US20110215012A1 - Disk holding device - Google Patents
Disk holding device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20110215012A1 US20110215012A1 US13/052,311 US201113052311A US2011215012A1 US 20110215012 A1 US20110215012 A1 US 20110215012A1 US 201113052311 A US201113052311 A US 201113052311A US 2011215012 A1 US2011215012 A1 US 2011215012A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- cover
- cassette
- base
- latch arm
- locking surface
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
- G11B33/00—Constructional parts, details or accessories not provided for in the other groups of this subclass
- G11B33/02—Cabinets; Cases; Stands; Disposition of apparatus therein or thereon
- G11B33/04—Cabinets; Cases; Stands; Disposition of apparatus therein or thereon modified to store record carriers
- G11B33/0405—Cabinets; Cases; Stands; Disposition of apparatus therein or thereon modified to store record carriers for storing discs
- G11B33/0411—Single disc boxes
- G11B33/0422—Single disc boxes for discs without cartridge
- G11B33/0427—Single disc boxes for discs without cartridge comprising centre hole locking means
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- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
- G11B33/00—Constructional parts, details or accessories not provided for in the other groups of this subclass
- G11B33/02—Cabinets; Cases; Stands; Disposition of apparatus therein or thereon
- G11B33/022—Cases
- G11B33/025—Portable cases
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
- B65D85/30—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for articles particularly sensitive to damage by shock or pressure
Definitions
- This invention generally relates to a disk holding device, and more particularly to a locking mechanism for a disk holding device.
- Hard drive disks typically are manufactured in one location and packaged in disk holding devices, which are subsequently placed in a container for shipment to another location.
- the disk holding devices eventually are removed from the containers and used to store the hard drive disks during distribution in a production process.
- the hard drive disks must be protected during all phases of a normal production cycle.
- Typical disk holding devices include a cassette portion, a cover and a latch to lock the device closed.
- hard drive disks are received within a plurality of slots within the cassette portion interior.
- Other disk holding devices are also known.
- This invention provides an improved latch arm that satisfies that need.
- a disk holding device for packaging hard drive disks includes a base, a cassette that is received against the base and a cover that is received over the cassette.
- the base includes a first locking surface.
- the cover includes a latch arm near an end of the cover.
- the latch arm has a second locking surface against which the first locking surface is received to secure the base and the cover together. At least one of the first locking surface or the second locking surface is moveable in an inward direction toward an interior of the cassette to unlock the locking surfaces so that the base and cover can be separated to open the disk holding device.
- the first locking surface is part of a protruding tab on the stem.
- the second locking surface in one such example is a surface near a slot on the latch arm. The tab is at least partially received into the slot for securing the base and the cover together.
- FIG. 1 schematically shows a disk holding device including a latch arm designed according to one embodiment of this invention.
- FIG. 2 is a side view of the cover for the disk holding device of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 3 illustrates the disk holding device of FIG. 1 in an assembled condition.
- FIG. 4 illustrates a second example disk holding device.
- FIG. 5 illustrates an assembled view of the second example disk holding device illustrated in FIG. 4 .
- FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of an example locking surface configuration of the disk holding device shown in FIG. 4 .
- FIG. 7 illustrates a front view of another example locking surface configuration of the disk holding device shown in FIG. 4 .
- FIG. 8 illustrates a front view of yet another example locking surface configuration of the disk holding device shown in FIG. 4 .
- FIG. 9 illustrates a front view of yet another example locking surface configuration of the disk holding device shown in FIG. 4 .
- FIGS. 10A and 10B schematically show a process for unlocking the example disk holding devices.
- FIG. 11 illustrates another example disk holding device designed according to an embodiment of this invention.
- FIG. 12 schematically shows a process for unlocking the example disk holding device of FIG. 11 .
- FIG. 13 schematically shows selected portions of another example embodiment.
- FIG. 1 schematically shows an example disk holding device 10 for housing a plurality of disks 12 .
- the example disk holding device 10 includes a cassette portion 14 , an example base portion 16 and an example cover 18 .
- the cassette portion 14 includes two side walls 20 , 22 and two end walls 24 , 26 which are configured to form an interior 28 for safely packaging the plurality of disks 12 .
- the side walls 20 , 22 are aligned generally parallel to one another and are designed to minimize contact between and provide support to the plurality of disks 12 , keeping them spaced apart from one another and in a generally stable position within the disk holding device 10 .
- the disks 12 are received in a plurality of slots 30 formed in the side walls 20 , 22 of the cassette portion 14 .
- At least one of the opposing end walls 24 , 26 includes a channel 34 .
- both end walls 24 , 26 include a channel 34 .
- the channel 34 is generally U-shaped. The channel 34 is provided on at least one end wall 24 , 26 for access to the hard drive disks 12 when packaged in the cassette portion 14 .
- the base portion 16 is secured on one side of the cassette portion 14 using an interference fit, for example.
- the base portion 16 is formed as a single piece, integral with the cassette portion 14 .
- the cover 18 is received against an opposite side of the cassette portion 14 from the base portion 16 .
- the cover 18 includes a latch arm 32 for locking the disk holding device 10 that extends toward the base portion 16 and is selectively secured to a locking surface 36 of the base portion 16 .
- the cover 18 includes two latch arms 32 , with one latch arm 32 positioned at each end of the cover 18 .
- FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the latch arm 32 A positioned near one end 38 of the cover 18 .
- the latch arm 32 A extends transversely from the cover 18 (i.e., toward the base portion 16 ).
- a first surface 40 of the latch arm 32 A faces generally toward an end 42 of the cover 18 which is opposite the end 38 .
- the latch arm 32 A includes a second surface 44 which faces opposite the first surface 40 . In other words, the second surface 44 faces away from the end 42 of the cover 18 .
