Importance

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Abstract

A pneumatically operated vacuum chuck for releasably securing data discs includes an arbor with an annular land disposed at the distal end thereof to engage the inner periphery of the disc. An annular groove is formed concentrically in the land to exert a suction grip on a data disc. A piston assembly is secured in a bore within the arbor, the distal end of the piston assembly including a resilient bushing that expands diametrically upon proximal retraction to block the egress path of the disc from the annular land. The piston head engages the bore with a sliding seal, and the sealed interior chamber of the arbor communicates with the annular groove at the distal end of the arbor. A compression spring biases the piston assembly proximally, and air pressure applied to the proximal end of the piston assembly drives the piston assembly distally against the spring. An air channel extends axially through the piston assembly from the proximal end thereof to the sealed interior chamber of the arbor, and a check valve disposed in the air channel transfers vacuum pressure to the annular groove and blocks pneumatic pressure. Pneumatic pressure translates the piston assembly distally, releasing the resilient bushing from blocking removal of the data disc on the annular land, and releasing the vacuum suction on the disc.

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First Claim