Vacuum turntable system for a record player

Claim 2

A turntable system for a record player of the type arranged to attract a phonograph record by a vacuum force, comprising: (a) a turntable body rotatably mounted and arranged to be driven; (b) a multiple-part spindle rotatably mounted on a stationary member for supporting said turntable, said spindle having (i) a generally cylindrical spindle body, and (ii) a top member having a projection at the top thereof and a turntable mount integrally formed with said projection, (iii) said projection being provided to be fitted in a center hole of a phonograph record when the phonograph record is placed on said turntable, (iv) said turntable mount having a hollow bore therein for receiving a top portion of said cylindrical spindle body, said turntable mount having an outer diameter which is greater than that of said projection, (v) a plurality of passageways being made in said turntable mount in substantially radial directions, (vi) said cylindrical spindle body having an open end at its one end, and (vii) a longitudinal passageway communicating, at said open end, with said plurality of radial passageways of said top member; (c) a hollow cylindrical bearing for partially receiving said spindle body, (i) said bearing having a chamber which is communicable with said longitudinal passageway of said spindle body via openings made in the vicinity of the other end of said spindle body, (ii) said turntable body having a recess around its center hole which is telescopically engaged with the outer surface of said turntable mount, said recess having a predetermined depth so that the space defined by said recess communicates with said plurality of radial passageways of said turntable mount; and (d) means for producing vacuum, said means communicating via said chamber, said openings of said spindle body, said longitudinal passageway and said radial passageways with said recess of said turntable body so that said phonograph record and/or a turntable sheet placed on said turntable body can be attracted toward said turntable body when said means is operated.

Claim 3

A turntable system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said turntable mount is of truncated conical shape, and in that said center hole of said turntable body is so shaped to be engaged with the periphery of said turntable mount.

Claim 4

A turntable system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said turntable mount has small and large diameter portions and a stepped portion between said small and large diameter portions, and in that said small diameter portion is fitted in said center hole of said turntable body so that the bottom periphery of said center hole is placed on said stepped portion.

Claim 5

A turntable system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said cylindrical spindle body comprises a closed end at the bottom thereof.

Claim 6

A turntable system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said cylindrical spindle body comprises a cylindrical body having an open end at the bottom thereof, and a bottom member telescopically engaged with the bottom of said cylindrical body, said bottom member having a closed bottom end.

Claim 7

A turntable system as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that said bottom member is made of a material which is softer than that of said cylindrical body.

Claim 8

A turntable system as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that said openings in the vicinity of said other end of said cylindrical spindle body comprise a plurality of passageways extending in substantially radial directions.

Claim 9

A turntable system as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that said opening in the vicinity of said other end of said cylindrical spindle body comprises a plurality of substantially radial passageways formed in said bottom member.

Claim 10

A turntable system as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that said spindle body comprises a conical recess formed at the center of said closed end thereof for partially receiving a ball bearing placed on the bottom of said chamber of said cylindrical bearing.

Claim 11

A turntable system as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that said spindle body comprises a semi-spherical recess formed at the center of said closed end thereof for partially receiving a ball bearing placed on the bottom of said chamber of said cylindrical bearing.

Claim 12

A turntable system as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that said bottom member comprises a conical recess formed at the center of said closed end thereof for partially receiving a ball bearing placed on the bottom of said chamber of said cylindrical bearing.

Claim 13

A turntable system as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that said bottom member comprises a semi-spherical recess formed at the center of said closed end for partially receiving a ball bearing placed on the bottom of said chamber of said cylindrical bearing.

Claim 14

A turntable system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said spindle body comprises a simply cylindrical member having an open end at the bottom thereof, and in that a ball bearing having a diameter which is greater than the inner diameter of said cylindrical member is interposed between said bottom open end and the bottom of said chamber of said cylindrical bearing.

Claim 15

A turntable system as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that the inner edge of said bottom open end of said cylindrical member is tapered, and in that said ball bearing is arranged to abut against said tapered portion.

Claim 16

A turntable system as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that a plurality of rectangular slots extending longitudinally from said bottom open end to a given length are made.

Claim 17

A turntable system as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that said plurality of rectangular slots are equidistantly arranged along the circumference of said bottom open end.

Claim 18

A turntable system as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that said closed end is of a semi-spherical shape, and in that said semi-spherical closed end abuts, at its center point, against the bottom of said chamber of said cylindrical bearing.

Claim 19

A turntable system as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that said closed end is of a generally conical shape and has a semi-spherical portion at the apex of the cone, and in that said semi-spherical portion abuts, at its center point, against the bottom of said chamber of said cylindrical bearing.

Claim 20

A turntable system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a plate is placed on the bottom of said chamber of said cylindrical bearing.

Claim 21

A turntable system as claimed in claim 19, characterized by means for airtightening placed in the vicinity of the bottom of said chamber of said cylindrical bearing, a lubricant placed on said plate being isolated from the air in said chamber of said cylindrical bearing.

Claim 22

A turntable system as claimed in claim 20, characterized in that said airtightening means comprises a ring-like member having an inner diameter which is smaller than that of a ball bearing placed on said plate.

Claim 23

A turntable system as claimed in claim 21, characterized in that said ring-like member has a height so that said ring-like member is spaced form said ball bearing by a short distance.

Claim 24

A turntable system as claimed in claim 21, characterized in that said ring-like member is made of a hygroscopic material for including a lubricant therein.

Claim 25

A turntable system as claimed in claim 20, characterized in that said airtightening means has a height which is a little smaller than the diameter of a ball bearing placed on said steel plate, and large and small inner diameter portions, said ball bearing being partially received in said small diameter portion.

Claim 26

A turntable system as claimed in claim 24, characterized in that said small diameter portion includes a circular recess formed along the inner surface thereof.

Claim 27

A turntable system as claimed in claim 25, characterized in that said circular recess has a V-shaped cross-section.

Claim 28

A turntable system as claimed in claim 20, characterized in that said airtightening means is of a hollow truncated conical shape, and has an open end at its top for partially receiving a ball bearing placed on said plate.

Claim 29

A turntable system as claimed in claim 27, characterized in that the diameter of said open end of said hollow truncated cone and the height of said hollow truncated cone are respectively selected so that said open end is spaced from said ball bearing by a short distance.

Claim 30

A turntable system as claimed in claim 20, characterized in that said cylindrical bearing includes a recess formed in the bottom thereof, and in that said airtightening means is placed on a shoulder of said recess to surround a ball bearing placed on said plate which is placed in said recess.

Claim 31

A turntable system as claimed in claim 29, characterized in that said airtightening means comprises a thin annular plate.

Claim 32

A turntable system as claimed in claim 30, characterized in that said thin annular plate has an inner diameter which is a little smaller than the diameter of said ball bearing.

Claim 33

A turntable system as claimed in claim 20, characterized in that said chamber of said cylindrical bearing comprises a recess formed in the bottom thereof, and in that said airtightening means is placed on the shoulder of said recess to surround the periphery of said spindle body having a pointed portion at the center of the bottom end thereof placed on said plate.

Claim 34

A turntable system as claimed in claim 20, characterized in that said airtightening means comprises a hollow truncated conical shape, and having an open end at its top for receiving the bottom end of said spindle body having a pointed portion at the center of said bottom end placed on said plate.

Claim 35

A turntable system as claimed in claim 33, characterized in that the diameter of said open end of said hollow truncated cone and the height of said hollow cone are respectively selected so that said open end is spaced from said spindle body by a short distance.

Claim 36

A turntable system as claimed in claim 19, characterized in that the bottom of said chamber of said cylindrical bearing comprises a recess formed therein, said plate being received in the bottom of said recess, and in that the diameter and the depth of said recess are respectively selected so that the air in said recess is substantially tightened by a ball bearing placed on said steel plate.

Claim 37

A turntable system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the upper surface of said turntable body comprises a plurality of radial and circular grooves, said grooves communicating with each other and with said recess of said turntable body.

Claim 38

A turntable system as claimed in claim 1, characterized by a turntable sheet placed on the upper surface of said turntable body, said turntable sheet having a plurality of radial and circular grooves on both sides thereof, said grooves on both sides communicating with each other via through-holes in said turntable sheet.

Claim 39

A turntable system as claimed in claim 1, characterized by a turntable sheet placed on the upper surface of said turntable body, said turntable sheet having a plurality of radial and arc-like grooves on both sides thereof, said grooves on both sides communicating with each other via through-holes in said turntable sheet.

Claim 40

A turntable system as claimed in claim 37 or 38, characterized in that said radial grooves on both sides are respectively arranged in an X-fashion.

Claim 41

A turntable system as claimed in claim 37 or 38, characterized in that each of said radial grooves on one surface of said turntable sheet is arranged between two adjacent radial grooves on the other surface.

Claim 42

A turntable system as claimed in claim 37 or 38, characterized in that said through-holes are made in said circular or arc-like grooves, respectively.

Claim 43

A turntable system as claimed in claim 37 or 38, characterized in that the upper surface of said turntable body is flat except for said recess located around said center hole thereof.

Claim 44

A turntable system as claimed in claim 37 or 38, characterized in that the largest diameter of said circular or arc-like grooves on one side of said turntable sheet is a little smaller than a first phonograph record size, and in that the largest diameter of said circular or arc-like grooves on the other side is a little smaller than a second, different phonograph record size.

Claim 45

A turntable system as claimed in claim 43, characterized in that some of said through-holes are made between said radial grooves on said one side and at least one circular groove or arc-like grooves on said other side.

Claim 46

A turntable system as claimed in claim 19 wherein said plate is formed of steel.

Claim 47

A turntable system for a record player of the type arranged to attract a phonograph record by a vacuum force, comprising: (a) a turntable body rotatably mounted and arranged to be driven; (b) a multiple-part spindle rotatably mounted on a stationary member for supporting said turntable, said spindle having (i) a generally cylindrical spindle body, and (ii) a top member having a projection at the top thereof and a turntable mount integrally formed with said projection, (iii) said projection being provided to be fitted in a center hole of a phonograph record when the phonograph record is placed on said turntable, (iv) said turntable mount having a hollow bore therein for receiving a top portion of said cylindrical spindle body, (v) said turntable mount having an outer diameter which is greater than that of said projection, (vi) a plurality of passageways being made in said turntable mount in substantially radial directions, (vii) said cylindrical spindle body having an open end at its one end, a longitudinal passageway communicating, at said open end, with said plurality of radial passageways of said top member, and a closed end at the other end, (c) a hollow cylindrical bearing for partially receiving said spindle body, said bearing having a chamber which is communicable with said longitudinal passageway of said spindle body via openings made in the vicinity of said closed end of said spindle body; said turntable body having a recess around its center hole which is telescopically engaged with the outer surface of said turntable mount, said recess having a given depth so that the space defined by said recess communicates with said plurality of radial passageways of said turntable mount; and (d) means for producing vacuum, said means communicating via said chamber, said openings of said spindle body, said longitudinal passageway and said radial passageways with said recess of said turntable body so that said phonograph record and/or a turntable sheet placed on said turntable body can be attracted toward said turntable body when said means is operated.

Claim 48

A turntable system for a record player of the type arranged to attract a phonograph record by a vacuum force, comprising: (a) a turntable body rotatably mounted and arranged to be driven; (b) a multiple-part spindle rotatably mounted on a stationary member for supporting said turntable, said spindle having (i) a generally cylindrical spindle body, and (ii) a top member having a projection at the top thereof and a turntable mount integrally formed with said projection, (iii) said projection being provided to be fitted in a center hole of a phonograph record when the phonograph record is placed on said turntable, (iv) said turntable mount having a hollow bore therein for receiving a top portion of said cylindrical spindle body, (v) said turntable mount having an outer diameter which is greater than that of said projection, (vi) a plurality of passageways being made in said turntable mount in substantially radial directions, (vii) said cylindrical spindle body having an open end at its one end, a longitudinal passageway communicating, at said open end, with said plurality of radial passageways of said top member, and a closed end at the other end, (c) a hollow cylindrical bearing for partially receiving said spindle body, said bearing having a chamber which is communicable with said longitudinal passageway of said spindle body via openings made in the vicinity of said closed end of said spindle body; said turntable body having a recess around its center hole which is telescopically engaged with the outer surface of said turntable mount, said recess having a given depth so that the space defined by said recess communicates with said plurality of radial passageways of said turntable mount; and (d) means for producing vacuum, said means communicating via said chamber, said openings of said spindle body, said longitudinal passageway and said radial passageways with said recess of said turntable body so that said phonograph record and/or a turntable sheet placed on said turntable body can be attracted toward said turntable body when said means is operated.

