WO1985002096A1

WO1985002096A1 - Rolltop diskette container

Info

Publication number: WO1985002096A1
Application number: PCT/US1984/001085
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nat Hellman, Iii
Original assignee: Nat Hellman, Iii
Priority date: 1983-11-07
Filing date: 1984-07-10
Publication date: 1985-05-23
Also published as: EP0160657A1; AU3154984A

Abstract

A rolltop diskette container which requires no more desk area when in the open position than it does when closed. The rolltop diskette container can store up to 100 of the 5-1/4 inch diameter (133 millimiter) diskettes and requires approximately the same desk area as the conventional flip-top diskette container which can store up to 50 of the 5-1/4 inch diameter diskettes. The rolltop diskette container is comprised of two side panels (1) and (2), a bottom panel (3) that is secured to the side panels and a rolltop (4) that is moveably secured to the side panels. A plurality of partitions (6) and (7) are located inside the container to separate the diskettes in accordance with user requirements.

Description

ROLLTOP DISKETTE CONTAINER

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to an improvement in storage containers for floppy diskettes of the type that are commonly used as information storage media for mini¬ computers and microcomputers. More particularly, the invention relates to such containers utilizing rolltop construction.

BACKGROUND ART

Microcomputers commonly use 5-1/4 inch diameter (133 millimeter} and C inch diameter (203 millimeter) diskettes for storing information such as programs and data. These diskettes are also referred to as floppy disks, inifloppies, and simply disks. The magnetic recording surface of the diskettes are sensitive to contamination from airborne particles, surface dust, fingerprints and they must not be bent, scratched, or physically abused. Additionally, the diskettes must be kept away, from magnetic fields such as those generated by telephones and electronic calculators. Diskette storage containers, generally of flip-top construction, are well known. The flip-top diskette storage container typically holds 50 diskettes of the 5- 1/4 inch diameter (133 millimeter) size. The top of the container opens away from the user and pivots at the back

OMPI of the container. In the open position the top is stored behind the container. Because of this construction, the flip-top container requires more surface area on the desk when it is in the open position than it does when it is in the closed position.

Diskette storage containers may also be of remov¬ able top construction. In this design, the top is lifted from the container and either stored beneath the con¬ tainer or next to the container on the desk top.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The Rolltop Diskette Container is designed with a rolltop structure that opens and closes in a manner similar to the way a conventional rolltop desk opens and closes. The rolltop slides toward the back of the con- tainer and then down the back side and underneath the container. A track is provided as an integral part of the side panels of the container to guide the rolltop in its travel. As the rolltop slides from the closed position to the open position it does not increase the amount of desk area taken up by the container.

Partitions inside the container create a plurality - of sections into which diskettes may be sorted, taereby facilitating easy indexing and separating of the uiskec- tes. The front ost partition can be locked into the- vertical position out of the path of the rolltop. This prevents the frontmost partition from tipping forward into the path of the rolltop as the rolltop is being closed and holds the diskettes in the vertical position so that they will not take a bend set after long storage. In view of the above, one of the objects of the invention is to provide a Rolltop Diskette Container which requires no mo_-e desk area when in the open posi¬ tion than it does when closed.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved diskette storage container which holds up to 100

^" of the 5-1/4 inch diameter (133 millimeter) diskettes and which requires approximately the same desk space as do the conventional diskette storage containers which hold only 50 diskettes. Another object of the invention is to provide an improved diskette storage container which permits easy access to all of the stored diskettes.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide an improved storage system that holds the diskettes in a vertical position when closed.

In addition to the objects recited, it is also an objective of the invention to have a container that: o is easy to manufacture, o is reliable and relatively maintenance free, - and o is convenient and easy to use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The¹ details of the invention are described in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the Rolltop Diskette Container with the rolltop open.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the Rolltop Diskette Container with the rolltop closed.

FIGURE 3 is a side view of the inboard side of either of the side panels.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the bottom panel.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the rolltop.

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of the handle. ^* FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of the Rolltop Diskette Container with the rolltop closed as in FIGURE 2 and with the handle secured to the rolltop.

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of a typical partition.

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of an end of either of the slot assemblies.

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the mating of the partition of FIGURE 8 with the slot assembly of FIGURE 9.

FIGURE 11 is a perspective view of the Rolltop Diskette Container showing the bottom of the container.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

'rhe best mode for carrying out the invention is described in conjunction with FIGURES 1 through 11 as can be seen in FIGURE 1, two identical injection molded plastic side panels 1 and 2 are glued to an extruded plastic bottom panel 3. A tambour rolltop 4 slides in a track 5 in ^*Hιe side panels 1 and 2. Typical partitions 6 and frontmost partition 7 inside the Rolltop Diskette Container are provided to separ?^*_:e -l e diskettes according to the requirements of the user.

A recess 8 is provided in the side panels 1 and 2. On the insider of the Rolltop Diskette Container the recess 8 forms a protrusion 9. The front, upper, and rear surfaces of the protrusions 9 of each side panel 1 and 2 form the inner portion of the upper half of the track 5. A lip.10 around the perimeter of the side panels 1 and 2 forms the outer surface of the track 5 around the entire perimeter of the side panels 1 and 2.

There is only enough clearance between the inner surface of the protrusions 9 and the partitions 6 and 7 to allow movement of the partitions within the Rolltop Diskette Container. The protrusions 9 therefore prevent excessive side to side movement of the partitions 6 and 7 and any stored diskettes. FIGURE 2 shows the Rolltop Diskette Container with the rolltop 4 closed. The rolltop 4 is closed by pulling the rolltop 4 toward the front of the Rolltop Diskette Container and then pulling the rolltop 4 down until the rolltop 4 touches the front end of the bottom panel 3. FIGURE 3 shows the inboard side of either of the two side panels 1 and 2. The side panels are symmetrical about their vertical centerlines, thereby allowing any given panel to be used on either the right or left side of the Rolltop Diskette Container. As previously mentioned, the lip 10 which forms the perimeter of the side panels 1 and 2 also forms the outer surface of the track 5 and the inner surface of the upper half of track 5 is formed by the front, upper, and rear surfaces of the protrusion 9. The inner surface of the lower half of the track 5 is formed by the front, lower and rear surfaces of the slot assembly 11.

Typical slots such as 12 and 13 are provided in the slot assembly 11 to moveably secure the partitions 6. An end slot 14 is provided in the ends of the slot assembly 11 to moveably secure the frontmost partition 7. Locking tabs 15 are provided in the end slots 14 to lock the partition 7 in the vertical position. The forwardmost partition 7 can be locked in the vertical position so that it will not be in the path of the rolltop 4 when the rolltop 4 is being closed. This also holds the diskettes in the vertical position during storage.

FIGURE 4 shows the extruded plastic bottom panel 3 which is secured to the side panels 1 and 2 with glue. FIGURE 5 shows the rolltop 4 which has typical tambour slats 16 and frontmost tambour slat 17. A flexible membrane bottom 18 secures all of the slats 16

OMPI and 17 together.

FIGURE 6 shows the handle 20. The frontmost slat 17 of the rolltop 4 is pressed into the groove 21 of the handle 20. The fit between the groove 21 of the handle 20 and the frontmost slat 17 of the rolltop 4 is sufficiently tight to hold the handle in place. The handle 20 is further prevented from moving to either side by the side panels 1 and 2 as can be seen in FIGURE 7. FIGURE 7 shows the handle installed on the Rolltop Diskette Container.

FIGURE 8 shows a partition 6 or 7. Each partition 6 or 7 has at its lower edges a tab 19 and also has four windows 23, 24, 25, and 26.

The tabls 19 of each partition are secured moveably within the slots 12, 13 and 14 of the slot assembly 11 shown in FIGURE 9. The locking tab 15 can be used to lock the frontmost partition 7 in the vertical position.

Each of the tabs 19 has a hole 27 and a slot 28 which allow the tabs 19 of the frontmost partition 6 to compress slightly when the tabs 19 engage their respec¬ tive locking tabs 15.

FIGURE 10 shows a typical partition 6 with its tab 19 secured moveably inside a typical slot 12. The top of the partition 6 is capable of moving toward the front a__d rear through a range of approximately 6 inches (15 centimeters) as the tab 19 pivots inside the slot 12.

FIGURE 11 shows the track slots 22 in the siue panels 1 and 2. The rolltop 4 can be inserted into an assembled rolltop diskette container by inserting it into the track slots 22 and on into the tracks 5. The rolltop 4 can also be removed through the track slots 22 if it should need to be replaced. While the invention has been described in complete detail and pictorially shown in the accompanying draw¬ ings, it is not to be limited to such details, since many changes and modifications may be in the invention without departing from the spirit and the scope thereof. Hence, it is described to cover any and all modifications and forms which may come within the language and scope of the claims.

OMPI <

Claims

1. A Rolltop Diskette Container comprising: a) two side panels, b) a bottom panel secured to said side panels, and c) a rolltop moveably secured to said side panels.

2. A Rolltop Diskette Container according to claim 1 further comprising a plurality of partitions and a slot assembly for moveably securing said partitions to said side panels.

3. A Rolltop Diskette Container according to claim 2 wherein said rolltop is comprised of slats secured to a flexible bottom.

4. A Rolltop Diskette Container according to claim 3 further comprising a locking tab on said slot assembly.

5. A Rolltop Diskette Container according to claim

4 further comprising tabs on said partitions, where said tabs have a means for allowing the tabs to compress to allow ^'lf fiontmost partition to be locked into the vertical position.

6. A Rolltop Diskette Container according to claim

5 wherein tne means for allowing the tabs on said parti¬ tions to compress is comprised of a slot and hole arrangement.

7. A Rolltop Diskette Container according to claim

6 wherein said side panels are constructed symmetrically.

8. A Rolltop Diskette Container according to claim

7 wherein said side panels have slots through which the rolltop may be inserted into or removed from an assembled Rolltop Diskette Container.

9. A Rolltop Diskette Container according to claim

8 wherein said partitions have more than two windows.