U.S. patent application number 10/752318 was filed with the patent office on 2004-11-18 for disk holder.
Invention is credited to Adams, Matt, Dewhurst, Philip, Lew, Gene, Yurchenco, James R..
Application Number | 20040226837 10/752318 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33425026 |
Filed Date | 2004-11-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040226837 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dewhurst, Philip ; et
al. |
November 18, 2004 |
Disk holder
Abstract
A storage case for compact disks rotatably mounted inside a
housing. The cradle preferably comprises a base, an outwardly
angled side wall extending upward from the base, and at least one
lobe extending upward from the opposite side of the base. A slot is
formed between the lobe and the side wall for storing the disk. The
tabs, preferably located within the lobe, secure the disk inside
the cradle, preventing the disk from inadvertently falling out of
the cradle.
Inventors: |
Dewhurst, Philip; (Ajax,
CA) ; Lew, Gene; (Markham, CA) ; Yurchenco,
James R.; (Palo Alto, CA) ; Adams, Matt;
(Mountain View, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JOHN S. PRATT, ESQ
KILPATRICK STOCKTON, LLP
1100 PEACHTREE STREET
ATLANTA
GA
30309
US
|
Family ID: |
33425026 |
Appl. No.: |
10/752318 |
Filed: |
January 6, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10752318 |
Jan 6, 2004 |
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10379034 |
Mar 4, 2003 |
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10379034 |
Mar 4, 2003 |
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09688474 |
Oct 16, 2000 |
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6561346 |
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09688474 |
Oct 16, 2000 |
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09293156 |
Apr 16, 1999 |
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6193061 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/308.1 ;
G9B/33.01; G9B/33.014 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11B 33/0422 20130101;
G11B 33/0444 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/308.1 |
International
Class: |
B65D 085/57 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A cradle for storing a disc containing readable data,
comprising: a base comprising a vertically upstanding outwardly
angled side wall and at least one lobe opposite the side wall,
whereby a slot is formed between the side wall and the lobe for
storing the disc; a tab located within the lobe and adjacent the
base, the tab operable to engage the disc when the disc is placed
in the slot for storage; a rear wall; and a vertically upstanding
front wall.
2. The cradle according to claim 1, wherein the side wall is taller
than the lobe allowing easy insertion of the disc into the
slot.
3. The cradle according to claim 1, wherein the angle of the side
wall is three to four degrees.
4. The cradle according to claim 1, wherein the tabs are positioned
to engage the unreadable outer edge of the disc, forcing the disc
against the bottom portion of the side wall and securing the disc
within the cradle.
5. The cradle according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality
of lobes.
6. The cradle according to claim 1, wherein the side wall is
generally C-shaped.
7. The cradle according to claim 1, further comprising a ledge
between the side wall and the lobe for supporting the outer edge of
the disc, the ledge comprising a ramp along the front wall of the
cradle.
8. A storage case for discs containing readable data comprising: a
housing; a storage cradle pivotally mounted within the housing, the
cradle comprising a base, a front wall, a rear wall, a vertically
upstanding outwardly angled side wall extending from the base and
at lease one lobe extending from the base whereby a slot is formed
between the side wall and the lobe for storing the disc; a tab
located within the lobe adjacent the base of the cradle operable to
engage the disc when placed in the slot and force the disc against
the bottom portion of the side wall securing the disc within the
cradle; a rear wall; and a vertically upstanding front wall.
9. The storage case according to claim 8, further comprising a
finger tab attached to the front wall of the cradle to facilitate
pivoting the cradle within the housing.
10. The storage case according to claim 9, further comprising a
latch arm extending from the rear wall of the cradle, the latch arm
engaging a locking tab extending from the rear wall of the housing
when the cradle is pivoted in the closed position, the latch arm
and locking tab creating a positive lock when the storage case is
closed.
11. The storage case according to claim 10, wherein the latch arm
further comprises a notch which engages the locking tab creating
the positive lock when the storage case is closed.
12. The storage case according to claim 8, further comprising
storage rails for storing a booklet.
13. The storage case according to claim 12, wherein the storage
rails extend approximately the entire width of the housing.
14. The storage case according to claim 8, wherein the side wall of
the cradle is taller than the lobe allowing easy insertion of the
disc into the slot.
15. The storage case according to claim 8, wherein the angle of the
side wall of the cradle is three to four degrees.
16. The storage case according to claim 8, wherein the tab located
on the lobe is positioned to engage the unreadable outer edge of
the disc.
17. The storage case according to claim 8, wherein the cradle
further comprises a plurality of lobes.
18. The storage case according to claim 8, wherein the side wall of
the cradle is generally C-shaped.
19. The storage case according to claim 8, wherein the cradle
further comprises a stop notch preventing the cradle from rotating
more than approximately 90.degree. when opened.
20. The storage case according to claim 1, further comprising a
ledge between the side wall and the lobe for supporting the outer
edge of the disc, the ledge comprising a ramp along the front wall
of the cradle preventing the disc from inadvertently rolling out of
the case when the cradle is rotated to the open position.
21. A cradle for storing a disc containing readable data,
comprising: a base comprising a vertically upstanding outwardly
angled side wall and at least one tab opposite the side wall,
whereby a slot is formed between the side wall and the tab for
storing the disc, the tab operable to engage the disc when the disc
is placed in the slot for storage; a rear wall; and a vertically
upstanding front wall.
22. The cradle according to claim 21, wherein the tabs are
positioned to engage the unreadable outer edge of the disc, forcing
the disc against the bottom portion of the side wall and securing
the disc within the cradle.
23. The cradle according to claim 22, further comprising a
plurality of tabs.
24. The cradle according to claim 24, further comprising a ledge
between the side wall and the lobe for supporting the outer edge of
the disc, the ledge comprising a ramp along the front wall of the
cradle.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation in part of U.S.
application Ser. No. 10/379,034 filed on Mar. 4, 2003, which is a
continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/688,474 filed on Oct.
16, 2000, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser.
No. 09/293,156 filed on Apr. 16, 1999.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to a storage device and more
particularly to a storage case for carrying compact, audio, or
video disk media which includes CDROM, CD-G, CD video disks, audio
CD's, karaoke CD's, and DVD's.
BACKGROUND
[0003] There are many common storage units on the market for
storage of compact disks and DVD's. A less common design for disk
storage cases provides a plastic hinged booklet-type case. The disk
is stored around a central rosette which engages the annular region
in the center of the disk. Problems arise with such cases when
removing the disk. The disk may become caught on the rosette,
making removal of the disk cumbersome. In other instances, the disk
may crack or break when being removed from the case due to
difficulty of releasing the disk from the rosette. It is also
common for the cover of such cases to become disengaged from the
base, leaving the disk exposed when placed in a case.
SUMMARY
[0004] Certain embodiments of the present invention solves
significant problems in the art by providing a case for storing
compact disks and the like that is easy and convenient to use.
[0005] Generally described, certain embodiments of the present
invention provide an improved storage cradle for compact disks and
the like comprising a base having a vertically upstanding outwardly
angled side wall. Opposite the side wall are a plurality of lobes,
forming a storage slot between the side wall and the lobes. Tabs
are preferably located within the lobes, adjacent the bottom of the
slot. The disk may be placed inside the storage cradle by
positioning the disk between the slot formed between the lobes and
the side wall. The tabs are operable to grip the disk, securing the
disk within the cradle. A storage cradle also comprises a rear wall
and a vertically upstanding front wall.
[0006] Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a
cradle wherein the side wall is higher than the lobes, allowing for
easy insertion of the disk into the slot of the cradle. The side
wall is preferably angled from 3 to 4 degrees at the bottom of the
side wall. The angle of the side wall prevents damage to the stored
disk due to abrasion with the side wall of the cradle when the disk
is stored.
[0007] Certain embodiments of the present invention also provide a
housing inside which the storage cradle may be pivotally mounted. A
pull tab attached to the front wall of the cradle facilitates
pivoting the cradle within the housing in order to open and close
the storage case.
[0008] According to certain embodiments of the present invention,
the storage case is ergonomically designed in order to provide a
user friendly disk storage device. A stored disk can be easily
accessed by a user using only a single hand by simply pulling on
the pull tab of the cradle and rotating the cradle from the closed
to the open position. The disk can easily be removed from the
cradle, again using only a single hand. While the tabs secure the
disk when located in the cradle, the disk can easily be released
from the cradle without great effort and risk to the disk. The disk
can similarly be replaced inside the cradle using a single hand by
simply placing the disk in the slot of the cradle and gently
adjusting the disk so that it is engaged by the tabs.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a case according to certain
embodiments of the invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a case according to certain
embodiments of the invention in the open position.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a case according to certain
embodiments of the invention in the open position.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a case according to certain
embodiments of the invention.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a portion of the case according
to certain embodiments of the invention showing the opening and
closing of the case.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the case of FIG. 5
containing a disk along the line 6-6.
[0015] FIG. 6A is a cross sectional view of the case of FIG. 5
along the line 6-6.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the cradle according to
certain embodiments of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] Referring now in more detail to the drawings, in which like
numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1
shows a perspective view of a case 10, comprising a cradle 12 and a
housing 70, for storing disks containing readable data according to
certain embodiments of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 7 shows the top surface of the cradle 12 comprising a
substantially flat base 14. A rear wall 16 extends vertically
upward from a first end of the base. A front wall 18 extends
vertically upward from the opposite end of the base 14. The front
wall is preferably approximately twice as tall as the rear wall 16.
The front wall 18 is also preferably slightly taller than the
diameter of a disk I 1 to be stored in the cradle.
[0019] A vertically upstanding side 20 wall extends upward from one
side edge of the base and extends upward along the front wall 18
and the rear wall 16. The bottom portion of the side wall 20 is
preferably outwardly angled as shown in FIG. 6. According to
certain embodiments of the present invention, the angle of the side
wall 20 may preferably be between 3 to 4 degrees. The upper portion
of the side wall is preferably straight, perpendicular to the base.
The top edge of the side wall is generally C-shaped, permitting
easy access to a disk when stored in the cradle.
[0020] A plurality of lobes 22 preferably extend upwardly from the
opposite side edge of the cradle base 14, front wall 18, and rear
wall 16. The lobes 22 are preferably shorter in comparison to the
side wall 20. A slot 25 is formed between the side wall 20 and the
lobes 22, as shown in FIG. 6A. The side wall and lobes are
positioned apart to form the slot 25 which accommodates the
thickness of the disk 11 to be stored. A ledge 24 is located at the
bottom of the slot 25, between the lobes and the side wall. The
ledge 24 is also generally C-shaped and has a very similar contour
to the top edge of the side wall 20. It is relatively easy to
position the disk within the slot 25 of the cradle 12 due to the
discrepancies in height between the lobes 22 and the side wall 20.
Once inside the slot, the outer edge of the disk will rest on the
ledge.
[0021] Tabs 23 are preferably located within the lobes 22 of the
cradle. The lobes 22 may preferably have a void section and the
tabs 23 may preferably extend into the void section of the lobe.
The lobes provide protection to the tabs from unwanted deformation
or damage, particularly during removal of a stored disk. The tabs
23 are preferably positioned to extend slightly into the slot
formed between the lobes and the side wall, slightly above the
ledge. According to certain embodiments of the present invention,
the tabs may preferably be in the form of a finger-like extension,
but any other type of tab may be used if desired. As shown in FIG.
6A, the inner surface of the tabs 23 may preferably be angled such
that the top portion of the tab is thinner and the tab gradually
increases in thickness towards the bottom of the tab, adjacent the
base of the cradle. The distance between the thickest portion of
the tab and the bottom of the side wall is preferably slightly less
than the thickness of the disk to be stored. As the disk 11 is
placed in the slot to be stored in the cradle, the bottom edge of
the disk may engage a portion of the tab. Due to the angle of the
tab surface, the disk preferably slides along the inner surface of
the tab until it reaches the base of the cradle. In this position,
the tab 23 engages and provides slight pressure against the
unreadable outer edge of the disk creating a friction fit between
the tab and the bottom portion of the side wall 20 opposite the
lobe. The bottom portion of the side wall, which is adjacent to the
readable side of the disk, is angled outwardly so that it does not
engage the readable portion of the disk, which is thereby not
scratched. The top portion of the side wall is parallel to, but
preferably does not touch, the disk. It may be preferable for the
portion of the side wall opposite the tab to be a void section of
approximately the same size as the lobe. According to certain
embodiments of the present invention, the cradle may comprise a
plurality of lobes, only some of which further comprise tabs 23 for
holding the disk. Alternatively, the cradle may not have any lobes
at all, and only tabs that support the disk opposite the side
wall.
[0022] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the cradle 12 according to certain
embodiments of the present invention may be mounted within the
housing 70 forming a storage case 10. The housing is preferably
generally rectangular in shape and comprises a base wall 72. Two
vertically upstanding side walls 74, 75 extend upwardly from the
side edges of the base wall. The side walls are preferably parallel
to each other. A rear wall 76 extends upwardly from the base wall,
between the two side walls. A top wall 78 extends across the top of
the housing, between the side walls. The housing is sized to hold
the cradle and the disk.
[0023] According to certain embodiments of the present invention,
the side walls 74, 75 of the housing extend beyond the front edge
of the housing base, as shown in FIG. 3. The portion of the housing
side walls extending beyond the front edge of the base may
preferably be slightly rounded. An axle pin 79 is preferably
located on one of the side walls adjacent the rounded edge. The
axle pin extends between the two side walls 74, 75.
[0024] An aperture is preferably located in the cradle adjacent the
corner where the base and the front wall of the cradle meet. The
cradle is mounted within the housing by placing the axle pin of the
housing through the aperture. In order to do this, the housing
preferably comprises two parts. One part comprising one side wall
and the second part comprising the other side wall, which can be
fastened together. Locking tabs are located on the base portion of
one of the housing halves. When the two halves of the housing are
placed together, the locking tabs of one half engage grooves
located on the second half, fastening the two halves together. It
should also be understood that other methods for fastening the two
halves may be used including glue, thermal welding and various
other snap-fit arrangements.
[0025] A finger tab 35 is located on the top portion of the front
wall of the cradle 12. The finger tab facilitates rotation of the
cradle around the axle formed by the pin of the housing passing
through the aperture of the cradle when the storage case 10 is
assembled. The finger tab 35 allows a user to rotate the cradle
from the open or closed position. When the cradle is in the closed
position, the finger tab is preferably accessible because the side
wall 74 comprises a notch 81 located near the top of the side wall.
The notch 81 exposes the side portion of the finger tab 35. The
finger tab may preferably be contoured or ribbed to provide an
easier surface for a user to grip the cradle. The finger tab
comprises a concave outer side surface and top surface making it
convenient to open using the thumb and one finger. The user can
preferably place the thumb on the side portion of the finger tab
and the finger on the top portion of the finger tab and easily
rotate the cradle to the open position.
[0026] A latch arm 40 extends from the rear wall of the cradle
towards the base. The latch arm comprises a notched and a contoured
tip. As the cradle is rotated from the open to the closed position,
the tip of the latch arm comes in contact with a locking tab 80
extending into the housing 70 from the rear wall of the housing.
