Disc retainer for disc storage device

• US 5,494,156 A
• Filed: 07/21/1994
• Issued: 02/27/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Optima Precision Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Optima Precision Incorporated
• Inventors: Nies, Joseph H.
• Primary Examiner(s): FIDEI, DAVID
• Application Number:
  US08/278,163
• Time in Patent Office: 586 Days
• Field of Search: 206/310, 206/308.1, 206/309, 206/493
• US Class Current: 206/310
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/0427 comprising centre hole locking means

Abstract

A disc storage device is provided with a panel (10) having a disc receiving surface (16) which includes a retainer disposed thereon for receiving a disc having a central opening (12). The disc retainer includes a circular arrangement of alternating spring fingers (22) and substantially rigid posts (26) extending upwardly from the disc receiving surface and through the disc central opening, to contact the central opening edge and maintain the disc in place during transport and storage. Enhanced structural integrity of the device can be provided by connecting the posts (26a, 26x) together at the central opening.

Claims

1. A disc storage device for receiving and retaining a circular disc having a circular opening formed at the center thereof, said device comprising:

a substantially planar panel having an upwardly facing disc receiving surface;

a circular opening formed in said panel near the center thereof;

a plurality of upwardly extending spring fingers formed adjacent said panel opening for contacting the edge of said disc at said disc circular opening; and

a plurality of upwardly extending posts formed adjacent said panel opening for contacting the edge of said disc at said disc circular opening;

said spring fingers extending upwardly from said disc receiving surface a height greater than the height of said posts above said disc receiving surface, said spring fingers and said posts being radially disposed in a circular array around said circular opening in said panel.

2. A disc storage device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the height of said spring fingers above said posts is in the area of 0.6 to 1.3 millimeters.

3. A disc storage device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said spring fingers and said posts are alternated one with the other in circular array.

4. A disc storage device as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least a portion of each of said spring fingers extends radially outwardly from said panel circular opening a distance beyond that of each of said posts.

5. A disc storage device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said posts are extended into said panel circular opening and are interconnected one to the other at the center of said opening.

6. A disc storage device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said spring fingers and said posts are arranged in a circular array about said circular opening formed in said panel.

7. A disc storage device as set forth in claim 6 wherein said spring fingers and said posts are alternated in said circular array.

8. A disc storage device as set forth in claim 7 wherein at least a portion of each of said spring fingers extends radially outwardly from said panel circular opening a distance beyond that of each of said posts.

9. A disc storage device as set forth in claim 8 wherein said posts are extended into said panel circular opening and are interconnected one to the other at the center of said opening.

10. A disc storage device as set forth in claim 7 wherein said posts are interconnected one to the other by a ring about said opening.

11. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the panel is formed of a transparent plastic.