Disc case

Details Disc case Disc case

1999-10-06

2001-06-12

Meky, Moustafa M. (Department: 2153)

Dynamic information storage or retrieval

Storage medium structure

Adjuncts or adapters

Reexamination Certificate

active

06246663

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a disc case capable of accommodating a disc-shaped signal recording medium, such as a magnetic disc or an optical disc.
2. Related Art of the Invention
A conventional disc case disclosed in Japanese Utility Model No. Hei 6-2132 is described below referring to
FIG. 31
, a perspective view showing the conventional disc. The main unit of a disc case
80
comprises an upper half
81
and a lower half
82
so as to form a disc accommodation chamber
87
. The upper half
81
and the lower half
82
of the main unit of the disc case
80
are each provided with an opening
85
(see FIG.
32
). In addition, the main unit of the disc case
80
is provided with a shutter
83
being slidable in the direction indicated by arrow F or G. The shutter
83
covers the openings
85
formed in the disc case
80
. The openings
85
are formed (1) so that a chucking member (including a disc table) can externally pressure-contact a disc
86
accommodated inside and (2) so that an optical head can gain access to the signal recording surface of the disc
86
. The openings
85
communicate with the accommodation chamber
87
accommodating the disc
86
.
In case the shutter
83
covers the openings
85
as shown in
FIG. 31
, a pair of engagement holes
84
provided in the shutter
83
engage a pair of elastic pawls
88
(see
FIG. 32
) provided on the main unit
80
so as to prevent the shutter
83
from sliding in direction F or G.
The shutter
83
is opened to expose the opening
85
as described below. In order to release the elastic pawl
88
engaging one of the engagement holes
84
, an engagement release member (release pin) (not shown) is inserted into the engagement hole
84
. While being kept inserted in the engagement hole
84
, the engagement release member is slid toward the other engagement hole
84
, thereby opening the shutter
83
.
The shutter
83
now being opened is closed as described below. The engagement release member remains inserted in the above-mentioned engagement hole
84
. When the engagement release member is moved to its original position, the shutter
83
covers the exposed openings
85
. After the shutter
83
covers the openings
85
, the engagement release member is extracted from the engagement hole
84
. Instead of the engagement release member, the elastic pawl
88
engages the engagement hole
84
so as to restore the lock condition.
The above-mentioned opening/closing operation of the shutter
83
is performed when the disc case
80
is inserted into or taken out of a signal recording and/or reproducing apparatus (player).
Consequently, the shutter can be opened and closed positively.
However, since the above-mentioned conventional disc case is not dustproof sufficiently, there is the danger of entry of dust into the accommodation chamber. More specifically, a concave portion
89
is formed in the range from the opening
85
to the front fringe portion of the case so as to decrease the amount of movement when the disc is dropped onto a disc table. Therefore, dust entered from the engagement holes
84
formed in the shutter
83
to the interior of the disc case
80
can further enter the accommodation chamber
87
via the concave portion
89
.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, in consideration of the above-mentioned problem, the object of the present invention is to provide a disc case capable of protecting the disc accommodation chamber thereof from dust.
To solve the problem, the present invention provides a disc case comprising:
the main unit of a case provided with:
(a) an accommodation chamber capable of rotatably accommodating a disc having a signal recording surface on at least one side thereof,
(b) support member access openings provided in the top and bottom walls of the accommodation chamber so that a chucking member can externally pressure-contact the disc,
(c) a head access opening formed in the top or bottom wall of the accommodation chamber and being tangent to the side wall surface of the accommodation chamber so that a head for reading and/or recording signals on the signal recording surface can gain access to the disc, and
(d) a concave portion formed in the range from the side wall surface at the head access opening to the front fringe portion side of the main unit of the case and being concave with respect to the top or bottom surface of the main unit of the case,
a shutter installed on the main unit of the case so as to cover the support member access openings, the head access opening and the concave portion when closed, and so as to expose the support member access openings and the head access opening by sliding in at least one direction from the covering position along the front fringe portion of the main unit of the case when open, and
a shielding portion provided on the main unit of the case so as to shield all or part of passages communicating with the accommodation chamber via the concave portion from areas which are not covered with the shutter even when the shutter is closed.


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European Search Report, application No. 00102638.4, dated May 8, 2000.
European Search Report, application No. 00102639.2, dated May 8, 2000.

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