US2771809A - Tune card and instrument using same - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 27, 1956 A. ISAACSON 2,771,809

CARD AND INSTRUMENT USING SAME Filed April 30, 1954 2- Sheets-Sheet l m INVENTOR.

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United States Patent 2,771,809 TUNE CARD AND INSTRUMENT USING SAME Anson Isaacson, Elgin, Ill. Application April 30, 1954, Serial No. 426,747 11 Claims. (Cl. 84-477) This invention relates to an improved tune card for a musical instrument of the type wherein a plurality of note indicators are energized in succession to indicate to the player the notes to be played in sequence and to a musical instrument incorporating the card.

In my copending patent application, S. N. 401,543, filed December 31, 1953, and entitled Educational Piano, there is disclosed and claimed a musical instrument, such as a piano, wherein a series of notes-covering one octave, for exampleare sounded by playing or striking the appropriate keys. In this instrument means is provided to illuminate, after the striking of each key, the key which is next to be struck to play the tune desired. Thus it is only necessary to strike the keys as they are successively illurninated to play the tune corresponding to the card. The tune card is removable to permit the user to select any one of a variety of tunes to be played. Instruments of this type are particularly desirable as toy or instructional pianos for children who canwithout aidplay the tunes as the successive notes to be struck are plainly indicated without reference to music.

The present application discloses an improved tune card for an instrument of the type shown in the abovementioned patent application and an instrument including the card. Briefly, the card consists of a rectangular sheet of Bakelite or similar insulating material. On one sidedesignated herein as the contact sidethe card has a series of parallel bands of conducting material. These bands are divided into two groups. One group is the outboard conductors which are equal in number to the number of available notes. The other group is the inboard conductors which are equal in number to the number of successive times the notes are to be played. On the opposite side of the sheet-designated herein as the non-contact sidethe card has a similar series of parallel conducting bands. These are oriented transversely to the bands on the contact side of the sheet and are equal or greater in number than the number of available notes. Each of the bands on the non-contact side of the sheet is connected to one of the outboard conducting bands on the contact side of the sheet by means of conducting rivets or similar means extending through the sheet. Each of the inboard conductors on the contact side of the sheet is similarly connected to one of the conducting bands on the non-contact side of the sheet.

Each of the bands on the contact side of the sheet extends to the edge of the sheet, or nearly to the edge, to receive a mating fixed electrical contact provided on the instrument. These electrical contacts are located in generally linear relationship and are connected to the electrical circuits of the insrument. As is described in further detail hereafter, the outboard contacts-.which receive the outboard conductors of the contact side of the card-are each connected to an indicator .such as a light to identify one instrument key when energized. Each of the inboard contactswhich receive the inboard conductor bands of the contact side of the card-is connected to mechanism which energizes these contacts .in sequence as the successive notes are struck. Hence, by reason of the connections established by the tune card, the indicators are energized in a prescribed :sequence as thesuccessive notes are struck and the'player need only observe the indicators and strike the indicated keys to play the tune.

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One of the features of the tune card of the present invention is the absence of Wiring. The conducting bands can be readily placed on the opposite sides of the card by first evaporating aluminum or similar metal onto the card through a suitable mask, thus forming a thin con ducting layer which forms the base upon which a deposit of greater thickness can be made by plating or similar means. The necessary connections between the conducting bands on opposite sides of the sheet can be made by the use of conducting rivets of copper or similar material having their heads extending over the edge of the sheet onto the conducting bands. It is thus unnecessary to use either wiring or soldered connections.

in accordance with a further feature of the present invention advantage is taken of the physical fact that numerous childrens tunes use notes predominately in the low end of the scale. This fact is used to provide a single tune card capable of actuating the indicators to play either of two tunes, one tune when the card is placed with one end up one the instrument and the other tune when the card is placed with the other end upon the instrument.

The card hus serves a double purpose and operates to indicate two tunes although its size and cost are not substantially greater than if only one tune were provided.

It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide an improved tune card for a musical instrument of the type wherein the notes are successively identified for playing and an improved instrument using such a card.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a tune card wherein no wiring is required and in which the conductors necessary to establish the electrical connections are integral with the card.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a tune card for a musical instrument of the type wherein the notes are successively identified for playing and in which two tunes are provided in essentially the same card space as is required for a single tune and an improved instrument using such a card.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a tune card adapted to play two tunes which are not entirely compatable and in which the cost and size are only slightly greater than required for a single tune.

