Patent US4773422A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3662344A
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Automatic phonograph with pin memory unit and cam readout unit
Assignee: NSM Apparatebau GmbH and Co KG
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Filing: 1970-09-24
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Granted: 1972-05-09
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Expires: 1990-09-24
Abstract
Abstract An automatic phonograph includes a record magazine and a carriage mounted for movement relative to the record magazine and having means for removing an individual record from the magazine, clamping the record to a turntable, playing the record, and returning the record to the magazine. Record selection means enable the operator to select sides of particular records for the playing thereof. To store and read out information concerning the selected records, there are provided a memory unit, a readout unit and a circuit actuable by the readout unit to align the carriage serially opposite selected records. The memory unit includes a plurality of pins corresponding to the sides of records and which are actuated in response to a signal from the record selection means and a cam track. The readout unit is mounted on the carriage and includes a cam follower adapted to ride on the cam track of the memory unit and a contact member on a sensing lever operatively associated with the cam follower. The contact member is adapted to engage an actuated pin to complete the circuit so that the carriage is aligned with the record corresponding to the pin in the actuated position.
Inventors
- 👤 Wilhelm Menke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 06:48
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B17/00; G11B17/22; G11B17/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
282 words
In an automatic phonograph including a record magazine adapted to hold a plurality of records in an upright position along a horizontal axis, a carriage mounted for horizontal movement relative to the record magazine and having means for removing an individual record from the magazine, clamping the record to a turntable, playing the record, and returning the record to the magazine, and record selection means enabling the operator to select a side of a particular record for playing thereof, means for storing and reading out information from the record selection means comprising, in combination, a memory unit, a readout unit, and circuit means actuable by said readout unit to align the carriage opposite a selected record, said memory unit comprising a housing, a plurality of pins disposed in said housing, and a cam track, each of said pins corresponding to one side of a particular record and being movable from a non-actuated position to an actuated position in response to a signal from the record selection means, said readout unit being disposed on the carriage and comprising a cam follower adapted to follow said cam track and a contact member operatively associated with said cam follower which, upon movement of the carriage relative to the cam track, is moved toward and then away from each of said pins serially whereby said contact member engages a pin in said actuated position but does not engage a pin in said non-actuated position, said contact member and each of said pins comprising the terminals of said circuit so that engagement of said contact member with a pin in said actuated position aligns the carriage with the record corresponding To said pin in said actuated position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
282 words
In an automatic phonograph including a record magazine adapted to hold a plurality of records in an upright position along a horizontal axis, a carriage mounted for horizontal movement relative to the record magazine and having means for removing an individual record from the magazine, clamping the record to a turntable, playing the record, and returning the record to the magazine, and record selection means enabling the operator to select a side of a particular record for playing thereof, means for storing and reading out information from the record selection means comprising, in combination, a memory unit, a readout unit, and circuit means actuable by said readout unit to align the carriage opposite a selected record, said memory unit comprising a housing, a plurality of pins disposed in said housing, and a cam track, each of said pins corresponding to one side of a particular record and being movable from a non-actuated position to an actuated position in response to a signal from the record selection means, said readout unit being disposed on the carriage and comprising a cam follower adapted to follow said cam track and a contact member operatively associated with said cam follower which, upon movement of the carriage relative to the cam track, is moved toward and then away from each of said pins serially whereby said contact member engages a pin in said actuated position but does not engage a pin in said non-actuated position, said contact member and each of said pins comprising the terminals of said circuit so that engagement of said contact member with a pin in said actuated position aligns the carriage with the record corresponding To said pin in said actuated position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
An automatic phonograph according to claim 1 wherein engagement of said contact member with a pin in said actuated position concurrently returns said pin to its non-actuated position, thereby cancelling the record selection information in said memory unit corresponding to said pin.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
An automatic phonograph according to claim 1 wherein the distance of movement of said cam follower toward said pins is such that said contact member engages a pin in said actuated position to complete said circuit but does not engage a pin in said non-actuated position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
An automatic phonograph according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of pins extend along the length of said memory unit housing in staggered relationship and said cam track extends between pairs of pins corresponding to the two sides of each record contained in said record magazine.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
An automatic phonograph according to claim 1 wherein said cam track comprises a toothed rack and said cam follower is adapted to ride upon said toothed rack upon movement of said carriage relative to said magazine such that said contact member is normally spaced from said non-actuated pins.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
An automatic phonograph according to claim 1 wherein said memory unit housing is relatively elongated and further comprising yieldable means extending longitudinally within a recess in said memory unit housing and within corresponding grooves in said pins for normally biasing said pins into their non-actuated position but permitting said pins to move into their actuated position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
An automatic phonograph according to claim 1 wherein said record selection means comprises an actuating unit longitudinally shiftable within said memory unit housing for moving the selected ones of said pins into their actuated position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
62 words
An automatic phonograph according to claim 7 wherein said actuating unit comprises a plurality of solenoids, each said solenoid controlling the position of a discrete and preselected group of said plurality of pins, each said solenoid having an armature adapted to pivot upon energizing of that solenoid to engage a selected one of said pins and move it into its actuated position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
62 words
An automatic phonograph according to claim 8 wherein said armature of each said solenoid has a pair of projections extending laterally outwardly therefrom on either side thereof and being staggered longitudinally of said actuating unit so that only one said pin corresponding to one side of a record selected is moved into its actuated position by said armature of said energized solenoid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
67 words
An automatic phonograph according to claim 7 wherein said record selection means further comprises a guide member, a crank movable within said guide member and connected to said actuating unit and motor means energized by said record selection means for rotating said crank, whereby upon energizing said motor means, said crank moves within said guide member and said actuating unit shifts longitudinally within said memory unit housing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
69 words
An automatic phonograph according to claim 10 wherein said motor means comprises switching circuit means having portions adapted for selection, and a shaft extending from said motor means and connected to said crank, whereby upon rotation of said shaft to a position corresponding to a selected portion of said switching circuit means, said crank moves within said guide member and said actuating unit shifts within said memory unit housing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
An automatic phonograph according to claim 1 wherein said carriage is adapted to travel continuously in one direction relative to said magazine until said carriage reaches the end of said magazine, whereupon the direction is reversed and said carriage moves back along said magazine.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
An automatic phonograph according to claim 1 wherein said carriage is adapted to move slightly beyond the contacted pin in said actuated position upon engagement of said pin so that said pin can be reactuated while the selected record is playing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3030116A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-09 | 1975-11-08 | 1976-05-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-09 | 1979-11-08 | 1980-05-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-09 | 1983-11-08 | 1984-05-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |