US3870318A

US3870318A - Remotely actuated sound reproducing device

Info

Publication number: US3870318A
Application number: US230875A
Authority: US
Inventors: Donald B Poynter
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-03-01
Filing date: 1972-03-01
Publication date: 1975-03-11
Anticipated expiration: 1992-03-11

Abstract

The disclosure describes an amusement device comprising a sound reproducing unit which is mounted on the rear of the bowl of a commode. A resilient bulb is mounted on the rim of the bowl in underlying relation to the seat. When a person sits on the seat, an air pressure signal is generated by collapse of the bulb. This signal is transmitted to the sound unit by a tube connected therebetween. Responsive to this signal, the sound unit initiates a cycle of operation wherein a recording disc engages a needle and reproduces a message, or the like, to the amusement and consternation of the person using the commode. After the message is completed, the sound unit is automatically deactuated to complete the cycle of operation.

Description

Unite States Patent Poynter REMOTELY ACTUATED SOUND REPRODUCING DEVICE [76] Inventor: Donald B. Poynter, 7 Arcadia PL,

Cincinnati, Ohio 45208 [22] Filed: Mar. 1, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 230,875

[52] U.S. Cl. 274/9 R, 274/1 R [51] Int. Cl. Glld 25/04 [58] Field 01 Search 274/1 R, l A, 9 R, 13, 274/14, 15

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,514,548 7/1950 Kimball 274/1 R 3,169,774 2/1965 Daellenbach 274/14 3,401,942 9/1968 Strauss 274/9 R 3,411,790 11/1968 Suchowski 3,721,449 3/1973 Sirinek 274/1 A Primary E.\'aminerHarry N. Haroian Attorney, Agent, or Firml. Warren Kinney, Jr.

[57] ABSTRACT The disclosure describes an amusement device comprising a sound reproducing unit which is mounted on the rear of the bowl of a commode. A resilient bulb is mounted on the rim of the bowl in underlying relation to the seat. When a person sits on the seat, an air pressure signal is generated by collapse of the bulb. This signal is transmitted to the sound unit by a tube connected therebetween. Responsive to this signal, the sound unit initiates a cycle of operation wherein a recording disc engages a needle and reproduces a message, or'the like, to the amusement and consternation of the person using the commode. After the message is completed, the sound unit is automatically deactuated to complete the cycle of operation.

21 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures PATENTED HAR] 1 I975 sum 3 [1F 3 REMOTELY ACTUATED SOUND REPRODUCING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to remotely actuated sound reproducing devices and, while not necessarily so limited in its utility and broader aspects, relates particularly to novelty type amusement devices.

The motivating environment of the present invention is, in fact, in the field of novelty type amusement devices and specifically those type of devices which are intended for use in conjunction with the operation of a commode. While it is broadly old to provide novelty devices which are actuated when a person sits upon a commode, it is now recognized that such a novelty device must be particulary unobtrusive and compact to attain an element of surprise to be effective for the desired ends of amusement or the like. Further, in common with most novelty devices in general, such devices must also be inexpensive. Beyond this, to attain commercial success a reasonable degree of durability is also required. These requirements present a great challenge, particularly where it is desired that the device reproduce a sound message. The overall combination of these requirements has not hitherto been wholely satisfied. This holds true whether the more limited field of novelty, amusement devices be considered, or the broader field of remotely actuated sound reproducing devices be included.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, one object of the invention is to provide an improved novelty, amusement device, meeting the requirements outlined above, and particularly adapted for use in conjunction with the operation of a commode.

Another object of the invention is to provide a remotely actuated novelty, amusement device which meets the general requirements for such devices and combines durability with economics of manufacture.

Another and broader object of the invention is to provide a remotely actuated sound reproducing device which is particularly characterized by economical construction for cyclic operation.

These ends are broadly attained by a remotely actuated sound reproducing device which comprises a remote actuator for generating a signal and a sound reproducing unit. The remote actuator and the sound unit are interconnected by means for transmitting the signal to the sound unit. The sound unit comprises a rotatable recording element having a spiral groove. A needle is engageable with the groove of the recording element to reproduce sound recorded thereon. Means are provided for imparting a cycle of relative movement between the needle and the recording element which begins and ends at a start" position and includes traversing the recording element in one direction with the needle in space relation thereto and traversing the recording element in the opposite direction along said groove from one end thereof to the other. When traveling along the groove the needle reproduces the sound recorded thereon. Means responsive to the remotely generated signal initiate a cycle of relative movement and actuate rotation of the recording element and also deactuate rotation of the recording element at the end of said cycle.

Preferred features incorporated in this combination include forming the recording element as a disc with the spiral groove embossed on a radial face therof. The needle may be mounted on a carrier and project therefrom toward the grooved face of the disc. Greater sound volume, as well as other advantages, are obtained by employing an inwardly directed cone shaped diaphragm. The apex of this diaphragm resiliently maintains the needle in engagement with the recording disc groove as it traversed said disc from the one end of the groove to the other.

The outer periphery of the diaphragm may be clamped in a relatively fixed position and spring means are employed to maintain the carrier in engagement with its apex. Relative axial movement between the needle and the disc is then obtained by imparting axial movement to the disc.

The carrier may also be urged by spring means away from the start position of the needle so that it will automatically travel towards one end of the disc groove in spaced relation thereto. Additionally the disc may be formed with a central depression into which one end of the groove enters and into which the needle is captured by outward displacement of the disc to define its start position.

The remote actuator, particularly when the invention is employed as an amusement device in conjunction with the use of a commode, comprises a resilient bulb which, when collapsed, produces an air pressure signal. This signal is then transmitted to the sound unit and employed to displace the disc and initiate a cycle of relative movement to reproduce the sound or message on the recording disc. In the use of an air pressure signal, a bellows may be utilized, with means being provided for dissipating the pressure signal to allow the disc to be displaced outwardly for engagement with the needle and capture of the needle in the start position.

In order that the device may be self contained and conveniently operated, a battery powered motor is employed to rotate the disc. The electrical circuit for this motor is completed and interrupted by axial displacement of the recording disc at the beginning and end at each cycle of relative movement.

The above and other relative objects and features of the invention will be apparent from a reading of the following description of the disclosure found in the accompanying drawings and the novelty thereof pointed out in the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the Drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a commode, illustrating a preferred form of the device of the present invention in use;

FIG. 2 is a view of the front side of said device;

FIG. 3 is a view of the back side of the device;

FIG. 4 is a section taken generally on line 4-4 in FIG. 2, with portions of the device separated and with an actuation unit attached;

FIg. Sis a section taken generally on line 5-5 in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a section taken generally on line 6-6 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is an exploded, perspective view of major components of the device;

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of an electrical system employed in the device in its of position;

FIG. 9 is a view, similar to FIG. 8 illustrating actuation of the electrical circuit to its on" position;

FIG. 10 is a section, on an enlarged scale, taken on line 10-10 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 is a section taken on line 1l11 in FIG. 10;

FIGS. 12, 13, 14 and 15 are sections, on an enlarged scale, taken generally on line l212 in FIG. 6 with certain parts rotated for sake of illustration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referencing FIG. 1, the device of the present invention, is illustrated in its application to a commode 10. This device comprises a sound reproducing unit 12 which may be affixed to the rear of the commode bowl 14. A resilient bulb 16 is affixed to the rim of the bowl 14 in underlying relation to the seat 18, which is pivotal thereon and shown in a partially raised position. When the seat is lowered it rests upon and is held in a slightly raised, but unobvious position by the bulb 16. When a person sits on the seat, the bulb 16 is compressed, i.e., collapsed, to generate a pressure signal, which is transmitted through a tube 20, to the sound unit 12. This signal actuates mechanism, later described in detail, which caused a noise or comic message to be reproduced by the sound unit 12. This, of course, gives the user of the toilet a very startled reaction, all to his consternation and general amusement.

The sound unit 12 comprises a shell like casing formed by a rear housing 19 and a front housing 21 which are held in assembled relation by screws 22 which are threaded into posts 24 molded integrally with the rear housing 19. At this point it will be noted that the major components of the device are rigid plastic moldings which contribute to its overall economy of manufacture.

The sound unit 12 also comprises an interior plate 25 which has tabs 26 (FIGS. 6 and 7) clamped between the outer housing 21 and the rear housing posts 24 by the screws 22. The interior plate 25 is also secured to the front housing 21 by a screw 27 so that it is held thereto when the front and rear housings are separated.

A recording element in the form of a disc 28 is disposed within the rear housing 19 beneath the interior plate 25. A spiral groove is embossed in the outer radial face of the disc 28. The spiral groove has vibration causing ripples for reproducing a disired sound or message. The disc 28l is bonded to a shaft 34 (preferably metal) which projects from opposite sides thereof. The disc 28 has a rearwardly projecting hub 36 on which is secured a brass sleeve 38. The rear end of the shaft 34 is journaled on and slideable in the rear housing 19. The opposite or front end of the shaft 34 is journaled on and slideable in the plate 25 and also projects beyond said plate. A spring 40 coiled within the hub 36 and around the shaft 34 (FIG. 12) to urge the disc 28 outwardly toward the plate 25.

The spiral groove of disc 28 is adapted to be engaged by a steel needle 42 which is mounted on a carrier 44. The carrier 44 is disposed on the outer side of the plate 25 with the needle 42 and a surrounding boss 45 projecting through an aperture 46 (FIG. 6) to engage disc 28. The carrier is pivotally mounted on a pin 48 (FIGS. 10 and 11) for movement in two planes, one being normal to the axis of the pin 48 and the other in a plane passing through the axis of this pin. The carrier 44 has a relatively thin section having a hole therethrough which is slightly larger than the pin 48 and nubs 47 which engage the plate 25 to permit free pivotal movement in the plane passing through the pin axis. Side walls 49 are slidable against the pin 48 to give stability to the carrier in its pivotal movements.

The needle 42 may thus swing towards and away from the face of the disc 28, also swing toward and away from the outer edge of the disc. A spring 50, wound around the pin 48, provides the combined function of yieldingly urging the carrier in a counterclockwise direction (FIG. 6) and urging the carrier to swing outwardly into yielding engagement with the apex of a cone shaped diaphragm 56. One end of the spring is inserted through a rib 52 on the carrier 44 and the other end engages a circular rim 54 projecting from the plate 25.

The rim 54 clamps the outer periphery of the diaphragm 56 against the inner surface of the front housing 21. The apex of the diaphragm 56 maintains engagement with the carrier through radial traverse of the disc 28, as hereinafter described. The carrier is provided with wings 58 which underlie the apex of diaphragm 56 thoughout the limits of the travel of the carrier 44.

As will later appear, actuation of the device involves axial displacement of the shaft 34 through a U-shaped lever, or tongue 60, which is pivotally mounted on the plate 25 and overlies the outer end of the shaft 34. A leaf spring 62, secured to the plate 25 urges tongue 60 outwardly to compress a bellows 64 toward the inner surface of the front housing 21. The outer end of the bellows opens into a tube section 66 formed integrally with the housing. A sleeve 67, secured to the pressure signal tube 20 is removably inserted into the tube section 66. The signal tube, as previously described, is connected to bulb 16. A coil spring 70 may be wound around the tube 20 at its juncture with the bulb 16 to minimize stress of materials at this point. A suction cup 72 is secured to a tab 73 projecting from the bulb 16 to facilitate its attachment to a support surface, such as, by way of example, a toilet bowl, as previously referenced. The actuator tube 20 and bellows 64 may be formed of flexible plastic materials suitable for the functions described.

When bulb 16 is compressed, the pressure signal generated extends the bellows 64 to pivot the tongue 60 and thus displace the shaft 34 axially. This movement actuates a cycle of relative movement between the needle 42 and disc 28 to reproduce the sound recorded on the disc 28, as will now be more fully described. Actuation of the referenced cycle involves two functions, first, translation of the needle 42 and second, rotation of the disc 28. The latter will now be described.

Rotation of the disc 28 is accomplished by a motor 74 mounted in sockets molded into the housings l9 and 21. Motor shaft 76 projects inwardly, and a pulley belt 78 passes around said shaft and a groove 77 formed in the outer periphery of disc 28 to provide a drive connection for the disc. Motor 74 is selectively energized by a battery 80 which is physically mounted in a compartment opening into the rear face of the rear housing 19 (FIGS. 3 and 4). Appropriate contacts for the opposite poles of the battery 80 (FIG. 4) connect with

leads

82 and 84 respectively. Lead 82 is connected directly to the motor 74. Lead 84 is connected to a spring contact 86 which is mounted on the inner surface of the rear housing. A second spring contact 88 is mounted in generally parallel relation to the contact 86 and is connected by lead 90 to the opposite side of the motor 74. The

spring contacts

86, 88 extend on opposite sides of and embrace the shaft 34. In the off position of the device these contacts (FIG. 12) are separated by the non-conductive hub 36 of the disc 28. The electrical circuit for this off" position is schematically shown in FIG. 8. Provision is also made to lock the device in the of position to prevent accidental or unintentional actuation of the device. To this end a plate 92 is pivotally mounted on the rear housing 19 and swingable from its illustrated on position (FIG. 5) to an off position in which it underlies hub 36 and prevents any substantial inward axial movement of the shaft 34. A lug 94 (FIGS. 3 and 4) projects through a slot 96 in the rear housing 19 being accessible from the exterior of the casing to permit the device to be turned on and of as desired.

When the shaft 34 is displaced by the tongue 60 (FIG. 13), the conductive sleeve 38 completes the electrical circuit to the motor 74 through the

contacts

86, 88. This energizes the motor 74 and starts the disc 28 rotating. This on condition of the electrical circuit is schematically illustrated in FIG. 11.

