Apparatus for reproducing selectively loaded discs of different diameters

An apparatus for reproducing signals recorded on a selected one of first and second discs having relatively larger and smmaler diameters, respectively, comprising:

• tray means having first and second disc mounting portions dimensioned for receiving and holding said first and second discs, respectively;
• tray driving means for moving said tray means between a first position, at which signals recorded on either of said first and second discs can be reproduced, and a second position, at which one of said first discs can be inserted in, and withdrawn from said first disc mounting portion;
• said first disc mounting portion being substantially completely within a loading space when said tray means is in said second position for the insertion or withdrawal of one of said first discs into or from said first disc mounting portions and said second disc mounting portion being within said loading space for the insertion or removal of one of said second discs when said tray means is in an intermediate position between said first and second positions;
• and
• means for controlling said tray driving means so as to move said tray means only to said intermediate position for the insertion of one said second discs so as to relatively minimize the time required for said tray means to receive one of said second discs at said intermediate position and then to be moved by said tray driving means to said first position.

An apparatus for reproducing signals recorded on a selected one of first and second discs having relatively larger and smaller diameters, respectively, comprising;

• tray means having first and second disc mounting portions dimensioned for receiving and holding said first and second discs, respectiely;
• tray driving means for moving said tray means between a first postion, at which signals recorded on either of said first and second discs can be reproduced, and a second position, at which one of said first discs can be inserted in, and withdrawn from said first disc mounting portion;
• said second disc mounting portion having a center which is displaced from the center of said first disc mounting portion in the direction of said movement of the tray means from said first position to said second position;
• and
• said first disc mounting portion being completely within a loading space when said tray means is in said second position for the insertion or withdrawal of one of said first discs into or from said first disc mounting portion;
• and
• means for controlling said tray driving means so as to move said tray means to a position intermediate said first and second positions and at which said second disc mounting portion is within said loading space for the insertion or removal of one of said second discs, thereby minimizing the time required for said tray means to receive one of said second discs at said intermediate position and then to be moved by said tray driving means to said first position.

An apparatus for reproducing signals recorded on a selected one of first and second discs having relatively larger and smaller diameters, respectively, comprising:

• tray means having first and second disc mounting portions dimensioned of receiving and holding said first and second discs, respectively, said first disc mounting portion being substantially centered in the lateral direction in respect to said tray means, and said second disc mounting portion being laterally offset in respect to the center of said tray means and at least in part contained within confines of said first disc mounting portion;
• a casing having an opening at the front thereof through which said tray means is movable horizontally between a position within said casing and a second position projecting forwardly from said casing;
• said second disc mounting portion having a center which is displaced from the center of said first disc mounting portion in the direction of said movement of the tray means from said first position to said second position;
• tray driving means for moving said tray means between said first position, at which signals recorded on either of said first and second discs can be reproduced, and said second position, at which one of said first and second discs can be inserted in, and withdrawn from a respective one of said find second disc mounting portions;
• first and second disc drive means disposed within said casing and being selectively operable to rotate one of said first and second discs received by the respective one of said disc mounting portions of said tray means in said first position;
• optical pickup means disposed in said casing between said first and second disc drive means for reading signals recorded on said one of the first and second discs;
• an elongated cut-out in said tray means extending from the center of said first disc mounting portion through the center of said second disc mounting portion;
• means for moving said optical pickup means and said second disc drive means in paths that extend along said elongated cut-out of said tray means when the latter is in said first position;
• a pair of tray carriers disposed within said casing at opposite sides of the latter and supporting said tray means therebetween for horizontal movements relative to said carriers;
• means mounting said tray carriers for vertical movement relative to said casing between a raised level at which said tray means is movable through said opening and a lowered level at which said selected one of the discs received in said respective disc mounting portion of said tray means at said first position is engageable from below by the respective one of said first and second disc drive means;
• first and second chuck means mounted for vertical movements with said tray carriers and being engageable from above with said selected one of the discs when said tray carriers are at said lowered level for holding said selected one of the discs in engagement with said respective one of the first and second disc drive means;
• carrier driving means engaged with said tray carriers for effecting said vertical movements of the latter;
• differential gear means engageable with said tray means for effecting said horizontal movements of the latter in respect to said tray carriers;
• servo means engaeable with said optical pickup means for correcting a skew angle of the latter and thereby compensating for warping of said selected one of the discs;
• and
• a rotary control member mounted in said casing between said tray carriers for effecting the interlocking control of said diferential gear means, said carrier driving means and said servo means.

An apparatus for reproducing signals recorded on a selected one of first and second discs having relatively larger and smaller diameters, respectively, comprising:

• tray means having first and second disc mounting portions dimensioned for receiving and holding said first and second discs, respectively, said first disc mounting portion being substantially centered in the lateral direction in respect to said tray means, and said second disc mounting portion being laterally offset in respect to the center of said tray means and at least in apart contained within confines of said first disc mounting portion;
• a casing having an opening at the front thereof through which said tray means is movable horizontally between a first position within said casing and a second position projecting forwardly from said casing;
• said second disc mounting portion having a center which is displaced from the center of said first disc mounting portion in the direction of said movement of the tray means from said first position to said second position;
• tray driving means for moving said tray means between said first position, at which signals recorded on either of said first and second discs can be reproduced, and said second position, at which one of said first and second discs can be inserted in, and withdrawn from a respective one of said first and second disc mounting portions;
• first and second disc drive means disposed within said casing and being selectively operable to rotate one of said first and second discs received by the respective one of said disc mounting portions of said tray means in said first position, said second disc drive means including a guide rod fixed at the bottom of said casing and extending parallel with said elongated cut-out, a support block slidable along said guide rod, a motor mounted on said support block and having an upstanding shaft substantially centered in respect to the width of said cut-out, and a turntable fixed on said shaft;
• optical pickup means disposed in said casing between said first and second disc drive means for reading signals recorded on said one of the first and second discs;
• an elongated cut-out in said tray means extending from the center of said first disc mounting portion through the center of said second disc mounting portion;
• and
• means for moving said optical pickup means and said second disc drive means in paths that extend along said elongated cut-out of said tray means when the latter is in said first position, said means for moving the second disc drive means including a gear rack member, means mounting said gear rack member for sliding parallel to said guide rod, a motor for driving said gear rack member through speed reducing gear means, elastic means connecting said support block to said gear rack member for urging said support block to move with said gear rack member in a direction toward an operative position of said second disc drive means, and means for defining said operative position of the second disc drive means.