IMPROVEMENTS IN AUTO- MATICALLY-PLAYING WIND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edmund Hunt, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark,
North Britain, Patent Agent, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AUTO-
MATICALLY-PLAYING WIND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS." A communication from
abroad by Mason Johnston Matthews, of Boston, Massachusetts, United
States of America.
Sealed the 24th June 1879, and dated the 13th January 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edmund Hunt at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 13th January 1879.
EDMUND HUNT, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain, Patent
Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AUTOMATICALLY-PLAYING WIND MUSICAL INSTRU-
MENTS." A communication from abroad by Mason Johnston Matthews, of Boston,
Massachusetts, United States of America.
This Invention relates to wind musical instruments in which tunes are played
automatically by means of tuno bands of perforated or embossed paper or other
suitable material, and comprises various improvements which are to some extent
developments or modifications of those formerly communicated to me by the said
Mason Johnston Matthews, and described in the Specification of Letters Patent
granted to me and dated 24 June 1878 (No. 2509).
In one complete arrangement made with the present improvements and com-
prising the musical instrument and a stand or framing carrying a long tune band,
such for example as will serve for a set of quadrille tunes, there is a box or casing
containing the bellows, and to the top of this there is fitted a frame containing the
reed board and parts for moving and guiding the tune band, which passes between
the bellows casing and the top frame. The tune band is moved through the
instrument by two small feed rollers between which it passes, and one of which is
turned by means of a crank handle on its spindle. A spindle at the bottom of the
bellows casing, and which works the hellows, is turned by means of cranks on its
ends connected by rods to cranks on the handled spindle of the feed roller above.
The music stand or holder carries two rollers or bobbins which are placed at its
ends, and sufficiently apart for the musical instrument to be placed between them.
When commencing to play a tune or set of tunes the tune band is almost all wound
on one of the rollers, and it is wound from that one to the other during the playing,
the roller on which it is then wound having on its spindle a pulley round which

page_text: there passes a light cord from a pulley on the feed roller spindle. The tune band is
rewound upon the first roller by means of a handle on the spindle of that roller.
When the tune band is perforated for a set of quadrilles the dancing directions are
printed on it, so that the person turning the handle can call them out at the proper
times, notwithstanding that he may be quite ignorant of music or dancing. In a
similar way appropriate directions or other wordings or markings may be printed
on tho tune bands for other tunes. In the arrangement just described the action of
the tune band upon the reeds may be either direct, the band itself closing the
passages by which the wind passes the reeds except where the perforations occur,
or indirect, the perforations or projections acting on valves in any of the modes
described in the Specification hereinbefore referred to, or in any of the newer modes
hereinafter described.
In all the new or improved arrangements of parts comprised in the present
Invention for making a perforated tune band act on the reed valves, the reed board
or box is placed between the tune band and the casing, and spring fingers, keys, or
levers are employed. In most cases the spring fingers which are either suitably
bent spring metal blades or wires fixed each at one end, or are looso wooden keys
or levers fitted with springs, are above the tune band. They are made with noses
or projecting parts which through the spring action project down through the
perforations when these come under them, being kept up by the unperforated parts.
In one modification the spring fingers act on push pins which bear on the reed
valves so as to open them inwards into the wind passage, the bellows being in this
case arranged to give pressure, and the reeds being above or outside of the valves.
In a second modification the valves are above or outside of the reeds, and are worked
by levers which are acted on by the spring fingers either directly or through short
pins or rods. In a third modification the spring fingers which are beneath the tune
band, rise when the perforations allow their noses to project through, and in rising
lift or open the reed valves which are attached to levers connected to the spring
fingers.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Edmund Hunt in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 11th July 1879.
EDMUND HUNT, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain, Patent
Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AUTOMATICALLY-PLAYING WIND MUSICAL INSTRU-
MENTS." A communication from abroad by Mason Johnston Matthews, of Boston,
Massachusetts, United States of America.
The said Invention relates to wind musical instruments in which tunes are
played automatically by means of tune bands of perforated or embossed paper or
other suitable material, and comprises various improvements which are to some
extent developments or modifications of those formerly communicated to me by the
said Mason Johnston Matthews, and described in the Specification of Letters Patent
granted to me and dated 24 June 1878 (No. 2509).
In one complete arrangement made with the present improvements and comprising
the musical instrument and a stand or framing carrying a long tune band, such, for
example, as will serve for a set of quadrille tunes, there is a box or casing containing
the bellows, and to the top of this there is fitted a frame containing the reed board
and parts for moving and guiding the tune band which passes between the bellows
casing and the top frame. The tune band is moved through the instrument by two
small feed rollers between which it passes, and one of which is turned by means of
a crank handle on its spindle. A spindle at the bottom of the bellows casing, and
which works the bellows, is turned by means of cranks on its ends connected by
rods to cranks on the handled spindle of the feed roller above. The music stand
or holder carries two rollers or bobbins, which are placed at its ends and sufficiently
apart for the musical instrument to be placed between them. When commencing
to play a tune or set of tunes the tune band is almost all wound on one of the
rollers, and it is wound from that one to the other during the playing, the roller on
which it is then wound having on its spindle a pulley round which there passes a
light cord from a pulley on the feed roller spindle. The tune band is rowound
upon the first roller by means of a handle on the spindle of that roller. When tho
tune band is perforated for a set of quadrilles the dancing directions are printed on
it, so that the person turning the handle can call them out at the proper times
notwithstanding that he may be quite ignorant of music or dancing. In a similar
way appropriate directions or other wordings or markings may be printed on the
tune bands for other tunes. In the arrangement just described the action of the
tune band upon the reeds may be either direct, the band itself closing the passages
by which the wind passes the reeds, except where the perforations occur, or indirect,
the perforations or projections. acting on valves in any of the modes described in
the Specification hereinbefore referred to, or in any of the newer modes hereinafter
described.
In all the new or improved arrangements of parts comprised in the present
Invention for making a perforated tune band act on the reed valves, the reed board
or box is placed between the tune band and the casing, and spring fingers, keys, or
levers are employed. In most cases the spring fingers, which are either suitably
bent spring inetal blades or wires fixed each at one end, or are loose wooden keys
or levers fitted with springs, are above the tune band. They are made with noses
or projecting parts, which, through the spring action, project down through the
perforations when theso come under them, being kept up by the unperforated parts.
In one modification the spring fingers act on push pins which bear on the reed
valves so as to open them inwards into the wind passage, the bellows being in this
case arranged to give pressure and the reeds being above or outside of the valves.
In a second modification the valves are above or outside of the reeds, and are
worked by levers which are acted on by the spring fingers either directly or through
short pins or rods. In a third modification the spring fingers which are beneath
the tune band rise when the perforations allow their noses to project through, and

page_text: in rising lift or open the reed valves which are attached to levers connected to the
spring fingers.
And in order that the said Invention and the manner of performing the same, as
communicated to me by the said Mason Johnston Matthews, may be properly
understood I hereunto append two Sheets of explanatory Drawings to be herein-
after referred to, and representing various modifications of the improved automati-
cally-playing wind musical instruments.
Figure 1 on Sheet 1 of the accompanying Drawings is a perspective view of one
arrangement of the improved automatically-playing wind musical instruments ;
Figures 2 and 3 are a plan and a transverse vertical section of the same.
In this
complete arrangement of instrument a stand or framing A. of rectangular form in
plan carries at its ends in bearings formed in the upper parts of four uprights or
standards B two rollers or bobbins C, C¹. One of these rollers C has a handle a on
its spindle, and the other one C¹ has on its spindle end a small grooved pulley b
for a driving cord, and also a small handle c. Between these two rollers C, C¹,
which are for carrying a perforated tune band D, there is a removable box or
casing E containing the bellows F, and supported on legs or feet fitting into sockets
formed for them in the framing A. A driving shaft or roller d partly covered with
rubber or other suitable material is carried in bearings c, e¹, on the upper part of
the box E, and it is formed with cranks f, f¹, at its ends beyond the bearings e, e¹.
The crank end f' is carried in a second bearing e, between which and the bearing
c' the crank f works, and it has upon its end a small grooved pulley g for a
driving cord o passing round the grooved pulley b. A crank handle his fixed on
the driving shaft d for turning it by. The cranks f, f, of the driving shaft & are
connected by rods j, j', to cranks k, l, formed at right angles to each other on the
ends of a crank shaft carried in bearings in the lower part of the box E, and
underneath the bellows F, F, F, of which in this case there are three. This cranked
shaft is placed parallel to the driving shaft d, and the two cranks k, l, are formed
at its extreme ends, and are outside of the box E. The cranked shaft is also
formed with three cranked parts m, m', m³, the outer cranked parts m, m2, being
made to project in opposite directions to each other, whilst the middle one m¹ is
formed at right angles to the other two. Each of the cranked parts m, m', m², is
formed on the shaft under one of the bellows F, F, F, to which they are con-
nected by rods or links n, n', n, and by this arrangement the action is rendered
regular and continuous. The bellows F, F1, F2, exhaust the air from a small
cavity p formed at the upper part of the box E. This cavity p has at its top a
board 2 placed transversely on the box E, and this board p is formed with air
passages q. Upon the top of the box E and placed over the board p¹ there is a
frame G fitted and held in position by suitable spring catches r. This frame G
has fitted within it a removable reed board H, in which the reeds are placed in a
series or row of small cells, which when the frame G is placed in position for
playing correspond with the series or row of air passages q of the board p'. The
reed board His pressed down upon the top of the board p by blade or other suit-
able springs. When about to play the instrument the frame G is removed and the
perforated tune band being first wound round the roller C is passed over the board
p and driving shaft d, and its end put through a slot in the roller C¹, or otherwise
Becured to it. The frame G being then replaced over the tune band D, which is
pressed by the springs of the reed board H down upon the board p', and by a
rollers covered with rubber or other suitable material, and which is carried in
suitable bearings in the frame G, the tune band is pressed against the driving
shaft d. The pressure of the roller 8 on the driving shaft may be regulated by
pinching screws t. Upon turning the handle of the shaft d the tune band is drawn
through the instrument and wound round the roller C₁, this action being assisted
by the driving cord on the grooved pulleys g and b. The turning of the driving
shaft d also through its cranks f, f, and the rods k, k¹, causes the bellows F, F', F³,
to operate and exhaust the air from the cavity p, so that when one or more per-
forations in the tune band passes over one or more of the series or row of air

page_text: passages q the air passing into the cavity p through the corresponding reed cells
thus opened will sound the reeds. The unperforated parts of the tune band act as
valves, and assisted by the suction of the bellows close the air passages q, and pre-
vent the sounding of the corresponding reeds. When the perforations of the tune
band are for a set of quadrilles or other dances the figures, or dancing, or other
directions are conspicuously marked upon the tune band, and are arranged so that
these directions pass under a bar or indicator I on the frame G, and the person
turning the handle h may then call them out. When the tune band is all wound
on the roller C', or it is wished to repeat any tune that has been played the frame G
is lifted, or it may be fitted so as to tilt up and the tune band rewound on the
roller C by the handle a. The roller C can be easily removed from its slots or
bearings in the upright B when it is wished to replace it by another roller, having
wound upon it a tune band for a different tune or set of tunes.
One of the improved arrangements of parts comprised in the present Invention
for making a perforated tune band act on reed valves is shown in plan in Figure 4
on Sheet 2 of the accompanying Drawings. Figure 5 is a longitudinal vertical sec-
tion, and Figure 6, a transverse vertical section corresponding to Figure 5. Figure 7
is a side elevation showing the bellows in a different position from Figure 5, and
Figure 8 is a horizontal section. Figures 9 and 10 are enlarged views of details,
whilst Figure 11 is an enlarged vertical section of a swell arrangement. In
this modification spring fingers of suitably bent metal blades or wires are
employed for acting on the reed valves through push pins. A frame or casing A
closed at its top by a board a which is formed with a step at its middle has fixed
within it at suitable distances apart two crossboards a¹, a², and has at its top
vertical extensions or side boards A¹, A¹. Fixed on the crossboard a¹ near one end
is a narrow chamber 6 extending across the instrument and having fitted within it
the reed valves c which close up against air passages d formed in the top of the
chamber b and communicating with reeds e. The reeds c are carried in a long box
or frame e¹, hinged on the top of which and extending obliquely downwards at one
side there is a valve board or swell piece f(hereinafter described) forming as it were
one side of the reed box c', which would otherwise be open. Formed in the other
side of the reed box e' are vertical holes continued down through the top of the
chamber b, moving in which and resting on the reed valves c are push pins g formed
with enlargements or heads. The heads of the push pins g are in holes formed for
them in the highor stepped part of the top a of the frame A, and when the reed
valves are closed their heads are flush with the top a, the valves being kept in a
closed position by light springs if necessary. Arranged for acting on the push pin
heads are a number of spring fingers h, cach spring finger h being formed with a
bent part or nose h³ for acting on the pin heads g and fixed by one of its ends to a
cross bar i. The cross bar i is pivoted between the side boards A¹, A¹, one of its
ends being entered into a vertical slot y and pressed by a spring y¹ into a circular
enlargement at the bottom of the slot y, as shown in Figure 9, its other end being
With
shown in Figure 10 as entered into a slot y³ formed in the side board A¹.
