Carrier accessory for use with record discs on phonographs

Claim 2

For use in conjunction with a nominally 12 inch diameter record disc having a central label area surrounded by a recording area which is in turn surrounded by a rim area, a free and separate carrier accessory adapted to underlie, carry and drop to the turntable with the record disc through the changing and playing operation on the spindle of a record changing phonograph, comprising: a generallly rigid circular disc-like supporting body having an overall diameter substantially equal to or greater than that of the record disc, the body including an elevated central hub and a substantially flat annular flange surrounding and extending outwardly from the elevated hub, the elevation of the hub being with respect to the flat annular flange, the elevated hub including a central portion which is exposed on both sides and has a spindle hole therein, and means for supporting said central portion in juxtaposition to an overlying record disc; a layer of flexible cushioning material in the form of an annulus attached on and protruding from one side of the flange and surrounding the elevated hub for engaging the recording area of an overlying record disc; and, a layer of flexible cushioning material attached on the opposite side of the flange.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the layers of flexible cushioning material are in the form of annuli of precision-cut upright pile fabric attached concentrically on opposite sides of the flange for engaging the recording areas of overlying and underlying record discs, the annuli having inside and outer diameters falling between the label and rim areas of said record discs.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the central portion of the elevated hub is fixed in position, and wherein the means for supporting the central portion of the elevated hub in juxtaposition to an overlying record disc includes means fixing the central portion of the hub at a position above the flat annular flange and slightly below the outer surface of the layer of flexible cushioning material on said one side of the flange.

Claim 5

For use in conjunction with a nominally 12 inch diameter record disc having a central label area surrounded by a recording area, a free and separate carrier accessory adapted to underlie and carry the record disc in the playing operation on a phonograph, comprising: a generally rigid disc-like supporting body having an overall diameter substantially equal to or greater than that of the record disc, the body including an elevated central hub having a spindle hole therein, and a substantially flat annular flange surrounding and extending outwardly from the elevated hub, the elevation of the hub being with respect to the flat annular flange, a layer of flexible cushioning material in the form of an annulus attached on and protruding from one side of the flange and surrounding the elevated hub for engaging the recording area of an overlying record disc; and, a layer of flexible cushioning material attached on the opposite side of the flange, with the central portion of the hub being free, and the means for supporting the central portion of the hub in juxtaposition to an overlying record disc comprising means mounting the central portion of the hub for sliding vertical movement between predetermined positions including a position approximately flush with or above the outer surface of the layer of flexible cushioning material on said one side of the flange.

Claim 6

For use in conjunction with a nominally 12 inch diameter record disc having a central label area surrounded by a recording area, a free and separate carrier accessory adapted to underlie and carry the record disc in the playing operation on a phonograph, comprising: a generally rigid disc-like supporting body having an overall diameter substantially equal to or greater than that of the record disc, the body including an elevated central hub having a spindle hole therein, and a substantially flat annular flange surrounding and extending outwardly from the elevated hub, the elevation of the hub being with respect to the flat annular flange, a layer of flexible cushioning material in the form of an annulus attached on and protruding from one side of the flange and surrounding the elevated hub for engaging the recording area of an overlying record disc; and, a layer of flexible cushioning material attached on the opposite side of the flange, with the central portion of the hub being free, and the means for supporting the central portion of the hub in juxtaposition to an overlying record disc comprising means mounting the central portion of the hub for sliding vertical movement between predetermined positions including a position approximately flush with or above the outer surface of the layer of flexible cushioning material on said one side of the flange.

Claim 7

For use in conjunction with a nominally 12 inch diameter record disc having a central label area surrounded by a recording area which is in turn surrounded by a rim area, a free and separate carrier accessory adapted to underlie and carry the record disc in the playing operation on a phonograph, comprising: a generally circular disc-like supporting body having a spindle hole centrally therein and having an overall diameter substantially equal to or greater than that of the record disc; and, a layer of flexible cushioning material in the form of an annulus of precision cut upright pile fabric attached concentrically on one side of the body for engaging the recording area of an overlying record disc, the annulus having an inside diameter greater than the outside diameter of the label area of the record disc, and the annulus having an outside diameter sufficiently less than that of the record disc to clear said rim area thereof.

Claim 8

For use in conjunction with a nominally 12 inch diameter record disc having a central label area surrounded by a recording area which is in turn surrounded by a rim area, a free and separate carrier accessory adapted to underlie and carry the record disc in the playing operation on a phonograph, comprising: a generally circular disc-like supporting body having a spindle hole centrally therein and having an overall diameter substantially equal to or greater than that of the record disc; and, a layer of flexible cushioning material in the form of an annulus of precision cut upright pile fabric attached concentrically on one side of the body for engaging the recording area of an overlying record disc, the annulus having an inside diameter greater than the outside diameter of the label area of the record disc, and the annulus having an outside diameter sufficiently less than that of the record disc to clear said rim area thereof.

Claim 9

For use in conjunction with a nominally 12 inch diameter record disc having a central label area surrounded by a recording area, a free and separate carrier accessory adapted to underlie and carry the record disc in the playing operation on the turntable of a phonograph, comprising: a generally circular disc-like supporting body having an overall diameter substantially equal to or greater than that of a record disc, the body including an elevated central hub having a spindle hole therein, an elevated outer rim, and a substantially flat annular flange joining the rim with the hub, the elevation of the central hub and outer rim being with respect to the flat annular flange, the elevated outer rim having an inner perimeter defined on one side of the body by a circular abutment edge having a diameter substantially equal to or less than the outer diameter of the record disc recording area, and the elevated central hub having an outer perimeter defined on the same side of the body by a circular abutment edge having a diameter exceeding that of the record disc label area; a layer of flexible cushioning material in the form of an annulus of precision-cut upright pile fabric attached concentrically on the flange on said one side of the body and extending between and to an elevation above said abutment edges defining the inner and outer perimeters of the rim and hub respectively for engaging the recording area of an overlying record disc; and, a layer of flexible cushioning material attached to the flange on the opposite side of the body.

Claim 10

For use in conjunction with a nominally 12 inch diameter record disc having a central label area surrounded by a recording area, a free and separate carrier accessory adapted to underlie and carry the record disc in the playing operation on the turntable of a phonograph, comprising: a generally circular disc-like supporting body having an overall diameter substantially equal to or greater than that of a record disc, the body including an elevated central hub having a spindle hole therein, an elevated outer rim, and a substantially flat annular flange joining the rim with the hub, the elevation of the central hub and outer rim being with respect to the flat annular flange, the elevated outer rim having an inner perimeter defined on one side of the body by a circular abutment edge having a diameter substantially equal to or less than the outer diameter of the record disc recording area, and the elevated central hub having an outer perimeter defined on the same side of the body by a circular abutment edge having a diameter exceeding that of the record disc label area; a layer of flexible cushioning material in the form of an annulus of precision-cut upright pile fabric attached concentrically on the flange on said one side of the body and extending between and to an elevation above said abutment edges defining the inner and outer perimeters of the rim and hub respectively for engaging the recording area of an overlying record disc; and, a layer of flexible cushioning material attached to the flange on the opposite side of the body.

Claim 11

For use in conjunction with a nominally 12 inch diameter record disc having a central label area surrounded by a recording area, a free and separate carrier accessory adapted to underlie, carry and drop with the record disc through the changing and playing operation on the spindle of a record changer, comprising: a generally disc-like supporting body having an overall diameter substantially equal to or greater than that of the record disc, the body including an elevated hollow central hub, an elevated hollow outer rim, and a substantially flat annular flange joining the rim with the hub, the elevation of the central hub and the outer rim being with respect to the flat annular flange, the hub including a relatively thin central portion exposed on both sides and having a spindle hole therein, and means for supporting said central portion in juxtaposition to an overlying record disc; and, layers of flexible cushioning material attached respectively on opposite sides of the flange for engaging the recording area of overlying and underlying record discs.

Claim 12

For use in conjunction with a nominally 12 inch diameter record disc having a central label area surrounded by a recording area, a free and separate carrier accessory adapted to underlie, carry and drop with the record disc through the changing and playing operation on the spindle of a record changer, comprising: a generally disc-like supporting body having an overall diameter substantially equal to or greater than that of the record disc, the body including an elevated hollow central hub, an elevated hollow outer rim, and a substantially flat annular flange joining the rim with the hub, the elevation of the central hub and the outer rim being with respect to the flat annular flange, the hub including a relatively thin central portion exposed on both sides and having a spindle hole therein, and means for supporting said central portion in juxtaposition to an overlying record disc; and, layers of flexible cushioning material attached respectively on opposite sides of the flange for engaging the recording area of overlying and underlying record discs.

Claim 13

The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the elevated hollow outer rim has an inner perimeter defined on both sides of the body by circular abutment edges having a diameter substantially equal to or less than the outer diameter of the recording area on the record disc; wherein the elevated hollow central hub has an outer perimeter defined on both sides of the body by circular abutment edges having a diameter approximately equal to or greater than the outside diameter of the label area of the record disc; and, wherein the top and bottom layers of cushioning material extend between and protrude to an elevation beyond said abutment edges defining the inner and outer perimeters of the rim and hub respectively on opposite sides of the body.

