US3829132A - Composite cover-support for cassettes and books - Google Patents

Abstract

A composite cover-support for tape cassettes and books, comprises a cover assembly, similar to the covers of a book, and, joined to this assembly, at least one receptacle for at least one tape cassette and at least one means of fixation for at least one book, these elements being arranged in such a manner that, when said cover assembly is folded up upon itself, the cassette and the book lie adjacent each other, occupy substantially the total space between the cover members and are coplanar, with the cassette being held in position within the cover assembly by an edge of the book or by an edge of the support means for the book within the cover assembly.

Description

United States Patent [191 Willieme Aug. 13, 1974 1 COMPOSITE COVER-SUPPORT FOR CASSETTES AND BOOKS [21] Appl. No.: 326,410

[30] Ijoreign Application Priority Data Oct. 11, 1 212 Belgium ..789915 [52] US. Cl. 281/31, 35/8 A [51] Int.Cl B42d 3/18 [58] Field of Search 35/8 A, 35 E; 281/31; 206/DIG. 36

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 165,654 7/1875 Arms 281/31 1,023,466 4/1912 Gareis..... 281/31 1,193,181 8/1916 Peck ..281/31 2,694,264 11/1954 Seaton 35/35 E 3,352,027 11/1967 Schwartz 35/8 A 3,583,729 6/1971 De Groot 281/31 3,658,365 4/1972 Greubel 281/31 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 2,208 1914 Great Britain .1 281/31 681,973 10/1939 Germany 281/31 759,024 11/1933 France 35/35 E Primary Examinew-Wm. H. Grieb Attorney, Agent, or FirmBacon & Thomas 5 7 ABSTRACT A composite cover-support for tape cassettes and books, comprises a cover assembly, similar to the covers of a book, and, joined to this assembly, at least one receptacle for at least one tape cassette and at least one means of fixation for at least one book, these elements being arranged in such a manner that, when said cover assembly is folded up upon itself, the cassette and the book lie adjacent. each other, occupy substantially the total space between the cover members and are coplanar, with the cassette being held in position within the cover assembly by an edge of the book or by an edge of the support means for the book within the cover assembly.

12 Claims, 25 Drawing Figures PATENTED 3.829.132

SHEET 5 (IF 6 g 16 {3 5 [1 f I L. L-ILM LAN- L-M4- PATENTED 31974 3.829.132

sum 6 OF 6 COMPOSITE COVER-SUPPORT FOR CASSETTES AND BOOKS This invention concerns a composite cover-support for cassettes and printed matter, generally in the form of a book. By cassettes is meant any relatively rigid package and/or cartridge containing a sound and/or visual recording on tape or film. By printed matter is meant sheaves which may be printed or receive visible information such as by printing, bound or unbound, generally but not exclusively in the form of a book.

In the preferred embodiment of said composite cover-support, thereexists a relation between the subject of the cassette recording and the text or drawings on said printed matter.

The aims of the invention are multiple: to ,favorize the development of general culture by associating reading with audio and/or visual media; to promote a new way of selling books and cassettes; to introduce into commerce a safety cover-support, notably for cassettes; and to create a mixed form of library of a new kind.

To achieve these aims, the composite coversupport according to the invention includes cover members, similar to a book cover, and integral with these covers, at least one supporting means for at least one cassette and at least one supporting means for at least one sheaf or book, these elements being disposed in such a mutual relationship that, when said cover support is folded up upon itself, the cassette and sheaf or book connected thereto are juxtaposed, the whole presenting a compact, resistant, comfortable form of great protection for the cassette and sheaf or book.

The supporting means, respectively for the cassette and for the sheaf or book, are essentially variable and it is necessary only that they permit accessibility to said cassette and optionally to said sheaf or book so that these can be conveniently and rapidly withdrawn from and replaced in the common support when the cover members are in the open, unfolded position.

As to the common support and the relative position thereon of said supporting means, respectively for the cassette and for the sheaf or book, they shall be'such as-to obtain the free space(s) necessary'to permit the juxtaposition, respectively, of the cassette and of the sheaf or book, in the closed position of the coversupport.

The relative position between the cassette and the sheaf or the book is essentially variable.

Complementary closing means can be provided for the cassette supporting means and/or for the sheaf or book supporting means and/or for the common sup- Ol't.

P By reason of the juxtaposition of the cassette and of the sheaf or book, an important advantage is obtained in that the cassette, immobilized onto the support by its supporting means such as a sheath or pocket, is automatically protected against extraction on account of the abutment effect of the sheaf or book. In certain embodiments this protective measure may also be applied to the sheaf or book, respectively to the cassette and to the sheaf or book simultaneously.

In one particular embodiment, the cover-support comprises, on one hand, at least one receptacle or supporting means for at least one cassette and, on the other hand, a book directly and permanently affixed to said cover-support, the arrangement being such that access to the cassette with a view to extracting the latter is permitted only when the cover-support is sufficiently open so that the aforesaid abutment effect of the sheave or book ceases to exist.

In function of the kind of cassette and sheaf or book to be associated with said cover-support, the latter can be executed in essentially variable materials and at essentially variable prices.

By way of examples, some embodiments of the invention are hereinafter described, reference being made to the appended drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a composite coversupport according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is similar to FIG. 1, the cover-support being filled;

FIG. 3 is a section along line III-III of FIG. 2, the composite cover-support being represented entirely open;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3, the composite cover-support being shown in. fully closed position;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are front and side views respectively of a first modified embodiment of a composite coversupport according to the invention, in open position;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are front and side views, respectively of a second embodiment of a composite cover-support according to the invention, in open position;

FIG. 9 is a front view of a third embodiment of a composite cover-support according to the invention, in open position;

FIGS. 10 and 11 are sections, respectively, along lines XX and XIXI of FIG. 9;

FIGS. 12 and 13 are front and side views, respectively of a fourth embodiment of a cover-support according to the invention, in open position;

FIG. 14 is a front view ofa fifth embodiment in open position;

FIG. 15 represents a front view of a sixth embodiment in open position;

FIGS. 16 and 17 are front and side views, respectively of a seventh embodiment in open position;

FIGS. 18 and 19 are front and side views, respectively of an eighth embodiment in open position;

FIGS. 20 and 21 are front and side views respectively of a ninth embodiment of the invention, in open position;

FIG. 22 is a front view of a tenth embodimen' t in open position;

FIG. 23 shows a section along line XXIII-XXIII of FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 represents a partial perspective view of the composite cover-support according to FIGS. 22 and 23;

FIG. 25 shows, in a profile view and in open position, a composite cover-support with loose-leaf pages.

In all these embodiments, the composite coversupport according to the invention includes the combination of ageneral folding cover 1 comprising a pair of cover members 1alb, at least one supporting or securingmeans 2 for at least one cassette and a supporting or securingmeans 3 for a sheaf of printed material, generally a book.

In all the embodiments of the invention, said supporting means 2-3 are proportioned so as to leave, inside thecover 1, zones which are unoccupied in the open position of the cover-support but substantially entirely occupied in the closed or folded position of said coversupport.

In the example of FIGS. 1 and 2, a supportingmeans 2 is represented for acassette 4 and a supportingmeans 3 for abook 5. In this embodiment, said supportingmeans 2 is adjacent to the spine orfolding hinge area 6 of the support, while the supporint means 3 is adjacent to one of thefree edges 7 of saidsupport 1. That is, with the cover in the closed position, thecartridge receptacle 2 and book lie adjacent each other in a coplanar relationship and both substantially fill the space between the covers.

As schematically shown in FIG. 3, the neutral zone adjacent tothecassette support 2 presents a width Ll substantially equal to the width L2 of thebook support 3, while thefree zone 1 adjacent to saidbook support 3 presents a width L3 substantially equal to the width L4 of thecassette support 2.

Thus, by closing the cover-support in the manner of a book, a compact envelopment is obtained such as is schematically shown in cross-section in FIG. 4.

The cover-support can be completed by means of any type of fastener, as'schematized in 8. The width L5 of thespine 6 is substantially equal to the thickness L6, L7 respectively, of supports 2-3. A certain tolerance is naturally authorized between said thickness L5 on one hand and L6 and L7 on the other hand. If these differences exceed the limit of tolerance, it will be always possible to interpolate or add an additional thickness in theconfection of one of saidsupports 2 or 3.

The mutual relations between the free zones of thecommon support 1 and the dimensions of the supporting means 2-3 can be foreseen in width as well as in height, and this, in function of the chosen relative position of the cassette(s) on one hand and the book or similar sheaves on the other, as well as of the number of cassettes and/or books to be contained in a same cover-support. The tape cartridge support orreceptacle 2 includes an opening 2a lying in a plane extending normal to the plane ofcover member 1b and a bottom 2b lying adjacent thefold hinge area 6 in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4.

In the different embodiments schematically shown in FIGS. 5 to 25, the same reference numerals relate to equivalent elements or elements having equivalent functions.

In the example of FIGS. 5 and 6, the same elements are found as in FIGS. 1 to 4, only an inversion has been introduced between the relative position of the supporting means 2-3 in relation to thecommon support 1. Here, the bottom ofreceptacle 2 is located at or adjacent afree edge 7 ofcover 1a and opening 2a is towards thehinge area 6.

In the embodiments described above, an important function is obtained by reason of the placement and orientation of thecartridge receptacle 2 and thebook 5. Thebook 5 has anedge 5a which also lies in a plane extending normal to the plane of therespective cover member 1a to which it is attached. When the cover is folded along fold line orarea 6 and the opening 2a ofreceptacle 2 lies adjacent to and is blocked by theedge 5a ofbook 5 so that the tape cartridge is held secure in its receptacle when the cover is in the folded position. Likewise, thebook support 3 has an edge 30 which at least partially blocks thecartridge receptacle opening 2a when the cover assembly is folded together, for preventing movement of the cartridge out of its receptacle.

In the example of FIGS. 7 and 8, the supporting means 2-3 have been fixed in a mutually adjacent position on one of the flaps of thecommon support 1. The length L8 of the flap of the common support which is unoccupied is equal to L2 L4, the width L5 of thespine 6 being substantially equal to the thickness L6 of said supporting means 2-3.

In the example of FIGS. 9 to 11, the supporting means 2-3 have been disposed at different levels, providing for cover-supports of lesser width. In this case, the supportingmeans 2 for the cassette, on one hand, and the supportingmeans 3 for the book on the other hand, are disposed diagonally with respect to the two flaps of thecommon support 1. In this embodiment, the width L9 of the supportingmeans 2 is substantially equal to the width L10 of the supporting means for the book. The height H of thecommon support 1 is equal to H1 H2 which represent the height of the supportingmeans 2 and 3 respectively. Here, the book is an integral part of the cover and thehinge area 6 comprises a part of the hinge or back of thebook 5.Opening 2a inreceptacle 2 again abuts edge 50 ofbook 5 when the cover is closed.

In the example of FIGS. 12 and 13, the supporting means 2-3 are mutually adjoining or approximately adjoining on the same flap of thecommon support 1. It suffices, inthis embodiment, that the width L11 of the raised flap of the common support be equal to L12 L13, that is to say, to the sum of the width of the two supporting means 2-3 respectively.

As shown in FIG. 14, asupport 3 for a single book or sheaf is complemented by twosupports 2, respectively for twocassettes 4.

In such an execution the following conditions must be met: L14 L15; L16 L17 and H3 I H4 H5.

Instead of a single supporting means 3 for a single book or sheaf, several such means for a corresponding number of books or sheaves can, obviously be substituted.

The example of FIG. 15, is a variation of the preceding example, according to which the cassettes have been turned by To this end the different supporting means are disposed so that L18 L19 L20 and H6 H7 H8.

FIGS. 16 and 17 show an embodiment practically inverse to that illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4. Indeed, the supportingmeans 2 for cassette is disposed along the marginal edge of the cover-support while the supportingmeans 3 for the sheaf or book is located along thespine 6. In this execution the conditions'L2l L22 and L23 L24 must be met.

According to the example of FIGS. 18 and 19, the supportingmeans 2 for thecassette 4 is disposed along the marginal edge of thecommon support 1 while the supporting means for the sheaf orbook 5 is affixed along the opposite marginal edge of saidcommon support 1. Here, L25 must be equal to L26.

In the example of FIGS. 20 and 21, the supportingmeans 2 and 3 are affixed edge to edge on thecommon support 1 between the two spinal areas 6-6 At each side of said areas 6-6 thecommon support 1 extends a length L27 L28 and L29 L30, respectively.

In the embodiment according to FIGS. 22 to 24 a bellows device has been interposed between the common support and each of the supporting means for the cassette(s) and/or for the sheaf(ves) or book(s). The purpose of such an arrangement is to facilitatethe withdrawal of the cassette, the sheaf or the book without prejudice to the safe protection of the cassettes, sheaves and/or books, the number of such cassettes, sheaves and/or books associated to the same common support notwithstanding.

Thus, no matter what adjoining disposition is adopted between these supporting means, bellows as schematically shown in 9 may be used. These bellows can present any suitable shape and'adequate dimensions and can be executed in any appropriate material.

In the preceding embodiments, described only by way of example, thecommon support 1 has generally been considered as being formed from one continuous piece, the intermediate spines or hinge areas 6 (6) per mitting its almost instantaneous opening or closing.

However, thecommon support 1 could be of the loose-leaf type binder type constituted, for example, by rings, spiral attachment, perforations cooperating with pins or by any of the numerous binding means known per se joining together cover members la, lb along the hinge line area 10.

Such a realization, according to the appropriate choice of said binding means, permits obtaining multiple flap cover-supports. It is pointed out once more that, if the cassettes must necessarily be lodged in individual supports, (or in individual divisions of a common support), the books may be directly fixed onto the common support in such a manner that said commonsupport can be manipulated like a book, permitting access to the cassette or cassettes and permitting reading in the usual way.

The invention concerns the empty cover-support as well as cover-support containing cassettes and sheaves or books.

What I claim is:

l. A cover assembly for a tape cartridge and book comprising:

a. at least a pair of planar cover members joined together along a mutual fold hinge area and having inner surfaces;

b. at least one tape cartridge receptacle on the inner surface of one of said cover members and occupying less than the total area of said surface, said receptacle having a single opening lying in a plane extending normal to the plane of said cover member;

c. at least one book member supported on the inner surface of the other cover member, said book occupying less than the total area of said other cover inner surface, said book member having an edge extending normal to the plane of said other cover member;

d. said receptacle opening being adjacent said book member edge and blocked thereby when said cover members are folded together along said hinge area;

e. said receptacle and book member occupying adjacent coplanar areas between said cover members when the latter are in their folded position, whereby a tape cartridge in said receptacle is retained therein by said book edge when said cover members are in the folded position.

2. The cover assembly recited inclaim 1, wherein at 3. The cover assembly as recited inclaim 1, wherein said cover members have substantially equal surface areas; and said receptacle and book member occupy substantially the total area between said cover members in their folded position.

4. The cover assembly recited! inclaim 1, wherein said tape receptacle has a bottom area located adjacent a free edge of its respective cover member.

5. The cover assembly recited. inclaim 1, wherein said book member is removably secured to its respective cover member.

6. The cover assembly recited inclaim 5, further wherein a book receptacle is provided for removably securing said book to its respective cover, said book receptacle being secured to its respective cover and having an opening lying in a plane extending normal to said respective cover.

7. The cover assembly as recited inclaim 1 further including at least a second cartridge receptacle similar to said one receptacle and located on the same inner surface of said cover member as that on which said one receptacle is located, said first and second receptacles both occupying less than than the total area of said inner surface on which they are located; said second receptacle also having a single opening lying in a plane extending normal to the plane of its respective cover member; the said openings of both receptacles being adjacent said book edge and blocked thereby when said cover members are in their folded. position; and said receptacles and book member occupying adjacent areas between said cover members when the latter are in their folded position, whereby tape cartridges in said receptacles are retained therein. by said book edge when said cover members are in their folded position.

8. The cover assembly recited inclaim 1, wherein said fold hinge area is an integral, continuous part of said cover members, and said cartridge receptacle has a bottom area located adjacent said fold hinge area.

9. The cover assembly recited inclaim 1, wherein said book furthermore has another edge located adjacent said hinge area, said edge extending substantially along the full length of said hinge area.

10. The cover assembly recited inclaim 1, wherein said book furthermore has another edge located at said hinge area and said cover assembly further comprises front and back cover portions of said book, said other edge of said book comprising its bound edge.

11. A cover assembly as recited inclaim 1, further wherein said cover members have a releasable securing means for selectively holding saidcover members in folded position, whereby a tape cartridge in said receptacle, said book, and said cover members are all held in relatively fixed relationship, said securing means being located adjacent to and spanning an edge of said book different from the edge thereof adjacent said receptacle opening.

12. A cover assembly for a tape cartridge and book comprising:

a at least a pair of planar cover members joined along a mutual fold hinge area and having inner surfaces;

b at least one tape cartridge receptacle on the inner surface of one of said cover members and occupy ing less than the total area of said surface, said receptacle having a single opening lying in a plane extending normal to the plane of said cover member;

are folded together along said hinge area and superimposed one above the other in a folded position;

e said receptacle and support member occupying adjacent coplanar areas between said cover members when the latter are in their folded position, whereby a tape cartridge in said receptacle is retained therein by said support edge when said cover members are in the folded position.

Claims (12)

1. A cover assembly for a tape cartridge and book comprising: a. at least a pair of planar cover members joined together along a mutual fold hinge area and having inner surfaces; b. at least one tape cartridge receptacle on the inner surface of one of said cover members and occupying less than the total area of said surface, said receptacle having a single opening lying in a plane extending normal to the plane of said cover member; c. at least one book member supported on the inner surface of the other cover member, said book occupying less than the total area of said other cover inner surface, said book member having an edge extending normal to the plane of said other cover member; d. said receptacle opening being adjacent said book member edge and blocked thereby when said cover members are folded together along said hinge area; e. said receptacle and book member occupying adjacent coplanar areas between said cover members when the latter are in their folded position, whereby a tape cartridge in said receptacle is retained therein by said book edge when said cover members are in the folded position.

2. The cover assembly recited in claim 1, wherein at least said tape receptacle is asymmetrically located with respect to the center of its respective cover inner surface.

3. The cover assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said cover members have substantially equal surface areas; and said receptacle and book member occupy substantially the total area between said cover members in their folded position.

4. The cover assembly recited in claim 1, wherein said tape receptacle has a bottom area located adjacent a free edge of its respective cover member.

5. The cover assembly recited in claim 1, wherein said book member is removably secured to its respective cover member.

6. The cover assembly recited in claim 5, further wherein a book receptacle is provided for removably securing said book to its respective cover, said book receptacle being secured to its respective cover and having an opening lying in a plane extending normal to said respective cover.

7. The cover assembly as recited in claim 1 further including at least a second cartridge receptacle similar to said one receptacle and located on the same inner surface of said cover member as that on which said one receptacle is located, said first and second receptacles both occupying less than than the total area of said inner surface on which they are located; said second receptacle also having a single opening lying in a plane extending normal to the plane of its respective cover member; the said openings of both receptacles being adjacent said book edge and blocked thereby when said cover members are in their folded position; and said receptacles and book member occupying adjacent areas between said cover members when the latter are in their folded position, whereby tape cartridges in said receptacles are retained therein by said book edge when said cover members are in their folded position.

8. The cover assembly recited in claim 1, wherein said fold hinge area is an integral, continuous part of said cover members, and said cartridge receptacle has a bottom area located adjacent said fold hinge area.

9. The cover assembly recited in claim 1, wherein said book furthermore has another edge located adjacent said hinge area, said edge extending substantially along the full length of said hinge area.

10. The cover assembly recited in claim 1, wherein said book furthermore has another edge located at said hinge area and said cover assembly further comprises front and back cover portions of said book, said other edge of said book comprising its boUnd edge.

11. A cover assembly as recited in claim 1, further wherein said cover members have a releasable securing means for selectively holding saidcover members in folded position, whereby a tape cartridge in said receptacle, said book, and said cover members are all held in relatively fixed relationship, said securing means being located adjacent to and spanning an edge of said book different from the edge thereof adjacent said receptacle opening.

12. A cover assembly for a tape cartridge and book comprising: a at least a pair of planar cover members joined along a mutual fold hinge area and having inner surfaces; b at least one tape cartridge receptacle on the inner surface of one of said cover members and occupying less than the total area of said surface, said receptacle having a single opening lying in a plane extending normal to the plane of said cover member; c at least one book support means on the inner surface of the other cover member, said book support means occupying less than the total area of its respective cover surface, and having an edge extending normal to the plane of said respective cover surface; d said receptacle opening being at least partially adjacent said book support means edge and at least partially blocked thereby when said cover members are folded together along said hinge area and superimposed one above the other in a folded position; e said receptacle and support member occupying adjacent coplanar areas between said cover members when the latter are in their folded position, whereby a tape cartridge in said receptacle is retained therein by said support edge when said cover members are in the folded position.

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