Abstract: A data storage cartridge (14) can be removably inserted into a drive (13), so that respective connectors (52, 67) move into engagement. Two pawls (81, 82) are biased by a spring (119), and engage the cartridge to releasably lock the cartridge in its inserted position. In order to remove the cartridge from the drive, an eject mechanism is actuated, and includes a motorized drive mechanism (221) that moves an eject member (171). The eject member disengages the pawls from the cartridge, effects sufficient movement of the cartridge so as to disengage the connectors, and positions the pawls so that they will properly engage the next cartridge inserted into the drive.

Abstract: A disk drive 100 capable of receiving a cartridge 20 having a disk 42 with a diameter of about 3.5 inches which can contain at least 105 megabytes of data includes an operating mechanism 112 for initiating and controlling the positioning of an actuator arm 176 upon which is mounted a read/write transducer 178. The position of a spindle motor 224 which is used to spin up the disk 42 contained in the cartridge 20 to an operating speed, the locking of the cartridge 20 in the disk drive 100 in an operating mode and the ejection of the cartridge 20 from the drive 100. The operating mechanism 112 can function to eject the cartridge 20 whether or not the drive 100 is powered up in order to be able to remove the cartridge 20 and transport it to another disk drive 100 or to a secured location in a plane substantially parallel to the disk 42 contained in the cartridge 20.

Abstract: A cam plate member 24 is provided such that it is supported by a lower chassis 8 so as to rotate freely and rotates in accordance with the inserting/ejecting operation of a disk cartridge 5. The cam plate member 24 includes an elastic cam lever portion 24f and a cam convex portion 24g which are formed integrally. The elastic cam lever portion serves to push up the disk cartridge thereby to prevent hitting between the disk cartridge and a magnetic head 6 until the disk cartridge 5 that is inserted is loaded to a recording/reproducing portion 17 after the state where the disk cartridge moves onto a guide convex portion 14 formed at the lower chassis 8. The cam convex portion serves to push up and hold a portion 28 of a holder 10 which holds and loads the disk cartridge 5 from a portion 4 of the recording/reproducing portion 17 thereby to prevent the cartridge holder from being bent due to vibration.

Abstract: A card slot door locking mechanism includes a card slot into which a removable card can be inserted; a card slot door which is rotatable between a closed position and an open position, the card slot-door being biased to rotate in a direction towards the closed position; and a pair of door locking members positioned away from each other in a widthwise direction of the card slot. Each of the pair of door locking members locks the card slot door independent of each other when the pair of door locking members are in a free state. Furthermore, both of the pair of door locking members concurrently unlock the card slot door when the pair of door locking members are concurrently pushed by the removable card when the removable card is properly inserted into the card slot.

Abstract: The device has a door for opening and closing an insertion opening defined in an apparatus casing to receive an object. The door is pivotally supported by the apparatus casing. The device includes a gear coaxial with a pivot of the door and unitarily defined with the door. The gear engages with a rack arranged in a support portion of the pivot. The pivot travels during the opening or closing motion of the door parallel to the object. inserting or ejecting direction. The pivot travels opposite to the door moving side when the door opens or closes. This allows a smaller door receiving space required for opening the door.

Abstract: A high-density flexible disk capable of accessing a large-capacity flexible disk is provided with a large-capacity detecting switch. The large-capacity flexible disk has a case accommodating a magnetic disk medium, with the case being provided with a write protection hole and a single large-capacity identifier hole formed in a vicinity of the write protection hole for distinguishing the large-capacity flexible disk from a small-capacity and a medium-capacity flexible disk. The large-capacity detecting switch of the high-density flexible disk is provided at a position corresponding to the large-capacity identifier hole for detecting the large-capacity identifier hole when the large-capacity flexible disk is inserted into the high-density flexible disk drive. In a preferred embodiment, the large-capacity detecting switch is integrally formed in a single unit with a write control switch for detecting open and close states of the write protection hole.

Abstract: A positioning system is provided for use in an information recording/reproducing apparatus for positioning a cartridge containing an information recording medium on a chassis mounting information recording and reproducing structure. Such positioning system comprises positioning holes formed on the cartridge containing an information recording medium; and positioning pins formed on the chassis mounting information recording and reading structure. In particular, when a cartridge containing an information recording medium is inserted into the recording/reproducing apparatus, one of the positioning pins is caused to insert into a corresponding positioning hole earlier than the insertion of other pin(s) into other corresponding positioning hole(s).

Abstract: A door mechanism comprises a frame having an insertion port and first and second door panels. The first and second door panels have respective pivot shafts rotatably connected to the frame. These door panels are supported by the frame such that they can swing about the respective pivot shafts between closed positions in which they close the insertion port, and open positions in which they open the insertion port. The first and second door panels are swung apart in opposite directions when they are shifted from the respective closed positions to the respective open positions. The first and second door panels are urged by a spring toward the respective closed positions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a disk device in which slide pieces slidable along an edge portion of a slide hole formed in a chassis are formed at the central part of both ends of a holder. The forward end of either of the slide pieces has a straight surface formed on the edge portion 2a side; and an inclined portion is formed by obliquely cutting the surface of the edge portion 2b side. When the disk case M inserted reaches a predetermined position, the holder slides within the slide hole of the chassis. In this case, the holder lowers while the inclined portion of the slide piece slides along the edge portion, enabling a decrease in the lowering speed of the holder to thereby reduce the lowering speed of the head descending into contact with the disk D.

Abstract: A positioning system is provided for use in an information recording/reproducing apparatus for positioning a cartridge containing an information recording medium on a chassis mounting information recording and reproducing means. Such Positioning system comprises a plurality of positioning holes formed on the cartridge containing an information recording medium; and a plurality of positioning pins formed on the chassis mounting information recording and reading means. In particular, when a cartridge containing an information recording medium is inserted into the recording/reproducing apparatus, one of the positioning pins is caused to insert into a corresponding positioning hole earlier than the insertion of other pin(s) into other corresponding positioning hole(s).

Abstract: In a high-density flexible disk drive, a color of at least a surface of a cover (22) (in addition, a color of at least a surface of an eject button (30)) is different from that of at least a surface of a body of a front panel (20). A user can visually distinguish the high-density flexible disk drive from a normal-density dedicated flexible disk drive in which a color of a surface of a cover is identical with that of a surface of a body of a front panel. Thus, a large-capacity flexible disk can be correctly inserted into the high-density flexible disk drive without being erroneously inserted into the normal-density dedicated flexible disk drive.

Abstract: A recording and/or reproducing apparatus for a recording medium such as a magneto-optical disk or the like includes an apparatus body and a lid body. An apparatus body has an opening portion used for insertion and/or ejection of a recording medium. The apparatus body having a recording and/or reproducing unit for recording or reproducing a recording medium inserted through the opening portion. The lid body opens and closes the opening portion. The lid body is rotatably provided on the apparatus body. The lid body has on its side surface an inclined portion used for rotating the lid body in a direction in which the recording medium opens the opening portion when the storage medium is inserted into the apparatus body.

Abstract: A small-sized and thin flexible recording system including a flexible disk drive and a recording disk is provided. The recording disk has a disk-shaped recording medium and a recording medium cartridge rotatably receiving therein the recording medium. The flexible disk drive includes a magnetic head for recording information into the recording medium or reproducing information recorded in the recording medium, a carriage mechanism for moving the magnetic head, a recording medium drive motor for rotating the recording medium, a frame having an insertion opening through which the recording disk is inserted, a recording medium mounting portion formed adjacent the insertion opening in a direction in which the recording disk is inserted for mounting thereon the recording disk, and a recording-disk ejection mechanism for ejecting the recording disk from the frame.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cartridge accommodating a disk therein which is inserted into a cartridge holder, the cartridge holder being provided with a mis-insertion protection member. The mis-insertion protection member is located within an insertion path along which the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge holder. The cartridge has a substantially rectangular shape. The cartridge has a corner portion at each of four corners of the substantially rectangular shape, the corner portion being shaped so as to abut on the mis-insertion protection member to move the mis-insertion protection member out of the insertion path. The cartridge has at least two mis-insertion protection mechanisms for engaging with the mis-insertion protection member so as to prevent the cartridge from being mis-inserted.

Abstract: The present invention provides a recording medium driving apparatus comprising an enclosure having an insertion port for insertion and discharge of a recording medium; a holder holding the recording medium inserted through the insertion port; a driving section having a turntable onto which the recording medium held by the holder is mounted and a locating member for positioning the recording medium; a holder transfer mechanism for transferring the holder in a first direction approaching the driving section and in a second direction leaving the driving section; an elastic support member elastically supporting the driving section in the enclosure; and a constraining mechanism constraining transfer of the driving section; and before the holder having the recording medium inserted therein is transferred by the holder transfer mechanism in the first direction, or after beginning moving in the first direction and before a recording medium inserted in an abnormal direction or posture comes into contact with the turnt

Abstract: A disk drive comprising an upper head holder with has an arm portion extending laterally and placed on an upper plate, a carriage has a carriage lock for stopping longitudinal movements of the carriage, a lift bar is inserted between the arm portion of the upper head holder and the upper plate and is movable between upper, middle and lower stages, a brake portion of a stopper lever comes into engagement with the carriage lock of the carriage to stop longitudinal movements of the carriage, a lower plate lock means locks a backward movement of a lower plate, and a solenoid is interlocked with and actuates the lift bar, the stop lever and the lower plate lock means.

Abstract: The thickness of a disk device is determined by the sum of the thickness of a cartridge, the thickness of a space, formed as a result of movement of the cartridge, the thickness of a mechanism chassis and the thickness of a vibration-insulating space, and therefore it is difficult to achieve the thin design of the disk device. When the cartridge is to be loaded into a predetermined position, the cartridge is moved toward the mechanism chassis while the mechanism chassis is moved toward the cartridge, thereby providing vibration-insulating spaces, and with this construction, there can be provided the disk device of a thin design.

Abstract: A shutter opening apparatus and method for opening a shutter of a cartridge outside an optical disc recording and reproducing apparatus. The shutter opening apparatus includes an opening section mounted on a longitudinal opening of a tray for opening the shutter, a feeding section moved by the opening section for feeding the tray into an inner portion of the optical disc recording and reproducing apparatus, and a driving section for driving the opening section and the feeding section. The opening section includes a worm shaft rotatably mounted across the longitudinal opening, a first bevel gear rotated by the driving section and which is engaged with the worm shaft, and a bracket moved by the worm shaft for opening the shutter. The feeding section is movably installed on the tray and includes a slide bar moved between a first and second positions by the bracket, and a bias spring disposed between the try and the slide bar to bias the slide bar toward the first position.

Abstract: In a thin floppy disk drive comprises a disk shutter arm (26), rotatably mounted on a disk holder (22), for opening and closing a shutter (43) of a floppy disk (40) and an eject lever (25), rotatably mounted on a main frame (13), having an eject stop part (253) engaged with a plate stopper portion (212) of an eject plate (21), the eject lever (25) has an eject protrusion (252a). The disk shutter arm (26) has a shutter hook part (261a) engaged with the eject protrusion so as to control a rotation operation of the eject lever when the floppy disk (40) is not inserted in the thin floppy disk drive. It is therefore possible to prevent the elect lever (25) from rotating over a predetermined rotation angle as far as the floppy disk (40) is not inserted in the thin floppy disk drive.

Abstract: In a floppy disk drive for driving a floppy disk loaded therein, a main frame has a principal surface defining a disk-loading area in which the floppy disk is loaded. A shaft portion is protruded from the principal surface of the main frame. The shaft portion is formed integral with the main frame from a single member. An eject lever is attached to the shaft portion to be rotatable around the shaft portion. The eject lever is for ejecting the floppy disk from the disk-loading area.

Abstract: A magnetic disk drive having an elastic member on any one of a cartridge holder and a slide plate, and engaging portions on the other one, in order that the elastic member engaged with the engaging portions will produce a resistance force against the force of coil springs when the slide plate is slid by the force of the coil springs.

Abstract: A disk recording or playback device comprises a holder pivoted to a chassis and reciprocatingly movable between an open position in which the holder is raised for inserting thereinto a cartridge containing a disk and a closed position in which the holder is laid on the chassis, a kickout mechanism having an engaging piece engageable with the holder and biased by a spring to urge the cartridge in a direction of discharge from the holder, the kickout mechanism extending into the holder and pushable by the insertion of the cartridge against the spring when the holder is in the open position to bring the engaging piece into engagement with the holder, and a change-over lever pivotally movably provided on the chassis for releasing the kickout mechanism from engagement with the holder during the transition of the holder from the closed position to the open position. The pivot portion of the holder and a pivot portion of the change-over lever are provided on the same surface of one member mounted on the chassis.

