Video disk cartridge anti-rattle mechanism

Abstract

Devices, systems, and methods prevent rigid video recording media from rattling within a cartridge when that cartridge is removed from a disk drive. To decrease rattling (and the resulting damage to the disk), the disk is resiliently biased against an inner surface of the cartridge housing. A door translates laterally to provide access to the disk within the cartridge. A feature is defined by an inner surface of the cartridge housing, and a resilient arm extends inward from the door so as to engage the feature when the door moves towards a closed position. The feature deflects the arm axially against the disk, so that the arm acts as both an actuation mechanism and a biasing spring.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A disk drive system for digital video and other data, the system comprising; 
 a cartridge housing;    a feature disposed within the housing;    a disk disposed within the housing;    a door mounted to the housing and movable between an open position and a closed position;    an arm extending from the door, the arm being deflected by the feature as the door moves between the open position and the closed position so that the arm urges the disk against the cartridge housing when the door is in the closed position; and    a disk drive having a cartridge receptacle, wherein the cartridge receptacle includes a surface that effects movement of the door from the closed position toward the open position when the cartridge is inserted into the receptacle.    
     
     
         2 . A system as claimed in    claim 1   , wherein the system is adapted for playing a movie.  
     
     
         3 . A cartridge for use with a disk drive, the cartridge/comprising: 
 a cartridge housing having an inner surface, the inner surface of the housing defining a feature;    a disk disposed within the housing;    a door mounted to the housing and movable between an open position and a closed position;    a resilient arm extending from the door, wherein the feature deflects the arm when the door moves between the open position and the closed position so that the arm biases the disk against the cartridge housing when the door is in the closed position.    
     
     
         4 . A cartridge as claimed in    claim 3   , wherein the housing defines a hub, wherein the disk is rotatable within the housing about an axis of the hub, and wherein a door support spoke extends from the hub to the door so that the door rotates about the axis of the hub.  
     
     
         5 . A cartridge as claimed in    claim 4   , wherein the spoke and the arm comprise an integrally formed unit.  
     
     
         6 . A cartridge as claimed in    claim 3   , wherein the door translates laterally adjacent an edge of the housing within door tracks defined by the housing, wherein the arm extends inwardly from the door beyond the feature and toward a hub of the disk, and wherein a portion of the arm engages the disk hub when the door is in the closed position.  
     
     
         7 . A cartridge as claimed in    claim 6   , wherein an inner end of the arm extends circumferentially about the disk hub.  
     
     
         8 . A method for preventing a rigid disk from rattling within a disk cartridge housing after the cartridge is removed from a disk drive, the method comprising biasing the disk against the cartridge housing by deflecting an arm, the arm extending inward from a door of the housing.