Improvements in Apparatus for Turning Over the Leaves of Music and the like.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Apr., 1896-Accepted, 6th June, 1896
COMPLETE
SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Turning Over the Leaves of Music
and the like.
I WILLIAM JOSEPH PITT, of 9, Avenue Road, Weymouth, in the County
of Dorset, Captain, 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 relates to improvements in apparatus for turning over the leaves
of music and the like and refers particularly to the type of apparatus described and
shewn in the Specification of Letters Patent granted to me numbered 25112 of the
year 1894, wherein the book or sheet of music was held in position by means of a
double frame which pressed said book or sheet of music against a rod passing down
the front of same. At its lower end this rod was connected with the turning
mechanism consisting of a pivotted bracket arm furnished with a suitably acting
catch which acted upon turning arms in which were fixed the bottom edges of the
sheets of music or the like to be turned; a spring provided for the purpose bringing
the pivotted bracket arm back into position for turning over another leaf after each
operation.
By further improvements upon this invention aforesaid I facilitate the manipu-
lation of the apparatus, and render the movement of the music-turning arm lighter
and easier, and again as will hereinafter appear in accordance with this invention
I simplify the construction of various parts of the mechanism and render the
apparatus or device equally applicable for use upon pianos, orchestral and other
music stands, reading desks, and the like; where it may be operated either by hand
or foot, thus permitting the music to be turned by the performer without
inconvenience, or allowing same to be turned by a second person, when so preferred
with much greater ease and expedition than heretofore.
And in order that this my.invention may be fully understood and readily carried into
effect I-will now describe same with reference to the accompanying three sheets of
drawings and to the letters and figures and reference niarked thereon that is
to say :-
Fig. 1. is a front elevational view of the apparatus,
Fig. 1 a top plan of a portion of same
Fig. 2. is a side elevational view, and Fig. 24 a similar view of a portion of same
shewing how the device may be arranged at any angle or slope desired.
Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the lower ends of the framing of the
apparatus illustrating the operation of a catch provided for holding the music
turning arms after having been turned.
Fig. 3. is a plan view of the turning mechanism with the framing removed
shewing the music turning arm, and pivotted bracket arm (the latter in dotted lines)
with catch all in position to be operated.
Fig. 4. illustrates the method of holding the sheet of music or the like in the
turning arm.
Figs. 5. to 21 inclusive are detail views.
Fig. 22. shews the application of the device to an orchestral music stand in end
elevational view and
Figs. 23 and 24 are respectively front elevational and plan views of a folding
music stand, applicable for use or employment in conjunction or combination with
my apparatus or device for turning over the leaves of music and the like.
Similar letters of reference indicate like parts throughout the various figures.

page_text: Now, in accordance with this invention, and as described in my aforesaid previous
Specification of Letters Patent No. 25112 of the year 1894 the music rest consists
of a double frame a, a' (see particularly Figs. 1, 2, 24, and 2) one al placed in
front of the other a. The front one a' is capable of adjustment so as to hold the
book or sheets of music and the like firmly against the rod band so maintain said
book or sheets in proper position.
A slotted bracket a' (see Figs. 1, 14, 2, and 24) is affixed to or formed upon the
centre of the upper part of the frame a which bracket passes through a suitable
aperture formed in the frame a¹ and in the slot of this bracket a³ the rod b is free
to work. It will at once be seen that if the book or sheet of music be placed
between said rod 6 and frame a¹ and the latter is forced forward so as to tightly
press the book or sheet against the rod 6 which is held firmly at its lowest end as
will hereinafter appear, said book or sheet will be securely held in position. To
move the frame a backward or forwards as required 1 make use of the pinions c
(see Figs. 1, 2, and 21). These are carried upon the ends of a spindle or shaft e
supported in bearings c² attached to under side of the plate d to which latter the
frame d is secured or attached and upon which plate d the frame a' is capable of
movement being provided with rollers as to facilitate its travel.
Through suita le slots formed in the plate d extensions of the frame a¹ project,
which extensions are formed with teeth forming the racks a with which the
pinions e gear (see Figs. 1 2 and 21). To operate the pinions e the ends of the
spindle may be provided with milled edged caps as shewn, though other
suitable actuating devices may be employed if preferred.
