U.S. patent application number 10/372578 was filed with the patent office on 2003-07-24 for device for maintaining and ejecting a compact disc on a support base.
This patent application is currently assigned to MOULAGES DE VELAY. Invention is credited to Mathieu, Bruno.
Application Number | 20030136689 10/372578 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 8853879 |
Filed Date | 2003-07-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030136689 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mathieu, Bruno |
July 24, 2003 |
Device for maintaining and ejecting a compact disc on a support
base
Abstract
This device comprising engaging and retaining means (1b), (1c),
(1d), (1e) collaborating with the central hole in the disc, said
disc engaging and retaining means being formed as an overhang over
a circular central region (1) exhibited by the base (1), is notable
in that the region (1a) has arrangements able, when finger pressure
is applied to said means (1b), to allow them to retract in part
only so as to cause simultaneous controlled tilting of the disc
corresponding to its partial release from the base (1) so that it
can be grasped by hand at the released part.
Inventors: |
Mathieu, Bruno; (Aiguille,
FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HESLIN ROTHENBERG FARLEY & MESITI PC
5 COLUMBIA CIRCLE
ALBANY
NY
12203
US
|
Assignee: |
MOULAGES DE VELAY
Ascoux
FR
|
Family ID: |
8853879 |
Appl. No.: |
10/372578 |
Filed: |
February 21, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10372578 |
Feb 21, 2003 |
|
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PCT/FR01/02334 |
Jul 20, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/310 ;
G9B/33.011 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11B 33/0427
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/310 |
International
Class: |
B65D 085/57 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 29, 2000 |
FR |
FR 00.11158 |
Claims
1. A device for maintaining and ejecting a compact disc on a
support base comprising engaging and retaining means (1b), (1c),
(1d), (1e) collaborating with the central hole in the disc, said
disc engaging and retaining means being formed as an overhang over
a circular central region (1a) exhibited by the base (1),
characterized in that the region (1a) has arrangements able, when
finger pressure is applied to said means (1b), to allow them to
retract in part only so as to cause simultaneous controlled tilting
of the disc corresponding to its partial release from the base (1)
so that it can be grasped by hand at the released part.
2. The device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the base
(1) has, on the side of the tilting of the disc, a bearing profile
(11) able to hold said disc in a tilted position.
3. The device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the
bearing profile (11) consists of a substantially elliptical rim
collaborating with a part of the circular edge of the disc.
4. The device as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the
substantially elliptical rim is connected to the base (1) by a slot
(111) allowing partial engagement and abutment of the corresponding
circular edge of the disc.
5. The device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the
arrangements of the central region (1a) consist of at least one
bearing and stiffening (1h-1i) suitably positioned with respect to
cut-outs, in combination with the disc engaging and retaining means
(1b), (1c), (1d) and (1e), said central region (1a) standing up
above the base (1) thereby creating a circular recess so as to be
deformed elastically.
6. The device as claimed in claims 1 and 5, characterized in that
the disc engaging and retaining means consist of a push-button (1b)
and tongues (1c), (1d) and (1e), said button (1b) is connected to a
central hole (1f) of the raised region (1a) by tabs (1b1), (1b2),
(1b3) between which are situated said tongues (1c), (1d), (1e)
formed from cut-outs (1g) of said raised region (1a) so as to be
elastically deformable, at least one of the tongues (1c) is
rendered rigid by the bearing means (1h-1i) suitably positioned
with respect to the cut-outs (1g).
7. The device as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the
bearing and stiffening means, singular or plural, consist of ribs
positioned in relationship with at least one of the tongues (1c)
and/or part of the push-button (1b).
8. The device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the
bearing and stiffening rib (1h) of the tongue (1c) is formed so
that it overhangs the recessed part (1a3) of the raised central
region (1a) so that it lies in the same bearing plane as the base,
said rib (1h) being directed along the central axis of symmetry of
the cut-outs (1g) from which cut-outs said tongue is formed.
9. The device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the
bearing and stiffening rib (1i) of part of the button (1b) is
formed so that it overhangs the recessed part (1a3) of the raised
central region (1a) so that it lies in the same bearing plane as
the base, said rib (1i) lying facing and near one of the connecting
tabs of said button (1b), cut-outs formed in the thickness of the
raised region partially surrounding said rib.
10. The device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the
ribs (1h-1i) are diametrically opposed.
11. The device as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the
push-button (1b) has three connecting tabs (1b1), (1b2), (1b3)
uniformly distributed around the circumference with a 120.degree.
offset, each of the tongues (1c), (1d), (1e) being arranged along
the bisector of the angle delimited by two tabs so as to be
uniformly distributed on a circumference with a 120.degree. offset.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to the field of storage cases,
particularly for compact discs of the audio or video type.
[0002] In general, a compact disc has a recording region, which is
situated over the entirety of at least one of its sides, with the
exception of its external periphery and of a region next to the
central opening that the disc has. The other side of the disc
collaborates with retaining and engaging means exhibited by a
support base intended directly to form the bottom of a case or to
be incorporated into a case having a bottom to which a cover is
hinged. This support base, which generally forms a flat surface,
has various types of arrangement intended to engage and retain the
compact disc and sometimes intended to eject it.
[0003] Various solutions for fulfilling these functions have been
proposed.
[0004] More particularly, the invention relates to solutions of the
type in which the disc is retained with respect to the support base
by means collaborating with the central opening in the disc.
[0005] In a simplified embodiment, these means consist of a number
of lugs arranged in a circle and directly overhanging the support
base. These lugs are elastically deformable and at their free ends
have arrangements, for example in the form of bosses, able to
retain the disc once they have been engaged through their central
opening.
[0006] To remove the disc, it is necessary to grasp it at its
peripheral outer edge, and this, after several operations, may lead
to the warping thereof. Furthermore, the risk of breakage of the
retaining lugs is often seen.
[0007] Other technical solutions have been proposed and allow the
compact disc to be held and ejected when finger pressure is exerted
on part of the fixing means substantially delimiting a button
housed through the central opening in the disc. Mention may, by way
of entirely non-limiting example, be made of the teachings of
patents DE 3,425,579, U.S. Pat. No. 5,251,750, WO 93/01598, EP
0356539, WO 96/14636, FR-99 11395, etc.
[0008] The elements forming the push-button generally have lugs
able to retain the disc once they have been engaged through its
central opening. To remove the disc, pressure needs to be exerted
on the push-button so as to release its central opening. In certain
solutions from the aforementioned patents, the pressure exerted on
the push-button acts upon means allowing the disc to be
ejected.
[0009] For example, taking the teachings of patent WO 96/14636, the
latter discloses a holding and ejecting system in the form of two
radial arms formed as an overhang over the support base with an
elastic deformation capability. The free end of each arm is
designed to constitute the push-button engaged through the central
opening in the disc. According to this embodiment, the outer
peripheral edge of the disc bears against a circular rim formed as
an overhang of the support base. Given this circular bearing at the
periphery of the disc, the effect of engaging the push-button
through the central opening results in a bending of the disc which,
in this case, is used to facilitate its ejection. This solution is
not satisfactory given that at the time of its ejection the disc is
subjected to bending forces likely to cause internal tension
damaging to the disc.
[0010] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as in those described in
any one of the patents cited by way of prior art, when pressure is
applied to the push-button to release the central opening of the
disc, problems arise with grasping the disc with a view to removing
it from the base. What actually happens is that if the push-button
is pressed, the entirety of this button passes under the surface of
the disc, which means that after release, the disc occupies a
haphazard position with respect to the push-button, not allowing
the user a sure and reliable grip. For this reason, and in an
attempt to overcome this disadvantage, certain solutions propose
special arrangements at the base in the form of cavities and the
like so as to make the disc easier to grasp in the hand once the
push-button has been released. This results in an increase in
manufacturing costs.
[0011] The invention has set itself the objective of remedying
these disadvantages in a simple, dependable, effective and rational
way.
[0012] The problem that the invention sets out to solve is that of
being able to retain and eject the disc with respect to the base,
without subjecting the disc to any bending moment whatsoever, while
at the same time allowing it to be grasped by hand, having acted on
the retaining means which collaborate with the central opening in
the disc, in a simple and effective way, without requiring special
arrangements at the support base.
[0013] To solve such a problem, there has been designed and
developed a device for maintaining and ejecting a compact disc on a
support base comprising engaging and retaining means collaborating
with the central hole in the disc, notable in that:
[0014] the disc engaging and retaining means are formed as an
overhang over a circular central region exhibited by the base;
[0015] the region has arrangements able, when finger pressure is
applied to said means, to allow them to retract in part only so as
to cause simultaneous controlled tilting of the disc corresponding
to its partial release from the base so that it can be grasped by
hand at its released part.
[0016] To solve the set problem of making the disc easier to grasp
by hand once it has been partially released from the base, the disc
tilts into a housing on one of its sides, while its other side
finds itself offset from the face of the base so that it can be
grasped.
[0017] To improve this disc retention, after it has been partially
released from the base, avoiding any risk of its slipping, the base
may have, on the side of the tilting of the disc, a bearing profile
able to hold said disc in a tilted position. The bearing profile
consists of a substantially elliptical rim collaborating with a
part of the circular edge of the disc.
[0018] To improve the temporary holding of the disc, at the time
that it is grasped, the substantially elliptical rim is connected
to the base by a slot allowing partial engagement and abutment of
the corresponding circular edge of the disc.
[0019] To solve the set problem of ensuring that the disc tilts in
a controlled way when finger pressure is exerted on the retaining
means engaged through the central opening in the disc, the
arrangements of the central region consist of at least one bearing
and stiffening means suitably positioned with respect to cut-outs,
in combination with the disc engaging and retaining means, said
central region standing up above the base thereby creating a
circular recess so as to be deformed elastically.
[0020] These arrangements therefore allow just part of the disc
retaining means to be depressed and, at the same time, certain
predetermined parts of the raised central region to be
deformed.
[0021] To solve this problem and obtain this technical result, the
disc engaging and retaining means consist of a push-button and
tongues, said button is connected to a recessed central part of the
raised region by tabs between which are situated said tongues
formed from cut-outs of said raised region so as to be elastically
deformable; at least one of the tongues is rendered rigid by the
bearing means suitably positioned with respect to the cut-outs.
[0022] Advantageously, the bearing and stiffening means, singular
or plural, consist of ribs positioned in relationship with at least
one tongue and/or part of the push-button.
[0023] To solve the set problem of allowing just some retaining
tongues to be deformed, the bearing and stiffening rib of the
tongue concerned is formed so that it overhangs the recessed part
of the raised central region so that it lies in the same bearing
plane as the base, said rib being directed along the central axis
of symmetry of the cut-outs from which cut-outs said tongue is
formed.
[0024] To solve the set problem of allowing just part of the
push-button to be depressed under the bearing pressure exerted, the
bearing and stiffening rib is formed so that it overhangs the
recessed part of the raised central region so that it lies in the
same bearing plane as the base, said rib lying facing and near one
of the connecting tabs of said button, while a cut-out, formed in
the thickness of the raised region, partially surrounds said
rib.
[0025] Advantageously, the various ribs are diametrically
opposed.
[0026] In a preferred embodiment and in order to allow the disc
engaging and retaining elements controlled and stable deformation,
the push-button has three connecting tabs uniformly distributed
around the circumference with a 120.degree. offset, each of the
tongues being arranged along the bisector of the angle delimited by
two tabs so as to be uniformly distributed on a circumference with
a 120.degree. offset.
[0027] The invention is set out hereinafter in greater detail with
the aid of the figures of the appended drawings in which:
[0028] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a compact disc support base
equipped with the maintaining and ejecting device according to the
characteristics of the invention;
[0029] FIG. 2 is a view in section on 2-2 of FIG. 1 in the
disc-maintaining position and before finger pressure is exerted on
the push-button;
[0030] FIG. 3 is a view in section of 3-3 of FIG. 1, after pressure
has been applied to the push-button, showing the controlled tilting
of the disc so that it can be grasped with respect to the base;
[0031] FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing another
embodiment of the device, particularly for retaining the disc and
for its controlled tilting;
[0032] FIG. 5 is a view in cross section on 5-5 of FIG. 4 with the
disc in the retaining position;
[0033] FIG. 6 is a view in cross section on 6-6 in FIG. 4 showing
the controlled tilting of the disc so that it can be grasped, and
its bearing;
[0034] FIG. 7 is a perspective part view showing the disc engaging
and retaining means in a simplified embodiment of the base;
[0035] FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 are views of a schematic nature showing
the principle of ejection of the disc by controlled tilting,
according to the invention;
[0036] FIGS. 11 and 12 are plan views of other embodiments.
[0037] The device for maintaining and ejecting the compact disc
denoted in its entirety by (D) is formed from a support base (1)
which directly forms one of the compartments of a storage case of
any known and appropriate type. Of course, as indicated, the
support base (1) may constitute an independent element.
[0038] The support base (1) has retaining and engaging means able
to collaborate with the central hole (D1) exhibited by the compact
disc (D). These disc engaging and retaining means are formed as an
overhang over a central region (1a) which stands up above the base
(1) to be deformed elastically under pressure exerted on the
engaging and retaining means, through the central opening of the
disc. This region (1a) has a circular geometric shape and delimits
a flat bearing surface (1a1) connected to the base as such, by an
inclined circular rim (1a2), thereby delimiting an internal recess
(1a3) allowing the aforesaid elastic deformation.
[0039] In a known way, the disc engaging and retaining means
consist of a central button (1b) in combination with elastically
deformable tongues (1c), (1d) and (1e). The button (1b) and set of
tongues (1c), (1d) and (1e) are able to be engaged through the
central hole (D1) in the compact disc (D).
[0040] The button (1b) is formed from connecting tabs (1b1), (1b2),
(1b3) standing up perpendicularly from a hole (1f) formed in the
thickness of the raised region (1a). Just like the connecting tabs
(1b1), (1b2), (1b3) of the push-button (1b), the tongues (1c), (1d)
and (1e) are formed perpendicularly and as an overhang to the hole
(1f) of the raised region (1a).
[0041] The various tongues (1c), (1d) and (1e) lie between the
connecting tabs (1b1), (1b2), (1b3) in appropriate clearances
formed by the push-button (1b). The tongues (1c), (1d) and (1e) are
formed from converging cut-outs (1g).
[0042] Advantageously, but nonlimitingly, the push-button (1b) has
three connecting tabs (1b1), (1b2), (1b3) uniformly distributed on
the circumference with a 120.degree. offset. Each of the tongues
(1c), (1d) and (1e) is arranged on the bisector of the angle
bounded by two connecting tabs so as to be uniformly distributed on
a circumference also with a 120.degree. offset.
[0043] According to one feature underlying the invention, the
raised central region (1a) has arrangements able, when finger
pressure is exerted on the push-button (1b), to allow just part of
said button and of the tongues to be retracted under the surface of
the disc so as simultaneously to cause the controlled tilting of
said disc (D) corresponding to its partial release with respect to
the base (1).
[0044] More specifically, these arrangements consist of at least
one but generally more than one bearing and stiffening ribs (1h)
and (1i) suitably positioned with respect to cut-outs in
combination with the push-button (1b), particularly its connecting
tabs (1b1), (1b2), (1b3) and the various maintaining and retaining
tongues (1c), (1d) and (1e). Obviously, without in any way
departing from the scope of the invention, the rib or ribs may be
replaced by any equivalent means fulfilling the same function so as
to stiffen at least the retaining tongues.
[0045] As indicated below, these ribs (1h) and (1i) have the
function of stiffening, that is to say of no longer allowing
elastic deformation of, some of the tongues and/or part of the
push-button (1b).
[0046] For example, the rib (1h) is intended to stiffen the
retaining tongue (1c). To this end, the rib (1h) is formed along
the central axis of the rib (1c) starting from the hole (1f) in the
raised central region. The rib (1h) is formed so that it overhangs
the recessed part (1a3) of the raised central region to lie in the
same bearing plane as the base (1). More specifically, the rib (1h)
is oriented along the central axis of symmetry of the cut-outs (1g)
from which the tongue (1c) is formed.
[0047] Just one rib (1h) may be considered sufficient to fulfill
the desired function, namely to ensure the controlled tilting of
the disc (FIG. 12).
[0048] The other bearing and stiffening rib (1i) is situated
opposite near the connecting tab (1b3) of the button (1b)
diametrically opposite the tongue (1c), so that the ribs (1h) and
(1i) are arranged in alignment and facing each other, being
diametrically opposed with respect to the center of the button.
Here again, this positioning of the ribs must not be considered as
limiting. These arrangements stiffen the part of the push-button
(1b) in the region of its tab (1b3). However, in order not to
detract from the elasticity of the other two retaining tongues (1b)
and (1e), cut-outs (1k) are made in the thickness of the raised
central region (1a) so as to partially surround the rib (1i).
[0049] Just like the rib (1h), the rib (1i) is formed so that it
overhangs the recessed part (1a3) of the raised central region (1a)
so as to lie in the same bearing plane of the base (1).
