Compact disc transporter with dual transport sites

摘要

A compact disc loader and transport apparatus for placement within a compact disc storage magazine structure for transporting selected discs. The magazine structure includes a movement mechanism for movement of the loader and transport apparatus between storage shelves and drive mechanisms for retrieval and delivery of discs. The loader and transport apparatus has two laterally adjacent disc transport positions each including a plurality of disc engagers for cooperative frictional engagement of a disc presented thereto at at least two edge sites of the disc. Each disc engager is mounted at a periphery site of a respective motor driven rotatable platform whose rotation in cooperation with the rotation of at least one other platform moves the disc from or to a disc transport position of the loader and transport apparatus or between disc transport positions thereof. The loader and transport apparatus can then travel for delivery and/or further disc retrieval at another storage shelf or drive mechanism. It is preferred that the loader and transport apparatus have opposing openings through either of which a disc can be made to proceed. Lateral movement of a disc from one transport position to the other permits placement of such a disc within storage shelves adjacent each other or directly or indirectly opposing each other. Delivery and/or retrieval of two discs can occur simultaneously from and/or to adjacent sites to thereby enhance time-factor performance.