CD rack with multiple disc holders

Abstract

A high capacity motorized rack holds a plurality of jewel case enclosed CDs in holders flexibly inter-connectable with each other to form a rotatable continuous loop. The loop is rotatably retained within a vertical rack housing and is driven by a motor, disposed within the housing, under user control such that the loop is rotated until a desired CD is moved to the top region of the belt. A rack may hold two or more such loops of inter-connected holders. In one embodiment a holder retains a single jewel case, and comprises two independent loops that are rotated with a single motor. A preferred embodiment employs inter-connectable holders that each retain two jewel cases in a side-by-side configuration. A lamp and/or barcode scanner may be disposed on the housing for ease of CD selection. The housing base preferably is detached during shipping to permit transporting the rack in a smaller volume container. User control can include voice commands to direct loop rotation and speed.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A holder that can hold a bare CD and other like disk-shaped items and usable to create a continuous loop formed by interlocking adjacent such holders, the holder comprising: 
 a base having a holder engaging mechanism extending therefrom and said holder engaging mechanism adapted to engage an adjacent holder in order to form the continuous loop;    a sleeve extending from the base and adapted to receive a bare CD, wherein said sleeve includes first and second planar surfaces adapted to receive therebetween a bare CD; and    wherein said sleeve includes a member which is adapted to frictionally retain a bare CD.    
     
     
         2 . The holder of  claim 1  further including: 
 said sleeve includes a cut-out adapted to enable a user to grasp a bare CD to allow insertion and removal from the sleeve.  
 
     
     
         3 . The holder of  claim 1  further including: 
 said first and second planar surfaces having adjacent cut-outs adapted to enable a user to grasp a bare CD to allow insertion and removal from the sleeve.  
 
     
     
         4 . The holder of  claim 1  further including: 
 said sleeve including a half circle cut-out to enable a user to grasp a bare CD to allow insertion and removal from the sleeve.  
 
     
     
         5 . The holder of  claim 1  further including: 
 said sleeve including an end located distally from said base; and  
 said sleeve includes a cut-out adapted to enable a user to grasp a bare CD to allow insertion and removal from the sleeve, which cut out is located at said distal end.  
 
     
     
         6 . The holder of  claim 1  wherein said sleeve is less than half the thickness of a CD jewel case.  
     
     
         7 . The holder of  claim 1  wherein said sleeve is about half the thickness of a CD jewel case.  
     
     
         8 . The holder of  claim 1  wherein said member includes a finger.  
     
     
         9 . The holder of  claim 1  wherein said member includes a finger defined in said sleeve.  
     
     
         10 . The holder of  claim 1  including first and second edges that join the first and second planar surfaces; and 
 wherein said member is located in one of said edges.  
 
     
     
         11 . The holder of  claim 10  wherein said member includes a finger which extends along one of said first and second edges.  
     
     
         12 . The holder of  claim 11  wherein said finger is adapted to contact an edge of a bare CD in order to hold the bare CD in the sleeve.  
     
     
         13 . The holder of  claim 1  including a wipe adapted to wipe dust from a bare CD.  
     
     
         14 . The holder of  claim 13  wherein said wipe includes a felt wipe.  
     
     
         15 . The holder of  claim 1  including a first slot adapted to retain a bare CD, and a second slot adapted to retain printed literature.  
     
     
         16 . The holder of  claim 1  wherein said sleeve is transparent such that a bare CD can be viewed through said sleeve.  
     
     
         17 . The holder of  claim 15  wherein said sleeve is transparent such that printed literature can be viewed through said sleeve.  
     
     
         18 . The holder of  claim 1  wherein said holder engaging mechanism includes: 
 a first holder-engaging mechanism;  
 a second holder-engaging mechanism; and  
 wherein said first holder-engaging mechanism on said holder is adapted to interlock with a second holder-engaging mechanism of a second said holder, and said second holder-engaging mechanism on said holder is adapted to interlock with a first holder-engaging mechanism on a third holder to form a continuous loop.  
 
     
     
         19 . The holder of  claim 1  wherein said holder engaging mechanism includes: 
 a first holder-engaging mechanism, which is a male mechanism;  
 a second holder-engaging mechanism, which is a female mechanism.  
 
     
     
         20 . The holder of  claim 1  wherein said holder engaging mechanism includes: 
 a first holder-engaging mechanism;  
 a second holder-engaging mechanism; and  
 wherein said first holder-engaging mechanism on said holder is adapted to nest in a second holder-engaging mechanism of a second said holder, and said second holder-engaging mechanism on said holder is adapted to have a first holder-engaging mechanism on a third holder nest in the second holder-engaging mechanism said holder to form a continuous loop.  
 
     
     
         21 . The holder of  claim 1  wherein said holder engaging mechanism includes: 
 a first holder-engaging mechanism with a slot located adjacent thereto;  
 a second holder-engaging mechanism having a distal end, which distal end is shaped in order to be received in said slot; and  
 wherein said first holder-engaging mechanism on said holder is adapted to interlock with a second holder-engaging mechanism of a second said holder, and said second holder-engaging mechanism on said holder is adapted to interlock with a first holder-engaging mechanism on a third holder to form a continuous loop; and  
 wherein the distal end of the second holder-engaging mechanism of the second said holder can pass through said slot located adjacent to the first holder-engaging mechanism of said holder to which the second holder-engaging mechanism is inserted to allow the second said holder to spread apart from said holder.  
 
     
     
         22 . A rack that is adapted to retain and rotate a plurality of bare CDs, the rack comprising: 
 a continuous loop formed from a plurality of interlocked holders, each holder including: 
 a base having a holder engaging mechanism extending therefrom and said holder engaging mechanism engages an adjacent holder in order to form the continuous loop;  
 a sleeve extending from the base and adapted to receive a bare CD, wherein said sleeve includes first and second planar surfaces adapted to receive therebetween a bare CD; and  
 wherein said sleeve includes a member which is adapted to frictionally retain a bare CD; and  
 wherein a holder engaging mechanism of a first holder nests in a holder engaging mechanism of an adjacent holder;  
   a motor that can rotate said loop;    a sprocket that is driven by said motor;    said sprocket including a plurality of teeth with spaces located between said teeth; and    wherein said holder engaging mechanism of said first holder nested in a holder engaging mechanism of an adjacent holder can be positioned in a space between said teeth as the holders engage the sprocket in order to spread the holders apart.    
     
     
         23 . The holder of  claim 22  further including: 
 said sleeve includes a cut-out adapted to enable a user to grasp a bare CD to allow insertion and removal from the sleeve.  
 
     
     
         24 . The holder of  claim 22  further including: 
 said first and second planar surfaces having adjacent cut-outs adapted to enable a user to grasp a bare CD to allow insertion and removal from the sleeve.  
 
     
     
         25 . The holder of  claim 22  further including: 
 said sleeve including a half circle cut-out to enable a user to grasp a bare CD to allow insertion and removal from the sleeve.  
 
     
     
         26 . The holder of  claim 22  further including: 
 said sleeve including an end located distally from said base; and  
 said sleeve includes a cut-out adapted to enable a user to grasp a bare CD to allow insertion and removal from the sleeve, which cut out is located at said distal end.  
 
     
     
         27 . The holder of  claim 22  wherein said sleeve is less than half the thickness of a CD jewel case.  
     
     
         28 . The holder of  claim 22  wherein said sleeve is about half the thickness of a CD jewel case.  
     
     
         29 . The holder of  claim 22  wherein said member includes a finger.  
     
     
         30 . The holder of  claim 22  wherein said member includes a finger defined in said sleeve.  
     
     
         31 . The holder of  claim 22  including first and second edges that join the first and second planar surfaces; and 
 wherein said member is located in one of said edges.  
 
     
     
         32 . The holder of  claim 31  wherein said member includes a finger which extends along one of said first and second edges.  
     
     
         33 . The holder of  claim 32  wherein said finger is adapted to contact an edge of a bare CD in order to hold the bare CD in the sleeve.  
     
     
         34 . The holder of  claim 22  including a wipe adapted to wipe dust from a bare CD.  
     
     
         35 . The holder of  claim 34  wherein said wipe includes a felt wipe.  
     
     
         36 . The holder of  claim 22  including a first slot adapted to retain a bare CD, and a second slot adapted to retain printed literature.  
     
     
         37 . The holder of  claim 22  wherein said sleeve is transparent such that a bare CD can be viewed through said sleeve.  
     
     
         38 . The holder of  claim 36  wherein said sleeve is transparent such that printed literature can be viewed through said sleeve.  
     
     
         39 . The holder of  claim 22  wherein said holder engaging mechanism includes: 
 a first holder-engaging mechanism;  
 a second holder-engaging mechanism; and  
 wherein said first holder-engaging mechanism on said holder is adapted to interlock with a second holder-engaging mechanism of a second said holder, and said second holder-engaging mechanism on said holder is adapted to interlock with a first holder-engaging mechanism on a third holder to form a continuous loop.  
 
     
     
         40 . The holder of  claim 22  wherein said holder engaging mechanism includes: 
 a first holder-engaging mechanism, which is a male mechanism;  
 a second holder-engaging mechanism, which is a female mechanism.  
 
