Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 7th July, 1896
Complete Specification Left, 7th May, 1897-Accepted, 19th June, 1897
1, HORATIO JOHN HEINZE, Mechanical Engineer, of 16 East Road, City
Road, County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in various parts of phonographs, whereby
I am able to simplify and cheapen the construction of the instrument and to
reduce their bulk.
The first improvement relates to the original marking of the wax or other
cylinder which is to receive the record and to the reproducing of that record when
made. Hitherto it has been necessary to employ two points or needles and as each
of these is secured to its diaphragm, separate diaphragins, one carrying the point
to make the record, and the other the point to reproduce it where required, adding
to the expense, and losing time.
By the present invention I am able to employ the same point for making the
record and for reproducing. This is effected by making one portion of the point
with a ball or similar shaped end, and another portion with a sharp cutting edge so
that when the point is turned with its cutting edge to the cylinder, the record can
be made, and when it is turned with the round portion, the record can be taken off
or reproduced. A suitable way of effecting this is to form the point with an
approximately spherical head, then to remove a portion so as to form a flat face in
a plane parallel with the axis of the point, or instead of a flat face I may form a
hollow, in either event producing a sufficiently sharp cutting or scraping edge. To
allow of the point being turned, it may be so connected that it can be turned upon
the diaphragm or the diaphragm itself may be arranged to be turned so as to move
the point with it.
To facilitate the formation of the record upon the cylinder I may heat the
point; this is most conveniently done by employing the electric current, say for
example lapping a platinum wire round the point so as to heat it. Or I may
prepare the cylinder for receiving the record by first running over it a "shaver,"
knife or heated point which will form a slight spiral groove in which the record
will be subsequently made, thus reducing the amount of work to be done by the
point in making its record, and ensuring a more perfect track both for recording
and reproducing; the pitch of the spiral thus formed would coincide with the
pitch of the leading screw. This shaver" may be carried something like a
lathe tool in a suitable sliding holder by which it may be moved nearer to or
further from the periphery of the cylinder, a hollow shoot, shield or box being
arranged by preference to receive the shavings.
To increase the vibratory effect of the sound waves upon the diaphragm, I
provide a shield or cover behind the diaphragm allowing channels or other openings
or space by which the sound waves or vibrations have access to the space between
the diaphragm and the shield; this arrangement I find greatly increases the
effective result.
For recording purposes I find it better to direct the sound waves or vibrations
to the outer portious of the diaphragm instead of to the centre as has hitherto
been the case. This may be effected by employing a cone-shaped shield which
will split up the waves and throw them to the outer portions of the diaphragm so

page_text: that they reach that first. This shield may be carried by the outer cover.
additional advantage of this arrangement is, that a back or support is provided
which tends to reinforce the effect of the vibration upon the diaphragm.
I also prefer instead of rigidly holding the diaphragm by gripping it between
two circles screwed' together to hold it by yielding pressure by means of one or
more springs which may be curved or shaped so as to engage with the disc near its
periphery.
For the purpose of moving the needle or point along the cylinder so as to adjust
it to the proper position for recording or reproducing I employ a spring in addition
to the usual screw, the spring operating upon one side of the arm, and the screw
upon the other, so that when the screw is moved towards the arm it moves it against
the spring pressure and when the screw is withdrawn the arm is kept up against
the retreating end of the screw by the spring. The same result can be effected by
providing a sleeve or socket upon the end of the screw in which the arm
rested. Or again the arm can be forked and a groove formed at the end of the
screw.
As a means of regulating the speed at which the cylinder rotates I prefer when
the instrument is driven by means of the electric current to employ a switch plate
and switch and a series of resistances so that by throwing these in and out of the
circuit can increase or diminish the speed.
The wax cylinders as at prssent made are provided with a curved spiral or screw
thread inside which bears upon the cylinder or mandrel upon which it is placed for
use in the instrument and I avail myself of this screw thread to indicate the
nature of the record borne by the cylinder. To do this I provide a light spring
which may be made circular and of a spiral form so as to fit into the spiral upon
the inside of the cylinder; the spring bears upon it in any convenient manner, au
indication of the required record. Should the cylinder carry more than one
record each of these may be indicated in the manner described as more than one
band may be inserted in one cylinder.
I employ a spring latch for securing the arm which forms one of the bearings of
the cylinder spindle, the latch being so arranged preferably with a V shaped
recess as to engage with a corresponding V in or upon the arm to fit into the V of
the latch. The spindle ends instead of being pointed as usual may be formed
with a V groove so that the spindle lies in a slotted plate and is thus satisfactorily
supported.
Dated this 7th day of Lulu 1896
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.
I, HORATIO JOHN HEINZE, Mechanical Engineer, of 16 East Road, City
Road, 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 :-
This invention relates to improvements in various parts of phonographs whereby
the construction of these instruments is simplified and cheapened and their bulk
reduced.
The improvements consist in an arrangement of the diaphragm-casing in
instruments in which the same point is used for both making the record and for
reproducing whereby the diaphragm itself may be rotated in the carrying arm so

page_text: as to bring into operation at will either the cutting or the reproducing edge of the
style or point; in a knife or "shaver" for preparing the cylinder to receive the
record in a shield or cover placed below the diaphragm, when used for reproducing
channels being provided through which the sound waves have access to the space
between the diaphragm and the shield so as to increase the vibratory effect of the
sound waves on the diaphragm in employing a cone-shaped shield above the
diaphragm, which will split up the vibratory waves, and throw them to the outer
portions of the diaphragm; in employing springs to hold the diaphragm casing
with a yielding pressure instead of rigidly gripping it to the carrying arm; in an
improved method of adjusting the point when recording or reproducing; in means
for regulating the speed of the instrument when electricity is employed for driving
the same; in a spring band for indicating the nature of the record formed on the
cylinder; in a spring catch for securing the arm or gate which forms one of the
bearings of the cylinder spindle, and in an improved form of bearing for
the spindle ends.
Fig. 1 shows in plan a form of instrument especially adapted for use when one
style is used for both recording and reproducing; and Fig. 2 is a similar view of
an alternative form and Figs. 3 to 11, show details of various parts of the
machine.
Like letters of reference refer to like parts in all the drawings.
Referring to Fig. 1 the spindle B is furnished for about half its length with a
fine pitched screw, such as C, the other half carrying the mandrel D of the
recording cylinder, and is revolved by a belt running on the pulley B' or in any
convenient manner. The ends of the spindle B are formed with sharp angular
grooves or bearings B³, one end resting on the thin steel plate B', the mandrel end
being carried on the gate G. An open bearing A supports the middle of the
spindle B.
A sleeve or hollow cylinder E is arranged to slide on the shaft F, carried
by the lugs A A. The outer part of the lug A is formed with a slot and
pin A making a hinged joint for one end of the gate G, which is held in
position at the other end by the pin G³, and forms an open bearing for the mandrel
end of the spindle B.
The spring arm I fixed at one end of the sleeve E, is pivotted near its free end
to a half nut by the pin 12 and ears or lugs 13, as shown in side view in Fig. 3.
The half nut l' is threaded to engage with the threads of the screw C, so that on
the spindle B being rotated, the sleeve E moves along the shaft F.
The diaphragm arm H is fixed on the sleeve E by the set screw H'. It has two
ring lugs HH, between which is placed one end of a tube H, pivotted in the
lugs H H by a tube H, which passes through openings in its side. The end H
of the tube H is closed, its other end is open and it has an opening H' corresponding
with the bore of the tube H', so that a free passage for sound waves is provided in
the course shown by the arrows. A tube H is fastened on to the lug H³, on to
which the mouth or ear pieces may be fixed according as the style is used for
recording or reproducing purposes.
The free end of the tube H, is furnished with a flange H, as shown also in
Fig. 4, which is a vertical section of the diaphragm casing and flanged end of the
tube H. The flange H is held in a recess in the diaphragm casing M1 by
plates M so that the casing is free to rotate on the tube H. The diaphragm
may be held in the casing in any convenient manner, preferably between rubber or
other elastic washers L and has the style L' fixed on its centre. The tube H is
furnished with two projections H to engage with the stops M" on the diaphragm
casing to limit its rotation.
When turned in one direction as far as the stop allows, as shown in Fig. 1, the
style is in the right position for say reproducing. On rotating the casing until
the other stop is engaged by its corresponding projection the style will be in
position for recording.
The above fittings are preferably formed of some light material such as aluminium,

page_text: ebonite, or the like, as the diaphragm is not supported but the style rests directly
on the record cylinder.
R is a resistance and switch board hereinafter more fully described.
In Fig. 2 the general arrangement of the instrument is similar to that shown in
Fig. 1 but the construction of the diaphragm arm is different being more adapted
for cases in which a separate style is used for recording and reproducing. In this
case the arm H is formed with a ring H" to carry the diaphragm casing M, which
is held in position by flat springs N. One end of the springs is fastened to the
ring H by pins or screws N' the other end being free to swing out or over the
diaphragm casing as may be required.
On the casing M is screwed or otherwise fixed a plate M13 with an arm M
controlled by a screw O, which works in the lug H formed on one side of the
ring H. The object of this arrangement is to give a fine adjustment to the style
by imparting a slight rotary movement to the diaphragm casing. In order to make
the arm M follow the screw when the latter is turned away from it a curved
spring P is employed, one end being fastened on the underside of the lug H2 the
other putting tension on the side of the arm opposite to that against which the
screw bears. An end view of this device is shown at Fig. 9. An alternative
method of obtaining the same result consists in providing a sleeve or socket upon
the end of the screw to engage the arm or the arm can be forked and engage the
"end of the screw.
A "shaver" or knife frame K hereinafter more fully described is fixed by screws
to one side of the diaphragm arm H. The free end of the diaphragm arm rests
and travels on the straight edge Q, fixed on the lugs A6 A7.
An alternative form of bearing is shown for the ends of the spindle B; the ends
being flat and internally coned to engage with coned pins B B5, B6 being adjustably
carried by the lug A', and B' by the gate G.
The handle G2 of the gate G is formed with an angular recess, shaped like an
inverted "V" as shown at G3 in Fig. 11. This engages in the "V" shaped
recess G of the latch G' as shown in side view in Fig. 11. The latch Gis
pivotted to the lug A' by the pin G and is held normally in a horizontal position by
the spiral spring G', placed between the depending arm G7 of the latch and an
offset of the lug A. By this arrangement the gate G may be rapidly opened 'aud
closed for the purpose of changing the record cylinder.
Fig. 5 is a side elevation and Fig. 6 a plan of the "shaver"
" or knife frame for
preparing the cylinder to receive the record by forming round it a slight spirál
groove in which the record will be subsequently made, thus reducing the amount
of work to be done by the style and ensuring a more perfect track both for
recording and reproducing. The pitch of the spiral thus formed would coincide
with the pitch of the screw C. (Fig. 2.)
A casing or frame K fastened by screws K' to the side of the diaphragm arm H
and with a slot K2 provided in its side carries a sliding bar K, adjustably clamped
to the side of K by the threaded pin K and the milled lock nut K. The head of
the sliding bar K³ carries the knife proper K which may thus be moved nearer to
or further from the periphery of the record cylinder S to regulate the depth of
cut to be made in its surface. A shoot K' is provided to catch the cuttings,
pivotted to the arms K8 fixed on the bottom of the frame K. A pin K extends
through the shoot K' and engages in a groove K10 in the underside of the sliding
bar K³ so that the shoot is tilted clear of the record cylinder on the knife being
withdrawn from contact with the latter.
Fig. 7 is a vertical section taken through the centre of a diaphragm casing,
showing the method of mounting the diaphragm for reproducing purposes so as to
increase the vibratory effect of the sound waves.
On the underside of the casing M is fixed a plate M' sufficiently thick to
prevent vibrations taking effect on it; a small hole M2 being provided in the
centre for the passage of the style connection (not shown in the figure) with .the
diaphragm or vibrating disc L. The diaphragm L is clamped in position in

page_text: the casing M by the top cover M and the threaded ring M, a rubber or other
elastic cushion L being provided on each side of L. The cover M is provided
with a central tube M for the outlet of the vibrations or sound waves, and has a
raised ledge or ring on its underside, through which channels M' are cut
corresponding with similar channels Ms in the outer casing, forming communi-
cating passages between the upper and lower sides of the diaphragm L. The
channels Mor M" may be of any convenient shape.
Fig. 8 is a vertical section taken through the centre of a diaphragm casing
showing a method of mounting the diaphragm when the instrument is used for
recording.
The diaphragm L is clamped in the casing Me by the cover M and screw
ring M, L being rubber or other elastic washers. Within the cover M1 is placed
a cone shaped shield M, the coned portion of which projects into the inlet M
leaving sufficient space between the cone and the sides of the cover M" for the
passage of the sound waves to the space between the diaphragm L and the flat
or slightly concaved or convex bottom of the shield; this space must be sufficiently.
wide to enable the vibrations to act with their full force on the centre of the
vibrating disc or diaphragm L. The shield M is conveniently fastened to the
cover M by small pins M.
This form of mounting the diaphragm may also be used for the reproduction of
records, the sound waves travelling the reverse way. The arrows in the figure
show the direction of the waves when recording.
Fig. 10 is a 'plan view of a resistance board for regulating the speed of the
instrument when driven by electricity.
R is a board of any suitable non-conducting material fastened to the plate A by
screws R. R³ R³ are terminals for receiving the wires from the battery or other
source of supply of electricity. The terminal R is connected beneath the board
with a metal strip R, of which the end R' projects through a slot in the board,
placed in such a position that the handle R can make or break contact with it.
R' are pins leading to the resistance coils Re placed under the board. The
terminal R is connected with the pin nearest it and the handle R is for cutting
out or adding to the resistance as required. If the handle R is placed in contact
with the pin connected to the terminal R2 the full power of the battery will go
to the motor, the resistance being increased as the handle is placed in contact with
a pin further removed from the terminal. By this arrangement the speed of the
instrument is under perfect control and may be increased or diminished at will.
The handles R R are connected by wires R0 R" with the motor, placed in any
convenient position, preferably beneath the apparatus..
The record cylinders as at present made are provided with a curved spiral or
screw thread inside which bears upon the cylinder mandrel upon which it is placed
for use in the instrument. In order to indicate the nature of the record borne by
the cylinder a light spring band may be provided, of a circular or spiral form so
as to fit into the spiral on the inside of the cylinder. Should the cylinder carry
more than one record a band may be provided for each record.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
1. In a phonograph the combination with a diaphragm casing of tubes such
as H H substantially as and for the purpose described.
2. In a phonograph the combination with a diaphragm casing of tubes such
as H H and an arm with lugs such as H H substantially as and for the purpose
described,
3. In a phonograph the combination with a diaphragm casing of tubes such
as H H, an arm with lugs such as H' H and a tube such as H substantially as
and for the purpose described.
4. In a phonograph the combination with a knife such as K, of a sliding bar

page_text: such as K, a shoot such as K' and a frame such as K substantially as and for the
purpose described.
5. In a phonograph the combination with a diaphragm of a shield such as M¹ for
the purpose described.
6. In a phonograph the combination with a diaphragm of a casing such as M M³
a shield such as M' and a cover such as M³ M' substantially as and for the purpose
described.
7. In a phonograph the combination with a diaphragm of a cover such as M
and a shield such as M' substantially as and for the purpose described.
8. In a phonograph a regulating device comprising a screw O and a spring such
as P substantially as and for the purpose described.
9. In a phonograph the electrical regulating device substantially as described
and illustrated in Figure 10 of the accompanying drawings.
10. In a phonograph the combination with a recording cylinder of a spring band
for identifying the record substantially as described.
11. In a phonograph the latching device substantially as described and illustrated
in Figures 2 and 11 of the accompanying drawings.
12. In the spindle of a phonograph an end such as B2 and bearing plate such
as B substantially as described.
13. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the complete
phonogragh substantially as described and illustrated in Figure 1 or in Figure 2
of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 7th day of May 1897.
HORATIO JOHN HEINZE.
Boult & Wade,
Agents for the Applicant.