Abstract: The tape cartridge improved boss door provides a sleeve between the lower boss for the torsion spring to rotate around to decrease the stress applied to the top coil of the torsion spring. An improved catch contacts the top leg of the torsion spring at a point distant from the torsion spring coils to further reduce the force applied to the torsion spring and the frictional drag as the torsion spring rotates around the sleeve, thus decreasing the failure rate of the tape cartridge due to premature failure of the torsion spring.

Abstract: A disc clamp mechanism for a disc apparatus is provided. In the disc clamp mechanism, a disc is clamped or unclamped by moving a clamper holding chassis near to or remote from a turntable, the clamper holding chassis holding a clamper with a clamper holder, and a contact portion of the clamper holder with the clamper is deformed relative to the clamper holding chassis along a motion direction of the clamper holding chassis. A large space can be formed between the clamper and a turntable in a disc unclamp state to prevent the disc from becoming in contact with the clamper or turntable and being damaged while the disc is transported. A stroke of the clamper holding chassis necessary for reserving the space is made small to make a disc apparatus compact.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for carrying an information recording medium, in which recording of information on and/or reproduction of information from the recording medium is effected by causing a base for holding the recording medium to reciprocally move to an optical head for recording and/or reproducing. The apparatus has a feeding mechanism for feeding the recording medium to the base, and an ejecting mechanism for ejecting the recording medium from the base. The ejecting mechanism is provided on the base.

Abstract: A package for a holographic storage media disk (10) is provided that is comprised of a super structure (18) that is operable to hold the disk (10). The disk (10) is comprised of a photopolymer material that is formed in a disk-shaped member having a hub (14) disposed at the center thereof. The disk (10) is disposed in the structure (18) and then a cover (24) disposed thereover, the cover (24) being opaque. An access opening (28) is disposed within the cover (24) to allow access to the surface of the disk (10). A hub opening (26) is provided for allowing access to the hub (14). The hub (14) is disposed such that there is a light tight seal relative to the cover (24). A door (32) is provided for reciprocating over the opening (28) to light seal the package when data is not being recorded to the disk (10) or read therefrom.

Abstract: A disc unit in which a disc which is inserted into the data storage disc unit in a wrong direction or upside down is automatically discharged from the disc unit. Such a wrong insertion of the disc is detected in response to an index signal generated every time the disc makes one rotation or by detecting an aperture of a disc cassette in which the disc is accommodated.

Abstract: A recording and/or reproducing apparatus using a disc-shaped flexible record-bearing medium such as a disc-shaped flexible magnetic sheet, which includes a loading device for placing the medium at a predetermined position for signal recording and/or reproduction, a recording and/or reproducing head arranged to confront the medium when the medium is placed at the predetermined position, a rotation mechanism for rotating the medium relative to the head, a stop member for stopping the rotation of the medium by the rotation mechanism, and a control system responsive to the stop member for causing the loading device to retract the medium from the predetermined position, whereby the medium is prevented from being deformed by the head in a condition in which the medium is not being rotated by the rotation mechanism.

Abstract: A record disk drive is disclosed which includes a rotating drive shaft and means for receiving a record disk. A torque-transmitting helical spring clutch drivingly interconnects the shaft and the disk. The clutch includes a first coil portion which is in driven engagement with the shaft upon rotation of the shaft in a certain direction relative to the receive disk. A second coil portion of the clutch is continuous with, but eccentric to, the first coil portion. Abutment means on the second coil portion are normally in driving engagement with a received disk, but means are provided for shifting the second coil portion toward a position concentric with the first coil portion, whereupon the abutment means moves out of engagement with the received disk, and thereby disengages the clutch. The shifting means may be a cylindrical sleeve which is axially slidable over the helical spring clutch to move the second coil portion toward its concentric position relative to the first coil portion.

Abstract: A video disc player having an operational state for holding the disc without rotation when the disc has been inserted into or has been prepared for withdrawal from the player as well as a reproduction state for picking up the signal recorded on the disc when the disc is on the rotating turntable, in which the time of the holding state of the disc is measured and when the holding state of the disc exceeds a predetermined time, the disc is set on the turntable and the turntable continuously rotates until another state instruction is generated, thereby suppressing deformation of the disc.