     
     
         41 . The holder of  claim 22  wherein said holder engaging mechanism includes: 
 a first holder-engaging mechanism;  
 a second holder-engaging mechanism; and  
 wherein said first holder-engaging mechanism on said holder is adapted to nest in a second holder-engaging mechanism of a second said holder, and said second holder-engaging mechanism on said holder is adapted to have a first holder-engaging mechanism on a third holder nest in the second holder-engaging mechanism said holder to form a continuous loop.  
 
     
     
         42 . The holder of  claim 22  wherein said holder engaging mechanism includes: 
 a first holder-engaging mechanism with a slot located adjacent thereto;  
 a second holder-engaging mechanism having a distal end, which distal end is shaped in order to be received in said slot; and  
 wherein said first holder-engaging mechanism on said holder is adapted to interlock with a second holder-engaging mechanism of a second said holder, and said second holder-engaging mechanism on said holder is adapted to interlock with a first holder-engaging mechanism on a third holder to form a continuous loop; and  
 wherein the distal end of the second holder-engaging mechanism of the second said holder can pass through said slot located adjacent to the first holder-engaging mechanism of said holder to which the second holder-engaging mechanism is inserted to allow the second said holder to spread apart from said holder.  
 
     
     
         43 . A holder that can hold a bare CD and other like disk-shaped items and usable to create a continuous loop formed by interlocking adjacent such holders, the holder comprising: 
 a base having a holder engaging mechanism extending therefrom and said holder engaging mechanism adapted to engage an adjacent holder in order to form the continuous loop; and    a sleeve extending from the base and adapted to receive a bare CD, wherein said sleeve includes first and second planar surfaces adapted to receive therebetween a bare CD.    
     
     
         44 . The holder of  claim 43  further including: 
 said sleeve includes a cut-out adapted to enable a user to grasp a bare CD to allow insertion and removal from the sleeve.  
 
     
     
         45 . The holder of  claim 43  further including: 
 said first and second planar surfaces having adjacent cut-outs adapted to enable a user to grasp a bare CD to allow insertion and removal from the sleeve.  
 
     
     
         46 . The holder of  claim 43  further including: 
 said sleeve including a half circle cut-out to enable a user to grasp a bare CD to allow insertion and removal from the sleeve.  
 
     
     
         47 . The holder of  claim 43  further including: 
 said sleeve including an end located distally from said base; and  
 said sleeve includes a cut-out adapted to enable a user to grasp a bare CD to allow insertion and removal from the sleeve, which cut out is located at said distal end.  
 
     
     
         48 . The holder of  claim 43  wherein said sleeve is less than half the thickness of a CD jewel case.  
     
     
         49 . The holder of  claim 43  wherein said sleeve is about half the thickness of a CD jewel case.  
     
     
         50 . The holder of  claim 43  wherein said member includes a finger.  
     
     
         51 . The holder of  claim 43  wherein said member includes a finger defined in said sleeve.  
     
     
         52 . The holder of  claim 43  including a wipe adapted to wipe dust from a bare CD.  
     
     
         53 . The holder of  claim 52  wherein said wipe includes a felt wipe.  
     
     
         54 . The holder of  claim 43  including a first slot adapted to retain a bare CD, and a second slot adapted to retain printed literature.  
     
     
         55 . The holder of  claim 43  wherein said sleeve is transparent such that a bare CD can be viewed through said sleeve.  
     
     
         56 . The holder of  claim 54  wherein said sleeve is transparent such that printed literature can be viewed through said sleeve.  
     
     
         57 . The holder of  claim 43  wherein said holder engaging mechanism includes: 
 a first holder-engaging mechanism;  
 a second holder-engaging mechanism; and  
 wherein said first holder-engaging mechanism on said holder is adapted to interlock with a second holder-engaging mechanism of a second said holder, and said second holder-engaging mechanism on said holder is adapted to interlock with a first holder-engaging mechanism on a third holder to form a continuous loop.  
 
     
     
         58 . The holder of  claim 43  wherein said holder engaging mechanism includes: 
 a first holder-engaging mechanism, which is a male mechanism;  
 a second holder-engaging mechanism, which is a female mechanism.  
 
     
     
         59 . The holder of  claim 43  wherein said holder engaging mechanism includes: 
 a first holder-engaging mechanism;  
 a second holder-engaging mechanism; and  
 wherein said first holder-engaging mechanism on said holder is adapted to nest in a second holder-engaging mechanism of a second said holder, and said second holder-engaging mechanism on said holder is adapted to have a first holder-engaging mechanism on a third holder nest in the second holder-engaging mechanism said holder to form a continuous loop.  
 
     
     
         60 . The holder of  claim 43  wherein said holder engaging mechanism includes: 
 a first holder-engaging mechanism with a slot located adjacent thereto;  
 a second holder-engaging mechanism having a distal end, which distal end is shaped in order to be received in said slot; and  
 wherein said first holder-engaging mechanism on said holder is adapted to interlock with a second holder-engaging mechanism of a second said holder, and said second holder-engaging mechanism on said holder is adapted to interlock with a first holder-engaging mechanism on a third holder to form a continuous loop; and  
 wherein the distal end of the second holder-engaging mechanism of the second said holder can pass through said slot located adjacent to the first holder-engaging mechanism of said holder to which the second holder-engaging mechanism is inserted to allow the second said holder to spread apart from said holder.  
 
     
     
         61 . A holder that can hold a bare CD and other like disk-shaped items and usable to create a continuous loop formed by interlocking adjacent such holders, the holder comprising: 
 a base having a holder engaging mechanism extending therefrom and said holder engaging mechanism adapted to engage an adjacent holder in order to form the continuous loop;    a sleeve extending from the base and adapted to receive a bare CD; and    wherein said sleeve includes a member which is adapted to frictionally retain a bare CD.    
     
     
         62 . The holder of  claim 61  further including: 
 said sleeve includes a cut-out adapted to enable a user to grasp a bare CD to allow insertion and removal from the sleeve.  
 
     
     
         63 . The holder of  claim 61  further including: 
 said sleeve including a half circle cut-out to enable a user to grasp a bare CD to allow insertion and removal from the sleeve.  
 
     
     
         64 . The holder of  claim 61  further including: 
 said sleeve including an end located distally from said base; and  
 said sleeve includes a cut-out adapted to enable a user to grasp a bare CD to allow insertion and removal from the sleeve, which cut out is located at said distal end.  
 
     
     
         65 . The holder of  claim 61  wherein said sleeve is less than half the thickness of a CD jewel case.  
     
     
         66 . The holder of  claim 61  wherein said sleeve is about half the thickness of a CD jewel case.  
     
     
         67 . The holder of  claim 61  wherein said member includes a finger.  
     
     
         68 . The holder of  claim 61  wherein said member includes a finger defined in said sleeve.  
     
     
         69 . The holder of  claim 61  wherein said member includes a finger, the finger adapted to contact an edge of a bare CD in order to hold the bare CD in the sleeve.  
     
     
         70 . The holder of  claim 61  including a wipe adapted to wipe dust from a bare CD.  
     
     
         71 . The holder of  claim 70  wherein said wipe includes a felt wipe.  
     
     
         72 . The holder of  claim 61  including a first slot adapted to retain a bare CD, and a second slot adapted to retain printed literature.  
     
     
         73 . The holder of  claim 61  wherein said sleeve is transparent such that a bare CD can be viewed through said sleeve.  
     
     
         74 . The holder of  claim 72  wherein said sleeve is transparent such that printed literature can be viewed through said sleeve.  
     
     
         75 . The holder of  claim 61  wherein said holder engaging mechanism includes: 
 a first holder-engaging mechanism;  
 a second holder-engaging mechanism; and  
 wherein said first holder-engaging mechanism on said holder is adapted to interlock with a second holder-engaging mechanism of a second said holder, and said second holder-engaging mechanism on said holder is adapted to interlock with a first holder-engaging mechanism on a third holder to form a continuous loop.  
 
     
     
         76 . The holder of  claim 61  wherein said holder engaging mechanism includes: 
 a first holder-engaging mechanism, which is a male mechanism;  
 a second holder-engaging mechanism, which is a female mechanism.  
 
     
     
         77 . The holder of  claim 61  wherein said holder engaging mechanism includes: 
 a first holder-engaging mechanism;  
 a second holder-engaging mechanism; and  
 wherein said first holder-engaging mechanism on said holder is adapted to nest in a second holder-engaging mechanism of a second said holder, and said second holder-engaging mechanism on said holder is adapted to have a first holder-engaging mechanism on a third holder nest in the second holder-engaging mechanism said holder to form a continuous loop.  
 
     
     
         78 . The holder of  claim 61  wherein said holder engaging mechanism includes: 
 a first holder-engaging mechanism with a slot located adjacent thereto;  
 a second holder-engaging mechanism having a distal end, which distal end is shaped in order to be received in said slot; and  
 wherein said first holder-engaging mechanism on said holder is adapted to interlock with a second holder-engaging mechanism of a second said holder, and said second holder-engaging mechanism on said holder is adapted to interlock with a first holder-engaging mechanism on a third holder to form a continuous loop; and  
 wherein the distal end of the second holder-engaging mechanism of the second said holder can pass through said slot located adjacent to the first holder-engaging mechanism of said holder to which the second holder-engaging mechanism is inserted to allow the second said holder to spread apart from said holder.