US2041718A

US2041718A - Method of and apparatus for manipulating articles, such as talking machine or phonograph records

Info

Publication number: US2041718A
Application number: US332689A
Authority: US
Inventors: Rue William D La
Original assignee: RCA Corp
Current assignee: RCA Corp
Priority date: 1929-01-15
Filing date: 1929-01-15
Publication date: 1936-05-26
Anticipated expiration: 1953-05-26

Description

1936- w. D. LA RUE zfimfii METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MANIPULATING ARTICLES,

SUCH As TALKING MACHINE OR PHONOGRAPH RECQRDS Filed Jan. 15, 1929 s Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. 0% $4 001., BY 4m m A ATTORNEY.

1-:-- 26, 1936. w 11 LA RUE 2,041,713

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MANIPULATING ARTICLES,

SUCH AS TALKING MACHINE 0R PHONOGRAPH RECORDS 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 15, 1929 BY M 44 ATTORNEY.

w. D. LA RUE 2,041,718 METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MANIPULATING ARTICLES,

SUCH AS TALKING MACHINE OR PHONOGRAPH RECORDS Filed Jan. 15, 1929 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 A ATTORNEY.

y 1936. w. D. LA RUE METHOD OF AND AFPARATUS FOR MANIPULATING ARTICLES, SUCH AS TALKING MACHINE OR PHONOGRAPH RECORDS Filed Jan. 15, 1929 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 m mm A TTORNEY.

May 26, 1936. w. D. LA RUE 2,041,718.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MANIPULATING' ARTICLES,

SUCH AS TALKING MACHINE OR PHONOGRAPH RECORDS Filed Jan. 15, 1929 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 INV ENTOR. w-za;m%,e.

$71 .6, BY ,gm s9.

- A; ATTORNEY.

May 26, 1936. w. D. LA RUE 2,041,718 METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MANIPULATING ARTICLES,

SUCH AS TALKING MACHINE OR PHONOGRAPH RECORDS Filed Jan. 15. 1929 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR. mm QiA/QL,

16; ATTORNEY.

SUCH AS TALKING MACHINE OR PHONOGRAPH RECORDS Filed Jan. 15, 1929 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 I INVENTOR.

I BY .%;MM $9. M

2 ATTORNEY.

May 26, 1936. w. D. LA RUE 2,041,118

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MANIPULATING ARTICLES, I I SUCH AS TALKING MACHINE QR PHONOGRAPH RECORDS 27 HHIH @lllll gmlllfi 232 02? IN VEN TOR.

flag ATTORNEY.

' in a region removed Patented May 26, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT I OFFICE William D. La Rue, Maple Shade, N. 1., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Radio Corporation of America, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application January 15, 1929, Serial No. 332,689

25 Claims. (Cl. 274-10) My invention relates to apparatus for manipulating talking machine or phonograph records, such as centrally perforated disk records of a type well known to the art; my invention also embraces the manipulation of disks other than talking machine or phonograph records, said last named disks being utilizable for any desired purpose, control or otherwise.

In accordance with my invention, records, as aforesaid, are transported along a path and thereafter each record is moved transversely of said path and into a position for coaction with a sound reproducing instrumentality, such as the needle or stylus of a sound box, pick-up device, or equivalent, said records being transported in succession along said path from a stack of records contacting and supported one with and by another, from a record supporting structure, or otherwise as may be suitable or desirable.

Further in accordance with my invention, the respective records defining one end of a group of superposed records or those defining, respectively, one end of a stack of records are transported in succession along a path, said records thereafter be'ng moved in succenion transversely of said path to a sound reproducing position and, after each period of sound reproduction, being removed in succession from said position.

Further in accordance with my invention, records, as aforesaid, are transported in succession along a path leading from a group of records disposed in side-by-side relation, said records thereafter being moved in succession transversely of said path to a sound reproducing position and, after each period of sound reproduction, deposited from the group of side-byside records.

Further in accordance with my invention,records as aforesaid, are transported in succession along the same straight-line path, ordinarily, a horizontal path, and are thereafter moved transversely of said path and, more particularly, at right angles with respect thereto to successively carry each record to-a sound reproducing position.

Further in accordance with my invention, a plurality of records, as aforesaid, are disposed in stacked formation and are removed one by one, individual records being transported by a vertically movable turntable into a sound reproducing position where coaction is effected with the needle or stylus of a sound reproducing instrumentality.

Further in accordance with my invention, under .the influence of energy derived from the rotary motion of a record, as aforesaid, as imposed by a reciprocatory turntable, a motion of translation is imparted to said record to remove it from the path of the turntable.

Further in accordance with my invention, a

' record, as aforesaid, during descending or rising movement with a turntable comes into eng ment with structures or parts designed to transform the rotary motion of the record into a motion of translation.

Further in accordance with my invention, records, as aforesaid, are transported in succession into coacting relation with a sound reproducing instrumentality by a reciprocatory turntable, the turntable, or the record thereon, being disposed in any desired plane, for example, one that is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane.

Further in accordance with my invention, the automatic operations described above are performed in proper sequence and it is characteristic of my invention, particularly in the organization described, that lateral movement of the sound box, or equivalent, after each period of sound reproduction is obtained without first elevating the sound box.

Further in accordance with my invention, lateral movement, as aforesaid, of the sound box is effected in such manner that a given point there on moves only in a single plane, either a hori-'- zontal plane or one that is inclined to a horizontal plane; more particularly, .when the turntable is one that is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane, lateral movement, as aforesaid, of thesound box so occurs that a given point thereon moves onlyin a single planeinclined with respect to a horizontal plane. My invention resides particularly in an auto matic system or arrangement for removing individual records, as, aforesaid, from a stack thereof, transporting them in succession'into the path of a vertically movable turntable, elevating individual records into coaction with a sound reproducing instrumentality, and, after the respective periods of sound reproduction, lowering the turntable and removing the respective records from its path.

My invention resides in the apparatus, system, arrangement and features of construction of the character hereinafter described and claimed.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view, partly broken away and partly in plan, taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the bottom of a supporting plate or member and the mechanism associated therewith.

Figs. Sand 6 are perspective views of automatic control mechanism.

Fig. '1, in part, is a vertical sectional view of part of the mechanism shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, of the turntable supporting and control mechanism. I

Fig. 9 is a plan view, partly broken away, of the bottom of a record-receiving receptacle.

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view of the receptacle illustrated in Fig. 9.

Fig.11 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, of the record-receiving receptacle and the record-translating member associated therewith.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged, vertical sectional view of a record-removing and translating member.

Fig. 13 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation and with parts omitted, of tone arm supporting structure.

Fig. 14 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, and is taken on the line I4--I4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 15 is a bottom plan view of stop mechanism for limiting oscillatory motion of a sound box, or equivalent.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, there is illustrated a casing'or housing comprising, in the example shown, front and rear walls I, I and

side walls

2, 2, all of said walls being vertically disposed on a suitable base, not shown. Extending horizontally Within the aforesaid casing is a shelf or ledge 3 forming a support for a record magazine P in which, as illustrated in Fig. 11, is supported a group or stack of phonograph or talking machine disk records R. The shelf 3 also supports a movable or pivoted record-translating member T and a swinging or oscillatable tone arm A. Disposed adjacent the tone arm A is a turntable B, which may be inclined with respect to a horizontal plane, as hereinafter described, and to which individual records R are transported and from which they are individually discharged, also as hereinafter described, into a compartment or raw ceptacle C, Fig. 2, the bottom of which is defined by a sloping wall- 4 extending transversely of the aforesaid casing.

Extending longitudinally of and within the aforesaid casing is a drive shaft 5 receiving power from any suitable source which, in the example illustrated, is an electric motor 6, Fig. 8. Keyed to the shaft 5 is a gear 1 meshing with and driving a gear 8, Fig. 3, freely rotatable on a shaft 9.

Shaft 3 is joumaled in a plate or member I0, Fig. 3, extending transversely, of the aforesaid casing and secured, in the example shown, to projections II extending from the front and rear casing walls I, I by screws I2, or the like, Fig. 3.

Referring to Fig. 5, a clutch wheel or spider I3 is shown as having a hub I3a which is secured to the aforesaid gear 8 and, therefore, rotates with the latter. Coacting with the clutch spider I3 is a clutch crescent I4 pivoted to a disk I6 and having a tooth Ma. The tooth I Ia of clutch crescent I4 is suitably biased toward the clutch spider I3 as, for example, by a helical spring I5 connected to said clutch crescent and to the disk I6, Figs. 2 and 5. The disk Iii-is fixed or keyed to the shaft 9 and, therefore, when the tooth I-Ia moves into the space between adjacent teeth of the clutch spider I3, said disk I5 and its theretoconnected shaft 9 are caused to rotate under the 4 influence of the drive shaft 5 and the meshed gears 1 and 8. 5

Secured to the shaft 9 and rotatable therewith is a gear l1, Fig. 3, meshing with and driving a gear I8 rotatable on -a shaft I9 upstanding from the plate III. The gear I 8 comprises a hub portion I8a receiving a cam 20 for rotation therewith, 10

Referring Fig. 4,.the plate I0 is shown as 15 having a bracket 22 secured thereto by screws 23, or the like. Pivoted to the bracket 22 is a lever 24 biased in a counter-clockwise direction, Fig. 4, by a helical spring 25, or the like. Lever 24 comprises a shoulder 24a. adapted to be engaged periodically by a lug or member 26 projecting from the disk I6.

Referring to Fig. 1, the tone arm A is shown as comprising a conduit 21 to which, through a connection 28, is secured a second conduit 29 car- 25 rying, at its end removed from the connection 28,

a sound box S of any suitable type and having a stylus or needle for coaction with the spiral sound reproducing groove on each of the records R. As is well understood in the art, the connec- 30 tion 28 permits oscillatory movement of the conduit 29 with respect to the conduit 21.

In accordance with my invention, a given point on the end of the conduit 21, adjacent the connection 28,.is restricted to oscillatory movement 35 only in a single plane and, in accordance with the specific form of my invention more particularly hereinafter described, said single plane is slightly inclined with respect to a horizontal plane. To the end last noted, the shelf 3, on its upper surface, carries a mounting plate 3|, in turn, supporting a second plate or member 32, said plates 3| and 32 and said shelf 3 having aligned openings into and through which extends the end of the conduit 21 removed from the con- 40 nection 28. Below the lower surface of shelf 3, the end of conduit 21 is received by a bearing member, not shown, having an opening for the passage of sound waves and with and by which a suitable amplifying horn, not shown, may be 00 associated with said last named end of conduit 21. The member 32 comprises an upstanding part or section 32a, Figs. 1 and 2, partly surrounding the vertical portion of conduit 21 and having at its end a vertically extending pin 33 received in a bearing, not shown, on conduit 21. By virtue of this arrangement, a given point at the end of conduit 21 adjacent the connection 28, moves only in substantially a single plane and, to the end that said single plane may be inclined with 60 respect to a horizontal plane, the members 3| and 32 are mounted on the shelf 3, not horizontally, but slightly inclined with respect to a horizontal plane, all as hereinafter more fully described. C3 It follows from the foregoing that the conduit 21 is mounted for oscillatory movement and that the end thereof adjacent the connection 28, is v biased under the influence of gravity to swing in a counter-clockwise direction, Fig. 1, or from the center of turntable B. Movement as last described of the conduit 21 under the influence of gravity may be limited in any suitable manner, such, for example, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 wherein there is shown a screw 34 coacting 75 with said conduit 21 and adjustably mounted in a post or standard 35 upstanding from the aforesaid plate 3|.

Carried by and movable with the conduit 21 is an arm or member 36 extending to a region below the shelf 3 and there comprising a substantially horizontal section 36a terminating in a flanged section 3617 to which is pivoted a pawl 31 biased in a clockwise direction, Fig. 5, under the influence of gravity into engagement with 9. lug

' or projection 36c comprised in said horizontal ing, in the example-shown, both above and below the plate l9 and carried thereby. Lever 39 is spaced above the plate l9 by a washer or sleeve 4|,'Fig. 2; said lever 39 comprises, at its end removed from rack 39, a cam follower 39a coacting with the aforesaid cam 29, Fig. 6.

Below the plate I9, a lever 42 is disposed-on the shaft 49, said lever 42 comprising a hookshaped end 42a for coaction with the aforesaid clutch crescent l4. Lever 42 is spaced below the plate |9 by a sleeve or washer 43, Fig. 2.

The

levers

39 and 42 are tied or coupled together so as to be incapable of movement independently of each other and, accordingly, on each side of the plate l9, said

levers

39 and 42 may be so secured to the respective ends of a sleeve 44, Figs. 5 and 6, that said sleeve 44 and the

levers

39 and 42 move together as a unit. The aforesaid spacing washers 4| and 43 are disposed around the sleeve 44 through which extends the shaft 49, the head of said shaft 49 engaging the lower surface of lever 42 and the other end of said shaft 49 being suitably secured, as by a peening operation, to the lever 39 and sleeve 44. Accordingly, levers 39 and 42, sleeve 44 and shaft 49 move togefher as a unit, said lever system being suitably biased in a counter-clockwise direction, Fig. 3, as by a' helical spring 45 secured at one end to the plate I9 and at its other end to a lug 39b extending from the lever 39.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 8, the drive shaft 5 is shown as extending through an opening in the plate loaand having a. longitudinallyextending channel 511 for-the reception of a key comprised in the stem of the turntable B, as hereinafter more fully described. Encircling the shaft 5 and non-rotatably secured to the plate I9 is a bushing or sleeve 46, Fig. 8, on which a barrel cam 41 is disposed for free rotatable movement. The

cam 41, on opposite sides thereof, comprises similar cam surfaces 41a of which one is clearly illustrated in Fig. 2.- A gear 48, preferably formed integrally with cam 41, meshes with and is periodically driven by the gear l9, Fig. 3.

Coacting, respectively, with the cam surfaces 41a are cam followers or rollers 49, each carried by an arm 59, in turn carried by a sleeve 5| slidable within the aforesaid bushing 46. As illustrated in Fig. 2, the arms 59 and another arm 52 preferably are formed integrally with each other, said arm 52 terminating in a fork-shaped end or clevi. embracing and being slidable along a standard, rod or member 53 upstanding from the member ID, whereby the cam followers 49 are retained from rotative movement. the

arms

59, 59 and 52 may be secured in any suitable manner tothe sleeve 5| for movement therewith longitudinally of the shaft 5. In the example shown, the various arms aforesaid terminate in a section 54, Fig. 8, having a perforation in which is received a shouldered portion of the sleeve 5|,

The structure comprising a washer being peened to one end of the sleeve 5| and to the section 54, said washer 55 uniting the sleeve 5| and

arms

59, 59 and 52 so that they may move axially of the shaft 5, rotative movement thereof with respect to said shaft 5 being prevented by the control exercised by the member 53 upon the arm 52.

The washer 55 constitutes a shoulder or bearing surface for the turntable B which, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 8, comprises an outer layer or member 56 of felt, or the like, carried by a circular member 51 preferably of metallic sheet material, the latter being riveted or otherwise suitably secured to a turntable stem 58 from which a record-centering pin 59 extends centrally through the

members

51 and 56, and beyond the latter. The stem 58 comprises a flanged section or shoulder 69 and a sleeve-like extension 6| having a passage extending axially thereof and of a diameter somewhat greater than the diameter of the shaft 5, a pin 62 extending transversely of said passage for reception in the channel 5a of shaft 5, whereby rotatable movement is imparted to the turntable B even though the latter is movable vertically.

Ordinarily, a washer 63 engages the shoulder 69 while a similar washer 64, Fig. 8, engages the washer 55, a washer being interposed between the

washers

63 and 64 and comprising anti-friction members 66.

posed in assembled relation, sleeve 5| .slidably ,flts within the bushing 46, the position of said sleeve 5| axially of the shaft 5 depending upon the regions wherein the cam followers 49 engage the respective cam surfaces 41g, When thus assembled, the shoulder 69 of the stem 58 is spaced from the washer 55 only by the

