US2158328A - Automatic phonograph - Google Patents

Description

y 16, 1939- c. a. JOHNSON AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPH Filed May 17. 193"! 6 Sheets-Sheet l 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 C. G. JOHNSON AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPH Filed May 17, 1937 QQN mm @vwi kw %w m/ i k i a. 2 may l1 LE QM. H w km QW WW S m Q N m 0 May 16, 1939.

y c. G. JOHNSON 2,158,328

AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPH Filed May 1'7, 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 May 16, 1939.

c. GYJOHNSAON AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPH Filed May '17, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 May 16, 1939. c. ca. JOHNSON v 2,158,328

AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPH Filed May 17, 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 IIIIIIIIIIIIIHII" I I v W C(arZ 6 .faizas'aa was May 16,1939

AUTOMATIC rnonooasrn I 1 Carl -G. Johnson, Chicago, IlL, assignor to J. 1'. I

Seeburg tion of Illinois Application May 17, 1937,

Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corpora- Serial No.1..86 I

7 Claims. (Cl: file-10) This inventionv relates to automatic phonographs and has for its principal object the provision of a simple, economical, automatic phonograph which is adapted to play a sequence of records without attention.

A further obiect of the vide a phonograph which can very simply be adapted to play records of diflerent sizes.

A further object of the .invention is to pro-' vide a record changer in which the magazine can readily be adapted to play records of different sizes, such adaptation automatically changing the throw of the tone arm in accordance with the size of the records to be played.

A further object of the invention is to provide animproved means for gently moving the tone arm over the surface of the record so as to cause it to enter the sound track of the record, in case it has not done so when it first engages the record.

Other objects, advantages and capabilities of the invention will appear from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying 25 drawings, in which: n Y

Figure 1 is a plan view of my improved phonograph, parts of the turntable being broken away to show the mechanism, which is in the condition of starting to play a 12" ,record;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view through the phonograph showing the mechanism in. the same relation;

Fig. 3 is a plan view showing the elements in aposition for starting to play a 10" record;

Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the mechanism in unloading position;

Fig. 5 is an end elevation of my improved mechanism, the turntable, records, and tone arm being broken away to enable the mechanism to be shown on a large scale,- and the elements being shown in a position at the starting of playing a 12"- record;

Fig. 6 is a sectional detail view, taken on the I line 6-6 of Fig. 1; p Fig. '7 is a fragmentary sectional plan view, taken on the line l--I of Fig. 5, the parts being shownin the same relation;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional plan view, taken on the line 8-4 of Fig. 5, the parts being shown in the same relation;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional detail view, taken on the line 9-4 of Fig. 5, the elements being shown in the same relation;

Fig. 10 is a. vertical section through one of invention is to proin ,Fig. 10. post the record supporting postathe section taken onthe line ll-ll of P18- 8;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary vertical section, taken on the line ll-Il of Fig, 8;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary sectional detail, taken on the line i2--'l2 of Fig. 9; n

Fig. 13 is a'sectional plan view similar to Fig. 8, showing-the position of the elements during the operation of supplying a 10', record to be played; I

Fig. 14 is a diagrammatic view showing the mechanism which controls the throw of the tone arm in its 12" position, and

Ill.

' Fig. 15 is a similar view showing this mechanism inits 10" position.

Referring to the drawings, the reference numeral 2'0 designates a turntable which is supported on a spindle 2i. The spindle is carried by a gear box 22 which is actuated by an electric motor 23. The gear box 22 and motor 28 may suitably be carried upon the underside of a motor board 24. The turntable 20 may have a relatively free fit on the lower end of the enlarged lower endof the spindle ii. The under side of the turntable may be provided with tapered projections 25 whlchare adapted to be engagedby a pin 2'8 carried by the spindle 2i.

In operation, when thesplndie 2i turns the pin 26 makes contact with one of the projections 26 and drives the turntable. when, however, the turntable is subjected to arresting forces, the engaging projection 26 may ride upwardly on the pin 26, thus lessening the shock.

The spindle 2| is relatively long and projects upwardly between a. pair 'of record supporting posts 21'. These posts are suitably located at opposite ends of a diameter of the turntable. Each post consists of a hollow tube 28 which is rigidly secured at its lower end to, a gear 28.

In the case of the post in the left-hand side of Fig. 2, the gear. 29 is pivotally mounted on a pivot member 30 which is anchored on a sheet metal base 3i which is seated upon the motor board 2'4. This base is provided with a central opening I2 through which the spindle 2| passes. The pivot member II has rigidly mounted thereon a vertical rod l3 which extends upwardly through the hollow tube 28 and carries at its 'upper end a cap 30. The tube 28, together with the gear. 25, is freely rotatable on the vertical axis provided by the pivot member ill and the cap 34.

The other post, that is the post 21 onthe right-hand side of Fig. 2, is shown in section differs from that Just described in the provision between the gear member' 29 and the pivot member 88 01' a sleeve which carries a radial arm 38. The boss of the sleeve 35' carries an upwardly directed pin 83 which is normally located in the opening or recess 84 or 85 in the gear 29. The gears 29 are in mesh with rack elements 31 on a bar 38. This bar is provided with slots 39 through which extend screws 40 rigidly mounted on the base 31. It will readily be seen that when the right-hand post 21 as viewed in Fig. 1 is rotated, the left-hand post 21 is rotated in the same direction. Each of the posts 21 carries near its upper ends three plates 4|, 42 and 43. As shown in Fig. 1, the plates 42 are in a position to, receive and support a stack of 12" records.

42 are removed from engagement with the lowest record. However, before complete disengagement occurs, theplates 43 have moved inwardly into the stack. The incoming ends oi! these plates 43 arerelatively thin and they are located approximately. the thickness of one record above the plates 42. Consequently, the plates 43 move inwardly between the lowest record and the record immediately thereaboveand they undertake the su port of all the records except the lowermost one. Consequently, when the plates 42 clear the lowermost record, the same falls downwardly towards the turntable 20 and may arrive on the tiu'ntable or on top of one or more records located thereon. When the reverse movement 0! the ,bar 38 occurs, that is its movement to the left, as viewed in Fig. 1, the plates 42 resume theirinitial position and the plates 49 move away from beneath the stack oi records. Consequently, this stack moves down and becomes supported exclusively by the two plates 42.

The posts 21 and bar 39 are actuated by the arm 38 which is rigidly secured to the gear 29 of the post 21 on the right-hand side of Fig. 1. The base 3| extends to a considerable distance to the right-hand side of the turntable, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2, and at this end it carries a frame comprising two horizontal plates 44 and 45 which are secured together by means of bolts 46 and spacing tubes 41. In the upper plate 45 is rigidly mounted a tubular bearing '48 (Fig. 11). This bearing 48 receives a tubular member 49 which has rigidly mounted at its lower end a plate 50. At its upper end a bracket Si is rigidly secured thereto. This bracket is substantially L-shaped and to its downwardly projecting length is pivotally mounted, by means of a bolt 55, a tone or playing arm 52, this player arm being also preferably L-shaped. The player arm carries at its free end a suitablepick-up 58 which is equipped with the usual needle 54. It will readily be understood that the tone a can move up and down about the pivot 55 and it can rotate on the vertical axis provided by the tubular bearing 48.

Through the tubular member. 49 slidably extends a rod 56. The upper end oi the rod 58 bears on the inner or under side 0! the tone arm 52 and the lower end of the rod 58 rides on the upper edge of a cylindrical cam 51. As shown in Fig. 11, the pin 58 is at its lowermost position and the player arm 52 is adapted to apply the needle to the uppermost oi any records on the turntable 29. It may here be noted that when several records are resting upon the turntable 20, the player arm 52 will have a somewhat higher position than that shown in Fig. 11. It will readily be understood that when the cam 51 rotates, a

When the bar 38 moves to the right, as viewed in Fig. 1, the plates' member 49. This plate consists of two portions 61 and 82. The normal position of the roller I68 and cam 51 is shown in Fig. 8, this figure showing the parts in position at the starting of the playing of .a 12.record. As the record is played, the plate 58 moves in clockwise direction. At the endof the playing of the record the cam 51 is caused to rotate in a manner which will hereinafter be more fully described, in the counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Figs.

8 and 13. The first result of this rotation is the elevation of the pin 55 and the tone arm 52. After this movement has been completed the roller 59 engages the portion iii of the plate and moves it in the counter-clockwise direction,- thusswinging the tone'a'rm clear of the records.

After this has been completed a new-record is caused to drop onto the turntable or onto the stack of records on the turntable, by the timely actuation of the posts 21 and bar 28. The con- 59 causes it to come into contact with the portion 62 of the plate 50, with the result that the of a 12? record on the turntable. The roller 58 then clears the plate 82 and moves to the position shown in Fig. 8. When the cam 51 is rotating to move the roller to that position, a fall 83 of'the cam 51 moves under the rod 58 and allows this rod to drop and allows the tone arm to come into engagement with the initial part of the sound track of the 12" record.

The arm 38 is pivotally connected to a link 85.

One end of the link 65 is pivotally connected to an arm 86. A spring 51, secured to the arm 88 and to the base 3!, tends to move the link 55 to the right, as viewed in Figs. 7, 8-and 9. The righthand end of the link 65 is engaged by a pin 88 on the under side of the gear 58 which is integral with the cam 51. It will be seen with reference to Fig. 9 that when the cam and gear element 51'58 rotates in the clockwise direction, the pin 88 will engage the end of the link 65- and move it to the left. This causes the right-hand post 21 to rotate in the clockwise direction and the bar 28 causes the other post 21'to move in the same direction, thus releasing the lowermost record of the stack supported by the posts 21. It is to be noted that this occurs after the cam 51 is moved through a substantial angle and after the tone arm has been elevated and moved clear of the records by the cam rise 84 and by the engagement of the roller 50 with the part N of the plate 50.

The record changing cycle is controlled and actuated by a single revolution o1v the cam-gear unit 5158. The means whereby this'single rotation is eii'ected will now be described. A small rubber-tired wheel 69 is adapted to be brought into contact with the periphery of the turntable 28 at the end of the playing oi! a record. The

wheel 59 is connected to the cam-gear unit 51-48 through suitable gearing, so that a single revolution is applied to that unit. When that revolution tinned rotation of the roller 68 around the pivot tone arm is moved inwardly to a position so that .the needle is above the initial part of the track is completed, the rubber-tired wheel 89 is no long.- or applied to the periphery of the turntable 28. The rubber-tired wheel 89 is rotatably mounted on an arm 18 which is loosely carried by a vertical rod 1| which is 'rotatably mounted in the plates 44 and 45.

Upon the upper end of the rod 1| is rigidly mounted an arm 12 which is provided with an upturned portion 13 which is adapted to be engaged by the tone arm 52 when it moves inwardly of the sound groove after the playing of a record. Also rigidly mounted on the rod 1| is a double lever member 14 having one arm 15 adapted to cooperate with the freely mounted arm 18 and an arm 16, the end of which is adapted'to engage the cylindrical portion of the cam 51. The arm 15 is provided with a set screw 11 so that its engagement with the arm 18 may be adjusted as desired, so that the correct operation of the record changing mechanism after the playing of a record, is insured.

The cylindrical wall of the cam 51 is provided with an opening 19 and when this opening is presented to the arm- 16 this arm enters into the opening and consequently the pressure applied by the screw 11 to the arm 18 is released and the rubber-tired wheel 69 is no longer pressed against the turntable 28. The rubber-tired wheel 69 is no longer driven with the result that the cam 51 becomes arrested.

The rotation of the cam 51, upon which depends the record changing operation, is initiated by the tone arm 52 coming into contact with the plate 13 after a record has been played. The tone arm swings the rod 1| so as to bring the rubber-tired wheel 69 into contact with the periphery of the turntable 28. It will readily be understood that during the record changing operation the tone arm 52 is moved out of contact with the plate 13. Nevertheless, the cam 51 continues rotating until it has made a complete revolution, the rubber-tired wheel 69 being held. in contact with the turntable 28 by the engagement of the arm 15 of the double-armed member 14 with the periphery of the cam 51, and the engagement of the set screw 11 with the arm 18 upon which the rubbertired wheel 69 is mounted. When a revolution of the cam 51 has been completed, the arm 16 drops into the opening 18 and the drive of the cam 51 is terminated until the playing of the next record is completed.

The rubber-tired wheel 89 is rigidly mounted on a shaft which rigidly carries a pinion 19 (Fig. 7). The pinion 19 meshes with a gear 88 (Fig. 7) which is mounted for free rotation on the rod 1|. The gear 88 is integral with'a. small gear 8| which meshes with an idler 82. Theidler 82 meshes with the gear 99 (Fig. 13) which is integral with a pinion I88. This pinion meshes with the gear 58 which is integral with the cam 51.

The foregoing description has been concerned with the device when adapted for the playing or" 12" records. In order to play smaller records, for

example 10" records, it is merely necessary to elevate the right-hand post 21, as viewed in Figs. 1 and -2, so as to elevate the gear 29 above the pin 83. The upward movement of the post 21 is limited by the engagement of the inner end of the plate 43 with the head 34. The pin 88 may be located in either of two recesses 84 and 85, as shown in Figs. 7 and 13. The recesses 84 and 85 are located in such a way that when the righthand post 21 is elevated and rotated so 'as-to bring the pin 83 into one recess 84,'or the other. recess 85, the machine is adapted for the playing of 12'' or 10" records, respectively. Thus, it the machine is in the condition of adjustment shown maintaining the pin in mesh with the rack 31.

The post 21 is then rotated in clockwise direction so as to bring the plates 4|, 42 and 43 into the position shown in Fig. 3, whereupon the post 21 is allowed to descendand bring the pin 83 into the opening 84. i

Owing to the fact that the right-hand pinion 29 remains in mesh with the rack 31, the lefthand post is similarly adjusted. It will readily be seen that instead of operating with the plates 42 and 43, as shown in Fig. l, as is the case with 12" records, the machine will now operate with plates 4| and 42, as shown in Fig. 3. That is, this figure shows the position of these plates at the beginning of the playing of a 10" record.

When the posts 21 are rotated for changing a 10 record, they first rotate in the clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 3, and the plates 42 penetrate between the lowermost record and'the second record from the bottom. At the end of the clockwise rotationthe plates 4|, which initially took the whole weight of the stack of records, clear the stack and the stack is then supported by the plates 42, the lowermost record falling downwardly towards the'turntable. When the reverse movement occurs, the plates 42 are withdrawn from the stack of records which are then supported by the plates 4| until the record playing operation has been completed.

When the right-hand post 21, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2, is elevated and turned around, as

described above, for the purpose of adapting the phonograph for 12" records or 10' records as the case may be, provision must be made for arresting the tone arm initially at the proper position for the record being played. This adjustment is automatically provided by the following mechanism. The bar 38 has an extension to the right, as viewed in Fig. 1, which is upwardly bent to provide an elevated cam 86. A rod 81 is pivotally supported from the upper plate 45 by means of a bracket 88.

The rod 81 has at one end a downwardly projecting portion 89 which is adapted to be engaged by the cam 96 when the bar 38 is moved to the 12" record position by the adjustment of the right-hand post 21. This condition is shown in Fig. 14. The rod 81 has rigidly secured thereto a plate 98 which is normally pressed downwardly by a spring 9| which bears against the under side of the plate 45. When the phonograph is adapted to. play 10" records the cam 86 does not engage the end 89 of the bar 81 and consequently the spring 9|, presses the plate 98 downwardly so that it engages a roller 92 mounted on the plate 58. When, however, the phonograph is set for 12" records, as shown in Fig..14, the bar 81 is rotatedfrom the positionshown in Fig. l5and the plate 98 is elevated against the compression of the spring 9|.

The roller 92' is mounted on the plate 58 by means of a screw 93 soas to provide for its vertical movement. The roller 92 is biased in the upward direction by means of an internal spring 94. A bell crank lever 95 is pivotally mounted on the plate 58 by means of a screw 98. One arm of the bell crank lever 95 is connected by a tension spring 91 to a suitable point on the plate 58 so that the other arm 98 of the bell crank lever 85, is resiliently biased inwardly slightly with respect to the arm 82' of the plate 58, as shown in Figs. 8 and 13.

