IP Library › Granted Patent US 6,915,911
Granted Patent B2
US 6,915,911 · App. 10/657,525 · Granted Jul 12, 2005

CD rack with dual disc case holder

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,915,911
App. No.
10/657,525
Granted
Jul 12, 2005
Kind
B2
Abstract

A high capacity motorized rack holds a plurality of jewel case enclosed CDs in holders flexibly inter-connectable with each other to form a rotatable continuous loop. The loop is rotatably retained within a vertical rack housing and is driven by a motor, disposed within the housing, under user control such that the loop is rotated until a desired CD is moved to the top region of the belt. A rack may hold two or more such loops of inter-connected holders. In one embodiment a holder retains a single jewel case, and comprises two independent loops that are rotated with a single motor. A preferred embodiment employs inter-connectable holders that each retain two jewel cases in a side-by-side configuration. A lamp and/or barcode scanner may be disposed on the housing for ease of CD selection. The housing base preferably is detached during shipping to permit transporting the rack in a smaller volume container. User control can include voice commands to direct loop rotation and speed.

Claims (30)

1. A rack that is adapted to retain and rotate a plurality of side-by-side CD cases and cases for other objects, the rack comprising:

a continuous loop formed from a plurality of interlocked holders;

said holders each including first and second outer sidewalls and a partition sidewall located between the first and second outer sidewalls, with said first outer sidewall and said partition sidewall with said base defining a first space adapted to receive a first case, and with said second outer sidewall and said partition sidewall with said base defining a second space adapted to receive a second case; and

wherein each said holder includes at least a first member which is adapted to frictionally retain a first case in said first space, and at least a second member which is adapted to frictionally retain a second case in said second space;

wherein a holder-engaging mechanism of a first holder nests in a holder-engaging mechanism of an adjacent holder; a motor that can rotate said loop;

a sprocket that is driven by said motor;

said sprocket including a plurality of teeth with spaces located between said teeth; and

wherein said holder engaging mechanism of said first holder nested in a holder engaging mechanism of an adjacent holder can be positioned in a space between said teeth as the holders engage the sprocket in order to spread the holders apart.

2. The rack of claim 1 further including:

said first member is a first bump which extends from said base in said first space; and

said second member is a second bump which extends from said base in said second space.

3. The rack of claim 1 further including:

said first member is a pair of lower walls which extend from said base in said first space;

and said second member is a pair of lower walls which extend from said base in said second space.

4. The rack of claim 1 wherein said holder engaging mechanism includes:

a first holder-engaging mechanism;

a second holder-engaging mechanism;

and wherein said first holder-engaging mechanism on said holder is adapted to interlock with a second holder-engaging mechanism of a second said holder, and said second holder-engaging mechanism on said holder is adapted to interlock with a first holder-engaging mechanism on a third holder to form a continuous loop.

5. The rack of claim 1 wherein said holder engaging mechanism includes:

a first holder-engaging mechanism, which is a male mechanism;

a second holder-engaging mechanism, which is a female mechanism.

6. The rack of claim 1 wherein said holder engaging mechanism includes:

a first holder-engaging mechanism;

a second holder-engaging mechanism; and

wherein said first holder-engaging mechanism on said holder is adapted to nest in a second holder-engaging mechanism of a second said holder, and said second holder-engaging mechanism on said holder is adapted to have a first holder-engaging mechanism on a third holder nest in the second holder-engaging mechanism said holder to form a continuous loop.

7. The rack of claim 1 wherein said holder engaging mechanism includes:

a first holder-engaging mechanism with a slot located adjacent thereto;

a second holder-engaging mechanism having a distal end, which distal end is shaped in order to be received in said slot;

and wherein said first holder-engaging mechanism on said holder is adapted to interlock with a second holder-engaging mechanism of a second said holder, and said second holder-engaging mechanism on said holder is adapted to interlock with a first holder-engaging mechanism on a third holder to form a continuous loop;

and wherein the distal end of the second holder-engaging mechanism of the second said holder can pass through said slot located adjacent to the first holder-engaging mechanism of said holder to which the second holder-engaging mechanism is inserted to allow the second said holder to spread apart from said holder.