Patent Application
20080017535
The device 10 comprises a base 12, and a cover 14. The base 12 has an upwardly facing disc receiving portion 16 configured to receive a disc. The disc receiving portion 16 is of a typical construction and is generally circular and recessed in the base 12. The circular recess is shaped to have approximately the same shape as the disc to be received, which will typically be of a standard size. However, if discs are available in other sizes, the disc receiving portion 16 may be altered to accommodate such discs. The disc receiving portion 16 also has a set of resilient fingers 17 in a center thereof for releasably engaging the spindle hole in the center of a disc. These fingers 17 are standard and need not be described in detail.
As an optional feature, the disc receiving portion 16 may have at least one finger recess 18 at an edge thereof of enabling a user to contact an edge of a disc received therein. In the illustrated embodiment, there are four such recesses 18, spaced at about 90 degrees apart and at the corners of the base 12. The number and configuration of such recesses 18 may vary, and the illustrated embodiment is not intended to be limiting.
In the illustrated embodiment, the base 12 has a generally rectangular configuration. The base 12 has a pair of opposing edge portions 20, 22 that will be discussed in further detail below. A pair of opposing walls 24, 26 also extends generally perpendicularly between the edge portions 20, 22. However, the base 12 may have any other shape or configuration, and is not limited to the one illustrated.
The base 12 may be formed of molded plastic, or made from any other suitable material by any other suitable manufacturing method.
Holes 42 are provided on the edge portion of the base 12 for mounting the device to a ring binder or the like. These holes, or any other attachment device, are entirely optional.
The cover 14 comprises at least a first flap 28 and a second flap 30. The first flap 28 is affixed to the base 12 and overlays at least part of the disc receiving portion 16 and the second flap 30 is affixed to the base 12 and overlays at least part of the first flap 28.
Specifically, the first flap 28 has its edge portion affixed to the edge portion 20 of the base 12. This edge portion 20 has a relatively wide, flat surface for allowing the edge portion of the flap 28 to be affixed thereto. The first flap 28 is preferably shaped to cover the entire disc receiving portion 16. As illustrated, it has an opposite free edge 32 that is positioned against the inner edge of the opposite edge portion 22 of the base 12, and parallel side edges 34, 36 that are positioned along the inner edge of the walls 24, 26. This provides for complete coverage of the disc receiving portion 16. However, the first flap 28 may have a different configuration and need not provide 100% coverage of the disc receiving portion 16 by itself to perform its basic function of covering the disc receiving portion 16 and the disc therein.
The first flap 28 is preferably, but not necessarily formed of two layers or sheets with an opening at the free end, along the sides, or at the attached end. The sheets or layers are bonded or otherwise secured to one another along the remaining edges so that a pocket is formed. This pocket can receive a graphics card, such as the graphics insert that often comes with a CD and includes the artist, album title, etc. Preferably, the top layer, and possibly both layers or sheets, is/are transparent so that the graphics card can be seen. The opening allows insertion and removal of the graphics card. Preferably, the opening extends essentially the entire width of its respective edge, and the pocket occupies the essentially the entire extent of the flap 28.
The second flap 30 has its edge portion affixed to the edge portion 22 of the base 12. This edge portion 22 also has a relatively wide surface for allowing the edge portion of the flap 30 to be affixed thereto. As illustrated, the second flap 30 is a single layer and has an opposite free edge 38, shown as having a semi-circular configuration. This second flap 30 has a much shorter length than the first flap 28, as measured in the direction between edge portions 20, 22. Thus, the second flap overlays the first flap 29 only partially. Preferably but not necessarily, the second flap 30 extends for about 20 to 30% of the length of the flap 28. However, the second flap 30 may have a larger size, such as the same shape as flap 28, such that it extends entirely over the first flap 28. Also, if the first flap 28 were shorter, then the second flap 30 may also cover some part of the disc receiving portion 16 and the disc therein.
As preferable option, the second flap 30 is also transparent so that a graphics card in the pocket of the first flap 28 can be seen.
The flaps 28, 30 are movable in opening directions, as shown in
The first and second flaps 28, 30 may be made from the same material, and the second flap 30 may have the higher rigidity by having a higher thickness than the first flap 28. By way of example, the material of the first and second flaps 28, 30 may be acetate, vinyl, polypropylene or polyethylene, and preferably of the transparent type. Also, the first and second flaps 28, 30 may be made from different materials, and the second flap 30 may be provided with the higher rigidity by being made of a more rigid material. By way of example, in such an embodiment, the first flap 28 may be made of acetate, and the second flap 30 may be made of vinyl. Also, the thickness of the second flap may be in the range of 0.25-0.35 mm, and where the first flap 28 is made of two layers is individual layers may be in the range of 0.12 to 0.15 mm.
Any suitable method of affixing the flaps 28, 30 to the edge portions 20, 22 may be used. For example, any one of the following, or a combination thereof, may be used: (a) a mechanical fastener, (b) heat welding, and (c) an adhesive. For mechanical fastener, rivets, stakes, or other fasteners extending through the edge portions of the flaps 28, 30 and edge portions 20, 22 may be used. For heat welding, the plastics material of the flaps 28, 30 may be heated to fuse with the plastics material of the base's edge portions 20, 22. For an adhesive, any suitable adhesive may be used to adhere the flap's edge portions to the upper surfaces of edge portions 20, 22.
The particular shape, configuration, and materials for the cover 14 is provided only as an example and is not intended to be limiting. In contrast, other covers with different shapes, configurations and/or materials than those described may be used.
As an option, the walls 24, 26 may be provided with notches or recesses 40. These notches or recesses 40 allow the user to insert the tip of his or her finger underneath the flaps for making lifting of them easier. These notches/recesses 40 are illustrated as being at the edge of the first flap 28, so that lifting the first flap 28 can present the edge 38 of the second flap for easier grasping. As can be seen in the Figures, one of the notches/recesses also extends into the bottom wall of the base 12 for enhancing the user's ability to engage underneath the first flap 28. There could be only one of these notches, or many, and the configuration or arrangement shown should not be regarded as limiting.
The foregoing detailed description has been provided solely for illustrating the structural and functional principles of the present invention, and is not intended to be limiting. To the contrary, the present invention is intended to encompass all modifications, substitutions, alterations, and equivalents within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
