Magneto-optical recording device having optical and magnetic heads moving independently

Abstract

An optical storage device adapted so that a cartridge accommodating an optical storage medium is inserted/ejected with respect to the device. The device includes a drive base, a cartridge holder mounted on the drive base for receiving the cartridge, a first carriage mounted on the drive base so as to be movable in a first direction, a first drive mechanism for moving the first carriage, and an optical head mounted on the first carriage. The device further includes a second carriage mounted on the cartridge holder so as to be movable in the first direction, a second drive mechanism for moving the second carriage, a magnetic head assembly mounted on the second carriage and having a magnetic head, and a holding mechanism for selectively holding the magnetic head in its lifted condition above the optical storage medium.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.