US2799507A - Automatic record changing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

y 1957 A. P. OLESKY ETAL 2,799,507

AUTOMATIC RECORD CHANGING APPARATUS Filed. April 20, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVHVTORS. CZnfimggPUZes BY [Qankfimar July 16, 1957 A. P. OLESKY ETAL 2,799,507

AUTOMATIC RECORD CHANGING APPARATUS Filed April 20, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 NNN %N\ o July 16, 1957 Filed April 20, 1950 A. P. OLESKY E'I'ALI 2,799,507

AUTOMATIC RECORD CHANGING APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 uvmvroxs.

g1 LZnZVwrgyfiOZes BY 130722527207" y 1957 A. P. OLESKY ETAL 2,799,507

AUTOMATIC RECORD CHANGING APPARATUS Filed April 20, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS.

'QnZ /wn 1. 0285 July 16, 1 57 I A. P. OLESKY ET AL 2,799,507

AUTOMATIC RECORD CHANGING APPARATUS Filed April 20, 1950 e Sheets-Sheet e INVENTORS;

Qnfiw yBOZw BY EanSmQr United States Patent 2,799,507 AUTOMATIC RECORD CHANGING APPARATUS Anthony P. Olesky, Chicago, 11]., and Frank Smardo, St. Joseph, Mich., assignors to Motorola, Inc, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application April 20, 1950, Serial No. 157,092

4 Claims. (Cl. 274-) This invention relates generally to record handling means for a sound reproducing device and more particularly to apparatus for handling records of various types and for automatically playing a plurality of records of any one type in sequence.

It has become common practice to use automatic apparatus for changing and playing records on which music and other sounds have beenrecorded. Such automatic apparatus has been provided in particular for changing records in the form of fiat circular discs. However, disc records are now being made in various diameters, principally 7, 10 and 12 inches, and having small and large center holes. Also, these records are provided with various groove spacings and the recordings are made thereon at different speeds. In view of the many respects in which these records differ, it is very ditficult to provide a single record changing and playing apparatus which will properly handle the various types of records. As it is desired to use such automatic changers in combination with radio and/or television receivers, and perhaps with other apparatus it is particularly important that the changing apparatus be as small and compact as possible. It is further desired that the equipment be of simple and rugged construction so that it will be relatively inexpensive and will not require substantial maintenance. The adjustments required for playing records of various types must be held to a minimum and be of a simple nature so that they can be accomplished by inexperienced persons.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide improved automatic record playing apparatus which is capable of handling records of different types.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a record changing mechanism in which records are provided on a turntable rapidly and quietly and in which the records are not damaged by the record changing mechanism.

It is another object of this invention to provide a record changer of simple construction which will handle records of different configurations and diifer'ent sizes,

and which operate at different speeds, with relatively simple adjustments.

A feature of this invention is the provision of an automatic record changer including a single mechanism which controls all the operations required for changing and playing records of various types, with the mechanism being driven by the turntable through a disengageable mechanical coupling.

A further feature of this invention is the provision of a record changer in which the operating mechanism is driven by the turntable through a link which is held inoperative while a record is being played and which is tripped when the tone arm reaches the center (end of the playing portion) of a record.

A still further feature of this invention is theprovision of an automatic record changer including a tone arm supported by a rotatable spindle having a disc there-.

5' records are changed and to cause the link to be engaged 2,799,507 Patented July 16, 1957 tion for tripping the record changer mechanism when the tone arm reaches a predetermined position.

Another feature of this invention is the provision of a supporting post for records having a single supporting ledge and push-01f finger which may be slid to a plurality of positions for handling records of various sizes. Stops are provided which are adjustably positioned in accordance with the position of the ledge so that the tone arm is properly positioned with respect to the record to be played.

Still another feature of this invention is the provision of a record changer adapted to handle records having small or large center openings with the small center opening records being dropped by a mechanism supporting the records at the periphery, and the large center hole records being dropped by a spindle supporting the records at the center, and with both mechanisms being driven through mechanical means disengageably connected to the turntable.

Still another feature of this invention is the provision of a record changer for playing records operating at three different speeds and a driving arrangement for driving the turntable at three different speeds from a constant speed motor which includes a turret having three idlers thereon which may be selectively positioned to connect the driving motor and the turntable.

