US3082006A - Phonograph tone arm and speaker - Google Patents

Description

March 19, 1963 J. w. RYAN PHONOGRAPH TONE ARM AND SPEAKER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 10, 1961 JOHN n: RYAN,

INVENTOR.

ATTORNEK March 19, 1963 J. w. RYAN PHONOGRAPH TONE ARM AND SPEAKER ATTO/PN x JOHN w. RYAN,

INVENTOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 10. 1961 March 19, 1963 .1. w. RYAN PHONOGRAPH TONE ARM AND SPEAKER SSheets-Sheet3 Filed Feb. 10, 1961 BY WW 7 A TTORNEK tually speak for itself.

United States Patent ()filice 3,082,006 PHONOGRAPH TUNE ARM AND SPEAKER John W. Ryan, 11027 Cashmere St., Bet-Air, Caiif. Fiieti Feb. 10, M61, Ser. No. 83,965 6 (ll-aims. (Cl. 2749) This invention relates to a doll (or other figure) which is operative in response to an impulse or manipulation to speak or pronounce any one of a number of different sentences at random. The device may of course also be arranged to produce any other series or group of sounds in response to the said impulse or manipulation.

While preferably a device is provided which deliberately selects the thing that is to be said or the sound that is to be made at random, the concept embraces any type of mechanism which in response to any input impulse, or an input impulse at any given time will cause the device to produce a sound or say something that is unexpected and unantieipated by the operator. The result can be acheived in ways other than those disclosed in detail by way of example herein. does not operate strictly at random but rather it might have a program or retinue of sounds With means for skipping certain items at times or having means to return it to a starting point or partly back to a starting point when not being stimulated to produce sound. The preferred effect desired as stated is that of achieving the impression that the sounds all are of spontaneous origin rather than a repetition in the same or other predetermined order'of a recorded program of sounds. The input impulse or stimuli to the device can also be provided by automatic means, or by a timer mechanism operative to trigger individual speeches or discrete parts. Also selected predetermined or random discrete sound parts of the sound producing means can be naughty baby, good baby or the like distinctive moods. Thus this invention contemplates both random and sequential speech patterns thereof.

The concept is therefore, by way of example, that of a doll WlllChlS highly personified in that it will speak and What it says is not predictable, that is, it is not known what the doll will say in response to each impulse applied to it. What the doll says, therefore, has the effect of being original and unanticipated to thereby impute to the doll a personality of its own such as is possessed by a human. The doll will in effect talk with or have a conversation with the child playing with the doll, the doll making statements at random which are unexpected and unanticipated just as the sayings of a young child are unpredictable and are identified with the childs personality. A doll embodying the said concept provides a very intriguing toy for a child to play with by reason of this characteristic ability to vir- Such a toy is one having the highest entertainment value and appeal to a young child.

The concept may be adapted in a doll or of course it could be adapted in the figure of an animal likewise or simply in the figure of a head. In practicing the concept, means are provided Within the doll embodying a collection or library of sayings which can be individually caused to be pronounced in response to any type of impulse or manipulation. In other words, any type of, impulse may be utilized to cause the doll to speak at random, that is, to pronounce one of the sentences for example in its collection or library stored within it. The speaking mechanism is, of course, of a particular nature such that the response to any given impusle is at random, that is, response to a given impulse, the mechanism will speak any one of its sentences at random, that is, unpredictably.

In a preferred manner of carrying out the concept of this invention, a novel and original phonograph or phonograph device is provided. The device is in the form of a 3,082,006 Patented Mar. 19, 1963 phonograph having a record and constructed to be adapted to fit within the body of a doll. A feature of the device is that the record used has a plurality of spaced spiral grooves which are separate in a sense that each reproduces a separate and distinct sentence or other distinctive sound.

The device involves a construction and arrangement of parts making it extremely compact, rugged, durable, and effective. Means are provided whereby in response to a simple manipulation, such as for example the pulling of a drawstring, the needle of the tone or reproducing arm is lifted from the record and moved to the periphery, that is to the starting point of one or another of the spiral grooves. The tone arm moves relatively to the reproducing cone or disc which is stationary and novel and improved con- For instance, the device can be one that V structional features are embodied in this part of the device.

The primary object of the invention is the implementa tion of the concept of a random speaking doll (or other figure) which will literally speak for itself in responseto a given impulse saying things which are unexpected and unpredictable.

A further object is to provide a doll or other device as in the foregoing which is able to in effect carry on a conversation of its own with a child playing with it.

A further object is to provide improved phonograph devices or speaking mechanisms which in response to a given impulse are able to reproduce at random various sounds, sentences and/ or expressions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a phonograph as in the foregoing having a record having a plurality of spaced spiral grooves or sound tracks each capable of reproducing a separate sentence or other separate distinct sound.

A further object is to provide a phonograph as in the foregoing having a tone arm cooperating with the record and movable relatively to a sound reproducing cone or disc.

Another object is to provide a construction as in the foregoing object including a driver spring interposed between the reproducing cone and the tone arm.

Another object is to provide a phonograph as set out in the foregoing having manual means so arranged that by a single simple manipulation, the tone arm may be lifted and returned to the starting point on the record, this movement being relative to the reproducing cone or disc which is stationary.

Further objects and numerous additional advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and annexed drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view of a doll having the invention embodied therein;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the invention with the top or cover of the casing removed;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 55 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the record disc or rotor;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. '4; and

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, detail view of a portion of the structure shown in FIG. 5.

This application is a continuation-in-part of previously filed application, Serial No. 11,023, filed February 25, 1960, now Patent No. 3,017,187.

FIG. 1 of the drawings is a diagrammatic view of a doll having the invention embodied therein. The doll shown in FIG. 1 is representative of any doll or any other figure, or simply a head in which the concept may be embodied. The mechanism within the doll which produces sounds is in the form of a phonograph or phonograph device, as designated at 11. In the form shown, it is operated by a drawstring or pull cord 12, attached to a ring 13. A part of the body of the doll is designated at in FIG. 2, having the phonograph device 11 in the torso thereof. The body may be of molded plastic having an eyelet 17 through which the cord 12 passes with the ring 13 disposed at the back of the doll, as shown in FIG. 1, where it can be conveniently pulled and released by the child. All of the mechanism is very rugged and sturdily built so that pulls exerted on the cord by the child, whether complete or incomplete, will not damage the mechanism.

As shown, the body 15 has transverse molded members in it, as designated at 20, 21 and 22, which assist in holding the device 11 in position. The phonograph device 11 has an extending collar 24 within which is the speaker cone, as will be described. The collar 24 fits within a circular conformation 25 extending inwardly from the body 15. The body may be made of molded plastic or similar material. Fitting within the circular ring or conformation 25 is a ring-shaped member 27, the outer part of which 28 is perforated as shown and is contoured to conform to the outer contour of the figure of the body. The member 27 is held in position by an extending flange of the opening in the body 15 and preferably a circular piece of flesh colored fabric 29 is positioned over the contoured body part 28 and held between the ring 27 and the flange around the opening in the body.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate any preferred manner of mounting the speaking mechanism or phonograph device in a dolls figure, and the arrangement of the means for applying impulses or manipulating it to cause it to speak at random, as described in the foregoing, and hereinafter.

FIGS. 4 to 8 of the drawings illustrate an original and preferred type of random speaking or sound making device which may be utilized in practicing the concept of the invention.

Referring now more in detail to the drawings and more particularly FIGS. 3 and 4, the phonograph device 11 is shown by way of example as embodied in a plastic housing or casing having a lower portion or half and a cap or cover 36 as seen in FIG. 5. The housing may have the shape as shown in FIG. 3 but of course may have other shapes and configurations. Preferably, the bottom part 35 has a continuous peripheral shoulder 37 which fits against the edge of the cap or cover 36 when it is in position and the two parts may be additionally secured together by tongue and groove securements.

