US4403453A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Stylus coning fixture
Assignee: RCA Corp
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Filing: 1981-10-21
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Granted: 1983-09-13
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Expires: 2001-10-21
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for positioning the tip of a stylus adjacent a rotating scaife while continuously rotating the stylus comprises a base plate connected to a platform by means for sweeping the plate through a sweep arc. A tube is connected to the base plate by means for pivoting the tube about an axis parallel to the surface of the scaife, and is also connected to means for exerting a constant torque about the axis in a direction forcing one end of the tube toward the surface of the scaife. The tube supports a rotating shaft and is positioned to allow one end of the shaft to move adjacent the surface of the scaife, the one end of the shaft being adapted to hold the shank of a stylus. A ramp block is mounted on the platform between the base plate and the scaife. The block has an inclined ramp oriented along a direction which allows the tube to make contact therewith, while the stylus is positioned adjacent the surface of the scaife, and be lifted from the surface of the scaife when the sweeping means moves the plate through a portion of the sweep arc.
Inventors
- 👤 Eric F. Cave
- 👤 James J. Cowden
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 20:29
CPC Classifications
B; B24; B24B; B24B19/00; B24B19/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
260 words
An apparatus for positioning the tip of a stylus adjacent a rotating scaife while continuously rotating said stylus comprising: a platform adapted to be mounted adjacent said scaife, a base plate connected to said platform by means for sweeping said plate through a sweep arc about a first axis orthogonal to the surface of said scaife, a tube connected to said base plate by means for pivoting the tube about a second axis orthogonal to said first axis, said tube rotatably supporting a shaft adapted to rotate about a third axis oriented along the longitudinal axis of said tube, and positioned to allow one end of said shaft to move adjacent the surface of said scaife, said one end adapted to hold the shank of said stylus, means mounted on said pivoting means and connected to the other end of said shaft for rotating said shaft about said third axis, means supported by said base plate and connected to said pivoting means for exerting a constant torque about said second axis in a direction forcing the one end of said shaft toward the surface of said scaife, and a ramp block mounted on said platform between said base plate and said scaife, said block having an inclined ramp oriented along a direction sufficiently orthogonal to said third axis to allow said tube to make contact therewith, while said stylus is positioned adjacent the surface of said scaife, and be lifted from the surface of said scaife when said sweeping means moves said plate through a portion of said sweep arc.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
260 words
An apparatus for positioning the tip of a stylus adjacent a rotating scaife while continuously rotating said stylus comprising: a platform adapted to be mounted adjacent said scaife, a base plate connected to said platform by means for sweeping said plate through a sweep arc about a first axis orthogonal to the surface of said scaife, a tube connected to said base plate by means for pivoting the tube about a second axis orthogonal to said first axis, said tube rotatably supporting a shaft adapted to rotate about a third axis oriented along the longitudinal axis of said tube, and positioned to allow one end of said shaft to move adjacent the surface of said scaife, said one end adapted to hold the shank of said stylus, means mounted on said pivoting means and connected to the other end of said shaft for rotating said shaft about said third axis, means supported by said base plate and connected to said pivoting means for exerting a constant torque about said second axis in a direction forcing the one end of said shaft toward the surface of said scaife, and a ramp block mounted on said platform between said base plate and said scaife, said block having an inclined ramp oriented along a direction sufficiently orthogonal to said third axis to allow said tube to make contact therewith, while said stylus is positioned adjacent the surface of said scaife, and be lifted from the surface of said scaife when said sweeping means moves said plate through a portion of said sweep arc.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said sweeping means comprises a stepper motor having the housing thereof mounted on said base plate and having the driveshaft thereof connected to said platform.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said base plate is rotatably supported by a roller bearing surrounding a spindle affixed to said platform and passing through a bearing-lined aperture in said plate, said spindle being connected to the driveshaft of said stepper motor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein the driveshaft of said stepper motor is connected to a reduction gear box for effecting a gear reduction prior to being connected to said spindle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said pivoting means comprises a clamping bracket holding said tube, said clamping bracket having an axle attached thereto and rotatably supported by the sides of a clevis bracket affixed to said base plate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said rotating means comprises a dc motor held by said clamping bracket in a position adjacent said shaft, the driveshaft of said dc motor being connected to the other end of said shaft by a coupling.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said exerting means comprises an extension spring having one end thereof connected to a lever affixed to said axle and the other end thereof supported by an overhang bracket mounted on said base plate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said ramp block has a physical stop disposed at the top portion of said inclined ramp, and wherein the inclination, or slope, of said ramp is less at the lower portion thereof.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
221 words
A method of positioning the tip of a stylus adjacent a rotating scaife while continuously rotating said stylus comprising the steps of: mounting said stylus at one end of a shaft for rotation about a first axis oriented along the longitudinal axis of a tube rotatably supporting said shaft, pivoting the tube about a second axis parallel to the surface of said scaife so as to allow the one end of said shaft to move adjacent the surface of said scaife, rotating said shaft about said first axis, and sweeping a base plate through a sweep arc across the surface of a ramp block about a third axis orthogonal to the surface of said scaife, from a first position, whereat said tube is supported at the top of said ramp block mounted on a platform between said base plate and said scaife, said block having an inclined ramp oriented along a direction sufficiently orthogonal to said first axis to allow said tube to be lowered to the surface of said scaife, to a second position, whereat the tip of said stylus 12 is positioned adjacent the surface of said scaife, holding said tube adjacent said ramp by exerting a constant torque about said second axis in a direction forcing the one end of said shaft toward the surface of said scaife.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
221 words
A method of positioning the tip of a stylus adjacent a rotating scaife while continuously rotating said stylus comprising the steps of: mounting said stylus at one end of a shaft for rotation about a first axis oriented along the longitudinal axis of a tube rotatably supporting said shaft, pivoting the tube about a second axis parallel to the surface of said scaife so as to allow the one end of said shaft to move adjacent the surface of said scaife, rotating said shaft about said first axis, and sweeping a base plate through a sweep arc across the surface of a ramp block about a third axis orthogonal to the surface of said scaife, from a first position, whereat said tube is supported at the top of said ramp block mounted on a platform between said base plate and said scaife, said block having an inclined ramp oriented along a direction sufficiently orthogonal to said first axis to allow said tube to be lowered to the surface of said scaife, to a second position, whereat the tip of said stylus 12 is positioned adjacent the surface of said scaife, holding said tube adjacent said ramp by exerting a constant torque about said second axis in a direction forcing the one end of said shaft toward the surface of said scaife.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as recited in claim 9 wherein said rotating step is performed by a dc motor mounted on said pivoting means and connected to the other end of said shaft.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as recited in claim 9 wherein said sweeping step is performed by a stepper motor having the housing thereof mounted on said base plate and having the driveshaft thereof connected to said platform.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as recited in claim 11 comprising rotably supporting said base plate by a spindle affixed to said platform and passing through a bearing-lined aperture in said plate, said spindle being affixed to the driveshaft of said stepper motor.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-09-12 | 1987-03-14 | 1987-09-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-09-12 | 1991-03-14 | 1991-09-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-09-12 | 1995-03-14 | 1995-09-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |