Disc loading transfer mechanism for plural disc changer

A disc loading apparatus including a disc container with separate first and second portions each having a plurality of discs placed in a pile therein, a disc drive for recording and/or reproducing data for a disc, and a disc carrier for carrying a desired one of the discs from the first and second disc container portions to the disc drive, the disc carrier comprising:

• an electric motor;
• a wheel rotatable in a forward direction and in a reverse direction according to a drive supplied by the electric motor;
• a disc knocker mechanism secured rotatably on the disc carrier, said disc knocker mechanism including a knock lever movable according to a force supplied from the rotation of the wheel for pushing a desired one of the discs out of the first container portion when the wheel is rotated in the forward direction and out of the second container portion when the wheel is rotated in the reverse direction;
• a clutch movable between first and second positions, the clutch transmitting the drive from the electric motor to rotate the wheel at the first position, the clutch interrupting the drive to the wheel at the second position;
• and
• release means provided on the knock lever for moving the clutch to the second position after the desired disc is pushed out of the disc container.

A disc loading apparatus for carrying a disc between a disc container and a disc carrier, comprising:

• a drive roller mounted rotatably on the disc carrier, the drive roller having a peripheral surface for contact with the peripheral surface of a disc;
• a semicircular guide member secured on the disc carrier at a position concentric with the drive roller to define a disc carrying path along with the drive roller, the semicircular guide member having an inner peripheral surface facing to the peripheral surface of the drive roller for contact with the peripheral surface of a disc;
• a disc knocker mechanism provided on the disc carrier for knocking the peripheral surface of the disc to push the disc out of the disc container into the disc carrying path;
• and
• drive means for rotating the drive roller to advance the disc in the disc carrying path with the disc revolving around the drive roller;
• wherein the drive roller is secured rotatably through a first shaft on a first rotary member, the first rotary member being secured rotatably through a second shaft on a second rotary member, the second rotary member being secured rotatably through a third shaft on the disc carrier, first resilient means for providing a resilient force to retain the drive roller at an equilibrium position, and second resilient means for providing a resilient force to rotate the second rotary member in a direction causing the drive roller to push the disc against the guide member.