Improvements in Machines for the Reproduction of Sound.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 7th May, 1889
Complete Specification Left, 7th Mar, 1890-Accepted, 3rd May, 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
Improvements in Machines for the Reproduction of Sound.
I, FREDERICK LAWRENCE RAWSON of No 11 Queen Victoria Street in the City of
London Electrical Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows
-
For convenience in sending short letters which may be written on longer cylinders
than is necessary for use on machines such as the Graphophone as now made I
arrange a cutting tool on a travelling bar so that the part of the cylinder witten on
can be conveniently cut off the cutting edge being arranged it necessary with a stop
to take off the pressure of the same upon the cylinder and one to limit the depth of
the cut I can fix the cutting tool on the counterweight of the recording instrument
with the knife edge slightly out of the centre so that throwing back the recording
instrument as far as it will go cuts off the cylinder in exactly the proper place In
order that the holder should conveniently take the remaining pieces of cylinder after
a piece is cut off so as to allow of more sounds being engraved thereon, I aange
the holder with a long piston so that it can be pushed up against the cylinder when
the same can be fastened by any of the ordinary arrangements such as a bayonet
catch and if desired a spring can be released which gives the requisite pressure on
the cylinder to hold it steadily in place
In cases where absolutely the whole length of the cylinder is required I ariange
the mandril onto which it fits so as to be inserted and then expanded so as to
engage for some considerable distance down the tube I also can arrange the
mandil so that it fits the tube and enters some distance engaging by fiction
prevents the end of the tube being expanded by the mechanism holding it
This
Where long cylinders are required by means of the mandiil engaging internally
and passing sonie distance up the cylinder the tube may be shifted along so that its
position may be altered with regard to the bar carrying the recorder and reproduce
thus enabling cylinders longer than the travel of the recorder and reproducer to
be used
Where the machine is worked by an ordinary treadle arrangement such as that of
a sewing machine, as it is rather difficult to start the machine at once I arrange a
spring or counterbalance so that the treadle comes to rest always in a position ready.
for work so that pressure downwards alone at once starts the cylinder and starts it in
the required direction I can arrange also the gearing so that in whichever duection
the treadle is worked it rotates the cylinder in the night direction, this can be done
by fiction wheels which are thrown into gear on one wheel or another in the
usual way
In order to lender easy to at once hear what has been spoken when one
is speaking into the recording diaphragm I arrange a reproducing diaphragm so that
the pressure of the finger on a level or other mechanical movement causes the
recording diaphragm to be raised supporting its weight if necessary and the pointer
of the reproducing diaphragm to be dropped on to the cylinder It is preferable to
drop the reproducer a little bit earlier on the cylinder than the recorder thus repeating
a definite amount which may be varied by an adjusting screw
In order to allow one to pass the point of the reproducing diaphragm rapidly to
and fro on the surface of the cylinder without damaging the same I aange a small
lever with pieces moving the same on either end of the piece travelling on the driving
serew which on being pressed slightly preferably with a finger on either end slightly
raises the part of the reproduce resting on the cylinder
It is a great convenience to have the reproducer arranged so that when run on
the screw in one direction it runs at the requisite speed but when either the motor
or diving gear is reversed the pencil can be automatically lifted and run back at
כל

page_text: double or treble the speed This can be done by the motor going faster or more con-
veniently by the reproducer being carried on to a second spindle a faster thread
being cut on the same
As a convenience I arrange a switch worked by the knee or foot where an electric
motor is used It is convenient to have the make and break worked by the knee or
foot and also to have the motor arranged so that one movement of the hand knee or
foot causes the motor to run in one direction and the opposite movement causes it
to run in the reverse direction There can be an intermediate position or a
third contact or position of the switch which prevents the current passing to the
motor
As it is required sometimes to erase a certain amount of what has been recorded
I arrange a cutting tool which simply cuts out the record that has been registered
and this cutting tool I arrange to be worked with a level and finger press I also
arrange this cutting tool to work a given distance behind the recording or reproducing
tool and so to cut out a given amount
It is possible to plane off the marks left on the cylinder so as to adapt it for a new
record and this tool can be fittel on to the counter weight of the recorder It
18 a convenience in this case sometimes to have a thick deposit of was
cylinder
on the
In order that the proper commencing end of the cylinder should be at once
distinguished by the blind or others I arrange one end of the holder to mark the
end of the cylinder in which it engages Sometimes I preferably arrange the
cutting tool so that at the commencement of the cylinder it makes a deep cut thus
clearly marking which end of the cylinder is the commencing end
To facilitate the hearing arrangement I sometimes place a small earpiece or cap
on to the ear with a pencil which fits into the ear projecting from the cap and
arrange so that the distance that the pencil projects from the cap may be regulated
thus allowing the pencil to enter more or less into the ear as is desired I find that as
the record is more clearly beard after the reproducer has passed over the same I
arrange a needle attached to the recorder so that bearing on the surface of the cylinder
in the same way as the reproducer does it has the same effect
To diminish the sound of the contact piece I sprinkle fine blacklead or French
chalk 01 similar material so as to reduce the fuction over the surface of the
cylinders
In order to allow the operator to adjust the tension of the thread connecting the
reproducing diaphragm with the needle I sometimes use an adjusting sciew and nut
or similar adjustment arrangement on the ebonite standard for the purpose of obtain-
ing a delicate adjustment
Where the record is only to be reproduced once or twice I arrange by a spring
01 other convenient method which can be put in action when desired to increase the
pressure of the reproducer in order to increase the sound I also use cylinders of
à softer quality of wax where only one or two reproductions are required
It is a convenience sometimes to cut a groove in the cylinder before the record is
made In this case after the groove is cut the record can be actually cut or else only
indented in the wax which may be made of two degrees of hardness the harder wax
being on the surface It is a convenience to attach the cutter for cutting the groove
on to the framework carrying the recording diaphragm
The cylinders can be used again by remelting the wax on the same by rotating
them in front of a hot piece of metal or other suitable heat or with a hot piece of
metal pressing against the cylinder This can be done whilst they are on the machine
Flat pieces can be formed in the shape of a cylinder by being fixed over a block the
two ends of the paper being turned down adjacent to each other and fixed firmly by
screws
Where a governor is used with two fuction discs for controlling the speed of the
cylinder I construct one of the discs of larger diameter and provide it with a flange
so as to protect the friction surfaces from anything dropping between I sometimes
make the layers of wax on cylinders of different colors so that the operator can

page_text: easily see how far the cutting style has advanced by the underneath layer being
exposed
In order to file away the cylinders I make them taper so that they can fit one
inside the other and in this case it is easy to see at which end the reproduction
commences
For filing away for reference I fit a little cap or plug on the end of the cylinder
on to which can be written the contents of the cylinder so that when filed end
upwards the contents can be easily seen or else a number can be put on and a
reference book kept
For filing away the cylinders I have a cabinet with blocks slightly smaller than the
cylinders on which they can be placed so as not to rub against each other The
blocks may be parallel or slightly taper and can have the same writing as the caps or
plugs mentioned previously
In order that the cylinders should travel safely by post I arrange the boxes with a
projection at either end the cylinders preferably going in from one end thus domg
away with the necessity for wrapping anything round the cylinder
Dated this First day of May 1889
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
Improvements in Machines for the Reproduction of Sound.
I FREDFRICK LAWRENCE Rawson of No 88 Queen Victoria Street in the city
of London Electrical 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
-
In reference to the diawings, for convenience in sending short letters which may
be witten on larger cylinders than are necessary for use in machines such as the
Graphophone as now made I anange (see Fig 1) a cutting tool A on a travelling
bar B so that the part of the cylinder C witten on can be conveniently cut off the
cutting edge being arranged if necessary with a stop D to take off the pressure of the
same upon the cylinder & one E to limit the depth of the cut the spring F giving the
pressure necessary for cutting I may fix the cutting tool A on the counter weight of
the recording instrument (see Fig 2) with the knife edge slightly out of the centre
so that throwing bark the recording instrument as far as it will go causes the knife A
to enter and cut off the cylinder in exactly the proper place, that is slightly in
advance of the last record or indentation
In order that the holder should conveniently take the remaining pieces of cylinder
(after a piece is cut off) so as to allow of more sounds being engraved on the
remainder I arrange the holder with a long piston A, fig 3, so that it can be pushed
up against the cylinder c, when the same can be fastened by any of the ordinary
arrangements such as a bayonet catch, and if desired a spring can be released which
gives the requisite pressure on the cylinder to hold it steadily in place
In cases where absolutely the whole length of the cylinder is required, I arrange
the mandil on to which it fits so as to be inserted and then expanded so as to engage
for some considerable distance down the tube, see fig 4, in which the tube A is
expanded when in the cylinder by screwing the cones B B together
I also can arrange the mandil so that it fits the tube or waxed cylinder and enters
some distance engaging by friction, see Fig 5 in which the ends of the tubular
mandil being slotted spring outwards and engage by friction with the interior of the
aforesaid tube into which it is thrust This does not expand the end of the tube as
occurs with the usual cone mechanism holding it Where long cylinders are required,
by means of the mandril engaging internally & passing some distance up the cylinder
the tube may be shifted along so that its position may be altered with regard to the
bar carrying the recorder & reproducer thus enabling cylinders longer than the travel
of the recoider and reproduce to be used
Where the machine is worked by an ordinary treadle arrangement such as that of

page_text: an ordinary sewing machine, as it is rather difficult to start the machine at once I
arrange a sping or counter balance A see Fig 6 so that the treadle B comes to rest
always in a position ready for work so that pressure downwards alone at once starts
the cylinder & in the required direction
I can also arrange the gearing so that in whichever direction the treadle is worked
it rotates the cylinder in the right direction, this can be done by fiction
wheels A, B, C, fig 7 which are thrown into gear on one wheel or another so as to
produce uniformity of direction of rotation
wheels
For instance in Fig 7 the axle D when going in one direction engages with the
wheel B and drives the axle Fin the opposite direction, if the axle D reverses its
direction it disengages with its friction wheel and dives the axle F direct through
gearing at E
This gearing may preferably be clutches or pawls working matchet
In order to render it easy to at once hear what has been spoken when one is
speaking into the recording diaphragm (see Fig S) I arrange a reproducing
diaphragm A so that the pressure of the finger on a lever D or a similar mechanical
movement causes the recording diaphragm B to be raised (supporting its weight if
necessary) and the pointer of the reproducing diaphragm A to be dropped on to
the cylinder C It is preferable to drop the reproducer a little earlier on the cylinder
than the recorder thus repeating a definite amount which may be vanad by an
adjusting screw In order to allow the point of the reproducing diaphragm to be
rapidly passed to & fro on the surface of the cylinder without damaging the same I
arrange a small saddle piece A fig 9 with pieces B B travelling on the driving
screw D which on being pressed slightly preferably with a finger on either end
slightly raises the part of the reproducer E resting on the cylinder
It is a great convenience to have the reproducer arranged so that when run on the
screw in one direction it runs at the requisite normal speed, but when either the motor
or driving gear is reversed the pencil can be automatically lifted and run back at
double or treble the speed
This can be done by the motor going faster or more conveniently by the repro-
ducer A fig 10 being carried on to a second spindle B with a faster thread cut on
the same
As a convenience I arrange a switch worked by the knee or foot where an electric
motor is used It is convenient to have the make and brake worked by the knee or
foot see 10d A, fig 11, and also to have the motor arranged so that the movements of
the hand by the knob B or by the knee or foot against the continuation piece A-see
side view Fig 11-causes the motor to run in one direction and the opposite move-
ment causes it run in the reverse direction There can be an intermediate position as
shown in the diagram marked plan fig 11, or a thud contact or position of the
switch which prevents the current passing to the motor M The whole constitutes
the usual reversing switch of electric motors as will be readily seen from the figure
As it is required sometimes to eraso a certam amount of what has been recorded I
arrange a cutting tool A fig 12 which can be used to cut out the record which has
been made and this cutting tool I arrange to be worked by depressing a level with
the finger as shown at B fig 12 I also urange this cutting tool a given distance
behind the recording or reproducing tool and so to cut out, when put in action, a
given amount such as, sav, the last 3 or 4 words
It
It is possible to plane off the marks left in the cylinder so as to adapt it for a new
record, and this tool can be filled in to the similar counterweight of the recorder
is a convenience in this case sometimes to have a thick deposit of wax on the cylinder
In order that the proper commencing end of the cylinder should at once be dis-
tinguished by the blind and others I arrange one end of the holder to mark the end of
the cylinder in which it engages Sometimes I preferably arrange the cutting tool so
that at the commencement of the cylinder it makes a deep cut thus clearly marking
which end of the cylinder is the commencing end
To facilitate the hearing arrangement I sometimes place a small earpiece or cap on
to the ear see A fig. 13 with a pencil B which fits into the ear projecting from the

page_text: cap and I arrange so that the distance that the pencil projects from the cap may be
regulated (preferably by a screw) thus allowing the pencil to enter more or less into
the ear as may be desired
I find that as the record is more clearly heard after the reproducer has passed over
the same I arrange a needle attached to the recorder so that bearing on the surface of
the cylinder in the same way as the reproduce does it has the same effect.