Abstract: A disc loading device used in a video disc player in which a turntable is held rotatably at a certain position, comprises a caddy-receiving plate, a driving mechanism, and a linkage mechanism. The caddy-receiving plate has an opening through which said turntable can be protruded and has at both lateral edges a guide means adapted to guide horizontally a caddy into said plate.

Abstract: A rotary recording medium reproducing apparatus has an inserting opening through which the case of the medium is inserted, a turntable for rotating the medium, a locking mechanism for the lid of the case, and a medium clamping mechanism. A jacket opening enlarging mechanism is provided in the vicinity of the inserting opening for moving over the turntable between the vicinity of the inserting opening and the innermost part of the reproducing apparatus, in response to an operation in which the case is inserted into and then pulled out from the recording apparatus. A medium supporting member provided at a center part of the turntable moves upwards and downwards independently of the turntable, for raising to support an inner peripheral part of the medium above the turntable. A supporting member elevator mechanism elevates the medium supporting member so that the latter is in a raised state when the case or an empty jacket is inserted into the reproducing apparatus.

Abstract: An optical disc drive system in which the empty sleeve component of an optical disc cartridge is utilized to lock the optical disc in its operational position while occupying a storage location within the drive system. The locking/storage feature is achieved by providing adjacent to the conventional disc insertion opening in the drive frame an additional opening for receipt of the empty sleeve component and by providing guides within the drive for positioning the empty sleeve over the optical disc. The empty sleeve cooperates with a spring loaded frame/disc lowering mechanism which lowers the optical disc to the drive spindle where it is held by a magnetic force generated by a magnetized portion of the spindle. The sleeve also cooperates with a frame/sleeve latching mechanism to facilitate withdrawal of a frame supported optical disc from the sleeve and reinsertion of the frame supported optical disc back into the sleeve.

Abstract: The player is provided with a pair of spaced apart spine latching members which hook up with an inner record retaining spine as a caddy is inserted into the player so that when the outer jacket is withdrawn, the record/spine assembly is retained inside the player. A caddy overtravel mechanism prevents a selected one of the latching members from latching up the spine until the other latching member is also in position to capture the spine. A rigid coupling member interconnecting the latching members precludes the other latching member from capturing the spine until both latching members are ready to latch up the spine to assure simultaneous latching of the spine.

Abstract: A rotary recording medium reproducing apparatus reproduces a rotary recording medium accommodated within a case, where the case comprises a jacket provided with a space for accommodating the rotary recording medium and an opening for allowing the rotary 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 adaptor to be employed in conjunction with a phonograph record spindle which is to accommodate a stacked assemblage of phonograph records. The adaptor is to facilitate locating of individual records onto the adaptor, yet also permits easy removal of the entire stacked assemblage of records. The adaptor includes a cylindrical enlarged exterior surface which terminates at its lower end thereof in an annular protruding flange. The bottom record of the stacked records is to rest against this flange. A centrally located opening is formed within the adaptor and is to accommodate the phonograph record spindle. This opening is to have a side wall which is to function to continually depress an outwardly biased elongated blade which is pivotally mounted in conjunction with the spindle. This blade is deemed to be part of conventional phonograph record apparatus and forms no specific part of this invention. The upper end of the adaptor is tapered so as to guide the insertion of the phonograph records upon the adaptor.

Abstract: A record caddy, suitable for use with a video disc player, includes a sleeve and a record retaining spine removably located therein. Disposed on the spine are latch members for releasably locking the spine to the sleeve. Latch defeat fingers, disposed in the player, are wedged between the respective spine latch fingers and interior portions of the sleeve during an occupied caddy arrival at a fully inserted position in the player, so that the spine latch fingers are deflected in a manner freeing the spine from the sleeve. The player is further equipped with spine gripper members for locking the spine to the player during such caddy arrival, whereby subsequent sleeve withdrawal removes the spine and the accompanying record from the sleeve for retention in player. To retrieve the retained record, an empty sleeve is inserted into the player.