IMPROVEMENTS IN BOOK HOLDERS FOR MUSIC STANDS
Year: 1884

page_text: I, JOHN GURR of 32 Portland Street Brighton in the county of Sussex no
occupation do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS
IN BOOK HOLDERS FOR MUSIC STANDS to be as follows:-
The making or constructing the Holder in such a manner that the act of turning
the leaves of the music or book throws it into a horizontal position thus allowing
the leaves to clear, when it immediately resumes its vertical position without any
assistance from the performer, or reader, and secures the remaining leaves, which
operation it will repeat any number of times thus saving the performer the
tedious process of turning and returning necessary with the existing holder.
This is done by making the holder in two or more pieces (whereas the existing
holder is practically in one piece), so that the front part or that against which the
music presses only revolves, the back portion being fixed to the stand or rest. It
is made to turn quito freely, and when at rest is kept in a vertical position by
being so balanced, that the lower portion is heavier than the upper.
By these means the action of the holder is rendered automatic.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
I, JOHN GURR of 32 Portland Street, Brighton in the county of Sussex no
occupation do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS
IN BOOK HOLDERS FOR MUSIC STANDS and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
The making or constructing the holder in such a manner that the act of turning
the leaves of the music throws it from a vertical into a horizontal position, thus
allowing the leaves to clear, when it immediately resumes its vertical position and
secures the remaining leaves without any assistance (other than turning the leaves)
on the part of the performer, thus saving the tedious process of turning down and
returning neccessary with the existing holders.
:
This is accomplished by making the holder in three parts (whereas the existing
holders are practically in one piece).
The first or front part marked N° 1 in the accompanying drawings is that
against which the music presses. This is made of an elongated pear shape or other
convenient form, care being taken that the lower end is heavier than the upper,
which is done by making it a tinch thicker than the upper part for about an
inch from the bottom end. This insures its standing in a vertical position when at
rest, and also forms a stop to arrest it by striking the under edge of the second
part when it reaches a horizontal position, in the act of turning.
The upper end is tapered or eased off in width to allow of the music leaves
gliding over as it falls in turning.
This part is drilled to take the front bearing in such a position as will insure the
greater weight (or counterbalance) being below this hole.
The entire length of this front portion should be about 2 ins, its width an
inch; the upper portion th of an inch thick the lower 3/8 of an inch thick.
The second part marked in the drawings N° 2 is a plate 11 in long by 3/8" wide
and th thick. By this the holder is fixed to the front edge of the desk, screw holes
being made in it for this purpose. It is made of an oblong form with a projection
of 3/" on the lower edge.
Through this projection a steel pin in in diameter & " long is secured so
that a tin projects on either side for the purpose of carrying the holder and upon
which it turns quite freely, having a bearing front & back.
The third or back part marked in the drawings N° 3 is a plate " thick
corresponding in form to the lower part of the front piece and about 3/4" long.
It is secured to the lower or thick part of the front by a screw and steadying pin.
It is drilled at the top end to form the back bearing, by turning upon the steel
pin in the plate or second part.
The Holder is made of brass or other suitable metal, and as it is of the greatest
importance that it should be free from noise, care has to be taken that metal shall
not come in contact with metal. This is insured, by making the centre holes in the
front and back parts larger than the pin upon which they turn and bushing" or
lining these holes with cloth this gives silence and at the same time allows of a
"E

page_text: smooth easy motion to the holder. Also pads of cloth are placed on the steel pin
on either side of the plate or second part, and on the lower portion of the first part
where it strikes the under edge of the second part. The pieces of cloth are secured
to the metal by a cement formed of shellac and spirits of wine.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
First. A Music holder made in two or more parts.
Secondly. A Music holder revolving upon a centre.
Thirdly. A Music holder so constructed, that the act of turning the music leaf
causes it to fall from the vertical into such a position, that the music leaves can
pass when turned over by the performer.
Fourth. The insuring silence in the holder by "bushing" the holes, and clothing
as described.
Fifth. Making the holder with a counterbalance, or so that the lower portion is
the heavier, thus dispensing with springs &c.