The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 17, 1998
Filed:
Oct. 23, 1995
Hiroshi Abe, Iwaki, JP;
Alpine Electronics, Inc., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A disc loading/ejecting mechanism and a disc player including the same wherein a disc is clamped by a guide member and a roller during loading and ejection. The roller is tapered from its ends toward its central portion such that the smallest diameter is at the central portion. A guide top is pivotally connected to a casing of the disc player and includes lower surfaces in the shape of upside-down 'V's having inclined surfaces which come closer to the roller at both end portions thereof. Opposing edges of an inserted disc are clamped by the inclined surfaces and tapered portions of the roller. However, since the guide top pivots on a support shaft, the guide top follows the position of the disc so that uniform carrying force is always provided to the disc. When a disc having a small diameter is inserted at the deviated position, both edges of the small-diameter disc are securely clamped by the inclined surfaces and the tapered portions of the roller due to the pivoting of the guide top so that the small-diameter disc is securely ejected at once upon insertion thereof.