US3661250A - Reel case with lock - Google Patents

Reel case with lock Download PDF

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Publication number
US3661250A
US3661250A US41222A US3661250DA US3661250A US 3661250 A US3661250 A US 3661250A US 41222 A US41222 A US 41222A US 3661250D A US3661250D A US 3661250DA US 3661250 A US3661250 A US 3661250A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
flange
case
latching member
post
handle
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US41222A
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English (en)
Inventor
George F Lyman
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
DATA PACKAGING INTERNATIONAL Inc 1400 BRAYTON POINT ROAD SOMERSET MASSACHUSETTS A CORP OF DE
Original Assignee
Data Packaging Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Data Packaging Corp filed Critical Data Packaging Corp
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3661250A publication Critical patent/US3661250A/en
Assigned to COSTAR CORPORATION reassignment COSTAR CORPORATION CHANGE OF NAME (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). EFFECTIVE APR. 2, 1986 Assignors: DATA PACKAGING CORPORATION
Assigned to DATA PACKAGING INTERNATIONAL INC., 1400 BRAYTON POINT ROAD, SOMERSET, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORP. OF DE. reassignment DATA PACKAGING INTERNATIONAL INC., 1400 BRAYTON POINT ROAD, SOMERSET, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORP. OF DE. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: COSTAR CORPORATION
Assigned to SIGNAL CAPITAL CORPORATION, A DE CORP. reassignment SIGNAL CAPITAL CORPORATION, A DE CORP. SECURITY INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: DATA PACKAGING INTERNATIONAL, INC., A DE CORP.
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
    • G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
    • G11B23/00—Record carriers not specific to the method of recording or reproducing; Accessories, e.g. containers, specially adapted for co-operation with the recording or reproducing apparatus ; Intermediate mediums; Apparatus or processes specially adapted for their manufacture
    • G11B23/02—Containers; Storing means both adapted to cooperate with the recording or reproducing means
    • G11B23/027—Containers for single reels or spools

Definitions

  • the moving part of the look also includes a release UNn-ED STATES PATENTS button which is exposed through the handle in the case and is disposed on the handle to facilitate gripping of the handle and 3,307,688 3/1967 Widmont, Jr ..206/52 F operation fth rehase button 3,307,689 3/1967 Lyman ..206/52 F 3,489,273 1/1970 McKelvey, Jr ..206/52 F 13 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures 68 24 6e 62 so 70 54 4 l l EEK 1:
  • PATENTEDHAY 9 1972 saw 1 0F 2 iNVENTOR GEORGE F. LYMAN ATTORNEYS FIG. 3
  • This invention relates to improvements in cases for storing tape reels and the like and, more particularly, to an improved arrangement for locking the separable halves of the case together.
  • cases for storing such tape reels have been employed to isolate the tape reel in a substantially clean and dust-free environment.
  • a circular case which is separable into a pair of circular halves.
  • the halves of the case are provided with appropriate seals at their mating regions to isolate the reel therein.
  • the case sections also include surfaces which receive the tape reel and retain the reel firmly within the case.
  • the cases often include an integral central handle or knob formed in the cover half of the case which also includes a hand operable lock disposed within the handle for securing the case halves together.
  • the invention is embodied in a somewhat conventional reel case which is separable into circular halves defining a bottom half and a cover.
  • the bottom half of the case has a central, concentric and upwardly extending wall which fits into the central hole in the tape reel to retain the reel in position in the case.
  • an upstanding integral locking post is provided which is mateable with the lock mechanism on the cover.
  • the upper end of the post includes a circumferential flange having upwardly and downwardly facing surfaces which cooperate with the locking mechanism as described.
  • the cover half of the case includes a central circular depression which is adapted to pass downwardly through the central hole in the tape reel when the case is closed.
  • the sidewalls defining the depression engage the circular wall on the bottom half of the case to aid in registration of the case halves and for gripping the tape reel securely in position.
  • the depression is designed to permit the users fingers to be inserted into the depression comfortably and without awkwardness.
  • the cover also includes an integrally formed handle within the depression.
  • the handle extends diametrically along and within the depression.
  • the locking mechanism is mounted within the hollow handle and includes a latch member which is engageable with the flange on the central post on the bottom half of the case.
  • the latch member engages the underside of the flange and is biased upwardly against the underside of the flange by a resilient finger which is formed integrally with the latch and which is adapted to bear against the upper surface of the flange.
  • the resilient finger biases the latching member firmly into engagement with the underside of the flange.
  • the resilient finger and latch member thus act in opposition on the central post to effect a firm grip on the post.
  • the case is locked simply by pressing the two halves together until the latch and post engage automatically.
  • the latch is released by a button which is exposed through the top of the handle.
  • the button is integrally formed with the onepiece latch member and is pressed downwardly to overcome the bias of the resilient finger and to pivot the catch out of engagement with the underside of the flange on the post.
  • the button, handle and depression are designed for comfortable, unawkward use.
  • a further object of the invention is to provide a reel case of the type described in which the lock is not likely to become jammed or otherwise malfunction.
  • a further object of the invention is to provide a reel case of the type described having a lock which is self-biasing in a locked configuration and which is not likely to become unlatched accidently.
  • Still another object of the invention is to provide a reel case of the type described including a cover having an integral handle and lock mechanism in which the handle may be gripped comfortably and the lock operated easily without any awkward manipulations.
  • FIG. 1 is a fragmented plan view of the reel case embodying the invention
  • FIG. 2 is an enlarged illustration, in plan and fragmented, of the central region of the case cover
  • FIG. 3 is a section of the combined cover halves illustrating the locking mechanism as viewed along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 4 is a sectional elevation through the combined cover halves and locking mechanism as seen along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2.
  • FIG. 1 shown the general arrangement of the reel case having generally circular upper and lower halves I0, 12, respectively.
  • the halves of the case include peripheral skirts l4, 16 which mate concentrically in the usual manner.
  • the tape reel 18 is retained within the case.
  • the cover 10 includes a central depression 10 and a handle 22 which extends diametrically through the depression.
  • the handle 22, depression 20 and cover 10 may be formed as an integral unit by conventional plastic molding techniques or, alternatively, the depression andvhandle portions may be formed separately and then later assembled at the center of the cover 10.
  • the handle 22 is substantially hollow and retains a latching mechanism described more fully below.
  • the latching mechanism includes a release button 24 which is exposed upwardly through a hole in the handle to permit the locket cover 10 and lower half 12 of the case to be separated when desired.
  • the release button 24 preferably is located at one end of the handle 22.
