US733702A - Electrically-operated musical instrument. - Google Patents

Description

No. 733,702. PATENTED JULY 14, 1903.- G. H. DAVIS.

ELEGTRIGALLY OPERATED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 9. 1896.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

a WWW Suva/ 14470; v W I 2% No. 733,702. PATENTED JULY 14, 1903.

G. H. DAVIS. ELBGTRIGALLY OPERATED MUSICAL INSTRUMEIIT.

APPLICATION TIL'ED NOV. 9, 1896.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

N0 MODEL.

THE NORRIS Pawns co pnorourn No. 733,702. PA TENTED JULY 14, 1903. G. H. DAVIS.

ELEGTRIOALLY OPERATED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION rum) NOV. 9, 1896. 1 k0 xonm. 4 sums-sum a.

\\\\\\\\\\W IIIIIIIE THE uonms PETERS co. PMDTQuTna, WASHINGTON. 0 cv No. 733,702. PATENTED JULY 14, 1903 G. H. DAVIS.

ELEGTRIGALLY OPERATED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

nrmonxon rum) ROV.9,1896.

no menu.

-iefisavoa UNITED STAT S Patented July 14, 1903 PATENT OFFICE.

ELECTRICALLY-O P ER AT ED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

SPECIFICA'IION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 733,702, dated July 14, 1903.

Application tiled November 9,1896. Serial No. 611,541. (No model.)

To (all whmwit may concern.- v

Be it known that I, GEORGE Hownnrr DAVIS, a citizen of the United States, residingat New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented a certain new, useful, and valuable Improvement in Electrically-Operated Musical Instruments, of which the following is a full, clear, and ex-: act description. 1 1

My present invention relates to electricallyoperated musical instruments, particularly pianofortes, and has for its object to provide the various combination and arrangement of parts, such as will be herein fully described.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a transverse sectional view of my music-sheet holder and the upper part of a piano-case. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of one form of keystriking mechanism, showing the electromagnet partially in section. Fig. 2 is adiagram lnatic view of the circuits employed in con-- nection with the form of mechanism shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 3 shows another form of keystriking mechanism in elevation. Fig. l shows a front elevation of my music-holder and in operative connection therewith an.- other form of key-striking mechanism. Fig.

5 is an enlarged detail viewof the motor re-- sistance-coil. Fig. 6 is a view of a modified form of retarding and rewinding device. Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of the left-hand side'of my music-holder. the right-hand side. Figs. 9, 10, and 11 are perspective views to show the pedal-operating mechanism; Fig. 12 is an enlarged detail view of one of the magnet-coils to show double winding. Fig. 13 is a perspective View of an improved form of contact-finger carrying resistance-coils.

Like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

holder, which consists of a base or back piece 1, having the side brackets 2 3 projecting therefrom at either end and all preferably formed of a single casting. The said basepiece has a longitudinal or horizontal slot at formed therein, and upon the back of the base-plate 1 and directly above said slot is secured a non-conducting strip 5, carrying a beyond the slot, as shown.

Fig. 8 is a similar viewof' series of contact-springs 6, having the coridncting-Wires 7 secured to their rear ends and their front ends projecting considerably Upon the face of said base-platel and immediately below the slot 4 is arranged a detachable contact-holder or clamping-frame 8, comprising the wooden strips 9, the central square metal rod 10, and

the cap-rod 11, secured at either end by screws .to the metal rod 10 in such manner as to se-' cure or clamp between their surfaces the se ries of metal wire-holders 12, disposed about one eighth inch apart and terminatingat their lower ends with flexible points 13 and contacting at their upper ends with their respective contact-springs b, theentire contact-holder 8 being removed by pulling it away from the base-plate and over the end guide-pins 14, rigidly secured to said base-plate, the surfaces of .both the rods 10 and 11 next the wires 12 being faced with non-conducting material 15, such as tape, thus insuring the independent insulation of the various contact-wire holders 12. In order to form common cont-act with all the flexible fingers or selectors 13, I provide a revoluble contact-roller 16, hearing at each end upon the journal-screws 17, projected through the hinged supporting-arms 18, connected by the shield-plate 19 at their ends next the contact-roller, said shield-plate 19 covering the front of said contact-roller 16, but leaving the back uncovered for the contact fingers or selectors to make electrical connection with the roller 16, and pivotally connected to either side bracket 2 3 by the journal-screws 20. The contact-rolleris held in contact with the series of contact-fingers by the beveled end springbolt 21,working through the left-hand bracket, (see Fig. 1,)

which is so located as to latch over the outer v edge of the left-hand arm 18, supporting the contact-roller 16, whenever the latter or its frame is pushed inward suflicient tocause the said roller to form contact with all the fingers 13. A spring 16 is secured to the side bracket 2 (see Figs. 1 and 7) and bears against one of the'hinged supporting-arms 18, so as to keep the roller 16 normally separated from the fingers--13, and it is obvious that upon the spring-bolt 21 being drawn backfrom any cause it will free or unlatch the arm 18 and allow it and the contact-roller to recede from the fingers 13 to a considerable extent, and this movement of the bolt or unlatching I accomplish either mechanically by hand through the thumb-post 22, connected to the rear end of said spring-bolt 21, as shown clearly in Fig. 7, or automatically by employing the electromagnet 23, having its armature 24 affixed to one end of the bellcrank lever 25, pivoted at the point 26, and said spring-bolt 21 connected to the other end of the lever, thus instantly causing'the withdrawal of said bolt whenever said magnet 23 becomes energized, and this I arrange to take place at the end of each music-roll or per formance by having an extra contact-finger 13 in circuit with said magnet 23 and cutting a hole in the end of the music-sheet 27 in such position (preferably at one extreme edge) laterally as to be entered and contact formed with the roller 16 only by this particular extra finger. The delivery musicroller 28, to which the rear end of the musicsheet 27 is permanently secured, has journalpins 29 30 at either end thereof, the righthand journal 30 being clutched in any suitable manner by the clutch 31, secured to the inner end of shaft 32, having the pulley 33 at the opposite end, said pulley 33, shaft 32, clutch 31, and delivery-roller 28 being retarded sufficiently to keep the music-sheet 27 very taut or rewind same rapidly by the tendency of the slipping and reversemoving belt 34, connected to the small driving-pulley 35, affixed to the driving-shaft 36, having the large pulley 37 taking motion from the. motor-pulley 38 at its outer end, and the pinion 39, meshing with the gear 40 of the takeup roller 41, having the centrally located hook 42, to which the hook 43 of the front of the music-sheet 27 is detachably secured and is obviously propelled, the rate of travel of the music-sheet being governed by the rate of revolution given the take-up roller by the electric motor 43 through the described intermediate driving mechanism. Fol-joint use or as an independent substitute for the retardingandrewindingslippingbelt34Ihavefound T it decidedly advantageous to secure one end of the music sheet.

a weighted cord 44 to the delivery-roller shaft 32, so that the forward travel of the musicsheet 27 will wind up the weight 45 against the stronger driving mechanism; but the moment bolt 21 is unlatched and the pinion 39 and gear 40 thrown out of mesh the weight 45 instantly causes the rapid rewinding of In order to magnify the movement of the weight 45, I employ the intermediate drum 46, intermediate gears, or

any other well-known means of magnifying the movement of aweight or spring, and in Fig. 6 I show one method of arranging a spring 47 as a substitute for the weight 45, and in which modification the spring 47 is shown attached to a supporting-arm 48, extended from the bracket or side 3, and the free end 49 of the spring having secured thereto one end of a cord 50, the opposite end of which is secured to the shaft orjournal 32 of the take-up roller 28.

One advantage of controlling the retarding and rewinding of the delivery-roller 28 by a weight or spring is that this method obviates entirely the loss of power, as the power required to wind up the weight 45 or spring 47 is entirely returned and compensated for by the subsequently-effected rewinding of the music-sheet, whereas the power consumed in retarding through a slipping belt is lost and cannot afterward be utilized. The shaft 36, carrying the pulley 37 and pinion-gear 39, is mounted in the swinging bracket 51, pivoted at the point 52 to allow said shaft 36 to oscillate through the slotted opening 53, made in the right-hand bracket 3, as shown, the pinion 39 being normally held apart from the large gear 40 by the tension of the belt 44 or 54, but is thrown into engagement and held in mesh therewith by the lug 55 (see Figs. 4 and 8) bearing against the inner extension 56 of the swinging bracket 51 whenever the contact-roller 17 or its shield 19 is pressed inward sufficient to be latched and held by the bolt 21, as hereinbefore described.

Having described my music-holder in detail, I will next take up the electric motor 43', supported from a bracket 56, extended from the upper right-hand portion of the side or frame 3 of said music-holder, the novel feav tures of said motor consisting of the centrifugal governor 57, havingthe slipping collar 58, adapted to be slid forward on the shaft 59 whenever the latter revolves with sufficient speed'to throw the weights 60, fixed upon the light connecting-springs 61, outward, the amount of slide or movement of the movable collar 58 toward the fixed collar 62 depending, as in all other forms of centrifugal governors, upon the speed of the controllingshaft 59. Secured directly to or preferably turned out of the same piece of metal with the movable collar 58 is a friction-flange 63, adapted to contact with the rawhide frictionpoint 64, setin one end of the adjustable arm 65, pivoted at point 66, and the other end engaging the worm-screw 67, set on the shaft 68, the latter being given a partial revolution by the movement of the connecting rod or wire 69, attached to the cranked end 70 of said shaft 68, the movement of the rod 69 being controlled by the sliding button 71, located at some convenient position on the piano, or by any other suitable device. It is obvious that as the friction-point 64 is toward or away from the friction-flange 63 by means under control of the hand of the operator the magnitude of expansion of the weights 60 is accordingly diminished or amplified and the speed of the main shaft 59 correspondingly lessened or increased, thus governing the rate of travel of the music-sheet 27 or tempo of the actual music through the geared take-up roller 41 and the other intermediate power-transmitting mechanism. Another novel feature used IIO \ by varying in connection with the electric motor is the resistance device 72, consisting of an arcshaped resistance-coil wired in series with the motor-circuit, said coil being rigidly secured to some stationary part, as 73, of the motor-frame and having a pivoted insulated arm 74:, forming one terminal of the resistance and by its movement toward the other terminal 75 over and in contact with the spiral winding 76 serving to reduce the resistance through the motor and acting in conjunction with the friction-point 64 to increase and govcm the speed of said motor, as both the said point 64: and arm 74: take motion simultaneously from the shaft 68 and acting, respectively, one to reduce the friction upon and the other to diminish the resistance through the motor. It is conceded by expert mechanics that a well-constructed centrifugal governor is unexcelled in its accurate regulation of speed, one objection being the power 10st at the frictional points, especially when it is desired to slow down the speed considerably, which loss of power is almost entirely overcome by the joint use of my resistance device, which acts to decrease the power and speed of the motor in such manner that there will at no time be any considerable loss of power through friction. On the other hand, it has been found by electricians to be impracticable to reduce the speed of an electric motor with promptness and extreme accuracy the resistance therethrough, whereas by the combination of the two methods I utilize the advantages of both methods and eliminate their disadvantages, and thus am enabled to control the movement of a music-sheet with that degree of accuracy demanded in the tempo of a musical perform ance in which the sounding devices are under control of my music-holder, particularly when arranged to operate alarge pipe-organ, to which use it is admirably adapted, notwithstanding that I have here shown its connection with a recently-devised method of striking the keys of a piano, which is concededly harder to effect than the operation of the valves of a pipe-organ, as the latter requires currents of low intensity, which are easier to control than the comparatively heavy currents required to actuate a pianokey.

Proceeding with a detailed description of the various forms of key-striking mechanism shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4, I would first explain that these embody modifications of the economy magnets shown in my Patent No. 576,342, dated February 2,1897, the most radical modification being that shown in Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawings, an enlarged sectional view of which is shown in Fig. 12, in which the actuating-magnet 77 is composed of two compound-wound spools 78 79, the first winding 80 being of comparatively thick wire, and in the normally open circuit formed by the lead-wires 81 82 and closed by its finger 13 whenever the latter forms contact with the roller 16 through a perforation in the musicsheet 27, the second winding 83 being of finer wire wound in parallel turns with the first winding and so disposed as to occupy the spaces between the latter and arranged to be thrown into a serial connection therewith directly the armature 84 makes an initial movement sufficient to 'force the rod 85 downward and cause the contact-spring S6, impinged by the lower end of said rod, to break connection with the contact-point 87, thereby opening the short circuit therethrough and causing the current to traverse the secondary or fine-wire winding 83 and the wire 88 before reaching the terminal 89 of the original circuit. This cutting in of the fine winding of high resistance serves to greatly reduce the amount of current passing through the magnet directly after it has done its maximum work or its armature made its initial movement, whereas with an ordinary magnet the maximum amount of current would continue to flow through the entire period of contact representing the duration of notes, perforations of several inches in length representing sustained notes being of frequent occurrence. Said armature 84 through the connecting-rod 85 draws down the inner end 86 of the upper lever 87 and impels the striker-rod 88' upward and causes the capped end 89 of the latter to impinge the key extension 90, having the felt face 91, and raise the rear end of the key 92 in the same way as if the front end were struck by a finger in the usual manner and obviously causing the impingement of the strings of the instrument by the hammer and the usual tone production. The flange 93, upon which the lever 87 is pivoted, is adjustably secured by the screw 94 to the rail 95, braced by the angle-iron 96, which arrangement of parts is to economize space laterally and render it possible to apply this form of leverage or key-striking mechanism as an attachment to any piano.

In Fig. 3 is shown a key-striking mechanism which is more economical of space laterally, the armature 97 in this case having the straight extension 98 with the striker-rod 99 connected to the end thereof, so as to impinge the key extension 100 and raise the key 101, as before. In this modification the first two spools 102 are wound'with thick wire and connected to form the primary winding and the second pair of spools 103 wound and connected to form the secondary or resistance winding and are thrown into series by the movement of the armature 97, interrupting the short circuit through the contact-spring 104 and contact-point 105 and causing the current to traverse the spoolsf103 as well as the primary spools 102, the arrangement and connections of the magnets in this respect being similar to that of one of the modifications shown in my patent cited above.

The modified form of striking mechanism.

illustrated in Fig. 4 is identical in its action with that shown in Fig.2,excepting that there are four compound-wound spools 106 instead of two similarly-wound spools 78 79. Instead of being placed under the keyboard and arranged to attack the back of the keys 92 this form of striking mechanism may be so arranged that the end 107 of the armature will strike the outer end 108 of the jack 109, the latter shown in dotted lines.

It has probably been noticed that the music or note sheet 27, as shown in Figs. 4 and 13, has perforations or note-holes 110 of difierent widths, and the object of this is to allow only a prearranged number of the contact points or fingers 13 to contact with the contact-roller 16, and thus regulate the amount of initial current passing through the actuating-magnet, and incidentally regulate the force of blow given thereby, as the greater the number of fingers 13 which protrude through the note-openings 110 the greater the amount of current passing through the conducting-wire 81, and vice versa, and to amplify the effect I add the resistance-coils 112 to the fingers 13 or in any other suitable mannerinelude resistance in each finger before they are severally joined to their conducting-Wire 111. By thus specially perforating the musicsheet it is possible to individualize or regulate the touch of particular notes.

In Figs. 9, 10, and 11 I have illustrated a method of automaticaliy operating the footpedals of the piano through the medium of electromagnets and specially-arranged perforations in the music-sheet. In carrying out this part of my invention I arrange a main magnet 113 directly above the pedal-lever 114, which latteris provided with a metal plate 115, serving as an armature, the arrangement being such that when said magnet is energized the armature will be attracted to lift the pedallever and throw the dampers off the strings (provided it is the loud pedal) in precisely the same manner as when said pedal-lever is operated manually by the foot. In order to retain the pedal-lever in this position without keeping the magnet energized, I provide a pivoted latch 116, the lower end of which is normally pulled forward by a spring 116, so that when the pedal-lever 114 is pulled upward by the magnet 113 the lower end of said latch will engage and hold the pedal-lever elevated after the magnet 113 has become denergized. The spring-latch is operated by a releasing-magnet 117, of comparatively high resistance, which when energized draws the latch 116 away from or out of engagement with the pedal-lever, thus allowing the latter to drop by gravity to normal position. In order to properly energize and deonergize the magnets 113 and 117, I have provided the following circuit connections: The musicsheet 27, which passes over the contact-roller 16, is provided at suitable points along its edge with perforations 120, 121, and 221, adapted to be tracked over by the two insulated selectors or fingers 118 119, which latter rest upon the sheet and are arranged at such distance apart as to simultaneously en ter the two perforations 120 121 in juxtaposition, and thus complete the circuit through the conducting-wires 122 123, main magnet 113, battery B, and roller 16 whenever these contiguous openings occur upon the edge of the music-sheet. The effect of this operation will be the energization of magnet 113 and the raising of pedal-lever 114 to the position shown in Fig. 10, the lever being held in this raised position by means of the latch 116, the lower end of which is pulled forward by means of the spring 116 immediately the current through the magnets is broken. When the circuit just described is completed, it will be seen that a second circuit may be traced by way of contact 118, wire 123, battery B, wire 124, magnet 117, wire 125, roller 16, back to contact 118, thus throwing a portion of the current through magnet 117 and attracting its armature 116; but as this magnet is constructed so as to release its armature or latch 116 very quickly the said latch will be pulled forward by means of the spring 116 immediately upon a breaking of the circuit at the contact-fingers 118 11.9, due to the movement of the music-sheet, so that its lower end wili engage and hold the pedal-lever 114 elevated until the releasing-magnet 117 alone is energized. It will be understood from the foregoing that although both magnets are den'ergized at the same time the armature of magnet 117 will act very quickly, owing to the fact that said magnet is quickacting, while magnet 113 is slow-acting or slow in releasing its armature, and owing to the further fact that said armature or latch 116 is impelled by the spring 116", so that the said latch will catch the pedal-lever before it has had time to drop to normal position. By this means the pedal-lever will be held elevated until the releasing-magnet alone is energized.

Now in order to energize the releasingmagnet 117 to allow the pedal-lever to drop to its normal position I arrange a single perforation 221 in line with and at a desired distance following the contiguous openings 120 121, which causes the releasing-magnet 117 to be acted upon separately whenever the finger 118 reaches the single opening 221, as will be clearly understood from the circuits after a study of Fig. 11.

By joining the contiguous openings 120 121 so as to form a slot the effect of the operation will be the same, as will be quite obvious. Both the main magnet 113 and the releasing-magnet 117 are preferably some one of the economy forms herein shown, and it is needless to again describe their action or special construction. Instead of two fingers 120 121 I may employ a third finger 126 and an independent conductingwire 127 (both shown in dotted lines) to actuate the releasing-magnet upon the occurrence of a single opening.

I have herein shown and described one means for operating the pedals; but I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to such means, as the same may be varied without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having now described the leading structural features of my invention and explained their modus operand in either of which additional modifications may be made without avoiding the spirit of said invention,

What I cairn, broadly, is

1. In a music-sheet holder for musical instruments, the combination withastationary delivery-roller, of astationary take-up roller, a swinging contact device over which the sheet passes located between said rollers, a series of contact-fingers or selectors cooperating with said contact device and automatic means to normally keep said contact device out of contact with said selectors.

2. In a music-sheet holder for musical instrumen ts, the combination with a stationary frame, of delivery and take-up rollers mounted therein, a swinging contact-roller over which the music-sheet passes,located between said delivery and take-up rollers, a series of contact-fingers or selectors cooperating with said contact-roller, and automatic means to normally keep said contact-roller out of contact with said selectors.

3. In a music-sheet holder for musical instruments, the combination with a stationary frame, of delivery and take-up rollers mounted therein, a swinging frame pivoted to said stationary frame, a contact-roller over which the music-sheet passes revolubly mounted in said swinging frame, a series of contact-fingers or selectors cooperating with said contact-roller, a spring to normally force said swinging frame and its contact-roller away from said selectors.

4c. In a music-sheet holder for musical instruments, the combination with a stationary frame, of delivery and take-up rollers mounted therein, a swinging frame pivoted to said stationary frame, a contact-roller over which the music-sheet passes revolubly mounted in said swinging frame, a series of contact-fingers or selectors cooperating with said contact-roller, automatic means to normally keep said contact-roller out of contact with said selectors, and means for locking said swinging frame and its roller.

5. In a music-sheet holder for musical instruments, the combination with a stationary frame, of delivery and take-up rollers mounted therein, a swinging frame pivoted to said stationary frame, a contact-roller over which the music-sheet passes revolubly mounted in said swinging frame, a series of contact-fingers or selectors cooperating with said contact-roller, means for locking said swinging frame and its roller, and means for automaticallyunlocking said swinging frame and roller at a predetermined period.

6. In a music-sheet holder for musical instruments, the combination with a stationary frame, of delivery and take-up rollers mounted-therein, a swinging frame pivoted to said stationary frame, a contact-roller over which the music-sheet passes revolubly mountedin said swinging frame, a shield covering the front of said contact-roller, and a series of contact-fingers or selectors cooperating with said contact-roller.

7. In a music-sheet holder for musical instruments, the combination with a stationary frame in which the delivery and take-up rollers are mounted, of a clamping-frame composed of a suitable base and a cap-rod,between which the contact-fingers or selectors are held, detachably secured to the stationary frame, a series of contact-fingers or selectors adjustably held in said clamping-frame, and a contact device with which said fingers cooperate.

8. In a music-sheet holder for musical in- .struments, the combination with a stationary frame, of a contact-finger or selector holder composed of a suitable base and a cap-rod detachably secured to said stationary frame, and a series of contact-fingers or selectors adjustably held between said base and cap-rod.

9. In a music-sheet holder for musical instruments, the combination with a stationary frame having supporting pins projecting therefrom, of a contact finger or selector holding frame detachably mounted on said pins, and a series of contact-fingers or selectors mounted in said detachable frame.

10. In a music-sheet holder for musical instruments, the combination with a deliveryroller, of a take-up roller on which the musicsheet is wound, mechanism for driving said rollers and music-sheet, a weight or spring so connected with the delivery-roller as to be wound up during the forward movement of the music-sheet and to impart a reverse motion to the delivery roller to rewind the music-sheet when the action of said driving mechanism ceases, and means for throwing said driving mechanism out of action auto.- matically.

11. In a music'sheet holder the combination with a delivery-roller, of a take-up roller on which the sheet is wound during the playing of the instrument, driving mechanism for said take-up roller, comprising a gear-wheel carried by said take-up roller and a drivingpinion mounted in movable bearings, a swinging contact device which forces said pinion into engagement with said gear-wheel when in operative position, means for locking said contact device in operative position,.and a weight or spring connected with said delivery-roller so as to be wound up during the forward movement of the music-sheet and to sheet thereon, means cooperating with the delivery-roller for storing up power to rewind the note'sheet on said roller and means for causing a disengagement of the said rotating means for the take-up roller, whereby said roller is free to travel in a reverse direction under the impulse of the power stored up by the delivery-roller to rewind the note-sheet on said roller.

13. In a mechanical musical instrument, the combination with a delivery-roller, of a take-up roller for the note-sheet, means for driving said take-up roller to wind the notesheet thereon,a drum cooperating with the delivery-roller and arranged to be rotated thereby, a cord attached at one end to said drum and arranged to be wound thereupon during the rotation of the delivery-roller in the act of unwinding the note-sheet, a weight or spring attached to the opposite end of said cord, and means for disengaging the said rotating means for the take-up roller, whereby said delivery and take-up rollers will be free to travel in a reverse direction under the impulse of the power imparted to the deliveryroller through the cord and weight to rewind the note-sheet upon the said delivery-roller.

14. In an electrically-operated musical instrument, the combination with sound-producing mechanism, of a device for operating the same, an armature connected with said operating device, an electromagnet to operate said armature having two windings one of which is normally short-circuited, means for closing the circuit through one of said windings, and means to throw the second winding into circuit and give increased current resistance after the said armature has been actuated by the current passing through the said first winding.

15. In an electrically-operated musical in strument, the combination with sound-producing mechanism, of a device for operating the same, an armature connected with said operating device, an electromagnet to actuate said armature having two windings one of which is normally short-circuited, means for closing the circuit through one of said windings, and means to automatically throw the second winding into circuit and give increased current resistance after the said armature has been actuated by the current through the said first winding.

16. In a music sheet holder for musical instruments, the combination with a stationary delivery-rol1er, of a stationary take-up roller, a bodily-movable contact device located between said rollers, a series of contact-fingers cooperating with said contact device, and means normally acting to keep said contact device out of contactwith the fingers.

17. In a music-sheet holder for musical instruments, the combination with aframe, a delivery and a take-up roller journaled in said frame, a bodily-movable frame carried by the first-named frame, a contact device carried by the bodily-movable frame, and a series of selector-fingers cooperating with said contact device.

18. In a music-sheet holder for musical instruments, the combination with a stationary delivery-roller, of astationary take-up roller, a bodily-movable contact-roller located be tween said rollers, a series of selector-fingers cooperating with said contact-roller, means normally acting. to keep said contact device out of contact with the selector-fingers, and means for holding said roller in contact with the fingers.

19. In a music-sheet holder, a frame, a delivery and a take-up roller mounted therein, a bodily-movable frame carried by the firstnamed frame, a contact device over which the music-sheet passes mounted in said movable frame, a series of selector-fingers cooperating with said contact device, means for locking said movable frame in position to bring the selector-fingers in contact with the contact device, and means for automatically unlocking the said movable frame at a predetermined time.

20. In a music-sheet holder, a frame, a delivery and a take-up roller mounted therein, a bodily-movable frame carried by the firstnamed frame, a contact-roller mounted in said movable frame, a perforated music-sheet arranged to travel over said contact-roller, a series of selector-fingers cooperating with said contact-roller, means for locking said movable frame in position to bring the selectorfingers in contact with the contact-roller, and means controlled by the perforated musicsheet for automatically unlocking the said movable frame at a predetermined time, substantially as described.

21. In an electrically-operated device, a traveling sheet having a pair of perforations arranged in juxtaposition and a single perforation removed from and following said pair of perforations, a contact over which said sheet passes, a pair of selector-fingers arranged to simultaneously enter the said pair of perforations and bear upon the said contact, an electric circuit in which said contact and the selector-fingers are included, two electromagnets in circuit with said fingers, a device arranged to be actuated by one of said magnets, and a latch controlled by the other magnet for locking said device, said latchmagnet being energized by one of the selector-fingers when the said single perforation appears over the contact and operating to pull the latch and release the device acted upon.

