US4852078A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Impact-absorbing buffer element for optical disk carrier
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
•
Filing: 1988-06-16
•
Granted: 1989-07-25
•
Expires: 2008-06-16
Abstract
Abstract A carrier for an optical disk or the like is provided with a pair of resilient buffer elements to isolate the relatively delicate disk assembly from impulse spikes to which the carrier may be subjected. The disk carrier comprises a pair of frame members having respective arcuate surfaces which cooperate to define a generally circular aperture for receiving a data storage disk. The resilient buffer elements are arranged along such arcuate surfaces, each element having a groove-defining surface which is adapted to support the periphery of an optical disk. The carrier frame members are slidably coupled so as to vary the size of the circular aperture defined by their respective arcuate surfaces, and means are providing for urging the carrier frame members together so that a disk positioned in the carrier's aperture is engaged and supported by the grooves formed in the buffer elements.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen H. Miller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 13:52
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B33/00; G11B33/02; G11B33/08; G11B23/00; G11B23/02; G11B23/03; G11B23/0328
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
Disk-carrier apparatus for facilitating the handling of data storage disk, said apparatus comprising: (a) a pair of frame members having respective arcuate surfaces which cooperate to define a major portion of a generally circular aperture for receiving a data storage disk; (b) means for slidably coupling said frame members to vary the size of said aperture; (c) a pair of resilient buffer elements one of said buffer elements being arranged along substantially the entire length of each of said arcuate surfaces, each of said buffer members defining a groove for supporting a peripheral portion of a disk located within said aperture; and (d) means for urging said frame members together so that a disk located within said aperture is supported by the grooves in said buffer elements.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
Disk-carrier apparatus for facilitating the handling of data storage disk, said apparatus comprising: (a) a pair of frame members having respective arcuate surfaces which cooperate to define a major portion of a generally circular aperture for receiving a data storage disk; (b) means for slidably coupling said frame members to vary the size of said aperture; (c) a pair of resilient buffer elements one of said buffer elements being arranged along substantially the entire length of each of said arcuate surfaces, each of said buffer members defining a groove for supporting a peripheral portion of a disk located within said aperture; and (d) means for urging said frame members together so that a disk located within said aperture is supported by the grooves in said buffer elements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein each of said buffer members comprises an arcuate, resilient member having (a) a pair of spaced, parallel flanges adapted to be supported by one of said frame members in the vicinity of the arcuate surface thereof, and (b) a pair of converging members extending from said parallel flanges, said converging members defining said groove.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 2 wherein said flanges and converging members define an air space between said groove-defining converging members and the arcuate surface of said frame member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 2 wherein said flanges and converging members are of different hardness.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein each of said buffer elements comprises a deformable member disposed in a groove defined by one of said arcuate surfaces.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 5 wherein said deformable member comprises an elastomer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein each of said buffer elements comprises an elastic membrane stretched across a groove defined in one of said arcuate surfaces.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
DE2210818A1
Cited
GB1540593A
Cited
US4433410A
Cited
US4481617A
Cited
US4608681A
Cited
EP0170957A1
Cited
US4747484A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-07-24 | 1993-01-23 | 1993-07-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-07-24 | 1997-01-23 | 1997-07-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-07-24 | 2001-01-23 | 2001-07-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |