GB2465163A

GB2465163A - Hands-free music page turner

Info

Publication number: GB2465163A
Application number: GB0820296A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Max Holland
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-11-06
Filing date: 2008-11-06
Publication date: 2010-05-12
Also published as: GB0820296D0

Abstract

A page turning device includes a music stand (5 fig 1), at least one arm 1 rotated by an electric motor, a foot switch (fig. 4) and an adjustable page connector 2, to turn one or a limited number of pages 9 back and forth. The device may include retractable feet 6 and may be free standing, removable from the music stand or incorporated into a keyboard (10 fig 1). The adjustable page connector may be a clip 2. The foot switch (fig. 4) may include two pedals (7, 8 fig 4).

Description

Hands-free music page turner This invention relates to a page turning device, for use by musicians, which does not require the use of hands.

When musicians are performing, often the musical score is printed over several pages. This presents a problem to a range of musicians who require both hands to play their instrument. Often, the flow of a recital is disrupted by the turning of a page, which requires the use of a hand.

Very little prior art is known to the applicant. The prior art known includes patent numbers US2006162531, US2007285742 and GB2244478. However, the named publications do not all include some important features of this design, such as: -The presence of a music stand, and a means to make the device free-standing; -The ability to be integrated into a standard portable keyboard; The ability to adjust, allowing pages of different sizes to be turned; -The presence of a clip mechanism, used to grip pages; and -The ability to be easily transformed into a standard music stand.

To overcome this problem, the present invention proposes a traditional music stand, with the addition of a rotating arm, with the ability to be attached to a page. This arm is rotated by an electric motor and controlled by a foot switch.

The rotating arm will ensure that the page is turned, and by using the foot switch, this action can be achieved completely hands-free.

Preferably, the stand has at least one rotating arm.

Preferably, the rotating arm is adjustable.

An example of the invention will now be described by referring to the accompanying drawings: * Figure 1 shows the invention integrated into a standard portable keyboard.

* Figure 2 shows the music stand according to the invention, equipped with a music book.

* Figure 3 shows the adjustable rotating arm according to the invention.

* Figure 4 shows the foot switch; and * Figure 5 shows the music stand according to the invention, with two rotating arms, equipped with a music book.

A rotating arm1 is attached to a page or sheet of music9, using the adjustable page connector2, which is fitted to the size of the leaf using the adjusting holes4.

The rotating arm1 is connected to the music stand5 using the axel supports3, and is driven by a low voltage electric motor. This allows the rotating arm' to turn with precision. The motor is powered by electrical energy supplied by an external source, such as a portable keyboard10, or battery supply.

The music stand5 can be incorporated into a standard portable keyboard'° using the integration feet6 for support, or can be free-standing when the integration feet6 are retracted.

Attached pages can be rotated left and right, which is controlled using the foot switch pedals: left7 and right8, respectively.

Claims

Claims 1. A page turning device to turn a limited number of manually preloaded pages, after which, without the use of hands, comprising: a) At least one rotating arm, rotated by an electric motor; b) A switch assembly, designed for use by a user's foot, to activate the motor; c) An adjustable device to connect pages to the rotating arm; d) A music stand, designed to hold books and sheets.
2. The page turning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a limited number of pages can be turned both forwards and backwards.
3. The page turning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a single page can be turned forwards and backwards.
4. The page turning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rotating arm arrangement comprises one or more arms that act independently or together to rotate forwards or backwards.
5. The page turning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switch assembly is operated by a user's foot.
6. The page turning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the music stand includes two integration feet, which can be retracted to make the device free-standing.
7. The page turning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rotating arm(s) may be removed, to allow the device to function as a regular music stand.
8. The page turning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjustable device used to connect pages to the rotating arm uses a clip mechanism to grip pages.