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Description  |
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to storage devices, and more
particularly to a modular storage 31 device for compact optical discs.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Compact optical discs (CDs) have been available for some time for recording
digitally encoded audio program material such as music. More recently,
compact optical discs have experienced widespread use as a kind of
read-only memory (ROM) for mass storage of alphanumeric data for personal
computers.
Historically, compact discs for audio program material typically have been
stored in box-like plastic containers, and when it is desired to use the
discs, they are removed from the containers and inserted directly into
optical laser readers. In the past, however, when used for mass data
storage, the compact discs were usually enclosed with cartridges to
prevent the discs from being nicked or scratched during handling. Such
cartridges typically have sliding doors opened by actuator arms after the
cartridges are inserted into the optical readers. An example of such
cartridges can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,908,817 to Sandell.
Recently, personal computers have added optical laser readers in order to
take advantage of the high-density storage feature offered by compact
optical discs. These laser readers for personal computers are similar to
the optical laser readers used to read audio program material from compact
discs in that the discs are inserted directly into the readers. These
compact discs for use with personal computers are typically sold and
contained in the same type of case used for compact discs for music
recording--i.e., a light weight-clear plastic container commonly known as
a "jewel box." Unlike compact discs in cartridge containers, the compact
discs in jewel boxes are removed from the box and directly inserted into
the optical laser reader.
These conventional jewel boxes for compact discs are fragile and subject to
breakage. Moreover, these cases are difficult to handle. For example, it
usually requires two hands to open the box, which comprises a pair of
pivotal top and bottom sections within which the disc is contained. This
not only is cumbersome, but dangerous, if for example being done while
driving a car as can frequently be the case for compact discs containing
audio programming material.
With the increasing popularity of optical laser readers for both home audio
and computer systems, the storage of a collection of discs has become a
commonplace problem. The jewel boxes typically contain a single compact
disc and are relatively bulky to store. Because access to a compact disc
is by way of a pivotal lid, a disc cannot be retrieved when it is stacked
under other jewel boxes. The box must be removed from the stack in order
to access the disc inside, which may easily topple the stack without some
type of additional structure to provide lateral support.
Also, the increasing popularity of compact discs for home use has created a
substantial rental market for the discs. Because of their fragile nature,
jewel boxes are not amenable to the rough handling that inherently occurs
when compact discs are circulated in a rental market.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a storage case for
optical compact discs and the like that permit easier access to the discs
than has thus far been available.
Another object of the invention is to provide a storage case for compact
discs as characterized above that enables a user to easily obtain access
to a disc and remove it with one hand, such as while driving.
A further object of the invention is to provide a storage case of the above
kind that has a thinner profile than a conventional jewel box, and
therefore, is capable of more compact storage.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a storage case for a
compact disc that permits removal of the disc without requiring the
opening of a lid as is required with the conventional jewel box.
A further object of the invention is to provide a storage case for compact
discs that has the foregoing characteristics, is relatively inexpensive in
design and manufacture, but is robust and less susceptible to breakage
during usage than conventional jewel boxes.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a storage case of the
foregoing type that contains a plurality of compact discs and permits easy
selective access to and removal of individual discs using one hand. A
related object of the invention is to provide a storage case for discs
that can be stacked with other similar storage cases to provide a compact
storage arrangement for a large number of discs, such that any one of the
discs can be accessed using one hand and without disassembling the stack.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent upon
reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the
drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a compact disc storage case according to
the present invention, with a transparent top cover elevated from the
case;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the compact disc storage case of FIG. 1,
showing a flip top of the case in an open position for exposing an open
end for receiving a tray that holds a compact disc;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the compact disc storage case
taken in the plane of line 3--3 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view of the compact disc storage case of FIGS. 1-3,
showing the side of the case hidden from view in FIGS. 1 and 2;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a tray housed by the case, which receives a
compact disc in a nested arrangement;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the compact disc storage case taken in
the plane of line 6--6 in FIG. 2, showing the flip top in its open
position;
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the compact disc storage case taken in
the plane of line 7--7 in FIG. 2;
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional plan view of the compact disc storage case
taken in the plane of line 8--8 in FIG. 6;
FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary section of the tray, showing a latching
mechanism for retaining the tray in a locked and retraced position;
FIG. 10 is a plan view of a ribbon of leaf springs, selected ones of which
are incorporated into the case for use in ejecting a tray when it is
selected by a user;
FIGS. 11A, 11B and 11C are end views of alternative embodiments of the case
according to the invention for storing two, four and six compact discs,
respectively;
FIG. 12 is an alternative embodiment of the compact disc storage case
according to the invention, which stores a single compact disc;
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the case illustrated in
FIG. 12, with the tray partially ejected;
FIG. 14 is a fragmentary plan view taken in the plane of line 14--14 in
FIG. 12, showing the leaf spring biased against an end of the tray such
that the spring imparts a force to the tray tending to eject it from the
case;
FIG. 15 is a fragmentary perspective view of the tray for the case of FIG.
12, showing an alternative embodiment of the leaf spring;
FIG. 16 is a fragmentary perspective view of the tray for the container of
FIG. 12, showing a further alternative embodiment for the leaf spring;
FIG. 17 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the
compact disc storage case according to the invention, wherein the case is
intended to store a collection of compact discs;
FIG. 18 is of the compact disc storage case of FIG. 17 with a transparent
cover removed and one of the trays partially ejected;
FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional plan view taken in the plane of line 19--19 of
FIG. 17, showing the tray in its fully retracted position; and
FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional plan view taken in the plane of line 20--20 of
FIG. 18, showing the tray in a partially ejected position.
While the invention will be described in connection with certain preferred
embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the
invention to the embodiments shown but, on the contrary, the intention is
to cover the various alternative and equivalent construction included
within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Turning now to the drawings and referring first to FIGS. 1-9, there is
shown a storage case for an optical disc generally designated 20 according
to the present invention. The storage case 20 according to the invention
comprises a molded plastic body 25 having a plurality of individual,
low-profile disc supporting trays 22, each adapted to support a compact
optical disc 26 for movement between a retracted or stored position within
the case 20 (solid line in FIG. 8) and an extended position that allows
free access (phantom line of FIG. 8) to the disc. Each of the trays 22 has
a thin profile that is a compromise between an approximation of the
profile of the disc 26 and a thickness sufficient to ensure structural
integrity of the tray. This thin profile permits the body 25 to contain a
plurality of trays 22 and thus store a plurality of discs 26 in a
comparatively compact and space efficient manner. As described
hereinafter, the storage case 20 provides convenient and compact storage
for several compact discs, while also providing easy removal of the discs
using only one hand. Each disc 26 carried by the case 20 is supported on a
tray 22 that automatically ejects from an opening 24 in the case 20 when
it is freed from a locked position retracted within the case.
A clear plastic cover 27 snap fits over the case 20 and serves as an
envelope for advertising or documentation. The cover 27 as best seen in
FIG. 1 includes an apron 27a with several inwardly extending pins 27b that
mate with recesses 29 in the sidewalls of the case 20 to form detents to
snap fit the transparent cover onto the case. The plastic cover 27 also
includes a series of tabs 27c for retaining and framing documents.
The molded plastic body 25 of the case 20 comprises top and bottom portions
25a and 25b, respectively, that are secured together about a seam at a rib
28. Support tracks 30 for the trays 22 are inserted into the top and
bottom portions 25a and 25b prior to their being joined at the rib 28. For
economical production, the top and bottom portions 25a and 25b are be
identically formed. Each of the portions 25a or 25b may be formed to hold
one or three trays 22. By selecting different top and bottom portions 25a
and 25b, the body 25 can be formed to receive two, four or six trays 22 as
illustrated in FIGS. 11a, 11b and 11c, respectively, the particular number
of trays depending upon the combination selected for the top and bottom
portions of the body.
