GB2054355A - Rotary stores - Google Patents

Abstract

A rotary filing device for tape cassettes wherein mounting strips adapted to receive a cassette with or without a library case, are linked together in an endless chain and supported at each end in common recesses in a frame such that the chain is movable by tilting successive strips to provide access to each cassette in turn. The frame carries projections which are adapted to interlock with projections on an identical element or on a mounting bracket whereby a plurality of devices can be secured together and/or to a support. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A rotary filing device for tape cassettes This invention relates to a rotary filing device for tape cassettes and the like.

According to this invention I propose a rotary filing device for tape cassettes orthe like comprising a frame carrying mounting strips or slots each adapted to receive a cassette or a cassette case, all of the strips being supported at each end in a common recess and the strips themselves being linked together to form an endless chain which is movable by tilting successive strips to provide access to each cassette or cassette case in turn.

The frame may be a cabinet open at one end to provide access to cassettes or cassette cases mounted on the interlinked strips, and, further may carry on one face projections which are complementary with projections on an opposite face whereby two identical devices can be attached together by interlocking the projections on the said one face of one device with the complementary projections on the said opposite face of the other device. To permit mounting of the device on a support, a bracket may be provided for attachment to the support and carrying projections complementary with the projections on one face of the frame.

In a preferred embodiment the strips are attached to an endless belt of flexible material with the edges of adjacent strips in abutment and disposed normal to the axis of the belt. Also, each strip preferably is adapted to receive both a cassette and a cassette case as desired.

An embodiment of this invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 is a perspective view, partly exploded of a rotary filing cabinet for storing tape cassettes, the cabinet being adapted for attachment to other similar cabinets to build a modular storage system; Figure 2 is cassette mounting strips for attachment to a flexible belt which fits within the cabinet of Figure 1; and Figure 3 illustrates the manner in which the rotary file operates to afford access to each in turn, of the stored tape cassettes.

The cabinet 10 shown in Figure 1 is adapted by means of projection 12 defining complementary tongues 14 and grooves 16, preferably, dovetail or half-dovetail tongues and grooves, to interlock with similar cabinets (not shown) to build a modular storage system. There are projections on each face so enabling attachment of up to four adjacent cabinets.

If desired the cabinet can be suspended from a wall or the underside of a shelf by means of a cruciform bracket 20 for attachment to the wall or shelf by screws or the like, passing through holes 22. At the ends of each are 24 of the cruciform bracket are projections adapted to engage the projections 16 on the upper face of the cabinet. Access to the interior of the cabinet is from either end.

Cassette mounting strips 30 such as shown in Figure 2 are fixed by adhesive to an endless flexible belt 31 (see Figure 3), such that the elongate edges 32 of adjacent strips are in abutment and lie normal to the longitudinal axis of the belt. Ends 34 of the mounting strips projecting beyond wings 36, are received in opposed rectangular recesses 38 (one shown) formed in the side walls of the cabinet 10.

The spacing between the wings 36 on each mount- ing strip is such that a cassette case fits therebetween but the strips 30 also have means 40 for mounting the cassettes without cases.

Referring now to Figure 3, cassettes or cassette cases 50 mounted upon the strips 30 connected to the continuous endless belt 31 and resting on the lower edge 52 of the rectangular recesses 38, lie in a vertical plane, some depending from strips 30 on the lower run of the endless belt and others standing vertically on strips 20 in the upper run. In this state, only those cassettes at the cabinets are visible. To gain access to other cassettes, the leading cassette in the upper run is tilted as indicated by arrow A so that the mounting strip 30 to which it is secured, pivots about its leading edge and is lifted to the position shown by the dot-dash lines. Further, tilting causes that strip to turn over, drawing with it the strips in the upper run and displacing the strips in the lower run as indicated by the arrows X and Y, that cassette, then entering the lower runs.This procedure may be repeated at will and, if desired, in the opposite direction until a particular cassette is located.

1. A rotary filing device for tape cassettes or the like and comprising a frame carrying mounting strips or slots each adapted to receive a cassette or a cassette case, all of the strips being supported at each end in a common recess and the strips themselves being linked together to form an endless chain which is movable by tilting successive strips to provide access to each cassette or cassette case in turn.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the strips are attached to an endless belt of flexible material with the edges of adjacent strips in abutment and disposed normal to the axis of the belt.

3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the frame comprises a cabinet open at one end to provide access to cassettes or cassette cases mounted on the interlinked strips.

4. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the frame carries on one face projections which are complementary with projections on an opposite face whereby two identical devices can be attached together by interlocking the projections on the said one face of one device with the complementary projections on the said opposite face of the other device.

5. A device according to claim 4 and comprising a bracket for attachment to a support and carrying projections complementary with the projections on one face of the frame such that by interlocking the complementary projections the frame can be mounted on the support.

6. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein each mounting strip is adapted to receive both a cassette and a cassette case as desired.

7. A rotary filing device for tape cassettes or the

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (7)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION A rotary filing device for tape cassettes This invention relates to a rotary filing device for tape cassettes and the like. According to this invention I propose a rotary filing device for tape cassettes orthe like comprising a frame carrying mounting strips or slots each adapted to receive a cassette or a cassette case, all of the strips being supported at each end in a common recess and the strips themselves being linked together to form an endless chain which is movable by tilting successive strips to provide access to each cassette or cassette case in turn. The frame may be a cabinet open at one end to provide access to cassettes or cassette cases mounted on the interlinked strips, and, further may carry on one face projections which are complementary with projections on an opposite face whereby two identical devices can be attached together by interlocking the projections on the said one face of one device with the complementary projections on the said opposite face of the other device. To permit mounting of the device on a support, a bracket may be provided for attachment to the support and carrying projections complementary with the projections on one face of the frame. In a preferred embodiment the strips are attached to an endless belt of flexible material with the edges of adjacent strips in abutment and disposed normal to the axis of the belt. Also, each strip preferably is adapted to receive both a cassette and a cassette case as desired. An embodiment of this invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 is a perspective view, partly exploded of a rotary filing cabinet for storing tape cassettes, the cabinet being adapted for attachment to other similar cabinets to build a modular storage system; Figure 2 is cassette mounting strips for attachment to a flexible belt which fits within the cabinet of Figure 1; and Figure 3 illustrates the manner in which the rotary file operates to afford access to each in turn, of the stored tape cassettes. The cabinet 10 shown in Figure 1 is adapted by means of projection 12 defining complementary tongues 14 and grooves 16, preferably, dovetail or half-dovetail tongues and grooves, to interlock with similar cabinets (not shown) to build a modular storage system. There are projections on each face so enabling attachment of up to four adjacent cabinets. If desired the cabinet can be suspended from a wall or the underside of a shelf by means of a cruciform bracket 20 for attachment to the wall or shelf by screws or the like, passing through holes 22. At the ends of each are 24 of the cruciform bracket are projections adapted to engage the projections 16 on the upper face of the cabinet. Access to the interior of the cabinet is from either end. Cassette mounting strips 30 such as shown in Figure 2 are fixed by adhesive to an endless flexible belt 31 (see Figure 3), such that the elongate edges 32 of adjacent strips are in abutment and lie normal to the longitudinal axis of the belt. Ends 34 of the mounting strips projecting beyond wings 36, are received in opposed rectangular recesses 38 (one shown) formed in the side walls of the cabinet 10. The spacing between the wings 36 on each mount- ing strip is such that a cassette case fits therebetween but the strips 30 also have means 40 for mounting the cassettes without cases. Referring now to Figure 3, cassettes or cassette cases 50 mounted upon the strips 30 connected to the continuous endless belt 31 and resting on the lower edge 52 of the rectangular recesses 38, lie in a vertical plane, some depending from strips 30 on the lower run of the endless belt and others standing vertically on strips 20 in the upper run. In this state, only those cassettes at the cabinets are visible. To gain access to other cassettes, the leading cassette in the upper run is tilted as indicated by arrow A so that the mounting strip 30 to which it is secured, pivots about its leading edge and is lifted to the position shown by the dot-dash lines. Further, tilting causes that strip to turn over, drawing with it the strips in the upper run and displacing the strips in the lower run as indicated by the arrows X and Y, that cassette, then entering the lower runs.This procedure may be repeated at will and, if desired, in the opposite direction until a particular cassette is located. CLAIMS

1. A rotary filing device for tape cassettes or the like and comprising a frame carrying mounting strips or slots each adapted to receive a cassette or a cassette case, all of the strips being supported at each end in a common recess and the strips themselves being linked together to form an endless chain which is movable by tilting successive strips to provide access to each cassette or cassette case in turn.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the strips are attached to an endless belt of flexible material with the edges of adjacent strips in abutment and disposed normal to the axis of the belt.

3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the frame comprises a cabinet open at one end to provide access to cassettes or cassette cases mounted on the interlinked strips.

4. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the frame carries on one face projections which are complementary with projections on an opposite face whereby two identical devices can be attached together by interlocking the projections on the said one face of one device with the complementary projections on the said opposite face of the other device.

5. A device according to claim 4 and comprising a bracket for attachment to a support and carrying projections complementary with the projections on one face of the frame such that by interlocking the complementary projections the frame can be mounted on the support.

6. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein each mounting strip is adapted to receive both a cassette and a cassette case as desired.

7. A rotary filing device for tape cassettes or the like, constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.