초록 ▼

A storage case and holder combination has an ejection spring which urges an inserted holder outward. The holder is retained by a resilient latching arm having a pin which engages in a latching groove that deflects the pin in two orthogonal directions during insertion and latching. To keep the pin fr

A storage case and holder combination has an ejection spring which urges an inserted holder outward. The holder is retained by a resilient latching arm having a pin which engages in a latching groove that deflects the pin in two orthogonal directions during insertion and latching. To keep the pin from resiliently moving out of the groove in response to a pull on the holder, a stop on the storage case prevents movement of the pin in the undesired direction while the holder is in the latched position. The latching arm and ejection spring are formed as a unitary molding with a cover portion which attaches to, and preferably forms part of, the rear wall of the case when shaped into position.

대표청구항 ▼

A storage case and holder combination, said holder containing at least one information carrier, said case comprising a housing forming at least one receptacle into which said holder can be inserted in an insertion direction from the front of the case, spring means for urging a partly inserted holder

A storage case and holder combination, said holder containing at least one information carrier, said case comprising a housing forming at least one receptacle into which said holder can be inserted in an insertion direction from the front of the case, spring means for urging a partly inserted holder in an ejection direction opposite said insertion direction, and latching means for retaining a fully inserted holder in a latched position; and for unlatching the holder reponsive to pushing said holder inward a given distance from said latched position, so that the holder is ejected in the ejection direction by said spring means; said latching means comprising a latching arm element and a latching groove element, a first of said elements being connected to and forming part of said case, and a second of said elements being connected to and forming part of said holder; said latching arm element having a groove-engaging member which engages said groove upon insertion of the holder to said latched position; and at least one of said elements being resiliently deflectable with respect to said housing, from an initial relative position, in a direction perpendicular to said insertion direction, said elements being resiliently deflectable relative to each other in first and second orthogonal directions perpendicular to each other and perpendicular to said insertion direction, characterized in that said groove element comprises an inlet-outlet portion, an insertion guiding portion, a latching transition portion, a latched position portion, an unlatching transition portion, and an ejection guiding portion; and said elements are arranged relative to each other and the housing and insertion direction such that during insertion of a holder to said latched position (a) initially each element is in a respective initial position in which said groove-engaging member and inlet-outlet portion are aligned with each other in the direction of insertion, (b) next said groove-engaging member and said inlet-outlet portion engage and undergo relative movement until said member engages the first insertion guiding portion, (c) next said member engages said insertion guiding portion and said elements undergo relative movement, one of said elements being resiliently deflected in said first orthogonal direction, (d) next said member engages said latching transition portion and said elements undergo further relative movement with further inward movement of the holder in said insertion direction until said member engages said latched position portion, during this relative movement said one of said elements resiliently moving in a direction opposite said first orthogonal direction to a relative position in which said one element is unstressed in said first orthogonal direction; during the engagement of the member with at least one of the insertion guiding and latching transition portions, one of said elements being resiliently deflected in said second orthogonal direction such that, when said holder is in the latched position, the member engages the latched position portion under resilient stress in said second orthogonal direction, and the engagement between the member and groove prevents movement of the holder in the ejection direction; and upon movement of the holder, from said latched position, further in said insertion direction and then release of said holder: (e) said member engages said unlatching transition portion, said elements undergoing further relative movement in said direction opposite said first orthogonal direction and in a direction opposite said second orthogonal direction, (f) said member then engages said ejection guiding portion, and said spring means then urges said holder in the ejection direction so that the holder moves partly out of said case, and (g) said member engages said ejection guiding portion, and said elements undergo further relative movement in the ejection direction free from further restraint by the latching means. A storage case and holder combination, said holder containing at least one information carrier, said case comprising a housing forming at least one receptacle into which said holder can be inserted in an insertion direction from the front of the case, spring means for urging a partly inserted holder in an ejection direction opposite said insertion direction, and latching means for retaining a fully inserted holder in a latched position; and for unlatching the holder responsive to pushing said holder inward a given distance from said latched position, so that the holder is ejected in the ejection direction by said spring means; said latching means comprising a resilient latching arm element connected to and forming part of said case, and a latching groove element connected to and forming part of said holder, at least a portion of said groove having a groove bottom surface; said latching arm element having a groove-engaging member which engages said groove upon insertion of the holder into the case, said groove having a latched position portion which said member engages when the holder is in said latched position, said member and groove being arranged such that the member prevents movement of the holder in the ejection direction from the latched position; said arm being resiliently deflectable relative to said case in first and second orthogonal directions perpendicular to each other and perpendicular to said insertion direction, characterized in that said elements are arranged relative to each other and the housing and insertion direction such that, said holder being in said latched position, said member is in a latching position engaging said groove bottom surface, engagement with said surface preventing movement of the member in a direction opposite said second orthogonal direction; upon movement of the holder, from said latched position, further in said insertion direction and then release of said holder, said member is moved from the latching position in a direction opposite said first orthogonal direction and then in a direction opposite said second orthogonal direction, and said case comprises a stop portion arranged to abut said member while the member is in the latching position, to prevent movement of said member in the first orthogonal direction.