JPS6220624B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to video disc players. The present invention is particularly suitable for use in a handling device that allows a user to attach and detach a disc from a player without directly handling it.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,842,194 describes a video disk system in which the information track consists of geometric changes in the bottom surface of smooth spiral grooves on the surface of a disk record, and the record is coated with an insulating material. It has a coating of conductive material. During reproduction, a change in the capacitance formed between the electrode provided on the storage needle resting on the groove and the conductive coating of the record is sensed as the record is rotated by the turntable, and the recorded information is reproduced.

In the above US patent system, in order to make the playback time appropriate, the distance between the spiral grooves on the surface of the video disc is relatively narrow (for example, 4.5μ, or about 2187 grooves).
lines/cm), and the signal element at the bottom of the groove is relatively small (for example, element length 0.3 to 0.8μ, element depth 0.10 to 0.15μ).
are doing.

Problems arise when dust accumulates on such video discs. This dust accumulation problem is exacerbated when the video disc is exposed to dust in a hot, humid atmosphere, so the video disc should be equipped with a cover that completely confines it to a dust-free space during storage and handling. is preferred.

Since video discs of the above type are susceptible to scratches, fingerprints, and other damage during handling, it is desirable to have a system in which the video disc can be attached to and removed from the player without being directly touched by the user.

The method for attaching and detaching the video disc to the player without the user touching it directly is (1) "Video disc handling method for video disc players".
Handling System for a Video Disc
MALeedom's U.S. Patent Application No. 747865 (corresponding to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 53-71806) entitled ``Video Disc Player'' and (2) ``Video Disc Insertion System for Video Disc Player''.
Extraction System for a Video Disc
Coleman (CFColeman) titled ``Player''
It is described in each specification of U.S. Patent Application No. 747729 (corresponding to Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 77602/1983).

In the system described in the Reedham and Coleman application, an empty package is inserted into the player's insertion slot in order to remove a disc record from the player. The operation of the Reedham and Coleman system is improved by aligning the loaded record with the entry end of the empty package cage before inserting the empty package into the player, thereby facilitating the insertion of the record into the package. . When the package is fully inserted into the player and then pulled out, the record is enclosed and removed from the player.

The record supporting and aligning device according to the present invention is suitable for use in a player that reproduces recorded signals from a disc record having a removable protective cover. This player has a casing having an insertion opening large enough to allow the cover to be inserted and removed, and a guide device aligned with the insertion opening to facilitate the insertion and removal of the cover. A base is mounted below the guide device within the housing and is movable between a raised position and a lowered position, and a novel record holding and alignment device is mounted on this base. The record holding and alignment device is adapted to move between a retracted position and an extended position relative to the base. When in its retracted position relative to the base, the record-holding alignment device allows the cover to reach a fully inserted position within the player, and when in its extended position relative to the base, the base is raised. During the period in position, the record already installed in the player is aligned with the entrance of the empty cover that is being newly inserted into the player (for this record removal).
This record is now maintained.

According to one feature of the invention, the record holding and matching device moves from the extended position to the retracted position in conjunction with the operation of inserting the cover into the player. According to another feature of the invention, the retention and alignment device is normally biased (when the cover is not inserted) into an extended position.

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a record protection cover 50 suitable for use in the video disk system described below. As shown, the record cover includes a sheath-like envelope 52 and a record tray 54. 2 and 3 show top views of the saucer and its envelope of FIG. 1, respectively. The above envelope 5
2 has an insertion opening 56 of a size that allows the saucer 54 to freely slide in with the video disc 58 placed thereon. This protective cover is a ``Video disc package''
Disc Package)” Torrington (LA
Torrington), U.S. Patent Application No. 31, May 1977
This is the gist of the invention of No. 801603 (corresponding to Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 53-78805).

Further, the envelope 52 is connected to the one provided in the saucer 54.
a pair of guide grooves 60 introducing a pair of side edges 64, 66;
62 with a saucer and a video disc 58 therein.
It is designed to position accurately. The side edges 64 and 66 also have wedge-shaped ends 68 and 70 to facilitate introduction of the saucer 54 into the jacket 52.

As shown in FIG. 3, a pair of purification pads 72, 74 made of a suitable flexible material (eg, velvet) are fixed to the inner surfaces of panels 76, 78 that make up the envelope 52. The video disk is wiped away when entering and exiting. Other materials suitable for this wipe pad include (1) dust-free polyester nonwoven paper from DuPont and (2) polyurethane foam from Scott.

The thickness of the saucer 54 is approximately equal to the thickness of the peripheral edge of the video disk 58, and as shown in FIG.
is provided with a generally circular window 80 having a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the video disc 58. This saucer 5
4 allows for interviewing both sides of the video disc without having to change the position of the video disc within the saucer or envelope 52;
8 is supported within the envelope 52 by the inner surfaces of panels 76 and 78.

When the tray 54 is completely inserted into the envelope 52, the front edge 82 of the tray fits into the insertion opening 56 to close it and prevent dust from entering the space surrounding the video disc in the envelope 52. Prevent foreign matter from entering.

The front edge 82 of the tray 54 has a record extraction member receiving hole 84 that can be entered from a direction substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the tray inside the envelope 52 .

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the tray 54 has a pair of protrusions that fit into recesses 90 and 92 provided in the envelope when the tray 54 is completely inserted into the envelope. There are 86 and 88. This protrusion prevents the housed video disc from accidentally slipping out of the envelope 52.

4 and 5 show a modified saucer 94 and envelope 96. As shown in FIG. 4, the modified saucer 94 consists of a plastic base 98 and a molded wire ring 100, the molded portion being cast into the plastic portion.

An alternative to the use of formed wire is the use of extruded plastic tubing. For example, as shown in FIG. 4a, both ends of plastic tube 101 are connected to base 98.
to form an annular part.

The envelope 96 also has recesses 102 and 10 into which protrusions 106 and 108 provided on the base 98 fit.
There are 4. A pair of flexible wiping pads 110 are bonded to the inner surface of the panel constituting the envelope 96, and are designed to be cleaned when records are loaded or unloaded. The base 98 has a hole 112 for receiving a record extraction member, and the envelope 96 has a hole 112 for receiving the record extraction member.
A recessed notch 11 into which both ends 120 and 122 of the
6,118 are provided.

FIG. 6 shows a record tray 124 and an envelope 126.
Other methods of attachment for detachment are shown. The top panel of envelope 126 has been removed to show the detailed structure underneath. The record tray 124 has a protruding member 128, which is slidably mounted within the envelope so that the member 1 can move between the protruding position and the retracted position shown in FIG.
It has come to work in conjunction with 30. In its extended position, the sliding member 130 prevents the tray 124 from exiting the envelope 126, but in its retracted position, the sliding member 130 retracts the projection member 128, allowing the tray to exit the envelope 126. Sliding member 13
A spring 132 is provided to bias the 0 into the protruding position. As will be explained below, means are provided within the player for pushing this slide member 130 and disengaging the tray 124 while the cover is fully inserted into the player.

FIG. 7 shows a top view of a video disc player 136 of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,842,194.
The player in FIG. 7 is also shown with its top lid removed. 8 and 9 are cross-sectional views taken along the centerline of the video disc player of FIG. 7, showing the dust evacuation flap 138 in the closed and open positions, respectively.

This player has a dust-free chamber 140 into which the record cover 50 is inserted through an insertion slot 142. The dimensions of this insertion opening 142 are such that a record cover can slide through it without hindrance. A dust removal flap 138 is pivotally supported by the player housing 144 and has two positions: a closed position (FIG. 8) that does not allow access to the chamber 140, and an open position (FIG. 9) that allows entry into the chamber 140.
(Figure). This flap 138 serves to prevent the chamber 140 from becoming contaminated with dust or other foreign matter.

The player housing 144 has a pair of grooves 1 that serve as guides for putting the record cover in and out of the player.
46,148 are provided. This groove 14
6 and 148 are arranged at an angle with respect to the player housing 144 so as to align with the insertion slot 142 on the front side of the player.

The video disc player further includes a turntable 150 for supporting and rotating the video disc during playback. This turntable 150 has a center shaft 152 that fits into the center hole of the video disc. The accumulator arm frame on which the signal pickup device is mounted has been omitted for clarity. The accumulator arm mount moves the signal pickup device across the turntable on which the video disc is placed during playback.

The base 154 is pivoted on a rod 156 and is movable between a lowered position (FIG. 8) and a raised position (FIG. 9). This base 154 is connected by a cross member 162 at the rear end of the player.
It is composed of a pair of side rails 158,160.

As shown in FIGS. 7, 10 and 11, the cross member 1 is located at the rear end of the player 136.
Mounted on 62 is a record extraction mechanism 164 having a pair of latches 166, 168 pivoted on pins 170,172. As can be seen in FIG. 9, the latches 166, 168 are adapted to align with the centerline of the grooves 146, 148 when the base 154 is in the raised position. Latch 166,168
In this case, the record cover 50 is completely removed from the player 136.
hole 84 provided in the saucer 54 when inserted into the
enter.

This record extraction mechanism 164 includes the cross member 16
2 includes a lever 174 pivotally supported on a pin 176 attached to. This lever 174 rotates in a clockwise arc when the record cover is fully inserted into the player, and this clockwise rotation causes a ratchet wheel 178 rotatably mounted on the cross member 162 to rotate. It is rotated one tooth clockwise via a retractable pin 180 attached to the lever. This rotation of the ratchet wheel 178 causes a square cam 182, which is located between the latches 166 and 168 and is fixed to the ratchet wheel, to rotate one step (for example, 45 degrees) clockwise. Due to the rotation of this square cam 182, the latches 166, 168 are in the expanded state (the 11th
) and the reduced state (FIG. 10) are alternated. The rear ends of the latches 166, 168 are connected by a spring 184, so that the latches and the cam 182 are always kept in mesh.

When the record cover is pulled out from the player 136, the spring 186 returns the lever 174 to the original position shown in FIGS. 7 and 11. This record extraction mechanism 164 has a pawl 188 that prevents the ratchet wheel 178 from rotating in reverse when the lever 174 returns to its original position. As can be seen in FIGS. 7, 10, and 11, pawl 188 prevents reverse rotation (counterclockwise) of ratchet wheel 178, but does not prevent its forward (clockwise) rotation. The pin 180 is adapted to be retractable so that the ratchet wheel 178 does not reverse when the lever 174 returns to its original position.

In this way, the record cover is attached to the player 136.
The state of the latches 166, 168 changes between the enlarged state (FIG. 11) and the contracted state (FIG.
(Figure), but this police box is a "Package Actuated Record Extracting Mechanism for Video Disc Players".
May 31, 1977 by CAElliott et al. entitled "Mechanism for a Video Disc Player".
Dated U.S. Patent Application No. 801602 (U.S. Patent No. 4109919)
This is the gist of the invention.

The function of this record extraction mechanism 164 will be explained in detail below.

The player 136 further moves the base 154 to the lowered position (FIG. 8) in response to movement of the flap 138 between the open position (FIG. 9) and the closed position (FIG. 8).
9) and a raised position (FIG. 9). This base linking structure 190 has a pair of levers 192 and 194 that are fixed to the flap 138 and rotate together with it.
and a pair of springs 196, 198 connecting the free ends of the levers 192, 194 and the side tracks 158, 160. A pair of stop pins 200, 2 are provided on the player housing 144.
02 is attached and the record cover is inserted into the player 136 as shown in FIG.
54 can be lifted to the correct height. Springs 196, 198 serve to ensure that base 154 is raised to the correct height without the use of precision parts even if flap 138 is opened too far when the record cover is fully inserted into the player.

A pair of spring-biased retaining members 204-210 are pivotally supported on the rails 158, 160 for the following purposes, and a pair of line springs (e.g., 212, 214) are supported as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. is biased towards the protruding position (position displaced upward in the figure with respect to rails 158, 160). The rail (for example 160) also has a set of pins (for example 21
6, 218) is secured to the retaining member (e.g., 208, 210), which extends through the aperture (e.g., 22
0,222) so that the top surface of the support member is precisely positioned with respect to the base 154 (FIGS. 8 and 9). Rear retaining members 206, 208 are joined by member 224 (FIG. 7).

Next, the operation of this system will be explained with reference to FIGS. 7 to 11. When a record cover containing a video disc is inserted into the player 138 through the insertion slot 142, the flap 138 is lifted and the base 154 is raised as shown in FIG.
In addition, when the record cover is inserted into the player 136, the holding members 204-210 are lowered within the frame of the base 154 and assume the retracted position, so that the record cover can reach the fully inserted position within the player. Become. As the record cover approaches the fully inserted position within the player, the latch 166,
168 enters the hole 84 of the saucer 54 (10th
figure).

When the record cover reaches its fully inserted position within the player 136, the latches 166, 168
changes from the reduced state (Fig. 10) to the enlarged state (Fig. 11).
), the saucer 54 is connected to the base 154.
When the envelope 52 is pulled out, (1) the latch 166;
168 holds the saucer 54 on which the video disc 58 is placed inside the player, and (2) a wire spring (e.g. 21
2, 214) returns the holding members 204-210 to the initial protruding position. In this way, when the envelope is completely pulled out, the saucer 54 and the video disc 5 are removed.
8 is held at an appropriate height on the holding members 204 to 210 (that is, at a height where its center line coincides with the center line of the grooves 146 and 148), and the player 13
Stay within 6.

Furthermore, when the envelope is pulled out from the player 136,
The flap 138 moves to the closed position shown in FIG. By moving this flap 138, the base 15
4 is moved to the lowered position shown in FIG. 8, and the video disc 58 is transferred from the holding members 204-210 to the turntable 150 for playback.

When an empty envelope is inserted into the player 136 through the insertion port 142 (FIG. 9), the flap 136 is opened and the base 154 is lifted to the raised position (FIG. 9). When the base 154 rises, the holding member 204
~210 lifts the saucer 54 together with the video disk 58.

When the base 154 reaches the raised position (FIG. 9),
The holding members 204 to 210 hold the saucer 54 and the video disc 58 so that their center lines coincide with the center line of the empty envelope 52, and when the empty envelope 52 is inserted, the saucer and the video disc are inserted therein. Allow it to be returned. When the envelope 52 is fully inserted into the player 136, the latches 166, 168 change from the expanded position (FIG. 11) to the contracted position (FIG. 10), releasing the saucer 54. Here, the envelope 52 is transferred to player 1.
36, the protrusions 86, 88 (Fig. 2)
Therefore, the internal saucer 54 and video disc 58 also leave the player.

In this way, according to the above system, it is possible to take the video disc into and out of the player without directly touching the video disc.

In addition, with this player, when removing a record that has already been loaded into the player, when an empty cover is inserted into the player through the insertion slot, the positions of the cover entrance and the record are automatically aligned. The record can be put back into the cover and taken out from the player very easily and reliably. Therefore, there is no need for the laborious operation of aligning the record with the opening of the blank cover, as encountered in the system disclosed in the above-mentioned Messrs. Reedum and Coleman patent application, and that operation provides There is no inconvenience such as damaging the edge of the record or the edge of the cover entrance.

Another advantage of this approach is that it prevents inadvertent insertion of a cover containing a record into the player while the record is loaded in the player. This is because the record holding member of the cover containing the record is blocked by the record inside the player.

This type of record handling system is called "Record Handling System for Video Disc Players".
May 31, 1977 by LA Torrington entitled ``System for a Video Disc Player''.
Dated U.S. Patent Application No. 801604 (U.S. Patent No. 4133540)
This is the gist of the invention.

Next, a second embodiment of a video disk player utilizing the principles of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 26. FIG. 12 is a side view of a modified video disc player 230. As shown, a flapper 232 is fixed to a bracket assembly 234 that is rotatably attached to a player housing 236 by a pin 264.

13, 14, and 15 show side, front, and top views, respectively, of rotating bracket assembly 234 mounted on the left side of player 230. FIG. A similar bracket structure is also pivotally supported on the right side of the player 230. The bracket structure 234 includes a flap support member 242 and a pair of plate members 238, 240 attached thereto.

As shown in FIG. 12, a base linking structure 244 is pivotally supported on the player housing 236 by a support bracket 246. As shown in FIG.

16 and 17 show a side view and a top view, respectively, of the base linking structure 244 attached to the left side of the player 230. A similar linking structure is also attached to the right side of the player 230. Levers 248 and 2 are connected to the base linking structure 244 by studs 252 so as to be able to rotate relative to each other.
Contains 50. The ends of the levers 248 and 250 are connected by a spring 254. The levers 248, 250 allow the elongated opening 25 to
6 is formed, into which a pin 258 attached to the plate members 238, 240 is slidably fitted as shown in FIGS. 13 to 15.

