Abstract: A casing is provided which includes a housing for receiving an extractable element and an extractor member mounted in the vicinity of the housing. The extractor member includes a tilting cam having a bearing end extending into the housing and an actuation end co-operating with a slidable lever having a drivable first end and a second end provided with a recess having the actuation end of the cam passing therethrough. The actuation end of the tilting cam includes a rear edge provided with an indentation and resilient return means holding said rear edge pressed against a rear end of the recess so that the rear end of the recess drops into the indentation at the end of insertion of the extractable element.

Abstract: A MD loading mechanism for a multidisk MD reproducing apparatus capable of storing a plurality of MDs and of reproducing information recorded on the plurality of MDs successively comprises: a plurality of cartridge holders for holding MD cartridges therein, respectively; a MD cartridge storage unit for storing the plurality of cartridge holders therein in a stack so that the back end surfaces of the MD cartridges held within the cartridge holders can be seen from outside, provided with a plurality of insertion slots through which the MD cartridges are inserted in the cartridge holders and cartridge holder locking means for locking the cartridge holders within the MD cartridge storage unit; and a cartridge holder transfer means for transferring the cartridge holder holding a desired MD cartridge from the MD cartridge storage unit to the MD reproducing apparatus.

Abstract: A flexible rack member has a substantially V-shaped cam portion formed therein. There is a substantially U-shaped guide slit formed on a wall of a housing. A support bar projected from a reproducing unit is formed so as to fit in a cam portion through the guide slit. Further, tray racks are formed on respective side faces of each tray. Joint pins mounted on both end portions of the rack member are guided by a guide groove formed on each tray while being in mesh therewith. As a result, by moving the rack member between the trays, an up-and-down movement of the reproducing unit, a movement of the reproducing unit between the trays, and an opening and closing of each tray can be carried out successively. Additionally, there is a tray gear member as the only drive source, and a contact portion formed on the guide groove is a key to switch each operation. The described arrangement provides an inexpensive disk reproducing device which enables the operation to be switched with an accurate timing.

Abstract: A double storage multi-carousel recordable media library is provided which includes a plurality of vertically stacked carousels mounted for rotation about a vertically extending central axis. Each carousel has a plurality of receptacles which are angularly spaced about the central axis, each receptacle being capable of storing a pair of recordable media disks. Each carousel has a large peripheral cutout which is located between a pair of receptacles for allowing passage of the disks and each receptacle has a smaller peripheral cutout for allowing movement of a transport device. Each carousel cutout is capable of alignment along a transport axis which is parallel to the central axis so that a disk can be transported vertically therealong. A disk chucking device is mounted for receiving and releasably retaining disks which are moved vertically along the transport axis.

Abstract: An optical frequency division multiplexing transmission system for sending a large volume of information by a single optical fiber is disclosed. Each of an optical frequency division multiplexing transmitter equipment and an optical frequency division multiplexing receiver equipment has an optical filter having a periodic optical transmission characteristic therein. Each optical filter is stabilized with an absolutely-stabilized standard optical frequency. Each optical signal frequency is stabilized to a periodic transmission characteristic of the optical filter arranged in the optical frequency division multiplexing transmitter equipment, and each local frequency to a periodic transmission characteristic of the optical filter arranged in the optical frequency division multiplexing receiver equipment.

Abstract: In a multi-disk player, disks such as compact disks and video disks are positioned on at least two tray mechanisms so that the signal reproducing surfaces of the disks on the respective tray mechanisms face in predetermined directions. Drive units are provided for each of the tray mechanisms, and each drive unit moves its the respective tray mechanism between a disk playback position and a disk ejecting position. A disk is clamped selectively from the tray mechanism which is at the disk playback position. An optical pickup device traverses the signal reproducing surface of the disk thus clamped to playback the data recorded on the surface of the clamped disk. Thus, a compact disk can be played back without removing a video disk situated in the disk player, and vice versa. Additionally, a video disk can be loaded and positioned in the disk player while playing back a compact disk, and vice versa.

Abstract: A changing apparatus for compact discs has a box-shaped magazine in which discs are stored in parallel, overlapping, sloped compartments. The discs can be moved from a storage position in the magazine to a playback position on a playback mechanism by a disc transfer mechanism. The disc transfer mechanism can include a spring-operated lever for pushing a disc out of the magazine. Alternatively, it may include a flexible ribbon housed inside a hollow sheath. When the ribbon is moved back and forth in the sheath, the disc is pushed in a desired direction by one of the ends of the ribbon.

Abstract: A housing for an automated data library which is a substantially rigid lightweight structure providing accurate location of the components therein. The housing structure comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending members disposed about and parallel to the central transfer shaftway and the storage bay areas, with at least one of the longitudinally extending members being formed as a rigid tubular member and the remaining longitudinally extending members being generally channel-shaped and disposed at the corners of the housing parallel with the shaftway and adjacent the open bay areas. A pair of closure plates are connected to and close the ends of the longitudinally extending members. A plurality of gusset plates join the adjacent ends of the longitudinally extending members and the periphery of the closure plates and leave a major portion of the shaftway and the bay area accessible between the longitudinally extending members.

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: A disc changer comprises a frame (1), a cassette holder (3) having a positioning surface (11) for a cassette comprising with a plurality of supports for a disc, in particular an optical disc, means (75, 87) for moving said supports out of and into the cassette, and retaining means (103, 117) for retaining a disc which has been moved out of the cassette. The disc changer comprises a motor driven cassette lift to produce a rectilinear axial movement of the cassette holder relative to the frame in a direction transverse to the positioning surface of the cassette holder to transfer the discs in the cassette to a predetermined plane. The cassette lift comprises a lift element (21) which is rotatably connected to the cassette holder and which is coupled to drive means (41), which lift element has an axis of rotation (31) extending transversely of said positioning surface.

Abstract: A disk player with a disk carrier and disk magazine including a pair of reciprocating slide plates provided with guide holes for the disk carrier and the disk magazine. When the slide plates make a reciprocating motion, the disk carrier and the disk magazine both provided on the slide plates are moved via a combination of the guide holes so that a selected disk is withdrawn from the disk magazine and, after being played, returned to the disk magazine.

Abstract: An optical disc player for playing optical discs includes a disc compartment for accommodating an optical disc, a disc holding mechanism for holding an optical disc accommodated in the disc compartment, a disc rotation drive mechanism for rotating the optical disc held by the disc holding mechanism, an optical pickup device which is radially movable in respect to the optical disc rotated by the disc rotation drive mechanism for optically tracing the optical disc and a pickup locking mechanism which is responsive to the disc holding mechanism for locking the optical pickup device during a non-operation of the tracing operation.

Abstract: A plurality of record discs are carried on a single rotatable indexing table detachably mounted on the casing of the device, any one of which record discs can be brought into engagement with a turn table carrying a pickup. On the casing, there are provided a starting rod and a member for terminating reproduction upon arrival of the pickup of the tone arm at the end point of sound reproduction.

Abstract: A multi-disk player system comprising a housing, a playing mechanism provided within the housing, a magazine that is capable of accommodating a plurality of disks in an orderly manner and which is provided detachably with respect to the housing, a magazine loading detector for detecting the loading of said magazine within the housing, and a disk pickup and transport device that selects a desired disk from the magazine and transports the same to the play position. The magazine loading detector is comprised of a pair of push levers that are positioned in the deepest magazine loading area and are in engagement with the magazine, a pair of sensor switches capable of engaging with the push levers. The push levers are spaced apart from each other by the distance corresponding to the thick portion of the magazine. The system may include a disk container comprising a plurality of trays on which disks are to be placed, and the magazine for accommodating the trays.

Abstract: A centering apparatus for a disk having two circular recording substrates joined together with respective center holes which may be misaligned. A first and a second centering member center respectively the two disks and a mechanical actuating rod in a single motion moves the second centering member radially outward into engagement with center hole of the second substrate and presses the first centering member axially out of engagement with the center hole of the first substrate.

Abstract: A cartridge handling mechanism for use in a disk file system having a stocker in which a multiplicity of thin cartridges respectively having disks accommodated therein are respectively accommodated in a multiplicity of accommodating shelves in parallel to each other, a player for writing and reading data onto and from the disk in each cartridge, and a carrier linearly moved along the front side of the stocker. The carrier has a pair of engagement members selectively engaged with a pair of grooves respectively provided in two side end surfaces at one end of each of the cartridges, so that a selected cartridge is drawn out of the stocker by means of the pair of engagement members, moved to a position facing the front side of the player by the operation of the carrier and then pushed out from the carrier and inserted into the player by the action of the engagement members.

Abstract: A disc player has a slide table mounted to slide horizontally into and out of a casing, a disc tray supported rotatably on the slide table and having a plurality of recessed disc storage areas arranged about its center of rotation to store a plurality of discs on its top surface a drive mechanism for rotating the disc tray and halting it at predetermined positions, an optical pickup and a turntable disposed within the casing at a play position for reproducing the disc placed at the play position by the disc tray, and a loading mechanism for displacing the slide table and controlling rotation of the disc tray so that, when the slide table is displaced from a first position outside of the casing to a second position within the casing, the foremost disc storage area of the disc tray in the first position is rotated to the play position in the second position.

Abstract: In a disk cartridge for charging therein a plurality of disks so that the disks are stacked therein, slide tabs for removing a desired disk are slidably provided along disk discharge and charge directions, and click engaging portions for temporarily locking the slide tabs at a predetermined positions along a sliding direction are offset by a predetermined amount along the sliding direction between the stages so as not to be aligned vertically along disk storage stages, thereby reducing a load of a drive mechanism for aligning the slide tabs at the side of the apparatus body.

Abstract: A disc player fitted for automatic change of discs comprises a disc pack receiving table for receiving and holding a disc pack containing a plurality of discs, a disc rotating device for rotating a disc taken out from the disc pack and loaded thereon, and a movable chassis operative to move up and down in relation to the disc pack receiving table and provided with a mechanical arrangement comprising a sliding lever for actuating a sliding member provided in the disc pack to take a selected disc out of the disc pack, a motor for rotating selectively in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions, a driving roller for being rotated with the rotatory driving force produced by the motor to carry the selected disc taken out from the disc pack to the disc rotating device, and a driving mechanism actuated with the rotatory driving force produced by the motor for driving the sliding lever in the manner for taking a disc out of the disc pack when the motor rotates in one of the clockwise and counterclockwise directi

Abstract: A slit for inserting a record disc is formed through a casing of a selective play type of sound reproduction device and made parallel to a record disc carrying face of a turn table inside the casing. A sound transmitting member carries a pair of stylus force releasing projections disposed at the inlet portion of the slit. Within the casing, a centering projection is positioned and resiliently supported near the center of the slit. Both the centering projection and the stylus force releasing projections extend to intersect the slit. A resiliently protruding record disc locking projection is disposed on the record disc carrying face, while the record disc is formed to have a notch engageable with the record disc locking projection.

Abstract: A magazine (1) for a plurality of disc-shaped information carriers (50) contained in holders (7) situated one above the other, comprising an opening (8,9) near at least one upright side for the insertion and removal of the holders (7). A pivotable latching lever (12;55) is arranged near one of the side walls (3), which lever comprises two arms, of which one arm carries a latching element (13, 14; 56, 57) near said opening and the other arm can be actuated from the exterior of the magazine to pivot the latching lever (12; 55) from a first position to a second position against the force of spring means (16), in which second position the holders (7) of the latching element (13, 14; 56, 57) are released, so that the holders (7) can be slid through the opening (8, 9).

Abstract: A power-driven apparatus for assisting in loading and unloading a disc into a player or recording apparatus comprising a housing for receiving and supporting the disc, a power-operated movable roller driven by a motor to rotate the disc and a movable detector for energizing the motor for guiding the disc into and out of the housing of the player. The edge of the disc is engaged by the roller which positively rolls the disc along an entrance surface, the roller and entrance surface being covered by a material having a high coefficient of friction so that the roller positively rolls the disc both into and out of the apparatus to assist in the loading and unloading.

Abstract: A disk storing system for an auto-changer type disk player in which a disk such as a record or a compact disk (CD) is automatically taken out from one of shelves and placed on a turn table for reproduction of data stored in the disk. The disk is stored as protected by a disk holder on the shelf, and the disk holder is easily taken out from or returned to the shelf by means of a disk extracting mechanism.

Abstract: A continuous-driving apparatus is so constructed that a recording medium disks (30a) are mountable on loading sections (4a), (4c) through cut portions (6a), (6c) and openings (5), (9) formed at the outer circumferential parts of rotating bodies (1), (3) which have a common center of rotation and are arranged in a juxtaposition; and the rotating bodies (1), (3) are caused to relatively rotate so that the specified cut portions (6a), (6c) are brought into an overlapping position with respect to the openings (5), (9): and the recording medium disk (30a) is transferred to a predetermined position by means of an elevating unit (10).

Abstract: A magazine has a main compartment in which disc-holders each provided with a record disc, are supported one above another. The disc-holders can slide into and out of the main compartment through an open side-wall of the magazine. The magazine can be raised and lowered in a record-disc changer to bring a selected disc-holder within the main compartment to a predetermined level at which the selected holder can slide out of the magazine and subsequently back into the magazine. The magazine includes an additional compartment located above the main compartment and separated therefrom by a separation wall. The additional compartment is open at the upper side so that an additional disc-holder can be loaded into the additional compartment from above. This additional disc-holder can also slide into and out of the additional compartment through the open side wall of the magazine. The same mechanism which slides the disc holders located in the main compartment operates on the disc holder in the additional compartment.

Abstract: An improved diskette loading apparatus comprising a rack assembly; a guide assembly which guides a diskette into a dropping path defining a drop chute; and a disk drive apparatus which sequentially receives the falling diskettes. A pick assembly sequentially pulls the diskettes into the drop chute which features a cam shoulder that rotates diagonally racked diskettes to position the pulled diskettes such that they can fall unhindered through the drop chute into the disk drive apparatus. A passage directing assembly directs the diskette once released by the disk drive apparatus for selected routing for bin compartment sorting.

Abstract: A disc loading apparatus for use in a disc player comprises an arm device supported by a stationary structure to be movable for loading a disc carried to a predetermined position on a disc rotating device mounted on a chassis supported by a resilient supporting member engaging with the stationary structure and unloading the disc from the disc rotating device, first and second rollers for carrying the disc to the predetermined position, and a locking mechanism provided between the chassis and the stationary structure for locking the chassis to be substantially fixed to the stationary structure in response to the movement of the arm device for disc loading or disc unloading.

Abstract: A disc player includes a loading device for loading an information disc on the turntable of the player. The loading device comprises a frame and a loading support for supporting the disc, which loading support is movable horizontally and vertically to transfer a disc to the turntable. The player further comprises a pressure member mounted on a pressure member support for urging the loaded disc into a centered position on the turntable. The pressure member support bears on the loading support under the influence of springs in a manner permitting horizontal movement of the loading support relative to the pressure member support. The pressure member support is slidably guided for movement in the vertical direction to urge the disc onto the turntable by guide means provided on the frame.

Abstract: A device for exchanging disks is provided with a pair of opposing disk containers each containing a large number of disk caddies each having side grooves and an upper surface having a recess adapted for containing a disk, a unit for extracting disks interposed between the opposing disk containers and adapted for extracting disk caddies from these disk containers, and a unit for vertically shifting the disk extracting unit. The latter is movable between the disk containers from a first position to a second position and vice versa, and is provided with a pair of hook members cooperable with one of the disk containers and another pair of hook members cooperable with the other disk container. These hook members are actuated by electromagnetic devices thereby and engageable in the side grooves of the disk caddy.

Abstract: A cartridge loading apparatus comprises a loading/ejecting and opening/closing mechanism disposed in a housing. The mechanism receives a cartridge which encloses an optical recording disk therein and includes first and second cases from a port formed on the housing in a closed state wherein the first and second cases are in contact with each other, opens the cartridge by separating the first and second cases from each other to expose an area of the disk during the receiving operation, ejects at least part of the cartridge outside of the housing through the port, and closes the cartridge by bringing the first and second cases into contact with each other during the ejecting operation. The central portion of the disk after the opening thereof by the mechanism is clamped between a turntable and clamper, and the exposed area of the disk between the first and second cases is recorded/reproduced by an optical head using a laser beam.

Abstract: An automatic disc loading apparatus for an information reproducing or recording/reproducing system in which pieces of information recorded on a record disc are to be reproduced or pieces of information are recorded on a record disc and thereafter reproduced. The apparatus comprises a casing structure into which the record disc is to be inserted in a predetermined direction along a predetermined plane substantially parallel with the predetermined direction toward a predetermined position within the casing structure. The casing structure is formed with a slot elongated in a direction substantially perpendicular to the aforesaid predetermined direction. A disc guide is provided comprising a pair of disc guide members movable toward and away from each other within the casing structure and in the neighborhood of the above mentioned slot substantially symmetrically with respect to the above mentioned predetermined direction.

Abstract: An automatic disc loading apparatus for an information reproducing or recording/reproducing system in which pieces of information recorded on a record disc are to be reproduced or pieces of information are recorded on a record disc and thereafter reproduced. The apparatus comprises a casing structure into which the record disc is to be inserted in a predetermined direction along a predetermined plane substantially parallel with the predetermined direction toward a predetermined position within the casing structure. The casing structure is formed with a slot elongated in a direction substantially perpendicular to the aforesaid predetermined direction. A disc guide is provided comprising a pair of disc guide members movable toward and away from each other within the casing structure and in the neighborhood of the above mentioned slot substantially symmetrically with respect to the above mentioned predetermined direction.

Abstract: An automatic disc loading and unloading system of an audio and/or video recording-disc playback apparatus, in which the recording disc to be played back is automatically loaded into the playback apparatus and conveyed into a correct position with respect to the turntable depending upon the size of the recording disc and is automatically moved out of the playback apparatus upon completion of the playback operation.

Abstract: A disc player apparatus having mechanism for guiding and centering disc records of different size on a disc record drive having a vertical spindle. A horizontal plate for receiving a disc record inserted and movable along a horizontal path to a position centered on the spindle has spaced levers pivotally movable laterally outwardly from a first position straddling the center line of the path and resiliently urged toward each other; the levers have a first position spaced sufficiently to engage an inserted disc record of either a small size or a large size and be moved outwardly thereby against the resilient element to guide a record of either size to centered position. A pair of generally L-shaped stop members are mounted on the plate straddling the center line in the path of an inserted small size record to locate such a record in its centered position.

Abstract: A loading device for a recording and/or playback apparatus, for example, a record-disc player or a tape cassette apparatus, comprises a movable loading support onto which a holder containing a record carrier can be slid by feed rollers driven by a motor. The loading support is slidably supported between two fixed, parallel, vertical guide plates by pins on the support sliding in L-shaped guide slots in the guide plates, each slot having a vertical section extending downwardly from a horizontal section. Slidably supported on the outer sides of the guide plates for horizontal movement in vertical planes parallel to the planes of the guide plates are two drive plates having inclined slots in which the pins on the loading support slidably engage.

Abstract: For loading a record disc on the turntable of a record-disc player, a loading device is provided which comprises a movable loading support for supporting a holder containing a record disc. The loading support is slidably supported between two fixed, parallel, vertical guide plates by pins on the support sliding in L-shaped guide slots in the guide plates, each slot having a vertical section extending downwardly from a horizontal section. Slidably supported on the outer sides of the guide plates for horizontal movement in vertical planes parallel to the planes of the guide plates are two drive plates having inclined slots in which the pins on the loading support slidably engage. By cooperation between the inclined slots and the pins the drive plates can move the loading support, guided by the L-shaped slots in the guide plates, along a horizontal path and down a vertical path to deposit the record disc supported on the loading support on the turntable.

Abstract: An automatic record loading player has a pair of racks and a pair of rollers for centering an inserted record disc. A slidable stop plate is movable back and forth and cooperates with a record disc detecting arm biased in one direction and rotatable in abutment with a circumferential periphery of the record disc. Any size record disc having any size center hole may be suitably positioned and delivered into and from the record player. A movable spindle assembly is used for holding and delivering the record disc. The record disc is held at its center hole by the spindle assembly. A novel drive cam mechanism and a novel drive direction change-over device are also disclosed. Through such gearing mechanisms, the record disc may be transferred along a groove mechanism for the spindle assembly.

Abstract: There is disclosed a disk mount assembly for a disk player with a turntable and a front cover, especially for use in a vertical player. The disk mount assembly includes a disk mount so disposed in front of the turntable as to be movable upon opening or closing the front cover. A disk is first placed on the disk mount and brought into contact with the turntable upon closure of the front cover. Preferably, the disk mount bears an EP record disk mounting recess and an LP record disk mounting recess which are axially displaced on different levels with respect to each other.

Abstract: A reproducing apparatus reproduces a disc-shaped recording medium which is accommodated within a case. The case comprises a jacket which has a space for accommodating the disc-shaped recording medium and an opening for allowing the disc-shaped recording medium to go in and out of the jacket, and a lid member inserted through the opening of the jacket for closing the opening of the jacket.

Abstract: An automatic disc loading mechanism for a disc player in which the disc is positively retained and positioning of disc at the center of the spindle of a turntable is accomplished with high accuracy. The mechanism occupies only a relatively small space. The mechanism includes a player body, turntable, disc transferring means for automatically delivering a disc to the turntable prior to the start of the reproduction operation and for automatically delivering the disc outside the player body. The disc transferring means includes clamping means for clamping the disc at its center hole portion.