Abstract: A disk cartridge engagement system having a carriage disposed within a sleeve for movement in the longitudinal direction, gripper arms pivotally mounted to the carriage for engaging a disk cartridge positioned distally of the sleeve, and a pair of biasing springs movable between first and second biasing conditions which correspond to gripping and releasing of the cartridge, respectively. The carriage includes a first cartridge receiving position in which the gripping arms are positioned to engage with a cartridge advanced onto the end of the base by a first distance, and a second cartridge receiving position in which the gripping arms are positioned to engage with a cartridge advanced onto the end of the base by a second distance which is shorter than the first. Thus, the gripping apparatus is capable of receiving disks ejected from apparatuses such as disk drives which can push ejected cartridges short distance as well as from those which can push ejected cartridges relatively longer distances.

Abstract: An optical disk cartridge and an optical disk apparatus wherein, whether or not an optical disk has a different thickness, the distances of a pair of optical heads to a pair of recording faces of the optical disk can be set readily with a high degree of accuracy. The optical disk cartridge comprises a cartridge including a pair of halves between which an optical disk is accommodated for rotation, and a sample plate having a thickness corresponding to the thickness of the optical disk and disposed in parallel to the optical disk at a position in the cartridge in which the sample plate does not interfere with the optical disk. A pair of restricting elements are provided in the optical disk apparatus and contacts, when the optical disk cartridge is loaded, with the opposite surfaces of the sample plate to mechanically restrict the distances of the optical heads from the recording faces of the optical disk.

Abstract: A vibration proofing mechanism whose springs are not required to be newly extended when the mounting position of an apparatus using the mechanism is changed. Two types of vibration proofing springs extend between the cabinet of the apparatus and a floating chassis in different directions. A displacement adjusting spring extends between a spring latch movably supported by the cabinet and the floating chassis. The displacement adjusting spring corrects the displacement of the floating chassis relative to the cabinet caused by the force acting to the vibration proofing springs in the direction different from the direction of gravitational force.

Abstract: A spool mounting apparatus, particularly suitable for automatic, unbuffered tape transport systems, permits a reduction in the handling of spools during loading sequences.A spool inserted through an opening into a cavity within a housing, is guided into a preliminary position by a detent pin. The opening possesses a spring biassed closure member, which is mechanically linked to a free running disc member within the cavity situated opposite a shaped cylindrical hub over which the spool may locate.Motion of the spring biassed closure member towards a closed position effects displacement of the free running disc member towards the hub, thereby clamping the spool disposed therebetween. Subsequent rotation applied to the hub is therefore transferred to the clamped spool and the free running member.

Abstract: An emergency locking dual spool safety belt retractor having a frame, two belt storage spools rotatably mounted in said frame, a spool locking ratchet on each spool and an inertia sensor for sensing vehicle acceleration or deceleration above a predetermined value is provided with a split pawl locking means for locking the two belt storage spools in response to operation of the inertia sensor wherein resilient means are provided, including a pawl guide positioning the pawl members and cushioning them between the spool ratchets and resilient bushings surrounding ends of the pawl members and guide which penetrate the retractor frame side walls, whereby lockup of both spools by the two separate pawl members is assured even in a false latching condition and when one or the other pawl member engages a ratchet in a tooth to tooth condition, the resiliency of the resilient guide and bushings cooperating to maintain the pawl members in spool locking condition in response to operation of the inertia sensor.