Abstract: An automotive data device, such as an audio player, for playing recording media of a different size includes a housing member housing a first player unit and a second player unit in a stacked arrangement. Each of the player units have insertion slots. A movable operating panel for controlling the respective first player unit and the second player unit extends across the respective insertion slots. A control unit can drive the movable operating panel in a first mode of operation to expose only the first insertion slot, while maintaining the operability of user controls on the operating panel. The control unit provides a second mode of operation to expose both of the insertion slots, while retracting at least a portion of the operating panel into the housing member below the lower insertion slot.

Abstract: A data processing device having a shutter opening and closing mechanism which operates within a path along which a minidisk MD moves to open a shutter only when it is necessary to open the shutter of the MD. A change-over mechanism for diverting the drive force for loading cassettes to the shutter opening and closing mechanism. A recording medium pushing mechanism is arranged to stop a recording medium from being taken out of the magazine to the carrier when there is a recording medium in the carrier. A recording medium take-in/eject mechanism able to reduce the space occupied, and a carrier mechanism which improves the working efficiency during assembly. This makes it possible to provide a data processing device with improved operating properties.

Abstract: A data processing device for holding a plurality of recording medium cassettes has a housing with an aperture to receive and discharge the cassettes. A holding member can receive a cassette that has been inserted through the aperture and deliver the cassette to a storage rack for storing a plurality of cassettes. A shutter can be activated to close the aperture. A moving elevator plate contacts the holding device, the storage rack, and the shutter member to enable the aperture to be opened when the holding member can receive a cassette and to be closed when the holding member has been moved from a position adjacent the aperture.

Abstract: A disc loading structure capable of automatically and positively loading a disc in a disc apparatus with a simple structure irrespective of the size of the disc and carrying out a substantial decrease in power consumption in use and manufacturing costs. A mechanical sensor link is pivotally arranged so as to be pivotally moved due to engagement with a disc and a lock member is pivotally arranged and selectively engaged with the sensor link so as to be pivotally movable in association with the pivotal movement thereof. The lock member selectively serves to lock a stopper arm at a small-diameter disc position depending upon the position of the sensor link pivotally moved. Also, the structure includes a large-diameter disc regulator for holding the stopper arm at a large-diameter disc position.

Abstract: A locking mechanism comprises a chassis, a floating unit supported movably by the chassis through the intermediary of a damper, a shift plate provided in the chassis and movable by a drive power of a motor, a link mechanism cable of rotational movement by the movement of the shift plate, and a lock plate movable by the link mechanism. The shift plate has a first lock part movable in a first direction, the link mechanism has a second lock part movable in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the lock plate has a third lock part movable in the first direction. The floating unit has first, second and third engaging parts for engaging the first, second and third lock parts, respectively, to limit the movement of the floating unit. A mechanism for limiting the vertical movement of the floating unit is provided in at least one of combinations of the first, second and third lock parts with the first, second and third engaging parts.

Abstract: A disc loading mechanism for use in a CD player, laser disc player, etc. includes sensors for judging the size of an inserted disc to use the judging result to automatically set the disc in a proper position on a turn table.

Abstract: A cassette holder mechanism includes right and left cassette holders independently supporting opposite side marginal portions of a cassette and having guide rollers inserted in guide holes of right and left chassis side walls. Each cassette holder includes a gap at its side portion which engages guide shafts attached to each chassis side wall.

Abstract: A tape player having a rotating drum head such as VTR etc. characterized in that a holder, on which at least a guide roller for the tape is mounted outside of the tape path, is disposed movably between its retreated position, where it doesn't interfere with the loading block and the subblock, and its advanced position, where it fronts on the tape path, and is energized towards its retreated position, that control means controlling the movement of the holder arm towards its advanced position is provided, and that an operating member to operate the control means, after this subblock has passed through a position which is occupied by the guide roller in the advanced position of the holder arm, is disposed on the subblock.

Abstract: A video tape recorder includes a pinch roller mechanism driven by a capstan motor to closely fit to a capstan a tape running from a rotary head. The tape is driven in a selected mode by a reel mechanism driven by a tape loading motor. Different mechanisms and members of the recorder are activated at proper relative timings which are established by a timing control mechanism driven by the capstan motor.

Abstract: A driving force branching gear mechanism, which is useful for a tape recorder provided with a rotary head, etc., is disclosed, in which a driving gear consisting of two great diameter cam gears fixed to each other in one body and two small diameter cam gears driven by the two great diameter cam gears, repsectively, are disposed and they are so arranged that each of the small diameter cam gears is driven, only when its gear section is in opposition to each of the great diameter cam gears and that its cut-off portion for fixation is located on the projecting portion of the cam section of each of the great diameter cam gears and fixed there, when the cam section of each of the small diameter cam gears is in opposition to the cut-off portion of the gear of each of the great diameter cam gears.