US2248622A - Reversible feed mechanism for recorders - Google Patents

Description

July 8,1941. M. M. G'RUBER A 2.248522 REVERSIBLE FEED MECHANiSM FOR RECORDERS Filed May 12, 1959 2'SheetsSheet 1 v 4 I lg BY KM,

V ATTORNEY y 1941- M. M. GRUBER ETAL 2.248.6

' REVERSIBLE FEED MECHANISM FOR RECORDERS Filed May 12, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 V 1 llniifim Q ATTORNEY Patented July 8, 1941 more FHQE.

EEVERSEELE FEED MECHANISM FOR RECORDERS Morris M. Gruber, New York, N. Y., and George J. Saliba, Englewoo'd, N. J assignors to Presto Recording Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application May 12, 1939, Serial No. 273,168

(Cl. 27l13) 15 Claims.

This invention relates to recorders, especially for instantaneous recording and play-back on discs, and more particularly to an improved feed mechanism therefor.

The primary object of the present invention is to generally improve recorders, and more particularly the feed mechanism; for feeding the cutting head over the surface of a blank disc. A specific object is to improve the feed mechanism disclosed in our co-pending application,

serial No. 200,926, filed April 8, 1938.

Some recorders are arranged to move the cutting head from the outside of the disc toward the center, and others to move the cutting head from the center of the disc toward the outside. The latter is a newer type of recording, but one which is rapidly increasing in popularity. It has the advantage, inasmuch as the shaving cut from an acetate or like disc by the recording stylus is thrown inwardly, that the shaving is left hehind the outwardly moving stylus. The stylus moves onto a clean recording surface and is in no way affected by the previously cut shaving.

When recording from the outside in, the stylus moves toward and over the shaving, the latter lying on top of the smooth unrecorded surface, unless the shaving is frequently brushed toward the center by an attendant. Despite this disadvantage, many people prefer to record from the outside in, so that the finished record may be used on a standard phonograph having automatic tripping or stopping mechanism to stop the machine at the end of the record.

An important object of the present invention is to make either type of recording instantly available, or in other words, to provide a re corder with readily reversible feed mechanism, so that the cutting head may be fed in either direction according to the whim or need of the user. Still another object is to provide a single control handle which may be used to release (disengage) the feed mechanism, and also to reverse the direction of feed. Still further objects of the invention are to provide a reversible feed mechanism which is simple, compact and all of the parts of which may be nested between the top or supporting panel of the recorder and the turntable, so that the feed mechanism is normally concealed by the turntable, yet is fully exposed for repair or adjustment on removing the turntable.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and other more specific objects which will hereinafter appear, our invention consists in the rehereinafter.

corder and feed elements and their relation one to the other, as hereinafter are more particularly described in the specification and sought to be defined in the claims. The specification is accompanied by drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a portable instantaneous play-back recorder utilizing the reversible feed mechanism; of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan View of the main supporting panel and the recorder elements carried thereby, a part of the turntable being cut away to expose the feed mechanism;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken approximately in the plane of the line 3--3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a section taken approximately in the plane of the line 4--4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a bottom view of the toothed sector; and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view in plan similar to Fig. 2, but showing the relation of the parts when feeding the cutting head in opposite direction.

Except for the reversible feed mechanism, the present recorder, which happens to be a portable one, is fully described in detail in our earlier co-pending application, serial No. 200,926, filed April 8, 1938. The present description may therefore be kept comparatively brief.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Fig. 1, the recorder comprises a turntable T, a recording arm R, a shaving collector S, a pick-up arm P, a feed control handle F, a motor control C, a microphone M, and audio frequency amplifier and loud speaker equipment located generallyat the forward end A of the casing. The turntable T is driven by a concealed motor, the said motor being started and stopped and at the same time engaged with. or released from the turntable by the control handle C. The recording arm moves over the surface of a disc D carried by the turntable, it being moved by appropriate feed mechanism which is described This feed mechanism may be released or made inoperative by means of the handle F, thus permitting the recording arm to be moved freely over the disc D so as to locate the cutting stylus at any desired point on the disc. The handle F is also used to reverse the direction of feed, thus making it possible to record on the disc D from either the outside in, or from the inside out. During the recording operation, a switch 52 is closed, energizing the amplifier, and lighting an appropriate pilot light M. A changeover switch It is thrown to the recording position. There is a volume control It and a tone control 20. The volume control 18 may be used to limit the amplitude of the audio frequency wave being impressed on the disc, and for this purpose a meter 22 is provided to indicate the audio frequency amplitude.

After the disc has been recorded, it is merely necessary to release the feed mechanism by means of handle F, whereupon the recording arm B may be swung freely outwardly to a position clear of the turntable. The change-over switch I6 is thrown in opposite direction for phonograph reproduction, and pick-up arm P is lifted from its rest pin 24 and applied to the record. The audio frequency wave, after suitable amplification, is supplied to a loud speaker disposed against the inner side of the end wall 26, the said wall being cut away as is indicated at 28 to form a grille for sound discharge.

The present invention particularly concerns the reversible feed mechanism, the control handle F being moved in one direction, say, that shown in Figs. 1 and 2, to feed the cutting head in one direction, say, from the outside toward the center of the record, and the handle being moved in opposite direction to the position F in Figs. 2 and 6, to feed the cutting head in the opposite direction, that is, from the inside toward the outside of the record. The same handle may also be used to release 01' disengage the feed mechanism, by moving it to the mid-position shown at F" in Fig. 2.

The feed must be properly synchronized with the turntable, and the drive for the feed is therefore preferably taken from the turntable shaft. The turntable T turns a worm 32 (Fig. 3) meshing with a worm gear 34 carrying two feed screws 36 and 38. One is a left-hand screw and the other a right-hand screw. One screw or the other engages the periphery of a toothed segment 65] secured at the end of a feed arm 52, the opposite end of which is connected to the recording arm R so that both oscillate together under the influence of a feed screw. The control handle F moves either screw into engagement with segment 40, or moves both screws out of engagement with the segment, and thus makes it possible-to cut the record in either direction, as well as to release the feed mechanism from operation.

In the present case the turntable T is a die casting assembled with a force fit onto a turntable shaft 44. The upper end of shaft Ml is shaped and dimensioned to act as a record centering pin 46. Immediately beneath turntable T the shaft 44 carries the worm 32. The shaft then passes into a main bearing 48, the latter being closed at the bottom, as is indicated at 553, and carrying a ball 52 which receives the thrust of the turntable. No leakage of lubricant is possible, and a small amount of lubricant within bearing 48 lasts for many months. This simplified bearing construction is made possible because the drive for the feed mechanism is taken near the top of the shaft above the hearing, and in a sense, from the hub of the turntable itself, although in practice the worm 32 is preferably made as a separate element for convenience in machining the same, and in order that a hard metal may be used in contrast with the soft die-cast metal of the turntable.

The worm gear 34 driven by worm 32 is preferably relatively long and of small diameter,

it being proportioned more like a pinion than a gear, and we shall therefore so call it, for convenience. This pinion rotates with the feed screws and 38, which are preferably short and larger in diameter than the pinion. The assembly of the pinion and feed screws is carried on hearing pins 58 and 80 which are themselves received in upstanding bearing ears 62 and 64 which may be die-cast integrally with a hearing plate 65. The main bearing 48 may also be die-cast, but in such case the soft metal is preferably cast around a thin sleeve of bronze forming a lining for the main bearing. Bearing 48 is preferably formed integrally with a flange 68, which is disposed above the main supporting panel 18 of the machine. The bearing 48 passes through the panel 10, while flange 68 is secured on top of the panel, as by means of the screws 12.

Flange 65 may also be used as a means to oseillatably mount the bearing plate 66 on panel 70. The plate 66 ispreferably oscillated about the axis of the turntable, in order not to disturb the mesh of the worm 32 and the pinion 34. The flange 68 is concentric with the worm, and plate 65 oscillates about flange G8. The flange is preferably outwardly stepped at the top, and the plate 66 is preferably inwardly stepped to mate with the stepped flange, as shown, so that the flange holds the plate against upward movement. To assemble the parts the plate 66 is placed on panel 10, after which the bearing 48 is passed through plate 66 and panel 10, and is secured in place by screws 72. Other methods of mounting the parts may, of course, be used.

Segment 4!] is secured to feed arm 42 by screws M passing through slots 76 in the segment. Feed arm 42 is fixedly secured to recording arm R. and they oscillate together about a bearing pin 18 (Fig. 3), held in upright position outside the turntable by means of a flange 80 secured to panel 19 by screws 82. The hub 84 of the recording arm is freely oscillatable about pin 18, and is held against upward movement by collar 83. The feed arm 42 is rigidly mounted on hub 84, as by means of a drive fit and a pair of set screws 88 (Figs. 2 and 3). The are of segment 40 is struck about pin 18 as a center, and the periphery of segment 49 is provided with a series of radial teeth 4|, best shown in Fig. 5, these teeth having a pitch equal to that of the feed screws.

The significance of the relative arrangement and dimensioning of the parts of the feed mechanism will be apparent, for the segment it] oscillates throughout its arc of travel without striking or interfering with the pinion 34 or worm 32 or bearings 62 and 64. This result 'is most readily attained by making the feed screws larger in diameter than pinion 34, thus permitting the segment to ride freely over the pinion. The segment bears on the outer portion of the feed screw in order that it may freely clear the worm 32.

The sector 40 clears the screw 38 when engaging the screw 36, as is shown in Fig. 2, and it clears the screw 36 when engaging the screw 38, as shown in Fig. 6. The sector clears both screws when the screws are symmetrically located thereto.

It was previousl mentioned that the main bearing 48 and also the bearing plate 66 are preferably die-cast. Because of inaccuracies in the castings, and in order to increase the tolerance in manufacture of the gears, the cone bearings 56 and 5B are preferably made adjustable. The center or cone of bearing 613 is located eccentrically with respect toits shank, and by rotation of the shank the distance of pinion 3 t from worm 32 may be adjusted. The adjustment is locked by a set screw (it. The conical or center bearing 58 is not eccentric, but is formed at the end of a screw which is threadedly received in ear 52, and which may be turned to adjust the thrust of the bearings or to take up end play. This adjustment is locked by a set screw 92.

The position of segment 4i! relative to the drive screw assembly may be adjusted by reason of the slots it. very exact, because the sector and feed arm 32 can flex upwardly somewhat if the screw is moved excessively beneath the sector. It is for this reason that adjustment at one end of the pinion 3 5 is acceptable (for proper mesh with the worm 32) even though it may slightly change the position of one screw relative to the sector.

The peripheral length of segment 48 is made large enough to accommodate the useful recording area of the'disc when working with either screw.

The construction of the feed mechanism of the recorder is simplified by locating all of the parts above top plate or panel 1E3 of the phonograph casing, yet the feed mechanism is not exposed to view, it being concealed by the turntable T. The assembly of feed mechanism and turntable is kept compact in vertical dimension by elevating the segment it relative to the feed arm @2 so that the segment 4G is located within the hollow flanged turntable, as will be clear from inspection of Fig. 3. The total elevation of the turntable by reason of the introduction of the feed mechanism is limited to the axial length of the comparatively short worm 32 between the turntable and the main bearing t8, and this is not enough to in any way aifect the desired true rotation of the turntable, particularly so in view of the long and substantial nature of the main bearing 58. the main bearing, the feed mechanism. is fully exposed for adjustment or repair.

The bearing plate 68 may be oscillated by any suitable mechanism. In the present case, this consists simply of an arm or strip of metal 94 secured at its inner end'to a sideward projection 95 (Fig. 3) formed integrally with bearing plate 66, the connection being made by screws @8. The outer end of arm 94 acts as a handle for oscillation of the bearing plate,

Its motion is limited in order to prevent abuse of the machine. In the present case the motion is limited by stops it which preferably also form the attachment means for an arcuate guide or bridge Hi2 disposed over the arm 9 A center stop may also be provided, so that when the control handle is being swung from one extreme to the center position, it is impossible to accidentally or mistakenly move the handle to the other extreme position. For this purpose, we provide a stop pin lfi t which passes downwardly through guide 32 and into panel is. Holes I66 are provided which are also adapted to receive the stop pin K84.

Pin 55% may be placed in either position. When placed in the position shown in Fig. 2, the control handle F may be swung between the solid line position F and the broken line position F". The machine then functions as though it were capable of feeding in only one direction.

This adjustment need not be When the turntable is lifted from l When the feed is to be stopped the control handle is moved forwardly, and when the feed is to be started, it is moved rearwardly. If now it is decided to cut a disc in opposite direction, the center stop pin Hit is removed :and placed in the holes Iflfi. The control handle F can then be moved between the center position F" and the other extreme position F, but it cannot be moved to the position F. The feed then is engaged by moving the control handle forwardly to the position F, and the feed is released by moving the control handle rearwardly to the center position F".

We prefer toprovi-de additional means to lock the control handle in its feed. position in order to prevent any possibility of accidental release of the feed with consequent spoiling of the recording. Various kinds of locking means may be provided for this purpose. In the present case, we provide a knurled thumb screw H38, this being threadedly received in the end of arm 94. When the screw is tightened it bears against panel l8 and clamps the arm 9 upwardly against the underside of guide or bridge 562. With this arrangement the control handle may be locked in any desired position. It may be locked in feed position during a recording, and it may be locked in mid-position during play-back of a record.

Thecutting head H2 may be of conventional character, and requires no detailed description. It is mounted on a suitable bracket I I4 pivotally connected to recording arm R at lit. The cutting head 1 i2 is therefore readily picked up when 1 starting or finishing a disc.

Control handle C (Fig. 2) controls an electric switch H I8 for starting or stopping a driving motor which'is located beneath the panel 70, but the driving wheel or pulley of which is above the panel, as shown at I20. Wheel I20 engages the periphery of the turntable to drive the same. Control handle C also controls the position of the motor in order to disengage wheel if!) from the turntable when the switch H8 is opened. The switch is closed to start the motor before wheel E20 engages the turntable. Because of this sequence of operation, the motor starts without load and is already going when it frictionally engages the turntable. In stopping the machine,

the motor is released from the turntable and there is no wear if the turntable is stopped quickly with the hand. Most importantly, it is impossible to neglect to release the motor wheel from the turntable when stopping the machine,

and this prevents the motor wheel from pressing the turntable over long periods of non-use.

The shaving collector S is optionally usable. It consists of a tube S which is frictionally slid over the centering pin 35 of the turntable. The

shaving is drawn into a bunch at the center,

where it does not interfere with proper functioning of the recording stylus. sary to brush the shaving toward the collector to start it working. The shaving collector is used when cutting from the outside toward the center of the disc. When cutting from the inside toward the outside, the cutting head is constantly moving away from the previously cut shaving, and no shaving collector is needed.

The blank discs are provided with a center hole to receive the centering pin 46, and are provided with one or more additional holes I20 (Fig. 1) to receive removable driven pins H22 (Fig. 3).

The pick-up arm P may be conventional in character, and requires no detailed description.

Often it is neces- It is a channel-shaped arm with a magnetic pickup received within one end. The opposite end of the arm is pivoted on a post I24 mounted on panel 10. When not in use, the arm rests on a stationary rest pin 24.

It is believed that the construction and operation, as well as the many advantages of our improved recording apparatus, will be apparent from the foregoing detailed description thereof. The feed mechanism is simple, inexpensive, sturdy and positive in action. The feed screw is readily disengaged from the segment and the cutting stylus may then be positioned at any desired point on the disc. The feed may be changed to inside out or to outside in at will, according to the preferences of the user, or the use to which the particular recording is to be put. A single control handle is used for changing the direction of feed and also for releasing the feed. Appropriate limit stops may be provided to prevent abuse of the machine and to prevent accidental reversal of the feed. The handle may be locked in position to guard against accidental release of the feed mechanism. The parts of the feed mechanism are all located above the mounting panel but are concealed by the turntable. The turntable is carried in a single main bearing and may be removed by simply lifting the same upwardly, at which time the feed mechanism is fully exposed and accessible for service. The recording arm and feed arm are located above the mounting plate and are readily removable from their hearing, without having to open up the top panel of the case. Most of the parts may be made comparatively inexpensively by diecasting, which has the additional advantage of permitting the use of very light-weight metals. The manufacturing tolerance is large because appropriate adjustments of the parts are provided for.

By addition of audio amplifier and loud speaker equipment, the apparatus is made completely self-contained and portable, but this is not essential, for the panel of the recorder may be built into a phonograph or radio cabinet, or may be used with a separate amplifier and speaker.

It will be apparent that while we have shown and described our invention in a preferred form, many changes and modifications may be made in the structure disclosed, without departing from the spirit of the invention defined in the following claims.

We claim:

1. A recording apparatus comprising a turntable, a left-hand threaded feed 'screw, a righthand threaded feed screw, means mounting said feeds screw for bodily movement as well as for rotation, means gearing said turntable to said feed screws, a cutting head, means mounting the same for movement over said turntable, a toothed segment arranged for movement with said cutting head, and a single control handle arranged to bodily move said feed screws in such a manner as to bring either feed screw into engagement with the segment.

2. A recording apparatus comprising a turntable, a turntable shaft, a left-hand threaded feed screw, a right-hand threaded feed screw, means mounting said feed screws for bodily movement as well as for rotation, gearing between said turntable shaft and said feed screws, a cutting head, means mounting the same for movement over said turntable, a toothed segment arranged for movement with said cutting head, and a single control handle arranged to bodily move said feed screws in such a manner as to bring either or neither feed screw into engagement with the segment without disturbing the engagement of the gearing between the turntable shaft and the fed screws.

3. A recording apparatus comprising a turntable, a turntable shaft, a worm thereon, a pinion driven thereby, a left-hand threaded feed screw at one end of said pinion and a right-hand threaded feed screw at the other end of said pinion, means mounting said pinion and feed screw assembly for bodily movement as well as for rotation, a cutting head, means mounting the same for movement over said turntable, a toothed segment arranged for movement with said cutting head, and a single control handle arranged to bodily move said pinion and fed screw assembly in such a manner as to bring either or neither feed screw into engagement with the segment.

4. A recording apparatus comprising a turntable, a turntable shaft, a worm thereon, a smalldiameter pinion driven thereby, a left-hand threaded large-diameterv feed screw at one end of said pinion and a right-hand threaded largediameter feed screw at the other end of said pinion, means oscillatably mounting said pinion and feed screw assembly for bodily movement as well as for rotation, a cutting head, means mounting the same for movement over said turntable, a toothed segment arranged for movement with said cutting head, and a single control handle arranged to oscillate said pinion and feed screws about said turntable shaft in such a manner as to bring either or neither fed screw into engagement with the segment without disturbing the engagement between the pinion and the worm.

5. A recording apparatus comprising a horizontal supporting panel, a main turntable bearing below said panel, a turntable above said panel, a turntable shaft extending downwardly from the turntable into the main bearing, a worm between said turntable and said bearing, a bearing plate directly above said panel and oscillatable about the axis of the turntable, a pinion meshing with said worm, a feed screw driven by said pinion, said assembly of pinion and feed screw being rotatably carried by said bearing plate, a recording arm having a hub, a vertical bearing secured to said panel outside said turntable for oscillatably receiving said hub, a feed arm rigidly secured to said hub and extending between the turntable and the panel, a toothed sector carried by said feed arm and adapted to engage the feed screw and to clear the pinion and worm during its movement, and a control handle connected to said bearing plate and extending between the panel and the turntable to a point outside the turntable for moving the bearing plate in one direction to engage the fed screw with the sector, or in the other direction to disengage the screw from the sector.

6. A recording apparatus comprising a horizontal supporting panel, a main turntable bearing below said panel, a turntable above said panel, a turntable shaft extending downwardly from the turntable into the bearing, a bearing plate directly above said panel, spaced bearing ears on said plate, a cutting head, a recording arm carrying said cutting head and having a hub, a vertical bearing secured to said panel outside said turntable for oscillatably receiving said hub, a feed arm rigidly secured to said hub and extending between the turntable and the panel,

a toothed sector carried by said feed arm, feed means including gearing and feed screw means mounted on said plate between said bearing ears for causing said turntable to move said toothed sector in one direction, feed means including gearing and feed screw means mounted on said plate between said bearing ears for causing said turntable to move said toothed sector in the other direction, a control handle extending between the panel and the turntable and accessible outside the turntable, and means whereby the control handle makes one or other of said feed means effective in order to record either outside in or inside out.

7. A recording apparatus comprising a turntable, a turntable shaft, a worm on said turntable shaft, a bearing plate oscillatable about the axis of the turntable, a small-diameter pinion carried by said bearing plate and meshing with said worm, large-diameter fed screws at the ends of said pinion, one of said feed screws being lefthand and the other right-hand, a feed arm, a toothed sector carried by said feed arm and adapted to engage a feed screw and to clear the pinion and worm during its movement, a control handle connected to said bearing plate for moving the bearing plate in one direction to engage one screw with the sector, or in the other direction to engage the other screw with the sector,

or for moving the same to mid-position to disengage both screws from the sector, and means to lock said control handle in position.

8. A recording apparatus comprising a horizontal supporting panel, a main turntable bearing below said panel, a turntable above said panel, a turntable shaft extending downwardly from the turntable into the main bearing, a worm between said turntable and said bearing, a bearing plate directly above said panel and oscillatable about the axis of the turntable, a pinion meshing with said worm, feed screws at the ends of said pinion, one of said fed screws being left-hand and the other right-hand, said assembly of pinion and feed screws being carried by said bearing plate, a feed arm extending between the turntable and the panel, a toothed sector carried by said feed arm and adapted to engage a fed screw and to clear the pinion and worm during its movement, and a control handle connected to said bearing plate and extending between the panel and the turntable to a point outside the turntable for oscillating the bearing plate in one direction to engage one screw with the sector, or in the other direction to engage the other screw with the sector, or for moving the same to mid-position to disengage both screws from the sector.

9. A recording apparatus comprising a horizontal supporting panel, a main turntable bearing below said panel, a turntable above said panel, a turntable shaft extending downwardly from the turntable into the main bearing, a worm between said turntable and said bearing, a bearing plate directly above said panel and oscillatable about the axis of the turntable, a small-diameter pinion meshing with said Worm, large-diameter feed screws at the ends of said pinion, one of said feed screws being left-hand and the other righthand, said assembly of pinion and feed screws being carried by said bearing plate, a feed arm extending between the turntable and the panel, a toothed sector carried by said feed arm and adapted to engage a feed screw and to clear the pinion and worm during its movement, a control handle connected to said bearing plate and extending between the panel and the turntable to a point outside the turntable for oscillating the bearing plate in one direction to engage one screw with the sector, or in the other direction to engage the other screw with the sector, or for moving the same to mid-position to disengage both screws from the sector, means to limit the movement of said control handle, and means to lock said control handle in position.

10. A recording apparatus comprising a horizontal supporting panel, a main turntable bearing below said panel, a turntable above said panel, a turntable shaft extending downwardly from the turntable into the main bearing, a short worm between said turntable and said bearing, a bearing plate directly above said panel and oscillatable about the axis of the turntable, spaced bearing ears on said plate, a pinion meshing with said worm, feed screws at the ends of said pinion, one of said feed screws being left-hand and the other right-hand, said assembly of pinion and feed screws being rotatably carried by said bearing ears, a cutting head, a recording arm carrying said cutting head, a feed arm connected to said recording arm, a toothed sector carried by said feed arm and adapted to engage a feed screw and to clear the pinion and worm during its movement, a control handle connected to said bearing plate for moving the bearing plate in one direction to engage one screw with the sector, or in the other direction to engage the other screw with the sector, or for moving the same to midposition to disengage both screws from the sector, and means to lock said control handle in position.

11; A recording apparatus comprising a horizontal supporting panel, a main turntable bearing below said panel, a turntable above said panel, a turntable shaft extending downwardly from the turntable into the main bearing, a worm between said turntable and said bearing, a bearing plate directly above said panel and oscillatable about the axis of the turntable, a small-diameter pinion meshing with said worm, large-diameter feed screws at the ends of said pinion, one of said feed screws being left-hand and the other righthand, said assembly of pinion and feed screws being rotatably carried on said bearing plate, a cutting head, a recording arm carrying said cutting head and having a hub, a vertical bearing secured to said panel outside said turntable for oscillatably receiving said hub, a feed arm rigidly secured to said hub and extending between the turntable and the panel, a toothed sector carried by said feed arm and adapted to engage a feed screw and to clear the pinion and worm during its movement, a control handle connected to said bearing plate for moving the bearing plate in one direction to engage one screw with the sector, or in the other direction to engage the other screw with the sector, or for moving the same to mid-position to disengage both screws from the sector.

12. A recording apparatus comprising a horizontal supporting panel, a main turntable bearing below said panel, a turntable above said panel, a turntable shaft extending downwardly from the turntable into the main bearing, a worm between said turntable and said bearing, a hearing plate movably mounted on said panel, spaced bearing ears on said plate, a small-diameter pinion meshing with said worm, large-diameter feed screws at the ends of said pinion, one of said feed screws being left-hand and the other righthand, said assembly of pinion and feed screws being received between cone bearings carried in said bearing ears, means for adjusting said bearings, a cutting head, a recording arm carrying said cutting head and having a hub, a vertical bearing secured to said panel outside said turntable for oscillatably receiving said hub, a feed arm rigidly secured to said hub and extending between the turntable and the panel, a toothed sector carried by said feed arm and adapted to engage a feed screw and to clear the pinion and worm during its movement, a control handle connected to said bearing plate and accessible above the panel and outside the turntable for moving the bearing plate in one direction to engage one screw with the sector, or in another direction to engage the other screw with the sector, or for so moving the same as to disengage both screws from the sector, and means to limit the movement of said control handle and to hold the same in position.

13. Sound recording apparatus comprising a uni-directionally rotatable turntable, a cutting head, means mounting the same for recording movement over said turntable in either direction, movably mounted feed mechanism drivable by said turntable and having separate means thereon selectively engageable with said cutting head e for moving the cutting head for recording in opposite directions respectively, and a single control means operatively connected with said movably mounted feed mechanism for simultaneously disengaging one of said separate means and engaging the other with said cutting head.

14. Sound recording apparatus comprising a uni-directionally rotatable turntable, a cutting head, means mounting the same for recording .2

ing means and engaging the other with said member, with a neutral position therebetween, whereby one of said separate rotating means or the other may be made effective, and an intermediate position of said single control means makes both separate means inefi'ective, thereby aiiording free movement of the cutting head to a desired point over the turntable preparatory to engagement of either separate means.

15. Sound recording apparatus comprising a uni-directionally rotatable turntable, a cutting head, means mounting the same for recording movement over said turntable in either direction, movably mounted feed mechanism drivable by said turntable and having separate rotating means thereon selectively engageable with a member operatively connected to said cutting head for moving the cutting head for recording in opposite directions respectively, a single control handle operatively connected with said movably mounted feed mechanism for simultaneously disengaging one of said separate rotating means and engaging the other with said member, with a neutral position therebetween, whereby one of said separate rotating means or the other may be made effective, and an intermediate position of said single control handle makes both separate means ineffective, thereby affording free movement of the cutting head to a desired point over the turntable preparatory to engagement of either separate means, and motion-limiting center stop means for said handle to prevent unintended reversal of the recording direction, said center stop means being effective on one side of the handle or on the other side of the handle when the handle is in center or neutral position, thus freeing the handle for movement between one feed position and neutral, or for movement between the other feed position and neutral, but not for movement from one feed position to the other feed position unless the center stop means is intentionally temporarily made altogether ineffective.

MORRIS M. GRUBER. GEORGE J. SALIBA.

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