As may best be seen in FIG. 4, the device may be said to comprise the assemblies including the record drive assembly designated generally at 39, the governor assembly designated generally at 40 and the tone arm and reproducing assembly designated generally at 41. The housing 11 is configurated to accommodate these various assemblies.

The upper part of the housing 36 has an upwardly extending circular rim or flange 42 within which is positioned the reproducing cone 43 as will be explained presently. That is, the edges of the cone 43 are adjacent the bottom of the rim 42 and the circular opening 45.

Numeral 46 designates an inwardly extending bracket on the inside of the top or cap 36 which forms a support hearing or journal for the record spindle as will be described. Numeral 47 designates an integral bracket extending downwardly and inwardly from the inside of the top of the casing 36 which may be utilized for the purpose of mounting different types of attachments or controls for the mechanism.

Numeral 49 designates a downwardly extending circular skirt integral with the top of cap member 35 which forms a drum or housing around the governor assembly 40 as will be described presently. Numeral 5t) designates a central inwardly extending boss in the bottom of the housing having a central bore which forms a bearing for the lower end of the record spindle as will be described.

Numeral 51 designates an eye or eyelet in a side of the casing to accommodate drawstring 12 as will be described for operating the record playing or phonograph mechanism.

The record or rotor spindle is designated at 52 having a cross-sectional configuration as best seen in FIG. 4. The upper end 53 of the spindle is journalled in a bushing 54 in the bracket 46. The lower end 56 of the spindle is journalled in a bushing 57 mounted in the boss 50.

The record spindle 34 has a circular portion and a larger circular portion 61 which is offset upwardly from the part 6% as shown so as to form an annular opening or depression in which is received the lower end of the driving spring arbor 62 as will be described presently. The lower side of the record spindle 52 has an inward annular depression or groove 63 between the portion and a downwardly extending circular skirt 64. Attached or secured to the spindle 52 is a circular disc which may be made of either plastic or metal as shown at 66, this disc having a central bore which fits around the skirt 64 as shown. At the bore is a short downwardly extending annular flange or shoulder 67. At the periphery of the disc 66, it has a continuous flange or shoulder as shown at 69. Numeral 71 designates a stem extending downwardly from the part 61 of the record spindle into an opening 72 in the disc 66 for holding these parts against relative rotation. The record itself is designated at 73 and it may also be attached to the disc by being glued or cemented thereto. The rim or flange 69 on the disc 65 has substantially the same diameter as the record 73 so that a belt groove is formed between the record 73 and the rim or flange 69. This groove receives a driving belt 74 which, by way of example, is a means for driving the governor as will be described presently.

The record 73 in itself is unique and it is unique in its cooperation with the other parts of the phonograph. It has a plurality of individual interleaving spiral grooves as may be seen in FIG. 6, each of which is a separate sound track on which is recorded a distinctive sound, for example a distinctive complete sentence.

As will be explained more in detail hereinafter, the device possesses the quality of randomness of operation in that upon each operation the needle may engage any one of the various grooves randomly so that the sound that is reproduced cannot be anticipated. This is an intentional objective of the invention. The randomness of the operation is further assured by other variable factors including the engagement, and disengagement, of the needle; the inertial run-on of the turntable and record in connection with the clutch and drive mechanism and the friction of the pivot.

Another feature of the record 73 is the fast pitch lead-in section of each groove as designated at 75. These lead-in sections as can be seen have greater spacing than there is between the grooves in the body of the record. Thus, by this special and deliberate means used with the multi-groove design, the needle is able to select separate tracks dependably. An advantage of the fast pitch groove area or selection band at the edge of the record is that slight irregularities or damage to each groove do not cause the needle to fall into one groove at the expense of another. That is, otherwise a small scratch or irregularity might cause one groove to be played whenever the needle falls into it initially or into an adjacent groove, resulting in inoperativeness of the said adjacent groove.

Another advantage and conspicuous feature of the multi-track interleaved groove record in its cooperation with the remaining parts of the device is that no matter where the record is engaged by the needle, the needle engages a part of the track immediately adjacent to the beginning of the sound on that particular track; that is, it is unnecessary for the record to progress through a full turn of blank groove to insure that the needle is engaging in a groove at a point preceding the beginning of the sound material in the groove. The device operates to produce sound promptly after the engagement of the groove by the needle so that there is no waste turning of the record and no Waste of power and wind-up capacity and the device responds audibly almost immediately. The arrangement insures that the needle will engage the beginning of one sound groove or another with the minimum possible lapse of time after the tone arm has been moved to engage the record.

The spring arbor 62 has the configuration as shown in FIG. 4 having a central bore, the upper part of which fits over the slightly tapered spindle 52. It has an extending circular part 80 spaced from the upper end of the arbor forming a pulley as will be described. The driving spring is a clock spring as designated at 81, the inner end of which is secured to the spring arbor 62 as may be seen in FIG. 7. The other end of the spring 81 extends outwardly through an opening in the side of the casing 11 and is looped as shown at 83 in FIG. 3 to hold it.

Attached to the upper end of the arbor 62 is a plate or disc 84 which is attached by way of ears as shown at 85 extending from the arbor through openings in the disc 84. The upper end of the spindle 52 has a portion 86 of smaller diameter and engaged on this portion is a retaining ring 87 which bears against the shoulder of spindle 52 adjacent its portion 86. The periphery of the retaining ring 87 engages with the arbor 62. The disc 84 has radial slot 90 at its bore and received in this slot is a knot at the end of drawstring 12 which wraps around the pulley, that is, the upper part of arbor 52 between disc 84 and the, extending circular part 80. The drawstring extends through the tone arm assembly 41 as will be described presently, through the eyelet 51 to the exterior of the housing and is attached to ring 13 for convenient grasping and operating by a child, for example.

Pulling on this drawstring rotates the pulley, that is the arbor 62, and winds up the clock spring '81 and the spring is then able to drive the record disc. A one-Way clutch or drive is provided between the record spindle 52 and the spring arbor 62.' This construction is illustrated in cross-section in FIG. 7. On the inside of the lower skirt portion of spring arbor 62, it has the angularly spaced axially extending grooves 92, the surfaces of which curve outward slightly from the central axis of spindle 52. Disposed in these spaces between the skirt of arbor 62 and the spindle 52, are the rollers or bearing members 93. As may be seen in FIG. 7, if the arbor 62 is rotated in a clockwise direction, the rollers 93 move to the wider part of the siots, that is, the spaces between the arbor and the spindle 52 and thus do not frictionally engage between these members and the arbor 62 is not driven. On the other hand, if arbor 62 moves in a counter-clockwise direction, the rollers 93 move to the narrower part of the openings or spaces so as to frictionally engage betweenthe arbor 62 and the spindle 52 and to thus drive the spindle. The effect is that when the spring 81 is wound by pulling on the drawstring 12, the record disc is not rotated. The record disc 73 is, however, rotated in the opposite direction while being driven by the spring 81.

It has a plurality of separate spaced grooves or tracks on each of which, by way of example, is recorded a separate sentence such as might be spoken or pronounced by a child and figuratively, by a doll. As will be explained presently when the tone arm with the needle is moved to the periphery of the disc, it may engage one or another of the spiral grooves and depending upon which one it engages, a different sentence or a different distinctive sound will be reproduced.

