Improvements in Phonographs and similar Sound Recording and Reproducing Instruments.
Year: 1897

page_text: Improvements in Phonographs and similar Sound Recording and
Reproducing Instruments.
I, THEODORE VAN HEEMSTEDE OBELT of 140 Rokin, Amsterdam, in the Kingdom of
Holland, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in phonographs and similar instruments for
recording and reproducing sound vibrations, and has for its object cheapness of
manufacture and simplicity in the manner of its use.
For the purposes of iny invention, in so far as relates to phonographs, I provide a
preferably rectangular wooden case or box for containing the clockwork, electric, or
other motor employed, and upon the upper and open surface of the said box I mount
a metallic plate, which forms the base plate of the phonograph head. Upon the
said plate I fix a vertical plate or standard, which forms a bearing for one end of the
spindle of a suitable parallel mandrel, adapted to expand and contract in diameter by
the tightening and loosening of a fly-nut at the opposite end of its spindle, and
by such expansion to fit fully the internal measurement of the cylinder to be placed
thereon. The opposite end of the spindle of the said mandrel is carried in a bearing
formed in a horizontal bar, borne by a pair of small pillars or any suitable equivalent
therefor, upon the said metallic plate, suitable means being provided in connection
with the said bar for releasing the end of the mandrel spindle to permit the cylinder to
The first named end of the
be placed upon the mandrel and removed therefrom.
mandrel spindle carries a suitable pulley or sheave, connected by a band, strap or cord
to a similar pulley or sheave upon the speed shaft of the motor beneath, and by this
means rotary motion is imparted to the said mandrel, but I may employ other gearing
in lieu of the said band, strap, or cord for this purpose.
A vertical standard or post adapted to partially rotate in a suitable footing fixed
upon the said base plate has pivotally mounted upon its upper end a hollow head or
crown, having a tubular extension at one side, carrying at its end a suitable and
vertically mounted diaphragm, so arranged, that its recording or reproducing stylus
depends from a projection in the upper portion thereof, and is connected by a link,
The crown of the before
stud, or its equivalent to the tympanium of the same.
mentioned vertical standard has a second tubular extension adapted for receiving a
flexible or other speaking tube or trumpet.
The cylinder upon which the sound vibrations are to be recorded I prefer to construct
of suitable metal, but may employ other material in lieu thereof, and on the face of
the said cylinder before being placed upon the mandrel, I cut a suitable spiral thread
or groove, which may extend from end to end thereof, and when placed upon the
mandrel the stylus of the recording diaphragm would dip into the said thread or
groove and be therein retained by the means of a suitable weight mounted upon its upper
end, and be guided by the ineans of the said thread or groove from the initial to the
final end of the cylinder as this is rotated by the said maudrel, the vibrations of the

page_text: 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 Phonographs and similar instruments
for recording and reproducing sound vibrations, and has for its object, cheapness of
manufacture, and simplicity in the manner of its use.
In order that ny said invention the manner of its use, and the alternative method
of constructing the same, that the principle involved may be employed in connection
with graphophones and like instruments having a flat surfaces, as well as with
phonographs having a cylindrical surface for recording and reproducing sound
vibrations, I have hereunto appended two sheets of drawings, of which.
Fig. 1, Sheet 1 is a side elevation of a phonograph head according to my invention,
Fig. 2 being an end elevation of the same.
Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the lower end of the vertical standard, and
the foot or step carrying the same.
Figs. 4 and 5 are diagrams illustrating the suggested construction and operation of
the detachable bearing for one end of the mandrel.
Figs. 6 and 7, Sheet 2 are side elevation, and plan respectively, of a sound recording
and reproducing instrument, according to my invention, having a flat or table like
recording surface.
In so far as relates to phonographs, having a cylindrical surface upon and from
which sound vibrations may be recorded and reproduced, as illustrated by Figs. 1 to 5,
Sheet 1, I carry my invention into effect by providing a preferably rectangular wood
or other box or case A, for containing the clockwork, electric, or other motor
employed, the upper surface of the said box or case being covered by a metallic
plate B, forming the base of the phonograph head in the usual way. Upon the said
plate B I fix a vertical standard C which forms a bearing for one end of the spindle a
of a mandrel D, adapted to expand and contract in diameter by the tightening and
loosening of a fly nut b, at the opposite end of a, and by such expansion to fit and
retain in position the cylinder to be placed thereon, substantially as described
and shewn in my previous application for a Patent No. 2429 of 1897.
The opposite end of the spindle a is carried in a bearing c attached to or formed
integrally with a bar E, mounted horizontally upon a pair of pillars d and d', fixed
upon the plate B, to the former of which said pillars it may be hinged or otherwise
pivotally connected, while to the latter it may be connected by any suitable catch or
lock, the object of this being, that the said bar may be shut or opened at will, so as
to bear the end of the spindle a as at Fig. 4, when at work, and to release the end of
the same as at Fig. 5, for the removal and replacement of the cylinder upon the
inandrel D, or any other form of bearing may be employed in lieu of the bar and
pillars E, d and d¹, that will serve the saine end.
The end of the spindle a, outside the pillar C, carries a suitable pulley or grooved
wheel F, connected by a band, strap, or cord to a similar pulley or sheave mounted
upon the high speed shaft of the motor, in the case or box A beneath, and by this
means rotary motion is imparted to the said mandrel and at a suitable and govern-
able speed, but I may employ other suitable gearing in lieu of the said pulleys
and strap, for conveying motion from the said high speed shaft to the mandrel.
In a suitable position upon the plate B, I mount a standard or post G, the heel of
which e is seated within a foot or step 1, and is thereat provided with an annular
groove f, with which engage a pair of thumb screws g g, as shewn in Fig. 3, which
provides, that the said post or standard G, is capable of rotation in the said foot or
step. The upper end of G is provided with a hollow head or crown h, having upon
one end a tubular extension or arm j, the free end of which is connected to a
diaphragm J, and constitutes the speaker arm therefor, the said diaphragm being,
according to iny invention, mounted vertically as shewn, instead of horizontally as
hitherto, and so arranged, that its recording or reproducing stylus k, is fixed upon the
lower end of a vertical rod m, which depends froin a projection n, connected to the
upper part of the diaphragm case, the said rod m being connected by a link or

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1st. In a phonograph, graphophone, or like sound recording and reproducing
instrument, the combination of a vertically disposed diaphragm, having a recording
or reproducing stylus, kept in contact with a revolving grooved surface, by the means
of a weight or weights, with means for suspending the said diaphragm, and
permitting the necessary movements thereof, and imparting motion to the said
grooved surface, substantially as herein described and shewn by the accompanying
drawings.
2nd. In a phonograph, the combination with a box or case A, crown plate B, and
motor contained within the said case, of a pair of fixed and adjustable bearings such
as C and d, carrying the spindle of a mandrel such as D, holding a metallic cylinder
such as M, having a spiral groover with means, such as pulley F, and belt d¹, for
conveying motion from the motor to the said mandrel. A step or foot H fixed upon
the plate B, supporting a standard or post G, having a preferably pivotted head h,
adapted to receive a hearing tube or tubes such as L, or a speaking trumpet or resonator,
and carry a diaphragm such as J, having a recording or reproducing stylus such as k,
fixed upon a weighted vertical rod m, in connection with the said diaphragm, the
whole connected, combined, and operating substantially as and for the purposes herein
described and shewn by Figs. 1 to 5 cf the accompanying drawings.
3rd. In a sound recording and reproducing instrument the combination with a case
such as A, crown plate B, and motor contained within the said case, of a foot or step
such as R, mounted upon B, and adapted to carry, in combination with a bearing t²,
a wheel or pulley such as v, receiving motion from the said motor, the said shaft t
carrying a mitre wheel S¹, in gear with a like wheel S, upon a vertical shaft t,
surmounted by a table T, carrying a metallic, wax, or other surface V, the latter having
formed therein a convolute groove w², a step or foot H, fixed upon B and supporting
a standard or foot G, with head h, adapted to receive a hearing or speaking tube or
tubes, trumpet, or resonator, and carry a diaphragmn such as J, having a recording or
reproducing stylus such as k, fixed upon a weighted vertical rod m, in connection
with the said diaphragm, the whole connected, combined, and operating substantially
as and for the purposes herein described and shewn by Figs. 6 and 7 of the accom-
panying drawings.
Dated thin 14th don of Nagambar '1907
GEO. THOS. HYDE,
No. 1, Broad Street Buildings, Liverpool Street, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.