Prior to actuation of a sound reproducing cycle, disc 28 is displaced to its extreme outward position, by the spring 40, to capture the needle 42 in a central disc depression 98, this being the start position. When the shaft 34 is displaced by the tongue 60 to the position of FIG. 13, the electrical circuit is completed, as described above, and, instantaneously, the needle 42 is disposed in spaced relation with the disc 28 as the needle carrier is maintained outwardly against the apex of the diaphragm 56 by the spring 50. While in this spaced relation the carrier 44, also under the influence of spring 50, swings the needle 42 so that it traverses the disc to an outer position defined by engagement of the carrier boss 45 with the aperture 46. The spaced relation during this movement avoids scratching of the groove embossed in the surface of disc 28. It will be appreciated that if the air signal system from the bulb 16 to the bellows 64 were of inflexible, constant volume, the needle 42 would remain in the spaced relation of FIg. 13. To avoid this condition and complete the sound reproducing cycle, while the bulb 16 is still compressed such as by the weight ofa person sitting on seat 18, means are provided for dissipating the air pressure signal. To this end the bellows 64 and the tube 20 may be formed of flexible resilient material which, when pressurized can expand the air system volume permitting the tongue 60 to swing outwardly under the influence of

springs

40 and 60. Further the air system may be provided with a small leakage, as at the normal fit between the tube fitting connection between the tube 20 and housing 21 to allow for controlled depressurization of the air system. Either a decrease in the air system volume or controlled leakage therefrom or a combination of both may be employed for pressure dissipation to permit the rotating disc 28 to be displaced outwardly and engage the needle 42 (FIG. 14) under the influence of spring 40. The needle then engages the outer end of the spiral groove and traverses the disc in an inward direction as it is displaced by the continuous groove (FIG. As the needle rides in the groove it is vibrated by the ripples embossed thereon to reproduce a prerecorded sound or message. These vibrations are transmitted through the carrier and amplified by the diaphragm 56 to reproduce sound which is transmitted from the case through apertures 100 (FIG. 2) formed in the housing 21. In this connection it will be noted that the needle 42 is angled so that its point is aligned with the apex of the cone 56 (FIG. 10). When the groove carries the needle 42 to the depression 98, the spring 40 automatically displaces disc 28 outwardly to recapture the needle in its start position. The cycleof operation is thus completed as the electrical circuit is automatically interrupted upon outward displacement of disc 28.

It will be seen that a suction cup 102 is secured to the rear housing 19. This permits the sound unit 12 to be readily affixed to a suitable support surface, such as a toilet bowl at a location remote from the actuator, as consistant with the general requirements of the subject amusement device.

The present invention has been described in its preferred form for use as a remotely actuated, sound reproducing novelty or amusement device. As such it has many noteworthy features, including as compactness and unobtrusiveness, economy of manufacturer, reliability and durability. The features and the described mechanism whereby they are attained may be adopted, to a greater or lesser extent, for other uses of the invention, not necessarily restricted to novelty devices, where a remotely actuated sound reproducing device is desired. Similarly certain features in the broader aspects of the invention may be substituted for by equivalents. In this regard, by way of illustration and not as a limitation; the sound reproducing disc may be powered by a spring motor or the signal for actuating the message cycle may be electrically generated. Additionally the start position while preferred as described, need not necessarily be at the center of the recording disc 28.

What is claimed is:

1. A sound reproducing device of the type including a housing having a rotatable and axially shiftable recording disc mounted therein, said disc having a spiral groove in one face thereof with a predetermined configuration for reproducing a recorded message, a movable stylus carried by the housing in a position for selective engagement and disengagement with the groove, means connected with said stylus to move said stylus in response to axial shifting of said disc in a first direction to initiate playback of a recorded message on the disc, a speaker operatively connected with the stylus for generating an audible sound in response to rotation of the disc with the stylus engaged in the groove thereof, remotely actuated means operatively connected with the disc to move the disc axially in said first direction to initiate a cycle of operation, and electrical circuit means including a motor means operatively connected with the disc to rotate the disc when the disc is in its aforesaid first axially shifted position, an axially extending non-conductive projection on said disc coaxial therewith, electrically conductive means carried by the projection and connected in said circuit, and a switch including a pair of electrical contacts connected in said circuit and yieldably biased into engagement with circumferentially spaced portions of said nonconductive projection in a second axial position of the disc, whereat the circuit is deenergized, and biased into engagement with said electrically conductive means in the first axially shifted position of the disc to energize the circuit and cause rotation of the disc for playing of the recorded message.

2. A device as called for in claim 1, wherein said sound unit includes means for imparting a cycle of relative movement between the needle and recording dis, wherein the cycle begins and ends at a start position and includes traversing the disc in one direction with the needle in spaced relation thereto and traversing the disc in the opposite direction along said groove from one end thereof to the other and means responsive to said remotely actuated means for initiating a cycle of relative movement and actuating the recording disc to initiate rotation of the disc at the beginning ofthe cycle and terminating rotation of the recording disc at the end of the cycle.

3. A sound reproducing device as in claim 1, wherein the remotely actuated means includes means for generating a signal, a sound reproducing unit including said speaker and said recording disc, means for transmitting said signal from the remote actuator to said sound unit, the recording disc of the sound unit having a spiral groove embossed on a radial face thereof and the groove having vibration producing ripples along its length, said disc further having a central depression into which the inner end of the groove enters, said needle supported from a carrier and projecting toward the disc, said speaker comprising a cone-shaped diaphragm mounted at its periphery in a relatively fixed position with its apex directed toward and engaging the outer surface of the carrier in overlying relation to the needle, a pin disposed parallel to and in spaced relation from the axis of the disc, said carrier being mounted for pivotal movement on said pin about the axis thereof and also for pivotal movement in a plane defined by the axis, spring means effective on said carrier for pivoting the carrier into yielding engagement with the apex of said diaphragm and for urging the needle toward the outer periphery of said disc, means limiting outward pivotal movement of the carrier and maintaining the needle in registration with the grooved face of the disc, a spring urging said disc toward the carrier to capture said needle in said central depression in the start" position thereof and means for actuating rotation of said disc and for displacing said disc against the action of said spring to a position wherein the needle is in spaced relation from the grooved face thereof, so that the needle will swing to the outer periphery of the disc, said means operable to then permit the spring means acting on the disc to displace the disc a distance sufficient for engagement of the needle with the groove and to carry the needle along the groove to reproduce the sound recorded on the disc and then result of recapture of the needle in the depression and operable to deactuate the disc rotating motor means upon recapture of the needle in the depression.

4. A sound reproducing device as in claim 1, wherein the spiral groove is embossed on a radial surface of the recording disc and the groove has vibration producing ripples along its length, said needle carried by and projecting from a carrier towards the grooved face of the disc, said speaker including an inwardly directed coneshaped diaphragm for amplifying the vibrations of said needle to produce sound, said diaphragm having its outer periphery clamped in a relatively fixed position, means resiliently maintaining the apex of the diaphragm in engagement with the carrier throughout the travel of the needle from one end of the groove to the other, means resiliently urging the disc in an axial direction toward the needle and carrier, means responsive to axial displacement of the disc against said urging means for initiating a cycle of relative movement between the needle and recording disc which begins and ends at a start position and includes traversing the recording disc in one direction with the needle in spaced relation thereto and traversing the recording disc in the opposite direction along said groove from one end thereof to the other, and means responsive to said remotely actuated means for initiating a cycle of relative movement and for actuating the recording disc rotating motor at the beginning of the cycle of operation and for deactuating the motor at the end of the cycle.

S. A device as called for in claim 1 which includes means for automatically terminating the operation of said sound reproducing device after a predetermined operating cycle.

6. A sound reproducing device as in claim 2, wherein the spiral groove is embossed on a radial face of the disc, said groove further having vibration producing ripples along its length for vibrating said needle, and further comprising a carrier from which the needle projects toward the grooved face of the disc, an inwardly directed, cone shaped diaphragm for amplifying the vibrations of said needle to produce sound, and means resiliently maintaining the apex of said diaphragm in engagement with said carrier throughout the travel of the needle from one end of the groove to the other.

7. A sound reproducing device as in claim 6, \vhrein the outer periphery of the cone shaped diaphragm is clamped in a relatively fixed position, and the means for imparting relative movement between the needle and disc include means mounting the disc for both rotary and axial movement, and

means for axially displacing said disc to obtain the spaced relationship between the needle and the disc.

8. A sound reproducing device as in claim 7 further including a spring for resiliently urging said disc towards said needle and carrier and resiliently maintaining the 45 needle in engagement with said groove during that portion of its relative movement cycle, and

means for positively displacing said disc, against the action of said spring, away from said needle during the portion of cyclic movement when the needle traverses said disc in spaced relation thereto.

9. A sound reproducing device as in claim 8 further comprising spring means acting on said carrier and urging it into engagement with the apex of said diaphragm and also in a direction of traverse relative to said disc which is away from said start position whereby the carrier will be returned to its start position by engagement with said spiral groove.

