CA1113407A - Stationary record player - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A stationary record player having a turn table and a pickup pivotally secured to the turn table, so as to trace, when rotated together with the turn table, the recording groove of a stationary record medium on which the record player as a whole is placed. The record player has various novel functions such as an automatic stopping function for automatically stopping the player when the play is finished with the record medium, an automatic returning function for automatically resetting the stylus to the starting position, a lift-stop function for automatically stopping the player when the latter is lifted up from the record medium a slide-stop function for automatically stopping the player when the latter is dis-placed laterally from the correct mounting position on the record medium, a pause state eliminating function for stopping the player when the latter in the pause state is lifted up from the record disc, and so forth. These functions are effective to prevent the unnecessary wear of the stylus and to protect the latter from any damaging external force. Further, the force required for turning the player into operation is derived from a motor for driving the turn table, so as to obtain an improved ope-rability of the player. The playing performance of the player is further improved by an additional provision of an end repeat and optional repeat functions by means of which the playing is performed repeatingly over the full or a desired part of the record medium.

Description

~:s 3~, 7 The present invention relates to a statlonary record player and, more particularly, an automatic stationary record player havlng variou~ functlons.
Such a record player has been known as belng adapted to be placed on a stationary record dlsc stuck to a picture book or the like printed matter, so as to reproduce the signal recorded in the record medium.
This type of record player is generally referred to as a stationary record player.
This type of record player, however, has no means adapted to stop the playing operation automatically upon detection of the completion of the playing of one record. Thus, in the prior stationary record player, it is necessary to mainpulate a stop button, when the play-ing of one record is completed as wel~ as when it is desired to stop the playing operations. Therefore, if the manipulation of the stop button is messed upon the completion of the playing, the playing operation 1s continued without making reproduction of signals, so as to unnecessarily wear the stylus record medium. At the same time, in the prior stationary record player, the playing operation is continued even when the player happens to be turned or when the player is moved away from the record medium. If the player in the playing 1 condition is erroneously placed on an other object than the record medium, e.g. a desk or the like, the stylus runs on the surface of the ob~ect, so as to be seriously damaged. For the same reason, if a person happens to put his hand in contact with the lower surface of the player, the hand may be dangerously scratched by the stylus.
Further, in the prior stationary record player, it is necessary to provide a spring which always biases the pickup or the pickup support radially outwardly, i.e.
toward the outside of the dlsk, for ensuring the resett-ing of the player to the starting condition after the playing. Consequently, a large bias force is applied to the pickup radially outwardly, even during the playing.
At the same time, since the pickup is rotated together with the turn table, the pickup is biased radially outwardly also by a centrifugal force. These forces inconveniently hinder the pickup in the smooth movement toward the inside of the turn table.
At the same time, in the prior stationary record player, the arrangement is such that the push button for actuating the play-start switch should be locked in the depressed condition during the suspension of the playing. For starting the playing the push 25 button for the play-start switch is unlocked by being further depressed and then allowed to push out by a predetermined stroke, so as to cause the pickup to drop onto the surface of the record disc. This manner of 1 operatlon is quite contrary to the operation of the ordlnary push-button type record player in which the playting is started by depressing the push button and the lifting and resetting of the pickup is caused by the release of he push button. Therefore, such manner causes quite an awkward manlpulation in use.
In addition, in the prior stationary record player, the pause operation in the record playing is made by interrupting the power supply to the motor and amplifier circuit, while keeping the stylus in contact with the record disc. Therefore, when the record player is removed from the record disc while the player is in the pause state, the stylus is kept in the pro~ected condition and, therefore, is easily damaged.

SUMMARY OF THE INV~NTION
It is therefore an obJect of the invention to provide a stationary record player capable of overcoming the aforementioned problem in the prior stationary record player having no means for automatically stopping the operation upon the detection of the completion of the playing.
It is another obJect of the invention to provide a stationary record player in which the radially outward biasing force exerted by the resetting spring is effectively negated during the playing, so as to ensure the smooth movement of the pickup toward the inside of the turn table.

1 It ls still another ob~ect of the invention to provide a stationary record player which can offer an easy manipulation in use to the user, in connection with the push button manipulation.
It is a further ob~ect of the invention to prevent the stylus from being damaged when the player in the pause state is removed from the record disc.
It is a still further ob~ect of the invention to provide a stationary record player, capable of detect-ing whether the player is correctly placed on the record disc or not, and automatically interrupting the power supply upon the detection of displacement of the player from the correct mounting posltion.
It is a still further ob~ect of the invention to provide a stationary record player in which the motor for driving the turn table is used also as the power source for driving the mechanism for starting the playing operation, thereby to improve case of manipulation of the player It is a still further ob~ect of the invention to provide a stationary record player capable of perform-ing repetition of playing over the full or a part of the record disc.
To this end, according to the invention, there is provided a stationary record player having a turn table adapted to be rotatively driven by an electric motor or the like, and a pickup pivotally secured to the turn table, the pickup having a stylus adapted to ~:~i3~ 7 1 scan a statlonary record medlum as the plckup 13 rotated together with the turn table, so as to reproduce the slgnal recorded on the record medlum, characterized by comprising a lift member adapted to detect the arrlval of the stylus at the rinal positlon of reproduction, and an automatic stopplng mechanlsm adapted to release a play lever from a locked ~tate ln response to the ope-ratlon of the llft member so as to automatlcally brlng the player lnto the suspénded condltlon.
These and other obJects, as well as advantageou~
features of the lnventlon wlll become clear rrom the followlng descriptlon of the preferred embodlments taken in con~unction wlth the accompanylng drawlngs.

~RIEF DESCRIPTION OF T~E DRAWINGS
Figs. 1 to 12 in combination show a first embodiment of the invention, Figs. 13 to 17 in combination show a second embodiment of the invention, Figs. 18 to 22 in combination show a third embodiment of the i.nvention, Figs. 23 ~o 34 in combination show a fourth embodiment of the invention, and Figs. 35 to 3~ in combination show a fifth embodiment of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The first embodiment of the lnvention will be descrlbed in detail, hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawinss. Referrlng to the drawings 1~3~7 1 Flgs. 1 to 12b, a cylindrical case 1 made of a synthetlc resln constitu~es the body of the statlonary record player of this embodiment. A play button 2, which is attached to the end of a later-mentioned play lever, is mounted on a same side of the case 1 as a volume ad~ust-lng dial 3. The record player as a whole is adapted to be placed on a record medium 5 stuck to a carrier paper 4 such as a page of a picture book or the like printed matter. The case 1 is provided at its inner lower side end with a record guide 6 for fittlng onto the outer periphery of the record medium 5. Referring specifically to Fig. 2, a bearing assembly 7 is attached to the ceiling 8 of the record gulde 6. The bearing assembly 7 rotatably receives a rotary shaft 9. As shown in Fig. 3 a turn table 10 has a shaft 11 connected to the lower end of the rotary shaft 9. As clearly shown in Fig. 9 the turn table 10 has an arcuate opening 12 formed therein, and a pro~ecting boss 13 (Fig. 5) for attaching a pickup assembly in the vicinity of the arcuate opening 12.
A pickup support 14 is pivotally securéd to the boss 13 for free horizontal swinging movement. The pickup assembly designated at a reference numeral 15 has a rear end Journal portion 16 pivoted to a bearing piece 17 provided on the pickup support 14, and a front end portion carrying a stylus 18 and adapted to move to and ~rom a position under the turn table 10S ~hrough the arcuate opening 12. A spring 19 is disposed between a tab 20 formed on the ~ournal portion 16 of the pickup 1 assembly 15 and the pickup support 14, so as to bias the pickup 15 toward the position under the turn table lO
through the opening 12 the ~ournal portion 16 has a proJection 29 extending, laterally upwardly. Another spring 21 is stretched between a sector-shaped tab 22 and another pln 23 (See Figs 9 and 10) on the turn table 10 so as to bias the plckup 15 toward such position that the front end of the latter ls advanced toward the leading groove ~n the record medium 5.
A see-saw member 25 for automatically stopping the operation of the device is rotatably supported by a bearing piece 26 through a shaft 24. A projection 28 formed on the lower surface of the see-saw member 25 normally applies a biasing force under gravity to the tab 22. Reference numerals 27, 32 denote columnar projections having tapers, integrally mounted on the see-saw member 25. Another projection 31 having a hemispherical end is also integrally mounted on the see-saw member 25 latter.
A stop button 33 is mounted so as to freely come into and out of a recess 34 formed in the center portion of the lower surface of the turn table lO. The stop button 33 has a leg 35 which pro1ects above the turn table lO. A stop plate 36 has a central journal portion 37 pivoted to a bearing piece 38 mounted on the upper surface of the turn table lG, and having at its one end an arcuate portion 39 adapted to cooperate the leg 35 of the stop button 33. A spring 40 disposed l~i3~

1 between the turn table 10 and the other end of the stop plate 36 is adapted to normally blas the latter upwardly.
Pro~ections 41, 42 formed on the upper surface of the other end of the stop plate 36 have a hemlspherical end and a tapered end, respectively.
As clearly shown in Fig. 3, a brush attaching plate 43 is fltted onto the shaft 11 of the turn table 10 and has a pair of brushes 44 which are electrically connected to the pickup 15. A slip ring 45 has two conductive bodies which are adapted to be kept in con-tact with respective one of the brushes 44, and is attached to the ceiling 8 of the record guide 6. A
hollow disk-shaped lift plate 46 is disposed above the pro~ections 29, 31 and 41, so as to oppose to the end 30 of the pro~ection 29 formed on the ~ournal portion 16 of the pickup assembly 15, the ends of pro~ection 31 forl~ed on the see-saw member 25 and of the pro~ection 41 formed on the stop plate 41. A lift lever 47 is mounted vertically movably through a bearing body 48 attached to the. ceiling of the record guide 6, and is connected at its lower end to the lift plate 46. A rack 49 is connect-ed to the upper end of a lift lever 47.
A chassis 50 attached to the ceiling 8 of the record guide 6 carries a pinion 51 through a shaft 52.
The pinion 51 is normally held in engagement with the rack 49. Reference numeral 53 denotes a play ~ar secured to the chassis 50 as to be allowed of free vertical movement, and having at its mid portion a rack ~3C11 7 1 54 which engages the pinion 51. A spring 55 stretched between the rack 54 and the chassis 50 is adapted to normally bias the rack 54 and the play bar 53 upwardly.
Reference numerals 56 and 57 denote, respectively, a switch lever mounted on the chassis 50 and a power switch.
A connecting piece 59 for actuating the switch lever 58 is attached to the upper end of the play lever 53. A
heart cam plate 60 is secured to one side surface of the chassis 50 by means of a pin 61 so as to pivot in a vertical plane around the pin 61. A spring 62 retained by the pin 61 is adapted to normally bias the heart cam plate 60 toward the chassis 50. Another spring 63 is stretched by way of the pin 61 between pins 64 and 65 which is respectively secured on the heart cam plate 60 and the chassis 50 so as to bias them toward each other.
A drive plate 66 attached to the lower end of the play bar 53, has a pin 68 which is received by a heart cam portion 67 of the heart cam plate 60.
Reference numerals ~9, 7n and 71 denote, respectively, a pulley, a motor and an idler by means of which the motor 70 drives the pulley 69.
The lower end of the heart cam plate 60 projects below the ceiling 8 of the record guide 6, and is positioned on the path or locus along which the pro-~ections 32, 27 of the see-saw member 25, as well as the pro~ection 42 of the stop plate 36 are moved as the turn table 10 is rotated.
Hereinafter, the operation of the record player 1 havlng the above construction will be described.
Assuming that the play lever 53 is positioned at the lifted position as shown ln Fig. 2, the lift lever 47 is located in the lower position thereof due to the arremgement of the racks 49, 54 and the p1nion 51, and is stopped with the rack 49 abutting the ~earing body 48.
In thls state, the connecting plece 52 ls not in contact with the switch lever 58 so that the power switch 57 is in the off state to keep the motor 70 not operated.
At the same time, since the lift plate 46 i5 kept at the lower portion, the pro~ection 41 on the stop plate 36, the end 30 of the pro~ection 29 on the ~ournal portion 16 of the pickup 15, and the projection 31 on the see-saw member 25 are all depressed downward by the lift plate 46, as shown ln Flgs. 4 and 5. Consequently, the stop plate 36 is kept rotated clockwise around the central ~ournal portion 37, as shown in Fig. 4, so that the plckup 15 is completely accomodated above the turn table 10, as shown in Fig. 5, that is, the pickup assembly 15 does not-pro~ect downwardly though the opening 12 of the turn table 10. Further, since the see-saw member 25 is displaced such that its projectiGn 28 is located higher than the sector-shaped tab 22 of the pickup support 14, as shown in Fig. 5, the p~ckup support 14 is rotatable around the projecting boss 13. Consequently, the pickup support 14 is moved by the force of the spring 21 such that the pickup 15 assembly is moved toward the outermost portion of the turn table, l.e. toward 1 the starting position of the playing.
In this state, as the play button 2 is depressed downward to move the play lever 53 downward, the connecting lever 59 provided on the play lever 53 comes to depress the switch lever 58 downward, so that the power swltch 57 is turned on to allow the power supply to feed thier power to the motor 70 so as to start the latter. The output torque of the motor 70 is transmitted to the rotary shaft 9 through the idler 71 and the pulley 6~
so that the turn table 10 starts to rotate in the direct-ion of arrow in Fig. 2. Then, as the play lever 53 is further depressed, the lift lever 47 is moved upward as shown in Fig. 3, due to the action of racks 54, 49 and the pinion 51. And therefore, the lift plate 46 is moved to the raised position as shown in Figs. 3 and 6.
For obtaining a smooth manipulation through means consisting of the racks 54, 49, it is necessary to provide suitable clearances between the meshing gear teeth, i.e. the back-lash. Provided that the first rack 54 is rigidly secured to the play lever 53 by means of screws 54c as shown in Fig. 12a, the lever 53 and the first rack 74 are held at a predetermined position deter-mined by the engagement of the lack pin 58 ana the heart cam plate 60 so as to allow a constant stroke. However, because of the presence of the above-mentioned back-lash, it is extremely difflcult to obtain a constant meshing conditlon of the first rack 54 and the pinion 51 with each other. More specifically, referring to Fig. 12b, 3~i~`7 1 it may not be determlned in which direction the clearance between the flrst rack 54 and the pinion 51 is narrowed as well as in which direction the clearance between the pinion 51 and the second rack 49 i5 narrowed. Therefore, lt is impossible to obtain a constant displacement of the second rack 49. Thls adversely affects the precision of the displacement of the lift plate 46 and also the precislon of the vertical movement of the pickup assembly 15.
To avoid this, according to the invention, as shwon in Fig. lla, the first rack 54 is not fixed to the play lever 53 by screws but, instead, the pins 54a, 54b of the first rack 54 are loosely received by openings or bores 53a, 53b formed in the play lever 53. Therefore, the first rack 54 lifted upwardly urged by the spring 55 by a distance corresponding to the play between the pins 54a, 54b and the bores 53a, 53b, while the play lever 53 is held at the constant position determined by the engagement of the lock pin 68 and the heart cam plate 60.
In-addition, in the rest condition as shown in Fig. 4, the second rack 49 is biased in the same direction as the first rack 54 through the lift plate 46 and the lift lever 47 by the lifting plate 36 which in turn is pushed up by the spring 40. Consequently, as shown in Fig. llb, a constant meshing condition is maintained as shown in ~ig. llb between the racks 54, 49 and the assGclated pinion 51. Therefore, the back-lash for the upward movement is negated and only the downward back-lash is 1~3~i7 1 left. This means that the lift plate 46 ls affected only by the downward back-lash, so that the displacement of the lift plate 46 is controlled much more precisely as compared with the case of Figs. 12a and 12b. By applying biaslng forces to the first and the second racks 54, 4~
in the same dlrection, both blaslng forces are convenient-ly negated by each other so that the operation of the play lever 53 does not become heavy.
Then, as the lift plate 46 is moved upwardly as shown in Figs. 3 and 6, the pro~ection 41 of the stop plate 36, end 30 of pro~ection 29 on the ~ournal portion 16 of the plckup 15, assembly and the projection 31 of the see-saw member 25, which have been depressed by the lift plate 46 are all free from the latter. Therefore, the plckup 15 is allowed to pro~ect downwardly through the opening 12 formed in the turn table 10, by the force of the spring 19 so that the stylus 18 is lowered to the starting groove in the record medium 5, as shown in Fig. ~. Meanwhile, the see-saw member 25 is swung counter-clockwise around a fulcrum constituted by the shaft 24 so as to bring the end of the projection 28 into engagement with the upper face of the sector-shaped tab 22 of the pickup support. On the other hand, the stop plate 36 apts to ratate counter-clockwise due to the force of the spring 40. However, when the record medium 5 i3 oositioned beneath the record pla~er 1, the stop plate 36 is kept in the clockwise ro~ated pGsitlon as shown in Fig. 4, because the stop button 33 is pushed 1~3~ 7 1 up by the record disc 5.
Therefore, in this state, the pro~ections 27, 32 of the see-saw member 25 and the pro~ection 42 of the stop plate 36 are positioned below the lower end of the heart cam plate 60 so as not to be contacted by the latter even when the turn table 10 is rotated. Therefore, the turn table 10 is allowed to continue its rotation so that the pickup 15 assembly, which rotates together with the turn table 10, traces the grooves in the record medium 5, thereby to reproduce the signal recorded on the latter.

