Patent ID: 6450332
Filing Date: 2002-09-17
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
A case for storing a compact disc comprising:a box-like base shell formed of a planar bottom wall, two opposite side walls, a rear wall and a front wall, the base shell being adapted to receive the compact disc; a cover shell sized to fit over the base shell and including a planar top wall, two opposite side walls and a rear end hingely connected to a rear end of the base shell, the cover shell being pivotable between an open position away from the base shell for opening the case and a close position against the base shell for closing the case; a locking mechanism to releasably lock the cover shell in the close position; and biasing means adapted to cooperate with the locking mechanism for biasingly popping up the cover shell in the open position as the locking mechanism is released, the biasing means comprising: at least one elongated torsion spring element associated with a corresponding side wall of the cover shell and extending inside the base shell along the rear end thereof, the torsion element hingely connecting said corresponding side wall of the cover shell to the rear end of the base shell; and having: a first end portion secured to said corresponding side wall of the cover shell and thereby being movable therewith; a second end portion immobilized along the rear end of the base shell; and a twistable central portion extending between the first end portion and the second end portion and being disposed such that it is twisted as the cover shell is locked in the locked position and relaxed as the cover shell is in the open position, thereby popping up the cover shell as it is unlocked.