US4355340A — Disc pack with snap on handle

Claim 1

Independent Claim 225 words

In a disc pack cartridge of the type having a top cover with a handle that can be raised from a horizontal position to a vertical position, a magnetic disc housed within the top cover, the magnetic disc being attached to a hub having a magnetizable armature plate, a removable bottom cover having magnets for latching the removable bottom cover to the top cover by the magnetic attraction between the magnets and the armature plate, a lift plate for lifting the hub away from the magnets of the removable bottom cover to unlatch the removable bottom cover, and lift arms attached to the lift plate and extending through the top cover into a chamber in the handle, the improvement comprising a yoke constantly housed in the chamber of the handle for sliding movement between an unlatch position and a carry position, means securing the lift arms to the yoke in a manner enabling the lift arms to pivot on the yoke, means urging the yoke to the unlatch position, a slide member in the chamber, disposed above the yoke, the slide member having dependent blocking members adapted to block sliding movement of the yoke from the unlatch position toward the carry position, the slide member being movable to a carry station where the dependent blocking members do not block the sliding movement of the yoke.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 225 words

In a disc pack cartridge of the type having a top cover with a handle that can be raised from a horizontal position to a vertical position, a magnetic disc housed within the top cover, the magnetic disc being attached to a hub having a magnetizable armature plate, a removable bottom cover having magnets for latching the removable bottom cover to the top cover by the magnetic attraction between the magnets and the armature plate, a lift plate for lifting the hub away from the magnets of the removable bottom cover to unlatch the removable bottom cover, and lift arms attached to the lift plate and extending through the top cover into a chamber in the handle, the improvement comprising a yoke constantly housed in the chamber of the handle for sliding movement between an unlatch position and a carry position, means securing the lift arms to the yoke in a manner enabling the lift arms to pivot on the yoke, means urging the yoke to the unlatch position, a slide member in the chamber, disposed above the yoke, the slide member having dependent blocking members adapted to block sliding movement of the yoke from the unlatch position toward the carry position, the slide member being movable to a carry station where the dependent blocking members do not block the sliding movement of the yoke.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 62 words

The improvement according to claim 1 wherein the yoke has a receiver aperture therein situated to receive a blocking member when the slide member is at its carry station, the means securing the lift arms to the yoke are pivot pins extending through the upper ends of the lift arms, and the yoke has longitudinal channels therein for receiving the pivot pins.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 85 words

The improvement according to claim 2 wherein a cover plate covers the chamber of the handle, the cover plate being adjacent to the slide member and secured to the handle, the cover plate having an elongated aperture therein, and a slide button, the slide button having dependent means adapted to protrude through the elongated aperture of the cover plate and engage the slide member whereby the slide button and the slide member are movable as a unit along the elongated aperture of the cover plate.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 20 words

The improvement according to claim 3 wherein resilient means in the chamber urge the slide member to its carry station.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 173 words

A disc pack handle and latching assembly comprising: a cover having a handle on its upper side that can be raised from a horizontal position to a vertical position on the cover, a lift plate disposed below the handle on the bottom side of the cover for carrying an armature forming part of a magnetic latching assembly for connecting the cover to a base of the pack, a chamber within the handle and connecting means secured to the lift plate and extending into the chamber, a yoke constantly confined to the chamber, pivot means within the chamber pivotally connecting the connecting means to the yoke, and control means on the handle movable between a first position wherein raising the handle does not alter the position of the lift plate with respect to the cover so that the armature remains substantially fixed with respect to the base, and a second position wherein raising the handle raises the lift plate with respect to the cover so that the armature moves with respect to the base.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 173 words

A disc pack handle and latching assembly comprising: a cover having a handle on its upper side that can be raised from a horizontal position to a vertical position on the cover, a lift plate disposed below the handle on the bottom side of the cover for carrying an armature forming part of a magnetic latching assembly for connecting the cover to a base of the pack, a chamber within the handle and connecting means secured to the lift plate and extending into the chamber, a yoke constantly confined to the chamber, pivot means within the chamber pivotally connecting the connecting means to the yoke, and control means on the handle movable between a first position wherein raising the handle does not alter the position of the lift plate with respect to the cover so that the armature remains substantially fixed with respect to the base, and a second position wherein raising the handle raises the lift plate with respect to the cover so that the armature moves with respect to the base.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 96 words

A disc pack handle and latching assembly as defined in claim 5 further characterized by said yoke being movable within the chamber and being biased to a first position therein, and means acting on the yoke when the handle is raised urging the yoke to move to a second position in the chamber wherein the position of lift plate is not altered by raising the handle, said control means when moved to its second position preventing the yoke from moving to its second position and thereby causing raising of the handle to move the lift plate.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 30 words

A disc pack handle and latching assembly as defined in claim 6 further characterized by means in the chamber confining motion of the yoke to the plane of the handle.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 62 words

A disc pack handle and latching assembly as defined in claim 5 further characterized by said connecting means comprising an arm perpendicular to the lift plate and extending into the chamber, said pivot means comprising a pin extending through the arm and secured to the yoke, and a spring surrounding the arm and urging the lift plate downwardly away from the cover.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 44 words

A disc pack handle and latching assembly as defined in claim 8 further characterized by a bezel mounted on the arm on the bottom side of the cover, said spring being a coil spring around the arm confined between the lift plate and bezel.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 28 words

A disc pack handle and latching assembly as defined in claim 8 further characterized by a hole in the top of the arm through which the pin extends.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 37 words

A disc pack handle and latching assembly as defined in claim 8 further characterized by a hook in the top of the arm engaging the pin and forming the pivotal connection between the yoke and the arm.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 52 words

A disc pack handle and latching assembly as defined in claim 8 further characterized by said connecting means including a second arm identical to and parallel with the first recited arm, a second pin extending through the second arm and disposed in the yoke and a second spring surrounding the second arm.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 45 words

A disc pack handle and latching assembly as defined in claim 5 further characterized by spring means secured to the control means causing the control means to return to assume its first position when the handle is moved from the raised to the horizontal position.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 58 words

A disc pack handle and latching assembly as defined in claim 6 further characterized by said control means including a slide movable in the chamber of the handle, a blocking member carried by and movable with the slide and positioned to engage the yoke and prevent the yoke from moving when the slide is in the second position.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 45 words

A disc pack handle and latching assembly as defined in claim 14 further characterized by spring means in the chamber secured to the slide causing the slide to return to its first position when the handle is moved from the raised to the horizontal position.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 175 words

A disc pack handle and latching assembly comprising a cover having a handle on its upper side that can be raised from a horizontal position to a vertical position on the cover, a lifting means disposed below the handle on the bottom side of the cover for carrying part of a latching assembly for connecting the cover to a base of the pack, a chamber within the handle and a connecting arm secured to the lift means and extending into the chamber, a yoke constantly confined to and movable in the chamber and movable with the handle, pivot means within the chamber pivotally connecting the connecting arm to the yoke, and control means in the chamber for selectively either enabling the yoke to move within the chamber when the handle is raised from the horizontal position whereby the lift means does not affect the condition of the latching assembly, or preventing the yoke from moving within the chamber when the handle is raised whereby the lift means does affect the condition of the latching assembly.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 175 words

A disc pack handle and latching assembly comprising a cover having a handle on its upper side that can be raised from a horizontal position to a vertical position on the cover, a lifting means disposed below the handle on the bottom side of the cover for carrying part of a latching assembly for connecting the cover to a base of the pack, a chamber within the handle and a connecting arm secured to the lift means and extending into the chamber, a yoke constantly confined to and movable in the chamber and movable with the handle, pivot means within the chamber pivotally connecting the connecting arm to the yoke, and control means in the chamber for selectively either enabling the yoke to move within the chamber when the handle is raised from the horizontal position whereby the lift means does not affect the condition of the latching assembly, or preventing the yoke from moving within the chamber when the handle is raised whereby the lift means does affect the condition of the latching assembly.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 167 words

A disc pack cover assembly comprising: a preassembled handle having a chamber formed in the handle, a yoke constantly confined within the chamber and slidable therein, a recess in the yoke and a pin fixed in the recess, control means in the chamber in one position enabling the yoke to slide therein and a second position preventing the yoke from sliding therein, a slot in the handle communicating with the chamber and a slot in the yoke aligned with the slot in the handle and communicating with the recess, a cover with the preassembled handle disposed above it, a lift plate disposed below the cover for carrying an armature forming part of a magnetic latch assembly, a lift arm secured to the plate and extending upwardly through the cover, and a hook formed at the top of the arm and adapted to extend through the slots in the handle and yoke for pivotally engaging the pin in the recess to pivotally connect the arm with the yoke.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 167 words

A disc pack cover assembly comprising: a preassembled handle having a chamber formed in the handle, a yoke constantly confined within the chamber and slidable therein, a recess in the yoke and a pin fixed in the recess, control means in the chamber in one position enabling the yoke to slide therein and a second position preventing the yoke from sliding therein, a slot in the handle communicating with the chamber and a slot in the yoke aligned with the slot in the handle and communicating with the recess, a cover with the preassembled handle disposed above it, a lift plate disposed below the cover for carrying an armature forming part of a magnetic latch assembly, a lift arm secured to the plate and extending upwardly through the cover, and a hook formed at the top of the arm and adapted to extend through the slots in the handle and yoke for pivotally engaging the pin in the recess to pivotally connect the arm with the yoke.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 75 words

A disc pack cover assembly as described in claim 17 further characterized by a well in the top surface of the cover for receiving the handle, a notch on each side of the handle and stabilizing pins on each side of the well for engaging the notches, and a ramp leading into each notch enabling the stabilizing pin to slip into the notch when the handle is connected to the hook on the lift arm.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 208 words