The reproduced output from the pickup assembly 15 is then delivered through the brushes 44 and the sllp rlng 45 to an amplifier (not shown) provided on the printed substrate 56 so as to be ampli~ied by the amplifier. The output from the amplifier is transmitted to the speaker tnot shown) attached to the ceiling of the case 1 so as to be changed into an acoustic slgnal.
Thls playing condition ls held, because the downwardly depressed play lever 53 ls locked in the depressed positlon by the actlon of the 2in 68 and the heart cam 67. This locking ls unlocked by either one o~
a further depression o~ the play lever 53 and a movement of the heart cam plate 60 away from the chassis 50.
Namely, the play lever 53 and the heart cam plate 60 constitute a so-called push-push mechanism. As the play lever 53 is moved downward, the pin 68 comes to be locked by the heart cam 67 so that the play lever 53 is latched at the lowered position. Consequently, the members 1~.3~~ `7 1 associated wlth the play lever 53 are held in the playing condltion so that the pickup 15 assembly is rotated together with the turn table 10 so as to continue the playing. As the playing proceeds, the pickup 15 assembly is rotated gradually toward the center of the turn table 10.
In thic state, the pro~ection 28 formed on the lower surface of the see-saw member 25 is kept in contact with the secotr-like tab 22 formed on the pickup support 14. It is possible to negate the radially outward biasing force acting on the pickup assembly 15, i.e. the force of the spring 21 and the centrifugal force attri-butable to the rotation of the pickup 15, by making use of the mutual contact of the projection 28 and the sector-shaped tab 22. More specifically, the upper surface ofthe tab 22 upon which the projection 28 rests is tapered so that a radially inward biasing force may be applied to the pickup assembly 15, thereby to negate the radially outward biasing force exerted by the SPring 21. At the same time, a small movement of the pickup 15 is effectively damped by the friction between the sector-shaped tab 22 and the projection 28.
As the playing proceeds, the pickup 15 is moved along the recording groove in the record medium 5 toward the center of the turn table 10, as shown in Fig. 10.
~Jhen the stylus 18 reaches the final positon of playing, the sector-shaped tab 22 has been moved to a position where it cannot enage the projection 28 on the see-saw 1~13~

1 member 25. Consequently, the see-saw member 25 is rotated counter-clockwise around the shaft 24, due to its weight, until the lower surface thereof comes lnto contact with the upper surface of the sector-shaped tab 22, as shown in Flg. 7. In this state, the see-saw member 25 is incllned. This arrangement ensures that the stylus 18 is allowed to be moved upwardly only after it has been introduced into the lead-out groove beyond the recording groove so that the damaging o~ the recoridng groove is avoided due to the lifting of the stylus. At the same time, the columnar projection 32 provided on the see-saw member 25 comes to a position higher than the lower end of the heart cam plate 60. Consequently, the pro~ection 32 is contacted by the lower end o~ the heart cam 60, while the see-saw member 25 makes one rotation together with the turn table 10.
As the lower end of the heart cam plate 60 is pressed by the pro~ection 32, the heart cam plate 60 is swung around the pin 61 away from the chassis 50, so th~t the pin 68 of the drive plate 66 provided at the lower end of the play lever 53 is disengaged from the heart cam portion 67 of 'che heart cam plate 60. Conse-quently, the play lever 53, which has been prevented from moving upward due to the cooperation of the pin 68 and the heart cam portion 67, is moved upward aùto-matically by the force of the spring 55. This in turn causes a downwar~, movement of the lift lever 47, through the actlon of the rac~s 54, 49 and the pinion 52.

1 Consequently, the power switch 57 is turned off to stop the power supply to the motor 70 so that the turn table 10 is stopped.
At the same time, the down~ard movement of the llft plate 46 allows the pickup 15 to move upward away from the record medium. Simultaneously, the see-saw member 25 is moved downward by the lift plate 46 so that the pro~ection 28 on the see-saw member 25 comes to a position above the tab 22 of the pickup support 14.
The pickup support 14 ls therefore allowed to be moved by the force of the spring 21 so as to bring the plckup assembly 15 to the outer peripheral portlon of the turn tabel 10.
As has been described, as the playing $s completed, the power supply is stopped automatically to stop the turn table 10. At the same time, all parts and members of the record player are reset to the starting condition.
This automatic stopping and resetting operation can be effected also when the recorder is accidentally moved away from the record disc 5 during the playing, and when the play button 2 is depressed downward again, a will be seen from the following description.
During the playing, the stop button 33 is pressed upward by the record medium 5 and is held at the raised position as shown in Fig. 4. Consequently, the stop plate 36 is held at the clockwisely rotated position, res~sting to the force of the spring 40. However, when 3~ '7 1 the record player as a whole is accidentally moved away from the record medium 5, the ~top button 33 is freed from the pressing force of the recoer medium 5 so that the stop plate 36 is rotated counterclockwise by the force of the spring 40, as shown in Fig. 3. In this state, the stop button 33 is pushed out of the recess 34 of the turn table 10. As the stop plate 36 is rotated counter-clockwise, the pro~ection 42 provided on the stop plate 36 comes to be positioned higher than the lower end of the heart cam plate 60 so that the lower end of the heart cam plate 60 is contacted by the pro~ection 42 in the course of the rotation of the turn table 10. Therefore, as in the case of the contact of the pro~ection 32 of the see-saw member 25 with the lower end of the heart cam plate 69, the heart cam plate 60 ls rotated away from the chassis 50, thereby to disengage the pin 68 from the heart cam 67 so that all associated members are reset to the starting condition.
During the playing, the pro~ectlon 28 formed on the see-saw member 25 rests on the upper face of the tab 22, due to the weight of the see-saw mamber 25. However, the balance of the weight and force is lost when the record player happens to be inclined, or when an external lmpacting force is applied so that the see-saw member 25 is rotated clockwise around the shaft 24. As a result, the columnar pro~ection 27 comes to be pcsitiGned higher than the lower end of the heart cam plate 6~. Consequently, the heart cam plate 60 is contacted by the pro~ection 32 1~3iL3f~d 7 1 of the see-saw member 25, as the latter makes one rotation together with the turn table 10, so as to be rotated away from the chassis 50, thereby to allow the pin 68 to be disengaged from the heart cam portion 67. Consequently, all of the associated parts and members are reset to the starting condition.
In the described embodiment, the pro~ections 32, 28 of the see-saw member 25, and the pro~ection 42 of the stop plate 36 are tapered so that these pro~ections may not be broken even when the turn table 10 is acciden-tally rotated in the direction of the arrow in Flg. 2 in the rest condition of the record player.
As has been described, according to the invention, it ls possible to automatically reset the parts and members to the startlng condition, when the playing of a record medium ls over. This resetting to the starting condltion is automatically performed also by a further depression of the play button during the playing, by movement of the record player, as a whole, away from the 2d record medium, by turning over the player and by an externally applied impact force.
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the lnvent~on, capable of protecting the record medium and stylus ~Jhen the record player as a whole is displaced laterally from the correct mounting position, will be described with specific reference to Figs. 13 to 17. In these Figuress the parts and mem.bers same as those ln Figs. 1 to 12 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and will not be 1 detalled again.
In Flgs. 13 to 17, a reference numeral 72 denotes a record detecting ring which is mounted at the inside of the record guide 6 for free up and downward movement.
In the state as shown in Fig. 13, the record detecting ring 72 has been moved upward ~y a distance correspondlng to the thickness t of the record medium 5 so that the upper end of a ring supportlng rod 73 contacts the lower end of a fine-ad~usting screw 75 which is provided at one end of a detecting lever 74 in such a way that the end of the detecting lever 74 is pressed upward. The detectlng lever 74 is adapted ',o be swung around the fulcrum which is constituted by the shaft 76a of a lever support 76 so as to magnify or amplify the vertlcal movement of the detecting ring 72 by a lever action.
A lever 77 for releasing the heart cam plate 60 ls mounted rotatably through a shaft 78 to the top of the record quide 6. This lever 77 has a releasing end 77a disposed between the bac~ side of the heart cam plate 60 and the surface A of the chassis 50 being in contact with the back side surface of the rear cam plate 60.
When the record player is correctly placed on the record medium 5, the lower end of the detecting ring 72 is moved upward from the lower end of the record guide 6 by a distance corresponding to the thickness _ of the record medium 5. As a result, the ring supporting rod 73 is moved upward to come into contact with the end of the detecting lever 74 through the fine ad~usting screw 75 1~3~r~

1 so as to urge the end of the detecting lever 74 upward.
Consequently, as clearly shown in Fig. 15, the detecting lever 14 ls rotated clockwise around the axis of the shaft 76a of the lever support 76, overcoming the biasing force of the coiled spring 79. An ab~tting boss 80a fitted to a float disc 80 is recelved by one o~ bores 69a formed in the pulley 69. The float disc 80 having a lower surface limited by a pro~ection 74a on the other end of the detecting lever 74 is adapted to be rotated toge-ther with the pulley 69. When the record player iscorrectly positioned on the record medium 5, the detecting lever 74 has been rotated clockwise, so that the float disc has been moved downwardly. Consequently, the upper end of the abutting boss 80a is retracted below the upper surface of the pulley 69. Therefore, in this state, the abutting boss 80a cannot contact the cooperating surface 77b of the releasing lever 77 so that the rotation of the rotary shaft 70a of the motor 70 is transmltted to the pulley 69 through the idler 71. Consequently,

2~ the turn table 10 is rotatively driven ~y the shaft 9 together with the pickup assembly 15 so that the latter traces the recording groove of the record medlum 5, thereby to reproduce the signal on the latter.
Figs. 16 and 17 show the state in which the record player as a whole is displaced horizontally from the correct mounting position on the record medium. In this state, the record gulde 6 does not correctly engage the record medium 5 so that the detecting ring 72 is lowered ~``7 1 due to its weight. Consequently, the rlng support bar 73 ls lowered so that the detecting lever 74 is rotated by the coiled spring 74a counterclockwise, thereby to urge the float disc 80 upward by its pro~ection 74a. Consequ-ently, the abutting boss 80a of the floatlng disc 80comes to pro~ect upward from the upper surface of the pulley 69. Therefore, the abutting boss 80a is allowed to contact the cooperating surface 77b of the relea~ing lever 77 so as to swing the releasing lever 77 counter-clockwise around the axis of the shaft 78, overcoming theforce of a tension spring 81. As a result, the heart cam plate 60 is opened in the direction of an arrow B in Fig. 17, by the releasing end 77a of the releasing lever 77 so as to disengage the recess of the heart cam plage 60 from the retaining pin 68. As the pin 68 is released in the described manner, the members and parts are moved in the reverse direction to that for starting the playing, to assume the stand-by condition.
Namely, the play lever 53 is moved upward by the force of a spring 55 so as to reset the play button 2 and, at the same time to turn the power switch 57 off.
In this state, since the rack 54 is also moved upward, the pinion 51 is rotated counter-clockwise to displace the rack 49 and the lift lever 47 downward, thereby to lower the lift plate 46 which is fixed to the lift lever 47. As a resllt, the end of the pro~ection 29 on the pickup assem~ly 15 is depressed by the lower surface of the lift lever 47 so that the pickup 15 is rotated

3 ~3'~

1 clockwlse around the axis of the shaft 16. Consequently~
the lower end of the pickup assembly 15 is moved upward.
Therefore, the stylus 18 is retracted upward into the body of the record player so as not to contact the record medium 5 and the carrier paper 4, thereby pre-ventlng the stylus from being damaged.
As has been described above, ln the second embodlment of the lnvention, the power supply and the operation of the plckup assembly 15 are controlled upon the detection of the thickness _ of the record medium 5 by means of the detecting ring 72. Therefore, when the record player is not correctly posltloned on the record medium, the power supply is automatically stopped and the plckup 15 is automatica'ly retracted so as not to damage the stylus.
Although this second embodiment has been described specifically as to the lateral or horizontal displacement of the record player from the correct mounting position, it will be clear to those s~illed in the art that the same protecting operation is performed also when the record player happens to be llfted above the carrier paper 4.
It will be understood from the foregoing descrip-tion that, in this second embodiment of the invention, a ~etecting member sensitive to the thickness of the record medium Judges whether the record guide of the record player is correctly engaging the outer periphery of the record medium. If the detecting member ~udges that the 2l 1$.SL3L~ 7 1 record player is not correctly posltioned on the record medium, it acts to stop the power supply to the motor and to retract the pickup into the body of the record player. Therefore, even when the record player is mounted on the carrier paper, the record player is held ln the stand-by condition so as not to incur damage of the stylus by an erroneous driving of the player, even if the record player ls not correctly positloned on the record medium.
Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the lnvention,, which is adapted to retract the pickup into the body of the recorder to protect the stylus when the record player in the pause state is removed from the record medium, will be described with specific reference to Figs. 18 to 22. In these Figures, the same parts and members as those in Figs. 1 to 17 are denoted by the same reference numerals and the detailed description thereof is ornitted.
Referring to Figs. 18 to 22, as will be clearly seen from the circuit diagra~ as shown in Fig. 22, a ref~rence numeral 82 denotes a record detecting switch which ~s connected in parallel with the pickup 15, and adapted tomake the output zero by shortcircuitir;g the signal to elim~nate noise. This record detecting swtich 82 is ~ixed to the turn table 10 by means of screws 83.
The lower surface of the aforementioned stop plate 36 is ln contact with the lower terminal 82a of the record detecting switch 82 so as to be resiliently biased by the latter in the counter-clockwise direction. However, since -- ~ It 3L.~.~ 7 1 the lower surface of an arcuate portion 39 of the stop plate 36 is in contact with the end of the leg 35 of the stop button 33 as shown in Fig. 19, the record detecting swltch 82 is kept opened.
As the record player is placed on the record medlum in this state, the stop button contacts the upper sur~ace of the record medium 5 wlth being pressed by the latter upwardly, thereby to push up the lower surface of the arcuate portion 39 of the stop plate 36. Consequently, the stop plate 36 bends the lower terminal of the record detectlng switch 82, therefore keeps the upper and lower terminals 82b and 82a away from each other. In thls state, electric power is supplied to the motor 70 in the same manner as the first embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 12, and the plckup assembly 15 is lowered to the playing position as shown in Fig~ 19.
In this playing condition, as a pause switch 84 is switched from the contact 84a to the contact 84b, the DC power supply 84 is interrupted by the capacitor 2Q 85 so that the amplifier circuit 8~, 87 is turned of~.
At the same time, since the aforementioned detecting switch 82 is kept opened, the motor 70 is stopped, although the brushes 44 ar.d the slip ring 45 are in conductive condition. It will be seen that the record player is put into the pause state by the above stated operation. In Fig. 22, a re~erence numeral 88 denotes a speaker.
In this pause state, the stylus 18 of the pic~up - 2, -~13~

1 is kept stationary in contact with the record disc 5.
Therefore, the state of the driving system in the pause state ls identical to the state of playing as shown in Fig. 19, except that the pause switch 84 has been turned.
Fig. 20 shows a state in which the record player has been removed from the record disc 5, while it is in the pause state. Since the pickup assembly 15 is kept lnclined, the stylus 18 is kept pro~ected from the lower surface P of the record gulde 6. It ls there-fore necessary to retract the stylus 18 into the body o~
the record player from the position below the lower surface P o~ the record guide 6.
This retraction of the pickup is performed in the following manner. As the record player is removed from the record medium 5, the stop button 23 is released to that the stop plate 36 is swung counter-clockwise by the resilient force of the lower terminal 82a of the detecting switch 82 around the axis of the shaft 37, thereby to allow the stop button 33 to be pushed out.
Consequently, the pro~ecting end ll2 of the stop plate 36 is moved upward by the resilient force o~ the lower terminal 82a of the detect-~ng swtich 82 so as to allow an overlap H for which the stop plate 36 can engage the lower surface of the heart cam plate 60. At the same time, the detecting swtich 82 is closed because the lower terminal 82a contacts the upper terminal 82b due to their resiliency. Consequently, the pickup is short-circuited to turn the output from the latter to zero.

i~L34~7 1 That is, nolse is eliminated. Simultaneously, the brushes 44 and the slip ring 45 are connected to the power source so that the electric power ls supplied to the motor 70 through the brushes 44, the slip rlng 45, detecting 5 switch 82, pause switch 84 and the power switch 57, so tl~at the motor 70 which has been rested, is started again.
Before the turn table 10 makes one full turn, the proj ecting end 42 of the stop plate 36 is brought 10 into contact with the lower surface of the heart cam plate 60 so that the recess of the heart cam plate 60 is disengaged from the pin 68 of the play lever 53 in the direction of an arrow C in Fig. 18, by the torque of the turn table 10. As a result, the play lever 53 is pulled 15 up by the spring 55 as shown ln Figs. 18 and 19 so that the power switch 57 is opened to stop the power supply to the motor 70. Meanwhile, the pinion 51 is rotated counter-clockwise by the upward movement of the play lever 53, and therefore lowers the rack 49 As a 2~ result, the lift plate 46 is lowered, of which the lower surface depresses, in turn, the end of the projection 29 of the pickup assembly 15, thereby to rotate the pickup assembly 15 which has been inclined, in the clockwise direction around the axis of the ~urnal portiGn 16 to the 25 horizontal positlon as shown in Fig. 21. Consequently, the stylus 18 is safely retracted into the body of the record player from the position below the lower surface P
of the guide 6.

~34~7 1 As has been described, according to this embodlment of the lnvention, lt is possible not only to cut the electric power supply but also to retract the stylus into the body of the record player when the latter is moved away from the record medium in the pause state, therefore the stylus is protected against any damaging external force.
Finally, a fourth embodiment of the invention will be described with specific reference to Figs. 23 to 34. In this fourth embodiment, the power of the motor for driving the turn table is efficiently utilized for diminishing the manual power required for starting the play. At the same time, it is possible to make a repeat performance over the full or a part of the record disc.
Referring first to Fig. 23 showing the control panel portion of the stationary record player 101 of this embodiment, reference numeral 102 denotes a record guide by means of which the record player 101 is aligned with the record medium 107, while reference numerals 103 and 104 designate, respectively, a cut button for optional stop and repeat of the play and a power swltch provided with a volume adjust 117. A reference numeral 105 denotes a two-color light-emittinæ diode adapted to show whether the record player is in stand-by or playing condltion upon the detection of the presence of the reco~d medium.
A start repeat switch for starting or repeating the playing is designated at a reference numeral 106. The play is started as this start/repeat switch button 106 ~3~v~

1 ls depressed, while, for a repeat performance, this switch button 106 is rotated after depression.
Figs. 24a and 24b show a record medium 107 used in combination with the record player 101 in which a lead-in groove, recording grooves and a lead-out groove are deslgnated at reference numerals 107a, 107b and 107c.
Fig. 25 shows the circuit of the record player 101 in the stopped state. Reference numeral 108 denotes a pickup for tracing the groove of the record medium 107 to reproduce the signal recorded on the latter. Reference numerals 109, 109' and 110, 110' denote, respectively, brushes and slip rings for transmitting the signals. A
noise elimination switch adapted to shortcircuit the pickup 108 so as to eliminate the noise durlng the pause is designated at a reference numeral 111 Reference numerals 112, 113 and 114 denote, respectively, a pre-amplifier, a main amplifier and a motor. A reference numeral 116 denotes a later-mentioned record detecting switch adapted to be opened and closed in response to whether the thickness t of the record medium 107 is detected or not.
Figs. 26a and 26b show the motor driving system - of the stationary record player 101. In these Flgures, a reference numeral 114 denotes the motor, 114a a motor shaft, 121 a motor pulley, 125 and 126 belts, 127 a reduc-tion pulley~ 124 a turn ta~le pulley, 128 a pulley shaft supporting the reduction pulley 126, and 123 denotes a turn table shaft press-fitted into the turn table pulley - 2~ -3 ~ 3~s`7 1 124. Reference numeral 129 denotes a floatlng cam, while 131 deslgnates a cam shaft supporting the floatlng cam 129. This cam shaft 131 ls connected to the turn table shaft 123, by means of lock screws 122. A compression spring for biasing the floatlng cam 129 upwardly ls deslgnated at a reference numeral 130.
As will be detailed later, the floating cam 129 is adapted to play the role of a clutch for optlonally transmlttlng the power of the motor. Thls plays an lmportant role ln reduclng the manual power and for achieving the repeatlng performance.
A reference numeral 118 refer to Flg. 28 denotes a record detectlng ring sensltive to the thlckness t of the record dlsc 107 and slldable up and down within the inner bore G of the record guide 102. A rlng stopper 119 ls adapted to locate and support the record detecting ring 118, and is normally kept in contact with the pro~ectlng end of the fine ad~usting screw 147 for the opening and closlng of the contact of the record detecting swltch 116. T~le value of the detected thickness _ Gf the record disc 107 is transmitted to the record detecting switch 116 so as to be magnified by the latter, thereby to open and close the contact 116a of the latter. Reference numeral 120 denotes a coiled spring which biases an L~
2~ shaped piece llga of the ring stopper and the upper face E of the record guide 102 into contact with each other so as to make the record detecting ring 118 flush with the lower face D of tne record guide 102. A reference numeral l~`i3'~i`7 1 145 denotes a lifting plate adapted to press a lifting arm 108b of the pickup assembly 108. This member is adapted to move the stylus 108a of the pickup 108 into and out of engagement with the record medium 107 in response to the 5 movement of the slide plate 144. A lift rack 134 ls locked to the lif`t slide plate 144 by means of the threded end of the roller shaft 133 supporting the roller 132, and ls adapted to rotatively drlve the pinion 135. An actuating plate lack 136 is adapted to actuate the swtich 10 actuatlng plate 138 up and down upon engaging the pinlon 135. The roller 132 loosely fltted to the roller shaft 133 is adapted to roll along the cam contour portion of the floating cam 129.
A switch pressing plate 139 is received by the 15 L-shaped portion of the switch actuating plate 13~, and 1 is adapted to contact the actuator 115b of the light-emltt ing dlode change-over swltch 115 so as to open and close the contact ln the latter. A retaining pln 142 ls press-fitted to the lower portion of the switch actuating 20 plate 138. This pin 142 functions to hold the player in the operation state by coming into and out of the recess 143a of the retaining cam 143. Namely, this pin 142 also functions to hold the light-emitting diode change-over switch 115 and the vertical posltion of the lifting plate 25 145 in the lower position. The aforementioned brushes 109, lOg' are situated on the turn table 146 for trans-mitting the signal detected by the pickup 108 ln coopera-tion with the slip rings 110, 110' fiY.ed to the record 3~ 7 1 guide 102. A compression spring 140 is adapted to normally bias the switch actuating plate 38 upward. Reference numerals 137 and 141 denote printed circuit boards on which the aforementloned amplifiers 112, 113 and other electric clrcults are formed. The turn table 146 is rotatably supported by the record guide 102 and carries the pickup assembly 108 swingably.
Hereinafter, the operation of the record player having the described construction wlll be described.
When the stationary record player 101 has not yet been placed on the record medium 107, the record detect-ing ring 118 is not lifted by the thickness _ of the record medium 107, as will be clearly seen from Fig. 27, so that the lower face of the L-shaped piece ll9a of the ring stopper 119 is kept in contact with the upper face E of the record guide 102 and the lower surface of the record detectin~ ring 118 is flush with the lower face D of the record guide 102. Therefore, the contact 116a of the record detecting switch 116 is kept opened.
In this state, as will be understood from Fig. 25, the motor 114, amplifiers 1125 113 and other electric parts are not energized in this state, even when the power switch 104 and the start/repeat switch lG6 are closed.
In this condition, the lift plate lli5 is positioned at its lowermost position so as to contact the lifting arm ]08b of the pickup assembly, 108 to lift the latter from the lower face D of the record guide 102, thereby protecting the stylus 108a against any external 1 force. At the same time, the switch actuating plate 138 has been moved upward to the upper-most posltion by the force of the compression spring 140, and is kept away ~rom the actuator 115b of the light-emitting diode change-over switch 115. Therefore, the contact 115a of the change-over switch 115 has been turned so as to supply a current to the diode element 105a of the two-color light-emitting diode 105 (refer to Fig. 25). However, slnce the contact 116a of the record detecting switch 116 has been opened as started before, the light-emittlng diode element 105a is never lit Meanwhile, since the lift rack 134, lift slide plate 144 and the lift plate 145 are all moved to the lowermost positions, the floating cam 129 is depressed therefore slides onto the cam shaft 131 against the force of the compression spring 130 with the annular flange of the floating cam 129 being held in contact with the roller 132. Consequently, a claw 129a of the floating cam 129 is allowed to engage with the locking screw 122 2U so that the turn table shaft 123 of the turn table 150 and the floating cam 129 come into engagement with each other.
In this state, the floaint cam 129 can receive the driving torque ~rom the motor 114. However, in this stage, the cam is not rotated because the power switch and the record detecting switch 116 are still opened.
Fig. 28 shows the record pla~er 101 in the state placed on the record medium 107. In this state, the outer periphery of the record med~um 107 is ~ust ~~t`

