US2438763A

US2438763A - Push-button tuning control

Info

Publication number: US2438763A
Application number: US554935A
Authority: US
Inventors: Anthony P Olesky
Original assignee: BELMONT RADIO CORP
Current assignee: BELMONT RADIO Corp
Priority date: 1944-09-20
Filing date: 1944-09-20
Publication date: 1948-03-30
Anticipated expiration: 1965-03-30

Description

A. P. OLESKY PUSH BUTTON TUNING ONTROL `mmh 30,1948.

Filed sept. 20', .1944

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Patented Mar. 30, 1948 rusa-BUTTON TUNING con'rnox.

Anthony P. Olesky, Chicago, Ill., assigner, by e mesne assignments, to Belmont Radio Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application September 20, 1944, Serial No. 554,935

21 Claims. (Cl. 74-10) The present invention relates to control apparatus and more particularly to improved control apparatus for selectively tuning a radio receiver to desired signal channels. Specifically, the present invention relates to improvements in control apparatus of the character disclosed in copending application Serial No. 532,443, flied April 24, 1944, Alexander W. Plensler, and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention. This application issued as Patent No. 2,413,515 on December 31, 1946.

Various push button actuated mechanically controlled devices are commercially available for selectively actuating the tuning elements of a radio receiver to settings corresponding to particular desired transmitting stations. The usual device of this character employs a rotatable tuning or control shaft having a plurality of heart-shaped station selector cams or control elements spaced axially therealong, which are adapted to be engaged by cam rollers rotatably carried by movable push button actuated manuals arranged transversely of the tuning shaft; the arrangement being such that when any manual is actuated, the yassociated cam roller and control element are engaged to move the tuning shaft to a setting corresponding to a predetermined signal channel. In at least one commercial version of this device, facilities including a manually operable actuating element in the form of a second shaft extending normal to the tuning shaft through the front wall of the receiver, are provided at one end of the tuning shaft for the purpose of manually rotating the tuning shaft to station receiving settings other than those to which the tuning shaft may be operated by the manuals, and for the additional purpose of releasably exerting a restraining force upon the control elements in a direction axially of the tuning shaft to permit adjustment of each control element relative to the tuning shaft.

In general, it is an object of the present invention to provide in control apparatus of the character described, an improved, simple cheap rugged and reliable device including a common manually operable actuating element, for releasably locking the control elements against rotation relative to the control shaft upon which they are mounted and for selectively actuating the shaft to any desired setting within a predetermined range of rotation.

According to another object of the invention, the improved control element locking and shaft actuating device is so arranged that each axial movement of the manually operable actuating element is used either to clamp or unclamp the control elements, thereby to prevent or permit adjustment ,of the elements relative to the control shaft, without interrupting the driving connection betweenl the actuated element and the control shaft.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improvedand exceedingly simple arrangement for maintaining a driving connection between the manually operable actuating element and the control shaft at all axial settings of the actuating element within its range of axial movement, without in any way interfering with movement of the actuating element between its two extreme axial settings.

In accordance with a further object of the invention, a compression spring carried by the control shaft is provided in the device for normally restraining the control elements against movement relative to the control shaft, and an improved lever and cam mechanism controlled by axial movement of the actuating element is provided for actuating this spring to either restrain the control elements against movement relative to the control shaft or release these elements for rotation relative to this shaft.

According to a further and more speclc object ofthe invention, the lever camming facilities are provided with an exceedingly simple over-center arrangement for positively restraining the manually operable actuating element in either of the two extreme axial settings thereof to which it may be moved.

It is another and more general object of th invention to provide a mechanism of the character described having embodied therein a minimum number of low cost parts which are capable of easy assembly.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best-be understood by reference to the specification taken in connectionv` with the accompanying drawings, in which: v

Fig. 1 is a side view illustrating improved tuning control apparatus characterized by the-features of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an end view illustrating the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 as viewed from the left lend thereof;

Fig. 3 is an end view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 as viewed from the right end thereof;

Fig. 4 is a. rear view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1; 4

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along the lines -5 of Fig. 4, illustrating one of the control elements and the actuating mechanism therefor;

Fig. 6 is a duplication of Fig. 5 illustrating the parts in changed positions;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary. end view, partially in section, illustrating the device for manually adjusting the control or tuning shaft and for releasably "looking the control elements of the apparatus against rotation relative to this shaft;-

Fig. 8 is a full sectional top view of the parts shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken along the lines Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the lines Ill-I0 in Fig. 8;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken along the lines II-II in Fig. 8: and

Fig. 12 is a substantial duplication of Fig. 8 with .the illustrated parts shown in changed positions.

Referring now to the drawings, the present improved control apparatus is there illustrated in its embodiment in a radio receiver to adjust the gang-connected frequency changing elements of the receiver for the purpose of tuning the receiver to diiferent signal channels, i. e., for the reception ofsignals radiated at different carrier frequencies. More specically, the frequency changing means of the receiver comprises a multiple condenser unit I0 supported between two L-shaped bracket pieces I5 and I6 which are rigidly mounted upon the receiver chassis indicated generally at I4. The condenser unit is provided with a rotatable shaft II which carries the rotor plates of the condensers and maybe rotated through .180 in covering the full tuning range of the receiver. It is journaled in bearing openv ings through the end members I5 and I6, and

also in bearing apertures provided in two spaced apart supporting members I2 and I3 iixedly mounted upon the top wall of the chassis I4. The tuning condensers may be electrically included in the receiver circuit in any conventional manner.

For the purpose of selectively actuating the control or tuning selector elements 22 in the form of heart-shaped cams. These cams are is noted that this means comprises an elongated channel-shaped member extending longitudinally of the shaft II and having its channelshaped walls disposed within the voids formed at the upper ends of the supporting members I2 and I3 by bending the parts I2a and I3a outwardly therefrom; these parts extending normal to the supporting members and being riveted to the bottom Wall of the member 20 to securely anchor this member in place. rThe channel-shaped member 20 is also provided with side flanges which serve to seat a translucent member 2|. This member is suitably apertured to receive lugs 20a struck upwardly from the side flanges of the member 20 and bent over the top surface of the member 2|, therebyflxedly to assemble the two members 20 and 2I together. Preferably, the translucent member 2I is painted or etched at the under surface thereof to outline an elongated rectangular surface segment 2Ia. which is left clear to function as a viewing window. At the upper surface thereof and immediately opposite one edge of the window 2I a, the member 2I is suitably inscribed with numerals indicating carrier frequencies in kilocycles or with station call letters.

As best shown in Figs. :5 and 6 of the drawings, the levers 24 are spring biased by means of 'springs 26 individual thereto to normal positions such that the rollers 23 rotatably mounted thereon are out of engagement with the respective associated selector cams 24. Thus the lever 24a is illustrated as being biased to a normal position wherein the roller 23a pivotally sup'v ported thereby is wholly out of the path of re- -tation of the cam 22a. The means for thus biasf ing sleeve 3| and having one end anchored to mounted upon the shaft II in spaced apart positions axially of this shaft and are normally Opposite the control elements are shaft or pivot rod 30 is supported at its ends by the supporting members I2 and I3, and carries spacing sleeves 3| intermediate the levers 24 for the purpose of maintaining the rollers 23 spaced apart in transverse alignment with their respective associated cams 22.

The members I2 and I3 are also utilized to support the novel tuning indicator means embodied in the apparatus and described with particularity hereinafter. This indicator means is claimed in divisional application Serial No. 554,-

890, filed September 20, 1944. At this Point, it

the nose 28a of the lever and its opposite end restrained against unwinding movement through engagement with the bottom wallof the channel-shaped member 20. The indicated channelshaped member is so positioned longitudinally of the shaft II as to act as a stop against which the noses 28 of the levers 24 are normally biased. To this end, the side Wall 20h of the member 20 is positioned in the paths of rotation of the levers to be engaged by the noses thereof.

, Referring now more particularly to the manner in which the selector cams 22 are normally restrained against rotary movement relative to the shaft II, it will be noted by reference to Fig. 4 of the drawings that these cams are separated by spacing sleeves -32 carried by the shaft I I, and by friction washers 33 against which the ends of the sleeves 32 abut. More specifically, the shaft II carries a pair of set screw mounted collars I1 and I8 which are disposed upon opposite sides of the supporting member I2 and function to restrain the shaft against axial movement. The collar I8 is also used as a thrust member against which the selector cams 22, spacing sleeves 32 and washers 33 may be clamped for the purpose of frictionally locking the selector cams against rotation relative to the shaft Il. In order to restrain the washers 33 against rotation relative to the shaft II, this shaft is provided with diametrically opposed flats Ila and IIb over the length thereof which extends from the collar I8 to the end farthest removed from the tuning condensers I0, and each washer is similarly provided with correspondingly atted edges in the central aperture through which the shaft II extends. The washers 33 are also utilized to limit the extent of rotation of their respective associated selector cams 22 relative to the shaft II. To this end, each washer is provided with a portion 36 of reduced diameter terminating in stop steps 31 against which a lug 38 struck out from the associated cam 22 is brought to bear at each limit of the range of rotation of the cam relative to the shaft. In the illustrated arrangement, each washer edge 36 of reduced diameter is sufiiciently long to permit the associated cam 22 to be rotated through a maximum angle of 180 relative to the shaft Il. In order to enhance the frictional restraining force exerted upon the selector cams 22. the clamping faces of the washers 36 are stippled or roughened and small sandpaper discs are inserted between the washers 36 and the adjacent faces of the` respective associated cams 22 with the sanded surfaces of the discs bearing against the selector cams.

