Color cathode ray tube having an improved shadow mask suspension system

Abstract

This application depicts a rectangular color cathode ray tube having a faceplate and a mating funnel, on the faceplate of which is a system of four suspension devices, one at each corner of the faceplate, for detachably supporting a nonself-rigid shadow mask adjacent a screen-bearing inner surface of the faceplate. At least three of the mask suspension devices each comprise mask-mounted and envelope-associated components, the device being characterized by one of the components including an axially extending, non-folded leaf spring which is cantilevered such that it deflects with an arc of motion in a plane perpendicular to the mask and preferably passing through the mask axis, and which has at its distal end provision for detachably engaging a mating provision on the other of the components. The leaf spring is arranged such that the force exerted by it on the mask is preferably through the mask along a diagonal thereof so as to preclude the imposition of any substantial moment on the mask. The leaf spring has a relatively low spring rate, (stiffness), i.e., in the flexure out of its plane, yet is very stiff in its own plane such that the three devices acting in concert precisely fix and hold the mask in a predetermined spatial position relative to the faceplate against translational or rotational displacement, in spite of any thermal expansion or contraction of the mask, demounting and remounting of the mask, or mechanical shocks and do so without deforming the mask.