The Talking Machine Patent Archive

Patents you could hear

Fly-wheel governor

Technical patent drawing showing a complex pneumatic player-piano mechanism with labeled keys, ducts, a large flywheel, crank handle, and perforated music-sheet chamber, alongside smaller detail figures of valve components.IMPROVEMENT IN MECHANICAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENTSMerritt Gally · November 26, 1878Patent drawing of an Edison tin-foil cylinder phonograph showing a horizontal grooved cylinder mounted on a threaded shaft, flanked by supporting frames, a large flywheel and hand crank at one end, with a diaphragm and recording point assembly suspended beneath the cylinder; smaller inset figures show close-up views of the diaphragm holder, point mechanism, and a flexible speaking tube with mouthpiece.Phonograph.Thomas A. Edison · May 18, 1880Patent drawing of Edison's phonograph showing a circular electro-magnetic motor with four magnets and a fly-wheel, plus a horizontal cylinder machine with a horn, recorder and reproducer arms, and a swinging holder frame.PHONOGRAPH.Thomas A. Edison · July 31, 1888Technical patent drawing showing a mechanical music player's feed wheels, perforated music sheet with driving holes, fly-wheel governor mechanism, and a cabinet console housing the instrument.AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.Adolf Richter · May 19, 1896