Apparatus for storing, retrieving and organizing disk-like data recording medium and a manufacture method of the appratus

Abstract

An apparatus for storing, retrieving and organizing disk-like data recording medium and a manufacture method of the apparatus are disclosed. According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein includes an apparatus that comprises a base cover, a top cover, a middle slide for carrying one or more disks and a control component for operating the apparatus. The top and base cover include a set of clasping elements and a set of stacking elements that allows the top cover and the base to clasp into each other to form a containing case and allows one case stack onto another in vertical direction or sideway. The control component is spring automated to allow the case to be opened via a light press on a button located at a front cover connected to the disk-carrying middle slide.

1 . An apparatus for organizing, storing and retrieving disk-like data recording medium, the apparatus comprising:
 (a) a base cover that comprises a plurality of stacking elements on an outer side of the cover, at least one clasping track on an inner side of the cover and a leaf spring at back of the base cover held in place between one or more holding blocks located on the base cover and an outer edge of the base cover;   (b) a top cover having a shape exactly matching the shape of the base cover and comprising a plurality of matching stacking elements on an outer side of the top cover corresponding to the stacking elements on the base cover allowing one apparatus to be stacked on top of or next to another apparatus and one or more matching clasping tracks corresponding to the clasping tracks on the base cover; wherein when the clasping tracks of the top cover and the base cover fit into each, the top cover and base cover forms a case with an opening in front of the case and a gap in between sufficient to slide in and out a slide carrying a disk-like data recording medium;   (c) a middle slide placed between the top cover and the base cover that is configured to hold a disk-like data recording medium with a cylindrical rod in center of the slide, a front cover and a latching notch on one side of the slide; wherein the middle slide is configured to slide in and out of the case and to fully seal a front opening of the case with a front cover when the slide is fully pushed in the case; and   (d) a control component comprising a push button in front of the case, a switch that may be activated with the front button, and a locking block; wherein when the middle slide is pushed in, the locking block shall lock into the latching notch on the middle slide, causing the middle slide pressed against the leaf spring on the base cover to hold the middle slide tightly in place without any free movement; wherein when the front button is pressed, the switch is caused to disengage the locking block from the latching notch on the middle slide, causing the leaf spring to project the middle slide forward out of the holding block and out of the case, making accessible the slide and the disk-like data recording medium on the slide for retrieval.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the top cover and the base cover have a cut-out opening to house the control component. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the stacking elements on the base cover can be a receiving stacking element or an inserting stacking element. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the receiving stacking element comprises a flute located at a corner or close to a corner of the top cover. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the insert stacking element includes a location pin located at a corner or near a corner of the base cover. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the matching stacking element on the top cover fits into the stacking element on the base cover. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the clasping track on the base cover can be a receiving or an inserting track. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the clasping track on the top cover shall fit into the matching clasping track on the base cover. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the top cover and base cover have a matching shape and may be made of transparent plastic that makes viewable inside of the case without opening the case. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the base cover comprises a plurality of connecting elements located at one or more corners of the base cover. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein each connecting element is either an inserting element or a receiving element. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the top cover comprises a plurality of matching connecting elements located at one or more corners of the top cover. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein each of the matching connecting elements of the top cover shall fit into the corresponding connecting element of the base cover. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the middle slide may store more than one disk. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the middle slide is configured in a shape corresponding to the shape of a disk. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the middle slide may be detached from the case. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the middle slide may be configured to have multiple holes to reduce amount of materials used to make the middle slide without compromise the middle slide to hold a disk tightly in place. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the control component include a holding spring housed in a hole on the control component; wherein when released the holding spring presses against the base cover and holds the control component tightly in place. 
   
   
       19 . A method of making a stackable disk-like data recording medium storage apparatus comprising
 (a) Making a base cover including a plurality of stacking elements on an outer side of the base cover, a plurality of clasping tracks on an inward side of the base cover, a plurality of connecting elements at corners of the base cover, and a leaf spring placed between a set of holding blocks and an outer edge of the base cover;   (b) Making a top cover including a plurality of matching stacking elements on an outward side of the top cover, a plurality of connecting elements and a plurality of clasping tracks on a inward side of the top cover; wherein the clasping tracks and the connecting elements are fitted into the matching clasping tracks and the matching connecting elements on the base cover to form a case with an opening in front of the case and a gap in between sufficient to hold a disk; wherein the stacking elements of the top cover may be fitted into the stacking elements of the base cover of another case to allow a first disk case to be stacked onto or next to a second disk case;   (c) Making a middle slide placed between the top cover and the base cover that comprise a front cover and a latching notch, and is configured to hold a disk-like data recording medium with a cylindrical rod in center of the slide and to slide in and out of the opening between the base cover and the top cover; wherein the front cover fully seals the opening between the top cover and the base cover when the slide is fully placed in the case and the latching notch locks into a locking block to hold the slide tightly in place;   (d) Making a control component that comprises a push button in the front cover, a switch that may be activated with the front button pressed, a locking block that can hold the middle slide in place when locked into the locking notch of the middle slide, and a small spring housed in a hole in the control component; wherein when the front button is pressed, the switch causes the locking block to be disengaged from the latching notch of the middle slide and the leaf spring in the back of the case to project the slide forward out of the locking block and out of case making accessible the slide and a disk on the slide for retrieval.