US2396094A

US2396094A - Record changer

Info

Publication number: US2396094A
Application number: US442436A
Authority: US
Inventors: Gay Paul Stead
Original assignee: WILCOX GAY CORP
Current assignee: WILCOX GAY CORP; WILCOX-GAY Corp
Priority date: 1942-05-11
Filing date: 1942-05-11
Publication date: 1946-03-05
Anticipated expiration: 1963-03-05

Description

March 5, 1946. P. s. GAY

I RECORD CHANGER Filed May 1l, 1942 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 -M 1NVENT0R. h-f

TTORNEY March 5, 1946. P. s. GAY

v RECORD CHANGER Filed May 11, 1942 7 Smeets-sheet 2 AATTORNEY March s, 1946. P. s. G'AY l 2,396,094

RECORD CHANGER Filed May ll, 1942 '7 Sheets-Sheet :5

' lNvENToR @aai tend P. GAY

RECORD CHANGER Filed May l1, 1942 March 5, 1946.

7 Sheets-Sheet 4 lo" RECORDS A INVENroR www BY March 5, 1946.v R s GAY' 2,396,094

' RECORD CHANGER Filed May l1, 1942 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 I l2" RECORDS INVENTOR. M l'ead gag BY g mi ATTORNEY -March 5, 1946. P. s. GAY 2,395,094

RECORD CHANGER Filed May 1l, 1942 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 .'P. S. GAY

RECORD CHANGER Filed May ll, 1942 March 5, 1946.

7 Sheets-Sheet 7 MOTOR F'l G I6- A INVENTOR.

M ORNEY Y @,B H O S; m H 6 www Mm mm 84% AT T .ci t E. R

R m w J M mw. CS ma MASTER SWITCH SUPPLY LINE HO'V A C Patented Mar. 5, 1946 UNITED vSTATES PATENT OFFICE RECORD CHANGER Paul Stead Gay, Charlotte, Mich., assignor to Wilcox-Gay Corporation, Charlotte, Mich., a

corporation of Michigan Application May l1, 1942, Serial No. 442,436

Claims'.

vision of a single adjustment handle in th record changer, the manipulation of which'will selec.

tively set the record changer for playing ten inch or twelve inch records or will. if desired, remove the record changer supporting posts out of position so that records may be played without the intervention of the record changer.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a pair of opposed, supporting members for a plurality of records, the said members being so arranged that the automatic movement of a single member will permit a. record to drop down on the turn table.

Another object of the present invention is the construction of a record changer which may readily be attached to a'phonograph and in which substantially all of the mechanism is housed in a single casing.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a changer whose changing mechanism cannot be made to operate a record when the record supporting means are in other than the proper position or when the mechanism has been properly arranged for manual operation.

Still another object is to provide a changing v mechanism which will not be damaged by.`force fully picking up or holding the playing arm while a record is being played and one in which stopping of the mechanism or table at any point in its cycle will not be harmful.

Another object of my invention is to replace the mechanical trigger usually used by a pair of electrical contacts which may be closed by the slightest pressure of the moving pickup arm at the correct time for actuation of the record changing mechanism thus securing more reliable operation and requiring less pressure on the wall of the record groove.

A further object of my invention is to relieve the motor which drives the turntable of the phonograph from any extra power requirements for tripping or actuating the changer mechanism.

stm a lfurther `object of my invention is to eliminate variations in the mechanical relationships of important parts of the changing mechanisms as the changer is adapted to the changing of varying record sizes.

These and many other objects of my invention will be apparent, and where not apparent, will be pointed out in the following description and drawings, in which:

` Figure 1 is a top view in perspective of a phonograph on which is mounted the record changer of my invention.

Figure 2 is a view in perspective of the record changer 'operating members and phonographv operating members with the ,base plateof the phonograph removed.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view in perspective of one of the record changing elements of my invention taken from the point 3 of Figure 1,1ooking in the direction oi' the arrow.

Figure 4 is a view in perspective, partly in cross-section, taken on line I-l of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a view in perspective, partly in crosssection, takenon line 5--5 of Figure 4, looking -in the direction of the arrows. l

Figure 6 is a top plan view of the record changing apparatus with the base plate of the phonograph removed and with the phonograph apparatus, shown in dotted lines, taken on line 8-6 of Figure 2.

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of one of the record supporting posts taken on line 1-1-1 of Figure ,1, and on line 1 1 of Figure 6 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 8 is a view corresponding to that of Figure 6 showing a diierent position of the elements thereof.

, Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 9-9 of Figure 6, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view taken on line Ill-I0 of Figure 9, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view taken from line iI-Ii of Figure 6, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view taken on line |2-I 2 of Figure 1.

Figure 13 is a schematic circuit diagram showing the arrangement of the various switching devices in my record changer. f

` Figures 14, 15 and 16 are top views oi' the housing with thetop4 plate removed showing a feedin spring and the operation thereof for causing the needle on the play-back arm to enter the first groove in the record.

Figure 17 is a view in perspective of part of the feed-in mechanism of Figures 14 to 16.

Referring now to Figure 1, I have here shown in dotted lines, a phonograph turn-table 20 mounted on the base plate 2| of the phonograph apparatus, which in turn forms at least the portion of the top of a phonograph cabinet. The turn-table 20 rotates on a spindle 22 which is journaled in the base plate 2|. Spindle 22 has a vertical extension 24 which may either be integral with the spindle 22 or secured thereto in any suitable manner and which serves accurately to position the stack of records 25 with respect to the record changer elements hereinafter described.

The operation of the turn-table and the phonograph apparatus is more fully set forth in my application Serial No. 320,823, filed February 26, 1940. Briefiy, however, a motor 38 (see Figure 2 as well as Figure 1) is secured to the underside oi' base plate 2l by bolts 3l, 3| positioned in perforations in the base plate by means of rubber -tured between the arbor 38 of the motor shaft 33 and the flange 45 of the turntable 28. Operation of the motor, therefore, causes rotation of the shaft 33 which, throughthe arbor 38 and the rubber tire 40 causes rotation of the idler 38 which, in turn, by reason of the -fact that it bears against and drives the dependent flange 45 of the turn-table 20, effects rotation of the turntable.

The operation of all of these elements is more particularly set forth, as above pointed out, in my application Ser. No. 320,823.

I may also provide, in connection with the phonographic apparatus, means for cutting a When the turntable 20 is in record blank which is placed on the tum-table.

This cutting means is also shown in Figures 1 and 2 and comprises a, cutting arm 50, carrying a cutting head 5| which, in turn, positions a cutting stylus 52. The cutting arm is journaled for rotation in a vertical plane by the pins 53 secured to the platform 54. The platform 54 is, in turn, mounted on the rotatable post 55 which lis journaled in the member 55a mounted on the base plate 2|, as is described in my application Serial No. 320,823.

The movement of the cutting arm 5|) to a horizontal position where the stylus 52 is in engagement with a record surface causes the post 55 to move downwardly under the influence of the compression spring 58 (see Figure 2 as well as Figure 1). A lateral feed arm 51, secured to the asoaoae Y The record cutting elements (and more particularly described in my application Serial No. 320,823) form no part of the present invention but have been generally described since they are intended to be embodied in the apparatus in connection with which the present invention is to be used.

A play-back arm 50, in which a play-back needle 6| maybe mounted, is horizontally rotatable in the Journal 82 so that the needle 8| may readily follow the grooves of a record for the purpose of translating variations in the grooves into sound impulses.

The p1ay-back arm 80 is also rotatable about the pins 83 in a vertical plane, so that the playback arm may be removed either automatically or manually from the record to permit removal or change of records.

The record stack 25 is supported in elevated position above the turn-table 28 by the opposed platforms 10 and 1I, which are mounted on posts,

which rotate respectively in the vertical Journals 12 and 13.

Journal 13, as is seen particularly in Figures 2 and 9, as well as in Figure 1, is mounted in the top of the housing 15 in the record changing mechanism. The journal 13 has at its lower end an annular shoulder 18. which bears against a top plate 18 of the housing, and a threaded end 11 which projects into the housing. 'I'he Journal,

13 is securely positioned in place by means of the washer 19 and nut 80 which engage the threaded end; the portion of the top plate 18 through which the journal passes is clamped between the shoulder 13 and the washer 13, thus securely positioning the Journal 13.

A rotatable post 82 is positioned in the Journal 13 and projects through the bottom thereof. A lever arm 84 is secured to the projecting bottom end of the post 82 (see Figure 4 as well as Figure 9), the opposite end of the lever arm 84 being rotatably secured to the pin 85 which is captured in the slot 88 of the operating plate 81 of the record changer mechanism.

Since the link 84 is flxedly secured to the post 82, it will now be obvious that movement of the operating plate 81 longitudinally within the housing 15 will result in rotation of the post 82.

The record changer platform 1| is secured 50 to the top end of the post 82 in any suitable lower end of the post 55, carries a pawl-58 which is engaged with the threads of the screw 53 when the post 55 is lowered. Screw 53 is driven through a reduction gear arrangement in the housing 60 from the spindle 22 of the tum-table 20. Consequently, when the cutting arm 50 is lowered into position, the pawl 58 engages the screw 58a and drives the cutting arm centripedally in accordance with the rotation of the turntable.

manner as, for instance, by the bolt 83. There is also secured to the top end of the post 32 the record separating plate 8|; the edge 92 of which is spaced from the platform 1|- by the thickness of one record by the spacer 32a as seen in Figs. 1, 3 and 9.

Normally, with respect to Figure l, the left hand side of the lowest record in the stack is supported on platform 1i. When the post 82 is rotatedby longitudinal movement of the plate 81, in a manner to be more speciiically described, the supporting platform 1I is rotated out of supporting position so that the lowest record in the stack is no longer supported thereon. Simultaneously, since the plate 9| is also secured to the post 82the edge 92 thereof is rotated into supporting position. But since the edge 32 of plate' 3| is spaced from platform 1| by the thickness. of a single record, 'the said edge 32 enters the record stack 25 immediately above the top surface of the lowest record in the stack and just beneath the bottom surface of the second lowest record in the stack. Y

II-HEINBAUGH Feb. i4 Nite Pats.- 42342 The lowest record inthe stack is now released able at the journal I2,- while the opposite end from the supporting platform 1| by the 'rotation thereof, and the left hand edge 92 thereof drops down, as shown by the dotted line of Figure 1. The platform 10 at the right hand end remains stationary during this entire movement. The edge of the lowest record is supported on this platform 10.

When the edge 94 drops down, it is necessary that the vertical'spindle 2l, at least the portion thereof which registers with the records in the stack, be of substantially less diameter than the central perforation 91 in each of the records. This difference in diameter will permit the edge 94 of the record 25 to drop down. The distance from the perforation 91 in record 25 to the platform 10 is thus increased and the edge 95 of the record slides off the platform 10 when this distance becomes greater than the radius of the' platform 10 and at its left hand end (see Figure` Now. when the plate 81.

1) by the platform 9|. moves longitudinally in the opposite direction, as

hereinafter described, thus rotating the post 02A counterclockwise with respect to Figure 1, the edge 92 of platform 9| slides out from under the stack 25; while simultaneously, the platform 1| slides into position beneath the stack, and the left hand end of the stack drops down on platform 1|.

The stack 25 is now ready for a repetition of the foregoing operation whereby on rotation of platforms 1| and 9| in a clockwise direction, once more the lowest record in the stack will again be permitted to drop down on the turntable 20 or on the records which are resting on the turn-table.

The record changing apparatus of the present invention may readily be adjusted to operate on records of various sizes. Commercial records are usually made in ten inch and twelve inch diameters. Accordingly, a record changer should readily be adjustable not merely selectively to take at least these two sizes of records, but also so that the elements thereof may be moved out of position when a non-automatic operation is desired.

This type of adjustment is readily accomplished by means of the handle (Figure 1) and the interconnecting link I 0| (Figures 2 and 8) and by the rotatable mounting of the housing 15 of the record changing mechanism about the journal 62 (see also Figure 9). The apparatus is so arranged that manual rotation of the handle |00 to move the platform 10 to each of the three selected positions, shown by the dotted lines of Figure l, will result in a movement of the journal 13 and the platforms 1| and 9| to corresponding positions. also shown by dotted lines in Figure 1.

For this purpose, the journal 62 is rotatable in the base plate 2|. The lower end of the journal 62 has a shoulder |03 which bears against the top surface of the base plate 2|. A washer |05 surrounds the narrow extension |06 of the journal below the base plate 2| and extends between the undersurface of the base plate 2| and the top surface of the top plate 18 o f the` housing 15. The lower end of the journal 62 is threaded at |01. and a washer |08 and a nut |09 are placed over the threaded end so that the top plate 18 of the housing 'I5 is captured between the washers and |08. The housing 15 andthe operating mechanism of the record changer is thus rotatthereof, which carries the journal 13, thus may move in an arc as shown by the various dotted lin'e positions of Figures 1, 2 and 8.

As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 8. the journal 12 is flxedly secured to the base plate 2| by means of a shoulder ||0 thereof which rests on the top of the base plate and an extension thereof of lesser diameter which passes through an openvwhen the handle |00 is rotated further. in a clocking of the `base plate 2|. The lower end of the iournal is threaded at ||2, and a lock nut ||3 and washer lllmay be placed thereover, thus securing the journal accurately in position.

The handle |00 is secured to the hollow post lli which is rotatable in the journal 12. The lower end of the post ||5 projects beneath the bottom end ||2 of the journal 12 and has keyed thereto a circular plate I|1. Plate I|'| may be locked in position by the washer I i8 and nut H9,

which may secure the same to a shouldered extension of the hollow post ||5 beneath the journal 12.

Rotation of the handle |00 thus will result in rotation of post ||5 in the journal 12 and in corresponding rotation of the plate ll'i.

As is seen in Figure 2, a link |20 is pivotally secured at |2| to the plate and at its opposite end is pivotally secured bythe pin |22 to the link 23. The opposite end ofthe link |23 is pivotally secured by the pin |24 to the bracket |25 which, in turn, is secured to a side wall of housing 15. It will now be clear'that rotation of plate ||1 wil, through the' links |20 and |23, result in rotation of the housing 15 about the journal 62.

.When the operating elements of the record changer are in a position for operation in connection with ten inch records, all of the elements occupy the positions shown by the solid lines in Figures 1, 2 and 8.

When the handle I 00 is rotated from the ten inch to the twelve inch position in a clockwise direction, the plate ||1is also rotated in a clockwise direction, thus forcing the link |23 to the left and thus also forcing the housing 15 to rotate about its pivot 62 one step in a counterclockwise direction. When the handle |00 is rotated once more in a counterclockwise direction to the nonautomatic position, the link |23 is again forced one step further to the left, thus causing the housing 15 to rotate about its pivot 62 one ste further in a counterclockwise direction.

By this means, the journal 13 and platform 1| are pushed outwardly one step to the twelve inch position when,` the handle |00 and the platform 10 are rotated to the twelveinch position and are pushed outwardly another step when the handle |00 and platform 1| are rotated to the non-automatic position.

In other words, when the handle |00is rotated clockwise from the solid line position, the platform 1| is moved one inch to the left, and

wise direction, the platform 1| is moved further to the left.

The spacing at the right hand end of the record stack 25 is accomplished by the variation between the width and the length of platform 10; the length of platform 10, as shown by the solid line position of Figure 1, being correct for a ten inch record, and the width of the platform 10 providing a proper support, one inch further from the spindle, for a twelve inch record.

In order that the journal 13, which positions the platform 1|, may move properly when the housing rotates about pivot 82, this journal extends from the top of housing 15 through a slot |a (Figure 9) in the base plate 2|. The slot |25a may be suillciently wide to permit movement of the journal 13, or it may be of a width which is not substantially greater than the diameter of journal 13 and have an arcuate form. The slotl |25a may be concealed by the facing plate |26 secured to journal 13.

In order to provide a proper mechanical support for the housing 15 which will, nevertheless permit it to rotate about the pivot 62, the top plate 18 thereof may be extended to form a slide |28 which may move along the ledge |29 secured by the bolts |30, or in any other suitable manner, to the underside of the base plate 2 The plate ||1, which is secured to the post ||5 in journal 12, may be provided with notches |32 and 33 registering with the arm |34 of the discriminator cam switch |35. This switch is so arranged, as shown in Figure 13, that the solenoid |36, which initiates the record changing operation, cannot operate when switch |35 is open. Switch |35 is arranged to be closed, as shown by the solid line position of Figures 6 and 2, when either notch |32 or |33 is in engagement with arm |34.

When theouter periphery of the plate ||1, however, engages the arm |34, the switch |36 is opened, and the solenoid mechanism cannot op erate. Notch |33 is so arranged that it engages the switch arm |34 in the ten inch position; notch |32 engages the switch arm |34 in the twelve inch position.

The switch |35 will be opened at any inter-mediate position so that the mechanism cannot accidentally operate when an improper intermediate setting has been made (see Figure 13),. 'I'he switch |35 may also be opened when the relatively small notch |38 is in engagement with the arm |34. Notch engages arm |34 when the non-automatic position is attained.

Accordingly, the use of discriminator switch makes it impossible to trip the mechanism through the use of the tone arm or reject button while the apparatus is set for manual operation'. In addition, the engagement of the switch arm |34 with the notches |33, |32 or |36 serves to position the platform 10, and consequently the platform 1|, against accidental movement out oi position during operation. The arm |34 is sufciently resilient, however, so that a manual rotating force applied to the handle |00 may cause the arm |34 to move out of the notches |33, |32 or |38 and onto the peripheral surface of the cam.

A reject switch |40, which is normally open, is mounted in the bottom of the housing |4| which carries the bottom of the journal 12, the

said housing |4| being secured in any suitable manner to the underside of the base plate 2|. The reject switch will cause the record changing operation to be performed at any point, whether a record has been finished or not, as shown by the circuit diagram of Figure 13. Reject switch |40 may be operated by the knob |43 at the topthe lower end of post |44, engages the reject switch |40 to -close the same and thus operate the solenoid mechanism |36 to Operate the record changing mechanism.

Further, rotation of knob |43 to right or lett will serve to operate the master switch to start and stop the entire phonograph apparatus.

