Abstract: The disk cartridge adapted for permitting the removal of a disk comprises a case having a disk slot for receiving a disk, an opening provided so that a disk motor and pickup can be inserted into the disk case, a disk access provided between two adjacent side walls of the case to communicate with the disk slot allowing the disk to pass through the slot, and a lid rotatably supported on the case for opening and closing the disk access, in which a disk guide passage is formed so that, when the lid is open, the disk moves a specific distance along the inner surface of the side wall of the case, abuts against the lid to change the moving direction of the disk, and is discharged from the disk access.

Abstract: A disk reproducing apparatus capable of loading a compatible cartridge and MO cartridge designed to different specifications comprised a cartridge holder unit having a first shutter opener for opening and closing a shutter on the first cartridge and a second shutter opener for opening and closing a shutter on the second cartridge, the second shutter opener being moved outside or inside the cartridge insertion path depending on the cartridge inserted, and a disk motor base unit having first and second reference posts for adjusting the respective disk mounting distances of the first and second cartridges

Abstract: A tray is supported movably relative to a case to enable a second disk to be loaded into and unloaded from a second-disk holding recess. Positioning is performed by using second positioning holes formed through the case and tray. A turntable and a head are inserted through two second opening holes. A second-disk cartridge of thin construction, capable of holding therein the second disk in removable fashion, can be mounted in a recording/reproducing apparatus capable of mounting therein a first-disk cartridge.

Abstract: A cartridge adaptor accommodates a second cartridge which is smaller than a first cartridge so as to allow the second cartridge to be mounted in a disk apparatus designed to receive the first cartridge. The cartridge adaptor includes a shutter opener engageable with a shutter opener of the disk apparatus to open and close a shutter of the second cartridge, a projection engageable with a recess of the second cartridge to restrict insertion direction of the second cartridge into the disk apparatus, and a conveying member which is inserted into a transmission aperture formed in correspondence with an identification hole formed in the second cartridge, thereby opening and closing a detection hole of the cartridge adaptor formed at a corresponding position to an identification hole of the first cartridge.

Abstract: A cartridge for housing a recording medium therein. The cartridge includes a cartridge body configured such that a signal recording apparatus can record a signal onto the recording medium when the cartridge is loaded in the signal recording apparatus. The cartridge also includes an opening in the cartridge body for removing the recording medium from the cartridge body, and a cover covering the opening. An indicator on the cartridge body indicates whether the cover has ever been opened or removed from the cartridge body.

Abstract: A cartridge for housing a recording medium therein. The cartridge includes a cartridge body configured such that a signal recording apparatus can record a signal onto the recording medium when the cartridge is loaded in the signal recording apparatus. The cartridge also includes an opening in the cartridge body for removing the recording medium from the cartridge body, and a cover covering the opening. An indicator on the cartridge body indicates whether the cover has ever been opened or removed from the cartridge body.

Abstract: The disk centering device of the invention includes: a turntable for retaining an information recording disk which has a center hole and is placed on a placing surface so that the disk can rotate around a rotation axis thereof; and a centering unit including a plurality of centering portions coming into contact with a periphery of the center hole and a plurality of resilient portions, each of which is connected with a corresponding one of the plurality of centering portions for supporting the centering portion so that the centering portion can be resiliently displaced in a radial direction of the information recording disk.

Abstract: A cartridge adaptor accommodates a second cartridge which is smaller than a first cartridge so as to allow the second cartridge to be mounted in a disk apparatus designed to receive the first cartridge. The cartridge adaptor includes a shutter opener engageable with a shutter opener of the disk apparatus to open and close a shutter of the second cartridge, a projection engageable with a recess of the second cartridge to restrict insertion direction of the second cartridge into the disk apparatus, and a conveying member which is inserted into a transmission aperture formed in correspondence with an identification hole formed in the second cartridge, thereby opening and closing a detection hole of the cartridge adaptor formed at a corresponding position to an identification hole of the first cartridge.

