Twin flexible disc recorder with movable heads

Claim 2

A data recorder/reproducer device for use with flExible disctype magnetic media, comprising in combination: a pair of mutually spaced disc-receiver means, each defining a narrow slotlike receptacle for separately receiving a recording disc and removably retaining the latter generally in predetermined position therein, and each having opening-defining means for access to a disc therein; a pair of commonly coupled drive hub means disposed between said disc-receivers each thereof for engaging and rotating a different disc received in a different one of said receiver means; rotary drive means commonly coupled to said drive hub means to drive both thereof; a pair of magnetic heads, each for proximately engaging and transducing signals recorded on different ones of said discs; separate carrier means mounting each said two magnetic heads for movement toward and away from the plane of a disc in a disc receiver proximate thereto, into and out of accurately-located fixed position in which each such head protrudes into the narrow slot-like receptacle of said disc-receivers and into the plane of rotation of a disc therewithin engaged and rotated by said hub means; and translational drive means commonly coupled to said magnetic heads to move each thereof laterally across the surface of the disc which is proximate thereto.

Claim 3

The device of claim 1, including means for selectively bringing the discs within said receiver means into and out of driving engagement with the drive hub means closest thereto.

Claim 4

The device of claim 1, including means for selectively moving each of said disc-receiver means relative to the said drive hub means closest thereto, to thereby move a disc within such receiver toward or away from such hub means.

Claim 5

The device of claim 1, wherein said carrier means mounts each of said magnetic heads for separate movement, one toward and away from the plane of a disc received in one of said receivers and the other toward and away from the plane of a disc in another of said receivers.

Claim 6

The device of claim 4, wherein said carrier means includes a separate carrier element for separately carrying each one of said heads, each such element being separately articulated from the others for separately moving the head carried thereby.

Claim 7

The device of claim 1, including a pair of said heads for each disc in each of said disc-receiver means, each head in each pair thereof disposed on opposite sides of its respective disc.

Claim 8

The device of claim 6, including a carrier means mounting at least one of said magnetic heads in each such pair thereof for movement toward and away from the plane of the disc proximate thereto.

Claim 9

The device of claim 7, including a carrier means mounting both of said magnetic heads in each of said pairs thereof for movement at an angle toward and away from the plane of the disc proximate thereto.

Claim 10

The device of claim 8, wherein said carrier means includes a separate carrier element for separately carrying each one of said heads in said pair thereof, each such element being separately articulated from the others for separately moving the head carried thereby.

Claim 11

The device of claim 1, including a supportive frame generally establishing the central area of the device; said drive hub means including a pair of drive hubs oriented toward opposite directions, said frame rotatably mounting said drive hub means at said central plane area, said frame mounting one of said disc-receiver means on each opposite side of said central plane area such that a disc retained in position in each of said receiver means is generally axially aligned with one of said oppositely-directed drive hubs to be rotated thereby, drive means comprising a single drive motor mounted on said frame, and means extending along said frame coupling said drive motor to each of said drive hubs.

Claim 12

The device of claim 10, wherein said drive hubs have a common rotary drive connection member and said means coupling said motor is connected to said common drive connection member.

Claim 13

The device of claim 11, wherein said Drive hubs have a common rotary shaft interconnecting them and said motor-coupling means comprises a flexible drive belt.

Claim 14

The device of claim 12 wherein said motor-coupling means comprises a jack shaft drive having a first belt interconnecting a jack shaft and said motor, and a second belt interconnecting said jack shaft and said common rotary shaft.

Claim 15

A data recorder/reproducer device for use with disc-type magnetic media, of the type having a limply flexible recording disc enclosed within an envelope which at least partially supports the disc and provides access thereto through openings in the envelope, said device comprising in combination: at least two mutually spaced disc-receiver means, each defining a narrow slot-like indexing means for receiving one of said enclosed discs and holding its envelope against rotation, and further defining a backing plate for bearing flush against at least a portion of one side of an envelope indexed by said means to laterally support the envelope and its enclosed disc; frame means mounting each of said receiver means in mutually-spaced relation; a pair of drive hub means, each thereof for separately engaging and rotatably driving a disc whose envelope is indexed in position by a different one of said receiver means; at least two magnetic heads, each for proximately engaging and transducing signals recorded on separate ones of said discs; translational drive means commonly coupled to said magnetic heads to move each thereof across the disc which is proximate thereto; and means for separately selectively articulating each of at least two of said heads to move the same toward or away from the plane of the indexed disc proximate thereto 2nd into an out of accurately-located fixed position in which each such head protudes into the narrow slot-like receptacle of said disc receivers and into the plane of rotation of a disc therewithin engaged and rotated by said hub means.

Claim 16

A data recorder/reproducer device for use with disc-type magnetic media, of the type having a limply flexible recording disc enclosed within an envelope which at least partially supports the disc and provides access thereto through openings in the envelope, said device comprising in combination: at least two mutually spaced disc-receiver means, each defining a narrow slot-like indexing means for receiving one of said enclosed discs and holding its envelope against rotation, and further defining a backing plate for bearing flush against at least a portion of one side of an envelope indexed by said means to laterally support the envelope and its enclosed disc; frame means mounting each of said receiver means in mutually-spaced relation; a pair of drive hub means, each thereof for separately engaging and rotatably driving a disc whose envelope is indexed in position by a different one of said receiver means; at least two magnetic heads, each for proximately engaging and transducing signals recorded on separate ones of said discs; translational drive means commonly coupled to said magnetic heads to move each thereof across the disc which is proximate thereto; and means for separately selectively articulating each of at least two of said heads to move the same toward or away from the plane of the indexed disc proximate thereto 2nd into an out of accurately-located fixed position in which each such head protudes into the narrow slot-like receptacle of said disc receivers and into the plane of rotation of a disc therewithin engaged and rotated by said hub means.