Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 18th May, 1886.
Complete Left, 18th Feb., 1887.
Complete Accepted, 13th May, 1887.
RESERV
therefor.
I, WILLIAM HENRY HUGH MUIR, of number Ten Victoria Grove, Fulham
Road, S.W., in the County of Middlesex, Secretary to a public Company do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
:-
This invention has for its object the enabling a musical composer to register or
record, and when necessary correct, musical compositions at the moment of their being
played, and the preservation of all extempore music, as and when played.
One mode of carrying out my invention is as follows:-
I arrange in any convenient manner, by preference in rows, one upon the other,
each row containing one or more magnets or sets of magnets, a series of electro-
magnets, which may be double or single, and of any suitable size and shape, each
magnet, or set of magnets, as the case may be, having an armature, of any suitable
size and shape, placed in such a position as to be easily acted upon thereby, and each
of the said armatures is provided with a point or projection, at any convenient part
thereof, and of any suitable size, shape, and material, the point or projection being of
such a nature, that when the arinature is affected by the magnet, or set of magnets, as
the case may be, it shall either itself mark the paper or other substance hereinafter
mentioned, or shall press the same against the inking-pad or other material hereinafter
mentioned, thereby causing the paper or other material or substance to be marked as
the same is being drawn or passed along as hereinafter mentioned, at the point where,
and for so long as, the point or projection of the armature is in contact with such paper
or other material or substance. I employ a suitable arrangement of clockwork or
other mechanisın, with or without rollers, for the purpose of causing the paper or other
substance, hereinafter mentioned, to pass at the required spoed, between the points or
projections of the armatures, and the inking-pad or other material, hereinafter

page_text: mentioned, and I may or may not employ a regulator, of any convenient form, size,
and shape, such as a pendulum, capable of being adjusted so as to cause the clockwork
or other mechanism to move the said paper or other substance at a greater or less
speed, at the will of the user of my invention, and such regulator may or may not
have connected with it a suitable arrangement, such as a point or projection, for
marking the paper or other substance, so as to show all or any of the beats of the time
in which the music being registered or recorded is being played. Facing the points
or projections of the armatures hereinbefore mentioned, and placed in any convenient
manner and position, so that the said points or projections of the armatures can be
easily presssed against the same when the armatures are affected by the magnets, I
place a pad, capable of being impregnated with ink or any other suitable substance, or
I may employ a cake or block of any suitable substance capable or not of marking the
paper or other substance hereinafter mentioned, when the latter is pressed or rubbed
against it. The said pad, cake, or block may be of any suitable size and shape, and
may be fixed or movable. For the purpose of registering or recording the notes
played on the instrument, and the pedals and stops, if any, used during such playing,
I employ a length or roll of paper or other suitable substance, which is caused to pass
or move, by means of the clockwork or other mechanism, hereinbefore mentioned, at a
regular rate of progress, between the points or projections of the armatures, and the
pad, cake, or block hereinbefore mentioned, and the said paper or other substance in
passing or moving as aforesaid, is marked either by the points or projections of the
armatures themselves, or by the inking-pad, cake, or block of marking material, as the
case may be, as is hereinbefore mentioned, when any of the armatures are affected by
the magnets. The paper or other suitable substance employed for this purpose, may
be either plain, or ruled in parallel lines running lengthways, which lines may be of
any color, or of various colors, and it may or may not be ruled with parallel lines
crossing those just mentioned at right angles thereto. By preference I would rule
the paper or other suitable substance, with regard to the lines running lengthways, as
follows; namely, I would distinguish by some conspicuous color, or otherwise, the line
upon which the point or projection of the armature corresponding to the key of the
note E natural" of the treble clef would fall when the same was affected by its
corresponding magnet or set of magnets, and I would then leave two spaces above the
said line for the points or projections of the armatures corresponding to the notes
" F natural" and "F sharp" (that is to say, one space for cach), I would then rule
two lines, one for "G natural," and one for "G sharp" above the said spaces. I
would then leave two spaces above the last mentioned lines, one for "A natural," and
one for "A sharp," I would then rule one line above the said spaces, for "B natural,"
I would then leave two spaces above the said line, one for "natural" and one for
"Csharp," I would then rule two lines above the last mentioned spaces, one for
"natural," and one for "D sharp," I would then leave one space above the said lines
for "Enatural," and I would then rule two lines above the last mentioned space, ono
for natural," and one for "F sharp," and so on on the same principal above, and
in reverse below the first mentioned line, allowing or ruling only one line or one space,
as the case may require, for the notes "E" and "B" as and when they occur.
<<
I connect up the electro-magnets, by means of suitable double or single wires,
insulated or not, with sufficient battery power, in any convenient manner.
I may
employ any suitable battery. At some convenient part of the circuit of the electric
current I employ a switch, of any convenient size and shape, by means of which the
whole of the electric current can be instantaneously broken or completed in circuit at
the will of the user of my invention.
At convenient points, so as to be operated by the direct action of the keys and
pedals, and stops if any, of the instrument with which my invention is used, or by the
mechanism or other arrangement connected therewith, I employ any suitabie arrange-
ment, for instance, one upon the principle upon which the ordinary portable electric-bell
push is constructed, there being one of such for each and every key pedal and stop, for
the purpose of making the circuit complete between the battery and the magnet, or set
of magnets, connected with each individual key pedal and stop, for so long, and as often

page_text: as such key, pedal, or stop may be played or actuated by the person playing the
instrument with which my invention is used, and such arrangement should be capable
of breaking the circuit immediately the said key, pedal, or stop is released or ceases
to be played or actuated by the person using the instrument.
and
ΟΙ
Another method of carrying out my invention is as follows; namely, instead of
using electricity or magnets, I may employ a system of levers, eccentric other-
wise, wheels, pulleys, etcetera, so that the points or projections, for the purpose of
marking the paper or other substance, which would not in this case be fixed or
connected to armatures, but instead thereof, to some convenient part of the levers,
wheels, or pulleys, as the case might be, could be actuated entirely by mechanical means,
such mechanism being of course actuated and controlled by the action of the keys,
pedals, and stops, or the mechanism of the instrument connected therewith.
I provide a catch, ratchet, or other suitable arrangement, capable of causing the
clock wock or other mechanism, hereinbefore mentioned as being the means of causing
the paper or other substance to pass at the required speed, to cease its action, for the
purpose of enabling the user of my invention to stop or release the action of such
clockwork or other mechanism at any required moment.
The manner of using my invention is as follows :-
The various parts thereof having been either fitted to an old instrument or adopted
in the construction of a new one, the musical composer winds up the clockwork, or
otherwise prepares the mechanism for passing or moving the paper ready for action as
it may requirè, and proceeds to adjust the regulator to the time in which it is intended
to play, then, completing the circuit of the electric current by means of the switch,
after allowing a few beats of the time to clapse, the composer proceeds to play on the
instrument in the ordinary way.
The paper or other substance upon which the music played is recorded, or at least
the latter part thereof, is always in view, so that the composer if wishing to alter the
composition, can read what was formerly played, by means of the lines made by the
points or other marking material, and after breaking the electric current, by means of
the switch, and stopping the motive power of the paper by means of the catch or other
arrangement therefor, the composition can be played over up to the point requiring
alteration without its being again recorded, then, instantaneously and simultaneously
completing the circuit, and releasing the motive power, the composer can play the new
idea, which will be recorded on the paper or other substance, and then proceed with
the composition.
The marks on the recording paper or substance will be easily readable, both as
regards the notes and their length, and the pedals and stops, if any, used, after a very
little experience, and the music can be easily produced by a Publisher in the ordinary
form, by means or in consequence of which Composers will be able to have their
compositions published with all their freshness, richness, and beauty preserved after
merely once playing them over, instead of having to labour with the pen for days and
weeks, and then only succeeding in producing such parts thereof as can be retained in
the memory.
Another mode of carrying out my invention is as follows, namely:-
For the purpose of recording the notes pedals and stops of the instrument with
which my invention is used, played or actuated, I may employ paper or other suitable
material treated chemically or otherwise, in such manner that when and where an
electric current is allowed to act thereon, or pass through the same, it shall cause the
same to be marked, either by changing the color thereof or otherwise. As an example,
I may employ any of the ordinary chemically prepared paper used in connection with
ordinary systems of chemical or autograph telegraph, or 1 may employ linen or cotion
or other suitable fabric treated chemically or otherwise and I may employ any of
these substances partially or wholly treated before being used for the purposes of my
invention, or I may employ any suitable arrangement, such as a roller capable of
impregnating or moistening or otherwise treating the paper or other recording.
substance, as it is being moved or passed along as hereinbefore mentioned.

page_text: In this mode of carrying out my invention I would dispense with the electro-magnets
hereinbefore mentioned, and lead one wire, insulated or otherwise, for every key, pedal
and stop of the instrument with which my invention is used from the battery in any
suitable manner to a bed, frame, or other suitable arrangement, such wire terminating
in a steel, platinum, or platinised, or other suitable point, and immediately opposite the
last mentioned point I would employ a similar or other suitable point, and continue the
wire therefrom, in any convenient manner, back to the battery, and at some convenient
part of such wire I would employ a suitable arrangement for making and breaking
the circuit of the electric current, by the action of the key pedal or stop, as the case
might be, or of the mechanism connected therewith, corresponding thereto.
The paper or other recording substance I would cause to be drawn or moved along,
in manner herein before mentioned, between the two steel platinum, platinised or other
suitable points of each wire hereinbefore mentioned.
In this mode I would arrange the points of the wires one above the other in a
straight line in corresponding order to the keys of the instrument with which my
invention is used, the points corresponding to the pedals, and stops if any, being
arranged in like manner, above or below the last mentioned points.
In this mode instead of employing two points for each wire, I may connect the
roller capable of impregnating or moistening or otherwise treating the paper or other
recording substance by means of one or more wires direct with the battery, and use
only one point for each wire.
DL: 1011
1000

page_text: A Method for the Registration or Recording of the Notes, Pedals,
and Stops Played or Actuated in Keyed Instruments, more
Especially Pianos, Organs, and Harmoniums, and Apparatus
therefor.
1, WILLIAM HENRY HUGH MUIR of 10 Victoria Grove, Fulham Road, West
Brompton, Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be perforined to be particularly described, and ascertained in
and by the following statement :-
This invention has for its object the enabling of a musical composer to register. or
record and when necessary correct musical compositions at the moment of their being
played and the preservation of all extempore music as and when played.
The apparatus which I employ to carry out my invention, consists of a series of
electric contact devices arranged above the keyboard of the piano or like instrument
to which the invention is applied, and in connection with said contact devices a
recording apparatus for indicating the time, position of notes expression &c. of music,
upon paper or other material, the electric current required being supplied by a
suitable battery or other generator as hereinafter described.
Figure 1 of the annexed drawings is a plan and Figure 2 a part sectional elevation
of the recording apparatus, and Figures 3 and 4 are front and side elevations
respectively of the marking appliance. a, a¹, are two metal plates held in position by
the rods b, b, and forming the frame of the recording apparatus. In the said frame
I arrange a roll of paper c on the spindle d, held in position by the screw e. The
paper c is led from the roll over the guide roller and impression roller g to a drum h
covered with felt or other suitable material against which the paper c is held by the
jockey or riding roller i (supported by a spring or springs at each end from a rod
or bar ) a covering of india rubber or two or more india rubber rings on which
press against the paper, to ensure it being drawn along and afterwards led out through
the wooden case . The drum h is caused to rotate by the descent of a weight m
acting through multiplying gear or any suitable clockwork arrangement. The
weight m is suspended from a catgut or cord m³ passing over a small pulley n on a
cock o over an opening in the top plate a and slides on the rod or bar P. The cord m¹
from the weight m passes from the pulley n under pulley 7 to a reel or drum ron
which is arranged enough cord or catgut to allow said weight to descend. A tooth
wheels having say 96 teeth is fixed on the arbor t and has a pawl u and spring v
attached to it, said pawl u taking into the teeth of a ratchet wheel fixed on a tube w
fitting loosely on the arbor and carrying the reel or drum r.
The wheels gears with a pinion of say 12 teeth, on which is a tooth wheel y of
96 teeth, said pinion and wheel y being held in position by a cock 2. The wheel y
gears with a pinion of say 24 teeth on the spindle c¹ of the drum h. By such an
arrangement many feet of paper can be worked out by a few turns of the reel r.

page_text: On the tube w is also fixed a tooth wheel din gear with a pinion e¹ on spindle f¹,
to which spindle is attached a handle for the purpose of winding the gut or cord
on to the reel to wind up the weight m when run down, the pawl u and ratchet
preventing the reel from rotating in the wrong direction.
As the paper e passes over the roller g (see Figures 3 and 4) it is marked by an
apparatus constructed as follows:-², h, are clectro-magnets preferably arranged in
rows as shown and corresponding in number to the notes or keys and pedals of the
piano, additional electro-magnets may be fitted for marking all or some of the beats
of the time and the expression with which the music being recorded is being played.
Each electro-magnet has an armature j' of any suitable size and shape, taken off
the magnet by a spring kl, and each armature j¹ is provided with a point or marker 1.
The electro-magnets are preferably arranged at each side of the roller I but
they may be arranged at one side only if desired.
Above and below the roller are pullies m³, m², m³, over which a ribbon or inking
pad or tape m (supplied with ink from a reservoir n³ with sponge p¹ or otherwise)
passes between said roller
and the points or markers . The roller or pulley m
is actuated from a pulley g¹ from which a cord or catgut ¹ (see Figures 1 and 2)
passes to a small pulley under the ratchet on the tube w.
showing the shape
Figures 5 and 6 are separate views of an electro-magnet,
of the armature and position of the marker with respect to the roller g.
Figures 7 and 8 are elevation and plan respectively of the key contacts. 1, 2, are
the white and black keys respectively of a piano or like instrument, and t the name
board, in front of which I arrange a cable carrier of wood or other insulating
material extending the whole length of the keyboard and supported by the blocks
at each end or otherwise. Along the top of the cable carrier is a strip of brass ²,
under which I slide the tongues v¹¹, which are fixed to the bottom of blocks w¹ of
insulating material corresponding in number to the keys of the piano; one spring to
each block. Through a hole in each of the blocks I arrange a pin a¹ of sufficient
length and with a screw ferrule y' at the end so that it can be adjusted to suit the
keys of the piano. The head of the pin a¹, when the piano is not being played holds
a spring a² off a contact piece 2 but on depressing the key of the piano on which
the pin rests, the spring a comes in contact with the metal piece 62 and completes
part of an electrical circuit from the strip of brass through the spring a² and
contact 2 by a flexible wire c² to the cable ².
The general arrangement of the electric circuit will be understood by reference to
Figure 9. A wire e from the battery, or generator is led to the end of the brass
strip u, and a wire from each of the contacts & is taken preferably in the form of a
cable d and attached to one end of the wire forming the coils of an electro-magnet h¹,
the other end of the coils of each electro-magnet being connected to the return wire f
Any suitable cut out is arranged in the return wire for the purpose of breaking the
circuit and stopping the registering of the music played.
The success of the instrument mainly depends on balancing the resistance of the
coils of the electro-magnets, each of which is of high resistance, and all being wound
to the same resistance. An electric current is used of a certain electromotive force
according to the resistance of the wire upon each electro-magnet, that is, if the
resistance of each coil be 130 ohms, there must be an electromotive force given by the
battery or generator, and said hattery or generator must give sufficient current in
ampères to charge the whole of the electro-magnets or any number of them at one
time.
The paper or other suitable substance employed for recording the music may be
either plain or ruled in parallel lines running lengthways, which lines may be of any
color, or of various colors, and it may or may not be ruled with parallel lines crossing
those first mentioned at right angles thereto. By preference I would rule the paper
or other suitable substance with regard to the lines running lengthways, as follows:-
namely, I would distinguish by some conspicuous colour or otherwise the line upon
which the point or projection of the armature corresponding to the key of the note E
natural of the treble clef would fall when the same was affected by its corresponding

page_text: magnet, or set of magnets, and I would then leave two spaces above the said line for
the points or projections of the armatures corresponding to the notes F natural and
F sharp, that is one space for each, I would then rule two lines, one for G natural and
one for G sharp, above the said spaces, I would then leave two spaces above the last
mentioned lines, one for A natural and one for A sharp, I would then rule one line
above the said spaces for B natural, I would then leave two spaces above the said line,
one for natural and one for C sharp, I would then rule two lines above the last
mentioned spaces, one for D natural and one for D sharp, I would then leave one
space above the said lines for E natural, and I would then rule two lines, above the
last mentioned space, one for F natural and one for F sharp, and so on, on the same
principle above, and in reverse below the first mentioned line, allowing only one line
or one space as the case may require for the notes E natural and B natural as and
when they occur.
Figure 10 shows approximately the appearance of paper ruled as above described
with music recorded thereon.
I provide a catch Morse instrument stop, or any other suitable arrangement capable
of causing the clockwork or other mechanism for moving the paper hereinbefore
mentioned, to cease its action, for the purpose of enabling the user of my invention to
stop the action of the clockwork at any moment required.
Figures 11 and 12 show the regulator y² and click arrangement ² connected
therewith, which may be arranged to click about every half second and cause a mark
to be made by completing a circuit through an electro-magnet with armature similar
to those hereinbefore described.
For the purpose of recording the expression and length of time, the pedals are
actuated, contact devices similar to those used in connection with the keys would be
employed having similar electro-magnet and armature arrangements in connection
with them.
In applying the invention to organs and similar instruments, in addition to the
electro-magnets representing notes or keys I employ a number of electro-magnets
corresponding to the stops, said stops having any suitable contact devices to completo
circuit, so that the whole time any stop or stops is or are out or in operation, a line is
drawn along the paper above or below representing notes or keys.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is :-
--
1. Arrangement of a series of electro-magnets and armatures actuated by an electric
current of a certain electromotive force according to the resistance of the wire upon
each electro-magnet and of sufficient ampère current to charge the whole of the
electro-magnets or any number of them at one time as and for the purpose set forth.
2. The arrangement of contact devices operated directly by the depression of the
keys of a piano or like instrument, for the purpose of putting a number of electro-
magnet coils in circuit in parallel corresponding to the keys struck as hereinbefore set
forth.
3. The arrangement of electro-magnets with armatures and contact devices herein-
before described to record the beats of time, the expression, and the length of time,
pedals, or organ stops, are used in playing music.
4. In an apparatus for registering or recording music, the arrangement of
appliances for regulating or varying the speed or rate of progress of the recording
paper and of the beats of time as before described.
The 100 way
Cronor 10
POSTA
H. GARDNER,
166, Fleet Street, London,
Agent for the said William Henry Hugh Muir.