22. In an electrically-operated musical instrument, the combination with the soundproducing mechanism, of a device for operating the same, an armature connected with said device, an electromagnet to actuate said armature having two windings, means for closing the circuit through one of said windings, and mechanism controlled by said armature to throw the second winding into the circuit and give increased current resistance when the said armature is actuated by the current passing through the said first winding.

23. In a mechanical musical instrument, the combination with an electric motor for operating the same, of a centrifugal speed-governor for said motor comprising a friction-collar movable on the motor-shaft, weighted flexible strips connecting said collar with a fixed part, afriction-finger to engage saidfriction-collar, a rock-shaft with which said friction-finger is connected and by means of which its position relative to said frictionflange is determined, a resistance-coil cooperating with said friction mechanism to govern the motor, an arm carried by said rockshaft, said arm determining the flow of current through said resistance-coil, and means for operating said rock-shaft.

24. In an electric motor the combination with a centrifugal governing device, of a resistance device arranged tooperatesimultaneously with said governing device and cooperating therewith to vary the speed of the electric motor.

25. In a mechanical musical instrument, the combination with an electric motor for operating the same, mechanical means for governing the speed of said motor and a resistance device cooperating simultaneously with said mechanical governor to control said motor.

26. In an electrically-operated musical instrument, the combination with a contactroller, of a note-sheet having perforations or note-spaces of different widths, a plurality of contact-fingers controlling a single circuit so arranged as that one or more of them enter the note-spaces and determine the strength of the current,'and resistance devices carried bysaid contact-fingers.

27. In a music-sheet holder for musicalinstruments, the combination with a stationary frame, of delivery and take-up rollers mounted therein, a swinging frame pivoted to said stationary frame, a contact device over which the music-sheet passes carried by said swinging frame, a series of contact-fingers or selectors cooperating with said contact device, means for locking said swinging frame and its contact device in position to hold the latter against the contact-fingers or selectors, and an electromagnet for actuating said looking means.

28. In a music-sheet holder for musical instruments, the combination with a stationary frame,of a deliveryand atake-up roller mounted therein, a movable frame carried by said stationary frame, a contact device over which the music-sheet passes carried by said movable frame, a series of contact-fingers or selectors cooperating with said contact device, means for locking said movable frame and its contact device in position to hold the latter against the contact-fingers or selectors, electrical means for automatically releasing said locking means at a predetermined time, and means for moving the said contact device away from the fingers or selectors when the locking means is released.

29. In a music-sheet holder for musical instruments, the combination with a stationary frame, of a delivery and take-up roller carried thereby, a bodily-movable contact device over which the music-sheet passes carried by said stationary frame, a series of contact-fingers or selectors cooperating with said contact device, means normally acting to move the contact device away from said fingers or selectors, means for locking the said contact device in position to bear against said fingers, and means for automatically releasing said locking means at a predetermined time.

30. In a music-sheet holder for musical instruments, the combination with a frame having mounted therein a delivery and a take-up roller, of a bodily-movable contact device also carried by the frame and movable relatively thereto, a series of contact-fingers or selectors cooperating with said contact device, means normally acting to move the contact device away from said fingers or selectors, means for lockin g said contact device in position to bear against said fingers, and means for automatically releasing said locking means at a predetermined time.

31. In a music-sheet holder for musical instruments, the combination with a stationary frame, of a delivery and a take-up roller journaled therein, of a bodily-movable contact device carried by. said frame, a series of contactfingers or selectors cooperating with said contact device, means normally acting to move said contact device away from said fingers or selectors, a sliding bolt passing through said frame and adapted to engage the bodily-movable contact device and hold the same in contact with the fingers or selectors, a pivoted bell-crank lever having aconnection with said bolt and provided with an armature, and an electromagnet arranged adjacent to said armature and acting when energized to attract its armature and actuate the bolt.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE HOWLETT DAVIS.

Witnesses:

OWEN WARD, G. R. Cot tits.

IIO

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