Disc record groove skipper apparatus
AssigneeRCA Corporation
InventorHoratio Nelson Crooks
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A bimorph element is interposed between a supporting structure of a video disc player and a support member. A replaceable pickup arm unit carrying a signal pickup which is subject to engagement with a spirally grooved video disc record is releasably secured to the support member. The bimorph element selectively deflects the support member in a manner that displaces the groove-riding signal pickup radially of the disc record.
Claims8
In a playback system for recovering prerecorded information encoded in successive convolutions of a continuous spiral groove disposed on the surface of a rotatable disc record, said playback system including a supporting structure;
- a groove skipper apparatus comprising:
- 1. a replaceable pickup arm unit which comprises:
- A. a signal pickup having a stylus adapted for entry in the spiral groove of the rotating disc record during playback, and normally subject upon the entry to retention within the groove by the walls of the groove during the disc record rotation so that the information encoded in successive convolutions of the spiral groove is recovered in sequence by the stylus;
- and
- B. a pickup arm having the signal pickup fixedly secured at one end thereof;
- 2. means for selectively changing the groove convolution in which the pickup stylus is retained comprising:
- A. a support member for releasably securing an end of the pickup arm remote from the signal pickup, wherein the support member permits arcuate motion of the pickup arm in order to accommodate vertical and lateral motion of the signal pickup stylus in the disc record spiral groove during playback;
- B. a bimorph element having a first end and a second end which are fixedly secured respectively to (a) the support member, and (b) the supporting structure, wherein the bimorph element is not subject to the arcuate motion of the pickup arm, and wherein the bimorph element, in response to a control signal application thereto, deflects the support member in order to change the groove convolution in which the pickup stylus is retained;
- C. means for generating the control signal;
- and
- D. means mounted on the supporting structure for electrically coupling the control signal generating means to the bimorph elements.
In a playback system for recovering prerecorded information encoded in successive convolutions of a continuous spiral groove disposed on the surface of a rotatable disc record, said playback system including a supporting structure;
- a groove skipper apparatus for preventing undesirable repetitive tracking of a locked groove convolution comprising:
- 1. a replaceable pickup arm unit which comprises:
- A. a signal pickup having a stylus adapted for entry in the spiral groove of the rotating disc record during playback, and normally subject upon the entry to retention within the groove by the walls of the groove during the disc record rotation so that the information encoded in successive convolutions of the spiral groove is recovered in sequence by the stylus;
- and
- B. a pickup arm having the signal pickup fixedly secured at one end thereof;
- 2. means for selectively changing the groove convolution in which the pickup stylus is locked comprising:
- A. a support member for releasably securing an end of the pickup arm remote from the signal pickup, wherein the support member permits arcuate motion of the pickup arm in order to accommodate vertical and lateral motion of the pickup stylus in the spiral groove during playback;
- B. a bimorph element mechanically interposed between the support member and the supporting structure, wherein the bimorph element is not subject to the arcuate motion of the pickup arm, and wherein the bimorph element, in response to a control signal application thereto, deflects the support member in order to change the groove convolution in which the pickup stylus is locked;
- C. means for generating the control signal in response to the occurrence of the locked groove condition, and the control signal having a polarity which causes inward movement of the pickup stylus into an adjacent groove convolution;
- and
- D. means mounted on the supporting structure for electrically coupling the control signal generating means to the bimorph element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.