US2683605A - Sound recording adapter - Google Patents

Description

y 1954 w. c. FOSTER SOUND RECORDING ADAPTER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 28, 1950 INVENTOR I ATTORNEY y 1954 W, c. FOSTER 2,683,605

SOUND RECORDING ADAPTER F iled Dec. 28, 1950 V 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1N VENTOR ATTORNEY M was Patented July 13, 1954 UNITED ATENT OFFICE Application December 28, 1950, Serial No. 203,046

10 Claims.

Uninterrupted recording of sound has been achieved commercially with many types of appa ratus, but each of them has until now required machines especially designed for the purpose as distinguished from standard sound recording machines used in multiples by means of an adaptor.

In accordance with the present invention, the need for such special machines has been obviated by an adaptor which can be positioned with respect to two or more machines of standard types so that when one of them which is recording approaches a point at which its record will become completely used, a second of the machines will be placed in operation to continue the recording, and if desired, an overlapping condition can be produced so that a portion of the intelligence will be recorded on each of the records as is common in the art.

The adaptor contemplated by the present invention intended for combination with a plurality of independent sound recording machines each of which has means for initiating a recording operation and each of which has a relatively movable recording head member and a record support member. The adaptor comprises a frame, positioning means carried by the frame engageable with the machines for mutually locat ing the adaptor and machines, actuating elements with a stylus member and record carriage memher in each case, the adaptor providing actuating arms pivotally carried by its frame for interposition in the paths of movement of the members, a selecting switch for sequentially energizing the starting switches of the machines, and a mechanical movement interconnecting the actuating elements and selecting switch.

Each of the sound recording machines has record driving means and input terminals, and

. selecting means carried by the frame for sequentially activating the driving means is provided together with conductors carried by the frame for connection with the input terminals. The recording head member and record support member of each machine are relatively movable through a predetermined path and the actuating elements movably carried by the frame are interposed in the terminal portions of these paths of movement to impart movement to an operating means for operation of the selecting switch. Inasmuch as a practical embodiment of this invention would involve two sound recording machines, the selecting switch carried by the adaptor would in that case,.have two poles for alternately activating the recording initiating means of the two machines. The strokes of the actuating elements are preferably rendered adjustable so that a recording operation can be shifted from one movably carried by the frame for interposition in machine to another for any desired departure of the paths of movement of the members, selecting the relatively movable members of either mameans carried by the frame for sequentially chine.

activating the recording initiating means of the The adaptor likewise serves the function of machines, and operating means interconnecting lamping two or more machines together p ysithe actuating elements and selecting means. The a ly 50 that they can be handled as a unit. machines in conjunction with which the inven- A more complete understanding of the invention has been illustrated contemplate a movable tion Will follow from a detailed description of the record carriage, and the adaptor preferably utiaccompanying drawings wh in:

lizes actuating elements which are pivotally car- Fig. 1 is a perspective view depicting the ried by the adaptor frame for interposition in the adapt 0f the Present i v t on 0mbined with paths of movement of such record carriage or a p of St d d Sound recording machines; support members. The sound recording ma- Fig 2 is an ploded perspective view of the chines illustrated are provided with electrical adap means for initiating a recording operation, and 3 is a r elevation of the ptor with its the adaptor provides electrical switching means Teal COVeI removed; d

carried by its frame for sequentially activating Fig. 4 is a schematic circuit diagram depicting the recording initiating means of the machines, e m r i Which the adaptor is electrically there being conductors carried by the frame for connected with a pair of machines of t e t p connecting the switching means and recording Shown in F 1.

initiating means. E h of the ne 10. d picted in Fig. 1,

The sound recording machines described herein have record driving means which are sequentially activated by the selecting means carried by the adaptor frame. These sound recording machines likewise have starting switches together is an independent sound recording and reproducing machine commercially available from The Gray Manufacturing Company, Hartford 1, Connecticut, sold under the trade-mark Audograph. Each of the machines compris s a lower frame member I2 and an upper frame member I4 provided with suitable hinges and latching means, not shown, so that the upper frame member can be elevated for access to the working parts housed within the two frame members. Each of the upper frame members provides a table It containing an elongated slot I8 through which a splined spindle 29 projects to receive the complementary opening of a disc record 22. The spindle is rotatably mounted in a carriage which traverses the slot I8 to advance the record relative to its stylus which is located beneath the cover 24. Each of the tables I6 is grooved to receive a pair of plush strips 25 arranged substantially parallel to the length of the slot I8 and serving to support the record 22 out of contact with the table IS. A control lever 28, shown in its neutral position in the case of each machine in Fig. 1, can be shifted to the left to move a recording stylus beneath the cover 24 into con tact with the record 22, and movement of the lever 28 to the right will move a reproducing stylus beneath the cover 24 into contact with the record 22. In either of its operative positions, marked Record and Listen on the machines, the control lever 28 moves a driving roller into operative engagement with the record to eifect its rotation. As the record rotates under whichever stylus is efiective at the moment, the spindle 2i} imparts rectilinear movement to the record carriage towards the left as viewed in Fig. 17 A jewel 33 carried by the housing cover 24- above the control lever 28 indicates the operating condition of the apparatus. The position of the carriage and its spindle 2i; can be manually adjusted by turning the knob 32 provided at the right end of each upper frame member !4. A knob 34 actuates a combined switch and reproduction volume control, an indicator lamp 35 provides a visual indication of the sound input to the amplifier, and a jack 38 permits the ready connection of external phones or a speaker. A transparent guide 48 serves as a retainer for an index strip, not shown, such a strip being driven by means of a sprocket 42 whose movements are a function of those of the record carriage. At the front of each of these guides, there are three keys including a release key 44 which serves to retract the sprocket 42 for insertion and removal of an index strip, an end key 46 for actuating a punch which codes the index strip, and a correction key 48 which actuates another punch for differently coding the index strip.

The adaptor 56 includes a frame 52 and a clamping member which are assembled by inserting the screw 55 carried by the clamping member through an opening 58 formed through the frame and applying a nut 60 to maintain the parts in unitary relationship. The forward surface of the frame 52 as depicted in Fig. 2 engages the rear surfaces of the two sound recording machines I6, a spacing member 62 carried by the upper portion of this surface spacing the rear portions of the two machines. The clamping member is provided with arcuate portions 64 which complement correspondingly curved portions of the machines to effect a clamping action. The clamping member has an upper wall 66 which assumes a horizontal position in its assembled relationship, and an integral front wall 63 which is vertically arranged when assembled with the machines. This front wall is provided with a handle which can be used to transport the entire assembly, including the two machines, as a unit.

As illustrated in Fig. l, a microphone I2 carrying a switch arm I4 is connected through a cable 76 and plug I8 with a receptacle 86, depicted in Fig. 3. Two conductors within the cable I6 carrying the microphone current are represented in Fig. 4 as conductors 82 and 84. These conductors are connected respectively with conductors 86 and 88 at the receptacle 86, and with terminals 90 and 92 of a plug 64 and corresponding terminals 96 and 98 of a plug I80. The plug 94 is received in the receptacle of the left hand machine It, connecting its terminals as and 92 with the input tube I64 as diagrammatically depicted in Fig. 4. In a similar way, the plug IilIJ is received in a corresponding receptacle of the right hand machine of Fig. 1, so that the terminals 96 and 98 will be applied to the elements of the amplifier input tube I06 of this right hand machine.

The cable It also includes conductors extending from the terminals of the microphone switch I08, these conductors, H0 and H2 being connected to the terminals III! and H6 respectively, of the receptacle 8%. A conductor H8 extending from the terminal H4 is connected with a terminal I2!) of the plug 94 and a corresponding terminal I22 of the plug I65. The terminal I20 is connected through a lead I2 3 with one end of the winding of a solenoid I26, the other end being connected through a lead I28 with a ter minal I36 of the plug 94, this terminal being connected through a lead I32 with one of the poles I34 of a selecting switch I36. The terminal I22 of the plug I69 is connected through a lead I38 with one end of the winding of a solenoid I46 whose other end is connected by means of a lead I42 with a terminal I44 of the plug I06. This terminal I44 is connected through a lead I46 with the other pole I48 of the selecting switch I36. A source of current has been depicted as a transformer I50 introduced into the conductor IIB for energizing the solenoids I26 and I40 in the order of their selection by the switch I36. Obviously, the current supply can be direct or rectified and introduced at any appropriate portion of the circuit.

With the switch I36 in the position depicted in Fig. 4 of the drawings, and the microphone switch I4 closed, the solenoid I40 will be energized and its armature I52 will move downwardly against the force of the retracting spring I54 to move a roller I56 into contact with the record 22 to drive the same and through it, its carriage as already described. When the switch I36 assumes its other position, wherein the arm I58 is in contact with the pole I34, the solenoid I26 will be energized to attract its armature I60 downwardly against the force of the retracting spring I62 to engage the roller I64 with the record 22 to rotate it and through it effect feeding movement of its carriage.

As the carriage of the operating machine moves towards the left, as viewed in Fig. 1, the spindle 20 will travel to the left and as it approaches the end of its travel, will engage an actuating element I66 imposed in its path, tending to move the actuating element clockwise as viewed in Fig. 1, thereby rotating its yoke I68 in which it is mounted by means of a pivot I10, and correspondingly rotate the vertical shaft I12 to which the yoke is secured by means of a set screw I14. The shaft I12 is jcurnalled in an opening formed in the top wall of the frame member and in a bearing I16 secured to the lower wall of the frame member. Each of the shafts I12 has a collar I I8 suitably secured thereto, each of the collars carrying an arm I80 in which a slot is formed for the reception of a pin I82 carried by a horizontal rod !84 which is received in guides I86 for reciprocatory movement. The rod I84 carries an abutment I88 between which and one of the guides I at, a spring I90 is interposed to bias the rod towards the right as viewed in Fig. 3. At the left end of the rod I84, a resilient finger :92 is suitably secured for reception in one of the openings I94 formed in an oscillatory member I96 pivotally mounted on a pin I98. A leaf spring 2% mounted on the frame 52 has its free end received in a notch 202 diametrically opposed to the median portion of the notches I94. Disposed at an angle of 90 to the notch .202, the oscillatory member I96 carries the switch arm I58 which selectively contacts the poles of the switch I36.

Thus it will be clear that as the record carriage of the operative machine approaches the end of its path, the corresponding actuating arm I66 will be moved outwardly to rotate its vertical shaft 172, movement of which will be transmitted to the corresponding pin I82 carried by the rod I84 which will move to the left as depicted in Fig. 3, so that the resilient finger I92 will enter the notch I84 which is opposed thereto, the lower notch being so disposed as illustrated in Fig. 3, whereupon the oscillatory member I96 will be moved clockwise from the position depicted and as the leaf spring 209 travels over its center, the upper notch I53 will be moved downwardly to receive the r-esiiient finger I92 the next time the rod iii i is reciprocated. As the oscillatory member 6% moves clockwise, it will move the switch arm its from its contact with the pole as shown in 3, into contact with the other pole of the switch I3fi. Thus, the machines will be consecutively energized by this adaptor so that when. one of the machines has its record filled, the other machine begins its recording operation, giving an operator ample time to remove the filled record and replace it by a blank ready to receive intelligence when next called upon by the automatic arrangement just described,

By loosening the set screws I'M, the actuating members Hit can be adjusted with respect to their shafts I12 to produce any desired degree of overlap or to accommodate records of various sizes. It will be understood of course, that the sound recording machines will be properly energized from suitable current sources to effect the necessary drive and to render the amplifiers and other components of the machines operative, just as is the case where the machines illustrated herein are used independently of one another.

When a completely used record has been removed from a machine and replaced by a blank, the carriage of that machine will be shifted to the right as view-ed in Fig. 1, followed by the actuating arms I66 under the force of the spring I90.

Whereas this invention has been depicted in connection with a particular type of sound recording machine, it Will be clear to those skilled in the art that it is applicable to other types of machines already known in the trade and accordingly, the invention should not be restricted to use in conjunction with any particular make of machine or to any specific details of construction beyond the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. For combination with a plurality of independent self contained sound recording machines each having a driving motor, each having means for initiating a recording operation and each having a relatively movable recording head member and record support member; an adaptor comprising a frame separably engageable with a surface of each of said machines, positioning means carried by said frame engageable with said machines for mutually locating said adaptor and machines, clamping means adjustably carried by said frame for separably securing said frame and machines together as a unit, actuating elements movably carried by said frame for interposition in the paths of movement of said members, selecting means carried by said frame for sequentially activating the recording initiating means of said machines, and operating means interconnecting said actuating elements and selecting means.

2. For combination with a plurality of independent self contained sound recording machines each having a driving motor, each having means for initiating a recording operation and each having a recording head member and a relatively movable record support member; an adaptor comprising a frame separably engageable with a surface of each of said machines, positioning means carried by said frame engageable with said machines for mutually locating said adaptor and machines, clamping means adjustably carried by said frame for separably securing said frame and machines together as a unit, actuating elements pivotally carried by said frame for interposition in the paths of movement of said record support members, selecting means carried by said frame for sequentially activating th recording initiating means of said machines, and operating means mechanically interconnecting said actuating elements and selecting means.

3. For combination with a plurality of independent self contained sound recording machines each having a driving motor, each having electrical means for initiating a recording operation and each having a relatively movable recording head member and record support member; an adaptor comp-rising a frame separably engageable with a surface of each of said machines, positioning means carried by said frame engageable with said machines for mutually locating said adaptor and machines, clamping means adjustably carried by said frame for separably securing said frame and machines together as a unit, actuating elements movably carried by said frame for interposition in the paths of movement of said members, electrical switching means carried by said frame for sequentially activating the recording initiating means of said machines, conductors carried by said frame for connecting said switching means and recording initiating means, and operating means interconnecting said actuating elements and selecting means.

4. For combination with a plurality of independent self contained sound recording machines each having a record driving motor and each having a relatively movable recording head memher and record support member; an adaptor comprising a frame separably engageable with a surface of each of said machines, positioning means carried by said frame engageable with said machines for mutually locating said adaptor and machines, clamping means adjustably carried by said frame for separably securing said frame and machines together as a unit, actuating elements movably carried by said frame for interposition in the paths of movement of said members, selecting means carried by said frame for sequentially activating said record driving motors, and operating means interconnecting said actuating elements and selecting means.

5. For combination with a plurality of independent self contained sound recording machines each having a driving motor, each having a starting switch and each having a relatively movable stylus member and record carriage member; an adaptor comprising a frame separably engageable with a surface of each of said machines, positioning means carried by said frame engageable with said machines for mutually locating said adaptor and machines, clamping means adjustably carried by said frame for separably securing said frame and machines together as a unit, actuating arms pivotally carried by said frame for interposition in the paths of movement of said mem bers, a selecting switch carried by said frame for sequentially energizing the starting switches of said machines, and a mechanical movement interconnecting said actuating elements and selecting switch.

6. For combination with a plurality of independent self contained sound recording machines each having a record driving motor and input terminals and each having a relatively movable recording head member and record support member; an adaptor comprising a frame separably engageable with a surface of each of said machines, positioning means carried by said frame engageable with said machines for mutually loeating said adaptor and machines, clamping means adjustably carried by said frame for separably securing said frame and machines together as a unit, actuating elements inovably carried by said frame for interposition in the paths of movement of said members, selecting means carried by said frame for sequentially activating said driving motors, conductors carried by said frame for connection with said input terminals, and operating means interconnecting said actuating elements and selecting means.

7. For combination with a plurality of independent self contained sound recording machines each having a driving motor, each having a switch for initiating a recording operation and each having a recording head member and record support member relatively movable through a predetermined path; an adaptor comprising a frame separably engageable with a surface of each of said machines, positioning means carried by said frame engageable with said machines for mutually locating said adaptor and machines, clamping means adjustably carried by said frame for separably securing said frame and machines together as a unit, actuating elements movably carried by said frame for interposition in the terminal portions of the paths of movement of said members, a selecting switch carried by said frame for sequentially activating the recording initiating switches of said machines, and operating means transmitting movement of said actuating elements to said selecting switch.

8. For combination with a pair of independent self contained sound recording machines each having a driving motor, each having means for initiating a recording operation and each having a relatively movable recording head member and record support member; an adaptor comprising a frame separably engageable with a surface of each of said machines, positioning means carried by said frame engageable with said machines for mutually locating said adaptor and machines, clamping means adjustably carried by said frame for separably securing said frame and machines together as a unit, actuating elements movably carried by said frame for interposition in the paths of movement of said members, a selecting switch having two poles carried by said frame for alternately activating the recording initiating means of said machines, and operating means interconnecting said actuating elements and selecting switch.

9. For combination with a pair of independent self contained sound recording machines each having a driving motor, each having means for initiating a recording operation and each having a relatively movable recording head member and record support member; an adaptor comprising a frame separably engageable with a surface of each of said machines, positioning means carried by said frame engageable with said machines for mutually locating said adaptor and machines, clamping means adjustably carried by said frame for separably securing said frame and machines together as a unit, actuating elements movably carried by said frame for interposition in the paths of movement of said members, means for adjusting the strokes of said actuating elements, selecting means carried by said frame for alternately activating the recording initiating means of said machines, and operating means transmiting terminal movements of said actuating elements to said selecting means.

10. For combination with a plurality of independent seif contained sound recording machines each having a driving motor, each having means for initiating a recording operation and each having a relatively movable recording head member and record support member; an adaptor comprising a frame, clamping means ca ried by said frame engageable with said machines for mutually locating said adaptor and machines and securing them together as a unit, a carrying handle secured to said frame for transporting such unit, actuating elements movably carried by said frame for interposition in the paths of movement of said members, selecting means carried by said frame for sequentially activating the recording initiating means of said mac ines, and operating means interconnecting said actuating elements and selecting means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,361,717 Grey Dec, 7, 1920 1,783,498 Dyer Dec. 2, 1930 1,798,521 Bush Mar. 31, 1931 2,026,398 Norton et al Dec. 31, 1935 2,146,425 Dunning Feb. 7, 1939 2,353,320 Sinclaire July 11, 1944 2,558,505 Andres June 26, 1951 2,562,470 Marnell July 31, 1951

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