The record cover 260 is attached to this modified player 2.
30, the flap support member 242 rotates about the pin 264 and lifts the opposite end of the lever 248. Player 230 is provided with a pair of tracks that align with insertion opening 262 to facilitate insertion and removal of the cover. Although FIG. 18 shows guide rail 266 mounted on the right side of player 230, a similar rail is also mounted on the left side of player 230. A record lowering spring 268 is attached to the rail 266. Also shown in FIG. 18 is a cover release mechanism 270. This cover release mechanism 27
0 releases the cover after the inner tray is extracted by the record extraction mechanism, and releases the envelope after the inner tray is gripped by the record extraction mechanism.

A base 272, shown in a bottom view in FIG. 19, is mounted to the modified player 230 for movement between a raised position and a lowered position. Base 272
is a pin (for example, the 17th lever) attached to the lever (for example, the lever 248 in FIG.
Openings 274, 276 into which pins 278) shown in the figure fit
There is.

From FIG. 12, the insertion port 262 of the player 230
When the record cover 260 is inserted into the flap 2
It can be seen that 32 opens, thereby raising base 272 to the raised position. Similarly, when the record cover 260 is pulled out from the player 230, the base moves to the lowered position and closes the flap 232.

The structure of the base lifting mechanism shown in FIG. 12 is such that the base is moved in two stages from the lowered position to the raised position. That is, when the pin (for example, pin 278) of the linking structure rises due to insertion of the cover, the base rotates around its rear end in the first stage and rotates in the second stage.
Rotate around the front end in stages. Similarly, the lowering of the base is done in two stages.

The advantage of the base elevating mechanism shown in FIG. 12 that performs this seesaw motion is that, given the diameter of the turntable and the required elevation height of the base, it is superior to, for example, the base elevating mechanism shown in FIGS. 7 to 9. The advantage is that the front and rear dimensions of the base can be relatively short.

There are five holding members on the base: front left, front right,
The middle left, middle right and rear retaining members are at position 28.
0, 282, 284, 286 and 288, respectively. FIG. 20 and FIG. 21 are a side view and a plan view, respectively, of the left center holding member 290. The left front holding member 292 is shown in FIGS. 22 and 22a, and the rear holding member 294 is shown in FIGS. 23 and 23a.

In the retracted position, these retainers do not prevent the cover from reaching the fully inserted position in the player, but in the extended position they retain the inserted record and ensure that the record is not exposed when the base is in the raised position. , aligns with the empty cover inserted into the player through the insertion slot so that the held records can be easily returned to the cover.

When the cover reaches the fully inserted position in the player, each retaining member is pushed down to the retracted position, but biasing means (for example, a wire spring shown in FIG. 20) biases the retaining member to return to the extended position. 296) is provided.

Next, a modified record extraction mechanism will be explained with reference to FIGS. 24 to 26. FIG. 24 is a plan view of the modified record extraction mechanism 298. Figure 25 shows the record extraction mechanism 2 in Figure 24.
98 is shown along line 25-25. Figure 26 shows the record extraction mechanism 29 in Figure 25.
FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view along line 26-26 of FIG. This modified record extraction mechanism 298 is attached to the base 272 of the video disc player 230 shown in FIG. Although this modified record extraction mechanism will be described as being used in the video disc player 230 of FIG. 12, it is also suitable for use in the video disc player 136 of FIGS. 7-9.

As shown in FIG. 26, the modified record extraction mechanism 298 includes a pair of latches 300, 302 pivoted by pins 304, 306.
The latches 300 and 302 are connected to the guide rail (e.g. guide rail 1) when the base 272 is in the raised position.
8) Align with the center line.

A lever 308 is further pivotally supported on the base 272 by a pin 310 (FIG. 25). When this lever 308 rotates clockwise, the base 272
A ratchet wheel 312 pivotally supported by a pin 314 is
The lever 308 is rotated by one tooth in the clockwise direction by the protrusion 342 of the drive arm 316 which is pivotally supported by the pin 318. The rotation of the ratchet wheel 312 causes the ratchet wheel 312 to move between the latches 300 and 302.
A square cam 320 fixed to rotates one step (for example, 45 degrees) clockwise. This square cam 32
A rotation of 0 causes the latch to alternate between expanded and contracted positions.

The plate member 322 is attached to the base 272 with bolts 323
Fixed by This plate-like member 322 has a protrusion 3 for restricting the rotational movement of the lever 308.
There are 24,326. Protrusion 330 of drive arm 316
A spring 328 is tensioned between the protrusion 332 of the fixed plate member 322 and the drive arm and the lever 30.
8 is biased to return to its original position. This record extracting mechanism 298 has a lever 30
The pawl 3 prevents the pawl wheel 312 from reversing during the return movement of 8.
34 (Figure 24), and further includes a latch 300,
Line springs 336 and 338 (26th
Figure).

