US3899794A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Front loading disc drive apparatus
Assignee: Archive Corp
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Filing: 1973-11-30
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Granted: 1975-08-12
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Expires: 1993-11-30
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for receiving and driving magnetic disc cartridges as peripheral computer memory units. Particular mechanisms are included which render the apparatus more effective and more compact than previously known corresponding devices of a comparable nature. These mechanisms cooperate to provide means for inserting the disc cartridge in a horizontal attitude, permitting the apparatus to be completely contained within a reduced vertical dimension and thus saving substantial space. These mechanisms are operatively coupled to the loading door so that, as the loading door is rotated through approximately 60* to its open position, a pair of actuators coupled thereto are rotated through approximately 90* to first lift and then translate the disc cartridge receiver forward to its fully extended position. During this motion, various door opener levers which are associated with the receiver for the purpose of opening the head entry door of the disc cartridge to the extent necessary to permit entry of the heads therein when the cartridge and receiver are in the retracted position for operation within the disc drive apparatus are withdrawn so that the head entry door may be closed when the cartridge is withdrawn from the receiver. When the cartridge is inserted within the receiver, the head entry door is opened to a first extent by a pivoted bail member and the reverse of the above-described operations occurs as the loading door is closed so as to retract the receiver with the disc cartridge therein to the operating position.
Inventors
- 👤 Jr Leon Henry Brown
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 07:26
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B17/00; G11B17/02; G11B17/022; G11B17/028; G11B17/035
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
In disc drive apparatus adapted for receiving a standard disc cartridge through a front loading door, the combination comprising: a frame; a receiver for accepting and retaining the disc cartridge in a generally horizontal attitude at a first level relative to the frame, the receiver being mounted on the frame for movement between respective extended and retracted positions generally parallel to each other; a base upon which the disc cartridge is to be mounted for operation within the apparatus at a second level lower than said first level, said base being connected to the frame and including an upwardly extending drive spindle upon which the disc cartridge is to be centrally engaged; a front panel loading door pivotably joined to the frame for rotation about a pivot axis located near the lower forward edge of the door; and actuating means coupled between the frame, the door, and the receiver for moving the receiver in two orthogonal directions between the extended position at the first level and the retracted position at the second level in response to movement between respective open and closed positions of the loading door.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
187 words
In disc drive apparatus adapted for receiving a standard disc cartridge through a front loading door, the combination comprising: a frame; a receiver for accepting and retaining the disc cartridge in a generally horizontal attitude at a first level relative to the frame, the receiver being mounted on the frame for movement between respective extended and retracted positions generally parallel to each other; a base upon which the disc cartridge is to be mounted for operation within the apparatus at a second level lower than said first level, said base being connected to the frame and including an upwardly extending drive spindle upon which the disc cartridge is to be centrally engaged; a front panel loading door pivotably joined to the frame for rotation about a pivot axis located near the lower forward edge of the door; and actuating means coupled between the frame, the door, and the receiver for moving the receiver in two orthogonal directions between the extended position at the first level and the retracted position at the second level in response to movement between respective open and closed positions of the loading door.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 further including releasable means for latching the actuating means to prevent the opening of the door and movement of the receiver.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein the latching means includes a latch member and a solenoid which, when energized, retracts the latch member to release the latching means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
82 words
Apparatus in accordance with claiM 1 wherein the actuating means comprises: a first guide member mounted on said base; a second guide member mounted on the receiver; a third guide member mounted on the door; and means linking said first, second and third guide members to produce an initial lifting of the receiver away from said base following by translational forward movement of the receiver relative to the base as the loading door is moved from the closed to the open position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said second guide member is affixed to the forward portion of the receiver and wherein said linking means includes means coupled to the second guide member for lifting the forward portion of the receiver prior to any other motion thereof as the loading door is opened.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 5 including an actuator member pivotably mounted to the base adjacent its lower forward corner and an elongated linkage member coupled between the lower rearward corner of the actuator member and the first guide member for engagement therewith.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 6 including means coupling the actuator member to the second guide member, said means being located along the lower edge of said actuator member substantially on a line between the pivot axis of the actuator member and the pivot axis of the coupling between the actuator member and the linkage member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 6 further including means coupling the upper forward portion of the actuator member to the loading door.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein the actuator member includes a forwardly extending portion at its upper forward corner, said means for coupling the actuator member to the loading door being mounted at said forwardly extending portion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein said loading door comprises a pair of end plates at opposite sides of the door, each end plate having a configured guide slot therein engaging said coupling means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein said coupling means comprises means for rotating the actuating member through approximately 90* about its pivot axis as the loading door is rotated through approximately 60* about its pivot axis.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 10 wherein one set of said actuating means is provided on each side of the apparatus for coupling with the respective end plates of the loading door.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 12 wherein the means coupling the linkage member to the actuating member includes an extension for latching the actuating means with the receiver in the retracted position so as to prevent the loading door from being opened.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 further including first and second means for opening a head entry door in said cartridge as the cartridge is loaded into the apparatus.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 14 wherein the first means includes pivotable means for opening the head entry door by engaging and lifting the outer end thereof and the second means includes means for engaging and lifting an inner portion of the head entry door as the receiver is moved to said retracted position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 15 wherein said second means comprises a pair of levers pivotably mounted on opposite sides of the receiver, each including a wedge-shaped portion for projecting under and lifting adjacent portions of the head entry door of a cartridge placed within the receiver.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 16 further including a pair of fixed pillars attached to the base and wherein the second means comprises a bevelled surface along each of the levers remote from the wedge-shaped portion for engaging respective ones of said pillars and moving the wedge-shaped portions of the levers into operative position.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 17 further including biasing springs attached between the receiver and the levers for wIthdrawing the wedge-shaped portions from engagement with the head entry door as the receiver is moved from its retracted position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-08-11 | 1979-02-10 | 1979-08-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-11 | 1983-02-10 | 1983-08-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-11 | 1987-02-10 | 1987-08-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |