COMPACT DISC CASE

Abstract: This invention provides an improved compact disc case or the like comprising two hinged parts (10, 11) adapted to be closed to house a compact disc or like article wherein the hinged parts are held closed by a catch including a button part (12) on one of the parts adapted to interact with the other part to form a latch, the button part (12) being formed integrally with said one part and resiliently mounted to latch and unlatch in a snap-fit action. The case preferably includes a biasing element (14) interacting between the two hinged parts (10, 11) and acting to bias the two hinged parts apart. The case also preferably includes at least one edge surface (17) curved along a relatively large radius of curvature to avoid light reflection and enable easy reading of information located along or adjacent said curved edge.

Description: COMPACT DISC CASE Technical Field The present invention relates to a compact disc case which conventionally comprises a clear plastic case (polycarbonate plastic or the like) made with two hinged halves and being closable with a simple latching arrangement. Background Art It has been found that problems can occur with the conventional compact disc case. One problem which is commonly experienced is that of the latch for holding the two hinged halves of the case in the closed position becoming inoperative over time. The latch becomes subject to wear or breakage over a period of usage, subsequently leading to accidental and unwanted opening of the case. A further problem experienced with conventional compact disc cases is that information located along an edge surface forming the spine of the case is sometimes difficult to read in certain lighting conditions. Typically the spine of the case displays information regarding the nature of the compact disc contained within and in certain lighting conditions this information can prove difficult to read. It is therefore an object of the present invention is to provide an improved novel compact disc case which will alleviate some of the problems of the prior art. Summary of the Invention One aspect of the present invention provides a catch mechanism for a compact disc case or the like comprising two hinged parts adapted to be closed to form a case to house a compact disc or like article wherein said hinged parts are held closed by a catch including a button part on one of the parts adapted to interact with the other part to form a latch, the button part being formed integrally with said one part and resiliently mounted to latch and unlatch in a snap-fit action. The present invention also provides a compact disc case or the like comprising two hinged parts adapted to be closed to house a compact disc or like article wherein said hinged parts are held closed by a catch including a button part on one of the parts adapted to interact with the other part to form a latch, the button part being formed integrally with said one part and resiliently mounted to latch and unlatch in a snap-fit action. Preferably the button part is adapted such that it can be depressed by the finger of a user to unlatch the two hinged parts so as to open the case. Preferably the button part includes a ledge adapted to act upon a surface of the second hinged part to provide the latch. Preferably the present invention includes a biasing element interacting between the two hinged parts and acting to bias the two hinged parts apart. It is further preferable that the biasing element is formed integrally on one of the said hinged parts. Preferably the biasing element is formed integrally on the same hinged part as the button part. In a further aspect of the present invention at least one edge surface of the case is curved along a relatively large radius of curvature to avoid light reflection and enable easy reading of information located along or adjacent said curved edge. Brief Description of Drawings The preferred features of the present invention will be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Fig. 1 is a plan view of a compact disc case according to the present invention with the hinged parts of the case in an open position. Fig. 2 is a sectional view through the compact disc case with the hinged parts closed; Fig. 3 is a plan view of one corner of the compact disc case illustrating features of the catch mechanism and the compact disc support area; and Fig. 4 is a perspective view from above the closed case. Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiment Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, a preferred embodiment of the compact disc case is depicted in an open position. The case comprises hinged parts 10 and 11 preferably hinged by a plastic hinge 11a. The hinge 11a may be formed by integral parts of each of the hinged parts 10, 11 or alternatively the hinge 11a may be separate from the hinged parts 10, 11. Referring to Figs. 1 and 3, the case is fitted with a centrally mounted spindle 15 for locating a compact disc or similar article in the known manner. Furthermore the surface of the hinged part 10 is formed with indentations 16 located to allow entry of the fingers to pick up the edge of the compact disc for ease of removal from the case. Referring to Fig. 2, the hinged part 10 includes a button portion 12 mounted on a stem 20. The button portion 12 is sized and shaped so that it may be pressed by a finger of a user. The button portion 12 has a cantilever-type mounting on stem 20 such that upon the application of a force by the finger of the user against the surface of the button 12 the stem 20 will slightly deform and move the button away from the corresponding catch portion 13 on the hinged part 11. The range of movement of the button 12 caused by the deflection of stem 20 is illustrated in dotted outline. The button 12 includes a ledge 12a which is adapted to interact with the surface of the catch portion 13 on hinged part 11. In the closed position depicted, the ledge 12a of the button interacts with the surface of the catch portion 13 to hold the case closed. To augment the opening of the two parts 10 and 11 when the button 12 is depressed to release the catch, a resilient biasing element 14 acts to move the hinged part 11 upwardly away from the latched position. The biasing element 14 is preferably formed integrally with the button member 12. Therefore upon depressing the button 12 the catch is released and the hinged part 11 springs open under the action of the biasing element 14. Referring to Fig. 2 the hinged part 11 is shown in broken line in the unlatched position. Referring to Fig. 4, an edge surface 17 of the case is formed with a curved surface having relatively large radius of curvature to avoid unwanted light reflection and thereby enabling easy reading of information as to the content of the compact disc or like article when the case is stored in a library or storage area. In the embodiment depicted, the surface 17 is the edge surface of the free, unhinged end of part 10 of the case. It should be noted however that the surface 17 may be formed on either the unhinged or hinged ends of either part 10 or 11 of the case. The matching edges 18 and 19 of the hinged portions as shown Fig. 3 are formed with a neat curve formation to improve the aesthetic appearance of the case. When closed, the edge 18 lies adjacent the edge 19 to provide a smooth outer surface.

Claims: THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS: 1. A catch mechanism for a compact disc case or the like comprising two hinged parts adapted to be closed to form a case to house a compact disc or like article, wherein said hinged parts are held closed by a catch including a button part on one of the parts adapted to interact with the other part to form a latch, said button part being formed integrally with said one part and resiliently mounted to latch and unlatch in a snap-fit action. 2. The catch mechanism according to claim 1 wherein there is provided a spring mechanism interacting between the two hinged parts and acting to bias the two hinged parts apart. 3. The catch mechanism according to claim 2 wherein the biasing element is formed integrally on one of the said hinged parts.

Inventors: MCEWAN STURT, MCEWAN, STURT
Applicants: DURADISC PTY LIMITED, MCEWAN STURT, DURADISC PTY. LIMITED, MCEWAN, STURT
Application year: 1996
Main classification: G11B23
IPC codes: B65D85, G11B23, G11B33