Disk cartridge device for universally mounting and positioning disk cartridges having disks of different size diameters

A disk cartridge for installation in a disk recording/reproducing apparatus having a chassis with a first positioning pin and a second positioning pin spaced apart from the first positioning pin fixedly mounted to the chassis, the disk cartridge comprising:

• a cartridge housing;
• and
• a disk rotatably mounted in the cartridge housing and having a diameter not to contact with the first and second positioning pins provided in the disk recording/reproducing apparatus when the disk cartridge is installed, the first positioning pin having an inner portion projecting from the disk recording/reproducing apparatus at a first height and an outer portion projecting from the disk recording/reproducing apparatus at a second height smaller than the first height, the outer portion surrounding the inner portion,
• wherein the cartridge housing includes a first positioning aperture and a second positioning aperture spaced apart from the first positioning aperture, the first positioning aperture having a pin receiving aperture portion sized to accept the inner portion of the first positioning pin and a step-down aperture portion surrounding the pin receiving aperture portion and sized to receive the outer portion of the first positioning pin, the second positioning aperture sized to accept the second positioning pin,
• wherein said first positioning pin and said second positioning pin are positioned outwardly relative to a periphery of the disk.

A disk recording/reproducing apparatus selectively installed with a first disk cartridge and a second disk cartridge including disks having different disk diameters each stored in cartridge housings having different sizes, the first disk cartridge having a first disk cartridge positioning aperture and a first disk cartridge positioning step-down aperture disposed apart from the first disk cartridge positioning aperture and the second disk cartridge having a second disk cartridge positioning aperture, the disk recording/reproducing apparatus comprising:

• a chassis;
• a turn table operably connected to the chassis;
• an optical pickup operably connected to the chassis;
• a first positioning pin mounted to the chassis to be engaged with either the first disk cartridge positioning step-down aperture provided on said first disk cartridge for positioning therewith or the second disk cartridge positioning aperture on said second disk cartridge for positioning therewith;
• and
• a second positioning pin mounted to the chassis to be engaged with only the first disk cartridge positioning aperture provided on said first disk cartridge for positioning therewith,
• wherein said first positioning pin and said second positioning pin are positioned at a position outwardly relative to a periphery of the respective disks.