A disc pack cover assembly comprising: a cover, a well in the top of the cover for receiving the handle, a lift plate disposed beneath the cover, a pair of lift arms connected to the lift plate and extending upwardly through the cover and generally perpendicular to it into the well, hook means provided in the tops of the arms and facing one end of the well in the cover, and a preassembled handle having a generally flat configuration and shaped to fit within the recess when placed in a horizontal position, a chamber provided in one end of the handle corresponding to the location of the hooks, said chamber being defined by front, rear, bottom and side walls, a yoke constantly confined within the chamber and slidable between the front and rear walls, a pair of recesses in the yoke and a pivot pin in each recess, and slots in the front and bottom walls of the chamber and in the yoke on the side facing the front wall for enabling the handle to be slipped onto the lift arms so that the hooks engage the pivot pins whereby the handle thereafter may be raised to a vertical position on the cover while attached to the arms.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 208 words

A disc pack cover assembly comprising: a cover, a well in the top of the cover for receiving the handle, a lift plate disposed beneath the cover, a pair of lift arms connected to the lift plate and extending upwardly through the cover and generally perpendicular to it into the well, hook means provided in the tops of the arms and facing one end of the well in the cover, and a preassembled handle having a generally flat configuration and shaped to fit within the recess when placed in a horizontal position, a chamber provided in one end of the handle corresponding to the location of the hooks, said chamber being defined by front, rear, bottom and side walls, a yoke constantly confined within the chamber and slidable between the front and rear walls, a pair of recesses in the yoke and a pivot pin in each recess, and slots in the front and bottom walls of the chamber and in the yoke on the side facing the front wall for enabling the handle to be slipped onto the lift arms so that the hooks engage the pivot pins whereby the handle thereafter may be raised to a vertical position on the cover while attached to the arms.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 69 words

A disc pack cover assembly as defined in claim 17 further characterized by a well in the top surface of the cover for receiving the handle, said well having side walls facing the side walls of the handle; and pivotal support means in the facing side walls for establishing a pivotal axis for rotation of the handle when it is moved between horizontal and vertical positions on the cover.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 66 words

A disc pack cover assembly as defined in claim 20 further characterized by said pivotal support means including a pivot button mounted on one of the side walls on one side of the handle and having an axially movable shaft and an opening in the other of the side walls on the same side of the handle for receiving the shaft when in its extended position.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 35 words

A disc pack cover assembly as defined in claim 21 further characterized by biasing means for the button urging the shaft to an extended position, and cam means engaging the button for retracting the shaft.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 42 words

A disc pack cover assembly as defined in claim 22 further characterized by a button and cam means being mounted on each side of the handle, and an opening being provided in each side of the handle for receiving the button shafts.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 107 words

A lift plate subassembly for use in a disc pack cover assembly comprising a generally circular lift plate, a pair of cylindrical columns formed as an integral part of the lift plate and extending upwardly from the top surface thereof, an arm mounted in each of the columns and extending upwardly therefrom, said arms having hook means in their upper ends for securing the subassembly to the handle of the disc pack cover, bezels having circular openings receiving the columns and being slidably up and down on the columns, and springs surrounding the columns and engaging the bezels for urging the lift plate away from the bezels.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 107 words

A lift plate subassembly for use in a disc pack cover assembly comprising a generally circular lift plate, a pair of cylindrical columns formed as an integral part of the lift plate and extending upwardly from the top surface thereof, an arm mounted in each of the columns and extending upwardly therefrom, said arms having hook means in their upper ends for securing the subassembly to the handle of the disc pack cover, bezels having circular openings receiving the columns and being slidably up and down on the columns, and springs surrounding the columns and engaging the bezels for urging the lift plate away from the bezels.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 40 words

A lift plate subassembly as defined in claim 24 further characterized by means on the bezels and lift plate limiting the relative separation of the plate from the bezels for retaining lift plate, arms, springs and bezels in assembled relationship.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 49 words

A lift plate subassembly as defined in claim 25 further characterized by said means limiting the separation, including barbs formed on the columns of the lift plate and shoulders formed on the bezels and engaged by the barbs when the plate and bezels are moved to selected relative positions.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 48 words

A lift plate subassembly as defined in claim 24 further characterized by each of the bezels having a sleeve that forms a seal with the column for preventing dust or other particles passing through the cover to the interior of a disc pack when the cover is closed.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 49 words

A disc pack handle and latching assembly as defined in claim 5 further characterized by a cover plate secured to the handle for closing the chamber, and a spring connected to the cover plate and the control means for biasing the control means to one of the two positions.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 35 words

A disc pack handle and latching assembly as defined in claim 5 further characterized by a spring connected to the handle and control means for biasing the control means to one of said two positions.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 25 words

A disc pack handle and latching assembly as defined in claim 29 further characterized by said spring being disposed in and confined to said chamber.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1985-10-18	1986-04-19	1986-10-19	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1989-10-18	1990-04-19	1990-10-19	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1993-10-18	1994-04-19	1994-10-19	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Disc pack with snap on handle

Abstract

Inventors

Bibliographic Details

Claims Analysis

References Cited (Backward Citations)

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Assigned Categories & Tags

Assign Category Tag