GB762367A - Improvements in appliances for facilitating the learning of the touch system of fingering for keyboard machines and instruments - Google Patents

Abstract

762,367. Electric signalling systems; teaching music. COOLE, E. H. Nov. 12, 1954 [Aug. 14, 1953], No. 22453/53. Classes 40 (1) and 88 (2). An apparatus for teaching touch-typing, typesetting, music, &c., comprises an illuminated indicator representative of the characters, signs or notes of the keyboard, a series of manually operated switches 10, Fig. 3, to determine a particular sequence in which the characters, signs or notes are to be illuminated and an electrically actuated distributer 4 for passing current from a transformer 16 to each switch 10 so that the characters or signs selected by the switches are illuminated for a controlled period of time and in a correct sequence. As shown, the characters are housed in a cabinet 1, Fig. 1, and illuminated from behind by 6 V. bulbs 20, Fig. 3. On the rear of the cabinet are arranged the switches 10 which may be in the form of slides coacting with a series of contacts one for each character on the keyboard, or, alternatively, the switches may be of the multiplepoint rotary kind. The distributer 4 is housed inside the cabinet 1 and comprises a rotary selector, driven at about 5 R.P.M. through a reduction gearing from an electric motor 5, the speed being adjustable if so desired by a rheostat 7 in series with the motor, so that a sequence of say twelve characters, or the letters of a twelveletter word, can be illuminated one by one by the bulbs 20. In a modification, the distributer comprises an insulated drum with twelve contact studs spiralled around its periphery and wired to a continuous band to which current is applied continuously. On the casing of the distributer is a twelve-contactor strip.