Patent GB-190115073-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Machines for Automatically Playing Pianos and similar Musical Instruments.
Inventor: NUNN ALFRED WILLIAM
Filed: 1901-07-24
Granted: 1902-01-16
Abstract: 15,073. Lake, H. H., [Nunn, A. W.]. July 24. Automatic instruments.-The invention relates to devices for playing keyboard instruments mechanically. The tune-sheet storage roller A<2> and the take-up roller A<3> are disposed as shown with respect to a tracker-board A which projects obliquely from the frame of the apparatus. Flexible tubes a<2> connect the orifices in the tracker-board with chambers e, which are all arranged in a line and contain diaphragms E. A vacuum is maintained in the chambers E<1>, F, and the admission of air to the chambers e causes the operation of valves e<3>, e<4> and f<1>, f<5>, and the consequent exhaustion of bellows D, in a way which will be obvious on reference to Fig. 3. The bellows D are connected by trackers d<6> with bent levers C which strike the keys. The bellows D are arranged in three rows, two of which are secured to boards d<4>, d<5> projecting vertically downwards. The flexible parts of the bellows are so arranged as to allow the boards to collapse completely, and the bellows can thus be made smaller than usual, since their entire capacity is available for producing motion. They are also provided with external springs which tend to open them. The wind passages leading to the bellows are made in boards B<1>, B<2>, the latter of which carries the boards d', d<5> and is also provided with brackets to which the levers C are pivoted. The board B<2> is removable so as to render the bellows D and other parts accessible, and the trackers d<6> are inserted into notches in the ends of the levers C so as to be readily disengageable. The take-up roll A<3> is made, as shown in Fig. 8, with flanges carried on sleeves a<14>, a<15> to enable them to be adjusted to tune sheets of varying widths. The sleeves are held in position by springs a<23>, which bear against them. The roller is driven from a motor G<3> by chain and sprocket gearing, a clutch being interposed between the sprocket and the roller to enable the storage roller A<2> to be driven when it is required to re-wind the tune-sheet upon it. The vacuum required for producing motion in the various parts is obtained by bellows K, the boards of which are moved parallel to themselves by pedals k<3>. The pedals act on friction rollers k<5> carried by links k<8> which are attached to the bellows, and springs k<9> are used to restore the pedals to their normal position. Three receivers are used, two of which are low-tension and the other high - tension. One of the low - tension receivers operates the motor G<3>, while the hightension receiver is connected to the chamber E<1>. The other low-tension receiver is connected with the chamber F, which is divided into two parts, either of which can also be connected with the high-tension receiver. The necessary valves for controlling the distribution of wind are operated by hand. Automatic valves are provided for cutting off the low-tension receiver from the chamber F when the high-tension receiver is connected with it. The receivers, one of which is shown at G, are made like the bellows K, so that the movable board moves parallel to itself. The difference of tension in the receivers is effected by providing the high-tension one with a stronger spring, and by fitting the low-tension ones with valves which close when they collapse, thus preventing any more wind from being abstracted from them. The castors M on which the device stands are carried on screwed rods m provided with nuts m<3> for adjusting the height. The pedals P are operated by hand through adjustable linkwork.