US2537260A - Wire recorder - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 9, 1951 c. B. DALE 2,537,260

.WIRE RECORDER Fi led March 10, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 RUN N EU'IRAL REWIND C. B. DALE WIRE RECORDER Jan. 9, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 I Filed March 10, 1947 Jan. 9, 1951 c. B. DALE 2,537,260

WIRE RECORDER Filed March 10, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jan. 9, 1951 B.- DALE I 2,537,260

WIRE RECORDER Filed March- 10, 1947 v 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Jan. 9, 1951 c. B. DALE 2,537,260

WIRE RECORDER Filed March 10, 1947 5-Sheets-Sheet 5 ,ff g'j0 122 4% Patented Jan. 9, 1951 WIRE RECORDER Colin B. Dale, Oak Park, Ill., assignor to Webster- Chicago Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corpora- 7 tion of Illinois Application March 10, 1947, Serial No. 733,654

A 20 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a sound recording and reproducing machine utilizing a magnetizable medium such as steel wire. Instruments of this type are referred to customarily as wire recorders.

A primary object of the invention is to provide an improved, general-purpose wire recorder. Other objects are the provision. of various novel features in a wire recorder to simplify the construction and maintenance thereof, to substantially reduce the cost, to facilitate its use by persons unfamiliar with such instruments and unskilled in their operation, and to increase the usefulness of such a device.

A further object is to eliminate various inconvenient and annoying characteristics of prior wire recorders. One of the disadvantages of such instruments has been the necessity of attaching an end of the wire to a "leader consisting of a serrated Celluloid strip or the like wrapped around the wire on the supply spool and fitted tightly between the flanges of-the spool for holding the wire in place. When using the wire in the recorder, such a leader is first unwound from the supply spool and wound onto the takeup spool, successive layers of wire then being wound around the leader on the takeup spool in the course of operation of the machine. Unavoidable projections on the leader have caused uneven winding of the wire with the production of bumpy spots therein, and this has resulted in distortion of the sound when reproduced. Moreover, if the leader should accidently be broken ofl., the spool of wire is rendered incapable of further use. In other type of machines adhesive fasteners have been used to secure the wire end to the takeup spool, but such expedients have been subject to the disadvantage that they produce unevenness in the superposed layers of wire.

My present invention avoids the foregoing difiiculties by providing a novel wire handling mechanism adapted to utilize the wire without I a leader or equivalent device, and without resorting to the use of adhesive fasteners for attaching the wire end to the takeup spool. The'leading end of the wire is merely clamped to the takeup spool by a convenient latching means which is clamping of the wire on the spool. Thus, the wire becomes firmly bound on the spool and cannot unwind. Moreover, the free end of the wire tends to twist into a pigtaiP' as it is pulled loose from the latch, making it impossible forthe wire end to become buried in the wire on the spool.

Successful operation of a wire recorder requires that the wire be maintained taut as it is wound onto a. spool.- It is also desirable to check the momentum of the spool from which the wire is drawn in the event any slack should develop in the wire while being led off of the spool. Devices heretofore proposed for accomplishing the'foregoing have been expensive, impractical or unreliable. I have provided in my wire recorder an improved, dependable spool braking mechanism of inexpensive manufacture, which is so arranged that each of the wire handling spools is maintained under at least a light braking pressure during the time that wire is being drawn from it. The spools are selectively braked under the control of a novel three-position cam switch which varies the braking pressure on each spool in accordance with the positioning of the switch and also the direction from which the switch is moved into a given position. I

Still further objects of the invention include the provision of an improved chuck or mandrel to support the wire supply spool and facilitate.

the mounting and removal thereof, an improved mounting and transmission coupling for the drive motor, and various other features and advantages as will be evident from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective'view of a wire recorder constructed in accordance with and embodying the principles of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a top view of a portion of the recorder illustrating the layout of the wire handling means;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the instrument removed from its case;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the control lever and certain associated parts;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section looking down on the line 5-5 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a bottom view on the line '6-6 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a portion of the apparatus of Fig. 5 in a different operating position thereof;

Figs. 8 and 9 are plan sections similar to Fig.5, illustrating still other operating positions Of the working parts;

Fig. is a vertical section looking in the direction of the arrows on the line Ill-I9 in Fig, 2;

Fig. 11 is a horizontal section looking upwardly on theline Il-II in 3;

Fig. 12 is a vertical section on the line I2-I2 in Fig. 2; and

Fig. 13 is a sectional view looking down on the line I3-I3 in Fig. 3.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, Fig. l, the wire recorder and reproducer is housed in a carrying case 20 having a detachable lid 22. Inside the lid 22 there is provided a compartment normally closed by a hinged partition 24 (shown in open position) for storing the electric power cord 26, microphone 28 and microphone cable'30 when the recorder is not in use. The lid 22 is also equipped with a number of spool holders 32 for carrying the wire supply spools 34.

The front portion of the recorder is covered by a decorative panel or escutcheon 36. The escutcheon is suitably apertured for access to an input socket (not shown), in which the plug 38 of the microphone cable 39 is adapted to be inserted when the instrument is being used for recording, and an output socket 49 for establishing connection to a remote loudspeaker or headphones. Various control knobs project outwardly of the panel 36, including the record-listen switch knob 42, a knob 44 on the output tap switch, a volume potentiometer knob 46 and an on-oflf-tone control knob 48.

A cover 50, Figs. 1 and 2, extends over the rear portion of the instrument and is suitably recessed to accommodate a wire supply spool 34, the wire takeup spool 52 and the recording and pickup head 54, which is also part of the level winder. The handle 56 of a control lever 58 extends forwardly of the front edge of the cover 56. The control lever 58 is part of the run-stop-rewind switch described in detail hereinafter.

Referring now particularly to Fig. 3, the framework of the machine includes a base plate 68, a sub-base plate 62, and a supporting plate 64 having a sloping front portion which underlies the escutcheon 36. The plates 69 and 62 support the wire handling means and associated mechanism. The electronic section of the apparatus, including an amplifier and power pack, is mounted on a chassis 66 which depends from the supporting plate 64. The various switches, potentiometers, sockets and electrical connections associated therewith are mounted on the sloping front portion of the support plate 64.

The motor 68, Figs. 3 and 11, which drives the wire handling means is pivotally mounted on the sub-base platey62. A pair of supporting feet 19 disposed on an oblique axis 12 depends from the frame of the motor 68, these feet having reduced portions which are extended through slots in the plate 62. Thus, a rocking support is provided for the motor 68, enabling the motor to be tilted slightly relative to the axis I2. A yoke 14, Figs. 4, 11 and 13, fastened to the upper side of the motor frame has a cam follower which cooperates with a cam I6 on a. vertical cam shaft 18, Figs. 3 and 4, journaled in the plates 66 and 62 and rigidly connected to the control lever 58. As the control handle 56 is disposed in the various selective positions thereof to control the operation of the recorder, the cam I6 acting through the yoke 14 rocks the motor 68 about the axis I2 for a purpose which will be explained presently.

The wire supply spool 34 that is to be used in the machine is mounted on a chuck 88, Figs. 3,

5 and 12. carried by a vertical shaft 82' that is journaled in self-aligning bearings 84 carried by the plates 69 and 62. An adjusting screw 86 at the base of the shaft 62 enables the height of the chuck to be regulated. A disc 81 of antifriction material such as Bakelite is interposed between the screw 86 and the end of the shaft 82 to afford a thrust bearing for the shaft.

The chuck 80 has a dependent skirt or drum 88 that is concentric with the shaft 82. The shaft 96 of the motor 68, Figs. 3 and 5, projectsupwardly through a relatively large opening in the base plate 66. and a friction wheel 92 is fastened on the shaft 99 above the plate 60. When the control switch is in its rewind" position, the cam I6, Fig. 4, is so disposed that the cam follower drops into a relief 94 in the cam 16. The motor 68 is so balanced with respect to its pivots 10 that it normally tends to assume a position for causing the tread of the friction wheel 92 to engage the drum 88 of the chuck 80. Under these conditions the chuck 80 and the supply spool 34 carried thereby are rotated counterclockwise, as viewed in Fig. 5, by the motor 68 operating through the medium of the friction wheel 92. When the control switch is in either its run position or its stop (neutral) position, however, the cam I6 acting on the cam follower l5 urges the motor 68 in such direction as to prevent engagement of the friction wheel 92 with the drum 8 8.

The hub 93 of the chuck 80, Fig. 12, is relieved as indicated at 94 around the upper edge of its periphery, the amount of such relief at any point on the hub being such as to conform substantially with an arc struck from a point diametrically opposite on the hub in the plane of the annular surface that contacts the lower face of the spool 34. A radial slot 96 is formed in the hub 93 to accommodate a small steel ball 98 and a coil spring I00 which urges the ball 98 toward the periphery of the hub 93 against the inner cylindrical surface of the supply spool 34. A cover plate I92 is attached to the hub 93 by a central screw I04 threaded into a tapped opening extending into the shaft 82 axially thereof. The cover I02 and the outer lip of the slot 96 serve to retain the ball 98 in the chuck 80 when the supply spool 34 is removed.

The arrangement just described facilitates the insertion and removal of the wire supply spools, as 34, since it is not necessary to accurately align the opening through the spool with the hub 93 nor to assemble the spool on the hub in a particular angular relation. The friction catch or detent comprising the ball 98 and the spring I09 serves to retain the spool 34 securely on the chuck 89.

The wire takeup spool 52, Figs. 1, 3, 5 and 10, is secured on the upper end of a vertical shaft I06 journaled in self-aligning bearings I68 in the base plates 66 and 62. The lower end of the shaft I06 rests on a disc I09 of anti-friction material which serves as a thrust bearing. The spool 52 has a depending skirt or drum IIO horizontally aligned with a friction wheel II2 that functions as an idler between the motor shaft and the takeup spool 52. The idler H2 is rotatably mounted on a vertical stub shaft H4 carried by an arm or lever II6 fulcrumed on a rivet II8 fastened to the base plate 60. When the control switch of the machine is in running position, the cam follower I5, Figs. 4 and 11, is engaged with a rise I 26 on the, cam I6, causing the motor 68 to tilt in such a direction as to bring the upper end of the motor shaft 90 against the tread of 5 the idler H2 and urge the idler H2 against the drum H of the takeup spool 52. Because of the large diameter of the drum H0 relative to that of the shaft 90, the takeup spool 52 rotates relatively slowly when it is being driven by the motor, the wire speed under these conditions being about one-seventh of the wire speed when the chuck 80 is being driven by the friction wheel 92.

The cam follower 15 may, if desired. be made sumciently resilient so as to yield after the motor shaft 90, idler H2 and drum H0 are in mutual engagement. I prefer, however, to provide a yieldable connection between the yoke 14 and the motor frame as shown in Fig. 13. Thus, the yoke 14 is pivoted at H5 on the motor 68 and has a pin-and-slot connection to the motor frame at H1. A spring H9 is extended between the yoke 14 and an anchor lug I2I struck out from a portion of the motor frame.

A circular cover plate I22, Figs. 2 and 10, on the takeup spool '52 has a peripheral portion which forms the upper flange of the spool. A small slot or notch I24 is formed in the edge of the cover I22 as shown in Fig. 2. Ears I26 are bent upwardly from the edges of the slot I24 on either side thereof as shown in Figs. 2 and 10. The leading end of the wire W is led from the supply spool 34 partially around the recording head 54 and is then passed under one of the ears I26 for insertion beneath a latching or clamping flnger I28 which bears on the upper surface of the cover I22.

The finger I28 is formed on the end of an arm I30 which is mounted on the under side of the cover I 22 radially thereof, the finger I28 being extended upwardly through an aperture in the cover. Upward pressure is exerted on the arm I30 by a compression spring I32 disposed around a headed pin I34 that extends through the cover I22 and the arm I30 to depend therebelow. The arm I30 pivots about a fulcrum point I35 so that the spring I 32 is effective to urge the finger I28 downwardly against the plate I22. A button I36 on the end of the arm I30 projects through a central opening in the cover I22. The latch finger I28 is raised by depressing the button I36. With release of pressure on this button, the wire W is then clamped firmly to the cover or face I22 of the takeup spool 52 under pressure of the spring I32 acting upon the flnger I28.

The recording and pickup head 54 is carried on the upper end of a slide bar I38, Figs. 3' and 10, that extends vertically through apertures in the base plates 60 and 62. A lug I 40 struck out from the slide bar I38 has a tapped opening into which a screw I 42 is threaded, the upper end of the screw passing freely through a clearance opening in a member I 44 slidably supported on the bar I38. The screw I42 is headed at its upper end, and a coil spring I46 is disposed around the screw I42 between the lug I40 and the member I44. The screw I42 affords a means of adjusting the relative positions of the member I44 and the bar I38.

A tension spring I48 is extended between the member I44 and the base plate 62 to urge the lower portion of the member I44 against the end of a rocker I50 pivoted at I5I on a bracket I52 extending upwardly from the base plate 62. A stub shaft I54 supported by the bracket I52 carries a worm wheel I56 and a cam I58. The worm wheel I56 cooperates with a worm thread I60 formed on the shaft I06 of the takeup spool 52. The cam I58 cooperates with a. cam follower I62 on the rocker I50. Rotation of the shaft I06, therefore, is eflective through the medium of the cam I58 and rocker I50 to produce alternate upward and downward motion of the head 54 in timed relation with the rotation of the I takeup spool 52.

The head 54 houses the coils for recording sound magnetically on the wire W, Fig. 2, and for picking up the acoustic signal from the wire, depending upon whether the instrument is being operated to record or reproduce the sound. The head 54 also contains an erasing coil for demagnetizing the wire to clear it of any previous recording when the instrument is being operated for recording purposes, as is familiar to those skilled in the art. Inasmuch as these portions of the apparatus are conventional, a detailed description thereof is not included herein. A notch I64 is provided in the head 54 for the reception of the wire W (see Fig. 10). A guide finger I66, Fig. 2. mounted on the cover 50 adjacent the supply spool 34, and a small post or pin I68 extending up from the cover 50 intermediate the head 54 and the takeup spool 52, assist in guiding the wire between the spools and the recording head 54.

The control lever 58, Figs. 2, 3 and 4, as has been mentioned previously, is part of a threeposition control switch that governs operation of the machine. The handle 56 of the control lever is shown in its neutral or stop position in Fig. 2. The "run position of the handle 56 is to the left of neutral, while the rewind position is to the right as viewed in this figure.

The lower end of the vertical shaft 18 connected to the control lever 58 extends below the base plate 62, and a switch cam I10, Figs. 3. 4 and 6, is secured to this end of the shaft 18. The cam I10 is adapted to actuate switches I12 and I14 in accordance with the setting of the control handle 56. Fig. 2. When the control handle 56 is in "run position, the cam I10 is positioned to close both of the switches I12 and I14. Switch I12 controls the circuit for the m0- tor 68, whereas the switch I14 controls the circuit to the erasing coil in the recording head 54. When the control handle 56 is in neutral position, both of the switches I12 and I14 are open. When the control handle 56 is in rewind" position, the switch I12 is closed and the switch I14 is open. The switch I12 includes a detent spring I13 that seats in a notch I15 in the cam I10 when the control switch shaft 18 is in neutral position.

As previously explained, the shifting of the control handle 56 causes the motor 68 to be tilted about its pivots. To recapitulate, when the control handle 56 is in "run posit-on, during which time the machine may be utilized either for recording or play-back depending upon the setting of the selector knob 42, Fig. 1, the cam follower 15, Figs. 4 and 11, is on the full portion I 20 of the cam, causing the driving force of the motor to be applied to the takeup spool 52. When the control handle 56 is in "rewind position, the cam follower 15 is on the relieved portion 14 of the cam 16, and the driving force of the motor 68 is applied to the chuck carrying the wire supply spool. In the neutral position of the control handle 56 the cam follower 15 is positioned in a dwell I16 on the cam 16 to uncouple the motor 68 from both the chuck 80 and the takeup spool 52, this condition being illustrated in Fig. 5.

One of the objectives of the invention is to insure that the wire is maintained under proper tension while being utilized in the machine and that overrunning of the spools is avoided so as to prevent fouling or snarling of the wire. To this end, I have arranged braking means under control of the lever 58 for selectively braking the chuck 80 and the takeup spool 52, depending upon the setting of the control handle 56 and the adapted to engage the brake drum 88, Figs.

and 12, on the chuck 80 when the brake arm I18 is released to the action of a spring I84. A lever I86 having a tongue-and-slot connection with the brake arm I18 is pivoted on the base plate 60. A similar lever I88 pivoted on the plate 60 has a tongue-and-slot connection with the brake arm I80. A spring I90 tends to urge the brake arm I80 toward the brake drum I I0 of the takeup spool 52 for bringing the brake pad I92 on the arm I80 into engagement with the drum H0.

The downwardly extending portion of the control lever 58 is formed as a cylindrical rotor I94 on which are disposed two brake control cams I96 and I98, Figs. 4 and 5. These cams are interposed between a collar 200, Fig. 3, that is integral with the lever 58 and rotor I94, and a boss 202 on the base plate 60, in which the rotor I90 is journaled. The cam I10, Figs. 3 and 6, on the lower end of the control shaft 18 is constructed of fiber or similar insulating material, and the hub of this cam bears against the underside of the sub-base plate 62 to retain the control lever 58 and shaft 18 against upward movement. The set screws which fasten the cam I10 to the shaft 18 are loosened when it is desired to withdraw the lever 58 and shaft 18.

The brake control levers I 86 and I88, Fig. 5, are provided respectively with cam followers 204 and 206 that cooperate with the control cams I96 and I98, these cam followers being urged toward the peripheral portions of the cams by springs 208 and 2 I0 respectively acting upon the levers I86 and I88. The rotor I94 has a laterally projecting lug or key 2I2 that fits in a corresponding slot or keyway in the cam I96 so that the cam I96 always moves with the rotor I94. The cam I98, however, is provided with a relatively wide slot 2I4 which receives the key 2I2 so as to afford a certain amount of lost motion, the purpose of which will be apparent in the succeeding description. The brake control cams I96 and I98 may assume four different positions relative to the cam followers 204 and 206 depending upon the setting of the control handle 56, Fig. 2. These four positions are illustrated respectively in Figs. 5, 7, 8 and 9. In each of these views the axis of the control lever 58 is indicated by a broken line designated 58'.

Considering the operation when the control handle is in its run position, the various parts of the braking and brake control assembly assume the positions shown in Fig. 8. The cam follower 204 then rests on a step 2I6 of the cam I96, while the cam follower 206 rides on a high portion 2I8 of the cam I96. As a result of this disposition of the cams and cam followers, the lever I88 and brake arm I80 are rocked to an extent sufficient to withdraw the brake shoe I92 from contact with the drum IIO of the takeup spool 52. The lever I86 and brake arm I18 are so positioned that the brake shoe I82 is applied the cams.

lightly to the drum 88 of the supply spool chuck 80. The movement of the control handle 56, Fig. 2, to the left for setting the control switch in run position, is limited by engagement of a lug 220 on the cam I96 with a stop 222 projecting upwardly from the base plate 60. The control lever 58 is impositively held in this position by the cam followers 204 and 206.

From the foregoing it is apparent that when the machine is being used to record or reproduce, the supply spool chuck from which the wire is being drawn is lightly braked. Hence, if the operation of the motor should be interrupted while the control switch is still set in running position, the momentum of the chuck 80 and wire supply spool mounted thereon is nullified so that there can be no overrumiing of the supply spool. The takeup spool 52 is not braked inasmuch as the motor is coupled to this spool.

To stop the operation of the wire handling means, the control handle 56 is moved into its neutral or stop position. Assuming that the handle 56 was previously in running position, it will approach the neutral position from the left as viewed in Figs. 2 and 5. Because of the lostmotion connection between the rotor I94 and the cam I98, the cam I96 is advanced counterclockwise (as viewed in Fig. 5) relative to the cam I98; or in other words, the cam I98 lags the cam I96 by the amount of lost motion which occurs as the lug 2 I2 travels along the slot 2I4.

As the cam I96 is advanced into the position shown in Fig. 5, the follower 206 rides off the high portion 2I8 of this cam and onto a somewhat lower portion 224 of the cam I98. (The terms high" and low" in this connection refer to large and small radii, respectively.) The cam follower 204 rides off the step 2I6 and drops into a relief or dwell 226 on the cam I98. There is some tendency for the cam I98 to be carried along by the cam I96 due to the friction between This tendency is checked when the cam follower 208 engages a slight rise 228 at the end of the dwell 224, and the cam follower 204 is disposed in proximity to a rise 230 on the cam I98. The friction between the cams I96 and I98 can be made sufficiently small, such as by the use of lubricant, so that the cam I98 cannot be moved to overcome the spring pressures of the followers 204 and 206 unlesspositively actuated.

The result of disposing the parts as shown in Fig. 5 is that the brake arm I18, being entirely released to the action of the springs I84 and 208, applies the brake shoe I82 heavily upon the chuck 80, while the brake shoe I92 is applied lightly to the takeup spool 52. It will be recalled that in this operation the wire handling means is to be stopped after having previously been running in the course of a recording or reproducing operation. The chuck 80 therefore is stopped abruptly so that overrunning of the supply spool 34 from which the wire was bein drawn is prevented. At the same time the takeup spool 52, being lightly braked, has no tendency to reverse its spin when the wire is stopped.

When the control handle 56, Fig. 2, is moved into its rewind position, the parts of the braking mechanism are differentially disposed as shown in Fig. 9. The cam follower 204 then rides onto a high portion 232 of the cam I96, causing the brake shoe I82 to be withdrawn entirely from the chuck 80 which now is being driven counterclockwise to rewind the wire upon the supply spool. The cam I98, being positively actuated by the lug 2I2, is moved counterclockwise into the lower 206 rides ad the rise 228 and onto a step 294 on the cam I96. This causes the brake shoe I92 to be applied lightly on the takeup spool 52,

a forcing inwardly of a portion of its outer coil between other coils' on the supply spool 84, whereby the wire at a point proximate to its projection from the spool is held securely against thereby to maintain the wire under slight tenunwinding. The remaining length of wire then sion as it is drawn off the takeup spool and to is drawn onto the spool 34 where it wraps around prevent any overspin of the takeup spool if slack the final layer. The end of the wire as it slips should develop in the wire. The movement of away from the latch I28, is curled into a pigtail the control lever into the position thereof indiwhich prevents the'end from accidentally being cated by the line 58' is limited by engagement of buried in the wire on the spool 34, so that it can 9. lug 236 on the cam I96 with the stop 222. be readily located and grasped when the spool is To terminate or interrupt the rewind operation to be played back. the control handle 56, Fig. 2, is moved into the It is obvious that various changes may be made neutral or stop position thereof, causing the cams in the specific embodiment set forth for purposes I98 and I98 to assume still other positions as of illustration without departing from the prinillustrated in Fig. '7. Here the cam I98 is moved ciples of the invention. The invention is accordwith the cam I96 until the cam follower 294, ingly notto be limited to the precise details which has moved off the high portion 232 of cam disclosed herein but includes all modifications I95 and onto the intermediate dwell 236 of cam thereof within the spirit and scope of the I98, engages the slight rise 23!! at the end of this appended claims. dwell, and the cam follower 285, which has moved I claim: oil? the step 234 and onto the low portion 226 of 1. In a wire recorder including a Wire supply the cam I98, is disposed in proximity to the rise spool and a wire takeup rpool. the combination 228 on this cam. Consequently, the brake shoe comprising, a first brake for the supply spool, a I92, Fig. 5, on the takeup spool 52 is applied 25 first brake-actuating device for said first brake, heavily, while the brake shoe I82 on the supply a second brake for the takeup spool, a second chuck 80 is applied lightly.. These brake settings brake-actuating device for said recond brake, a are the reverse of those which resulted when the rotatable shaft having a control handle settable control handle was moved from "run to stop to a plurality of optional positions, and compositions. pound motion-transmitting members between The operation of the machine in response to said handle and said brake-actuating devices the various settings of the switch control lever 58 mounted on and carried by said shaft in the rois summarized in the following table: tary movements thereof incident to the position- Positions of Brake Shoe Brake Shoe tttfsi'dit ii w sass. ere; age it gt W shownin i igs. 54 (Figs. s-o) gr 6) Run Spool 52....-. Flg.8 Light Ofl' Closed- Stop (aiterrun) Oii Fig. 5. Heavy- Light...... 096"- Rewind Fig. 9 Oil do D0- Stop (after rewind)--. Ofl Fig. 7.. Light.-.- Heavy D0- 1 Erasing coil not energized unless selector knob 42 is set for recording.

