Abstract: A disc player has a housing with a slot for the insertion of a disc-shaped information carrier. The disc player comprises an automatic loading system for loading and unloading an information carrier inserted in the slot. The loading system comprises an electrical drive unit and an actuating unit (10) for actuating a switching means (224) of an electrical circuit for energizing the electrical drive unit. The actuating unit comprises a first and a second tilting member (202; 206) with a first and a second follower element (204; 208) respectively adapted to cooperate with a main surface of the information carrier, and a pivotal element (210) for cooperation with the switching means, which pivotal element is controllable by the first and the second tilting member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cassette (3) for the trouble-free storage of an information carrier and for conveniently inserting this information carrier into a scanning device. The cassette comprises a sleeve-shaped housing (301) and a box-shaped holder (303) which can be slid into the housing. The housing has an open first side (309) and, opposite thereto, an at least partly open second side (311). The holder, which extends permanently into the housing through the first side, is movable between a slid-out position, in which the holder together with the housing forms a storage space for the information carrier, and a slid-in position for moving the information carrier out of the cassette via said second side. Latching means (327, 327B) have been provided for latching the information carrier in the slid-out position of the holder.

Abstract: A disc-record player includes a lazy Susan type changer mechanism (5) arranged within a housing, a drawer (7) movable through an opening in the housing, and having a supporting surface for moving information discs into and out of the housing for loading and unloading from the changer; a scanning device (3) for writing and/or reading information discs which have been transferred from a supporting surface on the changer to a turntable (17) of the scanning device; and mechanisms for rotating the lazy Susan and moving the scanning device relative to the lazy Susan for picking up a disc placed on the lazy Susan, and moving it into a scanning position. A positioning device has a drive unit for positioning the scanning device and lazy Susan relative to each other. The scanning device is moved to transfer a disc to the scanning position responsive to rotation of the lazy Susan.

Abstract: The player comprises a frame, a turntable for the information carriers, which turntable is rotatable about an axis of rotation during operation, and a centering device for centering said information carriers relative to a centering axis. The centering device comprises a pair of first pivotal arms, which are each movable about a first pivotal axis parallel to the centering axis, and a first centering element constructed for cooperation with the circumferential edge of the information carriers. The centering device further comprises a pair of second pivotal arms which each comprise a second centering element constructed for cooperation with the circumferential edges of information carriers, the first centering elements and the second centering elements together being disposed at least substantially on a circle concentric with the centering axis in at least one position of the first pivotal arms and the second pivotal arms relative to each other.

Abstract: The scanning unit and turntable of a disc-record player are carried on a subframe which is resiliently supported from the player frame. The subframe is locked to the frame during loading and unloading of a disc record, to simplify alignment of the turntable to the loading device. The subframe locking device includes a tilting element, preferably arranged at a side of the subframe which faces the loading opening. The tilting element pivots about an axis which is parallel to the supporting surface of the turntable, and moves a locking member toward and away from the turntable and scanning unit so as to lock and to unlock the subframe with respect to the frame.

Abstract: A disc-record player for recording and/or reading information on/from disc-shaped information carriers, in particular optical discs, of different diameter includes a frame, a turntable for the information carriers, and a device for moving said information carriers and bringing them into a well-defined position relative to the turntable. At least one positioning member is movable transversely of a loading direction; the positioning member is constructed, as a pivotal arm and includes a positioning element adapted to cooperate with the information carriers, and a detection unit for detecting the position of the information carriers.

Abstract: Device for reading an optical disc (5) includes a turntable (17) which is rotatable about an axis of rotation (19), and a slide (11) supported directly in the frame and which carries an objective (9) having an optical axis (9a). A slide-supporting arrangement is constructed in such a way that it allows both the displacement of the slide in a radial direction and a pivotal movement of the slide about a pivotal axis (13) which is stationary relative to the frame. A slide-drive arrangement (31, 33) radially moves the objective, and a drive unit (25, 27) with a control element (29) tilts the slide.