Patent GB-235410-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to mechanical musical instruments of the viol class
IPC: G10F1/18
Filed: 1924-07-16
Abstract: 235,410. Wade, H., (Mills Novelty Co.). July 16, 1924. Keyboard stringed instruments. -In a set of mechanical violins notes ordinarily played on one string are allocated to different instruments so that cords containing such notes may be obtained. In the apparatus described, four violins are controlled from a double-bank keyboard the keys of which close electric circuits operating the string-stopping and the bow-engaging magnets, the bows being driven by electro-motors one for each instrument. The circuits are such that if desired the instruments may be played in unison. In Fig. 1 the lower bank of keys 100 controls first position notes on the strings of the instruments with upper position notes also in the case of the E string, and the upper bank 101 controls the higher position notes also. The. note circuits for selective playing are shown in broken lines and those for unison playing in full lines. As shown for the G strings of the instruments, for selective playing the keys 100 G. G# operate string-stopping magnets 10G<1> (idle), 10G#<1> on the first instrument only; the keys 100A, Bb operate magnets 10A<2>, 10B<b2> on the second instrument; keys 100B, C operate magnets 10B<3>, 10C<3> on the third; and key 100C# operates magnet 10C#<4> on the fourth. Upper position notes played from keyboard 101 are, during selective playing, played on the fourth instrument only. The selective note-operating circuit is from the main 118 by leads 171, 105 to the key (see also Fig. 3), through contacts 106, 107 and lead 108 to the string-stopping magnet and by leads 172, 173 to the return main 119. The requisite bow-engaging magnet 176G, 179G &c. is simultaneously operated by the key making contact at 109. closing a circuit 111 (or 111A .. C), 174 (177 &c), 175 &c., 119, which is in parallel with the string-stopping circuit. All the bow motors are in operation during selective playing, their control relays 148 being closed by a contact bar 166 on a switch 165 completing parallel circuits 118, 164, 167 &c., 144 &c., 157 &c., 156, 119. The bow motors, which are connected to the mains by leads 120, 121, 122. 158, 156, are further controlled by " loud " and " soft " pedals 132, 134 connected to panels 124 of the kind described in Specification 29654/13, [Class 88 (i), Musical instruments, Automatic]. For unison playing the string-stopping and bowengaging circuits used in selective playing remain in operation, but the bow motor control contact 166 is broken by a movement of the switch 165 which also simultaneously closes contacts 184, 186. Operation of a key 100G# then closes in addition circuits 118, 184, 113, 114, 115 (see also Fig. 3), 190, 188, 186, 119, which include the G# string-stopping magnets in the second third and fourth instruments. The movement of the switch 165 also closes contacts 189 .. 192 placing the bow-engaging magnets of corresponding strings on all the instruments in parallel circuits. Thus, depression of a key now operates the corresponding string-stopping and bow-engaging magnets in all the instruments. The choice of the instrument or instruments to be sounded during unison playing, however, is under the control either of individual switches 152 .. 155, or of a crescendo pedal 130, respectively connected to the bow motor control relays 148 .. 151.