Back to results
US 4,734,902 AGranted
Record player
AssigneeJames T. Dennis
InventorsJames T. Dennis, George Kolomayets
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Loading patent…
Loading patent…
AssigneeJames T. Dennis
InventorsJames T. Dennis, George Kolomayets
Estimating the term…
An auto return record player is provided which can be simply and economically adapted to function as an automatic set down player. Either the auto return player or the automatic set down player is capable of playing a record on the turntable twice and then returning the tone arm to the rest post and shutting the machine off, the tone arm being automatically set down on the lead-in groove of the record between the first and second playing cycles. The record player is of the so-called quarter panel sub base type and may be assembled in a main base or cabinet without removing the turntable from the quarter panel sub base. The record player also has a 45 rpm record adaptor which is provided with an integral stub centering spindle portion for small hole records which may be grasped to lift the adaptor to a 45 rpm large hole record playing position, the adaptor covering a separate inexpensive stub shaft which acts as a bearing for the turntable.
In a record player, the combination of, a rotatable turntable, means for rotating said turntable, a tone arm pivotally mounted at a point beyond said turntable and having a cartridge receiving outer end, a tone arm lift member vertically movable to engage said tone arm and raise the outer end thereof, a control knob, means responsive to movement of said control knob to a first position for moving said lift member upwardly, thereby to raise the outer end of said tone arm to a cueing position above said turntable without energizing said turntable rotating means, and means responsive to the movement of said control knob to a second position for energizing said turntable rotating means.
In a record player, the combination of, a rotatable turntable, means for rotating said turntable, a tone arm pivotally mounted at a point beyond said turntable and having a cartridge receiving outer end, a tone arm lift member vertrically movable to engage said tone arm and raise the outer end thereof, a control knob, means responsive to movement of said control knob in one direction from a neutral position for moving said lift member upwardly so that the outer end of said tone arm is lifted without energizing said turntable rotating means, means responsive to the movement of said tone arm toward said turntable for energizing said turntable rotating means, and means responsive to the movement of said control knob in the opposite direction from said neutral position for energizing said turntable rotating means.
In a record player, the combination of, a gear, means for rotating said gear one revolution during an automatic cycle, a tone arm mounted for rotation about a fixed point which is spaced from said gear, an elongated link member, means interconnecting one end of said link member with said tone arm, a pin rotatably mounted on said gear at a point offset from the center thereof and having an opening through which said link member extends, a coil spring positioned on said pin between said link member and the upper end of said pin, and cam means on said gear and adapted to engage said link member and lift it upwardly against the force of said coil spring so that said link member is held in frictional engagement with said gear with a force sufficient to rotate said tone arm about said fixed point as said gear rotates during the automatic cycle.
In a record player, the combination of, a rotatable turntable, a tone arm pivotally mounted beyond the edge of said turntable, and a velocity tripping mechanism responsive to movement of said tone arm during the playing of a record on said turntable, said velocity tripping mechanism comprising a first member rotatable about an axis, a second member pivotally mounted on said first member for rotation relative to first member about said axis, said members having a first point of frictional contact spaced away from said axis and a second point of frictional contact near said axis, a tension coil spring extending parallel to said axis and having the ends thereof connected to said first and second members at points between said first and second points of frictional contact so that the tension of said spring holds said first and second members together with a slight force, means for moving said first and second members about said axis in one direction as the tone arm moves inwardly over the record, and means for moving said second member a predetermined amount in the opposite direction relative to said first member each revolution of said turntable by overcoming said slight force exerted therebetween by said tension coil spring.
In a record player, the combination of, a gear, a rotatable turntable, means for rotating said gear one revolution during an automatic shut-off cycle, a pivotally mounted tone arm, an elongated link member, means for interconnecting one end of said link member with said tone arm, means operative during said shut-off cycle for frictionally connecting the other end of said link member to said gear so that as said gear rotates during said shut-off cycle said tone arm is moved outwardly, said link member being disengaged from said gear and moving with said tone arm during the playing of a record on said turntable, velocity tripping means responsive to said movement of said link member during the playing of a record for initiating said automatic shut-off cycle, said interconnecting means including a first member movable with said tone arm, a second member connected to said one end of said link member and movable relative to said first member about the axis of said tone arm, said second member frictionally engaging said first member at two spaced apart points, a third member movable with said tone arm, and a tension coil spring connected to said second member between said spaced apart points and connected to said third member at a point below said first and second members so that the tension of said spring holds said first and second members in frictional engagement at said spaced apart points.
In a record player, the combination of a base member, a stub shaft supported on said base member and extending upwardly therefrom, a turntable rotatably mounted on said stub shaft and having a recess and a central hub portion at the center thereof, an integrally formed 45 rpm adapter positioned in said recess to cover said stub shaft and having a cylindrical upwardly projecting portion at the center thereof, said adapter having a centering sleeve engaging the outer periphery of said central hub portion and being movable from a lower position in which said projecting portion extends above the upper surface of said turntable and acts as a centering spindle for a small hole record positioned on said turntable to an upper position in which a wider portion of said adapter extends above the upper surface of said turntable and acts as a centering spindle for a large hole 45 rpm record positioned on said turntable, said turntable having an opening formed therein beneath said adapter, said adapter having a resilient retaining leg extending through said opening for preventing said adapter from being removed from said recess.
In a record player, the combination of a base member, a stub shaft supported on said base member and extending upwardly therefrom, a turntable rotatably mounted on said stub shaft and having a recess and a central hub portion at the center thereof, an integrally formed 45 rpm adapter positioned in said recess and having a large diameter portion which substantially fills said recess and covers said stub shaft, said adapter having a cylindrical portion of small diameter extending upwardly from said large diameter portion at the center thereof, said adapter having a centering sleeve engaging said central hub portion and being positionable in either lower position in which said large diameter portion is at or below the upper surface of said turntable and said projecting portion extends above the upper surface of said turntable and acts as a centering spindle for small hole record positioned on said turntable or in a upper position in which said large diameter portion extends above the upper surface of said turntable and acts as a centering spindle for a large hole 45 rpm record positioned on said turntable.
In a record player the combination of, a main base structure, a sub base carrying a rotatable turntable a tone arm positioned to engage a record on said turntable and a motor for rotating said turntable, said sub base extending outwardly beyond the edge of said turntable through an arc of less than 120 degrees, and means for solidly securing said sub base to said main base structure without requiring said turntable to be removed from said sub base, said last named means comprising at least one screw which is accessible through an opening in said turntable, wherein said turntable has a recess in the central portion thereof, a 45 rpm large hole record adaptor normally filling said recess, said adaptor being removable to provide access to said one screw through said recess, thereby to permit said sub base to be secured to said main base structure without removing said turntable.
In a record player the combination of, a main base structure, a sub base carrying a rotatable turntable a tone arm positioned to engage a record on said turntable and a motor for rotating said turntable, said sub base extending outwardly beyond the edge of said turntable through an arc of less than 120 degrees, a plurality of mounting springs positioned between said sub base and said main base structure for resiliently mounting said sub base on said main base structure, and a plurality of transit screws threadingly mounted in said sub base and extending through openings in said main base structure to engage the underside thereof, said transit screws being rotatable to clamp said sub base solidly to said main base structure against the force of said mounting springs, thereby to prevent damage to said record player during movement or shipment thereof, at least one of said transit screws being accessible through an opening in said turntable so that said transit screws may be tightened or released without removing said turntable from said sub base, wherein said turntable has a recess in the central portion thereof, a 45 rpm large hole record adaptor normally filling said recess, said adaptor being removable to provide access to said one transit screw through said recess.
In a record player, the combination of, a base member, a turntable rotatably mounted on said base member, a rest post positioned beyond the edge of said turntable, a tone arm positioned on said base member beyond the edge of said turntable and carrying a control member, a gear mounted on said base member and driven from said turntable during an automatic shut-off cycle, a control arm pivotally mounted on said base member and having a portion biased into engagement with a control track on said gear, thereby to produce pivotal movement of said control arm as said gear is rotated, said control arm carrying a shut-off switch which is positioned in engagement with said control member when said gear is at rest and said tone arm is positioned on said rest post so that said shut-off switch is open, said shut-off switch being closed when said tone arm is moved off of said rest post and said control member is moved out of engagement with said shut-off switch, means for rotating said turntable during periods when said switch is closed, means for initiating an automatic shut-off cycle when a record positioned on said turntable has been played during which shut-off cycle said gear is rotated one revolution, and means operative during said automatic shut-off cycle for positioning said tone arm on said rest post so that said switch is opened when said gear is returned to said rest position at the end of said automatic shut-off cycle wherein said control arm includes a pin biased into engagement with a detent notch portion of said control track when said gear is in said rest position, said gear also having a second control track for controlling movement of said control arm so that said tone arm is not positioned on said rest post, and means for positioning said pin in said second control track, said player further including means defining a vertical opening in said base member, a mounting pin connected to said control arm and loosely positioned in said opening to provide said pivotal mounting for said control arm, and a spring means connected between said base member and said control arm for urging said control arm in the direction to maintain said shut off switch open when said gear is at rest and said tone arm is positioned on said rest post, said spring means also biasing said pin upwardly into engagement with either said first control track or said second control track.
In a record player, the combination of, a base member, a turntable rotatably mounted on said base member, a rest post positioned beyond the edge of said turntable, a tone arm positioned on said base member beyond the edge of said turntable and carrying a control member, a gear mounted on said base member and driven from said turntable during during an automatic shut-off cycle, a control arm pivotally mounted on said base structure and having a pin in engagement with a control track on said gear, said control arm carrying a shut-off switch comprising a pair of spring arms normally biased to a closed position, said control track positioning said control arm so that one of said spring arms is in engagement with said control member when said gear is at rest and said tone arm is positioned on said rest post, thereby to open said shut-off switch, said shut-off switch being closed when said tone arm is moved off of said rest post and said control member is moved out of engagement with said one spring arm, means for rotating said turntable during periods when said switch is closed, and means for urging said pin into engagement with said control track with a force sufficient to overcome the normal biasing force of said spring arm and hold said shut off switch open when said gear is at rest and said tone arm is positioned on said rest post, said record player further including spring means connected between said control arm and said base member to provide said force, means defining a vertical opening in said base member, a mounting pin connected to said control arm and loosely positioned in said opening to provide said pivotal mounting for said control arm, said spring means also biasing said pin upwardly into engagement with the underside of said gear.
In a record player the combination of, a main base structure, a sub base carrying a rotatable turntable a tone arm positioned to engage a record on said turntable and a motor for rotating said turntable, said sub base extending outwardly beyond the edge of said turntable and means for solidly securing said sub base to said main base structure without requiring said turntable to be removed from said sub base, said least named means comprising at least one screw which is accessible through an opening in said turntable, wherein said turntable has a recess in the central portion thereof, a 45 rpm large hole record adaptor normally filling said recess, said adaptor being removable to provide access to said one screw through said recess, thereby to permit said sub base to be secured to said main base structure without removing said turntable.
In a record player the combination of, a main base structure, a sub base carrying a rotatable turntable a tone arm positioned to engage a record on said turntable and a motor for rotating said turntable, said sub base extending outwardly beyond the edge of said turntable a plurality of mounting springs positioned between said sub base and said main base structure for resiliently mounting said sub base on said main base structure, and a plurality of transit screws threadingly mounted in said sub base and extending through openings in said main base structure to engage the underside thereof, said transit screws being rotatable to clamp said sub base solidly to said main base structure against the force of said mounting springs, thereby to prevent damage to said record player during movement or shipment thereof, at least one of said transit screws being accessible through an opening in said turntable so that said transit screws may be tightened or released without removing said turntable from said sub base, wherein said turntable has a recess in the central portion thereof, a 45 rpm large hole record adaptor normally filling said recess, said adaptor being removable to provide access to said one transit screw through said recess.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
Drawings are temporarily unavailable. Open the PDF at USPTO
Driving, starting, stopping record carriers not specifically of filamentary or web form, or of supports therefor; Control thereof; Control of…:…
Raising, lowering, traversing otherwise than for transducing, arresting, or holding-up heads against record carriers: using automatic means
For repeating a part of the record; for beginning or stopping at a desired point of the record: using automatic means
Control of operating function, e.g. switching from recording to reproducing: by sensing distinguishing features of or on records, e.g. diameter…
Term ended 8 May 2005 (estimated)
USPTO file history isn’t available for this patent, so only indexed dates are shown.
The present invention is directed to record players, and, more particularly, to record players of the so-called auto return type in which the act of manually placing the tone arm on a single record on the turntable starts the machine and after the record is played the tone arm is automatically returned to the rest post and the machine turned off during an automatic shut-off cycle.
The invention is specifically directed to such an auto return player which can be simply and economically adapted to be a so-called automatic set down player in which movement of a control knob to an "auto" position starts the machine and initiates an automatic set down cycle during which the tone arm is automatically set down on the lead-in groove of a 7 inch or 12 inch record and after the record is played an automatic shut-off cycle is initiated in which the tone arm is automatically returned to the rest post and the machine turned off.
In accordance with a further feature of the invention an auto return player is provided which is capable of playing a record on the turntable twice and then returning the tone arm to the rest post and shutting the machine off, the tone arm being automatically set down on the lead-in groove of the record between the first and second playing cycles.
The invention both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a plan view of the single record player of the present invention showing the sub base unit thereof mounted in a main base or cabinet and with portions of the turntable broken away;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2--2 of FIG. 1;
Referring now to the drawings, the single record player of the present invention is therein illustrated as comprising a sub base unit indicated generally at 30. The sub base unit 30 includes a so-called quarter panel base member 32 on which all of the components of the single record player are mounted. More particularly, a turntable 34 is rotatably mounted on the base member 32 near one edge thereof and a tone arm 36 is pivotally mounted on the base member 32 and is normally seated on a rest post 38, provided on a raised housing portion 58 of the base 32, when no record is being played. A cycle gear indicated generally at 40 is rotatably mounted on the base 32 and is positioned between the turntable 34 and the upper surface of the base member 32. The cycle gear 40 is rotated one revolution during an automatic cycle by engagement of the teeth thereof with a gear 42 (FIG. 2) on the hub of the turntable 34, this automatic cycle being initiated by means of a velocity tripping mechanism described in more detail hereinafter.
The cycle gear 40 is interconnected with the tone arm 36 through an elongated tone arm drive and velocity trip link 44 which extends from a clutch member indicated generally at 46, positioned on the upper surface of the gear 40 and offset from the center thereof, the other end of the link 44 being connected to the tone arm 36 through a velocity trip friction clutch which will be described in more detail hereinafter. Generally considered the link 44 and clutch 46 function in a manner similar to that described in Dennis et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,291,886 and reference may be had to said patent for a detailed description of the operation of this portion of the single record player of FIG. 1. However, it is pointed out that the arrangement of the present invention provides an improved construction for the clutch 46 and also an improved construction for the velocity trip frictional interconnection between the link 44 and the tone arm 46, as will be described in more detail hereinafter.
The turntable 34 is arranged to be driven from a motor 48 (FIG. 3) through a belt 50 which extends from a two speed turret 52 mounted on the shaft of the motor 48 and a flange 54 formed on the underside of the turntable 34. The speed of the turntable 34 may be changed from 331/3 rpm to 45 rpm by adjustment of a combined speed and size selector knob 56 which extends through an opening in the side of the raised housing portion 58 of the base member 32. The knob 56 is directly connected to a belt shifting mechanism which functions to shift the belt 54 vertically between the two steps on the turret 52, as will be described in more detail hereinafter. The knob 56 also functions to control the position of a tone arm indexing mechanism so that the tone arm 36 is automatically positioned over the lead in groove of either a 7 inch 45 rpm record or a 12 inch 33 and 1/3 rpm record to provide an automatic set down function, as will be described in more detail hereinafter.