According to one important feature of the invention, the tray 22 is freed
from its locked and retracted position using one hand by pressing a finger
31 of a latch mechanism 32 laterally disposed on the case 20. When the
tray 22 is ejected, it extends from the opening 24 in a cantilevered
manner as generally indicated by phantom lines in FIGS. 2, 4 and 8. From
its ejected position, the tray exposes the disc 26 for easy removal.
Because of the small diameter of the disc 26 (i.e., 51/2 inches), most
users can use one hand to pick up the disc from the ejected tray and
insert it into an optical reader (not shown). In the optical reader, a
tightly focused laser beam senses the optical reflectivity of the disc 22
as the disc is rotated about its axis. Variances in the reflectivity are
converted to electrical data and processed by circuitry associated with
the reader to perform a desired function--e.g., play music or run an
application for an operating system of a personal computer. The storage
case 20 of the invention affords the same protection of a jewel box with
the added convenience of easy use--i.e., they protect against scratching
or pitting of the information-carrying surface.
For positively securing the trays 22 within the body 25, each tray is
formed with at least one integrally molded, laterally moveable latch
mechanism 32. In its secured position, the latch mechanism 32 is mated or
registered with a slot 34 in the side wall 36 of the body 25. The tray 22
is spring loaded in its retracted and secured position. Upon depression of
the finger 31 of the latch mechanism 32 from the retaining slot 34 in the
body 25, the tray 22 is automatically ejected by the spring action.
The spring action is provided by a leaf spring 38, which is also preferably
molded from plastic and disposed at the rearward end of the tray 22. When
the tray 22 is in its retracted position and locked by the latch mechanism
32, the leaf spring 38 is tensioned against a back sidewall 40 of the body
25. Hence, upon depression of the finger 31 of the latch mechanism 32, the
leaf spring 38 is free to release its tension and thus automatically force
the tray 22 in an ejecting fashion outwardly of the body 25.
Each tray 22 includes two opposing latch mechanisms 32 as best illustrated
in FIG. 5. Preferably, only one of these latch mechanisms 32 mates with a
slot 34 in one of the sidewalls 36 or 37. In this way, the location of the
finger 31 for ejecting a tray 22 alternates from one side to the other for
successively stacked trays 22 as best shown in FIG. 7.
Since one of the latching mechanisms 32 is the mirror image of the other,
only one of the latching mechanisms will be described in detail with
reference to FIG. 9. Each of the latching mechanisms 32 includes a
flexible finger 31 that is an integral part of the tray 22 and flexes in
the plane of the tray. An elbow 42 of the finger 31 is formed by an
extension of the tray 22 that is curved about a radius. The extension
continues from the elbow 42 to form the finger 31. In order to accommodate
the flexing of the finger 31 in the plane of the tray 22, the tray
includes a lateral recess 43 that forms a margin 44 between the finger and
the edge of the tray.
In order to positively lock the tray 22 in its retracted position with
tension loaded into the leaf spring 38, the finger 31 includes a notch 46
at its distal end that engages with a wall 30a of the track 30 that
extends into the slot 34 in the sidewall of the body 25. When a force is
applied to finger 31 in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 8,
the finger 31 flexes inwardly into the margin 44 created by the lateral
recess 43 in the tray 22. As the finger 31 flexes, its tapered surface 31a
engages the wall 30a of the track 30 extending into the slot 34. The
tension of the spring 38 applies a force to the tapered surface 31a when
it engages the outwardly extending wall 30a of the track 30, resulting in
a force tending to flex the finger 31 inwardly. Thus, once the notch 46
has been disengaged from the wall 30a, the finger 31 moves inwardly
relatively easily until the finger is fully flexed into the margin 44,
which frees the tray 22 to eject in response to the tension loaded into
the spring 38.
For each tray 22, the fingers 31 of the two latch mechanisms 32 flex
inwardly along the plane of the tray when the tray is pushed into the
retracted position within the body 25 of the case 20. Because only one of
the sidewalls 36 and 37 includes a slot 34 in the plane of the tray 22,
only one of the fingers 31 mates with a slot 34 to lock the tray in its
retracted position. The finger 31 of the other latch mechanism 32 simply
remains biased against the recessed inner surface 30b of the track 30 as
best seen in FIG. 8.
By providing latch mechanisms 32 on both sides of the tray 22, a single
mold can be used for all of the trays regardless of the position of the
tray in the body 20. By alternating the location of the aperture to mate
with the finger 31 of one of the latch mechanisms 32 from one side of the
case 20 to the other for each adjacent tray 22, a user is easily able to
locate the latch mechanism for a desired tray in the closely stacked
configuration provided by the case 20. Because the trays 22 include latch
mechanisms 32 on both of their sides, they can be freely repositioned in
the stack.
Mounted on the inside surfaces of sidewalls 36 and 37 of the body 25 are
tracks 30 that support the trays 22 and allow them to be guided into the
body and ejected from it in a controlled manner. The tracks 30 provide
vertical spacing for the stacked trays 22 so that each tray is spaced from
the trays immediately above and below it. The tracks 30 are laid in each
body portions 25a and 25b prior to welding the two portions together. To
assemble a storage case 20, a body portion 25a or 25b is first selected of
an appropriate size (i.e., accommodating one or three compact discs). The
tracks 30 are then laid on the opposite inner sidewalls 36 and 37 of the
body portion and the leaf spring 38 is positioned against the inner
surface of the back wall 40 of the body portion. The body portion 25a or
25b is then mated with a complementary portion and welded at the seam
along the rib 28 to form the case 20. The trays 22 are then inserted into
the opening 24 of the case 20 along the tracks 30.
In order to receive one of the tracks 30, each portion 25a and 25b of the
body 25 includes a groove 50 formed into the floor of the portion where it
meets the inner surface of one of the sidewalls 36 and 37. Each of the
tracks 30 includes a pair of locating ribs 51a and 51b oppositely disposed
on the top and bottoms of the tracks for mating with opposing grooves 50
in mated top and bottom body portions 25a and 25b as best illustrated in
FIG. 3. When the two body portions 25a and 25b are mated, the ribs 51a and
51b prevent the tracks 30 from moving laterally across the cavity of the
case 20. To prevent the tracks 30 from sliding outwardly along the length
of the mating grooves 50, the walls 30a and 30b of the track extends
inwardly into the slot 34 of the body, which provides a detent for
retaining the track. Each of the tracks 30 have spaced apart rail members
51c for supporting the trays 22.
Before the two body portions 25a and 25b are joined, the leaf spring 38 is
secured to the inside surface of the back wall 40. The leaf spring 38 has
two arms 38a and 38b extending from a base section 38c secured to the
inside surface of the back wall 40. Preferably, the leaf spring 38 is
formed as a ribbon of springs 52 as illustrated by FIG. 10 with the solid
base section 38c scored (not shown) so that the spring 38 can be broken
off from the ribbon in pairs for the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-8
or in groups of four or six in order to accommodate other configurations
of the casing 20 as illustrated in FIGS. 11b and 11c.
In assembling the case 20, body portions 25a and 25b are first selected. In
the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-8, both of the body portions 25a and
25b are single tray portions. The top and bottom body portions 25a and 25b
are formed from the same mold. Mating these two portions creates a body
for receiving two trays 22 as illustrated.
In keeping with the invention, each of the body portions 25a or 25b can be
selected from one of two alternative configurations. One configuration
provides storage for a single tray 22. The second configuration provides
storage for three trays 22. By mating different configurations of the top
and bottom portions 25a and 25b, respectively, the body 25 forms a casing
20 that can hold two, four or six trays 22 as previously mentioned. FIGS.
