Multi-position media display frame with movable media

Abstract

A frame for displaying media in more than one viewing positions and for storing additional media within the frame. The media is stored in stacks with the end piece of media viewable through an opening in the frame. Media can be moved from the end of one stack to the adjacent end of another by sliding movement within the frame. Both ends of the stacks are available, allowing the media to be cycled through the stacks, making each item of media available for viewing. Preferably, the media is carried in caddies, with an item of media visible from each face of the caddy. Also preferably, a removable spacer separate the faceplates and can be interchanged with spacers of different thickness to adjust the capacity of the frame. An optional gate between the stacks restricts movement to a single caddy at a time and an optional loading slot allows caddies to be inserted or removed without opening the frame.

I claim:  
     
         1 ) A media display frame having at least one viewing position and internal storage for additional items of media, comprising: 
 (a) a first faceplate defining a first of said viewing positions, comprising an opening defined in said first faceplate;    (b) a second opposing, faceplate, aligned with and parallel and connected to said first faceplate; whereby said faceplates define an internal cavity therebetween;    (c) a first pressure plate within said cavity, connected to one of said faceplates substantially aligned with said first viewing position; and    (d) first spring means for urging said first pressure plate toward the opposite of said faceplates;    whereby the media items are captured within said cavity by said first pressure plate in a first stack with the media item nearest said first faceplate visible through said first viewing position opening.    
     
     
         2 ) The media display frame of  claim 1  wherein: 
 (a) said first faceplate defines a second viewing position, comprising an opening defined in said first faceplate, adjacent said first viewing position;  
 (b) said frame comprises: 
 (i) a second pressure plate within said cavity, connected to one of said faceplates substantially aligned with said second viewing position; and  
 (ii) second spring means for urging said second pressure plate toward the opposite of said faceplates;  
 whereby additional media items are captured within said cavity by said second pressure plate in a second stack with the media item nearest said first faceplate visible through said second viewing position opening; and  
 
 (c) media items are movable between said stacks by sliding within said frame.  
 
     
     
         3 ) The media display frame of  claim 2  further comprising gate means positioned within said cavity, between said stacks, which limits said media movement to a single item of media.  
     
     
         4 ) The media display frame of  claim 2  wherein: 
 (a) said first pressure plate is connected to said first faceplate and said first spring means urges said first pressure plate toward said second faceplate;  
 (b) said second faceplate defines a third viewing position, comprising an opening defined in said second faceplate, substantially aligned with said first viewing position; and  
 (c) said frame comprises: 
 (i) a third pressure plate connected to said second faceplate substantially aligned with said third viewing position; and  
 (iii) third spring means for urging said third pressure plate toward said first faceplate  
 whereby said media items in said first stack are captured between said first and third pressure plates with the media item nearest said second faceplate visible through said third viewing position opening.  
 
 
     
     
         5 ) The media display frame of  claim 2  further comprising a spacer, having a thickness, interposed between and connected to said faceplates, whereby said faceplates and said spacer define said internal cavity having a depth at least equal to said spacer thickness, and at least partially bounded by said spacer;  
     
     
         6 ) The media display frame of  claim 5  wherein said spacer is removably connected to said faceplates whereby said spacer is replaceable by a second spacer having a different thickness to alter said cavity depth.  
     
     
         7 ) The media display frame of  claim 6  wherein said spacer encloses said cavity on all sides and defines a loading slot, through said spacer, communicating with said cavity, through which one or more items of media can be inserted into said first stack.  
     
     
         8 ) The media display frame of  claim 2  further comprising plural caddies, within said cavity, each adapted to hold at least one item of media, each of the media items is contained within one of said caddies, and said movement of media between said stacks is achieved by moving caddies.  
     
     
         9 ) The media display frame of  claim 8  further comprising gate means positioned within said frame, between said stacks, which limits said movement to a single caddy.  
     
     
         10 ) The media display frame of  claim 8  further comprising a spacer, having a thickness, interposed between and removably connected to said faceplates, whereby: 
 (a) said faceplates and said spacer define said internal cavity having a depth at least equal to said spacer thickness, and at least partially bounded by said spacer; and  
 (b) said spacer is replaceable by a second spacer having a different thickness to alter said cavity depth.  
 
     
     
         11 ) The media display frame of  claim 10  wherein said spacer encloses said cavity on all sides and defines a loading slot, through said spacer, communicating with said cavity, through which no more than one caddy can be inserted into one of said stacks.  
     
     
         12 ) The media display frame of  claim 10  wherein said spacer defines a loading slot, through said spacer, communicating with said cavity, through which one or more caddies can be inserted into and removed from one of said stacks and said frame further comprises a retaining mechanism to selectably block at least a part of said loading slot, whereby caddies can not pass through said loading slot.  
     
     
         13 ) The media display frame of  claim 12  wherein each of said caddies defines a slot which cooperates with said retaining mechanism to allow said caddies to be partially withdrawn through said loading slot.  
     
     
         14 ) The media display frame of  claim 8  wherein each of said caddies has a first edge positioned in the direction of said movement between stacks, comprising a first beveled surface and a second, opposite, edge comprising a second beveled surface, said first and second beveled surfaces adapted to cooperate to direct a moving caddy past a stationary caddy.  
     
     
         15 ) The media display frame of  claim 14  wherein said pressure plates each has a beveled edge adapted to cooperate with said first beveled edge on said caddies to direct a moving caddy between said pressure plate and the associated stack.  
     
     
         16 ) The media display frame of  claim 8  wherein said first faceplate further defines an access slot through said first faceplate, aligned with one edge of said caddies in said stacks, whereby said caddies can be manipulated through said access slot to accomplish said movement between stacks.  
     
     
         17 ) The media display frame of  claim 8  wherein said second faceplate defines at least one mounting slot adapted to receive a mounting device for supporting said display frame.  
     
     
         18 ) A media display frame having plural viewing positions and internal storage for additional media, comprising: 
 (a) a first faceplate defining first and second adjacent viewing positions, each comprising an opening defined in said first faceplate;    (b) a second faceplate, aligned with and parallel to said first faceplate, defining a third viewing position, comprising an opening defined in said second faceplate, substantially aligned with said first viewing position;    (c) a spacer, having a thickness, interposed between and removably connected to said first and second faceplates, whereby said faceplates and said spacer define an internal cavity having a depth at least equal to said spacer thickness, and at least partially bounded by said spacer and whereby said spacer is replaceable by a second spacer having a different thickness to alter said cavity depth;    (d) plural pressure plates within said cavity, each connected to one of said faceplates, and substantially aligned with at least one of said viewing positions;    (e) spring means connected to and urging said pressure plates inward; and    (f) plural caddies, positioned within said cavity, each adapted to hold at least one item of media;    whereby some of the caddies are captured within said cavity in a first stack between two of said pressure plates with the caddy nearest said first faceplate visible through said first viewing position opening and with the caddy nearest said second faceplate visible through said third viewing position opening;    whereby some of the caddies are captured within said cavity in a second stack by two of said pressure plates with the caddy nearest said first faceplate visible through said second viewing position opening; and    whereby the caddies are movable between said stacks by sliding within said frame.    
     
     
         19 ) The media display frame of  claim 18  further comprising gate means positioned within said frame, between said stacks, which limits said movement to a single caddy.  
     
     
         20 ) The media display frame of  claim 18  wherein said spacer encloses said cavity on all sides and defines a loading slot, through said spacer, communicating with said cavity, through which no more than one caddy can be inserted into one and removed from one of said stacks and said frame further comprises a retaining mechanism to selectably prevent caddies from passing through said loading slot.  
     
     
         21 ) The media display frame of  claim 18  further comprising at least one sleeve adapted to receive an item of media and adapted to be received by one of said caddies.  
     
     
         22 ) A media display frame having one viewing position and internal storage for additional items of media, comprising: 
 (a) a first faceplate defining said viewing position, comprising an opening defined in said first faceplate;    (b) a second opposing, faceplate, aligned with and parallel and connected to said first faceplate; whereby said faceplates define an internal cavity therebetween;    (c) a first pressure plate within said cavity, connected to one of said faceplates substantially aligned with said first viewing position;    (d) first spring means for urging said first pressure plate toward the opposite of said faceplates;    (e) a second pressure plate within said cavity, connected to one of said faceplates; and    (f) second spring means for urging said second pressure plate toward the opposite of said faceplates;    whereby: some of the media items are captured within said cavity in a first stack by said first pressure plate with the media item nearest said first faceplate visible through said first viewing position opening; some of the media items are captured within said cavity in a second stack by said second pressure plate; and the media items are movable between said stacks by sliding within said frame.