Improvements in Apparatus for Recording and Reproducing Articulate Speech and other Sounds.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Apr., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 24th Jan., 1894-Accepted, 17th Mar.,
1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Recording and Reproducing
Articulate Speech and other Sounds.
CHARLES ADAMS RANDALL, of " Mattapoisett," 1, The Avenue, Bedford
Park, London, W., do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows
--
This invention relates to improvements in phonautographs, or speaking machines
and more particularly relates to that class of apparatus in which the material used
for receiving, or for containing the sound-record is in the form of a ribbon, tape or
band, and has for its object the improved construction of this class of apparatus,
having in view the simplification and convenience of use of same, and improved
results.
To this end the invention consists generally in making the body of frame of the
machine of simple form, and constructed to carry the main-shaft that supports the
recording-feed-roller,-over which the material is carried, preferably upon central
pivot bearings that said shaft may run free and without lost motion or shake
at the bearings. The driving-shaft is preferably held in or upon a pivoted
swinging-arm or frame, or in such manner that the frictional driving-wheel upon
said shaft may always be maintained in proper frictional contact with the
driving-wheel upon the main-shaft, whereby the rotation of the record-roller is
obtained upon the movement of the driving-shaft which may be rotated manually,
electrically or otherwise.
The frame or body of the machine is also constructed to permit of the use of the
material in strips, and also in the form of a band, which is a useful feature of
the invention, especially when applied to the purposes of amusement or as a
toy.
In one form of my apparatus the diaphragm-carrier or housing is secured upon
the upper side of a suitably pivoted arm, supported upon the body or frame of
the machine, or independently thereof if preferred, said arm extending over and
beyond the record-roller, and provided at its free end with an adjustable stop-screw
that takes upon a fixed stop-piece, the said adjusting screw serving to determine
the position of the swinging-arm, in reference to the record-roller, means being
provided also for limiting the adjustable movement of said adjusting-screw within
certain determined or fixed limits. A seat is provided in the diaphragm-carrier
or housing in which the diaphragm is adjustably held. To the underside of the
swinging-arm that supports the diaphragm-housing, I support a pivoted lever or a
spring-arm, which carries the point or style, one or more, used for recording
and reproducing. This point-carrying-arm, in one form of my apparatus, in
which the diaphragm is in a fixed position relative to the swinging-arm
supporting it, is brought into proper, constant contact with the diaphragm by
means of an adjuster.
In another form or modification of my apparatus the point-carrying-arm and
the diaphragm are connected loosely together by a free rocking connection between
a suitably pointed piece secured to the diaphragm, resting in or upon a seat
provided in or on the arm, the diaphragm and arin being held in proper constant
contact by a spiral or other spring between the diaphragm and the arm, and
arranged to move with them.
In still another form, or modification of my apparatus, in which two or
more diaphragms are used, the parts are so arranged that the swinging of

page_text: the diaphragm into position for use determines the normal contact of the
diaphragm and point-carrying-arm or some part attached thereto.
When two diaphragms are used of different tension, I preferably support the
diaphragm-carrier or housing upon the swinging-arm, one at each end, by a loose
joint in such manner that either may be brought into position for use, at will, and
independently of the other. The diaphragm or vibrator, I preferably construct of
two or more pieces of about the same size and form, and of same or mixed materials,
for the purpose of obtaining proper and true vibrations.
I also comtemplate the use of two or more recording-diaphragms having different
tensions, or varying in rigidity, adapted to record voices or sounds of different
force or volume, such diaphragms being arranged upon a support common to all,
or otherwise, to be readily moved into and out of position for use as required, I also
contemplate arranging a suitable mouth-piece and ear-trumpet or phones" upon
a suitably supported swinging-piece arranged to be moved into position for use,
interchangeably, over the diaphragm, a soft, or non-metallic connection being
made preferably between the swinging-piece and the diaphragm-housing.
66
The record-roller is preferably provided with a circumferential groove, over
which the recording-point plays as it is vibrated, the material being drawn between
the roller and the point, a spring presser-foot, or burnisher, slightly pressing the
material into the groove in the roller and burnishing the material before it is acted
upon by the point.
A suitable support is provided for the reels carrying the material together
with means for readily rewinding the material containing the record.
Supporting or guide rollers are also provided for carrying the continuous bands
when used.
The recording points are of special construction, and readily adjustable in the
sockets in which they are held.
Instead of using the circumferential groove in the recording-roller as before
described, the groove may be made of suitable depth and width and be
filled with an elastic or yielding material such as rubber, felt, soft leather or
the like.
