Improvements in connection with Phonographs, Graphophones, and similar Sound Recording and Reproducing Machines.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Dec., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 27th Sept., 1894-Accepted, 3rd Nov., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in connection with Phonographs, Graphophones, and
similar Sound Recording and Reproducing Machines.
I. JONATHAN LEWIS YOUNG, of 67, and 69, Fore Street, Moorgate Street,
London, E.C. Electrical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:
My invention relates to improvements in the construction and arrangement of
such part or parts of phonographs, graphophones, and similar sound recording and
reproducing machines as are employed in contact with, and in connection with those
in contact with, the wax cylindrical or other surface, for recording sound vibrations
thereon, and audibly reproducing the same, the objects of which will be hereinafter
set forth.
The first improvement according to my invention relates to the manner of
mounting the guide arm of the reproducing stylus. It has hitherto been customary
to pivotally connect the stationary end of this to projections formed upon the under
surface of the detachable portion of the speaker arm, in such a manner, that while
perfectly free to move vertically in unison with the reproducing stylus and its
diaphram, the said arm was, to too great an extent, rigid laterally, or in a direction at
right angles to the said vertical movement, and I have found in practice, that in
cases where the path of the record itself has slightly deviated from truth in a
lateral direction, the reproducing stylus has been prevented from smoothly and
evenly following the said deviations by reason of the said lateral rigidity of its guide
arm, to the detriment of the reproduction. To obviate this I mount the stationary
end of the said guide arm loosely upon a cross pin, or fixed to a tube mounted loosely
upon a cross pin carried by the before mentioned projections upon the under surface
of the detachable portion of the speaker arm, and by this means I attain the
necessary free movement of the reproducing stylus in a lateral direction to that of
the path of the record, hence the object of this portion of my invention.
The second improvement according to my invention relates to the manner of
mounting the cutting or recording stylus and the reproducing stylus, and pertains
to that class of machines where both these are operated by one diaphram, and
hitherto, it has been customary to so arrange these, that a lever has been expressly
provided upon the machine for throwing these alternately in and out of gear, and to
dispense with this lever, and simplify the working of this part of the machine, and
so reduce the cost of its production is the object and purpose of this part of my
invention, which I attain by mounting both the cutting or recording stylus, and the
reproducing stylus upon a cross head, carried by the one and the same guide arm,
which may or may not be pivotted upon projections upon the under surface of the
detachable portion of the speaker arm, in the same inanner as that described in
reference to my first improvement. The said detachable portion carrying the
diaphram, stylusses, and guide arm, would be connected to the speaker arm in such
a manner, as to be capable of being rotated thereon for a predetermined distance
in a right and left handed direction, and to effect the said rotation. I provide a
suitable finger hold upon any convenient part of the said detachable portion, and
I may arrange that the connection between the said detachable portion and the
speaker arm may be by that of a bayonet joint, or any other convenient and suitable
equivalent therefor. By the simple rotation of the said detachable portion, either
stylus may be put in and out of gear, or in other words in and out of touch with the
wax surface, for recording thereun, or reproducing therefrom.

page_text: The third improvement constituting part of my invention consists of mounting
the said detachable portion upon the speaker arm in such a manner, that this may
be capable of being rotated thereon in either a right or left handed direction to the
extent of one half turn, or thereabouts, and according to this part of my invention,
I mount the cutting or recording stylus, and the reproducing stylus, both upon the
same diaphram, but upon opposite sides thereof, so that these extend in opposite
directions therefrom, either of which may be connected to the guide arm, (which
may or may not be pivotally mounted in the manner previously described) and
extend through the cover beneath the tube plate, while the other may extend
through an aperture in the tubular part of the said detachable portion, the object
of this arrangement being, that either stylus may be placed in or out of gear by
simply giving a half turn to the said detachable portion.
The fourth improvement according to my invention relates to a method of
mounting two diaphrams, diametrically opposite to each other, upon the said
detachable portion, mounted upon the speaker arm, so as to be capable of rotation
thercon to the extent of one half turn. In this arrangement, both diaphrams would
each be provided with a guide arm, pivotally mounted upon extensions or projections
upon its own case or container, and either or both of said guide arms may or may
not be pivotted in the manner previously described. Both diaphram cases or
containers would be arranged to slide longitudinally upon the tubular part of the
before mentioned detachable portion, in which two preferably circular openings
would be provided, in such a manner, and in such a position, that these would
coincide with similar openings in the under surface of cach diaphram case or
container, thus providing a communication between the speaker arm and both
diaphrams. According to this arrangement, either, or both diaphrams, may carry
a cutting or recording stylus, or a reproducing stylus, or one a recorder and the
other a reproducer. The object of this arrangement is that either diaphram may be
placed in communication with the speaker arm, by sliding its case along the tube,
until its hole coincided with the corresponding hole in the tube, and by the same
means, either diaphram may be shut off from communication with the speaker arm,
by sliding this along the tube until the hole in its case is covered by a solid part of
the tube. I am thus enabled by giving one half turn to the said detachable portion,
to place either stylus in gear with the recording surface and record thereon, or
reproduce therefrom as required, thus obtaining the same object as in the third
improvement herein provided but by an alternative means.