For the purpose of exerting a clamping thrust axially upon the stacked

parts

22, 32 and 33, and the sandpaper ldiscs separating the washers 33 from the cams -22, thereby normally to maintain the cams 22 locked against rotary movement relative to the shaft II, the present improved cam locking and manual tuning device, indicated generally at 40, is provided. In brief, this mechanism comprises a manual actuating shaft 4I which extends normal to the tuning shaft Il through the front wall of the receiver, is connected to drive the shaft II through a pinion 43 and crown gear segment 44 and carries a tuning knob 42. The shaft 4I is journaled for rotary and axial movement in a pair of bracket pieces 60 and 6I struck out from the supporting member I3, and may be moved axially away from the shaft I I through the pinion 43 without breaking the driving connection between the two shafts- II and 4I. The mechanism also comprises a thrust spring of the compression type which normally exerts a thrust axially of the shaft I I upon the stacked parts 22. 32 and 33. It further includes a cam and lever mechanism operative in response to axial movement of the shaft 4I outwardly away from the shaft I I for compressing the thrust spring to the extent required to release the selector cams 22 for rotation relative to the shaft II. Movement of the manual tuning shaft 4I axially in the reverse direction, i. e., toward the tuning shaft I I serves to relieve the tension upon the compression spring, with the result that the thrust pressure is again impressed upon

stacked elements

22, 32 and 33 to again lock these elements against rotation relative to the shaft II.

More specifically, the compression spring 5I is confined within two cup-shaped

members

52 and 53, the bottom walls 52a and 53a of which are apertured to fit over the two end sleeves 32al and 32c carried by the shaft II. The sleeve 32a is provided with a radially extending rib 32h against which the bottom wall 52a of the member 52 abuis, and the bottom wall 53a of the opposed cupshaped member 53 bears against a C-washer 49 which is seated in an annular seat 50 cut in the shaft I I adjacent the end thereof. Thus the cnil springy 5I in thrusting against the C-washer 49 and the end sleeve 32a serves to exert an axiallv directed thrust against the stacked elements 22. 32 and 33, which normally prevents the selector cams 22 from rotating relative to the shaft II.

Ase best shown in Figs. 8 and 12 of the drawings, the cup-shaped members-52 and 53 are nested or telescoped one within the other and are provided with spaced apart flanges 52h and 53h extending radially' from the shaft I I which the shaft II and are commonly supported for rotation about the same center by means of a pivot pin 51 carried by a bracket piece 59 struck out from the end frame member I3. The lever `54 comprises upper and lower parts 54a and 54h joined at the ends remote from the pivot pin 51 by means of an end part 54e. Similarly, the lever 55 comprises upper and lower parts 55a and 55h tting within the corresponding parts of the lever 54 and joined at the free ends thereof by an end part 55e. 'I'he pivoted ends of the identified lever parts are maintained in spaced apart relationship by means of two spacing sleeves 58 disposed upon opposite sides of the bracket 59 and carried by the pivot pin 51. Intermediate the ends thereof, the lever parts 54a and 54h are respectively provided with rounded projections 54e which are adapted to be brought into engagement with the flange 52h of the cup-shaped member 52 upon opposite sides of theshaft II. Similarly, the lever parts 55a and 55h are respectively provided with rounded projections 55e which are adapted to be brought into bearing engagement with the flange 53h of the cupshaped member 53 above and below the shaft I I. As best shown in Figs. 9 and l1 of the drawings, the ends of the

levers

54 and 55 remote from the pivot pin 51 are crossed so that when these ends are moved apart the

projections

54e and 55e are moved toward each other into bearing engagement with the flanges 52b and 53h thereby tol For the purpose of movcompress the spring 5 I. ing the

closed end parts

54e and 55e of the two levers apart, a camming arrangement is provided which includes

camming parts

54d and 55d formed integral with the

end parts

54e and 55e to extend toward the shaft II. These camming parts are flared away from each other and are normally engaged by a camming ball or spherical camming part 56 flxedly mounted upon the inner end of the shaft 4I, so that when this shalt is pulled away from the shaft II the ends of the levers are moved apart to compress the spring 5I in the manner more fully explained below.

As indicated above the shaft 4I is also utilized to rotate the shaft II for the purpose of tuning the receiver to stations other than those to which the manuals 25 individually correspond. To this end, a driving connection comprising the pinion 43 carried by the shaft 4I and the meshing crown gear sector 44 carried by the shaft II is provided between the two identified shafts.'

More specifically, the gear sector 44 is xedly mounted upon the end of the shaft II by means of a clamping assembly which includes a washer 45 abutting the C-washer 49 and against which one side of the gear sector bears, a second washer 46 bearing against the opposite side of the gear sector. and a clamping cup 41 fitting over the end of the shaft. Clamping pressure is exerted upon the stacked parts 45, 44, 46, 41 by means of a clamping screw 48 extending through the apertured bottom wall of the cup 41 and threaded into' the end of the shaft II. In order to permit axial movement of the shaft 4Iy without breaking the driving connection between this shaft and the tuning shaft II, the pinion 43 is freely movable axially of the shaft 4I but is locked against rotation relative to this shaft. To provide this form of connection between the two parts 4I A'l and 43, the shaft 4| is' provided with a atted portion 4|a, and the hub -part 43a of the pinion asis .provided with a. naif circie S101-, 43h within which is disposed .a f wire-like locking element 62. More specifically, this element tightly embraces the iattedsurface 4|a of the shaft 4| and the unslotted circumference of the pinion hub 43h to lock the two parts 4| and 43 againstrelative rotary movement while permitting relative axial movementA therebetween. The pinion 43 is restrained against movement in a direction axially of the shaft 4| by positioning the same between the

bracket parts

60 and 6| in which the shaft 4I is journaled, thus maintaining .this pinion in meshing engagement with the crown gear sector 44 regardless of the axial position to which the shaft 4| is moved.

In order to maintain a' slight clamping pressure upon the selector cams 22 when the spring 5| is compressed to release Athese cams for adjustment relative to the shaft I, a dished spring washer 34 is provided' between the two washers 33a and 33h which are disposed between the end of the end sleeve 32a and the cam 22a. 'Ihis spring washer has the function of restraining the cams 22 against rotation relative to the shaft li except when a, positive force is applied to one of the cams to produce such relative rotation in the manner described below. To provide for adjustment of the clamping force normally exerted axially upon the cams 22 by the compres-A the assembly of a particular device is completed,

the sleeve part 9a may be threaded out of the sleeve part 9b to compress the spring tilv until the cams 22 are positively clamped against rotation relative to the shaft |I. From the above explanation it will be understood that normally the selector cams 22 are locked against rotation relative to the ,shaft Il and that these cams occupy diiferent angular positions relative to the shaft such that the tuning condensers I may be operated to signal channel settings respectively corresponding to the different selector elements through the selective manipulation of the manuals 25. If, for

example, it is desired to tune the receiver for the reception of the particular signal corresponding to the manual 25a, the push button of this manual is pushed downwardly from the position illustrated in Fig. of the drawings to the position illustrated in Fig. 6 of the drawings. During the resulting pivotal movement of the lever 24a,

the roller 23a is brought into engagement with the periphery of the selector cam 22a, following which the two engaged

parts

23a and 22a coact to rotate the tuning shaft I to the particular angular .setting corresponding to the desired signal channel. This tuning position of the shaft is reached when the roller 23a is moved to engage the low point of the cam 22a. After it is reached, the manual 25a may be released to return to its normal position under the inuence of the -biasing spring 26a. In a manner entirely similar to that just described, the other push button l manuals 25 may be selectively actuated for the purpose of selectively tuning the receiver forthe reception of the other signals to which thesemanuals respectively correspond. Tuning of the receiver to a signal within the'signal reception band of the receiver, but not corresponding to one of the push button manuals 25, is accomplished through manual actuation of the knob 42 to rotate the shaft 4| and thus rotate the tuning shaft through the driving connection afforded by the pinion 43 and the gear sector 44.

lAs previously indicated, in order to adjust the Aangular settings of the selector cams 22 relative sure exerted axially of the shaft upon the cams is partially released. To this end, the knob 42 and shaft 4| are pulled outwardly from the front wall of the receiver, thereby to move the spheriother. As a result, the

projections

54e and 55e are brought to bear against the flanges B2b and 53h to squeeze these flanges together and thus compress the coil spring 5|, thereby to relieve the clamping force exerted axially upon the selector vcams 22. This force is not wholly relieved, however, due to the action of 'the spring washer 34 in exerting an axial thrust upon the cams through the

Washers

33a and 33b. As the spherical camming part 55 isA moved away from the shaft it passes out of eng-agement with the

lever camming parts

55d and 54d over the ridgelike surfaces 54g and 55g. and into engagement with the inner surfaces 54f and 55f of the

lever end parts

55e and 54e. Due to the spreading apart of the lever end parts, the normally parallel surfaces 54f and 55f thereof tend to become flared away from each other in a direction which is the reverse of the direction of are between the

camming parts

55d and 54d. In other words a wedging action is produced between the engaged surfaces of the

parts

56, 54e and 55e which has the effect of resisting axial movement of the `shaft 4| back toward the shaft Il. Thus an over y new angular position relative to the shaft so that it will coact with the manual 25a to tune the receiver for the reception of a different desired signal. To this end, the knob 42, shaft 4I and driving parts 43 and 44 are rst operated manually to tune the receiver to the desired signal frequency. With the desired signal being received, the knob-42 is manually held against further rotation and the manual 25a is actuated for the purpose of rotating the selector cam 22a During such' in the manner justl described. In other words, the spring 34 prevents the desired angul-ar settings -of the cams relative to the shaft II from being disturbed when once established.

After all of the control elements have been adjusted in the manner just explained they may be reclamped against movement relative to the shaft I I by pushing upon the knob 42 to move the spherical camming part 56 from betweenv the

lever end parts

54e and 55e back toward the shaft I I. After the camming part 56 is moved to again engage the

lever camming parts

54d and 55d, the coil spring I in thrusting against the

cupshaped members

52 and 53 acts through the levers and their

camming parts

54d and 55d to facilitate return movement of the camming part 56 and the shaft 4I to the normal positions thereof. Also, in expanding against the bottom walls of the cup-shaped

members

52 and 53 the coil spring 5I again thrusts against the selector cams 22 to restrain these cams against rotation relative to the shaft I I.

From the above explanation, it will be understood that the selector cam clamping mechanism may be actuated at will to release the cams 22 for adjustment to any desired angular positions relative to the shaft I I and to reclamp the cams in the positions to which they are adjusted. It will also beV understood that this is accomplished by utilizing axial movement of the manually operable shaft 4I to effect relative movement between the

levers

54 and 55 in a direction extending axially of the shaft II. Further, the arrangement is such that the driving connection between the two shafts 4I and II is not broken regardless of the axial setting occupied by the shaft 4I. In this regard it is noted that normally the

lever projections

54e and 55e only lightly engage the flanges 5.2b and 53h so that rotation of the shafts 4I and II is in no way impeded by such engagement. Also, when the spring 5I is compressed to release the selector cams 22 for adjustment relative to the shaft I I, the assembly comprising the

parts

32a, 32e, 52, 53 and 5I is effectively locked against rotation through engagement of the

lever projections

54e and 55e with the flanges 52h and 53h. Under these circumstances, however, the shaft I I is free to turn within the sleeves 32a and 32C so that rotation of the shaft II is only slightly impeded.

Referring now more particularly tothe apparatus which is provided to indicate the station to which the receiver is tuned, it is pointed out above that this apparatus comprises the translucent member 2I carried by the channel-shaped member 20, which two parts are lxedly supported by the supporting members I2 and I3. This apparatus further comprises translatable indicating means in the form of a pointer 65 which is linearly movable back and forth longitudinally of the two members 2n and 2| to settings indicative of the carrier frequency to which the receiver is tuned. More specifically, this pointer is in the form of a wire-like element having an indicated leg 65a disposed within the channel of the member and extending transversely across the indicating window 2Ia, and a second leg 65h which extends normal to the leg 65a through a narrow guide slot 20c extending longitudinally of the bottom wall of the channel-shaped member 20 to engage the helical camming surface of a rotatable camming member 61. For the purpose of translating the pointer 65 along the slot 20c, a driving connection is provided between the shaft II and this pointer which includes a gear segment I9 formed therebetween.

l0 xedly mounted upon the collar I1. 'This gear segment meshes with a small gear 1I which is connected to drive the camming member 61 through a drive pin 10 which is journaled in a bearing part carried by the frame member I2 and is anchored within the right end of the tubular camming member 61. The gear segment I6 and pinion 1I are stamped parts formed from thin gauge stock, and in order to maintain the same in meshing engagement, dished

fender discs

12 and 13 are provided upon opposite sides of the pinion 1I `to embrace the peripheral segment of .the gear I9 which meshes with the pinion 1I.

More specifically considered, the camming member 61 is in the form of a flat-wound metal strip, the'edges of which are displaced so that a helical camming groove 66 of only slightly greater width thanV the diameter of the pointer 65 is Thus the edges of the stripI act as helical camming surfaces. The leg 65h of the pointer 65 extends through the groove 20c to slidably engage the helical camming surfaces, and is anchored to an elongated travelling element 66 which is disposed within the tubular camming member 61 and is slidable longitudinally of this member as the pointer 65 is translated through engagement oi.' the leg 65h with the camming surfaces. As best shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings, the travelingelement 66 is inthe form of a rod segment and is slotted longitudinally along one side toreceive the end portion 65e of the pointer. This end portion of the pointer extends normaito the pointer leg 65h and may be soldered or otherwise bonded to the travelling element 66 within the slot in which it is disposed to provide a rigid connection therebetween. As indicated above, the means for rotatably supporting the camming member 61 includes the pin 10 j ournaled in the bearing part carried by the frame member I2. It also includes a pin 69 journaled in the frame member I3-andrfixedly connected to the left end of the member 61.

As shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, the gear segment I9 not only functions to drive the camming member 61, but is also utilized to limit the angle of rotation ofthe shaft II. To this end, the frame member I2 is provided with a struck out stop part I2b disposed in the path of rotation of the gear segment I9 to be engaged by the straight edge portions of this gear segment when the shaft is rotated to the limits of its range of rotation.

