Flexible disk drive

Claim 1

A drive apparatus for a flexible magnetic disc enveloped in a flat envelope having a central opening through which a central portion of the disc is accessible for driving engagement during operation, the apparatus comprising: a frame having an entrance opening adapted for receiving an enveloped disc inserted therethrough; a pivoted cover having a front and a rear side, and arranged on the frame for movement between an open position and a closed position at which the opening is covered, the cover having a projection extending from the rear side; means, associated with the frame, for driving the disc, the driving means including a turntable rotatable about an axis of rotation and a rotatable clamping member coaxially spaced from the turntable; a guide spindle mounted in the frame and extending toward the turntable, the clamping member being movably mounted on the spindle for axial movement therealong; and linking means, arranged between the cover and the clamping member, for moving the clamping member toward and away from the turntable to cause a received disc to be clamped between the clamping member and the turntable, and to be driven thereby, when the cover, after inserting the enveloped disk through the opening, is in the closed position, and to be unclamped, when the cover is moved into the open position; characterized in that the linking means includes an engaging surface provided on the projection, and a lever, the lever being pivotally mounted to the frame about a pivoting axis and having means for engaging the clamping member to move it axially along the spindle, and the lever also having a surface for contact by the engaging surface at a point spaced a leverage distance from the pivoting axis, and the cover, the projection and the lever being arranged such that the leverage distance increases from a minimum to a maximum as the cover moves from the open position to the closed position.