Improvements in Automatic Musical Instruments.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Oct.. 1889
Complete Specification Left, 30th July, 1890-Accepted, 4th Oct., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Automatic Musical Instruments.
I JAMES MICHAEL FARMER of Belgrade Road Hampton-on-Thames in the County
of Middlesex Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The invention relates to improvements in that class of musical reed instruments in
which a perforated endless travelling band is employed in connection with a concertina
bellows to govern the passage of air to the vibrating reeds and the invention consists
in a simple device for giving motion to the feed roller in one direction only, in means
whereby a single scale of reeds is caused to produce the effect of a double set during
the expansion and contraction of the bellows and in various details of construction
hereinafter more fully described.
For this purpose in applying the first part of my invention to a single acting instru-
ment I arrange the reed chamber and feed roller in a box constituting one of the end
caps of the bellows and I form the box open at its upper and under sides in order to
allow of the passage of the endless band and to permit the musical sounds to issue
therefrom without obstruction.
The outer end of the box I form readily detachable to allow of the endless band
being placed in position and upon the inner face of this detachable end I binge a bar
which is acted upon by a spring in order to press it with an elastic pressure upon the
feed roller and thus cause such roller to obtain a proper grip of the endless band.
In order to give the necessary motion to the feed roller the axis thereof is at one.
end continued through the box where it is provided with a grooved pulley fixed
thereon.
· Removably pivotted to the cap at the other end of the bellows is one end of a long
bar or bow and this bar or bow at its other end has attached thereto one end of a coiled
spring to the other end of which is connected one end of a length of cord which passes
through an eye or guide on the box and thence completely around the grooved
pulley and away to the pivotted end of the bar or how where it is secured
to a cleat or other fastening with capability of being readily tautened or
strained.
By this arrangement of parts the cord during the inward movement of the caps
upon the compression of the bellows slips upon the grooved pulley and this action is
assisted by the guide and the spring bar which latter checks the revolution of the
feed roller during such movement whilst upon the expansion of the bellows the cord
binds upon the grooved pulley thus rotating the feed roller and imparting the
necessary for ward movement to the perforated endless band.
Or I may dispense with the bar or bow and in lieu thereof connect one end of the
cord or band to a spring drum located upon the outside of the box and the other end
thereof to a stud fixed to the opposite cap of the bellows the cord passing through
the guide and around the grooved pulley as hereinbefore described.
In constructing a double acting instrument according to my invention I arrange a
second bellows upon the other side of the box and 1 connect the outer ends or caps
of these bellows by means of bars fixed thereto but not to the central box and I fix to
each side of the box a bar which bars extend beyond one of the ends or caps of the
bellows and are there connected by a cross head to which is attached one of the usual
loops or straps under which is placed the hand of the performer.
By this arrangement of parts the central box may be moved to and fro alternately
compressing and expanding each of the bellows.
One of the bellows communicates directly by a way or ways with the reed-chamber

page_text: which is fitted with only a single scale of reeds whilst the other bellows communicates
therewith by suitable ways or conduits, formed in the top of the box which is perforated
to admit of the passage of sound and suitable valves are employed to close the air ways
during the compression of the bellows and to open them during the expansion thereof
the waste air being exhausted from the bellows during their compression through other
valves which close during their expansion.
By this arrangement of parts air will be drawn through and will sound the single
"scale of reeds during the movement of the box and bellows in either direction and
during the consequent expansion of either of the bellows.
The device for giving motion to the feed roller is similar to that hereinbefore
described in connection with a single acting instrument but in this case the cord is
attached at one end to one of the outer caps of the bellows it thence passes through
the interior of the bellows through the wall of the box thence under and completely
around one division of a double grooved pulley, thence up over an idle pulley mounted
upon a stud fixed to the opposite wall of the box thence under and twice around the
other division of the grooved pulley and thence through the wall of the box to the
outer cap or end of the other bellows so that the outward movement of the cap
...or end of either of the bellows will impart the necessary rotation in one direction only
to the feed roller.
'
The endless perforated band is guided in its movement by means of a removable
skeleton or perforated partition wall or guide reaching nearly to the top of the box
and around which the endless perforated band is passed whilst the partition or guide
is removed from the box and the partition or guide is then placed in position in suitable
* guides within the interior of the box and there secured by simple fastenings a roller
mounted with capability of revolution in bearings carried by the partition or guide
being employed to keep the endless band in contact with the feed roller.
"
Dated October 30th 1889.
WHITE & WOODINGTON,
27, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Automatic Musical Instruments.
I, JAMES MICHAEL FARMER of Belgrade Road Hampton-on-Thames in the County
of Middlesex 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:-
:
The invention relates to improvements in that class of musical reed instruments in
which a perforated endless travelling band is employed in connection with a concertina
bellows to govern the passage of air to the vibrating reeds, and the invention consists
in a simple accessible device for giving motion to the reed roller in one direction only
in means whereby a single scale of reeds is caused to produce the effect of a double set
during the expansion and contraction of the bellows, and in various details of construc-
tion hereinafter more fully described.
For this purpose in applying the first part of my invention to a single acting instru-
ment I arrange the reed chamber and feed roller in a box constituting one of the end caps
of the bellows and I form the box open at its upper and under sides, in order to allow
of the passage of the endless band and to permit the musical sounds to issue therefrom
without obstruction.
The outer end of the box I form readily detachable to allow of the endless band
being placed in position and upon the inner face of this detachable end I hinge a bar
which is acted upon by a spring in order to press it with an elastic pressure upon the
feed roller and thus cause such roller to obtain a proper grip of the endless band.
In order to give the necessary motion to the feed roller, the axis thereof is at one

page_text: end continued through the box where it is provided with a grooved pulley fixed
thereon.
Removeably pivotted to the cap at the other end of the bellows is one end of a long
bar or bow and this bar or bow at its other end has attached thereto one end of a coiled
spring to the other end of which is connected one end of a length of cord which passes
through an eye or guide on the box and thence completely around the grooved pulley
and away to the pivotted end of the bar or bow where it is secured to a cleat or other
fastening with capability of being readily tautened or strained.
By this arrangement of parts the cord during the inward movement of the caps upon
the compression of the bellows slips upon the grooved pulley and this action is assisted
by the guide and the spring bar which latter checks the revolution of the feed roller
during such movement whilst upon the expansion of the bellows the cord binds
the grooved pulley thus rotating the feed roller and imparting the necessary forward
movement to the perforated endless band.
upon
Or I may dispense with the bar or bow, and in lieu thereof, connect one end of the
cord or band to a spring drum located upon the outside of the box and the other end
thereof to a stud fixed to the opposite cap of the bellows, the cord passing through the
guide and around the grooved pulley as hereinbefore described.
In constructing a double acting instrument according to my invention I arrange a
second bellows upon the other side of the box and I connect the outer ends or caps of
these bellows by means of bars fixed thereto but not to the central box and I fix to
each side of the box a bar, which bars extend beyond one of the ends or caps of the
bellows and are there connected by a cross head to which is attached one of the usual
loops or straps under which is placed the land of the performer.
By this arrangement of parts, the central box may be moved to and fro alternately
compressing and expanding each of the bellows.
One of the bellows communicates directly by a way or ways with the reed chamber
which is fitted with only a single scale of reeds whilst the other bellows communicates
therewith by suitable ways or conduits formed in the top of the box which is perforated
to adinit of the passage of sound and suitable valves are employed to close the air
during the compression of the bellows and to open them during the expansion thereof
the waste air being exhausted from the bellows during their compression through other
valves which close during their expansion.
ways
By this arrangement of parts air will be drawn through and will sound the single
scale of reeds during the movement of the box and bellows in either direction, and
during the consequent expansion of either of the bellows.
The device for giving motion to the feed roller is similar to that herein before described
in connection with a single acting instrument but in this case the cord is attached at
one end to one of the outer caps of the bellows, it thence passes through the
interior of the bellows through the wall of the box, thence under and completely
around one division of a double grooved pulley, thence up over an idle pulley
mounted upon a stud fixed to the opposite wall of the box, thence under and twice
around the other division of the grooved pulley, and thence through the wall of
the box to the outer cap or end of the other bellows so that the outward move-
ment of the cap or end of either of the bellows will impart the necessary rotation
in one direction only to the feed roller.
The endless perforated band is guided in its movement by means of a removeable
skeleton or perforated partition wall or guide reaching nearly to the top of the box and
around which the endless perforated band is passed whilst the partition or guide is
removed from the box; and the partition or guide' is then placed in position in suitable
guides within the interior of the box and there secured by simple fastenings a roller
nounted with capability of revolution in bearings, carried by the partition or guide,
being employed to keep the endless band in contact with the feed roller.
And in order that the said invention may be more clearly understood and readily.
arried into effect I will proceed aided by the accompanying drawings more fully to
escribe the same.

page_text: DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section taken on the line 1-1 of Figure. 4 of a single
acting instrument constructed according to my invention.
Figure 2 is a plan of the complete instrument.
Figure 3 is a side elevation thereof looking in the opposite direction to that in which
Figure 1 is viewed.
Figure 4 is an end view thereof, partly in section and
Figure 5 is a side elevation representing the music box and removeable end thereof
separately.
Figure 6 is a side clevation representing a slight modification and
Figure 7 is an end view thereof.
Figure 8 is a longitudinal section taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 9 of a double
acting instrument constructed according to my invention.
Figure 9 is a plan thereof.
Figure 10 is an underside view thereof.
