Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02379494 2002-03-28
TfTLE: A display and storage receptacle for compact disc
cases
s FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of receptacles
for storing and displaying compact disc cases, and the
like. More specifically, the present invention relates to
receptacles for storing CD cases, wherein the receptacles
define a multi-direction entry path for the insertion of
the compact disc case, and are capable of being pivotally
mounted within a display rack.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
rs
Compact discs are becoming an increasingly common medium
for storing information. Everything from music, to movies
to software is being stored in various formats on compact
discs. As a result; people are accumulating more and
more compact discs contained in "jewel" cases both at
home and at work. For example, many individuals have home
collections of audio CDs, CD-ROMs, game software, as well
as home collections of movies on DVD. Similarly, in the
work place, many employees, especially those who work in
the information -technology field, have numerous CDs that
contain the software they need to, perform their jobs.
Furthermore, the growing availability of equipment that
enables individuals to write, or burn, information onto
compact discs is making the use of compact discs even
more common in everyday life.
With the increase in the number of CDs found in people' s
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Y c
homes and offices, there is an increase in the'demand for
display and storage racks that can store and display the
many CD cases.
One such display rack is described in U.S. Patent
1,421,391 issued to Bower. The display and storage :rack
described in this document comprises vertical disc
storing receptacles that are positioned along a vertical
axis to form frames of receptacles that are pivotable
about a vertical rod on a display rack. A disadvantage
associated with the display rack described by Bower is
that in order to place the discs within the receptacles;
the discs are required to be inserted from the narrow
side of. the receptacle, thereby requiring careful
i5 alignment and significant concentration by the user. The
fact that the rack is pivotable renders the task, of
inserting discs within the receptacles that much more
difficult.
Another type of display rack is disclosed in U:S. Patent
5,176,264 issued to De Palma. This document describes a
display case for compact discs, and the like, that
includes a rotatable display case having numerous slots
for inserting the compact discs. Once again, this display
xack requires that the CDs be inserted along their thin
sides and therefore must be carefully aligned in order to
be inserted properly within the display case.
Furthermore, this display case has the disadvantage that
once the CDs are stored within the rack, they can only be
identified by reading the writing positioned on the thin
side of the CD case. As such, once the CDs have been
rose-rted within the display rack, the task of locating a
specific CD is often time consuming and frustrating for
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v r
the user.
Therefore, there is a need in the industry for a display
and storage receptacle that enables a user to easily: and
efficiently insert a compact disc case within the
receptacle and that enables a user' to easily .identify a
CD once it has been placed within the receptacle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
to
As embodied and broadly described herein, the present
invention provides a receptacle for a compact disc case ,
or the like. The compact disc case lies in an imaginary
plane and has a pair of main opposed faces that are
generally parallel to the imaginary plane. The: CD cases
also include a peripheral sidewall that has a thickness
and extends between the pair of main opposed faces. The
receptacle of the invention comprises a back wall and a
front wall, wherein the front wall is spaced from :the
back wall by a distance not less than the thickness of
the peripheral sidewall of the compact disc case. The
front wall and the back wall define therebetween a space
for receiving the compact disc case. In addition, the
front wall and the back wall define a multiple direction
entry path for the insertion of the compact disc case.
The compact disc is movable through the multiple
direction entry path by performing a first movement and a
second movement. The first movement of the compact disc
is a movement during which the compact disc case is
displaced toward the back wall along a direction
generally perpendicular to the imaginary plane of the
compact disc. The front wall and the back wall of the
receptacle being characterized by a geometrical
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relationship such that during the first movement the
compact disc case can be moved past the front wall and
brought into abutment against the back wall. The second
movement is a movement during which the compact disc case
is displaced between the front wall and the back wall
along a direction generally parallel to the imaginary
plane such as to bring the compact disc ease in a
position wherein the front wall overlaps with a portion
of one of the main faces of the compact disc case, and'
the back wall overlaps with at least a portion of the
other main face of the compact disc case. The overlapping
being sufficient to retain the CD case within its
inserted position.
As embodied and broadly described herein, the present
invention provides a receptacle for a compact disc case,
wherein the compact disc case has a. pair of main opposed
faces and a peripheral sidewall that extends between the
main faces. The peripheral sidewall also has a thickness.
The receptacle comprises a back wall, a front wall that
is spaced from the back wall by a distance that is not
less than the thickness of the peripheral sidewall of the
compact disc case. The front wal:L and the back wall
define therebetween a space for receiving the compact
disc case, and define a multiple direction entry path for
the insertion of the compact disc case in the space. The
compact disc case is movable through the entry path by
performing a first movement and a second movement. The
first movement is a movement during which the compact
disc case is displaced toward the back wall along a
direction generally perpendicular to the back wall of the
receptacle. The front wal l and back wall are
characterized by a geometrical relationship such that
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during the first movement the compact disc case is moved
past the front wall and brought in abutment against the
back wall. The second movement is a movement during which
the compact disc case is displaced between the front wall
and the back wall along a direction generally parallel to
the bac k wall of said receptacle such as to bring the
compact disc case into a position wherein the front wall
overlaps a portion of one of the main faces of, the
compact disc case and the back wall overlaps with at
least a portion of the other main face of the compact
disc case.
As embodied and broadly described herein, the present
invention further provides a receptacle that comprises a
peripheral wall extending between the front wall and the
back wall. The peripheral wall includes a base wall
portion and a side wall portion.
In a specific embodiment of the invention, the base wall
portion and the side wall portion are characterized by a
geometrical relationship wherein the base wall portion
and the side wall portion are connected at a
substantially 90 degree angle.
In a specific embodiment of the invention, the front wall
comprises a first section and a second section. The first
section extends along the base wall portion ,' and the
second section extends along the side wall portion.
r
In a specific embodiment of the invention, the receptacle
is upwardly inclined so that the CD case is able'to slide
independently towards the side wall portion into an
inserted position.
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y
In a specific embodiment of the invention, the base wall
portion includes an inner surface, an outer surface, a
longitudinal axis, a width, and at least one protrusion
extending from the inner surface. The protrusion has a;
width that is less than that of the base wall portion and
extends along the longitudinal axis.
In a specific embodiment of the invention, the side wall
portion includes an inner surface, an outer surface, a
longitudinal axis, a width, and at least one protrusion
extending from the inner surface. The protrusion has a
width that is less than that of the side wall portion and
extends along the longitudinal axis.
In a specific embodiment, the receptacle includes an
upper end pivot and a lower end pivot forming a pivot
axis adjacent to the side wall portion.
In a specific embodiment, one of the upper end pivot and
the lower end pivot includes a cavity with an inner
diameter, and the other of the upper end pivot and the
lower end pivot includes a protrusion with a transverse
measurement that is less than the inner diameter of the
cavity.
In a further specific embodiment, the base wall portion
includes an inner end portion that is adjacent to the
side wall portion, an intermediate portion for receiving
the compact disc case, and an outer end portion that has
a projection for preventing the compact disc ease from
sliding out of the intermediate portion.
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k
In a further specific embodiment; the front wall includes
a projection that extends into the space defined between
the front wall and the back wall.
In a further specific embodiment, the back wall includes
a projection that extends into the space defined between
the front wall and the back wall.
As further embodied and broadly described herein, the
l0 present invention provides a panel comprising more than
one receptacle for receiving compact disc cases.
In a specific embodiment the more than one receptacle are
aligned such that the back walls of the receptacles are
coplanar.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OR THE DRAWINGS
A detailed description of examples of implementation of
the present invention is provided hereinbelow with
reference to the following drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a front perspective~view of an individual
receptacle for storing a compact disc case in accordance
with a first specific embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the receptacle of
Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a front perspective view of an individual
receptacle for storing a compact disc case in accordance
with a second specific embodiment of the invention;
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Figure 4A is a front perspective view of the CD
receptacle of Figure l, showing a compact disc case in a
first insertion position;
Figure 4B is a front perspective view of the receptacle
of Figure l, showing a compact disc case in a stored
position;
Figure 5A is view of the receptacle of Figure 1 taken
l0 along line 5a-5a shown in Figure l, and having a thin
compact disc case inserted therein;
Figure 5B is view of the receptacle of Figure 1 taken
along line 5a-5a shown in Figure l, having. a thick
compact disc case inserted therein;
Figure 6 is a front perspective view of an individual
receptacle for storing a compact disc case in accordance
with a third specific embodiment of the invention;
Figure 7 is a front perspective view of an individual
receptacle for storing a compact disc case in accordance
with a fourth specific embodiment of the invention;
Figure 8 is a side elevation of the receptacle of figure
7 taken along lines 8-8 as shown in Figure 7;
Figure 9 is a front perspective view of two receptacles
as shown in Figure ~ connected together in accordance
3o with a first specific embodiment of a panel; and a third
receptacle as shown in Figure 6 positioned thereabove;
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Figure 10 is a front perspective view of two receptacles
as shown in Figure 3 connected together in accordance
with a first specific embodiment of a panel, and a third
receptacle as shown in Figure 3 positioned thereabove
Figure 11 is front perspective view of an integral panel
in accordance with a third specific embodiment of a
panel;
Figure 12 is a rear perspective view of the pane l of
Figure 11;
Figure 13 is a side elevation of the panel of Figure 11
with compact disc cases inserted therein;
Figure 14 is a front perspective view of a panel in
accordance with a fourth specific embodiment of a panel;
Figure 15 is a front perspective view of a panel in
accordance with a fifth specific embodiment of a panel;
Figure 16 is a side elevation of two panels as shown in
Figure 11 connected together;
Figure 17. is a front perspective view of a display rack
in accordance with a first specific example of a display
rack, having a receptacle as shown in Figure 1 contained
therein;
Figure 18 is a front perspective view of a display rack
in accordance with a second specific example of a display
rack;
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Figure 19 is a front perspective view of the di play rack
of Figure 18 with a plurality of panels as shown in
Figure 16 contained therein;
Figure 20 is a front perspective view of a display rack
in accordance with a third specific. example of a display
rack, with a plurality of panels as shown in Figure 9
contained therein;
Figure 21 is a front perspective view of three display
racks as shown in Figure 20 stacked above one another;
Figure 22 is an expanded view of a portion of Figure 21;
Figure 23 is a front perspective .view of a display rack
in accordance with a fourth specific example of a display
rack;
Figure 24 is a front perspective view of the display rack
in Figure 23 with a plurality of panels as shown in
Figure 11 contained therein;
Figure 25A is a top plan view of a display rack in
accordance with a fifth specific example of a display
rack, with a plurality of panels cone ained therein;
Figure 25B is a perspective view of the display rack and
panels as shown in Figure 25A.
In the drawings, embodiments of the invention are
illustrated by way of example. It is to be :expressly
understood that the description and drawings are only for
the purposes of illustration and as an aid to
CA 02379494 2002-03-28
understanding, and are riot intended to be a definition of
the limits of the invention.
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DETAILED? DESCRIPTION
The detailed description below refers to receptacles for
storing compact disc eases and the like, as well as to
the use of the receptacles within panels and various
types of display racks. It is to be understood that
compact disc cases that are to be stored within the
receptacles of the present invention lie in an imaginary
plane and have a pair of main opposed faces and a
peripheral sidewall of a certain thickness that extends
between the two main opposed faces: The imaginary plane
is generally parallel to the opposed main faces: The
skilled person in the art will appreciate that the term
"compact disc case", refers to any type of "jewel" case
used for storing audio discs, DVDs, Cdroms, veritable CDs
and any other form of compact disc that can fit within a
"jewel" case having the properties described above. It
should also be understood that for the purposes of this
specification, the term "compact disc" and the
abbreviation "CD" are used interchangeably and have the
same meaning.
Figures 1 and 2 show an individual receptacle 10 in
accordance with a first specific embodiment of the
invention. As can be seen, receptacle 10 includes a back
wall 12, a top wall 18, two front walls 20 and 22 and a
peripheral wall that has a side wall portion '14 and a
base wall portion 16 that extends between the front walls
20 and 22 and the back wall 12. A space having a
thickness that is not less than the thickness of a given
CD case is defined between front walls 20 and 22 and back
wall 12. In the specific embodiment shown in Figure l,
back wall 12 extends from base wall portion 16 up to top
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wall 18, and is formed of strips that define apertures 28
therebetween. Back wall 12 is shaped so as to support a
CD case and to provide receptacle 10 with an
aesthetically pleasing appearance. It should be
understood that in alternative embodiments back wall 12
does not extend as high as top wall 18 and does not
include any apertures.
Base wall portion 16 is adapted to support a portion of
the peripheral sidewall of a CD case, once the CD case
has been inserted within receptacle 10. In the specific
embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, base wall portion 16
is shorter than the length of a standard CD case and is
positioned at a slight upward angle in relation to a
horizontal axis. In a non-limiting example of
implementation, this slight angle, which can range
between 0 and 90 degrees with respect to a horizontal ,
axis, enables a CD case being inserted within receptacle
10 to slide independently, without a user's help, into a
stored position. In addition, the slight inclination
prevents a stored CD case from falling out of receptacle
10. In an alternative embodiment, the angle of
inclination of the base wall is small enough that. a CD
case is unable to slide independently and requires he
user's help to move into the stored position. It should
be understood that a base wall portion 16 may be of any
length that surpasses the center of gravity of a CD case
when the CD case is in a fully inserted position:
In the specific embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, top
wall 18 is of a shorter length than base wall portion 16.
Included on the top surface of top wall 18 is an upper
end connector 24 that is adapted to receive a
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corresponding lower end connector (not shown in Figures 1
and 2) on another receptacle when two receptacles are
attached together. This will be described in more detail
further on in the specification. It should be understood
that a receptacle without a top wall is also within the
scope of the invention. This can be seen in, Figure 3,
which shows a receptacle 30 in accordance with a second
specific embodiment of the invention.
Referring back to the specific embodiment shown in
Figures 1 and 2, it can be seen that side wall portion 14
extends from base wall portion 15 up to top wall 18, and
is adapted to support a portion of the peripheral
sidewall of a CD case once the CD case has been inserted
within receptacle 10. Side wall portion l4 is positioned
at a substantially right angle with respect to base wall
portion 16 and therefore is positioned at a slight angle
with respect to a vertical axis. It should, however; be
expressly understood, that a side wall portion and a base
wall portion that are not positioned at a substantially
right angle with respect to each other are within the
scope of the present invention. In an alternative
embodiment, side wall portion 14 does not extend up from
base wall portion 16 to top wall 18, and instead extends
upwards from base wall portion 16 to a height that is
sufficient to prevent an inserted CD case from falling
out of receptacle 1O. In an alternative embodiment (:not
shown in the Figures) side wall portion is made of one or
many shorter partial side walls, that form a discontinued
side wall (not illustrated). For example, side wall
portion 14 may simply be a pin, or bar that acts as a
stopper. It should be understood that side wall portion
14, may be of any shape, size and configuration so long
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as it acts to prevent an inserted CD case from falling
out of receptacle 10.
Receptacle 10 includes two separate front walls 20 and
22. Front wall 20 is thin and tall and is positioned
along the frontal edge of side wall portion 14. Front
wall 22 is long and short and is positioned along the
frontal edge of base wall portion 16. Front walls 20 and
22 are shaped and positioned so as to achieve two
functions, firstly, to retain a CD case stored within
receptacle 10 in place, and secondly to enable a CD case
to be inserted within receptacle 10 by moving through a
multiple direction entry path. In a preferred embodiment,
the back wall 12 is higher than front wall 22 so that the
back wall 12 can be used as an efficient CD'insertion
guide. This will be described in more detail further on
with reference to Figures 4A and 4B.
