Patent ID: 6547068
Filing Date: 2003-04-15
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
A single push-button type storage case for a disk-shaped information carrier having a centrally disposed hole, comprising:a lid; a joint edge; a base integrally joined to said lid by way of said joint edge; a first collar flange disposed at a center of said base and which defines said base into an outer bottom disposed outside of said first collar flange and an inner bottom located in said first collar flange, said first collar flange being substantially fitted to an outline of an information carrier inserted therein; and a central supporting portion disposed on the inner bottom, the central supporting portion including: at least two actuatable spring-catches forming a locking element, each spring-catch having a first upwardly and outwardly projecting portion which is adapted to overlap an inner edge of the hole of the information carrier, each spring-catch further comprising a spring-arm extending radially and outwardly from the first projecting portion along a radially directed line so as to lie under the information carrier, each said spring-arm having an inner horizontal plane portion that extends out from the first projecting portion, each said spring-arm further having an outer tilted portion that tilts down from the plane portion to the inner bottom, the tilted potion having a length that is substantially greater than a length of the plane portion so as to increase flexibility of the spring-arm; and at least two inactive supporting clips forming a supporting element, each supporting clip having a second upwardly projecting portion which has a same curvature radius as the inner edge of the hole of the information carrier, each supporting clip further comprising a supporting plate that extends radially outward from the second projecting portion, each said supporting plate having an inner horizontal plane portion that extends out from the second projecting portion, and each having an outer tilted portion that tilts down to the inner bottom, the respective tilted portions of said supporting clips and said spring-catches collectively forming a conical seat, the respective plane portions of said supporting clips and said spring-catches collectively forming a circular supporting surface for supporting the information carrier at the edge of the hole, the spring-catches and the supporting clips being spaced from each other using spacing slits; and a push-button, said push-button, said first projecting portions and said second projecting portions collectively forming a central retaining element that is adapted to pass through the hole of the information carrier, with said first projecting portions engaging the edge of the hole of the information carrier to retain the information carrier in place, said push-button being disposed in a central hole defined by said spring-catches and the supporting clips and being integrated with an underside of the spring-catches, wherein when said push button is pushed, said first projecting portions disengage the edge of the hole of the information carrier, and wherein the increased flexibility of said spring arms reduces an amount of force needed to push the push button to disengage said first projecting portions.