U.S. patent application number 11/596183 was filed with the patent office on 2008-01-17 for apparatus for holding a disc-shaped article.
This patent application is currently assigned to DUALBOX LIMITED. Invention is credited to Brendan Farrell, John Hegarty.
Application Number | 20080011630 11/596183 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34980379 |
Filed Date | 2008-01-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080011630 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hegarty; John ; et
al. |
January 17, 2008 |
Apparatus For Holding A Disc-Shaped Article
Abstract
A CD case (1) has a drawer (3) which slides into and out of a
housing (2) having hinged top and bottom parts. A drawer handle
(10) has a cover wall (11) covering a front opening in the housing,
and exposing a large surface (15) for a label. A finger grip (12)
is formed from an integral web of material extending forwardly, and
terminating in a downward lip (13). A disc retainer (19) has four
resilient tabs (40) for gripping without use of an overhang lip.
Movement of a CD is guided by a guide (41) which centres the CD and
ensures uniform force applied by the tabs (40).
Inventors: |
Hegarty; John; (Dublin,
IE) ; Farrell; Brendan; (County Wicklow, IE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JACOBSON HOLMAN PLLC
400 SEVENTH STREET N.W.
SUITE 600
WASHINGTON
DC
20004
US
|
Assignee: |
DUALBOX LIMITED
20-24, Eglinton Road
Dublin
IE
4
|
Family ID: |
34980379 |
Appl. No.: |
11/596183 |
Filed: |
May 13, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
May 13, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IE05/00054 |
371 Date: |
November 13, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/308.1 ;
206/310; G9B/33.011; G9B/33.015 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11B 33/0427 20130101;
G11B 33/045 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/308.1 ;
206/310 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/30 20060101
B65D085/30; B65D 85/57 20060101 B65D085/57 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 13, 2004 |
IE |
2004/0335 |
Claims
1-22. (canceled)
23: An apparatus for holding a disc-shaped article, the apparatus
comprising: a housing, a drawer having a seat and a retainer for a
disc-shaped article, the retainer being for engagement with a
central aperture of an article; said drawer being movable through a
front opening in the housing between a rearward closed position
within the housing and a forward open position protruding from the
housing exposing the article seat, and wherein the drawer further
comprises a handle having a finger grip projecting forwardly.
24: The apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein the housing
comprises top and bottom walls, and the handle extends the full
depth of the housing between said walls.
25: The apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein the housing
comprises side walls and the handle extends the width of the
housing between the side walls.
26: The apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein the handle
comprises a cover covering the housing opening, and the finger grip
extends forwardly from said cover.
27: The apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein the handle
comprises a cover covering the housing opening, and the finger grip
extends forwardly from said cover; and wherein the handle cover
comprises an exposed front display surface for supporting
information for display.
28: The apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein the finger grip
extends forwardly from a top edge of the handle cover.
29: The apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein the finger grip
comprises a planar web of material.
30: The apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein the finger grip
extends across the full width of the housing opening.
31: The apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein the finger grip
is substantially parallel to the housing top surface.
32: The apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein the finger grip
comprises a lip extending from a forward extremity of the finger
grip.
33: The apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein the finger grip
comprises a lip extending from a forward extremity of the finger
grip; and wherein the ledge extends downwardly from a forward
extremity of the finger grip.
34: The apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein the housing
comprises a front edge, and wherein the front edge abuts against
the handle cover when the drawer is in the closed state.
35: The apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein the handle is
integrally formed with the drawer.
36: The apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein the handle and
the housing have formations for snap-fitting retention of the
drawer in the closed position.
37: The apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein the retainer
comprises a plurality of resilient tabs mounted on the seat, each
tab being resilient to exert a radial force against the edge of a
central aperture of an article, and a guide for guiding movement of
an article into and out of engagement with the tabs.
38: The apparatus as claimed in claim 37, wherein the guide
comprises upstanding walls projecting from the seat, said walls
having two diametrically opposed surfaces and being located with
respect to the tabs to guide an article so that it is centered with
the article's central aperture edge being in sliding contact with
said surfaces.
39: The apparatus as claimed in claim 37, wherein the guide
comprises upstanding walls projecting from the seat, said walls
having two diametrically opposed surfaces and being located with
respect to the tabs to guide an article so that it is centered with
the article's central aperture edge being in sliding contact with
said surfaces; and wherein the guide comprises two pairs of walls
having opposed surfaces.
40: The apparatus as claimed in claim 37, wherein the guide
comprises upstanding walls projecting from the seat, said walls
having two diametrically opposed surfaces and being located with
respect to the tabs to guide an article so that it is centered with
the article's central aperture edge being in sliding contact with
said surfaces; and wherein the guide comprises two pairs of walls
having opposed surfaces; and wherein the guide walls are
interconnected in a cross-shaped configuration in plan.
41: The apparatus as claimed in claim 37, wherein the guide wall
surfaces extend at an obtuse angle to the surrounding seat
surface.
42: The apparatus as claimed in claim 37, wherein the tab surfaces
extend at an acute angle to the surrounding seat surface.
43: The apparatus as claimed in claim 37, wherein the tab surfaces
extend at an acute angle to the surrounding seat surface; and
wherein the tab surfaces extend at an angle of 86.degree. to
89.degree. to the surrounding seat surface.
44: An apparatus for holding a disc-shaped article, the apparatus
comprising: a housing, a drawer having a seat and a retainer for a
disc-shaped article, the retainer being for engagement with a
central aperture of an article; said drawer being movable through a
front opening in the housing between a rearward closed position
within the housing and a forward open position protruding from the
housing exposing the article seat, and wherein the retainer
comprises a plurality of resilient tabs mounted on the seat, each
tab being resilient to exert a radial force against the edge of a
central aperture of an article, and a guide for guiding movement of
an article into and out of engagement with the tabs.
45: The apparatus as claimed in claim 44, wherein the guide
comprises upstanding walls projecting from the seat, said walls
having two diametrically opposed surfaces and being located with
respect to the tabs to guide an article so that it is centered with
the article's central aperture edge being in sliding contact with
said surfaces.
46: The apparatus as claimed in claim 44, wherein the guide
comprises upstanding walls projecting from the seat, said walls
having two diametrically opposed surfaces and being located with
respect to the tabs to guide an article so that it is centered with
the article's central aperture edge being in sliding contact with
said surfaces; and wherein the guide comprises two pairs of walls
having opposed surfaces.
47: The apparatus as claimed in claim 44, wherein the guide
comprises upstanding walls projecting from the seat, said walls
having two diametrically opposed surfaces and being located with
respect to the tabs to guide an article so that it is centered with
the article's central aperture edge being in sliding contact with
said surfaces; and wherein the guide comprises two pairs of walls
having opposed surfaces; and wherein the guide walls are
interconnected in a cross-shaped configuration in plan.
48: The apparatus as claimed in claim 44, wherein the guide wall
surfaces extend at an obtuse angle to the surrounding seat
surface.
49: The apparatus as claimed in claim 44, wherein the tab surfaces
extend at an acute angle to the surrounding seat surface.
Description
INTRODUCTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an apparatus for holding a
disc-shaped object such as a CD or DVD.
[0003] 2. Prior Art Discussion
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 6,237,763 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,241,089 describe
cases for holding discs. In the case of U.S. Pat. No. 6,241,089
there is a retainer for a disc-shaped article in which there are
eight resilient members with an overhang for retaining an
article.
[0005] In general, many known CD or DVD cases present problems to
the user from the point of view of handling and identification, in
particular in the event that the user is managing a large number of
cases. There is also a need to provide for more convenient
insertion of a disc into a case and removal from the case.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] According to the invention there is provided an apparatus
for holding a disc-shaped article, the apparatus comprising a
housing, a drawer having a seat and a retainer for a disc-shaped
article, the drawer being movable through a front opening in the
housing between a rearward closed position within the housing and a
forward open position protruding from the housing exposing the
article seat, wherein the drawer further comprises a handle having
a finger grip projecting forwardly.
[0007] In one embodiment, the housing comprises top and bottom
walls, and the handle extends the full depth of the housing between
said walls.
[0008] In one embodiment, the housing comprises side walls and the
handle extends the width of the housing between the side walls.
[0009] In one embodiment, the handle comprises a cover covering the
housing opening, and the finger grip extends forwardly from said
cover.
[0010] In one embodiment, the handle cover comprises an exposed
front display surface for supporting information for display.
[0011] In one embodiment, the finger grip extends forwardly from a
top edge of the handle cover.
[0012] In one embodiment, the finger grip comprises a planar web of
material.
[0013] In one embodiment, the finger grip extends across the full
width of the housing opening.
[0014] In one embodiment, the finger grip is substantially parallel
to the housing top surface.
[0015] In one embodiment, the finger grip comprises a lip extending
from a forward extremity of the finger grip.
[0016] In another embodiment, the ledge extends downwardly from a
forward extremity of the finger grip.
[0017] In one embodiment, the housing comprises a front edge, and
wherein the front edge abuts against the handle cover when the
drawer is in the closed state.
[0018] In one embodiment, the handle is integrally formed with the
drawer.
[0019] In one embodiment, the handle and the housing have
formations for snap-fitting retention of the drawer in the closed
position.
[0020] In one embodiment, the retainer comprises a plurality of
resilient tabs mounted on the seat, each tab being resilient to
exert a radial force against the edge of a central aperture of an
article, and a guide for guiding movement of an article into and
out of engagement with the tabs.
[0021] In one embodiment, the guide comprises upstanding walls
projecting from the seat, said walls having two diametrically
opposed surfaces and being located with respect to the tabs to
guide an article so that it is centered with the article's central
aperture edge being in sliding contact with said surfaces.
[0022] In one embodiment, the guide comprises two pairs of walls
having opposed surfaces.
[0023] In one embodiment, the guide walls are interconnected in a
cross-shaped configuration in plan.
[0024] In one embodiment, the guide wall surfaces extend at an
obtuse angle to the surrounding seat surface.
[0025] In one embodiment, the tab surfaces extend at an acute angle
to the surrounding seat surface.
[0026] In one embodiment, the tab surfaces extend at an angle of
86.degree. to 89.degree. to the surrounding seat surface.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0027] The invention will be more clearly understood from the
following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of
example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0028] FIG. 1 is a perspective view from above of an apparatus,
namely a CD case of the invention;
[0029] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a drawer of the case
partially pulled out;
[0030] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the apparatus with a
housing top cover opened;
[0031] FIG. 4 is an underneath perspective;
[0032] FIGS. 5(a), 5(b) and 5(c) are cross-sectional side views
through a mid point of the handle;
[0033] FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of the case;
[0034] FIG. 7 is a perspective view from above of a retainer of the
case;
[0035] FIG. 8 is a plan view of the retainer;
[0036] FIG. 9 is a sectional view along the lines X-X of FIG. 8;
and
[0037] FIG. 10 is a sectional view along the lines Y-Y of FIG.
8.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0038] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, an apparatus 1 for holding a
disc-shaped article comprises a housing 2 and a drawer 3 having a
seat 4 for holding a disc (a CD) retained by a retainer 19. The
drawer 3 comprises a handle 10 having a finger grip extending
forwardly.
[0039] The handle 10 comprises a cover wall 11 covering a front
opening in the housing 2. A ledge 12 extends forwardly, and
together with the cover wall 11, has substantially an inverted
L-form. A lower edge portion 14 of the cover wall 11 depends
downwardly from the drawer.
[0040] The ledge 12 extends forwardly from the top of the cover
wall 11 and comprises a downwardly-depending lip 13 which assists
finger gripping for a user. The ledge 12 extends substantially
parallel to the top surface of the housing 2.
[0041] The cover wall 11 is inclined relative to vertical at an
angle of between 85.degree. and 89.degree., in the embodiment
87.degree.. The front of the cover wall 11 provides a display
surface 15 of a large area suitable for displaying extensive
information such as information indicating the disc being
contained.
[0042] The housing 2 comprises a top 21, a bottom 23, a front edge
22, a back wall 26, and side walls 24 and 25. The side walls and
top and bottom of the housing define the front opening. The drawer
3 is received in the housing and they interconnect or interlock in
the closed state. The drawer 3 is movable relative to the housing 2
between a closed state, as shown in FIG. 1, a partially open state
as shown in FIG. 2, and a fully open state (not shown). When the
drawer extends out fully there is access to the article therein. As
shown in FIG. 3, the top 21 and bottom 23 of the cover are
connected by means of a hinge 27. Opening of the housing by
rotation of the top 21 about the hinge 27 is facilitated by
finger-grip ridges 35, shown most clearly in FIGS. 1 and 6.
[0043] The handle 10 extends the length and depth of the housing
front opening. The handle 10 thus extends over the front opening
when the apparatus is in the closed state.
[0044] As shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 5(c) and 6, in the closed state the
front edge 22 of the housing 2 rests against the back of the handle
10. The front edge 22 abuts the housing wall 11 near the ledge 12
and at the lower edge portion 14. The front edges of the side walls
24 and 25 of the housing are inclined at the same angle as the wall
11 of the handle.
[0045] As shown in FIGS. 5(a) to 5(c) the drawer 3 has a projection
30 which causes a snap-fitting projection 31 of the housing to
spring downwardly as the drawer is pushed in. When fully "home"
there is a snap-fitting lock.
[0046] In the embodiments illustrated, the handle 10 has a
substantially inverted L-form with the ledge extending from near
the top of the apparatus. However, it will be appreciated that the
handle may have another suitable form, for example an L-form, with
the ledge extending from near the bottom of the apparatus.
[0047] Referring to FIGS. 7 to 10 the retainer 19 is shown in more
detail.
[0048] The retainer 19 comprises four resilient tabs 40 arranged at
90.degree. mutual separation, and facing radially centrally. A
cross-shaped guide 41 separates the four tabs 40. Because the guide
41 is integral with the drawer 3 it has very little flexibility,
and for practical purposes may be regarded as rigid. The guide 41
comprises four upstanding walls 42 and a horizontal cross-shaped
(in plan) wall 43 interconnecting the upstanding walls 42. The
retainer 19 is on a raised central part 50 of the seat 4 of the
drawer 3.
[0049] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, each tab 40 has an upstanding
wall 55, the outer surface of which extends up at an acute angle in
the range of 87.degree. to 89.degree. to the surrounding seat 4
surface. Because the tabs 40 are cantilevered from the seat 4 they
have some flexibility.
[0050] Thus, the upstanding walls 55, without need for an overhang
lip, grip and retain the disc with two mutually opposed pairs of
gripping forces arising from the very slight upward-and-outward
direction and their resilience. This is achieved without an
overhang lip.
[0051] Movement of a disc onto the retainer 19 is assisted by
virtue of the guide 41. As shown in FIG. 10 the upstanding walls 42
of the guide 41 are at an obtuse angle of c. 91.degree.-92.degree.
to the surrounding seat 4 surface (are directed upwardly and
inwardly in an overall tapered configuration). The diameter across
the guide 41 is a tolerance fit for the central aperture of the
disc and the slight inwardly and upwardly directed slope allows the
guide 41 to guide the disc so that it is centred on the seat's 4
centre with a uniform force exerted by each of the four tabs 40.
There is particularly good uniformity because the guide 41 is
interleaved in a uniform manner with the resilient tabs 40.
[0052] It will be appreciated that the invention provides an
apparatus for holding a disc shaped article which provides improved
display, and improved ease of access, and improved and ease of
handling. The handle 10 provides a finger-sized ledge which can be
easily gripped by a user. The provision of a display area on the
handle facilitates improved ease of identification of the
contents.
[0053] Also, the retainer allows easy insertion and removal of an
article with substantially uniform force applied to the edge of the
central aperture of the article. The resilience of the tabs, their
angle with respect to the surrounding seat, lack of an overhang,
together with the interleaved guiding action of the guide 41 allow
particularly convenient insertion and removal.
[0054] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described
but may be varied in construction and detail. For example, the
retainer may be used in an apparatus of a different type, possibly
not having a drawer.
* * * * *