Disc hub retainer

Abstract

A retainer hub for securing compact discs and digital video discs comprises in one embodiment a graduated central tier, a graduated outer tier and a plurality of prongs integral with the central tier that form a substantially concentric mounting post having a base and a crown, wherein the diameter of the mounting post crown is greater than the diameter of the mounting post base. A tapered edge is provided on the perimeter of the outer tier to promote the partial overlap of an adjacent retainer hub upon contact during automated processing. Advantageously, the diameter of the mounting post crown is capable of engaging a compact disc with sufficient pressure to prevent the compact disc from rotating freely about the mounting post, and also capable of permitting the free rotation of a digital video disc mounted on the post while securing the digital video disc to the hub.

That which is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A retainer hub that can secure compact discs and digital video discs, comprising: 
 a plurality of substantially concentric, graduated tiers, said graduated tiers including at least a central tier and an outer tier; and    a plurality of prongs integral with said central tier of said hub, said plurality of prongs forming a substantially circular mounting post having a base and a crown, wherein the diameter of said mounting post crown is greater that the diameter of said mounting post base.    
     
     
         2 . A retainer hub according to  claim 1 , wherein said substantially concentric, graduated tiers are substantially circular.  
     
     
         3 . A retainer hub according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said mounting post base and said mounting post crown are substantially circular, and respective diameters of said mounting post crown and said mounting post base are adapted to receive a compact disc, a digital video disc, or both.    
     
     
         4 . A retainer hub according to  claim 1 , wherein said outer tier has a tapered edge.  
     
     
         5 . A retainer hub according to  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of prongs comprises at least three resilient prongs projecting upwardly from said central tier of said hub.  
     
     
         6 . A retainer hub according to  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of prongs comprises at least six resilient prongs projecting upwardly from said central tier of said hub.  
     
     
         7 . A retainer hub according to  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of prongs comprises between about ten and fourteen resilient prongs projecting upwardly from said central tier of said hub.  
     
     
         8 . A retainer hub according to  claim 1 , wherein said central tier is positioned adjacent said mounting post and above said outer tier.  
     
     
         9 . A retainer hub according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one concentric intermediate tier positioned between said central tier and said outer tier.  
     
     
         10 . A retainer hub according to  claim 9 , wherein said central tier is positioned adjacent said mounting post, and above said intermediate tier and said outer tier.  
     
     
         11 . A retainer hub according to  claim 9 , wherein said central tier is positioned adjacent said mounting post and above said intermediate tier and said outer tier, and said intermediate tier is positioned above said outer tier.  
     
     
         12 . A retainer hub according to  claim 9 , wherein said plurality of graduated tiers forms oblique angles at transitions between said tiers.  
     
     
         13 . A retainer hub according to  claim 1 , wherein the diameter of said mounting post crown is capable of engaging a compact disc mounted on said mounting post with sufficient pressure to prevent the compact disc from rotating freely about said mounting post.  
     
     
         14 . A retainer hub according to  claim 1 , wherein the diameter of said mounting post crown is selected to permit the free rotation of a digital video disc mounted on said post, while securing the digital video disc to said retainer hub.  
     
     
         15 . A retainer hub according to  claim 1 , wherein the diameter of said mounting post crown is capable of engaging a digital video disc mounted on said post with sufficient pressure to prevent the digital video disc from rotating freely about said mounting post.  
     
     
         16 . A retainer hub according to  claim 1 , wherein said hub is formed from a blend of polymers selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene.  
     
     
         17 . A compact disc and digital video disc hub comprising: 
 a plurality of substantially concentric, graduated tiers, said graduated tiers including at least a central tier and an outer tier; and    a plurality of prongs integral with said central tier of said hub, said plurality of prongs forming a substantially circular mounting post having a base and a crown;    wherein the diameter of said mounting post crown is greater that the diameter of said mounting post base;    wherein said hub is secured to a foldable blank to thereby facilitate direct placement of said hub on said blank during an automation process.    
     
     
         18 . A compact disc and digital video disc hub according to  claim 17 , wherein: 
 said mounting post base and said mounting post crown are substantially circular, and    respective diameters of said mounting post crown and said mounting post base are adapted to receive a compact disc, a digital video disc, or both.    
     
     
         19 . A compact disc and digital video disc hub according to  claim 17 , wherein said outer tier has a tapered edge.  
     
     
         20 . A compact disc and digital video disc hub according to  claim 17 , wherein said central tier is positioned adjacent said mounting post and above said outer tier.  
     
     
         21 . A compact disc and digital video disc hub according to  claim 17 , further comprising at least one concentric intermediate tier positioned between said central tier and said outer tier.  
     
     
         22 . A compact disc and digital video disc hub according to  claim 21 , wherein said central tier is positioned adjacent said mounting post and above said intermediate tier and said outer tier.  
     
     
         23 . A compact disc and digital video disc hub according to  claim 21 , wherein said central tier is positioned adjacent said mounting post and above said intermediate tier and said outer tier, and said intermediate tier is positioned above said outer tier.  
     
     
         24 . A retainer hub according to  claim 17 , wherein the diameter of said mounting post crown is capable of engaging a compact disc mounted on said mounting post with sufficient pressure to prevent the compact disc from rotating freely about said mounting post.  
     
     
         25 . A retainer hub according to  claim 17 , wherein the diameter of said mounting post crown is selected to permit the free rotation of a digital video disc mounted on said post, while securing the digital video disc to said retainer hub.  
     
     
         26 . A retainer hub according to  claim 17 , wherein the diameter of said mounting post crown is capable of engaging a digital video disc mounted on said post with sufficient pressure to prevent the digital video disc from rotating freely about said mounting post.  
     
     
         27 . A retainer hub that can secure compact discs and digital video discs, consisting of: 
 a plurality of substantially concentric, graduated tiers, said graduated tiers including at least a central tier and an outer tier; and    a plurality of prongs integral with said central tier of said hub, said plurality of prongs forming a substantially circular mounting post having a base and a crown,    wherein the diameter of said mounting post crown is greater that the diameter of said mounting post base;    wherein respective diameters of said mounting post crown and said mounting post base are adapted to receive a compact disc, a digital video disc, or both.    
     
     
         28 . A retainer hub according to  claim 27 , wherein said outer tier has a tapered edge.  
     
     
         29 . A retainer hub according to  claim 27 , wherein said plurality of prongs comprises about twelve resilient prongs projecting upwardly from said central tier of said hub.  
     
     
         30 . A retainer hub according to  claim 27 , wherein said central tier is positioned adjacent said mounting post and above said outer tier.  
     
     
         31 . A retainer hub according to  claim 27 , further comprising at least one concentric intermediate tier positioned between said central tier and said outer tier.  
     
     
         32 . A retainer hub according to  claim 31 , wherein said central tier is positioned adjacent said mounting post and above said intermediate tier and said outer tier.  
     
     
         33 . A retainer hub according to  claim 31 , wherein said central tier is positioned adjacent said mounting post and above said intermediate tier and said outer tier, and said intermediate tier is positioned above said outer tier.