11A-11C illustrate a two, four and six pack configurations, respectively,
for the case 20.
In FIG. 11A, two single tray configurations of the body portions 25a and
25b are mated, which creates the two-pack case 20 of FIGS. 1-8. In keeping
with the invention, the latch mechanisms 32 for the two trays 22 extend
from opposite sides of the case 20.
In FIG. 11B, a top portion 25a of the body 25 is a three-tray configuration
and the bottom portion 25b is a single tray configuration of FIG. 11A. The
three-tray configuration of the top portion 25a is the same as the single
tray configuration except with deeper sidewalls 36 and 37 to accommodate
three trays 22 instead of only one. When the two body portions 25a and 25b
are mated, the resulting body 25 forms a four-pack case 20. The location
of the latch mechanism 32 for each of the trays 22 alternates from one
sidewall of the body 25 to the other in keeping with the invention.
In the case of FIG. 11C, the top and bottom portions 25a and 25b are each
formed from the three-tray configuration. Thus, when the top and bottom
portions 25a and 25b in FIG. 11C are mated, they form a six-pack case.
Like the two and four-pack embodiments of the case in FIGS. 11A and 11B,
respectively, the six-pack embodiment in FIG. 11C provides for the
location of the latch mechanism 32 to alternate from one side to the
other.
As can be seen from the three different cases in FIGS. 11A-11C, the
invention contemplates providing two alternate configurations for each of
the body portions 25a and 25b, which allows the invention to be realized
in three alternative embodiments as illustrated in FIGS. 11A-11C. It will
be appreciated by those skilled in the art that additional or substitute
configurations for each of the body portions 25a and 25b may be realized
for the purpose of providing additional embodiments. For example, a
configuration of the body portion accommodating two trays would allow for
a three-pack and five-pack case 20.
In order to protect the compact discs 26 in the case 20, a protective cover
55 is provided to close over the opening 24. The protective cover 55
pivots downwardly to expose the opening 24 of the case 20 as best
illustrated in FIGS. 2, 4 and 6. Each of the side arms 55a of the cover 55
includes a pin 55b that mates with one of the recesses 29 in the sidewalls
of the body 25 in order to form a pivot. The inner surface of the side
arms 55a are spaced to provide an interference fit with the outer surface
of the sidewalls 36 and 37. When the cover 55 is rotated into its closed
position as illustrated in FIG. 1, the interference fit of the side arms
55a and the sidewalls 36 and 37 retains the cover in its closed position.
Also, the rib 28 between the top and bottom portions 25a and 25b of the
body 25 defines a stop that limits the rotation of the cover 44 and
provides a means to correctly register the cover in its closed position.
Each of the side arms 55a includes a portion 55c that extends laterally
about a radius in order to accommodate the one or more fingers 31
projecting from the sidewalls 36 and 37 of the body 25. A front wall 55d
of the cover 55 masks the opening 24 of the body 25 and a bottom wall 55e
provides additional protection while also functioning as a stop for
limiting the rotational movement of the cover. In keeping with the
invention, the cover can be easily rotated downwardly with one hand in
order to expose the opening 24 and the fingers 31 of the latch mechanisms
32.
In operation, the protective cover 55 is first rotated downwardly to expose
the opening 24 of the case 20. To remove a disc 26, the thumb and index
fingers are used to press the finger 31 of the latch mechanism 32 on the
sidewall 36 of the casing 20 as illustrated in FIG. 2. Pressing the finger
31 allows the tension in the leaf spring 38 to be released and the tray 22
ejected. The ejected tray 22 is free to slide in the tracks 30. Thus, a
single hand can grab the leading portion of the ejected tray 22 and slide
it outwardly from the case 20 to fully expose the disc 26. The disc 26 can
then be easily removed from the tray 22 using only one hand.
In order to retain the compact disc 26 in the tray, a circular hole 58 in
the center of the disc is mated with a central hub 60 of the tray 22. In a
fashion that is conventional in jewel boxes, the compact disc 26 is
pressed onto the central hub 60, which has resilient fingers 60a
compressed by the circular hole 58 of the disc. The hub 60 then grips the
compact disc 26 and holds it in place on the tray 22.
The tray 22 is substantially flat and square shaped. Its top surface is
contoured to define a central recess 22a bordered by front and back ridges
22b and 22c, respectively. Transitions 22d and 22e between the recess 22a
and the ridges 22b and 22c are arcuate in shape in order to complement and
follow the shape of the disc 26. The disc 26 is supported by the recess
22a and is bordered by the ridges 22b and 22c to form a nested
arrangement. The front and back ridges 22b and 22c are undercut as best
illustrated in FIG. 7 in order to minimize the mass of the tray 22.
Each of the trays 22 spans the tracks 30 and is supported at each track by
a rail 51c. Each tray 22 freely slides along the rail 51c such that the
tray can be completely removed from the case 20 or it can be fully
retracted into the case, in which case the latch mechanism 32 locks the
tray in its fully retracted position.
In addition to embodiments of the invention in which several compact discs
26 are stored, the invention also contemplates an embodiment in which a
single disc is stored. FIGS. 12-14 illustrate an embodiment of the
invention in which a single disc 26 is stored in a case 64 in keeping with
the invention. As illustrated in FIGS. 12-14, the tray 22 is the same as
the tray 22 of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-11. Preferably, the
case 64 is formed as one piece. Tracks such as the tracks 30 in the
embodiment in FIGS. 1-11 are not required because only a single tray 22 is
received by the case 64. Both of the latch mechanisms 32 of the tray 22,
however, are engaged by mating slots 66 in the case 64.
In this single tray embodiment, a leaf spring 68 for ejecting the tray 22
is configured differently than the leaf spring 38 in the embodiment of
FIGS. 1-11. The leaf spring 68 in the embodiment of FIGS. 12-14 has two
arms 68a and 68b extending from an elongated portion 68c that spans an
open back wall 70 of the case 64. The spring 68 is retained in the case 64
at two hairpin bends 68d and 68e formed at the ends of the elongated
member of the spring 68. Each of the hairpin bends 68d and 68e is received
by a slot formed by two opposing walls 64a and 64b. A tab 64c provides
stability to the spring 68 when tension is loaded into it and released
from it.
FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate alternative embodiments for a leaf spring that
is secured to the back of the tray in contrast to the leaf springs of the
embodiments of FIGS. 1-11 and 12-14, which are secured to the case. In
FIG. 15, a leaf spring 72 is separately formed and then attached to the
tray 22'. In FIG. 16, a leaf spring 74 is formed as an integral part of
the tray 22".
In keeping with the invention, a case for two compact discs has
approximately the same thickness as a single jewel case. Therefore, in the
same space a jewel case holds one compact disc whereas the invention holds
two. As the size of the case is increased to hold more compact discs, the
space saving increases geometrically; that is, the more discs the case
accommodates, the more space it saves relative to stacked conventional
jewel cases. For example, a six-pack version of the case according to the
invention is approximately 35 percent of the size of six stacked jewel
cases. A larger case according to the invention that accommodates 24
compact discs is approximately seven inches tall whereas 24 jewel cases
stack to a height of approximately 30 inches.
To the further advantage of the space savings offered by the invention, a
further contemplated embodiment of the invention provides storage for a
large collection of compact discs 26 in a case intended to be only quasi
portable. Such a further alternative embodiment of the invention is
illustrated in FIGS. 17-20, which is a 24-pack case 76 that is well suited
for providing permanent storage for a number of compact discs 26. By color
coding the face of the case 76, discs of different categories (e.g., | | |
