Appeal No. 1999-2708 Page 2
Application No. 08/896,533
The invention at issue in this appeal relates to disk
drives for media cartridges. Such disk drives use optical or
magnetic disks enclosed in a cartridge. More specifically,
the cartridge is inserted in, and discharged from, the disk
drive via an opening therein. The opening is covered by a
swinging shutter leaf. Upon insertion or discharge of the
cartridge, the shutter leaf swings inward or outward as it is
pushed by the cartridge. A gap between the shutter leaf and
the opening ensures that the shutter leaf swings smoothly.
Unfortunately, dust or debris can enter through the gap.
In contrast, a resilient skirt extends from a free edge
of the appellants’ shutter leaf toward an inner surface of an
insertion/discharge opening. When the shutter leaf is closed,
the skirt fills the gap between the leaf and the opening,
thereby limiting the entry of dust and debris. Because the
skirt can easily deform when in contact with the peripheral
edge of the opening, moreover, the shutter leaf can swing
unimpeded.
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