Recording medium clamping apparatus

A clamp operating member which is bendable cooperates with a spindle to support a clamping member which cooperates to clamp a disc-shaped recording medium and to position the clamping member in a clamped position and an unclamped position. The arrangement has a restraining member engaging with the clamp operating member to bend the clamp operating member when the clamp operating member is in a position to position the clamping member in an unclamped position. The clamp operating member is bent by the restraining member when in the unclamped condition to reduce an operating space occupied by the clamp operating member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to a recording medium clamping apparatus, and 
more particularly to a clamping apparatus used in an apparatus for 
recording and/or reproducing on a disc-shaped recording medium such as a 
magnetic disc for clamping a recording medium on a rotating spindle. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
As an example of a conventional type of clamping apparatus is known an 
arrangement such as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. 
In FIGS. 1A and 1B, reference numeral 1 denotes a base of a magnetic disc 
recording and/or reproducing apparatus. Reference numeral 2 denotes a 
spindle for driving rotatingly a magnetic disc 10 which is a recording 
medium. Reference numeral 3 denotes an upper plate member as an insertion 
guide for guiding a jacket 10' that accommodates a magnetic disc 10 on the 
base 1. Reference numeral 4 denotes a center cone as a clamping means to 
position the center portion of the magnetic disc 10 on the spindle 2 and 
clamp the magnetic disc 10 with the spindle. Reference numeral 5 denotes a 
clamp operating plate which supports rotatably the center cone 4 near its 
top end 5a. Reference numeral 6 denotes a cam which is in contact with the 
plate 5 near its base portion 5b so as to cause the plate to swing. 
Reference numeral 7 denotes a shaft linking an operating lever (not shown) 
to the cam 6. Reference numeral 8 denotes a leaf spring supporting the 
plate 5 at its base portion and exerting a return force pushing the plate 
upwards. Reference numeral 9 denotes an attaching screw for fixing the 
leaf spring 8 to the base 1. 
FIGS. 1A and 1B show the condition when the magnetic disk 10 is not clamped 
and the condition when the magnetic disc 10 is clamped, respectively. 
In the unclamped condition shown in FIG. 1A, when the operating lever (not 
shown) rotates the cam 6 in the direction of an arrow A, the plate 5 is 
pushed downwards, so that the center cone 4 which is supported by the 
plate 5 traces an arc and moves into the center opening of the magnetic 
disc 10 and into a recess 2a on the spindle 2. Then, the magnetic disc 10 
is positioned and clamped. When the cam 6 has rotated through 
approximately 90 degrees, the clamping action is completed, thereby 
producing the condition shown in FIG. 1B. 
In conventional clamping apparatus, however, the plate 5 is supported at 
one end by a leaf spring 8 and is arranged so as to move through an arc, 
so that when the magnetic disc 10 is not clamped, that is, in the 
condition shown in FIG. 1A, the end 5a is in an extremely high position. 
This influences the overall thickness of the recording and/or reproducing 
apparatus, and prevents a slim design of such an apparatus. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a recording 
medium clamping apparatus which will allow a slim design of a recording 
and/or reproducing apparatus. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a recording 
medium clamping apparatus which clamp a recording medium with stability 
and accurately. 
In the first aspect of the present invention, a recording medium clamping 
apparatus comprises: 
a clamping member cooperating with a spindle to clamp a disc-shaped 
recording medium in its center portion; 
a bendable clamp operating member for supporting the clamping member 
rotatably; 
a supporting member for supporting swingably the clamp operating member 
between a first position at which the clamping member performs clamping 
and a second position other than the first position; and 
a restraining member engaging with the clamp operating member in the 
vicinity of the second position to bend the clamp operating member in a 
condition that the restraining member engages with the clamp operating 
member. 
Here, the clamp operating member may have a first plate for supporting the 
clamping member rotatably, a second plate engaging with the first plate to 
support the first plate swingably in a direction of the spindle from a 
third position and being swingable between the first and the second 
positions and an energizing member for energizing the first plate towards 
the third position. The restraining member may engage with the first plate 
when the second plate is in the vicinity of the second position to move 
the first plate from the third position against an energizing force 
applied by the energizing member. 
Here, the energizing member may have a spring disposed at a joint portion 
between the first and the second plates. The supporting member may have a 
leaf spring mounted on a base of the apparatus. The second plate may be 
supported swingably by the leaf spring. 
In the second aspect of the present invention, a recording medium clamping 
apparatus comprises: 
a clamping member cooperating with a spindle to clamp a disc-shaped 
recording medium in its center portion; 
a bendable clamp operating member for supporting the clamping member 
rotatably; 
a supporting member for supporting swingably the clamp operating member 
between a first position at which the clamping member performs clamping 
and a second position at a distance from the first position; 
a restraining member engaging with the clamp operating member in the 
vicinity of the second position to bend the clamp operating member in a 
condition that the restraining member engages with the clamping operating 
member; and 
a pressing member for pressing the clamp operating member toward the 
spindle in the vicinity of a portion to which the clamping member is 
attached when the clamping member clamps the recording medium. 
Here, the recording medium clamping apparatus may further comprise a 
command member for moving the clamp operating member toward the first 
position. The pressing member may be movable toward a portion which is in 
the vicinity of the portion to which the clamping member is attached in 
relation to an operation of the command member to press the clamping 
operating member. 
The clamp operating member may have a first plate for supporting the 
clamping member rotatably, a second plate engaging with the first plate 
support the first plate swingably in a direction of the spindle from a 
third position and being swingable between the first and the second 
positions and an energizing member for energizing the first plate towards 
the third position, and the restraining member engages with the first 
plate when the second plate may be in the vicinity of the second position 
to move the first plate from the third position against an energizing 
force applied by the energizing member. 
The pressing member may have a first roller member. The first plate may 
have a receiving member receiving a pressing force for pressing against 
the first plate when the first roller member rides over the receiving 
member. 
The command member may have a second roller member which moves 
simultaneously with the first roller member to move the second plate 
towards the first position, the second plate may have a protruding member 
over which the second roller member rides to move the second plate, and 
the command member may further have a member which is coupled to the first 
and the second roller members and which is movable in the direction in 
which the first and the second roller members ride over the receiving 
member and the protruding member, respectively. 
Here, the distance between the first and the second roller members may be 
smaller than a distance between a position at which the first roller 
member rides over the receiving member and a position at which the second 
roller member rides over the protruding member, so that after the second 
plate have reached the first position by a movement of the second roller 
member, the first roller member engages with the receiving member to press 
the first roller member against the first plate. 
In a third aspect of the present invention, a recording medium clamping 
apparatus comprises: 
a driving member having a rotating shaft for rotating a disc-shaped 
recording medium; 
a pushing member for pushing the recording medium against the rotating 
shaft; and 
a supporting means for supporting the pushing member, the supporting member 
having 
a first supporting member for supporting the pushing member rotatably, and 
a second supporting member swingably supported on a base of the recording 
medium clamping apparatus and for supporting the first supporting member 
swingably. 
The second supporting member may be swingable between a first position at 
which the recording member is pushed against the rotating shaft by the 
first supporting member and the pushing member and a second position other 
than the first position. 
The recording medium clamping apparatus may further comprise a restraining 
member engaging with the first supporting member in the vicinity of the 
second position to swing the first supporting member against the second 
supporting member in a condition that the restraining member may engage 
with the first supporting member. 
The above and other objects, effects, features and advantages of the 
present invention will become more apparent from the following description 
of preferred embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the 
accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
FIGS. 2A-2C and FIG. 3 show an embodiment of a recording medium clamping 
apparatus according to the present invention. 
In FIGS. 2A-2C and FIG. 3, the elements having the same reference numerals 
as in FIGS. 1A and 1B have substantially the same arrangement and the same 
effect, and so no explanation will be made of these elements to the extent 
that such omission does not hinder an understanding of the present 
invention. 
A clamp operating member corresponding to the clamp operating plate 5 in 
the prior art is divided in the present embodiment into a two-part 
structure comprising a first and a second plate denoted by reference 
numerals 11 and 12. These plates 11 and 12 have step-shaped arm portions 
11b and 12a at their respective rear and front end portions. As shown in 
FIG. 3, these arm portions 11b and 12a are arranged alternately. Both arm 
portions are coupled by a pivot restriction member, in this case an 
elastic energizing member which may be a hinge spring 13, at this joint 
portion. The first plate 11 can bend at this joint portion in a downward 
direction with respect to the second plate 12. The hinge spring 13 is 
formed into a leaf spring so that in a natural condition the arm portion 
11b of the first plate 11 and the arm portion 12a of the second plate 12 
make contact with the upper surfaces of the second and first plates 12 and 
11, respectively, and appear as a straight line when viewed from the side. 
That is, the first plate 11 is at a third position as a result of the 
restrictions of the arm portions 11b and 12a. Furthermore, the hinge 
spring 13 is fixed to the first and second plates 11 and 12 with 
respective screws. 
The center cone 4 as a clamping member or a pushing member is supported 
rotatably substantially in the center of the first plate 11. The second 
plate 12 is attached to the leaf spring 8 at its base portion 12b, and is 
subjected to a pushing return force in an upward direction. A portion of 
the upper plate 3 is bent upwards. On this bent portion, at a position 
that allows the center cone 4 to remain at a large enough distance from 
the spindle 2 to permit unrestricted insertion of a jacket 10' between the 
center cone 4 and the spindle 2, is disposed a stopping portion 3a as a 
restraining member to couple with a front end 11a of the first plate 11 
from above and to bend the first plate 11 with respect to the second plate 
2. Furthermore, the above-mentioned cam 6 is disposed so as to act on a 
suitable position (substantially in the center in the drawing) on the top 
of the second plate 12. 
Other aspects of the above arrangement are the same as the conventional 
arrangement explained with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B. 
FIG. 2A shows an unclamped condition, FIG. 2B shows a condition during 
clamping and FIG. 2C shows a condition after completion of clamping. 
In the unclamped condition of the above arrangement as shown in FIG. 2A, 
the second plate 12 is lifted upwards by the leaf spring 8 until it 
contacts the cam 6, that is, until it reaches the second position. Then, 
in this condition, the first plate 11 which was coupled by the hinge 
spring 13 at the same time is lifted upwards. The front end 11a of the 
first plate 11 is in contact with the stopping portion 3a formed on the 
upper plate 3. Because the highest position of the first plate 11 is 
restricted, the first plate 11 swings from the third position, and bending 
of the first plate 11 occurs on the second plate 12 at the position of the 
hinge spring 13. The height of the stopping portion 3a is set so that the 
first plate and the center cone 4 are substantially horizontal. In this 
situation, the first plate 11 is subjected to an upward force by the hinge 
spring 13. 
Next, in the condition shown in FIG. 2A, the cam 6 is rotated in the 
d:rection of the arrow A by the operating lever (not shown), so that the 
second plate 12 is pushed downwards. At this time, the hinge spring 13 
exerts an upward force on the first plate 11 until it reaches a straight 
condition, so that the front end 11a of the first plate 11 and the 
stopping portion 3a make contact until the first plate 11 is in a direct 
line with the second plate 12 (the condition shown in FIG. 2B). 
Moreover, when the cam 6 rotates in the direction of the arrow A, the first 
and second plates 11 and 12 remain in a direct line, that is, the first 
plate 11 is kept in the third position with respect to the second plate 
12, and they move together while drawing an arc. As a result of this, the 
center cone 4 enters into the center opening portion of the magnetic disc 
10 and into the recess 2a on the spindle 2. 
Then, when the cam 6 has rotated approximately 90 degrees, the second plate 
12 reaches the first position, completing the clamping operation and 
producing the conditions shown in FIG. 2C. 
As can be understood by comparing these conditions to those with the 
conventional apparatus shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, with an arrangement in 
which the clamp operation plate in a conventional apparatus is divided 
into a two-part structure, said parts being coupled by a hinge spring, and 
in which a simple stopping portion is disposed to restrict vertical 
movement, the present embodiment allows for a reduction in the operating 
space (particularly in the vertical direction) needed for a clamp 
operation means, thereby making a major contribution to a slim overall 
design for a recording and/or reproducing apparatus. 
Next, an explanation will be made of an embodiment of a recording medium 
clamping apparatus in which further improvements are made to the 
embodiment of a recording medium clamping apparatus described above so as 
to make a major contribution to a slim design of a recording and/or 
reproducing apparatus, and at the same time to permit stable and accurate 
clamping of a recording medium. 
FIGS. 4A-4C, 5, 6, 7A and 7B show a further embodiment of a recording 
medium clamping apparatus according to the present invention. In these 
drawings, the elements having the same reference numerals as in FIGS. 1A 
and 1B have substantially the same arrangement and the same effect, and so 
no explanation will be made of these elements to the extent that such 
omission does not hinder an understanding of the present invention. 
A supporting member for the clamping means corresponding to the center cone 
support plate 5 in the conventional arrangement is divided in the present 
embodiment into a two-part structure having first and second plates 111 
and 112. These plates 111 and 112 have step-shaped arm portions 111b and 
112a at their respective rear and front end portions. As shown in detail 
in FIG. 5, these arm portions 111b and 112a are arranged alternately. 
These plates 111 and 112 are linked at this joint portion by a hinge 
spring 112'. The first plate 111 can bend downwards with respect to the 
second plate 112 at this joint portion. The hinge spring 112' is formed 
into a leaf spring so that in a natural condition, the arm portion 111b of 
the first plate 111 and the arm portion 112a of the second plate 112 make 
contact with the upper surfaces of the second and first plates 112 and 111 
respectively, and appear as a straight line when viewed from the side. 
That is, the first plate 111 is at a third position where it is restricted 
by the arm portion 111b and the arm portion 112a w:th respect to the 
second plate 112. Furthermore, the hinge spring 112' is fixed to the first 
and second plates 111 and 112 with respective screws. 
The first plate 111 has a ramped ear portion 111c for receiving pressing 
rollers, described below, on both sides of the plate 111. The sides of the 
ear portions 111c where the rollers enter are formed into ramp portions 
111d to facilitate smooth entry of the rollers. The second plate 112 has a 
protrusion 112c in its central portion for receiving the pressing rollers 
described below. The side of the protrusion 112c where the roller enters 
on this plate is formed into a downward tapered portion 112d to facilitate 
smooth entry of the rollers. 
With reference again to FIGS. 4A-4C, the center cone 4 as a clamping member 
or a pushing member is supported rotatably on a rotating shaft 4a in 
substantially the center of the first plate 111. The second plate 112 is 
attached to a leaf spring 8 at its base portion 112b, and is subjected to 
a return pushing force in an upward direction. A portion of the upper 
plate 3 is bend upwards. On this bent portion, at a position that allows 
the center cone 4 to remain at a large enough distance from the spindle 2 
to permit unrestricted insertion of a jacket 10' between the center cone 4 
and the spindle 2, is disposed a stopping portion 3a as a restraining 
member to couple with a front end 111a of the first plate 111 from above 
and to bend the first plate 111 with respect to the second plate 112. 
Reference numerals 114 and 113 denote respectively first and second 
pressing rollers that included a pressing mechanism as a pressing member 
against a supporting member or a supporting means that includes the 
above-mentioned first and second plates 111 and 112. The second roller 113 
presses the second plate 112 in a downward direction through the 
protrusion 112c. A pair of the first rollers 114 are disposed, and press 
the first plate 111 in a downward direction through the ear portions 111c 
on both sides of the plate 111. These rollers 113 and 114 cooperate to 
move the center cone 4 to clamp the magnetic disc 10 with the spindle 2. 
Other aspects of the above arrangement are the same as those of the 
conventionai arrangement explained with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B. 
An explanation will now be made of the action of the above arrangement of 
the apparatus with reference to FIGS. 4A-4C. 
FIGS. 4A-4C show successive conditions in a clamping operation. 
First, in the unclamped condition shown in FIG. 4A, the second plate 112 is 
lifted upwards and placed in the second position by the leaf spring 8. 
Then, at the same time in this condition, the first plate 111 that is 
linked by the hinge spring 112' is also lifted upwards. The front end 111a 
of the plate 111 makes contact with the stopping portion 3a formed on the 
upper plate 3. Because the highest position of the first plate 111 is 
restricted, the first plate 111 swings from the third position and bending 
of the first plate 111 is performed on the second plate 112 at the 
position of the hinge spring 113. The height of the stopping portion 3a is 
set so that the first plate 111 and the center cone 4 are substantially 
horizontal. In this situation, the hinge spring 112' exerts an upward 
force on the first plate 111. 
In this condition, after the magnetic disc jacket 10' has been loaded, the 
pressing mechanism described below is operated, and the pressing rollers 
113 and 114 move horizontally in the direction of the arrow in the 
drawing. In FIGS. 4A-4C, the distance between the rollers 113 and 114 is 
shorter than the distance between the protrusion 112c on the second plate 
112 and the ear portion 111c on the first plate 111. Consequently, the 
first roller 113 reaches the tapered portion 112d on the roller entry side 
of the protrusion 112c on the second plate 112 before the first roller 114 
reaches the ear portion 111c on the first plate 111. The second plate 112, 
therefore, are pressed downwards acting against the force of the leaf 
spring 8 by the second roller 113. At this time, the hinge spring 112' 
exerts a force in an upward direction on the first plate 111 until that 
plate is in a straight line. As a result, the front end 111a of the first 
plate 111 and the stopping portion 3a remain in contact (the condition 
shown in FIG. 4B) until the first plate 111 is in a direct line with the 
second plate 112. 