Lever 308 has a protrusion 340 that abuts the front of the record cover while it is in the fully inserted position in the player to cause clockwise rotation of the lever.

The operation of the modified video disk player described with respect to FIGS. 12-26 is similar to the operation of the video disk player of FIGS. 7-9.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a protective cover that includes an envelope and a record tray removably housed therein and is suitable for use with a video disc system having a record holding and aligning device according to the present invention. Second
3 and 3 are plan views of the record tray and the envelope. 4 and 5 are plan views of the modified record tray and envelope. 4a is a plan view showing another embodiment of a record tray suitable for use in the modified envelope of FIG. 5; FIG.
Figure 6 shows Figures 1 to 3 and Figures 4 and 4.
FIG. 6 is a partial plan view showing a record holding member release mechanism suitable for use with the protective cover of FIGS. a and 5; FIG. 7 is a plan view of the new record keeping and matching device. 8 and 9 are side views of the video disc system of FIG. 7, showing the movable base in the lowered and raised positions, respectively. 10 and 11 are plan views of a record extraction mechanism suitable for use with the video disc system of FIGS. 7 and 12, shown in the reduced and enlarged positions, respectively. FIG. 12 is a side view of a video disk system comprising a second embodiment of a novel record-holding and registration apparatus according to the principles of the present invention and including a modified base raising and lowering mechanism. 13, 14, and 15 are side, front, and top views, respectively, of a flap support structure suitable for use in the modified video disc system of FIG. 12. 16 and 17 are side and top views, respectively, of a base linkage assembly adapted to cooperate with the flap support structure of FIGS. 13-15 and for use in the modified video disc system of FIG. 12; be. Figure 18 shows the 12th
FIG. 3 is a side view showing the means for introducing a record cover into the modified video disc system of the figures and the cover ejection mechanism; FIG. 19 is a bottom view of a movable base suitable for use in the modified video disc system of FIG. 12.
20 and 21 are side and top views of the left center retaining member attached to the base of FIG. 19 in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 22 and 22a are a plan view and a side view of the left front holding member attached to the base of FIG. 19 according to the present invention. 23 and 23a are top and side views of a rear retaining member attached to the base of FIG. 19 in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 24 is a plan view showing a modified record extracting mechanism suitable for use with the video disc system of FIGS. 7 and 12. FIG. FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of the modified record extraction mechanism of FIG. 24 taken along line 25--25. Figure 26 shows the line 26- of the modified record extraction mechanism in Figure 25.
26 is a sectional view taken along line 26. 50...Protective cover, 52...Envelope, 54...
...Record tray, 58...Video disc, 136...
...Video disc player, 142...Insertion slot, 14
4... Housing, 146, 148... Guide groove, 15
4... Base, 204, 206, 208, 210...
...Holding member.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A record player that plays back signals recorded on a disc record removably housed in a protective cover; having an insertion port having dimensions that allow the cover to be inserted and removed. a casing; means aligned with the insertion slot for guiding the cover in and out; a turntable rotatably mounted within the casing to support the record during signal playback; a base mounted within the housing so as to be located below the guide means and movable between a raised position and a lowered position; a base mounted within the player so that the cover is in a fully inserted position within the player; means for projecting into the cover during a period of time during which the turntable is reached; and means for moving the base to displace records retained in the player by the drawer of the cover onto or from the turntable; means for changing the state of the protruding means between a first state and a second state in response to the cover reaching a fully inserted position in the player; record holding means movable between said protruding means, said protruding means being adapted to operate in said first state and said second state, in said first state said cover is inserted into said fully inserted position; and in the second state, the record is prevented from being pulled out from the player during the period when the cover containing the record is pulled out from the fully inserted position after reaching the fully inserted position, thereby preventing the record from being pulled out from the player as the cover is completely pulled out. the record retaining means being operable to retain the record within the player; the record retaining means, when in its retracted position, allows a cover to be inserted into the player to reach a fully inserted position within the player; When in the extended position, the record is aligned with an empty cover that is inserted along the guide means to transfer the record into the cover while the base is in the raised position. A record player, which is meant to work to support the records retained above.