U.S. patent application number 09/808831 was filed with the patent office on 2001-10-25 for apparatus for holding media storage disk.
This patent application is currently assigned to Forward Electronics Manufacturing Company Limited. Invention is credited to Cheung, Chung Fai.
Application Number | 20010032792 09/808831 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23974579 |
Filed Date | 2001-10-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010032792 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cheung, Chung Fai |
October 25, 2001 |
Apparatus for holding media storage disk
Abstract
An apparatus for holding a media storage disk of a kind having a
surface forming a central hole. The apparatus includes a base
portion and two arms, each arm resiliently cantilevered and
extending substantially perpendicular from the base portion. A disk
locating means includes two portions, each having a disk engageable
region. The two portions are also articulated to each other about
an articulation axis and each portion is pivotally connected to one
of the arms, respectively, about a pivot axis, the articulation
axis located between the pivot axes. The two portions are moveable
in a manner that moves the articulation axis from a side on one
side of and between the two pivot axes, wherein the two portions
are in a disk securing condition, to a position on the other side
of and between the two pivot axes, wherein the two portions are in
a disk releasing condition.
Inventors: |
Cheung, Chung Fai; (Hong
Kong, HK) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CHRISTIE, PARKER & HALE, LLP
350 WEST COLORADO BOULEVARD
SUITE 500
PASADENA
CA
91105
US
|
Assignee: |
Forward Electronics Manufacturing
Company Limited
|
Family ID: |
23974579 |
Appl. No.: |
09/808831 |
Filed: |
March 15, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09808831 |
Mar 15, 2001 |
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09496882 |
Feb 2, 2000 |
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6227362 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/308.1 ;
206/232; 206/312; G9B/33.011 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11B 33/0427
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/308.1 ;
206/232; 206/312 |
International
Class: |
B65D 069/00; B65D
071/00; B65D 085/30 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for holding a media storage disk of a kind having a
central hole said apparatus comprising: base portion at least two
arms each resiliently cantilevered upwardly from the base portion a
disk locating means consisting of at least two portions which each
include at least one disk engagable region, said at least two
portions articulated to each other about at least one articulation
axis and each pivotally connected to a respective arm about a pivot
axis, one for each portion and located on each side of said
articulation axis, said at least two portions movable in a manner
that moves said at least one articulation axis from a position
above said at least two pivot axis wherein said two portions are in
a disk securing condition, to a position below said at least two
pivot axis wherein said two portions are in a disk releasing
condition.
2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said disk engagable
regions of said two portions are, in said disk releasing condition,
more proximate to each other than in said disk securing
condition.
3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said disk engagable
regions each include a central hole engagable region and a lip to,
in securing condition, provide a retention of said disk from moving
upwardly.
4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said lips of said
disk engagable regions, when said at least two portions are in said
disk securing condition, arc further apart from each other than the
said central hole engagable regions.
5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 or 4 wherein said lips of
said disk engagable regions, when said two portions are in said
disk releasing condition, are closer to each other than said
central hole engagable region of said disk engaging regions.
6. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein
there is one articulation axis.
7. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein each
of said at least two portions includes a member extending from said
at least one disk engaging region and pivotably connected at said
at least one articulation axis, to the like member of the other
portion(s).
8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said members provide
a location where said disk locating means can be toggled by the
user of the apparatus from at least said disk securing condition to
said disk releasing condition.
9. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claim 1 to 8 wherein a
disk lifting arm extends radially outwardly from each said portion
to underlie a disk (when one is located with said apparatus) and
each to move integrally with their respective portion between a
position below said central hole engagable region in said disk
securing condition, and a position above said central hole
engagable region in said disk releasing condition.
10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein said lifting arms
locate against the downwardly facing surface of a disk in said disk
releasing condition, and on application of a downward force to said
disk toggle said disk locating means from said disk releasing
condition to said disk securing condition.
11. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein
there are two portions and for each a respective pivot axis
provided at the ends of said at least two arms.
12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein when viewed in a
direction along said axes, each of said two portion provides said
articulation axis, pivot axis and said lip in a spatial arrangement
to be at an apex of an imaginary triangular.
13. A disk engaging apparatus to engage a disk of a kind having a
central aperture said apparatus comprising a base, a disk fastening
member consisting of at least two portions articulated to each
other about and extending outwardly from at least one central
articulation axis each portion being pivotably secured outwardly of
said at least one central articulation axis to mounting members
provided from said base, said mountings members are adapted to
allow the pivot axis to displace inwardly and outwardly to each
other but are biased towards a condition wherein the distance
between the pivot axis of each portion and the articulation axis is
greater than the horizontal distance component between the said
pivot axis and the articulation axis, each portion of said disk
fastening member presenting disk engagable regions to rotate
inwardly and outwardly to each other about their respective pivot
axis and to thereby respectively engage and disengage with the
central aperture of the disk.
14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein said disk fastening
member also includes for each of said portions a disk lifting
member having a region to contact the downwardly facing surface of
a disk outwardly from said disk engagable region, and pivot axis,
said disk lifting member integrally movable with its respective
portion about the pivot axis.
15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein each said disk
lifting member is an arm extending radially outwardly from its
respective portion and positions said disk in a disengaged
condition above the disk engagable regions of each said portion.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to apparatus for holding media
storage disks of a kind having a central hole.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0002] Media storage disks such as compact disks (CD), digital
video disks (DVD) or video compact disks (VCD) have rapidly gained
popularity with consumers. For the purposes of retail,
transportation, and storage by the end user, such disks are
normally provided contained within a case. Different types of CD,
VCD or DVD cases are known. Such normally include a disk engaging
means which is arranged such that when it is pressed, the perimeter
profile of the engaging means changes and reduces the degree of
hold that it provides to the disk. The construction of DVDs means
that known disk engaging means relying on friction at an edge of
the disks has become undesirable. The fact that DVDs consist of two
laminated layers of polycarbonate, a frictional edge engagement
and/or bending of the disk for engagement and removal can cause
disk and hence data damage.
[0003] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide improvements in or relating to apparatus for holding media
storage disks of a kind having a central hole which will overcome
the abovementioned disadvantages and/or at least provide the public
with a useful choice.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Accordingly in a first aspect the present invention consist
in an apparatus for holding a media storage disk of a kind having a
central hole said apparatus comprising:
[0005] base portion
[0006] at least two arms each resiliently cantilevered upwardly
from the base portion a disk locating means consisting of at least
two portions which each include at least one disk engagable region,
said at least two portions articulated to each other about at least
one articulation axis and each pivotally connected to a respective
arm about a pivot axis, one pivot axis for each portion and located
outwardly of said articulation axis, said at least two portions
movable in a manner that moves said at least one articulation axis
between a position above said at least two pivot axis wherein said
two portions are in a disk securing condition, and a position below
said at least two pivot axis wherein said two portions are in a
disk releasing condition.
[0007] Preferably said disk engagable regions each include a
central hole engagable region and a lip to, in securing condition,
provide a retention of said disk from moving upwardly. Preferably
said disk engagable regions of said two portions are, in said disk
releasing condition, more proximate to each other than in said disk
securing condition.
[0008] Preferably said lips of said disk engagable regions, when
said two portions are in said disk securing condition, are further
apart from each other than said central hole engagable region.
[0009] Preferably said lips of said disk engagable regions, when
said two portions are in said disk releasing condition, are closer
to each other than said central hole engagable region of said disk
engaging regions.
[0010] Preferably there is one articulation axis.
[0011] Preferably each of said at least two portions includes a
member extending from said at least one disk engaging region and
pivotably connected at said at least one articulation axis, to the
like member of the other portion(s).
[0012] Preferably said members provide a location where said disk
locating means can be toggled by the user of the apparatus from at
least said disk securing condition to said disk releasing
condition.
[0013] Preferably a disk lifting arm extends radially outwardly
from each said portion to underlie a disk (when one is located with
said apparatus) and each to move integrally with their respective
portion between
[0014] a position below said central hole engagable region in said
disk securing condition, and
[0015] a position above said central hole engagable region in said
disk releasing condition.
[0016] Preferably said lifting arms locate against the downwardly
facing surface of a disk in said disk releasing condition, and on
application of a downward force to said disk toggle said disk
locating means from said disk releasing condition to said disk
securing condition.
[0017] Preferably there are two portions and for each a respective
pivot axis provided at the ends of said at least two arms.
[0018] Preferably when viewed in a direction along said axes, each
of said two portion provides said articulation axis, pivot axis and
said lip in a spatial arrangement to be at an apex of an imaginary
triangular.
[0019] In a second aspect the present invention consists in a disk
engaging apparatus to engage a disk of a kind having a central
aperture said apparatus comprising
[0020] a base,
[0021] a disk fastening member consisting of at least two portions
articulated to each other about and extending outwardly from at
least one central articulation axis
[0022] each portion being pivotably secured outwardly of said at
least one central articulation axis to mounting members provided
from said base, said mountings members are adapted to allow the
pivot axis to displace inwardly and outwardly to each other but are
biased towards a condition wherein the distance between the pivot
axis of each portion and the articulation axis is greater than the
horizontal distance component between the said pivot axis and the
articulation axis,
[0023] each portion of said disk fastening member presenting disk
engagable regions to rotate inwardly and outwardly to each other
about their respective pivot axis and to thereby respectively
engage and disengage with the central aperture of the disk.
[0024] Preferably said disk fastening member also includes for each
of said portions a disk lifting member having a region to contact
the downwardly facing surface of a disk outwardly from said disk
engagable region, and pivot axis, said disk lifting member
integrally movable with its respective portion about the pivot
axis.
[0025] Preferably each said disk lifting member is an arm extending
radially outwardly from its respective portion and positions said
disk in a disengaged condition above the disk engagable regions of
each said portion.
[0026] This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the
parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the
specification of the application, individually or collectively, and
any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements
or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which
have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates,
such known equivalents arc deemed to be incorporated herein as if
individually set forth.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0027] The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages
constructions of which the following gives examples.
[0028] One preferred form of the present invention will now be
described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0029] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a case which incorporates
the apparatus for holding the media storage disks of the present
invention wherein the case is in a closed condition,
[0030] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the case of FIG. 1 in an
open condition illustrating as part of one portion thereof, the
apparatus of the present invention,
[0031] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the present
invention illustrated in a disk securing condition,
[0032] FIG. 4 is a sectional view through section G-G as shown in
FIG. 12,
[0033] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the present
invention illustrated in a disk releasing condition,
[0034] FIG. 6 is a sectional view through section G-G when the
apparatus is in a disk releasing condition as shown in FIG. 5,
[0035] FIG. 7 is a sectional view through section G-G as shown in
FIG. 12, wherein the apparatus is in a disk securing condition, and
illustrating (in part) a disk incorporated with the apparatus,
[0036] FIG. 8 is a sectional view through section G-G wherein the
apparatus is in a disk releasing condition illustrating how a disk
(shown in part) is released from the apparatus,
[0037] FIG. 9 is a view through section G-G intermediate of the
apparatus moving between the disk securing condition and disk
releasing condition,
[0038] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating in part, a media
storage disk engaged with the apparatus of the present invention
wherein the apparatus is in a disk securing condition,
[0039] FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating in part, a media
storage disk engaged with the apparatus of the present invention
wherein the apparatus is in a disk releasing condition,
[0040] FIG. 12 is a plan view of the apparatus of the present
invention,
[0041] FIG. 13 is a schematic illustration of the arrangement of
the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the nature of
the over centre toggle arrangement,
[0042] FIG. 14 is a schematic of the apparatus of the present
invention further illustrating the disk engaging regions,
[0043] FIG. 15 is a schematic of the apparatus of the present
invention further illustrating the disk ejection features,
[0044] FIG. 16 is a sectional view through section I-I of FIG.
12,
[0045] FIG. 17 is a sectional view through section H-H,
[0046] FIG. 18 is a plan view of an alternative of the present
invention having 3 portions providing the disk engagable
regions,
[0047] FIG. 19 is a schematic perspective view of a 4 portioned
disk engagable means of the apparatus of the present invention
illustrating the preferred geometry to provide the over-centre
toggle arrangement for securing and releasing the disk,
[0048] FIG. 20 is a schematic side view of half of the disk
engagable regions for the purposes of illustrating the preferred
geometry,
[0049] FIG. 21 is a sectional view through part of a disk case
illustrating preferred dimensions,
[0050] FIG. 22 is a schematic view of the disk engagable regions
illustrating the dimensions of the preferred geometry of the
present invention, and
[0051] FIGS. 23-24 illustrate further dimension lines in respect of
one preferred geometric arrangement of the present invention.
