Latch and carrying handle assembly for magnetic recording disc cartridge

Claim 1

In a magnetic recording disc cartridge having a recording disc contained within an upper housing and a separably mating lower housing and in which separation of said lower housing is effected by lifting said recording disc axially away from magnetic engagement with the portion of said lower housing which extends transversely of the disc axis, an improved latch and carrying handle comprising a handle pivotally mounted to said upper housing for movement about a pivot axis which extends generally parallel to the plane of said recording disc, said movement being between one position lying generally parallel to said disc plane and another position generally normal to said disc plane and generally parallel to said disc axis; lifting means selectively engageable with said recording disc for moving said disc axially away from said lower housing, said lifting means comprising a pivotally mounted lifting bar and a disc-engaging element connected to said lifting bar eccentrically of the axis of said lifting bar pivot whereby pivotal movement of said lifting bar will effect a lifting of the disc-engaging element and thus of the disc; latch means slidably mounted to said lifting bar for reciprocating movement, in a direction generally normal to said lifting bar pivot axis, between a first position out of engagement with said handle and a second position engaging said handle such that, when said latch means is in said second position, pivotal movement of said handle will effect corresponding pivotal movement of said lifting bar, thereby lifting the disc; and movable trigger means engageable with said latch means for moving said latch means between said first position and said second position.