Patent GB-215861-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in automatic gramophones and like sound reproducing machines
IPC: G11B17/26
Filed: 1923-02-22
Abstract: 215,861. Lauste, H. G. Feb. 22, 1923. Multiple record machines; cases; driving; returning sound-box to starting-point. - Relates to gramophones provided with means to withdraw any desired record from a magazine and to return it after playing. Provision is made for normal setting of the magazine, for locking various parts after their operation, and for controlling by coinrelease mechanism. A stack of carriers 3, Fig. 1, each containing a tray 2 with a record 1 are supported on a counterbalanced frame 4 adjustable on vertical guides 5 by a link 9 from a crank 10 with an operating handle and a pointer movable over a dial 11. By setting the pointer against a graduation of the dial the corresponding carrier is positioned opposite a sliding carriage 12 so that the opposite pins 13 on the tray lie in vertical notches 14 in the carriage. The carriage is now traversed outwards, to the position shown, by a pin 22 on a chain 19 driven intermittently through a sprocket wheel 21 and a pin clutch 29 by a belt 26 from the continuously rotating motor shaft. The record is thus positioned over a turntable 42 which with its spindle 43, worm drive 46, 47 and governor 50 is carried in a vertically movable frame 38, the worm 46 being driven by belt 48 from the motor shaft. The movement of the chain 19 causes the pin 22 thereon to act through lever 31, link 34 and counterweighted lever 35 and raise the frame 38, whereby a projection 38b thereon acts to rock a spindle 29a carrying a clutch fork 29b to disengage the chain-driving clutch 29, a switch is opened to allow an electromagnetically controlled locking bolt 23 to engage the carriage 12, and the turntable 42 lifts the record 1 against the stylus 53 thereby raising the tone-arm 55 out of a supporting depression 69; Fig. 2, in an inclined bar 68. A stop 60 for retaining the tone-arm in the initial starting position is, on lifting of the table, moved forward to release the tone-arm by lever-and-link mechanism 61 - - 64 and the cam-shaped arm 65 actuated from the table-lifting lever 35. When the record has been played the projection 60a engages the catch 60 and slides the rod 61 so as to disengage the arm 65 from the lever 35 whereupon the table descends, the pin 23 is withdrawn, the chain 19 is again driven, and the record is left in the tray , the tone-arm descending on the inclined bar 68 down which the arm slides to the recess 69 under the action of a weighted cord 57 and is retained by the stop 60 in starting position. In the descent of the table, a switch 70, 71 is closed to disconnect a clutch through which the table is driven. The pin 22 on the chain now acts on the lug 17 of the carriage to traverse it and return the tray into its carrier 3, the carriage acting in the latter part of the movement to press back a spring-pressed rod 72 with extension 87; Fig. 3, to disengage the notch 85 of a bell-crank 86 from a pivoted lever 79, which is then rocked by a spring 90 to withdraw a locking plug 81 from the teeth of a wheel 83 on the pointer 10 to permit resetting of the carrier. This movement of the extension 87 also causes a lever 88 to rotate a star wheel 74 with switch 73 for cutting out the driving motor. After setting the carriers, the machine is started by pressing in a button 77 to rock the levers 76, 79, whereupon the arm 75 turns the wheel 74 to close the switch 73 to start the machine and the lever 79 becomes locked by arm 85 to hold the locking plug 81 in engagement with the wheel 83 on the pointer. A cam-control device may be provided whereby in the absence of a coin inserted in a coin-slot 78 the machine is not set in operation by pressing the button 77. Fig. 5 shows the arrangement enclosed in a cabinet with the horn outlet covered with wire gauze and fitted with louvres 93 operable from the exterior. The base is fitted with air compressor mechanism comprising bellows 97 operated by a motor 96, the compressed air being employed in known manner to magnify the sound. The complete machines may be provided to operate alternately for continuous playing and may be sychronized with a kinematograph.