Abstract: A travel alarm clock which pivots to an open viewable position by preloaded pivot joints and which sets itself up automatically with a slow motion action upon pressing of a button.

Abstract: A compact disc holder (100) having a housing (10) formed by a base (20) and a lid (30) and defining a chamber (60) for storing a row of compact discs (62). The lid (30) is hinged to the base (20) for movement between a closed position and an open position. The holder (100) incorporates a disc retrieval mechanism (70) slidable between opposite ends of the chamber (60) for selecting and lifting a compact disc (62) of the row from the chamber (60). The mechanism (70) has an inoperative condition for sliding to select a compact disc (62) from the row and an operative condition for lifting a selected compact disc (62), and comprises a spring (78) resiliently biassing the mechanism (70) towards the operative condition. The lid (30) is arranged in the closed position to hold the mechanism (70) in the inoperative condition against the action of the spring (78).