US3369438A - Coin-operated player piano - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 20, 1968 J, H, L lNDSY ETAL 3,369,438

COI N OPERATED PLAYER PIANO Filed Feb. l5, 1965 3v Sheets-Shee, l

INVENTORS JACK H. L INDSEV THQMAS w. Rosa BY Feb. 20, 1968 J. H. LINDSEY ETAL 3,369,438

COIN-OPERATED PLAYER PIANO Filed Feb. l5, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS JACK H. l |ND5E\/ THOMAS W. Rosi-z Feb. 20, 196% J. H. LINDsf-:Y ETAL 3,369,438

COIN-OPERATED PLAYER PIANO Filed Feb. 15, 1965 s sneetsheet s INVENTORS JACK H. LINDSEY BQ'HOMA W. ROSE.

United States Patent 3,369,438 COIN-OPERATED PLAYER PIANO .lack ll-l. Lindsey, 703 Betty Hill, Duarte, Calif. 91010, and Thomas W. Rose, 673 Eremland, Covina, Calif.

Filed Feb. 15, 1965, Ser. No. 432,607 Claims. (Cl. 84-123) This invention relates generally to reversible mechanical drives; more particularly the invention relates to a unique automatic reversing feed mechanism, and to an automated player piano music roll drive embodying the reversing feed mechanism.

In its broader aspects, the invention provides an automatic reversing feed mechanism characterized yby a driven member which is movable 'between two extreme positions, and a selectively operable rotary drive which is effective during each operating cycle thereof to drive said driven member from one of said positions to the other position and then back to the rst position. In the ensuing description, the position from which and back to which the driven member is driven during each operating cycle of the feed mechanism is referred to as its initial position. The extreme position through which the driven member moves during each operating cycle is referred to as its limiting position. In addition, the direction in which the driven member moves from its initial position to its limiting position is referred to as its forward direction of movement. The direction in which the driven member moves from its limiting position to its initial position is referred to as itsl reverse direction of movement.

A principal application of the present automatic reversing feed mechanism is in a player piano for drivingy the music roll supply and take-up spools. Player pianos have been in existence for many years. Up until quite recently, however, player pianos were regarded as antiques or oddities, and the number of player pianos in active use was small. In the past few years, there has been a revival in the interest in player pianos. For example, there is an increasing demand for coin-operated player pianos in taverns, informal food dispensing establishments, and other places where people congregate for pleasure, recreation, or amusement. A typical player piano for this purpose is equipped with a coin receiver and an automatic reversing, music roll feed mechanism which is activated and undergoes an automatic operating cycle in response to each insertion of a coin into the receiver. During each operating cycle of the music roll feed mechanism, the vacuum operated musical mechanism of the piano is activated and the music roll take-up spool is driven in rotation, thereby to feed the music roll from the supply spool to the take-up spool. During its movement from the supply spool to the take-up spool, the music roll travels across an apertured tracker bar located between the spools in such manner that the sets of perforations in the music roll are successively aligned with the openings in the tracker ban/thereby to operate the musical mechanism of the piano. At the completion of the musical selection, the musical mechanism of the piano is deactivated and the music roll feed mechanism is automatically reversed, thereby to rewind the music roll on the supply spool. The feed mechanism is then inactivated, thereby placing the piano in a standby condition in readiness for the next insertion of a coin into the coin receiver.

This invention provides an automatic reversing feed mechanism which is ideally suited for use as an automatic music roll drive in coin operated player pianos of the kind discussed above. As will become evident from the ensuing description, however, the reversing feed mechanism of the invention is not limited in usefulness to player pianos and may be employed to advantage in any 3,369,438 Patented Feb. 20, 1968 application requiring intermittent movement of a driven member from an initial position to a limiting position, automatic return of the member from its limiting position to its initial position, and finally in deactivation of the mechanism. Accordingly, the invention should not be regarded as limited in application to player pianos. How-y ever, because of the unique adaptability of the present automatic reversing feed mechanism to coin operated player pianos, the invention will be disclosed herein in this connection.

It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide a new and improved automatic reversing feed mechanism of the character described.

An object of the invention is the provision of an automatic reversing feed mechanism which is ideally suited for use as a music roll drive in coin operated player pianos.

A further object of the invention is to provide an automatic reversing feed mechanism of the character described which is relatively simple in construction, economical to manufacture, reliable in operation, adapted for installation in existing player pianos, thereby to permit modification of the existing player pianos to coin operation, and otherwise ideally suited to its intended purposes. I

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those versed in the art from a consideration of the following description, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a player piano incorporating the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a front elevation of the music roll supply and take-up spools and the tracker bar of a player piano of FIGURE 1, and illustrating the present automatic reversing feed mechanism operatively connected to the spools for driving the latter;

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 2 but omitting the mechanical transmission of the feed mechanism and illustrating the music roll at the end of the musical selection on the roll;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged side elevation of the reversible rotary mechanical transmission embodied in the reversible feed mechanism of the invention;

FIGURE A5 is an enlarged section taken on line 5-5 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged section taken on line 6 6 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 7 is a section taken on line 7-7 of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged section Itaken on line 8-8 of FIGURE 4; i

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged perspective view of the music roll supply spool and its supporting and -drivin-g shafts, and illustrates the spool disengaged from the shafts to permit replacement of the music roll;

FIGURE 10 is a further enlarged side elevation, partially broken away, of the music roll supply spool and illustrates the spool in operative engagement with its supporting and driving shaft;

FIGURE 11 is an end view of the left-hand end of the supply spool in FIGURE 10;

FIGURE 12 is an end view of the right-hand end of the supply spool in FIGURE 10; and

FIGURE 13 diagrammatically illustrates an electrical control system embodied in the present music roll drive;

FIGURE 14 is a front view of an alternative photosensitive type sensing means.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIGURE 1, there is illustrated a -generally conventional player piano 10 having a'fr-ont opening 12 through which is exposed the music roll mechanism 14 of the piano. This music roll mechanism comprises a music roll supply spool 16 and a music roll take-up spool 18. Supply spool 16 is rotatably supported =on the piano frame 20 by spool supporting means 22. 'I'he take-up spool 18 is rotatably supported on the piano frame 20 by spool supporting means 24. Referring to FIGURES 9-12, it will be observed that the supply spool 16 has a coaxial circular opening 26 in one end and a coaxial, circular socket 28 in the other end. Extending into the bottom wall of the socket 28 is a diametrical slot 30. The supply spool supporting means 22 comprises a pair of coaxial shafts 32 and 34 which straddle the supply spool the endwise direction. Shaft 32 has a conical tip 36 en'gageable in the supply spool opening 26. The shaft 34 'has a cylindrical end engageable in the supply spool socket 28 and an axially projecting tongue 38 engageable in the spool slot 30. The spool shaft 32 is mounted on the piano frame 20 for both rotation and axial movement toward and away from the supply spool. A spring (not shown) urges the shaft toward the supply spool. The spool shaft 34 is rotatably supported on the -piano frame but is restrained against axial movement. When installing the supply spool 16, the spool shaft 32 is retracted to the left, in FIGURE 10, and the spool socket 28 is inserted over the spool shaft 34 in such manner that the tongue 38 on the shaft engages in the spool slot 30. The left end of the spool is then aligned with the spool shaft 32 and the latter is released to permit right-hand movement of the shaft, under the action of its spring, to its position of supporting engagement with the spool, shown in FIGURE 10, wherein the conical tip 36 on the shaft engages in the spool opening 26. It is apparent, therefore, that the supply spool 16 may be replaced at will. It will be understood, of course, that normally a perforated music roll 40 will be wound on the spool when the latter is removed from and replaced on the piano. This music roll is illustrated in phantom lines in FIGURES 9-12.

The spo-ol supporting kmeans 24 for the take-up spool 18 comprises coaxial shafts 42 and 44 which are secured to opposite ends of the spool. rI`hese shafts are rotatably supported on the piano frame but are restrained against axial movement. Normally, the take-up spool remains in position at all times.

In kFIGURE 2, the music roll 40 will be observed to have the conventional tapered leading end 46. A grommet 48 is secured to this leading end of the music roll for engagement over a hook 50 on the take-up spool, thereby to releaseably secure the leading end of the music roll to the take-up spool. Rotation of the take-up spool in one direction, therefore, is effective to unwind the music roll from the supply spool 16 and to wind the music roll on the take-up spool 18. T-he trailing end of the music roll is secured to the supply spool, whereby rotation of the'latter spool in the opposite direction is effective to unwind the music roll from the take-up spool and to unwind the music roll on the supply spool.

Mounted on the piano frame 20 between the supply spool 16 and the take-up spool 18 is a tracker bar 52. This tracker bar has a row of ports 54 which are aligned with the longitudinal rows 'of perforations 56 in the music roll 40. Thus, as the music roll travels from the supply spool 60 to the take-up spool 1'8, the perforations in each longitudinal perforation row on the music roll are successively aligned with the respective tracker bar port 54. As is well understood in the art, this successive registry of the music roll lperforations with the tracker bar ports controls the vacuum operated musical mechanism (not shown) of the piano in such a way that the piano plays a tune corresponding to the arrangement of the perforations on the music roll.

