Year: 1888

page_text: Sounds.
I JAMES YATE JOHNSON of 47 Lincoln's Inn Fields in the County of Middlesex
Gentleman do hereby declare the nature of this Invention which has been com-
municated to me from abroad by The Volta Graphophone Company a company
organized under the laws of the State of Virginia and having its principal place of
business in Washington District of Columbia and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
This Invention relates to apparatus for recording and reproducing speech, known as
Graphophone, and has more particular reference to that class or type of Graphophone
in which the sound record is made on a flat tablet.
The Invention has for its object generally to improve the construction of machines
of this type, and render them better available for practical use than they are in the
forms known at present.
The tablet is preferably a thin layer of wax, or a wax like composition, on a base of
sheet metal or other suitable material. It rests on a disc shaped tablet holder
supported on a vertical shaft, said tablet holder being driven by a friction wheel;
making contact with its under surface. The tablet holder and its shaft are so
supported and connected with the driving mechanism that they are advanced slowly
as the tablet rotates. The recorder therefore traces a spiral line upon the tablet. On
a tablet of wax the lines of the spiral can be made very close together say one one
hundred and fiftieth (150) part of an inch or less apart. The longitudinal movement
of the tablet and its holder is effected by means of a feed screw and nut as will be
hereinafter fully described.
The recorder and reproducer are pivoted respectively on opposite sides of the tablet
so that when not in use either instrument can simply be turned on its pivot out of the
way. This arrangement adds to the convenience in use of the machine as it obviates
the necessity of removing the recorder and substituting the reproducer, or vice versa.
When in operation the point of the recording style rests just above the friction

page_text: wheel that rotates the tablet and the position of the reproducer on the opposite side of
the tablet is such that when lowered into position, its style will rest upon the same
point on the surface of the tablet.
As the longitudinal travel of the tablet holder is very slow it would require
considerable time to set it back to the starting point if the mere reversal of the main
shaft were relied on for that operation. Consequently means have been provided
whereby a rapid return of the tablet can be effected. To this end the arbor of the
friction driving wheel is supported in bearings on a frame swivelled on the main shaft
and upheld by spring pressure. By depressing this frame the friction wheel is
removed from contact with the tablet holder and at the same time the main shaft is
thrown into gear with the feed screw (which in operation is stationary-the nut
travelling with the tablet holder) and imparts to said screw a rapid rotation whereby
the feed-nut, and with it the tablet-holder, is quickly moved back to the starting
point.
Means are also provided whereby when the starting point is reached, the screw is
automatically arrested, though the main shaft may continue to rotate; and by similar
means the nut is arrested at the farther limit of its travel which is of course determined
by. the diameter of the tablet designed to be used.
A partial depression of the swivelled frame disconnects the friction wheel and
tablet-holder, arresting the latter without setting the reversing mechanism into
operation.
An arm carried by said swivelled frame lifts the reproducer from the tablet (should
that instrument be in its operative position) when said frame is completely depressed.
The frame supporting all the operative parts of the apparatus, is swivelled in its
bearings of the base or bed plate so that it can be tilted to a greater or less angle with
the horizontal when its use may be thereby facilitated, and for the same purpose of
adding to the convenience of the user the mouthpiece is connected with the recorder
through an universal joint so that said mouth piece can be turned in any direction.
The invention comprises the new improvements above indicated as well as certain
special features of construction and combinations and arrangement of parts as herein-
after fully described.
In the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification, Figure 1 is
a plan view of a machine_constructed in accordance with the invention, Figure 2 a
front elevation thereof; Figure 3 a vertical longitudinal section; Figure 4 a sido
elevation with the fly wheel removed; and Figure 5 a partial vertical section through
the support of the reproducer.
A is the base or bed plate and B B³ are tubular ways thereof in which the ends of
the slides C are supported. Said slide has a bulb c intermediate between its ends, in
the top of which is screwed the hollow standard 2 in which turns the shaft d of the
tablet holder D. The latter is in the form of a flat disc. Inside the tubular slide C is
the feed screw E, which, in the operation of recording and reproducing is stationary.
The feed nut F which engages said screw is enclosed in the bulb c. It turns in
bearings formed by the sleeves 3-4 which are connected to the slide C by screws 5-6.
Feed nut F carries a bevelled gear 7 which engages a bevelled gear 8 on the lower
end of shaft d, the gear 8 being connected with said shaft by a screw 10 tapped into
the end thereof. When the tablet holder rotates it turns the nut F through gears 7
and 8 and the screw E being stationary the nut moves slowly lengthwise thereof
carrying with it the slide C and all the parts carried thereby.
Gand H are standards or uprights. They are connected by a sleeve 12 passing through
tube B and adapted to turn therein. The sleeve 12 is in one piece with standard &,
and is connected with standard H by screws 59 and tie rods 13 and 14. Tube B is
disconnected from the base A at the rear side and is provided with a clamp screw 15
whereby it can be tightened around the sleeve 12, and thus hold the frame and all the
operative parts rigidly in one position. By loosening said screw the machine can be
tilted forward and backward and clamped in the position that may be most convenient
for the user.
To prevent the slide C from tipping in its bearings the end of said slide
which enters the bearing B is grooved, and a spline 19, which is attached to sleeve 12

page_text: by screws 29, enters said groove and prevents the slide C from turning independently
of said sleeve 12.
The main shaft I has bearings in the uprights G, H and it carries a fly wheel K
and a crank handle k for turning. Shaft L has bearings in a frame M and it is rotated
from the main shaft through spur gears 16 and 17 and intermediary 18, the latter
being mounted on a stud tapped into said frame.
At the left end of shaft L'is a friction wheel which bears on the underside of the
tablet holder D and turns the same on its shaft d.
l
The frame M is swivelled on the main shaft at 20 (see Figure 1) and can be lowered
so as to throw the friction gear out of contact with the tablet holder D, and thus
arrest the motion of the latter. The frame is normally held up by the pressure of
spring 21 which bears at its lower end against upright G. The spring is surrounded
by a tube 22 which presses against frame M.
Upright G has arms 24 and 25 projecting towards the front and rear respectively,
and these constitute the supports for the recorder N and reproducer O.
The frame of recorder N has at its end a sleeve 26 which slips on the tubular
support 27 which is carried by the arm 24. Sleeve 26 is connected by a flexible
tube 28 with the sound chamber of the recorder. On the right side of arm 24 is a
bent tube 30, which can turn in said arm, and another angular tube 31 is connected
with and can turn on the tube 30. The tubes 30 and 31 constitute an universal joint
or socket for the mouth piece of the recorder which is adapted to be connected with
the end of tube 31. The mouth piece can thus be turned in any direction to suit the
position of the user. It will be seen that a continuous sound passage from mouth
piece to the diaphragm of the recorder is formed by the tubes 30, 31 and 27, sleeve 26
and flexible tube 28.
-
The recorder can be turned bodily on support 27 as a center to bring its style into
contact with the tablet as shown in Figure 2 or to turn it out of the way as in
Figure 4. When in its operative position the point of the style rests on the tablet
just above the friction wheel l.
The reproducer O is mounted similarly to the recorder on a tubular support 35
carried by arm 25 and is held in place by a screw 39. A bifurcated socket piece 36
conveys the sonorous vibrations to suitable hearing tubes 38. Tubular support 35 has
a perforation 37 (see Figure 5) through which it communicates with the hollow
standard of the reproducer when the latter is in its operative position. When not in
use and turned out of the way this communication is cut off. The point of the
reproducing style when in use likewise rests just above the friction wheel 1. The
relative positions of the recorder and reproducer are such that, if the former be raised
and the latter lowered into position its style will touch the same point on the tablet
where that of the recorder rested.
The recording tablet consists of a thin layer 40 of wax, or a wax like composition
upon a base or support 41, shown as a disc. It is preferred to make the base 41
of sheet metal, as other materials are more or less likely to warp. The edge of the
disc 41 is turned up all around, and the wax melted and poured into the dish thus
formed. The center of the tablet is cut out to fit over the hub 42 of the tablet-
holder D, and the latter has a projection 43 which takes into a notch in the edge of.
the disc 41 and prevents the latter from slipping.
The use of sheet metal as the base of the tablet is advantageous for the further
reason that it obviates the difficulty arising from the formation of air bubbles in the
wax, which occurs when card board or other porous material is used. The turned up.
edge of the disc contributes greatly to the rigidity of the tablet and permits the use of
a very thin sheet of metal.
While it is preferred to use a tablet of this description and to form the record by
cutting or engraving therein, as described in British Patent dated May 4th 1886
No. 6027 it is obvious that the machine is also adapted to operate in connection with
a recorder that produces a record by indenting in a pliable substance, or by removing
part of a thin film of lamp black, or in any other practical way.
The construction of the recorder and reproducer is or may be such as described in

page_text: previous patents Nos. 602780-60478
description here.
and 185188 and therefore needs no particular
When the slide C has reached the farther limit of its motion as shown in Figure 2
it can be quickly set back to the starting point by reversing mechanism which will
now be described. An intermediary 50 turns on a stud carried by upright H and
gears with a pinion 51 on the end of feed screw B. By depressing frame M, by
pressing on button 52 the gear 17 is thrown into engagement with gear 50 and at
the same time friction wheel is removed from tablet holder D. Now by turning the
main shaft in the same direction as before, the feed screw E is driven at a high speed,
and as the nut F is stationary owing to the disconnection of wheel land tablet holder D,
the said nut is rapidly moved to the right, carrying with it the slide C and all the
parts supported thereby. Pinion 51 is connected with the feed screw only by friction
produced by a spring washer 53 pressing it against screw 54. This is sufficient to
insure rotation of the feed screw; but when the nut F reaches the limit of its return
movement a pin 60, carried thereby, strikes a pin 61 on said screw and stops the
rotation of the latter, the pinion 50 now turning against the pressure of washer 53
independently of the screw. When the nut F reaches the limit of its travel to the left
a pin 63 strikes pin 64 on the feed screw E and the latter then turns with the former.
The slide C is thus automatically arrested at both limits of its travel.
Frame M has a backwardly and upwardly extending arm 65 the end of which
approaches close to the under side of the reproducer. If the latter be in its operative
position when the frame M is depressed to operate the reversing mechanism it will be
lifted by arm 65 clear of the record. Frame M is as shown provided with two
buttons 52 and 67 for pressing with the finger. If it be desired simply to stop the
tablet without setting the reversing mechanism into operation button 67 is used. By
pressing on button 52 the frame is completely depressed. Button 67 is on the end
of a shank 68 which passes loosely through a hole in the frame M, and its motion is
limited by contact with the tie-rod 13. By pressing button 52, however, the frame
continues to descend after the end of shank 68 strikes the tie rod, because said shank
is not connected rigidly with the frame, but passes loosely through the same, as already
stated.
A stop screw 66 passes through tie rod 13 and limits the movement of frame M
when pressed down by button 52.
As has been stated, in the operation of recording and reproducing, the feed screw
is stationary, but unless positively held it would be liable to be turned in its bearings
by the friction of the feed nut F. To prevent this a locking lever 70 is pivoted at 72
to the upright H (see Figure 4) and has a point 71 which engages the teeth of
wheel 50 and holds it stationary. The locking device 70 is held in this position by
a spring 73. Since pinion 51 on the feed screw B is engaged by wheel 50 the feed
screw is thus prevented from rotating. When, however, frame M is depressed to
operate the reversing mechanism an arm 75 carried by said frame strikes the pivoted
locking device 70 and releases the gear 50, so that when the latter is engaged by
gear 17 it is free to rotate.
In operation, the slide being at the right-hand limit of its motion (as in Figure 3)
the recorder is lowered until it rests upon the wax surface of the tablet. The main
shaft being rotated, tablet holder D is driven by friction wheel and in turn rotates
the feed nut F, which is thus caused to advance slowly lengthwise of feed screw E,
which is held stationary by the engagement of locking lever 70 with gear 50. The
point of the recorder therefore traces a volute or spiral line on the surface of the
tablet. As the tablet holder D continues to advance the point of contact with it of
the friction wheel 7 gradually approaches its outer edge. Consequently the tablet-
holder revolves more and more slowly, but the surface speed under the point of the
recorder (or reproducer) uniform. This construction and its advantages are fully
set forth in a previous patent of May 4th 1886.
It is obvious that modifications may be made in details of construction, and that
parts of the invention may be used without the whole, without in either case departing
from the spirit of the invention.

page_text: Having now fully described my said Invention and the manner in which the same
is or may be carried into effect what I claim is :-.
First-In a graphophone, the combination with the tablet holder and means for
rotating and advancing the same longitudinally, of the recorder and reproducer, each
pivoted on suitable supports and adapted to be turned into and out of operative
position, substantially as described.
Second-The combination of the slide, the tablet-holder mounted on a shaft
having bearings in said slide, means for rotating said shaft and advancing said slide,
a recorder pivoted on one side of the tablet holder, and a reproducer pivoted on the
opposite side thereof, their relative positions being such that the recording and
reproducing styles touch the tablet at the same point substantially as described.
Third: In a graphophone, the combination of the rotatory tablet-holder, the friction
wheel for driving the same, means for advancing said tablet-holder, longitudinally, a
recorder pivoted to the frame and a reproducer also pivoted to the frame, said recorder
and reproducer being so disposed that when either is in operative position its style
will rest on the tablet just above said friction wheel substantially as described.
Fourth-In a graphophone, the combination with the rotatory tablet-holder of the
friction wheel for driving the same and a tilting frame in which the arbor of said
friction wheel is journaled substantially as and for the purpose described.
Fifth In a graphophone, the combination with the tablet-holder and means
for rotating the same; of the feed nut, the feed screw and means for disconnecting
said nut from the driving shaft and simultaneously connecting said screw therewith,
substantially as described.
Sixth-In a graphophone, the combination of the slide, the rotatory tablet holder
carried thereby, the feed screw normally stationary, the feed nut connected to be
advanced lengthwise of said screw by the rotation of said holder, and means for
disconnecting said tablet-holder from the driving shaft, and connecting the feed
screw therewith so as to reverse the movement of said nut, substantially as
described.
Seventh-The combination of the slide, the tablet-holder, the friction wheel for
rotating the same, the tilting frame in which the arbor of said friction wheel is
journaled, gearing for driving the latter from the main shaft, the feed screw normally
stationary, the feed nut carried by said slide and connected by gearing with said
tablet-holder and gearing for connecting said feed screw, with said main-shaft
when said frame is moved to disengage the tablet holder and friction wheel substan-
tially as described.
Eighth In a graphophone, the combination of the slide, the tablet-holder carried
thereby, the feed nut and feed screw, the driving mechanism, and stop pins on said
feed nut and screw, whereby the slide is automatically arrested at the limits of its
travel substantially as described.
Ninth The combination of the slide, the rotatory tablet-holder, the reproducer,
the feed nut and screw, mechanism for reversing the movement of said slide, the
tilting frame for operating said reversing mechanism and an arm carried by said slide
and adapted to lift the reproducer from the tablet when said frame is tilted substan-
tially as described.
Tenth-The combination of the slide the tablet holder the feed screw the feed nut
connected by gearing with said tablet holder a pinion loosely mounted on said feed
screw a spring washer for effecting a frictional connection between said screw and
pinion and stop pins on said nut and screw by engagement of which the screw and
nut are connected together substantially as subscribed.
Eleventh-The combination of the slide the tablet holder the feed screw supported
in bearings in the frame the feed nut connected by gearing with said tablet holder
and the locking device for holding said feed screw stationary substantially as
described.
Twelfth The combination of the slide the tablet holder the feed screw supported
in bearings the feed nut rotated from said tablet holder the locking device for holding

page_text: said screw stationary, the tilting frame for disengaging said tablet holder from the
main shaft and connecting the feed screw therewith and an arm or projection adapted
on the depression of said frame to disengage said locking device substantially as
'described.
Thirteenth-The combination of the rotatory tablet holder the feed screw and nut
for moving said tablet holder longitudinally a tilting frame a friction wheel on an
arbor having bearings in said frame for rotating said tablet holder and reversing
gears adapted to be connected with the main shaft by said frame all constructed and
arranged as set forth so that the frame can be tilted to disconnect said friction wheel
and tablet holder without connecting said reversing gear and main shaft substantially
as described.
Fourteenth-The combination of the tablet holder the feed nut connected by
gearing with said tablet holder, the feed screw normally stationary, the tilting frame,
the friction gear for rotating said tablet holder carried on an arbor having bearings
in said frame, reversing gears adapted to connect said screw and the main shaft when
said frame is tilted, a button on said frame for tilting the same, and a second button
on a shank passing loosely through said frame and having its end in close proximity
to a fixed part of the apparatus so that on pressing the latter button the frame will
move only far enough to disengage the tablet holder and friction gear without
connecting in the reversing mechanism, substantially as described.
Fifteenth A graphophone tablet comprising a flat base of metal or like
material turned up around the edge and a layer of wax thereon substantially as
described.
Sixteenth-In a graphophone the combination with a supporting frame, and the
tablet-holder recorder, and operative mechanism carried by said frame, of the base
or bed plate to which said frame is pivotally connected so that the entire apparatus can
.be tipped to any angle, and means as specified for holding the apparatus at the angle
to which it may be adjusted, substantially as described.
Seventeenth-The combination with the frame and recorder, of the rigid sound
conveying tube having several bent or angular sections jointed together constituting
practically a universal joint, whereby the position of the mouth piece attached to said
tube can be shifted laterally without disturbing the position of the style substantially
as described.
1000