Improvements in and relating to Phonographs and the like.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Nov., 1895-Accepted, 7th Jan., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Phonographs and the like.
I, LEON FORREST DOUGLASS, of 90, Pine Street, in the City of Chicago, in the
County of Cook and State of Illinois, United States of America, Gentleman, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement
My invention relates to improvements in talking machines, or machines com-
monly called phonographs or graphophones. The chief or principal defect in
or objection to ordinary talking machines heretofore in use is that the volume of
the sound produced is comparatively small, resulting in a weak and more or less
indistinct effect, quite different from that of the natural voice or original music,
instrumental or vocal. And the devices heretofone employed for amplifying
the sounds reproduced by talking machines, while making it louder still further
accentuate the difference between the sounds reproduced and the natural ones of
the voice or of the musical instruments whose sounds have been recorded.
The object of my invention is to provide a machine of a simple and efficient
construction, by means of which sound records may be reproduced with great
clearness, volume, force, effect and naturalness, and so as to substantially repro-
duce the effect of the original when first spoken or played.
I have discovered that by combining with the rotating sound record two or
more reproducers with the reproducing points of the one following or tracking
after the other in the same sound record groove or thread, the important objects
or results above mentioned may be accomplished.
In practising my invention I mount two or more reproducers on the same
feed slide or carriage in such position as that the reproducing point of the one
will be in the same vertical plane with the other and only a short distance behind,
so that there will be only a comparatively short length of the sound record
groove between the two reproducing points. Although I have found by my
experiments that the reproducing points, following one after the other in the same
sound record groove, may be at a considerable distance from each other, as, for
example, a quarter, a third, or more, of the circumference of the ordinary sound
record cylinder without occasioning any appreciable variation in time of the
sounds reproduced by each of the reproducers. The length of the sound record
on an ordinary record cylinder for a single word extends frequently two or more
times around the ordinary sound record cylinder, and it will therefore be seen
in practising my invention the reproducing point or stylus of the one reproducer
may be separated a considerable distance from the other and still cause the two
reproduc rs to act harmoniously and to both act with substantial simultaneousness,
or so nearly simultaneous that the difference cannot be distinguished by the ear.
Embodying this principle and mode of operation my invention consists in the
combination with a rotating sound record of two or more reproducers having
their reproducing points arranged one after another and traveling in the same
sound record groove.
In the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, and in
which similar letters of reference indicate like parts in all the figures.

page_text: Fig. 1 is a partial plan view of a talking machine embodying my invention,
and Fig. 2 is a vertical section on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.
In the drawing A represents the frame of the machine; B the revolving
mandrel for receiving or holding the revolving sound record C, the same being
preferably of a cylindrical form; and 1) 1' are the two reproducers, the same
being each of any ordinary or suitable construction, and each having a stylus or
reproducing point d, the one directly behind the other and separated by a short
distance or space. F is the slide or carriage upon which the reproducers are
mounted, the one above the other. The lower reproducer D is mounted on the
usual tubular arm F of the slide or carriage F, and the upper reproducer D' is
mounted on a similar arm F2, which is carried by an arm or bracket 13. with
which the reproducer slide or carriage is provided for this purpose. The
slide or carriage F is also provided with tubular arms F F for receiving the
customary horns or other sound conveying devices. G is the feed screw by which
the slide or carriage F is moved back and forth, and H represents..the gearing
connecting the feed screw with the mandrel, and H₁ the driving pulley.
My invention may be applied to any ordinary graphophone or phonograph now
in use by simply adding thereto the extra reproducer D and connecting to the
feed slide or carriage F in any suitable manner an upright bracket or arm
upon which the sound reproducer is mounted so that the same feed slide will
feed or convey both reproducers simultaneously. Each of the reproducers may
be of any suitable construction known to those skilled in the art. In the drawing
I have illustrated the familiar form of reproducers now commonly used upon
graphophones, the same consisting essentially of the stylus d, stylus lever d¹,
diaphragm, and connection d³, and a hollow shell or frame piece upon which
the parts are mounted.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare what I
I claim is:-
1st. In a talking machine, the combination with a rotary sound record, of two
or more reproducing points or styli arranged to follow or track one after the
other in the same sound record groove, so that each will reproduce simultaneously,
substantially the same portion of the same writing, substantially as specified.
2nd. In a talking machine, the combination with a rotating sound record of
two or more reproducers, the stylus or reproducing point of the one following
that of the other in the same sound record groove, substantially as specified.
3rd. In a talking machine, the combination with a rotating sound record of
two reproducers arranged one above and after the other, and operating to repro-
duce simultaneously, substantially as specified.
:
4th. In a talking machine, the combination with a rotating sound record of
two reproducers arranged one above and after the other, and operating to repro-
duce simultaneously, and a feed slide or carriage provided with an arm or
bracket to receive the upper reproducer carrying tubular arm, substantially as
specified.
5th. The combination with a feed slide or carriage having an arm F³, tubular
arms F, F, and tubular reproducer receiving arms F1 F3, and reproducers D D¹
mounted on said tubular arms F1 F2, one after another, and a sound record
mandrel and feed screw.
Dated this Qth day of Novamhan 1000
HASELTINE LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.