Telescoping disk drive assembly

• US 4,797,761 A
• Filed: 06/13/1986
• Issued: 01/10/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Polaroid Corporation (PLR IP Holdings LLC)
• Original Assignee: Polaroid Corporation (PLR IP Holdings LLC)
• Inventors: Cocco, Vincent L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wolff, John H.
• Application Number:
  US06/874,003
• Time in Patent Office: 942 Days
• Field of Search: 358/906, 358/909, 369/75.2, 369/77.1, 369/77.2, 369/261, 369/262, 369/270, 360/86, 360/97-99, 360/133, 360/96.5, 360/96.6, 360/85, 360/93, 360/95
• US Class Current: 360/99.06
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 17/041 specially adapted for discs contained within cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 31/006 with video camera or receiver
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 358/906 Hand-held camera with recorder in a single unit

Abstract

A compact apparatus is provided for writing and/or reading information on a disk. Compactness is achieved by mounting various disk drive components on first and second housing sections which are arranged in telescoping relation for movement between a compact operative position for write and/or read operations and an extended position wherein facing drive components are retracted or spaced further apart to facilitate disk insertion and withdrawal operations.

Claims

1. A compact apparatus for writing and/or reading information on a disk, said apparatus comprising:

a housing including a first housing section having a first opening, a telescoping second housing section, and means for mounting said second housing section on said first housing section to move by sliding through said first opening between a compact operative position and an extended disk insertion and withdrawal position;

means for defining a second opening in said first housing section serving as an access opening through which a disk is moved for insertion and withdrawal;

a disk drive within said housing for writing and/or reading information on a disk inserted thereinto through said access opening, said disk drive including at least first and second components mounted, respectively, on said first and second housing sections for relative movement therewith between said compact position, wherein said first and second components are in operative relation with the disk for write and/or read operations, and said extended position wherein at least one of said first and second components is spaced further away from the disk, than when said first and second components are in said operative position, for facilitating disk insertion and withdrawal operations;

means on said first housing section for applying a biasing force on said second housing section urging it toward said extended position;

latching means for releasably latching said second housing section, said latching means being movable between a latching position wherein it retains said second housing section in said compact position against the urging of said applied biasing force, and an unlatching position wherein it releases said second housing section for movement to said extended position under the influence of said biasing force; and

a door mounted on said housing for movement between a closed position blocking said access opening and an open position unblocking said access opening.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said latching means and door are connected such that said latching means moves from said latching position to said unlatching position in response to moving said door from said closed position to said open position.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said latching means moves from said unlatching position to said latching position in response to moving said door from said open position to said closed position.

4. A compact apparatus for writing and/or reading information on a disk, said apparatus comprising:

a housing including a first housing section having a first opening, a telescoping second housing section, and means for mounting said second housing section on said first housing section to move by sliding through said first opening between a compact operative position and an extended disk insertion and withdrawal position;

a disk drive within said housing for writing and/or reading information on a disk inserted thereinto through said access opening, said disk drive including at least first and second components mounted, respectively, on said first and second housing sections for relative movement therewith between said compact position, wherein said first and second components are in operative relation with the disk for write and/or read operations, and said extended position wherein at least one of said first and second components is spaced further away from the disk, than when said first and second components are in said operative position, for facilitating disk insertion and withdrawal operations;

a door mounted on said first housing section for movement between a closed position blocking said access opening and an open position unblocking said access opening; and

means for sealing a space between said access opening and said closed door against the entry of dirt and the like therethrough into said drive.

5. A compact apparatus for writing and/or reading information on a disk, said apparatus comprising:

a housing including a first housing section having a first opening, a telescoping second housing section, and means for mounting said second housing section on said first housing section to move by sliding through said first opening between a compact operative position and an extended disk insertion and withdrawal position;

mesans for defining a second opening in said first housing section serving as an access opening through which a disk is moved for insertion and withdrawal; and

a disk drive within said housing for writing and/or reading information on a disk inserted thereinto through said access opening, said disk drive including at least first and second components mounted, respectively, on said first and second housing sections for relative movement therewith between said compact position, wherein said first and second components are in operative relation with the disk for write and/or read operations, and said extended position wherein at least one of said first and second components is spaced further away from the disk, than when said first and second components are in said operative position, for facilitating disk insertion and withdrawal operations, and wherein said second disk drive component mounted on said second housing section includes a spindle assembly for spinning the disk, a transducer for writing and/or reading information on the disk, and means for moving said transducer radially with respect to the disk.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherin the disk is an optical disk and said transducer is of the optical type.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the disk is an optical disk and said transducer is of the optical type.