US2172623A

US2172623A - Automatic station selector fob

Info

Publication number: US2172623A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1939-09-12
Anticipated expiration: 1956-09-12

Description

Sep t. 12,1939. 7 E. H. PITNEY 2,172,623

' AUTOMATIC STATION SELECTOR FOR RADIO RECEIVERS Filed Oct. 4, 193'? s Sheets-Sheet 1 awe/rm Earl H. 'Pitrwy E. H. PlTNEY 2,172,623

AUTOMATIC STATION SELECTOR FOR RADIO RECEIVERS Sept. 12, 1939.

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AUTOMATIC STATION SELECTQR FOR RADIO RECEIVERS Filed 06%.. 4, 1957. 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Sept. 12, 1939 AUTOMATIC STATION SELECTOR- FOR RADIO RECEIVERS Earl Hume Pitney, Willmar, Minn., assignor of one-fourth to William K. Berger, and onefourth to R. H. Fryberger, both of Minneapolis,

Minn.

Application October 4,

15 Claims.

My invention relates to automatic station selectors for radio receivers and has for an object to provide a device of such a character whereby programs may be selected and arranged throughout twenty four hours a day for an entire week and automatically tuned in on the radio at the appropriate times.

Another object of the invention resides in providing a station selector in which the entire mechanism is reset at the end of the week so that the same arrangement of programs is presented each week.

Still another object of the invention resides in providing a device which is extremely simple and practical in construction and will not readily get out of order.

A further object of the invention resides in providing a device which can be used manually in the customary manner without interfering 20 with the program arrangement or which can be set for a certain station and caused to operate continuously at such setting without interfering with the program arrangement.

Another object of the invention resides in providing a device by means of which sharp tuning of the radio receiver can be procured.

Other objects of the invention reside in the novel combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter illus- LH trated and/or described.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a plan sectional view of a portion of a radio receiver and an automatic station selector illustrating an embodiment of my invention.

:11 I Fig. 2 is an elevational sectional view taken on line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an elevational sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an elevational sectional view taken 2 on line 44 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 4 showing a different arrangement of pegs.

My invention may be used in conjunction with any type of radio receiver. For this reason the 4 radio proper has not been shown in detail in this application and only so much thereof as pertains to the present invention has been illustrated.

The radio receiver which I have shown in conso junction with my improved automatic station selector comprises a cabinet I having a base H, a front panel [2 and other walls l2a and l2b. Extending through the panel [2 is a shaft l3 to which is attached upon the exterior of the panel a knob l4. Knob I4 is used for manually tuning 1937, Serial No. 167,182

the radio receiver in the customary manner. The shaft 13 has mounted upon it a sleeve l which has secured to it condenser plates indicated diagrammatically at l6. These plates constitute the tuning element of the radio receiver and cooperate with other stationary plates in a well known manner. The shaft further has mounted upon it a sleeve I1 which may rotate relative thereto. The sleeve I5 is rotatably supported in a bearing 18 which is mounted on a standard I9 secured to the base ll. Collars 2| secured to the sleeve 15 and engaging the bearing l8 restrain longitudinal movement of the sleeve IS with reference to the said bearing. The sleeve I1 is similarly journaled in a bearing 22 which is formed on a standard 23 secured to base ll. Sleeve I1 is similarly held from endwise movement relative to the bearing 22 by means of collars 24.

For procuring timed operation of the invention, an electric clock 25, illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, is employed. This clock may be of any suitable type and is constructed with a case 26 in which the electric motor and reduction gearing are contained. The clock further includes an hour hand shaft 21 which projects outwardly therefrom and which is journaled in a bearing 28. Bearing 28 is mounted on a standard 29 secured to base H. The shaft 21 is held from endwise movement relative to the bearing 28 by means of collars 3|. The clock 25 also includes another shaft 32 which travels at a reduced rate of speed but at a considerably greater rate of speed than the hour hand shaft 21. This shaft is used for procuring power for operating the station finding mechanism of the invention as will be hereinafter more fully described.

The invention, for the purpose of selecting stations, utilizes a drum 33 which is supported for rotation and axial movement and driven by shaft 21 in the following manner. Attached to the base I0 is an upright 34 which carries a support 35 in the form of a bearing and which rotatably receives the end of a stationary spindle 36. Spindle 36 may be rotated within said support 35 by means of. a hand wheel 31 secured to the end of the same. A set screw 38 threaded into the support 35 holds the spindle 36 in fixed position relative thereto. The spindle 36, is, at all times, disposed in axial alignment with the shaft 21. Slidably and rotatably mounted on the spindle 36 is a sleeve 39. This sleeve is slidably received within another sleeve 4|. Sleeve 4| is constructed with a longitudinally extending slot 42 in which is disposed a key 43 which is threaded and screwed into sleeve 39. This key efiects a drive for the sleeve 39 from the sleeve 4! and at the same time permits of axial movement of the sleeve 39 with reference to the sleeve M. The drum 33 is constructed with an end wall 44 which is formed with an outwardly extending flange 95 to which said drum is attached. The end wall 44 is further constructed with an inwardly extending boss 49 in which the sleeve 39 extends. Sleeve 39 is securely mounted within the boss 49 and is attached thereto either by a force fit or in any other suitable manner so that rotation of sleeve 39 procures rotation of the drum 33. The sleeve 4! is attached to a head 47 which in turn is secured to the end of shaft 27. Rotation of shaft 21 procures rotation of sleeve 4i and at the same time sleeve 39 and drum 33 are rotated through the key 43 acting in slot 42. It will be readily comprehended that as drum 33 rotates, the same may also move axially.

The spindle 39 is constructed with spiralling threads 98 which extend substantially throughout the length thereof. A pin 49 slidably mounted in a bore formed in the sleeve 39 and hub 45 of end wall 44 is adapted to engage the threads 43 and to follow along the same as the drum 33 rotates. By means of this construction the drum is caused to advance along the spindle 36 as said drum is rotated by clock 25. The pin 49 is pivotally secured to a bell crank 52 which is pivoted to a lug 53 issuing from a collar 54 fast on the hub 45. This bell crank has pivoted to it a link 55 which is guided for movement in a guide 53 issuing from another collar 5'! which in turn is secured to the sleeve 4|. A long tension coil spring i5! is attached to the pivot 58 between the pin 49 and bell crank 52 and is further attached to a finger 59 extending outwardly from the sleeve 4!. The link 55 has formed on it at its inner end a collar BI and at its outer end a similar collar 32. These collars are adapted to alternately engage the guide 59 and as axial movement of the drum 33 continues after engagement of either of these collars with said guide the bell crank 52 is swung in one direction or the other to withdraw the pin 49 from engagement with the threads 48 or to move the same into engagement therewith. The pivot 58 to which spring 51 is attached is so disposed that the same swings past the center of the pivot of hell crank 52 whereby the spring serves to hold the pin 49 positively in either engaged or disengaged position. The spring I51, in addition to operating the bell crank 52, returns the drum 33 to normal position after the pin 49 has been disengaged by means of the collar 62. When such action occurs, the drum is rapidly returned and to prevent injury to the apparatus a buffer spring 63 is employed which is disposed within the sleeve 4! and which acts between the end. of the sleeve 39 and the head 41. As the drum 33 is rotated the same is advanced along the spindle until the same becomes disengaged through the action of the collar 62 cooperating with the guide 56. This disengages pin 49 and spring 5? immediately returns the drum to normal position. As the drum approaches normal position collar 3! engages guide 56 and again brings the pin 49 into engagement with the threads 48. Drum 33 then continues to operate as previously described.

The drum 33 is employed for the purpose of starting and stopping the radio receiver at the desired times and in accordance with any desired program arrangement. Toward this end a plurality of radial holes are employed which are arranged in the surface of drum 33 as shown in Fig. 1. These holes are disposed helically with reference to the drum. The invention may be used to operate the radio receiver in conjunction with any desired number of stations but in order to simplify the drawings the present invention has been shown as capable of use in conjunction with two stations which for the purpose of illustration will be referred to as stations A and B. The holes referred to are arranged in two groups and are indicated as 64 and 35, the holes 64 controlling the operation of the radio receiver when tuned in on station A, and the holes 65 controlling the operation of the radio receiver when tuned in on station B. These holes are spaced circumferentially a distance corresponding to 15 minute intervals so that the programs of the radio receiver may be changed at 15 minute intervals if desired. The

holes

64 and 65 are arranged in zones such as designated by reference numerals 96 which are defined by spiralling lines 91 formed on the exterior of the drum. Also the zones 68 are divided up into sections indicating night and day and suitable indicia placed along the marginal periphery of the drum to indicate the various times of the day. Cooperating with the

holes

64 and 65 are a number of pegs 68 which may be manually inserted into the same. These pegs are slightly tapered and form a tight fit in the holes and are thus held in position.

The pegs 68 on drum 33 are adapted to operate two levers H and 12. These pegs serve as actuating members and said pegs and levers form parts of actuating devices for procuring operation of the invention. These levers are both pivoted on a pintle 13 which is mounted on a standard 69 secured to base ll. Levers H and 12 are identical in construction and are constructed with arms 14 arranged in proximity to the drum 33. These arms are formed with fingers i5 adapted to be engaged by the peg 69 whereby the levers are swung on the pintle I3. Levers H and 12 are further constructed with arms 16 which extend in the opposite direction from the arms 14 and toward the sleeve l1. These arms have fingers 11 at the outer ends thereof which serve a purpose to be presently more fully described. Fingers 15 are normally maintained in engagement with the surface of the drum 33 by means of tension coil springs 18 which are secured at one end to the arms 14 and the other ends to a pin I9 extending outwardly from the standard 69.

Mounted on the sleeve I! are two stops BI and 82 which are secured thereto by means of set screws 83. Adjacent the stop 8| is a brake drum 36 which is provided with a set screw 81 by means of which the same may be properly secured to the sleeve. The stops BI and 82 are adapted to be engaged by the fingers 11 of levers H and 12 and when so engaged terminate rotation of the sleeve H. The sleeve I7 is provided at its end with a pulley 81 by means of which the same may be rotated. Secured to the end of shaft i3 is a clutch disk 88 which is provided with a clutch pin 89 adapted to engage a socket ill in the pulley 81. When shaft [3 is pulled outwardly through knob l4, pin 89 is brought into engagement with socket 9| and effects a drive between the pulley 81' and shaft l3. Issuing outwardly from shaft [3 is a pin 92 which may slide axially in a slot 93 formed in sleeve l5. This pin forms a drive between shaft [3 and the condenser plates I6 whereby tuning of the radio receiver may be procured. Slot 93 at the same time permits engagement or disengagement of clutch pin 89 with the socket 9|. For the purpose of holding the clutch pin 89 into or out of engagement with the socket 9|, the peripheral edge of the disc 89 is constructed V-shaped as indicated at 94. This edge is adapted to engage two or more spring clips 95 attached to pulley 81 which serve to hold the disk in either of its two extreme positions.

The sleeve I1 is driven in the following manner. Formed in the standards I9 and 23 are bores 95 and 91 which serve as bearings for a countershaft 98. Collars 99 attached to the shaft 98 and disposed adjacent the bearings 96 and 91 restrain longitudinal movement of the shaft within its bearings. The shaft 98 has attached to it at one end a pulley IN. A belt I02 passes over this pulley and over another pulley I03 secured to shaft 32 of clock 25. By means or this construction the countershaft 98 is driven. Shaft 98 has secured to the other end thereof another pulley I02a. A belt I03 passes over this pulley and the pulley 81 on sleeve I1. This belt eiTects a drive for the sleeve I1 from the countershaft 98. One of the belts I02 or I03 is sufficiently loose so that when the rotation of the sleeve I1 is arrested this belt slips and does not stop the clock 25.

Operating in conjunction with the brake drum 86 is a brake shoe I04 best shown in Fig. 4. This shoe is attached to a lever I05 which is pivoted on a pintle I08 secured to a bracket I01 extending outwardly from the standard 23. Lever I05 is provided at its extreme end with a pin I08 which is adapted to be engaged by either of the arms 15 of levers H and 12. When either of these levers is in the position of lever II in Fig. 4 the brake shoe I04 is free from the brake drum 86 and sleeve I1 may rotate freely. The lever I is normally urged toward the lever H and 12 by a tension coil spring I09 which is attached at one end to the bracket I01 and its other end to an arm III formed on lever I05. This spring also urges the shoe I04 into engagement with the brake drum 86 and arrests movement of the sleeve I1 when lever I05 is not depressed by either lever H or 12.

The operation of the invention is as follows. In the adjustment of the device the two stops BI and 82 are positioned so that movement of the shaft I3 is terminated when the condenser plates I5 are at the proper position to tune in the stations desired. Adjustment of these stops is procured by loosening set screws 83 and tightening the same after the proper positions are found. Pegs 88 are now inserted in the proper holes 5 and 65 to procure operation of the radio receiver at the desired times. Normally the clock 25 is running and one of the belts I02 or I03 slipping and the sleeve I1 stationary. As the drum 93 rotates the first peg opposite the fingers 15 of lever H and 12 will engage said finger and depress the finger 11. As soon as this finger commences to move pin I08 is depressed which releases the brake shoe I04. This frees the brake drum 85 and sleeve I1 and shaft I3 commences to rotate. As soon as finger 11 is sufficiently dep ssed the same comes into engagement with the particular stop 8! or 82 with which it cooperates and the sleeve I1 and shaft 23 are arrested. This is the position in which the radio receiver is tuned for the desired station. Due to the adjustment of the stops BI and 82 and to the mechanism for arresting movement thereof sharp tuning of the radio receiver can be procured. Furthermore once these stops have been set, the radio condenser can be repeatedly stopped accurately at the same places so that repeated operation can be procured without variation.

Attached to standard 69 is an electric switch l I2 which is normally open and which is adapted to be closed by either of two fingers II 3 one on each of the levers H and 12. This switch is connected in the radio circuit and serves to start and stop the radio receiver. When either of the levers H and 12 are depressed and engages the corresponding stop 8| and 82 the switch H2 is closed and the radio receiver operates. Each of the pegs 68 is of a circumferential extent great enough to cause the radio receiver to operate for I5 minutes. If the radio receiver is to operate continuously it becomes necessary to arrange a number of pegs 68 in succession which maintain the finger 15 elevated and the sleeve I1 arrested. As soon as the finger 15 reaches the last peg 68 the corresponding lever is moved by its spring 18 to disengage finger 11 from stop 8I or 82 and free the sleeve I1. This also sets brake I 05 which stops the drum 85. One of the belts I02 or I03 again slips and the clock continues to operate until one or the other of two levers H or 12 is released by additional pegs 68 attached to the drum 33. It will readily be comprehended that programs may be arranged in advance for every hour of the day and for every day of the week so that once the device is set it will repeat itself every week. This is possible by reason of the fact that the drum 33 makes I4 revolutions before the same is returned, each revolution representing 12 hours.

To permit of selectively tuning the radio receiver to either of stations A or B and operating the same independently of the drum 33 and without interfering with the program arrangement procured by the pegs on drum. a mechanism is employed which is bet shown in Fig. 2. Attached to the panel !2 of case if? is an escutcheon plate SM. To this plate is secured two flexible tubes H5 and H6 which are also secured to an ear t9 formed on upright 69. Within these tubes are spring steel wires l2I which have attached to their outer end knobs H1 and H8 by means of which the same may he slid longitudinally along the tubes H5 and H5. The other ends of the Wires i2! have secured to them buttons I22 which are adapted to engage the levers "II and 12 and to depress the same. It will readily be comprehended that the shaft I3 may be held from movement by forcing the knobs I I1 and 8 inwarcl'y which holds the fingers 'i'! of either of the levers 1! or '52 in engagement with its corresponding stcp 8! or 82. This closes the regular radio switch causes the radio receiver to perform without interrupti n or change of station. When so operated the radio receiver is no longer shut off at the end of each chosen but continues to operate with the station selected through knobs Ill and H8 regardless of the setting of the pegs on drum it is desired to operate the radio receiver mar ly and without interfering with the proarrangement, this may be accomplished by forcing the knob M inwardly as shewn in 3. Shaft i3 is then disengaged from sleeve and may be manually rotated.

