Apparatus for holding a media storage disk
The invention relates in general to an apparatus for holding a media storage disk, more particularly an apparatus having an improved central retaining area for the retention of the media storage disk, along with an optional securing means for engaging the media storage disk around its outside circumference. The disk-receiving portion contains a body portion which includes a circular outer retaining wall whose radius is slightly larger than media storage disk. The body portion also incorporates a central retaining area comprising a cylindrical hub, at least one arm extending radially and downward from the hub toward the body portion, and at least one additional arm opposite the first arm creating a hinge between the hub and body portion. Additionally the body portion may incorporate a means to secure the outer diameter of the media storage disk.
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1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates in general to an apparatus for holding a media storage disk, more particularly an apparatus having an improved central retaining area for the retention of the media storage disk, along with an optional securing means for engaging the media storage disk along its outer edge.
2. Description of the Related Art
Media storage disks have gained popularity with consumers. Examples of media storage disks include, but are not limited to, the compact disk (CD), the digital video disk (DVD) and the video compact disk (VCD).
Numerous storage cases have been developed for media storage disks. It is appreciated by designers of storage cases that it is undesirable for any portion of the case to be in contact with the information-carrying portions of the disk. Thus, developments in storage case design have involved means that limit the contact of the case with the disk to the central hole of the disk.
In addition to addressing the retention of media storage disks, case designs have also provided for the convenient ejection of the disk. Because DVDs consist of two laminated layers of polycarbonate, the bending of the DVDs for engagement and removal can cause disk and hence data damage. To avoid this damage, it is desirable for a case to provide convenient insertion and removal of the disk.
A common problem associated with most storage case designs is disk loosening and removal from a prepackaged case. A prepackaged case typically has an embedded alarm sensor. The actual disk, however, has no alarm-sensing device. By pressing the center of the storage case wall against the disk, it is possible to loosen and disengage a disk from the central retaining area.
This design flaw facilitates the theft of disks from their prepackaged cases. In addition, it greatly increases the susceptibility of disk damage during normal handling, transport and storage procedures.
Thus, the need arises for a media storage case that limits the contact of the case with information-carrying portions of the disk, allows for easy disk insertion and removal, and is not susceptible to disk loosening and removal from the central retaining portion.
In U.S. Pat. No. 6,227,362, Cheung discloses an apparatus for holding a media storage disk with a central hole. Although Cheung lessens the susceptibility to disk loosening when pressure is applied to the center of the storage case, it does not provide for convenient insertion of the disk. Before inserting the disk, the central retaining area must be positioned into a disk-releasing position by applying pressure to an articulation axis. This leads to an additional step in the disk packaging process, which is undesirable.
Unlike Cheung, the present invention uses pivot axes on each of the extending arms. The configuration of the present invention eliminates the need for applying pressure to an articulation axis, thus facilitating the disk packaging process. Disks can simply be pressed onto the central retaining area when packaging.
Through the years many apparatus for holding media storage disks have been developed. The most successful ones to date are ones which incorporate disk lifting capabilities through the incorporation of a central cylindrical hub which is split in half, thirds, quarters or more sections. Generally, when pressing these split hubs the user experiences an unpleasant pinching sensation. Additionally, these split hubs for engaging the storage media are prone to damage if one of the sections is pressed faster or harder than any of the remaining sections of the hub.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a disk storage apparatus having an improved central retaining area for the retention of a media storage disk.
A second object of the invention is to provide a disk storage apparatus that limits contact with information-carrying portions of the disk.
A third object of the invention is to provide a disk storage apparatus that allows for easy insertion and removal of the disk.
A fourth object of the invention is to provide a disk storage apparatus that is not susceptible to disk loosening and removal when pressure is applied to the center of the storage case.
A fifth object of the invention is to provide a disk storage apparatus that facilitates the disk packaging process by eliminating the need for performing additional steps when transitioning between a disk-releasing position and a disk-securing position.
A sixth object of the invention is to provide a disk storage apparatus that is simple and inexpensive to produce.
A seventh object of the invention is to provide a disk storage apparatus which does not pinch the fingers of users when releasing the disk from the central hub.
To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the invention provides an apparatus for securely holding a compact disk having a central aperture. The apparatus includes a body portion and at least one flexible arm radially connected to a cylindrical hub and extending downwardly to the flat planar surface. The arm is designed to give ejecting spring force and resting support for the disk. A second arm incorporating a molded engagement finger as part of the hub is pivotally connected opposite the first flexible arm radiating outward from the cylindrical hub to provide a hinge for locking and unlocking the disk from the apparatus. When the cylindrical hub is depressed the engagement fingers collapse downwardly below the surface of the disk inward to the center of the hub. When the pressure applied to the hub is released, the molded engagement fingers are lifted to disengage the disk from the apparatus.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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A third pair of arms 32 and fourth pair of arms 33 are pivotally connected to the cylindrical hub 27 which provide a hinge for locking and unlocking disk 50. Third pair of arms 32 and fourth pair of arms 33 are located opposite each other and equidistant from first pair of arms 30 and second pair of arms 31.
Said third pair of arms 32 and said fourth pair of arms 33 create a hinge between hub 27 and body portion 14 necessary for locking and unlocking disk 50 from the apparatus. Aligned with said third pair of arms 32 and said fourth pair of arms 33 is a a retractable finger protruding from hub 17 to engage disk 50 when in the locked position in the apparatus. When downward pressure is applied to hub 27 fingers 35 retract inside hub 27 thereby releasing disk 50.
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Other embodiments of the invention will appear to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples to be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.
Claims
1. An apparatus for holding a compact disk having a central hole comprising:
- a body portion;
- a cylindrical hub with a diameter slightly less than said central hole of said disk within said body portion;
- at least a first arm extending radially from said hub downward toward to said body portion;
- at least a second arm extending radially from said hub which provides a hinge means between said hub and said body portion for locking and unlocking said disk;
- a finger protruding from said hub to engage said disk.
2. The apparatus in claim 1 wherein said second arm extends radially from said hub generally 180 degrees from said first arm.
3. The apparatus in claim 1 wherein said finger is aligned with said second arm.
4. The apparatus in claim 1 wherein when pressure is applied to said hub said finger retracts into said hub unlocking said disk from the apparatus.
5. An apparatus for holding a compact disk having a central hole comprising:
- a body portion;
- a cylindrical hub with a diameter slightly less than said central hole of said disk within said body portion;
- at least a first pair of arms extending radially from said hub down toward to said body portion;
- at least a second pair of arms extending radially from said hub which provides a hinge means between said hub and said body portion for locking and unlocking said disk;
- at least one finger protruding from said hub to engage said disk when in the locked position;
6. The apparatus in claim 5 wherein said first pair of arms extend radially from said hub and opposite from each other.
7. The apparatus in claim 5 wherein said second pair of arms extend radially from said hub and are generally equidistant from each arm of said first pair of arms.
8. The apparatus in claim 5 wherein said finger is aligned with each arm of said second pair of arms.
9. The apparatus in claim 5 wherein when pressure is applied to said hub said finger retracts into said hub unlocking said disk from the apparatus.
10. An apparatus for holding a compact disk having a central hole comprising:
- a disk receiving portion;
- a cover portion;
- a hinge portion between said disk receiving portion and said cover portion to permit said disk receiving portion to move relative to said cover portion to form an enclosure around said disk
- a body portion incorporated on the interior face of said disk receiving portion;
- a cylindrical hub with a diameter slightly less than said central hole of said disk within said body portion;
- at least a first arm extending radially from said hub down toward to said body portion;
- at least a second arm extending radially from said hub which provides a hinge means between said hub and said body portion for locking and unlocking said disk;
- a finger protruding from said hub to engage said disk when in the locked position;
- a first outer retaining mechanism comprising a post possessing a lip to engage the outer circumference of said disk when in the locked position located along said outer retaining wall proximal to said hinge;
- a first block located on said hinge portion aligned with said first outer retaining mechanism that when said cover portion and said disk retaining portion are engaged in the closed position encasing said disk said block contacts said post causing said lip to engage and secure the outer diameter of said disk.
11. The apparatus in claim 10 wherein said second arm extends radially from said hub generally 180 degrees from said first arm.
12. The apparatus in claim 10 wherein said finger is aligned with said second arm.
13. The apparatus in claim 10 wherein when pressure is applied to said hub said finger retracts into said hub unlocking said disk from the apparatus.
14. The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein:
- a second outer retaining mechanism comprising a second post possessing a second lip is located along into said outer retaining wall located opposite said first outer retaining mechanism and said hinge;
- a second block aligned with said second outer retaining mechanism on said cover portion that when said cover portion and said disk receiving portion are engaged in the closed position said second bock contacts said second retaining mechanism causing said second lip to engage the outer circumference of said disk.
15. An apparatus for holding a compact disk having a central hole comprising:
- a disk receiving portion;
- a cover portion;
- a hinge portion between said disk receiving portion and said cover portion to permit said disk receiving portion to move relative to said cover portion to form an enclosure around said disk
- a body portion incorporated on the interior face of said disk receiving portion;
- a cylindrical hub with a diameter slightly less than said central hole of said disk within said body portion;
- at least a first pair of arms extending radially from said hub down toward to said body portion;
- at least a second pair of arms extending radially from said hub which provides a hinge means between said hub and said body portion for locking and unlocking said disk;
- a finger protruding from said hub to engage said disk when in the locked position;
- a first outer retaining mechanism comprising a post possessing a lip to engage the outer circumference of said disk when in the locked position located along said outer retaining wall proximal to said hinge;
- a first block located on said hinge portion aligned with said first outer retaining mechanism that when said cover portion and said disk retaining portion are engaged in the closed position encasing said disk said block contacts said post causing said lip to engage and secure the outer diameter of said disk.
- a second outer retaining mechanism comprising a second post possessing a second lip is located along into said outer retaining wall located opposite said first outer retaining mechanism and said hinge;
- a second block align with said second outer retaining mechanism on said cover portion that when said cover portion and said disk receiving portion are engaged in the closed position said second bock contacts said second retaining mechanism causing said second lip to engage the outer circumference of said disk.
16. The apparatus in claim 15 wherein said first pair of arms extend radially from said hub and opposite from each other.
17. The apparatus in claim 15 wherein said second pair of arms extend radially from said hub and are generally equidistant from each arm of said first pair of arms.
18. The apparatus in claim 15 wherein said a finger is aligned with each arm of said second pair of arms.
19. The apparatus in claim 15 wherein when pressure is applied to said hub said finger retracts into said hub unlocking said disk from the apparatus.
20. The apparatus in claim 15 wherein each of said second pair arms is shorter than each of said first pair of arms.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 7, 2004
Publication Date: Dec 8, 2005
Applicant:
Inventor: Michael Wawrzynowski (Torrance, CA)
Application Number: 10/863,399