Disc drive arrangement for CD player and the like capable of loading different size discs

Patent 5022023 Issued on June 4, 1991. Estimated Expiration Date:

June 20, 2008. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

Automatic disc loading apparatus
Patent #: 4498162
Issued on: 02/05/1985
Inventor: Schatteman

Automatic disc loading apparatus
Patent #: 4580256
Issued on: 04/01/1986
Inventor: Inaba , et al.

Disc player
Patent #: 4592039
Issued on: 05/27/1986
Inventor: Toyoguchi , et al.

Automatic loading disc player
Patent #: 4625304
Issued on: 11/25/1986
Inventor: Kanamaru , et al.

Auto loading disc player Patent #: 4641298
Issued on: 02/03/1987
Inventor: Ikedo , et al.

Inventor

Toyoguchi, Tsutomu

Assignee

Sony Corporation

Application

No. 208885 filed on 06/20/1988

US Classes:

720/624, Surface loading (e.g., rollers)720/622Guide mechanism

Examiners

Primary: Levy, Stuart S.
Assistant: Wells, Kenneth B.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Shaw, Jr.; Philip M.

Foreign Patent References

57-130260 JP 08/18/1982
60-214469 JP 10/18/1985

International Classes

G11B 033/02
G11B 027/00

Foreign Application Priority Data

1987-06-23 JP

Abstract

When a large diameter disc is inserted into the disc drive, diameter sensing probes detect the large diameter and unlock movable disc guides and subsequently induce the guides to separate to levels wherein passage of the large diameter disc is facilitated. The guides are locked in a manner which prevents the same from returning to the positions suited for guiding small diameter discs until such time as the large diameter disc is unloaded from the device.Levers mounted in the drive respond to the diameter of the disc loaded and assume configurations relative to the diameter of the loaded disc. The levers are locked in a configuration suited for small discs until such time as a large disc is introduced. At this time the levers are unlocked. A locking mechanism senses the peripheral edge of the disc and hold the arrangement in a configuration suited for the larger diameter.