Improvements in Mechanical Musical Instruments.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Dec., 1895-Accepted, 7th Mar., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Mechanical Musical Instruments.
We, FRIEDRICH ERNST MALKE and FRIEDRICH HERMANN OBERLÄNDER
both of Leipsic-Gohlis, in the Empire of Germany, Manufacturers, do hereby
declare the nature of our invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
The object of the present invention is to produce a mechanical musical
instrument consisting of several compartments having each a different set of
notes and thus to perfect the means hitherto employed in connection with
mechanical musical instruments and to produce a chromatic tuning of the same.
This object is obtained by combining several sets of combs in one instrument,
Thus the
said sets being so chosen as each to comprise a different set of tones.
steel comb of one set would not be the same as that of the next as has hitherto
been accomplished. By means of this combination, the means for producing the
tunes are perfected to such an extent that by properly choosing the steel combs,.
a chromatic tuning can be effected. Thus the combs may be arranged so that
the first set may produce the melody, the second set the accompaniment and the
third the bass. By employing more sets the number of octaves may be increased
as is the case with pianofortes. These sets must be driven simultaneously so as
This may
to produce the required note on each set exactly at the same moment.
be attained by the devices shown in the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1
is a plan and Fig. 2 a side elevation of one form of accomplishing the object,
Figs. 3 and 4 elevation and plan of another form of carrying out the invention and
Figures 5 to 10 show various modifications in side elevation and plan. To the
shafts of the various devices which drive the note sheets or the means for striking
the combs are fixed sprocket wheels A A which are connected up and driven by
means of a suitable band having perforations and made preferably of steel, said
perforations of the band B fitting the sprockets of the wheels. Obviously on
revolving one of the shafts all the others will be revolved simultaneously. The
device may be carried out as shown in Figures 1 and 2 by putting two sprocket
wheels on the middle shafts and employing two bands B or as shown in Figures 3.
and 4 by arranging the wheels A in a line and employing one band B only.
Figs. 5 and 6 show in side and plan views the arrangement of the band when two
sets or combs only are combined. Figures 7 and 8 similar views when a sprocket
wheel and chain is employed and Figs. 9 and 10 similar views when ordinary chain
wheels and chain are used.
By means of the present arrangement melody, accompaniment and bass will
sound harmoniously together.
One advantage of the present invention is that musical works may be built on.
the present system without any great extra expense as the present driving gear.
may be arranged outside the works and if necessary easily repaired.
Although several forms of carrying out the invention have been described it
may be stated that the one first mentioned is more advantageous since no stretching-
of the steel band takes place, which often occurs when chains are employed.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is :-
1. A mechanical musical instrument having several compartments containing
combs in varying keys for the purpose of perfecting the tunes and effecting
chromatic tuning of the instrument.
2. In combination with the device covered by Claim 1 the arrangement of a
non-elastic band or its equivalent for the purpose of simultaneously driving all the
sets substantially as described.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southaninton Buildings. London. W.C.. Agents for the Anplicants
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicants