US2859632A - Phonograph motor device - Google Patents

Description

- Nov. 11, 1958 J. L. D. MORRISON 2,859,632

PHONOGRAPH MOTOR DEVICE Filed March 29, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet l I F /G.4 i 34 r I 32 I so 0 '1, c 2a a A 24 INVENTOR.

JAMES L. D. MORRISON ATTORNE Y5 Nov. 11, 1958 J. L. D. MORRISON 2,859,632

PHONOGRAPH MOTOR DEVICE Filed March 29, 1954 V 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. JAMES L. D. MORRISON AT TORNE YS United States PatentO if 2,859,632 PHONOGRAPH oron DEVICE James L. D. Morrison, Benton Harbor, Mich., assignor to V-M Corporation, Benton Harbor, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application March 29, 1954, Serial No. 419,520

Claims. (Cl. 74-199) culties have been experienced in obtaining a speed change in the mechanism which will provide 16 revolutions per minute for operating the relatively new slow speed record discs. Further, a difficulty well-known to users of phonographs is the fact that after a certain periodof time the mechanism becomes worn and damaged from use.

In view of the foregoing, it is an object of this invention to provide a phonograph mechanism which will materially remedy the aforesaid deficiencies and others well known to the art.

. It is another object of this invention to provide a phonograph driving mechanism which is foolproof in operation, more durable than prior art devices, and is completely reliable and positive in its operation.

' It is another object of this invention to provide a combination speed-changing and driving mechanism which is easily converted from 50 to 60-cycle operation or vice versa. v v

- It is yetanot her object of this invention to provide in such a mechanism an arrangement for obtaining by mere simple manual manipulation a turntable speed of 16-R. P. M., this particular speed being in addition to the selectable speeds of 33, 45 and 78-R. P. M. v

Other objects of this invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the above; and related objects, my invention may be embodied in the forms illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that specific change may be made in the. specific constructions illustrated and described, so long as the scope of the appended claims is not violated.

In the drawings: i

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of one embodiment'of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation; p 'Fig. 3 is a perspective illustration of one part; *Fig. 4 'is a fragmental sectional illustration of a subassembly of the foregoing embodiment showing a portion of the turntable in section; v

Fig. 5 is a'perspective illustration of another sub-assembly; v I Fig. 6 is a side elevation of still another sub-assembly in part section; and v Fig. 7 is a top view of the sub-assembly of Fig. 6 with certain portions being broken away for clarity of illustration.

7 2,859,632 Patented Nov. 11, 1958 Referring to the drawings, a stationary main frame 10 preferably is stamped from sheet metal into the shape shown and formed with laterally opposite depending bracket ears 12 (Fig. 2). This frame 10 is formed with a number of slots and apertures which will be described in proper order in the following in connection with other parts of the assembly.

A second frame, characterized as a motor frame or platform 14, is movable relative to the frame 10 and is also preferably stamped from flat sheet metal stock and formed with laterally opposite depending mounting ears 16. Parallelogram mounting links are pivotally secured to the respective frame ears 12 and 16 on both sides of the assembly to permit movement of the frame 14 relative to the frame 10 but to restrict this movement in substantially a rectilinear or translatory direction. An electric motor of conventional type and design, indicated generally by the reference numeral 20, is fixedly mounted on the platform 14 by any suitable means and has the usual rotary shaft 22 which is arranged substantially vertically. On the end of this vertical shaft 22 is a drive spindle, generally indicated by the reference numeral 24, which spindle is formed with stepped diameter portions A, B, C and D which represent, respectively, the speeds of 78, 45, 33 and 16-R. P. M.

The arrangement thus far described comprises essentially the main frame 10 and the movable motor assembly 20, theparallelogram connecting linkage 18 serving to restrictthe relative motion between the two structures in a substantial rectilinear direction. The importance of this feature will become apparent from the following description. Operatively carried by the mainframe 10 is an idler wheel 26 (Figs. 4 and 5) having two different diameter portions 28 and 30, respectively. As seen in Fig. 4, the diameter portion 30 is in the form of a driving hub which frictionally engages the depending skirt 32 of a conventional phonograph turntable 34. As is accomplished conventionally, rotation of the idler wheel 26 causes rotation of the turntable 34. Also as will be seen in Fig. 4, the idler disc 28 is driveably engaged with the motor spindle 24.