10. A sound reproducing device as in claim 9,

wherein the disc has a central depression in which the needle is captured by axial displacement of the disc, upon said needle reaching said other iend of said spiral groove, said captured position of the needle being its start position. 11. A sound reproducing device as in claim 3, wherein the carrier has a relatively thin section adjacent a fixed surface of the sound unit from which the pin projects, said thin section being apertured to loosely receive said pin and having parallel faces embracing said pin to provide stability in the two way pivotal movement thereof and the spring means acting on the carrier comprise a spring coiled about said pin, above said parallel surfaces, one end of said spring engaging a fixed portion of said sound unit and the other end engaging a portion of the carrier projecting towards said needle, said other spring end flexing outwardly to maintain engagmeent with the apex of said diaphragm.

12. A sound reproducing device as in claim 11,

wherein the sound unit comprises front and rear housings and an interior plate clamped therebetween,

the disc is bonded to a central shaft slidably and rotatably mounted on the rear housing and the interior plate, and

the spring acting on said disc is coiled around said shaft between the rear housing and the disc.

13. A sound reproducing device as in claim 2,

wherein the means for actuating and deactuating the disc rotating means are responsive to axial displacement of said disc.

14. A sound reproducing device as in claim 10, wherein the remote actuator comprises a bulb which, when collapsed produces an air pressure signal, a tube extending from said sound unit for transmitting the air pressure signal, means responsive to said air pressure signal to axially displace said disc into spaced relationship from said needle to thereby initiate a cycle of relative movement therebetween, and means for dissipating said air pressure signal whereby the disc spring will displace said disc into engagement with said needle to traverse said groove and then displace the disc further to capture the needle in said central depression when it reaches said other end of said groove.

15. A sound reproducing device as in claim 7, wherein the electric motor has a shaft disposed parallel to the axis of said disc and projecting into general alignment-therewith, said disc has a groove formed therein, and a pulley belt trained around said groove and said shaft.

16. A sound reproducing device as in claim 15, wherein the electrical circuit includes a battery connected with the motor for energizing the motor, and the means for actuating and deactuating rotation of said disc include the electrical contacts, said contacts comprising a pair of spring contacts in the electrical circuit from the battery to the motor, said electrically conductive means on the disc comprising a metal sleeve mounted on said projection and providing the sole path for completing said electrical circuit, said metal sleeve being displaced from said spring contacts when the disc is displaced outwardly a distance sufficient to capture said needle in said depression and engaged by said spring contacts to complete said circuit when said disc is displaced inwardly a distance at least sufficient for the needle point to be in the plane of the disc groove.

17. A sound reproducing device as in claim 12, wherein the remote actuator comprises a bulb which. when compressed, produces an air pressure signal,

signal transmitting means comprising a hollow tube extending from the bulb to the sound unit, and

the means for initiating said cycle of relative movement includes a tongue pivotally mounted on said interior plate in overlying relation to the end of said shaft and a bellows which is extended by said air pressure signal to pivot said tongue and axially displace said disc into spaced relationship from said needle,

means for dissipating said air pressure signal whereby the disc spring will displace said disc into engagement with said needle to traverse said groove and then displace the disc further to capture the needle in said central depression when it reaches the other end of said groove,.

18. A sound reproducing device as in claim 17, wherein the electric motor has a shaft disposed parallel to the axis of said disc and projecting into general alignment therewith, said disc has a peripheral groove formed therein and a pulley belt trained around said groove and said shaft, a battery connected in said electrical circuit for energizing the motor, and said electrical contacts including a pair of spring contacts in-the electrical circuit from the battery to the motor, said electrically conductive means comprising a metal sleeve mounted on said disc projection providing the sole path for completing said electrical circuit, said metal sleeve being displaced from said spring contacts when the disc is displaced outwardly a distance sufficient to capture said needle in said depression and engaged by said spring contacts to complete said circuit when said disc is displaced inwardly a distance at least sufficient for the needle point to be in the plane of the disc groove.

19. A sound unit as in claim 4 further including a spring for resiliently urging said disc towards said needle and carrier and resiliently maintaining the needle in engagement with said groove during that portion of its relative movement cycle,

means for positively displacing said disc, against the action of said spring, away from said needle during the portion of cyclic movement when the needle traverses said disc in spaced relation thereto, and spring means acting on said carrier and urging it into engagement with the apex of said diaphragm and also in a direction of traverse relative to said disc which is away from said start position whereby the carrier will be returned to its start position.

20. A sound unit as in claim 14, wherein the disc has a central depression in which the needle is captured by axial displacement of the dis, upon said needle reaching said other end of said spiral groove, said captured position of the needle being its start position.

21. A sound reproducing device as in claim 7, wherein the remote actuator comprises a bulb which when compressed produces an air pressure signal, said signal transmitting means comprising a tube extending from the bulb to the sound unit, and the means for initiating said cycle of relative movement includes a bellows, which is extended by said air pressure signal to axially displace said disc.

Claims

1. A sound reproducing device of the type including a housing having a rotatable and axially shiftable recording disc mounted therein, said disc having a spiral groove in one face thereof with a predetermined configuration for reproducing a recorded message, a movable stylus carried by the housing in a position for selective engagement and disengagement with the groove, means connected with said stylus to move said stylus in response to axial shifting of said disc in a first direction to initiate playback of a recorded message on the disc, a speaker operatively connected with the stylus for generating an audible sound in response to rotation of the disc with the stylus engaged in the groove thereof, remotely actuated means operatively connected with the disc to move the disc axially in said first direction to initiate a cycle of operation, and electrical circuit means including a motor means operatively connected with the disc to rotate the disc when the disc is in its aforesaid first axially shifted position, an axially extending non-conductive projection on said disc coaxial therewith, electrically conductive means carried by the projection and connected in said circuit, and a switch including a pair of electrical contacts connected in said circuit and yieldably biased into engagement with circumferentially spaced portions of said non-conductive projection in a second axial position of the disc, whereat the circuit is deenergized, and biased into engagement with said electrically conductive means in the first axially shifted position of the disc to energize the circuit and cause rotation of the disc for playing of the recorded message.

2. A device as called for in claim 1, wherein said sound unit includes means for imparting a cycle of relative movement between the needle and recording dis, wherein the cycle begins and ends at a start position and includes traversing the disc in one direction with the needle in spaced relation thereto and traversing the disc in the opposite direction along said groove from one end thereof to the other and means responsive to said remotely actuated means for initiating a cycle of relative movement and actuating the recording disc to initiate rotation of the disc at the beginning of the cycle and terminating rotation of the recording disc at the end of the cycle.

3. A sound reproducing device as in claim 1, wherein the remotely actuated means includes means for generating a signal, a sound reproducing unit including said speaker and said recording disc, means for transmitting said signal from the remote actuator to said sound unit, the recording disc of the sound unit having a spiral groove embossed on a radial face thereof and the groove having vibration producing ripples along its length, said disc further having a central depression into which the inner end of the groove enters, said needle supported from a carrier and projecting toward the disc, said speaker comprising a cone-shaped diaphragm mounted at its periphery in a relatively fixed position with its apex directed toward and engaging the outer surface of the carrier in overlying relation to the needle, a pin disposed parallel to and in spaced relation from the axis of the disc, said carrier being mounted for pivotal movement on said pin about the axis thereof and also for pivotal movement in a plane defined by the axis, spring means effective on said carrier for pivoting the carrier into yielding engagement with the apex of said diaphragm and for urging the needle toward the outer periphery of said disc, means limiting outward pivotal movement of the carrier and maintaining the needle in registration with the grooved face of the disc, a spring urging said disc toward the carrier to capture said needle in said central depression in the ''''start'''' position thereof and means for actuating rotation of said diSc and for displacing said disc against the action of said spring to a position wherein the needle is in spaced relation from the grooved face thereof, so that the needle will swing to the outer periphery of the disc, said means operable to then permit the spring means acting on the disc to displace the disc a distance sufficient for engagement of the needle with the groove and to carry the needle along the groove to reproduce the sound recorded on the disc and then result of recapture of the needle in the depression and operable to deactuate the disc rotating motor means upon recapture of the needle in the depression.

4. A sound reproducing device as in claim 1, wherein the spiral groove is embossed on a radial surface of the recording disc and the groove has vibration producing ripples along its length, said needle carried by and projecting from a carrier towards the grooved face of the disc, said speaker including an inwardly directed cone-shaped diaphragm for amplifying the vibrations of said needle to produce sound, said diaphragm having its outer periphery clamped in a relatively fixed position, means resiliently maintaining the apex of the diaphragm in engagement with the carrier throughout the travel of the needle from one end of the groove to the other, means resiliently urging the disc in an axial direction toward the needle and carrier, means responsive to axial displacement of the disc against said urging means for initiating a cycle of relative movement between the needle and recording disc which begins and ends at a ''''start'''' position and includes traversing the recording disc in one direction with the needle in spaced relation thereto and traversing the recording disc in the opposite direction along said groove from one end thereof to the other, and means responsive to said remotely actuated means for initiating a cycle of relative movement and for actuating the recording disc rotating motor at the beginning of the cycle of operation and for deactuating the motor at the end of the cycle.

5. A device as called for in claim 1 which includes means for automatically terminating the operation of said sound reproducing device after a predetermined operating cycle.

7. A sound reproducing device as in claim 6, wherein the outer periphery of the cone shaped diaphragm is clamped in a relatively fixed position, and the means for imparting relative movement between the needle and disc include means mounting the disc for both rotary and axial movement, and means for axially displacing said disc to obtain the spaced relationship between the needle and the disc.

8. A sound reproducing device as in claim 7 further including a spring for resiliently urging said disc towards said needle and carrier and resiliently maintaining the needle in engagement with said groove during that portion of its relative movement cycle, and means for positively displacing said disc, against the action of said spring, away from said needle during the portion of cyclic movement when the needle traverses said disc in spaced relation thereto.

9. A sound reproducing device as in claim 8 further comprising spring means acting on said carrier and urging it into engagement with the apex of said diaphragm and also in a direction of traverse relative to said disc which is away from said start position whereby the carrier will be returned to its ''''start'''' position by enGagement with said spiral groove.

10. A sound reproducing device as in claim 9, wherein the disc has a central depression in which the needle is captured by axial displacement of the disc, upon said needle reaching said other end of said spiral groove, said captured position of the needle being its ''''start'''' position.

11. A sound reproducing device as in claim 3, wherein the carrier has a relatively thin section adjacent a fixed surface of the sound unit from which the pin projects, said thin section being apertured to loosely receive said pin and having parallel faces embracing said pin to provide stability in the two way pivotal movement thereof and the spring means acting on the carrier comprise a spring coiled about said pin, above said parallel surfaces, one end of said spring engaging a fixed portion of said sound unit and the other end engaging a portion of the carrier projecting towards said needle, said other spring end flexing outwardly to maintain engagmeent with the apex of said diaphragm.

12. A sound reproducing device as in claim 11, wherein the sound unit comprises front and rear housings and an interior plate clamped therebetween, the disc is bonded to a central shaft slidably and rotatably mounted on the rear housing and the interior plate, and the spring acting on said disc is coiled around said shaft between the rear housing and the disc.

13. A sound reproducing device as in claim 2, wherein the means for actuating and deactuating the disc rotating means are responsive to axial displacement of said disc.

15. A sound reproducing device as in claim 7, wherein the electric motor has a shaft disposed parallel to the axis of said disc and projecting into general alignment therewith, said disc has a groove formed therein, and a pulley belt trained around said groove and said shaft.

17. A sound reproducing device as in claim 12, wherein the remote actuator comprises a bulb which, when compressed, produces an air pressure signal, signal transmitting means comprising a hollow tube extending from the bulb to the sound unit, and the means for initiating said cycle of relative movement includes a tongue pivotally mounted on said interior plate in overlying relation to the end of said shaft and a bellows which is extended by said air pressure signal to pivot said tongue and axially displace said disc into spaced relationship from said needle, MEANS for dissipating said air pressure signal whereby the disc spring will displace said disc into engagement with said needle to traverse said groove and then displace the disc further to capture the needle in said central depression when it reaches the other end of said groove.

18. A sound reproducing device as in claim 17, wherein the electric motor has a shaft disposed parallel to the axis of said disc and projecting into general alignment therewith, said disc has a peripheral groove formed therein and a pulley belt trained around said groove and said shaft, a battery connected in said electrical circuit for energizing the motor, and said electrical contacts including a pair of spring contacts in the electrical circuit from the battery to the motor, said electrically conductive means comprising a metal sleeve mounted on said disc projection providing the sole path for completing said electrical circuit, said metal sleeve being displaced from said spring contacts when the disc is displaced outwardly a distance sufficient to capture said needle in said depression and engaged by said spring contacts to complete said circuit when said disc is displaced inwardly a distance at least sufficient for the needle point to be in the plane of the disc groove.

19. A sound unit as in claim 4 further including a spring for resiliently urging said disc towards said needle and carrier and resiliently maintaining the needle in engagement with said groove during that portion of its relative movement cycle, means for positively displacing said disc, against the action of said spring, away from said needle during the portion of cyclic movement when the needle traverses said disc in spaced relation thereto, and spring means acting on said carrier and urging it into engagement with the apex of said diaphragm and also in a direction of traverse relative to said disc which is away from said start position whereby the carrier will be returned to its ''''start'''' position.

20. A sound unit as in claim 14, wherein the disc has a central depression in which the needle is captured by axial displacement of the disc, upon said needle reaching said other end of said spiral groove, said captured position of the needle being its ''''start'''' position.