Improvements in Phonographic Records.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 25th July, 1890-Accepted, 30th Aug., 1890
Improvements in Phonographic Records.
We WILLIAM SAINT GEORGE ELLIOTT Dentist and WILLIAM SAINT GEORGE ELLIOTT
the Younger Engineer both of 39 Upper Brook Street in the County of Middlesex
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 object of this invention is to provide a record for the phonograph capable of
receiving a more lengthy record than the forms hitherto used and which when not
in use is capable of being folded up into a small bulk.
In carrying out our invention we make the record in the form of a continuous
belt of greater length than the circumference of the cylinder or pulley over which
it passes. We prefer to use a record of about five feet long two and one half
inches wide and one one hundredth of an inch in thickness, and on this record we
cause the recorder to indent scrape or cut a spiral.
We preferably make this record of two layers of non-structural substances the
layer lying next the cylinder, or the inner layer, being made of flexible or non-
elastic substance such as cellulose in its various forms, but gelatine or natural
or artificial caoutchouc may be used. The outer layer or the layer on which the
record is to be traced we prefer to make of a mixture of soap and glue or other
substances capable of receiving a record and being at the same time sufficiently
flexible to pass over the cylinder without injury. Although wo prefer to use
celluloid for the inner layer this is not essential as a tissued or fibrous material
may be used if the holes be provided with eyelets.
When using this form of record it is absolutely essential that positive means be
provided for transmitting motion from the record to the diaphragmatic devices,
that is, a certain definite movement of the record must produce a certain definite
transverse movement of the recorder or reproducer. We accomplish this by providing
a series of holes or teeth at equal distances apart from one another longitudinally
along the record and at or near the edge thereof.
The cylinder over which the record passes is provided with a corresponding
series of teeth or holes adapted to gear in the holes or teeth in the record motion
being thus transmitted from one to the other. These holes and teeth also serve to
correct any error due to the expansion of the record, as it is obvious that the
motion given from one to the other is governed mainly by the number of teeth
and holes in each respectively the teeth on the cylinder or record being approximately
conical in form. When the record is provided with a flexible fibrous or tissued
backing we may cut through the record material down to the backing at two
lines so that the material may be laid upon itself and rolled up as if it were a strip.
Although we have described holes pierced through the record it is obvious that
the holes or teeth may be on a separate strip connected to the record. When the
record is to be used a number of times we may surround each hole with a metal
eyelet to prevent it from wearing. When the record is of one material or of a
mixture of materials without a backing we prepare both the inner and outer surfaces
for record thus doubling the capacity.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is
A flexible phonographic record with or without a booking of
L

page_text: and consisting of a continuous belt or band having therein or thereon holes or teeth
arranged to gear with corresponding teeth or holes on the cylinder of a phonographic
machine and adapted to be turned inside out and so used on both sides if required
substantially as herein described.
Dated this 10th Joe of T1. 1900
POPPLEWELL & Co.,
17 & 18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicants.