US1509316A - Tracker-bar mechanism - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 23, 1924. V

' r. M. REIMERS TRACKER BAR MECHANISM Jive Liar 1: l 1 .rlunuuh AU Filed Oct. 16 1922 Sept. 23, I924.

T. M. REIMERS TRACKER BAR MECHANISM Filed Oct 16, ,{922

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 23 1924.

T. M. REIMERS TRACKER BAR MECHANISM Filed Oct. 16, 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet. 3

flue/Z221" Patented Sept. 23, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THEODORE M. REIMERS, OF OAK PARK, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T SMITH. BARNES & STROHBER COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

TRACKER-BAR MECHANISM.

To all whom it may concern: g

Be it'known that I, THEODORE M. Rnuinns, a subject of the King of Denmark, and a resident of Oak Park, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements -in 'lracker-Bar hlechanism; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference be. ing had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in tracker bar mechanism for musical instru-v ments and consists of the matters hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a simple and eflicient mechanism for maintaining full registry between the perforations of the music sheet and the openings in the tracker bar.

A further object of the invention is to furnish a mechanism of the kind, which is of simple and economical construction, with comparatively few parts, capable of production at small cost, and which is so arranged and correlated with the music sheet mechanism that it may be readily installed in old player pianos, or may be embodied in new pianos Without material changes in the construction of said pianos.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a mechanism. which is extremely sensitive and quick in its operation so that positive registry is maintained at all' times.

The aforesaid objects and advantages-of the invention will more fully appear as I proceed with my specification.

In the drawings F"g. l is a View in front elevation of a tracker box mechanism of a player piano, embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a view in elevation of the left hand end of the tracker box.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the same on the line 3-3 of F ig. 1.

Fig. i is a vertical detail sectional view on an enlarged scale, taken on the line 44 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal detail sectional view taken 011 the line 5-5 of Fig. 4:.- I

Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of several of the parts shown at the rightliand end of Fig. 1, with some of said parts in a changed relation.

Figs. 7 and 8 are vertical detail sectional views taken on the lines 7-7 and 8-8 respectively of Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a vertical detail sectional view on a further enlarged scale, as taken on the line 9---S) of Fig. 8.

Iiig. 10 is a perspective view of one of the bracket plates in which the ends of the tracker bar are supported.

Fig. 11 is a detail perspective view of one end of the tracker bar.

F lg. 12 is a longitudinal vertical section through the right hand end of the tracker bar, and shows the transposing mechanism associated therewith.

Referring now in detail to that embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings as applied to the familiar player piano :10 indicates the open front tracker box or casing of the player piano. Said box includes the spaced upright side walls 11 and 12 respectively, atop wall 13 and a bottom wall or board 11 which is extended beyond the side wall 12 for the support of the operating gearing and motor.

15 indicates the perforated music sheet wound on a spool 15, which is removably connected to horizontal shaft parts 16 and 17, journalled in suitable bearings provided therefor in and near the top ends of the side walls 11 and 12 of the tracker box. The shaft part 17 extends beyond the side wall 12 where it has bearing in an upright standard 18, which is one support for the unwinding and rewinding gear train. 19 indicates the spool upon which the perforated music sheet is wound in the playing operation. Said roll is mounted on horizontal shaft parts 20 and 21 respectively, journalled in'suitable bearings in and near the bottom ends of the side walls 11 and 12 of the tracker box in the usual manner. The shaft part 21, like the shaft part 17, extends beyond the'side wall 12, where it has bearing in the standard 18.

22 indicates the tracker bar. This tracker bar is a channel bar with a convexly rounded front" wall 23 and top and bottom horizontal flanges 2 1, 25. The front wall has the usual row of openings 26 with which are connected the nipples 27, (see Fig. 3) one 'in bracket plates 29, (see. Figs. 1 and secured to the front edges of the upright end walls 11 and 12 of the box,.the saidend walls-being cut away or notched in line'wit-h the tracker bar so that the'front wall of'th'e tracker bar is flush with the front edges of said uprightend walls. Y-Eachbracket plate has a front flange 30 which is screwed to the front edge of the associated side wall and a side flange31 which engages with the inner surface of said side wall. In each side flangeis provideda centrally disposed opening 32 in'which .the ends of 'the tracker bar have bearing. In each end of the top flange 24 of the tracker bar :is:a rectangular opening-'2 P, (see Fig. 11) the "flange being indented on each side of said opening to provide transverse grooves 24 the purpose of which will appear later.

34: indicates a horizontal rod locatedcloselyabove the tracker :bar 22. This rod is capable of both a limited endwise and zrotative movement and carries opposed guide plates 35, which engage the edges of the music sheet 15. Said rod extends through holes 33 in the flanges 31 of the bracket plates :29, (see Fig. 10) and has=a bearing sup-port upon rollers 24warranged in the openings 24 in thetracker bar. Each roller has trunnions which bear in the g1'o0ves2 l" associated with said openings. A'third'rollin the side wall '12 ofthe trackerbar, assists theother rollers to provide the antifriction bearing for said rod, so that frictional resistance'is reduced-to a minimum.

' Each guide 35, as shown, is in the form of an elongated plate, with a sleeve 36 .at its bottom "end engaged upon the rod '34. lhe guide plate near the end wall '12 :of the box'is capableof alimited endwise movement-with respect to saidrod. Apart of the metal forming :the sleeve of the last mentioned guide-plates 35,1is cut and'bent .back between its endsto formntwo stop lips 36, 36 (see Fig. 5). A ra'dialstud 37 is fixed to the rod34: in the opening'leftin the sleeve by said lips, and pivoted on the-top end of said stud is a bell crank lever 38,the :horizontal arm '58 of which isweightedwhil'e the vertical 'arm 38 engages "the 'lip 36". Each guide plate has a flange 39 i'formed:to define a groove 40, (see :Fig. 5) to receive the edge of the music-sheet vand to hold it from accidental displacement from the guideplate. As the sheet weaves or shifts later-' ally, a corresponding movement is imparted to the guide plates 35 and .a resultant endwisemovement to the rod"34. The right hand end. 34? of said r d extendsbeyentl t right hand wall 12 for a purpose which will appear later. Secured to the rod end 3.4,

nearithe'end wall 12 of .the box lO, is a small v movement. Associated with that end of said rod outside .of the end wall 11 of thetracker box, is a means-for rotating the rod to nor- 'mally .urge the guide plates 35 outwardlyagainst the music sheet 15 to hold the same substantially taut. Fixed to said'end of=the rod is a short arm 34- (see 2)" the-free end of which engagesJin the forked end 34 of'a lever 34 thebp-posite end of which car-- r1esa'we1ght34. Said lever is pivotedon a -pl1l-34 carried by a laterally extending stud 34 on \the flange 31 of the associated plate 29 in such a manner as to be capable of a swinging movement in both a horizontal and a vertical plane. :Laterally extending pins 34 on-saidflange3l limits the vertical swing of the arm 3% and lever 3 Thus, no matter in what longitudinal position the rod 351 happens to be in, the arm and leverarrangement willalways act'to rotate said rod to urge the guideplates 35outwardly against the music sheet to hold it taut.

The shafts 17 and 21 of the spools 19 and 15 are driven in their respective directions The rod 34, as before in theusual way, as follows.:- 41 indicates a pneumati'mmotor mounted'on the end extension of the bottom wall or board '14. Said motor drives a crank shaft 4-2 which carries a sprocket wheel 43 at one end; (see 'Fig. 1) el l indicatcs a horizontal drive shaft arranged intermediate. the shaft parts 17 and21. This shaft 4A has bearing between itsendsin thestandard 18,'and at its ends areupright standards 14:5 and a6 respectively, the one (45) beingfixed flZO the outer-surface of thebox wall :12 and the .other. (46) being apart of a yoke which isfixed at its ends to the standard 118, asshown in Fig. 1; Fixed to t-he outer end of the shaft 44: near the standard 46,:is a sprocket 47 which is driven by-a chain 47 'from1the sprocket 13 on the crank shaft 42. Feathered on-the ,innerzend of'the shaft 44 adjacent to the standard 415 isan elongated spur pinion 48 which meshes with a spur gear 49 on the winding spool shaft :part 21. lLoose onthe shaft 44 near the bearing '18, isa: sprocket wheel 50 which, through a chain 51, drives a sprocket 52 on the music roll shaft .part '17.

53 indicates a combined clutch shifting and braking bar which is pivotedat a point intermediate its ends on'a bracket 54-extendin'g :laterelly from the side wall-12. Said lever-carries a -pin'.55 which'extends into' a peripheral groove in one end ofthe pinion 48, and-s-aitl pinion .hasa longitudinal pin 36 which, when thepinionis shifted endwise-in one direction, extends into the path of a similar pinz57 .onthe-sprocket 50 so .asito be driven thereby. The bottom end of the lever is connected in any convenient manner with the actuating member in the control board of the piano, while the top end of said lever coacts with the brake shoe 17 associated with a disc l7 on the shaft part 17. lVhen the lever as is in the position shown in Fig. l, the pinion 48 will drive the gear 49 to wind the perforated sheet upon the spool 19 and when said lever is in its other position, the sprocket 50 is clutched or connected to the pinion 48tl1rough the pins 56-57 to drive the shaft part 17 to rewind the perf0 'ated sheet upon the spool 15 58 indicates a relatively short horizontal shaft, arranged in a plane below the winding spool shaft part 21. The right hand end 59 is screw-threaded and extends through a threaded hole inthe standard 46, said thread being relatively fine. The left hand end of said shaft bears in an aperture in the stand ard or bar 18 and to said end is fixed a peripherally grooved collar 60, (see Fig. 6). A vertically disposed arm 61 is operatively engaged at one. end with the grooved collar (30 while the other end of said arm is connected by a horizontal rod 62 to the tracker bar 22, as will later appear. Y

F bred to the shaft 58, adjacent the stand ards 46 and 18, are comparatively large spur gears 64 and 65 respectively. The gear 64 meshes with a smaller spur gear 66 loose on the shaft 44 near the sprocket 47. An arm 67 so connects the two gears 64 and 66 that they will move together longitudinally. The bottom end of said arm engages the grooved hub 64 of the gear 64 and the top end of said arm is forked, (see Fig. 8) and engages the grooved hub 66 of the gear 66 so as to maintain said gears in the proper relation. The gear 65 meshes with a pinion 68 journalled in a stud 69 carried by a sec- 0nd arm 70, said pinion meshing with a second pinion -71, loose on the shaft 44. The arm 70 is connected to the gears 65 and 71 in the same manner as the arm 67 is connected to the gears 64 and 66 so that the gear 65 and pinions 68 and 71 will move together longitudinally. The gear 66 and the pinion 71 each carries an inwardly facing clutch pin 72.

73 indicates a peripherally grooved collar, which is rotative with but capable of a limited endwise movement on the shaft 44 be tween the vertical planes of the gear 66 and pinion 71, said collar carrying outwardly facing clutch pins 74, adapted to engage either of the clutch pins 72, before mentioned. By this construction, it is apparent that when the collar 73is shifted endwise on the shaft 44 in either direction, one of its pins 74 will engage with one of the pins 72, and drive the associated gear or pinion 67 or 71. The collar 73 is provided between its ends with a peripheral groove 75 to receive the forked end 7 6 of an arm 77 (see Figs. 6 and 9) the other end of the arm being fixed to the extreme right hand end 34 of the rod 34, before mentioned.

The operation of the tracker mechanism is follows :lVhen a roll is being played, the marginal edges of the sheet 15 pass over the guideplates 35 and over the tracker bar 22 on the way tothe winding spool 19. Should the sheet shift or weave laterally toward the right so that the perforations in the music sheet move out of register with the openings 26 in the tracker bar 22, an endwise move ment in the same direction is imparted to the shift rod 34 and clutch collar 73, through the guide plate 35. This will move the collar toward the gear 66 and operatively connect the two together through the clutch pins 72 and 74 so that the gear will rotate with the clutch collar. As said gear is permanently in mesh with the gear 64 on the shaft 58, said gear 64 and shaft will be rotated in a reverse direction. By reason of the screw threaded hearing which the shaft end 59 has in the standard 46, the shaft 58 will move endwise toward the standard 46 and will, through the collar 60, and arm and rod 61, 62, shift or pull the tracker bar 22 to the right to bring the openings in the same again into register with the perforations in the music sheet. As said shaft 58 moves endwise toward the right. under the screw thread action before mentioned, the gear 66 will move away from and out of engagement with collar 73, the parts all remaining in this last position as long as the perforations in the note sheet and the openings in the tracker bar 22 register.

Should the perforated music sheet now shift or move laterally toward the left, the collar 73 is caused to move endwise toward the left by means of the shift rod 34, until it is operatively connected to the pinion 71 through the pins 72 and 74. Said pinion, through the pinion 68 and gear 65, will rotate the sha t 58 in adirection the reverse of that just described, and will cause said shaft to move endwise toward the left, a like movement being imparted to the tracker bar through the connections before described, to bring the openings in the tracker bar again into register with the perforations in the music sheet. By reason of the endwise movement of the shaft 58 toward the left, the arm 70 moves in the same direction disengaging the pinion from the collar 73. Thus, no matter in what direction the music shifts or weave-s, the tracker bar is shifted endwise to follow the weave of the music sheet, so that complete registry is maintained at all times.

In Fig. 12 is illustrated an adjustable connection between the tracker bar 22 and rod 62 by means of which the tracker bar may be shifted in either direction, with reference to the openings "26 in the Web of the tracker;

bar. An arnr-Sl is pivoted at one endto the uprightmember of the yokeand its other end is formed to provide a detent 82 adapted toengage in'any one of thenotches 62" of the rod;,62. Thedetent end of said arm carries a laterally extending pin 83 wl' ich projects forwardly through an arcuate slot25 (see Fig. '1) inthe front ch23 of the trackerbar 22. Mounted onthe other ar1n'79 of the yoke 78 is a leaf spring Sat, which'urges the arm 81 downwardly-to yieldingly hold the detent in one of the notches to connect the tracker bar 22and rod 62 together. Should it-be desired to transposethe music to a higher or a lower key,-the pin 83 is moved upwardly of the slot 23 to unlock the tracker bar'from the rod 62, When the tracker. bar may then be manually shifted to the left or right, a distance equal to that between one or more of the notches 62 in thebar 62. \Vhen the proper adjustment has beenmade, the pin 83 is released and the detent 82-will enter the associated notch 62 inthe rod62 and again lock the tracker bar and rod together. This Will change the prior relation between the tracker bar openings and the note sheet openings to aifectthe transposition of music, a note or more according to the adjustment madebetvveen the-tracker barand rod 62.

As-the gear and pinions on the shafts 58 and 4.14 are always in mesh, noise of shifting gears in eliminated.

The improved registry mechanism is extremely positive and quick in its action and is quite sensitive in operation so as to accommodate any minute weaving of'the music sheet.- The device is noiseless and does not include such small parts as will Wear rapidly andthus develop aloose play which must be taken up by fine adjustments.

The stop 34: and the arm 34 on the shift rod 34'prevent accidental or careless displacement oft'he rod, by hand or otherwise, beyond the limits of the endvvise movement which it is intended to have.

After a music sheet has been once played and it is rewound upon its roll, it has been found by actual operation that, upon a replaying of the music sheet, no weaving occurs in the same. The bell crank 32 associated with the guide plate 35 engaging the light band edge ofthemusic sheet, positively insures engagement ofsaid guide .plate with said edge, .no matter how uneven said edge may be. Furthermore, .the lever 34 will always act to urge-the guide plates toward the musicsheet tokeep-thesame taut, no matter whatthe longitudinal positionof the shiftrod happens toibe. As weights are used in each oft-lie above instancesg the operating force will remain constant, so that no tine adjustments need ;be made, as

able in the Weaving of the music sheet,vpe-r-- nianently engaging means on-said shafts for driving said second shaft in eitherdirection, and means actuated in :the endwise -movement of said rod forconnecting a part of said permanently engaged means to said drive shaft.

2. In a mechanismof the kind described, the combination of a music .Sh,eet=roll shaft and an'end-Wise movable tracker bar, a drive shaft for said roll sha gft, a second shaft mounted for endwise movement when grotated, a device connecting said secondsha-ft- \vitlrthe tracker bar, a rod, endwisemovable. in the Weaving of'the music sheet, two sets ofgearing i itermediate the drive-shaftand said second shaft, SEHd'SQtS including gear elements loose on the drive shaft andgear elements fixed to said second shaft, and means actuated in the endwise movement of-said rod foroperatively connecting either of the loosegear elements to said drive-shaft.

3. In a mechanism of the kind described, the combination of .a'm'usic sheetroll shaft and an endwise movable tracker bar, aldrive shaftfor said ro'l-lshaft, asecond shaft mounted for endwise movement when rotated, a device connectingsaid second shaft with thetracker bar, arod, end-Wise movable in the Weaving of=the music sheet, ntWO sets of gearing intermediate :the drive shaftand said second shaft for driving said "second shaft in either direct-ion, said sets of gears ncludingpermanently meshing gear elements, the gem-elements on the drive shaftbeing loose thereon. a clutch member keyed to'the drive shaft between said loose gear elements, and -means actuating said clutch from said rod for operatively conwould be necessary if spring .ineans -were necting either loose gear element to the drive shaft.

4. In a mechanism of the kind described, the combination of a music sheet roll shaft and an endwise movable tracker bar, a drive shaft for said roll shaft, a second shaft mounted for endwise movement when rotated, a device connecting said second shaft with the tracker bar, a rod, endwise movable in the weaving of the music sheet, two sets of gearing intermediate the drive shaft and said second shaft for driving said second shaft in either direction, each set of gearing including a gear element loose on the drive shaft, means actuated by said rod for operatively connecting either loose gear element to said drive shaft, and means connecting the gear elements of each set to each other so that the gear elements of the active set will move longitudinally of the drive shaft when said second shaft is rotated by said active set of gear elements.

5. In a mechanism of the kind described,

i the combination of a music sheet roll shaft and an endwise movable tracker bar, a drive shaft for said roll shaft, a second shaft mounted for endwise movement when rotated, a device connecting said second shaft with the tracker bar, a rod, endwise movable in the weaving of the'music sheet, two sets of gearing intermediate the drive shaft and said second shaft for driving said second shaft in either direction, each set of gearing including a gear element loose on the drive shaft, and an arm connecting the hubs of the gear elements of each set together, so that the gear elements of the active set will move longitudinally of the drive shaft, away from said means which connects the loose gear elements thereof to said drive shaft, when said second shaft is rotated by said active set of gear elements.

6. In a mechanism of the kind described, the combination of spaced, upright standards, a drive shaft journalled therein, a sec ond shaft. one end of said second shaft 1 eing journalled in one of said standards and the other end of said shaft being threaded through the other standard, a large gear fixed to said second shaft near one standard, a second gear loose on the drive shaft and meshing with the large gear, an arm coir necting said gears so that they will move together longitudinally, a third gear fixed to said second shaft near the other standard, a pinion loose on the drive shaft, a second pinion connecting the first pinion with said third gear, an arm connecting said third gear and pinions so that they will move together longitudinally, and a clutch collar on the drive shaft between said loose gear and loose pinion thereon, movable under the action of said rod to connect either said loose gear or said loose pinion to said drive shaft.

7. In a mechanism of the kind described, the combination of a tracker box having end walls, a tracker bar mounted in said end walls and over which a music sheet is drawn, shifting means connected to said tracker bar, a rod controlling the movement of said shifting means and capable of endwise movement under the weaving action of said music sheet, and means providing an antifriction bearing support for said rod.

8. In a mechanism of the kind described, the combination of a tracker box having end walls, a tracker bar mounted in said end walls, and over which a music sheet is drawn, shifting means connected to said tracker bar, a rod parallel with the tracker bar and movable endwise under the weaving action of the music sheet, said rod controlling the movement of said shifting means and members carried by the tracker bar providing an antifrict-ion bearing support for said rod.

9. In a mechanism of the kind described, the combination of a tracker box having end walls, a tracker bar mounted in said end walls, and over which a music sheet is drawn, said tracker bar having recesses in its ends, shifting means connected to said tracker bar, a rod parallel with the tracker bar and movable under the weaving action of the music sheet, said rod controlling the movement of said shifting means and rollers mounted in the tracker bar recesses providing an antifriction bearing support for said rod.

10. In a mechanism of the kind described, the combination of an endwise movable rod, guide plates on said rod, over which the margins of a music sheet must pass, one of said guide plates having a sleeve surrounding the rod and being capable of a limited endwise movement on said rod, a part of said sleeve being cut away to form an opening having a lip at one end thereof, a studfixed to the rod and extending through said opening, and a lever mounted on said stud, one end of the lever being engaged with said lip and the other end being weighted, so as to normally urge said plate into engagement with the edge of the associated music sheet margin.

11. In a mechanism of the kind described, the combination of a music sheet roll element and a tracker bar element, the one being movable with respect to the other, 168.118 actuated in the weaving of the music sheet for imparting an endwise movement to one of said elements, a rod operatively connected to said last mentioned means, guide plates carried by said rod to engage the margins of the music sheet so that said rod is moved endwise under the weaving action of the music sheet, and weight controlled means op-eratively connected to said rod to rotate the same and urge the guide plates into engagament with the music sheet margins.

12 In combination, a. trackerbox, a tracker bartherein, capable of an endwisemovement, and over -which a music sheet vis drawn, a. rod mounted in the tracker box, and capable of alimited rotative and end- Wis-e moven'ient, guide plates on therod for engaging themargins' of the music sheet, and a Weighted lever operatively connected to the rod for turning the same to cause the guide plates to engage the music sheet margins, said lever and rod having engaging parts which Will operate irrespective of the longitudinal position of said rod.

13. Ina mechanisinof the kind described, the combination of a. music sheet roll el-ement and a tracker bar element, the one element being endwise movable with respect to the other, meanscontrolled by the Weaving of the music sheet for imparting a relative endWise movement between said elements to again bring them into registration, and devices connecting one of said elements with said last mentioned means, said devices being capable of being adjusted to change the relation of the lines of music openings in the music sheet with the openings in the tracker bar for the purpose of transposition.

14;. Ina mechanism of the kind described, the combination of a music sheet roll shaft and an endWise movable tracker bar, means controlled by the Weaving of the music sheet for imparting anendwise movement: tothe tracker bar, and a. transposing device interposed between said last mentioned means and the tracker bar.

15.- Ina. mechanism of the kind described, the combination of a music sheet roll shaft and an endWise movable tracker bar, a normally stationary rod, and means connecting saidtracker bar with the rod and capable of being adjusted to change therelation of the lines of music openings in the music sheet with the openings of the tracker bar for the purpose of transposition l6.- In combination with: an endwise movable tracker bar, a yoke Within the tracker bar, a. notched rod extending through said yoke, and a. spring controlled dete-nt mount ed on the yoke and operable from Without the tracker bar for releasing thedetent from the notch for purpose of changing the ne-- lative position between said tracker bar and rod. V In testim'ony that I- claim the foregoing: as my invention, I afiix my signature in thepresence of two Witnesses, this 144th day of October, 1922.

THEODORE M; REIMERSL Witnesses N. B. SULLIVAN, T. H. Amrnnns,

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