Improvements in Phonographs.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Dec., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 5th Sept., 1894-Accepted, 13th Oct., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Phonographs.
I, HENRI JULES LIORET, of 187 Avenue du Maine, Paris, France,
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows
The present invention relates to improvements in phonographs for the purpose
of enabling these instruments to be manufactured at a low cost, and consequently
render them applicable to numerous uses, such for example as in the manufacture
of new toys.
These improvements relate in the first instance to the construction of the
cylinder or roll serving to receive the impressions of the recording stylus or point
which is carried by the vibrating plate in front of which one speaks; the
improvements permit of such engraved cylinder being employed as a matrix
for reproducing the same impressions a large number of times on other cylinders,
which I call "reproduction-cylinders."
In the second place my improvements relate to the method of mounting these
reproduction-cylinders.
In the third place they relate to the arrangement of the receiving stylus and the'
sounding box to which it is adapted, and finally to the arrangement of the motor
mechanism in the phonographic apparatus.
In the annexed drawings:-
Fig. 1 is a view on an enlarged scale of part of a matrix cylinder.
Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the guiding of the stylus on the threads on the
matrix cylinder.
Fig. 3 is a similar view of a part of the matrix cylinder and of the "reproduction-
cylinder" which it enables to be obtained.
Figs. 4 to 8 represent the successive phases of the manufacture in celluloid.
Fig. 9 represents a doll provided with my apparatus.
Fig. 10 is a section showing one method of mounting the cylinders in my
system.
Fig. 11 is a similar view showing another method of mounting my cylinders.
Figs. 12, 13 and 14 illustrate one arrangement of a complete apparatus
constructed according to my system.
Figs. 15, 16 and 17 show a second arrangement, and
Figs. 18, 19 and 20 a third arrangement.
The matrix cylinders are produced in the following manner: A sleeve of soft
steel having a triangular screw thread of suitable fineness is taken and is placed in
front of the recording stylus fixed to the vibrating plate before which speech is
delivered, it being arranged so that the point of the stylus engraves its impressions
successively along the point itself of the thread; it is at this point that the
resistance to penetration is least, firstly on account of the small thickness of metal
to be dealt with, and then on account of the absence of lateral frictional contact
due to the adjacent surfaces, seeing that such surfaces do not exist at the point of
the thread; the stylus can therefore act at this point with the greatest efficiency
and cut away so to speak in the sharp point the impressions which it is to produce
on the cylinder.
In front of
In order to receive the sonorous vibrations the screw threaded sleeve is keyed on
a shaft which terminates in a screw of the same pitch engaging a nut.
the sleeve thus mounted a suitable recording phonographic system is arranged,
such for example as a vibrating diaphragın provided with a stylus, and care is
taken that the point of the stylus bears on the point of the thread of the sleeve.

page_text: If then the shaft of the sleeve is caused to turn in front of the stylus, and speech is
delivered in front of the diaphragm, the stylus will engrave along the point of the
thread impressions of the form and depth corresponding to the nature of the
sonorous vibrations..
.
When once the sleeve is thus engraved it is tempered, and a cylinder is thus
obtained which may be employed as it is for causing the diaphragm of the
receiving instrument to vibrate and reproduce the sounds which have been made in
front of it.
This first feature of my invention is illustrated in Fig. 1 of the accompanying
drawing, which shows, on a greatly enlarged scale, a portion of the screw threaded
sleeve a partly in longitudinal section and partly in elevation, showing the
impressions b cut out in the point of its thread by the recording stylus.
When the matrix cylinder a is employed directly for causing the receiver to
speak, the receiving stylus d, of which the blunt point must rest on the point of the
thread (Fig. 2), carries an additional lateral point d', which engages the hollow of
the thread so as to be thus guided and cause the receiving stylus to advance
naturally and by itself without there being any necessity to use a screw or other
mechanism to effect this, and this further no matter what the pitch of the thread of
the cylinder employed may be.
One might also employ a stylus with a widened point hollowed in the form of a
crescent so as to embrace the point of the thread, while at the same time only
resting on it at a point (Fig. 2). It has been shown how the cylinder engraved on
the points of its thread, then tempered, may be employed directly for causing the
receiving instrument to actuate; its great durability will thus ensure the advantage
of a very long life, which is quite new.
But as above stated it may be also employed as a matrix or mould for reproducing
directly a large number of times, and consequently in a very economical manner,
upon other cylinders of soft metal or other suitable material, impressions which will
serve to place the diaphragin of the receiving instrument in vibration; it is these
which designate under the name of "reproduction-cylinders."
When it is desired to obtain a cylinder of soft metal or other analogous material,
this may be effected directly by simply causing the matrix to roll under suitable
pressure upon a cylinder of such material of the same diameter (Fig. 3), or upon a
band of suitable profile which is afterwards wound upon a roller. The reproduction-
cylinder preferably bears a screw of the same pitch as that of the matrix cylinder,
so that the impressions engraved on the point or summit of the thread of the latter
will be reproduced in the base of the thread of the reproduction-cylinder (Fig. 3);
the band may also present scores or channels which, when the ribbon is rolled
round a roller will form a thread, and, in this case, the impressions will still be
reproduced at the bottom of the scores or channels.
In fact these impressions will be the counterpart of those of the matrix
cylinder, but this is unimportant from the point of view of the reproduction of the
sounds.
It will be understood that when use is made in the receiver of a reproduction-
cylinder e like that just described, the receiving stylus may be guided simply by
causing its point to rest in the hollow of the thread.
It will be seen (Fig. 3) that the thread of the reproduction-cylinder c is of less
depth than that of the matrix cylinder a, in order to facilitate the reproduction; this
thread need not be more than sufficient for guiding the stylus.
When the reproduction-cylinders are not required to be so durable, instead of
making them of soft metal or other analogous material they may be made of
celluloid: this material presents the advantage of keeping impressions well, of not
being liable to break, and above all of not being materially affected by atmospheric
variations.
Further, although very homogeneous and very hard, it cuts and moulds sharply
and wears away slowly.
The following is the method of operation: The matrix cylinder a (Fig. 4) is

page_text: prepared as I have above indicated, then, as shown in Fig. 5, I take a galvano-
plastic mould a', which consequently presents the form of a tube bearing on its
inner surface the counterpart of the screw thread and of the impressions of the
matrix cylinder a (Fig. 6). Then into this tube is introduced a celluloid sleeve c
(Fig. 7) just big enough to enter same freely, and the whole is plunged into warm
water; the celluloid then softens, and a mandrel a sufficiently large to expand it
and cause the material to penetrate into the hollows of the tube is forced therein
(Fig. 8). It is then plunged into cold water and the celluloid again hardens, at the
same time contracting sufficiently to enable the sleeve c to be easily withdrawn from
the tube a. This sleeve thus finally becomes a reproduction-cylinder c which is the
exact reproduction of the matrix-cylinder a.
This method is rapid and economical, and produces perfect results.
It will be further understood that according to whether the impressions have
been engraved at the point or at the bottom of the screw thread of matrix a, the
cylinder c will bear also the impression at the point or in the bottom of its thread,
and that consequently the receiving stylus will have to be correspondingly
arranged.
In the following description, which is given as an example, I shall imagine the
phonograph as being arranged in the body of a doll as shown in Fig. 9, but it will
be understood that it may be applied in any other manner.
Further, no matter what the application be, the cylinder c, obtained by one of
the means I have above indicated, may be applied to a disc G(of wood for
example), which passes freely onto a fixed shaft F; this shaft is carried by a
bracket E fixed to a base D (Fig. 10): it also receives a loose pulley carrying
a pin which enters a hole in the disc G so as to carry the cylinder c with it in its
movement. A hinged spring arm M can be turned down to enable the disc G to
be placed on the shaft, and retain same in place when it is raised. When however
the cylinder c is of celluloid, I prefer to mount same in a different manner, as
shown in Fig. 11, where such cylinder is held between two thin discs c¹ forming
checks and presenting centreing ribs c²; these two discs are maintained at the
required distance apart by a wooden sleeve G to which they are nailed. The whole
cylinder thus formed is simply placed on the shaft F.
With regard to the mechanism for driving the cylinder, same may be greatly
varied, but in all cases same is characterized by the fact that the motive power
does not act directly on the shaft F of the cylinder c, but on an intermediate
shaft C (Figs. 12 to 20), connected to the former by an elastic transmission, such
as a band of india rubber J. The principal advantage of this arrangement is that
the elastic band will allow the pulley to readily slip to a certain extent (without
however abandoning same entirely) when the cylinder c, which is of relatively
considerable weight, acts as a fly wheel to correct the unavoidable inequalities in
the speed of the motor shaft, more particularly if it is actuated by hand.
In my apparatus, the receiving stylus with blunt point H is fixed to or formed
on the extremity of a horizontal arm H' secured under the lower wall of a
cylindrical sounding box I of any suitable material, in such a way that the stylus
is rigidly fixed under the centre of this box; the arm which the box carries is
mounted freely on an axis of oscillation H³ carried by a pillar H, by which means
by turning round this axis the whole arrangement formed by the box and the
stylus rests freely upon the cylinder by its own weight and will be sensibly
displaced in the direction of the generating line of the cylinder, in the screw thread
of which, as has been above pointed out, the stylus is always guided.
For greater
simplicity, the stylus, the arm which carries it, and the support of the box, may be
constituted as shown in the drawings by a simple and the same metallic wire,
preferably of steel, which, after forming a loop round the axis H³, is carried round
the box I, then is bent back to form the arm H', and finally is curved and pointed
so as to constitute the stylus H.
With regard to the pillar H, this is simply placed in position by causing it to
engage a hole in the base D. With the object of ensuring a better contact between

page_text: the stylus and the cylinder, the metallic wire which carries the resonator and which
forms the stylus is constantly drawn downwards by means of an elastic band H* or
other tension spring, one end of which is attached to a fixed point. Further, the
metallic wire forms a bend h, which, being guided under a suitably arranged rod /¹
prevents the resonator I and the stylus H from accidentally moving away from the
cylinder to an exaggerated extent, as when the apparatus receives a shake for
example.
The box 1 serving as a resonator is preferably perforated, at its upper surface,
with a hole to receive the end of a trumpet or bell for facilitating the dispersion of
the sound. When the cylinder turns in the required direction for causing the
apparatus to speak, the stylus freely follows the thread of the cylinder, and when
it arrives at the end of this cylinder it is only necessary to carry it back to the
other end in order to enable the apparatus to again operate.
The phonographic apparatus thus arranged may be actuated by hand or by a
clockwork movement, Figs. 12 and 14 illustrating an arrangement, in which the
operation is effected directly by acting by hand on a crank C.
For this purpose
the shaft C of the crank carries a pulley J, which is connected by an elastic
band J to the pulley J³, mounted loosely on the fixed shaft F, and actuating the
cylinder by means of the pin j. This crank C, instead of being keyed on the
shaft C, is carried by a split bush or sleeve L nounted on a slightly conical part
of the shaft C. A nut L¹ permits the sleeve to be forced on the shaft to a smaller
or greater extent and thereby regulate the binding or adherence between these
parts. On the other hand a regulating flyer is connected to the shaft C¹ by an
accelerating transmission.
As the resistance offered by the air to the movement of this flyer increases with
the speed, there is a speed of rotation of the crank C at which such resistance is
equal to the force of adherence of sleeve L on the shaft C¹.
If this limit is exceeded the resistance opposed to the movement of transmission
by the flyer K becomes greater than the force of adherence of sleeve L, and the
latter slips on shaft C', which always maintains a constant speed corresponding to
the limit speed.
Figs. 15 to 17 show an arrangement in which the drum is actuated by a spring
clock work movement, which is rewound by means of the key C. In the trans-
mission, as in the preceding case, a regulating flyer K is interposed.
I employ a very simple arrangement for starting and stopping the clock work
movement: It consists in the employment of a movable rod N mounted on the
base D so that it is able to slide from the front, backwards when actuated by means
of the extension m. suitably guided according to circumstances. When, after being
rewound, the rod has been moved to the position indicated in the drawing, the
clock work movement will operate, because the flyer K will move freely without
coming into contact with such rod; but on the other hand it is impossible to rewind
the movement, because the key in turning will be arrested by the extension m
of the rod. If on the contrary the latter is pushed inwards, the rewinding can be
effected, but the transmission is arrested because the flyer in revolving comes in
contact with the rod and is arrested thereby.
Figs. 18 to 20 show a simpler arrangement in which the barrel of the clock work
movement is replaced by a simple spring N, one of the ends of which is attached
to a fixed point n, and the other end is fixed to the motor shaft C. To effect the
rewinding it is ouly necessary to pull the cord C, which is rolled round a drum
keyed to the shaft C', thus causing such shaft to turn in the required direction to
place the spring in tension. During this movement the transmission does not
operate, because the gear wheel C is loose on the motor shaft, and the pawl O
which it carries can slip over the ratchet wheel O', keyed on to the shaft C. But
when the cord is released the spring tends to cause the motor shaft to turn in the
opposite direction; the ratchet wheel O' then carries the wheel C with it and
consequently operates the whole of the transmission. Further, the speed of this
movement is regulated by the flyer K.

page_text: As above mentioned, in the examples shown, I have imagined the phonographic
apparatus to be placed in a cavity A formed inside the body B of a doll (Fig. 9);
it is therefore arranged so that the crank C may be actuated, or the clock work
movement rewound by means of the key or the cord, from the outside. It will be
readily understood that one or more of the walls of the cavity A should be very
thin, and even pierced with holes, so as not to present an obstacle to the dispersion
of the sound.
Dated this 5th day of December 1893
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicant.
I, HENRI JULES LIORET, of 187 Avenue du Maine, Paris, France, Manufacturer,
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 :-
The present invention relates to improvements in phonographs for the purpose of
enabling these instruments to be manufactured at a low cost, and consequently
render them applicable to numerous uses, such for example as in the manufacture of
new toys.
These improvements relate in the first instance to the construction of the cylinder
or roll serving to receive the impressions of the recording stylus or point which is
carried by the vibrating plate in front of which one speaks the improvements
permit of such engraved cylinder being employed as a matrix for reproducing the
same impressions a large number of times on other cylinders, which call
"reproduction-cylinders."
In the second place my improvements relate to the method of mounting these
reproduction-cylinders.
In the third place they relate to the arrangement of the receiving stylus and the
sounding box to which it is adapted, and finally to the arrangement of the motor
mechanism in the phonographic apparatus.
In the drawings filed with the Provisional Specification and the additional sheet
now filed with the present Specification:
Fig. 1 is a view on an enlarged scale of part of a matrix cylinder.
Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the guiding of the stylus on the threads on the
matrix cylinder.
.
Fig. 3 is a similar view of a part of the matrix cylinder and of the "reproduction-
cylinder" which it enables to be obtained.
Figs. 4 to 8 represent the successive phases of the manufacture in celluloid.
Fig. 8 shows the form of mandrel I prefer to employ for distending the celluloid
sleeve.
Fig. 9 represents a doll provided with my apparatus.
Fig. 10 is a section showing one method of mounting the cylinders in my
system.
Fig. 11 is a similar view showing another method of mounting my cylinders.
Figs. 12, 13 and 14 illustrate one arrangement of a complete apparatus constructed
according to my system.
Figs. 15, 16 and 17 show a second arrangement, and
Figs. 18, 19 and 20 a third arrangement.
Fig. 21 is a vertical section of the resonator I prefer to employ.
The matrix cylinders are produced in the following mauner: A sleeve of soft
steel having a triangular screw thread of suitable fineness is taken and is placed in

page_text: front of the recording stylus fixed to the vibrating plate before which speech is
delivered, it being arranged so that the point of the stylus engraves its impressions
successively along the point itself of the thread: it is at this point that the resistance
to penetration is least, firstly on account of the sinall thickness of metal to be dealt
with, and then on account of the absence of lateral frictional contact due to the
adjacent surfaces, seeing that such surfaces do not exist at the point of the thread';
the stylus can therefore act at this point with the greatest efficiency and cut away
so to speak in the sharp point the impressions which it is to produce on the
cylinder.
In order to receive the sonorous vibrations the screw threaded sleeve is keyed on
a shaft which terminates in a screw of the same pitch engaging a nut. In front of
the sleeve thus mounted a suitable recording phonographic system is arranged, such
for example as a vibrating diaphragm provided with a stylus, and care is taken that
the point of the stylus bears on the point of the thread of the sleeve. If then the
shaft of the sleeve is caused to turn in front of the stylus, and speech is delivered in
front of the diaphragın, the stylus will engrave along the point of the thread
impressions of the form and depth corresponding to the nature of the sonorous
vibrations.
When once the sleeve is thus engraved it is tempered, and a cylinder is thus
obtained which may be employed as it is for causing the diaphragm of the
receiving instrument to vibrate and reproduce the sounds which have been made in
front of it.
This first feature of my invention is illustrated in Fig. 1 of the accompanying
drawing, which shows, on a greatly enlarged scale, a portion of the screw threaded
sleeve a partly in longitudinal section and partly in elevation, showing the
impressions cut out in the point of its thread by the recording stylus.
When the matrix cylinder a is employed directly for causing the receiver to
speak, the receiving stylus d, of which the blunt point must rest on the point of the
thread (Fig. 2), carries an additional lateral point d', which engages the hollow of
the thread so as to be thus guided and cause the receiving stylus to advance
naturally and by itself without there being any necessity to use a screw or other
mechanism to effect this, and this further no matter what the pitch of the thread of
the cylinder employed may be.
One might also employ a stylus with a widened point hollowed in the form of a
crescent so as to embrace the point of the thread, while at the same time only
resting on it at a point (Fig. 2). It has been shown how the cylinder engraved
on the points of its thread, then tempered, may be employed directly for causing
the receiving instrument to actuate its great durability will thus ensure the
advantage of a very long life, which is quite new.
But as above stated it may be also employed as a matrix or mould for reproducing
directly a large number of times, and consequently in a very economical manner,
upon other cylinders of soft metal or other suitable material, impressions which will
serve to place the diaphragm of the receiving instrument in vibration; it is these
which I designate under the name of "reproduction-cylinders."
When it is desired to obtain a cylinder of soft metal or other analogous material,
this may be effected directly by simply causing the matrix to roll under suitable
pressure upon a cylinder of such material of the same diameter (Fig. 3), or upon a
band of suitable profile which is afterwards wound upon a roller. The reproduction
cylinder preferably bears a screw of the same pitch as that of the matrix cylinder,
so that the impressions engraved on the point or summit of the thread of the latter
will be reproduced in the base of the thread of the reproduction-cylinder (Fig. 3);
the band may also present scores or channels which, when the ribbon is rolled
round a roller will form a thread, and, in this case, the impressions will still be
reproduced at the bottom of the scores or channels.
In fact these impressions will be the counterpart of those of the matrix
cylinder, but this is unimportant from the point of view of the reproduction of the
sounds.

page_text: It will be understood that when use is made in the receiver of a reproduction-
cylinder c like that just described, the receiving stylus may be guided simply by
causing its point to rest in the hollow of the thread.
It will be seen (Fig. 3) that the thread of the reproduction-cylinder c is of less
depth than that of matrix cylinder a, in order to facilitate the reproduction; this
thread need not be more than sufficient for guiding the stylus.
When the reproduction-cylinders are not required to be so durable, instead of
making them of soft metal or other analogous material they may be made of
celluloid this material presents the advantage of keeping impressions well, of not
being liable to break, and above all of not being materially affected by atmospheric
variations.
Further, although very homogeneous and very hard, it cuts and moulds sharply
and wears away slowly.
The following is the method of operation: The matrix cylinder a (Fig. 4) is
prepared, as I have above indicated, then, as shown in Fig. 5, I take a galvano-
plastic mould a', which consequently presents the form of a tube bearing on its
inner surface the counterpart of the screw thread and of the impressions of the
matrix cylinder a (Fig. 6). Then into this tube is introduced a celluloid sleeve c
(Fig. 7) just big enough to enter same freely, and the whole is plunged into warm
water; the celluloid then softens, and a mandrel a sufficiently large to expand it and
cause the material to penetrate into the hollows of the tube is forced therein
(Fig. 8). It is then plunged into cold water and the celluloid again hardens, at the
same time contracting sufficiently to enable the sleeve c to be easily withdrawn from
the tube a.
This sleeve thus finally becomes a reproduction-cylinder e which is the
exact reproduction of the matrix cylinder a.
In Fig. 8 the mandrel a' which I employ for distending this celluloid sleeve c is
shown in general outline. In practice I employ a radially distending mandrel which is
shown in Fig. 8. It consists in a cylindrical sleeve of india rubber closed at the
two ends by rigid plates a³, which are suitably connected together by bars or rods
as shown. A tube a permits air to be injected into the closed chamber thus formed.
The sleeve a is of slightly less diameter than the interior diameter of the celluloid
sleeve; when, after having introduced it in the latter, air is injected, the sleeve a
distends radially, forcing the celluloid sleeve c¹ into the recesses of the mould a
by a pressure which is normal to the axis. There is therefore no longitudinal
dragging of the material, but only radial distension, which permits the employment
of very thin celluloid sleeves, and which consequently are well adapted to take an
exact impression, and which render the removal very easy.
This method is rapid and economical, and produces perfect results.
It will be further understood that according to whether the impressions have been
engraved at the point or at the bottom of the screw thread of matrix a, the
cylinder c will bear also the impression at the point or in the bottom of its thread,
and that consequently the receiving stylus will have to be correspondingly
arranged.
In the following description, which is given as an example, I shall imagine the
phonograph as being arranged in the body of a doll as shown in Fig. 9, but it will
be understood that it may be applied in any other manner.
Further, no matter what the application be, the cylinder c, obtained by one of
the means I have above indicated, may be applied to a disc G (of wood for
example), which passes freely unto a fixed shaft F; this shaft is carried by a
bracket E fixed to a base D (Fig. 10), it also receives a loose pulley J³ carrying a
pinj which enters a hole in the disc G so as to carry the cylinder c with it in its
movement. A hinged spring arm M can be turned down to enable the disc G to be
placed on the shaft, and retain same in place when it is raised. When however the
cylinder c is of celluloid, 1 prefer to mount same in a different manner, as shown in
Fig. 11, where such cylinder is held between two thin discs c¹ forming cheeks and
presenting centreing ribs : these two discs are, maintained at the required distance

page_text: apart by a wooden sleeve G to which they are nailed. The whole cylinder thus
formed is simply placed on the shaft F.
With regard to the mechanism for driving the cylinder, same may be greatly
varied, but in all cases same is characterized by the fact that the motive
power does not act directly on the shaft F of the cylinder c, but on an intermediate
shaft C (Figs. 12 to 20), connected to the former by an elastic transmission,
such as a band of india rubber J2. The principal advantage of this arrange-
ment is that the elastic band will allow the pulley to readily slip to a certain
extent (without however abandoning same entirely) when the cylinder c, - which
is of relatively considerable weight, acts as a fly-wheel to correct the unavoidable
inequalities in the speed of the motor shaft, more particularly if it is actuated by hand.
In my apparatus, the receiving stylus with blunt point I is fixed to or formed on
the extremity of a horizontal arm H' secured under the lower wall of a cylindrical
sounding box 1 of any suitable material, in such a way that the stylus is rigidly
fixed under the centre of this box; the arm which the box carries is mounted freely
on an axis of oscillation H³ carried by a pillar H2, by which means by turning
round this axis the whole arrangement formed by the box and the stylus rests freely
upon the cylinder by its own weight and will be sensibly displaced in the direction
of the generating line of the cylinder, in the screw thread of which, as has been
above pointed out, the stylus is always guided. For greater simplicity, the stylus,
the arm which carries it, and the support of the box, may be constituted as shown
in the drawings by a simple and the same metallic wire, preferably of steel, which,
after forming a loop round the axis H³, is carried round the box I, then is bent
back to form the arm H', and finally is curved and pointed so as to constitute the
stylus H.
With regard to the pillar H, this is simply placed in position by causing it to
engage a hole in the base D.
With the object of ensuring a better contact between
the stylus and the cylinder, the metallic wire which carries the resonator and which
forms the stylus is constantly drawn downwards by means of an elastic band H* cr
other tension spring, one end of which is attached to a fixed point. Further, the
metallic wire forms a bend h, which, being guided under a suitably arranged rod
prevents the resonator I and the stylus H from accidentally moving away from
the cylinder to an exaggerated extent, as when the apparatus receives a shake for
example.
The box I serving as a resonator is preferably perforated, at its upper surface,
with a hole to receive the end of a trumpet or bell for facilitating the dispersion
of the sound. As will be seen in Fig. 21 this box besides the two sounding
diaphragms formed by the bottom and the cover, is preferably provided with a
certain number, which is variable as desired, of intermediate sounding diaphragins i,
pierced with holes like the upper diaphragm or cover, the diameter of these holes
preferably increasing from the lower to the upper diaphragm. When the cylinder
turns in the required direction for causing the apparatus to speak, the stylus freely
follows the thread of the cylinder, and when it arrives at the end of this cylinder
it is only necessary to carry it back to the other end in order to enable the apparatus
to again operate.
The phonographic apparatus thus arranged may be actuated by hand or by a
clockwork movement, Figs. 12 and 14 illustrating an arrangement in which the
operation is effected directly by acting by hand on a crank C. For this purpose
the shaft C' of the crank carries a pulley J, which is connected by an elastic
band J2 to the pulley J³, mounted loosely on the fixed shaft F, and actuating the
cylinder by means of the pin j. This crank C, instead of being keyed on the
shaft C', is carried by a split bush or sleeve L mounted on a slightly conical part
of the shaft C. A nut L' permits the sleeve to be forced on the shaft to a smaller
or greater extent and thereby regulate the binding or adherence between these parts.
On the other hand a regulating flyer is connected to the shaft C' by an accelerating
transmission..

page_text: As the resistance offered by the air to the movement of this flyer increases with
the speed, there is a speed of rotation of the crank C at which such resistance is
equal to the force of adherence of sleeve L on the shaft C¹.
If this limit is exceeded the resistance opposed to the movement of transmission
by the flyer K becomes greater than the force of adherence of sleeve L, and the
latter slips on shaft C', which always maintains a constant speed corresponding to
the limit speed.
Figs. 15 to 17 show an arrangement in which the drum is actuated by a spring
clockwork movement, which is rewound by means of the key C. In the
transmission, as in the preceding case, a regulating flyer K is interposed.
1 employ a very simple arrangement for starting and stopping the clockwork
movement: It consists in the employment of a movable rod N mounted on the
base D so that it is able to slide from the front backwards when actuated by means
of the extension m, suitably guided according to circumstances. When, after
being rewound, the rod has been moved to the position indicated in the drawing,
the clockwork movement will operate, because the flyer K will move freely
without coming into contact with such rod, but on the other hand it is impossible
to rewind the movement, because the key C in turning will be arrested by the
extension m of the rod. If on the contrary the latter is pushed inwards, the
rewinding can be effected, but the transmission is arrested because the flyer in
revolving comes in contact with the rod and is arrested thereby..
Figs. 18 to 20 show a simpler arrangement in which the barrel of the clockwork
movement is replaced by a simple spring N, one of the ends of which is attached
to a fixed point n, and the other end is fixed to the motor shaft C. To effect the
rewinding it is only necessary to pull the cord C, which is rolled round a drum
keyed to the shaft C', thus causing such shaft to turn in the required direction to
place the spring in tension. During this movement the transmission does not
operate, because the gear wheel C2 is loose on the motor shaft, and the pawl O
which it carries can slip over the ratchet wheel O', keyed on to the shaft C₁. But
when the cord is released the spring tends to cause the motor shaft to turn in the
opposite direction; the ratchet wheel O¹ then carries the wheel C2 with it and
consequently operates the whole of the transmission. Further, the speed of this
movement is regulated by the flyer K.
As above mentioned, in the examples shown, I have imagined the phonographic
apparatus to be placed in a cavity A formed inside the body B of a doll (Fig. 9);
it is therefore arranged so that the crank C may be actuated, or the clockwork
movement rewound by means of the key or the cord, from the outside. It will be
readily understood that one or more of the walls of the cavity A should be very
thin, and even pierced with holes, so as not to present an obstacle to the dispersion
of the sound.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is.
1. A phonographic cylinder consisting of a sleeve of soft steel bearing a
triangular screw thread, along the edge of which the phonographic impressions are
engraved by a system of recording phonograph, after which the sleeve is suitably
hardened or tempered, substantially as described.
2. In a phonograph, in combination with the cylinder described in the first
claim, the stylus d with an additional guiding point d, engaging the screw thread
of the cylinder substantially in the manner and with the object indicated and as
shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings.
3. In a phonograph, in combination with the cylinder described in Claim 1, the
stylus d with an enlarged concave point bearing on the edge of the screw thread
substantially in the manner and for the purpose indicated and as shown in Fig. 2
of the drawings.
4. The employment of the cylinder described in Claim 1 as a matrix for the
B

page_text: purpose of obtaining reproducing cylinders for receiving phonographs, substantially
as described.
5. The mode of constructing reproducing cylinders which consists in causing the
matrix cylinder to revolve under a certain pressure upon a cylinder of the same
diameter or upon a ribbon or strip of soft metal or other analogous material,
substantially as described and as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings.
6. .The method of constructing reproducing-cylinders which consists in making
a matrix cylinder which receives the phonographic impressions either on the top
of the screw thread or in the bottom of the screw thread, taking a galvano-
plastic mould of the matrix cylinder, introducing into the tubular piece thus
obtained a sleeve of celluloid or other suitable material, softening this sleeve
by the action of heat, then dilating or distending it so as to force it to penetrate
into the recesses of the tubular piece, substantially as described and as shown in
Figs. 4 to 8 of the drawings.
7. For distending a celluloid reproduction cylinder during its manufacture by
the process described in the preceding claim, the employment of a compressed
air mandrel, which is radially extensible, constructed and operating substantially
as described and as shown in Fig. 8A of the accompanying drawings.
8. As a new product, a phonographic cylinder formed of celluloid, substantially
as described.
9. The mounting of the cylinders of phonographs described in the preceding
claims, which consists in placing them between two cheeks which present centreing
webs and which are maintained at a suitable distance apart by a sleeve to
which they are fixed, substantially as described and as shown in Fig. 11 of the
drawings.
10. In combination with the cylinders of phonographs described in the preceding
claims, the employment of a stylus provided with a resonator with which it
constitutes a movable whole and mounted in such manner as to be able to freely
follow the screw thread of the cylinder during the rotation of the latter,
substantially in the manner and for the purpose indicated.
11. The employment as a resonator of a box having one or more intermediate
diaphragms between its bottom and its cover, substantially as described and as
shown in the Fig. 21 of the accompanying drawings.
12. The mounting of the resonator carrying the stylus on an axis of oscillation
around which it can turn freely so as to follow the thread of the cylinder during
the rotation of the latter, substantially as described and as shown in the drawings.
13. In combination with the hole formed by the stylus on the resonator which
freely follows the screw thread of the cylinder, a guide rod which limits the
movements of the stylus and of the resonator both in the direction of the axis and-
perpendicularly to this direction, substantially as described and shown.
14. The combination with the cylinders of phonographs described in the
preceding claims, of a driving mechanism with a regulating flyer connected to the
cylinder by an elastic organ of transmission such as an india rubber strap,
substantially in the manner and for the purpose indicated.
15. In the driving mechanism described in the preceding claim, the employment
of an operating crank carried by a split arbor which is mounted on a conical part
of the driving shaft and the position of which on this shaft is regulated by a
binding nut, substantially in the manner and for the purpose indicated.
16. The general arrangement and details of driving mechanism with regulating
flyer, substantially as described in the Specification and as represented in Figs. 12
to 20 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 5th day of September 1894.
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicant.