US1906620A - Talking machine - Google Patents

Description

May 2, 1933. E. KNIGHT ET AL TALKING MACHINE Filed June 20 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l y 2, 1933. E. KNIGHT Er AL 1,905,620

TALKING MACHINE Filed June 20. 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 'YNVENTOES' Edward Enight, flarrgflrahibaid Tiwmpwtt, BY URZ AAAWM THE/E ATTOEWEK Patented M... 2, 1933;

UNITED STATES PATENT E;

anwnm KNIGHT, or fiAnLme'roN, am HARRY aacnmann 'rnomrsa'r'r, or mnme, LONDON, ENGLAND, ielssmnons, BY-JIIESNE ASSIGNMENTS, 'ro mmro conrom'rron or AMERICA, or NEW YORK, N. Y., a coaroaanon or DELAWARE TALKI NG MACHINE Application filed June 20, 1928, Serial No. 372,402, and in Great Britain July 12; 1828..

This invention relates to improvements in talkmg maclnnes and in particular to means for holding. disc records in a desired position upon a part of the machine such as the turncan be emp oyed. to'adVantage with other kinds of disc records.

The invention-consists in means for maintaining a disc record-in a desired position upon a part of the talking machine,-and is formed of a hollow body which'is adapted to contact with the surface of the disc record to cover an area of-record surface concentric 'with the record so that the space within the hollow body'is closed by the record, and a partial vacuum may be created within said space to maintain the record in contact with supporting a bearing 2 for a turntable spinsaid hollow body by suction.

Instead ofone hollow body, a number may be employed; these being situated so as to cover areas of therecord surface which are arranged symmetrically about the center ofthe record.

The walls of the hollow bodies mayrbe formed wholly or in part of rubber, leather its original dimensions and thereby producea partial vacuum;

The invention is illustrated by Way of example in the accompanying drawings as applied to a talking machine adapted to play records fed from a magazine to the turntherewith for holding a record in position on table by means, of a swinging record conveyor arm.

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of a machine embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is an elevational yiew, also diagrammatic. I

Figs. 3 and 4 are details,

Fig. 5 is a view in elevation and on a larger e scale of the turntable and parts associated theturntable, v

Fig. 6 is a plan view of conveyor arm actuating mechanism and suction controlling mechanism, said mechanism being shown in one position, and Fi 7 isfa view similar to Fig. 6, but showing t e parts in another position.

All parts of the machine not essential to" the understanding of the present invention have been omitted. p

Referring to the drawings 1 is a base plate dle 3 driven'by a moto M and carrying a turntable 4 at its' upper end. Also on the base plate is carried adixed platform 5 on which is supported a pile of records 6 to-be played, the records being centered by means of a spindle 7 mounted for vertical movement through the baseplate 1 and platform 5. A sleeve 8, als0 supported by the baseplate 1, serves as a bearing for apillar'9 which, at its upper end, carries a horizontal record con- Veyor arm 10. 4

The pillar 9 is in the form of a tube plugged at each end and is capable of being raised and lowered and rotated in the bearing sleeve 8 by known mechanism (not'shown) driven at intervals by the machine motor, to raise and lower. the arm 10 and to swing it horizontally between the position shown in the drawingsover the magazine 5 and a position over the turntable, and these movements of the arm 10 are utilized, in transferring records singly from the top of the pile 6 in the 90 magazine to the playing position on the turntable 4.

In accordance with the present invention, suction operated means are provided on the arm 10 to lift the top record from the pile. For this purpose, there is provided on the free end of the arm 10 a downwardly extending pin 11 (Fig. 2) of a size such as to engage in the central aperture in the record to be transferred, and this pin enters the central aperture of the uppermost record of the pile as the arm 10 is lowered over the magazine, the centering pin 7 sliding downwardly. At a point above thelower end of pin 11 is rigidly mounted a member 12 having a plane lower surface to which is secured a circular member ,13 of channel section (Figs. 2 and 3) of which the channel is directed downwardly. The circular member 13 is formed of rubber, leather or other resilient material, or the side walls only may be of resilient material and it may be secured to the member 12 by any convenient means, as by rivets 14. s

Within the member 12 is formed a passage 15 which communicates, on the one hand, with the interior of the channel in member 13 through a suitable aperture 16 and, on the otherv hand, with an axial passage 17 in pin 11, which passage, in turn, is connected through a union 18 with a tube 19. This tube 19 communicates by way of the interior of pillar 9 and a flexible tube 20 with an air exhaustin device 21 of any known kind.

When t earm is lowered over the magazine and the end of in-11 is engaged in the central aperture of t 1e top record of the pile in the magazine as described-above, the circular channel shaped member 13 rests with the edges of the walls of the channel in contact with the record surface, the member 13 covering an annular portion of the record surface lying concentric with the record.

When the uppermost record is to be placed in position on the turntable, a cock 22 on the exhausting device 21 is opened either by hand or automatically, as by a cam 23 driven from the machine motor. We have illustrated this asbeing done automatically by meansof a gear train '40, 41, 42, the gear 40 being mounted periodically brought into operation, at the proper point inthe automatic cycle, as by means of the clutch mechanism illustrated in Fig. 1' and described in lines 79 et seq., page, 1' of the patent to Thompsett,

42 is fixed to a shaft/43 onwhich are also mounted the cams 23 and 44.

#1,855,563, issued April 26, 1932. The gear The cam 23 acts upon a pairof rolls 45, 46

to successively move the push rod 24 in one of two directlons to operate the cock 22, the rod 24 bein shown in'Fig. 6 as having just been move to the position where it has opgned the valve 47 and closed the ,valve 48,

on the shaft of the spindle 3 and'being so that the exhausting device 21 can extract air from the conduits 16, 15, 17 19, 9 and 20 and so that the topmost record of the record pile is held against the member 13 by suction.

The arm 10 is now lifted by lifting pillar 9 in known manner, and is then swung horizontally to a position wherein pin 11 is vertically over the turntable spindle 3. This is accomplished by means of the cam 44 which acts upon a roller 49 on a push rod 51, the push rod 51 being moved in a direction such that it actuates a crank arm 52, which is fixed to the arm 10, in a counter-clockwise direction. In Fig. 7, the parts are illustrated in the position they assume when the transfer arm is over the turntable with the pin 11 vertically in alignment with the spindle 3. Thereafter pillar 9 and arm 10 are'lowered to deposit the record upon the turntable 4.

The engagement of member 13 concentrically with the record to be lifted from the pile and deposited on the turntable ensures that the record remains horizontal and stationary with regard to arm '10 throughout the movement of said arm 10. A satisfactory positioning of the record with its central ing provided, a plurality of such members may be employed as indicated in Figs. 1 and 4, where four members 13 are provided, these members being symmetrically. arranged around the pin 11 on the arm 10 so that they engage a record over areas which lie sym-' metrically around the center of the latter in order to overcome any tendency on the part of the record to tip or slip during movement of arm 10. i

The members 13 are each in communication with the exhaust conduit in pin 11 by way of passages 38.

When the arm 10 has been lowered over the turntable, the cam 23 operates upon push rod 24 to turn cock 22 to disconnect the interior of member or members 13 from the exhausting device 21, whereupon the record is released torest upon the turntable 4 in a position ready for engagement by the stylus of the reproducer 25 and playing. The previously described movements of the arm 10 are now reversed and the arm 10 returns to a position over the magazine in readiness for member 26 surrounding the usual boss 27 and the spindle 3, a clearance being provided between the ed e of the aperture 29 in the bottom of member '26 and the/spindle 3. In the'turntable itself are formed a number of apertures 28 in ositions'within a limited area concentric w1th the turntable and where they communicate with the interior of the i member 26.

The bearingfor the spindle 3 in the base plate 1 c'omprlses a ring 2 seated in an aperture in the base plate and having an enlarged upward extension in the form of a cup 30.

A packing ring- 31 and gland-32 are pro-. vided in the ring 2 to furnish an airtight bearing between said ring and-the spindle 3, and packing rings 33 and a gland 34 are provided in the cup to form an airtight joint by engagement of the rings 33 f with the external surface of. member 26 which rotates with the turntable 4. f

An aperture is formed in the wall of cup 30 in which fits a union 35 so that the interior of the member 26 may be connected through a tube 36 with the exhausting device 21.

Thus, when a record has been placed on the turntable, air may be withdrawnfrom the space in member 26 and the record is held in close contact with the surface of the turntable by the suction. J

If desired, a thin rubber pad 37 or a flat ring may be carried on the turntable 4 beneath the record to obviate or lessen the leakage of air between the record and the turntable.

In the arrangement illustrated the cock 22 on the exhausting device is a two way cock so that when the cam 23 and rod 24 operate to cut oil the suction from conveyor arm 10 after the latter has been lowered over the turntable 4 as previously described, the

exhausting device is placed in communication through cock 22 with the interior of space 26.

