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United States Patent Application	20080023361
Kind Code	A1
Haggard; Clifton C. ;   et al.	January 31, 2008

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Claims

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1. A disk holding device, comprising: a base having a central portion and at least one locking surface near an end of the base; and a cover including a latch arm near one end of the cover, the latch arm having a locking tab that transversely protrudes from the latch arm in a direction from the central portion of the base toward the end of the base, wherein a space extends between the cover and the base for receiving a cassette portion when the locking tab is received against the at least one locking surface.

2. The device as recited in claim 1, comprising a lifting ledge disposed on the latch arm between the cover and the locking tab and protruding substantially in the same direction as the locking tab.

3. The device as recited in claim 1, comprising a cassette portion received within the space and including opposing side walls and opposing end walls which form an interior for housing at least one disk, wherein at least one of the opposing end walls comprises a channel and the latch arm includes a boss extending transverse from the latch arm toward the interior of the cassette portion for selectively engaging the channel of the at least one opposing end wall.

4. The device as recited in claim 3, wherein the locking tab protrudes from the latch arm in a direction away from the interior of the cassette portion.

5. The device as recited in claim 3, wherein the base and the cover comprise distinct components from the cassette portion.

6. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein the latch arm includes at least one finger grip extending transverse to the latch arm in substantially the same direction as the locking tab.

7. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein the base comprises a groove and the latch arm extends at least partially through the groove such that the locking tab at least partially abuts the locking surface.

8. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein the locking tab includes at least one engaging surface offset a first distance from a distal end of the latch arm and the at least one locking surface of the base includes a central portion offset a second distance from the distal end, the first distance being greater than the second distance.

9. The device as recited in claim 8, wherein the at least one locking surface includes at least two flange portions and the central portion extends between the at least two flange portions, the at least one engaging surface abutting at least one of the at least two flange portions to selectively attach the cover to the base.

10. The device as recited in claim 8, comprising a manipulating surface between the locking tab and a lifting ledge spaced a third, greater distance from the distal end, wherein the manipulating surface is exposed at the first distance from the distal end of the latch arm where the cover is attached to the base.

11. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein the base includes: at least one end wall; at least two arm portions extending from the at least one end wall, wherein the at least one locking surface extends between the at least two arm portions; and a groove between the at least one end wall and the at least one locking surface for selectively receiving the locking tab.

12. A disk holding device, comprising: a cover including a latch arm near one end of the cover, the latch arm having at least one locking tab including spaced apart engaging surfaces that transversely protrude from the latch arm; and a base positioned relative to the cover such that a space extends between the cover and the base for receiving a cassette portion, the base having at least one locking surface including an interrupted central portion, wherein at least a portion of the at least one locking tab selectively abuts the at least one locking surface of the base portion, and a portion of the latch arm is exposed at the interrupted central portion.

13. The device as recited in claim 12, comprising a cassette portion received within the space and including opposing side walls and opposing end walls which form an interior for housing at least one disk.

14. The device as recited in claim 13, wherein the base includes at least two arms each having a first portion and a second portion, the first portions extending toward the cover and the second portions transverse to the first portions and extending in a direction away from the interior of the cassette portion.

15. The device as recited in claim 12, wherein the latch arm includes a lifting ledge protruding from the latch arm in substantially the same direction as the at least one locking tab.

16. The device as recited in claim 15, comprising a manipulating surface disposed on the latch arm between the lifting ledge and the at least one locking tab, wherein the manipulating surface is exposed between the lifting ledge and the at least one locking tab.

17. The device as recited in claim 15, wherein the lifting ledge of the latch arm includes a curved surface that extends in a direction opposite from the interrupted central portion of the at least one locking surface.

18. The device as recited in claim 12, wherein the interrupted central portion of the at least one locking surface is curved in a direction away from the cover.

19. The device as recited in claim 12, wherein the at least one locking surface includes a first flange and a second flange and the central portion is disposed between the first flange and the second flange, the two spaced apart engaging surfaces selectively abutting the first flange and the second flange to attach the cover to the base.

20. A method of opening a disk holding device including a cassette portion and a cover having a latch arm, comprising the step of: manipulating the latch arm by engaging a first surface of the latch arm in a first direction toward an interior of the device to unlock the latch arm; and manipulating the latch arm by engaging a second surface that is transverse to the first surface in a second, transverse direction away from the interior of the device to remove the cover from the cassette portion.

21. The method as recited in claim 20, comprising automatically manipulating the latch arm.

22. The method as recited in claim 20, comprising manually manipulating the latch arm.

23. The method as recited in claim 20, comprising applying a force in the first direction to unlock the latch arm and maintaining the force in the first direction while manipulating the latch arm in the second, transverse direction.

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Description

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CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/355,813, filed Feb. 16, 2006.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention generally relates to a disk holding device, and more particularly to a locking mechanism for a disk holding device.

[0003] Hard drive disks typically are manufactured in one location and packaged in disk holding devices, which are subsequently placed in a container for shipment to another location. The disk holding devices eventually are removed from the containers and used to store the hard drive disks during distribution in a production process. The hard drive disks must be protected during all phases of a normal production cycle.

[0004] A variety of disk holding devices have been developed for packaging, shipping and distributing disks. Typical disk holding devices include a cassette portion, a cover and a latch to lock the device closed. As is known, hard drive disks are received within a plurality of slots within the cassette portion interior. One example is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,902,059. Other disk holding devices are also known.

[0005] During the production process, it is often necessary to remove the cover from the cassette portion of the disk holding device to access the hard drive disks stored within. Automated machinery is often utilized to unlock and remove the cover of the disk holding device. To achieve this result, and because of the locking design of the latch arm of known disk holding devices, the automated machinery must manipulate the latch arm by applying an outward pulling force on the latch arm in a direction away from the interior of the disk holding device to unlock and remove the cover. The manipulation applied by the automated machinery may fail to unlock the latch arm in a relatively large number of instances. Disadvantageously, this may result in decreased production efficiency and increased manufacturing complaints concerning the disk holding devices.

[0006] As such, there is a need for an improved arrangement for locking a disk holding device that achieves improved interaction with automated machinery used in the distribution process. This invention provides an improved latch arm that satisfies that need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] A disk holding device for packaging hard drive disks includes a base and a cover. The base includes a central portion and at least one locking surface near an end of the base. The cover includes a latch arm near one end of the cover. The latch arm has a locking tab that transversely protrudes from the latch arm in a direction from the central portion of the base toward the end of the base. A space extends between the cover and the base for receiving a cassette portion when the locking tab is received against the at least one locking surface.

[0008] Another example disk holding device includes a cover and a base. The cover includes a latch arm near one end of the cover. The latch arm includes at least one locking tab including spaced apart engaging surfaces that transversely protrude from the latch arm. The base is positioned relative to the cover such that a space extends between the cover and the base for receiving a cassette portion. The base has at least one locking surface including an interrupted central portion. At least a portion of the locking tab selectively abuts the locking surface of the base portion, and a portion of the latch arm is exposed at the interrupted central portion.

[0009] A method of opening a disk holding device including a cassette portion and a cover having a latch arm includes the steps of manipulating the latch arm by engaging a first surface of the latch arm in a first direction toward an interior of the device to unlock the latch arm, and manipulating the latch arm by engaging a second surface that is transverse to the first surface in a second, transverse direction away from the interior of the device to remove the cover from the cassette portion.

[0010] The various features and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 schematically shows a disk holding device including a latch arm designed according to one embodiment of this invention.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a side view of the cover for the disk holding device of FIG. 1.

[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates the disk holding device of FIG. 1 in an assembled condition.

[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates a second example disk holding device.

[0015] FIG. 5 illustrates an assembled view of the second example disk holding device illustrated in FIG. 4.

[0016] FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of an example locking surface configuration of the disk holding device shown in FIG. 4.

[0017] FIG. 7 illustrates a front view of another example locking surface configuration of the disk holding device shown in FIG. 4.

[0018] FIG. 8 illustrates a front view of yet another example locking surface configuration of the disk holding device shown in FIG. 4.

[0019] FIG. 9 illustrates a front view of yet another example locking surface configuration of the disk holding device shown in FIG. 4.

[0020] FIGS. 10A and 10B schematically show a process for unlocking the example disk holding devices.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0021] FIG. 1 schematically shows an example disk holding device 10 for housing a plurality of disks 12. The example disk holding device 10 includes a cassette portion 14, an example base portion 16 and an example cover 18. The cassette portion 14 includes two side walls 20, 22 and two end walls 24, 26 which are configured to form an interior 28 for safely packaging the plurality of disks 12. The side walls 20, 22 are aligned generally parallel to one another and are designed to minimize contact between and provide support to the plurality of disks 12, keeping them spaced apart from one another and in a generally stable position within the disk holding device 10. The disks 12 are received in a plurality of slots 30 formed in the side walls 20, 22 of the cassette portion 14.

[0022] At least one of the opposing end walls 24, 26 includes a channel 34. In one example, both end walls 24, 26 include a channel 34. In the illustrated example, the channel 34 is generally U-shaped. The channel 34 is provided on at least one end wall 24, 26 for access to the hard drive disks 12 when packaged in the cassette portion 14.

[0023] In the illustrated example, the base portion 16 is secured on one side of the cassette portion 14 using an interference fit, for example. In another example, the base portion 16 is formed as a single piece, integral with the cassette portion 14. The cover 18 is received against an opposite side of the cassette portion 14 from the base portion 16. The cover 18 includes a latch arm 32 for locking the disk holding device 10 that extends toward the base portion 16 and is selectively secured to a locking surface 36 of the base portion 16. In one example, the cover 18 includes two latch arms 32, with one latch arm 32 positioned at each end of the cover 18.

[0024] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the latch arm 32A positioned near one end 38 of the cover 18. The latch arm 32A extends transversely from the cover 18 (i.e., toward the base portion 16). A first surface 40 of the latch arm 32A faces generally toward an end 42 of the cover 18 which is opposite the end 38. The latch arm 32A includes a second surface 44 which faces opposite the first surface 40. In other words, the second surface 44 faces away from the end 42 of the cover 18.

[0025] The example latch arm 32 includes a locking tab 46 that protrudes from the second surface 44 away from the cover 18. In one example, the locking tab 46 is positioned at a distal end of the latch arm 32. The latch arm also includes a lifting ledge 48 and at least one finger grip 50. The lifting ledge 48 may assist automated removal of the cover 18 as described below. In the disclosed example, two finger grips 50 are included on the latch arm 32. The finger grips 50 may assist a user in manually manipulating the cover 18 relative to the disk holding device 10.

[0026] In one example, the lifting ledge 48 and at least one finger grip 50 extend in substantially the same direction as the locking tab 46. The example lifting ledge 48 is positioned on the second surface 44 of the latch arm 32 between the finger grip 50 and the locking tab 46. Each of the locking tab 46, the lifting ledge 48 and the finger grip 50 protrude in a transverse direction away from the second surface 44 of the latch arm 32. The transverse direction faces away from the interior 28 of the disk holding device 10, for example. Having a latch arm 32 with features such as the locking tab 46 that face away from the interior 28 of the disk holding device 10 is the opposite of previous designs. The example embodiment facilitates improved interaction between the disk holding device 10 and automated machinery used to manipulate the latch arm 32 during a production process.

[0027] An exemplary base portion 16 includes a locking surface 36 near one end wall 53. In one example, the end wall 53 includes arm portions 58 adjacent the locking surface 36 to provide support and rigidity. The locking surface 36 extends between the two arm portions 58. A groove 60 exists between the end wall 53 and the locking surface 36. At least a portion of the latch arm 32 is received through the groove 60 when the cover 18, the cassette portion 14 and the base 16 are assembled as shown in FIG. 3, for example.

[0028] A groove 52 is formed on the latch arm 32 between the two finger grips 50. The groove 52 on the surface 44 exists, in part, to establish a boss 54 that extends from the first surface 40 of the latch arm toward the interior of the device 10. The boss 54 selectively engages the channel 34 of an end wall 24, 26 to seal the disk holding device 10 when the cover 18 is received and locked on the cassette portion 14 (see FIG. 3, for example).

[0029] An assembled disk holding device 10 is illustrated in FIG. 3. In this example, the cover 18 is secured to the disk holding device 10 in a locked position. The latch arm 32 at least partially extends through the groove 60 of the base portion 16. The locking tab 46 at least partially abuts the locking surface 36. The locking tab 46 is received against the locking surface 36 of the base portion 16 as the portion of the latch arm 32 moves through the groove 60. As best appreciated from FIG. 2, the locking tab 46 has an angled surface 62 that facilitates inserting the tab through the groove 60. The locking tab 46 also has a locking surface 64 that contacts the locking surface 36 on the base portion 16.

