US1587424A - Automatic cleaner and brake for player actions - Google Patents

Description

June 1 1926.

J. T. RYDBERG AUTOMATIC CLEANER ANR BRAKE RoR PLAYER ACTIONS P. Sheets-Sheet l June l 1926. v 1,587,424

' J. T. RYDBERG AUTOMATIC CLEANER AND BRAKE FOR PLAYER ACTQEONS Filed March ll 1924 2 Sneets-Sheer. 2

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'f Y www @f A a@ @MJ i i 'l l I/ I M n l Ch'forncx Patented .lune l, 1926.

unirse stares' 115,587,424 PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN T. RYDBERG, OF HARRISON, NEVI JERSEY, ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT AND MESNE ASSIGNI/IENTS, TO SUPREME PLAYER ACTION CORPORATION, A CORPORATION-OF N EW JERSEY.

AUTOMATIC CLEANER AND-BRAKE FOR PLAYER ACTIONS.

Application inea Mai-eh 11.1924. seriai No. 698,441.

his invention relates to an automatic tion of the player elements as in piano players or pipe organs.

ln this class of apparatus the constant presence of dust., lint and vdirt causes the of the small passages and openings, as such foreign matter is carried by the air into the pneumatic action and its collection therein prevents the free passage of the air and accurate closing of the valves, resulting in sustaining the note struck for an undesirable period.

It is also important that the cleaning of the air passages be effected in the continued use of th0 machine rather than at remote intervals and the most effective manner for accomplishing this during the normal use of the instrument is to remove any accumulation of foreign matterduring the rewinding operation which occurs alternately with each playing action. By such an application of the cleaning Adevice any accumulation is avoided and the mechanism maintained at its most accurate efficiency.

It is also found desirable to utilize the air tension during such cleaning operation to effect a braking action during the rewinding of the note sheet as this retards the sheet enabling the action of the ycleaner through the trackerbar to remove any dust or foreign matter upon the sheet* Whichthrough the braking action is rewound under vtension across the tracker. The effect of thisbrakring action is also important in rewinding the music sheet so as to effect a close and tight winding thereof upon the music roll and prevent the accumulation of slack from the take-up roll `which frequently rotates more rapidly causing the sheet to feed irregularly to the music roll and as .the end thereof is approached is liable to detach the connecting loop fromr the take-up roll so that the free end of the sheet whips across the tracker and is liable to be torn or injured thereby.r As is known in ordinary practice, it is customary for the operator to use his hand upon the music sheet to retard the feed thereof in the rewinding action and unless the sheet be tightly wound upon the music roll the latter will not properly fit the box provided for its storage and transportation.

To obviate the objections mentioned and effect a continued and desirable cleaning action, an air tension device is automatically actuated during the roll reivinding operation to pass a current of air through the passage of the pneumatic action from the trackerbar to the bleed tension chamber While the parts are in non-playing condition and simultaneously to apply a brake to the take-up roll from which the note sheet is being unwound. i

rlhe invention has for an object to provide a novel and improved construction in which the air tension for cleaning purposes is introduced into the conducting passage and bleed apertures automatically in each re- Winding operation, and at which time the pouch boxes are closed by a valve against the air tension acting on the passage cominunicating therewith.

A further object of the invention is to provide a bleed Atension chamber disposed in an accessible position at the front of the action with an air pressure connection arranged to Withdraw dirt from the bleed apertures and also from the channels and openings leading to the.. music roll regulating apertures disposed upon the traekerbar relative to the note openin 's therein as the apertures leading to such c iannels are relatively small and liable to become clogged by lint or dirt accumulated in the continued passage of the music sheet over the tracker'bar.

Another and further object of the invention is to provide a construction in which the cleaner controlling valve acts as a unit to introduce air into the passages and to actuate a pneumatic controlling a brake member for the free take-up roll.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention Will be hereinafter setforth and the novel features thereof defined by the appended claims.

` In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevation with the parts broken away and parts of the pouch boxes in section;

Figure 2 is a detail side elevation of the pouch boxes and bleed openings;

vFigure 3 is a detail section on the line 3-3 of Figure l;

Figure 4C is a top plan of the cleaner valve;

Figure 5 is a section on the line 5--5 of Figure 4;

Figure G is a similar view on the line 6 6 ot Figure Figure 7 is a section on the line T-i' of Figure 6; and

Figure 8 is a fragmentary section showing the bleeder openings communicating ivith the air tension chamber.

Like numerals ret'er to like parts throughout the several ligures ot the drawing.

ln the present application ol the invention it is illustrated in connection with a pneumatic piano player action in which the music roll 1() is mounted in any desired character ol' support 11 and carries the music sheet l2 which is adapted to be Wound upon the takeup roll 13 similarly supported in the usual manner. This music sheet cooperates with a trackerbar 14 provided with the note openings 15 and also with channels 16 having apertures 1T to position and regulate the note sheet as more tully described in my prior Patent No. 1,373100 dated March 29, 1921. rlhe trackerbar is provided with the usual pneumatic connections which are not herein shown as they comprise no part ot this invention. These connections, howeverj coinimmicate with a passage 13 extending to the pouch box 19 which is provided with the ordinary valve 2O controlling the passage et air from the chamber 21 and also the intake 22 irom the atmosphere. This pouch box communicates with a penumatic 23 connected to the finger 24 in the ordinary manner and as indicated by dotted lines in Figure 3 and full lines in VFigure i2.

rlhe channel 13 comn'iunicates with a bleed tension chamber 25 through the bleed openings 26 as more specilically shown in Figure 8 and this chamber during the normal playing operation ot the instrument is not under tension but permits an escape oit su ilicient air to etlect the usual restoring of the pouch boa` valve. The chamb Ar 21 is also provided with an opening 2T extending from the chamber 25 and controlled by a valve member 2S such as the l'lap valve shown in Figure 3. For the purpose ot permitting inspection of the chamber 25 and the bleed apertures communicating therewith, a tace plate 29 oft transparent material is secured to the main channel board 30. The arrangement ot this= liront board 30 is particularlyT convenient in the construction of the penumatic action as it permits the tube connections 31 extending trom the channels 18 in the tube rail 32 to the trackerbar to be concealed Without the use of Wings or other devices :tor that purpose.

For the purpose ot connecting the cleaning device with the bleed chamber 25 a conduit 33 is provided and terminates in a head 34 disposed opposite an opening trom the chamber 21. The opposite end et the cenduit 33 communicates With cleaner valve 35 which may be of any desired construction7 Lest/,lifelia convenient form being herein shown in Figures 4 to 7 inclusive Where the base is termed ivith a port 36 communicating with a source ot air tension as at 37 and also With a series of distributing ports 33 having pas sages 39 extending to the respective points et application for the air pressure during the cleaning action. The slide member 40 ol this valve is mounted upon the base and guided by the side rails 4l While it is held in contact with the base by a [iat tension spring secured at one end to the base and bearing at its tree end upon the slide 40. This slide is provided with a valve passage 43 which when shifted to the position shown in Figure 5 brings the inlet and distributing ports into communication tor the purpose ot applying the air tension. rlhe slidel member ot the valve may be connected to the lever 4 controlling the rewinding action of the music roll by any desired means such as the rod 45 pivotally connected at 46 upon the slide 40.

Extending from two olf the passages 39 are the conducting tubes 47 which communicate with the channels 16 in the tracker-bar 14 be tore described and are so arranged as to exert a suction or vacuum action thereon which will remove dirt and lint trom the nusic sheet passing over the bar. The remaining passage communicates by a tube 43 with a pneumatic 49 connected by a rod 5() to actuate a brake 51 acting upon the end flange 52 of the take-up roll 13.

ln order to establish the air tension connection with the bleed chamber a port 53 is provided at the base of one of the ports 38 and communicates with the conducting tube in order to relieve the pneumatic device controlling the brake action when the cleaning valve is shifted to inoperative position the conducting passage 39 comn'iunicating with the tube 43 is provided with a bleed opening 54 as shown in Figures 4 and 5.

The operation ot' the pneumatic player action is as usual in this art and therefore not particularly described herein as this invention relates to the cleaning or de'lieeating mechanism associated therewith. lVhen the controlling valve tor the cleaning connections is shilfted to the position shovvn by full lines in Figure 1 through the operation ol the resroll lever an air tension is established in the bleed chamber Which causes a closing ot the valved passage to the pouch box and establishes a suction or vacuum in the ducts leading ,trom the trackerbar note Openings to the several pouch boxes. Simultaneously with such cleaning action a braking device is applied to regulate the speed of rotation ot the take-up roll during` such rewinding, this brake being actuated by a pneumatic connected to the unitary valve controlling means. This valve is also provided with ports in communication With the sheet controlling openings which are associated with the note ducts upon the trackerbar so as to effect a cleaning action therethrough simultaneously with the movement of air through the remaining ducts of the player action.

The mechanism thus provides tor a defecation or cleaning ot the air ducts between each playing operation and during the rewinding action allotsaid parts being controlled by a unitary device and operable by the simple shifting of the re-roll lever. The construction and location oi the bleed chamber provides for visibility of the conditions therein and disposes it at the front of the action where it is easilyaccessible whenever necessary or desirable.

IVhen the controlling` valve is shifted to the dotted line position in Figure l the air tension is cut oit trom the bleeder chamber permitting this member kto operate in the usual manner while the vacuum existing in the pneumatic for the brake action is relieved by the bleeder opening provided in the communicating duct therewith. By applying the tension ot the air pressure opposite to the bleed openings any lint or dust entering through the channels of the trackerbar is prevented from settling` against or in the bleeds and they are thus automatically cleaned and the most eiiicient operation maintained. The valve mechanism provided forms a unitary controlling means for the air tension applied for cleaning the several parts and effects a. simultaneous operation in order to eiifect a thorough detecation during the short period oit the rewinding action.

