Abstract: When a caddy is inserted into the player to load a record therein, it displaces a switch actuating lever to a second position thereof to turn on the player. The switch actuating lever moves back to its first position upon retrieval of the record from the player as the carriage is driven toward its OFF position to switch off the player.

Abstract: A turntable brake mechanism comprises a brake shoe located beneath the turntable for motion between a raised position and a lowered position in response to raising and lowering a record lifting rod which passes through one of the slots in the turntable to transfer the record between the turntable and a set of record receiving pads positioned above the turntable. When raised, the brake shoe engages the underside of the turntable to oppose the rotation of the turntable. The brake shoe is spaced from the turntable, when retracted, to allow the turntable to rotate freely.

Abstract: The video disc player is provided with a pair of carriage locking devices to securely lock the carriage in place during handling and shipping. Each of the carriage locking devices comprises a carriage locking pin, a device locking tab and a handle. Upon arrival of the player at its final destination, the locking devices are removed to free the carriage.

Abstract: The player is provided with a pair of spaced apart spine latching members which hook up with an inner record retaining spine as a caddy is inserted into the player so that when the outer jacket is withdrawn, the record/spine assembly is retained inside the player. A caddy overtravel mechanism prevents a selected one of the latching members from latching up the spine until the other latching member is also in position to capture the spine. A rigid coupling member interconnecting the latching members precludes the other latching member from capturing the spine until both latching members are ready to latch up the spine to assure simultaneous latching of the spine.

Abstract: A video disc player has a record extraction mechanism to facilitate record loading and unloading while the record remains enclosed in its caddy. The caddy comprises a record retaining spine releasably secured to an outer sleeve by means of a pair of spine locking fingers extending from the opposite edges thereof. A pair of spine releasing members engage and deflect the spine locking fingers to release the spine from its sleeve when a caddy is inserted into the player. Simultaneously, a pair of spine latching members hookingly engage the spine to hold it in place so that the record/spine assembly is retained inside the player when the sleeve is withdrawn. When the sleeve is reinserted into the player to recapture the record/spine assembly, it engages and drives the spine releasing members against the spine latching members in a manner freeing the spine. The caddy is then extracted.

Abstract: A caddy-type player has a pair of spring-loaded lockout members disposed at the opposite ends of the caddy input slot. The lockout members are positioned inside and outside the caddy insertion path, respectively, in response to the presence of and the absence of a record/spine assembly inside the player. The lockout members have square edges and sloping edges which are, respectively, disposed perpendicularly and non-perpendicularly to the caddy insertion path when the lockout members are positioned in the caddy insertion path. When an empty caddy sleeve is inserted into the player to retrieve a retained record/spine assembly, its leading edges engage the respective sloping edges of the lockout members to position the lockout members outside the caddy insertion path. If a full caddy is inserted into the player, while it already has another record/spine assembly inside, the square edges of the lockout members engage the leading edge of the full caddy to prevent it from going in.

Abstract: The player has a record handling mechanism which consists of a sequencing cam for coordinating the operations of a record lifting finger and a set of record receiving pads. To transfer a record from the record receiving pads to a turntable for playback, the record lifting finger is raised through a slot in the turntable to lift the record to a position above the receiving pads, the receiving pads are retracted out of the way, and then the record lifting finger is withdrawn to a location beneath the turntable to deposit the record on the turntable. To transfer the record back to the record receiving pads for retrieval, the sequence of operations is basically reversed. It is desirable to hold the registration between the turntable slot and the record lifting finger when the player is turned off. To this end a shutoff switch actuating mechanism is provided. When the player is turned off, the sequencing cam is driven in a direction that raises the record lifting finger through the turntable slot.

Abstract: Video disc caddies are treated to maintain dimensional stability by heating them while preventing either inward or outward bowing of the caddy halves for a time sufficient to stress-relieve the plastic.