[0030] FIGS. 4-8 schematically illustrate another example disk holding device 80 for housing a plurality of disks 12. The disk holding device 80 includes a cassette portion 82, a base portion 84 and a cover 86. The cassette portion 82 is substantially similar to the cassette portion 14 of the example disk holding device 10. However, the base portion 84 and the cover 86 include unique features different from the example base portion 16 and the example cover 18 of the disk holding device 10.

[0031] In this example, the cover 86 includes an end wall 88 having a latch arm 87 for locking the disk holding device 80 that extends toward the base portion 84 and is selectively secured to a locking surface 90 of the base portion 84. In one example, the cover 86 includes two end walls 88, with one latch arm 87 positioned at each end of the cover 86.

[0032] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the end walls 88 extending transversely from the cover 86 and toward the base portion 84. The example end walls 88 include a channel engaging portion 91 and a locking tab 85 that protrudes from the latch arm 87 in a direction away from the cover 86 (i.e., away from the interior of the disk holding device 80). The locking tab 85 is positioned adjacent to a distal end 89 of the latch arm 87, in one example. The channel engaging portion 91 exists, in part, to establish a boss 93 that extends from the latch arm 87 toward the interior of the disk holding device 80. The boss 93 selectively engages a channel 95 of the end walls 88 of the cassette portion 82 when the cover 86 is received and locked on the cassette portion 82 (see FIG. 5, for example).

[0033] In one example, the locking tab 85 of the latch arm 87 includes two engaging surfaces 92 that are spaced apart and positioned at opposite edges of the latch arm 87 adjacent to the distal end 89. It should be understood that the actual number and positioning of the engaging surfaces 92 of disk holding device 80 will vary depending upon design specific parameters including the design of the locking surface 90 of the base portion 84. For example, the latch arm 87 may include only one engaging surface 92 similar to the configuration shown in FIG. 1.

[0034] The latch arm 87 also includes a lifting ledge 98. The lifting ledge 98 is offset from the engaging surfaces 92 of the latch arm 87 in a direction towards the end of the disk holding device 80 which includes the cover 86, in this example. The lifting ledge 98 may assist automated or manual removal of the cover 86, as described in greater detail below.

[0035] In one example, the lifting ledge 98 protrudes from the latch arm 87 the same direction as the engaging surfaces 92 (i.e., transversely from the exterior surface of the latch arm 87). The lifting ledge 98 includes a curved portion 100 which is positioned between two ledge portions 102, in one example. The curved portion 100 mirrors a corresponding central portion 104 of the locking surface 90, for example, as is further discussed below.

[0036] A manipulating surface 106 is exposed between the engaging surfaces 92 and the lifting ledge 98 of the latch arm 87 when the cover 86 is locked in place. Having a latch arm 87 with features such as the engaging surfaces 92 that face away from the interior of the disk holding 80 is the opposite of previous designs. The example embodiment facilitates an improved interaction between the disk holding device 80 and a human finger or automated machinery used to manipulate the latch arms 87 during a production process.

[0037] The example base portion 84 includes a locking surface 90 near one end wall 108. In one example, the base portion 84 includes arms 110 adjacent to the locking surface 90 to provide support and rigidity. The locking surface 90 extends between the arms 110. Each arm 110 includes a first portion 112 which extends toward the cover 86 and a second portion 114 which protrudes away from the interior of the disk holding device 80 in a direction similar to the engaging surfaces 92 to at least partially sandwich the latch arms 87. A groove 116 exists between the end wall 108 and the locking surface 90 and extends between the second surfaces 114 of the arms 110. At least a portion of the latch arm 87 is received through the groove 116 when the disk holding device 80 is assembled in a locked position (see FIG. 5). The second portions 114 of the arms 110 partially sandwich the latch arms 87 and prevent any inadvertent unlatching of the latch arms 87 during shipping, etc.

[0038] In one example, a central portion 104 of the locking surface 90 extends horizontally (i.e., straight across) between the arms 110 (See FIG. 9). In another example, the locking surface 90 includes an "interrupted" central portion 104 disposed between flanges 97. "Interrupted" is intended to describe a locking surface that is not straight across the entire surface but, instead, varies in configuration or profile at the central portion 104. In one example, the central portion 104 is curved and mirrors the curved portion 100 of the lifting ledge 98 (See FIG. 6). However, a person of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the central portion 104 could comprise other shapes and configurations. For example, the central portion 104 may be generally rectangular (See FIG. 7). In yet another example, the flanges 97 of the locking surface 90 exclude the central portion 104 (i.e., the flanges 97 are not bridged by the central portion 104) (See FIG. 8).

[0039] The curved central portion 104 (FIG. 6) extends in a direction toward a bottom end of the disk holding device 80. In one example, the manipulating surface 106 mimics the shape of a human finger. The example central portion 104 leaves the manipulating surface 106 exposed, which allows the contact point of the manipulating surface 106 to be moved more toward the bottom end 118 of the disk holding device 80. This provides improved leverage such that a reduced force is required to manipulate the latch arm 87 to open the disk holding device 80.

[0040] The engaging surfaces 92 of the locking tab 85 abut the flanges 97 of the locking surface 90 to attach the cover 86 to the base portion 84 when the disk holding device 80 is assembled as shown in FIG. 6, for example. The manipulating surface 106 is unobstructed by the central portion 104 of the locking surface 90 in the area adjacent to the engaging surfaces 92.

[0041] The engaging surfaces 92 in this example are offset from a distal end 89 of the latch arm 87 a first distance D1 as shown in FIG. 6. The central portion 104 of the locking surface 90 is offset from the distal end 89 of the latch arm 87 a second distance D2. The first distance D1 is greater than the second distance D2, in one example (See FIG. 6). This arrangement includes the feature exposing the manipulating surface 106 toward the bottom end 118 of the disk holding device 80.

[0042] FIG. 10A schematically shows a machine 70 that manipulates the latch arm 32 of the cover 18 by applying a force F on the latch arm 32 in a direction toward the interior 28 of the disk holding device 10. Although the present example is illustrated in terms of the disk holding device 10, a similar process would also apply for manipulating the latch arm 87 of the second example disk holding device 80. In the illustrated example, the force F is applied to the surface 44 below the lifting ledge 48 (Or, the manipulating surface 106 of the second example disk holding device 80). The example machine 70 has an arm 72 that contacts the surface 44 to apply the force F. The arm 72 moves the distance sufficient to push the locking surface 64 clear of the locking surface 36 so that the locking tab 46 is aligned with the groove 60. The resiliency of the latch arm 32 biases the locking tab 46 away from the interior 28 of the cassette portion 14 such that the locking surfaces 36 and 64 cooperate to keep the device 10 closed. The force F is sufficient to overcome that bias. While maintaining the force F on the latch arm 32, the arm 72 moves in an opening direction D2 to remove the cover 18 from the disk holding device 10, as is illustrated in FIG. 10B. In the illustrated example, the second direction D2 is transverse to the direction of the force F. The lifting ledge 48 (or the lifting ledge 98 of the disk holding device 80) may assist arm 72 in lifting the cover 18 off of the base portion 16 and the cassette 14.

[0043] In another example, the latch arm 32 and the cover 18 are manually manipulated to remove a cover 18. For example, an individual may press against the surface 44 and use the finger grip 50 to manipulate the cover as desired. In yet another example, an individual may press against the manipulating surface 106 to release the latch arm 87 of the example disk holding device 80.

[0044] The illustrated examples include various features that provide improved interaction between production machinery or a human hand and a disk holding device to achieve a more simple method of unlocking a latch arm, for example. The illustrated examples include combinations of improved latch arms and base portion features. For example, the position of the latch arm 32 within the groove 60 of the example disk holding device 10 provides more security compared to previous arrangements where a latch arm engaged a base from the outside edge of the base. In another example, the improved design of the latch arm 87 and the locking surface 90 of the example disk holding device 80 results in a lower contact point on the latch arm and provides improved leverage such that less force is needed to release the latch arm 87. Those skilled in the art having the benefit of this description will be able to utilize a latch arm having a locking tab, a base portion with a locking surface, a lifting ledge or finger grips or any combination of these features to meet the needs of their particular situation.

[0045] The foregoing description shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in any limiting sense. A worker of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this invention. For that reason, the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this invention.

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