Disc cartridge assembly

The present invention provides a disc cartridge assembly, by which loading/unloading of a disc is facilitated to enable both one use in a cartridge state and the other a use as a single disc entity. The present invention includes a lower case having a window for a drive access, an upper case provided onto the lower case, the upper case having an exposure window provided to a central part to expose a label face of a disc, a rotating ring rotatably provided within the upper and lower cases to receive an outer circumference of the disc, at least one shutter provided within the upper and lower cases to open/close the window by interoperating with a rotation of the rotating ring, and a rotating means for rotating the rotating ring by interoperating with an external device.

This application claims the benefit of the Korean Application No. 10-2003-0075391 filed on Oct. 28, 2003, 10-2003-0081482 filed on Nov. 18, 2003, and 10-2003-0090241 filed on Dec. 11, 2003 which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a disc cartridge, and more particularly, to a disc cartridge assembly, by which loading/unloading of a disc is facilitated to enable both one use in a cartridge state and the other a use as a single disc entity.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Generally, an optical disc, on which information is recorded using a laser beam, is a storage medium of large capacity to read voice or video information converted to digital codes in a manner of applying a weak laser beam to a surface of the disc to recognize strength or weakness of a reflective laser beam.

There are CD (compact disc), DVD, LD, and the like as optical disc media. Recently, the Blue-ray disc (BD) group and the AOD (advanced optical disc) group are competing with each other for the next generation optical disc storage media standards.

The Blue-ray disc, which has been developed to aim at HDVDR (high-definition video disc recorder), is the next generation optical disc storage medium using a blue semiconductor laser beam enabling to record data more than the previous red laser beam does. Hence, the Blue-ray disc makes it possible to record over 2 hours of HDTV, or more than 13 hours of SDTV on a 27 GB disc.

Attention is highly paid to the Blue-ray disc as a new storage medium compensating disadvantages of the previous DVD.

Meanwhile, a disc type record medium is inserted in a separate case to protect a recording surface safely against dust, scratch, and the like while being normally kept or transported.

Currently, the record density is being raised and a thickness of a protective layer gets thinner. Hence, a cartridge having a disc inserted therein is used as it is, whereby the recording surface can be continuously protected in the course of storing data in the disc type record medium or moving to load a disc in a player.

In general, a storage/playback device of a disc type record medium employs a method enabling to use both a single entity of disc or a cartridge having a disc assembled thereto.

For instance, a portable storage/playback device prefers a single disc entity loading to a disc-loaded cartridge loading because of spatial limitation.

Eventually, in case of intending to use a disc loaded in a cartridge for a portable disc record medium storage/playback device enabling a single disc entity loading only, the disc needs to be separated from the cartridge.

Yet, it is able to use a previous Blue-ray disc cartridge, as shown inFIG. 1andFIG. 2, only if a disc D is loaded within the cartridge.

Namely, while the disc D is received within the cartridge, a lower case1and upper case3are assembled to each other by screws S. In case of unloading the disc D from the cartridge, the screws S should be unscrewed.

Besides, if the screws S are unscrewed, it is highly probable that various parts, as shown inFIG. 3, could be disassembled.

Installed within the cartridge are a shutter6opening/closing a window W for a drive access, a rotating wheel7for opening/closing the shutter, a shutter latch (not shown in the drawing) keeping the shutter6closed, and the like, which are not fixed to the cartridge. Hence, in case of unscrewing the screws S, the parts could be disassembled from each other.

Hence, it becomes a major concern that a disc cartridge is developed to facilitate loading/unloading of the disc D in/from the cartridge to enable both a usage of a cartridge state and a usage of a single disc entity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a disc cartridge assembly that substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

An object of the present invention is to provide a disc cartridge assembly, by which loading/unloading of a disc is facilitated to enable both one use in a cartridge state and the other a use as a single disc entity.

To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a disc cartridge assembly according to the present invention includes a lower case having a window for a drive access, an upper case provided onto the lower case, the upper case having an exposure window provided to a central part to expose a label face of a disc, a rotating ring rotatably provided within the upper and lower cases to receive an outer circumference of the disc, at least one shutter provided within the upper and lower cases to open/close the window by interoperating with a rotation of the rotating ring, and a rotating means for rotating the rotating ring by interoperating with an external device.

In another aspect of the present invention, a disc cartridge assembly includes a lower case having a window for a drive access, an upper case provided onto the lower case, the upper case having an exposure window provided to a central part to expose a label face of a disc, a rotating ring rotatably provided within the upper and lower cases to receive an outer circumference of the disc, a shutter provided within the upper and lower cases to open/close the window by interoperating with a rotation of the rotating ring, a holding protrusion provided to the shutter to selectively hold an edge of the disc according to a movement of the shutter, and a rotating means for rotating the rotating ring.

In another aspect of the present invention, a disc cartridge assembly includes a lower case having a window for a drive access, an upper case provided onto the lower case, the upper case having an exposure window provided to a central part to expose a label face of a disc, a rotating ring rotatably provided within the upper and lower cases to receive an outer circumference of the disc, left and right shutters provided within the upper and lower cases to open/close the window by interoperating with a rotation of the rotating ring, holding protrusions provided to the left and right shutters to selectively hold an edge of the disc according to movements of the left and right shutters, respectively, and a manual opening/closing module provided to one sides of the upper and lower cases to be selectively rotated centering on a center of the disc, the manual opening/closing module interfering with an outer circumference of the rotating ring to rotate the rotating ring.

In a further aspect of the present invention, a disc cartridge assembly includes a lower case having a window for a drive access, an upper case provided onto the lower case, the upper case having an exposure window provided to a central part to expose a label face of a disc, a rotating ring rotatably provided within the upper and lower cases to receive an outer circumference of the disc, left and right shutters provided within the upper and lower cases to open/close the window by interoperating with a rotation of the rotating ring, holding protrusions provided to the left and right shutters to selectively hold an edge of the disc according to movements of the left and right shutters, respectively, a locking lever rotatably provided to the lower case, the locking lever rotated to selectively lock the rotation of the rotating ring, and a movable case provided movable to slide along one side of the upper case, the movable case interoperating with the locking lever to selectively release a locking state of the rotating ring, the movable case rotating the rotating ring by interoperating with the rotating ring.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A disc cartridge assembly according to the present invention is explained in detail with reference toFIGS. 4 to 21Cas follows.

First of all, a disc cartridge assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention is explained with reference toFIGS. 4 to 12as follows.

FIG. 4is a projected perspective diagram of a disc cartridge assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention andFIG. 5is a perspective diagram of the disc cartridge assembly inFIG. 4.

Referring toFIG. 4andFIG. 5, a disc cartridge includes a case comprising an upper case20and a lower case10. The lower case10has a window W provided for accessing drive information. The upper case20is separated into a left upper case21and a right upper case22confronting each other centering around its central part, and an exposure window20aexposing a label face of a disc is provided to the central part of the upper case20.

A rotating ring30, at which an outer circumference of the disc lands, is provided to insides of the upper and lower cases20and10. First and second shutter parts41and42, which are rotated centering on rotation shafts11, respectively to open/close the window W, are provided below the rotating ring30. And, holding protrusions45are provided to the first and second shutter parts41and42to hold an edge of the disc D, respectively.

Meanwhile, the disc cartridge further includes a rotating means for rotating the rotating ring30and a locking means for locking a rotation of the rotating ring30selectively.

A first separation-preventing member25is provided between the left and right upper cases21and22to prevent a separation of the disc D. Guide protrusions (not shown in the drawing) are provided to the first separation-preventing member25or the left and right upper cases21and22and guide recesses (not shown in the drawing) are provided to the left and right upper cases21and22or the first separation-preventing member25. Preferably, the first separation-preventing member25is slid into a space between the left and right upper cases21and22to be assembled thereto. Moreover, in order to prevent the first separation-preventing member25from being separated from the space, the first separation-preventing member25and the left and right upper cases21and22are preferably fixed to each other by snap fitting.

A second separation-preventing member26is provided to an opposite side of the first separation-preventing member25. The second separation-preventing member26is placed within an area of the rotation ring30to prevent the separation of the loaded disc D. And, an upper surface of the second separation-preventing member26is gradually tilted downward toward its outside.

The disc cartridge includes a first link means for moving the first and second shutter parts41and42and a second link means for enabling the holding protrusions45to release the edge of the disc D when the first and second shutter parts41and42are moved.

The first link means includes slots43provided to the first and second shutter parts41and42, respectively and protrusions31formed on the rotating ring30to be inserted in the corresponding slots43, respectively. Hence, as the rotating ring30is rotated, the protrusions31push rims of the slots43to move the first and second shutter parts41and42, respectively.

And, the second link means includes the holding protrusions45and guide rails23formed at bottoms of the left and right upper cases21and22to correspond to the holding protrusions45, respectively. Hence, as the first and second shutter parts41and42are moved, the holding protrusions45are slid into the guide rails23to hold or release the edge of the disc D. In this case, each of the holding protrusions45has a channel type cross-section to support a top and bottom of the edge of the disc D.

Moreover, stepped portions41aand42aare provided to confronting sides of the first and second shutter parts41and42coming contact with each other, respectively. The stepped portions41aand42aare overlapped with each other to enhance rigidity of the confronting sides of the first and second shutter parts41and42.

Meanwhile, the rotating means includes a gear part32provided to one side of an outer circumference of the rotating ring30and first and second hanging recesses34and33provided to the outer circumference of the rotating ring30next to both sides of the gear part32.

And, the locking means includes a locking protrusion53, an elastic piece52, and a locking lever50. The locking protrusion53is locked into the second hanging recess33of the rotating ring30and the elastic piece52is provided to exert a force of restitution in a direction toward which the locking protrusion53is locked into the second hanging recess33.

Moreover, the locking lever50has a handling protrusion51so that the locking protrusion53can escape from the second hanging recess33. Namely, if the handling protrusion51is pressed, the locking protrusion53is separated from the second hanging recess33. In doing so, the locking lever50is turned centering on a rotational shaft12provided to the lower case10.

Meanwhile, the rotating ring30and the handling protrusion51, as shown inFIG. 5, are exposed outside via control slots10aformed between the right upper case22and lower case10of the disc cartridge.

A process of unloading the disc D from the disc cartridge is explained as follows.

First of all, once the handling protrusion51of the locking lever50is pressed, the locking lever50is turned to separate the locking protrusion53from the second hanging recess33so that the rotating ring30becomes rotatable.

Simultaneously, once the rotating ring30is rotated, the interoperating protrusions31push the interoperating slots43provided to the first and second shutter parts41and42, respectively so that the first and second shutter parts41are turned centering on the rotation shafts11, respectively. In doing so, the window W provided to the lower case10is opened via a gap between the separated shutter parts41and42.

Moreover, the moment the window W is open due to the first and second shutter parts41and42separated from each other, the holding protrusions45are slid in a direction getting farther from a center of the disc D along the guide rails23, respectively to release the holding state of the disc D.

Subsequently, the first separation-preventing member25, as shown inFIG. 5, is pushed away to escape from the domain of the rotating ring30. The disc D is then unloaded upward via the exposure window20a. And, a process of loading the disc D in the disc cartridge can be performed in a reverse manner of the unloading process of the disc D.

Meanwhile, in order to facilitate the process of unloading the disc D from the above-configured disc cartridge, a disc separating apparatus can be used.

A disc separating apparatus according to the present invention is explained in detail with reference to the attached drawings as follows.

FIG. 6is a perspective diagram of a disc separating apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention,FIG. 7is a cross-sectional diagram of the disc separating apparatus inFIG. 6,FIGS. 8A to 8Dare diagrams of an interoperating structure between the disc separating apparatus inFIG. 6and the disc cartridge inFIG. 4, andFIG. 9is a perspective diagram of a disc separated by the disc separating apparatus.

Referring toFIG. 6andFIG. 7, an entrance110is provided to a front side of a disc separating apparatus100having a shape of an about rectangular case. A link device interoperating with the rotating means of the disc to rotate the rotating ring is provided within one side of the separating apparatus100. And, an opening130, via which the disc D released from the disc cartridge is unloaded, is provided to a topside of the separating apparatus100.

The link device includes a locking release protrusion121, first and second opening gears122and123, and first and second hanging protrusions124and125.

The locking release protrusion121releases a rotational locking of the rotating ring30when the disc cartridge is inserted. The first and second opening gears122and123are provided to both sides of the locking release protrusion121to rotate the rotating ring30while the rotational locking of the rotating ring20is released. The first hanging protrusion124is built in one body of the first opening gear122to provide an initial rotational force to the rotating ring30. The second hanging protrusion125is built in one body of the second opening gear123to prevent a free rotation of the rotating ring30while the disc cartridge is loaded.

The locking release protrusion121is coupled to an elastic member142to be provided to an insertion hole141provided to a portion of an inside of the disc separating apparatus100. Thus, the locking release protrusion121enables to move elastically. Moreover, each of the first and second hanging protrusions124and125is provided with a force of restitution in a direction of interfering with the rotating ring30. Alternatively, the first and second hanging protrusions124and125can be separated from the first and second opening gears122and123to be provided with the configuration of the locking release protrusion121, respectively.

