Magneto-optical recording apparatus

Abstract

A magneto-optical disc recording apparatus arranged such that the magneto-optical disc is recorded by irradiating the magneto-optical disc with a recording light beam from an optical pickup head device under the condition that the optical pickup head device is applied with an external magnetic field by external magnetic field generating means. In this magneto-optical disc recording apparatus, a spacer sheet is located on the magneto-optical disc, whereby the external magnetic field is applied to the magneto-optical disc under the condition that the external magnetic field generating means is brought in contact with the spacer sheet.

We claim as our invention: 
     
       1. In a magneto-optical disc recording apparatus of the type in which a magneto-optical disc is recorded by irradiating the magneto-optical disc with a recording light from a beam optical pickup head device under the condition that the magneto-optical disc has applied to it an external magnetic field by external magnetic field generating means, the improvement comprising .[.a spacer sheet to be mounted.]. .Iadd.spacer means provided .Iaddend.on the magneto-optical disc wherein the external magnetic field generating means is brought in contact with the spacer .[.sheet.]. .Iadd.means, the spacer means being made of a material which has a smooth surface and a predetermined thickness .Iaddend. 
     
     
       2. A magneto-optical disc recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the spacer .[.sheet.]. .Iadd.means .Iaddend.is opposed to the magneto-optical disc on its surface opposite to its surface on which the recording light beam from the optical pickup head device becomes incident. 
     
     
       3. A magneto-optical disc recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising spring-biasing means wherein the external magnetic field generating means is spring-biased by the spring-biasing means in the direction in which the external magnetic field generating means comes in contact with the spacer .[.sheet.]. .Iadd.means.Iaddend.. 
     
     
       4. A magneto-optical disc recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the spacer .[.sheet.]. .Iadd.means .Iaddend.is formed of a material which has an excellent smooth surface property. 
     
     
       5. A magneto-optical disc recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the spacer .[.sheet.]. .Iadd.means .Iaddend.is made of a flexible material so as to become closely conformable to the magneto-optical disc surface opposite to its surface on which the recording light beam from the optical pickup head device becomes incident. 
     
     
       6. A magneto-optical disc recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising rotary holding means for rotating the magneto-optical disc under the condition that the magneto-optical disc is held by the rotary holding means, wherein when the magneto-optical disc is held by the rotary holding means, the spacer .[.sheet.]. .Iadd.means .Iaddend.is unitarily rotated together with the magneto-optical disc. 
     
     
       7. A magneto-optical disc recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the rotary holding means is comprised of a chucking plate and a turntable, and the spacer .[.sheet.]. .Iadd.means .Iaddend.is secured to the chucking plate. 
     
     
       8. A magneto-optical disc recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the rotary holding means includes releasing means for releasing the spacer .[.sheet.]. .Iadd.means .Iaddend.being closely conformed to the magneto-optical disc when the rotary holding means is changed from the magneto-optical disc held state to a non-held state. 
     
     
       9. A magneto-optical disc recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the releasing means includes a movable member for moving the magneto-optical disc so that the magneto-optical disc is spaced apart from the spacer .[.sheet.]. .Iadd.means .Iaddend.when the rotary holding means is changed from the magneto-optical disc held state to the non-held state. 
     
     
       10. A magneto-optical disc recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising protecting means for protecting the spacer .[.sheet.]. .Iadd.means .Iaddend.when the magneto-optical disc is inserted into .[.and/or.]. .Iadd.and .Iaddend.ejected from the apparatus. 
     
     
       11. A magneto-optical disc recording apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the protecting means is a disc tray for preventing the magneto-optical disc from contacting with the spacer .[.sheet.]. .Iadd.means .Iaddend.when the magneto-optical disc is loaded onto .[.and/or.]. .Iadd.and .Iaddend.ejected from the apparatus. 
     
     
       12. A magneto-optical disc recording apparatus comprising: an apparatus body including a optical pickup head device for irradiating a magneto-optical disc with a recording light beam under the condition that the magneto-optical disc has an external magnetic field applied to it and rotary drive means for rotating the magneto-optical disc; and   a lid including external magnetic field generating means for applying an external magnetic field to the magneto-optical disc, holding means for holding the magneto-optical disc together with the rotary drive means so that the magneto-optical disc can be rotated, and a spacer .[.sheet.]. .Iadd.means .Iaddend.mounted on the magneto-optical disc for controlling the position of the external magnetic field generating means so that a distance between the external magnetic field generating means and the magneto-optical disc becomes constant, the lid being rotatably attached to the apparatus body, and wherein the external magnetic field generating means is brought in contact with the spacer .[.sheet.]. .Iadd.means .Iaddend.   
     
     
       13. A magneto-optical disc recording apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the spacer .[.sheet.]. .Iadd.means .Iaddend.is located on the magneto-optical disc at its surface opposite to its surface on which a recording light from the optical pickup head device becomes incident. 
     
     
       14. A magneto-optical disc recording apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising spring-biasing means wherein the external magnetic field generating means is spring-biased by the spring-biasing means in such a direction that the external magnetic field generating means comes in contact with the spacer .[.sheet..]. .Iadd.means. .Iaddend. 
     
     
       15. A magneto-optical disc recording apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the spacer .[.sheet.]. .Iadd.means .Iaddend.is formed of a material which has an excellent surface smooth property. 
     
     
       16. A magneto-optical disc recording apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the spacer .[.sheet.]. .Iadd.means .Iaddend.is formed of a flexible material so that the spacer .[.sheet.]. .Iadd.means .Iaddend.can be closely stuck to the magneto-optical disc. 
     
     
       17. A magneto-optical disc recording apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the spacer .[.sheet.]. .Iadd.means .Iaddend.is unitarily rotated with the magneto-optical disc when the magneto-optical disc is held by the rotary drive means and the holding means. 
     
     
       18. A magneto-optical disc recording apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the spacer .[.sheet.]. .Iadd.means .Iaddend.is secured to the holding means. 
     
     
       19. A magneto-optical disc recording apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the holding means includes releasing means for releasing the spacer .[.sheet.]. .Iadd.means .Iaddend.closely stuck to the magneto-optical disc when the holding means is changed from the magneto-optical disc held state to a non-held state. 
     
     
       20. A magneto-optical disc recording apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the releasing means includes a movable member for moving the magneto-optical disc such that the magneto-optical disc is spaced apart from the spacer .[.sheet.]. .Iadd.means .Iaddend.when the holding means is changed from the magneto-optical disc held state to the non-held state. 
     
     
       21. A magneto-optical disc recording apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the lid includes protecting means for protecting the spacer .[.sheet.]. .Iadd.means .Iaddend.when the magneto-optical disc is inserted into .[.and/or.]. .Iadd.and .Iaddend.ejected from the apparatus. 
     
     
       22. A magneto-optical disc recording apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the protecting means is a disc tray for preventing the magneto-optical disc from contacting the spacer .[.sheet.]. .Iadd.means .Iaddend.when the magneto-optical disc is inserted into .[.and/or.]. .Iadd.and .Iaddend.ejected from the apparatus. 
     
     
       23. A magneto-optical disc recording apparatus of the type in which a magneto-optical disc is recorded by irradiating one surface of the magneto-optical disc with a recording light from a beam optical pickup head device under the condition that the magneto-optical disc has applied to it an external magnetic field, wherein the improvement comprises: an external magnetic field generating means;   a spacer .[.sheet;.]. .Iadd.means; .Iaddend.   means for conforming the spacer .[.sheet.]. .Iadd.means .Iaddend.onto a flat surface of the magneto-optical disc which is opposite to the recording light irradiated surface of the magneto-optical disc; and   means for bringing the external magnetic field generating means in contact with the spacer .[.sheet.]. .Iadd.means .Iaddend.after the spacer .[.sheet.]. .Iadd.means .Iaddend.is conformed onto the flat surface of the magneto-optical disc.   
     
     
       24. A magneto-optical disc recording apparatus as recited in claim 23 wherein the spacer .[.sheet.]. .Iadd.means .Iaddend.is molded of a smooth, light-weight, non-magnetic, plastic material.  .Iadd.25. A magneto-optical disc recording apparatus comprising: an optical pickup for radiating a light beam onto a magneto-optical disc and arranged on a first side of the magneto-optical disc;   disc driving means for loading the magneto-optical disc and for rotationally driving the magneto-optical disc;   an external magneto field generating means for applying an external magneto field and arranged on a second side of the magneto-optical disc; and   spacer means provided on the second side of the magneto-optical disc wherein the external magnetic field generating means is brought into contact with said spacer means, said spacer means being made of a material which has a smooth surface and a predetermined thickness. .Iaddend. .Iadd.26. A magneto-optical disc recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising protecting means for protecting the spacer means when the magneto-optical disc is inserted into the apparatus. .Iaddend. .Iadd.27. A magneto-optical disc recording apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the protecting means is a disc tray for preventing the magneto-optical disc from contacting with the spacer means when the magneto-optical  disc is loaded onto the apparatus. .Iaddend. .Iadd.28. A magneto-optical disc recording apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the lid includes protecting means for protecting the spacer means when the magneto-optical disc is inserted into the apparatus. .Iaddend. .Iadd.29. A magneto-optical disc recording apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the protecting means is a disc tray for preventing the magneto-optical disc from contacting the spacer means when the magneto-optical disc is inserted into the apparatus. .Iaddend. .Iadd.30. A magneto-optical disc recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising protecting means for protecting the spacer means when the magneto-optical disc is ejected from the apparatus. .Iaddend. .Iadd.31. A magneto-optical disc recording apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the protecting means is a disc tray for preventing the magneto-optical disc from contacting with the  spacer means when the magneto-optical disc is ejected from the apparatus. .Iaddend. .Iadd.32. A magneto-optical disc recording apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the lid includes protecting means for protecting the spacer means when the magneto-optical disc is ejected from the apparatus. .Iaddend. .Iadd.33. A magneto-optical disc recording apparatus according to claim 32, wherein the protecting means is a disc tray for preventing the magneto-optical disc from contacting the spacer means when the magneto-optical disc is ejected from the apparatus. .Iaddend.