Method and system for storing audio, video or computer data media

Abstract

A method and system for storing audio, video or computer data media is described. In one implementation, a storage system has a support structure with a first rail and a second rail that are oriented substantially parallel to one another, a carrier having a first attachment member, a second attachment member, a first channel and a second channel. The first rail engages the carrier at the first channel and the second rail engages the carrier at the second channel. Also, a plurality of sleeves are included, in which each sleeve comprises an edge having a first cutout and a second cutout, wherein the first attachment member engages each of the sleeves at the first cutouts of their respective edges, and wherein the second attachment member engages each of the sleeves at the second cutouts of their respective edges.

1 . A storage system for audio, video or computer data media, the system comprising: 
 a support structure comprising a first rail and a second rail, the first rail, and the second rail being oriented substantially parallel to one another;    a carrier comprising a first attachment member and a second attachment member, the carrier having a first channel and a second channel, wherein the first rail engages the carrier at the first channel and the second rail engages the carrier at the second channel; and    a plurality of sleeves, each sleeve comprising an edge having a first cutout and a second cutout, wherein the first attachment member engages each of the sleeves at the first cutouts of their respective edges, and wherein the second attachment member engages each of the sleeves at the second cutouts of their respective edges.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , 
 wherein the support structure has a channel defined between the first and second rails, the channel being substantially parallel to the first and second rails, and    wherein the carrier further comprises a tongue that extends into the groove.    
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier further comprises a generally U-shaped body comprising a first side panel, a second side panel, and a base, wherein 
 the first side panel has an inner surface, and an outer surface,    the second side panel has an inner surface and an outer surface,    the base has an inner surface and an outer surface, and    the inner surfaces of the first side panel, second side panel, and base define a main cavity.    
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the first attachment member is connected at one end to the inner surface of the first side panel, extends through the main cavity, and is connected at its other end to the inner surface of the second side panel.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the second attachment member is connected at one end to the inner surface of the first side panel, extends through the main cavity, and is connected at its other end to the inner surface of the second side panel at the second convex portion.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the first side panel has a first portion that is convex with respect to the base and a second portion that is convex with respect to the base, and a portion that is concave with respect to the base, 
 and wherein the second side panel has a first portion that is convex with respect to the base, a second portion that is convex with respect to the base, and a portion that is concave with respect to the base.    
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the first attachment member is connected at one end to the inner surface of the first side panel at its first convex portion, extends through the main cavity, and is connected at its other end to the inner surface of the second side panel at its first convex portion, 
 and wherein the second attachment member is connected at one end to the inner surface of the first side panel at its second convex portion, extends through the main cavity, and is connected at its other end to the inner surface of the second side panel at its second convex portion.    
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first attachment member has a substantially flat top surface and at least two curved lateral surfaces, 
 and wherein, the second attachment member has a substantially flat top surface, and at least two curved lateral surfaces.    
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the first side panel transitions into the base via a series of curved transition regions, 
 wherein, between two of the transition regions of the first side panel, the first side panel has a tongue,    wherein the second side panel transitions into the base via a series of curved transition regions.    
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the first side panel has a first cutout defined by a substantially U-shaped edge and a second cutout defined by a substantially U-shaped edge, 
 wherein the second side panel of the generally U-shaped body has a first cutout defined by a substantially U-shaped edge, and a second cutout defined by a substantially U-shaped edge.    
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the base of the substantially U-shaped body has a first cutout defined by two lateral, substantially U-shaped edges, and a second cutout defined by two lateral, substantially U-shaped edges, 
 wherein the first cutout of the first side panel, the first cutout of the base, and the first cutout of the second side panel define the first channel, and    wherein the second cutout of the first side panel, the second cutout of the base, and the second cutout of the second side panel define the second channel.    
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein when the plurality of sleeves is engaged to the carrier the system has a generally straight profile, in which the plurality of sleeves is generally parallel to one another.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier is one of a plurality of carriers, each of which is attached to the first and second rails, and each of which has a plurality of sleeves attached thereto.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein, in addition to the carriers being attached to the first and second rails, a standalone sleeve is attached directly to the first and second rails via cutouts on the edge of the sleeve.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the base and the first side panel are connected to one another via a first live hinge, and wherein the base and the first side panel are connected to one another via a second live hinge.  
   
   
       16 . A system for storing audio, video or computer data media, the system comprising: 
 a unitary body comprising a first rail, a second rail, a first substantially flat upper surface, a second substantially flat upper surface, and a third substantially flat upper surface, wherein 
 the first rail has an inner lateral surface and an outer lateral surface,  
 the second rail has an inner lateral surface and an outer lateral surface,  
 the first substantially flat upper surface transitions into the second substantially flat upper surface via a first substantially vertical surface and a first lip,  
 the third substantially flat upper surface transitions into the second substantially flat upper surface via a second substantially vertical surface and a second lip,  
 the inner lateral surface of the first rail, the first substantially flat upper surface, the first substantially vertical surface, and the first lip define a first channel,  
 and the inner lateral surface of the second rail, the third substantially flat upper surface, the second substantially vertical surface, and the second lip define a second channel,  
   a carrier comprising a support structure, a the carrier having a first tongue that extends into the first channel and a second tongue that extends into the second channel, the carrier further comprising a first lip that engages the first lip of the unitary body, and a second lip that engages the second lip of the unitary body, wherein the first tongue and the first lip of the carrier are oriented substantially perpendicular to one another, and the second tongue and the second lip of the carrier are oriented substantially perpendicular to one another, the carrier further having a first channel and a second channel, each of which extends through the carrier,    wherein the first rail engages the carrier at the first channel of the carrier, and wherein the second rail engages the carrier at the second channel of the carrier; and    a plurality of substantially flat items, each of the plurality having a cutout at least one of its edges, wherein each of the substantially flat items engages the support structure of the carrier at the cutout.    
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the carrier squeeze fits onto the unitary body.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the lips of the carrier and the lips of the unitary body engage in an interference fit.  
   
   
       19 . A method for organizing audio, video or computer data media, the method comprising 
 storing a first set of substantially flat video or audio data products in a first plurality of sleeves;    storing a second set of substantially flat video or audio data products in a second plurality of sleeves, wherein each sleeve of the first and second plurality of sleeves comprises an edge having a first cutout and a second cutout,    attaching the first plurality of sleeves to a first carrier;    attaching the second plurality of sleeves to a second carrier, 
 wherein each of the first and second carriers comprises a first support bar, a second support bar and has a first channel and a second channel,  
 wherein, for each of the respective first and second carriers, the first support bar engages each of the sleeves of the respective first and second plurality of sleeves at the first cutouts of their respective edges, and wherein the second support bar engages each of the sleeves of the respective first and second plurality of sleeves at the second cutouts of their respective edges; and  
   attaching the first and second carriers to a storage system comprising a base comprising a first rail and a second rail, the first rail, and the second rail being oriented substantially parallel to one another, wherein the first rail engages the carrier at the first channel and the second rail engages the carrier at the second channel.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising removing the second carrier from the storage system and attaching it to a wallet, the wallet comprising a base comprising a first rail and a second rail, the first rail, and the second rail being oriented substantially parallel to one another, wherein the first rail engages the carrier at the first channel and the second rail engages the carrier at the second channel.