US2084443A - Time controlled program selector for radio sets - Google Patents

Description

June 22, 1937.

L. Y. HUFFAKER 2,084,443

TIME CONTROLLED PROGRAM SELECTOR FOR RADIO SETS Filed May 8, 1955 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 attorneys.

June 22, 1937. HUFFAKER I 2,084,443

TIME CONTROLLED PROGRAM SELECTOR FOR RADIO SETS Filed Ma& 8, 1933 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 v 60 63 all WI 25 i l-4 4 HI! W512" I i T3 4. 5 1. L EL.

gaumrmwfianm 3 a r a I By (Ittornegs.

June 22,1937. LYHUFFAKER 2,084,443

TIME CONTROLLED PROGRAM SELECTOR FOR RADIO SETS I Filed May 8, 1933 '6 Sheets-Sheet 3 t (Ittornggs l v 1 I Q Zhwentor June '22, 1937. K R 2,084,443

TIME CONTROLLED PROGRAM SELECTOR FOR RADIO SETS Filed May 8, 1933 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 vxm ii'i J1 fiiiiiii? 71' 205 ,EJ Q 101 103 J03 J02 o v. o H 105, i04

v 4 lnsu/af/an 90/ :2 .107 I LII'IfU/dY /brf 94' inventor 3Q A (Ittomegs June 22, 1937. L. Y. HUFFAKER I TIME CONTROLLED PROGRAM SELECTOR FOR RADIO SETS Filed May 8, 1933 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 7 3npenfot attorneys vJune 22, 1937. L. Y. HUFFAKER TIME CONTROLLED PROGRAM SELECTOR FOR RADIO SETS Filed May'8, 1935 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Gttbrnegs Patented June 22, 1937 TI1Vm CONTROLLED PROGR SELECTOR FOR BIO SETS Lillian Yancey Huifaker, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application May 8, 1933, Serial No. 870,006

1 Claim.

tions, said chart operating as a master switch for controlling circuits forming portions of the condenser operating mechanism whereby selected 10 stations can be brought in at predetermined times,

and in predetermined succession.

It is another object of the invention to provide simple but eflicient mechanism by means of which any selected station can be tuned in auto- 15 matically at a predetermined time and to provide additional means by which any station within the range of the receiver can .be tuned in by manual operation of the dial without interference from the automatic mechanism.

20 A still further object is to provide an apparatus of this character utilizing a program chart which can be in the form of a web adapted readily to be placed into or removed from position,

I it being possible to utilize a web having a program extending over one or more days so that after the web has been placed in the apparatus and coupled to its clock mechanism, no further attention need be given to the radio receiver during the period covered by the program chart,

30 from which selections have been made.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter 35 more fully described and pointed out in the claim,

it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

40 In the accompanying drawings the preferred form of the invention has been shown.

In said drawings: Figure 1 is a front elevation of one form of radio receiver equipped with the present improve- 45 ments.

Figure 2 is a horizontal section taken substantially on the line 22, Figure l, the dial and condenser-being shown in plan, parts being broken away.

50 Figure 3 is a. section on line 34, Figure 2 showing in front elevation most of the mechanism illustrated in said figure.

.Figure 4 is a sectionpn line 4-4, Figure 2. Figure 5 is a section on line 5-5, Figure 2.

' Figure -6 is a section on line 66, Figure 2.

Figure 7 is an enlarged elevation ofone of the condenser controlling magnets, parts being broken away.

Figure 8 is a plan view thereof.

Figure 9 is afront elevation of the sweep of the 5 tuning mechanism.

Figure 10 is a sideelevation thereof.

Figure 11 is an enlarged section through the coupling of the alining condenser shafts.

Figure 12 is an elevation of one form of motor 0 reversing switch which may be used.

Figure 13 is an enlarged elevation of the auto matic switch which can be used withthe set for starting and stopping the operation thereof.

Figure 14 is an elevation of the time clock op- 15 erated controlling web displaying available programs.

Figure 15 is a section online l5-l5, Figure 14.

Figure 16 is a detail view of a means for holding the movable contact members which cooper- 0 ate with the web.

Figure 17 is a plan view of an intermediate portion of the web.

Figure 18 is a plan view of a portion of one end of the web showing its reduced width. 5

Figure 19 is a section on line Iii-49, Figure 14.

Figure 20 is a view showing in diagram the several circuits forming a part of the present invention. 1

It is to be understood that many modifications of the present invention can be utilized and that the apparatus illustrated is merely one of many forms which could be used in carrying out the invention. For example various types of radio receivers can be used; clocks driven by springs,

weights, electricity; etc. can be employed; the

clock and the web operated thereby can be located at any desired point within -or remote from the set; the program web can be of any length or width found best suited to meet the requirements; and the complete apparatus can be built into the set or can be constructed in the form ofan attachment to be applied to a set. For the purpose of illustrating the essential features of the invention one form only has been illustrated and will be described. v

In the structure illustrated the casing of the set has been indicated at land supported in this casing is a speaker 2 in front of which can be located the usual screen 3 having an ornamental grill 4. In this illustrated structure the grill constitutes the support for the frame 5 of the clock operated mechanism. In one side of this frame is located the clock mechanism indicated generally at 6, the face I of the clock being exposed through the front of the frame as shown in Fig. ure 1. The other side of the frame contains the mechanism which is driven by the clock and a portion of this mechanism is visible through the open face of the frame as shown. Normally the frame is fastened in closed position against the grill 4. However, as the frame is movably connected to the grill, as by means of a hinge 8, it can be swung downwardly, for example, until brought to a substantially horizontal position. The

mechanism of the clock and the mechanism which is driven by the clock are preferably arranged in a housing 9 carried by the frame and the back of this housing can be closed by .aremovable cover In which normally serves to exclude dust.

When the frame 5 is swung to open position, this cover'lil can be reached readily and removed from housing 9, thereby affording access to the interior of the housing and the mechanisms contained therein. v I

The clockG has a driven shaft H provided at one end with a clutch member 12. This shaft can be shifted longitudinally by a knob l3. It is'intended that the shaft rotate at a predetermined speed relative to the movement of the minute hand of the clock so that the mechanism driven by the clock through this shaft I I 'will operate in a predetermined timed relation with the clock.

The driven mechanism in the housing 9 can be the same as that disclosed in my Patent 1,911,448, dated May 30, 1933, or can be of a simplified'construction such as illustrated in the drawings. In the illustrated structure spools I4 and I5 are mounted for rotation in opposite end portions of the 'housing, each spool being provided with a knob 16 whereby it can be rotated readily in either direction when the cover Ill is removed;

Spool I5"has disc-like heads l1 and I8, oneof which I'l, constitutes a pulley for receiving motion through a crossed belt l9 from a pulley l4 constituting one head of spool l4. v

Shaft 20 has a clutch member 2| adapted to be engaged by and to receive motion from the clutch member I 2. This shaft carries a roll 22 provided with short radial teeth 23, and extended transversely of the housing adjacent to the spool I4 is a guide roll .24.

The program chart to be used in connection with this apparatus can be of the form illustrated, for example, in Figures 14 and 17. This chart consists of an elongated web 25 provided adjacent to its edges with longitudinal series of openings 26 into which the teeth '23 are adapted to project. The web has its ends detachably connected in any suitable manner to the respective spools and islooped about rollers 22 and 24 so that a portion of the web at all times will be stretched close to and parallel with the front or open face of frame 5. One end portion of the web has its sides cut away longitudinally as :at 25'.

When the two shafts l l and 20 are coupled together the roll 22 will be driven at such a speed as to cause a predetermined length of web 25 to pass a given point during a predetermined period of time. At the same time that the web is thus being actuated it will pull upon and rotate spool I4 andcause motion to .be transmitted through pulley l4, crossed belt I9 and pulley I! to spool 15, thereby to wind the web on spool l5. The belt can slip to compensate for any variation between the speeds of rotation of the spools.

The web is provided with transverse lines 21 which divide the web into time periods. The spaces between these lines representing the different time periods can be designated by indications of those times of the day with which they are associated. For example one space 28 between two of the lines can be designated at one side by 1.30 P. M.; the next adjoining period can be designated 1.45 P. M); the next period can be designated 2 P. M.; etc. to the end of the web, fifteen minutes being assigned in the illustrated form to each designatedperiod.

In each of the time designated spaces there can be displayed the letters of those stations capable of selection by the apparatus, the letters of the stations all being located in a column as shown in Figure 17 and there being displayed beside the letters of each station the particular program to be presented during that particular time period.

The tape is divided into longitudinal columns by longitudinal lines 29. One of these columns 30 is provided for each of the stations designated on the web. Another column, 3| can be used in the control'of the starting mechanism of the apparatus while another column 32 can be used to control the stopping of the apparatus. Along each of the lines 21 or at any other suitable points within or adjacent to each of the time spaces 28 are removable tabs 33 which can 'be divided by scored or perforated lines which weaken the tape and permit the tabs to be removed readily when desired. One of these removable portions is located in each column 30, 3| and 32 and, as before stated, one set of these removable tabs is provided for each time space 28. For the purpose of convenient identification each station can be provided with a designating numeral as indicated at 34 and the column 30 assigned to each station can be identified by the corresponding numeral appearing on the tab 33 in said column. For example station KOX has the number 3 associated with it. The number 3 also appears on the tabs 33 in one of the columns 30. Thus the user of the web can readily locate at any point and in any time space 28 the particular column associated with a particular station.

Arranged back of the web 25 so as to be slidably engaged thereby is a contact bar 35 and carried by this bar but insulated therefrom are stationary contacts 36 and 31 located back of the respective columns 3| and 32.

Extending across-the front of the web 25 is a supporting bar 38 of insulating material and with this bar cooperates a strip 39 also of insulating material whereby a series of resilient contact fingers 40, 4|, 42, 43, 44, 45 and 46 can be held securely in properly spaced relation, each finger being formed preferably with a rounded terminal 41 for sliding engagement by that portion of the web engaging the contact bar 35.

The mechanism thus far described is all located in the housing 9 and while thishousing has been illustrated as located at a particular point in the receiving set it, as hereinbefore stated, can be located at any other point on the set or even at a point remote therefrom.

The interior of the receiving set has been shown in part in Figure 2, a housing for thetubes being indicated at 48 whilethe transformer has been indicated at 49 and the rectifier at 50..

A portion of thecondenser has been shown at 5| and the shaft 52 of the condenserhas the i usual graduated dial 53 for display through the opening 54 while a. knob 55 can be used for actuating the condenser. As shown in Figure 4 the shaft 56 of knob 55 can be provided with a pulley 51 for actuating an endless belt 58 which is ex-, tended over a guide sheave 59 to a pulley 58 secured to the shaft 52. Thus by rotating the knob the condenser and its dial 53 can be operated in the usual manner.

Secured to shaft 52 so as to rotate therewith is a sweep 6| the outer end of which is provided with normally spaced resilient contact fingers 62 insulated from each other and from the sweep. Obviously during the rotation of the condenser shaft 52 this sweep will be swung in an are back and forth, according to the direction of movement of the dial 53.

Adjacent to the path of movement of sweep 6| is an arcuate supporting bar 63 mounted on a suitable bracket 64 and provided with a longitudinal slot 65. In this slot are adjustably mounted electro-magnets 66. One of these magnets is provided,for each of the stations adapted to be tuned in by the apparatusand each electromagnet has a spring pressed armature 61 which is held normally spaced from the core 88 of the magnet as shown by full lines in Figure 7. An arm 89 is extended from and'm'oves with the armature and is preferably extended back so as to normally lie substantially parallel with the magnet. This arm has a projection I8 extending from its free end portion.

The sweep 6| is adapted to swing in a path close to the armature 61 and the contacts 82 thereon are adapted to travel in a path close to the free ends of the projections I8 when these projections are in their normal positions. Obviously, therefore, when none of the magnets is energized and all of the armatures are located as shown by full lines in Figure 7, the sweep BI can move back and forth with its shaft without bringing contacts 62 against anyone of the projections I8.

The magnets 66 are spaced apart relativeto each other the same relative distances as are those graduations on the dial 53 which designate the stations to be tuned in. Therefore, when dial 53 is rotated to tune in station KOX, the contact fingers 62 will be brought to position for engagement by the projection I8 of magnet 66 belonging to the said station KOX.

An electric motor 'II is suitably located in the housing I and is adapted to transmit motion through suitable speed reduction gearing to a supplemental condenser shaft I2 which alines with shaft 52. This speed reduction mechanism can consist of a worm I3 on the motor shaft meshing with a worm gear I4 which, in turn, is

carried by a shaft I5. A worm 16 on this shaft meshes with a worm gear I1 on the shaft 12.

Shaft 52 has a coupling disc I8 secured thereto and provided with an opening I9. Another disc 88 is keyed on shaft I2 so as to rotate therewith but slide thereon. This disc 88 carries a spring pressed coup'ling pin 8! which projects normally from the disc so as to snap into opening I9 when brought into register therewith;

Disc 88 has a hub 82 provided with an annular groove 83 and projecting into the groove is a forked arm 84 extending from a slide 85 which is mounted for reciprocation in suitable guides 85. The "slide constitutes a rack which is constantly engaged by a gear 8! on shaft 88 of a clutch controlling knob 89. Thus by rotating the knob to the right in Figure l the disc 88 will be shifted to the right so as to withdraw pin 8| from opening 19 and thereby uncouple the disc 88 from the disc 18. By turning the knob to the left disc 88 can be brought against disc I8, thereby pushing the pin 8| back against the action of its spring until such time as the pin arrives in line with opening 19 whereupon the pin will snap into the opening and couple together the two discs and their shafts.

A reversing switch can be used for reversing the motor II each time the condenser is brought to either limit of its movement. Obviously various types of reversing switches or the like can be used. In Figure 12 a doubleswitch has been shown with spaced movable contacts 98 and 9| and with stationary contacts 92, 93 and 94 for engagement thereby. The movable contacts are adapted to shift in unison and are provided with an arm' 95 movable about the fulcrum 96 of one of the contacts. This arm has a pin 91 pivotally connected to it and slidable in a guide 98. A spring 99 exerts a constant thrust against the pin and, through the pin, against the arm 95. Thus this arm when moved to a dead center will place the spring under compression but as soon as it passes the dead center the spring will expand and-snap the arm and the movable contacts of the switch to one extreme position. Operation of the arm 95 can be effected by cam fingers I88 which are carried by shaft I2 and extend in opposite directions therefrom. The two cams are so located relative to each other that while shaft I2 is being rotated in one direction one of these cams will come against arm 95 and move it to-' ward its dead center. As soon asthe movable condenser reaches its extreme position through the rotation of shaft 12 coupled thereto, arm 95 will pass its dead center and be snapped abruptly to its new extreme 'position, thereby to reverse the switch and the rotation of the motor controlled thereby. When shaft I2 is rotated in the opposite direction a similar action will take place as soon as the condenser reaches the ,limit of its movement, thereby again reversing the motor.

The switch used for turning on and off the current to the set can be of any preferred construction. vOne form of switch to be used for this Durpose has been illustrated in detail in Figures 3, 13

arm I84 and is adapted to shift it to the left or to the right after it passes a dead center. Switch arm I84,,when'in one extreme position, engages two contacts I88 and I89 so as to electrically connect them. When the arm is in its other extreme position the circuit through these contacts is broken as shown in Figure 20.

The various parts of this apparatus can be electrically connected as shown in diagram in Figure 20. As therein indicated each of the magnets 66 is electrically connected to one of the fingers 4I-45 inclusive and all of the magnets are, in turn, electrically connected to one of the contact fingers 62 and to the magnet-H8 of a relay, this magnet being also electrically connected to the other contact finger 62. Direct current is conducted from the rectifier 58 to one side of the magnet H8 and is also conducted to the contactbar 35. The armature III of the relay can be held by a spring I I2 so as to normally press together two contacts II3, thereby closing the circuit to the speaker 2 through the set 48.

The armature III is electrically connected to the intermediate, contact 94 of the reversing switch and the contact I M from which the arma- 'ture is normally spaced, is electrically connected 7 to one terminal of a plug H6. This contact is also electrically connected to one terminal H6 movable contacts 90 and 9| of this switch are connected to the respective brushes ofthe motor as shown.

A second plug is preferably used in connection with the apparatus and has been indicated at I2l. One terminal of this plug is electrically connected to the two contacts 36 and 61. The other terminal of plug |2| is electrically connected to the twosolenoids IN and I02. 501- enoid IN is also connected electrically to contact finger 40 while solenoid I02 is electrically connected to contact finger 46.

When it is desired to use this apparatus the frame 5 is opened, the back cover I is removed and shaft I I is shifted longitudinally to disengage it from clutch or coupling member 2|. A web 25 containing the printed program covering the Y period during which the apparatus is to be used is prepared by removing'selected tabs 63 for the purpose of starting and stopping the operation of the set .at desired times and for bringing in selected programs. For example should it be desired to start the set at 1.30 P. M. tab a' in the starting column 3| and on the 1.30 P. M. line 21 will be removed. If it is desired at that time to listen .to a fifteen minute program of station KAC, tab number 4 on the same line would be removed because the number of this tab corresponds with the number assigned to that station and is located in the proper column for bringing in the station. If, after a fifteen minute program i on station KAC, it should'be desired to listen to a fifteen minute program on station KVD, the user removes tab 2 from line 27 belonging to the 1.45

P. M. time interval. This preparation of the web can be continued for the purpose of bringing in any desired programs during the day or during tively by the clock mechanism and ifthe set is to begin operating at 1.30 P. M. nothing will occur until that hour. As soon as the selected time several days if the web is of sufficient length and whenever it is desired to stop the operation of the set a tab 33 can be'removed from column 32 at the proper point.

Following the selection of the desired programs in the manner pointed out the web is placed in engagement with spool. I4- and wound thereon. The free end of the web is then placed over roll' 24, inserted between contact bar 36 and the sevoral-contact fingers 40 to 46 inclusive, looped in engagement with roller 22 so that the teeth thereon will enter certain of the openings 26, and then attached to the spool I5. This spool l6 can be turned to wind the web thereon until thetime indicated by" the fingers 40-46 in cooperation with .the markings on the web corresponds with the time indicated by the clock. When the parts are thus assembled the shaft H is shifted longitudinally so as to couple it to shaft -2| and the frame 5 is moved to closed position.

The web will now be driven slowly but posiarrivesftheopening left by the removal'of tab it willarrive between contact finger 40 and contact 36. Instantly a circuit will be established from plug |2l through these contacts to the solenoid become tie-energized, and

ing the circuit between the contacts I06 and I06.

This action results in establishing a circuit from the plug H5 to the set and to the supplement transformer 49 and rectifier 50.

If, asalready stated, the program of station KAC is to be brought ,in simultaneously with the starting of the set, the opening formed by the removal of'tab number 4 on the 1.30 P. M. line will arrive between contact bar 45 and finger 44 belonging to said station thereby effecting a contact between these parts simultaneously with the contact between finger 40 and contact 36. As soon as this contact is effected a circuit is established from the finger 44 to magnet 66 connected thereto and thence tomagnet I I0. 'As a result of this actionthe selected magnet. 66 will attract its armature 61 so as to move projection 10 to the dotted line position shown in Figure 7'. Simultaneously with this action is the attraction of armature III, by magnet H0. This attraction results in releasing one of the contacts I I3 so as to break its connection with the other contact H3 and-cut out the speaker from the set. At the same time armature III moves into engagement with contact H4 and closes the circuit to the motor Thus shaft 12 will be caused to rotate slowly in'one direction and if the shifted projection 10 is not in the path ofcontact fingers 62 the rotation of the shaft will continue until the movable condenser reaches one limit of its movement. At this time one of the c'ams I00 will reverse the position of switch arm 65 and cause the reversing switch to shift-oil of contact 92, as shown in Figure 19, into position on contact 94. Consequently the direction of rotation of the motor II will be reversed instantly and shaft I2 as well asshaft 52 coupled thereto will be rotated inthe opposite direction. This movement will continue until one of the contact fingers 62 comes against the projection 10 which has been shifted into the path thereof. This will result in the two contacts 62 coming together and the current from the rectifier will beshunted around the relay magnet I I0. Consequently this magnet will be de energized and its armature III will be released. As the armature 1 moves back to its normal position under the action of spring H2 it breaks the circuit, to the motor which immediately .ceases to function. The

armature also presses the contacts H3 together to re-establish the circuit to the speaker.

When the shafts were'rotated by the motor as before explained and the contacts 62 brought against the projection 10, said shafts and the condenser 5| as well as the dial 53 were rotated.

to such a position as to tune in the selected station and as theoperation of'the motor stopped as soon as theselected station was reached; due

number 4 tab has passed from between finger 44 and contact bar 45. As soon as the opening has thus passed the web'will break the circuit between the finger 44 and bar 35, magnet 66 will projection 10 will drop out of the path of the contact fingers 62.

means of the knob 55. "Thereafter, following the The program of the selected station will continue to come in until the opening provided in the web for the next selected station arrives at the proper time between the contact bar 35 and the contact finger belonging to said station. At that time the same operation heretofore described will take place and the condenser will be operated by the motor until the projection I belonging to the selected station has interrupted the movement and changed the circuits as explained.

Ultimately and after any predetermined number of changes of stations the opening in the stop column 32 will arrive between finger 46 and contact 31. This will result in closing the circuit to the solenoid I02. Consequently switch arm I04 will be moved to the position shown in Figure 20, thereby breaking the power circuit through contacts I00 and I 09 and shutting off the set. Thereafter the cut-away side portions 25' of the web will arrive at the roll 22 so that teeth 23 will no longer drive the web. Consequently the web will stop with all contact fingers 40-46 resting thereon and all circuits will remain broken.

Should it be desired at any time to tune the set without relying upon the automatic features,

it would be necessary simply to turn the switch knob I00 so as'to swing arm I04 into engagereversal of the knob 8'! the operation of the shaft I2 by the motor would bring the pin 0I ultimately into position to snap into opening I9, thereby re- .sulting in the automatic recoupling of the two shafts and the subsequent automatic tuning of v the set as heretofore explained.

The set can be provided with an automatic volume control or said control can be regulated by a means under the control of a knob I 22.

What is claimed is:

In a radio receiving set the combination with a condenser shaft and a condenser thereon, of a reversible electric motor, mechanism operated thereby for rotating the condenser shaft, a reversing switch for the motor, means movable with the condenser for operating the switch upon the completion of the movement of the condenser in either direction, thereby to reverse the rotation of the motor and condenser, a sweep movable with the condenser shaft, a series of electrov the motor, said means including a spring pressed armature, a pivoted arm carrying the same, a projection on the arm, and contacts on the sweep included in a circuit to the motor, and a speaker circuit, said contacts constituting means for engagement by the projection when the magnet is circuit.

LILLIAN Y(ANCEY) HUFFAKER.

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