Improvements in and connected with Phonographs.
Year: 1898

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Phonographs.
I, ALFRED SCHOELLER, of 46, Zeil, Frankfurt-on-Main, in the Empire of
Germany, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
-
This invention relates to phonographs set in motion by electrical means and
especially has for its object to provide a phonograph which will perform for a
certain time by the penny-in-the-slot system, or if desirable by simply pressing
an electric contact-knob.
By putting a coin into the slot or pressing a knob, I cause a primary electric
circuit to pass for a short time through an electro-magnet arranged for the
purpose inside the apparatus. Thus this magnet, attracting its armature causes
a lever connected with the latter and counter-balanced by a weight to lower the
diaphragm and bring the attached stylus in contact with the cylinder of the
phonograph.
second electric circuit,
At the same time, the said lever completes a
the latter setting a motor in motion, which causes the said cylinder to rotate,
that is to say to reproduce the record, which may have been inscribed on the
tin-foil or the like, and placed upon the said cylinder.
As soon as the stylus has reached the end of its prescribed journey a rod con-
nected with it, acts on an interposed spring, and thus breaks the electric circuit
so that the said electro-magnet releases its armature, which is restored by the
counterpoise to its original position and causes the diaphragm and with it the
stylus to be raised from the cylinder.
Simultaneously with the return of the diaphragm, the rod connected with it
releases the said spring, thus causing it also to return to its normal position,
whilst both the circuits remain broken. The apparatus is then ready for another
display.
Improvements in and connected with Phonographs.
I, ALFRED SCHOELLER, of 46, Zeil, Frankfort-on-Main, in the Empire of
Germany, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in
Die R71

page_text: what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:
-
This invention relates to phonographs set in motion by electrical means and
especially has for its object to provide a phonograph which will perform for a
certain time by the penny-in-the-slot system, or, if desirable by simply pressing
an electric contact-knob,
In order to make my invention fully understood I have annexed the
accompanying drawings in which:
Fig. 1 shows the contrivance for lowering the diaphragm and bringing the
stylus in contact with the cylinder of the phonograph.
Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of the working of the coin-freed apparatus
for causing the phonograph to perform for a certain time.
By putting a coin-say a penny-into the slot D of the apparatus, a primary
electric circuit is caused to pass from the battery B through the wire 1, electro-
magnet E, wire 2, the metallic part of the slot, wire 3, returning to battery B.
The electro-magnet E then attracts its armature A, which is connected with a
rail S, this latter working as a lever and being counterbalanced by a weight w,
and also serving to support the frame of the diaphragm d. This frame being
pivoted at P is thus lowered and held in position by a half-nut m and spindle s, in
such a manner that its attached stylus is brought in contact with the cylinder W
of the phonograph, as is usually the case.
At the same time, the said rail S completes a second electric circuit
BEA FM B, which actuates, in any suitable manner, the motor M and still
remains closed when the contact of the coin with the metallic part of the slot D
is broken the coin dropping into the cash-box of the improved phonograph.
The motor M, by means of any suitable gearing whatsoever, causes the
cylinder W of the phonograph to rotate, that is to say, to reproduce the record
which may have been inscribed on the tinfoil or the like and placed upon the
said cylinder W.
As soon as the stylus has reached the end of its prescribed journey the rod a,
connected with the diaphragm d, acts on a spring F, interposed in the circuit
BEAF M B, and thus breaks this circuit so that the electro-magnet E releases
its armature A, which is restored by the counterpoise w to its original position
and causes the diaphragm d, and with it the stylus v, to be raised from the
cylinder W.
Simultaneously with the return of the diaphragm d, the rod a, connected with
it, is compelled to follow the same, and releases the spring F, thus causing the
latter also to return to its normal position, whilst both the circuits remain
broken. All these details are well known and do not in any way affect my
invention. The spring F in its normal position, is in contact with a screw
serving as terminal for the secondary electric circuit B E A F M B which actuates
the motor M.
If desirable, the penny-in-the-slot-system may be dispensed with and the
phonograph set in motion by simply pressing an electric contact knob, which,
however, is not shown in the drawings.
When both the circuits are broken, the apparatus is ready for another display.
I am fully aware that phonographs and electric motors for actuating them
are not new and I do not claim any novelty in this respect in my invention.
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:
1. The improved apparatus described above, comprising the contrivance for
lowering the diaphragm and, for a certain time, bringing the stylus in contact
with the cylinder of the phonograph, the said contrivance being set in motion
by electrical means, substantially as set forth and illustrated in the drawings.

page_text: 2. In the improved apparatus as set forth in the first claim, the application
of a spring pressing on the terminal screw of a secondary electric circuit com-
pleted by the armature of the electro-magnet, after the primary circuit has been
closed by putting a coin into the slot of the apparatus--the said spring being
pushed from this terminal by a rod connected with the diaphragm as soon as the
stylus has reached the end of its prescribed journey, substantially as set forth
and illustrated in the drawings.
3. In the improved apparatus as set forth in the first claim, the combination
with a motor set in motion by electrical means, of a phonograph in such a manner,
that as soon as both the electric circuits are broken, the said motor and conse-
quently the cylinder of the phonograph is stopped, substantially as set forth
and illustrated in the drawings.
Dated this 6th day of December 1898.
For the Applicant,
RICHARD BAYER.