The advantages of my invention are manifest. An extremely simple and practical construction is provided whereby radio programs may be arranged a week in advance and the radio receiver be automatically started and tuned in at the proper times. The device permits of tuning the radio receiver to any station without interfering with the arrangement of the programs. With my invention the radio receiver can be manually operated in the customary manner without interfering with the program arrangement. At the end of the week the entire device becomes automatically reset and the performance is repeated each succeeding week. Pegs may be positioned while the drum is disposed within the radio receiver to permit of program arrangement. The device is positive in action and will not readily get out of order.

Changes in the specific form of my invention, as herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination with the tuning element of a radio receiver, a chronometrically rotated shaft, a second shaft splined relative to said first shaft and rotatable therewith, a drum carried by said second shaft, a fixed screw cooperating with said second shaft to move said drum axially upon rotation thereof and means controlled by said drum for operating said tuning element.

2. In combination, a chronometrically rotated shaft, a second shaft splined relative to said first shaft and rotatable therewith, a drum carried by said second shaft, a fixed screw, a member carried by said drum and movable to engage or disengage the threads of said screw for moving the drum longitudinally upon rotation of said second named shaft, means for engaging said movable member when the drum is at one position relative to the screw and means for disengaging the movable member when the drum is at another position relative to the screw.

3. In combination, a chronometrically rotated shaft, a second shaft splined relative to said first shaft and rotatable therewith, a drum carried by said second shaft, a fixed screw, a movable member carried by said drum and adapted to engage or disengage the threads of said screw and adapted to advance said drum along said screw in one direction, means for bringing said movable member into engagement with the screw at the one extreme position of said drum, means for disengaging said movabe member from said screw at the other extreme position of said drum and a resilient member for returning said drum to its first named position.

l. In combination, a chronometrically rotated shaft, a second shaft splined relative to said first shaft and rotatable therewith, a drum carried by said second shaft, a fixed screw, a movable member carried by said drum and adapted to engage or disengage the threads of said screw and adapted to advance said drum along said screw in one direction, a bell crank to which said member is pivoted, means for pivoting said bell crank to said drum, a link connected to said beli crank and extending longitudinally within said drum, a guide carried by said rotatable shaft along which said link travels and shoulders on said link adapted to engage said guide to move said bell crank in opposite directions to effect engagement and disengagement of said movable member with said screw.

5. In combination, a chronometrically rotated shaft, a second shaft splined relative to said first shaft and rotatable therewith, a drum carried by said second shaft, a support, a screw mounted for rotary adjustment in said support and concentrically arranged with respect to said second named shaft, means for normally holding said screw from adjustive rotation with reference to said support, and means carried by said drum for engagement with said screw to procure movement of said drum longitudinally of said screw responsive to rotation of said drum.

6. In combination, a chronometrically rotated tubular shaft having a longitudinally extending slot therein, a tubular shaft within said first named shaft, a spline attached to said second named tubular shaft and slidable along said slot, a drum secured to said second named tubular shaft, a fixed screw disposed within said second named tubular shaft, and means carried by said drum for engagement with the threads of said screw.

'7. In combination, a revoluble member for rotating the tuning shaft of a radio receiver, yieldable means tending to rotate said member, a stop on said member, a lever having a finger adapted to engage said stop, a chronometrically rotated drum, means on said drum for moving said lever to bring said finger into engagement with said stop and brake means operated by said lever for arresting the movement of said revoluble member when said finger is disengaged from said stop.

8. In combination, a revoluble member for rotating the tuning shaft of a radio receiver, yieldable means for tending to rotate said member, a stop on said member, a lever having a finger adapted to engage said stop, a chronometrically rotated drum, means on said drum for moving said lever to bring said finger into engagement with said stop, a brake drum rotatable with said revoluble member, a pivoted brake shoe adapted to engage said brake drum to arrest movement of said revoluble member and means operated by said lever for disengaging said brake shoe upon movement of said finger toward said stop.

9. In combination, a fixed elongated screw, a drum rotatably and longitudinally slidably mounted on said screw, an element carried by said drum and shiftable into and out of engagement with the threads of said screw, means for maintaining said drum in rotative movement, means for shifting said element into and out of engagement with said screw at respective extreme longitudinally shifted positions of said drum on said screw, and means yieldably urging said drum toward the first of said respective positions thereof.

10. In combination, a chronometrically rotated shaft, a longitudinally movable rotatable drum rotated by said shaft, a screw, releasable thread engaging means adapted to engage the threads of said screw for moving said drum longitudinally in one direction upon rotation thereof, means operable to release said thread engaging means when the drum reaches a predetermined position in its coiuse of longitudinal movement, said drum when said thread engaging means is released being longitudinally slidable relative to said screw for return to an initial position.

11. In combination, a fixed elongated screw, a drum rotatably and longitudinally slidably mounted on said screw, an element carried by said drum and shiftable into and out of engage-- ment with the threads of said screw, means for maintaining said drum in rotative motion, an elongated member carried within said drum for movement longitudinally thereof, means connecting said member to said shiftable element to cause shifting of said element into and out of engagement with said screw responsive to movement of said member in respective directions relative to said drum, stop means on said member, and stop means immovable longitudinally of said drum for cooperation with said firstmentioned stop means to cause shifting of said element into and out of engagement with said screw at the respective extreme longitudinally shifted positions of said drum on said screw.

12. In combination with a radio receiver, a tubular tuning shaft, means for journaling said shaft and restraining axial movement thereof, a revoluble member co-axially mounted for rotation with respect to said tuning shaft, means for rotating said revoluble member, an operating shaft extending through said tubular tuning shaft and having axial movement with reference thereto, a spline between said operating shaft and said tuning shaft, a clutch between said revoluble member and operating shaft, means on the end of said operating shaft opposite to said revoluble member and disposed outwardly of said tuning shaft for shifting said operating shaft axially to connect or disconnect said operating shaft and said revoluble member.

13. In combination, a drum, means for imparting to said drum simultaneous rotative and longitudinal motions, a plurality of respective helically extending parallel series of actuating elements carried on the peripheral surface of said drum in such interposed relation with each other as to form a multiple helix the pitch of which is equal to the longitudinal distance traversed by said drum per revolution thereof, a plurality of members associated with and adapted to be operated by the actuating elements of the respective series thereof, and stationary means by which said members are supported.

14. In combination, a drum, means for imparting tosaid drum simultaneous rotative and longitudinal motions thereof, two series of actuating elements disposed on the peripheral sur face of said drum along respective helical lines each having a pitch equal to the longitudinal distance traversed by said drum per revolution thereof, each of said actuating elements being individually removably attached to said drum, a pair of members shiftable toward and away from said drum and continually yieldingly pressed toward the same at said respective helical lines whereby an actuating element on said drum engaging one of said members will deflect the same outwardly of said drum, the dimensions of each of said members and of each of said actuating elements circumferentially of said drum being such that one of said members engaged by one of said actuating elements will be held in deflected position throughout a predetermined period of time and then released by said actuating element and an actuating element then coming into actuating relation with the other of said members will deflect the same substantially in unison with release of said first member.

15. In combination with a radio receiver, a tubular, adjustively rotatable tuning shaft for said radio receiver, means for journalling said shaft and restraining the same from axial movement, an operating shaft extending into the interior of said tubular shaft and splined thereto, a revoluble member mounted on said operating shaft and rotatable thereon, a rotating member for driving said revoluble member, and a clutch for connecting said operating shaft to said revoluble member operative responsive to longitudinal shifting of said operating shaft, and a manual operating element on said operating shaft manipulatable for rotating said shaft and shifting the same longitudinally.

EARL HUME PITNEY.