US2637559A - Automatic phonograph - Google Patents

Description

May 5, 1953 s. A. STOLBERG 2,637,559

AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPH Filed Aug. 6, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 fig! 10 INVENTOR.

v .51/877/ 67x 5i? lezg, j-dm%aele p May 5, 1953 s. A. STOLBERG 37,

AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPH Filed Aug. 6, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 \l IN VEN TOR.

qi-a 22? y 5, 3 s. A. STOLBEORG 2,637,559

I AUTOMAT I C PHONOGRAPH Filed Aug. 6, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN V EN TOR.

y 3 s. A. STOLBERG 2,637,559

AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPH Filed Aug. 6, 1947 I 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 QN hww II I I 9 INVENTOR. juervaz 5232166 BY MW M y 1953 s. A. STOLBERG 2,637,559

AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPH Filed Aug. 6, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR. N 51/9700 560M629, Mma/n Patented May 5, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPH Application August 6, 1947, Serial No. 766,717

The present invention relates to automatic phonographs and more particularly to an automatic phonograph which is capable of playing a succession of records of the disk type on both faces thereof.

Automatic phonographs are in extensive use today, particularly combined with radio receivin devices in what is termed a radio-phonograph combination. One of the most common forms of automatic phonographs in extensive use today includes means for supporting a stack of unplayed records adjacent to and above the turntable from which stack records are fed one at a time onto the turntable. Such automatic phonoe graphs are adapted to play these records on one side consecutively without requiring any control or assistance from the operator. To play the other side of these records, it is necessary to turn the entire stack of records around whereupon the other side of the records can be played successively, one record at a time. 7

There are on the market today various record changers which are capable of playing both sides of a record one after the other. However, these record changers are very complicated in that they require means for turning the record around so that the other side of the record may be played. Obviously such complicated mechanism greatly increases the cost of such record changers and consequently the cost of the radio-phonograph combination in which it is incorporated. It would be desirable to provide a record changer of the type in which the records are dropped from a record stack above the turntable one at a time onto the turntable for playing or reproduction thereof with means for playing both sides of the records without the provision of complicated means for turning these records around, whereby it would be possible to provide a record changer for playing both faces of the records consecutively at little additional cost over the relatively inexpensive one side record changer of the type referred to above employing the so-called center post drop.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved automatic phonograph.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an automatic phonograph which is capable of playing both faces of a disk record in succession without being much more complicated than the so-called center post drop record player which is capable of playing a succession of records from one side only and without requiring any additional cabinet space.

14 Claims. (01. 274-) It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved record changer which is extremely simple and sturdy in construction, which will stand up under conditions of severe and constant use without getting out of order or requiring repairs and which is inexpensive and simple from the manufacturing standpoint.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic record changer employing the same fundamental construction as the. so-called center post drop record changer but which is capable of playing the disk-type records from both faces thereof with the addition of a minimum of parts to the heretofore used center post drop record changer.

It is a feature of the present invention to provide an improved record changer with control means whereby the records may be played only on one face thereof or on both faces together with means whereby the playing of any record or any face may be rejected or repetition of any record or of any face may be obtained with reference to the playing thereof.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide new and improved means for effecting the necessary reversal in rotation of the record when played from its opposite sides, such means also serving to support the record when played from one side and to transfer the record to its position for playing on the other side.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved record changer capable of playing'both sides of a disk record without reversing of the record and while employing but a single tone arm.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds and the features of novelty which characterize this invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. l is a top view of an automatic phonograph embodying the present invention with the tone arm indicated in a position free of the records, which position it would assume during a record changing cycle and with twelve inch records disposed in the record stack;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the phonograph shown in Fig. 1 taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a. bottom view of the automatic record Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on line 1-1 of Fig. 5;

Fig. '8 is an enlarged view partly in" section taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 is a side elevational-.view-,.-partly-in-sec-- tion of the tone arm of Fig. 1;. looking: int the.

direction of the arrow 9-9 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 10 is a development of a-cam associated with each roller assembly of the presentsinvemtion; and

Figs. 11,. l2-and 13 are perspective views illustrating various. operating. positions of the. automaticv phonograph. of the present. invention while playing both sides. of" a"v succession. of records stacked" above the turntable thereofl I Referring now to thetdra'wi'ngs; there is" illustrated an automatic phonograph lfl having a base member H which servesas'the support to which the various parts of, the automatic'phono graph are assembled. This base member 6 E with the portions of the aut manc phonograph. ass'embled thereon is readily adaptable for mount:- ing in asuitable cabinet; not showmwhich cabinet" maytake any desirable'form. The automatic phonograph I to" be described hereinafter is capable of being mounted in" any cabinet in which the heretofore center drop type of recordchanger capable of playing" only one side of a record was mounted, since the base plate ll to which all theparts of; the automatic phonograph are assembled is preferably made of the same size as the basesin' prior recordv changers. As

illustrated, this base is preferably provided with a centrally located depr'ession' [2; from the center of which a suitable spindleor center post t3 extends in an upward direction. T0 ensure the desired rigidity'and to'permitmounting the center post l3 below the'1evelof the recess l2 in the base I l, the base is-provided witha channel'- shaped supporting member I' l} best shown in Figs; 3and' 5 of thedrawings; which is suitably fastened as by welding or the like tothe basemember I I. The spindleorcenter post 13 is fastened to the chann'el shaped member- Iii any desired" manner;

RECORD SUPPORTING RECORD ING MEANS Preferably this center" ost I3 is of the form disclosed in my prior c'opending application,

Serial No. 576,202, filed February $11145, now

In addition, the center post l -3 is so formed thata slight lateral displacement of the lowermost record of the recordsta'cli supported o'n the-shoul' der I'S- will cause release of this record so that' the record may slide down center' post" 13 and onto a turntable H5 rotatable'about: suitable bearing means coaxially arranged:with-respect tothe' center post- [3; Such a record. indicated at IT in Figs. 2' and 5' of: the drawings is shown as having been moved into position on:the turntable l 6: whereupon the'top'faceof this; diskrecord l 1 may be reproduced in a manner which will become apparent as the following description proceeds. A plurality of records, such as H and H", etc., is illustrated as being disposed in the record stack supported on the shoulder of the center post I3 in a manner to be described more fully hereinafter. The upper end of the spindleor center post I 2 is preferably provided with one or more movable. members ill for preventing any but the lowermost record of the record stack from being displaced laterally so as to be moved into playing position either onto thethtntable l6 where the top face thereof can be-played' or to anintermediate position which will: be described hereinafter where the bottom facethereof: can be played. The movable member. I8 is preferably pivotally mounted as indic'atedat l9 to the top of the center post l3 and is disposed in a suitable slot formed in the post l3. It will be apparent that this pivotally mounted. member [8 is arranged to permit removal of the record'sfromthe turntable it after all the records-have been movedfrornthe record stack onto the turntable without removing'the' center post l3 merely by raising the recordsta'clt from the. turntable l6 whereupon the member la'pivots about its support l9 so as not to interfere with the removal'of' the records. This a'rra ngement. forms no part'of the present invention but. is'd'isclosed' and claimed in the prior'copendin'g application referredv to above. 7

For the. purpose or further supporting thereoord stack comprising the records; IT", l'l", etc'; on the center post [3; there. extends} upwardly from. the base II and in a manner so as to be' clear of the turntable l6 and also the largest size record such as l l which mightbe disposed on the turntable 16, a vertical, hollow post or stand 22.

which houses the. periphery engaging record shown in Fig. 5 of the-drawings. Fastened'to the eccentric 26 is a rectangular shelf or record supporting member 2.! which is rotatable. in either direction with the eccentric 26 through an angle of 360 so as to be adjustablefor, and capame of; supporting either ten inch or twelve. inch disk records such as I 7., ll", etc. kickoff-head assembly such that it can be r0- tated 360, and in either direction, there is. no

likelihood of breaking or jamming due to im-- proper handling. Pivotally mounted about a.

horizontal pivot pin 28 Within po t or stand 22 is a rock arm or lever 29. This rock arm or lever 29 is provided with a slotted openingv 30 engageable with the pivot pin 28 so as to be capable of limited movement in a direction generally along the axis of the post or stand 22.

