US2042228A - Phonographic apparatus - Google Patents

Description

May 26, 1936. c. HuENLlcH Y PHONOGRAPHIC APPARATUS Original Filed Dec. 18, 1931 l INVENTOR Char/es #uen/ich BY Hls ATTORNEY -Patented May 2,6, 1936 ,lfii'luEzN'rA OFFICE 2,042,228 HONOGRAPHIC APPARATUS Charles Huenlich, Bloomiield, N. I., assignor to v'.l'homas A. Edison, Incorporated West Orange.

N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application December 18, 1931, Serial No. 581,870

. Renewed April 4, 1935 l 'Ihis invention relates to phonographic yapparatus and more particularly'to phonographic apparatus arranged to provide hcontinuous recording for as long a period as may be desired. f

The apparatus in accordance with this invention is particularly useful in connection with the recording of lectures, sermons, speeches and similar material which requires a greater length of time for its delivery than is available on the ordinary phonograph record and for which it is terial while records are being changed.

It is an object of this invention to provide a system of the class described which may utilize a plurality of recording phonographs of any desired type, so arranged that each of the phonographs are set into operation alternately as the other phonograph approaches the end of the record thereon..

It is a further object of this invention to provide apparatus of the 'class described which may be easily and quickLv assembled merely by the addition of a multiple contact switch and interconnecting wiring to each of a pair of commercial dictating machines. l A

Itis a further object of this invention to provide apparatus of the class described in which start-stop chatter is prevented in case one machine reaches the end of its record while the other machine has not been provided with a fresh record. Y

Still other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the speciilcation.

The. features of novelty which I believe to be characteristic of my invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. My invention itself, however, both as to its fundamental principles, and as to its particular embodiments, will best be understood by reference to the speciilcation and accompanying drawing in which the singlegureisawiringdiagramofasystemin accordance with my invention.

' Referring now more particularly to the drawing, the dotted rectangles A and B indicate dia- 45, grammatically a pair of phonographs. Since it is apparent that my invention is not concerned with the particular type of phonograph utilized but is applicable to any type not only for recording but also for reproducing, the details of the phono- 50 graph apparatus are not shown.

The particular'l embodimenty of the system described comprises a pair of phonographs 'such as the usual dictating machine utilizing cylindrical records over which the recorder and reproducer- 55 travel. In the arrangement herein shown, the

not possible to interrupt the delivery of the ma- Nos. I to t inclusive, contacts Il to I3 correspondsound box of phonograph A is diagrammatically indicated bynumeral 'I and is arranged to travel across the record upon the guide 8. The sound box carries a projection 9 o'rv is otherwise suitably arranged so that as it nears the end of its travel over -the record it engages the armA 3 of the multiple contact switch and moves it to the left. The multiple contact switch comprises contact arms I, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 andis so arranged that contacts 3 and l are normally closed against ea'ch other, as are contacts 5 and 6, whereas contacts I and 2 and 2 and 3 are separated from each other. The phonograph B is similarly providedwith a multiple contact switch comprising contact arms II, I2, I3, I4, I5 and I5 arranged similarly to the l, corresponding contacts I-G. Contacts I5 and I6 and I3 and Il arel normally closed whereas. contacts II and I2 and I2 and I3 are normally open. Contact arm I3 is arranged to be engaged by projection I9 carried by sound box I1 in its travel 20 along the guide I3. Contacts 3 and l and I3 andV Il are mechanically connected, as by an insulating block b, in the well known manner.

When the projection 3 engages contact arm 3 the -said arm is'moved to the left to open the 25 contact between the contact members 3 and 4 and also to open the contact between contact members 5 and 3. Thereafter contact No. 3 closes the circuit between itself and contact No. 2 and upon further movement of the sound box to the left 30 contact No. 2 is. closedagainst contact No. I. The multiple contacts on phonograph B are arrangedtooperateinasimilarmannertocontacts ing respectively to I to 3.

Each of the phonographs may comprise a driving motor which is preferably, although not n, electrical, and is arranged to be thrown into connection with the mandrel or turn table by means of the levers 23 and 35 re- 40 spectively, which operate any suitable form of clutch mechanism, shown ditically. Alternatively, and in some instances, preferably.

only one motor is employed, as shown in the drawing and two driving connections are/utilized I to the two mandrels. as shown diagrammatically. For the purpose of controlling the operation of the clutch there may be provided stopping and .starting magnet coils 2l and 2| cooperating withapairofarmatures andaswltch. This rmechanlsrxx may beof the type shown in U. S.

-Patent No. 1,380,486 to S. G. Langley, patented June 7, 1921, to which reference may be had for a more complete understanding of the details of such In its essentials 'this mecha- 55 nism comprises a pair of armatures 24 and 25 pivoted at 24a and 24h respectively and an intermediate pivoted contact 21 pivoted at 21a and provided at its upper end with a surface adapted to be engaged by armatures 24 and 25 respectively, the upper ends of which may be connected together with a suitable spring, whereby, when magnet 20 is energized the armature 24 is attracted and rotates counter-clockwise, carrying with it the armature 25 which is caused to rotate in the same direction, and also rotating contact 21 counter-clockwise disengaging contact 21 from contact 22 and bringing it into engagement with contact 23.

The operation just described operates lever 2B and disengages the driving motor from the mandrel, at the same V time preparing the circuit through coil 2| so that when coil 2| is energized later in a manner which will be described, the reverse operation takes place and lever 26 is thrown to the right to cause rotation of the mandrel. The construction and operation of the clutch control or phonographB is the same as that already described, the stop and start coils 30 and 3| respectively controlling the posit-ion of armatures 34 and 35 and contact 31. In the position .shown contact 31 has been removed from contact 32 `and brought into engagement with contact 33, thus declutching the motor from the mandrel and preparing the start circuit for energization.

Thus I provide for controlling the relative movement of sound box and mandrel in each phonograph a two-position member-e. g. clutch Rf-responsive in position to the last energized of two associated magnets-e. g., starting Aand stopping magnets 3| and 30. These two magnets in each one phonograph are included respectively in a pair of distinct circuits, which may be respectively termed starting and stopping circuits for that phonograph, and each is energized when its respective circuit -is closed. Momentary closing of either circuit (i. e., momentary energization of either magnet) is of course suilicient for response of the movement controlling member. The desirable limitation of the circuit closings (or magnet energizations) to momentary ones is effected by the described arrangement comprising contacts 33--32-31 (or 23-22-21) associated with each pair of circuits; this arrangement comprises a means for.

open-circuiting each circuit (or magnet) upon closing (or energizing) thereof until closing (or energizing) of the other circuit (or magnet) of the pair-the term open-circuiting being of course used to denote not only the initial opening, but also the maintenance in an open condition, of the circuit (or magnet) Power is supplied through line switch 1| to conductors .50 'and 5|, line conductor 50 being connected to conductor 4|, which -in turn is connected to contacts 3 and I3.

With the apparatus in the position shown, the circuit extends from the source of power through line conductor 50 and conductor 4| to contact 3,

to contact 4, through conductor 45, through s ignal switch 46, which will be described later, and through the dictators signal lamp 41 thence through line conductor to the source of power.

The dictators lamp 41 is arranged in a mannerY which Will be more particularly described hereinafter so as to be energized when either phonograph is in position to record. Should both Aphonographs be out of recording position the circuit through lamp 41 will be opened and consequently the said lamp will, not be energized.

As the sound box 1 approaches the end of the record projection 9 engages contact 3 and, as already stated, separates contacts 3, 4, 5 and 6, and brings contact 3 into engagement with contact 2, thereby applying power to contact 2 and energizing the start magnet 3| of phonograph B through conductor 42, contact l5, contact I6 and conductor 52, through coil 3|, thence to contact 33, to contact 31, through conductor 6| to line conductor 5| (or in other words closing the starting circuit of vphonograph B); this throws lever 36 to the right to start the mandrel of phonograph Bin rotation and simultaneously rotates contact 31 into engagement with contact 32. Also, when contact 3 is brought into engagement with contact 2 the operators warning lamp 43 is energized, indicating to the operator that the sound box of phonograph A has reached or nearly reached the end of its travel and that the record on phonograph A is lled or nearly filled. Further movement of the sound box 1 causes closure of contacts l and 2, thereby applying power to stop coil 20 through conductor 54, contact 22, contact 21, conductor 60, to lline conductor 5| (or in other words closing the stopping circuit of phonograph A) this automatically opens that stopping circuit, prepares the starting circuit through magnet 2|, and moves lever 26 to the left to declutch the mandrel of phonograph A from the driving motor. 'I'he mandrel of phonograph B is now rotating -and the sound box |1 is travelling over the record, whereasthe mandrel of phonograph A has stopped with the sound box at the end of the completed record The operator then replaces the completed record on phonograph A with a fresh record and returns the sound box 1 to starting position. When this is done, contact 3 returns to normal position, opening contacts |-2 and 2 3. The opening of contacts |2 produces no eiect because the phonograph Av stopping circuit 'through stop magnet 20 has already been opened by movement of contact 21. The opening of contacts 2-3 produces no effect on start magnet 3| of phonograph B because the phonograph B starting circuit through coil 3| has already been opened at contact 31, but the opening of contacts 2 and 3 cle-energizes the operators warning lamp 43.

As the sound box |1 of phonograph B approaches the end of its travel contaets-|3-|4, and |5|6 are opened. The opening of contacts |5|6 produces no effect because the phonograph B starting circuit through coil 3| is already opened at contact 31, likewise the opening of contacts |3|4 produces no effect except to open the circuit from contact 4 through conductor 48, signal switch 49 and-dictators lamp 41 which, however, is still energized through another circuit from contact 3, contact 4, conductor 45, signal switch` 4B, through lamp'41. When contact I3 is closed against contact I2, power is applied to contact |2 thereby energizing operators warning lamp 44 through conductor 4|) and also applying power through contact 5 to contact 6, conductor 55 through coil 2| for in other words closing the phonograph A starting circuit), thereby operating the clutch control to set the mandrel on phonograph A in rotation again. Further rotation of the mandrel on phonograph B closes contact l2 against contact thereby applying power through conf over the fresh record whereupon contacts ll-ll areopened as are contacts II-il and contacts ductor Il, stop coil 30, contact 32 and contact 31 and conductor il (or in other words closing the phonograph Bl stopping circuit) to stop the rotation of the mandrel of phonograph B. The operator, observing that the lamp Il is now lighted, changes the record on phonograph B and returns the sound box I1 to initial podtion iS-Il, and IB-IS are closed.

'I'he openingof contacts Ii-l2 produces no I effect because the phonograph B stopping circuit contact Il supplies power'through conductor l! and signal switch 49 through dictators lamp I1 which, however, is already energized as previously described. Closure of contacts Il and II produces no effect because contact Il is now dead and will remain so until power is applied to'it by the engagement of contacts 2 and l on phonographl A.

Thus, it will be seen that the system has described a complete cycle involving the starting of phonograph A, the starting of phonograph B when the record onV phonograph A is nearly hlled, the stopping of. phonograph A shortly thereafter, the starting of phonograph A for the second time, with a new record when the record on phonograph B is nearly filled and shortly thereafter vthe stopping of phonograph B. It will be noted that each phonograph is placed in operation shortly before the completion of the record on the other phonograph, whereby during a short interval the matter to be recorded lis recorded simultaneously upon the end of one record and the beginning of the other and the sequence of records may be determined.

It shouldbe noted that by the provision of contacts 5-6 -and -f-Il it is impossible for 'either phonograph A or B to be started if the operator has neglected to change the record.

Each of these pairs of contacts forms a switch, included in the starting circuit o! the respective phonograph in series with the main switch for that circuit (2--I or |2-I3, carried by the opposite phonograph), and normally closed, but opened when the 4sound box of that phonograph is at or adjacent the end ofnits travel and at least as soon as the respective contacts I-I-I or Il-iI-Ii are closed; each pair when openobviously forms a means for blocking actuation of the starting means of the respective 'phonograph. Together the contact pairs l-I and lI-Ii form means interlocking the circuits of the two phonographs. If such interlocking means were not provided, tint is to say,.ii' the start coil'i wereccnnected directly to contact Ltheclosureotelthercontactsandlori! and I3 under such conditions would continuously maintainpoweroncontacts l, ll,2and Iland would result in a continuous start-stop chatter oftheclutch controlsofbothos' start-stop oscillation oi both phonographs.

. It will be noted that'the dictator's lamp l1 is energized through either of two circuits in parallel already described. so that when either phonographisinpositicn torecord.thedicta'tor'slamp l1 is lighted. l

Itwiilbenotedthateachofthetwoparallel circuits for energizing the dictator's lamp I1 mandrel type, it will be apparent that theymay comprises two switches in series, one switch being formed by the contacts 3 4 or IS-M of the respective multiple contact switch and the other being formed by the signal switch I! or It. The precise form of the signal switch forms per 5 se no part of this invention and is therefore not described in detail. It will be understood, however, .that the signal switches and 4l may be of any desired form or construction and are suitably arranged so as to be closed only when the sound box or recorder is over the record in position to record. While I have described my invention as applied to a pair of recordingphonographs of the l5 be applied to other types o'f phonographs whether used for recording or reproducing.

' In case the recording is carried on electrically by means of a microphone either with or without the use of anampliiier, an additional signal switch may be provided if desired in series with lamp Il which is arranged to be closed only when the microphone or amplifier or both are enersized.'

' The amount ot. overlap, that is to say, the'25 amount of material which is recorded on both records simultaneously, depends upon the spacing between contacts i and 2, and Ii and I2, it being understood that the greater the distance between these contacts, the greater will be the 30 time interval intervening between the start of the machine, which is operating upon a fresh record, and the stopping of a machine which is Just completing a record.

In order to start the system, starting switch 10 may be provided in the form of a double pole, single throw non-locking key, one contact being connected to conductor, and the other to conductor 42, while the other side of the switch is connected to line conductor Il. A series line` switch 1i may also be provided,if desired.

In order to start the system for continuous operation, one sound box is left at the end of its traveLandoneisplaced atthebeginningofits travel, for instance, the sound box of phonograph A. If key 1I is depressed, phonograph A will be started and when its record is full, phonograph Bwillbestartedandsoon,aslongastherecords are changed and the sound boxes restored toinitlal position. A

It may sometimes be desired to make duplicate records,andifthisisdesired.itisonlynecessary to set both sound boxes at the beginning of'their records. Closure of switch Il then applies line vonage to been stu-ung was 2| and si, causing 55 both phonographs to operate simultaneously. 0f course, both phonographs will be stopped when they reach the end of their records.

Itwillbeunderstoodthatalthnushlhave -shownonlytwophonographsassociatedforsew quential or simultaneous operation. my invention is not limited thereto, and it will be. understood that three, tour or even more phonographs may'beoperated inaceordancewiththe teachma of um invention, contacts being 'provided on 65 understood that modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope cf my invention as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

What I claim is:

1. In a phonograph system, in combination, a pair of' phonographs comprising a stylus movable transversely of a record, means for automatically initiating operation of the other phonograph when either phonograph approaches the end of its record, a dictators vready signal, and a pair of parallel circuits for causing energization of said signal, each circuit comprising a pair of contacts closed whenthe stylus is engaged with the record, and a second pair of contacts in series with said first pair and arranged to be opened when the stylus has approached the end of its travel on the record.

2. In a phonographic system, in combination, a pair of phonographs, motive means for driving said phonographs, clutches for operatively connecting said phonographs to said motive means,

and circuits for operating said clutches electrical- -ly, said circuits comprising a switch having at least two positions in one of which the said clutches are automatically operated sequentially and in the other of which the clutches are automatically operated simultaneously.

3. In a phonographic system, in combination, a plurality of phonographs each having a sound box carriage movable relative to a record, motive means for driving said phonographs, clutches inpterposed between said motive means'and said phonographs, electrical means for controlling the operation of said clutches, saidmeans comprising electrical contacts on each phonograph, said contacts being operable by the carriage of each phonograph to sequentially actuate the clutches of at least two of said phonographs.

4. In a phonographic system, in combination,

' a plurality of phonographs each having a sound box carriage movable'relative to a record, a motor for driving said phonographs, clutches interposed between said motor and said phonographs, electrical means for controlling the operation of said clutches, said means comprising contacts on each phonograph for controlling the operation of the clutch of another phonograph, and contacts on. each machine for controlling the operation of its own clutch, all of said contacts of each phonograph being actuated by the respective carriage in its movement.

5. In a phonographic system.- in combination, a pair of phonographs each including a sound box element adapted for-progressive movement relativel to a record element between initial and terminal limits; and means for automatically starting said movement in either phonograph and stopping said movement in the other, while permitting subsequent restoration of said elements in the latter to ytheir initial limit without interfering with the so-started movement, comprising, in association with each phonograph, switches operatively responsive to approach of said elements to their terminal limit, starting and stopping magnets adapted to be energized respectively by operation of a rst said switch on the opposite phonograph and by operation of the second said switch on the respective phonograph, and a two-position member controlling said movement and responsive to the magnet last energized.

6. The combination claimed in claim 5, further including in association with each phonograph means operative upon energization of each magnet thereof for open-circuiting the same until the other magnet thereof is energized.

7. In a phonographic system, in combination, a plurality of phonographs each including a sound f box element adapted for progressive movement relative to a record element; an individual system associated with each phonograph comprising starting and stopping magnets, and' a twoposition member controlling said movement and responsive to the magnet last energized; and magnet energizing means, comprising switches in each one phonograph, responsive to approach of said elements therein to a relative movement limit, for energizing the starting magnet of another of said phonographs and the stopping magnet of the one phonograph.

8. The combination claimed in claim 7, further including in each of said systems means operative upon energization of each magnet therein for open-circuiting the same until the other magnet therein is energized.

9. In a phonographic system, in combination, a plurality of phon ographs each including a sound box element adapted for progressive movement relative to a record element; an individual pair of magnets associated with each phonograph; magnet energizing means, comprising an individual group of contacts associated with each phonograph and responsive to approach of said elements therein to a relative movement limit, each said group controlling the energization of at least one said magnet of each of a plurality of said phonographs; and a two-position member for each phonograph controlling said movement therein and responsive to the last energized of said magnets thereof.

10. 'Ihe combination claimed in claim 9, further including in association with each phonograph means operative upon energization of each magnet thereof for open-circuiting the same until the other magnet thereof is energized.

11. In a phonographic system, in combination, a plurality of phonographs each including a sound box element adapted for progressive movement relative to a record element; an individual pair of magnets associated with each phonograph; magnet energizing means, comprising contacts associated with each phonograph and responsive to approach of said elements therein to a relative movement limit, the energization of at least one said magnet of each one phonograph being controlled by said contacts of a plurality of the phonographs; and a two-position member forv each phonograph controlling said movement therein and responsive to the last energized of said magnets thereof.

12. The combination claimed in claim 11, further including in association with each phonograph means operative upon energization of each magnet thereof for open-circuiting the same until the other magnet thereof is energized.

13. The combination claimed in claim '7, further including in each one phonograph means, responsive to adjacency of said elements to said limit therein and operative at least as soon as both said switches therein, for open-circuiting the starting magnet thereof.

14. In combination, a plurality of phonographs each having a sound box element adapted for progressive movement relative to a record element; an individual system associated with each phonograph comprising means responsive to momentary actuation for starting said movement, and means operative as a limit of said movement is approached for stopping said movement; and means associated with eachA one phonograph, operative when said elements therein are adjacent said limit and at least as soon as said stopping means, for blocking actuation of the starting means of the one phonograph and actuating the starting means of another of said phonographs.

15. In a phonograph system, in combination, a sound box element and means for producing progressive movement thereof relative to a record element; means responsive to momentary actuation for starting said movement; means operative as a limit of said movement is approached for stopping said movement; and means, responsive to adjacency of said elements to said limit and operative at least as soon as said stopping means, for blocking actuation of said starting means.

16. In combination, a plurality of phonographsl each having a sound box element adapted for progressive movement relative to a record element; an individual movement control system associated with each phonograph comprising an electrical circuit adapted upon momentary closing to start said movement, and means operative as a limit of said movement is approached for stopping said movement; and contacts associated with each one phonograph, responsive to adjacency of said elements therein to said limit and operative at least as soon as said stopping means, for opencircuiting the starting circuit of the one phonograph and closing the starting circuit of another 18. In combination, a plurality of phcnographs each having a sound box element adapted for progressive movement relative to a record element:

an individual movement control system associated element; a movement control system comprising two electrical circuits respectively adapted upon momentary closing to start and to stop said movement; and contacts responsive to approach of said elements to a limit of said movement, for closing said stopping circuit while open-circuiting said starting circuit.

20. The combination claimed in claim 19, further including in each control system means operative upon closing of each circuit therein for open-circuiting the same until the other circuit therein is closed.

21. In combination. a; plurality of phonographs each having a sound box element adapted for progressive movement relative't a record element; an individual movement control'isystem associated with each phonograph comprising two electrical circuits respectively adapted upon momentary closing tostart and to stop said movement there- A in; contacts associated with each one phonograph and operative as a limit of said movement therein is approached, for closing the starting circuit of another of said phonographs and the stopping circuit of the one phonograph; and means, interlocking the circuits of a plurality of said phonographs, for preventing start-stop oscillation.

CHARLES HUENLICH.

cERTIFIcATE or CORRECTION.

Patent No.'-2,o42,22s. my se, 193e.

HUENLICH.

It' is hereby certified that error' appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 5', secondcolumn. linev 25, claim 20, for "19' read 1 8; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction thereinvthat the same may conform to the record of .the case". in the Patent Office.v

' Signed and sealed this 29th day of September, A. D. .1956.

f p Henry van Arsdale (Seal) Acting Commissioner ,of Patents.

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