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Description  |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The field of this invention lies within the computer, electronic and audio
cassette art. It particularly lies within the magnetic cassette storage
art, wherein magnetic cassettes can be stored or indexed for use and
presented for ease and facility in handling.
2. The Prior Art
The prior art related to cassette storage has been provided in various
forms of storage. However, the storage can be classified as being casual,
at best. In some cases, the magnetic cassettes are stored loosely and left
to lie around gathering dust. The dust and dirt on a magnetic cassette,
particularly when it is being used for audio or computer usage, creates
substantial problems, insofar as fidelity and accuracy. As can be
appreciated, when playback is distorted in either a computer or other
digital recording and playback systems, the information is worthless.
Recently, certain attempts have been made to store magnetic cassettes in
containers. Some of these containers have been individualized or have
provided a stacked relationship. However, most of these have been in the
form of inappropriately designed devices and configurations.
To say the least, all of the foregoing cassette storage means have been
inordinately cumbersome or open. This invention overcomes the fragility,
as well as the open nature of prior art storage means. It enables a user
or operator to make use of stored cassettes in a facile and ready manner.
This is accomplished by way of a unique storage system which will be
amplified upon hereinafter.
The storage container of this invention fundamentally incorporates a pair
of covers. The covers are of a book-like configuration having a binder.
One of the covers has a wall or ledge around it that serves to provide the
sidewalls of the container when the covers are placed in overlying
relationship like the covers of a book. The upper cover serves the
function of providing not only a cover, but also a pivotal support for a
tray-like insert that holds the magnetic cassettes.
The tray-like insert is hinged to one of the covers by means of a spindle
or other hinge means. The tray-like insert has a number of ledges or
shelves. Each ledge or shelf has a frontal flange for receiving a
cassette. Behind each shelf or ledge is a backing which stops the cassette
from inordinate movement. The frontal flange or lip receives the base of
the cassette. The frontal flange or lip extends upwardly from the shelf so
that the cassette is held at its bottom. Overlying the cassette and
extending from a pair of adjacent sidewalls on either side of the
cassettes are protuberances or tabs. The tabs are resilient in nature and
allow a frictional holding of the cassette between the ledges and the
tabs.
In addition to the foregoing features, the backing has a pair of tabs that
extend into the openings of the reels of the cassette to prevent movement
thereof.
The tray-like insert can be provided with dividers so that a staggered
series of cassettes can be placed on step-like ledges in two rows divided
by a wall. The staggering of the cassettes allows them to be placed in
stacked relationship in a tighter configuration than if they were placed
end to end or side by side.
The overall ease and maintenance of implacement and removal behind the
resilient tabs is enhanced so that placement and removal can be done
easily through merely the insertion of the cassette against a spring
loaded frictional tab and later removal thereof. Furthermore, the
cassettes are easily displayed toward the operator's view. When finished,
they are stored readily by merely folding the tray-like member internally
into the covers to provide dust-free, safe and easy maintenance of the
cassettes.
The entire enclosure can be formed of plastic with living hinges at the
joindure of the covers.
As will be seen from the following disclosure, the foregoing invention
creates a substantial step over the prior art related to magnetic cassette
storage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In summation, this invention comprises a foldable enclosure of a book-like
configuration having a tray-like insert with shelving or ledges that
receive magnetic cassettes. More particularly, the invention incorporates
a cover which is normally the base of the enclosure when it is in the open
position having a ledge or sidewall therearound. An upper cover is hinged
to the lower cover by means of a living hinge which supports the tray-like
insert with the shelving thereon.
The insert is pivotally supported on the upper cover by means of a pintal
so that it can swing backwardly and forwardly between the two covers. In
the closed position it can rest against the inside surface of the upper
and lower covers. In the open position, it can be placed against the lower
cover within the wall or ledge therearound, forming a triangular
orientation with the covers.
The tray-like insert has a number of staggered shelves or ledges. The
staggered shelves or ledges have flanges at the forward portion thereof
that are suitable for holding the base of a cassette. The tray-like insert
has two walled staggered series of shelves with walls on the outside and
an interior dividing wall. Spanning the interior dividing walls and the
outside walls are the shelves or ledges that are supported thereby.
A backing member spans a section between the walls and can be formed as a
downward portion of the ledge holding the cassettes so that it serves to
maintain the cassette in the back portion of the tray-like insert from
falling therethrough.
Extending from the walls are tabs or protuberances which hold the top of
the cassette in a frictional engagement between the protuberances and the
respective shelving or ledges. The protuberances can be provided as tabs
or bumps for frictionally engaging the cassettes.
Extending from the backup member spanning the walls are a pair of tabs
which are received within the reel openings of the cassette. These not
only hold the cassettes in indexed relationship, but also prevent the
reels from rotating when implaced.
The entire enclosure provides for a staggered relationship to the cassettes
so that optimum storage is facilitated. The orientation of the cassettes
is also such that they are resting against the bottom of the enclosure,
when the enclosure is folded together. This prevents dislodgement of the
cassettes when they are implaced in the enclosure and the enclosure is
moved.
The entire enclosure allows the tray-like insert to be implaced and secured
therebetween in a dust-free and dirt-free environment. When the cassettes
are stored, the enclosure can be stacked like a book on a shelf, or
stacked like boxes.
The enclosure is provided with living hinges that are formed from a plastic
injection molding process so that the tray-like insert and enclosure
covers can be easily made on an injection molding machine. This thereby
facilitates ease and cost effectiveness in manufacture, while at the same
time creating a desirable product.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the
description below taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings
wherein:
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the magnetic cassette storage case of
this invention with the tray-like insert in an open and display
functioning position;
FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of the step-like ledges in the direction of
lines 2--2 of FIG. 1 with a cassette stored therein;
FIG. 3 shows a frontal elevation view of the tray-like insert in the
direction of lines 3--3 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 shows a side view of the sidewalls of the tray-like insert in the
direction of lines 4--4 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 shows a top plan view of the tray-like insert looking down on the
securement tabs and ledges thereof in the direction of lines 5--5 of FIG.
3;
FIG. 6 shows a sectional view of the reel support tabs, the frictional
engagement tabs for holding the cassette, and the insert as seen in the
direction of lines 6--6 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 7 shows an alternative view of the frictional protuberance holding
means of this invention in the direction of lines 7--7 of FIG. 1 when
formed in the alternative;
FIG. 8 shows a side elevation view of the enclosure when the covers are
closed;
FIG. 9 shows a top perspective view of the enclosure with the covers
closed;
FIG. 10 shows a side view of the enclosure with the tray-like insert in the
upright position being folded between the upper and lower covers;
FIG. 11 shows a detailed view of the living hinge of this invention as
encircled by circle 11 of FIG. 10;
FIG. 12 shows a sectioned detailed view of the hinged pintal for hinging
the insert to the cover;
FIG. 13 shows a sectional view of the frictional securement tongue and
groove through circle 13 of FIG. 9 for holding the covers together when
closed; and,
FIG. 14 shows a displaced view of the tongue and groove of FIG. 13.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Looking more particularly at FIG. 1 and the ancillary figures related
thereto, which constitute the remaining figures, a container or enclosure
10 is shown. The container 10 has a first cover 12 and a second upper
cover 14 with an upper three sided flange 15 surrounding the three sides
of the upper cover. The two covers 12 and 14 are respectively placed in an
angular upper and horizontal lower position when the container is opened.
A magnetic cassette storage member 16 has been implaced in the cover. The
magnitude cassette storage member is a standard cassette which is
sometimes referred to in common parlance as a cassette. Such cassettes are
utilized for small computer program storage, audio recording and
transcribers, as well as other magnetic memory functions.
Previously, the cassettes were enclosed within a small plastic box or were
stacked in a plurality of shelves to prevent dirt or dust exposure and
damage to the surfaces thereof. It can be appreciated that the cassettes
have an exposed and open area where the magnetic tape crosses a playing
surface. The open cassettes can receive dust at that point. In addition
thereto, dust and dirt can be imparted to the cassette through the spindle
or reel. This creates a binding of the reel, thereby diminishing the
quality and operational capability of the cassette.
The container 10 with the upper and lower covers 12 and 14 provides a
complete enclosure to the cassette 16 when the container is closed. The
closed container can be seen in FIGS. 8 and 9 as it is oriented in its
closed condition with the covers 12 and 14 encapsulating the interior
portion.
The covers 12 and 14 are secured and held by means of a web 20 or binding.
The web or binding 20 is formed between the covers 12 and 14 in a molding
process. In the alternative, the covers can be joined together by any
other suitable hinging means to provide for flexibility or movement
thereof. However, in this embodiment the cover 12 is joined to the web or
binding 20 by means of a living hinge 24. The upper cover 14 is joined by
a second living hinge 26 attached to the binding. The two respective
living hinges 24 and 26 allow for the web or binding 20 to be flexed
backwardly and forwardly. This provides for opening and closing of the
upper and lower covers.
The web or binding 20 has an indexing member or wall 28. A wall 30
surrounds the bottom cover 12. This wall 30 indexes with the wall 28 with
flange 15 fitting therein to provide for a marginal indexing, as well as a
dust-free environment to the interior of the case 10.
The wall 30 surrounds the bottom cover 12 in a U-shaped manner. It has a
front portion 32 and two side portions 34 and 36. The side portions 34 and
36 serve to enclose the cassettes 16 in surrounded and enclosed
relationship when the covers 12 and 14 are placed in overlying
relationship to each other as seen in FIG. 8.
The living hinges 24 and 26 are of sufficient flexibility and resiliency so
that they will not be easily torn. However, at the same time, they are of
sufficient thickness to provide for long term bending and usage thereof.
The thickness and characterization of the respective living hinges 24 and
26 are dependent upon the memory of the plastic, the amount of plasticizer
in the plastic, and the type of plastic. These all are subject to
engineering changes, as modified by the state of the plastics art.
The covers 12 and 14 serve to hold and enclose a tray-like insert 40. The
tray-like insert 40 comprises a tray-like member that has side walls 42
and 44. The sidewalls 42 and 44 terminate in slanting leading surfaces
respectively 46 and 48. The slanting leading surfaces 46 and 48 provide
for easy folding movement. Thus, when the insert is moved backwardly and
forwardly between the covers, it can be folded and eliminate the binding
of sharp corners against the inside surface of the cover 12.
The tray or insert 40 is formed with two major channels 50 and 52. These
channels 50 and 52 are provided by the walls 42, 44, and a common dividing
wall 55. The dividing wall 55 serves to support between it and each
sidewall 42 and 44 a plurality of stepped ledges 56. The stepped ledges 56
have an upturned flange or spline 58. The upturned portion or spline 58
serves to hold the bottom marginal area of a cassette. The marginal lower
surface of the cassette 16 is held behind the spline as can be seen in
FIG. 1 and FIGS. 2 and 3.
The upper flange 58 which secures the lower marginal edge of the cassette
16 terminates at the ledge 56 and can be formed in an angular manner or in
a vertical manner with respect to the ledge 56. The ledge 56 terminates at
an upstanding wall 60 beyond the frontal margin of the ledge 56. The
upstanding wall 60 is such that it is supported by webs 62 and 64 at
either end thereof. The webs 62 and 64 are such that they allow for a
holding of the backing member 60 which holds and indexes the cassette 16.
The tray-like member 40 is made of plastic and as a consequence, an
elimination of plastic material is desirable. As a consequence, spaces 68
are formed within the entire tray-like member so that the webs 62 and 64,
the ledges 56, as well as the backing surface 60 are relatively limited in
plastic content to avoid unnecessary plastic usage.
The cassette 16 is held on the top of the ledge 56 and against the back
strut or member 62 which spans the wall 55 and walls 42 and 44. Securement
is perfected by means of tabular extensions 70 which frictionally hold the
top of the cassettes 16 as they rest on the ledges 56. The tabular
extensions 70 are such that their lower surface 72 serves to engage the
upper portion of the cassette 16. The lower surface 72 is indexed so that
it flexes when the cassette 16 is inserted into the ledge area between the
ledge 56 and the extensions 70.
The cassette 16 is held on the ledge 56 behind the upstanding flange 58 and
is secured by the downward pressure of the tabs 72. In order to index the
cassette 16, a number of tabs or projections 76 are provided. The tabs or
projections 76 allow for the internal portion of a cassette, namely reel
78, to be held thereby. This prevents the reel 78 from turning. By
avoiding the reel from turning, the information or placement of the
respective portion of the tape when last used is assured. This avoids
inadvertent movement, either through bumping or other inordinate activity,
such as an item projecting into the reel 78 and thereby turning it.
It is customary for the reel 78 to have a number of internally projecting
spokes. These spokes are held by the projection or tabs 76 so that they
avoid turning around the tab.
To effectuate a holding, the tab 76 has a sloping downward surface and a
substantially normal surface to the backing member 60. This enables the
cassette 16 to be lifted and slid forwardly in a relatively facile manner.
However, it should be understood that any suitable holding means can be
utilized for indexing and holding the reels 78.
The foregoing staggered stepped ledges 56 allow for the placement of the
cassettes 16 in a facile manner within an envelope provided by the
tray-like member. The cassettes take up less cross sectional length than
when they are stacked end to end or side by side. In other words, the
envelope of the cross sectional thickness of the tray-like holder allows
for each respective cassette 16 to be stacked under the subsequent
cassette, or over the subsequent cassette, depending upon the specific
orientation of top to bottom or bottom to top that is being viewed. This
allows more cassettes to be inserted within the tray-like member 40.
However, in addition to the foregoing, it allows the top leading edge of
the cassette to rest against the inside surface of the cover 12 when the
container is closed such as in the manner shown in FIGS. 8 or 9. The
resting of the cassettes 16 against the bottom holds them in place until
they are displayed into the position as shown in FIG. 2. As can be
understood, this is a necessary requisite to prevent them from being
dislodged from the frictional engagement of the tabs 70.
An alternative to the foregoing tab 70 is provided by a protuberance on
walls 42 and 44. The protuberance can be a bump or expansion 80 as shown
in FIG. 7. The expansion member allows the side of the cassette 16 as
opposed to the top edge of the cassette to be held against the
protuberance 80. The protuberance 80 can either be at a position in front
of the cassette when it is in place, or against the side of it, so long as
it frictionally engages the cassette 16 to hold it in place, or blocks its
movement from between the protuberance and the back span 60. As can be
understood, if the protuberance 80 is in front of the cassette, the
cassette must be slid over if it can expand the plastic memory of the
walls 41 and 44 as they expand with respect to the inner wall 55. However,
when held in place by merely a side edge relationship, the protuberances
80 can serve to merely frictionally engage the side surface to prevent
movement of the cassette by gripping it tightly.
The tray-like member 40 is secured to the upper member as shown in FIG. 12.
The tray-like member 40 has a pintal 90 which engages a slot 92 and a
rounded opening 94. The slot 94 is placed in the edge region of the cover
14. The slot 92 and rounded opening 94 are formed in a boss 96, which is
molded into the side portion of the cover 14. The rounded opening can be a
pierced hole passing all the way through the flange 15 with the pintal
fitting therein. This provides free movement of the pintal 90 for pivotal
swinging action.
The entire swinging action afforded the cover 14 as hinged to the pintals
90 allow for movement so that the tray-like member 40 can swing backwardly
into the position of being placed within the entire container or enclosure
10. As can be seen in FIG. 10, the tray-like insert 40 is being moved
backwardly and is in an overcenter position during the course of its
movement toward the folded position which is completely enclosed within
the enclosure 10. The flange 28 of the binding 20 serves to rigidify and
hold the tray-like member from lateral movement and strengthen the entire
tray when it is in its folded position.
Looking more particularly at FIGS. 13 and 14, a detailed showing of the
locking mechanism as encircled by circle 13 of FIG. 9 is shown. In
particular, the top 14 of the container is shown having its depending
flange or spline 15. The depending flange or spline 15 has a ledge 102
along the front of the top cover 14. A portion of the depending wall 15
has a bead 100. The bead 100 allows the depending wall 15 to be inserted
or biased by the plastic memory of the material into a groove 108. The
groove 108 is in the upstanding portion of the wall 32. Thus, the top of
the wall 32, namely top 120, is in close juxtaposition to the inside
surface 102 and is forced internally by the flexible nature of the plastic
of the bead 100 engaging groove 108.
In order to provide for the foregoing locking effect, a notch or "V" shaped
opening 300 is cut into the flange 15. The notch has a side 302 that is
normal to flange 15 and a sloping surface 304 that is angular. The normal
surface 302 overrides a rib 308 that is on the interior of wall 30. The
rib 308 and notch 300 when the cover 14 is closed cause the cover to be
indexed with the surface 302 engaging the rib in a locking manner. The
forward thrust of surface 302 engaging rib 308 causes an increased bias of
the flange 15 against wall 32, so that bead 100 engages slot 108 more
securely.
Looking more particularly at FIG. 9, it can be seen that the storage of the
entire container is provided by merely a folded book effect wherein the
top cover 14 and the bottom cover 12 are analogous to the covers of a book
having a binding or web 20. Thus, the magnetic cassette holder can be
stacked like a series of books when the two respective portions are held
together, or they can be stacked in the manner of a series of boxes.
In addition to the foregoing cassettes, the holder can store smaller
cassettes and mini digital cartridges. Thus, variously configured
cartridges and rectangular magnetic memory devices can be secured and held
in the container.
From the foregoing, it can be seen that the invention is a broad step over
the prior art, insofar as it provides storage for memory cassettes.
Furthermore, the easy and facile compact storage with the display thereof
when shown in the manner of FIGS. 1 and 2 creates a readily usable
inventive device over the prior art. As a consequence, the invention
should be read broadly in light of the following claims for covering the
encapsulation, storage, containerization and display of magnetic cassettes
.
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