WO1999021184A1

WO1999021184A1 - High density interchangeable compact disc storage cartridge

Info

Publication number: WO1999021184A1
Application number: PCT/US1998/022159
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eric Rene Bos; Robert L. Montelius, Jr.
Original assignee: Multidisc Technologies
Priority date: 1997-10-20
Filing date: 1998-10-20
Publication date: 1999-04-29
Also published as: AU1105299A

Abstract

A high density interchangeable compact disc storage cartridge for integral placement with a disc reader apparatus. The cartridge includes a housing having a plurality of vertical cylinders therein, with each cylinder capable of accommodating a plurality of compact discs stacked atop each other. The housing has a bottom wall through which is disposed a respective door-closure opening beneath each respective cylinder such that a compact disc can pass through an appropriate door when called up for data recovery by the disc reader. Each cylinder preferably is also accessible from above to thereby permit convenient loading of discs. Each door beneath each respective cylinder preferably is a sliding panel shutter serving an opening to the cylinder through which a disc can pass in either direction for call-up or for return. The compact disc storage cartridge of the present invention can greatly increase the capacity of available discs without requiring implementation of external storage magazines and accompanying disc retrieval apparatus.

Description

HIGH DENSITY INTERCHANGEABLE COMPACT DISC STORAGE CARTRIDGE

Field of the Invention

This invention relates in general to compact disc storage for a computer system, and in particular to a high density interchangeable compact disc storage cartridge for integral placement with a disc reader apparatus .

Background of the Invention

Compact disc storage and retrieval has become a significant factor for consideration in view of the proliferation of use of these discs for data storage in association with digitized information that must be readily available. A typical solution to disc storage and retrieval is found in a disc storage magazine in association with a computer such as a personal computer and wherein a plurality of discs are stored for call-up as needed. Of most significant value is a storage magazine that is integral with a computer to thereby permit rapid selection and activation without looking toward external implementation to accomplish disc selection. While such integral and thus convenient storage is desirable, a drawback exists in that spatial limitations generally severely restrict the number of discs that can be made available without external disc storage structures. It is therefore apparent that a need is present to provide availability of a greater choice of stored compact discs proximate to an optics reader assembly of an associated computer while still operating within its physical storage boundaries. In view of this need, a primary object of the present invention is to provide an interchangeable cartridge capable of carrying compact discs and integrally placeable with a disc reader apparatus . Another object of the present invention is to provide an interchangeable cartridge having a plurality of cylinders each capable of accommodating a stack of discs and having respective doors beneath each such cylinder for disc retrieval.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an interchangeable cartridge whose cylinders can be loaded from the top through door access .

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent throughout the description thereof which now follows.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention is a high density interchangeable compact disc storage cartridge for integral placement with a disc reader apparatus. The cartridge comprises a housing having a plurality of vertical cylinders therein, with each such cylinder being capable of accommodating a plurality of compact discs stacked atop each other. The housing has a bottom wall through which is disposed a respective door-closure opening beneath each respective cylinder such that a compact disc can pass through an appropriate door when called up for data recovery by the disc reader. Each cylinder preferably is also accessible from above to thereby permit convenient loading of discs . Because the cartridge is portable and therefore interchangeable within the disc reader apparatus, an operator can quickly make available a complete new set of compact discs disposed within a second cartridge by simply removing an installed cartridge and replacing it with the second cartridge. Each door beneath each respective cylinder preferably is a sliding panel shutter serving an opening to the cylinder through which a disc can pass in either direction for call-up or for return. As is thus apparent, the compact disc storage cartridge of the present invention can greatly increase the capacity of available discs without requiring implementation of external storage magazines and accompanying disc retrieval apparatus .

Brief Description of the Drawings

An illustrative and presently preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a is a schematic illustration of a perspective view of an interchangeable compact disc storage cartridge;

Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of a front elevation view in section of the cartridge of Figure 1 along line 2-2 thereof; and Figure 3 a schematic illustration of a bottom plan view of the cartridge of Figure 1.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

Referring to Figures 1 through 3 , an interchangeable compact disc storage cartridge 10 for integral placement with a disc reader apparatus (not shown) is illustrated. The cartridge 10 has two adjacent cylinders 12, 14 within each of which a stack of compact discs 16 can reside. A single hinged lid 18 provides access to the cylinders 12, 14 for compact disc loading or removal. Disposed beneath each cylinder 12, 14 of the cartridge 10 is a respective door 20, 22 of a respective opening 24, 26 through which a disc 16 can pass. Each door 20, 22 is a sliding panel shutter slidable above or below the adjacent door to thereby provide a shutter-type construction wherein each door 20, 22 functions to open and close a respective cylinder 12 or 14 in accord with disc retrieval or retention.

As earlier noted, the cartridge 10 is interchangeable in integral association with a disc reader apparatus to thereby provide an expanded selection of discs 16 without requiring an external storage magazine structure. Because discs 16 can be loaded into the top as well as through the shutter openings 24, 26 of the preferred cartridge 10, rapid cylinder filling can occur. The portability of the cartridge 10 allows nearly immediate removal of one cartridge 10 from disc reader association an subsequent replacement with another cartridge 10. In this manner, disc selection can be highly advantageous while not requiring accompanying interactive storage hardware. While an illustrative and presently preferred embodiment of the invention has been described in detail herein, it is to be understood that the inventive concepts may be otherwise variously embodied and employed and that the appended claims are intended to be construed to include such variations except insofar as limited by the prior art .

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A high density interchangeable compact disc storage cartridge for integral placement with a disc reader apparatus, said cartridge comprising a housing having a plurality of vertical cylinders therein, wherein each said cylinder is capable of accommodating a plurality of compact discs stacked atop each other and wherein said housing has situated through a bottom wall thereof a respective door-closure opening beneath each respective cylinder through which a compact disc can pass .

2. A high density interchangeable compact disc storage cartridge as claimed in Claim 1 wherein each cylinder is accessible from a top entrance thereto for loading compact discs into said cylinder.

3. A high density interchangeable compact disc storage cartridge as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the top entrance is a single door providing access to all cylinders of the cartridge.

4. A high density interchangeable compact disc storage cartridge as claimed in Claim 2 wherein each door beneath each respective cylinder is a sliding panel shutter in substantial alignment beneath said cylinder.

5. A high density interchangeable compact disc storage cartridge as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the shutter beneath one cylinder slides above or below the shutter beneath an immediately adjacent cylinder.

6. A high density interchangeable compact disc storage cartridge as claimed in Claim 1 wherein each door beneath each respective cylinder is a sliding panel shutter in substantial alignment beneath said cylinder.

7. A high density interchangeable compact disc storage cartridge as claimed in Claim 6 wherein the shutter beneath one cylinder slides above or below the shutter beneath an immediately adjacent cylinder.