US2159836A - Automatic phonograph - Google Patents

Description

May 23, 1939. L 2,159,836

AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPH Filed Nov. 27, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet l f: QQ- 5 g M flWmi ff May 23, 1939. K M

AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPH 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 2'7, 193'? w I 1 W m M z a m1 2 M n 30 QM a. L 2

May 23, 1939. K M

AUTOMATIC PHQNOGRAPH 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 27, 1937 May 23, 1939. K. M. ALM

AUTOMATIC FHONOGRAPH Filed Nov. 27, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 3 M M 7 H Patented May 23, 1 939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 7 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved automatic phonograph of the record changer type in which the records to be played are transferred from a storage position to a playing position by means of a swinging arm provided with mechanism for gripping a record and for holding it in the playing position in such a manner that the record may be rotated and both sides thereof be accessible for reproduction by means of pick-up or similar means without the record being turned over.

One of the objects of the present invention is to arrange the driving means, which rotate the record about its centre, in such an operative connection with the said gripping and holding mechanism that the latter together with the suspended record may start their rotation about the centre of the record before reaching the playing position, thus enabling the record to accelerate its rotation to full velocity whilst being transferred from the storage position to the playing position, so that the reproduction may start as soon as the record has reached the latter position.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved gripping mechanism obviating the interposition of distance discs between the individual records in the storage and adapted to permit rotation of the record about its centre in the suspended position referred to.

A further object of the invention is to construct the actuating mechanism of the apparatus with a minimum of cams or equivalent members, thus simplifying the construction.

Still a further object of the invention is to cause the swinging arm, which carries the gripping mechanism, to perform vertical movements to raise and lower the gripping mechanism enabling it to pick up the top record from a stack of records in the storage and transfer it to an appropriate level in the playing position, thus obviating the necessity of providing means for maintaining the top record at a constant level in the said stack.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved means, whereby the rotation of the motor rotating the recordfor the purpose of reproduct-ion is reversed in a minimum of time.

Other objects and features of the invention will be described'with reference to the accompany ng drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a plan view of the main parts of one embodiment of an automatic phonograph according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical front elevation of the Sweden December 9, 1936 apparatus'according to Figure 1, some details being omitted.

Figure 3 is an elevation, view at substantially right angles to Figure 2 and showing some of the parts of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a vertical section through one embodiment of the gripping mechanism also showing a part of a record in a position to be picked up.

Figure 5 shows, on a larger scale, a horizontal 10' section taken on the line V--V of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a plan view of ratchet means provided at the gripping mechanism according'to Figure 4.

Figure '7 is a diagrammatical side elevation, 16

showing on a larger scale the pick-up arms of Figure 1 in the playing position.

Figure 8 is a side elevation, showing more or less diagrammatically a modified arrangement of the pick-up device.

Figure 9 is a plan view, showing diagrammatically a modification, in which the records are suspended substantially vertically, both in the storage position and in the playing position.

Figure 10 is a vertical, partially sectioned view of the storage, showing a stack of records, the gripping mechanism resting on the top record, and means for centring the records.

Figure 11 is an enlarged fragmentary view,

mainly in vertical section, of the lower portion of a modified embodiment of the' gripping mechanism resting on the top record of the stack of records before having gripped the said top record.

Figure 12 illustrates the gripping mechanism of Figure 11 in gripping position.

Figure 13 is a horizontal section taken on the Figures 20, 21 and22, 23 respectively, are views similar to Figures 11 and 13 and illustrating two further embodiments of the gripping mechanism. Figure 21 is a horizontal section taken on the line XXL-XXI of Figure 20, and Figure 23 is a horizontal section taken on the line XXIII-41x11]:

of Figure 22. Figure 24 is a view on a larger scale of a detail in Figure l.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the embodiment according to Figures 1, 2 and 3 comprises a cabinet I of any suitable configuration, size or style, the front wall 2 preferably being adapted to be opened as shown in Figure 3. The cabinet may be supported on legs 3, of which fragments are shown in the figures. The phonograph motor or other driving means, which may be of known construction, is carried on a swingable arm 6 and is in driving connection with a gripping mechanism I adapted to pick up a record G from a storage generally indicated at 5| and to suspend it whilst being swung to a playing position, in which both sides of the record may be played in turn without the record being turned over. The rotation of the record about its centre is transferred through the said gripping mechanism from the motor 5 or the driving means. At its other end the arm 6 is rigidly attached to a substantially L-shaped rod 26 (see particularly Figure 3), which in each of its ends carries a grooved roller 21, adapted to engage diametricallyopposite surfaces of a vertical column 28 (Figure 1), so that the rollers may run upwards and downwards on the column 28, thereby guiding the L-shaped rod 26 and the arm 6 when they are moved vertically. The column 28 is mounted to swing in bearings 29 and is rigidly connected with two horizontal cross bracings 30 30 interconnected by a vertical rod 30, which is adapted to guide the arm 6 vertically by means of a sliding sleeve 3|. Itis thus clear that the arm 6 is capable of being swung about the axis of column 28, and at the same time it is permitted to perform a vertical movement in axial direction of the column.

A segment 32 is secured horizontally to the rod 26 (see Figure 1) and cooperates at its lower surface with a roller 33 mounted at one end of a lever 34 adapted to swing on a pivot 35. When the lever 34 swings about this pivot the arm 6 and the gripping mechanism 1 will be raised or lowered in the storage position and the playing position, thus enabling the top record of the storage to be lifted and permitting the record suspended by the gripping mechanism to occupy the exact playing positions in which its upper and lower surfaces may engage with reproducing means. Rotating movement about the column 28 is transferred to the arm 6 by means of a lever 36, which at one end is linked to the vertical rod 30 and at the other end to an arm 39 pivoted at 4| and operated by means to be described hereinafter. It is clearly understood that a swinging movement of the arm 39 will impart a reciprocating movement to the lever 36, which in turn causes the rod 30 and the arm 6 to swing through a certain angle, viz., from the storage position shownat the right side in dotted lines in Figure 1 and 2 to the playing position shown at the left side in full lines in Figures 1 and 2.

The actuating means operating the levers 34 and 36 to cause the arm 6 to move vertically and to swing horizontally from the storage position to the playing position and vice versa may be constructed in any suitable manner. By way of example the drawings show an embodiment comprising a cam 38 or similar device, which is keyed to a rotatable, vertical shaft 40, and which has vertical notches adapted to engage a roller 31 mounted at the free end of the lever 34. The

lever 34 is actuated by a spring 50 acting to cause the roller 31 to engage the said notches, so that, during the rotation of the shaft 40, the lever 34 will oscillate vertically on its pivot 35 in conformity with the shape of the notches, thus also lifting or lowering the arm 6. The swinging movement of the arm 6 is controlled by a. horizontal cam ,43 or similar actuating device, fixed to the shaft 40 and adapted to engage the arm 39, preferably by means of a roller 42 arranged between the ends of the arm 39. A spring 49, which at one end may be secured to the upper cross bracing 30, may be provided to force the roller 42 against the surface of the cam 43, so that, when the shaft 40 and the cam 43 are rotated, the lever 36 is caused to reciprocate, thus swinging the arm 6 horizontally.

Intermittent rotation is transferred to the shaft 40 at predetermined intervals from suitable driving means, say from an auxiliary motor 44, which through a gearing 45-45 drives a shaft 46, connected at its opposite end with a second gearing 41-41, adapted to rotate the shaft 40. 48 indicates diagrammatically a friction coupling interposed between the driving shaft of the motor 44 and the gearing 45 and adapted to permit the shaft of the motor to slip when the shaft 40 is prevented from rotating as will be described hereinafter.

It is easily understood that the described cams 38 and 43 or equivalent means should be so shaped, and that the periods during which the shaft 40 is rotated should be so chosen that, in the operation of the apparatus, the arm 6 together with the gripping mechanism 1 first are lowered to the storage 5| (Figure 2) to pick up the top record G, whereupon the arm is lifted together with the suspended record and swung to the playing position, in which the record is moved vertically to permit engagement between one of its sides and a reproducing unit, and after reproduction of the said side of the record it is again moved vertically to permit engagement between its opposite side and the pick-up unit, whereupon the record is permitted to drop to a storage 52 for played records, and the arm 6 is returned to the storage 5| to repeat the operation.

The gripping mechanism 1 is constructed so as to transfer a rotation to the record about its centre and hold it suspended in the playing position in such a manner that both sides of the record are accessible to be reproduced by means of a reproducing unit without turning over the record. In order to achieve this result it is sufficient to arrange one single reproducing device or pick-up arranged to engage the two sides of the record in turn. In most cases, however, I prefer to use two pick-ups or reproducing members, viz., one for each side of the record. An embodiment of this kind is illustrated more or less diagrammatically in Figure 7, according to which the pick- ups 51 and 51 are carried by arms 58, 58 each mounted on a horizontal pivot 54 54 fixed to bushings 62 62 adapted to swing independently of each other about a vertical spindle 59, which is common to both pick-up arms, thus simplifying the construction. The vertical position of the upperarm 58 is arranged to be adjusted by means of a set screwlill' or similar adjustable means carried by a bracket 60 associated with the bush 62 A corresponding set screw 60 mounted on a bracket 50 serves as a stop for the upward movement of the lower pick-up arm 58", which is drawn upwardly by a spring 6|.

Fig. 1 shows the initial or inoperative position of the two pick-up arms 58-, 58" in which they do not prevent the gripping mechanism and the suspended record from being positioned in the playing position. In the first stage of the playing operation the suspended record G, which is rotated about its centre by means of the motor- 5 through the gripping mechanism, occupies the intermediary position shown in full lines at A in Figure 7'. If the lower surface of the record is to be played at first, the lower pick-up arm 58' is moved inwardly (by automatic means not shown) to a predetermined position at some distance from the edge of the record, and the record is then lowered to the position 13 of Figure I to engage the lower pick-up 51" with a certain pressure acting to separate the pick-up arm 58'' from its set screw ill against the pressure of spring Bl as shown in the figure. After the lower groove of the record has been played, the record is lifted to its intermediary position A, the lower pick-up arm is returned to its inoperative position, and the upper pick-up arm 58* is moved inwardly from its inoperative position to a predetermined position at some distance from the edge of the record, which then is lifted to its upper position C engaging the pick-up 51 so that the pick-up arm 58' to'some extent is lifted from its set screw- Ell on which it rests in the inoperative position. It is understood that the described lowering and lifting movements of the record are controlled by the cam 38. It is also to be understood that the direction of rotation of the record must be reversed when playing opposite sides of the record, and this reverse may easily be efie'cted by means of a reversing switch included in the circuit of to its initial or inoperative position (shown in Figure 1), and the gripping mechanism I is operated to release the record and permit its dropping to thestorage 52 for played records.

As already stated, it is not necessary to provide two pick-ups or pick ups arms, but it is also possible to arrange one common pick-up for both s des of the record. An example of this embodiment is illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 8, in which a pick-up arm 88 having a pick-up anis mounted to swing vertically on a pivot 8| carried by an arm Ii, which is secured at one end of a short horizontal spindle 8 l rotatably mounted in a bearing on a vertical rotatable shaft 82. Thus, the pickup-arm M is adapted to swing horizontally about the axis of shaft 82 causing the pick-up 80' to engage the groove of the top side of the record G (full-line position in Figure 8).

I When it is desired to reproduce the lower side of part o the invention, and particularly, it is essential to my invention that the gripping mechanism should be capable of transferring the necessary rotation to the record about its centre for the purpose of reproduction. In order to reduce the time which elapses from the moment when sides of the record one record has been played to the moment when playing of a new record may start, it is alsoimportant that the record suspended by the gripping mechanism is permitted to start its rotation before reaching the real playing position, i. e., it should be arranged to be accelerated to full velocity during the transfer to the said position.

This result may be achieved by starting the motor Y 5, or any other driving means being in driving connection with the gripping mechanism I, at a suitable moment during the said transfer.

Figure 4 illustrates a preferred construction of the gripping mechanism, mainly comprising a tubular shaft 8 which is rigidly secured to a sleeve 8' by means of a screw 8 or the like. A key H is provided to rigidly secure the sleeve 8'' to a pinion 9 adapted to engage with and to be rotated by a worm 9 keyed to the driving shaft of the motor 5 (indicated by dotted lines in Figure 4). Rotation may thus be transferred from the motor 5 to the shaft 8 at any suitable moment. A disc 22 with nails 23 or other friction layer is secured ooaxially with the shaft 8 at the lower end thereof.

The gripping mechanism including the shaft 8 is attached to the arm 6 in any suitable manner, say by means of a support I 52 indicated in Figure 4 and associated with bearings I53 carrying the said mechanism. Slidably fitted in the tubular shaft 8 is a tubularrod I0, having at its lower end a number of longitudinal flaps ll of resilient material, separated by slots l I. The lower portions of the flaps are provided with a rough external surface or with ridges 24, see Figures 4 and 10. Mounted to slide inside the rod Ill is a spindle l2, having a head ll at its lower portion and provided with a pin I3 at the end. The inner surfaces of the flaps I I 8 and/or the engaging ex-- ternal surface of the head I! are preferably arranged to taper as shown in the figure. The topof the spindle l2 carries a head or washer I 4. Also the tubular rod ID has a head or washer l5 secured thereto at some distance below the said washer ll.

The mechanism further comprises an actuator 16 pivoted at I! and having notches, which in the position shown in Figure 4' engage the washer l4 and the Washer respectively, thus locking the spindle i2 and the rod Ill against upward movement. The pivot I1 is arranged on a bracket 2| secured to the shaft 8. A spring IB is provided to force the washer l4 upwardly to-engage the upper notch of the actuator l6, and a spring I9 is provided to force the washer l5 upwardly against the lower notch of the actuator; Associated with the actuator is spring means I 6 tending to maintain the-actuator in the locking position shown on the drawings. I

when the actuator I5 is turned outwards (to the left in Figure 4) about the pivot ll against the action of the spring means I6, the washer I4 is first'released and permits'the spindle I! to slide upwardly under the action of the spring It! so that the tapered head l2 causes expansion or spreading out of the slotted lower portion of the tubular rod ID. A short moment after the release of the washer l4 also the washer I5 is released, permitting upward movement of the rod in to a limited extent. If no record is carried by the mechanism, the upward movement of the rod in is limited by a stop member preventing the rod Hi from flying out from the tubular shaft 8 under the action of the spring l9. Upon depression of the top of the spindle l2 the .parts will be restored to their lower positions,

and the tapered head I 2 permits the resilient tapering flaps II of the slotted portion of the rod I to be contracted or compressed so that the periphery of the lower portion of the said rod is reduced. In this position the parts are locked as soon as the actuator returns to the locking position described. Figure 4 shows the parts in this position, and it is clearly seen. that when the flaps are contracted as described, there will be a small space between the ridges 24 and the inner walls of the central aperture 25 of a record G if the lower portion of the rod I0 is caused to enter the said aperture, it being understood that the record will be firmly gripped due to the friction between the ridges 24 and the inner walls of the aperture 25 upon expansion of the flaps in the manner described.-

To facilitate the description of the function of the gripping mechanism reference is made to Figure 10, which illustrates a fragment of the storage i containing a stack of records piled on a table or base I20 by means of a centring pin 53, which is mounted to slide in a bushing or sleeve I26, and which extends through an aperture I32 in the bottom of the cabinet I. The sliding movement of the pin 53 is counteracted by adjustable friction means, which may comprise a spring I29 fixed to the sleeve I26 at one end by means of a member I28 and acting at its other end against a friction plunger I30 extending through the sleeve I25 and engaging the surface of the centring pin 53. The pressure of the spring I29 on the plunger I30 may be controlled by means of a nut I3I.

In order to effect picking up of the top record from the storage 5| the arm Ii carrying the gripping mechanism I is swung by means of the cam 43 to a position above the centring pin 53, whereupon the mechanism I, by means of the cam 38,

is lowered till it rests on the top record G as shown in Figure 10, the lower end of the rod I0 entering the central aperture 25 of the top record so that the pin I3 is caused to project into a. central recess 56 of the centring pin 53. By the engagement between the centring pin and the lower end of the flaps Ila the centring pin is depressed against the action of the friction device I29, I30, I3I, a length approximately corresponding to the thickness of one record so that the centring pin is disengaged from the central aperture 25 of the top record. By means of an actuating device (not shown) the actuator I6 is now released from its locking position so that the rod I0 first is expanded at its lower slotted end and then forced upwardly under the action of the spring I9. As a result of the said expansion the lower portion of the rod I0 is rigidly clamped in the central aperture 25 by engagement between the inner walls of the said aperture and the ridges 24. The small upward movement of the rod I0 results in a pressure tending to maintain the upper central surface of the record firmly pressed against the nails 23 or the friction layer of the disc 22 when the record is lifted and suspended by the gripping mechanism in such a position that both sides of the record are accessible to reproduction. If the pinion 9 is rotated by means of the motor 5, say during the transfer of the record from the storage position to the playing position, the whole gripping device will be rotated about the axis of the shaft 8, thus also rotating the record G about its centre.

It should be particularly noted that the gripthe records due to the friction between the central aperture of the record and the ridges 24 or the rough external surface of the rod I0, whereupon the record is firmly pressed against the disc 22 so that anyslipping of the record during the rotation and reproduction is obviated.

As already stated, the rotation of the motor 5 must be reversed when one goes from playing of one side of the record to playing the other side thereof. However, due to the mass of the motor and the parts associated therewith, there is a certain delay of time from the moment when the current in the circuit of the motor is reversed till the moment when the motor assumes the reversed rotation at full speed. For the continuous operation of the phonograph this period of delay may be inconveniently long. I prefer, therefore, to provide particular means to accelarate the reversal of the motor.

Figures 4 and 6 illustrate an embodiment to this pu pose. According to this embodiment a sleeve 10 having a washer I4 is mounted loosely on the rod 8, and a second sleeve II, also having a washer, is rigidly secured to the pinion 9 by means of the key 'II. Interposed between these washers is a spring I2, the ends of which engage pins I3 on the said washers, so that, normally. the sleeve I0 is caused to rotate together with the rod 8. The washer I4 of the sleeve I0 is toothed at its periphery and is adapted to engage a pawl I5 (Figure 6), which normally by a weak spring I6 is held in a position (full lines in Figure 6), in which the washer I4 is free to rotate, and in which the pawl engages a stop 19. If the rod 8 rotates in the direction of the arrow 11, and if it is desired to reverse the rotation to the direction indicated by the arrow I0, the pawl I5 is actuated temporarily for a short moment by means (not shown) so that it engages the toothed washer I4 (dotted position of Figure 6), and at the same time the current of the circuit of the motor 5 is reversed by means of a suitable reversing switch (not shown). As the washer I4 and the sleeve I0 now are prevented from rotating, the spring I2 is compressed and brakes the rotation of the motor, thus tending to stop its previous rotation, and to impart a reversed rotation to it. As soon as this reversed rotation has started and the spring 12 has expanded again, the pawl 15 is disengaged from the toothed washer I4 under the action of the spring I6. It is seen, therefore, that the spring I2 constitutes an effective means of V in similarity with Figures 14, 15, 17, and 22,

only shOW the lower portion of the mechanism, it being understood that the upper portions including the driving members 9, 9 the actuator I6, the washers I4, I5 etc. are constructed in substantial conformity with the corresponding portions of Figure 4. Thus the tubular shaft 203 of Figures 11 and 12 corresponds to the shaft 8 of Figure 4, the tubular rod I02 corresponds to rod I0 and the, spindle IOI corresponds to spindle I 2. The gripping member of Figures 11 and 12, however, is constructed in a manner different from that of Figure 4. The lower portion of the spindle IOI, which is adapted to slide vertically. in the boring I0I of the rod I02, carries a pin I04 extending through a recess I05 in the rod I02 and through a recess I03 in the shaft I03. The outer end of the pin I04 engages an eye of a bell crank lever I01 adapted to swing on a pivot I08,

and provided with a head I at its lower end. The bell crank lever extends through and is permitted to swing in a recess I00 provided in the lower portion of the rod I02. The lower endof I the disc 22 of the gripping mechanism rests on the top record of the stack 6| through the intermediary of a friction layer or friction ring I00. When the spindle IOI is fored upwardly upon release of the actuator I6, the pin I04 will cause the bell crank lever I01 to swing on its pivot in a clock-wise direction, so that the top record G is pushed to the left by engagement between the left side of the inner wall of the central'aperture 25 and the head I09, whereby the right side of the said wall is caused to enter the recess I02 and to engage the projection H0. The upward movement of the rod I02, effected in the manner described with reference to the rod I2 of Figure 4, then causes the top record to be forced against the friction ring I00, thus ensuring a firm grip.

As illustrated in Figure 13 I prefer to form the projection Il0 crescent-shaped in order to offer a suiliciently large seat to the record.

It is also possible to effect a gripping engagement between the top record and the gripping mechanism by a lateral push of the second record G from the top. Figures 14, 15 and 16 illustrate an embodiment to this purpose. The members actuating the crank bell lever are constructed in substantial conformity with Figures 11, 12 and 13, but the bell crank lever I I I itself is constructed in a difierent manner, and has at its lower end a lateral projection II2, which in the first stage of the gripping action is adapted to engage the second record G from the top as shownin Figure 14. Moreover, in the embodiment according to Figures 14 to 16 the lower portion of the rod I02", corresponding to the rod I02 of Figure 11, has no recess I02 or projection IIO. When the bell crank lever III is actuated by the pin I04 in the manner described, the projection II2 will push the said second record G laterally, and in effecting this displacement the projection II2 will engage the lower surface of the top record G as shown in Figure 15, thus serving as a seat for the record in the manner described.

According to Figures 14 and 15 the top end of the centring pin I I3 is tapered in order that it may be capable of restoring the record G to its centric position as soon as the top record G has been lifted. This restoring is effected by raising the centring pin 3, say by spring means (not shown) acting on the said pin, whereby the pin will centre the record G Still a further embodiment of the gripping mechanism is shown in Figures 1'1 to 19. In these figures the spindle I34 corresponds to the spindle IN, and the rod I36 corresponds to the rod I02 of Figure 11. At its lower portion the spindle I34 carries a pin I35 projecting through an. inclined slot I40 in a sleeve I30surrounding the lower portion of the said spindle I34, and guided in an axial slot MI in the rod I36 as shown in Figure 19. Due to this arrangement it is clear that limited rotating movement will be imparted to the sleeve I39 when the spindle I34 is moved axially. The sleeve I39 is rigidly attached to a secondspindle I31 by means of a pin I38 so that the rotating movement of the sleeve I33 is transferred to the spindle I31, which at its lower end carriers 9. segment-shaped projection or eccentric cam I44 (Figure 18) preferably having ridges at its periphery. Rigidly attached to the rod I36, say by threads, is a tubular member I42, in which the spindle I31 is permitted-to rotate, and the lower end I43 of which is provided with ridges or a rough surface at the outer periphery 65 designates the centring pin.

Figure 17 shows the position in which the gripping mechanism rests on the top record without gripping it, and in which the cam I44 '(see full lines of Figure 18) is disengaged from the aperture 25. An upward movement of the spindle I34 will transfer a rotation to the cam I44 so that it is caused to occupy the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 18, in which the ridges of the said cam engage with the inner wall of the aperture of the top record G so that the said record is firmly gripped.

Figures 20 and 21 illustrate a modification of the gripping mechanism shown in Figures 14 and 15, but the actuating members are constructed in substantial conformity with Figure 17. Thus, the spindle I45 of Figure 20 corresponds to the spindle I31 of Figure 1'1, and the tubular member I41 of Figure 20 corresponds to the tubular member I42 of'Figure 17. The spindle I45 carries at its lower end a segment-shaped projection or cam I46, which is adapted to enter the aperture 25 in the first stage of the gripping action as shown in Figure 20 and in full lines in Figure 21. Rotation of.the cam I46, transferred in the manner described, causes the cam to push the record G laterally (dotted lines of Figure 21), and upon upward movement of the spindle I45 and associated members the top record G is firmly gripped byengagement with the segment-shaped surface of the cam I46.

Figures 22 and 23 illustrate a modification of the gripping mechanism shown in Figure 11, but also in this case the actuating members are constructed in substantial conformity with Figures 17 and 20. Thus, the tubular member I40 corresponds to the tubular member I41 of Figure 20, but the first mentioned member is provided with a recess I5l and a projection I50 in similarity with the embodiment according to Figure 11. It is easily understood that a rotation of the cam I46 from the full line position of Figure 23 to the dotted line position effects a lateral push on the top record G, thus causing the said record to engage the projection I50, whereupon the gripping action is completed in the manner described with reference to Figure 11 n I It is convenient to arrange the supporting table of the stack or storage 5| in sucha manner that it may be removed from the apparatus in order to enable stapling of new records on the table at any convenient place outside the apparatus.

To this purpose Figures 1 and 2 show that the stack of records rests on a displaceable .table or carriage I20 which carries the centering pin'53 already referred to. The carriage is arranged to be guided on rails H8, H9 or the like so that it may easily be removed from the apparatus and inserted therein again. The inner ends of the rails II8, IIS are provided with stops I2I, I22

which engage the inner end of the carriage when it occupies the correct position in the apparatus. In this position small notches I23, I24 are adapted to engage corresponding notches (not shown) in the legs II 8, N9 of the carriage so that the eration. The table H4 is provided with a handle H5 facilitating the removal and the insertion of the table. In its correct position in the apparatus .the table is centered by means of three stops or pins H6 or equivalent members engaging the periphery of the table I I4.

The arrangements now described are particularly convenient because they permit handling and stapling of the records at any suitable place outside the apparatus, at the same time ensuring exact centering of the storages.

It is not necessary that the record occupies horizontal position in the playing position, but the record may also be arranged vertically or occupy an inclined position. Figure 9 illustrates diagrammatically an embodiment with vertically arranged records.

According to this embodiment two horizontal arms 9|, 92 are arranged on a vertical spindle 93 pemiitting swinging movements of one or of both arms 9|, 92. The phonograph motor 5 is attached to the arm 9| in driving connection with the gripping mechanism 1. 94 indicates diagrammatically a horizontal centering pin attached to the arm 92 and adapted to carry the records 5I. The pick-up arms 95, 96 are adapted to swing vertically about a horizontal spindle 91. By swinging the pick-up arm 96 vertically to a suflicient high .or low level the arm 9| is permitted to transfer a record suspended by the mechanism 1 from the storage 5| to the preliminary playing position (shown in full lines in Figure 9) The suspended record is then transferred to either of the positions in which it engages one of the pick ups (fragmentary dotted lines in Figure 9). When the suspended recordhas been played it is permitted to drop to a second storage located below the playing position. 99 indicates diagrammatically an actuating member, adapted to push the stack of records to engage the gripping mechanism I when it is swung into its position to receive the outermost record of the stack.

According to a modification, the arm 92 carrying the storage 5| may be arranged swingably to transfer the whole stack of records from the storage position to the playing position,.in which the outermost record is gripped by the gripping mechanism.

Means are provided to determine and control the correct sequence of the different operations of the members of the phonograph. By way of example, the drawings show (Figures 1 and 2) a ratchet wheel or toothed wheel 64, keyed to the shaft 46 and having at its periphery a number of teeth or notches 65 adapted to cooperate with a spring-actuated pawl 66, which may be operated to release the wheel 64 by means of an electromagnet 61 or similar device actuated temporarily for short moments. The motor 44, which drives the spindle, is adapted to be switched in and to rotate the spindle when the pawl 66 is operated by the electromagnet 61, and the circuit of the motor is interrupted a short moment before the pawl is caused to engage with the next notch of the said wheel. This interruption is effected by the means illustrated in Figure 24. According to this figure, the pawl 66 is pivoted at I60 and is actuated by a spring I6I tending to maintain the hook-shaped end I62 of the pawl 66 in engagement with the teeth 65. The hook I62 carries an extension with a contact I63, which by means of a lead is connected to the circuit of the motor 44. A second contact I64 carried on an arm I65 is likewise connected to the circuit of the motor 44. The connections are made in such a manner that the circuit of the motor is completed only when the contact I63I64 is closed. The arm I65 is pivoted at I61 and is associated with the extension of the hook I62 by means of a spring I66. The end of the arm I65 is adapted to engage pins I66 arranged at a predetermined distance from the edge of the teeth 65. The arrangement functions in the following manner: In normal position, the circuit short moment before this engagement, however,

the end of the arm I65 engages the pin I68 appertaining to the said tooth. The result of the latter engagement is that the contract I63--I64 is opened and the circuit of the motor 44 is interrupted, which thus happens before the hook I62 engages the tooth 65. The arrangement of the friction coupling 48 is intended to prevent stresses in the transmission if the mass of the motor would not have stopped when the said engagement is effected. If this happens, the motor will be disconnected from the shaft 46 and, consequently, also from the shaft 40, thus preventing harmful shocks on the pawl 66. To

effect release of the pawl 66 short current impulses are supplied to the electromagnet 61. The circuits may easily be understood without description, as they are known in similar automatic phonographs.

It is clear from the above description that due to I the driving connection with the gripping mechanism, the motor 5 may start the rotation of the gripping mechanism and the suspended record in any position during the transfer of the record to the playing position.

Another important advantage of the invention is that the gripping mechanism also permits gripping of the records without any necessity of providing particular separating discs or the like between the records of the stack to permit the mechanism to pick up the records.

As many changes could be made in the above construction and many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, as defined by the following claims, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What I claim is:

1. In an automatic phonograph, the combination with means for transferring a record to be played from a storage position to a playing position, of gripping means to extend into the central aperture in said record, means to move the introduced gripping means laterally within the said central aperture without lateral displacement of the record for engaging and for holding the record suspended exclusively by means of firm pressure of said gripping means applied against the inner wall of said record, and means for rotating the gripping means about the centre of said record.

2. In an automatic phonograph, gripping means for picking up a record to be played from a storage position and for transferring the same to a playing position comprising, in combination,

means for introducing the said gripping means into the central aperture of the record, a rough external surface on the gripping means, and means for forcing said rough surface into firm engagement with the inner cylindrical wall of the central aperture of the record, said rough surface and gripping means, in gripping position, being free from any engagement with the lower record surface surrounding the central-aperture thereof. 1

3. An automatic phonograph according to claim 2, in which the rough surface is formed by ridges projecting from the surface of the gripping means.

4. In an automatic phonograph of the kind derscribed, in combination, gripping means for en-.- gaging a record to be played at its centre and for maintaining the same suspended in a manner to allow both sides of the record being accessible for reproduction without the record having to be turned over, a swingable arm for carrying the gripping means and for transferring the engaged.

record from a storage position to a playing position, a driving mechanism rigidly attached to and carried by said swingable arm, and a driving connection between the driving mechanism and the gripping means whereby to rotate the gripping means and the record suspended thereby.

5. In an automatic phonograph of the kind described, in combination, a vertical tubular rod, means fob-introducing the lower end-of the said rod from above into the central aperture of the uppermost record of a pile of records to be played, resilient flaps spaced by slots provided at the said lower end of the said rod, means for expanding said flaps into firm engagement with the inner wall of the central aperture of said uppermost record in a manner to grip the latter but to leave the remaining records umnfluenced thereby, and means for moving the said rod and the gripped record vertically in relation to the pile of records.

6. In an automatic phonograph of the kind described, in combination, 'a vertical tubular rod, means-for introducing the lower end of said rod from above into the central aperture of the uppermost record of a pile of records to be played, resilient flaps spaced by slots and extending in axial direction from the said lower end of the rod, an actuating spindle, means for moving the spindle axially in relation to the said tubular rod to expand the flaps against the inner wall of the said aperture of the uppermost record whereby to grip the latter without gripping the remaining records of the pile, means for moving the rod and the gripped record vertically in relation to the pile of records, means for suspending the gripped record with both sides thereof accessible for reproduction, and means for rotating the tubular rod and the gripped record in suspended position about the centre of the latter for the purpose of reproduction.

7. In an automatic phonograph of the kind described, in combination, a tubular driving shaft, a tubular rod slidably fitted in said shaft, means for introducing the tubular rod into the central aperture of a record to be played, resilient flaps spaced by slots provided at the lower end of said tubular rod, 2. spring-actuated body for expanding the flaps into firm engagement with the inner wall of the central aperture of the record whereby to grip the latter, a disc having a friction surface thereon secured coaxially with the said tubular shaft at the lower end thereof. spring means for actuating the tubular rod for drawing the gripped record'against the friction surface of the said disc, a releasable actuator to lock said spring actuated body and tubular rod in an inoperative position, and a driving motor to transfer rotation to the said driving shaft for the purpose of rotating the gripped record about its centre.

KARL MARTIN ALM.

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