Improvements in Gramophones and Actuating Devices therefor..
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Apr., 1898-Accepted, 2nd July, 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Gramophones and Actuating Devices therefor..
I, ELDRIDGE REEVES JOHNSON, of 108, North Front Street, City of Camden,
State of New Jersey, United States of America, Machinist, 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 certain improvements in gramophones and sound
recording and reproducing machines of like nature in which a record disk or
cylinder is propelled by power, and has for its principal object to provide an
improved form of mechanism for effecting the rotation of the disk under the
reproducing stylus.
My invention further comprises certain improvements in the mechanism for
supporting and rotating the record disk and for adjusting and regulating the
rotations of the latter, as more fully set forth hereinafter.
In the accompanying drawings:-
Fig. 1 is an elevation of a gramophone arranged and constructed in accordance
with my invention.
Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of a portion of the same on the line 2-2, Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view of a portion of the driving mechanism on the
line 3-3, Fig. 4.
Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation of the same on the line 4-4, Fig. 3 and
Fig. 5 is an elevation of the governor for regulating the speed of rotation of the
table on which the record disk is supported.
Referring to the drawings, A represents a circular table or platform on which
is placed a record disk, B, in which has been formed a continuous record groove by
a needle or stylus and a diaphragm vibrated by sound waves in the usual manner.
The table and disc are rotated under a stylus, b, secured to a casing, b¹, and con-
nected at one end to a suitable diaphragm, 62, from which leads a trumpet or ear
piece, C. This mechanism is carried by an arm, c, pivoted at c¹, to a support, c²,
and so arranged that it may be free to travel during the rotation of the disk.
The table, A, has a central hub, a, which rests upon a shoulder, d, formed near
the upper end of a sleeve, D, and is keyed to said sleeve by a pin, d¹. The lower
end of the sleeve is of somewhat smaller diameter and preferably rests within a
cup, E, in which are placed a number of balls, e, acting to keep the sleeve in a
central position. It is clear, however, that the sleeve can be maintained in a
central position by other means, such for instance, as by the use of an ordinary
metal bushing or collar adjusted around the lower end of the post and within the
sleeve.
From the base, F, of the operating mechanism extends a vertical post, G,
having in its upper end a conical depression or recess, g, for the reception of a
conical pin, g', secured to or formed integral with a threaded post, g², keyed, or
otherwise secured, to the sleeve, 1), and arranged to rotate with sleeve during the
operation of the machine. The post, G, is provided about midway of its length
with an annular groove, h, into which extends a set screw, h, carried by the
sleeve, D, and adapted to prevent any excessive vertical movement of the sleeve.

page_text: To the sleeve, D, are secured a gear wheel, i, and a pinion, ¿¹, which latter is
driven by a train of gearing, K, from a gear wheel, k, carried by a winding post, L,
to which latter is secured one end of a spiral spring, l. The opposite end of the
spring, 1, is secured to a semi-circular casing, M, arranged at one side of the
box or casing, M, and the connection between the winding post and the gear
wheel, k, is through a ratchet wheel, m, carried by the post and pawls, m³, carried
by the gear wheel and arranged to make contact with the teeth of the ratchet
wheel, m.
The casing, M, serves to keep the spiral spring within a comparatively
small space without materially interfering with the unwinding of its coils, and
at the same time forms a bearing or support for the upper end of the winding
post; L.
At one side of the train of gearing is arranged a governor constructed in the
manner shown in Fig. 5, and comprising a vertical shaft, n, having upper and
lower bearings and provided with a sleeve, n', to which are secured the lower
ends of springs, n², carrying weights or balls, 3. The shaft, n, is provided with
a pinion, p, arranged to intermesh with the gear wheel, i, and immediately above
the pinion is a disk, p, secured to or formed integral with the sleeve, n', and so
arranged that as the speed of rotation increases the disk will be vertically raised
and make contact with an arm or arins, r¹, pivoted at 2, to the governor standard
so that an excessive speed of rotation will be checked by the frictional contact
between the upper face of the disk and rubber bearing blocks, s, carried by the
arms, . To the outer ends of the bars, rl, is secured an arm, t, having an opening
for the passage of a rod, T, threaded at t¹, and screwing into a threaded opening
in the governor standard so that by turning the rod, T, the arms, r¹, may be
moved to a greater or less distance from the disk, p, and the rotations of the
governor be checked at any desired point. To oppose the adjustment of the
arms, a coiled spring, 2, is placed around the threaded end, 1, of the rod, T,
at a point between the governor standard and the arm, t.
The frame or standard carrying the govern-device is adjustable as a whole
toward and from the clockwork mechanism to regulate the degree of intermesh
of the gear or pinion, p, on the shaft, n, with gear wheel, i. To facilitate this
one or both of the orifices through which the securing screws pass for securing the
frame of the governor device to the bed plate is or are preferably slotted
transversely.
At one side of the box or casing, N, is secured an arm, U, pivoted at its lower
end to a plate, u, and at its upper end being provided with a small block, u', of
rubber or similar material adapted to make contact with the periphery of the
supporting table, A. The arm, U, has an operating handle or knob, u², by which
it may be moved into contact with the edge of the disk when it is desired to check
the speed of the latter.
At one side of the casing, N, is secured a rest or stop, v, for the reception and
support of the diaphragm case, 61, when the latter is moved on its supporting
lever, c, during the removal of a new record disk or at times when the machine
is out of operation.
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:-
-
1. The combination of the rotatable table, a driving sleeve for said table,
mechanism for rotating said sleeve, a stationary supporting post within said sleeve
and a step supporting pin between the table and the top of said post.
2. The combination of the rotatable table, a driving sleeve therefor, means for
supporting said sleeve, a roller bearing acting to maintain the sleeve in a central
position, and means for rotating said sleeve.
3. The combination of the rotatable table, a driving. sleeve operatively con-

page_text: nected thereto, a supporting post, means for centrally supporting said sleeve on
said post, and mechanism for rotating said sleeve, substantially as specified.
4. The combination of the supporting post having a recessed upper end, a
rotatable table, a driving sleeve operatively connected thereto, a conical pin
carried by the sleeve and adapted to fit within the recessed end of the post, and a
ball bearing adapted to keep the lower end of the sleeve in a central position,
substantially as specified.
5. The combination of the rotatable table, a driving spring, gearing operatively
connecting the spring and table, a winding post carrying said spring, and a casing
surrounding said spring and forming a bearing for said post.
6. The combination of the rotatable table, a driving sleeve therefor, means for
supporting said sleeve, a roller bearing acting to maintain the sleeve in a central
position, a driving gear secured to said sleeve at or near the lower end thereof,
and mechanism for rotating said driving gear.
7. In a motor the combination of a driving sleeve, a supporting post extending
partly within the sleeve and having a bearing surface for contact therewith,
ineans for maintaining the sleeve in a central position, a driving gear secured to
said sleeve at or near the lower end thereof, and means for rotating said driving
gear.
8. The combination of the rotatable table, a clockwork mechanism for rotating
the same, a governing device for regulating the speed of such mechanism, a frame
carrying said governing device, said frame being adjustable as a whole, toward
and from the clockwork mechanism.
9. The combination of the rotatable table, a motor for driving the same, a
governing device, an adjustable frame carrying the same, gears on the motor and
on the governor, said governor frame being adjustable toward and from the motor
mechanism to regulate the degree of intermesh of gears, substantially as specified.
10. The combination of the rotatable table, a motor for driving the same, a
frame adjustable as a whole toward and from the motor mechanism, and a governor
having its central or main shaft supported at opposite ends in bearings in said
frame.
11. The combination of the rotatable table, a motor for driving the same, a
governor having centrifugally operated arms, a friction disk movable by said arms,
and a regulating lever having arms or fingers adapted to make contact with said
disk, and means for adjusting said arms, substantially as specified.
TJ Lot dor of A: 1808
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.