Optical disc case

Abstract

A case. The case comprises a body, a depressable platform and a plurality of first supporting elements. The body comprises a surface. The plurality of first supporting elements are connected between the surface and the depressable platform, each comprising a supporting portion. When pressure is applied on the depressable platform, each supporting portion applies supporting force on a disc.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an optical disc case, and in particular to a case accommodating different disc sizes and/or shapes.

2. Description of the Related Art

FIGS. 1 and 2 a show a conventional optical disc case composing a body 10, a cover 20, and a frame 11. The cover 20 is connected to the body 10 by a molded hinge mechanism and the frame 11 is connected to the body 10 at its perimeter. The primary functions of the case are storage and protection of contents (a disc). A notch 21 on the frame 11 allows opening. Further, an annular rib 12 inside the case positions the disc 30. A pair of engaging elements 13 are provided at the center of the area encircled by a rib 12. Each engaging element 13 has a cantilevered strut 40, and a hemispherical tongue 41 on the upper end of the cantilevered strut(s) 40. A gap 14 is provided between the engaging elements 13.

FIG. 2 b shows the case with a disc 30 mounted therein, fixed by the engaging elements 13 via disc 30's central hole 31. The edge of the disc 30 abuts on the annular rib 12.

To remove the disc 30, downward pressure on the hemispherical tongue 41 of the engaging elements 13 flexes the cantilevered struts 40 thereof in direction(s) A, A′. The disc 30, supported by the annular rib 12, does not move downward but rather temporarily deforms. A gap 14 allows the hemispherical tongues 41 to converge with the flexing of the engaging elements 13. The disc 30 is thereby released from the engaging elements 13 and springs upward, allowing easy removal.

However, if the disc is smaller or not circular, as shown in FIG. 2c, designated by reference numeral 33, the edges do not contact the rib 12. Hence, such a disc 33 cannot be easily removed by depressing the hemispherical tongues 41 of the engaging elements 13. Thus, a smaller or non-circular disc 33 may not be conveniently stored in the case as described.

Taiwan patent No. 472773 discloses an engaging structure with higher structural stiffness. To execute disc release, a strong force must be applied to the engaging structure, a considerably more laborious and inconvenient operation.

As shown in FIG. 3a, a through hole 51 is formed in the center of an optical disc (e.g. DVD) 50. In FIG. 3b, a portion A of FIG. 3a, the disc 50 comprises a first layer 52 and a second layer 53, between which seam 54 occurs. In FIG. 3c, upon disc release, an edge 221 of an engaging member 220 may inadvertently catch the seam 54 such that disc release is hampered and damage may occur.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The case of the present invention comprises a body, a plurality of first supporting elements, holders and a depressable platform. The body comprises a surface. Each first supporting element comprises a first end, a second end and a supporting portion. The first end is connected to the surface. The supporting portion is located at the corner of the first supporting element. First gaps are formed between the first supporting elements. The holders are connected to the second ends of the first supporting elements to fix a disc. The depressable platform is connected to the second ends of the first supporting elements. When pressure is applied on the depressable platform, the holders release the disc. At the same time, the first supporting elements provide support to the disc to assist release.

Even if the disc is small or not circular, the supporting portions provide the supporting force so that the disc can spring up and be released. As well, the first gaps are formed between the first supporting elements to improve the deformation ability thereof, such that, disc release and fixing are eased. Additionally, the rounded free end of the holder prevents the holder from engaging a seam of a DVD disc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention can be more fully understood by reading the subsequent detailed description and examples with references made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a conventional case;

FIG. 2 a is a cross-section of a conventional case;

FIG. 2 b shows disc release in a conventional case;

FIG. 2 c shows a smaller disc placed in a conventional case;

FIG. 3 a shows an optical disc (DVD);

FIG. 3 b is a schematic enlarged view of area A in FIG. 3c.

FIG. 4 shows the main structures of a case of the present invention;

FIG. 5 a shows the engaging structure of the present invention;

FIG. 5 b shows a supporting portion supporting the disc;

FIG. 5 c shows a holder of the present invention releasing a DVD;

FIG. 6 shows the case of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIG. 4, the case 100 of the present invention comprises a body 110, a cover 120 and an engaging structure 200. The body 110 has a surface 112 and a first engaging element 111. The engaging structure 200 is disposed on the surface 112. The cover 120 has a second engaging element 121 and is rotatably connected to the body 110. The first engaging element 111 engages the second engaging element 121.

As shown in FIG. 5a, the engaging structure 200 comprises first supporting elements 210, holders 220, a depressable platform 230 and second supporting elements 250. Each first supporting element 210 is L shaped, comprising a first end 211, a second end 212 and a supporting portion 213. The first end 211 is connected to the surface 112. The supporting portion 213 is formed on a corner of the first supporting element 210. First gaps 215 are formed between the first supporting elements 210. Each holder 220 is connected to the second end 212 to fix a disc. The depressable platform 230 is connected to the second ends 212. Second gaps 240 are formed between the holders 220 and the depressable platform 230 to allow the holder to near the depressable platform 230. Each first supporting element 210 comprises a first notch 216 contacting the surface 112 to increase the deformability of the first supporting element 210. The second supporting elements 250 are disposed on the surface 112, located in the notch 216 to assist disc release.

As shown in FIGS. 5a and 3a, when a (DVD) disc 50 is placed in the case, the holders 220 of the engaging structure 200 engage the edges of the through hole 51.

When the disc 50 is removed from the case 100, pressure applied on the depressable platform 230 forces the engaging structure 200 downward, and the disc 50 is supported by the supporting portions 213 and the second supporting elements 250 and temporarily deformed.

As shown in FIG. 5b, the supporting portions 213 and the second supporting elements 250 apply a supporting force F on the disc 50 to assist disc release. When the engaging structure 200 lowers continually, the holders 220 near the depressable platform 230 and release the disc 50.

As shown in FIG. 5c, a free end 221 of the holder 220 is rounded to disc removal, such that the seam 54 of the disc 50 is not engaged.

As shown in FIG. 6, the case 100 further comprises an annular rib 130, disposed on the surface 112 around the engaging structure 200 to protect the disc 50. Second notches 131 are formed on the annular rib 130 to increase disc removal convenience. As well, third supporting elements 132 are disposed near the annular rib 130, lower than the first supporting elements 210 to prevent the disc 50 from tilting or engaging during removal.

Even if the disc is small or is not circular, the supporting portions 213 provide supporting force so that the disc 50 springs up and can be released. As well, the first notch 216 between the first supporting elements 210 improve the deformability thereof, such that disc release and fixing are eased. Additionally, the rounded free end 221 of the holder 220 prevents the holder 220 from engaging a seam 54 of the disc 50.

While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of the preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. To the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements (as would be apparent to those skilled in the art). Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements.

Claims

1. A case, comprising: a body, comprising a surface; a depressable platform; and a plurality of first supporting elements, connected between the surface and the depressable platform, each comprising a supporting portion, wherein when pressure is applied on the depressable platform, each supporting portion applies supporting force on a disc.

2. The case as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one first gap is disposed between the first supporting elements.

3. The case as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one holder on the first supporting element, constraining the disc.

4. The case as claimed in claim 3, wherein at least one second gap is disposed between the holder and the depressable platform.

5. The case as claimed in claim 1, wherein each first supporting element comprises a first notch contacting the surface.

6. The case as claimed in claim 5, further comprising at least one second supporting element, disposed on the surface in the first notch.

7. The case as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an annular rib on the surface around the first supporting elements.

8. The case as claimed in claim 7, wherein a second notch is formed on the annular rib.

9. The case as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a plurality of third supporting element, disposed near the annular rib lower than the first supporting elements.

10. The case as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a cover, rotatably connected to the body.

11. The case as claimed in claim 1, wherein a round angle is formed at a free end of the holder.

12. The case as claimed in claim 1, wherein the disc is a DVD disc.