Dynamic information storage or retrieval – Dynamic mechanism subsystem – Access of multiple storage elements
Patent
1998-06-16
2000-07-18
Ometz, David L.
Dynamic information storage or retrieval
Dynamic mechanism subsystem
Access of multiple storage elements
369179, G11B 1710
Patent
active
060916966
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a disc changer in which a plurality of discs are loaded and which selects an arbitrary one of the plurality of discs for sound recording/reproduction.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A disc changer of this kind uses a plurality of subtrays and a stocker, and the subtray is shaped to house both 8 and 12 cm CDc. To prevent discs from slipping out from the subtray, the pitch of shelves in the stocker on which the plurality of subtrays are housed is reduced to reduce the gap between the subtrays.
With the conventional disc slip-out prevention method for disc changers, however, discs housed in the stocker may slip out from subtrays due to the warpage or distortion of the subtrays.
It is an object of this invention to provide an inexpensive and high-quality disc changer by inserting a plurality of spacers and discs around a pair of spindles without the need for a stocker and a plurality of subtrays.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
To achieve this object, the invention set forth in claim 1 is a disc changer in which a plurality of discs are loaded and which selects any one of the plurality of discs for sound recording/reproduction, characterized in that the disc changer comprises a disc holding means for detachably holding a plurality of spacers on a pair of spindles using a holding claw; a vertical drive means for driving the spacers in the vertical direction to select arbitrary positions for the plurality of discs held by the plurality of spacers; a spindle drive means for driving the holding claw to engage and disengage the plurality of spacers with and from an upper spindle; a horizontal transfer means for transferring the disc supported on a subtray; a disc clamp means for clamping the disc at a sound recording/reproduction position; and a disc presser means for preventing the slip-out of the disc from the spacer occurring when the disc changer performs an operation on both spindles; and a spacer detachment prevention means for preventing the spacer from being detached from the lower spindle when the lower spindle is elevated or lowered.
According to this invention, the vertical drive means can drive the plurality of spacers supported by the disc holding means, in the vertical direction to select any one of the plurality of discs held by these spacers, the spindle drive means can then drive the holding claw from the disc, and the horizontal transfer means can then transfer the selected disc to the sound recording/reproduction position while supporting it with the subtray. The disc clamp means then clamps the transferred disc at the sound recording/reproduction position. In addition, the disc presser means can prevent the disc from slipping out from the spacer installed on both spindles and the spacer detachment prevention means can prevent the spacer from slipping out from the lower spindle.
The invention set forth in claim 2 is a disc changer according to claim 1 wherein the holding claw provided on the upper spindle of the disc holding means is manufactured by integrating a core section that is pressed upward by the lower spindle with a claw portion that holds the spacer on the upper spindle.
This means enables the spacer and disc to be held stably and reliably and allows the spacer to pass vertically along both spindles by housing the claw portion of the holding claw inside the upper spindle when the lower spindle is pressed upward.
The invention for a disc presser means set forth in claim 3 is a disc changer according to claim 1 wherein the means for pressing the disc has an upper elevating table that can be expanded and contracted for a specified amount above a lower elevating table formed in the vertical drive means, and a disc presser spring provided on the bottom surface of the upper elevating table presses the spacer and disc installed on both spindles.
This means can prevent the disc from slipping out from the spacer by pressing the disc. With this means, in addition, the disc can be held horizontally and even when the disc changer is tilted, t
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patent: 1321852 (1919-11-01), Rorison
patent: 1595241 (1926-08-01), Nelson
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patent: 2159833 (1939-05-01), Smyth, Jr.
patent: 5822296 (1998-10-01), Nakamichi
Koshino Katsuhiko
Miyoshi Seizo
Nakamura Masahiko
Ota Takeshi
Castro Angel
Matsushita Electric - Industrial Co., Ltd.
Ometz David L.
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