Dynamic information storage or retrieval – Dynamic mechanism subsystem – Specific detail of storage medium support or motion production
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-30
2003-08-26
Miller, Brian E. (Department: 2652)
Dynamic information storage or retrieval
Dynamic mechanism subsystem
Specific detail of storage medium support or motion production
Reexamination Certificate
active
06611490
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY
The invention relates to the field of disk positioning during recording and/or playing an optical disk.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a clamping device for a disc-shaped information carrier having a central clamping opening, which clamping device is provided with a supporting member for the information carrier, a clamping member which can be displaced from a first position, in which the clamping member clamps the information carrier against the supporting member close to the clamping opening, to a second position in which the clamping member releases the information carrier, and a lifting member which co-operates with the clamping member and can be displaced from a first position, in which the lifting member is recessed relative to the supporting member, to a second position in which the lifting member is in a raised position relative to the supporting member.
The invention also relates to a scanning device for scanning information on a disc-shaped information carrier, which scanning device is provided with a table for the information carrier which can be rotated about an axis of rotation, a clamping device for clamping the information carrier on the table, and a scanning unit which can be displaced with respect to the table.
The invention also relates to the field of disk positioning during recording and/or playing an optical disk.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY
A clamping device of the type mentioned in the opening paragraphs is known from WO 93/01598. Said known clamping device can suitably be used in a box-shaped holder, for example, for a CD. The clamping member of the known clamping device comprises a number of clamping elements which can be displaced, while undergoing elastic deformation, from their first positions to their second positions. In order to clamp a CD in the holder, the central clamping opening of the CD must be pushed past the clamping elements, thereby causing the clamping elements to be displaced, by the central clamping opening, from their first positions to their second positions. After the central clamping opening has gone past the clamping elements, the clamping elements are displaced from their second positions to their first positions under the influence of the elastic deformation forces in the clamping elements, so that the CD is clamped by the clamping device. The lifting member of the known clamping device comprises a number of lifting arms which can be displaced, thereby also undergoing elastic deformation, from their first positions to their second positions. The known clamping device is further provided with a centrally arranged operating member by means of which the CD can be removed from the clamping device. To achieve this, the user must press the operating member, thereby causing the operating member to simultaneously move the clamping elements from their first positions to their second positions and the lifting arms from their first positions to their second positions. As a result, the CD is released by the clamping elements and lifted from the clamping device by the lifting arms. In this manner, a user-friendly operation of the clamping device is obtained.
The above citations are hereby incorporated in whole by reference.
A drawback of the known clamping device resides in that the clamping elements are pressed against the inner edge of the central clamping opening of the information carrier under the influence of said elastic deformation forces, when the central clamping opening is pressed past the clamping elements during providing the information carrier in the clamping device. As a result, the information carrier may be damaged near the central clamping opening. Said drawback of the known clamping device is particularly unfavorable if the known clamping device is used to clamp a DVD comprising two discs which are attached to one another. Under the influence of said pressure forces on the central clamping opening, the two discs may become detached, causing the DVD to become useless.
It is an object of the invention to provide a clamping device of the type mentioned in the opening paragraphs, in which the above-mentioned drawback of the known clamping device is precluded.
To achieve this, the clamping device in accordance with the invention is characterized in that the clamping device is provided with a first locking member, which locks the clamping member in its second position if the lifting member is not substantially in its first position, and a second locking member which locks the lifting member in its first position if the clamping member is not substantially in its second position. During placing an information carrier in the clamping device in accordance with the invention, the lifting member is displaced to its first position by the information carrier. Since the first locking member locks the clamping member in its second position if the lifting member is not substantially in its first position, the clamping member can only be displaced from its second position to its first position if the lifting member is substantially in its first position and the information carrier rests on the supporting member. In this manner, it is precluded that, during placing the information carrier in the clamping device, the clamping member contacts the information carrier before said information carrier rests on the supporting member. Since the second locking member locks the lifting member in its first position if the clamping member is not substantially in its second position, the lifting member can only be moved from its first position to its second position if the clamping member is substantially in its second position. In this manner, it is precluded that, during lifting and removing the information carrier from the clamping device, the clamping member contacts the information carrier. Since it is precluded, in this manner, that both during placing the information carrier in the clamping device and during removing the information carrier from the clamping device, the clamping member contacts the information carrier, it is precluded that, during placing the information carrier in and/or removing it from the clamping device, said information carrier is damaged near the central clamping opening by the clamping member.
A particular embodiment of a clamping device in accordance with the invention is characterized in that the clamping device is provided with means for exerting a pre-stressing force on the lifting member, said pre-stressing force being directed from the first position of the lifting member to the second position of the lifting member. If the lifting member is released by the second locking member, then the lifting member is displaced from its first position to its second position under the influence of said pre-stressing force, so that the information carrier is automatically lifted from the clamping device. By virtue thereof, the ease of use of the clamping device is improved.
A further embodiment of a clamping device in accordance with the invention is characterized in that the lifting member includes a number of lifting arms each extending substantially in a radial direction with respect to the information carrier, which lifting arms are provided, near a first end portion, with a supporting element for the information carrier, and which lifting arms are tiltable, near a second end portion, about a tilting axle extending substantially in a tangential direction with respect to the information carrier. By virtue thereof, a simple and practical construction of the lifting member is obtained.
Yet another embodiment of a clamping device in accordance with the invention is characterized in that the tilting axle of each of the lifting arms is formed by an elastically deformable hinge, the hinges jointly supplying the pre-stressing force exerted on the lifting member. As a result, said pre-stressing force is obtained in a simple and practical manner, and the number of parts of the clamping device is reduced.
A particular embodiment of a clamping device in accordance with the invention is characterize
Koninklijke Philips Electronics , N.V.
Miller Brian E.
Nguyen Dzung C.
LandOfFree
Clamping device for a disc-shaped information carrier does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Clamping device for a disc-shaped information carrier, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Clamping device for a disc-shaped information carrier will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3114874