The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1911)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. 47 LATEST PATENTS RELATING TO TALKING MACHINES AND RECORDS (Specially Prepared for The Talking Machine World.) Washington, D. C, August 8, 1911. Sound Reproducer and Recorder. William A. Chapman, Smithville, Ark. Patent No. 998,465. This invention relates to sound recorders and reproducers, and is particularly useful in connection with talking machines employing disc or other types of records upon which the sound waves are recorded in the form of grooves, and in which diaphragms are used to reproduce the sounds from the grooves. or to form the grooves upon blank records. An object of the invention is to provide a simple, inexpensive and durable sound recorder and reproducer, which is adapted for the dual purpose of forming the sound recording grooves in the record, and for reproducing the sounds from grooves already impressed or formed upon the records, and which reciuires no structural or other change to fit it for either purpose, beyond replacing a recording needle or point by a reproducing needle or point or vice versa as the case may be. A further object of the invention is tij prox'idc a device of the class described by means of which sounds can be reproduced with g r e a t clearness and power, and by means of which metallic .scratching or other undesirable sounds due to the contact of the record with the reproducing point are to a large extent eliminated. A still further object of the invention is to provide a device of the class described in which the weight of the reproducer is supported not upon the recording or reproducing point or needle, but is carried by a special rolkr prmided thcretor and engaging the record lor this ijurjiose, in which the diaphragm is of special form and is free not only bodily, and in which the stylus bar is extensible a n d is to v'brate but to move c a r r i c d by the sound box casing in such a manner thai there is no metallic contact l)etween the parts. AiiOther object of the invention is to pro\ i(le ;i soun'.l r e |i r II (1 ucer in which the stylus bar is of peculiar form til transmit the undulati<ins of the sound grooves most efficiently to the diaphragm, and there convert them into diaphragm vibrations or movements which cause the propagation of the sound waves, in %vhich special means are provided for holding the recording or reproducing needles in place, and for adjusting th.em accurately so that the length of the stylus bar remains unchanged, and in which the stylus bar itself is flexibly suspended from a cradle secured to the sound box casing, though rigidly held against upward, lateral and torsional movements. Figure 1 is a front elevation of one embodiment of the sound recorder and reproducer; Fig. 8 is an inverted plan view of the device; Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section on the line 3 — 3 of Fig. 1 ; Fig. 4 is a partial rear elevation of the sound box ; Fig. 5 is a rear elevation of the lower portion of the device; Fig. C is a rear or inside elevation of the diaphragm and the means for securing it in place; F":g. 7 is an enlarged transverse section showing a bracket for securing a record cleaning brush or scraper to the sound box ; Fig. 8 is an enlarged transverse section showing the needle grip; Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing a detail of the scraper-holding bracket; Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing a detail of the needle point grip ; Fig. 11 is an enlarge,d transverse section showing the means of modified form for securing the stylus bar to the sound box, and Fig. 12 is a longitudinal section on the line 12 — 12 of Fig. 11. Horn. George L. Stevenson, Providence, R. I., assignor to Household Cabinet Works, same place. Patent No. 997,870. The object of the invention is to construct a horn having unusual acoustic properties whereby the sound is not only amplified but where the phonetic principles of clear, articulate, yet soft and mellow sound are produced, in contrary distinction to the effect of the ordinary flaring or bell-mouthed horn which merely enlarges the [^-.^ ^-^^ ^| sound without refining it. A further object is to enable it to take up l)ut comparati\cl\' little room when used cither inside or outside of a phonograph supporting cabinet, or upon being stored away when not in use. In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 shows an improved horn as mounted on the inside of a cabinet or box on which the phonograph is supported. P'ig. 2 illustrates the horn as applied to the ordinary inexpensive phonograph instrument. Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of an improved horn showing the walls of the same turned inward at its mouth end, forming a contracted opening instead of being turned outward, as is the usual custom. Fig. 4 is a central longitudinal section through this horn. Fig. o is a transverse sectional view of the horn on line .5 — 5 of Fig. 4. Phonograph Cabinet. Charles A. Cooper. New York, assignor to Household Cabinet Works, Providence. R.'l. Patent No. 997,905. The object of this invention is to provide a drophead table or cabinet, in which a panel, head, or movable section is arranged to support a sound reproducing instrument, such as a talking machine or the like, said instrument being provided with a horn or suitable device for enlarging, intensifying and diffusing the sound produced by said instrument, said horn being mounted beneath the panel within the cabinet and arranged to be raised and lowered with the instrument and said movable panel. A further object of the invention is to provide an opening through the outer wall of the cabinet adapted to register with the mouth of the horn when raised to its operative position, to permit the sound to pass out therethrough, said opening being provided with a plurality of longitudinal bars or members to aid and assist the acoustic properties of the horn In the accompanying draw-ings : Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a cabinet having a drop head or movable section, the same being in its raised position and the operating leaf in its extended position. Fig. 2 is an enlarged sect ional view on line 2 — 2 of Fig. 1 through the hoisting mechanism, illustrating the movable section in its raised position. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the drop head showing the relative position of the vertical guides and the members by wdiich the head is supported. Fig. 4 is a central sectional side elevation of the cabinet showing the instrument in position on the drop head and the horn supported from said instrument within the cabinet, the whole being in its raised or operative position. Fig. 5 is the same as Fig. 4 showing the cabinet as closed and the instrument and horn lowered into the cabinet to its inoperative position. Fig. 6 is a detail of one style of horn which may be supported within the cabinet to be raised and lowered with the phonograph and the drop head. Amplifying Tube. Robt. A. Boswell, Washington. D. C. Patent No. 997,265. In machines of the cylinder type, prior to this invention, the bell portion of the majority of the amplifying tubes is pivotally supported, while the smaller portion of the tube has a pivotal or swiveled connection with the reproducer in such wise as to allow the amplifying tube or horn to oscillate, as the reproducer is fed along the record. This structure of machine, it has been held, in some respects, is unsymmetrical. awkward and clumsy, and the basic purpose of this invention is to eliminate these objectionable features, and furthermore, to improve the structural details of the amplifier. By improving such structural details, the sound, to some extent, is increased, because of THE BEST TRADE MAKERS ON THE MARKET ARE THE LINE OF ELECTRICPLAYERS MADE BY THE ELECJROVA 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 aad List of Perforated Music Rolls. You will be Interested.