Abstract:
A disk player is provided which is capable of being automatically loaded with and playing one of a plurality of types of disks when the disk is inserted in the disk player. A driver moves the receiving module from an opened position to a closed position in response to either the detection signal from disk detector or the command signal from a switch.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a disk player of the so-called “slot-in type”. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   As well known in the art, there are compact disks (CD) disk-shaped recording media having two sizes of external diameters of 120 mm and 80 mm (as will be called the “12 cm CD” and the “8 cm CD”, respectively). 
   In the prior art, there is known a disk player of the slot-in type which can pull in even the disk of either the 12 cm CD or the 8 cm disk automatically in the player body and can position it on play means (or reproduction means) for playing (or reproducing) it when the disk is inserted into a disk insertion slot formed in the player casing. 
   OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   This disk player of the slot-in type may be adversely affected in its reproducing function by the dust which will come from the disk slot into the player body. 
   It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provided a disk player having a highly operation re liability, capable of being automatically loaded with and playing one of discs of a plurality of kinds including the 12 cm CD, 8 cm CD and Maxi-CD when the disk is inserted into its slot. 
   According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a disk player comprising: a main chassis for enclosing play means for playing a disk; a receiving module having a slot into which the disk is to be inserted; disk transfer means for transferring the disk inserted into the slot; disk detecting means for detecting the position of the disk inserted; and drive means for moving the receiving module between a closed position and an opened position spaced from the closed position. The disk player further comprises switch means controlled by the user for issuing a drive starting command to start the drive of the drive means. The disk detecting means generates a detection signal when the disk arrives at a predetermined position. The drive means moves the receiving module from the opened position to the closed position in response to either the detection signal from the disk detecting means or the command signal from the switch means. 

   
     BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a conceptional diagram of a disk player according to the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a conceptional diagram of a disk player according to the invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a partially exploded perspective view of an essential portion of the disk player according to the invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a top plan view of an openable chassis; 
       FIG. 5  is a top plan view of a periphery of a rocking plate; 
       FIG. 6  is a top plan view of a periphery of a drive roller holder; 
       FIG. 7  is a top plan view of an essential portion of a main chassis; 
       FIG. 8  is a top plan view of a cam plate; 
       FIG. 9  is a top plan view of a clamp starting plate; 
       FIG. 10  is a side elevation of an essential portion of the disk player before a disk is inserted; 
       FIG. 11  is a side elevation of the essential portion of the disk player when the disk is inserted; 
       FIG. 12  is a side elevation of the essential portion of the disk player when the disk is transferred to a playing mechanism; 
       FIG. 13  is a side elevation of the essential portion of the disk player when the disk is clamped on the playing mechanism; 
       FIG. 14  is a side elevation of an essential portion of a periphery of the rocking plate before a disk is inserted; 
       FIG. 15  is a side elevation of the essential portion of the periphery of the rocking plate when the disk is inserted; 
       FIG. 16  is a side elevation of the essential portion of the periphery of the rocking plate while the disk is being transferred; 
       FIG. 17  is a side elevation of the essential portion of the periphery of the rocking plate when the disk is clamped on the playing mechanism; 
       FIG. 18  is a top plan view of an essential portion of a periphery of the main chassis when a 12 cm CD or a maxi-CD is inserted; 
       FIG. 19  is a top plan view of the essential portion of the periphery of the main chassis when the 12 cm DC or the maxi-CD is transferred to the playing mechanism; 
       FIG. 20  is a top plan view of the essential portion of the periphery of the main chassis when the 12 cm DC or the maxi-CD is clamped on the playing mechanism; 
       FIG. 21  is a top plan view of the essential portion of the periphery of the main chassis when an 8 cm CD is inserted; 
       FIG. 22  is a top plan view of the essential portion of the periphery of the main chassis when the 8 cm DC is transferred to the playing mechanism; 
       FIG. 23  is a top plan view of the essential portion of the periphery of the main chassis when the 8 cm DC is clamped on the playing mechanism; 
       FIG. 24  is a diagram of the mechanism for a 1-motor type disk player according to the invention; and 
       FIG. 25  is a diagram of the mechanism for a 2-motor type disk player. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   A disk player is described as an embodiment according to the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
   In the disk player according to the invention, as shown in  FIG. 1 , there can be freely inserted and extracted in the directions of arrows A, any one of a plurality of kinds of disks including a 12 cm CD, 8 cm CD and a Maxi-CD. In a panel portion  3  of a player casing  2 , there is formed a generally square aperture  3   a . In the vicinity of this aperture  3   a , there is fixed a main chassis  80 . An openable chassis  10  constructing a receiving module is so hinged at its one end portion to the main chassis  80  as to open/close the aperture  3   a  freely. When the openable chassis  10  is opened (or popped up), as will be described in more detail, a slit  11  or a slot for inserting the disk  1  therethrough is exposed over the panel portion  3  so that the disk  1  can be inserted. This is a disk player of the kind called the “pop-up type” or the “slot-in type”. 
   As shown in  FIG. 2 , any single disk  1  can also be inserted/extracted in the A-directions into/from another disk player according to the invention. In the panel portion  3 , there is formed the rectangular aperture  3   a , in the vicinity of which the openable chassis  10  may be fixed from the back face of the panel portion  3  with the slit  11  being directed forward. This is a disk player of the kind called the “front-loading/slot-in type”. 
   In the mode shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the openable chassis  10  and the main chassis  80  share their structures. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 3 to 9 , the openable chassis  10  is molded of a resin into a flat plate shape of a generally square shape, as viewed downward, and is integrally composed of a flat plate portion  12 , an outer peripheral wall  13  and a rib  14 . Here, it will be assumed that: a rightward direction is taken in arrow X; a backward direction is taken in arrow Y; and an upward direction is taken in arrow Z. 
   The flat plate portion  12  is enclosed at its peripheral edge portion by the outer peripheral wall  13  and is extended in the X-Y plane in the outer peripheral wall  13 . The flat plate portion  12  has a removed portion  15  by removing the openable chassis  10  in a generally triangular shape from the front of the vicinity of the center portion thereof. In this removed portion  15  at its generally trapezoidal rocking plate accommodating portion  15   a  located in front, there is arranged a rocking plate  30 , as will be described hereinafter. In a clamper accommodating portion  15   b  in the vicinity of the center portion, on the other hand, there is arranged a clamper  38 , as will also be described hereinafter. 
   On the flat plate portion  12  in the vicinity of the righthand side of the removed portion  15 , there is fixed a bearing  16  for mounting a disk diameter detecting plate  40 , as will be described hereinafter. Concentrically of the bearing  16 , there are formed through the flat plate portion  12  a disk diameter detecting pin slot  17 , a slot  18  and a slot  20 . On the flat plate portion  12  at the back of the removed portion  15 , on the other hand, there are formed bearings  19   a  and  19   b  for mounted a pair of disk holding plates (right)  50   a  and disk holding plate (left)  50   b , as will be described hereinafter. Concentrically of the bearing  19   a , there are formed through the flat plate portion  12  two slots, i.e., a slot  21  for the back guide pin (right) and a holding plate stopper slot  22 . Likewise, concentrically of the bearing  19   b , there are formed two slots, i.e., a slot  23  for a back guide pin (left) and a holding plate stopper slot  24 . 
   The outer peripheral wall  13  defines the outer edge of the openable chassis  10  into a generally square shape. The outer peripheral wall  13  is extended but for its front portion  13   a  in two upward and downward directions from the X-Y plane in which the flat plate portion  12  is arranged. In short, the openable chassis  10  has a generally H-shaped section along the X-Z plane. Here, the front portion  13   a  of the outer peripheral wall  13  is extended only upward from the X-Y plane in which the flat plate portion  12  is arranged. In a portion of the outer peripheral wall  13  on the lefthand side of the openable chassis  10 , on the other hand, there is formed a clamper mounting portion  13 ′ which is extended only downward from the X-Y plane where the flat plate portion  12  is arranged. 
   In the front portion  13   a  of the outer peripheral wall  13 , there is removably or integrally mounted a front panel  26 . In this front panel  26 , there is formed the slit  11  which is transversely elongated to have a length of the diameter of the 12 cm CD, i.e., about 120 mm. The slit  11  is located slightly below the X-Y plane in which the flat plate portion  12  is arranged. Therefore, the disk  1  to be played is allowed to come into and out of the player through the slit  11  along the lower face of the flat plate portion  12 , as will be described hereinafter. 
   With the front portion  13   a  of the outer peripheral wall  13 , there is integrally formed a stopper  27  which is protruded into the rocking plate accommodating portion  15   a . Here, the stopper  27  is located over the X-Y plane in which the flat plate portion  12  is arranged. On the outer peripheral wall  13  of the lefthand end portion of the rocking plate accommodating portion  15   a , on the other hand, there is fixed a micro-switch  28  which has a switch lever  28   a  directed upward. 
   In the vicinities of the two side portions of the back end of the outer peripheral wall  13 , there is embedded one set of stationary pins  29  and  29 ′ which are elongated oppositely of each other. These stationary pins  29  and  29 ′ engage with bearings  89  and  89 ′ formed in the vicinity of the back end portion of the main chassis  80 , to allow this main chassis  80  to turn on the stationary pins  29  and  29 ′, as will be described hereinafter. Therefore, the openable chassis  10  can rock relative to the later-described main chassis  80 . 
   The internal rib  14  is extended upward from the X-Y plane in which the flat plate portion  12  is arranged. The internal rib  14  is formed along the peripheral edge portion of the removed portion  15  of the flat plate portion  12 . In short, the internal rib  14  defines the peripheral edge portion of the removed portion  15  together with the outer peripheral wall  13 . In the edge portion of the clamper accommodating portion  15   b , there is partially formed a clamper mounting portion  14 ′ in which the internal rib  14  is not formed. Joining the clamper mounting portion  14 ′ of the internal rib  14  and the clamper mounting portion  13 ′ of the outer peripheral wall  13 , two ribs  14   a  are formed which are extended upward from the flat plate portion  12 . In a clamp accommodating portion  36  between the two ribs  14   a , there is arranged a clamper holding member  35 , as will be described hereinafter. In the clamp accommodating portion  36 , on the other hand, clamper fixing pins  37  and  37 ′ are formed which are elongated from the individual ribs  14   a  so as to confront each other. 
   With specific reference to  FIG. 5 , the rocking plate  30  is a plate member which has a generally trapezoidal shape, as viewed downward, and which is arranged in the rocking plate accommodating portion  15   a  of the openable chassis  10 . In the vicinity of the back end portion of the rocking plate  30 , there are embedded one set of stationary pins  31  and  31 ′ which are transversely elongated oppositely of each other. These stationary pins  31  and  31 ′ turnably engage with bearings  32  and  32 ′ which are formed in the internal ribs  14  at the back end portion of the rocking plate accommodating portion  15   a . Around the stationary pin  31 , there is wound a not-shown torsion spring for biasing the rocking plate  30  in a direction to turn the front end portion of the rocking plate  30  downward on the stationary pins  31  and  31 ′. So long as no force is applied to lift the front end portion of the rocking plate  30 , therefore, this front end portion abuts downward against the stopper  27  projected into the rocking plate accommodating portion  15   a  so that the rocking plate  30  is stopped at the abutting position. At this time, the rocking plate  30  abuts at its end portion  33  against the micro-switch  28  to depress the switch lever  28   a . In this state, the micro-switch  28  is ON. This micro-switch  28  is a switch for turning ON/OFF the power supply passage to a later-described motor  83  so that it supplies the motor  83  with an electric power when turned ON. 
   In the vicinity of the micro-switch  28 , moreover, there is fixed another micro-switch  28 ′ which has a switch lever directed backward (as should be referred to  FIG. 10 ). This micro-switch  28 ′ is a switch coactive with the micro-switch  28  for turning ON/OFF the power supply passage to the motor  83 . In this state, the micro-switch  28 ′ is ON. Even when the micro-switch  28  is OFF, the power supply to the motor  83  is blocked if the micro-switch  28 ′ is OFF, as will be described in detail. 
   At the center portion of the rocking plate  30 , there is formed a rectangular aperture  30   a  which is transversely elongated to arrange a disk feeding follower roller  34  therein. This disk feeding follower roller  34  is protruded at least partially at its surface  34   a  downward from the lower face of the rocking plate  30  so that its spindles  34   b  are born in the two transverse end portions of the aperture  30   a.    
   The rocking plate  30 , the disk feeding follower roller  34 , the micro-switch  28  thus far described constitute the disk detecting means for detecting the insertion of a disk from the slit  11 . 
   Here, the disk feeding follower roller  34  has a function to abut against the upper face of the disk to push it onto a disk feeding drive roller  74 , as will be described hereinafter. Therefore, the aperture  30   a  and the disk feeding follower roller  34  may take another construction if they are a mechanism having such function. This may be exemplified by a simple construction in which a block member having a low coefficient of friction is held below the rocking plate  30 . 
   The clamper holding member  35  is extended over in the clamper accommodating portion  36 . The clamper holding member  35  is provided at its lefthand end portion with a depending portion  35   a . This depending portion  35   a  has a U-shaped notch  35   b  opened upward. Against the lower end portion of the notch  35   b , there downward abuts a stopper pin  35   c  which is protruded inward from the lefthand side wall  80   a  of the main chassis  80 , as will be described hereinafter. The clamper holding member  35  is provided at its other end portion with the clamper  38  for clamping the disk  1  on the turntable. Here, the clamper holding member  35  is caused to engage turnably with the clamper fixing pins  37  and  37 ′ by the not-shown bearings formed on the lower face. Around the clamper fixing pin  37 , moreover, there is wound the not-shown torsion spring for biasing the clamper  38  downward on the clamper fixing pins  37  and  37 ′. Since the clamper stopper pin  35   c  abuts against the lower end portion of the notch  35   b  of the depending portion  35   a  of the clamper holding member  35 , however, the clamper  38  is located and stopped over the X-Y plane in which the flat plate portion  12  is extended. 
   The disk diameter detecting plate  40  is a flat plate having a bent portion  40   a  bent rightward and hinged turnably on the bearing  16  of the flat plate portion  12  of the openable chassis  10 . The disk diameter detecting plate  40  is provided in the vicinity of the bent portion  40   a  with a projection  41   a  erected upward, and a coil spring  41  is mounted between the projection  41   a  and a projection  41   b  erected on the flat plate portion  12 . On the other hand, a projection  41   c  projected downward is disposed in the vicinity of the bent portion  40   a  and is arranged slidably in the stopper slot  20  of the flat plate portion  12  of the openable chassis  10 . Therefore, the front end portion of the disk diameter detecting plate  40  is biased on the bearing  16  toward the rocking plate  30 . So long as no force is applied for turning the disk diameter detecting plate  40  counter-clockwise, as viewed downward, on the bearing  16 , however, a disk detecting pin  43  abuts against the lefthand end portion of the slot  17  for the disk diameter detecting pin so that the disk diameter detecting pin  40  is stopped at that abutting position. 
   The disk diameter detecting plate  40  is further provided at its front end portion with the disk detecting pin  43  protruded downward. This disk detecting pin  43  has an end portion protruded through the disk diameter detecting pin slot  17  of the flat plate portion  12  to below the X-Y plane in which the flat plate portion  12  extends. The disk detecting pin  43  is provided at its back with the projection  44  protruded downward. This projection  44  is made slidable in the slot  18  of the flat plate portion  12 . 
   The disk holding plates  50   a  and  50   b  are flat plates of the same shape. Of these, the (righthand) disk holding plate  50   a  is turnably hinged on the bearing  19   a  of the flat plate portion  12  of the openable chassis  10 . Likewise, the (lefthand) disk holding plate  50   b  is turnably hinged on the bearing  19   b  of the flat plate portion  12  of the openable chassis  10 . The disk holding plates  50   a  and  50   b  are provided at their back end portions with generally semicircular portions, respectively around which there are disposed gears  51   a  and  51   b . These gears  51   a  and  51   b  mesh with each other to turn the disk holding plates  50   a  and  50   b  synchronously in the opposite directions and by the same angles on the bearings  19   a  and  19   b , respectively. 
   The disk holding plate  50   a  is provided at its front end portion with a pin  52   a  which is extended both upward and downward. Likewise, the disk holding plate  50   b  is provided at its front end portion with a pin  52   b  which is extended both upward and downward. These pins  52   a  and  52   b  are extended through the back disk guide pin slots  21  and  23 , respectively, so that the disk holding plates  50   a  and  50   b  are restricted in their turning ranges on the bearings  19   a  and  19   b , respectively. The upward elongated portion of the pin  52   a  of the disk holding plate  50   a  engages with the bent portion  40   a  of the disk diameter detecting plate  40 . 
   In the disk holding plates  50   a  and  50   b  at the backs of the pins  52   a  and  52   b , respectively, there are formed stoppers  53   a  and  53   b  which are protruded downward. These stoppers  53   a  and  53   b  are positioned in the holding plate stopper slots  22  and  24  of the flat plate portion  12 , to prevent the disk holding plates  50   a  and  50   b  from coming out of the flat plate portion  12 . 
   An insertion end detecting plate  60  extends in parallel with the flat plate portion  12  of the openable chassis  10  and along the lower side of the flat plate portion  12 . A mounting pin  61 , as disposed in the vicinity of the center portion of the insertion end detecting plate  60 , is extended from the lower face to the upper face of the flat plate portion  12  through the holding plate stopper slot  24  formed in the flat plate portion  12 , and is rotatably hinged in a mounting portion  60   a  of a die protrusion  50   b ′ of the (lefthand) disk holding plate  50   b . Here, a not-shown coil spring is wound around the mounting portion  60   a , to bias the insertion end detecting plate  60  counter-clockwise, as viewed downward, with respect to the (lefthand) disk holding plate  50   b.    
   In the two end portions of the insertion end detecting plate  60 , there are embedded a disk pin  62  and a start pin  63  which are elongated downward. Of these, the start pin  63 , as embedded in the lefthand end portion, engages with a link hole  100   a  of a clamp starting plate  100  which is attached to the later-described main chassis  80 . Around the mounting shaft  61 , there is wound a not-shown coil spring bias the insertion end detecting plate  60  clockwise, as viewed downward, on the mounting shaft  61  with respect to the (lefthand) disk holding plate  50   b.    
   With specific reference to  FIG. 6 , a drive roller holder  70  is a block made of a resin. This drive roller holder  70  is provided from its back end portion to the front with a disk relief groove  70   a  which is cut in a generally arcuate shape in the surface. On the righthand side of the disk relief groove  70   a , there is projected an upward projection  71 . On the side face in the vicinity of the back end portion of the drive roller holder  70 , there are formed pins  72  and  72 ′ which are protruded oppositely of each other in the transverse directions. These pins  72  and  72 ′ are inserted into one set of through holes  29   a  and  29   a ′ (although the latter  29   a ′ is not shown), respectively, which are formed in the vicinity of the front end portion of the outer peripheral wall  13  of the openable chassis  10 . In the vicinity of the front end portion of the drive roller holder  70 , on the other hand, there is formed a stepped portion  70   b , on which pins  73  and  73 ′ are protruded oppositely of each other in the transverse directions. These pins  73  and  73 ′ are turnably inserted into through holes  86   a  and  86   a ′ formed in stays  86  and  86 ′ of the later-described main chassis  80 . 
   In the back end portion of the drive roller holder  70 , there are rotatably hinged the two end portions of the disk feeding drive roller  74 . It is preferable that the disk feeding drive roller  74  is made at its roller surface  74   a  of an elastic material having a high coefficient of friction such as rubber. In the invention, as will be described hereinafter, the insertion of the disk  1  into the slit  11  is detected by the fact that the disk feeding follower roller  34  is moved relative to the disk feeding drive roller  74 . It is, therefore, preferred that the disk feeding drive roller  74  is located at the back of the position of the disk feeding follower roller  34  in the disk inserting direction. Moreover, a portion of the roller surface  74   a  of the disk feeding drive roller  74  is positioned over at least a portion of the roller surface  34   a  of the disk feeding follower roller  34  (as should be referred to  FIG. 14 ). On the other hand, the lefthand end portion of a stem  74   b  of the disk feeding drive roller  74  is protruded sideways through the drive roller holder  70 , and a drive gear  75  is fixed on the protrusion. In the vicinity of the drive gear  75 , a cam pin  76  is embedded in a mounting portion  76   a . This cam pin  76  is located away from the lefthand side of the drive gear  75 . 
   As has been described hereinbefore, the receiving module of the disk is constructed to include the openable chassis  10  and so on. 
   The main chassis  80  is a chassis made of a resin to have a generally U-shaped section, as viewed from the front. At the center portion of the main chassis  80 , there is arranged a turntable  81   a . In the vicinity of this turntable  81   a , there is arranged a playing mechanism  81  including an optical pickup or the like. 
   In the vicinity of the back end portion of the main chassis  80 , as specifically shown in  FIG. 7 , there is arranged an electromagnetic plunger  82 . This electromagnetic plunger  82  is provided with a plunger pin  82   a  which is protruded forward when fed with the electric power. In front of the electromagnetic plunger  82 , there is arranged the motor  83 . This motor  83  is activated to rotate by the electric power when the micro-switch  28  is OFF and when the micro-switch  28 ′ is ON. In other words, the motor  83  does not rotate when the micro-switch  28 ′ is OFF even when the micro-switch  28  is OFF. The rotational output of the motor  83  is distributed through a worm gear  83   a  and a distribution gear  83   b  to a first gear unit  84  and a second gear unit  85  (1-motor type). Here, this construction may be modified such that the first gear unit  84  and the second gear unit  85  are provided with different motors (motors  83  and  83 ′ as shown in  FIG. 25 ) acting as the individual drive sources for the rotations by using neither the worm gear  83   a  nor the distribution gear  83   b (2-motor type). 
   In the vicinity of the front end portion of the main chassis  80 , there are erected the stays  86  and  86 ′ which are elongated upward. These stays  86  and  86 ′ are provided at their protruded end portions with the elongated through holes  86   a  and  86   a ′ which are elongated in the longitudinal directions. With these through holes  86   a  and  86   a ′, there rotatably engage the pins  73  and  73 ′ of the drive roller holder  70 . On the other hand, the drive gear  75 , as fixed on the lefthand end portion of the disk feeding drive roller  74 , meshes with a gear  85   a  of the second gear unit  85 . 
   In the vicinity of the back end portion of the main chassis  80 , there are formed the bearings  89  and  89 ′, which rotatably engage with one set of stationary pins  29  and  29 ′ fixed in the vicinity of the back end portion of the openable chassis  10 . 
   A cam plate  90  has a generally L-shaped section, as viewed from the front. Specifically, the cam plate  90  has a vertical plate portion  90   a  extending vertically in the Y-Z plane, and a horizontal plate portion  90   b  extending rightly from the vicinity of the back end portion of the former in the X-Y plane. The cam plate  90  can slide back and forth along the corner of the lefthand wall  80   a  and the bottom face  80   b  of the main chassis  80 . 
   In the vicinity of the front end portion of the vertical plate portion  90   a , there is formed a clamp cam hole  91  (as should be referred to  FIG. 10 ), which is a generally Z-shaped through hole elongated horizontally backward, bent to depend and bent again to extend horizontally. In this clamp cam hole  91 , there slidably engages the cam pin  76  of the drive roller holder  70 . 
   In the horizontal plate portion  90   b , there is formed an inverted L-shaped cam hole  92 , into which there is inserted a pin  87  elongated upward from the main chassis  80 . In the vicinity of the back end portion of the horizontal plate portion  90   b , there is formed a projection  93  which mounts a coil spring  94  between itself and a projection  88  formed on the bottom face  80   b  of the back end portion of the main chassis  80 , to bias the cam plate  90  backward. So long as no force is applied to push the cam plate  90  forward, therefore, the pin  87  abuts against the front end portion of the cam hole  92  so that the cam plate  90  stops at this position. On the other hand, the cam pin  76  of the drive roller holder  70  is positioned at the front end portion of the clamp cam hole  91  (as should be referred to  FIG. 10 ). From the back end portion of the horizontal plate portion  90   b , there is projected a spring receiver  95 , in front of which there is erected upward a guide pin  96 . 
   The clamp starting plate  100  is provided in the vicinity of its front end portion with a cam hole  101  having an inverted L-shaped bent portion. The cam hole  101  slidably engages with the upward protruded pin  87  of the main chassis  80  through the cam hole  92  of the cam plate  90 . On the side face in the righthand vicinity of the cam hole  101 , there is formed a rack gear portion  102 , the teeth of which are partially removed at  102   a  in the front end portion. In the vicinity of the back end portion of the clamp starting plate  100 , there is formed the link hole  100   a  which is slidably engaged by the start pin  63  of the insertion end detecting plate  60 . Between the link hole  100   a  and the rack gear portion  102 , there is erected a plunger receiving plate  103  which is extended to the righthand side. At the back of the cam hole  101 , moreover, there is formed a guide hole  104  which is a through hole elongated longitudinally and which is engaged longitudinally slidably by the guide pin  96  of the cam plate  90 . At the back of the guide hole  104 , there is erected a spring receiver  105 , at the back of which there is formed a through hole  106 . Through this through hole  106 , there is inserted the spring receiver  95  which is erected in the vicinity of the back end portion of the cam plate  90 . Between the protruded end portion of the spring receiver  95  and the spring receiver  105 , there is mounted a coil spring  107 . Therefore, the clamp starting plate  100  is made longitudinally slidable relative to the cam plate  90  and is biased backward. So long as no forward force is applied, therefore, the clamp staring plate  100  stops the guide pin  96  in abutment against the front end portion of the guide hole  104 . At this time, the plunger receiving plate  103  is located in the vicinity of the front of the plunger pin  82   a  of the electromagnetic plunger  82 , and a gear  84   a  forming the first gear unit  84  is located at the tooth-removed portion  102   a  of the rack gear portion  102 . 
   In the slot-in disk player of the pop-up type according to the construction of the invention, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the main chassis  80  is fixed in the player casing  2 , but the openable chassis  10  can rock with respect to the player casing  2 . In short, the openable chassis  10  rocks in the disk clamping action (or in the opening/closing actions of the slit  11 ). In the disk player of the front-loading/slot-in type shown in  FIG. 2 , on the other hand, the openable chassis  10  is fixed in the player casing  2 , but the main chassis  80  rocks in the player casing  2 . In short, the main chassis  80  rocks in the player casing  2  in the disk clamping action, as will be described in more detail. 
   Here will be described the operation of the disk player thus constructed, and it will be described with reference to  FIG. 24  or  25 . 
   First of all, the loading of the 12 cm CD and the Maxi-CD will be described with reference to  FIGS. 10 to 20 . 
     FIGS. 10 and 14  show an insertion standby state before the disk is inserted into the slit  11 . In this state, the main chassis  80  and the openable chassis  10  are farthest spaced at their individual one-end portions. Here in the disk player of the pop-up type, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the openable chassis  10  rises from the player casing  2  so that the aperture  3   a  is opened to expose the slit  11  to the outside of the player casing  2 . On the other hand, the rocking plate  30  is in the downward rocked state, and the disk feeding follower roller  34  is located at the non-detecting position at which the disk is not inserted into the slit  11 . 
   As a disk  1   a  is inserted by the operator into the slit  11  of the front panel  26 , its leading end portion comes into abutment against the disk feeding follower roller  34  of the rocking plate  30 . Since this rocking plate  30  is biased at its leading end portion to turn downward by the not-shown spring, as described hereinbefore, the disk feeding follower roller  34  pushes the upper face of the disk  1   a  to move the disk  1   a  forward. As the disk  1   a  is further inserted, its leading end portion comes into abutment against the side face of the disk feeding drive roller  74  (as should be referred to  FIGS. 11 and 15 ). 
   The disk feeding drive roller  74  is made of an elastic material having a high coefficient of friction so that the inserted leading end portion of the disk  1   a  is moved forward while being raised along the roller surface  74   a . At this time, the disk feeding follower roller  34  is pushed upward by the upper face of the disk  1   a . As a result, the front end portion of the rocking plate  30  turns upward on the stationary pins  31  and  31 ′ so that the disk feeding follower roller  74  is displaced normal to the disk  1   a , i.e., in the thickness direction of the disk  1   a  from the aforementioned non-detecting position to the detecting position. Moreover, the disk feeding drive roller  74  abuts against the lower face of the disk  1   a , and the disk feeding follower roller  34  pushes the upper face of the disk  1   a  to the disk feeding drive roller  74  so that the disk  1   a  is clamped between the disk feeding follower roller  34  and the disk feeding drive roller  74 . At this time, the end portion  33  of the rocking plate  30  leaves the micro-switch  28  to turn it OFF thereby to detect the insertion of the disk  1   a . At this time, the micro-switch  28 ′ is ON whereas the micro-switch  28  is OFF, so that the motor  83  is activated to rotate. 
   Since the insertion of the disk is mechanically detected, as described above, it can be reliably detected even when the disk used is the Maxi-disk having a transparent portion at its substrate. 
   In order to enhance the detection accuracy of the insertion of the disk  1   a , it is preferable that the movement of the disk feeding follower roller  34  is large. The disk  1   a  moves the disk feeding follower roller  34  upward on the abutting point against the disk feeding drive roller  74 . It is, therefore, preferable that the disk feeding drive roller  74  and the disk feeding follower roller  34  are spaced in the proceeding direction of the disk  1   a.    
   The motor  83  rotates the first gear unit  84  and the second gear unit  85  through the worm gear  83   a  and the distribution gear  83   b . However, the gear  84   a  of the first gear unit  84  is located in the removed portion  102   a  of the rack gear portion  102  so that it rotates idly. On the other hand, the gear  85   a  of the second gear unit  85  rotates the drive gear  75  fixed on the disk feeding drive roller  74 , to rotate the disk feeding drive roller  74 . Therefore, the disk  1   a  is automatically pulled backward of the slit  11 , while being clamped together with the disk feeding follower roller  34 , by the frictional force of the roller surface  74   a  of the disk feeding drive roller  74  (as should be referred to  FIGS. 12 and 16 ). 
   Here, the length of the slit  11  is substantially equal to the diameter of the 12 cm CD so that the center axis of the disk  1   a  is directed toward the turntable  81   a  as it passes through the slit  11 . 
   As the disk  1   a  is automatically pulled in backward, the disk detecting pin  43  of the disk diameter detecting plate  40 , as located on the proceeding passage of the disk  1   a , comes into abutment against the side edge portion of the disk  1   a  so that it is moved to the righthand side. The disk diameter detecting plate  40  turns counter-clockwise, as viewed downward, on the bearing  16  so that the bent portion  40   a  of the disk diameter detecting plate  40  and the pin  52   a  of the disk holding plate  50   a  are disengaged from each other. Therefore, the disk holding plates  50   a  and  50   b  are allowed to turn freely on the bearings  19   a  and  19   b , respectively. 
   Subsequently, the side edge portion in the vicinity of the inserted leading end portion of the disk  1   a  comes into abutment against the pin  52   a  of the disk holding plate  50   a  and the pin  52   b  of the disk holding plate  50   b  to expand the pins  52   a  and  52   b  away from each other. Since the disk holding plates  50   a  and  50   b  turn in synchronism with each other, as described hereinbefore, the disk  1   a  abuts against the pins  52   a  and  52   b  so that its center is brought to a position where it is accurately clamped on the turntable  81   a.    
   When the disk  1   a  is further pulled in to the back, the side edge portion in the vicinity of the inserted leading end portion of the disk  1   a  comes into abutment of the disk pin  62  of the insertion end detecting plate  60 . This insertion end detecting plate  60  turns counter-clockwise, as viewed downward, on the mounting shaft  61  (as should be referred to  FIGS. 18 and 19 ). Then, the start pin  63  of the insertion end detecting plate  60  moves to the front end portion of the link hole  10   a  of the clamping starting plate  100  to push the clamp starting plate  100  slightly forward. Then, the gear  84   a  of the first gear unit  84  meshes with the rack gear portion  102  to move the cam plate  90  forward. 
   The guide pin  96 , as embedded in the cam plate  90 , comes into abutment against the back end portion of the guide hole  104  of the clamp starting plate  100  so that the cam plate  90  and the clamp starting plate  100  proceed together forward. 
   The cam pin  76  of the drive roller holder  70  moves backward while sliding in the clamp cam hole  91  of the horizontal plate portion  90   b . Having passed through the bent portion of the clamp cam hole  91 , the cam pin  76  is moved downward. 
   In accordance with this downward movement of the cam pin  76 , the drive roller holder  70  turns on the pins  73  and  73 ′ to move the pins  72  and  72 ′ downward. At this time, the disk feeding drive roller  74  leaves the lower face of the disk  1   a.    
   In accordance with the turning motion of the drive roller holder  70 , the openable chassis  10  in engagement with the pins  72  and  72 ′ of the drive roller holder  70  turns on the stationary pins  29  and  29 ′. Therefore, the disk clamping action starts so that the clamper  38  moves toward the turntable  81   a . The front end portion of the openable chassis  10  and the front end portion of the main chassis  80  come closer to each other to bring the openable chassis  10  and the drive roller holder  70  into abutment. Here, the protruded end portion of the projection  71  of the drive roller holder  70  comes into abutment against the rocking plate  30  to push the same upward so that the drive roller holder  70  turns on the stationary pins  31  and  31 ′. Therefore, the disk feeding follower roller  34  leaves the upper face of the disk  1   a  (as should be referred to  FIG. 17 ). On the other hand, the disk  1   a  is located in the disk relief groove  70   a  formed in the surface of the drive roller holder  70  so that the disk  1   a  does not abut against the drive roller holder  70 . 
   The clamper holding member  35  moves downward together with the openable chassis  10  to bring the notch  35   b  formed in the depending portion  35   a  and the clamper stopper pin  35   c  projected from the main chassis  80  out of engagement. Therefore, the clamper holding member  35  turns on the clamper fixing pins  37  and  37 ′ by the not-shown spring so that the disk  1   a  is clamped on the turntable  81   a  by the clamper  38 . 
   Here in the slot-in disk player of the pop-up type, as shown in  FIG. 1 , at the time of the aforementioned clamping action, the openable chassis  10  is accommodated in the aperture  3   a  of the panel portion  3  so that the slit  11  is hidden in the player casing  2  (in the pop-down state). In short, the disk is played in the pop-down state. In the disk player of the front-loading/slot-in type shown in  FIG. 2 , on the other hand, the openable chassis  10  is fixed in the player casing  2 . At the time of the clamping action, therefore, the main chassis  80  turns toward the openable chassis  10  in accordance with the turning motion of the drive roller holder  70 . 
   The cam pin  76  of the drive roller holder  70  proceeds in the horizontal portion of the clamp cam hole  91  and reaches the back end portion (as should be referred to  FIG. 13 ). The front end portion of the cam plate  90  comes into abutment against the micro-switch  28 ′ so that this micro-switch  28 ′ is turned OFF to stop the rotation of the motor  83 . The movements of the cam plate  90  and the clamp starting plate  100  are also stopped. During the movement of the cam plate  90 , the clamp starting plate  100  also moves so that the start pin  63  of the insertion end detecting plate  60  is further pushed forward by the abutment against the back end portion of the ring hole  100   a . Therefore, the disk pin  62  is turned backward away from the side edge portion of the disk  1   a . By the insertion end detecting plate  60 , on the other hand, the mounting portion  60   a  of the disk holding plate  50   b  also receives the backward force so that the pins  52   a  and  52   b  of the disk holding plates  50   a  and  50   b  are also carried away from the disk. 
   The disk  1   a  can be played by the actions thus far described. 
   When the disk  1   a  having been played is to be discharged, the operator controls a not-shown switch A disposed on the front panel  26  to start the discharge. Here, these discharging actions may be reversed from the aforementioned ones for playing the disk so that they are not described in detail. These actions are stopped when all the members are returned to the initial states where the disk  1   a  is inserted by the spring and so on. 
   Here will be described the case in which the disk player is to be loaded at its play position with a disk such as the 8 cm CD having a smaller diameter than that of the aforementioned 12 cm CD. 
   With further reference to  FIGS. 21 to 23 , the operator inserts a disk  1   b  into the slit  11  of the front panel  26  as in the aforementioned case of playing the 12 cm CD or the like. Then, the motor  83  rotates so that the disk  1   b  is automatically pulled in to the back of the slit  11 . At this time, the disk  1   b  has a diameter smaller than the length of the slit  11  so that it can move freely in the transverse directions. If the disk  1   b  is pulled in with an offset to the lefthand side from the center of the slit  11 , therefore, it cannot push the disk detecting pin  43  of the disk diameter detecting plate  40  rightward so that the bent portion  40   a  of the disk diameter detecting plate  40  and the pin  52   a  of the disk holding plate  50   a  keeps their engagement. The disk holding plates  50   a  and  50   b  do not change their relative positions, but the disk  1   b  is pulled backward while correcting its transverse positions in abutments against the pin  52   a  of the disk holding plate  50   a  and the pin  52   b  of the disk holding plate  50   b . The position where the disk  1   b  abuts against both the pins  52   a  and  52   b  is located where the center of the disk  1   b  is clamped so that it can be arranged on the turntable  81   a.    
   When the disk  1   b  is pulled in with an offset to the righthand side from the slit  11 , on the other hand, it pushes the disk detecting pin  43  of the disk diameter detecting plate  40  rightward to release the engagement between the bent portion  40   a  of the disk diameter detecting plate  40  and the pin  52   a  of the disk holding plate  50   a.    
   When the disk  1   b  is further pulled in up to the position where it abuts against the pins  52   a  and  52   b  of the disk holding plates  50   a  and  50   b , it leaves the disk detecting pin  43  of the disk diameter detecting plate  40 . Therefore, the bent portion  40   a  of the disk diameter detecting plate  40  and the pin  52   a  of the disk holding plate  50   a  restore their engagement so that the disk holding plates  50   a  and  50   b  come into a locked state. In other words, the disk  1   b  is transversely corrected to the position where it abuts against both the pin  52   a  of the disk holding plate  50   a  and the pin  52   b  of the disk holding plate  50   b , so that it is positioned on the turntable  81   a.    
   Here, the disk holding plate  50   b  has not turned backward unlike the case of the 12 cm CD so that the mounting shaft  61  of the insertion end detecting plate  60  is located in front of the position of the case for the 12 cm CD. Although the diameter of the disk  1   b  is smaller than that of the 12 cm CD, therefore, the disk pin  62  of the insertion end detecting plate  60  comes into abutment against the side edge portion of the disk  1   b.    
   When the disk  1   b  is pulled backward to turn the insertion end detecting plate  60 , the start pin  63  moves to the front end portion of the link hole  10   a  of the clamp starting plate  100  to move the clamp starting plate  100  and so on in engagement therewith. 
   The subsequent actions are similar to those of the case of the 12 cm CD so that their description will be omitted. 
   On the other hand, the case of discharging the disk  1   b  is also similar. 
   Next, in the case of constructing the aforementioned disk player of the pop-up type of  FIG. 1 , it may be desired to open/close the openable chassis  10  without inserting the disk  1 . First of all, before the use of the player, the accommodation state in which the openable chassis  10  is accommodated in the aperture  3   a  shifts to the disk insertion standby state in which the openable chassis  10  protrudes from the disk casing  2 , as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 14 . After the played disk was discharged, the openable chassis  10  is returned from the insertion standby state to the accommodation state without inserting any new disk. 
   When the openable chassis  10  is closed without inserting the disk  1 , a not-shown switch B, as disposed on the front panel, is operated by the operator. Then, the electric power is fed to the motor  83  and the plunger  82 . The motor  83  is activated to rotate, and the plunger pin  82   a  of the plunger  82  pushes the plunger receiving plate  103  forward. Therefore, the clamp starting plate  100  is pushed forward so that the gear  84   a  of the first gear unit  84  comes into meshing engagement with the rack gear portion  102  of the clamp starting plate  100 . 
   The subsequent actions are similar to those of the case in which the disk player is to be loaded at its play position with the 12 cm CD or the like, so that their description will be omitted. 
   Here, the driving force of the motor  83  is transmitted to the rack gear portion  102  by using the start of the plunger  82  as the trigger, as described hereinbefore, so that the opening/closing action of the openable chassis  10  can be quickly started. 
   On the other hand, the action to open the openable chassis  10  without the disk  1  being arranged on the play mechanism  81  is started, for example, when the operator operates the not-shown switch A disposed on the front panel  26 . The actions are similar to those of discharging the 12 cm CD having been played, so that their detailed description will be omitted. 
   According to the disk player of the invention, as has been described hereinbefore, the slot to receive the disk can be accommodated in the player body and closed while the disk is being played, so that the player body can be cleared of the dust which might otherwise come from the outside. Thus, it is possible to provide a disk player having a high operation reliability.