Figure 11 is a transverse section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 8.
Figure 12 is an opposite end view thereof.
Figure 13 is a partial longitudinal section on the line 4-4 of Figure 11.
Figure 14 is an edge view of the removeable partition wall or guide.
Figure 15 is a side view and
Figure 16 is a plan thereof.
Figure 17 is an end view of the feed roller, and means for giving motion thereto.
Figure 18 is a plan thereof and
Figure 19 is a view taken at right angles to Figure 17.
In the several figures of the drawings like parts are as far as possible indicated by
similar letters of reference.
Referring to Figures 1 to 5 a represents the bellows a represents the cap at one
end of such bellows and represents the music box which is located at the other end
thereof and constitutes the opposite end cap, the usual loops or straps a being attached
to such caps.
с
ᏓᏎ
Within the music box is arranged the reed chamber c which is fitted with a single
scale of reeds and the bellows a communicates with such chamber c by ways
whilst the waste air is exhausted from the bellows a during their compression through
other ways which are closed by valves 6 during their expansion, and air will thus
be drawn through and will sound those of the scale of reeds that are not covered by
the endless perforated band fat every expansion of the bellows a.
The music box is formed open upon its upper end and under sides in order to
allow of the passage of the endless band of music and permit the musical sounds to
issue therefrom without obstruction..
The outer end of the music box I form readily detachable from the sides 6 to
allow of the endless band being placed in position, the lower edge of the end being
formed with a ledge 3 having mortises & therein to receive tenons b* formed upon
the sides of the music box whilst the upper edge of the end 6 is formed with a
ledge which at its ends enters notches 61** formed in the sides of the music box b
hooks upon the sides of the music box o engaging studs upon the end 62 and securely
connecting the parts together.
Upon the inner face of the detachable end of the music box b 1 fix the lower end
of a spring upon the upper end of which is mounted a bar 6*** which presses with
an elastic pressure upon the feed roller d and thus causes such roller to obtain a proper
grip of the endless band f.
In order to give the necessary motion to the feed roller d the axis d' thereof is
at one end continued through the side of the music box b where it is provided with
a grooved pulley d² fixed thereon.
Fitted upon a pivot a¹* fixed to the cap a¹ at the other end of the bellows a is one
end of a long bar or bow g which is removeably held in place by a slotted catch or turn

page_text: button g mounted upon a centre of motion g² and which embraces the grooved head
of the pivot a¹*.
3.
The other end of the bar or bow g has attached thereto one end of a coiled spring g³
to the other end of which is connected one end of a length of cord e which passes
through on eye or guide e* on the music box b and thence completely around the
grooved pulley and away to the pivotted end of the bar or bow 9 where it passes.
through a hole 9 and is secured to a cleat go, or it might be any other suitable
fastening, with capability of being readily tautened or strained.
By this arrangement of parts the cord e during the inward movement of the
caps a' upon the compression of the bellows a slips upon the grooved pulley d²
and this action is assisted by the guide e* and the spring bar 6** which latter checks
the revolution of the feed roller d during such movement whilst upon the expansion
of the bellows a the cord e binds upon the grooved pulley d² thus rotating the feed
roller d and imparting the necessary forward movement to the perforated endless
band f
In the modification represented at Figures 6 and 7 the bar or bow g is dispensed
with, and in lieu thereof one end of the cord e is connected to a spring drum g located
upon the outside of the music box band the other end thereof is connected to a stud a¹*.
fixed to the opposite cap a¹ of the bellows a the cord e passing throught the guide e*
and around the grooved pulley & as herein before described.
By arranging the means for giving motion to the feed roller d upon the exterior
of the instrument I am enabled more readily to adjust the same than heretofore.
At Figures 8 to 19 I have shown a double acting instrument constructed according
to my invention in which a single scale of reeds is caused to produce the effect of a
double scale during the expansion and contraction of the bellows.
In this example a a* represent the bellows a' a* represent the end caps thereof
and b represents the music box which is located centrally of the bellows and divides
it into two parts a a*
so as to constitute a double acting instrument and the outer
ends of the caps a¹ a¹* are connected together by means of bars a² fixed thereto but
not to the central music box b.
To each side of the music box bare fixed the inner ends of two bars b¹ which
extend beyond the end cap a✶ of the bellows a* and are there connected by a cross-
head to which is attached one of the usual loops or straps & under which is placed
the hand of the performer, the other of such loops or straps a being attached to the
end cap a of the bellows a at the opposite end of the instrument.
By this arrangement of parts the central music box 6 may be moved to and fro
alternately compressing and expanding the bellows a a*
The bellows a communicates directly by a way 6 with the reed chamber e which is
fitted with a single scale of reeds cl whilst the other bellows a communicates therewith
by a way or conduit 66 formed in the top of the music box b which top is perforated
to admit of the passage of sound, and valves 64*65* are employed to close the air
ways during the compression of the bellows a a* and to open them during the
expansion thereof whilst the waste air is exhausted from the bellows during their
compression through other valves which close during their expansion.
Air will thus be drawn through and will sound the single scale of reeds during the
movement of the music box band bellows a a* in either direction and during the
consequent expansion of one of such bellows.
Motion is given to the roller d which feeds forward or traverses the endless
perforated band of music across the wall of the reed chamber c by the following
means.
The feed roller d is provided with necks or axes of motion d' which are mounted in
bearings formed in blocks 68 fixed to the walls of the music box b and it has fixed
upon one end thereof a pulley d² formed with double grooves d** *** thereon and
at intervals the feed roller d is grooved to receive india rubber bands d³ which enable
the roller d to obtain a proper grip of the endless band / of paper.
To a cleat upon the end cap a¹ of the bellows a is attached one end of a cord e and
this cord e thence passes over an alignment guide e* through the interior of the

page_text: · bellows a through a small hole formed in the wall of the music box b thence over
and completely around one division d* of the double grooved pulley d² thence down
under an idle or guide pulley 9 mounted upon a stud fixed to the opposite wall of
the music box 6, thence over and twice around the other division d2** of the grooved
pulley thence through a hole 6* in the wall of the music box over an alignment
guide e to a cleat upon the cap a¹* of the bellows a*.
a¹
By this arrangement of parts the cord e during the inward movement of the cap
upon the compression of the bellows a will be slackened and will therefore slip upon
the groove d✶ of the pulley & whilst upon the simultaneous outward movement of
the cap al and corresponding expansion of the bellows a* the cord will bind upon
the groove d²** of the pulley d² and rotate the feed roller d.
The same action will take place upon the expansion of the hellows a but in that case
the cord will bind upon the groove d✶ the act of drawing the cord e off the pulley d²
causing it to bind thereon so that whichever bellows a or a* is expanded the feed
roller d will be rotated and by reason of the cord e being passed around the pulley d²
in opposite directions, the feed roller d will always travel in one direction.
Doors a are provided to enable access to be had to the cord e and guides or
fastenings e*.
The endless perforated band is guided in its movements by means of a remove-
able skeleton or perforated partition wall or guide which reaches nearly to the top of
the music box b.
The endless perforated band is passed around the division wall or partition h
whilst the latter is removed from the music box and the partition or guide h is then
placed in position in the music box b, guide grooves 610 being formed in the walls of
the music box to receive the lateral projections at the upper end of the partition h
and recesses being formed in such end walls to receive the thick bead * upon the
lower edge of the partition h and thus ensure such partition being placed in
correct position, turn buttons being employed to secure it against accidental
removal.
The upper edge of the partition his rounded to facilitate the traverse of the
endless band over the same and a roller ³ mounted with capability of revolution in
bearings carried by the partition or guide his employed to keep the endless band
in contact with the feed roller d.
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
claim is :-
1. An automatic musical instrument formed with a bellows a a music box b,
provided with a detachable end, a spring bar 62** carried by such end, a reed
chamber e located within the music box 6, suitable valves to control the passage of
air to and from the bellows a and the reed chamber c, a feed roller d extending to
the exterior of the music box and there provided with a grooved pulley d², a corde,
guide e*, and a bow or a spring drum g also located upon the outside of the music
box to take up the slack. of the cord e, all in manner substantially as herein shown
and described with respect to Figures 1 to 7.
2. An automatic musical instrument formed with a central music box b, a separate
bellows a a* upon each side of such music box, bars a² connecting the end caps a¹ a¹*
of such bellows, a crosshead 2 connected by bars with the music box 6, a scale of
musical reeds c arranged within a reed chamber c located in the music box b,
valves ✶ ✶ for the admission of air to the bellows and valves 6067 for the exhaustion
thereof, substantially as herein shown and described.
3. An automatic musical instrument formed with a central music box b, a
separate bellows a a* upon each side of such music box, bars a² connecting the.
end caps a a* of such bellows, a crosshead 62 connected by bars with the music
box b. a scale of musical reeds c', a feed roller d provided with a double grooved
pulley, a guide roller y and a length of cord e all arranged in manner substantially
as herein shown and described and for the purpose stated.

page_text: 4. An automatic musical instrument formed with a central music box b, a separate
bellows a a* upon each side of such music box, bars a³ connecting the end caps a¹ a¹*
of such bellows, a crosshead 6 connected by bars with the music box b, a scale
of musical reeds c', a feed roller d provided with a double grooved pulley d², a guide
roller 9, a length of cord e and a removeable partition wall or guide h all
arranged in manner substantially as herein shown and described, and for the purpose
stated.
Dated 30th Tul 1800
WHITE & WOODINGTON,
27, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents.