Combined Telephonic and Graphophonic Apparatus Applicable for Transmitting, Receiving, and Recording Sounds.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Sept., 1889-Accepted, 12th Oct., 1889
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Combined Telephonic and Graphophonic Apparatus Applicable for
Transmitting, Receiving, and Recording Sounds.
I, MALONE WHELESS, of 4, St. Cloud Building, in the City of Washington, in
the District of Columbia, United States of America, Mechanic, do hereby declare
the nature of my invention for "A NEW AND USEFUL TELEGRAPHONE," and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,
in which
Figure 1, is a perspective view of two graphophones in circuit.
Figure 2, is a perspective view, partly broken away, of diaphragms and supporting
arms.
Figure 3, is a section taken on the line e, e, of Figure 2.
Figure 4, is a side view of the reproducing stylus, partly in section.
Figures 5 and 6, are detailed views of the transmitting styli.
This invention relates to an improvement in electric methods whereby the indenta-
tions upon the cylinder of a graphophone can be reproduced upon another cylinder
and at the same time the vocal sounds represented by these indentations are rendered
audible.
The invention consists in placing two graphophones in circuit so that the vibrations
produced at one graphophone by the recording stylus moving over the cylinder shall
be taken up by the reproducing stylus and be reproduced at the other graphophone
making identical indentations there at the same time, to be transferred into sound
waves.
In the use of the graphophone as it is now operated sound waves are converted
into indentations upon the surface of a cylinder and can be reproduced at pleasure
as is well known.
In telephoning as now practised a serious defect in the system is that when
a subscriber is called up and there is no response the caller cannot use the instrument,
and must wait another opportunity. And by combining the principle involved in
these two systems it is possible by the use of my invention to so connect up two
graphophones on a telephone circuit, that not only will the message be audibly,
received at the receiver, but will also be reproduced upon a graphophone there.
In case of the absence of the subscriber he can, on his return, obtain the message.
Also this becomes a record which can be filed away for future use.
In the drawings hereto annexed
The letters A A¹ indicate two graphophones in circuit. This circuit may be a
primary or an induction circuit the latter being preferable as shown. The device con-
nected to these graphophones being identical, that is, all the graphophones being
constructed alike, a description of one answers for all.
To the threaded bar a of the graphophone A are hinged the two metallic arms B B¹,
one above the other, insulated from the bar and each other. The under arm B has
at its end on the under side a metal point or stylus band on top a carbon contact 6.
To the under side of the end of the upper bar B1 is a metallic point b³ which rests
upon the carbon contact b¹ and to the upper side of this bar 13 is another metal
point 6' which rests against a diaphragm be carried by this arm 13', preferably of gold
beaters skin. To this diaphragm is secured a pipe with an ear piece. To the threaded
bar a alongside of arms B B is secured a stem C carrying an annulus c to which is
secured a metal diaphragm c'. Sprung diametrically across and over the annulus and
secured thereto is an arch D. Supported vertically at one side of this arm is the
magnet E held adjustably thereto by pins . entering slots dd. On the under side
of the diaphragm c¹ is secured a stylus. The annulus c with its diaphragm is much

page_text: larger than the diaphragm b and covers the latter. This relation brings the two styli b
and in almost the same plane and over the cylinder of the graphophone. Upon
the diaphragm c is placed the usual mouthpiece shown in dotted lines Figure 5.
The fetter M indicates the cylinder of the graphophone, and m n p, the usual gear
wheels.
At each graphophone is shown a closed primary circuit O. This circuit when not
in use is kept open by a switch.
The two arms B B' are in the circuit as clearly shown in Figure 1, and the circuit
is closed at the metallic and carbon contacts. The primary circuits are provided with
the inductive coils G, which are connected by the usual line wire H, and have the
grounds II, the coils of the magnets E being in the inductive circuit. It is evident
that the two graphophones must be kept in motion while the message is being
transmitted.
To operate the invention the two graphophones are set in motion, the primary circuit
at the sending station being closed, the styli resting on the cylinders. The message is
spoken through the mouthpiece against the diaphragm of the transmitter and by
means of the recording styfus & the usual indentations are impressed upon the sending
cylinder M. As these indentations pass away from the stylus they come in contact
with the reproducing stylus b. This stylus & takes up the vibrations and transmits
them to the carbon point 61, where the local circuit is closed and the induction currents
are sent out to the line equal in variation and tension to the "primary" disturbance.
These currents passing over the line disturb the magnet at the receiving station thereby
disturbing the diaphragm actuated by the magnet as well as the stylus which is
attached to the underside of it; and the cylinder is indented with indentations equal
to the disturbance of the diaphragm. These indentations made upon the receiving
cylinder are identical with those made upon the sending cylinder, one being a duplicate
of the other. As these indentations upon the receiving cylinder pass away from the
stylus they pass under the stylus which disturbs the diaphragm and this
disturbance make the wave sounds which are articulate and audible.
It is known that it has been proposed to connect a phonograph with an ordinary
telephone circuit, so that the messages received will be recorded as well as heard.
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 a graphophone with an additional stylus resting in the
groove made by the graphophone stylus and closely behind said stylus and electric
connections containing contacts varied by the additional stylus and extending to a
suitable receiver.
2. In a combined telephone and graphophone, the combination of an impression
cylinder with a diaphragm having a stylus arranged upon one side, and an electro-
magnet upon the other side arranged in circuit extending from the transmitter to a
distant instrument, and an additional stylus controlling the contacts in a primary
circuit the secondary of which extends to the receiver of the distant instruinent.
3. In a combined telephone and graphophone, the combination of a diaphragm, an
impression cylinder, and a stylus between the diaphragm and impression cylinder,
and an electro-magnet upon the other side of the diaphragm in a circuit controlled
with and controlled by the transmitter of the distant instrument, and an additional
stylus varying the contact of the electrodes in a circuit extending to the receiver of
the distant instrument.
4. In a combined graphophone and telephone instrument, the combination of an
impression cylinder and a suitable screw shaft with suitable gearing for connecting
said cylinder to the shaft with a diaphragm carrying one stylus, and
additional stylus, both movable laterally by said screw shaft and proper electric
circuits.
an
5. The combination of a pair of combined graphophone and telephone instruments,
located at different stations, each instrument comprising an impression cylinder, two

page_text: styli laterally movable on a single screw, a diaphragm carrying one stylus, and an
electro-magnet upon its opposite side; suitable electric circuits,and gearing connecting
the screw and cylinder.
6. The combination of two graphophones each provided with a diaphragm having a
magnet and a stylus; and two arms, one above another; one arm having a stylus
underneath and à contact point on top, the other arm having a contact point
underneath and resting on the other contact point, and a contact point on top and a
diaphragm against the bottom of which the second contact point rests; with an electric
circuit; the two arms being in circuit as set forth.
Datad this 3rd day of Soutombor 1880
ALLISON BROS..
Agents for the Applicant.