Patent Publication Number: US-2003234192-A1

Title: Optical disc case structure

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0002] The invention relates to an optical disc case structure. More particularly, the invention relates to an optical disc case structure that is provided with peripheral clamping members for immobilizing the optical disc in the case.  
       [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art  
       [0004] Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, two perspective views schematically show the structure of a conventional optical disc case. The conventional disc case usually receives a standard disc  10  having a diameter of 12 cm. The disc case is constructed from a bottom cover  1  and a top cover  2  assembled with each other. The bottom cover  1  includes a bottom board  11  whose front and rear outer peripheries are respectively provided with front and rear peripheral projections  12  that are symmetrical to each other. Each front/rear peripheral projection  12  is composed of two projecting elements that are spaced apart from each other via a groove  15  and, furthermore, respectively define a flange  13  via a recessed portion  14  approximately located at a central position of each projecting element. Left and right peripheral projections  16 ,  17  further project respectively from a left outer periphery and a right outer periphery. An outer surface of the right peripheral projection  17 , at a central portion, is further recessed into an opening groove  171 . Each front/rear peripheral projection  12  extends beyond the left peripheral projection  16  into a connecting segment  19  provided with a pivot axle  191 .  
       [0005] A top surface of the bottom board  11  is provided with short arcuate projections  111  that are coaxial to one another to fit an outer diameter of the disc  10 . The short arcuate projections  11  are conventionally four arcuate projections placed vis-a-vis four corners of the bottom board  11 , defined by the connection of the front/rear peripheral projections  12  with the left and right peripheral projections  16 ,  17 . Inwardly from the short arcuate projections  111 , long arcuate projections  113 , conventionally thinner and smaller, are placed on the bottom board  11  respectively vis-a-vis the left and right peripheral projections  16 ,  17 . The long arcuate projections  113  are coaxial to each other with a length greater than two corresponding short arcuate projections  111 . On the top surface of the bottom board  11 , a projecting ring  112  is arranged vis-a-vis a central periphery of the central hole of the disc  10  while a holding member  18  is further placed vis-a-vis the central hole of the disc  10 . The holding member  18  is composed of at least three portions. Each portion respectively has an arcuate positioning tongue  181  and an arcuate holding tongue  182  to position and hold the disc  10 , as shown in FIG. 2 through FIG. 4. A protuberance  184  is located on an upper portion of the outer surface of the arcuate holding tongue  182  to position and hold the disc  10  by engaging its central hole. The arcuate positioning tongue  181  has a lateral contour longer than that of the arcuate holding tongue  182 , and an outer surface of the tongue  181  is upwardly curved into a rounded profile  183 .  
       [0006] The top cover  2  includes a top board  21  whose left, front, and rear outer peripheries are respectively provided with projecting peripheral segments  24 ,  22 ,  23 , while the right outer periphery is opened. Furthermore, connecting segments  26  are placed proximate to the left peripheral segment  24  and respectively spaced apart from the front/rear peripheral segments  22 ,  23  via spacing grooves  25 . A pivot hole  261  is defined through each connecting segments  22 ,  23  to engage with the pivot axle  191  of the connecting segments  19 . Attachment grooves  221 ,  231  are further defined in the front and rear peripheral segments  22 ,  23  to engage with protuberances  121  respectively formed on the front and rear peripheral projections  12 , when the bottom and top covers  1 ,  2  are closed by folding onto each other.  
       [0007] On the top cover  21 , a long holder bar  27  is placed proximate to the left peripheral segment  24  while a pair of short holder bars  28  are placed proximate to the right peripheral side of the top cover  21 . A pair of transversal flanges  29  respectively project inwardly from an inner surface of the front and rear peripheral segments  22 ,  23 , and engage the inwardly recessed portions  14  of the bottom cover  1 . A slot  291  is further respectively defined through each transversal flange  29  of the top board  21 .  
