An Improved Musical Instrument.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 27th May, 1897-Accepted, 21st Aug.,
1897
CUMIDELE
An Improved Musical Instrument.
I, FRIEDRICH GRONAU, of Kochstrasse, Leipzig, in the Empire of Germany,
Merchant, 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 :-
This invention relates to a mechanical musical instrument which is characterised
by the arrangement and co-operation of the main parts.
The sound is produced by peculiar means and essentially by the arrangement that
sound disks, which are provided with sound tongues, needles, bells or any other
sound producing devices, are placed loosely on an axle turned mechanically or by
hand.
These sound disks, of which one is required for each sound are damped by the
effect of a music sheet, which can be replaced by a pianoforte action to be operated
by hand or mechanically, when a sound is to be produced.
During this stoppage the sound disk axle moved mechanically or by hand continues
to turn and the operating or striking devices thereon are operated in such a manner
that a sound is produced from the disk which has been stopped.
The whole arrangement of the instrument necessary for effecting this operation
can be formed in different ways and the constructions shown in the drawing are to be
considered only as examples.
In the annexed drawings--
Fig. 1 is a cross section of such a musical instrument.
section.
Figs. 3-7 are details of the sound disk with tongues etc.
Figs, 8-9 are details of the sound disk with needles, etc.
Fig. 2 is a longitudinal
Figs. 10-11 are details of the sound disk with coiled springs or gongs.
On the axle a are the sound disks A, which are provided either with tongues b
Figs. 1-7, with needles c Figs. 8-9 or gongs f Figs. 10-11, or with any other
sound producers.
Each of the sound disks carries several equally tuned sound producers and if
required an appropriate resounding device can be arranged on the sound disks.
These sound producers arranged on the sound disks co-operate with the operating
or striking device he arranged on the axle a Figs. 3-9 and 10 & 11.
The sound disks A turn generally with the axle a, so that there is no difference of
velocity between the disks and the operating device h on the axle.
When any sound has to be produced on one or more sound disks, the stopping
device B, which is correspondingly formed, is operated by the effect of the music
sheet N, which can also be replaced by a pianoforte action.
The corresponding sound disk is prevented from turning by means of the music
sheet or in any other manner and remains stationary so that the operating or striking
device h arranged on the axle a Figs. 5-6 passes a sounder on the corresponding
disk in such a manner, that the latter is operated or struck.
As soon as the note sign leaves the stopping lever or the latter is freed by leaving
a key free, the corresponding sound disks resumes its movement equally with the
device for operating the sound producer.
17

page_text: The operating device is formed in different ways according to the kind of sound
producer used as can be seen for instance from Figs. 1 and 2.
The sound disks A are placed on the axle between two rings o and can also be pressed
by means of special springs k against the operating mechanism.
The method of arrangement of the sound disks on the axle may differ according to
the size and kind of instrument.
The essential point of the invention is the arrangement of loose sound disks on an
axle provided with an operating device or similar arrangement these sound disks
being kept temporarily at rest in accordance with the music by means of stopping
devices so that the operating or striking devices operate by their continued
movement.
The form and arrangement of the parts may also differ according to the kind of
sound character desired for the instrument.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
An improved mechanical musical instrument in which, for producing the sound,
sound disks A are loosely placed on a rotary axle a these disks being kept temporarily
at rest by the effect of a stopping device B operated by note-signs or in a similar
manner, so that the sound operating devices arranged on the axle operate the sound
producers on the stationary sound disks according to the music.
Dated this 27th day of May 1837.
HERBERT HADDAN & Co.,
18, Buckingham Street, Strand, London, Agents to Applicant.