Locking latch for a disk cartridge

Claim 2

A cartridge for a recording disk having a hub with a central opening, said cartridge including separable mating top and bottom covers coupled by a releasable catch mechanism operable by a handle mounted on the top cover for movement between open and closed positions, wherein the improvement comprises: a centrally positioned projection on said bottom cover having an enlarged end adapted to pass through the central opening in said hub when the covers are mated; a latch assembly mounted centrally on said top cover and positioned for engagement by the projection, including a plurality of balls mounted therein for radial movement between inner engaged positions against the projection on the side of the enlarged end adjacent the bottom cover and outer release positions spaced from the projection to afford movement of the enlarged end therebetween; and cam means operably coupled to said handle for moving said balls to their engaged positions when said handle is moved to its closed position, and for affording movement of the balls to their release positions, when said handle is in its open position; a pin tumbler lock mechanism including a key operated plug mounted in the top cover for rotation between locked and unlocked positions; and bolt means coupled to the plug for engaging and preventing movement of the handle from its closed position when the plug is rotated to its locked position.

Claim 3

A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said bolt means comprise a bolt eccentrically coupled to the plug and mounted in the top cover for movement when the plug is rotated to its locked position into a position engaging the handle when the handle is in its closed position to prevent movement of the handle to its open position; and for movement when the plug is rotated to its unlocked position into a position spaced from the handle.

Claim 4

A disk cartridge according to claim 2, wherein said top cover has walls defining a recess for receiving said handle in its closed position, said bolt passes through one of said walls into an opening defined in said handle when the plug is rotated to its locked position, a second bolt is mounted in and extends across said handle, a first end of said bolt being positioned in said opening, said second bolt being slidably mounted in said handle for movement from a first position with its ends generally flush with the sides of the handle, and a second position with a second end of the second bolt projecting from the side of said handle, one of said walls adjacent said second bolt end defines an opening for receiving the second bolt end when the second bolt is in its second position, and spring means are provided for biasing said second bolt to its first position.

Claim 5

A disk cartridge comprising a single recording disk and hub assembly enclosed in a protective top cover and catch means releasably attaching a removable bottom cover, said hub being of magnetizable material and said catch means comprising a plurality of permanent magnets on the bottom cover positioned to contact and magnetically couple the bottom cover to the hub and thereby couple the covers together, a handle pivotally mounted on the top cover for movement between an open and a closed position, and drive means adapted to be manually connected between the handle and the hub for moving the hub relative to the top cover away from the permanent magnets to afford separation of the covers upon manual movement of the handle to its open position, wherein the improvement comprises: a centrally positioned projection on said bottom cover having an enlarged end adapted to pass through a central opening in the hub when said covers are mated or separated; a latch assembly mounted centrally on said top cover and positioned for engagement by the projection, including a plurality of balls mounted therein for radial movement between inner engaged positions against the projection on the side of the enlarged end adjacent the bottom cover and outer release positions spaced from the projection to afford movement of the enlarged end therebetween; cam means operably coupled to the drive means for moving said balls to their engaged positions when said handle is moved to its closed position, and for affording movement of the balls to their release positions when said handle is in its open position; a pin tumbler lock mechanism including a key operated plug mounted in the top cover for rotation between locked and unlocked positions; and a bolt eccentrically coupled to the plug and mounted in the top cover for movement when the plug is rotated to its locked position into a position in engagement with the handle when the handle is in its closed position to prevent movement of the handle to its open position; and for movement when the plug is rotated to its unlocked position into a position spaced from the handle.

Claim 6

A disk cartridge comprising a single recording disk and hub assembly enclosed in a protective top cover and catch means releasably attaching a removable bottom cover, said hub being of magnetizable material and said catch means comprising a plurality of permanent magnets on the bottom cover positioned to contact and magnetically couple the bottom cover to the hub and thereby couple the covers together, a handle pivotally mounted on the top cover for movement between an open and a closed position, and drive means adapted to be manually connected between the handle and the hub for moving the hub relative to the top cover away from the permanent magnets to afford separation of the covers upon manual movement of the handle to its open position, wherein the improvement comprises: a centrally positioned projection on said bottom cover having an enlarged end adapted to pass through a central opening in the hub when said covers are mated or separated; a latch assembly mounted centrally on said top cover and positioned for engagement by the projection, including a plurality of balls mounted therein for radial movement between inner engaged positions against the projection on the side of the enlarged end adjacent the bottom cover and outer release positions spaced from the projection to afford movement of the enlarged end therebetween; cam means operably coupled to the drive means for moving said balls to their engaged positions when said handle is moved to its closed position, and for affording movement of the balls to their release positions when said handle is in its open position; a pin tumbler lock mechanism including a key operated plug mounted in the top cover for rotation between locked and unlocked positions; and a bolt eccentrically coupled to the plug and mounted in the top cover for movement when the plug is rotated to its locked position into a position in engagement with the handle when the handle is in its closed position to prevent movement of the handle to its open position; and for movement when the plug is rotated to its unlocked position into a position spaced from the handle.