I stumbled across a very unusual and primitive two disc CD changer. It is part of a Admiral (Model # JCS 49535) boombox-style dual CD Radio dual cassette recorder with both battery and AC power. I have searched the web earnestly and not found a trace.
This is the unusual part. On the top of the unit are two top-loading stationery CD trays, side-by side. A single CD rests in each tray. There is only one player mechanism (i.e., drive spindle and laser head and positioner.) The whole player mechanism moves from side to side underneath the trays and pops up to engage and play the disc. It drops down and slides across underneath and pops up under the other disc to play it. I have never seen anything like it. The lubricant used on the sliding mechanism has hardened a bit so a slight push with a finger is usually required to assist the gear mechanism to get it to slide from one side to the other.
I figure it must be from the mid-80's or so when multi-disc players/changers were first introduced. Obviously, this design didn't last long. In fact, I couldn't find it mentioned anywhere. I even tried searching the patent file but didn't know what search terms would distinguish it from the thousand's of other CD player patents.
I'd like to find out more about the particular device I have and perhaps locate a manual. I'd especially like to find out more about this sliding player mechanism. I did not see any additional identification (e.g., patent numbers) either on the case or on the printed circuit boards. I did'nt disassemble to the point that I could clearly see the sliding mechanism itself. The Admiral brand name was apparently sold and/or licensed to a lot of companies in the late 80's and early 90's since Admiral Corporation was going out of business.
Any help would be appreciated.
This is the unusual part. On the top of the unit are two top-loading stationery CD trays, side-by side. A single CD rests in each tray. There is only one player mechanism (i.e., drive spindle and laser head and positioner.) The whole player mechanism moves from side to side underneath the trays and pops up to engage and play the disc. It drops down and slides across underneath and pops up under the other disc to play it. I have never seen anything like it. The lubricant used on the sliding mechanism has hardened a bit so a slight push with a finger is usually required to assist the gear mechanism to get it to slide from one side to the other.
I figure it must be from the mid-80's or so when multi-disc players/changers were first introduced. Obviously, this design didn't last long. In fact, I couldn't find it mentioned anywhere. I even tried searching the patent file but didn't know what search terms would distinguish it from the thousand's of other CD player patents.
I'd like to find out more about the particular device I have and perhaps locate a manual. I'd especially like to find out more about this sliding player mechanism. I did not see any additional identification (e.g., patent numbers) either on the case or on the printed circuit boards. I did'nt disassemble to the point that I could clearly see the sliding mechanism itself. The Admiral brand name was apparently sold and/or licensed to a lot of companies in the late 80's and early 90's since Admiral Corporation was going out of business.
Any help would be appreciated.
(im 22)
