Systems and methods for holding media disks

Abstract

A media disc holder includes a spindle that fits within the spindle holes in a stack of media discs. The spindle has a free end and a strap end and has at its free end a mouth leading into a cavity extending axially through the spindle. The media disc holder further includes a latching member having a free end and a strap end. The latching member is shaped to fit within the spindle cavity. The latching member is engaged by inserting the free end of the latching member into the mouth at the free end of the spindle and sliding the latching member into the cavity. The latching member is disengaged by sliding the latching member out of the cavity through the spindle mouth. A strap has a first end attached to the spindle strap end and a second end attached to the latching member strap end. The strap is dimensioned to secure a stack of media discs loaded onto the spindle when the latching member is engaged.

1 . A holder for media discs having spindle holes therethrough, comprising: 
 a spindle fitting within the spindle holes the media discs are arranged in a stack, the spindle having a free end and a strap end, the spindle having at its free end a mouth leading into a cavity extending axially through the spindle;    a latching member having a free end and a strap end, the latching member shaped to fit within the spindle cavity, the latching member being engaged by inserting the free end of the latching member into the mouth at the free end of the spindle and sliding the latching member into the cavity, the latching member being disengaged by sliding the latching member out of the cavity through the spindle mouth; and    a strap having a first end attached to the spindle strap end and a second end attached to the latching member strap end, the strap dimensioned to secure a stack of media discs loaded onto the spindle when the latching member is engaged.    
   
   
       2 . The media disc holder of  claim 1 , wherein the strap is resiliently elastic.  
   
   
       3 . The media disc holder of  claim 2 , wherein the strap is dimensioned such that when a stack of media discs is secured by the strap, there is tension in the strap.  
   
   
       4 . The media disc holder of  claim 1 , wherein the spindle strap end includes an eyelet, and wherein the strap is attached to the spindle strap end by threading a first end of the strap through the spindle eyelet, folding the first end of the strap back over a first non-threaded portion of the strap, and attaching the first end of the strap to the first non-threaded portion of the strap.  
   
   
       5 . The media disc holder of  claim 4 , further including a metal clip for attaching the first end of the strap to the first non-threaded portion of the strap.  
   
   
       6 . The media disc holder of  claim 4 , wherein the latching member strap end includes an eyelet, and wherein the strap is attached to the latching member strap end by threading a second end of the strap through the latching member eyelet, folding the second end of the strap back over a second non-threaded portion of the strap, and attaching the second end of the strap to the second non-threaded portion of the strap.  
   
   
       7 . The media disc holder of  claim 6 , further including a second metal clip for attaching the second end of the strap to the second non-threaded portion of the strap.  
   
   
       8 . The media disc holder of  claim 1 , wherein the spindle strap end includes a pair of slots in communication with each other, and wherein the strap is attached to the spindle strap end threading a first end of the strap through the spindle slots, folding the first end of the strap back over a first non-threaded portion of the strap, and attaching the first end of the strap to the first non-threaded portion of the strap.  
   
   
       9 . The media disc holder of  claim 8 , further including a metal clip for attaching the first end of the strap to the first non-threaded portion of the strap.  
   
   
       10 . The media disc holder of  claim 8 , wherein the latching member strap end includes a pair of slots in communication with each other, and wherein the strap is attached to the latching member strap end by threading a second end of the strap through the latching member slots, folding the second end of the strap back over a second non-threaded portion of the strap, and attaching the second end of the strap to the second non-threaded portion of the strap.  
   
   
       11 . The media disc holder of  claim 10 , further including a second metal clip for attaching the second end of the strap to the second non-threaded portion of the strap.  
   
   
       12 . The media disc holder of  claim 1 , wherein the spindle and the latching member are formed from hollow tubes.  
   
   
       14 . The media disc holder of  claim 1 , wherein the strap includes visually identifiable regions.  
   
   
       15 . The media disc holder of  claim 1 , wherein the spindle and latching member include flanges at their respective strap ends to prevent media discs from traveling beyond the ends of the spindle and latching member.  
   
   
       16 . A method for holding a stack of media discs having spindle holes therethrough, comprising: 
 (a) loading a stack of media discs onto a spindle having a free end and a strap end, the spindle being attached by a strap to a latching member having a free end and a strap end, the strap being attached to the strap ends of the spindle and the latching member;    (b) pulling the strap around the stack of media discs;    (c) inserting the free end of the latching member into a mouth in the free end of the spindle; and    (d) sliding the latching member down the length of a receiving cavity in the spindle.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the strap is resiliently elastic, and wherein in step (b) the strap is stretched around the stack of media discs.