Patent GB-190712555-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Expression Controlling Method and Means for Automatic Playing Apparatus for Musical Instruments
Inventor: NEWTON PHILIP ARTHUR
Filed: 1907-05-30
Granted: 1908-05-28
Abstract: 12,555. Newton, P. A., [Kelly, J. F.]. May 30. Automatic instruments. - An electro - magnetic player for instruments, such as pianofortes, is provided with means for emphasizing individual notes as well as for varying the general tonestrength. The apparatus is similar to that described in Specification No. 17,617, A.D. 1901. The operating-magnets are connected in groups of the same note-name, and switches which can be automatically or manually controlled are provided to vary the electromotive force applied to each group. The system of connexions for two corresponding consecutive notes in each octave is indicated in Figs. 1 and 1<a>. The contact-fingers 32 are connected in groups, and the contact-bar 31 is divided into corresponding insulated sections, one for each note-name ; each section, such as AC, is connected to a two-way switch, such as ax. The sections are separated by small pieces, such as AXC, with corresponding contact-fingers, connected to the operating electro-magnets, such as AX, for controlling these switches from the tune-sheet. These contact-fingers and elements AXC may however be grouped together. The electro-magnets AX &c. are also connected to push-buttons AB &c. for manual control, and a switch GX is provided for cutting-out the automatic control. The. switches ax &c. are all connected, as shown, through a single electro-magnetic switch AL to a divided battery 10 in such a way that the electro-magnets can be operated collectively at either of two distinct electric pressures, with a higher pressure available for individual emphasis in each case. The operating-magnet of this switch AL is connected to a special contact-finger and contact-bar section ALC, and also to a push-button ALB, and a switch GENX is provided for cutting-out the automatic control. The contact-fingers for all the key-operating magnets are connected to separate fixed resistances 40, and through these to a series of movable contact-rods 41 carried by a bar 200 for regulating the general tone-strength. Means, such as a handle 162, is provided for manually controlling the bar 200, as well as means, comprising electro-magnets P, FM, and F connected to separate contact - fingers and contact bar section for automatic control. The loud and soft pedals are operated by electro-magnets LP and SP, each connected to a separate pair of contact-fingers and a section PC of the contact-bar, and also to a pushbutton LPB, SPB respectively. The switch GENX also serves for cutting-out the automatic control of the pedals. The last contact-finger and section TC of the contact-bar control an automatic circuitbreaking switch 55 by means of an electro-magnet TM, which is operated at the end of the piece to break all the above-described circuits, and also to move the excentrically-mounted roller 34 away from the trailing points 38. The tune-sheet motor 134 is controlled by the main-switch 139. The tune-sheet perforations are disposed in accordance with the above-described grouping of the contactfingers, which leads to a more even distribution than usual, and the pedal controlling perforations are divided between the pairs of contact-fingers to avoid long perforations. A special perforation is provided for breaking the various circuits at the end of the piece.