Abstract: A simplified record player constructed such that the driving force from a motor is transmitted through a drive shaft to a tubular shaft which is capable of being coupled to the drive shaft so as to be rotated therewith, but only in the direction of rotation. The tubular shaft is normally biased in an axial direction away from the drive shaft. The tubular shaft has facing downwardly a directed stepped portion formed at its outer periphery. A latch shaft having an upper end face, an annular flange formed at its outer periphery and an upwardly facing stepped portion is fitted about the periphery of the tubular shaft. A coil spring supported by a washer is disposed around the tubular shaft and urges the latch shaft at the flange such that the stepped portion of the latch shaft abuts against the stepped portion of the tubular shaft. A push button is mounted to the top of the tubular shaft and includes within its interior a plurality of roller-type record retaining pieces.

Abstract: Disclosed is a simplified structure of a toy phonograph in which the output shaft of a motor is selectively put into engagement with the rim of a record disc to drive the latter. A tone arm is provided above the record disc, so that the record disc may be contacted by a stylus carried by the tone arm, when moved axially by the output shaft of the motor brought into driving engagement therewith. The motor is biased for pivotal movement into engagement with the record disc, by means of springs which are retained by terminals of the motor. The springs are made of a conductive and resilient material, for playing a role of lead wire for supplying the motor with power. The springs include a plus side and a minus side springs, one of which is adapted to be separated from the associated motor terminal in the course of the pivotal movement of the motor, to serve as a source switch.

Abstract: A toy record player having an upwardly biassed, vertically moveable shaft, the upper end of which defines a push button for starting the player and which, also, is a record holder for holding and rotating a record disc. The record disc has a plurality of recording grooves on its lower face and carries marks representing the starting position of respective recording grooves on its upper face. A stylus point, which indicates the position of a tone arm, is carried thereby. The stylus is upwardly directed to confront the lower face of the record disc. Depression of the push button closes a circuit for a driving motor as well as lowering a record disc into engagement with the stylus. As the tone arm is driven to the final position of sound reproduction, it presses a latch to disengage the latter from a circumferential groove, so that the shaft is allowed to be returned upwardly, by the bias, to reset the player to its starting condition.

Abstract: A mechanism for automatically returning a tone arm of a toy phonograph from the final to the starting positions of a reproduction. A swingable rod is provided for lifting an intermediate sound transmitting body which usually depresses the tone arm, when the tone arm has been brought to the final position of the reproduction, so as to allow the reproducing needle carried by the tone arm to be disengaged from the recording groove, thereby enabling the tone arm to return. The upward movement of the swingable rod is initiated by an engagement of the rod with a cam contour formed on the drive shaft for the record disc. In order that the swingable rod may correctly ride on the cam contour, so as to be lifted by the latter to make the tone arm free from the depressing force of the intermediate sound transmitting body, there is provided a buffer resilient body adapted to absorb the movement of the swingable rod and the movement of the tone arm which presses the rod toward the cam.

Abstract: A phonograph for use with a record cartridge wherein a disc record is attached to a sheet-like record holder, comprises a cartridge holder mounted on a casing for immovably holding the record cartridge with its record facing downwardly. Within the casing, a motor-driven turntable is rotatably mounted under the cartridge holder, and a speaker cone is mounted further under the turntable in concentric, back-to-back relationship for simultaneous rotation therewith. A tone arm pivoted eccentrically on the turntable has a reproducing stylus extending upwardly therefrom for engagement with a record groove of the record cartridge. The vibrations set up in the reproducing stylus during rotation of the turntable relative to the record cartridge are transmitted to the speaker cone via a vibration transmitter rod mounted on the turntable.

Abstract: A switch mechanism for a phonograph disposed in an openable and closable casing having a movable contact piece and a pivotally movable pick-up bracket. The contact piece, which is in electrical communication with a source of power, is moved by a pivotally movable pick-up bracket to break the electrical circuit. The switch mechanism, also, includes a switch actuator which pushes the contact piece from the same direction as the pick-up bracket. A pawl is mounted onto the casing and is movable therewithin. When the casing is closed, the pawl pushes the switch actuator away from the contact piece to permit the circuit to be closed.

Abstract: In a phonograph of the type wherein, during playback, a pickup arm travels in sliding contact with an overlying intermediate vibrator for transmission of stylus vibrations thereto, a lever is fulcrumed at its intermediate point on the intermediate vibrator. A constant force is applied to one end of the lever, as by a spring, and the other lever end is urged against a loudspeaker diaphragm rigidly supported by the phonograph casing, so that the vibrations of the intermediate vibrator are transmitted via the lever to the diaphragm to cause same to produce corresponding sound waves. Preferably, the distance between the said other end and fulcrum of the lever is at least equal to the distance between the said one end and fulcrum of the lever.

Abstract: For automatically returning a pickup arm to a predetermined starting position on the perimeter of a record disc on a motor-driven turntable upon completion of playback, a drive gear is mounted on a turntable shaft for simultaneous rotation with the turntable. A driven gear, integrally formed with a cam, is mounted on a pivotal arm for movement into and out of engagement with the drive gear. When the pickup arm travels to a terminal position on the record discs, during playback, the driven gear is thereby urged into engagement with the drive gear and is, thus, set in rotation with the cam. The rotating cam causes the pickup arm to be lifted off the record disc and, then, to be spring returned from the terminal to the starting position. The record disc used herein is of the type having a plurality of grooves formed therein in the shape of nested spirals, for successive or random playback.

Abstract: A simplified sound-reproducing device including a constant-torque spiral spring for driving a turntable on which a phonograph record is irreplaceably mounted. The spiral spring is unwound as a manual pull is exerted on a string extending out of the device, and upon release of the string, is rewound to its initial configuration, thereby causing the turntable to rotate in a predetermined direction. A reproducing stylus on a pivotal pickup arm rides in the groove on the record, and the vibrations set up in the stylus and pickup arm during record rotation are directly transmitted to a diaphragm to cause the same to emanate audible sound. Measures are taken against diaphragm deformation due to heat or shock which may be caused through the pickup arm.

Abstract: A phonograph wherein the vibrations set up by a record groove in a reproducing stylus on a tone arm are transmitted, without conversion into electric signals, to a diaphragm overlying the tone arm. Arranged between the tone arm and diaphragm is an intermediate vibrator which has a vibrator rod extending upwardly therefrom. The diaphragm is conical in shape, is secured to the phonograph casing at the periphery of its base, and has an aperture at its vertex to receive the vibrator rod with clearance. The intermediate vibrator is spring biased into contact with the tone arm, and the vibrator rod also spring biased into contact with the edge of the diaphragm bounding the aperture. This aperture can be reinforced with a hollow member which will receive the vibrator rod with clearance.