Patent ID: 6744704
Filing Date: 2004-06-01
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
A disk playback apparatus, comprising:a disk insertion section through which disks are inserted and ejected; a plurality of disk holders each holding one of the disks to be inserted and ejected; a drive base unit for playing back a disk from one of the plurality of disk holders; disk holder lifting means for selecting the disk holder holding the disk and for lifting or lowering all or part of the disk holders so as to form a space for accommodating said drive base unit; drive conveyance means for moving the drive base unit between the space formed as a result of the lifting or lowering of the disk holders and a space adjacent to said disk insertion section, to insert the drive base unit within the space to chuck the disk on the drive base unit from a disk holder and to move with the chucked disk to a playback position; disk loading/ejection means for pulling inward the disk that has been inserted through said disk insertion section to enable said disk to be held by said disk holder, and for receiving the disk from said disk holder and ejecting the received disk to said disk insertion section; a stage unit for supporting the disk holder lifting means and said drive base unit; and stage lifting means for lifting and lowering said stage unit in accordance with the position of the selected disk holder including a lower chassis with movable side plates, each side plate having a stepped inclined cam surface for driving the stage unit; wherein said stage unit including a cam member having an inclined cam surface, said cam member being carried by said stage unit for movement in the direction for loading and ejecting said disk, each said disk holder having a cam follower contacting with said cam surface of said cam member and urged in at least one of upward and downward directions in accordance with the movement of the cam member.