washers

63, 65 and 64, the sleeve-like extension6| being disposed within the sleeve 5| and being freely slidable along the shaft 5, pin 62 falling within the channel 51:.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1, 2, 9 and 19, the record magazine P is illustrated as comprising a receptacle or well 61 circular in configuration and disposed .in an opening of corresponding shape in the shelf 3, a flanged portion 61a of receptacle 61 engaging the top of said shelf 3 and being secured thereto by screws 68, or the like, Fig. 1. Disposed within the receptacle 61 is a plate-like record-supporting member 69 preferably provided with a felt surface 19 for engagement with the lowermost record of the stack of records. By preierence, the member 69 is formed of sheet-like metallic material and, to decrease the weight thereof, it is desirable that a number of springs 12. secured thereto by bolts 13, or equivalent. The springs 12 should be symmetrically arranged on said bottom wall from which they project into contact with that surface of the member 69 opposite the felt surface 19. Fcr restraining or limiting movement of the member 69 from the bottom wall ofreceptacle 61, there may be utilized a plurality of rods or members 14, each having one end fixed to the member 69 and each freely passing through an opening in the bottom wall of receptacle 61, exteriorly of which, each of said members 14 is provided with a stop member I5, whereby member 69 is prevented from moving an excessive distance or from being disengaged from the bottom wall of the receptacle 61 In accordance with my invention, for all stack heights, the topmost record R of the stack of records should be disposed entirely above the upper surface of the flange 61a, Fig. 11. To this end, there may be utilized an arrangement such as illustrated in Fig. 1, wherein there is disclosed a bracket I6 suitably secured to the flange 61a or shelf 3 and having aprojection 16a extending above the stack of records. Cooperating with the bracket 16 to properly position the'topmost rec- 'ord R is a. member 11 pivoted at I8 on a memshown, member is an abutment rising above the upper surface of flange 61a a distance substantially the same as the thickness of a record R while the member 19 comprises a resilient portion 19a spaced from the flange 61a. When the member I! is moved to record-restraining position, as illustrated by the full lines in Fig. 1, the end thereof is passed beneath the resilient portion 19a of member 19, the resilient portion 19a holding theend of member IT in engagement with member 89 and maintaining said member IT in the desired position. It shall be understood that the projections 16a, 11a and 11a are spaced above the flange 61a a distance corresponding substantially with the thickness of a record R. whereby the topmost record R of the stack of records is, before removal from said stack, maintained substantially in the position illustrated in Fig. 11. If desired, pivotal movement of the member Il may be limited by a projection 'I'Ic extending therefrom and into an opening of suitable size in the flange 61a, Flgsl, 9 and 10.

Referring to' Figs. 2 and 3, the crank arm 2I is shown as having pivoted thereto a link 8| connected to another link 82 by an adjustable pin and slot connection 83. The link 82 is pivoted to a crank arm 84 rotatablewith a stud shaft 85 journaled in the shelf 3 through which said shaft extends and at its end above said shelf 3, Figs.

1 and 2, has the aforesaid record-translating member or arm T secured thereto for movement therewith.

The free end ofann T has a member 86 projecting therefrom and preferably so secured thereto that it may be adjusted longitudinally thereof. Rising from each side of the member 86 at one end thereof are ears 86a through which extends a pin 81 on which a record-engaging member 88 is pivoted. The member 88 comprises a curved end portion 88a, between which and a toe portion 88, the edge of a record R is received, said toe portion comprising a threaded stem Ella-passing through the member 88 and coacting with a. nut 90 to maintain said toe portion 89 in the position illustrated. by the full lines in Fig. 12, a washer 9| spacing the toe portion 89 the proper distance from the curved por-' tion 88a and also forming a shoulder to be engaged by the. edge of a record R. With a construction of this character, records may be removed eiliciently from the receptacle P even though they are warped.

Referring to Fig. 1, a. record R under control of the member T is moved from right to left along a path defined by track members or strips 92 secured in fixed position in any desired manner as, for example, by screws 33 passing through portions of said members ,92 and threaded into the shelf 3 and a cabinet wall I.

As illustrated in Fig. 2, the sloping wall 4 merges into a horizontal wall la in the region of the cabinet below the turntable B, said wall 411 comprising an opening through which the memher 5| and its

arms

50, 58 and 52 are freely movable. Carried by and fixed to the wall la at one side of the turntable B is a supporting member 94 having spaced ears in which is revolvably mounted a cylindrical or spherical member 95. At the other side of the turntable B, the wall do has secured thereto an upstanding member 96 terminating, preferably, in a'semi-spherical section a of .hard rubber, or the like. Located substantially in the path taken by the center line of a. record R as it moves from right to left,

Figs. 1 and 2, and in a region occupied by its advanced edge when movement thereof under the control of the .arm T ceases is a bracket 91 having a sloping face 91a preferably felt-covered.

Under some circumstances, for example, when the motor M is electrically operated, the wall as may have mounted thereon a switch 98 and a speed control device 99, the latter usually comprising a threaded member controlling a friction device associated with the motor governor.

The roller 95, section 95a and the horizontal surface of bracket 91 are all positioned substantially the same distances above the wall 4a and are disposed Without the periphery of the turntable T.

Upon completionof a. period of sound reproduction, the record is discharged from the tumtable B, as hereinafter described, and passes above the

walls

4a and 4 and below the shelf 3 into the compartment C, Fig. 2. To facilitate passage of the record in this manner, it is desirable that anti-friction mechanism be disposed in its path such, for example, as the roller I00 supported by the bracket IU'I carried by the wall 4. Records may be removed from the compartment C in any suitable manner, as by passage through an opening in one. of the cabinet walls.

As hereinbefore stated, in one form of my invention, the tone arm A is so biased, preferably under the influence of gravity, that the sound box S tends to swing from a position above and adjacent the center of the turntable B to a position adjacent the periphery thereof. To this end, there may be utilized a construction such as illustrated in Fig. 13 wherein the shelf 3 is shown as provided with a recess I02 for the reception of the member 3 I ,the lower wall or surface I02a of recess I02 sloping downwardly from left to right, Figs. 2 and 13. Tothe aforesaidsurface I02a, the member 3| is retained by bolts I03, or the like,

v passing therethrough and through the shelf 3.

fied above, i. e. in a direction such that the sound box S tends to move from a position above and adjacent the center of the turntable B and toward the stack of records contained in the receptacle P.

As also hereinbefore stated, the turntable B is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane highest in that region thereof most closely ad-- jacent the receptacle P and lowest in that region which is mostremoved from said receptacle P; that is, the turntable B slopes in a direction from right to left, Fig. 2.

As-one convenient arrangement for thus tilting or inclining the turntable B, there may be utilized a construction such as illustrated in Fig. 14 wherein the plate I0 is shown as inclined with respect to a horizontal plane. For thus inclining the plate I0, the sleeves I04 and I05 are utilized, said sleeves having the respective bolts I2 passing therethrough and the sleeve I04 be ing of less height than that of the sleeve I05. In this manner, the plate I0 and the therebycarried mechanism may be tilted or inclined to any extent that may be suitable or desirable. As shown, the shaft 5 carried by plate I0 is thus tilted so that it is displaced from a vertical plane by an angle of approximately 3 degrees. Accordingly, the turntable B is displaced from a horizontal plane by substantially the same amount.

To the end that oscillatory movement of the sound box S and conduit 29 may be limited with respect to the conduit 21, there may be utilized a construction such as illustrated in Fig. 15 wherein the conduit 21 is shown as having secured thereto a bracket or member I06 carry ing an adjustable screw I01, or the like, which coacts with a member I08 projecting from the conduit 29. The parts are so arranged that with the turntable B in fully elevated position, with a record R thereon, and the stylus of sound box S coacting with thespiral sound reproducing groove on said record, the coacting members I01 and I08 are not in engagement. However, when the turntable B and the thereby-carried record descend to any substantial extent, the member I08 moves into engagement with the member I01 and prevents further descending movement of the sound box S. In this manner, the recordon the turntable B is freed from the sound box stylus.

Referring to Fig. 1, a lever I00 is shown as pivoted at IIO to a member upstanding from the shelf 3, one end of said lever I09 extending through a slot in the front casing wall I and the other end of said lever comprising a fork-shaped portion for coaction with a pin III upstanding from a second lever H2 pivoted at 3 to another member upstanding from the shelf 3.

. When the lever I09 is swung clockwise, Fig. 1,

to the position indicated by the broken lines, the lever H2 is also swung to its broken line posi tion. If, during a period of sound reproduction, the lever I03 is actuated as just described, the end of lever H2 is placed in the path ofthat record then on the turntable B and, as hereinafter more particularly described. sound is repeated or again reproduced from the same record from which sound has just been reproduced.

The operation is as follows:

With a record R on the turntable B, sound to pawl .31.

stop member I00 gradually approaching the stop member I0'I.

While the sound box S is moving from right 10 to left as described above, the tone arm A and the member 36 depending therefrom partake of similar movement, the edged surface 31a of pawl 31 moving from right to left, Fig. 5, and freely sliding over the teeth of rack, while 20 the pawl 31 is moving in the direction last described. At this time, the lever 42 is holding the clutch crescent I4 in the position shown in Fig. 5; accordingly, the disk A6 and shaft. 0 remain stationary.

When the direction of movement of the sound box S is reversed as described above, the direction of movement of pawl 31 is similarly reversed and, since the teeth of rack 38 exercise a clutching effect on pawl 31 when the latter moves as 30 last described, rack 38 is coupled or connected, As a result, levers 39 and 42 are. swung in'a clockwise direction, Figs. 5 and 6, the hook-shaped end 42a of lever 42 being disen- I gaged from clutch crescent I4 and the tooth Ma of the latter passing between adjacent teeth of the clutch spider I3 to thereby connect the shaft 0 to the constantly rotating gear 0. In this manner, the cycle of operation of the automatic mechanism is initiated.

During a period of sound reproduction and before the cycle of the automatic mechanism is initiated, the turntable B, with a record B thereon, rotates in the position illustrated in Fig. 2 since, when theautomatic m'echanismis out of 45 cycle, the cam 41 remains stationary in such position that the cam surfaces 410 thereof maintain the respective arms in their fully elevated positions.

Immediately upon initiation of the cycle of 50 the automatic mechanism, rotation of shaft 3 through the meshedgears I1, l8 and 40 produces movement of the cam :41 about the shaft 5 as an axis. As a result, the almost vertical portions of the cam surfaces 41a are brought immediately into coacting relation with the respective cam followers 49 and the turntable B abruptly descends, its sleeve-like extension 6| remaining within the sleeve 5| while the latter moves downwardly, Fig. 8, and telescoping the upper end of shaft 5 with the pin 62 passing along the channel in of shaft 5. While partaking of reclprocatory movement, the sleeve 5| is restrained from rotary movement due to the control exercised by the standard 53 on arm 52, the clevis at the end 05 of the latter sliding along said standard 53 during reciprocatory movement of sleeve 5|.

As the turntable B moves downwardly, rotation thereof and of the record R thereon continues due to the'fact that the pin 62 coacts with stantially simultaneously engages the roller 95. As a result, said record R pivots around the post 96 and since it is rotating in a clockwise direction, Fig. 1, the rotary motion of said record R is transformed, in part, into a motion of translation, said record R moving from left to right, Figs. 1 and 2, and, partly under the influence of gravity, passing into the compartment C over the roller I90. After the aforesaid record R has been discharged from the turntable B as just described, descending movement of said turntable B continues. Upon reaching its lowermost position the turntable B, almost immediately, starts to gradually rise, as hereinafter described.

' When the turntable B and the record Rv carried thereby start to descend immediately after initiation of the cycle of the automatic mechanism as described above, sound box S moves downwardly a short distance until arrested by engagement of the coacting stop members I91 and I08 carried,- respectively, by adjacent ends of the

conduits

21 and 29. When downward movement of sound box S is thus arrested, the turntable B carries the record thereon from coacting relation with the sound box stylus. Due to the fact that the conduit 21 is so mounted that a given point at the end thereof adjacent the connection 28 moves only in a single plane inclined with respect to-a horizontal plane, it follows that said conduit 21, conduit 29 and sound box S swing in a. counter-clockwise direction, Fig. 1, under the influence of gravity until the motion of conduit 21 isarrested by the stop member 34. In this manner, and without the aid of actuating mechanism, in the example shown, the sound box S is removed from a position adjacent the center of that record from which sound has just been reproduced into a position vertically above a point adjacent the edge of that record from which sound is next to be reproduced when the latter is delivered above the turntable B, as hereinafter described. I f

When the cycle-of operation of the automatic mechanism was initiated, rotation of shaft 9, due to the intermeshed gears I1 and I8, produces movement of shaft I9 and the crank arm 2| moves about the axis of the latter to cause the record-translating member T to 'move 'flrst in a clockwise direction, Fig. l, and then in a counterclockwise direction, Fig. 1. When first moving from the position illustrated by the full lines of Fig. 1, the member T causes the curved portion 88a of member 88 to move above the edge of the topmost record R of the stack of records, said record edge being received between-said curved portion 88a and the toe portion 89. Due to the engagement thus effected with said topmost record R and during continued movement of member T in a clockwise direction, Fig. 1, said record Ris guided by the members 92 for movement from right to left, Fig. 1, until the perforation at the center thereof is almost directly above the pin 62 at the center of the turntable B. As said record R comes into the position last described, the advanced edge thereof engages the sloping face 91a of bracket 91 and opposite sides thereof engage and are supported, respectively, by roller 95 and the tip 98a of the post 96, movement of said record R under the influence of member T thus continuing until its rear edge is barely supported by the curved extremity of shelf 3. After said record has been moved to the position last described, it remains stationary for a time, the record-translating member T now retracing its path toward the position thereof illustrated by the full lines of Fig. 1, which position is reached as the cycle of automatic operation is completed.

Soon after the turntable B reaches its lowermost position as described above, it gradually starts to ascend under the influence of cam 41 5 and, just after the topmost record of the stack of records has been positioned thereabove by the member T, the pin 59 enters the perforation at the center of said record and causes slight re-' newed movement thereof from left to right, Fig. 1,. to center the same on the turntable B, the latter now carrying said record R upwardly from the shelf 3, roller 95 and tip 98a of post 96. Just before the turntable B reaches'its uppermost position, the record R thereon engages the stylus of sound box S, said stylus being so positioned by the stop member. 34 that it coincides with a line extending vertically from a point between the'edge of the record and the area defined by the spiral sound reproducing groove after said record has been centered on the turntable B as just described. Elevation of the sound box S under the influence of the ascending record R continues until the turntable B reaches its uppermost position, the stop member I98 moving from the stop member; I01, In the example shown, due to the fact that the turntable is inclined as illustrated and further, due to the rotation of the record, the sound box stylus is fed into the spiral sound reproducing groove automatically and without the aid of mechanism provided directly for this purpose.

When the cycle of operation of the automatic mechanism was initiated, rotation of shaft 9, due to the intermeshed gears I1 and I8, produces 35 movement of shaft I9 and cam 20, the latter, as it 7 moves, swinging the lever 39 clockwise, Fig. 6, and

thereby holding the hook-shaped end 42a of lever 42 out of the path of clutch segment I4. After the cam 20 has moved through an angle of 360 40 degrees, the lever 39, under the influence of spring 45, Fig. 3, has returned to the position illustrated 'in Fig. 6 and the hook-shaped end 42a of. lever pin 26, Fig. 4, comes within the recess defined by the shoulder 24a of lever 24 whereby the various parts are releasably locked in position during the period that ensues while the automatic mechanism is out of cycle.

If, during a'. period of sound reproduction, it becomes desirable to again reproduce sound from that record then on the turntable B, the lever I09 is moved to its broken line position, Fig. 1, and the member 88 is swung clockwise, Fig. 12, into its non-operative position. Accordingly, when operation of the automatic mechanism is next initiated, that record then on the turntable B descends therewith and one edge thereof comes into engagement with the end of lever II2 while other portions of said record come into engagement with the tip 96a of post 96, the horizontal portion of bracket 91 and with the roller 95. Due to the position of. lever H2 and the manner in which it supports the record, the latter remains stationary in the position last described and is not discharged into the receptacle C such as would be the case were the lever I I2 in its full line position.

Due to the fact that member 88 has been moved to its non-operative position, the topmost record of the stack of records is not moved from the receptacle P. Accordingly, when the turntable B next moves to sound reproducing position, it'

carries to that position the same record from which sound has just been reproduced. If desired, in lieu of the levers I09 and H2, a slidable member, not shown, may be mounted in a recess on the shelf 3 in the vicinity of and above the roller I00. Normally, said last named member is disposed entirely within the periphery of said shelf 3 but it may be so moved as to extend therebeyond toward the bracket 91. when thus moved, said last named member functions, as does the lever H2, to prevent discharge of a record into the receptacle C.

Although the machine or mechanism constructed in accordance with my invention is intended particularly for records wherein the spiral sound reproducing groove terminates in a circular groove eccentrically disposed with respect to the record center, it shall be understood that my in-.- vention is not to be thus limited. Under some circumstances, it may be desirable to successively initiate cycles of operation of the automatic mechanism otherwise than by a control performed by the eccentric grooves on the respective records. Thus, for example, the control may be effected by the Crowell-type of groove which comprises generally a large pitch spiral groove extending from the spiral sound reproducing groove and terminating in a circular groove concentrically disposed with respect to the record center.