This is shown in fig. 8 where the dotted lines at E show the position of the
needle
To diminish the sound of the contact piece I sprinkle fine black lead or French
chalk or similar material so as to reduce the triction on the surface of the cylinder
Where the record is only to be reproduced once or twice I anange by a sping or
other convenient method which can be put in action when desired, to increase the
pressure of the reproducer in order to increase the sound
I also use cylinders of a softer quality of wax where only one or two reproductions
are required
It is a convenience sometimes to cut a groove in the cylinder before the record is
made In this case after the groove is cut the record can be actually cut or else' only
indented in the wax which may be made of two degrees of hardness the harder wax
being on the surface
It is a convenience to attach the cutter for cutting the groove on to the framework
carrying the recording diaphragm
The cylinders can be used again by emelting the wax on the same by rotating
them whilst in the machine & pressing against them a hot piece of metal
Where a governor is used with two fiction discs for controlling the speed of the
cylinder I construct one of the discs of larger diameter and provide it with a flange
(see A fg. 16) so as to protect the fiction surfaces from anything dropping
between
I sometimes make the layers of wax on the cylinders of different colors so that the
operator can easily see how far the cutting style has advanced by the underneath
layer being exposed
In order to file away the cylinders when full I make them taper so that they can ht
one inside the other and in this case it is easy to see at which end the reproduction
should commence
For filing away the cylinders for reference I fit a little cap or plug (A fg 14) on
the end of the cylinder on which can be written the contents of the cylinder so that
when filed end upwards the contents can be easily seen on a number may be put
corresponding to a reference book
For filing away the cylinders I have a cabinet with blocks (B fg 14) slightly
smaller than the cylinders on which they can be placed so as not to rub against each
other.
The blocks may be parallel or slightly taper and can have the same writing as the
caps or plugs mentioned previously
In order that the cylinders should travel safely by post I aange the boxes with a
projection A fig 15 at either end, the cylinders preferably going in from one end
thus doing away with the necessity for wrapping any thing round the cylinder
Having now described & particularly set forth the nature of the said invention and
the manner of carrying the same into effect I would have it understood that what I
claim 18.-
I The combination with the recording cylinder of a machine for the reproduction
of sound of a cutting tool substantially as described & for the purposes set forth
II The combination with the recording cylinder of a machine for the reproduction
of sound of an adjustable or expanding piston substantially as described & for the
purposes set forth.
III The combination with the treadle mechanism of a machine for the reproduction
of sound of mechanical devices to secure uniformity of direction of 10tation sub-
stantially as described.

page_text: IV The combination with the recording cylinder of a machine for the reproduction
of sound of a receding & reproducing diaphragm so related as to allow a very slight
movement to cause a desired amount of the recorded sound to be reproduced
substantially as described
V The combination with the reproducing diaphragm of a machine for the
reproduction of sound of a mechanical device for allowing the point of the diaphragm
to be rapidly passed over the surface of the cylinder without detriment to the latter
substantially as described
VI The combination with the mechanism for molding the diaphragm of an
instrument for the reproduction of sound of a mechanical device for allowing an
abnormally rapid sideways movement of the diaphragm substantially as described
VII The combination with an electrical motor diving gear of an instrument for
the reproduction of sound of a mechanical device for rapidly controlling the rotation
of the motor substantially as described
VIII The combination with the recording cylinder of an instrument for the
reproduction of sound of a cutting tool for the erasure of the recorded sounds
substantially as described
IX The combination with the holder of the recording cylinder of an instrument
for the reproduction of sound of a mechanical device for distinctly marking the
commenting end of the cylinder
X The combination with the tube of the reproducing cylinder of an instrument for
the reproduction of sound of an earpiece oi cap fitted with an adjustable pencil
substantially as described
XI The combination with the needle or pointer of the recording diaphragm of an
instrument for the reproduction of sound of a second needle on pointer substantially
as described for the purposes set forth
XII The use in connection with the friction discs of the governor regulating the
speed of the cylinder of an instrument for the reproduction of sound of a flange upon
the larger disc for the purposes set forth
XIII The employment on the recording cylinders of an instrument for the
reproduction of sound of laveis of different coloured wax for the purposes set forth
XIV The devices for filing away packing & labelling the recording cylinders of au
instrument for the reproduction of sound substantially as described
1000