Shock starting type simplified phonograph

A weight means disposed in a casing of a phonograph is capable of being swung and urged normally in a predetermined direction. The weight means is associated with a lifting means. The lifting means is able to mechanically lift a sound transmitting member to move it in a direction away from a record disc against which, said transmitting member is urged under stylus force by means of a stylus force spring. According to this simple and correct mechanism, the stylus force exerted on the sound transmitting member is released by means of a shock without fail. Hence, a pickup will return to a starting point of sound reproduction by a return spring. The weight means is then able to return to its original location so that the necessary stylus force may be imparted again to the pickup through the sound transmitting member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
I. Field of the Invention 
This invention relates to a simplified phonograph capable of being started 
by a shock imparted thereto. More particularly, the present invention 
concerns a device into which the simplified phonograph hereof is 
incorporated. Even more particularly, the present invention concerns a 
phonograph which is suitable for being incorporated in a toy, such as a 
laughing bag or a talking doll, and which is capable of generating sounds 
when any exterior force or shock is imparted to the toy. 
II. Description of the Prior Art 
Hitherto, simplified phonographs of shock starting type have been provided. 
These conventional phonographs, generally, can be classified into two 
major types. First, there is the phonograph wherein a starting lead switch 
is correlated with a weight means. The other type of phonograph 
contemplates a link mechanism which is correlated to a weight means. 
The first type of phonographs has proven to be not only of somewhat high 
cost, due to the fact that it necessitates the use of two switch contacts 
and a complicated weight means construction, but, also, has a considerably 
delicate lead switch mechanism. Consequently, the first type of phonograph 
is unsatisfactory as a simplified phonograph for toys due to malfunctions 
and low acceptance or yield rate. 
In case of the second or other type, the link mechanisms of the device are, 
by their inherent nature complicated and too big to be received in a small 
casing. Thus, where used, they not only give rise to a cumbersome 
appearance, but, also, are ineffective. Most important, though, there is 
great difficulty in incorporating such phonographs into small size toys. 
Yet, the mechanical starting system of the second type does display 
advantageous features, such as, correct and firm function and low 
production cost. These advantages are suitable for simplified phonographs 
of the type under consideration. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention seeks to house a simplified phonograph having a 
mechanical starting means in a casing and thereby to provide a device 
having a compact body. 
An object of the present invention is to provide a shock starting device of 
simple construction and low cost. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide a shock starting 
device which does not limit the scope of appropriate application of the 
simplified phonograph into which the present starting device is 
incorporated. 
According to the present invention, a shock starting simplified phonograph 
comprises a weight means and a means correlated with said weight means for 
lifting a sound transmitting member. The weight means, lifting means and 
transmitting member are installed in a casing. This enables the outside 
appearance and size of the phonograph utilizing this invention to be 
entirely the same as that of an ordinary phonograph. Thus, the application 
of the device of the present invention is not adversely limited, in any 
respect. 
Further, on account of any exterior action, other than the shock exerted 
from the outside, there exists no possible chance of the device 
misstarting. 
Lifting up of the sound transmitter of the present invention is performed 
in a merely mechanical manner, and therefore, the device functions very 
steadily and can be manufactured at a low cost. 
For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is 
made to the following detailed description and accompanying drawing. In 
the drawing, like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the 
several views, in which:

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Referring now to the drawing, and as noted above, FIG. 1 depicts a 
simplified phonograph in cross-section showing the device hereof in the 
course of sound reproduction and FIG. 2 is similar to FIG. 1, but shows a 
tone arm in a return mode toward a starting point or position. 
As shown in these figures, a casing 1 of a phonograph comprises a chassis 
1a and housing 1b. A turn table 17 is rotatably supported on a base plate 
of the chassis 1a. A record disc 3 rests on the turn table 17. 
A battery magazine 18 houses a battery 19. The battery 19 powers the turn 
table to effectuate movement thereof. 
A motor 2 is vertically mounted on a middle deck or plate of the chassis 
1a. The motor 2 includes an output shaft 2a which extends downwardly. The 
output shaft passes over the middle plate, as shown. The motor 2 has an 
upper bearing for receiving an upper end of the output shaft. The upper 
bearing is firmly held in the housing 1b, as shown. 
The peripheral side of the output shaft 2a is faced with the peripheral 
side surface of the turn table 17. An endless belt 20, made of a resilient 
material, is extended between and around the peripheries of the turn table 
17 and the output shaft 2a. 
A speaker unit 15 is supported at one end thereof above the middle deck of 
the chassis 1a by a pair of supporting posts 21. The posts 21 extend 
upwardly from the middle deck. 
The speaker unit 15 comprises a sound transmitting member 13 and a speaker 
14. One end portion of the sound transmitting member is configured 
similarly to a bifurcated yoke (FIG. 4). The end portion of the member 13 
is supported on the posts 21 at the tip ends of the two arms of the 
bifurcated yoke. The end portion of the member 13 is, thus, capable of 
being swung in an upward and downward direction. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 
and 4, the middle deck of the chassis 1a, also, swingably supports thereon 
a tone arm 9. A pickup 4, which carries a downwardly directed reproduction 
stylus 5 is carried on the free end of the tone arm. The stylus 5, as 
shown, is directed toward the record disc 3. 
The middle deck has an oblong aperture 22 formed therein along the locus of 
the swing motion of the pickup 4, so that the reproduction stylus may 
engage the record disc 3. The pickup 4 extends downward through the 
aperture 22 to the upper face of the record disc 3. The tone arm 9 is 
urged, by means of a return spring 6, laterally toward the starting point 
of reproduction 7 of the record disc 3 and also upwardly toward the 
speaker unit 15. 
The other end part of portion of the sound transmitter 13 of the speaker 
unit, opposite the bifurcated end supported by the supporting posts 21, 
detachably rides on the pickup 4 of the tone arm 9. This urges the top of 
the pickup 4 downward, conjointly with a stylus force spring 12, to the 
upper face of the record disc 3. 
The pickup 4, also, swingably travels during its sound reproduction while 
being kept in sliding contact with the lower face of the sound transmitter 
member 13. 
As shown in the drawings, an electric switch 11 breaks the electric 
circuit, when the pickup 4 reaches the terminal or end point of sound 
reproduction 10, such that the supply of electricity to the motor 2 is cut 
off. This stops rotation of the record disc 3. 
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the housing 1b comprises a speaker housing 1c. 
Disposed within and substantially centrally of the housing 1c is a weight 
means W. The weight means W is suspended from the top face of the speaker 
house 1c and is swingable about a shaft 23. The shaft 23 is disposed on 
the lower face of the top plate of the speaker house 1c and projects 
downward up to the interior space of a cone of the speaker 14. 
A bracket 23' for supporting the weight means W thereon is attached 
concentrically about the shaft 23 for relative rotation therebetween. The 
bracket is configured as a pair of bifurcated arms, as shown in FIG. 3. A 
tip end of one of the branched arms of the bracket carries the weight 
means W. The tip end of the other arm carries a cam piece 24, while the 
upper rim of the arm constitutes a cam surface. 
Both the weight means W and the cam piece 24 take their positions upto the 
inside of a conical cavity defined by the peripheral wall of the speaker 
14. 
A projection 25 extends radially and inwardly from the top rim of the side 
wall of the speaker so as to be laid on the locus of the rotational motion 
of the cam 24 about the shaft 23. 
Both the weight means W and the cam piece 24 are resiliently biased by 
means of a coil spring 26 assembled about the shaft 23 such that the cam 
is normally prevented from contacting the projection 25 absent any shock 
tending to move the projection toward the counter direction against the 
bias exerted upon the device. 
A stopper 27 restrains the cam 24 against the resilient force of the coil 
spring. 
In this embodiment of the invention, the cam 24 and the projection 25 
comprise a means for lifting the sound transmitting member 13 through the 
speaker 14. 
The lifting action is performed in an entirely mechanical manner without 
relying on any electrical means. 
When an exterior shock of appropriate extent is imparted to this kind of 
device, the weight means W will swingably rotate in a direction shown by 
the dot arrow line (FIG. 3) against the resilient force of the spring 26. 
Then, the cam piece 24, also, will rotate through the motion of the 
bracket in the same direction. 
The rotation of the cam piece 24, caused by the inertial force of the 
weight means W, will scoop up the projection 25 of the speaker 14. Then, 
the speaker 14, together with the sound transmitting member 13, is lifted 
pivotally and raised about the supporting posts 21 against the resilient 
force imparted by the stylus force spring 12. Thus, the pickup 4 is 
released from the stylus force given by the spring 12. 
Although the pickup 4 is adjusted to hold the switch 11 "OFF", i.e., opened 
at the terminal point 10 of sound reproduction, the reproduction stylus 5, 
upon removal of the stylus force, will move upward away from the 
engagement with the record groove. Then, the pickup 4 will move laterally, 
by means of the return spring 6, in a direction toward the starting point 
7 of sound reproduction. Next, the switch 11 will be closed, since there 
is no restraining force given by the pickup 4 to keep the two contact 
blades away from each other. Thus, electricity is supplied to the motor 2 
so as to rotate the turn table 17 and record disc 3 carried thereon. 
Since the weight means W is always resiliently urged in the same direction 
by the spring 26, the weight means W and the cam 24 will move back to 
their initial position where they were positioned before the shock was 
applied to the device. Consequently, the projection 25 is released from 
the upward lifting force of the cam piece 24, which, in turn, causes 
descent of the speaker 14 and the sound transmitter 13 under the downward 
resilient force of the spring 12 to impart necessary stylus force. 
Hence, it becomes possible for the pickup 4 to be imparted with the 
necessary stylus force at the starting point 7 of sound reproduction and 
the reproduction stylus 5 is able to engage the recording groove. 
In this manner, the starting of sound reproduction can be effected by 
application of a certain extent of shock to the device. 
FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the present invention, wherein a weight 
means W is swingably mounted on an upper surface of the battery magazine 
18. 
According to this embodiment, a speaker unit 15 is situated so as to extend 
over the portion wherein the locus of swing motion of the weight means W 
is entirely encompassed. The weight means W has, as an integral part 
thereof, within its locus of swing, an upwardly facing cam surface 24'. 
The speaker unit 15 has a downwardly projected portion 14' which at its 
lower peripheral marginal rim, faces and engages the cam surface 24' such 
that the cam surface 24' may push up the projected portion 14', when the 
weight means W is swung in a direction as shown by a dot arrow line in the 
drawing. 
In this manner, the speaker unit 15 is lifted by the movement of the weight 
means W due to the inertia caused by an applied shock. When the shock 
occurs the pickup 4 is released from the needle pressure which has been 
applied thereto. 
Other constructions and functions of the device of this embodiment, such as 
spring 26 attached to the weight means W and so on, are entirely similar 
in principle to those of the aforesaid embodiment, so further explanation 
will not be repeated. 
In the present embodiment, both the cam surface 24' and the protruding 
portion 14' at the lower peripheral rim of the speaker constitute the 
lifting means 16.