Abstract: A pressure sensor, having a simple structure for accurately measuring any one of pressure and weight, is provided. The pressure sensor includes a pair of electrode layers and a dielectric layer. The dielectric layer is composed of a rubber elastic body positioned between the pair of electrode layers to act as a spacer for the pair of electrode layers. The dielectric layer has a tan .delta., at 1 to 30 Hz at a temperature of 10.degree. C. to 30.degree. C., of 0.03 or less. The dielectric layer also has a rubber hardness of 20 to 80 degrees in terms of scale A according to JIS-K-6301 at 10.degree. C. to 30.degree. C. Further, the dielectric layer has an impact resilience of 75% or more measured according to JIS-K-6301 at 10.degree. C. to 30.degree. C. and a compression set of 3% or less measured according to JIS-K-6301 at 10.degree. C. to 30.degree. C. The dielectric layer is formed of any one of natural rubber, polybutadiene rubber, polyisoprene rubber, polyurethane rubber and silicone rubber.

Abstract: In a magnet type clamping mechanism, a first magnet with a yoke is fixed in the outer periphery of a concave portion of a turn table which is fixed to a motor shaft. In the inner periphery of the concave portion of the turn table, a second magnet is provided on a yoke which is slidable along the shaft within a certain range. With respect to a disc having a hub with a large projection, the first magnet mainly generates clamping force. With respect to a disc having a hub with a small projection, both the first and second magnets generate clamping force, while the second magnet generates a main component of the clamping force.

Abstract: A disk cartridge rotatably accommodating a disk according to the present invention includes: a cartridge box composed of an upper half and a lower half, including a center hole for receiving a motor for rotating the disk, a head slit for receiving a recording and playback head, and a window on its side wall; a shutter movably provided on the cartridge box, for opening or closing at least the head slit; a slide member covering the window, connected to the shutter and slidably guided inside the cartridge box so that the shutter moves in a direction for opening or closing the head slit; and a twisted coiled spring which is provided inside the cartridge box so as to pass thorough the window, one end of the elastic body being fixed to the cartridge box and the other end thereof being fixed to the slide member, the elastic body pulling the shutter in a direction for closing the head slit.

Abstract: A mirror driving apparatus includes a rotary mirror, a support member for rotatably supporting the rotary mirror, a driving section for rotating the rotary mirror, a rotary electrode mounted on the rotary mirror or the support member, a fixed electrode disposed close to the rotary electrode and generally parallel thereto, a fixing section to which the support member and the fixed electrode are mounted, and a detecting section for detecting electrostatic capacity or a variation thereof between the rotary electrode and the fixed electrode. A mechanical vibration system, formed by the rotary mirror and the rotary mirror support member, is controlled based on the amount of rotary movement of the rotary mirror detecting as a change in capacity between the electrodes to suppress resonance of the rotary mirror. Additionally, by superposing an additional high frequency component outside the control band onto the rotary mirror control signal, the rotary mirror can be moved in fine increments.

Abstract: A carriage which is provided with a light beam focusing lens for focusing the light beam on an optical disc is made of light transmissible material, a light reflection part is formed at one end part in one body of the carriage, and a carriage holding mechanism is disposed on both sides in one body thereof so as to be movable in the radial direction of the optical disc, the light beam is applied to the carriage at the other end part thereof.

Abstract: An optical head which includes a movable bobbin having an objective lens and tracking coils for tracking operation, a carriage guided in such a manner to be able to move in the tracking direction and a state transformation mechanism for transforming the state of the bobbin and carriage between a first state, in which the objective lens can move in the tracking direction but the carriage does not move in the tracking direction, and a second state, in which the movable bobbin and the carriage moves in the tracking direction as one body. When effecting a tracking operation, the state transformation mechanism transforms the state of the bobbin and the carriage into the first state, in which the objective lens can move in the tracking direction but the carriage does not move in the tracking direction, and a tracking drive current is then made to flow through the tracking coils to perform the tracking operation.