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:
Aug. 21, 2001
Filed:
Nov. 25, 1997
Shinichi Sako, Higashihiroshima, JP;
Shoji Taniguchi, Higashihiroshima, JP;
Hideto Takeuchi, Higashihiroshima, JP;
Yoshifusa Fujioka, Higashihiroshima, JP;
Masayuki Isobe, Higashihiroshima, JP;
Takahiko Suezawa, Higashihiroshima, JP;
Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha, Osaka, JP;
Abstract
In a disk loading device, an upper tray is moved by pinions among a loading and unloading position for loading and unloading a disk outside a housing, a storage position for storing the disk inside the housing, and a reproduction position for reproducing the disk at the back of the housing. A lower tray is held by a lock lever onto the upper tray between the loading and unloading position and the storage position. As the upper tray is moved from the storage position to the reproduction position, the lower tray is released from the lock lever by a hold releasing rack provided to the housing. Outside the housing, since the lower tray is held onto the upper tray, the strength of the upper tray is increased. Inside the housing, since the lower tray is released from the upper tray, the upper tray is moved alone. This allows the drive mechanism to drive the upper tray alone, making the configuration of the drive mechanism simple. Therefore, it is possible to simplify the configuration of the drive mechanism without a larger housing.