WO2006043804A1 - Ejection de coffret de rangement pour disque compact - Google Patents

Ejection de coffret de rangement pour disque compact Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2006043804A1
WO2006043804A1 PCT/NL2004/000740 NL2004000740W WO2006043804A1 WO 2006043804 A1 WO2006043804 A1 WO 2006043804A1 NL 2004000740 W NL2004000740 W NL 2004000740W WO 2006043804 A1 WO2006043804 A1 WO 2006043804A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
disk
case
ejector
edges
side panels
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/NL2004/000740
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Peng Cheng Kung
Johannes Andrianus Maria Schuurs
Original Assignee
International Standards & Licensing Llc
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 International Standards & Licensing Llc filed Critical International Standards & Licensing Llc
Priority to PCT/NL2004/000740 priority Critical patent/WO2006043804A1/fr
Publication of WO2006043804A1 publication Critical patent/WO2006043804A1/fr

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
    • G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
    • G11B33/00—Constructional parts, details or accessories not provided for in the other groups of this subclass
    • G11B33/02—Cabinets; Cases; Stands; Disposition of apparatus therein or thereon
    • G11B33/04—Cabinets; Cases; Stands; Disposition of apparatus therein or thereon modified to store record carriers
    • G11B33/0405—Cabinets; Cases; Stands; Disposition of apparatus therein or thereon modified to store record carriers for storing discs
    • G11B33/0433—Multiple disc containers
    • G11B33/0444—Multiple disc containers for discs without cartridge

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a case, and in particular to a case for storing compact disks which is adapted for simple ejection of the disk from within, and which is inexpensive to manufacture and uses a minimal number of components.
  • Openable cases tend to be difficult to open, requiring the use of both hands and some dexterity to open the case and remove the disk.
  • These cases are generally made of plastic and have delicate hinges and integrally molded snaps to hold the disk closed. These hinges and snaps tend to fail after repeated openings and closings. Young children and the elderly often find it particularly difficult to apply the necessary force to open these types of cases.
  • the user When the disk is not fully ejected, the user is inclined to grasp the disk and remove it from the case by pinching it at its delicate information-storing areas, thereby damaging the disk. Whereas, if the disk could be properly ejected, the peripheral edge of the disk could be grasped by a thumb and forefinger on opposite sides, without touching the information storing area of the disk.
  • Cases such as those disclosed in US patents 5244084 and 5425450 swing the entire disk through an arcuate path during ejection that requires the case to be larger than needed for storing the disk.
  • the present invention seeks to provide a case which can safely and compactly store objects such as compact disks in a fully closed and protected state, yet which is adapted with a simple and reliable ejection mechanism, having only a single moving component that is adapted to maximize the leverage needed for full ejection of the disk through a side that becomes open by the same motion which ejects the disk.
  • the pulling motion which would be natural to pull the disk from the case is mimicked to simultaneously engage the actuator, uncover the opening, and eject the disk, and the same motion which would be natural to reinsert the disk is mimicked to simultaneously return the disk to the case and close the opening. Still further, the disk is forced from the case along a straight path that allows the case size to be minimized.
  • a case having a substantially rigid housing comprised of two side panels and at least two edge walls for surrounding and containing a compact disk.
  • a rigid C-shaped ejector sized to partially surround the compact disk's peripheral edge, is disposed within the housing and adapted to swing relative to the housing about an integral pivot that connects the housing to the ejector.
  • the ejector is adapted so that a portion thereof covers the open front edge of the housing when the ejector is in its "closed" state, and that portion also serves as a manually operable lever to actuate the ejection of the disk from the housing as it simultaneously exposes the open front edge of the housing.
  • the covering of the open edge of the housing protects the disk from dust and debris when stored within the case, and prevents such dust •and debris from entering the case even when it is empty, so long as the ejector is returned to its closed state.
  • the housing and ejector are each molded of a single plastic component, so that this embodiment is comprised of a total of only two components.
  • the housing is molded in an open "clamshell” state and is folded at a molded-in living hinge to capture the ejector about the pivot and to then snap permanently shut, forming the entire case in just a single step.
  • a compact disk comprises faces on which digital information is stored and through which that information is optically read, it is critical to any compact disk case that these faces are not scratched by contact within the case.
  • the outer periphery and the center hub of the disk are left void of such information and are preferably the only part of the disk that is contacted during use and storage.
  • the housing and ejector of the present invention are adapted to contact the disk only at this peripheral edge.
  • the housing and ejector are adapted with channels in which the peripheral edge of the disk sits and slides, to guide and locate the disk so that the susceptible inner faces are not allowed to contact the case.
  • the ejector is arranged to force the disk sufficiently from the housing along a substantially straight line that is parallel to the top and bottom walls of the housing so that the case size can be minimized and the disk can be grasped by a thumb and forefinger at substantially opposite peripheral edges to avoid pinching the disk at its information-storing area.
  • FIG 1 is an exploded perspective view of the as-molded components of a plastic case according to the preferred embodiment of the invention prior to assembly.
  • FIG 2 is a perspective view of the components of FIG 1, wherein the right side panel of the housing is being swung towards the closed state about the molded-in living hinge at the housing's top wall.
  • FIG 3 is a perspective view of the fully assembled case of FIG 1 with the ejector in its storage position.
  • FIG 4 is a perspective view of the case of FIG 4, wherein the right side panel is shown swung partly opened to show the ejector in its storage position, holding a compact disk within.
  • FIG 5 is a the same view as shown in FIG 4, except that the ejector has been pivoted outwardly and the disk is being ejected.
  • FIG 6 is a partial cross-sectional view through the living hinge at the top wall of the case of FIG 4, taken at Line 6-6 of FIG 4 except with the case fully closed as in FIG 3, and showing how the closing of the case creates a channel at the top wall for supporting and guiding the disk at its peripheral edge.
  • FIG 7 is a partial cross-sectional view through the ejector, taken at Line 7-7 of FIG 4, showing the ejector's channel for supporting and guiding the disk at its peripheral edge.
  • Fig 8 is a partial cross-sectional view through the snapped-together bottom wall of the case of FIG 4, taken at Line 8-8 of FIG 4, and showing the channel created there-at for supporting and guiding the disk at its peripheral edge.
  • FIG 9 is a side view of a wooden case according to a second embodiment of the invention, having a portion of its right side panel broken away for a view of the ejector and disk inside.
  • FIG 10 is a full side cross-sectional view of the case of FIG 9 (without the side panel broken away) , taken at Line 10-10 of FIG 9, and showing the disk held by the channels within.
  • FIG 11 is a partial cross sectional view of the front wall of the case of FIG 9, taken at Line 11-11 of FIG 9, and showing the actuator portion of the ejector that is grasped and pulled by the user for ejecting the disk.
