Improvements in Musical Instruments Worked by Changeable Revolving Perforated Discs.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 8th May, 1899-Accepted, 29th July, 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Musical Instruments Worked by Changeable
Revolving Perforated Discs.
I, CHARLES DENTON ABEL, of Birkbeck Bank Chambers, Southampton Build-
ings, in the County of London, Consulting Engineer and Chartered Patent
Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (as communicated to me
from abroad by Hermann Thorens, of St. Croix, Canton Vaud, Switzerland,
Manufacturer) to be as follows:-
This invention relates to mechanism whereby one perforated disc can be sub-
stituted by mechanical means for another in musical instruments in which inter-
changeable perforated discs are employed for actuating the sound giving devices
or keys of the instrument.
I will describe the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings,
in which Fig. 1 shews a front view partly in section of one arrangement of the
said mechanism; Fig. 2 shews a side view partly in section, while Figs. 3 to 8
shew various details of the arrangement.
Each of the perforated dises B, the number of which corresponds with the number
of pieces of music which the instrument is capable of playing, is mounted upon
an axis a fixed to the end of an arm A, the other end of which carries a toothed
sector a, and which is pivotted on a tube C common to all the arms A and whose
ends are fixed in two angle pieces D D¹, of which the arms D are connected to
a transverse bar D. The frame thus formed by the parts C D D¹ and Q and on
which are pivotted the arms A, can be moved horizontally along two horizontal
parallel rods EE fixed to the front wall U of the casing of the musical instru-
ment. The one bar E passes through the tube C while the other El passes
through the eyes of the arms D¹ of D D¹.
To each arm D₁ is fixed the end of a flexible metal band for f¹ the other
end of which is fixed to the opposite end of a sector F, Figs. 1. 2 and 3. The
axis of the sector F passes through the wall U and is provided at its outer
end with a dial H. Fig. 4, carrying the numbers or names of the tunes to be
plaved by the instrument either of which, by turning the dial, can be brought
to face the fixed pointer h. By turning the dial H, either by hand or by means
of mechanism actuated by the spring barrel S of the instrument, the sector F
can be turned on its axis fo and consequently the frame CD D'Q can be shifted
on the rods EE. By such shifting of the frame one or other of the toothed
sectors a¹ can be made to gear with a toothed rack G that can be moved verti-
cally and which is connected by a rod g to a lever pivotted at o. This lever 0
has two studs o² between which passes the edge of a disc N fixed on a shaft
revolving with the barrel S and provided with a bulge or cam surface n directed
lownwards and serving to produce during the rotation of disc N the alternate
lowering and raising of the lever O and of the toothed rack G and also of that
one of the arms A of which the sector a¹ for the time being gears with the
rack G. The bar I carrying rollers I¹ serving to maintain the disc B which
s in action in contact with the devices that actuate the keys R of the instrument

page_text: (of known construction) is provided with two eccentric pivots 222 which can
turn in the two supports J1 J2.
On the end of the pivot is fixed a small sector J which comes above the
axis of the arm A which is in the lowered position, a², resting then upon a
support for preventing all upward motion of the said arm A and its disc B.
The lower end of the lower pivot carries an arm K which lies in the path of
a stud n Fig. 5, fixed to the disc N and which arm is connected by a link M
to the one end of a lever L the other end of which is pivotted to a support 7.
The lever L is provided with a lateral projection L' which can engage with a
lateral notch of the disc N when, during the rotation hereof its stud n¹
engages with the arm K for turning the bar I, for the purpose of releasing the
disc 1 from the rollers I that bear thereon, and also to liberate the axis a² of
the corresponding arm A from the sector J. When the stud¹ releases the arm K
the projection L is pushed out of the notch 2 by the inclined edge n° of the
latter, and consequently, the bar I is turned in such a manner that its rollers I¹
again bear upon the lowered disc B and that the sector J again comes above
the axis of the corresponding arm A. Corresponding to each arm A or
sector a there is provided a stopping spring P fixed to the transverse bar Q
and serving to hold the arm A in its raised position.
This spring P, as shewn more clearly at Fig. 1, engages with its lower bent
end the upper edge of an arc-shaped projection a* on one side of the sectors a¹
when the arm A is raised so as to hold it in that position. When however
the sector a is brought in gear with the rack G and this is raised in the
manner described, the spring 1', by reason of its curved form shewn will, yield
to the pressure so as to allow of the upward turning of the sector a¹ in bring-
ing the arm A into the lowered position.
The wheel T which is rotated by the barrel S effects the rotation of the disc B
when this is applied to the actuating devices of the keys R, the wheel T being
made to gear with the peripheral notches or holes 6º of B.
The above described arrangement operates as follows:-
The disc N turns in the direction of arrow Fig. 5 through the action of
the spring of the barrel S, and at the same time the lowered dise B applied
against the actuating devices of the keys R is rotated by the spring barrel and
actuates the keys in the known manner by means of the perforations b. As
soon as the stud n¹ comes in contact with the arm K the latter is carried round
by the dise N and the bar I is turned so that the rollers I free the disc Band
the sector J frees the axis a² of the lowered arm A; the lever and the rack G
are then lowered by the descending part of the cam and consequently the
arm A which is in the lowered position and whose sector al gears with the rack G.
is carried up with its disc B into the raised position. On then turning the dial H
into the position desired, the frame CDDIQ is moved in the corresponding
direction so as to bring the sector al of a particular disc B in gear with the
rack. The lever 0 and rack G then rise under the action of the rising part n
of the cam n of the dise N, and the arm A whose sector a is in gear
with the rack is thus brought into the lowered position, for actuating the keys.
After this is effected the projection L¹ of lever L meets the inclined edge of
the notch n which pushes it outward, and the lever L in turning the bar I
brings the sector Jabove the axis 2, while at the same time the rollers I¹
are made to bear upon the lise B. The projection L' then remains in contact
with the periphery of the disc N and thus prevents the displacement of the
bar I until the projection L' again faces the notch ², whereupon the above
described action is repeated.
The studs oo can be replaced by rollers and in place of the metal bands ff
may be used chains, straps, or other equivalent flexible appliances. It is
evident also that the dial H and pointer h could be replaced by any other indi-
cating appliance for shewing which of the sectors a is engaged with the rack G.
Figs. 9 to 12 shew another modification; Fig. 9 shews a front view partly in

page_text: In these Figs. ABCDD EEFGHIIJJJ QRSTU a a² f f g h i¹² ²³,
shew the corresponding parts indicated by the same letters in the first arrange-
5 ment. Each sector a is provided at its upper part with a lateral projection a³
which, when the arm A carrying the disc B is in its raised position, butts against
the beak of a pawl P" pivotted to the transverse bar which connects the
two arms D, such pawl serving to hold the disc arms and their discs B in the
upper position of rest.
A lever pivotted to the support Go of the rack G
serves to effect the disengagement of the paw! 7 corresponding to the disc B
which has to be lowered; for this purpose, the lever V is provided with a lateral
projection at one end, Figs. 9, and 12, which can engage with the tail of the
pawl engaged with the sector a' that is geared with the rack, while the other
end of the lever is connected by a rod to one end of a lever W pivotted to a
support, while the other end is bent upward and is made to bear against the
under surface of a disc cam N by a spring .
To the support w is pivotted a second lever one end of which is connected
by the rod to the rack G while its other end, also bent upward, is made to bear
against the under surface of the disc cam N¹ by the weight of the rack G.
disc cam N revolving with the barrel S has at its periphery a notch X corre-
The
sponding with the levers 0 and W and the edges of which notch are
arranged in steps; at the periphery of the disc cam N near the step is fixed
a stud with which corresponds a hook o directed downwards and fixed to the
lever O¹.
The disc N has on its upper side a stud n¹ that comes in contact with a pro-
jection of a lever L pivotted at and connected by a rod M to an arm h
fixed on the pivot of the bar I, which is thereby turned in the direction of
the arrow, Fig. 11, so as to remove the rollers I from the lowered disc B;
a spring m has the tendency to turn the arm K' and bar I in the contrary direc-
tion to the arrow u, and consequently, to apply the rollers to the lowered
dise B.
To each disc arm A is fixed the end of a spring the other end of which is
fixed to the transverse bar Q these springs serve to facilitate the raising of the
lowered disc arms.
When the musical instrument is in action, the disc cam N¹ turns in the
direction of arrow y, Fig. 11, under the action of the spring barrel S, and the
ack G is in its raised position, gearing with the sector of the disc arm A whose
lisc B has been lowered, while the bar I is in the position shewn in the drawing,
and its sector J is above the axis of the lowered arm A. When by the rota-
ion of the disc cam N¹, the stud comes in contact with the face 1 of the
rojection of the lever L', it moves this lever away from the centre of the
isc and consequently, turns the rod K and the bar I in the direction of arrow u,
ausing the sector to release the axis of the lowered disc arm, and removing
he rollers I from the perforated disc, until the said stud n¹ releases the face 1
f projection and the spring m applies the face 2 of the projection against
he stud ; at this moment the motion of the parts L M K and I is stopped,
t about the same time the notch X is presented to the bent end of lever O',
that the latter can rise and enter the notch under the combined action of the
eight of the rack G and of the spring corresponding to the disc arm whose
ector is engaged with the rack, while at the same time the stud n bears against
he inner incline of hook o¹ of lever 01, so that the rack G will now descend
raising the disc arm A. On then turning the dial H more or less in one
rection or the other, the toothed sector of the one or other of the other disc
ms A is brought to gear with the rack G, the beak of the pawl 1" of the
ctor a whose disc arm has been raised, placing itself by the action of the
eight of the pawl above the projection and thus keeping this arm and its
se in the raised position of rest. The bent end of lever W being afterwards

page_text: pushed into the notch X by the spring w¹, the lever V connected to rode
moves in the direction of the arrow t, Fig. 9, and causes the beak of the
paw corresponding to the sector which is in gear with the rack G to release
the projection of this sector. The edge of the notch X then lowers the bent
end of the lever O and consequently the rack G is pushed upward and lowers
the disc arm A corresponding to the toothed sector a gearing with the rack.
The edge in then acting upon the bent end of lever W brings this lever back
into the position shewn on the drawing; during this time the stud n¹ releases
the face of the projection of lever L' and in consequence of the action of the
spring m upon the latter, the arm K₁ and the bar I are brought quickly back
in the contrary direction of the arrow u, and the rollers I¹ bear against the
lowered disc B until this has completed one revolution, when the above described
action is repeated. Figs. 13 to 19 shew another modification of the mechanism.
Fig. 13 shews a front view partially in section; Fig. 14 shews a side view of
Fig. 13 and Figs. 15 and 19 shew part plans of the mechanism, and Figs. 16, 17
and 18 shew detached details. In Figs. 13 and 14 the perforated dises B are
mounted separately loose on an axis a connected by a series of articulated blades 3,
4 4, 5 and 6 constituting lazy tongs to a main support 7 fixed to two transverse
bars 8 which can slide upon two fixed parallel and horizontal rods 9. At the
extended lower end of each blade 5 is fixed one end of a spring 10, the other
end of which is fixed to an arm 11 projecting from the support 7. These
springs 10 have a tendency to lift the perforated discs and to keep them in the
raised position of rest. One of the transverse bars 8 is connected by a link 12
to one end of a lever 13 pivotted at 14 and having its other end. formed as a
fork which embraces the upper end of an arm 15 fixed on an axis fo which passes
through the wall U of the instrument and carries at the outside a dial H marked
as before described with the numbers of the pieces of music to be played, and
by the turning of which the support 7 and the discs B can be shifted in a hori-
zontal direction for bringing one or the other of the discs into a suitable position
for being brought into the working position. A fixed pointer h serves to
regulate the position into which the dial H is moved. To the transverse bars 8
is fixed a bar 16 having a number of notches 17 corresponding to the number of
the perforated discs B, and the end of a catch 18 acted upon by a spring 19 can
enter into one or other of these notches 17 after the support 7 and transverse
bars S have been moved, so as to arrest the support in the desired position, that
is to say, to prevent its accidental displacement, while allowing of its displace-
ment by the dial H. The lever 20, pivotted at 21 and serving to effect the
transport of the perforated discs B into the working position, is provided at one
end with a notch 22 serving to engage with the axis a of the disc B to be trans-
ported into the working position, while at its other end the lever 20 is provided
with a toothed sector 23 which gears with a toothed rack G that can slide ver-
tically and which is connected by a rod g to one end of a lever O pivotted at o
and having its other end bent upwards so as to be normally applied against the
lower face of a disc cam N which revolves with a spring barrel $ and which
is formed with a notch in which can enter the end o¹ of the lever 01 under
the action of a lateral stud n of the disc cam M³ upon a hook of directed down-
wards and fixed to the lever 01. This lever during the motion lowers the rack (
and consequently, raises the lever 20 while the edge X8 of the notch engaging
with the end o¹ of the lever O¹ brings the latter back into the position shewn on
the drawing, and, in raising the rack G again lowers the lever 20.
I is the usual bar carrying the rollers I that bear against the perforated
disc which is in the working position as before described. This bar I can turn
on its eccentric trunnions in supports JJ, the lower trunnion being
provided with an arm K¹ connected by a rod M to a lever L3 pivotted at /º and
subjected to the action of a spring m which has the tendency of maintaining
it in the position shewn on the drawing, while a stud n¹ of the disc cam N³
in acting after each rotation of the latter upon a projection 12 of lever L2 causes

page_text: the bar I to turn for causing its rollers I to release the perforated disc, so as
to allow the latter to be shifted and replaced by another. The upper trun-
nion of the bar I carries a sector J fixed in such a manner that when the
bar I is in the position shewn on the drawing, the sector
the axis of the lowered perforated disc B and prevents the rising of the latter,
is brought above
it being removed from its axis when the rollers I are removed from the disc B.
When the instrument has to play the piece of music, the perforated disc B
which has been lowered, is caused to rotate by the spring barrel S by means
of the spindle and the wheels T, Fig. 14, and the disc cam N³ also turus by
the action of the barrel S in the direction of the arrow y, Fig. 13 and 19.
When the stud of the disc cam N³ comes in contact with the projection
the bar I is moved in such a manner that the rollers I release the perforated
disc B while the sector releases the axis a of the disc. The stud then engaging
with the hook of raises the latter and the extremity of of lever 01 which engages
with a notch, and, consequently, lowers the rack G, so that the latter raises
the lever 20 which is brought from the position 201, Fig. 13, to the position 20%,
white the lowered disc B, liberated from the rollers I and sector J, is raised
and brought into its upper position of rest by the action of springs 10.
By the shifting of the dial H in the one or direction or the other, one or
other of the perforated discs B can be brought into such a position that its
axis a lies in the path passed through by the notch 22 of lever 20.
as during the rotation of the disc cam M³, the edge as of the latter comes into
As soon
contact with the bent end of of the lever 0, it causes the latter to move
out of the notch raising the rack G and consequently, lowering the lever 20,
that is to say, it brings it from the position 202 into the position 20¹ Fig. 13,
and the lever 20 in coming into contact with the axis of the corresponding
perforated disc B, brings this disc into the working position, thereby straining
the corresponding springs 10. The stud then leaves the projection 72 of the
lever L, a spring m brings the bar I into the position shewn on the drawing,
that is to say, with its rollers 1' pressing against the lowered disc B and brings
the sector Jabove its axis a until the disc cam N has performed another com-
plete revolution, when the above described action of the parts recommences.
The lever 20 shewn at Figs. 13, 14, 16 and 17, having only a single arm, can
only act upon the axis a of the perforated disc B from one side of the disc, but
it may be very well replaced by the lever 20% with two arms as shewn at Fig. 18,
which can lay hold of the axis of the perforated disc B on both sides of the
latter and thus ensure the reliable guiding of the discs during their transport
from the position of rest to the working position.
Instead of being subjected to the action of springs 10, each series of pivotted
blades could be connected to a weight by a cord attached to the axis a of the
corresponding disc and passing over rollers carried by the support 7, the form
of which would be suitably modified, so that the said weight would also have
the tendency to keep the perforated disc in its position of rest; also, the lower
blades 6 of cach series of articulated blades could have their outer ends extended
beyond the edge of the perforated disc and be so bent above this edge that they
would prevent all oscillation of the said disc.
Figs. 20 to 24 shew another modification of the mechanism.
Fig. 20 shews a front view partly in section; Fig. 21 is a side view; Fig. 22
is a part plan; Figs. 23 and 24 shew a detail to an enlarged scale.
In Fig. 20 and 21 each of the perforated dises B is mounted loose on an
axis fixed on the end of an arm A¹ carrying the disc, the other end of which
rm is formed with a fork at and can turn freely on an axis common to all
he arms A and fixed in two angle pieces D2 D3 connected together by trans-
erse pieces Q and Q, which angle pieces can be shifted along two horizontal
and parallel guide rods EE to the arm D3 of the pieces D2 D3 is fixed a flexible
metal band ff, the other end of which is fixed to the opposite end of a sector F.
The pivot fo of the sector F passes through the wall U of the instrument and

page_text: carries outside this a dial H which is marked with the number of the pieces and
.which can be turned past the fixed pointer so that on turning the dial H
and consequently, also the sector F, the axis C and the disc arms can be shifted
horizontally in the one direction or the other, so as to bring the fork at of
the one or the other arm A into engagement with the extremity g¹ of an elbow
lever G pivotted at to a suitable support and connected by a rod g² to one
end of a fever 02, the other end o¹ of which is bent downwards and is situated
over a disc cam №2 mounted on a spindle m which turns with the spring
barrel S in the direction of the arrow y, which lever 02 when the disc cam N
revolves, can enter a part at of notch of the cam under the action of a
stud n of the disc cam upon a hook o² directed upwards and fixed to the lever 0²,
while by the action of the edge of the notch this end o¹ of the lever can
be pushed out of the part 4 of the notch. This oscillation of the lever 02 will
cause the oscillation of the elbow lever g¹ connected to it, and, consequently,
will produce the raising or lowering of that one of the arms A' whose fork a
has been brought into engagement with the extremity of lever G. Each
arm A is connected by a spring to the transverse piece Q', which spring has
the tendency to effect the raising of the arm A, with which arm A¹ also corre-
sponds a pawl 12 which serves to hold the said arm by means of the stud a³,
fixed to the latter, in the raised position, such pawl being pivotted to the trans-
verse piece Q and provided with an arm 2, this arm of the pawl P2, which
corresponds to that arm A whose fork at has been put in engagement with the
end of the lever G₁, faces the arm of an elbow lever V pivotted at 20 to a
suitable support and having its other arm connected by a rod to the end of
a lever W pivotted at 0. The other extremity of the lever W is bent
upwards and is made to bear against the under face of the disc cam N2 by means
of a spring which spring, on the rotation of the disc cam N³, causes the
end of the lever to enter the part of the notch and to be expelled
therefrom by the edge of the notch for causing the oscillation of the levers We
and the last named lever during this motion comes in contact with the
arm p² of the pawl P so as to disengage the pawl from the stud of its arm A¹
in order to allow of the lowering of this arm and its disc B. The axis aº of
each disc B is provided with a longitudinal groove a in which can slide a bolt a
acted upon by a spring which has the tendency to cause the beak a³ of this
bolt to move out of the groove a, Fig. 23, for preventing the perforated disc B
on the axis a° and situated between the beak " and the face of A¹ from falling
off the axis, while by pressure on the projecting end of the bolt a², the
beak thereof can be made to enter the groove a", Fig. 24, for the purpose of
replacing the perforated disc B by another.
I is the usual bar carrying the pressure rollers I' that press upon the perforated
disc B which is in the lowered position. The bar I can turn with its two eccen-
tric trunnions in the supports JJ2, and its lower trunnion is provided
with an arm K¹ which is connected by a rod M to a horizontal arm L2 pivotted
to 10 and subjected to the action of a spring m which normally applies the
rollers of the bar I against the lowered disc B, while the stud n of the disc
cam N2, which, at each rotation of the disc, comes in contact with a corresponding
projection of the arm L², serves by this means to cause the bar I to turn so
as to remove the rollers I¹ from the perforated disc, and to keep them in this posi-
tion for allowing the disc to be replaced by another one. The upper trunnion ♬
of the bar I carries a sector J, which, when the rollers I are applied against
the lowered disc B, is situated above the corresponding trunnion, the sector J
being removed therefrom when the rollers 1' are removed from the disc.
While the piece of music is being played, the barrel S and the disc cam №2
revolve in the direction of the arrow y and the barrel S transmits, by means of
the spindles t and the wheels and T, its rotation to the lowered disc B. When,
during the rotation of the disc cam N2, its stud ¹ comes in contact with the face /,
Fig. 2, of the projection of the horizontal arm L², it turns this arm and con-

page_text: sequently, also the bar I in the direction of the arrow u, and thus liberates the
lowered disc B, removing the rollers IT from this disc and the sector J. from
its axis aº, holding them in this position as long as it rests in contact with the
face 2, Fig. 22, of the projection of the arm L². The stud n of the disc cam
in coming during this time in contact with the hook o², lowers the bent end o¹
of the lever 03 and causes it to enter part of the notch, thus, bringing the
lowered disc arm A¹ and its dise B into their raised position of rest. During
this motion, the corresponding pawl P2 is raised by the stud and then holds
the arm A and its disc B in the position of rest. On then turning the dial H
in the one direction or the other, the fork at of the one or other of the disc
arms A¹ can be brought into engagement with the end g of the lever G¹ after
which the part of the notch in coming over the end of the lever We,
causes the latter to enter the notch under the action of the spring w¹, and in
consequence the elbow lever V is actuated so as to remove the pawl P² from the
studa of arm A' of the disc B' which has been selected by the shifting of the
dial H, in order to be lowered into the working position. The extremity of of
the lever 02 is then raised by the edge of the notch, and consequently
the disc B, which has been selected, is lowered. During this time, the end w
of the lever W2 is also pushed out of the notch by the edge of the latter,
and the elbow lever is brought into its normal position shewn on the
drawing. As soon as the stud leaves the face 2 of the projection L2 of the
lever, the latter, as also the bar I, are brought by the spring m into position
shewn on the drawing, so that the rollers I bear against the lowered dise B,
and the sector J is situated over the axis of this disc, until after a complète
revolution of the dise cam N2, the same action of the several parts is repeated.
Figs. 25 to 29 shew à further modification of the mechanism.
Fig. 25 shews a front view partly in section, Fig. 26 is a side view, Fig. 27
is a sectional plan on line XX, and Figs. 28 and 29 shew detached details.
In this arrangement each perforated disc B is carried by an axis 12 on which
it can turn freely and which is fixed to a bar A. This bar is suspended at.
its upper end to a flexible cord 25 passing over guide pulleys 26 on a supporting
frame 27 which is common to all the discs B, the other end of the cord having
a weight 28 suspended froin it, which tends to keep the dise B in the upper
position of rest. The frame 27 is arranged to be horizontally movable upon two
guide rods 9 which are fixed in a parallel position, the frame being capable of
being shifted by any suitable means, either by hand or niechanically. Thin
partitions 29 fixed to the frame 27 cause the weights 28 to follow the motion of the
frame 27 in the one direction or the other, and prevents these weights froni
Oscillating during such motion. The vertical rod 30 which can be moved longi-
tudinally serves to lift the weight 28 corresponding to the perforated disc B
which, by the shifting of the frame 27, has been selected for being brought
into the working position, the raising of the weight thus allowing the disc to
be lowered into such working position by the action of gravity. The lower
end of the rod 30 is connected to one arm of a lever 03 pivotted at 3 and whose
other arm carries a counter weight of which consequently has a tendency to inove
the rod 30 upwards and. to cause a projecting finger on the lever 03 to bear
continuously against an arm 31, Fig. 27, pivotted at 32 and provided with a
stud 33, which, by the action of the counter weight is continuously applied
against the periphery of a spiral cam 34 fixed on a spindle m¹ turning with a
barrel S, which cam, consequently, during the rotation of the spindle m¹ in the
direction of the arrow y, imparts a to and fro motion to the lever O. The bar I³
which carries the rollers that, as before, are applied to the dise B, can move
in a horizontal direction at right angles to the disc B, sliding in slots Fig. 28,
formed in the supporting brackets JJ so that the bar and its rellers can
be moved to and from the perforated disc B. For effecting this motion, the
Ear 1 is connected by links to arms fixed to a spindle 1 which can oscillate
in the brackets JJ. The lower trunnion of the spindle I carries an arm K'

page_text: connected by a link M¹ to a horizontal arm L² pivotted at one end at 70 and
having its other end connected to a spring m which tends to keep the arm L² in
the position indicated on the drawing, and consequently, to apply the rollers I¹
of bar I against the lowered perforated disc B so as to keep this in contact with
the devices that actuate the keys R of the instrument.
The arm L2 is provided on its under side with a projection 12 with which corres
sponds a stud n¹ carried by an arm N fixed to the spindle m¹ and which at each
rotation of the spindle m¹ comes in contact with the projection 72 of arm L2 and
turns this arm in the direction of the arrow u, Fig. 27, thereby moving the bar I³
away from the perforated disc B in order to allow this to be replaced by another.
The bar I carries at its upper part a hook which, when the rollers I are applied
against the disc B, is situated over the axis 12 resting in a notch of a support 3
and thus prevents the accidental raising of the axis and the disc.
Assuming the parts to be in the position shewn on the drawing, the spring
barrel S, turning in the direction of the arrow y, imparts by means of the spindle t
and wheels T a rotary motion to the lowered disc B which consequently actuates
the keys of the musical instrument in the usual manner. During this rotation of
the spring barrel S the spiral cam 34 by its action on the stud 33 of arm 31
gradually lowers the rod 30 so that the disc B is subjected to the action of the
weight 26 which tends to raise it into the position of rest, this being, however,
for the moment prevented by the hook 7, as before described. But, as soon as
by the continued rotation of the barrel S in the direction of the arrow y, the
stud comes in contact with the face 7 of the projection 12 of arm L. this latter
and the arm K' are moved in the direction of the arrow which has the effect
of removing the bar 13 and rollers I from the lowered dise B until the stud n¹
comes in contact with the face 2 of the projection 2. As soon as during this
movement the hook 7 releases the axis 2 of the lowered disc B, the weight 28
of this disc raises the axis together with the disc into the upper position of rest,
the rollers I remain in their withdrawn position as long as the stud n¹ remains
in contact with the face 2 of the projection 72.
On sliding the frame 27 on the guide rods 9, the one or other of the perforated
discs can be brought into position for being lowered. The stud 33 is then caused
by the action of the counter weight o and the rotation of the spiral cam 34 to
move suddenly from the part of the cam of largest diameter on to the part of
smallest diameter, the rod 30 is brought by the lever 03 into its raised position.
thus raising the weight 28 situated above it, so that the corresponding perforated
disc B will descend by gravity into the working position, the stud then leaves
the face 2 of the projection 12 and the lever L2 arm K' and bar 13 are brought
back into the position shewn on the drawing by the action of the spring m, so
that the rollers I are made to press against a freshly lowered disc B so as to
bring it into action, and this continues until after a complete rotation of
the barrel S the above described functions of the different parts are repeated.
The counter weight o might of course be replaced by a spring, and the spring m
be replaced by a counter weight on an elbow lever pivotted to a fixed support
and having its one arm connected by a link to the lever L².
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. Mechanism for effecting the mechanical change of the perforated discs of
musical instruments of the kind herein referred to, such mechanism comprising
the following features:-
(a) A series of pivotted arms each carrying a perforated disc revolvable
on an axis, and provided with a toothed sector, such arms being mounted
loose on a common axis carried by a sliding frame.
(b) A vertical sliding toothed rack with which the toothed sectors of the
said arms can be put successively in engagement, such rack being actuated

page_text: by a disc cam that is rotated by the spring barrel of the instrument, so that
by the motion of the rack in one direction, the arm and its perforated disc
engaged therewith are lowered into the working position, while, by the
contrary motion of the rack, the arm and disc are raised into the position
of rest, substantially as described.
2. In mechanism for effecting the mechanical change of the perforated discs
of musical instruments of the kind herein referred to, the use of a bar carrying
rollers serving to press the perforated disc which is in the working position
against the devices that actuate the keys of the instrument, which bar can turn
upon two eccentric trunnions, one of which carries a lever actuated in such
manner by a dise cam that the said bar is thereby at one time turned into a
position in which its rollers press against the perforated disc, and at another
time is turned into a position in which the rollers are removed from the disc for
allowing the latter to be replaced by another one, the second trunnion being
provided with a device so arranged that when the said bar is in the first named
position, it prevents the upward motion of the axis of the perforated disc, while
when the bar is in the second position, it leaves the axis free, substantially as
described.
3. In mechanism for effecting the mechanical change of the perforated discs of
musical instruments of the kind herein referred to, an arrangement for shifting
horizontally the axes of the arms that carry the perforated discs, consisting of a
sector each end of which is connected to the opposite end of the sliding support
carrying the said axes by means of a flexible band or equivalent, appliance, so that
by turning the sector on its spindle in one direction or the other, the axes of the
said disc-arms can be shifted so as to bring any one of the arms in engagement
with a device by means of which the corresponding perforated disc is moved
from its raised position of rest into the lowered working position, or vice versa,
the said device being actuated for this purpose by the spring barrel of the musical
instrument, substantially as described.
4. Mechanism for effecting the mechanical change of the perforated discs of
musical instruments combined and operating substantially as described with
reference to Figs. 1 to 8 of the drawings.
5. Mechanism for effecting the mechanical change of the perforated discs of
musical instruments of the kind referred to in the first and second claims, com-
prising the following features: -
(a) A disc cam N¹ turning with the spring barrel and having on its
periphery a notch X with stepped edges ¹³, and a stud n and also
on its upper surface a stud n¹."
(b) Springs acting upon the disc arms, tending to bring these into
the raised position of rest, a lever O' connected at one end by a rod to the
rack G with which the toothed sector of one or other of the disc arms is
engaged, while the other end of the lever O is bent upward and applied to
the disc cam №1 and has a downward directed hook o¹, on which acts a
stud n on the disc N', the notch X comes into engagement with the lever 01.
(c) Pawls P¹ serving to hold the disc arms in the raised position, and
which are disengaged by means of a lever V connected to one end of a
lever W whose other upward bent end engages with the notch X and disc
cam 11
(d) A lever L' connected by a rod M to an arm K¹ fixed to the lower
trunnion of the bar I carrying the pressing rollers I, the said lever L'
being acted upon by a spring m or by a weight tending to keep the rollers I¹
pressed against the perforated disc, a stop J on the upper end of the bar I
which is situated ever the axis a² of the lowered disc arm when the rollers
press against the perforated disc, and a projection 7 on the lever L' situated
in the path of the stud n¹ of the disc N¹, the said parts being arranged and
operating substantially as described with reference to Figs. 9 to 12 of the
drawings,

page_text: 3
6. Mechanism for effecting the mechanical change of the perforated discs of
musical instruments combined and operating as herein described with reference
to Figs. 9 to 12 of the drawings.
7. Mechanism for effecting the mechanical change of the perforated discs of
musical instruments of the kind herein referred to, wherein each disc is mounted
on an axis on one of a series of lazy tongs devices pivotted to a support common
to all, which support can be shifted horizontally on guides by means of suitable
moving devices, each of the said lazy tongs being combined with a spring or
other device which tends to bring it and its perforated disc into its position of
rest, while a lever actuated through intermediate gear by a disc cam rotated by
the spring barrel of the instrument can be made to engage with the axis of the
perforated disc to be brought into action, and to bring this into the working
position substantially as described.
8. Mechanism for effecting the mechanical change of the perforated discs of
the musical instruments, such as referred to in the seventh claim, combined and
operating as described with reference to Figs. 13 to 19 of the drawings.
9. Mechanism for effecting the mechanical change of the perforated discs of
musical instruments comprising the following features: -
(a) Arms carrying the perforated discs rotatable on an axis pivoted on
a support common to all, which support can be shifted horizontally on
guides, each arm having a forked tail.
(b) A lever adapted to engage with the fork of each arm when this is
brought into position for that purpose, which lever is actuated by a cam
disc through intermediate gear so as to turn the arm with its perforated
disc from the position of rest into the working position and vice versa.
(c) Pawls, serving to hold the disc arms in the raised position of rest,
which pawls have a tail that when the corresponding arm and disc is in
engagement with the forked lever referred to in (b), is acted upon by a
lever actuated by a cam disc rotated by the spring barrel of the mechanism,
so as to release the said disc arm and allow it to be lowered, substantially
as described.
10. Mechanism for effecting the mechanical change of the perforated discs of
musical instruments wherein the axis a of each of the disc arms A¹ is provided
with a longitudinal groove a6 in which is a bolt acted upon by a spring which
tends to make a beak on the bolt project from the groove as for holding the per-
forated disc upon the axis, while by depressing the bolt, the beak is withdrawn
so as to allow the disc to be removed and replaced by another, substantially as
described with reference to Figs. 23 and 24 of the drawings.
11. Mechanism for effecting the mechanical change of the perforated discs of
musical instruments combined and operating as herein described with reference
to Figs. 20 to 24 of the drawings.
12. Mechanism for effecting the mechanical change of the perforated discs of
musical instruments comprising the following features:-
(a) The axes of the perforated discs are each suspended from a flexible
cord led over a pulley carried by a support-common to all the cords, and
capable of being shifted on horizontal guides, the other end of the cord
being attached to a weight which tends to bring the perforated disc into
position of rest.
(b) A vertically movable rod is adapted to raise the said weight so as
to allow the perforated disc to descent into the working position, which
rod is acted upon through intermediate gear by a spiral cam rotated by
the spring barrel of the mechanism, the action being such that during
one part of the rotation of the cam it causes the said rod to ascend and,
in raising the weight of the particular perforated disc which has been
brought in line therewith, to allow such disc to descend into the working
position, while at another time the cam causes the said rod to descend and
allow the weight to raise the perforated disc into the position of rest,

page_text: (c), A bar carrying rollers that press upon the perforated disc when in
the working position, which bar has a projection that in one position
extends over the axis of the lowered disc so as to prevent this from rising,
and in another position leaves the disc free to rise, substantially as described.
13. Mechanism for the mechanical change of the perforated discs of musical
instruments of the kind herein referred to, a bar carrying rollers for holding the
perforated dise in position for operating, which bar can have a parallel motion
imparted to it at right angles to the perforated disc, to and from the same, for
which purpose it is connected by links to arms on a spindle receiving a to and
fro motion from the combined action of a spring and a crank pin rotated by the
spring barrel of the mechanism, substantially as described with reference to
Figs. 25 to 29 of the drawings.
14. Mechanism for the mechanical change of the perforated discs of musical
instruments, combined and operating as herein described with reference to
Figs. 25 to 29 of the drawings.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.