An idler arm-carrying assembly, indicated generally by the reference numeral 36, serves to pivotally mount the idler 26 on the main frame 10, this mount being about a vertical pivot pin assembly indicated by the two reference numerals 38 and 40 respectively. The pivot 40 is comprised of an upright pin fixedly secured to the mounting frame 10 which swingably supports a linking arm 42 similarly pivotally connected at its other end to provide the pivot 38. This pivot 38 is comprised of an upright pm which is secured to a bracket carrier 41 particularly shaped with an elbow and bent portions, as will be seen more clearly in Figs. 1, 2 and 5. This carrier 41 is formed with two horizontal portions 43 and 44 and two vertical portions 46 and 48, respectively. The horizontal portion 43 is in the shape of a bent elbow with the distal end being provided with a vertical pivot pin 50 for rotatably supporting the idler 26. The vertical portion 46 connects the two horizontal parts 43 and 44, the part 44 being also formed in the shape of a bent elbow with the distal end terminating in the vertical abutment 48. This abutment 48 is set at an angle as illustrated and its function will be explained in more detail hereinafter.

In order to maintain the idler 26 in operative engagement with the spindle 24, a coiled tension spring 52 I connects between the main frame 10 and the bracket 3 tially of three major assemblies: the main frame 10, the movable motor and spindle 20, 24, and the idler 26 which is movable into and out of engagement with the motor spindle 24. I

Continuing with the description, the remaining portions of the mechanism may beconsidered a s con tp tuting the operating assemblage which serves to the relative positions of the idler wheel 26 with respect to the driving spindle 24 such that an operator may selectively cause engagement of theidler 2.6 with any one of the spindle parts A, B, C orD, For moving the idler 26 out of engagement with the spindle24, alever, which may be characterized as the idler-releasing lever 54, is pivoted to the main frame 10 at 56 intermediate its ends (Fig. 5). One end 58jslidab1y engages the idler arm abutment 48 such that swinging the lever 54 counter-clockwise as viewed in Figs. 1 and 5 will serve to push the idler 26 away from the spindle 24 about the pivot support 38, 40. A coiled compression spring 60 is interposed between the frame'ltl and theend 62 of the lever 54, urging'the lever clockwise so as to permit the spring 52 to maintain the idler 28 into driving en-, gagement with the spindle 24. It will now be seen that by operating this lever 54, the wheel'26 may be swung away from the spindle 24 sufficiently far to permit vertical movement of the spindle 24 to place a larger diameter portion into engaging relationship with the wheel.

The mechanism for selectively operating the lever 54 whenever it is desired to change speeds is'comprised of an indexing slide 64 which is preferably formed out of flat sheet metal to a shape illustrated more clearly in Figs. 1, 2, 6' and 7. This slide 64 is provided on its right-hand end with a button or slide retainer 66 which fits into an elongated slot 68 in the main frame to permit reciprocal movement of the slide 64 but yet retain the slide against either vertical or lateral movement. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the slide 64 is moved to the extreme right-hand end of the slot 68, and in Figs. 6 and 7 it it withdrawn to about the center.

As viewed in Figs. 1 and 7, the lower lateral edge of the indexing slide64 is provided with a cam surfaceindicated generally by the reference numeral" 70. This cam surface is comprised of'spaced alternate valleys and crests which correspond respectively to the four different speeds 16, 33, 45 and 78 R. P. M.s. The valleys of this cam surface correspond to engagement of the wheel 26 with the spindle 24 and are indicated by the reference symbols A ,B C jand D respectively, to indicate the relationship o'f-these valleys with the respective spindle 24 diameters A,'B, C and D.

This cam surface 70 slidably contacts a depending cam detent or follower 72 (Figs. '1 and 5) on lever 54 such that, for example, as the indexing slide 64 is moved to the left, as viewed in Fig. l, the detent 72 will be forced onto the adjacent crestsuch that the lever 54 will be swung counterclockwise sufficiently to throw the idler 26 out of engagement and interfering relationship with the spindle 24. The spindle 24 may thereupon be moved either upwardly or downwardly in o'rderto place a dif-. ferent diameter portion in registry with the idler 26 perimeter. Continued movement to the left of the slide 64 will allow the detent 72 to fall into the next adjacent valley C which permits the idler 26 to swing counterclockwise into contact with the spindle 24. Further leftward advancement of the slide 64 causes a repetition of this swinging movement of the idler 26 so as to bring the idler into contact with the respective diameter portions of the spindle 24.

The indexing slide 64 is utilized for an additional function, i. e., to raise and lower the motor assembly during the time the idler 26 is being shifted. Thisuis mounting flange 76 for attachment to the motor frame 14. The cam portion of this plate 74 is vertically arranged to pass through a clearance slot 78 formed in the main frame 10. This clearance slot 78 permits reciprocation of the cam plate 74 through the main frame 10, as will be clear from a reference to the drawings. Fig. 6 is particularly illustrative of this feature of operation. This plate 74 is provided with a cam slot 80 which is of stair-stepped configuration with cam inclines 82 connecting the horizontal surfaces indicated b'y'the reference symbols A B C and D These reference symbols correspond to the different speed diameters of the spindle 24 bearing the reference letters A, B, C and D, respectively.

A cam follower projection 84 laterally extends from the right-hand end of the slide 64 through the cam plate slot 80 (see Fig. 7). It will now be seen that reciprocatory motion of slide 64 will serve to raise and lower the cam plate 7.4, and, consequently, the motor frame 14, with respect to the main frame 10.

With particular reference to Figs. 1 and 2, with the slide 64 moved to its extreme right-hand position, the motor frame 14 and spindle 24 are depressed to the lower-most position. In such position, the spindle portion D is in driving. engagement with the idler 26 to provide the 16-R. P. M. speed mentioned earlier. The slide projection 84 is in engagement with the step D of cam slott and the lever detent 72 is in engagement with the indexing cam valley D (Fig. 1).

Moving the slide 64 to the left serves to cause engagement of the slide projection 84 with the cam slot ineline 82 and the detent 72 with the crest adjacent the cam valley D As this happens, the idler 26 is swung out of eng agement with the spindle 24 and the motor frame 14 as well as the motor 20 and spindle 24 are raised. When the slide projection 84 registers with the next lower step C of the cam slot 80, the lever detent 72 falls into the indexing valley C With the projection 84 registered with the step C the spindle portion C will be positioned in engaging relation with the idler 26. With the detent 72 nested in the cam valley C the spring 52 will draw the-idler 26 into engagement with the spindle portion C. Successive leftward movement of the indexing slide 64 will cause engaging registry of the idler 26 with the-spindle portions B and A, respectively, such that it is now apparent that mere reciprocal movement of the indexing slide 64 will serve to select any one of the spindle surfaces A, B, C or D for operative engagement with the idler 26. This selective engagement may, of course, be characterized as turntable speed-changing.

In order to provide a convenient control selectively for reciprocating the indexing slide 64, a speed selector shaft 86 is pivotally mounted in an .upright position on the left end of the main frame 10. A speed selector arm 88 is secured to the bottom end of this shaft 86 for rotation therewith and is pivotally connected at its distal end to the slide 64 by means of a rivet or the like 90.-

A'suitable control knob, such as those used on radios, may be mounted on the ,shaft-;86..for swinging the arm 88 and for selectively reciprocating the slide 64. Thus, if an operator desires for the turntable to rotate at l6-R. P. M., it is only necessary to turn the knob mounting shaft 86 to the corresponding 16-R. P. M. position.

Briefly summarizing, it will nowbe apparent that the rotation of the knob mounting shaft 86 serves to cause two distinct mechanism operations: (a) the raising and lowering of the spindle 24 and (b) the retraction of the idler 26.

As mentioned earlier as. an object of this invention, it was stated that the present invention was easily adapted to either-50 or 60-cycle power operation. Essentially, the only thing required for converting from one frequency of electrical power to another is the changing of the size of theidlerwheel 26... However,one dimension which must be kept constant in any eventis the.

one indicated by the reference letter .X in Fig. 4. By way of example, for SO-cycle operation the diameter of the hub 30 of the idler 26 should be 0.750 inch and the diameter of the disc 28should be 1.490 inches. For 60-cycle operation, the diameter of hub 30 should be 0.770 inch and the diameter, of the part 28 should be 1.670 inches.

What is claimed is: l

1. A phonograph'motor assembly comprising a first supporting member, a second supporting member, a motor mounted on said second member, a rotary shaft carried by said motor, first means movably interconnecting said members, said first means comprising pivoted lever elements which retain said shaft in' one spatial attitude only, said means further including second means for moving said first and second members relative to each other, a driven member operatively carried by said first member and operatively engageable with said rotary shaft for certain predetermined relative positions of said first and second members, and a variable'speed driving element on said shaft having separated different speed portions, each portion selectively being operatively engageable with said driven member upon correspondingly changing therelative positions of said first and second members. 1

2. A phonograph motor assembly-comprising a first supporting member, a second supporting member, a motor mounted on said second member, a rotary shaft carried bysaid motor, first means movably interconnecting said members, said first means comprising a motionlimiting linkage pivotally connected between said first and second members for retaining said shaft in one spatial attitude only, said means further including second means for moving said first and second members relative to each other, a driven member operatively carried by said first member and operatively engageable with said rotary shaft for any relative position of said first and second members, and a stepped diameter driving spindle rotatably carried by said shaft, the different diameter portions of said spindle being selectively engageable with said driven member upon selective relative movement of said first and second members.

3. A phonograph motor assembly comprising a main frame, a motor frame, a parallelogram connecting linkage for movably connecting said frames together, a motor mounted on said motor frame and having a drive shaft, said linkage being disposed to retain the spatial attitude of said shaft substantially regardless of relative movement between said frames, a stepped diameter drive spindle carried by said shaft, an idler wheel operatively carried by said main frame, an arm'pivotally mounted on said main frame and rotatably carrying said wheel, said spindle engaging said wheel, and means partially carried by said main frame having an operative connection with said motor frame for selectively moving the latter relative to said main frame whereby different diameter portions of said spindle may be moved into engagement with said wheel.

4. A phonograph motor assembly comprising a main frame, a motor frame, a parallelogram connecting linkage for movably connecting said frames together, a motor mounted on said motor frame and having a drive shaft, said linkage being disposed to retain the spatial attitude of said shaft substantially regardless of relative movement between said frames, a stepped diameter drive spindle carried by said shaft, an idler wheel operatively carried by said main frame, an arm pivotally mounted on said main frame and rotatably carrying said wheel, said spindle engaging said wheel, a slide member mounted for reciprocation on said main frame, and cam means interconnecting said slide member and said motor frame and operative upon reciprocation of said slide member to produce relative motion of both frames.

5. A phonograph motor assembly comprising a main frame, a motor frame, a parallelogram connecting linkage for movably connecting said frames together, a motor mounted on said motor frame and having a drive shaft, said linkage being disposed to retain the spatial attitude of said shaft substantially regardless of relative movement between said frames, a stepped diameter drive spindle carried by said shaft, an idler wheel operatively carried by said main frame, an arm pivotally mounted on said main frame and rotatably carrying said wheel, said spindle engaging said wheel, a slide member mounted for reciprocation on said main frame, a cam plate secured to said motor frame and having a stepped cam slot, and a cam follower on said slide member engageable with said slot, said follower and slot being so constructed that both frames may be moved in discrete successive steps relative to each other whereby the different diameter portions on said spindle can be selectively engaged with said wheel upon reciprocal movement of said slide member.

6. A phonograph motor assembly comprising a main frame, a motor frame, a parallelogram connecting linkage for movably connecting said frames together, a motor mounted on said motor frame and having a drive shaft, said linkage being disposed to retain the spatial attitude of said shaft substantially regardless of relative movement between said frames, a stepped diameter drive spindle carried by said shaft, an idler wheel operatively carried by said main frame, an arm pivotally mounted on said main frame and rotatably carrying said wheel, said spindle engaging said wheel, a slide member mounted for reciprocation on said main frame, a cam plate secured to said motor frame and having a stepped cam slot, a cam follower on said slide member engageable with said slot, said follower and slot being so constructed that both frames may be moved in discrete successive steps relative to each other whereby the different diameter portions on said spindle can be selectively engaged with said wheel upon reciprocal movement of said slide member, said slide member having a cam surface, and an operating lever pivotally mounted on said main frame and operatively engaging said arm for selectively moving the latter into and out of engagement with said spindle, and a cam follower on said lever engaging said slide cam surface which serves to swing said lever upon movement of said slide member.

7. A phonograph motor assembly comprising a main frame, a motor frame, a parallelogram connecting linkage for movably connecting said frames together, a motor mounted on said motor frame and having a drive shaft, said linkage being disposed to retain the spatial attitude of said shaft substantially regardless of relative movement between said frames, a stepped diameter drive spindle carried by said shaft, an idler wheel operatively carried by said main frame, an arm pivotally mounted on said main frame and rotatably carrying said wheel, said spindle engaging said wheel, a slide member mounted for reciprocation on said main frame, a cam plate secured to said motor frame and having a stepped cam slot, a cam follower on said slide member engageable with said slot, said follower and slot being so constructed that both frames may be moved in discrete successive steps relative to each other whereby the different diameter portions on said spindle can be selectively engaged with said wheel upon reciprocal movement of said slide member, said slide member having a cam surface, and an operating lever pivotally mounted on said main frame and operatively engaging said arm for selectively moving the latter into and out of engagement with said spindle, a cam follower on said lever engaging said slide cam surface which serves to swing said lever upon movement of said slide member, and a spring connected to said arm yiel'dably urging said wheel into engagement with said spindle.

8. A phonograph motor assembly comprising a frame, a motor having a stepped pulley operatively connected 7 thereto, an idler pulley, a lever pivotally mounted on said frame and including means for rotatably supporting said idler pulley for movement ina given plane, a movable support coupled between said frame and said motor for supporting. said stepped pulley in operative relation to said idler pulley and for permitting and restricting move ment of said motor and stepped pulley in a plane at right angles to the plane of movement of said idler pulley, and control means mounted on saidv frameincluding a cam andfollower operatively associated with said idler Wheel supporting member and anothercam and follower means operatively associated with said motor support for simultaneously moving saidiidler wheel toward or away from said stepped pulley and for moving saidstepped pulley in its plane of movement, thereby to engage and disengage said idler wheel with different steps on said stepped pulley.

9 A phonograph motor assembly comprising a frame, a motor. having a stepped'pulley operatively connected thereto, an idler pulley, means mounted on said frame for rotatably supporting said idler' pulley for movement in a given plane, a movable support coupled between said frame and said motor for supporting said 'stepped pulley in operative relation to said idler pulley and for permitting restricting movement of said motor and stepped pulley in .a plane at right angles to the plane of movement of said idler pulley, and control means mounted on said frame and ,operatively associated with said idler wheel supporting means and with said motor support for simultaneously moving said idler wheel toward or away from said stepped pulley and for moving said steppedjpulley inits plane of' movement, thereby to engage andl disengage said idler wheel. with different stepson said stepped pulley.

10. A phonograph motor assembly comprising a frame, a stepped driving pulley, an idler pulley, means mounted o n said frame for mtatably supporting said idler pulley for movement in a giv n plane, a movable support coupledfibetween said frame and said driving pulley for supportingjit in operative relation to said idler pulley iarrcl lfor permitting and restricting movement of said" driving pulley in a plane at right angles to the plane of movement of said idler-pulley, and control means 15 mounted on said frame and'operativelyassociated with said idler wheel supporting mernber and with said driving pulley: supportfor simultaneously moving said idler wheel toward oraway from, said driving pulley and for moving said drivingpulley-in its' plane of movement, thereby to engage and disengage said idler wheel with different t p .01 a d' ri in pu yt References ,Citedintlie-file of this patent

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