US4867311A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Computer diskette dispenser and storage device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1988-11-21
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Granted: 1989-09-19
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Expires: 2008-11-21
Abstract
Abstract An improved computer disk holder comprising a box-type container with one open side, or a side that can be opened, into which a plurality of labeled slots suitable for the insertion of computer disks or the like is provided and into each slot is positioned a spring-clip mechanism which may be independently activated in one configuration of said disk holder, by an external implement such as a pen, or in another configuration of said disk holder, by a lockable selector-button which will simultaneously point to an index, such as a numbered index, and dispense any correspondingly numbered disk when it is depressed, or dispense any sequence of numbered disks corresponding to that portion of the index which the selector-button slides over while being depressed at the same time.
Inventors
- 👤 Darrell J. Metcalf
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 10:53
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B33/00; G11B33/02; G11B33/04; G11B33/0405; G11B33/0433; G11B33/0438
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
A storage container and dispenser of computer disks and the like comprising: a plurality of locking-lever spring mechanisms, herein referred to as spring-clips, which secure said computer disks in, and dispense them from said container in an organizing fashion and are formed out of a resilient material, such as plastic, and function independent of one another, each of which includes a fulcrum/hinge which securely pivots in a fulcrum/hinge channel, and said spring-clips are otherwise generally shaped as three-armed members, on one arm is the disk retaining means, on a second arm is a forward thrusting spring-action, on a third arm is a trigger, and these spring-clips are positioned in the container in an equal number of disk-slots, in such a way as to provide convenient access to the spring-clip triggers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
130 words
A storage container and dispenser of computer disks and the like comprising: a plurality of locking-lever spring mechanisms, herein referred to as spring-clips, which secure said computer disks in, and dispense them from said container in an organizing fashion and are formed out of a resilient material, such as plastic, and function independent of one another, each of which includes a fulcrum/hinge which securely pivots in a fulcrum/hinge channel, and said spring-clips are otherwise generally shaped as three-armed members, on one arm is the disk retaining means, on a second arm is a forward thrusting spring-action, on a third arm is a trigger, and these spring-clips are positioned in the container in an equal number of disk-slots, in such a way as to provide convenient access to the spring-clip triggers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The spring-clips of claim 1 wherein: said pivoting fulcrum/hinge, said disk retaining means, and said trigger portion are formed as a single unit and are separate from the forward thrusting spring-action.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The spring-clips of claim 1 wherein: an additional thickness of a prescribed area of one or both sides of the spring-clip is added as a spacer portion, for spacing a plurality of spring-clips at a desired distance to one another.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The spring-clips of claim 1 further comprising: said disk retaining latch having an elongated member attached thereto at a flexible joint and onto which member is mounted an auxiliary disk retaining latch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The elongated member of claim 4 wherein: said member is extended to the front of the disk container to provide an alternate spring-clip trigger which can be activated around the front of said container.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
127 words
The container of claim 1 further comprising: a positionably slideable selector-button constructed out of a resilient material, such as plastic, which operates in a slotted opening formed in said container in such a way as to activate (1.) any single spring-clip, or (2.) any sequence of spring-clips, depending respectively on whether (1.) the selector-button is depressed while in a single position, or (2.) if it is slid and depressed at the same time and said selector-button consists an index pointer/indicator from which extends a flexing upper portion having a button surface and an actuator-arm that may slide from side to side and/or up and down in said slot, and is retained in said slot by an actuatorarm catch, below which is formed a spring-clip trigger contacting surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
68 words
The selector-button of claim 6 wherein: a lower and upper portion of said selector-button are attached at a flexible joint and a lock insertion channel or gap is provided in or between these portions permitting a locking device, such as a standard padlock to be inserted therethrough, so as to prevent the depression of the selector-button and the dispensing of stored disks while said lock is in place.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
69 words
The selector-button of claim 6 wherein: a selector-button positioning indent or detent is formed on said actuator arm to frictionally position the selector-button among any one in a series of conversely opposed detents or indents which are positioned in such a way as to align the index pointer/indicator portion of the selector-button to an index while the trigger contacting surface of the selector-button is aligned to a corresponding spring-clip.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The spring-clips of claim 1 wherein: a central bore is formed in said spring-clips to facilitate quick assembly and alignment of a plurality of spring-clips.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
55 words
The spring-clips of claim 1 wherein: a plurality of spring-clips are formed into a composite unit, joined to one another at a minimal cross-section of each fulcrum/hinge in such a way as to be aligned with a plurality of disk-slots while maintaining the necessary pivoting and spring-action motion required of each spring-clip in the composite.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
97 words
The spring-clips of claim 1 wherein: a plurality o triggerably hinged clips are formed into one composite unit, and a plurality of spring-actions are formed into a separate composite unit, where each clip is joined to another at a minimal cross-section of each fulcrum/hinge, and each spring-action is also joined to a minimal cross-section of its adjacent spring, where both of the composite units operate in such a way as to be aligned with a plurality of disk-slots while maintaining the necessary pivoting motion required of each clip and the necessary spring motion required of each spring.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-09-18 | 1993-03-20 | 1993-09-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-09-18 | 1997-03-20 | 1997-09-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-09-18 | 2001-03-20 | 2001-09-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |