WO1994015338A1

WO1994015338A1 - A device for removing a disc, such as a compact disc, from a container, and retaining and depositing same

Info

Publication number: WO1994015338A1
Application number: PCT/NL1993/000278
Authority: WO
Inventors: Pieter Tjalling De Jong
Original assignee: Pieter Tjalling De Jong
Priority date: 1992-12-24
Filing date: 1993-12-23
Publication date: 1994-07-07
Also published as: NL9202264A; AU5843694A

Abstract

A device for removing a disc (1), such as a compact disc, from a container, and retaining and replacing same in a container. The device comprises a push-button (2) for exerting a force directed parallel to a central axis (4) thereof, one pair of arms (5), directed radially away from the central axis (4) and having ends comprising grippers (6) movable from and to the central axis (4) for engaging a peripheral edge of a disc (1), and a control member (7) movable to and from the central axis (4), for operating one of the grippers (6). According to the invention, the end (3) of the push-button (2) is movable parallel to the central axis (4) relative to the control member (7). As a result, clamping lugs of the container can be held pressed down until the disc (1) has been moved beyond the reach of the clamping lugs.

Description

Title: A device for removing a disc, such as a compact disc, from a container, and retaining and depositing same.

The invention relates to a device according to the preamble of claim 1.

Although in comparison with other data carriers, compact discs are considered to be durable and little vulnerable, it has nevertheless turned out that when used, contamination (in particular through fingerprints) and damage to the discs occur, causing reading errors or even the loss of the entire disc. Reading errors may for instance lead to the omission or skipping of musical passages, which is particularly inconvenient if the music is pare of a radio program. When compact discs are used as CD ROM memory, the loss of information may even cause substantial damage.

Generally, it is particularly the removal of the disc from the container that is laborious. The disc has a central opening and is conventionally retained in the container along the.edge of that opening by a plurality of resilient clamping lugs, provided over a circle having a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the opening in the disc, which clamping lugs engage with the edge of that central opening. When the disc is removed, the clamping lugs should preferably be pressed down in a central area of the circle so as to release the disc. However, this means that the container should be disposed on a ground, because pressing down the clamping lugs and removing the disc cannot be performed by the same hand. However, for the sake of convenience, the disc is often removed from the container simply by pulling the disc until the resistance of the clamping lugs has been overcome. However, this requires a relatively great force to be applied to the disc. By moving the disc away from the container without pressing down the clamping lugs, the clamping force applied to the disc by the clamping lugs is even increased, because the arms of the clamping lugs projecting radially inward from the container, are bent in axial direction. All i all, the disc should be squeezed relatively tightly to enable pulling it loose from the container without pressing down the clamping lugs . In doing so, there is a great chance chat the side of the disc which is to be read is touched, because an attempt is made to apply a force to the side of the disc facing the container, and because when the disc is being squeezed tightly, the skin of fingers protrudes round the ed of the disc. It is even possible that the disc breaks.

In order to prevent damage to the disc and to facilitat its removal, heretofore, different devices have been propose U.S. patent specification 4 662 667 describes a device for removing a disc, consisting of a U-shaped handle. One leg of the handle comprises a toggle with a gripping arm pivotabl forward and backward in the direction of the other leg, and a operating arm pivotable forward and backward in the direction of the closed end of the U-shaped handle. The other leg comprises a stop surface opposite the gripper and an arm projecting to the center of the open end of the U-shaped handle and provided with a spring-suspended push-button.

. A drawback of this device is that it is difficult to handle, because the stop surface should be held against the peripheral edge of the disc, the push-button should be axiall pressed against the clamping lugs of the container and the gripper should be operated at the same time. Moreover, due to the position of the pivotable gripper between the closed end of the U-shaped handle and the ends of the legs of the handle the distance between, on the one hand, the closed end of the U-shaped handle to be held by hand and, on the other hand, th opposite portions of the device to be engaged with the peripheral edge of the disc and with the container, is relatively large. As a consequence, it is difficult to place these portions at the proper location against the disc and th container.

U.S. patent specification 4 726 615 describes a device for removing a disc, built up of a central body from which pivotable gripping arms project at a sharp angle. Centrally arranged between the arms is a push-button, designed as a plunger axially movable relative to the body, operable by a control member projecting from the opposite side of the body, fixedly connected to the plunger. Via a cross bar, the plung is connected to the two arms, so that when the plunger is operated the arms swivel toward each other and can engage wi the peripheral edge of a disc. In this manner, when the axially movable plunger is operated, the gripping arms are operated as well.

This device, too, has the drawback that the axial distance between the push-button to be manually operated and the ends of the arms to be engaged with the disc is large, s that it is difficult to place the arms and the push-button accurately against the disc and the container. Further, in this device, the chance of faulty operation is great, because the device should be pressed against the container of the dis and the body should be moved axially away from the disc and the container at the same time. A further drawback of this known device is that when the device and a disc retained therein are moved away from the container, the force applied to the clamping lugs of the container immediately drops out, as a consequence of which the clamping lugs engage with the disc once again, so that the force applied to the disc by the clamping lugs should as yet be overcome and, moreover, the disc may come loose from the device.

A device of the type described in the preamble is known from U.S. patent specification 4 997 224. In this known device, the push-button is formed by two separate parts, each projecting from one of the arms, in the area of proximal ends of the arms. These ends of the arms are interconnected by a circular arc facing away from the projecting parts and interrupted between the projecting parts. By squeezing a portion of the arc adjoining the arms, th arms, and hence also the grippers, arranged at the distal end of those arms, are moved toward each other. The push-button can be operated by pressing the arc toward the disc.

A drawback of this device is that due to the deflection of the arc when the grippers are -pressed toward each other, the push-button, when the grippers are pressed toward each other, moves axially away from the disc to be picked up and the container belonging thereto.

It is true that due to the flexibility of the device, this movement can be overcome by pressing the arc toward th disc and the container, but when the arc is moved away from the container in order to remove the disc from the containe the pressure force applied to the clamping lugs always drop out before the grippers move away from the container for carrying the disc beyond the reach of the clamping lugs . Hence, in the case where this known device is used, when a disc is removed from a container, the resistance exerted by the clamping lugs of the container should always be overcome

The object of the invention is to provide a device for removing a disc, such as a compact disc, from a container, which device is easy to operate, in particular in respect of the positioning of the device relative to a disc in a container, and which, when a disc is removed from a containe at least largely prevents the clamping lugs from offering resistance to the removal of the disc from the container. According to the present invention, this object is realized by designing a device of the type described in the preamble as is described in the characterizing part of claim 1.

Because in the device according to the invention, the e of the push-button can be moved parallel to the central axis relative to the control member, the control members can be moved away from a container parallel to the central axis for removing the disc from the container, without immediate drop out of the force exerted on the clamping lugs of the contain by the push-button. The push-button can remain pressed again the clamping lugs until the disc has been moved beyond the reach of the clamping lugs. Accordingly, the force exerted o the disc by the clamping lugs for retaining the disc is entirely or partly removed, until the disc is outside the reach of the clamping lugs .

The control members are easy to operate, because the direction of movement thereof is approximately parallel to t direction of movement of the grippers for retaining the disc along the peripheral edge. Further, the device may have a small overall height, so that it can simply be placed agains the disc and the container at the proper location. The invention will be further explained hereinafter on the basis of some exemplary embodiments, with reference to t accompanying drawings . In these drawings :

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a device according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention, Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the device according to Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a side elevation at right angles to the side elevation according to Fig. 2,

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line IV-IV in Fig. 3,

Fig. 5 is a cut-off sectional side elevation of a devic according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention,

- Fig. 6 is a cutaway sectional side elevation of a device according to a third exemplary embodiment of the invention, Fig. 7 is a side elevation of a device according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of a device according to a fifth exemplary embodiment of the invention taken on the line VIII-VIII in Fig. 10, Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken on the line IX-IX in Fig. 8,

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken on the line X-X in Fig. 8,

Fig. 11 is a sectional view of a device according to a sixth exemplary embodiment of the invention taken on the line XI-XI in Fig. 13,

Fig. 12 is a bottom view of the device according to Fig. 11, and

Fig. 13 s a sectional view taken on the line XIII-XIII in Fig. 11. In the drawings, corresponding parts of the different exemplary embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals .

The starting situation of a disc stored in a container may be assumed to be generally known, but will be briefly recapitulated hereinafter.

