Abstract: A novel automatic record player for playing a phonograph record includes a base, a turntable, upper and lower hubs, a tonearm, a drive unit, a pinion, a control cam, a main arm, an auxiliary arm, first and second micro-switches, a clutch member, a first clutch actuating member, a switch activating member, an actuating pin, a synchronizing unit, a position guide, and an elongated member. When the clutch member is actuated by the first clutch actuating member, the tonearm is automatically positioned on the phonograph record.

Abstract: A control device having a reciprocable drive element connected to a record command disc, a pick-up arm set down position selection member, and a guide element pivotally connected to the drive element for engaging a coupling element on a pick-up arm base to guide the pick-up arm pivoting toward the turntable. The guide element is pivotable with respect to the drive element between two stable positions. In the first stable position during forward movement of the drive element, the guide element passes an abutment on the pick-up arm base, and is then pivoted to the second stable position. During a turn movement of the drive element, the guide element first pivots the pick-up arm into abutment with a set-down position selection surface, and the guide element then pivots out of engagement with the abutment. Upon completion of the drive element return movement, the guide element is pivoted into the first stable position.

Abstract: A disc cleaning device is provided in an apparatus for transferring information to or from a disc, which apparatus includes a base, means for rotating the disc, and means for transferring information to or from the disc, the information transferring means held by an arm movably mounted on the base, the disc cleaning device comprising means for cleaning the disc mounted rotatably on the arm, means for operatively associating the disc cleaning means with a surface of the disc when the information transferring means is in an inoperative mode, and means for disassociating the disc cleaning means from the surface of the disc when the information transferring means is in an operative mode.

Abstract: A phonograph cover is coupled to a tone arm assembly such that movement of the cover to its open position automatically retracts the needle of the tone arm assembly from the record in any selected position of the tone arm assembly on the record playing portion of the record. Movement of the cover to its closed position automatically causes the needle to engage the record in any selected position of the tone arm assembly on the record playing portion of the record.The tone arm assembly is further coupled to the phonograph turntable drive means such that the drive means is actuated upon movement of the tone arm assembly onto the record playing portion of the record. The drive means is deactuated upon movement of the tone arm assembly to a rest position located outside of the playing portion of the record.

Abstract: A record player having a pick-up arm which is automatically moved to the rest position by a spring, the energy necessary for returning the arm being stored by the lowering device of the arm. A rotating cam which lowers the arm also moves one end of an over-center spring-loaded lever, whose far end is guided such that before the arm is fully lowered the lever passes a dead center position. Motion past dead center causes a pin on the lever to move into position in which subsequent lever return, due to the loading spring, rotates the arm to the rest position.

Abstract: A tone arm moving mechanism is provided wherein the tone arm is normally moved over the lead in groove and lowered to the record during the last half of a normal record changing cycle. Means are then provided which are operative during a last record shut-off cycle for lowering the tone arm into a retaining means on the rest post, said retaining means being effective to restrain the tone arm from inward movement during the remaining portion of the last record shut-off cycle.

Abstract: In a record player, the movement of the tone arm is controlled by a select plate operated by a lever which moves the plate to a position corresponding to a record size. Adjacent the select plate is a C-shaped lever which cooperates with a rotary member. The rotary member has a plurality of cams which serve to program the operation and various movements of the tone arm. Extending from the peripheral edge of one of said cams is a brush. The tone arm is also responsive to a bracket with a wall, said wall being engaged by the brush. A position detector plate is mounted on the bracket which cooperates with a photo-interrupter to detect the position of the tone arm with respect to a record being played.

Abstract: An automatic music selecting device in which a pickup cartridge is accurately lowered onto a disc at an intermediate position between adjacent songs on the disc even if the disc is eccentric. An intersong sensor mounted on the pickup cartridge detects the intersong intervals upon movement of the arm. The arm is stopped at a predetermined interval designated by an externally supplied song number. To do this, the output signal from the intersong sensor is held corresponding to the position just before the arm is stopped. Then, the position of the arm is finely adjusted on the basis of the difference between the level of the output signal thereafter produced by the sensor and the held level.

Abstract: A control apparatus incorporated in an automatic audio disc player which automatically performs lead-in, return, stop and repeat operations in response to start, stop and repeat indications by an operator. The control apparatus includes a size select mechanism which requires size information with respect to the size of the audio disc to be played. The size select mechanism includes an index plate rotatably mounted on the base of the player and having a plurality of stepped portions thereon, one of the stepped portions being engageable with a lead member connected to the tone arm, and positioning means connected to the index plate for positioning the index plate at a desired position.

Abstract: An extremely simple record changer mechanism is provided wherein only two members interconnect the tone arm subassembly with the main cycling gear in the spindle area of the changer. One of these members is employed to lift and lower the tone arm and the other member is used for the dual purpose of moving the tone arm horizontally during the record changing cycle and also acts as a velocity trip actuating member during the playing cycle. Both members are designed to avoid damage to the mechanism if the tone arm is moved or restrained during the record changing cycle.The control knob normally used for ON-OFF-REJECT functions, is provided with a 4th position in which the record changer repeatedly plays a record on the turntable without shutting off the machine. This REPEAT PLAY position is reached by first moving the control knob to the ON or REJECT position and then moving it back to a position between the ON and OFF positions.

Abstract: A record cover engages a carriage-mounted pushback member to effect translation of the carriage toward the carriage starting position during insertion of a cover into the player when the pushback member is latched. When the carriage arrives at the desired position, the pushback member is unlatched to allow it to rotate out of the jacket insertion path as the jacket is further inserted into the player.

Abstract: A switch device for a turntable with a starting device which closes the switch for the drive motor on the one hand by means of a swinging movement of the pick-up arm manually during swinging-in from its support bracket onto the record, and on the other hand by means of a direct current dc low voltage solenoid which is actuated by momentary actuation of an operating service element, the latter being connected with a first contact pair, and a switch-off device which acts automatically with the arriving of the pick-up or reproducing head in the run-out groove of the record, the switch-off device opening the switch for the drive motor and containing a switch for the entire current supply of the device from the power supply mains.

Abstract: A record player having a tone arm, a tone arm drive device in the horizontal and vertical directions, a detector detecting a rotary position of the tone arm and generating a voltage corresponding to the rotary position of the tone arm, and a circuit producing a voltage to set the tone arm at a desired position. In this case, a specific knob is provided in connection with the circuitry so as to move the tone arm to the desired position by operating the knob electrically.

Abstract: A tone arm, designed for use with a semi- or fully automatic record player, is provided with an electromagnetic drive mechanism. The tone arm is supported by two separate shafts so as to be rotatable in both the horizontal and vertical directions. A bobbin, to which horizontal and vertical drive coils are circumferentially attached, is arranged coaxially with that shaft permitting horizontal movement. A permanent magnet is arranged facing the drive coils. Interaction between the permanent magnetic field and those generated by energization of the drive coils causes either a torque or a vertical force to be imparted to the bobbin and thus effect a corresponding movement of the tone arm.

Abstract: The object of this invention is to provide an improved phonograph having an improved tone arm assembly and structure associated therewith for automatically returning the tone arm to its rest position when the phonograph cover is closed.The improved tone arm is mounted in a slightly unbalanced condition for movement under the influence of gravity to a normal position. In this normal position the up and down motion of the needle on the record and the force exerted thereagainst is independent of the tone arm.