US2251381A - Automatic phonograph - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 5, 1941.

T. M. WRIGHT AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPH Filed Aug'. 4, 1939 9 sneeis-snee't 1 INVENTOR. 771500055 M. Wk/cfiz A ORNEYS.

Illlllllll I II Aug. 5, 1941. fr. M. WRIGHT 2,251,331

" AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPH Filed Aug. 4. 1939 -9 Sheets-Sheet 2 i N M\ 1941- T. M. WRIGHT 2,251,381

AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPH I Filed Aug. 4, 1939 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

75:00am: M WAIGl/Z 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 T. M. WRIGHT AUTOMATIC PHONOGFAPH Filed Aug. '4, 1939 Aug. 5 1941.

INVENTOR 77/5000KEM W/f/V/Z 7 BY I i A v. @m x A1185, T. M. WRIGHT 2,251,381

I AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPH Filed Aug. 4, 1939 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 a4 INVENTOR. 7715017051:- M. Wf/lflf T. M. WRIGHT AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPH Filed Aug. 4, 1939 Aug. 5, 1941.

' 9 Sheets-Sheet e r. .J. .W/ M

Aug. 5, 1941'. T. M. WRIGHT AUTOMATIC PHONO GRAPH Filed Au 4, 19:59

9 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR. fi/EODORE N. W/F/ch'z AT? RNEYJ.

Aug, 5,1941; 'r. M. WRIGHT AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPH Filed Aug. 4. 1939 9 S heets-Sheet a T. M. WRIGHT AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAFH Aug. 5, 1941.

1 15.18 *Hq. 184A 1 15,15-5

Filed Aug. 4, 1939 l INVENTOR.

' Tflfo ams N. W/F/G/fl.

BY v rr RNEYJ.

, member.

record.

Patented Angus, 1941 AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPB Theodore M. Wright, North Tonawanda, N. Y;

assignor to The Rudolph Wurlitzer Cincinnati, Ohio, a corporation Company, 7

Application August 4, 1939, Tierial No. 288,336

12 Claims.

This invention relates to automatic phonographs, and particularly in respect to the record changing and reproducing mechanism, whereby a mixed assortment of ten or twelve inch record disks may be automatically selected and reproduced, reference being had to Letters Patent No. 2,096,718, issued October 26, 1937, on an application of'Otto A. Hokanson, entitled Automatic phonograph. e

It is the purpose of this invention to provide mechanism of the general character shown and described in the above-mentioned patent,to automatically present records of different sizes for play, wherein the stack of records normally rests upon the turntable and are adapted to be separated so that those records superposed upon the record to be played may be elevated to provide .overhead clearance for the reproducer.

In connection therewith, one of the features of the invention resides. in the provision of a reproducer and tone arm control mechanism adapted to automatically positionthe reproducer at the beginning of a record irrespective of the size or diameter thereof. a

This is generally accomplished bymeans of a feeler which engages the exposed surface of a the record to be played in such a manner as, by

its reaction tothe diameter of the record, will transmit movement to a reproducer positioning Thus, for example, whereirra twelve inch record is presented, the entire feeler will engage the horizontal surface thereof and be actuated to set a stop for arresting the inward movement of the reproducer at the beginning of- .said record, whereas upon a ten inch record being presented, only apart of the feeler-will be engaged, resulting in the normal positioning of the reproducer at the beginning of a ten inch By means of, this arrangement, the size of the accordingly, irrespective of whether or not the ecord to be played is transferred to the turntable or is already stacked upon the turntable, and irrespective of whether or not the records are supported by trays all of the same diameter.

Furthermore, such adjustment or setting of the 4,0 record may be measured and the reproducer set' reproducer is effected bya single simply con-,

structed feeler. r

A further feature of the invention resides in a tone arm support and mechanism for control-- ling its elevating and swinging movement.

'The full nature of the invention will be understood from the accompanying drawings and the following description and claims: r

Fig. 1 is a rear elevation of the record changer positioned preparatory to elevating the top record to expose for play the next record therebelow. Fig. 2 is. the same as Fig. 1 showing an end elevation. Fig. 3 is an end elevation as I .in Fig. 2, showing the topmost'record elevated for playing the next succeeding record. Fig. 4 is a plan view with the turntable and turntable shaft bearing supports removed with parts in section andparts broken away, and withthe turntable elevating mechanism, in driving position. Fig. 5 is a plan view of a portion of the driving mechanism at the beginning of 'the record elev'ating movement. Fig.6 is an elevation of the turntable elevating mechanism with the turna front elevation thereof. Fig. 13 is a plan view of the-tone arm support and trip with the tone arm removed and parts positioned at the comple tion of play. Fig. 14 is a section taken through the tone arm and the upper portion of the tone arm elevating pin shown in elevation. Fig. 15

is a front perspective view of the record engagingfeeler. Fig. 16 is a rear perspective view thereof. Fig. 17 is a. plan view of the feeler and associated mechanism in inoperative position. Figs. 18, 18A and 18B are illustrative of different positions of the. twelve inch record stop in'respcct to the movement of the tone arm arresting pin. Fig. 19 is a plan view showing a modified form of turntable control embodying a record repeating mechanism. Fig. 20 is an end view of portions of the record repeating mechanism with parts removed. Fig. 21 is illustrative of the engagement of the feeler with the tray'support! ing a ten-inch record. Fig. 22 is illustrative of the feeler when applied to a twelve-inch record supported by the same size tray.

As one example of the invention there is shown herein an automatic record changing device fdr phonographs comprising a base l0 carrying a motor H andupwardly extending frame members indicatedat I2.

a turntable it from which an elongated centeringpin it extends rotatable therewith and with the shaft 5. The shaft l5 and turntable are driven from a horizontally extending motor shaft "3 carrying a worm l1 meshing with a worm gear l8 slidably keyed to the shaft l5, said shaft being vertically supported for rotation in a bear ing l9 of the frame members I2.

The records, which are supported and rotated upon the turntable in stacked relation, are carried by individual record trays 29. Said trays are, all of the same diameter being sufhciently large to contain a twelve inch record while also being capable of containing a ten inch record. 1

To automatically present any one of the records contained in the stack upon the turntable for play, the tray engaging and elevating fingers 2| in the formof rotatable disks are movable to a position under the tray imme-.

diately above the record to be played. Thereupon said fingers are elevated to split the stack and elevate the superposed records and trays thereabove so as to provide overhead clearance space to permit horizontal swinging movement of the reproducer over the exposed record for reproduction thereof.

The record engaging and elevating fingers are rotatably mounted upon the several upright arms 22 spaced about the turntable and trays adjacent the periphery thereof. Said arms are supported by the movable frame members 23. Said frame members are capable of vertical move- 1 ment for elevating the record trays as well as able frame member 23. Said levers are pivotally connected at their centers at 28 and are also provided at that point with a cam engaging roller operating in the inner cam track 29 of the cam gear 39.

The frame member 23 extends about three sides of the machine. Along the opposite end sides thereof there is provided a pair of lazy tong arms 3| which steady and guide the verticalmovement of the frame 23 for maintaining it in parallel relation with the frame members l2. In this manner, as the three sided rectangular movable frame member 23 is caused to move up and down by the cam. track 29, it is guided in such movement and maintained in its horizontal or parallel relation by the lazy tong arms 3|. Said arms are pivoted together in their center, as indicated at 32'andatone of their ,ends to frames l2 and 23, respectively. Their opposite ends are slidably mounted in frames 23 and I2, respectively. v

The horizontally V positioned and vertically movable elevating frame -23 carries a rocking bar 33 upon which arms 22 are rigidly mounted. The rocking bars, which extendimmediately above the lazy tong arms 3| adjacent opposite ends of the elevating levers 24, are each provided with a downwardly extending arm 34 havinto engagement with the tray or record supported. thereby to split the stack by elevating the said record.

The cam gear 39 is rotated for effecting this movement by a pinion 31 on shaft 33 driven through a clutch 39 by shaft 40, which in turn is driven by a worm 4| meshing with a worm gear 42 on motor driven shaft l5 (Fig. 4) -While shaft 49 is continuously rotated with the turntable, shaft 38 and cam .gear 30 are controlled hy clutch 39 in the manner hereinafter described so as to be operated onlyduring the record changing operation of the machine;

The record to be reproduced is automatically exposed for play by vertically positioning the turntable to bring the next record thereabove into horizontal alignment with the disks 2| so as to be engaged and elevated thereby. Such vertical positioning ofthe turntable is effected through an arm 43 having a yoke 43a upon itsend embracing the shaft I5 and extending under a bearing '45 so that elevation of said arm 43 correspondingly elevates the turntable with shaft l5. .Arm 43 is pivoted at 46 on frame |2 (Fig. 6), being goosenecked in shape and having a roller 41 engaged in the cam track 48 carried by the cam gear 49 which is driven by a worm 59' keyed to shaft 5| driven through a clutch 52 by shaft 49. Cam gear 49 is rotatably supported upon an extension I2a'of frame l2.

Said gear is provided at spaced intervals around its periphery with projecting lugs .53 acting in the nature of stops for controlling the elevation of the turntable to present the next record for play after the reproduction of the preceding record has been completed. Thus, there is provided one such lug for each record. A record is presented for play, depending upon the elevation of the turntable, which in turnis controlled by the position of the lug corresponding to said record. The position of the lugs in turn is controlled by the clutch 52 which is thrown out for discontinuing rotation of the ing a roller 35 at its lowermost end adapted to the cam 36 tilts them to throw the fingers 2| .gear 49 upon the lug reaching the clutch throwout position. I

The clutch 52, as well as clutch 39, is best illustrated in Figs. '7 to "10, inclusive, wherein there is provided a" driving member 55 to which a clutch ring 56 is pivoted at 51. Said ring carries an internal dog 58 positioned to engage and effect a driving lock with an external dog59 of the driven clutch member 60 which is keyed to shaft 5|. In the instance of clutch 39, said driven shaft is indicated at 38. Said clutch ring 56 is provided with radially projecting cams SI and 62, and is also provided with .a stud 63 disposed oppositely from its pivotal connection 51 so arranged as to be releasably engaged by a'ball spring-pressed latch 64. As the clutch revolves in the direction indicated by the curved arrows, cam 62, upon encountering a clutch bar, hereinafter described, causes said ring 56 to oscillate-about its pivotal connection 51 to move the dog 58 into interlocking engagement with dog 59. When cam 6| strikes said bar, the ring is oscillated in the opposite direction to release the dogs 58, 59. As each oscillation takes place, the stud 63 passes over and depresses the ball 64 which thereupon latches the ring in its actuated clutching or declutching position. Thus, when cam 62 strikes the bar, the shafts 40 and 5| are clutched together. When the cam 6| strikes the bar, they are declutched. The same applies to clutch 39 in respect to shafts 38 and 40.

For the purpose hereinafter explained, that portion of the ring bearing cam 6! is offset so as to be substantially spaced from the flange of clutch member 52, whereas the cam portion 62 ofthe ring lies adjacent thereto.

The clutch bar 65 is slidably mounted to span both of the clutches 39 and 52 through the medium of elongated slots into which studs 66 extend which are mounted upon one of the frame members l2- Opposite each of said clutches, in the edge of thebar adjacent thereto. there are notches fi'l and 68, respectively. The bar 65 may be reciprocated to a position wherein one or the other cams GI, 52 freely pass through a notch and the clutch remains in its engaged or disengaged position, as thecase may be. Conversely, when said bar is reciprocated to such position that its edge is struck by one or the other of said cams during the rotation of the clutch or the driven clutch member, the clutch is thrown into its clutched or declutched position. However, bar 65 is soproportioned that whenever one of said cams strikes said bar, the opposite cam passes through the notch by reason of the offset arrangement of cam 6|, so that the clutch remains in its set position until the bar is again shifted. Thus, with reference to Fig. 5, when the bar 65 is moved to the extreme, right-hand the lowermost record has been reproduced, so as position, the clutch 39 is disengaged while clutch 52 is engaged. When the bar is moved to the extreme left, clutch 52 is disengaged and clutch 39 is engaged. On the other hand, when bar 65 is moved to an intermediate position, both clutches are disengaged.

Said bar 65 is actuated to control the clutches 39 and 52 by the trip mechanism of the tone armand reproducer, as will be hereinafter described.-

When the reproducer reaches the end of the record, so that the tone arm is causedto oscillate or swing abruptly inwardly, through a pawl and ratchet or fixed stop, as hereinafter referred to, a lever 59 is moved by the spring 99a about its fulcrum point whereinit is pivoted at I0 to one of the frame members i2. The opposite end of the lever is pivotally connected with a link II which has its opposite end pivoted to the bell cranklever l2 fulcrumedat 13 to one of said frame members and having its free end in position to engage a pin 14 on the bar 65. Through this mechanism the bar is moved to the left (Fig. 5) to effect the engagement of clutch 39, whereupon cam gear will be driven.

The spring 690. has one end secured to a frame member and its other end to a hook 'ila on the link H. Said hook lid is positioned to be engaged by the pin 19a on the shaft 19.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, cam gear 30 is provided with a second outer cam track I5 in which a roller '59 on the end of an arm 18 operates. Said arm is secured to shaft 19 which is supported for oscillation by the frame members l2. The opposite end of shaft 19 has secured thereto an arm 90 which is pivotally connected with a link 8|. The opposite endof link 8| is connected with a bell crank lever 82 which, through a link 83,-operates an arm 34 secured to the tone arm bracket 85 which oscillates about a post 86.

i Through the last-mentioned mechanism, upon ing is completed and the .tone arm is swung 39 and causing engagement of clutch 52; Rotation of gear 30 is thereby discontinued while the gear 49 is rotated.