A process of unloading the disc loaded in the disc cartridge using the disc separating apparatus100is explained with reference toFIGS. 8A to 9as follows.

Referring toFIG. 8A, once the disc cartridge is inserted via the entrance110of the disc separating apparatus100, the rotating means exposed via the control slot10aof the disc cartridge interferes with the link device provided within the disc separating apparatus100.

Specifically, on the early stage of the insertion of the disc cartridge, the handling protrusion51of the locking lever50provided to the disc cartridge interferes with the locking release protrusion121of the link device to turn the locking lever50. In doing so, the locking protrusion53of the locking lever50is separated from the second hanging recess33of the rotating ring30.

Hence, the rotating ring30is in a rotatable state. And, the first hanging protrusion124of the link device is inserted in the first hanging recess34of the rotating ring30to rotate the rotating ring30slightly until the gear part32of the rotating ring30engages with the first opening gear122of the link device. The rotating ring30is then rotated by the rotational force so that the gear part32of the rotating ring30engages with the first opening gear122of the link device to keep rotating the rotating ring30.

If the disc cartridge keeps being inserted while the above-state is maintained, the locking release protrusion121of the link device is inserted in the insertion groove141by the interference of the gear part32of the rotating ring30and the gear part32engaging with the first and second opening gears122and123to keep being rotated.

Hence, once the disc cartridge is completely inserted in the disc separating apparatus100, the second hanging protrusion125of the link device, as shown inFIG. 8D, is inserted in the second hanging recess33of the rotating ring30to hold the rotation of the rotating ring30.

Meanwhile, as the rotating ring30is rotated in the course of inserting the disc cartridge, the first and shutter parts41and42of the disc cartridge are turned to open the window W.

Namely, as the rotating ring30is rotated, the link protrusions31push to move the slots43provided to the first and second shutter parts41and42to rotate centering on the rotation shafts11, respectively. In doing so, the window W is opened via the gap occurring between the shutter parts.

As the first and second shutter parts41and42are separated from each other to open the window W, the holding protrusions45provided to the first and second shutter parts41and42are slid along the guide rails23in directions getting farther from the center of the disc D to release the locking state of the disc D, respectively.

In the course of inserting the disc cartridge in the disc separating apparatus100, the first separation-preventing member25is caught on the interference protrusions140provided over the entrance110of the disc separating apparatus100and is then slid outside to escape from the domain of the rotating ring30.

After completion of inserting the disc cartridge in the disc separating apparatus100, the disc D is unloaded upward via the exposure window20aof the disc cartridge and the opening130of the disc separating apparatus100.

Meanwhile,FIG. 10shows a perspective view of the disc separating apparatus installed in a product body. When the disc separating apparatus, as shown in the drawing, is installed at the product body P, the opening130provided to the topside of the disc separating apparatus100is exposed outside.

In order to prevent particles such as dust and the like from entering the disc separating apparatus100via the opening130, a cover C is preferably provided to the topside of the disc separating apparatus100to open/close the opening130.

FIG. 11is a perspective diagram of a disc separating apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention andFIG. 12is a perspective diagram of a disc separated by the disc separating apparatus.

Referring toFIG. 11andFIG. 12, an upper side of an entrance210of a disc separating apparatus200is open.

A separation-preventing member25-1of the disc cartridge is hinge-jointed to the disc cartridge. The separation-preventing member25-1is turned upward/downward to release/hold the disc.

Hence, the disc separating apparatus200according to the second embodiment of the present invention facilitates to unload the disc D from the disc cartridge since the upper side of the opening211is open.

A disc cartridge assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention is explained with reference toFIGS. 13A to 18as follows, in which the explanation of the same or like parts of the first embodiment of the present invention is skipped.

FIG. 13Ais a projected perspective diagram of a disc cartridge assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention andFIG. 13Bis a perspective diagram of a disc cartridge assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14is a perspective diagram of an elastic button andFIGS. 15A,15A-1,15A andFIG. 15B-1are perspective and cross-sectional diagrams of an elastic button and movement-preventing protrusion assembled to each other, respectively.

Referring toFIGS. 13A to 14, a disc cartridge according to the present embodiment further includes a manual opening/closing module rotatably provided to slide in one sides of the cases10and20. The manual opening/closing module is turned while assembled to the outer circumference of the rotating ring30.

The manual opening/closing module includes upper and lower end moving parts61and62, a locking lever70, and a movement-preventing protrusion221, and an elastic button81.

