GB2120831A - Automatic disc loading apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A disc player apparatus has a mechanism for guiding and centering differently sized disc records on a drive having a spindle. A plate 12 for receiving a disc record inserted and movable along a horizontal path to a position centered on the spindle has spaced levers 22,24 pivotally movable laterally outwardly from a first position straddling the center line of the path and resiliently urged toward each other. A pair of generally L-shaped stop members 46,48 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. Two elements actuated by outward movement of both said levers 22,24 by a large size record are employed for shifting the stop members 46,48 out of the path to permit a large size record to move to its centered position. A safety and disc record detection circuit is provided. (Figures 8,8A,B, not shown) including switches detecting records in central position. and providing rejection. An alternative embodiment is described (Figures 9,10, not shown). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Automatic disc loading apparatus Technical field The present invention relates to disc record player apparatus and, more particularly, to such apparatus provided with a mechanism for automatically guiding disc records of different size to playing positions centered on a disc drive having a vertical spindle.

Background art Heretoford, mechanisms for automatically guiding disc records to playing position in slide in type disc record apparatus have had only limited success with the general public due to their complexity and their limited ability to receive records of widely different sizes. Such mechanisms also have not been applied to video disc player apparatus of the type which have recordings read by a laser detection device located beneath a disc record in the central space which is normally occupied by the guiding mechanism but which must be clear to allow radial movement of the laser detection device over the diameter of the disc record.

Disclosure of the invention The principal object of this invention is to provide an improved mechanism for guiding disc records in a player apparatus which is capable of guiding and accurately centering in playing position disc records of widely different size.

Another important object of this invention is to provide an improved mechanism flor guiding disc records of different size to playing position which is particularly suited for video disc player apparatus and is located out of the central space required for the laser detection system for reading information recorded on such discs.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved mechanism for guiding disc rqcords of different size to playing position which is simple in construction and reliable in operation to lower costs of manufacture and reduce expense and difficulty in maintenance.

Brief description of the drawings Further objects and advantages of the invention will become evident from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a plan view of a disc record player apparatus in accordance with the present invention; Figures 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D are enlarged fragmentary views illustrating the rocking movement of stop means mounted on the disc record playing apparatus shwon in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view similar to Figure 1 illustrating the operation of the ptayer apparatus as a large sized disc record is inserted; Figure 4 is a plan view similar to Figure 3 illustrating the apparatus with the large sized record centered; Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 illustrating the apparatus with elements disengaged from contacting the periphery of the large record centered on the apparatus;; Figures 4A and 5A are front elevational views corresponding to Figures 4 and 5, respectively; Figure 6 is a plan view of the apparatus similar to Figure 3 illustrating the operation of the apparatus with a record of small size inserted; Figure 7 is a plan view similar to Figure 4 with a small sized record centered in the apparatus and stop means contacting the periphery of the disc record; Figure 8 is a plan view similar to Figure 1 but also including switches and electronic safety and detection elements; Figures 8A and 8B are electrical diagrams illustrating circuits including the electronic safety and detection devices; Figures 9 and 10 are plan views of an alternative embodiment of the invention applied to a player for conventional phonograph records; and# Figures 9A and 10A are fragmentary detail views of the stop members in the positions occupied in Figures 9 and 10, respectively.

Figure 9B is a front elevational view corresponding to Figure 9.

Best mode for carrying out the invention Referring to Figures 1 and 4A, a player apparatus is illustrated for video disc records. While this invention is not limited to the field of video disc player apparatus, it has particular utility for such apparatus of the type utilizing a disc drive having a vertical spindle 10. The apparatus includes a horizontal plate 12 which is adapted to slidably receive a disc record inserted hotizontallythrough a loading and unloading slot (not shown); the plate 12 has preferably a v-shaped surface as disclosed in our Belgian Patent No. 891,428 and is mounted on the frame of a player apparatus. The plate 12 and spindle 10 are mounted on the frame of the apparatus for relative movement in order to bring an inserted record to playing position.

The mounting arrangementforthe plate 12 may comprise a mechanism of the type disclosed in Belgian Patent No. 891,045, entitled "Loading And Unloading Aystem for Recording And/Or Playback Apparatus". Alternatively, a mounting arrangement may be utilized for moving the spindle 10 vertically upward into engagement with a disc record on the plate 12.

A large sized record 16 is illustrated in the course of such movement in Figure 3, and is illustrated in Figure 4 centered on the axis of the spindle 10. The disc record 16 shown in Figures 3 and 4 has a center hole 18 adapted to receive the hub of the drive spindle 10 and is adapted to be clamped thereto (by means not shown) when the plate 12 and disc record 16 are moved axially relative to each other to the operative position of Figure 5A.A preferred clamping mechanism is disclosed in our Belgian Patent No. 892,073 entitled "Disc Player Having Self Actuated Magnetic Clamping Device" In carrying out the invention, for guiding inserted disc records in their inward sliding movement along the plate 12, spaced levers 22, 24 are pivotally mounted at their inner ends on the axles 26, 28 so as to be below the plate 12 and extend parallel to the center line of the path of inward movement of the inserted disc records. In the mounted position, the levers 22,24 are clear of the central region below the plate 12 and, particularly, the path of movement defined by the slot 29 of a laser detecting device for reading information on a centered disc record.The levers 22,24 have pins 30,32 at the outer ends of the levers which project upward through curved slots 34,36 in the plate 12, carrying rubber rollers 38,40 which are disposed in the path of an inserted record.

The spaced levers 22, 24 are movable laterally outward from a first position, shown in Figure 1 and are resiliently urged toward each other by means herein shown as an elongated tension spring 42.

If a record is inserted off-center, it will first engage one or the other of the rollers 38,40, depending on which side of the center line the record is inserted, and the contacted roller (38 or 40) will resiliently force the record toward the center line of the path until the record is symmetrically located.

The levers 22, 24 at the initial position shown in Figure 1 are spaced sufficiently to contact the periphery of inserted disc records of either small or large size.

For stopping a large size record in its centered position, a pair of posts 39 are provided on the plate 12, positioned to be engaged by the front edge of the disc record as it is inserted.

Further in accordance with the invention, a pair of stop means are mounted on the plate 12 straddling the center line and positioned in the path of an inserted record to stop a small size inserted record in its centered position. Means are also provided to shift the stop means out of the path of an inserted record of large size. The stop means, herein shown in Figures 2A-2D as L-shaped stop members 46,48, are mounted on horizontal axles 46A, 48A on the plate 12 to rock between an up position (Figure 2A) in the path of an inserted record and a down position (Figure 2D) out of that path.The rocking movement of the stop members 46,48 is connected with the outward movement of both levers 22, so as to cause the stop members to rock to the down position upon pivotal movement of both levers outwardly from their initial position through a given angular displacement. It will be seen from Figures 2A-2D that one of the stop members 46,48 is located against each of the revers 22, 24.The rocking movement of each of the LOp members 46,48 is connected with the angular position of the adjacent lever 22,24 by an element in the form of a flap 50,51 extending from the itaver and positioned in contact with the bottom leg 46B, 48B of the L-shaped stop member to hold the stop member in its up position when the lever is located near its inward initial position.The rocking movement of each of the stop members 46A, 46B is also connected with the angular position of the remote lever 22, 24 by an element in the form of a link 52, 54 coupled to the remote lever 22, 24 by an elongated pin 56, 58 and extending parallel to the plate 12 (see Figure 4A) in a plane above the plate 12 to a position contacting the upper leg 46C, 48C of the L-shaped stop member to hold the stop member in its up position when the remote lever is located near its inward initial position. The pair of links 52, 54 are crossed and both are guided by a pin 55 which extends through intersecting slots 52B, 54B in the links 52,54 and contact the stop members at the ends 52A, 54A of the links.

Thus, there are two elements associated with each stop member, one of the elements in the form of a flap extending from and being operable by outward movement of the adjacent lever and the other element in the form of a link connected to and being operable by outward movement of the remote lever.

To cause the stop members to rock to the down position, both levers 22, 24 require movement through a given angular displacement outwardly from their initial spaced position, which can be achieved only by a large size disc record.

Further in carrying out the invention, means are also provided for moving the rollers 38,40 away from the periphery of the inserted record when the record is placed in playing position on the spindle 10. For this purpose, on the frame (not shown) which bears the spindle 10 there are provided fingers 60,62 which have an inclined face, 60A, 62A shown in Figures 4A and 5A. The inclined faces 60A, 62A of the fingers 60,62 engage the lower ends of the pins 30, 32 carrying the rollers 38,40 to urge the levers 22, 24 slightly outwardly from the periphery of a disc record on the plate 12, as shown in Figure 5. This is accomplished by relative movement toward one another of the plate 12 and the fingers 60,62.

It will be seen in Figure 7 that with a small size record in playing position on the spindle 10, the rollers 12, 14 are spaced from the periphery of the small size record, which is determined by the ends of the curved guide slots 34,36 in the plate 12.

With respect to the operation of the apparatus upon insertion of a small disc record, it is important to note that the crossed links 52, 54 insure the maintenance of the two stop members 46,48 in their operative position in the path of movement of such a small size disc record, even if the disc record is inserted in an asymmetric manner, that is to say not in the center of the slot but to one side. As a result, the lever 22, 24 which is situated on this side would be subject to an angular displacement which is sufficient for the flap element 50,51 thereof to release the lower leg of the stop member 46,48 located on the same side.However, if that lever is subjected to a large angular displasement due to the small disc record being inserted in sn .#.-# D##center location, this same disc record, owing to its small diameter, would only cause a very slight angular displacement or even no angular dispi3cement at all of the other lever. Consequently, the link 52,54 which is associated with the remote lever will not be subject to a displacement which is sufficient to release the upper leg of the stop member on which it acts.

