JPS6342323B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an apparatus for use with acoustic records, and more particularly to an apparatus for providing an acoustic record with a clean, stylus-wear-free, non-electrostatic playing surface.

The development of today's high-fidelity sound systems has led to
The playback sound has been brought to a very high level. However, due to the high quality and accuracy of such systems, even small amounts of dust, vapors, and other undesirable substances that may be deposited in the record grooves will be eliminated. Presence is picked up by the record needle, amplified, and audible through the speakers. Additionally, modern records are prone to static electricity that attracts dust and dirt to their surfaces. Moreover, modern records can carry much more information due to their highly polished surfaces and various other reasons.
Now more than ever, it is necessary to keep the surfaces of these records extremely clean.

Problems caused by dust in the grooves of acoustic records have occasionally been identified during manufacturing;
Effective means of removing dust from relatively sensitive record surfaces have been difficult to find. However, in recent years, devices have appeared that attempt to remove undesirable materials from the grooves of records. A variety of cleaning brushes are used in these devices for cleaning audio records, with some using cleaning fluids and others not. One such device is the Vac-O-
It is commercially available under the name Rec. This device removes dust from acoustic records by using a vacuum brush system on the record surface.

Another record cleaning device is the Discwasher Company.
It is sold from. The disk washer device uses a brush and approximately 3 drops of cleaning fluid. This fluid is used both on the surface of the needle and on the brush that can sweep the acoustic record back and forth. Yet another device is sold under the name Renco-Clean Systems and includes an arm with a reservoir attached to a needle and applied to the record by means of a small plastic brush. .

Although all of the above devices seem to clean records somewhat, they all have some drawbacks.
For example, many of the devices described above are very complicated to attach to the stylus or arm, and may even interfere with the rotation of the record on the player. Additionally, it has been recognized that there are three fundamental issues that must be considered in the management and production of audio recordings. These problems include cleaning records for better sound reproduction, and the above-mentioned devices have also been satisfactorily effective in this respect.
It is also necessary to make the record in such a way that the stylus resting on the record groove experiences little fatigue. It is usually necessary to use liquid compounds to maintain the records in this state. Some of the above devices leave the record in this state, but do so at the expense of proper cleaning of the grooves. Third, the sound record should be sufficiently static-free so that static electricity does not attract dust to the surface. Some of the devices described above also appear to render the surface of the record non-static, at the expense of proper cleaning and retention.

The present invention aims to overcome the problems of previous devices and to provide a device that not only cleans records, but also leaves them in good condition and sufficiently static free. Furthermore, the apparatus of the present invention is relatively simple to produce, easy to use, and does not include any of the complexities of conventional apparatus.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an acoustic record cleaning device, and more particularly to an acoustic record cleaning device that removes dust, dirt and other undesirable substances from the surface of an acoustic record, leaving the record surface in good condition and in a sufficiently non-electrostatic state. It is. The device of the invention comprises an elongated arm with a cleaning brush disposed on one side. According to a preferred embodiment, the cleaning brush has a cellular core with outwardly extending bristles attached to the core. The brushes are attached to an attachable and detachable brush carrier selectively disposed on the arm. The carrier has multiple holes through which the cleaning fluid enters the bubble and flows to the bristles. The valve is arranged on the axis of the housing and is connected to one side of the arm. The valve controls the flow of cleaning fluid to the cleaning brush along a channel formed in the arm. Finally, the rotating section is coupled to the arm section so that the device can selectively rotate around the records to be cleaned. The rotating part is arranged around the housing and the valve.

In using the device of the invention, the container storing the cleaning fluid can be selectively coupled to the rotating part. Pushing down on the rotating part opens a valve and the cleaning fluid flows out through the arm and through the holes in the carrier and into the bubble-like stem of the cleaning brush. This device further includes:
Since there is a means for attaching the device to the rotating shaft of the record player, the device can be easily rotated relative to the record surface, thereby supplying cleaning fluid to the record surface. Additionally, the bristles enter the grooves of the record to remove dust, dirt, and other undesirable substances. By using the present invention, cleanliness, said good condition and antistatic effect are achieved.

In addition to further objects and advantages of the invention, the salient features believed to be unique to the invention, both with respect to its construction and method of use, are illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings. , will be more clearly understood.