Abstract: A bearing design for a rotatable assembly includes two freely rotating balls mounted on the axis of rotation of the assembly and axially separated, one near each axial end of the assembly. Each ball is confined by a moving concave (preferably conical or frustro-conical) bearing surface of the rotatable assembly and a corresponding fixed concave bearing surface of a mounting attached to a frame, housing, or similar non-rotating structure. One of the fixed mountings is preferably attached to a compressible spring to provide a controlled axial pre-load to the assembly. The balls are substantially enclosed and lubricant provided in the enclosed cavity. In the preferred embodiment, the rotatable assembly is a rotary actuator assembly of a disk drive. Compared to conventional ball bearing designs, the present design reduces the number of parts and volume of space occupied by the bearings, reduces hysteresis, and improves shock resistance.

Abstract: A disk player has a disk cartridge for being loaded thereon, and accommodating a disk-type recording medium. The disk cartridge has a shutter arranged thereon, for performing slide-opening/closing in order to expose an information surface of the disk-type recording medium. The disk player is comprised of a carrier mechanism for carrying the disk cartridge to an information regenerating location and an information recording location, and a shutter sliding mechanism for slide-opening/closing the shutter. The shutter assumes an intermediate position of sliding when the disk cartridge is located at one of the information regenerating location and the information recording location, and assumes a terminal position of sliding when the shutter is located at the other one of the locations. The disk player also includes a. driving mechanism comprised of an engaging element and an engaged element which is separated from the engaging element when the information recording mechanism is not driven.

Abstract: A movable platform is mounted on opposing guide rails within a disk drive. A head actuator and spindle motor are mounted on the movable platform. The platform moves on the guide rails from a forward position to a rearward position upon insertion of a disk cartridge into the disk drive. As the platform moves toward the rearward position, the elevation of the platform changes in order to bring the spindle motor into engagement with the hub of the disk cartridge. A latch member having a torsion spring and a notched projection is pivotally mounted on one of the guide rails for latching the platform in its forward position when the disk drive is not in use. The latch member locks and holds the platform in the forward and locked position when a shock load is encountered.

Abstract: A disk drive capable of preventing an incorrectly inserted cartridge from further advancing in the earliest possible stage of insertion and securing the longest possible stroke of automatic transfer of the cartridge. A slider is provided for transferring a disk cartridge that is being inserted between the mounting and dismounting position and a fully inserted position while moving together with the disk cartridge with respect to a holder for guiding and holding the cartridge. The slider is provided with a projection that faces a specified side portion of the disk cartridge extending in the direction in which the cartridge is inserted and allows the insertion of the cartridge while being slidably fitted in a groove provided on the side portion of the disk cartridge extending in the direction in which the cartridge is inserted when the disk cartridge is being inserted in the correct position.

Abstract: A flexible disc apparatus includes a frame having a recording medium loading portion, a carriage portion, a recording medium unloading mechanism portion and a magnet portion for attracting a metal portion of the recording disc. An unloading amount restricting spring portion is engageable with a recess portion on the recording disc. The unloading amount restricting spring portion which may be disposed to the frame includes a first engagement portion defining a first predetermined angle with respect to the recording disc and a second engagement portion defining a second predetermined angle smaller than the first predetermined angle with respect to the recording disc.

Abstract: A loading mechanism of a disc tray onto which recording medium discs such as compact discs, laser discs, or the like are set and which moves between a pull-out position at which the disc tray was pulled out of an outer casing and a pull-in position at which the disc tray was pulled into the outer casing. The engagement between the loading gear and the rack of the disc tray is released just before the pull-in operation of the disc tray is completed and, at the same time, a cam portion formed on the loading gear comes into engagement with the abutted portion of the disc tray, thereby allowing the disc tray to be subsequently pulled in by the pressing motion of the cam portion to the abutted portion. Thus, the pull-in speed of the disc tray can be reduced just before the completion of the pull-in operation of the disc tray and a shock which occurs upon completion of the pull-in operation of the disc tray can be reduced.