- the example latch arm 32 includes a locking tab 46 that protrudes from the second surface 44 away from the cover 18 .
- the locking tab 46 is positioned at a distal end of the latch arm 32 .
- the latch arm also includes a lifting ledge 48 and at least one finger grip 50 .
- the lifting ledge 48 may assist automated removal of the cover 18 as described below.
- two finger grips 50 are included on the latch arm 32 .
- the finger grips 50 may assist a user in manually manipulating the cover 18 relative to the disk holding device 10 .
- the lifting ledge 48 and at least one finger grip 50 extend in substantially the same direction as the locking tab 46 .
- the example lifting ledge 48 is positioned on the second surface 44 of the latch arm 32 between the finger grip 50 and the locking tab 46 .
- Each of the locking tab 46 , the lifting ledge 48 and the finger grip 50 protrude in a transverse direction away from the second surface 44 of the latch arm 32 .
- the transverse direction faces away from the interior 28 of the disk holding device 10 , for example.
- Having a latch arm 32 with features such as the locking tab 46 that face away from the interior 28 of the disk holding device 10 is the opposite of previous designs.
- the example embodiment facilitates improved interaction between the disk holding device 10 and automated machinery used to manipulate the latch arm 32 during a production process.
- An exemplary base portion 16 includes a locking surface 36 near one end wall 53 .
- the end wall 53 includes arm portions 58 adjacent the locking surface 36 to provide support and rigidity.
- the locking surface 36 extends between the two arm portions 58 .
- a groove 60 exists between the end wall 53 and the locking surface 36 . At least a portion of the latch arm 32 is received through the groove 60 when the cover 18 , the cassette portion 14 and the base 16 are assembled as shown in FIG. 3 , for example.
- a groove 52 is formed on the latch arm 32 between the two finger grips 50 .
- the groove 52 on the surface 44 exists, in part, to establish a boss 54 that extends from the first surface 40 of the latch arm toward the interior of the device 10 .
- the boss 54 selectively engages the channel 34 of an end wall 24 , 26 to seal the disk holding device 10 when the cover 18 is received and locked on the cassette portion 14 (see FIG. 3 , for example).
- FIG. 3 An assembled disk holding device 10 is illustrated in FIG. 3 .
- the cover 18 is secured to the disk holding device 10 in a locked position.
- the latch arm 32 at least partially extends through the groove 60 of the base portion 16 .
- the locking tab 46 at least partially abuts the locking surface 36 .
- the locking tab 46 is received against the locking surface 36 of the base portion 16 as the portion of the latch arm 32 moves through the groove 60 .
- the locking tab 46 has an angled surface 62 that facilitates inserting the tab through the groove 60 .
- the locking tab 46 also has a locking surface 64 that contacts the locking surface 36 on the base portion 16 .
- FIGS. 4-8 schematically illustrate another example disk holding device 80 for housing a plurality of disks 12 .
- the disk holding device 80 includes a cassette portion 82 , a base portion 84 and a cover 86 .
- the cassette portion 82 is substantially similar to the cassette portion 14 of the example disk holding device 10 .
- the base portion 84 and the cover 86 include unique features different from the example base portion 16 and the example cover 18 of the disk holding device 10 .
- the cover 86 includes an end wall 88 having a latch arm 87 for locking the disk holding device 80 that extends toward the base portion 84 and is selectively secured to a locking surface 90 of the base portion 84 .
- the cover 86 includes two end walls 88 , with one latch arm 87 positioned at each end of the cover 86 .
- FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the end walls 88 extending transversely from the cover 86 and toward the base portion 84 .
- the example end walls 88 include a channel engaging portion 91 and a locking tab 85 that protrudes from the latch arm 87 in a direction away from the cover 86 (i.e., away from the interior of the disk holding device 80 ).
- the locking tab 85 is positioned adjacent to a distal end 89 of the latch arm 87 , in one example.
- the channel engaging portion 91 exists, in part, to establish a boss 93 that extends from the latch arm 87 toward the interior of the disk holding device 80 .
- the boss 93 selectively engages a channel 95 of the end walls 88 of the cassette portion 82 when the cover 86 is received and locked on the cassette portion 82 (see FIG. 5 , for example).
- the locking tab 85 of the latch arm 87 includes two engaging surfaces 92 that are spaced apart and positioned at opposite edges of the latch arm 87 adjacent to the distal end 89 . It should be understood that the actual number and positioning of the engaging surfaces 92 of disk holding device 80 will vary depending upon design specific parameters including the design of the locking surface 90 of the base portion 84 .
- the latch arm 87 may include only one engaging surface 92 similar to the configuration shown in FIG. 1 .
- the latch arm 87 also includes a lifting ledge 98 .
- the lifting ledge 98 is offset from the engaging surfaces 92 of the latch arm 87 in a direction towards the end of the disk holding device 80 which includes the cover 86 , in this example.
- the lifting ledge 98 may assist automated or manual removal of the cover 86 , as described in greater detail below.
- the lifting ledge 98 protrudes from the latch arm 87 the same direction as the engaging surfaces 92 (i.e., transversely from the exterior surface of the latch arm 87 ).
- the lifting ledge 98 includes a curved portion 100 which is positioned between two ledge portions 102 , in one example.
- the curved portion 100 mirrors a corresponding central portion 104 of the locking surface 90 , for example, as is further discussed below.
- a manipulating surface 106 is exposed between the engaging surfaces 92 and the lifting ledge 98 of the latch arm 87 when the cover 86 is locked in place.
- Having a latch arm 87 with features such as the engaging surfaces 92 that face away from the interior of the disk holding 80 is the opposite of previous designs.
- the example embodiment facilitates an improved interaction between the disk holding device 80 and a human finger or automated machinery used to manipulate the latch arms 87 during a production process.
- the example base portion 84 includes a locking surface 90 near one end wall 108 .
- the base portion 84 includes arms 110 adjacent to the locking surface 90 to provide support and rigidity.
- the locking surface 90 extends between the arms 110 .
- Each arm 110 includes a first portion 112 which extends toward the cover 86 and a second portion 114 which protrudes away from the interior of the disk holding device 80 in a direction similar to the engaging surfaces 92 to at least partially sandwich the latch arms 87 .
- a groove 116 exists between the end wall 108 and the locking surface 90 and extends between the second surfaces 114 of the arms 110 . At least a portion of the latch arm 87 is received through the groove 116 when the disk holding device 80 is assembled in a locked position (see FIG. 5 ).
- the second portions 114 of the arms 110 partially sandwich the latch arms 87 and prevent any inadvertent unlatching of the latch arms 87 during shipping, etc.
- a central portion 104 of the locking surface 90 extends horizontally (i.e., straight across) between the arms 110 (See FIG. 9 ).
- the locking surface 90 includes an “interrupted” central portion 104 disposed between flanges 97 . “Interrupted” is intended to describe a locking surface that is not straight across the entire surface but, instead, varies in configuration or profile at the central portion 104 .
- the central portion 104 is curved and minors the curved portion 100 of the lifting ledge 98 (See FIG. 6 ).
- the central portion 104 could comprise other shapes and configurations.
- the central portion 104 may be generally rectangular (See FIG. 7 ).
- the flanges 97 of the locking surface 90 exclude the central portion 104 (i.e., the flanges 97 are not bridged by the central portion 104 ) (See FIG. 8 ).
- the curved central portion 104 ( FIG. 6 ) extends in a direction toward a bottom end of the disk holding device 80 .
- the manipulating surface 106 mimics the shape of a human finger.
- the example central portion 104 leaves the manipulating surface 106 exposed, which allows the contact point of the manipulating surface 106 to be moved more toward the bottom end 118 of the disk holding device 80 . This provides improved leverage such that a reduced force is required to manipulate the latch arm 87 to open the disk holding device 80 .
- the engaging surfaces 92 of the locking tab 85 abut the flanges 97 of the locking surface 90 to attach the cover 86 to the base portion 84 when the disk holding device 80 is assembled as shown in FIG. 6 , for example.
- the manipulating surface 106 is unobstructed by the central portion 104 of the locking surface 90 in the area adjacent to the engaging surfaces 92 .
- the engaging surfaces 92 in this example are offset from a distal end 89 of the latch arm 87 a first distance D 1 as shown in FIG. 6 .
- the central portion 104 of the locking surface 90 is offset from the distal end 89 of the latch arm 87 a second distance D 2 .
- the first distance D 1 is greater than the second distance D 2 , in one example (See FIG. 6 ).
- This arrangement includes the feature exposing the manipulating surface 106 toward the bottom end 118 of the disk holding device 80 .
- FIG. 10A schematically shows a machine 70 that manipulates the latch arm 32 of the cover 18 by applying a force F on the latch arm 32 in a direction toward the interior 28 of the disk holding device 10 .
- the force F is applied to the surface 44 below the lifting ledge 48 (Or, the manipulating surface 106 of the second example disk holding device 80 ).
- the example machine 70 has an arm 72 that contacts the surface 44 to apply the force F. The arm 72 moves the distance sufficient to push the locking surface 64 clear of the locking surface 36 so that the locking tab 46 is aligned with the groove 60 .
- the resiliency of the latch arm 32 biases the locking tab 46 away from the interior 28 of the cassette portion 14 such that the locking surfaces 36 and 64 cooperate to keep the device 10 closed.
- the force F is sufficient to overcome that bias.
- the arm 72 moves in an opening direction D 2 to remove the cover 18 from the disk holding device 10 , as is illustrated in FIG. 10B .
- the second direction D 2 is transverse to the direction of the force F.
- the lifting ledge 48 (or the lifting ledge 98 of the disk holding device 80 ) may assist arm 72 in lifting the cover 18 off of the base portion 16 and the cassette 14 .
- the latch arm 32 and the cover 18 are manually manipulated to remove a cover 18 .
- an individual may press against the surface 44 and use the finger grip 50 to manipulate the cover as desired.
- an individual may press against the manipulating surface 106 to release the latch arm 87 of the example disk holding device 80 .
- the illustrated examples include various features that provide improved interaction between production machinery or a human hand and a disk holding device to achieve a more simple method of unlocking a latch arm, for example.
- the illustrated examples include combinations of improved latch arms and base portion features.
- the position of the latch arm 32 within the groove 60 of the example disk holding device 10 provides more security compared to previous arrangements where a latch arm engaged a base from the outside edge of the base.
- the improved design of the latch arm 87 and the locking surface 90 of the example disk holding device 80 results in a lower contact point on the latch arm and provides improved leverage such that less force is needed to release the latch arm 87 .
- Those skilled in the art having the benefit of this description will be able to utilize a latch arm having a locking tab, a base portion with a locking surface, a lifting ledge or finger grips or any combination of these features to meet the needs of their particular situation.
- FIG. 11 shows another example disk holding device 200 .
- This example includes a base 202 , a cassette 204 and a cover 206 .
- a portion of the cassette 204 along one side (the lower side according to the drawing) is received in an interior 208 of the base 202 .
- the cover 206 is received over an opposite side (the upper side according to the drawing) of the cassette 204 .
- an interior of the device is sealed off to prevent any contamination of disks or wafers held in slots 210 within an interior of the cassette 204 .
- the base 202 includes a first locking surface 212 that engages a second locking surface 214 on the cover 206 .
- the illustrated base 202 includes a tab 216 on a stem 218 .
- the first locking surface 212 is on the tab 216 .
- the second locking surface 214 is a surface along one edge of a slot 220 on a latch arm 222 of the cover 206 .
- a machine 234 includes a mover 236 that applies a force to the stem 218 as schematically shown by the arrow 238 .
- the mover 236 urges the tab 216 and a portion of the stem 218 toward the interior of the cassette 204 .
- the stem 218 in this example is at least partially flexible and resilient so that absent a force applied by the machine 234 or a manual force applied by an individual, the stem 218 remains in the position shown in solid lines in FIG. 12 , which is the same orientation of the stem 218 in FIG. 11 .
- the illustrated example includes a holding surface 240 on the stem 218 to facilitate separation of the cover 206 and the base 202 .
- the holding surface 240 is a raised surface. Other holding surface configurations are included in other examples.
- the holding surface 240 interrupts a face of the stem 218 to provide the ability to resist or cause movement of the base 202 when it is being separated from the cover 206 .
- the mover 236 in this example contacts a face on the stem 218 between the first locking surface 212 and the holding surface 240 as can be appreciated from the drawing.
- the mover 236 can contact the surface 240 to either prevent the base 202 from moving in the same direction that the cover 206 is moving as they are being separated or to facilitate moving the base 202 away from the cover (e.g., if the mover 236 moves downward according to the drawing).
- FIGS. 11 and 12 One feature of the example of FIGS. 11 and 12 is that the movement of the tab 216 occurs in an inward direction toward an interior of the cassette 206 for unlocking the device. During that movement the tab 216 and some of the stem 218 are received into a recess 250 between an end wall 252 and side supports 254 on the cassette 206 . This takes advantage of space that is available within the outer envelope of the device 200 and does not require any clearance outside of that envelope for manipulating any portions of the device 200 during unlocking and handling procedures.
- the cover 206 has a channel 224 along an edge of the latch arm 222 .
- Edge walls 226 and 228 establish sides of the channel 224 .
- the edge walls 226 and 228 overlap a complementary portion 230 of the cassette 204 when the container 200 is closed.
- the complementary portion 230 of the cassette 204 is received at least partially into the channel 224 when the cassette 204 and the cover 206 are brought together.
- This arrangement provides a tortuous path between the interior of the cassette 204 and the surrounding environment that is operative to prevent outside contaminants from entering the container and contacting a surface on the disks inside the container. This feature adds further security to the integrity of the disks or wafers within this example container.
- FIG. 13 shows another example arrangement in which the tab 216 protrudes in an inward direction toward the interior of the cassette 204 .
- the first locking surface 212 is on the tab 216 .
- the second locking surface 214 is on one side of the slot 220 .
- the latch arm 222 is received inside of the stem 218 when the cover 206 is secured to the base 202 , which is different than the example of FIGS. 11 and 12 in which the latch arm 22 is received outside of the stem 218 .
- the latch arm 222 is moveable inwardly to release the first and second locking surfaces and unlock the cover 206 from the base 202 .
Abstract
A disk holding device for packaging hard drive disks includes a base, a cassette that is received against the base and a cover that is received over the cassette. The base includes a first locking surface. The cover includes a latch arm near an end of the cover. The latch arm has a second locking surface against which the first locking surface is received to secure the base and the cover together. At least one of the first locking surface or the second locking surface is moveable in an inward direction toward an interior of the cassette to unlock the locking surfaces so that the base and cover can be separated to open the disk holding device.
Description
- This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/868,569, filed Oct. 8, 2007, which is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/355,813, filed Feb. 16, 2006.
- This invention generally relates to a disk holding device, and more particularly to a locking mechanism for a disk holding device.
- Hard drive disks typically are manufactured in one location and packaged in disk holding devices, which are subsequently placed in a container for shipment to another location. The disk holding devices eventually are removed from the containers and used to store the hard drive disks during distribution in a production process. The hard drive disks must be protected during all phases of a normal production cycle.
- A variety of disk holding devices have been developed for packaging, shipping and distributing disks. Typical disk holding devices include a cassette portion, a cover and a latch to lock the device closed. As is known, hard drive disks are received within a plurality of slots within the cassette portion interior. One example is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,902,059. Other disk holding devices are also known.
- During the production process, it is often necessary to remove the cover from the cassette portion of the disk holding device to access the hard drive disks stored within. Automated machinery is often utilized to unlock and remove the cover of the disk holding device. To achieve this result, and because of the locking design of the latch arm of known disk holding devices, the automated machinery must manipulate the latch arm by applying an outward pulling force on the latch arm in a direction away from the interior of the disk holding device to unlock and remove the cover. The manipulation applied by the automated machinery may fail to unlock the latch arm in a relatively large number of instances. Disadvantageously, this may result in decreased production efficiency and increased manufacturing complaints concerning the disk holding devices.
- As such, there is a need for an improved arrangement for locking a disk holding device that achieves improved interaction with automated machinery used in the distribution process. This invention provides an improved latch arm that satisfies that need.
- A disk holding device for packaging hard drive disks includes a base, a cassette that is received against the base and a cover that is received over the cassette. The base includes a first locking surface. The cover includes a latch arm near an end of the cover. The latch arm has a second locking surface against which the first locking surface is received to secure the base and the cover together. At least one of the first locking surface or the second locking surface is moveable in an inward direction toward an interior of the cassette to unlock the locking surfaces so that the base and cover can be separated to open the disk holding device.
- In one example, the first locking surface is part of a protruding tab on the stem. The second locking surface in one such example is a surface near a slot on the latch arm. The tab is at least partially received into the slot for securing the base and the cover together.
- The various features and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows.
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FIG. 1 schematically shows a disk holding device including a latch arm designed according to one embodiment of this invention. -
FIG. 2 is a side view of the cover for the disk holding device ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 3 illustrates the disk holding device ofFIG. 1 in an assembled condition. -
FIG. 4 illustrates a second example disk holding device. -
FIG. 5 illustrates an assembled view of the second example disk holding device illustrated inFIG. 4 . -
FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of an example locking surface configuration of the disk holding device shown inFIG. 4 . -
FIG. 7 illustrates a front view of another example locking surface configuration of the disk holding device shown inFIG. 4 . -
FIG. 8 illustrates a front view of yet another example locking surface configuration of the disk holding device shown inFIG. 4 . -
FIG. 9 illustrates a front view of yet another example locking surface configuration of the disk holding device shown inFIG. 4 . -
FIGS. 10A and 10B schematically show a process for unlocking the example disk holding devices. -
FIG. 11 illustrates another example disk holding device designed according to an embodiment of this invention. -
FIG. 12 schematically shows a process for unlocking the example disk holding device ofFIG. 11 . -
FIG. 13 schematically shows selected portions of another example embodiment. -
FIG. 1 schematically shows an exampledisk holding device 10 for housing a plurality ofdisks 12. The exampledisk holding device 10 includes acassette portion 14, anexample base portion 16 and anexample cover 18. Thecassette portion 14 includes twoside walls end walls interior 28 for safely packaging the plurality ofdisks 12. Theside walls disks 12, keeping them spaced apart from one another and in a generally stable position within thedisk holding device 10. Thedisks 12 are received in a plurality ofslots 30 formed in theside walls cassette portion 14. - At least one of the
opposing end walls channel 34. In one example, bothend walls channel 34. In the illustrated example, thechannel 34 is generally U-shaped. Thechannel 34 is provided on at least oneend wall hard drive disks 12 when packaged in thecassette portion 14. - In the illustrated example, the
base portion 16 is secured on one side of thecassette portion 14 using an interference fit, for example. In another example, thebase portion 16 is formed as a single piece, integral with thecassette portion 14. Thecover 18 is received against an opposite side of thecassette portion 14 from thebase portion 16. Thecover 18 includes alatch arm 32 for locking thedisk holding device 10 that extends toward thebase portion 16 and is selectively secured to alocking surface 36 of thebase portion 16. In one example, thecover 18 includes twolatch arms 32, with onelatch arm 32 positioned at each end of thecover 18. -
FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the latch arm 32A positioned near oneend 38 of thecover 18. The latch arm 32A extends transversely from the cover 18 (i.e., toward the base portion 16). Afirst surface 40 of the latch arm 32A faces generally toward anend 42 of thecover 18 which is opposite theend 38. The latch arm 32A includes asecond surface 44 which faces opposite thefirst surface 40. In other words, thesecond surface 44 faces away from theend 42 of thecover 18. - The
example latch arm 32 includes alocking tab 46 that protrudes from thesecond surface 44 away from thecover 18. In one example, thelocking tab 46 is positioned at a distal end of thelatch arm 32. The latch arm also includes a liftingledge 48 and at least onefinger grip 50. The liftingledge 48 may assist automated removal of thecover 18 as described below. In the disclosed example, twofinger grips 50 are included on thelatch arm 32. The finger grips 50 may assist a user in manually manipulating thecover 18 relative to thedisk holding device 10. - In one example, the lifting
ledge 48 and at least onefinger grip 50 extend in substantially the same direction as thelocking tab 46. Theexample lifting ledge 48 is positioned on thesecond surface 44 of thelatch arm 32 between thefinger grip 50 and thelocking tab 46. Each of thelocking tab 46, the liftingledge 48 and thefinger grip 50 protrude in a transverse direction away from thesecond surface 44 of thelatch arm 32. The transverse direction faces away from theinterior 28 of thedisk holding device 10, for example. Having alatch arm 32 with features such as thelocking tab 46 that face away from theinterior 28 of thedisk holding device 10 is the opposite of previous designs. The example embodiment facilitates improved interaction between thedisk holding device 10 and automated machinery used to manipulate thelatch arm 32 during a production process. - An
exemplary base portion 16 includes a lockingsurface 36 near oneend wall 53. In one example, theend wall 53 includesarm portions 58 adjacent the lockingsurface 36 to provide support and rigidity. The lockingsurface 36 extends between the twoarm portions 58. Agroove 60 exists between theend wall 53 and the lockingsurface 36. At least a portion of thelatch arm 32 is received through thegroove 60 when thecover 18, thecassette portion 14 and the base 16 are assembled as shown inFIG. 3 , for example. - A
groove 52 is formed on thelatch arm 32 between the two finger grips 50. Thegroove 52 on thesurface 44 exists, in part, to establish aboss 54 that extends from thefirst surface 40 of the latch arm toward the interior of thedevice 10. Theboss 54 selectively engages thechannel 34 of anend wall disk holding device 10 when thecover 18 is received and locked on the cassette portion 14 (seeFIG. 3 , for example). - An assembled
disk holding device 10 is illustrated inFIG. 3 . In this example, thecover 18 is secured to thedisk holding device 10 in a locked position. Thelatch arm 32 at least partially extends through thegroove 60 of thebase portion 16. Thelocking tab 46 at least partially abuts the lockingsurface 36. Thelocking tab 46 is received against the lockingsurface 36 of thebase portion 16 as the portion of thelatch arm 32 moves through thegroove 60. As best appreciated fromFIG. 2 , thelocking tab 46 has an angledsurface 62 that facilitates inserting the tab through thegroove 60. Thelocking tab 46 also has a lockingsurface 64 that contacts the lockingsurface 36 on thebase portion 16. -
FIGS. 4-8 schematically illustrate another exampledisk holding device 80 for housing a plurality ofdisks 12. Thedisk holding device 80 includes acassette portion 82, abase portion 84 and acover 86. Thecassette portion 82 is substantially similar to thecassette portion 14 of the exampledisk holding device 10. However, thebase portion 84 and thecover 86 include unique features different from theexample base portion 16 and theexample cover 18 of thedisk holding device 10. - In this example, the
cover 86 includes anend wall 88 having alatch arm 87 for locking thedisk holding device 80 that extends toward thebase portion 84 and is selectively secured to a lockingsurface 90 of thebase portion 84. In one example, thecover 86 includes twoend walls 88, with onelatch arm 87 positioned at each end of thecover 86. -
FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate theend walls 88 extending transversely from thecover 86 and toward thebase portion 84. Theexample end walls 88 include achannel engaging portion 91 and alocking tab 85 that protrudes from thelatch arm 87 in a direction away from the cover 86 (i.e., away from the interior of the disk holding device 80). Thelocking tab 85 is positioned adjacent to adistal end 89 of thelatch arm 87, in one example. Thechannel engaging portion 91 exists, in part, to establish aboss 93 that extends from thelatch arm 87 toward the interior of thedisk holding device 80. Theboss 93 selectively engages achannel 95 of theend walls 88 of thecassette portion 82 when thecover 86 is received and locked on the cassette portion 82 (seeFIG. 5 , for example). - In one example, the
locking tab 85 of thelatch arm 87 includes twoengaging surfaces 92 that are spaced apart and positioned at opposite edges of thelatch arm 87 adjacent to thedistal end 89. It should be understood that the actual number and positioning of the engagingsurfaces 92 ofdisk holding device 80 will vary depending upon design specific parameters including the design of the lockingsurface 90 of thebase portion 84. For example, thelatch arm 87 may include only one engagingsurface 92 similar to the configuration shown inFIG. 1 . - The
latch arm 87 also includes a liftingledge 98. The liftingledge 98 is offset from the engagingsurfaces 92 of thelatch arm 87 in a direction towards the end of thedisk holding device 80 which includes thecover 86, in this example. The liftingledge 98 may assist automated or manual removal of thecover 86, as described in greater detail below. - In one example, the lifting
ledge 98 protrudes from thelatch arm 87 the same direction as the engaging surfaces 92 (i.e., transversely from the exterior surface of the latch arm 87). The liftingledge 98 includes acurved portion 100 which is positioned between twoledge portions 102, in one example. Thecurved portion 100 mirrors a correspondingcentral portion 104 of the lockingsurface 90, for example, as is further discussed below. - A manipulating
surface 106 is exposed between the engagingsurfaces 92 and the liftingledge 98 of thelatch arm 87 when thecover 86 is locked in place. Having alatch arm 87 with features such as the engagingsurfaces 92 that face away from the interior of the disk holding 80 is the opposite of previous designs. The example embodiment facilitates an improved interaction between thedisk holding device 80 and a human finger or automated machinery used to manipulate thelatch arms 87 during a production process. - The
example base portion 84 includes a lockingsurface 90 near oneend wall 108. In one example, thebase portion 84 includesarms 110 adjacent to the lockingsurface 90 to provide support and rigidity. The lockingsurface 90 extends between thearms 110. Eacharm 110 includes afirst portion 112 which extends toward thecover 86 and asecond portion 114 which protrudes away from the interior of thedisk holding device 80 in a direction similar to the engagingsurfaces 92 to at least partially sandwich thelatch arms 87. Agroove 116 exists between theend wall 108 and the lockingsurface 90 and extends between thesecond surfaces 114 of thearms 110. At least a portion of thelatch arm 87 is received through thegroove 116 when thedisk holding device 80 is assembled in a locked position (seeFIG. 5 ). Thesecond portions 114 of thearms 110 partially sandwich thelatch arms 87 and prevent any inadvertent unlatching of thelatch arms 87 during shipping, etc. - In one example, a
central portion 104 of the lockingsurface 90 extends horizontally (i.e., straight across) between the arms 110 (SeeFIG. 9 ). In another example, the lockingsurface 90 includes an “interrupted”central portion 104 disposed betweenflanges 97. “Interrupted” is intended to describe a locking surface that is not straight across the entire surface but, instead, varies in configuration or profile at thecentral portion 104. In one example, thecentral portion 104 is curved and minors thecurved portion 100 of the lifting ledge 98 (SeeFIG. 6 ). However, a person of ordinary skill in the art would understand that thecentral portion 104 could comprise other shapes and configurations. For example, thecentral portion 104 may be generally rectangular (SeeFIG. 7 ). In yet another example, theflanges 97 of the lockingsurface 90 exclude the central portion 104 (i.e., theflanges 97 are not bridged by the central portion 104) (SeeFIG. 8 ). - The curved central portion 104 (
FIG. 6 ) extends in a direction toward a bottom end of thedisk holding device 80. In one example, the manipulatingsurface 106 mimics the shape of a human finger. The examplecentral portion 104 leaves the manipulatingsurface 106 exposed, which allows the contact point of the manipulatingsurface 106 to be moved more toward thebottom end 118 of thedisk holding device 80. This provides improved leverage such that a reduced force is required to manipulate thelatch arm 87 to open thedisk holding device 80. - The engaging surfaces 92 of the
locking tab 85 abut theflanges 97 of the lockingsurface 90 to attach thecover 86 to thebase portion 84 when thedisk holding device 80 is assembled as shown inFIG. 6 , for example. The manipulatingsurface 106 is unobstructed by thecentral portion 104 of the lockingsurface 90 in the area adjacent to the engaging surfaces 92. - The engaging surfaces 92 in this example are offset from a
distal end 89 of the latch arm 87 a first distance D1 as shown inFIG. 6 . Thecentral portion 104 of the lockingsurface 90 is offset from thedistal end 89 of the latch arm 87 a second distance D2. The first distance D1 is greater than the second distance D2, in one example (SeeFIG. 6 ). This arrangement includes the feature exposing the manipulatingsurface 106 toward thebottom end 118 of thedisk holding device 80. -
FIG. 10A schematically shows amachine 70 that manipulates thelatch arm 32 of thecover 18 by applying a force F on thelatch arm 32 in a direction toward the interior 28 of thedisk holding device 10. Although the present example is illustrated in terms of thedisk holding device 10, a similar process would also apply for manipulating thelatch arm 87 of the second exampledisk holding device 80. In the illustrated example, the force F is applied to thesurface 44 below the lifting ledge 48 (Or, the manipulatingsurface 106 of the second example disk holding device 80). Theexample machine 70 has anarm 72 that contacts thesurface 44 to apply the force F. Thearm 72 moves the distance sufficient to push the lockingsurface 64 clear of the lockingsurface 36 so that thelocking tab 46 is aligned with thegroove 60. The resiliency of thelatch arm 32 biases thelocking tab 46 away from theinterior 28 of thecassette portion 14 such that the locking surfaces 36 and 64 cooperate to keep thedevice 10 closed. The force F is sufficient to overcome that bias. While maintaining the force F on thelatch arm 32, thearm 72 moves in an opening direction D2 to remove thecover 18 from thedisk holding device 10, as is illustrated inFIG. 10B . In the illustrated example, the second direction D2 is transverse to the direction of the force F. The lifting ledge 48 (or the liftingledge 98 of the disk holding device 80) may assistarm 72 in lifting thecover 18 off of thebase portion 16 and thecassette 14. - In another example, the
latch arm 32 and thecover 18 are manually manipulated to remove acover 18. For example, an individual may press against thesurface 44 and use thefinger grip 50 to manipulate the cover as desired. In yet another example, an individual may press against the manipulatingsurface 106 to release thelatch arm 87 of the exampledisk holding device 80. - The illustrated examples include various features that provide improved interaction between production machinery or a human hand and a disk holding device to achieve a more simple method of unlocking a latch arm, for example. The illustrated examples include combinations of improved latch arms and base portion features. For example, the position of the
latch arm 32 within thegroove 60 of the exampledisk holding device 10 provides more security compared to previous arrangements where a latch arm engaged a base from the outside edge of the base. In another example, the improved design of thelatch arm 87 and the lockingsurface 90 of the exampledisk holding device 80 results in a lower contact point on the latch arm and provides improved leverage such that less force is needed to release thelatch arm 87. Those skilled in the art having the benefit of this description will be able to utilize a latch arm having a locking tab, a base portion with a locking surface, a lifting ledge or finger grips or any combination of these features to meet the needs of their particular situation. -
FIG. 11 shows another exampledisk holding device 200. This example includes abase 202, acassette 204 and acover 206. A portion of thecassette 204 along one side (the lower side according to the drawing) is received in an interior 208 of thebase 202. Thecover 206 is received over an opposite side (the upper side according to the drawing) of thecassette 204. When thecover 206 is secured to the base 202 with thecassette 204 between them, an interior of the device is sealed off to prevent any contamination of disks or wafers held inslots 210 within an interior of thecassette 204. - This example includes cooperating locking surfaces for securing the
cover 206 to thebase 202. Thebase 202 includes afirst locking surface 212 that engages asecond locking surface 214 on thecover 206. The illustratedbase 202 includes atab 216 on astem 218. Thefirst locking surface 212 is on thetab 216. Thesecond locking surface 214 is a surface along one edge of aslot 220 on alatch arm 222 of thecover 206. When the three components of thedevice 200 are properly aligned and received against each other, thetab 216 is at least partially received into theslot 220 so that thefirst locking surface 212 is received against thesecond locking surface 214. When the locking surfaces are against each other in that position, thecover 206 cannot be separated from thebase 202 and thecassette 204 remains securely between them. - Referring to
FIG. 12 , thefirst locking surface 212 is shown in a locking position engaging thesecond locking surface 214. Amachine 234 includes amover 236 that applies a force to thestem 218 as schematically shown by thearrow 238. Themover 236 urges thetab 216 and a portion of thestem 218 toward the interior of thecassette 204. Thestem 218 in this example is at least partially flexible and resilient so that absent a force applied by themachine 234 or a manual force applied by an individual, thestem 218 remains in the position shown in solid lines inFIG. 12 , which is the same orientation of thestem 218 inFIG. 11 . - As shown in phantom in
FIG. 12 , as themover 236 causes sufficient movement of thetab 216, thefirst locking surface 212 moves clear of thesecond locking surface 214 to unlock the device, which allows thecover 206 to be separated from thebase 202 for exposing the interior of thecassette 204 to provide access to any disks or wafers contained in thecassette 204. The illustrated example includes a holdingsurface 240 on thestem 218 to facilitate separation of thecover 206 and thebase 202. In this example, the holdingsurface 240 is a raised surface. Other holding surface configurations are included in other examples. The holdingsurface 240 interrupts a face of thestem 218 to provide the ability to resist or cause movement of the base 202 when it is being separated from thecover 206. - The
mover 236 in this example contacts a face on thestem 218 between thefirst locking surface 212 and the holdingsurface 240 as can be appreciated from the drawing. As thecover 206 is moved away from the base 202 (e.g., the cover is moved upward or the base is moved downward) themover 236 can contact thesurface 240 to either prevent the base 202 from moving in the same direction that thecover 206 is moving as they are being separated or to facilitate moving the base 202 away from the cover (e.g., if themover 236 moves downward according to the drawing). - One feature of the example of
FIGS. 11 and 12 is that the movement of thetab 216 occurs in an inward direction toward an interior of thecassette 206 for unlocking the device. During that movement thetab 216 and some of thestem 218 are received into arecess 250 between anend wall 252 and side supports 254 on thecassette 206. This takes advantage of space that is available within the outer envelope of thedevice 200 and does not require any clearance outside of that envelope for manipulating any portions of thedevice 200 during unlocking and handling procedures. - Another feature of the example of
FIGS. 11 and 12 is that thecover 206 has achannel 224 along an edge of thelatch arm 222.Edge walls channel 224. Theedge walls complementary portion 230 of thecassette 204 when thecontainer 200 is closed. Thecomplementary portion 230 of thecassette 204 is received at least partially into thechannel 224 when thecassette 204 and thecover 206 are brought together. This arrangement provides a tortuous path between the interior of thecassette 204 and the surrounding environment that is operative to prevent outside contaminants from entering the container and contacting a surface on the disks inside the container. This feature adds further security to the integrity of the disks or wafers within this example container. -
FIG. 13 shows another example arrangement in which thetab 216 protrudes in an inward direction toward the interior of thecassette 204. Thefirst locking surface 212 is on thetab 216. Thesecond locking surface 214 is on one side of theslot 220. In this example, thelatch arm 222 is received inside of thestem 218 when thecover 206 is secured to thebase 202, which is different than the example ofFIGS. 11 and 12 in which thelatch arm 22 is received outside of thestem 218. In this example, thelatch arm 222 is moveable inwardly to release the first and second locking surfaces and unlock thecover 206 from thebase 202. - The foregoing description shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in any limiting sense. A worker of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this invention. For that reason, the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this invention.
Claims (10)
1. A disk holding device, comprising:
a base that includes a first locking surface;
a cassette that is received against the base; and
a cover that is received at least partially over the cassette, the cover includes a latch arm near an end of the cover, the latch arm has a second locking surface against which the first locking surface is received to secure the base and the cover together, at least one of the first locking surface or the second locking surface is moveable in an inward direction toward an interior of the cassette to unlock the locking surfaces so that the base and cover can be separated to open the disk holding device.
2. The device of claim 1 , wherein,
the base includes a stem near an end of the base,
the first locking surface is on a tab on the stem,
the second locking surface is near a slot on the latch arm, and
the tab is at least partially received into the slot for securing the base and the cover together.
3. The device of claim 2 , wherein the tab faces in an outward direction away from the interior of the cassette and the stem is moveable inward to unlock the locking surfaces.
4. The device of claim 2 , wherein the tab faces in an inward direction toward the interior of the cassette and the latch arm is moveable inward to unlock the locking surfaces.
5. The device of claim 1 , comprising a holding surface on the stem spaced from the first locking surface, the holding surface interrupting a face of the stem.
6. The device of claim 5 , wherein the holding surface comprises a raised surface on the stem that protrudes in a direction facing outward away from the interior of the cassette.
7. The device of claim 1 , wherein
the latch arm comprises a channel and
the cassette comprises a complimentary portion that is at least partially received in the channel, the channel and the complimentary portion establishing a tortuous path between an interior of the cassette and a surrounding environment.
8. The device of claim 1 , wherein the cassette comprises a recess at an end of the cassette and a portion of the stem is received in the recess as the stem moves in the inward direction for unlocking the first and second locking surfaces.
9. The device of claim 1 , wherein the base and the cover comprise distinct components from the cassette portion.
10. The device of claim 1 , wherein
the base includes a slot near an end of the base,
the first locking surface is near the slot,
the second locking surface is on a tab on the latch arm, and
the tab is at least partially received in the slot for securing the cover and the base together.
Priority Applications (8)
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US13/052,311 US20110215012A1 (en) | 2006-02-16 | 2011-03-21 | Disk holding device |
MYPI2011004127A MY159621A (en) | 2011-03-21 | 2011-09-02 | Disk holding device |
JP2011191722A JP2012197116A (en) | 2011-03-21 | 2011-09-02 | Disk holding device |
PH12011000292A PH12011000292A1 (en) | 2011-03-21 | 2011-09-02 | Disk holding device |
TW100132080A TWI534797B (en) | 2011-03-21 | 2011-09-06 | Disk holding device |
KR1020110091253A KR20120107420A (en) | 2011-03-21 | 2011-09-08 | Disk holding device |
SG2011067501A SG184614A1 (en) | 2011-03-21 | 2011-09-19 | Disk holding device |
US13/903,128 US8851291B2 (en) | 2006-02-16 | 2013-05-28 | Disk holding device |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
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US11/355,813 US20070187288A1 (en) | 2006-02-16 | 2006-02-16 | Disk holding device |
US11/868,569 US20080023361A1 (en) | 2006-02-16 | 2007-10-08 | Disk holding device |
US13/052,311 US20110215012A1 (en) | 2006-02-16 | 2011-03-21 | Disk holding device |
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US11/868,569 Continuation US20080023361A1 (en) | 2006-02-16 | 2007-10-08 | Disk holding device |
US11/868,569 Continuation-In-Part US20080023361A1 (en) | 2006-02-16 | 2007-10-08 | Disk holding device |
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US13/903,128 Continuation US8851291B2 (en) | 2006-02-16 | 2013-05-28 | Disk holding device |
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US10329040B2 (en) * | 2015-04-11 | 2019-06-25 | Yuyama Mfg. Co., Ltd. | Medicine dispensing cassette |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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US8851291B2 (en) | 2014-10-07 |
US20130256164A1 (en) | 2013-10-03 |
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