US1141283A

US1141283A - Tempo-regulator and rewinding mechanism for piano-players.

Info

Publication number: US1141283A
Application number: US65398311A
Authority: US
Inventors: Adolf A Steinhilber
Original assignee: ARTISTA PIANO PLAYER Co
Current assignee: ARTISTA PIANO PLAYER Co
Priority date: 1911-10-11
Filing date: 1911-10-11
Publication date: 1915-06-01
Anticipated expiration: 1932-06-01

Description

A. A. STEINHILBER.

TEMPO REGULATOR AND REWINDING MECHANISM FOR PIANO PLAYERS.

APPLICNTION FILED OCT-H.191].

Patented June 1, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

THE NORRIS PETERS CO., FHKJTW-LVTHO.A WASHINGIUN. D. C.

, A. A. STEINHILBER.

TEMPO REGULATOR AND REWINDING MECHANISM FOR PIANO PLAYERS.

APPLICATION FILED ocr. 11. I91].

1 1 4 1 ,283 E Patented June 1, 1915.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2.

THE NORRIS PETERS CO., PHOTO-L|THO-. WASHINGTON, D. C.

A. A. STEINHILBER.

TEMPO REGULATOR AND REWINDING MECHANISM FOR PiANO PLAYERS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. l1, 19H.

Patented June 1, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

7H? NOIEIS PETERS 60., FHO70 LITHO.. WASHINGTON. C.

"UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ADOLF A. STEINHILBER, OF ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO ARTISTA PIANO PLAYER COMPANY, OF MILAN, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 1, 1915.

Application filed October 11, 1911. Serial No. 653,983.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, AnoLF A. STEINHIL- a citizen of the United States, residing at Rock Island. in the county of Rock Island and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tempo- Regulators and Rewinding Mechanism for Piano-Players, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in tempo regulators and rewinding mechanism for mechanical musical instruments particularly of the type in which there is employed a pneumatic motor operated by exhausting the air therefrom and which exhaust mechanism is also connected with the wind chest for exhausting the latter, and one of the objects of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus of this character, having means whereby the exhaust may be cut off from the wind chest and directed entirely to the motor, to increase the speed of operation of the latter and at the same time prevent the operation of the parts controlled by the suction in the wind chest.

A further object is to provide an improved apparatus of this class having means where by the record may be advanced or rewound without actuating the note sounding instrumentalities.

A further object is to provide an improved. apparatus of this class which will be simple, durable and cheap in construction and effective and efficient in operation.

To the attainment of these ends and the accomplishment of other new and useful objects as ill appear, the invention consists in the features of novelty in substantially the construction, combination and arrangement of the several parts hereinafter more fully described and claimed and shown in the accompanying drawings, showing an embodiment of the invention and in which- Figure 1 is a front elevation with parts broken away, of an improved apparatus of this class constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention. Fig. 1 is a view of detail, partly in section. Fig. 2- is a detailed sectional view taken on line 22 Fig. 3. Fig. 3, is a view partly in elevation, partly in section, and with parts broken away of the governor or controller mechanism. Fig. 4- is a detailed sectional view on line ll-- Fig. "3 Fig. 5 is a detailed sectional view taken on line 55, Fig. -3. Fig. 6- is a. top plan view of the valve box for controlling the suction in the wind chest. Fig. 7 is a sectional view on lines 7-7-, Fig. 6. Fig. -8 is a front elevation of Fig. 6. Fig. 9 is a detailed view taken on line -99, Fig. -1.

Referring more particularly to the drawings and in the present exemplification of this invention, the numeral 10 desig nates the wind chest which is arranged in any suitable manner within the casing of the instrument, a portion of which latter being indicated in Fig. -1-, and to which is connected the pneumatics 10 which latter operate the note-sounding instrumentalities desi gna-ted generally by the reference numeral 10", and which pneumatics are connected with the tracker board 12 by the tubes 10 in a manner well known in devices of this character.

Supported by the wind chest in any suitable or convenient manner is a frame designated generally by the reference numeral -11- and in this frame is arranged the tracker board 12 on one side of which is arranged the record spool 13, while the record spool 14l is arranged on the opposite side of the tracker board. the latter spool being adapted to receive the record sheet -15 as it passes over the tracker board -1:2 from the roll 13-.

The motor for feeding the record sheet is designated generally by the reference numeral 16-. This motor is of the pneumatic type and embodies a crank shaft l.7- and controlling valves 18-. The

crank shaft is preferably arranged above the motor as shown and is journaled in suitable bearings, one end of the shaft being detachably connected with a stub shaft -19-, journaled preferably in a supplementary frame 20 supported by the frame -11-. Connected with this stub shaft -19* is an elongated pinion gear -21, with which a traveling gear -22 measures. This gear 22- is mounted upon a shaft -23 which is connected in any suitable manner with the shaft of the spool -14.

The gear is adapted to be shifted longitudinally on the shaft 23 preferably by means of a lever 24- pivoted intermediate its ends as at -25- with one end connected with a collar -26- secured to the gear 22 for rotation therewith. The gear -22 is provided with a lateral pro jection or pin 26 which is adapted to enter a recess in a collar 27 which latter is secured to the shaft for rotation therewith. so that when the projection --2G is seated within the aperture within the collar and the gear 22 rotated, the shaft 23 together with the spool 1e' will also be rotated to draw the record from the spool -13- on to the spool 14. Journal d in the supplementary frame -:20 is another shai'i't -28 to which is secured a sprocket wheel -i29, this sprocket wheel is connected by means of a sprocket chain 30 with another sprocket wheel on the shaft -3l, which la ter is detachably connected as at -32 with a trunnion on the spool 13. The other trunnion of the spool -18 is journaled in suitable bearing, -33, and an elastic member -34 is provided which engages the end of the bearing -33 and tends normally to hold the spool -l3 in position.

@n the shaft -.Z8, is a gear 35 which is connected with the sprocket -2-) for rotation therewith and is so arranged with respect to the gear 2f2, that the latter may be moved into and out of mesh therewith. The pinion -21 however, is of such a length that the gear 22 in any of its positions will always remain in mesh therewith. Thus it will be seen that when the gear 2:. is moved out of mesh with the gear -35- *nd the projection is seated in the recess in the collar -27, the spool -1 l will be connected with the motor shaft -17 t irough the me dium oi"- the pinion -2l and gear 22 in this position the spool 13 will be disconnected from the motor and when the motor is operated the record sheet 15-- will be drawn across the tracker board -1 and on to the spool 14 Should the gear 22 be shifted so that it will mesh with the gear 35-, then the spool 1 lwill be disconnected f om the motor shaft and the spool -l3 will be connected with the motor to be operated thereby through the medium of the sprocket chain 36. to rotate the roller -l3 and thereby rewind the record sheet -l5 back on to the spool 13.

The gear -22 is shifted manually at the wil of the operator and for this purpose there is provided an operating lever 36-, which is arranged in a convenient position for the operator, preferably at the front and center of the instrument. This lever 36- is pivotally supported. preferahly intermediate its ends as at 37- and one end is connected by means of a link to an arm -3S on a rock shaft -40. Another arm al on the rock shaft is connected by means of a link i to one arm of a bell crank lever l3 which latter is pivotally supported as at l l-. To the other arm of the bell crank r3- is connected a slide bar or rod l-5 which is supported for such movement in suitable bearings and arranged on this slide bar are spaced arms or projections 46 t7-, between which the free extremity %l8 of the lever 2 lprojects. These arms or projections al6 --i7 are so spaced from each other that when the bar or rod is moved longitudinally in one direction or the other by the manipulation of the lever 86 they will respectively engage the extremity l-8- of the lever to rock the latter about its point of pivotal support 25- and thereby shift the gear in the manner already described. These arms i6 l7- are also so spaced from each other as to permit movement of the rod i5- without engaging the lever -2 i for a purpose as will be set forth. An elastic member 49 is provided. one end of which is connected with the lever 4-8 and the other end is anchored to a suitable fixed support and tends normally to mo e the member in a direction to shift the gear 22 to lock the spool 14 for rotation by the motor to advance the record. and a stop 50-, is also pro vided for lim ting the movement of the leer under the influence of the elastic member -4-9.

The note soundins instrumentalities are connected in the ordinary and usual manner (and therefore not necessary to illustrate with the wind chest 10 and also with the a ertures in the tracker board 12- and in order therefore to prevent the operation of these instrumentalities, and consequently the sounding of the notes durino; the rewinding of the record -15, there is provided valve mechanisms which cut oil the suction from the wind chest durinn this rewindinaoperation. his valve mechanism embodies a housing designated generally by the reference numeral -51 which is connected or has communication with the wind chest in any suitable manner so that the air will be exhausted from the wind chest through this housing by means of a tubular member -52 which is connected with the outlet 53- of the housing and also with the equalizer of one of the pumper bellows This housing 52 is provided with a valve seat 54 intermediate the inlet and the outlet of the housing and a valve 55 is provided which cooperates with the valve seat. Then the valve is moved oii" its seat into the position shown in Figs. 6- and 8-, the tubular member 52- will be connected with the wind chest to exhaust the latter the extension 56 which is connected with the slide bar and also with a crankarm 57 on a rock shaft -58 to which latter the valve 55- is connected. This crank arm -57 is adjustably connected with the rock shaft 58 by means of a suitable fastening device 59 so that the crank arm may be adjusted to any suitable position on the shaft.

The extension 56 is flexibly connected with the crank arm 57 through the medium of a loop 60- (see particularly Fig. through which loop a pin -61 on the crank arm 57 passes and. the length of the extension 56- is such that when the lever --3(3 is moved to the right in l, to cause the gear -Q2- to connect the spool 14 with the motor for moving the record sheet and playing the instrument or in playing position, the movement of the bar 4-.5* and extension 56-, will result in the extremity of the loop 60 engaging the pin 61- to rock the shaft 58-- and thereby unseat or open the valve --55 It is necessary in the playing position that the valve 55 be held open, because of the pressure or suction which operates on the left hand side of the valve (Fig. and which tends normally to close the valve. By the provision of the loop "GO- the lever may be moved into upright or intermediate position or to a osition Jvhich will permit the valve to close by the suction and also to per; the le er to be moved into a 45 position to eli'ect a revvinding of the record wit out opening the valve and thus nt the operation of the note sounding rumei'italities during the rewinding opation. l asmuch as the suction is on the left side or the valve (Fig. it would close were it not for the fact that it is held open by the loop 60 of the rod 56 engaging the pin 61. l it is desirable to hold this en tie shunt passage from valve open properly opened. This shunt pass smarter described, when open, connects the motor directly with the pumpers. Thus it may be used as an auxfhry to increase the speed of the motor during portions of the playing operation, and of course the valve must be open under this condition The speed of the motor during the playing ope ation or the tempo is controlled or regulated through the medium of governor mechanism which will now be described, reference being had particularly to Figs. 2 to -5.

Mounted upon a suitable fixed support preferably the wind chest 10 is a housing designated generally by the reference numeral G2 which housing is provided with a chamber 63- having communication as at 64 with the exhaust passage of the mot-or 16, and this chamber 63 is connected by means of a passage 6'i with a governor pneumatic -65 through the passage -66- of the pneumatic which communicates with the passage 6l. A slide valve 67 is mounted to move in suitable guides -68- to control the passage -6i-- and through the manipulation of this valve 67 the passage -64@ may be opened to a greater or less extent and inasmuch as the suction from the motor, during the playing operation. is through this passage 6 r-, it will be manifested the speed of the motor may be controlled by the manipulation of this valve 67 in a manner to be herein after described.

The pneumatic -65---- embodies a movable element or member ---69 which latter is adapted to be moved in one direction to expand the pneumatic, preferably by means of an elastic member -Tr one end of which is connected to an arm or extension --7 1- projecting beyond the smaller end of the pneumatic and which arm is connected with the movable member of the pneumatic and th other end of the elastic member is anchored to a suitable fixed support. This elastic member tends normally to expand the pneumatic and when the pneumatic is collapsed it is against the action or tension of this elastic member. The pneumatic also h..s communication with a suction or exhaust pipe which latter leads to the equalizer of one of the pumpor bellows 72"- and also communicates with a passage -73- which latter has communication with a pas sage -T4 leading through the housing --62-- out of communication with the chamber -63. The passage 74.- has communication with the pneumatic through the medium of the passage 7 and a valve -7 s provided for con lling the pas sage 75 This valve --i 18 arranged to be seated against the suction in the pipe 72 and 1s opened automatlcally by the movement of the movable member -69 v and for this purpose there is provided a lever 77- which is fulcrumed as at TS-, one end of the lever is suitably connected with the stem of the valve -76 and the other end of the le fer is arranged adjacent the projection --79 carried by the movable member -69 of the pneumatic. This projection 79- is normally held out of contact with the lever --7"- when the pn eu matic 65 is open or expanded, so that the gun lapsed, the projection 79- engages the lever '77 to seat or close the valve. T he iroject-ion 79- is connected with the slide 80 which is adjustably connected with the movable member -69 so that the projection may be adjusted, with respect to the fulcrum of the lever --7'7- and thereby vary the time of operation for closing of the valve *?6. The passage l also has communication with the chamber 73 through the n'iedium of the passage 8land a valve 82 is provided for normally closing this passage -8lto cut oil communication of the passage "Z l--with the chamber 73.

The rock shaft -83 is ir o with the valve 82 in an ible main nor to permit the pressure or suction to seat the valve -82-- closely. his connection may be formed in any suitable manner. A sinple and eflicient manner comprises a. stoning device 8i-- which is threaded at 85 into the valve -82 and is ovided with an enlarged ortion 8"- roje rocting into an aperture -8T in duced portion 88* of an arm of the rock shaft -8 When this valve closed, and suction is created through the pipe ?2-, and the valve --G7- is ad justed to open the passage -6t, the di rection of the air will be fr in the motor through tie passage l-- into the chamber -68.

Air will pass from the chamber into the pneumatic 5 through the ll hen the suction acting begins collapse the pneumatic -li5 the valve 76 will be correspondingly adjusted and the air will pass iron the pneumaticthrough the -'Z5- into the passage *7 l from the passage Z l into the passage -73-- and out through the pine 7:2 This is the course of the air duri the playing operation. H the passage -"-l-is wide open, the motor will be running at its highest speed and therefore in order to control the speed of the motor all that is necessary is to adjust the valve -76-. This is accomplished manually and for this purpose there is provided second 0 crating lever 89 which is arranged preferably adjacent the lever -3t and this lever -8flis fulcrumed as at 90- intermediate its. ends.

One end of the lever is connected by means of a link 9l with an arm on a roclr shaft 9=2 The other arm of the rock shaft is connected by means of a link 93 with one arm of a bell crank lever -9 l, the latter being fulcrumed as 95 The other arm of the bell crank is connected by means of a connection 9-5 with the tempo indicating finger 97- ti to which is movable over the tempo index -98.

Pivotally mounted preferably upon one wall of the housing62 is a crank 99 to which is connected an arm -l00- having a bifurcated extremity 101 into which bifurcation a pin -10:2- on the connection -96- projects. The other end of the crank 99 projects into a recess --103 on the slide valve 6Z so that when the crank 99 is rocked about this point of pivotal support, the valve 67 will be moved in its guides to open or close the passage 6-l at the will of the operator and according to the direction of movement of the valve. Thus when the lever S9 is manipulated, the bell crank lever 9-l will be rocked and this rocking move ment of the bell crank will rock the crank -99- moving the valve 67 and also the tempo indicating finger 97.

During the playing operation, as has been before stated, the valve 82 is closed and the air circulates through the governor in a tortuous passage out of the pipe -72. l fhen it is desired to rewind the record on to the spool 13-, and to operate the motors 16- as rapidly as possible, it is advisable to establish a direct communication of the air from the motor around the governor pneumatic 65 and through the chamber 53 to the pipe -72. This is accomplished by opening the valve 82- and when opened the air will seek the shor est passage to the pipe -72 even though the passage 64l is open. When the valve 8:'2 is opened, the air will pass directly from the chamber -63- through the passage 81 into the passage 78 and thence out through the pipe 'Z2. In order therefore to open this valve -82- simultaneously with the shifting of the gear -22, to a rewinding position, there is provided on the shaft 83 a projecting arm -l04l which extends between two projections 105-, -10\3, connected with the slide bar 4:5 and which projections -105 106 are adapted to engage and move the arm -10? to rock it in one direction or the other to open or close the valve 82- according to the direction of movement of the rod -4.-5.

It is thought that the operation of this improved apparatus will be clearly understood from the foregoing description, but briefly stated it is as follows: W hen the lever 89 is shifted to the right (Fig. 1-) the connection 96 is caused to move horizontally in the same direction through the medium of the intermediate connecting mechanism. The movement of this connection -96 by reason of the pin -102 projecting into the bifurcated extremity 101 of the arm 100, will move the valve 67 in the opposite direction. This valve opens and closes the passage 64 which regulates the passage of the air from the motor to the pumpers. When the passage 64 is opened to its fullest extent the motor has its greatest speed and the speed of the motor is reduced by moving the lever 89-- in the opposite direction, thus moving the valve 67- to the right (Fig. 3-) to reduce the area of this passage. At the same time the tempo finger or indicator 97 will be correspondingly adjusted with respect to the index 98-. By throwing the top of the lever 36 to the extreme left, (Fig. -1-) the slide bar -45- and connection 56 will be shifted, the lug or projection -106 on the slide 45- will engage the arm -104 to rock the shaft -83- and open the valve -S2- at the same time the loop -60 with the connection 56 will permit the valve 55 to close and thereby shut off suction in the wind chest. lVith the valve -82 wide open, the motor will be running at its highest speed inasmuch as the suction will be around the governor. At the same time, or at the time when this lug -106 opens the valve -84, the lug l6 will engagethe extremity -48 of the lever -2i to shift the latter and thereby move the gear 22 into mesh with the gear -35 which will connect the spool 13 with the motor shaft thereby effecting a rewinding of the record from the spool -1-lto the spool 13. lVhen the lever -36 is drawn to the extreme right hand position (Fig. 1) the lug 105 will engage the arm 10- l to close the valve -8'2 at the same time the arm 4l7 on the slide 45- will engage the extremity -48 of the lever 24- to shift the gear 22 out of mesh with the gear -35 and into a position to connect the spool 1 1 with the motor shaft. The loop -60- on the connection 56- will during this movement of the slide -45 open the valve 55- to permit the air to be drawn from the wind chest. In the event that it is desired to advance the record sheet without actuating the note sounding instrumentalities the lever 36- may be moved to an approximately upright or intermediate position which will cause the slide 45 and the connection -56- to move in the same direction. This movement of the slide -45 will cause the projection -106 to engage the arm -104 to partially open the valve 82, thus allowing an additional passage for the air from the motor and the chamber -63-, to produce a more rapid movement of the motor. During this operation or adjustment of the slide 45, the arm or projection 46 thereon moves toward but does not engage the extremity 48 of the lever -24 and the latter will be held in this position by the elastic member 49, thus leaving the mechanism in position for advancing the record sheet over the tracker board to be wound on the spool 14. The movement of the connection 56 to the left permits the valve 55- to close, thus shutting off communica tion between the wind chest and the pump era with the result that the record sheet will move forwardly but the note sounding instrumentalities will not be actuated obviously. The front wall of the chamber -68 may be removably secured in position thereby permitting ready access to the interior of the mechanism housed therein without dismantling the other parts.

What is claimed as new, is:

1. In a tempo regulator, the combination of a motor, air exhausting means connected with the motor and embodying a passage, a governor pneumatic arranged in the passage and through which the air passes, means controlled by the action of the pneumatic for controlling the passage, means for varying the time of operation of the last said means relative to the movement of said pneumatic, a regulator valve for also controlling the passage, means for controlling the last said valve, a shunt passage for the air from the motor around said pneumat c, and means for controlling said shunt passage.

