U.S. Pat. No. 7,222,739

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1is a three-quarter upper perspective view of the one embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the principal components of the embodiment, only, shown for the purposes of example only.FIG. 2is a three-quarter perspective view of a bottom portion of a holder of the present invention. The figures together illustrate the principal components of this embodiment, including the stackable nature of each holder, the rotatable nature of each holder, and the readily protruding media-items with side access as shown.

The single rotatable display holder is shown in theFIGS. 1 and 2embodiment is constructed to provide rotatable storage for media items such as VCR tapes. DVD videos, and DVD game holders (1), etc., in such a way that the media items are readily identifiable in a fixed position in the holder, protrude from the internal volume in such a way that, coupled with the open spaces on the sides of each media-item containing compartment, allows a user easy access to insert and remove media items to/from the compartments. The embodiment of the inventive display holder so described is round or cylindrically shaped and comprises a substantially flat top member or surface (12), a substantially flat base member or bottom surface (14), a rotatable assembly (16) located under the bottom surface (14). The holder also includes first multiple media-item compartments (18) on a first side, which each may hold a VCR tape (20). For exemplary purposes, the embodiment is shown also to include second multiple media-item compartments (22), on a second side, which each hold a DVD movie (24). Again for exemplary purposes, the embodiment is shown to have third multiple media-item compartments (26), which compartments each hold a DVD game (28).

As should be readily apparent, the inventive holder includes multiple open or non-occupied spaces or compartments (30) disposed between the media-item compartments to hold the media items, separated by a vertical dividers19of a set of vertical dividers positioned about one or both surfaces and extending radially with respect to the axial center. The reader should note that while the embodiment depicts dividers19in a functional form as shown as solid contiguous wall-like structures, any form of a divider, vertical, partial, or otherwise, which allows for fixed or adjustable separation of compartments within the internal or annular volume comprising the holder, as understood by the skilled artisan may be used without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

The designation of compartments18,22and26for storing particular media items, such as VCR tape20, DVD movie24and DVD game28, separately with only one type media item, or a mixed fare of media items, are for example only. That is, compartments18,22and26may be constructed to store all VCR tapes, or all DVD movies, or all DVD games, or any combination of the media items, and are only shown in the particular embodiments to give the reader a “feel” for the functional nature of the compartments, and the relationship between the open or non-occupiable compartments, and the media-item containing compartments. The only limitation for any storage compartment for use herein is that it have a length that is less than the media item, and preferably one inch less, and include open compartments or spaces on either side or the compartment defined by the divider or dividers, to allow the user finger space allotted thereby to easily and readily grasp same item.

The extra space provided between stored media items allows a user to conveniently place his or her fingers between the tapes or games to grab the same and pull them out of the compartments with ease. For that matter, the radial dimension which defines the radial length of the media-item compartment must always be less that the length of the media item intended for insertion and storage in said compartment, in order that some portion of the media-item extends or protrudes beyond the cylindrical edge of the internal housing volume, further facilitating easy and ready insertion and retrieval of media items.

When used herein, or in the claims, media item should be understood to mean any type of rectangular object relating to media, such as containers holding computer-readable media such as CD's, or DVD's, or some combination of CD's and DVD's, or VCR tapes, or boxes for VCR tapes, or some combination of VCR tapes, and DVD's, or VCR and CD, or a combination of the three, or video games, books, etc., or some combination of any media item mentioned, or any media item known to those skilled in the art (hereinafter referred to broadly as “media items”).

In general, the holder may be manufactured in any of a variety of durable materials that accomplish the purposes of the invention. Preferably, the holders are constructed of a durable plastic material by an injection molding process, which is envisioned by the inventor hereby. The surfaces of the holder are designed to facilitate injection-mold production, by the inventions' simple, elegant design. Each of the compartments (18,22,26), or any other compartments to embody alternative embodiments to those shown and described herein are intended to be constructed with dimensions that qualify an intended media item to be stored in a particular component, including defining each media-item compartment width such that it will readily accept deposit of, and ready retrieval of, media items, e.g. VCR tapes, DVD movies, games, etc., using only gravity and an accurate fit widthwise and height wise.

That is, the holder designs stay within the scope and spirit of the inventions as claimed if the each media-item compartment is constructed to be vertically oriented, and preferably adjustable at its flexible opening to receive media items, and provide the user with an ability to read on the spines of media items inserted therein. Compartments (18) as shown are of a width approximately 1¼ inches, and of sufficient depth to allow portions of the VCR tapes inserted therein to extend beyond the periphery of the housing up to one (1) inch. A second compartment size for such embodiments (22,26) is depicted having a width of approximately ¾ inches, an of a sufficient depth to allow portions of the DVD's and video games inserted therein to extend beyond the periphery of the housing, up to one (1) inch.

Because the bottom (14) of the holder (10) is equipped with a rotatable assembly (16), the entire housing may be easily rotated by the user to display all contents of the holder. Such rotatable assembly (16), in the embodiment shown, comprises multiple annular members which function to both engage the holder flat bottom surfaces or bases, and to allow the user to spin the holder freely either manually or automatically (if the rotatable assembly is motor driven). In a simpler form, the rotatable assembly may comprise a base member that the holder is positioned, whereby the holder is able to be spinned about its central axis by force from a users hand(s).

While as mentioned above, the media-item compartments in the example (18,22,26) are of sufficient depth to allow portions of the media items inserted therein to extend beyond the housing, they are also sufficiently spaced apart from one another to create spaces therebetween (30). Such spaces (30) allow the user to easily place the user's fingers around the media item to pull it from the holder. It should be noted that the rotatable holders (10) may be manufactured in a variety of sizes to hold varying quantities of media items. TheFIG. 3holder (10) is small in nature and comprises media-item compartments to hold 11 DVD's and 11 VCR tapes. For the purposes of example, this small embodiment may be of a diameter of approximately 20 inches, with a height of approximately 8½ inches.

In the next embodiment, the holder (10) is large in nature and comprises compartments to hold 16 DVD's and 16 VCR tapes. For the purposes of example, this small embodiment may be of a diameter of approximately 20 inches, but may still be of a height of approximately 8½ inches. In another embodiment, the holder may be small in nature and designed to hold only VCR tapes, and in a fourth embodiment the holder may be large in nature and designed to contain only VCR tapes, such as a quantity of 30 total VCR movies. Likewise, in vet another embodiment, the holder may be small in nature and designed to hold only DVD's, and in still yet another embodiment, the holder may be large in nature and designed to contain only DVD's.

Importantly, in each of the above examples, the holders may be designed to be stackable atop one another and rotate. For example, as illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4, two or more identical holders may be stacked atop one another such that users with large collections in the form of a single media can conveniently store their entire collection with such holders.

Similarly, users with collections that include a mix of media items, such as VCR tapes, DVD movies and DVD games, may stack different embodiments of the present invention atop one another, such that the user can store and display their entire multi-media collection through usage of the holders.

Moreover, unlike the holders of the prior art, the rotatable holder of the present invention can hold a mix of media items, such as VCR tapes and DVD's or games, saving a great deal of space for the user. In fact, the rotatable holder can the placed in a cabinet with shelves for VCR's or DVD players, as well as in a wall unit or entertainment center. Such cabinets may be specially manufactured for usage in conjunction with the holders of the present invention, such as by including sufficient width and height for several such holders to be placed therein.

Regarding further versatility of the present invention, the rotatable display holder for media item storage, such as VCR tapes, DVD's, and video games, may be motorized, as illustrated inFIG. 4. In such an instance, the holder may be remotely controlled, allowing the user to cause the holder to automatically rotate to a previously determined degree, to allow a user to easily locate a particular item contained within.

In addition, in an enhanced alternate version, the rotatable display holder with adjustable openings may be customized by a user and able to be adapted to a user's particular needs. Such may be accomplished by the user inserting dividers in the multiple, available slots to create compartments of a desired size. For that matter, rectangular sleeves may be arranged between dividers, defining a media-item compartment by the sleeve, and opening on both sides bounded by the dividers. Fixed vertical dividers may be implemented in the inventions by embodiment shown inFIGS. 5(a) and5(b). Grooves or other structure are arranged on the top and bottom flat or disc-like members12and14, upon which dividers36extend. The dividers36can be made of any suitable material for forming a wall between two pieces of media (i.e., DVD, VCR tape) such as plastic, paper, wood composite, cardboard, etc., while grooves can be used to hold the dividers in place, any means for holding the dividers can be used, such as pins, screws, nails, dowels rods or buttons, etc. For the purposes of example, a user may have 20 VCR tapes and 6 DVD's, and then be able to reconfigure the rotatable display holder accordingly. As such, the device may comprise many slots, and may come with a supply of appropriate panels.

The grooves or other means for holding the dividers can be arranged in a spoke or radial pattern as shown inFIG. 5(a).FIG. 5(a) is not drawn to scale. If the means for securing the dividers, or sleeves, such as the grooves exemplified inFIG. 5(a), in place, function to do just that, they may take any form known to the skilled artisan to include dividers in fixed positions, to provide compartments of specified size. Accordingly, other arrangements can be used to functionally divide the space, as long as part of the media item extends or protrudes beyond the edge of the holder, and there are spaces for finger access on either side of portion of the media item protruding therefrom (or inserted into). For example, arrangements may be implemented where the grooves, etc. are arranged to provide a constant width for the media, so that compartments have a square or rectangular bottom and top.

FIG. 5(b) depicts an embodiment of a rotatable holder as described herein. Further including a handle11. Alternatively, the handle may be detachable, or recessed. To that end,FIGS. 5(a) and5(b) show embodiments that include recessed handles11′, and vertical dividers19attached or extending from the inside surfaces of the top and bottom disc-like surfaces comprising the holder. While the inner surfaces of the top and bottom surfaces are preferably substantially planar, and sic-like, the outer surfaces of same are not limited to flat and disc-like, but may be more rounded to support a more aesthetically pleasing nature of the holders, and holder systems.

Therefore, in total, the present invention provides a unique means to conveniently store collections of a variety of movies and games in a compact and aesthetically pleasing manner that provides users with ready insertion and access to media items stored therein.

With regard to all descriptions and graphics, while the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled it the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior an, constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention. What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.