There are many possible variations in the height; shape
and positioning of walls 12, 14, l(~, 18, 20 and 22 that
define receptacle 10.'Therefore, it should be expressly
understood that the walls of receptacle 10, particularly
front walls 20 and 22 and back wall 12, can be of any
aesthetic design or shape, and can. be characterized by
any geometrical relationship so long as they enable the
retention of a CD within receptacle 10, and enable a CD
to be inserted within receptacle 10 by moving through a
multiple direction entry path. For, example, in an
alternative embodiment, the back wall of the receptacle
may be of exactly the same shape and size as the front
wall (or walls of the receptacle, but may extend from
the peripheral wall such that it is staggered from the
front wall. The staggering of the front and back walls
CA 02379494 2002-03-28
defines the multiple-direction entry path that will be
described in more detail below
As mentioned above; the front walls 20 and 22 and the
back wall 12 are characterized by a geometrical
relationship that defines a multiple direction entry path
for the insertion of a compact disc case, such that the
compact disc case is moveable through the entry path by
performing a first movement and a second movement. In the
first movement, the compact disc case is displaced
towards the back wall 12 of the receptacle along a
direction that is generally perpendicular' to the
imaginary plane of the compact disc case.' For the
purposes of this specification, generally perpendicular
refers to a movement in any direction with respect to a
three dimensional coordinate system; that includes at
least one component that is in a direction perpendicular
to the imaginary plane of the compact disc case. As such,
a movement that includes a component that is not in a
direction that is perpendicular to the movement of the
compact disc case is still included within the scope of
the invention. Alternatively, it can be said that during
the first movement, the CD case moves in a direction that
is generally perpendicular to the. plane of the back wall
of the receptacle. As such, the term ":generally
perpendicular to the back wall" refers to a movement by
the CD case in any direction with respect to a three
dimensional coordinate system, that includes at least one
component that is in a direction perpendicular to the
plane of the back wall of the recept<~cle.
It will be appreciated that as the CD case 100 is moved
through the first movement it is able to be moved past
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the front walls 2O and 22 such that at least a portion of
the CD case is able to abut against back wall' 12, such
that it can be positioned within receptacle 10 as shown
in Figure 4A.
Once CD case 100 has moved through the first movement
such that it has abutted bac k wall 12, and placed such
that the main faces of the CD case are parallel to back
wall 12, then the CD case l00 is moved through a second
movement, which will put the compact disc case 100 in the
stored position as shown in Figure 4B. During the second
movement, the compact disc case is displaced between the
front walls 20 and 22 and back wall 12, along a direction
that is generally parallel to the imaginary plane of the
compact disc case. Once the compact disc. case has moved
through the second movement; such that it has assumed the
position shown in Figure 4B, the front walls 20 and 22
overlap a first portion of one of the main faces of the
compact disc case, and the back wal_1 12 overlaps with a
portion of the other main face of the compact disc case,
so that the front wall 20 and 22 and back wall 12 can
retain the CD case in its proper inserted position.
It should be noted that in the specific example shown in
Figures 4A and 4B, the angle of inclination of the base
wall of the receptacle is such that in order for CD case
100 to perform the second movement, it simply needs to
drop between front wall_22 and back wall 12, and slide
between front wall 20 and back wall 12. Due to the
slight angle of inclination of receptacle 10, this second
movement can be performed without the user's help. In an
alternative embodiment, the angle of inclination of the
CD case is insufficient to allow a CD case to
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independently slide into the stored position and
therefore the user's help is required to push the CD into
the stored position. It should be understood that in the
non-limiting example of implementation wherein the
compact disc case is able be dropped such that it slides
independently into the stored position, the base wall of
the receptacle extends past the center of gravity of the
CD case at the position wherein the CD case is dropped,
such that the CD case is able to land on the base. wall
without falling off.
It should be noted that no alignment of the thin
peripheral sidewalls of CD case 100 needed to be
performed in order to insert CD case 100 into receptacle
10.
Once the CD case 100 has been inserted within receptacle
10, the front walls 20 and 22 do not cover or obstruct
the majority of the front face (or the rear face
depending on how the CD case is inserted), and as such,
receptacle 10 advantageously enables a user to identify a
CD contained within receptacle 10 quickly and easily
without having to read the writing located on the thin
peripheral sidewalk of the CD case. It should also; be
noticed that in the preferred embodiment, back wall 12
includes apertures 28, which enable the user to clearly
view of the rear face of the CD case:
In a preferred embodiment, receptacle 10 is designed to
accommodate CD cases of all different widths. As can be
seen in both figure 1 and 2, side wall portion 14 and
base wall portion 16 include positioning rails 26. These
positTOning rails 26 extend upwardly from base wall
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portion 16 and inwardly from side wall portion 14, such
that they protrude into the space defined for receiving a
compact disc case. The positioning rails 26 run along at
least a portion of the longitudinal axis of the base wall
portion l6 and the side wall portion 14, and have a
thickness that is less than the thickness of the side
wall portion 14 and the base wall portion 16. Ln a
preferred non-limiting example of implementation,
positioning rail 26 of base wall portion 16 extends to
the outer end portion of base wall 16. These positioning
rails 26 enable CD cases of varying thicknesses to fit
snugly within receptacle 10. In addition, should a user
want to insert two thin CD cases, for example, in 'the
same receptacle, then the positioning rails 26 will
retain a first thin CD case in an upright position
against the back wall so that it will not obstruct the
easy insertion of a second thin CD case within the same
receptacle using the same previously described first and
second movement approach.
Figure 5A is a side elevation view of receptacle 10 as
taken along lines 5a-5a shown in Figure 1. As can be
seen, a thin CD 101 is positioned within receptacle 10
such that it fits snugly between positioning rails 26 and
back wall 12. Due to the thinness of CD 101, if there
were no positioning rails 26 located within receptacle
10, CD 101 would be loosely contained within receptacle
10'and would be more likely to fall. out. In addition, a
loosely fit CD will make more noise when receptacle 10 is
moved about.
