Patent GB-156872-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to combined gramophones and player pianos or like instruments
IPC: G11B33/06
Filed: 1919-10-03
Abstract: 156,872. Wade, H., (Aeolian Co.). Oct. 3, 1919. Player-pianos combined with phonographs; tempo-regulating means; tune-sheets; trackerbars.-The phonograph is driven by a spring motor assisted during the starting period by being temporarily clutched to the air-motor of the player-piano. After the starting period, the two machines are independently driven, and the speed of the player-piano motor is intermittently increased or reduced to maintain synchronism. For this purpose the phonograph turntable is provided with a tappet which at each revolution opens two valves in quick succession. The turn-sheet of the player-piano has pairs cf auxiliary perforations near one edge which admit air in quick succession to corresponding openings in the tracker bar, and during synchronous running the tappet valves are operated in unison with the tracker-bar valves. If the phonograph is in advance, the first tappet valve operates to accelerate the piano motor, which is again returned to normal speed when the corresponding second tracker-bar valve is opened, this being repeated at each revolution of the phonograph until the machines are again in phase. If on the other hand the player-piano is in advance, the opening of the tracker-bar valve operates to retard the piano motor, which is returned to normal speed when the corresponding second tappet-valve is opened. Fig. 1 shows the general arrangement of a combined machine, Fig. 4 shows the control apparatus diagrammatically, Fig. 5 the commencing portion of a tune sheet, Fig. 7 the synchronism-regulating valves, Fig. 17 the apparatus for controlling the speed of the piano motor, and Fig. 21 one of the valves for controlling the starting-mechanism. The turntable 14 and tone arm are arranged in a compartment 13 situated over the rollers for driving the tune-sheet. The turntable is driven by a spring motor 15 beneath the platform 16. The tune-sheet rollers are geared to the shaft of an air motor 33 which is connected through a pipe 41, tempo regulating valve 35 and pipe 34, to an exhaust chamber 4 in connection with bellows operated by pedals 3. When the playerpiano is used alone, the tempovalve 35 is controlled by a handle 44, but when joint reproduction is required the valve 35 is closed, and the tempo adjusted by a second valve which is set to a suitable point by a handle 49. The air conduit from the motor 33 to the exhaust chamber 4 is then through a pipe 53, speedadjusting valve 51, pipe 50, Fig. 4, and pipe 34, to the bellows chamber. To start a combined reproduction, the tune-sheet 179 is so adjusted that the beginning of a slot 76, Fig. 5, is over a hole 66 in the tracker-bar 8. The air motor 33 is then started and as the tune-sheet advances, air is admitted through the slot 76 and pipe 86 to the starting- valve 120, Fig. 21, thereby collapsing the bellows 31, which operates a lever 27 and clutches the shaft 22 of the air motor 33 to a shaft 20 geared to the turntable spindle. The spring motor of the phonograph is thus assisted during the starting period, until the slot 76 in the tune-sheet passes off the duct 66, whereupon the clutch is disconnected. Beneath the turntable is secured a bevelled block 130 arranged to strike in turn a pair of spring-controlled tappet levers 131 which open tubes 135, 136 momentarily to the atmosphere. The tune-sheet 179, Fig. 5, has pairs of perforations 77, 78 slightly out of alignment and arranged to open tubes 87, 88 to the atmosphere as they pass over ducts 67, 68 in the tracker bar. When the machines are in synchronism, tube 136 is opened simultaneously with tube 87 and tube 135 with tube 88. Should the player-piano be in advance, tube 87 is opened first and air passes into a chamber 102, Fig. 7, through an inclined pipe 108, and raises a pouch 92 on which rests a double valve 100, 98. The duct 96, which has previously been open to the exhausted space 70, is now open to the atmosphere, and air passes through a tube 64 to the bellows 57, Fig. 17. The movable board 57 of this bellows is rigidly connected to the movable board 56 of a similar bellows, and springs are arranged to bring both to normal position. As the board 57 moves outwards it operates a slide-valve 52 in a casing 51 thereby throttling the motor and reducing its speed. This throttling continues until the second tappet valve 131 is operated by the turntable, thereby admitting air to the tube 135 which is connected to the right-hand opening 84, Fig. 7. The retardation of the piano motor and its subsequent return to normal speed occur at each revolution of the turntable until synchronism is established. If the phonograph is in advance of the player-piano, the tappet valve on the end of the tube 136 is opened by the block 130 before the holes 77, 78 in the tune-sheet arrive at the tracker bar.