The locking tab 80 is preferably located on the rear wall of the
housing adjacent to the base of the housing. As the latch arm 40
initially engages the locking tab, the user preferably notices the
pressure the locking tab 80 applies to the latch arm. The latch arm
is preferably resilient in nature allowing it to deflect as the
user continues to rotate the cradle to the closed position. The
latch arm will continue to deflect until the locking tab engages
the notch 42 of the latch arm. Once the locking tab 80 engages the
notch 42 of the latch arm 40, a positive lock is created and the
cradle cannot be inadvertently opened. The deflection of the latch
arm and engagement by the locking tab provides tactile feedback to
a user when closing the case, indicating that the case has been
successfully closed. The cradle may be opened by pulling on the
finger tab, forcing the locking tab past the notch 42 of the latch
arm, releasing the cradle and allowing it to be rotated to the open
position.
[0027] A first storage rail 85 may preferably be located along the
top wall 78 of the housing interior. A second storage rail 86 is
preferably located adjacent the base of the interior portion of the
housing, on the same side of the housing as the first storage rail.
A booklet (not shown) which typically accompanies disks containing
readable data may be stored inside the housing. The booklet
preferably rests within the housing between the two storage rails.
The front wall of the cradle is preferably sized to accommodate a
disk identification label.
[0028] The cradle, when rotated fully to the open position, may
preferably only rotate approximately 90.degree.. The cradle is
preferably prevented from rotating beyond approximately 90.degree.
by a stop notch 47 located on the base of the cradle. The stop
notch 47 preferably contacts the second storage rail 86 when the
cradle is rotated approximately 90.degree., preventing the cradle
from rotating any more. Once the stop notch 47 engages the second
storage rail 86, the user receives indication that the cradle can
not travel any further. By rotating the cradle 90.degree. to the
open position, the case can rest on a flat surface in the open
condition.
[0029] It should be understood that the a disk 11 may be placed
within the cradle 12 and stored in the housing 70 according to
certain embodiments of the invention. The disk, when being stored,
is placed in the slot 25 of the cradle formed between the side wall
and the lobes and is preferably engaged by the tabs. The cradle can
be rotated within the housing between the closed and open positions
as desired. The housing preferably comprises a disk retention tab
89 located on the rear wall 76 of the housing. The disk retention
tab 89 is preferably located approximately two thirds of the way up
the rear wall of the housing and extends slightly into the housing.
When the cradle containing a disk is in the closed position, the
outer edge of the disk 11 may preferably rest against the outer
edge of the disk retention tab 89, preventing the disk from moving
inside the housing in the event the disk becomes dislodged from the
tabs.
[0030] The ledge 24 preferably forms a ramp 51 along the front wall
of the cradle. The ramp prevents the disk from rolling out of the
cradle when the cradle is rotated to the open position in the event
the disk becomes disengaged from the tabs. Therefore, the cradle
can be rotated 90.degree. to the open position and the case can
rest on a flat surface without risk of the disk falling out of the
cradle.
[0031] By providing the rotating cradle within the housing, a user
may gain access to the stored disk by opening the case with a
single hand. One hand access provides a number of advantages
including safety when accessing a disk within an automobile. The
present invention provides trouble-free access to a disk and a
storage mechanism which does not damage the readable surface of the
disk.
[0032] It should be understood that multiple cradles can be
arranged together, for example in adjacent fashion, creating a disk
storage unit. According to certain embodiments of the invention,
each case may comprise interlocking tabs in order to attach to
another case. Such interlocking tabs would preferably allow a user
to purchase individual cases at various times and attach them
together, forming a storage unit for multiple disks.
[0033] The embodiments described above illustrate particular
aspects of the inventive concepts of the invention. It should be
understood that structures and methods of retaining disks in a case
comprising a cradle and housing may be modified without departing
from the scope and spirit of the invention.
* * * * *