The player piano 10, as it is thus far described, is conventional. This invention provides an automatic reversing feed mechanism 58 for driving the music roll supply and take-up spools 16 and 18, respectively. In a typical improved player piano according to the invention, the latter is coin operated, and accordingly, is equipped with a coin receiver 60 having a slot into which a patron may insert his coin. As will be seen later, the automatic reversing mechanism 58 is activated and undergoes an automatic operating cycle in response to insertion of eac'h coin into the coin receiver 60. During this automatic operating cycle of the feed mechanism 58, the vacuum operated musical mechanism of the 4piano is activated and the takeup spool 18 is driven in rotation Vin a direction to feed the music roll 40 from the supply spool 16 to the take-up spool. During this movement of the music roll from the supply spool to the take-up spool, it travels across the tracker bar 52, thereby to operate the musical mechanism of the piano. When the end of the music roll is reached, the musical mechanism of the piano is automatically inactivated and the feed mechanism 58 is reversed, thereby to rewind the music roll on the supply spool 16. The player piano then remains in an inactive, standby condition in readiness for its next operating cycle in response to insertion of a coin into the coin receiver 60.

The automatic reversing feed mechanism 58 comprises a unidirectional motor 62 (FIGURE 13) and a reversible rotary transmission 64 which drivably couples the motor 62 to the music roll supply spool 16 and take-up spool 18. Transmission 64 is shown in detail in FIGURES 2, 4 and 5. This transmission is equipped with a housing 66 rotatably supporting a rotary input shaft 68 and two rotary output shafts 70 and 72. These shafts extend parallel to one another. Also, the input shaft 68 extends beyond one side of the transmission housing or frame and the output shafts 70 and 72 extend beyond the other side of the housing. Extending axially from the projecting end of the output shaft 70 is a tongue 74. Extending axially into the projecting end of the output shaft 72 is a slot '76. The center distance between the output shafts is equal to the center distance between the spool shafts 34 and 44.

The transmission 58 is mounted, by bracket 78, on the piano frame 20 at the ends of the music roll supply and take-up spools adjacent the spool shafts 34 and 44, in such manner that the output shaft 70 is aligned with the supply spool shaft 34 and the output shaft '72 is aligned with the take-up spool shaft 44. In FIGURE 2, it will be observed that these latter spool shafts extend through the adjacent side member of the piano frame 20 and are drivably coupled to their respective aligned output shafts. To this end,

the supply spool shaft has an axial slot receiving the tongue 74 of the output shaft 70 and the take-up spool shaft 44 has an axially extending tongue engaging in the slot 76 in the output shaft 72. The input shaft 68 of the transmission 58 is drivably coupled to the shaft of the unidirectional motor 62. This motor has been omitted from FIGURES 2 and 4.

Rotatable on the input shaft 68 is a pinion 80 and a sprocket 82. Fixed to the pinion 80 is a collar 84 mounting a plurality of circumferentially spaced, axially inward extending spring clutch fingers 86. Similarly, a collar 88 is fixed to the sprocket 82 and mounts a plurality of circumferentially spaced, axially inwardly extending spring clutch fingers 90. The free extremities of these fingers are bent inwardly and then outwardly slightly, as shown. Fixed to the input shaft 68 between the collars 84 and 88 is a polygonal sleeve 92. A clutch collar 94 is slidable back and forth along this sleeve. Clutch collar 94 has an opening complementing the polygonal cross-sectional shape of the sleeve 92, whereby the clutch collar 94 rotates with the input shaft 68. Milled in opposite ends of the clutch collar 94 are a plurality of circumferentially spaced, axially extending grooves 96, each having a width just slightly greater than the width of the clutch fingers 86 and 90. The grooves 96 at each end of the clutch collar are equal in number to the adjacent fingers, and the latter and the clutch collar grooves are uniformly spaced.

Clutch collar 94 is axially movable along the input shaft sleeve 92 toward the pinion collar 84 to the position of FIGURE 5, which is hereinafter referred to as the forward position of the clutch collar, wherein the clutch fingers 86 on the latter collar engage in the adjacent grooves 96 in the clutch collar, thereby to drivably couple the clutch collar to the pinion 80. The clutch collar is movable in the opposite axial direction toward the sprocket collar 88 to a position, hereinafter referred to as the reverse position of the clutch collar, wherein the clutch fingers 90 on the sprocket collar engage in the adjacent clutch collar grooves 96, thereby to drivab-ly couple the clutch collar to t-he sprocket 82. It will be observed that the clutch collar is so axially dimensioned that it may be drivably coupled, at any given time, only to the pinion 80 or the sprocket 82.

Pivotally mounted on the transmission housing 66, below the input shaft 68, is a transmission reversing member or lever 98. On the upper end of this lever is a pin 100 which engages in a central, circumferential groove 102 in the clutch collar 94. It is apparent, therefore, that pivoting of the reversing member 98 is effective to shift the clutch collar 94 back and forth between itsforward and reverse positions. In the ensuing descripti-on, the position occupied by the reversing lever 98 when the clutch collar occupies its forward position is referred to as the forward position of the lever. A position occupied by the lever when the clutch collar occupies its reverse Ypositions is referred to as the reverse position of the lever.

Fixed on the output shaft 70y is a sprocket 104. A sprocket chain 106 is trained about the input shaft sprocket 82 and the output shaft sprocket 104. Fixed on the output shaft 72 is a gear 108 which meshes with the input shaft pinion 80. It is apparent, therefore, that movement of the reversing member or lever 98 to its reverse position is effective to drivably couple the input shaft 68 to the output shaft 70. Movement of the reversing lever to its reverse position is effective to drivably couple the input shaft 68 to the output shaft 72. Accordingly, assuming that the motor 62 is energized, movement of the reversing lever 98 to its forward position effects driving of the music roll take-up spool 18, while movement of the reversing lever to its reverse position effects driving of the music roll supply spool 16. The motor 62, being a unidirectional motor, constantly drives the input shaft 68 in one direction. The input shaft, however, drives the output shafts l` and 72, and thereby the supply -spool 16 and the take-up spool 18 in opposite directions. The direction of rotation of the motor is chosen so that when the reversing member 98 occupies its forward position, the take-up spool 18 is driven in a direction to wind the music ro'll 40 thereon. Accordingly, when the reversing member is shifted to its reverse position, the supply spool 16 is driven in a direction to rewind the music roll thereon.

Referring now to FIGURE 13, the control system illustrated therein comprises a pair of electrical power input terminals 110 and 112. In practice, these terminals are connected to a suitable source of electrical power, such as a wall receptacle. For convenience, the input terminal 110 has been illustrated as being grounded. Input ter-v minal 112 is connected, through a lead 114, to one terminal of a normally open coin switch 116. This switch form-s part of the coin receiver 60 and is momentarily closed in response to insertion of a coin in the receiver. The other terminal of switch 60 is connected, through a lead 118, to one terminal of a pair of normally closed contacts 120a in a relay 120. The other terminal of the relay contacts 12011 is connected, through a lead 122, to one terminal of the motor 62. The other terminal of the motor is grounded. Thus, closure of the coin switch 116 energizes the motor 62. Motor lead 122 is also connected, through a set of normally open contacts 124a of a relay 124 to the input terminal 112. Relay 124 includes a coil 124b, one terminal of which is grounded and the other terminal of which is connected to the lead 118. Closure of the coin switch 116, therefore, simultaneously energizes the motor 62 and the relay 124, thereby closing the normally open relay contacts 124a. A circuit may then be traced from the input -terminal 112, through the now closed relay contacts 12411, lead 122, the normally closed relay contacts 12061, lead 118, and relay coil 124b to ground. The relay 124 is thereby locked in energized condition, to retain its contacts 124a closed, so long as the relay contacts a remain closed. Thus, the relays 120 and 124 together with their respective contacts and associated electrical connections form a holding circuit through the motor 62 which retains the latter energized in response to initial energizing thereof by momentary closureof the coin switch 116. l

Indicated at 126 is a sensing means which is responsive to movement of the music roll 40 to its initial and limiting positions, as described below. Sensing means 126 comprises a housing 128 which is mounted on the piano frame 20 in close proximity to the music roll 40 and three depending electrical contacts 130a, 130]), and 130C, the upper ends of which are pivotally mounted on a shaft 132 extending through the housing 128. The lower ends of these contacts are located behind the music roll supply spool 16 and are resiliently urged against the surface of the music roll by springs 134 which act between the respective contacts and the housing 128. The music roll 40 is provided 'with two electrically conductive surfaces 136 and 138. These conductive surfaces may be furnished in various ways but preferably comprise metallic foils which are adhesively bonded or otherwise secured to the surface of the music roll. Conductive surface 136 is located adjacent the leading end of the music roll and is so laterally positioned on the music roll as to simultaneously engage and thereby complete an`electrical circuit between the sensing contacts 13011 and 130]) when the music roll occupies its initial position of FIGURE 2. The other conductive surface 138 is located adjacent the trailing end of the music roll and is so laterally positioned on the music roll as to simultaneously engage and thereby complete an electrical circuit between the sensing contacts 13011 and 130i: when the music roll occupies its limiting position of FIGURE 3. It is apparent, therefore, that the pair of sensing contacts 130a and 130b forms, in effect, a first electrical sensing means and that the leading conductive surface 136 forms a first activating means which activates the latter electrical sensing means when the music roll occupies its initial position of FIGURE 2. Similarly, the pair of sensing contacts 13011 and 130C forms a second electrical sensing means and the trailing conductive surface 138 forms a second activating means on the music roll which activates the latter sensing means when the music roll occupies its limiting position of FIGURE 3.

Returning now again to FIGURE 13, numerals 140 and 142 denote a pair of relays. Relay 140 includes a set of normally open contacts 140a, a set of normally open contacts 140b, and a coil 140C. Relay 142 includes a set of normally open contacts 142er, a set of normally open contacts 14Zb, a set of normally closed contacts 142C, a set of normally open contacts 142d, and a coil 142e. Lead 122 is connected directly to the sensing contact 1.30ct and is connected, through the normally open relay contacts 140a, and a lead 144, to one terminal of the relay coil 140e, to the sensing contact 130C, and through the normally open relay contact 14217, to one terminal of the coil 120e of the holding relay 120. The other terminal of this latter relay coil is grounded. Lead 122 is also connected, through the normally open relay contacts 140b, to one terminal of a solenoid 146 and one terminal of the motor 148. The other terminals of the solenoid 146 and the motor 148 are grounded. Finally, lead 122 is connected, through the normally open contacts 142d, to one terminal of a solenoid 150. The other terminal of the latter solenoid is grounded. The function served by the solenoids 146 and 150 and the motor 148 will be explained presently. The remaining terminal of the relay coil 140e is grounded through the normally closed relay contacts 142C. Lead 122 connects, through the normally open relay contacts 142a, to the sensing contact 130b and to one terminal of the relay coil 142e. The other terminal of this latter relay coil is grounded.

Referring now to FIGURE 2, it will be observed that the solenoids 146 and 150 are operatively connected, through a link 152, to the transmission reversing member 98. This operative connection between the solenoids and the reversing member is so arranged that when the solenoid 146 is energized, the reversing member 98 is shifted to its forward position. When the solenoid 150 is energized, the reversing member is shifted to its reverse position.

Assume now that the music roll 40 is in its initial position of FIGURE 2, wherein the leading conductive surface 136 completes a circuit between the sensing contacts 13051 and 130i?. When a coin is now deposited in the coin receiver 60, the coin switch 116 is momentarily closed to lock the music roll drive motor 62 and its holding relay 124 in energized condition, as described earlier. A circuit is also thereby completed from the power terminal 112 through the lead 122, the sensing contacts 130a, 130i), the relay coil 140e, and the normally closed relay contacts 142C, to ground. Accordingly, the relay 140 en- -f ergizes, thereby closing its normally open contacts 1400 and 140b. Closure of the relay contacts 140a completes a holding circuit through the relay coil 140C in parallel with the sensing contacts 130a, 130b, whereby the relay 140 is locked in energized condition. Closure of the relay contacts 140b energizes the forward solenoid 146 of the transmission 64 and the motor 148. The reversing member 98 in the transmission is thereby shifted to its forward position, thereby resulting in rotation of the music roll take-up spool 18 through the transmission in a direction to wind the music roll 40 thereon. During initial movement of the music roll from its supply spool 16 to the take-up spool 18, the forward electrically conductive surface 136 on the music roll moves out of engagement with the sensing contacts 130a, 130b, thereby breaking the electrical circuit therebetween. The relay 140, however, remains locked in energized condition. The motor 148 drives the vacuum pump for the musical mechanism of the piano. Accordingly, successive alignment of the music roll perforations 56 with the ports 54 in the tracker bar, during movement of the music roll from the supply spool 16 onto the take-up spool 18, operates the musical mechanism of the piano to play the musical composition defined by the particular arrangement of the perforations on the music roll. Shortly after the finish of this musical composition, the music roll enters its limiting position of FIG- URE 3, wherein the trailing conductive surface 138 on the roll engages the sensing contacts 130a and 130C. When this occurs, an electrical circuit may be traced from the lead 122, through the latter sensing contacts, and the relay coil 142e to ground. Relay 142 then energizes, thereby closing its normally open contacts 142a, 14211, and 142d and opening its normally closed contacts 142C. Closure of the contacts 142e completes a holding circuit, in parallel with the sensing contacts 130a, 130C through the relay coil 142e, whereby the relay 142 is locked in energized condition.

Simultaneously, opening of the normally closed relay contacts 142e deenergizes the relay 140, thereby deenergizing the forward clutch solenoid 146 and the vacuum pump motor 148 for the musical mechanism of the piano. Closure of the relay contacts 142d completes an energizing circuit through the reverse clutch solenoid 150, thereby shifting the reversing member 98 of the transmission 64 to its reverse position. The music roll drive motor 62 is still energized, at this time, whereby the music roll supply spool 16 is driven by the motor through the transmission 64 in a direction to rewind the music roll 40 thereon. Closure of the normally open relay contacts 142b has no immediate effect owing to the open circuit currently existing between the sensing contacts 130a, 130b, and the current open condition of the relay contacts 140a. When the music roll 40 is rewound to its initial position of FIG- URE 2, however, the leading conductive surface 136 on the roll re-engages the sensing contacts 130a, 130i). When this occurs, a circuit may be traced from the lead 122, through the sensing contacts 130a, 130k, the now closed relay contacts 142b, and the relay coil 120C to ground. The relay 120 is thereby energized and its normally closed contacts 12051 open. This deenergizes the holding relay 124, thereby deenergizing the music roll drive -motor 62 and the relay 142. The piano thus assumes an Ainactive standby condition in readiness for the insertion of the next coin into the coin receiver 60.

It is apparent at this point that various types of sensing means 126 may be embodied in the transmission control system of the piano. FIGURE 14, for example, illustrates an alternative sensing means 126, including a pair of photosensitive detectors 200 and 202 which are mounted on the piano frame 20 in a position behind and closely adjacent the music roll 40. Mounted on the piano frame so as to shine on the music roll in the vicinity opposite the detectors are light sources 204. In this case, the activating means on the music roll for activating the sensing means comprise perforations 206 and 208. Perforation 206 is locate-d adjacent the leading end of the music roll in a position wherein it uncovers the detector 200 when the musi-c roll occupies its initial position shown in FIGURE 14. The perforation 208 is located adjacent the trailing end of the music roll is a position wherein it uncovers the detector 202 when the music roll occupies its limiting position. The photosensitive detectors 200 and 202 include relays (not shown) which are connected in the electrical control system of FIGURE 13 in place of the sensing contacts 13th:, 130b and 130C, and in such manner that exposure of the detector 200 to light `from the light source completes a circuit between the leads to which the sensing contacts 130a, 13011 are connected in FIGURE 13, while exposure of the detector 202 to light from the light source completes a circuit between `the leads to which the sensing conta-cts 130a and 130e are connected in FIGURE 13. It is apparent, therefore, that operation of the present player piano with the alternative photosensitive type sensing means of FIGUR-E 14 is substantially identical to the piano operation described earlier in connection with FIGURE 13. Still other types of sensing means are possible, of course.

Those versed in the art will appreciate that the present invention achieves the objects and reali-zes the advantages hereinbefore mentioned.

Although a specific embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated and described herein, it will be understood that the same is merely exemplary of presently preferred embodiments capable of attaining the objects and advantages hereinbefore mentioned, and that the invention is not limited thereto; variations will be readily apparent to those versed in the art, and the invention is entitled to the broadest interpretation within the terms of the appended claims.

The inventors claim:

1. An automatic reversing feed mechanism comprising an elongate driven member to be driven in a forward longitudinal direction from an initial position to a limiting position and in the reverse longitudinal direction from said limiting position to said initial position, means for driving said member between said positions including a unidirectional motor, and a reversible rotary transmission drivably coupling said motor to said member, said transmission including a reversing member movable between a forward position wherein said transmission is conditioned to drive said driven member in said forward direction and a reverse position wherein said transmission is conditioned to drive said driven member in said reverse direction, and electrical operating means for selectivelymoving said reversing member to said positions thereof, rst and second selectively a-ctivatably sensing means stationarily mounted proximate to said driven membenfirst activating means on said driven member for activating said 4first sensing means when said driven member occupies said initial position, second activating means on said driven member for activating said second sensing means when said driven member occupies said limiting position, and an electrical control system operatively connecting said motor, said operating means, and said sensing means including selectively operable switch means having a normal position and a second position, means responsive to momentary operation of said switch means to said second position thereof simultaneously with activation of said first sensing means for establishing a holding circuit through said motor and simultaneously operating said operating means to move 'said reversing member to said forward position thereof, thereby to drive said driven member from said initial position to said limiting position, means responsive to activation of said second sensing means while said holding circuit is completed for operating said operating means to move said reversing member to said reverse position thereof, thereby to drive said driven member from said limiting position to said initial position, and means responsive to actuation of said first sensing means while said switch means occupies said normal position for breaking said holding circuit, thereby to terminate driving of said driven member.

2. An automatic reversing mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said first sensing means and said first activating means together constitute first electric-al swit-ching means, and said second sensing means and said second activating means together constitute second electrical switching means.

3. An automatic reversing mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said sensing means comprises electrical contacts disposed adjacent said driven member, and said rst activating means comprises a first electrically conductive surface on said driven member engageable with certain of said contacts, thereby to complete an electrical circuit therebetween, when said driven member occupies said initial position, and said second activating means comprises a second electrically conductive surface on said driven member engageable with others of said contacts, thereby to complete an electrical circuit, therebetween, said driven member occupies said limiting position.

4. An automatic reversing mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said first sensing means comprises a first photosensitive detector and a source of illumination normally obscured from said detector by said driven member, and said first activating means comprises means on said driven member for transmitting light from said source to said detector when said driven member occupies said initial position, and said second sensing means comprises a second photosensitive detector and a source of illumination which is normally obscured from said second detector, and said second activating means comprises means on said driven member for transmitting illumination from the latter source to said second detector when said driven member occupies said limiting position.

5. An automatic reversing mechanism according to claim 1 where said transmission includes further a rotary input shaft driven by said motor, a pair of rotary shafts drivably coupled to said driven member in such manner that rotation f one shaft in a given direction is effective to drive said driven member in said forward direction and rotation of the other shaft in a given direction is effective to drive said driven member in said reverse direction and reversible drive means drivably coupling said input shaft to said output shafts and controlled by said reversing member in such manner that said input shaft is coupled to said one output shaft to drive the latter shaft in said given direction thereof in response to movement of said reversing member to said -forward position, and said input rhaft is drivably coupled to said other output shaft to drive the latter shaft in said given direction thereof in response to movement of said lreversing member to said reverse position.

6. An automatic reversing mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said transmission further comprises a rotary input shaft driven by said motor, a pair of rotary output shafts drivably coupled to said driven member, a reversing clutch mechanism operatively connecting said input shaft to said output shafts and controlled by said reversing member in such manner that movement of said reversing member to said forward position is effective to drivably couple said input shaft to one output shaft for rotating the latter shaft in one direction and movement of said reversing member to said reverse position is effective to drivably couple said input shaft to the other output shaft for driving the latter shaft in the opposite direction of rotation, and means drivably coupling said output shafts to said driven member in such manner that rotation of said one shaft in said o-ne direction is effective to drive said driven member in said forward direction and rotation of said other shaft in said opposite direction thereof is effective to drive said driven member in said reverse direction.

7. An automatic reversing mechanism according to claim 1 wherein .said driven member is a web of flexible material, and said transmission further includes supply and take-up spools driven by said motor through said transmission in such manner that said web is wound on said take-up spool during movement of the web in said forward direction and said web is wound on said supply spool during movement of said web in said reverse direction.

8. In a player piano, the combination comprising a supply spool and a take-up spool mounted for rotation on spaced lparallel axes, a perforated music roll secured at opposite ends to said spools, respectively, whereby said roll may be fed back and forth between said spools by selective rotation of said spools, said music roll being movable between an initial position wherein substantially the entire music roll is wound on said supply spool and a limiting position wherein substantially the entire music roll is wound on said take-up spool, a tracker bar mounted between and parallel to said spools and having an apertured edge bearing against one side of said music roll in such manner that the perforations in said music roll are successively aligned with openings in said tracker bar during movement of said music roll from one spool to the other, means for driving said spools including a unidirectional motor and a reversible rotary transmission drivably coupling said motor to said spools, said transmission including a rotary input shaft driven by said motor, a pair of rotary output shafts coupled to said spools, respectively, a reversing member movable between a forward position wherein said transmission is conditioned to drive said take-up spool in a direction to wind said music rOll on the latter spool and a reverse position wherein said transmission is conditioned to drive said supply spool in a direction to wind said music roll on the latter spool, and electrical operating means for selectively moving said reversing member to said positions thereof, first and second selectively activatable sensing means stationarily mounted proximate to said music roll, first activating means on said music roll for activating said first sensing means when said music roll occupies said initial position, second activating means on said music roll for activating said second sensing means when said music roll occupies said limiting position, and an electrical control system operatively connecting said motor, said operating means, and said sensing means including selectively operable switch means having a normal position and a second position, means responsive to momentary operation of said switch means to said second position thereof simultaneously with activation of said first sensing means for establishing a holding circuit through said motor and operating said operating means to move said reversing member to said forward position, thereby to feed said music roll from said supply spool to said take-up spool, means responsive to activation of said second sensing means while said holding circuit is completed for operating said operating means to move said reversing member to said reverse position, thereby to feed said music roll from said take-up spool to said supply i1 spool, and means responsive to activation of said first sensing means While said switch means occupies said normal position thereof 'for breaking said holding circuit, thereby to terminate driving of said spools.

9. The combination according to claim 8 wherein said sensing means comprises electrical contacts adjacent the surface of said music roll, and said first activating means comprises an electrically conductive surface on the leading end of said music roll engageable with certain of said contacts, thereby to complete an electrical circuit therebetween, when said music roll occupies said initial position, and said second activating means comprises a second electrically conductive surface on the trailing end of said music roll engageable with certain others of said contacts for completing an electrical circuit therebetween when said music roll occupies said limiting position.