2. In a tempo regulator, the combination of a motor, air exhausting means connected with the motor and embodying a passage, a pneumatic arr nged in said pas. ge and through which the air passes, said pneumatic embodying a movable member, means connected with said member and tending normally to expand the pneumatic, a valve controlled by said movable member and adapted to close the passage, means whereby the movement of said member to expand the pneumatic will control the valve, means for varying the time of the opening of said 'alve relative to the movement of said member, means for controlling the passage of air into the pneumatic, a shunt passage for the air around the pneumatic, and means for controlling the shunt passage.

3. In a tempo regulator, the combination of a motor, air exhausting means therefor embodying a passage for the air, a collapsible pneumatic in the passage and through which the air passes, said pneumatic embodying a movable member, a valve for controlling the passage, adjustable means between the valve and movable member of the pneumatic, whereby the movement of said member will actuate the valve, means tending normally to expand the pneumatic, a shunt passage for the air from the motor around the pneumatic and connected with the first said passage, and a manually con trolled valve for connecting and disconnecting the said passages.

6 1,1 ii,ass

4. In a tempo regulator, the combination of a motor, air exhausting means therefor embodying a passage for the air, a collapsible pneumatic in the passage and through which the air passes, said pneumatic embodying a movable member, a valve for controlling the passage, an adjustable means between the valve and movable member of the pneumatic, whereby the movement of said member will actuate the valve, means tending normally to expand the pneumatic, a shunt passage for the air from the motor around the pneumatic and connected with the first said passage, a manually controlled valve for connecting and disconnecting the said. passages, and a third valve, the latte being adapted to control the passage 01" the air into the pneumatic.

5. In a tempo regulator, the combination of a motor, air exhausting means therefor embodying a passage for the air, a collapsiblc pneumatic in the passage and through which the air passes, said pneumatic embodying a movable member, a valve for controlling the passage, adjustable means between the valve and movable member oil the pneumatic, whereby the movement of said u ember will actuate the valve, means tendmg normally to expand the pneumatic, a shunt passage for the air from the motor around the pneumatic and connected with the first said passage, a manually controlled alve for connecting and disconnecting the sad passages, a third valve, the latter being adapted control the passage of the air into the pneumatic, and manual means for controlling the last said valve at will.

6. tempo regulator embodying in coml'JflPtIO'fl an air exhaust passage, a collapsible matic arranged in the passage and through which pneumatic the air passes, sai d pneumatic embodying a movable memher, a valve for closing the passage, an actu ating lever for the valve arranged within the pneumatic and connected with the valve, operated by the movable member of the pneumatic adapted to engage the lever to operate the same to control the valve, and means for expanding the pneumatic.

7. A tempo regulator embodying in combination an air exhaust passage, 21 collapsible pneumatic arranged in the passage and tl'irough which pneumatic the air passes, said pneumatic embodying a movable her, a valve for closing the passage, an actuating lever for the valve arranged Within the pneumatic and connected with the valve, means adjustably supported by the movable member or" the pneumatic, adapted to engage the lever to operate the same tocontrol the valve, and means for expanding the pneumatic.

S. A tempo re ulator embodying in combination an air exhaust passage, a collapsible pneumatic arranged in the passage and through which pneumatic the air passes, said pneumatic embodying a movable mem her, a valve for closing the passage, an actu' ating lever arranged and fulcrumed within the pneumatic, and connected with the valve for actuating the latter, and means carried by the movable member of the pneumatic and adjustable with respect thereto toward and away from the fulcrum of the lever for operating the lever and for varying the time of actuation of the valve thereby.

9. A tempo regulator embodying in combination an air exhaust passage, a collapsible pneumatic arranged in the passage and through which pneumatic tie air passes, said pneumatic embodying a movable men her, a valve for closing the passage, an actuating lever arranged and fulcrumed within the pneumatic, and connected with the valve for actuating the latter, means carried by the movable member of the pneumatic and adjustable with respect thereto to nerd and away from the fulcrum of the lever for operating the lever and for varying the time of actuation of the valve thereby, and means tending normally to expand the pneumatic to operate the valve to control said passage.

In testimony wiereof l have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, on this lth day of October, A. D. 1911.

ADOLF A. STEINHILBER.

Witnesses:

l Vu. THOMPSON, W. H. CoLLINs.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G.