The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1906)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. Kdwin H. Molley, Morton, Pa. Patent No. 834,629. One of the difficulties whicli lias been met in preserving the clearness and distinctness as well as the natural tone or "timbre" of sounds transmitted by vibratory diaphragms has been due to the fact that, owing to the construction of the diaphragm, it assumes a more or less curved or arched position while vibrating under the action of the sound waves, which results in the deflection of the sound waves and their consequent interference with one another. If the diaphragm, or that portion of it which is effective in the transmission of the sound waves, vibrates in the plane of its surface, or without curvature in the diameter of its plane, the waves will not be deflected, but will be transmitted in direct lines. While this result can and possibly has been obtained in diaphragms of special construction where the central vibratory portion has been connected with the clamping edge or outer support by separate connecting springs, such constructions are unsatisfactory not only because of their complicated and expensive construction, but also because the openings afforded by those spring connections permit a portion of the sound waves to pass through without acting on the diaphragm. Not only are such s o,u n d waves lost, but the openings permit air currents to pass through, which affect the sound waves transmitted by the vibrations of the diaphragm. It is the object of this invention to provide a diaphragm composed of a single integral sheet without openings or attenuated portions in which the central part may vibrate under the action of the sound waves without appreciable curvature iu the lines of its diameter or plane of its surface. The diaphragm is formed of a thin sheet of stiong resilient material, having its central portion united with the clamping edge by an integral, continuous and unattenuated spring portion of substantial width, so that the central portion is strengthened or stayed against curvature and the radial movements necessary to permit the vibrations are taken up in the integral uniting spring portion. The diaphragm may be used in any instrument for transmitting sound waves, such as the reproducing and recording heads of phonographs, graphophones and gramophones, and the sound boards and tympana of musical instruments. In the drawings. Fig. 1 is a plan view of a diaphragm embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a transverse section of the same. Talking Machine. John C. English, Camden, N. J., assignor to Victor Talking Machine Co., same place. Patent No. 834,511. The object of this invention is to provide such a construction in coneetion with talking machines or other similar sound recording and reproducing machines that the sound-box will at all times in traversing the grooves of the record be held accurately in such a position that the plane of the stylus or needle will be substantially tangent to the direction of rotation of a turn table, and, therefore, tangent to the turns of the record groove. Heretofore in talking machines the arm which supports the reproducing mechanism has usually been pivoted upon a vertical pivot, which causes the sound-box to swing in the arc of a circle about said pivot, and as the proper line on which the sound-box and needle should move in traversing a record of the disc type is a radius or straight line toward the center of the record It is evident that the stylus of the sound-box or •reproducer in such former constructions would be in a plane tangent to the record grooves at only one point in its movement across the record. This relation between the stylus or needle and the record grooves seems to interfere somewhat with an accurate reproduction of the sounds recorded on the record, especially at the beginning and ending of the record, because the stylus bar was not actuated in a direction exactly at right angles to the place of the diaphragm. This invention has substantially overcome this difficulty, and by its use the stylus is forced to move in substantially a straight line across the face of the record, said straight line being a radius, while at the same time the plane of the needle or stylus, as well as the sound-box diaphragm, are substantially in planes tangent to the record groove on the radius referred to. Briefly, this invention comprises an arm for supporting the reproducing mechanism which is composed of two parts joined or pivoted together, the sound-box also being pivoted in relation to the parts of said supporting arm, and also means for connecting the sound-box with a fixed point, sa that said sound-box is held accurately and firmly in its correct position while traversing the entire width of the record. Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a talking machine, showing the improved device ' in use in connection therewith. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the supporting arm detached from the other parts of the machine and showing the manner of joining the sections of said arm. Fig. 4 is a detailed plan view of the same, and Fig. 5 is a sectional view showing the manner of forming the joint between the sound box and the supporting VARIED MUSICAL TASTES. Illustrated in the Orders Sent in for Records. The great variety of musical taste shown by the public is well illustrated by a glance through the orders sent in to any one of the big com panies. Some want religious airs not heard since the time of the Crusaders. Others send in tor a ragtime tune that, if it ever was heard in public, sank into obscurity years ago and no monument erected to it. A sample order wa". that received by the National Phonograph Co. for a record to be made of "Down Went r.-IcGinty," that relic of bygone days that has almost become a classic. In replying to the above the company said: "It is impossible to say what our recording department may do in thefuture. 'Down Went McGinty' is, however, looked upon as a 'has been,' and, unless, like roller-skating, its popularity is revived, it is not likely that we will ever make a record of it." And still they come. CABLE COMPANY'S BIG BUSINESS. The Cable Company's branch in Richmond, Va., is doing a phenomenal business with the Victor machines and records, often being handicapped fi-om the tact that new shipments cannot bs received rapi/lly enough to fill out the dsi:leted stocks. The extent of the business may be judged from the fact that it was found necessary recently to send in a rush order for .?(j,000 worth of Victor goods, and the inability of the factory to fill it completely at such short notice caused untold inconvenience. J. G. Corley, the manager of that store, is to be congratulated upon the trade he has succeeded in building up i'j Richmond and vicinity, and which is continually being increased. THE UNIQUE TALKING MACHINE CO. (Special to The Talldng Machine Woi-Id.) Houston. Tex., Nov. 7, 1906. The Unique Talking Machine Co., of this city, are a large and continually growing concern, who claim to carry the largest line of both cylinder and disc records of any house in Texas on the shelves at the local store. They have recent'.y opened a branch in Galveston, the original equipment of which was 16,000 disc records and 100 machines. They are now arranging for the installation of an extensive Columbia line in that city. With that record as a beginning the future of the new branch with such a concern back of it seems to be of the brightest. John Rawlings, Scranton, Pa., who has one of the best equipped sporting goods stores in the State, to which the talking machine department is a good second, has removed from 225 Pcnn avenue to one of the best sections of Wyoming avenue. Mr. Rawlings will open a talking machine and sporting goods store in Carbondale. Pa. ;[ R«OBS> iTROPS |l| You're Not the Only Dealer Who doesn't sell "3-in-One" — but you will be, pretty soon, if j^ou don't hurry. Are yuu sure you know just how good "o-in-One" is? If not, simply write us for FREE sample bottle — then try it. Then you'll know what "3-in-One" really is — the greatest oil on earth for talking machines. Then you'll sell it, as other smart dealers do — and net 50 and 100 per cent, profit — without bursting a blood vessel making sales. "3-in-One" sells itself. The name is a household word — the oil is a household need. "3-in-One" has been lubricating, cleaning, polishing and preventing rust from Maine to California for 12 years. "3-in-One" has stood the test of time — the tests of hundreds of thousands of users. Then whj labor to sell unknown, untried oils in its stead? Cni bono? Think it over, Mr. Dealer. Your jobber is waiting for your trial order for "3-in-One." Will he get it? When? G. W. COLE COMPANY, Broadway and Liberty Street, Sole Makers of "3-sn-One" New York Cit".