IMPROVEMENTS IN MUSICAL BOXES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Thomas Hughes, of the Firm of Hughes and
Son, Patent Agents, 123, Chancery Lane, London, for the Invention of
'IMPROVEMENTS IN MUSICAL BOXES." A communication from abroad by
Messrs. Henry Jacques Antoine Metert and Louis Joseph Petite, of Geneva,
Switzerland.
Sealed the 4th February 1879, and dated the 20th September 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Thomas Hughes
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 20th September 1878.
EDWARD THOMAS HUGHES, of the Firm of Hughes and Son, Patent Agents,
123, Chancery Lane, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MUSICAL BOXES." A communi-
cation from abroad by Messrs. Henry Jacques Antoine Metert and Louis Joseph
Petite, of Geneva, Switzerland.
This Invention relates to improvements in the construction and arrangement of
musical boxes, and consists principally,-
Firstly. In dispensing with the through axis or spindle to the cylinder, and
substituting therefor at one end a short external pivot or shaft which is mounted in
bearings, and on the inner end of which the cylinder is supported and revolves.
On this shaft are fixed the pinion geared into by the barrel spur wheel, and the
wheel turning the cylinder by means of a crank pin projecting from the end plate
of the cylinder and engaging with the wheel, and at the same time with the ratchet
disc for changing the airs. In this arrangement the barrel is placed beneath the
bed plate instead of above, as is generally the case.
Fixed to the cover plate at the other end of the cylinder, and projecting externally
therefrom, but not entering the cylinder, is a single axis or pivot for supporting the
cylinder at that end.
Secondly. In the bearing for receiving the single axis or pivot, and which is so
shaped or slotted that the ordinary closing cap-piece or lever for keeping the
cylinder and axis down in the bearing is dispensed with.

page_text: Thirdly. In the cylinder pusher which consists of a sleeve or tube closed at its
outer end, and into the inner open end of which is inserted the end of the single
fixed axis or pivot projecting from the end of the cylinder.
This sleeve or tube passes longitudinally through holes or bearings in the ends of
a box, and is acted upon inside the box by a spiral spring, working between the
outer end of the box and a collar on the sleeve or tube, so as to keep the cylinder
tight to its work. An upright handle is fixed to the sleeve or tube, and works
through a slot in the top of the box.
Fourthly. In a novel mode of changing the airs by means of a horizontal spindle
mounted longitudinally in bearings over the pivot or shaft carrying the pinion and
wheel gear.
This spindle is formed at its end with a hook or catch, which when it is required
to change the airs is turned by a handle on the outer end of the spindle, so as to
engage with the ratchet disc on the face of the cylinder wheel, and when not so
required it is turned out of
gear therewith.
Fifthly. In the general combination of these improvements, whereby the
cylinder may be easily taken out and replaced by another, and the general con-
struction is greatly simplified.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Edward Thomas Hughes in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
20th March 1879.
EDWARD THOMAS HUGHES, of the Firm of Hughes and Son, Patent Agents,
123, Chancery Lane, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MUSICAL BOXES." A communi-
cation from abroad by Henry Jacques Antoine Metert and Louis Joseph Petite, of
Geneva, Switzerland.
This Invention relates to improvements in the construction and arrangement of
musical boxes, whereby the cylinder may be easily taken out and replaced by
another, and the general construction greatly simplified.
On the accompanying Drawing Fig. 1 is a perspective elevation of a musical
box constructed according to this Invention, which consists,-
Firstly. In dispensing with the through axis or spindle to the cylinder A, as
usually constructed, and substituting therefor a short external pivot or shaft B,
which is mounted in bearings C, C, and on the inner end b of which the cylinder
A is supported and revolves. On this shaft B are fixed the pinion D geared into
by the barrel spur wheel E, and the spur wheel F which turns the cylinder A by
means of a crank pin G projecting from the end plate a of the cylinder A which
engages with the wheel F, and at the same time with the ratchet disc H for
changing the airs. In this arrangement the barrel E¹ is placed beneath the bed
plate I, in lieu of above as generally the case.
Fixed to the cover plate a' at the other end of the cylinder A and projecting
externally therefrom, but not entering the cylinder A, is a single axis or pivot J for
supporting the cylinder A at that end. By this part of the Invention, the cylinder
A is easily taken out and replaced by another.
Secondly. In the bearing K for receiving the single axis or pivot J, this bearing
K being so shaped or slotted that the ordinary closing cap-piece or levers for
keeping the cylinder and axis down in the bearing is dispensed with.
Thirdly, In the pusher to the cylinder A, which pusher consists of a sleeve or
tube L closed at its outer end, and into the inner open end of which is inserted the
end of the single fixed axis or pivot J.
This sleeve or tube L passes longitudinally through holes or bearings c, c', in the
ends of a box M (seen partly broken away), and is acted upon inside the box M by
a spiral spring N working between the end c¹ of the box M and a collar d on the
sleeve or tube L, so as to force the latter against the end of the fixed axis or pivot J,
and so keep the cylinder A up to its work. An upright handle O is fixed to the
sleeve or tube L, and works through a slot e in the top of the box.
Fourthly. In a novel mode of changing the airs by means of a horizontal
spindle P, mounted longitudinally in the bearings C, C, over the pivot or shaft B.
This spindle P is formed at its inner end with a hook or catch f, which when
required to change the airs is turned downwards by a handle Q on the outer end
of the spindle P, so as to engage with the ratchet disc H on the face of the cylinder
wheel F, and thereby effect the change of air desired. When not required to
change the air, the hook or catch fis turned upwards or out of gear with the
ratchet disc H, and no movement of the latter takes place. The hook or catch fis
retained in either position by a ratchet and spring g or other device as found most
suitable.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into
effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider novel and original, and
therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part recited
Letters Patent is,―
1. Carrying the cylinder A on short external pivots or shafts in lieu of on a
through axis as heretofore, whereby the cylinder can easily be replaced by another,

page_text: substantially as herein-before described, and illustrated by the accompanying
Drawing.
2. The construction of the bearing K for receiving the pivot or axis J of the
cylinder A, substantially as and for the purpose herein-before described, and
illustrated by the accompanying Drawing.
3. The construction of the pusher L in combination with the fixed pivot or
axis J of the cylinder A, substantially as and for the purpose herein-before
described, and illustrated by the accompanying Drawing.
4. The application and use of a horizontal spindle formed with a hook or catch
at its inner end, and furnished with a handle and locking device for changing the
airs, substantially as herein-before described, and illustrated by the accompanying
Drawing.
5. The general combination and arrangement of musical box, substantially as and
for the purpose herein-before described, and illustrated by the accompanying
Drawing.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edward Thomas Hughes, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twentieth day of March, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.
E. T., HUGHES. (L.S.)