Device for gripping a magnetic disk cartridge

Claim 1

For use with a magnetic disc cartridge of the type which comprises a container, a lid, and a magnetic disc assembly, said disc assembly defining a central cavity containing a magnetic disc held between a clamping plate and a locking plate, said container including a base having magnet means for removable connection with said disc assembly, said disc assembly including an extractor plate movably mounted between said clamping and locking plates, said extractor plate including at least one rod projecting through said disc, said rod including a spindle extending parallel to said disc, and spring means biased between said extractor plate and said spindle, the improvement which comprises a device for carrying, extracting, and reclosing said cartridge, said device comprising a handle, a pivot piece of resilient material pivotedly received in said handle, a pawl movably mounted on said handle, said pawl being shiftable between a first position whereat said pawl and handle are coupled for conjoint movement and a second position whereat said pawl and handle are relatively pivotal, a clearance slot generally in the configuration of an inverted L formed in said pivot piece, said slot including an open entrance end and a blind end defining a bearing, said handle including a clearance opening aligned with said entrance end of said clearance slot, a constricted portion formed in said slot adjacent said bearing, the cross sectional extent of said constricted portion in the unstressed condition thereof being less than the cross sectional dimension of said spindle, whereby said spindle may be removably retained in said bearing by forcibly urging said spindle through said constricted portion and into said bearing, a first stop surface formed on said pivot piece and disposed a first distance from the axis of said bearing, a second stop surface formed on said pivot piece and disposed a second and greater distance from said axis of said bearing, said extractor plate being shifted to releasing position of said container when said spindle is in said bearing and said second stop surface engages said lid and being in locking position of said container when said first stop surface engages said lid, said spring means yieldably maintaining said lid against the stop surface engaging said lid.