Reproducing system utilizing round flexible magnetizable recording carrier foils

Claim 3

A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said step of rotating is carried out to rotate the record at a speed which causes the resulting air flow to bring the periphery of the record along a diameter normal to the plate crest at least as close to the plate as any other point of the record which is on such diameter and which is spaced inwardly from such periphery.

Claim 4

A recording and/or playback device for use with a flexible foil type record which is rotated at high speed, comprising, in combination: a. rotatable drive means for engaging the record substantially at its center to cause the record to rotate therewith; b. a stationary stabilizing plate arranged to underlie the record, and said plate being arched upwardly and having an elongated crest which extends along the entirety of a diameter of the record; c. means defining a passage for the introduction of Air between said plate and the record; d. transducer means for coacting with the record; e. means supporting said transducer means for movement relative to the record along a line adjacent and parallel to said crest; f. means for rotating said rotatable means together with the record at a speed which causes the rotation of the record to induce a flow of air from the passage, between the record and said plate, and away from the center of the record, sufficient to form an air cushion which underlies every point of the record beyond its center to maintain the record spaced from the plate and from any solid body present between the plate and the record, and which causes the record to assume a configuration closely conforming to the configuration of said plate, whereby the record position is stabilized relative to said plate and the record is rigidified along the plate crest.

Claim 5

A recording and/or playback device for use with a flexible foil type record which is rotated at high speed, comprising, in combination: a. rotatable drive means for engaging the record substantially at its center to cause the record to rotate therewith; b. a stationary stabilizing plate arranged to underlie the record, and said plate being arched upwardly and having an elongated crest which extends along the entirety of a diameter of the record; c. means defining a passage for the introduction of Air between said plate and the record; d. transducer means for coacting with the record; e. means supporting said transducer means for movement relative to the record along a line adjacent and parallel to said crest; f. means for rotating said rotatable means together with the record at a speed which causes the rotation of the record to induce a flow of air from the passage, between the record and said plate, and away from the center of the record, sufficient to form an air cushion which underlies every point of the record beyond its center to maintain the record spaced from the plate and from any solid body present between the plate and the record, and which causes the record to assume a configuration closely conforming to the configuration of said plate, whereby the record position is stabilized relative to said plate and the record is rigidified along the plate crest.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 3 in which said transducer means is a recording means for placing signal producing indicia on the record.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 3 in which said transducer means is scanner means for sensing signal producing indicia on the record, and producing playback signals in response thereto.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 3 in which said transducer means includes a stationary arm mounted on the support means, a transducer element, and means mounting the transducer element for movement on the stationary arm along the said elongated crest line.

Claim 9

The improvement of claim 3 including means for adjusting the height of said transducer means.

Claim 10

The improvement of claim 3 in which said stabilization plate is formed with an opening of dimensions selected to control the amount of air flowing between the record and said plate and thereby control the spacing between the record and said transducer means.

Claim 11

An arrangement as defined in claim 3 wherein said means defining a passage are positioned for disposing such passage close to said drive means.

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 3 in which the arched portion of the stationary plate is constituted by two inclined sections meeting at said elongated crest.

Claim 13

The apparatus of claim 10 in which the region of the crest in which said inclined surfaces meet is curved.

Claim 14

For use with a foil-type record having a thickness of about 0.13 mm., the apparatus of claim 10 in which said inclined sections are joined by a curved section having a radius of curvature of approximately 450 mm.

Claim 15

An arrangement as defined in claim 3 wherein the region between said plate and the position to be occupied by the record is free of any solid body.

Claim 16

An arrangement as defined in claim 13 further comprising a flexible foil-type record disposed above said plate and engaged at its center by said rotatable drive means, and wherein said means for rotating rotates said record at such speed.

Claim 17

An arrangement as defined in claim 14 wherein the speed at which said record is being rotated is sufficient to produce an air flow which causes the periphery of said record along a diameter normal to the crest to be at least as close to said plate as is any other point of the record which is on such diameter and which is spaced inwardly from such periphery.

Claim 18

The apparatus of claim 3 in which the arched portion of the stationary plate is curved.

Claim 19

The apparatus of claim 16 in which said curve is cylindrical.

Claim 20

The apparatus of claim 16 in which said curve is hyperbolic.

Claim 21

The apparatus of claim 16 in which said curve is parabolic.