L~ ~ 7 1 recelved by the inner bore of the record guide 2. The record detectlng ring 118 is moved upward against the force of the compression spring 120, due to the presence of the record medium 107 having the thickness t so that a gap having a thickness _ ls formed between the upper face E of the record guide 1~2 and the lower face ll9a of the L-shaped section of the ring stopper 119.
The thickness t of the record dlsc 107 is magnified by the record detecting swtich 116. Thus the contact 116a of the latter is closed. Consequently, as will be clearly seen from Fig. 25, the element 105a of the diode 105 is energized as the power switch 104 is closed.
This element 105a emits a light of a color such as green, representing the stand-by state of the record player.
However, the play is not started unless the start/repeat switch 106 ls closed, because the motor 114 is kept stop~ed untll the latter is closed.
Fig. 29 shows the transition period from the stand-by state as shown in Fig. 28 to the playing condi-tion, which is caused by an instantaneous closing of thestart/repeat swtich 106. As will be seen from Fig. 25, the motor 114 ls started as the start/repeat switch 106 is instantaneously closed so as to drive the turn table pulley 124 vla the belts 125, 126 and the reduction pulley 127. Consequently, both of the floating cam 129 and the turn table 146 are rotated. As a result, the roller 132 loosely mounted on the roller shaft 133 by which the lift rack 134 and the lift slide plate 144 are locked rolls - ,4 ,i L~i~` 7 1 along the cam contour of the floatin~ cam 129 so as to be lifted by the latter. As the result, the lift plate 145 ls also llfted to allow the arm 108b of the pickup assembly 108 to be released from the lower surface of the llft plate 145. Therefore, the pickup assembly 108 is lnclined to place the stylus 108 on the lead-ln groove 107a of the record medium 107 so as to start the playing operatlon. At the same time, the llft rack 134 ls also moved upward so as to rotate the plnion 135 clockwise, thus, the actuating plate rack 136, which is ln engagement with the pinion 135 and connected to the swtich actuating plate 138, is lowered overcoming the force of the compres-sion spring 140. At the same tlme, the retaining pin 142 fastened to the lower end of the switch actuating plate 138 comes to be received by the recess of the retainlng cam 143, thereby to hold the lift plate 145 and the switch actuating plate 138 in their predetermined vertical position during the playing.
Meanwhile, the pro~ecting end of the actuator 115a of the light-emitting diode change-over switch 115 is depressed by the switch pressing plate 130 so that the diode element 105a is de-energized, wh~le the other diode element 105b is energized, as will be seen from Fig. 25.
The other diode emits a light of, for example, red, which represents that the play has been started. At the same time, the swtich 111 for eliminating noise is opened in relation with the turning of the light-emitting diode change-over swltch from the diode 105a to 105b. In this ~ ~3~

1 state, since the aforementioned retaining pin 142 is received by the recess of the retaining cam 143, the motor 114 is energized, whlle the amplifiers 112, 113 are waitlng for the reproduced signal, even if the start/repeat switch 106 is opened.
Referring now to Fig. 30, when the turn table 146 has been further rotated, the floating cam 129 has been disengaged from the drivlng system so as to put the record player completely into the playing state. This state is obtained while the stylus moves along the lead-in groove 107a of the record medium. More specifi-cally, as the highest part of the floatin~ cam 129 in rotation has passed by the roller 132, the floating cam 12~ is raisded up by the force of the compression sprlng 130. The roller 132 may be lowered by a distance corresponding to the clearance between the retaining pin 142 and the retaining cam 143. However, any further vertical movement is prevented by the retaining pin 142 whlch is received by the recess of the retaining cam 143.
2~ Consequently, the floating cam 129 is raised by the force of the spring 130 until the roller 132 comes into contact with the roller 132 so that the claw 129a of the floating cam 129 is disengaged from the loc~ing screw 122, as will be clearly seen from the Figure, and is separated 2~ from the rotation of the turn table shaft 123 of the turn table 14~. The floating cam 129 is retained by the roller and the cam shaft 131 which is rotating together wlth the turn table shaft 123 freely rotates in the central 3' 1 bore of the floatlng cam 129. In thls state, the load of the vertical movement of the switch actuatlng plate 138 and the lift plate 145, whlch are operated by the floating cam 129, is separated from the record playing mechanlsm so as to put the record player completely into the playing state.
The stylus 108a of the pickup 108, whlch has been moved along the recording groove 107b, then moves into the lead-out groove 107c. In this state, although not shown, an automatic stop pin mounted on the turn table 146 is proJected to contact to the lower end of the retaining cam 143 so that the recess 143a of the retaining cam 143 is disengaged from the retaining pin 142 fitted to the lower end of the switch actuating plate 138, in the direc-tion of rotation of the turn table 146. Consequently, theswltch actuating plate 138 is moved vertically by the compresslon spring 143 so that the switch actuating plate rack 136, pinlon 135 and the lift rack 134 are reversely actuated to lower the lift plate 145, thereby to retract the pickup 108 assembly from the positlon below the lower surface D of the record guide 102, into the body of the record player. At the same time, the stylus 108a is disengaged from the lead-out groove 107c, and is moved ~ac~ to the starting position above the lead-in groove 107a by the force of a spring (not shown) provided in the turn table 146. Namely, the record player resumes the stand-~y state as shown in Fig. 28, and the play is stopped. As stated before, since the record player is p 1 correctly placed on the record medium in this state, both of the record detectlng switch 116 and the power swltch 104 are kept closed. At the same tlme, the llght-emltting diode change-over sw~tch 15 has been turned to select the stand-by dlsplay element 105a so as to keep the latter o~.
Then, as the record detecting switch 116 is opened by removing the record player as a whole from the record dlsc 101, or as the power swltch 104 is opened, the light-emitting diode 105 is de-energized and the record player is turned into the complility stopped condition. The above description is for explainlng the ordinary playing operation of the record player.
Hereinafter, an explanatlon will be made as to the optional repeating playing and optional stopping operations, with specific reference ro Figs. 31, 32 and 33.
For stopping the play at any desired moment, the cut button 103 is depressed to cause a cloc~wise rot~tion of th~ cut lever 150 around the axis of the cut lever support shaft 148, overcoming the force of the ten-sion spring 149. Consequently, the lower end surface of the retaining cam 143 is pressed by the pro~ecting end 150a of the cut lever 150 so that the retaining pin 142 fastened to the lower end of the switch actuating plate 138 is disengaged from the recess 143a of the retaining cam 143. As a result, the record player is reset to the stand-by state as shown in Flg. 28 in the same manner 1 as the final automatic stopping ln the ordinary playing operation. It is thus possible to stop the play at any desired moment.
Referring now to the repeat playing operation, this operation is lnitiated by rotating and locking the start/repeat ~witch 106. The repeat playing over the entire part of the record medium is effected in the follow-ing manner The start/repeat switch 106 is locked in the closed state, at the tlme of starting of the playing or during the playlng. Then, the aforementioned final automatic stopping mechanism functions in the stage as shown in Fig. 30 so as to reset the record player to the stand-by state as shown in Fig. 28. Thus, the lift plate 145 comes to assume the lowermost position so that the pick-up 108 is lifted to disengage the stylus 108a from the lead-out groove of the record medium 107. The stylus is then returned to the position above the lead-in groove 107a, clearing the record medium 107. Simultaneously wlth the returning of the stylus 108a, the float cam 129 is depressed 2~ overcoming the force of the compresslon spring 130, due to the lowering of the lift sllde plate 144, while keeping the contact with the roller 125 at lts lowermost part. Consequently, the claw 129a of the floating cam 129 comes to be received by the locking screw 124 so that Z5 the float cam ls operatively connected to the rotation of the turn table. In other words, the clutch between the floating cam 129 and the turn table 146 is engaged.
In this state~ since the start/repeat switch 106 L~ 'f 1 has been closed as stated before, the motor contlnues to rotate so that the floating cam 129 is rotated together with the turn table 129. Consequently, the roller 132 rolls and slidcs along the cam contour of the floating cam 129 so as to be llfted by the latter from the lower-most part of the cam nearly to the uppermost part of the same. As a result, the llft rack 134 ls moved upward so as to rotate the plnion 135 clockwise, causing a downward movement of the switch actuating plate rack 136. As the switch actuating plate 138 is lowered, the retaining pin 142 at the lower end of the same plate 138 comes to be received by the recess 143a of the retaining cam 143. At the same time, since the lift rack 134 is moved upward as stated above, the lift plate 145 is moved upward. Consequently, the arm 108b of the pickup 108 is released to cause the pickup 108 to be lnclined so as to bring the stylus 108a of the pickup into engagement with the lead-in groove 107a of the record disc 107. This state of the record player is shown in Fig. 29. As the floating cam 129 further rotates, the highest part of the floating cam 129 passes the roller 132 so that the floating cam 129 is lifted up by the force of the compression spring 130. Consequently, the claw 129a of the floating cam 129 is disengaged from the locking screw 122 to put the record player into the ordinary playing condition. This operatlon is repeated as long as the start/repeat switch 106 is kept closed at each time of functioning the automatic final stopping - 40 _ 1 mechanism.
For obtaining an optional repeat operatlon, i.e. for repeatedly performing the playing over a desired part of the record medium, the start/repeat switch 106 is locked at the closed state, ln the playing operation as shown in Fig. 30. As the aforementloned cut button 102 ls depressed, the stylus 108a of the pickup assembly 108 ls returned to the startlng position above the lead-ln groove 107a of the record medlum 107, even when the stylus 108a is moving along the recording groove lOb, l.e. even ln the mldway of the play, in the same manner as that effected by the final automatic repeating opera-tion. The stylus 108a is then put in the lead-ln groove 107a so as to start the play from the beglnning. This operatlon can be obtained at any time by any desired number of repetitions.
The construction and operatlon of the stationary record player of the invention have been described fully.
To make sure of the understanding of the lnventlon, the whole operation of the player is summarized and illust-rated in Flg. 34. In this Figure, the full line shows the ordinary playing system. Similarly, the system for repeat playing over the full part of the record medium, and the system for repeat operation over the desired part of the record medium are shown by broken lines and one-dot-and-dash linesS respectively. DGuble parallel full lines show the inoperative system.
As has been described, ln this fourth embodiment ~3~

1 of the lnventlon, the motor for drlvlng the turn table ls instantaneously energized at the time of startlng of the play so as to rotate the turn table. The clrcuit for ~upplylng the electric power to the motor is then completed by maklng use of the torque of the turn table. Once the circuit is closed, the motor can continue the rotation.
Therefore~ for starting the record player, the operator has only to touch the switch for causing the energizatlon of the motor. Thus, the record player of this embodiment exhibits a much superlor operablllty to the conventional player in which the lever is depressed and locked mechani-cally.
In addition, by continuously supplying the electrlc power to the motor, and by arranging such that the playing state can be dismissed as the playing is finished or on the midway of the playing, it becomes posslble to obtain a repeat playing through the action of a connecting means.
Further, it is possible to eliminate unfavou-rable noise in the transient period between successiveplayings in the repeat playing mode, by arranging such that the noise eliminating switch is automatically operated when the record player is reset to the stand-by state.
In any case, a simple construction and a safe operation can be obtained by adopting a floating cam as the clutch means which connects and dlsconnects the turn table to and from the driving means.

A fifth embodiment of the invention will now be described with specific reference to Figs. 35 to 38. This embodiment is similar to the first embodiment described with specific reference to Figs. 1 to 12, excepting that the see-saw member 25 described in the first embodiment is replaced by a lift member 151. In Figs. 35 to 38, reference numeral 160 denotes a shaft which is provided at the inside of the turntable 10. Lift member 151 is loosely mounted on the shaft 160 and pressed upwardly by a spring 152. Tongue 154 is integrally in-corporated with lift member 151. Projection 153 is formed on upper surface of tongue 154, and is kept in contact with sector-like tab 22 formed on pickup support 14 during playing operation. Thus, the projection 153 normally applies a biasing force from the spring 152 to the sector tab 22. Projections 155, 156 are formed on top of lift member 151, and are adapted to contact the lift plate 46. Thus, it is possible to negate the radially outward biasing force acting on the pickup assembly, i.e. the force of the spring 21 and the centrifugal force due to the rotation of the pickup 15, by making use of the mutual contact of the projection 153 and the sector-shaped tab 22. Also, th~ friction between sector-shaped tab 22 and the projection 153 damps the movement of the pickup assembly 15.
Therefore the pickup assembly 15 does not vibrate with the stylus 18 when the stylus traces the groove of the record medium.

Claims (4)

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A stationary record player comprising:
i. a turn table arranged to be rotatably driven by an electric motor, having an undersurface and defining an opening therein;
ii. a pickup, secured to said turn table, vertical-ly and laterally pivotable, and having a stylus arranged to protrude from said undersurface of said turn table through said opening;
iii. a play lever, arranged to be slid down from a stop position to a play position so as to ener-gize said electric motor;
iv. means, disposed below said play lever, for locking said play lever in the playing position;
and v. means, arranged on said turn table, for releas-ing said play lever, wherein the arrangement is such that a playing ope-ration is carried out, after said turn table has been mounted on a stationary record medium having at least in one surface thereof a recording groove and a lead-out groove, by sliding down said play lever and locking the latter with said locking means so as to allow said pickup to make said stylus engagement with said recording groove, and such that the locking state of said locking means is released by said releasing means which is actuated when said stylus coming to the lead-out groove or said turn table lifted off said stationary record medium is detected, thereby to return said play lever to the stop position.

2. A stationary record player as set forth in claim 1, wherein said releasing means comprises a see-saw member a first end of which is pushed up by the rear end of said pickup so as to retract a second end below said locking means, and said second end is raised when said stylus has come to the lead-out groove while the rear end of said pickup is free from said first end, thereby the locking state of said locking means is released by said second end when raised.

3. A stationary record player as set forth in claim 1, wherein said releasing means comprises a stop plate rotatably arranged on said turn table and a stop button which is arranged so as to freely come in and out of a recess formed in the center portion of said turn table, a first end of said stop plate being pushed up by said stop button which is depressed-in by the stationary record medium when said turn table is mounted on the stationary record medium, while a second end of said stop lever being retracted below said locking means, and said first end of said stop plate being lowered by said stop button which is projected from the undersurface of said turn table when said turn table is lifted off the stationary record medium, while said second end of said stop plate being raised so as to release the locking state of said locking means.

4. A stationary record player as set forth in claim 2, further comprising a pickup support by which said pickup is pivotally supported, a spring associated with said pickup support so as to normally bias said pickup toward the outer side of said turn table, and a sector-like tab formed on said pickup support and having a contacting surface arranged to resiliently contact with said one end of said see-saw member, said contacting surface being tapered so that when said one end of said see-saw member contacts said tapered contacting surface upon the perfor-mance of said stationary record player, said tab and said see-saw member in combination produce a force for biasing said pick-up toward the inner side of said turn table, thereby overcoming the outward biasing force exerted by said spring and the centri-fugal force acting on said pickup caused by the rotation of the latter.