Disc changer and disc holder and box for use with such a changer

A disc changer comprising a player deck, provided with a turntable which is mounted for rotation in a chassis and a loading device for transferring a disc to and from the turntable, which loading device comprises:

• a platform mounted for selective movement up and down relative to the turntable,
• a plurality of disc holders, configured for selective sliding movement onto and off of the platform, each disc holder having a circular recess, which is open at the top for receiving a disc, each disc holder having a hole in the bottom of the recess, each disc holder being movable to a position where the disc holder is supported by the platform after the disc holder is moved to the platform,
• a box having a plurality of disc holder compartments, each compartment being dimensioned to receive a disc holder,
• a transport mechanism for moving the respective disc holders in a substantially horizontal direction to a predetermined position on the platform,
• a lift mechanism comprising a lift compartment for the box, said compartment and the box being movable up and down to one of a plurality of predetermined height positions, said transport mechanism moving a disc holder between the holder compartment and the platform, the lift compartment having first and second adjoining upright sides and a first opening in said first upright side, said first opening being dimensioned and configured for sliding the box into and out of the compartment,
• the player deck further comprising an optical head disposed adjacent the turntable and which is movable relative to the turntable, for playing optically readable information discs,
• the hole in each holder being formed so that the holder as it moves to a position below the top of the turntable can pass the optical head without impediment,
• the loading device including a loading lever provided with a disc loader for urging a disc into the correct position on the turntable,
• the transport mechanism including means for engagement with respective disc holders during the movement alongside the platform.