this arrangement the cross bar i and spring fingers can be readily removed, or they
may be tilted back into the position indicated by dotted lines, Figure 5. The
spring fingers are held by the cross bar i with their lower or nose ends h¹ projecting
obliquely downwards, a spring i, seen in Figure 10, acting on the cross bar i,
assisting them to press upon the push pins g. The perforated tune band B is
carried between the spring fingers h and the push pins g along the top a, passing
over a driving shaft or roller; covered with rubber or other suitable material. This
driving shaft is carried in the step angle of the top a and held in suitable bearings
in the side boards A¹, A', being formed with a cranked part and provided with a
handle k. Carried in bearings so as to be easily removable for the insertion of the
tune band B, and placed over the shaft j, there is a friction roller covered with
rubber or other suitable material. This roller is pressed against the driving shaft k
by a bent spring m so as to nip the tune band which passes between them. The
cranked part of the driving shaft ; is connected by a rod n to the upper end of a

page_text: bent lover o projecting downwards at the end of the frame A. This bent lever o
is formed with a short horizontal part near the middle of its length which works in
bearings on the cross board a', its lower end sliding in a holo formed for
it in a block P
This block p is connected by a rod q to a swinging
block, which is hung on the lower ends of two bent levers 8, 8¹.
The
ends of these levers 8, 81, are bent at right angles to each other and have short
horizontal parts formed at their middles which work in bearings in a fixed block t
attached underneath to the crossboard a'. The upper ends of the bent levers 8, 8',
project on each side of the block t and are each connected by short links u, u¹, to
bellows C, C, arranged on each side of the block t and attached to the crossboard a³.
The bellows C, C', are arranged to exhaust the air from a single large bellows D,
fixed underneath the crossboard a³, and connected by a rod v to the block p, a
spring w tending to maintain the bellows D expanded. The bellows D is con-
nected by an air passago x situated between the bellows C, C', with the chamber b
containing the reed valves c. The turning of the driving shaft j draws the per-
forated tune band along the top a, and simultaneously through the cranked part
and its connections before described the bellows C, C, are operated. The bellows'
action is automatically regulated by means of the rod v, connecting the bellows D
and sliding block p on the lever o. When the bellows' action is not required to bo
very great, as when only a few of the reed valves are opened, the bellows D will
be in a comparatively closed position, and by the rod will cause the sliding
block p to rise up along the lever o, and thus limit the extent of movement of the
levers 8, 81, and bellows C, Cl, as shown in Figure 7. As the tune band is drawn
along the top a under the noses h³ of the spring fingers h which press down upon
it, the unperforated parts hold up the spring fingers whilst the perforations allow
them to project through and press down the push pins g, thus opening the reed
valves c, allowing air to pass and cause the reeds to sound. For opening the
valve board or swell pieco fit is fitted at one end with an arm or lever g¹ (shown
in enlarged section, Figure 11), which extends over the top of the reed box c' and
project upwards, so that when the swell is closed the upper end of the arm g' is in
an opening formed for it in the top a at the end of the row of holes for the push
pins g. Two spring fingers h², h³, are provided at the end of the cross bar i for
acting on this arin g¹. One of the spring fingers h² is formed with a sharply bent
part or angular nose h³ for opening and closing the swell piece quickly, whilst the
other spring finger h³ is formed at its end with a more obtuse or longer curved part
for opening and closing the swell more gradually. Suitable perforations are made
in the tune band for operating these spring fingers h², h³; or in some cases it may
be convenient to arrange them near the edge of the tune band, the edge being cut
away at the parts where they are desired to act. In this arrangement the bellows
may have their valves set either for acting with exhaustion or for acting with
pressure, the springs c of the valves b being adjusted to suit whichever action is
adopted.
A second modification of the spring finger arrangement is shown in Figure 12,
parts of the instrument which may be of ordinary construction not being shown.
