Abstract: A tonearm including an elongate member, a suspension means, a protrusion and a contact surface. The suspension means suspends the elongate member (8a; 8b; 8c; 8d; 8e) in an approximately horizontal position. The weight of the elongate member is substantially supported by the suspension means. The protrusion is arranged in opposing contact with the contact surface at a contact point, such that action of a drag force substantially parallel to the length of the elongate member urges the contact surface and the protrusion into opposing contact, thereby producing a contact force which resists the drag force. By separating the means for supporting the weight of the elongate member and the means for resisting a drag force acting along the length of the elongate member, the drag force can be more effectively resisted thus providing a tonearm with improved properties.

Abstract: A head shell is attachable to and detachable from a connector of a tone arm of a record player, and holds a pickup cartridge. The head shell includes a cylinder attachable to and detachable from the connector, a head shell main body held to the cylinder, and a fixing screw capable of fixing the head shell main body to the cylinder. The cylinder includes a cylindrical cylinder external circumferential surface and a groove disposed on the cylinder external circumferential surface along an axial direction of the cylinder. A space is defined between the fixing screw and the groove in a circumferential direction of the cylinder.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a headshell connecting a cartridge and a tonearm of an audio turntable includes a first part connected with the cartridge, a second part connected with the tonearm, and a joint axially and pivotally coupling the first part and the second part. The second part includes a first tension adjusting assembly of a first ball, a first spring, and a first tension adjuster and a second tension adjusting assembly of a second ball, a second spring, and a second tension adjuster, wherein the first tension adjusting assembly and the second tension adjusting assembly are formed in the second part and in parallel with each other.

Abstract: An improved tone arm mounting system, for improved damping of tone arm system (100) vibrations. Tone arm system (100) is supported by tone arm pedestal (106). Adjuster screw (301) is affixed to the bottom of tone arm pedestal (106) so that adjuster screw axis of revolution (309) passes through or near tone arm system weight center of gravity (310). Adjuster screw (301), by threaded means, rotatably receives adjuster wheel (302), which is thin and is large in diameter, for easy access to its outer edge for manual or mechanical operation. Rotation of adjuster wheel (302) on adjuster screw (301) changes the height of tone arm pedestal (106) and thereby changes VTA (110). The tone arm system (100) is supported by arm board (206) without vertical connection to arm board (206) thereby damping mechanical vibrations and improving signal quality.

Abstract: A system for exchanging digital data among a plurality of hand-held computer devices. Digital signals are written by a first hand-held device to a mini-cartridge that mini-cartridge is inter-operable among a class of hand-held devices, each of which is equipped with a mini-disk drive. A common digital data format is employed to further facilitate exchange of data between devices.

Abstract: A system for exchanging digital data among a plurality of hand-held computer devices. Digital signals are written by a first hand-held device to a mini-cartridge that mini-cartridge is inter-operable among a class of hand-held device, each of which is equipped with a mini disk drive. A common digital data format is employed to further facilitate exchange of data between devices.

Abstract: A system for exchanging digital data among a plurality of hand-held computer devices. Digital signals are written by a first hand-held device to a mini-cartridge that mini-cartridge is inter-operable among a class of hand-held device, each of which is equipped with a mini disk drive. A common digital data format is employed to further facilitate exchange of data between devices.

Abstract: An automatic balancing apparatus which includes a support shaft which is rotated by a drive; a case body which is fixed to the support shaft and which rotates together with the support shaft; a ring magnet which is placed at the inside corner, in the radial direction, of an inner space of the case body; and a balancing member. The balancing member further includes a plurality of magnetic bodies which are movable in the inner space of the case body and which can be drawn up by the magnetic field of the ring magnet. When the rotational frequency of a rotor, which rotates together with the case body, exceeds the resonant frequency, the automatic balancing apparatus reduces vibrations of the rotor; and the outer circumference of the ring magnet has a flat portion.

Abstract: A cartridge unloading apparatus for a disk drive having a cartridge loading end, a remote end, and a base plate. The apparatus is employed for tiltably unloading the disk from a spindle magnet with a peeling action. The apparatus includes first and second sliders positioned relative the ends of the disk drive. The sliders each have only one S-shaped slot formed therein. Each slider has a slot to receive one of the two lifting pins provided on a cartridge receiver. The movement of the sliders drives the lifting pins along the slots, thereby raising or lowering the cartridge receiver depending upon the direction of rotation of the tiller. The sliding motion of the lifting pins engaged in the S-shaped slots thus unloads a disk from or, alternatively, loads the disk onto the drive spindle.

Abstract: A latch mechanism is used with a disc drive. The latch mechanism includes an arm portion with an extending end portion. The extending end portion is configured to allow rotation of an actuator on the disc drive into an operable position during merging of the actuator onto a disc stack in the disc drive.

Abstract: A lens drive apparatus for driving vertically and horizontally a lens component by employing magnets and coils, includes a lens component, a lens support member, a mass balancing member for balancing with respect to the lens support member, and a seesaw support member for supporting the lens support member and the mass balancing member to perform a seesaw action. The lens drive apparatus can be miniaturized and made lightweight and operates stably as a balanced lens component and serves as an efficient actuator for a focusing/tracking servo with respect to an objective lens of an optical pickup for recording and reproducing optical information.

Abstract: A magnetic head for recording information on a recording disk which has a head body that has a sliding sole which contacts the recording disk. The head body is supported by a three-piece leaf spring which has one end connected to a support and the other end connected to the head body. The support member includes a stopper which engages the end of the second portion of the leaf spring so as to control the position of the head body.

Abstract: A turn table in an optical disk apparatus in accordance with the present invention is provided with a mount section for use in a mini disk (MD) at the top portion thereof and another mount section for use in a compact disk (CD) at the base portion thereof. This arrangement makes it possible to drive optical disks of different types by the use of the same turn table. Below the turn table, are installed an optical pickup and a base plate that is provided with switches for discriminating whether the MD in question is dedicated solely to reproduction use or is used for both recording and reproduction, and positioning pins for the MD. The optical pickup is also allowed to move in the radial direction of the disk by support members. The optical pickup, the support members and the base plate are integrally moved up and down between a station close to the MD and a station close to the CD.

Abstract: A system for retrieving information on a random basis from a disc having the information thereon in a spiral path around the disc. The system includes a turntable rotatable about a central spindle and adapted to support the disc thereon. An arm housing is fixedly mounted over the turntable and contains printed circuit boards having some of the electrical circuitry for the system. Also in the arm housing is a rectangular frame like cartridge holder which supports a cartridge having a stylus therein. The stylus is adapted to ride on the disc to read out the information from the disc. A piston is connected to the cartridge holder and extends through the arm housing. A motor is connected to the piston and is adapted to move the piston so that the cartridge holder is moved with respect to the arm housing and the stylus moves radially along the disc. The motor moves the stylus over the short distance of the radius so as to quickly and easily obtain random access to the information in the disc.

Abstract: A mechanism for adjusting the position of a pickup used in a disc player. The mechanism includes a slider which is driven along a path in the radial direction of a turntable. The slider has a projection which serves as the origin of angular movement. An adjustment plate is mounted on the slider and has the pickup mounted thereon. The adjustment plate is movable in a direction perpendicular to the radial direction of the turntable. A plurality of tension springs are provided between the slider and the adjustment plate to bias the plate against one of a plurality of side walls of the slider. The tension springs further bias a lower surface of the adjustment plate against the projection. In this manner, the optical axis of an objective lens of the pickup passes through the origin of angular movement. A tracking adjustment device is mounted on the slider for angularly moving the adjustment plate to adjust the inclination of the pickup in a tracking direction.

Abstract: An optical pickup, wherein tracking coils are bonded to respective opposite corner parts of two square-tube-shaped focusing coils symmetrically with respect to the optical axis of a lens respectively so that the tracking coil is brought into contact with the two surfaces forming the corner part, at the corner part being apart from a lens holder, and that it is brought into contact with the surface forming the corner part and not being in contact with the lens holder, at the corner part being in contact with the lens holder to eliminate the occurrence of the torque around the axis perpendicular to the tracking direction and the focusing direction and thereby the transmission characteristic in the direction of tracks is improved.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for directing a radiation beam towards a recording surface of a rotating disc for recording and/or scanning a recording track without mechanical contact. The device comprises a frame (101), an objective holder (103) having an objective (19) with an optical axis (17), two elongate leaf springs (113, 115) which are arranged one above the other for movably supporting the objective holder relative to the frame, and an electromagnetic actuator (121A; 121B1, 121B2) for the controlled movement of the objective. One (113) of the leaf springs is elastically extensible in its longitudinal direction (113B) to allow pivotal movements of the objective about a pivotal axis 125 which extends transversely of a plane containing the optical axis and intersecting the leaf springs. (FIG.

Abstract: An objective lens supporting device for an optical pickup including an objective lens opposed to an optical disc, a lens holder for holding the objective lens, a plurality of supporting rods formed of elastic material and arranged in parallel to each other, the lens holder being operatively supported by the supporting rods, and a driving mechanism for driving the lens holder in both a direction of an optical axis of the objective lens and a direction along an information recorded surface of the optical disc. A pair of neck portions is formed at both end portions of each supporting rod. Each neck portion has a section such that a geometrical moment of inertia with respect to a first axis intersecting a primary axis and extending in the direction of the optical axis of the objective lens is equal to a geometrical moment of inertia with respect to a second axis intersecting the primary axis and extending in the direction along the information recorded surface of the optical disc.

Abstract: An optical disc reading apparatus having a reduced overall height and simplified structure. The disc drive motor is mounted with its output shaft extending downward. A turntable is fixed to the output shaft below the body of the motor. A disc carriage is mounted so as to be movable only in a horizontal direction towards and away from the turntable, and a clamper clamps the disc once it has been conveyed by the disc carriage to the playing position on the turntable. A pickup is mounted below the turntable on the side of a loaded disc opposite both the motor and turntable. At least the objective lens of the optical pickup is lowered away from the turntable when the disc is being loaded to allow free movement of the disc toward the turntable.

Abstract: A stereo phonograph pick-up head or cutter has a slim elongated construction utilizing an elongated mount having connector pins at its rear end. Two elongated pole pieces fit into the mount, each having a socket at its rear end. Each coil is wound around a long straight pole rod whose rear end fits into a respective socket and whose front end bounds the transducing gap. A screening shell, part of which forms a common pole piece, slides lengthwise over the holder, and is glued thereto. The stylus unit is slid over the front end of the screening shell, with the stylus magnetic element sliding between the screening shell and pole pieces into the transducing gap.

Abstract: In an optical system driving device, a support structure supporting an optical system holding member for movement relative to a base member is constituted by a plurality of bar-like support members of flexural resiliency each having one end thereof secured to the base member and the other end secured to the optical system holding member, each of the support members being disposed in a plane substantially perpendicular to a predetermined direction, at least two sets of such support members being juxtaposed in the predetermined direction with two such support members disposed so as to intersect each other between the opposite ends thereof as viewed from the predetermined direction being assumed to form a set.

Abstract: Disclosed is an objective lens driving apparatus having a holder 9 holding an objective lens 1 and connected to a base 17 through at least four linear members 13, such that the holder 9 can be moved both in the focussing direction and in the tracking direction orthogonal to the focussing direction through the flexing of the linear members 13. Undesirable local resonance can be suppressed due to the use of the linear members 13 in support of the holder 9.

Abstract: An adapter for a phonographic tone arm for interchangeable mounting of a plug-in cartridge of a linear tracking arm to a head shell of an offset tone arm. The plug-in cartridge has a predetermined mass and center of gravity and has a plurality of small diameter contact pins projecting from the cartridge. The cartridge housing is secured to the head shell by the adapter which has a housing with a recess for accepting the cartridge. The adapter also includes a plurality of hollow terminal pins for receiving the contact pins of the plug-in cartridge. The predetermined mass and center of gravity for the plug-in cartridge enables attaining a predetermined tone arm balance without balance adjustment being necessary. The adapter housing also includes at least one groove for attenuating undesirable acoustic vibrations present in the tone arm.

Abstract: Arrangement for fastening a phonographs stylus holder to its tone arm. The arrangement has a plurality of pins affixed to the tone arm, and sleeves inserted in openings in the stylus holder. The sleeves are slipped onto the pins and have a frictional engagement therewith. The lower ends of the sleeves are provided with flanges which underlie opposite edge portions of the stylus holder. In one embodiment of the arrangement the passages through the sleeves are concentric with the external cylindrical surfaces of the sleeves, and in another embodiment the passages through the sleeves are eccentric with respect to the outer cylindrical surfaces of the sleeves whereby turning of the sleeves permits an angular adjustment of the stylus holder with respect to the tone arm. Indicium means may be provided on the sleeve to indicate the angular position of the sleeves relative to the stylus holder.

Abstract: A grounding technique for a screening shell of a phonograph cartridge. A connector pin is offset with respect to other pins of the cartridge so as to be in direct contact with one of the walls of the shell.

Abstract: A phonograph tone arm cartridge rotating system that keeps the cartridge perpendicular to the record groove radius by pivoting it with a belt and pulley linkage that does not change length or tension during movement of the tone arm.

Abstract: The stylus arm carriage is provided with a rotatably-mounted torsional spring element. When the carriage is driven to an off-record home position, a pad mounted in the player above the carriage engages an upstanding portion of the rotatably-mounted element, and turns it around. When turned around, the other end of the rotatably-mounted element engages a carriage-mounted stylus arm support bracket to firmly secure it in place as long as the carriage is at the home position to prevent accidental lowering of the stylus. As the carriage is driven away from its home position, the torsional spring automatically returns to its original position to free the stylus arm.

Abstract: A velocity correction apparatus for a disc record player includes a permanent magnet attached to a cartridge mounted pickup arm and an electromagnetic coil secured in a cartridge supporting carriage. The coil is fixed to a supporting member which conformally engages structural features of the cartridge to guarantee proper alignment of coil and magnet. The coil support is mounted to permit limited rotation thereof to facilitate installation of the cartridge in the carriage and is mechanically biased to maintain coil-cartridge engagement and to maintain the cartridge in its normally operative position in the carriage.

Abstract: A pickup cartridge is received in a compartment provided in a translatable carriage of a video disc player. The spacing between the cartridge and the compartment walls is such that access to the cartridge is not permitted while the cartridge is contained therein. A grasp tab is disposed on the top wall of the cartridge to allow installation (and subsequent removal) of the cartridge into the carriage compartment.

Abstract: The video disc player includes a selectively-actuated stylus arm lifter. When the player is in the PLAY mode, a forward bias is applied to the lifter electromagnet to cause it to lower the stylus on the record. When the player is disposed in the record LOAD/UNLOAD mode, the lifter is reverse biased to prevent the stylus from being lowered and coming in contact with moving parts during the record load/unload operations.

Abstract: A video disc player is described wherein the signal pickup stylus is mounted in a carriage assembly that is advanced across the record in discreet steps, each step traversing a fixed number of information tracks. A digital processing unit, responsive to track identification numbers provides stimulus to a stepping motor to step the carriage each time the stylus has traced the fixed number of tracks.

Abstract: An improved cartridge and head shell assembly which permits separate but simultaneous adjustment of the cartridge overhang, vertical tracking angle and lateral tracking angle by means of a single locking member. The assembly includes a base connector for connection to a tone arm and a pair of upper and lower clamps which clamp both the base connector and an extension from the cartridge holding shell, thereby to permit the cartridge to be moved in accordance with the desired adjustment.

Abstract: In a video disc player, a mechanism, responsive to opening of the carriage lid, retracts a carriagemounted transducer to accommodate a pickup cartridge in a compartment provided in a pickup arm carriage. When the lid is closed, the subject mechanism advances the transducer to effect a secure engagement between the transducer and the cartridge.

Abstract: A unitary headshell and phonograph cartridge assembly in which the vertical angle and overhang dimension can both be independently adjusted, thereby to permit the cartridge assembly to be used with different heights of record player arms and to achieve minimum tracking angle distortion for the particular tone arm with which the cartridge assembly is utilized.

Abstract: A video disc player having an adaptive bumper apparatus which tracks the signal pickup stylus to maintain a fixed spatial relation therebetween. The bumper is fixed to an electromechanical transducer secured to the stylus arm support carriage. Signals correlated to the relative disc-stylus velocity having frequency components of the once around rate of the disc are adapted to energize the transducer to cause the bumper to follow the motion of the stylus in the radial dimension. Disturbing visual effects resulting from disc defects, etc. which tend to kick the signal pickup stylus fore or aft of the current track position are significantly reduced.

Abstract: A pickup cartridge and a pickup cartridge mounting device therefor wherein a plug protrusion of tetragonal sectional area is formed at the rear end of a pickup cartridge, a recess of tetragonal sectional area with at least three walls for receiving the plug protrusion is formed at the front end of a tone arm or the like, and after the plug protrusion is inserted into the recess, the protrusion is strongly clamped between two walls of the recess by a mounting screw. Thus, replacement of pickup cartridges is made easy and reliable.

Abstract: A stylus guard assembly for use with a phonograph pick-up cartridge, which assembly includes a cam member, a manually operated lever with a pivot operating arm and walls providing detent surfaces. The pivot operating arm is disposed at an angle to a lever which engages a curved cam slot on a stylus guard. When the lever is manually displaced through its designated travel, the movement at the end of the arm, through the action of the cam mechanism, causes the guard to rotate on its pivot from one position to another. In one position, the guard is retracted to expose the stylus. In both positions, the guard is held in place by the detent mechanism. The manually operated lever produces a visual indication of the stylus guard position, which shows whether the stylus guard is in the position to allow the stylus tip to engage with the recording or is in the position to protect the stylus when not in use.

Abstract: An improved type of pickup cartridge comprising a stylus assembly, a cartridge body case to receive the stylus assembly therein, and pole pieces provided to support the stylus assembly in the cartridge body case, wherein a resilient member is provided in the cartridge body case to secure the friction fit of the stylus assembly. The resilient member is also grounded such that the noise due to electrostatic discharge is prevented.

Abstract: A head shell for a record player tonearm comprises a composite material essentially consisting of a thermoplastic resin and graphite powder. The composite material is prepared by kneading the components, rolled to impart a degree of orientation to the graphite powder particles, which are in the form of flaky graphite and then molded into a shell, along the surface of which the graphite particles are oriented. Head shells wherein the composite material is oxidized at the surface and head shells wherein the composite material is carbonized or graphitized are also included. A light weight, rigid head shell having a high specific modulus of elasticity is obtained through a simple procedure at low cost.

Abstract: Disclosed is an objective lens driving apparatus having a holder 9 holding an objective lens 1 and connected to a base 17 through at least four linear members 13, such that the holder 9 can be moved both in the focussing direction and in the tracking direction orthogonal to the focussing direction through the flexing of the linear members 13. Undesirable local resonance can be suppressed due to the use of the linear members 13 in support of the holder 9.