The upper end of the lever or rock arm 29'has fastened thereto a suitable sleeve 3! having a portion ofreduced cross-section 3 la which is disposed about on the level with a longitudinal re-' cess- 32 defined in the'shelf 2-1 as is best shown in Fig. '7 of the drawings. This longitudinal recess 32 is adapted to support a pair of automatic stop controlling or sensing members 33 and 34,.respectively. The automatic stop controlling member 33 comprises two laterally extcnd-ingmembersfla' With the record and 33b which are adapted to be disposed in cooperating recesses 35 formed in the shelf 21 and extending laterally from opposed edges of the recess 32. The end 330 of the stop controlling member 33 is disposed substantially at right angles to the main body portion of the member 33 as is best shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings. The other end of the member 33 is provided with a forked portion 33d which is adapted to extend on either side of the portion of reduced cross-section 3 la of the sleeve 3| so as to support the head portion 3|b of the sleeve 3| and consequently support the rock arm or lever 29. The member 34 is substantially identical with the member 33 except that it is much shorter, as is clearly apparent from Figs. 5 and 7 of the drawings. It is, however, provided With the laterally extending portions 34a and 34b which are adapted to pivotally support the member 34 in recesses 36 defined along the edges of the recess 32 in the member 21. Also the member 34 is provided with an upwardly extending portion 34c which is adapted to extend above the level of the shelf or ledge 21 so as to be engageable by the bottommost record such as H of th record stack. The member 34 is also provided with a forked end 34d for engaging the portion of reduced cross-section 3| 1) of the sleeve 3| fastened to the rock arm 29. The end 33d of the member 33 is adapted to extend beneath the forked end 34d of the member It will be apparent that, whenever a record is resting on the edge of the ledge 21, such record will engage either the portion 340 of the member 34 or the portion 330 of the member 33, depending upon whether ten inch or twelve inch records are supported in the record stack, thereby moving the sleeve 3| and consequently the rock arm or lever 29 to an uppermost position. the purpose of which will be described in greater detail hereinafter in connection with the automatic stopping means for the phonograph. It is apparent that, when no record is resting on the ledge 21, the weight of the rock arm 29 causes it to bias the levers or members 33 and 34 about their pivotal supporting means disposed in the recesses 35 and 36, respectively, so as to permit the rock arm 29 to move to a lower position, which might be referred to as a functioning position. Although the ledge 21 is shown in Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings as turned to the position for supporting twelve inch records, it will be understood that rotation of the eccentric 26 relative to the post 22 will cause the end of the ledge 21 adacent the portion 330 of the member 33 to be in position to support the peripheral edges of ten inch records.

For the purpose of moving the lowermost record such as H laterally sufficiently to be free of the ledge l5, there is provided an ejector plate ll! disposed on the ledge 21 and reciprocally movable relative thereto. As illustrated in Fig. 6 of the drawings, the ejector plate 40 is provided with an opening through which the sleeve 3| extends. The eiector plate 43 is also provided with notches or cutaway portions such as 400: so as not to interfere with the portions 330 and 360 of the members 33 and 34, respectively. It will be a parent that pivotal movement of the rock arm 29 about the pivot 28 will cause reciprocal movement of the ejector plate 40. The ends of the ejector plate 40 are shaped so as to have a slightly concave form as indicated at 401) and 400 so as to engage the peripheral edge of either a ten inch or a twelve inch record, respectively, supported on the ledge 21 depending upon the particular position of the ledge 21. With the arrangement described,

the assembly operation is very simpl since the parts are merely laid in their various interrelated positions without the requirement of any fastening means or the like. For example, th members 33 and 34 are positioned in the recesses defined in the ledge 21 following the pivotal mounting of the rock arm 29 in the post 22. Subsequently, the ejector plate is positioned on the ledge so that th sleeve 3| extends through the openin 40d defined therein.

For the purpose of holding the parts described above in position, a suitable cap 12 is provided which may be suitably supported from the ledge 21. Preferably, the cap 42 is provided with a slot 420. in which is pivotally mounted a member 33 having a roller M at the free end thereof for engaging the topmost record of the record stack to steady the same and, consequently, better support the record stack on the center post l3. The roller M is preferably formed of resilient material such as rubber or the like. A suitable leaf spring 35 disposed in the cap or casing 42 is adapted to engage with one of the edges 43a or 43b of the member 43, as best shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings, so as to cause the member 44 to be biased into firm engagement with the topmost record of the record stack.

In order to position the shelf 21 properly for supporting both ten inch and twelve inch records, the eccentric 26 is provided around its periphery with a pair of notches such as 41 which are engageable by a suitable roller 48 mounted on a lever :39. Suitable spring means are provided to bias the lever it and, consequently, the roller 43 into engagement with the surface of the eccentric 26 so as to maintain it in either its position for ten inch records or its position for twelve inch records. The lever is fastened to a rod 53 which is rotatable in suitable bearings defined in ears ill and 52 extending from the post 22 in a lateral direction, as is best shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. The eccentric shape of the eccentric 26 causes a predetermined rotation of the member 53 depending upon whether ten inch or twelve inch records are positioned on the record stack. The lower end of the rod is provided with a lateral extension 53a which is disposed between two upwardly extending arms 53a and 53b of a member 53 which is mounted for reciprocal movement to the underside of the base as by means of pin and slot connections or the like indicated at 3 i-54a and 5555a in Fig. 8 of the drawings. A suitable spring 53 is provided having one end connected to the reciprocal member 53, as, for example, to a downwardly extending portion 33c thereof, while the other end is connected to an extension of the pin 53 depending from the base ll. This pin 54 extends through the slot 53a to control the reciprocal movement of the member 53.

The end of the member 53 remote from the lever or rotatable shaft 50 is provided with a trough-shaped cam 58, the purpose of which will become apparent as the following description proceeds. From the. above description, it will be apparent that, when the ledge or shelf 21 is rotated to support twelve inch records. the eccentric causes the trough-shaped cam 58 to be moved to a position farthest away from the stand or post 22, while, when the shelf or ledge 21 is moved to the position to support ten inch records, the trough-shaped cam 58 is moved to a position closest to the post 22. As will become apparent from the following description the trou h-shaped cam 53 is adapted to control the positioning of aeamao the tone armto bedescribed-hereinafter-so asto engage the initial sound groove of either a ten inch or a twelve inch record depending upon the size of the records in the record stack on the center post is andconsequently in dependence upon-the position of the eccentric 26 associated with the record supporting ledge 2?.

It will be understood that a record feeding operation occurs when the lever'orrock arm 29 pivots about its pivotal support 2am a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 5 of the drawings, whereby the ejector plate 40, regardless of whether the ledge 2'1 isin a position for supporting ten or twelve inch records, is moved in a reciprocal manner to move the lowermost record in the record stack free of the shoulder l5. For the purpose of operating the rock arm or lever 29 in this manner to produce a record feeding operation, there is provided a U-shaped frame Gil-depending from the base i l for pivotally supportinga shaft or pivotal member H having a laterally extending portion (lid for supporting a roller Extending upwardly from the pivotal member iii is an extension Slb having a sawcut 6 lo therein. A suitable extension (lid of the pivotally mounted member Si is connected by means of a spring $4 to a V-shaped extension 68a ex-- tending laterally from the U-shaped frame 68 as is shown at in Fig. 8 of the drawings. This spring normally biases the pivotally mounted member 6! ina clockwise direction, as viewed in 5 of the drawings, so as to bias the roller 62 downwardly.

In accordance with the present invention the roller 52 is adapted to control the record feeding operation through movement of the reel: 29. To relate the roller 52 with the rock arm there is provided a leaf spring member 56 having a forked end engaging with a forked end 2911. of the rock arm 29. The other end of the leaf sprin is inserted in th sawcut (lie of the extension 8 lb of the pivotal member 6! and fa."- tened thereto in any suitable manner. With this arrangement, it is apparent that, if the roller 62 is moved upwardly as viewed in Fig. 5 of the drawings, force will be transmitted through the leaf spring 65 to the rock arm 29' to cause pivotal movement in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 5 of the drawings. A record feeding operation will consequently be produced whenever the roller -32 is raised as viewed in Fig. 5 of the drawings. It is furthermore apparent that by virtue of the leaf spring 66 it is possible to block movement of the rock arm 29 to prevent a record feeding operation without damage to the mechanism even though the roller 62* were raised and movement of pivotal member 55 occurred against the bias of spring 54.

TONE ARM AND CGNTROLS THEREFGR Also extend ng above the base ii of the automatic phonograph id of the present invention is a suitable tone arm l6 wh ch is adapted to support one or more pickup units in the free end thereof for engaging the sound grooves provided in records such as H, ii and the like. In order that the automatic phonograph of the present invention is capable of playing both sides of the disk records associated therewith, the tone arm 1*!) is illustrated as being provided with an up wardly extending stylus "ii and a downwardly extending stylus 72. The upwardly extending stylus l! is adapted to engage the underside of a suitable record for playing p rposes, while the downwardly extending stylus, in a manner well understood by those in the art, is adapted to engage the sound groove in a record positioned on the turntable 6. It should be understood that each stylus 'II and (2 may be a part of a single pickup unit or a separate pickup unit may be associated with each stylus. The par-1 ticular construction'of the pickup units and styli forms no part of the present invention.

