GB1584735A - Combination supporters and fasteners for bar-shaped articles - Google Patents

Description

(54) COMBINATION SUPPORTERS AND FASTENERS FOR BAR-SHAPED ARTICLES (71) We, NrFco INC., a Japanese Company, of World Trade Center Building 23F, 4-1 Hamamatsucho 2 chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to combination supporters and fasteners for a bar-shaped article. More particularly, the present invention relates to combination supporters and fasteners which permit a bar-shaped article, particularly the tone arm of a record player, to be selectively put in a position for temporary support or locked in position for firm retention.

In a record player, it is a widespread practice to have the tone arm secured to an arm rest when the record player is in transit. and temporarily supported on the arm rest from time to time when a number of records are to be played in succession.

Among the combination supporters and fasteners of the conventional type is included an arm rest which has lateral sides in the shape of an upright letter U. During brief intermissions between the playing of successive records, the U-shaped groove the arm rest serves to receive the tone arm for temporary support in its unconfined state. While the record player is in transit, the tone arm mounted on the arm rest is tied thereto with a cord, or brought into engagement with a hook means provided on the arm rest, so as to check otherwise possible movement of the tone arm.

There is also another arm rest which has a structure similar to that of the arm rest described above but which is made of a flexible material such as a synthetic resin.

In this arm rest, the mouth of the groove of the arm rest having lateral sides substantially of the shape of the letter U is given a width smaller than the outside diameter of the tone arm, and the space embraced therein is given a size substantially identical with or slightly smaller than the outside diameter of the tone arm. When the record player is to be transported, the tone arm is forcibly inserted into an immobilized engagement with the U-shaped groove. In this combination supporter and fastener, the entrance of the U-shaped groove is provided with mutually diverging tongue pieces, or the entrance of the Ushaped groove is laid laterally and the lower end of the entrance is extended horizontally in order to permit temporary placement of the tone arm on the arm rest during an intermission between records. It has been an established practice to have the tone arm temporarily mounted on the tongue pieces of the U-shaped entrance during an intermission between records and to have the tone arm forcibly inserted into the narrow space inside the U-shaped groove while the record player is in transit.

The former device has a disadvantage that use of the cord for fastening the tone arm entails the troublesome work of tying, or use of the hook means results in the danger of partial or complete disengagement and tends to increase the cost of production.

In the latter device, since the record player is by nature destined to be frequently moved from one place to another, the Ushaped groove must be designed to firmly hold the tone arm. This means that the width of the U-shaped groove must be reduced as much as possible in comparison with that of the tone arm. If the width of the U-shaped groove is reduced to ensure firm retention of the tone arm, the difficulty experienced in forcing the tone arm into tight engagement with the U-shaped groove or in pulling the tone arm out of this engagement is proportionally increased. Thus, in a tone arm having a pickup cartridge, there is the disadvantage that the force exerted in forcing the tone arm into tight engagement or pulling it out of the engagement may possibly do harm to the tone arm, bearing, etc. as well as to the connecting part.

One object of the present invention is to provide a combination supporter and fastener for a tone arm in a record player, which permits said tone arm to be temporarily supported on the arm rest during an intermission between records or to be safely and easily fastened onto the arm rest while the record player is in transit.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a combination supporter and fastener which can be formed of a plastics material easily and inexpensively by oneshot injection moulding. and which can be set in position readily on an object requiring such selective engagement of the barshaped article.

To attain the objects described above according to the present invention, there is provided a combination supporter and fastener which comprises a receiving base which incorporates therein a tongue defined by a pair of slits, extended rearwardly and provided with a protrusion on the upper surface thereof, a roof member disposed above said receiving base so as to cover at least said protrusion, and a connecting member serving to join the rear end of said receiving base with the rear end of said roof member. while permitting bending of the tongue.

If such a combination supporter and fastener is used as an arm rest in a record player, the tone arm is temporarily supported on a forward rest portion of the receiving base during an intermission between records and, when the record player is to be transported, the tongue is bent downwards so as to permit the tone arm to ride over the protrusion and slide into a locking space and subsequently the tongue is allowed to resume its original position so as to immobilize the tone arm inside the locking space. Desired release of the tone arm from the locking space can be obtained by bending the tongue downwards once more. With a combination supporter and fastener of the present invention, therefore, the tone arm can be supported temporarily on the arm rest or it can be readily and safely immobilized to suit the occasion.