[0052] In the most preferred form the present invention consists of
an apparatus I which is adapted to secure a media storage disk such
as a CD, DVD, VCD or the like at their central hole. In the most
common form the central hole is circular in shape however there may
be media storage disks of a nature which has a different central
hole or aperture other than being central and it is to be
appreciated that the present invention is not to be limited to any
particular shape of central hole or aperture of the media storage
disk.
[0053] Where herein reference is made to upwardly and downwardly it
is reference to the vertical direction with respect to the
apparatus when viewed from the side as for example shown in FIG. 4.
Where herein reference is made to inward and outward it is
reference to the horizontal direction with respect to the apparatus
when viewed from any side.
[0054] In the most preferred form the apparatus 1 is preferably
incorporated with a case to provide a cover to the disk. The
apparatus of the present invention is therefore designed to secure
a disk in place, preferably to a case or cover or the like. With
reference to FIG. 2, the case is preferably of a foldable nature to
move from an open condition as shown in FIG. 2, to a closed
condition as shown in FIG. 1 by folding a first portion onto a
second portion. The apparatus of the present invention may be of a
nature which is moulded to a portion of a case or may alternatively
be secured by either snap fitting or adhesion or other securing
means to the case. The apparatus is preferably provided to a
portion of the case to ensure that when the disk is engaged with
the apparatus, the perimeter of the disk is within the bounds of
the case, at least when the case is in a closed condition.
[0055] The apparatus of the present invention may be provided as a
snap fit arrangement to a base of a case, as for example as shown
in FIGS. 4 and 6. The apparatus 1, by the use of suitably flexibly
resilient materials, can be snap fitted to the case 2. The case 2
has a feature moulded at the point where the apparatus is to engage
therewith such that the apparatus 1 can snap into place onto the
base and remain securely in contact therewith. It is to be
appreciated that the apparatus 1 may alternatively be provided as a
unitary moulded feature as part of the case however for ease of
moulding procedures, it is preferred that the apparatus 1 is
provided as a separate member securable to a case 2.
[0056] In the most preferred form and with reference to FIGS. 3 and
4, the apparatus of the present invention consists of a base
portion 3 which supports a central disk locating means 4 by the
means of at least two arms 5. The arms 5 extend upwardly from the
base portion and may be integrally moulded as part of the base. The
nature of the arms is such that they are cantilevered upwardly from
the base and with the use of suitable plastics material, are
resiliently flexible to the base 3. The resiliently flexible nature
of the arms is desired at their distal ends, which is where the
central disk locating means may be supported.
[0057] The distal ends 6 of the arms supports the central disk
locating means in a pivotable nature. Such pivotable nature is
preferably provided as a result of a thin or weakened portion in
the moulding providing the junction between the distal ends of the
arms and the central disk locating means. Indeed in the most
preferred form the entire apparatus of the present invention is a
unitary moulded member and the junction of the distal ends of the
arms and the central disk locating means is a continuation of this
moulding. Therefore the provision of a weakness or reduced
thickness moulding at the distal ends of the arms to provided the
junction between the arms and the central disk locating means
allows for the central disk locating means 4 to pivot relative to
the arms. Such pivoting is illustrated in the movement between the
condition of the apparatus in FIG. 4 and FIG. 6. In the most
preferred form as shown in FIGS. 1-12 the axis of pivot at the
distal ends of the arms, of the central disk locating means are
substantially parallel. In the most preferred form as shown in
these representations there are two sets of arms, one set for each
axis of pivot for the central disk locating means. The set
preferably consists of two arms resiliently cantilevered from the
base portion wherein each set supports one portion of the central
disk locating means, each portion 7, 8 of the central disk locating
means provides at least one disk engaging region 9. The disk
engaging regions of each portion 7, 8 are pivotable as part of each
of the portions, about the axis provided at the distal ends of the
at least two arms 5.
[0058] The two portions 7, 8 are hingeably secured to each other
along an articulation axis 10. Preferably the articulation axis is
provided at the junction of the two portions 7, 8 as a result of a
weakening of the moulding at this junction. Such a weakening is
preferably provided by a reduced thickness defining the
articulation axis 10.