A compact ^'disc has a central, circular opening and typically, a compact disc container has a circular recess wherein the disc can be placed with the data-carrying side facing the recess. Further, the container conventionally comprises clamping lugs, arranged in a circle round the axis of the recess and having first arms projecting radially inwar from the container, second arms projecting from the first arms approximately parallel to the axis of the recess, and third arms projecting radially inward from the ends of the second arms. When the disc is placed in the recess in the container, the second arms clamp against the peripheral edge of the opening in the disc for retaining the disc in the container.

To remove the disc from the container, the third arms can be pressed down in the area of the axis of the recess, so that the clamping force exerted by the second arms is reduced and, possibly, the second arms are moved slightly toward the axis of the recess, as a result of which the clamping force exerted by the second arms drops out completely. First, the invention is further explained with reference to the exemplary embodiment shown in Figs 1-4. Subsequently, the other exemplary embodiments will be considered.

In Figs 1 and 2, a disc which can be picked up and retained by the device according to the invention is shown in dot and dash lines and designated by the reference numeral 1. The device according to the invention is in particular suitable for removing such discs from a standard container and transferring them to an audio apparatus, and for placing them from an audio apparatus back into a container. The device according to Figs 1-4 comprises a push¬ button 2 with an end 3 having a substantially circular outer circumference for exerting a force directed substantially parallel to a central axis 4 thereof. Further, the device comprises two arms 5, pointing approximately radially away from the central axis 4 and having ends, remote relative to each other, comprising grippers 6, movable to and from the central axis 4, for engagement with a peripheral edge of a disc 1. For operating the grippers β, the device comprises operating members 7, movable to and from the central axis 4 and each coupled to one of the arms 5, in the form of control knobs. Relative to the grippers 6, the control knobs 7 are located centrally and staggered parallel to the central axis 4. Starting from the position shown in Fig. 4, the end face 3 of the push-button 2 can be moved in downward directio parallel to the central axis 4 relative to the control knobs 7. The push-button 2, the arms 5 and the control knobs are slidably arranged in a housing 15.

The push-button 2 is coupled to the control knobs 7 in such a manner that upon a displacement of the control knobs 7 transverse to the central axis 4 within a specified path, the end 3 of the push-button 2 moves away from the control knobs parallel to the central axis .

Each of the arms 5 is of a segmental construction betwee the corresponding control knob 7 and the corresponding gripper 6, the internal and external parts of each of the arm being interconnected on both sides of the partition 8 by a spring 9.

For removing a disc 1 from a container by means of this device, the device is first placed against the disc 1 in such a manner that the grippers 6 on either side of the disc 1 reach along the peripheral edge thereof, as is shown in Fig. 2. Subsequently, the control knobs 7 are pressed toward each other, i.e., moved toward the central axis 4. As a result, the grippers 6 move toward each other and clasp the disc 1. Subsequently, the control knobs 7 are pressed further toward each other. Now, the grippers 6 abutting against the outer peripheral edge of the disc 1 cannot move with the control knobs 7 any further, so that the springs 9 extend and move the internal and external Darts of each of the arms 5 away from each other according as the control knobs 7 are moved further toward each other. In the course of the path of this further displacement, the push-button 2 is moved paralle to the central axis 4, with the end 3 of the push-button 2 being moved away from the control knobs 7, i.e., toward the container and the disc. Accordingly, the end 3 of the push¬ button 2 strikes the third arms of clamping lugs of the container, which arms project toward the central axis 4, so that these arms are pressed down. This reduces the clamping force exerted on the peripheral edge of the opening in the disc by the second arms of the clamping lugs, so that the dis can easily be pulled loose from the container.

In this connection, pulling the disc loose from the container can simply be realized by pressing the control knobs 7 further while keeping the device pressed against the container. When the control knobs 7 are pressed further, the end 3 of push-button 2 moves further from the control knobs 7 parallel to the central axis 4, and the grippers 6 move accordingly relative to the end 3 of the push-button 2, so that the disc with the grippers is axially moved away from th container. During its axial displacement, directed away from the control knobs 7, the end 3 of the push-button 2 exerts a pressure on the clamping lugs, until the disc has been moved beyond the reach of the clamping lugs . It is further observed that as the end 3 of the push-button 2 also moves axially toward the container relative to the grippers 6, the reactive force due to the pulling force exerted on the disc contribute to the pressure exerted on the clamping lugs by the push¬ button 2. Provided between the control knobs 7 is a spring 10 for returning the control knobs 7 when it is desired to release the disc, for instance in order to dispose the disc in an audio apparatus. Generally, picking up the disc from an audio apparatus is simple, because in general, audio apparatuses do not comprise means for retaining the disc. Even if the audio apparatus does not have a recess in the area falling behind a ooeninσ of a disc disposed therein, it is still easv to pick up the disc with the device shown in Figs 1-4, by pressing t control knobs 7 only to such an extent that the push-button is not displaced.

When a disc is placed in a container, the disc retained in the container should be pressed against the container in usual manner. By subsequently releasing the control knobs 7, the end 3 of the push-button 2 withdraws, in so far as it wa still in a position displaced from the control knobs 7, and subsequently the grippers 6 move away from each other. Due t the pressure force exerted, the disc is slid over the clampi lugs and is left behind in the container when the device is subsequently moved away from the container, because the grippers β have been moved away from each other and are consequently no longer in engagement with the peripheral edg of the disc 1. To enable pressing the disc 1 against the container close to the central opening thereof, the device further comprises a press-down rib 11, coaxial to the centra axis, oriented in the same direction as the end 3 of the pus button 2. Preferably, the press-down rib 11 is substantially circular with an inside diameter such that it fits with slig clearance round clamping lugs of a container extending throu the opening of a disc. Accordingly, in operation, the rib 11 also functions as a centring member for centring the device relative to a disc to be removed from a container. The coupling of the control knobs 7 with the push¬ button 2 comprises cam surfaces 12, which, upon displacement of the control knobs 7 transversely to the central axis 4, a least within a specified path, abut against a corresponding follow surface 13 of the push-button 2. The cam surfaces 12 have a portion following an oblique path away from the centr axis 4 with a direction component in the direction of the end 3 of the push-button 2, so that, upon displacement of th control knobs 7 and the cam surfaces 12 thereof in the direction of the central axis 4, the push-button 2 moves parallel to the central axis, with the end 3 of the push¬ button 2 moving away from the control knobs 7. The portions of the cam surfaces 12 following an oblique path with a direction component in the direction of the end 3 of the push-button 2, are spaced from the central axis 4 such that, when the control knobs 7 are moved toward each other from their extreme distal positions, these portions following an oblique path reach the follow surfaces 13 of the push¬ button 2 only after the control knobs 7 have been moved inward over some distance. Consequently, the push-button 2 starts to move relative to the control knobs 7 only after the grippers 6 have been engaged with the peripheral edge of the disc. This ensures that the grippers 6 are not urged from the container by the axial displacement of the push-button 2 before the grippers 6 have been engaged with the disc.

The control knobs 7 comprise hollow control surfaces 14, allowing the device to be grasped sufficiently strongly by the control members 7 without the necessity of squeezing so hard that the control knobs 7 are pressed toward each other.

- Provided between the push-button 2 and the housing 15 is a spring 16, urging the push-button 2 and the corresponding end 3 parallel to the central axis 4 to an extreme retracted position.

The spring 16 supports the return motion of the control knobs 7 and further ensures that, upon the compression of the control knobs 7, a first path within which only the grippers 5 are operated, and a contiguous second path within which the push-button 2 is operated can be distinguished, because at the beginning of the second path, the spring force to be overcome increases stepwise .

Further, the control knobs 7 and the push-button 2 are always pressed home elastically by the spring so as to prevent the device from rattling.

In addition, the spring ensures that if one of the control knobs 7 has been pressed further than the other control knob 7, as a consequence of which the corresponding oblique portion of the cam surface 12 of that control knob 7 reaches the push-button 2 sooner than the oblique portion belonging to the cam surface 12 of the otner control knob 7, the control knob 7 that is pressed down furthest is stopped. When the control knobs are moved further toward each other, the other control knob 7 will first move toward the central axis 4 until the oblique portions of either cam surface 12 abut against the push-button 2. This ensures that at least at the beginning of the second path the control knobs 7 and henc also the grippers 6 are located in symmetrical positions relative to the central axis 4, so that the end 3 of the push button is accurately centred opposite to the clamping lugs of the container wherein the disc is located.

