Support structure for compact disc

Details Support structure for compact disc Support structure for compact disc

2001-02-15

2003-05-27

Cao, Allen (Department: 2652)

Dynamic information storage or retrieval

Dynamic mechanism subsystem

Specific detail of storage medium support or motion production

C369S271100

Reexamination Certificate

active

06570835

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a support structure for a compact disc, and more particularly to a compact disc support structure which utilizes snapping members for snapping and fixing a compact disc on a carrier.
2. Description of the Related Prior Art
A conventional compact disc support structure in accordance with the prior art shown in
FIG. 1
comprises a spindle motor
10
having a shaft
11
, a carrier
20
, an elastomer
30
, a hub
40
, and a plurality of snap rolling balls
50
. The carrier
20
is combined with the spindle motor
10
to rotate therewith. The hub
40
is provided with a plurality of cuts
41
for receiving the snap rolling balls
50
, and for limiting the snap rolling balls
50
in the hub
40
. The elastomer
30
is provided in the hub
40
, and is radially and outwardly rested on the snap rolling balls
50
. When a compact disc is provided, the inner hole of the compact disc is fitted on the periphery of the hub
40
, and is placed on the carrier
20
. In the meanwhile, the elastomer
30
is urged on the snap rolling balls
50
so that the compact disc can be snapped and positioned on the carrier
20
by the snap rolling balls
50
. In such a manner, when the spindle motor
10
is rotated, the compact disc is rotated simultaneously. However, the conventional compact disc support structure has a complicated construction and is not easily assembled, thereby increasing the cost of fabrication.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a compact disc support structure which has a simple construction, is assembled easily, and can save the cost of fabrication.
In accordance with the present invention, the compact disc support structure comprises a spindle motor, a carrier, a hub, and a plurality of separate snapping members. The hub defines an axial hole and a plurality of chambers, and the plurality of chambers form a plurality of openings on the periphery of the hub. Preferably, the snapping member is integrally formed of a metallic piece bent by a punching process or integrally formed of plastic material, and has a deformation elasticity. Each of the snapping members is provided with a protrusion having an arcuate surface. When the snapping member is placed in the chamber of the hub, the snapping member has two distal ends each elastically pressing on the inner wall of the chamber of the hub so as to fix or retain the snapping member therein while the protrusion radially protrudes outward from the opening of the chamber of the hub. When a pressure is exerted on the arcuate surface of the protrusion of the snapping member, the protrusion will be deformed, that is, the protrusion will retract radially and inwardly. When a disc is placed on the support structure of the present invention, the protrusion of the snapping member will retract into the chamber of the hub by compression of the inner edge of the inner hole of the compact disc. The protrusion will return to its original position when the compact disc passes the protrusion. The restored protrusion can be used to snap and fix the compact disc on the carrier. When the spindle motor is rotated, the carrier will carry the compact disc to rotate simultaneously. Accordingly, the present invention has reduced parts, and is easily assembled, therefore, the present invention has the effects of decreasing the cost and increasing the productivity.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4737948 (1988-04-01), Okita
patent: 5761186 (1998-06-01), Mushika et al.
patent: 6038206 (2000-03-01), Mukawa
patent: 6041033 (2000-03-01), Otsubo et al.
patent: 6108294 (2000-08-01), Iwanaga
patent: 6363048 (2002-03-01), Wu et al.
patent: 6487162 (2002-11-01), Wu et al.
patent: 6510123 (2003-01-01), Kammerer

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