Media storage apparatus

Abstract

A media storage device for storing a plurality of media, such as compact disks, audio cassettes, VHS cassette tapes, DVD cartridges, and ZIP disks. The media storage device comprises a tray including a bottom panel and a plurality of media storage bins. Each media storage bin includes a front panel and a first shoulder member. The first shoulder member includes first and second shoulders, and the second shoulder member includes first, second and third shoulders. Each storage bin can include six cavities, wherein each of the cavities supports at least one type of media format. The base and tray can include transportation guide mechanisms that allow the tray to be moved relative to the base to facilitate viewing and access to the stored media.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A media storage device for storing a plurality of media, the media storage device comprising: 
 a tray including a bottom panel and a plurality of media storage bins,    each media storage bin including a front panel and a first shoulder member, the first shoulder member including first and second shoulders.    
     
     
         2 . A media storage device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the bottom panel is disposed at a first level;    the first shoulder member includes a first ledge defining a second level above the first level; and    the media storage device further includes a second shoulder member disposed above the first shoulder member, the second shoulder member including a second ledge defining a third level above the first and second levels.    
     
     
         3 . A media storage device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each of the media storage bins includes a first cavity defined by the bottom panel and the first shoulders of the first shoulder member.  
     
     
         4 . A media storage device as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the first shoulders of the first shoulder member have a height and width for supporting a single compact disk case having a hinged side in the first cavity when the single compact disk case is disposed in the media storage device with the hinged side toward the bottom panel.  
     
     
         5 . A media storage device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each of the media storage bins includes a second cavity defined by the bottom panel and the second shoulders of the first shoulder member.  
     
     
         6 . A media storage device as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the second shoulders of the first shoulder member have a height and width for supporting an audio cassette case having a hinged side within the second cavity when the audio cassette case is disposed in the media storage device with the hinged side toward the bottom panel.  
     
     
         7 . A media storage device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the first shoulder member includes a first ledge disposed above the bottom panel; and    the media storage device further includes a second shoulder member disposed above the first shoulder member, the second shoulder member including first, second and third shoulders.    
     
     
         8 . A media storage device as recited in  claim 7 , wherein each of the media storage bins includes a third cavity defined by the first ledge and the first shoulders of the second shoulder member.  
     
     
         9 . A media storage device as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the first shoulders of the second shoulder member have a height and width for supporting a DVD case within the third cavity when the DVD case is disposed in the media storage device with the lateral side toward the bottom panel.  
     
     
         10 . A media storage device as recited in  claim 7 , wherein each of the media storage bins includes a fourth cavity defined by the first ledge and the second shoulders of the second shoulder member.  
     
     
         11 . A media storage device as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the second shoulders of the second shoulder member have a height and width for supporting a single compact disk case having a lateral side within the fourth cavity when the single compact disk case is disposed in the media storage device with the lateral side toward the bottom panel.  
     
     
         12 . A media storage device as recited in  claim 7 , wherein each of the media storage bins includes a fifth cavity defined by the first ledge and the third shoulders of the second shoulder member.  
     
     
         13 . A media storage device as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the third shoulders of the second shoulder member have a height and width for supporting a VHS cassette case.  
     
     
         14 . A media storage device as recited in  claim 7 , wherein: 
 the second shoulder member includes a second ledge disposed above the bottom panel and the first ledge;    each of the media storage bins includes a back panel disposed above the second shoulder member; and    each of the media storage bins includes a sixth cavity defined by the second ledge and the back panel for that media storage bin.    
     
     
         15 . A media storage device as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the back panel has a height and a width to support a large VHS cassette case within the sixth cavity.  
     
     
         16 . A media storage device as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the back panel for each of the storage bins has a height and a width to support a compact disk case having a lateral side in the sixth cavity when the compact disk case is disposed in the media storage device with the lateral side toward the bottom panel.  
     
     
         17 . A media storage device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the tray includes a tray transportation guide mechanism; and    the media storage device further includes a base having at least one fastener for fastening the base to a support surface, the base including a base transportation guide mechanism for cooperating with the tray transportation guide mechanism.    
     
     
         18 . A media storage device for storing a plurality of media, the media storage device comprising: 
 a tray including a bottom panel and a plurality of media storage bins,    each media storage bin including a front panel and    a second shoulder member disposed above the bottom panel, the second shoulder member including first, second and third shoulders.    
     
     
         19 . A media storage device for storing a plurality of media on a support surface, the media being of more than one type, the media storage device comprising: 
 a base including at least one fastener for fastening the base to the support surface, the base including a base transportation guide mechanism; and    a tray including a plurality of media storage bins, each media storage bin including a plurality of cavities, each cavity of a given one of the media storage bins being shaped and sized to support at least one of the media, the tray further including a tray transportation guide mechanism for cooperating with the base transportation guide mechanism.    
     
     
         20 . A media storage device as recited in  claim 19 , wherein the base transportation guide mechanism includes at least one slotted rail.  
     
     
         21 . A media storage device as recited in  claim 20 , wherein the tray transportation guide mechanism comprises at least one guide flange for slidably engaging the respective at least one slotted rail.  
     
     
         22 . A media storage device as recited in  claim 19 , further including a retaining mechanism for retaining the tray on the base.  
     
     
         23  A media storage device as recited in  claim 22 , wherein the retaining mechanism includes a slotted guide rail on the base.  
     
     
         24 . A media storage device as recited in  claim 22 , wherein the retaining mechanism includes a guide flange on the tray for slidably engaging the slotted guide rail on the base.  
     
     
         25 . A media storage device for storing a compact disk and a plurality of media, the media storage device comprising: 
 a tray including a bottom panel, a front wall, a back wall, and a pair of side walls;    a plurality of first tab pairs, each first tab pair forming and defining a seventh cavity for supporting a ZIP disk case; and    a plurality of second tab pairs, each second tab pair forming and defining an eighth cavity for supporting a compact disk case.