WO1986003876A1

WO1986003876A1 - System for modification of floppy diskettes of different sizes consisting of a template and a hole-punching tool

Info

Publication number: WO1986003876A1
Application number: PCT/SE1985/000527
Authority: WO
Inventors: Pascal Charmolu; Ulrika Nixon
Original assignee: Pascal Charmolu; Ulrika Nixon
Priority date: 1984-12-17
Filing date: 1985-12-17
Publication date: 1986-07-03
Also published as: SE8406411L; AU5309786A; SE8406411D0; SE443468B; EP0203989A1

Abstract

This is a system for modification of floppy diskettes e.g. 8'' or 5 1/4'' for software used in computers and peripheral equipment, making it possible to alter their original storage capacity of information on the magnetic surfaces, or disks. The modification is achieved by creating special holes or perforations, for optical and magnetic decoding. These new holes are produced symmetrically on both sides of the black protective cover of the disk or on its edge(s). The system uses a combination of a template (1) which is hollow and consist of two identical incomplete rectangulars surfaces, closed at (7a), (7b) and open at (3a), (3b). Each surface being equipped with positioned semicircles (1a), (1b) and U-shaped openings through both surfaces (1c), (1d), (1e), (1f). Also, an angled alpha punching-tool (9) consisting of two cutting jaws (10a), (10b) which when closed lie inside each other, forming an internal U-shaped space, and which are connected to the handles (11a), (11b). A floppy diskette can be inserted into the template or guide (1), and after adjustment of corner (8a) with corner (8b) and positioning of areas (1a) with (5a) or (1b) with (5b), the front part of the hole-punching tool (9a) of (9), can be put in such a position that the closing of the cutting jaws (10a), (10b) results in cutting a hole e.g. (2b) on the diskette cover (2a); the shape of the hole determined for ex. by the contour of a U-shaped opening e.g. (1c) of the template or guide (1).

Description

SYSTEM FOR MODIFICATION OF FLOPPY DISKETTES OF DIFFERENT SIZES CONSISTING OF A TEMPLATE AND A HOLE-PUNCHING TOOL. A system for modification of floppy diskettes e.g 8" or 5 1/4" used for computers and peripheral equipments,utilizing a system of holes as reference points for both optical and magnetic decoding,which occurs when accessing such floppy diskettes. During the manufacturing process,a magnetic software disk is usually coated on both sides and is always furnished with just one hole. When the magnetic disk turns, this hole comes into line with a larger hole,or reference point,found on both sides or surfaces of the black protective cover of the magnetic disk. The position of this double hole on the black cover, is the one decisive factor which makes a floppy diskette usable on one side(single-sided) or on both sides(double-sided). The machines or computers are provided with a decoding mechanism which is often only compatible with one kind of diskette. A floppy diskette of the double-sided type can store twice as much information as a single-sided diskette,but is usually more expensive. The system,following the invention described above,gives the users the possibility of altering the original storage capacity of the floppy diskettes e.g 8" or 5 1/4",by means of a simple operation, selectivly punching one or more special holes symmetrically on both surfaces of the black cover or on its edges. By this method,a single-sided floppy diskette becomes a doublesided one, or vice-versa ,and in this way also a single-sided floppy diskette can be modified so that both sides are usable if this diskette is turned over.

The conventional procedures for hole-making available on the market,are not directly related to a specific system and their form or technical data are suitable for other functions. None of them have the expertise, the criteria, the shape, the technique, or the simplicity which are caracteristic for the system following the invention.

The system,following the invention, is a combination of a template(1) and a hole-punching tool(9).The template(1) which is hollow and made of a bendable or rigid material, e.g treated card or plastic,is composed of two incomplete rectangles,partially sealed at areas(7a), (7b),identical surfaces, each one supplied with positioned semicircles (1a), (1b),with completed U-shaped holes through (1c),(1d),(1e)and (1f). The hole-punching tool(9)is bent at an angle (α)and its front part(9a)consist of two U-shaped cutting jaws manufactured of a hard material e.g metal. Upon closing the cutting jaws, the lower, smaller part(10b)lies inside the upper part(10a). The cutting jaws(10a), (10b)are brought into motion by a joint connected to the handles(11a), (11b), which are covered with a hard material or plastic. By pushing a floppy diskette e.g 8"(2)into the template(1),after adjustments of corners(8a)and(8b)and positioning of areas(1a)and(5a), fit the hole-punching tool(9)or its front part(9a)into the desired U-formed opening, in such a way that a closing of the cutting jaws(10a), (IOb)produces a hole, e.g (2b)in the side of the diskette's cover(2a);the shaped of the hole(2b)being determined by the contour of the. jaws , of the hole-punching tool(9)and by the contour of the U-formed opening(1c) of the template(1).

