Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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DISC HANDLING DEVICE, METHOD OF USE AND PACKAGE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
: This invention relates generally to a disc handling
deviee and method of use for~handling discs such as compact
dises, reeord albums, optieal dises, and video dises. Muslc and
other types of informational signals are digitized and then
reeorded on a dise sueh as the eompaet disc, also known as a
"CD." However, the invention is speeifieally directed to the
handling of eompaet dises.
In order to play baek musie or other signals stored on
a eompaet dise for example, the dise is inserted into a player
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which utilizes a laser beam to read the stored information and
transla~e it into an electrical signal. The electrical signal is
then translated into an audible signal which may be heard
through a speaker. In order for the laser ~eam to correctly and
accurately read the information stored on a compact disc and
permit the player to reproduce the signals stored on it, the disc
must be free from dirt, defects and damage.
Compact discs are typically sold in a plastic box which
stores the compact disc and protects it from such hazards as
dirt, fingerprints, scratching, etc., which interfere with the
quality of sound reproduction. The plastic box is usually shaped
like a hinged book and typically has a central plastic core which
secures the central hole in the disc to hold the disc securely
wit~in a circular recess in the ~ox. To remove the disc from the
storage box and insert it in a player, an individual must grasp
at least the edge of the disc. However, oftentimes a person may
inadvertently touch portions other than the edge, which leaves
fingerprints and/or smudges on the disc. Further, the person
may drop or scratch the disc causing permanent damage, all which
interfere with the quality of sound reproduction.
One prior art compact disc handling device is that
disclosed in ~nited States Patent No. 4,726,615 (Goldberg~.
~owever, this device i5 believed to be difficult to operate, and
complex and expensive to manufacture, since it relies on a
central plunger, cam system and several movable arms to handle
the disc.
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Accordingly, a need exists for a disc handling device
which is reliable, simple in design and to use, and inexpensive
to manu~acture.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is a general object of this invention
to provide a device which facilitates handling of a disc without
the disc contacting a person's hands.
It is a further object of this invention~to provide a
disc handling device which is easy to use, reliable and inexpen-
sively manu~actured.
It is yet still a further object of this invention to
provide a disc handling device which i5 small enough to be
packaged in a typical compact disc package.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a
method of using a disc handling device which is simple, reliable
and easy to use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
These and other objects of this invention are achieved
by providing a device and method of use for handling discs such
as compact and other discs comprising handle means for holding
and actuating the device, a first and second arm connected to the
handle means at a juncture, each of the first and second arms
comprising a proximal end and a distal end having a gripper
means for gripping the edge of the disc. The arms are movably
attached to each other at their proximal ends by pivot means
located between the juncture of the handle means and the arms for
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pivoting the arms and gripper means in response to actuation of
the handle means.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other objects and many attendant features of this
invention will become readily appreciated as the same becomes
better understood by reference to the following ~etailed
description when considered in connection with the accompanying
drawings wherein: ~
Fig. 1 is an isometric view of a device constructed in
accordance with this invention;
Fig. 2 is a side elevation view in section of the
device taken along line 2-2 of Fig. l;
Fig. 3 is a partial exploded view of the gripper of
Fi~. 2;
Fig. 4 is a side elevation view of the device of the
present invention shown gripping a compact disc shcwn in section;
and
Fig. S is a top planar view of the device of the
present invention as packaged in a compact disc package of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to various figures of the drawings where
like reference numerals refer to like parts there is shown at 10
in Figs. 1 and 4, a device constructed in accordance with this
invention, shown gripping a compact disc 12 from a compact disc
plastic storage box 14.
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The device 10, basically comprises handles 20 for
holding and actuating the device, a first and second arm 40 and
42, grippers 60 for ~ripping the top and bottom edges of disc 16
and a pivot 80 for pivoting the arms, all to be described in
further detail later. Suffice it to say for now -that a person
actuates the device by applying pressure to the handles 20 which
causes the arms 40 and 42 to pivot about the pivot 80, causing
~he grippers 60 to be circumferentially adjacent the disc edge 16
as spring 90 is compressed. When the pressure is removed, the
grippers 60 securely grip the edge of the disc 16, permitting the
person to lift the disc 12 out of the compact disc plastic box 14
by lifting the device 10 in a vertical direction. Thus, the
device 10 is in the normally closed or disc gripping condition.
As shown clearly in Figs. 1 and 4, the handles 20 have
inner surfaces 22 and outer surfaces 24. The inner surfaces 22
additionally comprise a spring recess 26 for retaining spring
member 9O which assists the user in actuating the device as
described in detail later. Additionally, the outer surfaces 2~
preferably have finger indents 28 to facilitate gripping of the
device by a person during use.
The handles 20 are pivotally connected at a juncture
92 to each of the proximal ends 44 of the first and second arms
40 and 42 by a pivot pin ~4. Each of the arms 40 and 42 comprise
a proximal end 44 and distal end 46 with gripper ~O for gripping
the edye(s) of the disc 16. The pivot pin 94 is used to pivot
the first and second arms 40 and 42 in response to actuation of
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the handles 20. The pivot pin 94 is inserted into and retained
by pi~ot retaining open.ings 96 in each of the handles 40 and 42
at juncture 92.
In the preferred embodiment, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and
4, the device additionally comprises a spring member 90 contained
within spring recess 26 which aids in positioning the handles 20
and the grippers 60. When pressure is applied to the outer
surfaces 22 of handles 20 by a person's fingersj the sprinq
member 90 is compressed as grippers 60 move outward to circum-
ferentially engage the disc edge 16. When the pressure on outer
surfaces 22 is decreased, the spring tension causes the grippers
60 to move towards one another and grip the disc edge 22 as shown
in Figs. 3 and 4. The disc 12 is now releasably secured for
removal from the plastic box 14 or disc player (not shown).
The grippers 60 which grip the disc edge 16 are
located on the distal ends 46 of the arms 40 and 42. As shown
in Figs. 3 and 4, the distal ends 46 comprise first inner
surfaces 48 while the grippers 60 also comprise an extended
portion 50 at each distal end. The extended portions 50 have
second inner surfaces 52. The planes of the second inner
surfaces 52 are at a predetermined angle to the planes of the
first inner surfaces 48. In the preferred embodiment of the
device, the predetermined angle is preferably ninety degrees
(90) in order to more securely grip the disc edge-16. As shown
in Fig. 3, the corners of the disc are in point contact with
surfaces 48 and 52. The angle between the surfaces 4~ and 52 may
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vary within a range of sixty de~rees ~60) to one hundred fi~ty
degrees (150), although the invention is not so limited.
As shown in Fig. 5, the device lo of the present
lnvention is preferably compact enough to be enclosed in the
thin packaging 18 which may be used to package compact discs 12.
~owever, it should be readily apparent to those skilled in the
art that larger devices may also be constructed for use with
larger discs such as optical and video discs. Although any
suitable materials may be used in the construction of the device,
in order to decrease manufacturing and assembly costs it is
preferable that the device 10, except for spring 90, be comprised
o~ a somewhat rigid but impact resistant plastic such as
polystyrene. Additionally, it is preferable to use a convention-
al spring, whose characteristic~. may be adjusted in accordance
with the specific conditions and methods o~ use.
~ he packaging 18, may be comprised of any suitable
packaging material or combination thereof, such as cardboard,
plastic, etc., and is preferably of the approximate dimensions
0.5 inches high by 5.75 inches wide by 1~ inches long. Addition-
ally, the packaging contains windows 19 made of any resilient,
transparent material so that a consumer or user may view printed
material (not shown) on the disc box 14 and the device lQ
contained within packaging 18 on both or any sides o~ packaging
18.
The method o~` handling and moving discs which contain
information comprises the steps of providing a disc 12 contained
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on a surface and a disc handling device 10 comprising handles 20
with inner and outer surfaces 22 and 24 connected to a juncture
92 having a pivot 94. The inner surfaces 22 have a spring
recess 26 for retaining a spring member 90. The first and second
arms 40 and 42 are connected to the pivot 94 and have proximal
ends 44 and distal ends 46 to which is attached grippers 60 ~or
gripping the edge of a disc 16. Pressure is applied to the
handles 20 on the device 10 so that the inner surfaces of the
handles 22 move closer together causing the grippers 60 on the
arms of the device to pivot away from each other about a pivot
92 so that the grippers may grip the edge of the disc. The
pressure applied to the handles 20 is then released so that the
grippers 60 engage the edge of the disc 16. The device lO
releasably securing the disc 12 is then lifted so that the disc
is removed from the surface upon which it lies such as a CD
player, storage hox or any other surface.
Without further elaboration the foregoing will so
fully illustrate my invention that others may, by applying
current or future knowledge, readily adapt the same for use under
various conditions of service.
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