US3561768A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Phonograph
Assignee: CASTAGNA ELECTRONICS CORP
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Filing: 1969-04-28
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Granted: 1971-02-09
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Expires: 1989-04-28
Abstract
Abstract A phonograph for playing thin flexible vinyl disc records is provided with means for automatically lifting the record from the turntable so that it may be readily grasped for manual removal. Cooperating with the record-lifting means is a spindle for centering the record on the turntable and a flange associated with the spindle for clamping the record against the turntable during rotation of the latter. The centering spindle and clamping means are mounted to a hinged platform which also carries the tone arm. When the hinged platform is raised, the tone arm is operated to a position where the stylus is aligned with the record lead-in groove and upon subsequent lowering of the hinged platform a switch is automatically operated to energize the electrical circuits for rotating the turntable and operating the amplifier. When the stylus is in the record lead-out groove, an extension of the tone arm operates a switch to deenergize the motor and amplifier.
Inventors
- 👤 John F Castagna
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 16:28
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B17/00; G11B17/02; G11B17/022; G11B17/028; G11B17/035
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
212 words
In apparatus for playback from a think disc-recording member, a turntable, means mounting said turntable for rotation about a central axis, a pickup unit, means mounting said pickup unit in operative position to produce output signals derived from input signals transduced by said pickup unit from a record disposed in a playing position supported on an upper surface of said turntable, and reject means operable after playback for engaging a record at the central region thereof to move such record relative to said turntable from said playing position to a reject position wherein an edge portion of such record is spaced from said turntable by being raised thereabove to facilitate manual removal of such record from said apparatus, said reject means including a lifting element, biasing means urging said lifting element to a raised position above an upper surface, a central opening in said turntable into which said element may be operated downward against force exerted by said biasing means to a lowered position which is no higher than said surface, and operating means for moving said element to said lowered position to permit a record to assume its playing position on said surface. The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive privilege or property is claimed are defined as follows.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which the operating means is engageable with a record from above at the center thereof to drive such record from said reject position to said playing position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 in which there is a record-centering means connected to said operating means, said record-centering means including a spindle having a tapered tip projecting below said operating means and extending into a cooperating centering recess in said lifting element when said element is in said lowered position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 in which said spindle is mounted in a loosely fitted bearing aperture which permits tilting of said spindle to facilitate entry of said tapered tip into said centering recess.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 in which there is a housing in which said turntable and said pickup unit are disposed, an opening in said housing through which a record is inserted and guided to said reject position, said central axis being fixed relative to said housing, said turntable being fixed along said axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
109 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 5 also including a platform disposed within said housing above said turntable, said platform mounting said operating means and said centering means for movement as a unit, means mounting said platform for movement between a first position wherein said spindle is external of said centering recess and a second position below said first position wherein said element is in its said lowered position, an electric motor for driving said turntable, an energizing circuit for said motor, normally open switch means in said circuit operable by said platform to closed position to normally energize said motor when the platform is in said second position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
64 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 6 in which said pickup is mounted for movement from a position at the periphery of a record on said turntable toward a posiTion near the center of such record, means for automatically moving said pickup to the periphery of a record on said turntable responsive to operation of said platform from said second to said first position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
83 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 7 in which the means mounting said pickup unit comprises a tone arm having said pickup unit at one end thereof and a pivot mounting near the other end connected to said platform, normally closed switch means in said energizing circuit operable by said tone arm to open position to deenergize said motor when said tone arm is pivoted to a predetermined position wherein said pickup is at the central region of a record on said turntable.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 7 in which there is a means biasing said platform toward said first position, and releasable latch means for maintaining said platform in said second position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 7 in which there is a hinge means pivotally mounting said platform along an edge thereof, said platform constructed of molded plastic material and having said hinge means integrally formed therewith.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 7 in which there is a record stop in the region of said hinge means to roughly position a record inserted into said housing through said opening.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 7 in which said platform includes an operating extension projecting through said opening for manual operation, said opening having a slit section, said extension moving across said slit section as said platform moves between said first and second positions.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which said biasing means acting through said lifting element exerts a force generally normal to a record in its said reject position to maintain such record in frictional holding engagement with a surface portion of said apparatus during changes in orientation of said apparatus.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-02-08 | 1974-08-10 | 1975-02-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-02-08 | 1978-08-10 | 1979-02-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-02-08 | 1982-08-10 | 1983-02-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |