Disk storage system

Abstract

A disk storage system includes a substantially planar disk case, configured to removably receive a substantially flat disk. The case includes a locking bar disposed along an edge of the case, the locking bar being configured to releasably pivotally press fit into receiving structure of a disk storage container.

1 . A disk storage system, comprising a substantially planar disk case, configured to removably receive a substantially flat disk, having a locking bar disposed along an edge of the case, the locking bar being configured to releasably pivotally press fit into receiving structure of a disk storage container.  
   
   
       2 . A disk storage system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the locking bar comprises a pair of locking bars, disposed along a common axis on a bottom edge of the case, and whereby the plane of the disk case can pivot about the bottom edge when connected to the receiving structure of the disk storage container.  
   
   
       3 . A disk storage system in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a disk storage container, having receiving structure configured to releasably pivotally receive the locking bar of the disk case.  
   
   
       4 . A disk storage system in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein the receiving structure comprises a resilient receiving clip, having a central aperture shaped to pivotally contain the locking bar, and a pair of over-center lobes, configured to releasably retain the locking bar within the aperture.  
   
   
       5 . A disk storage system in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein the locking bar is of a non-circular cross-sectional shape, and the central aperture includes faceted sides, whereby the disk case is urged to pivot between discrete angular positions.  
   
   
       6 . A disk storage system in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a moveable index tab, removably attached to an edge of the case, and configured to bear indicia related to the contents of a disk contained in the case.  
   
   
       7 . A disk storage system in accordance with  claim 6 , further comprising a plurality of mounting holes, disposed along a top edge of the case, the moveable indexing tab having a mounting post configured to removably insert into to any of the mounting holes.  
   
   
       8 . A disk storage system in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising interlocking structure, comprising an upstanding protrusion on one side of the planar disk case, and an alignment recess on the opposite side of the planar disk case, the protrusion of one case being configured to fit into the recess of another case when stacked one atop another, so as to align and interlock the stacked cases.  
   
   
       9 . A disk storage system in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein the upstanding protrusion comprises a plurality of ridges disposed on a top surface of the disk case, and the alignment recess is associated with a bottom surface of the disk case.  
   
   
       10 . A disk storage system in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein the disk case includes a top face and a bottom face, and the interlocking structure further includes a center protrusion, generally aligned with a center of the disk case and extending from the bottom face, and a slot disposed in the top face and generally aligned with the center of the disk case, configured to receive the center protrusion.  
   
   
       11 . A disk storage system, comprising a substantially planar disk case, configured to removably receive a substantially flat disk, the disk case having interlocking structure, comprising an upstanding protrusion on one side of the planar disk case, and a recess on the opposite side of the planar disk case, the protrusion of one case being configured to fit into the recess of another case when stacked one atop another, so as to promote substantial alignment of the stacked cases.  
   
   
       12 . A disk storage system in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein the upstanding protrusion comprises a plurality of arcuate ridges, disposed on a top surface of the disk case and generally concentrically aligned with a center of the case, and the alignment recess comprises a plurality of recesses associated with a bottom surface of the disk case.  
   
   
       13 . A disk storage system in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein the disk case comprises a base portion and a closeable lid, and the interlocking structure further includes a center protrusion extending downwardly from the lid and through an aperture in the base portion when the lid is closed, and the lid further including a center slot in a top face thereof, configured to receive the center protrusion to promote alignment of the stacked cases.  
   
   
       14 . A disk storage system in accordance with  claim 11 , further comprising a pair of locking bars, generally axially aligned along an edge of the case, the locking bars being configured to releasably pivotally press fit into receiving structure of a disk storage container.  
   
   
       15 . A disk storage system in accordance with  claim 14 , further comprising a disk storage container, having receiving structure comprising a pair of resilient receiving clips configured to releasably pivotally receive the locking bars, the receiving clips having a central aperture shaped to pivotally contain the locking bar, and a pair of over-center lobes, configured to releasably retain the locking bar within the aperture  
   
   
       16 . A disk storage system, comprising 
 a substantially planar disk case, configured to removably receive a substantially flat disk, having a locking bar disposed along an edge of the case; and    a disk storage device, having receiving structure configured to releasably pivotally receive the locking bar of the disk case.    
   
   
       17 . A disk storage system in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein the disk storage device is selected from the group consisting of a rotary disk storage device, a tray-type disk storage device, and a chain-type disk storage device comprising a plurality of interconnectable links having the receiving structure attached thereto.  
   
   
       18 . A disk storage system in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein the receiving structure comprises a resilient receiving clip, having a central aperture shaped to pivotally contain the locking bar, and a pair of over-center lobes, configured to releasably retain the locking bar within the aperture.  
   
   
       19 . A disk storage system in accordance with  claim 18 , wherein the locking bar is of a non-circular cross-sectional shape, and the central aperture includes faceted sides, whereby the disk case is urged to pivot between discrete angular positions.  
   
   
       20 . A disk storage system in accordance with  claim 16 , further comprising a moveable index tab, removably attached to an edge of the case, and configured to bear indicia related to the contents of a disk contained in the case.