US1399187A - Phonograph-brake - Google Patents

Description

A. F. BRUHY.

PHONOGRAPH BRAKE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 15, 1920.

Patented Dec. 6, 1921.

vI NVE N T [3 QATTCIRNEV.

PATENT OFFICE.

ALEXANDER F. BRUHY, OF PLYMOUTH, WISCONSIN.

PHONOGRAPH-BRAKE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 6, 1921.

Application filed November 15, 1920. Serial No. 424,316.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that ALEXANDER F BRUHY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Plymouth, in the county of Sheboygan and State of Visconsin, has invented a certain new and useful Phonograph-Brake, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates in general to improvements in the construction and operation of devices for controlling the operation of sound reproducing machines, and relates more specifically to improvements in automatic stop or brake mechanisms for phonographs and the like.

An object of the invention is to provlde an automatic stopping device for sound reproducing machines, which is simple in construction and efiicient in operation.

A number of the more specific objects of the invention are as follows To provide an exceedingly rapidly acting and positive brake for the moving elements of sound reproducing machines, which will entirely eliminate so-called drag on the records.

To provide a compact, automatic, sensitive and readily operable stop for phonograph motors, which will avoid danger of injuring the records.

To provide a phonograph brake which is readily applicable to most any of the standard disk record sound reproducing machines, and which eliminates necessity of suspending elements constituting part of the mechanism, from the tone arm of the phonograph.

To provide stop mechanism for phonographs in which the. various elements are readily adjustable to produce most eflicient operation, and in which the parts are readily accessible for inspection and adjustment.

To provide a stop mechanism for sound reproducing machines, which may be neatly formed of sheet metal, which may be quickly assembled and dismantled, and which may be manufactured at minimum cost.

To provide other improvements in the manufacture and operation of brake mechanisms, which will facilitate the construction of such devices and which will enable them to most efliciently perform their functions.

A clear conception of an embodiment of the invention and of the operation of a device constructed in accordance therewith,

may behad by referring to the drawing accompanying and forming a part of this specification, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts in the various views.

Figure 1 is a top view of a sound reproducing machine showing an automatic stop applied thereto, the brake being set.

Fig. 2 is an'enlarged side elevation of the gripping device for holding the brake in released position, the View being taken along the line II'II of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged transverse vertical section through the gripping device, the section being taken along the line III-III of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrow.

'Fig. 4 is an enlarged transverse vertical section through the gripping device, the sectionbeing taken along the line IVIV of F ig. 2, looking in the direction'of the arrow.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged transverse vertical section through the gripping device, the section being taken along the line V-V of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrow.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged transverse vertical section through the brake, the section being taken along the lineVI-VI of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

The sound reproducing machine or phonograph'to which the automatic stop or brake mechanism has been herein shown as applied, is of the disk record type and comprises a circular horizontal record support B rotatable about a central vertical spindle by means of a suitable motor, and a tone arm A swingable to and fro above the record support B about a vertical axis located rearwardly of the periphery of the record support. The record support B is ordinarily formed of sheet material and has a cylindrical peripheral downwardly projecting flange 25 formed integral therewith. The swinging end of the tone arm A is ordinarily provided with a reproducer having a needle which is adapted to engage the spiral groove of a record resting upon the support B. As the support B is rotated, the spiral thread of the record urges the tone arm A toward the axis of the support B.

The stop mechanism comprises a brake 4 pivotally supported upon a base plate 1 by means of a pivot 24, an elongated arm 2 rigidly adjustably associated with the brake 4, a friction rod 21 associated with the end of the arm 2, a tension spring 6 connecting the base plate 1 with a portion of the arm 2 remote from the brake pivot 24, a pair of gripping jaws'7, 12 engageable with opposed surfaces or sides of the rod 21, a compression spring 17 for urging the jaws 7, 12 toward each other, and an adjustable releasing lever 18 for separating the jaws 7, 12 to permit setting movement of the brake 4.

The brake 4 is provided with a renewable brake shoe which is directly engageable with the inner surface of the, peripheral flange 25 of the support B. lVhile it is preferable to have the brake 4 engageable with the inner surface of this flange or rim in order to avoid excessive noise during setting of the brake, and also because the brake is thus hidden from view by the turn table or sup port B, it is obvious that the brake 4 may be placed in proximity to an outer surface of the support B if so desired. The longitudi nal brake arm 2 is provided with an actuatinghandle 3 and is retained in position by the same pivot 24 which coacts with the brake 4, see Figs. 1 and 6. The arm 2 is rigidly adjustably secured to the brake 4 by means of a clamping screw 5. By manipulating the screw 5, the brake 4 and, arm 2 may berelatively angularly adjusted about their common pivot 24, to change the position of the brake 4 relatively to the turn table rim. The tension spring 6 which connects the arm 2 with the base plate 1, urges the brake 4 towardthe turn table rim 25 and sets the brake 4 automatically when the rod 21 is released. The base plate 1 isattached to the top of the phonograph cabinet by means of screws.

The brake arm 2 extends rearwardly underneath the record support B and has its rear end connected with an end of the rod 2, the opposite end of which rests between the local projections formed on a pad 13 of the stationary jaw 7, see Figs. 1, 2 and 5. The end of the rod 21 adjacent to the gripping jaws is provided with a fixed collar 22 and an upturned portion 23 which form stops for limiting the longitudinal movement of the rod 21. The local pad'13 and the rod guiding projections thereon are formed by distorting the metal of the aw 7, with a die or the like, and the jaw 7 is preferably secured to the top of the phonograph bymeans of screws. The stationary jaw 7 has an upwardly extending ear 8 formed integral therewith, to whicha pivot 9 is rigidly secured. Upon the pivot 9 is mounted a sleeve 11 which is held against endwise movement by the head 10 on the pivot 9 and by the ear 8. The movablejaw 12 and the actuating lever 18 are mounted upon the sleeve 11, these elements being separated by a friction disk 19 against which the lever 18 is urged by means of a leaf spring 20, see

Figs..2, 3 and 4. The movable jaw 12 en gages an upper surface of the end of the riction rod 21 and is movable in the plane of the pad 13 and substantially at right angles to the plane of movement of the rod 21.

' The jaw 12 has a rear projection 14 provided with a lateral flange or projection 15 to which a stop screw 16 is adjustably secured. The lower extremity of the screw 16 is engageable with the end of the jaw 7 and limits the extent of separation of the jaws 7, 12. A helical compressionspring 17 embraces the screw 16 and reacts against the ends of the jaws 7, 12 thereby urging these jaws toward each other and causing the jaws to gently but firmly grip the intervening end of the rod 21.

The normal operation of the stop mechanism is as follows. Assuming the brake 4 to be set, that is, with its shoe in engagement with the turn table rim 25, if it is desired to set the stop mechanism so as to stop the rotation of the support B at a predetermined time, the tone arm A may be swung to the position in which it is desired to have the same when setting of the brake 4 is to occur. The lever 18 should then be set to a position of contact with the side'of the tone arm, such setting being readily permitted by the frictional connection between the lever 18 and the movable jaw 12. After properly positioning the tone arm A so as to bring the reproducer needle to the periphery of the record, rotation of the support B may be. effected by swinging the brake 4 and brake arm 2 inan anti-clockwise direction about their common pivot, with the aid of the handle 3. "The brake 4 isthus released, the end of the rod 21 sliding rearwardly between the jaws 7, 12 during the releasing movement, and the brake 4 being held, in released posi tion by the gripping action of the aws 7, 12 as roduced by thespring 17.

s the tone arm A swings acrossthe support B, it eventually engages the upper end of the releasing lever 18. The moment the lever 18 is moved in'an anti-clockwise direetion as viewed inFig. 2, the movable jaw 12 is also moved in a like direction against the, action of the spring 17, the frictional connection between the'lever 18 and the jaw 12 being sufficient to overcome the pressure exerted by the spring 17 without changing the relative positions of the lever and jaw. As the movable jaw 12 is elevated relatively to the pad 13 and local projections of the stationary jaw 7, the friction rod 21 1s released and the spring 6 becomes effective to snap the brake 4 against the turn table rim thereby stopping the support B.

From this description it will be obvious that the turn table or support B may be ac curately stopped at any desired time and that such stoppage is effected substantially instantaneously and entirely without noise such as ordinarily results by releasing a latch or pawl. The rapidity of action of the stop entirely eliminates undesirable drag on the record and thus avoids danger of in juring the record thread.

The stop mechanism is readily attachable to or removable from most any of the standard disk record sound reproducing machines and necessity of suspending brake elements from the tone arm of the machine, is entirely eliminated. The various elements of the machanism are quickly and accurately adjustable to produce most efiicient operation and all parts are freely accessible by merely removing the record support B.

The several elements of the structure may be neatly formed with dies and screw machines, and the device may be quickly assembled and dismantled. The parts when finished by plating present a. neat appearance, and mc y be manufactured in quantity at exceedingly moderate cost.

It should be understood that it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact details herein shown and described, for obvious modifications within the scope of the appended claims may occur to persons skilled in the art.

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent 1. In combination, a movable'element, a movable brake for said element, means movable and associated with said brake, gripping means frictionally engagable with said movable means to hold said brake in one position,and means for releasing said gripping means to permit movement of said brake to another position.

2. In combination, a movable element, a movable brake for-said element, means movable and associated with said brake, gripping means movable transversely relatively to the direction of movement of said movable means to hold said brake in one position, and means for releasing said gripping means to permit movement of said brake to another position.

3. In combination, a movable element, a movable brake for said element, means movable and associated with said brake, gripping means frictionally engageable with said movable means to hold said brake in released position, and means for releasing said gripping means at a predetermined time to permit setting movement of said brake.

4. In combination, a movable element, a movable brake for said element, means movable and associated with said brake, gripping means movable transversely relatively to the direction of movement of said movable means to hold said brake in released position, and means for releasing said gripping means at a predetermined time to permit setting movement of said brake.

5. In combination, a turn table, a movable brake for said turn table, gripping means frictionally associable with said brake to hold the same in one position, and means for releasing said gripping means at a predetermined time to permit movement of said brake to another position.

6. In combination, a turn table, a brake movable into engagement with said turn table, gripping means frictionally associable with said brake to hold the same out of engagement with said turn table, and means for releasing said gripping means to permit movement of said brake into engagement with said turn table.

In combination, a turn table, a brake movable into engagement with said turn table, gripping means for frictionally holding said brake in released position a lever movable in proximity to said turn table, and means operable by said lever to release said gripping means and to permit setting movement of said brake.

8. In combination, a turn table having a laterally projecting rim, a brake movable into engagement with the inner surface of said rim, means for frictionally holding said brake in released position, and means operable by the movement of said turn table to release said frictional holding means and to permit movement of said brake into engagement with said rim.

9. In combination, a movable element, a brake for said element, and a gripping device for holding said brake in a predetermined position relatively to said element, said gripping device comprising a pair of relatively movable jaws and means for urging said jaws against opposed surfaces of a portion of said brake.

10. In combination, a movable element, a brake for said element, and a gripping'device for holding said brake in released position, said gripping device comprising a stationary jaw engageable with a portion of said brake, a movable jaw engageable with the opposite side of said brake portion, and means for urging said jaws toward each other.

11. In combination, a movable element, a brake for said element having a rod associated therewith, a gripping device engageable with opposed portions of said rod to hold said brake in a predetermined position, and means operable by said movable element to release said gripping device.

12. In combination, a brake, a gripping device for frictionally holding said brake in released position, and means for varying the holding pressure exerted by said gripping device.

13. In combination, a brake, a rod adjust ably associated with said brake, a pair of relatively movable jaws engageable with 0pposed portions of said rod, and means for urging said jaws against said rod portions to hold said brake in a predetermined position.

14:. In combination, a brake, a rod secured to said brake, a jaw coacting with a portion of said rod, a second jaw coacting with an opposed portion of said rod, and meansfor urging said jaws against the adjacent portions of said rod to hold said brake in a predetermined position.

15. In combination, a brake, a rod secured to said brake, a stationary jaw engaging a lower portion of said rod, a movable jaw engageable with an upper portion of said rod, and resilient means for urging said movable jaw toward said stationary jaw to clamp said rod andhold said brake in released position. a

16. In combination, a brake movable in a plane, and a pair of jaws relatively movable in a plane transverse to the plane of movement of said brake to hold said brake in a predetermined position.

17. In combination, a turn table movable in a plane, a brake movable in a plane parallel to the plane of movement of said table, and a pair of jaws relatively movable in a plane transverse to the planes of movement of said brake and said table to hold said brake in a predetermined position relatively to said table.

18. In combination, a brake, and a gripping device for frictionally holding said brake in a predetermined position. 7

19. In combination, a brake, and a gripping device for holding said brake in a predetermined position, said device comprising a stationary jaw, a movable jaw pivotally associated with said stationary jaw, and an actuating lever for said movable jaw frictionally associated therewith 20. In combination, a brake,'and a gripping device for holding said brake in released position, said device comprising a stationary jaw having an elevated local pad, engageable with a portion of said brake, a movable jaw movable in the plane of said local pad, and an actuating lever for said movable jaw adjustably connected thereto.

. 21. In combination, a brake, a rod flexibly connected to said brake, astationary aw engaging said rod, a movable jaw engageable with said rod and movable toward said stationary jaw, and an actuating lever for said movable j aw adjustably connected thereto.

. 22. In combination, a brake, a rod flexibly connected to said brake, means for adjusting said rod relatively to said brake, a spring coacting with said brake to set the same, a pair of jaws adapted to grip said rod to hold said brake in released position, and an actuating lever for one of said jaws adjustably connected thereto. I

28. In combination, a turn table, a brake for said table, a rod connected to said brake, a spring for moving said brake into engagement with said table, means adapted to grip said. rod to hold said brake out of engagement with said table, an actuating lever adjustably associated with said means, and a tone arm movable by said turn table and engageable with said lever to actuate said means and release said brake.

24:. In combination, a turn table, a brake for said table, a rod adjustably connected to said brake and extending under said table, a spring associated with said brake to set the same, a pair of jaws adapted to grip said rod to hold said brake in released position, an actuating lever adj ustably associated with one of said vjaws and extending upwardly above said table, and a tone arm movable over said table and engageable with said lever to actuate said jaws and release said brake.

In testimony whereof, the signature of the inventor is afiixed hereto.

- ALEXANDER F. BRUHY.

Images