  • the bottom half 12 of the case includes a circular bottom wall 26 having an integrally formed concentric, circular rib 28 extending upwardly from the bottom wall 26.
  • the outer, circular comer defined by the rib 28 and bottom wall 26 preferably is provided with a resilient pad 30 which may extend fully about the circular rib 28.
  • the rib 28 and pad 30 are arranged to project into and be received by the central hole 32 in the tape reel 18.
  • the cover 10 includes a similar arrangement, described below, which cooperates to grip and retain the tape reel 18 firmly within the case when the halves l0, 12 are assembled.
  • the lower half 12 of the case also includes a central, integrally formed, upstanding locking post, indicated generally by the reference character 34.
  • the post 34 includes an annular flange 36 at its upper end.
  • the flange defines a downwardly facing surface 38 and an upwardly facing surface 40 which is in the form of an endless groove.
  • the upper end of the post 34 is of convex configuration and may be conical in shape at 42.
  • the cover half of the case includes a generally circular top wall 44 having the central depression formed integrally therein.
  • the depression 20 is defined by a generally circular sidewall 46 and a bottom wall 48.
  • the bottom wall 48 is formed integrally with a pair of upstanding handle walls 50 which parallel the diameter of the case and which are disposed on opposite sides of the center of the cover 10.
  • a hole 52 is formed centrally in the bottom wall 48 of the depression 20 to permit the locking post 34 to extend upwardly into the region defined between the handle walls 50 when the upper and lower halves 10, 12 of the case are mated.
  • the circular corner region defined at the juncture of the top wall 44 of the cover 10 and the integral sidewall 46 is provided with annular pad 54 which engages and grips the other side of the reel 18 in the same manner as the pad on the lower half 12 of the case. Additionally, in order to insure proper registration of the halves of the case when they are mated, the lower portion of the sidewall 46 defining the central portion 20 may be tapered inwardly (as shown in 56) to mate with a chamfered surface 58 formed at the upper, inner side of the circular rib 28.
  • a latching member, indicated generally by the reference character 60 is disposed within the region between the handle wall and cooperates with the locking post 34 to lock the halves 10, 12 of the case together when they are mated.
  • the latching member is of one-piece construction and may be molded from a resilient plastic according to conventional molding techniques.
  • the latching member includes an elongate lever 62 having integral, transversely extending pins 64 formed at one end thereof.
  • the pins 64 are pivotally connected to the handle walls 50 by a slot 66 formed in each of the handle walls 50.
  • the other, free end of the lever 62 extends toward one end of the handle 22 and includes an integrally formed, raised release button 24.
  • the button 24 is exposed through a hole 68 which is formed in a handle cap 70 which, in turn, is secured to an extends across and along the upper ends of the handle walls 50.
  • the handle cap 70 also covers the slot 66 to retain the pins 64 of the latching member 60 in place.
  • the lever 62 is biased in the uppermost position shown in FIG. 3 by an integrally formed leaf-like spring 72 which extends freely beneath the free end of the lever 62.
  • the spring 72 is secured to the underside of the lever 62 by an integrally molded connecting member 74.
  • the free end of the leafspring 72 rests on a shoulder 76 which is molded integrally with the sidewall 46 of the depression 20.
  • the leaf spring 72 is spaced from the underside of the lever 62 to permit limited downward pivotal movement of the free end of the lever in opposition to the upward biasing effect of the leaf spring 72.
  • the latching member 60 includes an integrally formed catch 78 at its pivoted end which extends downwardly toward the hole 52 in the bottom wall 48 of the depression 20.
  • the catch 78 is formed so that its lower end will be disposed on one side of the locking post 34 when the halves of the case are mated.
  • the lower end of the catch 78 includes a cam surface 80 which extends upwardly and terminates in a lug 82 having a generally horizontal surface.
  • the lug 82 is formed so that when the halves of the case are mated and the lever 62 is in its uppermost position (clockwise as seen in FIG. 3) the horizontal surface of the lug 82 will engage the underside 38 of the flange 36 on the locking post 34.
  • the cam surface on the latch 78 engages the flange of the post which causes the entire latching member 60 to pivot toward an open position (counter clockwise and seen in FIG. 3).
  • the lug 82 has passed below the flange 36 it then snaps back into the position shown to lock the parts together.
  • the entire latching member 60 operates in a manner similar to that of a bellcrank pivotable about an axis intermediate its ends.
  • the extent of pivotal movement of the latching member 60 toward an open position is limited by a flat 84 formed on the upper portion of the catch 78 which abuts the underside of the handle cap 70 when the latching member 60 has been pivoted to its most open position.
  • the latching device also includes a supplemental spring device which resiliently engages the upper surface 40 of the flange 36 when the halves 10, 12 of the case are mated.
  • This arrangement includes an integral, resilient spring 86 which extends downwardly from a point intermediate the pivoted and free ends of the lever 62. The lower end of the spring 86 is spaced from the lug 82 so that when the case is assembled, the end of the spring 86 will engage the flange 36 diametrically opposite to the point of its engagement with the lug 82.
  • the spring 86 is designed, in relation to the lug 82 and post 34 so that when the parts are brought together, the end of the spring 86 will engage the flange 36 before the lug 82 has snapped into engagement with the lower surface 38 of the flange 36.
  • the upper and lower halves 10, 12 of the case must be urged together under a slightly increased force to overcome the force of the spring 86.
  • the spring 86 has been loaded to bias the cover 10 and latching member 60 upwardly.
  • the spring 86 acts downwardly on the flange 36 while the lug 82 acts upwardly on the opposite side of the flange to effect a firm grip on the locking post 34.
  • the button 24 In order to release the locked parts, the button 24 is depressed to pivot the catch 78 to an open position.
  • the spring 86 is designed to present a considerable force in opposition to depression of the button 24. This reduces substantially any likelihood of the button 24 being depressed inadvertently. A definite forceful effort is required in order to overcome the tendency of the spring 86 to bias the latching member 60 in a locked position. Additionally, the increased force developed by the loaded spring 86 is particularly useful in effecting separation of the case halves. Ordinarily, case reel sections employed to store computer tapes and the like are sealed to preclude entry of dust or dirt particles. The seals are nearly airtight which ordinarily tends to retard separation of the case halves even after the latching mechanism has been unlocked. In the instant invention, as the button is depressed to release the latch, the biasing effect of the spring 86 is increased further which tends to force the case sections apart as soon as the latch has become disengaged from the surface 38 of the flange 36.
  • An additional feature of the invention resides in the location of the button 24 and the configuration of the depression 20 with the handle extending diametrically through the depression 20. One may grip the handle by its sidewalls 50 and place his forefinger on the button 24. This is a comfortable, natural and relaxed hand position and is considerably less awkward than that employed in prior devices.
  • the cooperation between the tapered sidewall 56 of the depression and the chamfered portion 58 of the circular rib 28 on the lower half 12 of the case may be employed to bias the halves l0, 12 away from each other to urge the lug 82 firmly into engagement with the underside 38 of the flange 36 on that post.
  • an improved locking mechanism comprising:
  • a latching member pivotally mounted to the other of said case sections and having a lug engagable with said first surface of said flange, said latching member being pivotable between a locked position in which said lug engages said first surface of said flange and an unlocked position in which said lug is out of engagement with said first surface of said flange, said lug and said first surface of said flange being arranged to preclude separation of said case sections when in said locked position;
  • bias means secured to said latching member and being engagable with a region of said post to bias said latching member toward said locked position when said latching member is in said locked position;
  • a reel case as defined in claim 1 further comprising:
  • said flange being formed about the upper end of said post with said first surface thereof defining an annular configuration.
  • a reel case as defined in claim 2 further comprising:
  • said latching member being pivoted to said other section above and in proximity to said post when said sections are mated, the lug of said latching member being disposed on one side of said post and the free, pivotable end of said latching member being disposed on the other side of said post.
  • a reel case as defined in claim 2 further comprising:
  • said bias means comprising a spring finger mounted to said latch member and engagable with said second surface of said flange when said sections are mated, said bias means being arranged to urge said latch member toward said locked position when in engagement with said flange, said spring finger acting on said flange in a direction opposite to that of said lug.
  • a reel case as defined in claim 6 further comprising:
  • said second surface of said flange defining an annular groove adapted to retain the free end of said bias finger.
  • a reel case as defined in claim 7 further comprising:
  • the top of said post extending above and within said grooved second surface being of convex configuration to guide the free end of said bias member into said groove when said case sections are mated.
  • bias means further comprises:
  • said other section being formed to define a depression therein adapted to receive ones fingers, said depression being defined by a bottom wall and a generally integral surrounding sidewall, said bottom wall being adapted to be disposed in close proximity to said one section when mated therewith;
  • a handle formed integrally with said walls defining said depression, said handle including spaced upstanding sidewalls defining a void therebetween;
  • a reel case as defined in claim 10 further comprising:
  • a rib formed integrally with and upstanding from said one section, said rib extending about said post, said rib having a chamfered inner wall to receive said tapered sidewall to register said sections when mated.
  • a reel case as defined in claim 10 wherein said means mounting said latching member to said handle comprises:
  • a reel case as defined in claim 1 further comprising:
  • said other section being formed to define a depression to receive ones fingers and a handle extending diametrically across said depression;
  • said exposed portion of said latching member being exposed at one end of said handle.

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  • Purses, Travelling Bags, Baskets, Or Suitcases (AREA)
  • Packaging Of Annular Or Rod-Shaped Articles, Wearing Apparel, Cassettes, Or The Like (AREA)
  • Storing, Repeated Paying-Out, And Re-Storing Of Elongated Articles (AREA)
US41222A 1970-05-28 1970-05-28 Reel case with lock Expired - Lifetime US3661250A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US4122270A 1970-05-28 1970-05-28

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3661250A true US3661250A (en) 1972-05-09

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US41222A Expired - Lifetime US3661250A (en) 1970-05-28 1970-05-28 Reel case with lock

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US (1) US3661250A (de)
DE (1) DE2114353A1 (de)
GB (1) GB1327865A (de)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3765530A (en) * 1971-07-02 1973-10-16 Basf Wyandotte Corp Reel cannister
DE3016695A1 (de) * 1979-05-01 1980-11-20 Minnesota Mining & Mfg Behaelter fuer bandspulen
US4320834A (en) * 1980-04-30 1982-03-23 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Reel container
US4323207A (en) * 1977-05-11 1982-04-06 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Latch assembly for a video tape cassette
US4466583A (en) * 1982-08-12 1984-08-21 T/B & H Home Video Cassette door latch
US4545550A (en) * 1983-02-09 1985-10-08 Wolf Joost M Tape reel mounting and coupling for a magnetic-tape cassette
FR2637575A1 (fr) * 1988-10-10 1990-04-13 Gefitec Sa Boite destinee a contenir et a immobiliser une bobine d'ordinateur
US5026000A (en) * 1989-08-04 1991-06-25 Shape Inc. Video cassette integral dust door latch/spring
US5169088A (en) * 1989-08-04 1992-12-08 Shape, Inc. Video cassette combined dust door and dust door latch spring

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9364215B2 (en) 2006-01-26 2016-06-14 Covidien Lp Medical device package
US20080171972A1 (en) 2006-10-06 2008-07-17 Stopek Joshua B Medical device package
CA2604433A1 (en) 2006-10-06 2008-04-06 Tyco Healthcare Group Lp Medical device package including self-puncturable port
JP2010520020A (ja) * 2007-03-05 2010-06-10 タイコ ヘルスケア グループ リミテッド パートナーシップ 医療用パッケージにアクセスするための装置

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2942903A (en) * 1957-03-26 1960-06-28 Leo V Giladett Releasable locking means
US3307688A (en) * 1965-06-25 1967-03-07 Bruce Ind Inc Reel storage container
US3307689A (en) * 1965-09-01 1967-03-07 Data Packaging Corp Case for a reel
US3489273A (en) * 1967-04-20 1970-01-13 Amerline Corp Locking device for reel container

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2942903A (en) * 1957-03-26 1960-06-28 Leo V Giladett Releasable locking means
US3307688A (en) * 1965-06-25 1967-03-07 Bruce Ind Inc Reel storage container
US3307689A (en) * 1965-09-01 1967-03-07 Data Packaging Corp Case for a reel
US3489273A (en) * 1967-04-20 1970-01-13 Amerline Corp Locking device for reel container

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3765530A (en) * 1971-07-02 1973-10-16 Basf Wyandotte Corp Reel cannister
US4323207A (en) * 1977-05-11 1982-04-06 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Latch assembly for a video tape cassette
DE3016695A1 (de) * 1979-05-01 1980-11-20 Minnesota Mining & Mfg Behaelter fuer bandspulen
FR2455554A1 (fr) * 1979-05-01 1980-11-28 Minnesota Mining & Mfg Boitier pour bobine
US4320834A (en) * 1980-04-30 1982-03-23 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Reel container
US4466583A (en) * 1982-08-12 1984-08-21 T/B & H Home Video Cassette door latch
US4545550A (en) * 1983-02-09 1985-10-08 Wolf Joost M Tape reel mounting and coupling for a magnetic-tape cassette
FR2637575A1 (fr) * 1988-10-10 1990-04-13 Gefitec Sa Boite destinee a contenir et a immobiliser une bobine d'ordinateur
EP0364332A1 (de) * 1988-10-10 1990-04-18 POSSO, Patrick Behälter für die Aufbewahrung und zum Festhalten einer Computer-Spule
US4940140A (en) * 1988-10-10 1990-07-10 Gefitec S.A. Case for containing and immobilizing a computer tape reel
US5026000A (en) * 1989-08-04 1991-06-25 Shape Inc. Video cassette integral dust door latch/spring
US5169088A (en) * 1989-08-04 1992-12-08 Shape, Inc. Video cassette combined dust door and dust door latch spring

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE2114353A1 (de) 1971-12-09
GB1327865A (en) 1973-08-22

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: COSTAR CORPORATION

Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:DATA PACKAGING CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:004649/0822

Effective date: 19860402

AS Assignment

Owner name: DATA PACKAGING INTERNATIONAL INC., 1400 BRAYTON PO

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:COSTAR CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:004734/0765

Effective date: 19861110

AS Assignment

Owner name: SIGNAL CAPITAL CORPORATION, A DE CORP.

Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:DATA PACKAGING INTERNATIONAL, INC., A DE CORP.;REEL/FRAME:004919/0063

Effective date: 19880615