APPARATUS FOR CONNECTING A DISK PACK TO A DISK DRIVE

摘要

Apparatus for connecting a disk pack to a disk drive comprises a hub (16) carrying one or more disks (12). A stub shaft (24) is axially mounted on the hub. A spindle (20) forming part of the disk drive has a passageway (50) at one end for receiving the stub shaft, an annular groove (52) being provided in the passageway and having a shoulder (54). A recess (32) in the stub shaft has a shoulder and at least two balls (30) are disposed in this recess so that they are movable between a first position adapted to allow free movement of the stub shaft into and out of the passageway and a second position adapted to capture the balls between the shoulder of the annular groove and the shoulder of the recess to prevent the stub shaft from being withdrawn from the passagaway. A push rod (34) urges the balls into the second position after the stub shaft has been inserted into the passageway to a predetermined extent and locks the balls in the second position against a force tending to withdraw the stub shaft from the passageway. A lever (64) is provided for manually moving the push rod to allow the balls to move so that the stub shaft may be withdrawn from the passageway and the disk pack disconnected from the disk drive.