Digital Equipment Corporation

Magnetic Peripherals Inc.

Opto Tech Corporation

Laser Magnetic Storage International Company

Michael V Konshak

Christopher Anthony Pollard

Marvin B Davis

Allen L Clark

An optical disk drive of the type adapted to use an optical disk cartridge formed by an optical disk mounted about a hub within an enclosure. When inserted into the optical disk drive, the cartridge is received and supported by a pan. A control handle for controlling the disk drive can be rotated between a load position, a run position, a spin-down position, and an eject position. The handle is coupled to the pan by a linkage. When the handle is rotated to either its run or spin-down positions, the linkage positions the pan at a run/spin-down position at which the hub of the disk is engaged with a drive spindle. When rotated to either its load or eject positions, the linkage causes the pan to be in a load/eject position at which the cartridge can be inserted into or removed from the pan. The position of the handle is detected by optical sensors which provide signals representative thereof to control circuitry. The control circuitry activates a drive motor when the handle is in its run position, and deactivates the drive motor when the handle is moved to its spin-down position. A spin-down interlock mechanism is interfaced to the control circuitry and permits the handle to be rotated from the run position back to the load and eject positions only after a predetermined spin-down time period has elapsed after the handle has been rotated to the spin-down position. The cartridge is ejected from the disk drive when the handle is rotated to its eject position.

Optical disk drive

An optical disk cartridge has two opposed cartridge sections held together by four locking assemblies. Each locking assembly includes a first locking jamb attached to one section, a second locking jamb attached to the other section, a locking detent and a spring. The jambs can be locking fingers parallel to and adjacent to one another when the cartridge sections are joined, in which case the detent surrounds the fingers as a sleeve, preventing the fingers from moving apart. The spring biases the detent into locking engagement with the fingers, keeping the cartridge closed. Alternatively, the jambs can be aligned slots in the cartridge top and bottom sections, with each detent having a protrusion that enters its associated slots. The spring and most of the detent are contained inside the cartridge. However, each detent includes a leg extended outside the cartridge through an aperture in the cartridge side wall. Also disclosed is a drive apparatus for use with the cartridge. Upper and lower rails mounted inside the housing contact flanges of the cartridge to guide the cartridge during its insertion into the drive. Stops in the housing contact the detents during insertion and move them out of locking engagement with their respective locking jambs. Following insertion, a movable platform in the housing is lowered, separating the cartridge sections from one another and moving the disk into drivable engagement with a drive spindle in the housing. Subsequently the platform can be raised to disengage the disk from the spindle and reunite the cartridge sections.

Optical memory cartridge and drive apparatus

An equipment module for holding printed circuit boards. The equipment module contains pin and slot combinations which permit it to be lifted from a casing and tilted for efficient access to the printed circuit boards for maintenance. The pin and slot combinations comprise a plurality of slots molded into the sides of the equipment module for cooperation with pins mounted on the casing.

Equipment module

A drive belt release mechanism for magnetic disk drives for disengaging a drive belt from and engaging a drive belt onto a spindle drive pulley. To disengage the belt, the mechanism lifts the belt from the drive pulley and simultaneously permits the drive motor to pivot to relieve the tension in the drive belt. To engage the belt, the mechanism seats the belt on the pulley and forces the motor to a drive position which yields the desired drive tension in the belt. The mechanism is completely mechanical and manually operable.

Growing community of inventors

Colorado Springs, CO, United States of America

Michael V Konshak