Patent ID: 6411581
Filing Date: 2002-06-25
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
An optical memory apparatus for reading data from an optical memory medium which is accommodated in a cartridge, comprising:a support plate having a first main surface including a first portion and a second portion and an opposite, second main surface and an opening formed in said first portion; a cartridge holder mounted on the first portion of said support plate; a printed circuit board mounted on and having a first main surface spaced from the first main surface of said support plate, the first main surface including a first area facing said cartridge holder and spaced therefrom by a first distance for at least a majority of the first area, and a second area facing the second portion of said support plate and spaced therefrom by a second distance, greater than the first distance, for at least a majority of the second area, a second main surface of the printed circuit board being exposed at and comprising an exterior wall surface of the apparatus, relative to which a height of the apparatus is determined; a plurality of circuit parts mounted on said first main surface of said printed circuit board and including a first set of circuit parts of a maximum of a first height, smaller than the first distance, mounted on the first area facing said cartridge holder and a second set of circuit parts mounted on the second area facing said support plate, said second set of circuit parts including at least one part of a second height, greater than the first height and no greater than the second distance; and an interface connector mounted on the second area of said printed circuit board, said interface connector being of a height no greater than the second distance; a plate mounted on the second main surface of the support plate, the plate having a pair of pins on respective, opposite sides of the plate; a motor mounted on said plate; a turntable mounted on said motor; and a load member mounted on the second main surface of the support plate, the load member having a pair of sloped guides which have corresponding slopes relative to the second main surface, said pins sliding on the corresponding slopes of the respective said sloped guides and said plate moving in a direction substantially perpendicular to the second main surface of said support plate when said load member moves between a first position and a second position in a direction substantially parallel to the second main surface of said support plate, said turntable being projected through the opening of the support plate so as to be located above the first main surface of said support plate when said load member is positioned at the first position and said turntable being withdrawn from the opening of the support plate so as to be located below the first main surface of the support plate when said load member is positioned at the second position.