EP0103402A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Apparatus for playing a record disc
Assignee: AMSTRAD CONSUMER ELECTRONICS PLC
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Filing: 1983-08-10
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2003-08-10
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for playing a record disc comprises a generally closed rectangular housing (16) having an opening (18) at one side, a turntable assembly (30) operable to play a record disc and a carriage or tray (34) which supports the turntable assembly (30). The carriage (34) is slidable through the opening (18) in the housing (16) and drive means (36) are provided for driving the carriage (34) between an inner position in which the turntable (30) is fully received within the housing (16), and an outer position in which a record disc can be placed on the turntable (30). The turntable assembly (30) includes a pick-up arm mounted on the carriage (34) and the turntable (30) is operable to play the record disc in all positions of the carriage (34). Consequently, it is possible to position the pick-up arm on any selected portion of the disc with the turntable (30) in its outer position and then to operate the drive means (36) to return the turntable (30) to its inner position where the housing (16) protects the record disc from airborne dust and dirt.
Inventors
- 👤 Alan Michael Sugar
- 👤 Robert John Watkins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 07:26
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B17/00; G11B17/02; G11B17/022; G11B17/028; G11B17/035; G11B17/04; G11B17/0401; G11B17/0405; G11B33/00; G11B33/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
Apparatus for playing a record disc comprising: a generally closed housing. (16) having an opening (18) at one side; a turntable assembly (301 operable to play a record disc; a carriage (341 supporting the turntable assembly (30) and slidable through the opening (18) in the housing (16); and drive means (361 for driving the carriage (341 between an inner position, in which the turntable assembly (301 is fully received within the housing (16), and an outer position in which a record disc can be placed on the turntable (30) characterised in that the turntable assembly (301 includes a pick-up arm mounted on the carriage (341 and in that the turntable assembly (30) is operable to play the record disc in all positions of the carriage (341.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
Apparatus for playing a record disc comprising: a generally closed housing. (16) having an opening (18) at one side; a turntable assembly (301 operable to play a record disc; a carriage (341 supporting the turntable assembly (30) and slidable through the opening (18) in the housing (16); and drive means (361 for driving the carriage (341 between an inner position, in which the turntable assembly (301 is fully received within the housing (16), and an outer position in which a record disc can be placed on the turntable (30) characterised in that the turntable assembly (301 includes a pick-up arm mounted on the carriage (341 and in that the turntable assembly (30) is operable to play the record disc in all positions of the carriage (341.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 characterised in that it includes manually-operable switch means (48) for selectively actuating the drive means (361 to move the carriage (34) between its inner and outer positions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 characterised in that it includes microswitch means (50) for causing the drive means (36) to stop when the inner and outer positions are reached.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
190 words
Apparatus for playing a record disc having a turntable (30) having a central spindle (32) over which a record disc is placed; a generally rectangular housing (16) providing an enclosure which is essentially closed on five sides and having an opening (18). on its sixth side; a carriage (34) mounting the turntable (30) and slidable through the opening (18). in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the turntable (30) between an outer position where all or substantially all of the turntable (30) is outside the confines of the enclosure, whereby a record disc can be positioned on or removed from the turntable (30), and an inner position in which the turntable (30) is fully received within the housing (16) and a portion of the carriage (34) closes the opening (18); and drive means (361 connected to drive the carriage (34) between its inner and outer positions; characterised by manually-operable switch means (48) for selectively actuating the motor means (36) to move the carriage (34) in its two directions; and by microswitch means (50) for arresting the drive means (36) when the said inner and outer positions are reached.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
190 words
Apparatus for playing a record disc having a turntable (30) having a central spindle (32) over which a record disc is placed; a generally rectangular housing (16) providing an enclosure which is essentially closed on five sides and having an opening (18). on its sixth side; a carriage (34) mounting the turntable (30) and slidable through the opening (18). in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the turntable (30) between an outer position where all or substantially all of the turntable (30) is outside the confines of the enclosure, whereby a record disc can be positioned on or removed from the turntable (30), and an inner position in which the turntable (30) is fully received within the housing (16) and a portion of the carriage (34) closes the opening (18); and drive means (361 connected to drive the carriage (34) between its inner and outer positions; characterised by manually-operable switch means (48) for selectively actuating the motor means (36) to move the carriage (34) in its two directions; and by microswitch means (50) for arresting the drive means (36) when the said inner and outer positions are reached.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to any preceding claim characterised in that the drive means (361 consists of a d.c. motor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 characterised in that the manual switch means (48) comprises a cross-over switch.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to any preceding claim characterised in that the drive means (36) consists of an electric motor mounted on the carriage (34).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the drive means (36) consists of an electric motor connected to drive a pinion (40) which engages with a rack (56).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus according to claim 8, characterised in that the electric motor (36) is connected to the pinion (40) by reduction gearing (46) sufficient to cause the carriage (34) to move at a speed not exceeding 2 cms per second.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, characterised in that the rack (56) is formed integrally with a guide track (58) in which engage two guide rollers (.60) longitudinally displaced to either side of the pinion (40).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus according to claims 8, 9 or 10, characterised in that the motor (36) is mounted on the carriage (34) with the pinion (40) located centrally of the inner edge of the carriage (34).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the carriage (34) is guided by means of at least two rollers (64,66) and engaging guide surfaces (70,721 along each of its side edges to maintain the carriage (34) horizontal as it slides between its inner and outer positions.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to claim 12, characterised in that each roller (64,66) runs in a track (68) one side of which provides the associated guide sueface C70,72).
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus according to any preceding claim, characterised in that it includes two rollers (741 one either side of the opening (181 engaging the side edges of the carriage (34) to inhibit transverse sideways movement of the carriage (34).
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus according to any preceding claim, characterised in that in the inner position of the carriage (34) the opening (18) is closed in part by a preferably-transparent cover member (80) when in its upper position, the cover member (80) being displaced into a lower position as the carriage (34) moves to its outer position.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus according to claim 15, characterised in that the cover member (80) has a front portion for closing the opening (16) and side arms (821 extending inwardly of the housing (16) and pivotally mounted to the sides of the carriage (34).
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
58 words
Apparatus according to claim 16, characterised in that the side arms (82) have a cam surface (86) and the housing (16) carries a cam follower (88), the cam surface (86) being shaped to cause the cover member (80) to move between its upper and lower positions as the carriage (34) moves between its inner and outer positions respectively.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the microswitch means (.50) comprises two microswitches respectively for the inner and outer positions of the carriage (34) and bearing against opposed sides of a single switch operating member (52).
References Cited (Backward Citations)
EP0026152A1
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US4347596A
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EP0040880A1
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DE3026600A1
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EP0053475A2
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GB2091026A
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