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Anyone Recognize This Brake?
Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2022 1:48 pm
by Dave D
It seems to be complete and I believe it to be an automatic brake of some sort. However, there is nothing attached to the tone arm to trigger it. I don't get it and hope someone can teach me.
Thanks!
Dave D
Re: Anyone Recognize This Brake?
Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2022 7:08 pm
by ChuckA
Dave,
It is a brake patented by Josef Wittek, assigned to the Empire Talking Machine Company of Chicago.
It was fun looking for it as there were 681 patents granted on Aug 28,1917
Here is the patent:
Chuck
Re: Anyone Recognize This Brake?
Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2022 8:23 pm
by Dave D
Thanks, Chuck! I should have mention it is from an Empire. It looks like there is an activator missing from the tone arm.
Dave
Re: Anyone Recognize This Brake?
Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2022 3:06 am
by Inigo
Might it be the same tonearm body? There are examples of auto brakes with a lever standing up which is actuated by the tonearm itself.
Re: Anyone Recognize This Brake?
Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2022 11:24 pm
by phonolamplighter
Dave,
The tone arm is what activates the brake. Our Empire has the same mechanism (missing the nice rubber shoe) and the tone arm forces the lever over to press the brake against the turntable. Here are a couple of pictures with the brake applied:
Hope this helps.