US989737A - Sound-reproducing or sound-recording machine. - Google Patents

Description

G.' H. UNDERHILL .SOUNDBEPBODUOING 0R SOUND RECORDING MAOHIN APPLIOATIOH FILED JUNE 11 I Patented Apr.'18, I911.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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G. H. UNDERHILL.

' SOUND EEPEODUGING OR SOUND RECORDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION IIIQBD JUNE 11, 1904.

Patented Apr. 18-, 1911 5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Inventor Geozye H. Underh ill.

Latin/43 s es G. H. UNDERHILL. SOUND REPRODUGING on souma RECORDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION PI LBD JUNE 11, 1904.

Patented Apr. 18, 1911.

5 SHBETE-SHEET 3.

wilness es Inventor G. H. UNDERHILL. S0UND REPRODUGING 0R SOUND RECORDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 11, 1904.

Patented Apr. 18, 1911.

6 8HEBTB-SHEET 4.

151?; ere/.1301" Lin/asses:

George Uhderhzll. Q9! flW-d M ufltt' G. H. UNDERHILL.

SOUND BEPBQDUCING 0R SOUND RECORDING MACHINE. APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 11, 1904.

Patented Apr. 18, 1911.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

1 STA F ornrcn.

GEORGE H. UNIDERHILL, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

SOUND-REPBODUCING OR SOUND-RECORDIIFG MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. as, rain.

Application filed June 11, 1904. Serial No. 212,079.

1 To all whom it may concern:

. Be it known that I, Gnoncn H. Unnnnnnm, a citizen of the United States, residing at Boston, in thecounty' of Sufl'olk and State of Massachusettahave invented an Improvement in Sound Reproducing or Sound-Recording Machines, of which the following description, in connection with the accom reference to the following description, when taken in connection with the accompanying illustration of one specific embodiment thereof selected for illustrative purposes only; while its scope willbe more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the draWings,-Figure 1 is a side elevation of the embodiment of my invention selected for illustration, certain of the parts being broken away for clearness; Fig. 2 is a detail showing in section the swivel or jointed attachment ofa' record cylinder support; Fig. 3 is a detail of the tilting sound box rest; Fig. 4 is a front elevation partlally broken away, of the machine illustrated in Fig. 1. Fig; 5 is a section, partially broken away, taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4, but

shown on an enlarged scale. Fig. 6 is a plan view of the machine illustrated in Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a detail of the feed screw gearing. Fig. 8 is a side elevation, and Fig. 9, a front elevation of the details of the device for 10- eating and locking the record'carrier. Figs. 10 and 11 are details of the feed mechanism for the sound box. Figs. 12 and .13 show the links or units of the endless record carrier respectively in elevation and plan. Fig. 14 shows a separate detail of the carrier locking device. 15 is'a diagram of the electric circuits. Figs. 16 to 22 show details of my improved sound box.

Referring to the drawings, although many features of my fmvention are applicable to machines other than multiple record machines, and to multiple record machines employing carriers widely different from that herein illustrated, by preference I employ a flexible, endless, multiplerecord carrier in the form of two chains, composed each of individual units or links, a a, passing over suitable guiding means as the sprockets, b b, and carrying between them the suitable supports, as the rods, 0 0, upon which are secured the record supports, herein the cylin ders, al.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1, 4,

12 and 13, each individual unit or link is composed of two parallel link members, a and a provided with the washers a a and a the washers, a and a preferably acting as rolls, and washer, a*, as a rigid separating and binding member between the two links. Elongated and preferably rigid tie members a extend from one chain to the other, thereby joining one link flexibly to another and act-.

mg to maintain in fixed relative position the cprresponding units of the two chain carriers.

The sprockets, b b, are suitably recessed to receive and firmly seat the washers, a a a each alternate recess being larger than the adjacent one to receive the washer, a, which is of greater diameter than the washers, a and a Adjacent links of the chain are connected together by dovetailed joint-s, each link ofthe chain being provided (Fig.

13) with end recesses,-a, to receive the proecting ears, a of the next adjacent link, the adjacent links being thus pivotally secured together by the tie-rods, a, which pass through in each chain carrier the ends of the two links and the sprocket-engaging washer. The tie-rods, a, are provided, (Fig. 4), with hexagonal or other suitably shaped heads, a, by which the opposite threaded 'ends thereof are screwed against shoulders,

a, bearing against the inside member of the opposite and corresponding link. The chain links are preferably provided with lugs, a

the lug of one link resting against the back of the next adjacent link when depending as shown in Fig. 1, thereby to maintain the de pending portion of the endless carrier in a substantially vertical position.

Each link or record carrying unit is arched to substantially conform in shape with the periphery of the guiding sprocket, and, when in engagement therewith, and par ticularly when supporting its record in 0perative position, receives support from its sprocket, not only through the washer, a, co-axial with the cylinder and on each side thereof through .the washers, a and a, coaxial with the tie-rods, a but also through the intermediate, projecting, peripheral portionsof the sprocket which enter between and engage with the inner walls of the separated hnks. The tie-rods, a, hold the corresponding links infixed relative position and form in effect a substantially rigid frame-work on which the record is supported and journaled, and this frame-work when: its record is brought into operative position, by means of the effective interlocking engagement of each linkwith its sprocket, gives to the record a firm unyielding and extended lateral support 'on either side of the am's of' the record and at each end thereof. v The use of the flexible endless carrier described permits the utilization of any desired number of records without varying the dimensions or alterin the proportions of the machine itself or t e mechanism required to operate it, since the chains maybe lengthened to accommodate any desired number of record cylinders, the cylinders out of engagement with the sprocket depending idly below the frame'ofthe machineyan additional guidin device as the sprocket, 5", being employe if desired, at

- the farther end of their travel.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 4 and 5, each cylinder, 05, is rigidly secured to rotate with its spindle support, 0, the latter being supported between the two endless carriers during its entire travel. In order to pfrmit a ready withdrawal of any record om its cylinder, I provide means temporarily for swinging one end of the cylinder away from its carrier, the opposite end thereof having a swinging or swivel sitllpport topermit this movement. This is e ected by PI'OVldlllg upon one of the carriers the cap, (1', suitable secured to the middle or crown of the link, a, said cap having a pocket containing the spring-pressed pin, d

the head, (1 of which enters a suitable recess in the end of the cylinder spindle, 0,. thereby to provide a journal there The . end of the pin, d carries an exterior thumb its piece, cl, by which the pin head, (1 may bewithdrawn from the cylinders indle against the pressure of the spring, an that end of thecylinder thereby left free to be swung outwardly as indicated in- Figs. 2 and 6, for

the withdrawal of the record. At the opposite end-of the spindle, c, is rigidly secured the spherical bearing, d, which restsina socket formed by the outer member of thelink, a, and theintermediate washer, af, so

I as to permit offree rotation of thespindle,

0,;within thesaid' socket,'and also permit outward movement of the cylinder member of'the chain link is suitably slotted to receive the neck of the spindle immedl ately within the ball, (i and to permit the outward swinging of the record-carrying cylinder whenever the pin, (i is withdrawn from the spindle recess. To reduce the hearing friction to a minimum the inner end of v the pin, (i is suitably shaped to bear against a ball, (i which is fixedly secured within the cup-shaped bottom of the spindle recess. Thus a record maybe removed from its support at any desired point in the travel thereof by merely detaching its support from one point of attachment and swinging it about its point of swiveled attachment into a position where the record may be readily withdrawn.

rier shaft, 12, suitably journaledinthe frame of the machine, (Fig. 9), a spring, 6 or any other suitable means being employed for providing a constant rotative effect upon the sprocket shaft, 1), to causemovement of the record carriers into and out of operative relation with the recording and reproducing .mechanism, which herein is located above the machine, the uppermost record being the one in operative position.

During recording or reproduction the cylinder, d, is rotated at uniform speed through any suitable, and preferably, electric motor to the sleeve, 6', the latter being journaled in the frame of the machine, A. Slidable Within the sleeve, 6', is the cylinder drive shaft, e to the head, 6 of which is secured the collar, 6*, by means'of the pin, e The shaft, e and its head, 6 are normally spring-pressed inwardly toward the record 'carrier, the sleeve being slotted to receive the pin, c and permitv relative movement between the sleeve and collar, 6*, the latter moving inwardly and outwardly with the shaft. The inner end of the shaft 6 is suitably shaped to enter a corresponding recess in theend of the alining cylinder spindle, 0, suitable pro'ections, 6, upon theshaft interlocking wit corresponding recesses in the spindle to effect the movement.

During the rotation of the cylinder and The sprockets are rigidly secured to a car- 7 (not shown), driving the pulley, e, secured the record carried thereby through the driving connections described, the sound box p and the finger, f (Figs. 1 and )"-secured to the yoke carrier f on the opposite side of its fulcrum support, f, is thrown downwardly to cause the sectional nut, f held at the end of said finger, to maintain engagement with the fine threaded screw, f. The latter is rotated through the gear, f, in mesh with a gear, f, the latter engaging in turn with a gear, 7'", (Fig. 5) upon the head of pulley, e, s o that, during rotation of the record cylinder said pulley, the said screw, f causes the travel of the nut, f, and the yoke carrier, 7, with the stylus lengthwise the record cylinder. When the end ofthe desired stylus travel has beenreached, the sliding rest, P, which is preferably provided with a bearing tip or point of elecment with the coarser threaded, reverse,

tricallyconductive metal, is caused to engage with two contacts, 1:, shown in diagram in Fig. 15 upon the tilting rest,- f and make an electric circuit including, a'source of electromotive force, I), energizing the solenoid, f. The armature of the latter'is connected to a lever f, to which is secured a cam, f upon which the tilting rest, f is normally supported in the full line position shown,

Fig. 4. Energization of the solenoid f causes the withdrawal of the lever, 'f, from the full line position shown in Fig. 4 to that shown in dotted lines, resulting in rais ing the tilting rest, f, and the arin, f and the consequent withdrawal of the nut G from engagement with the screw, f, the pm or tooth, f, also carried by thefinger, f

immediately thereupon entering into engagefeeding screw, f, rotated in a reverse direction' from the screw, f,'by the gears, f andf, (see Fig. 7), thereby to effect the rapid return of the stylus-carrying mecha- 'nism to its initial position ready for engagement with a fresh record.

I have herein also provided means simultaneously with the return of the stylus-carrying mechanism for changing or shifting the records to permitautomatically the presentation of a new record to the stylus and the repetition of the previously described movement of the latter with/reference to the fresh record. To this end suitable look ing .devices are provided for locking the carriers against movement during the outward travel of the stylus, for releasing the carriers after the completion of said outward travel and for again locking the carriers when a succeeding record has been brought into alinement with the driving mechanism.

\Vhen the sliding rest, f makes the circuit which reverses the movement of the stylus, italso effects energization' of the solenoid, 9, (Figs. 9 and 15), which operates to rock the lever, 9', about its fulcrum at, /5, the end of the lever, g, being provided with a. yoke, g, having studs engaging a-groove in the colmoves the collar, 0 to withdraw the pin, e

from the recess in the cylinder spindle, c.

The sprockets, b b, and the carriers would now be free to move under the influence of the spring, (F, were it not for the additional locking and locating device, h, (Figs. 9 and 14), comprising a pin shaped similarly to the pin, a, for entering the recess in the cylinder spindle and so located within a pocketon the frame, A, as to engage with the cylinder next adjacent the one in operatire position. The locking or locating pin, la, is adapted to be thrown into or out of engagement with the cylinder spindle through movement of the pivoted frame, 72., yieldably connected to the head of the rod l2. through the sliding and downwardly spring pressed pin, k The head, it, of the pin, 71., contacts with a cam shaped end of the arm,

72.", adapted to be rocked about its fulcrum,

h, through the link, h, connected to. the rocking lever, 9.- When the latter is moved by the solenoid, g, to withdraw the rod, 6

- from the spindle, c, and release the same, the

lever, h, is also thrown laterally, and righthandedly as viewed in Fig. 14, to rock the frame, it, about its fulcrum and throw the 'rod', 7:, backwardly out of engagement with its previously engaged spindle, the springpressed head, h, of the pin, k yielding to permitthe cam end of the lever, h, to snap by the same into a position of rest.

this movement the record carriers are wholly released, and the sprockets start to revolve to move a fresh record into position. During the succeeding movement, however, the locating device, it, is spring-pressed against theouter faces of the chain links as the latter pass before the same, immediately snapping into'the' recess of the next spindle as the latter comes into alinement therewith,

locating the new position of the record carriers and preventing further movement thereof- As soon as the solenoid, g, is deenergized by the withdrawal of the sliding.

rest, f, from the contact pieces upon the tilting rest, the pin, e-, will alsoenter the recess of the spindle now in operative position, to rotate the latter and to cooperate with the stylus when the latter has been'-returned to its initial posit-ion. On the deenergization of the solenoid, g, and the return of the spring-pressed rod, e into the spindle recess, thecam lever, 71- is also re- .turned to its normal position as shown in Fig. 14.

It may sometimes happen under a strong rotative influenceupon the sprocket shaft, b, as tor example, when the spring, 6 is tightly wound up,th'at a considerable mov'ement of the sprockets will take place and perhaps the full movement necessary to bring a fresh record into operative position, before the sound box and the sliding rest have traveled far enough on reverse move- 'dle recess.

ment to break the electric circuit and deenergize the solenoid, g, thereby to free the drive shaft, 6 for rentering thenext spindevice, it, however, makes the relative movements of the carriers and the sound boximmaterial, since the pin, h, is always in position after the carrier movement has once begun, to stop such movement at the proper time.

tion the sliding rest, j", is caused to make a circuit throughathirdsolenoid, f (Figs.

tions,-y", and, k, of the sound box. The lat-J ter isprovided with a double set of recordessential 'to my invention as thediaphra m and other elements of the mechanism may or ing. and-reproducing devices, and I have herein shown those of one set as substantially duplicated by those of the otherjtset;

This, it is to be understood however, is not certain purposes be widely different. The

sound box consists'generally ofa double head or casing, i, and when in use is adapt ed to be'frictiona'lly held within thesuitably 40" shaped double yoke,.f, already referred to.

The casing, i, -is provided with twocylindrical portions, 5 and, i that shown in, i ,'for example (see Fig. 20), -being provided with a diaphragm, k placed between two annular rings of yieldable pack ing material, such as rubber, and held against a shoulder in the casing by.means ofthe back-piece, is, screwed into the back ably axially alined therewith and wlth the of the casing 5', against the preferably me-.,

tallic washer, 71:. Within the tubular-portion, is, of the back-piece, 70 and referdiaphragm, k, -I have provided the throat, 7:, preferably threaded or otherwise constructed to provide adjustment thereof relatively to the face of the diaphragm, the end of the throat adjacent the diaphragm being suitably shaped for. the most eflicient efiect,

as by beveling the same, in the manner v press the stylus points towar ,the face of the record, is, maintained upon \the two shown. j

I have found that it is not only desirable to have th'e'sound orifice-of each throat adjustable relatively to the diaphragm, but

The provision of the locating When the stylusreaches itsinitial posi-' reproduction. For-example I-have found' that the full'harmony of a brass band will usually be best developed throu h the em-' ployment o'f a throat havingjt e general form of that shown in Fi,gs. 20 and 21, while the note of 'a violin is more'-faith fully .reproduced by a diiferently shaped throat, as for example, that shown in section,

in Fig. 22. The provision of a plurality of such throats, each proportioned or formed with respect to a particular quality of sound, in the reproduction of which it is intended to be used, and replaceable one by another,

throat in any desired relative position .to

the diaphragm, or to remove the same entirely and replace' it by another of difi'ere'nt shape, size or proportion. N

-The two styluses are here emplo ed, in order to provide a multiple effect, t e' production of which, however, is obviously not limited to the use merely of two. Each of two styluses, l and m, is connected to its respective diaphragm through the connecting body Z, m, the links, Z", and, m", and the rockshafts,'Z m so that, when in the operative position shown in Fig. 1 (see also 'Fig. 19),,the point of" the second stylus is caused to trail in the same record groove as the first stylus, but directly and immediatelybehind the latter, and also arranged so that the vibrations communicated to'each stylus point are transmitted directly and efficiently to the corresponding diaphragm. The stylus points with their rockshafts are respectively supported and movable-with the vibratable levers, Z and m,- arranged side by side and hinged at, n, (Figs. 18 and 20) topermit the individual and relative movement of the said IGVGIS'tO and from the surface of the record, the'hinged support, 02, being, however, itself swingmgly mounted upon the stud, 0, Fig. 18, to permit-a slight lateral movement common to each stylus movement When such movement is requisite. Thus, although free vibration is permitted the stylus points in-the reproduction of the v intended sound, they are compelled always to track one after the other, and the lateral movement of oneno matter from what cause must be followed by alike movement ofthe other.

- An equalized tension, tendin' normally to stylus points by means of the lever, p, fulcrumed at, p, carrying the adjustable weight, 1 the latter acting through the bar, p, equalizing .rod, p, and pressure points,

32 p engaging respectively or connected with the backs of the levers, Z and m". Thus, when the sound box is adjusted relatively to the record, and the stylus point or points have found and entered the groove therein, the force pressing the same into the groove may be varied by adjustment of the weight, 2 along the lever p; this force however, being distributed upon the two points by means of the equahzmg bar, 72*,

thereby to maintain an individual tension.

upon each of the cooperating stylus points, such tension being proportioned to their individual requirements and the movement of one stylus point with its supporting lever in no way conflicting with simultaneous movement of the other point and its lever, whethersuch movements are similar or dissimilar. In order to relieve the diaphragm and its connections from the weight of the stylus parts, including the weight, 7F, when the sound box has been lifted or withdrawn from the face of the record, I have provided the supporting pin with a cone-shaped enlarged head, 12 against which the suitably formed ends of the levers, m", and, n, rest when the stylus points are wlthdrawn from the record, but so located as to permit free vibration of the said levers, under the influence of the record, when the points are in contact therewith and moved under the influence of the record groove therein. The peculiar cone shaped head, of the face, I), and the correspondingly formed walls upon the two levers, permit repeated withdrawals of the points from the record groove with "positive assurance, however, that the points will meet the record at exactly the same spot from which they were withdrawn, the

record and the sound box, meanwhile, having undergone no relative movement.

I have found that the arrangement shown of multiple diaphragms, Where they are grouped or clustered about acommon position toward which their vibration mechanism is directed, provides a highly efficient, and in fact so far as'I'am aware the only practical, construction for obtaining a mulwithin the scope of my invention as set forth..

Claims. r 1. A multiple record phonograph having aplurality of record supports adapted each -to travel to bring its record into and out of operative relation to the machine, and means for rotating a record placed in operative position, said means being adapted for engagementwith or disengagement from said successive records, said record supports being each individually detachable from its connection with the machine at one point to permit the withdrawal of its record while still maintaining connection with the ma.- chine at another point or points.

2. A multiple record phonograph having record rotating means, and a plurality of record supports, the records, carried thereby being adapted for successive engagement with the rotating means, the record supports being individually movable about their points of attachment to the machine to permitthe removal. of their records when disengaged from the said rotating means.

3. A multiple record phonograph having a plurality of 'recordholding members swingingly supportedupon a common car rying device.

4:. A multiple record phonograph having a linked carrier and a plurality of record holding members swinging-1y supported upon the links thereof.

5. A multiple record phonograph having a traveling carrier, a. plurality of record supports attached each to said carrier at a plurality of points, record rotating means,

"means for moving said carrier to bring a record into operative position and for bringing the same into engagement with said rotating means, means for disengaging the record from said rotating means and moving said carrier to bring afresh record into operative position, and an axially yieldable connection at one of the points of attachment of each record support to itscarrier to permit withdrawal of a record when out of operative position.

6. A multiple record phonograph having a movable record carrier for carrying a plu rality of records, said records having each a body movement with the carrier, a rotary movement upon its axis, and a swinging movement about a point of attachmentto the carrier. 1

7. A sound reproducing or sound record-' 'ing machine having a swingingly mounted record support, record rotating means therefor, and means for clutching said rotating means to and unclutchlng the same from "said swinging support.

8. In a sound reproducing and sound recording machine, a rotary swmgmglymounted, record-supporting spindle, record rotating means, and a clutching device adapted to interlock with the end of said spindle and connect the same to said rotating means.

9. In a sound reproducing and sound re their supports.

cording machine, a rotary hinged record support, record rotating means, and means for connecting said rotating means to, and disconnecting the same from the hinged end of said support.

10. In a multiple record phonograph a plurality of record supports, a linked. carrying member, said supports bemg attached each to a link of said carrier by a hinged connection.

11. A multiple record phonograph having a plurality'of .linked record carrying members, and a plurality of record supports, said record supports being attached to the links of said carriers by a hinged connection atone end and a yieldable connection at the other end.

12. A multiple record phonograph hav-' ing a plurality of record supports, linked carrying means therefor, and a toothed sprocket over which said linked carry ng means travels, said carrying means having a plurality of links adapted to engage each at its opposite ends with the teeth of said sprocket and providing an intermedlate point of attachment for the record support-.- 13. A multiple record phonograph having a plurality of record supports, a linked carrying member therefor, a' toothed sprocket, said carrying member 'having a plurality of links adapted each to engage simultaneously with a plurality of sprocket teeth, and means for attaching said supports to said I V 14. A multiple record phonograph having a'plurality of supports, a linked carrying member to which said supports are individually and removably attached, and a releasing member for each of'said supports movable in the direction of the axis of the record to release said support from the-carrying member and its record. 7

15. A multiple record phonograph having aplurality of record supports, carrying" means therefor comprising a pair of linked marrying members. between which records are carried, and guiding means for each of said linked carriers, the opposite links to which said record supports are attached engaging each with said record guidlug means at their opposite ends. I

1 6. A multiple phonograph having a plu-" rahty of record supports, ca

therefor comprising a plurality of linked carriers, and means between the records carried thereby connecting said carriers.

17 A multiple record phonograph having 2 a plurality .of record supports, carrying means therefor comprising a plurality of articulated carriers between which the rec- 'ord supports are carried, and means to permit individual removal of the records from permit the removal of means recording machineemploying a plurality of records, the combination of flexible record carrying means supporting said records at each end thereof and means for permitting withdrawal of an individual record. 1

19. A multiple-record machine of the class described having carrier guiding means, and flexible record-carrying means the individual record-carrying units of which are in interlocking engagement with carrier guid-,

ing means at a plurality of points.

20. A multiplerecord machine of the class described having flexible carrier-means,com-

prising cooperating carrier-members to e which the records are journaled and by which they are caused to travel to and from their operative positions, and stifi'ening means between said members and intermetion, an extended rigid lateral support on either side of the axis thereof.

23. A sound-reproducing or sound-recording device having flexible record-carrying means employing an arched carry'ingunit.

24. In anapparatus of the class described employing a plurality of records, the combination with electromotive devices andmeans' automatically to act upon said electromotive devices on the completion of one recordto bring a succeeding record into operative position.

25, In an apparatus of the class described employing a plurality of records, the combination with means automatically to advance the records one by one to playing position, electromotive devices, and means automatically to act upon said electromotive devices to cause the restoration of the recording and reproducing mechanism to its initial position on completion of its travel throughout a record.

26. In an apparatus of the class" described, the combination with a plurality of records of electrically controlled recordchanging means therefor.

27. In an apparatus of the 'class' described, the combination with a plurality 9f records, means for' automatically advancing sa d records to present them one by one to the sound reproducing mechanism, and elec- 'tr ca-lly controlled means forreturning the reproducing or recording mechanism to'its initial position; T

- 28. an apparatus of the class described employmg a pluralityof records thecombt nation with means for presentin the records in succession to the sound repro ucmg mechamsm, means for restorlng the reproduc ng mechanism to its initial position on completion of its travel throughout a record, of electromotive devices for actuating said means, and circuit changing means carried by the reproducing mechanism for setting in operation said electromotive devices.

29. In an apparatus of the class described employing a plurality of sound records, means automatically to bring the records into and out of operative position, means automatically to restore the reproducing mechanism to its initial position upon each 15 change of record, and electrical contact means carried by the reproducing mechanism for setting in operation sald record changing means.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my 20 name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribin witnesses.

GE RGE H. UNDERHILL.

Witnesses:

RALPH G. POWELL, HORACE A. CROSSMAN.

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