Write/protect tab assembly for a floppy disc jacket and method for assembling same

Abstract

A write/protect tab assembly including a substantially planar jacket base and a write/protect tab slidably mounted in a tab pocket formed in the jacket base, such that the tab is encaptured by the jacket base. The tab is alternatively encaptured by: a latch formed at the tab pocket for receiving the tab; shelf-like projections formed on the tab pocket for receiving corresponding elongated recesses formed on the sides of the tab; a cap attached to the tab with the tab pocket being disposed between the tab and the cap; or guides formed adjacent the tab pocket for receiving in sliding relation the sides of the tab. The present invention also includes a method of encapturing the tabs in the jacket base before the cover is positioned on the jacket base. The encapturing step alternatively includes: forming a latch at the tab pocket for receiving the tab; forming shelf-like projections on the tab pocket for receiving corresponding recesses formed in the tab; attaching a cap to the tab via snapping, press fitting, ultrasonically welding, swedging, or gluing; or forming guides on the tab pocket for receiving the sides of the tab.

.[.I.]. .Iadd.We .Iaddend.claim: 
     
       1. A write/protect tab assembly for a floppy disc jacket, comprising: (a) a substantially planar jacket base;   (b) a write/protect tab slidably mounted for movement from a first position to a second position parallel to the plane of the jacket base in a tab pocket formed in the jacket base; and   (c) means formed on the jacket base and the tab for encapturing the write/protect tab relative to the jacket base .Iadd.only in the first position before a jacket cover is mounted on said jacket base .Iaddend.to prevent the tab from moving in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the jacket base .Iadd.only in the first position.Iaddend..   
     
     
       2. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the means comprises: a latch formed on the jacket base for receiving a recess formed in the write/protect tab.Iadd., when said write/protect tab is slid into the first position.Iaddend..   
     
     
       3. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the means for encapturing comprises: guides formed at the tab pocket for receiving in sliding relation the sides of the write/protect tab.Iadd., when said write/protect tab is slid in the first position.Iaddend..   
     
     
       4. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the means for encapturing comprises: shelf-like projections formed on the tab pocket for receiving corresponding elongated recesses formed on the write/protect tab.Iadd., when said write pocket tab is slid in the first position, said shelf like projections being formed only on determined portions of the lateral edges of said tab pocket corresponding to said first position of said write/protect tab.Iaddend..   
     
     
       5. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the means for encapturing comprises: .Iadd.shelf-like projections formed only at determined portions of the lateral edges of said tab pocket corresponding to said first position of said write/protect tab and .Iaddend.a cap attached to the write/protect tab .[.with the write/protect tab pocket.]. .Iadd., the shelf-like projections .Iaddend.being disposed between the write/protect tab and the cap.Iadd., when said write protect tab is slid in the first position.Iaddend..   
     
     
       6. The assembly as recited in claim 5, wherein the cap and write/protect tab are attached via snaps formed on the cap which are inserted through an opening formed in the write/protect tab and are received by corresponding recesses formed in the write/protect tab. 
     
     
       7. The assembly as recited in claim 5, wherein the cap and write/protect tab are attached by press fitting the cap into a corresponding opening formed in the write/protect tab. 
     
     
       8. The assembly as recited in claim 5, wherein the cap and write/protect tab are attached via ultrasonic welding at their interface using energy directors located on the cap. 
     
     
       9. The assembly as recited in claim 5, wherein the cap and write/protect tab are attached by inserting swedging posts formed in the cap into corresponding openings formed in the write/protect tab. 
     
     
       10. The assembly as recited in claim 5, wherein the cap and write/protect tab are attached by glue applied at their interface. 
     
     
       11. A method for assembling a write/protect tab into a write/protect tab pocket of a substantially planar floppy disc jacket base .Iadd.so that the tab can move from a first position to a second position parallel to the plane of the jacket base, .Iaddend.comprising the steps of: (a) forming .[.first.]. means on the tab and the jacket base .[.for allowing movement from a first position to a second position of the tab parallel to the plane of the jacket base; and (b) forming second means on the write/protect tab and jacket base.]. for encapturing the tab relative to the jacket base to prevent the tab from moving in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the jacket base.Iadd., only when the tab is in the first position;   (b) moving the tab in a direction perpendicular to the base to engage the tab and jacket base in the second position; and   (c) moving the tab parallel to the jacket base to engage the encapturing means .Iaddend.such that the write/protect tab does not fall out of the jacket base.Iadd., while in the first position, but before a jacket cover is mounted on said jacket base.Iaddend..   
     
     
       12. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the step further comprises the step of: forming a latch adjacent the tab pocket for receiving the write/protect tab.   
     
     
       13. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the step further comprises the step of: forming guides at the tab pocket for receiving in sliding relation the sides of the write/protect tab.   
     
     
       14. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the step further comprises the step of: forming shelf-like projections on the tab pocket for receiving corresponding elongated recesses formed on the write/protect tab.   
     
     
       15. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the step further comprises the step of: attaching a cap to the write/protect tab with the write/protect tab pocket being disposed between the write/protect tab and the cap.   
     
     
       16. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein the attaching step comprises the step of: forming snaps on the caps for receiving corresponding recesses formed in the write/protect tab.   
     
     
       17. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein the attaching step comprises the step of: press fitting the cap into a corresponding opening formed in the write/protect tab.   
     
     
       18. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein the attaching step comprises the step of: ultrasonically welding the cap to the write/protect tab using energy directors located on the cap.   
     
     
       19. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein the attaching step comprises the step of: inserting swedging posts formed on the cap into corresponding openings formed in the write/protect tab.   
     
     
       20. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein the attaching step comprises the step of: gluing the interface of the cap and write/protect tab.