GB2268308A - Multi-disc player - Google Patents

Abstract

A plurality of discs (2), each of which has a clamped area of a diameter d at a center thereof and an outer diameter D, are stored directly and coaxially at predetermined intervals along an imaginary common axis in a disc holder (18). A desired one of the discs is transported from the disc holder in a direction perpendicular to the imaginary common axis and is positioned at a disc receiver (3) of a disc reproduction system (44). While holding the desired disc between a turntable (48) and a clamp (42), the desired disc is rotated by the turntable to optically reproduce information recorded on the desired disc. The horizontal movement L of the desired disc from the disc reproduction system (41) to the disc holder (18) is set at least equal to a half of (D + d) but smaller than D so that the discs (2) in the disc holder (18) and the desired disc (2) at the disc reproduction system (44) overlap each other as viewed in a top plan view. <IMAGE>

Description

2268308 DISC PLAYER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

a) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a small disc player which can store, as record media, a plurality of compact discs (hereinafter referred to simply as Udis csel) at the same time.

b) Description of the Related Art

Such multi-disc players are becoming increasingly popular. Each of these disc players can store a plurality of discs at the same time. Desired-one of the discs can be selected and transported to a reproducing position. The thus-transported disc is held between a turntable and a clamp and then rotated by the turntable, whereby information recorded on th! disc can be reproduced optically.

In the present field of the art, it is now an im portant consideration as to how the dimensions of a disc player should be reduced. Since one of plural discs stored therein is transported to a reproducing position and the information recorded on the disc is reproduced there, it has been considered necessary for a disc player to separate a disc storage region and a disc reproducing region from each other and to provide each of the regions with an area sufficient to arrange the disc there. It has therefore been considered im possible to shorten the distance of transportation of the disc beyond the diameter of the disc as viewed in a top plan view, in other words, to make the dimension in the direction of transportation of the disc equal to or smaller than the length twice the diameter of the disc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION with the foregoing in view, the present invention has as a primary object thereof the provision of a disc player capable of storing a plurality of discs at the same time in a disc holder. transporting one of the discs to a reproducing position and holding the disc between a turntable and a clamp, and then optically reproducing information recorded on the disc while rotating the disc by the turntable, in which the dis tance of transportation of the disc is shorter than the diameter of each disc to permit an overall size reduc tion of the disc player.

In one aspect of the present invention, there is thus provided a disc player for storing a plurality of discs, each of which has a clamped area of a diameter d at a center thereof and an outer diameter D, directly and coaxially at predetermined intervals along an im- 3 aginary common axis in a disc holder. transporting a desired one of the discs from the disc holder in a direction perpendicular to the imaginary common axis, positioning the desired disc on a disc receiver of a disc reproduction system, holding the desired disc be tween a turntable and a clamp, and rotating the desired disc by the turntable to optically reproduce informa tion recorded on the desired disc. The transportation of the desired disc from the disc holder to the disc 10, receiver is conducted while guiding the desired disc at an outer peripheral edge thereof along a straight guide and.the distance L of the transportation of the desired disc between the disc holder and the disc receiver in the direction perpendicular to the i maginary common axis is at least equal to a half of (D + d) but smaller than D.

According to the present invention, the distance of transportation of the desired disc from the disc holder to the disc receiver is shortened within such a range that the holding of the desired disc between the turntable and the clamp would not be hampered. Namely, the distance L of the transportation of the desired disc is set at least equal to a half of (D + d) but smaller than D so that the information of the desired disc positioned at a disc reproducing part can be reproduced in a state still overlapping the remaining discs in the disc holder. It is therefore possible to significantly reduce the dimension of the entire player in the disc-transporting direction.

The storage of the discs in the disc holder can be conducted directly without the need for any trays, thereby making it possible to considerably reduce the dimension of the disc holder in the direction of the imaginary common axis. This means that the distance of each movement of the disc holder in the direction of the imaginary common axis stored therein, said movement being required for the selection of a desired one of the discs, can be reduced. The disc holder can there fore be reduced in dimensions and weight, thereby making it possible to simplify a mechanism which serves to move the disc holder in the direction of the im aginary common axis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features.and ad vantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is plan view showing the outline construc- tion of a disc player according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a disc receiver and a slider in the first embodiment; 5. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a disc holder and its peripheral elements in the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is.a simplified perspective view of the disc holder and its peripheral elements in the first embodiment; FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b) are diagrams showing dis tances of transportation of a disc between the disc holder and the disc receiver, respectively; FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b) are plan views of the slider in the first embodiment, and FIGS. 6(c) and 6(d) are fragmentary cross-sectional views of the slider; FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating the outline constructions of a reproduction system and a drive me chanism in the first embodiment; FIGS. 8(a) and 8(b) are partly cross-sectional side views depicting the relationship between the reproduction system and a lifting cam in the first em bodiment; FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the lifting cam for the reproduction system in the first embodiment; 6 FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the drive mechanism in the first embodi ment; FIGS. 11(a) to 11(d) schematically show the rela tionship between the disc receiver and the slider in the first embodiment; FIG. 12 is a plan view showing the outline con struction of the disc player according to the first em bodiment; 10, FIG. 13 is a perspective view depicting the out line construction of a disc player according to a sec ond embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the outline construction of a disc holder and its peripheral ele ments in a disc player according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Making the distance of transportation of the disc at least equal to a half of (D + d) but shorter than D means that, as viewed in a top plan view, the desired disc at the disc reproducing position and the remaining discs in the disc holder overlap each other but at least the clamped area of the desired disc at the disc 7 reproducing position does not overlap the remaining discs in the disc holder. Because the desired disc is held at the clamped area thereof between the turntable and the clamp at the disc reproducing position, it is necessary to avoid overlapping of the clamped area of the desired disc with the remaining discs in the disc holder. it is however unnecessary to transport the desired disc over such a long distance that the desired disc is separated from the remaining discs in the disc 10- holder. - Even when the desired disc at the disc reproduc ing part and the remaining discs in the disc holder overlap each other as viewed in a top plan view, no problem or inconvenience arises for the rotation of the is desired disc by the turntable insofar as the clamped area of the desired disc does not overlap the remaining discs and is out of contact with any of the remaining discs in the direction of the imaginary common axis.

