Self aligning disc tray drive
AssigneePrimera Technology, Inc.
InventorErick Hagstrom
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tray is mounted in a framework for sliding between extended and retracted positions, and has a separate drive adjacent each of the opposite sides of the tray. The drives on the opposite sides of the tray are effected through friction clutches so that one of the drives can be stationary and slipping while the other drive continues to move the tray. Reference stops are provided to orient the tray against the stops each time the tray is retracted.
Claims16
A processor for processing a compact disc, said processor having a processing station, and a compact disc loading station, a tray for carrying a compact disc between a processing position in the processing station and a loading position in the loading station, said processor having guide rails supporting opposite sides of the tray, the tray extending outwardly from the guide rails when in its loading position, and drive members to move each of the opposite sides of the tray to drive the tray along the guide rails between the loading and processing positions, a separate slip clutch for frictionally driving each of the drive members on the opposite sides of the tray to permit one of the drive members to drive while the other drive member is slipping, and a stop mounted on the tray having laterally spaced first stops, each of which engages a second fixed stop at two spaced locations, the drive members continuing to drive through the slip clutches until both first stops engage the second fixed stop when the tray is moved to its processing position.
A processor for processing a compact disc, said processor having a processing station, and a compact disc loading station, a tray for carrying a compact disc between a processing position in the processing station and a loading position in the loading station, said processor having guide rails supporting opposite sides of the tray, the tray extending outwardly from the guide rails when in its loading position, a motor, and drive members driven by the motor and drivably coupled to each of the opposite sides of the tray to move each of the opposite sides of the tray to drive the tray along the guide rails between the loading and processing positions, and a separate friction clutch between the motor and each respective drive member, whereby each drive member can stop independent of the other drive member as the motor continues to drive.
A processor for processing a compact disc, including a processing station and a disc loading station, a tray movable linearly along guide rails between a retracted processing position in the processing station, and an extended loading position in the disc loading station, a drive for moving the tray in opposite directions along the rails between the processing station and the disc loading station, said drive comprising a separate drive belt mounted on each side of the tray, a common shaft extending across the tray and rotatably mounted on the processor, said common shaft carrying a pair of drive pulleys, one pulley positioned on each side of the tray for driving belts, respectively, a friction drive between each one of the pair of pulleys and the common shaft, said friction drive limiting the amount of force with which the drive belts are driven, a drive motor to drive said common shaft, and separate connectors between each of the belts and the tray to move the tray along the guides when the belts are driven.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.