Dated this 27th day of December 1893.
GEO. THOS. HYDE,
4, Moorfields, Fore Street, London, E.C., Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in connection with Phonographs, Graphophones, and
similar Sound Recording and Reproducing Machines.
I, JONATHAN LEWIS YOUNG, of 67 and 69 Fore Street, Moorgate Street,
London E.C., Electr.cal 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 the construction and arrangement of
dia hragm holders as used upon phonographs, graphophones and similar sound
recording and reproducing instruments, of the recording and reproducing stylusses
of such diaphragms, and of the guide arms of the stylusses, and has for its objects-
First A method and means of mounting the guide arm of the reproducing stylus
to enable the said stylus to smoothly and evenly follow any divergencies that may
occur in the evenness of the path of the record. Second-To so arrange the

page_text: diaphragm holder that this may be capable of partial rotation upon the speaker arm
to facilitate the putting in and out of gear of the recording and reproducing
stylusses especially when these are both fixed upon, but at opposite sides of one
diaphragm. Third-To so arrange the detachable portion of the speaker arm as
to carry two diaphragms and their holders, that when either one is in communication
with the speaker arm the other may be inoperative.
In order that my invention may be clearly understood reference may be made to
the accompanying drawings, in which,
Figs. 1, 2 and 3 are views illustrating that part of my invention which relates to
my improved method of mounting the guide arm of the reproducing stylus, as
hereinafter explained.
Fig. 4 is a longitudinal vertical section of a diaphragm and its holder according
to one portion of my invention, in which the recording aud reproducing stylusses
are both mounted upon, but at opposite sides of the one diaphragm, while its holder
is so mounted upon the speaker arm as to be capable of partial rotation thereon so
that either stylus may be placed in position to operate upon, or be operated by the
wax cylinder, as shown by Figs. 5 and 6.
Fig. 7 is a longitudinal vertical section of the detachable portion of the speaker
arm, upon which are mounted two diaphragms and their holders arranged to slide
longitudinally thereon.
Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating alternative devices for effecting the sliding of the
holders in the previous view.
Referring to that portion of my invention which relates to the manner of
mounting the guide arm of the reproducing stylus. It has hitherto been customary
to so pivotally mount the stationary end of this, that while perfectly free to move
vertically in unison with the reproducing stylus and its diaphragm, the movements
of the said arm were to too great an extent rigid in a direction at right angles to
the path of the record, and I have found in practice, that in cases where the path of
the record itself has slightly deviated from truth in a lateral direction, the lateral
rigidity of the before mentioned guide arm has prevented the reproducing stylus
from smoothly and evenly following the said deviations, to the detriment of the
reproduction.
To obviate this mount the stationary end of the said guide arm A, loosely upon
the cross pin B, as at Fig. 2, or fixed to a tube C mounted loosely upon B as at
Fig. 3, so that when B is fixed to its holder D, (Fig. 2) and this is fixed to the
under surface of the diaphragm holder E, and the opposite end of A is pivoted to
the recording stylus F, fixed to the diaphragm G in the usual way, as at Fig. 1, the
said arm A is not only capable of free movement in a vertical direction, in unison
with F and G. but is also capable of a certain and sufficient movement horizontally,
in the direction of the arrows Figs. 2 and 3, thereby permitting the stylus F to
trace any divergencies that may exist in the path of the record.
For the purposes of my next improvement according to my invention, I arrange
that the diaphragm G (Fig. 4) carries upon one face a recording stylus H, and
upon its opposite face a reproducing stylus F, either of which may be connected to
the guide arm A, but preferably the latter as shewn. According to this arrange-
ment the stylus H extends through the cover plate J, while the stylus F extends
through an aperture a in the tubular part of the holder E. In practice, the
holder E would be attached to the speaker arm K by being slid thereon in the usual
way, but for the purposes of my invention I desire that E may he capable of being
partly rotated upon K to the extent of one half turn or thereabouts, in order that
the cutting or recording stylus H, and the reproducing stylus F may either be
brought in contact with the wax cylinder L by the simple partial rotation of E, as
shown at Figs. 5 and 6.
