The Thomas A. Edison Papers Digital Edition

Transcription

with the shank or spring – the other end [of the?] [DAMAGE] spring is fastened to the ring which clamps [DAMAGE] the diaphragm. The sharpened end is affixed [to?] [DAMAGE] a block of some material, which is affixed [to?] [DAMAGE] the centre of the diaphragm with shellac or other cement – the cutting edge of the spring is immediately in a line with the centre of the diaphragm & in such a position as to receive the maximum impulse from any vibration of the diaphragm (the whole arrangement vibrates very freely). 
<diagram>
The reproducing device consists of a mica cel diaphragm held in a cell like that of the recorder but of a less diameter & evidently slightly thicker. The stylus holder consists of a spring fixed to the ring which clamps the diaphragm & reaching over past the centre of the diaphragm (to within a 1/4 of the diameter of the other side) & parallel to it, at its end it holds a [support?] [DAMAGE] point; a wedge with parallel sides, the [thickness?] [DAMAGE] being about .01" & projecting from its [DAMAGE] holder about .05", behind the sapphire [point?] [DAMAGE] upon the other side of the spring is a brass pedistal to the other end of which is affixed another spring which projects towards & is bent upwards until it touches the centre of the diaphragm, but is not fixed to it in any way.
<diagram>
To change a wax cylinder it is necessary to remove the chariot & lift the main shaft from the bed plate until it is clear of the machine.
The cylinders are of a dark chocolate color with a spiral ridge inside so that the whole of the internal surface does not rest upon the brass cylinder, they are of different lengths & about 2 1/2 inches in diameter & about 1/4 in. in thickness at the thickest end.
Where the machine is driven by an electric motor the motor is entirely seperate from the machine & runs at a high speed, driving [driven] by a round belt running in a grove [groove] upon the periphery of the flywheel. The motor is controlled by a centrifugal governor having two balls fixed to the centres of springs, which are at one end fixed to a collar fast to the armature shaft, the other end operates upon a movable sleeve, also upon the shaft, which makes or breaks contact according to the speed. [advertisement for "The Continental Phonograph"] [advertisement for "The Continental Phonograph"] [advertisement for "The Continental Phonograph"] [advertisement for "The Continental Phonograph"] Letterhead of Edison General Electric Company
<Marginalia: Confidential>  
34 Victoria Street 
London S.W.  
October 14th 1892. 
<Stamp: RECEIVED
OCT 25 1892
Ans'd Nov. 3 1892>
Dear Mr Edison, - 
I enclose you some material regarding the phonograph now on the market which I am sure will be of interest to you and it goes to show that on account of the neglect of the European business by the United Phonograph Co. they have left an opening which you can always be sure Europeans can will take advantage of. I enclose a few sketches of this phonograph with explanation of same, all of which I have been able to get through the kindness of a friend. 
I expect to settle up my business here and return to America the first part of November. Hoping that yourself and family are well,  
Yours very truly, 
Philip S. Dyer The phonograph shown by Mr E.O. Kumberg 48 Brondesbury Rd Kilburn NW. consists of 6 seperate parts.
1. The body, framework, or bed plate.
2. Main shaft & cylinder with flywheel.
3. Chariot, to hold recording reproducing & shaving devices.
4. Shaving device.
5. Recording device.
6. Reproducing device.
The body, or framework consists of a flat plate of cast iron, having a hole through the centre to allow chips of wax to fall through into the box below. On either side of this aperture is a triangular bar fixed parallel to each other & having one edge uppermost, between these bars or guides, on the left (facing the machine) is an adjustable centre – opposite this centre, on the right of the framework is a U shaped support to carry the main shaft.
<diagram> The main shaft is about 13 inches in length; the brass cylinder, on the left being about 5 inches, feed thread 5 inches & 3 inches for bearing & holding the fly-wheel.
The feed screw has about 40 or 45 threads per inch & is about 9/16" in diameter. The main shaft is put into position by placing the countersunk centre upon the mate centre between the guides & allowing the other end to fall into the U shaped bearing at the other end of the bed plate, the fly wheel is upon the part of the shaft projecting outside the bearing.
<diagram>
The chariot, or recorder & reproducer holder, is somewhat triangular in shape, the base of the triangle rests upon the two guide bars fixed to the bed plate, the apex resting upon the feed thread on the main shaft & so lies over the brass cylinder & is driven from right to left on turning the flywheel from the operator.
Upon the chariot is placed a hinged frame hung between centres on the side nearest the front of the machine & reaching over the centre of the chariot to an adjustable screw by which it can be raised from or lowered towards the cylinder beneath. Through the left hand side of the chariot there is another adjusting screw, which presses upon the side of the hinge frame & springs it to the right or allows it to return to a normal position, on being turned either right or left, this provides a "side adjustment" to cause the reproducing stylus to fall into the centre of the record line. Through the centre of this hinged frame is a round hole, drilled vertically, for the reception of the recording reproducing & shaving devices, they are clamped in position one at a time by a thumb screw.
<diagram> The paring device consists of a piece of brass tube of a size to Set into the round hole of hinge frame, & having projecting from its lower end a piece of round steel, which has been cut or ground obliquely to its axis & so forms a chisel shaped edge – the cutting edge is at right angles to the surface of the wax.
<diagram>
The recording device consists of a diaphragm cell, with tube to project upwards through hinge frame & by which it is firmly clamped, a ring to clamp the diaphragm – diaphragm of mica about 1 1/4 inch in diameter & .004" in thickness clamped between washers of st cut from sheet rubber. The recording stylus consists of a piece of steel spring having one end ground into a circular form & sharpened & then bent back to form an angle of 45°