US1781041A - Timing - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 11;1930. c. K. WOODBRHDGE ,7 1,041

TIMING Filed Aug. 21, 1925 2 sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 11, 1930 UNITED sf'rarss- CHARLES K. WOODBRIIDGE, or rnusrrrne, new YORK, essrenon TO mower-noun coitearner orricn PORATION, BRIDGEPO B-T, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF YORK TIMING Application filed August 21, 1923. Serial No. 658,597.

This invention relates to improvements in methods and apparatus for producing a. series of timed, audible or visible signals, as for purposes of rhythm.

One object of this invention is to utilize a sound-reproducing machine for this purpose.

Another object is to produce a regular succession of audible or visible sounds for marking time. 7

.Another object is to utilize a commercial phonograph, to produce audible or other signals, to aid in teaching the art of typewriting by inculcating students with the rhythm'of finger action, which is conducive to speed and uniformity of touch.

Another object is to provide a convenient means or method for varying the timing of such signals.

Another object is to provide a simple, inexpensive an d fool-proof device for attachment to a phonograph, permitting the available governed movement of the rotating part to cause or directly produce such signals as an incident to its rotation. J

Other objects and advantages willhereinafter appear. i

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a plan view of a dictation ma chine (here shown as a transcribing machine). partially broken away, and showing an embodiment of the present invention attached thereto.

Fig. 2 is an end view of the invention in operative position on the'dictation machine as in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an incomplete view of one member of the device att ched to part of the ma chine, showing the manner of adjusting the same to increase or diminish the strength of the sound.

Fig.4 is a perspective'view of an arm adapted to be attached to the reproducer (or recorder-reproducer) of the machine.

Fig. 5 is a perspective View of the mandrel supported member or ring which cooperates with the arm shown in Fig. 4, and is adapted to be attached to the rotating part of the machine. V

Fig. 6 is an end View, partially in cross section, of the dictation machine, showing a modified form of the invention.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of one of the members employed in this modified form.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, enlarged, of one of the members'of this modified form, arranged to vary the volume of sound. g

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary end View of the dictation machine, showing a further n odi tied form of the invention attached thereto.

Fig. 10 is a plan View of a reproducer head, showing this modification applied thereto.

Fig. 11 is a front View of the reproducerhead and showing the manner of adjusting the device to vary the volume of sound.

r Fig. 12 is a perspective View of the adjustable element of the form shown in Figs. 9,

10 and 11.

Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic view of an arrangement forproducing signals at a distance, and showing the idea of a, plurality of simultaneously produced signals, and also of signals of different kinds+in this'case, both visible and audible ones, although, of course, either type might be used alone.

1 Similar reference numeralsindicate corresponding parts throughout the. several fig ures of the drawings. p r

' One embodiment of the'invention shown in the drawings includes a striker-ring 10 (Fig. 5) in the form of a split tube, preferably formed of resilient sheet-metal. The tube has a slight taper, substantially corresponding to that of the mandrel 11 of a dictation or like machine, so as to frictionallyhold itself to' the mandrel, as shown in Fig. 1, to rotate therewith. This action of the ring 10, which is really aclinging action, is advantageous, since looseness between the ring and" the mandreldue to improper fitting of the ringwould cause the volume ofthe tick to be reduced,'or would produce a variable and uncertain ticking which, of course, is undesirable and might even render the dev1ce largely useless. All this is avoidedby hav-' ing the ring held to the mandrel by its own spring action. Further, the ring is easily applied to themandrel and may be slipped off instantly, without employing tools, when the phonograph is wanted for other use.

The sliding movement of the ring 10 on the mandrel is limited, and the operating position thus determined by an inwardly-bent stop 13 (Figs. 1 and 5) provided on the ring alongone]of its edges, which engages the end of the' mandrel; This also prevents the ringfrom being applied with the wrong end to- Ward the mandrel.

' bent'outwardly and formed .by a circumfer ential slit 14* (Fig. 5). The tip of the tongue is slightly bent to provide a nib 15 adapted,

which are disclosed herein. In the forms *The ring 10 has, projecting beyond the end of the mandrel, a yielding striker-tongue 14,

to strike and brush by a relatively-fixed part,

a such as aisoundrbox or other sound-produce ing'and transmitting means,.hereinafter described, to make a succession of'audiblesounds as the mandrel 1s rotated.

. Thej sound-producing, and transmitting means may be of various forms, several of I shown in Figslto 5,and 9 to 12, it is mounted a yoke at right anglesthereto, in whichiposi tion an end 26 ofthe finger extends into the ivention is to be used.

directly uponthe usual sound-box carriage 16 '(Fig. 1), which is placed atthe end ofthe mandrel 11,,where'it is free from the feed the present inscrew 17 when the device of The sound-producer and transmitter, in the formshown in Figs. 1 to 5, includes a yoke 18secured upon the sound-box carriage 16, by. the screws :19: and 20 found on the phonograph, and which project'overthe inner periphery of the carriage 16 and retain the usual sound-box 21 therein. Between its ends, the yoke 18 carries a finger 24, integral,

therewith, and bent downwardly from the path of the striker-tongue 14 on the ring. 10.

rot-ation'of the ring 1.0 '(inxthefdirection of thejarrow, Fig. 2) together with .its striker-.- *tongue 14, causes the nib 15 thereon tostrike against the finger 24; This produces a sound which is transmitted through the sound-box carriage, then collected by the diaphragm thereof, and finally, audibly transmitted through aylistening-tube .16 ,to the person using. the device of the v present invention. The sound that is heard is sharp and of'short' duration, and is more accurately defined as a tick, closely resembling the sound' pro duced by a metronome; This is because the end 26 of the finger 24 and the nib 15? on the ring 10 rapidly engage "and disengage. 'As

Thus, when the machineis operated, the

soon as the connection between the nib 15 and the end 26 is broken, no further audible sound is transmitted, even though the tongue 14 may continue to vibrate and the finger 24: is prevented from audibly vibrating by forming it with a stiflening rib.

In order to vary the volume of the ticking sound, thefinger 24,'with its yoke 18, may

'be adjustedto and from thefpath of the tongue 14:. This is done by loosening the screws 19 and20 '(Fig. 3) and moving the yoke upon the sound-box carriage, the yoke being provided with notches 22, 23.- The yoke may move bodily, or it maybe swung about one of the screws 1 920, asshown in Fig. 3, to alter the position of the finger 24.

This last is the preferred method, since oneof the screws may be fairly tight and the V.

machine allowed to operate until the repea-tedcontact of the tongue 14= with the arm- 24 jogs it to the position where the sound best suits the personusing the machine. 1 a

The frequency or timing of the ticks or sound may be regulated to-suit the desired conditions by means of the usual, manuallyoperable speed adjustment 12 (Fig.' 1) of the speed governor, which may be of any -3 suitable type, for instance that shown in the patent to Woods #1,186,638, or such as is-now found in commercial talking machines. The speed adjustment may be such as to cause the signals to begiven at uniform intervals,

or it, may be arranged to gradually accelerate l or retard the frequency of the signals in accordance with the will of the operator or a 1 predetermined plan. To accomplish the latter automatically, it is merely necessary to 1 provide a feed-screw or other device for caus "embraces the carriage and limits any possible movement of the finger longitudinally. I

In Figs. 6 and 7, there is illustrated a'modifiedform of sound-producer. This is in the formof an auxiliary sound-box, adapted to be substituted for the usual recorder orrea producer head-"the head first being removed from the frame in which it is supported upon an annular flange 27, byremoving the holding screws. This auxiliary soundgbox con- 1 sists of a casing including an uppendisc shaped head 28, having a centrally-flanged,

tubular outlet 29 to which .the listening-tube. 1,257

30 maybe attached. A cone-shaped base31 is secured to .the'headand is provided with a peripheral flange 32, engaging the inner cylindrical wall of the frame'and resting upon the flange 27 A hardened steel point 33 is provided centrally of the conical section and projects into thepathof the spring leaf 14 of the ring 10 (Fig. 6), and which engages it periodically as the ring is rotated. With this form of the invention, the periodic ticking sound produced upon the hardened steel point is amplified directly within the soundbox and transmitted through the listening tubes'to the operator.

In Fig. 8, there is illustrated a modification of the form of sound-producer shown in Figs. 6 and 7, adapted to permit of the adjustment of the point, to increase or diminish the ticking volume. In this form, theconical end of the head isprovided interiorly with screwt-hreads 34, and the hardened steel point is screw-threaded to engage the same, being rounded at its exposed end to engage the spring leaf of the ring, and being provided at its inner end with a kerf 36 adapted to be engaged by a screw-driver, or the like, in-

serted through the tubular outlet of the head,

to adjust the degree of projection. of the point, and thereby the ticking volume.

In Figs. 9 to 12, there is illustrated a further modified form of the invention The sound-producer consists of a finger 37, arcuate in shape and adapted to overlie the forward inside quarter of the ,reproducer headtrame, and'being providedat its inner end with a downwardly-bent finger 38, disposed at the side of the reproducer-head and tapered to a point, extending into the path of the spring-leaf 39 of a ring 40 (Fig. This ring is slightly different than the r1ng 10 provided in the other forms shown in Figs. 1 to 8; for, the spring-tongue or leaf'39 is provided at the inner 41 at the outer end, while the ring 10 has the tongue 14 at its outer end and the lug 13 near its inner end. j

A pair of holes 42 and 43 (Fig. 12) are provided adjacent the forward end of the member 16, at either side of an angular bend 4 4, the extremity of the member being secured by a screw 45 extending through the hole 42. Aset screw 46 engages the hole 43, preventing angular movement'ot the member about the screw 45, and putting the member under tension,so that by adjusting the screw 46, the degree of engagement of the finger 38 with the spring-leaf 39. may be regulated, and thereby theticking volume increased or d1- minished, as desired. The normal function of the screws 45 and 46 is to'attach the pointer or index 47 of the reproducer-head.

The invention disclosed herein provides an audible timing device of extreme simplicity, and one which operates with the greatest i precision. It is, furthermore, capable of very close adjustments,either as to timing or vol ume. The same may be readily attached to, or removed from, dictation machines, with outthe necessity of making any changes therein to accommodate it; and it cannot, in

endv and the stop-lug and also the combination of the two. These may-be controlled at a distance by the attachment to the phonograph, by arranging the ring so that it will close an electric circuit 50 when it engages thebox 31. The circuit 50 has a source of current supply 51, a lamp 52, and a solenoid 53 all arranged in series. The solenoid operates a striker 54 for a bell 55 against the tension of a spring 56 when the circuit is closed to produce the audible signal. -At the same time, the lamp 52 glows and gives the visible signal. The circuit is 'maintained closed for a short interval, because oi the shape and position of the parts, so that the lampmay have time to 7 come to substantially full brilliancy for each signal.

The timbre of the audible signal may be varied as desired by making the various parts of suitable material.

It should be understood that the present invention may be applied to other forms and types of talking machines and other soundproducing or other movement-impartingmachines, and that portions of the invention may be used without others. For instance, the ring 10 may be provided as an attachment separate from the means which it engagesto produce thesound, and it may be made of any shape toproduce the results hereindescribed.-

Moreover, attention is invited to the fact that applicant s conception is not limited to the specific embodiment hereindisolosed, but may,in fact, have a very wide and ever-growing field of use. For instance, in the field of safety engineering, itis highly desirable to provide an automatic signal, operating with the movement of a machine which will give a warning when the operation has progressed toa predetermined part of its cycle. This signal might be a visible onesuch as the movement of a small, mechanically-opera-ted warningor danger flag, to a position in front of the operators fingers'to warn him, for instance, that the machine is about to close; it might include a double signal, such as a tick or a bell; or itmight include a combination oftwo or more dissimilar signals. A visible signal depending uponthe faculty of sight, in combination with'another signal dependinguponthe faculty of hearing, would presumably furnish an added safeguard over either'type of signal used alone. The inventors concept is broadly,'

an incident to the operation of a'machine,

or other movement-imparting device; and

second, to a, Combination of a plurality of,

I difierent .kindsof signals operatedautomatieach other. a 02. In combination, a rotat1ngrecord-supcally in thisma e Further, the device of this invention may be usedas an adjunct ,or auxiliary to ma.- chinesflto be operated manually at predetermined times. In this case, the signals would serve as a guide to the operator to indicate the .tiijnes When the machineshould be op- 3 erated, andpwill tend to keep the operator working at the required speed,

Variations and modifications may be resorted to Within the. scop'eof this invention,

and. portions of the improvements may be used without others. f

Having described the nvent on, what s claimed/is:

.1. In combination, a rotating record-sup;

port having-a contact'member, a second contact memberdisposed in the path of the first contact member,'one of the members being resilient, and means whereby the members producestacc'ato sounds upon contact with port having a contact member, a SBCOIId'COIl'? tact member disposed inv the pathof the first contact member, means whereby thesecond contact member may bermoved to a greater v or less degree into thepath of the first con tact member, and means for fixing the second member. in such adjusted'position.

3. In combination, a rotating record-supponting mandrel, and means, adapted to be 7 timingsignals.

removably mounted upon themandrel inter-V changeably with a record timing-signals.

to produce periodic 45. In combination, a rotating mandrel,

' spring. sleevemounted upon the'mandrel, Sl311k815135182fl'18, carried by the. sleeve, and

means adapted to bee intermittentlystruck by the strikermeans to produce 7 audible 5.. Incombination, a rotating mandrel, a

-' split resilient sleeve. slidably mounted upon the mandrel, an integral arm bent therefrom and adaptedto, abut with the end of the mandrel tolimit the sliding movement of the sleeveonthe mandrel, a projecting spring 7 leaf bent from the sleeve, and means adapted to be intermittently engaged by the spring leafto produce-periodic timing-signals.

- 6.. In; combination, a rotating member, a

soundbox, a sound-box having .a diaphragm support, means for retaining the sound box in thesupp'ort, and a member unconnected with said diaphragm and secured in vi ration-transmitting relation. to the sound-box by thegsound-box retaining means, themember beingadapted to beintermittently engagedby-therotating member toproduceperiodic audible {timing-signals.

7.- ;Inv combination, a rotating 7 member, a i sound-boxhaving, a vibration responsive member, a'contaet member hav ng means disthe rotation thereof.

posed in the path of said rotatingmember to be intermittently engaged thereby .to pro:

duce audible,- timing-signals, means for mounting said contact member in jspaced relation, to said vibration responsive member,

said last means being adapted to @permit ad-j justment of said contact member toregulate its engagement with the rotating member and to prevent accidental displacement thereof, 8. In combination, aflrotating record-support, a sound-box: for reproducing sound record-edona.record adapted' to bemounted l on the record-supportfand. a .timin -mechanism includingm'eans on. the recor support and means on the sound-box adapted to contact-and produce an audible signal.

9; In combination, a rotating record-sup port, a {sound-boa 'for reproducing sound recorded on 'a record adapted to be mounted on therecord support, timingemechanismjininterval between signals. r

10 In combination, a :rotatingrecordsup port, a stationary member,'.'and a timingmechanism includmg a'member mounted on the stationary member andzanother member removably mounted on the rotating record.-

support adapted to contact with the member on the stationary membertomake an audible sound as the record-support rotates; 11. Asa new article of manufacture, a. de-

vice for attachment to a rotating record sup port of a phonograph to intermittently pro duce ticking sounds as an'incident to its:ro tatlon. J I p 'f I I 12. as a new article of manufacture, ade

vice. for attachment to a rotating record-supv port of a phonograph, including a striker adapted to produce a; sound when the recordsupport rotates. 1

g 13. Asa new article of manufacture, an attachment for'phonographs adapted to be at taclied toth-e rotating member thereofhaving means for causing short, sharp individually audible sounds to' jbe produced in suecession at regular intervals as incident to 14. .As a new article of manufacture, an at tachment for phonographshaving. a' rotating member, said attachment being adapted to frictionally and detachably engage the rotating member therefor and havinguneans for causing signals to be produced as an incident to the rotation of the rotating member.

15. In combination, a continuously driven record=support, and .means comprising a member ,co-operating therewith to- @simultae neously produce periodic audible and visible timingssignals as a result ofigs-uch co-opera- .tion.

record-support, and means comprising a, member (Jo-operating therewith to produce at a distance, periodic separately perceptible timing-signals as a result of such co-operation.

Signed at Bridgeport, in the county of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, this l lth day of August, A. D. 1923.

CHARLES K. WOODBRIDGE.

r H MH MW r,

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,781,041. Granted November 11, 1930, to

CHARLES K. WOODBRIDGE.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 4, line 54, claim 6, strike out the words "soundbox, a sound-box having a diaphragm" and insert instead "sound-box having a diaphragm a sound-box"; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 6th day of January, A. D. 1931.

M. J. Moore,

(Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

Images