath the table. One of the rail guides is secured to the mounting bracket and to one of the rail brackets while the other rail guide is secured between two rail brackets. The keyboard drawer includes a rail on each side slidably coupleable to the rail guides. One of the rails also includes a gear rack attached along at least a portion thereof The rail has a forward portion and a rearward portion with the rack preferably attached to the forward portion. The mouse tray is pivotally coupled to the mounting bracket and includes a gear engageable with the rack. The mouse tray also includes a shoulder adjacent the gear.

Abstract: A storage container (10) for a compact disk. The storage container (10) includes an outer casing (11) in which is received a compact disk (C). The storage container (10) includes a compact disk support in the form of a pair of arms (12a, 12b) which grasp the compact disk (C) and suspend the compact disk (C) in the storage container (10). A rotatable sidewall (14) is rotatably mounted to the outer casing (11). Rotation of the rotatable sidewall (14) removes the compact disk (C) from within the outer casing (11). Further rotation of the rotatable sidewall (14) causes the rotatable sidewall (14) to act as a lever arm and to press the arms (12a, 12b) together, releasing the compact disk (C).

Abstract: An adjustable holder (8) for supporting and positioning equipment is disclosed. The adjustable holder (8) includes a collar (22) which slides on a substantially upright support leg (20). The collar (22) is attached to one end of an arm (24). A tray (26) is attached to the other end of the arm (24). A cam (34) is pivotally secured to the collar (22) about an axis substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the leg (20). A cam face (54) of the cam (34) engages the leg (20) to hold the collar (22) and the tray (26) at variable positions along at least a portion of the length of the leg (20).

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a tape drive unit having a read and/or write head and a capstan is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing, a drive mechanism, and a cleaner arm. The drive mechanism includes a drive wheel, a drive gear, an intermediate gear, and a cylindrical cam, all interconnected. The housing is arranged and configured to be received within the tape drive unit. The drive wheel is rotatably secured within the housing and engageable with the capstan of the unit for rotation about a substantially vertical axis. The cam is substantially cylindrical and is rotatably secured within the housing. The cleaner arm is pivotally secured within the housing about an axis generally parallel to the bottom wall of the housing. The cleaner arm includes a tab extending rearwardly that is engaged with the cam. The cleaner arm includes a cleaning element arranged and configured for engagement with the head of the tape drive unit and for vertical movement against the head for cleaning.

Abstract: A hand-held device for cleaning data-bearing cards includes a housing, a fluid applicator pad, a scrubber pad, a drying pad, and a removable panel. The housing includes a first surface to oppose the portion of the card to be cleaned. A first recess is disposed within the first surface. The first recess has an aperture extending through the housing. A second recess is also disposed adjacent the first recess within the first surface. A third recess is disposed adjacent the second recess within the first surface of the housing. The first, second, and third recesses are generally linearly aligned. The fluid applicator pad is disposed within the first recess. The scrubber pad is disposed within the second recess. The drying pad is disposed within the third recess. Each of the pads is thicker than the depth of its corresponding recess such that the pads project partially above the first surface of the housing. The panel is removably coupled to the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a video cassette player/recorder machine is disclosed. The apparatus is for cleaning a machine that has a recess to receive a tape cassette, a rotating head drum, a plurality of guide members movable between a nonoperating position and an operating position, and a spool-brake deactivator pin. The apparatus of the invention includes a housing, an activation mechanism, and a cleaning element. The housing is adapted to be positioned in the recess of the machine. The activation mechanism is engaged and moved by the spool-brake deactivator pin when the housing is positioned in the recess of the machine. Engagement with the spool-brake deactivator pin causes the activation mechanism to move the cleaning element into contact with the video head drum. The apparatus also includes two spools rotatably coupled within the housing and a cleaning ribbon attached to the spools.

Abstract: A glare filter for use with a visual display terminal having a display screen on its forward side is disclosed. The glare filter includes a filter screen, a mount, and couplings. The filter screen has lateral edges, a top edge, and a bottom edge. A mount is secured to the terminal and includes two lateral guides that form channels. The distance between the channels is slightly larger than the width of the filter screen to slidably receive the lateral edges of the filter screen. The channels are oriented generally transverse to the surface of the display screen, such that the filter screen may be held above the terminal and above the display screen. The couplings extend from the filter screen and slidably and pivotally engage within the channels of the lateral guides. The couplings are pivotally movable relative to the mount when the filter screen is extended to a forwardmost position relative to the mount. This allows the filter screen to be pivoted downwardly to a position overlying the display screen.

Abstract: A cleaning cassette for cleaning a tape drive unit having a capstan and a read/write head is disclosed. The cleaning cassette includes a housing, a reciprocating head cleaner, and a capstan cleaner. The housing is arranged and configured to be received within the tape drive unit. The housing has a forward side to oppose the capstan and head once the cleaning cassette is placed within the unit, and a rearward side opposite the forward side. The reciprocating head cleaner is coupled within the housing and includes a drive mechanism that is engageable with the capstan of the drive unit. The capstan cleaner is also engageable with the capstan of the drive unit and is coupled to the housing. The capstan cleaner includes a capstan-cleaning element and a cleaning activation mechanism. The cleaning activation mechanism is for selecting a capstan-cleaning configuration, wherein the capstan-cleaning element abuts the capstan, or a head-cleaning configuration wherein the drive mechanism engages the capstan.

Abstract: A storage apparatus for holding containers such as those in which compact discs or tape cassettes are stored. The storage device of this invention includes a bottom member, a top member that is spaced from the bottom member, and a pair of side wails used to couple the top member to the bottom member. A retaining member with a number of downwardly extending flexible fingers is attached to the bottom surface of the top member. The flexible fingers extend downward and are dimensioned so that the distance between the surface of the bottom member and the fingers is less than the height of the containers that the device is intended to store. The bottom member is formed with a main surface directed toward the rear of the device and is formed with small ribs and a smooth surface that slopes downwardly from the main surface toward the front edge of the device. The storage apparatus is dimensioned such that the front ends of the containers which it is designed to hold extend out in front of the apparatus.

Abstract: A bicycle including a novel bicycle frame and seat support as disclosed. Bicycle frame includes a top tube as a first section extends substantially vertically from the second section extends diagonally downward towards the rear tube to which two frame stays which are joined to chain stays adjacent the rear wheel hub are attached. A center tube extends from a bottom bracket to the top tube section adjacent where the frame stays are joined to the top tube. A beam seat support formed out of a pair of elongated beams is attached to the frame top tube first section. A bicycle seat is attached to the end of the beam seat support.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning a head assembly (12) of a magnetic tape player and/or recorder with a cleaning solution. The apparatus includes a housing (14) adapted to be inserted in the player and/or recorder in a cleaning position, a drive mechanism (18) and wiper arm (16) connected within the housing (14) for providing oscillating movement, and a cleaning head (20) connected to the wiper arm (16) for cleaning the head assembly (12). The cleaning head (20) comprises a rigid body (82) having a plurality of cleaning materials (84, 86, 88) extending forwardly out of the rigid body (82). One of the cleaning materials is a solution-holding material (84) characterized by its ability to absorb a cleaning solution, for spreading the cleaning solution on the head assembly (12). Another cleaning material (86, 88) comprising a relatively stiffer material for scrubbing the head assembly, is positioned on both sides of the solution-holding material (84).

Abstract: Device for cleaning a head assembly (12) of a magnetic tape player and/or recorder with a cleaning solution. The device includes a housing (14) adapted to be inserted in the player/recorder in a cleaning position, a drive mechanism (18) and wiper and (16) connected within the housing (14) for providing oscillating movement, and a cleaning head (20) connected to the wiper arm (16) for cleaning the head assembly (12). The cleaning head (20) comprises a rigid body (82) having a plurality of cleaning materials (84, 86, 88) extending forwardly out of the rigid body (82). One of the cleaning materials is a solution-holding material (84) characterized by its ability to absorb a cleaning solution, for spreading the cleaning solution on the head assembly (12). Another cleaning material (86, 88) comprising a relatively stiffer material for scrubbing the head assembly, is positioned on both sides of the solution-holding material (84).