Disc recording and/or reproducing apparatus

Abstract

A magnetic disc recording and/or reproducing apparatus comprises a frame, a recording/reproducing unit detachably mounted on a frame and a front panel detachably mounted on the frame and having an inserting opening through which the magnetic disc is inserted and removed. The frame is primarily designed to accommodate a first recording/reproducing unit adapted for a first magnetic disc and is selectively mounted with either one of the first recording/reproducing unit adapted for a first magnetic disc and is selectively mounted with either one of the first recording/reproducing unit adapted for a second magnetic disc having a smaller diameter. Depending on the selected recording/reproducing unit, either one of a first front panel for the first magnetic disc and a second front panel for a second magnetic disc is selectively mounted on the frame.

What is claimed is: . . 
     
       1.  A magnetic disc recording and/or reproducing apparatus for cooperation with an external information processing system for recording and/or reproduction of digital data on and from a flexible magnetic disc comprising: a frame having a size substantially identical to a standardized frame used in a first standardized magnetic recording and/or reproducing apparatus for accommodating a first recording/reproducing unit for recording and/or reproducing a digital data on and from a first standardized flexible magnetic disc having a first standardized diameter, said frame being adapted to be mounted on a body of the external information processing system in a detachable manner;   a second recording/reproducing unit mounted on said frame for recording and/or reproducing a digital data on and from a second standardized flexible magnetic disc having a second standardized diameter smaller than the first standardized diameter, said second recording/reproducing unit having a second size substantially smaller than the size of the first recording/reproducing unit;   a front panel closing a front end of the frame and having an inserting opening with a size so as to allow insertion of said second standardized flexible magnetic disc therethrough; and   a connector mounted on a rear end of the second recording/reproducing unit, said connector having a design identical to a standardized connector used in the first standardized apparatus; and   an intervening member connected to said rear end of the second record/reproducing unit, said intervening member having a size measured perpendicularly to the front panel such that an overall size of the second recording/reproducing unit and the intervening member connected to the second recording/reproducing unit becomes substantially identical to that of the first recording/reproducing unit when measured perpendicularly to the front panel, said intervening member carrying a socket corresponding to said connector at a first side making contact with the rear end of the second recording/reproducing unit and a second connector on a second side opposite to said first side, and electrically connecting the second recording/reproducing unit to the external information processing system..!..Iadd.   
     
     
       2.  A magnetic disc recording and/or reproducing apparatus for cooperation with an external information processing system for recording and/or reproduction of digital data on and from a flexible magnetic disc comprising: a frame having a size substantially identical to a standardized frame used in a first standardized magnetic recording and/or reproducing apparatus for accommodating a first recording/reproducing unit for recording and/or reproducing a digital data on and from a first standardized flexible magnetic disc having a first standardized diameter, said frame being adapted to be mounted on a body of the external information processing system in a detachable manner;   a second recording/reproducing unit mounted on said frame for recording and/or reproducing a digital data on and from a second standardized flexible magnetic disc having a second standardized diameter smaller than the first standardized diameter, said second recording/reproducing unit having a second size substantially smaller than the size of the first recording/reproducing unit;   a front panel closing a front end of the frame and having an inserting opening with a size so as to allow insertion of said second standardized flexible magnetic disc therethrough; and   a connector mounted on a rear end of the second recording/reproducing unit, said connector having a design facilitating features identical to a standardized connector used in the first standardized apparatus; and   an intervening member connected to said rear end of the second recording/reproducing unit, said intervening member having a size measured perpendicularly to the front panel such that an overall size of the second recording/reproducing unit and the intervening member connected to the second recording/reproducing unit becomes substantially identical to that of the first recording/reproducing unit when measured perpendicularly to the front panel, said intervening member carrying a socket corresponding to said connector at a first side making contact with the rear end of the second recording/reproducing unit and a second connector on a second side opposite to said first side providing said features identical to the standardized connector, and electrically connecting the second recording/reproducing unit to the external information processing system..Iaddend..Iadd.   
     
     
       3.  A magnetic disc recording and/or reproducing apparatus for cooperation with an external information processing system for recording and/or reproduction of digital data on and from a flexible magnetic disc comprising: a frame having a size substantially identical to a standardized frame used in a first standardized magnetic recording and/or reproducing apparatus for accommodating a first recording/reproducing unit for recording and/or reproducing a digital data on and from a first standardized flexible magnetic disc having a first standardized diameter, said frame being adapted to be mounted on a body of the external information processing system in a detachable manner;   a second recording/reproducing unit mounted on said frame for recording and/or reproducing a digital data on and from a second standardized flexible magnetic disc having a second standardized diameter smaller than the first standardized diameter, said second recording/reproducing unit having a second size substantially smaller than the size of the first recording/reproducing unit;   a front panel closing a front end of the frame and having an inserting opening with a size so as to allow insertion of said second standardized flexible magnetic disc therethrough;   a first connector mounted on a rear end of the second recording/reproducing unit; and   an intervening member connected to said rear end of the second recording/reproducing unit and having a second connector, said second connector having a design identical to a standardized connector used in the first standardized apparatus,   wherein said intervening member has a size measured perpendicularly to the front panel such that an overall size of the second recording/reproducing unit and the intervening member connected to the second recording/reproducing unit becomes substantially identical to that of the first recording/reproducing unit when measured perpendicularly to the front panel, said intervening member carrying a socket corresponding to said first connector at a first side making contact with the rear end of the second recording/reproducing unit and said second connector on a second side opposite to said first side, and electrically connecting the second recording/reproducing unit to the external information processing system..Iaddend.