Improvements in connection with Phonographs.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Jan., 1897-Accepted, 13th Mar., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in connection with Phonographs.
I, THEODORE VAN HEEMSTEDE OBELT of 140 Rokin, Amsterdam, in the
Kingdom of Holland, 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 a machine or apparatus for imprinting or tracing upon
two or more revolving blank phonograph wax-cylinders simultaneously, a record of
sound waves produced by a person or persons speaking or singing, or a piano or
other musical instrument, or a band playing, or by the reproducing stylus of a
phonograph, operating in the presence of a diaphragm, in connection with other
diaphragms whose recording styluses are in contact with the said revolting
cylinders.
It is generally understood, that given the presence of a certain number of
phonographs in a room, each provided with a suitable recording surface, that a
person or persons speaking, or singing, or a musical instrument or instruments
playing in the presence of such phonographs the sound waves produced thereby
would be recorded upon the cylinder of each instrument, but in the course of my
lengthy and varied experience with every type of phonograph, and every
improvement in connection with photographs that have been placed upon the
market, I have found in practice that to produce good and satisfactory records of
such sounds, it is imperative, that the person or persons speaking, or the musical
instrument or instruments playing should be in such a position, relatively to the said
phonographs, that the sounds originally produced should be projected as directly
as possible on to the recording diaphragms, the established science of such
recording having proved that the greater the distance of the phonograph from the
source from which the original sound or sounds proceed, the more attenuated the
said records become, and to provide a reliable and satisfactory means by which
sound waves originally produced, if directed so as to project upon and vibrate one
diaphragm, may convey such vibrations to two or more auxiliary or supplementary
diaphragms for recording or tracing such sounds upon a like number of recording
surfaces, is the object and purpose of my invention.
I am aware that means has hitherto been proposed for employing one central
speaking tube having several branches leading to a like number of phonographs,
so that one person speaking into the main tube would cause the diaphragms of the
several phonographs to vibrate, and imprint or trace records of the voice upon the
recording surfaces thereof simultaneously.
Another attempt to make more than one record at a time consisted in the
mounting of twelve or more phonographs upon a stand (all connected electrically)
and each provided with a large funnel, these being surmounted by a sounding
board, the person whose voice was to be recorded speaking or singing in the
presence of this battery of funnels, but both these methods have failed, the first
by reason of the necessary lengths of the connecting tubes and the unavoidable
possible leakage in the joints of same, the latter by reason of some of the said
funnels being farther from the speaker or singer than the others, in both cases
causing attenuation of the records and loss of power, and the partial annihilation
of the sound vibrations.
Edison in his English Patent No. 1644 of A.D. 1878 (which in many
respects is considered to be his master patent) proposed the use of metal, waxes,

page_text: gums, lacs and hydrocarbons and to imprint upon these sound records, and then
place the record in a mould opening in two parts. hinged together, by means of
which he moulded reproductions of the said records but this system failed from
the fact that a phonograph record must be an unbroken sinuous line, whereas a
ridge was left upon the record by reason of the joints in the mould. This system
of course applied to recording surfaces of cylindrical formation only.
In the English Patent granted to J. Y. Johnson No. 1851 of A.D. 1888 a des-
cription is given of an apparatus with duplicate cylindrical surface holders, which
were intended to make duplicate records of sounds conveyed to the imprinting point
by the means of tubes. The objections to this system are the saine as that previously
mentioned with regards to the use of tubes.
.
Lioret in his English Patent No. 23366 of A.D. 1893 and Young in his English
Patent No. 1478 of A.D. 1894 both propose (by means peculiar to each) to
produce moulds from cylindrical records by well known electrolytic means, and
in which thin rings of celluloid or other material, readily softened by heat and
possessing a greater co-efficient of expansion than the said mould, were pressed
out with a reamer and allowed to cool. These systems were both excellent in
their way but both needed a special plant and great care in the work of
reproduction.
Having thus briefly referred to the various known methods hitherto adopted to
produce more than one record at a time from an original source, I will now
proceed to describe the nature of my invention and the manner in which I purpose
carrying the same into effect, and in order to facilitate this I have hereunto appended
a sheet of drawings of which,
Fig. 1 is a vertical section of the working portion of the apparatus.
Fig. 2 is an elevation (drawn to a smaller scale relatively to Fig. 1) of one end
of the complete apparatus with a portion of the outer case broken away, Fig. 3
being a sectional plan upon the line A B Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 is a vertical section of Fig. 2 taken upon the line E F with the upper
portion of the case removed or broken away.
Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken upon the line G H Fig. 4 with the upper
portion of the case replaced.
Fig. 6 is a section taken upon the line C'D Fig. 1.
Fig. 7 is an enlarged side view of that portion of Fig. 1 represented by the
line X X.
"
Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of a detail of Fig. 1 hereinafter explained.
Fig. 9 is a diagram of an extended system hereinafter explained.
In the manufacture of phonographs the word "diaphragm is technically
known to embrace, not only the vibrating tympanum, but the case containing
the same, but in order to obviate any technical difficulty or play upon the word
diaphragm" (which has heretofore led to lengthly litigation) I will describe the
manner in which, according to my invention, I construct the said diaphragm.
66
Referring to Fig. 1, for the purposes of my invention I construct of brass or
. other suitable material a circular cup shaped case A, having in its under surface an
opening B, which provides an annular ridge a, and upon this I seat a tympanum C
preferably of mica, bedded upon a rubber ring, and upon C, rests an annular
ring D, of any suitable material, but which may conveniently be of hard rubber,
and upon D rests a plate E of metal, vulcanite or other suitable material, having a
central opening surrounded by a cylindrical boss e, the whole being retained in
position within A by the means of a ring F preferably of brass, screwed into A,
but which may be of any other hard material, suitable for the purpose, and in order
to add to the sensitiveness of the tympanum, I may interpose other rubber rings or
partitions between the said parts as may be found desirable.
In the centre of the diaphragm or tympanum C I provide a hole, in which I place
a threaded stud d, clamped in position upon C by the means of nuts ff, the said
stud having at its ends eyes or loops e and e¹ the former of which is connected to
one end of a fine spiral spring g the opposite end of which is connected by a tension

page_text: screw to a steel wire h, stretched across the lower end of the boss c and which may
or may not be covered by platted cotton or silk. An enlarged view of the stud d
and its connection with the diaphragm C is shewn more graphically by Fig. 8.
The foregoing is a description of my improved diaphragm in its entirety, with the
exception that I may employ several springs such as 9 arranged in a circle and
attached to the boss c in lieu of, or in addition to the wire h..
The machine or apparatus constituting my invention I enclose within a box or
case such as H, of any desired size, shape, or configuration, but preferably, that
shewn by Figs. 2, 3, 4, and 5, the lower portion of which H', may contain an
electric, mechanical gas; or other motor (not shewn) for giving motion to a pulley h¹
mounted upon the spindle of a mandrel J, (Fig. 3) carrying a toothed wheel; which
imparts motion in the same direction to a pair of like wheels k k¹ by the means of
intermediate wheels and , the wheels k k¹ heing mounted upon spindles carrying
like mandrels J and J', placed parallel with J, the three said mandrels extending
horizontally across the machine to removable bearings or gates such as m, capable
of deflection to enable wax or other recording cylinders K to be placed upon the
said mandrels as at Fig. 4. The wheelj by the means of intermediate wheels n n'.
imparts motion at the desired speed with a like wheel o mounted upon the end of a
threaded shaft p (shewn in position in Fig. 4 and by the enlarged views Figs. 1
and 7).
The diaphragm A (Fig. 1) which for the purposes of my invention I prefer shall
be about 2 inches in diameter, is provided with lugs or ears K' and K2 adapted to
slide upon a pair of parallel rods L L¹, rigidly placed across the internal frame of
the machine, and provided with suitable ball bearings L2 (Fig. 1) to reduce friction.
The ring F of the diaphragm A carries a pair of cylindrical cups M M¹ (Figs. 1
and 7) in which are deposited rods M' connected to or formed integrally with heads
or balf nuts M³ the latter being so formed and threaded upon their upper surfaces as
to mesh with the threaded shaft pand are normally held in contact therewith by the
tension of spiral springs M placed within M and surrounding the rods M² the said
heads M being connected, or formed integrally with a pair of rings N N' adapted
to form a hand hold N.
The diaphragm case A has connected thereto a depending frame O (shewn by
dotted outline in Fig. 1 and by full lines in Figs. 3, 4, and 5) the bottom or
horizontal portion of which is provided with as many circular openings (Fig. 3)
as there are cylinders for receiving the records, which for clearness I have assumed
to be three, hence the employment of three mandrels J, J', J, and in each of the
said openings I deposit a smaller diaphragm A' (Fig. 1) constructed the same as
the diaphragm A with the exception, that instead of a tympanum C, I fix across
each of the openings B, a piece of flat inetal P, similar to a portion of a watch
spring, to each of which is connected a suitable cutting or recording stylus s, the
said diaphragms A¹ being so arranged that their said styluses rest upon the surfaces
of the cylinders K, mounted upon the mandrels J, J, J2. The said plates P are
each connected at their centres to one end of a spiral spring g, whose opposite end
is connected to a wire h stretched across the boss c in the same manner as the larger
diaphragm. To the eye e' in the larger diaphragm A, is connected the upper ends
of three steel wires R, which may or may not be covered with platted cotton, or
silk, the lower ends of the said wires, being connected to the springs g of the.
