Disc storage case

Abstract

A disc storage case includes a base, a clamp having disc-retaining fingers that pass through an aperture in a disc to retain the disc parallel to the base, and a number of suspension arms radiating from the clamp and extending in off-radial directions to the base. The arms, in combination, take on a vortex-form. As a result, the length of each arm is maximised to provide a soft suspension for the clamp wherein radial movement of the disc-retaining fingers is achieved with little vertical force applied to the disc itself.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to disc storage cases. More particularly, although not exclusively, the invention relates to a case for storing a compact disc, videodisc, DVD, or other disc having a central aperture.

[0002] Many types of disc storage case are known. Some of these have a retaining boss that passes through the central aperture of the disc. These usually have a button that is depressed to release fingers that retain the disc to the boss. Others have hingedly connected parts that pivot with respect to one another to thereby release the disc. Most of these require a fairly high finger pressure to achieve the desired release action. Also, a fairly high downward force must be applied to the disc itself in order to engage the disc over the fingers or otherwise activate the locking mechanism.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is an object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least one of the above disadvantages and/or more generally to provide improved disc storage case.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0004] There is disclosed herein a disc storage case comprising:

[0005] a base,

[0006] a clamp comprising disc-retaining fingers that pass through an aperture in a disc and retain the disc parallel to the base, and

[0007] a plurality of suspension arms radiating from the clamp and extending in off-radial directions to the base.

[0008] Preferably the arms, in combination, take on a vortex-form.

[0009] Preferably the arms are curved.

[0010] Preferably the clamp further comprises a force-application surface about which the disc-retaining fingers are located, and a slot positioned between each disc-retaining finger and the force-application surface.

[0011] Preferably one or more of said suspension arms extend from a respective one or more of said disc-retaining fingers to the base.

[0012] Preferably at least one of the suspension arms comprises a disc-support surface extending from a said one of the disc-retaining fingers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective illustration of a disc storage case;

[0015] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective illustration of a clamp, forming part of the case of FIG. 1; and

[0016] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional elevational view of the clamp of FIG. 2 retaining a disc.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0017] In the accompanying drawings there is schematically depicted a disc storage case 10. Case 10 comprises a base 11 to which there is hingedly attached a lid L. The lid L is typically of clear or translucent moulded plastics material and the base 11 might be clear, translucent or opaque and is typically formed also of moulded plastics material.

[0018] The base 11 includes a circular disc-receiving area as depicted in the drawings and as known in the art. In the centre of this circular area there is a clamp 12 to secure a disc in-place parallel to the base and within the circular area wherein parts of the circumference of the disc are supported by support surfaces S.

[0019] The clamp 12, as better illustrated in FIG. 2, comprises a push-button 13 having a central force application surface. Depending from the periphery of the push-button 13 is a number of fingers 14 and disc-retaining fingers 15. The difference between fingers 14 and 15 is that fingers 15 each comprise a disc-retaining clip as illustrated and an edge of one of which is shown at 20 in FIG. 3.

[0020] The fingers pass through the central aperture of a disc D such that the clips 20 snap over the inner periphery of the disc as the fingers 15 deflect as a result of interaction of the disc inner periphery with curved upper surface 18 of the clips 15.

[0021] Each finger 14 and 15 has extending from its bottom a suspension arm 16. Each suspension arm 16 extends in an off-radial manner from the respective finger to the base 11. Indeed, the base 11, suspension arms 16, fingers 14 and 15 and button 13 are an integral moulding. By “off-radial”, it is meant that the suspension arms 16 do not extend directly radially from the clamp 12 to the base 11. Although it is feasible that if the arms were shorter, a radial line drawn from a finger 14 or 15 to the base 11 might not part from an arm, the arms extend away from such a line in a non-radial clockwise or anti-clockwise manner. This maximises the length of the arms, therefore providing a soft suspension for the clamp 12.

[0022] Each arm includes a disc support surface 17 that forms a annulus around the clamp that is periodically broken by the spaces between the arms. These spaces extend to the button 13 to provide curved slots 19 behind each disc-retaining finger 15. The slots 19 enable each disc-retaining finger 15 to deflect toward the centre of the clamp 12 upon installation of a disc thereon. However, they are not so long as to hinder inward movement of the disc-retaining fingers 15 upon the application of finger force to the button 13.

[0023] In use, the clamp is operated in the same manner as clamps known in the art. However the arrangement of the suspension arms 16 provides a soft suspension for the clamp 12 and efficient radial movement of the disc-retaining fingers 15 for both installation and removal of the disc.

[0024] It should be appreciated that modifications and alterations obvious to those skilled in the art are not to be considered as beyond the scope of the present invention. For example, instead of being curved, each suspension arm 16 might be straight, but still extend in an off-radial direction.

Claims

1. A disc storage case comprising:

a base,

a clamp comprising disc-retaining fingers that pass through an aperture in a disc and retain the disc parallel to the base, and

a plurality of suspension arms radiating from the clamp and extending in off-radial directions to the base.

2. The disc storage case of claim 1 wherein the arms, in combination, take on a vortex-form.

3. The disc storage case of claim 2 wherein the arms are curved.

4. The disc storage case of claim 1 wherein the clamp further comprises a force-application surface about which the disc-retaining fingers are located, and a slot positioned between each disc-retaining finger and the force-application surface.

5. The disc storage case of claim 1 wherein one or more of said suspension arms extend from a respective one or more of said disc-retaining fingers to the base.

6. The disc storage case of claim 1 wherein at least one of the suspension arms comprises a disc-support surface extending from a said one of the disc-retaining fingers.