Importance

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Abstract

A latching mechanism for an optical disc system using an optical disc mounted in a disc carrier, the disc carrier and disc housed within a protective cartridge. A spring biased rotary cam in the disc drive includes an eccentric pin at its outer end which engages a spring biased catch member on the disc carrier during insertion of the cartridge. The cam has a cam groove formed in its outer surface having alternating spiral and axial segments. During the initial insertion of the cartridge, the rotary cam rotates as it is driven axially by the disc carrier causing the eccentric pin to move the catch member laterally. This disengages the catch member from the cartridge and places a second projection on the catch member in line with a laterally projecting lip within the disc drive. When the cartridge is retracted, the rotary cam moves axially until the second projection and lip contact so further movement of the cartridge leaves the disc carrier within the disc drive. During reinsertion of the empty cartridge, the rotary cam moves axially and rotates to move the catch member laterally so it becomes offset from the lip and reengages the cartridge. Withdrawal of the cartridge and disc carrier proceeds with the rotary cam moving axially along the other axial cam groove segment.

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First Claim