GB2561248A

GB2561248A - Record cleaner & groove corrector

Info

Publication number: GB2561248A
Application number: GB1705691.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gowler Hart David
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-04-07
Filing date: 2017-04-07
Publication date: 2018-10-10
Also published as: GB201705691D0

Abstract

A record cleaner and groove corrector comprises a cantilever arm with a contoured diamond tip. The arm is weighted to maintain contact with the floor of the groove. The chassis may be made of wood or plastic, and the arm may be made of aluminium. As the record turns the tip moves along the groove, bulldozing the debris out of the groove and smoothing scratches on the sides of the grooves. The cleaner works at any speed.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: Record cleaner & groove corrector Abstract Title: Record cleaner and groove corrector (57) A record cleaner and groove corrector comprises a cantilever arm with a contoured diamond tip. The arm is weighted to maintain contact with the floor of the groove. The chassis may be made of wood or plastic, and the arm may be made of aluminium. As the record turns the tip moves along the groove, bulldozing the debris out of the groove and smoothing scratches on the sides of the grooves. The cleaner works at any speed.

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Record Cleaner & Groove Corrector

The present invention relates to record cleaner and groove corrector for use with vinyl records containing music media for playback as well as any other recording medium that uses the same mechanical principle as vinyl records.

It is recognised by many experts in the field of hi- equipment that for optimum performance, vinyl records need to be clean of small particles and free of artifacts and errors from scratches. Any such imperfections cause unintended noise to be heard at the same time as the music is being played.

In an attempt to avoid these imperfections in vinyl records, many owners of very high quality hi- equipment use record cleaners with cleaning fluid and vacuum systems in order to remove an amount of the dirt in the grooves. This wet cleaning process is designed to remove dirt particles and in no way corrects any damage to grooves from scratches on the surface and noise aberrations from minor damage to the groove. The wet process is also reliant on using noxious isopropyl alcohol and water mix for a solvent to detach the particles from the groove in the vinyl. It is common knowledge due to static electricity and particles of dust in the air that these then cling to the inside of the groove and if there is any bonding substances in the air too then these combine with the particles and stick quite solid to the groove and are not always removed by the wet cleaning method. According to the present invention the dirt particles are removed from the groove using a weighted specially contoured diamond needle tip to bulldoze the stubborn particles out of the groove. Also sharp protrusions from scratches are smoothed by the momentum, weight and specifically the shape of the needle which closely matches the cross section of the groove and almost recuts the groove to smooth the damage and greatly reduce noise. The result is a clean and corrected groove.

According to the present invention there is the provision of a record cleaner and groove corrector comprising of a cantilever and contoured diamond tip suspended and heavily damped beneath a wooden/plastic/metal or any other suitable material body/chassis with fixings to attach to a record player arm or turntable headshell. The present invention attaches to the record player in the same way a record player stylus and cartridge and is used in the same way as playing a record. The difference is that normal record player cartridges and needles are very lightweight to be sensitive enough to generate electricity from the movement in the groove. The present invention differs because it is a heavy weighted so that the larger contoured diamond is rigid to the floor of the groove. This ensures the needle does not let any debris/dirt past and makes sure it recuts damage precisely.

Therefore there is a record player headshell or tonearm and attached is a weighted body/chassis with fixings holding a well damped cantilever and on its end is a contoured diamond tip to closely fit the contour of the groove and through the force remove all the debris or dirt in the groove and correct reasonable damage to the groove by smoothing jagged and sharp areas of damage to the groove. Extra weights are supplied and the speed of the record can be 78, 45, and 33rpm

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 Shows the Record Cleaner and Groove Corrector

Figure 2 Shows How the Record Cleaner and Groove Corrector works.

Figure 1 Shows the Record Cleaner and Groove Corrector (RCGC). 1. Is the record player tonearm where 2 the headshell fixing nut holds 5. the cartridge headshell. 3 shows the extra weights needed for groove correction. 4 shows the fixing screws on the headshell used for cartridge or RCGC mounting. 7 shows the retaining/fixing nut to secure the record cleaner and corrector body/chassis. 8 shows the fixing hole on the RCGC body/chassis. 9 shows the strong rubber/plastic or other suitable material suspension needed to take the extra weight. 10 shows debris or dirt 11 shows the heavy duty larger contoured diamond the RCGC uses. 12 shows that the RCGC works at the faster 45rpm setting.

shows the RCGC chassis/body 14 shows the cantilever and 15 shows the diamond needle. 6. Shows the record being played.

Figure 2 shows how the RCGC operates 1. Shows that the lightweight stylus can’t grip the groove of the record cleanly because the debris is affixed to the walls of the groove and won’t budge. 2. Shows that as the record spins the downward force (arrow) of the heavyweight RCGC bulldozes the tough debris and imperfections out of the groove. 3. Shows that the lightweight stylus of the record player is now able to grip the groove cleanly. 4 and 5 show the light stylus and cantilever.

Claims

1. A record cleaning and groove correcting device comprising a body strongly suspended from which is a cantilever with a contoured needle at it’s tip. The arrangement is weighted and due to it’s strong suspension is able to support enough weight to bind the groove contoured needle to the floor of the groove leaving no room for debris dirt or imperfections to impede the process of the RCGC through the groove. Thereby cleaning and partially correcting the groove. Thereby making playback, of a cleaned and corrected piece of vinyl with a sensitive stylus, greatly free of unwanted noise.

2. The body/chassis can be made from wood I plastic or any other materials.

3. The cantilever can be made from aluminum or any other materials.

4. The needle can be fashioned and contoured to any specific shape.

5. The RCGC can be fitted to any turntable I record player.

6. The RCGC can be weighted by adding weight from the tonearm counterweights or by using the weights provided.

7. Normally a playback stylus and cantilever would buckle and damage the record and even break under the weight needed for the RCGC.

8. An RCGC according to any of the preceding claims, in which the removal of debris dirt and imperfections from the groove of the record will substantially decrease unwanted noise during the playback of that record.

Mrs Margaret Phillips

15 September 2017