US2002162A - Musical instrument controlling means - Google Patents

Description

M y 1935- E. VERLINDEN 2,002,162

MUSICAL INSTRUMENT CONTROLLING MEANS Filed May 15, 1933 PL AY NEUTRAL RERDLL ATTORNE Y Patented May 21, 1935 PATENT OFFICE MUSICAL INSTRUMENT CONTROLLING ANS Edmond Verlinden, Milwaukee, Wis. Application May 13, 1933, Serial No. 670,821

7 Claims.

The invention relates to controlling means for automatic musical instruments such as organs and pianos.

An object of the invention is to provide simple,

efficient and reliable means for controlling the playing, rerolling, replaying and stopping of the music sheet of an automatic musical instrument.

Another object of the invention is to provide 7 an electromagnetically operated player control valve of simple and durable construction and capable of economical manufacture.

A further object of the invention is to provide a control system for a plurality of the valves whereby one or more of the valves are selectively movable to one position and the other or others simultaneously movable to another position.

The invention further consists in the several features hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawing,

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an automatic musical instrument embodying the controlling means of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of a valve box showing one of the control valves of the invention;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the valve box, and

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

In the drawing, the numeral designates a tracker-box provided with a tracker-bar 2| over which a perforated music sheet 22 is drawn from a music spool 23 onto a take-up spool 24. The movement of the music sheet is effected by means of a suction-operated motor 25 acting through a transmission mechanism 26, both of well known construction. To effect playing, the take-up spool 24 is rotated to draw the music sheet forward over the tracker-bar; and to effect rerolling, the music roll is rotated in the opposite direction at a higher speed. The transmission also has a neutral position, so that when desired the music sheet and operating spools may be held stationary; and the usual braking means are provided in order that no slack will develop in the music sheet under operating conditions. The transmission mechanism includes a shifting lever 2'! to the lower end of which is pivotally connected a shifting rod 28 actuated by pneumatic means, hereinafter described, for placing the transmission mechanism in a playing, rerolling or neutral position, as disclosed in my United States Letters Patent No. 1,874,663, issued August 30, 1932.

The transmission shifting means includes pneumatics 29, and 3|. The pneumatics 29 and 30 are mounted on opposite sides of a wedge-shaped supporting block 32, while the pair of pneumatics 3| are mounted on opposite sides of a wedgeshaped supporting block 33 and are simultaneous 1y operable. The supporting blocks 32 and 33 are provided with suitable ducts for applying suction to the pneumatics, as disclosed more fully in the above patent. The pneumatics 29, 30 and 3| carry fingers 31, 38 and 39, respectively, through the ends of which slidably passes the shifting rod 28, and each of these fingers carries an adjustable stop 40 engageable with the adjacent supporting block to limit the deflation of the associated pneumatic and correspondingly limit the travel of the shifting rod. The shifting rod has secured thereto a pair of spaced collars 4| and 42 adapted to be engaged by the fingers 31 and 38, respectively, and a pair of spaced collars 43 adapted to be engaged by the fingers 39.

As in the above patent, the ducts in the supporting blocks communicate with primary actions 44, 45, and 45 to control the application of suction to the pneumatics 29, 30, and 3|, respectively.

A valve box 47 is provided for the selective control of the primary actions 44, 45, and 46 and includes a suitable casing 48. A valve board 49 is secured to a vertical Wall of the casing and is connected by ducts 50, 5|, and 52 with the respective primary actions 44, 45, and 46. The ducts 50, 5|, and 52 terminate in spaced ports opening at the bottom surface of the Valve board and controlled by disk valves 53, 54, and 55, respectively. Each disk valve is carried on a vertical valve stem 55 loosely and slidably fitting in a vertical guide bore 51 formed in the valve board, the upper end of the bore 51 being closed to insure against leakage.

The valves 53, 54, and 55 are movable to alternative open and closed positions by respective double-acting electromagnetic mechanisms 58, 59, and 60 mounted in the casing 48. Each mechanism comprises a rectangular frame 6| on which are carried a pair of spaced parallel selectively energized electromagnets 62 and 63. A T-shaped armature 64 has its leg portion between the electromagnets and pivotally supported on the frame by a pintle 65, and has its head portion adjacent the pole pieces of the electromagnets to be attracted in either direction. The part of the. frame carrying the electromagnets and suppoiting the armature is preferably of magnetic material. The armature is held in its alternative positions by a spring-pressed toggle 66, and resilient stops 6! on the frame limit the maximum travel of the armature. Wiring terminals 68, 69,

and H1 are carried on the frame and connected each valve stem is screw-threaded for holding.

the disk valve and a pair of spaced leather nuts E3, the upper of which forms a lock nut for the valve. The slotted end of each armature is loosely mounted between the nuts 13 to move the valve to open or closed positions. 7 The downward opening movement of the valve stems is adjustably limited by a padded stop bar M which is adjustably secured to the casing by screws 15 passing through vertical slotsl6 in the opposite end portions of the bar. The valve board 49 is also vertically adjustable by attaching screws 15' passing through vertical slots 75 in the opposite end portions of the board. 7

The electromagnets (52 and 63 are momentarily energized, as hereinafter described, to operate the valves, and the, valves are retained in open or closed positions by the spring-pressed toggle bars $5. 'In normal operation, only one of the three valves 53, 5 and 55 is open at any onetime, the other two being closed. The ducts 58,5 l and 52 controlled bythese valves are each under suction when the corresponding valve is closed, and the opening of the valves admits atmospheric pressure to the ducts to selectively operate the primary actions 1 i, 35, and 4h For the manual control of the valve'box 4? there are provided circuit-closers or push buttons 03, le -l, and H15, respectively labeled play, neutral, and reroll. The circuit-closers are disposed at any suitable location, and in some instances duplicate sets of the circuit-closers may be provided at diiierent locations. The circuitclosers m3, Hit, and I05 control respective electromagnetic relays 8B, 81, and B8 of well-known construction disposed at any convenient location, and are connected with terminals of the electromagnets thereof by respective conductors 99, Hill,

and liil; The other terminals of these electromagnets areconnected by a common conductor 9'3 with one terminal of a suitable source of current Q8, and the other terminals of the circuitclosers are connected to the other terminal of the current source by a common conductor I91. Each relay includes a set or gang of contact members which are bridged when the relay is operated. One contact member or" each relay is connected by a conductor ill to one terminal of the current source 83, and a conductor l8 connects the other terminal of the current source with the common terminals of the electromagnets 62 and 63 of the valve mechanisms 58, 59, and 69. Conductors l9, 89, and Si connect contact members of the relays 36, El, and 88, respectively, with the open electromagnets 62 of the valve mechanisms 58, Sii, and 59, respectively. Conductors 82'and 83 connect contact members of the relay 36 with the closed electromagnets 53 of the valve mechanisms 6! and 59, respectively. The conductors 82 and 83 also connect with contact members of the relays 88 and 8?, respectively. A con-- ductor 85 connects contact member of the relays 8'3 and 83 with the closed electromagnet 63 of the valve mechanism 53.

' In addition to the manual control of relays 86, 8?, and 88, these relays are also under automatic control for efiecting the stopping, rerolling atmospheric pressure to the duct. The duct N38 is connected to a primary action lid of well known construction and the latter is connected by a duct ill to a pneumatically operated circuit-closer H2 or" well known construction. The circuit-closer includes a bank of contact members which are bridged when suction is applied to the device. One of the contact members is connected by a conductor l2il joining the conductor ti l leading to the current source and another contact member is connected by a conductor H21 joining the conductor lEil leading to the electromagnet of t--e reroll. relay 8%. Other contact members may be connected by conductors H22 and E23 for controlling the oii positions of combination and expression devices, not shown.

The take-up spool 2 is provided at one end with a pivoted trigger plate ill which ismovable outwardly when uncovered by the narrowed end of the music sheet, as in the above patent, into proximity with an arm of a rock-shaft I29 journalled invthe side wall of the tracker-box. A stationary valve seat member H39 is arranged adjacent the outer end of the rock-shaftand is provided with one or more ports one of which is connected by a duct l3l. A valve 32 is pivotally mounted on the valve seat member i313 and normally closes the ports, in which suction nor mally exists. The outer end of the rock-shaft is provided with an arm engageable with the valve I32 to open theports and thus expose the'ports to atmospheric pressure. This opening movement of the valve l32 is effected at the conclusion of the rerolling operation by the rock-shaft 129, which is engaged and swung by the then projecting trigger plate i22 .When the take-up spool turns in playing direction, the trigger plate slides by the rock-shaft and islheld at its inner position 'as-soon as it is covered by the music sheet. 7

The duct lei is connected to a two-way valve :36 by which it is placed in selective communication with other'ducts i3 3 and i155, as in the above patent. The ducts ltd and E35 lead to different units of the primary action Ht which are connected by respective ducts i139 and IE9 with respective pneumatically operated circuitclosers M8 and it!) of well'known construction similar to the device H2. Each of the circuitclosers MB and Hit includes a bank oi contact members which are bridged when suction is applied, one contact member of each bank being connected to the current source conductor E26. Another contact member of the device Mt is connected by a conductor l5l joining the conductor I00 leading to the neutral relay 8?, and another contact member of the device Hill is connected by a conductor l68 leading the play relay 86. The conductors i222 and l23 may also be connected with contact members of the circuitcloser ME. V

In operation, a music sheet or roll is placed in the tracker-box and is hooked to the take-up spool 24 in the usual manner, the tracker transmission at this time beingin neutral position. The operator then momentarily depresses the play circuit-closer I93, which establishes a circuit from the source of current 98, through the conductor Hill, the circuit-closer M3, the conductor 99, the electromagnet oi the relay. 86, and the conductor 97 back to the source of current.

When the relay 86 is thus operated, a circuit is established from the source of current 98, con ductors 9? and 17, conductor I9, electromagnet 62 of the valve device 58, and conductor 78 back to the source of current. Simultaneously, other circuits are established by the relay 86 through the conductors 82 and 83, the electromagnets 63 of the valve devices 683 and 59, and the conductor I8. The energizing of the electromagnet 62 of the valve device 58 swings the armature 64 and pulls the disk valve 53 downwardly to open position, time uncovering the port for the duct 56. The energizing of the electromagnets 63 of the valve devices 66 and 59 similarly causes the disk valve 55 to move upwardly against the valve board to close the duct 52, the duct being already closed by the disk valve 54. The opening of the valve 53 admits atmospheric pressure to the duct 50 and actuates the primary action 44 to apply suction to the play pneumatic 29. The deflation of the play pneumatic moves the shifting rod 28 to the right as viewed in Fig. l and swings the transmission lever 21 to playing position, the other pneumatics 33 and 3i being free to expand. The motor then drives the takeup spool 24 to effect the travel of the music sheet in playing direction.

At the conclusion of playing the perforation I 99 in the music sheet registers with the duct I98 connected to the tracker-bar, thus admitting atmospheric pressure to the primary action [Iii and operating the circuit-closer H 2. A circuit is thus established from the source of current 98 through the conductors H31 and I26, the bridged contact members of the circuitcloser H2, conductors I2! and electromagnet of the re-roll relay 88 and conductor 9? back to the source of current. The relay 88 is thus operated and establishes a circuit including the conductor 81 and electromagnet 62 of the valve device 59 to move the disk valve 54 to open position. Other circuits are simultaneously established by the relay 88 through the conductors 84 and 82 and electromagnets 63 of the valve devices 58 and 68 to close the disk valve 53, the disk Valve 55 being already closed. The opening of the valve 54 admits atmospheric pressure to the duct El and actuates the primary action 45 to apply suction to the reroll pneumatic 3D. The deflation of the reroll pneumatic shifts the transmission to reroll position, whereupon the music sheet is rewound onto the music spool 23. The pneumatically operated reroll circuit-closer 1 l2 may also establish branch circuits through the conductors I 22 and I 23 to control combination and expression devices, not shown, which are thereby rendered inefiective during the rerolling operation. The circuit through electromagnet of the reroll relay 88 may also be established through the manually operated circuit-closer E65, and this may be done at any point in the playing operation.

At the conclusion of rerolling, the convergent or narrowed end of the music sheet exposes the trigger plate I21 on the take-up spool and permits the plate to move outwardly for swinging the rock-shaft 129, which lifts the valve I32 and opens the duct I3I to atmosphere. If the stopreplay valve I36 is placed in stop position, the duct I3l communicates with the duct I34 to admit atmospheric pressure to the latter duct for operating a unit of the primary action I I0. By way of the duct I39 suction is applied to the circuit-closer I40, causing the contact members thereof to be bridged and a circuit established from the source of current 98, conductors I01 and I26, the bridge contact members, conductors E54 and lot, the electromagnet or" the neutral relay 8'! and conductor 5? back to the source of current. The relay 8? establish s a ci cuit including the conductor 88 and e-lectromagnet 62 of the valve device opening the valve Other circuits are established including the conductors E i and 83 and electromagnets 53 of the valve devices 58 and 59, closing the valve 54, the valve being already closed. The opening of the valve admits atmospheric pressure to the duct 52 and actuates the p; any action 46 to apply suction to the neutral pneumatics iii. The deviation of these pneumatics shifts the transmission to neutral position, whereupon the music sheet is held stationary and creeping of the transmission is avoided. The abutment of the trigger plate 27 on the take-up spool with the rock-shaft stops the rotation of the take-up spool so the music sheet will not become unhooked from '16 spool. The neutral position of the t mission may also be obtained at any point in the travel or" the music sheet by the manually operated neutral circuit-closer I04.

