Space-saving compact disk holder

Abstract

A space-saving compact disk holder holds compact disks in thin, transparent sheaths without jewel cases. Each compact disk fits in a sheath that is connected to a stack segment by a connector. The stack segments have annular bodies that rotate about a common axis. In one embodiment, the stack segments are modular and interlock with one another. In another embodiment, a shaft passes through an axial core of each stack segment, such that the stack segments form a column. The stack segments rotate about a common axis such that compact disks above a selected compact disk can be moved out of the way to view and/or remove the selected compact disk from the column. The compact disk holder is a base for a desk lamp.

1 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a stack segment, the stack segment having an annular body and an axial core;    a sheath, the sheath having a large pocket, the large pocket being approximately as large as a compact disc; and    a connector, the connector having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end connected to the sheath and the proximal end connected to the stack segment.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sheath is adapted to receive and retain a compact disk.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the connector is detachably connected to the sheath, wherein the sheath has a small pocket, and wherein the distal end of the connector fits into the small pocket.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the connector is detachably connected to the stack segment, wherein the stack segment has a female coupling, and wherein the proximal end of the connector fits into the female coupling.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the connector is detachably connected to the stack segment, the stack segment having an outer circumferential grove, the proximal end of the connector having an open-ring coupling, the open-ring coupling snapping into the outer circumferential grove and wrapping more than halfway around the outer circumferential groove.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the axial core of the stack segment has an axis, wherein the sheath is approximately planar, and wherein the axis of the axial core is approximately orthogonal to the sheath.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a second stack segment having a second annular body and a second axial core, the axial core of the first-mentioned stack segment being aligned with the second axial core such that the second stack segment is rotatable relative to the first-mentioned stack segment about the axial core.    
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the second stack segment is stacked on the first-mentioned stack segment to form a column of stack segments.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein a lamp is disposed atop the column of stack segments.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising: 
 a shaft, the shaft passing through the axial core of the first-mentioned stack segment and the second axial core.    
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sheath is formed of clear plastic.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the connector is a flat, hard piece of plastic.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the stack segment and the connector are integrally formed.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sheath and the connector are integrally formed.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sheath includes a rigid surface upon which the compact disc rests.  
   
   
       16 . A method, comprising: 
 (a) stacking a first stack segment on a second stack segment to form a column of stack segments, wherein the first stack segment has a first annular body and a first axial core and the second stack segment has a second annular body and a second axial core, the first axial core being aligned with the second axial core such that the second stack segment is rotatable relative to the first stack segment about the first axial core; and    (b) connecting a compact disk to the first stack segment such that the compact disk is substantially orthogonal to the first axial core.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 (c) inserting a shaft through the first axial core and the second axial core such that the first stack segment and the second stack segment are rotatable about the shaft.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 (c) placing a lamp atop the column of stack segments.    
   
   
       19 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a plurality of modular stack segments, each of said plurality of modular stack segments rotatable about a central axis; and    means for attaching a plurality of compact disks to the plurality of modular stack segments, each of said plurality of compact disks having a thickness and being orthogonal to the central axis, each of said plurality of compact disks being separated in a dimension of the central axis from another of said plurality of compact disks by less than four times the thickness.    
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the means employs a sheath.