U.S. Philips Corporation

Paul Horowitz

Rudolf J Van Der Hoorn

The invention relates to a device (27) for centering, aligning and clamping a rigid optical disc (29) in an operating position on a disc drive unit, which disc has a center hole which is bounded by a wall (88). The device comprises a rotatable drive spindle (57) with a centering device (63) which is situated near its free end (59) and which comprises a plurality of radially movable centering members (65) and which are pivotally connected to the drive spindle and which each comprise at least one centering surface (65b), which centering surfaces are pressed against said wall of the disc in the operating position of the disc. The centering members each comprise a radial limb (73) having an end (73a) which cooperates with a sliding bush (75) which is arranged coaxially around the drive spindle, and there are provided actuating means (83) for axially sliding the sliding bush from a first position, in which the centering members are in an operating position to center and clamp the disc, to a second position in which the centering members are in a more inward release position to mount or remove the disc. Further, there are provided resilient means (77) for returning the sliding bush from the second to the first position and for moving the centering members from their release position to their operating position (FIG. 2).

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Eindhoven, Netherlands

Paul Horowitz