Improvements in or relating to Sound Recording and Reproducing Machines.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Feb., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 9th Nov., 1899-Accepted, 9th Feb.,
1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Sound Recording and Reproducing
Machines.
We, CHARLES DAVIDSON, of Warwick Road, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, near Man-
chester, in the County of Lancaster, Engineer, and WILLIAM GEORGE INGLEFIELD,
of 33, Tatton Road North, Heaton Moor, near Manchester, Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of our said invention to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to what is commonly known as the "Edison-Bell Phono-
graph," or to machines of the same type for recording and reproducing
sound. In such machines, as at present made, there is no provision for indicating
the speed at which the recording cylinder is rotated in taking a record, and except
to the skilled ear of the musician and expert operator, or unless the reproduction
immediately follows the recording (with the velocity of rotation unchanged), it is
exceedingly difficult to get
a satisfactory reproduction, i.e., at the
same speed at which the record was taken. This is especially
SO in musical records, as we have discovered that the speed of
the cylinder bears a definite relation to the "pitch," or "key" in which
the music may be played and recorded. For example, with a piece of music
played and recorded in "G," it will be reproduced in another "key" if the
speed of reproduction is not the same, and whilst the variable speed may be useful
for effecting a change of pitch, it is more particularly desirable to be able to
reproduce in the same key," first, to obtain natural and uniform results,
and secondly, to allow of the reproduction being accompanied by the piano or
other musical instrument.
"
In voice, or speech reproduction similar conditions prevail, but nothing is pro-
vided for effecting the desired adjustment other than a coarse regulating
screw and governor, adjusted purely by guess, with the probability (in the case of
music) of being a tone" or more out of tune, even with a skilled operator.
$6
To provide, therefore, for the aforesaid adjustment our invention consists of a
register or index, marked with suitable divisions or spaces in keeping with the
various speeds of the cylinder, or the letters of the musical scale, or both, in
proximity to a pointer connected to, or operated simultaneously with, the afore-
said regulating screw or like moving and controlling part so that with the speed
or "key" known at, or in, which the subject on the cylinder is recorded, the
adjustment of the pointer to the corresponding division on the scale or index will
ensure of the reproduction being at exactly the same speed, or in exactly the same
"key."
«
To ensure of the speed of record being known each cylinder is marked with the
number of revolutions, the "key" of the music, or pitch" of voice, or such par-
ticulars are recorded on the cylinder by the voice, just before the record proper.
The expression recording or reproducing "cylinder" is intended to include, as far
as possible, any other form of recording or reproducing device in this class of
machine.
The index or scale may take various forms, or be applied in various ways,
and the pointer be moved through, and by, any suitable devices. The scale may
move and the pointer be stationary

page_text: In lieu of an index on the machine the speed of the cylinder may be deter-
mined by change gear wheels, or cone pulleys, marked with, or indicating the
various speeds, but we prefer the 'scale or index aforesaid, and moving pointer.
Dated this 8th day of February 1899.
· Improvements in or relating to Sound Recording and Reproducing
Machines.
{'
We, CHARLES DAVIDSON, of 'Warwick Road, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, near Man-
chester, in the County of Lancaster, Engineer, and WILLIAM GEORGE INGLEFIELD,
of 33, Tatton Road North, Heaton Moor, near Manchester, Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
to
Our invention relates to what is commonly known as the "Edison-Bell Phono-
graph," or to machines of the same type for recording and reproducing
sound. In such machines as at present made there is no provision for indicating
the speed at which the recording cylinder is rotated in taking a record and except
the skilled ear of the musician and expert operator, or unless
the reproduction immediately follows the recording (with the velocity
of rotation 'unchanged) it is exceedingly difficult to get a satisfac-
tory reproduction, i.e., at the same speed at which the record was
taken. This is especially so in musical records, as the speed of the
cylinder bears a definite relation to the "pitch" or "key" in which the music
may be played and recorded. For example with a piece of music played and
recorded in "G" it will be reproduced in another "key" if the speed of reproduc-
tion is not the same, and whilst the variable speed may be useful for effecting a
change of pitch it is more particularly desirable to be able to reproduce in the
same kev," first to obtain natural and uniform results, and secondly, to allow of
the reproduction being accompanied by the piano or other musical instrument.
In voice, or speech reproduction similar conditions prevail, but nothing is
provided for effecting the desired adjustment other than a coarse regulating screw
and governor, adjusted purely by guess with the probability (in the case of music)
of a being a tone or more out of tune, even with a skilled operator.
To provide therefore, for the aforesaid adjustment, our invention consists of a
register or index marked with suitable divisions spaced in keeping with the
various speeds of the cylinder, or with the letters of the musical scale, or both, in
proximity to a pointer connected to, or operated simultaneously with, the afore-
said regulating screw or like moving and controlling part so that with the speed
or "key" known at, or in which, the subject on the cylinder is recorded the
adjustment of the pointer to the corresponding division on the scale or index
will ensure of the reproduction being at exactly the same speed, or in exactly the
same "key."
To ensure of the speed of record being known each cylinder is marked, with
the number of revolutions, the "key" of the music or pitch" of voice or such
particulars are recorded on the cylinder by the voice just before the record proper.
The expression recording or reproducing cylinder is intended to include as far

page_text: as possible any other form of recording and reproducing device in this class of
machine.
The index or scale may take various forms or be applied in various ways, and
the pointer be moved through, and by, any suitable devices.
On the accompanying drawing,
Fig. 1 illustrates a longitudinal section through the casement of an Edison
phonograph shewing the speed controlling devices, and our improved speed or
musical key indicating devices applied thereto. Fig. 2 shews a side view of the
said devices separately.
To the head or nut (A) of the usual regulating screw (B) we yoke a link (C)
which in turn we couple to the arm of a toothed lever quadrant (D). This latter
we cause to gear with a pinion (E) on the arbor or axis (F) of a pointer (G) which
by rotation is adapted to move over the face of a dial or register (H). This dial
bears numerals or musical characters or both as illustrated, and is supported
adjustably by a rod (J) and a stand or foot (J) upon the top of the phonograph (K).
The relation between the pointer (G) and the point of the screw (B) when
the machine is stopped, or is slowly running is with the screw (B) screwed to its
highest point, and the pointer (G) at zero. When the machine is started by the
moving of handle (L) in the ordinary way and it is required to accelerate the
speed, the screw (B) is caused to press upon the lever (M) which controls the
governor or speed regulating device (N) to an extent equal to the number of
revolutions required.
Such adjustment of the screw simultaneously exercises a downward pull upon
the link (C) and quadrant (D), which latter acting upon the axis (F) rotates the
pointer (G) to an extent which brings the pointer opposite the numerals on the
dial corresponding with the speed of the phonograph cylinder, and so automatically
and visibly indicates the speed, which the adjustment of the screw (B) allows to be
varied at will to suit requirements.
In such way the speed of the cylinder can be set in keeping with the speed at
which the record is taken, and consequently, with musical records, in the "
desired, with the greatest facility.
'key'
The axis of lever (M) carries a finger (M) which bears against the moveable
flange (N) of the governor (N). With the governor in motion the depression of
lever (M) causes the finger (M³) to move away from the flange (N), thus allowing
for an increased throw of the governor blocks, but when such lever is raised the
throw is diminished thus reducing the speed of the recording cylinder. Whilst we
shew and describe our invention as adapted chiefly for attachment to existing
phonographs, it is obvious that the speed indicating devices may be made an inte-
gral part, and the screw (B), or lever (M), be adapted for acting direct upon the
spindle, or in other ways so long as the movement of the phonograph cylinder is
indicated by the pointer.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
1:—In a phonograph or sound recording and reproducing machine, means for
indicating the speed of the recording or reproducing cylinder, substantially as and
for the purposes herein set forth and illustrated on the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 8th day of Navamilia 1800
CHARLES DAVIDSON.
WILLIAM GEORGE INGLEFIELD.
By John T. Wilson & Co., Fels. I.P.A., Agents.