US2457668A - Automatic phonograph - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 28, 1948. c. R. HART AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPH 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 1, 1943 illll IHHIIH Dec. 28, 1948. I c. R.- HART 7 6 AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPH Filed Nov. 1, 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 n By i Q- 1 n 0 I 2 w 39" $0??? Dec. 28, 1948. c. R. HART 2,457,668

7 7 AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPH Filed Nov. .1, 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

Dec. 28, 1948. 'c. R. HART I 8 AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPH Filed Nov. 1, 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. (an A. f/flKIT Patented Dec. 28, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPH Carl R. Hart, New Haven, Ind. 7 Application November 1, 1943, Serial No. 508,512

- Claims. 1

This invention relates to an automatic phonograph applicable for the automatic playing of disc records on both sides 'consecutively or selectively, and irrespective of whether or not said records are of the 10 or 12 inch size.

' The inventionis more particularly directed to an automatic phonograph wherein the play selection is made by the selective positioning of the turn table and reproducer as distinguished from the more common arrangement wherein the se lectionis made by manipulation of the records. Thus, this invention contemplates a vertical column of records of either size supported in spaced relation to each other adapted to remain in their relative relation during the playing of the records selected, and whereby the underside of the record as well as the upper side thereof is engaged for reproduction while remaining in its same relative position with respect to the other records in the magazine.

One feature of the invention resides in the vertically disposed record magazine having vertically spaced supports for receiving individual records whereby either 10 or '12 inch records may be con veniently inserted or withdrawn from the magazine, the record being reproduced on either or both sides thereof while remaining in its same relative position in the magazine and without being removed therefrom.

Another feature of the invention resides in the selectively positioning of the turntable with respect to the record selected for reproduction, whereby the turntable is caused to move under the selected record, centrally engage and elevate it slightly to free it from its support and rotate it to permit of its reproduction, and after completion thereof lower it back onto its support in its original position. 7

Another feature of the invention resides in the corresponding manipulation of the tone arm and reproducer whereby it is similarly selectively positioned to engage and reproduce the particular record rotated by the turntable, and additionally is automatically positioned for reproduction of either size record, on either side thereof, or first one side and then the other.

Another feature'of the invention resides in the automatic electriccontrol by which the above mentioned manipulations of the turntable and reproducer are accomplishedthrough magnetically actuated controls and a master cam member.

Other features and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following specifications and drawings illustrative of the above operations and their mechanisms, and as more 1 away.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the driving mechanism with parts thereof removed.

Fig. 4 is a combination wiring diagram and operating mechanisms shown in perspective with parts .broken away.

Fig. 5 is a reduced perspective view of the underside of the cam member with the switch control disc associated therewith but removed therefrom in spaced relation.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the clutch control and the record selective shaft.

Fig. '7 is a perspective view of the clutch control and the cam member drive.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the tone arm support. and control device for adjusting the position of engagement of the tone arm to difierent size records.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of the tone arm setting control with parts broken away.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the cam setting plunger for controlling the position of the tone arm in respect to diiferent size records.

Fig. 11 is a perspectiveview of the turntable driving mechanism.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged side elevation of cam control member.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged sectional view of control switch.

In the drawings there is shown for purpose of illustration, a phonograph cabinet 10 having magazine compartment H which also houses the record engaging and playing mechanism. Said mechanism includes a base plate 12 at the bottom of the magazine and a top plate I3 at the top thereof, said plates being supported on the floor of the compartment and in spaced relation to each other by the upright supporting posts l4, there being three such posts equally spaced from each other secured to the plates I2 and I3. This part of the structure forms a supporting frame for the column of records and the selecting and reproducing mechanism.

Extending radially inwardly from the posts N there is provided a series of record support- 3 ing fingers I5, one of said fingers on each post extending in the same plane for peripherally supporting records l8, lBa thereon. As indicated, the record 16 is a inch record and the record |6a is a 12 inch record. Each column of said fingers is provided with intermediate spacing sleeves I! on the respective posts [4 for securing said fingers in fixed spaced relation. Each of said fingers t! is formedwith an inwardly extending reduced portion to provide a shoulder 18 for engaging the peripheral edge of 12 inch records I6a to center said records in the column. The reduced extensions of said fingers. are each provided with a spring pressed centering plate l9 so positioned as to provide an abutting and centering shoulder for engagement by the peripheral edge of the 10 inch records, but depressible so as to be ineffective upon a. 12 inch record extending thereover.

Extending, vertically of the magazine with their bearings in the base and top plates I2 and [3 there is a, series of control shafts. The position of the turntable and reproducer is selected for a certain record of the column by rotation of the screw threaded selecting shaft through the medium of a. turntable and reproducer carrying yoke 2| in screw threaded engagement therewith. The turntable; is. swung into and out of record centering position and elevated into engagement with the selected record by the oscillatirm turntable shaft 22. The turntable is rotated, for reproduction, of the record by the record rotating shaft 23.. The tone arm is raised and lowered with respect to the selected,

initially engaging either a1'0: or 12 inch record by the record control of the oscillating reproducer control shaft The turntable 26 is pivotally supported on the turntable arm 211' for free rotation thereon. Said arm isadapted, to swing about the turntable shaft 22 fromits inoperative position outside the periphery of the records as shown in Fig. 2 to a record centertm and engaging position in alignment with the axial center of the records. The turn-table carries, an upstanding centering pin 29 and is of a. diameter not greater than the inner diameterof the record reproducing grooves.

The turntable. supporting. arm 21 is carried at its pivotal end by the collar 29 which freely rests upon the arm 30 of the yoke 2st, having its bearing thereon. Said collar is in frictional engagemeat with an inner driving plug ll sl-idably keyed upon the turntable shaft 22, said plug further engages the collar 29: by a pin 32 normally extending into the upper end of a downwardly sloping cam slot 33 formed in said: collar. Said collar is also provided with a radially extending lug 34 engageable with the upstanding finger 35 on the arm 30 and slidable into a recess formed in the upper end thereof positioned to center and maintain the turntable in record engaging and rotatma position.

The turntable manipulating mechanism above described operates. in the following manner. Upon the selecting yoke 2:! carrying the turntable to a plane immediately below the selected record, the turntable shaft 22 will be oscillated, bythe mechanism to. be hereinafter describedior swinging the turntable inwardly to record centering: position, in which position the lug 34 engages the finger 35, thereby preventing further movement of the collar 29 and the turntable 26. Continued movement of the shaft, however, causing relative rotation in respect to the collar, moves the pin 32 in the cam slot 33 whereby the collar and turntable are elevated to engage and lift the record free of its supports [5. Thereupon the lug 34 is interlocked in the groove of the finger 35 to maintain the. turntable in its. centered position. Upon the record. being completed, counter oscillation of the shaft 22 causes the pin 32 to lower the collar free of locking engagement with the finger, thereby causing the turntable to lower the record back onto its supports 15. Continued counter oscillatime of. the shaft swings the collar 29 with the arm 21 and turntable outwardly to one side of the coiumn of records back to its inoperative position as shown in Fig. 2. Thereupon the turntable is free to be moved to a new record selecting position.

The turntable is. rotated by the belt. 36 which drives. the pulley 31. carried by the underside of the turntable immediately above its pivoted support on the arm 21. Said belt is driven by the pulley 38, carried by the friction drive wheel 39 mounted upon; the turntable supporting arm 21..

The friction drive wheel 39 has. a bifurcated yoke 43 mounted upon the arm 21 to extend under the friction driving wheel 4| when the turntable swung to. record engaging position. In this position friction wheel 39. engages wheel 4| so as to be driven thereby. The wheel 4| is. slidably keyed upon the record rotating shaft. 23 so as to rotate therewith and thereby drive the turntable when the wheels 39, 4! are engaged. The driving wheel. 4| is supported upon the yoke 2| so as to move with the turntable upon its driving shaft 23. The yoke 40 assures driving alignment between the driving wheels 39 and H as the turntablev is raised into record rotating position.

The tone arm 42 carries at. its free end the reproduce]; 43 adapted for electrical connection with an amplifier andv speaker in the well, known manner, and having an upwardly and rearwardly slopin needle 44. adapted to engage the underside of the record. On the opposite side it is provided with a downwardly and forwardly extending needle, 45. for eng ging the upper side of the, record. The tone arm is provided with two fulcrum points. When engagingthe underside of the record, it fulcrums, at 48 where it is pivotally supported upon the tongue of the yoke 41. When engaging the upper side of the record it is fulcrumed at 4B, the: pivotal mounting of the yoke 41 upon the, collar 48 When engaging the underside of the record, such engagement has the effect of depressingthe reproducer, causing the tone arm; td fulcrum at 46 to raise the counterweight 59- from. its supporting tongues 5|. onthe yoke 41.. Thus the counterweight 50 exerts the required contact pressure, between the needle andthe underside; of. the, record. When. the reproducer engages the upper side of the record, the weight of the tone arm forwardly of the fulcrum point 48' maintains the necessary effective engaging pressure. However, the tone arm is prevented from dropping down about its fulcrum 48 by engagement of the yoke 41 upon the pin 52 which extends outwardly from the collar 49, its upward movement being limited by the pin 53.

The, tone arm, as in the case of the turntable is carried by the positioning yoke 2| through the arm 54 slidable on the tone arm shaft 24 and carrying thereon the collar 49. Thus, the yoke 2| through the action of the selecting shaft raises or lowers the tone arm to position it for engagement with the selected record. In normal operation the tone arm is initially positioned so that the needle of the reproducer is above the plane of the rotating record. In this position the collar 49 is locked to the tone arm shaft 24 through engagement of a locking pin in one of the series of holes 24a in said shaft. For actuating the locking pin 55 there is provided an electromagnet 56 supported upon the bracket 51 which in turn is secured to the arm 54 of the yoke 2|. Upon the electromagnet being energized the pin 55 is withdrawn from the hole 24a to permit selective movement of the yoke relative to the shaft 24. When deenergized, the pin 55 is permitted to be forced into its hole by the spring 58, as shown in Fig. 9.

The tone arm is limited in its inward swinging position to engage the beginning of the playing groove of the record by the reproducer control shaft 25. Said shaft extends adjacent to one of the posts I4 and has slidably keyed thereon a cam 59. Said cam is free to oscillate within a I groove provided in the yoke 2| so as to be carried by said yoke in selectively positioning the tone arm. Each of the record supporting fingers l5 on the post l4 carries a caming member adjacent the shaft 25 which is slidably supported in a sleeve 6|, the forward end of said member having a cam 52 engageable by the edge of a 12 inch record but not affected by a 10 inch record. Said cam member is normally held in its inoperative position by a spring 63 as shown in Fig. 12.

The tone arm is swung by the actuating cam hereinafter described through turning of the shaft 24 inwardly over the record upon which it is lowered. The timing of the lowering of the tone arm for engagement of the record by the about its periphery for raising and lowering the tone arm. By the shifting of the control rod 65 through actuation of the shaft 25, the timing in the lowering of the reproducer on the record is varied according to the diameter thereof. To change the timing through alteration of the cam groove 61, the shifting rod 65 is moved into and out of position thereby through engagement by a projection 68 on the U-shaped shifting rod 69. Said U-shaped rod is carried on the underside of the cam 66. On each end thereof there is a cam segment 10 and 1| respectively, as shown in Fig. 5. This arrangement is such, as shown in Fig. 3 that when the cam segment 1| is moved outwardly flush with the periphery of the cam 66, it provides in conjunction with the cam groove 61 a cam surface 12 (for 10 inch records); whereas when it is moved inwardly (for 12 inch records), it leaves the normal cam surface 13 ahead of the cam surface 12. The raising and lowering of the reproducer into engagement with the record is effected by the cam follower 14 riding in the cam groove 61 so that for a 12 inch record it will be lowered by the cam surface 73 approximately one inch ahead of the cam surface 12, by which it is lowered onto a 10 inch record when'the cam segment 1| is in effective position.

The tone arm is swung to and from record engagement by the collar 15 freely mounted upon the shaft 24 and having a laterally extending arm 16 carrying a cam follower 11 which rides in the cam groove 18 formed in the upper surface of the master cam 66. Said shaft has rigidly secured thereto in spaced relation above and below collar 15', clutch discs 19 and respectively, said clutch discs having mounted on their faces yieldable pins to engage corresponding holes in the faces of collar 15. The lower end of the shaft 24 has its bearing support upon the sliding plunger 8| movable in a bracket 82, said plunger carrying the cam follower 14. Said shaft 24 also has secured thereto a trip arm 83 in position to engage and actuate the lever of the trip switch 84 mounted on said bracket 82 so positioned as to trip the mechanism as hereinafter described upon the reproducer reaching the end of the record.

The tone arm is normally to one side of the record, but as the cam 66 rotates in the direction of the arrow, the cam groove 61 will elevate the follower 14 and shaft 24 to raise the .tone arm above the record and bring the collar 15 into clutching engagement with the clutch element 80. The cam groove 18 will thereupon swing the tone arm inwardly until it reaches a position relative to the particular record whereupon it will be lowered into playing position by the follower 14 dropping down the cam surface 13 on to a 12 inch record or moving further to drop down cam surface 12 for a 10 inch record. As it drops, collar 15 disengages clutch member 80 whereupon the reproducer is free to follow the record groove inwardly until trip arm 83 engages the trip switch 84. In the meantime, as hereinafter described, the master cam 66 will have stopped movement, but upon the trip being effected, it will start to move causing the cam follower 14 to move upwardly upon the cam surface 85 to raise the reproducer from the record and cause the clutch member 80 to engage collar 15, whereupon cam groove 18 will swing the collar outwardly carrying the reproducer free of the record.

The tone arm is similarl controlled but in reverse fashion when the lower side of the record is to be reproduced. Thus, on the opposite side of the master cam 66 cam groove 61 is so arranged that the shaft 24 is elevated thereby, carrying the reproducer into engagement with the under side of the record. Thereupon the collar 15 is freed from engagement with the clutch member 19 after it had been effective to swing the tone arm inwardly. This action is accomplished by the cam segment 10 in association with the cam groove 61, whereby in the case of a 12 inch record the reproducer Will be raised by cam surface 13 in advance of its being raised by cam surface 12' for a 10 inch record, as shown in Fig. 10.

As noted in Fig. 5, the control rod 65 is provided with springs 86 on opposite sides of the center of rotation of the cam so that as the cam rotates, assuming a 12 inch record has actuated it, projection 68 will engage one of said springs to move the cam segments 10, 1| to effect the proper location of the reproducer on the respective sides of the 12 inch record. Immediately thereafter projection 68 will pass the spring 86 whereupon spring I35 returns the cam segments 10 and 1| to their normal position for playing 10 inch records. Thereafter the cam rotates approximately degrees to engage projection 68 with the 0pposite spring 86 to control the location of the reproducer on the opposite side of the 12 inch record. Spring I36 holds the control rod 65 in its normal position for 10 inch records, having one end secured to said rod 65, and the other end to one of the posts I4 or any other convenient anchorage.

The driving mechanism comprises the master cam 65 above referred to which is pivotally mounted for rotation beneath the base plate I2, said cam carrying the external peripheral cam groove 51 and the inner upper surface cam groove 18, said cam grooves controling the tone arm. Said cam is flanged upwardly, the inner face of the flange being provided with driving teeth 81 with which a driving pinion 8B meshes. The pinion 88, as shown in Fig. '7, is carried on the lower end of stub shaft 89 having its supporting hearing in the base plate I2. Said driving pinion is arranged to be connected and disconnected with the tub shaft through the clutch 90 actuated by solenoid 9|. The stub shaft is driven by a belt 92 and pulley 90 from the pulley 94 on the electric motor 05.

The turntable shaft 22 carries at its lower end an arm 55 having an outwardly extending cam follower 51 operating in the cam groove 98 formed in the upper surface of the master cam Mi. Through the medium of the cam groove the turn table is first swung inwardly as above described into center alignment with the record and then is raised to elevate the record to rotating position. At this point the liming is such that the clutch 90 is disengaged and the motor 05 deenerglzed during the record playing operation. When the trip switch 04 is actuated upon completion of the record, the clutch 90 is engaged and the motor 95 energized so that the master cam rotates. The cam groove 98 is so formed and timed that it swings shaft 22 in the opposite direction permitting the turntable to first lower the record on to the support, disengage the record and then swing outwardly free of the record.

The driving mechanism for the turntable comprises the constantly rotating turntable drive motor I having a driving pulley II)! which drives the belt I02, in turn driving the pulley I03 keyed to the record rotating shaft 23.

The driving mechanism for the record selecting yoke 2i emanates from the record rotating shaft 23 as shown in Fig. 6. Said shaft, below its pulley I0! is provided with a loose pinion I04 connected with the upper member of the clutch I05, the lowor member of said clutch being keyed to shaft 23. The clutch is engaged to drive the selecting shaft 2*! through meshing of pinion I04 with the gear I00 secured to the lower end of said shaft, upon engagement of the clutch I05 by energizing the solenoid I01.

The control circuit is shown in Fig. 4 and includes a cam disc IIIJ secured to the underside of the master cam 00 and rotatable therewith. Said disc rotates within a switch supporting band III mounted upon the supporting bracket 82 extending from the plate i2. The supporting band carries a group of inwardly extending contact switches engagcable by certain concentrically formed switch closing cams mounted about the upper surface of the disc H0 as shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

Extending vertically between the base plate I2 and the top plate I3 there are a series of intermediate control switchcs I I2, one for each record in the column. At the extreme upper end thereof there is a reversing switch I I3 and at the extreme lower end thereof there is a reversing switch H4. Said switches are of the character diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 13 comprising the switch contact points H5 and a plunger II-B. Said switch is so arranged that upon the plunger IIB being forced inwardly contact points are momentarily engaged to close the circuit but are immediately disengaged to break the circuit, the circuit remaining broken while the plungers are in their inward position as well as their outer position. Said switches I I2, H3 and I I4 are actuated to momentarily close their respective circuits upon being engaged by the projection I I! carried on the yoke 21 The electric control arrangement is such that upon the yoke carrying the turntable and tone arm to the selected record, the switch II2 corresponding to such record will be momentarily closed. This will react in the circuit to stop the selecting shaft 20 through disengaging clutch I05 by means of deenergizing solenoid I01 and will deenergize electromagnet 58 to permit the pin 55 to lock the tone arm with its shaft 24. Switch H3 is so arranged in the circuit that upon its projection being engaged when the yoke is moved upwardly beyond the uppermost record, closing of its circuit will act to reverse the turntable motor I00 causing reverse rotation of the selecting shaft 20 to thereby carry the yoke back to the bottom of the record column, the intermediate switches I 12 being then out of circuit. When the yoke has thereby been lowered to below the column of records, the bottom switch I is momentarily closed, which again reverses motor I00 to raise the yoke and throw the intermediate switches IIZ into circuit so that the yoke is brought to rest for playing the lowermost record. Upon completion of the playing of the top side of the lowermost record actuation of the trip switch 54 causes the motor I00 to reverse and actuates' the master cam to set the tone arm for playing the underside of said record. After the underside thereof has been completed, a trip pins of switch 84 thereupon causes the control circuit to rotate the selecting shaft after the tone arm and turntable are swung clear of the records to elevate it in a position for repeating the cycle on the next record above. This continues. until all records have been played on both sides, whereupon switch H3 is again engaged for repeating the entire cycle.

The control circuit is made effective by plugaim; in the wall plug H8 to connect it with the usual source of electric current. A master control switch in the main line may likewise be employed for that purpose. When the machine is in position to move the yoke 2i upward, the switch control disc H0 is in the position shown in Fig. 4. In this position cam H0 thereon is holding switch I20 closed. Through said switch the circuit is closed to operate clutch I05 and energize electroinagnet 56 thereby disengaging pin 55 from shaft 24, and causing motor I00 (which runs continuously) to turn screw 20 relocating yoke ZI. As said yoke comes to the next record location, projection II'I actuates switch II! which energizes magnet A of relay I24, thus said relay de-energizes solenoid I01 declutching shaft 20 to stop the yoke. It also deenergizes the electromagnet 50 causing pin 55 to enter one of the shaft holes 24a. Relay I24 also starts the motor 95 and engages clutch by energizing the solenoid 9|, thus starting the cam 66 and the disc I I0 in the direction of the arrows;

As the cam 66 starts to rotate, cam IZI on the 9. disc IIO engages and closes the switch I22 which is in parallel with the contacts of relay I24 that energize the motor 95 and solenoid 9|. The cam II9 clears the switch I20 and closes the switch I23 to reset the relay I24 to the position shown in Fig. 4.

As the master cam continues to rotate, the turntable has been swung into record rotating position and the reproducer lowered onto the record whereupon the switch I22 reaches the end of the cam I2I on the disc H and opens to break the circuit through the solenoid 0| and the motor 95, bringing the master cam to a stop. The top side of the record then plays, the circuit through the record driving motor I00 remaining closed through switch I25 due to its engagement by cam I26 on the disc IIO.

For playing the top side of the record which is rotated clockwise, the motor I00 is rotated counterclockwise. Such direction of rotation of motor I00 is controlled by switch I25 which directs the motor circuit through contacts on the relay I21.

Upon the top side of the record having been reproduced, the trip arm 83 acts to trip switch 84, closing the circuit through the solenoid 9| and motor 95 to again start rotation of the master cam. Thereupon switch I22 is closed by engagement with the cam I28 on the disc IIO for maintaining the said current closed after the momentary closing of trip switch 84. By reason of the length of cam I28 the master cam now rotates one-half revolution, whereas it previously rotated one-quarter revolution. During this one-half revolution the yoke remains in its position. For the next quarter revolution the master cam carries the tone arm outwardly and starts it downwardly while said cam holds the turntable in its position. At this point, while disc IIO continues to rotate, cam I26 opens switch I25 and closes switch I25a, reversing the motor I00 to rotate in a clockwise direction which rotates the record in a counter-clockwise direction. The master cam 66 continues on to swing the tone arm inwardly and upwardly to engage the reproducer with the under side of the record. The master cam is then brought to rest as the cam I28 moves past the switch I22, de-energizing the solenoid SI and. motor 95. The lower side of the record is then reproduced thereby causing trip arm 83 to trip switch 84.

After both sides of the selected record have been played and trip 84 actuated, the circuit is closed by the cam H9 and the motor 95 again rotates the master cam, the circuit therethrough being maintained by closing of switch I22 by the cam I29. The master cam continues to rotate one-quarter revolution to lower the turntable and swing it outwardly free of the records, and lower and swing the tone arm outwardly free of the records. Thus one complete cycle of operation, i. e., the playing of both sides of a record, is completed when the switch I22 is opened by the gap between cams I2I and I29 on disc H0. However, if the master switch is still closed, cam II 9 again moves into position to close switch I20 which will start the cycle over again including the raising of the yoke to the next record which is selected by closing of the switch H2.

When the turntable and reproducer have played the upper-most record of the column, the yoke then moves upwardly to close the top switch H3. This switch is directly connected with the relay I21 which acts to reverse the motor I00 with solenoid I01 energized to rotate shaft 20 in the opposite direction to screw the yoke downwardly to the bottom of the column. During this movement intermediate switches I I 2 are out of circuit by reason of the electromagnet A of relay I21 having been energized, and. the motor for driving the master cam is out of circuit by reason of electromagnet B of relay I24 having been energized, therefore only the selective shaft 20 is operated to lower the turntable and reproducer to the bottom of the column. At the bottom of the column projection I I1 closes switch I I4 which energizes electromagnet B of relay I21 to again reverse the motor I00 to run in the direction to raise the yoke with the turntable and reproducer. At the same time switches I I2 are thrown back in circuit by relay I21, whereby upon the yoke moving upwardly to close the first switch thereabove,

electromagnet A of relay I24 will be energized to energize solenoid 9| and motor 95 to drive the master cam and switch control disc H0 in the manner above first described in respect thereto.

The invention claimed is:

1. An automatic record selecting mechanism for a phonograph adapted to reproduce disc records including a magazine for removably supporting a column of records about their peripheral edges and in spaced relation, a record supporting turntable shiftab-le axially of said column exteriorly thereof, a tone arm carrying a reproducer shiftable with said turntable exteriorly of said column, a selectively positioned support for said turntable and tone arm, means for shifting and positioning said support relative to a selected record, and cam controlled mechanism operable to swing said turntable under and in rotating engagement with the selected record and swing said tone arm into reproducing engagement therewith.

2. An automatic record selecting mechanism for a phonograph adapted to reproduce disc records including a column of vertically spaced record supports for peripherally supporting individual records in spaced relation, a record supporting turntable shiftable axially of and to one side of said records, a tone arm and reproducer shiftable with said turntable adjacent the opposite side of said records, a selectively positioned support shiftable relative to and axially of said records adjacent their peripheries for carrying and positioning said turntable and tone arm in substantially the plane of the record to be reproduced, means operable to shift said support for so positioning said turntable and reproducer, control mechanism operably connected with said means, turntable and tone arm, movable to swing said turntable under and into record centering and rotating position and swing said tone arm and reproducer therewith into record engaging position, and a drive for said control mechanism and turntable whereby the selected record may be reproduced thereby.

3. An automatic record selecting mechanism for a phonograph adapted to reproduce disc records including a magazine for removablysupporting a column of records in spaced relation, a record supporting turntable shiftable axially of and exteriorly of said column of records, a tone arm carrying a reproducer shiftable with said turntable exteriorly of said column of records, mechanism operably connected with said turntable movable to sequentially shift it to a position to one side of a selected record, swing it inwardly and under said record and lift it from its support for rotation, a, drive for rotating said turntable and actuating said mechanism and means operably associated with said mechanism actuated thereby oneness;

to shift and swing said tone arm and reproducer' into playingiengagement with the rotated record.

4. An. automatic record selecting mechanism for aphlonograph adaptedito reproduce disc records including a magazine for removably supporting a column of recordsin spaced relation; a traveling yoke shiftable axially of and adjacent said column of records, a. swinging turntable supported'on one side of said yoke movable into and out of supportingand rotatable engagement with a selected record, driving means for rotating said turntable, a tone": arm carrying a reproducer supported on'the-other side of said yoke for swinginn inlzrvement into. playing engagement with the record: engaged by said turntable, means for shifting said yoketo position said turntable andreproducer ior'engagement with a selected record, and mechanism operable to actuate said shifting means and swingsaid turntable and reproduoer into. andout of record engaging position in timed relation.

5. An automatic record: selecting mechanism for a phonograph adaptedzto reproduce .disc recorda including a magazine comprising a column of fixedsupports adapted to peripherally engage andsupport a columnot disc records in spaced relation, 2. record supporting turntable shiftable bcyondthe periphery of said records axially thereof and mounted to be1swung inwardly into engaging and centering position with a selected record for supporting and rotating said record free 1 offits peripheral support, mechanism operably connected to said turntable for shifting it to a selected position and swinging it into record supporting position, and driving means for ro-- toting said turntable while in record engagement.

6. An automatic record selecting mechanism for a phonograph adapted to reproduce disc records in-lludlng a magazine fonsupporting a fixed column of disc rezords in spaced relation, a movablvassemblyincludlng a record supporting turn"- tmhle-and a reproducer shiftable exteriorly of said column of: records axially thereof and movable into operative engagement with at selected record,

meohanismioperably connected to said assembly for shifting it to record selecting position, said. mechanism being operable to: elevate and rotate said turntable in engagement with the selected reoord' frec of its supportand: place said-reprocer in playing position thereon.

7. An automatic record: selecting mechanism for a phonograph adapted to reproduce disc recordsiincludinga magazine-for removably supportinga column of disc records in horizontal spiced relation, a turntable and tone arm assembly shift'able axially" and: vertically of said column exterioriy of said records carrying a record: supporting turntable and. a tone arm adapted to move inwardly of said column for engaging and: reproducing; a selected record, means. for shifting said assembly, and control. mechanism operable: torarrest and support" said assembly relative to saidselectedrecordupon.beingelevated to substantially the plane thereof-..

8'. An automatic record selecting, mechanism for a phonograph adapted to reproduce disc records including a magazine for removably sup porting a column of disc records in spaced rela-- tion; a: turntable andtone arm assemblyshiftable axially or said column exteriorly of said records carrying a record supporting turntable and a tone armadapted to move inwardly of said column for engaging and reproducing a selected record, mechanism automatically operable to shift said assembly fronroneselected position to the next and move said turntable and tone arm inwardly to engage andreproduce the next adjacent record of the column, and means for automatically con trolling said mechanism to move said. assembly from one end of the column to the other Without record. engagement. after the end record of the column has been engaged and reproduced, Whereby the consecutive engagement and reproduction of lsaidrecords will be: repeated.

9. An automatic record selecting mechanism for" a phonograph adapted to reproduce disc records including a. stack of: disc records supportedin horizontaland stationary spaced relation, a record'supporting turntable and tone arm assembly mounted: to one side of said stack of records vertically movable the full length thereof, means for moving" said assembly vertically to operative-alignment with a selected record, and mechanismoperable to thereupon move said turntableinwardly underthe selectedirecord and elevate: it to engage and rotate said record, said mechanism being simultaneously operable to and move. said tonearmzinto' reproducer engagement 3 with thepiaying surface of. said selected record for: itsrreproductiom 1.0. Anautomatiorecord selecting mechanism for a phonograph. adapted to reproduce disc records including a magazine for removably supporting a column of records in spaced relation, a record supporting turntable and tone arm assembly shiftable axially relative to and outside of said column, a record selecting shaft having threaded engagement with said assembly, driving means for periodically rotating said selecting shaft to shift said assembly into operative alignment with aselected record, a turntable shaft extending'axially of said column parallel to said selecting shaft operable to swing said turntable into and. out of position to engage and elevate a record, a shaft having means movable with said assembly operable to. rotate said turntable upon recordv engagement thereby, a tone arm shaft parallel; with said. turntable shaft mounted for l oscillation and. reciprocation, means for interlocking said tonearm-thereto, and control mechanism'connected with each of said shafts operable. to" actuate the same in timed relation for positioningsaid assembly and moving said turntable and reproducer into and out of eifeotive engagement with the selected record for rotation and reproduction thereof.

11; An automatic record selecting mechanism for a. phonograph: adapted to reproduce disc recordsincludinga magazine comprising a series of vertical rods having spaced inwardly extending record. supporting. fingers arranged to support a group. of horizontal records in vertical spaced relation, a vertically extending record selecting shaft, a yoke in-threaded engagement with said shaftlfor. verticalmovement thereof relative to said-records. upon rotation of. said shaft, a series ofv electric contact members vertically spaced corresponding with the vertically spaced records l individually engageable by said yoke, means for rotating. said shaft and arresting its rotation uponrone of said-contact members being engaged, a turntable mounted. for swinging movement on said yoke adjazent a recordcorresponding to the engaged member, a, turntable shaft extending parallel. with said selecting shaft. operable to swing, said turntable into and out of centering engagement. with. the selected record, a record rotating shaft parallelto said shafts rotatable for driving said. turntable t0v effect the rotation of a record engaged thereby, a tone arm having a reproducer supported on the opposite side of said yoke, a tone arm shaft engageable with said tone arm for raising and lowering the reproducer into and out of engagement with the selected record and swinging the tone arm relative thereto, driving mechanism for periodically oscillating said turntable shaft and reciprocating and oscillating said tone arm shaft upon said yoke being selectively positioned, and means for rotating said record rotating shaft during record engagement by said turntable.

12. An automatic record selecting mechanism for a phonograph adapted to reproduce disc records including a, horizontally disposed record I supporting turntable engageable with the central portion of a horizontally disposed record within its playing grooves to horizontally support and rotate said record with the playing grooves exposed on both sides thereof, a tone arm carrying a reproducer on the free end thereof, said reproducer being engageable with the playing grooves on either side of the record, means for swinging said tone arm and reproducer inwardly in the horizontal plane of the record to reproducing position, and a cam actuated member operable to lower said tone arm to engage said reproducer with the playing grooves on the upper side of the record when in one position and raise said reproducer into engagement with the play ing grooves on the underside of the record when in another position.

13. An automatic record selecting mechanism for a phonograph adapted to reproduce disc records including a horizontally disposed record supporting turntable engageable with the central portion of a horizontally disposed record for supporting and rotating it with the playing grooves 0n the upper and under sides of said record exposed for reproducer engagement, a reproducer operable to engage the re cord grooves on the upper side of the record when in one position and the record grooves on the underside thereof when in another position, a horizontally swinging tone arm carrying said reproducer, said tone arm being pivotally supported for vertical movement upon a swinging support, means operable to swing said support and tone arm over and lower it for reproducer engagement with the upper side of the record to be reproduced, a fulcrum mounting for a section of said tone arm intermediate the ends thereof, and a counterweight supported on the end of said section opposite the reproducer for overbalancing and applying the reproducer to the grooves of the underside of the record under pressure exerted by said counterweight.

14. An automatic record selecting mechanism for a phonograph adapted to reproduce disc records, including a magazine for removably supporting a column of records in spaced relation, a turntable and tone arm assembly shiftable axially of and exteriorly of said records, an

electric control circuit a series of contact switches in said circuit corresponding to said records and progressively engageable by said assembly, motor driven means in said circuit for shifting said as sembly between the ends of said column of records, control mechanism in said circuit opeable to arrest said motor driven shifting means in operative relation to a selected record upon engagement of its corresponding switch, and mechanism actuated by said motor and operably connected with said turntable and tone arm re spectively to move them into playing engagement with the record selected by operation of its corresponding switch.

15. An automatic record selecting mechanism for a phonograph adapted to reproduce disc records including a magazine for removably supporting a column of records in spaced relation, a turntable and tone arm assembly, a rotatable screw shaft having threading engagement with said assembly for shifting it exteriorly of said re :ords when rotated and supporting it in shifted position when stationary, an electric circuit, a motor drive in said circuit for rotating said shaft, a series of contact switches in said circuit extending adjacent said records and assembly, one switch corresponding to each record, said switches being arranged for progressive engagement by said assembly, means for normally rotating said shaft to shift said assembly from its previous switch engaging position to its next switch engaging position, means for arresting said motor drive upon said switch engagement to support said assembly in operative relation to the record selected thereby, mechanism controlled by said arresting means and operably connected with said turntable and tone arm assembly for moving said turntable and tone arm respectively into playing engagement with said selected record, reversing switches in said circuit positioned at each end of said series of contact switches engageable by said assembly, and mechanism controlled by said circuit upon engagement of one of said reversing switches for causing said motor drive to reverse said screw shaft to redirect said assembly upon reaching the limit of its travel.

CARL R. HART.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,050,849 Kresberg et al Aug. 11, 1936 2,174,273 Mitchell Sept. 26, 1939 2,175,142 Andres Oct. 3, 1939 2,263,643 Ofien Nov. 25, 1941 2,307,030 Erwood Jan. 5, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 598,584 Germany June 15, 1934

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