US 4,701,903 AGranted

Automatic record player pick-up arm control device having minimal height

AssigneeU.S. Philips Corporation

InventorHermanus F. Einhaus

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Abstract

A control device having a reciprocable drive element connected to a record command disc, a pick-up arm set down position selection member, and a guide element pivotally connected to the drive element for engaging a coupling element on a pick-up arm base to guide the pick-up arm pivoting toward the turntable. The guide element is pivotable with respect to the drive element between two stable positions. In the first stable position during forward movement of the drive element, the guide element passes an abutment on the pick-up arm base, and is then pivoted to the second stable position. During a turn movement of the drive element, the guide element first pivots the pick-up arm into abutment with a set-down position selection surface, and the guide element then pivots out of engagement with the abutment. Upon completion of the drive element return movement, the guide element is pivoted into the first stable position.

Claims31

Dependent claims

A record player having a turntable, a pick-up arm having a pick-up arm base and a control device for the pick-up arm, comprising

a command disc, and means for rotating said command disc,
a reciprocable drive element connected to said command disc and having an end remote from said command disc,
a guide element pivotally connected to said drive element at said end,
a coupling element on said pick-up arm base, arranged for engagement by said guide element to guide the pick-up arm towards the turntable,
an abutment coupled to said pick-up arm, and
a pivotal selection member having first and second positioning surfaces, arranged such that such surfaces are selectively cooperable with said abutment to position the pick-up arm selectively in a first or second position above the turntable,
characterized in that said abutment is arranged on the pick-up arm base,
said guide element is pivotable between an inoperative first stable position and an operative second stable position, said guide element being in said first position during a first movement of the reciprocable drive element, and in the second position during at least part of a return movement of said drive element opposite said first movement, said guide element being engageable with said coupling element to guide the pick-up arm when said guide element is in said second position only,
the device further comprises a stop disposed on said selection member, pivotal movement of said selection member moving said stop between an operative and an inoperative position;
in said member operative position said guide element abutting said stop at the end of said first movement, abutment with said stop pivoting said guide element to the second position;
and in the member inoperative position the stop being clear of said guide element,
means for pivoting said guide element out of said second position so as to disengage said guide element from said coupling element, during said return movement of the drive element after said abutment abuts the selected one of said positioning surfaces, and
means, responsive to movement of said command disc after the guide element has been disengaged from the coupling element, for pivoting said selection member to move the selected positioning surface out of the path of the abutment on the pick-up arm base.

10 more elements

A record player having a turntable, a pick-up arm having a pick-up arm base and a control device for the pick-up arm, comprising

a command disc, and means for rotating said command disc,
a reciprocable drive element connected to said command disc,
a guide element pivotally connected to said drive element,
a coupling element on said pick-up arm base, arranged for engagement by said guide element to guide the pick-up arm towards the turntable,
an abutment coupled to said pick-up arm, and
a pivotal selection member having first and second positioning surfaces, arranged such that such surfaces are selectively cooperable with said abutment to position the pick-up arm selectively in a first or second position above the turntable,
characterized in that said abutment is arranged on the pick-up arm base,
said guide element is pivotable between an inoperative first stable position and an operative second stable position, said guide element being in said first position during a first movement of the reciprocable drive element, and in the second position during at least part of a return movement of said drive element opposite said first movement, said guide element being engageable with said coupling element to guide the pick-up arm when said guide element is in said second position only,
the device further comprises a stop against which said guide element abuts at the end of said first movement, abutment with said stop pivoting said guide element to the second position,
first means for pivoting said guide element out of said second position so as to disengage said guide element from said coupling element, during said return movement of the drive element after said abutment abuts the selected one of said positioning surfaces,
means, responsive to movement of said command disc after the guide element has been disengaged from the coupling element, for pivoting said selection member to move the selected positioning surface out of the path of the abutment on the pick-up arm base, and
second means, responsive to said selection member being in an inoperative position, for pivoting said guide element back to the first position immediately after the start of the return movement of the drive element.

9 more elements

A record player having a turntable, a pick-up arm having a pick-up arm base and a control device for the pick-up arm, comprising

a command disc, and means for rotating said command disc,
a reciprocable drive element connected to said command disc for performing a first movement and a return movement in a direction opposite said first movement,
a guide element pivotally connected to said drive element,
a coupling element on said pick-up arm base, arranged for engagement by said guide element to guide the pick-up arm towards the turntable.
an abutment coupled to said pick-up arm, and
a pivotal selection member having first and second positioning surfaces, arranged such that such surfaces are selectively cooperable with said abutment to position the pick-up arm selectively in a first or second position above the turntable during said return movement of said drive element,
characterized by comprising a control element pivotally connected to said drive element, arranged such that during at least a part of said return movement said control element is in an operative position for engaging said selection member and positioning said selection member into an inoperative position in which said positioning surfaces are clear of the path of said abutment.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.