US1220638A - Sound-box. - Google Patents

Description

A. D. JONES.

SOUND BOX.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 24. 1914.

1,220,638. Patented Mar. 27, 1917.

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TIIIIIIII' ATTORNEYS A. D.10NES.

SOUND BOX.

APPUc/moN FILED fis. 24. 19m.

Patented Mar. 27, 1917.

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'UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALVA D. JONES, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-FIFTH TO E. HAYWARD FAIRBANKS, OF MERCHANTVILLE, NEW JERSEY.

SOUND-BOX.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 27, 1917.

Application filed February 24, 1914. Serial No. 820,643.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, ALvA D. JONES, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Sound-Box, of which the following is a specification.

In sound boxes for talking machines, as generally constructed, the sound reproducing diaphragm is held in positionby one or more detachable annuli of rubber or similar material, and the sound boxv is composed of a plurality of metallic and rubber parts, united by screws, .the various parts having rubber insulation between them, whereby the cost of production is greatly increased.

It is further well known that most sound boxes in use emit a metallic or scratchy sound accompanyingthe reproduction of sound from the sound reproducing tablet. By my present invention, I .construct the sound box of a single body of rubber or similar suitable material, within which I cast, mold or otherwise secure the diaphragm or disk to which the stylus arm of the usual construction is secured, whereby the expense of production is reduced to a minimum, and I obtain a sound box as a whole, which possesses marked advantages over those of the prior art, and wherein the sound box body is composed of a single, integral piece of material.

In carrying out my invention, I simultaneously with the production of the one piece soundbox body and the securing of the mica or ether'diaphragm therein also cast within or to said sound box body, the bearings in which the stylus holder is mounted, and I provide said stylus holder with a novel construction of jeweled bearings by which latter I attain a most faithful and accurate reproduction of the sound to be reproduced or transmitted.

To the above ends, my invention consists of a novel method of producing a sound box, wherein the sound box body is in one piece and has the mica disk er diaphragm cast, molded or otherwise secured thereto, simultaneously 'with the production of the sound box body, the bearings for the stylus arm being also cast or molded into or upon said body portion at the same time.

It further consists of a novel construction of a sound box having a one piece body of rubber or similar suitable material within which the mica or other diaphragm is cast or molded, without necessitating the employment of extraneous fastening devices.

It further consists of other novel features of construction, all as will be hereinafter fully set forth.

For the purpose of illustra-ting my invention I have shown in the accompanying drawings one form thereof which is at present preferred by me, since the same will give in practice satisfactory and reliable results,

although it is to be understood that the various instrumentalities of which my invention consists can be variously arranged and organized and that my invention is not limited to the precise arrangement and organization of these instrumentalities as herein shown and described.

Figure l represents a side elevation of a sound box embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 represents a section on line -a' Fig. l.

Fig. 3 represents on a reduced scale, a section similar to Fig. 2, but showing the sound box as applied to the coacting element of a talking machine, and the rear inner portion of the sound box being of softer rubber or similar material.

Fig. 4 represents a sectional view of a portion of the sound box seen in Fig. 3 on an enlarged scale.

Fig. 5 represents a sectional view, partly in elevation, showing another modification of my invention.

Fig. G represents a front elevation of the mica or other diaphragm employed, in detached position. Y

Fig. r represents, in detached position, a

perspective view of a band which may loe cast or molded in the sound box body, showing also the lugs for the reception of the bearings of the stylus holder.

Fig. 8 represents a sectional view, partly in eleva-tion, showing a slightly different form of securing or casting the bearings for the stylus holder in the sound box body.

Fig. 9 represents a front elevation on an enlarged scale, showing one manner of mounting the bearings for the stylus holder, whereby a very delicate and sensitive reproduction of the sound waves may be produced.

Fig. l0 represents on an enlarged scale, a front elevation of a portion of the stylus holder and its adjuncts, seen in Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 represents a sectional view of the diaphragm and its adjuncts showing the manner oie. securing the stylus holder to said diaphragm. Fig. 2 represents a sectional view of another embodiment of my invention. Fig. 13 represents a side elevation oi"- Fig. 1e represents a plan view of Fig. 13. Fig. 15 represents a sec tion on line v -m, Fig. 13. Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in the tigures.

Referring to the drawings:

1 designates my novel construction of sound box, the same comprising a one piece body portion and the diaphragi 2, having the ports 3 therethrough, through which ports the rubber or other plastic material of the sound box bodyl is adapted to pass or interlock during the action oit molding and become set, as indicated at the points i in Figs. 2 and 4. 5 designates the rear wall a modification.

of the one piece sound box body which has an outer, annular, peripheral groove or indentation G, formed during the action of molding or by the action or' the molds, said sound box having the outer peripheral solid portion 7, which surrounds the outer peripheral edge 8 oi' the diaphragm 2, and is continued around said outer periphery ot the diaphragm and is annularly deflected as at 9, so as to terminate in thev outwardly projecting lip 10, the outer periphery of the diaphragm being pinched betweenfthe members 6 and 9, as will be understood from the enlarged views in Figs. 2 and Ll. Simultaneously with the casting of lthe body portion ot rubber or other similar Y material around the diaphragm 2, 1 also cast or mold in position the band 11, best seen in Fig. 7, which is provided at its terminals with the outwardly projecting arms 12, which terminate in the bearings 13, having the openings llt therein, in which openings are mounted the smooth portions 1G of the stems 15, the latter having the'threaded portions 17 and 18, said portion 17 terminating'in a conical point 19, which is received in the jeweled bearing or block 20, inserted in the block or stylus holder'21.

22 designates a nut engaging the threaded portion 17, whereby the tension of the spring 23 can be adjusted, according to requirements. 2i designates an outer nut en` gaging the threaded portion 1S, whereby the tension of the spring 25 can be adjusted, according to requirements. rFhe block or stylus holder 21 is adapted to receive the chuck or stylus 26 in the usual manner which engages the groove of the tablet 27 in the customary manner, the stylus or the stylus chuclrbeing held in position by a screw 28 of the usual construction.

The stylus arm 29 projects upwardly from the stylus block 21 and has its upper extremity deieeted laterally as at SO and suitably secured to the diaphragm 2, as indicated at 31, by any suitable cementmg or fastening means, se that no metal contacts witlrthe diaphragm 2. During the operation of casting the sound box body, l also cast the laterally extending neck or tubular extension 32 thereon, and provide the same with the ridges 33, which are adapted to engage the tubular extension 34 of the tone arm, as will be understood from Fig. 3, and I also provide the pin to form the bayonet joint connection with the extension or tone arm 3st or the usual. construction.

If desired, I may employ in lieu of the construction seen in Fig. 7, for producing the bearings ior the stylus arm, the construction seen in Fig. S, which shows the bearings 36 as mounted on arms 37 connected by the bar 3S, said bar and arms being cast in the sound box body simultaneously with the casting of the diaphragm 2 therein, as will be understood from said Fig. S.

In all the embodiments of my invention,

itwill be seen that the front, rear andouter u peripheral portion of the sound box body is of one piece and composed of a single mass of rubber or similar material which during the process of casting or molding is properly shaped to produce the construction seen in Fig. 2, and has its outer portions compressed during molding upon the outer portions of the diaphragm 2. All screws, metal plates, washers, paclrings 'for the diaphragm and the like are dispensed with, my novel sound box body being made integral or in one piece and comprising merely the body itself with the diaphragm and bearings for the stylus holder cast therein at one and the same operation.

1t will be further apparent that during the casting ot the diaphragm, the plastic material otwhich the sound box body is composed, will be caused to enter the openings 3 in the outer periphery in the diaphragm 2 at the points 1, so that the outer periphery of said diaphragm will be properly and intimately intcrloclred with the sound box body, as indicated at the points t best seen in Figs. 2 and Ll. In Fig. 5 is illustrated a partly sectional view oit the sound-box, in which the diaphragm is illustrated as without the perforations near its periphery and with the diaphragm simply secured between the contiguous portions of the sound-box.

The body of the sound-box has an annular channel, 39, in its peripheral wall, into which the edge of the diaphragm extends, and segmental slots, 40 and 41, are formed in the front and back of the body which lead into said channel, to provide means Vfor removing the core forming the channel and to lighten the weight of the sound-box whereby the core can be readily removed, if desired, during or after the act of casting. The stylus arm 29 can be assembled with respect to the diaphragm at any desired stage during or prior to the production or casting of the sound box body by the molding jaws 43, which are mounted on the curved spring 45, said jaws shaping and securing the fastening material 31 in position. The bearings 20 which I employ, seen in Figs. 9 and 10 are preferably jewel bearings, which can be inserted in the block or stylus holder 21 in any convenient way, so that upon the proper adjustment of the nuts 22 and 24, the desired tension of the springs and 25 on both sides of the stylus holderl can be obtained, so as to cause a most delicate and faithful reproduction of the sounds desired to be reproduced. In casting my novel construction of sound box, I preferably employ rubber or similar suitable rubber composition which can be cured or vulcanized to the requisite degree of hardness or resiliency, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and if desired, I may, at any suitable stage of the production of my novel one piece sound box, make the rear inner wall of the same of material 42, as best seen in Fig. 4, which may be softer than the sound box body, whereby a reproduction of sounds similar to the sounds made bythe human throat, of great fidelity, may be had. lThe lining 42 may be continued to form the sleeve 44, and the interlocking pin may be secured to the sleeve 44 or to the inclosing tubular extension 32, as may be desired.

In carrying out my invention, I do not desire to be limited to any particular construction of molds, for the production of the sound box body, as the same may be of any suitable construction and will form the subject-matter of a separateapplication, the office of said molds being to retain and compress the rubber or other plastic material, of which the sound box body is composed, with respect to the diaphragm 2, so that the resultant shape of the body will appear as seen in Fig. 2 and the material of the sound box body will simultaneously encompass and interlock with the ports 3 of the diaphragm, as already described, the stylus arm bearings of the metal band 11 or the equivalent construction seen in Fig. 8, being simultaneously cast or molded within the sound box body at the same time the latter is molded around the diaphragm 2.

In the molding or casting of my novel sound bex, the rubber or similar material, in a sufficiently plastic condition, is placed within suitable molds, which latter may be made so as to facilitate the proper manipulation, the molds being of such contour that after the same are assembled, the rubber or other material can be compressed into the desired shape, and thereafter cured or otherwise treated, so that the resultant product when withdrawn from the molding apparatus will be a one-piece, unitary sound box having the advantages described. So far as I am aware, I am the first in the art to produce a sound box having a one-piece sound box body of rubber or similar material cast around and into operative engagement with the diaphragm, and I am also the first to carry out the steps of my novel method herein disclosed, and my claims are therefore to be interpreted with the corresponding scope which is accorded to a pioneer or primary invention.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that by my novel invention I have greatly reduced the number of parts and by a single operation am enabled to produce a one piece sound box body within which is secured and inclosed simultaneously at the one and same operation of molding or casting both the diaphragm and the bearings for the stylus arm and its adjuncts. My invention will also be applicable to telephone receivers and sound recording devices as well as sound boxes or the like. i

In the construction seen in Fig. 12, I have shown another embodiment of my invention, wherein the sound box and the goose neck applicable to the well-known Victor type of talking machine are cast or molded in one piece out of rubber or similar material, in lieu of the plurality of parts at present employed. In Fig. 12, 46 represents a goose neck or return bend, and 47 the sound box body, which is cast simultaneously with the curved or return bend portion 4G, and has secured therein, the diaphragm 2, the constructionof the sound box body and the manner of assembling it with respect to the diaphragm being the same as already described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2, it being understood that the bearings for the stylus holder are cast in the sound box 47 in the same manner as already described with reference to Figs. 7 and 8, and that I also employ yin the construction seen in Fig. 12, the construction of bearings seen in Figs. 9 and 10. I close the end 48 of the goose neck seen in Fig. 12 by means of a plate 49, having a port 50- therethrough, which is adapted to reoister with the port 51 in the plate 52, which turns upon the bearing 68, the construction being such that the plate 49 ,is fast or stationary upon the extremity of the goose neck 4S, while the plate 52 can be turned thereon so as to bring the ports 50 and 51 into or out of alinement, as may be desired, thereby increasing or diminishing the sound reproduced from the diaphragm 2 at the will of the operator. By the employment of the construction seen in Fig. 12, yit will be apparent that I combine in a single structure the return bend meniber and the sound box member, which have heretofore generally been made detachable or in a plurality of parts, so that in my construction, the cost of manufacture is greatly simplified and reduced to a mini- In the construction seen in Figs. 18, 14 and 15, I show my invention in its broad aspects as applied to the tapering arm of a Columbia talking machine, wherein the tapering tone arm 53 is provided with the bellshaped head 5st of the usual construction, said tone arm terminating at its opposite end in' the sound box body 55, which is cast or molded as an inteOral member with the said tone arm, as will be understood from Fig. 15, said sound box body having the diaphragm 2 and ring 11 seen in Fig. 7 molded therein in the same manner as already described, and provided with the stylus arm Q9 and the stylus holder 21 and the stylus 26 of the same character as already described with reference to Figs. 9 and 10, so that I deem it unnecessary to repeat the description thereof. The tapering tone arm 53, the sound boxbody 55 and the diaphragm 2 may be cast in one piece from rubber or other similar material by molds of any suitable description, as will be apparent to those skilledin the art, and I do not therefore desire to be limited to any form of mold for their production.

In order to regulate the volume of sound created by the vibrations of the diaphragm 2, I employ in the construction seen in Figs. 13, 1i and 15, a valve 56, which I locate in the larger portion of the tone arm, and provide the same at one end with a pintle 57, and at its opposite end with a stem 58, which passes through a plate 59, which is secured to the boss 60 in any suitable manner, and is provided with the port 61 therein, adapted to register with the port 62 of the finger piece 63, which may belinurled as indicated at G-l. It will be understood that the closure or plate 59 is fast on the boss 60, while the movable member 63 freely rotates thereon and has connected therewith the stem 5S in such a. way that the rotation of the plate 63 will cause the rotation of the stem 58 and the valve 56, so that the latter can be set at any desired point so as to increase or diminish the volume of the sound through the outlet opening 65. If desired, I may secure the pin 6G to the stationary apertured member 59 and permit the same to project through the slot 67 in the ianged or knurled portion 64 of the movable member 63, so that by turning said movable member 63 into one or the other of lits extreme positions, the controlling valve 56 will be in open or closed position, according to requirements. By locating the valve 56 in the position shown in Figs. 13, 11 and 15 and employing the port controlling device 63, it will be apparent that the regulation of the volume of sound will be effected in a most etlicient manner, and the shutters or doors in the front of the talking machine cabinet now generally employed may be dispensed with entirely, if desired.

I desire kto call special attention to the manner in which I secure the stylus arm 29 to the diaphragm 2, as indicated at 31 in Figs. and 15, since it will be apparent from these figures that by embedding the terminus 30 of the stylus arm in cement or similar material 31 in the manner indicated in said Figs. 2 and 15, I am enabled to malte the desired connection with the diaphragm in such a way that there is no contact of the metal of the stylus arm with the diaphragm, whereby reproduction of any scratchy or metallic ,sounds is entirely obviated or reduced to a minimmn. In all the embodiments of my invention, as seen in Figs. Q, 12 or 15, it will 'be apparent that I have greatly simplified and cheapened the construction, and have done away with the surplus number of parts heretofore employed.

It will now be apparent that I have devised a noveland useful construction of a sound bex which embodies the features of advantage enumerated as desirable in the statement of the invention and the above description, and while I have, in the present instance, shown and described a preferred embodiment thereof which will give in practice satisfactory and reliable results, it is to be understood that the same is susceptible of modication in farious particulars without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.

{aving thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:-

1. The herein described method of producing a sound box, which consists in assemi ling a diaphragm with respect to a body of plastic material, causing the outer portions of said material while in a plastic condition to incl-ose and engage the outer, front and rear surfaces of said diaphragm, whereby the latter is secured to said body during the act of casting and simultaneously castingl the bearings for the stylus arm on said sound box body.

2. The herein described method of producing a sound box, which consists in assembling a sound box diaphragm with respect to a body of plastic material, and next causing outer portions of said plastic material to be compressed and be cast around the outer peripheral portions and front and rear surfaces of said diaphragm, whereby the latter becomes engaged with said body during` the act of cas-ting the latter.

3. The herein described method of producing a sound box, which consists in producing the rear wall, outer peripheral and front portions of the sound box body, in a. single operation and causing said sound box body to be cast through and to be interlocked at intervals with the outer peripheral portions of the diaphragm in one and the same castinOa operation.

il. rlhe herein described method of producing a sound box, which consists in casting the rear wall, outer peripheral and front portions of the sound box body, and a. rearwardly extending neck in a single operation, and causing portions of said sound box body to be interlocked with and at intervals to pass through the outer peripheral portions of the diaphragm in one and the same casting operation.

5. The herein described method of producing a sound-box, which consists in producing the rear wall, outer peripheral and front portions and the rearwardly extending neck of the sound-box body in a single operation while casting said sound-box body around the outer peripheral portions of a sound-box diaphragm. and simultaneously therewith casting on said sound-box body the bearings for the stylus arm.

6. As an improved article of manufacture, a sound box for talking machines, comprising a diaphragm, a one piece body portion of rubber or other similar material cast around and inclosing the outer portions of said diaphragm and interlocked therewith, and bearings for a stylus arm also cast in said body portion.

7. As an improved article of manufacture, a sound box for talking machines comprising a diaphragm, and a one piece body portion of rubber or other similar material inclosing said diaphragm and interlocked therewith and comprising front, peripheral, and rear walls and a rearwardly extending neck portion, and stylus arm bearings also cast on said body portion.

8. As an improved article of manufacture, a sound box for talking machines, comprising a diaphragm, and a one piece body portion of rubber or other similar material cast around and inclosing the outer peripheral portion of said diaphragm and interlocked therewith.

9.. As an improved article of manufacture, a sound box body cast of one piece of material, in combination with a diaphragm cast therein, and constituting therewith a unitary structure.

10. As an improved article of manufacture, a sound box body cast of one piece of material, and having bearings for a stylus arm also cast on said body, in combination with a diaphragm cast in said body and constitutinoa therewith a unitary structure.

11. As an improved article of manufacture, a sound box body having a rearwardly extending neck, both being cast from a mass of rubber, in combination with a diaphragm cast in said body and constituting therewith a unitary structure.

12. rlhe method of making a sound box, which consists in casting a sound box body around and into operative engagement with a diaphragm.

13. The method of making a sound box, which consists in casting a sound box body from a mass of rubber around and into operative engagement with a diaphragm.

1st. he method of. making a sound box which consists in casting a sound box body from a mass of rubber and simultaneously therewith interlocking a diaphragm with the sound box body.

15. ln a diaphragm mounting, the combination `'ith a mica diaphragm, of a holding ring of hard rubber vulcanized in place upon the periphery of said diaphragm so as to lirmly embrace the same and form a secure mounting therefor.

16. ln a diaphragm mounting, the combination with a mica diaphragm having perforations adjacent its peripheral edge, of a holding ring of hard rubber vulcanized in place upon the periphery of said diaphragm so as to firmly embrace the same and form a secure mounting therefor, said holding ring hai/'ing integral portions from both sides of said diaphragm extending through the per, forations of the periphery of said diaphragm.

17. ln a diaphragm mounting, the combination with a mica diaphragm having perforations adjacent its peripheral edge, of a holding ring of hard rubber vulcanized in place upon the periphery of said diaphragm so as to firmly embrace the same and form a secure mounting therefor, said holding ring having portions of equal thickness at both sides of said diaphragm and having integral portions extending from said side portions through the perforations of the periphery of said diaphragm.

18. As an article of manufacture, a diaphragm of flexible material surrounded at its edge by a mounting ring of rubber vulcanized to such diaphragm.

ALVA D. JONES.

Witnesses:

E. HAYWARD FAIRBANKS, C. D. MCVAY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

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