       [0008] With the above case structure, the disc  10  is held in or released from the disc case by means of the protuberance  184  and the resilience property of the material that constitutes the arcuate holding tongue  182 . The deviation of the arcuate holding tongue  182  is therefore limited. The above conventional case structure may be subjected to various deficiencies, as described hereafter. For example, the protuberance  184  may be easily broken or the arcuate holding tongue  182  may be deformed. Furthermore, the bottom surface of the arcuate holding tongue  182  is coplanar with the bottom surface of the bottom board  11 . As a result, the pressure exerted on the tongue  182 , when the disc  10  is taken, can generate a negative stress on the contact portion of the bottom surface of the tongue  182  with the bottom surface of the bottom board  11 . Although a resulting deviation may not be significant, this deficiency however may cause the holding member  18  not to be durable. Therefore, a ringed recess  185  is usually defined on the periphery of the holding member  18  to relieve stress. However, this disposition does not provide satisfactory results with respect to the durability of the holding member.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009] It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide an optical disc case structure that overcomes the above problems by achieving an effective clamping of the optical disc placed in the case.  
       [0010] It is another object of the invention to provide an optical disc case structure that has a reduced dimensional size so that it can be disposed in a smaller occupation space.  
       [0011] Furthermore, it is another object of the invention to provide, an optical disc case structure that allows an easy take-up of the disc when the case structure is opened.  
       [0012] To accomplish the above and other objectives, an optical disc case structure of, the invention comprises a bottom cover and a top cover that are pivotably mounted to each other. The bottom cover defines a placement space in which the optical disc is disposed. Within the placement space, a positioning member is placed to position the optical disc. The top cover is further provided with transversal flanges placed in such a manner that once the top and bottom covers fold onto each other, the transversal flanges press on the outer peripheral edge of the optical disc, thereby securely immobilizing the optical disc within the closed case structure. Once the top and bottom covers are unfolded, the optical disc is released from clamping and can be freely picked up. The optical disc is thereby securely protected within the case structure.  
       [0013] To provide a further understanding of the invention, the following detailed description illustrates embodiments and examples of the invention, this detailed description being provided only for illustration of the invention.  
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0014] The drawings included herein provide a further understanding of the invention. A brief introduction of the drawings is as follows:  
     [0015]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional optical disc case structure in an opening configuration;  
     [0016]FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the portion A of FIG. 1;  
     [0017]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1;  
     [0018]FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the portion B of FIG. 3;  
     [0019]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an optical disc case structure in an opening configuration according to an embodiment of the invention;  
     [0020]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an optical disc case structure in a closing configuration according to an embodiment of the invention;  
     [0021]FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the section  7 - 7  of FIG. 6;  
     [0022]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another example of an optical disc case structure in an opening configuration according to an embodiment of the invention;  
     [0023]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another variant example of an optical disc case structure in an opening configuration according to an embodiment of the invention; and  
     [0024]FIG. 10 is an enlarged view showing the pivot assembly of the top cover with the bottom cover according to an embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS  
     [0025] Wherever possible in the following description, like reference numerals will refer to like elements and parts unless otherwise illustrated.  
     [0026] Referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 9, two perspective views schematically show a structure of disc case according to an embodiment of the invention. A disc case  3  comprises a bottom cover  30  and a top cover  40  that are mounted to each other via a pivot hinge. The bottom cover  30  and the top cover  40  can thereby rotatably unfold or fold onto each other to achieve opening or closing of the disc case  3 . The disc case  3  is closed up with both bottom and top covers  30 ,  40  covering on each other.  
     [0027] The bottom cover  30  includes a bottom board  31 . A front peripheral projection  32  and a rear peripheral projection  33  are projecting proximate to a front outer periphery and a rear outer periphery of the bottom cover  31 . Each of the front and rear peripheral projections  32 ,  33  is comprised of a pair of projecting elements symmetrical to each other. Each projecting element includes, at pa central zone thereof, a portion  34  recessed inwardly toward an inner zone of the bottom board  31 . Both symmetrical projecting elements of each of the front and rear peripheral projections  32 ,  33  are respectively spaced apart from each other via take-up/put-in grooves  322 ,  332 . The grooves  322 ,  332  enable a user, via his/her fingers, to either take up or put a disc  50  in the disc case  3 . A left peripheral projection  36  and a right peripheral projection  37  further respectively protrude from a left outer periphery and a right outer periphery of the bottom board  31 . A recess  371  is particularly defined in a central portion of the right peripheral projection  37  to allow the opening of the top cover  40 . The left and right peripheral projections  36 ,  37  are further connected to the front and rear peripheral projections  32 ,  33  to form a frame in which a placement space is defined to receive the disc  50 . The bottom cover  30  can be, for example, made of an opaque material. An inclined face  312  is further formed proximate to the groove  322  of the bottom board  31 . Proximate to either one (FIG. 5) or two sides (FIG. 8) of the grooves  322 ,  332 , slots  323 ,  324 ,  333 ,  334  are defined through the front and rear peripheral projections  32 ,  33 . In the illustration of FIG. 5, at sides opposite to the slots  323 ,  333  with respect to the grooves  322 ,  332 , recessed portions  325 ,  335  are further defined in the front and rear peripheral projections  32 ,  33 .  
     [0028] On an inner surface  311  of the bottom cover  31  are formed a peripheral protruding ring  34  having a diameter slightly smaller than that of the outer diameter of the optical disc  50 , and a central protruding ring  35  having a diameter slightly smaller than the storage region of the optical disc. Out of the peripheral protruding ring  34  are formed four arcuate projections  341  that have a height approximately equal to the height of the optical disc  50  once the optical disc  50  is placed on the bottom cover  31 . The length of the arcuate projections  341  however does not extend proximate to the slots  323 ,  324 ,  333 ,  334 . The inner surface  311  of the bottom cover  31  is further provided with a conically pillared positioning member  38  having an outer surface provided with a recessed portion to receive and carry a central hole of the optical disc  50 . As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the optical disc  50  is thereby placed within the case  3  at a height providing protection from damaging pressures thereon.  
     [0029] The front and rear peripheral projections  32 ,  33  respectively terminate into a connecting segment  39  on the side of the left peripheral projection  36 . The connecting segments  39  respectively include pivot axles  391  that are coaxially vis-a-vis each other. The pivot axles  391  may be alternatively directly placed on the front and rear peripheral projections  32 ,  33 .  
     [0030] The top cover  40  includes a top board  41 . On a bottom surface of the top board  41 , a plurality of peripheral segments  44 ,  42 ,  43  downwardly project from, respectively, a left, front, and rear peripheral side to form a U-shaped peripheral frame. The top board  41  is slightly larger than the bottom board  31 . Connecting segments  46  are respectively spaced apart from the front and rear peripheral segments  42 ,  43  via spacing grooves  45  that are placed proximate to the left peripheral segment  44 . Each connecting segment  46  of the top board  41  is provided with a pivot hole  461 , and is placed vis-a-vis one connecting segment  39  of the bottom board  31 . Thereby, one pivot axle  391  engages into the pivot hole  461  to pivotably assemble the top cover  41  with the bottom cover  31 . Alternatively, the pivot hole may be directly defined on the peripheral segments  42 ,  43 .  
     [0031] The top cover  40  closes down by folding onto the bottom cover  30  with the front and rear peripheral segments  42 ,  43  externally covering over the front and rear peripheral projections  32 ,  33 . When the top cover  40  and the bottom cover  30  are hence folded onto each other, extending portions  422  of the front and rear peripheral segments  42 ,  43  are respectively located adjacently vis-a-vis the take-up/put-in grooves  35 . Furthermore, the front and rear peripheral segments  42 ,  43  adjacently engage over the front and rear peripheral projections  32 ,  33  by abutting against an outer surface thereof. Because the top cover  40  is larger than the bottom cover  30 , the left peripheral segment  44  of the top cover  40  is outwardly located with respect to the left peripheral projection  36 , thereby forming a grooved space there between. When the disc case  3  is closed, the user via his/her fingers can thereby disengage the disc case  3  via pushing toward the left peripheral segment  44 .  
     [0032] Attachment grooves  421 ,  431  are further respectively defined through the front and rear peripheral segments  42 ,  43  of the top cover  41 . Meanwhile, attachment protuberances  321 ,  331  are correspondingly placed on an outer surface of the front and rear peripheral projections  32 ,  33 , respectively. The top cover  40  is thereby fastened to the bottom cover  30  via the attachment protuberances  321 ,  331  respectively engaging into the attachment grooves  421 ,  431 . The attachment grooves  421 ,  431  can be, for example, through holes.  
     [0033] As shown in FIG. 10, the left peripheral segment  44  of the top cover  41  oppositely terminates into two ending portions in which notches  441  are respectively defined. The left peripheral projection  36  oppositely terminates into two ending portions that are respectively provided with stopping protuberances  361  corresponding to the notches  441 . When the top cover  40  and the bottom cover  30  are unfolded  180  degrees, the stopping protuberances  361  engages into the notches  441 , thereby blocking further rotation-of the top cover  40 .  
     [0034] As shown in FIG. 5, transversal flanges  49  respectively project inwardly from an inner surface of the front and rear peripheral segments  42 ,  43 , and engage the corresponding slots  323 ,  333  of the bottom board  31 . A notice or presentation card can be thereby inserted between the transversal flanges  49 . A slot  491  is further respectively defined through each transversal flange  49  of the top board  41 . Furthermore, inner surfaces of the front and rear peripheral segments  42 ,  43  are provided with positioning flanges  423 ,  433  through which are further defined slots  424 ,  425 . Hence placed, the positioning flanges  423 ,  433  engages the recessed portions  325 ,  335  when the bottom and top covers  30 ,  40  fold onto each other. The top cover  40  is made of a transparent material, and the disc case  3  can be achieved with a thickness below 6 mm.  
     [0035] In traditional case structure, the above transversal flanges  49  are placed in a manner not to contact with the optical disc  50 . In contrast, the invention places the transversal flanges  49  in a manner to be proximate to the take-up/put-in grooves  322 ,  332 . As variously illustrated in FIG. 5 and FIG. 8 (where positioning flanges  423 ,  433  are removed), the transversal flanges  49  may be placed either at one respective side or two respective sides of the take-up/put-in grooves  322 ,  332 . Hence, once the top cover  40  folds onto the bottom cover  30  with the optical disc  50  placed therein, the transversal flanges  49  press on the outer peripheral edge of the optical disc  50  in such a manner that the optical disc  50  is securely immobilized in the case  3 . The transversal flanges  49  hence achieve the principal positioning and clamping structure of the case  3 . Moreover, as shown in FIG. 9, a projecting segment  442  provided with a flange  443  may be further placed proximate to the left peripheral projection  44  of the top board  41 . The flange  443  is arranged in a manner similar to the flanges  49  to press on the optical disc  50  (as shown in dotted lines of FIG. 8 and FIG. 9) and position advertisement cards (by including slot  444 ) (not shown). An end portion of the flanges  49 ,  443  may be inclined in a manner to more effectively clamp the outer peripheral edge of the optical disc  50 .  
     [0036] In conclusion, the invention uses a simple structure comprised of top and bottom covers to form a relatively thin disc case  3 . The disc case structure of the invention differs from the traditional structure principally in that the positioning member  38  does not immobilize the optical disc, and only achieves a positioning function. Clamping of the optical disc is achieved via several flanges adequately placed on the top cover to press on the optical disc once the top and bottom covers fold onto each other. Once the case is opened via unfolding the top cover from the bottom cover, the optical disc thus can be easily picked up. The case structure of the invention thus provides a convenient and easy disposition and removal of the optical disc that totally differ from the prior art.  
     [0037] It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above description is only illustrative of specific embodiments and examples of the invention. The invention should therefore cover various modifications and variations made to the herein-described structure and operations of the invention, provided they fall within the scope of the invention as defined in the following appended claims.