Although we have shown a'nd'described certain specific embodiments of our. invention, we are fully aware that many modifications thereof are possible. Our invention, therefore, is not to be restricted except insofar as is necessitated by the rior art and by the spirit of the appended c aims.

We claim:

1. In a talking machine, .driving mechanism, means for maintaininga disc record in a predetermined position comprisinga hollow body adapted to contact withthelsurface of the disc record, suction means, and

means operated by said driving mechanism for automatically establishing. communication between said suction means and said hollow body. r

2. In a talking machine, driving mechanism, means foranaintaining a disc record in a predetermined position comprising a hollow body adapted to contact with the'surface of a disc record over an area of record surface, concentr c with the record, suction means, and means operated by said driving mechanism for automatically establishing communication between sald suction means and said hollow body.

3. In a talking machine, driving mechanism, means for maintaining a disc record in a predetermined position comprising a hollow body adapted to contact with the surface of the disc record, suction means, and means including a cam operated by said driving mechanism for automatically-establishing communication between said suction means and said hollow body.v

4. In a talking machine, driving mechanism, means for maintaining a disc record in a. predetermined position comprising a hollowbody adapted to contact, with the surfaceof the disc record, suction means, a valve interposed. between said suction means and said hollow body, and means includin a cam operated by said drlving mechanism or controlling said valve for'opening and closing communication between said suction means and said hollow body.

5. In a talking machine, driving mechanism, means forvmaintaining a disc record in a predetermined position comprising -a hollow body adapted to contact with the surface of the disc record over an area concentrio with the record, suction means, a suction line including a passage connecting said suction means and said hollow body, a valve controlling said line, and means including a cam operated by said driving mechanism for controlling said valve.

6. In a talking machine, driving mechanism, means for maintaining a' disc record in with the record, suction means, and means operated by saiddriving mechanism for automatically establishing communicationbetween said suction means andvsaid hollow body.

8.- In a talking machine, driving mechamsm,'means for maintaining a disc record in a predetermmed position comprising a hollow body movable into contact with the sur-' face of a disc record, said hollow body comprising an annular member of channel section, suction means, and means operated by said driving mechanism for automatically contact with said record, said body having walls of yielding material.

10. In a talking machine, driving mechanism, means for maintaining a disc record in a predetermined position comprising a hollow body movable into coutact with the surface of a disc record, suction means, and means including a cam operated by said driving mechanism for automatically establishing communication between said suction means and said hollow body. 7

11. In a talking machine, driving mechanism, means for maintaining a disc record in a predetermined position comprising a hollow body movable to contact with the surface of a disc record, suction means, a valve for controlling communication between said suction means and hollow body, and means ineluding a cam operated by said driving mechanism for operating said valve.

12. In a talking machine, dIlVll'lg mechanism, means for maintaining a disc record in a predetermined position comprising a hollow body adapted to contact with the surface of a disc record, suction means, a valve for controlling communication between said suction means and said hollow body, and means including a cam for operating said valve, said body having walls of yielding material.

13. In a talking machine, means for maintaining a disc record in a predetermined position comprising a vertically movable arm, and a hollow body carried by said arm and movable therewith into contact with the surface of a disc record, said hollow body having walls of yielding material.

14. In a talking machine, driving mechanism, means for maintaining a disc recordin a predetermined position comprising a vertically movable arm, a hollow body carried by said arm and movable therewith into contact with the surface of a disc record, suction means in communication with said hol-' said suction means and said hollow body, and

a cam for operating said valve means.

16. In a talking machine havmg a turn-.

table and driving mechanism, means for maintaining a disc record inpositionon said turntable comprising a hollow substantially airtight body beneath said turntable, said turntable havin openings therein communicating with the interior of said hollow body,

suction .means,' and means operated by said driving mechanism for automatically establishmg commumcation between sald suctlon means and sa idhollow body. 17. In a talking machine maintaining a disc record in position on said turntable comprising a hollow substantially airtight body beneath said turntable, said turntable having openings therein communicating with the mterior of said hollow body, suction means in communication with said hollow. body, and means including a .cam operated by said driving mechanism for controlling communication between said suction movable into contact with the surface of a disc record on said machine, a hollow turntable, suction means, and means for establishing communication between said suction means and said hollow body and hollow turntable respectively. s I

20. In a talking ma hine. having driving mechanism, the combin ion of a hollow body movableintocontact with'the surface of a "disc record-on said machine, a hollow turnta-ble,suct1on means, and a two-way valve for establishing communication between said suction means andsaid hollow body and hollow turntable respectively.

21. In a talking machine having driving mechanism, the combination of a hollow bodymovable into contact with the surface of a disc record on said machine, a hollow turntable, suction means in communicationv with both said hollowbody and said hollow turntable, means for controlling communication between said suction means and said hollow body and hollow turntable respectively, and means operated by said driving mechanism for operating said controlling means.

22. In a talking machine having driving mechanism; the combination of a hollow body having a turntable and driving mechanism, means for said hollow body and hollowturntable re- 4 spectively, and a cam operated by said driving mechanism for operating said valve.

23. In a talking machine, the combination of a hollow body movable into contact with ;the surface of a disc record on said machine,

a hollow turntable, suction means, and means forselectively'bringing said suction means into communication with either said hollow body or said hollow turntable.

24. In a talking machine, the combination of a hollow body movable into contact with the surface of a disc record on the machine, a hollow turntable, suction means, and means for alternately bringing said suction means into communication with said hollow body and said .hollow turntable.

25. In a talking machine, the combination of a. pair of hollow bodies atleast one of which is movable into contact with the sur face of a disc record on said machine, suc-. tion means in communication with each of said hollow bodies, means for c'ontrolling the communication between said suction means and each of said hollow bodies, and means for cutting off the communication between said suction means and one of said hollow bodies while simultaneously establishing communication between said suction means and the other of said hollow bodies. 26. In a-talking machine, the combination i of a pair of hollow bodies at least one of which is movable into contact with the surface of a disc'record on said mach1ne,suc-

. tion means in communication with each of said hollow bodies, unitary means for controlling the communication between said suction means and each of said hollow bodies, and means for cutting off the communication between said suctionmeans and one of said hollow bodies while simultaneously estab- 'record over areas radiall spaced at substantially equal distances rom the center of said record, suction means, and means operated by said driving means for automatically establishing communication between said suction means and said hollow bodies.

29. In an automatic talkingnlachine, the combination of a movable transfer arm, a

, hollow body carried by said arm and movabletherewith to contact'the surface of the topmost record of a pile of records, suction means in communication with said hollow body for causing said hollow body to retain a record in contact therewith, a turntable, and means for causing said arm to carry said contacted record to said turntable.

30. In an automatic talking machine, the combination of a movable transfer arm, a hollow body carried by said arm and movable therewith to contact the surface of the topmost record of a pile of records, suctionmeans in communication with. said hollow body for causing said hollow body to retain a record in contact therewith, a turntable, means for causing said arm to carry said contacted record to' said turntable, and means for causing said hollow body to release said record when in a position over the turntable.

31. In an automatic talking machine, the combination of a movable transfer arm, a hollow body carried by said arm and movable therewith to contact the surface of the topmost record of a pile of records, suction means in communication with said hollow body for causing said hollow body to retain a record in contact therewith, a turntable, means for causing said arm to carry said contacted rec- I ord to said turntable and means for render-- mg said suction means mefl'ective when said 32. In an automatic talking machine having a turntable and driving mechanism, the combination of a movablefitransfer arm, a hollow body carried by said arm and movlishing communication between said suction\ able h rewi h o Contact the su a e of th operated by said driving means for automatically establishing communication between said suction means and said hollow bodies.

- 28. In a *talking machine having a driving mechanism, means for maintaining a disc record in a predetermined position comprising a plurality of spaced, hollow bodies movtopmost record of a pile of records, suction means in communication with said hollow body for causing said hollow body to retain a record in contact therewith, means for causing said arm to carry said hollowbody and the contacted record to aposition over said turntable, and means operated by said driving mechanism for cutting ofi. communication between said suction means and said hollow body when in said position,whereby said record is deposited on said turntable.

33. In an automatic talking machinehaving a driving mechanism, a turntable, and a spindle associated with said turntable, the

combination of a movable transfer arm, a pin on sald arm movable therewith to enter the 65 able into contact with the surface of a disc center opening ofarecord, ahollow body carried by said-arm and movable therewith to a contact the surface of the topmost record of a pile of records when said pin is positioned in the center opening thereof, suction means in communication with said hollow body for causing said hollow body to retain a record in Contact therewith, means for causing said arm to carry said hollow body and contacted v record to a position over the turntable such that said pin is in alignment with said spindle, and means operated by said driving.

mechanism for cutting off communication between said-suction means and said hollow body when in said position, whereby said record is deposited on said turntable.

In testimony whereof we have signed our names to this specification.

EDWARD KNIGHT.

HARRY ARCHIBALD THOMPSETT.

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