Resilient Jewel Case

Abstract

A disk case configured generally as a traditional jewel case but with the base and lid formed of resilient materials such as polypropylene. Pivot bosses inwardly project from rearwardly extending tabs of the lid into main openings formed in upstanding side walls of the base, the main openings having radially inwardly projecting tabs that engage an annular groove of each pivot boss, a slot opening being formed in each side wall proximate one of the tabs for resiliently permitting outward deflection of its associated tab during insertion of the pivot bosses into the main openings. Main ramps can be formed in the side walls and a bevel formed on each pivot boss for facilitating spreading of the tabs during assembly, and the bevel can be aligned with one of the tabs in the closed position of the lid for facilitating full entry of the pivot bosses into the main openings.

1 . A disk case for optical media, comprising:
 (a) a base formed of a resilient material and having a base panel portion and upstanding side walls, a receptacle formation proximate a rear extremity of each side wall, each receptacle formation comprising:
 (i) a main opening having a radially inwardly extending receptacle tab; 
 (ii) a slot opening associated with the receptacle tab for permitting radially outward deflection of the receptacle tab, the slot opening being closed at both ends thereof; and 
   (b) a lid having rearwardly projecting side tabs, each side tab having an inwardly projecting pivot boss, each pivot boss comprising a cylindrical outside profile including a groove for engaging the receptacle tab, wherein engagement of the receptacle tab with the groove is effective for resisting withdrawal of the pivot boss from the main opening of the receptacle formation.   
     
     
         2 . The disk case of  claim 1 , wherein each pivot boss is formed with an end chamfer for facilitating entry of the pivot boss into the corresponding main opening, and for facilitating deflection of the receptacle tab. 
     
     
         3 . The disk case of  claim 2 , wherein the receptacle tab is beveled radially and axially inwardly for further facilitating outward deflection of the tab by the pivot boss. 
     
     
         4 . The disk case of  claim 1 , wherein each receptacle formation further comprises a main ramp extending downwardly from an upper outside extremity of the side wall in alignment with the main opening, and each pivot boss further comprises a boss bevel for engaging the main ramp and outwardly deflecting the side tab during assembly of the lid onto the base. 
     
     
         5 . The disk case of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle tab is an upper receptacle tab, the main opening also having an upwardly projecting bottom receptacle tab, and wherein the boss bevel intersects the groove of the pivot boss for facilitating insertion of the pivot boss into the main opening with the groove coming into alignment over the bottom receptacle tab, the lid being in a closed position. 
     
     
         6 . The disk case of  claim 5 , wherein, when the lid is opened sufficiently for the bottom receptacle tab to be engaged by the groove, the engagement of the bottom receptacle tab is effective for resisting withdrawal of the pivot boss from the main opening of the receptacle formation. 
     
     
         7 . The disk case of  claim 1 , wherein each of the side walls is formed having a pair of locating openings for receiving respective locating bosses of a disk tray. 
     
     
         8 . The disk case of  claim 7 , wherein the locating bosses are located on opposite sides of the main opening for receiving respective locating bosses of a hinged tray anchor portion. 
     
     
         9 . The disk case of  claim 7 , wherein at least one of the locating openings has a secondary ramp aligned therewith at an upper inside surface of the associated side wall for facilitating insertion of the corresponding locating boss into the locating opening. 
     
     
         10 . The disk case of  claim 9 , wherein each of the side walls is formed having a pair of secondary ramps aligned with respective ones of the locating openings. 
     
     
         11 . The disk case of  claim 1 , wherein the resilient material comprises polypropylene. 
     
     
         12 . A disk case for optical media, comprising:
 (a) a base formed of a resilient material and having a base panel portion and upstanding side walls, a receptacle formation proximate a rear extremity of each side wall, each receptacle formation comprising:
 (i) a main opening having a pair of inwardly extending receptacle tabs, including a rearwardly and downwardly extending upper receptacle tab, and an upwardly extending bottom receptacle tab, each of the receptacle tabs being beveled radially and axially inwardly; 
 (ii) a slot opening associated with the upper receptacle tab for permitting radially outward deflection of the upper receptacle tab, the slot opening being closed at both ends thereof; and 
 (iii) a main ramp extending downwardly from an upper outside extremity of the side wall in alignment with the main opening; and 
   (b) a lid having rearwardly projecting side tabs, each side tab having an inwardly projecting pivot boss, each pivot boss comprising:
 (i) a cylindrical outside profile including a groove for engaging the receptacle tab, and an end chamfer for facilitating entry of the pivot boss into the corresponding main opening, and for facilitating deflection of the upper receptacle tab; and 
 (ii) a boss bevel for engaging the main ramp and outwardly deflecting the side tab during assembly of the lid onto the base, the boss bevel intersecting the groove for facilitating insertion of the pivot boss into the main opening with the groove coming into alignment over the bottom receptacle tab, the lid being in a closed position,
 wherein engagement of one or both of the receptacle tabs with the groove is effective for resisting withdrawal of the pivot boss from the main opening of the receptacle formation. 
 
   
     
     
         13 . The disk case of  claim 12 , wherein each of the side walls is further formed having a pair of secondary openings located on opposite sides of the main opening for receiving respective locating bosses projecting from an anchor portion of a hinged tray to be received within the base.