Patent ID: 6204992
Filing Date: 2001-03-20
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
An apparatus for loading and unloading a data record comprising:a data record processor having an aperture in a face thereof for receiving the data record therethrough for positioning of the data record at least partially within the data record processor, and a coupler for engaging or disengaging the data record when at least partially within the data record processor, the data record processor being operable to record data to or read data from the data record, the coupler including an actuation shaft configured such that rotational movement of the shaft in a first rotational direction by a first activation amount activates the coupler to engage the data record and rotational movement of the shaft in an opposite second rotational direction by a second activation amount activates the coupler to disengage the data record;a member securely attached to the shaft for rotation of the shaft with the member, the member being operable when rotated in the first rotational direction to apply a first rotational torque to the shaft in the first rotational direction sufficient to rotatably move the shaft by the first activation amount, and when rotated in the second rotational direction to apply a second rotational torque to the shaft in the second rotational direction sufficient to rotatably move the shaft by the second activation amount, the member having first and second portions projecting away from the shaft in opposing directions;a first push button having an inward end portion thereof securely attached to the first member portion at a location away from the shaft for movement of the inward end portion of the first push button and the first member portion together, and an engagement outward end portion positioned toward the face of the data record processor, the first push button being configured to transmit a first linear inward force applied to the engagement end portion thereof to the first member portion to thereby apply the first rotational torque to the shaft in the first rotational direction and activate the coupler to engage the data record;a second push button having an inward end portion thereof securely attached to the second member portion at a location away from the shaft for movement of the inward end portion of the second push button and the second member portion together, and an engagement outward end portion positioned toward the face of the data record processor, the second push button being configured to transmit a second linear inward force applied to the engagement end portion thereof to the second member portion to thereby apply the second rotational torque to the shaft in the second rotational direction and activate the coupler to disengage the data record;an accessor having a data record engagement portion selectively operable to engage the data record and move the data record through the aperture in the face of the data record processor and to engage the data record and remove the data record from the aperture in the face of the data record processor, the accessor being further selectively operable to position and move the data record engagement portion to apply the first linear inward force to the engagement end portion of the first push button and to apply the second linear inward force to the engagement end portion of the second push button; andan actuator configured to selectively move the accessor relative to the data record processor.