It will thus be seen that all controls are centered at the top of post 12 and that no other portion oi theapparatus need be manipulated.

The record changing operation is normally intended to take place when the play-back arm 60 is moved by the groove in the record in a predetermined manner as hereinafter set forth.

The play-back arm 60 is pivotally secured at |50, at either side, to vertical brackets I5| mounted on the platform |52. Platform |52 has a dependent lug |53 to which one end of the tension spring |54 is secured. The opposite end of the tension spring |54 is secured in an opening |55 at the back of the play-back arm 60 and servesA properly to balance the play-back arm around the pivot point |50, so that the needle carrying end of the play-back arm exerts only sufficient pressure to ensure that the play-back arm 60 will drop into place. and that the variations in the groove of the record will be translated into sound.

Platform |52 is keyed to the hollow post |60, which is rotatable in the journal 62. Rotation of the play-back arm 60, by reason of the engagement of the needle in the record groove, results consequently in rotation of the post |60.

The shape of the cam plate |63 may more i readily be seen in Figures 4 and 6. As seen in b Figure 1l. Switch |10 thus remains open.

Records which are to be played in connection with the record changer are so arranged, however, that when the end of the record is reached, the groove moves the needle in rather close to the spindle by an increase in the pitch of the groove and then moves the needle out, slightly away from the spindle; thus momentarily reversing the direction of movement of the needle, and thus likewise, momentarily changing the direction of the rotation of the cam plate |63 to a counter clockwise movement with respect to Figures 6 and 8, or a movement in the direction of the arrow |82 of Figure 11.

During this slight reverse movement, which occurs only momentarily, the operating arm |13, which is frictio'nally engaged bythe .underside of the projection |1| of the cam plate |63, is moved into a position where the contacts |84 are closed, thus closing the trip switch and energizing the solenoid |36, as seen in Figure 13.

Plate 81 is slidable longitudinally in the housing and is supported in sliding relation in respect thereto, as shown in Figure 4, by ball bearings |95, |95 which roll in race-ways |96, |91, The movement of the sliding plate 81 in either direction is, however, limited by the operating rod which is connected to the flange 81a of the operating slide plate 81.

A lock-in switch 205 is so arranged that the switch arm 206 is maintained in open circuit position by the lug 201 on the armature |90,

' Lock-in switch 205 is mounted on the plate 9B which is secured to the operating plate 81. When the armature |90 is now attracted into the solenoid coil 36, while' the plate 81 is permitted to follow at a much reduced speed (owing to the dash-pot 200), the lug 201 is thus drawn away from the operating arm 206 of the lock-inswitch operating arm 20|, cause the plate 81 to move to the right once more.

The speed of, operation of the record changer is thus afunction of the resistance of the dash-l pot 200. The openings in plunger 202 may be Y made of suiilcient size so that appropriate speed of operation is obtained.

205, thus permitting the lock-in switch 205 to close. As is seen in the circuit diagram of Figure 13, theclosing of the lock-in switch 205 maintains the energization of the solenoid coil |36. Thus, when the trip switch I 10 is momentarily closed, in the manner previously described, to energize the solenoid coil |36, the solenoid coil immediately attracts its armature |90 to close the lock-in switch 205, thus making sure that the energization oi.' the solenoid will be maintained irrespective of the opening oi the trip switch |10 until the plate 81 has completed its operative movement in one direction.

When the plate 81 has moved to the left in response to the spring |9| so' that the grommet 2|0 on the flange 2|| of the plate |94 bears against the flange 2|2 of the armature |90. the operating arm 206 of the lock-in switch 205 is opened, thus deenergizing the solenoid coil |36 and permitting movement of the plate 8lk in the opposite direction, that is, to the right.

A compression spring 2|5 may be provided in the dash-pot to cause the plunger 202 thereof to move to the right when the movement to the left has been completed. The spring |9| should be a much more powerful spring than the spring 2|5 so that it may move the plate 81 toward the solenoid coil |36 against the force of spring 2|5 as well as against the resistance exerted by the dash-pot plunger 202.

When the .solenoid c oil |38 is deenergzed, then the armature |90 thereof is permitted to move to the right, thus permitting spring |9| to move as a whole to the right, and thus permitting plate 81 to move to the right No opposition is, therefore, interposed to the expansion of compression spring 2|5, except the resistance of plunger 202 of the dash-pot 200. Consequently, spring- 2|5 may, through the dash-pot p1unger202 and its Obviously, since the play-back arm is to be returned and placed once more accurately in position and since the record is to be dropped by this operation, the speed of movement of plate 81 should not be too great, But I have found that with my device, the operation may be speeded upto such an extent that the time between the closing of trip switch |10 at the end of one record and the engagement of the needle with the groove of the second record which is dropped into yplace may be as little as ll/z seconds.

'Thus when the cam plate |63 is rotated so that the trip switch |10 is closed momentarily, the solenoid coil |38 is energized to attract armature thus closing lock-in switch 205. The solenoid coil thus remains energized even though trip switch |10 opens momentarily.

The spring |9| causes the plate 81 to follow the armature |90 toward the left, but at a reduced speed owing to the resistance offered by dash-pot 200. When the movement toward the left has been completed, lock-in switch 205 is opened, thus deenergizing solenoid coil |36. Compression spring 2 I5 in the dash pot may now move the plate 81 to the right.

As has previously been pointed out, the movement of plate 81 to the left causes the pin 85,

l=kewise, to move to the left thus rotating link 84 and hence rotating the post 82 which, in turn, rotates platforms 1| and 9| to permit a record to drop from beneath the stack 25 onto the turntable. Simultaneously, the cup-shaped depression 230 (Figure 9) in the operating plate 81 also moves to the left.

The sliding post 23|.is so arranged that the lower end thereof normally rests in the cupshaped depression 230.

When the operating plate 81 moves to the left, the post 23| is caused to rise onto the plane surface of plate 81 thus also raising the upper end 232 of post 23|. Post 23| is slidable in the axial bore in the rotatable play-back arm 60. The upper end 232 of post 23| bears against the plate 235 which is secured in any suitable manner to the underside of the play-back arm '60.

Raising of post 23| by the movement of operating plate 81 thus causes the end 232 of the post to raise plate235, thus causing the play-back .arm 60 to rotate about its pivot |50 to the dotted line position of Figure 9. This movement thus disengages the needle in the play-back arm from the groove of the record. Likewise, during the movement of plate 81 to the left, the curved end 240 thereof engages the pin 24| mounted on the underside of the cam plate |83.

The cup-shaped depression 230 and the curved surface 240 of the operating plate 81 are so arranged that the post 23| is raised before the curved end 240 of the plate 81 engages the pin 24|. Engagement of the curved surface 240 of the plate 81 with the pin 24| causes the cam plate |63 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction with respect to the view of Figure 4, thus rotating the post |60 and hence rotating the play-back arm 60 away from the spindle and beyondthe outer periphery of the tum-table.

vTo summarize, therefore, the initial movement of the plate 81 raises the post 23| to raise the play-back arm 66 and disengages the needle from the groove. Further movement of theplate 61 to the left, with respect to Figure 4, causes the play-back arm to rotate away from the spindle and beyond the periphery of the turntable, and likewise, beyond the periphery of any record which may be mounted 4above or on the turn-table.

At this time also the rotation of the post 62 of platforms 1| and 6| is completed, and platform 1| is rotated out from beneath vthe stack when the'play-back arm hasbeen rotated to a position beyond the periphery of the turn-table; andthe lowest record in the'stack 25 has begun to drop down onto the turn-table 26.

When the plate 61 has completed its movement to the left, the pin 256 is forced upwardly into the opening 25| in the cam plate |63. Pin 256has an annular flange 252 which will enable itl to engage the upper surface of the plate |63 on either side of the slot 255. Pin 256 is mounted on the plate 256 which is secured to a exible leaf hinge^251 which, in turn, is mounted on bracket 256 secured in any suitable manner to the plate 61'.

A hold-down spring 266 is secured, as shown in Figures 4 and 9, in any suitable manner to the underside of the top plate 18 of the housing. Hold-down spring 266, when its bearing surface 26| is engaged with the portion ofthe plate 256 to the left of bracket 258, causes the pin 256 to bedepressed. As the plate 61 is moved to the left, the hold-down spring remainsv stationary, nevertheless, maintaining the pin 256kand its plate 256 in lowered position.

When the supporting bracket 256 passes the bearing surface 26| of the hold-down spring, then the end 26| of the spring is engaged with the end 263 of the plate 256, thus causing the plate 256 to rotate upwardly. At this time, the pin 256 has moved into registry with the opening 25| -and is snapped up into this opening.

When the .plate 61 commences its return movement, pin 256 enters the slot 255, and the flange 252 thereof engages .the upper. surface of the material surrounding slot 255, thus preventing the pin from dropping down. Slot 255 is so arranged that when the plate 61 now moves to the right during its return movement, the pin 256 will cause the cam plate |63 to rotate thus rotating the post |66 and, therefore, moving the play-back arm 66 in towards the periphery of the record on the turn-table.

Slot 255 is so curved that this rotative movement will be stopped when the needle on the play-back arm 66 registers with the outermost groove of the record on the turn-table. The pin 256, thereafter, withdraws through portion 265 of slot 255, and when it withdraws entirely from the cam plate, the hold-down spring 266 depresses it once more. Before the pin 256 has withdrawn entirely from slot 255, the play-back arm 66 is immediately above the outermost groove of the record which is now to be played.

At this time, the plate 61 in its continued movement toward the right, brings the cup-shaped depression 230 lunder the post 23| thus permitting the play-back arm 66 to drop down to engage the needle with the groove in the surface of the record; the pin- 256 then withdraws completely. Atthe same time, andby this return movement of the plate 81. post 62 is rotated 'now in a counterclockwise Vdirection to rotate the platform 9| outrof supporting relation with respect to the remainder off/the stack 25 and to move ready for the next record-changing operation.

In a preferred embodiment, the spindle 24 may be of a diameter over most of its extent, which is substantially equal to the diameter of the opening 61 of the records,l |but slightly smaller than this opening so that records may be mounted on the spindle 24. The diameter of the vspindle '24 may, however, be narrowed at 216 lin the area thereof, which is in registry with the perforations in the center of the record in the stack, so that the records of the stack 25 may slide slightly to the left to permit the records to drop. That is, when the edge 94 of the lowest record in the stack is released from the platform 1| and drops down, the perforation 91 may move slightlyA to the left owing to the decreased diameter of the spindle at the portion 216 thereof, thus `permitting the beveled edge 95 to slide of! the platform 16.

All of the operations hereinbefore described take place whether the record changer is set for ten inch or twelve inch records. of the record changing operation does not depend on the completion of a particular arc of rotation by the play-back arm, but on a slight reverse movement thereof. Consequently, no change need be made -in this respect when the setting of thev record changer is changed from a ten inch to a twelve inch record. Likewise, thev when the housing 15 is rotated to the left, as

previously described, to change the setting from ten inch to twelve inch record operation, the play-back arm is, during its return movement, nevertheless, moved to the 'same degree with respect to the operating mechanism in housing 15; and thus registry with the outermost groove in the record to be played is ensured.

Many modifications and .variations of the device hereinabove described may, of course. be made. One such modification which has been found commercially acceptable is shown in Figures 14, 15, 16 and 1'1.

A leaf spring 266 may be secured in any suitable manner as, for instance, by the bolt 26| to the side of the housing 15. The leaf spring bears against the pin 24| on the cam plate |63. The spring action of the spring 266 is shown in each of the figures by the arrows 26| 'and 262.

When a record is not being played, or While a record is made, the spring bears against the pin 24| so that the force exerted thereon, as shown in Figure 14, tends to move the pin 24| counterclockwise with respect to the post |66, thus tending to move the play-back arm 66 away from the turn-table 26.

When the record changer is usedvfor automatically changing records, then, after the apparatus hereinbefore described has rotated the cam plate |63 to the position shown in Figure 15 by the'engagement of the pin 256, previously mentioned, with the slot 255v and has caused the vneedle in the play-back arm to set down on the in Figure 15, causing the pin 24| to rotate in the The initiation means, therefore, the apparatus is made foolproof. While pin 250 with the slot 255 in cam plate |83 returns the play-back arm 80 to therecord -and causes the needle to drop down, there is a possibility in certain records that the needle .will

drop down on the edge of the record at a very.

slight distance from the rst groove. This may occur either owing to slight variations vin the diameter of the records, or owing to variations in the spacing of the first groove from .the edge of the record.

The leaf spring 29| and its projection 285 ensures that the playdback arm 60 will then be rotated inwardly until the needle carried thereby engages the first groove. Thereafter, when the play-back arm 60 has played one-fourth to onehalf inch in the record, the pin 24| moves out of engagement with the end 285 of the-leaf spring and side pressure on the operating arm 60 and, therefore, side pressure'of the needle in the groove is eliminated. s In prior record changing devices where feed-i springs are outlined, the feed-in springsusually are designed to exert a continual pull on the playback arm toward the center of the turntable f during the entire playing of the record. With' such devices, it has been'very-dimcult to play home recordings, since the arm skips the grooves, and inherent in this'de'sign is a tendency to distort due to the unequal needle pressure on one side of the groove. In the present device,.the feed-in spring 280 serves to ensure that the needle on the play-back arm 60 will definitely,v engage the iirst groove in the record. The spring 28| is, however, very quickly disassociated from the play-back arm 60 as the play-back arm 60 moves slightly inwardly on the record, thus removing any possibility of distortion from this cause. Furthermore, the tendency imparted by the device, shown in Figures 14 to 17, toghold the play-back arm away from .the turn-table when not actually playing is also a distinct advantage.

The members of Figures 14 to 17 inclusive may, of course, be used in the apparatus described in connection with Figures 1-13 and are not' intended as a substitute. for any of the elements of Figures 1 to 13.

The operationwof each of the elements of my invention has been described in connection with the description of the various parts thereof. In`

actual use, where, for instance, ten inch records are to |be played, the operator will rotatev the handle |00 o f Figure 1 so that the platform 10 is setfor the ten inch position. This will automatically set the platform 1|l for4 the ten inch position in the manner previously described, byl

reason of the link arrangement |0|.

A stack of records 2 5 may then b e placed on the spindle 24-so that the lowest record rests on

platforms

10 and 1|. The needle of the play-back arm 60 may be brought into engagement with a record-on the turn-table, or the reject button |43 may be pressed to initiate the operation. Pressing the reject button |43 energizes the solenoid coil |36 to draw the plate 81 to the left. Movement of plate 81 to the left causes rotation of platforms 1| and 9| in the manner previously described.

Platform 1| rotates out of engagement with the left hand end of the lowest record in the be played.

tion 91 thereof consequently moves slightly to the left by reason of the narrow diameter 210 of the vertical spindle 24. The right` hand edge 95 of the lowest record then slides out from under the stack 25 and off the platform 10 into position to The return movement of plate 81 returns the play-back arm to the outermost edge of the record now on the turn-table and causes the arm to drop down. The needle of the arm either drops into the outermost groove or is pushed into the outermost groove by the leaf spring 280. When the record on the turn-table is completed, the groove thereof is so designed as to create a momentary reverse movement of the play-back arm 60. This causes a slight reverse movement of portion |1| of camplate |63, thus closing trip switch |10 and thereby energizing the solenoid coil |38.

Movement of plate 81 to the left occurs on the energization of solenoid coil |36 in the manner previously pointed out, thus, first raising the play-back arm 50 and then rotating it out beyond the periphery of the turn-table. l

When rotation of the play-back arm 60 beyond the periphery of the turn-table has been completed, the platforms 1| and 9| have rotated to depressing of the reject button |43 will, in the vmanner previously pointed out, initiate the record-changing operationvonce more.

In the foregoing, I have described my invention in connection with the various portions thereof in connection with preferred commercially acceptable embodiments. Many variationsmay be made in each of the individual elements without departing from the spirit of my invention. Since such variations should now be obvious to those skilled in the art, I prefer to be bound not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appended claims.

.I claim:

1. In* a phonograph having a turn table rotating about a spindle and an arm carrying a needle engageable with a record disc on said turn table, said record disc having an opening through which said spindle passes; a record changer com'- prising a pair of supporting members on opposite sides of said turn table, said supporting members including platforms extending in a plane substantially above said turn table and spaced to support a stack of records at the edges of the lowest record in the stack; said spindle extending vertically above said turn table to a point substantially above the plane of said platforms; one of said platforms being operable to non-supporting position to release an edge of the lowest record in the stack, and means carried bysaid platform` engageable with the edge of the next record to support thesame when said platform is operated to non-supporting position; said spindle having a diameter substantially less than the diameter 4 mount for the other of said platforms; said other platform having a plurality of boundaries at different distances from said rotatable .mount and' extending from its support toward said turn table for different distances at different angular positions thereof; and members interconnecting the rotatable mount for said other platform with the slidable mount for the first platform whereby movement of a platform to vary its setting for a specific record size will move the other platform to a corresponding setting. 2. In a phonograph having a turn table rotating about a spindle and an arm carrying a needle engageable with a record disc on said turn table, said record disc having an opening through which said spindle passes; a record changer comprising a pair of supporting members on opposite sides of said turn table, said supporting members including platforms extending in a plane substantially above said turn table and spaced to support a stack of records at the edges of the lowest record in the stack; one of said platforms being operable to non-supporting position to release an edge of the lowest record in the stack, and means carried by said platform engageable with the edgeof the next record to support the same when said platform is operated to non-supporting position; and means for varying the spacing between said platforms to accommodate records of different sizes; said means including a slldable mount for the support of one of said platforms and a rotatable mount for the other of said platforms; said other platform having a plurality of boundaries at different distances from said rotatable mount and extending from its support toward said turn table for different distances at different angular positions thereof; a connecting member between the mounts of said platforms; a shift handle mounted on said other platform; rotation of said shift handle causing longitudinal movement of said connecting member and varying the spacing of said platforms.

