Display or storage unit

Abstract

A display or storage unit used to hold compact or laser disc cases, video or audio tapes or cassettes, or the like. The unit may be made from a number or modular units attached to each other. Each modular unit has a number of openings used to hold cases, tapes or cassettes. The openings may be angled to facilitate holding the cases, tapes, or cassettes in place. Apertures are provided in side portions, back portions, and top or bottom plates of the modular units, which allow the modular units to be attached to each other in order to build different configurations for the display or storage unit, or to be hung on a supporting structure such as a wall. Upright units formed by the modular units may be mounted on bases using bolts to fasten bottom plates of the units to the bases.

I claim: 
     
       1. A display or storage unit for selectively holding compact disc cases, tapes and cassettes, comprising a plurality of modular units removably attached together to form a desired configuration, each of said modular units including: side portions having apertures therein;   back portions;   spaced apart front portions forming openings adapted to selectively hold said cases, tapes and cassettes; and   top and bottom plates having apertures therein adapted so that said modular units may be removably attached to one another to form said desirable configuration, selectively using said apertures in said side portions and said apertures in said top and bottom plates.   
     
     
       2. The display or storage unit of claim 1 further comprising a base having apertures therein adapted so that said bottom plate of said modular unit may be removably attached to said base using said apertures of said bottom plates and said apertures of said base. 
     
     
       3. The display or storage unit of claim 1 wherein some of said openings vary is size. 
     
     
       4. The display or storage unit of claim 2 wherein two of said modular units each have one said bottom plate attached to said base. 
     
     
       5. The display or storage unit of claim 1 wherein said apertures of said top plates have internal threads therein, and said top plates have upward extensions, each of said upward extensions adapted to engage a corresponding one of said apertures of said bottom plates. 
     
     
       6. The display or storage unit of claim 1 further comprising bolts used to removably attach selected numbers of said modular units together. 
     
     
       7. The display or storage unit of claim 1 wherein said desirable configuration includes first and second upright units formed by said modular units, and at least one substantially horizontal unit formed by said modular units and mounted between and on said first and second upright units. 
     
     
       8. The display or storage unit of claim 7 further comprising a base attached to a bottom of each of said first and second upright units. 
     
     
       9. The display or storage unit of claim 1 wherein said desirable configuration includes first and second upright units formed by said modular units, and at least one substantially horizontal shelf mounted between and on said first and second upright units. 
     
     
       10. The display or storage unit of claim 1 wherein said desirable configuration includes a first upright unit formed by said modular units, a base attached to a bottom of said first upright unit, and a second upright unit formed by said modular units, said first and second upright units being attached together at sides thereof. 
     
     
       11. The display or storage unit of claim 1 further comprising a base, said desirable configuration including first and second upright units formed by said modular units, said first and second upright units being mounted on said base. 
     
     
       12. The display or storage unit of claim 1 wherein said desirable configuration includes first and second upright units formed by said modular units, and at least one other upright unit formed by said modular units and mounted between said first and second upright units. 
     
     
       13. A display or storage unit for selectively holding cases, tapes and cassettes, comprising a plurality of modular units removably attached together to form an upright unit, and a base, said upright unit being mounted on said base, each of said modular units having openings therein adapted to selectively hold said cases, tapes and cassettes, and top and bottom plates having apertures therein adapted so that said modular units may be removably attached to one another to form said upright unit. 
     
     
       14. The display or storage unit of claim 13 further comprising bolts used to removably attach said modular units together. 
     
     
       15. The display or storage unit of claim 14 wherein said apertures in said top plates include internal threads. 
     
     
       16. The display or storage unit of claim 15 wherein said top plates have upward extensions, each of said upward extensions adapted to engage a corresponding one of said apertures of said bottom plate. 
     
     
       17. A display or storage unit for selectively holding cases, tapes and cassettes, comprising a plurality of modular units removably attached together to form a desirable configuration, each of said modular units having openings therein adapted to selectively hold said cases, tapes and cassettes, and including: side portions having apertures therein;   top and bottom plates; and   means for removably attaching said modular units to one another to form said desirable configuration.   
     
     
       18. The display or storage unit of claim 17 wherein said means includes bolts. 
     
     
       19. The display or storage unit of claim 18 wherein said means further includes apertures in said bottom plates and upward extensions in said top plates, each of said upward extensions adapted to engage a corresponding one of said apertures in said bottom plates. 
     