Ii automatic replaying of the music sheet is desired, the stop-replay valve 335 is moved to replay position when the music sheet is installed or at any till e prior to the conclusion of rerolling. The opening of the valve 32 by the trigger then admits atmospheric pressure into the duct 5 to operate the corresponding unit of the primary action iii} through which suction is applied to the circuit-closer by Way of the duct i The circuit-closer c 68 establishes a circuit ironthe source of current conductors It? and bridged contacts of the circuitcloser, conductors l and electromagnet of the play relay 8E, and conductor 97 back to the source of current. The relay 88 th n places the transmission to play position in a manner previously described.

In the event that all three of the adjacent circult-closers 93, I M, and H35 are simultaneously depressed through carelessness or inadvertence, no damage will result, and the last circuit-closer released will determine the operative position of the transmission. The valve devices 58, 59, and Gil operate quickly and positively, so as to insure prompt action with short momentary contacts at the several circuit-closers. The valve devices are also capable of use with other musical instrument controls, and it is obvious that one or more of the devices may be actuated to one position while the remaining one or ones are actuated to the other position.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. The combination of a. tra sion, pneumatically operated shiftingsaid transmission to playing and rerolling positions, a control valve for each of said devices, double-acting electromagnetic means for each valve to move the valve to alternative positions, and electric circuit means for energizing the electromagnetic means of each valve in selective opposite senses and for simultaneously energizing the other electromagnetic means in the other sense, said electric circuit means including circuitclosing devices for the respective valves, each circuit-closing device having an electrical' connection with the electromagnetic means of both valves to effect the opposed movements of said valves. 7

3. The combination of a tracker-box transmission, pneumatically operated devices for shifting said transmission to playing and rerolling positions, a control valve for each of said devices, a pair of electromagnets for each valve to move the valve to alternative positions, a relay for each valve, circuit means for selectively operating said relays, and electric circuit means controlled by said relays for selectively energizing the, electromagnets' of one valve and for simultaneously energizing the opposed electromagnet of the other valve, each relay having a circuit connection with one electromagnet of the respective valve and with the opposed electromagnet of the other valve. 7

4. The combination of a plurality of valves each movable to alternative positions, doubleacting electromagnetic means for each valve to move the valve to said alternative positions, and electric circuit means for energizing the electromagnetic means of at least one valve in selective opposite senses and for simultaneously energizing the other electromagnetic means in the other sense, said electric circuit means including circuitclosing devices for the respective valves, each circuit-closing device having an electrical connection with the electromagnetic means of both valves to effect the opposed movement of said valves. 7 V 5. The combination of a double-acting electromagnetic mechanism having an'armature movable to opposite positions, a valve body having a valve seat andhaving a port and a laterally adjacent bore opening at said valve seat, and a valve engageable with said valve seat to cover said port and having a valve stem slidably guided in said bore and connected with said armature for moving the valve to alternative positions closing or exposing said port, said valve when engaging said seat closing both said port and bore.

6. The combination of a double-acting electromagnetic mechanism having an armature movable to opposite positions, a valve body having a valve seat and having a port and a laterally adjacent bore both opening at said valve seat, said bore extending perpendicularly to said seat and having a closed inner end, a valve engageable with said valve seat to cover said port and bore and having a valve stem slidably guided in said here, said valve stem being connected with said armature for moving the valve to alternative positions closing or exposing said port.

'7. The combination of a plurality of at least three valve means each movable to alternative positions, a pair of electromagnets for each valve means to move the means to alternative positions, and electric circuit means for energizing said electromagnets and including a plurality of circuit-closing devices, each device having an electrical connection with one of the electromagnets of at least one valve means and with the opposed electromagnets of the other valve means.

EDMOND VERLINDEN.

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