US3690680A - Electromechanical selector unit - Google Patents

Electromechanical selector unit Download PDF

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US3690680A
US3690680A US619686A US3690680DA US3690680A US 3690680 A US3690680 A US 3690680A US 619686 A US619686 A US 619686A US 3690680D A US3690680D A US 3690680DA US 3690680 A US3690680 A US 3690680A
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group
members
contacts
actuator
record
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US619686A
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Frank B Lumney
Ronald P Eberhardt
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TWCA CORP
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Wurlitzer Co
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Assigned to FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO, THE, ONE FIRST NATIONA PLAZA, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60670 reassignment FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO, THE, ONE FIRST NATIONA PLAZA, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60670 SECURITY INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: WURLITZER COMPANY, THE,
Assigned to WURLITZER COMPANY, THE reassignment WURLITZER COMPANY, THE CHANGE OF NAME (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: TWCA CORP.
Assigned to TWCA CORP. reassignment TWCA CORP. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: WURLITZER ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION, WURLITZER CANADA, LTD., WURLITZER COMPANY, WURLITZER INTERNATIONAL LTD, WURLITZER MUSIC STORES, INC.
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    • GPHYSICS
    • G11INFORMATION STORAGE
    • G11BINFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
    • G11B27/00Editing; Indexing; Addressing; Timing or synchronising; Monitoring; Measuring tape travel
    • G11B27/002Programmed access in sequence to a plurality of record carriers or indexed parts, e.g. tracks, thereof, e.g. for editing
    • GPHYSICS
    • G11INFORMATION STORAGE
    • G11BINFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
    • G11B2220/00Record carriers by type
    • G11B2220/20Disc-shaped record carriers

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT This invention relates generally to an automatic [22] Filed: March 1, 1967 [2]] App No 619 686 phonograph, and more particularly to a control apparatus for selecting a predetennined record or a predetermined series of records from a record storage .274/10D magazine in which a large number of records are .Gllb 17/22 tored. 10; 194/ 51 Int.
  • Automatic phonographs commonly include a record magazine in which a large number of records are stored.
  • a plurality of keys or switches are usually provided for selecting 'a particular record for playing on the phonograph.
  • control apparatus By actuating the key associated .with a selected record, control apparatus is energized to position the selected recordfor playing by the phonograph.
  • the prior art control apparatus commonly includes a selector unit.
  • the selector unit generally includes a plurality of pin members which are moved from a normal position to a projecting position to signal the selection of a particular record associated with the pin.
  • a complex arrangement of relatively movable solenoids is provided in many of the selector units used in automatic phonographs.
  • These prior art selector units typified by the structure disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,050,309, use a first group of solenoids to index a second group of solenoids and a plurality of actuator levers relative to the pin members.
  • One of the solenoids in the second group is then operated to move the associated actuator lever into moving engagement with a pin member associated with the selected record.
  • the pin member is then moved from thenormal position to the projecting posi tion tosignal the selection of the record associated with thepin member.
  • Another object of this invention is to provide a selector unit which is relatively inexpensive and easy to manufacture.
  • Another object of this invention is to provide a selector unit which has relatively few moving parts.
  • Another object of this invention is to provide a compact selector unit which can be readily installed in an automatic phonograph.
  • FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view illustrating the relationship of the record storage 'rnagazine of the record changer assembly of FIG. 1 to an electromechanical selector unit which forms a preferred embodiment of-the invention;
  • FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of an accumulator having a plurality of readout pin members which are used with the selector unit of FIG. 3, and an actuator assembly for moving the pin members from a first normal position to a second outwardly projecting signaling position;
  • FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view illustrating'the relationship of the actuator assembly to the pin members of FIG. 4;
  • FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating the normal position of a pinmember associated with a first or A side of a record
  • FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating the position of a pin member intermediate the normal position shown in FIG. 6, and an outwardly projecting signaling position;
  • FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of a pin member, similar to the pin members of FIGS. 6 and 7, illustrating the orientation of a pin member in the outwardly projecting or signalingposition;
  • FIG. 9 is an enlarged view illustrating the normal position of a pin member associated with asecond or B side of a record; t.
  • FIG. 10 is an enlarged plan view of a sensor assembly used in the record selector unit of FIG. 3;
  • FIG. 11 is an enlarged sectional view, taken along the line 11-11 of FIG. 10, illustrating the mounting of the sensor assembly
  • FIG. l2 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view illustrating the relationship of the sensor unit 'of FIG. 10 relative to the pin members; v
  • FIG. 13 is an enlarged plan view illustrating the mounting and drive assembly for the record storage magazine of FIG. 1; t
  • FIG. 14 is an enlarged elevational view taken along the line 1414 of FIG. 13 illustrating the relationship of a record magazine latch assembly to the record magazine;
  • FIG. 15 (on sheet 4 of the drawings) is an enlarged elevational view illustrating the relationship of a pin member return assembly to the pin members;
  • FIG. 16 is an enlarged plan view illustrating the relationship of the sensor assembly to a predetermined counter unit, shown in an end-of-count position, which counts the revolutions of the sensor assembly relative to the pin members;
  • FIG. 17 is an enlarged plan view illustrating the counter unit of FIG. 16, in a beginning count position, before the sensor unit has rotated for a predetermined number of revolutions relative to the pin members;
  • FIG. 18 is an enlarged plan view of a contact support panel or surface used in the selector unit of FIG. 3;
  • FIG. 19 is an elevational view of movable or wiper contacts which engage the fixed contacts of the contact panel of FIG. 18;
  • FIG. 20 is an enlarged sectional view, taken along the line 20-20 of FIG. 19, illustrating the structure of a moving contact
  • FIG. 21 is an enlarged sectional view, taken along the line 21-21 of FIG. 19, illustrating a second moving contact structure
  • FIGS. 22, 23 and 24 are schematic illustrations of control circuitry utilized with the record change assembly of FIG. 1, withFIG. 22 illustrating latching cir cuitry, FIG. 23 illustrating a selector circuitry and the contact panel of the selector unit, and FIG. 24 illustrating circuitry for controlling the movements of the record magazine, record changer assembly, turntable, and tone arm.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a record changer assembly 30.
  • the record changer assembly includes a base or support structure or frame 32 upon which a record storage magazine or basket 34 is mounted.
  • the record storage magazine. or basket 34 includes a plurality of panels 36 which are positioned in a generally circular or toroidal configuration to definea plurality of record storage 10- cations in which records 38 are stored or filed when they are not being played.
  • the records 38 are of the disk type and have a spiral groove on each side of the record carrying recorded sound for reproduction by a phonograph. Since there is a recording on both sides of the records, the records are said to have a first or A side 42 and a second or B" side 44.
  • the A sides 42 are positioned facing in a clockwise direction when the record magazine 34 is viewed from above, while the B side 44 faces in an opposite or counterclockwise direction.
  • The'record storage magazine 34 is rotatable relative to the base 32 to position a selected record for engagement by the record transfer assembly 46.
  • the record transfer assembly '46 engages a record at a pickup or loading station 50 and transfers the record from the record storage magazine 34 to a turntable 52.
  • the turntable 52 is rotated by a turntable drive motor 56 to rotate the record relative to a tone arm 60.
  • the tone arm 60 engages the spiral recording groove in the upwardly facing or selected side of a selected record on the turntable 52 to pick up the recorded sound on the 'record in a well known manner.
  • the record transfer assembly 46 repositions the record back in its storage location in the record magazine 34.
  • the movements of the record transfer assembly 46, the turntable 52, and the tone arm 60 are coordinated by a control mechanism 64.
  • the record changer assembly 30 is described in further detail in copending application Ser. No. 619,687, Changer and Selector Mechanism, filed in the names of Fred H. Osborne, Robert S. Tuttle, and Michael J. Corbett.
  • the record changer assembly disclosed in the aforementioned application is preferred for use in connection with the electromechanical selector unit forming the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other known record changer assemblies can be utilized rather than the preferred record changer assembly 30.
  • the selector unit 70 is mounted on the base 32 immediately beneath the record magazine 34 in a coaxial relationship with the record storage magazine.
  • the selector unit 70 includes an accumulator or selection storage section 74 which is supported by a frame 76 from the base 32.
  • the accumulator 74 includes a plurality of readout or selector protuberances or pin members 80 which are movable from a first normal position to a second signaling or readout position to signal the selectionof a record.
  • the pin members 80 are moved from the first position to the second position by an actuator assembly'82.
  • the actuator assembly 82 includes a radially outwardly extending arm 84 having a pair of mounting sections 86 and 88 which are best seen in FIG. 4.
  • a pair of electromagnets 90 and 92 are secured to the mounting sections 86 and 88.
  • the electromagnets 90 and 92 When the electromagnets 90 and 92 are energized, a magnetic field emanates from the electromagnets to-influence the pins 80.
  • the electromagnets attract the pins 80 to disengage the pins 80 from a combination support and retaining frame 94 on which they are mounted to enable the pins to move from the first normalposition to the second outwardly projecting signaling position.
  • the electromagnets 90 and 92 are energized by means of electrical current or energy conducted from circuitry connected to afixed contact support plate or surface panel 100. Fixed contacts on the panel are engaged by a plurality of moving contact arms or wipers 102 which are connected to second insulating support plates 104. The contact arms 102 are connected to the electromagnets 90 and 92 to conduct electrical energy from the contact panel 100 to the electromagnets to energize the electromagnets. It should be noted that the electromagnets 90 and 92 are positioned in a spaced apart relationship relative to the pins 80.
  • This spaced apart relationship between the electromagnets 90 and 92 and the pins 80 eliminates friction which would tend to impede therotation of the actuator arm 84 around a central axis 106 of both the selector unit 70 and the record storage magazine 3 4 and enables the electromagnets 90 and 92 to be energized while the actuator arm 84 is in motion relative to the pins 80.
  • the selector unit 70 includes a combination sensor and return assembly 110 which is mounted for rotation about the central axis 106 independently of the rotation of the actuator arm 84 about the central axis 106.
  • the combination sensor and return assembly 1 10 is mounted on a sensor arm 114 and includes a pair of spaced apart switches 116 and 118 which have switch arms 120 and 122 for sensibly engaging the pin members 80.
  • the switch arm 120 engages pin members 80 which are associated with the A side of the record in the record storage magazine 34 to sense when the A side of a record is to be played.
  • the switch arm 122 from the switch 118 engages pin members 80 which are associated with the B side of records in the record storage magazine 34.
  • the switch arms 120 and 122 are moved by the rotation of the sensor arm 114 about the central axis 106 into abutting sensing engagement with the pin members 80 which are in the outwardly projecting signaling position.
  • control circuitry illustrated in FIG. 24
  • the record changer assembly 30 is energized to enable the record changer assembly 30 to move a selected record from the recordstorage magazine 34 into position for playing of a turntable 52.
  • the pin members are returned to their normal position by a pin member return assembly 126.
  • the actuator arm 84 is fixedly connected to a central shaft 132 which is driven by a motor 134 through a transmission or gear drive 136 and the spur gears 138 and 139.
  • the actuator arm 84 is mounted for clockwise rotation, when viewed from above, relative to the accumulator 74 on a bearing 142.
  • a conventional one-way clutch structure 144 is mounted immediately adjacent to the bearing 142.
  • the elec- The bracket or arm 158 includes on outwardly extending drive pin 160 which engages a central mounting member 162 of the record storage magazine 34.
  • the central mounting member 162 is rotated relative to the base structure 32 by a record magazine drive motor 166 which is best seen in FIG. 13.
  • a gear drive 168 transmits the rotation of a drive shaft from the motor 166 to an annular ring gear 170 which is fixedly connected to a base plate 172 of the record magazine 34.
  • the bracket or arm 158 fixedly engages the record magazine 34 and is fixedly connected to the shaft 150, the shaft 150 and arm 114 are rotated contemporaneously with the rotation of the record magazine 34.
  • the accumulator 74 is fixedly mounted relative to the record transfer assembly 46 of FIG. 1.
  • the sensor arm 114 and-sensing switches 116 and 118 are fixedly mounted relative to the record magazine 34. Therefore, the record magazine 34 and sensor arm 114 are rotated as a unit relative to the accumulator 74.
  • the actuator arm 84 rotates relative to the accumulator 74 independently of both the record magazine 34 and the sensor arm 114 to move a pin 80 from a normal position to an outwardly projecting signaling position.
  • the selector unit includes an accumulator 74 which is fixedly supported by the base structure 32.
  • An actuator assembly 82 is mounted for rotation by the motor 134 relative to the accumulator 74.
  • one of the pins 80 When one of the pins 80 is in the second signaling position, it is located for engagement by one of two sensor switches 116 or 118 which are rotated independently of the actuator assembly 82 relative to the pins 80 on an arm 114. Actuation of either of the two sensing switches 116 and 118 energizes control circuitry to move the selected record which is associated with the pin 80 from the record storage magazine 34to the turntable 52 where it is played. After the sensing switches1l6 and! 118 have been actuated by the pin member 80 associated with the selected record, the pin member is returned to its normal position by a pin member return assembly 126 which is mounted on the arm 114 intermediate the two sensing switches 116 and 118. I
  • the pins 80 are positioned on the frame 94 of the accumulator 74 in a generally annular configuration.
  • the pin members are positioned on radii of the annular frame 94 with their longitudinal axes extending upwardly in a generally parallel relationship.
  • the actuator assembly 82 is mounted for rotation around the central axis 106 of the accumulator 74.
  • the electromagnets and 92 are moved on a generally annular course radially inwardly of the pin members 80. If desired, the electromagnets 90 and 92 can be positioned radially outwardly of the pin members 80.
  • theannular course followed by the electromagnets 90 and 92 is concentric with the annular configuration of the pin members 80.
  • the electromagnet 92 is moved along a semicircular path past one-half of the pin members 80 while the opposite electromagnet 90 is moved on a semicircular path past the other one-half of the pin members 80. In this manner an electromagnet 90 or 92 is moved past each pin member 80 on each one-half revolution of the actuator assembly 82.
  • the provision of a pair of electromagnets 90 and 92 for actuating the pin members .80 enables the speed of rotation of the actuator assembly 82 to be half of the rate of rotation of an actuator having a single electromagnet while maintaining the same rate of actuation of the. pin members 80.
  • the provision of two electromagnets 90 and 92 for actuating the pin members 80 doubles the effective rate of rotation of the actuator assembly 82 about the central axis 106.
  • FIG. 5 taken in connection with FIGS. 6 through 8, when the electromagnet 90 is energized, a coil or winding induces a magnetic field in 7 a generally U-shaped core piece 182 which is perhaps best seen in FIG. 3.
  • the magnetic field emanates from leg sections of the core piece 182 to attract the pin member 80 which is adjacent to the core piece 182 when the electromagnet is energized (see FIG.
  • the magnetic field draws the pin members 80 toward the core piece 182 from the normal position shown in FIG. 6 to an intermediate position shown in FIG. 7.
  • the pin member 80 moves from the position shown in FIG. 6 to the position shown in FIG.
  • a latching or retaining surface 184 is moved out of abutting engagement with an annular latch plate 186 of the frame 94 and the pin member is released for vertical movement from the position shown in FIG. 7 to the signaling position shown in FIG. 8 under the urging of a spring 188.
  • This upward movement of the pin 80 results in a sliding of the pin relative to both an annular upper support plate 190 and the lower support plate 186 through apertures or slots 192 and 194 in the support plates 186 and 190;
  • a lower latching or retaining surface 198 engages the lower support plate or latching plate 186 to retain the pin member in the signaling position shown in FIG. 8.
  • the pin members 80 are divided into two groups, that is, a first group 204 associated with the A side 42 of the record 38 and a second group 206 associated with the B side 44 of the record 38 (see FIG. 4).
  • the pin member 80 shown in FIGS. 6 through 8 is associated with the A side of the record 38 and has therefore been designated 204.
  • the pin member 80 engages the switch arm 120 of the A side sensing switch 116 to signal the control circuitry (shown in FIG. 24) that the A side of a record has been selected for playing.
  • the pin member 80 is in the normal position shown in FIG. 6, the pin member is spaced below the switch arms 120 and 122 so that the sensing switches 116 and 118 are not actuated as the sensor arm 114 is rotated around a central axis 106 of the selector unit 70 (see FIG. 3).
  • a pin member 80 associated with the second or B" side group 206 is illustrated in FIG. 9 and has accordingly been designated 206.
  • the pin member is shown in the outwardly projecting signaling position which corresponds to the signaling position for the pin member 80 of the A side group 204, as shown in FIG. 8. It should be noted that when the pin members of the second group 206 are in the signaling position, illustrated in FIG. 9, the pin members engage the switch arm 122 associated with the B sides 44 of the records 38.
  • the pin members 80 of the first group 204 include a notch or recess 210 in their upper outer end portions which enables the pin members 204 to clear the switch arm 122 associated with the B" side of the records 38 when the pin member is in the signaling position shown in FIG. 8.
  • the pin members of the second group 206 have a notch or recess 212 in their upper outer end portion for clearing the switch arm 120 associated with the A side ,of the records when the pin members are in the signaling position shown in FIG. 9.
  • the pin members 80 of both the first and second groups 204 and 206 are positioned beneath or inwardly of the switch arms 120 and 122 when the pin members are in the normal position.
  • the selector unit includes an accumulator 74 having a plurality of pins which are moved from a normal position, shown in FIG. 6, to an outwardly projecting signaling position, shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, by the actuator assembly 82.
  • the pins 80 are divided into two groups, that is, a first group 204 associated with the A side of a record and a second group 206 associated with the B side of a record.
  • the pins of the first group' are interspersed with the pins of the. second group so that a pin member of one groupis flanked on both sides by a pin member of the other group (see FIG. 4).
  • the pin members80 are moved from the normal position shown in FIG.
  • the pin members associated with the first group 204 and the A side 42 of the records 38 are sensibly engaged by the switch arm when the sensor arm' 114 is rotated relative to the accumulator 74.
  • the pin members associated with the second group 206 and the'B side 44 of the records aresensibly engaged by the switch arm 122 when the sensor arm 114 is rotated relative to the central axis 106. Since the sensor arm 1 14 is fixedly connected to the record magazine 34, the sensor arm is rotated contemporaneously with the record magazines so that the sensing switches 116 and 118 are actuated by a pin member 80 which is in the signaling position when the record associated with the pin member is in the loading or pick-up position 50 (see FIG. 2) adjacent to the record transfer assembly 46.
  • the sensing switches 116 and 118 actuate the control circuitry of FIG. 24 to operate the record transfer assembly 46 to move a record from the record storage magazine 34 into playing position on the turntable 52.
  • the records are positioned on the turntable 52 with the side associated with a pin member which actuated the sensor switch positioned upwardly.
  • the record transfer assembly would position the record on the turntable 52 with the A side 42 of the record facing upwardly for engagement with the tone on the turntable 52 (with the 8" side 44 of the record upwardly for engagement by the tone arm 60.
  • FIGS. 10 and 11 The mounting of the sensor arm 114 on the shaft 150 is disclosed in detail in FIGS. 10 and 11.
  • the sensor arm rotates in a clockwise direction, as viewed from above in FIG. 10, about the shaft 150 asindicated by the arrow 210.
  • a contact support plate or surface 212 is mounted on the base structure 32 by a plurality of connector bolts or rivets 214.
  • a plurality of annular contact rings 216 are mounted on the contact plate 212.
  • the fixed contact rings 216 are engaged by a plurality of moving contact arms or wipers 220 (see FIGS. 3 and 11) with a separate moving contact or wiper 220 being provided for each of the contact rings 216.
  • An inner contact ring 222 connects a 24-volt a.c.
  • sensing switch 1.16 When the sensing switch 1.16 is actuatedby sensible contact with a pin member 80, a circuit is completed over the contact ring 224 to the control circuitry of FIG. 24.
  • switch 1 18 When the switch 1 18 is actuated by sensible engagement with a pin member 80, a circuit is completed over the contact ring 226 to the control circuitry of FIG. 24.
  • Contact rings 227 and 228 are provided for energization of the pin member return assembly 126.
  • FIG. 12 The interrelationship between the pin members 80 and the switch arms 120 and 122 of the sensing switchs 116 and 118 is further illustrated in FIG. 12. It should be noted that in FIG. 12 only the upper, outermost end of the pin members 80 have been shown. It is these upper, outermost ends of the pin members which engage the switch arms 120 and 122. Thus, the upper, outermost end portion of a pin member of the first or A side group 204 engages the switch arm 120 when the pin members are in the signaling position shown in FIG. 8. Similarly, the upper, outermost end portion of the members of the second or B side group engage the switch arm 122 when the pin members are in a signaling position shown in FIG. 9 to actuate the sensing switch 118.
  • the sensing switches 116 and 118 are actuated by any pin member of the associated group which is in the signalling position.
  • the position of the sensing switches 116 and 118 relative to the sensor arm 114 can be varied by adjusting mounting assemblies 230 and 232.
  • the record magazine 34 is rotated contemporaneously with the sensor arm 114. As is perhaps best seen in FIG. 13, the record magazine 34 is rotated by the motor 166 through a gear drive 168 which engages a ring gear 170 at the base of the record magazine 34.
  • the records 38 are supported on a base plate 172 by a plurality of radially outwardly extending panels or side walls 36 which define storage locations 238 for the records in the record magazine 34.
  • the details of the structure of the record magazine do not, per se, form a part of the present invention, and it is not believed to be necessary to go further into the structure of the record magazine 34 at this time. However, for those who are interested, the structure of the record magazine 34 is set forth in considerable detail in copending application, Ser. No.
  • the record magazine drive motor 166 is deenergized and a latch assembly 242 is released to enable a latch bar to pivot about a mounting pin 246 to engage an index tooth or notch 248 in the outer periphery of the base plate 172.
  • the latch bar 244 engages a notch 248, the base plate 172 is locked against further movement relative to the base structure 32.
  • the records 38 are positioned in filing locations so that when a pin member associated with a given record actuates a switch arm of either the sensing switch 116 or 118 the associated record is positioned in the pick-up or loading position indicated at 50 in FIG. 1.
  • the latch bar 244 remains in engagement with a a tooth '248 of the base plate 172 until after the selected record has been played on the turntable 52 and returned-to its storage location in the record magazine 34.
  • the latch assembly 242 includes a latching solenoid 250 which is energized to disengage an upstanding pin 252 on the latch bar 244 from the teeth or notches 248 to enable the record magazine to be rotated relative to the base structure 32.
  • a switch 254 is in its normally open position.
  • the solenoid 250 is energized to disengage the upstanding pin 252 from the tooth or notch 248, the switch 254 is closed by an engagement of the latch bar 244 with an outwardly extending switch arm 256 of the switch 254.
  • the switch 254 is connected to a circuit for energizing the record storage magazine drive motor l66 so that the record magazine can be driven only when the switch 254 is closed and the latch bar 244 is disengaged from the teeth 248 in the base plate 172.
  • the pin member return assembly 126 includes a pair of pin member return solenoids or actuators 260 and 262.
  • the solenoid 260 is associated 227 of FIG. 10 to move the pin member which actuated the switch arm to the normal or retracted position.
  • the solenoid 262 is energized through the contact ring 228 of FIG. to return the pin member to its normal or retracted position.
  • the solenoids 260 and 262 return the pin members 80 to their normal positions by pressing the pin members downwardly against the springs 188 with pin member return bars or fingers 264 and 266 which are forced outwardly and downwardly relative to the solenoids 260 and 262 when the solenoids are energized.
  • the solenoids 260 and 262 are offset relative to each other, as shown in FlG. 12, so that the pin member return bar engages only the pin members 80 of the first or A side group, while the pin member return bar 266 will engage only the pin members of the second or B side group 206.
  • the pin members 80 of both the first group 204 and the second group 206 include a stop surface 270, which is best seen in FIGS. 3 and 6, for engaging a stop plate 272 of the frame 94.
  • the engagement of the stop surface 270 with the stop plate 272 limits the downward movement of the pin members 80 under the influence of the solenoids 260 and 262.
  • the pin members 80 are returned from the outwardly projecting signaling position shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 to the normal position shown in FIG. 6 by the'action of the solenoids 260 and 262 after the pin members are sensibly engaged by either the switch arm 120 or 122.
  • the record magazine 34 and the sensor arm 114 are locked in a stationary position by the latch assembly 242 while a record is being played.
  • the sensor arm 114 is immediately above the pin member 80 which is just sensibly engaged by either the switch arm 120 or the switch arm 122, the pin member having been returned to the normal position by the pin member return assembly 126.
  • the selected record is being played on the turntable 52, it is possible, and even probable, that another record may be selected for playing immediately after the record presently being played. If the pin member associated with the second record is immediately behind the sensor arm 114, the sensor arm can return to its normal position without engaging the pin member associated with the record which had just been selected.
  • the sensor arm 114 is rotated for a plurality of revolutions (in the preferred embodiment two) relative to the pin members 80.
  • the counter assembly 280 illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17, is provided for counting the revolutions of the sensor arm 114 relative to the accumulator 74.
  • the counter assembly 280 is shown in FIG. 16 in an end-of-count position before a record has been selected.
  • the counter 280 includes a register or counter member or plate 282 which is rotatably mounted on a central axis 284.
  • the counter plate 282 is retained in the position shown in FIG. 16, holding a switch 286 open, by means of a latch pawl 288 which is pivotally mounted on a pin 290.
  • the latch pawl 288 engages latch or latching teeth 292 to hold the counter plate 282 in the end-of-count position shown against the urging of a spring 294.
  • a counter reset electromagnet 300 is energized to attract the pawl 288 and pivot the pawl out of engagement with the teeth 292.
  • the spring 294 can then pull the counter plate 282 from the end-of-count position shown in FIG.
  • FIG. 18 a partial plan view of the contact support panel 100 is illustrated.
  • the panel 100 is formed on an insulating material and has a generally circular shape.
  • a first group of contacts 330 are mounted in an annular configuration on a radially outer section of the panel 100.
  • Each of the contacts 330 is associated with a pin member 80.
  • the contacts 330 are also associated with the record storage locations 238 in a record storage magazine 34, since the pin members are associated with the record storage locations.
  • each record storage location 2308 there are two contacts 330 associated with each record storage location 238, that is, a first contact associated with the A side of a record in a record storage location and a second contact associated with the B side of a record in a record storage location 238.
  • the contacts 330 are also associated with a second group of contacts 334 which are mounted on the panel 100. There are twenty contacts 330 associated with each of the radially inwardly positioned contacts 334.
  • each of the plurality of storage locations in the record storage magazine 34 by a number and letter designation, such as A-l, B-l, C-l, D-l A-2, B-2, C-2, D-2 A-3, B- 3, C-3, D-3 etc.
  • the number of contacts 330 and 334 varies with the capacity of the record storage magazine 34.
  • the capacity of a record storage magazine is limited by space considerations and the necessity of keeping the record changer assembly 30 relatively compact.
  • a record storage magazine having 80 storage locations is provided.
  • the storage cations are divided into eight number groups associated with eight contacts 334 on the panel 100 and 160 letter contacts 330 which are divided into subgroups of 20 cgiitacts associated with each of the number contacts 3 I
  • a plurality of mounting panels 104 are mounted on the actuator arm 84 (see FIG. 3).
  • a plurality of contacts 102 project downwardly from the panel 104, as shown in FIG. 19, to engage the contacts mounted onthe panel 100.
  • a first pair of moving contacts 340 and 342 project downwardly from the panel 104 to engage the fixed contacts 330 on the panel 100.
  • a second pair of contacts 344 and 346 project downwardly from the panel 104 to engage the contacts 334 on the panel 100.
  • the contactor arms or wipers 342 and 346 are con: nected to the electromagnet 90 while the contactor arms 340 and 344 are connected to the electromagnet 92 (see FIG. 4).
  • the electromagnet 90 is energized while in motion by a circuit extending from a fixed contact 330 on the panel 100, through the movable contactor arm 342 and to the coil 180 of the electromagnet and back to the movable contactor arm 346 to a fixed contact 334 on the panel 100.
  • the electromagnet 92 is energized by a circuitextending from a fixed contact 330 on the panel 100, through the movable contactor arm 340 to the electromagnet, and back through the movable contactor arm 344 to a fixed contact 334 on the panel 100.
  • a circuit is momentarily completed through the letter contact 330 and the number contact 334 associated with the selected side of the record to energize one of the moving electromagnets 90 or 92 to move a pin member 80 from the normal position of FIG. 6 to the signaling position of either FIG. 8 or 9.
  • each side of the record in the record magazine 34 is associated with one and only one combination of the letter contacts 330 and the number contacts 334, either the A or the B" side of any record in a record storage magazine can be selected for playing by energizing the actuator assembly 82 to move a pin member 80 corresponding to the selected side of the selected record.
  • a plurality of contacts 350 are positioned radially inwardly of the contacts 334.
  • An elongated semicircular shaped contact 352 is positioned radially inwardly and ad jacent to the contacts 350.
  • a circuit between the two contacts 350 and 352 is completed by means of moving contacts 353, 356, 358, and 360 which are mounted on the panels 104.
  • the completed circuit between the contacts 354, 356, 358, and 360 pulses a credit cancelling mechanism in a manner to be explained in greater detail subsequently.
  • a pair of semicircular contacts 366 and 368 are positioned radially inwardly of the contact 352.
  • the contacts 366 and 368 are engaged by a single moving contact 370 which is mounted on one of the panels 104.
  • a fixed circular contact 372 is positioned radially inwardly of the contacts 366 and 368 on the panel 100 and is engaged by a single contact 374 in the panel 104. Since a pair of electromagnets and 92 are provided for actuating the pin members 80 from the initial or normal position to the signaling position, it is only necessary for the actuator arm 82 to rotate for half a revolution on each cycling of the selector unit 70 to enable the electromagnets to actuate any pin member in the accumulator 74. Therefore, the semicircular contacts 366 and 368 are provided to signal when the actuator arm 82 has reached a home or initial position with the contactor arm 370 engaging the insulating panel at either of two initial or home areas 378 or 380.
  • the structure of the contactor arms 340 and 354 is set forth in greater detail in FIGS. 20 and 21.
  • the contactor arm 340 includes abody section 384 which is positioned at an acute angle to the mounting plate 104. Extending downwardly in a substantially vertical direction from the body section 284 is an operating or contact engaging section 386which engages the fixed contact 330. Since the contact engaging section 386 of the contactor arms 340 extends upwardly in a substantially perpendicular relationshipwith the fixed contact 330, any wear of the contact engaging section 386 of the contactor arm 340 results in.axrelatively constant end area positioned in sliding engagement with" the fixed contacts 330.
  • the contactor arm 354 includes a body section 390 to which a contact engaging protuberance 392 is connected. Since the protuberance 392 has a varying'cross-sectional area, when the contact 392 is worn down due to sliding engagement with the panel 100 and the contact 350, the area of engagement between the contactor arm 390 and the contact 350 will vary. Since the contacts 350 are spaced a relatively wide distance apart, the variation in the cross-sectional area of the protuberance 392 does not affect the accuracy of the contactor arms 254 in engaging the contacts 350.
  • the contacts 330 and 334 are spaced a relatively small distance apart so that any substantial variation in the cross-sectional area of the contact engaging section 386 of the contacts 340 or 344 could result in the contact arms'engaging two adjacent contacts. Therefore, it is highly advantageous to have the cross-sectional area of the contact engaging sections of the movable contacts 340 and 344 remain relatively constant as the contacts are worn.
  • the circuitry includes a latching or set-up circuit 400 which is shown in FIG. 22.
  • the latching circuit 400 is connected by leads to a selector circuit 402 and the selector unit 70 which is shown in FIG. 23.
  • the selector circuit and selector unit of FIG. 23 are connected to control circuitry 404 (see FIG. 24) for controlling the operation of the record changer assembly 30.
  • the control circuitry of FIG. 24 is also connected to the latching or set up circuitry 400 of FIG. 22. Since the circuitry of FIGS. 22, 23, and 24 is interconnected it is suggested, to facilitate the readers understanding of the invention, that FIGS. 22, 23, and 24 be aligned to interconnect the circuitry. To do this,
  • FIG. 23 is positioned with its longitudinal axis extending outwardly away from the reader, while FIGS. 22 and 24 are positioned with their longitudinal axes extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of FIG. 23, FIG. 22 being positioned adjacent to the lower portion of FIG. 23 and FIG. 24 being positioned adjacent to the upper portion of FIG. 23 so that the leads interconnecting the circuitry for the two figures are in substantial alignment.
  • the latching circuit 400 is connected to a suitable coin receiving mechanism and controls the operation of the selector circuit 402 of FIG. 23.
  • the selector circuit 402 includes a plurality of letter selector switches and number selector switches for selecting a record in a record magazine 34 which is associated with the selector switches in a predetermined code arrangement.
  • the letter and number selector switches are connected to the selector unit 70, in the manner previously explained, to read or put information into the selector unit 70 corresponding to the selected record; that'is, the letter and number contacts corresponding to the selected record are energized by the letter and number selector switches.
  • the selector unit is in turn connected to the control circuitry 404 of FIG. 24 to control the operation of the record changer assembly.
  • a coin of a suitable denomination in one embodiment a dime is inserted in a coin receiving apparatus of known construction.
  • the coin receiving apparatus includes a coin register mechanism, not shown, which functions to receive coins, register credits in a positive direction in accordance with the denomination of the coins received, reject coins while registration is in progress, and to cancel registered credits by actuating the register in a negative direction after a record selection has been made.
  • Coin receiving mechanisms which perform the above-functions are well known to those skilled in the art and need not be described in greater detail at this time. Those who are interested in the details of the structure of the coin receiving mechanisms are referred to U.S. Pat. No. 3,131,000.
  • a key switch 410 in the latching circuit 400.
  • the closing of the key switch 410 energizes a latch solenoid 412 in the latching circuit 400 to release letter selector switches 41 4 and number selector switches 416 in the selector circuitry 402.
  • a set-up relay 418 is energized by a circuit extending form a 28-volt power line '420 connected through normally made contacts 422 of a stop relay and leads 424 and 426 to the set-up relay 418.
  • the circuit for energizing the set-up relay 418 is completed over a lead 428 to the key switch 410 and through a lead 430 to a ground line 432. It should be noted that although the key switch 410 is normally open, as shown, the key switch 410 is closed by the placing of a coin in the coin receiving mechanism.
  • the set-up relay 418 is locked in an energized condition over its own normally open contacts 434 which are connected to the ground 432 by a lead 436.
  • the energization of the set-up relay 418 closes a circuit to energize the latch solenoid 412.
  • the energizing of the latch solenoid 412 releases the letter and number selector switches 414 and 416 of the selector circuitry 401 to enable a recording on a record associated with the letter and number selector switches to be selected for playing.
  • the circuit for energizing the latch solenoid 412 extends from the power line 420 over a lead 440 to the normally open contacts 442 of the set-up relay, the contacts 442 having been closed by the energization of the set-up relay 418.
  • the circuit extends from the contacts 442 of the set-up relay to leads 444 and 446 to normally closed upper contacts 448 of a top tune relay.
  • the circuit is continued from the contacts 448' by leads 450 and 452 to normally closed contacts 454 of the latch solenoid 412.
  • the latch solenoid is in turn connected to the normally closed conta'cts454 by .a lead 456.
  • the circuit for energizing the latch solenoid 412 is completed in the ground line 432 through the letter selector switches 414 to the selector circuitry 402 in FIG. 23.
  • This circuit includes a lead 458 which connects the latch solenoid 412 to a lead 460 and the normally closed contact 462 of a selection release switch.
  • the selection release switch 462 is connected by a lead 464 to the normally closed contacts 466 of a LP relay.
  • the contacts 466 arejconnected by a lead 470 to the letter selector switches of FIG. 23.
  • the lead 470 is connected in a chain circuit by LP conditioning switches 472 and a lead 474 to the ground line 432 to complete the circuit for energizing the latch solenoid 412.
  • Energization of the latch solenoid 412 opens the upper contacts 454 and closes lower contacts 475 to complete a circuit through a lead 476 and normally closed LP relay contacts 478 to energize a single-play light 480 through the leads 482 and 484 which connect to the ground line 432.
  • the single play light 480 is connected to the battery line 420 from the contacts 475 through the leads 452, 450, switch contacts 448, leads 446, 444, switch contacts 442, and the lead 440.
  • the latch solenoid 412 is retained in an energized condition, after the normally closed contacts 454 have opened and the normally open contacts 475 closed, over a circuit including a resistor 488.
  • the resistor 488 limits the current through the latch solenoid 412 to a value which is inadequate to initially actuate the latch solenoid but is adequate to retain the actuated latch solenoid 412 in an actuated condition.
  • the energizing or actuating of the latch solenoid 412 and single play light 480 releases the letter selector switches 414 and number selector switches 416 to enable a selection to be made, as indicated by the single play light 480, by actuating letter switches 414 and number selector switches 416 which are associated with a record. Assuming, for example, that a recording A2 is selected, a pair of selector switches 492, which are associated with letter A record storage locations and are ganged together, are moved fromv the position shown in solid lines in FIG. 23 to the position shown in dashed lines in FIG. 23.
  • the closing of the switches 492 connects ground from the lien 432 over the normally open contacts 494 of the now energized latch solenoid 412 to the A lead 496 throughleads 498 and 500.
  • the lead 496 is wired in common with all of the contacts 330 associated with the letter A on the selector unit 70.
  • the A contact of all eight number groups is connected to ground by the actuationof the switch 492.
  • the leads designated B through V are also connected in common with their associated letter contacts 330 in the selector unit 70.
  • the V lead designated B in FIG. 23 is-connected to all of the 13 contacts associated with the number group contacts 1 through 8.
  • the C through V leads are also connected'in common with their associated letter contacts 330 of each of the number groups 1 through 8.
  • the number associated with the selected record is now actuated by operating one of the number selector switches 416.
  • the record A-2 was chosen.
  • a switch 504 would be closed to connect the number 2 selector switch to the power line 420 through :the number 1 selector switch which is in its normal position and normally. closed contacts 506 of the top tunes relay which isconnected to the'number l selector switch by a lead 508.
  • the contacts 506 are connecteddirectly to the power line 420.
  • the number 2 contact 334 in the selector unit 70 is now connected to the power line 420 through a circuit which includes a switch 504.
  • the other selector switch leads designated 1 and 3 through 8 in FIG. 23 are connected to the associated number group contacts 334'in the selector unit 70.
  • the contacts 330 of the letter which is associated with the selected record are connected to ground and the number contact 334 which is associated with the selected record is connected to a source of power by actuating a number selector switch 416.
  • the actuation of a letter selector switch 414 closes letter latch switches 530 and 531 in the latching circuit 400.
  • the actuation of a number selector switch 416 closes number latch switches 532 and 533 in the latching circuitry 400. It should be noted that the number and letter latch switches 530 through 533 are closed by a mechanical interconnection between these latch switches and the keys for the letter and number selector switches 414 and 416.
  • the closing of the latch switches 530 and 532 energizes the start relay 534 through normally open contacts 536 of the now energized set-up relay 418.
  • the circuitfor energizing the start relay 534 extends from the power line 420 through a lead 540 to the letter and number latch switches 530 and 532 to a lead 542 which is connected to the start relay 534.
  • the circuit for energizing the start relay 534 is completed over a lead 544 which is connected to the contact 536 of the set-up relay and a lead 546 which interconnects the contacts 536 of the set-up relay and the ground line 432.
  • the energizing of the start relay closes normally open contacts 550,(see FIG. 23) to energize the actuator drive motor 134.
  • the actuator drive motor 134 is energized from a 24-volt source of power through a lead 552 which is connected to the motor and leads 554 and 556 which connect the motor to the contacts 550 of the start relay 534.
  • the contacts 550 are connected by leads 557, 558, and 559 to the ground line 432 to complete the circuit for energizing the actuator drive motor 134.
  • the energization of the actuator drive motor 134 causes the actuator assembly 82 (see FIG. 3)'t0 rotate relative to the contact support plate or panel 100 of the selector unit 70.
  • the actuator drive motor. l34. when the actuator drive motor. l34.is energized, the actuator assembly '82 and the contact support plates. 104, which are conne-cted'to. the actuator bar 84, are moved relative to the contact support plate 100 from "the initial positions indicated at 378 and 380 in a clockwise direction to move the contact arms extending from the panels 104 relative to the fixed contacts'on the panel 100.
  • This-movement ofthe contact 370 to move into engagement with either the segment 366 or the segment 368 of the end of cycle contacts.
  • the engagement of the moving contact 370 with either contacts 366 or 368 energizes a stop relay 560 through a circuit extending from FIG. 23 to FIGS. 24 and 22.
  • the stop relay 560 of FIG. 24 is connected by a lead 562 to the power line 420 in FIG. 22.
  • the circuit for energizing the stop relay 560 is completed by a lead 564 which extends from FIG. 24 to FIG. 23 where it is connected to an end-of-cycle contact segment 368.
  • the end-of-cycle contact segment 368 is connected by a lead 566 to the opposite end-of cycle segment 366.
  • the actuator drive motor 134 When the actuator drive motor 134 is energized, the moving contact 370 engages one of the two end-ofcycle segments and is shorted by a. lead 568 to moving contact 374 which engages the radially innermost contact ring 372 which is connected to the ground line 432 by a lead 570.
  • the stop relay 560 is energized immediately after the actuator assembly 82 leaves the initial or home positions 378 and 380 by a circuit extending from the ground line 432 through the central ring contact 372 to one of the two end-of-cycle segment contacts 366.0r 368 to a source of power on the line Energization of a stop relay 560 releases the set-up relay 418 which had previously been energized through the normally closed contacts 422 of the stop relay (see FIG. 22). When the set-up relay 418 is deenergized, the start relay 534, which had previously been energized through the normally open contacts 536 of the set-up relay, is deenergized.
  • the actuator drive motor 134 which had previously been energized over the contacts 550 of the start relay, is now held energized over contacts 572 of the stop relay.
  • the deenergization of the set-up relay 418 opens contacts 442 over which the latch solenoid 412 was initially energized. However, the latch solenoid 412 is retained in an energized state (after the set-up relay 418 is deenergized and the stop

Abstract

This invention relates generally to an automatic phonograph, and more particularly to a control apparatus for selecting a predetermined record or a predetermined series of records from a record storage magazine in which a large number of records are stored. A series of selector pins or levers is arranged in an arc, and a moving electromagnet acts on selected pins corresponding to selected records to move and set the pins while the electro magnet is moving.

Description

[ 11 Sept. 12, 1972 ELECTROMECHANICAL SELECTOR 12/1958 Acker..........................274/1O 5/1964 Osborn et al................l94/l5 6/1963 Tuttle et al. ..............274/10.l
UNIT
' [72] Inventors: Frank B. Lumney, 623 Brighton Rd., Tonawanda, N.Y. 14150;
Primary Examiner-Leonard Forman Ronald P. Eberhardt, 30 Cotton- I wood Dr., Amherst, NY. 14226 [73] Ass'ignee: The Wurlitzer Company, Chicago,
Assistant Examiner-Steven L. Stephan Attorney-Olson, Trexler, Wolters & Bushnell [57] ABSTRACT This invention relates generally to an automatic [22] Filed: March 1, 1967 [2]] App No 619 686 phonograph, and more particularly to a control apparatus for selecting a predetennined record or a predetermined series of records from a record storage .274/10D magazine in which a large number of records are .Gllb 17/22 tored. 10; 194/ 51 Int.
[58] Field Of Search ...274/l0.l 15; 340/162 A series of selector pins or levers is arranged in an are,
R f and a moving electromagnet acts on selected pins core arenas C'ted I responding to selected records to move and set the UNITED STATES PATENTS pins while the electro magnet is moving. 0
S e r. u g .17 F g n .l W a f- 4, 2 2a m M C 1 R 000 N 4M4 777 222 Lnwm a u t. u" e m e n mam dka nCr. aou VRD 072 656 999 111 Ill 9004 370 6000 ,3 2400 v 40n 22 3 Patented Sept. 12, 1972 3,690,680
10 Sheets-Sheet l Patented Sept. 12,.1972 I 3,690,680
10 Sheets-Sheet S Patented Sept. 12, .1972
10 Sheets-Sheet 4 aye Patented Sept. 12, 1972 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Sept. 12, 1972 3,690,680
10 Sheets-Sheet 6 Pmmd Sept. 12, 1972 10 Sheets-Sheet '7 Mala/fizz? Patented Sept. 12, 1972 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 Patented Sept. 12, 1972 3,690,680
1Q Sheets-Sheet 9 v BY L.P.RELAY Patented Sept. 12, 1972 10 Sheets-Sheet l0 ELECTROMECHANICAL SELECTOR UNIT Automatic phonographs commonly include a record magazine in which a large number of records are stored. A plurality of keys or switches are usually provided for selecting 'a particular record for playing on the phonograph. By actuating the key associated .with a selected record, control apparatus is energized to position the selected recordfor playing by the phonograph. The prior art control apparatus commonly includes a selector unit. The selector unit generally includes a plurality of pin members which are moved from a normal position to a projecting position to signal the selection of a particular record associated with the pin.
In order to move a pin from the normal position to the projecting or, signalling position, a complex arrangement of relatively movable solenoids is provided in many of the selector units used in automatic phonographs. These prior art selector units, typified by the structure disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,050,309, use a first group of solenoids to index a second group of solenoids and a plurality of actuator levers relative to the pin members. One of the solenoids in the second group is then operated to move the associated actuator lever into moving engagement with a pin member associated with the selected record. The pin member is then moved from thenormal position to the projecting posi tion tosignal the selection of the record associated with thepin member.
The aforementioned prior art selector units have proven to be reliable in service even though they are relatively complex. However, when an automatic phonograph fails to operate, the proprietor of a commercial establishment loses money and his customers become dissatisfied and go to other establishments. Therefore, reliability is a paramount consideration in the construction of an automatic phonograph. The need for reliability is heightened by the fact that automatic phonographs are used incommercial-establishments which are widely dispersed geographically relative to each other. The wide geographic dispersion of the automatic phonographs makes the rapid servicing of a phonograph which fails in service difficult if not impossible.
Since automatic phonographs are commonly used in commercial establishments having a large number of customers, the phonograph must be able to accept and store or remember the record selections of several customers while the record selection of a previous customer is being played. Thus, the selector unit must operate quickly and efficiently to move pin members from the normal position to the projected position. The relatively complex arrangement of solenoids and actuator levers used in prior art selector units limits the speed of operation of the selector unit and the number of record selections which can be made within a given time period.
Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide a reliable, rapidly operating, control apparatus for use with an automatic phonograph.
Another object of this invention is to provide a selector unit which is relatively inexpensive and easy to manufacture.
Another object of this invention is to provide a selector unit which has relatively few moving parts.
Another object of this invention is to provide a compact selector unit which can be readily installed in an automatic phonograph.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view illustrating the relationship of the record storage 'rnagazine of the record changer assembly of FIG. 1 to an electromechanical selector unit which forms a preferred embodiment of-the invention;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of an accumulator having a plurality of readout pin members which are used with the selector unit of FIG. 3, and an actuator assembly for moving the pin members from a first normal position to a second outwardly projecting signaling position;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view illustrating'the relationship of the actuator assembly to the pin members of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating the normal position of a pinmember associated with a first or A side of a record;
FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating the position of a pin member intermediate the normal position shown in FIG. 6, and an outwardly projecting signaling position;
FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of a pin member, similar to the pin members of FIGS. 6 and 7, illustrating the orientation of a pin member in the outwardly projecting or signalingposition;
FIG. 9 is an enlarged view illustrating the normal position of a pin member associated with asecond or B side of a record; t.
, FIG. 10 is an enlarged plan view of a sensor assembly used in the record selector unit of FIG. 3;
FIG. 11 is an enlarged sectional view, taken along the line 11-11 of FIG. 10, illustrating the mounting of the sensor assembly;
FIG. l2 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view illustrating the relationship of the sensor unit 'of FIG. 10 relative to the pin members; v
FIG. 13 is an enlarged plan view illustrating the mounting and drive assembly for the record storage magazine of FIG. 1; t
FIG. 14 is an enlarged elevational view taken along the line 1414 of FIG. 13 illustrating the relationship of a record magazine latch assembly to the record magazine;
FIG. 15 (on sheet 4 of the drawings) is an enlarged elevational view illustrating the relationship of a pin member return assembly to the pin members;
FIG. 16 is an enlarged plan view illustrating the relationship of the sensor assembly to a predetermined counter unit, shown in an end-of-count position, which counts the revolutions of the sensor assembly relative to the pin members;
FIG. 17 is an enlarged plan view illustrating the counter unit of FIG. 16, in a beginning count position, before the sensor unit has rotated for a predetermined number of revolutions relative to the pin members;
FIG. 18 is an enlarged plan view of a contact support panel or surface used in the selector unit of FIG. 3;
FIG. 19 is an elevational view of movable or wiper contacts which engage the fixed contacts of the contact panel of FIG. 18;
FIG. 20 is an enlarged sectional view, taken along the line 20-20 of FIG. 19, illustrating the structure of a moving contact;
FIG. 21 is an enlarged sectional view, taken along the line 21-21 of FIG. 19, illustrating a second moving contact structure; and
FIGS. 22, 23 and 24 are schematic illustrations of control circuitry utilized with the record change assembly of FIG. 1, withFIG. 22 illustrating latching cir cuitry, FIG. 23 illustrating a selector circuitry and the contact panel of the selector unit, and FIG. 24 illustrating circuitry for controlling the movements of the record magazine, record changer assembly, turntable, and tone arm.
' RECORD CHANGER ASSEMBLY Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a record changer assembly 30. The record changer assembly includes a base or support structure or frame 32 upon which a record storage magazine or basket 34 is mounted. The record storage magazine. or basket 34 includes a plurality of panels 36 which are positioned in a generally circular or toroidal configuration to definea plurality of record storage 10- cations in which records 38 are stored or filed when they are not being played. The records 38 are of the disk type and have a spiral groove on each side of the record carrying recorded sound for reproduction by a phonograph. Since there is a recording on both sides of the records, the records are said to have a first or A side 42 and a second or B" side 44. The A sides 42 are positioned facing in a clockwise direction when the record magazine 34 is viewed from above, while the B side 44 faces in an opposite or counterclockwise direction. The'record storage magazine 34 is rotatable relative to the base 32 to position a selected record for engagement by the record transfer assembly 46. The record transfer assembly '46 engages a record at a pickup or loading station 50 and transfers the record from the record storage magazine 34 to a turntable 52. The turntable 52 is rotated by a turntable drive motor 56 to rotate the record relative to a tone arm 60. The tone arm 60 engages the spiral recording groove in the upwardly facing or selected side of a selected record on the turntable 52 to pick up the recorded sound on the 'record in a well known manner.
After the record has been played, the record transfer assembly 46 repositions the record back in its storage location in the record magazine 34. The movements of the record transfer assembly 46, the turntable 52, and the tone arm 60 are coordinated by a control mechanism 64. The record changer assembly 30 is described in further detail in copending application Ser. No. 619,687, Changer and Selector Mechanism, filed in the names of Fred H. Osborne, Robert S. Tuttle, and Michael J. Corbett. Although the record changer assembly disclosed in the aforementioned application is preferred for use in connection with the electromechanical selector unit forming the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other known record changer assemblies can be utilized rather than the preferred record changer assembly 30.
SELECTOR UNIT GENERALLY A selector unit forming a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 3. The selector unit 70 is mounted on the base 32 immediately beneath the record magazine 34 in a coaxial relationship with the record storage magazine. The selector unit 70 includes an accumulator or selection storage section 74 which is supported by a frame 76 from the base 32. The accumulator 74 includes a plurality of readout or selector protuberances or pin members 80 which are movable from a first normal position to a second signaling or readout position to signal the selectionof a record. The pin members 80 are moved from the first position to the second position by an actuator assembly'82. The actuator assembly 82 includes a radially outwardly extending arm 84 having a pair of mounting sections 86 and 88 which are best seen in FIG. 4. A pair of electromagnets 90 and 92 are secured to the mounting sections 86 and 88. When the electromagnets 90 and 92 are energized, a magnetic field emanates from the electromagnets to-influence the pins 80. In'the preferred embodiment the electromagnets attract the pins 80 to disengage the pins 80 from a combination support and retaining frame 94 on which they are mounted to enable the pins to move from the first normalposition to the second outwardly projecting signaling position.
Referring again to FIG. 3, the electromagnets 90 and 92 are energized by means of electrical current or energy conducted from circuitry connected to afixed contact support plate or surface panel 100. Fixed contacts on the panel are engaged by a plurality of moving contact arms or wipers 102 which are connected to second insulating support plates 104. The contact arms 102 are connected to the electromagnets 90 and 92 to conduct electrical energy from the contact panel 100 to the electromagnets to energize the electromagnets. It should be noted that the electromagnets 90 and 92 are positioned in a spaced apart relationship relative to the pins 80. This spaced apart relationship between the electromagnets 90 and 92 and the pins 80 eliminates friction which would tend to impede therotation of the actuator arm 84 around a central axis 106 of both the selector unit 70 and the record storage magazine 3 4 and enables the electromagnets 90 and 92 to be energized while the actuator arm 84 is in motion relative to the pins 80.
In addition to an accumulator 74 and an actuator assembly 82, the selector unit 70 includes a combination sensor and return assembly 110 which is mounted for rotation about the central axis 106 independently of the rotation of the actuator arm 84 about the central axis 106. The combination sensor and return assembly 1 10 is mounted on a sensor arm 114 and includes a pair of spaced apart switches 116 and 118 which have switch arms 120 and 122 for sensibly engaging the pin members 80. The switch arm 120 engages pin members 80 which are associated with the A side of the record in the record storage magazine 34 to sense when the A side of a record is to be played. Conversely, the switch arm 122 from the switch 118 engages pin members 80 which are associated with the B side of records in the record storage magazine 34. The switch arms 120 and 122 are moved by the rotation of the sensor arm 114 about the central axis 106 into abutting sensing engagement with the pin members 80 which are in the outwardly projecting signaling position. When either of the sensing switches 116 or 118 is actuated by sensible engagement with a pin member 80 control circuitry (illustrated in FIG. 24) is energized to enable the record changer assembly 30 to move a selected record from the recordstorage magazine 34 into position for playing of a turntable 52. After the sensing switches 116 and 118 have been actuated, the pin members are returned to their normal position by a pin member return assembly 126.
The actuator arm 84 is fixedly connected to a central shaft 132 which is driven by a motor 134 through a transmission or gear drive 136 and the spur gears 138 and 139. The actuator arm 84 is mounted for clockwise rotation, when viewed from above, relative to the accumulator 74 on a bearing 142. A conventional one-way clutch structure 144 is mounted immediately adjacent to the bearing 142. When the actuator drive motor 134 is energized, the electromagnets 90 and 92 are rotated about the central axis 106 on the shaft 132. As the electromagnets 90 and 92 are rotated about the central axis 106, they travel on a generally annular course in a position spaced apart from but adjacent to the pin member 80. When either the electromagnet .90 or the electromagnet 92 is adjacent to a pin member associated with a selected side of a selected record, the elec- The bracket or arm 158 includes on outwardly extending drive pin 160 which engages a central mounting member 162 of the record storage magazine 34. The central mounting member 162 is rotated relative to the base structure 32 by a record magazine drive motor 166 which is best seen in FIG. 13. A gear drive 168 transmits the rotation of a drive shaft from the motor 166 to an annular ring gear 170 which is fixedly connected to a base plate 172 of the record magazine 34. S Ince the bracket or arm 158 fixedly engages the record magazine 34 and is fixedly connected to the shaft 150, the shaft 150 and arm 114 are rotated contemporaneously with the rotation of the record magazine 34. The accumulator 74 is fixedly mounted relative to the record transfer assembly 46 of FIG. 1. The sensor arm 114 and-sensing switches 116 and 118 are fixedly mounted relative to the record magazine 34. Therefore, the record magazine 34 and sensor arm 114 are rotated as a unit relative to the accumulator 74. The actuator arm 84, on the other hand, rotates relative to the accumulator 74 independently of both the record magazine 34 and the sensor arm 114 to move a pin 80 from a normal position to an outwardly projecting signaling position. By mounting the record magazine 34, the sensor arm 114, the actuator arm 84, and the accumulator 74 in a coaxial relationship about the central axis 106, a relatively compact structure is obtained for controlling the positioning of the record magazine 34 relative to the record transfer mechanism 46.
In view of the preceding remarks, it will be apparent that the selector unit includes an accumulator 74 which is fixedly supported by the base structure 32. An actuator assembly 82 is mounted for rotation by the motor 134 relative to the accumulator 74. When either electromagnet 90 or92 is adjacent to a pin member associated with a selected side of a selected record, the .electromagnet is energized over a. circuit including the contact arms 102 and fixed contacts on the contact panel 100. Energization of an electromagnet moves the pin member 80, which is adjacent to the energized electromagnet, from a first normal position to a second signaling position. When one of the pins 80 is in the second signaling position, it is located for engagement by one of two sensor switches 116 or 118 which are rotated independently of the actuator assembly 82 relative to the pins 80 on an arm 114. Actuation of either of the two sensing switches 116 and 118 energizes control circuitry to move the selected record which is associated with the pin 80 from the record storage magazine 34to the turntable 52 where it is played. After the sensing switches1l6 and! 118 have been actuated by the pin member 80 associated with the selected record, the pin member is returned to its normal position by a pin member return assembly 126 which is mounted on the arm 114 intermediate the two sensing switches 116 and 118. I
ACCUMULATOR AND ACTUATOR ASSEMBLIES Turning now to a consideration of FIG. 4, the pins 80 are positioned on the frame 94 of the accumulator 74 in a generally annular configuration. The pin members are positioned on radii of the annular frame 94 with their longitudinal axes extending upwardly in a generally parallel relationship. The actuator assembly 82, as previously explained, is mounted for rotation around the central axis 106 of the accumulator 74. As the actuator assembly 82 is rotated around the central axis 106, the electromagnets and 92 are moved on a generally annular course radially inwardly of the pin members 80. If desired, the electromagnets 90 and 92 can be positioned radially outwardly of the pin members 80. It should be noted that theannular course followed by the electromagnets 90 and 92 is concentric with the annular configuration of the pin members 80. On each half revolution of the actuator assembly 82 around the central axis 106, the electromagnet 92 is moved along a semicircular path past one-half of the pin members 80 while the opposite electromagnet 90 is moved on a semicircular path past the other one-half of the pin members 80. In this manner an electromagnet 90 or 92 is moved past each pin member 80 on each one-half revolution of the actuator assembly 82. The provision of a pair of electromagnets 90 and 92 for actuating the pin members .80 enables the speed of rotation of the actuator assembly 82 to be half of the rate of rotation of an actuator having a single electromagnet while maintaining the same rate of actuation of the. pin members 80. Thus, the provision of two electromagnets 90 and 92 for actuating the pin members 80 doubles the effective rate of rotation of the actuator assembly 82 about the central axis 106.
Referring now to FIG. 5, taken in connection with FIGS. 6 through 8, when the electromagnet 90 is energized, a coil or winding induces a magnetic field in 7 a generally U-shaped core piece 182 which is perhaps best seen in FIG. 3. The magnetic field emanates from leg sections of the core piece 182 to attract the pin member 80 which is adjacent to the core piece 182 when the electromagnet is energized (see FIG. The magnetic field draws the pin members 80 toward the core piece 182 from the normal position shown in FIG. 6 to an intermediate position shown in FIG. 7. When the pin member 80 moves from the position shown in FIG. 6 to the position shown in FIG. 7 under the in- I fluence of the magnetic fields emanating from the core piece 182, a latching or retaining surface 184 is moved out of abutting engagement with an annular latch plate 186 of the frame 94 and the pin member is released for vertical movement from the position shown in FIG. 7 to the signaling position shown in FIG. 8 under the urging of a spring 188. This upward movement of the pin 80 results in a sliding of the pin relative to both an annular upper support plate 190 and the lower support plate 186 through apertures or slots 192 and 194 in the support plates 186 and 190; As the pin member 80 moves upwardly, a lower latching or retaining surface 198 engages the lower support plate or latching plate 186 to retain the pin member in the signaling position shown in FIG. 8. It should be noted that the outwardly projecting latching or retaining surface 198 cannot be drawn through the aperture 194 so that the pin member 80 cannot, under the urging of the spring 188 become disengaged from the frame 94. Thus, when the electromagnet 90 is deenergized, the pin member 80 assumes the signaling or outwardly projecting position shown in FIG. 8.
The pin members 80 are divided into two groups, that is, a first group 204 associated with the A side 42 of the record 38 and a second group 206 associated with the B side 44 of the record 38 (see FIG. 4). The pin member 80 shown in FIGS. 6 through 8 is associated with the A side of the record 38 and has therefore been designated 204. When a pin member associated with the first'or A side group 204 is in the signaling position shown in FIG. 8 the pin member engages the switch arm 120 of the A side sensing switch 116 to signal the control circuitry (shown in FIG. 24) that the A side of a record has been selected for playing. It should be noted that when the pin member 80 is in the normal position shown in FIG. 6, the pin member is spaced below the switch arms 120 and 122 so that the sensing switches 116 and 118 are not actuated as the sensor arm 114 is rotated around a central axis 106 of the selector unit 70 (see FIG. 3).
A pin member 80 associated with the second or B" side group 206 is illustrated in FIG. 9 and has accordingly been designated 206. The pin member is shown in the outwardly projecting signaling position which corresponds to the signaling position for the pin member 80 of the A side group 204, as shown in FIG. 8. It should be noted that when the pin members of the second group 206 are in the signaling position, illustrated in FIG. 9, the pin members engage the switch arm 122 associated with the B sides 44 of the records 38.
From a comparison of FIGS. 8 and 9 it will be apparent that the pin members 80 of the first group 204 include a notch or recess 210 in their upper outer end portions which enables the pin members 204 to clear the switch arm 122 associated with the B" side of the records 38 when the pin member is in the signaling position shown in FIG. 8. Similarly, the pin members of the second group 206 have a notch or recess 212 in their upper outer end portion for clearing the switch arm 120 associated with the A side ,of the records when the pin members are in the signaling position shown in FIG. 9. Of course, the pin members 80 of both the first and second groups 204 and 206 are positioned beneath or inwardly of the switch arms 120 and 122 when the pin members are in the normal position.
In view of the foregoing remarks it will be apparent that the selector unit includes an accumulator 74 having a plurality of pins which are moved from a normal position, shown in FIG. 6, to an outwardly projecting signaling position, shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, by the actuator assembly 82. The pins 80 are divided into two groups, that is, a first group 204 associated with the A side of a record and a second group 206 associated with the B side of a record. The pins of the first group' are interspersed with the pins of the. second group so that a pin member of one groupis flanked on both sides by a pin member of the other group (see FIG. 4). The pin members80 are moved from the normal position shown in FIG. 6 to the signaling position shown in FIG. 8 by energizing one of two electromagnets and 92 as they are moved past the pin members 80. When the electromagnets are energized, a magnetic field emanates from the core piece of the electromagnet to attract the pin members and disengage a latching surface 184 of the pin members from the latching or support plate 186 (see FIG. 7). Once the latching surface 184 has been disengaged from the latch plate 186 the pin member is free to move vertically upwardly under the urging of the spring 188 to the signaling position shown in FIG. 8. g
The pin members associated with the first group 204 and the A side 42 of the records 38 are sensibly engaged by the switch arm when the sensor arm' 114 is rotated relative to the accumulator 74. Similarly, the pin members associated with the second group 206 and the'B side 44 of the recordsaresensibly engaged by the switch arm 122 when the sensor arm 114 is rotated relative to the central axis 106. Since the sensor arm 1 14 is fixedly connected to the record magazine 34, the sensor arm is rotated contemporaneously with the record magazines so that the sensing switches 116 and 118 are actuated by a pin member 80 which is in the signaling position when the record associated with the pin member is in the loading or pick-up position 50 (see FIG. 2) adjacent to the record transfer assembly 46. The sensing switches 116 and 118 actuate the control circuitry of FIG. 24 to operate the record transfer assembly 46 to move a record from the record storage magazine 34 into playing position on the turntable 52. The records are positioned on the turntable 52 with the side associated with a pin member which actuated the sensor switch positioned upwardly. Thus, if a pin member of the first or A side group 204 actuated the switch arm 120 to operate the record transfer assembly 46, the record transfer assembly would position the record on the turntable 52 with the A side 42 of the record facing upwardly for engagement with the tone on the turntable 52 (with the 8" side 44 of the record upwardly for engagement by the tone arm 60.
SENSOR ASSEMBLY The mounting of the sensor arm 114 on the shaft 150 is disclosed in detail in FIGS. 10 and 11. The sensor arm rotates in a clockwise direction, as viewed from above in FIG. 10, about the shaft 150 asindicated by the arrow 210. A contact support plate or surface 212 is mounted on the base structure 32 by a plurality of connector bolts or rivets 214. A plurality of annular contact rings 216 are mounted on the contact plate 212. The fixed contact rings 216 are engaged by a plurality of moving contact arms or wipers 220 (see FIGS. 3 and 11) with a separate moving contact or wiper 220 being provided for each of the contact rings 216. An inner contact ring 222 connects a 24-volt a.c. source to the sensing switches 116 and 118 and the pin member return assembly 126. When the sensing switch 1.16 is actuatedby sensible contact with a pin member 80, a circuit is completed over the contact ring 224 to the control circuitry of FIG. 24. When the switch 1 18 is actuated by sensible engagement with a pin member 80, a circuit is completed over the contact ring 226 to the control circuitry of FIG. 24. Contact rings 227 and 228 are provided for energization of the pin member return assembly 126.
The interrelationship between the pin members 80 and the switch arms 120 and 122 of the sensing switchs 116 and 118 is further illustrated in FIG. 12. It should be noted that in FIG. 12 only the upper, outermost end of the pin members 80 have been shown. It is these upper, outermost ends of the pin members which engage the switch arms 120 and 122. Thus, the upper, outermost end portion of a pin member of the first or A side group 204 engages the switch arm 120 when the pin members are in the signaling position shown in FIG. 8. Similarly, the upper, outermost end portion of the members of the second or B side group engage the switch arm 122 when the pin members are in a signaling position shown in FIG. 9 to actuate the sensing switch 118. As the sensor arm 114 is rotated with the record magazine 34 about the central axis 106 (see FIG. 3), the sensing switches 116 and 118 are actuated by any pin member of the associated group which is in the signalling position. The position of the sensing switches 116 and 118 relative to the sensor arm 114 can be varied by adjusting mounting assemblies 230 and 232. a
As was previously explained, the record magazine 34 is rotated contemporaneously with the sensor arm 114. As is perhaps best seen in FIG. 13, the record magazine 34 is rotated by the motor 166 through a gear drive 168 which engages a ring gear 170 at the base of the record magazine 34. The records 38 are supported on a base plate 172 by a plurality of radially outwardly extending panels or side walls 36 which define storage locations 238 for the records in the record magazine 34. The details of the structure of the record magazine do not, per se, form a part of the present invention, and it is not believed to be necessary to go further into the structure of the record magazine 34 at this time. However, for those who are interested, the structure of the record magazine 34 is set forth in considerable detail in copending application, Ser. No. 619,687, Changer and Selector Mechanism, filed in the names of Fred H. Osborne, Robert S. Tuttle, and Michael J. Corbett. For purposes of the present invention it is sufiicient to note that the base plate 172 is rotated contemporaneously with the positioning arm 114 until one of the sensing switches 116 or 118 is actuated by a pin member 80 which is located in the outwardly extending signaling position. When this occurs, a record associated with the pin member 80 is in the pick-up or loading position 50.
When either of the sensing switches 116 or 118 is actuated by a pin member, the record magazine drive motor 166 is deenergized and a latch assembly 242 is released to enable a latch bar to pivot about a mounting pin 246 to engage an index tooth or notch 248 in the outer periphery of the base plate 172. When the latch bar 244 engages a notch 248, the base plate 172 is locked against further movement relative to the base structure 32. The records 38 are positioned in filing locations so that when a pin member associated with a given record actuates a switch arm of either the sensing switch 116 or 118 the associated record is positioned in the pick-up or loading position indicated at 50 in FIG. 1. The latch bar 244 remains in engagement with a a tooth '248 of the base plate 172 until after the selected record has been played on the turntable 52 and returned-to its storage location in the record magazine 34.
Referring now to FIG. 13 taken in connection with FIG. 14, the latch assembly 242 includes a latching solenoid 250 which is energized to disengage an upstanding pin 252 on the latch bar 244 from the teeth or notches 248 to enable the record magazine to be rotated relative to the base structure 32. When the latch bar 244 is in the locking or latching position shown in FIG. 13, a switch 254 is in its normally open position. However, when the solenoid 250 is energized to disengage the upstanding pin 252 from the tooth or notch 248, the switch 254 is closed by an engagement of the latch bar 244 with an outwardly extending switch arm 256 of the switch 254. The switch 254 is connected to a circuit for energizing the record storage magazine drive motor l66 so that the record magazine can be driven only when the switch 254 is closed and the latch bar 244 is disengaged from the teeth 248 in the base plate 172.
PIN MEMBER RETURN ASSEMBLY Referring now to FIG. 15, taken in conjunction with FIGS. 3 and 12, the pin member return assembly 126 includes a pair of pin member return solenoids or actuators 260 and 262. The solenoid 260 is associated 227 of FIG. 10 to move the pin member which actuated the switch arm to the normal or retracted position. Similarly after the switch arm 122 has been actuated by a pin member of the second or B side group 206, the solenoid 262 is energized through the contact ring 228 of FIG. to return the pin member to its normal or retracted position. The solenoids 260 and 262 return the pin members 80 to their normal positions by pressing the pin members downwardly against the springs 188 with pin member return bars or fingers 264 and 266 which are forced outwardly and downwardly relative to the solenoids 260 and 262 when the solenoids are energized.
The solenoids 260 and 262 are offset relative to each other, as shown in FlG. 12, so that the pin member return bar engages only the pin members 80 of the first or A side group, while the pin member return bar 266 will engage only the pin members of the second or B side group 206. The pin members 80 of both the first group 204 and the second group 206 include a stop surface 270, which is best seen in FIGS. 3 and 6, for engaging a stop plate 272 of the frame 94. The engagement of the stop surface 270 with the stop plate 272 limits the downward movement of the pin members 80 under the influence of the solenoids 260 and 262. Thus, the pin members 80 are returned from the outwardly projecting signaling position shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 to the normal position shown in FIG. 6 by the'action of the solenoids 260 and 262 after the pin members are sensibly engaged by either the switch arm 120 or 122.
The record magazine 34 and the sensor arm 114 are locked in a stationary position by the latch assembly 242 while a record is being played. Thus, the sensor arm 114 is immediately above the pin member 80 which is just sensibly engaged by either the switch arm 120 or the switch arm 122, the pin member having been returned to the normal position by the pin member return assembly 126. While the selected record is being played on the turntable 52, it is possible, and even probable, that another record may be selected for playing immediately after the record presently being played. If the pin member associated with the second record is immediately behind the sensor arm 114, the sensor arm can return to its normal position without engaging the pin member associated with the record which had just been selected. Therefore, each time a record is selected, the sensor arm 114 is rotated for a plurality of revolutions (in the preferred embodiment two) relative to the pin members 80. The counter assembly 280, illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17, is provided for counting the revolutions of the sensor arm 114 relative to the accumulator 74. The counter assembly 280 is shown in FIG. 16 in an end-of-count position before a record has been selected.
The counter 280 includes a register or counter member or plate 282 which is rotatably mounted on a central axis 284. The counter plate 282 is retained in the position shown in FIG. 16, holding a switch 286 open, by means of a latch pawl 288 which is pivotally mounted on a pin 290. The latch pawl 288 engages latch or latching teeth 292 to hold the counter plate 282 in the end-of-count position shown against the urging of a spring 294. When a record is selected, a counter reset electromagnet 300 is energized to attract the pawl 288 and pivot the pawl out of engagement with the teeth 292. The spring 294 can then pull the counter plate 282 from the end-of-count position shown in FIG. 16 to a beginning or start-of-count position shown in FIG. 17, with the switch 286 closed. As the sensor arm 114 is rotated relative to the counter assembly 280, an outwardly extending lever 304 engages a pin member 306 which is connected to a drive lever 308 of the counter assembly 280. The drive lever 308 is pivoted around the central axis 284 to rotate a drive pawl 310 clockwise into engagement with a drive surface 312 of a first drive tooth 314. The drive pawl 310 is now positioned intermediate the first drive tooth 314 and a second drive tooth 316. On the next revolution of the sensor arm 114 the outwardly projecting lever 304 engages the pin 306 to again actuate the drive lever and pivot the drive pawl 310 in a clockwise direction so that the drive pawl engages a driving surface 318 of the tooth 316 to rotate the counter plate 282 into the endof-count position shown in FIG. 16 under the influence of the return spring 320. Although only two drive teeth 314 and 316 have been provided on the counter plate 282, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that any number of drive teeth can be provided on the counter plate 282 to provide any desired number of revolutions of the sensor arm 114 relative to theaccumulator 74 each time a record. is selected. It is merely necessary that the counter unit 280. act as a predetermined counter to count a predetermined number of revolutions of the sensor arm 114 relative to the accumulator 74. This insures that all of the pin members which are moved from the normal position to the signaling position are engagedby the switch arms 120 or 122 to play allof the selected records.
ACcUMULATOR CONTACT ASSEMBLY Referring now to FIG. 18, a partial plan view of the contact support panel 100 is illustrated. The panel 100 is formed on an insulating material and has a generally circular shape. A first group of contacts 330 are mounted in an annular configuration on a radially outer section of the panel 100. Each of the contacts 330 is associated with a pin member 80. Of course, the contacts 330 are also associated with the record storage locations 238 in a record storage magazine 34, since the pin members are associated with the record storage locations.
Just as there are two pin members 80 associated with each record storage location, that is, a pin member of the first or A side group 204 and a pin member of the second or B" side group 206, there are two contacts 330 associated with each record storage location 238, that is, a first contact associated with the A side of a record in a record storage location and a second contact associated with the B side of a record in a record storage location 238. In addition, the contacts 330 are also associated with a second group of contacts 334 which are mounted on the panel 100. There are twenty contacts 330 associated with each of the radially inwardly positioned contacts 334. By designating the contacts 330 with letter indicia and the contacts 334 with numerical indicia, it is possible to reference each of the plurality of storage locations in the record storage magazine 34 by a number and letter designation, such as A-l, B-l, C-l, D-l A-2, B-2, C-2, D-2 A-3, B- 3, C-3, D-3 etc. Of course, the number of contacts 330 and 334 varies with the capacity of the record storage magazine 34. The capacity of a record storage magazine is limited by space considerations and the necessity of keeping the record changer assembly 30 relatively compact. In one preferred embodiment of the invention a record storage magazine having 80 storage locations is provided. The storage cations are divided into eight number groups associated with eight contacts 334 on the panel 100 and 160 letter contacts 330 which are divided into subgroups of 20 cgiitacts associated with each of the number contacts 3 I As previously indicated, a plurality of mounting panels 104 are mounted on the actuator arm 84 (see FIG. 3). A plurality of contacts 102 project downwardly from the panel 104, as shown in FIG. 19, to engage the contacts mounted onthe panel 100. A first pair of moving contacts 340 and 342 project downwardly from the panel 104 to engage the fixed contacts 330 on the panel 100. Similarly, a second pair of contacts 344 and 346 project downwardly from the panel 104 to engage the contacts 334 on the panel 100. The contactor arms or wipers 342 and 346 are con: nected to the electromagnet 90 while the contactor arms 340 and 344 are connected to the electromagnet 92 (see FIG. 4). Thus the electromagnet 90 is energized while in motion by a circuit extending from a fixed contact 330 on the panel 100, through the movable contactor arm 342 and to the coil 180 of the electromagnet and back to the movable contactor arm 346 to a fixed contact 334 on the panel 100. Similarly, the electromagnet 92 is energized by a circuitextending from a fixed contact 330 on the panel 100, through the movable contactor arm 340 to the electromagnet, and back through the movable contactor arm 344 to a fixed contact 334 on the panel 100. As will be explained in greater detail subsequently, when a sound recording on a side of a record in the record storage magazine 34 is selected for playing, a circuit is momentarily completed through the letter contact 330 and the number contact 334 associated with the selected side of the record to energize one of the moving electromagnets 90 or 92 to move a pin member 80 from the normal position of FIG. 6 to the signaling position of either FIG. 8 or 9. Since each side of the record in the record magazine 34 is associated with one and only one combination of the letter contacts 330 and the number contacts 334, either the A or the B" side of any record in a record storage magazine can be selected for playing by energizing the actuator assembly 82 to move a pin member 80 corresponding to the selected side of the selected record.
Referring again to FIG. 18, a plurality of contacts 350 are positioned radially inwardly of the contacts 334. There are eight contacts 350 arranged in a semicircular configuration about the central axis 106 or the panel 100. An elongated semicircular shaped contact 352 is positioned radially inwardly and ad jacent to the contacts 350. A circuit between the two contacts 350 and 352 is completed by means of moving contacts 353, 356, 358, and 360 which are mounted on the panels 104. The completed circuit between the contacts 354, 356, 358, and 360 pulses a credit cancelling mechanism in a manner to be explained in greater detail subsequently. A pair of semicircular contacts 366 and 368 are positioned radially inwardly of the contact 352. The contacts 366 and 368 are engaged by a single moving contact 370 which is mounted on one of the panels 104. A fixed circular contact 372 is positioned radially inwardly of the contacts 366 and 368 on the panel 100 and is engaged by a single contact 374 in the panel 104. Since a pair of electromagnets and 92 are provided for actuating the pin members 80 from the initial or normal position to the signaling position, it is only necessary for the actuator arm 82 to rotate for half a revolution on each cycling of the selector unit 70 to enable the electromagnets to actuate any pin member in the accumulator 74. Therefore, the semicircular contacts 366 and 368 are provided to signal when the actuator arm 82 has reached a home or initial position with the contactor arm 370 engaging the insulating panel at either of two initial or home areas 378 or 380.
The structure of the contactor arms 340 and 354 is set forth in greater detail in FIGS. 20 and 21. The contactor arm 340 includes abody section 384 which is positioned at an acute angle to the mounting plate 104. Extending downwardly in a substantially vertical direction from the body section 284 is an operating or contact engaging section 386which engages the fixed contact 330. Since the contact engaging section 386 of the contactor arms 340 extends upwardly in a substantially perpendicular relationshipwith the fixed contact 330, any wear of the contact engaging section 386 of the contactor arm 340 results in.axrelatively constant end area positioned in sliding engagement with" the fixed contacts 330.
Referring now to FIG. 21 in which the contactor arm 354 is shown, it can be seen that the contactor arm 354 includes a body section 390 to which a contact engaging protuberance 392 is connected. Since the protuberance 392 has a varying'cross-sectional area, when the contact 392 is worn down due to sliding engagement with the panel 100 and the contact 350, the area of engagement between the contactor arm 390 and the contact 350 will vary. Since the contacts 350 are spaced a relatively wide distance apart, the variation in the cross-sectional area of the protuberance 392 does not affect the accuracy of the contactor arms 254 in engaging the contacts 350. However, the contacts 330 and 334 are spaced a relatively small distance apart so that any substantial variation in the cross-sectional area of the contact engaging section 386 of the contacts 340 or 344 could result in the contact arms'engaging two adjacent contacts. Therefore, it is highly advantageous to have the cross-sectional area of the contact engaging sections of the movable contacts 340 and 344 remain relatively constant as the contacts are worn.
CONTROL CIRCUITRY Referring now to FIGS. 22, 23, and 24, in which control circuitry for the automatic record changer assembly 30 is set forth, the circuitry includes a latching or set-up circuit 400 which is shown in FIG. 22. The latching circuit 400 is connected by leads to a selector circuit 402 and the selector unit 70 which is shown in FIG. 23. The selector circuit and selector unit of FIG. 23 are connected to control circuitry 404 (see FIG. 24) for controlling the operation of the record changer assembly 30. The control circuitry of FIG. 24 is also connected to the latching or set up circuitry 400 of FIG. 22. Since the circuitry of FIGS. 22, 23, and 24 is interconnected it is suggested, to facilitate the readers understanding of the invention, that FIGS. 22, 23, and 24 be aligned to interconnect the circuitry. To do this,
FIG. 23 is positioned with its longitudinal axis extending outwardly away from the reader, while FIGS. 22 and 24 are positioned with their longitudinal axes extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of FIG. 23, FIG. 22 being positioned adjacent to the lower portion of FIG. 23 and FIG. 24 being positioned adjacent to the upper portion of FIG. 23 so that the leads interconnecting the circuitry for the two figures are in substantial alignment.
The latching circuit 400, of FIG. 22, is connected to a suitable coin receiving mechanism and controls the operation of the selector circuit 402 of FIG. 23. The selector circuit 402 includes a plurality of letter selector switches and number selector switches for selecting a record in a record magazine 34 which is associated with the selector switches in a predetermined code arrangement. The letter and number selector switches are connected to the selector unit 70, in the manner previously explained, to read or put information into the selector unit 70 corresponding to the selected record; that'is, the letter and number contacts corresponding to the selected record are energized by the letter and number selector switches. The selector unit is in turn connected to the control circuitry 404 of FIG. 24 to control the operation of the record changer assembly. Although it is intended that the selector unit 70, the selector circuitry 402, and the latching circuitry 400 will be used with the record changer assembly set forth in application, Ser. No. 619,687, filed in the name of Fred H. Osborne, Robert S. Tuttle and Michael .I. Corbett, it will be apparent tothose skilled in the art that other record changer assemblies of known construction can be used. 5
To select a single record for playing, a coin of a suitable denomination in one embodiment, a dime is inserted in a coin receiving apparatus of known construction. The coin receiving apparatus includes a coin register mechanism, not shown, which functions to receive coins, register credits in a positive direction in accordance with the denomination of the coins received, reject coins while registration is in progress, and to cancel registered credits by actuating the register in a negative direction after a record selection has been made. Coin receiving mechanisms which perform the above-functions are well known to those skilled in the art and need not be described in greater detail at this time. Those who are interested in the details of the structure of the coin receiving mechanisms are referred to U.S. Pat. No. 3,131,000.
The registration of the depositing of a coin in the coin receiving apparatus closes a key switch 410 in the latching circuit 400. The closing of the key switch 410 energizes a latch solenoid 412 in the latching circuit 400 to release letter selector switches 41 4 and number selector switches 416 in the selector circuitry 402. To energize the latch solenoid 412, a set-up relay 418 is energized by a circuit extending form a 28-volt power line '420 connected through normally made contacts 422 of a stop relay and leads 424 and 426 to the set-up relay 418. The circuit for energizing the set-up relay 418 is completed over a lead 428 to the key switch 410 and through a lead 430 to a ground line 432. It should be noted that although the key switch 410 is normally open, as shown, the key switch 410 is closed by the placing of a coin in the coin receiving mechanism.
Once the set-up relay 418 has been energized through the above circuit, the set-up relay 418 is locked in an energized condition over its own normally open contacts 434 which are connected to the ground 432 by a lead 436.
The energization of the set-up relay 418 closes a circuit to energize the latch solenoid 412. As previously explained, the energizing of the latch solenoid 412 releases the letter and number selector switches 414 and 416 of the selector circuitry 401 to enable a recording on a record associated with the letter and number selector switches to be selected for playing. The circuit for energizing the latch solenoid 412 extends from the power line 420 over a lead 440 to the normally open contacts 442 of the set-up relay, the contacts 442 having been closed by the energization of the set-up relay 418. The circuit extends from the contacts 442 of the set-up relay to leads 444 and 446 to normally closed upper contacts 448 of a top tune relay. The circuit is continued from the contacts 448' by leads 450 and 452 to normally closed contacts 454 of the latch solenoid 412. The latch solenoid is in turn connected to the normally closed conta'cts454 by .a lead 456. The circuit for energizing the latch solenoid 412 is completed in the ground line 432 through the letter selector switches 414 to the selector circuitry 402 in FIG. 23. This circuit includes a lead 458 which connects the latch solenoid 412 to a lead 460 and the normally closed contact 462 of a selection release switch. The selection release switch 462 is connected by a lead 464 to the normally closed contacts 466 of a LP relay. The contacts 466 arejconnected by a lead 470 to the letter selector switches of FIG. 23. The lead 470 is connected in a chain circuit by LP conditioning switches 472 and a lead 474 to the ground line 432 to complete the circuit for energizing the latch solenoid 412.
Energization of the latch solenoid 412 opens the upper contacts 454 and closes lower contacts 475 to complete a circuit through a lead 476 and normally closed LP relay contacts 478 to energize a single-play light 480 through the leads 482 and 484 which connect to the ground line 432. Of course, the single play light 480 is connected to the battery line 420 from the contacts 475 through the leads 452, 450, switch contacts 448, leads 446, 444, switch contacts 442, and the lead 440. The latch solenoid 412 is retained in an energized condition, after the normally closed contacts 454 have opened and the normally open contacts 475 closed, over a circuit including a resistor 488. The resistor 488 limits the current through the latch solenoid 412 to a value which is inadequate to initially actuate the latch solenoid but is adequate to retain the actuated latch solenoid 412 in an actuated condition.
The energizing or actuating of the latch solenoid 412 and single play light 480 releases the letter selector switches 414 and number selector switches 416 to enable a selection to be made, as indicated by the single play light 480, by actuating letter switches 414 and number selector switches 416 which are associated with a record. Assuming, for example, that a recording A2 is selected, a pair of selector switches 492, which are associated with letter A record storage locations and are ganged together, are moved fromv the position shown in solid lines in FIG. 23 to the position shown in dashed lines in FIG. 23. The closing of the switches 492 connects ground from the lien 432 over the normally open contacts 494 of the now energized latch solenoid 412 to the A lead 496 throughleads 498 and 500. The lead 496 is wired in common with all of the contacts 330 associated with the letter A on the selector unit 70. Thus the A contact of all eight number groups is connected to ground by the actuationof the switch 492. It should be noted that the leads designated B through V are also connected in common with their associated letter contacts 330 in the selector unit 70. Thus the V lead designated B in FIG. 23 is-connected to all of the 13 contacts associated with the number group contacts 1 through 8. The C through V leads are also connected'in common with their associated letter contacts 330 of each of the number groups 1 through 8.
The number associated with the selected record is now actuated by operating one of the number selector switches 416. In our example the record A-2 was chosen. Thus, a switch 504 would be closed to connect the number 2 selector switch to the power line 420 through :the number 1 selector switch which is in its normal position and normally. closed contacts 506 of the top tunes relay which isconnected to the'number l selector switch by a lead 508. The contacts 506 are connecteddirectly to the power line 420. The number 2 contact 334 in the selector unit 70 is now connected to the power line 420 through a circuit which includes a switch 504. Of course, the other selector switch leads designated 1 and 3 through 8 in FIG. 23 are connected to the associated number group contacts 334'in the selector unit 70.
In view of the preceding remarks it is apparent that placing of a coin of a predetermined amount in a coin receiving unit, not shown, closes a key switch 410 to energize a set-up relay 418. Energizing of the set-up relay 418 energizes the latch solenoid 412 to enable selector switches :414 and number selector switches 416 to be actuated to select a record associated with a predetermined combination of the letter and number selector switches. When a record is selected by actuat ing the letter and number selector switches 414 and 416 associated with the selected record, the contacts 330 of the letter which is associated with the selected record are connected to ground and the number contact 334 which is associated with the selected record is connected to a source of power by actuating a number selector switch 416. The actuation of a letter selector switch 414 closes letter latch switches 530 and 531 in the latching circuit 400. Similarly, the actuation of a number selector switch 416 closes number latch switches 532 and 533 in the latching circuitry 400. It should be noted that the number and letter latch switches 530 through 533 are closed by a mechanical interconnection between these latch switches and the keys for the letter and number selector switches 414 and 416. The closing of the latch switches 530 and 532 energizes the start relay 534 through normally open contacts 536 of the now energized set-up relay 418.
