Apparatus for holding a media storage disk

Abstract

The invention relates in general to an apparatus for holding a media storage disk, more particularly an apparatus having an improved central retaining area for the retention of the media storage disk, along with an optional securing means for engaging the media storage disk around its outside circumference. The disk-receiving portion contains a body portion which includes a circular outer retaining wall whose radius is slightly larger than media storage disk. The body portion also incorporates a central retaining area comprising a cylindrical hub, at least one arm extending radially and downward from the hub toward the body portion, and at least one additional arm opposite the first arm creating a hinge between the hub and body portion. Additionally the body portion may incorporate a means to secure the outer diameter of the media storage disk.

1 . An apparatus for holding a compact disk having a central hole comprising: 
 a body portion;    a cylindrical hub with a diameter slightly less than said central hole of said disk within said body portion;    at least a first arm extending radially from said hub downward toward to said body portion;    at least a second arm extending radially from said hub which provides a hinge means between said hub and said body portion for locking and unlocking said disk;    a finger protruding from said hub to engage said disk.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus in  claim 1  wherein said second arm extends radially from said hub generally 180 degrees from said first arm.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus in  claim 1  wherein said finger is aligned with said second arm.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus in  claim 1  wherein when pressure is applied to said hub said finger retracts into said hub unlocking said disk from the apparatus.  
   
   
       5 . An apparatus for holding a compact disk having a central hole comprising: 
 a body portion;    a cylindrical hub with a diameter slightly less than said central hole of said disk within said body portion;    at least a first pair of arms extending radially from said hub down toward to said body portion;    at least a second pair of arms extending radially from said hub which provides a hinge means between said hub and said body portion for locking and unlocking said disk;    at least one finger protruding from said hub to engage said disk when in the locked position;    
   
   
       6 . The apparatus in  claim 5  wherein said first pair of arms extend radially from said hub and opposite from each other.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus in  claim 5  wherein said second pair of arms extend radially from said hub and are generally equidistant from each arm of said first pair of arms.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus in  claim 5  wherein said finger is aligned with each arm of said second pair of arms.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus in  claim 5  wherein when pressure is applied to said hub said finger retracts into said hub unlocking said disk from the apparatus.  
   
   
       10 . An apparatus for holding a compact disk having a central hole comprising: 
 a disk receiving portion;    a cover portion;    a hinge portion between said disk receiving portion and said cover portion to permit said disk receiving portion to move relative to said cover portion to form an enclosure around said disk    a body portion incorporated on the interior face of said disk receiving portion;    a cylindrical hub with a diameter slightly less than said central hole of said disk within said body portion;    at least a first arm extending radially from said hub down toward to said body portion;    at least a second arm extending radially from said hub which provides a hinge means between said hub and said body portion for locking and unlocking said disk;    a finger protruding from said hub to engage said disk when in the locked position;    a first outer retaining mechanism comprising a post possessing a lip to engage the outer circumference of said disk when in the locked position located along said outer retaining wall proximal to said hinge;    a first block located on said hinge portion aligned with said first outer retaining mechanism that when said cover portion and said disk retaining portion are engaged in the closed position encasing said disk said block contacts said post causing said lip to engage and secure the outer diameter of said disk.    
   
   
       11 . The apparatus in  claim 10  wherein said second arm extends radially from said hub generally 180 degrees from said first arm.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus in  claim 10  wherein said finger is aligned with said second arm.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus in  claim 10  wherein when pressure is applied to said hub said finger retracts into said hub unlocking said disk from the apparatus.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus according to  claim 10  wherein: 
 a second outer retaining mechanism comprising a second post possessing a second lip is located along into said outer retaining wall located opposite said first outer retaining mechanism and said hinge;    a second block aligned with said second outer retaining mechanism on said cover portion that when said cover portion and said disk receiving portion are engaged in the closed position said second bock contacts said second retaining mechanism causing said second lip to engage the outer circumference of said disk.    
   
   
       15 . An apparatus for holding a compact disk having a central hole comprising: 
 a disk receiving portion;    a cover portion;    a hinge portion between said disk receiving portion and said cover portion to permit said disk receiving portion to move relative to said cover portion to form an enclosure around said disk    a body portion incorporated on the interior face of said disk receiving portion;    a cylindrical hub with a diameter slightly less than said central hole of said disk within said body portion;    at least a first pair of arms extending radially from said hub down toward to said body portion;    at least a second pair of arms extending radially from said hub which provides a hinge means between said hub and said body portion for locking and unlocking said disk;    a finger protruding from said hub to engage said disk when in the locked position;    a first outer retaining mechanism comprising a post possessing a lip to engage the outer circumference of said disk when in the locked position located along said outer retaining wall proximal to said hinge;    a first block located on said hinge portion aligned with said first outer retaining mechanism that when said cover portion and said disk retaining portion are engaged in the closed position encasing said disk said block contacts said post causing said lip to engage and secure the outer diameter of said disk.    a second outer retaining mechanism comprising a second post possessing a second lip is located along into said outer retaining wall located opposite said first outer retaining mechanism and said hinge;    a second block align with said second outer retaining mechanism on said cover portion that when said cover portion and said disk receiving portion are engaged in the closed position said second bock contacts said second retaining mechanism causing said second lip to engage the outer circumference of said disk.    
   
   
       16 . The apparatus in  claim 15  wherein said first pair of arms extend radially from said hub and opposite from each other.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus in  claim 15  wherein said second pair of arms extend radially from said hub and are generally equidistant from each arm of said first pair of arms.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus in  claim 15  wherein said a finger is aligned with each arm of said second pair of arms.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus in  claim 15  wherein when pressure is applied to said hub said finger retracts into said hub unlocking said disk from the apparatus.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus in  claim 15  wherein each of said second pair arms is shorter than each of said first pair of arms.