# US 4,443,871 A · Stylus lowering, lifting and cleaning apparatus

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- Number: US 4,443,871 A
- Document ID: US4443871A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 06/338,379
- Filed: 1982-01-11
- Granted: 1984-04-17
- Earliest claimed: 1982-01-11
- Assignees: RCA Corporation
- Inventors: Anil R. Dholakia
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4443871A

## CPC

- G11B 3/5881: {for styli or needles only}
- G11B: INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER (recording measured values in a way that does not require playback through a transducer G01D9/00; recording or playback apparatus using mechanically marked tape, e.g. punched paper tape, or using unit records, e.g. punched or magnetically marked cards G06K; transferring data from one type of record carrier to another G06K1/18; circuits for coupling output of reproducer to radio receiver H04B1/20; gramophone pick-ups or like acoustic electromechanical transducers or circuits therefor H04R)

## Abstract

In a record playback system, which includes a carriage within which a stylus arm is mounted, it is desired to clean the stylus tip from time to time. The apparatus according to the present invention lowers and lifts the stylus so as to effect stylus-record engagement and disengagement and in addition the same apparatus cleans the stylus tip during the lowering-lifting cycle.

## Claims

### Claim 1

In a system for recovering information from a record medium, said system including a pickup arm having a stylus mounted at a first end thereof, said pickup arm being mounted in a radially translatory carriage, said carriage having an opening to permit said stylus to pass out of the confines of said carriage to make contact with said record medium during playback, the apparatus comprising:
end support means coupled to a second end of said pickup arm remote from said stylus for restraining said remote end against vertical translatory motion while allowing said first end to move vertically;
a cleaning pad;
movable support means coupled to said cleaning pad and for supporting said cleaning pad in a position below said pickup arm whereby said cleaning pad supports said pickup arm; and
reciprocating drive means coupled to said movable support means for driving said movable support means in a generally longitudinal direction relative to said pickup arm whereby during motion of said reciprocating drive means towards said stylus said cleaning pad progressively raises said stylus and wipes said stylus in a first direction, and during motion of said reciprocating drive means away from said stylus said cleaning pad wipes said stylus in a second direction and lowers said stylus.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said movable support means and said reciprocating drive means are positioned inside said carriage.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The apparatus to claim 2 wherein said movable support means includes an elongated member adapted for movement within said carriage and a support arm fixedly attached to said elongated member.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said reciprocating drive means includes electromagnetic means for providing a driving source of the movement of said elongated member.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said electromagnetic means is positioned generally in-line with said elongated member within said carriage.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said electromagnetic means is coupled to said elongated member via a lever arm and a spring.