Abstract:
An optic disk protective assembly for providing a replaceable protective covering for disks containing optically retrievable data. The optic disk protective assembly includes a centerpiece adhesively affixable to an optical disk and a cover member removably and replaceably couplable to the centerpiece.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to optic disk protectors and more particularly pertains to a new optic disk protective assembly for providing a replaceable protective covering for disks containing optically retrievable data. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The use of optic disk protectors is known in the prior art. Known prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 5,791,467 which discloses a cover held to a disk by a pocket. U.S. Pat. No. 5,855,273 discloses radially resilient clamping studs for holding a protector on an optic disk. U.S. Pat. No. 4,736,840 discloses upper and lower plates having a radius greater than a standard radius to form a protective storage device for optic disks. U.S. Pat. No. 3,987,900 discloses a jacket assembly for magnetic disk memory. U.S. Pat. No. 4,879,710 discloses a cellulose triacetate film with adhesive in a center portion for semi-permanent attachment to an optic disk. U.S. Pat. No. Des. 362,367 shows an ornamental appearance for a cover for an optical disk. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the need remains for an assembly that provides protection for an optical disk while also providing a more easily replaced protective cover should the protective cover itself become damaged. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention meets the needs presented above by providing a centerpiece that attaches directly to an optical disk and a protective cover that snaps onto the centerpiece into a protective position over the optic disk. Should the protective cover become damaged, it can be unsnapped from the centerpiece and a new protective cover put into place. In the event the centerpiece becomes damaged, it too may be replaced. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new optic disk protective assembly that is highly economical in that protective covers can be easily and inexpensively produced. 
     Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new optic disk protective assembly that requires centering of the placement of only the centerpiece because the protective cover is centered automatically when centerpiece is centered. Thus easy replacement of the protective cover alone is possible without having to worry about centering the protective cover. 
     To this end, the present invention generally comprises a centerpiece adhesively affixable to an optical disk and a cover member removably and replaceably couplable to the centerpiece. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     The objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a new optic disk protective assembly according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 2 thereof, a new optic disk protective assembly embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described. 
     As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 2, the optic disk protective assembly  10  generally comprises a centerpiece  20  having a face  22  designed for coupling to a center portion  4  of an optic disk  2 . A lip  24  extends from the centerpiece  20 . A transparent cover  30  has a groove  32  for receiving and engaging the lip  24 . Thus, the transparent cover  30  is coupled to the centerpiece  20  such that the transparent cover  30  is adapted for covering a face  6  of the optic disk  2  when the centerpiece  20  is coupled to the optic disk  2 . 
     The groove  32  is offset from a face  34  of the transparent cover  30 . Thus, the face  34  abuts the face  6  of the optic disk when the transparent cover  30  is coupled to the centerpiece  20  to protect the face  6  of the optic disk  2  from damage. 
     An adhesive  40  is coupled to the face  22  of the centerpiece  20  for affixing the centerpiece  20  to the optic disk  2 . Typically, the adhesive  40  is of such a quality that the centerpiece is held firmly in place during normal use but is weak enough that the centerpiece is still removable from the optic disk  2  without taking extraordinary measures that would likely damage the optic disk. Thus, the centerpiece  20  may be replaced if it is damaged. 
     The transparent cover  30  includes a recess  36  for receiving the centerpiece  20  when the transparent cover  30  is coupled to the centerpiece  20 . 
     Although other shapes may be employed, the centerpiece  20  is most preferably annular. The recess  36  is shaped for snugly receiving the centerpiece  20  for facilitating alignment of the lip  24  with the groove  32 . 
     The recess  36  is complimentary in shape to the centerpiece  20 . Thus, the face  22  of the centerpiece  20  is positioned flush with the first face  34  of the transparent cover  30  when the transparent cover  30  is coupled to the centerpiece  20 . 
     The lip  24  has an angled outer perimeter wall  66  for facilitating engagement of the lip  24  to the groove  32 . 
     In use, the centerpiece is centered and attached to the optic disk. The protective cover then snaps onto the centerpiece into position covering the face of the optic disk to protect it from damage. Typically the protective cover is constructed from a relatively inexpensive transparent material that will not interfere with reading of the optically stored data on the optic disk. Should the protective cover become damaged, it is removable from the centerpiece and replaced by snapping another undamaged protective cover into place. 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.