| 摘要 |
A holder (42) with retaining device for organizing compact disc cases and other such substantially rectangular media cases. The retaining device allows deposited items to be placed solitarily or adjacently in any available location, to be relocated simply by sliding them sideways, saves the vacant spaces left by withdrawn items, and will accommodate a variety of media case types, including compact disc cases of the single, multiple and slip-cased variety. A preferred embodiment of the holder has a substantially rectangular storage area (34) defined in part by opposed upper and lower shelves (36 & 40) located adjacent to an access opening (32) on the front side of the holder through which compact disc cases (50) and other such items are deposited in a side-by-side, book-like manner, coming to rest on and perpendicular to the interior surface of the lower shelf (40). The back wall (38) serves to stop deposited items from exiting out the rear side of the holder. The retaining device has two specialized components, an engagement member (18) and a guide (10) (which in a preferred embodiment of the invention are simultaneously formed as a unified device,) which are located on the interior side of the upper shelf (36), running parallel to the access opening (32) along the entire length of the storage area (34) so as to oppose the upper, proximate sides of deposited items. The engagement member (18) is an elongated resilient plastic structure with a retention face (24) orientated to frictionally hold compact disc cases (50) or other deposited items in place. The guide (10) is located adjacent to the engagement member (18) and has a low frictional guide surface (14) that is situated between the engagement member (18) and the access opening of the holder (30). The guide surface (14) serves to align the proximate sides of incoming items with the retention face (24) for subsequent frictional engagement. Other preferred embodiments of the invention have: the guide and engagement member formed as separate components; the guide made integral to the holder; alternate forms of the retaining device, and; holders with arched or angled storage areas.
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