Disk carrier

Abstract

A carrier for storing and transporting disks, includes grooves in the sidewalls of the carrier for aligning disks. A top cover used with the carrier includes at least one longitudinal, downward extending support, which contacts the outside diameter of any disks held in the grooves in the carrier when the top cover is attached to the carrier. A bottom cover similarly includes at least one longitudinal, upward extending support that contacts the outside diameter of any disks held in the grooves in the carrier when the bottom cover is attached to the carrier. The top cover and the bottom cover apply minimal pressure to the disks, but advantageously serve to secure the disks within the carrier.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for holding disks, said apparatus comprising: 
 a carrier having two sidewalls adjoining two endwalls and a top opening, said carrier having a plurality of grooves for receiving disks on said two sidewalls; and    a top cover having at least one downwardly extending support extending in a longitudinal direction on said top cover, said at least one downwardly extending support contacts the outside diameter of disks positioned in said grooves.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said top cover has two downwardly extending supports.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said two downwardly extending supports are beveled.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said top cover has two end portions that fit over said endwalls of said carrier.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein said top cover has a downwardly extending lip that fits over said sidewalls of said carrier.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said carrier has a bottom opening, said apparatus further comprising: 
 a bottom cover having at least one upwardly extending support extending in a longitudinal direction on said bottom cover, said at least one upwardly extending support contacts the outside diameter of disks positioned in said grooves.    
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said bottom cover has two upwardly extending supports.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said bottom cover has a raised portion that fits into said bottom opening.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one downwardly extending support is flexible.  
     
     
         10 . An apparatus for holding disks, said apparatus comprising: 
 a carrier having two sidewalls adjoining two endwalls a top opening and a bottom opening, said carrier having a plurality of grooves for receiving disks on said two sidewalls; and    a bottom cover having at least one upwardly extending support extending in a longitudinal direction on said bottom cover, said at least one upwardly extending support contacts the outside diameter of disks positioned in said grooves.    
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said bottom cover has two upwardly extending supports.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said two upwardly extending supports are beveled.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said bottom cover has a raised portion that fits into said bottom opening.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 a top cover having at least one downwardly extending support extending in a longitudinal direction on said top cover, said at least one downwardly extending support contacts the outside diameter of disks positioned in said grooves.    
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein said top cover has two downwardly extending supports.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein said top cover has two end portions that fit over said endwalls of said carrier.  
     
     
         17 . An apparatus for holding disks, said apparatus comprising: 
 a carrier having a plurality of grooves for receiving disks; and    a top cover having a first longitudinal support extending in a downward direction;    a bottom cover having a second longitudinal support extending in an upward direction;    wherein said first longitudinal support and said second longitudinal support extend sufficiently to contact the outside diameter of disks positioned in said grooves in said carrier, wherein disks positioned in said grooves are supported by said first longitudinal support and said second longitudinal support.    
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein said top cover has said first longitudinal support and a third longitudinal support extending in a downward direction.  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein said bottom cover has said second longitudinal support and a fourth longitudinal support extending in an upward direction.  
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein said first longitudinal support and said second longitudinal support extend longitudinally over all of said plurality of grooves.  
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein said first longitudinal support and said second longitudinal support a re beveled.