Itshall also be understood that in no manner at all is my inventionto be limited to the utilization of an acoustical or mechanical type of sound box wherein sound waves originated by the sound box diaphragm are transmitted through a tone arm or taper tube and thence to an amplifying horn. In lieu of a sound box, as aforesaid, any desired type of a pick-up may be utilized, such a pick-up, as well understood in the art, generating or modifying an electrical current in response to the actuation of an armature, or equivalent, by the'talking machine or phonograph records, the aforesaid electrical current operating a loud speaker, or equivalent, disposed either in the same casing containing the automatic mechanism or in a casing separate therefrom, as desired.

It shall also be understood that my invention is not to be limited to the removal of records from a stack of records, because under some circumstances, and in lieu of a stack of records, there may be provided a group of records disposed in superposed or side-by-side relation wherein each record, usually, is not in contacting relation with the immediate neighboring records.

Still further, it shall be understood that my invention is not to be limited to the successive removal of the respective topmost records of the stack of records or of the sinrilarly placed records of the superposed or side-by-side records. An important characteristic of my invention involves the discharge of individual records from a turntable during descent thereof, the rotary motion applied to each record being transformed into a motion of translation. As regards this important phase of my invention, the particular manner in which individual records are successively conveyed into the path of the turntable and the source of supply of said records is usually immaterial.

An-important feature or advantage of the hereinbeforedescribed system or arrangement for manipulating talking machine or phonograph records resides in the provision of a reciprocatory turntable for successively elevating records to and removing them from a sound reproducing posi- 7 tion. By virtue of this arrangement, lateral movement of the sound box, or equivalent, and its tone arm, or equivalent, from a position above and adjacent the center of the turntable is effected in such manner that a given point thereon moves only in a single plane, and more specifically, a single plane inclined with respect to a horizontal plane excluding, of course, the movement of the sound box, or equivalent, early and late in each cycle when it leaves and is engaged by a rec- 0rd support on the descending and rising turntable.

Although but asingle motive device has been herein illustrated and described for jointly operating the turntable and the automatic mechanism it shall be understood, if desired, that a plurality of motive devices may be utilized, one to operate the turntable and another to operate the automatic mechanism, the eccentric groove or other control connecting said automatic mechanism to its motive device at the proper times to effect the series of automatic operations. 2

WhatI claim is: Y

- 1. The combination with a turntable, of means for rotating said turntable, means for moving said turntable along a path to carry a talking machine or phonograph record relative to its sound reproducing position, and means for imparting a motion of translation to said record under the infiuence of energy derived from the rotary motion applied thereto by and during-movement of said turntable along said path.

2. The combination with a turntable, of means for rotating said turntable, means for moving said turntable vertically along a path to carry a talking machine or phonograph record to a-sound reproducing position, and means for imparting a motion of translation to said record under the infiuence of energy derived from the rotary motion applied thereto by and during descent of said turntable along said path.

3. The combination with a turntable, of means 4 for rotating said turntable, means for moving said turntable along a path to carry a talking machine or phonograph record relative to its sound reproducing position, and means for imparting a motion of translationto said record under the influence of energy derived from the rotary motion applied thereto by and during movement of said turntable along said path, said means comprising a member disposed exteriorly of the path of said turntable.

4. The combination with a turntable, of means for rotating said turntable, means for moving said turntable along a path to carry a talking machine or phonograph record relative to its sound reproducing position, and means for imparting a motion of translation to said record under the influence of energy derived from the rotary motion applied thereto by and during movement of said turntable along said path, said means comprising afixed member disposed ex- 6 teriorly of the path of said turntable.

5. The combination with a turntable, of means for rotating said turntable, means for moving said turntable along a path to carry a talking machine or phonograph record relative to its sound 0 reproducing position, and means for imparting a motion of translation to said record under the influence of energy derived from the rotary motion applied thereto by and during movement of said turntable along said path, said means comprising a record pivot'and a roller disposed exteriorly of the path of said turntable.

6. In combination, means for moving talking machine or phonograph records in succession along a path, a turntable, means for elevating said turntable to successively transport said records from said path to a sound reproducing position and for subsequently lowering the same, means for successively reproducing sound from said records while in said position, and means effective after the respective periods of sound reproduction for imparting a motion of translation to each record under the influence of energy derived from the rotary motion applied thereto by said turntable, said last named means comprising a member engaged by each record during descent thereof from said sound reproducing position.

'1. In combination, a reciprocatory turntable for elevating individual talking machine or phonograph records to a sound reproducing position, Supporting structure for a plurality of said rec'- ords, means for transporting records from said supporting structure to a position for engagement by said turntable, and stationary track structure disposed between said turntable and said supporting structure for defining the path of travel of said records in response to said transporting means, said records contacting directly with said track structure during movement therealong.

8. In combination, a reciprocatory turntable for elevating individual talking machine or phonograph records to a sound reproducing position, supporting structure for a plurality of said records, stationary track structure disposed between said turntable and said supporting structure, means for supporting a record in the path of said turntable, and means comprising an oscillatory arm for, transporting individual records along said track structure and into engagement with said supporting means.

9. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a record magazine, a turntable having a playing position in substantially the same horizontal plane as the top of said magazine, means for transferring records in succession from said magazine to said turntable, a magazine for played .records positioned substantially directly below said record magazine, means for lowering said turntable from playing position, and means operable on' lowering said turntable whereby the rotary movement of a played record causes a movement of translation thereof to said magazine for played records.

10. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a magazine for unplayed records, a vertically movable turntable having a playing position in substantially the same horizontal plane as the top of said magazine, means for transferring records inv succession from said magazine to said turntable, a magazine for played records positioned substantially directly below said magazine for unplayed records, means for lowering said turntable from playing position, and a fixed member in the path of movement of a played record on said turntable whereby rotary movement of said played record causes a movement of translation thereof to said magazine for played records.

11. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a magazine for unplayed records, a vertically movable turntable having a playing position in substantially the same horizontal plane as the top of said magazine, means for transferring records in succession from said magazine to said turntable, a magazine for played records positioned substantially directly below said magazine for unplayed records, means for lowering said turntable from playing position, and means spaced around said turntable in the path of movement of a played record thereon, whereby the rotary movement of said played record causes a translation thereof to said magazine for played records.

12. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a magazine for unplayed records, a vertically movable turntable having a playing position in substantially the same horizontal plane as the top of said magazine, means for transferring records in succession from said magazine to said turntable, a magazine for played records positioned substantially directly below said magazine for unplayed records, means for lowering said turntable from playing position, and means spaced around said turntable in the path of movement of a played record thereon to remove said played record from the turn- I table, said means including a fixed member at one side of said turntable and one or more rollers spaced from said fixed member around said turntable, whereby rotary movement of said record causes translation thereof to said magazine for played records.

13. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with a turntable and means for transferring unplayed records in succession to said turntable and for removing played records therefrom, a sound reproducing instrumentality adapted to swing about an axis over said turntable, means pivotally mounting said instrumentality about an axis inclined to the vertical in a direction tending to cause said instrumentality to swing away from said turntable, and means for mounting said turntable in a plane inclined to the horizontal in a direction to cause said instrumentality to swing toward the center of said turntable when in contact with a record thereon.

14. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with a turntable and means for transferring unplayed records in succession to said turntable and for removing played records therefrom, a sound reproducing instrumentality adapted to swing about an axis over said tumtable, means pivotally mounting said instrumentality about an axis inclined to the vertical in a direction tending to cause said instrumentality to swing away from said turntable, means for mounting said turntable in a plane inclined to the horizontal in a direction to cause said instrumentality to swing toward the center of said about an axis over said turntable, means pivotally mounting said instrumentality about an axis inclined to the vertical in a direction tending to cause said instrumentality to swing away from said turntable, means limiting the outward swinging movement of said instrumentality to a position at the edge of the record to be played,

means for causing relative vertical movement between said turntable and said instrumentality to engage the latter with a record on said turntable, means for mounting said turntable in a plane inclined to the horizontal in a direction to cause said instrumentality to swing toward the center of said turntable, and means operable on completion of a record to cause relative vertical movement between said turntable and said instrumentality to disengage the latter from the played record on said turntable.

16. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with a record supporting turntable mounted for rotation about a predetermined axis of a sound reproducing instrumentality mounted for swinging movement over said turntable about an axis inclined to the axis of said turntable in a direction to cause said instrumentellity to swing away from said turntable.

1'7. In apparatus of the class described, the

"combination of a record supporting turntable and a sound reproducing instrumentality mounted for pivotal movement to cooperate with a record on said turntable, said turntable and sound reproducing instrumentality being mounted with their axes inclined to the vertical in opposite directions.

18. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a record supporting turntable and a sound reproducing instrumentality mounted for pivotal movement to cooperate with a record on said turntable, said turntable being mounted to rotate in a plane inclined to the horizontal whereby said instrumentality is caused to move into engagement with the beginning of a record groove when in engagement with a record on said turntable, and said sound reproducing instrumentality being mounted with its axis inclined to the vertical in a direction to cause said instrumentality to swing away from said turntable. 19. The method oi manipulating talking machine -or phonograph records which comprises successively bringing a sound reproducing instrumentality and one of said records into meeting relationv to reproduce sound, moving the record supporting means away from sound reproducing position after each period of reproduction as it is being, rotated and simultaneously restraining movement in the same direction of the record from which sound was last reproduced to cause said record to pass to a record receptacle under the influence of energy derived irom its rotary motion.

20. In phonographs, a rotatable table includ ing a center pin, a projection beneath said table normally out, of engagement with the record thereon, and means for depressing said table to ing a. center pin, a projection beneath the table normally out of engagement with the record thereon, a hopper for discarded records, and

means for depressing the table to lower the record into engagement with said projection and to withdraw said center pin from engagement with the record whereby the rotating record centers around the projection andis rolled off the table and into said hopper.

.22. In phonographs, a'table adapted to hold a record, a pick-up arm mounted for movement over the table on anaxis inclined slightly away from said table, a projection at one side of said table, means to lower the table below its normal playing position whereby the pick-up arm is free to move under the influence of gravity from its normal position after the table has been thus lowered, and means to cause the table to be still iurther lowered to bring the record thereon into engagement with said projection.

23. In phonographs, a table adapted to hold a record and including a center pin, a pick-up arm mounted for movement over the table on an axis inclined slightly away from said table, a projection at one side of said table, means to lower the table below its normal playing position whereby the pick-up arm is free to move under the influence of gravity from its normal position after the table has been thus lowered, and means to cause the table to be still further lowered to bring the record thereon into engagement with said projection and to withdraw said center pin from engagement with the record.

24. In phonographs, a rotatable table adapted to hold a'record and including a center pin, means to rotate said table, a projection at one side of said table, a pick-up arm, means to lower said table, means mounting said pick-up arm whereby said pick-up arm is moved while the table is thus lowered, and means to further lower the table to bring the record into engagement withsaid projection to free the record clear of said center pin whereby the rotation of the record causes it to roll from the turntable.

25. In combination, means for moving talking machine or phonograph records in succession along a path, a turntable, means for moving said turntable to successively transport said records from said path to a sound reproducing position and for subsequently lowering the same, means for successively reproducing sound from said records while in said position, and meanseflective after the respective periods of sound reproduction for imparting a motion of translation to each record under the influence of energy derived from the rotary motion applied thereto by said turntable, said last named means comprising a member engaged by each record during descent thereof from said sound reproducing position.

WILLIAM D. LA RUE.