The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 27, 2004
Filed:
Jul. 23, 1996
Thomas A. Kayl, Sioux City, IA (US);
Gateway, Inc., Poway, CA (US);
Abstract
A disc operating device comprising a multi-part disc holding tray which extends and retracts from a housing, and a disc information handling mechanism. The disc holding tray further comprises a moveable tray portion for movement and support within the housing, a disc supporting portion for supporting a disc and a break-away mechanism coupling these two portions. The, break-away mechanism comprises a first coupling that allows the disc supporting portion to deflect and potentially separate from the remainder of the disc holding tray upon impact by an external force. The disc supporting portion can further comprise a second coupling allowing deflection in multiple directions upon impact by an external force. Deflection and separation by the disc supporting portion reduce the need for and cost of repair and replacement of the overall disc operating device.