US681764A - Automatic musical instrument. - Google Patents

Description

No. 6 8I,764. Patented Sept. 3, l90l. J. A. WESER.

AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

(Application filed Apr. 26, 1598.,

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No. 68!,764. Patented Sept, 3, I90l.

J. A. was. AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

(Application fllod Apr. 28, 1998.:

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AUTOIA'TIG IUSICAL IISTRUIENT.

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No. 68l,764.

Patented Sept. 3, mm. J. A. WESER. AUTOIATIC IUSICALIIISTBUIEIIT.

(No Iodcl.)

(Application fllud Apr. 96, 1800.:

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cated by the line 8 8 in Fig. 6.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN A. VVESER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 681,764, dated September 3, 1901.

Application filed April 26, 1898. Serial No. 678,832. (No model.)

To whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN A. "WESER, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city, county,and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Musical Instruments,of which the following is a specification. This invention relates to automatic musical instrumentssuch, for example, as are adapted to be played by the passage of a perforated sheet over a series of fingers or air-valves or electrical contactsand is especially applicable to automatic pianofortes. The invention provides certain improvements in such instruments, the nature of which will be hereinafter fully set forth.

Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings is a vertical section of an upright-pianoforte casing, showing certain portions of the automatic mechanism. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the lower portion of the pianoforte shown in Fig. 1, partially broken away and showing certain parts in section. Fig. 3 is a plan of the drawer containing the music-sheet and showing diagrammatically its mechanical and electrical connections. Fig. 4 is a plan in horizontal section, on a larger scale, of the drawer for the music-sheet, showing the position of the parts during the playing ofa sheet of music. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section thereof. Fig. 6 is a plan similar to Fig. 4, but in section on a different plane and showing the position of the parts while the sheet is being rewound preparatory to replaying. Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section of Fig.

6. Fig. 8 is a fragmentary vertical section,

being an enlargement of a part of Fig. 1, with the section cut in a different plane, as indi- Fig. 9 is a vertical transverse sect ion through the drawer in a different plane, as indicated by the line 9 9 in Fig. 4. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the comb-plate and sheet-guides. Fig. 11 is a fragmentary vertical section of a portion of what is shown in Fig. 2. Figs. 12 and 13 are respectively a face and sectional view of the coin-controlled device for starting the instrument when the latter is constructed to be controlled by the deposit of a coin. Fig. 14 comprises a face and sectional view, and Fig. 15 a perspective view, of certain clutch details. Fig. 16 is a detail cross-section of part of the rewinding mechanism, Fig. 17 being a rear elevation of part thereof. Figs. 18 and 19 are fragmentary detail views of the diagonal supporting-bar. Fig. 20 is a fragmentary vertical section of the drawer on the line 20 20 of Fig. 4. Fig. 21 is a diagrammatic plan of the drawer, showing the sheet at the end of the rewinding movement; and Fig. 22 is a similar view, but showing the sheet at the end of the winding movement. Fig. 23 is a plan view of the preferred embodiment of my improved music-sheet, and Fig. 2i is a detail view.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2, let M designate an electromotor, which, however, may be substituted by any other motor or source of power for driving the mechanism. On its shaft are carried two cone-pulleys 1 and 2, which by belts 3 and 4 drive pulleys 5 and 6. Pulley 5, Fig. 11, is fixed on a shaft 7, on which is fixed the main roller or motor cylinder A of the movement. The pulley 6 turns freely on the shart 7 and is connected by a belt 8 to a pulley 9 on a shaft 10, above which drives the music-sheet, as will be presently described.

I will briefly describe the action, which is now so well understood with regard to what are called automaton or automatic pianofortes as to require no detailed explanation. The music-sheet B is wound off from a roller H onto a roller G, these rollers being mounted near opposite ends of a drawer C, which normally occupies the position shown in Fig. 1, but which can be drawn out from beneath the keyboard to gain access-to its interior fprremoving or replacing the sheet. The sheet is formed with rows of perforations, each row corresponding to one of the keys of the piano. The sheet is caused to travel over aseries of pivoted fingers D, Fig. 5, the upper ends of which press upwardly against the sheet, and whenever a hole comes over a finger it rises through the sheet to the position shown in Fig. 5. Each finger is a lever the lower arm of which connects by a rod 11 to the upper arm 12 of one of a series of rook-shafts E E, which shafts extend transversely and at their rear ends are bent into cranks 13, projecting beyond the rear of the drawer, as shown in Fig. 1, and lying when the drawer is in place respectively over the, ends of a series of osi ,764

nearly-vertical pins 14:. The lower ends of these pins 14 are connected to levers 15, pivoted on a bar 16, the opposite arm of each lever being pivoted at 17 to one of a series of shoes F, which has a felt-covered arc-shaped friction-face 18 standing normally just above the continuously revolving motor-cylinder A. The rising of the finger D through a perforation in the music-sheet causes an upward movement of the rod 14 and tilts the lever 15, so as to throw the pivotal center 17, on which the shoe F is mounted, downward sufficiently to press the friction-face of the shoe against the cylinder A, so that this face engages with the cylinder, and the shoe is consequently thrust forcibly backward, so that it strikes an upward blow through a striker-pin 19 against the corresponding key 20 (shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1) of the keyboard of the piano. The shoe holds its displaced position, thereby holding the key displaced until the end of the perforation in the music-sheet presses down the finger D, and thereby lowers the pin 14 and lifts the shoe-center 17 sufficiently to bring the shoe out of contact with the motor cylinder, whereupon the shoe swings forward again and the key 20 descends. The movements of the shoes may be due to springs separately applied to them or may be derived from the ordinary springs applied to the keys 20. All this mechanism is commonly known and is not necessarily altered by my invention and may be modified in any way known in the art, my invention being not necessarily limited to the precise construction and operation described.

The music-sheet is preferably driven in the following manner: The continuously-revolving shaft 10, which turns in fixed bearings, carries a beveled pinion 21, which meshes with a bevel-gear 22, fixed on a transverse shaft 23, having bearings in the drawer, and on which shaft is carried the winding-on roller G. The gear 22 of course moves with the drawer when the latter is pulled out, so that it loses mesh with the pinion 21, but reenters into mesh therewith when the drawer is pushed back. The music-sheet is rolled on a winding-off roller H and its advancing end is carried to the roller G and connected theretolz l any suitable-emails, as by hooking it over a pin2 tthereon. a raised portion or block I, in which the series of fingers D D work, the top of the block being covered over by a comb-plate 25, (shown separatelyin Fig. 10,) this combplate having slots 26 26, through which the finger ends work. Directly over these fingers the sheet is held down by the usual presser-bar or comb-bar J, which is notched on its under side to permit the fingers D to rise up into it through the perforations in the sheet. The sheet B is a thick, strong, stiff sheet, as shown in Figs. 5, 7, and 20, so that it will resist the upward pressure of the fingers and will pull them down after they have risen through the perforations.

fits into the angle of the lower one.

The sheet passes over So far as described there is no special novelty in the construction, and the specific constructions described may be variously modified' without departing from my invention. I will now proceed to describe those features that are peculiar to my present invention.

