Disk loading and unloading system

Claim 1

A disk loading and unloading system comprising: a main body including a spindle section that can be fitted in a center opening of a disk; a disk holding section formed with an opening for inserting and withdrawing said disk, said disk holding section having a clamper section disposed on a side of an inserted disk opposite from said spindle section and said clamper section being adapted to be fitted on said spindle section, said disk holding section being connected to said main body and pivotally movable between a first position in which said spindle section is fitted in the center opening of said disk and in said clamper section to hold the disk in place and a second position in which said spindle section is released from engagement with said clamper section and said disk to release the disk; push-out means mounted in said disk holding section, said push-out means being operative to push at least a portion of the disk out of the disk holding section through the disk inserting and withdrawing opening when the disk holding section is moved from the first position to the second position; and wherein said spindle section comprises a center spindle connected to a forward end of a main shaft of a main motor, and a disk guide fitted on said main shaft for axial sliding movement and resiliently urged to move toward said center spindle, said center spindle being formed at its outer periphery with a first inclined surface portion and said disk guide being formed at its outer periphery with a second inclined surface portion inclined outwardly for a greater length than said first inclined surface portion, and wherein said clamper section has a clamper allowing, when the disk holding section moves from the second position to the first position, the edge of the center opening of the disk to come into contact with the first inclined surface portion of the center spindle.