Interlocking Media Tray

Abstract

This invention is a new and innovative means for storing typical media cases such as CD(s) or DVD(s) in a uniquely shaped slot. Said invention also incorporates features that allows user to interlock, clip together, and display plastic trays on a wall or table top in order to create a variable and expandable storage system that best suits their mounting, installation, and displaying needs.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to the convenient storage and new innovative means of displaying CD and DVD's, and benefit(s) derived thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a TRAY for Media such as (CDs) or (DVDs). The TRAY contains front, rear, and side portions and is made through a plastic injection molded process. Said TRAY has increased functionality through added means of “interlocking or clipping together” to form more esthetically and functionally pleasing shapes. The means of “clipping together” include convenient insertion of a third piece made from plastic or metal into female holes or slots such that when assembled the combined assembly becomes rigid. Additional esthetically and functionally please forms can be created by incorporating a plastic or metal piece into female holes or slots such that the TRAY can be held on a table top at an angle or a concept similar to a picture frame. The TRAY also incorporates a unique slot design such that 1 slot can be used either for a CD or DVD storage in their typical cases, while also displaying the CD's and DVD's at a aesthetically pleasing angle, preferably 5 to 40 degrees, for the user.

EXAMPLES OF PRIOR ART

U.S. Pat. No. 6,874,645 claims a wall mount “media disc storage and display device”. However this invention does not allow the user to clip multiple TRAY(s) together, display at an angle, or contain a unique slot design that allows for storage of CD(s) or DVD(s) in their original case.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Broadly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a TRAY for media storage such as CD or DVD overcoming the foregoing and other shortcomings of the prior art.

More particularly, it is an object to provide a Media holder for CDs or DVDs by effectively enclosing said media in a unique slot design. TRAY structure also allows for interlocking and angular display feature through use of easily and conveniently attachable components, all as will be better understood as the description proceeds.

The description of the invention along with specifications, together with the accompanying drawings, should not be construed as limiting the invention to the example shown and described, because those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains will be able to devise other forms thereof within the ambit of the appended claims.

SPECIFICATIONS

FIG. 1 shows the front view of a media tray. The tray is designed to hold 14 CD's or 14 DVD's or any combination adding up to 14. It can be easily seen that the slots for such CD's or DVD's could be increased or decreased to allow for more or less storage per tray, the scope of this invention should not be limited to any said number of CD's or DVD's. FIG. 1 also shows 2 holes centrally and ideally located that can be used for hanging the tray with a nail, screw, or other known and common means.

FIG. 2 shows a rear view of such tray. Item 1 is the plastic tray, item 3 is adhesive tape used to attach tray to wall or other similar structure, and item(s) 4 are rubber pads that prevent damage to said wall or similar structure. It is not necessary for the adhesive tape and rubber pads be incorporated as part of the invention, they are simply shown to illustrate the preferred embodiment of said invention.

FIG. 3 shows 3 media trays assembled and located next to one another by clips, thusly creating an aesthetic diagonal pattern. The aesthetic pattern shown is created by clips that are pressed into corresponding slots located up and down either side of the trey according to the users own unique aesthetic preference(s). It is obvious from the number of slots that many different patterns are available to user given his or her own preferences and they number of tray(s) that he or she intends to use for storing CD's or DVD's.

FIG. 4 shows a detail view of one preferred embodiment of the clip used in FIG. 3. The clip shown is made of metal that will allow it to compress when user assembles it into the slots that run up and down the back side of the media tray. Many different clip shapes would accomplish this same effect and therefore this invention should not be seen as limited to such shape or reliant on such shape.

FIG. 5 shows how the unique slot shape allows for either 1 CD or DVD to fit into said slot. It will be of common knowledge to those in the industry that most often a CD and DVD holder will hold less DVD's than CD's because DVD packaging is typically larger in size to that of a common CD. This unique slot shape thusly eliminates the discrepancy between the numbers of CDs that can be held in comparison to the number of DVDs that can be held. This slot geometry is formed by first creating a lower portion that is the ideal size for a CD, after some length the slot size is increased to be of ideal size for a DVD, finally the slot is angled by, Angle A as shown, so that the weight of the CD or DVD will cause a, force F as shown, that assists in holding the CD or DVD in the slot securely without the need for a large amount of material support. It is anticipated that Angle A as shown will be 5 to 40 degrees for ideal performance.

FIG. 6 shows a detailed view of another preferred embodiment of 2 media trays that are interlocked together, thusly eliminating the need for a clip. As shown, a slot is added to the existing material on one side of the media tray as well as an additional material or rib to the other side of the tray. Simply sliding the additional material or rib into the slot allows for securing multiple media tray(s) together.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the front view of said media tray.

FIG. 2 shows a rear view of said media tray.

FIG. 3 shows a rear view of said media tray invention assembled together with 2 other media trays in order to create a desired aesthetic appearance.

FIG. 4 is a detailed view of how the clip is assembled into the media tray, shown in exploded form.

FIG. 5 shows the unique slot shape and angle that is incorporated to hold the CD and DVD's

FIG. 6 shows an additional feature of the invention that will allow for assembly of the tray(s) to each other without the need for a clip.

Claims

1. A media storage tray with front, side, and rear portions that allows for storage of typical CD(s) and/or DVD(s) cases in an unique way by allowing the user to assemble as many trays as he or she desires with clips or through additional interlocking feature such as a slot with corresponding addition material or rib in order to create the most esthetically pleasing and functional shape for a room as shown in FIGS. 1 thru 6. Wherein:

a. The means of clipping is through insertion of a metal or plastic shape into a slot through means such as what is described in FIGS. 3 and 4 but not necessarily limited to. Other embodiments include, but not limited to, interlocking mechanisms molded into each separate tray as shown in FIG. 6.

b. Said clips hold separate trays together and prevent movement of trays.

2. In combination with claim 1, a unique media storage tray slot shape that allows for universal storage of either a DVD or CD in their typical cases per single slot as shown in FIG. 5.

3. In combination with claim 2, a unique tray slot shape that is at some angle, Angle A, as shown in FIG. 5 that is between 5 and 40 degrees which allows for better stability between the media tray and CD or DVD.