Patent GB-225004-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to sound reproducing instruments
IPC: G11B17/28
Filed: 1923-08-25
Abstract: 225,004. Brewin, T. Aug. 25, 1923. Multiple machines; returning sound-box to starting point.-In a gramophone comprising a magazine in which records are stored in separate compartments, any selected record may be released by means controlled from a distance bv Bowden wire or like mechanism and transferred by a gripping-device to the turntable of the machine. By the operation of the same distancecontrolled mechanism, which comprises a hollow cam coacting with a swinging arm carrying the gripping-device, and mounted on a slidable support which can be moved into place before a selected record compartment, a record can be turned over when it is desired to play both sides, and can be replaced in its compartment after use.' Means are also provided for automatically returning the tone-arm of the machine to the starting point after the completion of each playing movement. The machine shown comprises a number of vertical record compartments 11 in boxes mounted in a frame 2, along the front of which are fixed a pair of rails 16. A carrier 14 is mounted on rollers on these rails, and has a pair of parallel vertical plates 17 with forwardly extending cheeks 18 adapted to receive between them a record when it is released from a compartment. A band 12, having its ends connected to the carrier 14, passes round the record magazine, and prevents the records from rolling out of the compartments, the floors of which slope down towards the front. A pivoted flap 19 is provided between the plates 17, and normally stands vertically, so that a record cannot roll out between the cheeks 18 until the flap is depressed. The turntable 4 is carried by a spindle 5, passing down through the magazine and adapted to be driven continuously by a motor (not shown). A platform 26 fixed to the carrier 14 provides bearings for a vertical shaft 30, on which is pivoted at 29 a sleeve 28, extending through a spiral slot 33 in a hollow conical rotary member 34. This is mounted concentrically with the shaft 30. An arm 31 extends forwardly through the sleeve 28, and carries a record-gripping device 32, consisting of a frame 48 bearing three levers 49, 50, 51. which have projections 52 grooved to engage a record, and are interconnected bv links 55, 57, 60,.61. The arm 31 projects through an L-shaped slot 36, 36<a> in an arcuate plate 35, which is mounted on the platform 26. A square plate 37 is feathered on the arm 31, and is normally held by springs so that it can pass between guides 38 on the vertical slot 36a, or move in contact with a ledge 41 when the arm is displaced horizontallv as shown in Fig. 3. The tone-arm 6 is normally held in the inoperative position by the engagement of a bent arm 73, which it carries, with a support 80, Fig. 7. This is carried by a spring-controlled arm 78, mounted on a spindle 79 which is adapted to be automatically rotated as subsequently described. The distance control device comprises a box 82 formed with a graduated U-shaped slot 83 in which is slidably arranged a finger-piece 84. An endless Bowden wire 85, passing through cables 86, connects the member 84 to fixtures on the carrier 14. A second Bowden wire 91 carries a finger-piece 93 which is slidable in a slot 93a in the box 82, the wire passing through cables 92 and its end (not shown) being wound round pulley grooves at the base of the hollow cone 34. The general operation of the apparatus is as follows. The finger-piece 84 is moved until it is opposite the number on the scale 89 corresponding to that of the compartment in which a selected record is stored. This causes the wire 85 to shift the carrier 14 to the required position. The fingerpiece 93 is then moved to the right-hand end of the slot 93<a>; this movement causes the member 34 to be rotated clockwise through one revolution, during which the cam groove 33 depresses the sleeve 28 and arm 31 about the pivot 29, the arm passing down the vertical slot 36<a>. The flap 19 is at the same time swung downwards by the pressure of the sleeve 18 on a rod 24 connected to the flap, Fig. 2, allowing the record to roll out of its compartment into the space between the cheeks 18. Here it is gripped by the levers 49 - - 51, which have been moved for this purpose, as the device 32 has passed to its lowest position, by the engagement with a stop 70 of a fork 67. A spring catch 63 holds the levers 49 &c. in gripping engagement with the record. The piece 93 is then moved back to a position opposite a mark 95, Fig. 1, thus reversing the member 34, and raising the device 32, together with the record held thereby, to the position shown in Fig. 2. Next, the carrier 14 is moved to " normal " position, opposite to the end compartment on the left, Fig. 1, by moving the piece 84, after which the finger-piece 93 is shifted to the left-hand end of its slot. This causes a considerable counterclockwise movement of the member 34, whereby the arm 31 and record-carrier. 32 are rotated to bring the record over the turntable. During the beginning of this rotation, the arm 31 is rotated through 90‹. placing the record horizontally by the engagement with a projection 40 of an extension 37a on the plate 37. At the same time a spring-pressed pawl (not shown) is allowed to engage the sleeve 28 and hold it against the upper end of the slot 33. When the device 32 reaches the position shown in Fig. 3, a stop 71 effects a movement of the gripping-levers 49 - - 51 whereby the record is released and dropped on the turntable. At the same time the arm 31 strikes a lever 87, Fig. 7, which moves the support 80 aside and allows the sound-box to descend on to the record. Playing then commences, and when it is completed the tone-arm is raised and returned to the starting-position by the action of a spiral cam 75 on the underside of the turntable. This cam is engaged by a roller 74, which rides up the inclined end 76 of the cam at the end of the playing operation. When the tone-arm has been fully returned, it is again held up by the member 80. During this movement of the tone-arm, the conical member 34 is reversed by shifting the fingerpiece 93 back to " normal " position, the parts 31, 32 being thereby returned to the top of the vertical slot 36a. At the beginning of this return movement, a pawl 72, Fig. 3, shifts the levers 49 - - 51, again causing them to grip the record. Automatic reversal of the record occurs as the arm 31 passes back along the horizontal slot 36, owing to the action of a pawl 43, Fig. 3, in pushing the member 37 outwardly until it is unsupported by the ledge 41; the arm 31 is thus freed to be rotated through 90‹ by the weight of the record, a further rotation of 90‹ being caused when the lug 37a encounters a projection 42. The second side of the record may then be played by repeating a previous manipulation of the finger-piece 93. When one or both sides of the record have been played, and the parts 31. 32 have been brought back to the " normal " position, Figs. 1 and 2, the finger-piece 84 is shifted to slide the carrier 14 to the position opposite the empty record compartment. The piece 93 is then moved to the right-hand end of its slot, rotating the member 34 clockwise. This depresses the arm 31 down the slot 36a, the flap 19 is lowered, and the levers 49 - - 51 are moved, to release the record into the receiver 18, 18. by engagement of a fork 67<a> with a stop 70<a>. Finally, the arm 31 is raised again to the position shown in Fig. 2, bv moving the finger-piece back to the mark 95. The flap 19 is thereby allowed to rise, under the action of its spring, and returns the record to its compartment.