When a new wire supply spool is placed in the machine, the leading end of the wire W is drawn off the supply spool 34, Fig. 2, and carried past the recording and reproducing head 54 to .be attached by latch I28 to the takeup spool 52. It is preferable to manipulate the takeup spool 52 by hand for bringing the head 54 into its extreme upper position before the wire W is attached to the spool 52, inasmuch as the wire commences to wind from the top down on the spool 52. The selector knob 42, Fig. 1, is adjusted as desired for recording or listening. The wire feed is initiated by throwing the control handle 56 into running position at the left of neutral, Fig. 2. The wire is wound evenly in uniform layers on the takeup spool 52 as the operation progresses. The wire feed may be started, stopped, and reversed as often as desired by manipulation of the control handle 56, the various working parts being automatically adjusted to each new condition. Re-

versal of the wire feed is accomplished by moving the control handle to rewind position.

To rewind the wire W the control handle 55 is thrown to rewind position to the right of neutral, Fig. 2, and maintained there until all of the wire is drawn back onto the supply spool 34. The rewinding operation takes place very rapidly, and as the last of the wire is withdrawn from the takeup spool 52, the wire end is pulled free of the latch I28. The tug of the latch I28 on the wire produces a final tightening of the wire and 75 ing of the control handle, said members having portions respectively causing each of said brakes to be applied with dfi'erent amounts of braking force for different settings of said control handle and rotatable by said handle diiferent distances for causing different brake pressures to be applied to said first brake and said second brake simultaneously and independently.

2. In a wire recorder including a wire supply spool and a wire takeup spool, the combination comprising, a first brake for the supply spool, a first brake-actuating device for said first brake, a second brake for the takeup spool, a second brake-actuating device for said second brake, a rotatable shaft having a control handle settable to a plurality of optional positons, and compound motion-transmitting members between said handle and said brake-actuating devices mounted on and carried by said shaft in the rotary movements thereof incident to the positioning of the control handle, said members having portions respectively causing said first brake to be retracted and said second brake to be applied lightly for a first setting of said control handle, and other portions respectively causing said first brake to be applied lightly and said second brake to be retracted for a second setting of said control handle and other portions for causing the first and second brakes to be applied with a heavy brake pressure.

3. In a wire recorder including a wire supply aesaaco spool and a wire takeup spool, the combination comprising a supply spool brake, a takeup spool brake, a control switch including a rotatable shaft provided with a plurality of cams having differential cam portions for applying light and heavy brake pressures to the supply spool and the takeup spool and said shaft constituting a common actuating member for said cams, at least one of said cams having a lost-motion connection with said actuatin member, driving means controlled by said switch for applying motive power selectively to the spools, and brake-actuating devices controlled by said cams to effect selective braking of said supply spool and said takeup spool.

4. In a wire recorder including a wire supply spool and a wire takeup spool, the combination comprising a first braking device for the supply spool, a second braking device for the takeup spool, a multi-position control switch including a rotatable shaft provided with a pair of cams having differential cam portions for applying light and heavy brake pressures to the supply spool and the takeup spool and said shaft constituting a common actuating member for said cams, at least one of said cams having a lostmotion connection with said actuating member, driving means controlled by sad switch for applying motive power selectively to the spools, and first and second cam followers each adapted to cooperate with both said cams and respectively connected to said first and second braking devices whereby selective braking of said supply spool and said takeup spool is effected in accordance with the setting of said switch.

5. In a wire recorder, wire handling means, a control switch including a rotatable shaft and having two limiting positions and an intermediate neutral position for controlling the operation of said wire handling means, a plurality of braking devices for said wire handling means, and cam means mounted on and carried by said shaft in the rotary movements thereof and having differential cam portions for applying light and heavy brake pressures to the supply spool and the takeup spool and controlled by said switch for variantly controlling each of said braking devices with respect to the magnitude of braking pressure applied thereby, said cam means and said switch being relatively arranged to produce different settings of each braking device for a neutral setting of said switch depending upon which of the limiting positions is occupied by said switch before being moved into the neutral position thereof.

6. In a wire recorder including a wire supply spool and a wire takeup spool, the combination comprising a brake for the supply spool, a brake for the takeup spool, brake-actuating devices for both said brakes, a rotatable shaft provided with a plurality of'brake-control cams, cam followers cooperating with said cams and respectively connected to said brake-actuating devices, said shaft constituting a common operating membar for said cams and havin two limiting positions and an intermediate positipn, said cams being effective to vary the magnitude of braking force applied by each of said brakes depending upon the position of said operating member, at least one of said cams having a lost-motion connection with said operating member whereby the cams may occupy different relative positions whensaid operating member is in its intermediate position.

including rotary supports for a wire supply spool and a wire takeup spool, reversible driving means for said wire-handl ng means, a control switch for said driving means, said switch having two limiting positions and an intermediate neutral position and including a rotatable shaft, braking devices for the wire spools, and a pair of cams mounted on and carried by said shaft in the rotary movements thereof and arranged to be actuated by said switch for controlling the operation of said braking devices selectively in accordance with the setting of said switch, at least one of said cams having a lost-motion connection with said switch whereby the cams have different relative settings for a neutral setting of said switch depending upon the limiting position occupied by said switch before being moved into the eutral position thereof.

8. In a wire recorder including a wire supply spool, a wire takeup spool and rotary supports for the spools, the combination comprising a first braking device for the supply spool, a second braking device for the takeup spool, a driving motor, selectively operable coupling means between said motor and said rotary supports, a control switch including a rotatable shaft and brake-controlling and drive-controlling cam means mounted on said shaft and carried by the same in the rotary movements thereof, said shaft constituting a common actuating member for both said cam means, a cam follower cooperating with said drive-controlling cam means to establish driving connection between said motor and a selected one of said rotary supports in accordance with the setting of the switch, and other cam followers cooperating with said brake-controlling cam means and respectively connected to said first and second braking devices, said brake-controlling cam means including a portion whereby said first braking device is rendered effective when said motor is driving said takeup spool and another portion whereby said second braking device is rendered effective when said motor is driving said supply spool and other portions arranged to apply a differential pressure to the takeup spool and the supply spool.

9. In a wire recorder including a wire supply spool, a wire takeup spool and rotary supports for the spools, the combination comprising a first brakng device for the supply spool, a second braking device for the takeup spool, a driving motor, coupling means to establish driving connection selectively between said motor and said rotary supports, a control switch including a rotatable shaft and drive-controlling and brakecontrolling cam means mounted on and carried by said shaft in the rotary movements thereof, said shaft constituting a common cam-actuating member having two limiting positions and an intermediate neutral position, said brakecontrolling cam means including a pair of cams at least one of which has a lost-motion connection with said actuating member whereby different relative posftions are assumed by the cams for a neutral setting of said actuating member depending upon the limiting position occupied by said member before being moved into said neutral position, and first and second cam followers cooperating with said brake-controlling cam means and respectively connected to said first and second braking devices whereby selective braking of said supply spool and said takeup spool is effected.

10. In a wire recorder including a wire sup- 7. In a wire recorder, a wire handling means 4" ply spool and a wire takeup spool, the combinaacamo'o tion comprising a supply spool brake, a takeup spool brake, a driving motor, alternatively operable coupling means for enabling said motor to rotate said spools, a control switch including a rotatable shaft and brake-controlling cam means and drive-controlling cam means both of said cam means being mounted on and carried by said shaft in the rotary movements thereof and said shaft constituting a common actuating member for both said cam means; means including a cam follower cooperating with said drive-controlling cam means for selectively establishing driving connection between said motor and said spools, respectively, to drive said spools forwardly, to drive said spools in reverse and to uncouple said spools from said motor in accordance with the setting of the switch; and means including other cam followers cooperating with said brakecontrollng cam means and respectively adapted to operate said brakes, said brake-controlling cam means having a portion whereby said supply spool brake is rendered effective when said spools are uncoupled from said motor after being driven forwardly, and another portion whereby said takeup spool brake is rendered effective when said spools are uncoupled from said motor after being driven reversely and other portions arranged to apply a differential pressure to the takeup spool and the supply spool.

