Disc recording and/or reproducing apparatus

A magnetic disc recording and/or reproducing apparatus for cooperation with an external information processing system for recording and/or reproduction of digital data on and from a flexible magnetic disc comprising:

• a frame having a size substantially identical to a standardized frame used in a first standardized magnetic recording and/or reproducing apparatus for accommodating a first recording/reproducing unit for recording and/or reproducing a digital data on and from a first standardized flexible magnetic disc having a first standardized diameter, said frame being adapted to be mounted on a body of the external information processing system in a detachable manner;
• a second recording/reproducing unit mounted on said frame for recording and/or reproducing a digital data on and from a second standardized flexible magnetic disc having a second standardized diameter smaller than the first standardized diameter, said second recording/reproducing unit having a second size substantially smaller than the size of the first recording/reproducing unit;
• a front panel closing a front end of the frame and having an inserting opening with a size so as to allow insertion of said second standardized flexible magnetic disc therethrough;
• and
• a connector mounted on a rear end of the second recording/reproducing unit, said connector having a design facilitating features identical to a standardized connector used in the first standardized apparatus;
• and
• an intervening member connected to said rear end of the second recording/reproducing unit, said intervening member having a size measured perpendicularly to the front panel such that an overall size of the second recording/reproducing unit and the intervening member connected to the second recording/reproducing unit becomes substantially identical to that of the first recording/reproducing unit when measured perpendicularly to the front panel, said intervening member carrying a socket corresponding to said connector at a first side making contact with the rear end of the second recording/reproducing unit and a second connector on a second side opposite to said first side providing said features identical to the standardized connector, and electrically connecting the second recording/reproducing unit to the external information processing system.

A magnetic disc recording and/or reproducing apparatus for cooperation with an external information processing system for recording and/or reproduction of digital data on and from a flexible magnetic disc comprising:

• a frame having a size substantially identical to a standardized frame used in a first standardized magnetic recording and/or reproducing apparatus for accommodating a first recording/reproducing unit for recording and/or reproducing a digital data on and from a first standardized flexible magnetic disc having a first standardized diameter, said frame being adapted to be mounted on a body of the external information processing system in a detachable manner;
• a second recording/reproducing unit mounted on said frame for recording and/or reproducing a digital data on and from a second standardized flexible magnetic disc having a second standardized diameter smaller than the first standardized diameter, said second recording/reproducing unit having a second size substantially smaller than the size of the first recording/reproducing unit;
• a front panel closing a front end of the frame and having an inserting opening with a size so as to allow insertion of said second standardized flexible magnetic disc therethrough;
• a first connector mounted on a rear end of the second recording/reproducing unit;
• and
• an intervening member connected to said rear end of the second recording/reproducing unit and having a second connector, said second connector having a design identical to a standardized connector used in the first standardized apparatus,
• wherein said intervening member has a size measured perpendicularly to the front panel such that an overall size of the second recording/reproducing unit and the intervening member connected to the second recording/reproducing unit becomes substantially identical to that of the first recording/reproducing unit when measured perpendicularly to the front panel, said intervening member carrying a socket corresponding to said first connector at a first side making contact with the rear end of the second recording/reproducing unit and said second connector on a second side opposite to said first side, and electrically connecting the second recording/reproducing unit to the external information processing system.