Dated this 24th day of April 1893.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Recording and Reproducing
Articulate Speech and other Sounds.
I, CHARLES ADAMS RANDALL of Mattapoisett, 1, The Avenue, Bedford Park,
London W., Electrical and Mechanical Engineer 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 phonographs or speaking-machines and
more particularly to that class of such apparatus in which the material used
for receiving or for containing the sound-record is in the form of a ribbon, tape
or band.
My said invention has for its object to simplify and improve the construction and
increase the efficiency and usefulness of the apparatus described in the Specifications
of my former Letters Patent No. 10,357 dated 18th June 1891 and No. 2690,
dated 7th February 1893.
My present invention comprises improved means for transmitting the sound
vibrations from the diaphragm to the record-receiving material or vice-versa, and for
permitting the ready adjustment of the parts to vary the pressure between the style
and the record-receiving material according to whether it is desired to use the
instrument for recording or reproducing.

page_text: My said invention also comprises the combination, with a single style or set of
styles, of two or more diaphragms of the same or of different degrees of tension or
elasticity and means whereby either of the said diaphragms may be readily moved
into position for use with the said style or set of styles.
My said invention further comprises an improved construction of the frame and
other parts whereby the record-receiving material may be employed in the form of
continuous or endless bands and also if desired in the form of strips; and other
improvements hereinafter set forth.
In the accompanying drawings I have shown how my said invention may be
conveniently and advantageously carried into practice.
Figure 1 is a front elevation, partly in vertical section, of phonograph or
phonautographic apparatus constructed in accordance with my present invention.
Figure 2 is a plan of the said apparatus, partly in horizontal section, the pay-off
reel and other parts being removed.
Figure 3 is an end view of the said apparatus taken from the left-hand of Figure 1,
some of the parts being removed.
Figure 4 is a plan of the pivotally mounted diaphragm-supporting plate.
Figure 5 is an underside view of the same, showing the lever carrying the
recording or reproducing styles or points.
Figure 6 is a plan of the diaphragm carrier or housing.
Figure 7 is a sectional elevation showing the diaphragm the style-carrying lever,
and other parts and illustrating a modification in construction.
Figure 8 is a plan, and
Figure 9 is a sectional elevation showing the diaphragm-supporting plate and
style-carrying lever, and illustrating another modification of my said invention.
Figure 10 is a front elevation showing the concentrator or mouth-piece, and the
ear-tubes or trumpets.
Figure 11 is a view showing a detail of construction of the ear-attachment.
Figure 12 is a plan showing a pivoted plate for carrying the mouth-piece and
ear-tubes.
Figure 13 is a plan or top view showing a modified form of the diaphragm-
carrier.
Figure 14 is a detail view showing a special construction of diaphragm.
Figure 15 is a detail view showing one mode of securing the style to the lever for
carrying the same.
Figure 16 shows, in side elevation, end elevation and plan, an improved device
for adjusting the pressure exerted by the stylus or point upon the record-receiving
material.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
A is a pedestal for supporting the essential parts of the machine, which pedestal
is secured upon a base B. In the said pedestal is mounted the driving-shaft C, upon
which a driving-pulley D is made fast. This pulley drives by friction another
pulley E fast upon a shaft F, which is preferably supported by cone-bearings Fl
adjustable in the well-known manner. The shaft C may be rotated by any suitable
means, such as a crank-handle a or a grooved or other pulley driven by any
convenient motor, such, for example, as an electric motor adapted to the operation
of the phonograph or graphophone. This shaft C may, if desired, be held in or
upon an adjustable or pivoted arm or frame or the parts may be otherwise suitably
arranged so that the pulley D may be maintained in proper frictional contact
with the pulley E.
G is a feed-roll fixed on the shaft F, to which motion is imparted through the
pulleys D and E. H, H¹ are friction-rolls between which and the roll G the strips
or bands b, of the record-receiving material are fed. The said rolls H, H' are
mounted upon a shaft H* supported in one end of an arm J, which is pivoted at its
opposite end on a rod J supported in the pedestal A. The feed-roll G is of
considerable width, and has formed in it two peripheral channels or seats g, g¹
separated by a central rib or flange 92. Each of these seats is wide enough to

page_text: readily admit one of the friction-rolls H, H', and allow it to revolve therein, the
frictional contact being preserved by means of any suitable spring pressure; and a
circumferential groove is cut in each seat at or near the centre thereof, as and for
the purpose described in my said former Specification No. 10,357.
I prefer to provide for the production of duplicate records so that one of the said
records may be retained for reference whilst the other is transmitted to any desired
place. For this purpose, I employ one piece of the record-receiving material in the
form of a ribbon or strip h, and one piece in the form of an endless band b', or two
strips 6 or two endless bands 6' may be employed. The ribbon bis conducted from
a reel K supported upon a shaft or spindle K' mounted in the end of an inclined
bracket K attached to the base-plate B. When two similar strips or ribbons of the
record-receiving material are used, these strips or ribbons are led from reels,
similar to the reel K, over the top of the feed-roll G, in the circumferential seats of
which the said strips or ribbons lie when passing between the said roll G and the
friction-rolls H, H. In passing from the reel or reels K, the ribbon b is passed
under a guide-roll L supported in the pedestal A, in order that it may, at all times,
have the same tangential relation to the roll G notwithstanding variation of its angle
of inclination by the reduction in diameter of the coil or coils on the reel or reels K
as the material is paid off from the said reel or reels. The material fed over the
roller G, passes beneath a spring pressure-foot M, which exerts a pressure thereon
at a point near the style or styles. I sometimes use this pressure-foot as a burnisher,
in which case it is made with a small smoothly finished hardened piece of steel or
other smooth hard substance, such as an agate, which acts to lay and burnish the
metal surface before it reaches the style, thus giving it a uniform or even and
smooth surface. After leaving the roll G, the strip or strips 6 may pass into
a suitable receptacle, such as a basket, or they may be rewound upon other reels.
If the material is used in the form of continuous or endless bands, such as b',
they pass around pulleys N, under the guide-roll L and over the feed-roll G, and
then around a guide-roll L' and beneath or through the base-plate B, which is
provided with a suitable channel or guide-way B' to guide the said bands back to
the pulleys N. These pulleys N are journalled in the upper end of posts N¹
which are pivoted at N' to an extension B2 of the base-plate B. The pivot N' of
each post N' is horizontal, or approximately so, and to the lower reduced end of
the said post is attached one end of a spring N³, the other end of which is attached
to a rigid support B³. This spring tends to turn the post N' about its pivot N³ so
as to draw the journal-supports of the pulley N towards the right-hand as seen in
Figure 1, and thereby affords a steady uniform tension for the record-receiving
material, which tension may be varied as required. The angular movement of the
post N is limited by two stop-pins N, No, between which the lower portion of
the said post swings. The pulley N may, if desired, be secured otherwise than to the
base B and at any suitable distance away from it, according to length of the endless
bands to be used.
Upon the pedestal A is mounted a bracket A¹ having lugs in which is supported,
by cone-bearings A³, a shaft P¹ forming the pivot of an adjustable plate P which
extends over the feed-roll G and friction rolls H, H', its length being such that
In the
its free end overhangs a fixed bar A³ rigidly secured in the pedestal A.
end of the plate P is frictionally and adjustably held a stop-pin P2, the point of
which bears upon the fixed bar A³, in a circumferential groove A* therein; this
adjusting screw or stop-pin affords a support to the said plate, and serves to
determine the position of contact of the styles with the material for recording or
for reproducing.
When reproducing the sounds, I find it advantageous to employ a slightly less
pressure of the style against the material than when recording. The desired
variation of pressure can be effected by adjusting the stop-pin P. I prefer to
provide the said pin P' with a small adjustable arm or pointer P³, Figure 16,
arranged to work between two stops P on the plate P, so that the pressure with
which the style S bears upon the material may be readily increased or diminished,

page_text: at will, by a definite movement. I thus enable unskilled persons to effect the
required adjustment, it being necessary simply to turn the said pin P³ so as to bring
the arm P³ against one of the pins P₁ in order to adjust the parts for recording
and against the other pin to adjust the parts for reproducing sounds.
Upon the plate P is mounted the diaphragm housing or frame G, which has a
suitable diaphragm-chamber Q above the diaphragm R, which diaphragm is
arranged in an annular undercut recess or seat Q. Above the diaphragm-
chamber is formed a concentric opening Q having a suitable seat for the
reception of a mouth-piece or concentrator, or for the attachment of the sound-
conducting tubes, trumpets or other devices.
The diaphragm R is held secured in its seat Q2 preferably by a tension-regulator
such as I have described in my said former Specification No. 2690, comprising
adjustable spring fingers or arms c secured to the plate P and bearing against the
diaphragm at suitable points between the centre and circumference thereof.
The diaphragm housing or carrier Q is secured to the plate P by screws f, f¹, a
washer, corresponding in thickness with the lip of the extension Q of the said
housing, being placed beneath the said housing near the free end of the said
plate P.
The recording point or points S, S₁ are mounted in an arm or lever T beneath
the diaphragm, which arm or lever is attached to a flat leaf-spring T¹ secured
to the underside of the plate P close to the pivotal end thereof by means of a screw k,
the latter also serving to secure the presser-foot or burnisher M to the said
plate. The connection between this lever T and the diaphragm is made by means
of a post h having one end passing through the diaphragm R at, or near, its
central point and connected thereto by two nuts j,, one below and the other
above the diaphragm. The other end of the post his suitably connected to the
lever T. The post may, if preferred, be attached to the diaphragm R by
cement or otherwise, instead of by the means above described. In this case, the
nuts j, and may be applied to the lower end of the post, one above and the other
below the lever Ť.
The connection between the diaphragm and the recording-point or style is a
matter of much importance, as there should be the utmost freedom of movement
without the possibility of any lost motion. I regard it as desirable, also, that
the style, instead of being attached directly to the diaphragm, should be carried
upon an arm or lever operating in conjunction with the diaphragm, to prevent
set or buckling of the diaphragm and at the same time increase the amplitude of
vibration of the recording point. It is important, also, in order to obtain the best
results, that the connection between the style or style-carrying arm and the
diaphragm should be of such a character as to ensure the simultaneous vibration of
the parts, without imposing undue strain or tension upon the diaphragm, which
should possess the maximum sensitiveness to all phonetic vibrations.
In the arrangement shown in Figure 7, the lever T on which the style S is
mounted, is secured by a screw or bolt m, to the plate P, and, in order to provide
the required elasticity, the body-portion of the lever may be cut away as shown,
or the entire end of the lever may be reduced in thickness as required, or a flat
spring may be used as in Figure 1. In this arrangement, the lever T is provided
with a V-shaped notch or conical seat n which receives the tapered end h¹ of
the post, the parts being so formed as to permit a slight rocking movement of
the said post due to the vibration of the diaphragm. The post h is held in its seat n
by means of one or more springs n', n', attached to a collar or to cross-piece n² on
the post h, the said post being preferably secured adjustably to the diaphragm R
by means of nuts j, and j' as above described. I may, if desired, use a single
spring of such diameter that it will surround the post loosely, without any
interference with the slight oscillation or change or angularity of the parts. It is
evident that the post may be secured to the arm T and be held with its point in
a recess or seat in the diaphragm, or in contact with the diaphragm instead of
being arranged as above described.

page_text: It is obvious, that, in the above described arrangements, I can, if desired, support
one end of the lever T by cone-bearings or other suitable devices in drop-brackets
or lugs attached to the plate P as shown at 1, Figure 9, instead of securing it as
above described.
In the modification of my invention shown in Figures 8 and 9 I have shown the
style-supporting lever T as provided with two upright studs o, o, which pass freely
through holes in the plate P. In this form I contemplate the use of two or more
diaphragms, all carried by the plate P, the said diaphragms being arranged in
housings or carriers Q, Q+ pivoted at p, p+ to the plate P, their free ends being
provided with adjusting screws or stop-pins p' whereby the exact degree of pressure
of the diaphragms on the ends of the upright studs o, o, may be regulated.
A spring is attached to the under side of the plate P and bears against the
underside of the free end of the lever T to prevent undue vibration of the same, an
adjusting-screw y' being provided to enable the operator to vary the tension of the
said spring.
In this arrangement, washers p² are placed upon the screws p, p+ between the
diaphragm housings Q, Q+ and the plate P, and to ensure the correct placing of
the diaphragms when moved into their operative position, recesses or seats p³ are
formed in the plate P, in which the points of the adjusting-screws p² are adapted
to rest. Either diaphragm may thus be easily swung into, or out of, position for
.service. Similar seats p may be formed where required to permit the like
engagement of the points of either of the said screws when the corresponding
diaphragm is swung into its inoperative position.
I provide, in some instances, a post U, Figures 10 and 12, which rises from the
base B and supports a pivotally turning piece in which are formed two openings r¹,
one to receive a mouth-piece or concentrator V, and the other the ear-trumpets or
listening-tubes W, to which suitable ear attachments are connected, the said
turning piece r being so arranged that either of the said openings may be brought
over the diaphragm or diaphragm-housing. I prefer to construct the said ear-
attachments with a nozzle W₁ for loosely resting in the ear and with a supporting-
plate W2 formed of any suitable material to fit over and be supported by the
external ear.
The projecting parts + of the plate are each provided with a tubular curtain,
of silk, textile-fabric or other suitable non-vibratory material, which curtain, when
in position for use, surrounds the end of the tubular portion of the diaphragm-
housing and forms a soft non-vibratory connection between the parts; this
device is especially useful when reproducing sounds, as it obviates or deadens the
disagreeable scratching and other noises which are set up by the movements of the
material and of the moving parts of the apparatus, and which are carried to the ear
through the solid parts of the mechanism, such vibrations or resonance often
masking or even extinguishing the true articulating vibrations.
In Figure 13, I have shown a diaphragm-carrier Q having three diaphrams R
of varying diameter and therefore of different sensibility to sound-vibrations.
These diaphragms may be of the same, or of different materials, and may be held
and damped in different ways to adapt them to respond to different voices and to
sounds of varying force or phonetic intensity. These diaphragms are arranged to
be used in conjunction with a single style or set of styles so placed that either of
the said diaphragms can be moved into position over the said style or set of styles.
In some cases, I provide a diaphragm R of special construction as shown in
Figure 14. I have found, in practice, that a compound diaphragm composed of a
plurality of discs or plates, such as thin mica, or mica combined with other suitable
material, or all made of wood with the grain running in different directions, is
specially advantageous for the purpose of my invention, being less rigid than
a single disc of the same thickness and less affected by temperature, and responding
more perfectly to articulate sounds. I have shown this compound diaphragm
formed of three discs held together by the central post; the discs, may, however,
be clamped together in other ways.

page_text: I can use any approved form and arrangement of stylus. I have found,
however, that a style made of hardened steel-wire or other suitable hard substance,
of small but uniform diameter throughout, adjustably held in a tubular, split
socket 8, Figure 15, screw-threaded to receive a nut s by which the socket may be
closed to clamp the style in position therein, is very advantageous, it being cheap,
easily secured in place, and readily adjustable both to determine its position
relatively to the record-receiving material, and to compensate for wear.
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 :-
First. An apparatus for recording and reproducing sounds, constructed sub-
stantially as hereinbefore described, so that it can be used with one or more
continuous or endless bands of record-receiving material or with one of such bands
and a ribbon or strip of the said material, for the purposes specified.
Second. The combination, with a diaphragm, of a single vibratory arm which
operates in conjunction with the said diaphragm, and two or more styles or points
carried by the said arm and adapted to act simultaneously, substantially as, and for
the purposes, above specified.
Third. The combination, with the pivoted diaphragm-supporting plate, of an
adjusting screw or stop-pin fitted therein and provided with a fixed or adjustable
arm extending between two stops whereby its movement is limited, substantially as,
and for the purpose, set forth.
Fourth. The combination, with the diaphragm, of a movable or vibratory style-
carrying arm, an adjustable connecting-piece between the diaphragm and the said
arm, resting or bearing in a suitable recess or seat in the said arm or in the
diaphragm, and a spring or springs for retaining the said connecting-piece in its
seat, substantially as described with reference to Figure 7 of the drawings and for
the purposes specified.
Fifth. The employment, in an apparatus for recording and reproducing sounds,
of two or more diaphragms of the same or of different tension or elasticity, mounted
in a common movable support or in separate movable supports and arranged to he
moved into and out of position for use independently of each other, in combination
with a single style or set of styles, substantially as, and for the purposes, above
specified.
Sixth. The combination of a recording diaphragm and a reproducing diaphragm
mounted in separate housings or carriers which are arranged to be moved into and
out of position for use in conjunction with a single style or set of styles carried
independently of the diaphragm, substantially as described with reference to
Figures 8 and 9 of the drawings and for the purposes specified.
Seventh. The mouth-piece or concentrator and the hearing tube or tubes mounted
upon a swivelling arm or support, whereby either of the same can be moved into
position for use, substantially as, and for the purposes, above specified.
Eighth. The employment of a curtain or shield for enclosing the space between
the diaphragm or diaphragm-carrier and the sound-conveying devices, substantially
as, and for the purpose, above specified.
Ninth. The improved ear-piece or listening device constructed with the nozzle
and adapted to rest lightly upon and be suspended from the external ear, as above
described.
Tenth. The employmeut, in an apparatus for recording or reproducing sounds,
of a style adjustably held in a suitable socket, substantially as described with
reference to Figure 15 of the drawings and for the purpose specified.
Eleventh. The improved apparatus constructed substantially as described with
reference to Figures 1 to 6 of the drawings and operating as, and for the purposes,
above specified.
Twelfth. The compound diaphragm composed of discs of suitable material

page_text: clamped together, as above described with reference to Figure 14 of the drawings
and for the purpose specified.
Dated the 24th day of January 1894
C. ADAMS RANDALL.
D. Young & Co.,
11 & 12, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.