since an information-recorded area of the desired disc overlaps only at a portion thereof with the remaining discs, the optical reproduction of the information can be performed without any problem by'using a non overlapped portion of the information-recorded area.

Reproduction of the information of the desired disc in a state still overlapping the remaining discs 8 stored in the disc holder as described above makes it possible to limit the distance of transportation of each disc to a value smaller than the diameter of the disc and hence to substantially reduce the overall size of the disc player.

Referring first to FIGS. 1-12, the disc player according to the first embodiment of the present inven tion will be described. In the first embodiment, a disc holder is inseparable from a main chassis of the disc player.

In FIG. 1, the main chassis is designated at numeral 1. On a left-hand side of a top wall of the main chassis 1, a disc receiver 3 for holding a disc 2 at.a prescribed position in a disc reproducing part is mounted movably between the disc reproducing part and a predetermined pulled-out position indicated by two-dot chain lines in the figure. As shown in FIG. 2. the disc receiver 3 is provided with a mount 4, on which the disc 2 is mounted, and an elongated guide rail 5 extending on one side of-the mount 4.

On an upper surface of the disc receiver 3, an outer linear guide face 7 with which an outer periphery of each disc 2 is brought into contact is formed at a position on a side opposite to the guide rail 5 as shown in FIG. 2. On the mount 4 of the disc receiver 3, an arcuate wall 8 surrounding about one-third of an outer periphery of a so-called 12-cm diameter disc 2 is formed in continuation with the outer linear guide face 7. Inside the arcuate wall 8, a circular cavity 9 in which a so-called 8-cm diameter disc is mounted Is formed coaxially with the arcuate wall 8 to a depth greater than the arcuate wall 8. An inner bottom wall of the circular cavity 9 is formed slightly higher only at a peripheral portion thereof so that, when the so lo called 8-cm disc is mounted thereon, an information recorded area on the lower side of the disc can be pro tected. The inner bottom wall opens substantially from a central part of the circular cavity 9 toward the guide rail 5 so that an opening 10 is formed.

Inside the arcuate wall 8, a rectangular recess 11 is formed on a side antipodal from the opening 10.

The 8-cm diameter disc placed in the circular cavity 9 can therefore be taken out easily by inserting fingers in the rectangular recess 11 and the opening 10, respectively. A rounded recess 12 is provided in the mount 4, extending outwardly from the arcuate wall 8.

This rounded recess 12 is also a finger inserting por tion which facilitates the removal of the 12-cm diameter disc 2 mounted inside the arcuate wall 8.

A cut-off portion 14 is formed between an end of the arcuate wall 8 and the guide rail 5. In an end portion of the arcuate wall 8, a recess 15 is formed in continuation with the cut-off portion 14..

The guide rail 5 is provided over a length about 5, twice as long as the depth of the mount 4. A slot 16 which is formed longitudinally in a lower wall of the guide rail 5 is fitted on a guide ridge (not shown) on the main chassis 1. Accordingly, the disc receiver 3 is linearly movable in a horizontal direction as viewed in FIG. 1. Further, a rack 17 is integrally formed on a lower part of an outer side wall of the guide rail 5 from an approximately central portion of the guide rail to a right-hand end of the guide rail 5.

Mounted movably up and down on a right-hand side of the top wall of the main chassis 1 is a disc holder 18 which, as illustrated in FIG. 3, holds plural discs 2 separately at predetermine vertical intervals in a like plural number of heights. Inside the disc holder 18, racks 18 on which the discs 2 are placed individu ally are integrally formed at predetermined vertical intervals. In the illustrated embodiment, each disc 2 stored in the disc holder 18 should be a so-called 12 cm disc, namely, a disc having an outer diameter D of mm and a clamped area diameter d of 33 mm (see FIG.

5).

The positional relationship between the disc holder 18 and the disc receiver 3 is set as will be de scribed next. Namely, their positional relationship is set such that the distance L as viewed in a plan view between the center of each disc 2 mounted on the cor responding rack 19 in the disc holder 18 and the center of the desired disc 2 placed on the mount 4 of the disc receiver 3 is at least equal to 1/2 of (D + d) but smaller than D.