Further it is the object of the present invention to provide a musical instrument and tune card therefore of simple, reliable, and inexpensive construction, and in which the necessary circuit connections are established without the use of wiring or soldered connections, and having features of construction, combination, and arrangement rendering the instrument and tune card particularly suitable for toy or instructional pianos for children.

ing means to identify the key next to be struck and is particularly adapted for manufacture in mass production by the use of metal evaporating and electroplating techniques as distinguished from wiring techniques.

The novel features which I believe to be characteristic of my invention are set forth with particularity in the appendedlclaims. My invention itself however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together "with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following description taken -in connection with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a view of the contact side of a music card theicard is applicable, thecard and the piano being shown Figure 2 is a'view of the non-contact side of the music card shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged end view of the card of Figure 1, showing the same in operating position on the piano;

Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the contact side of a tune card constructed in accordance with the present invention and from which two wholly compatable tunes can be played;

Figure 5 is an end view of the tune card of Figure 4; and,

Figure 6 is a view like Figure 4 but showing a music card constructed to play either of two partially compatable or nearly compatable tunes.

Referring now to Figure 1 of the drawing, there is shown generally at 10 the tune card and at 12 the series of electrical contacts upon which the card rides when in use. The card consists of a rectangular sheet of Bakelite or similar material of thickness sufficient to form a rigid structure. The Bakelite itself is shown at 10a in the broken away portion of Figure 1. On the side shown in Figure 1the contact sidethe sheet 10a has a series of spaced parallel conducting bands indicated at 10b. On the opposite sidethe non-contact sidethe card 10 has a similar set of spaced parallel conducting bands which are seen at 10c in the broken away portion of Figure 1. At its edge 10d the card 10 is beveled as shown in Figure 3 for reasons described hereafter.

The electrical contacts 12 form part of the instrument, here shown as a piano. They are mounted in a generally linear relation on a backing plate of insulating material shown at 14 and are so spaced as to mate with and receive the corresponding conducting bands 1% of the music card 10 when the latter is placed in operating position. In Figure 1 the card is shown in slightly removed position to show more clearly the structure.

The construction of the individual contacts 12 is best shown in the enlarged side view of Figure 3. As shown, each contact consists of a resilient conducting finger which is affixed at its base portion 12a to the backing plate 14, this being accomplished by a suitable rivet 16 or similar means. At its finger portion 12b each of the contacts 12 extends outwardly from the backing plate 14 to form a wedge-shaped space into which the beveled edge 10d of the music card 10 can fit as shown in Figure 3. Thus when the music card is in operative position each of the fingers or contacts 12 is in contact with one of the conducting bands 10b on the contact side of the music card 10.

The piano shown somewhat diagrammatically in Figure 1 is of the type shown in detail in my copending patent application, Serial Number 401,543, filed December 31, 1953, entitled Educational Piano. The piano has a series of eight keys 18 which overlay an actuating bar (not shown) to advance the selector switch 20 one step each time any one of the keys is struck. This may be accomplished, for example, by the use of a pawl and ratchet mechanism as shown in the above-identified patent application. In addition, the piano includes a series of lights 22, one for each key, and located adjacent to or under each key so that when any light is energized it is plainly evident to the player which key is being identified. In the use of the piano, each time a key is struck the selector switch 20 is advanced one step to energize the light 22 corresponding to the next note to be struck so that the user need only strike that key to play the desired note and advance the switch 20 one step further to energize the light corresponding to the note next to be struck.

As shown in Figure 1, the lights 22 are all mounted in a common conducting bar 24, which is thus in electrical. contact with one end of the filament of each. This bar is connected by the conductor 26 to one side of the battery 28 and thence by conductor 30 to the shaft 20a of the selector switch 20. As this shaft is electrically connected to the switch arm 20b by reason of its physical attachment thereto, the conductor 30 is connected to the selected! one of the selector switch contacts 20c. The other end of the filament of each lamp 22 is connected to one of the conductors 32, each of these conductors being connected at its opposite end to one of the outboard contacts 12c, Figure 1. The conductors 32 may be attached to the lamps 22 by soldering them to the central socket contacts of each and to the contacts 120 by soldering or similar means. Since there are eight keys 18, and hence eight lights 22, there are four contacts 12c at each end of the array of contacts 12.

As is also shown in Figure 1, each of the inboard or intermediate contacts, identified at 12d, is connected by one of the conductors 34 to one of the selector switch contacts 20c. Thus, as the keys 18 are actuated in succession, the intermediate contacts 12d are connected to the, battery 28 in a sequence determined by the connections of the conductors 34.

Each of the conductor bands 1% which seats under one of the outboard contacts 120 is connected to one of the conducting bands on the non-contacting side of the tune card 10. This is accomplished by the copper rivets 36a which, as shown in Figure 3, extend through the insulating sheet 10a and have end portions headed to overlay the conducting bands 10b and lite on the opposite sides of the sheet 10a. The headed end portions of the rivets thus are in electrically contacting relationship with the bands 10b and 10c and the shank portions define an electrical connection between the headed ends, and hence the bands. Accordingly, the conducting rivets 36a connect each of the eight outboard conducting bands 10b of the contact side of the card 10 to one of the eight bands 100 of the non-contact side of the card 10. Thus each of the bands 10c is connected through a rivet 36a to one of the contacts 12c when the card is in contacting position and thence through one of the conductors 32 to one of the lights 22. When one of the bands 10c is energized, the corresponding light 22 is accordingly lit.

Each of the inboard conducting bands 10bthose which engage the inboard contacts 12d when the card 10 is in use-is connected to one of the conducting bands 10c by a similar conducting rivet 36b. These rivets are so placed longitudinally of the inboard conducting bands 10b that as the conducting bands 10b are energized in sequence through selector switch 20, conductors 34, and the contacts 12d, the lights 22 are energized in accord with the desired sequence of notes. The complete light energizing circuit may be traced in each instance from battery 28 to conductor 30, shaft 20a, arm 2%, the

selected contact 240, the conductor 24 connected to the contact 20c, the corresponding contact 12d, the conducting band 10b in contact with that contact 12d, and thence through the conducting rivet 36b to the selected conducting band 10c. The latter is connectced through a conducting rivet 36a to one of the outboard conducting bands 10b and thence through the outboard contact 12c and the corresponding conductor 32 to the selected light 22. The circuit is completed by conductor 26 to the opposite terminal of the battery 28.

The sequence of the rivets 36b as shown in Figure 1 is arranged to play the tune Mary Had a Little Lamb as the notes are played in succession, starting with the selector switch 20 in the initial position shown by the dotted lines of that figure. Thus, with the switch in the initial position, the left hand inboard contact 12d is energized through the conductor 34, arm 20b and conductor 30. Since rivet 36b of the left hand conducting band 10bwhich is in engagement with the contact 12dis connected to the band 10c corresponding to the note E, the light 22 corresponding to that note is energized and that note is indicated to be played. When the player strikes the key E that note is sounded and the selector switch 20 is advanced in the clockwise direction of Figure 1 to the next contact button shown. At this time the rivet 36b establishes contact with the conducting band 100 corresponding to thenote D, thus lighting the D 5 lamp 22 through the conductor 32 and the contact 12c. Striking the "D key both sounds that note and advances the selector switch 20 onestep further in the clockwise direction to energize the C lamp. This process is continued to energize the D, E and other lamps in succession as each key is struck to play the tune.

The conducting bands 1% are formed on the contact side of the card 10 and the conducting bands 100 are formed on the non-contact side or the card by any suitable technique. Preferably this is accomplished by first evaporating a suitable metal, such as aluminum, on the face of the card through a suitable mask pr'ovided for the purpose. This is done in a vacuum, with the face of the sheet 10a exposed to the evaporating metal through the mask so that the metal condensing on the sheet through the windows of the mask defines the conducting bands. The same technique may be used to deposit thin conducting bands on the opposite face of the sheet. With the bands thus defined, the requisite thickness of a highly conducting metal, such as copper, is built up by electroplating or similar means so that at the conclusion of the process the bands 10b and 100 are formed on the opposite sides of the sheet'10a in an adherent electrically conducting material.

It will be particularly noted that the tune card 10 does not require any electrical wiring, and that the circuit connections between each of the light energizing contacts 120 and each of the note selector contacts 12d are established without recourse to the usual electrical wiring techniques.

This is a highly advantageous feature of the card has much as the technique above described are relatively inexpensive, reliable and effective in mass production whereas wiring the necessary connections would require a larger, handmade, less reliable construction.

