US1461111A - Automatic talking machine - Google Patents

Description

July 10, 1923. v I IlAfiLfilHl Y 1,. G. DANIELS AUTOMATI C TALKING MACHINE Filed Jan. is, 1920 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 July 10, 1923. 11,461,111 v L. G. DANIELS AUTOMATIC TALKING MAQHINE 7 Filed Jan, 19, 1920 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 10, 1923. 11,461,311??? G. DANIELS AUTOMATIC TALKING MACHINE Filed Jan. 19, 1920 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 o c (@I 49 44 a4 26 A TTORNEY.

Jub'l0,l923.

L461JHE L. G. DANIELS AUTOMAfIC TALKING MACHINE Filed Jan. 19, 1920 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

' 2 y INVENZOR.

BYQJQLQ\ IIJJI' ATTORNEY.

Patented July 10, 1923.

UNITE STE rar @FFHQE.

LEE G. DANIELSQOF ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS.

AUTOMATIC TALKING MACHINE.

Application filed January 19, 1920. Serial No. 352,257.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, LEE G. DANIELS,- a citizen of the United States, residing at Rockford, in the county of Winnebago and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic construction, which shall automatically playa plurality of records, one after another until all are played, and which will, if desired, continuously play the records in succession.

More particularly, my invention contemplates as an object, the provision of a talkmg machine including a revoluble table carrying a plurality of circumferentially spaced record turn-tables which are carried successively to a playing station beneath the reproducer, the stylus of the latter being lowered onto the record at this station, and

when the playing is completed, being raised to an inoperativeposition. Suitable mechanism is provided for indexing the table to position the record turn-tables at each playing station and to automatically lower and raise the reproducer stylus at the desired intervals.

Another object of my invention is to feed the turn-table at the playing station later ally beneath the reproducer, so as to reduce to a minimum any strain or side thrust on the stylus and sound grooves as is imposed by the ordinary talking machine in which the reproducer and tone arm are carried across the record by the lead of the sound grooves. With my improvements, that is, by feeding the record laterally beneath the reproducer, such wearing of the sound grooves is eliminated and better reproduction is ob-- tained, because the stylus rides freely in a sound groove'with just the proper suspension to most effectually transmit sound waves. In this regard, it might be mentioned that by the use of a suitable reproducer, records having either the vertically or laterally undulating record grooves may be played.

Still another object of my invention is the provision of novel mechanism for raising and lowering the reproducer stylus at the proper intervals. One of the features of this mechanism is that although actuated at a predetermined point, preferably in the lateral travel or feed of each turn-table, nevertheless, the reproducer will be properly raised irrespective of its position at that time relative to the center of the record. In other words, in a series of records to be played those made by different manufacturers may be anywhere from 80 to 150 grooves per inch, consequently when any piece is finished, the reproducer stylus might be ata different distance from the center of the recordfrom the finishing point on another record. My improvements, as will be more fully pointed out hereinafter are designed to meet these 'varyin-g conditions. With reference to rotation of the table which carries the multiple of record turn-tables, my invention contemplates utilizing movement of said table for actuating the mechanism for raising and lowering the reproducer stylus at the proper intervals.

Another object is the provision in a talking machine of a reproducer or tone arm, which when in playing position, is in no way restrained or connected with any mechanism or operable parts which might by imposing resistance on the arm, impair the tone or quality of reproduction, this object being further attained by feeding the record laterally beneath the reproducer so as to render negligible any thrusts or strains due.

to the stylus ridinig1 inwardly of the record My invention rth'er contemplates the provision'of novel mechanism for driving the table in indexing and feed movements, including preferably, a continuously driven shaft, the speed of which varies and is controlled automatically for obtaining the requisite indexing and feed speeds, so that at all times in the operation the main table is in motion.

Other objects and attendant advantages and features pertaining to the preferred construction will be better understood by those familiar with this art by reference to the following description, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in. which Figure l is a plan view of an automatic talking machine embodying my improvements;

on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4, a fragmentary plan sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-4 of v Fig. 2;

- Figs. 5 and 6, detail sectional views taken substantially on the lines 55 and 6-6 respectively, of Fig. 2;

Fig. '7, a detail sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 3. a detail sectional view taken on the line 88 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 9, a front quarterly elevation of a talking machine embodying my improvements.

Referring !now to the drawings. it will be observed that I have provided a plurality of record turntables 11, 12, 13 and 14, revolubly mounted in circumferentially spaced relation on a main table designated generally by character 15. This table or carrier as shown in Fig. 3, has a hub 16 revoluble about a fixed sleeve or post 17 and upon a thrust bearing 18. In the present instance, the sleeve 17 is rigidly carried by the arm 19 of a main casting designated generally by the character 21, which is preferably formed to provide bearing support for practically all of the operating mechanism. A shaft 22 revoluble within the sleeve 17, is equipped at its upper end \with a driving disk 23 having permanent frictional driving contact with the periphery of each of the'record turn tables, as plainly shown in Fig. 1. Each turn table may be suitably revolubly mounted on the main table, as for example, to revolve about a fixed spindle 24, as shown in Fig. 3. Mechanism described hereinafter is provided for continuously revolving the turn-table driver 23 while the machine is in operation.

It is now proposed to revolve the main table 15 in-indexing and feed movements, for the purpose of successively positioning the record turn-tables at a playing station in a comparatively quick movement, and for carrying such record laterally beneath a reproducer stylus during playing of the production at a slower speed, or what might be termed a feed motion. Such movements may be imparted to the table by means of a worm gear 25 driven by a worm 26, which in turn is adapted to be driven at different speeds from a motor 27 through the intermediary of suitable mechanism, which will now be described. Referring more particularly to Figs. 4an'd 5, it will be observed that the driving wheel 28 of the motor is in frictional engagement with a wheel 29 fixed to a shaft 31 mounted in suitable bearings in the casting 21. The motor is preferably pivotally mounted on the support 32 and is constantly urged b a suitable spring 33 in a direction to hold 1ts driver 28 into frictional engagement with the driven member 29. As shown in Fig. 5, the shaft 31 carries fixed spiral gears 34 and 36 and worm 35. The s iral gear 36 meshes with a spiral gear 37 xed to the turn-table driving shaft 22. The

worm 35 drives a worm gear 38 fixed to an upright shaft 39 which carries a fixed pinion 41 meshin with a spur gear 42 loose on the upright siaft 43. By means of a friction clutch between the gears 42 and the shaft 43, the latter will be constantly driven by the motor and, in turn, will revolve the main table 15.,atwhat I term a feed movement through the agency of gears 44 and 45 and ears 25 and 26. From the foregoing, it will be seen that a driving train is provided between the motor and the table at a considerable reduction in speed so. that the table will be constantly driven at a predetermined slow speed, for feeding a record laterally beneath the reproducer stylus.

It will be observed that the driving train just described includes a friction clutch between the gear 42 and the shaft 43. This clutch isof a design peculiar to the conditions involved in this particular instance in that it permits the shaft 43 to be revolved at a higher speed and to drop back again to the speed of the gear 42, whereupon the drive will be instantly resumed by said friction clutch. Thus, the shaft 43 revolves continuously at comparatively fast and slow speeds as determined by certain control mechanism which will be presently de- M scribed. The purpose of revolving this shaft 43 at the relatively fast and slow speeds is to index the main'table at certain intervals for moving the record turn-tables successively to a playing station, and to revolve.

said table at a comparatively slower speed,

i which I term the feed, for feeding the record at the playing station laterally beneath the reproducer stylus. The friction clutch above mentioned between the gear 42 and shaft 43 is of such design as to be noiseless and to take effect instantly upon the speed of the shaft 43 dropping back to that of the ear 42. I prefer for this purpose to employ a iction clutch such as shown in Fig. 7, comprising a plurality of dogs 46 pivotally mounted on the gear 42 and urged by springs 47 against a disk 48 fixed to the shaft 43 It 126 will thus been seen when the gear 42 is revolved in a counter-clockwise direction viewing Fig. 7, the shaft 43 will belike'wise re-' volved, but in the event that the shaft 43 is revolved at a higher speed by some other agency, the disk 48 will simply revolve freely past the dogs 46 which continue to revolve at uniform speed.

The means for stepping up the speed of the shaft 43 as just mentioned, consists preferably of a friction clutch comprising a 51 meshing with the gear 34, above menface ofthe se tioned, and a driven member 52 rotatable with the shaft 4:3, but shiftable lengthwise thereon. Since the driving member 49 is revolved at a considerably higher speed than the shaft 43, it will be obvious that when the member 52 is shifted axially to engage the cone clutch, the shaft 43 will be revolved at a playing speed .in which the record at the playing station is fed slowly beneath the reproducer.

Means is now provided for automatically bringing a reproducer stylus into playing contact with a record when it is moved to the playing station and for raising the stylus therefrom after the' record has been played. Any suitable reproducer or sound box may be employed, and in the present inat the speed of the driving'member 49. The stance, I have shown one of conventional decone clutch is engaged an disengaged by means of a shifter fork 53 pivotally mounted at 54 on a stationary part, the forkterminating at its opposite end in relatively adjustable arms 55 and 56, the latter of which is equippedwith a roller 57 adapted to be. actuated by a cam segment 58. A contractile spring 59 constantly urges the shifter in a direction to disengage the cone clutch and to hold the roller 57 against the cam surent 58. B turning the screw 61 the s iftable mem et- 52 of the clutch may be adjusted to take up wear. The cam'segment 58 is adapted to be oscillated by means of an upstanding arm carrying a cam follower 62 held by a spring 63 (thru the agency of the segment 58) in engagement with the periphery of a cam plate designated generally b character 64 carried by the table 15. '--Viewing Fig. 1, it will .be observed that this annular cam plate is provided upon its periphery with a depression 65 for each record turn-table. When the cam follower 62 is disposed in one of said depressions as shown in the drawings, the traversing clutc consisting ofthe cone members 19 and 52 on the shaft 43 isdisengaged. Consequently,

the table 15 is being revolved by the feed clutch at the speed of the gear 42. That is, the table 15 is being revolved in a clockwise direction at a relatively. slow speed, andwhen the cam follower 62 is moved outwardly by the rise 66 in the periphery of the cam plate, the cam segment 58, Fig. 3,'will be moved in a clockwise direction, thereby actuating the shifter 53 and engaging the traversing clutch. This will revolve the table fastener to bring the next succeeding record turn-table 12 to a playing position beneath the reproducer, and when such position is reached, the cam follower 62 will enter the depression -67 in the annular cam plate, thereby disengaging the cone clutch and causing the table speed to fall back to that produced by the clutch member 42. The cam plate 64 is rotatably adjustable on the main table after loosening the nuts 60, for the purpose of varying the times for actuatingthe cam follower. It will be seen that when the parts are continuously driven by the motor, the table'will be continuously revolved at alternate speeds, viz: the traversing s eed for moving the next succeeding recor turn-table to the playing station, and

sign, designated by character 68. Thisv'reproducer is of the type adapted to be shifted for playing records having either the vertically or laterally undulating sound grooves. As shown in the drawings, the reproducer is in the position for playing records having vertically undulating sound grooves. It is carried by a tone arm"'69 mounted to swing laterally about a vertical axis and also to be capable of swinging vertically at its outer end. For this purpose the tone arm may be mounted through the agency of a ball or universal joint 71, which allows the desired movements. For raising the tone arm, I emploiy a. lifter arm 72 pivotally mounted at 73 an tion 7 4 from the shaft 7 5 to which the parts 58 and 62 are connected. That is, the lifter arm 72 will be operated from the same source, viz: the cam plate 64: from which the traversing cone clutch is operated. Viewing Fig. 8, it will be observed that the lifter arm is shaped to provide a \l-shaped lifting surface 76 adapted to engage the tone arm. is such that when it is lifted and brought into contact with the tone arm, it will raise the stylus from the record, irrespective of whether the tone arm is directly above or at one side of the center of the surface 76, whereupon the. tone arm if laterally offset adapted to be actuated by a link connec-p This surface 76 and the incline thereof tate along the inclined surface to the lowermost or central position. Thus. the tone arm is always at a central position on the lifting arm when the latter is raised, and each time the reproducer is lowered onto a record, the stylus will engage the record at a predetermined point. But in the event that one record has more or less grooves per inch than another. the position of the tone arm relatively to the lifter arm will be different when the lifter arm is actuated to grooves per inch. Consequently, it is pre- 1' ferred that the present record feed, as will be explained more particularly hereinafter, shall be set at 100 grooves per inch, and in this event when the lifter arm is actuated to 'raise the stylus from the record the tone. arm would be substantially directly above fee the center or lowermost point of the lifter arm. If an 80 groove per inch record is played and the stylus is lifted at the same predetermined point in the lateral feed of the latter is raised, th tone arm will be properly lifted and retained in a centermost position.

A suitable governor may be provided for regulating the speed of the turn-tables, and in the present instance I employ a fly-ball governor 77 of conventional design. carried by a shaft 78 which is driven from the shaft 22, through means of gears 79. The governor actuates a disk 81, and when a predetermined speed is exceeded, this disk will be moved against a fixed friction member 82, thereby retarding the speed.

The general operation is as follows: A record is placed upon each turn-table. preferably when the machine is at rest, although it will be noted that records may be changed while the machine is in operation, on all turn tables except that carrying the record being played. Assuming that the machine is driven by a motor, the record turn-tables will be continuously revolved and with the parts as shown in the drawings, the table 15 will be driven at the slow or playing speed through the friction slip clutch car- .ried by the gear 42. In the assumed position, the reproduced stylus is in playing engagements with the record on the table 11, having just been lowered thereonto by reason of the cam follower 62 having moved inwardly along the incline 83 to the depressiorr 65. The record will now be played, the turn table 11 being fed laterally beneath the -stylus at the desired speed as de scribed above, so that the tone arm remains stationary, or might deviate slightly to the left or right, according to the character and number of the sound-grooves of the particular record. When "the production has been completed and the main table reached the point at which the cam surface 66 engages the follower 62, the latter will be moved out wardly. This outward movement of the cam follower produces two important .re-

cupied by the turn table '11 in Fi 1. When the turn table 12 is moved to tliis station,

the cam follower will ride into the cam depression (57, thereby throwing out the traversing or indexing clutch and lowering the reproducer stylus onto the record carried by this turn table. The operation is then carried on seriatim until the motor is sto ped.

An automatic talking machine embo ying the principles of operation illustrated above serves very satisfactorily the purposes in mind, and 'more particularly, is capable of economical production and also meets the conditions and requirements of a commercial article. It is believed that the foregoing description conveys a clear understanding of the objects prefaced above and the principles and mode of operation of my invention, and while I' have illustrated but a single working embodiment thereof, it should be, understood that considerable change might be made in the construction and arrangement without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims, in which-- I claim:

1. In a talking machine, a revoluble carrier, a plurality of recordturn tables circumferentially mounted on said carrier, means for revolving the record turn tables, a reproducer, and mechanism for continuously revolving the carrier to move each record turn table in succession into playing relation with the reproducer and to feed such turn table laterally. therebeneath during the reproduction.

2. In a automatic talking machine, the

combination of a plurality of record turn tables, a reproducer, a carrier for moving the turn tables one after another into playing relation with the reproducer and lat- .rier, a reproducer, means for revolving the carrier to move the record turn tables one after another to a playing station and laterally beneath the stylus during the reproduction, and means for automatically moving the stylus into and out of contract with the record on the turntable at the playing station.

4. In a automatic talking machine, a continuously revolving driving member, aplurality of record turn tables arranged circumferentially about said mem er, and in constant driving connection therewith, a re-- producer, and -means for moving the rec-.

0rd turn tables one after another into playing relation with the reproducer.

5. In a talking machine, a. plurality of record turn-tables, means for continuously revolving said turn-tables, a reproducer, means for successively movlng the turntables to a playing station, means for lowering the reproducer onto the record at said station, and means for continuously feed I ing the turn-table at the playing station,

laterally relatively to the reproducer in the opposite direction to and substantially corlaterally beneath the reproducer during the pla ing of the record carried by such turntab e.

7. In an automatic. talking machine, a

plurality of record turn tables in circumferentially spaced relation, a friction driving member in constant driving connectionwith all of said turn tables for continuously driving the same, a reproducer, means for moving the record turn tables one after another to a playing station, and means for automatically moving the reproducer stylus into and out of contact with the record on the turn table at the playing station.

8.In a talking machine, a plu lity-of horizontally spaced record turn-tables, a reproducer, means. for successively moving the turn-tables into playing position beneath the reproducer,- means for automatically lowering the reproducer stylus onto the record carried by the turn-table so positioned, and means for feeding each turn-table so positioned. laterally relatively to the reproducer in the opposite direction to and at a speed approximately the relative travel of the stylus across the record.

.9. In an automatic talking machine, the combination of a revoluble carrier, a constantly revolving driving member concentric with said carrier, a plurality of record turn tables on the carrier-in constant'driving connection with said member, a reproducer, mechanism forrevolving the carrier to. position' the turn tables one after another at a playing station. and means for automatically bringingthe reproducer stylus into and out of contact with the record on the turn table at the playing station.

.10. In a talking machine, a revoluble.

table, a' plurality of record turn-tables mounted in circumferentially spaced relation on. said table, a reproducer disposed above said table and adapted to be raised and lowered into and out of playing relation to a record therebeneath, and mecha nism for revolving the table in an indexing movement to substitute a different record turn-table beneath the reproducer and in a feed movement to carry the record so positioned, laterally relatively to the reproducer in the opposite direction to and at a speed approximating that of the stylus travel across the record.

11. In a talking machine, a revoluble table, a plurality of record turn-tables revolubly mounted on said table in circumferentially spaced relation, a driving member co-axial withsaid table and in constant driving connection with said turntables, a reproducer adapted to be lowered into playing relation to a record positioned therebeneath, and mechanism for imparting rotary movement to the table for succes- Til sively moving in predetermined timed relation, the record turn-tables into playing position beneath the reproducer.

12. In a talking machine, a revoluble table, a plurality of record turn-tables revolubly mounted on said table in circumferentially spaced relation, 2. driving member co-axia-l with said table and in constant drivingconnection with said turn-tables, a reproducer adapted to be lowered into playmg relation to a record positioned therebeneath, and mechanism for imparting rotary movement to the table for successively moving in predetermined timed relation, the record turn-tables into playing position beneath the reproducer and for carrying each turn-table so positioned laterally with respect to the reproducer in a feed movement substantially equal or corresponding to that of the stylus travel across the record.

13. In a talking machine, a plurality of period, a reprodu'cer. disposed above the turn-tables at a playing station and adapted to be lowered and raised to and from a record positioned therebeneath, and mechanism for successively moving the record turntables to said playing station and for feed ing each turn-table so positioned laterally with res ect to the reproducer stylus during the playing period. 14. In axtalking machine, a plurality of record turn-tables in circumferentially spaced relation adapted to travel in a circular path successively through a playing period, a reproducer disposed. above the turntables at a playing station and adapted to be lowered and raised to and from a. record positioned therebeneath, mechanism for succemively moving the record turn-tables to said playing station and for feeding each turn-table so positioned laterally with respect to the reproducer stylus during the playing period, and mechanism for automatically lowering and raising the reproducer-stylus to and from the record therebeneath inpredetermined timed relation with said movement of the turn-tables to the playing station.

15. In a talking machine, a reproducer, a plurality of record carriers, and mechanism for successively moving the record carriers to a playing position beneath the reproducer and for feeding the record carrier so positioned laterally with respect tothe reproducer while the record is being played.

16. In a talking machine. a reproducer. a plurality of record carriers. mechanism for successively moving the record carriers to a playing position beneath the reproducer and for feeding the record carrier so posi tioned laterally with respect to the reproducer while the record is being played, means for revolving the record carrier at the pla ing station, and means for automatically lowering the reproducer stylus onto the record after it has been moved to such playing station and for raising the stylus at the end of the playing period.

17. In an automatic talking machine, the

combination of a reproducer, a plurality of record turn tables, mechanism for automatically moving the turn tables one after anotherto a. playing station and forthwith feeding the turn table laterally beneath the stylus during the reproduction.

- 18. In a talking machine, a plurality of record turn-tables, a reproducer, means for succemively moving the record turn-tables to a pla ing station beneath the reproducer, means or revolving the turn table at the playing station, means for automatically lowering the reproducer stylus onto the rec-- 0rdcarried by the turn-table at said playing station, and mechanism for feeding the turn-table at the playing station. laterally beneath the reproducer at a speed substantially corresponding to that of the stylus travel acrom the record.

19. In a talking machine. a record turntable, a tone arm equipped with a repreducer adapted to be moved into and out of playing relation to arecord on the. turntable by similar movement of the tone arm, and means for so moving the tone arm, in cluding a part positioned beneath said arm and having upwardly diverging arm-engaging surfaces in a plane transverse to the major axis of said arm.

20. In a talking machine. a reoordturm table, a tone arm equipped with a reprotducer adapted to be moved into and out of playing relation to a record on the turntable by similar movement of the tone arm,

and means for so movin the tone arm, in cluding a vertically mova le part positioned immediately beneath the tone arm and having a substantially V-shaped arm engaging surface in a plane transverse to the major axis of said arm.

21. In a talking machine, a record turntable, a reproducer adapted to be lowered onto and raised from a record carried by said turn-table, mechanism for moving the turn-table laterally beneath the reproducer during the reproduction, and means for automatically lowering the reproducer stylus onto the record at a predetermined point in the lateral travel of the turn table.-

22. In a talking machine, a plurality of record turn-tables, a reproducer stylus, means for successively positioning said turntables beneath the reproduccr stylus and for feeding the turn-tables so positioned, laterally relatively to said stylus, the travel of the record turn-table to said position beneath the stylus being relatively faster than said feed movement laterally of the stylus. and means for lowering the stylus ontoa record which has been moved to the playing stationj 23. In a talking machine, the combination of a record turn-table, a reproducer stylus, means for feeding the turn-table laterally beneath the stylus, and means governed by lateral travel of the turn-table for automatically lowering the stylus onto the record and raising it therefrom at predetermined times.

| I 24. In a talklng machine, a record turntable, a reproduoer stylus, means for feeding the record laterally beneath the stylus, means for lowering the stylus onto the record at a predetermined point during said feed, and means for raising the stylus from the record at'a pointgoverned by the lateral travel of the turn-table beneath the stylus, the stylus being raised atsaid point irre spective of the proximity of the stylus to the center of the record. Y a

25. In-a talking machine, a plurality of record turn-tables, a reproducer stylus, mechanism for moving the turn-tables successively to a playing position beneath the stylus, means for revolving the turn-table at the playing station, means for feeding the record at the playing station laterally with respect to the stylus, and, means for automatic: lly raising the stylus from the record at a predetermined point in the lateral travel or feed of said turn-table.

26. In a talking machine, a revoluble carrier, a plurality of record turn tables on said carrier, a reproducer, mechanism for indexing the carrier to move the turn tables in succession to a playing station, means for revolving the turn table at said station, an adjustable annular cam plate on the carrier, and means actuated by the cam plate for causing the reproducer stylus to be brought into playing contact with the record on the turn table at said station.

27. In an automatic talking machine, the combination of a revoluble carrier, a plurality of record turn tables thereon, a reproducer, a peripheral cam on the carrier, and mechanism controlled by said cam for indexing the carrier and lowering and raising plate adjustable about the axis of the-canrier, and mechanism controlled by said cam plate for indexing the carrier and for lowering and raising the reproducer stylus.-

29. In a talking machine, thecombination of a record turn table, a repiroducer, mechanism for feeding the record turn table laterally beneath the reproducer, and means actuated by such feed movement for lowering the reproducer stylus onto a record and raising it therefrom.

30. In an automatic talking machine, the

combination of a revoluble carrier, 2. record turn table thereon, a reproducer, cam faces on said carrier, and mechanism controlled by said cam faces for indexing the table and for raising and lowering the) rcprodncer stylus.

. 31. In a'talking machine, a revoluble table equipped with a plurality of circumferentially spaced record. turn-tables, a reproducer stylus, mechanismifor revolving the table in indexing movem nts to successively position the turn-tables at said playing station and in a relatively slower feed move-.

ment to carry the turn table at "said station laterally beneath the stylus, and means actuated at predetermined points in the rotative' movement of the table for causing. the reproducer stylus to be lowered and raised.

32. In a talking machine, a revoluble table equipped with a plurality of circumferentially spaced record turn-tables, a reproducer stylus, mechanism for automatically revolving the table in indexing movements and feed movements to succemively position the turn-tables at'the playing station and to feed the turn-table so positioned laterally beneath the reproducer stylus, and means for automatically lowering the reproducer stylus, onto a record near the outer edge thereof when it has been positioned at said playing station and for automatically raising the reproducer stylus when the same has reached aposition' close to the center of the record by reason of lateral travel of such record bene-ath the stylus.

In an automatic talking machine, the combination of a plurality of record turntables, a reproducer stylus, means for feeding the turn-tables in succession to a playing station and laterally beneath the stylus during the reproduction, mechanism for bringing the rep-reducer stylus into and out of playing relation toeach record at said sitetion, and a control member for operating said mechanisms in predetermined timed relation. V.

, 34. In a talking machine, the combination ot a table equipped with a plurality of record turn-tables, a reproducer stylus, and mechanism for alternately imparting indexing and feed movements to the table to position each record turn. table in succession at a playing station and to feed such turn table laterally beneath the stylusdu-ring the reproduction. 7 1 I 35. Inan automatic talking machine, the combination of a. revoluble carrier equipped with a plurality of reco-rdturn tables, a reproducer, and mechanism controlled by to I tative movement of the carrier for indexing said carrier and for raising and lowering the reproducer stylus.

36. Ina talking machine, the combination of a revoluble carrierequipped with a plurality of record turn tables, and mechanism for rotatably indexing the carrier and for moving it at a relatively slow feed between the indexing movements, during which slow feed the record is played. v 37. In a talking machine, the combination of a table carrying a plurality of record turn-tables, means for revolving the table at a fast and a slow speed, said speeds being controlled by the movement of the table. I

38. In an automatic talking machine, the combination of a'reproducer, a plurality of records,'a continuously revolving cam, and mechanism controlled by said cam for moving the records'in succession to a playing station and feeding each record thereat laterally beneath the reproducer.

39. In'an automatic multiple record talking machine, a table carrying a plurality of record turn-tables, and a plate cam attached to the table for controlling the length of time that a record turn-table is in playing relation to the reproducer.

40. In an automatic multiple record talking machine, the combination of a table carrying a plurality o frecord turn-tables, a reproducer, and mechanism for continuously revolving the table alternately at relatively fast and slowspeeds to feed one record after another under the reproducer.

41. Inan. automatic talking machine, the combination of a lurality of continuously revolving turn tab es, :1 reproducer, a continuously revolving cam, and mechanism controlled by said cam for moving the turn tables one. after another into playing relation with the reproducer and for moving the reproducerstylus into and outof contact with the record on such turn table. a

42, In a talking machine, a record turn table, a reproducer, and mechanism including a change-speed device for moving the Him nism for moving the carrier alternately in quick traverse and feed movements to position the turn tables one after another at a playing station and to feed the records laterally beneath the reproducer stylus.

44. In a talking machine, the combination of a revoluble carrier, :1 turn table driving member above and concentric with the carrier, a plurality of record turn tables on said carrier adapted to be driven by said driving member, a worm gear beneath and fixed to the carrier concentric therewith. a drive shaft fixed to said driving members and revoluble within the worm gear, and mecha nism for driving the worm gear at a relatively slow speed and for driving said shaft at a higher speed.

.45. In an automatic multiple record talking machine, the combination of a reproducer, a plurality of records. means for moving the records one after another to a playing station means for lowering the reproiducer stylus onto the record at the playing station and for lifting the stylus at the end 26 of the reproducer, a continuously revolving control device, and mechanism actuated by said device for causing each record to be moved to said playing station in a quick traverse movement and laterally beneath the 30 stylus during the reproduction and for causin'g the'stylus to be moved into and out of playing position. I 46. In an automatic. talking machine, the combination of a reproducer, a plurality of records, a continuously revolving cam,

mechanism controlled by said cam for moving the records in succession to a playing station and feeding each record thereat laterally beneath the reproducer, and mecha- 40 nism controlled by said cam for bringing the reproducer into and out of playing relation with each record at said station.

47. In an automatic talking machine, the combination of a revoluble carrier adapted by indexing movements to position one record after another at a playing station, a reproducer stylus adapted to be lowered onto the record at the playing station and lifted therefrom, cam surfaces on said carrier, a cam follower, and mechanism operated by said cam follower for indexing the carrier and lowering and lifting the reproducer.

48. In an automatic multiple record talking machine, the combination of a reproducer, means for moving a plurality of records one after another to a playing station and laterally beneath the reproducer, and mechanism for operating said means including a feed clutch for moving each record laterally beneath the stylus, and a rapid traverse clutch for moving each record to the laying station.

49. In a tal ing machine, the combination of a tone arm equipped with a reproducer carrying the reproducer stylus into and out of contact with a record, a lever pivoted beneath the tone arm and equipped at its free end with a cross head having upwardly diverging faces disposed beneath the tone arm, means for feeding a record laterally beneath the stylus, and means for moving the lever on its fulcrum to lower and raise the tone arm.

50. In a talking machine, the combination of a reproducer, a record, means for feeding the record laterally beneath the reproducer, and means for automatically lowering the reproducer stylus onto the record at a predetermined distance from its center when at a given station in its lateral travel and for lifting the stylus from the record at a subsequent given point in its lateral travel irrespective of the distance of the stylus from the center of the record.

51. In a talking machine, the combination of a record, a reproducer, and means for raising and lowering the reproducer stylus in a substantially common plane and for automatically rectifying any-lateral deviation of the stylus from such plane after the stylus has been lifted from the record.

52. In a talking machine,the combination of a record, a reproducer, means for feeding the record laterally beneath the reproducer, and means for lowering and raising the reproducer stylus when the edge and a point near the center of the record, respectively pass beneath the stylus.

53. In a talking machine, the combination of a record, a reproducer, means for feeding the record laterally beneath the reproducer, and means for lowering and raising the reproducer stylus when the edge and a point near the center of the. record respectively pass beneath the stylus and for correcting lateral deviation of the stylus resulting from variations in the width of the sound grooves of diiferent records.

54. In a talking machine, the combination of a central driving wheel, a plurality of record turn tables arranged around said wheel in constant driving connection therewith, a reproducer, and means for moving the turn tables one after another into playing relation with the reproducer without interrupting the drive of the turntables.

55. In a talking machine, the combination with a tone arm, of a vertically movable member under the tone arm having downwardly inclined ways approaching from opposite sides for bringing the tone arm to a given starting position when said member is operated to raise the tone arm. I

56. In a talking machine, the combination of a continuously revolving central driving member, and a plurality of record turntables circumferentially spaced about said member and all of said turntables being in continuous frictional driving connection with said member.

57. In a talking machine, the combination of a central driving wheel, and a plurality of record turntables arranged around said wheel and in continuous driving connection therewith.

58. In a talking machine, the combination of a reproducer, a plurality of records adapted to be moved one after another to a playing station, a lever for raising and lowering the reproducer to bring its stylus into and out of playing relation to the record at said station, and means controlled by said lever for moving the records to said station.

59. In an automatic talking machine, the combination of a rotary carrier equipped with circumferentially spaced turn-tables, a

reproducer, circumferentially spaced cams on said carrier, means'for impartin rotative movement to the carrier, and mec anism controlled by said cams for carrier to move the turn-tables in succession to a laying station and for bringing the repro ucer stylus into and out of op eration with respect to each record at the playinlg station.

60. n a talking machine, the combination of a reproducer stylus, and means for raising and moving it to a predetermined position including an angular face disposed in indexing the a plane transverse to the plane of said stylus movement and operable by upward movement against a stylus-connected part for moving the stylus in said plane to said starting position.

LEE c. DANIELS. v

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