Rotation of gear 49' elevates the turntable unless to bring the next record into playing position. The elevation of the turntable through the thick ness of a record and its tray, is governed by the next following lug 53 on gear .49 engaging a bell crank lever 9|, the opposite end of which actuates an upstanding projection 92 on bar I55. This permits gear 49 to be rotated only from one of said lugs to the next, whereupon the bar 55 is moved to the reverse position so as to declutch clutch 52 and engage clutch 39 to again rotate gear 30.

The turntable has thereupon been positioned to present the next record and further rotation" of gear .30 elevates fingers 2! when brought into engagement with a record or its tray immediately above the record to be played, to provide the necessary clearance space for the reproducer. When gear 30 is moved sufficiently to effect its operation and at the same time operate shaft 19 to permit the reproducer to swing back to the beginning of the record, a slight projection 93, which is similar to projection 81, engages and operates lever 88 to move bar 65 slightly to the right until it is in its intermediate or neutral position. In this position both clutches 39 and 52 are declutched, and the record changing mechanism ceases to operate so as to permit rotation of the turntable and reproduction of the record in the usual manner until the trip mechanism again causes operation of said clutches, as above described. It is to be notedthat lever 88 operates the bar 65 through the The tone arm 44 (see Figs. 1,1 to 14) is -pivoted for vertical movement upon a block Hill. The U-shaped bracket is pivotally mounted to oscillate about the post 96, Said bracket 85 is supported by one of the frame members 12 and as above described is oscillated through link 83 and arm 84. Within bracket 85 there is a U-shaped bracket I03, pivotally supported bya shoulderon the sleeve Hi2 mounted on post 86 about which said brackets pivot. Said bracket I03 carries a tone arm elevating pin i04 extending vertically and slidably through its'upper and lower arms. Said pin is yieldingly maintained in its lowermost position by a compression spring I05 and the lower end thereof is adapted to ride up and down upon a cam surface I05 formed on the lower arm of bracket 85. The upper end of pin IM has an adjustable reduced head I01 arrangedwith a spring pressed projection I08 which engages in a longitudinal groove I09 provided in a flange plate I I0 secured to the underside of the tone arm. Thus, when brackets 85, I03, arecaused to move in onetdirection relative to each other, pin N14 is elevated by cam I96 to raise the tone arm and reproducer above the face of the record. When they are moved relative to each other in the opposite direction for presenting the reproducer at the beginning of the record, pin I04 slidesdown the cam I06 to lower the reproducer into record engagement. The projection I08 extending into groove I09 locks the tone arm against free oscillation while the reproducer is being lowered onto'the record. But upon the needle engaging the record, continued lowering of the pin I04 in sliding down the cam causes projection I08 to disengage the groove I08 and allow the record groove to freely carry the tone arm inwardly.

An upstanding lug III is secured to the top arm of the bracket 85 in position to engage the rear portion of the tone arm 44 (Fig. 12) for swinging the tone arm outwardly from its inner-e most position to beyond the periphery of the record. Rotation of cam gear 30, upon completion of the playing of the record, swings bracket 85 from the position shown in Fig. 13

to the position shown in Fig. 5 through the medium of shaft I9 and link 83. During this initial swinging movement the inner bracket I03 with ducer over the beginning of the ten inch record groove.

To position the reproducer over the groove of a twelve inch record, the projection I23 has provided thereon a downwardly extending pin I24 which normally clears the end of a bell crank lever I25 so as to allow said projection to engage and be arrested by stop I22. But when bell crank lever I25 is swung into operative position, pin I24 passes through an opening I26 between the upturned guide flanges I21 and I28. Flange I28 has a curved portion which serves as a stop I28 for the pin I24 to position the reproducer over the beginning of the twelve inch record.

Bell crank lever I25 is actuated by a feeler angularly arranged so that when the feeler engages a ten inch record, it'does not afiect said lever which remains inoperative, whereby the projection I23 engages stop I22. But when the feelerengages a twelve inch record, it is leveled ,ofi to swing the bell crank lever into operative position so that pin I24 engages stop I28.

The feeler comprises an oscillating rod I30 carrying on its forward end a cross bar I3I. Said bar is normally carried at an angle and is arranged to engage the exposed surfaces of the records. Thus, it will span the peripheral edge of a ten inch record when exposed for play and remain in its normal angular position with one end dropped down beyond the edge thereof. On

the other hand, when a twelve inch record isexswings the tone arm outwardly to one side of the j Thus as the bracket 85 is caused to swing back to its normal position by link 83, it swings bracket I03 and the tone arm with it through-the tension of spring II2. This permits bracket 85 to be swung to its innermost position by the cam gear, while bracket I03 is stopped with the re-v producer over the beginning of the record by the adjustable stops to be hereinafter described.