3. In a phonograph having a rotatable turn table and a tone arm carrying a needle; said tone arm being mounted on a rotatable post; a record changer including operating mechanism therefor; said operating mechanism comprising a main camplate; means for initially moving said plate longitudinally in one direction, and means for effecting a return of said plate; means interconnecting said main cam plate, and said rotatable post carrying said tone arm for rotating said post in one direction during movement of said plate in said initial direction and for rotating said post in an opposite direction during return movement of said plate; and means for raising said tone arm during operation oi said main cam plate; said means comprising a depression in said plate; and a rod centrally supported in said rotatable post and extending vertically from the base of said depression to said tone arm; movement of said plate in said initial direction causing said rod to rise out of said depression onto the main surface of said plate and raising said tone arm; said rod registering with and descending intonsaid depression/upon completion of said return movement of said plate.

4. In a phonograph having a rotatable turn table and a tone arm carrying a needle; said tone arm being mounted on a rotatable post; av

record changer including operating mechanism therefor; said operating mechanism comprising a main cam plate; means for initially moving said plate longitudinally in one direction, and means for effecting a return of said plate; means for causing said rotatable post to rotate in a first direction on movement of said main cam plate in said initial direction; and means for effecting rotation of said post in an opposite direction on return movement of said main cam plate; said last mentioned means comprising a cam secured to the lower end of said post and rotatable therewith from a first position to a. second position on rotation of said post in said first direction; a slot in said cam; a pin on said main cam plate introducibie into said slot on completion of the movement of said main cam plate in saidinitial direction and when the cam carried by said rotatable post is in the second position; said pin by its entry into and movement in said slot'eiecting rotation of said cam from said second position to said first position during yreturn movement of said main cam plate; said pin being biased to a position out of engagement with said cam; means urging said pin against said bias into registry with said slot on completion of movement of said main cam plate in said initial direction; and means for maintaining said pin within with said slot during return movement of said main cam plate.

5. In a phonograph, a rotatable turn table having a spindle and adapted to carry a grooved record disc; a tone arm carrying a needle and mounted on a. rotatable post; a record changer including operating mechanism for rotating said post in one direction to carry said tone arm away from said spindle and beyond the edge of a record disc mounted on said turn table, and for thereafter rotating said post in anopposlte direction to carry said tone arm toward the edge of a. record disc to permit the needle carried by said tone arm to engage the groove of said disc in proximity to the edge of said disc; and additional means urging said post toward rotative movement in said opposite direction beyond the movement imparted thereto by the operating mechanism of the record changer; said additional means being rendered inoperative after the needle carried by the tone arm engages the groove 0f the record disc; said additional means including a member secured to said rotatable post and extending therefrom at a distance from the center of rotation thereof; a stationarily mounted spring engageable with said member when said post has approached the limit of rotation thereof in said one direction; said spring bearing against said member and urging continued rotation of said post in said opposite direction when said operating mechanism has completed the 'movement of the post in said opposite direction; said member being thereafter disengaged from said spring on continued movement of said tone arm toward the spindle of said turn table.

6. In a phonograph, a turn table adapted to carry a record disc, a rotatably mounted tone arm engageable with-a record on said turn table. and a record changer including record supporting and releasing elements; operating mechanism for said record changer including a main cam plate operable on movement in one direction to rotate said tone arm out of engagement with a record disc on said turn table and to initiate the operation of said record releasing elements and operable on return movement to rotate said tone arm into engagement with a record disc on said turn table and complete the operation of said record releasing elements, and a. solenoid for moving said main cam plate in said one direction; said solenoid having an armature; a fiange on said cam plate; a spring connecting said flange and said armature; said armature, upon asado determined direction toincrease the bias of said spring, the said spring thereafter drawing said cam plate in the direction determined by the bias of the spring; and means connected to said `cam plate for predetermining the speed of movement of said cam plate in response to the bias of the spring.

7. In a phonograph, a turn table adapted to carry a record disc, a rotatably mounted tone arm engageable with a record on said turn table. and a record changer including record supporting and releasing elements; operating mechanism for said record changer including a main cam plate operable on movement in one direction to rotate said tone arm out of engagement with a record disc on saidturn table and to initiate the operation of said record releasing elements and operable on return movement to rotate said tone arm into engagement with a record disc on said turn table and complete the operation of said record releasing elements, and a solenoid for moving said main cam plate in said lone direction; said solenoid having an armature; a ilange on said cam plate; a spring connecting said flange and said armature; said armature, upon energization of said solenoid, moving in a predetermined direction to increase the tone arm out of engagement with a record disc on said turn table and to initiate the operation of said record releasing elements and operable on return movement to rotate said tone arm into engagement with a record disc on said turn table and complete the operation of said record releasing elements,and a solenoid for moving said main cam plate in said one direction; said solenoid bias of said spring, the said spring thereafter drawing said cam plate in the direction determined by the bias of the spring; said solenoid being denergized upon completion of said movement of the cam plate in said one direction, and means for returningv said cam plate to its original position upon de-energization of said sole'- noid, and additional means connected to said cam plate for predetermining the speed of the movement of said cam plate in either direction.

8. In a phonograph, a turn table adaptedvto carry a record disc, a rotatably mounted tone arm engageable with a record on said turn table, and a record changer including record supporting and releasing elements; operating mechanism for said record changer including a main cam plate operable on movement in one direction to rotate said tone arm out of engagement with a record disc on said turn table and to initiate the'operation of said'record releasing elements and operable on return movement to rotate said tone arm into engagement with a record disc on said turn. table and complete the operation of said record releasing elements, and a solenoid for moving said main cam plate in said one direction; said solenoid having an armature; a flange on said cam plate; a spring connecting said flange and said armature; said armature, upon energization of saidsolenoid, moving in a predetermined direction to increase the bias of said spring, the said spring thereafter drawing said cam plate in the direction determined by the bias of the spring; said solenoid being de-energized upon completion of said movement of the cam plate in said one direction, and a spring for returning said cam plate toits original position upon deenergization of said solenoid, and a dash-pot connected to said cam plate for controlling the speed of movement of said cam plate in either direction.

9. In la phonograph, a turn table adapted to carry a record disc, a rotatably mounted tone arm engageable with a record on said turn table, and a record changer including record supporting and having an armature; a flange on said cam plate;`

a spring connecting said ilange and said armature; said armature, upon energization of said solenoid, moving in a predetermined direction to increase the bias of said spring, the said spring thereafter drawing said cam plate'in the direction determined by the bias of the spring; a switch mounted on said cam plate for controlling the energization of said solenoid, said switch being maintained in an open position by said armature, being closed upon movement of said armature; said switch engaging said armature once more and being opened on completion of the movement of said cam plate in said one direction.

10. In a phonograph, a rotatable-horizontal turn table mounted on a spindle and adapted to carry a grooved record disc; a tone arm carrying a needle at one end and mounted on a vertical rotatable post, said tone arm extending substan- -tially horizontally; said tone arm being rotatable above said turn table between two limiting positions, the first of said positions being that wherein the needle carrying end of the tone arm projects to a point substantially outside the periphery of a record disc mounted on the turn table, the other position being that wherein the needle carrying end of the tone arm is in proximity to the center of a record disc mounted on the turn table; said tone arm being mounted on a rotatable post; a projection on said post; a member engaging said projection and biasing said tone arm toward said rst position when said tone arm is moved outwardly beyond the periphery of a record disc on the turn table; and biasing said tone arm inwardly toward the periphery of said record disc on the occurrence of an initial inward rotational movement of said tone arm, said member being disengaged from said projection on the continuance of said inward rotational movement.

11. In a phonograph, a rotatable horizontal turn table mounted on a spindle andadapted t0 carry a grooved record disc; a tone arm carrying a needle at one end and mounted on a vertical rotatable post, said tone arm extending substantially horizontally; said tone arm being rotatable above said turn table between two limiting positions, the first of said positions being that wherein the needle carrying end of the tone arm projects to a point substantially outside the periphery of a record disc mounted on the turn table, the other position being that wherein the `:needle carrying end of the tone arm is in proximity to the center of arecord disc mounted on the turn table; said tone arm beingkmounted on a rotatable post; a projection on said post; a

'member engaging said projection and biasing said rotational movement of said tone arm, said member being disengaged from said projection on the releasing elements; operating mechanism for said record changer including a main camv plate operable on movement in one direction to -rotate said continuance of said inward rotational movement, said projection comprising an arm secured to said post, said member comprising a stationary spring metal arm nxed at one end; the other end engageable with said post arm.

12. In a phonograph having a turn table rotating about a spindle and an arm carrying a needle engageable with a record disc on said turn table, said record disc having an opening through which said spindle passes; a record changer comprising a pair of supporting members on opposite sides of said turn table, said supporting members including vplatforms extending in a plane substantially above said turn table and spaced to support a stack of records at the edges of the lowest record in the stack; said spindle extending vertically above said turn table to a point substantially above theplane of said platforms; one of said platforms being operable to non-supporting position to release an edge of the lowest record in the stack, and means carried by said platform engageable with the edge of the next record to support the same when said platform is operated to non-supporting position; and means for varying the spacing between said platforms to accommodate records of different sizes; said means including a slidable mount for the support of one of said platforms and a rotatable mount for the other of said platforms: said other platform having a plurality of boundaries at diierent distances from said rotatable mount and extending from its support toward said turn table for different distances at different angular positions thereof; and members interconnecting the rotatable mount for said other platform with the slidable mount for the first platform whereby movement of a platform to vary its setting for a specific record size will move the other platform to a corresponding setting.

13. In a phonograph having a turn table rotating about a spindle and an arm carrying a needle engageable with a record disc on said turn table, said record disc having an opening through which said spindle passes; a record changer comprislng a pair of supporting members on opposite sides of said turn table, said supporting members including platforms extending in a -plane substantially. above said turn table and spaced to support a stack of records at the edges of the lowest record in the stack; and means for varying the spacing between saidplatforms to accommodate records of different sizes; said means including a slidable mount for the support of one of said platforms and a rotatable mount for the other of said platforms; said other platform having a plurality of boundaries at different distances from said rotatable mount and extending from its support toward said turn table for different distances at di'erent angular. positions thereof; and members interconnecting the rotatable mount for said other platform with the slidable mount for the first platform whereby movement of a platform to lvary its setting for a speciilc record size will move the other platform to a corresponding setting.

14. In a phonograph having a turn table rotating about a spindle and an arm carrying a needle engageable with a record disc on said turn table; said record disc having an opening through which said spindle passes a record changer comprising a pair of supporting members on opposite sides of said turn table, said supporting members including platforms extending in a plane substantially above said turn table and spaced to support a stack of records at the edges of the lowest record in the stack; record changer operating mechanism connected to one of said supporting members, one of said platforms being movable by said operating mechanism to non-supporting position to release an edge of the lowest record in the stack, and means carried by said platform engageable with the edge of the next record to support the same when said platform is operated to non-supporting position; and means for varying the spacing between platforms to accommodate records of different sizes; said means including a slidable mount for one of said platforms; and a rotatable mount for the other of said platforms; said other platform having a plurality of boundaries at different distances from said rotatable mount and extending from its support toward said turn table for different distances at diierent angular positions thereof.

15. In a phonograph having a turn table rotating about a spindle and an arm carrying a needle engageable with a record disc on said turn table, said record disc having an opening through which said spindle passes; a record changer comprising a pair of supporting members on opposite sides of said turn table, said supporting members including platforms extending in a plane substantially above said turn table and spaced to' support a stack of records at the edges of the lowest record in the stack; record changer operating mechanism connected to one of said supporting members, one of said platforms being movable by said operating mechanism lto non= supporting position to release an edge of the lowest record in the stack, and means carried by said platform engageable with the edge of the next recordto support -the same when'V said platform is operated to non-supporting position; and means for varying the spacing between said platforms to accommodate records of different sizes;

said means including a slidable mount for one of said platforms, and a rotatable mount for the other of said platforms; said other platform having a plurality of boundaries at different distances from said rotatable mount and extending from its support toward said turn table for diiferent distances at different angular positions thereof: an arm extending from said rotatable mount of said other platform; and a link interconnecting said arm and'operating mechanism of said first platform, whereby rotation of said rotatable support of said other platform will cause a movement of the operating vmechanism and sliding of the platform connected thereto.

PAUL srnAD GAY.