One improvement introduced by my invention relates to the mode of mounting of the rock-shafts E E. Heretofore it has been customary to make the bottom of the drawer a continuous wooden board with transverse grooves plowed in it, in which grooves lie the shafts E E, felt being placed in the grooves. I improve upon this construction by constructing the drawer without any bottom plate and supporting the shafts E E at their rear ends in a notched strip 27, Fig. 9, extending along beneath the back of the drawer, and at their front ends in an oblique compound bar 28, which extends diagonally beneath the drawer, as seen in Figs. 4 and 6, to accommodate the varying lengths of the shafts E E. The diagonal bar 28 is of the construction best shown in Figs. 18 and 19. It consistsof two members, of which the lower one, 29, is preferably L-shaped, and the upper one, .10, T e shafts E E rest on a felt strip 31 and their upwardly-projecting arms 12 rise between the upwardly-projecting part of the strip 29 and the strip 30. The under side of the strip 30 is obliquely notched at intervals to receive the shafts E E, as shown in Fig. 19, and a felt strip 32 is placed along its bottom and enters each notch, so that the shafts E E, held in the notches, lie between the two felt strips 31 and 32, while they are prevented from endwise movement by their upturned arms 12, rising between the strips 29 and 30. The strip 29 afiords the requisite strength for supporting the shafts, and the strip 30 is drawn to it by screws 33 at intervals. This construction is very simple, quickly applied, and very cheap.

Myinvention provides improvements whereby the sheet can be guided from a point exactly opposite the ends of the fingers instead of at some distance from this point, as has always heretofore been the case. Guiding the sides of the sheet at. the points of the fingers insures exact coincidence of the perforations with the slots 26 in the comb-plate 25 at the point where the fingers bear against the sheet, so that no matter what the oantin g of the sheet at other points it is in position for exact operation at this point and all danger of failure of the fingers to pass through their perforations is avoided. Heretofore when the sheet was guided at several inches from the points of the fingers the cant of the sheet has sometimes been sufficient to throw the perforations sufficiently out of line by the time the fingers are reached to prevent entrance of the fingers into the perforations. I accomplish this improvement by guiding the sheets from the points 36 at each end of the plate 25, which points are directly under the conter of the presser J, from which points the sheet may be guided in any suitable manner, but I prefer to employ the construction shown, by which adjustment of the guide against the sheet is obtained, and injury to the sheet is avoided by means of certain other features of improvement incident to my invention, which 1 will now describe. Heretofore the edges of the sheet have been guided by side guides adjustable toward and from the middle by right and left screw-threads on a rod extending transversely of the sheet. This involves the liability that a careless user will adjust the guides too forcibly against the edges of the sheet and buckle it, thereby doing injury. In my improved construction the guides 8t 34, Fig. 10, are formed by bending up flat portions vertically from a plate 35, which is pivoted at 36 to an adjustable lever 37 or 38. The front lever 37 is pivoted at 39 and is connected by a rod or link 40 to one end of the rear lever 38, which latter is pivoted at etl. Thus the link 40 engages to the right of the pivot of the front lever and to the left of the pivot of the rear lever, so as to reverse the motion. Hence in moving the free end of the front lever backward a backward thrust is transmitted through the rod 40, which moves the long arm of the rear lever forward, so that the pivotal centers 36 36 are caused to approach each other, and consequently the guides 34: 34 come closer together to adapt themselves to the exact width of the sheet. Thus by moving the front of the lever 37 forward or back both guides are moved equally toward or from each other, and when the desired adjustment is reached a set-screw 42 is screwed down, so as to clamp the lever 37 in place. The purpose of pivoting the guides at 36 to the levers is to enable them to rock and accommodate themselves to any waviness or irregularity in the edges of the sheet. The guides have fingers 4:3 projecting beneath the sheet to prevent its edges escaping beneath the guides, while its upward displacement is of course prevented by the usual presser-bar.

Another feature of my invention relates to the presser-bar J. Heretofore this has been pivoted close to the rear edge of the sheet, held in any position frictionally, and held loosely down over the sheet by a catch 45. Failure to lower and fasten the bar beforcclosing the drawer would render the instrument inoperative, or if it was lowered slightly below the catch it would be held in this unusually low position by the friction at its hinge until the upward pressure of the fingers in playing would become sufficiently great to raise it up to the catch, as when a heavy chord is struck. As the position of the bar affects the operation of the fingers this unduly-depressed position and the upward jumping of the bar during playing would impair the eifect of the instrument. It also sometimes occurred that the operator failed to securely fasten the catch,so that when the drawer was pushed in the presserbar would sometimes become disengaged and be thrown up by the pressure of the lower action, so that it failed to hold the sheet down properly against the block I. To prevent the possibility of this, I provide the presserbar with a guard 47, consisting of a wire or other frame extending upward at an angle and bearing against the keyboard-base 4:8, beneath which the drawer slides, so that it holds the presser-bar down in positive man ner. If the bar should fly up before the drawer is pushed back, the inclined upper surface of the guard 47 will force it down again into correct position. In addition to the guard i7 for automatically lowering the bar my invention provides means for insuring that the bar while depressed shall be held in a predetermined position above the fingers. I preferably accomplish this by employing a spring 46, exerting a'constant tension to hold the bar in an upward position, and I provide any suitable stop as, for example, the catch against which the bar is pressed by the spring. Thus it is assured that the elevation of the bar above the sheet will always be the same while the bar is depressed, and consequently any variation due to imperfect positioning of the bar is avoided. My invention also provides abundant room between the rear of the bar and the sheet for inserting the sheet when the bar is elevated, accomplishing this by pivoting the bar at a point re motely to the rear of the rear edge of the sheet, preferably on the pivotal point Mat the rear of the drawer, beyond which the end of the bar is shown as turned up and engaged by the spring 5L6, which latter reacts against the drawer.

I'Ieretofore it has been, necessary in auto matic pianos to vary the tempo and expression together, one belt and reversely-coned pulleys being relied on for this purpose. In such construction it is found that variations cannot be quickly made, because of the neoessarily slow change of speed incident to the attempt to suddenly increase or diminish the movements of the roll and sheet simultaneously and with one belt, and it has been in1- possible to obtain other effects than those due to a simultaneous increase or decrease of the speeds of both the roller and sheet. My invention provides means for separately and quickly varying at the will of the operator the tempo or speed at which the piece of music is played and the expression by which to secure piano or forte effects. This is preferably done as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, referring to which let 48 and 54: designate two controlling levers or steps, of which only the latter is shown in Fig. 2, 48 being the expression-stop and 5 1i. the tempo-stop. The lever 48 is connected, through a link a9, bell-crank 50, and link 51, with a lever 52, Fig. 2, carrying a belt-shifting fork for controlling the belt 3. The pulleys 1 and 5 are reversely ooned, so that as the belt 3 is shifted in either direction it will vary the speed imparted to the motorcylinder A,it being well understood that when this cylinder travels more rapidly it imparts a more rapid motion to the shoes F, and consequently strikes a quicker and heavier blow through the strikers 19 upon the keys 20, and vice versa. The stop-lever 54 is connected, through a link 55, bell-crank 56, and link 57, Fig. 1, with a belt-shifting lever 58, carrying a fork 59, engaging the belt 4 for shiftingit along the pulleys 2 and 6, which are also inversely coned, so as to vary the speed imparted to the feeding mechanism for the music-sheet, and hence to vary the rapidity with which the music shall be played. The beltshifting levers 52 and 58 are drawn down by springs 60 and 61, so as normally to draw the belts into that position giving the minimum speed or into any other desired position giv ing a normal efiect of tempo and expression. By this improvement the sheet-feed and the roll A are divorced, so that tempo and power effects can be produced either simultaneously or independently, and the changes can be effected quickly, since independent belts are employed for the different functions, and the load carried by each is less than that before carried by the one belt employed for both.

It is one object of my invention to enable the sheet to be automatically rewound and restored into position after playing a piece of music, so that the instrument is automatically placed in position for replaying and can at once start or be started to again play the same piece. To accomplish this, I prefer to provide the music-sheet with a stop or other means 62, Fig. 22, breaking the regularity ofthe sheet near its end, which at the end of the piece of music is engaged by a projection 63 on a stop-lever 64, which projection enters the hole and is carried along thereby with the sheet against the tension of the spring 65 until the lever is carried to the position shown in Fig. 6, where it becomes caught on a stop 66 and its return thereby prevented. This lever 64 I utilize to stop the mechanism through any suitable means. Preferably I utilize this lever to stop not only the forward movement of the music, but to start a backward or rewinding movement. To this end the lever 64 is made as an elbowlever, its arm 64 engaging with a lever 67, which is pivoted at 68. As shown, the lever 67 lies at the rear of the back board of the drawer, working partly in a groove therein, while its end 67 projects forwardly through this board and has a pin 69 projecting down through a slot or fork in the arm 64. The opposite arm 70 of this lever comes against the end of the winding-on roller G. This roller is loose on its spindle 23 and is pressed rearwardly by a spring 71, so that a notch 72 in its rear hub is kept normally in engagement with a pin 73, projecting from the shaft 23, such being the condition while the sheet is being propelled forward, as shown in Fig. 4. When the stop-lever 64 is displaced to the position shown in Fig. 6, the lever 67 is thrown out, as shown in that figure, and its end 70 presses the roller G forward sufficiently to disengageits notch 72 from the pin 73, as shown in Fig. 6, so that while the shaft 23 continues to revolve forward the roller G stops, and consequently ceases to propel the music-sheet. Thus the action of the stop-le ver 64 insures the stopping of the sheet at the end of the tune. For rewinding the sheet the following-described mechanism is preferably provided:

From the bevel-gear 22, which is peripherally grooved to form a belt-pulley, a belt 74 is extended to a grooved pulley 75, fixed on a short tubular spindle 76, Fig. 16, which spindle has bearings in a forked frame 77,- which is pivoted on a hinge or other pivot at- 7 8, Fig. 3, the pivotal axis being to the rear of the center of the belt, so that the belt tension serves to keep the spindle 76 pressed forwardly. This spindle engages through a suitable clutch with a shaft 79, which passes through the back board of the drawer and carries on the front side of this board the winding-off roller H. The clutch connection between the spindle 76 and shaft 79 is shown as consisting of diametrical pins or projec tions 82 on the shaft entering into notches 83 in the spindle, the construction being best shown in detail in Fig. 16. The tension of the belt 74 presses the spindle 76 constantly forward and seeks to engage the clutch, but normally this engagement is prevented by means of a small link 84, Fig. 4. The connecting mechanism, including belt 74, pulley 75, spindle 76, and shaft 79, serves when the said clutch is engaged for imparting backward rotation to the winding-01f roller H for winding the music-sheet back onto this roller. These parts, however, are controlled as will be now explained. Fig. 4 shows the normal positions of the parts during the playing of a piece. When the stop lever 64 is pulled over to the position shown in Fig. 6, it acts through the lever 67 to press forward the roller G and disconnect its clutch 73 72, as already explained. As soon as the pin 73 escapes from the clutch 72 it rides up an incline 72 at the side of this notch, this conformation being best shown in Figs. 14 and 15.

Thereby the pin acts to push the roller G farther forward than it has been moved by the lever-arm 70, and as soon as it is thus fully displaced a retaining-lever 85, Fig. 5, moves in behind it under the tension of a spring 86, and thus prevents the roller G being pressed back by its own spring 71. The lever 85 is shown thus engaged in Fig. 7. The lever 67 is formed with a slot 87 or otherwise provided for engagement with the crank-arm 88,formed on the lower end of an upright shaft 89, the upper end of which is turned horizontally to form an arm 90, which projects through a slot in the back board, and its end is pivotally connected to a rod 91, which extends to the right, passes through the upper end of the retaining-lever 85, being provided with a collar 92 on one side of this lever and with a head or shoulder 93 at its end on the other side of the lever, so that between the latter collar and the lever the spring 86 is confined. The initial movement of the stop lever 61, carrying with it the lever 67, acts through the shaft 89 and rod 91 to compress the spring 86, and thereby presses the retaining-lever 85 toward the end of the roller G, so that it is prepared to enter behind this roller when the latter is displaced in the manner just described. Another lever arm 94 connects through another rod 81 with one arm 81 with a lever 80, which extends along the front side of the rear wall of the drawer to near the roller G. The lever 94 is fulcrumed to the side wall of the drawer and bears against the front end of the roller G, being swung with the outward movement of this roller. The outward movement given to this roller by the lever 07 serves to disengage the clutch 72 73, but does not swing the lever 94 sufficiently to cause the link 84 to swing the frame 77 sufficiently to engage the clutch 82 83; but upon the disengagement of the clutch 72 73 the continued revolution of the shaft 23 causes the roller G to move farther forward as the pin 73 rides up the cam-face 72'. This forward movement swings the lever 91, and through it the lever 80 and link Sat, sufficiently to throw the frame 77 forward until the clutch 82 83 engages, whereupon the rotation of the roller H for rewinding the sheet commences. As soon as the roller G has been pushed outwardly for the stop-lever 85 to engage it the roller is held in its outward position, and therebyholds the levers 94 and S0 in position for allowing engagement between the rewinding-roller H and its clutch throughout the rewinding operation. It is necessary to stop this rewinding operation before the front end of the sheet a :shall have been pulled off from the roller G, as otherwise the sheet might be torn, and in any event it is desirable to leave the sheet still engaged to the roller G, so that the same musical selection can be played over again without reengaging the sheet. For thus stopping the sheet on this rewinding movement a secondary stop-lever 95 is provided, the beveled upper end or projection 96 of which is adapted to be caught in a stop or other means '97, breaking the regularity of the sheet which is formed near the front end of the music-sheet in the position shown in Fig. 21, so that the backward movement of the sheet displaces this lever from the position shown cam shape, as shown, or in anysuit-able way so as to engage beneath the end of the stoplevertla and lift it off the catch projection 66, so as to permitit to be pulled back by its spring 65 to its normal position, as shown in Fig. 4. The stop-lever 95 is retracted by a spring 103, Fig. 5. In thus moving back the stop-lever 64: restores the lever 07 to its initial position, and the latter acting through the upright shaft 89 moves the rod 91 to the right, and thereby throws the lever 85 out from behind the roller G, permitting the latter to roll rearwardly under the tension of its spring 71, which movement permits the levers 94 and S0 to swing rearwardly, in doing which the link 84 throws the frame 77 backward until the clutch 82 S3 is disengaged, thus stopping the rewinding operation. The spring 71 presses the roller G backward until its clutch 72 73 engages, whereupon the continued revolution of the shaft 23 is transmitted to the roller G and the latter starts to again draw the sheet forward and again becomes the wind ing-on roller. This would repeat the playing of the piece of music; but if this is not desired means are provided, which are hereinafter described, for preventing this result and for resetting the sheet so that it is placed in position for subsequently feeding forward when it is desired to again start the instrument.

It is obvious that before the music-sheet can be caused to move backward all the fingers D D must be pressed down, so that their tips shall be beneath the bottom surface of the sheet or be otherwise guarded in order that the fingers shall not catch in the perforations of the sheet and tear it. To prevent this, I provide means for depressing all of the fingers coincidently with the stopping of the sheet in connection with the stop-lever 64. Adepressing-plate 104; is mounted to work in the block I just over the series of fingers D D in the manner best shown in Fig. 6, in which figure the comb-plate 25 is removed. The depressing-plate 101 is given a parallel movement to right or left, being guided at its ends between upright walls 105 106 at the front and rear of the block I and being actuated by a parallel-motion device consisting of a longitudinal bar 107, connected by parallel links 108 109 at front and rear with the depressing-plate 101 on the one hand and with fixed pivotal points attached to the block I on the other hand. The bar 107 projects out through the rear board and is connected with the lever 67 in any suitable way-as, for example, by means of a pin 110, projecting downward from this lever and entering a hole or slot in the bar. During the normal operation or while playing a piece of music the bar 107 is pushed forward, so that the parallel links are buckled, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4, and the depressing-plate 10a is consequently retracted, so that the fingers D can rise through the perforations in the paper; but when the stop-lever it is moved the backward thrust imparted to the lever 67 carries the bar 107 with it and straightens the parallel links, so as to move the plate 105k to the right, so that it engages and presses down the entire series of fingers D D to the positions shown in Fig. 7, where their tips are held below the bottom surface of the sheet.

In order to properly guide the music-sheet onto the comb-plate during the rewinding operation, I provide aguide-roller 111, arranged close to the block I, preferably capable of moving up and down and having upward tension applied to it, so that it serves to lift the moving sheet over the edge of the block and even over the tips of the fingers D D if these are not pressed fully down. In the construction shown the roller is mounted in a plate or board 112, which is pivoted at 113 to the front and rear boards of the drawer and is pressed up by a spring 114. It is notched at 115 to admit the end of the stop-lever 95.

I will now describe certain means for con trolling the operation of the instrument which are especially adapted for what are known as coin-controlled instruments or those which upon the insertion of a prescribed coin will play one or more tunes and then stop until another coin is inserted. The instrument being driven by an electromotor is most con veniently controlled electrically. To this end I have adopted the arrangement of electric circuits shown in diagram in Fig. 3, where M designates the electromotor, and 115 116 are two branches of an electric circuit the undivided portion of which includes the electro motor and also a battery or other source of electric energy 117, (connection with a dynamo-circuit being usually made in lieu of the battery,) and in the undivided portion of the cone is a circuit-breaker or hand-operated switch 118. The circuit branch 115 is used for starting the instrument upon the deposit of a coin. In this end one of the wires of this branch terminates in electric connection with a spindle 119 and the other with the hub of a disk 120, a similar disk 121 being mounted on the spindle 119, the arrangement being best shown in Figs. 12 and 13. The spindle 119 is connected through suitable gearing, in the manner shown in Fig. 3 and also in Fig. 6, with the feed-shaft 10, so that it is driven whenever this feed-shaft revolves, although at a slower speed. In the top of the two disks 120 121 are formed coinciding notches, which together constitute a coin-slot 122. (Shown in plan in Fig. 3.) Upon the dropping of a prescribed coin through a conduit, so that it enters into this slot, it rests there, forming a metallic bridge between the disks 120 and 121, and thereby closes the circuit branch 115. Assuming the switch 118 to have been first closed, this starts the motor and starts the instrument playing. The rotation of the spindle 119 soon carries the disks around until the coin reaches a position on the lower side, whence it drops out through a notch 123 in an annular casing 124, whichencircles the disks. The coin falls into a box 125. If too small a coin were inserted, it would not be caught in the slot 122, but would fall directly through between the disks and descending through a passage 126 would be discharged into the same coin-box 125, but would not J start the instrument. As the coin serves to hold the circuit closed only during a partial revolution of the spindle 119, it is necessary to provide other means for retaining the circuit closed after the instrument has started and until it shall have completed the playing of one tune or for other predetermined time. This I accomplish by closing the branch circuit 116 immediately after the starting of the m usic-sheet.

A music-sheet adapted for playing three successive tunes is shown in Fig. 23, and has, in addition to the stopping- holes 62 and 97, already explained, additional stopping-holes 127 immediately preceding each tune. These holes coact with a circuit-closer, which I will now explain.

A stop-lever 130, as shown in Fig. 20, is arranged to press on the music-sheet, being formed with a rounded or beveled foot 131. The lever projects from a rock-shaft 132, which may be incased in a felt-lined groove in the back board of the drawer and which has on the rear side thereof two projecting spring arms or fingers 133 and 134:, which as the shaft rocks rub against two contact studs or pins 135 and 136. The stud 135 has its front half made of insulating material. Both studs when the drawer is pushed fully back make contact with springs 137 138, respectivel y, which springs form the terminals of the branch circuit 116, as shown in Fig. 3.- A spring 139 presses down the lever 130; but the music-sheet ordinarily holds the lever up, so that the spring-arm 133 makes contact with the metallic part of the post 135, and hence maintains complete circuit connection from spring 138 through post 136, springarm 134, rock-shaft 132, spring-arm 133, post 135, to contact-spring 137; but when one of the stop-holes 127 in the music-sheet, Fig. 23, comes under the rounded foot 131 of the stoplever this foot drops into the hole,and thereby moves the switch-arm 133 onto the insulated part of the post 135 and breaks the circuit, and consequently stops the instrument. The instrument will not again start until another coin is deposited, which again closes the circuit through the branch 115 and holds it closed long enough for the movement of the music-sheet to carry the hole 127 beyond the foot 131, so that the margin of the hole by engaging the inclined surface of the foot lifts the latter, and thereby displaces the lever 130 and carries the arm 133 onto the metallic part of the post 135, which closes the circuit through the branch 116, this branch being maintained closed throughout the playing of one tune until the next hole 127 comes underneath the foot 131 and the latter drops into it and again stops the instrument. When the last tune upon the music-sheet has been played, the instrument continues to run until by the action of the stop-hole 62 the stop and reversing mechanism has been thrown into action and until the entire rewinding movement has been performed, so as to wind back the music-sheet onto the roller II. The stoppage of the instrument by the dropping of the foot 131 into the stop-holes 127 during this return movement is prevented by the provision of a block 120, Fig. 20, which is mounted on the parallel bar 107 in such position that when this bar is displaced, as in Fig. 6, during thei ewinding operation this block comes under the foot 131 and prevents the latter droppinginto the holes 127 in the music-sheet. \Vhen, however, the sheet has been fully rewoundand the stop-hole 97 has acted on the stop-lever to stop the rewinding, the motion shifts, as already explained, and the block 129 is thereby moved out of line with the stop-holes 127. Thereupon the instrument starts to wind the sheet forward for playinga tune; but before any of the noteperforations begin to act the first stop-hole 127 comes under the foot 131,which thereupon drops into the hole and breaks the circuit and stops the operation until another coin is deposited. This resets the sheet by restoring the feeding mechanism to position for again feeding the sheet forwardly when the instrument is started.

