Media storage and organization system

Abstract

A media storage and organization system is comprised of a durable enclosure and a plurality of inserts for holding photographs, negatives, digital computer disks, memory cards, slides, business cards, a calendar, and the like. Inserts are attached to the enclosure by means of a mounting rail, which is integral to a hinge used for connecting a top and bottom covers that form said enclosure.

1 . A storage system comprising 
 an enclosure comprising a plurality of sides, one of said sides being openable, so as to provide access to the interior of said enclosure, and closeable, so as to prevent access to said interior,    a mechanism for attaching at least one insert within said enclosure,    one or more inserts, each for holding at least one medium selected from the group consisting of 
 a label,  
 an index print,  
 a photograph,  
 a digital computer disk,  
 a photographic negative,  
 a photographic slide,  
 a business card,  
 a memory card for a digital recording device,  
 a one tape-based storage medium, and  
 a sheet of paper.  
   
     
     
         2 . The storage system of  claim 1  wherein said insert is detachably attached to said enclosure.  
     
     
         3 . The storage system in  claim 1  wherein said enclosure has a label visible from the exterior.  
     
     
         4 . The storage system in  claim 1  further including a latch mechanism for holding said one of said sides closed, said one of said sides being biased to open when said latch mechanism is released.  
     
     
         5 . The storage system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said mechanism is a mounting rail configured to allow said insert to be removably mounted to said mounting rail.  
     
     
         6 . The storage system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said one side of said enclosure consists of a top cover and wherein said enclosure has a bottom cover and a hinge connecting said top and bottom covers.  
     
     
         7 . The storage system as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein said hinge and at least one of said inserts are integral.  
     
     
         8 . The storage system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said insert is attached to said enclosure by multiple attachment points.  
     
     
         9 . The storage system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said enclosure is substantially constructed of material which inhibits the transmission of ultraviolet light to the interior.  
     
     
         10 . A protective enclosure for use with inserts for media, comprising 
 a top cover,    a bottom cover,    a hinge operatively coupling said top cover to said bottom cover for allowing said top cover and said bottom cover to pivot about each other along an edge axis for opening and closing said protective enclosure,    a mounting rail coupled to said hinge for mounting inserts within said enclosure, and    at least one of said inserts for holding media said insert being attached to said mounting rail.    
     
     
         11 . The protective enclosure of  claim 10  wherein said media is selected from the group consisting of photographs, digital computer disks, photographic negatives, photographic slides, business cards, memory cards for a digital recording device, a calendar, and tape-based storage media.  
     
     
         12 . The protective enclosure of  claim 10  wherein said protective enclosure has a label visible from the exterior.  
     
     
         13 . The storage system in  claim 1  further including a latch mechanism for holding said one of said sides closed, said one of said sides being biased to open when said latch mechanism is released.  
     
     
         14 . The protective enclosure of  claim 10  wherein said mounting rail is configured to allow said insert to be removably mounted to said mounting rail.  
     
     
         15 . The protective enclosure of  claim 10  wherein said mounting rail is shorter than said hinge, and operable within an area as defined by said top cover and said bottom cover when in a closed configuration.  
     
     
         16 . The protective enclosure of  claim 10  wherein said mounting rail is an elongated generally cylindrical body situated a predetermined distance from said hinge axis, said mounting rail being pivotable about said hinge axis and limited only by an area defined by said top and bottom cover assemblies.  
     
     
         17 . The protective enclosure of  claim 10 , wherein said hinge further comprises a hinge pin, said hinge pin being inserted into hinge knuckles of said top cover, said bottom cover, and said mounting rail to operatively allow said top cover, said bottom cover, and said mounting rail to pivot about an axis defined by said hinge pin.  
     
     
         18 . The protective enclosure of  claim 10  wherein said hinge and said insert are integral.  
     
     
         19 . The protective enclosure of  claim 10  wherein said top and bottom covers are made from material which inhibits the transmission of ultraviolet light to the interior of said protective enclosure.