Clamper holding mechanism for positioning an information recording disk

Claim 1

A clamper holding mechanism for positioning an information recording disk, comprising: a spindle having a surface for supporting the disk, an assembly including a tray for receiving the disk and a plate having a central opening mounted above and spaced apart from the tray, a magnetic clamper movably disposed in the central opening, said clamper having flange portions for limiting the movement therein, positioning means including primary lever means each having a surface opposing the magnetic clamper for engaging selectively magnetic clamper, said positioning means including a plurality of spaced projections for engaging selectively the disk at the outer perimeter thereof for engaging and transporting the disk in the tray, said positioning means being movable to a first position for positioning the opposing surfaces of the primary lever means to engage the clamper and for positioning the plurality of spaced projections to engage the edge of the disk, said positioning means being movable to a second position for positioning the opposing surfaces of the lever means and the projections to release the clamper and the disk, respectively, said assembly being movable in a first direction when the positioning means are in said first position for positioning the disk in registry with the spindle, said assembly being movable in a second direction when the positioning means are moving from said first position to said second position for releasing the magnetic clamper for magnetically clamping the disk between the clamper and the supporting surface of the spindle, said clamper being rotatable with the spindle.