Video cassette storage and ejection device

Claim 1

A container for storing and for selectively presenting a plurality of stored generally rectangular polyhedral objects of substantially equal thickness and depth, each of said polyhedral objects have a front portion and a substantially planar rear panel, said container comprising: a longitudinally extending box having at least longitudinally extending rear and bottom walls; transversely extending end walls affixed to and joining the respective transverse ends of said rear and bottom walls; said rear, bottom and end walls forming said box and defining a storage area; a plurality of transversely extending lower guide walls mounted to said bottom wall and projecting upwardly therefrom, said lower guide walls and said end walls forming partitions defining a plurality of object storage locations, each of said storage locations being of a longitudinal extent slightly in excess of said thickness of said polyhedral objects, the thickness and spacing of said partitions being constructed and arranged such that when said polyhedral objects are transversely placed into adjacent storage locations, the longitudinal space between said adjacent polyhedral objects is minimal and insufficient to accommodate a human finger; and a plurality of transversely extending ejection members, each mounted to said rear wall in a manner to have at least a contact surface thereof at least selectively project into one of said storage locations; each of said contact surfaces being movable from a first position to a second position and being adapted to directly contact said rear panel of one of said polyhedral objects when said polyhedral object is inserted into said storage location and when said rear panel is at said first position; said ejection member being constructed and arranged that when one of said polyhedral objects is moved rearwardly into said storage areas by being directly pushed inwardly at said front portion, thereby moving a corresponding one of said contact surfaces from said first toward said second position, upon said polyhedral object being released, said ejection member directly abuts said polyhedral object and urges said polyhedral object a sufficient transverse distance such that said polyhedral object rear panel is moved outwardly from said first position, whereby at least a portion of said front portion of said polyhedral object may be grasped by human fingers.