Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
  • G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
  • G11B33/00—Constructional parts, details or accessories not provided for in the other groups of this subclass
  • G11B33/02—Cabinets; Cases; Stands; Disposition of apparatus therein or thereon
  • G11B33/04—Cabinets; Cases; Stands; Disposition of apparatus therein or thereon modified to store record carriers
  • G11B33/0405—Cabinets; Cases; Stands; Disposition of apparatus therein or thereon modified to store record carriers for storing discs
  • G11B33/0411—Single disc boxes
  • G11B33/0422—Single disc boxes for discs without cartridge
  • G11B33/0427—Single disc boxes for discs without cartridge comprising centre hole locking means

Definitions

• the present invention relates to disc storage devices for holding recorded or recordable discs, and in particular, but not exclusively optically readable, writeable or re-writeable discs such as compact discs (CD's) and digital versatile discs (DVD's).
• CD's compact discs
• DVD's digital versatile discs
• aperture 62 of the disc 64 can be releasably engaged in a snap-fit manner to hold the disc securely within the case.
• the tines for this purpose traditionally extend proud from the interior of the case, or from a separable tray provided therein.
• the tines initially curve outwardly 66 as they raise from their base and then inwardly 68 towards their tips.
• the outer periphery of the tines forming the boss having, at its widest extent a diameter which is slightly larger than that of the central aperture of the disc to be stored in the case.
• a disc 64 can be snapped into the case by aligning its central aperture over the boss and pressing the disc down onto the tray or case. By this action the inner edge 70 of the disc 64,
• disc holding devices which attempt to encourage the user to press a release mechanism provided in the central boss in order to release the grip of the boss on the disc before it is removed.
• the user must be educated into using such release mechanisms and such do not prevent the user from removing the disc without first activating the release mechanism on the boss.
• release mechanism usually result in a tighter fit of the boss to the disc which further increases the risk of damage to the disc, if the disc is removed without firstly activating the release mechanism.
• a disc storage device comprising a hub for releasably engaging the centre hole of a disc to be stored on the device, the hub comprising a substantially fixed cylindrical body having a resilient arm cantilevered to the outer periphery of said body.
• the arm extends in a circumferential manner to the body.
• the arm may lie substantially within the cylindrical periphery of the hub.
• the arm carries a protuberance at its free end which extends outwardly of the body. At least one surface of the protuberance may be chamfered.
• the axis about which the arm flexes lies within the periphery of the hub.
• the axis about which the arm flexes is substantially parallel to the
• the recess may advantageously be provided as a depression in said device or alternatively by an annular rim.
• the annular rim or depression may have an internal lip for providing support to the outermost edge of a disc.
• a periphery to the depression or the rim may advantageously comprise a finger access point to facilitate access to the underside of the disc stored to allow removal of the disc by pulling on the disc.
• the finger access point is preferably provided diametrically opposite to said arm.
• the hub may be provided on a platform.
• the disc storage device may be provided on an insert to a jewel case or video box, alternatively the disc storage device may be integral to said case or box.
• Fig. 1 is an elevated view of a disc storage device constructed in accordance with the present invention
• Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view of the device of Fig. 1 ;
• Fig. 3 is a sectional side view of the device of Fig. 2 with a disc held thereon;
• Fig. 4 is a detail of the central boss of the device of Fig. 2;
• Fig. 5 is a sectional side view of the boss of Fig. 4 and further illustrating a disc seated on the boss;
• Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 1 of a second embodiment of disc storage device;
• Figs. 7 & 8 are sectional schematic views of a known disc holding device illustrating the engagement and release of a disc therefrom.
• the 1 to 5 comprises a disc * holding device 2 which may be provided on or in an insert tray to a jewel case or video style holding box, not illustrated, or may be provided as a integral molding to such case or box.
• the device 2 provides an apparatus for holding a disc 34, the disc being illustrated in Figs. 3 and 5 only, in the jewel case or box.
• the device 2 comprises a base portion 3 which carries a disc receiving recess 4 which is substantially bounded by an annular rim 6.
• a boss 8 is provided at a central portion of the recess 4 and is mounted on a platform 10 which stands proud of the floor of the recess 4.
• the boss 8 comprises a substantially fixed cylindrical body 12 which carries an integral resilient arm 14.
• the arm 14 forms a part of the outer surface of the cylindrical body, with the arm 14 being attached to the main portion of the body at 16 and cut-away therefrom at 18 and 20, and from the base of the body by cut-away portion 22 in the platform 10 such that the arm 14 flexes substantially radially with respect to the body 12 about axis 24.
• the free end 26 of the arm 14 carries a protuberance 28 which extends radially outwards from the body 12.
• An upper and lower surface of the protuberance as best illustrated in Fig. 5, has chamfered surfaces 30, 32 respectively to provide a lead-in and lead-out for a disc 34.
• the annular rim 6 is provided with a break at 36, which is diametrically opposite said arm 14, to provide a finger receiving access point to said outer edge 42 of said disc 34.
• a disc 34 is inserted into the disc holding device 2 by aligning its central aperture 38 with the boss 8 and pressing the disc 34 downwards into the recess 4.
• the inner edge 40 of the disc 34 engages the chamfer 30 of the protuberance 28 and flexes the resilient arm 14 inwards about its axis 24, thereby allowing the disc 34 to pass over the protuberance 28.
• pressure on the arm 14 is released and it springs-out over the disc 34 to thereby retain the disc 34 in the recess 4.
• the disc 34 is free to rotate about the boss 8 without scratching its face because it is held proud of the floor of the recess 4 by platform 10. Furthermore, the outer most edge 42 of the disc 34 is protected by the annular rim 6, reducing the possibility of accidental removal of the disc or of foreign bodies entering the recess and thereby further reducing potential damage to the disc 34.
• the outermost edge 42 of the disc 34 is further supported by a further internal annular rim 44, concentric and adjacent to rim 6, but of less height. Platform 10 and rim 44 are designed to only contact the non-recorded or non-recordable portion of the disc 34.
• the disc holding device has been described as being provided in or on a tray insert to a case or box or as being integral within such case or box. It is to be understood that such devices could also be provided separately or be a component of a library system comprising several such devices.
• the arm has been described as integral it could be a separately formed component which is joined to the hub.

Landscapes

• Packaging For Recording Disks (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (1)

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ID=9917361

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Family Cites Families (4)

• 2001
  • 2001-06-26 GB GB0115575A patent/GB0115575D0/en not_active Ceased
• 2002
  • 2002-06-25 WO PCT/GB2002/002912 patent/WO2003001528A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 2002-06-25 EP EP02748979A patent/EP1407454A1/de not_active Withdrawn

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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