Patent ID: 6118619
Filing Date: 2000-09-12
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
A recording-medium cartridge loading device comprising:a cartridge-inserting path through which a recording-medium cartridge containing a recording medium and having a cut-out portion at an inserting-direction front portion thereof can be inserted; andan erroneous-insertion preventing mechanism, wherein said erroneous-insertion preventing mechanism comprises:a fit-in portion which is arranged in said cartridge inserting path, and can move between a first position at which said fit-in portion is fitted into the cut-out portion of the recording medium cartridge inserted in a correct orientation and a second position outside of said cartridge-inserting path; anda contact portion which is arranged in said cartridge-inserting path, and can move between a first position which is a position at which said contact portion comes into contact with the front end of the recording-medium cartridge inserted and also is a position for causing said fit-in portion to be at said first position, and a second position which is a position outside of said cartridge-inserting path and a position for causing said fit-in portion to be at said second position, andwhereinwhen the recording-medium cartridge is inserted in an erroneous orientation, said fit-in portion comes into contact with the insertion-direction front end of said recording-medium cartridge when said recording-medium cartridge is inserted up to a first insertion position, so as to prevent said recording-medium cartridge from being inserted further than said first insertion position; andwhen the recording-medium cartridge is inserted in the correct orientation, said fit-in portion at said first position is fitted into the cut-out portion, and, thereby, said recording-medium cartridge is inserted up to a second insertion position further than said first insertion position, and, at this time, said contact portion is pushed by the front end of said recording medium cartridge moving from said first insertion position to said second insertion position, so as to move from said first position to said second position, and said fit-in portion moves from said first position to said second position so as to enable said recording medium cartridge to be further inserted.