Device for locking a media disc to a retaining hub

• US 6,675,961 B2
• Filed: 08/26/2002
• Issued: 01/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Autronic Plastics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nexpak Corporation
• Inventors: Byrne, James M., Myszka, Kevin E.
• Primary Examiner(s): MOHANDESI, JILA M
• Application Number:
  US10/228,409
• Publication Number:
  US 20020189961A1
• Time in Patent Office: 505 Days
• Field of Search: 206/308.2, 206/493, 206/309, 206/308.1, 206/310, 206/807, 206/303, 206/1.5, 206/387.11, D 6/634, D 6/635, D 6/632, D 6/407
• US Class Current: 206/308.2
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/0427 comprising centre hole locking means
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/045 comprising centre hole locking means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 206/807 Tamper proof

Abstract

A locking device for a disc retaining hub includes a base and a head that lock together over the hub to lock a disc on the hub until a portion of the locking device is destroyed. The head or the base of the locking device includes locking fingers that allow the head and base to lock together in a one-way snap fit connection. The locking mechanism may also cooperate with the disc retaining hub to lock itself to the hub. The locking mechanism prevents the disc from being removed from the hub until the locking mechanism is destroyed by the user.

Claims

1. In combination, a disc locking device and a disc-retaining hub;

the disc-retaining hub adapted to hold a disc-shaped item of recorded media on the hub in a manner that allows a consumer to remove the disc from the hub and replace the disc on the hub;

the disc-shaped item of recorded media having a central opening with a portion of the hub disposed in the central opening;

the disc-retaining hub having an upper surface;

the disc locking device lockingly engaging the disc-retaining hub to prevent the disc from being removed from the disc-retaining hub when the disc locking device is locked to the disc-retaining hub;

the disc-retaining hub including an upwardly extending post that extends from the upper surface of the disc-retaining hub; and

the disc locking device lockingly engaging the upwardly extending post when the disc locking device is in the locked position to prevent a disc from being removed from the disc-retaining hub.

2. The combination of claim 1, wherein the disc locking device defines an opening;

the upwardly extending post having a portion that is positioned within the opening of the disc locking device when the disc locking device is in the locked position.

3. The combination of claim 2, wherein the disc locking device includes at least one locking finger that lockingly engages the upwardly extending post when the disc locking device is in the locked position.

4. The combination of claim 3, wherein the upwardly extending post includes at least one locking finger adapted to cooperate with the locking finger of the disc locking device when the disc locking device is in the locked position.

5. The combination of claim 4, wherein the disc locking device includes an upper wall;

the at least one locking finger of the disc locking device being disposed below the upper wall.

6. The combination of claim 5, wherein the disc locking device includes a downwardly extending wall that extends downwardly from the upper wall;

the at least one locking finger of the disc locking device extending inwardly from the downwardly extending wall.

7. The combination of claim 6, wherein the downwardly extending wall defines openings.

8. The combination of claim 1, wherein the upwardly extending post is integrally fabricated with the disc-retaining hub.

9. The combination of claim 1, wherein the disc locking device includes a lower surface;

the lower surface of the disc-retaining device adapted to engage the upper surface of a disc-shaped item of recorded media when the disc-shaped item of recorded media is held on the disc-retaining hub and the disc locking device is in the locked position.

10. A media storage container comprising:

a base;

a lid hingedly connected to the base and moveable between open and closed positions;

the lid and base cooperating to define a storage compartment when the lid is in the closed position;

a disc-retaining hub connected to the base;

the disc-retaining hub adapted to receive a disc in the form of one of a CD and a DVD on the hub in a storage position;

the disc having a central opening and the hub being adapted to fit within the central opening of the disc;

the hub including a protrusion adapted to be disposed above the disc when the disc is in the storage position;

a first element of a locking device connected to the disc-retaining hub;

the first element of the locking device extending upwardly from the hub above the protrusion of the hub; and

a second element of the locking device;

the second element of the locking device adapted to selectively lock to the first element of the locking device to prevent the one of the CD and DVD from being removed from the disc-retaining hub.

11. The media storage container of claim 10, wherein the first and second elements of the locking device are positioned within the storage compartment when the lid is in the closed position.

12. The media storage container of claim 10, wherein the disc-retaining hub includes a lower support surface;

the second element of the locking device adapted to trap the disc between the second element of the locking device and the lower support surface.

13. The media storage container of claim 10, wherein the base includes a bottom wall;

the disc-retaining hub adapted to hold the disc above the bottom wall.

14. The combination of claim 10, wherein the disc retaining hub defines an upper wall;

the first locking element including a post extending upwardly from the upper wall of the disc-retaining hub.

15. The combination of claim 14, wherein the upwardly extending post is integrally fabricated with the disc-retaining hub.

16. The combination of claim 14, wherein the second locking member including flexible locking fingers that lock to the post when the second locking member is in the locked position.