As is best shown in Figs. 2 and 9 of the drawings the tone arm Til is pivoted for vertical movement about a horizontal pivot '13 extending through a pair of upwardly extending ears 14a of a collar l fastened to a vertically extending rotatable shaft '15. The rotatable shaft 75 is preferably a tubular shaft which is supported by the collar M: rotating on a raised portion l6 which might comprise an integral portion of'the base i i. The lower end of the tubular shaft 15' is effectively connected. to a mechanism generally indicated at l? in Figs. 2 and 8 of the drawings comprising a secondary tone arm '18 including an extension 18a and an adjustable trip actuating member l fe. The end of the secondary tone arm it includes a pin or cam follower T9. The mechanism 7? forms no part of the present invention but is disclosed and claimed in my prior copendin application, serial No. 699,961, filed September 28, 19%, now abandoned, and assigned to the same assignee as the present application.

Extending through the vertical tubular tone arm shaft is is a tone arm raise pin 53%) which operates in the conventional manner to raise the tone arm '56 at a predetermined instant during the record changing cycle subsequently to lower the tone arm onto the particular record in playing position on the turntable it or to raise the tone err. '53 into engagement with the under side of the particular record, the underside of which is being played as will be in greater detail hereinafter. Fastened to the upper end of the raise pin 88 is a laterally extending member am having an adjustable means such as a screw 82 associated therewith. The d and of the adjustable means 82 is adapted to engage with a lever also pivotally mounted about the. pivot l3 and biased by suitable spring means 8! to a predetermined downward position. The spring means 3! is connected from an intermed?ate point Sia of the tone arm to the lever 88 as is best shown Fig. {l of the drawings. The end of the lever 83 is adapted to engage a stop ma normally to limit the downward movement of the tone arm. The spring 8; is capable of producing the desired upward force for causing the stylus ii to engage the sound groove on the underside of a record as will become appar ent as the following description proceeds. If desired, an additional sprin 8i may be provided connected between the collar 'i l and the tone arrn ill to help support the weight thereof. The

adjustable means 82 is adapted to engage the lever 83 to raise the tone arm '5'} in any desired manner. l'he lever 83 and the resilient means 85 biasing the same in a downward direction against the stop l lo tend to cushion the tone arm in its upward movement when stylus "H is effective while the spring 8 E tends U0 cushion the downward movement of the tone arm iiwhen the stylus H is effective.

It will be understood that the construction of the tone arm raise pin 8"? per se forms no part of the present invention and any suitable means for accomplishing the purpose may be provided. Preferably, the laterally extending member a is provided with a vertica' extension 80b movable in a vertical groove in the collar I4 thereby properly relating the lever 80a with the shaft '55, while at the same time permitting reciprocal movement thereof in a vertical direction in response to movement of the tone arm raise pin 80.

MAIN CONTROL CAlVl' For the purpose of actuating the cam follower I9 of the secondary tone arm l8 and the tone arm raise pin 80, there is provided a main rotatable cam generally deisgnated at 85 which is substantially identical in every respect with the rotatable cam disclosed and claimed in copendng application, Serial No. 616,879, Endo, filed December 1'7, 1945, now abandoned, and assigned to the same assignee as the present application. As illustrated, the cam 85 is mounted for rotation on a stationary vertical shaft generally designated at 85 which has one end thereof supported from the base ii. Preferably, the other end of the shaft 86 is supported from a suitable plate 01 disposed beneath the rotatable cam 35 and suitably supported from the base I! by a series of depending pins or bolts designated at 88, 88a, etc.

The rotatable cam is provided around its periphery with gear teeth 85a adapted to engage a rotatable pinion 89 which is driven at suitable times during a record changing cycle so as to a 90 in Fig. 3 of the drawings, supported from the base II. The particular construction of the motor 90 forms no part of the present invention but is preferably of the type disclosed and claimed in a copending application of Earle W. Ballentine, Serial No. 711,694, filed November 22, 1946, now Patent No. 2,492,207, and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention. This motor 90 also drives the turntable I5 by suitable friction wheels, not shown, one of which is adapted to engage the rim of the turntable IE. The mechanism for controlling the drive of the turntable I6 and the pinicn 89 forms no part of the present invention but is disclosed and claimed in my copending application, Serial No. 535,218, filed jointly with Earle W. Ballentine on May 12, 1944, now Patent No. 2,480,623, and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention. The power supplied to the motor 90 from any suitable source of electrical energy, not shown, is preferably controlled by a suitable switch BI supported from the underside of the base I I.

The rotatable cam 85 is provided with an edge or rim portion 92 which forms a horizontally disposed cam surface for controlling the tone arm raise pin 630 during the record changing cycle. The top surface of the rim 92 is provided with a portion of reduced height 92a defining a dwell portion for normally controlling the tone arm raise pin during the operation of the automatic phonograph when the cam 85 remains stationary. The rotatable cam 85 also includes a cam track for the cam follower 19, a larg portion of which is defined between a raised portion 93 on the upper surface of the cam 85 and the rim portion 92. A portion of the cam track for the cam follower I9 is also defined between a slidable member 94, best shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings, and either the rim 02 or the raised this cam track and, consequently, controls the position of the tone arm "I0 so as to move it clear of the turntable or back into playing engagement with the records in playing position either on the turntable or in the position to be described hereinafter whereby the under surface of the record may be played. The slidable member or segment 94 controls the initial positioning of the tone arm relative to the record in playing position whether it be on the turntable or in the position assumed when the underside of the record is being played, but in either case in dependence upon whether a ten inch or twelve inch record is involved. The slidable member 94 is provided. with an upwardly extending pin 95 which is adapted to be engaged by the troughshaped cam 58 for moving the slidable member 94 either to the position shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings whereby the cam follower I9 moves the tone arm to the initial position for playing twelve inch records or to a position against the rim 9| so as to position the tone arm for playing ten inch records. In view of the detailed description included above with reference to the trough-shaped cam 58, it is apparent that, depending upon the size of the records supported on the record stack, the trough-shaped cam 58 is moved to a predetermined position so as properly to position the slidable member 94 during the record changing cycle whereby the tone arm 10 is subsequently positioned to engage the initial sound groove of the record in playing position whether the record be a ten inch or a twelve inch record.

MANUAL CONTROL MEANS In addition to the elements described thus far, extending upwardly from the base I I and consequently extending into the view of the operator, there are provided two manual control buttons 91 and 98, respectively. The manual control button 98 comprises the conventional control button heretofore employed in automatic phonographs of the type disclosed in the copending applications referred to above. This button 98 may be used to turn off the phonograph, to selectively pre-set the mechanism for manual or automatic operation when this button is moved to the on position or to cause rejection of any record that is moved into playing position whether it be moved to the playing position on the turntable or to the playing position for playing the underside of the record as will be brought out in greater detail hereinafter. The function of the control button 98 will be briefly described in connection with the mechanism which it actuates for the purpose of a complete disclosure, although it forms no part of the present invenion.

Referring now to the underside of the base II, as best shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, it may be observed that the button 08 is connected to a. crank 99 having a pin I00 engageable with a slot I 0 I a in a manually actuatable lever I0 I, which lever is pivotally mounted to the base II as indicated at I02. This lever IN is provided with a plurality of notches I03 and I04 engageable with a. pin I05 which acts as a positioning means. The pin I05 is mounted on a lever I06 suitably biased by means of a spring l0! into engagement with the notched portions I03 and I04 of the lever IOI. Lever IN is also provided with a projection l0lb which actuates the switch 9|, which switch is provided with a suitable movable arm 9m engageable with the portion I0 I b of the lever I thereby cutting off the power supplied to the motor 90 from a suitable source, not shown, when the button 93 is moved to the off position shown in Fig. l of the drawings. Lever I0! also includes an extension IilIc controlling a bellcrank I 08 which when button 98 is moved to the off position moves the friction drive for the turntable I6 and the pinion 89 to an inoperative position.

When the button 98 is moved to the on position, the drive between the motor at and the pinion 89 is rendered eiiective dependent, however, upon suitable releasable or latching means forming no part of the present invention, which means control the initiation of the record changing cycle. This releasable means includes a trip lever Hi9 pivotally mounted to the base II and when this trip lever Itl: is actuated it in turn moves a lever i it to release the latching mechanism whereby the drive between the motor 90 and the cam 85 is rendered effective. When the button 98 is moved to the reject position, the end Iiiid of the lever ltli engages the trip lever I39 so as immediately to actuate or initiate the record changing cycle regardless of the position of the tone arm ill relative to the record being played. When it is desired to play only a single record which is placed on the turntable, generally referred to as a manual operation of the automatic phonograph, the button 98 is turned to the on position and, as will become apparent from the following description, the phonograph will play this one record and stop with the tone arm it free of the record as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings so a new record can be manually positioned on the turntable. It isapparent that, when the automatic phonograph of the present invention is operated for manual operation, it is unnecessary to employ the stylus ii on the upper side of the tone arm ill since the record can be positioned on the turntable with the proper face upwardly to play that side. It is only when the phonograph is arranged for automatic operation with a plurality of records on the record stack and it is desired to play the faces of the-records in succession that the means to be described hereinafter for playing the underside of the records by means of the stylus II is'employed.

