Disc-shaped object storage and retrieval mechanism and method for using same
US5431520A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 29, 1994 |
| Grant date | Jul 11, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 29, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S414/137
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A disc-shaped object storage and retrieval mechanism uses storage grooves corresponding to the radius of a disc-shaped object, such as an audio or photo compact disc or video disc, and a curvilinear track with a curve determined by the diameter of the disc-shaped object, to move the disc-shaped object from a storage position to a transport position by a single roller. The mechanism has a disc-shaped object storage structure in the form of a magazine and a movable picker assembly having a picker arm with a curvilinear track that receives an edge of a disc-shaped object and supports the disc-shaped object along this edge. The movable picker assembly has a picker wheel that is movable into engagement with an edge of the disc-shaped object. Accordingly, when the picker wheel turns the disc-shaped object, it drives the disc-shaped object into or out of the disc-shaped object storage magazine. The moveable picker assembly is vertically driven to position the picker arm adjacent to a disc-shaped object location in the disc-shaped object storage magazine where a disc-shaped object is to be retrieved or stored.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.