Now turning to Figure 8, further in keeping with the invention, means are provided for detecting the presence of a disc record in centered position.

Switches SWA, SWA' are provided to detect disc records of a small diameter in centered position and switches SWB, SWB' are provided to detect disc records of a large diameter as well as a photo transistor cell PhT. As indicated in Figure 8A, each pair of switches SWA, SWA' or SWB, SWB' actuate a NAND gate E or E'. If either pair of switches are actuated, producing a signal from the NAND gate E or E', a photo diode PhD, which emits light, is supplied from the source +A and the photo transistor PhT receives light when the disc record is centered. When the photo transistor PhT receives light, a signal is generated at the output terminal S, which may be utilized to control the starting of the record loading cycle or for any other desired function.When the output terminal S no longer receives a signal, a different function may be carried out, for example, the record may be rejected.

Referring to Figures 9 and 10, an embodiment of the invention is illustrated particularly suited for conventional turntables. As in the first disclosed embodiment, a plate 120 arranged in a horizontal plane and having a V-shaped surface 200 is provided for receiving a disc record of either small size or large size. For guiding disc records in their inward sliding movement, a pair of spaced levers 220, 240 are pivotally mounted at their inner ends on axles 260,280 and are positioned below the horizontal plate 120 so as to extend parallel to the center line of the path of inward movement of the inserted disc records. The levers 220, 240 have rollers 380,400 at the outer ends qf the levers on pins 300,320 which project upwards through curved slots 340,360 in the plate 120 such that they are disposed in the path of an inserted record.

In accordance with this aspect of the invention, a pair of stop members 460,480 are provided, generally L-shaped in configuration, mounted on axles 490 so as to rock from an upward to a downward position and adapted to be held in their upward position only by the end of one of a pair of crossed links 520, 540, providing control elements extending from the levers 220,240.

Referring to Figure 10, a large size record is shown in dashed lines in centered position. The levers 220, 240, having been urged outwardly, are brought to bear against a pair of compression springs 542, 544 which augment the spring force exerted by the tension spring 420 interconnecting the levers, to insure a positive centering force on such large size disc records.

Referring to Figure 9, a small size record is shown in centered position and both crossed links 520, 540 remain in engagement with the under edges of the stop members 460,480.

The up position of a stop member is illustrated in Figure 9A and the down position of a stop member is illustrated in Figures 10A.

Claims (9)

1. In a disc record player apparatus, a mechanism for guiding and entering discs records on a spindle comprising: an horizontal plate for receiving an inserted disc record and movable tape position centered on said spindle, and means on said plate to guide and center disc records of different sizes including spaced levers pivotably movable laterally and interconnected by resilient means, characterized in that it further includes a pair of stop means mounted on said plate stradling its center line in the path of an inserted small size record to locate such a record in centered position, and means actuated by outwards movement of both said levers by a large size record for shifting stop means to permit centering of such large size record.

2. A mechanism according to claim 1 in which each said stop means comprises an L-shaped stop member pivotably mounted to rock from an up position with one leg extending above said horizontal plate in said path to a down position with said leg substantially in the surface of said horizontal plate out of said path.

3. A mechanism according to claim 2 in which said means for shifting said stop members out of said path include elements extending from said levers and cooperating to cause said stop members to rock to said down position upon pivotal movement of both said levers outwardly from said first position through a given angular displacement.

4. A mechanism according to anyone of the preceeding claims in which one of said stop means is located adjacent each of said levers and said means for shifting said stop means includes two elements associated with each said stop means, one of said elements extending from and being operable by outward movement of the adjacent lever and the other of said elements being operable by outward movement of the remote lever, both levers requiring movement through a given angular displacement to operate said elements to shift said stop means out of said path.

5. A mechanism according to any of claims 1 to 3 in which one of said stop means and one of said levers is located on each side of said center line and said means for shifting said stop means includes an elongated link connected to and operable by outward movement of the lever on the remote side of said center line, both levers requiring movement through a given angular displacement to shift said stop means out of said path.

6. A mechanism according to claim 3 in which each said stop means comprises an L-shaped member and two elements are provided, each connected to one of said levers, for shifting each said stop member cooperating with a different leg of said L-shaped stop member.

7. A mechanism according to any of the preceeding claims in which said levers are mounted below said horizontal plate and rollers are carried by said levers projecting above said horizontal plate for engagement by the periphery of inserted disc records.

8. A mechanism according to claim 3 in which said levers are mounted below and said elongated links are mounted above said horizontal plate for cooperation with a different leg of said L-shaped stop member.

9. A mechanism according to claim 1 including switches for detecting the angular positions of the levers corresponding to either a small size disc record or a large size disc record in centered position, and circuit means including said switches for generating a signal representing the presence of a disc record of either size in centered position.