Stylus arm lifting/lowering apparatus for a video disc player

Abstract

A video disc player includes a stylus arm carrying a stylus at one end thereof. The stylus is subject to engagement with a grooved record rotatably disposed on a turntable for playback. The other end of the stylus arm is pivotally secured within a stylus housing by a flexible coupler. The stylus housing is mounted for lateral motion relative to a base of said player between an off-record rest position and an over-record play position. A stylus arm rest is mounted within the stylus housing for motion between an elevated position and a depressed position. The stylus arm rest in the elevated position supports the stylus arm in a manner precluding stylus/record contact when the stylus housing is in the over-record play position. The stylus arm rest in the depressed position permits the stylus arm to occupy a lowered position. The lowered position of the stylus arm is such that the stylus/record contact is established when the stylus housing is in the over-record play position. The axis of the flexible coupler is aligned with the axis of the stylus arm when the stylus arm is in the lowered position, thereby relaxing the coupler. When the stylus housing moves from the over-record play position to the off-record rest position, a cam secured to the base engages a plunger linked to the stylus arm rest to cause motion of the stylus arm rest from the elevated position to the depressed position. When the stylus housing is in the over-record play position, an electromagnet mounted in the stylus housing is energized to repel a permanent magnet secured to the stylus arm rest to cause the stylus arm rest to assume the depressed position. The stylus arm rest is biased to occupy the elevated position in the absence of the cam/plunger engagement and the electromagnet energization.