Automatic changer for player/recorder of optical magnetic discs and cards

A player/recorder apparatus including an automatic changer mechanism for information carriers in the form of cards or discs, said apparatus comprising:

• magazine means for a plurality of information carriers including a fixed arcuate magazine formed about a center and having multiple compartments extending radially from the center, each compartment being adapted to store an information carrier in a storage position in a radial plane relative to the center and each compartment having an entrance facing the center through which an information carrier moves edgewise in its own plane,
• a plurality of player/recorder devices, each having means for supporting an information carrier in an operating position spaced circumferentially from said magazine means and in a radial plane relative to the center, each of said player/recorder devices having an entrance facing the center through which an information carrier moves edgewise in its own plane, said player/recorder devices being located with said arcuate magazine in a generally circular arrangement about the center, and
• a rotary changer means mounted for pivoting about the center so as to be positionable in alignment with the entrance of any one of said compartments or of said player/recorder devices,
• said rotary changer means having means for shuttling an information carrier by movement edgewise in its own plane to and from said rotary changer means between a storage position in a magazine compartment and a transition position on said rotary changer means and between the transition position on said rotary changer means and the operating position in any one of said player/recorder devices.

A player/recorder apparatus including an automatic changer mechanism for information carriers in the form of cards or discs, said apparatus comprising:

• a fixed arcuate magazine having a plurality of radially extending compartments,
• a player/recorder means providing an operating position in a radial plane spaced circumferentially from said arcuate magazine,
• said magazine and player/recorder means being mounted in a generally circular arrangement about a common center,
• a symmetrical rotary changer means mounted to rotate angularly about an axis substantially coincident with the center, said rotary changer means having a body and a movable shuttle member supported by said body for movement radially relative to the center to extend from either end of said body and provide a transfer position when the shuttle member is extended, said shuttle member having information carrier transfer means on opposite ends thereof for shuttling an information carrier by movement edgewise in its own plane to and from said shuttle member through either of the opposite ends thereof when said shuttle member is extended, and
• retainer means for retaining an information carrier in a transition position on said rotary changer means substantially midway between the opposite ends thereof.