10. The combination according to claim 8 wherein said irst sensing means comprises a rst photosensitive detector at one side of said music roll and a source of illumination at the other side of said music roll opposite said 2U detector, and said irst activating means comprises a perforation in said music roll through which light is transmitted from said .source to said detector when said music roll occupies said initial position, and said second sensing means comprises a second photosensitive Ydetector at one side of said music roll and the source of illumination at the other side of said music roll opposite said second detector, and said second activating means comprises a perforation in said music roll through which light is transmitted from said latter source to said second detector when said music roll occupies said limiting position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 884,441 4/1908 Weser 194--6 956,010 4/1910 Williams 84--118 1,070,698 8/1913 Kingsley et al 84-120 1,141,549 6/1915 IOOr 84-120 1,146,067 7/1915 Hansel 84-120 RICHARD B. WILKINSON, Primary Examinez'.

C. M. OVERBEY, Assistant Exminer.

Claims (1)

1. AN AUTOMATIC REVERSING FEED MECHANISM COMPRISING AN ELONGATE DRIVEN MEMBER TO BE DRIVEN IN A FORWARD LONGITUDINAL DIRECTION FROM AN INITIAL POSITION TO A LIMITING POSITION AND IN THE REVERSE LONGITUDINAL DIRECTION FROM SAID LIMITING POSITION TO SAID INITIAL POSITION, MEANS FOR DRIVING SAID MEMBER BETWEEN SAID POSITIONS INCLUDING A UNIDIRECTIONAL MOTOR, AND A REVERSIBLE ROTARY TRANSMISSION DRIVABLY COUPLING SAID MOTOR TO SAID MEMBER, SAID TRANSMISSION INCLUDING A REVERSING MEMBER MOVABLE BETWEEN A FORWARD POSITION WHEREIN SAID TRANSMISSION IS CONDITIONED TO DRIVE SAID DRIVEN MEMBER IN SAID FORWARD DIRECTION AND A REVERSE POSITION WHEREIN SAID TRANSMISSION IS CONDITIONED TO DRIVE SAID DRIVEN MEMBER IN SAID REVERSE DIRECTION, AND ELECTRIAL OPERATING MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY MOVING SAID REVERSING MEMBER TO SAID POSITIONS THEREOF, FIRST AND SECOND SELECTIVELY ACTIVATABLY SENSING MEANS STATIONARILY MOUNTED PROXIMATE TO SAID DRIVEN MEMBER, FIRST ACTIVATING MEANS ON SAID DRIVEN MEMBER FOR ACTIVATING SAID FIRST SENSING MEANS WHEN SAID DRIVEN MEMBER OCCUPIES SAID INITIAL POSITION, SECOND ACTIVATING MEANS ON SAID DRIVEN MEMBER FOR ACTIVATING SAID SECOND SENSING MEANS WHEN SAID DRIVEN MEMBER OCCUPIES SAID LIMITING POSITION, AND AN ELECTRICAL CONTROL SYSTEM OPERATIVELY CONNECTING SAID MOTOR, SAID OPERATING MEANS, AND SAID SENSING MEANS INCLUDING SELECTIVELY OPERABLE SWITCH MEANS HAVING A NORMAL POSITION AND A SECOND POSITION, MEANS RESPONSIVE TO MOMENTARY OPERATION OF SAID SWITCH MEANS TO SAID SECOND POSITION THEREOF SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH ACTIVATION OF SAID FIRST SENSING MEANS FOR ESTABLISHING A HOLDING CIRCUIT THROUGH SAID MOTOR AND SIMULTANEOUSLY OPERATING SAID OPERATING MEANS TO MOVE SAID REVERSING MEMBER TO SAID FORWARD POSITION THEREOF, THEREBY TO DRIVE SAID DRIVEN MEMBER FROM SAID INITIAL POSITION TO SAID LIMITING POSITION, MEANS RESPONSIVE TO ACTIVATION OF SAID SECOND SENSING MEANS WHILE SAID HOLDING CIRCUIT IS COMPLETED FOR OPERATING SAID OPERATING MEANS TO MOVE SAID REVERSING MEMBER TO SAID REVERSE POSITION THEREOF, THEREBY TO DRIVE SAID DRIVEN MEMBER FROM SAID LIMITING POSITION TO SAID INITIAL POSITION, AND MEANS RESPONSIVE TO ACTUATION OF SAID FIRST SENSING MEANS WHILE SAID SWITCH MEANS OCCUPIES SAID NORMAL POSITION FOR BREAKING SAID HOLDING CIRCUIT, THEREBY TO TERMINATE DRIVING OF SAID DRIVEN MEMBER.

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