Patent ID: 7206261

Claim:
A loading mechanism for loading an information recording medium in a predetermined position and unloading the information recording medium therefrom, the loading mechanism comprising: a frame; a tray on which the information recording medium is placeable in a predetermined position, the tray being movable in first and second opposite directions between a first position where the information recording medium is contained completely inside said frame and a second position where the information recording medium is exposed completely outside said frame, the tray including a groove part extending along the first and second opposite directions; and at least three projections arranged on said frame at predetermined intervals along the first and second opposite directions, the projections including first and second guide and support parts forming first and second ends of the arrangement of the projections, the first and second guide and support parts coming into substantially point or linear contact with the groove part of said tray so as to guide and support said tray when said tray is in the second position.