Case for a recordable medium disc

Abstract

A case for a recordable medium disc, comprising a case bottom, a case lid pivotally connected to the case bottom, and a pivotal tray for the disc; the pivotal tray mounted for pivotal rotation from a first position substantially parallel to the case bottom, to a second position at an angle to the case bottom; and wherein the pivotal rotation is urged by pivotal rotation of the lid relative to the case bottom. Also disclosed is a hub for releasably engaging a central aperture of at least one recordable medium disc; the hub comprising a projection from an upper surface of a disc tray; the projection including a rear portion and a front portion separated by a transverse gap.

1 . A case for a recordable medium disc, comprising a case bottom, a case lid pivotally connected to the case bottom, and a pivotal tray for the disc; the pivotal tray mounted for pivotal rotation from a first position substantially parallel to the case bottom, to a second position at an angle to the case bottom; and wherein the pivotal rotation is urged by pivotal rotation of the lid relative to the case bottom.  
   
   
       2 . The case of  claim 1  wherein the case bottom comprises a substantially planar bottom, and opposing short appendages providing pivot support side portions; and wherein the pivot support side portions extend outwardly beyond a rear edge of the planar bottom.  
   
   
       3 . The case of  claim 2  wherein the pivot support side portions provide first pivotal support elements for the case lid; the first pivotal support elements defining a first line of rotation for the case lid; the first line of rotation lying beyond the rear edge.  
   
   
       4 . The case of  claim 2  wherein the pivot support side portions provide second pivotal support elements for the pivotal tray; the second pivotal support elements defining a second line of rotation lying between the rear edge and the first line of rotation.  
   
   
       5 . The case of  claim 4  wherein the case lid comprises a substantially planar cover provided with opposing downwardly depending side portions and a downwardly depending rear portion having a side surface substantially normal to the planar cover portion and a lower edge; the lower edge of the rear portion forming a cam like portion relative to the second line of rotation.  
   
   
       6 . The case of  claim 4  wherein the side portions of the case lid are provided with case lid pivot elements for engagement with the first pivotal support elements so as to provide for pivotal rotation of the lid about the first line of rotation.  
   
   
       7 . The case of  claim 3  wherein the pivotal tray comprises a substantially planar component having a rear portion provided with pivotal tray pivot elements at each outer end of the rear portion, and a front portion; the rear portion extending adjacent the rear edge of the case bottom between the pivot support side portions of the case bottom; and wherein the front portion extends to the middle of the case bottom.  
   
   
       8 . The case of  claim 7  wherein the pivotal tray pivot elements engage with the second pivotal support elements so as to provide for pivotal rotation of the pivotal tray about the second line of rotation.  
   
   
       9 . The case of  claim 7  wherein the rear portion of the pivotal tray is provided with at least one extension portion; said extension portion a continuation of the substantially planar component and projecting beyond the second line of rotation to abut the cam like portion.  
   
   
       10 . The case of  claim 9  wherein rotation of the case lid from a first closed position substantially parallel with the case bottom, to an open position at an angle to the case bottom causes the cam like portion to depress the extension portion so as to rotate the pivotal tray from the first position parallel to the case bottom, to an angle relative to the case bottom proportional to the angle of the case lid.  
   
   
       11 . The case of  claim 9  wherein rotation of the case lid reaches a first detent angle at which the side surface substantially normal to the substantially planar cover of the case lid is in parallel contact with the extension portion so as to provide a releasable stop position retaining the case lid and the pivotal tray in a stable configuration.  
   
   
       12 . The case of  claim 1  wherein the pivotal tray is provided with an approximately cylindrical protuberance from an upper surface of the pivotal tray; the cylindrical protuberance divided into a front portion and a rear portion; the front portion and rear portion arranged for releasable engagement with a central aperture of the disc.  
   
   
       13 . The case of  claim 12  wherein each of the rear portion and front portion is separately and resiliently attached to the pivotal tray.  
   
   
       14 . The case of  claim 12  wherein each of the rear portion and the front portion approximate one half of an inverted frustum so as to each present an undercut outer face; the rear portion and the front portion separated by a gap; and wherein the rear portion and the front portion projecting above the upper surface of the pivotal tray sufficient to project through the aperture of the disc.  
   
   
       15 . The case of  claim 14  wherein the diameter of the base of the frustum is slightly larger than the diameter of the central aperture of the disc.  
   
   
       16 . The case of  claim 12  wherein the rear portion and the front portion are reduced in width adjacent the gap so that the width is slightly less than the diameter of the central aperture of the disc.  
   
   
       17 . The case of  claim 14  wherein the rear portion and the front portion are disposed in a circular aperture within the pivotal tray; the diameter of the circular aperture larger than the diameter of the frustum; and wherein each of the rear portion and the front portion is connected to the periphery of the circular aperture by a pair of flexible lugs.  
   
   
       18 - 38 . (canceled)  
   
   
       39 . A case for at least one recordable medium disc, the case including: 
 a case bottom; 
 incorporating a tray adapted for pivotal movement or integrally formed for pivotal movement with the case bottom and adapted to releasably retain the at least one disc adjacent thereto and having pivotal means and a rear projection, the disc tray adapted for movement relative to the case bottom between a storage position substantially parallel and adjacent to the bottom and an access position angled with respect to the bottom;  
 a lid having a cam like projection and adapted mounted for movement with respect to the case bottom between a closed position substantially parallel and adjacent to the bottom and an open position angled with respect to the bottom;  
 whereby, when the lid is in the closed position, the cam like extension of the lid and the disc tray are in an engaged abutting relationship and initial movement of the lid towards the open position depresses the rear projection of the disc tray and moves the disc tray to the access position at which continued movement of the lid causes an area on the cam like extension of the lid to abut an area of the rear projection of the disc tray to effect a positive but releasable stop position which retains the lid in the open position and the disc tray in the elevated access position and where continued movement of the lid will retain the disc tray in an elevated access position, and when the lid is in the open position, movement of the lid through to the closed position returns the lid and the disc tray to closed positions respectively.