FIG. 5(a) illustrates the positional relationship in which the distance L = (D + d)/2, whereas FIG. 5(b) shows the positional relationship in which the distance L = D. The setting of the distance L at least equal to (D + d)/2 is to avoid any overlapping of the clamped area of the desired disc placed at the disc reproducing part with any of the discs stored in the disc holder for the convenience of holding the desired disc between the turntable and the clamp. on the other hand, the distance L is set smaller than D because any distance L greater than D is contrary to the principal object of the present invention that the overall dimensions of the disc player be reduced. In the illustrated embodi ment, the distance L is set slightly greater than (D + d)/2 as is readily envisaged from FIG. 1.

On the inner wall of the disc holder 18, inner guide faces 21 are formed between the respective racks 19 and between the top plate 20 and the uppermost rack 19, respectively. As is illustrated in FIG. 1, the in ner guide faces 21 are located on the same straight line as the outer guide face 7 formed on the disc receiver 3. In the disc holder 18, the top plate 20 and the individual racks 19 are formed in the same shape and dimensions. On the side of the disc reproducing part, they are formed in such a shape that, in a plan view, they extend along the contour of the desired disc 2 placed on the mount 4 of the disc receiver 3.

Incidentally, possible accidental release of the discs 2 from the disc holder 18 can be prevented without failure provided that the spaces between the individual racks 19 and that between the top plate 20 and the uppermost rack 19 are designed slightly smaller at rear ends thereof to lightly hold the discs at their edges. If the upper surface of each rack 19 is downwardly inclined a little from the side of the cor responding inner guide face 21 toward the slider 29 and also from the rear end of the disc holder 18 toward the side of the disc reproducing part, the information recorded are on the lower side of each disc 2 can be held slightly above the upper surface of the cor- - 13 responding rack 19 so that the information-recorded area can be protected.

The disc holder 18 is closed by the inner guide faces 21 and an arcuate wall face 22. which is provided in continuation with the inner guide faces 21 and has a profile complementary with the contour of the 12-cm discs 2, on the side opposite to the disc reproducing part and also on the side opposite to the guide rail 5.

The disc holder 18 is, however, open over the entire range on the side of the disc reproducing part. On the side of the guide rail 5, the disc holder 18 is also open from a point, which is located at least on a side opposite to the disc reproducing part relative to a reference line A extending through the center of each stored disc 2 at a right angle with respect to the in ner guide face 21 as shown in FIG. 1. to the side of the disc reproducing part.

The discs 2 are therefore mounted on the individ ual racks 19 in such a state that the discs 2 are sub stantially exposed to the outside from the disc holder 18 along the edge portions of the disc holder 18, the former edge portion being on the side of the disc reproducing part and the latter on the side of the guide rail 5. The exposure of each disc 2 especially on the side of the guide rail 5 is to facilitate the 14 transportation of the disc.

As is shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. an internally threaded bushing 23 is provided in a corner portion of the disc holder 18, said corner portion being located - outside the arcuate wall face 22. On the other hand, as is illustrated in FIG. 3, a feed screw shaft 26 equipped with a belt pulley 25 at a lower end portion thereof is rotatably supported on a sub-chassis 24 which is disposed underneath the main chassis 1 with a predetermined distance left therebetween. The feed screw shaft 26 is maintained in meshing engagement with the internally-threaded bushing 23-so that the disc holder 18 can be driven up and down by rotating the.

feed screw shaft 26.

As is illustrated in FIG. 2, guide slots 28 are formed in both inner and outer side walls of an upper portion of the guide rail 5 of the disc receiver 3 over the entire length of the guide rail 5. The slider 29 is movably fitted in the guide slots 28. These guide slots 28 and slider 29 make up a disc transportation mechanism which transports each disc 2 between the disc reproducing part and the disc holder 18. The slider 29 is provided with a straight length of toothed gearing, namely. a rack 30 at a lower part on an outer side wall thereof.The rack 30 extends over the entire length of the slider 29. A top plate 31 of the slider 29 extends toward the inside of the disc holder 3, an inner edge portion of the top plate 31 is in the form of an ar cuate concave shape extending the contour of each disc 2 as illustrated in FIGS. 2. 6(a) and 6(b), and a load ing tab 32 and an unloading tab 33 are provided at a right-hand end and a left-hand end of the arcuate con cave edge portion, respectively. to push each disc 2 at the outer periphery thereof.

When the slider 29 moves along the guide slots 28, the disc 2 is pushed at the outer periphery thereof by the tab 32 or 33 of he slider 29 in a direction parallel to the inner and outer guide faces 21,7 so that the disc 2 is linearly transported between the mount 4 of the disc receiver 3 and the rack 19 of the disc holder 18, said rack 19 being at a desired height, with the outer peripheral portion of the disc 2 maintained in contact with the inner and outer guide faces 21,7.

Turnably disposed on the lower side of the top plate 31 are, as shown in FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b), two pickup fingers 34,35 which are formed thin like knives at free ends thereof. These pickup fingers 34,35 are provided to slightly raise the disc 2 from the upper surface of the corresponding rack 19 of the disc holder 18 by inserting the knife-like free ends as wedges un derneath the lower side of the disc 2. The pickup fin gers 34,35 are normally biased by springs (not shown) in such a turned direction that their free ends extend out from the arcuate concave edge portion of the top plate 31. When the slider 29 is at an end position on the side of the disc holder 18, however, the pickup fingers 34,35 are, as shown in FIG. 6(b), in contact with their associated lugs 36,37 provided on the guide rail 5 of the disc receiver 3 so that the pickup fin gers 34,35 are turned against their corresponding springs to be concealed on the side of the lower side of the top plate 31. The pickup fingers 34,35 there fore do not interfere with vertical movements of the disc holder 18.

A pair of pantograph mechanisms 38.38. which make up a holder lifting mechanism, are arranged between the sub-chassis 24 and outer side walls of the disc holder 18 as shown in FIG. 4. Each pantograph mechanism 38 is constructed by connecting a pair of link members 39,40 pivotally to each other at central part thereof with a cross-arm pivot pin 41, connecting one ends of the link members 39,40 pivotally to the corresponding outer side wall of the disc holder 18 and the sub-chassis 24 respectively, and connecting the other ends of the link members 39,40 to the sub-chassis 24 and the correspond ing outer side wall of the disc holder 18 in such a way that the other ends are movable horizontally.

In addition, a clamp support 43 which supports a clamp 42 thereon is fixed on the main chassis 1 as in dicated by two-dot chain lines in FIG. 1. The clamp 42 is made of a magnetic member such as a thin iron plate.

The clamp 42 is positioned in such a way that it as sumes a position right above the center of the disc 2 when the disc 2 is placed at the disc reproducing part.

A disc reproduction system 44 is arranged on the lower side of the main chassis 1 as illustrated in FIGS. 7, 8(a) and 8(b). This disc reproduction system 44 comprises a movable chassis 45 secured pivotally up and down on the lower side of the main chassis 1 and.

mounted on the movable chassis 45, an optical head 46, a motor 47 for driving the optical head 46, a turntable 48. a motor 49 for driving the turntable 48, and the like. At least a part of the turntable 48 is made of a magnet.

The turntable 48 is located lower than the lower side of the mount 4 when the movable chassis 45 is in a downwardly pivoted position as illustrated in FIG. 8(b) but, as the movable chassis 45 is pivoted upwardly as shown in FIG. 8(a), moves upwardly to a position some- what higher than the upper side of the mount 4 through an opening 10 of the mount 4.

An engagement pin 50 extends out from a free end of the movable chassis 45 as depicted in FIGS. 8(a) and 8(b). Further, a chassis-lifting can 51 as shown in FIG. 9 is also arranged for rotation on the lower side of the main chassis 1. The chassis lifting cam 51 is formed of a cylindrical body. An inclined slit 52 is formed in a peripheral wall of the cylindrical body and the engagement pin 50 is inserted in the inclined slit 52. Further, a rim gear 53 is formed on a periphery of an upper portion of the chassis-lifting cam 51.

Lifting and lowering of the disc holder 18 and the disc reproduction system 44 are performed by a first motor 55 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 10. In FIG. 7, gears are indicated by simple circles for the sake of brevity and their meshing points are designated by dots. FIG. 10 schematically illustrates the meshing engagements of the rbspective gears.

AS is shown in FIGS. 7 and 16, a clutch gear 56 with a large-diameter gear and a small-diameter gear provided integrally therewith is arranged movably up and down as shown in FIGS. 7 and 10. The large diameter gear is always maintained in meshing engage ment with a motor gear 57 mounted on a drive shaft of - 19 the first motor 55 and having wide teeth, whereas the small-diameter gear is alternatively brought into mesh ing engagement with a rotation transmitting system for the disc holder lifting mechanism at an upper position or with a rotation transmitting system for the reproduction system lifting mechanism at a lower posi tion.

The rotation transmitting system for the disc holder lifting mechanism is constructed of a gear 58 io which is equipped with a belt pulley The gear 58 is selectively meshed with the small-diameter gear of the clutch gear 56 so that the belt pulley of the gear 58 and the belt pulley 25 can be rotated in an mutually associated fashion via a belt 60.

is The rotation transmitting system for the reproduction system lifting mechanism, on the other hand, is composed of a single piece of an integrated large/small gear which is in turn formed of a large diameter gear and a small-diameter g ear combined to gether into an integral unit. Its large-diameter gear is selectively meshed with the small-diameter gear of the clutch gear 56, whereas the rim gear 53 of the chassis lifting cam 51 is always maintained in meshing engagement with the small-diameter gear of the in tegrated large/small gear 61.

Under the spring force of a spring 62. the clutch gear 56 normally assumes a lower position as indicated by two-dot chain lines in FIG. 10 so that its small diameter gear is in meshing engagement with the gear 61 5. of the reproduction system lifting mechanism. Upon energization of a plunger 63, the clutch gear 56 how ever moves upwardly to the position indicated by solid lines whereby its small-diameter gear is brought into.

engagement with the gear 58 of the disc holder lifting mechanism.

On the other hand, horizontal, back-and-forth movements of the slider 29 and the disc receiver 3 are performed by a second motor 64 depicted in FIG. 7.

As is illustrated in FIG. 7. rotation of the sec ond motor 64 is transmitted to a large-diameter gear 67 via a motor gear 65 and an integrated large/small gear 66. successively, whereby the rotation is transmitted at a reduced speed to a pinion formed integrally with the large-diameter gear 67. As is shown in FIG. 1, the rack 30 of the slider 29 and the rack 17 of the disc receiver 3 are selectively brought into meshing engage ment with the pinion 68.

FIGS. 11(a) to 11(d) schematically show the mesh ing engagement between the pinion 68 and the rack 17 or 30.The rack 30 of the slider 29 normally reciprocates in a horizontal direction between the positions shown in FIGS. 11(a) and ll(b) as the motor 64 rotates in normal and reverse directions. The cut-off portion 14 (see FIG. 2) formed in the disc receiver 3 is to secure a passageway for the slider 29 when the slider has moved on the side of the mount 4. FIG. 11(a) shows the state before the slider 29 delivers the disc 2 from the disc holder 18, and FIG. 11(b) the state after the slider 29 has delivered the disc 2 from the disc holder 10, 18 to the mount 4 of the disc receiver 3. In FIG.

11(b), the disc receiver 3 is at the prescribed disc reproducing part and the rack 17 of the disc receiver 3 is not in meshing engagement with the pinion 68.

When the pinion 68 further turns excessively counterclockwise from the state of FIG. 11(b), however, the slider 29 moves excessively leftwards accordingly.

At this time, the unloading tab 33 of the slider 29 presses a part of the disc receiver 3. namely. the in ner wall of the recess 15 so that the rack 17 of the disc receiver 3 is brought into engagement with the pinion 68 as shown in FIG. 11(c). In accordance with counterclockwise rotation of the pinion 68, the disc receiver 3 further moves leftwards whereby the state of FIG. 11(d) is established. It is to be noted that the slider 29 rides on the disc receiver 3 and also moves together with the disc receiver 3.

When the second motor 64 is reversed clockwise in the state of FIG. 11(d), the disc receiver 3 moves rightwards. At this time, the inner wall of the recess 15 of the disc receiver 3 pushes the unloading tab 33 of the slider 29 in the opposite direction so that the state of FIG. 11(b) is established by way of the state of FIG. 11(c).

It is possible to avoid any accidental movement of the disc receiver 3 in the course of movement of the slider 29 provided that the disc receiver 3 is held un der resilient force at the disc reproduction position, for example, by a resilient holding mechanism (not shown) while the disc receiver 3 is in the position shown in FIG. 11(c).

Next, the operation of the disc player according to the first embodiment will be described.

Storage of discs 2 in the disc holder 3 is per formed as will be described next.

First, the slider 29 is moved by the second motor 64 to the side of the disc reproducing part and the disc receiver 3 is moved in a direction away from the disc holder 18, whereby the state of FIG. 11(d) is es tablished. Further, the plunger 63 is energized to bring the clutch gear 56 into engagement with the gear - 23 58 which is equipped with the belt pulley. The feed screw shaft 26 is then rotated by the first motor 55 to position the disc holder 3 at the highest stage.

A first 12-cm diameter disc 2 is then placed on the mount 4. At this time, a peripheral edge portion of the lower side of the 12-cm diameter disc 2 is placed on the pickup fingers 34,35 so that a slight space is left between the information-recorded area on the lower side of the disc and the upper surface of the mount 4. The information-recorded area is therefore protected.

Next, the disc receiver 3 is returned to the disc reproducing part by the second motor 64 and th e slider 29 is moved to the side of the disc holder 18 by the second motor 64 to establish the state of FIGS. 11(a) and 12. The disc 2 is then stored on the lowermost rack 19.

After the disc holder 18 is then lowered by one stage by the first motor55, the slider 29 and the disc receiver'3 are again moved by the second motor 64 to their positions shown in FIG. 11(d). A second disc 2 is then placed on the mount 4. Up to the uppermost rack 19, 12-cm diameter discs 2 are then stored likewise.

An 8-cm diameter disc canbe placed on the mount 24 4 only when the disc is placed on the mount 4 in the state of FIG. ll(d) and is reproduced at the disc reproducing part. The slider 29 is designed for 12-cm diameter discs so that 8-cm diameter discs cannot be 5, stored in the disc holder 18. Even if they have been successfully stored by certain means, it is difficult to take the discs out again. Further safety can be provided if a safety measure is taken to prevent actua tion of the second motor 64 even when one attempts to store a disc in the disc holder 18 while an 8-cm.

d iameter disc is placed on the mount 4.

When it is desired to choose one of the plural discs stored in the disc holder 18 and to reproduce-its information, it is necessary to confirm on which rack 19 the disc desired to be reproduced is placed and then to designate the particular rack 19. The plunger 63 is hence energized and the disc holder 18 is either lifted or lowered by the first motor 55. whereby the disc 2 on the designated rack 19 is brought into conformity in height with the disc reproducing part. The slider 29 is then moved toward the disc reproducing part by the second motor 64 to establish the state of FIG. 11(b).

At the initial stage of this movement, the pickup, fingers 34,35 are disengaged from the lugs 36,37 respectively, and slightly lift the 12-cm disc 2 on the rack 19 from the lower side of the disc 2. The disc 2 is therefore pushed by the loading tab 32 of the slider 29 so.that the disc 2 is transported close to an ap propriate position on the mount 4 in the state that the 5. information-recorded area on the lower side of the disc 2 is protected.

A reproducing operation is then performed. When there is a 12-cm or 8-cm diameter disc on the mount 4 in the state of FIG. 8(b), the existence of the disc is detected. As a result, the first motor 65 is driven to rotate the chassis lifting cam 51. whereby the movable chassis 45 is pivoted upwards. The turntable 48 then enters the central hole of the disc as shown in FIG 8(a) and lifts the'dise while very accurately position ing the disc to the appropriate position by a tapered face of the turntable 48. Further, the turntable 48 1 slightly lifts the clamp 42 from the clamp support 43 while the clamp 42 is being attracted magnetically.

The clamped area at a central area of the disc is held between the turntable 48 and the clamp 42 so that the disc is rotated by rotation of the turntable 48. The information recorded on the disc 2 is hence reproduced by the optical head 46.

At this time, the disc 2 whose information is un der reproduction overlaps the discs 2 in the disc holder 18 in a plan view. Since the distance over which the former disc 2 is lifted by the turntable 48 is extremely small, there is no potential problem that the disc 2 whose information is under reproduction would contact the disc in the disc holder 18, the lat ter disc being located above the former disc, provided that the spaces between the racks 19 in the disc holder 18 are determined in view of the lifting distance.

A stopping operation is next performed. The turntable 48 and the optical head 46 are stopped. The first motor 55 then rotates in the opposite direction so that the movable chassis 45 is pivoted downwards.

As a result, the disc 2 lies on the mount 4 again.

When it is desired to replace the disc 2 on the mount 4 by another disc 2 in the disc holder 18 and to reproduce the information of the latter disc 2, it is only necessary to perform a disc replacement operation by designating the rack on which the latter disc 2 is mounted.

If the disc placed on the mount 4 at this time is a 12-cm, diameter disc and no other disc is on the rack 19 at the same height as the disc reproducing part, the second motor 64 rotates after confirmation of the above stateby a sefisor. The slider 29 is driven by the sec ond motor 64 so that the slider 29 moves to the side of 27 the disc holder 18. The outer periphery of the disc 2 on the mount 4 is hence pushed by the unloading tab 33, whereby the disc 2 is transported to a predetermined rack 19 in the disc holder 18 while the disc 2 is maintained in contact with the guide faces 7,21.

If the disc placed on the mount 4 is a 8-cm diameter disc or another disc is on the rack 19 located at a predetermined height of the disc holder 18. the second motor 64 does not rotates. It is therefore pos sible to avoid such a problem that the 8-cm diameter disc would become stuck in the disc holder 18 or would be attempted to be inserted on the disc-holding rack 19 to result in damage of the discs.

According to the disc player of the first embodi ment, the distance of transportation of each disc 2 from the disc holder 18 to the disc receiver 3 is reduced in a range not interfering with the holding of the disc between the turntable 48 and the clamp 42, and the information of the disc 2 positioned at the disc reproducing part is reproduced in the state that the disc 2 overlaps the discs 2 in the disc holder 18. It is therefore possible to significantly reduce the over all dimensions of the player in the direction of trans portation of each disc.

Further. the storage of each disc in the disc holder 18 is effected directly without using any tray.

Therefore, the height of the disc holder 18 can be reduced substantially and the distance of vertical movement of the disc holder 18 required for the selec tion of a desired disc can also be reduced. It is therefore possible to make the disc holder 18 smaller in dimensions and lighter in weight and further to simplify the lifting mechanism for the disc holder 18.

In addition, the transportation of each disc 2 -10 between the disc holder 18 and the disc receiver 3 is performed by pushing the outer periphery of the disc by the loading or unloading tab 32 or 33 of he slider 29 while maintaining the outer periphery of the disc at another point in contact with the guide faces. This is has made it possible to transport the.disc by extremely small force, whereby the disc transporting mechanism can be constructed in a simple and small form to fur ther promote the overall size reduction of the disc player.

The disc receiver 3 is arranged movably in the direction away from the disc holder 18. Upon loading a disc on the mount 4, the disc can be easily loaded without interference with the clamp 42 provided that the disc receiver 3 is pulled out.

The disc player according to the second embodi- - 29 ment of the present invention will next be described with reference to FIG. 13. In the second embodiment.

the disc holder is detachable from the main.chassis of the disc player, and the disc receiver is movable vertically although not movable in the horizontal direction.

In FIG. 13, a disc holder 71 similar to that in the first embodiment and a disc receiver 72 similar to that in the first embodiment are arranged on a right hand side of a chassis 70 and at a disc reproducing part on a left-hand side of the chassis 70, respective ly. No straight length of toothed gearing. namely. no rack is however arranged for the disc receiver 72 be cause the disc receiver 72 does not move horizontally.

is The distance L in a plan view between the central posi tion of each disc 2 when the disc 2 has been placed on one of racks of the disc holder 71 and the central position of the disc 2 loaded on a mount of the disc receiver 72 is set slightly greater than 1/2 of (D + d) as in the first embodiment.

The disc holder 71 is held by a holding frame 73 so that the disc holder 71 is can be attached to or detached from the holding frame 73 from the side oppo site to the disc reproducing part.

The disc receiver 72 is mounted on the chassis 70 so that the disc receiver 72 can be lifted or lowered by pantograph mechanisms 74 while maintaining the horizontal position.

A disc reproduction system (not shown). which is similar to that in the first embodiment, is mounted pivotally up and down on a lower side of the disc receiver 72. A clamp support 76 on which a clamp 75 is supported is also fixed on the disc receiver 72.

A slider 78 similar to that provided in the first embodiment is mounted reciprocally back and forth in a horizontal direction on a guide rail 77 of the disc receiver 72. A rack 79 provided on the slider 78 is maintained in meshing engagement with a pinion 80 which serves to drive the slider 78 horizontally. Since the height of the slider 78 varies as the disc receiver 72 moves up or down, a pinion whose teeth are wide is used as the pinion 80.

height of the disc receiver 74 is controlled in accordance with pitches of the individual racks in the disc holder 71. Description of its drive mechanism is omitted herein. Further, description is also omitted with respect to a mechanism for'pivotally novin4the disc reproduction system up and down. Drive of the pinion 80 is also performed by a similar mechan ism to that employed in the first embodiment.

31 A description will next be made of the operation of the second embodiment.

To store discs 2 in the disc holder 71, the disc receiver 72 is lowered to the lowest level and, in the state that any interference is avoided between the slider 78 and any disc in the disc holder 71, the disc holder 71 is detached from the holding frame 73 and the discs 2 are stored on the individual racks in the disc holder 71. Only 12-cm, diameter discs should be used because no 8-cm diameter disc can be transported by the slider 78. After the discs have been stored in the disc holder 71, the disc holder 71 is again held by the holding frame 73.

To choose oneof the discs 2 and to reproduce its information, the rack on which the desired disc 2 is stored is designated to position the disc receiver 72 at the corresponding height. By rotation of the pinion 80, the slider 78 is moved to the side of the disc reproducing part and the desired disc 2 is transported onto the mount of the disc receiver 72. The procedures of subsequent reproducing operations are similar to those in the first embodiment.

Replacement of the disc onthe mount by another disc to be reproduced is achieved by moving the slider 78 to the side of the disc holder 71 to return the for- - 32 mer disc from the mount to a rack in the disc holder 71. lifting or lowering the disc receiver 72 to the same level as the latter disc, and then moving the slider 78 again to the side of the disc reproducing part.

The disc player according to the second embodi ment can bring about the advantage that all the discs can be replaced at a stretch in a short time owing to the detachable arrangement of the disc holder 71, in addition to advantages similar to those available by the first embodiment. namely, the advantages available from the reduction in the distance of.transportation of each disc from the disc holder 71 to the disc receiver 72, the advantages available from the direct storage of each disc 2 alone in the disc holder 71 and the ad vantages available from the transportation of each disc between the disc holder 71 and the disc receiver 72 by pushing the disc at an outer periphery thereof with the slider 78.

The disc player according to the third embodiment of the present invention will next be described with reference to FIG. 14. In the third embodiment, a disc holddt is detachable from a chassis of the disc player and, moreover, is disposed movably up and down.

on the chassis which is designated at numeral go, a rise/fall plate 91 is provided movably up and down via pantograph mechanisms 92,92. The disc holder which is indicated at numeral 93 and is similar to that employed in the first embodiment is arranged so that the disc holder 93 can be attached to or detached from the rise/fall plate 91 from the side opposite to a disc reproducing part.

A disc receiver (not shown) which is provided at the disc reproducing part need not to be disposed movably up and down. It is possible to dispose the disc receiver in such a way that the disc receiver can be pulled out in a direction opposite to the disc holder 90 as in the first embodiment. A slider similar to that used in the first embodiment is attached movab ly to the disc receiver.

Lifting or lowe.ring of the rise/fall plate 91 is performed by arranging a feed screw shaft 95 in meshing engagement with a portion 94 of the rise/fall plate 91 and rotating the feed screw shaft 95 by a motor (not shown) via a belt 97 and a belt pulley 96 mounted on the feed screw shaft 95.

As a measure for preventing the disc holder 93 from falling out of the rise/fall plate 91. suitable means can be provided, for example. the rise/fall plate 91 is provided with an upward stopper 91a, and a horizontal stopper 91b and the disc holder 93 is pro vided with an engagement slot 93 which is fitted on an edge portion of the rise/fall plate 91.

Since it is the important feature of the present invention that the distance L in a plan view between the central position of each disc 2 stored in the disc holder 71 and the central position of the disc 2 loaded on the mount of the disc receiver be set at least equal to 1/2 of (D + d) but small than D, L is of course set so in the third embodiment.

The operation of the third embodiment will next be described.

First, the storage of discs 2 in the disc holder 93 is conducted inthe following manner. The disc holder 93 is lifted to the highest level and, in the state that any interference is avoided between the slider and any disc in the disc holder 93, the disc holder 93 is detached from the rise/fall plate 91 and the discs 2 are inserted to the individual racks in the disc holder 93. Since no 8-cm diameter disc can be transported either by the slider in the third embodi ment, only 12-cm diameter discs are used. After the storage of the discs, the disc holder 93 is again at tached on the rise/fall plate 91.

Next, to choose one of the discs 2 and to - reproduce its information, the rack on which the desired disc 2 is stored is designated, and the feed screw shaft 95 is driven to bring the disc holder 93 into conformity in height with the disc receiver. The slider is then driven to transport the desired disc 2 onto the mount of the disc receiver. The procedures of subsequent reproducing operations are similar to those in the first embodiment.

Replacement of the disc on the mount by another disc to be reproduced is achieved by moving the slider to the side of the disc holder 93 to return the former disc from the mount to a rack in the disc holder 93, lifting or lowering the disc holder 93 to the same level as the latter'disc, and then moving the slider again to the side of the disc reproducing part.

The disc player according to the third embodiment can bring about, as the second embodiment. the ad vantage that all the discs can be replaced at a stretch in a short time owing to the detachable arrangement of the disc holder 93, in addition to advantages similar to those available by the first embodiment, namely, the advantages available from the reduction in the distance of transportation of each disc from the disc holder 93 to the disc receiver, the advantages available from the direct storage of each disc 2 alone in the disc holder - 36 93 and the advantages available from the transportation of,each disc 2 between the disc holder 93 and the disc receiver by pushing the disc at an outer periphery thereof with the slider.

If the disc receiver is arranged in such a way that the disc receiver can be pulled out in a direction opposite to the disc holder 93 as in the first embodi ment, it is possible to load a disc on the disc receiver after pulling out the disc receiver. This makes it possible to reproduce not only 12-cm diameter discs but also 8-cm diameter discs.

The three embodiments have-been described above.

It is to be noted that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

For example, the lifting mechanisms for the disc holders and disc receivers, the transportation mechan ism for each disc. the lifting mechanism for the disc reproduction system. and the like can each be con structed by using a pinion-rack mechanism, a cam me chanism, pantograph mechanisms, a feed screw shaft me chanism and other known means either singly or in com bination as needed.

37

Claims (1)

1. CLAIMS:

   1 1. A disc player for storing a plurality of dis 2 cs, each of which has a clamped area of a diameter d at 3 a center thereof and an outer diameter D, directly and 4 coaxially at predetermined intervals along an imaginary common axis in a disc holder, transporting a desired 6 one of the discs from the disc holder in a direction 7 perpendicular to the imaginary common axis, positioning 8 the desired disc at a disc receiver, holding the 9 desired disc between a turntable and a clamp, and rotating the desired disc by the turntable to optically 11 reproduce information recorded on the desired disc,

   12 characterized in that the transportation of the desired 13 disc from the disc holder to the disc receiver is con 14 ducted while guiding the desired disc at an outer is peripheral.edge thereof along a straight guide and the 16 distance 1 of the transportation of the desired disc 17 between the disc holder and the disc receiver in the 18 direction perpendicular to the imaginary common axis is 19 at least equal to a half of (D + d) but smaller than D.

   1 2. The disc player of claim 1, wherein the disc 2 holder is inseparably mounted on a main chassis of the 3 disc player but is movable in the direction of the im 4 aginary common axis, the clamp is kept on standby at a position remote from the disc reproduction system. the 38 6 turntable and an optical head are arranged movably 7 along the imaginary common axis in a direction ap 8 proaching toward or moving away from a record-carrying 9 surface of the desired disc placed on the disc receiver, and the disc receiver is movable in a direc 11 tion perpendicul ar to the direction of the imaginary 12 common axis to a disc replacement position other than 13 the position of.the disc holder or the disc reproduc 14 tion system.

   1 3. The disc player of claim 1, wherein the disc 2 holder is detachably mounted on a main chassis of the 3 disc player.

   1 4. The disc player of claim 1, wherein the disc 2 holder is stationary in the direction of the imaginary 3 common axis, but the clamp, turntable and optical head 4 are movable in accordance with the axial position of the desired disc in the disc holder.

   1 5. The disc player of claim 3, wherein the main 2 chassis is provided with a mechanism to permit move 3 ments of the main chassis along the imaginary common 4 axis, and the disc holder is detachably mounted on the mechanism.

   1 6. The disc player of claim 1. wherein the 2 straight guide comprises a first guide face located on 3 a side of the disc holder and a second guide face lo- 39 4 cated on a side of the disc reproduction system and ex tending continuously from the former guide face.

   7. A disc player substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the ac companying drawings.