Disk holding device

Abstract

A disk holding device for packaging hard drive disks includes a base and a cover. The base includes a central portion and at least one locking surface near an end of the base. The cover includes a latch arm near one end of the cover. The latch arm has a locking tab that transversely protrudes from the latch arm in a direction from the central portion of the base toward the end of the base. A space extends between the cover and the base for receiving a cassette portion when the locking tab is received against the at least one locking surface.

1 . A disk holding device, comprising: 
 a base having a central portion and at least one locking surface near an end of the base; and    a cover including a latch arm near one end of the cover, the latch arm having a locking tab that transversely protrudes from the latch arm in a direction from the central portion of the base toward the end of the base, wherein a space extends between the cover and the base for receiving a cassette portion when the locking tab is received against the at least one locking surface.    
   
   
       2 . The device as recited in  claim 1 , 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.  
   
   
       3 . The device as recited in  claim 1 , comprising a cassette portion received within the space and including opposing side walls and opposing end walls which form an interior for housing at least one disk, wherein at least one of the opposing end walls comprises a channel and the latch arm includes a boss extending transverse from the latch arm toward the interior of the cassette portion for selectively engaging the channel of the at least one opposing end wall.  
   
   
       4 . The device as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the locking tab protrudes from the latch arm in a direction away from the interior of the cassette portion.  
   
   
       5 . The device as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the base and the cover comprise distinct components from the cassette portion.  
   
   
       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 . The device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a groove and the latch arm extends at least partially through the groove such that the locking tab at least partially abuts the locking surface.  
   
   
       8 . The device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the locking tab includes at least one engaging surface offset a first distance from a distal end of the latch arm and the at least one locking surface of the base includes a central portion offset a second distance from the distal end, the first distance being greater than the second distance.  
   
   
       9 . The device as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the at least one locking surface includes at least two flange portions and the central portion extends between the at least two flange portions, the at least one engaging surface abutting at least one of the at least two flange portions to selectively attach the cover to the base.  
   
   
       10 . The device as recited in  claim 8 , comprising a manipulating surface between the locking tab and a lifting ledge spaced a third, greater distance from the distal end, wherein the manipulating surface is exposed at the first distance from the distal end of the latch arm where the cover is attached to the base.  
   
   
       11 . The device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the base includes: 
 at least one end wall;    at least two arm portions extending from the at least one end wall, wherein the at least one locking surface extends between the at least two arm portions; and    a groove between the at least one end wall and the at least one locking surface for selectively receiving the locking tab.    
   
   
       12 . A disk holding device, comprising: 
 a cover including a latch arm near one end of the cover, the latch arm having at least one locking tab including spaced apart engaging surfaces that transversely protrude from the latch arm; and    a base positioned relative to the cover such that a space extends between the cover and the base for receiving a cassette portion, the base having at least one locking surface including an interrupted central portion, wherein at least a portion of the at least one locking tab selectively abuts the at least one locking surface of the base portion, and a portion of the latch arm is exposed at the interrupted central portion.    
   
   
       13 . The device as recited in  claim 12 , comprising a cassette portion received within the space and including opposing side walls and opposing end walls which form an interior for housing at least one disk.  
   
   
       14 . The device as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the base includes at least two arms each having a first portion and a second portion, the first portions extending toward the cover and the second portions transverse to the first portions and extending in a direction away from the interior of the cassette portion.  
   
   
       15 . The device as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the latch arm includes a lifting ledge protruding from the latch arm in substantially the same direction as the at least one locking tab.  
   
   
       16 . The device as recited in  claim 15 , comprising a manipulating surface disposed on the latch arm between the lifting ledge and the at least one locking tab, wherein the manipulating surface is exposed between the lifting ledge and the at least one locking tab.  
   
   
       17 . The device as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the lifting ledge of the latch arm includes a curved surface that extends in a direction opposite from the interrupted central portion of the at least one locking surface.  
   
   
       18 . The device as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the interrupted central portion of the at least one locking surface is curved in a direction away from the cover.  
   
   
       19 . The device as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the at least one locking surface includes a first flange and a second flange and the central portion is disposed between the first flange and the second flange, the two spaced apart engaging surfaces selectively abutting the first flange and the second flange to attach the cover to the base.  
   
   
       20 . 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 by engaging a first surface of the latch arm in a first direction toward an interior of the device to unlock the latch arm; and    manipulating the latch arm by engaging a second surface that is transverse to the first surface in a second, transverse direction away from the interior of the device to remove the cover from the cassette portion.    
   
   
       21 . The method as recited in  claim 20 , comprising automatically manipulating the latch arm.  
   
   
       22 . The method as recited in  claim 20 , comprising manually manipulating the latch arm.  
   
   
       23 . The method as recited in  claim 20 , 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.