US1063823A

US1063823A - Sound-box.

Info

Publication number: US1063823A
Application number: US72399812A
Authority: US
Inventors: Henry C Miller
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1912-10-04
Filing date: 1912-10-04
Publication date: 1913-06-03
Anticipated expiration: 1930-06-03

Description

H. G. MILLER.

SOUND BOX. APPLICATION mum JUNE 2, 1906. RENEWED our. 4, 1912.

1,063,823. Patented June 3,1913.

3 SHEETSSHEET 1.

Witnesses 27Gb 61mm,

H. G. MILLER. SOUND BOX.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE}, 1,906. RENEWED OCT. 4, 1912.

Patented June 3, 1913.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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H. G. MILLER.

SOUND BOX;

LPPLIUATION'I'ILED JUNE 2, 1906, RENEWED OUT. 4, 1912.

Patented June 3, 1913.

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HENRY C. MILLER, F WATERFORD, NEW YORK.

SOUND-BOX.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 3,1913

Application filed June 2, 1906, Serial No. 319,934. Renewed October 4, 1912. Serial No. 723,898.

2 To all whom it may concern .f

Be it known that I, HENRY C. MILLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Waterford, in the county of Saratoga and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Im rovements in Sound- Boxes, of which the ollowing is a specification. I

This invention relates to improvements in sound boxes of the type shown and described in my pending application "for'patent Serial No. 314,654, filed May 1, 1906.

The object of the invention is to provide a sound box having a diaphragm whose shape may be altered, or in other words dished for raising the pitch, in combination with means operating on said diaphragm with or without stopping the machine, or the necessity of being in close proximity to themachine. The diaphragm on the sound box is normally in what mi ht be stated zero osition, and its shape 1s susceptible of belng altered to change the pitch by a pneumatic arrangement, the pitch being en tirely under control of the operator during operation of the machine to bring out the salient features of a particular record being reproduced.

In the above mentioned applicationIhavc described, and claimed modifying elements attached to the diaphragm, and I find from experiments that better results are obtained by making these elements in disconnected series to permit the free vibration of the diaphragm in all directions. It is essential in order to obtain the very best results that the lines of vibration be free on the diaphragm, for which reason I have found it desirable as above stated, to make the modifying elements spaced from and in line with each other.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for taking up wear of the stylus bar, during the reproduction of a record.

In the drawings-Figure 1 is a front elevation of my improved sound box. Fig. 2 is a rear view of the" same. Fi 3 is a vertical section on the line 3-3 0 Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fi 3, but showing the diaphragm convexe to alter its tone. Figs. 5, 6,'and 7, are views of dia phragms showing different means of apply- 1n my improve modifying elements. ig

8 is a detail "view of the connection between the stylus lever and diaphragma Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 3 of a slight modification. Fig. 10 is a view of a diaphragm showing the modifying'elements radially disposed, as shown applied in Fig. 1. Fig. 11 is a detail section of a diaphragm having the modifying elements embossed therein. Figs. 12 and 13' are views of a different form of diaphragm modifying means. Fig. 14 is a face view of the same.

The numeral 1, indicates a sound-box formed with an opening 2, in its periphery, and an internal flange 3. To the rear of the sound box is attached a plate 4, formed with a hollow extension 5, to which the usual horn 6, may be attached. Attached to the open end of the extension 5, is a capplate 7,'formed with an opening 8, connected by a tube 9, with a bulb 10.

The diaphragm 11, is located in the sound box and bears on a preferably rubber ring washer or flange 12, seated against the flange 3. Between the extension 5, and the diaphragm, and moving freely within the sound box, is a spider frame 13, formed with a reduced annular flange 14, which extends inwardly toward flan e 3. Mounted on flange 14, and projecting slightly beyond the same is a referably rubber washer 15, the outer per1phery of which is slightly within the inner diameter of the washer'12, its inner face bearing directly on the rear of the diaphragm 11. The spider 13, is connected by a rod 16 with a flexible diaphragm 19, as by washers and a screw 20.

The outer ends of said diaphragm 19, being clamped between the cap-p1ate'1',-and the extension 5.

The conical journals 21, of the stylus bar 21, are mounted, one in a bearing 22,which is fixed to and extends outwardly from the sound box, and the opposite journal is sup ported in a bearing in an L shaped spring plate 23, secured to. the sound box as at 24; the normal tendency of said spring plate being to spring away from hearing 22. The rpring plate 23, is connected by a screw 25, having a knurled head 26, and passes through an opening 27, in the fixed bearing 22, the lower threaded end 27 engaging a threaded opening 28, in said spring bearing 23. By turning the screw rod 25, spring plate 23, may be drawn toward bearing22, to take up wear of the conical 'ournals 2 1, the thrust as previously stated eing toward the fixed bearing.

By the arrangement described, I am also of a flat spring connecting device 32, the

stylus bar when'playin opposite end of which is attached tothe diaphragm 11, and to the opposite end of the stylus lever is attached the usual stylus,-indicated at 33. The spring connecting device 32, may be in the form of a round wire spring, and its outer end passed through buckling.

an opening drilled in the stylus lever.

I have fully and minutely set forth the advantages of a modifying element-appliedto a diaphragm in my pendin application No. 314,654 filed May 1, 196% and for it complete understanding ofthis feature it .is In mypresent ap-- necessary to refer to it. plication, and while I have carried out sub stantially the same theory, the modifying elements are differently applied to permit the diaphragm having .as much flexibility as possible, in order that the greatest surface may be vibratedto properly transmit the sound waves produced by the records.

Assuming the diaphragm to be in the po-- sition illustrated in Fig. 3, and a record is being reproduced which requires a different pitch, the operator squeezes bulb 10, and the air acting on the flexible diaphragm 19, forces in the spider 13, and-the washer 15,

bears onthe diaphragm and-compresses or'- dishes 1t as shown on ad' exaggerated scale in Fig. 4;. The location of the washer-s12 and 15, causes the washer 15, to act circumfere'ntially on the diaphragm insidefthe inner diameter of washer- 12, and produces the result shown in Fig-i4, prevents By thejccnstruction described the edge ofthe diaphragm is free, and whenthe spider is operated it dishes the entire area of the diaphragm, without pulling pr stretching the material, and the quality of the diaphragm is therefore maintained irrespective of. its shape.

In the practical operation of; the sound box, the diaphra m is necessarily dished comparatively litte in order to change the tone, so that the outward movement at the center does not affect the stylus lever to any great degree; the. spring connection. 32,. al-'.

lowing the stylus, barto operate in any of the positions free enough so as not to injure- -the record.

It will be understood that the washers or flanges 12,;1nd 15, may be of any material and if necessary can be formed with flangeplaced lengthwise of the grain.

3, and spider 13, respectively, and may also.

be corrugated if desired.

The spaces between the tuning elements are of micrometer distances, but are made larger so as to show the travel'of the sound waves between them, the waves being shown in dotted lines a as before set forth.

' In Fig. 5, I have shown a slightly dif-' ferent arrangement of tuning elements, the latter being placed in. line with each other,

and when used in connection with a wooden diaphragm, these modifyingv elements are It is obvious that the tuning elements may be arranged on the diaphragm to accomplish the best results. For instance the arrangement illustrated in Fig. 1, wherein themodifying elements are disposed radially, excellent results are obtainable with diaphragms constructed from .certain materials. The diaphragm may be formed of metal, with the modifying elements embossed therein, as will be readily understood. The modifying elements may be placed on one or both faces of the diaphragm, depending somewhat on the conditions, and the washers for dishin the diaphragm may be reversed'without a fecting the sound adjusting-quality.

As'disclosed in'FigS. 12 to 14,- the modifying means consists of an arched strip 80,

extending entirely across the diaphragm,

and fasten-ing it to the edge of the latter, the same-results may be accomplished as with the disclosures herein before indicated. Or if the modifying element is placed in the sound box with the archtoward the diaphragm, and then moving it by the operating means 16, it will be apparent that the sound will be altered.

' I may combine with the pneumatic means for altering the sound, a manual means indicated at 10, in Fig. 3. This construction is identical with that shown in the application referred to, and is designedto be used to set the position of the diaphragm, or

when it is undesirable to use the pneumatic.

means, the latter being of course inoperative where the manual means is brought into operation. The manual means may be operat- .ed to set the diaphragm, and then the pneumatic means operated as described, independently of the operation of said manual means.

What I claim i's I 1. A sound box provided with a substantially flat diaphragm, and means bearing 7 near its edges for dishing the diaphragm throughout its entire area to alter its pitch.

.2. A sound box. comprising a casing having an annular'flange, a normally flat diaphragm within the casing and seated on the 'annular'flange, and'mea-ns acting on an annular line within the margin of the annular flange on the casing to dish said diaphragm m concavo-convex form throughout its ontire area to alter the pitch of the sound transmitted by said diaphragm.

3. A sound box comprising a diaphragm, a washer on which the diaphragm is seated, a Washer acting on an annular line on the opposite side of the diaphragm to dish the latter in concavo-convex form' throughout its entire area, and means operating the latter washer.

4. A sound box comprising a substantially flat diaphragm, a flange on which the outer edge of one surface of the diaph agm rests, means acting near the edge of the diaphragm to dish the diaphragm throughout its entire area, and lneans for operating the latter means.

5. A sound box comprising a diaphragm, means for dishing the same, and a pneumatic device Which may be operated dur-' ing the operation of the machine without interference therewith for operating said means.

(i. A sound box comprising a substantially flat diaphragm, means engaging the surface of the diaphragm for dishing the latter throughout its entire area, and means for operating the latter means.

7. A sound box comprising a diaphragm, means acting on the surface of the latter to dish it, and pneumatic means for operating said latter means.

8. A sound box comprising a flange on which the edge of one face of a diaphragm rests, a diaphragm, an operating flange acting on a line inside the flange of the sound box for dishing the diaphragm, a spider supporting the operating flange, and means op erating on the center of the spider for operating the same.

9. A sound box comprising a flange on which the edge of one face of a diaphragm rests, a diaphragm, an operating flange acting olra line inside of the aforesaid flange for dishing the diaphragm, a spider on which the operating flange is supported, and pneumatic means which may, be operated during the operation of the machine without interference therewith for operating the spider. 4 i

10. A sound box comprising a'substantially flat diaphragm free on one side, a flange, one face of the diaphragm near one edge resting on the flange, an operative washer of smaller area than the aforesaid flange and bearing on the surface of the dia ph agm, and means for operating the operative washer to cause the edge of the diaphragm to leave the flange and dish said diaphragm throughout its entire area.

11. A sound box comprising a diaphragm, coiiperating means for dishing said diaphragm, an air compression chamber extending from the sound box, a flexible diaphragm in said chamber, means connecting the latter diaphragm and the diaphragm &

dishing means, and means for regulating the supply of air in thecompression chamber.

12. A sound box comprising a diaphragm, means for dishing the diaphragm, an extension on the sound box, a pneumatic device formed in the extension for operating the dishing means, and means for regulating the supply of air for operating the dishing means.

13. A sound box, comprising a diaphragm, means for dishing the same, and extension on the sound box, pneumatic means in the extension for operating the dishing means, and a horn opening formed in the extension between-the diaphragm and the pneumatic means.

14. A sound box having a stationary bearing extending therefrom, a spring member secured to said sound box and having its free end formed in a bearing turned to be in alinemcnt with the stationary bearing, a stylus lever mounted in the stationary bearing and the bearing formed in the end of the spring member, and a screw connecting the two hearings to adjust the tension of the spring bearing toward or from the sta tionary bearing.

15. A sound box comprising a diaphragm, means for dishing the same including a pneumatic device comprising a bulb and a piston.

16. A sound box formed with an extension, a diaphragm, means partially within the extension for altering the pitch of the diaphragm including a reciprocating element and operatively positioned to change the shape of the diaphragm, and pneumatic means for operating the reciprocating element without interrupting the operation of the machine.

17. A sound box provided with a substantially flat diaphragm, a flange against which one face of the diaphragm rests, and means for dishing the diaphragm, said means in operation causing the circumference of the diaphragm to be moved from the flange to dish the entire area of the diaphragm.

18. A sound box having a diaphragm, modifying elements attached to said diaphragm, means located near the outer edge of the diaphragm for dishing it throughout its entire area, and means for operating the dishing means.

19. A sound box comprising a stylus lever a diaphragm having modifying elements attached thereto and spaced from each other, between the edge of said diaphragm and said stylus lever, the modifying elements being alined with respect to each other, means for dishing the diaphragm throughout its entire area, and means for operating the dishing means.

20. A sound box comprising a diaphragm, a stylus lever formed with a notch, and an L shaped connector having one end attached to the diaphragm and its opposite end engaging the notch in the stylus lever.

for operating the sound altering means the two latter means being operable independentlyof the other.

23. A-sound box comprising a diaphragm,

means for altering the sound of the diaphragm, pneumatic means for operating the sound altering means, and manual means for operating the sound altering means, the latter means adapted to be operated to set the diaphragm, independently of the pneumatic means.

24. A sound box comprising a casing, a

diaphragm, a stationary Washer, a movable washer ofa difi'erent diameter, a spider on which the movable washer is fastened, means for moving the latter to dish the diaphragm throughout its entire area, and releasing the pressure on said diaphragm to allow the straightening of the same, the

' movable washer actuating means extending through the rear of the casing.

25. A sound box comprising a casing, a

diaphragm, a stationary Washer, a movable washer and spider, means acting on the center of the spider for causing variable pres-' sure on the outer edge of. the diaphragm to dish the latter throughout its entire area and for withdrawing same to release. the pressure from the diaphragm.

26. A sound box comprising a casing, va diaphragm, a'stationary washer, amovable washer of diflerent'diameter t-hanthe sta-' tionary Washer and fastened on a movable spider, means for causing pressure on the.

center of the spider for dishing the diaphragm throughout its entire area, and a pivoted stylus acting on the dished diaphragm. a

27. A sound box, comprising a diaphragm,

means for altering the pitch of the dia phragm,'and a pneumatic device for'operating on the aforesaid means during the operation of the machine without'interference therewith. v

28. A soundbox comprising a casing hav- 'ing an annular flange on the inside, a sub- 29. A sound box comprising a diaphragm having its edge free to move, means acting on a circumferential line at a point distant from the edge of the diaphragm for dishing the latter, and a centrally located stem extending through the sound box for operating the dishingmeans.

30. A sound box comprising a casing, a diaphragm, and modifyin elements 1 attached to the diaphragm, sai modifyingelements being arranged in'separated groups, each element being attached throughout one of its entire surfaces to the surface ofthe diaphragm. v

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

HENRY G. MILLER.

Witnesses:

l/VM. F. PALMER, JNo. IMIRIE.