Then, when the roller 113 moves until it mounts the protrusion 112c on the 
second plate 112 as shown by the reference numeral 113' in FIG. 4C, the 
first and second plates 111 and 112 move together remaining in a straight 
line, that is, the first plate 111 is kept in the third position with 
respect to the second plate 112, and move together drawing an arc. The 
center cone 4 enters into the center opening on the magnetic disc 10 and 
into the recess 2a on the spindle 2, and reaches the first position. 
Furthermore, while the second roller 113 is being moved from the position 
denoted by reference numeral 113' in FIG. 4C to the position shown by the 
dotted and dash line, the first rollers 114 move from the position denoted 
by reference numeral 114' in the same drawing to the position shown by the 
dash and dotted line. At this time, the first rollers 114 mount on the ear 
portions 111c of the first plate 111 through the ramp portions 111d on the 
sides of the plate where the rollers enter. The required clamping force is 
thereby exerted on the center cone 4 through the first plate 111. In this 
manner, clamping of the magnetic disc 10 is completed, producing the 
conditions shown in FIG. 4C. 
An explanation will be made of the pressing mechanism with reference to 
FIGS. 6, 7A and 7B. In these drawings, reference numeral 124 denotes a 
restraining frame fixed to the upper plate 3 with a screw 125 and having a 
restraining portion 124a to prevent the roller 113 from rising and a 
restraining portion 124b to prevent the roller 114 from rising. Reference 
numeral 115 denotes a sliding lever that engages at a long hole 115a with 
a pin 116 disposed protrudingly on the upper plate 3, allowing the sliding 
lever 115 to move up and down in the FIG. 6. An operating knob 117 is 
attached to a portion of the sliding lever 115. An arm which extends to 
the left in FIG. 6 on the sliding lever 115 is bent as shown in FIG. 7A 
and formed into a supporting frame portion 115b for the second roller 113. 
The roller shaft 118 is mounted so as to intersect across the frame 
portion 115b. The second roller 113 is mounted rotatably to the roller 
shaft 118 between the downward bent portions 115c disposed on the frame 
portion 115b, and partially protrudes from an opening 115e. Furthermore, 
the roller shaft 118 has a pair of lifting prevention rollers 119 mounted 
rotatably so as to put the second roller 113 therebetween. 
One of the rollers 119 is disposed on the outer side of the frame portion 
115b. The other is disposed between the pair of downward bent portions 
115d disposed on the frame portion 115b, and protrudes partially through 
the opening 115f. These rollers make contact with the lower surface of the 
restraining portion 124a of the restraining frame 124 fixed to the upper 
plate 3 with screws 125. This contact restrains the frame portion 115b 
from rising due to the spring force of the leaf spring 8 that acts through 
the second plate 112 and the second roller 113. 
Reference numeral 120 denotes a supporting frame for supporting the first 
rollers 114. The rear fork portion 120a of the frame 120 engages with the 
roller shaft 118 and is attached rotatably to the roller shaft 118. The 
first rollers 114 and rising prevention rollers 123 are attached rotatably 
to roller shafts 122 disposed on the front fork portion 120b of the frame 
120. The rollers 123 are separated from the rollers 114 and are in contact 
with the lower surface of the restraining portion 124b of the restraining 
frame 124 which is fixed to the upper plate 3 with screw 125, so that the 
frame 120 is restrained from rising. The frame 120 is subjected to an 
upwardly rotational force against the frame portion 115b by a coil spring 
121 wound on the roller shaft 118. 
In the present embodiment, the second roller 113 and its rising prevention 
rollers 119, and the second rollers 114 and its rising prevention rollers 
123 are separate members. This is because when clamped and when the clamp 
is released, the pressing rollers (113 and 114) and the rising prevention 
rollers (119 and 123) rotate in opposite directions to each other. 
Therefore, operation is smoother if the pressing rollers and the rising 
prevention rollers are separate members instead of being arranged as a 
single member. 
FIGS. 6, 7A and 7B show the above arrangement in the condition in which 
clamping is completed (refer to FIG. 4C). That is, when the operating knob 
117 for performing clamping is turned in the direction of the arrow, the 
sliding lever 115 slides upwards in FIG. 6. At this time, the second 
roller 113 first mounts the protrusion 112c on the second plate 112 
through the tapered portion 112d. In this situation, the force of the leaf 
spring 8 acting on the second plate 112 exerts an upward force on the 
second roller 113. On the other hand, the roller 119 contacts the lower 
surface of the restraining portion 124a of the restraining frame 124 so 
that it presses down on the second plate 112 in the opposite direction 
against the leaf spring 8 (the condition shown in FIG. 4B). Then, when the 
second roller 113 mounts completely on the protrusion 112c on the second 
plate 112, the arrangement adopts the conditions shown in the 
above-mentioned FIG. 4C. At this time, the positions of the rollers 113 
and 114 are denoted by reference numerals 113' and 114' respectively in 
FIG. 4C. When the operating knob 117 is pushed in further in this 
condition, the second roller 113 moves on top of the protrusion 112c on 
the second plate 112, and the first rollers 114 mount on the ear portion 
11c of the first plate 111 through the ramped portion 111d, prevented from 
rising by contact between the roller 123 and the lower surface of the 
restraining portion 124b of the restraining frame 124. 
When the rollers 114 reach positions corresponding substantially to both 
sides of the rotating shaft 4a of the center cone 4, the sliding lever 115 
is latched, for example, by means for latching (not shown). This secures 
the conditions shown in FIG. 4C (at this time, the positions of the 
rollers 113 and 114 are shown by the dotted and dash lines in FIG. 4C). 
As can be understood by comparing these conditions with the conventional 
arrangement shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the present embodiment reduces the 
operating space (particularly in the vertical direction) needed by the 
supporting plate and thereby make a major contribution to a slim overall 
design of a recording and/or reproducing apparatus by adopting an 
extremely simple arrangement in which the center cone supporting plate 5 
in the conventional arrangement is divided into a two-part structure 
(plates 111 and 112), both parts being linked by a hinge spring 112', and 
in which a stopping portion is disposed to restrain rising. Furthermore, 
the downward pressure of the center cone 4 is applied by the rollers close 
to the center cone so that a stable and accurate clamping force is 
obtained. 
It is also possible to perform the clamping action only by a downward 
pressure of the first plate 111 applied by the first rollers, and not by 
the two-step downward pressure of the second and first rollers 113 and 114 
as in the present embodiment. In this case, it is desirable to fix the 
frame 120 to one portion of the sliding lever 115. Of course, the first 
roller 113 and its related members will then be unnecessary. 
Furthermore, in the present embodiment the final position of the second 
rollers 114 corresponds substantially to both sides of the rotating shaft 
4a of the center cone 4. The position of the downward pressure of the 
roller 114 need not be limited like this, however, provided that the 
position is close to the center cone supporting member in order to provide 
a stable and accurate clamping force. 
Furthermore, instead of the portion of the upper plate 3 used as the 
stopping member 3a to restrain the first plate 111 in the unclamped 
condition shown in FIG. 4A, it is possible to use a portion of the 
restraining frame 124 extending above the first plate 111 as shown by the 
reference numeral 124c in FIG. 6 as the stopping member. 
Moreover, in the above embodiments, a single bendable portion is disposed 
on a clamp operating member, but a plurality of bendable portions can be 
disposed when necessary. 
Furthermore, instead of disposing a hinge spring at the link portion 
between the first plate (11 and 111) and the second plate (12 and 112), it 
is also receiveable to dispose, for example, a tension spring that pulls 
the first plate from above. 
Furthermore, instead of using separate first and second plates, it is also 
possible to use, for example, a single member as shown by reference 
numeral 5 in FIGS. 1A and 1B, such a member being formed from a flexible 
material so that when it engages with the stopping member 3a it will bend. 
The above embodiments have described the present invention in application 
to a magnetic disc recording and/or reproducing apparatus, but the present 
invention is also applicable to other apparatuses, for example a laser 
disc recording and/or reproducing apparatus. 
As described above, by adopting a simple arrangement, the present invention 
allows for a reduction in the operating space occupied by a clamp 
operating member, thereby allowing for a slim overall design of a 
recording and/or reproducing apparatus. Furthermore, the arrangement 
according to the present invention also guarantees a stable and accurate 
clamping force by the clamping means, and is extremely advantageous in a 
recording and/or reproducing apparatus.