Shutter operating mechanism for magneto-optical disk drive

A shutter operating mechanism for a disk cartridge insertion opening of a disk drive, said mechanism comprising:

• a movable member;
• a shutter plate pivotably supported about a movable axis on said movable member, said movable axis and said shutter plate being moved by said movable member between a closed position and a retracted position, said closed position being defined by said shutter plate fully closing said cartridge insertion opening, and said retracted position being defined by said shutter plate being pivoted about said movable axis away from a loading path of an inserted cartridge while said movable axis is retracted away from said loading path of an inserted cartridge;
• and
• a moving mechanism for moving said movable member, said movable axis, and said shutter plate between said closed and retracted positions, said moving mechanism guiding said movable member, said movable axis, and said shutter plate to said closed position at a first distinct position, to said retracted position at a second distinct position, and back to said closed position at a third distinct position.

A shutter operating mechanism for a disk cartridge insertion opening of a disk drive, said mechanism comprising:

• a chassis;
• a cam plate on said chassis, said cam plate including first, second and third guide positions;
• a shutter plate having a closed position and a retracted position, said closed position being defined by said shutter plate fully closing said cartridge insertion opening, and said retracted position being defined by said shutter plate being retracted from a loading path of an inserted cartridge;
• a guide element guided by said cam plate, said guide element being operatively connected to said shutter plate, said cam plate and said guide element in combination moving said shutter plate to said closed position at said first guide position, to said retracted position at said second guide position, and back to said closed position at said third guide position;
• and
• a moving mechanism for moving said cam plate, and thereby said guide element and said shutter plate, said moving mechanism being movable between first, second, and third distinct positions at which said cam plate is moved to said first, second, and third guide positions, respectively.