Storage cases

Claim 2

A storage case for a compact audio or video disk (12) comprising a tray (10) defining a recess (11) for location of the disk (12) and detent means (23) which will releasably retain the disk (12) in the recess (11), characterised in that means (30; 40; 50; 130; 150) is provided to apply a force to the disk (12) urging the disk (12) out of engagement of the detent means (23) upon release of the detent means (23).

Claim 3

A storage case according to claim 1 characterised in that the detent means (23) has a series of legs (20) which define a central boss (23), an aperture (25) in the disk (12) being adapted to engage over the central boss (23) when the disk (12) is located in the recess (11), the legs (20) gripping the sides of the aperture (25).

Claim 4

A storage case according to claim 2 characterised in that the legs (20) are defined by a central raised portion (15) of the base (14) of the recess (11), the outer portions (21) of the legs (20) extending in the plane of said central raised portion (15), the legs (20) being bent upwardly part way along their lengths to provide upstanding portions (22) and the inner ends (24) being bent back towards one another, said upstanding portions (22) being inclined slightly outwardly and a bend (26) between the upstanding portions (22) and inner ends (24) being radiused.

Claim 5

A storage case according to any one of claims 1 to 3 characterised in that resilient means (30; 40; 50) is provided to apply a load to the disk (12) urging it out of the recess (11) when the disk (12) is engaged on the detent means (23).

Claim 6

A storage case according to claim 4 characterised in that the detent means (23) comprises a central boss (23) defined by a series of legs (20), the legs (20) being adapted to engage and grip an aperture (25) in the disk (12), a spring element (30) being disposed centrally of the boss (23), said spring element (30) having a plurality of bowed arms (31) which are located through gaps between the legs (20) defining the central boss (23), the arms (31) extending beyond upstanding portions (22) of the legs (20), so that they will be engaged and deformed by a disk (12) when a disk (12) is located over the central boss (23).

Claim 7

A storage case according to claim 4 characterised in that the detent means comprises a central boss (23) defined by a series of legs (20), the legs (20) being adapted to engage and grip an aperture (25) in the disk (12), the resilient means (40; 50) being provided by a plurality of resilient fingers (40; 50) formed integrally of the tray (10).

Claim 8

A storage case according to claim 6 characterised in that the resilient fingers (40) are formed between adjacent legs (20) of the detent means (23), said resilient fingers (40) extending radially inwardly and being bowed upwardly so that they will be engaged and deformed by a disk (12) as the disk (12) is located over the central boss (23).

Claim 9

A storage case according to claim 6 characterised in that the resilient fingers (50) extend radially outwardly from upstanding portions (22) of the legs (20) defining the central boss (23), the resilient fingers (50) being bowed upwardly so that they will be engaged and deformed by the disk (12) as it is located over the central boss (23).

Claim 10

A storage case according to any one of claims 1 to 3 characterised in that the means (130; 150) for applying the load to the disk (12) comprises a lever mechanism (133, 134, 130; 100), the lever mechanism (133, 134, 135; 100) being operated by means (131; 24) for releasing the detent means (23).

Claim 11

A storage case according to claim 9 characterised in that the detent means is defined by a central boss (23) formed by a series of legs (20), a lever (133; 150) is associated with the inner end (24) of at least one of the legs (20) defining the central boss (23), the lever (133; 150) extending downwardly from an inner end (24) of the leg (20) to engage an underlying surface (136) and then upwardly between adjacent upstanding portions (22) of the legs (20) of the central boss (23).

Claim 12

A storage case according to claim 10 characterised in that a plurality of levers (133; 150) are located symmetrically with respect to the central boss (23).

Claim 13

A storage case according to claim 11 characterised in that the levers (133) are provided on a release element (130), the release element (130) comprising a central portion (131) which overlies and engages inner ends (24) of the legs (20) defining the central boss (23), the levers (133) depending from the central portion (131) and being located between adjacent legs (20) of the central boss (23).

Claim 14

A storage case according to claim 11 characterised in that the levers (150) are formed as an integral part of the legs (20) defining the central boss (23), the levers (150) extending from inner ends (24) of said legs (20).

Claim 15

A storage case according to any one of the preceding claims characterised in that the tray (10) is located in a case with a hinged or sliding lid.

Claim 16

A storage case according to any one of claims 1 to 13 characterised in that the tray (10) defines the base portion of a case, the tray (10) being provided with a hinged or sliding lid.