Various types of storage racks have been developed for holding, for example, audio cassette tapes, compact discs and video tapes in their cases. In known storage devices, racks are normally designed to store as many cases as possible in the smallest amount of space. Typically such a storage rack can therefore display only an edge of the case. However, it is sometimes desirable to display the front face of a case which may, for example, contain artwork or other means for readily identifying the contents of the case.

US 6012245, for example, discloses a frame having a frame insert into the back of which four compact discs cases can be inserted and held in place by resilient hooks and then the frame, for example, hung on a wall to display the front of the cases through the frame. The compact disc cases cannot be removed from the insert without removing the frame from the wall and removing the cases from the back of the frame.

This frame is, therefore, not suitable for storing compact discs which are in regular use.

US 5628414 discloses a rack for holding a vertical column of compact disc cases or other types of music cases. The cases are held on the rack by resting on a lower retention member as on a shelf and by an upper retention member including a hook portion which extends over the top edge of the case partially to obscure the front cover. There is no disclosure of a means of holding cases other than in a substantially vertical column.

US 5462177 discloses a rack for holding a number of CD cases in which the CD cases are locatable each within a recess in a rigid panel. The compact disc cases are each retained within a recess by resilient pads engaging sides of the bottom half of the case. Depressions are provided in the edges of the recesses so that fingers can be

inserted to open the lids of the cases whilst the bottom half or base of the cases is still retained in the recess so that a CD may be inserted or removed from a case with the case in the rack. Racks having a row of three such recesses are disclosed and it is also disclosed that such a rack may be interlocked with another similar rack to build up an array.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved holder for cases for audio, audio-visual and data record carriers.

According to the present invention there is provided a rack for locating a case for an audio, audio-visual or data record carrier on a substantially vertical surface, the case having a first major face joined, at a peripheral edge, to a first pair of opposed minor faces and to a second pair of opposed minor faces substantially perpendicular to the first opposed pair of minor faces, the rack comprising a planar back plate for abutting the substantially vertical surface and engagement means rising from the back plate, the engagement means having a plurality of engagement faces perpendicular to the back plate for engaging portions of at least the first pair of opposed minor faces of the case such that the case is retainable on the plate solely by friction between the plurality of engagement faces and the portions of the opposed minor faces of the case, with substantially all of the peripheral edge abutting the plate.

Conveniently, the engagement means are adjustable for selectively receiving different sizes of case.

Conveniently, the back plate includes an aperture such that in use only a peripheral portion of the first major face of the case abuts the back plate and a remaining major portion of the major face is aligned with the aperture.

Conveniently, the engagement means comprise a first pair of opposed lugs for engaging substantially central opposed portions of the first pair of opposed minor faces of the case respectively.

Advantageously, the engagement means further comprise a second pair of opposed lugs for engaging substantially central portions of the second pair of opposed minor faces of the case.

Alternatively, the engagement means comprise a first pair of lugs for engaging portions of the first minor faces proximate a first pair of diagonally opposed vertices of the case respectively and a second pair of lugs for engaging portions of the second minor faces proximate the first pair of diagonally opposed vertices of the case respectively.

Advantageously, the engagement means further comprise a third pair of lugs for engaging portions of the first minor faces proximate a second pair of diagonally opposed vertices of the case respectively and a fourth pair of lugs for engaging portions of the second minor faces proximate the second pair of diagonally opposed vertices of the case respectively.

Conveniently, a lug of the first pair of lugs at a vertex is joined to a lug of the second pair of lugs at that vertex.

Preferably, the lug of the first pair of lugs and the lug of the second pair of lugs form a composite'L'-shaped lug for engaging one of the first pair of opposed minor faces and one of the second pair of opposed minor faces at the vertex.

Alternatively, a plurality of engagement means are provided for holding a plurality of compact disc cases respectively.

Conveniently, the rack is adapted to hold a two-dimensional array of cases.

Advantageously, the engagement means are'L'-shaped lugs for engaging vertices of the cases, such that the'L'-shaped lugs for holding a case centrally in the array form, in combination with'L'-shaped lugs for engaging vertices of neighbouring cases, a cross-shaped formation of four'L'-shaped lugs each'L'-shaped lug being rotated through a right angle with respect to a neighbouring'L'-shaped lug.

Alternatively, the cross-shaped formation of'L'-shaped lugs is replaced by a cross-shaped lug for engaging a vertex of each of four adjacent cases.

Conveniently, the engagement means comprise a combination of any of"L"- shape lugs, linear lugs and cross-shaped lugs.

Preferably, the engagement means on a periphery of the array are'L'-shaped lugs for engaging vertices of cases and the remaining engagement means not on the periphery of the array are linear lugs for engaging substantially central portions of minor faces of the cases.

Conveniently, a first face of at least one of the linear lugs is adapted to engage a minor face of a first case and a second face of the at least one of the linear lugs, opposed to the first face, is adapted to engage a minor face of a second case neighbouring the first case.

Conveniently, interlocking means are provided to connect the rack to a second similar rack in side-by-side relationship.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG 1 shows a perspective view of a first unicellular embodiment of the invention; FIG 2 shows a plan view of the embodiment of FIG 1; FIG 3 shows a side view of the embodiment of FIG 1; FIG 4 shows a second unicellular embodiment of the invention; FIG 5 shows a third unicellular embodiment of the invention; FIG 6 shows a fourth unicellular embodiment of the invention; FIG 7 shows a fifth unicellular embodiment of the invention; FIG 8 shows a sixth unicellular embodiment of the invention; FIG 9 shows a seventh unicellular embodiment of the invention; FIG 10 shows a perspective view of a multi-cellular embodiment of the invention;

FIG 11 shows a detail of the embodiment of FIG 10 with a case installed on the rack ; FIG 12 shows a perspective view of another multi-cellular embodiment; FIG 13 shows a plan view of the embodiment of FIG 12; FIG 14 shows a side view of the embodiment of FIG 12; FIG 15 shows a plan view of lugs used in the embodiment of FIGS 10 or 12; FIG 16 shows an alternative arrangement for the lugs shown in FIG 15; FIG 17 shows a further multi-cellular embodiment; FIG 18 shows a perspective view of an interlocking arrangement for joining one holder of the invention to another; FIG 19 shows a plan view of a detail of the interlocking arrangement of FIG 18 with adjacent holders unconnected; and FIG 20 shows a plan view of a detail of an interlocking arrangement of FIG 18 with adjacent holders interlocked.

In the figures like reference numerals denote like parts.

Referring to FIGS 1 to 3, there is shown a holder 10 for a single case, for example, a compact disc case. The holder is formed from a rectangular back plate 11 having first sides 12, 12' and second sides 13, 13' shorter than the first sides.

Substantially centred on a midline through the shorter sides 13, 13' there are located two opposing rectangular lugs 14, 14' having planar rectangular major faces 15,15' inward of the holder, which major faces are perpendicular to the midline and to a plane defined by the back plate 11. Each of the planar rectangular major faces 15,15' is for engaging a minor face on a CD case (not shown). Rather than a rectangular back plate, a square or geometric shape or irregular shape such as an animal silhouette may be used, for example, a square back plate may be used to accommodate a square case.

Although rectangular or cuboid lugs 14, 14' have been illustrated, it will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that as long as planar faces 15, 15' are provided for engaging minor faces of a CD case, there is considerable freedom in the choice of the shape of the lug, for example, the lugs may be'D'-shaped.

Central of the back plate 11, there is provided a rectangular aperture 16 in the back plate 11, the sides of which are parallel to the sides 12, 12' and 13,13' respectively of the back plate. It will be understood that the aperture is not necessarily rectangular and may be another geometric or an irregular shape.

Referring to FIG 4, in a second embodiment 20 of the invention, there are provided in addition to the lugs 14, 14' of the first embodiment, two additional similar lugs 22, 22' substantially centred on a midline through the longer sides 12, 12' of the back plate. The second pair of lugs have engagement faces 25, 25' inward of the lugs 22, 22' for engaging opposed minor faces of a CD case perpendicular to the opposed minor faces of the CD case engagable by the first engaging faces 15, 15' of the first lugs 14,14'. A rectangular aperture 26, similar to the aperture 16 of the first embodiment, is provided in the back plate.

In a third embodiment of the invention shown in FIG 5, there are provided proximate diagonally opposed vertices 31,32 of the back plate a pair of rectangular lugs 34, 34' for engaging a first pair of opposed minor faces on a CD case respectively and a second pair of lugs 35, 35' for engaging a second pair of opposed minor faces of the CD case perpendicular to the first pair of opposed minor faces. The back plate is provided with a central aperture 36 similar to the aperture 16 of the first embodiment.

In a fourth embodiment 40, illustrated in FIG 6, in addition to the lugs 34,34' and 35, 35' provided in the third embodiment there are provided similar lugs 45,45' and 44, 44' located at a second pair of opposed vertices of the back plate 41. The back plate is provided with a central aperture 46 similar to the aperture 16 of the first embodiment.

A fifth embodiment 50, as illustrated in FIG 7, is similar to the third embodiment shown in FIG 5 except that a rectangular lug 54 similar to the rectangular lug 34 of the third embodiment is joined to a rectangular lug 55 similar to the rectangular lug 35 to form an'L'-shaped lug 54,55. Similarly at a diagonally opposed vertex there is provided a second'L'-shaped lug 54', 55' corresponding to the lugs 34', 35' of the third embodiment.

Similarly in a sixth embodiment 60 of the invention illustrated in FIG 8, which is similar to the fourth embodiment 40 illustrated in FIG 6, in addition to the'L'- shaped lugs 54,55 and 54', 55' of the fifth embodiment there are provided two'L'- shaped lugs 64,65 and 64', 65' proximate second diagonally opposed vertices of a back plate 61, respectively.

In a seventh embodiment 70 of the invention illustrated in FIG 9, there are provided lugs 54,55, 54', 55', 64,65, 64', 65' as in the sixth embodiment, but there is no central aperture corresponding to the central aperture 66 in the sixth embodiment.

FIG 10 illustrates an eighth embodiment 80 of the invention in which a back plate 81 is provided with four sets of four lugs 82,83, 84,85 similar to those of the sixth embodiment illustrated in FIG 8, each of the four'L'-shaped lugs in a set being proximate vertices of a rectangular aperture 86. Proximate the centre of the back plate there are therefore provided four outwardly facing'L'-shaped lugs 84 to form a cross shape divided vertically and horizontally by gaps 87,88. FIG 11 shows a detail of one cell of the multi-cellular rack of FIG 10 containing a cassette 800 held between 'L'-shaped lugs 82', 83', 84', 85'.

FIGS 12,13, 14 show a ninth embodiment 90 of the invention comprising a multi-cellular holder for holding nine CD cases with'L'-shaped lugs 92,93, 94,95.

The position for a case held centrally on the back plate is therefore surrounded by four cross-like lugs such as lugs 93', 94, 92", 95"', each made up of four'L'-shaped lugs each at right angles to a neighbouring'L'-shape lug. FIG 15 shows details of such a cross shape lug 180 and FIG 16 shows a variation 190 applicable to the eighth and ninth embodiments in which the cross shape lug made up of four'L'-shaped lugs is replaced by a solid cross-shaped lug.

FIG 17 shows a tenth embodiment 100 of the invention similar to the ninth embodiment shown in FIGS 15 to 17 except that the position for the central CD case is surrounded by linear or rectangular lugs 201 similar to the lugs 14, 14', 22, 22' of the second embodiment illustrated in FIG 4 for engaging minor faces of a central CD case, rather than the vertices thereof. It will be appreciated that in this case the linear

lugs have two opposing inner and outer engagement faces 202,203, the inner of which engages an edge of a CD case located centrally and the outer is for engaging a CD case located centrally of a side of the back plate. Such a CD case is held between two 'L'-shaped lugs 92', 95' and one rectangular lug 202. Each CD case receivable in a corner of the back plate is held between three'L'-shaped lugs 92,93, 95 only.

It will be appreciated that other combinations of any of'L'-shaped, cross- shaped and rectangular lugs may be used in a multi-cellular holder.

As best seen in FIGS 13 and 17 the back plate is provided with apertures 98,108 proximate vertices thereof for mounting the back plate on a substantially vertical wall or other support. As shown in the illustrations, with the apertures 98,108 internal of the'L'-shaped lugs at the vertices of the back plate, such apertures would be used to fix the plate with the lugs facing out from the wall with the back plate between the lugs and the wall. It will be understood that with the apertures 98, 108 placed outside of the'L'-shaped lugs it will be possible to mount the rack with the lugs against the wall so that major faces of the CD cases are visible through the apertures 96,106.

In FIG 18 there is illustrated an interlocking mechanism which may be used with any of the embodiments. Considering, for example, an adaption of the first embodiment, FIG 18 shows a perspective view of one end of the back plate 11 having a dovetail edge 101 in the side 13'and a rebated dovetail groove 102 in the side 13 to receive a dovetail interlocking member 101 of a neighbouring back plate 12. FIG 19 illustrates a plan view of a detail of a dovetail interlocking member 101 on an side 13 of a back plate 12 for interlocking with a dovetail groove 102"on a side 13"of a neighbouring back plate 12"and FIG 20 shows a dovetail interlocking member 101 interlocked with a dovetail groove 102"interlocking together a back plate 12 with a neighbouring back plate 12". It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that alternative means of locking two back plates together may be provided.

In any of the embodiments, the holder may be moulded from a plastics material, such as high impact polystyrene, with the lugs and the back plate moulded in one piece. It will be apparent that the lugs could alternatively be moulded separately

and fixed to the back plate, for example, by adhesive. Alternatively, the lugs may be moveably fixed to the back plate, for example, by externally threaded studs and wing nuts, the studs passing through slots or oversized apertures in the back plate, so that the distances between lugs may be adjusted to accommodate different sizes of case. It will be appreciated that the holder may be of a solid colour and may be transparent, translucent or opaque.

In use a case is mounted between the lugs so that a peripheral edge of the case, between a first major surface of the case and first and second opposed pairs of minor faces of the case, abuts against the back plate with friction faces of the lugs engaging at least two opposed minor faces of the case. In this way the case is held on the plate solely by friction between the engaging faces of the lugs and the sides of the case.

The lugs are sufficiently resilient to ensure that friction between the lugs and case is sufficient to hold the case against the back plate. It would be appreciated that with the back plate mounted toward the wall and the lugs mounted away from the wall, the cases may be inserted onto and removed from the back plate with the back plate remaining on the wall.

The central rectangular apertures are provided in some embodiments primarily to save material in manufacture of the holders and to reduce the weight of the holders.

However, as indicated above, the apertures also permit the cases to be viewed through the rack when the rack is mounted with the lugs facing the wall. This method of use provides a more permanent display of the cases rather than the storage of cases which are in use, which is achieved with the lugs facing away from a wall.

In use, the holders may be fixed to a wall or other support, for example, by means of screws through the apertures 98,108 in the case of multi-cellular holders. In the case of unicellular holders, they may be similarly fixed to the wall singly or single holders may be used as modules of a larger composite holder for holding more than one case by abutting or interlocking individual unicellular holders together. In this way, varied designs and shapes of a composite holder may be built up. Alternatively, a shaped back plate may be used, for a example, a silhouette of an animal shape may be used having lugs to receive one or more cassette cases. The shape of a unicellular or multi-cellular back plate is therefore not limited to the rectangular or square shapes

described but may be of any geometric or other shape providing sufficient area to receive at least one case between lugs having friction faces. Alternatively, the holder may be freestanding, for example, similar to a freestanding picture frame.

In use, a case may be inserted between the lugs and held as a friction fit against the back plate solely by friction between the lugs and the sides of the case, with an edge of the case defined by a major face and the minor faces of the case abutting the back plate. The cases can be subsequently readily removed from the rack for re-arranging or for using a CD or other record carrier stored within the case. For this purpose, recesses may be provided in the back plate for the insertion of fingers to facilitate removal of the case from the back plate. Alternatively, where the lugs engage only the base of the case, it is possible to remove the record carrier, e. g. a CD, from the case without removing the case from the rack.

Suitably dimensioned holders may store any type of audio, audio-visual or data media, for example, audio cassettes, DVDs, CDs, minidisks or video tapes.