Track skipper apparatus for video disc player

Claim 1

In a system for recovering prerecorded information from a disc record having a spiral information track by a track-following stylus when stylus/record relative velocity is established; wherein normal operation of said system involves sensing of said prerecorded information along successive convolutions of said spiral track in a regular progression toward one extremity; an apparatus comprising: (A) a carriage subject to translatory motion in correlation with radial motion of said track-following stylus during playback; said carriage having an opening in a bottom wall thereof; (B) a stylus arm carrying said track-following stylus at one end thereof; (C) means for yieldably securing the other end of said stylus arm to said carriage; said yieldable securing means permitting said track-following stylus to protrude through said opening when said stylus arm is lowered during playback; (D) a permanent magnet secured to said stylus arm near said one end thereof; (E) a pair of spaced coils having non-magnetic cores for providing a substantially uniform magnetic field therebetween upon energization; (F) means for mounting said pair of coils to said carriage such that said permanent magnet is disposed therebetween; and (G) means for selectively energizing said coils to cause a shift in the radial location of said track-following stylus.