Patent ID: 6097693
Filing Date: 2000-08-01
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
A clamping mechanism for a disk playback device comprising:a chassis;a clamper;a clamper arm;said clamper arm including a locking mechanism;said locking mechanism is moveable between a locked state and an unlocked state;said locking mechanism engages said clamper when said locking mechanism is in said locked state;said locking mechanism disengages said clamper when said locking mechanism is in said unlocked state;said clamper arm is moveably mounted on said chassis;said clamper arm being moveable between at least a first position and a second position;an optical mechanism moveably mounted in said chassis;said clamper arm is in axial alignment with said optical mechanism when said clamper arm is in said first position;said locking mechanism is capable of moving from said locked state to said unlocked state when said clamper arm is in said first position and said locking mechanism is in said locked state; andforcing means for selectively applying a force on said clamper when said clamper arm is in said first position effective to move said locking mechanism to said unlocked state and free said clamper from said clamper arm.