The invention as shown from above in FIGURE 1 depicts a template or guide(1),into which a floppy diskette e.g 8" is inserted. FIGURE 2 shows the other side of the template(1)identically symmetrical to the first side,being fitted in this case with a 5 1/4" floppy diskette. FIGURE 3 shows a side view of the other part of the invention, the hole-punching tool (9). FIGURE 4 shows a view from above of the hole-punching tool (9). FIGURE 5 shows how the hole-punching tool (9) is used in a U-shaped opening in the template(1). FIGURE 6 shows a cross-section of the cutting movement of the cutting jaws(10a), (10b) of the hole-punching tool(9).

FIGURE 1: The template(1);hollow, shown on one side, is manufactured of bendable or rigid material, e.g treated card or plastic. The template(1) consist of two identical and symmetrically formed surfaces of an incomplete rectangle, closed or sealed by two edges (7a), (7b). Each of these surfaces are provided with positioned semicircles (1a), (1b) and U-shaped openings or guides (1c),(1d),(1e), and (1f)completely through both surfaces of the template(1). A floppy diskette e.g 8"(2)is inserted into the template(1)in the direction of A---→B with the right hand(3a)and lower(3b)edges of the template(1)open and rounded-off such as (3c), (3d) in a way that the upper left-hand corner(8a)of the floppy diskette(2)fits exa ctly with the upper left-hand corner (8b)of the template( 1 )with the circle-shaped part(5a )of the floppy diskette(2 )fitting exa ctly with the positioned semicircle ( 1a )of the template(1 )along(6a ) . Two of the U-shaped openings ( 1c) , (1d )of the template(1 )clearly outline their contours, positions for eventual holes that can be produced on the cover (2a )of the floppy diskette(2) . Modifing the floppy diskette, e.g 8" with a hole at (1c) , produces a double-sided diskette, with a hole at ( 1d )produces a single-sided diskette usable on two sides if turned over.

FIGURE 2: This figure shows the other side of the template(1) which is identical in every way to the first shown in Figure 1. A floppy diskette, e.g 5 1/4"(2)is inserted into the template (1) from left to right in the direction A'----→B'so that the upper right corner(8a)of the diskette(2)fits the upper right corner(8b) of the template(1), and the upper circle-shaped part(5b)of the floppy diskette(2)fits exactly with the positioned semicircle(1b) in the template(1)limited along(6b). The two U-shaped openings (1e), (1f)clearly outline with their contours, the positions for the holes that can be produced in the cover(2a)of the floppy diskette e.g 5 1/4"(2). The holes can be produced simultaneously at (1e) and(1f), with the hole at (1f)going in one operation completely through the cover(2a)of the floppy diskette(2).

FIGURE 3: Side view of the hole-punching tool(9)consisting of a front part(9a)furnished with two cutting jaws ( 10a ), (10b )of ablong-shaped special profile for better fit,and a U-shaped empty space on the inside. The cutting jaws being made of e.g metal. The lower part(10b)of the cutting jaws fits inside the upper part (10a)projecting out beyond to eject the cut out material. The cutting jaws(10a), (10b)are connected by a joint which is bent at an angle(α)to make usage easier by providing an angle of insertion for the lower jaw(10b). The joint is kept in position by the use of an element or rivet(15). The joint comes into motion by manually pressing together or releassing pressure on the support surface of the handles(11a), (11b)composed e.g of a hard material such as plastic. The two parts of the handle can be held together if desired by the use of an S-shaped lock(12)when not in use.

FIGURE 4: View from above of the hole-punching tool(9). the figure shov the cutting jaws or profile(10a ) , 0b)which are cut out on the inside to prodice U-shaped with the profile/edge(10b) manufactured in a way that it fits perfectly inside of the profile/edge(10a). The joint between the profiles/edges(10a), (10b) is held in position by the rivet(15)itself positioned so that a mechanism or spring(14)is kept in position inside the cutting lower jaw(10b). In this way,it is held in continual contact with the inside of the upper cutting jaw(10a) at the same time,acting as a re-joining element for the handles (11a), (11b )when these are pressed together manually. Both of the oblong handles possess a widened extension(9b)which provides a better grip. By pressing the two handles towards each other, the edge of the cutting jaw (10b)moves towards the edge of the cutting jaw(10a) and fits inside it in such a way that a cutting is achieved by the coming together of the angles produced by both flat edges(13a), (13b).

FIGURE 5: This figure shows the performance of the hole puncher tool(9),or its front part(9a), inserted in the direction of the arrows into the guide or opening, in this case(1c)in the template(1). The insertion has been done in such a way that upper/ profile edge of the cutting jaw(10a)resting on the outside of the diskette cover(2a), can easily fit into the outside parts of the diskette cover e.g the U-shaped opening or guide(1c)shown here. Similarly,one side of the lower profile(10b)restsagainst the inside-of the diskette cover(2a)at the same time, the other side rests against the surface of the magnetic disk(4). The part of the cover(2b)shows an exemple of a hole to produce on the cover. The actual perforation(4a)effected along(1d),is showing the magnetic disk(4),intact,underneath the hole produced. Every hole that is produced,must generaly,with the exception of the hole(1f) be punched on both sides of the diskette cover(2a). This is easily achieved by turning over the template(1),after the first hole is produced,keeping the floppy diskette(2)in place inside the cover,and repeating the hole-punching operation at coresponding guide or opening,in the same way as at (1c). FIGURE 6: Usage of the hole-punching tool(9)is shown in crosssection with the cutting jaws(10a), (10b)in the open position and inserted as shown in Figure 5. The Figure shows clearly the holepunching procedure; manual pressure is applied in the direction shown by the arrows, on the handles(11a), (11b). These move towards each other, causing the cutting edge (10b) to move inside the cutting edge (10a), resulting in a cutting and hole-punching movement on part of the cover (2a) of the floppy diskette (2) lined up with the template/

Claims

1. System for modification of floppy diskettes of different sizes,e.g. 8" or 5 1/4", for software used in computers and peripheral equipment, which makes it possible to change the original capacity for storage of informations on these diskettes, through the manufacture of new holes on their protective covers, for optical and magnetic functions , characterized by a template (1) or guide,into which different sizes of diskettes can be inserted and by means of U-shaped openings(1c),(1d),(1e),(1f)in the template(1), outlines are formed of those areas where hole-punching should take place on the diskettes covers(2a), and by a holepunching tool(9)which makes possible complete or partial cutting or punching, followed,by ex. the ejection of the cut-out piece outline by the said template(1), e.g. the U-shaped of an opening or a hole.

2. The system, according to Claim 1, characterized by the template or guided), is hollow, and manufactured e.g of plastic or treated, card or other material, and consisting of two identical symmetrical positioned incomplete rectangular surfaces which are closed or sealed on two edges(7a),(7b)forming a corner (8b), at the same time being opened at the other two edges(3a)(3b) rounded at (3c), (3d), with both rectangular surfaces being provided with positioned semicircles(1a),(1b) passing through both sides of the template (1) and U-shaped openings (1c),(1d),(1e),(1f) with similar functions.

3. The system, according to Claim 1 , characterized by the hole-punching tool(9)bent at an angle (α),consisting of a front part(9a) provided with two profiled jaws(10a),(10b)cut out to form an inner U-shaped opening, the lower part(10b)fitting perfectly inside the upper part(10a), extended whtreby both cutting jaws are attached to each other by a joint held in place by a rivet(15), movement achieved through use of the handles(11a),

(11b) composed of hard material e.g. plastic, whereby a mechanism or spring(14) among other factors, makes the handles return to their original position after usage.

4. The system, according to claim 2 , characterized by the template or guide(1)being used for insertion of one or several types of diskettes(2), in accordance with the same principle i.e that a pre-chosen corner e.g. (8a) of a floppy diskette is inserted in such a way that it fits exactly the corner e.g. (8b) of the template or guide(1), and the circle-shaped part(5a) of the diskettes cover(2a), action aligning the positioned semicircle(1a) of the template(1), along (6a), in the case of a 8" diskette, or the circle-shaped part(5b) of the cover(2a), falling in line with the positioned semicircle (1b)of the same template(1), along(6b) in the case of a 5 1/4" diskette.

5. The system, according to Claim 1, characterized by the punched holes in this particular case, shall be produced on the covers(2a)protecting the magnetic disks(4) , these openings or holes following(1c),(1d),(1e),(1f)in the template or guide(1) being produced symmetrically on each surface of the diskettes cover(2a)using both sides of the template(1) and symmetrically with regard to the corresponding U-shaped openings, at the exception of a hole punched following(1f), which can be produced entirly through both sides of a diskettes cover(2a)in one operation.

6. The system, according to Claim 5, characterized by the holes outlined, following the U-shaped openings(1c),(1d), in combination or separately, determine if a floppy diskette e.g.8" is to be changed from a single-sided diskette to a diskette with two alternately usable sides(1d), or is to be changed from a single-sided diskette to a double-sided one, with both sides usable at the same time(1c), or vice-versa, the outlined holes following (1e),(1f) e.g in combination, determine whether a floppy diskette e.g. an 5 1/4", is to be changed from a one-sided to a double-sided diskette or vice-versa.

7. The system, according to claim 3 , characterized by the hole-punching tool(9) used for producing an opening e.g. U-shaped in the diskette cover e.g.51/4"(2a); in a single motion a hole following(1f)can be produced through both surfaces of the disk cover (2a), but also a single-surface can be achieved by inserting the lower part(10b)of the hole-punching(9)under (2a)and against the magnetic disk(4), the upper part (10a)located on top of the same cover(2a)and confined by the contours in a corresponding U-shaped opening e.g.de) from the template (1), a pressure is then applied to the handles(11a), (11b) which moves the lower partdOb) into the upper part(10a) so that the cutting edges (13a),(13b),brought together, punch out a hole e.g (2b) in the disk cover(2a).