US3836731A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Playback device and method for foil-shaped recording carriers
Assignee: Deutsche Thomson OHG
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Filing: 1972-10-06
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Granted: 1974-09-17
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Expires: 1992-10-06
Abstract
Abstract For playing a flexible, disc-shaped record, the record is inserted into and removed from a playback device while contained within a protective cover, the device including a depositing surface, a playback surface and a guide surface, and a drive arrangement for moving the record disc from its protective cover at the depositing surface, into engagement with the guide surface, onto the playback surface, and then, after being played, back again to the depositing surface and into its protective cover.
Inventors
- 👤 J Wilisch
- 👤 R Goetze
- 👤 H Rehberg
- 👤 H Thuy
- 👤 F Jaeck
- 👤 D Nackmayr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 00:13
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B17/00; G11B17/02; G11B17/04; G11B17/041; G11B17/049
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
218 words
A playback device for a disc-shaped record carrier which is to be inserted into and removed from the playback device while contained within a protective cover, the protective cover including a recess through which access to the record carrier is obtained, the device comprising: means defining a depositing surface for the protective cover containing a record carrier which Includes abutment means for limiting the position of the protective cover on said depositing surface; means defining a playback surface at which the carrier is to be played and which is disposed in cooperative association with said depositing surface; mechanical transporting means mounted to be operatively associated with said depositing and playback surfaces and selectively drivable in a first direction for gripping the record carrier through the protective cover recess and guiding it out of the protective cover and toward a playback position on said playback surface, and said transporting means also being selectively operable in a reverse direction for gripping the record carrier in the playback position upon completion of a playback process and returning it into the protective cover; drive means for selectively driving said mechanical transporting means in said first and reverse directions; and centering means operatively associated with a unit for rotating the record carrier for centering the record carrier on said playback surface during playback.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
218 words
A playback device for a disc-shaped record carrier which is to be inserted into and removed from the playback device while contained within a protective cover, the protective cover including a recess through which access to the record carrier is obtained, the device comprising: means defining a depositing surface for the protective cover containing a record carrier which Includes abutment means for limiting the position of the protective cover on said depositing surface; means defining a playback surface at which the carrier is to be played and which is disposed in cooperative association with said depositing surface; mechanical transporting means mounted to be operatively associated with said depositing and playback surfaces and selectively drivable in a first direction for gripping the record carrier through the protective cover recess and guiding it out of the protective cover and toward a playback position on said playback surface, and said transporting means also being selectively operable in a reverse direction for gripping the record carrier in the playback position upon completion of a playback process and returning it into the protective cover; drive means for selectively driving said mechanical transporting means in said first and reverse directions; and centering means operatively associated with a unit for rotating the record carrier for centering the record carrier on said playback surface during playback.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
89 words
A playback device as defined in claim 1, further comprising abutment means, and wherein said mechanical transporting means includes a plurality of rollers with one of said rollers engaging the record carrier through the protective cover recess to thereby press the record carrier and a wall of the protective cover against said abutment, the surfaces of said rollers being such that the friction force developed between the record carrier and the engaging roller is greater than the friction force developed between the record carrier and the protective cover wall.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A playback device as defined in claim 2, wherein said abutment is a driven roller.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
A playback device as defined in claim 1, further comprising block means, and wherein one edge of the protective cover is provided with coding means arranged to cooperate with said block means, when the protective cover is inserted into the playback device with its one edge as the leading edge, to permit complete insertion of the protective cover.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
A playback device as defined in claim 1, further comprising means defining a guide surface, and wherein said depositing surface is disposed to one side of said playback surface, with both said depositing and playback surfaces being connected together via said guide surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
A playback device as defined in claim 5, wherein the record carrier bears a recording only on one side thereof, and wherein said guide surface is arranged to contact, when guiding the record carrier, that surface of the record carrier which does not bear a recording.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
57 words
A playback device as defined in claim 1, further comprising a magazine for containing a stack of protective covers each containing a record carrier, with the cover surfaces of the protective covers being adjacent to one another, and a transporting device for moving said magazine in a direction perpendicular to the cover surfaces of the protective covers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
59 words
A playback device as defined in claim 7, wherein said magazine includes block means, and wherein one edge of each protective cover is provided with coding means arranged to cooperate with said block means, when each protective cover is inserted into said magazine with its one edge as the leading edge, to permit complete insertion of the protective cover.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
A playback device as defined in claim 7, wherein said transporting device selectively transports a protective cover between the magazine and a preparatory position on said depositing surface.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
374 words
A method for inserting a disc-shaped record carrier contained in a protective cover into, and removing it from, a playback device, the playback device including abutment means, a playback surface and mechanical transporting means, the protective cover including a top and bottom wall separated along one edge to provide an opening into the protective cover, the cover also having a recess formed in one wall for permitting access to the contained record carrIer, the recess extending toward, and terminating at, the opening edge, with portions of the walls being flexible so that when the walls are oriented in a horizontal plane, the walls are separated at least in the region of the opening due to gravity forces acting on the lower wall while the upper wall is supported in the area of the opening, the method comprising the steps of: guiding the protective cover containing a record carrier into a preparatory position against the abutment means; actuating the mechanical transporting means in a first direction; passing a portion of the mechanical transporting means through the protective cover recess and into engagement with the record carrier to press the record carrier and one of the protective cover walls against a portion of the abutment means so that a force-transmitting connection is established between the mechanical transporting means and the record carrier and between the record carrier and the protective cover wall against the portion of the abutment means; removing the record carrier from the protective cover by imparting a frictional force to the record carrier by that portion of the mechanical means in engagement with the record carrier, the imparted frictional force being greater than the frictional force developed between the record carrier and the protective cover to effect thereby said removal; guiding the record carrier toward the playback surface while the carrier is being moved by the mechanical means; depositing the record carrier into a playback position on the playback surface; actuating the mechanical transporting means in a reverse direction, subsequent to playback of the carrier, to thereby remove the record carrier from its playback position and to move it toward the preparatory position; spreading the opening of the protective cover; and replacing the record carrier into the protective cover at the preparatory position.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
374 words
A method for inserting a disc-shaped record carrier contained in a protective cover into, and removing it from, a playback device, the playback device including abutment means, a playback surface and mechanical transporting means, the protective cover including a top and bottom wall separated along one edge to provide an opening into the protective cover, the cover also having a recess formed in one wall for permitting access to the contained record carrIer, the recess extending toward, and terminating at, the opening edge, with portions of the walls being flexible so that when the walls are oriented in a horizontal plane, the walls are separated at least in the region of the opening due to gravity forces acting on the lower wall while the upper wall is supported in the area of the opening, the method comprising the steps of: guiding the protective cover containing a record carrier into a preparatory position against the abutment means; actuating the mechanical transporting means in a first direction; passing a portion of the mechanical transporting means through the protective cover recess and into engagement with the record carrier to press the record carrier and one of the protective cover walls against a portion of the abutment means so that a force-transmitting connection is established between the mechanical transporting means and the record carrier and between the record carrier and the protective cover wall against the portion of the abutment means; removing the record carrier from the protective cover by imparting a frictional force to the record carrier by that portion of the mechanical means in engagement with the record carrier, the imparted frictional force being greater than the frictional force developed between the record carrier and the protective cover to effect thereby said removal; guiding the record carrier toward the playback surface while the carrier is being moved by the mechanical means; depositing the record carrier into a playback position on the playback surface; actuating the mechanical transporting means in a reverse direction, subsequent to playback of the carrier, to thereby remove the record carrier from its playback position and to move it toward the preparatory position; spreading the opening of the protective cover; and replacing the record carrier into the protective cover at the preparatory position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method as defined in claim 10, wherein the playback device further includes a magazine containing a plurality of protective covers with record carriers, the method further comprising the step of transporting a protective cover containing a record carrier from the magazine into the preparatory position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as defined in claim 10, wherein the steps of removing and replacing the record carrier from the protective cover are carried out in a region adjacent the playback surface.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-09-16 | 1978-03-18 | 1978-09-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-16 | 1982-03-18 | 1982-09-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-16 | 1986-03-18 | 1986-09-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |