IMPROVED MEANS OF AND APPARATUS FOR TURNING OVER THE LEAVES OF MUSIC AND OTHER BOOKS And PERIODICALS
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Richard Commins Mudge, of Weymouth, in the
County of Dorset, for the Invention of “IMPROVED MEANS OF AND
APPARATUS FOR TURNING OVER THE LEAVES OF MUSIC AND OTHER BOOKS And
PERIODICALS."
Scaled the 7th March 1873, and dated the 13th September 1872.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Richard Commins
Mudge at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 13th September 1872.
I, RICHARD COMMINS MUDGE, of Weymouth, in the County of Dorset,
3 do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVED MEANS
OF AND APPARATUS FOR TURNING OVER THE LEAVES OF MUSIC AND OTHER BOOKS
AND PERIODICALS," to be as follows:-
This Invention has for object turning over the leaves of music and of
books and periodicals in regular order, and as required by a simple
movement or release of appliances fitted within or to a case or frame
capable of standing or of being fitted in any position.

page_text: The first plan or method which I propose is that of a scrics of rods,
plates, or dividers mounted upon a pin common to all, these being
capable of separate action by a movement in one direction of a notched
or stepped sliding piece under the control of a pull cord, lever, or other
appliance, assisted or not by one or more springs. In lieu of the sliding
or stepped piece being employed I can fit a rotating spindle or drum in
the case and act upon it by the draw cord. The spindle or drum may
have a series of studs, pins, or projections arranged upon it in spiral or
other order, or of different lengths, so that only one pin can bear against
one of the rods, plates, or dividers at one time for turning the leaves
over singly. The axle of the spindle or drum may have a band wheel
upon it governed by a weight or catch, the release of which would cause
the drum to turn a fixed distance ready for the release.
According to another plan or method I arrange the rods, bars, or
plates to slide to and fro within the casc, as also to slide and to turn up
and down. The sliding bars may be arranged slightly in advance of one
another for convenience of fixing them, their distance apart being deter-
mined by stops or projections within the casing; they may also be
forked or formed with grips for taking leaves singly or otherwise.
For the rotating spindle or drum I propose to employ a regulator
consisting of a disc upon the drum axle and provided with springs and
projections, over and against which a lever can be caused to take each
time the cord is acted upon. The rods, bars, or arms can be turned over
by means of the slide already mentioned (placed either in front of or
behind the turnovers), having attached to it a spring either in front or
behind, or both, to pull or force it forward. To this action is attached a
catch or liberator to hold the arms in their places and to liberate them
when required; it is arranged in front of the case immediately opposite
or alongside the end of the arms. The catch or liberator will vary in
form and be made to accord with the particular kind of arm used. If
the arms are arranged for the bottom one to be taken over first special
forms of catches are used. The appliances for liberating the arms
consist of a double slide acted on by a cross bar turning on a pivot; on
one of these slides being drawn forward the other recedes by reason of
the cross bar pressing against the groove knobs or pins on the slides.
This outer slide is provided with a perpendicular holder against which
the arms rest when set. This perpendicular holder is made to turn down
to allow the arms to be adjusted, a spring carrying it to its upright

page_text: position when released. To the inner slide or the inner part of the cross
bar is fixed a spring which holds it back when the arms are arranged
with the leaves. The outer slide is in front of the turnovers and
prevents them going forward, but on the slide being pulled back by the
cord attached to it, or the outer end of the cross bar, the first arm goes
forward, whilst the next arm is prevented doing so by the inner slide
going immediately in front of it (i.e. between the 1st and 2nd arms)
before the 1st arm is released, and so on, the outer slide being released
by the cord being slackened, the slide taking its place immediately in
front of the arm which was held back by the inner slide, and so on. A
scrics of rings, loops, or other appliances acted upon singly upon the
pull of the cord may be used.
A modification of the foregoing consists of a wheel with two spokes
or teeth upon it, one tooth shorter than the other. The shorter one is
placed nearer the interior of the case than the longer and pointing to
the left at the angle required. A spring is attached to this wheel which
keeps the longer tooth perpendicular so as to hold the arms from going
forward. A cord is also attached to the wheel, which on being pulled
forces down the long tooth towards the right hand, liberates the 1st arm,
whilst the small tooth coming up and placing itself in front of the next
arm prevents it coming forward. When the cord is slackened the long
tooth goes back to its former position, and so on for the other arms.
Another modification consists of an axis containing as many teeth as
there are arms. On the axis being turned by either of the plans already
mentioned each arm is in its turn liberated, i.c. on the axis or wheel
being turned partly round the 1st tooth going below the 1st arm liberates
it, the 2nd tooth meanwhile rises up in front of the 2nd arm and pre-
vents it coming forward, and so on. Again, when the top arms are
brought over first the long spoke or tooth of the wheel or drum goes
below the 1st or top arm and liberates it, the 2nd tooth the same, and so
on. I also force or bring over the arms by attaching to the wheel a
spring (on either side of it separately or together) so as to keep tho
spokes or teeth alternately pressing against the arm to be turned over.
This motion can be used either in front of or behind the axis of the
arms and with the liberator appliance already described.
The slide already described instead of being brought forward by a
cord attached to it can be drawn forwards by means of what I shall call
a regulator, inasmuch as it prevents more than one arm being drawn

page_text: over at one motion. As there are several regulators I will describe them
separately. In this arrangement the slide which presses against the
turnovers is provided with as many holes or notches as there are arms to
turn over at equal distances apart.
The regulator, which is another slide fitted with a spring at the top or
bottom, is placed immediately alongside the slide, and is kept back
towards the left hand side of the case (when the slide is used behind the
arms) by a spring placed at either end. This regulator when drawn
forward by the cord brings forward one distance the slide through the
spring which is placed at the top of the regulator fitting in the notch in
the slide. When the regulator is released by the cord being slackened
it regains its former position through being forced back by the spring.
The spring or knob at the top of the regulator then takes its position
within the next notch in the side of the slide, and upon the regulator
being again drawn forward by means of the cord the spring at its top
brings forward the slide another space, and another arm is forced over,

page_text: The casing is divided into two parts by means of a fixed or sliding
partition. The arms are placed to move horizontally, and although from
what may be described as one centre on separate and independent pivots
or axis, and instead of turning on the pivots themselves are themselves
turned by the pivots on which they are fixed being turned; the pivots or
centres to which the arms are fixed, and by which the arms are turned,
are concentric cylinders turning on each other. The arms are made to
move in the upper partition of the case, and the pivots are turned from
the parts in the lower part of the case, having attached to each a metal
or clastic spring so as to draw or force them round on the arms being
released by the liberators already described.
The arms fixed as described above are also worked and brought
forward by attaching to the portions of the pivots which are in the lower
partition of the case arms so as to admit of their being forced over by
means of the slide or wheel.
It is proposed to use for the purpose of a stand for the music a
framing, jointed so as to fold, provided with spring stop to hold the
same in its position, and fitted with a double wooden or metal stay in
front of the centre upright, which said stay is to fold with the other
portion of stand and to have a spring or joint at its lowest extremity, so
that when the music is placed in its position, the stay having previously
been drawn forward so as to allow the same to pass between it and tho
stand, resumes of its own accord, or is placed by the hand back against
the centre part of the stand, the sheet or sheets of music intervening.
The part of music where it is bound being to the right or left hand side
of said stay, a spring or other attachment is fitted to the centre upright
of the stand to hold the spring stay in its position.
For the purpose of making the instrument equally convenient for the
use of music bound in quantities or in one or two sheets it is intended
to fit the centre of stand with a thumbscrew for the purposes of drawing
the stand to the front of case for thin copics, and carrying same back-
wards so as to allow a thicker book to be placed upon the stand.
The back of the stand I prefer should be made in the form of a cross
with thumbscrews at the end of each arm to press the ends of the
music against itself. Elastic or metal bands may be used in combination
with some of the parts if desired, and the various motions may ba
worked from the top of the stand or desk, or a double set or two separate

page_text: actions may be worked from a case at the base and another at the top of
the stand.
Sometimes I dispense with the slide and wheel and use the springs
and liberators directly upon the arms.
The arms may also be arranged from separate centres, and they may 5
be acted upon by or through cams or eccentrics fixed on a small shaft or
axle, the same being actuated or set in motion by a sliding catch acting
on a ratchet wheel, worked by a cord, and grips or forks may be provided
for single sheets of music.
All these machines or apparatus referred to can be attached at pleasure 1
to music and reading desks.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Richard Commins Mudge in the Great Scal
Patent Office on the 13th March 1873.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, RICHARD 1
COMMINS MUDGE, of Weymouth, in the County of Dorset, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Thirteenth day of September, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, in the thirty- 2
sixth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said Richard Commins Mudge, Her special
licence that I, the said Richard Commins Mudge, my executors, ad-
ministrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Richard Commins
Mudge, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any a
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times
thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention
for "IMPROVED MEANS OF AND APPARATUS FOR TURNING OVER THE LEAVES OF
MUSIC AND OTHER BOOKS AND PERIODICALS," upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said Richard Commins Mudge, my executors or
administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or onc

page_text: of their bands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be
performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent
Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the date
of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Richard Commins Mudge, do
hereby declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement thereof, reference being had to the
Drawings hereunto annexed, that is to say :—
This Invention has for object turning over the leaves of music and of
books and periodicals in regular order and as required by a simple move-
ment or release of appliances fitted within or to a case or frame capable
of standing or of being fitted in any position.
The first plan or method consists of a series of rods, plates, or dividers
mounted upon a pin common to all, these being capable of separate
action by a movement in one direction of a notched or stepped sliding
piece under the control of a pull cord, lever, or other appliance, assisted
or not by one or more springs.
My Invention will be well understood by the aid of the accompanying
Drawings:-
Figure 1 shows a case a, in or to which four arms or turn overs b, b,
are pivotted, the arms being moved over in succession as in dotted lincs
by the step slider c, when it is pulled towards the opposite end of the
case by a cord, the instrumentalist having the free end within reach of
his hand or his foot so as to act upon it when desired. The step slider c
which is shown detached in Figure 3 only moves a fixed distance cach
time the cord is acted upon, it being checked in its travel by a spring or
catch so that the movement only shifts one arm or turn over, Figure 4,
O to the opposite side, the arm carrying the leaf or page of music or of a
book over with it.
Figures 5 and 6 show a modified method of moving the arms or turn-
overs. Here the turnovers b, b, are carried over by means of a wheel or
barrel d, with spokes or teeth projecting from the same, and placed at
5 intervals in a spiral direction so as to turn the arms b, b, singly by its
rotation, the barrel axis being acted from the outside by a cord over the

page_text: wheel e. Figure 7 shows a front and a side view of one of the arms or
turnovers b.
Figures 8 and 9 show an clevation and a plan of an apparatus with a
step slider a, a', and catch b, b', in dotted lines, the arnis c being carried
over by the motion given to the catch b, b', through the cord j, which
passes over the wheel e and the guide g, or by a pressure upon the
lever, which draws the cord attached to the wheel e.
Upon the
catch being drawn forward the lever b' is inserted into the slider a, and
draws it forward the distance required, when it is caught and held in its
place by the lever b, lodging itself by means of a spring in the rack a¹
attached to the base of the slider. Upon the cord j or the lever f being
released the catch 6 is drawn back by a spring to its former position, and
the lever b¹ resumes its place inside same; d is a stop provided with a
comb, which is inserted between the arms.
Detached views of the arms or turnovers for this method are shown in
Figure 10.
the arms a, a, a, of which
When motion is given to
rack in b and draws it the
Figure 11 shows in section an apparatus
are carried over by means of the slider b, b.
the catch e the lever c' inserts itself into a
required distance, resuming its position directly after by the action of a
spring. The lever c³ also resumes its position inside the same.
Figure 12 is a plan of Figure 11, and Figure 13 is a sketch of the outer
end of one of the arms, and upon or to which fingers or prongs are
fitted for bearing against a large surface of the leaf to prevent it sagging
or slipping back while being turned or moved over.
Figures 14, 15, and 16 are face views of wheels which may be used as
substitutes for the slide and catch of the previous methods.
Figure 16 shows the slots and projections by which the wheel can be
turned by the lever or catch shown separately in Figures 19 and 20.
Figures 17 and 18 show a modification of the slide already shown in
Figure 11.
Figure 21 is a view of a catch for releasing the arms when they are
brought over by springs or forced over by the slides or wheels.
Figure 22 shows an elevation of a portion of a case with a series of
arms, Figure 23 being sectional plan of the same apparatus shewing;

page_text: the form and working of the apparatus, of which Figure 21 shows the
back; a, a, a, a, are the arms which are drawn over by the catch b, this
being kept in position by upright guides which allow it to move from
the top to the bottom of the case, it being lifted to its position by a
pressure upon the lever c or by turning the other lever d attached to it.
Figure 25 is also a back view of the same apparatus, and showing the
arms previous to their being carried over with the catch b, which is
shown increased in breadth at b¹. I fit to the back of the slide or catch b
a spring which draws it back to its position. Other forms of springs
may be attached to any other portion of the slide so as to force it back
to the same place.
The action of this slide or catch will be understood by the following :—
The arms and catch being in the position shown in Figure 25, and the
catch being drawn forward by a cord, the bottom portion comes into
contact with the end of the arm, its pressure carrying it from one side
to the other, where it is released, and the catch 6 resumes its position
upon the next arm ready to carry that over upon the cord being drawn.
Figure 26 shows an end view of the arm or turnover a; Figures 27
and 28 the slide b; Figures 29 and 30 show the finger portion of the
arm a. This plan can be modified by providing each of the arms with
a cord attached to a spring, as shown in dotted lines, so as to carry them
to their position at the right hand side of the apparatus, and substituting
the arrangement of slide and catch shown in Figures 9, 11, 12, 17, 18,
and 31 in lieu of the ones previously described and shown.
According to the next arrangement the arms are taken over by means
of strings or cords attached to the slide and catch like that already
mentioned. It will also be seen that by keeping the arms back to the
lift by means of springs they may be taken backward and forward by
means of the double catch and slide already mentioned.
The arms shewn in Figures 31 and 32 are fixed to a wooden or a metal
slab and are drawn forward by cords attached to the arms and to the slide,
as shown Figure 33, the slide being operated upon by the catch shown
in Figures 9, 11, and 12. I sometimes insert springs in this slide, as
shown in Figure 33, for the purpose of allowing tension to the cords as
cach arm is drawn forward.

page_text: It will be observed that the cord attached to the first arm is tight, and
that the other cords are loose, so that when the first arm has been drawn
over the second cord becomes tight, and so on.
The arms may be drawn back to the right by another slide and catch
being placed on the left hand side of the apparatus, as seen on reference
to the Drawing Figures 31 and 32, the two slides being connected by a
cord or other appliance. a, a, a, a, are the arms; b, b, the catches;
and c, c, the slides, each catch being fitted with a pawl and ratchet, so
that when the slide on one side is drawn the paul is released, whilst the
other holds fast. The cords attached to the arms for causing them to
slide are shown upon one side d, d, d, d, and upon the other e, e, e, e,
f and g being the cords attached to the pawls.
As a modification of the foregoing upon the cord system the arms are
taken over by another set of arms, the latter being placed at the required
distance at the right hand side of the case. These arms are connected
by cords or any other suitable contrivance, so that when one has been
turned by the finger or otherwise it draws out at right angles to the next
arm or lever, and when this arm or lever has been pressed towards the
right upon the face of the case the second arm or turnover is carried
over and the third arm or lever is brought up to right angles ready to
operate upon the next turnover. The turnovers may be brought back to
the right by another set of arms or levers being placed on the left hand
side of the case. Cords, as will be seen on reference to Figure 34, are
attached to the turnovers and arms or levers, a, a, a, a, being the arms
or turnovers, b, b, b, b, the arms or levers on one hand, and b¹, b¹, b', b', '
the set of levers on the other hand. The respective cords are shown at
d, d, e, e¹, being guide wheels for the same.
The arms or turnovers may be operated upon by means of a pedal or
pedals made on the principle of the arm levers. Cords run from the
turnovers to each pedal or arm lever.
According to another modification of the cord system the arms turn
on separate spindles or axis, and are turned over by means of the slide,
catch, &c., mentioned previously. This modified plan is especially
adapted for turning the leaves from the top, but is equally applicable to
work from the bottom; a, a, a, a, are the arms b, b, b, b, the spindles
attached to the same. Figure 36 shows a sectional elevation; Figure 37
a plan; and 38 a transverse section from front to back of a plan which

page_text: is intended to show the working from the top, the spindles being shown
broken off. The cords as will be seen are attached to the slide and the
catch already mentioned on the case.
There are many kinds of screw or spring grips which may be employed
to grip the upper edges of the leaves to turn them over, so that half or
loose sheets may be operated upon as well as ordinary leaves.
In the view Figure 39 the arms are operated upon by means of
another arm attached to the spindle on which the arms turn, the spindle
being provided with a screw which on being turned one half round takes
over the first arm by pressing against the projection on the top of the
arm. On being turned another distance it clears itself of the arm, and
the opposite arm or projection attached to the spindle takes over the
next arm; this on being turned passes under the projection on the
second arm, and so on. The spindle is operated by means of the slide
and catch already described. This case may be for convenience made to
fold up like a book, and will act also at same time as a music rest, or in
other words the music rest may be attached by hinges to the side of the
case or apparatus.
In Figure 39 a, a, a, a, are the arms; b, the spindle; c, the attach-
ment on same; d, d, d, d, the projections on arms; e, e, prejections on
top arm; d, screw; e, recl on spindle; f, f, the cords attached to slide;
and g, g, the sides of case forming the folding portions as a music rest.
A single arm may be substituted for the double onc, so that to throw
one turnover one revolution of the spindle would be required.
Figures 40 and 41 show another modification of my wheel system.
Here the disc of the arm is cogged, and it is operated upon by means
of another wheel fixed behind the same, the latter wheel being
cogged, but divided so as to turn over one arm only at one motion, as
will be seen on reference to Figure 41. This wheel is operated upon by
means of the lever attached to the axis of the wheel, and when pressure
is put upon one end of the same it comes into contact with one of the
spring catches inserted in a disc, which revolves on the same axis as the
cog wheel and attached thereto, the edge of the said disc being fitted
with ratchet teeth and a pawl for the purpose of carrying the arms back
to their former position. A duplicate disc with ratchet and pawl is
provided, this acting in a similar manner to the other by means of
another lever similarly placed, the arrangement being that when pressure

page_text: is put upon one lever the pawl holding that wheel is released and the
cog wheel allowed to turn, the action on either hand being identical.
Figure 42 is another form of slide which may be used to draw the
arms over, it being placed at the right hand side of the case.
Slots or
wires are arranged in the ends of the arms to receive the hooks of the
slide.

page_text: Secondly. I claim the several modified methods of operating the arms
and fingers of music or other leaf turners, together with the arrange-
ments of appliances for facilitating such turning as herein-before
described and shown in the annexed Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Richard Commins Mudge have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Eleventh day of March,
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three.