While I have referred to the use of rivets as the means to connect the conductors on one side of the card to the conductors on the other side of the card, other means may be used if desired. For example, holes may be punched or drilled through the card and filled with drops of solder which overlay the conductors on the card to establish the necessary contact.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention the tune card 10 is arranged to play two tunes, one when placed in the piano with one side up and the other when placed in the piano with the other side up. Figures 4 and 5 show a tune card so arranged. With respect to the outboard bands 10b and the rivets 36a, the construction of the tune card of Figures 4 and 5 is identical with that above described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Also, the rivets 36b are located in like positions with reference to the tune Mary Had a Little Lamb to be played with the card in the position shown in Figure 4. That is, the rivets 36b form one sequence of notes to play a tune as the inboard contacts 12d, Figure 1, are energized in succession. v

The card in Figures 4 and 5 differs from that of Figures 1 to 3 in that its top edge 10a is beveled as shown in Figure 5 so that it can be turned over and inserted in the piano with that edge down. When so inserted, each of the outboard conducting bands 10b is in contacting relation with one of the contacts 12c, Figure 1, but the notes corresponding with and connected to the bands 10b are reversed. Thus, with the card of Figure 4 in the reversed position, the upper conducting band loo-which is connected to the upper C light when the card is located as shown in the drawingis connected to the light 22 indicating the lower C note. Consequently, as indicated at the left hand side of Figure 4, the notes are CDEFGABC reading up when the card is in the up position shown, and the notes are CBAGFEDC as shown at the right hand side of Figure 4 when the card is in thereversed position on the piano.

It will be noted that the note positions mentioned above are the result of the fact that the outboard conductors -10bwhich engage the contacts 12c are in two 6 balanced sets, four on each side of the card, so that when the card is turned over each of the conductors 10b still engages one of the contacts 12c.

A second set of rivets, 136b, is provided on the tune card shown inFig'ure 4 to form a sequence to play a time when the card is in' reversed position. In the particular card shown in Figure 4, these rivets establish the connections to indicate the tune Jingle Bells" as the inboard conducting bands 10b are energized in the order indicated by the numbers at the top of the card.

In order to prevent interference between the two tunes of the card as shown in Figure 4, theinboard conducting bands 10b are broken intermediate the rivets 13Gb and 36b at those points where the bands would otherwise connect the rivets. Thus each band serves to establish contact between the edge of the card and the closest rivet without establishing any contact with the other rivet. Where, however, the two tunes each require the same connection in the card only the rivet 36b is used and the conducting band 10b extends without interruption from one edge of the tune card to the other. This is shown at notes12 and 13, Figure 4, as marked on the bottom side of the card as seen in that figure.

It is possible to provide two tunes on a card as shown in Figure 4 only because numerous childrens tunes have their notes primarily at the low end of the scale and only to a limited extent use notes at the high end of the scale. Thus, in the card shown at Figure 4, the first six notes of Mary Had a Little Lamb are EDCDEE, notes which use only the three lowest positions on the card. The last six notes of Jingle Bells are GGFDCC, none of which, in the reversed position of the card (the notes in this case being those indicatedat the right hand margin of the card in Figure 4),, interfere with the first six notes of Mary Had a Little Lamb. It will be observed that the same effect occurs for all the notes shown on the card of Figure 4, excepting only those notes wherein the desired note of Mary Had a Little Lamb," with the card in up position, is the same as the desired note of 'Jingle Bells with the card in the down position.

I find that the above condition exists for a large number of pairs of childrens tunes. For example, any of the following tunes may be put on the same tune card with any of the others for use in an instrument having a range of a single octave beginning with the note C:

Mary Had a Little Lamb (begins with E) Jingle Bells (begins with E) 7 Mary Mary Quite Contrary (begins with D) Merrily We Roll Along (begins with E) Such tunes are referred to herein as compatable for the reason that they may be placed on a common music card having a range of a single octave and yet do not involve interfering electrical connections.

It should be noted that it is not necessary for coinpat-ability between two tunes that they each use only the lower half of the available notes. Rather it is only necessary that in each instance the notes at each inboard conducting band 10b the note required by one tune is not crossed in relation to the note required by the other tune. Thus the full spectrum of notes is available and the placing of two compatable tunes on the card does not limit the range of the instrument.

I have further discovered that, while there are a great many pairs of childrens tunes that are compatable as defined above, there are many other pairs of such tunes which give rise only to a limited degree of interference between the conductor positions required by one tune cannot be done since the necessary conducting band be tween one edge of the card and the G position overcard despite the conflict.

ilaps the necessary conducting band between the other edge of the card and'the G position. In such instances .1 have found that by the addition of a single additional G conducting band c when the card is in the reversed position. Thus, in the number 12 position of the inboard conducting bands 10c as indicated on the drawing of Figure 6, the conducting band runs from the bottom edge of the card to the B position, where it is broken, and

from the top edge of the card to the G position defined by the band 110a. There is accordingly no overlap and no interference between the tunes.

The tunes shown on the card of Figure 6 are Mary Had a Little Lamb in the up position as shown in the drawing and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star in the down position.

Other pairs of tunes which are compatable when an additional conducting band is added to the non-contact sid of the card are:

Merrily We Roll Along (begins with E) Twinkle Twinkle Little Star (begins with low C) Mary Mary Quite Contrary (begins with D) Home Sweet Home (begins with low C) Also, if two additional bands are added the following pair may be placed on a single card:

Oh Susana (beings with F) Coming Through the Rye (beings with low C) i For convenience I refer to tunes of the above type- Which become compatable when an additional conducting band 1100 is provided-as nearly compatible. This term also includes tunes which become compatible when any small number of additional conducting bands, such as two or three, are added since in such instances most of the advantage of placing two tunes on a single card can be achieved. I

When a card such as that of Figure 6 is placed on the instrument the top of the card protrudes beyond the backing 14, Figure l, to a greater extent than in the case of a card such as that of Figure 5. This does not, however, interfere with the operation of either the instrument or the card. Alternatively, the conducting bands 10c and 1100 on the non-contact side of the card shown in Figure 6 may be more closely spaced and of reduced Width so that it is unnecessary to use a card of greater size than that of Figure 5.

If desired, the card of the present invention may be decorated with musical notes, drawings, and other attractive symbols over its entire area except the portions of the conducting bands 1017 which are engaged by the contacts 12. This can be done, for example, by afiixing a suitably decorated label to the face of the card. Such label does not interfere with the operation of the card and provides an attractive appearance which hides the purely functional conducting bands and rivets.

It will be noted that the contacts 120, Figure l, are symmetrical about the central axis of the contact bank and that the outboard bands 1012, Figure 4, are likewise symmetrical about the central axis of the card. This symmetry assures that when the card of Figure 4 is inverted and placed in the instrument the outboard bands 10b which engage the contacts 12c with the card in one position also engage the contacts 120 with the card in the reversed position. If desired, the positions of the contacts 12 c-and hence the conducting bands which engage these contacts-may be altered, provided they are symmetrically disposed about a central axis.

While I have shown and described conducting rivets such as 36a and 36b, Figure 1, as the conducting means a 8 extending through the sheet 10a, other devices may be used for this purpose. For example, holes may be punched in the sheet 10a where it is desired to establish a conducting path and the circuit plated so as to form a layer of conducting material on the inside of the hole and extending into conducting relationship with the conducting bands on the opposite sides of the sheet.

- While'I have shown and described specific embodiments of the present invention it will be understood that various modifications and alternative constructions may be made without departing from the true spirit thereof. I therefore intend by the appended claims to cover all variations and alternative constructions falling within their true spirit and scope.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A tune card for a musical instrument of the type wherein a plurality of note indicators are energized in succession to indicate the notes to be played, the card being adapted to seat on a plurality of electrical contacts disposed in generally linear relation and divided into a first set symmetrical about a mid-point and connected to the note indicators, respectively, and a second set energized in sequence as the successive notes are played, the card comprising: an insulating sheet having a contact side with a first set of parallel conductors extending to both edges of the sheet and adapted to seat against the contacts of said first set, respectively, and a second set of conductors parallel to the conductors of the first set and extending to both edges of the sheet to seat against the contacts of said second set, respectively, the sheet also having a noncontact side with a plurality of parallel conductors oriented transversely to the conductors of said first set and at least equal in number to the number of said first set of conductors; conductor means extending through the sheet and connecting each of said last mentioned conductors to one of said first set of conductors, whereby in use each of said last mentioned conductors is connected to one of said indicators; and conductor means extending through said sheet connecting each of said second set of conductors to at least one of said last mentioned conductors, said last conductor means being in two sequences, one sequence being positioned to indicate a tune when the card is seated with one edge on the contacts and the other sequence being positioned to indicate a compatible tune when the card is seated with the other edge on the contacts, the conductors of the second set being interrupted where they extend between said last conductor means.

2. A tune card for a musical instrument of the type wherein a plurality of note indicators are energized in succession to indicate the notes to be played, the card being adapted to seat on a plurality of electrical contacts disposed in generally linear relation and divided into a first set symmetrical about a mid-point and connected to the note indicators, respectively, and a second set energized in sequence as the successive notes are played, the card comprising: an insulating sheet having a contact side and a non-contact side; a first set of parallel conducting bands on the contact side of the sheet extending to both edges of the sheet and adapted to seat against the conacts of said first set, respectively; a second set of parallel conducting bands on the contact side of the sheet parallel to the bands of the first set and adapted to seat against the contacts of the second set, respectively; conducting bands on the non-contact side of the sheet oriented transversely to the bands of the first set and at least equal in number to the bands of the first set; conductor means extending through the sheet and connecting each of the last mentioned bands to one of the first set of bands, whereby in use each of said last mentioned bands is connected to one of said indicators; and conductor means extending through said sheet connecting each of said second set of bands to one of said last mentioned bands, said last conductor means being in two sequences, one sequence being positioned to indicate a tune when the card is seated with one edge on the contacts and the other sequence being positioned to indicate a compatable tune when the card is seated with the other edge of the contacts, the bands of the second set being interrupted where they extend between said last conductor means.

3. A tune card for a musical instrument of the type wherein a plurality of note indicators are energized in succession to indicate the notes to be played, the card being adapted to seat on a plurality of electrical contacts disposed in generally linear relation and divided into a first set symmetrical about a mid-point and connected to the note indicators, respectively, and a second set energized in sequence as the successive notes are played, the card comprising: an insulating sheet having a contact side and a non-contact side; a first set of parallel conducting bands on the contact side of the sheet extending -to both edges of the sheet and adapted to seat against the contacts of said first set, respectively; a second set of parallel conducting bands on the contact side of the sheet parallel to the bands of the first set and adapted to seat against the contacts of the second set, respectively; conducting bands on the non-contact side of the sheet oriented transversely to the bands of the first set and at least equal in number to the bands of the first set; conducting rivets extending through the sheet and connecting each of the last mentioned bands to one of the first set of bands, whereby in use each of said last mentioned bands is connected to one of said indicators; and conducting rivets extending through said sheet connecting each of said second set of bands to one of said last mentioned bands, said last rivets being in two sequences, one sequence being positioned to indicate a tune when the card is seated with one edge on the contacts and the other sequence being positioned to indicate a compatable tune when the card is seated with the other edge on the contacts, the bands of the second set being interrupted where they extend between said last rivets.

4. A tune card for a musical instrument of the type wherein a plurality of note indicators are energized in succession to indicate to the player the notes to be played in sequence, the card being adapted to seat on a plurality of electrical contacts disposed in generally linear relation, one set of the contacts being connected to the note indicators, respectively, and another set being energized in sequence as the successive notes are played, the card comprising: an insulating sheet having a contact side with a plurality of parallel conductors adapted to seat against said contacts, respectively, and on the opposite non-contact side having a series of parallel conductors oriented transversely of said first mentioned conductors and at least equal in number to said one set of contacts; conductor means extending through the sheet and connecting each of said last mentioned conductors to one of the first mentioned conductors which engages a contact of said one set, whereby each of said last mentioned conductors is connected through said one set of contacts to one of said indicators; and conductor means extending through the sheet connecting each of the others of said first mentioned conductors to one of the last mentioned conductors, the last conductor means being so positioned that as said other set of contacts are energized in sequence a predetermined tune is indicated.

5. A tune card for a musical instrument of the type wherein a plurality of note indicators are energized in succession to indicate to the player the notes to be played in sequence, the card being adapted to seat on a plurality of electrical contacts disposed in generally linear relation, one set of the contacts being connected to the note indicators, respectively, and another set being energized in sequence as the successive notes are played, the card comprising: an insulating sheet having a contact side with ,a plurality of parallel conducting bands adapted to seat against said contacts, respectively, and on the opposite non-contact side having a series of parallel conducting bands oriented transversely of said first mentioned hands and at least equal in number to said one set of contacts; conductor means extending through the sheet and connecting each of said last mentioned bands to one of the first mentioned bands which engages a contact of said one set, whereby each of said last mentioned bands is connected through one of said one set of contacts to one of said indicators; and conductor means extending through the sheet connecting each of the others of said first mentioned bands to one of said last mentioned bands, the last conductor means being so positioned that as said other set of contacts are energized in sequence a predetermined tune is indicated.

6. A tune card for a musical instrument of the type wherein a plurality of note indicators are energized in succession to indicate to the player the notes to be played in sequence, the card being adapted to seat on a .plurality of electrical contacts disposed in generally linear relation, one set of the contacts being connected to the note indicators, respectively, and another set being energized in sequence as the successive notes are played, the card comprising; an insulating sheet having a contact side with a plurality of parallel conducting bands adapted to seat against said contacts, respectively, and on the opposite non-contact side having a series of parallel conducting band-s oriented transversely of said first mentioned bands and at least equal in number to said one set of contacts; conducting rivets extending through the sheet and connecting each of said last mentioned bands to one of the first mentioned bands which engages a contact of said one set, whereby each of said last mentioned bands is connected through one of said one set of contacts to one of said indicators; and conducting rivets extending through the sheet connecting each of the others of said first mentioned bands to one of said last mentioned bands, the last rivets being so positioned that as said other set ,of contacts are energized in sequence a predetermined tune is indicated.

7. A tune card for a musical instrument of the type wherein a plurality of note indicators are energized in succession to indicate to the player the notes to be played, the card being adapted to seat on a plurality of electrical contacts disposed in generally linear relation and divided into a first set of contacts disposed symmetrically about a mid-point and connected to the note indicators, respective-1y, and a second set of contacts energized in sequence as the successive notes are played, the card comprising: an insulating sheet having a contact side with a first set of parallel conductors extending to both edges of the sheet adapted to seat on the contacts of the first set, respectively, and a second set of conductors parallel to the conductors of the first set and extending to both edges of the sheet adapted to seat on the contacts of the second set, respectively, the sheet also having an opposite noncontact side with a plurality :of parallel conductors oriented transversely to the conductors of said first set and exceeding the number of the conductors of the first set by at least one; conductor means extending through the sheet and connecting each of the first set of conductors to one of said last mentioned conductors and at least one of the first set of conductors to two of said last mentioned conductors, whereby in use each of said last mentioned conductors is connected through said one set of contacts to one of said indicators and one of the indicators is connected to two of the last mentioned conductors; and conductor means extending through sai sheet connecting each conductor of said second set to at least one of said last mentioned conductors, said last mentioned conducting means being in two sequences, one sequence being positioned to indicate a tune when one edge of the sheet is seated on the contacts and the other sequence being positioned to indicate a nearly compatable tune when the other edge of the sheet is seated on the contacts, said second set of conductors being interrupted where they extend between said'last mentioned conductor means.

8. A tune card for a musical instrument of the type wherein a plurality of note indicators are energized in succession to indicate to the player the notes to be played, the card being adapted to seat on a plurality of electrical contacts disposed in generally linear relation and divided into a first set of contacts disposed symmetrically about a mid-point and connected to the note indicators, respectively, and a second set of contacts energized in sequence as the successive notes are played, the card comprising an insulating sheet having a contact side with a first set of parallel conducting bands extending to both edges of the sheet adapted to seat on the contacts of the first set, respectively, and a second set of conducting bands parallel to the bands of the first set and extending to both edges of the sheet adapted to seat on the contacts of the second set, respectively, the sheet also having an opposite non-contact side with a plurality of parallel -conducting bands oriented transversely to the bands of said first set and exceeding the number of the bands of the first set by at least one; conductor means extending through the sheet and connecting each of the first set of bands to one of said last mentioned bands and at least one of the first set of bands to two of said last mentioned bands, whereby in use each of said last mentioned bands is connected through said one set of contacts to one of said indicators and one of the indicators is connected to two of the last mentioned bands; and conductor means extending through said sheet connecting each band of said second set to at least one of said last mentioned bands, said last mentioned conducting means being in two sequences, one sequence being positioned to indicate a tune when one edge of the sheet is seated on the contacts and the other sequence being positioned to indicate a nearly compatable tune when the other edge of the sheet is seated on the contacts, said second set of bands being interrupted where they extend between said last mentioned conductor means.

9. A tune card for a musical instrument of the type wherein a plurality of note indicators are energized in succession to indicate to the player the notes to be played, the card being adapted to seat on a plurality of electrical contacts disposed in generally linear relation and divided into a first set of contacts disposed symmetrically about a mid-point and connected to the note indicators, respectively, and a second set of contacts energized in sequence as the successive notes are played, the card comprising an insulating sheet having a contact side with a first set of parallel conducting bands extending to both edges of the sheet adapted to seat on the contacts of the first set, respectively, and a second set of conducting bands parallel to the bands of the first set and extending to both edges of the sheet adapted to seat on the contacts of the second set, respectively, the sheet also having an opposite non-contact side with a plurality of parallel conducting bands oriented transversely to the bands of said first set and exceeding the number of the bands of the first set by at least one; conducting rivets extending through the sheet and connecting each of the first set of bands to one of said last mentioned bands and at least one of the first set of bands to two of said last mentioned bands, whereby in use each of said last mentioned bands is connected through said one set of contacts to one of said indicators and one of the indicators is connected to two of the last mentioned bands; and conducting rivets extending through said sheet connecting each band of said second set to at least one of said last mentioned bands, said last mentioned rivets being in two sequences, one sequence being positioned to indicate a tune when one edge of the sheet is seated on the contacts and the other sequence being positioned to indicate a nearly compatable time when the other edge of the sheet is seated on the contacts, said second set of bands being interrupted where they extend between said last mentioned rivets.

10."In combination, a musical instrument having manual means to play a series of notes individually; electrical indicators for each of said notes, respectively; a plurality of electrical contacts disposed in generally linear relation; means connecting a set of said contacts symmetrical about a mid-point to the note indicators respectively; means to energize the others of said contacts in predetermined sequence; and a tune card having two opposed edges, either edge being adapted to seat on said contacts, the tune card having a series of conductors on one side adapted to seat on said contacts at either of said edges and on the other side having a series of conductors exceeding the number of said notes by at least one and oriented transversely of the first series of conductors, the tune card further having first conductor means extending therethrough and connecting each of said last mentioned series of conductors to one of the first mentioned series of conductors adapted to seat on one of said symmetrical set of contacts and one of said first mentioned series of conductors adapted to seat on one of said contacts to two conductors of said last mentioned series and second conductor means extending therethrough connecting each of the others of said first mentioned series of conductors to at least one of said last mentioned series of conductors, said second conductor means being in two sequences, one sequence being adapted to indicate the playing of a predetermined tune when one edge of said sheet is in engagement with said contacts and the other sequence being adapted to indicate the playing of a predetermined compatable tune when the other edge of said sheet is engaged against said contacts, the last mentioned series of conductors being interrupted where they extend between said last conductor means.

11. In combination, a musical instrument having manual means to play a series of notes individually; elec trical indicators for each of said notes, respectively; a plurality of electrical contacts disposed in generally linear relation; means connecting a set of said contacts symmetrical about a mid-point to the note indicators respectively; means to energize the others of said contacts in predetermined sequence; and a tune card having two opposed edges, either edge being adapted to seat on said contacts, the tune card having a series of conductors on one side adapted to seat on said contacts at either of said edges and on the other side having a series of conductors exceeding in number the number of said notes and oriented transversely of the first series of conductors, the tune card further having first conductor means extending therethrough and connecting each of said last mentioned series of conductors to one of the first mentioned series of conductors adapted to seat on one of the said symmetrical set of contacts and 'one of said first mentioned series of conductors adapted to seat on one of said symmetrical set of contacts to two conductors of said last mentioned series and second conductor means extending therethrough connecting each of the others of said first mentioned series of conductors to at least one of said last mentioned series of conductors, said second conductor means being in two sequences, one sequence being adapted to indicate the playing of a predetermined tune when one edge of said sheet is in engagement with said contacts and the other sequence being adapted to indicate the playing of a predetermined nearly compatable tune when the other edge of said sheet is engaged against said contacts, the last mentioned series of conductors being interrupted where they extend between said last conductor means.

References Cited in the file of this patent

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