Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-168393 filed on Jun. 27, 2008. The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-168393 is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to a panel attachment structure. More specifically, the present invention relates to a panel attachment structure for a disk tray. 
     2. Background Information 
     A loader (such as a DVD loader) optically processes a disk (e.g., recording medium). The loader has a disk tray for moving the disk in and out with respect to a disk processing position for optical processing. The loader is housed in a cabinet with an opening. The disk tray is movable through the opening of the cabinet between an ejected position (e.g., open position) outside of the cabinet and a retracted position (e.g., closed position) inside of the cabinet. 
     The cabinet is formed in a box shape that is wider in a width direction than in a height direction. The cabinet has a front panel, a bottom chassis and a top case that form the box shape. 
     The disk tray is movable outward and inward through the opening formed in the front panel of the cabinet. The disk is placed on, or removed from the disk tray when the disk tray is moved outside of the opening to the ejected position. After the disk has been placed on the disk tray, the disk tray moves back through the opening. Then, the disk is conveyed to the disk processing position. 
     The opening is formed in a bottom portion of a recess formed on the front panel. More specifically, the opening is formed in a rectangular shape. The opening is bounded by the bottom portion of the recess. 
     A decoration panel (e.g., tray panel or tray decoration) is attached to the disk tray. The decoration panel is longer in a width direction. The decoration panel covers a front end of the disk tray. When the disk tray is moved back inside the opening and the disk is conveyed to the disk processing position, the decoration panel fits into the recess and blocks off the opening from outside. The decoration panel fits into the recess and hides the opening, which enhances the appearance of the cabinet. 
     The decoration panel is not formed integrally with the disk tray, and is instead attached as a separate member to the front end of the disk tray. This is because the size of the decoration panel is set such that the decoration panel fits into the recess, but does not pass through the opening. Since the decoration panel is too large to fit through the opening, if the decoration panel is attached to the disk tray before the loader having the disk tray is mounted in the cabinet, it will be impossible to take the decoration panel outside of the recess. Thus, the decoration panel has to be installed to the front end of the disk tray sticking outside of the opening after the loader has been mounted in the cabinet. 
     Also, the decoration panel has an attachment frame formed from plastic and integrally with the decoration panel. The attachment frame is fixed with a suitable structure, such as a screw fastening structure or an engagement structure, to the front end of the disk tray, so that the decoration panel was immovably attached to the front end of the disk tray. 
     However, when the decoration panel is fitted into the recess of the front panel, if the decoration panel is tilted within the recess or is offset within the recess, this misalignment is noticeable and deteriorates the appearance of the cabinet. 
     Meanwhile, with a conventional structure, the decoration panel is immovably fixed to the front end of the disk tray for attaching the decoration panel to the front end of the disk tray (see Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application Publication No. 2006-134414, for example). With the conventional structure, a position restrictor is provided for performing centering (or guiding) the decoration panel to the center of the recess and positioning the decoration panel when the decoration panel is fitted into the edge portion of the opening or the recess. 
     With the conventional structure, the loader having the disk tray is fixed by screws in a proper position on the bottom chassis of the cabinet. However, sometimes the loader is attached crookedly, or there is too much looseness between the loader and the bottom chassis. Some variance in the precision of the loader attachment position is also inevitable. Furthermore, the front panel or the bottom chassis of the cabinet can be tilted within the nominal range. Accordingly, when the disk tray moves back to the retracted position and the decoration panel fits into the recess of the front panel and blocks off the opening, there is the risk that the decoration panel is crooked in the recess, or not centered in the recess, which deteriorates the appearance of the cabinet. 
     In view of this, with another conventional structure, the assembly looseness that is inevitably present in the attached portion of the disk tray of the loader is utilized to center the decoration panel attached to the disk tray in the recess of the cabinet. However, with the conventional structure, the decoration panel is only centered in the recess within a range that is absorbed by the assembly looseness. Thus, the range over which the decoration panel can be aligned is limited. 
     Meanwhile, with a conventional recording and reproducing device, a decoration panel is attached via an attachment frame to the front end of a disk tray (see Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application Publication No. 2006-323928, for example). The attachment frame is separate from the decoration panel. A tension coil spring is used to link the attachment frame and the decoration panel, which permits displacement of the decoration panel with respect to the disk tray. With the conventional recording and reproducing device, the decoration panel is constantly pulled toward the attachment frame fixed to the disk tray by the action of the tension coil spring. When the disk tray moves back to a retracted position, the decoration panel is elastically pressed against an edge of an opening. Then, the tension coil spring is stretched out so that the attachment frame moves a short distance away from the decoration panel. 
     The displacement of the decoration panel with respect to the disk tray is permitted with the conventional recording and reproduction device. Thus, even if there is variance in the precision of the loader attachment position, or even if the front panel or bottom chassis is crooked, it is believed that this will have no effect, and that tilt of the decoration panel within the recess in the front panel can be corrected. Therefore, the appearance of the cabinet is not diminished. 
     However, with the conventional recording and reproduction device, the tension coil spring is interposed between the decoration panel and the attachment frame fixed to the disk tray. Therefore, the difficult job of hooking hooks at two ends of the tension coil spring to spring catches on the decoration panel and the attachment frame has to be carried out in a tight space. Thus, skill is required in assembly, and furthermore, it is very likely that this assembly work will slow down the assembly process. 
     In view of the above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that there exists a need for an improved panel attachment structure. This invention addresses this need in the art as well as other needs, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention was conceived in light of the above mentioned problems. One object of the present invention is to provide a panel attachment structure in which assembly process is made easier. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a panel attachment structure for a disk tray includes an attachment frame, a decoration panel, a spring body, a restricting mechanism and a positioning mechanism. The attachment frame is non-movably coupled to a front end portion of the disk tray. The disk tray is movable between an ejected position and a retracted position through a tray opening of a cabinet. The ejected position is located outside of the cabinet. The retracted position is located inside of the cabinet. The decoration panel is movably coupled to the attachment frame and arranged to cover the tray opening of the cabinet when the disk tray is retracted to the retracted position. The spring body includes a compression coil spring. The spring body elastically couples the decoration panel to the attachment frame and biases the decoration panel against the attachment frame such that the spring body allows displacement of the decoration panel relative to the attachment frame in a displacement direction intersecting with a movement direction of the disk tray between the ejected position and the retracted position. The restricting mechanism is arranged to restrict the displacement of the decoration panel relative to the attachment frame in the displacement direction. The positioning mechanism selectively positions the decoration panel relative to the attachment frame in a predetermined position and releases the decoration panel from the predetermined position when the disk tray is retracted to the retracted position. 
     With the panel attachment structure, it is possible to provide a panel attachment structure in which assembly process is made easier. 
     These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed descriptions, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, disclose a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of this original disclosure: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a panel attachment structure in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded front perspective view of the panel attachment structure illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3A  is an exploded rear perspective view of the panel attachment structure illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3B  is an exploded cross sectional view of the panel attachment structure taken along IIIB-IIIB line in  FIG. 3A ; 
         FIG. 4A  is a detailed perspective view of an attachment frame and a decoration panel of the panel attachment structure illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4B  is a cross sectional view of the attachment frame and the decoration panel of the panel attachment structure taken along IVA-IVA line in  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 5A  is a rear perspective view of the panel attachment structure illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5B  is a cross sectional view of the panel attachment structure taken along VB-VB line in  FIG. 5A ; 
         FIG. 6  is a rear elevational view of the panel attachment structure illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a partial cross sectional view of the panel attachment structure illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a partial rear elevational view of a hook component of the panel attachment structure illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross sectional view of the hook component taken along IX-IX line in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a partial rear elevational view of the panel attachment structure illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a cross sectional view of the panel attachment structure when a disk tray is moving between an ejected position and an retracted position; 
         FIG. 12  is a cross sectional view of the panel attachment structure when the disk tray is moving toward the retracted position; 
         FIG. 13  is a cross sectional view of the panel attachment structure when the disk tray is located at the retracted position; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a spring body of the panel attachment structure illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of another spring body of the panel attachment structure illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a diagram illustrating an action of the spring body illustrated in  FIG. 14 ; and 
         FIG. 17  is a diagram illustrating an action of the spring body illustrated in  FIG. 15 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be explained with reference to the drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from these disclosures that the following descriptions of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is provided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a disk device has a loader (e.g., DVD loader) and a cabinet. The loader optically processes a disk (e.g., recording medium). The loader has a panel attachment structure A and a disk tray  5 . The disk tray  5  moves the disk in and out with respect to a disk processing position for optical processing. The loader is housed in the cabinet. The cabinet is formed in a box shape that is wider in a width direction W than in a height direction H. The cabinet has a front panel  1 , a bottom chassis (not shown) and a top case (not shown) that form the box shape. The front panel  1  has an opening  21 . The disk tray  5  is movable through the opening  21  of the cabinet between an ejected position (e.g., open position) outside of the cabinet and a retracted position (e.g., closed position) inside of the cabinet. 
     Specifically, the disk tray  5  is movable outward (as indicated by the arrow Y 1 ) and inward (as indicated by the arrow Y 2 ) through the opening  21  of the front panel  1 . The disk is placed on, or removed from the disk tray  5  when the disk tray  5  has moved outside of the opening  21  as indicated by the arrow Y 1  and has reached the ejected position. After the disk has been placed on the disk tray  5 , the disk tray  5  moves back through the opening  21  in the direction of the arrow Y 2 . Then, the disk is conveyed to the disk processing position. 
     The opening  21  is formed in a bottom portion  22  of a recess  2  formed on the front panel  1 . More specifically, the opening  21  is formed in a rectangular shape that is longer in the width direction W than in the height direction H. The bottom portion  22  of the recess  2  has a rectangular ring shape. The opening  21  is bounded by the bottom portion  22  of the recess  2 . The recess  2 , the bottom portion  22  and the opening  21  of the front panel  1  are also depicted in  FIGS. 11 to 13 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the panel attachment structure A has a pair of spring bodies  3 , a decoration panel  6  and an attachment frame  8 . The decoration panel  6  is longer in the width direction W than in the height direction H. The decoration panel  6  is attached to the disk tray  5  so as to cover a front end portion of the disk tray  5 . When the disk tray  5  is moved back inside of the opening  21  as indicated by the arrow Y 2  and the disk is conveyed to the disk processing position, the decoration panel  6  fits into the recess  2  and cover the opening  21  from outside. The decoration panel  6  fits into the recess  2  and hides the opening  21 , which enhances the appearance of the cabinet. 
     The decoration panel  6  is not formed integrally with the disk tray  5 . The decoration panel  6  is instead attached as a separate member to the front end portion of the disk tray  5 . The size of the decoration panel  6  is set such that the decoration panel  6  fits into the recess  2 , but does not pass through the opening  21 . The decoration panel  6  is too large to pass through the opening  21 . Thus, if the decoration panel  6  is attached to the disk tray  5  before the loader with the disk tray  5  is mounted in the cabinet, it will be impossible to take the decoration panel  6  outside of the recess  2 . Therefore, the decoration panel  6  is installed to the front end portion of the disk tray  5  sticking outside of the opening  21  after the loader is mounted in the cabinet. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the decoration panel  6  has a panel main body  61 , a front decorative panel  62 . The panel main body  61  is a plastic molding that is wider in the width direction W than in the height direction H. The front decorative panel  62  is made of aluminum. The panel main body  61  and the front decorative panel  62  are integrally joined with a double-sided adhesive tape  63 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the attachment frame  8  is formed as a separate member that is separated from the decoration panel  6 . The attachment frame  8  is fixedly attached to the front end portion of the disk tray  5 . The attachment frame  8  has an oblong front plate  81 , a blind plate  82  and an attachment mechanism  83 . The attachment frame  8  is integrally formed as a one-piece, unitary member. The blind plate  82  extends from a upper end portion of the front plate  81 . The attachment mechanism  83  has a plurality of ribs or latching tabs. The attachment mechanism  83  immovably fixes the attachment frame  8  to the front end portion of the disk tray  5 . 
     The spring bodies  3  link the attachment frame  8  and the decoration panel  6 . Each of the spring bodies  3  includes a compression coil spring. The spring bodies  3  cause the attachment frame  8  and the decoration panel  6  to be constantly and elastically biased toward each other in backward and forward directions (the directions indicated by the arrows Y 1  and Y 2  in  FIG. 1 ). The spring bodies  3  also allow displacement of the decoration panel  6  relative to the attachment frame  8  in a displacement direction that intersects with the backward and forward directions. The displacement direction includes the height direction H and the width direction W, which are perpendicular to the backward and forward directions, as well as any directions that are at some angle to the backward and forward directions. 
     The panel attachment structure A will further be described through reference to  FIGS. 3A to 10 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3A to 5B  and  FIGS. 7 to 10 , the decoration panel  6  has a pair of first protrusions  41  and a pair of hook components  42 . The first protrusion  41  is formed in a cylindrical shape. The first protrusion  41  is provided to the panel main body  61 . The hook component  42  is provided to the first protrusion  41 . The hook component  42  extends in an axial direction of the first protrusion  41  from a top portion of the first protrusion  41 . As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 10 , each of the hook components  42  is divided into a pair of hook elements  43 . The hook elements  43  are opposite each other in a radial direction of the first protrusion  41  with a radial gap S therebetween. The hook elements  43  have shapes that are in point symmetry to each other with respect to a center axis of the first protrusion  41 . The hook elements  43  extend in the axial direction of the first protrusion  41  from the top portion of the first protrusion  41  such that the hook elements  43  maintain a positional relationship in point symmetry. Each of the hook elements  43  has a catch (e.g., latching portion)  44  and a lateral hole  45 . The catch  44  is formed in a hook-shape. Specifically, the catch  44  opens toward the first protrusion  41 . The lateral hole  45  opens toward the radial gap S and extends toward the catch  44 . As shown in  FIGS. 3B ,  4 B,  5 B and  7 , the attachment frame  8  includes a pair of first openings  84  and a pair of spring seats  85  at locations corresponding to the first protrusions  41 , respectively. The first opening  84  is formed in a circular shape. The first opening  84  is sufficiently larger in diameter than the first protrusion  41 . The first opening  84  extends through the attachment frame  8 . The first opening  84  is surrounded by the spring seat  85 . The spring seat  85  is formed in a circular shape. The first protrusion  41  is loosely fitted into the first opening  84  with a gap therebetween. The decoration panel  6  and the attachment frame  8  are aligned in a overlapping state via a positioning mechanism  7 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the spring body  3  is fitted around the first protrusion  41  and the hook component  42 . One axial end portion of the spring body  3  is supported on the spring seat  85  of the attachment frame  8 . The spring body  3  includes a straight latching end portion (e.g., straight end portion)  31  provided to the other axial end portion. The latching end portion  31  is latched by the catches  44  of the hook elements  43 . In this state, the spring body  3  is supported between the catch  44  and the spring seat  85  in a state of being compressed in the axial direction of the first protrusion  41 . Therefore, the decoration panel  6  is constantly pulled toward the attachment frame  8  by the elastic biasing action of the spring bodies  3 . Since the attachment frame  8  is fixed to the front end portion of the disk tray  5 , the decoration panel  6  is constantly biased by the spring body  3  toward the front end portion of the disk tray  5 . 
     The panel attachment structure A further has the positioning mechanism  7 , a displacement width restricting mechanism  9  and a stopper mechanism  10 . The positioning mechanism  7  positions the decoration panel  6 , which is biased by the spring body  3  toward the front end portion of the disk tray  5 , in an initial position with respect to the disk tray  5 . The displacement width restricting mechanism  9  restricts displacement width of the decoration panel  6  with respect to the disk tray  5  in the displacement direction. Specifically, the displacement width restricting mechanism  9  restricts displacement width of the decoration panel  6  with respect to the disk tray  5  in a direction that is perpendicular to the backward and forward directions. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the positioning mechanism  7  includes a protrusion  71  and a concave component  72 . The protrusion  71  is formed on the attachment frame  8  and includes a distal end portion. The distal end portion of the protrusion  71  is formed in a conical shape. The concave component  72  is formed on the panel main body  61  of the decoration panel  6 . The concave component  72  has a conical inner face  73 . The distal end portion of the protrusion  71  fits into the concave component  72 . The positioning mechanism  7  is formed at two places spaced away from each other. Therefore, when the protrusions  71  are fitted into the concave components  72  at both of sites of the positioning mechanism  7  in a state in which the decoration panel  6  is pulled toward the attachment frame  8  by the spring body  3 , the decoration panel  6  is positioned at the initial position with respect to the disk tray  5  to which the attachment frame  8  is immovably fixed. The positioning mechanism  7  is provided at two places, namely, two transversal ends in the width direction W (lengthwise direction) of the decoration panel  6  and the attachment frame  8 . Thus, the positioning accuracy of the decoration panel  6  and the attachment frame  8 , and the positioning accuracy in the initial position of the disk tray  5  and the decoration panel  6  are improved. With the positioning mechanism  7 , the protrusion  71  can be formed on the decoration panel  6 , and the concave component  72  can be formed on the attachment frame  8 . 
     The displacement width restricting mechanism  9  includes a cylindrical shaft  91  and a circular hole  92 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the cylindrical shaft  91  is formed by the same member as the first protrusion  41 . Furthermore, the circular hole  92  is formed by the same member as the first opening  84 . The cylindrical shaft  91  is loosely fitted into the circular hole  92 . With the displacement width restricting mechanism  9 , the decoration panel  6  can be displaced in the displacement direction by an amount corresponding to a gap (that is, the play) around the cylindrical shaft  91 . In other words, the decoration panel  6  can be displaced in the displacement direction that is perpendicular to the backward and forward directions with respect to the disk tray  5 , but the amount of the displacement is restricted when the cylindrical shaft  91  contacts with an edge portion around the circular hole  92 . 
     The stopper mechanism  10  restricts the amount of compression of the spring bodies  3  so that coils of the spring bodies  3  are not jammed together. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the stopper mechanism  10  has a second protrusion  101 , a second opening  102 , a flange (e.g., flange portion)  103  and a receiver (e.g., receiving portion)  104 . The second protrusion  101  is formed in a cylindrical shape. The second protrusion  101  extends from the panel main body  61 . The second opening  102  is formed in a circular shape. The second opening  102  extends through the attachment frame  8 . The flange  103  is attached to the top portion of the second protrusion  101 . The flange  103  is larger in diameter than the second protrusion  101 . The receiver  104  is formed in a round ring-shape. The receiver  104  is formed by the edge portion of the second protrusion  101 . The second protrusion  101  is loosely fitted into the second opening  102  with a gap therebetween. The receiver  104  is opposite the flange  103  with a axial gap inbetween. The gap between the second protrusion  101  and the edge portion of the second opening  102  is wider than the gap around the cylindrical shaft  91  that is loosely fitted in the circular hole  92 . The axial gap between the flange  103  and the receiver  104  is set such that the coils of the spring bodies  3  will not be jammed together even when the flange  103  and the receiver  104  contact each other. The flange  103  is formed integrally with a head portion of a screw  105 . The screw  105  is threaded into the top portion of the second protrusion  101 . Specifically, the flange  103  is formed by a flange portion of the screw  105  by using a flanged screw for the screw  105 . 
       FIGS. 4A to 6  illustrate assembly process of the panel attachment structure A. 
     With the panel attachment structure A, the positioning mechanism  7 , the attachment structure of the spring bodies  3  and the stopper mechanism  10  are provided symmetrically at two places at the longitudinal ends of the decoration panel  6  and the attachment frame  8  in the width direction W. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4B , at the initial stage of the assembly process, the attachment frame  8  is aligned overlapping with the panel main body  61 . Specifically, the protrusions  71  of the positioning mechanism  7  are fitted into the concave components  72 . As a result, the attachment frame  8  is positioned with respect to the panel main body  61 . Also, the second protrusion  101  and the first protrusion  41  of the panel main body  61  are loosely fitted into the second opening  102  and the first opening  84  of the attachment frame  8 , respectively. The cylindrical shaft  91  of the displacement width restricting mechanism  9  also serves as the first protrusion  41 , and the circular hole  92  of the displacement width restricting mechanism  9  also serves as the first opening  84 . Thus, the cylindrical shaft  91  is loosely fitted in the circular hole  92  by loosely fitting the first protrusion  41  of the panel main body  61  in the first opening  84  of the attachment frame  8 . 
     In the next step, as shown in  FIG. 5B , the spring body  3  is interposed between the hook component  42  on the attachment frame  8  and the spring seat  85  on the panel main body  61 . This work will be described through reference to  FIGS. 9 and 10 . First, the spring body  3  is fitted around the first protrusion  41  and the hook component  42 . Then, the one axial end portion of the spring body  3  is placed on the spring seat  85  on the panel main body  61 . After this, as shown in  FIG. 10 , the latching end portion  31  provided at the other axial end portion of the spring body  3  is aligned with the radial gap S between the hook elements  43 . Next, the latching end portion  31  is pushed into the radial gap S while the spring body  3  is compressed, so that the latching end portion  31  is pushed down to the lateral holes  45 . Then, the latching end portion  31  is rotated to a location corresponding to the catches  44  through the lateral holes  45  of the hook elements  43  as indicated by the arrow R in  FIG. 10 . Finally, the force that is pushing the latching end portion  31  is released so that the spring body  3  recovers. As a result, the latching end portion  31  is latched to the catches  44 . When the latching end portion  31  is latched to the catches  44  of the hook elements  43 , a terminal of the latching end portion  31  preferably faces the blind plate  82  of the attachment frame  8 . When the terminal of the latching end portion  31  faces the blind plate  82 , there will be less risk that the worker will be injured by the terminal of the latching end portion  31 . Furthermore, there will be less risk that the work will snag a finger or the like on the terminal of the latching end portion  31 . 
     When the assembly process is performed, as shown in  FIGS. 5B and 6 , the decoration panel  6  is attached to the attachment frame  8 . Specifically, the attachment frame  8  and the decoration panel  6  are linked via the spring bodies  3 . 
     With the panel attachment structure A, the attachment frame  8  is immovably fixed, via the attachment mechanism  83 , to the front end portion of the disk tray  5  that protrudes to outside of the opening  21  of the front panel  1 . 
     With the panel attachment structure A thus attached to the disk tray  5 , the decoration panel  6  is merely linked to the attachment frame  8  by the spring bodies  3 , and the displacement width restricting mechanism  9  merely restricts the displacement width of the decoration panel  6  with respect to the disk tray  5  in the displacement direction. Accordingly, as long as the decoration panel  6  does not restrict the displacement width, the decoration panel  6  with respect to the disk tray  5  can be displaced in the displacement direction that intersects the backward and forward directions. 
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , when the disk tray  5  moves out toward the ejected position on outside of the cabinet as indicated by the arrow Y 1 , the decoration panel  6  sticks out from the recess  2  of the front panel  1 . In this state, since the biasing action of the spring bodies  3  causes the protrusions  71  of the positioning mechanism  7  to be fitted into the concave components  72 , the decoration panel  6  is positioned with respect to the attachment frame  8 . Therefore, the decoration panel  6  is positioned in the initial position with respect to the disk tray  5 . The same applies when the disk tray  5  is ejected to the ejected protruding position on the outside of the cabinet. Therefore, when the decoration panel  6  is sticking out from the recess  2  of the front panel  1 , the decoration panel  6  is positioned in the initial position with respect to the disk tray  5 . This provides a neat appearance. 
     As shown in  FIG. 12 , when the disk tray  5  moves back to the retracted position on the inside of the cabinet as indicated by the arrow Y 2 , the decoration panel  6  contacts with the bottom portion  22  of the recess  2 . Then, the disk tray  5  slightly compresses the spring bodies  3 . Therefore, any error in the retracted position of the disk tray  5  can be easily absorbed by the spring bodies  3 . Also, the protrusions  71  of the positioning mechanism  7  are released from the concave components  72  to release the positioned state. Accordingly, if the recess  2  is provided with a guide mechanism for guiding the decoration panel  6  to a center position of the recess  2 , then the decoration panel  6  is guided by the guide mechanism and accurately positioned (centered) in the center position of the recess  2 . The centering is performed by the decoration panel  6  being displaced with respect to the disk tray  5  or the attachment frame  8  fixed thereto. Thus, the adjustment width of the centering does not depend on the size of the assembly looseness of the disk tray  5  with respect to the loader. 
     As shown in  FIG. 13 , if the decoration panel  6  is pulled forward in the direction of the arrow Y 1  by some kind of external force, such as manually by a person, the decoration panel  6  is forcibly pulled out. If this happens, there is the risk that the spring bodies  3  are compressed too tightly, the coils of the spring bodies  3  is jammed together, and the intended biasing action of the spring bodies  3  is lost. However, the panel attachment structure A has the stopper mechanism  10 . Therefore, the flange  103  of the stopper mechanism  10  restricts the amount of compression of the spring bodies  3  by contacting with the receiver  104 . 
     With the panel attachment structure A, the compression coil springs are used as the spring bodies  3  for linking the decoration panel  6  to the attachment frame  8 .  FIGS. 14 and 15  are perspective views of two kinds of compression coil spring that can be used in the panel attachment structure A. 
     The compression coil spring is formed in the shape of a truncated cone in side view. When the compression coil spring that is formed in the shape of the truncated cone in side view is used for the spring body  3 , it is easy for the diameter of the one axial end portion of the spring body  3  to be matched to the size of the spring seat  85 , and for the diameter of the other axial end portion of the spring body  3  to be matched to the size of the hook component  42 . Also, with the compression coil spring, any one of adjacent pairs of coils  32  and  33  that are adjacent to each other in the axial direction are sized so that the diameter of the coil  33  on the side closer to the other axial end portion is smaller than the diameter of the coil  32  on the side closer to the one axial end. The difference between the diameters of the coils  32  and  33  is set such that axial projections of the coils  32  and  33  overlap. That is, when the compression coil spring is viewed in the axial direction, any one of adjacent pair of coils  32  and  33  is set such that the outer periphery of the smaller-diameter coil  32  overlaps the inner periphery of the larger-diameter coil  33 . 
     When a compression coil spring is used as the spring body  3  as shown in  FIG. 14 , the latching end portion  31  provided to the other axial end portion sticks out on both radial sides of the coil  34  at the other axial end portion. Therefore, when the spring body  3  is compressed too tightly, as illustrated in  FIG. 16 , the latching end portion  31  engages with the coil  34 . Thus, a situation will not occur in which the latching end portion  31  is jammed inside the coil  34  and the intended biasing action of the spring body  3  is lost. Therefore, when the spring body  3  shown in  FIG. 14  is used, the stopper mechanism  10  can be omitted. 
     On the other hand, with the compression coil spring shown in  FIG. 15 , the latching end portion  31  is designed to be substantially the same size as the diameter of the coil  34  at the other axial end portion. Therefore, if the spring body  3  shown in  FIG. 15  is compressed too tightly, as illustrated in  FIG. 17 , the latching end portion  31  can be jammed inside the coil  34  and the intended biasing action of the spring body  3  can be lost. However, by employing the stopper mechanism  10 , it is possible to prevent the latching end portion  31  from being jammed inside the coil  34 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 10 , the attachment frame  8  further has a circular rib  86  formed around the periphery of the spring seat  85 . The circular rib  86  extends from the periphery of the spring seat  85 . The length of the latching end portion  31  of the spring body  3  shown in  FIG. 14  is greater than the outside diameter of the circular rib  86 . More specifically, the length of the latching end portion  31  of the spring body  3  shown in FIG.  14  is greater than the inside diameter of the circular rib  86 . Accordingly, even if the spring body  3  shown in  FIG. 14  is employed and the stopper mechanism  10  is left out as mentioned above, merely setting the circular rib  86  to a suitable height will result in the engagement of the latching end portion  31  with the circular rib  86 . As a result, the latching end portion  31  is prevented from being jammed inside the coil  34  even if the spring body  3  is compressed too tightly. 
     Each of the hook elements  43  of the hook component  42  formed integrally with the panel main body  61  has the hook-shaped catch  44  that opens toward the first protrusion  41 . Accordingly, it is conceivable that in addition to a two-piece mold, the mold used to form the panel main body  61  need to be a sliding mold which can slide at a right angle to the parting direction of the mold halves. In view of this, with the panel attachment structure A, an approach is taken whereby the panel main body  61  is molded with a two-piece mold alone. 
     Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the first protrusion  41  has cut-out portions (e.g., a pair of through holes)  46  that is cut out along the entire axial length of the first protrusion  41  in the axial direction. The cut-out portions  46  are located opposite the catches  44  and the lateral holes  45  of the hook elements  43 . Also, openings  47  that communicate with the cut-out portions  46  of the first protrusion  41 , respectively, are formed in the panel main body  61 . The openings  47  are also shown in  FIG. 2 . The cut-out portions  46  and the openings  47  are formed by removing the mold used to form the panel main body  61 . Thus, even though the hook elements  43  of the panel main body  61  have the hook-shaped catches  44  that open toward the first protrusion  41 , the mold used to form the panel main body  61  need only be a two-piece mold. Thus, there is no need to use the sliding mold. The arrows B 1  and B 2  in  FIG. 9  indicate the parting directions of the two-piece mold. 
     The cylindrical shaft  91  and circular hole  92  of the displacement width restricting mechanism  9  can be formed separately at different locations from where the first protrusion  41  and the first opening  84  are formed. Specifically, the cylindrical shaft  91  and circular hole  92  of the displacement width restricting mechanism  9  can also serve as the second protrusion  101  and the second opening  102 , respectively. 
     With the panel attachment structure A, the decoration panel  6  can be displaced with respect to the disk tray  5  in the displacement direction that intersects the backward and forward directions. Thus, the decoration panel  6  that has been fitted into the recess  2  of the cabinet can be easily centered in the recess  2 . Also, a compression coil spring is used for the spring body  3  that links the attachment frame  8  and the decoration panel  6 . Thus, it is easier for the spring body  3  to be interposed between the attachment frame  8  and the decoration panel  6 . As a result, the assembly work can be carried out more quickly and easily in a larger space. 
     With the panel attachment structure A, the stopper mechanism  10  restricts the amount of compression of the spring body  3  so that the coils of the spring body  3  are not jammed together. Thus, a situation does not occur in which the spring body  3  is compressed too tightly and the coils are jammed together. Accordingly, the intended biasing action of the spring body  3  can be achieved. 
     With the panel attachment structure A, the displacement width restricting mechanism  9  has the cylindrical shaft  91  that protrudes from the decoration panel  6 , and the circular hole  92  that is made in the attachment frame  8 . The cylindrical shaft  91  is loosely fitted to the circular hole  92  with the gap therebetween. Thus, the displacement width restricting mechanism  9  has a simple configuration. Furthermore, the displacement width restricting mechanism  9  does not complicate the configuration of the mold used to form the attachment frame  8  or the decoration panel  6 . 
     With the panel attachment structure A, the positioning mechanism  7  is provided at two places spaced apart. The positioning mechanism  7  has the protrusion  71  and the concave component  72 . The protrusion  71  has the conical distal end portion and is provided to one of the decoration panel  6  and the attachment frame  8 . The concave component  72  is provided to the other of the decoration panel  6  and the attachment frame  8 , and has the conical inner face  73  into which the conical distal end portion of the protrusion  71  fits. Thus, even if the disk tray  5  moves out so that the decoration panel  6  sticks out in front of the recess  2  in the front panel  1 , the decoration panel  6  can be properly positioned at the initial position with respect to the disk tray  5 . Therefore, the appearance of the decoration panel  6  can be improved. Furthermore, the displacement width restricting mechanism  9  does not complicate the configuration of the mold used to form the attachment frame  8  or the decoration panel  6 . 
     With the panel attachment structure A, the attachment frame  8  has the first opening  84  and the spring seat  85 . The first opening  84  extends through the attachment frame  8 . The spring seat  85  supports the one axial end portion of the spring body  3 . The decoration panel  6  has the first protrusion  41 . The first protrusion  41  loosely fits into the first opening  84  with the gap therebetween. The first protrusion  41  has the hook component  42 . The spring body  3  is fitted around the hook component  42 . The hook component  42  latches the other axial end portion of the spring body  3 , thereby keeps the spring body  3  in the compressed state. With this constitution, no extra parts are needed to install the spring body  3 . Furthermore, since the hook component  42  that is necessary for installing the spring body  3  is located inside of the spring body  3 , there is no need to leave space outside the spring body  3  for installing the hook component  42 . As a result, the attachment frame  8  can be correspondingly made smaller. 
     With the panel attachment structure A, the spring body  3  has the latching end portion  31  in the form of a straight line that traverses in the radial direction of the coils of the other axial end portion. The hook component  42  sticks out in the axial direction of the first protrusion  41  from the top portion of the first protrusion  41 . The hook component  42  is divided into the hook elements  43  that are opposite each other in the radial direction of the first protrusion  41 . The hook elements  43  have the radial gap S which allows the latching end portion  31  to be inserted. Each of the hook elements  43  has the catch  44  on which the latching end portion  31  is caught, and the lateral hole  45  for rotating the latching end portion  31  that has been pushed into the radial gap S around the axis of the spring body  3  and guiding the latching end portion  31  to the catch  44 . The catches  44  and the lateral holes  45  are provided so as to maintain a positional relationship in point symmetry. Thus, after the latching end portion  31  of the spring body  3  placed on the spring seat  85  of the attachment frame  8  has been pushed into the radial gap S, the latching end portion  31  is rotated around the axis of the spring body  3 , put into the lateral hole  45 , and guided to the catch  44 . Thus, the spring body  3  can be installed by a simple operation. 
     With the panel attachment structure A, the first protrusion  41  is cut out along the entire length in the axial direction at locations opposite the lateral holes  45  and the catches  44  of the hook elements  43 . Furthermore, the openings  47  that communicate with the cut-out portions of the first protrusion  41  are formed in the decoration panel  6 . The cut-out portions and the openings  47  are formed by removing the mold used to form the decoration panel  6 . Thus, the mold use to form the decoration panel  6  can have a simpler configuration. 
     With the panel attachment structure A, the spring body  3  has the truncated conical shape. The spring body  3  has the adjacent pairs of the coils that are adjacent to one another in the axial direction. The diameter of the coil closer to the one axial end portion is larger than the diameter of the coil closer to the other axial end portion. The difference in the diameters of the adjacent pair of the coils is set such that the axial projections of the coils overlaps. The circular rib  86  is provided around the periphery of the spring seat  85 . The latching end portion  31  sticks out on both sides of the coil at the other axial end portion of the spring body  3  so as to be longer than the outside diameter of the circular rib  86 . With this constitution, a situation does not occur in which the spring body  3  is compressed too tightly and the coils are jammed together. Thus, the intended biasing action of the spring body  3  can be achieved. 
     With the panel attachment structure A, the stopper mechanism  10  has the second protrusion  101 , the second opening  102 , the flange  103  and the receiver  104 . The second protrusion  101  protrudes from the decoration panel  6 . The second opening  102  extends through the attachment frame  8 . The second protrusion  101  is loosely fitted into the second opening  102  with the gap therebetween. The flange  103  is attached to the top part of the second protrusion  101 . The flange  103  is larger in diameter than the second opening  102 . The receiver  104  is formed by the edge of the second opening  102  and is opposite the flange  103 . When the flange  103  and the receiver  104  contact, the coils of the spring body  3  are prevented from being jammed together. Thus, the intended biasing action of the spring body  3  can be achieved. 
     With the panel attachment structure A, the flange  103  is integrally formed with the screw  105  that is threaded into the top part of the second protrusion  101 . 
     With the panel attachment structure A, the cylindrical shaft  91  of the displacement width restricting mechanism  9  serves as the first protrusion  41  by being in the same location as the first protrusion  41 . The circular hole  92  of the displacement width restricting mechanism  9  also serves as the first opening  84  by being in the same location as the first opening  84 . Also, the cylindrical shaft  91  of the displacement width restricting mechanism  9  also can serve as the second protrusion  101  by being in the same location as the second protrusion  101 , and the circular hole  92  of the displacement width restricting mechanism  9  also can serve as the second opening  102  by being in the same location as the second opening  102 . 
     Since the spring body  3  is used to displaceably link the decoration panel  6  to the attachment frame  8  fixed to the disk tray  5 , the decoration panel  6  fitted into the recess  2  in the cabinet can be easily centered in the recess  2 . Also, because a compression coil spring is used as the spring body  3 , assembly becomes easier than the conventional structure. Furthermore, with the panel attachment structure A, the action of the displacement width restricting mechanism  9  prevents the decoration panel  6  from being unnecessarily displaced with respect to the disk tray  5 . Furthermore, the action of the positioning mechanism  7  positions the decoration panel  6  in the initial position with respect to the disk tray  5 . Thus, the appearance can be improved, even if the disk tray  5  moves out so that the decoration panel  6  sticks out in front of the recess  2  in the cabinet. 
     Furthermore, the spring body  3  is prevented from being compressed too tightly. Thus, the intended biasing action of the spring body  3  can be obtained. 
     Furthermore, the configuration of the mold used to form the decoration panel  6  or the attachment frame  8  can be simplified. 
     GENERAL INTERPRETATION OF TERMS 
     In understanding the scope of the present invention, the term “comprising” and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended to be open ended terms that specify the presence of the stated features, elements, components and groups, but do not exclude the presence of other unstated features, elements, components and groups. The foregoing also applies to words having similar meanings such as the terms, “including”, “having” and their derivatives. Also, the terms “part,” “section,” “portion,” “member” or “element” when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of a single part or a plurality of parts. As used herein to describe the present invention, the following directional terms “forward, rearward, above, downward, vertical, horizontal, below and transverse” as well as any other similar directional terms refer to those directions of a disk device equipped with the present invention. Accordingly, these terms, as utilized to describe the present invention should be interpreted relative to a disk device equipped with the present invention as used in the normal operating position. 
     While a preferred embodiment has been chosen to illustrate the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from these disclosures that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Furthermore, the foregoing descriptions of the preferred embodiment according to the present invention are provided for illustration only, and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Technology Category: g