Claim 49

A turntable system as claimed in claim 46, characterized in that said spindle body comprises a simply cylindrical member and a bottom member telescopically engaged with said simply cylindrical member, said bottom member being made of a material which is softer than that of said simply cylindrical member.

Claim 50

A turntable system as claimed in claim 46, characterized in that a ball bearing is interposed between the outer surface of said closed end of said cylindrical spindle body and the bottom of said chamber of said cylindrical bearing, and in that a recess for partially receiving said ball bearing is provided on said outer surface of said closed end of said cylindrical spindle body.

Claim 51

A turntable system as claimed in claim 46, characterized in that said outer surface of said closed end of said cylindrical spindle body comprises a pointed portion at the center thereof, which is arranged to abut against the bottom of said chamber of said cylindrical bearing.

Claim 52

A turntable sheet for use with a turntable system of the type arranged to attract a phonograph record placed via said turntable sheet on a turntable body to said turntable body by a vacuum force applied through a passageway made in said turntable body, where said passageway is made in the vicinity of the center of said turntable body, characterized in that said turntable sheet includes means on one side thereof for attracting a phonograph record of a first predetermined size, and means on the other side thereof for attracting a phonograph record of a second, different, predetermined size comprising: on one side of said turntable sheet, an inner circular or arcuate groove, an outer circular or arcuate groove, and a plurality of radial grooves interposed between said inner and outer grooves; on the other side of said turntable sheet, an inner circular or arcuate groove, an outer circular or arcuate groove, and a plurality of radial grooves interposed between said inner and outer grooves; said outer groove of said one side having a diameter which is smaller than that of said outer groove of said other side, said outer groove of each of said sides being surrounded by a circular grooveles means for sealing the turntable sheet to a record on a first side and for sealing the turntable sheet to the turntable body on an opposite side, whereby attractive vacuum force acts effectively; a plurality of through-holes communicating between at least one of said grooves on each of the sides provided in said turntable sheet; the diameter of each of said outer grooves being selected to attract a phonograph record of one of said first and second different predetermined sizes when each of said sides is in contact with said phonograph record.

Claim 53

A turntable sheet for use with a turntable system of the type arranged to attract a phonograph record placed via said turntable sheet on a turntable body to said turntable body by a vacuum force applied through a passageway made in said turntable body, where said passageway is made in the vicinity of the center of said turntable body, characterized in that said turntable sheet includes means on one side thereof for attracting a phonograph record of a first predetermined size, and means on the other side thereof for attracting a phonograph record of a second, different, predetermined size comprising: on one side of said turntable sheet, an inner circular or arcuate groove, an outer circular or arcuate groove, and a plurality of radial grooves interposed between said inner and outer grooves; on the other side of said turntable sheet, an inner circular or arcuate groove, an outer circular or arcuate groove, and a plurality of radial grooves interposed between said inner and outer grooves; said outer groove of said one side having a diameter which is smaller than that of said outer groove of said other side, said outer groove of each of said sides being surrounded by a circular grooveles means for sealing the turntable sheet to a record on a first side and for sealing the turntable sheet to the turntable body on an opposite side, whereby attractive vacuum force acts effectively; a plurality of through-holes communicating between at least one of said grooves on each of the sides provided in said turntable sheet; the diameter of each of said outer grooves being selected to attract a phonograph record of one of said first and second different predetermined sizes when each of said sides is in contact with said phonograph record.

Claim 54

A turntable sheet as claimed in claim 50, wherein said through-holes are made along said radial grooves on said both sides.