US3907306A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tone arm suspension for a record changer
Assignee: US Philips Corp
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Filing: 1973-12-19
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Granted: 1975-09-23
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Expires: 1993-12-19
Abstract
Abstract A device for adapting the tone arm suspension of a record changer to the varying height of the stack of records placed on the turntable. A tone arm mounting is raised and lowered on an axle by the change mechanism. A tilting plate jams against the axle to hold the mounting at the desired height.
Inventors
- 👤 Jurgen Muller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 12:34
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B3/00; G11B3/02; G11B3/10; G11B3/30; G11B3/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
196 words
A tone arm and suspension device for a record changer, comprising a tone arm, an axle rotatable about its longitudinal axis, means slidable along said axle for mounting said tone arm for pivotal movement about a first axis perpendicular to said axle axis, a tone arm lifting means for lifting said mounting means and tone arm upward during a change cycle and for subsequently lowering said mounting means and tone arm, and means for sensing contact of said tone arm with a record and engaging said mounting means to said axle upon such contact, such that the height position of the mounting means adapts to a varying height of a stack of records, wherein said means for sensing and engaging comprise a tilting member which engages said axle by tilting with respect to said axle to jam against it so as to prevent movement of said mounting means downward, the jamming engagement being released by rotating said tilting member toward an angular position perpendicular to said axle axis during upward movement of said tone arm lifting means, and means for retaining said tilting member in position with respect to said axle for jamming engagement and release.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
196 words
A tone arm and suspension device for a record changer, comprising a tone arm, an axle rotatable about its longitudinal axis, means slidable along said axle for mounting said tone arm for pivotal movement about a first axis perpendicular to said axle axis, a tone arm lifting means for lifting said mounting means and tone arm upward during a change cycle and for subsequently lowering said mounting means and tone arm, and means for sensing contact of said tone arm with a record and engaging said mounting means to said axle upon such contact, such that the height position of the mounting means adapts to a varying height of a stack of records, wherein said means for sensing and engaging comprise a tilting member which engages said axle by tilting with respect to said axle to jam against it so as to prevent movement of said mounting means downward, the jamming engagement being released by rotating said tilting member toward an angular position perpendicular to said axle axis during upward movement of said tone arm lifting means, and means for retaining said tilting member in position with respect to said axle for jamming engagement and release.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
77 words
A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said tilting member comprises an apertured plate, said axle passing through the aperture, said aperture having a size to provide a small clearance when the member is rotated toward a perpendicular position with respect to said axle axis. 3. A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said tilting member is retained within said mounting means so as to be freely slidable over the distance of said small clearance.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
109 words
A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said mounting means comprises a sleeve slidable along said axle and a switching member pivotally mounted on said sleeve about a second axis perpendicular to said axle axis, said switching member engaging saaid tilting member so as to rotate about said second axis and so disposed that during at least a portion of the tone arm lifting portion of the change cycle the switching member engages the tilting member and rotates about said second axis to a first position so as to rotate said tilting member toward a perpendicular position with respect to the axle axis to release said jamming engagement.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said second axis is spaced from said first axis along the longitudinal direction of the tone arm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
142 words
A device as claimed in claim 5 wherein said tilting member comprises an apertured plate, said axle passing through the aperture, said aperture having a size to provide a small clearance when the member is rotated toward said perpendicular position, said tilting member being retained within said mounting means so as to be freely slidable over the distance of said small clearance, said tone arm comprising a locking device for holding said switching member in said first position, said device further comprising a tone arm positioning means for holding the tone arm in a second angular position with respect to said mounting means during at least said lifting portion of the change cycle, and means for disengaging said switching member from said locking device upon rotation of said tone arm about said first axis when said tone arm lands on a record.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device as claimed in claim 6 wherein said locking device comprises a magnet, said switching member comprising a magnetic material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
A device as claimed in claim 6 wherein said means for disengaging comprises a stop means on the sleeve for engaging the tilting member to hold the tilting member in jamming engagement with the axle when a record is being played.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
A device as claimed in claim 6 wherein said switching member comprises arm portions extending in opposite directions from the second axis so arranged that the inertia forces to either side of the second axis are equal.
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) | 1978-09-22 | 1979-03-24 | 1979-09-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-22 | 1983-03-24 | 1983-09-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-22 | 1987-03-24 | 1987-09-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |