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:
Nov. 02, 2004
Filed:
Sep. 11, 2001
Kozo Ezawa, Hirakata, JP;
Hironori Okazawa, Katano, JP;
Kazuo Teramae, Hirakata, JP;
Masanao Wakikawa, Sakai, JP;
Terumi Tatsumi, Sendai, JP;
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Kadoma, JP;
Abstract
An optical disk apparatus capable of stably moving an optical head is provided. The apparatus includes an optical head for recording data to or reproducing data from a disk, a first guide member having an axis substantially parallel to the disk for supporting the optical head in such a manner that the optical head is moved along the axis, a second guide member for limiting rotation of the optical head about the axis, a rack mounted on the optical head and having a reference pitch line substantially parallel to the axis, a pinion for moving the optical head by the pinion being engaged with the rack and being rotated, and a pressing member for pressing the rack toward tie pinion. The vector of a force exerted by the pinion on the rack in response to the pressing member pressing the rack toward the pinion substantially intersects the axis.