Improved Reversing Mechanism for Phonographs.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Dec., 1899-Accepted, 30th June, 1900
Improved Reversing Mechanism for Phonographs.
I, PHILIPP RICHARD, of 25A, Marienplatz, Cologne, Germany, Manufacturer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement:―
The present invention relates to a reversing mechanism for phonographs, and
is illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which:
Figure 1 is a front elevation of the apparatus,
Figure 2 is a view from above.
Figure 3 is a side elevation.
Figure 4 shews a detail of the apparatus.
The speaking apparatus carrier c supported on the axle a by means of a sleeve b
has on its downwardly directed arm a segments which according to the posi-
tion of the speaking apparatus carrier c, is always either in or out of gear with
the fine screw threading of the spindle d.
The speaking apparatus carrier has on its other end an excentric frevolubly
A slot of the
supported on a pivot e, said excentric resting on a guide bar g.
excentric engages with a pin fixed to the carrier by means of which the
movements of the excentric round the pivot e åre controlled. The excentric f is
connected near its least excentricity with a wheel k by means of a strap h, said
wheel being fixed on the axle which bears at one end the worm wheel m
capable of engagement with the worm n located on the axle w which supports
the phonograph cylinder.
The axle is adjustable lengthwise, and is constantly pushed forward by the
spring (see Figure 3). The front end of the said axle 7 abuts against a pro-
jection which is located on a disengaging device placed in front of the
guide har g. This disengaging device has two adjustable catches by means
or which the movements of the speaking apparatus carrier are controlled. When
the strap connecting the wheel and the excentric f is slack then the excen-
tric f rests in consequence of its own weight and that of the support e upon
the bar with that part of its periphery having the least excentricity and lying
beneath its pivot and in this position the segments is in engagement with the
screw spindle d. In these circumstances the speaking apparatus carrier travels
from left to right until the strap his unrolled from the wheel and has been
stretched tight. By means of the tightening of the strap h the excentric f is
revolved on the bolt e and thereby the arm of the carrier c supporting the excen-
tric is raised, and the segments is brought out of engagement with the screw
spindle d.
Shortly before the carrier ends its motion the right hand catch and together
with it the rod r has been moved to the right by the bolt e. whereby the pro-
jection comes in front of the fore end of the axle 1, pushes this latter back
against the action of its spring », and thereby brings the worm wheel m into
engagement with the worm n, so that at the end of the movement of the support
to the right, where the segment has come out of engagement with the spindle d,

page_text: the worm wheel m and worm n are immediately brought into engagement.
During this movement to the right of the support, the speaking stylus slides
upon the cylinder and causes the phonograph to sound. At the end of this
movement, the driving mechanism is however still in operation, and as by means
of the engagement of the worm n in the worm wheel m the axle is revolved,
the straph winds upon the wheel k located on the axle 1, and the excentric
together with the speaking apparatus support are caused to return to their
original position. The bolt e comes against the left catch t of the disengaging
device and guides it and the piece p again to the left in order to again free the
axle at the end of this movement. The axle is then pushed forward again by
means of its spring o, and thus the worm gearing n and m is uncoupled. The
shaft w bearing the cylinder, is driven by suitable gearing or by means of belts
and pulleys, while the movements of the shaft w on the screw spindle d are
effected by means of gear wheels, and worm gearing on the axle l.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
-
1. A reversing mechanism for phonographs characterised by the speaking
apparatus support having an eccentric which is connected by a strap with a
wheel and which when the strap is stretched and the support thereby moved, is
revolved on its pivot and brings a segment located on the support out of engage-
ment with the screw spindle, substantially as described.
2. In the mechanism characterised in Claim 1, the arrangement of a dis-
engaging device which when displaced by the support either sets free an axle
and allows the latter to be adjusted or else presses back the axle and thus brings
the worm wheel and worm out of cr into engagement with each other, substan-
tially as described.
3. The improved mechanism for reversing motion in phonographs constructed
and operating substantially as described and shewn in the accompanying drawings.
Dated the 30th day of December 1899.
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
322, High Holborn, London, W.C., Patent Agents for the Applicant.