Abstract:
A record player capable of playing phonographic records that may be played in a scratch style by a user. The record player includes a tonearm that is rotatably supported at or near an end of the tonearm by a structure having both horizontally and vertically fastening points to the tonearm. The fastening points are configured to receive a user activated tension adjustment element. A user may advance or retreat the tension adjustment element to selectably control the positioning, or relative tension in the tonearm such that any record skipping due to undesirable tonearm pressure is controlled, or to achieve a specific sound.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present document is based on and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/831,081 filed Jun. 4, 2013, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an adjustable dual tensioning tonearm device and assembly, and specifically to an adjustable dual tensioning tonearm device and assembly for use in a tonearm-suspension system record player. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A phonographic turntable, or record player, such as those used by DJ&#39;s for musical performances typically includes a tonearm suspension system to control the positioning of a phonographic needle at specific points on a phonographic record. The tonearm is typically controlled such that unwanted record skipping or excessive bearing wear is prevented. However, current tonearm tensioning controls are not adequate to prevent unwanted record skipping due to shock, vibration, and record movement, etc. 
     A dual tension tonearm suspension system that provides user selected tension in both the horizontal and vertical plane is desired. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a phonographic device incorporating a dual tension tonearm suspension system; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded plan view of an tensioning control assembly of the dual tension tonearm suspension system; 
         FIG. 3  is an plan view of an tensioning control assembly of the dual tension tonearm suspension system; 
         FIG. 4  is an alternative plan view of an tensioning control assembly of the dual tension tonearm suspension system; 
         FIG. 5  is another alternative exploded plan view of an tensioning control assembly of the dual tension tonearm suspension system; 
         FIG. 6  is a plan view showing an aspect of tension control locations on a yolk and tonearm assembly; and, 
         FIG. 7  is a partial isometric view of a dual tension tonearm suspension system as seen in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The device will now be described with reference to the accompanying Figures. In all Figures, like numerals correspond to like elements. The device is directed to a dual tension tonearm device providing both horizontal and vertical tension control on the tonearm of a record player. One suitable embodiment of a record player, generally designated  120 , is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Specific details of the device and its use are disclosed more completely below. 
     By way of background, the term “record player” is intended to be directed to a wide variety of instruments that are designed to play phonographic records. Record player  120  may be those used strictly to play records in a single rotation direction as is the historical use of the device. In addition, record player  120  also includes those devices preferred by DJ&#39;s or other users who alter the record rotation direction and speed, as well as tonearm manipulation to achieve a desired sound in a “scratch” style made recently popular by hip-hop or similar genre performers. 
     With specific reference to  FIG. 1 , a suitable example of a record player  120  is depicted. General record players are know in the art, a discussion or depict on of all the elements is not provided herein as it is not necessary to understand the present disclosure. The record player  120  generally includes a turntable  122  for supporting and rotating a record (not shown) thereon. The record player  120  also includes a tonearm  124  that is rotatably supported by a tonearm suspension system  128 . The tone arm suspension system  128  includes tension adjustment elements  136  configured to allow a user to selectively control the horizontal and vertical tension in the tonearm  124  to limit or prevent any unwanted needle movement on the record (not shown) or to achieve a desired movement, and thus sound characteristic. 
     The tonearm  124  depicted in  FIG. 1  is what is commonly referred to in the industry as a “J shaped” tonearm. However, this disclosure is not limited to any specific tonearm  124  shape. Other common tonearm shapes such as straight, S shaped, or any other geometry tonearm  124  is considered within the scope of this disclosure. 
     With specific reference to  FIGS. 1-5 , a closer disclosure of the tension adjustment elements  136  and relevant portions of the tonearm suspension system  128  is provided. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the tone arm suspension system  128  includes bearings  148  that provide selective movement between the tonearm  124  and the yolk  130 . The tonearm suspension system  128  also includes gimbals  146  positioned to contain or somewhat contain the bearings  148  at their proper locations. Each gimbal  146  is configured to receive a tension adjustment element  136  that is user selectable to control pressure on the bearings  148  and thus tension in the tone arm  124 . 
     The tension adjustment element  136  includes a fastener region  138 , a biasing region  142  and a pin region  144 . The fastener region  138  is configured to threadably engage the gimbal  146  such that the tension adjustment element  136  selectively engages or disengages the bearings  148 . The fastener region  138  is configured to permit a full range of tension adjustment element  136  movement relative to the bearing  148  and tonearm  124 . The tension adjustment element  136  may be selectively positioned so that it has no engagement of the bearings  148  thereby allowing full movement of the tonearm  124  in that specific plane. Also, the tension adjustment element  136  may be selectively positioned such that the bearings  148  are fully engaged thereby preventing tonearm  124  movement in that specific plane. Also, the tension adjustment element  136  may be selectively positioned to provide any degree of desired tonearm  124  movement control between such endpoints. 
     The biasing region  142  is configured to slightly dampen the force applied by the fastener region  138  to the pin region (and thus bearings  148  and tonearm  124 ). This damping helps prevent damage to the bearings  148  and gives better micro movement control of tonearm tension to the user. As such, it will be appreciated that the biasing region  142  may constitute any material that is capable of some compression while still being able to transmit at least a portion of the compressive force on to the pin region. Suitable, non limiting examples of materials that may comprise the biasing region  142  includes, synthetic or non-synthetic fabrics, various polymers, felt, rubber, springs, or as best seen in  FIG. 5 , any combination of such materials. 
     The pin region  144  is typically configured to engage the bearings  148  in a manner that does not harm the bearings while still provided the desired user selected tension control. As best seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the pin region  144  may include a pointed end for engaging the bearings  148 . As will be understood by those skilled in the art, as the pin region  144  advances into the bearings  148  the force on the bearings  148  is increased, thereby increasing their resistance to movement. In another configuration best seen in  FIG. 4 , the pin region  144 , which may also have a pointed (not show) or blunted end, may include concave portions shaped to receive the bearings  148  over an increased surface area to further help prevent damaging the bearings  148 . 
       FIGS. 1, 6 and 7  also illustrate a suitable location configuration for the tension adjustment elements  136  (also gimbals  146  and bearings  148  accordingly) relative to the tonearm  124  and tonearm suspension system  128 . One configuration includes a vertical tension control  132  positioned substantially at the tonearm&#39;s point of rotation around a vertical axis. Likewise, horizontal tension controls  134  are positioned substantially opposite one another, on opposing sides of the tonearm  124 . A main axis of the vertical tension control  132  is approximately 90 degrees from the main axis of the horizontal tension control  134 . In this manner, by manipulation of the appropriate tension control, a user may control tonearm tension in one or both of the horizontal and vertical axes. 
     In an embodiment of this disclosure, there is a record player  120  adapted to a scratch performance operation for outputting a sound by directly rotating a phonographic record  122  in a forward or backward direction by a finger operation of an operator. The record player  120  includes a turntable (not show) driven to rotate around a first rotation core. Further included is a tonearm  124 , having a first end and a second end, which is supported so as to be capable of horizontally swiveling around a rotating second rotation core positioned outside said turntable. Said tonearm  124  including a needle proximal the first end for tracking a record groove of said phonograph record  122  as viewed from a plane. Further included is a sensor (not shown) which is proximal the second end to detect a sound signal by said needle for tracking said record groove of said phonograph record. Still further included, a tonearm suspension system  128  proximal the second end wherein the tonearm suspension system  128  includes a vertical tension control element  132  and a horizontal tension control element  134 , each configured to selectively control tension applied to the tonearm  124 . 
     In an embodiment, the vertical tension control element includes a biasing element to provide selective tension control. 
     An aspect of an embodiment includes the biasing element being constructed from at least one of a synthetic or non-synthetic fabric, polymers, felt, rubber, coil spring, or combination thereof. 
     A further aspect includes the horizontal tension control element having a biasing element to provide selective tension control. 
     Yet a further aspect includes the biasing element being constructed from at least one of a synthetic or non-synthetic fabric, polymers, felt, rubber, coil spring, or combination thereof. 
     A still further aspect includes the vertical tension control element being a pin element movable in an axial direction substantially 90 degrees from a pin element integral with the horizontal tension control element. 
     An additional aspect includes the amount of tension applied to the vertical tension control element being not substantially equal to the amount of tension applied to the horizontal tension control element. 
     A still further aspect includes the amount of tension applied to the vertical tension control element is substantially equal to the amount of tension applied to the horizontal tension control element. 
     In an embodiment, there is a suspension system for a tonearm  124  of a record player  120  that includes a yolk  130  configured to moveably receive an end of the tonearm  124 . Also included is a vertical tension control element integral to a portion of the yolk, the vertical tension control element includes a bearing element and a gimbal element adjacent one another. Further, a tension adjustment system  136  is threadably engageable with the gimbal element  146  and configured to selectably engage the bearing element  148 . A horizontal tension control element  134  integral to a port on of the yolk, the vertical tension control element  132  including a bearing element and a gimbal element adjacent one another. And also including a tension adjustment elements  136  threadably engageable with the gimbal element  146  and configured to selectably engage the bearing element  148 . 
     An aspect of an embodiment, further includes a biasing element configured to dampen the tension adjustment between the bearing element and the gimbal element upon activation of the tensioning element. 
     A further aspect includes the biasing element constructed from at least one of a synthetic or non-synthetic fabric, polymers, felt, rubber, coil spring, or combination thereof. 
     Another aspect includes the vertical tension control element and the horizontal tension control element are positioned approximately 90 degrees relative to one another and in substantially the same vertical plane. 
     Another aspect includes the vertical bearing element and the horizontal bearing element being conical. 
     Yet a further aspect includes the vertical bearing element and the horizontal bearing element having concave bearing element sections. 
     In an embodiment, there is a user selectable tension adjustment system  128  for use in selectably adjusting vertical or horizontal tension in a tonearm  124  of a record player  120 . The system includes a fastener region  138  that is selectively advanceable along an axis. Also, a biasing region  142  proximal the fastener region  138 . Also included, is a pin region  144  proximal the biasing region  142 , opposite the fastener region  138 , wherein the fastener region  138 , the biasing region  142 , and the pin region  144  are all rotatable along the same axis. 
     An aspect of an embodiment includes the vertical bearing element and the horizontal bearing element having conical bearing element sections. 
     A further aspect includes the vertical bearing element and the horizontal bearing element having concave bearing element sections. 
     Another aspect includes a biasing element in the biasing region, the biasing element being constructed from at least one of a synthetic or non-synthetic fabric, polymers, felt, rubber, coil spring, or combination thereof. 
     While various aspects of this disclosure have been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. For example, without limitation, the fastener region  138  is depicted as not being flush with the gimbal&#39;s outer surface. A thumb screw configuration would be an example of such a fastener region  138  configuration. However, such a configuration is not the only configuration contemplated. The outer end of the fastener region  138  may be flush or counter sunk relative to the outer surface of the gimbals  138 . In this manner the fastener region may mirror an Allen head or machine screw type fastener is contemplated. Any other configuration may also be use. Also, use of a single horizontal tension control element  134  is contemplated although not shown. Further, other variations and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art may be made within the nature of this disclosure.