Figure 5B shows a wider CD 102 positioned within the same
receptacle 10 as shown in Figure 5A. The base of wider CD
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102 rests on top of positioning rail 2C located on the
base wall 16 of receptacle 10 and leans against
positioning rail 26 located on the side wall portion 14.
Wider CD 102 fits snugly between the two front walls 20
and 22, and back wall 12.
Shown in Figure 6 is a receptacle 39 according o a third
embodiment of the invention. Receptacle 39 includes a
series of positioning rails 35 located along the
l0 longitudinal axis of the base wall. In a preferred, non-
limiting embodiment, a positioning rail 35 is positioned
at the extremity of the outer end portion of the base
wall, thereby ensuring that the cemter of gravity of a CD
case is always supported by the positioning rails 35: If
a positioning rail was not positioned on the extremity of
the outer end portion of the base wall, the center of
gravity of a CD might not be properly supported and the
CD case would fall out. Positioning rails 35 serve the
same function and have the same characteristics as the
rails 26 located within receptacle 10. The purpose of
projections 37 is to reduce the frictional contact of a
thin CD case with the base wall portion and therefore
help the thin CD case to slide more easily towards its
complete insertion position.
Shown in Figures 7 and 8 is a CD receptacle 40 according
to a fourth specific embodiment of the invention.
Similarly to CD receptacle 10 as described above, CD
receptacle 40 includes a back wall 42, a side wall
portion 48, a base wall portion 52, a top wall 54 and two
front walls 44 and 46. However, receptacle 40 includes
two sets of positioning rails, 36 and 38, that enable
' receptacle 40 to receive compact disc cases having 3
CA 02379494 2002-03-28
different widths, or a plurality of thin CD cases
simultaneously. As can be seen in Figure 8, a thin CD,
such as CD 101 shown in Figure 5A would be able to fit
snugly between positioning rails 36 and back wall 42. A
medium width CD 102 is able to fit snugly between
positioning rails 38 and back wall 42, and finally, a
reasonably thick CD, such as a DVD, is able to fit snugly
within receptacle 40 between the two front walls 44 and I
46 and back wall 42.
Although' Figures 1 through 8 show receptacle s 10, 3039
and 40 all having positioning rails, it should be
expressly understood that receptacles having no
positioning rails, or receptacles having positioning
rails only on the side wall portion, or only on the base
wall portion, are also included within the scope of the
invention. It should also be understood that a receptacle
having more 'than two positioning rails (or two rows of
positioning rails) is also within the scope of the
invention. In a preferred-embodiment the positioning rail
(or row of positioning rails) that has the highest
dimension is positioned adjacent to the front wall. In an'
embodiment such as that shown in Figures 7 and 8, wherein
there is more than one row of positioning rails, the
height of each row of positioning rails decreases as its
proximity to the base wall increases. It should be
understood that positioning rails of any shape and size
are also included within the scope of the invention. For
example, it can be seen in Figures 1 and 2 that
receptacle 10 includes rectangular shaped positioning
rails 26, while the positioning rails 38 and 36 of
receptacle 40 are rounded.
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In use, the individual receptacles 10, 30, 39, and 40 in
accordance with the embodiments described above, are able
to be used individually or in combination with other
individual receptacles. The receptacles in accordance
with the embodiments 10, 30; 39 and 40 as described above
can be used in a modular manner in order to form panels
of two or more receptacles. For the purpose of this
specification, a panel refers to two or more receptacles
connected together.
Shown in Figure 9 is a panel 68 in accordance with a
first specific embodiment of a panel. Panel 68 is formed
of two individual receptacles 39 that are connected
together. A third unconnected receptacle 39 is positioned
above the two connected receptacles.
It should be noted that each receptacle 10, 30, 39 and 40
as described above is connected to a rod-like portion 56.
The rod-like portion 56 of each receptacle iS used to
either mount the individual receptacles within. a display
rack (as will be discussed later) or enak~les each
receptacle to be connected to another receptacle to form
a panel. As can be seen in Figures l-4, and 6-7 it is the
side wall portion of each receptacle that is positioned
adjacent to the rod-like portion 56. Furthermore, the
side wall portion can be positioned adjacent the rod-like
portion at any angle of less than 90 degrees. Each rod-
like portion includes an upper end pivot 60 and a lower
end pivot 58 that define a pivot axis therebetween. In
the specific example shown in figure 9, the pivot axis is
coaxial with the longitudinal axis of rod-like portion
56. It should be understood, however, that receptacles
that do not have a rod-like portion, and that simply
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CA 02379494 2002-03-28
comprise an upper end pivot and a lower end pivot that
define an axis of rotation therebetween, are included
within the scope of the invention. In such cases the side
wall portion of the receptacle is positioned adjacent to
the axis of rotation defined between the upper end pivot
and the lower end pivot. Referring back to figure 9, in a
preferred embodiment there is a.space 50 defined between
rod-like portion 56 and the side wall portion of a
receptacle. In the cases where there is no rod-like
portion, there exists a space~between either one of the
lower end pivot or the upper end pivot and the side wall
portion. Therefore, iri a preferred. embodiment when two
receptacles are connected together, a space 51 is formed
between lower end pivot 58 and the side wall portion 14
of the receptacle on the top. As will be explained in
detail further on ~.n the specification, space 51 permits
the insertion of a panel retaining board, used to
stabilize a panel, between two receptacles without
causing a gap between the two connected receptacles.
As will be explained with reference to Figure 9, it 'can
be seen that upper erid pivot 60 and lower end pivot 58 ,
also act as matching connectors for connecting wo
receptacles together. The upper end pivot 60 and the
lower end pivot 58 include a projection at one of 'the
upper end pivot and lower end pivot, and a receiving
cavity at the other one of the upper end pivot and lower
end pivot. In the specific example shown in Figure 9, the
lower end pivot is projection 58 and the receiving cavity
is located within the upper end pivot 60. The inner
diameter of the receiving cavity is greater than the
transverse measurement of the projection, thereby
enabling the projection to be inserted within the cavity
23
CA 02379494 2002-03-28
of another receptacle in order to connect two receptacles
together. In addition, in embodiments 10, 39 and 40 as
described above, included on the outer-lower surface of
the side wall portions is a lower end connector 34 that
fits within an upper end connector 24 located on the
upper surfaces of the top walls of other receptacle s.
Therefore, as can be seen in Figure 9, in order to
connect the two individual receptacles 39 together, the
projection that is the lower end pivot 58 of a given
receptacle 39 is inserted within the cavity of the upper
end pivot 60 of a second given receptacle 39; and the
lower end connector 34 of a given receptacle is inserted
into the upper end connector 24 of the second given
receptacle.
Shown in Figure 10 is a panel 70 in accordance with a
second specific embodiment of a panel. Panel 70 is formed
of two individual receptacles 30 that are connected
together. A third unconnected receptacle 30 is positioned
above the two connected receptacles. Receptacles 30 are
connected together in the same way as described above
with respect to Figure 70, except that there is no
connection between the top wall of one receptacle and he
side wall portion of a second receptacle. In the
embodiment of receptacle 30, due to the absence : of a top
wall, and consequently the absence of the previously
described lower end and upper end connectors, it is
desirable that the connection of an upper end pivot 60
with a lower end pivot 58 prevents each connected
receptacle from rotating independently. Consequently, in
a specific embodiment, the inner cavity at the upper end
pivot 60 is not cylindrical but is instead cross shaped
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CA 02379494 2002-03-28
in order to correspond to a cross-shaped projection at
the lower end pivot 58.
Although only receptacles 30 and 39 are shown connected
together to form panels, it should be expressly
understood that receptacles 10 and 40 in accordance with
the other specific embodiments described above can also
be connected together to form panels. It should also be
understood that individual receptacles can be connected
together using any other technique known in the art
without departing from the spirit of the invention. For
example, instead of having integrated pivots as
previously described, it is within the scope of the
invention that each receptacle includes a hole for
receiving an external rod that is vertically inserted
through the holes in order to form a rotation axis. The
external rods (not shown) can be very long to cross many
receptacles and act as the upper end pivot and lower ,end
pivot of a whole panel. Alternatively, the external rod
is short and connects only two receptacles together.
In addition to panels formed of individual receptacles
connected together, panels can be formed of a single
piece comprising multiple integrally formed receptacles.
Figures 11-15 show various specific embodiments of
integrally formed panels.
Shown in Figures 11 and 12 is an integral panel 72 in
accordance with a third specific embodiment of a panel.
As can be seen, integral pane l 72 include s three
receptacles 73 that each have a top wall 74, a base wall
portion 76, a side wall portion 78, a back wall 80 and a
front wall formed in a generally L~-shaped configuration
CA 02379494 2002-03-28
having a lower portion82a and an upper portion 82b. The
lower portion 82a extends along base wall portion 76 and
the upper portion 82b extends along side wall portion 78.
The receptacles 73 have the same functionality as
receptacle 10 as described above. Therefore, although the
front wall is divided into two portions 82a and' 82b, the
front wall and back wall 80 are characterized by a
geometric relationship such that a compact disc case may
be inserted within receptacles 73 through a multiple
direction entry path by performing the same first
movement and second movement as described in relation to
receptacle 10.
Figure 13, shows panel 72 in use. In order to allow a
compact disc case to be inserted within receptacle 73
through the first and second movements as described
above, each receptacle 73 defines a space "x" between top
wall 74 and the upper edge of front wall 82a, wherein
space "x" is slightly larger than the height "Y" of a CD
case. Space "x" is slightly Larger than height "Y" of a
CD case such that a CD case is able to be moved through
the first movement in a direction generally perpendicular
to the imaginary plane of the compact disc case uch that
the compact disc case can be moved past front wall 82a
and 82b and brought into abutment with back wall 80. The
distance "x" as described above is also shown in Figures
9 and 10 and it should be understood that this
relationship exists with all the panels described above.
For receptacle 30 which has no top wall the same rule
applies only distance "x" is defined from the upper edge
of its lower front wall and the bottom side of the base
wall of a receptacle positioned directly above the
receptacle.
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CA 02379494 2002-03-28
In an alternative embodiment, "x" could be slightly
smaller than "Y", as long as the distance between he
base wall and the top wall is slightly larger than "Y"
and the lower front wall is short enough, so that it' is
possible, as a first step to the first movement; to have
only the bottom peripheral side of the CD case touch the
back wall, as a second step of same first movement, to
push the upper side of the CD case toward the back wall
to put it in its upright position, without being blocked
by the top wall 74. This implies that front wall 82a must
be short enough to allow the CD case to abut with the
base wall, or be sufficiently ClOSe to it, even before
the CD case is brought to its upright. position.
Shown in Figure 14 is an integral panel 86 in accordance
with a fourth specific embodiment of a panel. Similarly
to integral panel 72, integral panel 86 includes three
receptacles 88 that each have a top wall (not shown); a
bottom wall (not shown), an inner side wall portion (not
shown), a back wall 92 and a front wall 94, which is also
substantially L-shaped. As can be seen, the receptacles
88 of integral panel 86 are not positioned on an upward
angle in, relation to the horizontal" Therefore, in order
to ensure that inserted CD cases do not fall out of
receptacles 88, each receptacle 88 includes a projection
90 positioned on the outer end portion of the base wall
portion.. The base wall portion includes an inner end
portion which is attached to the side wall portion, an
intermediate portion which is for receiving a compact
disc case, and an outer end portion- that includes
projection 90. Therefore, when a CD is inserted within
receptacle 88, it sits on the intermediate portion of the
27
CA 02379494 2002-03-28
base wall portion such that it fits between the side wall
portion (not shown) and the projection 90 such that the
projection 90 prevents the inserted CD case from sliding
out of its receptacle 88. In an alternative embodiment,
receptacles 88 are positioned at a slight upward
inclination with respect to a horizontal axis.
Shown in Figure 15 is an integral panel 96 in accordance
with a fifth specific embodiment of a pane 1. As can be
seen, integral panel 96 includes three receptacles 97
that each include a top wall (not shown), a bottom wall
98, an inner side wall portion (not shown), a back wall
99 and a front wall 103. In order to maintain inserted CD
cases within the receptacles of panel 96 such that they
do not fall out, each receptacle 97 includes a projection
104 positioned on either the front wall 103 or the back
wall 99, such that the proj ection extends into the space
defined between front wall 103 and back wall 99. For
example, in the upper most receptacle 97 of integral
panel 96, the projection 104 is positioned on front wall
103 and extends into the space between front wall 103 and
back wall 99, whereas, in the middle and bottom
receptacles 97, projections 104 are positioned on the
surface of back wall 99. In operation, when a CD is
inserted within a receptacle 97, the CD is frictionally
engaged between projection 104 and either the back wall
99 or front wall 103 depending on which surface the
projection is located. The frictional engagement of the
CD between the projection 104 and one of the walls of the
receptacle maintains the CD in place until it is forcibly
removed. In an alternative embodiment, receptacles 97 are
positioned at a slight upward inclination with respect to
a horizontal axis.
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CA 02379494 2002-03-28
Although integral panels 72, 86 and 96 are shown to
include 3 receptacles, it is within the scope of the
invention for each panel to include any number of
receptacles. In a preferred non-limiting example of
implementation,' the receptacles are positioned on top of
one another and are aligned such that their back walls
are generally coplanar.
Additionally, it is within the scope of the invention for
two or more panels to be connected together. Figure 16
shows two integral panels 72 in accordance with the first
specific embodiment shown in Figures 11, 12 and 13
connected together in order to form a panel having six
receptacles 73. As a non-limiting example of
implementation, panels 72 are connected together by
mating male and female parts. Referring back to Figures
11 and 12, it can ba seen that at the base of panel 72 is
a cavity 81. In addition, at the top of panel 72 is'a
corresponding protrusion 83, that acts as a male
connector, that can fit within cavity 81 that acts a
female connector. Therefore, in order to connect two
panels 72 together, protrusion 83 of a first panel is
inserted within cavity 81 of a second panel such that the
two panels are fractionally engaged together. Panels 86
and 96 in accordance with the second and third specific
embodiments can also be connected together in the same
manner (details not shown in figures).
As can be seen in Figures 11-15, each of integral panels
72,,86 and 96, as described above; includes an upper end
pivot and a lower end pivot (both indicated by reference
84) located on the upper portions arid lower portions of
29
CA 02379494 2002-03-28
the panels respectively. As will :be described in more
detail further on in the specification, upper end and
lowe r end pivots 84 are operative to pivotably connect
panels 72, 86 and 96 to various display and storage
racks.
Both individual receptacles 10, 30, 39 and 40, and panels
68; 70, 72, 86 and 96 can be inserted within display
racks that can accommodate a plurality of individual
receptacles or panels. Figure 17 shows two receptacles' 39
held within a display rack 106 according to a first
specific embodiment of a~ display rack. Display rack 106
comprises a top board 108, a bot-fom board 110 and a
backboard 114. Bottom board 110 includes a series of
holes 112, and although not shown in Figure l7, top board
108 includes a corresponding series of holes.. Therefore,
an individual receptacle l0 may be inserted into display
case 106 by connecting the lower end pivot 58 to an
additional rod portion, such that the rod portion is
adapted to be inserted within a hole 112 in bottom board
110 and by inserting the upper end pivot 60 within a
corresponding hole in the top board 108. Preferably,
holes 112 are of a diameter that is slightly larger than
the diameter of pivots 58 and 60 such that receptacle; 39
is pivotable about the vertical axis formed between upper
end pivot 60 and lower end pivot 58 when it is mounted
within display rack 106.
In'an alternative embodiment, top board 108 and bottom
board 11O can be used without backboard 114 and can be
mounted individually to an item of furniture in a spaced
apart relationship such that the top board 108 is
positioned directly above the bottom board 110. For
CA 02379494 2002-03-28
example, this can be done within a shelf of a bookcase,
or within a cupboard of a wall unit . In this alternative
embodiment, top board 108 and bottom board 110 can be
spaced apart so as to receive a plurality of individual
receptacles 10, 30, 39 or 40, or a plurality of panels
68, 70, 72, 86, 96 as described above. The two boards may
be mounted to a piece of furniture using any technique
known in the art, such as adhesive, screws, rivets,
atc...
Shown in Figures 18 and 19 is a display rac k 116 in
accordance with a second specific embodiment of a display
rack. Display rack 116 includes two sideboards 118, a
backboard 120, a base support 122 a.nd a top board 124.
Top board 124 is adapted to fit on top of backboard 320
and sideboards 118. In a preferred embodiment, top board
124 includes labels, or letters in order to allow a user
to organize the CDs contained within display rack 116
into alphabetical order, or into various categories.
Side boards 118 and backboard 120 are adapted to attach
to the base support 122 such that display rack 116 is
able to sit on the floor. Side boards 118 and backboard
120 can be attached to base support 122 using any
technique known in the art without departing from the
spirit of the invention. Alternatively, side boards 118
and backboard 120 are able to be mounted to a wall using
bracket holes 126 located on the surface of backboard
120. Also positioned on the inside surface of backboard
120 are panel retaining boards 128 that each include
holes 130. Panel retaining board 128 in the middle of the
rack 116 is optional :since the vertical modularity of
individual receptacles or panels, as shown in figures 9
31
CA 02379494 2002-03-28
and 16 for example, does not require panel retaining
board 128 at every interconnection point between
connected individual receptacles or between connected
panels. The panel retaining board 128 in the middle is
only added to provide extra rigidity to the assembly. It
is panel retaining boards 128 located at the upper and
lower end of rack 116 that are adapted to maintain panels
in :accordance with any of the embodiments described
above, within display rack 116. More specifically, the
holes 130 i:n the panel retaining boards 128 are operative
to receive the upper end and lower end pivots 84 located
on either end of integral panels 72, 86, 96, or
alternatively are adapted to receive the upper end pivot
60 and lower end pivot 58 of. any individual receptacle
described above.
Figure l9 shows a plurality of panels 72 positioned
within display rack 116. It should be noted that two
panels 72 positioned on top of each other are held within
rack 116. Similarly to the holes of display rack 106, the
holes 130 of display rack 116 have a greater diameter
than the diameter of protrusions 84 of each panel,
thereby enabling the panels to pivot along a vertical
axis within display rack 116. As can be seen in Figure
19, panels 72 are placed within rack 116 like pages in a
book and can be pivoted panel by panel in order to locate
a desired CD.
Figure 20, shows a display rack 132 in accordance with a
third specific embodiment of a display rack. Display rack
132 is similar to display rack 116, however it includes
only two retaining strips (not shown) and therefore can
only accommodate one panel in the vertical direction. In
32
CA 02379494 2002-03-28
the embodiment shown in Figure 20, a plurality of panels
68 are attached within display rack 132, however, panels
in accordance with any of the embodiments described above
can be used within display rack 132.
Display rack 132 has the advantage that it may be used in
a modular manner. For example, multiple displayracks l32
can be connected together either in a vertical manner, or
in a horizontal manner, in order to accommodate more
panels. Figure 21 shows an example of three display racks
132 connected together in a vertical. manner. Although not
shown in Figure 21, in a preferred embodiment display
racks 132 are connected together by mating male and
female parts. However, this is only one form ' of
realization as many other ways to connect display racks
132 may be used without departing from the spirit of the
invention.
As can be seen in Figure 21, each display rack 132
includes two panel retaining boards 133. that are adapted
to retain panels within the display rack. It must be
understood however that, in general, any similar modular
rack could also have one or many additional panel
retaining boards 133 {not shown) in the middle of rack
132 to provide more rigidity to the vertical panel
assembly. When two display racks are connected one on top
of the other, the upper panel retaining board 133 of the
lower display rack 132 and the lower panel retaining
board 133 of the upper display rack 132 engage each other
in an overlapping relationship. This can be see in the
expanded view shown in Figure 22.
33
CA 02379494 2002-03-28
An advantage of panels 68 and 70 as described in relation
to Figures 9 and 10, and of panel 72 in relation to
figure 16, is that there is a space 51 defined between
lower end pivot 58, in the case of panels 68 and 70, or
lower end pivot 84, in the case of panel 72, and the side
wall portions of the connected receptacles; or panels.
Therefore; as can be seen in Figures 21 and 22, even when
rack 132 is connected in a modular manner such that two
panel retaining boards 133 engage each other, the
retaining boards are able to fit within space 51 such
that two receptacles are able to ss.t directly on top of
one another.
Shown in Figure 23 is a carousel-type.display rack 135 in
accordance with a fourth specific embodiment of a display
rack. As can be seen, display rack 135 includes a top
portion 134, a central bar 136, a base portion 138 and
retaining portions 140 that include a plurality'of slots
142.
Figure 24 shows panels 72 in accordance with the
embodiment shown in Figures 11-13 positioned within the
slots 142 of retaining portions 140. Since the back edges
of panels 72 are engaged within slogs 142, the panels 72
are unable to pivot about their vertical axes.'Instead,
base element 138 is rotatable about its center 'so as to
allow a user to access all the different panels contained
within rack 135.
Shown in Figures 25A and 25B is a carousel-type display
rack 144 in accordance with a fifth specific embodiment
of a display rack, wherein the panels 72 are connected to
rack 144 by their protrusions 84. Protrusions 8f are
34
CA 02379494 2002-03-28
positioned within holes 146 such that panels 72 are
pivotable about their vertical axis:
Although various embodiments have been illustrated, this
was for the purpose of describing, but not limiting, the
invention. Various modifications W 11 become apparent to
those skilled in the art and are within the scope of this
invention; which is defined more particularly by the
attached claims.
