US518200A - Gustav schomig - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.)

G. SGHOMLG. Y PIANO FOR CHILDREN;

No. 518,200. Patented Apr. 1K0, 1894.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GUSTAV SCHMIG, OF VIENNA, AUSTRIA-HUNGARY.

PIANO FOR CHILDREN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 518,200, dated April 10, 1894.

Application filed February l, 1894. Serial No. 498,806. (No model.)

To alwhom t may concern.-

Beit known that I, GUsTAv SGHMIG, of Vienna, Austria-Hungary, have invented an Improved Piano for Children, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved piano-like instrument for children, its object being to provide a piano which, when played by a child (i. c. when any of the keys are struck or depressed) will cause regularmusic to be played, so long as the child continues to strike the keys. To effect this, I make a miniature piano, whose construction and operation are as follows:

In the accompanying drawings:-Figure 1, is a part side elevation and part sectional view of the invention. Fig. 2, is a plan view of the same, and Figs. 3 and 4 are detail views similar to Fig. l ot' modifications.

Referring first particularly to Fig. 1:-the keys b which are pivotally arranged at a and which are constantly forced by springs c, c into normal that is upper position, operate directly or indirectly upon a rail, rod or ledge d running across the piano. This rail is provided with levers d2 carrying an arresting finger e which, when the keys are in normal position, comes within the range of and engages with arms or wings f of an ordinary musical clock work or mechanism. This clock-work is arranged inside the piano, and is preferably concealed by the lid or top of the miniature instrument. The shaft or arbor of the clock-work projects through the wall of the piano, so that same can be wound up by means of a handle or key. The said rail is secured to one or several pivotally arranged levers h pivoted at fi, and provided with prism-atie nose piece d projections or shoulders preferably covered with leather upon which the extensions 7c of the keys 0perate in such manner, that said projections d are moved toward the clock-work, when the keys are struck or depressed. The said arrester finger is mounted on a lever of the rod or rail, and owing to the yielding or moving of the projections, such lever disengages the arrester finger from the clock work and thus allows the latter to advance so long as the keys are struck.

I also provide an arrangement for prevent ing the stopping of the clock work irrimediatei y thekeys are released or playing is discontinued. This is eected by means of a tongue Z at the end of the aforementioned levers (which are made of any suitable elastic material, such as leather, wood, &c.), the end of which tongue, when the keys are released and before the arrester finger can engage with the clock work rests upon and is carried along with a cog wheel m of the clock work until it reaches such a position that the arresterfinger engages with and stops the clock-Work.

It will be evident, that the springs employed for forcing the keys back into their normal position after being struck, may be variously arranged. The rod or rail may also be pivotally arranged as at t' underneath the keys as in Fig. 3 when the arrester finger is directly connected with such rail by means of one or more levers. The keys may also be made to act upon the pivotally arranged rail d and the arrester finger carried by said levers by means of projections, d2 similar to those on the rail, in which case the arrester finger engages with the clock work from underneath as in Fig. 4. The rails, together with the levers and arresting finger are counterbalanced by weights or springs in such manner, that they always return to their original ornormal position when the keys are released.

I claim- 1. In combination in a piano, the clock Work mechanism comprising the wings f, the keys,

lthe arresting means for the wingsf and the connection thereto from the keys, substantially as described.

2. In combination in a piano, the clock work mechanism, comprising the wings f, the arresting fingers therefor, the keys and the pivoted lever between the keys and the wings carrying the arresting finger, substantially as described.

3. In combination inapiano, the clock work mechanism comprising the wings f and the gear m, the arresting finger, the pivoted lever carrying the same, the keys for operating the lever, and the yielding tongue Zto engage the gear m, to retard the action of the arresting iinger.

In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand in presence of two witnesses.

GUSTAV SCHOMIG. Witnesses:

PHILIPP Srrnss, DEAN MASON.

IOO

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