Improvements in Phonographs.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 25th May, 1891
Complete Specification Left, 1st June, 1891-Accepted, 18th July, 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Phonographs.
A communication from BELA STEINER, of Josefspatz 11, Budapest, in the
Kingdom of Hungary, Gentleman.
I, WILLIAM LLOYD WISE of 46 Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of
London, Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has reference to phonographs, in which, when a phonogram is
reproduced, a spring motor causes the phonogram or record cylinder (hereinafter
called the phonogram cylinder) to revolve on a screw threaded shaft so as to
move it along under the reproducing point.
These improvements comprise arrangements by which the crank or key for
winding up the motor is made to slide along its axis, causing thereby the lowering
of a lever by which the rotation of the fly-regulator has been impeded; the motor
is thus set in motion, and the point corresponding to the diaphragm comes in con-
tact with the record cylinder, while the lowered lever inserts itself into the crank,
thus rendering it impossible to wind up the motor until the lever is disengaged; in
the latter case the point is lifted off the cylinder.
Another improvement consists in arranging both the recording and the
reproducing points on an angular support.
Finally, the position of the screw threaded shaft on which the phonogram
cylinder revolves can be altered so as to enable the cylinder to record several
phonograms.
In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate my invention,
Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the apparatus.
Fig. 2 is a left hand elevation, of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 and
Fig. 3 a right hand end elevation of the same.
Fig. 4 is a plan thereof.
Fig. 5 is an underside view of the frame carrying the diaphragm, and
Fig. 6 a part cross section through the said frame.
A (Figs. 1 and 2) is the motor situated between the plates a, a', and the action
of which can be stopped through the medium of a lever B, pivoted on the outer-
most plate a, and carrying a lug which is brought across the path of an arm e of
the fly-regulator, while the lever itself rests on a collar d of the winding-up crank
(or key) D. Upon the shaft b! of the lever B, and which passes through the
plates a a', is keyed a second lever B', provided with a pin on which rests the
frame E carrying the diaphragm. This frame is hinge-jointed to a post of
the general framing F, and when the lever B is brought into the above described
position, the said frame is kept by the pin 63 in such a position, that, whilst the
motor is wound up, whichever of the two points E', E2 (one of which riz. E' is
vertical and is the recording point, and the other Eis inclined, and is the
reproducing point) is in operation at that moment, is and remains thrown off the
phonogram cylinder E³.
The winding up of the motor A is effected by means of the crank D which is
longitudinally movable on the shaft a², and is provided with a tooth adapted to
engage with a projection a³ on the said shaft. A spiral spring & coiled on the
shaft tends to keep the crank constantly engaged with a³.
During the winding up of the motor A, the gear wheels of the same rotate the
pins or arms h, loosely mounted on the stationary shaft H of the phonogram
cylinder E³, thereby causing the said cylinder to revolve with them, screwing it

page_text: along on the shaft H, and moving it from the position shown in Fig. 1 to that
shown in Fig. 4.
In order to reproduce a phonogram; which. will take place when the cylinder E³,
driven by the motor A, is caused to revolve backwards, the catch or projection b
which has been impeding the action of the fly regulator is withdrawn; this is done
by moving the crank D to the left on the shaft a², whereby the tooth dis
disengaged from the projection a³, and the lever B, being deprived of its support d
is lowered. The said lever B will then rest behind the collar d, and the motor will
work without any hindrance. When the lever B is lowered, the lever B' and
consequently the frame E of the diaphragm, will also be lowered.
In order that the reproducing point E shall engage the record cylinder properly
and at a suitable depth, use is made of the adjusting screw, which abuts against
the post Experience has shown that it is advantageous to give the recording
point a perpendicular, or normal, and the reproducing point an inclined position
relatively to the circumference of the phonogram cylinder.
In order to facilitate the bringing of either of the points into operative position
when it is desired to record or to reproduce a phonogram, the said points are
attached (see Fig. 5) to an elastic angle support el e², pivoted on a pin e³ of the
frame E, which enables whichever point is required to be brought into position by
simply turning the said angular support on its pivot.
As it would be somewhat difficult to provide the shaft H of the cylinder E³ with
a very fine and very sharp screw thread, on account of its comparatively large diameter,
the helical impressions formed by the point E! are consequently a certain distance
apart from each other. In order to increase the recording capacity of the surface
of the cylinder, means are provided for recording between the helical impressions
forming a phonogram, one or several other phonograms. For this purpose, a
partial rotation is imparted to the shaft H, which must be proportioned to the pitch
of the screw thread on the shaft, so as to place the space between the already
formed impressions under the action of the recording point.
For the purpose of imparting the said partial rotation to the shaft H, the same
passes through the plates a a', and is secured by a fastening screw ', while at its
opposite end a handle ² is provided by means of which it can be rotated through
the desired angle, whereby the cylinder E is moved relatively to the recording
point, (the position of which is fixed longitudinally) and the position in which the
said point impinges on the cylinder is altered in consequence. The same result
could of course be attained by altering the position of the recording point
itself.
Dated this 25th day of Mon 1001
W. LLOYD WISE,
Per F. J. Brougham,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Phonographs.
A communication from BELA STEINER, of Josefspatz 11, Budapest, in the
Kingdom of Hungary, Gentleman.
I, WILLIAM LLOYD WISE of 46 Lincoln's Inn Fields in the County of
London, Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent, 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 has reference to phonographs, in which, when a phonogram is
reproduced, a spring motor causes the phonogram or record cylinder (hereinafter
called the phonogram cylinder) to revolve on a screw-threaded shaft so as to move
it along under the reproducing point.
These improvements comprise arrangements by which the crank or key for

page_text: winding up the motor is made to slide along its axis, causing thereby the towering
of a lever by which the rotation of the fly-regulator has been impeded; the motor
is thus set in motion, and the point corresponding to the diaphragm comes in
contact with the record cylinder, while the lowered lever inserts itself into the
crank, thus rendering it impossible to wind up the motor until the lever is
disengaged; in the latter case the point is lifted off the cylinder.
Another improvement consists in arranging both the recording and the
reproducing points on an angular support.
Finally, the position of the screw-threaded shaft on which the phonogram
cylinder revolves can be altered so as to enable the cylinder to record several
phonograms.
In the drawings, which illustrate my invention, filed with the Provisional
Specification,
Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the apparatus.
Fig. 2 is a left hand elevation, of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1; and
Fig. 3 a right hand end elevation of the same;
Fig. 4 is a plan thereof.
Fig. 5 is an underside view of the same carrying the diaphragm, and
Fig. 6 a part cross section through the said frame.
A (Figs. 1 and 2) is the motor situated between the plates a, a', and the action
of which can be stopped through the medium of a lever B, pivoted on the outermost
plate a, and carrying a lug b, which is brought across the path of an arm c of the
Hy-regulator, while the lever itself rests on a collar d of the winding-up crank (or
key) D. Upon the shaft of the lever B, and which passes through the
plates a, u¹, keyed a second lever B¹ provided with a pin 2 on which rests the
frame E carrying the diaphragm. This frame is hinge-jointed to a post
the general framing F, and when the lever B is brought into the above described
position, the said frame is kept by the pin 62 in such a position, that, whilst the
motor is wound up, whichever of the two points E', E2 (one of which viz. E' is
vertical and is the recording point, and the other E' is inclined, and is the repro-
ducing point) is in operation at that moment, is and remains thrown off the
phonogram cylinder E³.
of
The winding-up of the motor A is effected by means of the crank D which is
longitudinally movable on the shaft a², and is provided with a tooth d' adapted to
engage with a projection a3 on the said shaft. A spiral spring d² coiled on the
shaft tends to keep the crank constantly engaged with a³.
During the winding-up of the motor A, the gear wheels of the same rotate the
pins or arms hh, loosely mounted on the stationary shaft H of the phonogram
cylinder E³, thereby causing the said cylinder to revolve with them, screwing it
along on the shaft H, and moving it from the position shown in Fig. 1. to that shown
in Fig. 4.
In order to reproduce a phonogram, which will take place when the cylinder, E³,
driven by the motor A, is caused to revolve backwards, the catch or projection b
which has been impeding the action of the fly regulator is withdrawn; this is done
by moving the crank D to the left on the shaft a², whereby the tooth d¹ is
disengaged from the projection a³, and the lever B, being deprived of its support d
is lowered. The said lever B will then rest behind the collar d, and the motor
will work without any hindrance. When the lever B is lowered, the lever B' and
consequently the frame E of the diaphragm, will also be lowered.
In order that the reproducing point E shall engage the record cylinder properly
and at a suitable depth, use is made of the adjusting screw g, which abuts against
the post. Experience has shewn that it is advantageous to give the recording
point a perpendicular, or normal, and the reproducing point an inclined position
relatively to the circumference of the phonogram cylinder.
In order to facilitate the bringing of either of the points into operative
position when it is desired to record or to reproduce a phonogram, the said points
are attached (see Fig. 5) to an elastic angle support e¹ e³, pivoted on a pin e³ of the

page_text: frame E, which enables whichever point is required, to be brought into position by
simply turning the said angular support on its pivot.
As it would be somewhat difficult to provide the shaft H of the cylinder E³ with
a very fine and very sharp screw thread, on account of its comparatively large
diameter, the helical impressions formed by the point E' are consequently a certain
distance apart from each other. In order to increase the recording capacity of the
surface of the cylinder, means are provided for recording between the helical
impressions forming a phonogram, one or several other phonograms. For this
purpose, a partial rotation is imparted to the shaft H, which must be proportioned
to the pitch of the screw thread on the shaft, so as to place the space between the
already formed impressions under the action of the recording point.
For the purpose of imparting the said partial rotation to the shaft H, the same
passes through the plates a a', and is secured by a fastening screw ', while at its
opposite end a handle is provided by means of which it can be rotated through
the desired angle, whereby the cylinder E³ is moved relatively to the recording
point, (the position of which is fixed longitudinally) and the position in which the
said point impinges on the cylinder is altered in consequence. The same result
could of course be attained by altering the position of the recording point itself.
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 phonogram cylinder of which revolves on a threaded
shaft and receives its motion from a spring motor, a lever B, resting on the
winding-up crank D, and provided with a catch or projection which stops the
rotation of the fly-regulator until the crank D, being moved outward, is disengaged
from the shaft a, and the lever B is permitted to fall in the rear of the collar d of
the crank, substantially as described and shown.
2. In a phonograph of the kind referred to in Claim 1, the arrangement on the
shaft of the lever B, of arms or supports B₁ 2 carrying the frame E of the
diaphragm, which during the winding up of the motor, the lever B being in a
raised position, is so held that the recording and reproducing points cannot strike
the phonograin cylinder E³, substantially as described and shown.
3. In a phonograph of the kind referred to in Claim 1, an elastic angle
support ele, pivoted to the frame E of the diaphragm and carrying the two
points E, E, so that by turning the said support one or other of the points can be
brought into the operative position, substantially as described and shown.
4. In a phonograph of the kind referred to in Claim 1, the screw threaded
shaft H of the phonogram-cylinder, passing through the plates a, a', and carrying
a handle by means of which it can be rotated to move the screw thread of the
shaft relatively to the recording point, thereby permitting the recording of other
phonograms on the cylinder 3 between the impressions forming one phonogram,
substantially as described and shown.
Dated this 1st day of June 1891.
W.. LLOYD WISE,
Per F. J. Brougham.