AUXILIARY CONTROL CAM AND ASSOCIATED MECHANISM In order that the ejector mechanism described in detail above may be actuated at the proper time during a record changing cycle to release a record from the record stack, either into the playing position where the underside thereof may be played to be described hereinafter or onto the turntable where the upper side thereof may be played, in synchronized relationship with the tone arm it, there is provideda cam, generally designated in Fig. 4 of the drawings by the reference numeral I it, which might be designated as an auxiliary cam, the purpose of which is to provide an operating cycle which requires two-revolutions of the main control cam 85. As illustrated, the cam H5, to be described in greater detail hereinafter, is fastened to the underside of the cam 85 so as also to be rotatable about the shaft 86. Like the main cam 85, the auxiliary cam I I is always adapted to rotate in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings and indicated by the arrows thereon. The auxiliary cam H5 is provided with a crescent-shaped cam follower H6 connected to a link H'I. As will become apparent from the following descrip- 12 tion, rotation of the cam H5 causes reciprocal movement of the link Ill, a complete cycle of the link Ill being completed once for every two revolutions of the cam I it As is best shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, the cam H5 comprises two curvilinear cam tracks H8 and H9. The cam track iil has a large diameter than the cam track ME) and substantially surrounds the latter except for a common or discontinuous portion 528 of these two cam tracks. In the common portion of these two cam tracks E E8 and i It there is provided a switch I2I having a cam track IEI defined therein. This switch iii is mounted for limited pivotal movement, with the extreme counter-clockwise rotated position thereof being shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings. To limit the extreme positions, the switch I2! is provided with a notch or cutaway portion I2Ea, the ends of which engage with a pin i2lb disposed in the auxiliary cam H5. It will be apparent that the switch IZI may rotate in a clockwise direction to a position whereby the right-hand end of the notch IEIa engages the pin I251).

Due to the counter-clockwise rotation of the cam M5, the left-hand end of the switch track MI is always adapted to receive the 'leadingtip Ilfiu of the cam follower H8 when the cam follower Hi3 effectively moves from one cam track such as H9 to the other cam track H8 or vice versa. The leading portion i Itc of the camfollower H6 is so shaped that upon entering the switch track l2! it causes it to pivot to its other position, thereby ensuring the effective transfer of the cam follower from one cam track tothe other.

It will be apparent that with this arrangement the cam follower I It causes the link I I! to reciprocate substantially along the axis of the link to complete a cycle of reciprocal movement once during every two revolutions of the cam H5. Assuming rotation of the cam I I5 from the position shown in Fig. 4, it will be apparent that the switch track iii will be moved so that the leadend Hta of the cam follower H6 will enter the track IZI'. Continued rotation of the cam H5 will cause the switch track I12! to move into alignment with the end of the cam track H8 adjacent the right-hand end of the track I2I. Continued rotation of the cam I it will cause the cam track H8 to control the cam follower H6 whereby the link Hi moves along its axis in a direction toward the right as viewed in Fig. 4 of the drawings. Upon the completion of another revolution of the cam H5, the leading end Hfia of the cam follower H6 again effectively enters the cam traclr IZI' which now disposed in its other position from that shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings. Continued rotation of the cam H5 will move the switch I'ZI back to the position shown in Fig, 4 so that the second revolution of the cam I I5 may be completed with the cam follower HB eifectively moving back into the cam track H9.

In accordance with the present invention, the reciprocal movement of the link Ill is adapted to control the record feeding operation as by causing reciprocal movement of the ejector plate 48 through pivotal movement of the rock arm or lever 29. Accordingly, the lin IE! is connected to a link I23 as by means of a pin I24. The pin I24 is also connected to a segmental member I25 mounted for pivotal movement about a pivotal support which preferably comprises the pin 88 depending from the base I I. It

will be apparent that, by virtue of the pivotal movement of the segmental member I25, the junction point of the links II! and I23 tends to move about the pin 88 in an arcuate manner. In order to guide the ends of the link I23 remote from the point of connection with the link ill, it is provided with an elongated slot I23a. A slidable plate 52? is adapted to be mounted for sliding movement along the angular portion of the laterally disposed frame extension tile. This slidable plate I2! has a downwardly projecting finger ifila which is adapted to be disposed within the longitudinal slot 223a in the link 23. A suitable spring finger l28 fastened to the frame til is provided with a suitable detent 528a for engaging with a plurality of openings formed in the slidable plate I27 whereby the slidable plate 22? may be selectively positioned in a plurality of positions.

Extending upwardly from the link I23 and preferably formed by integral upset portions thereof is a pair of cams I29 and Hit, respectively. The cam H9 is in the form of a sawtooth having closely adjacent cam surfaces terminating substantially in a point. The cam 35, on the other hand, is provided with an angularly disposed cam surface portion at the end remote from the junction point between the links Ill and 23 connected to an elongated cam surface portion providing a substantially horizontal surface. Th se cams I29 and [til are adapted to selectively engage the roller t2 so as to perform a record feeding operation. Sliding movement of the plate 52? is controlled through manipulation of the button d? which is connected to the sliding plate till by means of a crank I3l and a rod B32 best shown in Figs. 3 and 8 of the drawings. When the button fl? is moved to the position marked 2 in Fig. l of the drawings, the cam IE3 is rendered effective by being disposed beneath the roller 52. When the button ill is moved to the position shown in Fig. l of the drawings marked 1, the sliding plate i2? is moved to the position shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings so that the cam I29 is disposed directly beneath the roller 52. When the button 9i is moved to the repeat position, the sliding plate 521 and consequently the link I23 is moved to the left, as viewed in Fig. 8 of the drawings, sufficiently so that both of the cams I29 and I35 are to the left of the roller 62 whereby they are both ineffective to cause a record feeding operation.

It will be apparent that reciprocal movement of the link I23 guided by the extension of the plate l2! movable in the elongated slot H2311 will, when the cam 5353 is effective, cause the roller 62 to be raised and consequently to move the ejector plate to release the bottommost record from the record stack on the center post l3. Due to the fact that two revolutions of the main cam 85 are required to produce one cycle of the link 23, it will be apparent that during one cycle of the cam 85 a record is released from the record stack but during a second cycle of the cam 85 no record is released since the roller 82 remains in the raised position on the cam I30 and is not permitted to drop down to the position shown in Fig. 5 of drawings until the end of the second cycle. It will be apparent that with this arrangement both sides of the record moved from the record stack will be played before another record is released and, consequently, the numeral 2 associated with the button 91 refers to the fact that both sides of therecord are played.

When only one side of a record is to be played, the button 91 is removed to the position shown in Fig. l of the drawings whereupon the cam I29 is rendered effective. Due to the leading and trailing cam surfaces on the cam E29, it is apparent that the roller 62 is raised to release a record by operation of the ejector plate ll] when the link E30 is moved away from the center of the earns and H5 and the trailing surface of this cam permits the roller 62 to move downwardly immediately following raising thereof. During the next cycle of the cam 85 when the link I23 moves toward the center of the cams 85 and H5 the process is repeated. In other words, a record is released from the record stack for every cycle of the cam 85 thereby causing playing on only one side of the disk records. When the button Ell is moved to the repeat position shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, neither the cams I25) or. I32 is operable to cause movement of the roller 62 and; consequently, no record is released. This means that the record moved into playing position on the turntable I6 will be replayed.

MECHANISM FOR SUPPORTING RECORDS SO THE UNDERSIDE THEREOF CAN BE PLAYED In order that the bottom side of the disk record may be played by the upwardly extending stylus ll of the tone arm '10, it is necessary that the record be supported for rotation in a first playing position above the tone arm to. To this end, there is provided a plurality of substantially identical roller assemblies use, each comprising a roller Hill which is rotatably mounted on stationary horizontal shaft MI. Each horizontal shaft MI is connected to a rotatable and vertically movable vertical shaft I42 by means of a suitable connecting means I43. Preferably, the

vertical shaft H42 extends into a suitable opening provided in the connecting member M3 and the horizontal shaft I lI acts as a set screw engaging suitable threads formed in the member I43 to clamp the vertical member M2 in position in the member I43 thereby providing a rigid,

easily united assembly.

Each roller I40 is preferably formed of resilient material such as rubber or the like and is freely rotatable on its associated horizontal shaft MI. As illustrated in the drawings, the vertical shafts I42 are adapted to be mounted for rotation in suitable sleeve-like bearings I38 extending above the base I I at spaced points around the periphery of the turntable it. These sleeve-like bearings I38 are preferably adapted to extend through openings in the base H for threaded engagement with a plurality of stationary sleeves I 44 each forming a part of one roller assembly I39 for controlling vertical movement of the associated vertical shaft I42. The lower end of each vertical shaft or rod M2 extends into its associated sleeve Hi4 beneath the base ll. In order to guide the lower end of the rod or shaft M2 in the sleeve I44, disk-like piston members I45 are fastened for reciprocal movement with the rods I42 within the sleeves HM. Each sleeve E44 is provided with an L-shaped slot l i la defined therein, which slot comprises a vertical portion M422 and a horizontal portion IMc connected with the upper end of the vertical portion I442). A suitable pin I41 fastened to the vertically movable and rotatable rod or shaft I42 is adapted to be disposed, within the slot I44a memes of 'L-shaped configuration. It will be apparent that, if the pin I4! is moved upwardly in the vertical portion'of the L-shaped slot Hula/the rollers M are raised a predetermined amount above the base I'I. When-the pin I i? reaches the top of the verticalportion of the L-shaped slot N ta, it may be moved along the horizontal portion M le of this slot whereby'the rollers M l are adapted to be rotated from the'position shown insolid'linesin Fig. 1 of the drawings to the posi tion shown in dotted lines in Fig. 'l'of the drawings. With this arrangement, it is impossible for the rollers to pivot about the vertical shafts M2 from the solid positions of Fig. 1 to the dotted positions or vice versa unless the vertical shafts M2 are raised to their-uppermost position to'permit the pin I47 to moveinto the horizontal po;'- tion 1440 of the L-shaped slot ram.

For the purpose of causing vertical movement ofithe rollers I' lilta's .well as pivotal-movement of the vertical shafts Hi2, each of the roller assem- 1311881 39113ZDlOVldBd'Wlth arotatable sleeve I48 adapted to be concentrically positioned with reference'to the sleeve M4 as is best shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. The rotatable sleeve I48 is provided with an opening Mac, best shown in the developed View in 10 of the drawings, one boundary of which defines an inclined cam surface I49. Rotation of the external sleeve I48 will cause the associated pin Ml to move upward ly along the cam surface M9 so as to raise the shaft I42 until the pin I' l! enters thehorizontal portion I I=lc of the L-shaped slot Mac in the innersleeve M l. Continued rotation of the outer sleeve M8 when the .pin I 4! has .reached the upper end of'the inclined cam surface I49 causes thepin tomove into thehorizontal slot m le in theinner sleeve M4 to cause pivotal movement of the shafti l2. The upper end of the cam surface Ida, best shown in Fig. 10 of the drawings, terminates in a notch 2583 for receiving the pin 94?. Rotation of the outer sleeve I48 in either direction while the pin M? isdisposed in the notch I53 will cause the pin I l: to move in either direction along the horizontal portion I' 'Mc of the L-shaped slot 1a.

From the above-description, it will be apparent that a very simple mechanism is provided for causing vertical movement of the shafts M32 as wellas pivotalmovement thereof controlled entirely by movement of the rotatable outer sleeve lt'is apparent that the three rollers M8 of the roller assemblies I39 must be simultaneously rendered effective or ineffective to support a record above the turntable and to this end each of the sleeves I48 is provided at .its lower end with a gear or sprocket I52. Preferably these sprockets I52 are suitably welded or otherwise fastened to the rotatable outer sleeves MS and are interconnected by any suitable driving means as, for example, the metallic belt I53, provided with perforations I54. for engaging the teeth of the sprockets I52.

The outer sleeves I48 with the attached sprockets E52 are preferably maintained in rotatable position on the inner sleeves I44 by means of annular members I56 fastened to the sleeves M4 by suitable set screws or the like. To provide rigidity and additional support'for the lower ends of the inner sleeves I 44, the annular members I56 are preferably interconnected by suitable rods I51 which may be threaded into the annular members or fastened thereto in any suitable member. Preferably the annular'members I56 are 16 fastened to the rods 15! to forma unit which is then slipped onto the lower ends of the :inner sleeves I44 and fastened thereto.

ROLLER ASSEMBLY OPERATING .MECHA- NISM It will be understood that only when it is desired to play both sides'of a disk record is it necessary for the rollers I40 to be moved to a position for supporting a disk record inthemanner indicated in Fig. 13 0f the drawings. Consequently, it is only when the button 97 is moved to position 2 that the rollers I40 should be in other than the position indicated in solid lines in Fig. 1 of the drawings. To this end, the outer sleeve I44 of one of the three roller assemblies such, for example, as the outer sleeve I44 of the roller assembly adjacent the stand 22 isprovided with a gear I60 integrally formed with the sleeve I44 adjacent the lower end thereof, which gear is adapted to :be engaged with a segmental gear -I6I pivotally mounted about the pin 88 depending from the base I I.

The segmental gear .1 SI is provided with an extension I GIa which is adapted to be engaged with a shoulder IGZa on a link I62 pivotally mounted as indicated at I54 to the plate 81 for supporting the rotatable cam 85 as described above. When the shoulder I52a of the link or lever I62 is in engagement with the extension I Glen of the segmental gear EBI, as indicated in Fig. 8 of the drawings, the segmental gear IGI is maintained in a stationary position. To control the position of the lever or link I62, it is connected by means of a rod I65 with the crank I3I fastened to the manual control buton 9?. When the controlbutton is moved to the 1 position, as shown in the drawings, the shoulder IE2 is in engagement with the extension I6Ia of the segmental gear I6I whereby the segmental gear cannot operate and the rollers I40 are maintained in their solid line positions shown in Fig. lof the drawings. The end of the rod I65 extends into an elongated slot I622; in the link I62 so that, even when the button ill is moved to the repeat position, the link I52 remains in the position shown in Figs. 3 and 8 of the drawings effectively locking the segmental gear IBI in the position shown. The slot IfiZb merely provides a lost motion connection to permit movement of the button 91 to the repeat position without changing the position of lever When the button 91 is moved. to the 2 position, the rod I65 causes the link I62 to move so that it is free of the extension IGIa of the segmental gear IBI whereupon pivotal movement of the segmental gear ISI about pivot pin 88 is possible. Under these conditions, the segmental gear IGI is adapted to be driven by the segment I25 by means of a pin IGB extending upwardly from the segmental gear I6I. The segment I25 is provided with a spring biased dog I69 pivotally mounted thereto by means generally designated as I '30. A suitable spring normally biases the dog I69 against a stop I'II which is preferably an upset portion of the segment I25. A plurality of cars I73 is provided on the dog I89 for selectively holding the end of the tension spring I72 and variably controlling the tension thereof. The end of the dog I69 is adapted to engage the pin I68 and if the gear segment IGI is free to pivot about pin 88 the dog I69 causes the segment I25 and the segmental gear ISI to move as a unit. When the shoulder I52a efiectively locks the gear segment I 6| in the position shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings, the dog 169- is adapted to-slip' bm the pin it during reciprocal movement of the links 1:11

and l23. The segment R is provided withl-an exe tension rree which engagesth'e pinv IGBitoreturnthe gearsegment it i to its initial position, shown.

in Fig. 8 of the drawings, with the segment 125. when thegear segment it! haspivotedtotts maXimu-mextent in a counterclockwise direction about the pin-Mi es viewed in Fig. 8 (tithe-draws. ings. The gearsegment. it! is also. :provided with a downwardly depending stopornshoulder member liilb which may comprise a downwardly extending pin or an integral portion such as-is illustrated. in the drawings. :This. downwardly IeXe: tending shoulder ltlb is adapted to :control-the tone arm when the underside of a diskrecordsisbeingplayed as will be described hereinafter-. 3..

It will be apparent. that. when the. underside ofa record is to be .playedby the stylus .1 l =oftthe tone arm it, a reverse rotation oftherecordzmust; be provided as contrasted with the? rotationoirthe': record on the turntable. when reproductionitheree of is obtained by: the stylus 712.; The-rollers 114.9 are ad-aptedto engage the-turntable lli-oroanys records disposed thereon.Wherebyzrotation-oi such rollers is obtained. 1 If a record IV' were. dis-a posed. on the upper portionsxof; theqrolrlers r149: when they are in engagement. with. the turntable or any records disposedonithe turntable it as inf-idioatedinFig. .13, then it is obvious thatzsu'ch record li' willi rotate :in a direction. oppositewto the .directiona'oi rotation of the record 1.12011 the.

turntable.--

TONE ARM CONTROL MEANS From'the above discussion, it is apparentqthat; the tone arm '70- must efiectively assume :three; positions solely with respectto the verticahduring: the operation of the record changen. First :of all,-when the-stylus is in engagement." witl'r the upper surface of. a record disposedzon the turntable it, it is necessary for the tonesarm' toi have what might be defined as va lowermost position indicated in Fig. 11 of. the...drawings; Also, the tone arm musthave an intermediate position when it is outzof :ensagementxwith :the. record on the turntable and alsosoutxof1iengage ment with a record disposed' on .theirollerstgMfl as .is show-n in Figs. 51 and 12; foreXampleI':..In addition, .the tone arm. must :have a .third post-r.

tion: for engaging thetundersideofthe:dislrrece ord'for reproduction thereof in thepmanner disel closed ins-Fig. 1310f the. drawings. To \aocome; plisn thisv purposes-the tone armt-raisenp'nzlln: does not engage the rim new the cam .85: asin: 11d automatic. phonographs disclosed inprthe -5. pending applications .referred: lie-above. Instead. however, there is provided a ;pivotal;.assembly lfill which is :pivotally mounted toza suitab e'u shaped bracket It i: fastened" to: the underside of: the base li.- The U-shaped bracket .lillhasrlatr erally. extending portfons l 182 .iorssupporting -the pivot pin I63 for the pivotal assembly jail-n .The pivotal assembly I80 includes a finger 180a .supporting a pin I84 adaptedto rideaon-thenrirn tltof the cam. 85. Inraddit-ion. tllEJPiVQt3l-fa8a3ff sembly 580 includes .a finger. 18219 for. suDHQrte ing-the bottom end. of the tonearmsrai'sempin 8% With the portion .otthe. pivotal :assembly described thus far two ofthe threepositionsrbf.

the. tone arm TN areiobtained. H-WhenLQthe-Qin; 812. is on the W611 portion; 5920. of the :rim 92-;.,t he ii: thepivotaleassembly Boris-in itslowermost 1305i? tion, :as. shown iniFigli 2 ;of:;thei-;drawings,y

most :position-shownin-Fig; 11' ,so that the stylus;

lzzis .ireertocensage the grooves defined in the upper-surface:ofzthenrecord such as iron the. turntable-1M: When they cam tt-rotates so thatv t hei;pin;-;1.84 moves onto-theihighest portion-oil theerim.;8= 2,a thenthe tone-.arm-raiserpin is movedso; thatgthie tonesxarm'. ll); assumes an. intermediv ateiposition, :suchgas is illustrated in Fig. 12. of v the drawings, which; is the position assumed by; thartoneoarm-atnall times when: it is notin en aaementwith Leithercthe upper surface or the}; undersurface of a record in one of the. two plays. ingiposili'iohsa: .1113 this intermediate position of theztoneaarmxw,:theadiustalole means 82. 1 in ene asement' -withthe-lever 83;and the weightof thetonesuarmtpis supported by the means 32; Whenvtherleverthis pivoted away from the stop its; thenthe sprin 8 l t is itensioned and. ur es thertone armupwardly to::engage the stylus; 1| amiithe underside ofxa record; Thespring 8.? is a counter-balance spring for the tone arm :11?!) adjust the playing. pressure otthe stylus or needle 12 so that the weight is proper when the tone arm comes down. to the top surface of a record. Tomontrolthetone arm in its uppermost po-i sition indicated iniFig. 13 of the drawings..=the pivotal assembly 186-" is provided with: an up-e wardly 'extendingzportion;1800 which is 0011-. neotedntd-a lever l8? througha rod I85: and a suitablelost motion connection which may coma prisea pairof displaced nutsiBS and .189: disa-v posedionrtherod when either side of an openeing, in. :the .pivotally: mounted lever l8"! through whicnthe .rodABE-extends: The lever-or. link I811: iszalso pivoted aboutv the t in .88 preferably;

nsethxrthesegmental gear 55!. The down: wardly. deoen inashoulder. l 6 lb of the segment tail-gear; .Hil is ada ted toengaeethe pivotally mounted: lever 1-8.1: just :prior to the final inward and downward:- movement of therollers Onto the positions ndicated in of the draw: ings. {This one-ration Qfthei se mental gean-JSI movingythe; linlr 13.? ;.in ,a counter-clockwise die; rec-tion, as; viewed inF g S otthe drawings. causes clockwise pivotal movement of-thepivotal sernhly-lafi; asviewed in-F'g. 2, so that the ,fin gerrzlilfihi'aises-,the toneiarm raise: pin 8U;to;i ts maximum: eXtent'ca-using thevstylus 1l; t o;enl-; gagesthe grooves definedin the underside, -,Qf.,;l 1e re o,ord-.-1l1{" rotatablehythe rollersi w ina directiontopposite .to the direction of IOtEI-lliOHqOf' thefturnt iblel it. The. spring 3! ensuresthedq: sired upward iforce applled; to the, tone arm--10:

TONE ARM TENSION; CONTROL.

,Itiis, of course; desirable. that. the efiective one; easement ofgthe-recordby the stylus -1 I. is the samerin zevery respect; as the effective. engage: montiof the, record withfthe'stylus l2 soithatcno variation in the: repr duction :is occasioned idea pendinguper; whatevezwthe record is playedzon; the tu ntable s l t or. on therollers. Mil-1 mootherecordsjirotate-gin. the reverse directionrwhen: D1a-yed-;.-0nrthe uppenfacethanwhen layed on the-lowe-r ;facer;Whileemploying the same tone arm;:;it1 is.apparent that-.the force applied-to the tones-arm .by: the sound groove. in. rotating Witt-i reference-ate. the. stylus .1 it would tend to .move the tone arm :7 0 outwardly, .whereas with referencetoxthe stylus '12 would tend to movethe tone armrzinwa rdlylv To. equalize this efiect; it iszde sireib lehwhonithe tonearm is in its-iplaying poe sition indicated; in. Fig. 131 :03? i the drawings; :to' apply; a slight; inword forcethereto so 1 as to an-.-

theitone arm?! 0.- is permittedwozmoveto itsvlowere: minximateethe conditionwhen-playing.the .up 'en face of a record as indicated in Fig. 11 of the drawings. To this end, there is provided a tension applying means in the form of a tension spring I90 having one end thereof connected by a suitable means indicated at I9I to a projection 180 of the secondary tone arm I8. The other end of the tension spring I90 is adapted to be connected to a suitable cord or wire I92, which cord is adapted to be wrapped around a pulley I93 fastened to the upper end of one of the rotatable outer sleeves I48. When the vertical shafts I42 are rotated so the rollers I40 are in their inward position, as shown in Fig. 13 of the drawings, the cord I92 is wrapped around the pulley I93 so as to increase the tension of the spring I90 tending to pull the tone arm toward the center post I3. With this arrangement, the'reproduction is substantially identical whether the record is played on the under face or the upper face thereof as indicated in Figs. 11 and 13, respectively.

AUTOMATIC STOP It is desirable that, when the last record has been moved away from the shoulder I on the center post I3, the automatic phonograph is conditioned so that it stops upon the complete reproduction of this record. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an automatic stop which in many respects is very similar to the automatic stop disclosed and claimed in my prior copending application, Serial No. 727,363, filed February 8, 1947, now Patent No. 2,529,474, and assigned to the same assignee as the present application. Where an automatic stop is associated with a record changer which plays both sides of the records without reversing the records manually, it is apparent that means must be provided to prevent stopping the phonograph until both sides of the last record have been reproduced.

As was described in connection with the record feeding mechanism, part of the automatic stop device of the present invention comprises the pivotally mounted members 33 and 34 mounted in recess 32 in the ledge or shelf 21. As was described above, the weight of the record whose peripheral edge rests on the shelf 2'! biases the portion 33c or the portion 340 of the members 33 and 34, respectively, downwardly so as to raise the rock arm 29 to the position shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings, the slot 30 in the rock arm 29 permitting such movement. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a sliding plate 200 mounted for sliding movement in a pair of opposed notches 22a and 22b defined in the lower end of the stand or post 22. One end of the slidable plate 200 is provided with an upturned portion 200a which limits the slidable movement thereof in one direction. The other end of the slidable plate 200 is connected by means of a tension spring 20I to the end of the channel member I4 welded or otherwise fastened to the undersurface of the base II to provide rigidity thereto. It is apparent that the spring 20I biases the slidable plate 200 to the position shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings whereby the upwardly extending portion 200a thereof is engaged :with the exterior wall of the stand or post 22.

The plate 200 is also provided with an opening of generally rectangular configuration, desig nated at 202 in Fig. 5 of the drawings, which opening is of sufficient size to permit the rock arm 29 to extend therethrough when it is permitted to move downwardly by the members 33- and 34 and the slot 30. When the rock arm 29 moves to its lowermost position limited by the upper edge of the slot 30, the lower end thereof extends into the opening 202 so that subsequent movement of the rock arm 29 by virtue of raising of the roller 62 will not only cause reciprocal movement of the ejector plate 40 but will also cause sliding or reciprocal movement of the plate 200 against the bias of the spring 20I.

For the purpose of employing such sliding movement of the plate 200 for stopping the operation of the automatic phonograph there is provided a rod 203 having a laterally projecting portion 203a at one end thereof extending downwardly through an opening in the end of the plate 200. The rod 203 extends along the edge of the strengthening flange I4 and the other end thereof is also provided with a downwardly extending portion 20% which is adapted to be inserted in a suitable opening in a bell-crank 204 pivotally mounted, as best shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings, to one of the depending posts such as 88a from the base II. This bell-crank 204 is provided with a short arm 204a which contains the opening for receiving the end 2031) of the rod 203. The bell-crank 204 is also provided with a long arm having a right-angled flange 2041) which extends over the upper surface of the rotatable cam in fairly close relationship thereto as is best shown in Figs. 3 and 5 of the drawings. Normally, the tension spring 20I moves the bell-crank 204 to the position shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings so as to be entirely clear of an upwardly projecting pin 205 formed on the upper surface of the cam 85. With the flange 20419 of the bell-crank 204 in the position shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, the pin 205 moves behind the flange 2041), as viewed in Fig. 5 of the drawings, so as not to affect or move the bell-crank 204 in any manner. If, however, the slidable plate 200 is moved to the left, as viewed in Fig. 5 of the drawings, against the bias of spring 20I, the rod 203 is moved so as to pivot the bell-crank 204 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 3 of the drawings, into a position so as to be engaged by the pin 205 during rotation of the main cam 85, thereby causing further pivotal movement of the bellcrank 204 as the pin 205 moves along the flange 20411. As illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings, the bell-crank 204 is also provided with an arm 2040 which is connected by means of a suitable link 206 with the lever IOI. This connection between the link 206 and the lever IOI is illustrated as of the lost motion type comprising a pin and slot connection specifically designated at 201 and 208, respectively. With this arrangement, it is apparent that pivotal movement of the bell-crank 204 through engagement with the pin 205 causes pivotal movement of the lever IOI to operate the switch 9| to the off position thereby shutting off the motor 90 and stopping the automatic phonograph.

For the purpose of guiding the rod 203 in its reciprocal movement along the flange I4 there is preferably provided a plurality of downwardly projecting members Ma and MD. These projections Ma and M22 are preferably cut-out portions of the flange I4, which is clearly apparent from Fig. 3 of the drawings. With the arrangement disclosed, it is clear that the assembly operation of the automatic stop mechanism is very simple since the rod 203 is merely inserted in the openings in the members 200 and 204 which it interconnects. The rod 203 cannot move out of posi- (2).) When the button 97 is moved to the "R" or repeat position Under these conditions the link I62 still has the shoulder I621; in engagement with the extension I6Ia of the segmental gear IBI so that the roller assemblies I39 comprising the rollers I40 are rendered ineffective and are maintained in the position shown in solid lines in Fig. 1 of the drawings. Consequently, repeat operation only occm's with respect to the record on the turntable I6. The repeat operation is caused solely by the fact that no cam means is effective to operate the roller 62 and, consequently, no record is moved from the record stack under these conditions. The operation of the mechanism otherwise is exactly the same as when the button 91 is moved to the 1 position, which is the position for playing one side only of the records.

(c.) When the button 97 is moved to the 2 position for playing both sides of the records in succession Under these conditions the cam I30 is rendered effective to engage with the roller 62 and the link I62 is moved away from the segmental gear ISI so that the latter is free to pivot about its center of rotation 88. By virtue of the construction of the cam I30, the ejector plate 40 is eifective to move a record from the record stack once during every cycle of the cam I I5 but, since the cam II5 makes a complete operation only once during every two cycles of the cam 85, it is apparent that the ejector plate 40 is effective to move a record from the record stack only once during every two cycles of the cam 85. Under these conditions, operation of the record changing mechanism causes reciprocal movement of the link I23 and pivotal movement of the segment I25 which, by virtue of dog I69 and pin I68, causes pivotal movement of the segmental gear I5I. Such operation causes the pivotal movement of the roller assemblies through rotation of the vertical shafts I42 from the position shown in Fig. 11 of the drawings to the position shown in Fig. 12 of the drawings where the rollers I40 are in their uppermost position by virtue of the fact that the pin I41 moves along the horizontal portion I440 of the L-shaped slot I44a in the inner sleeve I44. Simultaneously with the pivotal movement about the vertical shafts I42 of the roller assemblies, the record ejecting mechanism including the plate 40 causes a record to be moved free of the shoulder I5 of the center post I3 to drop onto the rollers I40 while in their inward but uppermost positions as is clearly shown in Fig. 12 of the drawings. Under these conditions, the tone arm is still in its outward position clear of the turntable IB and the records both in the record stack and on the turntable. Continued rotation of the cams 85 and I I5 causes continued rotation of the outer sleeves I48 of the roller assemblies I39 so that the pins I4? enter the vertical portions I441) of the L-shaped slots I44a permitting the roller assemblies I39 and specifically the rollers I40 to move downwardly to the position shown in Fig. 13 of the drawings so as to drive the record I'I on these rollers by engaging the rotating turntable or the records rotating with the turntable. It is apparent that, under these conditions, this record IT' rotates in a reverse direction with respect to the rotation of the turntable or the records on the turntable. Since the rollers I40 are made of material such as rubber or the like, sufficient frictional engagement is assured to provide the desired driving operation thereof. The cam 05 causes the tone arm ID to swing into playing position and, just before the cam I I5 has reached the end of its cyclic operation and the segmental gear I BI has reached its extreme position following counter-clockwise rotation from the position shown in Fig 8 of the drawings, the projection ISI b thereof engages the end of the lever I81 to pivot it in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 8, about the pin 88 so that the pivotal assembly I raises the tone arm raise pin 80 and consequently the tone arm l0 to the position shown in Fig. 13 of the drawings whereupon the stylus 'II engages the grooves on the underside of the record I'I.

Upon completion of the playing of the underside of the record I'i', the record changing cycle is again initiated through operation of the lever I09 and, during the second half of the cyclic operation of the cam II5, the link I23 moves back to the original position shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings. No record, however, is released from the record stack. The segmental gear ISI returns to its original position through operation of the extension I2Eia of the segment I25 engaging the pin I68. Such movement of the segmental gear causes the roller assemblies to move in a vertical direction to the position shown in Fig. 12 of the drawings. The projection IGIb of the segmental gear I6l also permits the pivotal assembly ISO to move to the intermediate position where the pin I84 is engageable with the rim 92 so that the tone arm is in its intermediate position, such as is shown in Fig. 12 of the drawings, whereupon the tone arm is free to swing outwardly from the center post I3. Continued rotation of the cam I I5 causes the roller assemblies I39 to move to the solid line position shown in Fig, l of the drawings so that the record I'I supported thereon drops onto the turntable I6 whereupon during the next cycle of operation the top surface of this record is played. It should be noted that, while the tone arm was in the position shown in Fig. 13, the tension control mechanism including the tension spring I90 provides increased tension on the tone arm tending to pull it in an inward direction to counteract the efiect of the sound grooves tending to move the tone arm outwardly.

It will be apparent from the above description that there has been provided a new and improved automatic phonograph capable of playing both sides of disk records in succession if desired which is of a size no greater than that required for conventional center post drop automatic record changers now in extensive use. Furthermore, a very simple and foolproof mechanism is provided which permits any desired manual operation of the phonograph as well as automatic operation permitting rejection of any records, repeating of the records and playing of the records either on both sides or only on one side as desired. Automatic stop means are provided for stopping the phonograph when the last record in the record stack has been reproduced with the parts thereof in position so that free access to the turntable is provided.

Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed in complete detail so as to ensure a complete understanding of the present invention, it is contemplated that details of the disclosed structure are capable of modification and that other applications and features of the invention may occur to those skilled in the art. Hence, it is intended in the appended claimsto cover all such modifications cluding a cam follower and auxiliary rotatable cam mounted on said cam capable of causing said, cam follower to complete one cycle of move merit thereof during each two revolutions-of said main cam, and means including two reciprocating cams and means selectively to engageone or the other of said reciprocating cams with said auxiliary cam, each of said reciprocating cams being effective when so engaged for'rendering saidau giliary cam effective to release one record frgrn said recerd stacl; selectively either during every revolution ofsaid main cam er for every wo revolu i ns oi sai m n na, in automatic phonograph including a rep rd changing mechanism, means for su portis astads'ef rola e wr b e s turntai' le a record stack, a rnain rotatable cam, meane for rotating said cam one revolution during each recordchanging cycle, an auxiliary rotatable earn mounted on saidmain cam, a cam oll wer Q aid au i ar am adaoteditd e ipotate a n le ycl o mo em n during very tworevolutions o Said a cam,

me ai cam. io ewe comp si g a r' e ally mova le ear s ior releas n a e o r m 34151 1 5mm $12? an fo eng one the ther i sa r c oca y movab em with ai n i llowe tor e ecti el ren e oe Said pair of cams eiiective to release a record from old record s ack for er rev t n d m cam, or to release a record from said record ack or. eve y tw lu i ns S d ma n a 3. In an automati phonograph including a ecord chansingmech o m mean-s suppdrting a stacl; of unplayed records above said turnable n a r co d stack a m n r ta e m means or rot tin s id an; one revolution rin each re or cha in ela an auxiliary sresponeive t9 the reciprocal movement of otatable ca oun ed on aidrm o co a cam ollowe for s d aux a cam adap ed it r tocat in a in le c cle r m vemen 9 w ver wo rev lution o a ,m ii om a me i res on i o t ecipr a mo o samiol ower com sin a P i of iib an mo 1s can .for ele n a re rd r mi aid loord tosls an iq n a ng o e r: the other o s d re r cal movab e some ith sa d i llow i' r s e tive y r nde n ne said pair o some oi e i e t ele a record from s d rec rd ack 1 91 an c qcellv movable ram 9 1 constructed t o rate the changing mechanism to release a record during every half cycie of movement thereof,

while, the other of said reciprocally movable cams ret ated to ope ate the changing m t ato release one record during "every cycle of movement thereof.