The manner in which the roller 68 in its rotation cooperates with the arms 6| and 62 has previously been described. It is to be noted that when the tone arm is being returned to initial playing position, the roller 60 engages the arm 98 of the bell crank lever 85. Owing to the lightness of the spring 91 the bell crank lever 95 tends to swing about its pivot and if the machine is set for playing 12" records, the arm 98 of the bellcrank lever will pass below the roller 92 which is in its uppermost position, as shown in Fig. 14. Consequently, the tone arm is returned to the proper initial position for a 12 record. When, however, the device is adjusted for a 10 record, the spring 9| depresses the roller 92, as shown in Fig. 15. Consequently, when the roller 60 engages the arm 98 of the bell crank lever 95 and pushes it outwardly towards the arm 82 of the plate 50, this movement a is arrested by the engagement of the arm 98 with the depressed roller 92. This engagement occurs when the inner edge of the arm 98 is located somewhat inwardly with respect to the arm 62 and consequently the tone arm is swung further inwardly to the initial position necessary for a 10" record.

It will be understood that the movement of the bar 38 from its initial position occurs first to the right, as viewed in Figs. 8 and 13, and then to the left, as viewed in these figures. These directions are opposite in Figs. 14 and 15. That is, the cam portion 86 moves first to the left and then to the right, as viewed in these figures. It will be seen from Fig. 14, which corresponds to adjustment for a 12" record, that during these movements-the arm 89 remains in contact with the cam 86. As shown in Fig. 15, which corresponds to adjustment for a 10" record, the cam 88 remains out of contact with the am 89 during these movements.

In the operation of the device the posts 21 are arranged for the playing of the desired size of record and then these records are placed upon the appropriate plate 4| or 42, as the case may The motor 23 is then started and a first record may be dropped onto the turntable 20 by merely moving the plate 13 inwardly by hand or by contact with the tone arm 52. The machine will then go through its normal cycle and the needle 54 will be placed at the initial playing position with respect to the record. It will be noted that owing to the resilience of the spring 91, the initial engagement of the tone arm with the record will be accompanied by a slight inward movement which insures the needle 54 being carried into the initial groove of the record.

The records will be played one after the other in the manner above described, and the last record will be played repeatedly until the operator stops the motor by means of a conventional switch (not shown). When the motor is stopped one or more plates ll, 42 or 43 will be on the bar 38. This post is then rotated in the,

counter-clockwise direction, as viewed from In this way the left-hand post 21 is also moved into the position shown in this figure so that it clears the records on the turntable. These records may now be removed and the posts 21 may be again adjusted to support records of the desired size. Before this is done, however, a single record may be placed on the turntable so that the machine does not have to go through a record changing cycle before playing commences. That is, for the first record the tone arm 52 may be located by hand. At the end of the playing of this record the automatic record changing operation of the phonograph comes into operation and so on, until the complete stack of records is played. I

Although the invention has been disclosed in connection with the specific details of a preferred embodiment thereof, it must be understood that such details are not intended to be llmitative livered to the turntable on each complete oscillation of the posts, an adjacent pair of each set of said plates being operable with records of one size and another adjacent pair of each set of said plates being operable with records of a diflerent size, and means for bringing corresponding pairs of sai'd plates of all of said posts into operating relation with the turntable to adapt the phonograph for playing records of a selected size.

2. An automatic phonograph comprising a turntable, oscillatable posts, a plate on each post for supporting a stack of records of certain size, and adapted to clear the stack during oscillation of the post, a second plate mounted on the post approximately the thickness of a record above the first said plate adapted to support the stack with the exception of the lowermost record during said oscillation, a third plate on each post in angular relation to the first and second plates for supporting records of diflerent size, said plates being movable into and out of alignment with said records, operating means for oscillating the posts, and means for locating said posts in relation to said operating means to adapt the machine for lowermost during said oscillation.

3. An automatic phonograph comprising a turntable, oscillatable posts adjacent thereto, longitudinally spaced escapement plates on said posts and movable therewith, said plates providing two pairs of plates on each post, the plates of each pair being adapted to cooperate with records oi. a definite size, one plate of each pair being adapted normally to support a stack 0! records above the turntable, the other plate of each pair being adapted to enter the stack above the lowermost record when the plate is oscillated from normal position whereby the lowermost record of the stack is delivered to the turntable each time the posts are oscillated, an actuating member for oscillating one of said posts, drive means operatively connecting all of said posts,

, means for changing the orientation of the posts relative to the stack whereby the pair of plates on said posts adapted to play records of a selected diameter, are brought into operation, atonearm adapted to cooperate with the topmost record on the turntable, means for swinging the tone arm clear of the records and returning it to initial playing position, last said means and the actuating member being interconnected so that the posts are oscillated when the tone arm is clear of the records, and contact means associated with the tone arm and the means for swinging the tone arm, and controlled by said drive means for varying the return of the tone arm to initial playing position.

4. An automatic phonograph comprising a turntable, oscillatable posts adjacent thereto, longitudinally spaced escapement plates on said posts and movable therewith, said plates providing two pairs of plates on each post, the plates of each pair being adapted to cooperate with records of a definite size, one plate of each pair being adapted normally to support a stack of records above the turntable, the other plate of each pair being adapted to enter the stack above the lowermost record when the plate is oscillated from normal position whereby the lowermost record of the stack is delivered to the turntable each time the posts are oscillated, an actuating mem-' ber for oscillating said posts, means for changing the orientation of the posts relative to the stack whereby the pair of plates on said posts adapted to play records of a selected diameter, are

' brought into operation, a tone; arm adapted to cooperate with the topmost record on the turntable, means for swinging the tone arm. clear of the records and returning it to initial playing position, last said means and the actuating member being interconnected so-that the posts are I oscillated when the tone arm is clear of the records, cam means on said actuating member, and means actuated thereby and associatedwith the tone armand the means for swingingthe tone arm for controlling the return of the tone arm to initial playing position to definite degree for records of the selected diameter.

5. An automatic phonograph comprising a turntable, oscillatable posts adjacent thereto, longitudinally spaced plates on said posts movable therewith, said' plates providing two pairs of plates on each post, the plates of each pair being adapted to cooperate with records of a definite size, one plate of each pair being adapted normally to support a stack of records above the turntable, the other plate of each pair being adapted to enter the stack above the lowermost initiating rotation 5 record when the post is oscillated from normal position whereby. the lowermost record of the stack is delivered to the turntable each time the posts are oscillated, an actuating member for simultaneously oscillating said posts, means for changing the orientation of the posts relative to the stackwhereby the pair of plates on the posts adapted to support and discharge records of a selecteddiameter, are brought into operation, a tone arm, cam means for raising and lowering the tone arm and moving it outwardly clear of the records and inwardly to its, initial playing position, means actuated by the tone arm for 01 the cam means, means for arresting said cam means after a single rotation, and abutment means operatively associated with the cam means and the tone arm adapted to be actuated by the means for changing the orientation of the posts for controlling the initial playing position of the tone arm in accordance with the means'for setting the supporting means to adapt I same to receive records of a desired size, a tone arm operably associated with said turntable, a bifurcated member operatively connected to the tone arm, a cam member adapted to engage one arm of the bifurcated member to throw the tone arm clear of the records, a contact member pivotally' mounted on the other arm in the path of the cam member and weakly biased towards said cam member and adapted to be engaged by the cam member to move the tone arm to initial playing position, and means associated with the. set ting means to limit the movement of the contact member on the bifurcated member, whereby the tone arm may be moved to different initial playing positions. '7. In an automatic phonograph, in combination,' a turntable, means for supporting a stack of records in dispensing relation thereabove, means for setting the supporting means to adapt same to receive records of a desired size, a tonearm operably associated with said turntable, a bifurcated member operatively connected to the tone arm, a cam member adapted to engage one arm of the bifurcated member to throw the tone arm clear of the'records, a contact member pivotally mounted on the other arm adapted to be engaged by the cam member to move the tone arm to initial playing position, a spring'biasing the contact member weakly inwardly, a movable

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