Dynamic information storage or retrieval – With particular cabinet structure – Slotted for edgewise insertion of storage disc
Reexamination Certificate
1998-04-08
2003-06-10
Ometz, David L. (Department: 2153)
Dynamic information storage or retrieval
With particular cabinet structure
Slotted for edgewise insertion of storage disc
Reexamination Certificate
active
06577578
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a disk transferring device which transfers a disk while supporting the disk at two points. A disk which is inserted into a slot on a device front panel is directly loaded to the playback position inside the device. This slot-in method of the loading mechanism is mainly used in car-mounted compact disk players. As disclosed in Japanese Examined patent number 4-62146, this slot-in method of loading is generally performed by having the upper surface and lower surface of a disk sandwiched between two loading rollers having smaller diameters than the inserted disk. The rollers rotate towards the center of the disk, thereby transferring the disk inside the device. In Japanese Laid-Open Patent number 8-241552, the left edge and the right edge of a disk is sandwiched between two guide pieces which extend in the direction of transfer.
Since the loading mechanisms transfer the disk by supporting it at a first and a second point, pitching or vertical vibrations in the forward and rear portions of the disk are easily generated with the supported points acting as the pivot. This becomes a cause for clamp miss. These disk transferring mechanisms only have a weak correction force which keeps disks level when disks are inserted with the front sloping down or the front sloping up. Disks can contact mechanisms inside the device such as a clamper, thereby damaging the disk.
These problems are also addressed in Japanese Examined Patent publication number 4-72306 (shown in FIG.
14
). In this publication, a shaft center
1
A of a loading roller
1
is placed further towards the device front panel than a shaft center
2
A of a loading roller
2
. A vertical plane Y
1
passing through shaft center
1
A is displaced by a distance d from a vertical plane Y
2
passing through shaft center
2
A. A disk D is forced into a position where the front portion is sloped upwards. The transfer position is maintained by stoppers
7
,
8
as shown in FIG.
14
. When disk D is to be played, clamper
4
on clamper arm
3
is rotated counter-clockwise. This rotation causes disk D to be clamped onto a turntable
6
which is disposed on a spindle axis
5
A of a spindle motor
5
.
Nevertheless, this proposal is difficult to apply to disk transferring mechanisms which transfer disks by having the disk outer edge sandwiched by two guide pieces which extend in the direction of transfer. There are also problems due to damage to the disk recording surface by the contact with stoppers
7
,
8
during the transfer step. These can result in reading errors and playback interruptions.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a disk playback device with a support for maintaining an alignment of an inserted disk.
In a disk transferring device a disk is supported at a first point and a second point and transferred. A supporting member includes an engagement cavity which is capable of engaging with the edge of the disk at a point differing from the supported points. The supporting member moves in conjunction with the transfer of the disk thereby maintaining the position of the disk during a transfer step.
By the device of the present invention as described above, the supporting member maintains the disk at a constant position during the transferring step by having an engagement cavity engaged with the disk edge.
Briefly stated, in a disk playback device, a driven disk guide and a fixed disk guide provide transverse movement for a disk. A pivoting arm with an engagement cavity, engages with an edge of an inserted disk and guides the disk during movement into the apparatus. A spring biases the pivoting arm toward a front of the device so that the pivoting arm is in a correct position when the disk is first inserted. As a disk within the device, the pivoting arm rotates away from a center of the disk. When the full diameter of the disk enters the apparatus, the pivoting arm rotates completely, moves into a slit disposed in the fixed disk guide, and is thereby recessed from the edge of the disk.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a disk transfer device with a means for maintaining alignment of an inserted disk comprises at least a first and second guide member for guiding said disk. A support member is used for engaging with an edge of said disk. The support member keeps contact with said edge during a first movement of said disk within said disk transfer device thereby maintaining said alignment of said disk.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, a disk transfer device with a means for maintaining alignment of an inserted disk comprises at least a driven disk guide and a fixed disk guide for guiding said disk. The driven disk guide has a means for moving said disk along said fixed disk guide. A support member is used for engaging with an edge of said disk. The support member keeps contact with said edge during a first movement of said disk within said disk transfer device thereby maintaining said alignment of said disk. At least one of said driven and fixed disk guide members includes a slit for receiving said support member thereby allowing said support member to assume a recessed position with respect to said edge. A spring is connected to said support member. The spring biases said support member toward a front of said disk transfer device. A stopper is disposed on said front of said disk transfer device. The stopper limits a second movement of said support member.
The above, and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate the same elements.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4498162 (1985-02-01), Schatteman
patent: 4677607 (1987-06-01), Ejiri
patent: 4682320 (1987-07-01), D'Arc
patent: 4969140 (1990-11-01), Koiwa et al.
patent: 4979160 (1990-12-01), Araki
patent: 5166917 (1992-11-01), Decoster et al.
patent: 5416763 (1995-05-01), Ohsaki
patent: 5493551 (1996-02-01), Kido
patent: 5544148 (1996-08-01), Nakamichi
patent: 5561658 (1996-10-01), Nakamichi et al.
patent: 5737293 (1998-04-01), Kawamura et al.
patent: 2-6534 (1990-02-01), None
patent: 2-10614 (1990-03-01), None
patent: 4-72306 (1992-11-01), None
Darby & Darby
Kupstas Tod
Nakamichi Corporation
Ometz David L.
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