4. In a disk record player, means adapted to support a record for rotation in a horizontal pian comprising a roller arranged to rotatably engage and support said record, means for r0:- 1 tatingsaid roller to rotate a record supported thereon, a pickupun-it adapted to cooperate with v 26 i one. face: of a, record while supported on said roller, meansfor raising and lowering said roller and for swinging said roller to and from a record supporting position comprising a vertical shaft 1; connected to said roller, means for supportingsaid shaft, said supporting means including a sleeve; surrounding said shaft in which said shaft can both rotate and. slide, guide means restraining said shaft to vertical sliding motion except in a vertically extended position and additional guide means restraining said shaft to rotating motion in, said vertically extended position, said guide means being arranged to permit vertical movement thereof only when swung out of said record supporting position and to permit pivotal movement thereof only when in its uppermost position, and a second rotatable sleeve surrounding said first-named sleeve and having means for causing such vertical and pivotal movement of said shaft.

5,. In a disk record player, means adapted to support a record for rotation in a horizontal plane, comprising a roller disposed for rotation on a horizontal shaft and arranged to rotatably engage and support a disk record, means for. rotating said roller on said shaft to rotate said record, a pickup unit adapted to cooperate with one face of a record supported on said roller, means for raising and lowering said horizontal shaft and for swinging said horizontal shaft to move said roller to and from a record supporting position comprising a vertical shaft supporting said horizontal shaft on the upper end thereof. means for supporting said vertical shaft, said supporting means including a sleeve surrounding said shaft in which said shaft can both rotate and slide, guide means restraining said shaft to vertical sliding motion except in a vertically extended position and additional guide means restraining said shaft to rotating motion in said vertically extended position, said guide means being arranged to permit vertical movement thereof only when pivoted so that said roller is out; of said record supporting position and to permit pivotal movement thereof only when in its uppermost position, and a second rotatable sleeve surrounding said first-named sleeve and having, means for causing such vertical and pivotal mov m nt f said shaft.

6,. In a disk record player, means adapted to support a record for rotation in a horizontal plane, comprising a plurality of rollers arranged to rotataloly engage and support a record at spaced points thereon, a horizontal shaft for each of'said rollers, means for rotating at least one of said rollers on its horizontal shaft to rotate a record supported thereon, a pickup unit adapt ed to cooperate with one face of a record while supported on, said rollers, means for raising and lowering said rollers and for swinging said horizontal shafts and said rollers to and from record supporting positions comprising a vertical shaft connected to each horizontal shaft, means for supporting each of said vertical shafts, said supporting means including a sleeve surrounding said shaft in which said shaft can both rotate and slide, guide means restraining said shaft to vertical sliding motion except in a vertically extended position and additional guide means restraining said shaft to rotating motion in said vertical y e t nded p t n, said uide means being arranged to permit vertical movement thereof only when swung to their non record supporting positions and to permit pivotal movem at there only whe riipperin s aa- 27 tions, a second rotatable sleeve surrounding said first-named sleeve and having means for each of said vertical shafts for causing such vertical and pivotal movements thereof, and means for causing simultaneous movement of each of said second rotatable sleeves.

'7. In a disk record player, means adapted to support a record for rotation in a horizontal plane, comprising a plurality of rollers arranged to rotatably engage and support a record at spaced points thereon, a horizontal shaft for each of said rollers, means for rotating at least one of said rollers on its horizontal shaft to rotate a record supported thereon, a pickup unit adapted to cooperate with one face of a record while supported on said rollers, means for raising and lowering said rollers and for swinging said horizontal shaft and said rollers to and from record supporting positions comprising a vertical shaft connected to each horizontal shaft, means for supporting each of said vertical shafts, said supporting means including a sleeve surrounding said shaft in which said shaft can both rotate and slide, guide means restraining said shaft to vertical sliding motion except in a vertically extended position and additional guide means restraining said shaft to rotating motion in said vertically extended. position, said guide means being arranged to permit vertical movement theerof only when swung to their non-record supporting positions and to permit pivotal movement thereof only when in their uppermost positions, a second rotatable sleeve surrounding said first-named sleeve and having means for each of said vertical shafts for causing such vertical and pivotal movements thereof, and means for causing simultaneous movement of each of said second rotatable sleeves comprising a sprocket on each of said second rotatable sleeves and a flexible driving member interconnecting said sprockets.

8. In a disk record player, means adapted to support a record for rotation in a horizontal plane, comprising a roller disposed for rotation on a horizontal shaft and arranged to rotatably engage and support a disk record, means for rotating said roller on said shaft to rotate said record, a pickup unit adapted to cooperate with one face of a record supported on said roller, means for raising and lowering said horizontal shaft and for swinging said horizontal shaft to move said roller to and from a record supporting position comprising a vertical shaft supporting said horizontal shaft at the upper end thereof, a pin extending laterally from the lower end of said vertical shaft, means comprising a stationary sleeve having an inverted L-shaped slot therein for receiving said pin to support said vertical shaft only for Vertical movement thereof when said pin is in the vertical leg of said slot, and to support said vertical shaft only for pivotal movement when said pin is in the horizontal leg of said slot, and a rotatable sleeve disposed around said stationary sleeve having an opening one edge of which defines an inclined plane engageable with said pin to cause vertical movement of said vertical shaft in response to rotation of said rotatable sleeve at one end of said plane, and a notch in said rotatable sleeve for receiving said pin when said pin is in the horizontal leg of said slot to cause pivotal movement of said vertical shaft, and means for rotating said rotatable sleeve.

9. In a disk record player, means adapted to support a record for rotation in a horizontal plane, comprising a plurality of rollers arranged to rotate a record supported thereon, a pickup unit adapted to cooperate with one face of a record While supported on said rollers, means for raising and lowering said rollers and for swinging said horizontal shaft and said rollers to and from record supporting positions comprising a vertical shaft connected to each horizontal shaft, a pin extending laterally from the lower end of each vertical shaft, means for supporting each of said vertical shafts to permit vertical movement thereof only when swung to their nonrecord supporting positions and to permit pivotal movement thereof only when in their uppermost positions each comprising a stationary sleeve having an inverted L-shaped slot therein for receiving said pin to support said vertical shaft only for vertical movement thereof when said pin is in the vertical leg of said slot, and to support said vertical shaft only for pivotal movement when said pin is in the horizontal leg of said slot, a plurality of rotatable sleeves one disposed around each of said stationary sleeves and each having a cam surface thereon which is arranged to be engageable with its associated I pin for moving said vertical shafts in a vertical and pivotal manner, means for rotating one of said rotatable sleeves, and means driving-1y interconnecting all of said rotatable sleeves.

10. In a disk record player, means adapted to support a record for rotation in a horizontal plane, comprising a plurality of rollers arranged to rotatably engage and support a record, a horizontal shaft for each of said rollers, means for rotating at least one of sa d rollers on said shaft to rotate a record supported thereon, a pickup unit adapted to cooperate with one face of a record while supported on said rollers, means for raising and lowering said rollers and for swinging said horizontal shaft and said rollers to and from record supporting positions comprising a vert cal shaft connected to each horizontal shaft, a pin extending laterally from the lower end of each vertical shaft, means for supporting each of said vertical shafts to permit vertical movement thereof only when swung to their nonrecord supporting positions and to permit pivotal movement thereof only when in their uppermost positions each comprising a stat onary sleeve having an inverted L-shaped slot therein for receiving said pin to support said vertical shaft only for vertical movement thereof when said pin is in the vertical le of said slot, and

ets for drivingly interconnecting all of said rotatable sleeves to ensure simultaneous movement of said plurality of rollers.

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