Disk holding device

Abstract

A disk holding device for packaging hard drive disks includes a cover having a latch arm with a locking tab that extends in a direction away from an interior of the disk holding device. The latch arm selectively engages a locking surface of a base portion to lock the disk holding device. The latch arm is unlocked by manipulating the latch arm in a first direction toward the interior of the disk holding device. The cover can then be removed by manipulating the latch arm in a second, transverse direction away from the interior of the device.

1 . A disk holding device, comprising: 
 a latch arm for locking the disk holding device having a locking tab near an end of the latch arm extending in a direction facing away from an interior of the disk holding device.    
   
   
       2 . The device as recited in  claim 1 , comprising a cassette portion having opposing side walls and opposing end walls for forming the interior of the disk holding device, wherein at least one of the opposing end walls includes a channel and the latch arm includes a boss that selectively engages the channel when the disk holding device is locked.  
   
   
       3 . The device as recited in  claim 2 , comprising a base portion and a cover, the base portion on one side of the cassette portion and the cover on an opposite side of the cassette portion, wherein the latch arm extends from the cover toward the base portion and selectively engages at least one locking surface of the base.  
   
   
       4 . The device as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the base portion comprises a groove and the latch arm extends at least partially through the groove such that the locking tab at least partially abuts the at least one locking surface.  
   
   
       5 . The device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the latch arm includes a lifting ledge extending in substantially the same direction as the locking tab.  
   
   
       6 . The device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the latch arm includes at least one finger grip extending transverse to the latch arm in substantially the same direction as the locking tab.  
   
   
       7 . A disk holding device, comprising: 
 a cassette portion including a base portion having at least one locking surface, opposing side walls and opposing end walls which form an interior for housing at least one disk; and    a cover including a latch arm near one end of the cover, the latch arm having a first surface facing generally toward an opposite end of the cover and a second surface facing opposite the first surface and having a locking tab that protrudes from the second surface in a direction away from the cover.    
   
   
       8 . The device as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the base portion comprises a distinct component from the cassette portion.  
   
   
       9 . The device as recited in  claim 7 , comprising a lifting ledge disposed on the latch arm between the cover and the locking tab and protruding substantially in the same direction as the locking tab.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein at least one of the opposing end walls comprises a channel and the latch arm includes a boss extending transverse from the first surface toward the opposite end of the cover for selectively engaging the channel of the at least one of the opposing end walls.  
   
   
       11 . The device as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the latch arm includes at least one finger grip extending transverse to the latch arm in substantially the same direction as the locking tab.  
   
   
       12 . A method of opening a disk holding device including a cassette portion and a cover having a latch arm, comprising the step of: 
 manipulating the latch arm in a first direction toward an interior of the device to unlock the latch arm.    
   
   
       13 . The method as recited in  claim 12 , comprising manipulating the latch arm in a second, transverse direction away from the interior of the device to remove the cover from the cassette portion.  
   
   
       14 . The method as recited in  claim 12 , comprising automatically manipulating the latch arm.  
   
   
       15 . The method as recited in  claim 12 , comprising manually manipulating the latch arm.  
   
   
       16 . The method as recited in  claim 13 , comprising applying a force in the first direction to unlock the latch arm and maintaining the force in the first direction while manipulating the latch arm in the second, transverse direction.  
   
   
       17 . The method as recited in  claim 13 , comprising engaging a first surface of the latch arm in the first direction to unlock the latch arm and engaging a second, transverse surface in the second, transverse direction to remove the cover from the cassette portion.