Claim 14

The apparatus of claim 7 wherein at least the layer of flexible cushioning material for engaging the recording area of an overlying record disc is in the form of an annulus of velvet.

Claim 15

For use in conjunction with a nominally 12 inch diameter record disc having a central label area surrounded by a recording area, a free and separate carrier accessory adapted to underlie, carry and drop with the record disc through the changing and playing operation on the spindle of a record changer, comprising: a generally disc-like supporting body having an overall diameter substantially equal to or greater than that of the record disc, the body including a substantially flat annular flange which surrounds and extends outwardly from an elevated central hub, the elevation of the central hub being with respect to the flat annular flange, the hub comprising an annular portion having an inner perimeter defining a central opening through the hub, a cap extending across said central opening and having a spindle hole therein, and means mounting the cap for limited vertical movement between two predetermined positions, including a protruding position relative to the annular portion of the hub; and, layers of flexible cushioning material attached respectively on opposite sides of the flange for engaging overlying and underlying record discs, the outer surface of each layer being elevated relative to the annular portion of the hub.

Claim 16

For use in conjunction with a nominally 12 inch diameter record disc having a central label area surrounded by a recording area, a free and separate carrier accessory adapted to underlie, carry and drop with the record disc through the changing and playing operation on the spindle of a record changer, comprising: a generally disc-like supporting body having an overall diameter substantially equal to or greater than that of the record disc, the body including a substantially flat annular flange which surrounds and extends outwardly from an elevated central hub, the elevation of the central hub being with respect to the flat annular flange, the hub comprising an annular portion having an inner perimeter defining a central opening through the hub, a cap extending across said central opening and having a spindle hole therein, and means mounting the cap for limited vertical movement between two predetermined positions, including a protruding position relative to the annular portion of the hub; and, layers of flexible cushioning material attached respectively on opposite sides of the flange for engaging overlying and underlying record discs, the outer surface of each layer being elevated relative to the annular portion of the hub.

Claim 17

The carrier accessory of claim 10 wherein the cap is a free member comprising a plate portion exposed on both sides and having the spindle hole therein, a skirt portion, and a flange portion extending laterally from the skirt portion, and wherein the means mounting the cap comprises means restricting vertical movement of said flange portion and means slidably engaging said skirt portion and restricting lateral movement thereof.

Claim 18

For use in conjunction with a nominally 12 inch diameter record disc having a central label area surrounded by a recording area, a free and separate carrier accessory adapted to underlie, carry and drop with the record disc through the changing and playing operation on the spindle of a record changer, comprising: a generally disc-like supporting body having an overall diameter substantially equal to or greater than that of the record disc; the body including top and bottom shells connected together to form an elevated hollow central hub, an elevated hollow outer rim, and a substantially flat annular flange joining the rim with the hub, the top and bottom shells each having a central opening therein, the elevation of the central hub and the outer rim being with respect to the flat annular flange, the hub including a free cap captured in the central opening of the top shell and having a spindle hole therein, the cap having portions captured between the top and bottom shells for limiting vertical movement of the cap to between predetermined positions including one position where the cap protrudes from the top shell; and, layers of flexible cushioning material in the form of annuli attached respectively on opposite sides of the flange and extending between the hub and rim for engaging the recording area of overlying and underlying record discs.

Claim 19

For use in conjunction with a nominally 12 inch diameter record disc having a central label area surrounded by a recording area, a free and separate carrier accessory adapted to underlie, carry and drop with the record disc through the changing and playing operation on the spindle of a record changer, comprising: a generally disc-like supporting body having an overall diameter substantially equal to or greater than that of the record disc; the body including top and bottom shells connected together to form an elevated hollow central hub, an elevated hollow outer rim, and a substantially flat annular flange joining the rim with the hub, the top and bottom shells each having a central opening therein, the elevation of the central hub and the outer rim being with respect to the flat annular flange, the hub including a free cap captured in the central opening of the top shell and having a spindle hole therein, the cap having portions captured between the top and bottom shells for limiting vertical movement of the cap to between predetermined positions including one position where the cap protrudes from the top shell; and, layers of flexible cushioning material in the form of annuli attached respectively on opposite sides of the flange and extending between the hub and rim for engaging the recording area of overlying and underlying record discs.

Claim 20

For use in conjunction with a nominally 12 inch diameter record disc having a central label area surrounded by a recording area, a free and separate carrier accessory adapted to underlie, carry and drop to the turntable with the record disc through the changing and playing operation on the spindle of a record changer, comprising: a generally disc-like supporting body having an overall diameter substantially equal to or greater than that of the record disc, the body including top and bottom shells connected together to form an elevated hollow central hub, an elevated hollow outer rim, and a substantially flat annular flange joining the rim with the hub, the top and bottom shells each having a central opening therein, the elevation of the central hub and the outer rim being with respect to the flat annular flange, the outer rim having an inner perimeter defined on both the top and bottom body shells by circular abutment edges thereon, the central hub having an outer perimeter defined on both the top and bottom shells by circular abutment edges thereon each having a diameter exceeding that of the record disc label area, so that the hub on both sides of the body has a raised annular portion the respective perimeters of which define the circular openings and abutment edges, the hub including a free cap captured in the central opening of the top shell, the cap including a substantially flat upper plate portion spanning the central opening in the top shell and exposed on both sides and having a central spindle hole therein, a skirt portion which depends from the plate, and a flange portion extending laterally from the skirt, said flange being captured between the top and bottom shells for limiting vertical movement of the cap to between a position where the plate is approximately flush with the upper surface of the annular hub portion and a position where the plate and supporting skirt protrudes above the top surface of the annular hub portion, with the skirt slidably engaging the perimeter of said opening in the top shell so as to restrict lateral movement of the cap to a negligible degree of movement; and, layers of flexible cushioning material disposed respectively on opposite sides of the flange for engaging the recording area of overlying and underlying record discs, each layer being in the form of an annulus of precision-cut upright pile fabric extending between and protruding to a level above the respective abutment edges of the hub and rim so as to constitute the sole engagement with overlying and underlying record discs when disposed on the turntable for the record changer.

Claim 21

For use in conjunction with a nominally 12 inch diameter record disc having a central label area surrounded by a recording area, a free and separate carrier accessory adapted to underlie, carry and drop to the turntable with the record disc through the changing and playing operation on the spindle of a record changer, comprising: a generally disc-like supporting body having an overall diameter substantially equal to or greater than that of the record disc, the body including top and bottom shells connected together to form an elevated hollow central hub, an elevated hollow outer rim, and a substantially flat annular flange joining the rim with the hub, the top and bottom shells each having a central opening therein, the elevation of the central hub and the outer rim being with respect to the flat annular flange, the outer rim having an inner perimeter defined on both the top and bottom body shells by circular abutment edges thereon, the central hub having an outer perimeter defined on both the top and bottom shells by circular abutment edges thereon each having a diameter exceeding that of the record disc label area, so that the hub on both sides of the body has a raised annular portion the respective perimeters of which define the circular openings and abutment edges, the hub including a free cap captured in the central opening of the top shell, the cap including a substantially flat upper plate portion spanning the central opening in the top shell and exposed on both sides and having a central spindle hole therein, a skirt portion which depends from the plate, and a flange portion extending laterally from the skirt, said flange being captured between the top and bottom shells for limiting vertical movement of the cap to between a position where the plate is approximately flush with the upper surface of the annular hub portion and a position where the plate and supporting skirt protrudes above the top surface of the annular hub portion, with the skirt slidably engaging the perimeter of said opening in the top shell so as to restrict lateral movement of the cap to a negligible degree of movement; and, layers of flexible cushioning material disposed respectively on opposite sides of the flange for engaging the recording area of overlying and underlying record discs, each layer being in the form of an annulus of precision-cut upright pile fabric extending between and protruding to a level above the respective abutment edges of the hub and rim so as to constitute the sole engagement with overlying and underlying record discs when disposed on the turntable for the record changer.

Claim 22

For use in conjunction with a nominally 12 inch diameter record disc having a central label area surrounded by a recording area, a free and separate carrier accessory adapted to underlie and carry the record disc in the playing operation on a phonograph, comprising: a generally circular disc-like supporting body having a central spindle hole therein and having an overall diameter substantially equal to or greater than that of the record disc; said supporting body being electrically conductive; and, a layer of flexible cushioning material in the form of an annulus of precision-cut upright pile fabric attached on one side of the body for engaging the recording area of an overlying record disc, said fabric being electrically conductive.

Claim 23

For use in conjunction with a nominally 12 inch diameter record disc having a central label area surrounded by a recording area, a free and separate carrier accessory adapted to underlie and carry the record disc in the playing operation on a phonograph, comprising: a generally circular disc-like supporting body having a central spindle hole therein and having an overall diameter substantially equal to or greater than that of the record disc; said supporting body being electrically conductive; and, a layer of flexible cushioning material in the form of an annulus of precision-cut upright pile fabric attached on one side of the body for engaging the recording area of an overlying record disc, said fabric being electrically conductive.