Optical disk loader

Details Optical disk loader Optical disk loader

1999-04-26

2001-07-10

Cao, Allen T. (Department: 2652)

Dynamic information storage or retrieval

With particular cabinet structure

Slotted for edgewise insertion of storage disc

Reexamination Certificate

active

06259667

ABSTRACT:

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application claims the priority benefit of Taiwan application Ser. No. 88105361, filed Apr. 3, 1999, the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to an optical disk loader. More particularly, the present invention relates to an optical disk loader capable of uploading a bare disk or a disk cartridge in a horizontal or a vertical position.
2. Description of the Related Art
Following the rapid progress in computer technologies and multimedia systems, the use of high-density optical disk to store audiovisual signals is a commonplace phenomenon.
At present, optical disk readers that are capable of loading and reading an optical disk in a vertical position are quite common in the market place. However, no optical disk reader that can accommodate a bare disk or a disk cartridge is capable of being positioned horizontally or vertically. Perhaps this is because the specification for a disk cartridge has been laid down according to an agreement between Matsushita and some ten other major Japanese companies. The DVD specifications for rewritable disk (Part 1. Physical Specifications Version 1.0) has stipulated that the external dimensions of a cartridge should be 135.5×124.6×8 (units in mm). Hence, a major part of the optical disk reader is occupied by the cartridge. This leads to some difficulties in designing (an optical disk reader that can accommodate both a bare disk and a disk cartridge. Furthermore, a conventional disk loader does not have a special device for restricting a disk when the optical disk reader is positioned vertically. In addition, if the tray for carrying the disk is unable to raise the optical disk on entering the player, the lower side of the disk may contact the driving motor. This may easily produce damaging scratches on the optical disk.
In light of the foregoing, there is a need to provide a better optical disk loader.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a disk loader for a disk reader capable of loading a bare disk or a disk cartridge and that has special structure for restricting the disk even if the disk reader is positioned vertically.
Another aspect of this invention is to provide a disk loader that has a movable loading tray. When a disk is placed on the loading tray and then pushed into the disk reader, the loading tray has a mechanism for uplifting the disk in such a way that scratching due to contact with the driving motor is prevented.
One further aspect of this invention is to provide a disk loader for a disk reader capable of loading a bare disk or a disk cartridge, no matter if the player is positioned horizontally or vertically.
To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the invention provides a disk loader for a disk reader. The disk loader includes a lower tray having a front edge, a back edge, a first side, a second side and a bottom panel. There are two sliding grooves at two ends on the bottom panel next to the respective first and second side in the neighborhood of the back edge. The front edge, back edge, first side and the second side together form an enclosed region. The disk loader further includes an upper tray having, a front edge and a back edge. The front edge of the upper tray is movable with respect to the front edge of the lower tray. Furthermore, each side of the back edge has a protruding pin. In addition, there is a pair of retractable blocks positioned on the sliding grooves of the lower tray with each block having an elastic element coupled to the back edged of the lower tray. Each retractable block has a slot that couples to the protruding, pin at the back edge of the upper tray. Finally, the loader also includes a vertical protective panel having a first face and a second face. The first face of the protection plate is coupled to the upper side of the bottom panel employing a turning mechanism in the neighborhood of the first or the second side of the lower tray. The second face of the protection plate is able to latch onto the upper tray by rotation. The retractable blocks and the erected protection plate are components for securing a disk cartridge or a bare disk in place during a disk-loading operation.
According to a second embodiment of the invention, a disk loader for a disk reader is provided. The disk loader includes a loading tray body, a first pre-loading arm and a second pre-loading arm. The tray body has a front edge, a back edge, a first side, a second side and a disk carrier base. The first pre-loading arm has a first end and a second end. The first end of the first pre-loading arm is coupled to one side at the back edge of the loading tray body via a first elastic element. Similarly, the second pre-loading arm also has a first end and a second end. The first end of the second pre-loading arm is coupled to other side of the back edge via a second elastic element. In addition, the disk loader further includes a rotary pre-loading arm having a first end and a second end. The first end of the rotary arm and a third elastic element are coupled to the first side near the front edge of the loading tray. The rotary arm is used for restricting a disk in position.
Through the action of both the first pre-loading arm and the second pre-loading arm, a disk cartridge is (ripped firmly no matter whether the disk reader is placed in a vertical or a horizontal position. Furthermore, the two pre-loading arms together with the third rotary pre-loading arm is able to grip a bare disk firmly no matter if the disk reader is positioned vertically or horizontally.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary, and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5805561 (1998-09-01), Pollard
patent: 5926341 (1999-07-01), Mueller et al.

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