US2094255A

US2094255A - Automatic phonograph

Info

Publication number: US2094255A
Application number: US700492A
Authority: US
Inventors: Benjamin R Carson
Original assignee: RCA Corp
Current assignee: RCA Corp
Priority date: 1933-12-01
Filing date: 1933-12-01
Publication date: 1937-09-28
Anticipated expiration: 1954-09-28

Description

Sept. 28, 1937. B. R. cARsoN AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPH Filed Dec. 1, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INvEf/ro/a' Luzzati?.- son,

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www W@ Sept. 28, 1937. B. R. cARsoN AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPH Filed Dec. 1, 1933 5 Sheets-sheet 2 Sept.- 28, 1937.

. R. CARSON;

AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPH Filed Deo. 1, 193s 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Sept. 28, 1937. s. R. cARsoN AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPH Filed Deo. l, 1953 /Mm ..V

5 Sheets-Sheet 4 TTQ/EWEK. 5C

sept. 2s, 1937. B. R. CARsoN 2,094,255

AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPH Filed Dec. `1. 193s 5 sheets-sheet 5 NVENTOE.' i Y Bm .Y moi-11 l Patented sept. 29,-: 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE 2,094,255 AU'roMA'nc rnoNocnArn Benjamin R. Carson,' Camden, N. J., assigner to Radio Corporation of America, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Applieatien December 1, 1933, serial No. 700,492 39 claims. (ci. 274-10) 4'I'his invention relates to phonographs,` and more particularly toten-.automatic phonograph of the type wherein a pluralitypf records are,

- stacked upon the turntable for successive repro- 5 duction and subsequent removal to a record'receptacle.

The primary object of my invention is to pro. vide an improved phonograph of the type specied which may be operated either automatically,.

to reproduce a plurality of records in succession without interruption and Without;v attention on the part of the user after having once been set into operation, or which may, at will, be operated manually to reproduce a single record at a time.

A more speciiic object of myI invention is to provide an. improved phonograph as aforesaid which can very easily be changed from an automatically operable machine to a manually operablemachine, and vice versa..

Another object of my invention is to provideV an improved phonograph of this type which 4will play diiferent size records, either automatically or manually.

Still another object of my invention is to pro- '25 vide an improved phonograph of the type de scribed which, when operated automatically, will forth which, when operated as an automatic machine, will giveaudible notice that the playing 4o of the entire repertoire of records in the stack 'has been completed.

Still a further object of my invention is to provide an improved phonograph of the type referred to which will automatically repeat any de- 45 sired record indeiinitely.

' It is another object of my invention to provide,

in a phonograph of the type specied, means for insuring a suitable gripping action between the several records of the stack so that there will be 50 no slipping between the respective records and so that obnoxious variations in pitch of the reproduced sound resulting from such slipping will be eliminated.

Another object, yet, of my invention is to pro- 55 vide, in a phonograph of the type s peciiied,

proved and simplified means for raising the tone arm from the played record at the end oi reproduction thereof, returning it to a position above starting position bn the next record, and .then gently, but positively, lowering the tone arm onto 5 that record in readiness for the needle to enter the starting groove thereof.

Still another object of my invention is to provide an improved phonograph of the type mentioned wherein all the automaticoperations are 10 controlled and set into operation by a single, simplied control device. I

A further object of my invention is to provide an improved phonograph of this type in which the playing level of the turntable will remain 15 constant regardless of the number of' records stacked thereon.

lIt is stilla further object.of my invention to provide an improved phonograph of this type wherein the turntable spindle will readily accom- 20 modate itself to receive any number of records thereon within a predetermined limit, but whichl e will yield sufiiciently to permit each successive e topmost record to be freely displaced therefrom upon completion of reproduction thereof. v

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved 'phonograph of the type set forth which, in automatic condition. willoperate satisfactorily with records having any type of terminal 'groove nowV employed as a standard groove in 30- commercial records.

- Still another object of my invention is to provide an Vimproved phonograph of the type set forth which is compact and may be housed in a` cabinet within a very small space. It is a further object of my invention to provide an improved phonograph of the type'set forth which is extremely accurate and eiiicient in operation, which comprises a number of parts, and which is relatively inexpensive to 40 manufacture.

One improved form of phonograph according to my present invention comprises a. turntable mounted on a. motor driven spindle and rotatable' thereby in a xed horizontal plane. The spindle has a retractable center pin which is constantly spring-urged outwardly toward its elevated position and is adapted to threadedlv receive thereon a plurality of phonograph records within a pre-- determined number, A record ejector arm is mounted on the motor board in a position such that the free end thereof is adapted to rest upon the uppermost record ofthe stack with sulcient pressure to prevent the records from slipping relative to one another, a depending iinger on said free end engagingthe center opening of the topmost recor and depressing the aforementioned center pin the thickness thereof.

To one side of the turntable, there is mounted,

also on vthe motor board, an index mechanism which may be set for either automatic operation of the machine to automatically play a repertoire o`f records of a selected one of several sizes, or for manual operation thereof. In the automatic condition, a'single control element operatedfrom the spindle effects automatic removal of thetone arm from a played record and almost immediately causes the ejector arm to remove only the topmost record of the stack. Thereafter, the ejector arm is replaced on the next succeeding record, the tone arm is deposited thereon for playing, and the cycle is repeated, being initiated again, at the end of playing of the new record, by means of a tone arm lcontrolled pawl mechanism associated with said control element.

When the index mechanism is moved to manual position, the aforesaid pawl mechanism is rendered inoperative, and asecond pawl mechanism, also controlled by the tone arm, is substituted in its place. This second pawl mechanism, which is entirely independent of the rst pawl mechanism and which is itself rendered inoperative when the rst pawl mechanism is rendered operative, is adapted to control the motor and causes the motor to stop automatically upon completion of playing of each individual record.

The novel features that I consider characteristic of my invention are set forth with particularity inlthe appended claims. However, the invention itself, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with additional objects as Well as the advantages thereof, will best be understood from the following description of a specific embodiment, when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a plan view of my improved phonograph showing the motor board and all parts mounted thereon in full lines, all parts thereabove in dot-and-dash lines and all parts therebelow in dotted lines, with the phonograph set for automatic reproduction and at the beginning of playing of a record,

Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan view showing a position occupied by the parts during the playing of a record,

' Figure 3 is a fragmentary plan view similar to Figure 2 but showing, in full lines', the parts in the position occupied by them immediately prior to the commencement ofV the automatic record changing cycle, and in dotted lines, the position of the parts immediately after the cycle has commenced,

,--Figure'4 is av view similar to 'Figure 1 but showlng the position of the parts half way through the 6U automatic record changing cycle,

Figure 5 is a rear elevation of my improved phonograph showing the position of the parts at approximately the time when the record ejector arm is about to be disengaged from a record being removed thereby from the stack,

Figure 6 is a detailed perspective view of the mechanism for carrying out the automatic cycle, Figure '7 is a sectional view taken on the line VII- VH of Figure 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows,

'Figure 8 is a fragmentary detail view showing the relative positions of the turntable spindle, records, and record engaging disc on the ejector arm during removal of a played record from the stack,

Figure 9 is a central section through the turntable spindle on the line IX-IX of Figure 7 and looking in the direction of the arrows but showing the relation of the record engaging disc and spindle when there is only one record left on\ 5 the turntable, kand Y Figure 10 is a detailed perspective view of the ejector arm supporting and operating mechansm.

Referring to 'the drawings more in detail, and particularly to Figs. 7 and 9, I have shown a motor 10 board I supporting a motor 2 which drives a hollow spindle 3 extending through an opening 4 in the motor board and supporting a turntable 5 o n which a plurality of records R may be stacked, the turntable being preferably provided with a 15 felt sur-facet to prevent damage to the lcwermost recordl of the stack. The turntable 5 is driven through its hub I from a cross-pin 8 on a sleeve 9, in -turn driven from the spindle 3 by means of a cross-pin I0. 20

Formed on the sleeve 9 is a gear I I which continuously drives a gear I2, the latter gear acting as a control device for effecting operation of the parts to carry out a cycle of automatic operations. The gear I2 is staked to a sleeve I3 which is 25 mounted for rotation on a stub shaft I4 fixed to the motor board I, and it supports a cam member I5 on the underside thereof. The cam member I5 is also mounted on the sleeve I3 and is in the form of a cylindrical cup-shaped member hav- 30 ing a flat face I6 slightly spaced from the bottom face of the gear I2 by a washer I'I and a downwardly extending peripheral flange I84 broken away at I9 for a purpose hereinafter described. A rivet or the like 20 serves to lock the cam member 35 I5 to the gear I2 so that, as both rotate in unison, the flange I 8 will function as a cam relative to the axis of rotation of the control gear I2.

Pivoted at 2| to the underside of the motor board I through a sleeve 22 to which it is staked 40 is an actuating member 23 comprising a lever having a lateral extension 24 and terminating in a pair of branches 25 and 26 (Fig. 6). A roller 21 is mounted on the extension 24 for cooperation, as a cam follower, with the inner surface yof the 45 flange I8 whereby the cam member I5 is adapted to impart rotation to the actuating lever 23 in a; counter-clockwise direction about its pivot 2I. Return of the lever 23 to its normal position is effected by a coil spring 28 having one end thereof 50 connected to a pin 29 xed to the underside of the motor board and the other end thereof connected to a'pin 30 upstanding from the branch 26 through anarcuate slot 3| in the motor board, the spring 28 insuring contact between the follower 21 55 and the flange I8 during return movement of the lever 23 and its associated parts.

Slightly to one side of the main portion of the actuating lever 23, there is pivoted, at 32, a substantially C-shaped cable lever 33 having a down- 60 wardly offset portion 34 apertured for the reception of an adjustable eye-bolt to which one end of a coil spring 38 is secured. A cable 3l, having one end thereof secured to the other end of the coil spring 36, passes around a guide roller 38 65 mounted on a bracket 33 and through an opening 40 in the motor board I, being secured at its other end to a tone arm or the like support 4I for a sound reproducing instrumentality 42 carrying a stylus 43. 70

The cable lever 33 is provided with two' sub stantially parallel

inner side portions

44 and 45, the latter terminating in an angularly disposed cam face 46. Upstanding from the actuating lever 23 is a pin 41 which, during reproduction of 75 J amaca a record, ogupies a position substantially mldway betwe the side portions 44 and 45 (Figs.` l, 2, and 3). As soon, however, as the lever 23 begins its counter-clockwise rotation under the iniiuence of means hereinafter described, the

pin 41 engages the side portion 45 and rotates the cable lever 33 also in a counter-clockwise direction (Fig. 3). -This rst causes the lever 33 to take up the tension on the spring 35 and then to exert a pull on the tone arm 4l rst to raise it from the played record about its horizontal pivot 48 and then, almost immediately, to swing the tone arm outwardly to starting position over thenext record to be played. As the pin 41 passes from the side portion 45 over onto the cam portion 46, it retains the cablelever 33 in its extreme counterclockwise position (Fig. 4) thus holding the tone arm elevated above the record. When, however, the pin 41 is returned to its normal position, the tone armv is permitted "to drop down onto the r'ecord and exert a pull onV the cable 31 which returns the cable lever 33 to its normal position.

AThe spring 36, of course, prevents a sudden drop v of the tone arm onto the record, while movement of the tone arm toward the starting groove of the record once it has engaged the unrecorded peripheral portion thereof, at which time the cable .becomes quite. slack, is insured by reason of the fact that the' tone arm mounting 49 is inclined a few degrees 'from the vertical toward the turntable, as is also the pin 50 about which the tone arm pivots in its-movement Vover the record. The slack in the 'cable 31 then permits unrestrained movement of the tone arm overthe record during reproduction.

Pivoted to the actuating lever 23 is a link 5I having a slot 52 therein YIor'the reception of a pin 53 which extends downwardly from an actu. ating c amplate 5 4. Thecam plate 54 is provided with a hub 55 by means of which it is pivoted on `abushing 56 extending throughand staked tov lthe motor board I, the bushing 56receiving a' pivot pin 51 extending downwardly from a yoke Y 58 on which a pin 59 is supported horizontally (Fig. 5). A` second yoke 60 is mounted on the pin 59 for swinging movement in a verticalplane and is provided with a pair Vorvertically-spaced, lateral extensions 6| and 82. The lower extension.

62 is provided with a pin 53 which extends down through an arcuate opening 54 in the motor' board l into the path of movement of the cam plate 54, while the upper extension il is provided with an adjustable screw 55 adapted to cooperate with an ejector arm 55 for a purpose hereinafter describedf AThe ejector arm ipis mounted` on the pin 59 and, when engaged by the screw 55 during upward travel of the yoke III, is forced upwardlyto partake of vertical 'movement in response thereto.

The ejector arm se consists of a bottoni pme` 61 supporting a c0ver'88, the free end of the plate 61 Vbeing apertured to receive a hollow, in-

ternally threaded bolt $9 secured to the plate 61 by means of a nut 1l. A center pin' depressing nger 1| having an enlarged head 12is threaded into the bolt; 69 and locked therein by Aa mit AI3 in desired relation to the rounded head of the v.bolt 69.' 'I'he head 12 is spaced from the head of the bolt 6!!V a distance suillcient to accommodate a. friction disc u'provided with a raging 1s of felt or other suitable material and .a spacing plate 16 which serves also as a ball race-for the ball bearings 11. A l

'Ihe spindle 3 is supported on a thrust beating 18 in the bottom of the vmotor casing 2 and has vertical movement of the center pin 19both upwardly and downwardly, is determined by a slot 8l therein through which the vpin lli passes. When stacked on the turntable for playing, the records R are threaded on the center pin 19 and the free end of the ejector arm is permitted to rest upon the topmost record of the stack with the arm inclined downwardly toward the records. Thus, most of the weight of the ejector arm is concentrated upon the records through the friction disc 14 which directly engages the topmost record of the stack and throughY which sunicient pressure is applied to the stack to prevent slip'ping of the records relative to each other during reproduction. The head 12 of the nger 1|- is so adjusted that, when the friction disc 14 is in engagement with the topmost record of the stack, the headv 12 will depress the center pin the thickness of only one record. (Fig. '1). It will be noted that the diameter of the head 12 is the same as that of the center pin VI9 and also the same as the diameter of the center openings of the records. AThis, of course, is to keepthe topmost record properly centered since it rotates, during reproduction, about the head 12, although deriving its rotary motion from .the records below it by reason of the pressure applied through the played record, the link 5i has no eiect on the pin 53 because the play in the slot 52 is first 'taken up. The slot 52 is of suchA a length', however, that immediately upon the return of tone arm to the desired position free of the played record, the right hand end of the slot as viewed in Figs. 1-4 will have engaged the pin 53 to impart clockwise rotation to the cam plate 54 to engage the pin 63. Further clockwise movement of the cam plate 54 causes the

yokes

58 and 60 as well as the ejector arm 66 to rotate in a clockwise direction, and, since the center pin depressing finger 1I keeps the center pin 19 depressed just below the topmost record, that record is free' to move to A the-left, as viewed in Fig. 1, in responseto the ejector arm, although the remaining records of the stack are retained in place by the center pin `19.

As soon as the-topmost record has cleared the between the two topmost records may be lessened.

while the played record is being removed, the

' front edge 54a of the actuating plate 54 is slightly inclined relatively to the rear edge 54h thereof from the point A tothe point B. Thus, when iirst engaging the pin 63, the cam plate 54 not only moves the pin 63 counter-clockwise, but also exerts a force on the pin E3 to slightly swing the yoke 68 and the ejector arm 66 upwardly about the pin A59, whereby pressure of the disc 1.4 on the topmost record is gradually reduced.`

A second cam plate 82 having a cam edge 83 overlapping a portion of the slot 64 is so fixed to the motor board that the cam edge 83 lies in the path of movement of the .pin 63. AAt about the 75 time that the ejector arm 66 has moved the played record to a position where its center is just past the peripheral edge of the next lowest record (Figs. 4 and 5), the pin 63 engages the cam edge 83 and, as it is forced thereover by the cam motor board, thus limitingfurther movement. ofl

the yoke 58 in a clockwise direction. However, as the cam plate 54 continues to advance, the cam portion B-C thereof (see Fig. 10) rides under the pin 63 raising it away from the cam edge 83, whereupon a spring 86, xed at one end to a pin 81 on the motor board I and at the other end to a pin 88 extending downwardly from the yoke 58, pulls the yoke 58 backslightly in a counter-l clockwise direction and forces the pin 63 into the dwell D of the cam plate 54 and against a finger 89 extending from the plate 54.

At this time, the cam member I5 has completed half a revolution and the actuating lever 23 has begun its clockwise return movement under the influence ofthe spring 28, pulling the link 5| back with it. As the link 5| returns, the spring 86 pivots the yoke 58 back in a counter-clockwise direction toward its normal position and the counter-clockwise movement is transmitted thereby to the cam plate 54 through the yoke 60 and its depending finger 63. The ejector arm 66 is, of course, at the same time also returned in a counter-clockwise direction until the extension 84 abuts against an adjustable'stop 90, adjust-iA able to permit return of the ejector arm 66 to a position where its center pin depressing nger 1| is in axial alignment with the center pin 19.

During the movement just described, the extreme right hand end of the slot 52 as viewed in Figs. 1 and 4 is still in engagement with the pin 53. Further movement of the link 5| has no effect upon the ejector arm 66 but permits the slot to move relative to the pin 53 until the extreme left hand end thereof engages the pin 53. Thereafter, continued movement of the link `5| moves the cam plate 54 in further counter-clockwise direction, and, as the pin 63 can no longer' follow this movement, the cam portion B-C is removed from under the pin 63, whereupon the yoke 60 is free to drop with' the ejector arm 66 following the yoke 60 until the next record is engaged bythe friction disc 14. 'I'he cam plate 54 is then returned to its normal position against a buffer 9| and the tone arm is allowed to drop onto the next succeeding record.- The tone arm controlling mechanism and record removing mechanism are sorelated that that portion of the automatic fcycle' which takes place between the completion of playing of one record-"and the commencementof playing of the next record requires only approximately three and one-half seconds. As compared to approximately threequarters of a minute required by some of the most eicient automatic phonographs of the prior art,

itcan be readily appreciated thata substantial saving in time may be realized by my present invention. i

The automatic cycle previously described will ,continue indefinitely so long as current is supplied to the motor 2. However, when the last record in the stack has been reached, thefcenter pin 19 can no longer be depressed by the finger 1| because the upper end of the slot 8| is in engagement with the pin I0, and the head 12 merely rests on top of the center pin 19 with the friction disc 14 out of Vengagement with the record, as clearly shown in Fig. 9. Consequently, when the foregoing described automatic operations take place, the last record will not be removed and the tonne arm will be returned to the same record to replay it. In this manner, the last record will be repeated indefinitely and its constant repetition will give audible notice to the listener that the last record of the stack has been reached. If desired, the last record may be a specially recorded one on which some suitable warning may be recorded, such as This is the last recordthis is the last record-this is the last recordwhereby the audible notice that the entire repertoire has been played may be even more apparent to the user.