  • FIG 12 is a side view of the case of FIG 9 during ejection of the disk, having a portion of its right side panel broken away for a view of the ejector and disk during said ejection.
  • FIG' s 1 through 8 disclose a preferably plastic compact disk storage case 100
  • FIG's 9 through 12 disclose a preferably wooden compact disk storage case 200.
  • An injection-molded housing 102 is preferably made of a transparent plastic such as polypropylene, which has characteristics that are favorable for use in living hinges, has reasonable impact resistance, and is relatively inexpensive.
  • the housing comprises a rectangular right side panel 104 and a rectangular left side panel 106 which are each connected to a top wall 108 by living hinges IIOA and HOB, which are integrally-molded with the housing.
  • the side panels 104 and 106 and top wall 108 are originally molded on a single plane as shown in FIG 1, but are folded relative to each other at the hinges in a "clamshell" fashion, as seen best in FIG 2, until the side panels are snapped together and into a position wherein they are parallel to and spaced from each other, as best seen in FIG's 3 and 6.
  • the panels snap together by way of snap arms 112A and 112B, which extend from the right side panel 104, and which engage snap slots 114A and 114B respectively, as the side panels are forced together.
  • Bottom wall 116 and rear wall 118 both extend from the left side panel 106 to keep the side panels apart, and to form a rectilinear Space 124 within the case 100 when the case is snapped together.
  • Space 124 is sized and shaped to receive and store a compact disk, such as 126.
  • connection of the side panels 104 and 106 is generally intended to be permanent, but in this embodiment, the snap arms 112A and 112B can be disconnected from the snap slots 114A and 114B and the case can be reopened for cleaning and such. Otherwise, the snap arms and snap holes may be replaced with any usual fastening means, such as screws, hot-staking, or ultrasonic welding.
  • Ejector 130 is preferably molded of a rigid plastic.
  • the ejector consists of a base arm 132, back arm 134, and front arm 136, all rigidly connected to form a C-shaped member that is sized to surround three quarters of the compact disk and to fit between the closed side panels 104 and 106 of the housing 102 and within storage space 124.
  • the ejector is trapped within space 124, with pivot pin 142 extending up from the left side wall 106 adjacent to bottom wall 116, to fit loosely within pivot hole 144 of the ejector's base arm 132.
  • the ejector is thus adapted to pivot back and forth about the axis of pivot pin 142, within the confines of the housing 102, to thereby move the compact disk 126 back and forth between a storage position, shown in FIG 4, and an ejected position, shown in FIG 5.
  • a plurality of channel arms 146 extend from the left and right side panels 104 and 106 to support and guide the compact disk at its peripheral edge.
  • the height and position of these arms are selected so that when the side panels are closed together, the arms form channels which engage the peripheral edge of the disk to hold it loosely within the center of space 124 and to guide it from space 124 during ejection, so that the center area of the disk, where delicate digital information is stored, is not scratched.
  • the inwardly directed surfaces of the ejector's base arm 132, rear arm 134, and front arm 136 also include channels 148, which lie on the same plane as the channels formed by channel arms 146 of the housing. As the ejector 130 rests in its storage position, as shown in FIG 4, the compact disk 126 lies also on this plane and fits loosely within the channels, which contact the disk only around its peripheral edge.
  • the axis of pivot pin 142 is disposed near to the rear wall 118 and rear arm 134 and adjacent to bottom wall 116.
  • rear arm 134 is forced against the rear portion of the compact disk's peripheral edge and thereby forces the disk towards the opening 150 that is made available at the forward side of the case 100 as the front arm 136 moves away from that front side.
  • the aforementioned position of the pivot pin 142 and position of the channels formed by the channel arms 146 of the housing allow the disk to travel in a straight line as it moves.
  • the disk free to exit from the case 100, and is forced from the opening 126, at the same time.
  • the disk can then be grasped at is exposed peripheral edges and fully removed from the case.
  • the compact disk can be returned to the case in a reversal of the above procedure, and that, with the disk within the case and without, the closure of ejector back into its storage position cause the front arm 136 to seal the front opening 150 and prevent dust and debris from entering the storage space 124 and inadvertently damaging or dirtying the disk.
  • Stopper 152 is adapted to retain the ejector from being pivoted beyond the desired ejecting position, so that the disk is properly received when it is returned to the opened space 124.
  • a housing 202 is comprised of a rectangular right side panel 204 and a rectangular left side panel 206, each preferable made of a decorative wooden material or a reasonable rigid material covered by a decorative wooden veneer.
  • a top wall 208, a rear wall 218, and a bottom wall 216, all preferably made of wood, are disposed between the side panels to maintain the panels in a parallel spaced relationship, creating a storage space 224 there-between which is sized and shaped to accommodate a compact disk 126.
  • An ejector 230 similar in most respect to the ejector 130 of the first embodiment except herein preferably made of wood, is loosely trapped within space 224 as the side panels and walls are rigidly fixed together by glue, screws, nails, or any such traditional fastening means.
  • the ejector is comprised of similar base, back and front arms, 232, 234, and 236 respectively, and is pivotal about the axis of pivot pin 242, which extends between the side panels and loosely fits within pivot hole 234 of the ejector's base arm 232.
  • the inwardly-facing surfaces of walls 208, 218 and 216, and the inwardly-facing surfaces of arms 232, 234, and 236, are all adapted with coplanar channels for supporting and guiding a compact disk, which sits loosely with space 224 and on the same plane with the channels so that only the channels are in contact with the compact disk, and only at the disk's peripheral edge.

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un coffret de rangement de disques compacts qui présente un logement sensiblement rigide composé de deux panneaux latéraux et d’au moins deux parois de bord pour entourer et contenir le disque. De plus, un éjecteur rigide en forme de C, dimensionné pour entourer partiellement le bord périphérique du disque compact est disposé à l’intérieur du logement et adapté pour osciller par rapport au logement autour d’une charnière intégrée qui relie le logement à l’éjecteur. L’éjecteur est adapté afin qu’une partie de celui-ci recouvre le bord avant ouvert du logement quand l’éjecteur est dans son « état fermé » et cette partie sert également de levier à actionnement manuel pour actionner l’éjection du disque du logement alors qu’il expose simultanément le bord avant ouvert du logement.
PCT/NL2004/000740 2004-10-20 2004-10-20 Ejection de coffret de rangement pour disque compact WO2006043804A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/NL2004/000740 WO2006043804A1 (fr) 2004-10-20 2004-10-20 Ejection de coffret de rangement pour disque compact

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/NL2004/000740 WO2006043804A1 (fr) 2004-10-20 2004-10-20 Ejection de coffret de rangement pour disque compact

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2006043804A1 true WO2006043804A1 (fr) 2006-04-27

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/NL2004/000740 WO2006043804A1 (fr) 2004-10-20 2004-10-20 Ejection de coffret de rangement pour disque compact

Country Status (1)

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WO (1) WO2006043804A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2010001099A1 (fr) * 2008-07-02 2010-01-07 Norman Fraser Mackenzie Support de disques compacts

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0181835A2 (fr) * 1984-10-30 1986-05-21 H. & G. Meister AG Boîte de stockage de disques
AU651057B3 (en) * 1994-03-07 1994-07-07 Chin Chung Chan Laser disk carrying case
US5425451A (en) * 1994-05-05 1995-06-20 Blase; William F. Compact disc case
US5720386A (en) * 1996-08-29 1998-02-24 Allsop, Inc. Storage container for a disk-shaped recording medium
GB2359540A (en) * 1999-10-02 2001-08-29 Paul Daines A compact disc pack
US6318550B1 (en) * 2000-10-05 2001-11-20 Thomas Giovinazzi Compact disc container
US6357841B1 (en) * 2000-06-23 2002-03-19 Charles G. Alcini Ejectable compact disc container

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0181835A2 (fr) * 1984-10-30 1986-05-21 H. & G. Meister AG Boîte de stockage de disques
AU651057B3 (en) * 1994-03-07 1994-07-07 Chin Chung Chan Laser disk carrying case
US5425451A (en) * 1994-05-05 1995-06-20 Blase; William F. Compact disc case
US5720386A (en) * 1996-08-29 1998-02-24 Allsop, Inc. Storage container for a disk-shaped recording medium
GB2359540A (en) * 1999-10-02 2001-08-29 Paul Daines A compact disc pack
US6357841B1 (en) * 2000-06-23 2002-03-19 Charles G. Alcini Ejectable compact disc container
US6318550B1 (en) * 2000-10-05 2001-11-20 Thomas Giovinazzi Compact disc container

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2010001099A1 (fr) * 2008-07-02 2010-01-07 Norman Fraser Mackenzie Support de disques compacts

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