The upper and lower end moving parts61and62are rotatably provided to slide in one-side corners of the upper and lower cases10and20, respectively. The locking lever70is rotatably provided within the upper and lower end moving parts61and62to be coupled to the outer circumference of the rotating ring30. Hence, the locking lever70selectively locks the rotation of the rotating ring30.

The movement-preventing protrusion is projected from the upper case20toward insides of the upper and lower end moving parts61and62. And, the elastic button81including a head part81aexposed via an exposure hole61aformed at the upper end moving part61is provided to the upper end moving part61.

Slide portions611and621of the upper and lower end moving parts61and62come into contact with slide grooves101and201of the upper and lower cases10and20to be rotatably slid therein.

Meanwhile, the locking lever70, which is coupled to a rotational shaft62aprovided to the lower end moving part62, is turned overall centering on the rotational shaft62a. A locking protrusion71provided to one end of the locking lever70is selectively locked/unlocked in/from to a locking recess231formed at the outer circumference of the rotating ring30. For this, the locking protrusion71is elastically supported by an elastic piece72to have a force of restitution toward the locking recess231. Moreover, a handling protrusion73is provided in one body to the locking lever70. The handling protrusion73is pressed by an external force to separate the locking protrusion71from the locking recess231. Alternatively, the elastic piece72can be replaced by a spring.

Referring toFIGS. 15A,15A-1,15B andFIG. 15B-1, an elastic rib82riveted to the upper end moving part61is connected to a lower end of the elastic button81to provide the force of restitution.

With the above configuration, the elastic button81is held at an initial position by a movement-preventing protrusion221prior to being pressed. Namely, the movement-preventing protrusion221is held by a movement-preventing sill811aprovided to a movement-preventing recess811. Thereafter, after the elastic button81has been pressed once, the movement-preventing protrusion221deviates from the movement-preventing sill811ato freely move along a movement recess812.

FIGS. 16A,16A-1,16andFIG. 16B-1are perspective and cross-sectional diagrams for explaining interference between the elastic button and the locking lever, in which the upper case and upper end moving part are removed.

Referring toFIGS. 16A,16A-1,16B and16B-1, while the elastic button81is held at the initial position by the movement-preventing protrusion221prior to being pressed, a lower end of the elastic button81is placed over a fixing recess71aprovided to one side of the locking protrusion71. Hence, the locking lever70is lies in a rotatably movable status. Yet, after the elastic button81has been pressed, the lower end of the elastic button81adheres closely to the fixing recess71ato prevent the rotation of the locking lever70.

Referring toFIG. 17, once the elastic button81is pressed, the lower end of the elastic button81is fitted in the fixing recess71aof the locking lever70. If the upper and lower end moving parts61and62are turned, the locking protrusion71, which is being locked in the locking recess31of the rotating ring30, is simultaneously rotated. Namely, the upper and lower end moving parts61and62are turned together with the rotating ring30.

Meanwhile, the first separation-preventing member25is provided to one side of the upper case20to slide in the lower case10. In case of being pushed in a direction of a center of the lower case10, the first separation-preventing member25is placed within a domain of the disc D to prevent a separation of the disc D. And, a second separation-preventing member226, of which inside tip is placed within the domain of the disc D, is provided to the other side of the upper case20to prevent the separation of the disc D. Preferably, the first separation-preventing member25is fixed to the upper case10by reciprocal snap fitting.

Meanwhile, slots43, as shown inFIG. 13A, are provided to the left and right shutters41and42, respectively. And, protrusions231inserted in the slots43are provided to the bottom of the rotating ring30, respectively. Once the rotating ring30is rotated, the protrusions231push rims of the slots43to move the left and right shutters41and42, respectively. Hence, the window W becomes open.

A process of separating the disc from the disc cartridge according to the present embodiment is explained with reference to the attached drawings as follows.

First of all, once the head part81a of the elastic button81exposed over the upper end moving part61is pressed, the hanging protrusion221is switched to the state (cf.FIG. 15B) of being positioned at the movement recess812of the elastic button81from the state (cf. FIGS.15A and15A-1) of being positioned at the movement-preventing recess811of the elastic button. In doing so, the elastic button81becomes clockwise rotatable together with the upper and lower end moving parts61and62.

Moreover, once the elastic button81is pressed, the lower end of the elastic button81comes into adhering closely to the fixing recess71aprovided to one side of the locking protrusion71of the locking lever70(cf.FIG. 16BandFIG. 16B-1). Hence, the locking protrusion.71is held by the locking recess231provided to the outer circumference of the rotating ring30.

