Dynamic information storage or retrieval – Information location or remote operator actuated control – Selective addressing of storage medium
Patent
1996-03-29
1998-10-06
Levy, Stuart S.
Dynamic information storage or retrieval
Information location or remote operator actuated control
Selective addressing of storage medium
369179, 369192, G11B 1722, G11B 1704
Patent
active
058188029
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a disc player having two disc magazines which are located opposite one another and have a plurality of disc holders which are stacked one above the other in receiving compartments and each receive a disc, and having a transport device which can move in the direction of the stacks of the two disc magazines in order to transfer a desired disc, with the associated disc holder, between the receiving compartment and a playback unit, with the transport device encompassing a horizontally-traveling withdrawal device which includes a sled having a gripper arm.
A disc-changing apparatus in which a vertically-traveling disc-removal apparatus is disposed between two vertical disc magazines which store disc covers with discs, the apparatus supporting a disc cover gripper that can travel horizontally on this removal device, is known from EP 0 138 005 B1. This disc cover gripper is provided with two gripper devices, of which one is selectively located in its ready position in the left or right disc magazine, while the other gripper device holds a removed disc cover in the center position, in which the disc is located above the turntable of the playback device. Thus, each disc magazine is allocated a separate gripper device. Each gripper device encompasses two hook elements which can be operated electromagnetically when the disc-removal apparatus is located in a first position or second position for removing a disc cover from the first or second disc magazine. Hence, on the one hand, the arrangement of two gripper devices and, on the other hand, the mechanical control of the movable gripper devices, dictate a considerable production outlay.
Moreover, EP 0 280 263 A2 discloses a disc player in which the discs are deposited in two stacks and can be played in two playback stations. The individual discs can be played from two sides. They are not returned to the same stack after being played. In this apparatus, an endless conveyor belt is configured as a withdrawal device. The position of the withdrawal device in this apparatus cannot be used to control the position of the discs. With the slightest irregularities in the transport of the discs, for example in the release of the discs from the playback device, or vibrations of the system, unacceptable sensitive disturbances are to be expected in operation.
Furthermore, EP 0 439 483 B1 discloses a disc player having two disc magazines located opposite one another and a transport device which can move in the direction of the stack of the disc magazines in order to convey a disc back and forth between the disc magazines and a playback unit, the device also having two withdrawal devices which can be controlled independently of one another and travel horizontally on the transport device, and each have a gripper arm. Each gripper arm is seated in a sled so as to extend and retract, the sled being able to be moved back and forth; in the initial position of the sled, the arm is held in its retracted position by a spring-loaded bell-crank lever having an associated stop lever such that, when the sled moves out of the initial position, the arm can be brought into the extended position by the bell-crank lever, in which position it engages a recess of a disc holder for a disc. Consequently, each disc magazine is allocated a movable gripper arm that is to be controlled separately, which stipulates a relatively costly construction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is to create a disc player of the type mentioned at the outset which permits a simple and compact design for the conveyance of a disc holder, with the desired disc, from the respective disc magazine to the respective playback unit and back.
In accordance with the invention, this object is accomplished in that the gripper arm is rigidly connected to the sled of the withdrawal device and can travel horizontally between the disc magazines and vertically in them.
The essential advantage achieved with the invention is the possibility of conveying a disc from bot
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Heidersberger Boerge
Menke Wilhelm
Levy Stuart S.
NSM Aktiengesellschaft
Ometz David L.
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