Rca Inc.

Michael E Miller

Richard C Palmer

James Austin Allen

John Gordon Amery

James C Rustman

Michael J Mindel

A playback stylus comprising a dielectric support element having a conical end, two flats in the conical end, and a constricted terminal portion defined by side surfaces, shoulders interconnecting the side surfaces and the flats, a prow defined by a first region between the flats, a second region remote from the prow and a disc engaging surface defined by the prow, side surfaces, and the second region.

Video disc stylus

Assembly of a video disc signal recovery stylus apparatus is facilitated by utilizing a stylus holder having a vertical cylindrical end. A conductive leaf spring is inserted in the cylinder followed by a conductive torroidal elastomer. The stylus is then inserted in a hole in the elastomer, all of the parts being held in place by the compressive forces exerted by the elastomer. The second end of the leaf spring is secured to a terminal element which is releasably secured to the stylus arm to provide mobility of the foregoing subassembly during manufacturing. When the subassembly is inserted into a cartridge the terminal element is detached from the stylus arm and inserted into a conformal cavity in the cartridge affording accurate positioning and orientation of the leaf spring.

Stylus assembly

In a video disc player of the type having a signal pickup stylus engaging a disc record for recovering prerecorded information signals, an electromechanical transducer is arranged to cooperate with the signal pickup stylus to regulate the bearing pressure between the stylus and the disc in response to the signal strength of the recovered signal. The arrangement tends to extend the life of the stylus.

Minimum tracking force stylus

A stylus assembly for use with a high density information record such as a grooved video disc. The stylus arm includes a first transducer for detecting lateral forces applied by the record groove to the pickup stylus, and a second transducer responsive to signal generated by the first transducer to translocate the stylus and thereby reduce said forces. The adaptive elimination of lateral forces to the stylus reduces stylus and disc wear and reduces the probability of record imperfections causing the stylus to radially skip over grooves.

Stylus tracking aid using two bimorph elements longitudinally aligned

The quality of the low frequency signals recovered by a playback stylus may be improved by removing non-electrode metal deposits. A stream slurry lapper with a slurry of alumina in water can be used.

Method for improving the quality of low frequency output of a video disc

A mechanism for retracting a stylus from engagement with the surface of a video disc record. A lever arm arranged parallel to the stylus arm and normally biased to a first position has a filament attached to a free end thereof, the filament being normally disposed to straddle and engage the stylus carrying arm proximate to the stylus to lift and hold the stylus from the record surface. A force which is selectively imparted to the lever arm pivots the lever arm to a second position permitting disengagement of the filament and stylus arm permitting the stylus to engage the record.

Video disc stylus retractor

One type of video disc reproducing system senses the capacitance between a stylus and a disc record to reconstruct the video information. The stylus includes a thin conductive element or electrode and rides in a groove of the record, which is rotated at high speeds. The record includes a conductive layer covered with a thin dielectric material. A velocity correction system comprising a closed-loop feedback system provides an advantageous means to vary the position of the pickup means relative to the moving record. This positioning maintains the relative velocity between the two substantially constant for a given radius from the center of rotation, thus correcting for residual velocity errors. There is disclosed a transducer apparatus which is mechanically coupled to the signal pickup means and electrically coupled to circuitry providing a velocity error signal. The transducer has a stationary portion which includes means for generating a magnetic flux. The transducer also has a second portion which is coupled to the pickup stylus and which is movable with respect to the stationary portion. The stationary and movable portions are intercoupled by compliant members. An electrical winding is disposed on the movable portion and is coupled by the magnetic flux such that an electrical current passed through the winding imparts motion to the movable portion. Electrical damping is provided by a closed-loop conductive member on the movable portion which is coupled by the magnetic flux and is operative to oppose motion of the movable portion.

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Indianapolis, IN, United States of America

Michael E Miller