Abstract: When a caddy is inserted into the player to load a record therein, it displaces a switch actuating lever to a second position thereof to turn on the player. The switch actuating lever moves back to its first position upon retrieval of the record from the player as the carriage is driven toward its OFF position to switch off the player.

Abstract: A pickup stylus is secured to a plastic stylus holder at one end thereof by inserting it into the holder in a direction that bears a desired, non-perpendicular angle in respect of the longitudinal axis of the stylus holder. The one end of the stylus holder is provided with a surface which is disposed at right angles to the direction of stylus insertion into the holder in order to reduce the possibility of stylus misalignment and mislocation. The stylus holder has a cutout which is shaped and dimensioned such that the resonance frequency of the stylus holder is located near the upper end of the audible frequency range. The stylus holder, which has these and other features, is not only simple and inexpensive, but also has the desired performance characteristics.

Abstract: The stylus arm restraint comprises an element disposed substantially perpendicular to the stylus arm, and having a portion that is received in a recess provided in the cartridge housing when the stylus arm is held inside the cartridge. The reception of the stylus arm-mounted element in the cartridge recess limits motion of the stylus arm during transit.

Abstract: The magnet insertion apparatus includes a first passageway along which magnets are fed. Arranged in communication with the first passageway, and at right angles to it, is a second passageway. A transport blade, reciprocably mounted in the second passageway, displaces the leading magnet to a position in a third passageway disposed parallel to and offset from the first passageway. A drive rod, reciprocably mounted in the third passageway pushes the magnet into a stylus arm held in alignment with the third passageway. According to a further aspect of the invention, the third passageway is provided with a guideway for accurately guiding the magnets. The insertion machine is additionally equipped with a reciprocably-mounted tucking element to tuck the magnets into the guideway.

Abstract: A pickup cartridge comprises a stylus arm having a stylus disposed at one end, and having the other end thereof flexibly supported in the cartridge. A flylead connects an electrode arranged on the stylus to a terminal mounted on the cartridge. In accordance with the instant invention, the stylus flylead is covered with a damping compound to improve the reliability of high speed scanning of the disc.

Abstract: A video disc sleeve comprises a U-shaped enclosure, and a pair of T-shaped side rails which are ultrasonically welded to the enclosure to form the package. The inside surfaces of the T-rails are inclined away from the respective intermediate flange portions to accommodate excess molten plastic during welding to produce clean and uniform welds.

Abstract: As an empty caddy is inserted into a video disc player to retrieve a record retained inside the player, it engages and drives back a pickup carriage to its starting position at the rear of the player. As this happens, a coil spring, connected to the carriage, is stretched such that it urges the carriage to move toward the front of the player. During playback, a timing mechanism coupled to the carriage controls the rate of travel by means of an escapement of the carriage under the influence of the coil spring.

Abstract: The player is provided with a pair of spaced apart spine latching members which hook up with an inner record retaining spine as a disc record caddy is inserted into the player so that when the outer sleeve is withdrawn, the record/spine assembly is retained inside the player. A selected one of the spine latching members is equipped with a moveably mounted overtravel member which precludes the selected latching member from capturing the spine until the other latching member is also in position to latch up the spine. A connecting member rigidly intercoupling the latching members precludes the other latching member from capturing the spine until both latching members are ready to latch up the spine to ensure simultaneous latching of the spine.

Abstract: To load a record into the player, a caddy is inserted into the player and then withdrawn, thereby leaving the enclosed record inside the player resting on a pair of front and back receiver pads. As the pickup carriage moves toward the turntable for playback, the record is lowered to the turntable for rotation therewith without hindrance from the receiver pads. As the carriage is driven back to a standby position after playback, the record is transferred back to the receiver pads for retrieval.

Abstract: The stylus lifter driving circuit gradually lowers the stylus arm until the stylus contacts a turntable-disposed record. Once the stylus/record engagement is detected, the lifter support bracket rapidly moves away from the stylus arm to prevent stylus bouncing.