If the upper and lower end moving parts61and62are turned clockwise while the elastic button81is pressed, the locking lever70is turned together with the upper and lower end moving parts61and62. In doing so, the locking protrusion71locked in the locking recess31turns the rotating ring30simultaneously.

The upper and lower end moving parts61and62, as shown inFIG. 17and FIG.18, are preferentially turned clockwise and tips of the upper and lower end moving parts61and62are then stopped by one side of a control slot S (cf.FIG. 18) provided to the upper and lower cases10and20.

Meanwhile, once the rotating ring30is rotated, the protrusions31provided to the rotating ring30push to move the rims of the slots43provided to the left and right shutters41and42, respectively. Hence, the left and right shutters41and42are turned centering on the rotations shafts11aand11b, respectively. In doing so, the window W provided to the lower case10becomes open via the gap occurring between the shutters41and42.

Moreover, the moment the left and right shutters41and42are separated from each other to open the window W, the holding protrusions45provided to the left and right shutters41and42are moved in a direction getting farther from the center of the disc D to release the locking state of the disc D.

Subsequently, once the first separation-preventing member25provided to the upper case20is externally pushed away, the exposure window20abecomes fully open. Hence, the disc D can be unloaded upward via the exposure window20a. Thus, it is facilitated to unload the disc D from the disc cartridge. And, a process of loading the disc D in the disc cartridge can be performed in a reverse manner of the unloading process of the disc D.

Meanwhile, a process of opening/closing the window of the disc cartridge for record/playback of the disc is explained as follows.

Referring toFIG. 13AandFIG. 13B, a gear part232and one operational recess233are further provided to the outer circumference of the rotating ring30together with the locking recess231. The gear part232is exposed outside the disc cartridge and interoperates with an opening member (not shown in the drawing) installed within the disc drive. With such a configuration, after the window W provided to the disc cartridge has been fully open, the record/playback of the disc D is carried out.

Specifically, once the disc cartridge is loaded in the disc drive, the opening member presses the handling protrusion73of the locking lever73provided to the disc cartridge. In doing so, the locking protrusion71escapes from the locking recess231of the rotating ring30.

Subsequently, if the disc cartridge keeps being inserted, the opening member interoperates with both of the operational recess233and the gear part232provided to the outer circumference of the rotating ring30to rotate the rotating ring30.

As the rotating ring30is rotated, the protrusions31push the rims of the slots43provided to the left and right shutters41and42to move the left and right shutters41and42, respectively, whereby the window W becomes open. Hence, the disc drive is placed in a state enabling the record/playback of disc information.

A disc cartridge assembly according to a further embodiment of the present invention is explained with reference toFIGS. 19A to 21Cas follows, in which the explanation of the same or like parts of the foregoing embodiment of the present invention is skipped.

FIG. 19Ais a projected perspective diagram of a disc cartridge according to a further embodiment of the present invention andFIG. 19Bis a perspective diagram of a disc cartridge according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 20A to 20Care layouts of a process of separating a disc from the disc cartridge.

And,FIGS. 21A and 21Care layouts of a process of opening a window for record/playback of a disc.

Referring toFIG. 19AandFIG. 19B, a disc cartridge according to a further embodiment of the present invention further includes a movable case360.

The moveable case360is provided movable to slide on one side of an upper case320. Namely, in case of being moved in a direction getting farther from a center of the disc D, the movable case360interoperates with a locking lever350and rotating ring330to release a locking state of the locking lever350and simultaneously to rotate the rotating ring330. In doing so, left and right shutters341and342interoperating with the rotating ring300become open.

For this, provided are a first link means for locking a rotation of the rotating ring330selectively by turning the locking lever350according to a movement of the movable case360and a second link means for opening/closing the left and right shutters341and342interoperating with the rotating ring330by rotating the rotating ring330according to the movement of the movable case360.

The locking lever350, which is turned centering on a rotational shaft312provided to one side of a lower case310, includes a locking protrusion351, an elastic piece352, a handling protrusion353, and a rotating protrusion354.

The locking protrusion351is selectively fitted in a hanging recess333provided to an outer circumference of the rotating ring330. And, the elastic piece352is provided to give a force of restitution toward the hanging recess333to the locking protrusion351. In case of being pressed by an external force, the handling protrusion353makes the locking protrusion351escape from the hanging recess333. And, the rotating protrusion354is moved along a first rotation guide361provided to the movable case360.

Meanwhile, the first link means includes the rotating protrusion354provided to the locking lever350and the first rotation guide361provided the movable case360to receive the rotating protrusion354therein. Hence, as the movable case360is slid to move, a rim of the first rotation guide361pushes the rotating protrusion354to turn the locking lever350.

The first rotation guide361includes a landing recess361aand an extension slot361b. The rotating protrusion354is inserted in the landing recess361while the movable case360is closed, whereby the locking lever350maintains a state of locking the rotating ring330. On the other hand, the extension slot361bcommunicates with the landing recess361a. As the movable case360is moved, a rim of the extension slot361bpushes the rotating protrusion354to turn the locking lever350. In doing so, the rotating ring330is released from the locking state.

Meanwhile, the second link means, as shown inFIG. 20A, includes an opening/closing protrusion330aand a second rotation guide362. The opening/closing protrusion330ais provided to the rotating ring330and the second rotation guide362is provided to the movable case360to hold the opening/closing protrusion330atherein. Hence, as the movable case360is moved, a rim of the second rotation guide362pushes the opening/closing protrusion330ato rotate the rotating ring330.

The second rotation guide362includes a rectangular opening protrusion362aand a rectangular closing protrusion362bleaving a prescribed distance from the opening protrusion362a. When the movable case360is moved in a direction getting farther from the center of the disc D, a rim of the opening protrusion362apushes the opening/closing protrusion330ato rotate the rotating ring330clockwise. In doing so, the left and right shutters341and342interoperating with the rotating ring330become open.

On the other hand, when the movable case360is moved in a direction getting closer to the center of the disc D, a rim of the closing protrusion362bpushes the opening/closing protrusion330ato rotate the rotating ring330counterclockwise. In doing so, the left and right shutters341and342interoperating with the rotating ring330become closed.

Meanwhile, holding protrusions345are provided to the left and right shutters341and342to prevent a fluctuation of the disc D, respectively. And, the disc cartridge further includes third and fourth link means. The third link means moves the left and right shutters341and342to open/close the window W according to the rotation of the rotating ring330.

And, the fourth link means moves to interoperate with the holding shutters as the left and right shutters341and342are opened or closed. In this case, each of the holding protrusions345has a channel type cross-section to support a top and bottom of the edge of the disc D.

The third link means includes slots343provided to the left and right shutters341and342, respectively and protrusions331provided to the rotating ring330to be inserted in the corresponding slots343, respectively. Hence, as the rotating ring330is rotated, the protrusions331push rims of the slots343to move the left and right shutters341and342, respectively, whereby the window W provided to the lower case310can be open or closed.

And, the fourth link means includes the holding protrusions345and guide rails323formed at a bottom of the upper cases320to guide motions of the holding protrusions345, respectively. Hence, as the left and right shutters341and342are open/closed, the holding protrusions345are slid along the guide rails323to hold or release the edge of the disc D, respectively.

Moreover, stepped portions341aand342aare provided to confronting sides of the left and right shutters341and342coming contact with each other, respectively. The stepped portions341aand342aare overlapped with each other to enhance rigidity of a coupling between the confronting sides of the left and right shutters341and342.

Meanwhile, further provided to the outer circumference of the rotating ring330is a rotational interoperation means for opening the window W via the rotation of the rotating ring330and the movements of the left and right shutters341and342by the interoperation with the drive for record/playback of the disc D.

The rotational interoperation means includes the hanging recess333, the gear part332, and a moving recess334. The hanging recess333is provided to the outer circumference of the rotating ring330, and the locking protrusion351of the locking lever350, which selectively locks the rotation of the rotating ring330, is inserted in the hanging recess333. The gear part332is provided to one side of the hanging recess333and the moving recess334is provided to the other side of the gear part332.

Meanwhile, a separation-preventing member370is provided to an opposite side to the movable case360. An inside end of the separation-preventing member370lies within a domain of the disc D to prevent a separation of the disc D. Coupling protrusion370aare provided to a topside of the separation-preventing member370and coupling recesses320bare provided to a bottom of the upper case to correspond to the coupling protrusions320b. Preferably, the coupling protrusions370aare fixed to the coupling recesses320bby snap fitting, respectively.

Meanwhile, Guide protrusions are provided to either the movable case360or the upper case320and guide grooves320care provided to either the upper case320or the movable case360. The guide protrusions are fitted in the guide grooves320cso that a sliding movement of the movable case360can be guided.

In case that the movable case360is moved to an outside end of the upper case320, the first and second rotation guides362fitted in the guide grooves320prevent the movable case360from being detached from the upper case320.

And, a locking means for fixing the movable case360having been slid into a central part of the upper case320thereto is provided. The locking means includes fitting protrusions320d provided to either the movable case360or the upper case320and fitting recesses360aprovided to either the upper case320or the movable case360. The fitting protrusions320dare fitted into the fitting recesses360aby snap fitting, respectively.

Moreover, slip-preventing protrusions360bare provided to a topside of the movable case360to facilitate to slide the movable case360. An inside end of the movable case360lies within a disc domain of the rotating ring330to prevent the separation of the disc D.

A process of separating a disc from the disc cartridge is explained with reference toFIGS. 20A to 20Cas follows.

First of all, the separating process is divided into a first open state and a second open state.

In the first open state, the locking of the locking lever350is released in the course of sliding to move the movable case360from the upper case320in a direction getting farther from the center of the disc D. Subsequently, in the second open state, the rotating ring330is rotated to move the left and right shutters341and342in the course of keeping moving the movable case360so that the holding state of the disc D is released.

The first and second open states are explained in detail as follows.

Referring toFIG. 20A, in a state that the movable case360is closed to the upper case320, the rotating protrusion354of the locking lever350is inserted in the landing recess361aof the first rotation guide361and the locking protrusion351of the locking lever350is inserted in the hanging recess333of the rotating ring330to restrict the rotation of the rotating ring330.

Referring toFIG. 20B, once the movable case360is slid to move in the direction getting farther from the center of the disc D, the rotating protrusion354of the locking lever350is moved along an inside of the slot361bof the first rotation guide361to turn the locking lever350.

In doing so, the locking protrusion351is separated from the hanging recess333of the rotating ring330to release the locking of the rotating ring330. Thus, the first open state is achieved.

Subsequently, if the movable case360keeps being slid to move, the opening/closing protrusion330aprovided to the rotating ring330is pushed to move by the rim of the opening protrusion362aof the second rotation guide362.

Referring to20C, as the opening/closing protrusion330ais moved, the rotating ring330is rotated clockwise and the left and right shutters341and342interoperating with the rotating ring330are moved. In doing so, the holding protrusions345provided to the left and right shutters341and342release the holding state of the disc D. Thus, the second open state is achieved. Hence, the disc D can be unloaded from the disc cartridge via the exposure window320aof the upper case320. Meanwhile, a process of loading the disc D in the disc cartridge is performed in a reverse manner of the above-explained separating process.

A process of opening/closing the window of the disc cartridge having the disc loaded therein according to the present invention is explained with reference toFIGS. 21Ato21C as follows.

As shown in the drawings, the hanging recess333, gear part332, and moving recess334are provided to the outer circumference of the rotating ring330and an opening member (not shown in the drawing) is provided within a disc drive. In this case, the rotating ring of the disc cartridge interoperates with the opening member (not shown n the drawing). Hence, information of the disc D is reproduced after the window W of the disc cartridge has been fully open.

Specifically, once the disc cartridge, as shown inFIG. 21A, is inserted in the disc drive, the opening member of the disc drive, as shown inFIG. 21B, presses the handling protrusion353of the locking lever350. In doing so, the locking protrusion351is separated from the hanging recess333provided to the rotating ring330.

Subsequently, if the disc cartridge keeps being inserted, the opening member interoperates with the moving recess334and gear part332provided to the outer circumference of the rotating ring330to rotate the rotating ring330. In doing so, the moving recess334is coupled to a moving recess drive unit (not shown in the drawing) of the disc drive to generate an initial torque of the rotating ring330.

Referring toFIG. 21C, once the rotating ring330is rotated, the protrusions331provided to the rotating ring330interoperate with the slots343provided to the left and right shutters341and342, respectively. In doing so, the left and right shutters341and342are moved to open the window W provided to the lower case310via the space occurring between the shutters. The recorded information of the disc D can be reproduced by the disc drive via the window W.

Accordingly, the disc cartridge assembly according to the present invention provides the following advantages or effects.

First of all, the disc cartridge of the present invention is applicable to the portable record player enabling to receive a single disc entity only as well as the portable record player enabling to receive a disc-loaded cartridge, thereby preventing the damage of the disc.

Secondly, the disc separating apparatus according to the present invention facilitates to load/unload a disc in/from the disc cartridge. And, the disc cartridge safely kept within the disc separating apparatus can be prevented from being lost.