Patent GB-190825163-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or connected with Automatically-played Musical Instruments.
Inventor: WALKER JAMES JOHN
Filed: 1908-11-23
Granted: 1909-12-23
Abstract: 25,163. Walker, J. J. Nov. 23. Automatic instruments.-In an automatic musical instrument, the tracker-box 40 is mounted to rotate on a vertical, horizontal, or inclined axis so that it may be moved either inside or outside the instrument, in either of which positions (both operative) it is remote from the keys, so that the instrument can be simultaneously played automatically and manually. Figs. 2 and 3 show the invention as applied to a horizontal grand piano. The case 34 of the stationary part of the player is mounted on castors 35, and is provided with vertically-arranged iron bars 37, which are bent at their upper ends and serve as lugs for the attachment of the player to the instrument by means of thumb-screws 38, so that the castors 35 are clear of the floor. This case may contain the bellows 41, which may be operated manually, by treadles, or by a clockwork or electric motor, and one side 50 of the case may be recessed to permit it to be readily placed in position, the opening thus formed being closed by a block on the key-bed of the piano. Alternatively the bellows may be situated at a distance from the player. The tracker-board, winding-mechanism, and means for maintaining the tune-sheet apparatus in alinement with the tracker-ducts, are arranged within the adjustable casing 40, and are connected with the bellows by a flexible pipe 42. In order that the casing 40 may be moved from one position to the other without disturbing the connexions, a hollow vertical pillar 43, attached to the casing 40 and mounted on trunnions 44, is provided, and the flexible connexions pass through it. In a modification, a foot-step bearing is attached to the casing 34, which slides on guides and is provided with handles, and the connexions pass through this bearing. When the player is not in use it may be pushed beneath the piano body, but when in use it is moved to the outer position so that the music rolls may be readily changed and the levers manipulated. In order that the keys may not move when playing automatically, they are formed in two parts 4, 5, the latter of which are connected to the piano-actions by adjustable lifters 6. Both parts are pivoted on the pins 8, and blade-springs 14 of adjustable tension and attached to the parts 5, bear on pins 15 attached to the parts 4, thereby neutralizing the effect of the weight of the parts 5 and preventing the parts 4 from moving when playing automatically. Motion is transmitted from the pneumatics 29 through links 28, levers 26, links 25, levers 22, and stickers 1 to the overhanging portions of the key parts 5. The levers 26 may be mounted on a beam 27 which is vertically adjustable by means of cams, or the levers 22 may be adjustable. The primary pneumatics are contained in a wind-chest 30, and a stop-rail 24, which may be adjustable, is provided for the levers 22. As applied to an organ, the tracker-box is mounted on horizontal hollow trunnions on a part of the organ case distinct from the manual console. The adjustable casing 40 may contain the bellows and may be provided with suitable treadle mechanism. According to the Provisional Specification, the casing 40 may be rotatably mounted on the hollow pillar.