US1448933A - Phonograph reproducer - Google Patents

Description

Mar.- 20, 1923.

A. K. MILLER.

PHNOGRAPH REPRODUCER.

FILED FEB. I8, 1920.

\ Illing Patented Mar. 2,0, l923.

ni'rsn STATES PATENT Terres.

ALFRED n. MILLER, or Los AivGELiis,` oaLironivLA.

iiioiioeanrn niiraonncnn.

Application filed February 18, 1920. Serial No. 359,725.

To all fic/wm it may conce/rn.'

Be it known that I, Ammin K. MiLLnn. a citizen et the United States, residing` at Los Angeles7 in the county of Los Angeles, State ot' California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Phonograph Reproducers, oi which the following; is a speciification.

This invention relates generally to soundboxes, being more specifically designed to be used as a phonograph reproducer; `but Without iiecessarily being limited `to use specifically as a phonograph reproducer. lt Will be readily understood, after a perusal ot the following' description, that the device may be used wherever sound-boxes are used t'or the purpose of trzmstorming` mechanical vibrations into sound vibrations.

For simplicity and clarity ot description l shall describe my device in its. specific form as designed tor a phonograph reproducer; stating the objects and accomplishments ot' the invention specifically as regarding that term ot my device. without at all intending that such description, and statement ot' the objects and features et the invention7 shall limit my invention speci-licilly or entirely to phonograph reproducers. As applied to ljhonogrraph reprodncers, it is an object of the present invention to provide :i sound-box which Will give imjn'oved reproductive results. The lgeneral objects ot the invention are set forth in my previous application Serial No. 316,039. liled Aug'. 8, 1919; and my present invention includes improvements upon the sound-box set forth in my previous application, the present improvements being` along the line of purer tone production of greater clarity; the pro` duction of overtone qualities; and, in fact, (as applied to a reproducer) reproduction ot all the proper tone qualities which are in a phonograph record, and to a certain extent at least. the damping out or elimination of sounds which, although in the phonograph record1 are undesirable; and the damping out oi minimizing` of the undesirable'sounds arising from the characteristic vibration of the needle-vibratori. diaphragm itself.

further and more particular object oi the `present invention is to provide a phonograph reproducer construction `which will raccomplish the general objects of this invention, and which may be easily made With comparatively little expense and present a pleasing exterior appearance.` f i As between this present application and `the prior one referred to tlie'broader and common subject matter is herein claimed; the claims of the prior application being limited to the specilic forms therein shown and not shown herein.

The various objects, and corresponding features, of my invention in its torni as specifically applied to phonograph reproducers. Will be better and more fully understood from the following detailed description, reference tor `this purpose being had to the accompanying 4drawings in which I show in detail a phonograph reproducermade in accordance with my invention.` ln these drawings l. is a rear tace `elevation ot my .improved reproducer; Fig. 2 is a front tace elevation of the same; Fig'. 3 is a side elevation taken as indicated by line 3 3 on Fig'. 1; Fig. 4C is a side elevation taken as indicated by line 4 4: on Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is an enlarged section talien as indicated b v line on Fia'. 1; Fig. G an enlarged 'fragmentary tace elevation taken as indicated by line 6 6 on Fig. 5; Fig. 7 `is a side elevation of the part shown in Fig. 6; and Fig. 8 is a detail section taken as indicated by line 8 8 on Fig. 6.

In the drawings the numeral 10 designates the body ot a case havingT an exterior 'Harige 1l and an interior liange The case is formed oi the body member 1() and ot a case member 13 which. has an exterior flange 14 and an interior flange 15. The case'tit-s over the body 1() and its 'liange le tits againstfiange y1l. oi". the l'iody-.ineinber. Flange 11 ot the body member is on that tace ot the sound-box which l designate the rear tace; and on this rear tace there is a flange or ilat ring' 1G secured by screws 1'? to `flange 11. the screws 1 7 `also serving to secure flange 142 against iiangre 1l.

ln the iront tace ot the case there is a ilat ring or flange 18 secured by screws 19 to liange 15 oi case` meinberl. Flange 15 has around its inner edge an annular recess 20 and one ot' the secondary .resonating diaphragms` is held in this `recess by ,the AliaiiQ'r-l 18.