FIG. 1 clearly shows the new record cleaning device. The device 10 includes an elongated arm 12 having a first end 14 and a second end 16. The arm member 12 has a first upper surface 13 and a second lower surface 15.
A notch or recess 18 is disposed in the arm member 12 adjacent the second end 16 and is adapted to selectively engage a rotating shaft 24 commonly used in placing records in well-known record players. There is. The cylindrical rotating member 20 is rotatably coupled to the arm portion 12, so that the arm portion 12 is connected to the record 2.
6, thus allowing the brush 28 to clean the record 26 and keep it in good condition and anti-static, as will be described below.

In FIG. 2, apparatus 10 is seen to have a fluid container 22 which supplies cleaning fluid to cleaning brush 28. As shown in FIG. Several different components can be used in the cleaning fluid, including isopropyl alcohol and Freon. Freon has been shown to reduce wear on records, and isopropyl alcohol has been found to be an excellent cleaning fluid for removing dust and other undesirable materials from record surfaces. Of course, other cleaning and surface treating agents are also within the scope of this invention. A carrier 30 is arranged on the lower surface of the arm 12 and has been slid outward in FIG. 2 to better understand the invention. The carrier 30 has a cleaning brush 28 inside and is arranged in a slidable manner with respect to the arm 12. More specifically, the carrier 30 is held to the arm 12 by a grip member 32 located at the first end 14 and a U-shaped member 34 adjacent the second end 16 which also serves as a grip. There is. The members 32 and 34 form two grooves in the arm member 12 and grip the carrier 30 at both ends so that it can be slid and removed when it is desired to replace the carrier 30 for purposes such as cleaning.

Also shown in FIG. 2 are a plurality of holes 36 disposed through the lower surface 15 of the arm member 12. As shown in FIG. The holes 36 serve to channel cleaning fluid from the container 22 to the cleaning brush 28. In a preferred embodiment, cleaning brush 28 is coupled to arm 12 such that one end thereof is positioned directly below and adjacent hole 36 .

3 and 4 show the interior of the apparatus 10 of the present invention. Referring to a cross-section of the cleaning brush 28, the brush 28, in a preferred embodiment, has a flexible urethane foam core 38 suitable for retaining a cleaning fluid therein.
The foam core 38 may be made of a variety of spongy materials and serves to expel cleaning fluid to the exterior, particularly when pressure is applied to it, causing the cleaning fluid to flow into the bristle or brush head 40. Brush head 40 is suitable for entering the grooves of a typical acoustic record and removing undesirable material from the grooves. The brush head 40 also supplies a cleaning fluid to the grooves of the record, and the action of that fluid and the brush also leaves the record in good condition and sufficiently non-static. As seen in FIG. 3, the carrier 30 has a plurality of holes 42 across it so that when the cleaning fluid flows through the arms 12, particularly through the grooves or gaps 44 formed in the arms 12, the cleaning fluid enters the hole 42 along the length of the carrier 30. In this manner, the cleaning fluid is spread over the entire cleaning brush 28.

In FIGS. 3 and 4, the valve housing 46 is shown as a cylindrical extending member at the top of the valve 46.
It stores 7. Valve housing 46 has hole 3
Two fluid ports 48 are formed coaxially with 6. Fluid port 48 admits cleaning fluid through valve housing 46 and into arm 12 when valve 47 is actuated. The valve 47 has an upwardly extending valve head 50.
0 extends within a port or valve seat 52 formed in the rotating member 20. Valve head 5
0 closes the valve seat 52 while the valve seat 52 is not moved, so the clean fluid 58 in the container 22 does not pass through the valve housing 46 and does not flow into the arm portion 12.

Now, as seen in FIG. 4, when the container 22 is pushed down in the direction of the arm member 12, the valve head 50
is separated from the valve seat 52, thereby causing the arrow 6 to move away from the valve seat 52.
The cleaning fluid 48 is caused to flow in the direction indicated by 8. More specifically, the fluid 58 flows from the passageway formed by the now opened port 52 along the fluid port 48, the hole 36, the gap 44, and finally through the hole 42 and into the carrier 30. Upon reaching the carrier 30, the cleaning fluid 58 seeps into the brush head 40.

To use the device 10 of the present invention, the fluid container 22 containing the formulated cleaning and conditioning fluid 58 is placed upside down and the device 10 is screwed onto its head. Although a variety of fluid containers can be used, the preferred fluid container is one that has a membrane on the top that can maintain a fluid tightness to prevent leakage of components (often volatile). Something like this is good. As seen in FIG. 4, the rotating member 20 is generally hollow cylindrical and has threads 62 that close a recess 60 formed in the neck of the fluid container 22. As seen in FIG. It will, of course, be understood that other methods of connecting device 10 and container 22 are within the scope of the present invention.
According to a preferred embodiment, the rotating member 20 has an upwardly extending pointed orifice 56 adapted to pierce a membrane (not shown) previously placed over the container 22. .
In this manner, the container 22 can be opened easily and conveniently by simply twisting the rotatable part 20 and the container 22. In the device 10 the valve 4
7 is shaped such that the valve seat 52 engages the valve head 50, thereby allowing the cleaning fluid 58
The cleaning brush 28 is prevented from reaching the cleaning brush 28. However, it is only necessary to push the container 22 in the direction of the arm member 12 to move the valve. When this is done, an inwardly extending ledge 64 integrally formed in the rotating member 20 is connected to the spring 54.
Shrink. When enough force is applied to overcome the repulsion of the spring, the valve pedestal 52 moves toward the valve head 5.
0 and the fluid 58 flows out. When the rotating member 20 is sufficiently pressed, the valve housing 46
Top surface 66 engages inwardly extending ledges 64 to limit downward movement of rotating member 20. Container 22
When the force is released, the force exerted by the spring 54 in contact with the shelf 64 pushes the shelf 64 up, so that the valve head 50 and the valve seat 52 are reengaged, thereby cutting off the fluid supply.

The container 22 is connected to the device 10, in particular the valve housing 2.
1, the notch 18 is fitted onto the rotating shaft 24 as shown in FIG. Although notch 18 serves as a locating means, other means are within the scope of the invention. When the container 22 is pushed down, the spring 54 is pushed down, which causes the clean fluid 5 to
8 flows by gravity from two fluid ports 48 formed in the valve housing 46 through the hole 36 and into the gap 44. The cleaning fluid 58 fills the gap 44
, it flows into holes 42 in carrier 30. The fluid is then retained in the bubble-like core 38 and trickles out from the core to the brush head 40.

When sufficient cleaning fluid 58 has been supplied to cleaning brush 28, the force on container 22 is released and the spring repulsion against ledge 64 causes rotating portion 20 and container 22 to return to their original positions. As described above, the valve head 50 is seated on the valve seat 52 again, and the supply of cleaning fluid 58 is stopped. The apparatus 10 is placed in a location as shown in FIG. 1 and rotated around the record 26. Since the valve head 50 also serves as a bearing for the pedestal 52, the rotary member 20 and the container 22 attached thereto are such that the arm portion 12 is connected to the record disc 26.
As it rotates above, it rotates relative to the arm portion 12. The slight force exerted by the liquid container on the foam core 38 causes an additional small amount of cleaning fluid 58 to ooze into the brush head 40. head 4
The dust, dirt, and other undesirable materials are stuck to the brush head 40 by the cleaning fluid 58, in part. It has been found that the use of the apparatus 10 of the present invention results in less stylus stress in the grooves of a record since the cleaning fluid 58 also acts as a conditioning and lubricant for the grooves. By using the device 10, the cleaning fluid 58 can be applied completely and uniformly to the record, which improves the durability of the record 26. Additionally, the apparatus 10 and method of application significantly reduce electrostatic charging of the record 26;
Makes the record fairly non-static. This helps prevent dust from being attracted to and even deposited on the record 26 due to static electricity.

Now, the apparatus 10 can be rotated several times over the record 26, or the cleaning apparatus can be left stationary and the record automatically rotated on the turntable.

A stand or pedestal (not shown) may also be used with the present invention. Such stands and tables are
It is used to store the device 10 when not in use and to absorb excess fluid from dripping.
Specifically, the device is stored with the cleaning brush 28 facing downward. As a result, the brush 28 is free from dust and dirt and the grooves are sufficiently clean. The arm 12 is removed from its juncture with the rotating shaft 24 and is turned upside down since the cleaning fluid 58 is not used.

Using apparatus 10 as described above, cleaning fluid 58 is selectively added in a manner that prevents unwanted evaporation or leakage through a uniquely configured valve system. However, the valve head 50 and the pedestal 52
The sealing method created by can also be modified by using a variety of sealing means such as O-rings, multiple lip seals, etc.

Furthermore, this device has a rotary shaft 24 of the turntable.
Since the brush head 40 is placed on the record 26 using a brush head 40, the brush head 40 maintains a parallel contact relationship with the record 26 at all times. This allows the brush head 40 to come into circular and parallel contact with the grooves of the record as the device rotates. This has been found to be highly desirable for cleaning and even fluid distribution. The device 10 is also capable of evenly distributing cleaning fluid by simply inserting the device 10 and pressing the container 22 against the cleaning arm 12. However, it has been found that it is also possible to bend the arm 12 slightly so as to increase the gravitational flow of the cleaning fluid 58 from a region located near the center of the arm 12 towards its first end 14.

Although the present invention has been described above with reference to specific embodiments, it goes without saying that changes and modifications can be made as appropriate without changing the gist of the present invention. For example, arm 12, rotating portion 20, and valve housing 46 could all be made of plastic. Of course, it is within the scope of the invention to use other materials. Additionally, although the above embodiments used a spring-loaded valve 47 spring, other similar valve systems are within the scope of the present invention. Further, in the embodiment described above, by pushing down the container 22, the valve 47 is
This system can also be modified to operate the valve by twisting, lifting, etc.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the present invention on an acoustic record, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the invention seen from below, showing a cleaning brush. FIG. 3 is a front cross-sectional view showing the inside of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention apparatus showing the inside of the present apparatus in further detail. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12... Arm part, 20... Rotating part, 22... Fluid container, 28... Cleaning brush, 30... Carrier, 46...
Valve housing, 50...Valve head, 52...
valve pedestal.

Claims (1)

Claims: 1. An elongated arm member having means for coupling to the shaft of a record player and cleaning means for contacting the surface of the record to remove undesirable materials such as dirt; a rotary member which is freely coupled and can selectively rotate the arm member about the axis of the record player in order to clean the surface of a record; and a rotary member which is coupled to the rotary member and supplies cleaning fluid to the cleaning means. A record cleaning device comprising: a clean fluid container; and a valve mechanism disposed within the rotary member to control the flow of clean fluid from the clean fluid container to the cleaning means based on the pressure of the rotary member. 2. A record cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein said cleaning means includes a plurality of outwardly extending brush heads shaped to match the grooves of said record. 3. The record cleaning device according to claim 2, wherein the arm member has a carrier that is removable from the arm member and allows the cleaning fluid to pass therethrough, and the cleaning means is disposed on the carrier. 4. The valve mechanism includes a valve head and a spring member for urging the valve head into engagement with the rotating member, thereby selectively inhibiting flow of the cleaning fluid to the cleaning means. A record cleaning device according to claim 1. 5. The spring member disengages the valve head from the rotary member when the rotary member is pressed, thereby causing the cleaning fluid to flow to the cleaning means. Record cleaning device. 6. The clean fluid container has a membrane portion formed at a joint portion with the rotary member, and the rotary member has hole opening means for penetrating the membrane portion when combined with the clean fluid container. record cleaning device. 7. The record cleaning device according to claim 6, wherein the rotating member includes a container pedestal for holding a joint portion of the clean fluid container with the rotating member in a constant state. 8. The record cleaning device according to claim 7, wherein at least a portion of the container base is formed of a flexible material. 9. The record cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning fluid is a highly volatile liquid. 10 an elongate arm member rotatably coupled to the arm member having means for coupling to the shaft of the record player and cleaning means for contacting the surface of the record to remove undesirable substances such as dirt; a rotating member capable of selectively rotating the arm member about the axis of the record player to clean a surface; a cleaning fluid container coupled to the rotating member for supplying a cleaning fluid to the cleaning means; a record cleaning device comprising a valve mechanism disposed on a rotating member for controlling the flow of clean fluid from the clean fluid container to the cleaning means, the cleaning means fitting into the bubble-like core and the grooves of the record; comprising a plurality of outwardly extending brush heads in the shape of a brush head, the arm member being provided with a carrier that is removable from the arm member and that allows the cleaning fluid to pass therethrough, and the cleaning means is disposed on the carrier; The cleaning fluid is allowed to flow through the carrier into the foam core and to the brush head, and the valve mechanism is pushed into engagement with the valve head and the rotating member. A record cleaning device comprising a spring member that selectively prevents the cleaning fluid from flowing to the cleaning means. 11. The record according to claim 10, wherein the arm member defines a channel adjacent to the carrier, and the cleaning fluid is directed by the channel to flow along the longitudinal direction of the carrier. Purification device. 12. The spring member disengages the valve head and the rotary member when the rotary member is depressed, thereby causing the cleaning fluid to flow to the cleaning means. record cleaning device.