Further objects, features and advantages will be apparent from a consideration of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the record changer operating with a record having a small center hole;

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the record changer operating with a record having a large center hole;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the record changer mechanism in which certain parts are broken awa Fig. 4 is a side elevation view of the record changer;

Fig. 5 is a view of the record changer from the back thereof;

Fig. 6 is an exploded schematic view illustrating operation of various parts of the record changer;

Fig. 7 is a perspective exploded view illustrating the mechanism for adjusting the change-over for handling records of various sizes;

Fig. 8 shows a cross section through the spindle of the turntable;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the three speed driving mechanism; and

Fig. 10 is a cross sectional view showing the mechanism of the large center spindle.

In practicing the invention there is provided a record changer which is capable of automatically changing and playing records of the small center hole type having diameters of 7, l0 and 12 inches, and also records of the large center hole type "which are 7 inches in diameter. The changer would also be suitable for playing larger diameter records having large center holes but such records are not presently available. The record changer is also suitable for playing records which are to be driven at speeds of 33, 45 and 78 revolutions per minute and which have grooves of various Widths from about .0025 to .007 inch. The record changer includes changing mechanism which is driven from the turntable through a disengageable link which is normally held inoperative and which drops into operative position when the tone arm approaches the center of the record. The mechanism includes a slide which cooperates with the tone arm spindle to raise the tone arm and rotate the same as the when the tone arm reaches the said center position. Above the tone arm is a support which cooperates with a center spindle for supporting records of the small center hole type and which includes a slid-ably mounted ledge having three dififerent positions and a push-off finger which follows the position of the ledge. A push-off arm couples the slide and the push-off finger so that the supporting means drops the records individually at the desired time. Mechanically connected to the slide support for the ledge is a stop mechanism which limits the movement of the tone arm spindle so that the tone arm is properly positioned for the record of the size to be played.

in order to play record having large center holes a large spindle is provided which includes retractable supporting means for dropping records from the spindle onto the turntable. The large spindle is driven by the turntable and includes a center shaft which extends below the turntable. A link is provided for preventing rotation of the center shaft of the large spindle which is operated by the same mechanism use-d for small center hole records. The relative movement between the large spindle (which moves with the turntable) with respect to the center shaft, when it is held, causes the spindle to drop a record.

Referring now to the drawings, in Fig. l the record changer is illustrated as including a base 29 on which is supported a turntable 21. A housing 22 is provided which encloses the supporting structure for the tone arm 23 and the record support 24. For controlling the speed at which. the turntable is driven, a control knob 25 is provided. A similar control knob 26 is symmetrically positioned on the base 20 for controlling the rejection of a record if this is desired. In Fig. 1 the record changer is shown supporting a record 27 of the small center hole type and which is of relatively large diameter. The record is supported by the post 24 and a center spindle 23 cooperating with each other.

In Fig. 2 the same record changer as illustrated in Fig. l is shown, with the record changer being used for records 3t) of the large center hole type. This record is supported on a large spindle 31 which is interch-angeablewith the spindle 23. The record is supported at the center only and is not supported by the post 24. The ledge 32 of the supporting post 24 must be in the position for supporting records'of the diameter of the record being played, as the position of the ledge controls the positioning of the tone arm. as will be more fully explained. in order for the ledge to support small center hole records and not interfere with changing of the large center hole records, the small spindle 28 has a slight bend therein (Fig. 4) so that records of a given size are positioned closer to the supporting post by the small spindle 28 than by the large spindle 31.

The operating mechanism for the record changer is illustrated in Figs. 3 to 8 inclusive. As best shown in Fig. 4, the record changer includes a frame member 33 on which all of the operating members are supported. An annular stud 34 is secured to the frame member 33, and includes a central opening for receiving the spindle 28 (or 31) and a bearing surface for supporting the turntable 21 for rotation about the spindle (Fig. 8). The recorder changer mechanism is operated through annular gear 35 which is mounted for rotation about the stud 34. The gear 35 drives a main slide 36 through which the movement of the tone arm and the operation of the ejecting means on the record support 24 are controlled. The slide 36 is supported in a track formed by slots 37 in posts 38 and in the back casting 39. The posts 38 and the casting 39 support a platform 40 which supports the tone arm and the operating structure associated with the support post. which rests on a bearing 51 positioned on the stud 34.

The driving gear 35 is selectively driven by the turntable 21 through the diseng'ageable coupling or dog 42 which rests on the gear 35. The dog 42 has an upturned projection 43 for engaging pin 44 secured to the turn- The turntable21 is supported by base 4i table base 41,, and has projections 45 on either side which.

are positioned in slots 46 in the gear 41. The projection 43 is normally held out of engagement with pin 44 by the action of the projection 48 on the dog and the sliding shelf 47. The projection 48 rests on the shelf 47 while a record is playing and the projection 43 is below the pin -54 and is not engaged thereby (Fig. 4). Attached to the projection 48 is a weight 49 which causes the projection 48 to drop when the shelf 47 is slid out of the way so that the projection 43 moves up and engages the pin 44. As shown more clearly in Fig. 3,'the inturned projections 45 are directly opposite each other as are the projections 3 and 48 so that the dog will pivot about the projections 45 when the projection 48 is freed from the shelf 47, with the projection 43 rising to engage the pin 44- on the turntable.

The operation of the sliding shelf 47 is clearly shown in Fig. 6. The shelf 47 is secured to an arm 50 which is slidably supported on the main slide 36. The arm 50 has slots 52 therein which receive rivets 53 secured to the main slide 36. The arm 59 is biased to a retracted position by spring 54 and is held in an operative position by a latching mechanism. The latching mechanism includes a projection 55 on the arm 59 which interlocks with trip arm 56 pivotally supported on a bracket 57 secured to the main slide 36. When the main slide 36 is moved toward the upper left corner as shown in Fig. 6, a pin 58 secured to the frame 40 is engaged by the surface 59 of the arm 5% to restrain further movement of this arm. While the arm 50 is thus restrained and the main slide 36 moves further, the trip arm 56 interlocks with the projection 55 to hold the arm 50 and shelf 47 in the forward position with respect to the main slide 36. Then when the main slide 36 is returned to its normal position, the shelf 47 will be in such position that the projection ll; of the dog 42 will ride up on the inclined end 69 of the shelf 47 (Fig. 3) so that the projection 43 of the dog will be disengaged from the pin 44. The pivoted trip arm 56 is released by engagement therewith of projection 61 extending from disc 62 which is secured to the tone arm support spindle 63. As will be more fully explained, the tone arm 23, when it reaches a predetermined position, will operate through the projection 61 to trip the arm 56 so that the shelf 47 is withdrawn by action of spring 54, and the projection 58 on the dog d2 therefore drops so that the projection 43 on the dog rises to engage the pin 44 on the tone arm.

The operation of the tone arm during the changing cycle will be apparent from Fig. 6. The tone arm spindle 63 is pivotally and slidably supported in a bushing 64 supported on the platform 40 (Fig. 4). When the dog 42.is positioned so that the gear 35 is driven by the turntable 21, the gear 35 operating through large gear 65 causes a reciprocating movement of the slide 36. This action is provided by pin 66in the gear 65 which operates in slot 67in the slide 36. As the slide 36 moves backward, the end 68 of the spindle 63 rides up on the inclined projection 69 formed in the slide 36. This causes the spindle 63 to move upwardly and as the tone arm 23 includes a rear projection 7% which engages the frame structure 71, the front end of the tone arm is raised a relatively large amount so that the tone arm is lifted free of the record. When the end of the spindleis thus riding on the projection 69, friction clips 72 supported on a bracket 73 secured to the main slide 36 frictionallv engage the disc 62 secured to the tone arm spindle fo causing rotation of the tone arm. It will be apparent that as theslide moves back, the tone arm 23 which has been raised to a position-above the record, willbe rotated counterclockwise to a position clear of the record.

As previously stated, when playing records having small center holes therecords are supported at their edges on the support post 24.and:at the center on the spindleZd. As shown in Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 7, the post includes a stationary base member 80 on which a member 81 is slidably supported. A plate "holds the member 81 on the base, with spring clips 76 holding bearings 77 in place so-that smooth sliding action is provided. The member 81 includes the ledge 32 which supports the records and which has been previously described. A spring biased holding arm 79 bears against the top record. The base member 80 is supported on the frame 71 which is in turn supported on the platform 40. The entire support post structure is enclosed by housing 22 (Figs. 1 and 2).

Push-01f mechanism is provided for pushing the records individually off the ledge 32 and this includes a push-off slide 82 having a push-off finger 83 extending adjacent the ledge 32. Openings 84 are provided in the slide 82 forming detent positions for the slide 82 With respect to the driving link 78. A spring biased plunger 85 is secured to the link 78 and includes a head 86 which is held in one of the openings 84 to position the slide with respect to the link. The head 86 of the plunger is positioned to bear against a spring 87 supported on the base 80 so that when the plunger 85 is depressed the spring 87 is flexed to release projections 88 on the spring from the recesses 89 in the slide member 81. Thus the plunger releases both the support member 81 and the push-off slide 82 so that they can move together to the 'detented positions. The plunger is operated through a pivoted cover plate 29 shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

A push-off arm 90 is pivotally supported on the frame structure 71 and includes a bottom end 91 positioned in a slot 94 in the slide 36. The top end 92 of the push-off arm is positioned in an opening 96 in the link 78 and is held by spring 93 in an outward position. However, when the slide 36 moves to the limit of its reciprocating movement it causes the bottom end 91 of the arm to move backward against the spring 93 so that the end 92 moves the link 78 forward, and as the plunger 85 is secured to the link 78, the plunger and push-off slide 82 move forward so that the push-off finger 83 pushes the lowest record so that it clears the shoulders 95 (Fig. 4) on the center spindle 28 and drops down on the turntable.

In order to properly position the tone arm for the size record being played, a stop mechanism is provided which is controlled by the position of the support member 81 (and ledge 32). This mechanism includes a rack which is provided integrally with the support member 81 and a pinion 101 which engages the rack 100. Pinion 101 is connected to ashaft 102 which extends through the support head 80' to a position below the level of the turntable. At the bottom end of the shaft 102 there is provided a gear 103 which engages a larger gear 104. The gear 104 is coupled through shaft 105 to cam 106. Pin 107 secured to a projection on slide 108 bears against the cam 106, with the pin 107 being biased toward the cam 106 by action of the spring 109. The slide 108 carries a pivoted stop 110 which is movable with the slide 108. The stop 110 is positioned to be engaged by projection 111 on the disc 62 which is secured to the tone arm spindle 63, so that the stop limits movement of the tone arm 23 ('Fig. 6). Supported on the main slide 36 is an arm 112 having fingers 113 and 114 adapted to engage a tripping portion 115 of the stop 110 so that the stop is moved into a position for engaging the projection 111 and to a second position which is clear of the projection 111. As the main slide 36 moves back, the finger 113 engages the portion 115 to move the stop 110 into operative position and as the slide 36 moves forward to its normal position for playing, the finger 114 releases the stop 110 so that the stop is out of the path of the projection 111 and the tone armcan progress across the record in the usual way. A; spring 117 secured to the slide 108 bears against an endportion 116 of the stop 110 to hold the stop in either of the two positions (Fig. 7).

Mechanism is provided for causing operation of the record changer to reject a record which has been placed on the turntable. cycle to take place and another record to be dropped so" that the record which it is desired to reject will not This mechanism causes a changing be played. As previously stated,. the control knob 26. (Fig. 1) controls the reject mechanism and operates through a linkage (shown in Figs. 3 and 6) to trip the changing mechanism. The knob 26 is connected to a. shaft 120 to which is secured an arm 121. The arm 121 is connected to a link 122 which is connected to tripping plate 123. The tripping plate 123 is mounted for rotation. about a pin 125 which is secured to the main frame 33 and is further held in position by a pin 126 positioned in the slot 127. The tripping plate 123 is biased in a counterclockwise direction by spring 128 and is rotated in a clockwise direction by movement of the knob 26 which operates against the spring tension. The plate 123 includes a projection 129 which engages an extension 130 on the trip arm 56. Therefore, when the knob 26 is turned the projection 127 moves the ex,-'

tension 130 so that the plate 56 clears the projection 55 on the arm 50 releasing the shelf 47 so that the dog 42 interconnects the turntable and the record changer mechanism and the changing cycle therefore takes place.

In order to play records having fine groove spacings,

the tone arm 23 must exert very light pressure on the record and must be carefully balanced. The tone arm 23 is pivotally supported by the spindle 63 which is connected to the tone arm intermediate the ends thereof by bracket having downwardly extending arms connected to a pin 136 positioned in an opening in the spindle 63. As previously stated, the tone arm includes a rear extension 70 which engages a portion of the frame 71 to provide a fulcrum for pivoting action. A weight 137 is connected to the tone arm for balancing the same so that the pressure of the front end of the tone arm against the record is very slight and the tone arm will therefore follow very closely the grooves in the record. A mechanism is provided for adjusting the angular position of the tone arm 23 with respect to the spindle 63 having an adjusting screw 138 secured to the tone arm and bearing against a portion of the bracket 135.

As previously stated, the record changer will handle records having a large center opening by use of the large spindle 31. This large spindle is illustrated in Fig. 10. The spindle in itself is of known construction and is not a part of this invention. The spindle includes projecting lugs 140 which support the records prior to being played and rotatable knives 141 which are positioned between the bottom record a and the record b directly above to hold all records except the bottom record while the bottom record is being dropped. The turntable includes a projection 142 which engages barrier 143 inside the spindle so'that the spindle rotates with the turntable. The turntable 21 is recessed at the center so that the projection 142 would not engage a record of the small center hole type. The mechanism of the spindle is such that the lugs 14-0 are withdrawn and the knives 141 are rotated when the spindle proper rotates with respect to the center shaft 144. The center shaft 144 has a gear 145 thereon which meshes with gears 146 supported within the spindle. Gears 146 have offset cam portions 147 positioned in openings in the lugs 140. The lugs are held in their outward positions by a spring 148 interposed therebetween, and are then drawn in by the cam portions 147 when the gears 146 are rotated. The knives 141. are secured to the top surfaces of the cam portions 147.

For causing such operation of the spindle 31, square washer 149 is supported for free rotation on the stud 34 (Fig. 10) in such position that the slot 150 therein will receive the flat end 151 of the shaft 144. As shown in Fig. 6, a sliding link 152 is provided which slides on pins .153 secured to the main frame. The link is biased by spring 154 so that the pin 155 thereon bears against cam 156. The cam 156 is directly connected to gear 65 through shaft 157 so that it is rotated when the dog 42 connects the turntable to the gear 35. The link 152 includes surfaces 158 and 159 which fit against the square washer 143 when the earn 156 allows the spring 154 to pull the link 152 against the washer. The washer 14 is therefore prevented from turning and the center shaft 144 of the spindle 31 is thereby prevented from turning. This causes operation of the lugs 140 and knives 141 so that a record is dropped from the spindle 31 to the turntable 21.

As previously stated driving mechanism is provided for the turntable for driving the same at a plurality of speeds. More specifically the turntable may be selectively rotated at speeds of 33, 45 and 78 revolutions per minute. The turntable is driven by a motor 16% which operates at constant speed and which includes a drive shaft 161 (Figs. 3 and 9). Provided on a turret 162 are a plurality of idlers 163, 164 and 165. Each of the idlers includes a lower portion for engaging the drive shaft 161 and an upper portion for engaging the drive wheel 166. As shown in Fig. 3, the drive Wheel 166 engages the inturned rim 3167 of the turntable 21 to cause rotation thereof. The lower portions of the idlers are formed of resilient material so that a good frictional connection is provided between the idlers and the drive shaft 161. The rim of the drive wheel 166 is also made of resilient material to provide a good frictional contact between the idlers and the rim of the turntable.

As previously stated, the idlers are supported on a turret 162, which turret is mounted for rotation. The turret 162 includes a gear 17% driven by gear 171 which in turn is driven by gear 172. The gear 172 is on shaft 173 on which the control knob 25 (Fig. l) is positioned. A notched disc 174 against which arm 1'75 is pulled by spring 176 provides a plurality of detent positions for the shaft 173. Alternate detent positions provide positions of the turret in which the idlers are operative to drive the turntable at the different speeds and the other positions are neutral positions between the various operative positions. The idlers are positioned on the turret 162; in symmetrical positions so that the various detenting positions of the control knob are uniformly spaced thereby facilitating the selection of the desired speed.

The driving mechanism is illustrated with the turret in such position that the idler 163 is operative. That is, the lower portion of the idler bears against the drive shaft 161 and the upper portion bears against the driving wheel 166. The driving wheel is spring biased into a position in engagement with both the idler wheel and the rim of the turntable by spring 180. The driving wheel 166 is supported on an arm 181 having a slot 182 positioned about post 183 so that the arm may slide and rotate with respect to the post. The post 183 has rims 184 positioned on either side of the arm 181 and small pins 185 are provided in the arm on each side of the slot to prevent removal of the arm 18]. from this position with respect to the post 183. The construction and mounting of the parts of the drive are such that the drive wheel 166 is pinched between the operative idler wheel and the rim 167 of the turntable at substantially the same angle for each idler and the drive wheel bears against the turntable at substantially the same position for all speeds. This provides uniform driving operation at all speeds.

Summarizing the operation of the record changer, the changing mechanism is tripped when the tone arm is moved to the center of the record by the lead-in groove thereon. This causes the main slide to be moved back thereby raising the tone arm from the record and rotating it to a position clear of the record. Such backward movement of the slide also cocks the tripping mechanism. When records of the small center hole type are being played, the bottom record supported on the support post is dropped as the slide reaches the end of its backward movement by action of the push-ofl finger. The slide then starts to move forward and causes the tone arm to be rotated toward the record until it is arrested by the 6.5 stop mechanism. Further movement of the slide causes the tone arm to be lowered on the record and renders the stop mechanism inoperative so that the tone arm can follow the record grooves across the record. For playing. records having large center holes, the same operationstake place except that the record is dropped from the spindle itself as the center shaft thereof is held by the changing mechanism during a portion of the changing cycle.

The record changer is adapted to handle records of two different types which may be of three different diameters and which operate at three different speeds. For playing records of the different types it is only necessary to change the center spindle and this is a very simple operation. For handling records of diiferent sizes it is necessary to position the record support member of a supporting post to the proper one of three detented positions. This is easily accomplished as a simple release member is provided which permits sliding the support member to the outermost position for 7 inch records, to the innermost position for 12 inch records, and to an intermediate position for 10 inch records. As each of these positions is detented, there is no dilficulty in properly setting the support member. As previously stated, the position of the support member automatically positions the stop which governs the return of the tone arm so that the tone arm will be properly positioned to start playing the next record. Although the support post is not used for supporting records having large center holes, the support member must be properly positioned when playing such records so that the tone arm will engage the record at the proper point. The shelf on the support post is out of the path of large center hole records while it engages the edge of small center hole records of the same diameter. This is because the spindle for small center hole records is bent slightly in the direction of the post and the large spindle is straight.

The speed of rotation of the turntable is easily set at the proper speed by a control knob which also has detented positions corresponding to 33, 45 and 78 revolutions per minute. A control is also provided for rejecting a record which has been placed in the record changer. This control is elfective to cause the changer to operate any time after a record is dropped on the turntable. This control produces exactly the same operations which are produced by the tone arm when it reaches the center of the record and thereby starts the changing cycle so that the next record is dropped on the turntable and played.

As previously stated, the record changing mechanism is driven from the turntable through a disengageable connecting link. All changing operations for the various types and sizes of records are provided by tripping this connecting link. All of the operations required for changing and playing small center hole records are actuated by the main slide member, with a second slide being provided for actuating the spindle mechanism of the large spindle.

It is apparent from the above that the mechanism described is relatively simple when the many various kinds of records which it handles are considered. The components are, for the most part, of inexpensive construction, many of which can be punched from sheet metal. The adjustments required for playing the various kinds of records are reduced to a minimum and such adjustments are arranged so that they are very easily operated.

Although one embodiment of the invention has been disclosed which is representative thereof, it is obvious that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the intended scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. Automatic record playing and changing apparatus including in combination, a turntable for supporting 'a record being played, means for driving said turntable, a tone arm engaging the record on said turntable, means for supporting a plurality of records above said turntable, mechanical means for freeing said records individually from said supporting means and for moving said tone arm, said mechanical means including a reciprocating slide, a coupling link for selectively connecting said mechanical means to said turntable for driving said mechanical means, said coupling link being tiltably mounted and having a portion engaging said mechanical means and a projection adapted to engage said turntable, a release member supported on said slide and movable from a first position in engagement with said coupling link for holding said projection thereof out of engagement with said turntable to a second position in which said release member is clear of said coupling link so that said projection thereof engages said turntable, spring means tending to hold said release member in said second position, releasable, latching means for latching said member in said first position, and resetting means for said latching means, said latching means being operatively connected to said tone arm for release thereby when the playing of a record has been completed, said resetting means including a stationary member positioned to be engaged by said release member as said slide reciprocates for moving said release member to a position where it is held by said latching means.

2. In automatic record playing apparatus having a turntable for supporting a record being played, means for driving said turntable, and means for supporting a plurality of records above said turntable and for individually dropping said records, the combination including a tone arm adapted to engage a record on said turntable, a rotatable shaft supporting said tone arm having first and second projecting portions thereon, means for moving said tone arm including a slide mechanism having an inclined portion, a friction portion, and first and second trip portions, mechanical means selectively coupling said slide mechanism to said turntable to provide a backward and forward reciprocating movement of said slide mechanism, said shaft having an end thereof resting on said slide mechanism and engaged by said inclined portion for raising said tone arm in response to backward movement of said slide mechanism, said friction portion engaging said first projecting portion of said shaft when said shaft is raised for rotating said tone arm away from said turntable as said slide mechanism continues said backward movement, stop means movable from a first position in the path of said second projecting portion to a second position out of the path of said second projecting portion, said first trip portion of said slide mechanism moving said stop to said first position as said slide mechanism moves backward, said friction portion engaging said first projecting portion as said slide mechanism moves forward for rotating said tone arm toward said turntable into engagement with said stop means, said second trip portion of said slide mechanism moving said stop means to said second position when said friction portion of said slide mechanism has released said first projecting portion, said inclined portion being withdrawn from under said shaft to drop said tone arm when said slide mechanism completes said forward movement.

3. Automatic record playing and changing apparatus including in combination a turntable for supporting a record being played, a tone arm for engaging a record on said turntable, a rotatable shaft supporting said tone arm and having a disc portion thereon, support means for holding a plurality of records one above the other above said turntable, said support means including a sliding ledge adjustable to a plurality of difierent positions for holding records of diflerent sizes and including a pushoff finger adapted to move the bottom record of said plurality to a position free of said support means, mechanical slide means including a first longitudinally mov- 10 able portion connected to said push-off finger for operating the same to individually drop said records onto said turntable and a second longitudinally movable portion frictionally engaging said disc portion on said shaft for moving said tone arm, stop means for engaging said disc portion to restrain the movement'of said disc portion so that said tone arm is held in the proper position to start playing a record of the size being supported, said sliding ledge having a portion with teeth formed thereon, and means interconnecting said sliding ledge and said stop means, including a shaft rotatable about a fixed axis, a pinion on said shaft in engagement with said teeth of said sliding ledge, and cam means on said shaft coupled to said stop means for setting the position thereof, whereby the positioning of said ledge for each record size operates through said pinion and said cam to position said stop means for operation with a record of such size.

4. Automatic record playing apparatus including in combination a turntable for supporting a record being played, spindle means removably mounted at the center of said turntable having record supporting portions thereon operable to release records therefrom, a tone arm for engaging a record on said turntable, support means mounted for longitudinal sliding movement to a plurality of positions for holding a plurality of records of different sizes above said turntable, said support means including a support ledge and a release portion adjustable to three positions corresponding to records of three different sizes, stop means interconnected with said support ledge and automatically adjusted therewith to three different positions corresponding to said record sizes, said support means having a portion with teeth formed thereon, a shaft rotatable about a fixed axis having a pinion thereon in engagement with said teeth of said support means, cam means on said shaft coupled to said stop means for setting the position thereof, whereby the positioning of said support means for each record size operates through said pinion and said cam to position said stop means for operation With a record of such size, mechanical means selectively driven by said turntable including a portion for operating said release portion of said support means, and means cooperating with said stop means for moving said tone arm to the proper positions with respect to records of said different sizes, said mechanical means including a portion adapted to engage said spindle means for operating the same.

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