[0050] In a known way, the free ends of the various tongues (1c),
(1d) and (1e) have a rounded external retaining boss able to
maintain the disc and engage in its central opening acting as a
clipping means. These retaining bosses are designed not to be
aggressive so that they do not damage the disc at its central
opening either while it is being introduced or while it is being
ejected. Likewise, to make the disc easier to engage with respect
to the button (1b), the various connecting tabs (1b1), (1b2), (1b3)
are connected to the bearing part of the button by rounded
regions.
[0051] Given these characteristics underlying the invention, the
disc is, on the one hand, maintained with respect to the central
button and, on the other hand, ejected, under perfect conditions.
As FIGS. 2 and. 5 show, in the disc-maintaining position, that is
to say when the retaining tongues (1c), (1d) and (1e) are engaged,
the disc bears only at the raised central region (1a) and more
particularly on semicircular sectors acting as bosses (1a4) and
able to collaborate with the part of the disc lying around its
central hole (D1) and having no recording tracks. It can also be
seen that the outer peripheral edge of the disc is not bearing and
is completely free of the base, which means that it experiences no
bending forces. We return more particularly to FIGS. 8, 9 and 10
which show the principle of the maintaining and of the ejection by
controlled tilting of the disc. FIG. 8 shows the disc at rest in
the position of engagement of the button and of the tongues.
[0052] When the button (1b) is pressed, given the presence of the
opposed stiffening ribs (1h) and (1i), only the tongues (1d) and
(1e) and the parts of the button situated level with the tabs (1b1)
and (1b2) deform elastically to pass under the surface of the disc.
The disc pivots as the push-button is depressed with respect to the
tongue (1c) secured to the stiffening means (FIG. 9). It is
therefore the boss of the tongue which does not bend which retains
the disc on one side, the other side of which disc passes over the
other tongues (1d) and (1e) which are depressed (FIG. 9).
[0053] This results in simultaneous controlled tilting of the disc
with respect to the button and with respect to the tongues so that
one of the parts of the circular edge of the disc remains in
contact with the base while another part of the disc diametrically
opposite the previous part is lifted up with respect to said base,
so that it is particularly easy to grasp the disc at this raised
part (FIGS. 3, 6 and 10).
[0054] Starting from this basic design, in order to avoid any risk
of the disc slipping as it effects its controlled tilting under the
conditions indicated and is grasped by hand, the base (1), in a
preferred embodiment and on the side of tilting of the disc, has a
bearing profile (11) able to retain the disc in the tilted position
(FIGS. 3 and 6). This bearing rim is formed at least on the side of
the stiffened tongue (1c) at which the disc tilts. The bearing rim
(11) has an internal profile of substantially elliptical shape
designed to collaborate with part of the circular edge of the disc
in the raised released position.
[0055] For purely esthetic reasons, the bearing rim (11) may be
formed circularly on the external periphery of the disc, without in
any way constituting a bearing point for the latter in its position
of engagement over the push-button and the various retaining
tongues. In this case, the part of the rim (11) opposite the rib
(1c) may have a cylindrical profile given that, in this region, the
rim has no particular technical function but merely contributes to
the esthetics of the whole.
[0056] Still with a view to avoiding any phenomenon of slippage at
the time of tilting of the disc under the conditions indicated with
respect to the push-button and to the tongues, and at the time of
its grasping, the bearing rim (11) may, at its connection with the
base (1), have a slot (111) allowing partial engagement and
abutment of the corresponding circular edge of the disc (FIGS. 4, 5
and 6).
[0057] As indicated, the support base (1) directly constitutes one
of the compartments of a storage case, particularly the bottom
thereof. The other compartment of the case constitutes a cover (2)
connected to the support base (1) which constitutes the bottom by a
part (3) which acts as a hinge. The support base (1) and the cover
(2) have any type of means for clipping them in the closed
position.
[0058] The entirety of the case as defined, particularly the
support base (1) equipped with the device according to the
invention, is obtained directly by the injection of plastic.
[0059] The advantages are clearly apparent from the description,
and the following are particularly emphasized and recalled:
[0060] the controlled tilting of the disc under the effect of
finger pressure exerted on the push-button allowing a determined
part of the disc to be raised so that it can be grasped;
[0061] no bending force is exerted on the disc either in the
maintained position with respect to the retaining means or at the
time of its ejection;
[0062] the effectiveness.
* * * * *