At present, the exemplary embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 5 is regarded as the best embodiment of the invention. In the device according to this exemplary embodiment, the cam surfaces 12 are shaped such that the oblique portions thereof are in constant abutment against the follow surfaces 13 of the push-button 2. Consequently, the spring 16 presses both the push-button 2 and the control knobs 7 back to the respective starting positions, so that a separate spring for urging the control knobs 7 away from each other is not required. A further advantage of this design of the cam surfaces is that the control knobs 7 and the grippers coupled thereto are constantly held in a symmetrical position relative to the central axis 4.

In its starting position, the end 3 of the push-button 2 is retracted over some distance relative to the hold-down rib 11 and the grippers. This has the effect that the end 3 o the push-button 2, which, when the control knobs 7 are moved toward each other, immediately starts moving in the direction to which the end 3 is turned, does not start pressing against the clamping lugs of the disc container before the grippers have been engaged with the peripheral edge of the disc.

The internal ends of the arms 5 comprise springs 17, formed integrally therewith, which urge the control knobs 7 outward relative to the arms 5 in question. The effect thus achieved is that when the grippers abut against the peripheral edge of the disc and, consequently, the arms cannot be moved toward each other any further, the control knobs 7 can still be moved further toward each other for further operating push button 2, whereby the springs 17 are compressed. This^' also effects a clearly perceptible transition between the first phase wherein the push-button 2 and the grippers 5 are operated, and the second phase wherein only the push-button 2 is operated.

The device according to Fig. 5 further comprises a housing 15 provided with locking edges 18 for locking the control knobs 7 in positions corresponding to positions of th grippers proximal to the central axis 4. By locking the control knobs 7 in positions corresponding to positions of th grippers proximal to the central axis 4, a disc can be retained in a reliable manner without the control knobs 7 having to be constantly squeezed toward each other by hand, and the risk of a disc being accidentally dropped from the device is also limited.

The control knobs 7 can be locked by pressing them, in a position wherein they are moved toward each other beyond the locking edges 18, behind the corresponding locking edges 18 and releasing them until the knobs 7 rest against the locking edges 18. In operation, this can be carried out quite simply by pressing the control knobs 7 toward the container when a disc is being picked up.

The push-button of the device according to Fig. 5 is accommodated in a push-button housing 19 attached along a sna edge 20 in the housing 15. The push-button housing 19 comprises openings opposite each of the control members 7, through which the control knobs 7 extend to reach the push¬ button 2. In the device according to Fig. 6, the control members 7 are pivotally suspended relative to the housing 15. Here, the control members 7 are coupled to the arms 5 so that a swivelling movement of the control members 7 transverse to th central axis 4 is converted into a displacement of the arm 5 toward the central axis 4 and a displacement of the end 3 of the push-button 2 parallel to the central axis 4 and away fro the control members . Because the position of the connections of the control members 7 to the push-button 2 and the arms 5 is chosen to be such that when the control members 7 are moved toward each other, the arms 5 move less according as the control members are brought closer together, relatively little elasticity is required between the control members 7 and the grippers for enabling further displacement of the push-button 2 when the grippers abut against the peripheral edge of a disc.

In this device, the arms 5 comprise flexible portions, directed parallel to the central axis 4, which portions yield through bending when the grippers are engaged with the peripheral edge of a disc. The device according to this exemplary embodiment contains only one spring 16, urging both the push-button 2 and the control members 7 back to the respective starting positions.

In this device, too, the control members 7 and, accordingly, the grippers are always held in a symmetrical position relative to the central axis 4, as they are both in constant abutment against the same push-button 2. The device according to the exemplary embodiment shown i Fig. 7 comprises one control member 7, of a flexible, M-shape design. A pair of external legs 21 of the control member 7 ar connected by a pair of internal legs 22. The arms 5 each connect, at a distance from the internal legs 22, to one of the external legs 21 and the push-button 2 is connected, at a distance from the external legs 21, to the two internal legs 22. The end 3 of the push-button 2 faces away from the internal legs 22.

This device is of a particularly simple design and can be constructed in one piece from an inexpensive synthetic material, such as PP or PE, allowing manufacture of this device at a very low cost price .

Removal of a disc 1 from a container can be carried out by means of this device by holding the device by the external legs 21 of the M-shaped control member 7, placing the device against a disc in a container and squeezing the external legs 21 toward each other. Accordingly, the arms 5 move toward each other, so that the grippers 6 are engaged with the peripheral edge of the disc 1. By urging the external legs 21 toward each other, the internal legs 22 are also folded and bent toward each other, as a result of which the push-button 2 is urged toward the disc 1 relative to the external legs 21. When the grippers 6 are engaged with the disc 1, further squeezing of the external legs 21 toward each other results in an enhanced displacement of the push-button 2 toward the disc, so that the clamping lugs of the container are pressed down and the disc 1 can easily be removed from the container. The external legs 21 each extend over some distance beyond the arm 5 connected thereto. The projecting portions of the external legs 21 formed thereby can be used when a disc is placed in a container for pressing the disc 1 over the clamping lugs of the container.

In the device according to Figs 8-10, the control members are designed as control knobs 7a, 7b, each coupled to an arm.5a and 5b respectively, extending on the opposite side of the central axis 4, and to a spring 10 urging the control knobs 7 away from the central axis 4 and urging the corresponding grippers 6a and 6b respectively to their extreme positions, proximal to the central axis 4.

In the starting positions, the grippers 6a, 6b of the device according to this exemplary embodiment are in their extreme positions, proximal to the central axis 4. By moving the control knobs 7a, 7b toward each other, i.e. each toward the central axis 4, the grippers 6a, 6b are moved away from each other. Hence, the control knobs 7a, 7b should be moved toward each other before the device is placed against the disc. Subsequently, the grippers 6a, 6b can be engaged with the disc 1 by allowing the control knobs 7a, 7b to spring back.

An advantage of this exemplary embodiment of the invention is that for retaining a disc it is not necessary to keep the control knobs 7a, 7b pressed toward each other, so that the disc cannot be accidentally dropped from the device due to insufficient pressure being exerted on the control knobs 7a, 7b. A further advantage of the device according to this exemplary embodiment is that the control knobs 7a, 7b, each with the arms 5a, 5b respectively and the grippers 6a, 6b respectively, can be of a one-piece construction, which contributes to a limitation of the number of loose parts. A spring 23 urges the push-button 2 to an extreme position remote from the control knobs 7a, 7b. As a result, the clamping lugs of the container of the disc are controlled when the device is placed against the disc and the container. The spring 23 has a rigidity such that when a disc is removed, with the device with the disc being moved away from the container, the clamping lugs remain sufficiently compressed, at least until the disc has been moved beyond the reach of the clamping lugs, so as to considerably reduce or entirely remove the clamping force exerted on the disc. An advantage of this operation of the push-button 2 is that no transmission between the control knobs 7 and the push-button 2 is required, as a result of which the construction can be of a simple and inexpensive design. The push-button is accommodated in a push-button housing 19, attached along a snap edge 20 to the housing 15.

Figs 11-13 show a further exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention, wherein the elasticity between the control knobs 7 and the grippers 6 is obtained by means of springs 17 mounted in cavities in the control knobs 7, analogously to the construction of the exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 5. Further, this device also comprises a spring 16 for urging back the push-button 2, and the spring 16 and the push-button 2 are accommodated in a push-button housing 19.

However, the exemplary embodiment shown in Figs 11-13 does have a spring 10 provided between the control knobs 7. Because for their backward movement the control knobs 7 do not depend en the spring 16 for urging back the push-button 2, in this device it is also possible to use a push-button which, by contrast, is pressed away from the control knobs and functions independently of the control knobs. Moreover, this can be realized in a simple manner, as the housing 15 of the device according to this exemplary embodiment is designed such that the push-button housing 19 of the device according to Figs 81 fits into it. In this manner, by mounting the desired push- button housing, it is possible to obtain designs of the devic according to the invention, one design having a push-button 2 that can be controlled by the control knobs 7 and the other design having a push-button 2 that^' cannot be controlled by the control knobs 7. The housing 15 comprises guides for guiding the control knobs 7. In positions staggered transverse to the central axis 4 relative to portions of the guides, the push¬ button 2 engages with the control knobs 7, urging them into a tilted position. When moved beyond the locking edges 18 towards the central axis 4, each of the control knobs 7 tilts after passing the locking edge 18 in question under the influence of the force exerted by the push-button 2, so that the.control knobs 7 strike the locking edges 18 when moving backward away from the central axis 4, and further displacement of the control knobs 7 away from the central axis 4 is prevented.

It will be understood that within the scope of the invention, many possible embodiments will readily occur to a skilled person. For instance, in the case where two control members are used, only one control member may be used, the arm and the gripper opposite the arm and gripper belonging to the control member being fixedly mounted on the housing. Obviously, instead of the various springs shown, other resilient members can be used as well, such as the flexible elements 17, as shown in Fig. 5, formed integrally with arms 5.

Claims

1. A device for removing a disc (1) , such as a compact disc from a container, and retaining and replacing same in a container, said device comprising a push-button (2) with an end (3) having a substantially circular outer circumference for exerting a force directed substantially parallel to a central axis (4) thereof, at least one pair of arms (5) directed substantially radially away from the central axis (4) and having ends remote from each other comprising grippers (6) movable from and to the central axis (4) for engaging a peripheral edge of the disc (1) , and at least one control member (7) movable to and from the central axis (4) for operating at least one of the grippers (6), said at least one control member (7) being located centrally and staggered parallel to the central axis (4) relative to the grippers (6), characterized in that the end (3) of the push-button (2) is movable parallel to the central axis (4) relative to the control member (7) .

2. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the end (3) of the push-button (2) is movable away from the control member (7) , in said direction of movement, while exerting a pressure directed away from the control member (7) .

3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one of the arms (5) is coupled to the control member (7) and, operated by said control member (7) , is movable radially relative to the central axis (4) .

4. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the push-button (2) is coupled to said control member (7) in such a manner that upon a displacement of the control member (7) transverse to the central axis (4) within at least a specified path, the end (3) of the push button (2) moves away from the control members parallel to the central axis (4) .

5. A device according to claim 4, characterized in that the control member (7) comprises a cam surface (12) which, upon displacement of the control member (7) transverse to the central axis (4) within at least a specified path, abuts against a corresponding follow surface (13) of the push-butto

(2) and is shaped such that accordingly, the push button (2) moves parallel to the central axis (4) .

6. A device according to claim 4, characterized by a housin

(15) from which the control member (7) is pivotaliy suspended, the control member (7) being coupled to at least one of the arms (5) in such a manner that a swivelling movement of the control member (7) transverse to the central axis (4) is converted into a displacement of the arm (5) toward the central axis (4) and a displacement of the end (3) of the push-button (2) parallel to the central axis (4) and away fro the control member (7) .

7. A device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized by a resilient element (16) urging the push-button (2) and the corresponding end (3) parallel to the central axis (4) toward an extreme retracted position.

8. . A device according to claim 4, characterized in that the control member (7) is of a flexible, M-shaped design having a pair of external legs (21) connected by a pair of internal legs (22) , the arms (5) each connecting, at a distance from the internal legs (22) , to one of the external legs (21) and the push-button (2) being connected, at a distance from the external legs (21), to the two internal legs (22), the end (3) of the push-button (2) facing away from the internal legs (22) .

9. A device according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized by a resilient element (23) urging the push¬ button (2) toward an extreme position remote from the control member (7) .

10. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a housing (15) comprising a locking edge (18) for locking the control member (7) in a position corresponding to a position of the corresponding gripper (6) proximal to the central axis (4) .

11. A device according to claims 5, 7 and 10, characterized in that the housing (15) comprises a guide for guiding the control member (7) and the push-button (2), in a position staggered transverse to the central axis (4) relative to a portion of the guide, engages with the cam surface (12) of the control member (7) in such a manner that the control member (7) is urged into a tilted position by the push-button (2), in which position the control member (7) strikes the locking edge (18) of the housing (15) upon displacement away from the central axis (4) .

12. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a resilient element (8, 17) between the control member (7) and the corresponding gripper (6) .

13. A device according to any one of claims 1-7 or 9, characterized in that the control member (7) is coupled to an arm (5) extending on the opposite side of the central axis (4), and to a resilient member (10) urging the control member (7) away from the central axis (4) and urging the corresponding gripper (6) to its extreme position proximal to the .central axis (4) .