Angularly adjustable CD holder

Abstract

A caddy for holding a stack of compact disk cases comprises a plurality of trays each shaped and dimensioned to hold a single compact disk case. Each tray is rotatably and slidingly connected to a pair of vertical jambs associated with a case, cabinet or other similar enclosure. The upper front edge of each tray is arcuately and concavely cut to allow viewing of the label-carrying side of the case. The front bottom part of the tray includes a window for viewing a section of the case bottom. Each tray can be flipped upwardly after having translated the entire stack of trays immediately above it along grooves in the supporting jambs.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to caddies, carriers, organizers and cabinets for holding a plurality of planar articles and more particularly compact disks cases.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Planar and substantially quadrandular articles such as documents, books, record jackets, audio cassettes, video tape cassettes, digital recording media cases, compact disk, and digital video disk cases are most commonly filled or carried in cases, shelves, organizers and other such devices which expose to view only one edge of each of the articles arranged in rows or vertical stacks. If the exposed edge of the article does not carry a label or other indicia of its nature and content, that article must be pulled out from the row or stack in order to expose a face or edge carrying the sought for information.

[0003] This invention results from an attempt to simplify and expedite the selection of a compact disk in its carrying case from a tightly arranged stack.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The principal and secondary objects of this invention are to provide a convenient device for holding a plurality of compact disk cases while permitting quick and easy viewing of, not only a side of the case, but the top and bottom face as well, and to permit the incorporation of such a device in a piece of furniture or carrying case.

[0005] These and other valuable objects are achieved by a device that combines a stack of trays each shaped and dimensioned to cradle one compact disk case and being protectively and slidingly connected along a back edge to a vertical pair of jambs or rails whereby each tray can be flipped upward to expose a window cut-out in its bottom and exposing a substantial section of one of the faces of the case after having lifted the stack of trays immediately above it.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0006] FIG. 1 is an asymmetric view of the caddy;

[0007] FIG. 2 is a side view of a stack of trays translated to allow full inspection of one of the CD cases;

[0008] FIG. 3 is a top left side and back perspective view of a tray; and

[0009] FIG. 4 is a front, bottom and right side perspective view thereof;

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Referring now to the drawing, there is shown in FIG. 1 a caddy 1 for holding a number of compact disk cases 2 in a vertically stacked configuration. The caddy is installed in a cavity in the front of a piece of furniture of which only part of the structural elements 3 are shown in the drawing. The caddy comprises two jambs or columns 4 mounted vertically and parallel to each other. The inner sides of the jambs face each other at a given distance sufficient to accommodate a stack of trays 6. Vertical grooves 7 run along those facing sides. Each tray 6 more specifically illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 has a central area or cavity 8 shaped and dimensioned to intimately cradle a single compact disk case 2.

[0011] Each tray comprises a front piece 9 consisting of a vertical segment 10 and a planar horizontal segment 11 joined together along a front bottom edge 12. The vertical segment 10 has a top edge 13 that has been arcuately and concavely cut in order to expose a major portion of a side of the CD case held by the tray. Moreover, the planar, horizontal segment 11 has a window 14 cut into its median section in order to expose a portion of the bottom face of the case and facilitate the lifting of the case off the tray.

[0012] The tray also comprises two side rails 16, each consisting of an outer wall 17 joining the vertical segment 10 along a front-side corner 18 of the tray. Each side rail also comprises and horizontal ledge 19 having a proximal portion 20 integrally joined to the horizontal segment 11. An arcuately or obliquely oriented buttress 21 connects the ledge 19 to the outer wall 17. The buttress has a number of openings 22 cut therethrough. A cross-member 23 bridges the median portions of the two ledges 19. Each side rail further comprises a vertical barrier 24 integrally attached to the inner face of the side rail and to a distal portion 25 of the ledge 19. Two triangular gussets 26 have a vertical edge connected to the inner face of the vertical segment 10 and an horizontal edge connected to the horizontal segment 11. The distance between the gussets 26 and the barriers 24 is equal or greater to the longitudinal dimension of a case 2. Additional reinforcing gussets 27 are provided under the buttresses 21. A pair of nibs 28, each one projecting horizontally and outwardly along the same axis X-X′ from a rear section of the outer wall 17 are shaped and positioned to engage into the vertical grooves 7 of the jambs 4.

[0013] The junction of the buttresses and ledges define the side-bottom corners 29 of the trays. The distance between respective side-bottom corners is equal or greater than the latitudinal distance or width of the cases 2.

[0014] It can now be understood that a compact disk case can be conveniently dropped into the cavity 8 of the tray where it is guided into a stable position by the slopes of both the buttresses 21 and the gussets 26, and prevented from sliding rearwardly by the barriers 24.

[0015] As more specifically illustrated in FIG. 2, each tray can be translated vertically between the jambs 4 and even rotated or flipped upward 30 or downward 31 after having lifted the stack of trays positioned immediately above it. The rear ends 32 of each outer wall 17 is rounded and centered on the axis of rotation X-X′ in order to facilitate the rotation of the tray. A pair of feet or spacers 33 are provided under the buttresses 21 near the front of the trays and projects slightly beyond the lower edge of the vertical segment 10. The spacers are dimensioned and located to facilitate the alignment of a stack of trays. The trays are so shaped and configured that when a stacked one on top of the other, in the absence of any case in their cavities, they will conveniently nest into each other in order to minimize the vertical dimension of the stack. The side rails 16 are slightly flexible so that they can be squeezed to pass the nibs between the jambs and then released to engage the nibs into the grooves of the jambs. A pair of short stand-offs 34 astride each nib 28 establish a small clearance between the side rails and the jambs in order to minimize friction between these elements.

[0016] Accordingly, when looking for a particular CD case, a portion of a label-carrying side can be first looked at through the cut-away portion of the front piece, then, if necessary, each individual tray can be flipped up or down to expose writing on the top or bottom face.

[0017] While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described, modifications can be made and other embodiments may be devised without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A caddy for holding substantially flat and quadrangular articles having a given longitudinal dimension and given latitudinal dimension, said caddy comprising:

first and second vertical jambs, each having a side facing the other jambs at a given horizontal distance, said side having a vertical groove therealong;

a plurality of trays, each having a central cavity shaped and dimensioned to cradle one of said articles;

wherein each of said trays comprises first and second side rails having inner surfaces spaced apart by said horizontal distance, a front piece spanning said side rails, and a nib projecting horizontally and outwardly from a rear portion of each one of said side rails into engagement with one of said grooves;

whereby said tray is rotatively and slidingly connected to said jambs about an horizontal axis passing through said nibs and along a vertical plane passing through said grooves.

2. The caddy of claim 1, wherein said front piece comprises:

a planar, horizontal segment and a vertical segment joined along a front-bottom edge of said tray.

3. The caddy of claim 2, wherein said horizontal segment includes a medium section having at least one window cut-out therethrough.

4. The caddy of claim 2, wherein each of said side rails comprises:

an outer wall joining said vertical segment along a front-side corner of said tray and including a rear section mounting said nib;

a horizontal ledge having a proximal portion joined to said horizontal segment; and

an arcuate buttress joining an upper section of said side rail to an outer edge of said ledge.

5. The caddy of claim 4, wherein said buttress has at least one opening therethrough.

6. The caddy of claim 4, which further comprises first and second vertical rear barriers, each of said barriers being joined to an inner face of a rear section of said outer wall and to a distal portion of said ledge.

7. The caddy of claim 6, wherein said vertical segment has a concavely arcuate top edge.

8. The caddy of claim 6, which further comprises a spacer projecting downwardly from a proximal section of said buttress and beyond said vertical segment.

9. The caddy of claim 6, which further comprises at least one substantially triangular gusset having one vertical edge joined to a back section of said vertical segment and a horizontal edge joined to a top section of said horizontal segment.

10. The caddy of claim 9, wherein the distance between said gusset and one of said barriers is equal or greater than said longitudinal dimension; and

the distance between the bottom corners of said side rail is equal or greater to said longitudinal dimension.

11. The caddy of claim 9, wherein said articles consists essentially of CD cases.