Referring now more particularly to the operation of the improved indicating apparatus,l it will be understood that when the tuning shaft II is rotated, either through actuation of the knob 42 or one of the manuals 25, the camming member 61 is rotated in a corresponding direction through the driving connection airorded by the meshing engaglement of the gear segment I 9 Withthe pinion 1 rotating with the camming element 61 through engagement of the leg 65h with the edges of the guide slot 20c, the rotary movement of the camming member is converted into translatory movement of the pointer, due to the following movement of the leg 6527 along the helical cam groove 68. Translatory movement of the pointer 65 is obviously accompanied by sliding movement of the travelling element 66 within the tubular camming member 61. The extnt' of pointer movement per unit angle of rotation of the shaft II is, of course, determined by the pitch of the helical groove 68 and the tooth ratio between the gears I6 and 1I. In the illustrated arrange- Since the pointer 65 is prevented from 11 ment,y these factors are so ydetermined that the pointer 85 will move over the full scale range in response to rotation of the tuning shaft Il through an angle of 180. Further, the spacing of the scale indicia provided along the upper edge of the viewing window 21a is accurately calibrated so that the pointer 65 in indexing any scale marking provides an accurate 'indication of the signal channel to which the receiver is tuned. Thus an exceedingly simple, ruggedand cheap structure is provided for accurately inrange in response to rotation of said manually operable element, and means responsive to axial movement of said manually operable element for relieving the restraining force exerted by said spring means upon said selector-elements, thereby to release said selector elements for movement relative to said shaft, without breaking the dicating the particular station to which the receiver is tuned. 0n this point, it is noted that the use of guide rails or other extraneous supporting members for the translatable pointer 65 is rendered unnecessary by utilizing the camming member 61 as substantially the sole means of support for the pointer. Further, the elongated construction of the travelling element 66 positively precludes any tendency of the pointer to twist about the axis of the pointer part 65h and insures non-binding sliding movement of this element through the cam member 61.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein which are within the true spirit and scope of the inlvention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In radio tuning apparatus which includes a tuning shaft rotatable through a desired tuning range and a plurality of tuning selector elements carriedby said shaft; spring means normally restraining said `selector elements against movement relative to said shaft, a manually operable element, means supporting said element for movement in two directions, means for rotatingsaid shaft to any setting within said range in response to a corresponding movement of said manually operable element in one of said two directions, and means responsive to movement of said manually operable element in the other of said two directions for relieving the restraining force exerted by'said spring means upon said selector elements, thereby to release said selector elements for movement relative to said shaft.

2. In radio tuning apparatus which includes a tuning shaft rotatable through a desired tuning range and a plurality of tuning selector elements carried by said shaft; spring means normally restraining said selector elements against movement relative to said shaft, a manually operable element, means supportingv said element for rotary and axial movement, means responsive to rotation of said manually operable element for correspondingly rotating said shaft to dinerent settings within said tuning range, and means responsive to axial movement of said manually operable element for relieving the restraining force exerted by said spring means upon said selector elements, thereby to release said selector elements for movement relative to said shaft.

3. In radio tuning apparatus which includes a tuning shaft rotatable through a desired tuning range and a plurality of tuning selector elements carried by said shaft; spring means normally restraining said selector elements against movement relative to said shaft, a manually operable element, means supporting said element for rotary and axial movement, means interconnecting said shaft and said manually operable element to provide a driving connection for rotating said shaftto dierent settings within said tuning shaft rotatable through a desired tuning range and a plurality of tuning selector elements carried by said shaft, a second shaft, a pinion carried by said second shaft, means restraining said pinion and second shaft against relative rotary movement while permitting relative axial movement therebetween, means supporting said second shaft for rotary and axial movement, said pinion being restrained 'against axial movement during axial movement of said second shaft, gear means interconnecting said pinion and said tuning shaft to provide a driving connection between said shafts at all axial settings of said second shaft, whereby said tuning shaft may be operated to different settings within said tuning range in response to rotation of said second shaft, and means controlled by axial movement of said second shaft for releasably locking said selector elements against movement relative to said tuning shaft.

5. In radiov tuning apparatus which includes a tuning shaft rotatable through a desired tuning range and a plurality of tuning selector elements spaced axially along said shaft; the means for releasably locking vsaid selector elements against rotation relative to said shaft which comprises a compression spring embracing said shaft and normally exerting a thrust force axially of said shaft against said selector elements which serves to restrain said selector elements against rotation relative to said shaft, a pair of opposedv cup-shaped members supported for relative movement axially of said shaft and between which said compression spring is confined, actuating parts fixedly carried by said members and extending radially from said shaft, and means l for moving atleast one of said actuating parts axially toward the other actuating part, thereby shaped members supported for relative move.

ment axially of said shaft and between which said compression spring is confined, a stop element anchored to said shaft and projecting radially outward therefrom to act as a stop against which one of said cup-shaped members bears, a driving gear carried by said shaft, means including said stop element for restraining said gear against rotation relative to said shaft, and means for moving said cup-shaped members axially toward each other, thereby to compress said spring and thus release said selector elements for rotation relative to `said shaft.

assegna '7. In radio tuning apparatus which includes a tuning shaft rotatable through a desired tuning range and a plurality of tuning selector elements spaced axially along said shaft; the means for releasablylocking said selector elements against rotation relative to said shaft which comprises a compression spring embracing said shaft and normally exerting a thrust force axially of said shaft against said selector elements which serves to restrain said selector elements against rotation relative to said shaft, a pair of opposed cupshaped members supported for relative movement axially of said shaft and telescoped one,

within the other, said spring being housed within said members and having its ends tensioned against thebottoms of said members, said shaft having an annular seat adjacent the bottom wall of the cup-shaped member farthest removed from said selector elements, a C-washer disposed in said seat to act as a stop against which the bottom wall of said last-named cupshaped member bears, a driving gear carried by said shaft, means for clamping said gear against said c-washer. thereby to restrain said gear against rotation relative to said shaft, said cupshaped members having flanges extending radially outward from said shaft and spaced axially along said shaft, and means for moving said flanges `toward each other, thereby to compress said spring within said cup-shaped members and thus release said selector elements for rotation relative to said shaft.

8. In a control device which includes a plurality of control elements carried by a rotatable shaft; the means for releasably locking said control elements against rotation relative to said shaft which comprises a compression spring embracing said shaft and normally exerting a thrust force axially of said shaft against said control elements which serves to restrain said control elements against rotation relative to said shaft,

a pair of opposed cup-shaped members supported for relative movement axially of said shaft and between which said compression spring is confined, said members including flanges extending radially outward from said shaft, a lever mechanism including levers extending transversely of said shaft and provided with parts engageable with said flanges to move said cup-shaped members toward each other and thus compress said spring to relieve the thrust force exerted upon said control elements when said levers are moved relative to each other, and means for producing relative movement between said levers, thereby to release said selector elements `for rotation relative to said shaft.

9. In a control device which includes a plurality of control elements carried by a rotatable shaft; the means for releasably locking said control elements against rotation relative to said shaft which comprises a compression spring embracing said shaft and normally exerting a thrust' force axially of said shaft against said control elements which serves to restrain said control elements against rotation relative to said shaft, a pair of opposed cup-shaped members supported for relative movement axially of said shaft and between which said compression spring is confined, said members including flanges extending radially outward from said shaft, a lever mechanism including levers extending transversely of said shaft and provided with parts engageable with said flanges to move said cup-shaped members toward each other and thus compress said spring to relieve the thrust force exerted upon said control elements when said levers are moved relative to each other, a second shaft, means supporting said second shaft for rotary and axial movement, means providing a driving connection between said shafts at all axial settings of said second shaft, and cam means including interengaging parts respectively carried by said second shaft and said levers for producing relative movement between said levers in response to axial movement of said second shaft, thereby to release said. control elements for rotation relative to said first-named shaft.

10. In a control device which includes a plurality of control elements carried by a rotatable shaft; the means for releasably holding said control elements against rotation relative to said shaft which comprises a pair of elongated members extending transversely of said shaft, means pivotally supporting said members to one side of said shaft, means for moving said members relative to each other in a direction extending axially of said shaft, and means controlled by said members for normally clamping said control elements against rotation relative to said shaft and for rel-asing said elements for rotation relative to said shaft in response to said relative movement between said members.

11. In a control device which includes a plurality of control elements carried by a rotatable shaft; the means for releasably holding said control elements against rotation relative to said shaftwhich comprises a lever mechanism provided with levers extending transversely of said shaft, means' for moving said levers relative to eachother in a direction extending axially of said shaft, and means controlled by said relative movement between said levers for releasably restraining said control elements against rotation relative to said shaft.

l2. In a control device which includes a plurality of control elements carried by a rotatable shaft, the means for releasably holding said control elements against rotation relative to said shaft which comprises a pair of elongated members extending transversely of said shaft, means pivotally supporting said members to one side of said shaft, said members having crossed end portions disposed upon the opposite side of said shaft, means coacting with the crossed end portions of said members for drawing said members toward each other, and means controlled by said members for normally restraining said control elements against rotation relative to said shaft and for releasing said elements for rotation relative to said shaft in response to said movement of said members toward each other.

13. In a control device which `includes a plurality of control elements carried by a rotatable shaft, the means for releasably holding said control elements against rotation relative to said shaft which comprises a pair of elongated members extending transversely of said shaft, means pivotally supporting said members to one side of said shaft, said members having crossed end portions disposed upon the opposite side of said shaft, a second shaft extending substantially at right angles to said first-named shaft, means supporting said second shaft for axial movement away from said first-named shaft, said second shaft and the crossed .end portions of said members being provided with coacting camming parts for moving said members toward each otherin response to axial movement of said second shaft away from said first-named shaft, and means controlled by said members for normally rel Y straining said control' elements against rotatio relative to said first-named shaft and for releasing said elements for rotation'relative to said shaft in response to said movement of said members toward each other. 14. In a' control vdevice which includes a plu' shaft for axial movement away from said rsty 'named shaft. whereby said levers are moved toward each other in response to movement ofv said second shaft axially away from said first-named shaft, a compression spring normally thrusting .against'said control elements to 'restrain said elements against rotation relative to -said firstnamed shaft, and means for squeezing said compression spring in response to movement of said levers toward each other, thereby to release said control elements for rotation relative to said iirst-named shaft.

15. In a control device which includes a plurality of control elements carried by a rotatable shaft; levers extending transversely of said'shaft, means pivotally supporting said levers to one side of said shaft, said levers being provided with crossed end portions upon the oppositeside of said shaft, said end portions including camming parts'which extend parallel to each other and are away from each other at their extremities. a second shaft extending substantially at right angles to said first-named shaft and provided with a spherical camming part disposed between said flared camming parts, means supporting said second shaft for axial movement away from said first-named shaft, whereby said spherical camming partis moved between the ared portions of first-named camming parts onto the parallel compression spring in response to movement of saidlevers toward each other, thereby to release said control elements for rotation relative to said first-named shaft, and gear means providing a driving connection between said shafts regardless of theaxialsetting of said second shaft, the engagement of said spherical camming part with the parallel extending portions of said first-named camming parts when said second shaft iswithdrawn preventing inadvertent axial movement of said second shaft back toward said first-named shaft. Y

16. In a control device which includes a plurality of control elements carried by a rotatable shaft, a compression spring normally thrusting against said control elements to restrain said elements against rotation relative to said shaft, a second shaft extending transversely of said firstnamed shaft, means supporting said second shaft for rotary and 'axial movement, means providing a driving connection between said shafts at all axial settings of said second shaft, a spherical camming part carried by the end of said second shaft, a pair of levers extending transversely of said first-named shaft and provided with camming parts engaging said spherical camming part,

said camming parts coacting to movesaid levers toward each other in response to movement of said second shaft axially away from said first shaft, and means interconnecting said levers and said spring to bias said second-named camming parts into engagement with said spherical camming part and to compress said spring in response to movement of said leversl toward each other, thereby to release said control elements for rotation relative to said first-named shaft.

17. In a control device which includes a plurality of control elements carried by a rotatable control shaft; a second shaft, means supporting said second shaft for axial movement away from said control shaft, a lever mechanism including a pair of levers extending transversely of said -control shaft, coacting camming means carried spaced axially along said shaft, manuals individ ual to said selector elements and selectively engageable therewith to selectively rotate said shaft to different settings, each of said manuals including a pivotally supported lever and spring means biasing the lever away from its associated selector clement, an elongated channel-shaped member extending longitudinally of said shaft and positioned to act as a stop against which said levers are normally biased, said member having a longitudinally extending guide slot in the bottom wall thereof, translatable indicator means including an element extending through said slot to guide said indicator means, and means for translating said indicator means along said channel-shaped member as said shaft'is rotated to tune the receiver.

19. Tuning apparatus for a radio receiver, comprising a rotatable shaft for actuating the tuning means of the receiver, station selector elements spaced axially along said shaft, manuals individual to said selector elements and selectively engageable therewith to selectively rotate said shaft to different settings, each of said manuals including a pivotally supported lever and spring means biasing the lever away from its associated selector element, an elongated channel-shaped member extending longitudinally of said shaft and positioned to act as a stop against which said levers are normally biased, .said member having a longitudinally extending guide slot in the bottom wall thereof, an elongated camming member disposed beneath said channel-shaped member in alignment' with said groove and provided ,with a helical camming surface, means for rotating said camming member as said shaft is rotated, and translatable indicator means including an element extending through said slot and provided with a cam follower slidably engaging said camming surface, whereby said indicator means is vtranslated along said channel shaped member prising a rotatable shaft for actuating the tuning means of the receiver, station selector elements spaced axially along said shaft, manuals individual to said selector elements and selectively engageable therewith to selectively rotate said shaft to diiferent settings, each of said manualsincluding a pivotally supported lever and spring means biasing the lever away from its associated selector element, an elongated channel-shaped member extending longitudinally of said shaft and positioned to act as a stop against which said levers are normally biased, said member having a longitudinally extending guide slot in the bottom wall thereof, an elongated tubular camming member disposed beneath said channel-shaped member in alignment with said slot and comprising an edgewound strip having its edges displaced to define a helical camming groove, an elongated traveling element disposed within said camming member and slidably movable longitudinally of said camming member, translatable indicator means including a wire-like element extending through said slot and groove and anchored to said traveling element, whereby said indicator means is at least in part supported by said camming member and is translated along said slot when said camming member is rotated, means supporting said camming member for rotation, and means providing a. driving connection between said shaft and said camming member.

21. In a control device which includes a plurality of adjustable control-position-selector elements carried by a rotatable shaft; the combination of mechanism for releasably restraining 18 said selector elements against movement relative to said control shaft including yieldable means on said shaft adapted to be operatively connected with said selector elements, va movable unit, means mounting said unit in a position at right angles to said control shaft and mounted both for rotation and for longitudinal movement of said unit, a lever mechanism comprising a pair of pivoted elements movable toward and away from one another and operatively connected with said yieldable means, cam means operatively connecting said movable unit and said lever mechanism and movable upon one'direction of longitudinal movement of said unit to operate the lever mechanism and compress the yieldable means and movable upon the other direction of longitudinal movement of said unit to permit the expansion thereof, and means maintained in an operative connection between said movable unit and said control shaft to rotate said control shaft upon rotary movement of saidvmovable unit.

ANTHONY P. OLESKY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ille of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name 'Date 516,214 Mohr et al. Mar. 13, 1894 1,168,080 Kelly Jan. 11, 1916 2,320,893 Schwarz et al. June l, 1943 2,330,833 Harholz et al. Oct. 5, 1943