One feature of improvement consists in placing the stop-holes 127 in positions on the sheet where they will not be accessible to the ordinary key-fingers D, so that no notes will be struck by reason of the passage of the stop-holes over the fingers. -This is preferably accomplished by making the holes at a point between two adjacent fingers and making them so narrow that they will not be accessible to either finger. Accordingly the foot 131 is made particularly narrow and is located at a point intermediate of that occupied by two adjacent fingers. It is desirable that a snap-switch or quick movement for making and breaking the circuit at the post 135 should be. employed. Any suitable or convenient device will suffice for this purpose. I prefer to obtain a quick cut-out by bringing the foot 131 nearly to a point, so that its fall into the holes 127 will be sudden. It is shown as nevertheless being slightly rounded on its right edge to avoid catching on the sheet during rewinding in case it should fail to be held sufficiently above the latter to avoid this. Another feature of improvement comprises a special means for holding the foot 131 in the inactive position during rewinding. This is shown as consisting of an arm 130 on the lever 80, which arm is tilted upwardly when the lever is thrown toward the position for permitting rewinding, the end of the arm taking under the arm 130 and sustaining the latter and with it the foot 131 as long as rewinding progresses. The depression of the fingers D to permit rewinding has the effect of tilting the levers E until the shoes 18 are all lifted out of: engagement with the cylinder A, thus preventing operation of the shoes by the cylinder during the rewinding, and consequently avoiding the striking of any notes without necessitating stoppage of the motor during rewinding of the m usic-sheet.

In operation the instrument may be used as an ordinary automatic piano, or it may be permitted to operate continuously, according to its automatic features, or it may be operated solely as a coin-controlled instrument, as desired. \Vhen used as ordinarily, the user will, if the instrument contains a sheet having a plurality of pieces, open the drawer 'and rewind the sheet if a piece is to be repeated immediately after it has been played. If used automatically when the sheet contains but one piece, the instrument will continually repeat this piece until the handswitch 118 is closed. If the sheet contains a number of pieces, the instrument will first play all and then repeat all of these, and continue to do so until stopped by the handswitch. For coin-controlled operation one piece at a time will be played it the sheet contains more than one tune, operation stopping between tunes until again started by the insertion of a coin and the rewinding operation taking place only after the last tune has been played and then restoring the sheet to position for playing the first tune. \Vhen coin control is not desired, the coin branch of the circuit will be dispensed with, and the automatic stop maybe thrown out of action in any manner-as, for example, as shown in Figs. 20 and 24, in which a retractor is moved by its handle 151 under the lever 130 to prevent its descent.

It will be seen that my invention provides improvements which can be readily and advantageously availed of, and it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular arrangement or combination nor to the particular details of construction set forth as embodying the preferred form of the invention, but that it can be employed in whole or in part, according to such modifications in any of these respects as circumstances or the judgment of those skilled in the art may dictate, without departing from the spiritjof the invention. It will also be understood that the instrument to which the invention is shown as applied is taken as an example of one of many classes of instruments to which my improvements are applicable and that I do not limit myself to this particular character of instrument, since my improvements can be employed with equal advantage in connection with electrically or pneumatically operated instruments, and the terms employed in the claims are intended to include equivalent parts existingin such instruments.

The means for moving the presser J to or holding it at its operative position is preferably adjusted in some suitable manner-as, for example, by the adjusting-screw 1-10 on the forward end of the guard 47. Screwing this screw up or down lowers or raises the guard, and consequently raises or lowers the bar relatively to the fingers D.

I do not herein claim those improvements in coin-controlled devices herein shown which are claimed in my application Serial No. 695,870, filed November 8, 1898, which is a division of this application.

I claim as my invention the following-defined novel features, substantially as hereinbefore specified, namely:

1. In combination with movable fingers D and oscillatory shafts E E having upturned arms 12, a support for these shafts consisting of an oblique compound bar 28 comprising a strip 29 approximately L-shapcd in cross-section, and a strip 30 fitting into the angle thereof, one of said strips having means for confining said shafts, and said strips being spaced apart sufficiently to permit the passage of the upturned arms 12 between them.

2. In a musical instrument actuated by a perforated sheet, adjustable edge guides for said sheet, opposite levers on which said guides are mounted, a mechanical connection between said levers adapted to cause them to move simultaneously toward and from each other, and means for fastening either lever in position after adjustment.

3. The combination with sheet-edge guides 34, 34:, of levers 37 and 38 on which they are mounted, a link 40 connecting said levers on opposite sides of their fulcrums, and a setscrew for clamping either lever in place.

4. The combination of sheet edge guides 34, 34:, having pivotal connections with their supports on which the guides can vibrate to accommodate themselves to variations in the edges of the music-sheet.

5. In an automatic musical instrument controlled by a music-sheet, the combination with the presser-bar for holding down such sheet and the drawer containing the sheet, of a guard applied to the presser-bar for forcing it downward as the drawer is pushed into place.

6. In an automatic musicalinstrument, the combination with an action comprising a continuously-revolving motor-cylinder, and a se-' ries of friction-shoes movable into engagement therewith under the control of a musicsheet, of a motor for driving said cylinder and sheet independently, speed-varying means interposed between said motor and cylinder for varying the speed. of the cylinder relative to that of the sheet, and an expression stop, with mechanical connections from said stop to said speed-varying means for controlling the piano or forte efiects at will, independently of tempo efiects.

'7. In an automatic musical instrument adapted to be operated byacylinder, and controlled by a music-sheet,the combination with a feed mechanism for propelling such sheet, and a motor for driving such feed mechanism and cylinder independently, of a speedvarying device interposed between said motor and mechanism for varying the speed of the latter relative to that of the cylinder, a tempostop, and mechanical connections from said stop to said speed-varying device, whereby the operator may by manipulating said stop control the rate of travel of the sheet, independently of that of the cylinder.

8. In a mechanical musical instrument adapted to be operated by a music-sheet, the combination with such sheet having a stop, feed mechanism for propelling said sheet, and a mechanism for reversing the feed to rewind the sheet, and automatically restoring it to position for again playing, of a separable driving connection between the sheet and said feed mechanism, and mechanical means engaging such stop and moving with the sheet during the end of its winding movement and disengaging said separable connection d uring such movement, and means operated by the feed mechanism after such disengagement and then engaging said reversing mechanism with the sheet to rewind it.

9. In a mechanical musical instrument adapted to be operated by a music-sheet, the combination with such sheet having a stop, feed mechanism for propelling said sheet, a stop device engaged by said stop and moving with the final movement of the sheet for stopping said sheet at the end of the travel of the sheet, and a rewinding mechanism for reversing the feed to rewind the sheet, of a separable connection between said rewinding mechanism and said feed mechanism, and means operated by the feed mechanism after stoppage of the sheet and then engaging said separable connection;

10. In a mechanical musical instrument adapted to be operated bya music-sheet, the combination with such sheet having a stop, feed mechanism for propelling said sheet, a stop device mechanically engaged by said stop and then moving with the sheet for stopping said sheet at the end of the travel of the sheet, of a separable connection between said sheet and the feed mechanism and operated by said stop device to stop the sheet, a rewinding mechanism for automatically rewinding said sheet, and a cam operated by the feed mechanism and setting said rewinding mechanism in operation after stoppage of the sheet.

11. In an automatic musical instrument operated by a music-sheet,the combination with such sheet having a stop, of a winding-on roller, a feed mechanism for actuating it, a clutch connecting said feed mechanism to said roller, and a stop device mechanically engaged by said stop and then moving with the music-sheet at the end of a musical selection and adapted to disengage said clutch to stop the winding of the sheet, and means operated by the feed mechanism after disengagement of said clutch and moving said roller away from said mechanism and an automatic lock holding said rolls, where thus moved.

121 In an automatic musical instrument operated by a music-sheet,the combination with its such sheet having a stop, of winding-on and winding off rollers, a feed mechanism for driving the former, a reversing-gear interposed between said feed mechanism and winding-oil? roller for driving the latter backward for rewinding, clutches connecting said rollers to their driving means, and a mechanical stop device engaged by and then moving with the sheet, adapted when operated to disengage one clutch and means operated by the feed mechanism after said disengagement for engaging the other clutch to reverse the travel of the sheet.

13. In an automatic musical instrument operated by a perforated music-sheet, and a series of fingers pressing against the sheet, the combination with such sheet having a plurality of stops, of winding-on and winding-off rollers, a feed mechanism for driving the former, a reversinggear interposed between said feed mechanism and winding-cit roller for driving the latter backward for rewinding, clutches connecting said rollers to their driving means,means for holding said fingers away from the sheet,means for operating said clutches, and a stop device mechanically governing said means, said stop device mechanically moved by said sheet, and when moving in one direction governing the means for engaging one clutch with its driving means and operating the means for disengaging the one which drives the sheet in a forward direction, and operating said means for holdingi =said fingers away from the sheet; and when,

moving in the opposite direction releasing V such clutch-operating means, thereby reversing the engagement of said clutches for driving the sheet in a reverse direction, said stop device operated first by one of said stops and then released by another thereof.

1A1. In an automatic musical instrument operated by a music-sheet,the combination with such sheet having stops, of feed mechanism for propelling said sheet, and a rewinding mechanism for winding the sheet backward, of two stop devices engaged and mechanically moved by the sheet, the one engaged by the sheet at the end of a musical selection for stopping the feed of the sheet, and the other engaged by the sheet at the end of the rewinding operation to stop such rewinding, and means automatically starting the forward feed of the sheet when the rewinding is stopped.

15. In an automatic musical instrument operated by a music-sheet, the combination of =a series of fingers actuated by perforations in the sheet, a feed mechanism for driving the sheet, a rewinding mechanism for driving the sheet backward, means preventing action of the fingers on the sheet during its backward movement, and two stop devices arranged on opposite sides of said series of fingers, the one operating said last-mentioned means and engaged by the sheet at the end of its forward travel to stop the feed mechanism, and the other engaged by the sheet at ated by the sheet for simultaneously pressing down all of said fingers to throw them out of engagement with the sheet and enable the music-sheet to be reversed without injury.

17. In a mechanical musical instrument comprising a series of fingers D D adapted to be acted on by a music-sheet, the combination with such fingers, such sheet having perforations receiving said fingers,andmeans for rewinding such sheet, of means for automatically pressing down all of said fingers to throw them out of action, consisting of a depressing-plate above the fingers and between them and the sheet, and a parallel-motion device imparting to said plate a parallel movement into or out of engagement with the series of fingers.

18. In an automatic musical instrument operated by a music-sheet, the combination with the series of fingers D D and presserbar J overlying them, of means for facilitating the rewinding of the sheet consisting of an elastically-mounted bar arranged on the advancing side of said fingers and adapted as the sheet is drawn over it toward the fingers in rewinding to lift the sheet clear of said fingers.

19. In an automatic musicalinstrument operated by a music-sheet, the combination with the series of fingers D D and presse rbar J overlying them, of means for facilitating the rewinding of the sheet consisting of a guide-roller 111 mounted on the advancing side of said fingers, movable up and down, and a spring pressing said roller upwardly.

20. In a mechanical musical instrument adapted to be operated by a music-sheet, the combination with such sheet having a stop, and means for winding and rewinding the sheet, of a circuit closer or breaker comprising a lever pressing against the music-sheet and adapted to engage with a prescribed stop in such sheet, with a switcharm in connection with said lever movable thereby between circuit closing and circuit breaking positions, and means operated by the forward movement of the sheet and preventing operation of said lever during backward movement of the sheet.

21. In a mechanical musical instrument adapted to be operated by a music-sheet, a circuit closer or breaker comprising a lever pressing against the music-sheet and adapted to engage with a prescribed stop in such sheet, with a switch-arm in connection with said lever movable thereby between circuitclosing and circuitbreaking positions, combined with a rewinding mechanism for imparting backward motion to the music-sheet, and means in connection with such rewinding mechanism for preventing the engage- 1 pelling said sheet forward, a rewinding mech-j ment of said lever with saidstop during the backward travel 6f 'the'sheet. i 1- if? v 22. In a mechanical musical instrument adapted to be operated by a niusic sheet, a circuit closer or breaker comprising a lever pressin g against the music-sheet and adapted to engage with a prescribed stop in such sheet, with a switch-arm in connection with said 1ever movable thereby between circuit-closing and circuit breaking positions, combined with a rewinding mechanism for imparting backward motion to the musicsheet, and means in connection with such rewindingv mechanism forpreventing the engagement or. said lever with said stop during the back-f ward'travel of the'sheet, consisting of a block normally out of line with'said stop, but mov-i able during such rewinding into line there with beneath said lever so as to support the:

latter during the passage under it of such stop in the sheet.

23. In a mechanical musical instrument operated by a music-sheet,the combination with a sheet having winding and rewinding stops and an intermediate stop, of a feed me'chan ism for propelling said sheet forward, a re-? winding'mech'anism for propelling the sheet backward, 'and 'fin'gers' pressing" against the sheetwhen it is propelled forward,jmeans au'- tomatically holding said fingers away from: the sheet when it is propelled forward, meansf controlled'by the sheet for'governing said;

feeding and rewinding mechanisms,'and'a stop device for stopping the instrument controlled by said intermediatestop in said. sheet, and means automatically preventing: operation of the last-mentioned device dur-? ing rewinding of the sheet 24;. In a mechanical musical instrument op-j er'ated by a perforated 'musicsheet, the com-f binationjwith such sheet, fingers pressing ag'a'instsuoh sheet, a feed mechanism for proanism for propelling the sheet backward, means engaged and moved by the sheet for;

controlling said mechanisms, an' aut'omatic stop device for stopping the instrument con-I trolled by stops in said sheet, means oper-' latedby the movement of the sheet for pre-' consisting of an oblique compound bar consisting of two strips on opposite sides of the shafts, one of the strips having means for. confining the shafts,-and one of the strips engaging the laterally-turnedend of each esigre i.

displacement thereof.

shaft and thereby preventing longitudinal 26." For musical instruments-having a traveling sheet,the improved guide consisting of a pivotally-mounted member having guiding portions at each side of its fulcrum for engaging the edgeof asheet, whereby the guide can oscillate to correspond with the edge of the sheet. V

27. In an automatic musical instrument, the combination with a music-sheet movable into and out of playing position, and a presser movable toward the sheet, forholding it into position, and movable with the sheet into and out'of 'positionfor playing, of means auto- :maticallyforcing said presser to the operative position when it with the sheet is moved into position for playing. 4, i 28. In automatic musical instruments comprisinga traveling music-sheet, and a presser,

and a movable drawer carrying said parts, the combination with said parts of adjustable means for automatically moving the presser into position against the sheet as the drawer is moved into position for playing.

29. In automatic musical instruments, the combination with an action comprising a revolving cylinder for operating it and a traveling music-sheet, and a motor having a substantially uniform speed and driving both said parts I independently, 1 the combination with said parts of independenttdriving mechanisms for'the cylinder andts e'et respectively, and means for graduating the speed of either one relatively to that of. the other.

30; In automatic musical instruments, the

combination with an action comprising a revolving cylinder for operating it and a traveling music-sheet, and a motor for driving both said parts having a predetermined speed independent of that of said parts, the combination with said parts of independent driving mechanisms for the cylinder and sheet respectively, and means for varying the speed of the cylinderrelatively.to]thatof the sheet.

31 In an autom'atiofinusicalinstrumenr 0p erated by a perforated in'usic -sheet traveling over a series of fingers, the combination with said fingers, a strong perforated music-sheet depressing the latter, means pressing said fingers against said sheet, a feed mechanism for 3 the sheet, and a rewinding mechanism there: for, of means holding said fingers away from the sheet during rewinding, a starting device for said feed mechanism adapted to move with the sheet, means carried by the sheet automatically engaging and moving said starting device backward'with the sheet during the rewinding of the sheet for again starting the forward travel of the sheet, and automatically operating the means holding said fingers to permit the fingers to press against the sheet.

. 32. Inan automatic musical instrument operated by a'music-sheet traveling past a series of fingers, the combination with a stifi perfothe fingers 'against'th'e "sheefiof a feed mech lrated sheet, saidgfingers, and 'mea'ns pressing anism for the sheet, a reversing mechanism for the latter, means for operating the reversing mechanism, a device for governing the operation of the last-named means, adapted to move with the sheet, and means carried by the sheet automatically engaging and moving said device forward with the sheet at a predetermined point in the travel of the sheet, shoes connected to said fingers, a motor-cylinder for operating said shoes, and automatically-acting means preventing engagement between the fingers and sheet prior to reverse travel of the sheet.

33. In a musical instrument, comprising a thick perforated music-sheet, a winding-on roll, a winding-01f roll, a series of fingers pressing against the sheet and movable into its perforations, a motor-cyli nder, and shoes connected to said fingers in proximity for frictional engagement with said cylinder when the fingers enter the perforationsin the sheet, the combination with such sheet having two series of perforations located at different parts of its length and adapted to diiferent musical selections, and having between said series a neutral unperforated portion, and having in such neutral portion a stop, of a stop device controlled by said stop for stopping travel of the sheet between said series of perforations, rewinding mechanism for automatically rewinding the sheet and means for resetting the sheet at the end of its backward travel, and means automatically preventing engagement of said fingers with the perforations in said sheet during rewinding.

34. In an automatic musical instrument, comprising a perforated traveling sheet, a series of fingers controlled by and entering the perforations of the sheet, shoes connected to said fingers, a motor-cylinder opposite said shoes, rollers for winding on and winding off said sheet, and driving mechanism for operating said rollers, the combination with such parts of clutches for alternately connecting one or the other of said rollers to the driving mechanism, means automatically operated by the forward travel of the sheet, and disengaging one of said clutches, means operated by the driving mechanism and engaging the other clutch after disengagement of the first, means operated by the forward movement of the sheet and pressing said fingers out of engagement with the sheet near the end of its forward movement, and means operated by the rearward movement of the sheet releasing the fingers and the engaged clutch at the end of such rearward movement, and means then automatically reengaging the other clutch for starting the forward travel of the sheet.

35. In automatic musical instruments the combination with a series of fingers, shoes carried by said fingers, and a motor-cylinder opposite said shoes, of a strong traveling sheet pressing against said fingers for resisting movement thereof, having parallel rows of perforations for receiving the ends of said fingers at predetermined points in the travel of the sheet, and having a cut-out located at a point out of line with said perforations and between the lines of two adjacent rows of such perforations, whereby said cut-out cannot be engaged by said fingers, means for propelling the said sheet forward, and a stop device engaging said sheet in the line of said cut-out, and controlled by the latter, for stopping travel of the sheet at a predetermined position of the latter.

36. In an automatic musical instrument, comprising a traveling sheet, a series of contacts controlled thereby, an action, a motorcylinder and shoes operated thereby and controlled by the contacts, driving mechanism for the sheet, and means for rewinding the sheet, the combination with said parts, of means for automatically holding the shoes out of action during rewinding of the sheet.

87. In a mechanical musical instrument, comprising a series of fingers D pressing against and adapted to be controlled by the traveling music-sheet, a plurality of frictionshoes having a tendency to engage a motorcylinder, and restrained and controlled by said fingers, and such motor-cylinder for operating said shoes frictionally, the combination with said parts of means for reversing the sheet, and automatically-operated means other than said sheet holding the shoes away from the cylinder during the backward travel of the sheet.

38. In a mechanical musical instrument comprising a series of fingers 1), adapted to be acted on by the music-sheet, the combination therewith of a presser opposite said fingers for moving them out of contact with the sheet, and means operated from the sheet for moving said presser against the fingers.

39. In an automatic musical instrument operated by a music-sheet, the combination with a series of fingers and a presser-bar,of a springactuated member pressing the sheet toward the bar and mounted adjacent to said fingers.

40. In automatic musical instruments, the combination with a traveling sheet and a motor for driving it, of a roll on which said sheet is wound, driving mechanism for such roll, means moving such roll out of engagement with said mechanism for permitting unwinding of the sheet, and means holding the roll in its disengaged position.

41. In musical instruments, the combination with a traveling sheet, of driving mechanism for moving it, a roll for winding on such sheet driven by said mechanism and movable out of engagement therewith, and means actuated by the motion of the sheet and holding said roll in its displaced position.

2. In automatic musical instruments, the combination with a perforated traveling sheet, driving mechanism therefor, and fingers entering the perforations in the sheet, of a roll for winding on said sheet, and a shaft for said roll, one of said parts movable axially relatively to the other, and when in one position engaging and when in the other position disengaging said roll from said driving mechanism, automatic means moving -said movable part axially, and means automatically disengaging said fingers from the sheet when said movable part is moved.

43. In automatic musical instruments, the combination with a traveling sheet and driving mechanism therefor, of two rolls on which said sheet is wound, one of said rolls being movable axially and when moved disengaging its driving connection, means controlled by the sheet for automatically moving the latter roll axially,driving connections for said rolls, and means operated by the axial movement of said movable roll and engaging the other roll with its driving connection,whereby the sheet controls one roll and as one roll ceases to be driven driving of the other is started for reverse winding, and the movement of one roll controls the other.

44. In automatic musical instruments, the combination with a music-sheet, a plurality of fingers controlled thereby, and rolls G H for moving it, of means for driving said rolls, a lever 64 moved by said sheet and freeing one of said rolls to permit rewinding, and means automatically moving said fingers when said roll is freed.

45. In automatic musical instruments, the combination with a traveling sheet, a plurality of fingers bearing thereagainst, a plurality of shoes controlled by said fingers, a cylinder operating said shoes, and means for driving said parts, in combination with means operated by the traveling sheet and moving the shoes away from the cylinder near the end of travel of the sheet.

