US1891227A - Sound reproducing means and method - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 20, 1932.

R. T. FRIEBUS SOUND REPRODUGING MEANS AND METHOD 7 Filed Sept. 25, 1929 IIHHHHH INVENTQR REGINALD T FRIEBU Patented Dec. 20, 1932 1TB!) STATES- PATENT OFFICE REGINALD T. FRIEBUS, OF MONTCLAIR, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO COLUMBIA PHONO- GRAPH COMPANY, INC., 01? BBID'GEPORT, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK SOUND REPRODUCING MEANS AND METHOD Application filed September 25, 1929. Serial No. 394,998.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in means and methods of reproducing recorded matter, as for example, sound or pictures, and relates particularly to improvements in and the carrying forward of, the invention disclosed in my application Serial Number 364,897, filed May 21, 1929.

An object of the invention is to reproduce from a record without having the means tak-' ing the recorded subject from the record come into contact with the record.

A further object of the invention is to provide a'means for reproducing from an opaque disc record, the means not contacting with the record during the reproducing operation.

An additional object is to provide means for reproducing from a disc record, the means including means for directing light onto the record and including a complementary means for collecting desired light beams reflected by the record and converting them into sound or pictures, as the case may be.

A further object of the invention is to provide a reproducing mechanism including means for directing light rays onto a record having a record groove therein, means adapted to collect reflected light rays from the groove of the record, and means to guide the reflected light ray collecting means to maintain it properly positioned relative to the record groove.

An additional object is to provide a method of reproducing from an opaque disc record by reflection.

Other and additional objects and advantages will be apparent from a consideration ofthe following detailed description taken in principle of the invention and are not to be construed as limiting it, since many changes in the construction combination and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims to which reference must be had for a definition of the limitations of the invention.

- In the drawing:

Fig. l is a top plan view showing the application of the invention, part of the turntable and record being broken away; and

1 Fig. 2 is a side elevational view thereof, partly in section;

Referring in detail to the drawing, at 5 is shown a turntable of any or the usual construction mounted on a shaft or spindle 6, driven by any suitable means (not shown). Disposed on the turntable 5 is a record 7, part of the record and part of the turntable being omitted in order that the drawing may be made on a larger scale.

It is apparent that the turntable 5 is mounted above a motor board 8. Arranged on the motor board in the rear of the turntable is a bearing 9, in which is ournaled a supporting member 10, inclining upwardly and 'forwardly as shown and to the upper forward end of which is pivotally attached as at 11, a tubular arm or support, 12.

A head-piece 13 comprising a globular portion 14 and angularly disposed neck portions 15 and 16 is secured to the forward end of the arm 12 as by telescoping the neck portion 15 into the forward end of the arm. Within the neck portion 15 is a supporting piece 17 receiving the shank or stem 18 of a light sensitive means as for example the photo-electric cell 19. Within the neck portion 16 is a lens system comprising lenses 20, 21, and 22.

Secured to the forward side of the depending neck portion 16 is a tube or housing 23 within which is disposed a pin 24 maintained in a position slightly projecting from the housing 23 as by a light coil spring 25. This pin 24 is preferably of soft metal and provided with a rounded point to ride in the groove of the record.

p In the operation of the device the pin projects from the housing 23 and rides in a record groove, the housing itself riding on the surface of the record, the spring 25 not being strong enough to lift the end of the reproducer or pick up and elevate the lower end of the tube or housing 23 ofi the record.

The relation of the lens system and the tracker pin 24 is such that the lens system is exactly centered over a groove when the pin 24 is in the same groove or an approximately adjacent groove. From this it will be seen that the pin and associated parts serve to maintain the lens system at the right hel ht and in the proper alignment with the spiral grc 1 on the record.

Light, from a suitable source 26, is thrown 0 do the record at such an angle that reflected l ght rays will be taken up by the lens system and transmitted to the photo-electric cell 19. From the photo-electric cell, wires 27 lead to a suitable amplifying arrangement or system indicated at 28 and connected by wires 29 to any loud speaker 30.

The device as described and illustrated is particularly adapted for use with so-called hill and dale records. This is true since the recordin in such records is in the bottom of the record groove and not on the side walls as in the case of laterally cut records. Therefore the light and dark spots which will be picked up by the lens system occupy a more uniform position relatively. The same principle applies, however, to a laterally cut record; the necessary changes being that pin 24 would be pivoted to swing in exactly the same manner as the standard phonograph needle now swings and would be held by a light spring to bring it back to center in the same manner that the diaphragm in the sound box of a standard acoustic reproducer brings the needle back to center. Similarly, the inertia of the tone arm or supporting arm 12 would react against the swing and the lens system remains centered over the proper groove.

From the foregoing it is believed that the construction and operation of the device will be clear. However, it is desired to emphasize the fact that the invention is useful in the reproducing of record pictures as well as re corded sound. Of course in the use of the device for reproducing pictures, a scanning wheel and projection screen would be used as disclosed in a separate application.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is 1. In a machine for reproducing recorded matter, in combination, a record having a record groove therein, means for throwing a beam of light onto said record, a lens system positioned to receive reflected light rays from said record, a light sensitive cell positioned to receive light rays passing through said lens system, means co-operating with the record groove of said record and guiding the lens system with respect to said groove, and said means comprising a soft metal pin having a rounded point operating in said groove.

2. In a machine for reproducing recorded matter, in combination, a record having a record groove therein, means for throwing a beam of light onto said record, a lens system positioned to receive reflected light rays from said record, a light sensitive cell positioned to receive light rays passing through said lens system, means co-operating with the record groove of said record and guiding the lens system with respect to said groove, and said means comprising a spring pressed pin operating in said groove.

3. In a machine for reproducing recorded matter, in combination, a record having a record 'roove therein, means for throwing a beam 0% light onto said record, a lens system positioned to receive reflected light rays from said record, a light sensitive cell positioned to receive light rays passing through said lens system, means for co-operating with the record groove of said record and guiding the lens system with respect to said groove, said co-operating means comprising a housing adapted to ride on the surface of the record, and a spring pressed pin projecting from the housing and operating in the record groove.

4. In a machine for reproducing recorded matter, in combination, a record having a record groove therein, means for throwing a beam of light onto said record, a lens system positioned to receive reflected light rays from said record. a light sensitive cell positioned to receive light rays passing through said lens system, means co-operating with the record groove of said record and guiding the lens system with respect to said groove, said co-operating means comprising a housing rigid with the lens system and adapted to ride on the record surface, and a spring pressed pin projecting from the housing and operating in the record groove.

Signed at New York, in the county and State of New York, this 30th day of August.

REGINALD T. FRIEBUS.

Images