The foregoing described construction is. in detail7 the case which l now specifically prefer tor `my specific preferred arrangelOO ' phragms ment of vibrating diaphagms which I will now proceed to describe. I shall also hereinafter state the materials of which I prefer to makethe various parts of the device, and shall also, in order to give a complete and clear idea of a specific and successful form of my invention, give the characteristic dimensions of the parts as herein set forth. It will, however, be readily understood, that I give all of these details for the purpose ofV nsuitable material, and the circular edge of this diaphragm is mounted in aI rubber (preferably soft rubber) mounting ring` 26 which encircles its edge and lies on both edge faces of the diaphragm. This is clearly illustrated in the drawing. Such a mounting ring may readily be made by slightly stretching a rubber band of appropriate circumference and bending the edges of the rubber band over the edge faces of the diaphragm. It is thick enough, and of suliiciently yielding qualities, to effectually prevent the vibrations of diaphragm reaching the case in any great degree. The

`inertia of the case also assists in minimizing its vibration, either by the needle mounting or from the primary diaphragm. The vibrations of the case being thus minimized, it is easier to insulate the secondary diafrom vibration. This rubber mounting ring rests against the interior flange 12 of case body 10; and is held in place by the edge of secondary diaphragm 27 Which in turn is held in place by the flange 16, with 'a rubber ring 28 and a paper ring 29 interposed between the flange and the edge of thefsecondary diaphragm. The paper ring is a filler; and by changing its thickness-as for instance, putting in more or less thin paper rings-the holding pressure on the rubber rings and on the diaphragms may be adjusted to a nicety. This secondary diaphragm 27 is, in this present specific embodiment and arrangement of my invention, composed` of what is ordinarily known as hard nickel silver. It is here two one-hundredths of an inch in thickness. Near its edge it has a bend 30 extending on a circular line clear around it, so that its edge portion 31 is somewhat offset from the main central portion of the diaphragm; so that .mounted on the case.

the effective vibrating portion of the diaphragm is more or less delimited at the circular bend 31. This circular bend is at such a diameter as to make the effective vibrating part of diaphragm 27 of about the same diameter as the effective vibrating part of primary diaphragm 25. The rubber mountings for these two diaphragms are compressed sutciently by the flange 16 to hold the diaphragm securely in place; but the rubber mountings are not compressed to the eX- tent that vibrations from one diaphragm will pass to the other through the case or directly through the rubber mounting 26. The secondary diaphragm is, as far as possible, left free t0 vibrate in its own characistie mode of vibration, vwithout being forced by vibrations which might otherwise reach it through the mountings or through the case from the primary diaphragm 25, or which might reach it from the case itself which is more or less set in vibration by the vibration of the needle and needle arm The form of mounting 26 prevents the edge of primary diaphragm 25 touching the case; and the bend at 31 in secondary diaphragm 27 centers that diaphragm on mounting 26 and prevents its edge coming in contact with the case. The two diaphragms are thus mounted solely on their rubber mounting rings and do not contact with the case at any point. f

Secondary diaphragm 27 has at its center an aperture surrounded by a nipple 31n preferably integral with the diaphragm itself. `This nipple 31a is of such size as to be adapted to fit over a sound arm 32, being provided with a pin 33 which engages with slot 34 in the sound arm, for locking the nippleupon the sound arm. It is through the medium of this nipple and through the medium of the secondary diaphragm 27 that the whole sound-box is supported and mounted upon the sound arm 32; that is, the diaphragm 27 becomes itself an element in the support and mounting for the whole sound-box. v

The other secondary resonating diaphragm 35 is formed as the bottom of a cup-shaped diaphragm and chamber member 36 which has a circular and slightly conical sidewall 37 and a rim flange 38 held in a rubber mounting member 39 in annular recess 20 and under the flange 18. Rubber mounting member 39 is similar to the mounting member 26 except that it may be smaller. It will be noted that the external diameter of rim flange 38 is such that the rubber mounting member does not touch the outer circumferential wall. of the annular recess 20; and the inner edge of flange 18 does not touch the side wall 37 of the diaphragm member 36; so that the diaphragm member is solely and entirely mounted in the case results.

throughV the intervention of the rubber mounting member 89. This rubber mountingmember is only clamped tightly enough to hold the diaphragmand chamber'member 36 in place, wit-hout compressing therubber to such a degree as to transmit vibration to the diaphragm member from the case. This rubber ring 39, as well as the others, 2G and 28, is air-tight. The rubber mountings prevent air leakage around the diaphragm edges to and from the resonating chamber, orchambers.' It will be understood that the space between diaphragms 25 and 27 may, of itself, or with the sound arm 32, form a resonating chamber conforming in vibration characteristics with the diaphragm 27. The cup-shaped member is preferably pressed out of the same material as diaphragm 27, and the thickness of this material, and the thickness of diaphragm 35, is one one-hundredth of an inch. The diameter of diaphragm 35, it will be noted, is substantially less than the diameter of diaphragm 25. The fact that diaphragm 35 forms the bottom of the cupshaped member 36 places diaphragm 35 atvv a distance from primary diaphragm 25; the case of the device and the member 36, together with diaphragme 25 and 35, enclosing` a resonating chamber whose resonant vibration characteristics are preferably in correspondence with theresonant vibration characteristics of diaphragm 35. Using secondary diaphragme of the n'iaterial and of the thicknesses here stated, I find that l attain very satisfactory results when the diameter of diaphragm 35 is about one ands three-eighths inches; the total diameter, from edge to edge, of diaphragm 25 is about one and seven-eighths inches; the distance between diaphragms 25 and 35 is about five-eighths of an inch; the effective vibratory diameter' of secondary diaphragm 27 is about one and threefourths inches; and the distance between diaphragms 25 and 27 is about three-sixtyfourths of an inch at theiredges. `At their centers these diaphragms may be somewhat further apart due to the normal iiexing of the primary diaphragm toward the left in Fig. 5.

l find that if ll. make the case and its parts, of brass, l have a reproducer that gives about the proper weight on the needle. All of the exteriorly appearing parts, with the exception of the two secondary'diaphragme, may be plated or otherwise finished. The interior surfaces of thefvariousv case parts are preferably smooth finished. y

The foregoing specifies an arrangement and design that l find lto givepvery good l have chosen these dimensions and arrangements after long experiment with a view 'to arriving at'the best sound production andthe elimination of' undesirable sounds.

l l'ind that the secondary diaphragms and the resonating chamber, or chambers, selectively kresonate the primary diaphragm vibrations so as to bring out tone qualities that are ordinarily lost in reproduction... The vibration characteristics of the secondary diaphragms are purposely different from those of the primary, and also preferably different from each other; and it is in this differencethe selective resonation-that my good results are made, resulting in the resonation of tones that otherwise are feeble or drowned out, and the damping olf of sounds that are undesired.

Using my device as a sound reproducer, it is necessary to provide a means for vibrating the primary diaphragm 25 from a record following needle. The record following needle is secured in the needle-holding head 40 in the usual manner. Head 40 has two lateral extensions 4l provided with grooves 42 which rest on knife-edges 43. Each eX- tension 4l has a transverse pin` 44; and each pin is pressed upon by the bifurcated ends 45 of a spring 46. Spring 46 is a curved flat spring whose end is held in a notch at 47; and the tension of the spring ends 45 on pins 44 isy adjusted by screws 48. It will be noted that the tension of springs `46 holds the parts 41 in engagement with knife edges 43; and at the same time a spring tension is applied equally to opposite sides of the vibratory axis of the system; the bifurcations 45 of each spring pressing equally upon the opposite ends of each pin 44. Consequently, when an adjustment of the screws is made to adjust the spring tension, no substantial change is.y made in the position of diaphragm 25, there being no tendency on the part of the springs, when adjusted. to more or `less tension, to throw the diaphragm into morey or less than normal tension either side of its normal central position of rest. The parts are arranged so that the diaphragm normally stands iiexed somewhat forwardly.

'The needle head 4() has an extension 50 which carries the needle arm 51. Needle arm 5l projects into the interior of the case, through the wall of member 13, and is connected with the center of primary diaphragm 25, in any of the well known manners. A small aperture at 5&2 allows the passage of the needle arm into the interior of the case.` The needle arm of course does not fit the aperture tightly.v allowing room enough for the needle arm to vibrate; but the looseness around the needle arm does not materially alter the substantially enclosed condition of the resonating chamber inside the case. It `simply provides that small openingfwhich, under any circumstances, would be required to the exterior atmosphere to keep atmospheric pressure equalized inside and outside' the resonating chamber.

Cfr

Having described a preferred form of my invention, I claim:

l. In a sound box, a case, a primary diaphragm therein, and a plurality of secondary diaphragme therein in spaced and resonant relation to the primary diaphragm7 each secondary diaphragm having vibration characteristics different from the others and from the primary diaphragm.

2. In a sound box, a case, a primary diaphragm therein, and tivo secondary diaphragms therein in spaced and resonant relation to the primary diaphragm, one on each side of the primary diaphragm, each secondary diaphragm having vibration characteristics different from the other and from the primary diaphragm. l 3. In a sound box, a case, a primary diaphragm therein, and two secondary diaphragme therein in spaced and resonant relation to the primary diaphragm, one of the secondary diaphragms being relatively thin and far-spaced from the primary diaphragm and the other being relatively thick and close-'spaced to the primary diaphragm.

4;. yIn a sound box, a case, a primary diaphragm therein, and two secondary diaphragms therein in spaced and resonant relation to the primary diaphragm, one of the secondary diaphragme being of lesser diameter than the primary diaphragm, and each secondary diaphragm having vibration characteristics different from the other and from the primary diaphragm.

5. In a sound box, a case, a primary diaphragm therein, and a plurality oi' secondary `diaphragms therein in spaced and resonant relation to the primary diaphragm, one on each side of the primary diaphragm, one of the secondary diaphragms being relatively thin and tar-spaced from the primary diaphragm and the other being relatively thick and close-spaced to the primary diaphragm, the thin far-spaced diaphragm being of lesser diameter than the primary diaphragm.

6. In a sound box, a case, and vibratory diaphragm means therein embodying an apertured vibratable vdiaphragm having mounting means around its aperture adaptedto be connected to a sound tube and forming the supporting mounting for the sound box.

7. In a sound box, a case, a primary diaphragm in the case, a secondarydiaphragm in the case in resonating relation to the primary diaphragm, the secondary diaphragm having an opening and mounting i means around the opening adapted to engage a sound tube.

8. In a sound box, a case, a primary diaphragm therein, and tWo secondary diaphragms therein in spaced and resonant relation to the primary diaphragm, one ot the diaphragms being impertorate andthe other having an opening and a sound tube leading from the opening in said diaphragm, the vibration characteristics of each secondary diaphragm being different from each other and from the primary diaphragm.

9. In a sound box, a case, a primary diaphram therein, and a plurality of secondary diaphragms therein in spaced and resonant relation to the primary diaphragm, one on each side of the primary diaphragm, one of the. secondary diaphragme being relatively thin and far-spaced from the primary diaphragm and the other being relatively thick and close-spaced to the primary diaphragm, the relatively thick, far-spaced, diaphragm having an opening, and al sound tube leading from the opening in said diaphragm.

10. In a sound box, a case, a primary diaphragm therein, and a plurality of secondary diaphragms therein in spaced and resonant relation to the primary diaphragm, one on each side of the primary diaphragm, one of the secondary diaphragms being relatively thin and far-spaced from the primary diaphragm and the yother being relatively thick and close-spaced to the primary diaphragm, the thin far-spaced, diaphragm being of lesser diameter than the primary diaphragm, and the relatively thick, far-spaced, diaphragm having an opening, and a sound tube leading from the opening in said diaphragm.

l1. In a sound box, a case, a primary diaphragm therein, a plurality of secondary diaphragms therein in spaced resonant relation to the primary diaphragm, each oit' said secondary diaphragms having vibration characteristics different from those of the primary diaphragm and from each other; one of said secondary diaphragms enclosingl between itandvthe primary diaphragm a resonating chamber, and the resonant vibration characteristics of the chamber being in correspondence with those of said secondary diaphragm.

l2. In a sound box, a case, a primary diaphragm therein, a pair of secondary diaphragme in the case one on each side of the primary diaphragm, each of the secondary diaphragms having vibration characteristics different from those or' the primary diaphragm and from each other, one of t-he secondary diaphragms being imperiorate, the 'other being apertured and adapted for connection with a sound tube, the imperiorate diaphragm being relatively thin and enclosing a resonating chamber between it and the primary diaphragm, and t-he apertured diaphragm being relatively thick.

13. Inasoundbox, a case, a primary diaphragm ofmica, a cup-shaped member having a rim and an integral flat diaphragm bottom of nickel silver constituting a secondary diaphragm, the member `being mounted by its rim in the case with its diaphragm bottom in resonant relation to the primary diaphragm.

14:. ln a sound box, a case, a primary diaphragm therein of mica, a cup-shaped member having a rim and an integral flat diaphragm bottom of nickel silver constituting a secondary diaphragm, the member being mounted by its rim in the case with its diaphragm bottom in reso-nant relation to the primary diaphragm; and the case, the cupshaped member and the primary diaphragm enclosing a resonating chamber Whose vibration characteristics correspond to those of the secondary diaphragm. y

15. In a sound box, a case, a primary diaphragm in the case, and two secondary diaphragme therein, the secondary diaphragme being mounted in such relation to the primary diaphragm and being of such material and dimensions as to be resonantly vibrated from the primary diaphragm, and the vibration characteristics of the two secondary diaphragms being different from each other.

16. ln a sound box, a case, a primary diaphragm therein, a secondary diaphragm in the case at one side of the primary diaphragm and in resonant relation to the primary diaphragm; and a resonating chamber at the other side of the primary diaphragm, the vibration characteristics of the primary diaphragm and of the secondary diaphragm and of the chamber each being different from cach ot the others.

17. A` sound box, embodying a case, primary and secondary diaphragms therein, the secondary diaphragm being in resonant relation to the primary diaphragm and having vibration characteristics different from those `of the primary diaphragm so that the secondary diaphragm selectively resonates the vibrations of the primary diaphragm.

18. A sound box, embodying a case, and primary and secondary diaphragms therein, the primary diaphragm being of mica, and the secondary diaphragm of nickel silver, and the secondary diaphragm being in resonant relation to the primary diaphragm so as to selectively resonate its vibration.

19. A sound box, embodying a case, a diaphragm therein, and a resonating element in resonant relation to the diaphragm, said resonating element having vibra-tion characteristics such as to be resonantly vibrated from the diaphragm but having its vibration characteristics somewhat different from those of the diaphragm so that said element selectively resonates the diaphragm.

' 20. A sound box, embodyinga case, a diaphragm therein, and a resonating chamber in resonant relation to the diaphragm, said resonating chamber having vibration characteristics such as to be resonantly vibrated from the diaphragm but having its vibration characteristics somewhat different from those of the diaphragm so that said chamber selectively resonates the diaphragm.

ln witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name this 2d day of February, 1920.

i ALFRED K. MLLER.

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