Abstract: A turntable has a central opening in which a centering spindle is snugly received for a reciprocal motion along the axis of rotation of the turntable. The centering spindle has a tapering end for engagement with walls defining a central aperture of a disc master in order to center the disc master relative to the turntable. A spring, located in the turntable central opening, biases the centering spindle in a direction such that the tapering end of the centering spindle, in engagement with the walls defining the central aperture of the disc master, urges the disc master against engaging ends of locating members, secured to the peripheral portion of the turntable, to locate a surface of the disc master in a recording plane defined by the engaging ends of the locating members. The locating members selectively occupy positions permitting installation and removal of the disc master.

Abstract: A hub assembly for releasably securing an apertured record disc upon a base member includes a hollow elastic sleeve deformable from an upright quiescent position for receiving a disc to a compressed operative position. An actuator, engageable with the sleeve and displaceable from quiescent to operative positions, compresses the sleeve to secure the disc upon the base member. A latch, engageable with the actuator, retains the actuator in its operative position but is releasable by a spring to permit the compressed sleeve and actuator to their quiescent position and thus free the disc.

Abstract: A disk file employs a fixed magnetic head and a rotary magnetic disk that precesses about the axis of a drive motor. An escapement mechanism, that is coupled to the rotary spindle which supports the disk, is free to rotate about the motor axis, causing the disk to precess while the disk is rotating. Thus, there is relative radial movement between the precessing disk and the fixed head, enabling accessing to different data tracks.

Abstract: A playing apparatus, in particular a video player, for playing round records provided with information tracks and comprising a housing with a substantially flat covering plate, a drive spindle, a cover which is hinged to the housing and a stabilizing plate which is resiliently connected to the cover. On the cover a number of supports are provided which when the cover is closed support the stabilizing plate at a height which is accurately defined relative to the covering plate.

Abstract: A toroidal-shaped stabilizer mounts a transducer for controlled penetration into a flexible record media, preferably a record disk. The toroidal-shaped stabilizer has a convex surface facing the flexible disk to be stabilized. The convex surface has an apex in an outer radial portion of the toroidal stabilizer. The toroidal stabilizer can be used in either a multiple disk assembly, with a single disk assembly or any nondisk type flexible magnetic record apparatus.

Abstract: In a random access storage device a head transported relative to a rotating assembly of flexible disks and a pair of co-rotating end plates operates in clearance spaces formed by sliding the disks apart at a selected interface. One of the end plates is attached to a low friction spline which is quickly shiftable between predetermined axial limit positions. In the most confining position of this plate a single selected interface space between the disks is partially opened by deflection of the disks. The partial opening is sufficient to establish a pressure difference relative to the other interfaces but not enough for unobstructed entrance of the head. Shortly after formation of the partial opening the shiftable plate is actuated away from the disks in a quick movement.

Abstract: An access arm for use in a flexible magnetic disk pack for a magnetic disk storage apparatus having a wedge-shaped hollow body with a lower horizontal confining surface supporting a magnetic head and an upper confining surface arranged at an angle thereto. When the access arm is inserted into the disk pack, the two confining surfaces form a flow channel for the air moved by the rotation of the disks. On the leading and on the trailing side of the access arm the upper confining surface has protruding parts, so that additional stabilizing air bearing forces are generated on the magnetic disk adjacent the lower confining surface.

Abstract: A clamping device for rotatably driving an information carrying record such as a rigid or flexible video record and comprising a drive spindle, a record support disposed thereon, a substantially conical centring member having a diameter which varies from a diameter smaller than to greater than that of the record hole, which also during operation co-operates with the edge of the central hole in the record, and furthermore resilient pressure means for pressing the centring surface and the edge of the central hole in the record against each other.

Abstract: A magnetic storage device having a stack of spaced flexible magnetic disks and an access arm carrying a magnetic transducer moveable between adjacent disks in the stack for accessing the disk surfaces. The access arm is blunt on one side edge and is sharp on the other side edge and increases gradually in thickness from the sharp edge to a position of maximum arm thickness adjacent the blunt edge at which the magnetic transducer is embedded in the arm. The disks rotate so as to move across the arm from the sharp edge toward the blunt edge, and the disks thus closely follow the surfaces of the access arm and particularly the surface of the transducer.

Abstract: A data recorder/reproducer device for flexible magnetic disc media, having a door-like structure mounted on a supportive frame. The door structure receives a recording disc and is adapted to carry a recording head at one or both sides of the disc. The heads are articulated for selective control of movement toward or away from the disc, into or out of transducing relation and also for translational movement across the face of the disc, generally radially thereof. The device includes novel interlocking actuator means which prevent opening of the door or doors except when the heads, positioned by a translational drive means, are in a predetermined "home" or start position at the edge of the disc, thereby preventing the inadvertent erasure or other loss or destruction of the recorded information.

Abstract: A portable disc recorder control apparatus operable both upon insertion of a recording disc and manipulation of a single control button. After insertion and positioning of the disc, such functions and operations as special instruction recording, stopping, ejecting, playing, and reviewing are controlled by the apparatus. These functions and operations are initiated through the single control button.

Abstract: A magnetic disk head carriage is described comprising a one-piece injection molded-head receiving platform having a pair of spaced symetrically-positioned beam-shaped legs. The legs of the platform are each terminated by a threaded bore for threadably receiving a lead screw. A spring is provided between the legs for spreading the legs against opposing threads of the lead screw. A magnetic head assembly is mounted on the platform and extends between the legs to a position over the center line of the lead screw. The carriage assembly, thus arranged, provides for cancelling the effects of compliance and provides flexibility in the directions required for wear, damping, thermal expansion and backlash compensation while retaining sufficient rigidity for controlling head-to-disk interface dimensional stability and the dissipation of stepper motor torque forces.

Abstract: A method of and a device using a testing sheet having magnetically recorded thereon a magnetic head deviation detection signal formed on a portion of a predetermined spiral magnetic track or on a portion of a predetermined spiral magnetic track and on at least one side of such one portion. By causing a magnetic head mounted on a turntable of magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus for magnetically recording and reproducing electric signals in a spiral track to move along the predetermined spiral track on the testing sheet which is fixed, it is possible to find out if the magnetic head is able to trace the predetermined spiral magnetic track without deviating therefrom.

Abstract: Cartridges containing a tray retained flexible disc with the tray locked to the cartridge housing are accepted so that the tray is unlocked and withdrawn from the cartridge housing into an operating position internal to a receiver. The cartridge housing is held in a relatively fixed position so that it cannot be removed from the receiver unless the tray has been properly returned to the cartridge housing and again locked therein. The flexible disc is automatically clamped into a spindle arrangement and rotary motion applied thereto when a detector indicates that the disc is in the proper operating position. The tray is returned to the cartridge housing in essentially a reverse sequence from the loading operaton but with additional means for insuring that the disc has stopped rotation prior to return to the tray and is properly seated on the tray prior to its return to the cartridge housing.

Abstract: In electromagnetically reading or writing information on a flexible recording medium, commonly referred to as a "floppy" disc, a read/write head is permanently secured for translational movement with respect to each of a succession of discs which are brought into position beneath the head, the disc being rotated until its recording surface is raised into close proximity to the head for reading and writing information thereon. An airflow pattern is established between the disc and a flat reference plate to form an air bearing interface therebetween which will maintain the disc in a flat plane of rotation directly beneath the head. A second air bearing is formed between the head and the disc to maintain a slight, precise separation therebetween so as to prevent direct contact in close proximity between the head and disc to facilitate electromagnetic recording.

Abstract: Magnetic disk recording apparatus including a pair of magnetic transducers contacting the opposite sides of a magnetic disk and each carried by a swingable arm. The arms are interconnected together so that the swinging movement of one of the arms is transmitted to the other arm to cause an opposite swinging movement of the other arm for simultaneously moving the transducers away from the magnetic disk. An electromagnet actuates one of the arms so as to thereby also move the other arm.

Abstract: A device for the viewing of photo-images and the presentation of sound recordings corresponding to such photo-images, which device may be controlled by the user to provide substantially random access to any photo-image and the sound recording corresponding thereto, is disclosed. A modular construction of such device and its adaptability to either hand-held or projection embodiments is described. A novel tone arm system as well as a novel turntable driving mechanism, a novel disc type record unit and a novel record changing mechanism is disclosed. In addition, a novel stereoscopic system based on the use of two identical views of the field of vision is disclosed and a specific optical system is described. Finally, a method of and means for coordinating a group of photo-images and a group of sound recordings so that selection of a particular photo-image automatically selects the corresponding sound recording is disclosed.

Abstract: A modular design disc receiving apparatus that is utilized as a cartridge holder or output hopper. When utilized as a cartridge holder, push to latch, push to unlatch means position the cartridge for proper disc insertion, thereby readying the apparatus for its function as a cartridge holder. The apparatus comprises means for counting and giving visual indication of the number of discs ejected into the cartridge, and means for sensing a cartridge full situation, thereby enabling associated feeding systems, and, accordingly, preventing jamming of the apparatus. In addition, the apparatus is utilized as a disc output hopper, in the situation where a cartridge is not being used. When used, as aforementioned, the capacity of the apparatus is approximately doubled. Discs ejected into the apparatus are neatly stacked so that they protrude from the front of the apparatus where they can be seen and easily removed.

Abstract: A lid is hinged to the base of a disc record player for movement between a closed position and an open position. A lid latch member is mounted in the base for (1) securely holding the lid in the closed position, and (2) releasing the lid in response to manipulation of a lid release lever. A cam is mounted in the base for movement between (one) a first condition decoupling, and (two) a second condition intercoupling, the release lever and the latch member. A linkage is provided between the cam and a signal pickup housing of the player for moving the cam (a) into the first condition when the housing is in a playback mode whereat manipulation of the release lever is ineffective to release the lid, and (b) into the second condition when the housing is in a standby mode whereat the latch member responsive to manipulation of the lever releases the lid, if the lid were closed.

Abstract: A signal storage apparatus employs a stack of circular record disks accessible by axially separating segments of selected disks in the stack. One disk in a stack of coaxial rotatable circular compliant record disks is accessed with a minimum energy imparted to such disks by a chord roll disk separator. In a preferred form, the chord roll disk separator induces a primary bending mode to some of the disks being axially separated. In another aspect of the disclosure, a signal transducer is mounted integrally with the disk separator. With such mounting, primary, secondary, or higher order bending modes may be successfully employed. Full chordal and partial chordal axial disk separations are described. Arcuate and radially directed separation techniques may be employed. A unique axial stacking arrangement for compliant record disks is also described.

Abstract: Spindle depress/brake apparatus in a disc dictation machine for depressing the record/playback spindle during a disc change cycle and for inhibiting rotational motion of the spindle after a new disc is loaded until the spindle properly engages a phasing slot in the disc. The apparatus includes a pivotally mounted bellcrank resiliently biased in a non-spindle depress direction. The bellcrank includes a Y-shaped first end engaging the spindle having a tooth for inhibiting rotation of the spindle and a second end which includes a cam surface, a mechanical latch and an adjustable stop. The spindle depress/brake apparatus is actuated by motion of the disc change loader carrier mechanism in the machine.

Abstract: Multiple (e.g. 500) ultra-thin flexible storage disks are stacked in a closely spaced configuration between circular end plates and arranged for rotation together with the plates about a common axis. Recording surfaces of the rotating disks are deflected to successively expand (open) and contract (close) a selected interface and thereby provide recording access at the expanded interface. Separation of the selected interfacing surfaces for access is facilitated by maintaining a predetermined air pressure between the contracted disks which conditions the rotation of the disks to bistability in the contracted position. Thus only a small initiating force is required to expand any selected interface with the disks initially contracted. This reduces disk wear. Expansion of a selected interface is accelerated (for shortening access time) by applying vacuum to the disks in synchronism with the initiating force.

Abstract: An automatic record feeding device particularly advantageous for use in association with a flexible foil-type video disc record used by a video disc player. The record feeding device includes a transfer roll having at least one escapement recess or notch formed in the outer peripheral surface thereof, and a back-up guide cooperative with the transfer roll to hold the disc record between it and the transfer roll during transfer of the disc record from one position to another.

Abstract: A lid is pivoted to the base of a record player for movement between a closed position and an open position. A leaf spring is secured to the base at one end thereof. A detent is mounted to the remote end of the leaf spring for movement between (1) a protruding condition subject to engagement with the lid when closed, and (2) a retracted condition releasing the lid if closed. A plunger is reciprocably mounted for cooperation with a lid release button. A slide is movably mounted in the base adjacent the leaf spring for movement between (a) a position interposed, and (b) a position not interposed, between the plunger one end and the leaf spring. The plunger responsive to operation of the release button moves the detent to the retracted condition, via the slide and the leaf spring, if the slide is in the interposed position. If the slide is not interposed, the release button is ineffective to actuate the detent.

Abstract: An assembly comprised of a flexible, magnetic recording disk and a jacket or envelope which houses the disk in a manner such that the disk can rotate in the jacket under the influence of a conventional disk drive. The jacket has a notch at one corner thereof to provide a write enable function for the assembly when used with the disk drive. A rigid member is provided adjacent to the notch to close the opening formed thereby between the two sides of the jacket and to reinforce the corner to prevent structural damage to the jacket when used with the disk drive. The jacket is formed from an initially flat sheet of material and, except for the aforesaid rigid member, there is no structure between the outer periphery of the disk and the adjacent margin of the jacket.

Abstract: Magnetic disk recording apparatus including a pair of magnetic transducers contacting the opposite sides of a magnetic disk and each carried by a swingable arm. The arms are interconnected together so that the swinging movement of one of the arms is transmitted to the other arm to cause an opposite swinging movement of the other arm for simultaneously moving the transducers away from the magnetic disk. An electro-magnet actuates one of the arms so as to thereby also move the other arm.