11. In a wire recorder including a wire supply spool, a wire takeup spool and rotary supports for the spools, the combination comprising a first braking device for the supply spool, a second braking device for the takeup spool, a driving motor, coupling means to establish driving connection selectively between sa d motor and said rotary supports, a control switch including a rotatable shaft and drive-controlling and brake-controlling cam means mounted on and carried by said shaft in the rotary movements thereof, said shaft constitut ng a common camactuating member having two limiting positions and an intermediate neutral position, and first and second cam followers cooperating with sa d brake-controllin cam means and respectively connected to said first and second braking devices, said brake-controlling cam means including first, second and third portions to produce three different settings of sa d first braking device depending upon the position of said camactuating member, and fourth, fifth and sixth portions to produce three different settings of said second braking device dependng upon the position of said cam-actuating member.

12. In a wire recorder including a wire supply spool and a wire takeup spool, the combination compris ng a first brake for the supply spool, a second brake for the takeup spool, reversible driving means for said spools, a switch controlling said driving means and includin a control member comprising a rotatable shaft and having a first position to effect forward rotation of said spools, a second position to effect reverse rotation of said spools and a third intermediate position to disconnect said driving means from both said spools, cams mounted on and carred by the shaft of said control member, and brakeactuating devices cooperating with said cams and respectively connected to said first and second brakes, said cams including portions for applying said first brake with a light pressure and retracting said second brake when said control member is in its first position, other portions for retracting said first brake and applying said second brake lightly when said control member 14 is in its second position and other portions arranged to apply the first brake and the second brake with a heavy pressure.

13. The combination set forth in claim 12, further comprising a cam mounted on and carried by said rotatable shaft and havin a lost-m0- tion connection with said control member and cooperating with said brake-actuating devices, said last-mentioned cam having portions for causing said first brake to be applied heavily and said second brake to be applied lightly when said control member is moved from its first position to its third position, and other portions for causing said first brake to be applied lightly and said second brake to be applied heavily when said control member is moved from its second position to its third position.

14. In a wire recorder including a wire supply spool, a wire takeup spool and rotary supports for the spools, a driving motor, pivoted support means for said driving motor, a first :coupling means effective to establish a driving connection between said motor and said supply spool support when said motor is tilted in one direction, a second coupling means effective .to establish a driving connection between said motor and said takeup spool support when said motor is tilted in another direction, a control switch for sa d motor including a cam, and a cam follower operatively connected to said motor and cooperating with said cam, said switch having a running position, a rewinding position and a neutral position, 'said cam acting through the medium of said cam follower to tilt said motor for driving said takeup spool when said switch is in its running position and to tilt said motor for driving said supply spool when said switch is in its rewinding position.

15. In combination with the apparatus set forth in claim 14, a first braking device for said supply spool, a second braking device for said takeup spool, and a pair of cams included in said control switch, one of said cams having a lostmotion connection with said switch, and cam followers cooperating with said pair of cams and respectively connected to said first and second braking devices for selectively braking said spools in accordance with the setting of said switch.

16. An apparatus as set forth in claim 15, where'n said pair of cams includes a portion to effect light brakin of said supply spool when said switch is in its running position, and another portion to effect light braking of said takeup spool when said switch is in its rewinding position.

17. An apparatus as set forth in claim 16, wherein said pair of cams includes a portion to effect heavy braking of said supply spool when said switch is moved into neutral position after being in running position, and another portion to effect heavy braking of said takeup spool when said switch is moved from its rewinding position to its neutral position.

18. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1'7, wherein said pair of cams includes a portion to effect light braking of said takeup spool when said switch is moved from its running position to its neutral position, and another portion to effect light braking of said supply spool when said switch is moved from its rewinding position to its neutral position.

19. In a wire recorder including a wire supply spool and a wire takeup spool, the combination comprising, a first brake for the supply spool, a first brake-actuating device for said first brake,

15 a second brake for the takeup spool, a second brake-actuat'ng device for said second brake, a rotatable shaft having a control handle settable to a plurality of optional positions, a compound motion-transmitting member between said handle and said brake-actuating devices mounted on and carried by said shaft in the rotary movements thereof, said member having portions respectively causing said first brake to be retracted and said second brake to be applied lightly for a first setting of said control handle, and other portions respectively causing said first brake to be applied lightly and said second brake to be retracted for a second sett'ng of said control handle, and a second compound motion-transmitting member between said handle and said brakeactuating devices mounted on and carried by said 20. The apparatus set forth in claim 19, wherein said second motion-transmittingmember includes a port'on causing said second brake to be applied lightly when said first brake is applied heavily, and a portion causing said first brake to be applied lightly when said second brake is applied heavily.

COLIN B. DALE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,144,673 Wheeler June 29, 1915 1,210,955 Langbeck Jan. 2, 1917 1,215,364 G'lmore Feb. 13, 1917 1,943,304 Foster Jan. 16, 1934 2,369,017 Camras Feb. 6, 1945 2,438,222 Lear Mar. 23, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 329,804 Germany May 17, 1919

Images