As the records are removed from the stack, it will be noted that the angle of inclination of the ejector arm 66 with respect to each next succeeding record increases. Since it is essential that the friction disc engage each record (except the last one, of course) flatly, provision must be made whereby the plane of the disc 14 should change correspondingly with respect to the plane of the plate 61. It is for this reason that the head of the bolt 69 is rounded and the center openings in the ball race 16 and the disc 14 are made larger than the diameter of the Ireduced portion of the finger 1|. cThus, the disc 14 can partake of universal movement on the pin 1| and can always ac-f commodate itself to the new record. At the same time, the ball bearings 11 permit the disc 14 to rotate freely with the record with which it is engaged so .that no unnecessary load will be applied to the motor 2. 4

For the purpose ofy initiating a cycle of automatic operations as previously described, a trip lever 92 is pivotally mountedon a pin -93 on the motor board the lever 92 having three arms 92a., 92h, and 92e and the arm 92a being forked for the reception of al pin 94 extending downwardly from the tone arm 4|. Also pivoted on the pin 93 through a hub 95 and supported by the trip lever 92 is an arm or member 96 which is frictionally coupled to the lever 92 by means of a friction clutch spring 91 fixed to the lever 92 and engaging the hub 95 at diametrically opposite p oints, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 4. The frictional force applied to the hub 95 by the clutch spring may be adjusted by means of a nut and bolt assembly 98 so that the member 96 will retain any angular relation with respect to the lever 92 in which it is temporarily set.

The free end of the member 96 is downwardly offset to pass through an arcuate slot 99 inthe motor board and then forwardly a distance sufficient to extend into the path of movement of a pin extending downwardly from a cycle initiating pawl |0| pivoted to the underside of the motor board on a pin |02 and restrained against free movement by a leaf spring |03. The pawl |0| is also provided with a second pin |04 extending down 'into the path of movement of the branch 25 of the actuating lever 23, a shoulder adapted to abut against a fixed pin |06 on the motor board to limit counter-clockwise rotation of the pawl |0|, and a forwardly extending arm |01 terminating in a pair of angularly disposed faces |08 and |09 that meet to form a'knife edge (see Fig. 6).

Cooperating with the pawl |0| is a tripping member I II pivoted at ||2 on the upper face of the gear |2 eccentrically thereto and constantly urged in a clockwise direction by a spring ||3 connecting a pin I I4 on the tripping member I and a second pin. H5 on the gear I2. The tripping member is provided with an upwardly extending trip ne which termintes in a second knife edge ||1`adapted to cooperate with either the face |08 or the face |09, depending lupon whether the knife edge I I1 slips by the knife edge ||0 on the right or the left thereof, as viewed in. 15 Figs. 2 and 3.

When the tone arm for playing, the member 96 has a predetermined angular relation to the lever 92 such that move- -ment of the tone arm across the record will cause the free end of the member 98 to engage the pin |00 on' the pawl |0I. As the tone arm moves across the record, the pin 94 will impart counterclockwise rotation to the lever 92 which, in turn,

imparts counter-clockwise rotation to the member 96 by reason of the frictional coupling therebetween. In its turn, the member 90 will impart clockwise rotation to the cycle initiating pawl |0| tending to bring the'knife edge I I0 into line with the knife edge ||1 as the trippingmember rotates with the continuously rotating gear I2.

However, during the time that-.the stylus 43 is in engagement with the sound groove'of a record, its forward advance across the record for each revo-l lution thereof is so slight that the tone arm 4| causes the member 96 to advance the pawl |0| a distance insufficient to dispose its knifeY edge I0 inthe path of the knife edge I1. The knife edge ||1 will, therefore, pass to the left of the .knife-edge llo as viewed in Figs. 2 and 3 and the z 'outer face I8 of the trip I I6 will, by engagement with the face |09, cam the pawl IOI back slightly in acounter-clockwise direction, this being permitted by the member 96 since it is only frictionlally coupled to the lever 92. Thus, the predetermined-y angle between the member 90 and the lever 92 is gradually reduced.

The foregoing action takes place continuously until the stylus enters the lead-in groove H9 (Figs. 2 and 3) connecting the sound groove with the terminal groove |l9a in the record. Since the lead-in grooves of practically all standard records have a much coarser pitch than the sound grooves, it will be apparent that the lead-in groove I9 of any standard record will advance thetone arm a greater distance in one revolution of the record than the sound groove. The pawl lill is, therefore, also advanced a greater distance Ythan ormally and, in fact, is advanced to a point l where the knife edge ||1, on the next revolutionof the gear I2, passes to the right of the knife edge |I0 as viewed in Figs. 2 and 3. When this occurs, the angular face |20 of the trip IIB will engage the face |08 and impart a further `quick and somewhatsudden clockwise rotation to the pawl |0I whereupon its pin |00 will engage the branch 25 and turn the actuating lever 23 in an initial counter-clockwise direction to initiate a cycle of automatic operations.

As a result of the initial clockwise movement of the lever 23 in response vto the pawl |01, the follower 21 is caused to enterthe broken-away portion I9 of the ange I8 whereby the follower 21 is enabled to engage the inner surface of the flange I8. The parts are, of course, timed and the broken-away. portion i9 is of ch a length is deposited on a record be`r I2|', pivotally mounted on a pin |22 extendthe follower 21 at the time that the pawl |0| imparts initial counter-clockwise movement to the lever 23 to initiate the cycle. Once the cam flange I8 and the follower 21 are in engagement, the,

automatic cycle will proceed as hereinbefore described to remove the played record and to replace the tone arm and the ejectorvarm on the next record. Meanwhile, as the lever 23 advances in 'a counter-clockwise direction, the lateral extension 24 engages the pin |04 to return the pawl |0| to its normal, or starting, position as determined by the shoulder |05 and the pin |00, and the lever 92, returning to itsv normal position under the influence of tli'e tone arm, carries the member 96 back with it inA a clockwise direction. In order, however, that' the member 96 will not follow the lever 92 all the way back, so

that upon playing of the next record it will not fall short of engaging the pin |00 and actuating the pawl |0|, the' member 90 is causd to abut against the pin 30 during its return movement,

and thus the predetermined angular relation be'- 1 tween the member 96 and the lever 92 is restored.

- The apparatus and operation thus far described deal only with the automatic feature of my invention. For controlling the phonograph to operate either as an automatically-operable machine or a manually-operable machine, an index mem-- ing through and staked to the motonboard, is

' adapted to cooperate with a dial plate |23 on which are marked the

legends

10, 12 and Manual. With each of l"the legends is associatedan aperture |24 located over an arcuate slot |25 in the motor board for receiving a locking pin 1v|26 on the lindex member |2| by means of which the index plate may be releasably locked in any desired position. The 10 position is the one in which the index member |2| is set for automatically playing 10 inch records; the 12 position for automatically playing 12 inch records; and the Manual position for playing single records manually. An adjustable stop |21 on the index member insures proper location of the tone arm 4| when returned to starting position by reason of engagement of the arm 92a therewith. I

Associated with the index member |2| is 'a switch plate |28 which is pivoted on the motor board at |280 and on which are mounted a motor. controlling switch |29 and switch operating mechanism for automatically opening the switch |29 at the end of playing of a single record manually. This switch operating mechanism is di s.

'ing an L-shaped lever |32 which serves to open.

engaging the hooked end |36 thereof, to holdjthe shoulder |3| against the lever |32 whereby the switch contacts are held open. f

On the arm 92a of the lever 921s mounted a pawl |31 constantly urged in a counter-clockwise direction by a spring |38 and terminating in a kn'ife edge |39 which is adapted to cooperate with a ratchet plate, |40 on'the detent member |30. When the indei` member |2| is" set in the Manual position (the dottedjposition in Fig. 1) a shoulder |4| thereon engages a pin |42 on the switch plate |28 and forces it, together with the ratchet plate' |40, into the dotted line position of Fig. 1. In this position, the ratchet'` plate |40 is disposed in the path of movement of 'the knife edge |39 which, because of the spring |38, can' yieldably ride over the teeth of the ratchet plate |40 as the tone arm moves across the sound groove of the record. When, however, the stylus enters the eccentric terminal groove ||9a of a record of of the type disclosed in the Squibb Patent No.

` 1,303,125, the tone arm 4| receives a backward,

counter-clockwise movement which is imparted to the pawl |31 also, the latter then exerting a camming action on the ratchet plate |40 to force the detent 30 in a counter-clockwise direction. Thereupon, under the inuence of a tension spring |43, a pin |44 on the latch plate |34 engages a shoulder |45 on the detent |30 and forces it in a further counter-clockwise direction to force the shoulder 3| to engage the longer of the two switch blades |33 to open the contacts and break the motor circuit whereby the motor is stopped.

Upon returning the tone arm manually to starting position, a shoulder |46 on the lever arm 92h engages a pin |41 on the latch member 34 and tion of Fig. l, whereupon the toe |35 can againengage the hook |36 to latch the detent |30 Vternporarily in this position and to permit the lever |32 to yield under the spring action of the longer contact |33 whereupon the motor circuit is again closed, the tone arm meanwhile having returned the pawl |31 to the position shown in Fig. 1.`

linger |50 assumes the dotted line position shownu in Fig. 1 (or a position closely adjacent thereto corresponding' to the "12 position of the index member |2| The pawl 0| is then free to move toward cycle initiating position in response to the member 96 whilea tension spring |5| pulls the switch plate |28 counter-clockwise about its pivot |28a until the ratchet plate |40 is in the solid line position of Fig. 1 out of the 'path of movement of the knife edge |39. Thus, when the index member |2| is set in the manual position, the index finger |50 renders the pawl 0| inoperative to initiate a cycle of automatic operations, while the motor stopping mechanism is placed in position to automatically stop the motor when the playing of a record is completed. On the other hand, when the index member |2| is set in any one of the automatic positions, the motor 'stoppingmechanism is rendered inoperative to movement about the pivot of the latch member,

|30 sufcient to substantially freeV the shoulder |3| from the lever 32 so that the contacts |33 are closed and energy is continuously supplied to the motor. .f

- When using my present invention as a manually operable phonograph,` it is, obviously,. desirable to move the ejector arm to a position where it will not interfere with the placing of records upon and the removal thereof from the turntable. The user may, therefore, swing the ejector arm about its pivotal support 59 until the ejector arm extends substantially vertically upwardly from itssupport, and, in this position, it will not interfere with the record depositing and removing operations. H Wever, should the ejector arm be accidentally s ng about the pin l so that, when returned to its normal position, the pin '|2 will be to one side of the center pin 19, and the ejector arm accidentally be permitted to drop to its lowered position the head 12 might easily break the record then on the turntable or, if there be no record on the turntable, it might injure the felt surface 6.

It is to prevent this possibility that the screw 55 is provided in the upper extension 6| of the yoke 60. vThe screw 65 may be so adjusted that, even if the ejector arm,66 were accidentally dropped on the record or the turntable, as the case may be,

the plate 61 will engage the screw 55 before 'the head l2 reaches the parts which it might damage.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that I have provided an improved phonograph which is very eilicient in operation, which is comprised of a .minimum number of parts, and which is so compact that it may easily be housed within a small cabinet In fact, my

, improved phonograph occupies so little space that it requires hardly any more room than most wellknown manually operated portable phonographs. Moreover, because of the simplicity of the mechanism and the relatively few parts employed in my present invention, there is very little to get out of order and the necessity for servicing phonographs according to this invention is, therefore, practically dispensed with.

It will also be noted that, `sinc'e the turntable rotates in a fixed plane and each record is removed from the stack along its own level, the load upon the motor is substantially constant. This greatly contributes to the eiliciency of my present invention. Furthermore, since the cycle initiating pawl |0| is' rendered effective to initiate a cycle of automatic operations by a quick clockwise movement into the path of the tripping member advantage may be taken thereof to reject any record. not desired to be played. Thus, if a record in the stack is found to be unsatisfactory,

it is merely necessary to raise the to'ne arm therefrom and give it an appreciable movement toward the center of the record. This will at once cause the pawl |0| to be interposed in the path of the tripping member and a` cycle of operations will be initiated to reject the undesired record by removing it from the stack. The tone arm will then, of course, be automatically placed on the 'next record for playing.

except insofar as is necessitated by the prior art and by the spirit of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a. phonograph, the combination of a turntable rotatable in a xed horizontal plane and adapted to` support a plurality of records in stacked relation, means for reproducing sound from the topmost record o f the stack, means en- 1 gageable with the center opening of a record for removing each topmost record from the stack in its turn, said means including a member for centering each topmost record on the turntable during reproduction, and means controlled by said sound reproducing means for actuating said record removing means when the reproduction of each record is completed. J

2. In a phonograph, the combination of a turntable rotatable in a xed horizontal plane and provided with aretractable center pin, said turntable being adapted to support a stack of records threaded on said center pin, means for depressing said center pin clear of each topmost record of the stack during reproduction and in succession, and means including said last named means for Aremoving the respective topmost records from the turntable.

