Case for a disk

Abstract

The function of a case is to protect a disc positioned inside the case from damages like scratches, fingerprints, dust or the like. When access the disk is needed, the case has to be inserted into a loading slot of e.g. a disk drive, thereby opening an access window of the case. Cases known from prior art have a rectangular shape and a moveable slider positioned at one side of the case. The present invention provides a case ( 1 ) for a disk ( 3 ), comprising at least two shells ( 4, 5 ), whereby said at least two shells are rotatable around at least one axis between a closed position and an open position, whereby outer side walls ( 11 ) of said shells ( 4, 5 ) define a triangular shape of the case in said closed position of the case, and whereby inner side walls ( 12 ) of said shells ( 4, 5 ) define an access window ( 14 ) in said open position of the case ( 1 ) providing access to the disk ( 3 ) through said access window ( 14 ).

1 . Case for a disk ( 3 ;  19 ) comprising at least two shells ( 4 ,  5 ;  20 ,  21 ), which are rotatable around an axis ( 7 ,  8 ;  22 ) between a closed position and an open position, wherein outer side walls ( 11 ;  24 ) of said shells ( 4 ,  5 ;  20 ,  21 ) define a triangular shape of the case ( 1 ;  18 ) in said closed position of the case, and wherein inner side walls ( 12 ;  26 ) of said shells ( 4 ,  5 ;  20 ,  21 ) define an access window ( 14 ;  27 ) in said open position of the case ( 1 ;  18 ) providing access to the disk ( 3 ;  19 ) through said access window ( 14 ;  27 ).  
   
   
       2 . Case according to  claim 1 , characterized in that at least portions of said outer side walls ( 11 ,  24 ) run approximately parallel to each other in said open position of the case ( 1 ;  18 ).  
   
   
       3 . Case according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the case ( 1 ;  18 ) is insertable into a loading slot ( 2 ) of a disk drive or the like, whereby the case ( 1 ;  18 ) will be automatically transferred from said closed position into said open position while inserting the case ( 1 ;  18 ) into said loading slot ( 2 ).  
   
   
       4 . Case according to  claim 3 , characterized in that the width of the case ( 1 ;  18 ) in the closed position is broader or larger than the width of the loading slot ( 2 ).  
   
   
       5 . Case according to  claim 3 , characterized in that the width of the case ( 1 ;  18 ) in the open position corresponds approximately to the width of the loading slot ( 2 ).  
   
   
       6 . Case according to  claim 3 , characterized in that the width of the loading slot ( 2 ) corresponds approximately to the diameter of the disk ( 3 ;  19 ) positioned inside the case ( 1 ;  18 ) plus the play of the disk inside the case plus the thickness of the outer side walls ( 11 ;  24 ) of the case ( 1 ;  18 ).  
   
   
       7 . Case according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the shells ( 20 ,  21 ) are coupled together for mutually rotation around one axis ( 22 ).  
   
   
       8 . Case according to  claim 7 , characterized in that the shells ( 20 ,  21 ) are directly coupled together.  
   
   
       9 . Case according to  claim 7  or  8 , characterized in that said one rotation axis ( 22 ) coincides with a center ( 23 ) of the disk ( 19 ) positioned inside the case.  
   
   
       10 . Case according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the shells ( 4 ,  5 ) are mounted to a support member ( 16 ) for mutually rotation around two axes ( 7 ,  8 ).  
   
   
       11 . Case according to  claim 10 , characterized in that the shells ( 20 ,  21 ) are indirectly coupled together by connecting them to said support member ( 16 ).  
   
   
       12 . Case according to  claim 10  or  11 , characterized in that said two rotation axes ( 7 ,  8 ) are positioned with a distance from a center ( 9 ) of the disk ( 3 ).  
   
   
       13 . Case according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the case ( 1 ,  18 ) comprises a front end ( 13 ;  25 ) to which the outer side walls ( 11 ;  24 ) are converging in the closed position of the case ( 1 ;  18 ), whereby said front end ( 13 ;  25 ) of the case ( 1 ;  18 ) is insertable into a loading slot ( 2 ) of a disk drive or the like until the outer side walls ( 11 ;  24 ) of the case ( 1 ;  18 ) get in contact with boundary walls ( 15 ) of the loading slot ( 2 ).  
   
   
       14 . Case according to  claim 13 , characterized in that the shells ( 4 ,  5 ;  20 ,  21 ) start to mutually rotate with the continued insertion of the case ( 1 ;  18 ) into the loading slot ( 2 ) thereby creating the access window ( 14 ;  27 ) at the front end ( 13 ;  25 ) of the case ( 1 ;  18 ).  
   
   
       15 . Case according to any one of the preceding claims, accommodating a readable and/or recordable disk.