A flat or other spring or springs may be when desired, inserted between
the upper parts of the two frames a a to assist in keeping the front frame
forward,
Beneath the plated and attached thereto conveniently as shewn by pins ¹ I have
the disce (see Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 21) formed with the hollow cylindrical projections el, e³,
respectively upon the upper and under side thereof. This may conveniently be cast
in one piece and then be turned up in a lathe.
A remicircular slot e is formed in the disc e and upon underside of said disc
I have the depending piece or flange ..
The uses of the slot and flange will hereinafter be described. The disc e is
separately illustrated in Figs. 5, 5, and 5 respectively in top plan, inverted plan,
and sectional elevational views. Figs. 1, 2, and 5B is a cap to screw upon the
bettom of the cylinder which cap is provided with a central aperture therein as
shewn particularly in Fig. 5.
Shewn separately in Figs. 6 and 7 respectively in elevational and plan views,
is a plug which fits in the dise cylinders e', .
The upper portion is a square and upon this square the lower end of the rod b
fits (this rud b is shewn separately in Fig. 18). is a cylindrical portion fitting in
the extension and forming a bearing; is a flange which bears against the
underside of the disc e when in position, f is a sheave to which one end of a wire
cord or chain is attached, which wire, cord, or chain, passes through an aperture e
formed in the side of the extension e as seen in Fig. 5. is a circular purtion of
the plug to and around which a spring is fixed and arranged, being a flange to
separate the sheave from the spring. is a circular portion of the plug fitting in
aperture of the cover and forming a bearing, is a square upon which
is mounted the end of a bracket or arm g (Figs. 1, 2, 3, 14, 15, and 17) carrying
the actuating mechanism of the music turning arms, and f is a portion which is
screw-threaded and which carries a nut as seen in Figs. 1 and 2 when all is
in position. When the rod b is fixed upon the upper end of the plug and turned
(to facilitate this operation it is provided with a milled head ) the actuating
bracket or arm g is also turnel and carries with it as will hereinafter be expla ned
one of the music turning arms and when released the spring around the portion f
of the plug at once returns all to the normal position. When desired to operate
the device from the foot the sheave is made use of, the wire, cord, or chain

page_text: attached to same being in connection with a pedal- as will hereinafter be more fully
described.
h (Figs. 1, 3, and 4) are the music turning arms, mounted loosely at one end ¹
thereof upon the upper cylindrical extension e' of the disc e previously described.
At the outer end of each arm I form three vertical fingers h' between which is held
(as seen particularly in Fig. 4) the bottom edge of the leaf to be turned.
These arms may conveniently be stamped out of thin sheet metal and one
is separately illustrated in elevational view in Fig. 8 of the accompanying drawings.
At the free end of the arm I pivot the piece 43 as shewn separately in Fig. 9 and
also seen in Figs. 1 and 10. This pivotted piece I form with a nose or
projection (see Figs. 1, 9 and 10) which works in the guide or .loop h³. formed
upon the arm h. It is against this piece that the wedge or catch i now to be
described acts and effects the turning of the sheet of music or the like.
The wedge or catch i aforesaid is illustrated separately in Figs. 11, 12, and 13
respectively in plan, and front and rear elevational views and its operation will be
readily understood upon further reference to Figs. 1, 2, 3, 14, 15 and 17.
(Fig. 14 is a front elevational view of the actuating bracket arm g with catch i
attached. Fig. 15 is a plan and. Fig. 17 a side elevational view of same.)
The catch is screwed or otherwise attached to the outer end of the bracket arm g,
as seen particularly in detail views Figs. 14 and 15, and is provided with a guide
pin or projection which rides upon the upper surface of the disc e when the
bracket arm g is revolved. The upper portion of the catch is in front provided
with the lip or projection which passes into the aperture of the piece h³ pivotted
to the arm h. The rear portion of the catch i is preferably tapered off as shewn
particularly in Figs. 12, 13, and 17 to allow said catch in its return to ride easily
under the ends of the turning arms particularly in Figs. 12, 13 and 17.
aforesaid the bracket arm g is fixed upon the lower end f of the plug shewn
in Fig. 6 and is revolved with it when turned either by hand through the rod b or
by foot from a pedal connected to the wire cord or chain attached to and working
around the sheave f³. The bracket arm 9 is preferably provided with rollers g', g
which take against the underside of the disc e.and thus facilitate the travel of said
arm g.