IVhile the details of the invention have been specifically 'shown and described, changes and alterations may be made therein without departing `from the spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a piano cleaning mechanism, a trackerbar and air passage therefrom to a pouch box, winding rolls for a music sheet cooperating with said bar, a normally inactive cleaning vduct independent of said passage to the trackerbar and communicating therewith at said box, and means operable in the change of winding direction of the rolls to apply air tension to the cleaning duct.

2. In a. piano cleaning mechanism, a trackerb'ar and air passage therefrom to a pouch box, winding rolls for a music sheet cooperating with said bar, a normally inactive cleaning duct independent of said passage to the trackerbar and communicating therewith at said box, and a'manually operable valve connected to the roll winding means to apply air tension to the cleaning duct when the winding direction of the rolls is changed.

3. In a piano cleaning mechanism, av trackerbar and air passage therei'rom to a pouch box, winding rolls for a music sheet cooperating with said bar, a normally inactive cleaning duct independent of said passage to the trackerbar, a bleed chamber communicating with said duct and pneumatic, and manually actuated means for applying an air tension through said duct to create a current from the trackerbar to the bleed chamber and cleaner duct.

4. In a player action, the combination with a music roll and take-up roll, a trackerbar intermediate of said rolls, of a braking device applicable to the take-up roll, means for applying an air tension to clean the passages ot' said action, a pneumatic tor actuating said brake, and means for controlling said pneumatic coincident to the application of air for cleaning purposes.

5. In a. player action, the combination with a music roll and take-up roll, a tracker bar intermediate ot said rolls, of a braking device applicable to the take-up roll, means for applying an air tension to clean the passages of said action, a pneumatic for actuating said brake, means for controlling` said pneumatic coincident to the application ot air for cleaning purposes, and a connec tion from said controlling means to sheet regulating apertures disposed upon said trackerbar.

6. In a player action, the combination with a musicv roll and take-up roll, and an intermediate trackerbar, o1 a braking device applicable to the take-up roll, a pneumatic for actuating said brake, a controlling valve communicating with said pneumatic, and a connection from a rewind control lever to said valve.

7 `In a player action, the combination with a music roll and take-up roll, and an intermediate trackerbar, of a braking device applicable to the take-up roll, a pneumatic for actuating said brake, a controlling valve communicating with said pneumatic, a connection from a rewind control lever to said valve, a pouch box and bleed chamber connected thereto, and a communicating passage from said valve to the bleed chamber.

8. In a player action, the combination with a. music roll and take-up roll, and an intermediate trackerbar, of a braking device applicable to the take-up roll, a pneumatic for actuating said brake, a controlling valve commnicating with said pneumatic, a connection from a rewind control lever to said valve, a pouch box and bleed chamber connected thereto, a communicating passage from said valve to the bleed chamber, and a communication from said valve to sheet controlling apertures in the trackerbar.

9. In a piano cleaning mechanism, a trackerbar and air passage therefrom to a pouch box, winding rolls for a music sheet coopeiatii'ig with said bar, a normally inactive cleaning duct independent ot said assage to the tracliei'bar, a bleed chan'iber communicating with said duct and pneumatic, a. source ot air tension, and a valve device having ports communieating with said tension and the 'trackerlnir passages and cleaning duct, said device being shitable t0 cut o'rl tension to the cleaner duct when winding and apply such tension thereto when rewinding.

l0. ln a. player' action, a pouch box, a. 'rackerban an air duct connecting said parts, a. bleeder chamber connecting` with said duct, a valve controlling an opening from said bleeder chamber to said pouch boli adapted to be closed during the cleaning action, and means tor establishing an air suction in said chamber.

l1. In a player action, a pouch box, a trackerbar, an air duct connecting the saine, a bleeder chamber hai/'ing` an aperture coinniunicating with said duct, a transparent plate forming a wall of said chamber disposed opposite said aperture to pei-init visibility thereof, and means tor establishing an air tension in said. chamber.

12. In a player action, a pouch box, a trackerbar, an air duct connecting the saine, a 'iront board provided with a bleed chain beiand conni'iunieatingpassage to said pouch box, and a channeled top board coniinunicating' with the passage in the front board and with the duct to the trackerba 13. In a player act-ion, the combination leen/ica ng the suction within the pneuinatic to re- "se the brake.

.1. lu a player action, the combination with a trackerbar and pouch boxes, ducts communicating between the traclteibar and pouch boxes, a valve having ports communicating with the traclei'bar, an independent port communicating with the ducts to the pouch box, a sliding member for said valve adapted to sin'iultaneously establish communication between all oil" said ports, a brake device adapted to cooperate with a windingroll, and a pneumatic therefor coninnniicatinv with a port in said valve disposed 'tor simultaneous communication with the air tension when the valve in operative position.

3. ln a player action, the combination ol' Vraclei'liar having;l note ducts and Sheet il openings, a pouch box, a channel icatinjg` 'troni said pouch box to said a bleed chamber con'ununicating channel, a cooperatively driven erative upon said take up roll, and j dev'ce lior controlling the applicair tension to the tracker-bar, brake mechanism and passages to the pouch box.

in testimony whereo't I a''iif; my signature.

Jenn T. RY'DBERG.

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