SYSTEM FOR MODIFICATION OF FLOPPY DISKETTES OF DIFFERENT SIZES CONSISTING OF A TEMPLATE AND A HOLE-PUNCHING TOOL

Abstract: This is a system for modification of floppy diskettes e.g. 8'' or 5 1/4'' for software used in computers and peripheral equipment, making it possible to alter their original storage capacity of information on the magnetic surfaces, or disks. The modification is achieved by creating special holes or perforations, for optical and magnetic decoding. These new holes are produced symmetrically on both sides of the black protective cover of the disk or on its edge(s). The system uses a combination of a template (1) which is hollow and consist of two identical incomplete rectangulars surfaces, closed at (7a), (7b) and open at (3a), (3b). Each surface being equipped with positioned semicircles (1a), (1b) and U-shaped openings through both surfaces (1c), (1d), (1e), (1f). Also, an angled alpha punching-tool (9) consisting of two cutting jaws (10a), (10b) which when closed lie inside each other, forming an internal U-shaped space, and which are connected to the handles (11a), (11b). A floppy diskette can be inserted into the template or guide (1), and after adjustment of corner (8a) with corner (8b) and positioning of areas (1a) with (5a) or (1b) with (5b), the front part of the hole-punching tool (9a) of (9), can be put in such a position that the closing of the cutting jaws (10a), (10b) results in cutting a hole e.g. (2b) on the diskette cover (2a); the shape of the hole determined for ex. by the contour of a U-shaped opening e.g. (1c) of the template or guide (1).

Description: SYSTEM FOR MODIFICATION OF FLOPPY DISKETTES OF DIFFERENT SIZES CONSISTING OF A TEMPLATE AND A HOLE-PUNCHING TOOL. A system for modification of floppy diskettes e.g 8" or 5 V4" used for computers and peripheral equipments,utilizing a sys¬ tem of holes as reference points for both optical and magnetic decoding,which occurs when accessing such floppy diskettes. During the manufacturing process,a magnetic software disk is usually coated on both sides and is always furnished with just one hole. When the magnetic disk turns,thiβ hole comes into li¬ ne with a larger hole,or reference point,found on both sides or surfaces of the black protective cover of the magnetic disk. The position of this double hole on the black cover,is the one decisive factor which makes a floppy diskette usable on one si- de(single-sided) or on both sides(double-sided). The machines or computers are provided with a decoding mechanism which is of¬ ten only compatible with one kind of diskette. A floppy dis- kette of the double-sided type can store twice as much infor¬ mation as a single-sided diskette,but is usually more expensive. The system,following the invention : -described above, ives the users the possibility of altering the original storage capacity of the floppy diskettes e.g 8" or 5 1 /4" » by means of a simple operation, selectivly punching one or more special holes symme¬ trically on both surfaces of the black cover or on its edges. By this method,a single-sided floppy diskette becomes a double- sided one, or vice-versa ,and in this way also a single-sided floppy diskette can be modified so that both sides are usable if this diskette is turned over. The conventional procedures for hole-making available on the market,are not directly related to a specific system and their form or technical data are suitable for other functions. None of them have the expertise,the criteria,the shape,the technique, or the simplicity which are caracteristic for the system following the invention. The system,following the invention,is a combination of a tem- plate(1) and a hole-punching tool(9).The template(t) which is hollow and made of a bendable or rigid material,e.g treated card or plastic,is composed of two incomplete rectangles,partially sealed at areas(7a), (7b),identical surfaces,each one supplied with positioned semicircles a , 1b ,with completed U-shaped ho¬ les through (1c),(1d),(1e)and (1f). The hole-punching tool(9)is bent at an angle (X)and its front part(9a)consist of two U-sha¬ ped cutting jaws manufactured of a hard material e.g metal. 5 Upon closing the cutting jaws,the ltwer, smaller part(10b)lies inside the upper part(10a). The cutting jaws(10a), (10b)are brou¬ ght into motion by a joint connected to the handles(11a), (11b), which are covered with a hard material or plastic. By pushing a floppy diskette e.g 8"(2)into the t " emplate(l),after adjust- 10 ments of corners(8a)an (8b)and positioning of areas(1a)and(5a) , fit the hole-punching tool(9)or its front part(9a)into the de¬ sired U-formed opening,in such a way that a closing of the cut¬ ting jaws(10a), (IOb)produces a hole,e.g (2b)in the side of the diskette's cover(2a);fche shaped of the hole(2b)being determined •)c by the contour of the. jaws., of the hole-punching tool(9)and by the contour of the U-formed opening(lc) of the template(1). The invention as shown from above in FIGURE 1 depicts a tem¬ plate or guide(1) ,into which a floppy diskette e.g 8" is inserted. FIGURE 2 shows the other side of the template(l)identically sy- 20 mmetrical to the first side,being, fitted in this case with a 5 1/4" floppy diskette. FIGURE 5 shows a side view of the other part of the invention,the hole-punching tool(9). FIGURE 4 shows a view from above of the hole-punching tool(9). FIGURE 5 shows how the hole-punching tool(9) is used in a U-shaped opening in 5 the template(1). FIGURE 6 shows a cross-section of the cutting movement of the cutting jaws(lθa), (10b) of the hole-punching tooli(9). FIGURE 1:-. Tne te_p ' late(1 );hollov,shown on one side,is manu¬ factured of bendable or rigid material,e.g treated card or plas- 0 tic. The template(l) consist of two identical and symmetrically formed surfaces of an incomplete rectangle,closed or sealed by two edges(7a), (7b). Each of these surfaces are provided with positioned semicircles (1a), (1b) and U-shaped openings or guides ' (1c),(1d),(1e), and(1f)completely through both surfaces of the 5 template(l)« A floppy diskette e.g 8"(2)is inserted into the tem- plate( )in the direction of A >B with the right hand(5a)and lower(5b)edges of the template(1)open and rounded-off..such as (5c), (5<3) in a way that the upper left-hand corner(8a)of the floppy diskette(2)fits exa ctly with the upper' left-hand corner (8b)of the template( 1 )with the circle-shaped part(5a )of the flo¬ ppy diskette(2 )fitting exa ctly with the positioned semicircle ( 1a )of the template(1 )along(6a ) . Two of the U-shaped openings c) , (1d )of the template(1 )clearly outline their contours, posi¬ tions for eventual holes that can be produced on the cover (2a )of the floppy diskette(2) . Modifing the floppy diskette, e.g 8" with a hole at (1c) , produces a double-sided diskette, with a hole at ( Id )produces a single-sided diskette .usable on two sides if tur- ned over. FIGURE 2: This figure shows the other side of the template(1) which is identical in every way to the first shown in Figure 1. A floppy ' diskette,e.g V4( 2 )i s inserted into the template- (1) from left to right in the direction A' _-B'so that the upper right corner(8a)of the diskette(2)fit» the upper right corner(θb) of the template(1), and the upper circle-shaped part(5b)of the floppy diskette(2)fits exactly with the positioned semicircle(lb) in the template(1 )limited along(6b). The two U-shaped openings (le), (1f)clearly outline with their contours,the positions for the holes that can be produced in the cover(2a)of the floppy dis¬ kette e.g 5 1 /4"(2). The holes can be produced simultaneously at (1e) and(1f), with the hole at (1f)going in one operation comple¬ tely through the cover(2a)of the floppy diskette(2). FIGURE 5s Side view of the hole-punching tool(9)consisting of a front part(9a)furnished with two cutting jaws( 0a), (10b)of abl- ong-shaped special profile for better fit,and a U-shaped empty space on the inside. The cutting jaws being made of e.g metal. The lower part(10b)of the cutting jaws fits inside the upper part (IOa)projecting out beyond to eject the cut out material. The cutting jaws(10a), (10b)are connected by a joint which is bent at an angle(θ{)to make usage easier by providing an angle of insertion for the lower jaw(10b). The joint is kept in position by the use of an element or rivet(15). The joint comes into motion by manua¬ lly pressing together or releassing pressure on the support sur- face of the handles(Ha), (Hb)composed e.g of a hard material such as plastic. The two parts of the handle can be held together if de¬ sired by the use of an S-shaped lock(12)when not in use. FIGURE 4: Yiew from above of the hole-punching tool(9). the figure shov the cutting jaws or profile(1 Oa ) , 0b)which are cut out on the inside to prodice U-shaped with the profile/edge(10b) manufactured in a way that it fits perfectly inside of the pro- file/edge(10a). The joint between the profiles/edges(10a), (10b) is held in position by the rivet(l5)itself positioned so that a mechanism or spring(l4)is kept in position inside the cutting lower jaw(10b). In this way,it is held in continual contact with the inside of the upper cutting jaw(10a) at the same time,acting as a re-joining element for the handles(11a), (11b)whβa these are pressed together manually * Both of the oblong handles possess a widened extension(9b)which provides a better grip. By pressing the two handles towards each other,the edge of the cutting jaw (10b)moves towards the edge of the cutting jaw(10a) and fits in¬ side it in such a way that a cutting is achieved by the coming together of the angles produced by both flat edges(13a), (1 $. FIGURE s This figure shows the performance of the hole pun¬ cher tool(9),or its front part(9a),inserted in the direction of the arrows into the guide or opening,in this case(lc)in the tem¬ plate^). The insertion has been done in such a way that upper/ profile edge of the cutting jaw(10a)resting on the outside of the diskette cover(2a),can easily fit into the outside parts of the diskette cover e.g the U-shaped opening or guide(lc)shown here. Similarly,one side of the lower profile(10b)restsagainst the inside-o " the diskette cover(2a)at the sane " time,the oiher . side rests . against the- . -.surface βf the magnetic disk(4). The part of the cover(2b)shows an exemple of a hole to produce on the co¬ ver. The actual perforation(4a)effected along(1d),is showing the magnetic disk(-4)»intact,underneath the hole produced. Every hole that is produced,must generaly,with the exception of the hole(1f) be punched on both sides of the diskette cover(2a). This is easi¬ ly achieved by turning over the template(1),after the first hole is produced, eeping the floppy diskette(2)in place inside the co¬ ver,and repeating the hole-punching operation at coresponding guide or opening,in the same way as at (1c). FIGURE 6: Usage of the hole-punching tool(9)is shown in cross- section with the cutting jaws(10a), (10b)in the open position and inserted as shown in Figure 5« The Figure shows clearly the hole- punching procedure; manual pressure is applied in the direction shown by the arrows,on the handles(11a), (11b). These move towards each other, causing the cutting edge (10b) to move inside the cutting edge (10a), resulting in a cutting and hole-punching movement on part of the cover (2a) of the floppy diskette (2) lined up with the template/

Claims: CLAIMS 1. System for modification of floppy diskettes of different sizes,e.g. 8" or 5 V^",for software used in computers and peri¬ pheral equipment, which makes it possible to change the original capacity for storage of informations on these diskettes,through the manufacture of new holes on their protective covers, for op¬ tical and magnetic functions , characterized by a template (1) or guide,into which different sizes of diskettes can be inserted and by means of U-shaped openings( 1c) ,(1d) ,( 1e),(if)in the tem¬ plateO), outlines are formed of tho^e areas where hole-punching should take place on the diskettes covers(2a), and by a hole- punching tool(9)which makes possible complete or partial cutting or punching,followed,by ex. the ejection of the cut-out piece outline by the said templateO), e.g. the U-shaped of an opening or a hole. 2. The system, according to Claim 1, characterized by the template or guided), is hollow, and manufactured e.g of plastic or treated, card or other material, and consisting of two iden¬ tical symmetrical positioned incomplete rectangular surfaces which are closed or sealed on two edges(7a) ,(7b)forming a corner (8b), at the same time being opened at the other two edgeε(3a)( 3b) rounded at (3c),(3d), with both rectangular surfaces being pro¬ vided with positioned semicircles(1a) ,(1b) passing through both sides of the templateO) and U-shaped openings (1c) ,Od) ,Oe) ,Of) with similar functions. 3. The system, according to Claim 1 , characterized by the hole-punching tool(9)bent at an angle W .consisting of a front part(9a) provided with two profiled jaws(l0a),(l0b)cut out to form an inner U-shaped opening, the lower part(10b)fitting per¬ fectly inside the upper partdOa), extended whtreby both cutting jaws are attached to each other by a joint held in place by a rivet( * l5), movement achieved through use of the handleε(11a) , (11b)composed of hard material e.g. plastic, whereby a mecha¬ nism or springO .-) among other factors, makes the handles re¬ turn to their original position after usage. k. The system,according to claim 2. , characterized by the template or guideO)being used for insertion of one or several types of diskettes(2) , in accordance with the same principle i.e that a pre-choεen corner e.g. (8a) of a floppy diskette is inser¬ ted- in such a way that it fits exactly the corner e.g.(8b) of the template or guided), and the circle-shaped part(5a) of the dis¬ kettes coτer(2a), action aligning the positioned semicircleOa) of the templateO), along (6a), in the case of a 8" diskette, or the circle-shaped part(5b) of the cover(2a) ,falling in line with the positioned semicircle (1b)of the same templateO), along(6b) in the case of a 5 / n diskette. 3 - The system,according to Claim 1^characterized by the punched holes in this particular case,shall be produced on the. covers(2a)protecting the magnetic disks(^) , hese openings or holes following(1c),Od),Oe),Of)in the template or guided) being produced symmetrically on each surface of the diskettes cover(2a)using both sides of the templated) and symmetrically with regard to the corresponding U-shaped openings, at the excep¬ tion of a hole punched followingdf), which can be produced en- tirly through both sides of a diskettes cover(2a)in one operation. 6. The system,according to Claim 5ι characterized by the holes outlined,following the U-shaped openings(1c),(1d) , in com¬ bination or separately, determine if a floppy diskette e.g.8" is to be changed from a single-sided diskette to a diskette with two alternately usable εideεdd), or is to be changed from a sin¬ gle-sided diskette to a double-sided one, with both sides usa¬ ble at the same timedc), or vice-verεa, the outlined holes following de),(1f) e.g in combination, determine whether a flo¬ ppy diskette e.g. an 5 ^"» is to be changed from a one-sided to a double-sided diskette or vice-versa. 7. The system,according to claim 3 * characterized by the hole-punching tool(9) used for producing an opening e.g. U-sha¬ ped in the diskette cover e.g.51/V'(2a)j in a single motion a hole following1f)can be produced through both εurfaces of the disk cover (2a), but also a single-surface can be achieved by inserting the lower partd0b)of the hole-punching(9)under (2a)and against the magnetic disk(O, the upper part (10a)lo- cated on top of the same cover(2a)an . confined by the contours in a corresponding U-shaped opening e.g.de) from the template (1), a pressure is then applied to the handles(11a) ,(11b) which moves the lower partdOb) into the upper part(lθa) so that the cutting edges (13a),(13b) ,brought together, punch out a hole e.g (2b) in the disk cover(2a).

Inventors: CHARMOLU PASCAL, NIXON ULRIKA, CHARMOLU, PASCAL, NIXON, ULRIKA
Applicants: CHARMOLU PASCAL, NIXON ULRIKA, CHARMOLU, PASCAL, NIXON, ULRIKA
Application year: 1985
Main classification: G11B23
IPC codes: G11B19, G11B23, G11B33