GB2336149A

GB2336149A - Containers for cassettes or discs

Info

Publication number: GB2336149A
Application number: GB9807693A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jack Yu
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-04-09
Filing date: 1998-04-09
Publication date: 1999-10-13
Anticipated expiration: 2018-04-09
Also published as: GB2336149B; DE29808558U1; GB9807693D0

Abstract

A container includes a cover 20 secured on a base 40 for receiving an insert 30 and a casing 42 disposed on one of the corners of the base 40 for slidably receiving a knob 51. A latch 52 is slidably engaged in the base 40 for being biased to engage with a notch 33 in the insert 30 for retaining the insert 30 in place. The knob 51 includes a tapered surface 58 for disengaging the latch 52 from the insert 30 so that the insert 30 may be moved outwardly by a biasing spring 34, allowing the container to be operated with only one land. A number of containers may be stacked with each other.

Description

1 2336149 CONTAINER FOR CASSETTE OR THE LIKE The invention relates to a

container for storing tape cassettes or the like.

Typical disc containers comprise a base for storing disc and a cover pivotally coupled to the base for covering the disc. However, the user have to use both hands for opening the typical disc container.

It is accordingly an objective of the present invention to provide a container that may be easily opened and closed.

According to the present invention there is provided a container for tape cassette comprising:- a) a base including a rear portion and a front portion having a first corner area, and including a casing provided on the first corner area of the base, b) insert i c) insert i d) means for biasing the insert forward and outward of the base, e) a latch slidably engaged in the base for engaging with the notch of the insert and for retaining the insert in place, f) means for biasing the latch to engage with the notch of the insert and for retaining the insert in place, and an insert slidably engaged in the base, the ncluding a notch, a cover secured on the base for retaining the n the base, g) means for disengaging the latch from the notch of the insert and for allowing the insert to be biased forward and outward of the base and for allowing the container to be operated by only one hand of the user.

The knob is biased forward of the base such that the knob may be easily operated even when a number of containers are stacked or superposed with each other.

The knob will not be depressed by the other containers when a number of containers are stacked or superposed with each other.

The latch. includes an extension extended upward, the latch disengaging means includes a knob slidably engaged in the casing and having a tapered surface for engaging with the extension and for moving the latch away from the insert and for disengaging the latch from the notch of the insert when the knob is depressed inward of the casing.

The latch biasing means includes a pin provided on the first corner area of the base, and a spring engaged on the pin and having a leg engaged with the latch for biasing the latch to engage with the notch of the i n s e r t.

In the drawings:- FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a container; FIG. 2 is a top plane view of the container, in cover is removed for showing the interior of the container; which the structure 3 - holes FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views illustrating the operation of the container, in which the container is rotated for 180 degrees relative to FIG. 1; and FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective views illustrating the operation of the container.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, a container comprises a base 40 including four projections 44 provided on the four corner areas and including a rear portion having a wall 402 extended upward. A cover 20 includes four 21 for engaging with the projections 44 and for allowing the cover 20 to be easily secured to the base 40. The base 40 includes a depression 46 formed in the bottom and includes a retainer 47 formed in the wall 402. The base 40 includes four bulges 4-5 extended downward from the four corners for engaging with the depressions 22 of the cover 20 and for allowing t-wo or more containers to be stably stacked with each other. The base 40 includes two protrusions 41 provided on the front corners respectively. The cover 20 includes four depressions 22 formed in top of the four corners.

A casing 42 is disposed on one of the f ront corners of the base 40 for slidably receiving a knob 51 which includes a tapered surface 58. A channel 48 and a pin 43 are provided behind the casing 42. A latch 52 is slidably engaged in the channel 48 and includes an extension 521 extended upward for engaging with the tapered surface 58. A spring 53 is engaged on the pin - 4 43 and biasing includes biasing with the An insert 30 is slidably engaged between the base 40 and the cover 20 and includes a flexible disc retaining hub 302 provided in the center portion. The cover 20 may stably retain the insert 30 in the base 40. The insert 30 includes a seat 31 for engaging with a spring 34 which is engaged between the insert 30 and the wall 402 for biasing the insert 30 outward of the base 40. The spring 34 has one end engaged with the retainer 47. The insert 30 includes two shoulders 32 formed in the side portion for slidably engaging with the protrusions 41 of the base 40 and for guiding the sliding movement of the insert 30 relative to the base 40. The insert 30 includes two stops 322 for engaging with the protrusions 41 and for preventing the insert 30 from disengaging from the container. The insert 30 includes a notch 33 for engaging with the latch 52 which may retain the insert 30 in the base 40.

In operation, as shown in FIGS. 2-4, when the insert 30 is moved inward of the base 40, the latch 52 may be biased by the spring 53 to engage with the notch 33 of the insert 30 for retaining the insert 30 in the base 40. However, when the knob 51 is depressed inward includes one leg engaged with the knob the knob 50 outward of the easing the other leg engaged with the latch the extension 521 of the latch 52 to tapered surface 58 of the knob 50.

for 42 and 52 for engage of the cover 20, the tapered surface 58 of the knob 51 may move the latch 52 away from the insert 30 against the spring D-3 for disengaging the latch 52 from the notch 33 of the insert 30 and for allowing the insert 05 30 to be moved outward of the base 40 by the spring 34, such that the container may be easily opened with only one hand. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the knob 51 may be easily depressed by the user when the containers are superposed with each other such that the insert 30 of the middle containers may also be easily opened.

6

Claims

CLAIMS:

1 - 1. A container comprising:

a base including a front portion having a f irst corner a--ea and including a rear portion, the base including a casing provided on the first corner area of the base, an insert slidably engaged in the base, the insert including a notch, a cover secured on the base for retaining the insert in the base, means for biasing the insert fo of the base, a latch slidably engaged in the base for engaging with the notch of the insert and for retaining the insert in place, means for biasing the latch to engage with the notch of the insert and for retaining the insert in place, and means for disengaging the latch from the notch of the insert and for allowing the insert to be biased forward and outward of the base.

2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the latch includes an extension extended upward, the latch disengaging means includes a knob slidably engaged in the casing and having a tapered surface for engaging with the extension and for moving the latch away from the insert and for disengaging the latch from the notch rward and outward - 7 of the casing.

3. The container according to claim 1, wherein the latch biasing means includes a pin provided on. the:

first corner area of the base, and a spring engaged on the pin and having a leg engaged with the latch for biasing the latch to engage with the notch of the insert.

4. A disc container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

4. The container substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

insert when the knob is depressed inward of the Si Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A disc container comprising.

a) a base which includes a rear portion and a front portion having a corner area, b) a casing provided on said corner area of the base, c) a catch and a latch mounted in said casing, d) an insert slidably engaged in the base, the insert including a notch, e) a cover secured on the base for retaining the insert in the base, f) means for biasing the insert forwardly and outwardly of the base, g) the latch being arranged for engagement with the notch of the insert so as to retain the insert in place within the base, and h) spring means acting on the latch to urge it into engagement with the notch, i) the catch being a manually movable member which is so arranged that, when the catch is pressed inwardly, the latch is moved out of engagement with the notch and the insert is free to move outwardly relative to the base.

2. A container as claimed in Claim 1, in which the latch includes an upward extension and the catch includes an inclined surface which engages said upward extension.

9 3. A container as claimed in claim 1, in which a pin is provided on the corner area of the base and the spring means acting on the latch comprises a spring mounted on the pin, the spring having a leg which engages the latch to bias it into engagement with the notch in the insert.