Improvements in Music Boxes.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Aug.. 1899-Accepted, 28th Apr.,
1900
Improvements in Music Boxes.
I, WILLIAM ATLEE DRYSDALE, of No. 6050, Overbrook Avenue, Philadelphia.
in the State of Pennsylvania, United States of America, Consulting Electrical
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:-
My invention relates to machines wherein a pattern disk is actuated to effect
a predetermined operation of the machine, or a predetermined sequence of
sounds from sound producing members thereof. The class of mechanism aforesaid
is typified in the music box I have illustrated, which comprises fixed combs
having vibratory sounding tongues and mechanism to rotate a removable disk;
the latter being provided with pattern perforations or projections upon its face
so related to said tongues as to effect the vibration thereof, during the rotative
traverse of the disk.
Music boxes of the class illustrated, as ordinarily constructed, are adapted for
the successive insertion and removal of single disks which are temporarily main-
tained in proper relation with the rotary mechanism by a central clamp fixed
upon the extremity of an arm overhanging the disk; said arm being hinged at
its outer extremity upon the frame of the instrument and manually operated to
effect the insertion and removal of each disk.
My present invention comprises means whereby a series or pack of disks may
be simultaneously placed in a machine, which, in operating will successively
feed the disks, of said series, upon the rotary mechanism, and rotate and discharge
each disk in succession at predetermined intervals without further attendance of
the operator.
My invention also comprebends controlling mechanism whereby the number of
revolutions of each disk may be varied, being predetermined at the will of the
operator, conveniently by the set of an index.
In the drawings, Fig. 1, is a plan view of a machine conveniently embodying
my invention; the parts being in position to begin rotation of the pattern disk.
Fig. 2, is a side elevation of the machine, in its casing, the latter being shown
in section for clearness of illustration.
Fig. 3, is a plan view of the machine showing the position of the parts during
the discharge of a pattern disk.
Fig. 4, is a side elevation similar to that of Fig. 2, the position of the parts
being that of Fig. 3.
Fig. 5, is an inverted plan view of the machine removed from its casing.
Fig. 6, is a rear elevation of the machine; certain parts being omitted for
clearness of illustration.
Fig. 7, is a plan sectional view of the machine showing the controlling mechan-
ism by which the number of revolutions of each pattern disk is predetermined.
Fig. 8, is a vertical sectional view on the axial line of the controller dial.
Fig. 9, is a plan view of the controller dial.

page_text: Fig. 10, is a sectional view showing the locking plunger of the controller dial.
Fig. 11, is a sectional view taken on the line 11, 11, of Fig. 5, in the direction
of the arrows upon said line.
Fig. 12, is a sectional view taken on the line 12, 12, of Fig. 11, in the direction
of the arrows upon said line.
Fig. 13, is a sectional detail view of the motor shaft and parts connected there-
with.
Fig. 14, is a sectional detail view of the clutch worm gear upon the extremity
of the main driving shaft.
Fig. 15, is a fragmentary sectional view taken transversely of Fig. 5, in the
same direction as Fig. 11; showing the details of the clutch shifting mechanism,
with the parts in the position initial to the operation of the disk transferring
niechanism.
Fig. 16, is a detail view; showing the position of the parts of the tripping cam
when automatically set for operation.
Fig. 17, shows the position of the parts of the tripping cam, about to actuate
the clutch shifting mechanism; to stop the disk transferring mechanism and
start the disk rotating mechanism.
Fig. 18, is a view similar to that of Fig. 15; showing the position of the parts
initial to the operation of the disk rotating mechanism.
Fig. 19, is an elevation of the tripping cam; showing the opposite side to that
of Fig. 16.
Fig. 20, is an edge view of the tripping cam as seen from the right hand
side of Fig. 16.
Fig. 21, is an edge view of the tripping cam; being the lower edge of Fig. 16.
Fig. 22, is a sectional view taken on the line 22, 22, in Fig. 5, in the direction
of the arrows upon said line; showing the disk lowering mechanism.
Fig. 23, is a fragmentary plan view showing one of the disk supporting heads.
Fig. 24, is a fragmentary plan view similar to Fig. 23; with the cap plate of
said head removed.
Fig. 25, is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 25, 25, in Fig. 23, in
the direction of the arrows upon said line; showing the normal position of the
disk supporting and releasing blades.
Figs. 26, 27, and 28, are respectively detail plan views of the lower blade; the
partition strip, and the upper blade; shown assembled in Fig. 24.
Fig. 29, is a detail view; showing modified means for supporting and releasing
the disks.
Fig. 30, is a sectional view taken on the line 30, 30, in Fig. 5, in the direction
of the arrows upon said line; showing the disk bearing rollers, and the mechanism
by which they are vertically reciprocated.
Fig. 31, is a fragmentary elevation of the parts shown at the right hand side
of Fig. 30.
Fig. 32, is a sectional view taken on the line 32, 32, in Fig. 5, in the direction
of the arrows upon said line; showing the mechanism for vertically reciprocating
the clamp shafts.
Fig. 33, is a detail view of the cam and connected parted by which the clamp
shafts are horizontally oscillated from their normal position shown in Fig. 1,
to the position shown in Fig. 3.
Fig. 34, is a sectional view taken on the line 34, 34, in Fig. 5, in the direction
of the arrows upon said line; showing the vertical reciprocatory disk guide rods;
the track arms from which the pattern disks are discharged, etc.
Fig. 35, is a sectional view taken on the line 35, 35, in Fig. 5, in the direction
of the arows upon said line; showing the disk discharging mechanism.
Fig. 36, is a sectional view taken on the line 36, 36, in Fig. 35, in the direc-
tion of the arrows upon said line.
Fig. 37. is a plan view of a typical form of disk peculiarly adapted to co-operate
with my improved mechanism.

page_text: Figs. 38, and 39, are sectional views of supporting bosses upon said disk. The
former showing the preferred form.
Referring to the drawings, A, is an enclosing casing which serves to conve-
niently support the bed frame plate A, and its depending frame A', etc., upon
and between which are mounted the ordinary elements of the musical instrument
and the mechanism comprising a convenient embodiment of my invention.
The ordinary elements of the instrument aforesaid comprise fixed combs B*, the
vibratory tongues 6, of which, differ in length, etc., in accordance with the sound
pitch they are designed to produce. Each of said tongues is provided with an
idle spur wheel b₁, mounted for rotation in the bearing blocks B¹
Said spur
wheels b', project above said bearing blocks to engage projections z, upon the
rotary pattern disk Z.
Said disk Z, is rotated by its detachable engagement upon the shaft B; the
latter having a disk driving head B2, provided with an eccentric driving. pin b²;
and a central cone pin 63. Said pins fit respective apertures ¹, and, in the
disk Z, which is thus centered and rotatively engaged.
The pattern upon each disk Z, being formed by the projections z, upon its
lower surface existing at intervals in concentric circles in registry with the
respective idle spur wheels b¹ it is obvious that when said disk is rotated by its
engagement as aforesaid, said projections z, contact with the respective idle spur
wheels b', and, through the latter, vibrate the respective tongues 6, of the sound-
ing combs B, in a sequence predetermined by the relative position of said pro-
jections .
The shaft B, may be rotated in the direction of the arrow upon Fig. 1, by any
suitable actuating mechanism, as ordinarily constructed however, said actuating
mechanism comprises a spring motor B33, (see Fig. 3), the spring being adapted
to be wound by means of the exterior handle b, upon the shaft, the latter
connecting with the spring drum by the bevel gears 6. Said drum imparts its
unwinding motion of rotation to said shaft B, by the gears 66.
The embodiment of my invention which I have shown comprises a main shaft C,
from which the various associated devices comprising my invention are actuated.
A simple form of my invention would therefore consist of said devices connected
with said shaft C, and entirely separate from the motor which effects the rotation
of the disk, but mounted upon the bed plate A, in such relation with said ordinary
elements of the instrument as to co-operate therewith, to feed, and discharge the
disks. In such an embodiment of my invention the shaft C. may be manually
actuated at the proper intervals by means of the exterior handle c.
The dimensions of a motor of the spring type above described are necessarily
such as to limit the time of its unwinding operation to a few minutes, thus
necessitating the frequent manipulation of the winding handle b. Therefore, the
preferred embodiment of my invention, comprises a motor shaft 1*, provided
with a band wheel, exterior to the casing A, so that it may receive continuous
rotary motion from some exterior source such as an electric motor.
In said preferred form of my invention the parts are so related that the respec-
tive shafts B, and C, may be alternately actuated from said motor shaft D*, by
means of an automatically operative clutch mechanism; so that the continuous
rotary motion of the exterior band wheel d, through the shaft C, etc., effects the
transferrence of the disks Z at the proper intervals, and through the shaft B, etc.,
effects the successive rotation of said disks at the proper intervals; the relation
of said intervals of disk rotation and disk transference being controlled as afore-
said by a manually adjustable index H, hereinafter at length described.
Said shaft D, extends through the casing A. and is provided with a clutch
member, adapted for fixed engagement with the clutch member 2, upon the
shaft D', when the mechanism is in its normal position within said casing the
two shafts being thus normally continuous are separable as aforesaid, merely for
convenience of removal of the mechanism from the casing.
Referring to Figs. 11, 12, 13, and 14 The shaft D¹, is mounted in the

page_text: bearing a, in the frame member A², depending from the bed plate A, and is pro-
vided with a coupling sleeve 12, keyed for. endwise reciprocation thereon to
alternately engage with the clutch head d³, of the disk rotating mechanism, and
the clutch head, of the disk transferring mechanism.
The head, is fixed upon the shaft D³, and is shaped to receive the extremity
of the shaft D', which is supported for rotation therein, independently of said
shaft D the latter being mounted for. rotation in the bearings a, a, in said
frame member A²..
W
The clutch d, is loosely mounted upon the shaft D', and provided_with_a
worm D4, in mesh with the worm gear C, upon the shaft C. Said worm gear C³,
is loosely mounted. upon the shaft C, but is adapted to rotate the latter in the
direction of the arrow upon Fig. 11, by the engagement of the ratchet.c, upon the
gear with the pawl c, pivoted upon the plate C², fixed upon said. shaft.. Said
ratchet permits the transferring mechanism to be manually operated, forwardly,
by the handle c, see Fig. 5; I prefer however to fix the. gear C, upon the shaft C,
and make the latter in two parts connected for actuation by the gear C¹, etc.,
through the friction union to permit the manual rotation. of said mechanism
in either direction, without disturbing the relation of said gear C¹, with the
driving worm D, fixed upon the shaft D.
·
The worm D, is fixed upon the shaft D, and engages with the worm gear ])6
fixed upon the shaft D. Said shaft D', is mounted for rotation in the bearing a²,
in the frame member A2, and in the bearing a³, upon the frame member A¹. The
worm D8, is fixed upon said shaft D7, in position to engage the worm gear 'B',
fixed upon the shaft B.
It is therefore obvious that when the clutch sleeve D2, is engaged with the
clutch head, the rotary motion of the shafts D, D', is transmitted to said
shaft B, and through its driving head B2, to the disk 7, seated thereon.
As is usual in mechanism of this class the speed of rotation of the shaft B,
may be governed within certain limits, by the fan E: the gear wheel B³, upon
said shaft B, being operatively connected with said fan E, through gears e, el,
and e, the latter being engaged with the worm, upon the arbor E', of the fan.
The detent arms Ex, are fixed upon the fan arbor E, and serve to contact with
the detent lever F, by which the motion of said fan and its train aforesaid is
arrested at the proper intervals, as hereinafter described.
Before describing the detailed construction of the parts comprising the disk
transferring mechanism operated by the main driving shaft C. I shall describe
the general arrangement and co-operative relationship of said respective parts,
as follows:-
The standards I, existing in the four corners of the rectangular bed plate A,
conveniently support a series of the disks %, in readiness for successive trans-
ference to the rotary head B. Said standards have fixed heads I, each provided
with a pair of movable blades,, adapted as hereinafter described, to successively
release each disk at the bottom of the series or pack which rests upon said blades:
The pack of disks being laterally supported by the fixed guide bars J, J.
The disks Z, must be maintained as shown in Fig. 1, with their apertures z¹,
in registry with the driving pin 2, upon the driving head 132, so that when
released as aforesaid they will descend in proper position with respect to said
driving head, and said pin. I have therefore provided each of said disks with a
single peripheral notch, adapted to engage the guide J, which is set within the
circumferential line bounded by the other guides J: Said disks are therefore
maintained in proper registry, and it is impossible to otherwise place them upon
the standards I.
When a disk Z, is dropped upon the driving head B2, the clamp shafts K. pro-
vided with the idle rollers k, serve to retain said disk in proper position relative
to the spur wheels b. etc.
The disk bearing rollers L, serve to upwardly deflect the disk Z, engaged upon
the head Ba, beneath the idle rollers k. The disk Z, is thus stiffened for engage-

page_text: ment with the spur wheels b¹ and prevented from chattering during its rotary
movement.
During the operation of discharging the disk Z, as shown in Figs. 3, and 4,
the rollers L, are lowered; the disk being uplifted by the discharging rollers M,
mounted for rotation in the frame M', said rollers serving to deliver said disk
upon the track arms N, N, which are maintained parallel until said disk has
been fully discharged upon them, being then diverged as shown in Fig. 1; drop-
ping the disk upon the disk rack a, fixed upon the exterior of the casing A*
The main driving shaft C, of the disk transferring mechanism is provided with
the bevel gear c*, in mesh with the bevel gear g, upon the shaft G, mounted
for rotation in the frame members A, A, The bevel gear g, upon the opposite
extremity of the shaft G, is in mesh with the bevel gear g', fixed upon the cam
shaft G. Said shaft G, is mounted for rotation in the frame members A3, A4,
and is provided with cams to actuate the respective members of the disk trans-
ferring mechanism as follows:-
I shall first describe the details of construction of the standards I, and the
blades by which said disks %, are normally supported and successively dropped
upon the driving head, referring particularly to Figs 22, to 28.
Each of the heads I*, enclose disk releasing blades i, i, adapted for reciproca-
tion beneath the disks Z. Said blades ., are separated in their respective
heads I, by the diaphragms i, and are provided with oppositely disposed notches
respectively,, for engagement with the respective crank pins, upon the
crowns I, fixed on the vertical rock shafts 12; The latter extend through the
standards I, and are provided upon their respective lower extremities with crank
arms I. It is obvious that rocking movement of the shafts I, serves to oppositely
reciprocate the blades i, i, in accordance with the direction of said movement.
In operation the blades i, serve to sustain the pack of disks placed within the
guides J, J, the initial movement of their operation being the simultaneous with-
drawal of the upper blades i, and advance of the lower blades . When the
blades, are withdrawn the pack of disks settles upon the blades, and the
blades i, are then reentered above the single bottom disk, the latter being in the
sequence of operation, released and allowed to fall by the withdrawal of the
blades i¹.
To facilitate the aforesaid operation of the blades i, I prefer to maintain
the disks Z, slightly separated in the pack upon the standards I, by bosses Z¹.
formed on each disk by curled tongues struck from the disk metal; see Figs. 37,
and 38: Said bosses are located in the region of the standards I, conveniently
projecting from the lower surface of the disk Z, of height equal to the pattern
projections 2. As shown in Fig. 39, said bosses may be formed by depressions in
the uisks, filled flush with the disk surface as indicated at, in said Fig.
The four crank arms I³, are respectively connected by links I, with crank
arms I, fixed upon the shafts I. The crank arms I, are respectively fixed upon
the shafts I, and are coupled by the link 18. It is obvious that said crank arms I",
are thus adapted for simultaneous movement and said arms are actuated to effect
the aforesaid simultaneous movements of the blades i, i, by means of the pit-
man I, which has a bearing upon the shaft G, and is actuated at the proper
intervals by the cam 110, fixed upon said shaft G, to engage with the roller
upon said pitman I".
The vertical guide bars J, terminate above the driving head B2, to permit the
lateral discharge of the disks after their rotation. It is desirable however, that
said disks should be positively guided into position upon the driving head B²,
when released by the blades ¹, I therefore provide reciprocatory vertical guide
rods, and, which respectively register with the fixed guide bars J, and J*,
but are normally lowered within the sockets J, upon the bed plate A, see Fig. 34.
The links, connect said rods with the crank arms J2, upon the rock shafts J³:
which are mounted in the framework A¹, and connected by the sectors ³, for
simultaneous actuation. The pitman J5, is pivoted to the crank arm J*, fixed on J³
;

page_text: and is provided with rollers j, to engage the cam J6, fixed upon the shaft G.
At the proper intervals said rods are raised by said cam and lowered by the
springs J, the extremities of the latter being respectively fixed upon the frame A¹,
and the shafts J³, see Fig. 5.
The conical rollers L, which flex the disk Z, are preferably of the form shown
at the left hand side of Fig. 30, and are mounted for idle rotation upon the
yokes L', on the vertical plungers L². The latter being mounted for vertical
reciprocation in the fixed bearing sleeves A, depending from the bed plate A,
are maintained in proper position radial to the head B2, by means of the splines ²,
fixed upon the plungers and engaged in the slide ways a. in the bearings A
The collars, are fixed upon the respective lower extremities of said plungers L²,
and provided with studs 74, upon which are pivotally mounted the links, which
connect. said collars with the arms L³, upon the rock shaft L. Said shaft is
mounted for rotation in bearings As, depending from the bed plate A, and is
conveniently rocked to raise and lower the rollers L, at the proper intervals by
means of the crank arm L³, the roller, upon the extremity of said arm bearing
upon the cam Lo, fixed upon the shaft G, (see Fig. 31).
The clamp shafts K, normally overhang the disk Z, upon the driving head B2,
as shown in Figs. 1, and 2: The idle rollers k, clamping said disk in proper rela-
tion with the driving head B². Said shafts are mounted upon vertical plungers K¹,
which are adapted to reciprocate and rotate in the bearing sleeves A³, depending
from the bed plate A.
The dowel pins K*, fixed upon the plate A, project within the sockets k*, of the
shafts K, and prevent the displacement of the latter during the operation of the
disk rotating mechanism. In order to free the disk Z, from its engagement be-
neath the rollers k, said shafts K, are raised and swung into the position shown
in dotted lines in Fig. 32, and in full lines in Fig. 3.
The plungers K¹, are raised and lowered by means of the collars ¹, swivelled
upon their lower extremities, the latter being connected by the links, with
the crank arms K², fixed upon the shaft K³. Said shaft K³, is mounted for rota-
tion in the vertical frame members A2, and A10, and the double crank arm K*,
fixed therein is provided with rollers 4, adapted to contact with the opposite sides
of the cam K³, upon the shaft G. Said cam K³, is shaped to vertically reciprocate
the plungers K', at the proper intervals.
The crank arms K6, are respectively fixed upon the lower extremities of the
plungers K, and connected by the links 6, with the crank arms, fixed upon
the rock shaft K. The latter is mounted to rotate in the frame members A2, A3,
A4, A5, and is provided with a fixed crank arm K8, pivotally connected with the
pitman K. Said pitman is supported at its opposite extremity upon the shaft G,
and is provided with rollers, to engage the opposite sides of the cam K¹. Said
vam Ko, is so shaped as to rock said shaft K, and thereby swing the clamp
shafts K, in proper time with the other parts of the mechanismi.
The discharging rollers M, which uplift the disk Z, when the latter is dis-
engaged from the rollers k, upon the clamp shafts K; are mounted for rotation
in the frame M¹; fixed upon the plungers M2. Said plungers are mounted for
vertical reciprocation in the bearing sleeves A", depending from the bed plate A,
(see Fig. 36), and are raised and lowered by means of links M, which pivotally
connect the lower extremities of the plungers with the extremities of the crank
arms M³. Said arms M³, are fixed upon the shaft M4, and are each provided with
a roller m³, adapted to contact with the cam M5, upon the shaft G. Said cam is
so proportioned as to raise and lower the frame M', at the proper intervals.
Said rollers M, are preferably faced with rubber as indicated at m, in Fig. 35,
and are connected for simultaneous rotation by means of the shaft M6, and the
bevel gears m. The central roller M, is rotated by the vertical shaft M', and the
bevel gears m7; see Figs. 1, and 35.
Said shaft M. is mounted for rotation in the bearings m³, and m², upon the
frame M', and the plungers M³, respectively, and is of course raised and lowered

page_text: therewith. The shaft M7, is provided at its lower extremity with a bevel gear M³,
which is not however, rigidly connected therewith. Said gear M³, rests upon the
collar ms, fixed upon said shaft, and is rotatively connected with the latter by
the spiral spring A, one end of which is fixed upon the gear, and the other enil
upon the shaft, at the collar mº. Said bevel gear M8, is adapted to mesh with the
bevel gear m¹o, fixed upon the extremity of the shaft M, the latter being mounted
for rotation in the frame members A, and A. (see Fig. 5).
The shaft Mo, is continuously rotated during the operation of the disk chang-
ing mechanism but is only in mesh with the gear Ms, to rotate the discharging
rollers M, when the latter are in their upper position, and the resilient connec-
tion of said gear M8, upon the shaft M, above described, prevents injury to the
parts by the instantaneous engagement of the bevel gears M8, and m¹o, when said
rollers M, are uplifted as aforesaid.
Said shaft Mio, receives its motion of continuous rotation through the bevel
gears m, one of which is fixed upon the shaft M" the gear pinion m2, being
fixed upon the shaft M", in mesh with the gear wheel M, fixed upon the shaft G*.
driven from the shaft C, as herein before described.
The rollers M, discharge the disk Z, upon the track arms N, as shown in
Fig. 3. Said arms comprise the roller tracks N', mounted for idle rotation in the
bearings n, upon said arms. During the operation of the disk rotating mechan-
ism said arms remain in the divergent position indicated in Fig. 1, and their only
movement is from that position to the parallel position shown in Fig. 3. Said
track arms remain parallel until the discharging disk has slid out thereon to the
proper position to be dropped upon the supporting rack whereupon they
diverge to their normal position releasing said disk, which drops between them:
the escape of the disk being facilitated by the rotary movement of the tracks N¹
As shown in Figs. 1, and 34, said arms N, are fixed upon the vertical rock
shafts N2, which are mounted in the bearings N³, in the bed plate A. The crank
arms N, fixed upon the lower extremities of said shafts are provided with
springs N, which tend to diverge the arms N. The tappet arms N³, being fixed
upon the rock shaft M, hereinbefore described, are provided with tappets n³,
adapted to contact with the studs n', upon the arm N, and co-operate with said
springs N, to swing the arms N, at the proper intervals.
As thus described: the disk transferring mechanism is independent of the disk
rotating mechanism, and either of said mechanisms may be actuated from the
motor shaft D', in accordance with the engagement of the clutch sleeve 12, with
the head 3, of the disk rotating mechanism on the head d, of the disk transfer-
ring mechanism, I have however, provided clutch shifting mechanism connective
of the two mechanisms aforesaid, whereby the last operation of the disk rotating
mechanism automatically initiates the operation of the disk transferring mechan-
ism and vice versa.
It is obvious that the mere disconnection of the clutch D2, from either of the
heads, and , would not suffice to instantly terminate the movement of the
mechanism connected therewith. In order therefore, to start and stop the
respective mechanisms with precision: I have provided means to arrest the move-
ment of the disengaged mechanism simultaneously with the shifting movement
of the clutch D2, as follows:
Referring to Fig. 11: 0. is the clutch shifting lever mounted for oscillatory
movement upon the stud 0, fixed in the frame member A2. The brake blocks o*.
are secured upon the wings o, of the lever 0, and adapted to alternately impinge
upon flanges of the respective clutch heads 3, and 4, so that when the clutch
sleeve D2, is thrust into engagement with one of said heads the other of said
heads is engaged by its respective brake block. Said brake blocks o³, are con-
veniently made of leather or similar material, and the screw tappets o¹, upon the
wings o, of the lever O, contact with the frame member A2, to limit the movement
of the brake blocks against said heads. The lever O. being connected by the
curved link Q¹, with the weighted lever 0%, which is loosely mounted upon the

page_text: rock shaft F, the weight of said lever 02, serves to press the brake blocks o*,
against said heads 3, and 4, in accordance with the position of said lever 02, upon
one side or the other of the center of its oscillation upon the shaft F.
(see
The shaft F, is mounted for rotation in the frame members A¹, and A³,
Figs. 5, and 7). The detent lever F, and the crank arm F', being fixed upon
said shaft F, the spring F, which connects said crank arm with the frame A²,
tends to thrust the lever F, into the path of rotation of the detent arms Ex, upon
the fan shaft E', when said lever is not withheld, as hereinafter described.
1.
The plate F³, is fixed upon said shaft F, and provided with adjustable screw
tappets f, f, which are adapted to contact with the opposite sides of the stud o
(see Fig. 15), upon the lower arm o², of the lever 02, to shift the latter into one
or the other of its positions aforesaid and thus connect the motor shaft D', etc.,
with the disk rotating mechanism or with the disk transferring mechanism.
Said shaft F, is the connecting medium for the several mechanisms comprised
in the machine, and in addition to the plate F³, of the clutch shifting mechanism,
is provided with three fixed arms which are each adapted for engagement with
one of the three other mechanisms, viz. It, engages with the disk transferring
mechanism F5, with the disk rotating mechanism: and F, with the controlling
mechanism which determines the number of revolutions of the disk rotating
mechanism, as hereinafter described.
The operation of the machine is continuous during the rotation of the motor
shaft D. The weighted lever 02, being shifted back and forth automatically,
at the proper intervals, by the mechanism which I shall now describe. I shall
assume however, that the position of the parts shown in Figs. 11, and 15, is
the initial position in the cycle of operation, the same being the position of the
parts at the commencement of operation of the transferring mechanism. The
lever 02 having been thrown toward the right hand side of said figs. the clutch
sleeve is engaged with the clutch head and through the various con-
nections hereinafter described the shaft G. begins its rotation to effect the
operation of the various members of the disk transferring mechanism.
The cam plate P, is fixed upon the cam shaft G, which makes a single revolu-
tion during the operation of the disk transferring mechanism. At the com-
pletion of each revolution aforesaid, the cam P, shifts the arm F, fixed upon the
shaft F, and through the latter engages and shifts the weighted lever 02, by
contact of the tappet f, with the stud 03; thus disengaging the disk transferring
mechanism from the motor shaft D¹, etc., and engaging the disk rotating mech-
anism therewith.
The cam shaft G, and cam plate P, are rotated very slowly in the aforesaid
operation of disk transference; it is desirable however, that the movement of the
lever 02, and clutch sleeve D2, should be practically instantaneous, I have there-
fore provided the tripping cam P, which is mounted for oscillation upon the
cam plate P: the fixed stud P2, upon the former being entered through the
latter. Upon the opposite side of the plate P, said stud P2, is provided with a
spring which tends to shift said cam P', with respect to the cam plate P.
in the direction of the rotation of the latter as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 15.
In said Fig. 15, the cam P¹, is in its tripped position but during the rotation
of the shaft G the arm P3 which is fixed upon the stud P2 encounters the roller P*,
journaled upon the fixed stud p³, of the frame member A"; and said cam P¹,
is thereby set in the position shown in Fig. 16; the plug 1, upon said cam P¹.
being engaged by the trip lever P Said lever P, rocks upon the stud P5,
fixed upon the cam plate P', and being connected by the spring P, with the fixed-
pin 6, upon said cam plate its engagement with the lug, is automatically
effected when the traverse of the latter permits the operation of said spring.
The stud p, serving as a stop the limit the movement of the lever P, the latter
is maintained in engagement with the lug p¹.
Said cam plate P continues its rotary movement with the cam P¹ set as aforesaid
until the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 17, wherein the arm pt, of the

page_text: tripping lever P,, encounters said roller P, upon the frame; whereupon further
rotation of the cam plate P, serves to disengage the lever 1, from the stud p',
and said cam P", is instantly shifted by the action of the spring p², into the
position shown in Fig. 18.
In its movement relative to the cam plate P, the cam P¹, strikes the lug 17,
upon the arm F, fixed upon the shaft F, rocking the latter; and by the im-
pingement of the tappet f, upon the stud o³, of the lower arm o2, of the lever 03,
said lever is thrown from the position shown in Fig. 15, to the opposite extreme
of its motion as shown in Fig. 18. The detent lever F, being withdrawn from
the detent arms E³, by the aforesaid oscillation of the shaft F, the disk rotating
mechanism is freed simultaneously with the shifting of the clutch sleeve D², to
connect said mechanism with the motor shaft D¹.
;
The above described movement of the clutch sleeve D², being practically
instantaneous, the momentum of the disk transferring mechanism would pro-
gress the latter beyond its period of disconnection with the motor shaft D¹, etc.,
if means were not provided to arrest the movement of the parts. This result is
in part secured by the friction of the brake block o, upon the clutch head
the action of the latter is however, supplemented by the engagement of the
projection P, of the cam P¹, beneath the lug F, as shown in Fig. 18. The
tripping cam P', being connected with the rotary cam plate P, through the
spring, the engagement of the projection -1's, cam lug F7, is resilient and
the movement of the disk transferring mechanism is arrested with precision at
a predetermined instant; without shock to the parts.
The cam plate 136, is fixed upon the lower extremity of the shaft B, of the
disk rotating mechanism. Said plate is circular in outline, and provided with
a peripheral notch 66, in which the arm F, fixed upon the shaft F, is seated,
(as hereinafter described), during the aforesaid operation of the disk trans-
ferring mechanism. As shown in Fig. 18, however, said arm is withdrawn,
from said notch by the described operation of the cam 1", and whilst the latter
is in the position shown in said fig., the cam plate B3, rotates until said,arm F,
is encountered by the cam roller B, fixed upon the plate B. Said roller
thrusts the arm F, toward the right hand side of Fig. 18, of course rocking the
shaft F, and the arm F4, with which it is in fixed relation, so that the stud F7,
is disengaged from the projection P8, of the cam P, and the spring ³, of the
latter returns it to its initial position, shown in Fig. 15.
Said shaft F, being thus disengaged; the spring 12, would instantly return
the weighted lever 02, to its initial position by the contact of the tappet f, with
the stud o, upon the lower arm o², of said lever, if such movement of the parts
were not prevented by the contact of the arm F5, with the periphery of the cam
plate B, and the reverse movement of the lever 02, and clutch sleeve D2, etc.
is deferred until the disk rotating mechanism has made a complete revolution
in the direction of the arrow upon Fig. 7, and the notch 66, is presented to said
lever F, whereupon, the spring F2, acting on lever F, and shaft F, throws the
weighted lever 02, into the position shown, in Fig. 15. Said arm F, being thus
entered in the notch 66, as indicated in said fig., the operation of the disk trans-
ferring mechanism is repeated as above described.
From the foregoing description of the parts it is obvious that the pack of
disks Z, supported by the standards I, may be successively engaged upon the
driving head B2: being disengaged therefrom, and discharged, after an interval
in which the disk rotating mechanism imparts a single revolution to each disk
by its engagement upon said driving head. It is desirable however, as aforesaid.
that more than a single revolution may be imparted to the pattern disk Z. upon
the driving head B2, at the will of the operator, I have therefore provided con-
trolling mechanism by which the number of consecutive revolutions imparted
to each disk before it is discharged by the transferring mechanism. may be
predetermined by the set of the index H, as follows:-
Referring to Figs. to 10, inclusive, H, is an index comprising a plate head

page_text: provided with a peripheral notch, adapted to disclose a single number upon
ine edge of the dial H', beneath said plate; (see Fig. 9). Said index H, is
rocatively adjustable with respect to said dial H, and is provided with the
Jocking plunger H, and the spring, which serves to seat said plunger in the
sockets ', in the dial H. Said sockets are equal in number to the graduations
marked upon the edge of the dial H', so that said index H, may be rotated and
secured with its notch h, in registry with any one of said marks.
In the convenient embodiment of my invention which I have shown the
graduation marks upon the dial H', comprise the numerals 1 to 17 inclusive, and
the letter "C." Said numerals indicate the respective number of consecutive
revolutions from 1 to 17, which may be imparted to the disk upon the driving
head B, in accordance with the set of said index in registry with the respective
numerals, and the letter "C" aforesaid, indicates the position of the index in
which the revolution of the pattern disk upon the driving head B², is continuous.
Said results are effected by the controlling mechanism, as follows:-
As shown in Fig. 8, the plate H, upon the lower extremity of the spindle H³,
of the index H, is in fixed relation with the latter. The sleeve H, of the
dial H', connects the latter in fixed relation with the ratchet wheel H5, upon the
lower extremity of said sleeve.
As shown in Fig. 7, the plate H³, has a peripheral notch h³, and the ratchet
wheel H³, is provided with seventeen equally spaced teeth h³: a peripheral
blank space h; and a stop pin h' projecting from its upper surface. It is
obvious that when the index H, is rotatively adjusted with respect to the dial H',
the notched plate H³, is correspondingly adjusted with respect to the ratchet
wheel H5.
The sleeve H, is mounted for rotation in the frame member A12, depending
from the plate A. The spring H³, which encircles said frame member, is
secured thereon at its upper extremity and by the connection of its lower
extremity upon the hub of the ratchet wheel H5, tends to rotate the latter and
the aforesaid parts adjustably connected therewith; to bring the stop pin h³,
against the stop lug H7, upon the frame member A13.
The lever arms Q, Q¹, are fixed upon the rock shaft y, mounted for rotation
in the bearings a³, and a, upon the frame member A. The spring Q2, which
encircles said shaft q, is secured at its upper extremity to the bearing a³, and at
its lower extremity to the lever arm Q. Said spring tends to thrust the parts
into the position shown in Fig. 7, with the stop lug q', upon the lever arm Q', in
contact with the frame member A5.
The free extremity of the arm Q', is provided with a pivoted pawl Q. The
spring, connecting said pawl with the lever Q¹, normally maintains the for-
mer in the position shown in Fig. 7. The lever arm Q, overhangs the cam
plate B6, in the path of the fixed pin Q, projecting from the upper face of said
plate and the relation of the parts is such that said pin Q, in the rotation of said
disk B, encounters the lever arm Q, and thrusts the pawl Q³, into engagement
with the ratchet wheel H, normally progressing the latter the space of one
tooth with each revolution of the pattern disk rotating shaft B, the keeper
pawl H, mounted upon the lower extremity of the frame member A3, successively
engaging the ratchet teeth, by the action of the spring hº.
The pawl H, may be disengaged, and the action of the pawl Q3, rendered idle
by manually lifting the inclined slide H10, the latter engaging the pawl mem-
ber 10, see Figs. 6, 7, and 32. However, as hereinafter described, the pawl H³,
is automatically disengaged by the arm 7, see Fig. 32.
It is obvious from the foregoing description that the release of the ratchet
wheel H5, and the return of the parts connected therewith, to the initial position,
i.e. with the stop pin h, against the stop lug H is consequently upon the
operation of the disk transferring mechanism of which the arm is a part:
said arm serving to disengage the keeper pawl H, as aforesaid. Moreover, it
is obvious that if the disk rotating mechanism continues to operate, the ratchet

page_text: wheel H5, will be rotatively shifted one tooth with each revolution of the disk
rotating mechanism, being actuated by the pawl Q³, as aforesaid, until the seven-
teen teeth h³, have been successively engaged by said pawl, and the latter
encounters the blank space ho, in the periphery of the ratchet wheel H³, where-
upon said pawl will be idly reciprocated in the blank space h6, by each succeed-
ing revolution of the disk rotating mechanism.
As hereinafter explained, whenever the notch *, reaches the position shown
in Fig. 7, the clutch shifting mechanism is permitted to operate, to terminate
the action of the disk rotating mechanism, and initiate the action of the disk
transferring mechanism. As shown in said fig., the notched disk H, is adjusted
with respect to the ratchet wheel H5, so that the notch h*, has been presented in
its releasing position by one movement of the pawl Q³, consequently upon one
revolution of the disk rotating mechanism and the cam plate B6. In accordance
with the adjustment of the index H, with respect to the dial H, any number of
strokes of the pawl Q³, from one to seventeen may be required to present said
notch, in said releasing position, and when the index is adjusted to the
graduation "C" the seventeen effective strokes of the pawl Q³, do not suffice
to present said notch in said position.
As herein before described, the entrance of the arm F5, within the notch b6,
of the cam plate B6, is necessary to shift the clutch D³, to terminate the opera-
tion of the disk rotating mechanism, etc. Said arm F5, is withheld by the notched
plate H, and its release effected by the notch h³, as follows:-
The rock shaft R, is mounted for oscillation in the frame members A³, and A³,
and provided with the arm R¹, engaged with the arm F6, fixed upon the shaft F.
The arm R. is fixed upon the opposite extremity of the shaft R, and is pro-
vided with the tappet R*, extending within the peripheral line of the disk H*.
By reason of the connection of the arm R¹, with the arm F, the former is
raised when the arm F, is disengaged from the notch 66, of the cam plate B6,
to initiate the operation of the disk rotating mechanism. The arm R2, upon
the shaft R. being thereby lowered from the position shown in Fig. 6, the arm F³.
is withheld by the engagement of the tappet R, beneath the overhanging disk H*
and the return of the arm F5, within the notch 66, thereby prevented until the
notch, upon the plate H³, is presented in registry with the tappet R*.
Whereupon. the latter is free to rise through said notch. and the arm F³, is
entered in the notch, and the clutch D, etc., shifted by the action of the
spring F2, as aforesaid.
:
When the pawl H, is disengaged by the operation of the disk transferring
mechanism, the solid portion of the periphery of the plate H, is rotated beneath
the tappet R, which is in its upper position as aforesaid, therefore although
said tappet is in rigid relation with the arm R2, for the operation above de-
scribed I have pivoted it upon the stud 2, so that the parts are normally
retained in rigid relation by the tension of the spring 3; with the tappet R*.
at rest against the stop r. Said arm R², may therefore be depressed when the
notch, in the plate H, is not in registry therewith the terminal piece R
being freed by rocking upon the stud 73: against the tension of the said spring 3.
The cycle of operation of the various mechanisms connected as above described
is as follows:-
Assuming as aforesaid that the position of the parts shown in Fig. 15, is the
initial position with the disk transferring mechanism beginning to operate:
the disk bearing rollers L. begin to lower simultaneously with the upward
movement of the clamn shafts K. the withdrawal of the releasing blades i. and
the advance of the blades. When the disk releasing blades have reached the
middle of their stroke, the clamp shafts K. having reached the limit of their
upward movement, begin to swing horizontally outward.
When said shafts K. have swung 45 degrees: the pawl H. being withdrawn
by the movement of the arm 7. against the pawl extension 710; the spring H³.
returns the ratchet wheel H5, and the parts connected therewith to their initial

page_text: position, with the stop pin h, resting against the stop lug H. The outward
swinging movement of the shafts K, and the aforesaid relative movement of the
releasing blades i, and i, terminate simultaneously. The upper blades i, having
been withdrawn within the heads I*, the pattern disks Z, settle upon the lower
blades, projecting beneath them.
The frame M, of the disk discharging rollers M, begins its upward move-
ment when the clamp shafts K, have swung 90 degrees, i.e. to the limit of their
movement.
+1
The track arms N, begin their movement to parallel position when said
frame M¹, is at two-thirds of its upward stroke, reaching their parallel position
simultaneously with the termination of the upward movement of said frame.
The disk discharging rollers M, begin to rotate as soon as the frame M', has
reached its upper position, and continue to rotate during one and one-fourth
revolutions of the main driving shaft C.
Beginning when the shaft C, has made three-fourths of a revolution in its
actuation of the discharging rollers M, aforesaid; the lower releasing blades ',
begin to withdraw the upper blades i of course simultaneously advancing above
the bottom disk Z. but beneath the remaining disks. The relative movement
of said blades is uniform for one-half of their stroke, the latter half of said stroke
is however accelerated, and, beginning simultaneously with this acceleration of
the blades i, and, the track arms N, diverge, to drop upon the rack a*, the
disk Z, discharged upon them by the rollers M aforesaid..
Simultaneously with said movement of the arms N: the vertical guide rods j,
and j, begin to rise and the frame M', to lower. The diverging movement of
the track arms N, terminates with one-third of the downward movement of the
frame M¹, and the upper movement of the guide rods terminates with one-half
of the movement of said frame.
Before the lower roller frame M¹, reaches its lowest position the lower releasing
blades, are withdrawn within the heads I', and the single disk Z, supported by
them is dropped to engage the driving head B2, the upper blades i, sustaining the
remaining disks Z. beneath which they have been projected.
The vertical guide rods j, and, lower and with the termination of their
movement the clamp shafts K, begin their horizontal return movement, lowering
when in their normal radial position with respect to the driving head B².
When the shafts K, are lowered half way, the disk bearing rollers L, begin to
rise; the respective vertical movements continuing until the shafts, K.
are seated in normal position and the rollers L, also assume their normal position
in the order named.
The weighted lever 02, is then thrown to the position shown in Fig. 18, by
the operation of the tripping cam P, etc., and the disk rotating mechanisni
begins to operate by reason of the consequent shifting of the clutch sleeve D³.
The movement of the transferring mechanism having terminated simul-
taneously with the shifting of the clutch sleeve D2, the tripping cam P, is re-
leased from its engagement with the arm F+, when the arm I, is deflected by the
roller B, on the rotating cam plate B6, said release occurring when said arm is on
the radius vector of the roller and disk.
During the revolution of the cam plate 136, the controller, ratchet wheel H³,
is shifted by the pawl Q3, and, when the notched controller plate. H³, has. been
thereby rotated to present the notch in registry with the tappet R*, the
arm F5, is permitted to enter the notch 66, in the cam, plate B, and the operation
above described is repeated.
I have thus particularly described the relative movements of the respective
parts of the convenient embodiment of my invention which I have illustrated.
in order that the co-operation thereof may be better understood. It is obvious
however, that the precise sequence of operation of said parts is not of the
essence of my invention, it is moreover obvious that various modifications may be
made in the construction and arrangement of the mechanism without departing

page_text: from the spirit of my invention, I therefore do not desire to limit myself to
the precise embodiment thereof which I have shown and described.
As an example of variation in the precise construction of the elements of my
invention, I have illustrated in Fig. 29, a modified form of device to release
the disks Z, from their position upon the standards I, in said fig., the blades i
and, are directly mounted upon the vertical shaft I, in such relation there-
with that oscillation of the crank arm 13, upon the lower extremity of said shaft
serves to alternately advance and retract said blades with respect to the edge of
the disk %, it is obvious that such a construction would serve to successively
release the disks in the manner herein before described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:
1. The combination with sound producing mechanism, of disk rotating
mechanism, mechanism to normally maintain a disk apart from said rotary
mechanism, and means to release a disk from said normal position in such
relation with said disk rotating mechanism as to gravitate to engagement there-
with, substantially as set forth.
2. The combination with sound producing mechanism, of disk rotating
mechanism, mechanism to normally maintain a disk apart from said rotary
mechanism, in axial alinement therewith, and mechanism to automatically
engage said disk upon said disk rotating mechanism, substantially as set forth.
3. The combination with sound producing mechanism, of disk rotating
mechanism, mechanism to normally maintain a series of disks apart from said
rotary mechanism the respective disks being in axial alinement therewith,.
and mechanism to automatically engage said disks in succession upon said disk
rotating mechanism, substantially as set forth.
4. The combination with sound producing mechanism,-of disk rotating
mechanism, a disk holder permanently fixed with respect to said rotary mech-
anism, and means to effect the transference of a disk from said fixed holder to
engagement with said rotary mechanism, substantially as set forth.
5. The combination with sound producing mechanism, of disk rotating
mechanism, a disk holder in fixed relation with said rotary mechanism,
and mechanism to automatically discharge a disk from said rotary mechanism
upon said fixed holder, substantially as set forth.
6. The combination with sound producing mechanism, of disk rotating
mechanism, two disk holders in fixed relation with said rotary mechanism,―
and mechanism to automatically transfer a disk from one of said holders to said
rotary mechanism, and from the latter to the second of said holders, substantially
as set forth.
7. The combination with sound producing mechanism, of disk rotating
mechanism, and means to support a disk adjacent to said mechanism, comprising
a blade adapted to release said disk for engagement upon said mechanism,
substantially as set forth.
8. The combination with sound producing mechanism, of disk rotating
mechanism, and means to support a disk adjacent to said mechanism compris-
ing a plurality of retractable blades for circumferential engagement with said
disk, substantially as set forth.
9. The combination with a holder for a series of disks of the class described,
of a series of disks provided with means to engage an actuating mechanism,―
members to engage a sound producing device, and members distinct from the
other members aforesaid, whereby the respective disks are separated in said
series and prevented from nesting, substantially as set forth.
10. The combination with a holder for a series of disks of the class described,―
of means to insure the registry of said disks in said series, comprising single
peripheral notches in the respective disks for engagement with an alining
member of said holder, substantially as set forth.

page_text: 11. The combination with disk rotating mechanism, of means to secure a
disk upon said rotary mechanism, a roller L, opposed to said securing means, to
flex a disk secured upon said rotary mechanism,--and means to automatically
adjust said roller with respect to said disk, substantially as set forth.
12. The combination with disk rotating mechanism, of means to disengage
a disk from said mechanism,-track bars to receive said disk, and means to
release said disk from said track bars, substantially as set forth.
13. The combination with disk rotating mechanism, of a frame provided
with feed rollers adapted to uplift and discharge a disk from said mechanism,-
and means to automatically adjust said frame with respect to said mechanism,
substantially as set forth.
14. The combination with disk rotating mechanism, of a sound producing
device adapted to be operated by a disk, and an adjustable controlling mechanism
to predetermine the number of revolutions of said rotary mechanism, with
respect to said sound producing device, substantially as set forth.
15. The combination with disk rotating mechanism, of a sound producing
device adapted to be operated by a disk, and controlling mechanism comprising
an adjustable index to predetermine the number of revolutions of said rotary
mechanism with respect to said sound producing device, substantially as set
forth.
16. The combination with disk rotating mechanism, of a frame M', adapted
to disengage a disk from said mechanism, normally stationary disk discharging
rollers M, journalled in said frame, and means for rotating said rollers sub-
sequent to the disengaging movement of said frame, to discharge a super-
imposed disk, substantially as set forth.
17. The combination with disk rotating mechanism, of a frame M¹,-means
to reciprocate said frame to uplift a disk from said rotating mechanism, disk
discharging rollers M, journalled in said frame, means connective of said
rollers to effect their simultaneous rotation, and mechanism to rotate said
rollers M, fixed in such relation with the latter as to be automatically engaged
therewith subsequent to the uplifting movement of said frame, and disengaged
therefrom by reverse movement of said frame, substantially as set forth.
Dated this 25th day of July 1899.
CARPMAEL & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.