Compact disc storage unit

A disc storage and retrieval apparatus for storage of multiple data storage discs having unwritten peripheral edge portions, comprising:

• (a) a semicircular toroidal-shaped bottom housing;
• (b) a semicircular toroidal-shaped top housing removably secured to the bottom housing for forming a toroid, the top housing having a radially extending disc access slot formed therein;
• (c) a semicircular toroidal magazine rotatably supported within the bottom housing and having a multiplicity of corresponding and radially spaced inner and outer pairs of projections for supporting a multiplicity of discs within the magazine, the projections being limited in height so as to engage a discs solely at its unwritten edge;
• (d) a rotary mechanism which rotates the magazine relative to the access slot and aligns a disc in the magazine therewith;
• and
• (e) a radially extending lever which pivots to contact a disc and lift the disc from the magazine's projections and up through the access slot.

A method of storing and retrieving compact discs, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a magazine which stores a plurality of compact discs wherein each disc is individually retained at its edges by a pairs of shallow projections, the magazine being housed in generally toroidal housing;
• rotating the magazine so as to align a compact disc with an access slot in a top portion of the housing;
• actuating a lever through an actuating slot formed in a bottom portion housing so as to lift the compact disc from the magazine and upwardly through the access slot;
• and
• removing the compact disc through the access slot.