3. In a phonograph, the combination of a turntable rotatable in a Xed horizontal plane and' provided with a retractable center pin, said turntable being adapted to supporta stack of vrecords threaded on said center pin, means engageable in the center opening: of the topmost record ofh the stackior depressing said center pin clear of said record during reproduction, and means including said last named means for removing said 1 topmost record from the turntable. 4. In a phonograph, the combination of a turn-t table rotatablegin a xed horizontal plane and provided with a retractable center pin, said -turntable being adapted to support a stack of records threaded on said center pin, means engageable in the center opening of the topmost record of the stack for depressing said center pin during reproduction, means associated with said first named means for insuring that the latter will depress said center pin only the thickness of a single record, and means including said rst named means vfor removing therespective topmost records from `the turntable.

5. In a phonograph .including a tone arm, the combination of a turntable rotatable in a xed plane and provided with a retractable center pin, said turntable being adapted to support a stack of records threaded on said center pin, means for preventing slipping of the individual records of the stack relative to each other when said turntable is rotating and said tone arm is in cooperative engagement with the topmost record of the stack, said means including a center pin depress/ ing iinger engageable in the center opening of the topmost record of the stack and a friction disc in Apressing engagement with the surface of said topcooperative engagement with the topmost record v of the stack, said means including a center pin ,depressing nger engageable in the center opening of the topmost" record of the stack and a friction disc in pressing engagement with the sur- 'face of said topmost record, said friction disc also serving to limit the distance that said nger depresses said center pin to the thickness of a single record, and said means being mngably mounted whereby it isadapted to remove the respective topmost records fromthe turntable.

7. In aphonograph including a tone arm, the crinbination of a turntable rotatable in a xed p ne and provided with 'a retractable center pin, said turntable being adapted to support a stack of records threaded on said center pin. means for preventing slipping of the individual records of the stack relative to each other when said turntable is rotating and said tone arm is in ,cooperative engagement with the topmost, record of the' stack, said means including a `center pin depressing nger engageable in the center opening of the topmost record of the stack and la friction disc in pressing engagement with the surface of said' topmost record, Vsaid friction disc also serving to limit the distance that said iinger depresses Y said center pin to Athe thickness of a single record, and said means being swingably mounted whereby it is adapted to slide the respective topmost records oi the turntable, and means for gradually decreasing the pressure of said friction disc on said topmost recordA as it is being slid oil the turntable. l

8. In a phonograph of the type wherein a plurality of records are stacked upon a turntable for successive playing and subsequent removal, a tone arm, a record ejector arm, a continuously rotatable control device, an actuating member associated with said control device, meansresponsive to said actuating member for controlling said ton arm, means also responsive to said actuating member for controlling said ejector arm, means -for eiecting cooperative engagement between said actuating'member and said controldevice, and means having connection with said last named means and responsive to movement of said tone arm over a record for moving said last named means intoposition to veffect said engagement when the tone arm reaches a predetermined point on the record.

9. In a phonograph of the type wherein a plurality of records arest'acked upon a turntable for successive playing and subsequent removiat, a

. tone arm, a record ejector arm, a continuously rotatable control device including a cam member, an

actuating member associated with said control device and including a follower, means responsive to said actuating member for controlling said tone arm, means also responsive to said actuating l member for controlling said ejector arm, Ameans for eiecting 'positive engagement between said follower and said caml member, nd'means having connection with said .last named means and responsive to movement of said tone arm over a record for moving said last named means into position to effect said engagement when the tone arm reaches a predetermined point on the record.

10. In' an automatic phonograph including a tone arm and a record ejector arm, means for 'actuating said arms, means for imparting initial record for moving said second named means into position to impart said initial movement when Ithe tone arm has reached a predetermined point A-a cycle of automatic operations, means having connection with said second named means and responsive to movement of said tone arm over a record for moving said second named means into position to impart said initial movement when the tone arm has reached a predetermined position on the record, and means independent of said initial movement imparting means for thereafter continuing the movement of said actuating means to complete the cycle of automatic operations.

12. In an automatic phonograph including a tone arm and a record ejector arm, means for actuating said arms, means for imparting initial movement to said actuating means to commence a cycle of automaticA operations, means having connection with saidsecond'named means and responsive to movement of said tone arm over a record for moving said second named means into position to impart said initial movement when the tone arm has reached a predetermined position on the record, and means for thereafter continuing the movemertof said actuating means for completing the cycl\`of automatic operations and for controling the return of said actuating means to its normal position, said actuating means including an elementfor resetting said initial movement imparting means as it is returned to normal position.

13. In an automatic phonograph including a tone arm and a record ejector arm, means for actuating said arms, means constantly urging `said actuating means toward its normal position,

means for imparting initial movement to said actuating means to commence a cycle of automatic operations, means having connection with said last named means and responsive to movement of said tone arm over a record for moving said last named means into positio to impart said initial movement'when the tone arm has reached a predetermined position on the record, and means for thereafter continuing the movement of said actuating means for completing the cycle of automatic operations and for controlling the return of said actuating means to its normal position under thepinfluence offsaid second named means, said actuating means including an element for resetting said initial movement imparting means es vit is returned to normal position. A

14. In an automatic phonograph including a tone arm, a continuously rotatable control device, an actuating member associated with said control device, means for bringing said actuating member into cooperative engagement with said control device to effect a predetermined cycle of automatic operations, means having connection with said rst named means and responsive to movement of said tone arm over a record for mofing said first named means into position to 'effect said engagement when the tone arm reaches a predetermined point on the reoordjvand means on said actuating member for resetting said first named means in normal position during the cycle.

15. In an automatic phonograph including a tone arm, a continuously rotatable control device, said device including a tripping member, an actuating member associated with said control device, a pawl associated with said tone arm and controlled by the movement thereof across a record during playing, said pawl being movable by said tone arm into the path of movement of said tripping member to be tripped thereby, and means on said pawl for bringing said actuating member into engagement with said control device upon being tripped by said tripping member to effect a predetermined cycle of automatic operations.

16. In 'an automatic phonograph including a tone arm, a continuously rotatable control device, said device including a tripping member, an actuating member associated with said control device, a pawl associated with said tone arm and controlled by the movement thereof across a record during playing, said pawl being movable by said tone arm into the path of movement of. said tripping member to be tripped thereby, means on said pawl for bringing said actuating member into engagement with said control device i upon being tripped by said tripping member to effect a predetermined cycle of automatic .operations, and means on said actuating member for resetting said pawl in normal position during the cycle.