Since the bracket 85 is swung to its innermost positionand the tone armbracket I03 is stopped intermediate this movement, the spring II2 thereby becomes expanded as shown in Fig. 13.

For removing the-reproducer from the record after reproduction/ shaft 86 has secured to the lower end thereof an arm II5 which carries a pawl II6 freely riding in engagement with the ratchet teeth III provided on lever H8. The

other side of the lever is provided with a latch I20 positioned to engage or disengage the trip lever 69. Said lever I I8 is provided with a spring I2I for normally maintaining it in latching engage'ment until moved to unlatching engagement by'the pawl II6, as is well understood in the art. v

For positioning the reproducer at the beginning a of a record of either ten or twelve inch size, ad-.

justable stops are provided, as hereinafter described, which arrest its inward swing movement when bracket I03 is swung inwardly by bracket 85 through the spring 2. For this purpose there is provided a teninch record stop I22 (Figs. 4 and 5) against which a projection I23 on the end of the inner bracket I03 engages to arrest its inward movement and position the repro posed for play, it will engage the surface thereof and be brought to horizontal alignment with the horizontal surface of said record. This'arrangement is such that when the feeler engages a smaller size record its tilted position will remain unchanged. But when a larger size record is engaged, its initial tilted position will .be changed to a horizontal position, thereby oscillating rod I30. Such oscillation acts to throw the bell crank lever 425 into operative position to cause pin I24 to engage stop I29.

Rod I30 extends through and is carried by a tubular arm I34 having its opposite end secured to a block I35 pivoted forvertical movement between a pair of standards I36 which areswivelly' mounted about a post I31 extending upwardly from the frame member I2. Surrounding the lower end of said post there is a sleeve I38 secured to a plate I 39 rotatable and slidable upon the horizontal plate of the frame member I2 to which a substantially vertically extending spring rod I40 is connected at its lower end at I40a, its upper end being connected with the block I35 at I48b (see Figs. 2, 3, 4 and .5); Said plate i also yieldingly-connected with the standards I36 by a coil spring I4I. This arrangementis such that swinging movement of plate I38 swings the feeler I3I laterally therewith under member I2 at one end and to the swinging plate."

I38at the other end for normallyreturning the plate and feeler ,to inoperative position free and clear of the records when not actuated.

For actuating the feeler, frame 23 carrying the record elevating fingers 2I on the rocking bars 33, is provided with an extension bar I44 (Figs. 1,

5 and 15 to 17). Said bar I44 is raised and lowered with the elevation and lowering of the records and is positioned to engage the underside of a finger I45 pivoted upon the downwardly extending portion of the plate I39. Said finger is arranged to slope downwardly from its pivotal support and normally extend over the bar I44 as shown in Fig. 1. Rigidly secured to the plate I39 there is a rigid stop member I4'I under which said finger extends for limiting its upward pivotal movement and at all times maintain its downwardly sloping position. Thespring I45 has one end secured to the stop member and the other end to said finger as shown in Fig. 16 so as to normally maintain the finger against the stop member but permit it to be swung downwardly away therefrom under spring tension.

This arrangement is such that when the recfords are elevated to expose the record to be played and provide overhead clearance therefor;

, off the pivoted end of the finger, thereby freeing it and permitting spring I43 to return the feeler to the position shown in Fig. 17 free of the record so that it may then be reproduced. In the meantime the feeler has performed its function, as hereinbefore described, of setting the stop member I21 for arresting the reproducer in event a twelve-inch record is to be played. After the record is played and as the superimposed records are lowered by the frame 23, bar I44 moves downwardly engaging the upper edge'of finger I45, forcing it downwardly against the tension of spring .146 until said bar slides off the free endof said finger, whereupon spring I46 will raise the finger into engagement with member I" in which position said finger will again extend above thebar I44 ready for the next operation. I

It may be noted that since the bar I44 is rigid- .ly mounted, and there must be some give between it and finger I45, said finger will be forced to move across the bar resulting in the swinging movement of the feeler.

The rod I 30 of the feeler carries on its opposite end a downwardly-extending oscillatory finger bar I48 having its free end positioned to engage a projection I49 on the bell crank lever ,I 25 carryingthe twelve inch re'cordstop I29. Said bar being rigid with the rod I30, is normally retained under tension of spring I50 against a fixed stop I5I secured to one'of the uprights I36. Said stop fixes the normally angular position of the feeler bar I3I when it is brought into engagement with the record. If this position, however, is changed to a horizontal position by the size of the record, such as a twelve inch record, then rod I 30 is oscillated, causing barI48 to swing outwardly until its free end engages the projection I 49 on bell crank leverl35 for swinging it against the tension of spring I52 and into position for stopping the inward movement of the tone arm for a twelve inch record I From the foregoing, it will be observed thatthe feeler is swung by bar I44 over the exposed record to be reproduced. Thereupon spring rod I4Il yieldingly forces the feeler bar I3I onto the record. The normal position of said bar is at a slight angle, such as would be effected by the inner end engaging the exposed ten inch record while the outer and may engage its supporting tray or a twelve inch record therebelow, or in case of no twelve inch record, or tray, hang free. At

' this angled position, the bar I48 hangs straight down and is inoperative. The bell crank lever I25 and stop I29, therefore, remain in their inoperative position so that the tone arm swings inwardly until its pin I24 abuts the ten inch record stop I22 as shown in Fig. 17.

On the other hand, wherein a twelve inch record is presented for play, the entire length of the bar is drawn down against the upper surface thereof-so as to be moved to a truly horizontal position from its normally angular position. This slight movement oscillates rod I30 to swing bar I48 laterally into engagement with bell crank lever I25 to move guide flange I21 thereof into the path of the depending pin I24 of the tone arm, (Fig. 18) guiding the pin into the opening I26, (Fig. 18A) and permitting its inward movement to be arrested by stop I29 (Fig. 183) which thereby positions the reproducer for a twelve inch record. The operation of the feeler occurs just prior to the inward swinging of the tone arm so that the proper setting thereof is effected at the time. The feeler is swung clear of the record before the reproducer approaches it by reason of the actuating extension bar I44 sliding over the in- I ner end of lever I45 to free it and. permit springs I43 and I to swing the feeler clear of the record and out of the way of the reproducer.

The general operation of the machine may be described as follows: A stack of records *are placed on the turntable which is initially in its lowermost position, with the top'record of the stack exposed for engagement by the reproducer.

Initially, clutch 39 is in engagement and clutch 1 52 in disengagement. Upon starting the motor,

' the turntable ,will revolve and clutch 39 will drive the cam gear 30. This will cause the record elevating fingers to move inwardly and upwardly,

but without a record being engaged thereby. As a they are moving up, the feeler is moved inwardly over the peripheral edge of the top record and be broughtto bear thereon for determining which tone arm stop is tobe effective, depending upon the size of the record. The feeler is promptly returned .to its normal position beyond the periphcry of the records immediately after its operative movement, following which the tone arm is permitted to swing inwardly to position the reproducer at the beginning of the record throughgear 30 and arm I8. At this point lug 93 on said gear wheel causes both clutches 39 and 52 to be thrown into declutched or neutral position, permitting rotation of the turntable while the record is be-- ing played.

Upon completion of the playing of the record the trip latch I20 is actuated to slide clutch bar 65 for throwing clutch 39 into engagement to again rotate the gear wheel 30', which raises the reproducer and swings it clear of the records through arm 18. The lazy tong levers 24, 25 are then actuated by said gear wheel .to cause the record elevating fingers to'be lowered to their ini-j tial position.

At this point, lug 81 on gear 30 causes movement of bar 65 in the opposite direction to de: clutch the" clutch 39 and engage clutch 52 so that gear 30 stops while gear 49 starts to rotate for raising the turntable the thickness of one record or its tray. The elevation of the turntable is limited to the thickness of one record by the spacing crank 9| 'may operate bar 65.

of lugs 53 on gear 49 which operate to throw the clutch bar 65 in the opposite direction at this point to declutcli the clutch,52, arresting further elevation of the turntable and causing gear 30 to rotate. From this point on, the above described sequence of operations follows, namely, the engagement and elevation of the played record or its tray by the elevating fingers in a manner to split the stack and provide overhead space for the reprodu'cer. As said played record is thereby elevated, the feeler is brought into action to determine the positioning of the reproducer for a ten or twelve inch record, followed by the inward swinging and positioning of the reproducer at the beginning of the record and the throwing of the clutches into neutral position.

I when the bottom record has been played, the spacing of the lugs 53 on gear 49 is such that the turntable, then at its maximum elevation, will be lowered to its lowermost position so as to again present the top record. This is effected through the character of the cam groove 48 on said gear.

I! it is desired to manually play a single reccm or repeat a given record, this may be effected through any pre-selected record position, for example, the bottom record as herein illustrated.

- fixed stop engageable by said means to arrest the. movement of said tone arm in position at the Thus, all records above the bottom record may Figs. 19 and 20) said bell crank has its oppositeend in position to engage an auxiliary projection- IS! on the upwardly projecting end of clutch bar 85. Pivoted to an outward extension of the upstanding end 82 of said clutch bar, there is a bell crank lever I having a block I65 positioned to swing in and out of a space between the operative head. of bell crank 9| and the upstanding end The arrangement is such that 92. of bar 65. when the portion I 65 of bell crank I64 is in its uppermost position, it fills the space so that bell But when it is lowered, there is no operative engagement between said bell-crank and clutch bar. Thus, as

lugs 53 actuate the bell crank 9|, it is ineilective so far as clutch bar 95 is concerned, unless the spacing block IE5 is in its uppermost position. When it is lowered, the lugs 53 are ineffective and the gear wheel 49 must make one complete revolution, such as raising and lowering the turntable to initial position after-each play-to return the lowermost record to playing position for repeating it. This is accomplished through the single I", the machine may be said to always repeat the lowermost record, or for manual playing, to

render ineii'ectual the progressive selection of the uppermost records.

As above described. the particular example 0 machine hereinrei'erred to is designed to continuousiy play a group of records in sequence,

and also permit automatic operation of a'single projection I which is the only remaining means or manually placed record. However, the invenable tone arm, mechanism for moving the tonearm toward the record to be played, stop oper ated means connected with said tone arm for,

determining the position of play of the latter, a

beginning of play of a record of predetermined size, an auxiliary stop movable into the path of travel of said means to arrest movement of said tone arm for playing a record of a difierent size, a movable feeler member, means operable by said feeler member for moving said auxiliary stop into operative position, said Ieeier member movable into engagement with the upper surface of the record to be played and movable by said engagement with a record of said different size to render said means operable to move said auxiliary size", an auxiliary stop movable into the path of travel of said means to arrest movement 01' said tone arm for playing a record of a difierent size,

a rockable feeler member bodily movable into engagement with the record to be played and rockable by said record of said different size upon being engaged therewith, and means operated by said feeler member upon engagementwith said record for moving said auxiliary stop into operative position.

3. In an automatic phonograph for playing records o'i'diflerent sizes and including a movable tone arm, mechanism for moving the tone arm toward the record to be played, stop operated means connectedwith said tone arm for determining the position of play of the latter, a fixed stop engageable by said means to arrest the movement of said tone arm in position at the beginning-of play of a record of predetermined size, an auxiliary stop movable into the path oi. travel of said means to arrest movement 01' said tone arm for playing a record oi. a diil'erent size.

a rockable i'eeler member bodily movable into engagement with the record to be played and rockable by said record of said diflerent size upon being engaged therewith, means operated by said feeler member upon engagement with said record for moving said auxiliary stop into operative position, and means for moving said reeier member into enafigement with each record to be played prior to movement or said tone arm.

4. In an automatic phonograph for playing records'oi' difierent sizes and including a'movable tone arm, mechanism for moving the tone arm toward the record to be played, stop operated means connected with said tonearm for determining the position of play of the latter, a fixed stop engageable by said means to arrest the movement of said tone arm in position at the beginning of play 01" a record 01' predetermined size,

an auxiliary stop movable into the path of travel of said means to arrest movement of said tone arm for playing a record of a different size, a

feeler means including a rockable rod, means operated by rocking movement of said rod' in one direction for moving said auxiliary stop into operative position, and a feeler bar afiixed to said rod and movable into engagement with the record to be played prior to movement of said tone arm, said ,feeler bar being operated to rock .said rod upon being brought into engagement with a record of said different size.

.5'. In an automatic phonograph for playing records of difierent sizes and including a movable tone arm, mechanism for moving the tone arm toward the record to be played, stop operated means connected with said tone arm for determining the position of play of the latter, a fixed stop engageable by said means to arrest the movement'of said tone arm in position at I the beginning of play of a record of predetermined size, an auxiliary stop movable into the path of travel of said means to arrest movement of said'tone arm for playing a record of a different size, a feeler member including a roclrable element movable to a position over the record and into and out of contact with the record to be played prior to movement of said tone arm,

periphery thereof in horizontal position relative to its surface, and means operable by said feeler member for moving said auxiliary stop into operative position when moved.from tilted to horizontal position.

8. In an automatic phonograph for playing records and including a movable tone arm, a support upon which said-tone arm is mounted for vertical and lateral swinging movement, a bracket movable about saidsupport and engageable with said tone arm, means actuated by the phonograph for moving saidbracket and tone arm beyond the periphery of the played record and returning said bracket, a cam on said bracket, a tone arm elevating member slidable upon said cam to raisethe tone arm upon the 7 to cause the tone arm elevating member to slide and means operated by rocking movement of said element for. moving said auxiliary stop intooperative position, said feeler element being adapted to contact the surface of the record to be played and rocked only upon being engaged by a record of said different size.

6. In an automatic phonograph for playing records of different sizes and including a movable tone arm, mechanism for moving the tone arm toward the record to be played, stop operated means connected with said tone arm for determining the position of play of the latter, a fixed stop engageable by said means to arrest the movement of said "tone arm in position at the beginning of play of a small size record, an auxiliary stop movable into the path of travel of said means to arrest the movement of said tone arm for playing a larger size record, a

feeler member movable laterally over the record to .be played prior to movement of said tone arm including a cross bar positioned to span the peripheral edge of a small size record and rockable upon engagement within the peripheral edge of a larger size record, means adaptable to depress said-bar into record surface engagement; and an arm carried by said member actuated by the rocking movement of said bar adapted to engage said auxiliary stop and move it into operative position.

'7. In an automatic phonograph for playing records of different sizes supported upon individual trays of the same size and including a its tray an auxiliary stop movable into the' path of travel of said means to arrest movement of said tone arm for playing a larger size record on its tray, a movable feeler member including a spanning element engageable with said small size record and its supporting tray in tilted relation to the record surface and,

engageable with a larger size record within the mechanism including a support upon which down said cam for lowering the tone arm to playing positionl 9. In an automatic phonograph having a turntable for receiving records, a tone arm said tone arm is mounted for vertical and lateral swinging movement, a member positioned to be moved about said support, means adapted to move said member outwardly and inwardly relative to said turntable, means on said member for engaging and swinging the tone arm outwardly therewith clear of a record on said turntable, a cam on said member, means governed by said cam for elevating the tone arm free of the record just prior to its outward swinging movement and lowering the tone arm on to the record upon said member moving inwardly, a spring operably connecting said tone arm and member for yielding swinging it inwardly therewith to a position over the beginning of the record, and means for arresting the swinging movement of the tonev arm upon reaching the beginning of the record while permitting continued movement of said member under spring tension.

10. In an automatic phonograph having a turntable for receiving records, a tone arm mechanism including a support upon which said tone arm is mounted for vertical and lateral swinging movement, a member-positioned to be moved about said support, means adapted to. move said member outwardly and inwardly rev lative to said turntable, means on said member for engaging and swinging the tone arm outwardlytherewith clear ofa record on said turn-.

table, a cam on said member, means governed by said cam for elevating thetone arm free of the record just priorrto its outward swinging movement and lowering the tone arm on to the record upon said member moving inwardly, a

spring operably connecting said tone arm and member for yieldingly swinging it inwardly therewith to a position over the beginning of the record, means for arresting the swinging movement 'of the tone arm upon reaching the beginning of the record while permitting continued movement of said member under spring tension, and means on thetone arm and the tone arm elevating means for locking the tone arm against further swinging movement over the beginning ,of 'the record until it is lowered into engagement therewith.

' 11. In an automatic phonograph havingga turntable for receiving records, a tone arm opcrating mechanism including asupport upon which the tone arm is mounted for vertical and lateral swinging movement, a U-shaped outer bracket mounted toswing upon said support and having a projection for engagement with the tone arm for swinging it outwardly therewith, means for swinging said bracket outwardly and inwardly relative to saiddurntable, an inner bracket freely movable upon said support, a slidable pin carried by said inner bracket having its upper end engaging under the tone arm forv elevating it, a cam on said outer bracket engageable by the lower end of said pin for raising said pin and tone arm free of a record on said turntable and lowering it into record engaging position as said outer bracket is moved relative thereto, a spring connecting said bracket for yieldingly returning the inner bracket and tone arm towards said record through the corresponding movement of the outer bracket, and a stop member engageable by the inner bracket for arresting the inward'movement of the tone 'arm' erating mechanism including a support upon which the tone arm is mounted for vertical and lateral swinging movement, a U-shaped outer bracket mounted to swing about said support having -a projection engageable with the tone arm for swinging it outwardly therewith, means for swinging said bracket outwardly and inwardly relative to the turntable, an inner bracket freely movablev about said mounting, a slidable pin carried by said inner bracket having its upper the lower end of said pin for raising said pin and tone'arm free of a, record on said tumtable and lowering it into record engagement as said outer bracket is swung relative thereto, a stop member engageable by the inner bracket vfor arresting the inward movement of the tone arm to position it over the beginning of a record, a spring connecting said bracket for returning the inner bracket and tone arm to the beginning of the record by the inward movement of the outer bracket while permitting movementof the inner bracket and tone arm to be arrested by said stop under spring tension, and a locking connection between the upper end of vsaid pin and tone arm for preventing free movement thereof when disengaged'from the record and releasing said tone arm upon record engagement.

- THEODORE "M. WRIGHT.

Images