Patent GB-191205505-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or connected with Automatic Music Players or Automatic Musical Instruments such as Pianos, Organs and the like.
Inventor: METZGER STANLEY GUSTAVE
Filed: 1912-03-05
Granted: 1913-01-23
Abstract: 5505. Metzger, S. G. March 5. Actions; blowing and exhausting air; trackerbars; tune - sheets; winding - mechanism.-The action wind-chest is cut off from the source of pressure or suction until all the tracker-ducts are covered by the tune-sheet. On the completion of a tune, the rewinding-mechanism is brought into operation automatically, the action is rendered inoperative, and full pressure or suction is supplied to the motor for quick rewinding. At the completion of the rewinding movement, the motor is stopped automatically. The tracker-bar is provided with special ducts controlling these operations. A recess in the edge of the tune-sheet controls the rewinding- mechanism. In instruments having bellows driven by an electromotor, the pneumatic for stopping the winding-motor operates a switch which breaks the circuit of the motor driving the bellows. When commencing to play a tune, the tracker-ducts 1, 2 are open until all the note - controlling ducts are covered by the tune-sheet. Air therefore passes through pipes c, c<2>, c<4> and the junction box c<1> to operate the valve f, Fig. 2, and through pipes d, d<2>, d<4> to operate the valve f<2>. The junction-box c<1> is provided with two non-return valves as shown. The pneumatics h, g<1>, Fig. 3, are therefore connected to exhaust through the pipes h<1>, f<4>, f<5> so that the valve g<3> is closed and the pipe g<7> leading to the action wind chest j is cut off from the exhaust pipe g<6>. When the tune-sheet covers the holes 1, 2, the valves f, f<2> are closed and air is admitted through the port f<3> and pipes f<4>, h<1> to the pneumatics g<1>, h. The valve g<3> opens and connects the action-chest to exhaust through the pipes g<7>, g<6>, so that the notes are sounded in the usual manner as the tracker-ducts are exposed by the tune-sheet. At the completion of the tune, a recess cut in the edge of the tune-sheet uncovers the ducts 1, 3. Air is admitted through these ducts and the pipes c, c<2>, c<4> to the valve-chest e and through the pipes c, c<5>, k to the valve-chest i, which is similar to the valve-chest e shown in Fig. 2. The bellows l is therefore connected to exhaust through the duct i<1> and pipe g<8>, and operates the lever l<2> through the wire l<1> to actuate mechanism for reversing the direction of movement of the tune-sheet. At the same time, the valves m<1>, m<2>, Fig. 4, are moved to the left, the valve m<2> opening a direct connexion between the motor and the wind-trunk X leading to the bellows, while the valve m<1> closes the indirect or governed connexion. The tune-sheet is thus rewound at high speed. A non - return valve m<6> controls the connexion to the motor. To prevent the sounding of notes during the rewinding movement, the lever l<2> operates a lever o to open a valve n<1>. Air is thus admitted to the valve-chest e, causing the action wind-chest to be cut off from exhaust in the manner previously described. When the tune-sheet has been rewound, the ducts 2, 4 are exposed, admitting air through the pipes c<7>, d<7> to the valve-chest p, which is similar to the valve-chest e, Fig. 2. The bellows q is connected to exhaust through the pipes p<2>, p<1> and collapses, closing the valve m<5>, Fig. 4, and stopping the motor. A lever is also operated to close the valve m<2> and open the valve m<1>. The tempo is controlled by the valve m<12>. More than four additional trackerducts may be provided in which case the junction boxes c', d', Fig. 1, are dispensed with. A single or triple valve-device may be substituted for the double valve arrangement shown in Fig. 2. Instead of controlling the suction for actuating the re-roll mechanism by means of the device shown in Fig. 3, a separate box of similar construction may be provided and controlled by the same or different trackerducts. In a modified construction of tempobox, the pneumatic l operates a spindle having cranks connected to flap-valves corresponding to the valves m<1>, m<2> respectively. A pneumatic and flap-valve corresponding to the pneumatic q and valve m<5> are also provided. In a modification operating by air under pressure, by closing the lid A<1> of the tracker-box A, Fig. 14, the escape of air through a port c<6> is prevented, causing the valve c to open and connect the tracker-box to pressure through the port c
 and pipe c<7>. Until the ports 1, 2 in the trackerbar are covered, the valves of a device resembling that shown in Fig. 2 are held open, so connecting to pressure a chamber containing diaphragms arranged over the open ends of the tracker-ducts and cutting off the action. When the ducts 1, 2 are covered this chamber is connected to atmosphere, thus relieving the pressure on the diaphragms and connecting the tracker-bar to the action. Devices similar to those described in connexion with Fig. 1, but operating by air under pressure, are provided for automatically rewinding the tune - sheet, rendering the action inoperative during rewinding, and stopping the motor after the rewinding movement is completed. The ducts 2, 4 control the device for stopping the motor after rewinding, and the pipes leading therefrom may pass through a supplementary chamber containing a diaphragm and connected through a valve to the main diaphragm chamber. When the main chamber is connected to pressure, the valve connects the supplementary chamber to atmosphere. Similarly, when the main chamber is connected to atmosphere, the valve connects the supplementary chamber to pressure.