Various ways may be suggested by which the said partial rotation of Eupon K
may be effected, but I find the most convenient is in the form of a bayonet joint,
which provide by forming in E a transverse slot M, for about half the circum-
ference of its diameter, from which extends at right angles a passage N, forming an

page_text: opening in the end of E, and when placing E upon K, the opening N receives a
stud upon K, which when placed in M acts as a stop for the limitation of the
rotation of E, and when one end of M abuts against this the stylus H would be
placed in position for recording, as at Fig. 6, and when the opposite end of M abuts
against the stylus F would be in a position for reproducing as at Fig. 5, and to
facilitate the said movements of E upon KI may provide upon
form of finger hold such as e in Figs. 4 and 7.
any convenient
My next improvement according to my invention consists of a method of mounting
two diaphragms and their holders diametrically opposite to each other upon the said
detachable portion E, as shewn in Fig. 7, one of which carries the recording
stylus H, and the other the reproducing stylus F, each being provided with a guide
arm A, carried by a stud or its equivalent D fixed to its own holder P or Pl. The
under surface of each holder is formed to provide a single, preferably dovetail
shaped, tongue R as at Fig. 8, or a pair of these as shewn by in the same figure,
or one holder may have one such tongue while the other may have two, and upon E
would be formed grooves S, corresponding to R or R', so that the holders P PI
may slide thereon. In any convenient part of E two preferably circular openings T
and T¹ would be provided, not necessarily but preferably opposite each other, and
these would form communication between the speaker arm K and the diaphragms,
when the latter were placed over the said openings, as shewn by the upper
diaphragm in Fig. 7. In this arrangement also the tubular portion E would be
provided with a slot M and opening N and engage with a stud upon K so as to
be partly rotated thereon for placing H or F in contact with the wax cylinder in
the same manner as that described when referring to Figs. 4, 5 and 6.
The object of this arrangement is that either diaphragm may be placed in
communication with the speaker arm K; by sliding its case along the tube E, until
this was over its respective hole T or T', and by the same means either diaphragm
may be shut off from communication with K by sliding this along the tube E until
clear of its respective hole T or T', as shewn by the lower diaphragm in
Fig. 7.
I am thus enabled by giving one half turn to E to place either stylus in gear
with the wax cylinder, and record thereon or reproduce therefrom as required, thus
obtaining the same advantages as in Figs. 4, 5 and 6, but by an alternative
means.
I am aware that it has hitherto been proposed to place the recording and
reproducing stylusses both upon the same diaphragm, but these have always been
placed upon the same side of the diaphragmn, and I am not aware that the placing
of the two stylusses upon opposite sides of the diaphragm has ever been contemplated
prior to my present invention. I therefor do not claim the use of two stylusses
upon one diaphragm except in the manner herein described and shewn, and in
combination with my improved method of mounting the tube of the diaphragın
holder upon the speaker arm that this may be capable of partial rotation thereon,
and my improved method and means of mounting the stylus guide arm for the
purposes stated, therefore
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is.
1st. In combination with any form of diaphragm provided with a stylus such as F
for reproducing sound vibrations, as used upon phonographs, graphophones and
similar instruments, the application thereto of a guide arin A, the stationary end of
which is mounted loosely upon a pin B as at Fig. 2 or connected to a tube C,
mounted loosely upon a pin B as at Fig. 3 borne or carried by a stud or its
equivalent D, fixed upon any convenient or suitable portion of the diaphragin case
or container E, substantially as and for the purposes herein described and shewn by
the accompanying drawings.
2nd. The combination of a diaphragm G, carried within a suitable holder such

page_text: as E, and retained in position therein by a cap such as J. and carrying upon one
face a cutting or recording stylus H, and upon its opposite face a reproducing
stylus F, extending through an aperture a in E, to either of which may be attached
a guide arm A, constructed and arranged as set forth in the preceding claim. The
method of mounting the holder E upon the speaker arm K, by the means of a slot M
and opening N engaging with a stud upon K, the whole connected combined and
operating in connection with a phonograph, graphophone or similar instrument
substantially as and for the purposes herein described and shewn by Figs. 4, 5 and 6
of the accompanying drawings.
3rd. The combination of a tube E, provided with slots M and N, by which it is
arranged to be attached to, and partly rotate upon the speaker arm K, of a
phonograph, graphophone or similar sound recording and reproducing instrument,
and provided upon its outer surface with longitudinal grooves S, in which slide the
tongues R or R' of a pair of diaphragm holders P and P, the latter of which has a
diaphragm G, carrying a cutting or recording stylus H, preferably provided with a
guide arm A, constructed and arranged as set forth in the first claim hereof, while
the holder P has a like diaphragm G, carrying a reproducing stylus F, provided
with a guide arm A, constructed and arranged as set forth in the first claim hereof.
The manner of placing either diaphragm in communication with the speaker arm K,
by sliding this along E until over its respective opening T or T¹ in E, as shewn
by P, or the reverse by sliding this until in the position shewn by P, the manner
of placing either stylus in gear with the wax cylinder for recording thereon or
reproducing therefrom by the partial rotation of E, the whole connected combined
and operating substantially as and for the purposes herein described and shewn by
Figs. 7 and 8 of the accompanying drawings.
5th. In combination with a phonograph.graphophone or similar sound recording
and reproducing instrument, the employment of two diaphragms arranged to slide
upon the detachable portion of the speaker arm, substantially as herein described
and shewn.
1
1504
DARAT
GEO. THOS. HYDE,
1, Broad Street Buildings, Liverpool Street, London, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.