As
The catch i being in its normal position behind the front turning arm h (as seen
in Figs. 2 and 3) will as the bracket arm 9 is revolved carry said turning arm with
it (in the direction marked by the arrow Fig. 3 i.e. from right to left) to the other
side of the apparatus where upon being released the leaf is left and the action of
the spring returns the bracket arm 9 to its normal position, the catch i by reason
of its tapering extremity readily passing under the ends of the loosely mounted
turning arms and taking up its position behind the next turning arm h. As each
turning arm is passed to the other side it may be. caught and held by the pivotted
catch; shewn separately in Fig. 20, also seen in Figs. 1 and 2B. This catch j
I pivot to the edge of the plate d at the side of the apparatus in such manner that
the greater weight is behind the pivot thus forming a counter balance and keeping
up the front end of the catch. This-front end of the catch I form with a sloping
upper edge so that the turning arms / when brought over slide up same and at same
time depress it and fall into the recess when the counterbalance raised the front
end of the catch which then holds the turning arms and prevents same being
accidentally returned. To the underside of the bracket arm g I pivot a lever k
which at: its front end is fitted to a vertical stop. piece 7. This stop. piece / is
capable of being raised and lowered and works in a tube formed upon under
side of the arm g. The weight- of. the stop piece at end of the pivotted lever k
normally keeps said. stop piece in its lowered position within the guide tube .
This latter is suitably slotted to permit the end of lever.k to work therein. The
rear end of the lever k I turn upwards. and this end passes under the flange
piece of the disce when the catch i is brought behind..the turning-arm h. The
end h¹ is thereby depressed and its forward end, and with it the vertical stop / is
raised. The stop then is in front of the music turning arm h and holds same

page_text: against the catch i. Said stop works through the slot e cut in the disc e and
previously mentioned. When the bracket arm g is turned the end of the
Tever is drawn away from the depending flange e of the disc e and the vertical
stop piece drops in the tube and permits the turning arm h to be passed
over it.
Any suitable and desired number of turning arms h may be fitted to the
apparatus, the required number of said arms being made use of to suit the number
of leaves of the piece (if music) being performed. Where the music is bound in
book form the book may be more securely held in position by the use of the
catches m attached at front edge of the plate d, only so many leaves as it may
be required to read or play being left loose for attachment in the turning arms.
A novel and convenient method of forming these catches m is as shewn in Fig. 16.
The catch is here shewn as made in one piece of wire or metal suitably bent to
form a catch m for the book, a bearing m¹ for attachment to the plate d or its
equivalent, and a stop piece m² to prevent said catch falling over if working loose
in its bearing. To regulate the angle or slope of the frame I make use of the
device shewn separately in Fig. 19 and also seen in Figs. 22 and 24.
Said disc consists of an internally screw-threaded tube n in which works the
screwed rod n'. This rod at one end I pivot or attach to the back of the frame a
and according to the angle or slope desired screw same in or out of the internally
threaded tube or socket n. The free end of the regulating device fits against the
front of the piano or music stand or desk and hence shortening or lengthening
the regulator any desired angle or slope of the frame or desk may be readily
obtained.
At each end of the upper portion of the frame a I hinge pintles o which may be
placed in brackets, loops, or eyes o¹ fixed upon the piano front, or music stand or
desk. In Figs. 22, 23 and 24 1 have illustrated a convenient combination of my
music turning apparatus and a folding music stand or desk which will be found
of great advantage to violin, cornet, and other soloist players. In this combination
the turning arms may be actuated from the foot by means of the pedal p suspended
to the chaing which may be furnished at convenient intervals with loops or rings
to either of which said pedal may be attached thus allowing of adjustment of the
height of the pedal to suit all requirements. The connecting wire, cord or chain g
passes upwards from the pedal over a pulley r at top of frame a thence downwards
and round the pulley & carried at the back of the disc e and then through the
aperture e in cylindrical box e beneath the disc e to the sheave f³ of the plug to
which it is attached. To steady the suspended pedal p when the apparatus is
applied to the music stand as shewn in Figs. 22, 23 and 24 guides or steadying
links pl may be carried from the legs of the stand and be connected to rings sliding
upon the side arms of the stirrup shaped pedal p shewn in the drawings.
8
To increase the width of the frame a to accomodate books or sheets of large
size I may have extending flaps or side wings (see t Fig. 1) pivotted to the side of
said frame a which may be folded at their joints t' when not required so as to
occupy but a small compass, and which may be extended sideways to any reasonable
and convenient distance. At the front end of the slotted projection a² at top of the
frame a I may affix when desired the arm u having hinged thereto at u' a depending
branch or finger (see Figs. 1, 1 and 2). This will help to maintain the leaves
in position and tend to prevent a second leaf following the one being turned. It
will be found in turning that the leaf operated will readily be drawn under the
depending finger or branch v. To place the book or sheet in position upon the music
stand or desk the rod 6 is raised, and the book or sheet of music placed against the
front frame a¹. The rod 6 is then replaced in position within the tube el of the
disc e and the frame a.adjusted by means of the rack and pinion a c. The leaves.
to be turned are then at their lower edges inserted in the fingers h² of the turning
arms has shewn particularly in Fig. 4 and the whole placed-as shewn in Figs. 1 and 2
with the catch upon the actuating bracket arm in the rear of the first or front leaf
turning arm.

page_text: 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 I
chim is:-
1. The improvements in apparatus for turning over the leaves of music and the like
substantially as and for the purpose herein before described and illustrated on the
accompanying drawings.
2. In apparatus for turning over the leaves of music and the like the double
frame a a (the one a a fixture upon the bed or plate d and the other a' capable
of a to-and-fro motion upon said bed or plate d) the slotted projecting piece a at
top part of the frame a the hinged pintles o' at rear of frame a, the rollers a³ at foot
of the frame a', the toothed rack a at bottom of frame a' and the actuating pinions c
carried upon spindle or shaft c' resting in bearings c carried upon spindle or shaft c
resting in bearings c beneath the plate or bed d all in combination with the front
rod band serving as an adjustable book- or sheet of music-holder or desk substantially
as hereinbefore described and shewn.
3. In apparatus for turning over the leaves of music and the like, the combination
of the adjustable hook- or sheet of music-holder above described, and claimed in the
preceding claim, with the leaf-turning arms h constructed with vertical fingers h³
between which the leaves to be turned are inserted and an actuating mechanism
such as hereinbefore described, substantially as set forth and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
4. In apparatus for turning over the leaves of music and the like the disc e
attached to underside of hed or plate d and formed with the hollow cylindrical
projections ele; cap e, slot e and flange e; the plug (illustrated in Fig. 6)
formed with a drum f around which is placed a spring, and a sheaves for a cord,
wire or chain attachment to a pedal, and squares ff at either end for attachment
to the rod b at upper end and for carrying the bracket arm g at the lower end;
the bracket arm g catch i and vertically rising and falling stop piece with
pivotted lever kk all in combination with suitable leaf turning arms and music or
book rest, stand or desk, substantially as hereinbefore described and shewn.
5. In apparatus for turning over the leaves of music and the like the combination
with a desk, frame, or stand, of the holders or catches m, m', m², constructed and
operating substantially as herein before described and shewn.
6. In apparatus for turning over the leaves of music and the like, the double
frame a a¹, the slotted bracket a²; the rollers a³, the toothed rack a'; the rod b;
the pinions c; shaft c; bearings c²; the bed plate d; the disc e formed with
bollow cylindrical extensions ele (the latter perforated at e',) slots es, depending
flange e, and cap e with aperture e therein; the plug with square f, bearing f
flange f, sheave f³, drum f4, flange f, bearing f and square ; the bracket
arm g; the music turning arms h perforated at one end 'and provided at other end
with fingers ; the pieces 3 pivotted to arms and formed with noses h' taking
into loops on arms and apertures in which the catch i takes; the catch i
attached to arm g and provided with a front projection and a tapering rear
portion; the catch j, the pivotted lever k and its vertical stop piece; the angle
regulating internally screw-threaded tube n and the screwed rod n'; the hinged
pintles o, the pedal p steadying links p'; the chain q; pulleys raud s; the extending
flaps or side wings t jointed at t'; the arm u and jointed branch or finger v; and the
folding music stand herein before described; all combined, constructed, arranged
and operating substantially as above set forth and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
11000
HUGHES, SON & Co.,
38, Chancery Lane, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.