Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
A tape cassette storage and carrying case, comprising: first and second substantially hollow shell members (1,2) each having an open end and a bottom opposite said open end, said shell members being pivotally connected together and being relatively movable between a closed position wherein said open ends face each other, and an open position wherein sides of said shells are adjacent each other; support means (21,22) mounted at the inner, bottom ends of said shell members and defining a plurality of stepped support levels for cassettes inserted in the shells from the open ends of said shells, the support levels for each cassette being different and being stepwise graduated in an ascending manner from the front toward the back of the shell members, the stepped support levels of the shell members (1, 2) ascending in opposite directions; and means for maintaining said shells in said closed position to enclose cassettes stored therein.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
152 words
A tape cassette storage and carrying case, comprising: first and second substantially hollow shell members (1,2) each having an open end and a bottom opposite said open end, said shell members being pivotally connected together and being relatively movable between a closed position wherein said open ends face each other, and an open position wherein sides of said shells are adjacent each other; support means (21,22) mounted at the inner, bottom ends of said shell members and defining a plurality of stepped support levels for cassettes inserted in the shells from the open ends of said shells, the support levels for each cassette being different and being stepwise graduated in an ascending manner from the front toward the back of the shell members, the stepped support levels of the shell members (1, 2) ascending in opposite directions; and means for maintaining said shells in said closed position to enclose cassettes stored therein.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The cassette storage and carrying case of claim 1, wherein said shells each have a cut-out wall portion and a protruding wall portion at the open ends thereof, the protruding wall portion of one shell being in mating registration with the cut-out wall portion of the other shell.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The cassette storage and carrying case of claim 1, further comprising a friction lock arrangement for maintaining said shells in an open position adjacent each other.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
63 words
The cassette storage and carrying case of claim 3, wherein said friction lock arrangement comprises respective legs on said shells, at least one of said legs being an elongated member and being angled relative to a leg of the other of said shells and engaging therewith, said engaging legs frictionally engaging to friction lock said shells in an open position adjacent each other.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
65 words
The cassette storage and carrying case of claim 4, comprising at least one elongated leg on each of said shells, the legs of each shell being pivotally connected together to provide the pivotal connection between said first and second shells, at least one of said legs having an angulated portion relative to the other of said legs and providing said interference fit when in engagement.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The cassette storage and carrying case of claim 1, wherein said shells have highly rounded corners at the corners adjacent the pivoting means to facilitate opening of said carrying case.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The cassette storage and carrying case of claim 1, further comprising a resilient member in said shells and extending above said step support member and against which cassettes stored in said carrying case rest.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The cassette storage and carrying case of claim 7, wherein said resilient member comprises a generally wedge-shaped resilient member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The cassette storage and carrying case of claim 2, wherein said cut-out wall portions of said shells are generally S-shaped, the S-shapes of each shell being opposite each other so as to mate with each other.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
The cassette storage and carrying case of claim 2, wherein said cut-out wall portions of said shells are generally trapezoidal shaped, the trapezoidal shapes of each shell being oppositely directed relative to each other so as to mate with each other.