The circuitfor energizing the start relay 534 extends from the power line 420 through a lead 540 to the letter and number latch switches 530 and 532 to a lead 542 which is connected to the start relay 534. The circuit for energizing the start relay 534 is completed over a lead 544 which is connected to the contact 536 of the set-up relay and a lead 546 which interconnects the contacts 536 of the set-up relay and the ground line 432. The energizing of the start relay closes normally open contacts 550,(see FIG. 23) to energize the actuator drive motor 134. The actuator drive motor 134 is energized from a 24-volt source of power through a lead 552 which is connected to the motor and leads 554 and 556 which connect the motor to the contacts 550 of the start relay 534. The contacts 550are connected by leads 557, 558, and 559 to the ground line 432 to complete the circuit for energizing the actuator drive motor 134.
The energization of the actuator drive motor 134 causes the actuator assembly 82 (see FIG. 3)'t0 rotate relative to the contact support plate or panel 100 of the selector unit 70. As is perhaps best seen in FIGS. 18 and 19, when the actuator drive motor. l34.is energized, the actuator assembly '82 and the contact support plates. 104, which are conne-cted'to. the actuator bar 84, are moved relative to the contact support plate 100 from "the initial positions indicated at 378 and 380 in a clockwise direction to move the contact arms extending from the panels 104 relative to the fixed contacts'on the panel 100. This-movement ofthe contact 370 to move into engagement with either the segment 366 or the segment 368 of the end of cycle contacts. The engagement of the moving contact 370 with either contacts 366 or 368 energizes a stop relay 560 through a circuit extending from FIG. 23 to FIGS. 24 and 22.
The stop relay 560 of FIG. 24 is connected by a lead 562 to the power line 420 in FIG. 22. The circuit for energizing the stop relay 560 is completed by a lead 564 which extends from FIG. 24 to FIG. 23 where it is connected to an end-of-cycle contact segment 368. The end-of-cycle contact segment 368 is connected by a lead 566 to the opposite end-of cycle segment 366. When the actuator drive motor 134 is energized, the moving contact 370 engages one of the two end-ofcycle segments and is shorted by a. lead 568 to moving contact 374 which engages the radially innermost contact ring 372 which is connected to the ground line 432 by a lead 570. Thus, the stop relay 560 is energized immediately after the actuator assembly 82 leaves the initial or home positions 378 and 380 by a circuit extending from the ground line 432 through the central ring contact 372 to one of the two end-of-cycle segment contacts 366.0r 368 to a source of power on the line Energization of a stop relay 560 releases the set-up relay 418 which had previously been energized through the normally closed contacts 422 of the stop relay (see FIG. 22). When the set-up relay 418 is deenergized, the start relay 534, which had previously been energized through the normally open contacts 536 of the set-up relay, is deenergized. The actuator drive motor 134, which had previously been energized over the contacts 550 of the start relay, is now held energized over contacts 572 of the stop relay. The deenergization of the set-up relay 418 opens contacts 442 over which the latch solenoid 412 was initially energized. However, the latch solenoid 412 is retained in an energized state (after the set-up relay 418 is deenergized and the stop

Claims (11)

1. A selector assembly for an automatic phonograph comprising: a base means, a plurality of elongated magnetically susceptible members supported by said base means in a circular array with the individual members substantially parallel to the axis of the circle and having upper and lower ends and respectively corresponding to predetermined storage locations for a plurality of records, said magnetically susceptible members being movable radially inwardly of said array relative to said base means from a first position to a second position; and a magnetic actuator supported by said base means, said magnetic actuator being movable relative to said magnetically susceptible members in a path radially within said circular array spaced radially from said members, said magnetic actuator comprising an electromagnet with a generally U-shaped core having upper and lower legs respectively passing in close proximity to the upper and lower ends of said members, said electromagnet further having a coil thereon selectively energizable while said actuator is moving to move a magnetically susceptible member corresponding to a predetermined record storage location radially inwardly of said array and from said first position to said second position by bringing the magnetically susceptible member within the influence of a magnetic field emanating from said magnetic actuator without contact between said actuator and said members.
2. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 further including: sensor means mounted for sensing said member when said members are in said second position to signal the position of a predetermined record storage location; and a member return means supported by said base means for moving said member from said second position to said first position after said members have been sensed by said sensor means, said sensor means and said member return means being mounted on an arm supported by said base means for movement relative to said members.
3. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 further including: a plurality of contact means supported by said base means and associated with both said record storage locations and said members; and a contact arm mounted on said magnetic actuator for engaging said contact means to enable said magnetic actuator to be electrically energized through circuitry including said contact arm and a contact means associated with a predetermined record storage location to move a member associated with a predetermined record storage location from said first position to said second position.
4. An assembly as set forth in claim 3 further including: circuit means for transmitting electricity to said magnetic actuator through a predetermined group of said contact means when said contact arm engages a contact means of said predetermined group of contact means to move a predetermined plurality of members associated with a predetermined group of records from said first position to said second position.
5. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 further including: sensor means mounted for movement relative to said members while sensing said members when said members are moved from said first position to signal the position of the predetermined record storage location; and a counter mechanism mounted for actuation by said sensor means in each cycle of movement of said sensor means relative to said members, said sensor means being moved relative to said members until said counter means has been actuated a predetermined number of times.
6. An assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein: said plurality of members includes a plurality of pairs of metallic members, each of said pairs of metallic members being corresponding to a record filing location and including a first member associated with a first side of a record positioned in the associated filing location and a second member associated with a second side of a record positioned in the associated filing location; a first sensor means being mounted for sensing said first member of the plurality of pairs of metallic members when said first member is in said second position; a second sensor means being mounted for sensing the second member of the plurality of pairs of metallic members when said second member is in said second position; a first return means mounted for moving the first member of the plurality of pairs of members from said second position to said first position; and a second return means mounted for moving the second member of the plurality of pairs of members from said second position to said first position, whereby said members are moved from said first position to said second position by said magnetic actuator and moved from said second position to said first position by the associated return means after being sensed by the associated sensor means.
7. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 further including: a first group of contacts supported by said base means, each contact of said first group of contacts being associated with a plurality of said record storage locations; a second group of contacts supported by said base means with each contact of said second group being associated with a record storage location, said second group of contacts being formed into a plurality of subgroups of contacts with each subgroup of contacts being associated with a different contact of said first group of contacts; a first contactor arm connected to said magnetic actuator and positioned for engaging said first group of contacts; a second contactor arm connected to said magnetic actuator and positioned for engaging said second group of contacts; and control circuitry connected to said first and second group of contacts to selectively energize said magnetic actuator through a circuit including a contact of said first group, a contact of the sub-group of contacts associated with the contacts of said first group, and said first and second contactor arms to move a member corresponding to a predetermined side of a predetermined record from said first position to said second position.
8. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 further including: a second magnetic actuator supported by said base means, said second magnetic actuator being selectively energizable to move a member associated with a predetermined record storage location from said first position to said second position by bringing the member within the influence of a magnetic field emanating from said second magnetic actuator.
9. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising selector circuitry including selectively operable group selector means for providing circuits for energizing said actuator to change a predetermined group of said members from said first position to said second position, said predetermined group of said members being associated with a preselected group of records in a plurality of predetermined record storage locations, said circuits for energizing said actuator including at least one of the contacts of a firSt group of fixed contacts, a plurality of the contacts of a second group of fixed contacts, and first and second movable contactors.
10. An assembly for use in an automatic phonograph comprising: a base means; a plurality of members supported by said base means and respectively corresponding to a plurality of predetermined record storage locations in a record magazine; an actuator supported by said base means, said actuator being energizable to change a selected member from a first condition to a second condition; a first group of fixed contacts supported by said base means, each contact of said first group of fixed contacts being associated with a plurality of said members; a second group of fixed contacts supported by said base means, each contact of said second group of fixed contacts being associated with one of said members; a first movable contactor connected to said actuator and positioned for moving engagement with said first group of fixed contacts; a second movable contactor connected to said actuator and positioned for moving engagement with said second group of fixed contacts; and selector circuitry connected to said first and second group of fixed contacts, said selector circuitry being selectively operable to provide a circuit for energizing said actuator to change a member from said first condition to said second condition when said actuator is adjacent to a member associated with a selected record in a predetermined record storage location, said circuit for energizing said actuator including a contact of said first group of fixed contacts, a contact of said second group of fixed contacts associated with the member associated with the selected record, and said first and second movable contactors, said selector circuitry including selectively operable group selector means for providing circuits for energizing said actuator to change a predetermined group of said members from said first position to said second position, said predetermined group of said members being associated with a preselected group of records in a plurality of predetermined record storage locations, said circuits for energizing said actuator including a plurality of the contacts of a first group of fixed contacts corresponding to said group of members, a corresponding number of the contacts of a second group of fixed contacts, and said first and second movable contactors, said selector circuitry including a plurality of group selector means for providing a plurality of circuits for energizing said actuator to change a plurality of predetermined groups of said members from said first condition to said second condition, each of said predetermined groups of said members being associated with a preselected group of records in a plurality of predetermined record storage locations, each circuit of said plurality of circuits for energizing said actuator including at least one of the contacts of said first group of fixed contacts, a plurality of the contacts of said second group of fixed contacts, and said first and second movable contactors; and said selector circuitry further including switch means for selecting one of said plurality of group selector means to provide a selected circuit of said plurality of circuits for energizing said actuator to change a selected group of said plurality of predetermined groups of said members from said first condition to said second condition, said selected group of said plurality of predetermined groups of members being associated with a selected group of records.
11. An assembly for use in an automatic phonograph comprising: a base means; a plurality of members supported by said base means and respectively corresponding to a plurality of predetermined record storage locations in a record magazine; an actuator supported by said base means, said actuator being energizable to change a selected member from a first condition to a second condition; a first group of fixed contacts supported by said base means, each contact of said first group of fixed contacts being aSsociated with a plurality of said members; a second group of fixed contacts supported by said base means, each contact of said second group of fixed contacts being associated with one of said members; a first movable contactor connected to said actuator and positioned for moving engagement with said first group of fixed contacts; a second movable contactor connected to said actuator and positioned for moving engagement with said second group of fixed contacts; and selector circuitry connected to said first and second group of fixed contacts, said selector circuitry being selectively operable to provide a circuit for energizing said actuator to change a member from said first condition to said second condition when said actuator is adjacent to a member associated with a selected record in a predetermined record storage location, said circuit for energizing said actuator including a contact of said first group of fixed contacts, a contact of said second group of fixed contacts associated with the member associated with the selected record, and said first and second movable contactors, said selector circuitry including selectively operable group selector means for providing circuits for energizing said actuator to change a predetermined group of said members from said first position to said second position, said predetermined group of said members being associated with a preselected group of records in a plurality of predetermined record storage locations, said circuits for energizing said actuator including a plurality of the contacts of a first group of fixed contacts corresponding to said group of members, a corresponding number of the contacts of a second group of fixed contacts, and said first and second movable contactors, said selector circuitry including a plurality of group selector means for providing a plurality of circuits for energizing said actuator to change a plurality of predetermined groups of said members from said first condition to said second condition, each of said predetermined groups of said members being associated with a preselected group of records in a plurality of predetermined record storage locations, each circuit of said plurality of circuits for energizing said actuator including at least one of the contacts of said first group of fixed contacts, a plurality of the contacts of said second group of fixed contacts and said first and second movable contactors, and said selector circuitry further including switch means for selecting one of said plurality of group selector means to provide a selected circuit of said plurality of circuits for energizing said actuator to change a selected group of said plurality of predetermined groups of said members from said first condition to said second condition, said selected group of said plurality of predetermined groups being associated with a selected group of records; a third group of fixed contacts supported by said base means; and a third movable contactor mounted for moving contemporaneously with said first and second movable contactors and in engagement with said third group of fixed contacts; money receiving means connected to said selector circuitry and to said third group of contacts for controlling the operation of the automatic phonograph, said money receiving means including a register means which is actuated in a positive direction in accordance with the value of the money inserted into the money receiving means, said register means being actuated in a negative direction by the energization of circuitry interconnecting said money receiving means and said third group of contacts.
US619686A 1967-03-01 1967-03-01 Electromechanical selector unit Expired - Lifetime US3690680A (en)

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WO1986001326A1 (en) * 1984-08-07 1986-02-27 Justin Korn Information retrieval system and method using independent user stations
US4674077A (en) * 1984-01-26 1987-06-16 Nippon Columbia Co. Ltd. Disc reproducing apparatus with carousel using disc clamping device
US5050148A (en) * 1990-06-14 1991-09-17 Rowe International, Inc. Rotary compact disc magazine having disc receiving means limited to a minor segment of a disc
US5279220A (en) * 1993-03-04 1994-01-18 Clifton Cynthia S Screen printing apparatus
US5740135A (en) * 1994-05-24 1998-04-14 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Disc reproducing apparatus capable of selecting a predetermined disc

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JP6501130B2 (en) * 2017-07-10 2019-04-17 ティアック株式会社 Record player

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Publication number Publication date
DE1622792B2 (en) 1977-04-28
DE1622792A1 (en) 1971-02-04
GB1183242A (en) 1970-03-04

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