An Improved Apparatus for Turning over the Leaves of Music, Books, and the like.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Sept., 1889-Accepted, 5th Oct., 1889
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Apparatus for Turning over the Leaves of Music,
Books, and the like.
I, HENRY WARING of "Elsinore" 14 Harold's Cross, Dublin, Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
This Invention has reference to and is based upon the patent granted to Charles
Wayte, No. 16092 Dated 31st December 1885-wherein a number of vertical arms in
their travel along a fixed horizontal rod turn over the leaves of music or book-and
has more particularly for its object to provide suitable mechanism, hereinafter described,
whereby each of the vertical arms hereinafter identified are caused automatically to
travel along the fixed horizontal rod also hereinafter identified in a much more
efficient manner than that described in the Specification of the Invention above
referred to.
In the accompanying two sheets of drawings illustrative of my said Invention,
Figure 1 is a front elevation, partly in section, of my improved apparatus; Figure 2
a cross section taken on line A, B, Figure 1; and Figure 3 a plan with a portion of
the upper part of the enclosing casing of the apparatus removed; like letters of
reference denoting corresponding parts or members in each of the views.
To the sloping frame A on which the music or book is placed, is adapted a metal rod
or support a which embraces the centre of the book or music by means of thumb
screws b. To the lower end of the frame A is attached a casing B in which is disposed
a horizontal fixed rod C on which are mounted, and capable of free longitudinal sliding
movement thereon, any desired number of carriers or sockets D in which are secured
the vertical arms or rods E which are placed between the leaves of the music or book
to be turned. At each end of the casing B I provide supports F, and F', each of which
carry at the upper and lower ends thereof a series of runners or pulleys c, c' and d, d',
corresponding in number to that of the vertical arms employed. Suitable cords e el
flexible wires or equivalents pass over each of these pulleys or runners and are con-
nected by their inner ends to the carriers or sockets D, the outer or free ends having
weights G. G, connected thereto for imparting the required travel to the sockets Ď
carrying the vertical arms E.
The vertical rods E normally when in action, slide from right to left; but, it will be
readily understood that by the employment of the additional support F1 (at the right
of the apparatus) with its pulleys or runners c¹, d', and cords e', a leaf may be turned
back again (as would occur in the case of "repeats" in music playing) by raising the
weight of the left hand support F when the corresponding right hand weight G¹
descends, causing, by its cord e¹ the vertical rod, together with the turned page, to
resume their former position. In certain cases however 1 may prefer to dispense with
the right hand support F with its pulleys and cords.
The vertical arms E are consecutively released and turn the leaves by the following
arrangement of parts namely:-Runuing parallel with the fixed horizontal rod C, on
which the carriers D are mounted, I provide a second horizontal rod H, mounted in
suitable bearings, which is capable of partial rotation on pressure being applied to the
knob or button f by the finger of the performer. Two cams or catches I, J, are keyed
to the rod H, so that, on depressing the button f, which causes H to partially rotate,
the cam I releases the first of the vertical arms E which passes to the left of the stand,
at the same time turning the leaf of the music or book. The following arm of the
series E is prevented from turning the ensuing leaf by the second cam J which is
set on the rod H at a different angle to the first cam I. Upon the withdrawal of
pressure from button f the rod H and cams 1 J, regain their normal position by the
"2

page_text: pressure of a spring K bearing against an arm or bar g keyed to the rod H, where-
upon the remaining arms, after disengaging from the cam J, are impelled forward
until they are caught by the first cam or catch 1 in readiness for turning the following
leaves. This operation is repeated until the remainder of the vertical arins with the
leaves which they are intended to turn over have passed to the left of the apparatus,
when they are again replaced in their former position.
I form in the top plate L of the casing Ba slot or opening M serving as a guide for
the travel of the vertical arms E in their sockets D the central portion being curved
outwards to enable the arms when approaching the centre of the music or book to lift,
in addition to turning, each of the leaves.
To simplify the construction of the apparatus above described I may in certain cases
dispense with the standards, pulleys, weights and cords aforesaid; and employ as a
motive power for actuating the carriers of the vertical rods E a number of suitable
springs, elastic bands, or convenient flexible contrivances, which cause the carriers to
travel in a manner similar to that just described in reference to the preceding arrange-
ment. Also, instead of causing the horizontal rod H to partially rotate by pressure
applied to button f, I may connect this rod by a suitable arrangement of levers or
cords and pullies to a pedal, which would be depressed by the foot of the performer.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what 1
claim is
:-
First In a device for turning the leaves of music the combination with the
vertical arms E sliding along the horizontal fixed rod G of the mechanism herein
described for automatically causing said vertical arms when released to turn over the
leaves substantially as set forth.
Second-In a device for turning over the leaves of music the combination of
horizontal fixed rod H, cams or catches I, J, arm or bar g, and spring K, actuated in
the manner and for the purpose substantially as described.
Third-In a device for turning the leaves of music the combination with the
vertical arms E of a slot or opening M provided in the top plate L of the enclosing
case B substantially as and for the purpose specified.
Dated this 24th dow of
1000
JAMES STEVENSON,
Gray's Inn Chambers, 20, High Holborn, London, W.C., Agent for Applicant.