The invention can be put to other uses, for example the mounting of cables, as described later.

The accompanying drawings show two embodiments of the invention. In these drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating one combination supporter and fastener for a bar-shaped article: Figure 2 is a rear view illustrating part of the combination supporter and fastener of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side view of the combination supporter and fastener of Figure 1, partly in cross section; Figure 4 is a perspective view of part of another combination supporter and fastener; and Figure 5 is a side view of the combination supporter and fastener of Figure 4.

The drawings depict combination supporters and fasteners of the present invention for a bar-shaped article, as applied to an arm rest in a record player, wherein the device is used for permitting the tone arm to be temporarily supported thereon during an intermission between records or to be immobilized while the record player is being transported. The description given below presumes application of the device to the arm rest in a record player.

As illustrated in Figure 1, an arm rest 1 comprises a receiving head 2, a leg 3, and a fastening means 4 serving to attach immovably the entire arm rest 1 to the top plate P of a record player cabinet. The receiving head 2 comprises a receiving base 5, a roof member 6 and an arcuate connecting member 7 serving to connect the ends of said receiving base 5 and roof member 6 so as to have them opposed to each other across an intervening space.

Thus, as seen from the side, the receiving head 2 as a whole assumes the shape of a horseshoe. As illustrated, however, the receiving base 5 has a greater length than the roof member 6, so that the upper surface of a portion Sa of said receiving base which is not completely covered by the roof member 6 constitutes a rest portion serving to provide temporary rest of the tone arm. The zone joining the receiving base 5 and the connecting member 7 is is interrupted at the centre to give rise to an opening 10. Starting from the opposite ends of said opening 10, a pair of slits 8 are provided in the direction of the length of the receiving base 5 as far as the rest portion Sa, with the result that the base is divided into three pieces. The middle piece of the base, which is not connected to the connecting member 7, is extended rearwardly, to give rise to a tongue 9 which joins the receiving base 5 at the rest portion Sa and enjoys freedom of downward bending.

On the tongue 9, a protrusion 11 is formed at a position selected to divide the receiving base midway in the direction of its length into the rest portion Sa and a locking portion which constitutes the bottom of a locking space Sb.

The space across which the receiving base 5 and the roof member 6 are opposed to each other is slightly greater than the outside diameter of the tone arm A as illustrated in Figure 3. When the tone arm is temporarily mounted on the arm rest durng an intermission between records, it is supported on the rest portion Sa, as shown by chain lines in Figure 3, but is prevented by the protrusion 11 from forcing its way into the locking space Sb. When the record player is to be transported, the tongue 9 is pushed downwards, as shown in chain lines in Figure 3, and consequently is bent down from its junction with the rest portion So. As the result, the protrusion 11, which has prevented the tone arm from entering the locking space, is depressed. When the protrusion 11 has been depressed until the top thereof is flushs with the upper surface of the receiving base 5, the tone arm is free to enter into the locking space Sb After the tone arm A has completely entered the locking space Sb, the force keeping the tongue 9 in a depressed state is removed. As the result, the tongue 9 resumes its original postion flush with the receiving base 5 owing to its own resiliency.

Thus, as shown by solid lines in Figure 3., the protrusion again rises to its orginal position and shuts the tone arm in the locking !space 5b.

If the locking space Sb enclosed by the roof member 6, the connecting member 7, the tongue portion 9 and the protrusion 11 is given a width somewhat smaller than the outside diameter of the tone arm, thten the tone arm is kept stationary because of the resiliency of the tongue 9 and the protrusion 11.

The rest portion So of the receiving base 5 is provided at its forward end with a raised edge Sc which serves the purpose of preventing the tone arm supported temporarily on the rest portion 5a from being accidentally allowed to fall off the rest portion So.

The receiving head 2 is connected with the leg 3 through a box-shaped spacer 13.

This spacer 13 contains an inner !space 12 which is open rearwards, so that the tongue 9 enjoys freedom in its downward bending.

The leg 3 is provided at its lower end with a fastening section which comprises fastening means 4 and an intervening flange 14.. The fastening means 4 can he in the shape of an anchor as illustrated in Figure 1 and Figure 3, for example. It is so adapted as to be held in tight engagement with the lower edge of the fastening hole H in the top plate P of the record player. The flange 14 functions to enhance the stability of this engagement and also serves to conceal the fastening hole H.

Now, the second embodiment illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 will be described. In the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3, the transfer of the tone arm A from the locking space Sb to the rest portion So must be effected by pushing down the tongue 9 and causing the protrusion 11 to sink completely below the upper surface of the receiving base 5 and subsequently moving the tone arm A towards the rest portion So with an external force. In contrast, the second embodiment is so designed that the tone arm A which has been held in the locking space Sb is caused to slide down under its own weight onto the rest portion So when the protrusion 11 is depressed.

As shown in Figure 5, the roof member 6 is bulged up rearwardly into a shape similar to the outer contour of the tone arm, while the receiving base 5 and the tongue 9 are flat. The connecting member 7 begins to rise immediately behind the protrusion 11 on the tongue 9, so that the locking space Sb is located considerably above the receiving base 5.

Consequently, the tone arm A supported on the rest portion Sal (chain lines in Figure 5) is first moved to the neighbourhood of the top of the protrusion 11 after the protrusion 11 has been made to sink completely below the upper surface of the receiving bed 5 by depressing the tongue 9.

After that, what is required is simply to remove the force exerted on the tongue 9.

Then, the resiliency of the tongue 9 causes the protrusion 11 to return to its original raised position, bringing the tone arm A into engagement with the boundaries of the locking space 5b. The protrusion 11 shuts the tone arm A in perfect confinement. In addition to this safe confinement, since the locking space enclosed by the roof member 6, the connecting member 7 and the protrusion 11 is slightly smaller than the outside diameter pf the tone arm, the tone arm received inside the locking space Sb is kept stationary because of the force exerted upwards upon the protrusion 11 by the resiliency of the tongue 9.

In use, the tone arm can be supported temporarily on the rest portion during an intermission between records and, for the purpose of transportation of the record player, can be immobilized in the locking space by a simple operation as described above.

Moreover this selective supportingfastening function of devices according to this invention is not limited to the handling of the tone arm in a record player but can be applied, for example, to retention of wiring. It proves useful in an operation wherein a cable, for example, is first mounted on the rest portion temporarily and finally is fastened up securely in the locking space. Thus, this invention contributes to improvement in the operational efficiency of wire distribution. The combination supporter and fastener, therefore, makes a safe and reliable fastener for cables. It is also useful as a holder for dry cells or a fastener for various bar shaped articles.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A combination supporter and fastener

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (7)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. by the protrusion 11 from forcing its way into the locking space Sb. When the record player is to be transported, the tongue 9 is pushed downwards, as shown in chain lines in Figure 3, and consequently is bent down from its junction with the rest portion So. As the result, the protrusion 11, which has prevented the tone arm from entering the locking space, is depressed. When the protrusion 11 has been depressed until the top thereof is flushs with the upper surface of the receiving base 5, the tone arm is free to enter into the locking space Sb After the tone arm A has completely entered the locking space Sb, the force keeping the tongue 9 in a depressed state is removed. As the result, the tongue 9 resumes its original postion flush with the receiving base 5 owing to its own resiliency. Thus, as shown by solid lines in Figure 3., the protrusion again rises to its orginal position and shuts the tone arm in the locking !space 5b. If the locking space Sb enclosed by the roof member 6, the connecting member 7, the tongue portion 9 and the protrusion 11 is given a width somewhat smaller than the outside diameter of the tone arm, thten the tone arm is kept stationary because of the resiliency of the tongue 9 and the protrusion 11. The rest portion So of the receiving base 5 is provided at its forward end with a raised edge Sc which serves the purpose of preventing the tone arm supported temporarily on the rest portion 5a from being accidentally allowed to fall off the rest portion So. The receiving head 2 is connected with the leg 3 through a box-shaped spacer 13. This spacer 13 contains an inner !space 12 which is open rearwards, so that the tongue 9 enjoys freedom in its downward bending. The leg 3 is provided at its lower end with a fastening section which comprises fastening means 4 and an intervening flange 14.. The fastening means 4 can he in the shape of an anchor as illustrated in Figure 1 and Figure 3, for example. It is so adapted as to be held in tight engagement with the lower edge of the fastening hole H in the top plate P of the record player. The flange 14 functions to enhance the stability of this engagement and also serves to conceal the fastening hole H. Now, the second embodiment illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 will be described. In the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3, the transfer of the tone arm A from the locking space Sb to the rest portion So must be effected by pushing down the tongue 9 and causing the protrusion 11 to sink completely below the upper surface of the receiving base 5 and subsequently moving the tone arm A towards the rest portion So with an external force. In contrast, the second embodiment is so designed that the tone arm A which has been held in the locking space Sb is caused to slide down under its own weight onto the rest portion So when the protrusion 11 is depressed. As shown in Figure 5, the roof member 6 is bulged up rearwardly into a shape similar to the outer contour of the tone arm, while the receiving base 5 and the tongue 9 are flat. The connecting member 7 begins to rise immediately behind the protrusion 11 on the tongue 9, so that the locking space Sb is located considerably above the receiving base 5. Consequently, the tone arm A supported on the rest portion Sal (chain lines in Figure 5) is first moved to the neighbourhood of the top of the protrusion 11 after the protrusion 11 has been made to sink completely below the upper surface of the receiving bed 5 by depressing the tongue 9. After that, what is required is simply to remove the force exerted on the tongue 9. Then, the resiliency of the tongue 9 causes the protrusion 11 to return to its original raised position, bringing the tone arm A into engagement with the boundaries of the locking space 5b. The protrusion 11 shuts the tone arm A in perfect confinement. In addition to this safe confinement, since the locking space enclosed by the roof member 6, the connecting member 7 and the protrusion 11 is slightly smaller than the outside diameter pf the tone arm, the tone arm received inside the locking space Sb is kept stationary because of the force exerted upwards upon the protrusion 11 by the resiliency of the tongue 9. In use, the tone arm can be supported temporarily on the rest portion during an intermission between records and, for the purpose of transportation of the record player, can be immobilized in the locking space by a simple operation as described above. Moreover this selective supportingfastening function of devices according to this invention is not limited to the handling of the tone arm in a record player but can be applied, for example, to retention of wiring. It proves useful in an operation wherein a cable, for example, is first mounted on the rest portion temporarily and finally is fastened up securely in the locking space. Thus, this invention contributes to improvement in the operational efficiency of wire distribution. The combination supporter and fastener, therefore, makes a safe and reliable fastener for cables. It is also useful as a holder for dry cells or a fastener for various bar shaped articles. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A combination supporter and fastener

for a bar-shaped article, integrally com prising a receiving base which incorporates therein a tongue defined by a pair of slits, extended rearwardly and provided with a protrusion on the upper surface thereof; a roof member disposed above said receiving base so as to cover at least said protrusion; and a connecting member serving to join the rear end of said receiving base with the rear end of said roof member, while permitting bending of the tongue.

2. A supporter and fastener according to claim 1, wherein a rest portion of said receiving base, forward of the protrusion, is provided at the forward end thereof with a raised edge serving to prevent the barshaped article when temporarily supported on the rest portion from falling off.

3. A supporter and fastener according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said receiving base and said roof member are disposed in two parallel planes.

4. A supporter and fastener according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the portion of said roof member lying rearwards of the protrusion is bulged upwards.

5. A supporter and fastener according to any of claims 1 to 4, including: a box-shaped spacer disposed beneath said receiving base, containing therein an inner space opening in the rear side thereof and permitting the tongue to bend downwards; a leg extending downwards from the lower side of said spacer; and a fastening portion disposed at the lower end of said leg and adapted to be fastened to a plate to which the combination supporter and fastener is intended to be attached.

6. A supporter and fastener according to claim 5, wherein said fastening portion comprises a flange adapted to rest on the surface of the plate to enhance the stability of engagement with said plate, and anchorshaped fastening means adapted to be passed through a hole in said plate and brought into fast engagement with the rear edge of the hole.

7. A supporter and fastener according to claim 1, as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, or Figures 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.