[0059] There may however be provided two articulation axes and
wherein in such an arrangement the two portions are connected by an
intermediate member.
[0060] In an alternative form as shown in FIG. 18 wherein there are
provided three portions 7,8, and 58 which are each connected to
each other along articulation axes 10. In this arrangement there
are provided three pivot axes, 1 for each of the portions to pivot
in respect of the supporting arms 5, and three articulation axes,
two for each portion connecting it to the other of the two portions
of the disk engaging member.
[0061] As a result of the cantilevered nature of the arms 5 and as
a result of the flexible material employed for the moulding of the
apparatus of the present invention, the articulation axis 10 is
able to move from a first condition as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 to a
second condition as shown in FIG. 5 and 6 by allowing the axis 10
to move through an imaginary plane defined through both of the
pivot axis 6. The rigidity of the arms to allow the movement of the
apparatus between its first and second condition, can be adjusted
by material choice and geometric shape. Selection of a suitably
rigid form of the arms 5 may be necessary to ensure that the
apparatus when moved from the first condition to the second
condition remains in the second condition. There will be a tendency
for the apparatus to be biassed towards a condition in which the
material to define the apparatus was moulded. Therefore suitably
rigid arms 5 need to be provided to overcome such a moulding bias
moving unintentionally back to the first condition.
[0062] The movement of the two portions of the disk locating means
from its first to its second condition (disk securing condition to
disk releasing condition respectively) and visa versa is of a
toggle or over-centre nature. This nature is such that when axis 10
is on either side of the plane through the pivot axis, the arms
will bias the two portions to remain on that side of the plane.
When the articulation axis 10 moves towards the plane, the arms 5
are displaced apart which results in an increase in force back
towards each other to encourage the axis to remain on that side of
the plane. However with the application of suitable force by the
user of the apparatus the articulation axis 10 can move from one
side of the plane and snap through to the other.
[0063] With reference to FIG. 13 the preferred geometrical
arrangement to provide such an over-centre nature of movement of
the central disk locating means is described. The distance X which
is the distance between the pivot axes 6 is attached, is less than
the sum of the distances L.sub.1 and L.sub.2 being the distance
between each pivot axis 6 and the articulation axis 10. Movement of
the articulation axis 10 towards the plane between points 6 will
result in distance X from increasing as result of the resilient and
cantilevered natures of the arms 5 providing the axis 6. This
movement apart will continue until the articulation axis 10 is in
line with points 6 (i.e. at the plane) at which stage the
articulation axis 10 will snap through the line and move to the
other side thereof.
[0064] With reference to FIG. 14 the disk engaging regions 9 of
each portion are located such that when the portions 7, 8 are in
the first condition (the disk securing condition) the distance Y
between the disk engaging regions is substantially equal to the
diameter of the central hole of the disk. When the two portions of
the disk locating means are in the second (disk releasing
condition) the distance Y between the disk engaging regions is less
than the diameter of the central hole of the disk and hence allows
for the disk to be removable from the disk locating means. Such
inward and outward movement of the disk engaging regions 9 allows
for selective engagement and disengagement of a disk with the
apparatus of the present invention. Illustrated in FIG. 14 the disk
engaging regions 9 which are integral with the portions 7, 8 move
towards each other when the articulation axis 10 is below the plane
of the pivot axes 6.
[0065] Each portion 7, 8 of the central disk locating means is
preferably also provided with a disk lifting member 11. When the
central disk locating means is in its disk securing condition, as
shown in FIGS. 4, 7 and for example schematically in FIG. 15 the
disk lifting means 11 which are preferably extensions or arms from
each of the portions underlie the downwardly facing surface of the
disk. In this condition the disk lifting means 11 may provide an
upwardly support to the disk, if such is not already provided by
other parts of the apparatus or by for example a perimeter upstand
13 of the case.
[0066] In moving from the disk securing condition to the disk
releasing condition, the pivoting of each portion about the pivot
axis 6 results in the distance Y from decreasing, and results in
the disk lifting means II from pivoting towards each other. This in
turn will result in the distal ends of the ejections means II from
moving upwardly and applying an upward force to the disk on its
downwardly facing surface. This upward force moves the disk
upwardly and to a position where it can be easily grasped by a user
who is wishing to remove the disk from the case. The movement from
the disk securing condition to the disk releasing condition is
preferably achieved by applying a force by for example a digit of
the user, to the portions at substantially the articulation axis
10. With reference to FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 it can be seen how the
application of the force at substantially this point will move his
point from being above the plane between the pivot axes 6 to below
and result in the movement of the central disk locating means from
a securing condition to a releasing condition.
[0067] In moving from a disk releasing condition to a disk engaging
condition, movement of the articulation axis is from below the
plane between the axes 6 to above the plane. Such motion may be
achieved by allowing the digit of the user to grasp the portions at
or near the articulation axis and apply a force upwardly. However
in the most preferred and certainly the most convenient form of the
present invention such movement from a disk releasing condition to
a disk engaging condition is provided by the application of a force
to the disk lifting means 11. Referring to FIG. 8 it can be seen
that when a downward force is applied to the disk, the lifting
means 11 move downwardly and the lips 12 move upwardly and
outwardly to engage the disk. With reference to the detailed
preferred embodiment, since the points of contact with the
downwardly facing surface of a disk and the disk lifting means are
on the opposite side to the pivot axes 6 to where the force for
releasing the disk from the apparatus (at or near the articulation
axes 10) can be provided, with the application of a downward force
onto the disk a rotation of each portion about the pivot axes 6 in
a sense to move the disk engaging regions 9 upwardly and outwardly
can be provided.
[0068] The disk engaging regions 9 are preferably provided with a
lip 12 which prevent the disk (when the portions are in the disk
securing condition) from lifting off the disk locating means. The
lips, when in a disk securing condition, will locate against the
upper surface of the disk, to prevent the disk from being lifted
off the disk locating means.
[0069] The preferred geometry of the disk locating means is such
that the movement of the disk engaging regions and the lips
prevents any significant bending of the disk when being engaged and
disengaged and also has no or minimal edge frictional effects on
the disk at its central aperture.
[0070] When pressure is applied to the articulation axis 10, the
ejection arms 11 will push the disk upwards and move the lips 12
inwardly such that the distance Y is reduced and the disk will be
free for removal. The preferred embodiment will therefore reduce or
minimise any delamination problems for the disk.
[0071] Stability for the disk may be provided by upstands 13 from
the base 3. These upstands provide an outside perimeter region
substantially identical to the shape of the central hole of the
disk and allow for the hole of the disk to locate against these
upstands 13.
[0072] In order to provide flexibility to the cantilevered arms,
the arms are preferably of a "S" shaped nature when viewed in the
direction of the cross section G-G.
[0073] The arms are preferably provided to locate with the disk
engaging means at regions towards each side of the portions. In an
alternative configuration however the arms may locate with the disk
engaging means from underneath of each of the portions. FIG. 17
being a cross section through section H-H shows the most preferred
form where the ends of the arms at point 6, are at locations beside
and on each side of the portions of the disk engaging means.
[0074] With reference to FIG. 15a, the apparatus when in a disk
securing position provides the lifting arms extending from the
portions at such an angle and of such geometry, that when a disk is
located with the apparatus, the distance in a vertical direction
between the downwardly facing surfaces of the lips 12 and the disk
engaging regions of the lifting arms 11, is substantially equal to
the vertical thickness 106 of the disk 15.
[0075] In respect of any number of portions provided as part of
said disk locating member, the over-centre natured geometry can be
illustrated with reference to 19. The arms as a result of the
flexibly resilient nature of the material used and by the preferred
cantilevered arrangement, are able to move the pivot axes 6
inwardly and outwardly relative to each other. The bias of the arms
is to move the pivot points closer to each other and to a position
where the horizontal component distance Z between the pivot and the
articulation axis 10 is less than the distance L between the pivot
axis and the articulation axis. FIGS. 21 and 23 illustrate part of
the apparatus of the present invention and the various dimensions
of one example of geometric arrangement where reference to the
table below is made. FIGS. 22 and 24 are schematic illustrations of
FIGS. 21 and 23 respectively.
1 Length in mm Degrees 101 .6 102 2.1 103 5.71 104 4.26 105 2.55
106 1.3 107 66 108 106.4 109 114 110 38.6 111 10.05 112 7.51 113
7.50 114 6.25 115 4.26 116 9.90
* * * * *