17. In an automatic phonograph including a tone arm, a continuously rotatable control device, said control device including a tripping member and a cam member, an actuating member associated with said cam member,'a cam follower on said actuating member, a pawl associated with said tone arm and controlled by the movement thereof across a record during playing, said pawl being movable by said tone arm into the path of movement of said tripping member to be tripped thereby, means on said pawl for bringing said cam follower into' engagement with said cam member upon being tripped by said tripping member to rendersaid actuating member effective to bring about a predetermined cycle of auto-'- matic operations, and means on saidactuating member for resetting said pawl in normal position during the cycle.

18. In an automatic phonograph including a tone arm, the combination of a control device comprising a rotatable member, a tripping member mounted on the upper face thereof and a cam member on the lower face thereof, a driving element for continuously driving said rotatable member, an actuating member associated rwith said cam member and including a lateral extension and a branch, a cam follower on said lateral extension, a pivoted pawl associated with said tone arm, said pawl being controlled by e der said actuating member effective to bring about a predetermined cycle of automatic operations, and a second pin on said pawl, said extension effecting a return of said pawl to normal position during the cycle by engagement thereof with said second pin.

19. `In an automatic phonograph, a cycle conpointinlits horizontalfmovement .whereby to. free' trolling Adevice comprising a rotatable member,

- a tripping member mounted on the upper surface thereof eccentrically to its axis of rotation, a cir-v cular member mounted on the lower lsurface thereof also eccentrically to its'axis of rotation, said` circular member having ra depending flange thereon adapted to effect a camming action relativev to said axis upon a'member contacting therewith, and means associated with said tripping member .for eifecting contact between said iiange and said last named member.

. 20. In an automatic phonograph, a cycle controlling device comprising a rotatable member, a tripping member"nounted on the upper surface thereof eccentrically to its axis of rotation, `acircularmembermounted on the lower surface thereof also eccentrically to its axis of rotation.

said circular memberhaving a depending ang'e thereon adapted to eifect a camming action relative to said axis uponia member contacting therewith, means associated with said tripping member for effecting contact between said ange and said last named member, and means for continuously driving said rotatable member. A

21. In an automatic phonograph of-the type wherein a plurality of records are stacked upon a turntable for successive reproduction, a tone arm, means including a lever and acable connecting said lever with said tone arm for eecting removal ofthe tone arm from a record at the end of reproduction thereof,` a record ejector arm,

means including a link member for effecting op eration of said ejector arm to remove thcplayed record, and means connected to said link member and cooperatively associated with said. lever for actuating bothsaid tone armiremoving means and said ejector arm operating means.

2 2. -'Iiie invention set forth in claim 21 cha acterizedinthat the means connected to the link member is so associated with the lever that it' actuates said lever just prior tol actuating said ejector arm operating means whereby the tone arm is removed from the played record just prior to the removal of said record by the ejector arm.

the turntable for successive reproduction, a suptally. whereby said arm. is removed from engagement with the record while the record is still moving horizontally.

25. The invention set forth in claim. 24 characterized in that the means/ for causing vertical movement of said arm is so related to the means `for causing horizontal movement thereof that vvertical movement is imparted to said arm relatively rapidly. 26. In an automatic phonograplna supporting member for a sound translating device, a record transfer device comprising a record engaging arm independent of said supporting member, means supporting said arm for swinging movement in a vertical plane, a mountingfor said means permitting pivotal movement thereofin) a horizontal plane, meansmounted on said first namedmeans wherebyqmovement may be imparted thereto about its pivot andwhereby movement may be imparted to said arm about its support, and actuatingmeans for actuating said last named means. l 27. In an automatic phonograph, a record transfer device comprising a yoke mounted for pivotal movement in a horizontalplane, a second yoke -inounted4 on said rst yoke -for swinging and for effecting vertical movement of said sec-l ond yoke and said arm about their motuitingv onv said first yoke.

28. :In anautomatic phonograph, a record transfer device comprising ayoke mounted for pivotal movement in a horizontal plane, asecond yokemounted on said iirstyoke for swinging movement in a vertical plane, a record engaging 23. In an automatic phonograph of the type wherein a plurality of records are stacked upon porting member for a-sound translating device,

a record ejectorarrn independent of said supporting member land adapted to engage the topmost record of the stack during" playing of said record, said arm being mounted `fo`r movement both in horizontal and vertical planes, means effective to causesaidarmto move horizontally at the end of reproduction-of therecord-and to carry the record therewithfandmeans eie'ctive to-cause said arm-to move verticallyat aplredeterminedY saidarm from engagementlwith saidrecord.

wherein ajplurality of records are stacked upon .-theiturnta'ble for `sucuiess'lve reproductionga sup# pmting member for `a. sound translating .device`,;

in horizontal and vertical; planes, means effective to cause said arm to move horizontally atr the endof `reproduction 'ofthe record and/to carry -the'record therewith,A ndlmeans eiective to causesaid arm to move verticallyat a predeter-Y mined point in its horizontal movement without arm also mountedV on said first yoke for swinging movement in a vertical plane in response to movement of said second yoke, an actuating member associated with said second yoke for effecting horizontal moyennant ofy both said yokes andsaid arm aboritthepivot of said rst yoke and ifor effecting' vertical movement of said second yoke and-saidarm about their mounting on said first yke. and means independent of said actuating member for imparting only vertical movement to said second yoke land said arm. .29. In an automatic` phonograph, a record transferdevice'comprising a lyoke mounted for pivotal movement ina horizontal plane', a pin supported on said yoke, a second yoke mounted .on said Vpin "for movement'in a1-vertica1 plane, said second yokefhaving .ajpair of vertically- ,spaced, lateralextensionagazrecord engaging arm 24. .m1angautomaticyphonosrapn yoir-ure me also muntedfnn`saidlpmnd restmupon'the vupper 'of saldi ,extensions whereby said arm a is movable-in fx'fesponse"` to movemeiitjofvr said second yoke, a`.'second vpin dependingy 4will.

said', extensions, Ijan actuating n0 yzontal movementofboth said -yokes about the pivot" of said- `rstyoke located in the path; of K pin for effecting "vertical movement'. of said ondyoke and, said arm as ysaid-secondpin is moved thereoven and means yonsaidl actuating member adapted tofensage said second ppin to effect further movement ofsaid second yoke .andv

'il ei'iecting further movement of said arm liuirizoxi arm after the limit of vertical movementthereof eected by said cam plate has been reached.

30. The invention'set forth in claim 29 characterized in that said upper extension is provided with adjustable meansfor limiting the downward movement of said arm relative to a predetermined plane.

31. In anautomatic phonograph, the combination of a record receiving center pin, a record transfer arm having a nger thereon adapted to engage said center pin, a yoke supporting said transfer arm and having a member extending therefrom, said yoke being mounted for pivotal movement in a horizontal plane, and a pair of stops associated with said member for limiting the range of pivotal movement of said yoke, one of said stops being adjustable to permit movement of said yoke and arm to a point where said finger is in axial alignment with said centerpin.

32. In an automatic phonograph, the combination of a record transfer device comprising a yoke mounted for pivotal movement in a horizontal plane, said yoke having a member extending therefrom, a stop associated with said member for limiting the range of pivotal movement of said yoke in one direction; a second yoke mounted on said first yoke for swinging movement in a vertical plane, said second yoke having a pair of vertically-spaced, lateral extensions, a record engaging arm also mounted on said first yoke for swinging movement in a vertical plane and resting on the upper of said extensions whereby said arm is movable in response to movement of said second yoke, a. pin depending from the lower of said extensions, an actuating member normally located to one side of said pin and movable into engagement therewith to effect horizontal movement of both said yokes and said arm about the pivot of said' iirst yoke and until limited by the engagement of said member with said stop, a cam plate located in the path of movement of said pin foreiecting vertical movement of said second yoke and`- said arm as said p in is moved thereover, and means on said actuating member a adapted toengage said pin to eiect further vertical movement of said yoke and arm to free said pin from engagement with said cam plate after said member has` engaged said stop.

33. In an automatic phonograph of the type adapted to play a plurality of records in succession and embodying mechanism for changing records and shifting the sound reproducing instrumentality from a played record to an unplayed record, means adapted to initiate a cycle of automatic operations for effecting shifting of the sound reproducing instrumentality, and for changing records,f'a member adapted to effect movement of said means into cycle initiating position, means pivotally supporting said member whereby said member is adapted to be moved relative to said supporting means under the inuence of a resistive force applied thereto by said rst named means, means frictionally coupling said member and said supporting means for controlling the relative movement therebetween, a tone arm, and means interconnectingsaid tone v arm and said supporting means whereby movement of said tone arm over a record during playing effects movement of said member in a direction to engage said first named means and move it toward cycle initiating position.

34. In an automatic phonograph of the type adapted to play a. plurality of records in succession and embodying mechanism for changing records and shifting thesound reproducing in- -aooaass strumentality from a played record to an unplayed record, means adapted `to initiate a cycle of automatic operationsfor eiecting shifting of the sound reproducing instrumentality and for changing records, a member adapted to eilect movement of said means into cycle initiating position, means pivotally supporting said member whereby said member is adapted to be moved relative to said supportingmeansunder the iniluence of a resistive force applied thereto by said first named means, means frictionally coupling said member and said supporting means to normally occupy a predetermined angular relation but permitting yielding movement between said member and said supporting means to change the angular relation therebetween when a resistive force is applied to said member, a tone arm, means interconnecting said tone arm with said supporting means whereby movement of said tone arm over a record during playing eiects movement of said member in a direction to engage said first named means and move it toward cycle initiating position, means for periodically applying a resistive force to said cycle initiating means while permitting the tone arm to continuously ladvance said supporting -means whereby to change the angular relation between said member and said supporting means, means for removing said member from engagement with said cycle initiating means at the completion oi.' playing of a record, and means for restoring said predetermined angular relation between said member and said supporting means prior to the commencement of playing of the .aextsucceeding record.

35. The invention set forth in claim 34 characterized in that said frictional coupling means is provided with means for adjusting the frictional force applied thereby.

36. In a phonograph adapted for either automatic operation to playa plurality of records in succession or for manual operation and embodying mechanism for changing records and shifting the sound reproducing instrumentality from a played record to an unplayed record when set for automatic operation, means for'initiating a cycle ofautomatic operations when the phonograph is in automaticA condition to effect shifting of the sound reproducing instrumentality and to change records, a supporting plate movable to operative and inoperative positions, means on said plate for stopping the phonograph at the completion ot playing of a record when the phonograph is in manual condition, an index'member movable to any one of several positions to render` the phonograph automatically operable, means associated with said index member and movable therewith to render said cycle initiating means temporarily inoperative when Isaid index member is moved to manual position, and means on said indexl member for simultaneously moving said supporting plate into operative position when said cycle initiating means is rendered temporarily inoperative.

37. In a phonograph adapted for either automatic operation to play a plurality of records in succession or for manual operation and embodying mechanism for changing records and shifting the sound reproducing instrumentality from a played record to an unplayed record when set for automatic operation, means for initiating a cycle of automatic operations when the phonograph is in automatic condition to eil'ect shifting of the sound'reproducing instrumentality and to change f records, a supporting plate movable to operative stopping the phonograph at the completion of playing of a record when the phonograph is in manual condition, an index member movable to any one of several positions to renderthe phonograph automatically operable and movable to another position to render the phonograph manually operable, means associated with said index member and movable therewith to render vsaid cycle initiating means temporarily inoperative when said index member is moved .to manual position and also movable therewith to render said cycle initiating means operative when said index member is moved to any one of said several positions, means on said index memberfor simultaneously moving said supporting plate into operative position when said cycle initiating means is rendered temporarily inoperative, and means for simultaneously returning said plate to inoperative position when said index member is moved to any one of said several positions and said cycle initiating means is rendered operative.

38. In an automatic phonograph-ot the type wherein a plurality of records are stacked upon the turntable for successive reproduction, a record ejector arm for removing the respective topmost recordsfrom the stack, said arm being supported in angular relation to the records in the stack, means on said arm includinga at record engaging surface for engaging the topmost record of the stack, and means associated with said arm and said record engaging means for enabling said iiat surface to readily accommodate itself flatly upon the surface of any record in the stack. 39. In an automatic phonograph of the type wherein a plurality of records are stacked upon the turntable for successive reproduction, a record ejector arm for removing the respective topmost records from the stack, said arm being supported inv angular relation to the records in the stack, and means on said arm for engaging the topmost record of the stack, said means being mounted for universal movement on said arm. y BENJAMIN R. CARSON.