Means are provided in the form of a rotary governor to regulate the speed at which the record disc is driven, this assembly being designated generally as previously pointed out at 40. It comprises a rotor member which may be a casting, for example, as designated at 98 having an upper end or spindle 99 journalled in a bushing 100 in the top of the housing 11. It has a lower end or spindle 102 journaled in a bushing 103 in the bottom of the housing part 11. The rotor member 98 has an enlarged portion 104 and at the upper end of this portion is an extending web 105. Adjacent the lower part of the enlarged portion 104 is a drive pulley 106 providing a groove between itself and the lower part of portion 104. The driving belt 74 is engaged in this groove as shown. It should be understood of course that other types of drives such as a gear drive may be utilized for driving the gov- Numeral 108 designates an upper web member similar in shape to the web member 105. Web member 108 has a central bore which fits over the upper end portion of the rotor member 98. Fitting between the ends of the web members and 108 are posts or pins as shown for example at 111, the ends of which are tapered fitting into bores or openings in the webs. There are two radially movable governor members or weights movable outwardly under the influence of centrifugal force pivotally mounted on these posts. These members are identical and therefore only one will be described in detail. One of them is designated at 112. It comprises an arcuate weight portion 113 having a mounting arm 114 connected integrally to bushing 115 journalled as shown on the post or pin 111. Numeral 117 designates a torsion spring wrapped around the bushing 115. One end of this spring engages a post extending upwardly from the web member 105 and this post for the other weight member is shown at 118 in FIG. 4. The other end of the torsion spring engages with a portion of the weight member 112 so that it is normally urged inwardly, that is radially, and this movement is limited by a stop member on the web 105 of the rotor 93.

The weight member 112 has a radial slot in which is disposed at strip of fabric as shown at 121 or other suitable material which serves as braking material. The governor operates in a manner which will be readily understood by those skilled in the art. It is driven at a suitable or appropriate speed by way of the belt 74 as described. As the speed increases, the weights or centrifugal members move outwardly under the influence of centrifugal force and against the force of the torsion springs. The fabric members 121 may engage the interior surface of the skirt or drum 49 so that this frictional engagement retards or restrains rotation of the governor and thus limits the speed of rotation. In this manner, the speed of rotation of the disc or record 73 is controlled and regulated and maintained at the optimum speed for desirable reproduction of sounds. I

Numerals 122 and 123 in FIG. 1 designate stabilizing webs which may be provided on the interior of the casing 11 extending inwardly for the purpose of providing additional means for engaging and stabilizing the rotor 98. These members are however optional and may be omitted.

The tone arm and reproducing assembly which has been designated at 41 is shown in cross-section in FIG. 5 and certain of the parts are shown enlarged in FIG. 8. Numeral 125 designates a flat driving spring for the reproducing cone 43 having the shape as may best be seen in FIG. 3. It is mounted in the casing or housing 11 in a position below the reproducing cone 41. At its ends it has tongues as shown at 126 and 127 engageable in slots or openings in the casing 11 for securement. The tongues 126 are in the form of laterally extending hooks as shown which may hook into openings in the casing 11 with the tongue 127 extending into an opening or groove in the opposite side of the casing.

At the center of the spring 125, it has an opening and at this point is secured the lower end of a small tubular member 129, the securement preferably being by Way of the flanges as shown adjacent the opening in the spring as may be seen in FIG. 4. The tubular member 129 extends through an opening in and mounts the reproducing cone 41 which may be additionally secured to the member 129 such as by way of glue or wax as indicated at 136.

The tone arm is shown more in detail at 132 in PEG. 5. At its left end it has an integrally formed bushing 133 having a bore journalled on a pin or eyelet 135 having flanged ends which is mounted from the spring 125 as shown. The arm 132 has a central web 136 adjacent which are longitudinally extending grooves 137 and 138 so that the tone arm is very light. It may be fabricated from plastic for example. The needle 1.40 is mounted slightly augularly as shown at the end of the tone arm and beyond the needle. The tone arm has a portion 141 in which is positioned transversely an eyelet 142 having flanged ends as shown and through which passes the drawstring 12. Near the end of the tone arm at its upper part is a transversely extending rib 144 which slidably engages the flange or rim at the lower end of the tubular member 129 which as described is attached to the driving spring 125 for the reproducing cone. The tone arm is movable about its pivotal mountings so that the needle 140 can be svmng from an intermediate point on the record, that is, from the end of the playing surface to the periphery. When the tone arm so moves, the rib 144 slides frictionally relative to the lower end of the tubular member 129. That is, the reproducing cone 43 does not move with the tone arm itself; these parts move relatively.

As may be seen in FIG. 5, the eyelet 142 in the end of the tone arm is slightly below the circular part 86 of the pulley around which the drawstring 12 is wrapped. Normally, in operation when the needle ha moved to the interior of the playing surface of the record 73, the drawstring 12 is then manipulated, that is, it is pulled or tensioned by the drawstring 12 by grasping and pulling the ring 13. The tension in the string or cord 1-2 is sufii; cient to lift the tone arm 132 from the surface of the record against the force of the spring 1125 which may bend or bow slightly to accommodate this purpose. As the cord or string 12 is pulled, the friction between it and the interior of the eyelet 142 is sutficient to move the tone arm to the exterior or periphery of the record 73. At this point, its movement is terminated or stopped by a stop member 146 extending from the bracket 47.

The tone arm has now been properly positioned for another operation and the needle 140 may now engage in any one of the spiral grooves of the record as previously described. That is, there may result from each manual operation that the device speaks or pronounces a different sentence or other distinctive sound. A fascinating feature of the invention is that when it is embodied in a doll, for example, the child does not know what response he or she is going to get from the doll, speaking figuratively, that the words that are spoken or pronounced by the phonograph device are a response to what the child has said to the doll.

Continuing the description of the operation, the engagement of the tone arm with the stop 146 does not restrain continued movement of the drawstring or cord 12. Pulling on the drawstring of course winds the spring 81 as previously described by rotating its pulley and this operation as stated is not terminated or prevented by reason of the tone arm having been returned to its starting position. The spring 81 may be completely wound by one extended pull on the drawstring. However, less extended or shorter pulls may be exerted on the drawstring simply for the purpose of resetting the tone arm to the initial position to reproduce the different sentences or distinctive sounds from the record '73. Each of such shorter pulls partially winds the spring 81, the winding being accomplished through the one-way clutch or drive as previously described. As may be observed, therefore, the particular nature of the mechanism provides a construction which is simple and effective but yet very rugged durable and capable of withstanding rather rough treatment. Particularly, it will withstand and properly respond to any manipulations that may be made by a child who doe not of course understand the details of the mechanism but perceives only that by pulling the drawstring, the device will be caused to reproduce sounds. The nature of the mechanism is such that it does not impose a requirement on the operator that the length of pull of the drawstring or the force exerted must be nicely judged or gauged. The device therefore accommodates itself very well to the treatment expected to be given it by children.

While the record is being played, the governor is of course being driven in the manner previously described and as explained the governor regulates and controls the speed of rotation of the record to provide for optimum reproduction conditions.

From the foregoing, those skilled in the art will observe that the invention embraces the fascinating concept of providing a device which will figuratively speak for itself and is adapted to speak or say things which the operator is not able to anticipate. The invention embraces the concept of a device which a child for example may speak to and then receive a response from, which response is, in effect, chosen and selected by the device itself since the operator does not know which of the sound tracks or spiral grooves on the record will be engaged by the needle.

Those skilled in the art will also observe that the physical embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein provides novel and original features and structural arrangements providing for a very high degree of effectiveness and utility. The movements are extremely simplified and extraordinarily adapted to treatment to be expected from a child. The tone arm moves relatively to the reproducing cone not requiring that the latter be one of the moving parts. The actual movements are limited to movements absolutely necessary to the required operations and are reduced to a very simple form.

The invention in effect provides means for truly personifying an inanimate thing, such as a doll, and virtually imputing a human personality to it.

It is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the precise forms and embodiments as disclosed herein since they are intended to be illustrative of the principles of the invention. The concept and principles of the invention maybe embodied in other devices or" larger size and adapted in other forms. The invention is to be accorded the full scope of the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

1. In a phonograph device for use in a figurine or the like having a turntable for a record to be rotated and a tone arm carrying a needle, the improvements comprising an elongated resilient member mounted transversely above the turntable and having a portion drivingly engaging a speaker means, and means mounting the tone arm for slidable engagement of one portion thereof with said resilient means substantially directly opposite the portion thereof engaging said speaker means whereby to transmit sound to the speaker means, the resilient means normally urging the needle into playing engagement with a record on the turntable.

2. in a phonograph device for use in a figurine or the like having a turntable for a record to be rotated and a tone arm carrying a needle, the improvements comprising an elongated resilient member mounted transversely above the turntable .and having a portion drivingly engaging a speaker means, and means mounting the tone arm for slidable engagement of one portion thereof with said resilient means substantially directly opposite the portion thereof engaging said speaker means whereby to transmit sound to the speaker means, the resilient means normally urging the needle into playing engagement with a record on the turntable, said tone arm being pivotally attached to the transverse resilient member for swinging movement generally parallel to the surface of said turntable.

3. In a phonograph device for use in a figurine or the like having a turntable for a record to be rotated and a tone arm carrying a needle, the improvements comprising an elongated resilient member mounted transversely above the turntable and having a portion drivingly engaging ,a speaker means, and means mounting the tone arm for slidable engagement of one portion thereof with said resilient means substantially directly opposite the portion thereof engaging said speaker means whereby to transmit sound to the speaker means, the resilient means normally urging the needle into playing engagement with a record on the turntable, and means for resetting the tone arm to a starting position said means comprising mechanism including a draw string and means responsive to tensioning thereof for imparting a force to the said resilient means to relieve the record-engaging force on the needle.

4. In a phonograph device for use in a figurine or the like having a turntable for a record to be rotated and a tone arm carrying a needle, the improvements comprising an elongated resilient member mounted transversely above the turntable and having a portion drivingly engaging a speaker means, and means mounting the tone arm for slidable engagement of one portion thereof with said resilient means substantially directly opposite the portion thereof engaging said speaker means whereby to transmit sound to the speaker means, the resilient means normally urging the needle into playing engagement with a record on the turntable, and means for resetting the tone arm to a starting position said means comprising mechanism including a draw string and means responsive to tensioning thereof for imparting a force to the said resilient means to relieve the record-engaging force on 10 the needle, and driving means for the turntable and means whereby said driving means is energized by said draw string.

5. In a phonograph device for use in a figurine or the like having a turntable for a record to be rotated and a tone arm carrying a needle, the improvements comprising an elongated resilient member mounted transversely above the turntable and having a portion drivingly engaging a speaker means, and means mounting the tone arm for slidable engagement of one portion thereof with said resilient means substatially directly opposite the portion thereof engaging said speaker means whereby to transmit sound to the speaker means, the resilient means normally urging the needle into playing engagement with a record on the turntable, said tone are being pivotally mounted at one end for swinging movement parallel to the surface of said turntable, the slidably engaging portions of said tone arm and resilient means including an elongated rib extending transversely to said resilient means.

6. In a phonograph device for use in a figurine or the like having a record on a turntable, said record having a plurality of sound grooves therein, each having a different starting position adjacent the periphery of said record; a tone arm having a needle movable across said record; driving means for rotating said turntable; manually operable means for effecting movement of said needle outwardly of said record to the outer periphery thereof while said turntable is stationary; and one-way overrunning clutch means connecting said driving means to said turntable whereby said turntable may continue to turn while said driving means is stopped whereby to induce random selection of the next sound groove to be engaged by said needle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 639,452 Smallwood Dec. 19, 1899 2,066,859 Schiler Ian. 5, 1937 3,017,187 Ryan Ian. 16, 1962

Claims (1)

1. IN A PHONOGRAPH DEVICE FOR USE IN A FIGURINE OR THE LIKE HAVING A TURNTABLE FOR A RECORD TO BE ROTATED AND A TONE ARM CARRYING A NEEDLE, THE IMPROVEMENTS COMPRISING AN ELONGATED RESILIENT MEMBER MOUNTED TRANSVERSELY ABOVE THE TURNTABLE AND HAVING A PORTION DRIVINGLY ENGAGING A SPEAKER MEANS, AND MEANS MOUNTING THE TONE ARM FOR SLIDABLE ENGAGEMENT OF ONE PORTION THEREOF WITH SAID RESILIENT MEANS SUBSTANTIALLY DIRECTLY OPPOSITE THE PORTION THEREOF ENGAGING SAID SPEAKER MEANS WHEREBY TO TRANSMIT SOUND TO THE SPEAKER MEANS, THE

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