CD holder with CD engaging projections

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 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 . An object holder that can hold a compact disc jewel case or similar case and usable to create a continuous loop formed by interlocking adjacent such holders, the holder comprising: 
 a base having a holder-engaging mechanism to interlock adjacent holders;    first and second members disposed on the base and spaced apart a distance from each other and adapted to admit at least a portion of at least one object to be retained by the holder; and    at least one protrusion disposed on at least one of the first and second members such that the at least one protrusion is adapted to frictionally engage at least one depression on the case to be retained by the holder.    
     
     
         2 . An object holder that can hold a compact disc jewel case or similar case, comprising: 
 first and second members coupled to each other and spaced apart a distance from each other, wherein the first and second members are adapted to admit and retain at least a portion of at least one compact disc jewel case; and    at least one protrusion disposed on at least one of the first and second members such that said at least one protrusion is adapted to frictionally engage at least one depression on the at least one compact disc jewel case; and    wherein the at least one protrusion is at least partially rounded.    
     
     
         3 . An object holder usable to create a continuous loop formed by interlocking adjacent such holders, the holder comprising: 
 a base having a first holder-engaging mechanism with a slot located adjacent thereto and a second holder-engaging mechanism having a distal end, which distal end is shaped in order to be received in a slot of an adjacent holder;    first and second members disposed on the base and spaced apart a distance from each other and adapted to admit at least a portion of at least one object to be retained by the holder; and    at least one protrusion disposed on at least one of the first and second members such that the at least one protrusion is adapted to frictionally engage at least one object to be retained by the holder.