Abstract: The in-arm stylus cleaner includes a cleaner arm mounted for to-and-fro motion in the stylus arm carriage. To clean the stylus, the cleaner arm is retracted, the reproducing stylus is raised back up into the carriage arm, the cleaner arm is freed to allow a wiping element mounted thereon to sweep the stylus tip, and the stylus is then gently lowered onto a turntable-disposed record to resume playback operations.

Abstract: A turntable brake mechanism comprises a brake shoe located beneath the turntable for motion between a raised position and a lowered position in response to raising and lowering a record lifting rod which passes through one of the slots in the turntable to transfer the record between the turntable and a set of record receiving pads positioned above the turntable. When raised, the brake shoe engages the underside of the turntable to oppose the rotation of the turntable. The brake shoe is spaced from the turntable, when retracted, to allow the turntable to rotate freely.

Abstract: The technique of forming a jacket by welding a pair of T-shaped side rails to a U-shaped enclosure comprises the steps of (1) inserting the U-shaped enclosure over a spacer plate, (2) clamping the U-shaped enclosure to the spacer plate, (3) inserting the flange portions of the T-rails between the side edge portions of the U-shaped enclosure, and (4) ultrasonically welding the side rails to the U-shaped enclosure to complete the assembly. According to a further feature of the invention, the clamping plates are fitted with tapered inserts at both ends to oppose the tendency of the finished jacket to collapse in the middle. Pursuant to still another aspect of the invention, the portion of the spacer plate near the open end of the U-shaped enclosure is provided with energy concentrating tips to direct a portion of ultrasonic energy to this region to ensure a good weld between the side rails and the U-shaped enclosure near its open end.

Abstract: As a caddy is inserted into the player to load a record therein, it displaces the carriage locking lever to its retracted position to release the carriage. The record retaining spine of the caddy holds the carriage locking lever at the retracted position thereof as long as the record/spine assembly is inside the player. Upon removal of the record/spine assembly from the player, the carriage locking lever moves to its advanced position to arrest the carriage.

Abstract: The video disc player is provided with a pair of carriage locking devices to securely lock the carriage in place during handling and shipping. Each of the carriage locking devices comprises a carriage locking pin, a device locking tab and a handle. Upon arrival of the player at its final destination, the locking devices are removed to free the carriage.

Abstract: The caddy door is connected to a pair of front record receiving pads by means of a compliant member such that the caddy door is shut and open when the front receiving pads are respectively advanced and retracted. The connecting member is provided with a raised portion which engages the caddy door to prevent it from fully opening when a caddy is forced into the player. When the front receiving pads are retracted, the raised portion on the connecting member is displaced out of the way to allow insertion of a caddy into the player. In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the top wall of the input slot is provided with a groove into which the front edge of the caddy is guided to prevent further caddy insertion when the caddy door is prevented from fully opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating a disc record package from a flat plastic sheet, comprising a narrow intermediate section interposed between a pair of panel portions. The apparatus includes a housing, a pair of substantially rigid planar folding plates pivotally mounted for movement, a rigid spacer plate, a means for selectively heating the narrow intermediate section of the said flat plastic sheet, and a means for folding the said rigid planar folding plates. The folding plates are operable between a spreadout co-planar position and a folded up juxtaposed position. The rigid spacer plate acts to form the central portion of the folded plastic sheet during the molding operation. The means for moving the said spacer plate and folding plates are pneumatically operated cylinders.

Abstract: The video disc caddy comprises a record retaining spine removably received inside an outer protective cover. The spine has an opening for receiving a disc record. Each side of the spine is provided with a pair of oppositely disposed, substantially semicircular wiping pads around the record receiving opening therein.

Abstract: The video disc caddy comprises a relatively compliant, record retaining spine subject to removable reception in an outer sleeve. The outside lateral dimension of the spine is made larger than the corresponding dimension of the sleeve so that when the record/spine assembly is inserted into the sleeve, the spine gently squeezes the record to hold it in place upon insertion.

Abstract: Both the turntable and the housing of the player are provided with hook-like projections which are brought into alignment whenever the turntable motor is switched off. These projections safeguard against accidental separation of the turntable from the unit, e.g., during handling. For service, the turntable is rotated slightly until the hooks are not in registration, and then the turntable is lifted away from the player.