Storage and display rack for DVDs

Abstract

A high capacity motorized rack holds a plurality of DVD boxes or containers in holders flexibly inter-connectable with each other to form a rotatable continuous loop. The loop is rotatably retained within a vertical rack housing and is driven by a motor, disposed within the housing, under user control such that the loop is rotated until a desired DVD is moved to the top fan-out region of the belt. A rack may hold two or more such loops of inter-connected holders. A preferred embodiment employs inter-connectable holders that each retain two DVD boxes in a side-by-side configuration. A lamp and/or barcode scanner may be disposed on the housing for ease of DVD selection. User control can include voice commands to direct loop rotation and speed.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A holder adapted to hold an object that can be one of a first size and a second size, the holder comprising: 
 first and second fingers retained a spaced-apart distance from each other by a base to admit the object and expose at least part of the object for user selection and removal from the holder;    an adjustable retention member extending from and slidable relative to one of said first and second finger; and    first and second tabs extending from said retention member in a direction toward the other of said first and second fingers, said first tab adapted to frictionally retaining at least a portion of the object when the object is the first size, said second tab adapted to frictionally retaining at least a portion of the object when the object is the second size.    
     
     
         2 . The holder as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said one of said first and second fingers includes a pair of rails on which the adjustable retention member is slidable.  
     
     
         3 . The holder as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said adjustable retention member is slidable between at least a down position and an up position.  
     
     
         4 . The holder as recited in  claim 3 , further comprising: 
 an upper hole and lower hole located on said one of said first and second fingers;    a protrusion located on said adjustable retention member; and    wherein said protrusion rests within the lower hole when said adjustable retention member is in the down position, and said protrusion rests within said upper hole when said adjustable retention member is in the up position.    
     
     
         5 . The holder as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a male holder-engaging mechanism extending from said base; and    a female holder-engaging mechanism extending from said base;    wherein said male holder-engaging mechanism is disposed to matingly interlock with a female holder-engaging mechanism on a first adjacent holder, and said female holder-engaging mechanism is disposed to matingly interlock with a male holder-engaging mechanism on a second adjacent holder.    
     
     
         6 . The holder as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a male holder-engaging mechanism extending from said base with a slot extending through said base, said slot located adjacent to said male holder-engaging mechanism; and    a female holder-engaging mechanism extending from said base:    wherein said male holder-engaging mechanism is disposed to matingly interlock with a female holder-engaging mechanism on a first adjacent holder, and said female holder-engaging mechanism is disposed to matingly interlock with a male holder-engaging mechanism on a second adjacent holder.    
     
     
         7 . The holder as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the female holder-engaging mechanism of one holder includes a distal end which is shaped to be received in the slot located adjacent the male holder-engaging mechanism of another holder.  
     
     
         8 . A holder adapted to hold an object that can be one of a first size and a second size, the holder comprising: 
 first and second fingers retained a spaced-apart distance from each other by a base to admit the object and expose at least an end of the object, which end is located distally from said base, for user selection and removal from the holder;    an adjustable retention member extending from and slidable relative to one of said first and said second fingers; and    a first tab extending from said retention member in a direction toward the other of said first and second fingers, said first tab adapted to frictionally retaining the end of the object.    
     
     
         9 . The holder as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said one of said first and second fingers includes a rail on which the adjustable retention member is slidable.  
     
     
         10 . The holder as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said adjustable retention member is slidable between at least a down position and an up position.  
     
     
         11 . The holder as recited in  claim 8 , further comprising: 
 an upper hole and lower hole located on a surface of said one of said first and second fingers;    a protrusion located in said adjustable retention member; and    wherein said protrusion rests within the lower hole when said adjustable retention member is in the down position, and rests within said upper hole when said adjustable retention member is in the up position.    
     
     
         12 . A holder adapted to retain an object, the holder comprising: 
 (a) first and second fingers retained a spaced-apart distance from each other by a base, said base, said first finger and said second finger being sufficiently adapted to admit at least one object while exposing at least part of the object for user selection and removal from said holder, one of said first and second fingers having a track;    (b) an object retention member that slidably engages and travels on said track of said one of said first and second fingers;    (c) a male holder-engaging mechanism extending from said base; and    (d) a female holder-engaging mechanism extending from said base;    wherein a male holder-engaging mechanism on a first said holder is disposed to matingly interlock with a female holder-engaging mechanism on a second said holder, and a female holder-engaging mechanism on said first said holder is disposed to matingly interlock with a male holder-engaging mechanism on a third said holder.    
     
     
         13 . The holder of  claim 1  wherein said holder is adapted to hold one of a DVD case of a first size and of a second size.  
     
     
         14 . The holder of  claim 8  wherein said holder is adapted to hold one of a DVD case of a first size and of a second size.