46. In mechanical musicalinstruments, the combination with a traveling sheet and rollers G H therefor, of a lever 64 engaging and moved by the sheet, a lever 67 moved by such lever 64, and a separable driving connection for one of said rolls moved bodily with and disengaged by the movement of the lever 67, and a similar connection governed by said lever for the other of said rolls.

47. In mechanical musical instruments, the combination with a traveling sheet, rolls therefor, a plurality of fingers pressing toward said sheet, means for holding said fingers away from the sheet, and a separable driving connection for one of. said rolls, of a lever 95 engaging and moved by the sheet, and a connection between said lever and said driving connection permitting the latter to engage such roll when such lever is so moved, and a connection freeing said fingers when said lever is so moved.

48. In mechanical musical instruments,tl1e combination with atraveling sheet,rolls therefor, and a drawer carrying said parts, of a presser-bar J for said sheet extending across the latter, swinging vertically thereover, and hinged to said drawer at a point remote from the edge of said sheet and at rear of the back wall of said drawer.

49. In an automatic musical instrument controlled by a traveling music-sheet, and a series of contacts opposite thesheet and pressing against it, the combination with a feed mechanism for driving the sheet, of a rewinding mechanism for driving the sheet backward, means throwing such mechanisms alternately into or out of operation, means for alternately removing and restoring engagement of the contacts with the sheet,and means carried by the sheet near its opposite extremities, the one at one end thereof governing the means for throwing the rewinding mechanism into operation and the means removing said contacts from said sheet, and the other at the other end governing the means forv throwing the winding mechanism into operation and restoring engagement of said contacts with the sheet, at predetermined points in the travel of the sheet.

50. In an automatic musical instrument operated bya stiff perforated music-sheet traveling past a series of .contacts, pressing forcibly against, restrained'by, and entering the perforations of said sheet, a feed mechanism for the sheet, and a stopping device for such mechanism, at one side of said contacts, the combination with said parts of a stop carried by the sheet moving past said contacts, and engaging and moving said stopping device with the sheet and thereby automatically operating said device to stop travel of the sheet at a predetermined point, means for automatically removing said contacts from the sheet and means for preventing operation of said stopping device.

51. In automatic musical instruments, the combination with a sheet having perforations for playing two separate selections of music, contacts moving into said perforations,means forcibly pressing said contacts individually against said sheet, and a feed device for such sheet, of means automatically stopping travel of the sheet at a point between the separate selections of music thereon, comprising a lever, engaging the sheet and moving into a perforation therein between said select-ions, and out of line with the perforations of said selections, and a stop formed as a perforation in the sheet moving past said contacts and receiving said lever for stopping the sheet between said selections, and means for forcibly pressing said contacts away from said sheet.

52. In an automatic musical instrument operated bya music-sheet, the combination with a motor and a series of contacts, of a musicsheet having perforations for playing a musical selection,controlling said contacts for operating the instrument, and having a stop in advance of said selection, and another stop at rear of said selection, means forcibly pressing said contacts individually against said sheet, means for feeding the sheet forward during playing, means for rewinding the sheet, a stop device mechanically moved by said stop in advance of said selection during the re- I es winding of the sheet, and thereby terminating the rewinding, means holding the contacts away from the sheet during rewinding, means released by said stop device and restoring said contacts to engagement with said sheet after rewinding, and an electrical stop device controlled by said stop at the rear of such selection, and stopping the motor after such selection has been played.

53. In a musical instrument operated by a music-sheet, the combination with a motor for driving the sheet, and a series of contacts controlled by the sheet, pressing against it and individually entering its perforations, of such sheet, having perforations for a plurality of musical selections, having a stop for stopping the sheet at the end of its travel, a stop for terminating rewinding, and an intermediate stop for arresting the sheet between such selections, means for feeding the sheet forward, a rewinding device, means for governing its operation mechanically moved by said firstmentioned stop and starting rewinding, a stop device mechanically moved by said secondmentioned stop and stopping rewinding, and an electrical stop device operated by said intermediate stop and arresting the sheet between such selections, and means automatically holding said contacts away from said sheet during rewinding and releasing when rewinding is completed.

54:. In a musical instrument controlled by a sheet, the combination with winding-oil? and winding-on rolls, a series of contacts, and a perforated sheet moving past said contacts in a rectilinear path from said winding-0E to said winding-on roll, said contacts pressing against, and entering the perforations of, said sheet, and said sheet controlling the position of said contacts for holding them in a predetermined position, of a presser-bar engaging the face of said sheet opposite said contacts for holding the sheet toward the latter, said bar extending across the sheet at right angles to its direction of travel, means for holding said bar toward the sheet, and a spring press ing said bar away from the sheet and firmly against said means,whereby the bar holds the sheet in a predetermined position relatively to the contacts, automatic means for feeding the sheet first in one direction and then in the other direction, and means holding said contacts and sheet out of engagement while the sheet is traveling backward.

55. In a musical instrument controlled by a sheet, the combination with winding-off and winding-0n rolls, a series of contacts, and a perforated sheet moving past said contacts in a rectilinear path from said winding-off to said winding-on roll,a motor-cylindea'frictionshoes connected to said contacts in proximity to said cylinder, said sheet holding said contacts and located in position for maintaining said shoes out of engagement with said cylinder while the contacts bear against the unperforated portion of the sheet, of a pressertbar engaging the face of said sheet opposite said contacts for holding the sheet toward the latter, said bar extending across the sheet at right angles to its direction of travel, and adjustable means for holding said bar toward the sheet, whereby the position of the bar can be adjusted to obtain any desired relation between the sheet and contacts and to take up wear of the latter, means for automatically rewinding said sheet, and means automatically removing said contacts from contact with said sheet during rewinding.

56. In an automatic mu sicalinstrument operated by a traveling sheet, the combination with such sheet having perforations, of a series of contacts engaging such perforations, said sheet and series of contacts pressed the one forcibly toward the other and said contacts movable individually into the perforations of said sheet, means feeding the sheet past said contacts for playing a musical selection, means automatically restoring the sheet to position for repeating such selection at a predetermined point in the travel of the sheet, and automatic means holding said contacts out of engagement with such perforations during rewinding and thus permitting reverse movement of the sheet during such restoration.

57. In an automatic musical instrument operated by a traveling sheet, the combination with such sheet having perforations, a series of contacts entering said perforations during travel of the sheet for playing a musical selection, driving mechanism for the sheet, means for rewinding the sheet, means preventing engagement between said contacts and the perforations of the sheet during rewinding, and means automatically starting the instrument upon a predetermined rewinding of the sheet.

58. In automatic musical instruments comprising a traveling music-sheet,a series of contacts engaging the sheet, a presser holding the sheet toward said contacts, a cylinder, a series of shoes for engaging said cylinder and controlled by said contacts, said series of contacts collectively and said sheet adjustable the one toward the other, and means for adjusting the adjustable one of such parts toward the other, whereby by such adjustment the relation of the shoes to the cylinder can be varied.

59. In an automatic musical instrument, the combination of a traveling music-sheet,

a series of contacts bearing against the sheet and individually moved thereagainst, a cylinder, a series of shoes for engaging saidcylinder and controlled by said contacts, and means for holding the sheet in juxtaposition relatively to said contacts, and means for adjusting the sheet toward and from the contacts, whereby by such adjustment the relation of the shoes to the cylinder can be varied.

60. In an automatic musical instrument, .thecombination with atraveling music-sheet, and a series of contacts controlling playing and controlled by said sheet, and means for

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