Pivotable disc holder

Abstract

The present invention relates to a disc storage device with a horizontal base platform, which supports at least one platform support post rigidly attached to the base platform. The device also has rotatable disc-holding platforms with tubular spacers rotatably mounted on each post in a stacked spaced array. The stacked rotatable disc platforms rotate into a stacked storage array and pivot out of the array for easy access to and return of the discs. Each disc fits securely over a center post on the platform with the post friction fit into the center hole of the disc. More than one disc may be placed on each disc holding platform. The tubular spacers located between the disc platforms space apart the disc platforms to prevent the discs from contacting each other and contacting other disc holding platforms. The disc storage device may hold discs of different sizes.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A disc storage device for storing and retrieving flat circular discs with center openings having electronic information storage capability, the disc storage device comprising: 
 a horizontal base platform supporting at least one platform support post rigidly attached to the base platform;    a series of disc holding platforms each individually mounted by a pivotable means in a spaced stacked array along the length of the at least one platform support post, each of the disc holding platforms having at least one flat storage surface with at least one upwardly protruding disc support post, each of the disc holding platforms capable of pivoting out of the spaced stacked array for receiving at least one flat circular disc mounted thereon with the disc support post in a center opening of the flat circular disc and each of the disc holding platforms further capable pivoting back into the spaced stacked array for storage.    
     
     
         2 . The disc storage device of  claim 1  wherein each of the disc holding platforms has a platform opening therethrough capable of fitting on the at least one vertical post, the platform opening comprising the pivotable means.  
     
     
         3 . The disc storage device of  claim 2  wherein each of the disc holding platforms further comprises at least one vertical tubular extension attached to the disc holding platform in communication with the platform opening and the at least one tubular extension is capable of fitting pivotally over the at least one vertical post and the at least one vertical extension spaces each of the disc holding platforms apart from an adjacent disc holding platform.  
     
     
         4 . The disc storage device of  claim 3  wherein each of the disc holding platforms is formed of molded synthetic material with the at least one tubular extension formed in the molding process.  
     
     
         5 . The disc storage device of  claim 2  further comprising a series of tubular elements, each of the tubular elements capable of fitting pivotally over the at least one vertical post and each of the tubular elements positioned between two adjacent disc storage platforms to space apart the two adjacent disc storage platforms.  
     
     
         6 . The disc storage device of  claim 2  wherein each of the at least one flat storage surfaces comprises a smooth circular plane defining at least one outer portion of the disc holding platform with the at least one upwardly protruding disc support post in the center of the smooth circular plane, the smooth circular plane configured with a smaller diameter than the circular disc so that the circular disc protrudes beyond an outer edge of the disc holding platform and the circular disc is easily grasped and removed from the circular plane.  
     
     
         7 . The disc storage device of  claim 6  wherein the smooth circular plane comprises the main structure of the disc support platform and further comprising a protruding tab extending from the smooth circular plane, the protruding tab having the platform opening therethrough.  
     
     
         8 . The disc storage device of  claim 6  comprising two spaced apart smooth circular planes comprising the main structure of the disc support platform and further comprising a connecting tab between the two smooth circular planes, the connecting tab having the platform opening therethrough.  
     
     
         9 . The disc storage device of  claim 1  further comprising a cover means attached to a top end of the at least one platform support post to retain the series of disc holding platforms thereon.  
     
     
         10 . The disc storage device of  claim 9  wherein the cover means covers at least a portion of the series of the disc holding platforms in a stacked storage position, the cover means being configured to match the configuration of the horizontal base platform.