In this modification the reed boxes a are fixed in a row along each side of a cross-
board bor other suitable part of the frame of the instrument, and the valves c are
arranged outside above the mouths of the reed boxes a. The reed valves c are
attached to the outer ends of levers d, centered by means of pins c on bearers f
fixed on the board b so as to alternate with each other. The levers d have their
inner ends in line with one another, and jointed to the lower ends of short vertical
pins or rods g. The upper euds of these vertical pins gare, when the valves are
closed, flush with the top of a narrow slot formed across the top board of the
instrument. The tune band B, as in the former modification is passed over the top
board of the instrument and under the spring fingers h, the noses h¹ of which are
held up by the unperforated parts of the band, and project down through the per-
forations, pushing down the pins g, and thus opening the reed valves c.

page_text: Figure 13 on Sheet 2 of the accompanying Drawings represents a third modi-
fication of the spring finger arrangement, but in this Drawing only parts in
immediato connection with the spring fingers are shown. The reed boxes a are
arranged in alternate positions in two rows upon a wind chest b communicating
with exhaust bellows A of any suitable kind. The reed valves c are above the recd
boxes a, and are connected to ends of horizontal levers d. The horizontal levers d
are centered on a cross piece e extending across the instrument, and which is
hinged to a cross board for other part of the framing. The cross bar i, carrying
the spring fingers h, is hinged upon the cross piece e, and in this modification is
under the tuno band B. Each spring finger h is secured by one of its ends to the
top of the hinged crossbar i, and its bent part or nose his formed a little distance
from its other end and projecting upwards. The nose ends of the spring fingers
are connected by short pins g to the lever d of the reed valves c. The tendency of
the spring fingers h is to rise and lift the reed valves c, but they are prevented from
doing so by the unperforated parts of the tune band B above. In order to prevent
the combined strength of the spring fingers h from lifting the tune band B it is held
down in its proper position by a cross bar or pressure cap C fixed above it. This
pressure cap C is formed with a narrow slot, into which the noses h¹ of the spring
fingers rise when permitted by the perforations of the tune band B.
Having thus particularly described the said Invention, and the manner of per-
forming the same as communicated to me by the said Mason Johnston Matthews,
I have to state that I do not restrict myself to the precise details herein described
or delineated, but that what I believe to be novel and original, and claim as the
Invention secured to me by and in terms of the hereinbefore in part recited Letters
Patent is,
1. The combination and arrangement in an automatically-playing wind musical
instruinent, in which a perforated tune band is employed, of the cranked driving
shaft (d), connecting rods (j, j), and the cranked shaft (?) connected by links
(n, n¹, n) to the bellows F, F1, F, all substantially as herein before described
with reference to Figures 1, 2, and 3 of the accompanying Drawings.
2. The combination of an automatically-playing wind musical instrument with
the frame (A) and rollers (C. C₁,) for carrying the perforated tune band (D), con-
structed, arranged, and operating substantially as hereinbeforo described.
3. The combination of an automatically-playing wind musical instrument and
indicator (I) with a perforated tune band (D), having suitable directions for
dancers or markings appropiate to the music conspicuously printed or marked
thereon, all substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1
and 2 of the accompanying Drawings.
4. The combination and arrangement in an automatically-playing wind musical
instrument of a perforated tune band (B), with the pivoted cross bar (i) carrying
spring fingers (h) for acting on push pins (g) and valves (c), all arranged and
operating substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 4 and 5
of the accompanying Drawings.
5th. The combination and arrangement of the perforated tunc band (B) and
spring fingers (h², h³) with the swell piece (f), all substantially as herein before
described with reference to Figure 11 of the accompanying Drawings.
6. The combining or arranging of the bellows (D, C, C',) and connections with
ths sliding block (p), arranged to travel on the bent lever (o) so as to automatically
regulate the action of the bellows (C, C',), substantially as hereinbefore described
with reference to Figures 4 to 8 of the accompanying Drawings.
7. The combination and arrangement of the spring fingers (h), perforated tune
band (B) and push pins (9) attached to the lovers (d), of the reed valves (c), all
arranged and operating substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to
Figure 12 of the accompanying Drawings.
8. The combination and arrangement of the spring fingers (h) operating to lift
the horizontal levers (d) of the valves (c) by the pins (9) with the perforated tuno
.

page_text: band, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 13 of the
accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edmund Hunt, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Tenth day of July, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and seventy-nine.
EDMUND HUNT. (L.S.)