US1313342A - Talking-machines - Google Patents

Description

J. T. SIBLEY.

COMBINED TONE ARM AND .STOP DEVICE FOR TALKING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED mus. 1912.

1,313,342; Patented Aug. 19, 1919.

5. INVENTOR. WITNES' ES: V

0&0 /Z( JMWJTTO NEm JAMES r. SIBLEY, 0F NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.

COMBINED TONE-ARM AND STOP DEVICE FOR TALkING-MAG HIN'ES.

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, James T. Sinner, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of Newark, county of Essex, and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Combined Tone-Arms and Stop Devices for T alking- Machines, of which the following is-a specification.

The tone arm which forms the subject' matter of my invention contains several novel features, as for example,'a self-contained adapter whereby the sound box mounted upon the free end of the tone arm may be made to occupy several positions corresponding with the requisites necessary to play the three general classes of records with the same sound box. 7

Phonograph records are classified by the manufacturers into two general types. The

first type is known as the zig zag record,

wherein, the record groove has a laterally undulating spiral groove of uniform depth. The second type is known as the hill and dale type of record, wherein, the record groove is a. spiral of nonuniform depth. The termhill and dale aptly describes this type of record. The second be further subdivided into two subtypes of records according to the character of the cutting stylus which forms the groove. The well-known Edison record belongs to the first subtype, wherein the groove is formed by means of a button or gouge stylus; it is substantially circular in cross section. The second subtype includes the well-known Path record in which the record groove is outwith a pointed stylus to a-varying depth, but without lateral undulation.

In reproducing records of the first type the best results are obtained by mounting the sound box with its diaphragm in a lane perpendicular to the plane of the recor and with the stylus bearing upon the record at an inclination of from 30, to 40, degrees from the perpendicular. With the Edison record the diaphragu'i of the sound-box in a plane parallel to the record and with the stylus slightly out of'pcrpendicular to the plane of the record. With the Path type, the best results are obtained by arranging the diaphragm in position, so that its plane will cut the plane of the record at an angle of from 50 to degrees, with probably the best results obtained at 5c degrees. ,Nmner the best results are obtained by arranging y may Specification of Letters Patent. ,Patelited Aug, 19,1919.

Application filed July 9, 1917 Serial No. 179,365.

ous attempts have been made to make a single adapting device whereby, records of the grmnaphone or laterally undulating type, and also the so called Path records could be played by shifting the position of the sound-box upon the end of the tone arm. Againmeans have been provided for adapting the sound-box to play both records of the lateral undulating type, and also of the so called Edison type, by shifting the sound-.

box from aplane perpendicular to-the face of the record to the plane parallel to the face of the record. I am not aware however, that thecombination in the same means, has ever prov ided for playing all three of the aforesaid types' of-records, and, it is the object of my invention to provide such means in a single unitary tone arm.

A further object of my invention is to provide means in connection with the tone].

--arm whereby whenever the tone arm and sound-box are in playing position the motor will be set"in operation and when the tone arm is swung to the side of the record and released, with the sound-box 'free from the record, then the motive power will be completely out off.

I have also provided a novel ball bearing for the tonearm whereby, the same is rendered very much more free in its movement and consequently creates far less drag upon the motion.

In carrying out myinvention I make use .of the structures described in the following spedification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein,

Figure 1, is a side elevation of my improved tone arm and stop device.

Fig. 2,- is a plan view of the same.

--Fig. is a fractional side elevation of the free end of the'tone arm illustrating the position of the parts assumed whenplaying a Path record.

Fig. 4, is a side elevation partly in section showing the means for locking the parts of the adapter in place.

Fig. 5, is an enlarged vertical section of the tonearm bearing, also showing the circui't breaker connections.

- F ig. this a section of the sound-box relieving mechanism for relieying a portion of the weight of the sound-box upon the record.

Similar reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the specification and drawings.

- The elbow member 3, is cumferential slot 23, having the other e The tone arm consists of the L-shaped tapered member 1, and its pivoted sound-box extension to which the tubular adapter member 3, is secured, from which latter the sound-box elbow 4, also extends. The supporting member 5, is provided with the flat flange 6, by which the same is secured to the motor board 7, by the several screws 8. This supporting member is provided with the upwardly extending thimble 9, having its upper margin ehamfered or beveled as at It is also pr'ovided with the annular upwardly extending flange 11, to which the overhangin angular, ball bearing ring 12, is adjustabI secured by means of the set screws 13. The lower end of the tone arm member 1, has an outwardly flaring inclined flange 14, at itslower margin, and said flange 14, together with the flange 11, and the ring 12, form a raceway for the lower set of balls The interior of the lower end of the 1, is enlarged so that it tubular thimble 9. It is also provided with the shoulder 16, which in conjunction with the beveled part, 10, of the thimble. 9, forms a race-way for the tone arm member may slip over the cllicient ball-bearing for LNG tone arm member 1, upon the-supporting member 5.

The outer end of the tone ;arm member 1,

is providedwith a pair of forwardly extending lugs 18, between which the ball 19, is supported, by means of the t-runnions 20, thepurpose being to form a species of ball and socket joint between the members 1 and 2, of the tone arm.

The member 2, of the tone arm extends forwardly and downwardly as shown, into the free end of which the obtuse-angled elbow member 3, is fitted and permitted to oscillate about the common axis. The soundbox member 4, is a short rectangular elbow section fitted into the free end of the memher 3. against the shoulder 22, and about which it may oscillate to a limited extent.

rovided with a cirthe enlarged circular ends 24. This slot extends around the end of the ni'ember 3, about 90 degrees. In this slot is located a headed spring pressed bolt 25. The inner head 21, of this bolt is tapered to fit snugly the enlargements 24, at the ends of the slot 23. The outer end of the bolt extends somewhat beyond the. mem her 3, and is provided with the detachable head 25' between which and the sideof the member 3, is located the spring 26. the structure being such that when the tapered head is inserted into one of the enlargements 24, of the slot. the 'member 3, is locked in place in the. end of the member 2: but upon iressing the bolt inward the parts are unloc ed and the member 3. may be. turned to a osition for the head to engage n largement. The, sound-box el- Figs. 1, and 2, and the position shown in Fig. 3. In the position shown in Fig. 1, the axes of the two membeis 2, and 3, lie in the same vertical plane. In the position shown in Fig. 3, the member 3, is turned through an angle of 90 degrees with its outer end turned laterally. In the posit-ion indicated in Figs. 1, and 2, the elbow member 4, may be made to occupy two positions, one in which the free end is turned laterally or horizontally to receive the sound-box.30, with the diaphragmthereof in the vertical plane. In the other position the free end of the member 4, is turned down with the diaphragm of the sound-box 30, parallel to the 'plane of the record the stylus needle is presented in the sub stantial vertical position to the record or at right angles to the stylus lever so that in this position Edison records may be played. In the position shown in Figs. 1, and 2, with the sound-box diaphragm in-a vertical plane or the plane perpendicular to the plane of the lecord, the lateral nndulatingtype of record may be played. When the member the elbow member 4, may be turned up- 31. -In this case wardly at an angle otbetween 30 and 40 degrees to the plane of the record, in which position the diaphragm of the sound box will be in a-plane at an angle of between 50 and (30 degrees to the plane ofthe record,

in which position records of the Path type may be played. So that with the members 2. 3. and 4. coupled together and of the angular form shown. the three several positions requisite to playin the three types of records may be assumed by the sound-box.

In my prior application, Serial No. 175,- 565. filed June 19, 1917. I have illustrated and described an electric motor for driving tluxtnrntable of talking machines,'in which a switch, located in the electric circuit is diagrammatically shown. The tone arm above. described is admirably adapted for use in connection with the said electric motor \ahd the clectric circuit. for operating such motor may be connected up to this tone arm in such a manner that when said tone arm is in playing position, with the sound-box stylus needle. resting upon the surface of therecord to .be played. the switch will be closed.

\\ 'h en the tone arm is swung to theside of the record and the member 2,

V and therebycut off the motive current from v the sound-box is utilized to open this switch the-m0tor.- This function is accomplished by the following mechanism:

Mounted -upon the ring 12, is an arcshaped piece of insulating material 32, arranged concentric to said ring as shown and secured in place by means of the screws 33. Upon the outer face of this insulating material is secured a contact strip 34, extend-- iderable distance, as shown,-

general contour of the under side of said member is a rod 37. This rod is guided in diametrica'l apertures 38, and 39, in the member 1, and also in an apert red bracket 40, upon the under side of sai member 1. Upon the outer free end of said rod 37,- is located a contact piece 41, in position to engage the contact strip 34, and in order to insure-such contact I provide a. collar 42, upon saidrod upon the opposite side of the member 1 and surround the rod 37, betweensaid collar 42, and the body of the member 1, with a) spring This always insures contactybe'ween the contact piece 41, and

the strip '34. 'The1r0d37, extends as above noted, horizontally through the bracket 40,

to a point beneath the trunnion 20. lbs

tendingdownwardly-from the ball '19, is an arm-44, in position to engage thefree end of the rod 37, adjacent thereto. It'will benoted now that :wheneverathe member 2, is raised to carry the arm 44, clear of the end of the rod 37, 'then.-the spring 43, will reciprocate the rod 37, and bringthe contact piece41, into contact with the strip 34, thereby closing the circuit. When, however, the member 2, is permitted to .swing downwardly upon the trunnions 20, as for example, when the tone arm is swung free from a record and the sound-box permitted to drop b'y'its own weight then the arm 44, will swing into contact'with the free end of the rod 37, and since the leverage issuflicient, the rod 37, will be pushed endwise, thereby compressing the spring 43, and carrying the contact piece 41, clear of the contact strip 34. In the playing position illustrated in Fig. 2, the arm 44, is completely free from the end of the rod 37, and only contacts with such rod when the sound-box, together with the members 2, 3, and 4, drop downwardly, 'but this can only occur when the sound box is clear of the record.

In'order' that the weight of the sound-box maybe slightly relieved from the record, I mount upon the end of the rod 87, a. sleeve 45, said sleeve being countcrbored as at -16,

to receive the spring 47, which located upon the rod 37, between the shoulder 48, of

said sleeve and. the bracket 40. The opposite end of the sleeve is counterbored as ate), and the headed screw 50, isscrewedinto the end of the rod 37. The spring 47, is insufiicient toovercome the entire weight of the tone arm members 2, 3, and 4,"together with the soun(l'bo. yet it is sufficient to relieve .the record of a portion of such weight. In'the playing position illustrated in Figs. 1,.and 6, the spring 47, is slightly compressed. If the sound box is lifted free .from the record by swinging the elements 2, 3, and -:l, upwardly upon the trunnion 20,

the arm 43, will be carried clear of thexend .of the sleeve 45,'and the spring 47, will expand to the extent permitted by the head 50.

( )n thev other hand the sleeve 45, being simply mounted uponthe rod 37,'does not interfere with said rod when the 'arm 44,

swings suflicient to contact with the head 50, and if the movement of the arm 44, 1s sufhcient the circuit will be br okcn bc tween the contact 41, and strip 34, as a-bm'e-descri bed.

The length of the strip 34, is sufficient to maintain this contact during the playing of the entire record. I regard this as an important feature of my invention, for the reason that no attention to themotor is necessary; the swinging of the soundJbox and tone arm into )layingposition and lowering of the member 2, with the stylus needle upon the record closes the circuitthrough the motor and starts-the same, while the swinging of the sound-box and tone arm free from the record and releasihg the sound-box serves to immediately break the circuit ,and stop the motor.

In or'der to regulate the tension of the spring 47, I may provide the longitudinally 'apcrturcd screw 51, through which the rod 37, may slide, screwing said screwinto the bracket 40, against the end of the spring 47.

In this manner, I may adjust the tension of thespring 47, and consequently the amount in a single structure, not only means for adapting the sound box to the several classes of records now on the market, and

also an admirable form ofbcariug for the tone arm, but more important still, a switch and stop mechanism applicable not only to the motor of my prior application, above described, but also to any electric motor used for opcral ing the. talking machine.

Tli the posltlon. shown m 1 lgs. 1, and 2 7 the contact strip 34, is of such length-that further movement of the tone arm will cause the contact all, to leave the strip 3-1, and bear upon the insulation after it has been swung to a considerable distance to the side of the record, so that even if the member 2, and sound-box 30, are lifted to replace a stylus needle, the circuit will be broken and the motor consequently not started, by

reason of the action of the spring 43, upon the rod 37. This .is as it should be for the motor should not start until'the sound-box and tone arm are in playing position with the stylus needle upon the record.

claim:

1. In a. tone arm for talking machines, the combination of a horizontally swinging sound tube having its pivot end outwardly flared to form a lower ball bearing seat and an internal annular shoulder forming anuppcr ball bearing seat, a supporting mem her having a tubular part which telescopes into, and forms a ball raceway between its upper end and said shoulder, and a ball re taining 'ring secured to said supporting member to form with said ball bearing scat a ball raceway; and separate sets of balls in said raceways respectively. p

2. In a tone arm for talking machines, the combination of a horizontally swinging sound tube and a support therefor, upon which said sound tube telescopes, a bearing between said tube and support co1npris ing upper and loner ball raceways with balls therein, the upper raceway formed by an annular shoulder upon the interior of said tube and the upper end ofsaid su port,

aring a vertical swinging e 4. In a tone arm for talking machines, the combination of a horlzontzilly swinging sound tube, having a tubular extension pivoted to the free end thereof foryertical I oscillation, an electric, circuit having a switch therein, means actuated by the upward oscillation of said extension to close said switch, and by the downward movement of. said extension to open said switch.

5. In a tone arm for talking machines, the combination of a horizontall Y swinging sound tube having a vertically oscillating tubular extension at the free end thereof, an electric circuit having a. translatin device and a switch therein, means actuatet by the,

upward movement of said extension to close said switch.

6. In a tone arm for talkin machines, the combination of a sound tube iaving a tubular extension pivoted for verticaloscillation at the free end thereof, a support for said tube about which it may 'swlngxin a horizontal plane, a reciprocating rod carried by said tubc ,ineans upon said tubular extension lib for moving said rod endwise in one direction, and a spring formoving said ro"d"'en"dwise in the opposite direction, in electric circuit having a translatin device therein, and means actuated by the c ownward' movement of said tubular extension 'andtheenfdcircuit. a

7, In a talking machine, the'coinbination of a horizontally swinging tone arm, having xtension thereon, an electric circuit, and means actuated by the downward swing of said extension to break saldcircuit, and by an upward movement thereof to close said circuit; and to break said circuit in any position of said ,extcnwise movement of said rod to break said sion upon a lateral swing of said tone arm" beyond a predetermined point.

JAMES .T.' SIBLEY.

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