     
       20. The display or storage unit of claim 17 wherein said openings are oriented at an angle. 
     
     
       21. A display or storage assembly for selectively holding rectangular compact disc cases, audio tapes or video cassettes, having predetermined dimensions, said assembly comprising: rear and side members forming pairs of substantially right angle corners spaced apart by a distance slightly more than one of said predetermined dimensions to receive the rear corners of said cases or cassettes;   means including a plurality of supports extending outwardly forwardly from said side members for spacing and supporting said cases or cassettes while leaving the front corners of said cassettes free for inserting or removing said cases or cassettes from said assembly; and   said supports having different spacings between adjacent supports to display or store said cases or cassettes of different types and thicknesses, said assembly including first and second units each including said rear and side members and said supports, with the first of said units having a first predetermined spacing between said supports for accommodating one type of said cases or cassettes, and the second of said units having a different spacing between said supports for accommodating a different type of said cases or cassettes; and means for removably securing said units together. . .22. A display or storage unit for selectively holding compact disc cases, tapes and cassettes, comprising a plurality of modular units used to form a desirable multi-unit configuration, and a base unit, sad desirable multi-unit configuration being mounted on said base unit, each of said modular units having openings, therein adapted to selectively hold said cases, tapes and cassettes, and means for removably attaching said modular units to at least one adjacent unit to form said desirable multi-unit configuration..!.. .23. The display or storage unit of claim 22 wherein said base includes means for securing to said base up to three of said   
     
     
        modular units..!..Iadd.24.  A display or storage unit for selectively holding compact disc cases, tapes and cassettes, comprising a plurality of modular units used to form a desirable multi-unit configuration, and a base unit, said desirable multi-unit configuration being mounted on said base unit, each of said modular units having openings therein adapted to selectively hold said case, tapes and cassettes, and means for removably attaching said modular units to at least one adjacent unit to form said desirable multi-unit configuration, wherein said base includes means for securing to said base up to three of said modular units. .Iaddend..Iadd.25. A display or storage unit for selectively holding compact disc cases, tapes or cassettes, comprising: a plurality of modular units used to form a desirable multi-unit configuration; at least one of said modular units is removably attachable to another of said modular units to form said desirable multi-unit configuration; a base unit on which said multi-unit configuration is mounted; each of said modular units having openings therein adapted to selectively hold the cases, tapes or cassettes; wherein one of said modular units includes a first attachment plate having an attachment aperture and another of said modular units includes a second attachment plate having an attachment extension engageable in said attachment aperture. .Iaddend..Iadd.26. The display or storage unit of claim 25 wherein said attachment extension comprises a fastener receiving sleeve. .Iaddend..Iadd.27. A display or storage unit for selectively holding compact disc cases, tapes or cassettes, comprising: a plurality of modular units used to form a desirable multi-unit configuration; at least one of said modular units is removably attachable to another of said modular units to form said desirable multi-unit configuration; a base unit on which said multi-unit configuration is mounted; each of said modular units having openings therein adapted to selectively hold the cases, tapes or cassettes;   wherein one of said modular units includes a pair of lengthwise side members and a plurality of parallel widthwise ribs extending between said side members and spaced from one another to define said openings thereof. .Iaddend..Iadd.28. The display or storage unit of claim 27 wherein said openings of said one of said modular units are configured to hold the cases, tapes or cassettes to slope downwardly and rearwardly relative to   
     
     
        said modular unit. .Iaddend..Iadd.29.  A display or storage unit for selectively holding compact disc cases, tapes or cassettes, comprising: a plurality of modular units used to form a desirable multi-unit configuration; at least one of said modular units is removably attachable to another of said modular units to form said desirable multi-unit configuration; a base unit on which said multi-unit configuration is mounted; each of said modular units having openings therein adapted to selectively hold the cases, tapes or cassettes; wherein each of said modular units has an openwork construction. .Iaddend..Iadd.30. The display or storage unit of claim 29 wherein said openwork construction includes a front and a rear, both of which are substantially open. .Iaddend..Iadd.31. The display or storage unit of claim 29 further comprising fasteners which removably attach said modular units together. .Iaddend..Iadd.32. The display or storage unit of claim 31 wherein said fasteners comprise bolts. .Iaddend..Iadd.33. A display or storage unit for selectively holding compact disc cases, tapes or cassettes, comprising: a plurality of modular units used to form a desirable multi-unit configuration; at least one of said modular units is removably attachable to another of said modular units to form said desirable multi-unit configuration; a base unit on which said multi-unit configuration is mounted; each of said modular units having openings therein adapted to selectively hold the cases, tapes or cassettes;   wherein one of said modular units is removably attachable laterally adjacent and parallel to another of said modular units. .Iaddend..Iadd.34. A display or storage unit for selectively holding compact disc cases, tapes or cassettes, comprising: a plurality of modular units used to form a desirable multi-unit configuration; at least one of said modular units is removably attachable to another of said modular units to form said desirable multi-unit configuration; a base unit on which said multi-unit configuration is mounted; each of said modular units having openings therein adapted to selectively hold the cases, tapes or cassettes;   wherein one of said modular units includes an indentation which interfits said one modular unit with said another modular unit, said indentation comprises an aperture and said another modular unit includes an extension   
     
     
        which engages in said aperture. .Iaddend..Iadd.35.  A display or storage unit for selectively holding compact disc cases, tapes or cassettes, comprising: a plurality of modular units used to form a desirable multi-unit configuration; at least one of said modular units is removably attachable to another of said modular units to form said desirable multi-unit configuration; a base unit on which said multi-unit configuration is mounted; each of said modular units having openings therein adapted to selectively hold the cases, tapes or cassettes; wherein one of said modular units includes a securing member, and another of said modular units includes an opening into which said securing member fits to releasably secure said one modular unit and said another modular unit together. .Iaddend..Iadd.36. The display or storage unit of claim 35 wherein said securing member comprises a bolt. .Iaddend..Iadd.37. The display or storage unit of claim 35 wherein said securing member when fitted in said opening is horizontally disposed. .Iaddend..Iadd.38. The display or storage unit of claim 35 wherein said securing member when fitted in said opening which is vertically disposed. .Iaddend..Iadd.39. The display or storage unit of claim 35 wherein said another modular unit includes an extension which defines said opening. .Iaddend..Iadd.40. A display or storage unit for selectively holding compact disc cases, tapes or cassettes, comprising: a plurality of modular units used to form a desirable multi unit configuration; at least one of said modular units is removably attachable to another of said modular units to form said desirable multi-unit configuration; a base unit on which said multi-unit configuration is mounted; each of said modular units having openings therein adapted to selectively hold the cases, tapes or cassettes;   wherein said openings of said one of said modular units are configured to hold the cases, tapes or cassettes to slope downwardly and rearwardly   
     
     
        relative to said modular unit. .Iaddend..Iadd.41.  A display or storage unit for selectively holding compact disc cases, tapes or cassettes, comprising: a plurality of modular units used to form a desirable multi-unit configuration; at least one of said modular units is removably attachable to another of said modular units to form said desirable multi-unit configuration; a base unit on which said multi-unit configuration is mounted; each of said modular units having openings therein adapted to selectively hold the cases, tapes or cassettes; wherein each of said modular units has an open central space; each of said modular units has associated with said openings and generally in said open central space, supports slanted front to rear to support the cases, tapes or cassettes. .Iaddend..Iadd.42. The display or storage unit of claim 41 wherein said base unit is of substantially greater horizontal extent than the horizontal cross-section of said modular units. .Iaddend..Iadd.43. The display or storage unit of claim 41 wherein each of said modular units is elongated, and said openings are positioned relative to one another to hold a column of cases, tapes or cassettes, one above the other in said open central space. .Iaddend..Iadd.44. A display or storage unit for selectively holding compact disc cases, tapes or cassettes, comprising: a plurality of modular units used to form a desirable multi-unit configuration; at least one of said modular units is removably attachable to another of said modular units to form said desirable multi-unit configuration; a base unit on which said multi-unit configuration is mounted; each of said modular units having openings therein adapted to selectively hold the cases, tapes or cassettes;   wherein each of said modular units has sidewalls and ribs attached to said sidewalls and forming a plurality of said openings, disposed one above the other in each of said modular units. .Iaddend..Iadd.45. The display or storage unit of claim 44 wherein each of said ribs extends between and is secured to both of said sidewalls. .Iaddend..Iadd.46. The display or storage unit of claim 44 wherein said multi-unit configuration in horizontal cross-section is pentagonally shaped. .Iaddend..Iadd.47. The display or storage unit of claim 44 wherein said multi-unit configuration   
     
     
        has an openwork construction. .Iaddend..Iadd.48.  The display or storage unit of claim 44 wherein each of said modular units includes top and bottom cross-members connecting said sidewalls together. .Iaddend..Iadd.49. The display or storage unit of claim 44 wherein each of said modular units comprises a one-piece unitary construction. .Iaddend..Iadd.50. A display or storage unit for selectively holding compact disc cases, tapes or cassettes, comprising: a plurality of modular units used to form a desirable multi-unit configuration; at least one of said modular units is removably attachable to another of said modular units to form said desirable multi-unit configuration; a base unit on which said multi-unit configuration is mounted; each of said modular units having openings therein adapted to selectively hold the cases, tapes or cassettes; wherein said one modular unit and said another modular unit each have said openings therein aligned in at least one respective column of openings, and said columns of said one modular unit and said another modular unit are in vertical alignment with one another. .Iaddend..Iadd.51. The display or storage unit of claim 50 wherein said openings slope downwardly and rearwardly relative to said multi-unit configuration. .Iaddend..Iadd.52. The display or storage unit of claim 50 wherein said one modular unit includes a bottom attachment plate and said another modular unit includes a top attachment plate. .Iaddend..Iadd.53. The display or storage unit of claim 52 wherein said plates have attachment openings operatively aligned with one another with said one modular unit on said another modular unit. .Iaddend..Iadd.54. The display or storage unit of claim 50 wherein said multi-unit configuration is removably attachable to said base unit. .Iaddend..Iadd.55. The display or storage unit of claim 50 wherein said first and second modular units both include sidewalls and ribs attached to said sidewalls and defining said openings. .Iaddend..Iadd.56. The display or storage unit of claim 50 wherein said base unit is substantially   
     
     
        shorter than said modular units. .Iaddend..Iadd.57.  The display or storage unit of claim 50 wherein said base unit is wider than said modular units. .Iaddend..Iadd.58. The display or storage unit of claim 50 wherein said base unit extends out beyond sides of said modular unit mounted thereon. .Iaddend..Iadd.59. The display or storage unit of claim 50 wherein said one modular unit and said another modular unit both comprise respective one-piece unitary constructions. .Iaddend..Iadd.60. A display or storage unit for selectively holding compact disc cases, tapes or cassettes, comprising: a plurality of modular units used to form a desirable multi-unit configuration; at least one of said modular units is removably attachable to another of said modular units to form said desirable multi-unit configuration; a base unit on which said multi-unit configuration is mounted; each of said modular units having openings therein adapted to selectively hold the cases, tapes or cassettes; wherein said openings of each of said modular units are stacked one above another to define respective columns of openings in each of said modular units. .Iaddend..Iadd.61. The display or storage unit of claim 60 wherein each of said openings slopes downwardly and rearwardly relative to said multi-unit configuration. .Iaddend..Iadd.62. The display or storage unit of claim 60 wherein each of said modular units has a pair of sidewalls and ribs connected to said sidewalls and defining said openings. .Iaddend..Iadd.63. The display or storage unit of claim 62 wherein said ribs extend between and interconnect said sidewalls. .Iaddend..Iadd.64. The display or storage unit of claim 63 wherein said ribs are V-shaped pointing forwards and central relative to said multi-unit configuration. .Iaddend..Iadd.65. The display or storage unit of claim 60 wherein said base unit has larger horizontal cross-sectional dimensions than that of said multi-unit configuration, extending out beyond edges of said   
     
     
        multi-unit configuration. .Iaddend..Iadd.66.  The display or storage unit of claim 60 wherein said multi-unit configuration is pentagonally shaped in horizontal cross-section. .Iaddend..Iadd.67. The display or storage unit of claim 66 wherein each of said modular units has an openwork construction. .Iaddend..Iadd.68. The display or storage unit of claim 60 wherein each of said modular units has a pair of sidewalls, rear abutment tabs extending inwardly from said sidewalls and a substantially open back. .Iaddend..Iadd.69. The display or storage unit of claim 68 wherein each of said modular units includes top and bottom members interconnecting said sidewalls. .Iaddend..Iadd.70. The display or storage unit of claim 60 wherein said base unit is substantially shorter in vertical height than each of said modular units and extends a distance forward out from said multi-unit configuration. .Iaddend..Iadd.71. The display or storage unit of claim 70 wherein said base unit has a substantially flat top surface. .Iaddend..Iadd.72. The display or storage unit of claim 60 wherein said multi-unit configuration is removably attachable to said base unit. .Iaddend..Iadd.73. The display or storage unit of claim 60 wherein said multi-unit configuration is removably attachable to said base unit with at least one interconnecting bolt. .Iaddend..Iadd.74. The display or storage unit of claim 60 wherein one of said modular units includes a vertical attachment sleeve. .Iaddend..Iadd.75. The display or storage unit of claim 74 wherein another of said modular units includes an extension operatively 
     
     
        engageable in said attachment sleeve. .Iaddend..Iadd.76.  The display or storage unit of claim 60 wherein each of said modular units comprises a one-piece unitary construction. .Iaddend..Iadd.77. A display or storage unit for selectively holding compact disc cases, tapes or cassettes, comprising: a plurality of modular units used to form a desirable multi-unit configuration; at least one of said modular units is removably attachable to another of said modular units to form said desirable multi-unit configuration; a base unit on which said multi-unit configuration is mounted; each of said modular units having openings therein adapted to selectively hold the cases, tapes or cassettes; wherein each of said modular units is pentagonally shaped in horizontal cross-section. .Iaddend..Iadd.78. The display or storage unit of claim 77 further comprising fasteners to removably attach said modular units together. .Iaddend..Iadd.79. The display or storage unit of claim 78 wherein said fasteners comprise bolts. .Iaddend..Iadd.80. The display or storage unit of claim 77 wherein the pentagonally-shaped horizontal cross-section includes an outer perimeter shaped like a pentagon having its pointed portion defining a face which said openings engage and an opposite generally flat abutment surface for the cases, tapes or cassettes inserted into said openings. .Iaddend.