diaphragms A', as shewn in Fig. 1, so that the vibrations of the diaphragms C
in A would impart like vibrations to the plate P and the stylus s. The manner of
operation is as follows
C
If it is desired that a record from a phonograph be reproduced in triplicate upon
the cylinders K, a tube leading from the reproducer of such phonograph would be
connected to the boss c of the diaphragm A, but if the sounds from a human voice,
or a musical instrument or instruments is to be recorded in triplicate upon the
cylinders K a suitable funnel shaped sound collector would be fixed upon the boss c,
and the apparatus be placed in such a position that such sounds would be directed.
so as to enter the said funnel, therefore, given that the apparatus is suitably

page_text: arranged and positioned for receiving the said sound waves, the diaphragm A
would be placed at the driving end of the threaded shaft p, which would place the
frame and its diaphragms A' in such a position, that their styluses & were at the
same end of the cylinder K as shewn at Fig. 4. If motion be then imparted to
the pulley h', the revolving shaft p would carry the diaphragm A from the left
to the right of Fig. 4, sliding along its rods L, and L' and by reason of the
frame and the diaphragms A' therein, travelling coincidentally with A, it
follows, that the vibrations of the tympanum C in A caused by the sounds
projected into the cylinder or boss e, would, by the agency of the wires R, impart
like vibrations to the plates P and the recording styluses s, thereby causing the
latter to trace or cut in spiral form upon the revolving cylinders K a phonographic
record of the sounds entering the cylinder or boss c of A, and at the completion of
such records the diaphragm A would have travelled (presumably) to the opposite
end of the threaded rod p, and the diaphragmn A¹ to the opposite end of the
cylinder K, when, by stopping the motor and unlocking the gates n, the said
cylinders carrying the records may be removed in the usual way, and in order that
the diaphragms may be returned to their first or initial position for use again, by
depressing the hand hold N2 the heads or part nuts M³ would be lowered clear of
the threaded shaft p, when the diaphragms A and A' may be returned to the
position shewn by Fig. 4, ready for operating again in like manner upon three
fresh cylinders placed upon the mandrels J J J as before. It will therefore be
understood that for each repitition of the original sounds I am enabled to produce
three phonographic records of the same, or such other number above three as the.
apparatus may be constructed to operate upon.
In Fig. 9 illustrate a possible means by which the vibrations of a diaphragm
such as A may be conveyed to one or more diaphragmns A¹ situated at a distance
from A, to effect which the wires R may be carried over and under suitable pegs
or pulleys S. adjustable so as to keep the wire or wires R always taut, and to
further. facilitate this, I may provide at each point S a loop or stretcher such
as tt, connected to the wire or wires R before and after passing. the points.S.as
shewn.
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 an improved system for producing in multiple, records of sound
vibrations, original or reproduced from a phonograph or similar instrument, the
construction use and application of the herein described machine or apparatus, and
the means for operating the same substantially as herein set forth and shewn by
the accompanying drawings.
2nd. In a machine or apparatus for producing in multiple phonographic records
of original or reproduced sound waves, the construction and use of a leading
diaphragm, consisting of a metallic case A, mica tympanum C, resilient ring D,
and plate E, the latter provided with a cylindrical boss or opening c and retained
in position in A by the means of a ring F screwed into A, with eyebolt such as d.
connected. to C, and a spiral spring 9 connected to a wire or wires à in or on c
combined and operating substantially as and for the purposes herein described and
shewn..
3rd. In a machine or apparatus for. producing in multiple phonographic records
of criginal or reproduced sound waves, the combination of a case such as H H
containing an electric, mechanical or other motor giving by the means of suitable
gear rotary motion to a set of parallel mandrels such as J, J', and J2 and a threaded
shaft p, the former carrying wax or other cylinders K, and the latter by contact.
with part nuts. M³, actuated by springs such as M', operating to effect the travel of
a diaphragm such as A, (set forth in the preceding claim) adapted to slide upon
rods Land L by the means of lugs such as K' K the said diaphragm A carrying
a depending, frame. O, adapted to carry other diaphragms such as A', having

page_text: recording styluses s, in contact with the said cylinders K with means such as
rods R, by which the said styluses are caused to vibrate in unison with the
vibrations of the tympanum C, of the said diaphragm A, and record such
vibrations upon the revolving cylinders K substantially as and for the purposes
herein described and shewn by the drawings.
4th. In combination with the machine or apparatus set forth in the preceding
claims the combination of a set of recording diaphragm such as A¹, similarly
constructed to that of the diaphragm A set forth in the first claim hereunto but
each having, in lieu of the tympanum C, a metallic spring plate P, carrying a
recording stylus s with means such as rods R connected directly or indirectly to
the said plates, and to the tympanum C of the diaphragm A, for conveying the
vibrations of Ċ to the plate P and the said styluss for tracing or recording such
vibrations upon revolving wax or other cylinders K substantially as herein
described and shewn.
This och dof T 1907
GEO. THOS. HYDE,
1 Broad Street Buildings, Liverpool Street, London, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.