The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1910)

52 V THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. results in a bending stress upon the diaphragm which assumes a position where the bending stress is balanced by the elastic reaction of the diaphragm, which is thus mtaihtained in a state of tension in which it is extremely responsive to any vibration which may be imparted to it. To do away with vibrations not common to the entire diaphragm, said diaphragm is formed with concentric corrugations extending throughout all of its surface except a small space at its center, and the margin thereof. This corrugated portion is quite stiff and vibrates substantially as a whole. The bending of the diaphragm due to its being clamped on different concentric lines on its different faces, is thus confined to the outer portion and does not extend to the corrugated inner portion. Although a corrugated diaphragm is preferred, this invention may be applied to diaphragms of any form. The material which has been found to be most desirable for use in a phonographic reproducer diaphragm is hard, rolled sheet copper about .0025 inch in thickness. To properly secure the diaphragm in place rubber gaskets are commonly used. As, however, the sulphur in the rubber is apt to attack and corrode the copper, gaskets of material are interposed which will not affect the copper, between the rubber gaskets and the copper diaphragm. It has been found that paper is well suited to this use.It has also been found that it is desirable to prevent the contact of the metal d i aphragm with the metallic body of the sound box, as better results are obtained from diaphragms in which means are provided to prevent such contact. The paper gaskets are arranged in such a way that they not only prevent contact between the copper diaphragm and the rubber gaskets, but also insulate the copper diaphragm from the metal of the sound box body. A preferable way in which to attain this end is to make one of the paper gaskets of the ordinary ring form while the other is made with a marginal flange or cupped portion, this flange serving to keep the edge of the diaphragm from contact with the metal of the sound box body, while the flat portion is' interposed between the diaphragm and the rubber gasket. Figure 1 is a view in central vertical section of a phonograph reproducer embodying my invention, and Fig. 2 is a similar view of a modified construction. Phonograph Reproducer. Thomas A. Edison, Llewellyn Park, Orange, N. J. Patent No. 975,340. This invention relates to phonograph reproducers, more particularly of the type in which the stylus is carried by a lever pivotally secured to a floating weight, said lever being connected to a diaphragm carried by the sound box, and this invention has for its object the application of resilient means to said lever for the purpose of counterbalancing or opposing the vibrations of the said diaphragm, so as to eliminate false vibrations or overtones which pervert the quality of the reproduction, causing a harsh or metallic sound. Said resilient means is preferably in the form of a dia phragm similar to the sound box diaphragm, so as to be capable of vibrating in the same manner, that is, of responding in the same way to all of the waves constituting t h e sound record surface, and such diaphragm is preferably applied to and carried by the floating weight. Phonautographic Record and Process of Duplicating the Same. Edward F. Leeds, NewYork, N. Y. Patent No. 974,895. This invention relates to phonautographic records and to a new method of duplicating phonautographic records or copying the same in solid resisting material, and has for its object the treat . ment of phonautographic records and the production of duplicates or copies thereof superior to those heretofore produced. In the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification is a plan view of a phonautographic record of lateral undulations and practically uniform depth made in accordance with this invention. Acoustic Diaphragm. William W. Young, Springfield, Mass. Patent No. 975,596. This invention relates to improvements in acoustic diaphragms, and more particularly to acoustic diaphragms for use in the sound boxes of talking machines, although by no means restricted to such Use, and consists essentially of a perforated disc of suitable material which has irregular or broken surfaces and also has burs formed thereon, a thin covering or coverings of suitable material on such disc for the perforations therein, and a suitable coating of material or materials capable of being applied in solution, and then hardening upon said disc and in such perforations and said covering or coverings, the latter being permeable by such solution. The above-mentioned coating should be of a nature which insures the required permanent unity between it and the parts to which it is applied while in solution, and which adds materially to the excellency, efficiency, and value of the diaphragm. By the term "solution," as herein employed, is meant any compound, emulsion, or any character of mixture of suitable composition to produce the hard, permanent a n d exceedingly advantageous or beneficial coating" to which special attention has been called. The object of the invention is to produce an acoustic diaphragm, of the above-indicated class, which possesses practically all of the desirable as well as the essential characteristics and qualities of a device of this kind, among which characteristics or qualities may be mentioned durability and stability, resiliency and resonance, capability of giving out clear, loud and distinct tones of great volume and depth, and of evenly distributing the sound THE BEST TRADE MAKERS ON THE MARKET ARE THE LINE OF ELECTRICPLAYERS MADE BY = THE ELECTROVA CO., 117-125 Cypress Ave., NEW YORK As a side line for Talking Machine Dealers they are unequaled. They mean easy money and big profits. We will send the arguments that will convince you and your customers. Write for Catalogs, Prices and List of Perforated Music Rolls. You will be interested. waves, and immunity from blasts and scratching sounds and other alien and discordant noises. Figure 1 is a side view of one form of disc that may be used in the invention ; Fig. 2, a similar view of a similar disc for a similar purpose, but slightly modified; Fig. 3, a side view of a finished diaphragm ; Fig. 4, a side view of a slightly modified form of diaphragm, and Fig. 5, a greatly enlarged and exaggerated cross-section through the center of a diaphragm which embodies the aforesaid invention in a practical form, as do in part or in whole the other views. Method of Making Diaphragms for Talking Machines. William W. Young, Springfield, Mass. Patent No. 975,668. This invention relates to improvements in methods of manufacturing reproducing diaphragms for talking machines, and the method consists in a general way in thoroughly impregnating and permeating a suitable, more or less porous material with a compound, emulsion, or solution which possesses the necessary characteristics and qualifications, in imparting a proper surface treatment to such material, in hardening by subjecting the treated material to heat and pressure, and in raising a portion of or producing an integral protuberance on the material, the resulting diaphragm being exceedingly compact, hard and tough, although thin, and having smooth and even surfaces and possessing a uniform thickness throughout, excepting in the center, where the protuberance is located. The reproducing diaphragms commonly used in talking machines are made of mica or sheet-metal, the mica diaphragms predominating, and owing to this fact it is not possible to obtain the best results from such machines, since neither mica not simple sheet-metal discs used as diaphragms are capable of producing such results ; moreover the mica discs or dia s) phragms are extretnely fragile and also expensive because of the waste incident to procuring discs of the proper size, and the primary object of this invention is to produce a substitute for mica, sheet-metal and other kinds of diaphragms, which substitute possesses the necessary or desirable features outlined in the preceding paragraph, and in addition is resilient and resonant, is impervious to moisture and unaffected by climatic changes, and is capable of giving out clear, loud and distinct tones of great depth and volume, of evenly distributing the sound waves and quickly, completely and perfectly recovering its stable equilibrium, and of lessening to a great extent, if not eradicating altogether, all alien and discordant noises such as blasts and scratching sounds which are so prevalent with the ordinary diaphragm. In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this application, and in which like characters of reference indicate like parts throughout the several views — Figure 1 is a side view of a cardboard disc perforated and ready for immersion ; Fig. 2, a side view of a metallic plate which may be employed in compressing such disc; Fig. 3, a side view of a diaphragm complete, and Fig. 4, a cross-section, on a large scale, of said diaphragm. THOS. A. EDISON HONORED. (Special to the Talking Machine World.) Washington, D. C, Dec. 3, 1910. On the great, massive bronze doors for the western entrance to the Capitol ordered by Congress, the beautiful reliefs being typical of the country's progress, appears a statuette of Thomas A. Edison, among other men distinguished in the American development of scientific discovery and industrial and commercial advancement. These splendid works of art, for which the artist was awarded a prize of $15,000 for his design, have been cast and are ready to be placed in position, but will be first exhibited at the Corcoran Art Gallery.