Eastman-kodak Company

William W Knight

Eric M Leonard

This disclosure relates to means for receiving disk assemblies in a manner to impart constant tension to the support and cover sheet, while assuring easy and quick loading and unloading of the disk assemblies. An optical disk assembly includes a web assembly including a flexible disk-shaped support and an opposed cover sheet. An annular retaining ring engages the web assembly around its periphery. The support carries a record layer with an information storage region. Cooperating optical disk write/read apparatus has an annular, rotatable locating surface against which the web assembly abuts. Detent means releasably secure the disk assembly retaining ring in an active position, with firm contact between the web assembly and the rotatable locating surface. The detent means is releasable when subjected to a predetermined force from the retaining ring, whereby the retaining ring is movable into and out of its active position by mere application of sufficient force thereto. The write/read apparatus includes a selectively inflatable tube positioned to bear against the ring when inflated for applying a force to move the ring from its active position.

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Rochester, NY, United States of America

William W Knight