of Speech and other Sounds by Means of Records.
Year: 1886

page_text: of Speech and other Sounds by Means of Records.
I JAMES YATE JOHNSON of 47 Lincolns Inn Fields in the County of Middlesex
Gentleman do hereby declare the nature of this Invention which has been com-
municated to me from Abroad by the Volta Graphophone Company of Alexandria
Virginia in the United States of America and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
This Invention relates to the reproduction through the action of magnetism of
sounds by means of records in solid substances.
For this purpose it is necessary first to prepare the record in a suitable material
(magnetic or diamagnetic) The material specially adapted to the purpose is of
coarse iron (using the word broadly as including steel and the various grades of
iron) Owing to the hardness of iron it is not practicable to cut the record directly
in the same by means of a cutting style vibrated by the action of the voice. The
same quality would interfere with the preparation of records by the Edisonian
method of indenting which is inferior besides to the cutting method in sharpness
and in closeness of the record.
According to the present Invention the record is first cut in a comparatively
soft material preferably wax or a waxy composition and from an electrotype of
this or from other suitable record a copy is made in iron or other suitable material
by means of a graver or cutting style which is actuated by the record to be copied.
The wax record would not ordinarily have sufficient strength to withstand the
pressure to which it would be subjected in cutting the metal and for this reason
the electrotype is made.
Another method of preparing a magnetic record would be to plate a thin film of
iron upon an electrotype of a wax or other suitable record.
Having prepared a suitable record it is necessary to provide means sufficiently
sensitive to respond to the record. Heretofore it has been proposed to attach a
magnetised needle to a diaphragm and to support the latter so that the point of
the needle is in close proximity to the record which it was proposed to form by
CUC77

page_text: indenting an iron foil. In the present Invention, in addition to the means before
stated for improving the quality of the record means are provided for increasing
the sensitiveness of the receiving instrument. Instead of depending wholly upon
the permanent magnetism of the needle one or more inducing magnets are
employed, and the record itself is or may be rendered magnetic by induction or
permanently.
It is also found that excellent results can be obtained by inducing currents in an
electric circuit which includes a receiving telephone. For this purpose a coil
should surround the reproducing needle. Good results have also been secured by
means of mechanical receiving devices without the introduction of electric currents.
Instead of inducing magneto currents in the receiving circuit an electric current
can be undulated by variations in resistance produced by the vibrations of the
needle.
In the accompanying Drawings Figures 1 and 2 are plan and front elevations
respectively of the apparatus for engraving the iron record. Figure 1ª a partial
view in vertical section and figure 3 a diagram illustrating in plan and horizontal
section the form of the copying tools and of the electrotype and the iron tablet on
which the record is to be made Figures 4. 5. 6. 7 and 8 are partial views in
elevation of different forms of magneto-electric reproducers constructed in accord-
ance with the Invention. Figure 9 is a plan of a magneto mechanical reproducer
also constructed in accordance with the Invention or with parts thereof. Figures 10
and 11 are detail views shewing in section and in front elevation respectively the
principal parts of the reproducer. Figure 12 is a view shewing an arrangement in
which the magnetic reproducing needle is connected with the electrodes of a contact
telephone and Figure 13 is an illustration of an iron record in perspective and
section the point of the reproducing needle being shewn in position.
In preparing the iron record according to the best mode at present known the
record is first cut in wax or waxy composition by a cutting or graving style
vibrated by the voice and this style which is attached to a vibratory diaphragın
has preferably a flat or chisel like point so that the recording tablet is engraved
with a spiral groove of trapezoidal cross section the elevations and depressions at
the bottom of the groove representing the forms of the sound waves which acted
successively upon the diaphragm of the recording instrument.
The
From this original wax record an electro type is taken in copper by known
methods that is to say the surface of the wax is coated with blacklead or is other-
wise rendered conductive and is then placed in an electroplating cell.
electrotype when of sufficient thickness is removed from the wax and mounted on
a backing with a thin layer of plaster interposed. As shown in figures 1. 2 and 3
the electrotype 200 is mounted on a metal disk 201 provided with a gear wheel 202
at the back. Ground Plaster of Paris is nixed to a thick emulsion with water and
applied between the electrotype and the supporting disk which are then pressed
together until the plaster hardens-The layer of plaster is indicated at 203-The
electrotype is of course the counterpart of the original wax phonogram with the
elevations and depressions at the top of a spiral ridge instead of at the bottom of
a groove-In order to prepare the iron diak 204 for engraving the record thereon a
spiral groove is turned in the face of said disk forming a spiral ridge of the cross
section shown in figure 3.
The iron disk 204 and the electrotype 200 with its backing 201 are mounted at
opposite ends of the shaft 205 being as shown bolted to a flange thereon-The
shaft 205 is journalled in bearings of the frame 206. It and the disk attached
thereto are revolved by means of a crank wheel 207 on an independent short shaft
which carries a pinion 208 engaging the gear wheel 202 on the disk 201.
The slide 210 mounted in ways of the frame 206 carries the graver or cutting
tool 211 it being mounted in guides 212 so it can be moved towards and away
from the iron disk or tablet 204-It is moved towards the iron disk by the
electrotype 200 which rubs against the end of the follower 213 the latter being
in the form of a square rod sliding in guides 209 on the slide 210-The screw 214

page_text: is tapped into the enlarged end of the follower and the inner (or right hand)
end of the cutting tool rests against the end of the screw. A spiral compression
spring 215 interposed between a collar 216 on the cutting tool and the left hand
guide 212 tends to press the cutting tool against the screw and consequently to
hold the follower in contact with the electrotype-By turning the screw 214 the
cutting tool can be adjusted to cut to the desired depth-It is a flat nose tool
and has its point opposite and in contact with the ridge on the iron disk as shown
in figure 3. The outer (right hand) end of the follower is bevelled on the four
sides leaving a rounded edge as shown in figure 3 which makes contact with the
ridge on the electrotype-The elevations on the electrotype 200 move the follower 213
and cutting tool 211 so as to take a chip of corresponding depth from the ridge on
the iron disk 204. The depressions on the electrotype allow the spring 215 to
move the follower and cutting tool to the left so that a smaller chip or none at all
is taken from the iron ridge. Thus the counterpart of the elevations and depres
sions on the electrotype formed on the iron disk The record engraved on the
latter therefore is like the original wax record from which the electrotype was
taken The slide 210 is engaged by a screw 217 which revolves in a bearing on
the frame 206 so constructed as to prevent end wise motion of the screw
screw is tapped through an ear 218 on the slide-It is connected with the shaft 205
by the bevel gears 219 and spur gears 220-Thus at each revolution of the disks,
the slide is drawn forward a distance equal to the pitch of the spiral ridges on the
electrotype and iron disk.
The
If the iron be too hard or for other reasons it is not desired for it to cut to the
full depth at one operation, the cutting tool can be adjusted by the screw 214 first
to cut shallow and then when the parts have been returned, adjusting it again,
and causing it to cut in deeper and so on until the desired depth is reached.
Having obtained the engraved magnetic tablet it is mounted on the shaft 221
of a reproducing instrument. As shown in figure 4 the reproducing needle 222 is
mounted on one pole of a horse-shoe magnet 223, the other pole of which is placed
directly opposite, the magnetic record intervening. A pole piece 233 brings the
pole close to the back of the tablet or disk 204. Thus the needle and the record
or tablet are both magnetized by the induction of the magnet From the proximity
of the poles the induction effect very considerable. The needle (which may be
of any suitable size and shape but should terminate in a point or edge and be
either of soft iron or steel) is surrounded by a bobbin 224 of fine insulated wire.
The telephone 225 (shown as a hand telephone) is included in circuit. The repro-
ducing needle has its point opposite the ridge on the tablet and in as close
proximity thereto as possible without touching. Figure 13 shows the position, the
record being formed by elevations and depressions on the top of the ridges which
are rounded, instead of square as in figure 3 As the tablet or iron disk 204 is
revolved, the elevations and depressions on the ridge, successively come opposite
the needle point and produce changes in the magnet field which in turn induce
currents in the bobbin 224 and telephone 225. Sounds corresponding to these
changes and consequently also to the record, in the iron disk or tablet are emitted
by the telephone Any ordinary or suitable mechanism may be employed for
causing the needle to follow the spiral ridge or record on the tablet or disk 204;
as for example that shewn in figure 9 wherein the shaft 221 is mounted on a
shoe 226 which is connected by the screw 227 with an ear 228 on the frame 229,
(the screw revolving in a bearing on the slide and being tapped through the ear 228)
so that as the shaft 221 is turned by the crank 230 the screw 227 is revolved by
the bevel gears 231, and the disk 204 is given a translatory as well as a rotary
notion In figure 5. instead of having the tablet or disk interposed between the
poles of the magnet both the poles are opposite the face of the tablet In figure 6.
the arrangement is similar except that the side instead of the ends of the magnet
is turned towards the tablet.
In figures 7 and 8 the tablet is shown as a cylinder 234. The magnet in figure 7
bas both polis on the same side of the cylinder while in figure 8 it spans the same.

page_text: The surface of the cylinder should be engraved the same as described for the
disk 204 and the cylinder can be operated by the well known means employed in
the Edison Phonograph; or by other suitable mechanism.
In the arrangement shown in figures 9. 10 and 11 the needle 222 is set in a
holder 237 of non-magnetic material (hard rubber preferably) which is attached to
the centre of a thin metal diaphragm 238 (see figure 10) which is confined at the
edges by and between the block 239. and screw plate 240. A series of four bar
magnets 241. are secured on the face of block 239 with their like poles in proximity
to the needle 222 so as to magnetize the same, or to increase its magnetism
by induction. The ends of the magnets are pointed as shown in Figure 11.
The block 239 is mounted upon a bracket 242, which is adjustably secured in
place by means of a screw passing through a slot in the base of the bracket and
engaged by a set nut. The screw plate 240. is perforated and the sound conveying
tube 245 provided with an car piece 246 is in communication with the space behind
the diaphragm through the perforation. The bracket 242 having been adjusted to
bring the needle point in the desired proximity to the tablet or disk, 204, the
latter is revolved. The variations in the surface of the tablet cause variations
in the magnetic fluid and produce a varying attraction of the magnetized needle
and consequently throw the diaphragm 238 into vibrations, which in turn are
communicated to the air in the tube 245, and by it conveyed to the ear of the
listener.
In Figure 12, the varying attraction between the needle and the tablet produce
variations in pressure between the electrodes 248 of a microphone or contact
telephone, and thereby produce undulations in the current passing from one
electrode to the other. These electrical undulations are converted into sound waves
by an ordinary receiving telephone.
It is evident that modifications may be made in details without departing from
the spirit of the Invention and that parts of the Invention may be used separately.
The preparation of an engraved iron record, and the magnetic reproduction of
sound from such an engraved record constitutes an important feature of the
Invention; yet as certain features in the reproducing means described are new in
and of themselves, it is not designed to limit the Invention to the use of such
means in combination with the engraved record. In like manner, the engraved
iron record is believed to be new in and of itself. Also the means for transferring
from one tablet to another by means of a cutting tool actuated by the former,
although designed expressly for the production of engraved iron records, and
believed to possess novelty irrespective of the nature of the material used.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:
First. The improvement in the reproduction of sounds by records in solid sub-
stances, consisting in engraving or cutting the record in magnetic material, causing
by means of such record corresponding variations in the field of a magnetized
needle and converting the magnetic variations into sound waves substantially as
described.
Second. The method of producing a magnetic record, by first cutting the record
in a soft material, such as wax, and then producing from such original a copy in
the magnetic material substantially as described.
Third. The method of producing an engraved record in magnetic material by
preparing a record in a softer material, and then causing said record or a copy of
the same to impress movements corresponding to sound vibrations upon a cutting
tool in contact with said magnetic material substantially as described.
Fourth. The method of copying sound records by causing the record to be
copied, to impress movements corresponding to the recorded sound waves, upon a
cutting tool and thereby engraving or cutting out a similar record in the surface
of a suitable tablet substantially as described.

page_text: Fifth. The method of reproducing from magnetic records by causing said record
to produce changes in the field of a magnetized needle, and thereby inducing
electric currents in a coil in said field, and converting said currents into sound
waves, substantially as described.
Sixth. An engraved sound record in magnetic material, substantially as
described.
Seventh. A sound record in magnetic material, having a spiral ridge, and the
irregularities constituting the record, formed on the top of the ridge, substantially
as described.
Eighth. A tablet of magnetic material having a spiral groove turned in the
surface thereof, and a sound record formed in the top of the ridge between the
convolutions of the groove substantially as described.
Ninth. The combination with a sound record in magnetic material of a magnet
or magnets and a magnetic reproducing needle in the field of said magnet or
magnets substantially as described.
Tinth. The combination with a magnetized sound record of a magnetic repro-
ducing needle, said record being magnetized independently of any magnetism
induced therein by the needle, substantially as described.
Eleventh. The combination of the magnetic record, the magnetic reproducing
needle and the inducing magnet or magnets substantially as described.
Twelfth. The combination with a magnetic record of a magnetized reproducing
needle, a bobbin of insulated wire in the field of said needle and a telephone
circuit including the bobbin substantially as described.
Thirteenth. The combination with an engraved record in a magnetic material of
the magnetized reproducing needle substantially as described.
Fourteenth. The combination with a tablet having a record formed therein and
a tablet for receiving a record of a follower having a fine, though blunt edge for
rubbing over the record, a non-rotating cutter, moveable with said follower for
engraving the record in the second tablet, and mechanism for revolving said tablets
and causing the follower to follow the record and the cutter to trace a spiral line
upon the second tablet, substantially as described.
Fifteenth. The combination with the two tablets, and the operating mechanism,
of the follower, having a fine though blunt edge for rubbing over the record, the
spring for holding it against the record, the non-rotary cutter, and the adjustable
connection between the follower and the cutter for enabling the depth of cut to be
regulated.
Sixteenth. The method of preparing sound records, consisting in first cutting the
record in a soft material, such as wax, by the action of sound waves upon a
vibratory cutting style, and then causing said wax record or a copy of the same to
impress corresponding vibratorial movements upon a graver or cutting tool in
contact with a second tablet, substantially as described.